• The Cowboy's Forbidden Love ebook cover — Cornerstone Ranch Book 2 clean cowboy romance by Hope August
  • The Cowboy’s Forbidden Love by Hope August displayed on an e-reader on a rustic wooden table.
  • Cornerstone Ranch Christmas keepsake letter from the couple, sent during the next Christmas season. Mailed to U.S. order addresses; international readers receive email. Orders after December 1 receive the following season’s letter.
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Hope August Inc

The Cowboy's Forbidden Love - Clean Cowboy Romance (Cornerstone Ranch Book 2) (eBook)

The Cowboy's Forbidden Love - Clean Cowboy Romance (Cornerstone Ranch Book 2) (eBook)

$7.99 USD
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The Cowboy’s Forbidden Love is a clean cowboy romance about Colt Stone and Harper, his late fiancée’s sister. Grief, a revealing letter, and feelings neither can ignore bring them together in Cornerstone Ranch Book 2, a kisses-only romance with a guaranteed happy ending.

Perfect for fans of Jessie Gussman.

Book 2 in the Cornerstone Ranch Series

She's his late fiancée's sister. Falling for her would be the ultimate betrayal.

One year after losing Katelynn, Colt Stone lives in a grief so deep it's become his identity. He works the ranch. He avoids his brothers. He visits her grave every Sunday.

Then Harper arrives to collect her sister's belongings.

Harper carries her own grief—and a secret. A letter from Katelynn that changes everything Colt thought he knew about love, loss, and letting go.

As Harper's artistic spirit starts bringing color back to Colt's gray world, he's torn between honoring Katelynn's memory and the undeniable pull toward the one woman who understands his loss.

But Harper's hiding more than just a letter. And when the truth comes out, Colt must decide: Is loving Harper a betrayal of the past, or exactly what Katelynn wanted for his future?

Sometimes the most forbidden love is the one that sets you free...

📚 BINGE THE COMPLETE SERIES! Get the prequel and Books 1–5 in the six-ebook Cornerstone Ranch bundle.

Perfect for readers who love: ✨ Forbidden romance ✨ Grief to healing journey ✨ Sister's best friend trope (reversed) ✨ Slow burn emotion ✨ Kisses-only clean romance ✨ Guaranteed happily ever after

