anabelsbrother's review
4.0
Okay so this isn't your typical light and fluffy Christmas read but I wouldn't have it any other way.
So. I didn't expect Gabe to be this broody but I also wasn't surprised. As the books progressed, I noticed Gabe getting surlier and surlier in the background, almost as if he retreated more and more into himself as his best friends got better mentally and found love. It was painful to read because Gabe started off this series as quite the fun guy, but at the start of his book he was someone else.
It was both fun and frustrating seeing Monica and Gabe interact with each other. Gabe obviously had issues with therapists, and he blatantly refused to get treatment because he said he didn't need any. He annoyed Monica a lot, shutting down her attempts of communication with sarcastic and sometimes rude remarks.
In the previous books we didn't get to see a lot of Monica beyond her therapist duties, but in this we got to be in her head and read her thoughts and fears, and that made her more real to me. Her fear regarding her son Colin was understandable and valid, but it also frustrated me so that she was too paranoid to let him go free. Gabe made her faced the fact that she couldn't keep her son in a bubble.
I shed many tears reading this book, mainly for Gabe because what he went through in his youth damaged him so badly to the point that he didn't trust love, and he already accepted that he would be alone in life. It took a lot of work for Monica and the other men to hammer into him that he was loved and that he was deserving of it. The groveling scene was a bit short, I feel but sweet nonetheless (and there was a llama involved so points for that). The epilogue just made me cry happy tears.
I wonder if Nicole wrote books on the Shaws and Lanes because the way the families were mentioned sounds like they had their own stories, so I have to check.
[Update: SHE HAD!!! It's the Big Sky Cowboy series SO U KNOW WHAT I'M READING NEXT]
Anyway, I loved this book a lot. It was a great finale to the series.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
So. I didn't expect Gabe to be this broody but I also wasn't surprised. As the books progressed, I noticed Gabe getting surlier and surlier in the background, almost as if he retreated more and more into himself as his best friends got better mentally and found love. It was painful to read because Gabe started off this series as quite the fun guy, but at the start of his book he was someone else.
It was both fun and frustrating seeing Monica and Gabe interact with each other. Gabe obviously had issues with therapists, and he blatantly refused to get treatment because he said he didn't need any. He annoyed Monica a lot, shutting down her attempts of communication with sarcastic and sometimes rude remarks.
In the previous books we didn't get to see a lot of Monica beyond her therapist duties, but in this we got to be in her head and read her thoughts and fears, and that made her more real to me. Her fear regarding her son Colin was understandable and valid, but it also frustrated me so that she was too paranoid to let him go free. Gabe made her faced the fact that she couldn't keep her son in a bubble.
I shed many tears reading this book, mainly for Gabe because what he went through in his youth damaged him so badly to the point that he didn't trust love, and he already accepted that he would be alone in life. It took a lot of work for Monica and the other men to hammer into him that he was loved and that he was deserving of it. The groveling scene was a bit short, I feel but sweet nonetheless (and there was a llama involved so points for that). The epilogue just made me cry happy tears.
I wonder if Nicole wrote books on the Shaws and Lanes because the way the families were mentioned sounds like they had their own stories, so I have to check.
[Update: SHE HAD!!! It's the Big Sky Cowboy series SO U KNOW WHAT I'M READING NEXT]
Anyway, I loved this book a lot. It was a great finale to the series.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
nogenreleftbehind's review against another edition
4.0
I had not previously read any books in the Navy SEAL Cowboy series, but I think I may need to go pick them up ASAP. The men and women of Revival Ranch are a close-knit group of friends that have become family. But Gabe Cortez holds himself apart emotionally. He has never really let anyone get close, and he doesn't plan on letting the first one to do so be the ranch's therapist Monica Finley.
Monica and Gabe's relationship was incredibly emotional. Both had to let go of things in their past in order to open their hearts. But it isn't easy, and there is Monica's son, Colin, to factor into any relationship equation as well. I really enjoyed how Gabe opened up to Colin and became a part of his life - long before he actually opened up to Monica.
