Billionaires, cowboys, and romance collide during the holidays in this next book in the River Ranch series! It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Ford family ranch. Will one cowboy’s homecoming be the greatest gift of all? He left town and never looked back. Cody Ford is a Wall Street honcho with humble Texas roots. This holiday season, he’d be content to just stay in New York and … he’d be content to just stay in New York and not face his family–and dodge their questions about when and with whom he plans to settle down. . .and if he will do so back at home. But his father isn’t getting any younger, and Cody doesn’t want to miss any last chances to see him and the rest of the folks back on the ranch. The last person Cody was expecting to see? His one-time girlfriend, Lexi Murphy, who’s been working as his dad’s new live-in nurse.
She never forgot him. Can she ever forgive him?
Lexi still holds a grudge against Cody. Back then, the college-bound heartthrob believed he was too good for a small-town girl like Lexi. But now Cody can’t help but see her in a whole new light. Could it be that this beautiful single mother with an unbeatable can-do spirit is the one he’s been waiting for all along? That depends on whether Cody can prove to Lexi that, this time, he means business–and if a sudden snowstorm can lend just the right amount of Christmas magic to help move things along. . .
“Lane warms hearts of readers across the globe.”
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I enjoyed this book. It is book three in a series but I thought it read very well as a standalone because I have not read any of the previous books and I didn’t feel lost or confused at all. I found the story to be engaging and well written. Cody and Lexi’s romance is rich with emotion, turmoil and tension. I really liked Lexi. I found her character very relatable and easy to connect with. As for Cody, I thought he was just OK. I could feel for him but if I was in Lexi’s shoes I’m not sure I could have forgiven him. Still, I thought that this was a very good read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Receiving an ARC is a true privilege and one I certainly enjoy. Being able to share my opinion is a pleasure.
Once Upon A Cowboy Christmas, by Soraya Lane, is available at booksellers on 10-29-19. The third book in Ms Lane’s River Rance series is realistic in many ways. It’s also a tad bit unbelievable as it’s a romance and has to turn out well. I’m not going to give away too much of the plot, you need to enjoy that yourself. Once Upon A Cowboy Christmas is my first experience with Ms Lane’s work and I’m surprised and pleased.
Cody Ford, of THE Ford family, is home for Christmas. A bigwig in NYC, he hates being back in Texas. His father is dying & it all brings out his deeply buried feelings, PTSD. He is so oblivious to what’s going in his life that you want to shake him till his teeth rattle. He uses work to make darn sure he doesn’t have a social life, no messy feelings or complications. I felt sorry for him while I wanted to wake him up. He figures it out in the end, of course, but it’s a long journey & he’s kicking & screaming the entire way. Exasperating man.
Alexandra “Lexie” Murphy is Cody’s ex-girlfriend. When he did a cut & run 15 years ago he left Lexi without a backward glance. He broke her & she hasn’t healed to this day. She did marry, a loser, and has a cute little boy. The loser also did a cut & run so she’s a single mon now. She’s been hired to take care of Walter, the dying father, so she & Cody see each other again. Lexi is so closed off, she’s got a ton of trouble but still, geeze. I like that she gives Cody hell for what he did to her, eventually she forgives but it’s nice how long it took. She’s a helicopter mom, so she got on my nerves a bit. I suppose they deserve each other, neither is any good on their own.
I liked Ms Lane’s writing style, easy & flowing. I liked the Ford family, we’re coming in after the others have had their HEA’s so it’s happiness all around. I became invested in the characters and their journey. That’s a good recommendation for a book, it grabbed me. Happy reading
#Netgalley #SorayaLane #StMartin’sPress #OnceUponACowboyChristmas #RiverRanchseries #ContemporaryRomance
You can read this as a stand alone. I have not read the first two books in this series but did enjoy reading this one. This book hit me in the heart big time because I am going through the same thing with my boss as Walter is going through in this book. My boss is like my second father and he is also dying of cancer and it made reading this book even more emotional for me. The romance part of this story was fun to read. Though I think the ending was a little rushed as Cody really hadn’t faced his issues at that point. It was still sweet and fun Christmas story to read.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
This is book 3 in the River Ranch series and I would absolutely read these books in order or you may not understand events that happened before this one. This one is about Cody Ford and Lexi Murphy. Cody left home as soon as he could and only comes home when he absolutely has to and leaves as soon as he can. He prefers his life in New York and if he had his way, he would never come home. But now that his Dad is sick, he knows he has to come home to spend time with him whether he wants to or not. Lexi was Cody’s high school girlfriend and is his father’s live in nurse. The last person he expects to find when he comes home. Lexi has never forgotten how Cody treated her nor the fact that he never even called after just leaving. And when something comes to light that affects her family and future, she believes that the boy she loved is completely gone and replaced by a man with no emotions.
