I love Maisey Yates. She knows how to write ranchers and blue collar heroes. The Rough Rider is no different. The characters pulled me in and never let me go. And while I wanted to shake them because they were thinking of others and not themselves, that's what made them wonderful!

GIMME ALL THE COWBOYS! I loved this book so much! This was my first book by Maisey and it definitely won't be my last! So good!

This was a great addition to the series, I adored Gus as the hero. The chemistry between Alaina and Gus was great as well! This might be my favorite in the whole series this far.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Alaina and Gus. They have known each other all their lives. They grew up on neighboring ranches. Alaina is pregnant and the father is not involved. Gus ask her to marry him. She says yes. He is protecting the baby and her. They have things to work out and they fall in love.

~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~

I enjoyed The Rough Rider so much! It was one of those books you get sucked into til the wee hours of the morning when you're supposed to be sleeping. This book is the story of Alaina and Gus (Angus). They have known each other since childhood and Gus has always watched out for her, but the ultimate test of his protection is faced with a marriage proposal. The story follows the development of their relationship as they face their traumatic pasts and feelings. The characters of this book are so well written and their chemistry jumps off the pages (there are some quite "smexy" scenes fyi). Overall, this is a book about love, healing, survival, and family. I have only read a couple of the other books in the Four Corners Ranch series and will definitely be reading the rest. Highly recommend this book!

As I was reading this and got more involved I realized why I was enjoying it so much. Yes, I loved the characters - Gus is someone I could definitely spend time with. And the story itself, whereas slightly predictable is thoroughly enjoyable. But for me this was all about how my amazing Aunt has given many of her books and I have read them over the years. This made me so happy and I am so glad I got to read this book.

Alaina and Gus have known each other for very long time and when Alaina finds herself pregnant she isn't thrilled about the idea that the small town will go so her childhood friend Gus decides to stand in. Gus has always been a protector to those he loves and Alaina is no different and will do everything he can to take care of her and her child as a husband without the whole love thing getting in the way or at least that's what he thought.

I really enjoyed this book this whole plot is something that I'm pretty sure you've read many times over but I like how the author managed to make it her own with these unique set of characters. It was interesting seeing how this book played out. Alaina was a pretty free and out there character, and Gus was pretty serious and he really took care of things in a way he only knew how. When I got to know the past of the characters I could really see why they made certain choices. Both didn't have the greatest parental figures which made them question how it would be when it came to being parent themselves or loving someone. There are plenty of steamy scenes which kept things a bit spicy. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.

When I saw the author Maisey Yates, I knew I needed to read this book. I loved every second of it just as I have in her previous ones. I can't wait to read what they publish next.

This cowboy romance is the 4th in the Four Corners Ranch series. Although this is the first one I have read I quickly understood the dynamics of the people at Four Corners. This is Alaina and Gus' unlikely but heartwarming love story. Gus has loved and been Alaina's rescuer her whole life. When she finds herself in trouble he offers to marry her and she accepts. Their marriage of convenience brought out all the emotions and I found myself heartbroken over their less than perfect childhoods (Gus' in particular). I recommend this romance to those who enjoy flawed characters. With a little editing (it was a tad too repetitive and long for my liking) it would have been a 5 star! I received an ARC of this book and all opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely

Maisey Yates is still one of my favorite authors and I am loving her continuing series about the families at the Four Corners Ranch. Gus's backstory was hinted at in previous books, but is much more tragic than I imagined. And Alaina wasn't a favorite character of mine in the last book, but she has really matured and grown in this book. I eagerly look forward to the next books in the series.

This is a Cowboy Romance, and this is the fourth book in the Four Corners Ranch series. I read the first book in this series before picking up this book, but I do think you can read this book as a standalone without any problems. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I loved the characters in this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

The Rough Rider by Maisey Yates is a story that lovers of sexy and romantic cowboys definitely don’t want to miss! I found myself swooning, laughing, and even shedding some tears as I journeyed through this story. I love the trope of “marriage of convenience” or “fake-relationship-to-love” and I think Yates did a wonderful job bringing two lost people together who were perfect for each other.

As noted in the blurb, “When Alaina finds herself pregnant and alone, she knows she’s in a tight spot. Small towns like hers tend to raise eyebrows at unwed mothers, and she knows the vicious gossip mill will soon be churning. Thankfully, her ruggedly stoic childhood protector, Gus McCloud, knows a thing or two about guarding secrets. Offering Alaina a marriage on paper is the least he can do.

