Groom by Agreement A real home–it’s what Vienna Howe dearly wants for her young daughter. Yet the ramshackle property she just inherited hardly qualifies. She can’t afford the repairs–until foreman West McCall suggests they start a dude ranch together. For propriety’s sake, they’ll need a marriage in name only…a practical solution for two wary hearts. Years ago, West convinced Vienna to … convinced Vienna to marry a man of means, never realizing how cruel her husband could be. Guilt-ridden, he intends to secure the lovely widow’s future. But despite his reluctance to get close to anyone, this union might do more than fix Vienna’s ranch. It could open the door to a warm, loving future…
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There is a wonderful sense of anticipation throughout the book as we wait for West and Vienna to work up the courage to share their deepening feelings with each other. This is a lovely marriage of convenience story because they are already good friends with each other and have several years of built up trust behind them. They work together well as they build the neglected ranch into a dude ranch that wealthy easterners will pay good money to come visit and experience the western way of life. The conflict comes from their hesitation to risk their hearts to love again and the possibility of rejection if they share their feelings. As time goes by they have experiences, some frightening, that build a foundation of love that keeps growing stronger. I loved the setting and characters, especially cute Hattie and Vienna’s friend Maggy from the previous book in the series.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)
If you enjoy marriage of convenience stories, like I definitely do, then A Cowboy of Convenience is a sweet tale that you will want to pick up for yourself! It is the second book in the series. I had not read book one in the series, but was able to jump into this novel with the background information that the author provided in chapter one.
A Cowboy of Convenience actually combines multiple things I love in its premise. Marriage of convenience stories are some of my favorites. However, another plot that I really like is the “friends fall in love” storyline. This book nicely combines both of these setups. Vienna and West were friends who decided to come together in an arrangement that would be mutually beneficial. The gentle way these two fell for each other was very sweet. I also loved the Wyoming setting! This was the first book that I have read by this author, but I look forward to reading more in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A Cowboy of Convenience by Stacy Henrie
My rating is 4.5 Stars
Weston, aka West, has his demons to fight, namely his inability to see God as a caring Father who loves him unconditionally. His experience with his own father, who cut him off from the family, not allowing any contact, has colored his view of God, which happens so often. Author Stacy Henrie sends him on a touching journey of learning the truth about who God is.
I loved the way that Vienna has grown from the last time we saw her in The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement. Even at the beginning of this story, she has gotten stronger and more confident. Despite this, she has still fears that she needs to overcome. West is so proud of the woman that Vienna has become and he desires to help her overcome her fears.
Vienna’s daughter, Hattie, is too cute for words. I love that she has a doll named Hattie and wants to name a horse by her own name as well. West’s love for Hattie, and her love for “Daddy West” is so very sweet!
A favorite scene in the book took place when Hattie was sick in bed. West gave puppet shows with socks on his hands to entertain her and made both Hattie and Vienna giggle.
Be sure to see my review of the first book of this series, The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net.
You can get a preview of A Cowboy of Convenience at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Prism Book Tours for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
I seem to be reading a lot of books with children in them lately, but man can those little ones add to a story!
Vienna Howe was introduced in Stacy Henrie’s The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement, and I really enjoyed getting to read her story. A woman who endured one horrific marriage to a man who hid his true self from her until after the vows were said, Vienna is determined not to live that life again. But she longs for a home for her and her daughter. West McCall has vowed to protect Vienna after he failed so miserably years ago.
Henry shares some history of the concept of a dude ranch in A Cowboy of Convenience, including those credited with starting the first one and a little history, but the meat of this story is in Vienna’s hidden strength and the push and pull between her and West. And of course, little Hattie who adds so much adorableness, you can’t help but grin when she steals a scene.
As West and Vienna wrestle with their individual need for home, family, and belonging, they strike a deal that is mutually beneficial for both of them. But they soon discover they want more than what the initial bargain entails.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.