Book Review: Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy by Caitlin Crews

Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy (Cold River Ranch Book 2)

When you’re a book reviewer, there are times when real life and fiction intersect each other in a very delightful way. Writing a review for “Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy” was on my to do list last weekend, but I found myself with a friend at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo arena instead.

As I watched all the competitions – tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing – the cowboy stories I’ve read flashed into my mind.

And when there was only one cowboy who actually made it 8 seconds on a bull among the 8 entrants, I actually thought of Ty Everett, the romantic hero in “Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy.”

Ty’s last ride 18 months ago did not go very well. Everyone, including his doctor said that he was lucky to be alive but he many never walk again. Ty proved them wrong. He was riding horses and walking again, albeit with a slight limp.

Ty was neither happy nor sad; it felt like his emotions were in the middle of a fog, that was until Hannah Monroe walked into his life.

Ty did not remember her, but he knew that if he met Hannah in his past, he would remember the beautiful Rodeo Queen. He was not sure though. Two years of his life was missing, thanks to a concussion courtesy of that fateful bull ride.

Hannah claimed she knew Ty. And she did. After all, they were married and even had a toddler between them. But, Hannah did not seek Ty to reconcile; she wanted a divorce. Only problem was, she still loved him, foggy memory and all.

So, she agreed to a pretend relationship, their agreement to be revisited the moment they have learned to trust each other.

“Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy” is a story of second chances with a twist. To Ty, this was a new beginning because of his amnesia. To Hannah, it was the first time that she was truly spending time with her husband and not hiding or in a hurry because they did not want the people at the rodeo to know about them.

In more ways than one, this was the first time they were living as husband and wife. So, there were so many surprises. Both Ty and Hannah will tug at your heartstrings. Both were on a tightwire. A single misstep can cost them their marriage and a chance to be a family.

In a time when divorce rates are high, it is always heartwarming to read a story about a couple who try to work out their problems. This might be fiction but still, it is a good feeling.

As for the Mesquite rodeo, the funny thing is that my favorite event is not the bull riding but the tie-down roping. I love seeing the cowboy and his horse work together to tie down a calf. The calf has to be down for 16 seconds for a cowboy to qualify for the next round. And that that means that the horse has to stand still for more than that. It is just amazing to see these beautiful animals standing proud.

Back to the book… “Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance is strongly advised to due to adult situations like the topic of divorce and dangers of bull riding. There are no sex scenes in this book.

Image credits: Colorado ranch photo by David Mark; Bull rider photo by Skeeze; Rodeo queen photo by Chad Seiverson; all on Pixababay.