USA Today bestselling author Caitlin Crews returns to the Cold River Ranch series with The Last Real Cowboy! In Cold River, sometimes forbidden love is the sweetest of them all… Perennial good girl Amanda Kittredge knows that her longtime crush on Brady Everett was never really supposed to go anywhere. But when Brady comes home during Amanda’s first attempt at independence, well, who better … Amanda’s first attempt at independence, well, who better to teach her about rebellion than her older brother’s bad-boy best friend?
Brady’s plans did not include being forced to work the family homestead for a year–and yet, here he is. And, to make matters worse, his best friend’s innocent little sister is making a menace of herself in the most grown-up, tempting ways. When Amanda begs Brady to teach her about men, he knows he should refuse. But could Brady’s greatest temptation be his salvation?
“Loaded with charming characters [and] wit….will win the heart of any romance fan.”–Publishers Weekly (starred review) on A True Cowboy Christmas
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What an amazing contemporary cowboy romance with unforgettable characters and a beautiful story that immediately pulled me in and kept me totally immersed in all that was happening – I laughed, I cried, I sighed and loved every minute. I was so involved in the book I didn’t want it to end. I loved the attraction and undeniable chemistry between Amanda Kittredge and Brady Everett. Ms. Crews has given us another winner in “The Last Real Cowboy” and I look forward to book four in this must-read series. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and a voluntarily leaving my review.
I loved Brady and Amanda
Third book in the Cold River Ranch series, a stand alone with an HEA that is just so Cowboy!
It also finally connects the Kittredges and the Everetts after hundreds of years of the families settling in the Cold River basin in Colorado.
The scenes were beautiful, the storyline was fast and well done. The dialogues between Brady and Amanda were epic, going from zero to sixty in any which direction. Amanda was a firecracker, though a bit naive, she stood her ground. Brady, bless his heart, was trying to win a losing battle when the hearts are involved, he just didn’t know it. The sexy bits were so sweet, yet so hot, making you sigh. The humor was well placed, popping up anytime.
I felt every last emotion; happiness, frustration, anger, heat, sadness, but best of all, the love and respect that came out between these two, the brothers, the families, the town–all goodness. Excellent read!
“Amanda” by Waylon Jennings “Amanda, light of my life. Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife” played in my head while reading this, because Brady really was the gentleman
This is the story of Amanda, the only girl in the Kittredge family, and Brady, the youngest member of the Everett siblings. Each one struggles to find their place in their respective families and the community. Amanda has had a crush on Brady for years while Brady regarded her as her best friend’s baby sister. Things are about to change!
I found The Last Real Cowboy entertaining, with a strong plot and great characters. However,, there were times when I found the verbiage somewhat stilted, where a paragraph was made of numerous phrases, instead of complete sentences. Also, I found myself scanning entire paragraphs because the information they contained was superfluous and unnecessary. With that said, I rate this novel a 4 star book and worth reading!
I thought this was a good read! The writing flowed well, and I liked Brady and Amanda together. I couldn’t imagine being in Amanda’s situation. It was frustrating reading it, so living it would be crazy. Her brothers (not even her parents) were the most overbearing people ever. Treating her at 22 like she was 13. I cheered for her along the way, because I loved that she was gaining her independence. Brady was fighting a lot of demons, and didn’t feel like he deserved a happily ever after. His brothers didn’t help any, and it was sad to see them treat Brady the way they did. When Amanda comes to his defense in the middle of all his family, I was SO happy. It was about time they got their eyes opened. I was also a little disappointed in Abby during that argument. She acted like Brady and Amanda were horrible people, and that Amanda didn’t know what she was talking about. It was nice to finally see everything come to a head, and the brothers get to move on. After that I did get frustrated with Brady. I get that he was trying to help their situation, but it was hurtful to Amanda, and he NEVER asked her what she wanted to do. There are 2 people in a relationship, and it’s not fair for one person to make all the decisions. They do eventually get to their HEA, and the ending was sweet.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
The Last Real Cowboy is the first from the Cold River Ranch series I have read, and I loved it. I enjoyed reading and following Amanda and Brady’s story and look forward to reading more from this author.
The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews was a sexy and charming brother’s older best friends romance with so many feels. Amanda Kittredge has crushed on Brady Everett for a long time, but she never thought she had a chance. Then he returns and she is all grown up. Brady believes Amanda deserves so much more than him, but she is determined to have him see her. They both had troubled past and siblings that did not know how to just let them be. But together could they have a good future? Such a sweet story with great characters and touching journey.