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Read a Sample

Chapter 1

Misery was his companion. It had seen Colt through the last year of his life, and at this point, he couldn’t see a future without that cold friend by his side. He barely remembered losing his parents when he’d been a child. They had been there one day and gone the next. His memories had long since faded, and all he had were the pictures and video recordings to keep them alive.
But that was how it went with losing a family member. They were part of your life. You didn’t get to choose them, but you could learn to appreciate them all the same. They had to love you no matter what and vice versa.
Losing a spouse was different.
Katelynn hadn’t just landed in his lap, and he’d decided to go with it.
He could remember the first day he’d seen her as if it was yesterday. He had been a senior in high school, and he’d gone to the rodeo with his grandparents. The crowds bordered on being out of control. No one could move five steps without bumping into someone else.
And yet he had been able to see her from a quarter mile away.
Katelynn stood with some other girls on the metal rungs of the fenced-in area, talking to some rodeo cowboys. They laughed, flirted, and smiled like most girls their age did, but all Colt could do was stare.
Her blond hair had been pulled back into a ponytail, but bits and pieces had come loose and framed her face. Every so often, a breeze would pick up those tendrils and send them floating as if they had minds of their own.
She never looked in his direction, but he knew that one day, he’d get her attention and make her his. It had taken him a couple weeks to find out who she was and that she was in the area visiting her grandparents. But once he introduced himself, the rest was history.
A short engagement, followed by the best two years of his life.
And now, what did he have to show for it? The shadow of what could have been lurking over his shoulder, that was what. Grief, misery, loneliness.
At least his brothers knew to leave him be. And he’d done his part to hide his true feelings. They didn’t have to deal with him and his attitude. He’d retreated into the shell of what he once was and put on a mask to appease those around him.
Today was different.
Today, he was going to allow himself to feel all the feelings.
Katelynn’s heart had finally given out after the discovery of a congenital heart problem that had only surfaced after they’d gotten together.
The doctors should never have insisted that she would be fine. They should never have given him false hope.
Colt stood in the attic, where he’d moved all of Katelynn’s belongings that didn’t fit in his bedroom. There were clothes, books, shoes, and various other items he couldn’t bring himself to get rid of. Disposing of them felt wrong, and donating them meant he had to officially let go. He wasn’t strong enough for either option.
He glanced over to a box that was labeled “wedding.” His heart constricted. She’d saved some of the most mundane stuff. Napkins with their initials on them. The fake flowers from the centerpieces because she hadn’t wanted to kill flowers for just one day. There were disposable cameras they’d never had the chance to get developed. He’d been through it all, and it still hurt to think about it.
The only reason he was up here was because today was the anniversary of the day he’d kissed her for the last time and told her goodbye. A machine had been keeping her alive, but he could tell she was ready to let go.
Colt shut his eyes tight, his hands clenching into fists at his sides, but even his nails digging into his palms weren’t enough to ease the ache in his chest. His own heart had broken that day, and there was nothing any doctor could do to fix it.
After a few minutes, he took a deep breath and settled onto the floor to go through the things he’d told himself he wouldn’t touch again. He found the box of pictures and shuffled through them. She had been so vibrant. It wasn’t fair that her life had been cut short so quickly. The rate at which she deteriorated had even surprised her doctors.
He shoved the pictures into their box and pushed it away. He needed to clear his head before he went through anything else.
Colt slipped out of the house. It was early, and his brothers would be getting up to work around the ranch. If he was fast, he’d miss seeing them, and he could get out to the barn without being seen. A ride would do him some good.
He hurried across the lawn and toward the barn. But when he rounded the doorway, he stopped cold. His twin leaned casually against the stall door where Colt’s horse was stabled. He glanced lazily over at Colt but didn’t flash a smile like he usually did. Out of everyone in their family, Wyatt was the only one who didn’t push Colt to move on. Whether it was due to their connection as twins or simply because he was the most protective brother in their family remained to be seen.
“I thought you’d be out here sooner,” Wyatt drawled. “What took you so long?”
“What are you talking about?” Colt murmured, moving forward. “I didn’t have any plans with you. I took the day off so I could be by myself.” He stopped in front of the stall and flicked his fingers at his twin. “Now, you should probably move so I can get my horse and go for a ride.”
Wyatt didn’t move right away. The concern shone in his eyes as they penetrated Colt like they’d done numerous times before. “I’m not letting you spend today alone.”
