Another installment in Maisey Yates Gold Valley series. We now have Colt Daniels and Mallory Chance. Both are damaged emotionally and have trust issues. Opening up to others is a big problem for them both. Once they finally stop dancing around the fact that they have a relationship they're very good together. A nice team for what's happening in Dallas life. There's a sweet HEA, it's truly nice.

Although I jumped right into this series on book 14, this book can be read as a stand-alone. Both Mallory and Colt are dealing with traumatic pasts and could be very introspective throughout the book. I enjoyed both of the characters’ families and how they all wanted to work together for the baby. It seemed that every time Mallory and Colt didn’t want to run into each other, there the other one was. Overall, a solid read.

Love love love Colt and Mallory! Their meeting is so unlike most of the other books in the series. And then to be constantly thrown together by chance. Adding in the little Lily who needs both of them and this is the sweetest story and ending that Colt completely deserves.

Another lovely cowboy romance written by Author Maisey Yates.

This 14th book in the Gold Valley series is about second chances, trust and romance. I really enjoyed this book and always adore Maisey’s writing. The characters are great (but Colt was a tad bit grouchy!). Mallory is a midwife and Colt is a former bullrider, with a lot of sudden responsibility.

I would recommend this!

I usually love or hate Maisey Yates books, so I am surprised this one fell somewhere in the middle for me. Ultimately, I enjoyed the story – Mallory and Colt have a one-night stand, and then fate keeps throwing them in each other’s orbit… oh, and then a baby enters the mix (not a surprise or secret pregnancy!)

This book was pretty darn hot! The characters start off with a literal *bang* and it was super fun. I enjoyed that they both were on the same page with their “one night only” arrangement but fate had other plans. There were so many forced proximity moments that made the book extra fun. I thought the addition of a baby would make things weird for the plot, but Yates pulled it off well.

Both Mallory and Colt had a lot of trauma, and it was worked through well on Colt’s side. Sometimes, he was a real jerk, but Mallory was tenacious and strong where she needed to be. I actually teared up at some points!

What ultimately wasn’t working for me were Mallory’s clingy tendencies. They rubbed me the wrong way enough that even when she left for, like, a page to be independent, it just seemed petulant. I also thought the book was way too long. Yates has a tendency to make her characters extremely introspective, which means pages, and pages of their repetitive thoughts and feelings. I think that’s why I usually prefer her shorter Harlequin Desires.

Overall, this was a solid Yates read! There are way too many characters in Gold Valley at this point, though. It’s time to start fresh!

**I received a free copy of this book in order to provide an honest review**

I really enjoyed this book. Towards the end it did make me think of the previous book, just the Names changed, but I did not feel as if that detered from the story.

I enjoy how with each story in this series the characters are bought along with each book

Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

Mallory Chance moves to her brother's town in Gold Valley to be close to him but also to get a fresh start. Her first encounter is with a cowboy who she engages in a one-night-stand. Little did she know that Colt Daniels would turn out to be her landlord!

Colt is struggling with a lot of guilt from the past, which is why he likes temporary encounters. Nothing permanent. However, all that is about to change when he has to care for his god-daughter.

This was a hot, steamy read. It was good to get Colt's story in this series. Colt and Mallory's chemistry was intense. There were some good takeaways as well.

Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC.

3.5 STARS

This is a contemporary, somewhat enemies-to-lovers romance.
I enjoyed Mallory’s character and could see how she’d be reeling from coming out of a long-term relationship based on a traumatic past and the inability to truly move on from that. And her emotional growth throughout the story was engaging.

But I just didn’t like Colt’s character all that much. Yes, he’d been through a lot and was also dealing with some weighty things. But he just seemed like a big jerk for too much of the story. And their feelings seemed to change for each other a little too quickly.

If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers who change from one to the other quickly, you will like this story a lot more than I did. I just need a little more meat with my potatoes, so to speak.

