Can you love someone and hate them at the same time?
Previously titled Cowboy’s Don’t Marry Their Enemy
She led him on, lied about him, then dumped him for his cousin.
She was his enemy.
He walked.
But he loved her still.
Can people change?
Cora Fischer knew they could. Heartbreak, abject poverty and a mother’s bear instincts to protect her children at all costs could turn a selfish, spoiled girl … Heartbreak, abject poverty and a mother’s bear instincts to protect her children at all costs could turn a selfish, spoiled girl into a strong, formidable woman.
But first loves die hard.
They were enemies, never lovers, despite what she told her family and the town. She hated him then, and he hates her now.
But she can give him what he wants, and she’s willing to make a deal. Is she strong enough to conquer her foe and not destroy herself?
Or maybe she could write new chapter: old enemies make the best husbands.
Reviews for The Cowboy’s Enemy:
★★★★★ “Abner and Cora’s story is a wonderful testament to the power of love and forgiveness.” – Charlene
★★★★★ “Abner knows the Lord works in mysterious ways and this story tells of one of an undying love. It will make you laugh, and cry, and feel that annoying unease when you are waiting like Abner for Cora’s decision.” – M.K.
★★★★★ “I just can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this book. I never purchase Christian books but I will be continuing in this series. This author has converted me. I really enjoyed her characters and couldn’t wait to read their happy ever after. The book maintains Christian values without feeling preachy or judgmental. Simply excellent.” – KM
★★★★★ “I love all of Jessie Gussman’s books. Keep em’ coming! I was worried for a while it wouldn’t end happy but alas it didn’t let me down. I absolutely love Abnar’s character too. Good book.” – Amazon Customer
★★★★★ “If you want a fairy-tale with perfect people, this is not the book for you. As for me? I LOVED it. These characters are not perfect, and it was a refreshing story. A happily ever after where both leads make big mistakes and show how a real relationship is work – it was so nice to read.” – Jess
Books in the Sweet Water Ranch series:
- The Cowboy’s Best Friend
- The Cowboy’s Secret Baby
- The Cowboy’s Beauty
- The Cowboy’s Best Friend’s Sister
- The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage
- The Cowboy’s Fairy Tale
- The Cowboy’s Secret Romance
- The Cowboy’s Bargain Bride
- The Cowboy’s Enemy
- The Cowboy’s Mistletoe Christmas
- The Cowboy’s Marriage Mistake
more
Wonderful characters struggle through painful situations. No matter how hard they try to pull their pain close & feel justified in being vindictive, their true character becomes visible in their actions.
We have met Abner before, but now we get to see what his life was like and how it made him who he is. He is finding that what he has witnessed as fact has not always been the whole story. Had he known all that was going on, it would have changed his decisions.
The story continued to build & kept my attention. It flowed smoothly and left me sorry to see it end.
I requested a review copy of this story & am happy to tell you that Abner & Cora’s story will lead you to see a side of life that maybe you’ve never experienced. Hopefully you will be able to see people from a changed perspective.
I’m so glad Abner got his story told and boy what a story it is! Cora’s promiscuous lifestyle isn’t something I condone, I’m glad that she decided to make some changes in her life. However, those changes could cost her a HEA future as Abner comes back to town. Their relationship has a lot of baggage, is it something they can deal with and then put aside? I love how Abner’s Amish childhood factors into his life and shows in a lot of ways. This was a very good read.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest, unbiased review.
A second chance at love!
When Abner finally went home to attend his grandmother’s funeral he did it because it was the right thing to do, not because he wanted to. Going home meant seeing family who didn’t want him and the woman who broke his heart. Abner had loved Cora up until the moment she became pregnant with another man’s child but named Abner as the father. He left town that day and never looked back until today. That was the day his love turned to hate. When Cora answered the door at his birth mother’s house Abner could not help noticing that she looked good but tired. Then the children started coming out of the house, Cora’s children, all six of them.
