It’s time he sees her as the perfect woman for himJessie Montero has had it bad for Holt Claiborne for as long as she can remember. She just wishes he would see her as something more than the girl who serves up his favorite carne asada at Rosa’s Cantina, the restaurant she helps her family run. When her grandmother, Rosa-Maria, retires, Jessie steps in to take over the duties of housekeeper and … housekeeper and cook at the Claiborne ranch. For her, working in such close proximity to Holt is both heaven and hell.
After a messy divorce, Holt Claiborne has thrown himself into working the family ranch. He has no time or desire for a wife, especially when most women seem to look at him as a handsome paycheck. So when the temporary housekeeper starts tempting him with every look, there’s only one thing to do – get her into his bed and out of his system. He’s not about to forget what he lost before and can’t afford to lose again…his heart.
Too bad Jessie isn’t about to take no for an answer…
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Holt Claiborne is very gunshy when it comes to women. He was married and divorced and left scared. He is unwilling to trust any woman he is not related to period. He still likes women though just not enough to be in a relationship with one.
Josie Montero has been working in her family’s restaurant but hasn’t been happy. Her very traditional father has her working in the front of the restaurant since he feels that the kitchen is too much for females. But Josie has dreams of owning and running her own food truck based on the traditional foods of Mexico but with her own little twist. Her abuela, Rosa Maria, believes in her and wants her granddaughter to succeed. So when Rosa Maria retires from her job at the Claiborne ranch, she talks Josie into taking over as the housekeeper and cook to earn the little bit more she needs to purchase her food truck.
Working at the Claiborne ranch is hard for Josie because she has always been a little bit in love with Holt but from afar. But she is also taking this time to try and get Holt to notice her based on the advice from her long time best friends. One of her best friends just happens to be Emma, Holt’s baby sister. Holt is tempted but tries to fall back to his norm of bedding a woman and getting it out of his system. But he also has to be careful because this is Josie and he doesn’t want to hurt her.
His dilemma is that he also finds himself falling for the talented, witty Josie. Can Holt get his head out of wherever he has it stuck and admit that it is okay to love again? Can Holt come to realize that not all women are like his ex? Well given that this is a romance story with a HEA, yes, but it is the journey that Ms. Foley takes us on as we watch these two stubborn characters learn to admit that they love each other that is the fun part of this book.
This is book is worth the time to read it. Set aside a few hours to just escape from reality into the wonderful world that is Last Stand and fall in love all over again.
I am honestly loving all of the books set in Last Stand by the various authors involved in this project by Tule. It is the perfect small town.
I did receive a copy of this book in advance from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
HOW TO CATCH A COWBOY by Karen Foley. This was a sweet tale that captured my heart. I adored both Jessie and Holt. Holt, although a bit stubborn, was truly a good guy – he adored his family and worked hard for all he had. Jessie was a beautiful, independent woman that was in love with Holt forever. The author certainly captured by interest with the way and how these two came to be. In addition to the love that grows between these two, there is also a touch of heartbreak and danger too. A nice combination to fill the pages. Having not read the previous books, I had absolutely no trouble following along and will venture into reading the remainder of the series. (received Arc for honest review)
I’ve been waiting for Holt’s story and ‘How to Catch a Cowboy‘, the third title in the ‘Riverrun Ranch‘ series certainly delivered everything I’d hoped for and more.
Holt was burned badly by his ex-wife, a gold-digging witch who saw dollar signs, not true love when she cut herself loose from their marriage – taking as much as she possibly could from Holt, including his desire to ever trust in love again. The experience has shaped Holt into the loner that he is today not ever wanting to put his trust or his emotions on the line for any woman… ever. Jessie will change that, oh, it will take some time, a lot of stubbornness on both sides, but this cowboy is about to learn that not all women are like his ex-wife – sometimes you do indeed find pearls among the swine.
Jessie has had a crush on, been half in love with Holt for, well, it seems forever but she’s never acted on those feelings until now. When her grandmother retires and asks Jessie to step up as at least a temporary housekeeper at the ranch Jessie will hesitate and then dive right in for helping her grandmother comes first but close behind is the chance to be around Holt and maybe change how he sees her. The road to a happy ending is going to be full of potholes and a very stubborn cowboy, but Jessie can be equally stubborn, especially when she sees that Holt isn’t as indifferent to her as he might like to let on.
