Review - - Help Wanted, Cowboy

Help Wanted, Cowboy

by Nan Reinhardt

Juniper Falls Ranch, Book 3

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: July 7, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

When a family emergency brings cowboy Rory Pearson home to Marietta, he hires on to Juniper Falls Ranch for seasonal work. He’s hoping to explore an intriguing family legend. Armed with research and his grandfather’s stories, Rory thinks he’s ready, but nothing goes as planned. Then a sweetly sexy nurse propositions him.

Nurse Millie Sparks is tired of playing it safe. She’s been too focused on her education and career and romance and adventure have passed her by. Staying on the ranch to care for a patient with a tricky pregnancy, Millie’s interest in Rory is immediate. He offers to teach her to ride, and she wonders if the lessons could extend to something else she’s been hiding.

It’s a game of flirtation and fun. Feelings can’t be serious. But as the clock ticks down, hearts interfere, and saying goodbye just got way more complicated.

PJ's Thoughts:

Sweet Western romance with plenty of plenty of heart. Nan Reinhardt's new series is building another community of characters I'd be happy to hang out with, on paper or in real life. I love how realistic they all are, with charm, flaws, and believable life challenges. I laugh with them, shed tears with them, and experience those deep emotional connections that keep me coming back for more.

Help Wanted, Cowboy brings readers the story of Rory (a bull-riding, kitchen-savvy cowboy) and Millie (a midwife working for Rory's boss). What fun these two are! I fell hard for Rory. He's such a sweet, honorable, family-loving guy who falls first and hard. Millie's journey take a bit longer (she doesn't believe in love) but is all the more satisfying for it. The banter and flirting between these two is pure gold.

Secondary characters are spot on, filling in the story with humor, wisdom, and emotional depth. There's even a bit of a mystery surrounding a lost family heirloom that may be fact or fiction. It all weaves together to form a story brimming with friendship, romance, and heart set on a working ranch under the vast, blue Montana sky. I'm all in and already looking forward to the next installment in the series. 

 

 

 

Review - - The Cowboy's Comeback

The Cowboy's Comeback

by Nan Reinhardt

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: January 29, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

It’s an enemies to lovers showdown between the cowboy who can’t trust and the cowgirl who won’t forgive.

Injured rodeo cowboy, Bo Kennedy, takes a job as a horse trainer at a Montana ranch. His skills training cutting horses are in high demand, but he’s holding out hope his days of competing aren’t over. Then his first client arrives, desperate for help with her mare. One problem, she’s his ex.

When World Champion barrel racer Cassie Franklin needs a new horse quickly, her last hope to rebuild her career is to switch to cutting competitions. She brings her new mare to Juniper Falls Ranch, hoping the highly hyped horse whisperer can help. She’s stunned to see Bo. They haven’t spoken in five years after he wrongly accused her of sabotaging his horse when he saw her flirting with his fiercest competitor.

Working together seems impossible, especially as the chemistry still sizzles. Will one of them finally lower their guard and admit they were wrong?

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm enjoying this new western location of Nan Reinhardt's. Set under the wide open sky of Montana, she brings to life the everyday ups and downs along with the characters who call Juniper Falls Ranch home, if only for a short time. 

In The Cowboy's Comeback, sparks are flying between Bo and Cassie. These two are a classic lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers pair. They walk a tenuous line of  "I'll never forgive you...but you still make my heart flutter...but how can I trust you...but you're my only hope of reaching my goals...but, whoa, pesky feelings" and I bought into it, hook, line, and sinker. Everything unfolds gradually, organically, with plenty of push and pull as both Bo and Cassie work through complicated feelings. I was glad to see them each grow during the process and especially happy when they each took ownership of their own parts in the misunderstanding that ended their earlier relationship. By the end of their book, I was fully on board with them as a couple. 

If you enjoy western settings with second chance romance, strong character growth, a terrific supporting cast, horses (I do love horses), emotional depth, and happy endings, check out The Cowboy's Comeback.  

The Juniper Falls Ranch is owned by Del and Beth (Forever Cowboy-Click for review) who have a strong presence in The Cowboy's Comeback. If you read their book, you'll no doubt enjoy seeing them post-HEA in this newest story but if you're new to Reinhardt's Montana books, know that The Cowboy's Comeback stands well on its own. 

