The Rough Rider by Maisey Yates, book four in her Four Corners series, is a deeply moving, beautifully written and emotional, story about Alaina Sullivan and Gus McCloud. There are few trigger topics in this story: physical and mental abuse, trust issues, growing up; you may need tissues nearby while reading this book. Alaina and Gus, have survived very painful experiences from their childhoods. Abandonment issues, as well as physical and mental abuses have made them feel unworthy of love.

Gus is the oldest of his siblings and protector of his little brothers from their physically abusive father. When their mother decided to leave before her husband kills her, their father turns his anger on his boys. Trying to save his brother from a beating has Gus running for his life. The scars are still with Gus inside and on the outside. Everyone keeps their distance from him, except for little Alaina, the spitfire always has a smile for him. Never afraid of the scars that cover his face, she grows up and the sweet little girl is now a woman; a woman that Gus is now desiring. Alaina is the youngest of four sisters and never really fits in. Always a daddy’s girl until he left followed by mom a couple years after; struggling to only live with the memories. Fiona the oldest sister has kept the ranch and girls all together but it wasn’t what Alaina saw as her future.

When Gus discovers that she is pregnant and the father wants nothing to do with her or the baby, he proposes a marriage of convenience. He tells her he is doing it for honor, but deep down he knows he is marrying her in order to have her close. Living together, their relationship becomes more intimate and both must wrestle with their demons, their fears and doubts in an attempt to decide what they want from each other. They eventually find the courage to fight for and accept the love between them. I highly recommend The Rough Rider to other readers.

Another book in the Four Corner’s Ranch Series is out! The Rough Rider by Maisey Yates brings us the mysterious character of Gus McCloud. His past was shrouded in mystery, but as we read on, we realize it is more shrouded in pain and anger. His father was a cruel man and Gus took the brunt of it. Gus’s defense was to become a man who did not form attachments.

Alaina Sullivan is impulsive, beautiful and pregnant. Knowing her community and her situation, Gus offered to marry her - in name only. As usual, in name only migrated to hot sex at night and separate lives during the days. Alaina comes to realize that Gus is the man for her, but Gus is slower coming to recognize his love for her. I enjoyed how Alaina and Gus sparked off each other. Alaina was doggedly determined to help Gus free himself of the horror of his past. Gus was determined to stay unattached emotionally.

Meanwhile the ranches are trying to balance growth with cash flow, which is starting to get a little tricky between Alaina’s sisters and Gus’s family. Alaina deftly treads between them, but I am sure in future books, there are more surprises to come! The storyline definitely left room for some newer characters to shine in the future.

I love the Maisey Yates’ series called the Four Corner’s Ranch! I loved this book, The Rough Rider! I can’t wait for more of them to come out!

This was my first visit to Four Corners Ranch. An interesting tale of two dysfunctional families. No fun for them. It was enjoyable to see the growth of the two main characters. Lots to overcome. I did skip over the intimate scenes. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is the 4th book in the Four Corners Series and the first I read. Definitely can be read as a standalone but this was so good I will be backtracking to read the previous books. Your heart will go out to Gus, the oldest of his siblings and the protector of his little brothers from their physically abusive father. When their mother decided to leave before her husband kills her, he turns his anger on his boys. Trying to save his brother from a beating has Gus running for his life. The scars are still with Gus inside and on the outside. Everyone keeps their distance from him and he is fine with that, but little Alaina, the spitfire always has a smile for him. Never afraid of the scars that cover his face and then she grows up and the sweet little girl is now a woman. A woman that now has Gus lusting for.
Alaina is the youngest of four sisters and never really fits in. Always a daddy girl, but then daddy left and mom left a couple years afterwards, she couldn’t live with the memories. Fi the oldest sister has kept the ranch and girls all together but it wasn’t what Alaina saw as her future. Taking things into her own hands she has a one night stay that left her pregnant and the man doesn’t want or care. When Gus sees Alaina throwing up at a town’s meeting and discovers she is pregnant his protector instants takes over and the last thing he ever thought he would do. He tells her we are getting married.
Many topics are covered in this story, physical and mental abuse, trust issues, growing up and learning to stand up for what you want. It’s a gripping story that has you turning pages. I only thing that I thought was Alaina seemed very immature for someone who is 24 years old, but she does finally realize it’s time to grow up and stand up for what she wants. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheRoughRider

All through this series, I knew Gus would break my heart. I was right. He’s a character you want to take back to childhood and give him love and affection and, most of all, protection. Being the oldest in an abusive home turned Gus into a fierce protector from an early age. When their mom left, it put an even great burden on the child to be the first line of defense. But who was protecting Gus?

