Mateo & Nicole

by Natalie Dean

She was his secret crush. Now she’s his employee… and a single mom.

Mateo Palmer swore he’d never risk his heart again. The last time he did, he was left waiting at the altar. Now, he keeps things light—never serious, never lasting. But when Nicole Reynolds walks into Winding Creek Ranch looking for a fresh start, everything changes. She was always the one who got away, and fate has just handed him a second chance.

Nikki needs this job to provide for her six-year-old son. She never expected her new boss to be Mateo—the man she secretly adored in high school. He’s charming, flirty, and just as handsome as ever. But she knows better than to believe a man like him would ever want forever with a woman like her.

He’s determined to prove her wrong. She’s convinced he’ll walk away. But love—and a little boy with a shy smile—might just rewrite their story.

Don’t miss the heartfelt, small-town romance in Mateo & Nicole, Palmers of Copper Creek Book One .

Genres: Contemporary

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mateo & Nicole is the first in the new Cooper Creek series featuring the Palmers.   Mateo had his heartbroken a decade ago.  He was the big football star and he was marrying the head cheerleader, Carolyn and was left at the alter when Carolyn had left with another guy she had been seeing.  Now it is a decade later and who but Carolyn’s best friend in school Nicole, Nikki comes to answer the ad for a cook at Mateo and Sophia’s farm.  Mateo had kept it a secret that he had a really big crush for Nikki in school but thought he had to date the cheerleader.  He was so happy to see Nikki and gave her the job immediately.  What he didn’t know at the time was she had a five year old son that had been mistreated as his father had little to do with him and his stepfather refused to adopt him or allow him to call him Dad.  Now they are on the farm and Mateo has a second chance at his big crush.  He treats Paxton as if he was family as does he treat Nikki.  She is great at cooking and part of her pay is room and board for her and Paxton.  Mateo starts giving Paxton riding lessons and things seem to be going well with him and Nikki.  Then he gets a message from Carolyn saying she is coming to Cooper Creek for a visit and wants to meet with Mateo!  Then Nikki who had got mad five years ago at Carolyn and broke off their friendship gets a message that Carolyn is coming to Cooper Creek and wants to meet up with her too!  Is Carolyn the most dense woman in the world to think a man she left at the alter and a woman she had put down all those years would want to see her again?  Or is she really a vile person that loves coming between people causing them hurt? 

[judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copper creek has been a favorite book town of mine. The people that live there are very interesting. It is a place that I would love to visit or live if I could. Mateo and his family have been building a life there on their ranch. In this book he is expanding their family business. The focus has been on raising herding dogs. They are adding more trained horses who can be used with the dogs to the mix and cattle . I have been asking for Mateo’s story for sometime now. Natalie Deanna did not disappoint me with this book. It is poignant and filled with his loving family who surrounds him. It pulls his past into the present where he has the opportunity to court the right woman finally. Nicole is a friend from his hometown. They went to high school together. She was best friends with the girl who left him at the altar 10 years ago. Nicole needs a fresh start with her son so she comes to Mateo for a job as a cook on his ranch. This is their love story. It is very emotional charged. It made me want to cry, laugh and scream at times. I had to put the book down for a moment to collect my thoughts at places in their story because I was so invested in the storyline. That what makes a great book for me. The characters are so realistic and relatable to me as the reader. Even though I had to take a few quick breaks I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the book. I will revisit this book again. This is definitely a must read if you like strong ,damaged and very human characters in a wholesome story. The author and the book deserve more than 5 stars for sure.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mateo and Nikki . . .

Mateo Palmer and Nikki Reynolds knew each other since both had gone to the same high school. Nikki’s was friends with a cheerleader, Caroline. And since Mateo was a football player, he started dating the cheerleader, even though he was actually attracted to Nikki (but never let her know). He and Caroline got engaged but his cheating bride left him at the altar while she ran off with another guy she had been seeing. Needless to say, Mateo was not eager to find a replacement. But when Nikki needs a job to support herself and her 5-year-old son Paxton, she is immediately hired at Winding Creek Ranch when she applies for the cook job and is reacquainted with Mateo. Will Mateo and Nikki use this second chance opportunity to finally get together with the person who truly loves them? Would they be overly-cautious now about getting involved? Or will Caroline’s arrival and meeting with them separately as she lies and manipulates the truth get her what she wants -- give her another chance to coax Mateo back and get her petty vengeance on Nikki?

Here is another lesson in learning how to communicate with those who matter to you. If the two of them had gone to each other and discussed the unsettled past and the secretly planned arrival of Caroline rather than try to keep it a secret and work around it, this whole mess would never have happened. Talking honestly to each other solves so many issues and avoids misunderstandings that can derail or prevent a relationship. But then we wouldn’t have the story to read, so it works out for us too.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mateo and Nicole go way back . . . clear back to high school, when Mateo was engaged to Nicole's best friend, Carolyn. Nicole had a crush on Mateo, but Carolyn was the head cheerleader and he was the football star, so he had to choose her, didn't he? Carolyn dumps him at the altar and leaves him crushed, too crushed to even consider love again.

Fast forward to now . . . Nicole "Nikki" sees there's a job opening for a cook at Mateo's ranch. She NEEDS this job and decides to take the risk of asking, without revealing the presence of her 5-year old son. Well, of course she gets it and she and Mateo aren't awkward at all, until he finds out about Paxton. Awkward then, but not in a bad way, just an unexpected one. He and Nikki get closer each day and Paxton just adds to the warm fuzzies.

I loved this story, despite getting frustrated with both of them for thinking they had to 'hide' things from each other. If they'd just had the faith and trust in each other to be honest they'd have avoided a whole long line of misunderstandings. I'm excited for this new series and look forward to the next installment.