 

Review - - Forever Cowboy

Forever Cowboy

by Nan Reinhardt

Montana's Rodeo Cowboys - Book 4

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: September 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

It was supposed to be just a vacation fling…

43-year-old Beth Dykeman’s life is spiraling—her 20-year marriage is over as is her career in Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce. Now back home in River’s Edge, Indiana, she’s grieving the end of her dream to have a family. Hoping to restart her life, she books a relaxing long weekend at a spa in beautiful Montana. But Beth arrives only to discover she accidentally booked a stay at a working dude ranch in the middle of Marietta’s 87th Copper Mountain Rodeo celebration weekend.

When he’s not competing, 36-year-old bronc rider Del Foster works at the Aspen Springs Ranch. He’s ready to hang up his spurs. This rodeo will be his last competition before he finally settles down and buys his own small spread to train cutting horses.

Their instant chemistry shocks them both, and on her last night, Beth indulges the attraction, knowing she’ll never see Del again. But fate has a way of changing plans and challenging assumptions. Can Beth and Del both have what they never knew they always wanted?

PJ's Thoughts:

Whether the book is set in charming River's Edge, Indiana or under the wide open skies of Montana, if it's written by Nan Reinhardt it's on my must-read list. Sometimes, a mistake isn't just a mistake. Sometimes, it's an opportunity to take a new path. Beth is adrift after the end of her 20-year marriage. Del is struggling with a close friend's devastating rodeo injury as well as when - and how - to end his own successful rodeo career. A booking error lands them together on a Montana ranch and a journey of healing, growth, self-discovery, and love follows. Reinhardt packs this book with an immersive setting, multi-layered characters, relatable issues, and a realistic happy ending. I laughed and cried (this author's characters always tug at my heartstrings) before turning the final page with a happy, heartfelt sigh. If you're looking for a feel-good western romance with heart, humor, and emotional depth, give Forever Cowboy a try. I hope Nan Reinhardt has plans for more Montana books because while I love her River's Edge community (and fingers crossed for more books there), I am all in with her new Montana community of characters too!

While Forever Cowboy is listed as book four, it's a standalone story in a multi-author series. You'll be fine jumping in here or at any other point in the series. 

Review - - Made to Love You

Made to Love You

by Nan Reinhardt

The Walkers of River's Edge - Book 4

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: January 23, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

She’s not looking for love, but a handsome veterinarian and a lost puppy have other plans…

Gorgeous and gifted,Annabelle Walkeris a force of nature. A talented architect who has brought new designs and concepts to her family’s construction firm, Anna’s happy and doesn’t feel anything’s missing from her life, even as her siblings have all fallen in love this year. And then she finds an injured puppy on a bike ride.

Veterinarian Sawyer Braxton is lost while driving to his first day at Price Veterinary Clinic. He stops to ask directions of a bicyclist on the side of the road, and discovers three things: She’s beautiful, stranded with a flat tire, and holding an injured puppy. Sawyer’s fascinated, and it feels like fate as he offers the intriguing and vibrant woman a ride to the vet clinic.

It’s a meet-cute, and Annabelle’s definitely attracted, but she’s determined that this time, she really will take a break from men. Sawyer’s as stubborn as he is sexy, and he hits on a plan for a date—they’ll both foster the pup while it heals.

PJ's Thoughts:

Made to Love You brings readers another heart-tugging visit to River's Edge. At this point, each new book in Nan Reinhardt's long-running series feels like a visit to my hometown where good friends - and a few new friends - await. As a fan of the series, it's fun to catch up with favorite characters while at the same time, Reinhardt has written each of these books in such a way that new readers can jump in at any point without missing a beat.

I enjoyed Anna's and Sawyer's story very much. Reinhardt takes them on a realistically gradual journey of growth, self-discovery, and love. It was especially satisfying to watch Sawyer - and Trixie, the abandoned puppy - help Anna slowly lower the walls around her heart that had been solidified by heartbreak and betrayal and even more so, to watch Anna confront those emotional obstacles in person and hold her own. Yes, I may have been enthusiastically, and vocally, cheering her on. 

Sawyer is such a sweetheart - kind, caring, a bit of a cinnamon roll, and the perfect counterpart for take charge Anna. I really loved these two together and am hopeful that we'll see more of Anna, Sawyer, Trixie, and Sawyer's dog, Otis in upcoming River's Edge books.

