Who doesn’t love reading cowboy romance stories? The Amazon Christian Romance bestseller lists reflect the popularity of cowboy romances. My go-to place for finding new CCR (Christian Contemporary Romance) is our Books Page here at Inspy Romance.
During the last twelve months Inspy Romance authors Valerie Comer, Elizabeth Maddrey, Shannon Taylor Vannatter, and Deb Kastner have released cowboy romances. There are plenty of binge-worthy cowboy romance series to read if we’re looking for a fun romantic escape into a great story. Today I’m spotlighting The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker by Valerie Comer.
Here’s the Book Description:
Friends become more in this romance with a matchmaker bent on finding dates for the cowboy she believes doesn’t return her love.
It’s been almost fourteen long years since two teens made a pact to marry each other if both remained single at thirty. But the nearer the time comes, the more Lauren Yanovich steps up her matchmaking game to let James off the hook. Not that he likely remembers.
James Carmichael has been waiting forever, praying Lauren will be waiting for him. But, just when the end is in sight, she begins dating someone else, and his hopes crumble.
What’s a cowboy to do when the love of his life insists they’re all wrong for each other?
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker, Book 2 in Valerie Comer’s Saddle Springs Romance series. Friends-to-more is one of my favorite romance tropes, and Lauren and James were both reluctant to risk their hearts and reveal their more-than-friends feelings to each other.
Lauren has unfortunately inherited her mother’s meddling ways. Being the local vet, she knows who the single cowboys are that, in her opinion, need help finding a wife. James is her number one matchmaking target because their thirtieth birthdays are looming and their teenage pact to marry each other if they’re both still single weighs heavily on her mind. She thinks James has forgotten about the pact and, if he was interested in her, he’d surely have made a move sometime in the last fourteen years… Therefore, she’ll fix the situation by finding him the perfect wife.
James is the shy cowboy who doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. Lauren’s matchmaking attempts drive him crazy and fuel his insecurities. His feelings for Lauren run deep, but like Lauren he fears rejection and doesn’t want to jeopardise their friendship.
Everyone in Saddle Springs knows James and Lauren have eyes for each other, and would make a great couple, except, of course, James and Lauren. Despite encouragement from friends and family they both just can’t bring themselves to make that all important first move.
At times James and Lauren were infuriating to journey along with as they danced around each other and their feelings. That said, this relationship dynamic is the charm of the friends-to-more trope when the couple have been good friends for way too long to feel comfortable going outside their just-friends comfort zone.
I also appreciated the strong faith element in the story. I liked how both James and Lauren opened their Bibles to seek answers to their problems. James was adorable from the start, but Lauren was a bit prickly. Once I understood Lauren and got to know her, I was cheering for her and James to finally get together and I enjoyed their rocky ride to their happily-ever-after.
The supporting cast of characters in James and Lauren’s family and friendship circle add a delightful small town community setting that I love in cowboy romance series. We reunite with the newlyweds Kade and Cheri from Book 1 (The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion – read my book recommendation at Inspy Romance here) and we meet the characters who will feature in future books in the series. Book 6 in the Saddle Springs Romance series, The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride, released last month.
I highly recommend The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker to readers who enjoy cowboy romances with a strong Christian message woven into the story. Last month Valerie Comer announced her new spin-off series, Cavanagh Cowboy Romances, will be launching later this year – learn more at her post here. Yay for more cowboy romance stories!
Have you read The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker or any of the books in the Saddle Springs Romance series? Do you enjoy western-themed romance stories?
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
No I haven’t. When I hear cowboy I think of the 1800’s because downunder here we call them jackaroos/jillaroos who work on stations rather than ranches. Thanks :)
I do like cowboys in stories.
I discovered cowboy books and love them
I do like cowboy stories. I like both historical and contemporary.
I love books about cowboys and I have not read this one yet.
Hi Dianne, yes, the terminology and culture is different in Australia. Cattleman is probably the closest equivalent name to cowboys that I’ve seen in Aussie stories. Many years ago I read outback romances by Lucy Walker and Margaret Way. If you’re looking for Aussie Romance/RomCom, check out Jessica Kate’s latest release ‘A Girl’s Guide to the Outback’. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Mary, yes, they’re fun stories. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Yvonne, yay, I’m glad you’ve found cowboy books that you love. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jenny, I also enjoy reading the occasional historical western – a fun way to learn about American history. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lori, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Valerie’s Saddle Spring Romance books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Wow, thanks for recommending The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker to our readers :) It’s stories by authors like Deb, Shannon, Jolene, and others who helped inspire me, and I also enjoy Elizabeth’s Hope Ranch stories, coming out now. So many great cowboy romances!
I love cowboys, and some of these are in my TBR stack! Somehow, that stack keeps growing, and doesn’t ever seem to go down! Lol!! I personally think that’s a great “problem” for me to have!
I love cowboy stories too. In fact the heroes in my stories are either cowboys or some kind of farmer/fruit rancher. I’m surrounded by handsome, manly men so I have plenty of inspiration!
This is a fabulous story….and series!!
I enjoy the vibe of a cowboy story. Hard work, strong family bonds, physical strength and skill and joyful celebrations. It is a ready-built culture to be explored either from within or by crossing cultural boundaries (e.g. one is from the city, one is a rancher). I haven’t read Valerie’s book but it sounds like fun!
Also reading about the cattle barrons v the farmers (Like in Oklahoma). With the farmers fencing in the land and the Cattle owners wanting free range. Its actually interesting to read a book where sheep are the main animal crop. (There are a few contemporary featuring sheep farmers who tend to still have issues with cattle farmers)
Cowboys seem to be in certain areas like Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming etc. where there is still open areas.
PS Dad was what we call a farm hand or farm worker, here as it wasn’t a station but a smaller farm (although a couple were large ones here in this area). We also had a farm manager (which in America would Forman) be a as the owner lived in the city. We had both cattle and sheep (more sheep) and crops. Dad rode a white horse called Tango and we had a sheep dog called nip
I haven’t read them but they sound good.
love western-themed romance
Hi Valerie, You’re very welcome, and yes, there are some great stories to read including western romances from Love Inspired and indie books. 😊
Hi Trudy, yes, my TBR stack keeps growing, too, lol. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Dalyn, I’m glad you’re surrounded by story inspiration! Being a city girl, I enjoy escaping into small and farm/ranch romance stories. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Paula, yes, well said! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lincoln, I agree – the cowboy setting is fascinating to explore, and fun when it’s a clash of different worlds with a city vs. country story element. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Valerie’s books. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jenny, The free range vs. fencing issue would be interesting to explore. I associate Texas and Montana with cowboy story settings.
It’s interesting how they’re all called different names depending on the country/region. Drover is another name for stockman. Thanks for sharing about your dad. :)
Hi Lucy, I hope you’ll have a chance to read them. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Denise, me too! Thanks for commenting. 😊
You know I love cowboys! They are the perfect combination of tough alpha men with warm, sensitive hearts. True gentlemen (at least in the romance novel world!)
The musical Oklahoma has references to the rancher/farmer issue. It was set around the time Oklahoma was looking to become a state and the main character changes from being a cowboy on the range to a farmer or homesteader.
Hi Deb, I love your cowboy books! Thanks for commenting. 😊