Changing his heart… Would be a Christmas miracle! Cash Montgomery creates Western-themed weddings and knows all about happily-ever-after. In theory. He’s been hurt too many times to think that he could ever be a marrying man. His business partner Phoebe Kellerman doesn’t agree with him–on anything! At Christmas, Cash is visited by three of his past girlfriends…and he begins to see the … begins to see the error of his ways. Will it be before he loses Phoebe, the woman he’s falling for?
New York Times Bestselling Author
Wishing Well Springs
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I very much enjoyed this author’s Sweetheart Ranch series, and while I was sad to see that end I was equally delighted to start her new Wishing Well Springs series with The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride!
There is something magical about a wedding venue as the setting for a romance novel, especially at Christmas, and McDavid creates these communities so well. I loved that this Western-themed wedding business is owned by a brother-sister team (Cash & Laurel) and the sister’s BFF Phoebe, each one bringing their own strengths, gifts, and talents to the table. They’ve all known each other a long time, and this adds some deliciously swoony layers to the romantic chemistry when Cash begins to fall for Phoebe.
Another fun element to The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride is the nod to Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Having Cash’s three former fiancees separately & unexpectedly cross his path allows him to take an insightful look at his regrets and a hard look at his future. It kept his character growth authentic and helped readers see him as much more dimensional than he first appears to be. Let’s not be too hard on Cash here, though. He’s a completely swoony hero and good guy at heart, even if we do want to shake some sense into him on the regular. Phoebe too is a great character with several layers that will endear her to readers even more. She’s amazing at what she does, loyal to her family & friends, and loves deeply. I really liked spending time with her, and I hope we get to visit with her periodically through the rest of the series too!
Bottom Line: Sweet, swoony and smile-inducing, The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride is a must-read for fans of small town holiday romances. From the completely charming wedding venue to the magic of the Christmas season, readers will fall in love with Wishing Well Springs even while they are falling for the characters too. Cash and Phoebe bring out the best – and the worst – in each other, allowing for fun banter/bickering and delightfully romantic moments. Eager to read the next book and catch up with Cash, Phoebe, and Laurel too!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride is another Christmas story that I love! I had so much fun reading this sweet story about Phoebe and Cash. Christmas is fin in itself but add in a wedding and its awesome! I love the talk of Christmas, the detailed decorations, and eveything else that goes along with it.
There were some twists in the story. Tensions were a bit tight at times when Cash had visits from his past, but they were ironed out and everything was good again. I really enjoyed Cash and Phoebe, their chemistry was phenomenal, just what I love in a sweet Romance. And I love the Heartwarming line from Harlequin because they are good clean reads. If you live a good Romance in the middle of the Christmas holidays, I recommend this one. And this is a 4 stars from me, mainly because there are several times questionable words are used that I don’t feel should be used in a clean read. Otherwise it would have been a perfect Christmas read.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This book has many of the things that I love in a good story. There is a handsome cowboy, a young woman who has loved him (secretly) for years, and the excitement of planning a wedding for the holidays. Cash Montgomery is the commitment shy cowboy who is also a bit of a Scrooge. He’s determined to save money, his business partner Phoebe Kellerman needs to spend it, and they both want to make their wedding venue successful. Their differing ideas provide fun confrontations and chances to witness their powerful chemistry. Will Cash continue to be clueless about Phoebe’s feelings for him? What will happen when three of his former fiancées arrive at Wishing Well Springs for their Christmas weddings? Poor Phoebe!
The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride is a heartwarming holiday romance filled with likeable characters, witty dialogue, a great small town setting, and the special magic associated with Christmas. I recommend it to all who enjoy clean romantic fiction and I look forward to more books in this Wishing Well Springs series by author Cathy McDonald.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Prism book tours. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
This fun story is a nice start to a new series set at Wishing Well Springs, a wedding venue owned by Cash, Laurel, and Phoebe, who are a brother, sister, and friend trio.
