Holding Out for a Cowboy

Pine (Only a Cowboy Will Do) launches her Murphys of Meadow Valley series with this endearing second-chance romance. Small-town high school sweethearts Casey Walsh and Boone Murphy dreamed of a future together, even agreeing to marry when Casey unexpectedly became pregnant at 18. But then she lost the baby—and Boone wasn’t there (for a good reason, as it turns out). Heartbroken, they parted ways. Casey dropped out of cosmetology school and has been working at her family’s bar ever since, while Boone helms his own garage and dreams of bigger things. Now he’s planning to move out of town with his new fiancée, posh real estate agent Elizabeth Westfield, who helps him to sell his garage—but, the day of the wedding, he can’t say “I do.” That same day, Casey has an interview to re-enroll in school, but her car breaks down en route. She’s shocked when Boone, the runaway groom, comes to her rescue. Are they finally in a place to rekindle their romance? Standout supporting characters—especially Casey’s bestie Ivy and the surprisingly sympathetic Elizabeth—ably underpin the cleverly plotted romance. Fans of second-chance love stories will eagerly devour this charming tale. (Nov.)