If you enjoy feel-good stories with humor, emotional depth, relatable characters, and happy endings, give this one a try. 

Review - - Made for Mistletoe

Made for Mistletoe

by Nan Reinhardt

The Walkers of Rivers Edge - Book 3

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: October 24, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

This Christmas he has big plans until he meets a beautiful distraction….

Army reservist Cameron Walker loves everything about the holidays in River’s Edge—celebrating with his big family and carving out more time to work on his custom design furniture in his studio. But when he meets a visiting artist and niece of a family friend, he’s eager to break his work plans for play. He knows first-hand life’s short.

Teacher and artist Harper Gaines is bowled over by the handsome and friendly finish carpenter she meets during her vacation. His admiration for her art and his enthusiasm for life light her up, and remind her of how much she’s been missing since her soldier husband’s death. But when she discovers Cam’s also a soldier, she retreats, unable to risk another loss.

Cam has never felt such a strong connection, and he won’t give up without a fight. But will Cam’s persistence and the magic of Christmas be enough to convince Harper to take a chance on them?

PJ's Thoughts:

Nan Reinhardt's River's Edge books are always hopeful and heartfelt but those set during the holidays seem to have that extra punch of emotion. Made for Mistletoe has all the feelings. 

I adored Cam. How could I not? He's like a Golden Retriever puppy with his huge heart, kind soul, over-the-top love of all things Christmas, and dedication to helping others. Harper really has no chance against all that sweetness, charm, and sex appeal, except...

Harper Gaines is stuck, mired in grief, and unable to move forward. Reinhardt's depiction of her is so realistic, so relatable. My heart bled for her. I could feel her pain so acutely, moved to tears more than once. I appreciate the journey that was crafted for her, the time and patience given as she navigates the incredibly difficult process of moving on with life and courageously opening her heart a second time. 

I enjoyed the gradual evolution of the friendship between Cam and Harper that slowly deepens into more, the respect and support they give to one another, and the sizzle of attraction that, while always there, waits patiently on the back burner until the time is right. I love the connections that are forged between Harper and other women in River's Edge, how each one opens a pathway toward healing. And I love the layers within Cam that give his character unexpected depth without losing that special light that shines from his heart. 

River's Edge really is a magical place. I wish it was real. I wish I could visit and spend time with all of the wonderful characters who inhabit Nan Reinhardt's fictional world. They feel real to me. I'm emotionally invested in their lives, their well-being, their happiness.

If you're looking for heart-tugging, small-town, contemporary romance with a strong sense of community, emotional depth, a sprinkling of humor, feel-good romance, and a hard-won, happy ending, check out Made for Mistletoe. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. If you're new to River's Edge, don't worry. You can jump in with Made for Mistletoe and do just fine. 

Review - - Make it Real

Make it Real

by Nan Reinhardt

The Walkers of River's Edge - Book 2

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

They were only faking it….

A landscape designer for his family’s construction firm, Joe Walker, is nearing completion on one of the most important projects of his career—gardens for spec homes that if they wow, Walker Construction will survive. When a freak accident sidelines him with a broken leg, the firm hires a competitor. Her ideas are radically different, but his stalker ex arrives to play nurse, and Joe needs more than gardening help.

After six-years working in English manor gardens, horticulturist Kara Sudbury returns to River’s Edge to help in her grandparents’ struggling garden center. She’s thrilled when Jackson Walker hires her to execute his injured cousin’s designs. Ignoring Joe is difficult because he’s as sexy now as he was in high school and even more stubborn. But when Joe asks Kara to play the role of girlfriend, they strike a deal that will help Joe handle his tenacious ex and put Sudbury’s Nursery back in the black. Kara’s up for the subterfuge…for a price, but then the pretense feels real, and Kara is reminded that every rose has its thorns.

PJ's Thoughts:

Nan Reinhardt takes readers back to River's Edge for another heartfelt journey to love. This time it's a fake relationship story - one of my favorite romance tropes - with a bit of professional competition thrown into the mix. 

I enjoyed the friendship that blossomed between Joe and Kara that eventually developed into deeper feelings. The banter between them sparkles, including humor that is always prevalent in a River's Edge story, but nicely balanced by emotional depth. 

