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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I enjoyed reading this book. Amanda is a spitfire and I love how she challenged Brady. Brady had been emotionally abused by his father most of his life, so he never thought that he was worthy of love. He thought that all he had to offer Amanda was a few nights of passion and that would be it, but Amanda found a way to give him so much more. This book isn’t just about the love that grows between a man and a woman, but it is also about the love that can grow to mend a broken family and the love that can join two families and create a new generation that embraces not only the future but incorporates the past. The closer I got to the end of this book the less and less I wanted it to get there. This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Crews, but it is definitely not going to be the last one.
I thank Netgalley for allowing me to read and ARC of this book. I am freely giving my opinion of this book and all thoughts expressed here are strictly my own.
I really liked this book! Some were really put off by the age difference in the two characters, but having dated someone ten years older than me when I was eighteen, it didn’t bother me. And yes, sometimes it takes a while for people to see you as older than they remember you if they’ve known you for a long time. Amanda had had a crush on Brady for a long time, so Brady definitely had some catching up to do.
I actually loved that after they determined that they were going to get together, Brady decided to slow things down a bit. She may have finally turned him on, but he was trying to take care of her along the way and not end up doing something that was more than she was ready for. He was as much of a gentleman as he could be.
I’ve loved the whole series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is the third installment of the Everett Brothers. Brady is the youngest of three brothers still trying to deal with the demons left from an abusive drunk of a father who passed away about a year ago. Amanda Kittredge is the youngest of five siblings whose ranch is next door to the Everetts. Amanda has grown up completely in love with Brady for as long as she can remember. Her older brother, Riley is best friends with Brady. Brady spent many days with Riley as a kid to escape his father’s rantings. Amanda has finally decided that at 22 she needs to take her life in hands and start living. She decides to spread her wings, much to the dismay of her brothers and Brady. At some point Brady finally sees Amanda as a grown woman and feelings start to develop. Will Brady decide to act or will the 10 yr age difference keep him away? Amanda believes she is not worldly enough for Brady and asks for lessons in the bedroom department. This is a slow-burn, older-brother-best-friend romance that I really enjoyed. The chemistry of these two was amazing. It drug a little bit at times but I really was rooting for Brady and Amanda. Can Amanda help Brady free himself from the demons of his past? Will Riley be able to deal with his baby sister and Brady as a couple? How will or does Brady actually handle his relationship with Amanda if and when their families find out? Overall, I really liked this book. My heart just tugged for Brady to beat the demons of his past and for these two find their HEA!! I do recommend The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews.
I love this story of two families who have known each other for ever but not really understood the others lives. Amanda Kittredge grew up with four big brothers .
Zack, Jensen, Riley and Connor they teach her horse ticks just to upset their mother. All of them are over protective of her treating her like she is 10 instead of 23 and all grown up. She has no privacy and can’t even look at guys without them running them off. She is tired fed up and done with her life. A virgin who has only had two dates in her life! So she moves out of her family home, to a Little Apt that just happens to be over the seediest bar in town, which she also takes a job bartering in. Her brothers go on the war path!!! She lets them know they are not wanted around period. So Riley ask his best friend Brady Everett to watch over her.
Oh My like asking the wolf into the chicken house, Amanda has had a life long crush on her brothers best friend.
Brady is having his own trouble with brothers, his Ty and Gray have never treated him like family . His father died last year and Gray ask both Ty and him to come work the ranch for a year before they decide what to do with it.,
He put his life on hold in Denver to come help out , But neither TY or Gray
listen to his ideas or take him serious. Now his best friend wants him to watch over his baby sister ! He has already ran into her at the bar and is having thoughts
about her no friend should have. As he tries to figure a way out without telling his best friend he finds his sister HOT. Amanda pretty much gives him an invitation to teach her all she doesn’t know. Then lets him know if he doesn’t there are other
cowboys who she can ask.
Brady can’t say no and shouldn’t say yes, but nothing could stop this train now that both are attractive to the the other, and things really heat up. As Brady and Amanda sneak around so there families don’t know and learn things about each other life’s they fall hard and with regrets.
When the brother’s on both side find out and what happens after is sad, frustrating, endearing, all at the same time.
This is a wonderful end to this series. The hurt, family ties, love and forgiving is great.
If you haven’t read the first books, you can read this a stand alone, but much better with the older brother’s story first.
I was given a ARC of this book by the author and want to thank her, I am giving my honest opinion voluntarily.
I hope you give it a try, If you like handsome Cowboys, feisty proud women and true family love your going to love it. This whole series is a keeper.
Brady’s story!
