Cowboy's Christmas Rodeo Leslie North Presents by Mary Sue Jackson and Leslie North.

A reasonable read from these two authors even if slow in parts . The book does what you want from a romantic read with a little heat thrown in.3.5/5

I enjoyed this book the story of childhood sweethearts who fake being together in order to help each other out lots of twists and turns in the book

This was a really cute story about childhood friends and almost sweethearts Axel and Belle. I really enjoyed how their relationship developed, but I felt there was some needless drama towards the end just to force them apart. I also thought the ending was a little rushed, but, overall, I had fun reading this.

This was a fun, heart warming Christmas read. I love Christmas and cowboys so this was right up my alley!

Loved Axle and Belle’s story. Doesn’t get any better than a second chance love story! Add in a rodeo, Christmas and an old enemy trying to outshine our hero! Perfect Christmas read!

I have read Leslie North's books before, but this may actually be one of my favorites. This is an easy read that has a good story - although not much Christmas stuff involved in the book even though it takes place during the Christmas break. Other than that, I wouldn't consider it a Christmas story.

Axel is a champion rodeo rider who has been away from his Colorado hometown for 10 years. He left a girl back home, Belle. He and Belle had been best friends for years and they had just started to cross the line into a romantic relationship when her father (unknowingly to Belle) told Axel to leave town and not come back because he wasn't good enough for his daughter. Axel always had self-esteem issues so this fed right into his demons. The problem is he left Belle without ever telling her "goodbye". Belle suffered heartbreak for years not knowing what she had done wrong.

Axel is back in town for one last rodeo - once he wins this rodeo, he plans to purchase the ranch his parents had to sell and settle down into his former hometown. But his temper may get him kicked off the rodeo before it ever begins - he realizes he needs Belle's calming influence in his life to keep that from happening. He and Belle agree to a "fake relationship" leading up to the rodeo to keep him out of trouble. This is a popular theme for a book, but this one is done right. It's an enjoyable read that I recommend.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

Leslie North consistently brings great characters and passionate romance to life. As a big fan of North's, her name provokes an automatic one-click from me. I am always entertained. Highly recommend.

Axel King has come back to his home town for the local rodeo which is named the Christmas Rodeo. His goal is to win and buy back the family’s ranch. If he could see and maybe be with Belle would make everything just that much better being back in Pride River. Turns out he would meet her his first day back when she stops him from fighting just like she did back when they were growing up. Now all of these years later she has done the same thing.
Now the two of them have worked out a plan to fake being together. This would help both of them for he would help her get the therapy program started when and if he can get the money for the ranch. Everything goes well until she needs to do a case study for her Ph.D. and she submits the subject she knows best, Axel. When he finds out everything falls apart.
Will he win the rodeo, can he pull his head out of his behind to see her for how much she really cares for him? Read this wonderful story about two people finding themselves.

A cowboy rodeo romance and a lot of “rain” on the rodeo parade. Lots of negativity and lost chances. The book was a good read, but long in places and I had trouble liking the main characters. Just my opinion, others may love this one. Grab this one if cowboy drama is your go to.

Who doesn’t love a hot cowboy? Add in a friends-to-lovers holiday romance and you get an unforgettable happily-ever-after.

Axel might have left town long ago, but that doesn’t mean Pride River isn’t still home. And he’s certainly never forgotten the girl he left behind. His best friend, Belle. There were so many tropes in this book it kept things interesting. Cowboys, hometown celebrity, unrequited love, friends-to-lovers, and more. I admit it didn’t hook me immediately. The first chapter or two was a little slow but it didn’t take long before I was eager to find out what happened next.

Petty rivalry between Axel and another cowboy adds just enough drama, along with Belle’s matchmaking mother, who dislikes rodeo cowboys. It would seem things were set to keep Axel and Belle apart, but it only brought them closer together. It wasn’t long before they realized their pretend relationship wasn’t all that fake after all.

Belle is strong, sassy, and determined to achieve her dreams. I loved her character. She didn’t back down from a chalkboard refused to let anyone get in her way. But she had one weakness... Axel.

I think Axel was a bit harder for me to like. For a rodeo cowboy, he didn’t have much swagger. If anything, he seemed full of self-doubt and kept disparaging himself. When I think of cowboy romances, especially rodeo cowboys, I expect a certain amount of cockiness. While he claimed to be cocky, he didn’t come across that way at all. I don’t mind a more tender, sweet hero, but he wasn’t the least bit alpha to me which was kind of a turnoff. Yet he and Belle were perfectly matched.

Cowboys Christmas Rodeo was an enjoyable story with a happily-ever-after guaranteed to make you smile. If you want a lower heat, feel good Christmas book, look no further—you just found it.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read Cowboy’s Christmas Rodeo. The review above is only my opinion.**

I read this book in one sitting! I loved the characters and the storyline (and having it themed around Christmas was an added bonus). Definitely put this book in your reading list!

Axel was so worried about his temper. I think that it's fantastic that he's so self aware. He knows that Belle is a calming place for him. Cowboy's Christmas Rodeo, is heavy on rodeo and light on Christmas.