I'm not always a fan of the "snowed in and we fell in love" scene, but these two were in love long before they got snowed in. Nature just forced to the face it - and it didn't go exactly as nature planned. But that's how life is, and this is a romance that wasn't all happy sunshine. There were some not-so-happy moments that really gave the characters depth.
I know this happened over the holidays and all, but it seemed like the ranch wasn't doing what it was built to do. There were no guests or patients, and the only people you really got to see were the staff members (which I'm assuming were couples from the previous books). While they were great characters and a good driving force to help push these two reluctant lovers together, I wonder how and when they manage to help service members when no one seems to be there for it.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
Monica and Gabe's relationship was incredibly emotional. Both had to let go of things in their past in order to open their hearts. But it isn't easy, and there is Monica's son, Colin, to factor into any relationship equation as well. I really enjoyed how Gabe opened up to Colin and became a part of his life - long before he actually opened up to Monica.
I'm not always a fan of the "snowed in and we fell in love" scene, but these two were in love long before they got snowed in. Nature just forced to the face it - and it didn't go exactly as nature planned. But that's how life is, and this is a romance that wasn't all happy sunshine. There were some not-so-happy moments that really gave the characters depth.
I know this happened over the holidays and all, but it seemed like the ranch wasn't doing what it was built to do. There were no guests or patients, and the only people you really got to see were the staff members (which I'm assuming were couples from the previous books). While they were great characters and a good driving force to help push these two reluctant lovers together, I wonder how and when they manage to help service members when no one seems to be there for it.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*
mal_bookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Cowboy Seal Christmas
I’m in love with love in Blue Valley
It’s all come full circle from Rebel Cowboy. I fell in love with Blue Valley from that first book. I feel like this is the last book in that town and it didn’t disappoint.
Gabe is an ex-Navy SEAL who is helping his Navy brothers build a ranch for veterans with PTSD heal. But he’s got a secret, unlike his friends...he doesn’t have PTSD from their accident. Making him an outsider...yet again. So why does he hate the resident ‘shrink’? Well that has a lot to do with his upbringing and his constant feeling like he’s an outsider. But this grinch has a soft spot for the shrinks little boy and while he’s certain his heart would grow three sizes he’s determined to help Colin’s Christmas a good one.
Monica’s been a single mom since her Air Force pilot husband died during a routine flight ten years ago. After raising her son and struggling to get her therapists license she finally leaves her support system to help veterans with PTSD. Something she believes strongly in since she saw her father go through it when she was a child. The rest of Revival Ranch welcomes her and her son, Colin with open arms but her very presence seems to irritate a very sexy SEAL.
A blizzard throws them together a week before Christmas so they decide to give in to their attraction...with an expiration date. But feelings get involved and they can’t help but fall in love.
I loved this book so much. And I’m so glad love (and llamas!) came full circle in Blue Valley.
Received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I’m in love with love in Blue Valley
It’s all come full circle from Rebel Cowboy. I fell in love with Blue Valley from that first book. I feel like this is the last book in that town and it didn’t disappoint.
Gabe is an ex-Navy SEAL who is helping his Navy brothers build a ranch for veterans with PTSD heal. But he’s got a secret, unlike his friends...he doesn’t have PTSD from their accident. Making him an outsider...yet again. So why does he hate the resident ‘shrink’? Well that has a lot to do with his upbringing and his constant feeling like he’s an outsider. But this grinch has a soft spot for the shrinks little boy and while he’s certain his heart would grow three sizes he’s determined to help Colin’s Christmas a good one.
Monica’s been a single mom since her Air Force pilot husband died during a routine flight ten years ago. After raising her son and struggling to get her therapists license she finally leaves her support system to help veterans with PTSD. Something she believes strongly in since she saw her father go through it when she was a child. The rest of Revival Ranch welcomes her and her son, Colin with open arms but her very presence seems to irritate a very sexy SEAL.
A blizzard throws them together a week before Christmas so they decide to give in to their attraction...with an expiration date. But feelings get involved and they can’t help but fall in love.