Alaina is one of those people Gus has put under his protective umbrella. He likes to act as though he only cares about his brothers and his land, but Gus cares deeply about a lot. Such as his neighbor Alaina. There’s a bit of an age gap between Alaina and Gus, but she always struck him as a firecracker ready to explode. He didn’t ever want to tamp down that flame, but still always felt led to keep her safe. Until one day he looked up and realized she was no longer a child, but a woman. He still tried to protect her by shoving his new feelings way down, never allowing anyone to even suspect his desires because Gus feels he is not worthy. He does not feel lovable or important enough to ever deserve someone so alive and wonderful.

I have my issues with parts of Alaina’s story. I definitely look at surprise pregnancy stories differently than I did 10 or even 5 years ago. There are parts of this particular story that are beautiful when it comes to how Gus is all in on being the father and his feelings toward this as yet unborn baby are never questioned. But this isn’t Gus’s biological baby, he steps in to marry Alaina to help her to save face when she gets pregnant from a one-night stand. That’s fine. I have no problems with that either. In fact, I appreciate the thoughts and feelings Alaina has about that incident. It’s more so that there’s never really any discussion about options. That made the beginning of this story, until I settled into the feelings between Gus and Alaina and that part of the story, a bit hard for me to swallow.

That all being said, this is an amazing story. I love the connection Alaina and Gus have and have always had. I’m glad Alaina was able to speak up for her wants and needs and demand what she deserves. This book started with the possibility of falling into a rut of a young woman needing a man to make her way in life and to deal with her troubles, instead, it turned into a woman demanding equal footing both physically and emotionally.

The Rough Rider is the first book I have ever read by Maisey Yates. It will not be the last. The nice thing about jumping into the middle of the series is going back and catching up on characters I have just met, characters I want in my life for the foreseeable future.

The Rough Rider had lots of thrilling drama that grabbed me and kept me reading just to see what would happen next. The characters lives were intertwined with lots of twists and possibilities. It was so much fun to see how they were interact.

It was really enjoyable to see how the relationship between Gus and Alaina would go. At the same time I learned a lot of the back history. They both had a horrible childhood, but poor Angus. This guy is a survivor still trying to learn how to survive. He may not have wanted my tears, but they flowed anyways.

Friends and family didn't understand their relationship. They definitely didn't see it coming. Circumstances brought them together. He became my hero. He became Alaina's hero. I couldn't wait to see what would keep them together. As emotional walls came tumbling down, I read faster and faster. I couldn't wait to see where their relationship would go next.

Time to go back and read the first three books so I can enjoy Gus and Alaina all over again.

The Rough Rider is an intriguing read. I was captivated by the enchanting tale of Gus and Alaina. Yates' storyline is exceptionally imaginative and heartwarming, leaving a lasting impression. The author skillfully delves into the backgrounds and innermost thoughts of each Rough Rider character, presenting them with profound depth through her eloquent prose. This series of books never fails to impress me, and I am continually amazed by the sheer brilliance displayed within its pages.

I don't understand why so many western romances have the baby boomer generation being so abusive to their children, as I have been reading too many of them from this author and others. I hope it isn't a real thing, as I am a baby boomer and I don't think that is what we were about.

I did not read the three previous stories, but could easily fill in the lines from the back stories the author provided. That only encourages me to go read those too. As I wrote above, the parents of the main two characters were mentally and physiaclly abusive and left scars on their children. Gus was the oldest of his brothers. First their mother abandoned them, before their abusive father killed her, but she left her boys behind, promising Gus that she would come back for them. She didn't. The other neighbors did nothing either. While protecting his brothers, Gus's father locked him in a shed and then lit it on fire. He managed to escape, but not without painful physical scars dn fears that he would become his father. He was only 13, but soon as he was larger, he made sure his father was gone from the ranch. His brothers also have the abandonment issues from their mother and the guilt of what happened to their brother, protecting them. The only light in his life, is little Alaina Sullivan, his neighbor. Both her parents also walked out on their girls. Eleven years his junior, he has been pulling her out of scraps her entire life. When he finds out that she is pregnant and the father wants nothing to do with her or the baby, he proposes a marriage of convenience. What he doesn't tell her, is that he has actually been lusting after her, since she became a woman, but he is all about being a martyr. Slowly she manages to worm herself into his life, body and heart. His challenge is to let go of the past and give her his heart. It is an engaging story, though parts of it got a it repetitive and it is hard not to feel for both Alaina and Gus.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

THE ROUGH RIDER
By Maisey Yates
This is book number four in the Four Corners Ranch series
Comes out July 25 2023

This one will definitely keep you reading! I was hooked on the very first page. Had a hard time putting it down.

