She can save his ranch… But can he forgive her? Maya Burton knows she’s the last person rancher Caleb Dunne wants to see. After all, she survived the crash that killed his sister, and then left town. Now she has to convince the stubborn cowboy that she can help him save his ranch. But once she earns his trust–and his heart–will she be able to walk away?
Reunited with the Cowboy
By clairemcewen
Will coming home be worth the risk?
Reunited with the Cowboy by Claire McEwen is like a wonderful trip down memory lane. I used to live not that far away from a town similar to the one that Ms. McEwen wrote about in this book, so that was really neat. My family is from Willits, and I thought it was awesome how everything tied together.
Maya Burton
Maya Burton has lived with guilt from the time she was seventeen to now. Her smalltown believes that she is responsible for her best friend’s death in a car accident. Maya is a stubborn petite lady that has a lot of strength. Especially to be able to do a job as she does as a field biologist that specializes in apex predators like the mountain lions. Her grandmother, Lillian, is a hoot, and her book club friends are as well.
Coming home was right for Maya as she finally was able to put the past behind her. That is a significant thing that I like about her. Another thing is that she started to mend a lot of fences that she broke by going away. The one thing that I didn’t like was that she is so used to running, but maybe she should stop.
Caleb Dunne
Caleb Dunne was the older brother of the friend that killed in the car accident with Maya. He is an ex-Marine and is now trying to save his family’s farm. That is easier said than done. He is barely scraping by, and it isn’t enough. When Maya shows back up, Caleb isn’t sure if he wants to listen. Eventually, Maya gets through his defenses and makes him see a lot of things wrong about the way he has been living. The major thing that I like about Caleb is he’s done trying to play the victim and is taking back his life. That is easier said than done. The one thing that I didn’t like about him is that he tried to be a better Caleb for Maya and not for himself.
Five Stars
Reunited with the Cowboy by Claire McEwen is an excellent book, and I loved the characters, the quirky sides, the setting, and all the information packed into it about the mountain lions. I’m giving it a five-star review. I’m also recommending it to all the Romance readers out there.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Prism Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Reunited with the Cowboy by Claire McEwen.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
This is a clean romance that will touch your hearts.
Maya Burton and Caleb Dunne were sweethearts in their youth until the day an accident that killed Caleb’s sister, and injured another girl while Maya was driving, destroyed that love. Caleb’s family falls apart, and even though it was truly an accident, the town blames Maya. Forcing the young woman to leave behind Caleb, her grandmother and the world she knew.
Over 10 years later, Caleb, after 10 years in the military, has returned to his family’s dilapidated ranch. A ranch his father abandoned and left with a multitude of debt.
Maya is also back when her grandmother asks her to come for a visit. Now a scientist working with wildlife and their effect on ranches, she still feels the guilt and is concerned about the town’s homecoming.
When Maya and Caleb meet again, both are shacked, and still full of hurt as well as regrets.
This story , which at times is heartbreaking, is about forgiveness. About how words said during anger or pain, can affect the receiver for the rest of their lives. It’s also a story about the effects of war on the soldiers, especially as they become civilians.
It’s also a story about family, friendships, hope , second chances and the possibility of love.
A well written and touching plot with complex and imperfect characters that makes them real.
I am looking forward to more stories in this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
3.75/5
This was more between a pick and a just OK for me, but I was actually surprised by how good it was.
Maya returns to her hometown after more than a decade (she left under heartbreaking circumstances) to educate ranchers on how to coexist with mountain lions (she works for the Dept. of Wildlife). Caleb (her high school sweetheart with issues of his own) is a Marine vet trying to save his family’s farm. They reconnect and along the way tackle some demons from both the past and present. Maya’s grandmother and her book club (The Book Biddies) are wonderful and funny and provide much needed support for Maya (as she does for Caleb).
Nothing earth-shattering but a good, clean (no intimacy) story nonetheless. The first in a series, and yes, I’d read another.
Reunited With The Cowboy is Claire McEwen’s 1st book of the Heroes Of Shelter Creek. Maya Burton and Caleb Dunne both suffered a tragic loss that brought anger and guilt that sent Maya running and stayed away for years until her job called her home. She still faces resentments from people who hold her responsible for the accident that isn’t her fault. Caleb’s anger and resentment create so much trouble that he has to decide to shape up or ship out. Maya job as the wildlife management is an interesting occupation. Her grandma’s book club, the book Biddies, are sassy and funny women who add spice to the story. Claire McEwen’s characters are flawed with problems that readers can relate. Reunited With The Cowboy is about redemption and forgiveness and a second chance to fall in love again.