Colt snorted. “There’s nothing you can really do about it. I have the day off and—”
“So do I.”
Colt stiffened. “Luke would never—”
“Actually, Luke thinks it’s a great idea.”
“I don’t believe you. There’s too much to do around here.”
“And everyone is worried you’re going to have some kind of relapse.”
The frown Colt wore deepened. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, little brother, that we have four and a half years left of staying on this ranch together before we reap any of the benefits. If you decide to take off and the lawyer or anyone else finds out, then we’re up a creek.”
Colt lifted his chin, appraising his twin. “I can’t tell whether to be disappointed or relieved.”
Wyatt lifted a brow. “About what?”
“Here I thought you were waiting to help me. But in reality, you’re only here to protect the family ranch.”
“That’s not what I said,” Wyatt argued, pushing away from the stall and moving toward him. He poked Colt in the shoulder hard enough to cause a bruising pain. “You know well enough that I would never leave you to handle today on your own. I know exactly what you’re feeling, because I feel it too.” He slammed his fist against his own chest. “No one knows why it happens, but it does.”
“Well, I’m sorry to be such a burden,” Colt muttered, attempting to move past Wyatt and reach for the handle on the stall door.
Wyatt blocked him. “I get that you’re hurting. I really do. And I’m not here to tell you how to grieve or that you don’t deserve your quiet time. But I’m your brother, and I get to tell you when you’re moving into a self-destructive phase. The longer you linger on these feelings of yours, the worse it’s going to get.”
Colt glowered at his brother. If anyone else had said those words to him, he might have clocked them, given the way he was feeling in this moment. Fortunately, he knew better than to pick a fight with Wyatt. They might have been twins, but his brother had spent most of his time working on his physique rather than finding love. If they’d gone head to head, Colt would have been down on the ground, calling uncle, in a matter of seconds.
Wyatt jerked his head down the aisle. “I got my horse saddled and ready to go. I figured you’d want to go for a ride to get out of the house today. I know we can’t exactly visit her grave since she was buried in another state…”
“It’s fine,” Colt muttered. That fact was the one that disappointed him the most. He didn’t have anywhere he could pay his respects. Her family got to have that privilege. It made him wish he hadn’t agreed to move closer to them when she’d asked.
He shook off those memories and set to work saddling his horse.
Wyatt seemed to have figured out that it would be better not to talk anymore after their little conversation. They went for their ride, wandering along trails and even some that hadn’t been made by people. When they got far enough out into the pastures that weren’t as well maintained, they even saw some wildlife. A coyote darted through a fence. Rabbits scurried to a hole beneath a tree. Birds flew.
While Katelynn had appreciated nature, she’d valued living in the city more. She wanted the easy access to stores and civilization. That was something they’d differed on. Even when he’d moved to the city, he had missed this place. If he were really honest with himself, he would admit that this whole charade his grandfather had cooked up had ended up saving him.
The truth was, he needed his brothers.
Their horses plodded along, snapping twigs and branches in their path. He allowed himself to breathe in the fresh early-morning air if only to settle his mood. Katelynn wouldn’t want him to dwell on his loss. She would be telling him to move on. Well, if she wanted that so badly, she could give him a sign.
If something were to happen in his life that tore him from his despair, he might actually believe she had moved on and wanted him to be happy. Until that happened, he was going to do things his way.
“We should probably head back.” Wyatt’s quiet voice broke into his thoughts. “We’ve been riding for almost two hours. The horses need a rest.”
Colt glanced at his brother out of the corner of his eye. “Yeah, okay.”
“You going to go back to the attic?”
He shot Wyatt a surprised look. “How did you—”
“I saw the light on through the cracks of the panel.”
“Of course you did.”
“So are you going to get rid of some stuff?”
“No.” He said it firmly and without apology.
“Why not?”
“It’s not mine to give.”
“Colt—”
“And it’s none of your business what I do with my wife’s things.”
Wyatt’s jaw tightened, but then he nodded sharply.
They headed back the way they’d come and arrived at the barn a little before noon. Colt was about to pull the saddle from his horse when Wyatt waved him off. “I’ll take care of it. You do what you need.”
Colt nodded without a word and trudged toward the house. Just as he got to the top of the stairs, he heard a car coming up the drive. He turned, expecting Claire.
But he was wrong. The car was a rental. Colt frowned, peering from beneath his Stetson to see who was behind the wheel, but the glare was too strong. Whoever it was parked the car and pushed open the door.
His heart stopped.
Katelynn hadn’t had a twin, but she did have a younger sister who could have passed as one. Harper stood straight, her arm resting on the open door as she stared at Colt. Her blond hair fluttered in the afternoon breeze and she flashed him a smile. “Hi, Colt.”