Happy reading!
Fabulous end to a beautiful series! Amanda and Brady were a delight to read & I can’t get enough of Brady and his brothers and their family dynamics! Well done ! Highly recommended!!
This is the third book in the series, but could easily be read as a stand alone, since the author provides plenty of back story. This is an enjoyable read about two people who grew up in this small town, one never wanting to leave and the other, who couldn’t wait to escape.
The Kittredges, Everetts and Douglases founded Cold River Colorado, but the families seem to have become dysfunctional. Brady Everett and Amanda Kittredge are the youngest of their families. But while Amanda’s four older brothers have babied and smothered her, frightening away any potential boyfriends, Brady’s brothers did not protect him from the hate that his father spewed on his sons, but especially Brady, who was made to feel useless and invisible. When his mother left, he was very young, and she left him with the feeling that he was unloveable. He does not see love or a family in his future and fears becoming his father, hearing his father’s voice in his head, especially now that his older brothers have found happiness and contentment with their wives. He was the only one who went to college, made a new and successful life for himself in Denver, but after his father died, his oldest brother, Grey, asked him to come back to the ranch for a year, to help out. He had been waiting his entire life for his family to ask him for help so he could be useful, but his brothers have never supported him.
Amanda has had a crush on her brother, Riley’s best friend as long as she can remember, but being 10 years older than her, having even changed her diapers, he does not see her, (or does anyone else in town) as the twenty-two year old adult she is now. Fed up, she takes an apartment in town, above a bar, and a part time job there. Her brothers are outraged, and Riley asks Brady to keep and eye on her, but she has other ideas and propositions him to be her first. He tries to fight his attraction to her and the “bro code”, but afraid of who she will turn to next, gives in. She finds herself in love with him, but is prepared for a broken heart, expecting him to leave after the year is over. He finds that he can’t keep her out of his mind and does something stupid.
This is a strong story, with wonderful characters, about dysfunctional families, fear, ranching, and second chances. I received a free ARC from NetGalley.com. this is my unbiased and voluntary review.
The storyline was well written and the characters were detailed enough to keep me totally engaged throughout the entire book!
Cold River Ranch #3, The third book, the third Everett brother and hopefully not the last book of the series especially not after introducing Amanda’s brothers. This was an enjoyable book and much like the first it starts with unrequited love. Amanda has been in love with her oldest brothers best friend as long as she can remember, but half the time it’s like he doesn’t see her and the other times he treats her like she’s still in school. Brady has done his best to try and ignore Amanda, she’s always been hands off. The Kittredge family has been more a family to him than his own, and lusting after his best friends little sister is a big no no; until it’s not.
Brady has a lot issues he was the book smart brother who left as soon as he was able because while loved the ranch he hated his father. His father made him feel like the red-headed step child and pushed to the point his brothers alienate him too. His promised year working on the ranch has been spent trying to convince his brothers that his college degree doesn’t make him ranch dumb.
Amanda is the youngest the only girl with four older brothers, four very overstepping, overbearing, over protective brothers. So much so that at the age of 22 she’s only been on three dates no one is brave enough to stand up to the Kittredge boys and to the Kittredge boys no one is good enough for their baby sister. Fed up of being treated like a child to everyone around her she makes the decision to start living her life no matter what her brothers do or say. She moves out of her parents house and gets second job at the low class bar on the skirts of town and rents one of the rooms above it. Her parents are supportive her brother’s on the other hand. Brady was just supposed to watch out for her make sure no one tries anything but then Amanda asks him to teach her all about sex.
Overall it’s a great read. I feel like it can be read as a stand alone, I missed reading the second one and didn’t feel lost at all. I loved the bonding between the brothers and truths finally coming to light. I mentally applauded Amanda for standing up for herself and her relationship with Brady.
This was such a fun (if sometimes exasperating with the way the MC’s were treated by their families) story. Amanda and Brady were such interesting and engaging characters. I enjoyed them (and this book) very much.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
Amanda is ready to pull up her big girl pants.
Brady is caught in the cross fire, but I don’t think that he minds too much.