I won a copy of this book from the author, I was not required to give a favorable review. This was a beautiful book about 2 people that needed to fix a hurt that happens years before. But it is also a story of loss, redemption and small town closeness. Maya and Caleb were high school sweethearts in the small town of Shelter Creek, but his younger sister call him for a ride because she was drunk and she and her friend Trisha needed a ride home from a concert. But instead of him going, Maya went and Julia unbuckled herself and messed with Maya driving, who was sober and caused an accident that killed her, injured Trisha and everyone blamed Maya except her grandmother. Now she is town after many years working on looking for mountain lions as part of her job. She has a PhD in predatory animals. But Caleb is trying to fix what has happened to his family ranch while he was away in the military and his father let it go. Can the two of of them the love they had again.
I love country life cowboy books. Maybe it’s because I’m a born and raised Texas gal.
Maya and Caleb had loved each other back in their teenage days. But there had been a terrible car accident when Caleb’s sister died. Maya had been driving. Years later Maya came home to see her grandma. She had to see some mountain lions for work on Caleb’s property. Things don’t go well.
Caleb had gone through war in the Marine Core. He had emotional scars from war and from losing his little sister. He blamed Maya and struggled being near her. It was good to see him grow and leave behind bad habits. The one thing I don’t like in this book are the cuss words. I rated them as mild, but I prefer books with none.
Maya learned to stand up for and just believe in herself. I think we all have moments where we thought we couldn’t accomplish something. Believing in ourselves gives us the strength to reach our goals.
The side characters were great! I loved Maya’s grandma’s book club, full of fun sassy ladies. They were hilarious. Caleb had a good friend, Jace, who had become the dad of his 2 neices and nephew. I hope he’ll be the main character in another romance novel!
Reading Reunited with the Cowboy by Clause McEwen felt like watching a romance TV series. I loved seeing all of the different stories pulling together, especially the romance. It was filled with life’s hard times, community love, and sweet romance.
Content Ratings
Sexual: mild (kissing)
Language: mild
Violence: none
I received this book from Prism Book Tours. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.
Sometimes you start reading a series romance – expecting it to be good in the ordinary way – only to discover that you hold a gem in your hands. Reunited with the Cowboy by Claire McEwen is a romance with emotion, complexity, and rich characterization. I was caught up from the very first page and enjoyed this engaging story.
Maya and Caleb are appealing and relatable characters, but with no surface-level perfection. Instead, they are realistically flawed in such a way that readers can’t help but root for them. Maya comes to her grandmother’s home in California, on a two-month assignment for the Department of Wildlife to study pumas – specifically, to figure out why they were eating local sheep. But a tragic past travels with her, and her practice of coping through the safety of solitude just might be about to change. Maya “knew what to expect when she was on her own. Friendship, love, family – it was all so risky.” Caleb has also been through tragedies that no one should have to experience and felt that his life “contained troubles too big to share.” Rather than seeking help in coping with his guilt and grief, he had gone down the path of self-destruction.
I’ve always thought of predators like mountain lions as dangerous animals to be feared, but I learned a lot from this story and came away with a new insight and appreciation. For the ranchers determined to shoot these creatures in order to protect their livestock, it’s about education and learning preventative methods they can implement. But ranchers aren’t easily open to change and Maya often meets with closed minds. It’s here that one of my favorite fictional groups enters the picture, several senior adult friends of Maya’s grandmother called the “Book Biddies.” They offer some lighthearted and tender moments, and warmed my heart with their unflinching loyalty and support of Maya.
One of my favorite scenes is when Maya comes upon a three-legged dog by the side of the road, determines to rescue him, and names him Einstein. Similarities to Caleb were obvious to Maya … “Caleb was like this dog. Wounded. Trying to reach forward for connection. Retreating back into his fear. Growling to cover it up.”