This is Alaina and Gus’s story. Boy, what a story it is!
Gus has always been Alaina’s protector. Starting at a very young age when he saved her from drowning. He is much older than her, and never had any physical attraction, until after she became a woman.
Alaina finds herself pregnant after I once nightstand, for which she lost her virginity. She is completely devastated.
Gus, once again comes to her rescue. She is not gonna let this baby grow up without a daddy.

I found the story to be deeply moving. And I highly recommend it!

I read this book in exchange for my honest review

Alaina and Gus have been friends since she was a child. He’s always been there to stand up for her, to protect her. So, when she finds out she’s pregnant, Gus steps in and offers to marry her, even though the child isn’t his. He explains it will only always be a marriage of convenience and nothing more. He will protect her, provide for her, give her anything she wants. Except his love. She accepts his proposal. But as they start their new lives together, Alaina grows closer to Gus. She’s surprised to discover that she’s fallen in love with him and that she probably had loved him since the first time she remembers him being there for her as a child. But Gus won’t return that love.

Both Alaina and Gus had traumatic childhoods. Both suffered abandonment. Gus suffered worse. He fears abandonment again, fears loving someone, fears he’s too much like his abusive father. Can Alaina break down the walls he’s built around himself to keep others away? As much as she loves him, will her love be enough?

A story of domestic abuse, trauma, tragedy, attempted murder, fear, guilt, family dynamics, and more.

One thing that was somewhat annoying was the repetitiveness throughout the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have been waiting for Gus’ story.
The Gus gushing will now commence. Damaged and deep Gus. Strong and severe Gus. Hunky and harsh Gus.
I spent most of the book alternating between wanting to squeeze him but then smack him too.
All he wanted was for someone to love him and need him. It took Alaina to break his walls down.
I’m old school so I loved the marriage of convenience, waiting for the fun to begin.
Gus has been special from the moment he was introduced. Tortured and testy Gus is a big sweetie who just needed someone to realize that.
A touching read.

This book is a winner - it had me totally engrossed from the very first page and kept me hooked until the very last page. The author made me fall in love with the characters and feel invested in their story. They had enough depth to feel real and made me want them to get a HEA ending. Their history is awful and heart wrenching. It's impossible to read this novel without shedding a tear or two. I loved how they came together and fought against their childhoods reaching for something better.

Fans of the genre will love this book. While this is part of a series, this is a stand alone novel. It's the first book in a new series, however, it continues on with the characters we've met in the author's prior series set at Four Corners Ranch. The author is on my must read authors' list.

THE ROUGH RIDER – Maisey Yates
A Perfect 10
Four Corners Ranch, Book 4
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-60098-1
July 25, 2023
Contemporary Romance

Four Corners Ranch, Oregon – Present Day

Alaina grew up under the protectiveness of her older sisters, so it’s no surprise that she wants to spread her wings by giving her virginity to the first man she likes. But he turns out to be unavailable as he loves her best friend. So, Alaina turns to another man for a night of sex. It was not pleasurable, and he left town soon afterward, but he left behind one reminder of their night together: Alaina is now pregnant.

Alaina isn’t sure how to tell her sisters that she is pregnant, and the baby’s father wants no part of it, but that decision is taken out of her hands when local cowboy Gus McCloud steps in and informs her that they will get married. It doesn’t matter that he isn’t the father. He plans to raise Alaina’s baby as his own. To her surprise, she agrees to marry him. Of course, Alaina asks Gus about the…uh…sex. His answer is to laugh at her and tell her no. Hurt, because she really wants to experience what it would be like to have sex with Gus, she stalks away. But she will take what he does offer and begins to build a life with him as a married, expectant couple. Will living under the same roof change the way they feel about each other, including the joy of sex?

