It’s almost Christmas and nationally-ranked barrel racer Ivy Wyckoff has returned home to Montana desperate for a miracle. A cowgirl to her bones, she’s always solved her own problems, but when her ex—rodeo champ, Sam Wyatt—shows up offering more than a shoulder to cry on, Ivy’s tempted to grab the safety line he throws.Sam Wyatt just wrapped his most successful year on the PRCA circuit. After … circuit. After long days and even longer nights, all he wants is a quiet holiday on his family’s Paradise Valley ranch…until he sees Ivy again. He can tell she’s in trouble. They may have called it quits two years ago, but she’s the one woman he regretted walking away from.
Sam will do anything to keep Ivy safe, including putting a ring on her finger and sharing his name with her this Christmas.
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An emotional second chance love story
Rodeo stars and former lovers Ivy Wyckoff and Sam Wyatt get a second chance at love when Ivy is on the run for her obsessive ex-boyfriend. She runs to Marietta, Montana, the only place she ever felt safe.
When Sam finds out Ivy is working as a bartender at the Wolf Den, a seedy strip club on the bad side of town, Sam decides he will do everything he can to get Ivy away from there and help her. But when Sam finds out the real reason Ivy is in town, he plans to protect with everything he’s got.
I really liked how this story played out. I was hooked from the start. I enjoyed seeing Ivy and Sam open up about the reasons they split up, to learn to trust again and finally rekindle their relationship. Christmas miracles are real and they definitely came through for Ivy and Sam.
Montana Cowboy Christmas by Jane Porter
It’s almost Christmas and nationally-ranked barrel racer Ivy Wyckoff has returned home to Montana desperate for a miracle. A cowgirl to her bones, she’s always solved her own problems, but when her ex—rodeo champ, Sam Wyatt—shows up offering more than a shoulder to cry on, Ivy’s tempted to grab the safety line he throws.
Sam Wyatt just wrapped his most successful year on the PRCA circuit. After long days and even longer nights, all he wants is a quiet holiday on his family’s Paradise Valley ranch…until he sees Ivy again. He can tell she’s in trouble. They may have called it quits two years ago, but she’s the one woman he regretted walking away from.
Sam will do anything to keep Ivy safe, including putting a ring on her finger and sharing his name with her this Christmas.
This is Ivy Wyckoff and Sam Wyatt’s story.
“It’s Ivy. Ivy was bartending last night.”
Sam’s jaw tightened, and his stomach felt hard, tight as he slowly set his mug down. “Say that again.”
“Saw Ivy last night.” Tommy wasn’t smiling anymore. “And it was her, I know it was her. I even asked one of the waitresses. It’s your Ivy.”
Sam Wyatt didn’t feel like leaving bed, not when it was warm, and his room was cold, but without getting out of bed there would be no coffee, and he liked his morning coffee almost as much as he liked his boots and horse.
Going downstairs meant he’d see family, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for that, either, not after last night’s rowdy family dinner. The Wyatts had a lot of strong personalities, and put the four Wyatt brothers together, along with Mom and Grandad, things got loud, and heated, fast.
Billy and Tommy had always enjoyed stirring things up, while Sam liked things calm. Consistent. He was more like Joe in that respect, except that until Joe needed no one, but that had changed. Joe had gotten married and then surprise, surprise, had fallen in love with his mail order bride, and was happier than Sam had ever known him
I highly recommend reading.
Montana Cowboy Christmas by Jane Porter is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Jane Porter.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Montana Cowboy Christmas (Wyatt Brothers of Montana Book 2)
by Jane Porter
Love how this story brings you up to date about Sam, one of the Wyatt boys who live on the ranch with their mom and grandfather.
Ivy used to date Sam til she realized he was into himself so much she couldn’t make a difference to him so they split.
She is healing by serving at the Wolfs Den trying to save money to repair her truck. When her mother died Wes stepped in and took care of her problems, even money that she earned from being on the rodeo circuit.
They become friends and he takes her to the ranch to stay til she moves to his brothers cabin giving them space they need.
Money is now missing and she’s so heartbroken about it til Sam takes matters into his own hands.
Holidays will make a big difference to her being around the whole Wyatt clan, it’ll be one she will never forget.
Such precious moments and also some heartbreaking ones… Love this story, there’s so much to it!