Only one thing marred this book, and that’s the frequent use of mild profanity. The story is clean otherwise, which I expected from the Harlequin Heartwarming line, but the occurrences of profanity were totally unexpected and unwelcome. With that one caveat, Reunited with the Cowboy is a wonderfully engaging, memorable story.
I received a copy of this book through Prism Book Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Maya and Caleb are both trying to come to terms with things that have happened in the past but it isn’t an easy thing for them to do, especially once they are reunited for the first time in a rather surprising way. I could imagine how difficult it was for them seeing each other after the tragedy that tore them apart.
I loved Maya, a biologist who works in the field of wild life and is assignment in her hometown, the one she left after the accident that took the life of Caleb’s sister, As much as I loved Maya, it was her grandmother who stole my heart. Not only is the grandmother adorable but her book club, the Book Biddies are pretty hilarious! I have never been in a book club before but if I ever join one, it would most definitely be one like the Book Biddies. They are funny, sweet, kind and so supportive of Maya.
I became fond of Caleb as the story progressed and actually started to love him as he dealt with is own demons.
Overall, I loved Reunited with the Cowboy, the story moves a perfect pace, the characters are compelling and Ms. McEwen is a skillful storyteller. I look forward to reading more of her work.
I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of Prism Book Tours and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Ms. McEwen has been a favorite of mine for a while and I love the beginning of her series for the line. What really grabbed me from the start was Maya’s grandmother and her friends, The Book Biddies. They always had Maya’s back from the start and it was funny but also endearing. They knew what the real story was no matter what the rest of the town thought. Oh yes, Maya survived the crash but her friend didn’t. All I’m going to say is that once people, especially Caleb FINALLY listen to her and understand the circumstances, no one is the same afterward. Powerful and emotional, and somewhat life-changing for Caleb. All that resentment towards the one person that was actually trying to help.
I loved the second chance at romance aspect of the book. Caleb and Maya are the perfect counterparts to the other. Maya is exactly what Caleb needs in his life and his farm. Regardless of the actions of each other when they were teenagers, Caleb needed the kick in the backside from her when it came to the mountain lions. The scenes where they are able to capture one, you could see Caleb at this turning point in the story. And no, I didn’t spoil it but it is powerful in its message and how it all plays out.
When Maya left, she basically became a loner; not letting anyone get too close and I really understood her reasoning for that. I also totally got why she never came home. Would you if the town hated you for something you DIDN’T do? Yep, I’d be gone too. She is smart and only trying to help her fellow ranchers and most of them are grateful. How she works her magic on Caleb is slow but beautiful. In some ways, he was too stubborn for me. But then when he was grumpy Caleb, he was funny. Plus, Hobo his cat, is just too much for me. It’s like he had a designer dog that just wouldn’t leave.
This book is about redemption and forgiveness. Maya is looking for redemption and forgiveness for something that she really didn’t do and Caleb is looking for redemption in his treatment of Maya all those years ago. And maybe some forgiveness, too. These two had a lot to do go through before they could even see eye to eye about their relationship. I loved that Ms. McEwen didn’t make it easy for either one of them.
I really enjoyed Maya and Caleb and I hope to see them again. I really go into Maya’s research on them and I would like an update on the center in later books. Again, give this line a chance. You won’t be disappointed.
Reunited with the Cowboy gives us a look into two lives where past mistakes are held on to and bitterness takes root. The circumstances surrounding the breakup of Caleb and Maya are heartbreaking and this story was a bit heavier as it deals with Caleb’s anger and alcoholic tendencies. I felt the author portrayed the situations and emotions in a realistic manner and I was hooked from the first page to see that these two could come to a resolution.
I also found Maya’s profession fascinating. She is a scientist who helps ranchers and farmers deal with their predator problems in a humane and interesting way. I have never heard of this type of job before and it was interesting to find out about it.
This was another page turner in the Heartwarming line dealing with heavier topics and there was a little more language. Overall I liked this story and watching the growth of Caleb and Maya and their reconciliation was sweet to witness. I look forward to more of author McEwen stories.
I received a copy of this novel from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All views and opinions are my own.
Reunited with the cowboy
Maya is back in town for her job. She ends up running into Calab. He has a ranch where his sheep are being killed. He is trying to catch the animal that did it.
I loved her grandmother. She and some other ladies have a book club. They called it the Book Biddies. Those ladies bought so much to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Prism book tours. I was not required to write an positive review.
