This is book one in the Colorado Cowboys series, what a great place to start. Greta Nilsson and Wyatt McQuad may be the answer to each others problems. I loved the chemistry between them. I can't wait to read more from this series.

I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

Greta came into town with her sick little sister, intent on being a Mail Order Bride to take care of her. But she learned that the husband she had come to marry had died before she got there. A kind man she had ridden on the stagecoach with organized a deal with another young man to marry her instead. It wasn't what Wyatt had intended to do, but Mr. Steele pretty much forced him into it. He took Greta and her precocious sister home, and they moved on trying to make the best of things. As time moves on they find they are good together, but each carries their burdens and denies themselves to a closer relationship. An engrossing tale of living in rugged early Colorado and people struggling to make their lives better. Deeply wounded, tugging at your heart strings the whole time. It's going to be an excellent series with more of Wyatt's family and Astrid growing up. Looking forward to the next one!

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Set in Colorado Territory in 1862, A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund tells the story of Greta Nilsson, a mail order bride who cares for her sickly younger sister, and rancher Wyatt McQuaid. After Greta arrives in Fairplay, Colorado, she must adjust her plans. Penniless following her stagecoach robbery, and learning her intended husband is dead, she is left with few options. When her intended's friend, Wyatt McQuaid, proposes marriage, Greta agrees.

A Cowboy for Keeps has heroes and villains, moments of hope and times of despair, characters to root for and those to despise. Sprinkled throughout the book are Scripture references to guide Greta and Wyatt on their journey of decision-making.

Although I enjoyed the dialog between Wyatt and Greta as their relationship developed, which gave a glimpse into who they were, the repetitious internal self-doubt and introspection often pulled me out of the story.

A Cowboy for Keeps is a book for those who enjoy Christian historical fiction marriage of convenience tales.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

From the start I held such empathy for Greta Nilsson. She's holding such a burden and determined to not be a failure. But then again so is handsome rancher Wyatt McQuaid.

I loved the imagery of the story and could picture everything perfectly. I loved to see the growth of Wyatt and Greta's relationship. Wyatt was such a great hero and his care for Greta's sister and his heart to help his family endeared me to him.

Top it off this is a start of the series which means we get to see the rest of the McQuaids. A Cowboy For Keeps is a solid start and one that has me looking forward to more.

Note I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.