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Jane Porter’s new story, Montana Cowboy Christmas is book #2 in her Wyatt Brothers of Montana series. I was privileged to read an ARC. This is the story of Ivy Wyckoff, a second-generation champion barrel-racer, and Sam Wyatt, rodeo world champion. Sam is strong, honest, responsible, and very stoic. Ivy and Sam were in a serious relationship till Ivy ended it. Sam became more withdrawn. Ivy knew that she had made a colossal mistake, then her world began to disintegrate. Her mom, her only living relative, passed away. Ivy was devastated. Another cowboy showed her affection, and she fell for it. Months later, she managed to escape that emotionally abusive relationship. Currently, she is on the run from that cowboy, living in a sleezy rented room in Marietta, and working as a bartender at the Wolf’s Den. Sam, who never stopped loving her, finds out where she is. He doesn’t like it one bit, and the more details that are uncovered, the more he knows he must help her.
The Wyatt family is extremely fun! Sam’s mother, Summer, is brutally blunt. His grandfather, Melvin, is the grandfather and father figure for the Wyatt brothers. Everyone loves and respects Melvin. Sam’s brothers Billy and Tommy, are fun loving and very successful rodeo cowboys like their brother. Eldest brother Joe will one day inherit the ranch. He recently married Sophie, who answered his wife-for-hire ad. This is a rodeo story, so Ivy’s horses Belle and Scotch appear throughout. I love Marietta ranch stories, and this one is extremely well written. This is a classic second-chance story, but it is so much more than another HEA romance. This story shows the ever-present importance of family, and home, and faith, and love. This is a wonderful story of life in Montana’s Paradise Valley. It’s one of my all-time favorite Jane Porter stories! High praise indeed!
Great Christmas story.
Something missing
It’s a good story with a great ending, but without revealing spoilers, I have to say it felt a little incomplete. One of the female character’s main conflicts was on dealt with superficially – which made the whole story feel less real. In the real world you have to deal with all the issues, not just the ones you can sum up in however many words or less. Other than that it was really good, and I plan on reading more of the series.
This was a fun book but it was also filled with heartache and pain, working through grief, and working on communication. I loved the passion for horses that came through the story!
Both Ivy and Sam are hurting. Ivy is trying to pick up the pieces after a lot of loss and heartbreak, and is trying to find herself. The way she works with horses and young girls was beautiful! Sam never got over Ivy breaking up with him. Watching these two try to find their way back together was lovely. I will say, sometimes Sam really frustrated me with how little he spoke about his feelings. No wonder Ivy thought he didn’t care, even his brothers saw it!! I really think he should have had to do a bit more soul searching.
Also, I felt like one part of the story was left unfinished. Wes was creepy and terrible but it didn’t feel like there was closure with what he was doing or had done.
Still, overall wonderful!!
Montana Cowboy Christmas is the second title in the Wyatt Brothers of Montana series and brings a Christmas Romance to life with a second chance to get love right for Sam and Ivy.
It always warms my heart to go back to either Marietta or Paradise Valley, two of my favorite fictional locations. Sam has returned home, just for a bit, and learns that his former love, Ivy, is now working at the Wolf Den bar – a place not known for its friendly patrons more like a dangerous, rowdy crew of misfits.
Their parting, years ago, was not the best and bitter memories linger but Sam cannot let Ivy remain in danger – so he invites her back to the family ranch to recoup, regroup, and figure out what is best for herself next. Neither expected the spark to still be alive between them, sometimes the timing is all wrong but the people are so right together… that would be Sam and Ivy then, and now.
Ivy has survived so much. The break-up with Sam. An abusive ex who destroyed not only her belief in herself but financially as well. She’s still paying off his debts which leaves her no hope for her own future. Loving Sam again is a risk, no, it’s a huge risk but it’s one that she’s going to take… eventually.
Montana Cowboy Christmas is an emotional journey, a second chance to prove that love was right all along. I adored Sam and Ivy together. Sure, there are issues to be worked on but, as always with Ms. Porter’s work, this story flowed and melded together just right for me. I don’t want to take the chance of giving too much away, so I’ll simply say that I enjoyed my time back in familiar locations, loved this couple, and rooted for them to find a way back to each other throughout their story. Now, I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next story in this series.