Series Order

(Prequel) The Cowboy's Tattered Heart
1. The Cowboy's Second Chance
2. The Cowboy's Forbidden Love
3. The Cowboy's City Girl
4. The Cowboy's Love Bet
5. The Cowboy's Redemption

View the complete reading order and book links.

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Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 39 reviews.

Customer photo review of A Sweet Paradise Holiday Reunion (eBook)

I really enjoyed A Sweet Paradise Holiday Reunion. It was fast paced, quirky, and a fun story to read. While we all understand love rarely happens as quickly as it does in stories, I still hoped Kate would resolve her trust issues and give Liam an opening to confide the truth. I was frustrated by his need to take the blame, but appreciated his conviction to keep trying. We all carry a burden we shouldn't. If love is mature and unconditional it doesn't walk away.

Angela O. 4/5 Verified

A Sweet Paradise Holiday Reunion (eBook)

Wonderfully immersive storytelling that as with all Hope August books it’s a mighty compelling read too. Whenever I see that she has a new book out , almost shout with glee. This is what they mean to me. This book was no exception When the last Stone doesn’t roll ,a lady comes to call. She’s all about making wayward types like he ,how to be .He thinks she’s lovely . And to be together maybe? Well look and see . I’ll tell you now ,it’s a wonderful storyline and executed perfectly divine . Bookboyfriend you’ll want to say ,can he be mine .

Jane L. 5/5

The Cowboy's Redemption - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

This is book five of the Cornerstone Ranch series. It’s a sweet cowboy, slow burn, love on a bet, ranch romance. This was a sweet read with all the feels that check all the boxes. Well-developed characters that you will fall in love with and root for their happy ending. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Jennifer M. 5/5

The Cowboy's Redemption - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

A charming, fun cowboy romance. A great story that draws you in immediately and was easy to stay engaged with. I enjoyed watching Caleb and Sarah go from "just for fun" to something so much more. Wonderful writing, realistic and entertaining. Loved it.

J C. 5/5

The Cowboy's Love Bet - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

I loved reading The Cowboy’s Tattered Heart by Hope August so much. It was a fast read that I simply couldn’t put down, the story pulled me in right from the start. Definitely a must read for anyone who loves heartfelt romance.

Gaby D. 5/5

The Cowboy’s Tattered Heart - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

This is book four of the Cornerstone Ranch series. It’s a sweet cowboy, slow burn, love on a bet, ranch romance. This was a sweet read with all the feels that check all the boxes. Well-developed characters that you will fall in love with and root for their happy ending. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Jennifer M. 5/5

The Cowboy's Love Bet - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given. I loved the characters. Each had a reason for their initial reluctance for a relationship and for changing their minds. Fear kept them apart more than anything else did. I also loved seeing the change in the brothers from where they started. They all seem closer and more supportive than they had been when we first met them in the first story. This story was predictable but enjoyable.

Maryellen C. 5/5

The Cowboy's Love Bet - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook) PREORDER *AVAIL. 03/01/2026*

This is book three of the Sweet Paradise Valentine series. It’s a sweet nannay, Valentine’s Day, ranch romance. This was a sweet read with all the feels that check all the boxes. Well-developed characters that you will fall in love with and root for their happy ending. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Jennifer M. 5/5

Falling for His Nanny - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

This is part of an interconnected series with characters that overlap throughout this series and previous books by Hope. It can be read as a standalone but better if read in order. Warning!! Hope threw in a heart wrenching couple of scenes so have some tissues ready. Forbidden romance Opposites attract Matchmaking little girl A major misinterpretation I wish their story continued a little longer but maybe they will reappear in a future book??

Tami W. 5/5

Falling for His Nanny - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook) PREORDER *AVAIL. 02/14/2026*

Best friends to more I do adore and this book in time for Valentine’s is a cute storyline with all the allure that’s synonymous with Hope August’s storytelling and what’s more it’s always a compelling read . This being no exception to the rule . In fact he’s so darn sweet to his bestie Bridget he made me drool… not testy at all . Ms August ,I had a ball reading this it’s absolute bliss.

Jane L. 5/5

Falling for Her Best Friend - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

This sweet, best friends to more romance will warm your heart. Beautifully written with charming and wonderful characters. It was heartwarming and fun to watch their relationship change because neither saw a romance between them coming. An adorable story filled with heart, love and HEA Valentine magic that will leave you smiling.

Jacqueline C. 5/5

Falling for Her Best Friend - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

This is book two of the Sweet Paradise Valentine series. It’s a sweet best friends to more, one bed, Valentine’s Day, ranch romance. This was a sweet read with all the feels that check all the boxes. Well-developed characters that you will fall in love with and root for their happy ending. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Jennifer M. 5/5

Falling for Her Best Friend - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given. While this story had some fun moments, it's not as light and goofy as the previous stories in this series. I really enjoyed it. Each main character was already attracted to the other, but this trip showed them that the feelings were returned. I love that they are each willing to sacrifice something they want for the other.

Maryellen C. 5/5

Falling for His Nanny - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook) PREORDER *AVAIL. 02/14/2026*

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given. The main characters, Bridget and Foster, were kind and supportive of each other. They obviously loved and valued each other as friends. Romantic feelings between them weren't a thing until this trip. I enjoyed watching them navigate that unsettling state between realizing they have romantic feelings for the other and deciding to risk losing their friendship because of those feelings.

