Cute, mostly fluffy with a twist, a good closer for the trilogy. ( )

Gabe and Monica are both warriors. They just are fighting different battles. Gabe is haunted by physical and mental demons. Dogged by the tragedies of a past he couldn't control and the pain he can't forget. Monica is the complete opposite. She always wears a smile, but hides the pain in her soul. Joined by a common cause these two wounded warriors are about to learn the power of love. Cowboy Seal Christmas finds power in the tragedies and courage from the pain. Helm guides us through the storm as she points us toward the rainbow. Emotion is the life force behind this heartwarming read. ( )

Cowboy SEAL Christmas delivers a blend of things I often enjoy-grumpy ex-military men and Christmas! I thought this would be a holiday novella, but it is a full story! This is the tale of Gabe, an ex-SEAL who has a slew of family issues as well as PTSD, and Monica, the psychologist/single mom who lives on the ranch.

Revival Ranch started in book one with Becca and her ex-stepbrother (one of the SEALs). Now Becca and Alex are getting married and the only single people left on the ranch are Gabe and Monica. Both feel an attraction to each other, but Gabe doesn't trust shrinks and Monica doesn't think it would be wise to cross that professional line. Her husband was in the military and died during a routine training exercise when their son was still a baby. Colin is 10 now and Monica hasn't dated at all. Her and Gabe both have...issues. Gabe is physically and mentally better off than both Alex and Jake, but that doesn't mean he is okay. Gabe and Monica sort of dance around their feelings for each other and that is the main plot of the book. Personally, I thought it felt a bit slow at times. I loved getting to see the previous characters (including Rasputin and Ron Swanson!), and Colin was a good addition. I enjoyed the story but I think it might have actually worked better as a novella.

You can read this as a stand alone. While the previous characters are present, its not necessary to KNOW their stories in order to understand Gabe and Monica!

This was my first listen to narrator Abby Craden and she was great! She didn't attempt to 'over act' the male voices and her performance was enjoyable.

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: hate to love, ex-military, single mom


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

other cowboy/ranch based books like Untamed Cowboy by Maisey Yates, Long Tall Cowboy Christmas by Carolyn Brown, Second Chance Cowboy by AJ Pine...then you will probably like Cowboy SEAL Christmas!

 


Cowboy SEAL Christmas






 
See full review on The Book Disciple ( )