*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.*
Ivy Wyckoff has found her way to Marietta, Montana and is hiding out at the Wolf’s Den tending bar. Ivy has gone off the grid so to speak despite being a well known barrel racer. She is a cowgirl and used to solving her own problems. So when her ex, Sam Wyatt, walks into the Wolf’s Den, she is a bit surprised. It is not someplace he normally would be found. And while Ivy is used to fighting her own battles, she is tempted by the help Sam offers her.
Sam Wyatt has returned home to the family ranch for the Christmas holidays. A world champion rodeo rider, he is using the time off to recover from injuries that happened during the past few weeks at the World Championships in Las Vegas. So when he hears from his younger brothers that Ivy is tending bar at the Wolf’s Den, he is shocked. The Wolf’s Den is a bit on the rougher side so far as bars go. And in Marietta, it is known to be where those who don’t want to behave go to. Sam is the brother who has always been really quiet and always needing a bit of time alone but Ivy has always filled a part of his heart and soul. So helping Ivy matters to Sam.
This is a fun, fast paced novella taking place over a few weeks. The characters are fun and relatable since you would like to have both Sam and Ivy as friends. It is like peeking in on old friends. The town of Marietta and the Christmas traditions are a part of this story. Definitely worth a read.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Interesting take on the mail-order bride theme. Some parts were really enjoyable while a few places became mired in trite points that added little to the story as a whole. Would have liked to see a little more interaction with Sophie’s family or at least something about why no one was in communication with her while in Montana.
There was plenty of family drama coming from Joe’s side of the family. This adds conflict to the story as the new couple try to work things out. Naturally, Joe and especially Sophie have plenty of baggage to unload an work through. Living on a ranch leaves little time for romance. This unfortunately left me wishing for more of that – after all “romance” is in the title.
Overall a good book if you’re looking for a deeper storyline and a more intense relationship with the characters.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher in exchange for my volunteer review.
Good story line
Montana Cowboy Christmas, a second chance holiday romance, by Jane Porter is the perfect way to kick off your holiday reading this year. This is book 2 in the Wyatt Brothers series and follows Sam Wyatt and Ivy Wyckoff’s path back to a happily ever after.
Both main characters, Ivy and Sam are beautifully portrayed and so memorable. I loved Sam’s protective streak and determination to keep Ivy safe. Ivy is very independent so it was definitely very interesting to watch them rediscover the depth of their feelings for each other. I really enjoyed the chemistry between them.
We also get to meet more of the Wyatt brothers and catch up with a few characters from book 1 in the series. I can’t wait to them again in future books!
Without fail, master storyteller Jane Porter once again delivers an emotional romance packed with christmas magic and all the warmth and sparkle of the holidays – and it all takes place in our favorite fictional town of Marietta, Montana. Easy win. Put this on your reading list right away!
Montana Cowboy Christmas was the perfect read to start off my holiday season. I look forward to Holiday books and Jane Porter always manages to deliver a beautiful story.
This is book 2 in the Wyatt Brothers series. This is Sam and Ivy’s story. It is a second chance story, which is one of my favorite tropes.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters had depth, and tugged on my heart. I wanted them to learn how to forgive themselves, forgive each other, and learn how to trust again. Both Ivy and Sam are very independent, and it is hard for them to realize they can accept help. Ivy and Sam are both running from something, and Sam wants to protect Ivy. Even though they broke up 2 yrs ago, there are still a lot of feelings.
If you like second chances with some holiday magic, you will like this story.
A charming heartfelt story!
Jane Porter delivers on the Christmas magic. I loved every single second of this story. I fell head over heels in love with these characters. They grabbed my heart and never let go. So many emotions were had! I quickly devoured page after page. Completely engaged and completely invested.
Montana Cowboy Christmas is a beautifully written story! An absolute MUST READ! I can NOT wait for more of this series. I am hooked!
I enjoyed revisiting the Wyatts.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Wyatt Brothers of Montana
Second chance
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 really enjoyed the character presence in this book. Every character on the page had a great personality and I wanted to know more about them. Sam and Ivy’s story was very enjoyable. Despite the angst and tenseness surrounding them, it was so apparent they belonged together. I felt their connection strongly. Having once been a couple, Sam and Ivy broke up leaving each other heartbroken. Their situation is one where a better element of communication between them would have likely kept them together.