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
When Brady Everett, rugged bad boy, finds himself attracted to Amanda Kittredge, rebellious good girl, be prepared for a wild ride. Cold River, Colorado hasn’t seen the likes of this couple. Brady is there to help his brothers take care of the family ranch as stipulated in his father’s will. It’s a daily battle for Brady. He can’t escape the cruelty that he endured growing up here. Meanwhile Amanda is angry and frustrated by her protective brothers. They won’t let any man get near her. She takes a stand and moves out of the family home and starts working in a dive bar. After all she’s 22 years old and all grown up. The Coyote is where Brady hangs out. This is where the action is. The result is their forbidden romance. What a wild ride! Brady and Amanda are an amazing couple. They’re full of spirit and won’t back down from a challenge. They love each other. Can they accept that? Both their families are more than ready to butt in. I understood that they cared but they complicated matters. I was hooked. I wanted to see what would happen. Caitlin Crews kept me reading. I loved her sassy characters with their emotional challenges. This author has a flair for drama. Her dialogue made me both happy and sad. I wanted romance and this author delivered. Her ending left me feeling good. I couldn’t ask for more.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I love a good cowboy romance and Caitlin Crews delivers that and more. I loved this story. Don’t miss it if you love a sexy, emotional read.
ARC for honest review with no compensation received from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press 4.5 stars
The Last Real Cowboy is book 3 in the Cold River Ranch series by Caitlyn Crews. Loved the Everett brothers!
Amanda Kittredge has a crush on Brady Everett, even though he never looks her way as he is best friends with her older brother Riley and she’s ten years younger. She’s been sheltered her whole life so she decides to move out to show her family she is an adult not a child anymore. She moves to an apartment above the bar where she gets a second job there.
Brady has always thought of Amanda as a little sister to him, but when he sees her working at the bar…little sister is not anywhere close to what is sizzling in his blood. What’s a man to do when he wants more?
Sizzling attraction, lots of heat, going toe to toe, will keep you reading and wondering what’s around the bend on the next page!
This is the final book about the Everett Brothers, this is Brady Everett’s story if you read either of the previous books this is the brother they call Denver. This book can be read as a standalone as can the other books in the series but I would suggest you read them in order that way you have a better understanding of the family dynamics and how each of the brothers eventually found their own HEAs.
I have to say that the abuse each of the brothers lived through was terrible, dealing with the fact that your mother just up and leaves you is a hard pill to swallow but to know that she left you defenseless against your alcoholic father is downright devastating, and Amos was a mean drunk and these boys felt the brunt of that meanness on a daily basis.
Amanda Kittredge has had a crush on Brady Everett, her brothers best friend, for years but he just like everyone else in town still sees her as a twelve year old kid not as the twenty-two year old woman she is. Well, that all changes when she decides to move out and make some changes in her life.
I loved Amanda and her go get them attitude that finally broke out. She needed to make some changes in her life and she did just that. She was tired of being treated like a little kid and who could blame her, she graduated high school four years earlier and she was still being asked how school was!
If you enjoy cowboy/western romances, romances that have an age gap (there is ten years between Brady and Amanda), or the siblings best friend trope then I would recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
Although the main characters are ten years apart, we can say that they have always known each other since he, Brady, was a friend of Amanda’s brother.
Amanda always loved Brady – that nice little girl feeling – but Brady never saw Amanda as a grown woman.
Even though she is 22, he treats her like a little girl.
It is only much later that he realizes that she has grown up and will not be waiting for him forever.
I like plots about old loves, waiting, but I don’t like it when the male character behaves like the owner of the truth and doesn’t see what’s right before his eyes.
2 stars
You can read this book as a stand alone though you will miss some backstory. I am one of those that has not read the first 2 books but it was still fine to read this book. I did like this book. You have two youngest siblings in their own families trying to be heard. The biggest thing I didn’t like about this book was Amanda’s name, I just didn’t think it fit the character, I don’t know why but I called her something else in my head. This book centers on two major things, age and family. Amanda does come into her own in this book and I am happy she stood up to everyone and didn’t back down. I also think she was too young for Brady but what do I know I’m single. This book is about finding love and fighting for what you want, believe in and love.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
Love, love, love—my favorite combination of rugged cowboy paired with a smart, independent woman, and the results are just what you crave: chemistry, fireworks, and sexual tension in every page. Highly recommend!
Brady Everett meets his match in Amanda Kittredge. His best friend’s little sister has grown up while he wasn’t looking, now she has the opportunity to take her crush and turn it into reality. Brady is only too willing, now that he’s realized she’s WAY more than the little girl he knew growing up. Both Brady and Amanda have some growing up to do and it is fun watching them figure out their way, together. Crews keeps getting better and better with every book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.