Jake Ramsay is finally going home to the Thunder Mountain Ranch for Christmas. His work as a firefighter had kept him away for the past few years. And in his opinion, not a moment too soon after seeing the fire hazard his foster brothers have made of the outdoor Christmas decorations. Jake is often overprotective of those he loves, he worries about everyone's safety. During the summer, he had spent a torrid night with Amethyst Ferguson, whom he briefly dated in high school. Amethyst is now a pop singer enjoying some local success in Wyoming, and she's contemplating a move to Los Angeles to further her career. Neither Jake nor Amethyst wants a relationship, but they agree that their sexual chemistry shall not go to waste. But can they keep it casual, or will their respective careers even get in the way of a no-strings relationship?

For me, it wouldn't feel like Christmas without Vicki Lewis Thompson's sexy cowboys, and this year, we're in for an extra special treat. Aside from the fabulous banter between the foster brothers, the warm, homey atmosphere of the Padgett household, the foster brothers' foster parents, COWBOY UNWRAPPED is one of Ms. Lewis Thompson's better crafted stories. There are some truly great moments in COWBOY UNWRAPPED, from the opening paragraphs which are straight out of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation; a tricky sleigh ride; Jake and Amethyst having to find creative ways of having sex without drawing attention to themselves; there are a lot of fun scenes.

Both Jake and Amethyst are genuinely charming people, and I loved how honest and open they were with each other, and their relationship is just lovely: they both have an adult outlook on their relationship. Jake is a rare bird in romance: he's an emotionally brave man, he's secure, and he and Amethyst were so good together that I was hoping that they could make it work out; they just had to. I really felt invested in their relationship, in their destiny. COWBOY UNWRAPPED is a great read, even by Vicki Lewis Thompson standards, and that is saying a lot!

Book Summary

This cowboy can handle the heat…

For cowboy and firefighter Jake Ramsay, Christmas at Thunder Mountain Ranch is all about family, food and celebration. Okay, and maybe a chance to run into his high school sweetheart, singer Amethyst Ferguson. Six months ago, they had a scorching-hot, wild reunion…and this cowboy can't wait for another chance to play with fire.

Now their sexual attraction is an insatiable, five-alarm blaze that's only grown more addictive. But Amethyst has career dreams that don't include Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or a "relationship." Whatever this is between them, however real it feels, it can never become anything more. Once Christmas is over, Amethyst must walk away…even if they both get burned.