[Gwen Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book...I love the start to this new series. The Palmer family seem to fit right in with the other families in Cooper Creek. They have a big family, own a ranch, they raise cattle and dogs and are just your normal loving family.

This is a second chance at love story between Nicole "Nikki" Reynolds and Mateo Palmer. The went to school together and Nikki had a huge crush on Mateo. He was interested in her as well but never acted on that attraction so now they get a second chance. Nikki is in desperate need of a job to help support herself and her six-year old son, Paxton. And when she gets wind that Mateo is looking for a chef to cook the meals for his ranch hands she gets up the courage to go and try to get the job.

She talks Mateo into giving her a chance to prove herself and her cooking talents. He is also providing her with a room for herself and she has not told him about Paxton yet. So she is excited to be working for Mateo and working at the Winding Creek Ranch. Paxton is going to be thrilled with all of the horses and animals on the farm.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that Mateo finally has his story told. He was one of the good ones in the Keagans of Copper Creek series. I have loved all of Ms. Deans books and really enjoy visiting Copper Creek. Mateo & Nicole is a Christian, uplifting, small town, second chance romance. Nicole's son Paxton steals every scene he is in. As Mateo and Nicole start to develop feelings for each other, the vile Carolyn arrives in town. The woman is a manipulative witch who delights in causing trouble between Mateo and Nicole. Now that Mateo has become so successful, Carolyn wants him back. There are many sweet moments between Mateo and Paxton and a lot of drama once Carolyn arrives. You will have to read to see how Ms. Dean resolves this and brings about an HEA.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mateo & Nicole is the first in the new Cooper Creek series.

Mateo Palmer had his heart broken ten years ago when his fiancé left him at the altar. He swore he’d never risk his heart again

Nicole comes to Cooper Creek with her son to look for a desperately needed job. She had a crush on Mateo ten years ago when she was Carolines best friend.

Mateo finds he has feelings for Nicole. Nicole is worried he wouldn’t really want a girl like her as she is not as good looking as other girls.

Will the return of Caroline drive Mateo and Nikki apart?

This book is a well written small town uplifting story with Christian values.

I received a free copy of this book and freely and honestly leave my review.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mateo & Nicole

Another wonderful Copper Creek story following a different family line. Mateo Palmer was left standing at the altar by his bride while she left town with another man. So he moved to Copper Creek and built a family business. He has no desire for a romantic relationship until Nikki the best friend of his ex, shows up with her son, needing a job. He seems to be smitten with both mother and child. Then his ex shows up bringing about more complications than you can imagine.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

mateo runs a dog training and breeding ranch and has added horses to the ranch. nicole has know mateo and was friends with the lady that ran off with another man. she has a son now and is applying to be the cook for the ranch hands. he heirs her and tries to help her and her son. this is a story of second chanes and forgiveness and trust. very good i was given a copy of the book but this is an honest review

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in an interconnected series that is a spin off from the Keegan series. Characters overlap throughout the series.
They knew each other years ago. Both burned before by the same person. She's desperate for work and a place to live. Will he hire her? What happens when he learns about her son? How do they react when the last person they want to see again starts contacting them?

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance around. Mateo, and his family's, ranch in Copper Creek is thriving; until they need a new cook for the wranglers! Enter Nikki, recently moved to the area. She's a single mom in need of a job...

Wonderful characters and chemistry between Mateo, Nikki, Paxton and Sophia! Their witty interactions keep the storyline flowing. Enjoyable read.

Looking forward to book 2!

[Mary Doss · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story. curvy Nicole has crush on Mateo in highschool. his crush on cheerleader does not work. Nicole marries and abusive man. she is penniless upon divorce with small boy. Mateo gives her job. very attracted

[Deborah K DeLaVina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Mateo & Nicole's story! How they overcome their pasts and Caroline's appearance to cause problems. Their insecurities get the better of them but finally realizing that they both were wrong and making plans for future. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story in the Palmers of Copper Creek, Mateo Palmer and Nicole Reynolds meet when she goes to the Winding Creek Ranch looking for a job. The story is well written with great characters, a very good storyline and a happy ending.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in a new series by Natalie Dean....

Mateo and Nicole have a shared past; they knew each other from high school. Can they put past hurts behind them to see what the future has in store?

Great beginning to a new saga in Copper Creek!!

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have had a Caroline in our lives that is the epitome of vengeful poison. Mateo was on the full receiving end of that poison when she left him at the altar while running off with some lowlife. Caroline and Nikki were good friends at one point of thier lives but Nikki could not abide by her actions, knowing how good a person Mateo was. Nikki thought she was in love with her first husband, but he became abusive toward her when he found out she was with child. Nikki's second husband only wanted company, and once her son Paxton became five, he no longer wished to be near her or her son, giving her days before kicking her out for a younger model type woman. For six weeks, Nikki and Paxton lived out of her car while trying to find work, bringing her down to Colorado, where Mateo now owned and ran a ranch. Mateo hired her instantly as a cook, and the romance began until Caroline, ten years from her walk away, decides that Mateo is now worth her time. This was a beautiful love story reminding us all to communicate better.

[Kathy Winchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story with a meddling family and a conniving ex. Mateo and Nikki find their way through it all to a HEA. Very enjoyable read!

[LoisBow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading about the Palmer family and Mateo and Nicole. The interactions between Mateo and Nicole were funny, sad, and hesitant.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palmers of Copper Creek Book One. Mateo and Nicole.
Is a well-written clean romance based on Christian principles. The story is captivating and put wonderfully together with beautiful characters who you get to know well that. The story keeps you interested until the end, a promising first book of a brand new series.