A Cowboy’s Secret (The McGavin Brothers, #16)

Thompson creates an interesting challenge in A Cowboy’s Secret: the hero has the same name and the heroine’s ex. How to get around her immediate dislike? A lot of creativity and a little help from his friends. Aaron and Caitlin get past the name and find their perfect HEA.

A Secret Identity in a Small Town?

Welcome back to Eagle’s Nest! Aaron Donahue has just moved to the area, encouraged by his Air Force buddies Ryker and Badger. In the air, he went by Raven, and it’s just the moniker he needs when it comes to wooing Caitlin Dempsey. Trouble is, Caitlin’s no-good-ex also had the name Aaron Donahue, and she just can’t get over the negative reaction she has to the name. Leave it to Badger to concoct a scheme that has Aaron playing dual identities: Raven, the wounded vet and hero on the mend so he can attend his friend’s wedding; and Aaron, the suspiciously absent pilot who’s letting Raven crash at his house. There’s no way he can pull this off for very long in a town as small as Eagle’s Nest, where everyone knows everything, but will a few days be enough to win Caitlin’s heart? And will she forgive him when it all goes sideways?

One of the things I loved about this book was how very aware Aaron is, the whole time, that this plan could go haywire. And inevitably, dealing with the truth, when it comes out, has a ton of consequences. But rather than have the explosive reveal toward the end of the book. Thompson puts it right in the middle, making it part of the journey rather than the climax. It works beautifully, and reflects that the whole process of building a relationship, of learning to trust, isn’t something that happens instantly, and isn’t something that can just be decided and fixed. The novel allows Caitlin time to deal with all of the issues the relationship lands on her in a believable way—especially once the Whine and Cheese Club gets involved. Those ladies do not disappoint, and it’s always awesome to see them use their powers for good.

Thompson’s trademark steamy romance scenes are definitely present here, but the emotional arc of the story is really the reason to stick around. Many of the favorite series characters are here, but the story stands well on its own, and will send readers new to the series back to check out Badger’s first misadventure in Eagle’s Nest. We can only hope Badger has more friends he can get into trouble with a crazy scheme as the series moves forward!

I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun, romantic story involving cowboys and sexy ex-air force men who now fly planes for themselves. One of the men, Raven is even a war hero. The camaraderie between Raven, Badger, and Ryker and how they look out for each other is interesting and fun. I like how it sometimes got them into trouble too.

It was also fun that Raven’s real name is Aaron Donahue which is causing a certain female named Caitlyn Dempsey to not want anything to do with him. What transpires makes this book really interesting and a lot of fun to read. I also really enjoyed the Whine and Cheese Club and their suggestions for Caitlyn. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

I have never read a Vicki Lewis Thompson book I didn’t love. Her characters are always people you WANT to see get their happily ever after. This book is no exception. Also, I don’t know how she does it, but Vicki manages to make passionate love scenes, so hot you expect the pages to catch fire, while at the same time making them so SWEET, you could cry. I LOVED this story. Vicki has a knack for putting you right there in the scene. She doesn’t go on and on about extraneous details, and still manages to convey so much about the scene and situation, that you feel like you are right there with the characters. I also love how fast paced the stories are. You just want to read, non stop, until the story is over, even though you know you will hate to see it end. This story could be read as a stand alone, however I love the large cast of recurring characters that appear in this series. They feel like family and old friends. Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series. And EVERY other book Vicki decides to publish.

What do you do when you are attracted to a strong willed woman but have the bad luck of having the same name as her cheating ex? Get your buddy Badger to help, even though your sub-conscious tells you this has mission failure written all over it.
But if your Aaron Donahue (we’ll just whisper his name) an Air Force decorated vet, you will persist.
A cute , sweet, romance filled with a little heartbreak, funny and tearful moments, and a chance to see how some of the characters from previous stories are doing.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Air Force Vet Aaron Donahue is keeping a Secret from Caitlin Dempsey. He wants to get her attention, but the only problem is his name. With the help of one of his good Air Force buddy Badger they cook up a plan to have Aaron meet with Caitlin. It’s should not be hard she after all is taking his wedding photos. A letter is in the works. Will she find out before the week is over?

What happens next is a whirlwind of things. So hang on. Some funny moments. Also intense moments. That will grab your heart.

Truly sweet and moving.
What Hayley and Badger say to each other for
There wedding vows I loved. Humor and heartwarming

Not dating someone with the ex’s exact full name? Really? Well, maybe she has a point.
Aaron is desperate to get Caitlin know HIM. His ex-military friend, Badger, has an idea. Aaron is going to use his military call sign and use a disguise. He’ll meet her in dim light.
I can’t see anything going wrong with this plan.
Can you?
I enjoyed the ‘get to know you’ speed of this story.

How do you start to connect with someone if you can’t even say their name? Not pronounce their name but actually be okay with saying their name? The reason being you hate it so much. That is the foundation in which Aaron Donahue and Caitlin Dempsey are when the book begins. What a rocky start right?

As time progresses, the plan that Badger & and Aaron come up with allows Caitlin to get to know the same person with a different name. Smart right? To see the look of panic when Caitlin finally finds out that Aaron Donahue and Raven are the same person is disheartening. Is this an end to such a beautiful beginning?

The feelings are real. The chemistry is real. If the love is real then what’s holding back progress? It could only be one thing. Caitlin cannot accept calling her new crush by his real name.

The pain that was so fresh on Caitlin’s heart is from her ex, Aaron Donahue. It doesn’t matter that this is a different Aaron Donahue than the one she previously went with. It only matters that they have the same name and she despises everything about her ex. Will this relationship end before it even starts?

I gave an honest review in exchange for an ARC of this rad novel! This book gets 5 stars of bright love! It was incredibly good! Vicki Lewis-Thompson did it again. Stole my heart for a complete beginning to end show stopping novel!