Maryellen C. 5/5

Falling for Her Best Friend - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook) PREORDER *AVAIL. 02/09/2026*

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given. The main characters, Bridget and Foster, were kind and supportive of each other. They obviously loved and valued each other as friends. Romantic feelings between them weren't a thing until this trip. I enjoyed watching them navigate that unsettling state between realizing they have romantic feelings for the other and deciding to risk losing their friendship because of those feelings.

Maryellen C. 5/5

Falling for Her Best Friend - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook) PREORDER *AVAIL. 02/09/2026*

This is the first book in a new Interconnected series that is a spin off from other books by Hope. Reading in order recommended but can be read as a standalone. Friends to more Secret crush Online relationship Multiple mixed signals

Tami W. 5/5

Falling for Her Secret Admirer - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

This is book one of the Sweet Paradise Valentine series. It’s a sweet cowboy, slow burn, match making app, friends to more, secret identity, ranch romance. This was a sweet read with all the feels that check all the boxes. Well-developed characters that you will fall in love with and root for their happy ending.

Jennifer M. 5/5

Falling for Her Secret Admirer - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

Cute story about best friends in love with each other. Arden has loved Poppy for years. She has him firmly in the friend zone. Until……. I’m not going to spoil things for you. Arden’s plan could backfire spectacularly. Fun story to read.

Lucia 5/5

Falling for Her Secret Admirer - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given. Arden and Poppy work together at the resort. They have been friends forever, but he's feeling more than friendly towards her. As they spend time together preparing for the Valentine's Day event, and Poppy gets to know her online match, she realizes she's already in love... with Arden. This was a really sweet story. I really liked it.

Maryellen C. 5/5

Falling for Her Secret Admirer - Clean Holiday Romance (eBook)

A sweet and adorable cowboy romance. The cute characters really pull you into their story and keep the pages turning. I loved the writing! A great story and wonderful entertainment you don't want to miss!

Jacqueline C. 5/5

The Cowboy's City Girl - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

Could any couple have a more inauspicious start. Wyatt really tells Emma exactly what he thinks about her and the farm she has bought. They really annoy each other. Both have family issues that affect their relationship. Good story with well written characters that will hold your interest. I love that despite everything happening and being told she has made a huge mistake, Emma continues to build her dream. I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Lucia V. 5/5

The Cowboy's City Girl - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given. What a tough situation for the main characters. They both loved Katelynn and now feel guilty for being attracted to each other. There are other issues between them. Harper's grandma lovingly encourages her to open up to Colt, while his brothers prod him to do the same. This story was emotional and unpredictable.

Maryellen C. 5/5

The Cowboy’s Tattered Heart - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

From loss comes love A very sweet story that sees Robert receiving even more tragic news in his life that seems to overwhelm him. Having to be the guardian of his boys five sons leaves him with more responsibility than he can handle. In comes Paige, the nanny that the agency has sent to help him. They have much in common and the boys seem to love her straight away. Robert starts feeling again which scares him. Can he get past the fear of committing to Paige allowing them to face their problems together? Or will he throw it all away and hurt the children by doing so. A short enjoyable story with wonderful characters.

Lyn B. 4/5

The Cowboy’s Tattered Heart - Clean Cowboy Romance (eBook)

Snowfall Over Sagebrush is a sweet small town, opposites attract, cowboy, Christmas romance with no cliffhanger. Some of the lines I really like are ---- Why was she so gat-dang stubborn ---- "Even if we were in another state that didn’t have mood swing weather⁠—” ---- “Construction puts food on the table. Horses bring me joy.” ---- “Chivalry will never die as long as the woman a man cares for is willing to accept it.” ---- Will the Dude Ranch be completed on time? Will they get snow that will stop everything? These and other questions will all be answered. I loved Laura and Riley's story and I'm sure you will too. This is my first book by this author and I can't wait to read another one of her books.

Terry Y. 5/5

Snowfall Over Sagebrush (eBook)