Book Review: The Forever Cowboy by Jody Hedlund


✨ The Forever Cowboy by Jody Hedlund✨

After running away from her wedding and hiding for months, Violet Berkley is back home in the high country of Colorado. Her father’s gambling debt has caught up to him, and he wants Violet and her sister to help him pay it off by working as dancing girls in a saloon. Rather than face such degradation, Violet seeks out the one man she hopes might be willing to help her.

Sterling Noble doesn’t want anything to do with Violet after being jilted at the altar by her. He doesn’t want to see her, be near her, or even speak to her. But when she shows up on his doorstep in desperate straits, he’s too kind—and maybe still too in love with her—to do anything but protect her.

Violet knows she doesn’t deserve another chance with Sterling, but she wants to prove she’s a new woman. But has she really changed, or are the insecurities still there? Sterling tries hard to resist his old feelings for Violet because his broken heart can’t take another beating. But as the danger closes in, he’s afraid he’ll lose her all over again.

✨ My 1st read of 2026 ✨

I will never grow tired of reading Jody Hedlund novels! The Forever Cowboy was a great start to my 2026 reading journey! This sweet, clean romance was a memorable story of facing your fears and trusting in the beauty of love. Sterling is everything you want in a man-- compassionate, loyal, and resilient--whereas Violet is a considerate, kind, and perceptive young woman. If you love an enemies-to-lovers romance with themes of trusting again, a pretend engagement, and ranch life, I highly recommend this heartfelt story!

If you enjoy stories with:

✨ Runaway bride

✨ Jilted groom

✨ Second chances

✨ Stuck together

✨ Pretend engagement

✨ Enemies to lovers

✨ Cowboy shoot-out

You'll love this one! ❤️

✨ The Forever Cowboy is the first novel in the "Noble Ranch" series, though it can be read as a standalone. Suitable for young adult readers and older. ✨

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Western

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you for the complimentary copy, @jodyhedlund

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