Title: Welcome Home, Cowboy
Series: Hero’s Welcome #2
Author: Annie Rains
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Military Romance
Published: April 26, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
After a bad breakup leaves Julie Chandler completely devastated, she comes to Seaside seeking a fresh start. A talented, compassionate yoga teacher, she has developed a program to help alleviate the effects of PTSD, but getting a bunch of bullheaded Marines into downward facing dog might be impossible. So Julie’s shocked when one of her first students dives in headfirst—and almost tempts her to take down her walls with his easy smile and electrifying touch.
Ever since Texas cowboy turned Marine pilot Lawson Phillips lost a crew member in a helicopter accident, he hasn’t been able to fly. When a psychologist orders him to attend, of all things, a yoga class, Lawson’s outraged—until he finds out Julie is the instructor. She’s beautiful, graceful, and completely guarded when it comes to his advances, but he’s determined to find out what makes her tick. Because underneath Julie’s hard shell is a woman Lawson knows he could fall for—and he’s not ready for the ride to end.
Read on for my thoughts on Welcome Home, Cowboy. No true spoilers, promise.
Welcome Home, Cowboy is one of those romances that you can just fall into. Small town, military town dynamics, an old fashioned friends to lovers story and enough conflict on both sides to add that sense of realistic and believable.
No relationship is perfect – how boring life would be if it was always hearts and unicorns. But Lawson has some serious issues to work through. And falling in love wasn’t on the table as one of his options… but best laid plans and all that. I felt for Lawson, grieved for him in several ways as he fought his own personal demons. I wish he had let Julie help him more with those demons instead of believing he had to be perfect before coming into her life but it is actually a more realistic story this way because many men often must fight their demons alone (and let’s be fair some women too).
As Julie came out of a very bad relationship, the friendship with Lawson fit perfectly – until it grew into more. I found Julie to be a strong woman, even while fighting her own version of demons. They were well matched, each could bring something to the relationship that the other needed. They simply had to weigh the risks and be willing to take the chance on a future together.
If you love military towns, stubborn men and strong women who love them then Welcome Home, Cowboy is right up your alley. I would definitely recommend this one for romance lovers of all genre. Wounds aren’t always on the surface to see, but live deep within. Sometimes we need help to heal those types of wounds, even if we don’t think we do. Lawson and Julie’s story is rich in laughter, tears, and the complications of moving from friendship to love. It’s a really fun journey that you shouldn’t miss.
*I received an e-ARC of Welcome Home, Cowboy from the publisher, Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
Available for the Kindle
