The Last Christmas Cowboy is the eleventh book in Maisey Yates' Gold Valley series, a series I've been addicted to since it began, and Ms. Yates has pulled out all the emotional stops in this novel, which is, perhaps, the most angst-laden novel in the series so far, and which had me in tears more than once. It gets a tearful yet happy 5 stars from this reader.

This is Rose and Logan's story. We've met Rose before, and because of the family situations at Hope Springs Ranch, every character in this novel was brought together by tragedy. Rose was just a small child when their parents died in a plane crash en route to an Alaskan vacation. Her older siblings, Ryder and Iris, raised her, and she has always felt that she could never pay them back for the sacrifices they made on her behalf, but in this novel, she focuses her attention on Iris, realizing how alone she has always been, and so Rose decides to find her a good man to date, ignoring the fact that she herself hasn't dated either, and at the age of 23, has been spending all her time and energies helping Logan with all the chores running a ranch requires.

Logan Heath is one of the most intriguing and troubled characters on the ranch. His father, Hank Dalton, was a rodeo star, a notorious love 'em and leave 'em cowboy, who practically had a woman in every town, and who didn't seem at all concerned about birth control and condoms. As this series has progressed, some of his illegitimate offspring have begun to turn up in Gold Valley. Hank's wife usually paid off the women who showed up on their doorstep pregnant with Hank's babies, which is exactly what happened to Logan's mother, who loved Hank and had no idea he was married when she slept with him. That piece of news devastated her, the money she took from Hank's wife to support herself and her unborn child haunted her, and left her alone to raise Logan as a single parent. Her untimely death occurred when Logan was 16, and because he always felt like a burden to his brokenhearted, struggling mother, whom he loved with all his heart, and whose death he blamed himself for, he grew to hate Hank for his mother's broken heart and for ignoring him.

After his mother's death, he came to live at Hope Springs ranch at age 16, becoming a co-owner, and working along with his best friend Ryder. He was a decade older than Ryder's little sister, Rose, whom he treated like his little sister for years, at least until 5 years ago, when Rose was 18, a beautiful young woman who loved the ranch as much as Logan did, and was the one who worked most closely with him. Suddenly, he came to desire Rose, but felt he didn't deserve her, and was, afraid of Ryder's reaction if he ever touched Ryder's baby sister. But Rose is no longer a child, and she wants to learn about men, has always had a thing for Logan, and when she finally decides to do something about it, in the form of a bet, she loses, and they soon become more than friends, although Logan believes that relationships and family are not for him. His late mother was his only family, and he doesn't feel he will ever want another one. He's about learn a lot of truths about Rose, Ryder, his kinship with their family, and even his own.

While there isn't a lot of forward momentum or action in this novel, it is perhaps the most deeply intimate novel in the series. Written in alternating narration, a literary device I've come to love, we get a chance to walk around inside the minds and hearts of Logan and Rose-- get to understand their motivations, their brokenness, their emotional pain, and their most private feelings, and, because Maisey Yates is so incredibly good at what she does, we even get to examine our own issues, our own fears, and our own life choices.

While this novel can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend reading this series in the order it was written to fully understand the family dynamic, how they've survived and overcome stumbling blocks, family tragedy, and to marvel at the skill with which Ms. Yates has drawn us into their lives, their trials and tribulations on their way to love and happiness. In this reader's opinion, this novel is perhaps the best one in this series, and I can't wait to read Iris' story, which apparently will be next. Quite simply, this was an excellent read, and I highly recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Deeply emotional, family-focused romance

After watching two of her siblings find their soul mates, Rose is determined to help her remaining single sibling, Iris, find her match. Helping her is Logan, the decade-older cowboy that she works alongside every day. Only Logan has his own demons, not the least of which is his entirely inappropriate attraction to the too-young Rose, an attraction that is insanely complicated by her investigation into what makes for a good match and how to find the perfect suitor for Iris.

This story goes so much deeper than just the storyline details. Rose's reasons for wanting to see Iris settled, Logan's reasons for denying the obvious attraction between himself and Rose, Iris's feelings about being set up, Rose's tender balance between wanting a mature relationship with Logan and her need to explore more of her world before settling down, all of these issues are fairly addressed and interwoven into a complex, compelling story about what makes up a family and how those dynamics can change over time.

The depiction of Logan's battle between his self-restraint and his desire was exquisitely portrayed. You could almost see the devil and the angel on his shoulders, arguing each side. But once this man's restraint is unleashed, whew! Things get very hot, very quickly! These two are truly meant for each other, and watching them fall in love was pure joy.

