From this “fabulous storyteller” (Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author) comes the next Meadow Valley western romance series.
Dr. Charlotte North has no time for a player, not even one as tempting as Ben Callahan. Besides, Charlotte is only in Meadow Valley for a few months to help her grandmother. After that, it’s back to New York and the career she loves. But when her gran starts … the career she loves. But when her gran starts to meddle in her personal life, Charlotte knows just the man to help her out. Ben’s the perfect no-strings boyfriend, until Charlotte discovers that beneath that rugged, charming exterior lies a sweet and bighearted cowboy.
Ben Callahan is tired of people assuming he’s an immature playboy, so when the smart and sexy Charlotte asks him to be her pretend boyfriend, he jumps at the chance to show everyone that he’s changed his ways. Though he and Charlotte are calling their relationship fake, Ben’s heart says otherwise. Two months with Charlotte isn’t nearly enough. Will Ben be able to prove he’s worthy of her for real before their time together is up, or will she leave Meadow Valley — and him — forever?
Includes the bonus novel Hometown Cowboy by Sara Richardson!
It’s rather astounding what having the correct information about a medical issue can do to change a life or a lifestyle in the case of Ben Callahan. In ‘Make Mine A Cowboy‘, the second title in the ‘Meadow Valley Ranch‘ series, we’ll meet Ben and the woman he’d had a sizzling week with when Charlotte North was in town for a brief visit. Neither was looking for long-term so they left each other without too many regrets of what might have been. Now Charlotte is back in this small town to tend to her grandmother as she heals from a fall resulting in some broken bones for at least the next few months. She’s left her medical practice in New York in good hands and fully intends to return when her gram is recovered.
In the time that Charlotte was back in New York, Ben had received news that changed his outlook on his life and what his future could hold – if he could convince the right woman who got away that he wasn’t the playboy she first encountered. That’s going to take some convincing – and maybe the help of a loving, meddling, matchmaking grandmother that results in Charlotte needing a temporary fake boyfriend. It’s up to Ben to make that temporary situation into a permanent one.
I found the full gambit of emotions in ‘Make Mine A Cowboy‘. The sizzling chemistry between Charlotte and Ben is obvious, and there were plenty of laughs, a few snort-giggles, some frustration, and tears, many tears. This story is realistic in so many small ways that you’ll feel like you’re going through the good times and the bad times with this couple. I liked them both, adored Charlotte’s gram, and the secondary characters make this town come to life for me. I especially liked the unusual spin on the happy ever after ending… you’ll see what I mean. I had fun, and that’s the whole point.
If you’re in the mood for a really good romance that’s full of interesting people facing real-life situations, some steamy moments, and a love to last a lifetime then ‘Make Mine A Cowboy‘ is a perfect fit for you.
This title releases on August 25, 2020
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley. 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.*
MAKE MINE A COWBOY is the second instalment in AJ Pine’s contemporary, adult MEADOW VALLEY erotic, romance series focusing on the small town of Meadow Valley, California. This is twenty-nine year old, rancher Ben Callahan, and Dr. Charlotte North’s story line. MAKE MINE A COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Charlotte and Ben were first introduced in the earlier story lines.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Charlotte and Ben) twenty-nine year old, rancher Ben Callahan, and Dr. Charlotte North. Several weeks earlier, Charlotte North met Ben Callahan while on vacation in Meadow Valley, California but when her Aunt Pearl, the local B&B owner falls and requires several weeks of recovery, Charlotte takes a leave of absence from her New York practice, and returns to Meadow Valley where her previous relationship with Ben Callahan is about to reignite old feelings and emotional withdrawal. In an attempt to keep Aunt Pearl from playing matchmaker, Charlotte begs Ben Callahan to pretend to be in a long distance relationship that is about to pick up where it left off weeks before. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ben and Charlotte, and the potential fall-out as Charlotte’s time in Meadow Valley comes to an end.
Ben Callahan fell hard for Charlotte North but knew her time in Meadow Valley was only temporary. With Charlotte’s return to Meadow Valley came hopes for a future for Ben but all does not go according to plan when family heart break forces Ben to look at the bigger picture as Charlotte prepares to leave for her practice back home. Charlotte North has established herself as a wonderful physician and moving to Meadow Valley was never in the plans. A temporary stay over while her aunt recovered from a fall, Charlotte found herself pulled into the family, friendships and love of our story line hero, a love Charlotte knew she could never equal in return.