This novel can easily be read as a standalone but you might appreciate reading additional titles in the series for some background on the characters in this title. They all intertwine, of course, but you won't be completely lost without them. (I have only read a few of the titles in this series.)

This book in particular had a lot of heat and a lot of tension. Both leads are dealing with a ton of baggage and have some healing and growth to pursue personally. Thankfully, they find each other and even thought they fight it - and the strong chemistry between them - they give in and bring fresh perspective to one another's situations.

This was a great heated read with a heartwarming plot.

The True Cowboy of Sunset Ridge is the 14th book in the Gold Valley series. However, it works as as a standalone. Some of the characters from the previous books made an appearance, whetting my appetite for their stories.

This installment gives us Colt and Mallory’s story. The story began with Mallory moving to Gold Valley after dumping her cheating boyfriend. She came to Gold Valley to re-invent herself and utilise her midwifery skills. Feeling free for the first time in a long while, she resolved to indulge her fantasy of a one-night stand with the handsome cowboy she met six months ago. Of course, she thought she would never see him again after the deed was done. To her dismay, the handsome stranger who gave her the best sex of her life turned out to be her new landlord and her sister-in-law’s cousin. Talk about awkward.

Colt and Mallory were both poster children for painful baggage. Pain, loss, guilt, inadequacies and secrets permeated their lives. Now they both were not looking for a committed relationship. Learning about their past allowed the reader to understand their fears. They fought their attraction to each other, but the lingering memories of their one-night stand wreaked havoc on their senses. Then introducing a newborn baby placed them in an even more tenuous position.

There are many facets to Colt and Mallory, and I had an interesting time figuring out each of them.  Both are strong individuals which was evidenced by how they maintained their sanity after all the mess life threw at them. 

I loved the manner in which Yates delivered the story. As the reader, I was privy to their inner thoughts and feelings. It made their struggles so realistic. Yates bared their raw emotions throughout the pages. So prepare for an emotional roller coaster ride if you choose to read this book.

The story featured some sweet moments, which will warm the coldest of hearts. I loved how Colt and Mallory opened up to each other in ways they couldn’t with others. Their chemistry and connection felt authentic.

Narration

Samantha Cook narrated. She is a new to me narrator. I enjoyed her performance. Her female voices were fine, but I was not keen on her male voices. However, this did not take away from the beauty of the story.


Conclusion/Recommendation
The True Cowboy of Sunset Ridge is a heartfelt story of love, healing and forgiveness. Thiis is a story that reach down into your soul and touch your heart.

Favourite Quotes

“I’ll protect you, forever,” he said. He wanted to speak vows to this child. So that she would know. “And if it was all for this. If it was all for you… It’s enough. And I’ll be the best I can be. Because that’s what you deserve. You don’t deserve any less. There’s a lot of imperfect love inside me."


“No,” he said. “What isn’t fair is that you’re alive. You’re alive— Trent is dead. You’re alive— my parents are dead. You’re alive and you don’t want to live. And believe me, that would’ve been the pot calling the kettle black just a couple of weeks ago. And I realize that now. There is no point in going on about everything if you’re just doing it to stay safe. I love you. And yeah, I want it all. The deepest, messiest parts of you. I want you to need me, the way that I need you. I want you to be mine. The way that I want to be yours. And when you can take that. When you can handle it… Well, then you can find me.”


“Mallory,” her father said, speaking after a long silence. “I wish I woulo you years ago. I wish I would’ve had the words to say it years ago. But special does not come from what you do. It is not grades on a report card, or a degree on the wall. It isn’t money in the bank. Special comes from being loved . When people love you, you occupy an essential place in their world. You are special, Mallory. Because we couldn’t live without you. Simply because you’re you. And I’m sorry that we did a bad job of making sure you knew that that love wasn’t dependent on anything. I’m sorry that our encouragement became impossible hoops for you to jump through. Because it was never meant to be.”