I loved this book so much. And I’m so glad love (and llamas!) came full circle in Blue Valley.
Received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
thebookdisciple's review against another edition
3.0
Cowboy SEAL Christmas delivers a blend of things I often enjoy-grumpy ex-military men and Christmas! I thought this would be a holiday novella, but it is a full story! This is the tale of Gabe, an ex-SEAL who has a slew of family issues as well as PTSD, and Monica, the psychologist/single mom who lives on the ranch.
Revival Ranch started in book one with Becca and her ex-stepbrother (one of the SEALs). Now Becca and Alex are getting married and the only single people left on the ranch are Gabe and Monica. Both feel an attraction to each other, but Gabe doesn't trust shrinks and Monica doesn't think it would be wise to cross that professional line. Her husband was in the military and died during a routine training exercise when their son was still a baby. Colin is 10 now and Monica hasn't dated at all. Her and Gabe both have...issues. Gabe is physically and mentally better off than both Alex and Jake, but that doesn't mean he is okay. Gabe and Monica sort of dance around their feelings for each other and that is the main plot of the book. Personally, I thought it felt a bit slow at times. I loved getting to see the previous characters (including Rasputin and Ron Swanson!), and Colin was a good addition. I enjoyed the story but I think it might have actually worked better as a novella.
You can read this as a stand alone. While the previous characters are present, its not necessary to KNOW their stories in order to understand Gabe and Monica!
This was my first listen to narrator Abby Craden and she was great! She didn't attempt to 'over act' the male voices and her performance was enjoyable.
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: hate to love, ex-military, single mom
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger:
Spoiler
no - HEA:
Spoiler
yes
other cowboy/ranch based books like Untamed Cowboy by Maisey Yates, Long Tall Cowboy Christmas by Carolyn Brown, Second Chance Cowboy by AJ Pine...then you will probably like Cowboy SEAL Christmas!
Cowboy SEAL Christmas
See full review on The Book Disciple
allingoodtime's review
5.0
To be honest, I really wasn’t prepared to love Gabe so much. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked him in the other stories in this series. But I fell in love with him, and I fell hard. That man had me frustrated, angry, sad, and I shed far too many tears in the reading of this book.
Before I get too much further I should say, I don’t feel you have to read the other books to fully engage with this one. This ragtag group of former Navy SEALs and strong women and odd animals is such a joy, I don’t know why you wouldn’t go and read Cowboy SEAL Homecoming and Cowboy SEAL Redemption, though.
Although Monica has been in the other stories quite a bit, her role in those stories was much more as a therapist so we didn’t get to see exactly what makes her tick. I enjoyed seeing things from her POV. Not only as a woman and a therapist, but also as a mom, a widow, a military brat, etc. Monica has worn many hats throughout her life, and they all shaped the way she interacts with others. She’s usually a very warm and caring person. For some reason, her defenses tend to go up when she’s around Gabe and she turns the therapist part of her brain on full blast.
Gabe has issues with therapists and wants nothing to do with Monica’s professional side. Since that’s almost all she tends to show him when they’re together, they seem like oil and water. Gabe can’t help but push Monica’s buttons, and she can’t help but zing him right back. If it wasn’t so fun to watch, it would be exhausting! But the more the two of them are thrown together, the harder time they have ignoring the chemistry they have. Since Monica’s son, Collin, is enamored with Gabe (and truly, vice versa) they seem to find themselves together more and more.
Gabe, quite frankly, has a heartbreaking story. They way it comes out in fits and starts throughout this book really helped me, as the reader, to feel those emotions. The tiny moments he would let his walls down and show his vulnerability had me bawling my eyes out. One minute I’d be feeling warm-fuzzies because of his chemistry with Monica, the next I would feel like I got gut punched because of Gabe’s inability to see how lovable he really is.
There are so many other things I love about this story. So many little nuances that really built such a lovely and amazing picture in my mind. I think this may be my favorite Nicole Helm book so far. It was full of so many feels!