I loved the way Ryder, Logan's best friend and Rose's older brother, handled the entire situation when it came to his attention. The stunning issue of Logan's long-buried family history added a whole new dimension to all the relationships, and getting to see the entire Daniels family was absolutely delightful. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Due to a tragedy in her past Rose has always felt like her sibling had to put their dreams on hold for hers. Now that two of them have found love she is determined to ensure that Iris does as well and she the perfect man in mind. The only problem is that when her plan backfires, she has a bet to Logan that must be repaid.

Logan shares the tragedy of Rose’s past and her family has become his family as well. He and Rose are each other’s friend and confident, but Rose’s scheme forces them to face not only the truth of their feelings for each other but the past as well.

Rose and Logan have loved each other for years but neither was prepared to acknowledge it and it is only with the love and support of those closest to them that they realize that they deserve to be happy with each other.

The last Christmas Cowboy is a cute little holiday romance set in the Gold Valley Series world. I've read several of the other Gold Valley books and I very much enjoy this world. I didn't like this one as much since I was kind of a bit disappointed in the whole "find my siblings a love interest" plot. I still enjoyed myself and if you're looking for Hallmark with some steam this is definitely for you.

It will post at the RRT site: http://romrevtoday.com/ (not sure of date)
Will post at the blog on 10/13/20: https://rrtreviews.blogspot.com/

THE LAST CHRISTMAS COWBOY – Maisey Yates
A Gold Valley Novel
HQN Books
ISBN: 978-1-335-01404-7
October 13, 2020
Contemporary Romance

Gold Valley, Oregon – Present Day

Rose Daniels and Logan Heath have worked side-by-side for years on the ranch they all co-own with the rest of Rose’s family. Rose worries that her older sister, Iris, is going to turn into an old maid, so she decides to take matters into her own hand by finding Iris a potential mate. Logan scoffs at Rose’s plans and says it won’t work. In fact, they have a little bet going. To Rose’s dismay, she loses the bet after her target male ends up being attracted to her, and not Iris. Turns out the prize Logan gets for winning the bet is…Rose.

Since Logan has known Rose, he has always been protective of her—and attracted to her once she became an adult. But she is like his little sister, with the added disadvantage that there’s a ten-year age difference between them. Logan thinks her plan to marry off Iris is crazy and that it will fail, which it does. But in the meantime, Logan and Rose go toe-to-toe arguing about who is right and who is wrong. They’ve always been good friends, but suddenly, the sexual chemistry heats up between them. Rose can’t stop thinking about Logan kissing her. Logan wants her, but he’s mindful of how her older brother, Ryder, would likely kill him if he dared to hurt “little sister” Rose. Never mind what her other sister, Pansy, who is the chief of police, will do. As they go back and forth wanting and trying to resist each other, which side will win?

Christmas is just around the corner and Logan isn’t looking forward to it in THE LAST CHRISTMAS COWBOY by Maisey Yates. Logan’s mother and Rose’s parents were friends, with the link being their children, but the adults died in a plane crash together while on a trip to Alaska. Rose was only seven and her older brother Ryder (who was eighteen at the time) took over the raising of Rose and her two sisters. Along the way, Logan moved in, as did Sammy, who is now married to Ryder. Logan hates Christmas and tries to avoid celebrating it, but will this year be different if he has Rose in his bed? It certainly looks like they’re about to have a fling, yet Logan feels he is betraying Ryder if he did. However, any reservations he has about making love to Rose flies out the window when they finally give in to the passion. But how long will it last before one of them regrets what happened? Can they even work together anymore?

If you haven’t read the prior Gold Valley novels, then you might be wondering about who many of the other characters are in THE LAST CHRISTMAS COWBOY. While this tale could be read as a standalone, I suggest reading at least the last two: THE BAD BOY OF REDEMPTION RANCH (Pansy and West’s story) and THE HERO OF HOPE SPRINGS (Ryder and Sammy’s story) because these three books are closely connected.

THE LAST CHRISTMAS COWBOY is a friends-to-lovers tale about a seemingly forbidden love that soon can’t be denied. Logan and Rose’s journey to a happily-ever-after is both emotional and sensual. Add in the holiday season and THE LAST CHRISTMAS COWBOY is one that you won’t want to miss reading.

Patti Fischer

Will their fears built from their past pain keep them apart ...

I have met Rose and Logan in Pansy’s story, since I have been curious about this blend of siblings and cousins. After Ryder and Sammy’s tale, I wondered about Rose and Logan.