It was only supposed to be one night for Mallory and Colt. Mallory just got out of a bad relationship and Colt is still reeling for the lost of a friend and guilt over the death of his mother. So both are in a bad place right now and figured out that the small town they live is really is too small since they keep running into eachother. Now it turns out his late friend fathered a child and the child is now left in his care but good thing Mallory is around to help.

There was just so much going on with this book that I just couldn't put it down. It wasn't overly dramatic but it had some deep rooted background that really makes the readers want to protect these characters at all costs. I loved seeing that romance and attraction between Mallory and Colt and there are a few steamy scenes to go along with it. I loved the family roles they were falling into when it came to caring for the child. But its only a matter of time before the mother either claims the child back or something happens and it was interesting waiting to find out how it would turn out. This was a pretty good contemporary romance book and I really enjoyed it.

The True Cowboy of Sunset Ridge is absolutely packed with emotion. I don't tear up often with romance, but Maisey Yates certainly knows her stuff. I was so invested in these characters that I couldn't help but shed a few tears. I'm a sucker for a single dad romance anyway, and this one has a bit of an interesting twist on the trope. One thing I've come to expect from this author is that her characters are going to have a journey on their way to their HEA, and this one is no different. This series is 14 books strong now, and while I haven't read them all, I've read a fair few of them. I will say that Mallory and Colt are my favorite couple so far, and I see no reason that the book can't be read as a standalone. That said, Yates's writing is addictive, and once you've gotten a taste, you'll want more.

This final book in the Daniels family subset of Maisey Yates' Gold Valley series just may be my favorite of the entire series. I fell hard for Colt and Mallory, with them every step of the way from that first life-altering gaze across a crowded bar, to their set-the-sheets-on-fire hookup six months later, and through their heart-tugging journey to a hard-earned happily ever after. I've read their story twice. I have no doubt I'll probably revisit it again.

Yates' complex characters are the heart of her stories and one of the facets I most enjoy about her writing. In this book, she digs deep into the souls of both Mallory and Colt, characters with flaws, layers, and a multitude of emotional baggage. I love the evolution they both undergo; the growth they achieve by facing their emotional demons, learning from them, letting go of them, and finally, whole-heartedly, moving forward. I enjoyed the connections with the members of the Daniels and Chance families, the threads that weave within and around Mallory and Colt's story, and the relationships that shift, expand, and heal. And then there's Lily, the sweet baby who shows up unexpectedly and opens their hearts to unconditional love and possibilities. So many feels. When I reached the final page all I wanted to do was go back to the beginning and read it again, tears and all. So I did. This one's a keeper.

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Wow, this book packs a punch. It is beyond emotional and extremely steamy. Colt and Mallory are both trying to overcome traumatic pasts that have left them putting up walls for years. Mallory is dealing with the trauma of why she let herself stay in a toxic relationship for as long as she did. And Colt is dealing with yet another death of someone close to him after losing his parents as a teenager. The entire Gold Valley series is excellent and this book was no different.

My favorite thing in a romance is the emotional connection between the lovers and this book somehow delivered on that front, even when the beginning of Colt and Mallory’s relationship was just a (hot) hookup. I cried multiple times reading this and like every Gold Valley book, I felt an immediate bond to the characters. Mallory and Colt are both dealing with some tough issues so there is a major trigger warning for death, including stillbirth. Mallory is also a midwife so there is some significant time spent on all the things that could go wrong with a pregnancy.

All this trauma is balanced out with the incredible moments between Colt and Mallory and the heartwarming community that surrounds them. However, I did think that the pacing of this story was a little off. Things were progressing along and then there was a time jump but it wasn’t confirmed until the end exactly how much time had gone past. I also think that the message Yates was trying to get across, while a beautiful one, felt a bit heavy-handed at times.

With all that being said, I still very much enjoyed this read. I only read a few of the 14 books in the Gold Valley series but I am saddened that there won’t be anymore. I know that this is a series that I will read and reread over and over again in my life. If you love romance and are wanting a book that will give you all the feels but also deliver some spice, then you can’t go wrong with The True Cowboy of Sunset Ridge.