I am still iffy about this one. The last one I really like and this one started off pretty good for me. I liked Lexi a lot and how strong of a person she really is. I loved how she is with not only Cody’s family but with her son. I know Cody has issues, I really do. But I just had a hard time with him later in the book. And I felt like he never truly worked out those issues, almost like it was rushed through and then poof! He was fixed. It was kinda strange to me. On a whole it wasn’t bad, I was with it up until that point. I think that part just really got to me, like there is no magic pill and there was no work put into being the type of person he truly could be. Here’s to hoping Angelica’s story draws me in more!
A challenging second chance romance. Cody ran from home in college to pursue his career to avoid the emotions brewing. He is a very difficult man to like with his aloof and cold attitude. Returning home for the holidays as his father’s health is failing has him seeing his high school girlfriend again for the first time in 10 years. Seeing Lexi and spending time with her does push him to realize what he left behind all those years ago. Lexi is an amazing mother and compassionate care-giver. Her job is to make Walter’s life comfortable during his final days. Her son Harry is the light in her life. She struggles to make ends meet now that her mother needs full-time care for her Alzheimer’s. Seeing Cody again is gut-wrenching. She never understood why he left her behind and the love she has for him never died. This is not an easy road for either of them but Cody is the one that has to face everything he blocked out as he fled life on the ranch. Will he be willing to open his heart and risk getting hurt to have a life with Lexi? I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Cody and Lexi have a second chance at love at Christmas. He’s been avoiding home for years, and it’s kind of weird how he didn’t think anything about the girl he left behind. She’s all kinds of awesome though. A good mom, great with Cody’s family, sincere.
Cody’s dad and Lexi’s kid were honestly my fave characters, and I’m glad to see he could make a turn around on it all. Pretty good holiday romance. A couple little things made it less than 5 star for me but I enjoyed it.
Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas is Book 3 of the River Ranch series. I hesitated picking it up since it was Book 3 and I prefer to start a series from the beginning. However, I found myself able to follow along easily and wasn’t confused.
Even though this story was well written, I struggled with the first half of it and didn’t feel a connection with the main characters. The story picks up during the 2nd half and I adored Walter and little Harry. Wonderful secondary characters.
ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS is the third instalment in Soraya Lane’s contemporary, adult RIVER RANCH erotic, romance series focusing on the Ford siblings. This is thirty two-year old New York investor and businessman Cody Ford, and nurse / single mother Lexi Murphy’s story line. ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Cody and Lexi) ONCE UPON A COWBOY CHRISTMAS follows the rekindling relationship between investor and businessman Cody Ford, and nurse Lexi Murphy. Fifteen years earlier Lexi Murphy’s heart was destroyed when her high school sweetheart left town without so much as a good-bye. Fast forward to present day wherein Lexi is now the in-house nurse for the ailing Walter Ford, where she will come face to face with the man that walked away without looking back. Enter billionaire investor Cody Ford. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship and romance between Cody and Lexi, and the potential fall-out when their time together comes to an end.
Cody Ford rarely comes home but the Christmas holidays meant quite possibly visiting his father for the very last time. What Cody never expected was to find the woman he once loved, a woman whose heart he destroyed when he walked out of her life. Lexi Murphy is a single parent whose heart belongs to her seven year old son but seeing Cody Ford brings with it too many memories from the past, memories that continue to push Cody out of her life.
The relationship between Cody and Lexi is one of second chances. Cody Ford didn’t recognize our heroine further adding insult to Lexi’s already broken heart. Offering only a few night together, with no promise for the future, Cody finds himself spiralling out of control, struggling between going back to New York or staying home. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Cody’s siblings: Mia Ford (Cowboy Stole My Heart #1), Tanner and Lauren (All Night with a Cowboy #2), sister Angelina Ford, and their father Walter; as well as Lexi’s seven year old son Harrison.
