This holiday short story compilation includes stories from three authors. If you’re new to my reviews, you may wonder why I’ve only reviewed two of the three stories. I’m a huge Kate Pearce fan and especially love her short stories so I cannot pass up the opportunity for an ARC from her when presented. But she often does compilation books with an author I am not a fan of and I hate reading something I know won’t work for me just to give an author (beloved by many, just not by me) a bad review. It doesn’t seem fair to her and wastes my time. I’ve learned it’s best just to skip her story in these books.

The Most Wonderful Rancher of the Year
by Kate Pearce

This story was the HEA for some peripheral characters from this author’s Three Cowboys series. I’ll admit that the books in that series overall fell flat for me. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but it didn’t live up to my other experiences with Kate Pearce. This book had everything I was missing from the other books. Heart, angst, love, happiness, and a couple who fit together like a perfect puzzle.

Pen and Rob both have loving families that don’t understand them. While Rob’s family isn’t featured in person, it’s obvious he misses them being in his life. As for Pen, she makes a lot of excuses for the way her family downplays her accomplishments and inadvertently holds her back. She knows the things they do are out of love, but by trying to keep the peace she is hurting herself. She had me in tears and I couldn’t wait for her to stand up for herself and for Rob to have her back. When that came about, it was beautiful. I love these two and I love their story.

~5 stars
Ages 14 and up
CW: addiction

Her Christmas Cowboy
by Delores Fossen

What a fun whirlwind this story is! I love how the couple initially met years ago, I love the nosy family members and townspeople, I love how careful Reese and Zack are with each other. It’s a fantastic Christmas novella, even if you’ve never read anything by this author. I’ve only read a few of her short stories in compilations like this one, but I need to read more. I always enjoy her stories.

Zack and Reese have a great connection and, although their relationship evolves quickly, they cannot deny they would be great together. The swiftness of their romance is addressed and actually used within the plot. They are speed-dating to the extreme. They aren’t the only ones who have an insta-love connection, either. It’s wonderful and heartwarming all around.

~4 stars
Ages 15 and up
CW: cheating, bigamy

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.5 (46 ratings)
Price	$7.11
Category	Anthologies

Here Comes Cowboy Claus