4.5 stars

This story has the emotional and connections I am used to getting from Maisey Yates. Mallory and Colt have a similar but different story to Griffin and Iris from The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass, and I really loved that book. This story starts out fast and kept me engaged throughout.

Both Mallory and Colt have a lot they’ve held onto over the years. Partly because they find some things too painful to talk about, partly because they truly feel as though their loved ones would view them differently or think of them as “less than” if they were honest. Especially Mallory. She’s grown up in the shadow of her brother Griffin. Not from anything he’s done, he’s a great guy. In fact, he’s always been her hero. But she never felt she could live up to his reputation…at school, with her parents, in work. Of course, since Mallory keeps this all to herself, her parents and brother cannot reassure her and convince her that she is a wonderful human and enough for all of them no matter what. It doesn’t help that Mallory has been stuck in a relationship for half of her life with a man (child?) who keeps her self-esteem down in order to keep her around.

Colt spotted Mallory across the room many months ago and hasn’t been able to forget her. The feeling is mutual and now Mallory is back in town, single, and ready to rebuild her life how she wants. Mallory and Colt connect right away and then fate has some fun. A one-night stand turns into a family connection they didn’t know they had turns into he’s her landlord. I guess if you haven’t read the other books in this series that can be considered a spoiler, but otherwise it’s not. These two cannot get away from each other. Part of them is fine with the forced proximity, they have such great chemistry and are drawn to each other. But neither wants a relationship or any other sort of entrapment.

There are so many lovely moments in this story. Mallory and Colt are able to talk to one another in ways they cannot with anyone else. And whenever one reveals a truth they’ve kept hidden from family, the other always has their back. When a baby is added into the mix they are drawn together even more and are forced to face the demons from their past in order to be the best and work together for the little life they are now responsible for. This leads to so many sweet moments, as well as stressful moments that bring out the best of them both in the long run.

I love the chemistry and connection, I loved the storyline, I loved the strength the characters found within themselves and with each other. There were a few points things got bogged down with too many words, repeating their thoughts to an extent that I found unnecessary. That messed with the flow just a bit. All in all, it was an amazing read.

Mallory has been involved in an on again off again unsatisfying relationship with her boyfriend for the last decade and a half and she has finally made the decision to end it permanently. She has relocated to Gold Valley to be near her brother and to get the new beginning she needs. She spends a steamy evening with a sexy stranger never expecting to see her again, but fate has other plans.

Colt feels a lot of guilt and regret for the losses he has endured in the past. He has returned to his hometown looking to heal and determined to protect his heart but all it will take is a beautiful baby and his new tenant to make him see that there is so much more to life than the way he has been living it and now he just needs to convince her.

This is a heartwarming story about two people who are cautious because of the emotional scars of their past. There is no denying the physical connection between them but seeing them open their hearts to each other is what made their relationship so special.

Meet Mallory, she's new to town having finally broken free from a toxic relationship. She has moved for a fresh start and to be closer to her brother and his wife. And the gorgeous stranger she locked eyes with 6 months before? We'll he's a bonus she plans to take full advantage of along with her new found freedom. After one amazing night though, reality crashes in and Mallory finds out that you can't avoid people in a small town. The more she gets to know real life cowboy Chase, the less she wants to avoid him. However, when a baby lands on his doorstep, things go way past complicated!

This was a really good read, and despite how damaged both Mallory and Chase are, they're pretty articulate! Both have fantastic character depth you don't often find in these kinds of books, and before long you find yourself rooting for them both and hoping that they make it. A quick and easy read that will be great for anyone who likes their romances with as much depth as action.