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS COWBOY is a story of family, loss, grief and second chances. The premise is heart breaking but encouraging ; the characters are sassy and broken; the romance is spicy and captivating.
Cody returns to the family ranch for Christmas and finds the girl he callously abandoned 15 years previously, when he couldn’t cope with his mother’s impending death, working for his father. Lexi still hates him for the way he broke her heart and matters between them are not helped when she discovers he is responsible for her mother being turned out of her retirement home. Despite all that is between them, both are still drawn to each other and after a lot of angst they get their HEA. An enjoyable story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Solid Romance. I came into this when I saw that Lane had another new book publishing, not realizing that it was book 3 in a series… and not caring that it was romance, rather than the historical fiction work I had previously known her from. Having come from her historical fiction work, I can tell you that she is equally adept in either world, with the overall writing equally superb while remaining within the “lines” of the various genres. Having read quite a few romances from other authors over the years, I can tell you that I’d easily stack this one up with any of them – if you like the romance genre generally, you’re probably going to enjoy this one. And having come into it without having read the prior two books, I can tell you that this is one of those series that is only loosely-ish coupled, following several siblings as they find love. Because of that, it can indeed work as an entry point in the series – and you’re most likely going to be drawn in enough to want to read them. Very much recommended.
Cody Ford up and left home when he graduated. He left his family, his sick mother and the girl he loved, Lexi Murphy. He was just running away from the reality of his mother’s illness. He has made occasional trips home but each time he was most anxious to return to his life in New York. This year when he returns for his Christmas visit he is facing the fact that his father has cancer. To Cody’s great surprise Lexi is Cody’s dad’s full-time nurse now. Will Cody step up and stop running now? Time will tell. I enjoyed getting to know Lexi and Cody. They just seemed to beperfect for each other making the struggle for their HEA well worth it.
Four Second Chance Stars.
I enjoyed this read. This was my first book by this author.
Christmastime at the Fords Ranch is entertaining say the least.
Cody Ford would rather stay in New York than head to the family ranch but with his fathers health, he decides to go home for Christmas. What he wasn’t expecting was to run into his ex girlfriend, Lexi Murphy. She is his dads nurse. And he definitely wasn’t expecting to feel all the emotions of being home, feeling lonely, feeling guilty and feeling sad and scared. Cody tried to keep the walls up but this time around it’s not as easy to end.
We get a good wholesome story, with entertaining characters and a storyline that keeps your attention the entire time.
A feel good romance with deep emotions.
*I was given a free advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are those of my own.*
This is a new to me author and for a first read I’m really impressed. Who doesn’t love a good cowboy story, add in a Christmas theme and I’m sold. I give it a solid 4 ½ out of 5 stars for this wonderful story about getting a second chance.
Cody Ford knows how to run, he ran away from his dying mother, he ran from his girlfriend, he ran from his family. He couldn’t make himself stay and feel like he was suffocating any longer. He ran and made a name for himself, and a lot of money. Now he is returning home for Christmas for a quick visit but finds himself wanting to stay.
Lexi has gotten over Cody and what happened between them long ago, for the most part, but seeing him again stirs up those old feelings. Working for his Dad, she knew there was a chance of seeing him again after all these years but thought she could handle it. Taking care of her mother and son are the most important things in her life right now, Cody will leave sooner rather than later anyway.
The longer he is home, the more he feels like he wants to stay. His father’s health isn’t improving, the ranch and the business need leadership and he has made a real estate purchase in town that needs his attention. He wants to work on his relationship with Lexi also, he knows he wasn’t the greatest boyfriend back in the day.
Lexi finds out Cody is the person that bought the nursing home her mother lives in and plans to evict all the residents. She can’t believe she gave him the benefit of the doubt and started to fall for him again. Showing once again he is only out for himself. Can Cody and Lexi overcome these obstacles to find a solid relationship again?
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy from Netgalley without expectations. What a great start to a new to me author. I’m currently searching backlogs for more books to devour.
This story has so much potential. The single-mom/second chance genre is a good storyline. Some of the details didn’t make sense or needed more development. The family dynamic wasn’t explained/developed well. There were lots of spelling and grammar errors. I hope it is cleaned up before release date. The story is told in a dual POv, which I like but, it transitions multiple times per chapter without any distinctions which made it difficult to follow. If I was not paying attention I would get confused and have to go back and figure out which POV.