The relationship between Charlotte and Ben is one of second chances; a fake relationship disguised as a rekindling romance but a romance that quickly develops into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Ivy and Carter (Cowboy to the Rescue .5), Sam and Delaney (My One and Only Cowboy #1), as well as Sam and Ben’s business partner Colt, and their parents Nolan and Barbara Ann Callahan, Charlotte’s Aunt Pearl, chef Luis and local produce supplier Anna, B&B clerk Tyler, and fire Chief Burnett.
MAKE MINE A COWBOY is a story of family, friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is contemplative, playful and engaging ; the conflict is limited to Charlotte’s need to keep up appearances in the face of the ‘fake’ romance; the romance is captivating and seductive.
Having read and enjoyed the first novel in A.J. Pine’s Meadow Valley series, My One and Only Cowboy, I was eager to read the next book in the series, and although it got off to a rather slow and unsettling start, by one-quarter of the way in, I was so hooked that I read the rest of the novel straight through until 6:00 a.m. and although there was one minor issue in the novel that bothered me, it was nevertheless a deeply moving, well-written and emotional read and it gets 4 stars from this reader.
As the novel open, brothers Ben and Sam Callahan are in a doctor’s office waiting for the results of Sam’s test, a test that will determine his future. In the first Meadow Valley novel, which I highly suggest you read first, we learn that their father, Nolan, has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and is living in a nursing home. Ben secretly had his blood tested 6 months earlier, and the result was positive–something he didn’t share with his family, not wanting to burden them. Knowing what his future looked like, he developed a rather devil-may-care attitude, couldn’t see the point in starting any long-term relationships, and also began slacking off at the family ranch. But this is the day Sam will get his results, and Ben is stunned when the doctor gives them the good news–neither brother carries the genetic marker for early-onset Alzheimer’s. Ben is stunned by the news, but after the doctor does some checking, he discovers that Ben was given the results of another Ben Callahan living in the county, and once he knows he has a future to look forward to, he decides to start taking his life and each day in it more seriously–especially after having a no-strings, 2-week fling with Doctor Charlotte North, a New York pediatrician who was taking a couple of weeks off from her busy practice to spend some mandatory vacation time with her grandmother who runs the Meadow Valley Inn.
Charlotte returned to New York after her vacation, but isn’t back long when she receives a phone call from her cousin, letting her know that her beloved grandmother has fallen off a ladder, been injured and rushed to the ER, and will need help running the inn for at least the next 6 to 8 weeks. Charlotte packs her bags, takes a 2-month leave of absence, and takes the first flight she can get back to Meadow Valley. As soon as she gets to the ER waiting room, there sits Ben, asleep. He’s been waiting there a good part of the day while Grandma Pearl was in surgery, and Charlotte, whom Ben refers to as Doc, drops her suitcase and rushes past him rather rudely. For a good part of the novel, I spent quite a bit of time disliking Charlotte and her tendency to become so self-absorbed by her medical practice in New York, and her attitude of self-importance in the practice. There are sick children everywhere, and who ever heard of an unemployed physician? Quite frankly I didn’t quite understand why Ben found her so alluring.
Once Charlotte gets to the inn, she is overwhelmed by what she doesn’t know about running such an establishment, but Pearl, wheelchair-bound with one arm in a sling is soon ensconced in her room, and there are other employees who show Charlotte the ropes. Grandma Pearl is well aware that outside of her practice, Charlotte doesn’t have much of a social life, and almost immediately starts matchmaking, which is the last thing Charlotte wants. Out of desperation and still attracted to Ben, she enlists his help to pretend to be her fake date for the duration of her stay, although she’s very clear that they will simply be friends for the duration of her stay, but these two friends started out as a hot fling, and it’s clear that both are attracted to one another, although Charlotte, keeps reminding both Ben and herself that as soon as her grandmother is back on her feet, she’s returning to her career in New York, ad nauseum, and that is the reason I spent a good deal of this book disliking her. She wants Ben but she doesn’t want to want him, not for the long-term, and she gives him plenty of mixed messages. As a romance reader, I’m not a fan of waffling, or of one person in a relationship using the other, and yet despite her on again, off again, flirting, jealousy, and distancing, Ben was simply wonderful to her, attentive, kind, and willing to do anything he possibly could to help her out, please her, and spend time with her, wanting, for the first time in his life, to take a relationship seriously. I did, however, like the role-reversal, and found it refreshing that in this novel, it wasn’t the male lead character who was doing the waffling for a change, in this lovers to friends to lovers romance.