THE TRUE COWBOY OF SUNSET RIDGE – Maisey Yates

Gold Valley, Book 14

HQN

ISBN: 978-1-335-62096-5

December 28, 2021

Contemporary Romance



Gold Valley, Oregon – Present Day



Mallory Chance is new to Gold Valley, though she does have her brother living here too. After years of being stepped on by her now ex-boyfriend, she isn’t looking for a new guy, but getting laid appears to be on the horizon once she spots a tall, dark, and handsome cowboy in the Gold Valley Saloon. It isn’t long before they’re connecting and hooking up. Mallory figures she will never see him again, which is perfectly fine with her. The sex was fantastic and something she will always remember. But, alas, the next day while at a dinner at her brother and sister-in-law’s family’s house, Mallory learns that the guy she bedded is her sister-in-law’s brother, Colt Daniels. Okay, deep breath. No big deal. It’s not like they will run in the same circle since she is the new midwife, and he is a cowboy and single. But then she learns that Colt will be her landlord…



Colt isn’t into relationships but does occasional hookups. Bedding the mysterious Mallory that night fit perfectly into his scheme of plans. Finding out that she is his sister’s husband’s sister complicates things just a little. But they can pretend they don’t know each other, right? After renting the cabin on his property to the new midwife in town, Colt soon learns when she arrives to get the key that it is Mallory. Well, they aren’t living that close, so things will be all right. But Mallory has barely settled in when Colt gets an unexpected guest who dumps a newborn infant into his lap—and takes off. He doesn’t know how to take care of a baby! But Mallory does…



Mallory and Colt are thrown together unexpectedly to care for a newborn in THE TRUE COWBOY OF SUNSET RIDGE by Maisey Yates, the newest book in the ongoing Gold Valley series. While there are now 14 (and counting) tales in the series, each one can easily be read as a standalone. Mallory has had a troubled life, mainly stemming from a horrific experience she had at age fifteen. It left her dependent on Jared, her boyfriend for that entire time. But Jared turned out to be a jerk who used her. One day, Mallory has enough, dumps him, and moves to Gold Valley to be closer to her only sibling. She feels like she is starting her life over again. However, she starts off her first night in town by having a one-night stand that eventually comes back to bite her. Even though she thought it would be a one and done experience, she soon learns that once with Colt isn’t enough.



The baby left in Colt’s care is the daughter of a young man that he helped mentor into adulthood. His unexpected death has haunted Colt as he blames himself for it. Colt knew there was a baby on the way, but until the mother dumps the infant into his arms, he hadn’t thought too much about it. Now he is responsible for the care and feeding of a little bundle of joy. Having Mallory help him is good, though it brings them closer—and feelings of lust grow. Will they act upon them once again? Does the sun rise in the east? Mallory and Colt figure their cozy family atmosphere will only be short-term, but could it end up being long-term?



A sexy and intriguing tale that will have you rooting for Colt and Mallory to find their way to each other, don’t miss the fun in THE TRUE COWBOY OF SUNSET RIDGE.



Patti Fischer

Romance Reviews Today

This was one of my favorites in the series. Colt has always been a lone wolf ever since his parents death. He feels guilty and responsible for his mother's death as he gave up his spot on the plane do she could go with her husband and his brother and his wife to Alaska.

He joined the bull fighting circuit until a young fan becomes his protege and loses his life. Colt in leaves the circuit after Trent's death returning home to Gold Valley. But he's not really living until he meets Mallory.

A chance meeting in a bar leafs to s one- night stand. But fate plays it's hand and Mallory and Colt need to decide to accept and follow the course of true love or live in their protective existence.

A fun, emotional and honest story about coming to terms with the past while learning to embrace the future.

I received a Free ARC ebook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

This is a Cowboy Romance, and this is the 14th book in the Gold Valley series. This is not a sweet and cute romance. I have read and reviewed all the other books in the Gold Valley series before reading this book. There is steamy parts in this book, but most of this book the two main characters fights the romance. Mallory and Colt need each other to get over their issues they have been running from facing. I really love these characters, and I loved this book. I love the emotions the characters worked through in this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin) or author (Maisey Yates) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.