Homecoming for the Cowboy (Bad Boys of Last Stand) – ARC Review

Homecoming for the Cowboy
By Nicole Helm
Release Date: May 16, 2019
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
Book #1 in the Bad Boys of Last Stand series
Number of pages:  212
Kindle Edition
Source: ARC from Net Galley
Contemporary Romance/Western M/F
Rating: R
Read 4/27/19

 

Colt Vance owes everything he is to the Martin family, which is why he’s stayed far, far away for years. But now that Fritz Martin has asked him a favor, he’s back in Last Stand facing the one temptation he can’t ever give into: his mentor’s middle daughter.

Sadie Martin doesn’t like Colt Vance, or so she’s told herself for years. He’s far too charming and has her father wrapped around his finger. But Sadie doesn’t have a choice except to work with Colt to save her beloved goat farm. 

Working together tests Colt’s resolve when it comes to his attraction to Sadie, and Sadie comes to realize she doesn’t just enjoy Colt’s company, she craves it. But Colt can’t break the promise he made to Fritz years ago. Can one tenacious farm girl convince this stubborn cowboy love is always the answer to any problem? 

This is a super-fast read that is full of emotion.  Colt and Sadie are both on such a tight rope when it comes to their feeling for each other.  Both in such denial about their attraction and what that attraction means…to them and to their family.

Colt had a really hard time of it growing up, until Sadie’s parents took him in as a teen.  The fact that Sadie’s dad and deceased mom looked upon Colt as a son (although there’s a 6-year age difference so they weren’t really raised as siblings) puts another level of reticence to the couple. It also gives Colt a huge chip on his shoulder and a very murky understanding of what unconditional love really is.

Sadie has always done what she could to not make waves.  Of the three sisters, she was the one her dad could rely on to “do the right thing”.  In other words, do what he wanted.  She’s a tough cookie and knows her own mind, but her dad still has some antiquated thoughts on roles of men and women that can grate.  She’ll fight him on things she’s passionate about, but still end up backing down in the end.

These two gave me so many butterflies in their “will they or won’t they” tug of war.  I was rooting for them to finally both choose their own happiness instead of worrying about those around them so much.  And I adored their thoughts of being upfront with everyone once they gave into those feelings.  Cole and Sadie both have a lot of respect for the family and wanted to do things the right way.

The one character I really couldn’t get behind is the dad, Fritz.  He made me so angry so many times.  Even when he somewhat explains himself, I’m not fully satisfied with his reasoning.  The man had it rough having to raise these kids after his wife died and he was deeply grieving.  He was not really a bad father.  In fact, he was a pretty great father.  But his staunch stance on certain things and his disregard to what his actions were doing to Sadie (and often times the rest of the family) put him on my bad side.

I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting series to read.  We still have 2 more sisters and 2 more foster brothers to have their stories told.  Maybe they’ll share HEAs like Sadie and Colt.  I can’t wait to find out.

4.5 stars

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**