Despite the waffling on Charlotte’s part, I eventually was drawn into this well-plotted, emotional read and the excellent development and depth of its characters, most especially Ben. All in all, despite my issues with the heroine, I found Make Mine a Cowboy to be a rather satisfying read and I am happy to recommend it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
When does a fake boyfriend become real?
Dr. Charlotte North had dated rancher Ben Callahan for a week while she was visiting her grandmother in Meadow Valley but returned to her pediatric practice New York City when her vacation was over. She returned to help her grandmother but when her grandmother tried to set her up on dates trying to get her to stay permanently, she asked Ben to fake being her boyfriend.
If you like second chance romances, this is the book for you about a doctor and a rancher that need to figure out who and what they want in life and relationships.
Make Mine a Cowboy is the second book in the Meadow Valley Series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved this return trip to Meadow Valley!
After being back home in NYC for just a week, Charlotte has to return to Meadow Valley to take care of her injured grandmother. Rekindling her no-strings fling with a local cowboy wasn’t on her to-do list, but he makes a handy stand-in when her gran starts trying to fix her up with one of the local boys. Playing pretend isn’t enough for Ben, though, especially since he’s reevaluating his life’s choices and is ready to think a little more into the future.
I really enjoyed the way the author brought the small town to life. The family interactions, community connections, the holiday celebrations all work together to make the fictional setting feel real. The multi-layered story goes well beyond a typical romance, adding depth and substance that elevated the entire book.
I really loved Charlotte’s character, her strength, and her determination to stand on her own. I especially appreciated that the author didn’t settle for the predictable resolution for the HEA, instead giving due respect for her choices.
I wasn’t as thrilled with Ben at first, since the book starts with him having just been with another woman less than a week after Charlotte left, but as the story unfolds and we get an inside look at the demons he’s faced, it’s easier to cut him a little slack.
There’s quite a bit of this story that centers on Ben’s family, and while the romance is a complete standalone, the Callahan family drama does carry over from the first book so those who have read Sam and Delaney’s story will have a fuller understanding of what the family is going through in this one.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Ben and Charlotte’s story is an emotional and moving tale in Make Mine a Cowboy by A.J. Pine, book two in her Meadow Valley series. When Dr. Charlotte North’s grandmother has a bad fall, she returns to Meadow Valley to help out. Since she is only planning on being town a few months she doesn’t have time for a player, no matter how tempting Ben Callahan might be. Besides, she plans to return to New York and the career she loves. When her gram decides to meddle in her personal life Charlotte knows the perfect guy to help her out. Ben is the perfect no-string boyfriend, at least until Charlotte finds that underneath that tough, charming exterior is a sweet and bighearted cowboy. Ben has no problem pretending to be Charlotte’s boyfriend; it gives him a chance to prove that he’s changed from being an immature playboy. Despite pretending to be in a relationship Ben is finding himself falling for Charlotte. Two months will definitely not be enough. Ben has a huge task in front of him, trying to convince Charlotte how much he’s truly cares for her and she should stay in Meadow Valley. Now Charlotte has to decide if there is enough in Meadow Valley to make her stay; friends, family, a job, and love.
Ms. Pine wrote a wonderful, emotional, and enjoyable story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, amusing banter, lots of laughs, and charming secondary characters giving Nick and Charlotte a push for that chance at love. I highly recommend Make Mine a Cowboy to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Set in the beautiful Ranch land of Northern California, A.J. Pine continues this series with Ben Callahan’s story.
Charlotte North had an incredible time in Meadow Valley visiting her Gran and her Vacay cowboy Ben, now she’s coming back to help her Gran after she was injured in a fall.
Ben Callahan is trying to reform himself from his carefree selfish ways and helping Pearl at the Inn after her injury seems right even if helping “Doc” is what he’ll have to do.
Two weeks tourist with benefits I mean what could go wrong it’s not like they will ever see each other again right. This story was super cute that back and forth between Charlotte and Ben was fun to read about. Ben seems to have life some what figured out then starts to question it which make he feel relatable he just seems like no matter how messed up his life is his heart won’t let him not be there for those he loves. Charlotte was a perfectionist and has her fiver year planned out she annoyed me a little but but overall she was fun free loving person to read about too. I did enjoy catching up with Delaney and Sam and seeing what adventures they have been up too and I can’t wait to read Colts story (hope that’s coming soon). The author did mention some of his story in this book but it leaves you wanting more for sure. Maybe it’s me but it seems like Sam, Ben and Colt are more brothers then friends. There is adult situations and language in this book so it may not be suitable for all. Very fun read and so worth it. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
Ben has no idea how his life is about to turn upside down due to an unfortunate accident with an older friend and how a week of bliss can now seem improbable to keep up the romance and move on with his future plans with Doc! I read a netgalley copy and freely leave my review!