Family is a strong theme is this story, on both Joe's and Kara's sides, eliciting both laughter and tears as with families in real life. I've enjoyed getting to know the Walkers and am looking forward to more of them getting their own stories. 

Community is also central to the River's Edge stories. It's always fun to catch up with members of this close-knit community as well as featured couples from earlier books. For fans of the series, it's an opportunity to take a peek into the ongoing happily ever afters of favorite couples while those new to River's Edge should be able to jump in with Make it Real without missing a beat. 

If you enjoy closed-door small-town romance with an enjoyable blend of humor and heart, strong community ties, and a heartfelt happily ever after, I enthusiastically recommend visiting Nan Reinhardt's River's Edge. Why not begin with Make it Real.

Review - - Make You Mine

Make You Mine

by Nan Reinhardt

The Walker Family - Book 1

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: April 16, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

When his family’s company is on the line, business and pleasure definitely don’t mix, but maybe they should…

Madeline Ross left the city and a career glass ceiling behind, hoping to build a new life as the crew supervisor for Walker Construction in River’s Edge. She’s qualified and experienced, but new CEO Jackson Walker hires someone else. Even as she searches for a different job and builds a life in River’s Edge, the sexy memory of Jack teases.

After a rough year, Jackson Walker’s family business is still struggling. He needs a new construction crew supervisor, and Maddie Ross is perfect, except for the first time in his life, player Jack is suddenly smitten with the curvaceous redhead. He wants her in his bed more than on his payroll.

When his second-rate new hire is a disastrous mistake, Jack humbles himself on Maddie’s doorstep with an offer she can’t refuse. Maddie could be the key to saving his company as long as he hides his heart. But does he have to?

PJ's Thoughts:

Nan Reinhardt takes readers back to River's Edge with the first book in a new trilogy set within a familiar world. If you read her Weaver Sisters trilogy, you've already met Jackson Walker but if you're new to the River's Edge books, you can easily jump in with this new book, Make You Mine.

I always enjoy my visits to River's Edge and this one is no exception. Watching confirmed bachelors fall hard is one of my romance joys and Jack, at 39, is more fun than most. This guy is hard-core single, arrogant, and independent, with a string of one-night stands behind him. To see him totally smitten, stumbling over his words, and blushing like a middle schooler was a such a joy. Of course, it takes a while for him to own up to his feelings but that's part of the fun with this guy.

Maddie is one of my favorite River's Edge heroines. I respect her for following her heart into a career considered a man's domain. She's confident, skilled, and carries a take-charge attitude that throws Jack for a loop. I appreciated the fact that she doesn't compromise who she is and how Jack begins to evolve because of that. 

In addition to Maddie's and Jack's romantic journey, this book also has a bit of suspense to it with a defining moment climax that had me cheering and gasping at the same time.

Fans of the earlier River's Edge books will no doubt be delighted with the number of character cameos in this book while, as I mentioned above, those new to Reinhardt should have no difficulties beginning with Make You Mine.  

Review - - Christmas in River's Edge

Christmas in River's Edge

by Nan Reinhardt

The Weaver Sisters - Book 3

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: October 23, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

You can go home again…

After a painful divorce from her high school sweetheart, triplet Jenny Weaver returns to River’s Edge with her young son. While happy to be reunited with her sisters and working at the family’s marina, she has no intention of jumping into the dating pool, especially going into the holidays. Then Gabe Dawson, once a shy nerd who tutored her in history classes, arrives home transformed into a handsome hunk who makes her pulse race.

Archeologist and history professor Gabe Dawson thought he’d long ago outgrown his teen crush on Jenny. Back in town for a few months to help his mom post surgery, he can’t resist reaching out to Jenny. She’s as beautiful, warm, and funny as he remembered and soon Gabe is reconsidering his future.

Gabe is determined to seize this second chance, but can he convince a very wary Jenny that a globe-trotter is ready to come home for good this Christmas?

PJ's Thoughts:

Each new book set in Nan Reinhardt's River's Edge continues to get better and better and better. Each couple's story feels fresh and new - able to be enjoyed on its own - while also evoking a sense of home and familiarity gained through the previous couples' journeys. We're ten books into the series and I haven't even begun to tire of it. That's due in no small part to the fact that the author has separated the books into three mini-series: one quartet and two trilogies. That enables series fans (like me) to revisit beloved characters and follow along with their evolving relationships while allowing new readers to jump in at a variety of points without feeling lost or confused. As for me, a reader who started with book one, I'd be blissfully happy if Reinhardt continued to write about River's Edge characters for the rest of her career. I love them that much. 

