Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Cowboy Holiday
AUTHOR: Lane Hayes
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 3 hours and 59 minutes
RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2026
BLURB:
The cowboy, the rancher, and a little holiday magic…
Tanner
I meet the grumpiest man on the planet, and I’m head over heels in lust. No joke. Oak Ridge Ranch’s new part-time-vet-slash-ranch-hand is a bear, and he’s built like one too. If I were smart, I’d keep my distance.
In a twist, I’m not so smart.
But I can tell that under his hard-as-nails exterior, the cowboy is a gentle giant. Axel is a devoted single dad, a dedicated vet, and…I think he likes me. Or he wants me.
I can work with that.
Axel
I need the job at the ranch through December; then I’m out of here. I have a kid to think of, and it’s time to settle old scores and build a new life. But Tanner complicates things. He’s smart, intuitive, charming, and—
Whoa! This is temporary. I’m not Tanner’s cowboy.
But I am attracted to him…and there’s nothing wrong with a little holiday fun, is there?
A Cowboy Holiday is an MM, bisexual romance featuring a single dad-cowboy-grump, a sweetheart of a rancher, and some holiday sparks.
REVIEW:
Tanner and Axel meet when Tanner goes to buy some livestock from a neighbor. Tanner owns a large diversified ranch that has animals, crops, high end dude ranching and cabins. When Tanner meets Axel, the new grumpy vet who he’s heard about, he’s stunned. Axel pushes all his buttons 😉 When the livestock is delivered to Tanner’s ranch, he offers Axel a job after he comes to check on an ill cow. Axel is interested, but he has to be honest – he’s got a part time job at a vet office and a five-year-old daughter. He will need some flexibility. Tanner is good with that though.
Axel enjoys working at the ranch. He grew up on a ranch in Texas and while he’s done a lot of things to make ends meet making his dream of becoming a vet. It wasn’t easy and then he ended up being a single father which had NOT been on his bingo card. His daughter Phoebe is the best thing that ever happened to him though no matter the struggles.
While Axel tries to keep up his grumpy facade, but Tanner sees behind it pretty quickly 😉 And when the mutual chemistry comes to a head, well the decide to indulge. Tanner shares his backstory with the vintner who is his ex but that doesn’t change their desire. There is also Axel’s daughter to consider, but she likes Mr. Tanner also 🙂 Besides, this relationship has a timeline because Axel has accepted a job in Texas to start after Christmas. This return to his old stomping grounds is something of a “I told you so” that he’s been working towards. He’s been through a lot in his life and he wants to make a triumphant return on his own terms. Turns out that might not be the most important thing any more 😉
This is a very sweet holiday story! I loved these two guys – Tanner the always sunny and happy businessman ranch owner and Axel is the grumpy and guarded single dad veterinarian who is just trying take care of his daughter and get back to where he once was. Their chemistry was very hot and I appreciated their communication. Turns out Axel wasn’t nearly as guarded as he was just private and protecting his heart and life. He’s been through a lot and Tanner both respects and admires that he is still so loving with his daughter after all that he’s been forced to handle. Of course as the months go on, they catch feelings, even though they don’t want to admit it 🙂 The holiday spirit really does infuse their interactions and plans. And Phoebe is in 100% agreement with her dad that Mr. Tanner is part of their little family. The epilogue was “chef’s kiss”.
Nick J. Russo does his usual stellar job of performing this book. I loved his voice choices for all of the wonderful characters here – especially Phoebe, Kitty, Jackson and rest of the supporting characters. But it’s Tanner’s sunny personality and vibrancy that pulls Axel out of his usual outer shell that really sells this romance. Axel and Tanner’s interactions are just spot on – right pacing, emotions and just plain sweetness. Another lovely marriage of story and narration. Highly recommended holiday morsel!
RATING: 
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