“Reunited with the Cowboy” begins Claire McEwen’s Heroes of Shelter Creek series and features wildlife biologist Maya Burton and rancher Caleb Dunne.
Maya and Caleb were once in love, but a tragedy occurred, forcing them to live separate lives.
Maya returns to Shelter Creek after a long absence to research mountain lions that are killing livestock on rancher’s properties and on one ranch in particular—the Bar D owned by Caleb.
Caleb doesn’t want anyone’s help, least of all Maya’s. Pride is a powerful emotion and he allows it to keep himself apart from everyone in Shelter Creek.
Slowly, he begins to listen to Maya’s expertise and the two are able come to terms with how the tragedy affected them.
Maya and Caleb will have to overcome their regrets and guilt of the past if they want to find happiness in the future.
In “Reunited with the Cowboy”, Ms. Ewen gives us insight into wildlife without preaching to the reader, writing a story rich in love for all kinds of life.
4.5 Stars
In Reunited with the Cowboy, Claire McEwen crafts a story of grief, growth, and forgiveness. Maya and Caleb have grieved their loss separately for years. Now it’s time to face the past together.
McEwen combines a swoon-worthy romance with some humor delivered by The Book Biddies (Maya’s grandmother and her friends will make you laugh), struggles of ranching and small-town life, and healing from the pain of the past. Plus, get a peek into the unique and informative work Maya does with mountain lions.
What makes this story even more engaging (I mean, everything listed above made it a great read, but there’s more) are the secondary characters I am hoping we see more of in future books. I’m looking at you Jace and Trisha. Here’s hoping another trip to Shelter Creek is coming soon.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I have not had the pleasure of reading anything by Claire McEwen until I read Reunited with the Cowboy. I enjoyed this beginning of the Heroes of Shelter Creek series. It tells the story of ex-Marine Caleb Dunne coming back home to his family’s ranch. Coming back to town makes him end up meeting up with his ex-flame, Maya Burton. She has the skills to help him with the ranch. However, he does not trust her. Can he learn to get passed past hurts and learn to forgive to save the legacy of his family?
I am giving Reunited with the Cowboy four and a half stars. Looks like Miss McEwen has earned herself a new fan. I would love to read her other books and I can not wait to find out what happens in the next installment from the Heroes of Shelter Creek series. I recommend this book for readers who love to read clean and heartwarming Cowboy romances.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Reunited with the Cowboy was a really good story. The two main characters, Maya and Caleb, had a very painful past to overcome if they were going to work together. The author did an amazing job of creating two characters who had suffered so much due to tragic circumstances. They were both still suffering in their own ways, and needed to learn how to overcome and rise above the events that ended up defining them.
I loved the connection that Maya and Caleb began to feel toward each other and the sense of community that Maya began to experience. Caleb had some serious struggles in this novel and he was a work in progress throughout the whole book.
The author did a great job of weaving in the mountain lion and ranching details to create a very interesting setting. This is a clean romance, however, for those sensitive to language, there are a few swear words and some situations involving alcohol.
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books in this series.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this book, not only is it a romance, it tells the story of small town friendships, ranching, wildlife management and the psychological problems of returning veterans…… I learned a lot by reading it.
Loved, loved, loved this heartwarming second chance romance! Caleb and Maya share such a painful and heartbreaking past from when they were high school sweethearts. Reunited years later as adults, these two rediscover a love that never died. This charming story brought tears to my eyes, a smile to my face, and warmed my heart. Caleb and Maya are fantastic together and the story has a whole cast of great characters…….I especially loved The Book Biddies! I loved the sense of community, animal conservation, and especially the addition of a three legged dog! The first in a new series……I can’t wait for more!
Wide-open spaces, mountain lions, and cowboys and two wounded people coming together to heal. It hits all the right notes, beautifully.
In all honesty, I’m not quite done with this book yet–I’m taking my time, because Clair McEwan’s writing voice deserves that. I love Maya and Caleb’s story and their supporting cast. I love how the protagonists are so frankly wounded and yet strong at the same time. In this story, we get to experience how hard they have to work at that strength.
Really great story. Maya and Caleb are a sweet couple. The Book Biddies and Cougars for Cougars were so funny. And who wouldn’t love Hobo and Einstein!!