Her thermostat was set to frosty until her Christmas cowboy cranks up the heat.

Ashley Hughes would love to cancel Christmas this year. Instead of holiday plans, she’s back in her Texas hometown planning her twin sister’s wedding — to her ex! Nothing like small town speculation to make her life cheery and bright. No one believes that she’s over the groom, until a certain cowboy secret crush steps in to be her plus one. Ashley’s tried to friend zone Jennings since high school because she’s always known kissing the casual charmer would lead to a love she’d never forget.

Jennings Hill would be the first to admit that his feelings for his ex-best friend are more likely to land him on the naughty list. When he sees Ashley again, he only wants to help but then a rumor links them romantically and that’s when their lives get complicated.

The more time they spend together, the more Jennings worries she’s not over her ex, but Ashley starts wishing Jennings was her present wrapped under the Christmas tree.

Titles in The Hills of Texas series include:  Saving the Sheriff – Resisting the Rancher – Taming the Troublemaker – Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas –

Title:  Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas
Series:  The Hills of Texas #4
Author:  Kadie Scott
Genre:  Romance, Modern Western Romance
Published:  October 8, 2019
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

CLAIMING THE COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS, the fourth title in The Hills of Texas gives us an interesting take on the second chance with a friend romance.

There was a time when Jennings was sure Ashley would pick up on his affection for her, that she’d see beyond the “best friend zone” that she’d put him in quite firmly.  But other events happened that changed lives.

Now Ashley is back in town for her twin sister’s wedding – to Ashley’s ex-boyfriend.  And very few people in town are buying the “It’s okay, I wish them happiness.  I’m so over him.” mantra that Ashley seems to be repeating over and over.  The truth is she is over him – and she wishes her sister and new brother-in-law happiness.  It’d be nice if someone believed her.

Jennings knew stepping in to help Ashley waylay those beliefs would be risky, most definitely risky for his heart.  But once the rumor mill gets ahold of something new they rarely let it go – and now he finds himself “in a romantic relationship” with the only woman he’d wanted.  Too bad it’s just a rumor – or is it?

CLAIMING THE COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS  is an excellent addition to The Hills of Texas series.  It’s also a story with layers, and it was the layers of Ashley and Jennings that fascinated me throughout their story.  Jennings mistaken belief that Ashley truly wasn’t over the ex, the almost over the top jealousy he felt was realistic.  Sometimes we want something so badly that we simply cannot believe it’s ours for the risk of reaching out for it.  I enjoyed their story and revisiting with old book friends once again.  If you’re in the mood for a good Christmas Romance or just a relatable, slice of life romance then you’ll want to check this story (or this series) out real soon.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available for the Kindle