Both Gus and Alaina had rough childhoods, with both sets of parents leaving their respective families. But he had it worse when his father literally set a shed on fire with Gus in it. With numerous burns that took months to recover from, he still has scars. For people not familiar with Gus McCloud, they see him as an oddity, while Alaina sees him as almost an older brother, or at least, a protector. So it wasn’t a surprise when he stepped in and offered to marry her. She was willing to raise her baby solo, but it would have left people pitying her. Gus gives Alaina security and protection. In the early days of their marriage, there is much bickering as they squabble about how they should adjust to marriage. She wants to cook and clean for him, while he is content to live on frozen pizza and in a dirty house. But soon they start to look like any other married couple as they enjoy meals together and visit friends. How long with it all last before old hurts raise its ugly head?

I found THE ROUGH RIDER to be an emotional read and one that I enjoyed so much that I’m giving it A Perfect 10. Gus and Alaina will make you cry, make you laugh, and leave you with a big smile on your face by the end. They are clearly wounded warriors of the heart, hurt by what life has thrown at them, but together they find healing and joy. Their family and friends at the Four Corners ranching community thought it was strange that Gus and Alaina got together, but knowing their history through the years, it’s no wonder that he steps in and rescues her again. But their marriage is rocky as both feel they don’t deserve love. At some point in THE ROUGH RIDER, things change. Will it lead to a realization that they can’t live without the other?

A beautiful and emotional journey about finding love between two people who deserve happiness, be sure to not miss THE ROUGH RIDER.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

You may need tissues handy as you read this book. I certainly did. The two main characters, Alaina and Gus, have survived very painful experiences from their childhoods. Abandonment issues, as well as physical and mental abuses have made them feel unworthy of love. They are wary of exposing their hearts to more hurt, though somehow they feel connected to each other. The physical scars Gus bears are a reminder of a heinous crime against him, but his worst scars are the ones he carries deep within himself. He has protected and watched over his siblings for years, and Alaina has garnered his protection too ever since he rescued her from drowning when she was five. He has watched her grow and blossom into a young woman, and has hidden his attraction to her for years.

Alaina has been smitten with Gus’s brother for years, but when her best friend claims him for herself, Alaina’s disappointment and hurt lead her into the arms of another. A unexpected pregnancy and another rejection leave her feeling more alone than ever. Gus is the first to notice Alaina’s morning sickness and once again steps up to rescue her. He offers her a marriage of convenience and she grudgingly accepts. Gus never thought he would get married or have children, (his scars and rumours about about him keep most people away), but he steps up to help Alaina so she and her child won’t be looked down upon. He tells her he is doing it for honour, but deep down he knows he is marrying her in order to have her close. As their story continues, feelings change and deepen, their relationship becomes more intimate and both must wrestle with their demons, their fears and doubts in an attempt to decide what they want from each other. They eventually find the courage to fight for and accept love between them.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Chalk up one more outstanding, angst-laden read in The Rough Rider, book #4 in the Four Corners Ranch series by Maisey Yates. I absolutely could not put this novel down and it is most definitely a 5-star read.

Angst is too mild a word for the lives and relationships of the main characters in this novel. Alaina and her sisters had a double whammy when Alaina Sullivan was just a child. First one day her cheating father just walked away and didn't look back. As soon as Alaina came of age, her mom left too, and her oldest sister, Fia, became the dominating force in her family, a family trying to hang onto their corner of ranch by trying to turn their barn into a farm stand, selling jams, jellies, baked goods and other home-grown and homemade products.

Alaina has also had a long-time crush on her sexy neighboring rancher, Hunter LcCloud, and since he barely notices her, and then feels betrayed when she discovers that he's been sleeping with her best friend, Elsie, and that Elsie is in love with him. One day Alaina decides that it's time to lose her virginity, and, in addition that experience being an uncomfortable and unfulfilling, one-sided experience with Travis, a man she barely knows, she also ends up getting pregnant. When she tell him, he wants her to have an abortion, something she decides not to do. Alaina's keeping her pregnancy a secret, but then there's morning sickness, and Fia finds the postivie test strip in a wastebasket.

Enter Angus (Gus) McCloud, Hunter's older brother, whose father was a violently abusive drunk, who turned his violence on Gus, after Gus' mother fled the ranch, leaving her sons behind, and culminating in his father locking him in a room and attempting to burn Gus alive, leaving him physically and emotionally scarred for life. He's avoided people ever since, the scars clearly visible on his face, and his firm belief that he might have inherited his father's violent tendencies, but the one bright spot in his lonely life has been Alaina, whom he rescued from drowning when she was 5 years old, and whom he eventually became attracted to on her 18th birthday--another secret he's been keeping ever since, since he's 11 years older than Alaina, who, in his eyes, is only interested in handsome men. A big thank you to Ms. Yates for giving me a scarred hero to love--I do so love novels with scarred heroes and wounded warriors, and this one is a gem.