Cara could hardly believe the tall, muscular man standing at the door was the same Abner she used to know. The one who said he loved her and then left when things went wrong. It was her fault. She had made mistakes and she took responsibility for them. Besides, she was a different woman now, she had changed, and there was no excuse for him being a jerk. It made her furious. Cora did not need his judgment and she knew what he was thinking when he looked at her and her children. She had other things to care about; like where her family would go after the funeral when they no longer had a place to live not that Abner’s grandmother was dead and his mother was leaving town. Until then, Abner would also be staying at his mother’s house and they would just have to get along.
This is a great second chance romance. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I was rooting for Cora and her determination to be the mother her children needed and deserved and I wanted to see Abner happy after so long. It was a good plot and I love happy endings.
Abner has always loved Cora. Abner has hated Cora for a long time. Cora hates Abner because he left her when she was pregnant – but the baby wasn’t his. There was no way it could be.
When Abner’s grandmother dies, he reluctantly returns to his hometown for the funeral after being away for 10 years. He was hoping not he would not see Cora, but finds her living with his mother – with her 6 kids.
The attraction is still there for both of them, but she wants to stand on her own two feet and take care of her family. Not only do they have to deal with their own relationship issues, but there are larger family concerns and ghosts in their past that both must deal with. Can they make it?
Athough their relationship is pure and complicated, there are situations in this book that may concern some people. I enjoyed reading it as I do all of Jessie Gussman’s books.
Cowboys Don’t Marry Their Enemy just might be my favorite of Jessie Gussman’s Cowboys Don’t…series. Abner had been a mystery to me as I read the first 8 books–he kept his past and most of his personality close to his chest. Watching him rise above the situation he found himself in upon returning home, proving himself to be a worthy family man really tugged at my heart. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and I am willingly giving this review.
If you liked Cowboys Don’t Buy Their Bride at Auction, you’re going to love this one! This is a series of books with some returning characters, but they can be read as stand-alones.
I always enjoy her stories. They are very realistic. Things aren’t always puppies and rainbows and unicorns. Bad things happen. People screw up. Arguments and fights happen. Hurt happens. People aren’t always beautiful. But things do work out in the end and love happens.
I recommend all her books.
I really enjoyed Cowboys Don’t Marry Their Enemy. The book is well written with detailed characters. This book is delightful. I love the characters! They have great strength, courage and love. This is such a touching story of love, struggles and complicated family dynamics. I enjoyed the setting and the views of the different parts of Abner’s family such as his Amish family. Cora and Abner are perfect together. I absolutely loved the ending. This is a wonderful sweet romance book!
Wow, what a complicated relationship.
Poor girl. Yes, some was her own fault for her poor choices, but much was inflicted on her.
And who’d’ve thought that Abner had the character flaw of pride…
Oh, the hurts we bring on ourselves when we’re young and stupid. But what a beautiful illustration of God’s grace and forgiveness.
The story of Cora FIscher, single mother of six children, and Abner Coblantz is a complex one.
They were childhood friends. A friend that Abner fell in love with, and one he believed had betrayed him.
Years later they meet when he returns home for a funeral. He still has love/hate feelings for her, while Cora is down in the dumps , and mother of children from various men.
As we get to know both individuals we realize that there is more to them than meets the eye.
While Cora is searching for independence, she believes that it means going through life alone. Not realizing a team makes life a better place and each individual stronger.
Abner one the other hand, sees in Cora what many miss- a dedicated mother and a broken woman who has made mistakes.
This is a touching, and thought provoking story. As well as another great addition to this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
There is a fine line between love and hate. Life and poor choices have beaten Cora down but she is not down for the count. There is still some fight and determination left in her. She is determined to stand on her own, make better choices and build a life for her and her six children. She doesn’t need a man – look where that got her! Abner is a good, trustworthy man, comfortable with solitude and no stranger to hardships-and life has dealt him plenty of those. But, Cora did him wrong. Can he forgive someone he hates? Hates a pretty strong word and his cold resolve is starting to crack. He is still the same genuine man he has always been. Can he forgive – and is Cora still the same sweet girl he fell in love with as a teenager? Jessie Gussman creates strong, swoon worthy heroes that always save the day despite the hardships they endure.
I received this copy free from the author and am under no obligation to leave a review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am freely sharing my opinion.