As a hardworking rancher, Gus is well equipped to provide for Alaina and her baby. And despite plans for a solitary life, he wants to. He knows what it’s like to be an outsider, especially after a traumatic childhood left him with scars inside and out. Alaina has long dreamed of a fairy-tale romance, but as the growing fire between her and Gus starts feeling real enough to burn, she questions what that means. Maybe her fake marriage to Gus is the real love she’s been missing all along.”

I absolutely loved Gus McCloud! He is everything the perfect book boyfriend should be. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Alaina - she just didn’t realize what she had soon enough for me - she did eventually grow on me. 😉 Also I have not read any other books in this series but I have added them to my #TBR pile.

I recommend this book and rate it 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book Harlequin Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are usually cross-posted to social media, goodreads, bookbub, and blog. 🦄

I have been a fan of Massey Yates for several years from when I was introduced to her during 2020. It is through her work I love the small town, cowboy or cowgirl romance tropes. I was thoroughly excited and grateful to have been given a chance to receive an ARC copy of her upcoming book - The Rough Rider. Let me tell you this book did NOT disappoint. Maisey will have your emotions all over - in a good way. You feel so much more than just physical lust of love......you feel passion, kindness, perseverance, patience, and risk.

I love a redemption story, where the hero or heroine are given another opportunity to make better their past and present situation. In the grinning of the story, I thought Gus was just an overlooked cowboy because he chose to "fade" into the background, but in fact, he wasn't really overlooked but misunderstood. Granted no one could ever try to understand why he was the way he was because he was so guarded. With each chapter, you learn more and more about his traumatic childhood and what abandonment can do to a child and family. And then you have Alaina, who also was abandoned by her parents at different points and carries that sadness and trauma with her as well.

This kind of story can be hard to write about and Maisey did a tasteful job presenting all the turmoil and struggle to overcome abandonment and find love and choose to fight and keep that acceptance and unconditional love given freely. I LOVED Alaina - how she was overcoming her abandonment issues, realizing that getting together with Travis was not a good idea, how she was able to talk things through with him friend Elsie and their misundertanding, and lastly to how even though it took a marriage of convenience to know how she felt about Gus, but that she NEVER gave up. on their relationship and what it could be. She was perseverance to help Gus battle his demons and overcome them now and their future together. And sweet Gus, knowing the history deep down of the love he had for Alaina for so long and realizing it was very real what was right in front of him. You can't help but root for him as you were given all the glimpses of what a great man he is and has been - especially to Alaina. It made you want to hug and embrace him as you know that is what he didn't get as a child and youth.

Overall, the story was well done and I really enjoyed reading it. Her intimate scenes were tasteful, full of passion and desire, and not overly graphic, which I appreciate. I only docked one star because there is plenty of use of profanity - more often than I would like, and thus brought it down a star.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to receive this ARC. :)

Cowboy/western themed romance books are not something I am normally drawn to, but I really have loved the books in the Four Corners series, and this one is no different. Actually, I think this one is my favorite of the entire series. I think the thing that really captures my attention in this series is the deep familial bonds, and not just blood bonds, but those of the chosen family the characters build with each other.

This book - it is all about the Gus character for me; a strong man that could have been broken by his circumstances, but has not only survived, but has helped his younger brothers grow up into the men that they have become. His physical appearance is a constant reminder that he wasn’t loved as he should have been, and the hard road he has walked. Yet, when a girl he is friendly with find herself pregnant and without a father for her baby, he immediately steps in to help her, even though he does not believe he is worthy of her.

5 stars, all the way! I can’t wait to see what’s next for Four Corners.

