A Cowboy for Christmas by Lori Wilde
*A Cowboy for Christmas* is the third installment in Wilde’s Jubilee, Texas series, but it reads well as a standalone. The story revolves around Lissette, who is navigating life after the loss of her husband, Jake, in Afghanistan. Without being designated as his beneficiary, she faces the challenge of supporting herself and her young son, Kyle. Enter Rafferty, a horse trainer from California who returns to Jubilee to fulfill a promise.
As a fan of holiday stories, I was eagerly anticipating this book, ready to dive into the festive spirit with a warm cup of non-dairy hot cocoa. The overall concept is quite heartwarming, with elements that tugged at my heartstrings; however, there were significant execution issues that impacted my enjoyment.
One major concern was the heavy reliance on exposition, which often pulled me away from the narrative. For instance, in the opening scene where Lissette struggles to buy baking supplies, instead of experiencing her meltdown in real time, we are stuck in her thoughts, inundated with backstory and reflections. This disconnect made it hard to feel the intensity of her situation, rendering her experience less impactful.
The introduction of the Insta-Attraction trope further complicated my connection to the story. Within moments of meeting Lissette, Rafferty is caught up in his feelings for her, describing a sense of being trapped yet content. This rapid shift in emotion lacked the groundwork needed to credibly support such an intense reaction. While chemistry is evident, a believable emotional foundation was missing.
I did appreciate Lissette’s character development—she actively confronted her tendency to please others and sought to assert her independence. Her journey of self-discovery was commendable, and by the end, she demonstrated growth by establishing boundaries.
Rafferty, on the other hand, seemed almost too perfect, embodying a rescuer archetype without much depth. His actions and internal monologue felt overly balanced, resembling self-help platitudes rather than realistic dilemmas. While he encouraged Lissette, I found it concerning that he bore the brunt of a pivotal pact toward the story's conclusion, overshadowing her active role in her own life decisions.
Despite these challenges, the narrative did pick up in the second half, providing a more engaging pace and resolution. The familiarity of holiday storytelling offered a comforting aspect, even if some plot developments felt predictable.
In summary, while *A Cowboy for Christmas* has elements of charm and potential for warmth, it struggles with exposition and character depth, which detracts from the emotional resonance. Fans of holiday romances might still find enjoyment here, especially with a cozy drink in hand.
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