It's Gus who first notices Alaina's morning sickness and his solution to her problem is what at first appears to be a marriage of convenience, but it's so much more than that, as both of these deeply wounded souls deal with their own issues both separately amd together. If you're looking for deeply moving character development and angst, this novel has it in spades. The Rough Rider is such an emotionally charged read that I spent a good part of the time feeling the deep and heartfelt pain of Gus and Alaina's relationship, and reaching for my box of tissues.

Finally a trigger warning, and there are plenty of them in this novel, including child and adult abandonment, child, adult and spousal abuse, and even attempted murder. If these are issues for you, I suggest you read something else. But if you can get past the triggers, I think you'll love this deeply moving novel as much as I did. It's a great addition to this addictive series, and, quite simply, an amazing read, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

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

Rough Rider
Masiey Yates
July 25, 2023

Alaina Sullivan was always a rowdy little girl. She loved to work around the ranch but her favorite task was to work with the horses; riding, training, and taking special care. Her best friend, Elsie, did the same at her farm. As they grew they made grown up plans for men, children and future jobs. At 24 each had worshiped Hunter McCloud. He was one of 5 McCloud siblings who was a standout. When it seemed that Elsie would claim his heart, Alaina decided it was time to find a beau regardless of what she needed to do. In this case the short date with Travis caused further problems. When life provided more than she could handle, the eldest McCloud, Gus, would often come to her rescue.
The Rough Rider will be published on July 25, 2023 by Canary Street Press. I was able to read and review Maisey Yates latest Four Corners Ranch novel via NetGalley. Once again I was charmed by her story of Gus and Alaina. Her storyline is tremendously creative and heartwarming. The backgrounds and deep thoughts of each of the Rough Rider characters are spelled out in such stirring journalism. I am always impressed by the books in this series. Her fans will be pleased with Rough Rider. If you have not read Yates Four Corners Ranch series give it a go, it is a delightful set of family stories.
Do enjoy!

Alaina and Gus seriously need therapy for their childhood. How either of them think that they will be a good spouse and parent without talking it all out is beyond me. Gus does talk to Alaina about his childhood. All the gorey details. It helps her to see him a different way.
There is a lot of trauma that happened in their youth. It could be a trigger for some while reading this book.

"The Rough Rider" by Maisey Yates is an enthralling modern Western romance novel set against the backdrop of a small, close-knit community, the story follows the intense relationship between an older tough, brooding cowboy and a young spirited woman in a life changing situation.

Yates excels at crafting compelling characters, and in "The Rough Rider," she delivers a hero and heroine who are both complex and relatable. The cowboy protagonist is the epitome of the strong, silent type, with a troubled past that adds depth to his character. The heroine, on the other hand, is a resilient and determined woman who is navigating her way through adult life.

The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and Yates skillfully builds their relationship with a mix of tension, passion, and emotional vulnerability. The rural setting and close community serve as a rich backdrop for the story, enhancing the overall atmosphere and adding a touch of adventure.

While "The Rough Rider" follows some familiar tropes of the genre, Maisey Yates injects enough originality and depth into the story to keep readers engaged. Her writing style is engaging and evocative, making it easy to get lost in the pages of the book. Maisey Yates showcases her talent for crafting complex characters and weaving compelling love stories. Whether you're a fan of modern rural romances or simply enjoy a heartfelt and steamy tale, this book is worth picking up.

"The Rough Rider" is the fourth book in Maisey Yates' "Four Corners Ranch" series. I haven't read the other books in this series, but was still able to follow the storyline without any problems. This book centers around Alaina, who lives in a small town and suddenly finds herself pregnant and single. Not knowing what to do, she turns to her lifelong neighbor, Gus, and spills out her concerns. Gus, who has been in love with Alaina for years, offers to marry her so that she doesn't have to face the rumors and gossip of being a single mother. Alaina agrees and is surprised to find herself falling for this gentle yet grumpy man.

I enjoy the marriage of convenience trope, however I did have one main concern. I felt the big age difference between Gus and Alaina created a power imbalance and they weren't able to be equal partners. The two of them have other emotional concerns to work through in their story line that this age difference wasn't necessary to include. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.