**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**
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/cowboy-seal-christmas-book-review/
Before I get too much further I should say, I don’t feel you have to read the other books to fully engage with this one. This ragtag group of former Navy SEALs and strong women and odd animals is such a joy, I don’t know why you wouldn’t go and read Cowboy SEAL Homecoming and Cowboy SEAL Redemption, though.
Although Monica has been in the other stories quite a bit, her role in those stories was much more as a therapist so we didn’t get to see exactly what makes her tick. I enjoyed seeing things from her POV. Not only as a woman and a therapist, but also as a mom, a widow, a military brat, etc. Monica has worn many hats throughout her life, and they all shaped the way she interacts with others. She’s usually a very warm and caring person. For some reason, her defenses tend to go up when she’s around Gabe and she turns the therapist part of her brain on full blast.
Gabe has issues with therapists and wants nothing to do with Monica’s professional side. Since that’s almost all she tends to show him when they’re together, they seem like oil and water. Gabe can’t help but push Monica’s buttons, and she can’t help but zing him right back. If it wasn’t so fun to watch, it would be exhausting! But the more the two of them are thrown together, the harder time they have ignoring the chemistry they have. Since Monica’s son, Collin, is enamored with Gabe (and truly, vice versa) they seem to find themselves together more and more.
Gabe, quite frankly, has a heartbreaking story. They way it comes out in fits and starts throughout this book really helped me, as the reader, to feel those emotions. The tiny moments he would let his walls down and show his vulnerability had me bawling my eyes out. One minute I’d be feeling warm-fuzzies because of his chemistry with Monica, the next I would feel like I got gut punched because of Gabe’s inability to see how lovable he really is.
There are so many other things I love about this story. So many little nuances that really built such a lovely and amazing picture in my mind. I think this may be my favorite Nicole Helm book so far. It was full of so many feels!
**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**
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/cowboy-seal-christmas-book-review/
beckymmoe's review against another edition
5.0
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 9/23/18.
Ms. Helm clearly saved the best for last--I loved Monica and Gabe's story! The previous two books (this could be read as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read all three) teased a Monica-and-Gabe pairing, but even so I didn't suspect the awesomeness that was in store for us :)
Gabe's been hiding all kinds of issues behind his smiles and easygoing charm, and though those closest to him suspect that there's something there, it's Monica, the ranch therapist who he's the most determined to keep away from. He. Doesn't. Need. A. Shrink.
Though he does rather like her kid...and darn it, he's more than a little attracted to her as well. Kicking and screaming doesn't even begin to cover how it is that Gabe gets drawn into this slow burn romance--there's also relentlessly cheerful Christmas bedding, a Montana blizzard, and a llama--and that's just scratching the surface of it.
Monica is a widow and a recovering (okay, she's not doing a very good job of recovering. But she tries. Kind of) helicopter parent where her ten-year-old son is concerned. She's attracted to Gabe and more than ready to move on after her loss, but has convinced herself that getting involved with one of the ex-military men at the ranch would destroy her credibility as the staff therapist. (Now that I think about it, I'm not 100% sure this issue was resolved...? It didn't seem like that big a problem anyway, so that's probably okay...) I loved watching her try to forge a relationship with Gabe, even though at times it was as painful to read as it was wonderful at others.
Let's just say the man does a darn good grovel, and it's fortunate for everyone that he does--even if he did have help. (He needed it. Good grief, the man practically tried to incinerate all the bridges in Montana when he pushed her away...)
Okay, now that all three of the Navy SEAL Cowboys have their HEAs, surely there's some other neighbors of the Lanes, Shaws, and/or Revival Ranch that need their turn? Please? :D
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Ms. Helm clearly saved the best for last--I loved Monica and Gabe's story! The previous two books (this could be read as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read all three) teased a Monica-and-Gabe pairing, but even so I didn't suspect the awesomeness that was in store for us :)
Gabe's been hiding all kinds of issues behind his smiles and easygoing charm, and though those closest to him suspect that there's something there, it's Monica, the ranch therapist who he's the most determined to keep away from. He. Doesn't. Need. A. Shrink.