Sam has returned home from a very lucrative season on the PBR circuit. He is spending the holidays with his family, then Sam will venture off to build a life for himself on his own ranch. It isn’t that he doesn’t adore his family, because that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Wyatt family is loving, loyal and protective of each other. Sam just wants something of his own.
Ivy has come to town to get herself together. Putting her trust in the wrong person cost her dearly; emotionally and financially. Ivy is definitely down on her luck. Being the strong independent woman she is makes her fierce and determined to get back on her feet. If that means taking a job as a bartender in a seedy local Montana bar, then so be it.
When Sam learns Ivy is in town, he has mixed feelings. But finding out that she is working in a seedy bar causes him to reevaluate his feelings. What happened to her? Why isn’t she barrel racing? What happened to her money? Sam is concerned and as a result, he puts his feelings aside to try and help her.; if she’ll let him.
I won’t go into details as you should definitely read this book on your own. There are a few twists and turns and even a pleasant surprise. I love this series thus far and can’t wait for the other two Wyatt brothers to get their books. I definitely recommend this sweet, slightly angsty holiday romance to anyone looking for a great story.
This is my honest and unbiased review and I thank you for taking the time to read it. 🙂
3.5-4 stars of 5
Montana Cowboy Christmas is another addition to the cowboys of Marietta, Montana. This feels like a good, old fashioned cowboy romance, so you know what you’re getting and it hits many of the expected spots. Family, ranches, pretty Christmas town, and alpha hero rodeo cowboys and ranchers. It’s warm and comforting, but at the end, I needed more.
First the bad: In being old fashioned, there’s some misogyny here I could do without. Ivy, the heroine, works as a bartender at a strip bar that’s pretty rough. Unfortunately, one of the characters refers to the bar as a modern day whorehouse and that kind of attitude doesn’t end. There’s very little said about the dancers, so other than that initial reference there doesn’t seem to be shaming of the dancers, most of the focus is on the clientele hitting on the staff, the need for a bouncer, etc. It still left a bad taste. I think the bar could have just been a bar with a tougher vibe, different customer base, something. Not a fan of this choice, at all.
The rest: This is a second chance romance. Ivy and Sam were both on the rodeo circuit together, along with Sam’s brothers, and for reasons they try to examine throughout the story, they didn’t make it. I think the split felt realistic, the following lack of communication did not. Characters in books really need to talk more, the lack of communication trope is just not my favorite. However, that does allow the characters to have some growth and give us a story. I would have liked a little more backstory about Sam and Ivy together. What we have though is they split and now they are suddenly together and the spark is still there. I want more.
Ivy is a conflicted heroine. She’s allowed herself to be wrapped up and controlled by an abusive man, both physically and in control of all her finances and professional choices. Her mom has passed away and Ivy somehow has made her way to Marietta. And of course it’s Marietta because that’s the home of Sam Wyatt, her one time love interest. She doesn’t seem to have gone there because she was looking for Sam, but now that she’s there, of course she’s going to see him. Ivy is not as strong as some of the heroines Porter has written, but she’s also not as weepy as a few have been either. I mostly felt like she was lost, still grieving the loss of a parent, and the ultimately trying to recover from the abusive relationship, while still being in love with Sam. I thought her growth in learning what she really enjoyed, what was really her passion, where she wanted to make her home, all of that was a believable character choice. I would have liked to seen more with her working with horses, her passion. The one scene with a young rider, had a lot of potential.
Sam Wyatt is the second Wyatt brother we meet in this series. He’s the first rodeo cowboy we meet that’s still competing and not planning his retirement quite yet. He’s all quiet and strong and alpha. There’s no character arc here other than him learning to admit he loves Ivy and how to say it more. He’s a good guy, overly protective, but really doesn’t feel domineering. I expect some readers may not agree but I think Porter’s readers come knowing what to expect. He’s an alpha hero who isn’t an alpha-hole, the strong silent type that’s more based on being an introvert and needing that quiet lack of chaos sometimes, as opposed to the guy who just thinks he knows what’s best.
