A man holding on…
Riley Kittredge has always known exactly what he wanted. His land, his horses. His woman. He met and married Rae Trujillo far too young, and their young love combusted right after they said their vows. But their passion has never managed to burn itself out. Yet when Rae shows this time, it’s not a night of pleasure she demands, but a divorce.
A woman letting go…
Rae should have moved on a long time ago. She knows she and Riley just don’t work. They might make great lovers, but that doesn’t make a marriage. And now Rae wants a new life, complete with a baby. But when her husband offers to be a father, to give her the family she’s always secretly desired, she and Riley will both have to face demons from their past—and choose love over fear at last.
Titles in the Kittredge Ranch series include – Secret Nights with a Cowboy –
*there is a connection to — Cold River Ranch series include — A True Cowboy Christmas – Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy – The Last Real Cowboy
Title: Secret Nights with a Cowboy
Series: Kittredge Ranch #1
Author: Caitlin Crews
Genre: Modern Western Romance
Published: December 1, 2020
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
My Rating: 4 stars
Secret Nights with a Cowboy begins the Kittredge Ranch series which is set in the same world as the Cold River Ranch series – in fact, we’ll likely see some familiar faces (if you’ve read the previous series).
Rae and Riley are true soulmates, they’ve been friends forever, married young yet both are stubborn, their physical relationship volatile, and the secrets they’re keeping (or simply things they didn’t know about each other’s dreams, wants, desires for the future) were enough to break them. But not the love, or the physical need for each other. So while their families and the townsfolk tiptoe around their relationship (or lack of one) Riley and Rae would often meet at their ranch, an argument would begin that always lead to explosive sexual encounters.
I liked Rae and Riley but they both had some major growing up to do. Secrets will destroy any relationship and when Rae would not tell Riley why she left him (like he’s a mind reader or something and should have just known) that was the point when Rae lost my empathy. I enjoyed watching them try to work out their differences, but it was a rocky road full of potholes to finally get to their happy ever after.
As always in this world, it is the secondary characters, the known returning characters that bring Cold River/Kittredge Ranch alive for me. Family is often a blessing and a curse, which is obvious for Riley and Rae as they get unwanted opinions about every aspect of their lives – together or apart. I need more from these unique, lively families so I’ll be watching for the next story in this series like a hawk.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. 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 in paperback, audio, or your favorite e-reader, mine is the Kindle.