I really felt for Phoebe, who had loved Cash for so long and dreamed of one day having him notice her in the same way, rather than as only a friend. Just as it seemed that Phoebe and Cash might be starting a relationship, everything fell apart and their differences were starkly brought to the surface.
In this story, Cash was forced face his fears regarding relationships, failures, and money problems. It was a bumpy ride as Cash had his eyes opened for him about misplaced priorities, in the form of conversations with the three women to whom he had been previously engaged throughout the years.
I was happy with the ending to this sweet novel and hope that both Cash and Phoebe truly were able to change for the better and be a couple who would truly last.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride
In the Cowboy’s Holiday Bride Cash is helping Phoebe with three weddings. I loved the surprises in store for Cash. His former fiancé’s has a lot to do with the surprises. I enjoyed the closeness that Cash had with his family. The book had me hooked from the first page.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Prism book tours. This book review is my own opinion.
Cathy McDavid starts a new series with a capable wedding planner who doesn’t back down when it comes to giving the brides and grooms their dreams. Of course, that doesn’t go over so well with Cash Montgomery, one of her two partners whose eye is on the bottom line instead of the happy couples.
The fuse between Phoebe and Cash is sparked by witty dialogue and butting heads, but it soon catches with growing attraction. I felt like a guest during the gorgeous Christmas wedding scenes, and the last one is just a little sweeter than the rest.
With this being the first book in a new series, I look forward to visiting Wishing Well Springs again soon.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I had the pleasure of reading and enjoying books by Cathy McDavid in the past. I was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest release, The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride, and was by far from being disappointed. This story is probably the favorite of the ones I have read previously. What a beautifully written, delightful, fun and entertaining read! I loved this story from the very start. I thought Cash and Phoebe had great chemistry. The plot was somewhat predictable but still so very good.
I am giving The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean romance. It is most definitely a must read.
I received The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride by Cathy McDavid is a story about two people trying to figure out how to balance their professional and personal lives.
Can Phoebe get Cash to get married finally?
Phoebe Kellerman
Phoebe Kellerman is a single lady who has been engaged once and is a wedding and event planner at Wishing Well Springs. She’s also the youngest of five siblings. I love this character. I didn’t care about her in some instances, but I also get with where she was coming from. Phoebe is a wonderful character who is ready to settle down but isn’t sure if the only man she wants to settle down with is ready. She is great with all the wedding planning and event planning, especially during the holidays. The one thing that I dislike about her is that she pressures Cash a bit too much on settling down. Other than that, Phoebe is great. I wouldn’t mind being friends with her.
Cash Montgomery
Cash Montgomery usually lives in Phoenix but has come home to Payton to take his sister’s place helping Phoebe. Well, that sadly comes with some accidentals for the man who has had three failed engagements. I love Cash’s story arc in this tale, and I can’t say much, but it is a great one. Phoebe is also great for him, and he realizes that too. These two have great chemistry together, even if they are butting heads and joking with each other. The sad thing is that what happened to him when he was younger has scarred him about married life. Maybe he can fix that with Phoebe’s help, or maybe he won’t? Guess you will have to read the book to find out.
Four Stars
The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride by Cathy McDavid is a sweet holiday romance that is so entertaining. I loved Ms. McDavid’s approach with this one and how it is truly an enlightening tale. Wishing Well Springs is a nice Western-themed wedding destination, or I would think even going for a Western event would be cool. I am giving this book four stars and recommending it to everyone that likes these types of books.
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 The Cowboy’s Holiday Bride by Cathy McDavid.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Thank you in advance to the author, Cathy McDavid, for providing a complimentary review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required in any way, nor was it requested. All words are my own.
This is not the first book I’ve read by McDavid. I previously read Her Cowboy Sweetheart when it toured with Prism Book Tours.
