The Best Cowboy Christmas Ever (Garrett Family Saga Book 1)

I looked forward to reading this book as I had previously read a bit about the Garretts’, and this sounded like more goodness to a smalltown Christmas journey, including a big family, big on Christmas.
The surprise was awesome, a wow, didn’t see that coming, what’s gonna happen now moment. The drama surrounding this gave me mixed feelings, and I felt the writing deteriorated somewhat after that.
I couldn’t get a read on Angelique, nothing about her grabbed me. She had a ton of baggage I didn’t feel could be rectified the way it was, or as fast, it was all too pat. I felt the angst and fear, but her not telling anyone is an old trope I am so tired of.
Derrick, I liked, and had to laugh because he HAD to be uncomfortable when feelings escalated. He was now the sheriff, yet still the life long friend of the Garrett brothers, and like a son to Big Jim. Awkward here lol!!
Parts of the book I think would’ve made fantastic reading were glossed over, like the mixed feelings of the brothers. No one talked much about the actual validation of their thoughts. Why no one dug into the circumstances, like a background check? I mean Misty works at a law office, Derrick is the sheriff.
So the journey didn’t flow as well as I like, yet it was interesting for the majority, and I got the Merry Christmas HEA.
I was given an advance reader’s copy through Netgalley and am leaving my own thoughts voluntarily

For me, the best way to begin a new series like the Garrett Family Saga is with a Christmas Romance just like The Best Cowboy Christmas Ever. It’s a perfect storm, in my opinion.

This is also a series that has a strong connection to the Dark Horse Cowboys series – and I’ve come to know many of the secondary characters mentioned in The Best Cowboy Christmas Ever quite well over the length of that series. So, in many ways, this was a return to a familiar world to me. Does a new reader have to have read the first series before the Garrett Family Saga? No. I, personally, think it would help but I don’t feel it’s absolutely necessary as this new series can and does stand on its own. That is a decision each reader must make for themselves.

Angelique, along with her toddler daughter, Gabriella is on the run for their lives from Gabi’s grandfather who also happens to be the head of a mafia family. Angel’s husband was killed in a fire at the restaurant she and her husband owned. On her deathbed, Angelique’s mother finally told her the name of her real, biological father — and it is that name that has Angelique and Gabriella running across the country in search of family, safety, and acceptance.

Nearing their destination Angelique’s car runs off the road and it is Sheriff Derrick Shelton who will not only come to their rescue but feels an instant attraction and sense of bonding for them both. It won’t be long now before Angelique comes face to face with her father… Big Jim and that is going to add to the drama, and the tensions she’s dealing with right now. The safe haven in that storm is Derrick, a strong man who isn’t afraid to admit to strong feelings very early in a relationship, and a man who can see both sides of the family drama going on between Angelique and the rest of the Garrett family right now.

If you have not read the Dark Horse Cowboys series, I can plainly see why you would have questions on the why and how of some characters’ actions. I really do see why. For me, I’ve come to know these secondary characters quite well so many are acting exactly as I would expect them to… suspicious and/or welcoming depending on the personality. I’m also very familiar with the Garrett family phone tree – so that was not a surprise at all.

I enjoyed Angelique’s and Derrick’s romance so much – and little Gabi is simply an adorable scene-stealer. The tensions from Angelique’s past are intense, the danger real – but the emotions growing between Derrick and his ladies are also very real and quite obvious.

This first story in the new series felt much like returning home again after being away for a while. I sincerely hope new readers will give the Garrett Family Saga series a chance, and perhaps be curious enough to go back to the earlier books. I had a blast, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book due out in January of 2021.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca 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.*

while family drama is usually not my thing, (real life you know) I love a good cowboy story and revisiting family and finding their HEA and a Merry Christmas all wrapped into one! I read a netgalley copy and freely leave my review!

The Best Cowboy Christmas Ever is part of the Garrett Family Saga Series by June Faver. All of Big Jim’s sons have found the perfect woman to love. However, none of them could foresee what was coming in this story especially Big Jim.

I have only read Colt’s and Misty’s book in this series. Thee were not favorite characters of mine. So I wasn’t sure what to expect with Angelique Guillory’s and the town sheriff Derrick Shelton’s story. Well,,, I loved it. From the beginning by the side of the snowy road I was hooked. Then when Angelique meets Big Jim I was unable to put it down. I knew here was more to the story, some reveals along the way. The danger and the suspense it’s all part of her story along with sweet little Gabrielle.

Then I figured how Derrick would fit into it all, sure enough I was right. Of course, Colt is his usual pessimist self. On the whole everyone else was wonderful.

Thanks to The Best Cowboy Christmas Ever I want to read more by June Faver. I am glad that I tried another Garrett book. I am hooked just not with Colt. I especially liked how early on Big Jim gave the inspiration for the title of this book. It certainly was the best cowboy Christmas ever for more than just Big Jim.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love trying new authors. How else will you know you like someone without giving them a try? Some times you love them and other times, not as much. For me, this book is somewhere in between like and hate.