Amanda Kittredge was DONE! She was tired of everybody ignoring her and treating her like a child including her family so she got a second job and moved into an apartment above the dive bar where she on the other side of the river. Amanda wanted to experience some independence without her family always looking over her shoulder especially with four older brothers.
Brady Everett was back in Cold River because he had promised his brothers that he would help run the ranch for one year after the death of the father. Amanda asked Brady Everett to teach her about guys because she barely had a date but Brady wasn’t so sure about helping Amanda because she was so much younger than he was and the families had been neighbors for generations.
I loved The Last Real Cowboy because it’s the last book about the Everett brothers but hopefully not the last book about Cold River because I hope that the Kittredge brothers get their own stories.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars!
This was a perfect ending to the Cold River Ranch series. I liked that the Everett Brothers from the previous two books weren’t suddenly perfect after finding their happily ever after, but were still wounded in their own ways and trying to forge a different looking future for their families. The Last Real Cowboy was youngest brother Brady’s story and I was happily surprised by his character compared to what was seen in the first two books. Away from his brothers, he was a different man and I was smitten.
Amanda had a similar situation with four older and protective brothers. I enjoyed seeing these two babies-of-the-family rally against presumptions and imperious siblings. Brady and Amanda were great together and the romantic tension was off the charts. Singularly, this book was a wonderful bookend to a great series. Collectively, the Cold River Ranch stories were fantastic with a well-plotted and realistic overarching story line. I’m sad it’s done, but it’s looking like there might be a Kittredge Brothers series in the near future. One can only hope.
I have read the 2 other books in this series and have enjoyed all of them. This was Brady’s story; we got a little hint who the romantic interest might be for him during the previous book “Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy”.
The writing style seems so effortless in this series. I enjoy the authors prose and everything flows well. The characters are likable and engaging. I became vested in them from the get-go. I really like how the family dynamics, in both families in this story, plays a major role. I loved seeing the progression of Brady’s healing and how Amanda helped him along. Wonderful characters and a great setting. I’d love to learn more about some of the smaller characters mentioned in this book:the high school secretary, Ms Martina Patrick & the spinster cat lady Harriet Barnett.
All-in-all a wonderful story full of hope and promise that no matter what your upbringing/family dynamics you can make your life a happy one if you want to; as long as you decide to make things happen.
Amanda Kittredge is starting to feel smothered, living at home means her parents are always in her business, and unfortunately they are not the only ones. Her older brothers are continually warding off interested suitors which is putting a damper on her dating life. She wants to be free of them, and live her life on her own terms. Which she has a pretty good start on, she just found a job and a little apartment of her own. Now if she can keep her overbearing brothers at bay she might just be able to land a date too!
The moment Brady Everett sees Amanda again he starts to see her in a whole new light, but admitting that fact to anyone could definitely be detrimental to his health. Not only is she off limits, but there are a few years between them. Not to mention dating the younger sister of your best friends is a good way to find yourself on the other end of a fist fight, and that is something Brady does not need in his life right now. But then Amanda throws him for a loop and asks him to teach her how to land the attention of a man… he knows he should tell her no, but the idea of her asking someone else grates his nerves, so he reluctantly agrees. Then says a silent prayer that their little agreement doesn’t come back to bite him!
Between the pages of The Last Real Cowboy readers will find a story line that will tug on the heartstrings and keep them entertained from beginning to end. Between the family drama, blossoming romance, and secrets being kept, this one comes with lots of things to keep your nose buried in the pages. I sympathized with Amanda, living in a small town and having your family constantly in your business can make it rough to have a life of your own, but the girl found a creative way to get all that she wanted. I really enjoyed this one, it was sweet, funny, and good on the heart!
I received an advanced copy of this title from a Goodreads giveaway, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
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 to teach her about rebellion. 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.
I like usually love big brother little sister romance but this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I really liked Brady but found his I’m a grown man you’re a little girl routine off putting. Amanda is twenty two not sixteen, she was extremely immature & it grated. The ten year age difference just made me cringe as it felt much more than ten years. The book was well written & the characters had depth. I’d loved the first two books in the series but this didn’t ‘do it’ for me
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Amanda Kittredge was done. DONE! She was tired of being treated like a child. She’s twenty-two years old, one year more than legal drinking age. Time to show everyone. She decided to move out of her parent’s house so she went ahead and rented an apartment above the local dive bar, Coyote. Yes, that Coyote bar where the bikers and troublemakers hang out. Not only did she move into an apartment above the Coyote she started a part-time job there as a bartender. Her family’s disapproval wasn’t about to stop her. Not even when three of her four more-than-over-protective big brothers stopped into the Coyote while she was working. Plus now she has Brady Everett’s attention!