That said, Ivy suddenly gives in to not working at her bad tavern job, when Sam and two of his brothers decide she shouldn’t. That was the kind of alpha male control I don’t love. She suddenly agrees to live at the Wyatt ranch, which felt really sudden, though I remembered they were basically family and she had traveled on the circuit with Sam and his brothers. But because we don’t have the backstory much on the page, it felt like a leap, even if it wasn’t supposed to be. I also had to remind myself this book takes place over several days, two weeks at most from beginning to end.
There’s a subplot about Ivy having all her cash stolen and it’s just dropped. There’s the creepy ex who shows up and Ivy tells him off (excellent) but there’s no follow up on any of the things that Ivy was concerned about, like where her money is and how to get control back (not excellent). There’s a big reveal that was emotional and that emotion felt realistic and good, but the whole scene was rushed. More time could have been spent here and it might have helped shine more light on Sam’s character and definitely more on the backstory that I needed.
I do like how Porter weaves in characters from other series. The town of Marietta continues to come alive. And I enjoyed seeing characters from the first Wyatt Brothers book. They added good spice, especially Sam’s mom, Summer, and grandfather, Martin.
So overall, it was ok. I liked it but felt just like I needed more. I think fans of cowboy romances will probably enjoy it. Porter fans will know what they’re getting and be satisfied. 3.5 to maybe 4 stars out of 5.
CW: abusive relationship off the page, loss/death of a parent, one side character with a devastating accident leading to paralysis, misogyny/sexism in regards to a strip club bar.
I read an e-ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Christmas season is the perfect time for a second chance romance and Jane Porter combines them both in A MONTANA COWBOY CHRISTMAS, the second book in the Wyatt Brothers of Montana series. Sam Wyatt is back in Paradise Valley to celebrate both his mother’s birthday and Christmas with his family. He’s had a good year on the circuit, winning a championship. He’s taking the time to be with his family, heal a little, and invest in his future, planning to close on his own ranch right after Christmas. The last thing he expected was to find his ex, Ivy, in his hometown, working at the toughest bar in town. Ivy was more than his ex, he had planned to marry her before she broke things off two years before.
The past two years have been rough for Ivy. While still grieving the end of her relationship with Sam, her mother passed away, leaving her grieving and vulnerable to a man who wasn’t the best for her. Trying to get her life together, she’s gone off-grid and landed in Marietta, not far from her ex’s family ranch. After losing one job, she takes what she can find, trying to replenish her savings and make her dream of owning her own training facility come true. When Sam walks into the bar before Christmas, they both must decide what part they want to play in each other’s lives. Watching them navigate their renewed relationship, especially Ivy, who had lost confidence in herself and her choices and is trying to reclaim her independence.
I loved how Sam and Ivy worked through their past issues to come to understanding each other and how they complement each other in their relationship. There were times I teared up with both the main characters. It was also fun to revisit not only Marietta, but the Wyatts. The family is full of characters and love, and the Christmas setting made it even more heart-warming. Though it is part of a series, this can easily stand alone. This is a perfect Christmas story full of second chances, love, family, and traditions. Grab a fluffy blanket and a warm drink, snuggle in and enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#readztule #montanacowboychristmas #wyattbrothersofmontana #janeporter #tulepublishing
Sam Wyatt has come home for a family Christmas in Paradise Valley. He loves his family but needs some alone time. As he enjoys family and plans his future. He’s in for a shock. His ex-girlfriend is in Marietta and is working as a bartender at the Wolf Den. His brothers are worried about her safety and tell their brother. Sam drops by to check on Ivy. She was his heart’s desire. However, their parting was bitter. Seeing each other again awakens their feelings. Will they get a second chance at happiness? I was hoping they could recapture their passion. Ivy is a strong and giving woman. Even though life has dealt her setbacks, she keeps striving to reach her goals. Sam wants to help Ivy get her life back on track. An abusive ex has destroyed her confidence and left her in debt. Sam and his family are there to support her. I enjoyed seeing Ivy and Sam become close once again. Watching them share their emotions and feelings added depth to this emotional holiday story. Jane Porter has written a sweet romance that lifted my spirit. I love visiting Marietta and Paradise Valley. It’s a perfect place to celebrate the holiday season and spend time with good people.
I loved Sam and Ivy’s story! Sam is a protective cowboy who has never gotten over Ivy. Ivy is had strong and determined to do things on her own. This story brought me to tears but also so much happiness. There wasn’t a single moment of the story I didn’t like. You won’t be disappointed by this book!