Previously titled Cowboys Don’t Stand Under the Mistletoe
When Mack’s sister dropped her kids off with his dad in his trailer park, he knew he needed to step up and be an uncle. But he’d told his buddy he’d be in Sweet Water, ND over the holidays, so he takes the children and drives north.
Angela Davis had been the sedate good daddy’s girl all her life, doing whatever her parents wanted, even … the sedate good daddy’s girl all her life, doing whatever her parents wanted, even trying to trap a man into marriage to help them get out of debt. Mack knew of her past, and didn’t trust her, but he needed someone to help him with his nieces and she needed someone to help her put on the best Christmas festival Sweet Water had ever seen.
Could they trust each other enough to work together? And what about that mistletoe kiss?
Reviews for The Cowboy’s Mistletoe Christmas:
★★★★★ “The author has done an excellent job with this book. The characters are great and the locations are too. I can’t wait to read the next book.” – Mary
★★★★★ “The dialogue is so entertaining. Jessie throws in her down-to-earth wisdom and common sense advice on parenting & relationships seamlessly.” – WestTexasReader
★★★★★ “Ok… I laughed out loud so many times in this book! The book before it made me laugh and cry, but I must say that this one just had so many funny parts that I re-read just to laugh again!” – Susan
★★★★★ “Liked the storyline and the characters. Can’t seem to get enough of the Sweet Water folks! The books are always clean and well written. Thank you!” – J. Squire
★★★★★ “I enjoyed every minute of the story. It was quick moving with just enough twists and turns without a lot of angst. Thank you for a fun story.” – Island Gyal
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
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve been binge reading (rereading) the series and have enjoyed them a second time. Treat yourself to this book and series.
The Cowboy’s Mistletoe Christmas (or Cowboys Don’t Stand Under the Mistletoe) was a definitely interesting read. Granted, since I’m reading this series out of order, there were some characters I didn’t have a clue who they were or what had happened previously, but since this is a Jessie Gussman story, it didn’t fail to hook me from the start and want to know everything about Angela and Mack.
It was certainly enjoyable to see that both main characters come with not so perfect backgrounds, (like, at all – but then, who of us does?-) thanks to the decisions they’ve made in the past, but they are truly trying to turn a new leaf and make the most of this new opportunity given to them by God’s mercy and grace.
Now, while I understood why Mav would offer such a bet, I couldn’t believe that Mack would take him up on it. And yet, I looked forward to every interaction between him and Angela. I loved his hard-working nature, as well as Angela’s caring one, and watching them both develop feelings for each other and start falling in love just sweetened the pot :).
Finally, I just wanted to point out that while with other books by this author sometimes the conflict + resolution may have seemed a bit rushed at the end, I didn’t experience that with this story, and rather found it to be perfectly sweet. ~5 stars and recommended.
I really enjoyed reading Mack and Angela’s story. Angela has had a different role in the past few books, but becomes a sweet persona in this book. Mack takes on the job of caring for his sister’s children, and Angela jumps right in to help. I enjoyed this storyline as well as the wonderful characters! Definitely recommend this read!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed the interaction between Mack and Angela. Angela is trying to reinvent herself and live down her reputation with Mack’s brothers, while Mack is doing his best with his nieces who were literally thrust upon him. Lots of fun and adventures to be had. A sweet read. Thanks Jessie Gussman
Great Story. Angela and Mack both have regrets about how they behaved in their past and have worked hard to change themselves. These are wonderfully written characters. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Jessie Gussman, and this is my voluntary and honest review. The more books that I read by this author the more I love her. This book is a clean romance between Mack and Angela. Things happened in their pasts that could stand in the way of them becoming a couple, but they have both changed for the better. Mack takes on the care if his two small nieces when his sister dumps them off at her parents who aren’t able to take care of them. The love and care that Mack shows his nieces melts Angela ‘ s heart to see Mack in a different light. I highly recommend this book if you like HEA endings and clean romance.
This is for the Audiobook narrated by Jay Dyess:
I loved the banter in this book. Some of the funniest banter occurs in the Junior Sunday School. I definitely had some laugh out loud moments. And Jay Dyess handles it so well – I knew who was speaking the entire time. There are also a lot of unexpected activities – I especially loved when the girls rode the goats. The self-doubt of each of the leading characters came out in the dialog and delivery. It was so much fun to see these two fall in love in the midst of trying to avoid it. It was also great to see each of them step up and take ownership of the situations they were in. Jessie Gussman delivers, as always.
Loved the narrator and thought he did an awesome job. Love listening to this author’s book because of the narrator. I really liked Angela and my heart hurt for her. She was really trying to live the Christian life and change. Some people were just mean and I hated the bet part of the book – that did not seem like a very Christ like thing to suggest or encourage. Mack wasn’t my favorite but getting to know Angela seemed to change him. Forgiveness was a major theme in this book and the ending was really sweet.
A really good book by Jessie Gussman. I love the Sweet Water Ranch Series. I read this book out of order and was able to follow along without a problem so I know that they don’t have to be read in order to keep up.
Mack is looking at buying his bosses company so he needs to go to Sweet Water to check it out over the holidays. There is a problem that might hinder him going, his sister is out of the country and her two girls can’t stay with his parents because they live in a retirement home. So he decides to take the girls with him.
The book tells about their adventures in Sweet Water and how he meets Angela. Angela has a past that she isn’t proud of and Mack’s friends know that all too well.
The characters are great, the story line is really good and I listened to the book pretty much in one sitting while doing things around my house. I think you will enjoy the book as much as I did. Now to get started on the other books in this series.