I adored Holt and Jessie together in ‘How to Catch a Cowboy‘. They are real, with emotions, reactions, stubbornness, and caring. Watching them, especially Holt, open themselves up to the possibility of a lifelong love was such an emotional, enjoyable journey. The secondary romance a bit in the background was delightful and I’ll admit to smiling quite a bit through that romance as well. I had a blast back in this world – and if you love a good romance full of real, believable people then you’d enjoy this entire series, but especially Jessie and Holt’s story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
The best one yet of the Riverrun Ranch series. Holt Claiborne is dead set against getting into a relationship after his failed marriage 10 years ago. Jessie Montero has her eyes and heart set on Holt. He’s the man of her dreams. Absolutely love the characters and how their love story comes together!
Jessie and Holt’s relationship in How to Catch a Cowboy by Karen Foley, book three in her Riverrun Ranch series is a wonderful and sweet story of two people who care about each other, but one has too much baggage to trust. Jessie Montero has crushed on Holt Claiborne since she was teen. She keeps hoping he will notice her as someone other than the girl who serves him at Rosa’s Cantina; the restaurant she helps her family run. When her grandmother, Rosa-Maria, retires from working at the Claiborne Ranch, Jessie steps up to take over the duties of housekeeper and cook. Now if only Holt would notice her. Holt has never recovered from his messy divorce after his cheating wife only wanted him for his money, not himself. He refuses to get involved in another relationship; especially since most women look at him as only a handsome paycheck. Jessie has always caught his eye and now that she’s on the ranch full-time, tempting him, Holt thinks that if he gets her into his bed it will get her out of his system. Holt knows that with his past he can’t afford to lose his heart, again. The problem is, Jessie refuses to let him go and Holt’s not sure he doesn’t want her to stay. Jessie is definitely the right woman to test Holt’s stubbornness. She’s as determined as he is, only in the opposite way. Holt needs to take a chance on trusting Jessie and her love to heal him.
Ms. Foley wrote a wonderful and sweet story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, amusing banter, and charming characters giving Jessie and Holt a chance at love. I highly recommend How to Catch a Cowboy to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
How to Catch a Cowboy by Karen Foley. This is Jessie Montero and Holt Claiborne’s story.
Jessie has had her eye on Holt for a long time. Holt likes Jessie too but he hasn’t moved on from things in his past. Jessie and Holt’s characters were fun even though Holt drove me crazy at times. A sweet romance.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Here we are back in Last Stand, TX, a place that is quickly becoming my second favorite fictional town. I have been waiting to read about Holt and why he is just so gun-shy with women and we get it with this book. Jessie Montero is a character I am familiar with from from many past books. Her grandma or abuela Rosa-Maria, who works at Riverrun Ranch as the house keeper for Holt’s family ends up in the hospital and Jesse ends up taking over at the ranch in her place. Everyone knows that Jesse has had a crush on Holt since she was a teenager. Her abuela thinks that working at the ranch will give the two of them time to get to know each other better. I mean she working there for over 27 years and is in love with Holt’s grandfather herself. I can not wait for more books in this series and of course more from Last Stand, Texas itself.
3.5
I enjoyed revisiting the Claibornes.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Riverrun Ranch
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this sweet romance that is the third book in Karen’s Riverrun Ranch series. The story is set in Last Stand Texas and is the story of Holt, the oldest Claiborne sibling, and Jessie Montero, his sister’s best friend and granddaughter of his family’s cook and housekeeper.
We learn that Jessie has had a huge crush on Holt for years but never acted on it due to him being older and his prior unpleasant history with his ex wife. Holt has always noticed Jesse too but had sworn off women after his bad luck with his ex. He was also worried she was too young for him. There’s chemistry between the two that they both try to ignore. Jessie’s grandmother Rosa suffers a heart attack and requests that Jesse take over her duties on the ranch. She is aware of Jessie’s feelings toward Holt and lets her use this time to try and determine if he feels the same.