After his father’s death Brady Everett promised his older brother he would spend a year working on the family ranch he had left behind for college and his business in Denver. Brady also promised to watch out for Riley Kittredge’s sister Amanda when she was tending bar at the Coyote. Brady is watching Amanda alright, watching her swoon to his kisses and more, so Riley probably would want to kill him for what’s going on between him and Amanda. It was that tank top. Brady couldn’t get the image of Amanda in that tank top out of his head.
The Last Real COwboy by Caitlin Crews is the third book in her Cold River series. This time it’s the youngest Everett brother Brady’s turn to find his true love even though he sure put up a good fight. I felt that Amanda Kittredge was just perfect for Brady. She really “saw” him and Brady needed that. The road to their HEA was quite a struggle but made for an emotionally satisfying read. It was a little long getting there though. She had to deal with her ridiciously over-protective older brothers. He had to deal with brothers who never seemed to take him seriously and give him a chance. It was gratifying to read how they overcame their family troubles and ended up with a HEA.
The Last Real Cowboy is the third book in Caitlin Crews Cold Water Ranch series that tell the stories of the Everett brothers. The first two books are the stories of older brothers Gray and Ty. This book is the story of youngest brother Brady. While their father Amos had ridden Gray and Ty unmercifully, his treatment of Brady had been to ignore or deride him.
Brady had received a full college scholarship and when he left home he didn’t expect to return. When Amos died the previous, Gray asked his brothers to give him a year on the ranch and they would make the decision at that time what to do with their inheritance. Initially, Ty and Brady wanted to sell. The ranch holds nothing but bad memories for them.
It is also Amanda Kittredge’s story. Youngest child on the neighboring ranch, Amanda has 4 older brothers. To say she has been over protected is putting it mildly and she has finally had it. At dinner one night she announces she is moving out. At 22 she has never even been on a date. She feels as though she is suffocating. To help her make ends meet she has taken a second job as bartender at the Coyote, which also offers an apartment above the bar.
When Amanda’s brother Riley asks his best friend Brady to watch out for his sister he knows not what he is asking. When Amanda asks Brady to teach her about womanly ways, she doesn’t know what she is asking either. Who knew what a force Amanda could be or what Brady would do to protect someone he cared about?
This is another well written book by Caitlin Crews. This story explores birth order, desire to stand for up yourself, and, even more, the strength one finds when standing up for someone else. As the third book, and third brother, in this series I only hope Ms. Crews will take us back to Cold River and the stories of the Kittredge brothers. I have enjoyed this series and do recommend it!
I received this book as an ARC thanks to Netgalley. This is my honest review.
“Perennial good girl Amanda Kittredge knows that her longtime crush on Brady Everett was never really supposed to go anywhere.” I thought the dynamic between Amanda & Brady was fun – but the writing of Amanda’s VERY overprotective brothers (Brady’s best friends) were probably my favorite part.
I’ve enjoyed this series and while this is technically a standalone, I think it is best enjoyed if you have read the entire series as it builds on itself.
Amanda is trying to gain her independence from her family, mainly her 4 older brothers. She decides to do it in a big way by moving out and hooking up with her brother’s best friend Brady. Both main characters have family issues to work out. While Amanda has been crushing on Brady for years, Brady has done his best to ignore Amanda. The story shows how well this works. =) The characters were interesting. Both characters grow and change a lot in the course of the story. I enjoyed the interactions with their families as much as the romance between the two. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
The Last Real Cowboy is the third book in the Cold River Ranch series and this is the youngest Everett brother, Brady’s book. I was excited to see what Crews penned for him after getting to know him a little bit in his brother’s books.
Amanda Kittredge is the only girl in the Kittredge clan and she’s got four older brothers who love to remind her that she’s the little sister. She’s always been a bit sheltered because of how overprotective her brothers are. She’s never really dated because everyone in their small town didn’t want to tangle with her brothers in order to take her on a date. Amanda has had enough and at 22, she decides it’s time to move out of her parents house, get a job and make her own life. If that means making mistakes, then that’s fine. She wants to experience things she hasn’t in the past.
Brady Everett is the one Everett brother who chose to go to college and not work on his family’s homestead. When his father died and he was left 1/3 of the land, he came back with the promise to stay for a year and then get back to his own life in Denver. He’s always been the one that his brothers looked down on the ideas he has for the land are not taken seriously which frustrates him.
When he’s approached by his best friend’s little sister, Amanda, who is looking to be educated on being with a man as part of her experimentation, he knows he should say no and get as far away from the situation as he can, yet he does the exact opposite. With an agreement that what happens between them stay a secret, the two spend time together and Brady ends up showing Amanda everything she asked for and more.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. For me it was a little bit slow to start, but once it got rolling, it had a good cadence. I really appreciated how Amanda stood up to people as we got along in the book. For someone that people always looked at as the “child” she proved that she was anything but, and she also proved that she was willing to go to bat for those she loves. Brady was also great as I felt he grew as the book went along in several ways. This was another great book to add to this already entertaining series!