Logan is the one who has the most to lost, he is not blood related so if things turned sour, he would be the one to have to leave and he has nothing else than his life to Hope Springs. Why he kept his distance once he realized he didn’t see Rose as a relative but a grown woman who heats his blood. Plus staying in the shadows is safe, it does not engage the heart, so it leaves him free of being hurt. Loosing his mother who was his whole world was hard, more than hard. He so worshipped, he can’t pass over her loss. He is one to give advices but when it is about himself, he runs away his tail between his legs.
Rose is the youngest and by the way the immature one, always sheltered by her elders. Now she wants to give back as she feels they were robbed of their choices because of her.
I am not sure I liked her at first, being a lose tongue does not equal to be mean to others, plus she throws a tantrum when people told her she was wrong, like a kid she pouts and runs away instead of seing reason. She meddles in people’s life even when warned it could lead to hurt, and alas pain is the result.
But when reconsidering thing, she can be a brat, surly, yet she also care for her siblings and fights for them tooth and claw. She is flawed and for that so very human.
And this is the talent of the author, she creates imperfect characters, so much they are perfect.

Both have a lot of growing to do, and strangely it is Rose who matures the soonest, facing her mistakes, she must reflect on what she wants from life. Logan is as hardheaded than her, even a bit more, why he went close to turn his back to everything he has built for the sake of feeling safe, living in limbo. they reach their full arc when they have nothing more to hide and everything to gain or loose.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher HLQ Books, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

The Last Christmas Cowboy by Maisey Yates is the 11th book in the Gold Valley Series. The book brings us to a wedding between Pansy and West. It brings everyone home and to Christmas in Daniel's household.

Rose had always wanted to work on the ranch. She loves being outside in all weather. She has been working with Logan forever. He has always been her best friend and has always felt like he was her other half. Logan knew she was off limits - his best friend’s younger sister. He knew she was who he hungered for, but off limits. Until that one day, when she makes an unwise bet and he has to show her what chemistry is. Of course Rose and Logan’s chemistry is off the charts…

Logan has been working for years to keep everyone at bay. Rose has also worked for years to keep people away. Both are lonely and have some things to let go before they can move forward. Christmas is coming. Pansy’s wedding is coming. Things are going to get interesting.

I really am enjoying this series from Maisey Yates. I think her books are fun and I almost always enjoy the funky characters. The Last Christmas Cowboy by Maisey Yates is a wonderfully fun and hot read.

Many stories in the Gold Valley series centered on a unique family made up of orphans and other displaced children and teenagers. The core group of siblings lost their parents in an accident. Gone in a flash and life for these kids forever dramatically altered as you can imagine. We’ve watched many of these children - through Maisie Yates eyes - move on despite emotional challenges. In THE LAST CHRISTMAS COWBOY we are treated to a rather humorous attempt at matchmaking. Rose is the baby of the collective group which includes Logan whose mother also perished in the accident and Sammy who latched on to this ragtag group as an earth mother of sorts.

Rose has decided that oldest sister Iris, having devoted her entire being to raising these kids, should have a chance to stretch her own wings. Rose enjoyed a happy healthy and somewhat normal childhood thanks to all her siblings but Iris as the self-appointed mother did a wondrous job. Rose owes it to Iris to help her find the love of her life.

Logan took on the role of self-appointed watchdog for Rose since she was just a young child. Rose got under Logan’s skin when she was 6 to his 16. They make an amazing team. Now once again Logan is put in the position of watching out for his exuberant sidekick Rose.

Rose is undertaking the unsolicited role of matchmaker for Iris. Rose’s vision for Iris’s happiness is with a man who is dependable, trustworthy and responsible. To Logan that description could fit a loyal dog or cat. Rose’s goal is commendable for sure but Logan recognizes the pitfalls. And as a sort of best friend/brother Logan agrees to a contest. The prizes for winner are rather humorous since either way Logan is going to be a position he truly wishes to avoid.

Logan looks at Rose as a desirable untouchable woman. Rose looks at Logan as an older brother. The prize at the end of find Iris a beau will put Logan facing down his greatest fear when it comes to dealing with Rose. Helping Rose find her own sexuality.

Maisie Yates character development in creating this fabulous heartwarming group has been the reason why I have searched out, read and reviewed almost every book in this series. Loved watching these kids grow, find love and make new families of their own without ever breaking the bridge between them. THE LAST CHRISTMAS COWBOY is a laugh aloud page turner. Rose is adorable. Logan is candidly threatened by Rose in very many ways. Their friendship is cherished – their newfound relationship should be a dream come true.

Light-hearted Christmas story that seems made for a Hallmark Christmas movie. Engaging characters with a man who is a Christmas hater along with unrequited feelings for the young woman who is oblivious.

Rose works on Hope springs ranch. Roses brother Ryder is her boss. I like the name Ryder. Roses sister iris takes care of her. I loved the characters.

Christmas, family, and romance. What's not to love from an author who consistently brings the reader great romantic stories.