Jessie moves into the ranch, taking over the cooking as she is a wonderful chef. Holt and his brothers appreciate her but Holt is afraid to act on his feelings. Jessie presses to try and discover his feelings to help her plan the future. Also, Jessie and Holt suspect there are feelings between her grandmother and Holt’s dad after watching their interactions at the hospital. They discuss this while wondering what is happening between each other.
The story is well written and I enjoyed seeing Jessie and Holt’s feelings play out in this book. I gave it 5 stars. The storyline was excellent, the characters are very likable and it was long awaited! It was great to see the other characters from prior books be included in the story as well.
Karen Foley sure is a surprise read for me as I continue to read the Riverrun Ranch Series!
Jessies Montero sure has a plan to catch her dream cowboy Holt Clairborne, as she ends up filling the her grandmother’s shoes as the Clairborne family cook. Talk about opportunity and temptation under one roof. A totally entertaining read as Holt tries to keep his heart and body from falling for Jessie, and Jessie equally tempts and entices Holt!!!!
A definite winner!
Received an ARC from the publisher Tule Publishing for an honest review.
Another well written story set on Riverrun ranch where the men are alpha and it takes a strong no nonsense woman to bring them round
Holt Claiborne went through a messy divorce he knows women just see him as a paycheck so he has settled into a one and done lifestyle he has no intention of ever giving his heart again. Jessie Montero has had a crush on Holt most of her life but he only sees her as the friend that serves him at her families cantina that is until she grabs her chance when her grandmother retires as the ranch housekeeper she steps up Holt can’t ignore her when she is constantly there so he knows he has to bed her to get her out of his system the only problem is that Jessie has no intention of been a one and done and he can’t get her out of his mind. Will he admit that he really wants her for a lot longer and can they have a future together You will have to read to see
I am really enjoying this series. Since the first book, Swipe Right for a Cowboy, I’ve been waiting to see what would happen with Jessie and Holt. They didn’t disappoint in this story.
There were definitely times in this story where things moved slow and I was impatient with the characters, mostly Holt, to open their eyes and speak up to each other. But the last 1/3 or so if this book flew by for me. There was wonderful chemistry throughout (even the slow spots) and plenty of times I got warm-fuzzies from these two.
As I’m sure we all suspected (so I don’t consider this a spoiler), there’s a bit of a side story with Jessie’s grandma and Holt’s dad. I do wish it had been fleshed out a bit more. Yet I also understand that this is not meant to be their story. It’s just a fun and interesting sub-story that helps when the going gets tough for Jessie and Holt.
Now, I know that happy-go-lucky brother (the last man standing!) is covering up his inner truth and I’m certainly looking forward to meeting the woman who will see through his light-hearted teasing. I happy I was offered to try this author out because I’m finding her stories to be fun, sexy, and interesting and I’m always looking forward to more.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
How to Catch a Cowboy is book three of the Riverrun Ranch Series with Holt Claiborne as the main male character. Each story in this series by Karen Foley has the men meeting the women in quite different ways. This time Holt has known Jessie for some time but does not see her as she sees him. He has been burned before so he is very wary of believing in anything that could last.
Holt’s attitude is not so uncommon but it is sad that he has given up on a lasting relationship in the future. It is a good thing that Jessie is a s determined as she is. Of the two, Holt is the high maintenance one as far as I could tell. Jessie is realistic but optimist which I admire in a character. Holt not so much, but still an entertaining afternoon read.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
How to Catch a Cowboy by Karen Foley
It’s time he sees her as the perfect woman for him
Jessie Montero has had it bad for Holt Claiborne for as long as she can remember. She just wishes he would see her as something more than the girl who serves up his favorite carne asada at Rosa’s Cantina, the restaurant she helps her family run. When her grandmother, Rosa-Maria, retires, Jessie steps in to take over the duties of housekeeper and cook at the Claiborne ranch. For her, working in such close proximity to Holt is both heaven and hell.
After a messy divorce, Holt Claiborne has thrown himself into working the family ranch. He has no time or desire for a wife, especially when most women seem to look at him as a handsome paycheck. So when the temporary housekeeper starts tempting him with every look, there’s only one thing to do – get her into his bed and out of his system. He’s not about to forget what he lost before and can’t afford to lose again…his heart.