In Christmas in River's Edge, the third book in the Weaver Sisters Trilogy (they're triplets!), Reinhardt brings us a second-chance romance between Jenny, a divorced single mom, and Gabe, a hot college professor with a nerdy core. I loved these two so much. Each character is fully developed, with intriguing layers, relatable life challenges, and heart-tugging charm. It was enjoyable to watch Jenny evolve into a woman of courage and strength with the determination to follow her dreams after too many years in a miserable marriage. 

Gabe flat out stole my heart. This man needs to be protected at all costs. The love and respect he has for Jenny, how he nurtures their relationship, encourages her dreams, and is always at her side if needed, supporting but not trying to lead. That's especially crucial in her dealings with her ex-husband, the father of her young son, Luke. I loved Gabe's relationship with Luke but I also appreciated how Gabe handled the relationship between Luke and his father, Jenny's ex, Ryan. There was an easy direction the author could have taken their relationships with Ryan as well as Ryan's own personal journey but she chose a different path, one that took the story to a deeper emotional, but hopeful, level. I'm curious to know if we'll see him again. I'm always up for a good redemption story. 

All of this is set within the charm and holiday atmosphere of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas in River's Edge. There's plenty of good feelings, love, humor, family ties, emotional depth, and happy endings all wrapped up with a festive bow. I loved it. 

Review - - Meet Me in River's Edge

Meet Me in River's Edge

by Nan Reinhardt

The Weaver Sisters - - Book 2

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: August 17, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

He ticks every one of her “never again” boxes…

Jo Weaver loves her job as a boat mechanic for her family’s marina in River’s Edge, Indiana. But when she’s pulled away from her high school reunion with her sisters to fix a stranded yacht, she can’t restrain her irritation. Jo doesn’t like wealthy men who think they can have whatever they want, and she has no intention of falling for rich and charming again.

Born into the international Briggs Hotels empire, Alex Briggs has never felt comfortable with his life of privilege. Abandoning his family’s business to pursue medical research, he’s far more at home in his lab. When the yacht he restored himself breaks down on the way to an important conference, Alex begrudgingly goes in search of a boat mechanic and falls, literally, into Jo Weaver’s arms. The fireworks he feels are impossible to ignore.

Jo does her best to keep Alex in the business zone, but he keeps slipping into something more. Can she trust her fragile heart, especially when Alex and his life-altering research are so far from River’s Edge?

PJ's Thoughts:

If you're a regular here you already know how much I've been enjoying the books set in Nan Reinhardt's River's Edge. I love this town and the people who live there. Each one of their stories has touched my heart but this one, Meet Me in River's Edge, didn't just touch my heart, it out and out stole it. Jo and Alex are my favorite River's Edge couple. I've read their book twice. Pretty sure I'll be revisiting them again...and again...and again. 

There's so much to love about this couple and their up and down journey to a happy ending, all of which Reinhardt executes flawlessly. We have triplet sisters dynamics, a relationship-averse heroine, smitten hero, snappy banter, mountains of emotional baggage, swoony romance, complicated family (hero), perfectly placed humor, drool-worthy food, delicious chemistry (kissing only), life-threatening obstacles, and a grand gesture that I read while sobbing happy tears. Sobbing.

I love the time the author takes with Jo and Alex, not only developing their relationship gradually but also their individual characters as well as relationships with those surrounding them. Jo's father and Rich, the man who is more father to Alex than his actual father are particular favorites. I like how she weaves mistaken assumptions into the story, as is often the case in real life, as a way of growing both Jo's and Alex's characters and showing that first impressions are not always correct. I also appreciate the communication between Jo and Alex and the way they slowly open themselves emotionally to one another, though that is significantly tested during a particular crisis. Again, a turn in the story that is realistic and relatable, leading to the forgiveness, understanding, and healing which is necessary to move forward and claim that happily ever after. 

Meet Me in River's Edge is book two in Nan Reinhardt's Weaver Sisters trilogy set within the author's River's Edge world. Characters from earlier books pop in and out of the story but it's written in such a way that readers new to River's Edge should not be confused or feel as if they are missing something. Jump in here and enjoy the ride.