Though he does rather like her kid...and darn it, he's more than a little attracted to her as well. Kicking and screaming doesn't even begin to cover how it is that Gabe gets drawn into this slow burn romance--there's also relentlessly cheerful Christmas bedding, a Montana blizzard, and a llama--and that's just scratching the surface of it.
Monica is a widow and a recovering (okay, she's not doing a very good job of recovering. But she tries. Kind of) helicopter parent where her ten-year-old son is concerned. She's attracted to Gabe and more than ready to move on after her loss, but has convinced herself that getting involved with one of the ex-military men at the ranch would destroy her credibility as the staff therapist. (Now that I think about it, I'm not 100% sure this issue was resolved...? It didn't seem like that big a problem anyway, so that's probably okay...) I loved watching her try to forge a relationship with Gabe, even though at times it was as painful to read as it was wonderful at others.
Let's just say the man does a darn good grovel, and it's fortunate for everyone that he does--even if he did have help. (He needed it. Good grief, the man practically tried to incinerate all the bridges in Montana when he pushed her away...)
Okay, now that all three of the Navy SEAL Cowboys have their HEAs, surely there's some other neighbors of the Lanes, Shaws, and/or Revival Ranch that need their turn? Please? :D
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
bibliotay's review
5.0
You know those books that just make your heart burst from happiness?
Yea this is definitively one of those books.
I absolutely love this book. Military men, check. Working ranch, check. Holiday romance, check. Stuck in a romantic cabin during a blizzard, check. Tears of happiness, check. What more can you ask for??
I read this as a standalone but I really want to go back and read the first two books. These characters feel like family and that makes me want to know more about them and their journeys. I cant wait to read more by Nicole Helm!
Yea this is definitively one of those books.
I absolutely love this book. Military men, check. Working ranch, check. Holiday romance, check. Stuck in a romantic cabin during a blizzard, check. Tears of happiness, check. What more can you ask for??
I read this as a standalone but I really want to go back and read the first two books. These characters feel like family and that makes me want to know more about them and their journeys. I cant wait to read more by Nicole Helm!
blodeuedd's review
3.0
I enjoyed the previous two and I was looking forward to reading Gabe's story.
Gabe was the one who was always smiling in previous books, but not really talking a lot about himself. And I get why, poor man. He has some issues that he carries around. And unlike his friends who has PTSD, he has other things on his mind. But I did like him, but oh how he struggled with his feelings.
Monica is a widow. She has a 10 year old who she is afraid to let out of her sights. And she is the one who will work with the soldiers and their trauma. So of course she does not want to get involved with Gabe. But then he has never come to her, since he has no trauma like that. Anyway, she is a good person and she needs to learn how to stop controlling everything and also to love again.
Which is perfect cos Gabe sure needs someone to love him ;)
They have known each other for a while now as people around them have fallen in love. I knew they would have some ups and downs and that they had. I enjoyed seeing them realise things. And it really was a lovely book that made me want Christmas.
Conclusion
A lovely book
Cover
Sweet
Narrator:
A great voice for this. With range from 10 year olds to men and women
Gabe was the one who was always smiling in previous books, but not really talking a lot about himself. And I get why, poor man. He has some issues that he carries around. And unlike his friends who has PTSD, he has other things on his mind. But I did like him, but oh how he struggled with his feelings.
Monica is a widow. She has a 10 year old who she is afraid to let out of her sights. And she is the one who will work with the soldiers and their trauma. So of course she does not want to get involved with Gabe. But then he has never come to her, since he has no trauma like that. Anyway, she is a good person and she needs to learn how to stop controlling everything and also to love again.
Which is perfect cos Gabe sure needs someone to love him ;)
They have known each other for a while now as people around them have fallen in love. I knew they would have some ups and downs and that they had. I enjoyed seeing them realise things. And it really was a lovely book that made me want Christmas.
Conclusion
A lovely book
Cover
Sweet
Narrator:
A great voice for this. With range from 10 year olds to men and women
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