Cody Ford left his family ranch at 18 for college and a new life because he could not cope with his mother’s terminal illness. Cody left Lexi without a word. Upon arriving home for Christmas this year, Cody meets his father’s caregiver and senses something familiar. He does not recognize the woman as Lexi, his ex-girlfriend which definitely does not go over well with her. Lexi has endured many ups and downs since Cody left her behind. Her best achievement is her 6 yr old son, Harrison (Harry) who absolutely stole my heart. Lexi is also dealing with her mother’s dementia and having to find a new care facility because a big city corporation is planning to develop that property into new modern housing. Turns out Cody might have more trouble than he bargained for with his latest land development deal. Cody and Lexi are pretty explosive between the sheets. The author did good here. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Cody comes home for Christmas he doesn’t recognize the girl he left behind but Lexi isn’t that girl she is stronger now and she has a son. Cody doesn’t want to be there he only came home for Christmas because his father is dying, Cody left as soon as he could not wanting to watch his mother die.
Lexi hates Cody for leaving her even though she has Harry her son but she has a job to do being Walter’s caregiver who is Cody’s father. Lexi loves it on the ranch and taking care of Walter plus Walters children except Cody and it pays well so she can somehow afford her mothers care for her dementia but she may have to make some changes as the facility has been sold to a developer and the residents are being evicted.
Lexi loved Cody but the man he has become is not the boy she loved, the fireworks start the minute he walks in the door right till the end and it’s ends perfectly.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
I’ve Soraya Lane’s name all over Goodreads and Amazon lately, but I’ve never actually stopped to pickup one of her books until now. Once Upon A Cowboy Christmas caught my eye because he combines three of my favorite things. A single parent, Christmas and cowboys.
Once Upon A Cowboy Christmas is a sweet second chance romance that is perfect to read on a snow day. I could easily see Cody and Lexi’s story becoming a Hallmark movie. It’s romantic, heartfelt, and even has an adorable as heck kid in it.
What I liked:
The writing style
Part of a series: River Ranch
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I had a hard time staying interested in this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
Sweet story. All the characters were very nice; no back-stabbing, no troublemakers or liars ruining things for everyone. Just a vulnerable man who needed someone to understand he needed help. It took 14 years but, eventually, he got there. I would love this family, too.
While I realize cancer is a huge part of today’s life, thank you for not making the whole story about death and dying.
This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
**I received a copy Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas from St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions expressed are mine and not solicited in any way.**
Once Upon a Cowboy Christmas by Soraya M. Lane is the second book in her River Ranch series. I’ve read the first two books and I have to say this one was a bit lukewarm for me but the ending made up for the slow middle. I really loved little Harry and how he snuck out in a snowstorm to make sure his pony wasn’t cold.
Lexi Murphy is providing hospice care to the Ford family patriarch, Walter, who has terminal cancer when Cody comes home for Christmas. Lexi holds a grudge for his abrupt leaving 10 years ago so they both wonder if their feelings can be rekindled. Her son Harrison falls for the cowboy life on the ranch but she worries about her mother whose Alzheimer home is closing, how will she find a new one that she can afford? Can Cody and Lexi fall in love again despite their differences?
Cody Ford feels more comfortable in New York but this man be the last Christmas with his father so he decides to come home. When he sees Lexi who’s his dad’s live in nurse he knows that he’s hurt her and wonders if they can rekindle their romance. Add in a father who wants to go for one last ride, a snowstorm and finally Cody admits that he loves Lexi more than New York.
Cody lives in New York, rarely visits home, it started when his mother got sick and he left for college, he left his girlfriend then too, without goodbye. Now he is back home for Christmas, his father is sick. He meets his father caregiver, she is very beautiful and she hates him.
Lexi is caregiver to Cade’s father, she and her son lives on ranch. She is not happy that Cade is back, she’ll never forgot that he left her in high school without goodbye, and now he doesn’t even recognize her.
With Christmas coming, old feelings wake up. Will they have a future together especially after Lexi learn he wants to destroy something very important to her.
Great storyline, I did enjoy this story a lot.