When Charlotte North gets the call from her cousin that her grandmother has taken a fall and needs some help with her healing for the next couple of months, she immediately takes time off from work and packs her bags for Meadow Valley. She knows it’s where she needs to be right now, but there is a small part of her that is nervous about seeing Ben Callahan again. After a recent stay in Meadow Valley her and Ben had a little fling and it was so convenient to not think too much on it after because she was able to escape to the city, but seeing him again means all those feelings are bound to return.
The moment she sees him again a rush of feelings and desire hit her all over again, but she doesn’t want to be just another woman to lose her heart to the unattainable cowboy. So she decides it best to avoid him at all costs. Then her meddling grandmother starts to get into the mix and decides to try and play matchmaker, and suddenly they are thrown together into a fake relationship. Only there isn’t much fake to it…one little kiss and things take a heated little turn!
Make Mine A Cowboy is a touching tale about second chances, finding love, and finding home. These two weren’t so sure they were ready for anything of the serious sort, but their hearts and a meddling grandmother had other plans for them. Charlotte enjoyed her week with the sexy cowboy, but she knew that is all it would be, a week of fun. But when she returned to town that sexy cowboy had her charmed in a matter of minutes all over again. I loved watching these two get their second chance at life and love, their union brought many smiles, swoons, laughs, and left my heart all sorts of happy. If you like small town western romances that squeeze the heart then I have no doubt this one will leave you delighted on all fronts, it’s brimming with everything necessary to have your heart-strings feeling a nice little tug! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Missed the beginning:
This was book 2 in the series and it felt like I was playing catch up as Ben and Charlotte had apparently spent a week together prior to the start of this book. I don’t know how much of that was portrayed previously but it felt like I was missing chunks of their backstory and the typical things that help you get to know and connect with the characters, such as their physical characteristics. Consequently it took me a while to feel in sync with the book and connect with the characters.
Charlotte has returned to Meadow Valley to care for her injured grandmother and help run her inn, however she is determined to return to her career in New York afterwards. In the meantime she reconnects with Ben and what starts out as friendship soon morphs into something more like a real relationship, however they both fight it and try to deny their true feelings. I liked that the characters struggled and fought to overcome their personal shortfalls and how they were able to help each other become better versions of themselves.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
They had a fling, when she visited her grandmother.
Now, Charlotte is back, to help her grandmother, who fell and broke her ankle.
Everything is fine, till her grandmother is trying to set her up on a date.
Charlotte has another idea and ask Ben, to pretend, they are dating.
Ben, is more than happy to help and prove that he can be a really great boyfriend.
Great story. Enjoyed a lot.
I requested and received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was eager to read this book because I have read others by this author and have also read the previous book in this series. You do not have to have read the previous book in order to pick up this one – it can be read as a stand alone, but why not go all in?
This was Ben and Charlotte’s story. Dr Charlotte North in a pediatrician who lives in NY. Ben Callahan is a rancher who lives in Northern California- neither wanted anything but to have some fun, but the heart wants what it wants. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series as well, because I want to know what happens after the Epilogue. It left me wanting more!!!
Make Mine a Cowboy is the second book in the Meadow Valley series. You can read this book as a standalone with absolutely no issue.
Charlotte North spent a week in Meadow Valley visiting her grandmother and subsequently had one hot week with Ben Callahan. They both knew what it was, as Ben isn’t into commitment anymore than Charlotte is. She is content in her life in New York working as a doctor and he is working with his brother, Sam and friend Colt, at their family ranch.
Nearly as soon as Charlotte has gone back to New York, her grandmother is in an accident that lands her in a wheelchair with broken bones and unable to run her Inn as she normally would. Charlotte takes a leave of absence to head back to California to help her grandmother out. The last thing she was thinking about was the fact that Ben, the man she had spent so much time with and enjoyed so much would be such a part of her life for the two months she’d be there.
When Charlotte got wind that her grandma wants to set her up with an eligible suitor, she asks Ben to pose as her boyfriend, which isn’t a hardship for him since he’s developing feelings. Will this former commitment phobe be able to actually settle down and will Charlotte be able to focus on something outside of her work?
I always enjoy small-town romances and this one was no exception. I enjoyed both Charlotte and Ben a lot and the secondary characters added their own flair to the story as well. I’m looking forward to additional books in this series!