This review is for the audio copy of the book. Enjoyed this story of people changing, redemption, breaking from the past. I really enjoy Mr. Dyess’s voice doing the narration. I received a free copy from the author. This is my voluntary review.
So, I had tons of emotions with this book. When I finished the last book I knew Angela was getting the next one and I didn’t like it because I was upset with her. However, by the time I found out about the bet in this book (that’s what I get for not reading the blurb I suppose), I was all upset about the treatment of Angela. Talk about whiplash! Anyways, this book was pretty incredible. Showing that people can change and a focus on the minute by minute choices. I loved the Christmas theme too.
Audio:
I especially loved the little girl’s audio 🙂
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I really enjoyed this heartwarming sweet romance. It depicts a very loving and unselfish uncle who takes guardianship of his two nieces after his sister leaves them to chase after a boyfriend (talk about reality) and his aging parents couldn’t/wouldn’t. It also depicts how people can change and that second chances are deserved. This was a fun read as you watched a slow romance form as well as a family.
Story: 5 stars
I don’t know what it is about Ms. Gussman’s books that appeals so strongly to me; just the right amount of romantic tension combined with a real connection with the characters? Whatever it is, it works for me.
This book explored how people can change if they decide to. It was also satisfying to delve into the motivations of the two characters. Not only exploring why they had acted the way they had in the past, but why they were changing in the present and what inner dialogues and struggles were going on to facilitate those changes.
A wonderful romance! The sense of humor the main characters shared and their flirty dialogues were really fun to listen to! I especially loved that in the end, they chose to believe in each other, rather than let insecurities and mistrust rule the day. By that point in the book, they knew enough about one another’s character to trust each other’s motivations.
Narration: 4.5 stars
Jay Dyess has a fabulous reading voice and his female voices are as believable as his male voices. His accent in this series of books is so authentic sounding! His expressions are just right and his reading speed is perfect. I’ve listened to him in all the books leading up to this one and can’t wait to listen to him some more!
* poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
This story pulled me right in. I love that it is a standalone but we meet up with some old friends. Mack has his hands more than full with his 2 young nieces. We had seen Angela before and she was portrayed as a bad girl. Mack seems to forget her reputation and sees her just as she is now. I loved this story and this series! A wonderful read!
I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
Mack had to go to Sweetwater, North Dakota to meet up with Clay, his boss. He wanted to buy his business but he had his two nieces along with him. His sister had dropped them off at their parents and then run off to Europe. His parents couldn’t keep them so he took them with him. He was. hoping this was going to be a short-term thing. He loved his nieces but he wasn’t a dad.
Upon arriving in Sweetwater, Mav, tells him he wants to go in to business with him and will buy in to the business. . . IF. . . Mack will help him get revenge on Angela Davis, who had hurt two of his brothers last year. Mack isn’t into revenge but he wouldn’t mind a partner with cash to help buy the business. He finally agrees to the bet that Mav makes to bring Angela down a notch.
The problem is that the more time Mack spends with Angela, the more he sees that she isn’t the same person she was. She is kind and considerate and beautiful and loving, not at all like the person he knew from the summer. If he can be forgiven of his past, there has to be redemption for Angela. Right?
This story was a clean romantic story about two people who had things in their past that they had regrets about and both had a desire to change and be accepted for the new person they were becoming. I loved that they were honest with each other about things in their past but demonstrated that they really wanted to be different and had taken steps to prove that.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
“It’s hard work and determination that keeps a marriage together.”
What a wonderful story! Joy, love, and eccentric couple – What fun!
The twists and turns in the story left me breathless with laughter. “First time I ever said ‘kiss’ and the girl heard ‘marry.’” I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions in this review are my own.
I love this series. I have enjoyed each book, the characters, the town and of course the Cowboys. Okay so they weren’t all cowboys but you get where I’m going. This author has given us one sweet clean read after another each with a different theme. This time Angela not only gets her turn to not only show she’s changed but to finally find true love. We all know she’s made bad moves but there’s nothing malicious about her now. Matt is fumbling along the best he can with two nieces he suddenly has in tow. He knows Angela’s past. Thrown into a situation they both make the best of they slowly realized they both have a past that they have learned from and are changed in the ways that matter.
The only thing that’s as usual with this authors books is the hea at the end. Each book is different and new as we get to know the characters and feel the love that they all have in common for God and the Dakotas. You’ll laugh a lot and maybe even find a tear or two, either way it’s a wonderful read.
Jesse Gussman’s story often have a second-chances theme and this one does too. Cowboys Don’t Stand Under the Mistletoe is about grace and forgiveness and making our own decisions. It’s about growing up and taking responsibility even if the situation isn’t entirely of your own making. It is also a tale of not judging when you don’t know the full story or what is in a person’s heart. This story will warm you from the heart out.
I loved this story despite myself!
If you read Clay’s story, you know Angela was NO angel. How could I possibly like a book that featured her as the heroine? Yet.. I did. I more than liked it!! It was fabulous!
Jesse Gussman has a way of making little events exciting and drawing you into the characters’ lives. Making the reader feel as if they are there, and truly care.
Angela and Mack could never work on paper, but God knew better. This is a sweet love story of redemption and self reflection!
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.
I enjoyed the story of Mack and Angela. Angela was introduced a few books earlier in the series and she has made some serious mistakes in life. Mack has taken charge of his two little nieces whom his sister left while she tracked down an old boyfriend. He knows about Angela’s past deeds and he’s wary of her, but also attracted to her. Meanwhile Angela is attracted to Mack, but is hesitant to open herself up to a relationship, particularly because she is leaving town soon.
As always, I enjoyed Jessie Gussman’s story telling and this book is sweet and entertaining.