The cover of this book is SO sweet and darling! But, the premise was interesting – a cowboy who has a wedding venue, one of his partners a friend for over 20+ years, engaged three times, but never one trip down the aisle. I definitely had to read this. In addition, this is a Christmas story and I LOVE Christmas stories.
It is the first in a series, so it does work as a standalone read. Though I would be interested in reading the other books to follow.
Right off I had to like Phoebe – we both Christmas shop the same way – throughout the year. And, anyone climbing a ladder in heels to decorate for someone else’s big day? That was SO cute! I love how McDavid started off with the “gams” comment, I about busted out laughing.
I disliked Cash right off. I mean I understood the guy, but his issues about money did make him a bit off-putting. Trust me, I know about financial issues, but his concerns waded into the pool of obsession. He and Phoebe had different experiences with loans so he was quite reluctant to take one out. Still, it might’ve solved things.
The references to the Joshua Tree Inn and Laurel’s work in Palm Springs reminded me of the time I spent in the “hi-desert” area of Southern California. It is during Laurel’s trip to Palm Springs that forces Cash and Phoebe to work together more than they did. I felt sorry for both of them as they were completely different.
But, that doesn’t stop him from noticing things about her. Despite three failed engagements, he does want to settle down and have a family … when he is financially secure. This is because he was soured by his parents’ mistakes which led to their divorce. If not for that, he would ask Phoebe out. He is interested by her dream wedding.
He starts going through the “past” and ends up throwing some things out.
That’s when he starts getting “visits” from the three former fiancées – and they appear in order. The first visit is about one-third (1/3) in. Melanie is getting married to another man and her son is there as he wants a picture with the horses.
The two discuss why they didn’t get married, and Melanie brings up the lack of communication as well as the money issues, along with Cash getting it wrong as to the reason why they separated. But, she was happy when they were together. This is a common thread when halfway (½) through, Hannah appears at the ranch for a wedding.
Cash surmises they didn’t understand his concerns. Which again is understandable.
And, it is halfway when Cash and Phoebe share a kiss and become an official couple, though unlike some books, those around the couple are not thrilled. That isn’t what leads to the tension between the two, but again – money issues, in addition to Phoebe wanting a commitment after a bad relationship.
It isn’t until 40 pages from the end when Silver, the third fiancée appears. Like the others, she too had a different version.
This beautiful, emotional, and endearing story does have a happily ever after. The author brought real life issues, dual perspectives, and realistic feelings to life in a lively story that held my attention with engaging writing and fast paced storyline. I definitely found it hard to put down. I’d definitely be interested in reading more.
Don’t expect short chapters here though.
This is under the “hope and inspiration” category of Harlequin’s line. It is a clean read and definitely falls under the love, compassion, and belonging category.
Fans of the author and genre will undoubtedly love this book!
This was a sweet, fun to read, holiday twist of the classic “The Christmas Carol” story. I love heartwarming Harlequin books because they are clean, easy to read, entertaining and a great escape from real life.
I have read other books by this author and especially enjoyed this one because of the holiday theme and wedding venue-so magical! I liked the main characters Phoebe and Cash (although he was very stubborn and clueless sometimes!) and their playful banter and how their friendship grew over the story.
Cash gets visited by 3 previous women from his past (like the ghosts in The Christmas Carol) where he is able to come to terms and figure out what went wrong. Don’t we all wish we could have a redo or figure out what went wrong in a relationship?
Lots of laughs and holiday spirit in this entertaining story. I really enjoyed it!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Hallmark meets Charles Dickens ghosts’.
This clean romance was quite cute, with several romantic twists as the hero, Cash learns a lesson in visits from his three ex-fiancees.
The descriptions of the setting made me wish I were there with the characters.
The banter between the main characters was really great, and I enjoyed seeing how they interacted throughout the whole book … Even when a certain guy was so very dense that the reader may wish to douse him with water.
Content: Kissing, noticing a woman’s legs, and God’s name is said in vain a couple of times, which is why I gave three stars.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.