Alayna had a crush on Hunter but she’s going to wind up marrying his brother Angus. When she found out her best friend was dating Hunter she decided to go out with what she thought was the next best option and she wound up in back of his truck and a month later pregnant. Needless to say she’s not a big fan of SEX. So the night of the bonfire and group meeting Angus sees her run out of the barn when they announce Hunter is marrying elsie. it seems Angus is always around when Alayna need saving but this time it will come in the form of a marriage announcement and Fia isn’t happy about it at all and actually none of the Sullivan sisters are. In four corners everyone knows everyone else’s business but will others find out that Kennedy is really the babies daddy and not Angus and even though Angus is older than Alina And everyone thinks him a murderer will that stop Alayna from falling for the good looking brooding cowboy? I love Macy Yates books and although this is the first one I have read from the four corners collection I will definitely read the rest the spot has the right amount of drama and sweet romance to clinch any lover of Love‘s appetite. I am not a big fan of books about men and women who sleep around but there is something about a great Macy Yates romance that I cannot pass up an in this book The Rough Rider you definitely see why. I hope Fia‘s book is next but no matter who’s next I’m down to read it. This is a book I highly recommend there are no detailed sex scenes but lots of sweet romance I want to think net galley and Harlequin trade romance for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I cried and laughed while reading this book. It pulls your heartstrings and you can’t help but feel all of the emotions that Gus and Alaina have. Neither of them have had a normal life as a kid, but Gus went through something so horrible, he hasn’t been whole since. Alaina has found herself in a situation and Gus is going to come and save the day like he always has for her. Will Alaina accept his help and see if there is more there? I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Rough Rider is the fourth novel in Maisey Yates Four Corners series. Youngest Sullivan sister Alaina discovers an unexpected pregnancy as the result of a single brief disappointing virginity losing interlude with a known womanizer. As she escapes the get together that follows a Four Corners Town Hall being held at the McClouds spread when she is overcome by nausea, it is the eldest McCloud brother Gus that follows to be sure she is okay. In his mid thirties to Alaina’s mid twenties, the big man who is covered by scars inside and out is a gentle giant with a growling persona, somewhat like the French author Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s fairy tale character from Beauty and the Beast. However, rather than this status be a witch’s spell, Gus is the victim of a brutally menacing father that attempted to kill him. What kept Gus going through months of recovery was the knowledge that he was all his younger brothers had to protect them.

With their father out of the picture and the brothers grown, Gus is still a protector at heart. When Gus discerns Alaina’s dilemma, he immediately proposes. He had not planned to ever have a wife or family, but in that moment all Gus knows is that he will be protector for Alaina and her child.

While Gus’s childhood was fraught with violence, Alaina’s was marked by desertion. First Alaina’s father walked away from the family and ranch when she was 11. Seven years later, her mother walked away from the pain of this loss when Alaina, the baby, reached 18. Both deeply scarred, Alaina and Gus expose each other’s vulnerabilities, but in doing so just may save each other after all.

Perhaps I am seeing too deeply, but I find that Ms. Yates has penned a perfectly modern day fairy tale with many life lessons regarding healing from one’s past to prepare for one’s future. This was a well woven story with deeply drawn characters in a rugged setting. I very much enjoyed the depth of this story and absolutely recommend it!

This was a great book. I really hope it is going to be a series be cause I would like to read about the sisters. I would highly recommend this book. But once you pick it up you won't be able go put it back down.

Alaina Sullivan has made a terrible mistake, but she has no idea what to do about it. Gus McCloud has always been Alaina's protector from the time she was a little girl. Will Gus be able to protect Alaina from her mistake while still guarding his heart? That is a very gross understatement of the gist of this story.

Both Alaina and Gus are very damaged people, and they are also immature in many ways. The author gave each of them very large growth curves, but I think that Gus had the more emotionally draining story. I don't want to go into a lot of details because the story builds on itself so I could end up ruining the flow. The author introduces the fact that Gus was burned as a child and still has the scars from the incident. Also, people in town this Gus killed his father when he was 18. Those facts set up a lot of what drives both characters to grow and change. Alaina has issues with her parents, but her biggest issue is immaturity. She has a lot of realizations during the course of the story that make her grow up pretty quickly. The author did not take the easy route and have people enter the story just to cause angst instead choosing to have the characters work thru their personal demons.

This story has a very specific writing style that I found to be annoying at times. I could never fully drop into the pacing of the writing, so I did not feel fully invested until the very end when everything finally comes together. Also, this story uses repetition to push the story along. The problem was that some of the repetition just felt like repetition with no measurable value and some of it felt like maybe the characters knew something only to later reveal that the characters did not know it. I don't want to give the biggest example because it is one of the big reveals at the end, but pieces and parts were repeated so often that I was surprised to find that no everyone knew.

In the end, this story has a true and painful emotional punch. I was screaming for the characters to get professional counseling. They seriously need counseling! This story takes place in Oregon on a ranch called Four Corners. This story is part of a much larger world that takes place in Four Corners. I seriously thought about giving this book a 3-star review but in the end the conclusion has such a punch, I had to give it 4 stars. Will I read more from this author? Maybe. Sometimes a book can be good, but I just don't enjoy the writing style and I don't necessarily want to spend my reading time that way.

Alaina finds herself pregnant after a losing her virginity in the back of a pickup truck. Gus, who has always protected her, offers marriage. Alaina finds herself falling for Gus but he has personal issues. I liked the story and characters but the endless talks about their pasts got old.