I've received a ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It was a slow start at the beginning of the novel that I debated rather or not I should drop it but I thought I would give it some time for the story to develop and I'm so glad I did.

The characters were really likable and the relationship didn't seem force nor rushed. I enjoyed the bubbling romance between Audrey and Caleb, their chemistry is impeccable. Highly recommend if you're looking for a romance novel with lots of twists and turns. ( )

Audrey Martinez is a veterinarian with a lot of work ahead of her. When she hears that more than one horse is sick Audrey is devastated. She cannot bear to see a horse suffering. It almost breaks her and she makes it her aim to discover the cause. The sick horses are part of a ranch that Caleb Harper and his family own. Sadly, more than one horse falls ill, so Caleb and Audrey work together to discover what is going on.

Caleb is certainly not new to the adversity facing him at the ranch. When he was a young boy his mother abandoned him and his brother Brice and sister Abby. He had a very good upbringing despite this, but is still very much affected by the abandonment he experienced.

It has been several years, and Caleb even spent time in the Army and now is a rodeo star as well as a rancher. Audrey hardly has time to help Caleb. She works for two ranches and they are quite strict about any moonlighting. However, she feels compelled to help, even when it becomes more than dangerous for her to do so.

During the years that have passed, Caleb's sister Abby married the owner of the East Ranch, Clayton East. More recently, his brother Brice married. Abby was instrumental in his life while growing up, and is no less important to Caleb now. As a matter of fact, despite all three of them being so adversely affected by what his mother did, Caleb seems to be hit the hardest.

This affects what is happening with him and Audrey. He cannot help but being drawn to her, but he is really carrying a lot of baggage. It was so touching to see their relationship bloom while his trust grew. Audrey is rather a unique individual. She enjoyed men, but never knew how to open her heart. Her time with Caleb changes that. A real opportunity for growth is open to the both of them.

My Favorite Cowboy is the third book in the Heart of Texas series, and is actually my favorite of the three. While each story can serve well as a standalone, the series is truly compelling and would do well to be read in order. The history of Caleb and his siblings is touched on in this story, but their deepest trauma is explored across all three books. The previous two books were The Christmas Cowboy Hero and Cowboy, Cross my Heart. I have enjoyed my time spent reading these books and am looking forward to continuing with this series. The following book is A Cowboy Like You, slated for release in August.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )

My Favorite Cowboy by Donna Grant
Heart of Texas #3

I remember starting this series with Abby down on her luck and falling in clover with Clayton. The best thing that ever happened to the Harpers just may have been Clayton East. In the second book Brice meet and fell for Naomi and in this book Caleb – the brother who planned never to marry – meets his match in veterinarian Audrey Martinez. I have a feeling that this series could continue as there is Maddy (Audrey’s sister) still without someone to love and two good friends of the Harpers and Easts that need to find someone – Cooper and Jace. And, is the sheriff married? If not, Danny might need a partner, too.

Anyway, this book starts with sick horses at an auction house and the vet called in just happens to be Audrey. She does her best to save the horses...with mixed results. Security for the auction house is provided by Caleb, Brice and Clayton with Jace and Cooper there, too. So, animals are being harmed, someone is trying to set Audrey up to take a professional fall and there are some very bad things happening in the neighborhood...including murder. In the midst of this Caleb and Audrey manage to find one another, pursue the attraction then have falling out times that have to be corrected before a HEA can be achieved. There are also issues from their pasts that impact their ability to trust that also must be overcome. I still want to find out about Maddy, Jace, Cooper and Danny but at least there was some closure toward the end of the book on some of the family issues and that helped more than one character in the book.

Who was the bad guy out to get Audrey? You will have to read the book to find out.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars ( )

My Favorite Cowboy by Donna Grant

Former Green Beret cowboy meets successful equine vet where instant attraction changes their live long habits into singular commitment dreams.
3rd in the Heart of Texas series and can be read as a standalone romantic suspense.
Lots of feels and emotions in this book. Plenty of empathetic tears as well as happy tears.
Deep family connections and solid friendships make this series a joy to read. Secondary characters added depth and interest.

Excerpt:
“She slowly lowered her arms and then met his gaze. Caleb wanted to pull her against him, to wrap his arms around her and tell her it was going to be all right. It was a gesture he had done countless times with other women, but he wanted it to mean something this time.
His brain froze, and instead of uttering reassuring words, Caleb sat there, seized by shock—and more than a little dismayed by what had just gone through his mind. He didn’t think about wanting more. With anyone.
Ever.”
Excerpt from My Favorite Cowboy by Donna Grant

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. ( )

This is the first book I’ve read by Donna Grant. I liked the plot of the story overall and the camaraderie between characters since this is an established series. I was a bit put off by the flow of the story though. I felt that it was dragged out a bit especially when the main characters procrastinated over things. It made me feel like the pace of the story was sluggish and I found myself taking a break quite frequently. But I can say that I’m not discouraged as yet and will be reading the rest of the books in this series as well as her others.

Advanced Review Copy provided by #NetGalley for voluntary review consideration. ( )