This is going to be one of those reviews where it seems like one second I liked the book and the next, I don’t. The reason for that is because of it kind of sums up how I felt about the book. I liked most of the characters. Some are a little bit over the top but by the end of the book, I came to like them too.

I liked the idea of a woman finding her father a father who didn’t know anything about her but it did bother me a big that he didn’t do any testing just to make sure. He has money so the idea of someone acting like he was their long lost father wasn’t that far fetched.

So I really liked Angelique and her daughter. They seemed real and I felt for what she was going through. Even though she didn’t have the easiest upbringing she turned out to be a good, caring person.

I also really liked Derrick. He seemed like a great guy who would do anything for those who he cared about.

Like I mentioned the idea of the story didn’t bother me. I liked it and how the story moves. I guess the biggest issue I had was with the writing. I often felt as I read the story that the words coming out of the character’s mouths were forced. It was like the author was working way too hard to make them sound young. I almost felt like it was how the author thought they should talk.

It bothered me a ton but even with that, I wanted to know how the story ended. I’m sure we’ve all had a book or two like that. So I might not have loved it but I did at times enjoy this book. I do feel it was worth the try and I might try the next in the series to see how I like that. Even with the issues I had, I was able to quickly read the story so that’s saying something.

I absolutely loved this wonderfully written story about a daughter finding her long lost father and her new half brothers. Angelique arrives at Garrett Ranch with her daughter, Gabrielle. Big Jim takes one look at Angel and Gabi and knows she’s telling the truth, they’re his daughter and granddaughter. She is running from Gabi’s fraternal grandfather, Alphonse Benoit. Derrick Shelton, the sheriff, is attracted to Angelique from the start. Colt, the oldest Garrett brother, believes Angel is a scam artist and he doesn’t believe her story. Misty, his wife, supports her husband’s decision. If you enjoy family reads that have each other’s backs when it counts, you will love this beautifully told story.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

Get ready for some sexy cowboys, strong, determined women and cute kids ready to celebrate Christmas. Little Gabriella is super cute!

Angelique Guillory is on the run with her precious little toddler Gabriella. Gabi’s paternal grandfather Alphonse Benoit who is rich, well-connected and very crooked is trying to take Angelique’s daughter away from her. His son, Remy who was Gabi’s father died in a fire set by Benoit’s thugs. Remy and Angelique owned a restaurant together and Benoit was unhappy with the situation. Remy wasn’t supposed to be in the restaurant when the fire was set. Angelique’s mother Sophie Guillory was Benoit’s girlfriend up until the time Sophie passed away from cancer. On her death bed Sophie confessed to Angelique her father’s name. So Angelique is on her way to Langston, Texas to finally meet her father Big Jim Garrett. In her mad dash away from New Orleans and Gabi’s murderous grandfather Angelique encountered icy roads and slid into a ditch. Sheriff Derrick Shelton comes along and rescued her. Angelique gets to meet Big Jim, his three sons and their families. Big Jim accepts Angelique and Gabi right away. There’s no disputing the Garrett blue eyes. Middle son Tyler and his wife Leah welcome them with open arms. Oldest son Colton and his wife Misty are definitely not so welcoming. Colton thinks Angelique is a con artist out to scam his father, not his sister at all. Youngest son Beau and his wife Dixie are neutral. It’s Christmas time and this family situation is looking to bring a not-quite-so-merry family Christmas. Angelique’s biggest fear is Benoit catching up with her. She hopes the Garret family can all accept her and Gabi and keep them safe. That would be the best Christmas present she could ever receive.

When Sheriff Derrick Shelton sees a car had slid off the side of the road of course he is going to stop to help. He didn’t expect the beautiful Angelique Guillory to be the driver of that car. Derrick realizes right away that he wants to get to know this woman better. The attraction to Angelique really zapped him hard. Derrick starts dating Angelique and keeps falling more and more for her and her super cute daughter Gabi. Angelique isn’t very forthcoming with a lot of personal information about herself. She seems to avoid that discussion and changes the subject. When a piece of information about Angelique crosses his desk Derrick knows he has to confront Angelique about her past. He knows he will do all he can to protect her.

The Best Cowboy Christmas Ever by June Faver is the first book in her new Garrett Family Saga series. Author June Faver is one of my favorite Cowboy Romance authors. Her stories are liberally sprinkled with great characters, fun dialogue and intriguing plots. I like how Angelique is so protective of little Gabi and how Derrick is so protective of both of “his girls.” I first met Big Jim and his family in Ms. Faver’s Dark Horse Cowboy series. Great series. This new series looks to be another good one. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next but didn’t want the story to end.