They’ve been best friends forever. When violent weather sparks an unexpected attraction, will they risk their friendship for a chance at a lifetime love?
Marlowe Glass happily accepts the responsibility of bringing up her orphaned niece. But the struggling stepmom reaches the end of her rope when a terrifying storm destroys her house. So she doesn’t hesitate to accept her best friend’s offer of … destroys her house. So she doesn’t hesitate to accept her best friend’s offer of temporary lodging.
Handsome farmer Clark Hudson longs to be free from his ex-wife’s manipulations. Although preparing to fight for custody of his son, he jumps at the chance to help out his best gal pal from way back in high school. But when their “forever-friends” bond turns complicated as they face their unexpected attraction, the upstanding man fears giving in to his heart might ruin a beautiful connection.
As Marlowe grapples with rebuilding or cutting her losses, she worries she’ll mess up the relationship she holds most dear.
And when Clark’s former spouse makes money-grubbing demands, the single father must risk it all to guarantee them both a loving future.
Can a history of close companionship unite two souls for a lifetime?
Best Friends in the Show Me State is the wholesome first book in the Cowboy Crossing Western Sweet Romance series. If you like Christian-themed stories, delightful discoveries, and true devotion, then you’ll adore Jessie Gussman’s clean courtship. Buy Best Friends in the Show Me State for pure romance that’s full of faith and loads of small-town fun!
Reviews for Best Friends in the Show Me State:
★★★★★ “Jessie has done it again with loveable characters, a wonderful town and warm love story!” – Midwest girl
★★★★★ “I appreciate how the role of wife and mother was extolled in this book in a day when that traditional role has been mocked.” – nanc
★★★★★ “The plot and characters pulled me in right away. I appreciated several messages the author wrapped throughout the different scenarios. Enjoy this story as Marlowe and Clark discover that their friendship provides a strong foundation for a special relationship.” – A. Violine
★★★★★ “Jessie Gussman gets more mileage out of the first real kiss in this story than I’ve seen in any other romance stories I’ve read including some that were not so clean. WOW!” – Jim
★★★★★ “One of my favorite bits though is when Marlowe has to make a decision about her future. Both things she wants are good things, but she is counseled to choose the path God wants her to be on. I love that it’s pointed out that distractions aren’t always bad things. I’m a firm believer that sometimes our choices aren’t between good and bad, but between good, better and best!” – Lisa
Books in the Cowboy Crossing series:
- Best Friends in the Show Me State
- Sold! in the Show Me State
- A Secret Baby in the Show Me State
- The Beast Gets His Cowgirl in the Show Me State
- A Marriage of Convenience in the Show Me State
- A Second Chance in the Show Me State
- A Mistletoe Mishap in the Show Me State
- His Best Friend’s Sister in the Show Me State
- The Cowboy Finds Love in the Show Me State
more
A great beginning to a new series. I can’t wait to read the rest of the brothers stories. I loved Clark and Marlowe’s story. These two were best friends for years can they become more
Jessie Gussman has a way with sweet romance. In this book, the dialog and banter is excellent. You get drawn into the story very quickly. Unlike her previous books, both the woman and the man are raising small children and have teamed up to support each other. They have been friends their entire lives but a severe storm changes their relationship forever. The story is well told. Although each of the author’s books have an element of religion in them, this book has much more a of religious tone to it.
A very cute story! I loved this friends to lover story. I thought it was so cute that the main characters were already like a family with both of them raising a five-year old. I loved how they had been friends forever and that now as they have grown up they started to see how they could be more then friends. I thought this was a very sweet story and I loved how they were there for each other through the hard times and helped each other figure out what was most important.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
From childhood friends to falling in love. Playful banter abounds between Clark & Marlow but as single parents, they are serious when it comes to helping each other raise their children. From school drop offs to dealing with a crazy ex-wife, they make it work seamlessly as only best friends can. But sheltering together during a storm changes everything and they realize they have moved past friendship to something more. Can they trust that God has a plan for them and accept God’s will? Jessie has a true gift for sharing the word of God thru her stories.
I received this copy free from the author and am under no obligation to leave a review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am freely sharing my opinion.
This sweet, clean, Christian romance is the introduction to the Cowboy Crossing series and centers around the oldest of the Hudson “boys”, Clark, and Marlowe Glass, his best friend since childhood as well as neighbors.
Their friendship has been special . Each supporting the other, especially when Clark was left to be a single parent to his adorable son Huck, and Marlowe became mom to her niece after the child’s parents and Marlowe’s mother were killed in an accident. A little family was created in this platonic friendship.
But what happens when life throws them a curveball, rather quite a few of them, and they come to realize that their friendship has become more than that?
Will they be tempted to pursue those feelings which might risk their friendship? Will an unexpected turn of events change Marlowe’s trajectory in life?
It was a very sweet and touching start to the series which I suspect will continue with another of the Hudson siblings.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Sweet snarky best friends already helping raise each other’s kids… it’s a no-brainer.
Well, to everyone else 😀
Jessie’s writing inspires and makes you laugh. I simply love her books. The interactions between Clark and Marlowe are adorable, I miss them already! This is a book I can easily and highly recommend; it is truly worth every minute it takes to read.
“I’m not qualified to be a nun.” “Don’t I know it. That temper, holy cow. They’d have the abbey on lockdown before you even set foot off the bus.”
Marlowe and Clark have been best friends since grade school. Together they have helped each other through death, divorce and child rearing. Marlowe adopted her niece after her sister died, so living next to Clark whose son is the same age has been a blessing. Clark knows Marlowe has his back no matter what and she has been more of a mother to his son Huck than his ex ever was. So when over the space of three days a tornado hits causing a tree to fall on Marlowe’s house and Clark’s ex shows up with her new husband, announcing she wants custody of Huck, the friendship is tested and strengthened. Simultaneously, Clark and Marlowe realize that they are more than best friends. As Marlowe and Clark explore what that means, while living in the same house and meshing their different parenting styles, other challenges come their way. Through faith, prayer and help from the community, Clark and Marlowe find the happy life together they want.
Best Friends in the Show Me State is very well written and took this native Missourian back to my roots. The characters all live in my home town with different names and faces. The struggles the main characters go through are real as are the efforts of the community to help. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy books that represent contemporary small town life with a touch of romance and a lot of faith.
I received a copy of this book from the author and the opinions expressed are my own.