ONCE UPON A COWBOY

*** Formerly published in 2015 by Penguin Random House under the same title. This book has not been revised from the original. ***



USA TODAY® Bestselling author Maggie McGinnis welcomes us back to Montana's Whisper Creek Ranch, where fairy tales can come true …



Yoga instructor Jessalyn Alcott radiates peace, calm, and serenity—on the outside. Inside, she still feels like the broken, desperate girl from the trailer park. She’s got dark secrets she can’t share, which is why she never lets her relationships go beyond the third date. But when she travels to the Whisper Creek dude ranch for a friend’s wedding, Jess is enchanted by a cowboy whose deep blue eyes, dimpled smile, and rock-hard body make it tough to remember why she keeps running scared.



Cole Driscoll has struggled to find his place on a family ranch where he’s always played second fiddle. His future might be uncertain, but he’s sure of one thing: He wants Jess by his side. But when it comes to getting close, she’s full of excuses, and he longs to fix the hurt he sees in her eyes. Now that she’s at Whisper Creek, there’s nothing he wants more than to break down the walls around her heart and heal her pain with the power of love.



Reader Note: This story contains elements of historical childhood abuse and relationship violence.



Reviews



“The characters will capture your heart and envelope you in their fears and struggles to find that forever love. . . . Maggie McGinnis is a brilliant writer.”—Fresh Fiction



“There are equal measures of heartache and joy sprinkled throughout the read, making it a story that engulfs the reader.”—Examiner.com



“What a beautiful, emotionally charged story this was! Maggie McGinnis has written a book that will draw you in from the first chapter and take you on an emotional journey. She’ll make you smile and also have you grabbing a tissue, but in the end she has woven a tale that will make any doubter believe in happily ever afters.”—Em and M Books



“If [you] haven’t read Maggie McGinnis’s work before, do yourself a favor and pick up Once Upon a Cowboy now.”—Okie Dreams Book Reviews



“A sweet, romantic read with two people who deserve happiness in their lives.”—I Have a Book Obsession



“An emotional read from the first page to the last. . . . Whisper Creek seems to be idyllic. . . . Between the homes, the scenery, the tours, the soon-to-be spa, the kids, the horses, the family and friends it’s a place I wouldn’t mind living.”—Romancing the Book



“[Once Upon a Cowboy] reaches in and grabs onto the heartstrings and just won’t let go. Emotional and heartbreaking, this is a touching story about the healing power of love. . . . McGinnis handles the issues delicately and respectfully but still maintains a lighthearted tone. The location was so charming and characters so well written that this was a fun story to read.”—The Sassy Bookster



“This is a fantastically written book by Maggie McGinnis and I recommend you get this added to your TBR list!”—Reflections of a Book Geek



“The setting blew me away and I loved spending time in Carefree once again. I fervently hope this won’t be the last book in the series!”—Swept Away by Romance



“I loved this series, and especially these characters. I would highly recommend this book, my favorite in the series.”—Home. Love. Books.



“Thank you, Maggie McGinnis, for bringing these characters to life in your Whisper Creek series!”—A Season for All Things



“Once Upon a Cowboy grabbed me from the very first page.”—Twin Spin