Too bad Jessie isn’t about to take no for an answer…
This is Jessie Montero and Holt Claiborne’s story.
She spotted him as soon as he walked through the door of Rosa’s Cantina: six-and-a-half feet of deliciously muscled, wide-shouldered, lean-hipped magnificence. He was a hard man to miss and more than one woman’s gaze locked on to him as he strode into the restaurant. He took off his Stetson and dragged a hand through the thick, brown layers of his hair as he scanned the interior. Jessie Montero’s pulse quickened when his blue eyes found her, lingered for a heartbeat, and then moved on.
Jessie had known Holt Claiborne her entire life and had harbored a crush on him for half of it. She only wished he could see her as a desirable woman and not just the girl who served up his favorite carne asada every Thursday night at Rosa’s Cantina, the Mexican restaurant she helped her father run on the outskirts of Last Stand, Texas. Her grandfather had purchased the restaurant just weeks before he married Jessie’s grandmother, Rosa-Maria, and had named the cantina after his bride. More than forty years had passed since then. But there had always been a cantina on this site, even before the skirmish that occurred during the Texas Revolution, when a group of local men had holed themselves up in the saloon and successfully held off a band of Mexican soldiers. The small, brief battle gave the town of Last Stand both an identity and a name. A marker located in town provided the names of the heroes involved, including Sherman “Shotgun” Claiborne, Holt’s great-great-grandfather. Rumor had it that he had abducted the beautiful daughter of a local Mexican rancher and forced her at gunpoint to marry him. Nobody knew for certain if that part of the story was true, but the marriage had apparently been a happy one, producing a half dozen children.
“What’s wrong, Holt?” she asked. “Cat got your tongue, as well as your manners?”
He did look up then, ignoring Evan’s amused snicker. The pure blueness of his eyes always made Jessie feel a little dazzled, but when his gaze locked on to hers, she actually felt the floor tilt beneath her feet.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with my tongue,” he drawled.
How to Catch a Cowboy by Karen Foley is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Karen’s Books with Tule:
Heat
Firefighters of Montana
A Hummingbird Christmas
Glacier Creek
A Hot Montana Summer
Glacier Creek
The Firefighter’s Slow Burn
Glacier Creek
A Soldier’s Homecoming
Glacier Creek
Swipe Right for a Cowboy
Riverrun Ranch
Counting on the Cowboy
Riverrun Ranch
How to Catch a Cowboy
Riverrun Ranch
How to catch a Cowboy in the 3rd installment in Riverrun Ranch book series.I have really enjoyed reading about the Claiborne family and Holt’s story was a slow burn with Jessica Montero ,I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.
Bound and determined to crash the brick wall around a hurt heart, a young woman is on a mission to win this heart at long last. But will her strategy work or be an utter failure?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my review, this is book number three in the awesome Riverrun Ranch series.
I enjoyed this one from the first page to the last, Jessie and Holts sweet slow romance was fun from when Jessie played a Tequila trick on Holt at Rosa’s Cantina to their stolen kisses at the Claiborne Ranch.
I hope one of the next books gives us more of the story of Mr Claiborne, owner of the Ranch and Rosa, the cook and housekeeper at the ranch.
I recommend this book to adult romance readers.
We are back at the Riverrun Ranch with the Clairborne men. This time the story belongs to the oldest brothers, Holt.
Holt was burned by his ex-wife and has kept his distance from women and commitment.
Jessica Montero, the granddaughter of the Clairborne housekeeper, has been in love with Holt for years. But he has ignored her . Little does she know that Holt is attracted to her, but finds her too young and since he is not interested in a relationship, keeps his distance.
When Jessica’s grandmother has a heart attack, she asks Jessica to takes her place for a month. This will give Jessica a chance to have Holt see her as a woman he would desire.
It was interesting to see these two have a “tug of war” with their feelings. Will Jessica finally get Holt to notice her and want a relationship, or will Holt’s past stop them from having one?
This was a good addition to the series. It was fun to spend time with characters from previous stories .
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.