“The Last Real Cowboy” by Caitlin Crews
A page turner for sure. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley requesting an honest review. I honestly truly enjoyed my time within this story. A bit spicy but not too spicy as the spice is a real part and parcel of the story. It is a contemporary romance and part of the author’s ‘Cold River Ranch’ series. I do believe I have read all the stories of this series thus I know some of the back-stories of some of the other characters. But you could read this as a stand-alone and still find this story a true page-turner just as I did. Happy Reading ! !
I am in the minority group here. I didn’t like Amanda and felt that she needed to mature. Yes she was sheltered but she is now 22. and I am glad she decided it was time for a change, but I didn’t feel she and Brady had that chemistry. Brady grossed me out, here he is thinking that Amanda was underage yet wanted her,ew. I never did get the best friend brother thing so we can’t have a relationship but it must happen since so many, I mean so many authors seem to write about this. All in all there were times the story was not bad, but would I recommend probably not there are other good books out there.
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
I guess you could also call this story “Last Brother Standing” as it is about Brady Everett – the last brother to find his HEA – and what it is like for him to return to small town living. It opens with Amanda Kittredge lamenting her small-town life, that she loves, but it just seems everyone knows your bizness. She is at a potluck and the guy she has been crushing on her entire life is oblivious to her…because he is her older brothers’ BFF. And as we all know, due to the bro-code, she is off limits to him. Still doesn’t make it any easier for her to deal with.
Of course, to Brady, she is still the young sister of his best friend, and he should NOT be noticing that she’s all grown up. And that’s when the fun starts – Brady is goin’ down!
Good story of how Amanda breaks away – but not too far – from her over-protective family and starts living life on her own terms, much to the dismay of her brothers. When they turn to Brady to watch over her so she won’t know (yeah, right!), he falls head over heels for Amanda…and fights it every step of the way.
Good story, Amanda’s family is great and there is a lot of turmoil for Brady. He finally gets to understand his brothers, Amanda’s brothers, and his hometown. My favorite brother!
This is my first read from this author, and although the premise for the story is a good one, I just found it to be a very slow developing book and way too long. I usually love long books, but it’s got to have a storyline that moves and keeps the reader engaged. Unfortunately, this book just gets bogged down with Amanda’s lust for Brady, and Brady’s slow moving for Amanda, and when they finally do get together, it’s nothing special. I’m usually done with a book within a couple of days, but I know I’m in trouble when I don’t rush to pick up a book that I want to finish, this was that book. I don’t think not having read the first two installments was the issue, if the book had some key scenes in it to keep the reader engaged, it would have been easier to finish.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book..
It had it’s moments:
Whilst 3rd in a series, this book can definitely be read as a standalone. I had not read the prior books and was able to fill in the gaps easily enough. It was a fairly light and easy read although I did find it a bit too wordy with not that much action.
Both Brady and Amanda feel as though they have been invisible to those around them and are desperate to find a place of belonging within their families. Brady often regressed and displayed childish behavior when with his family and his father’s past actions had really done a number on these brothers. I found I was a little confused by his behavior at times but he did mature some by the end of the book. Brady and Amanda had an unconventional relationship and I personally would have preferred more romance, respect and wooing. However it was still a novel premise and an entertaining read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
“A little education between friends”
I really enjoyed this series and The Last Real Cowboy is probably my favorite. The series centers around three brothers who had a terrible childhood. Their father pitted them against one another growing up and they are now having to learn how to work together and be a family. They each struggle to rein in their temper with each other, each refusing to behave like their father.
The Last Real Cowboy is the youngest brother’s story. He is the brother who escaped the ranch for city life which he has been mocked for. Brady falls for his best friends’ little sister who has crushed on him forever. They are both the youngest of their family, not taken seriously, and are pretty much ignored. The story shows their growth by standing up for themselves. Even though Amanda is young, I enjoyed her character. She’s frustrated with being known as the little Kittredge girl, a child, no matter how old she was. One of my favorite things about her was how she pushed Brady’s and her brother’s buttons. I also enjoyed Brady’s character. He struggles with betraying his best friend. He finally gets his brothers to recognize him and his opinions. The Last Real Cowboy really brought to a conclusion the brothers facing their demons and finding happiness. They also move on from their father’s ghost and have become a functioning family that is growing with the next generation. This is a book about love, friendship and family, and how much our pasts influence our futures. Great book with wonderfully developed characters and plot, drama, heat, and humor. A good strong western romance read.