From "love at first sight" this is a book has all the feels. Family comes in many different forms. Some choices are not as simples as one might believe. Fate has a way of showing that no matter the path you end up where you are supposed to be.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this early read.

Hero for the Holidays (Four Corners Ranch, #9)
by Maisey Yates (Goodreads Author)
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Donna Repsher's reviewOct 20, 2024 · edit
it was amazing

Maisey Yates just gets better and better with every new book, and she certainly proved that in this 9th installment of her Four Corners Ranch series. If you've never read any of the books in this series, Hero for the Holidays works just fine as a standalone, but having read the other books in this series would certainly make more clear the relationships with other characters in this novel. For this reader, it more than earned this 5-star rating.

First, a trigger warning. If teen pregnancy and giving up a newborn baby for adoption are issues for you, you may want to pick up a different novel in this series--all of the previous 8 books are excellent reads.

Landry King, aged 16, and Fia Sullivan, age 15, both came from broken and/or troubled homes, and despite that, they fell in love/lust, and were crazy about each other. Their escape from those broken households ended in Fia becoming pregnant, and although Landry wanted her to keep the baby, instead, she left town while 7 months pregnant, found and lived with the family she carefully chose to adopt her baby, and came home, satisfied that she'd found a good, loving home for her baby, and that she'd done what was best for all concerned. To say that Landry had no part in this decision and was enraged by what she had done resulted in 13 years of angry silence between the two--and they lived on neighboring ranches. Landry searched for and eventually found which adoption agency Fia had used, contacted them, and left his name and address just in case his daughter ever wanted to find her birth parents, and 13 years later, his daughter, Lila, finally does contact him--her adoptive parents had died and she had nowhere to go and no one else to go to. Well, Landry still wanted her, and he brings her home, all without telling Fia, with whom he's rarely spoken in the past 13 years.

What follows is one of the most angst-laden, heartfelt and heartwarming, second-chance novels I've read in years, as Landry and then Fia, have their first chance to co-parent their 13-year-old-daughter, who tells them at the outset that she's already had a mom and dad, whom she loved and missed, and she didn't want or need another set of parents.

Lila's presence in their lives, and their love for her, finally forces Landry and Fia to deal with their 13 years of animosity, anger, fear, and sense of betrayal, and that's as much as I'll say since I don't do spoilers, but I will tell you to keep your box of tissues handy, because I certainly had a need for mine. This was a fabulous read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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

This was a good story overall but I personally would have liked to have seen the storyline focus more on Fia and Landry's romance and relationship than what it did. But that's just my opinion.

However, I did still enjoy reading the book so I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 stars.

One of my favorite parts of Hero for the Holidays was when Fia realized that she still had feelings for Landry after all of the years they were apart along with the scene where they go to pick out a Christmas tree.

These were a couple of my favorite lines/quotes from Hero for the Holidays;

"He had been the boy that her fifteen-year-old heart had raced for, and now he was exactly the man that her twenty-nine-year-old self wanted to climb like a tree."

"But the other problem was that Landry himself was just undeniably hot. His whole cowboy thing had always done stuff to her. That white hat, his tight shirt. His tight jeans."

This is a good book and I think that anyone who loves reading cowboy romances would really enjoy it. And I have several more of Maisey's books on my bookshelf that I look forward to reading eventually. 🙂

4 1/2 STARS!

All of the angsty goodness we always expected from Landry and Fia plus some! Maisey Yates is so good at delivering a hero and heroine that we can believe in time and time again when it comes to her Four Corners Ranch series. The Kings, Sullivans, McClouds and Garretts have laid their hearts out one at a time to find love as they continue to enrich on the partnerships that enriches all of their homesteads. This particular book has been a long time in coming because we have felt the tension between Landry and Fia since the very beginning and just knew there was going to be some turmoil to come. I couldn't have loved their story more!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who loves a good cowboy romance with strong female leads and family galore as the supporting cast.

HERO FOR THE HOLIDAYS – Maisey Yates
Four Corners Ranch, Book 9
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-00629-5
October 22, 2024
Contemporary Romance

Four Corners Ranch, Oregon – Present Day

As HERO FOR THE HOLIDAYS opens, Landry King is in Portland to pick up his daughter who was adopted at birth. The adoptive parents were killed in an accident, leaving thirteen-year-old Lila in foster care. He plans to adopt Lila and raise her on the Four Corners Ranch, a consortium of four ranches that operates like a town of its own. Lila is soon adjusting, but Landry knows that he will have to address the elephant in the room. While his family accepts that Lila is his, how will they react when it is revealed that Fia Sullivan is her mother? She doesn’t know yet that he has Lila. Then, one day, she happens to show up. There’s no mistaking the red hair that Fia and Lila share. How will the threesome navigate their new life as a family?

Landry and Fia were teen lovers both coming from dysfunctional parents who weren’t there for their children. When she discovered she was pregnant, she knew that she couldn’t keep the baby since she was sixteen. Landry went along with her plans to give the baby up for adoption and that should have been the end of it. It also ended their romance. Through the years, Fia and Landry have tried to avoid each other, which is nearly impossible since they are part of the Four Corners Ranch. When Fia sees Lila for the first time, old emotions bubble to the surface. Love for the child she gave up, and the man she once loved…Landry. Wading through the past and trying to make life comfortable for Lila is of utmost importance. But when Lila isn’t around, Landry and Fia revisit their teen romance and the aftermath of their unplanned pregnancy. Will it lead them to rekindle their romance? Feelings between them certainly haven’t died.

HERO FOR THE HOLIDAYS is that book that will tug at your heartstrings. There is Lila, orphaned after the death of her beloved adoptive parents, and not being wanted by any of their relatives. Landry rescues her from foster care, but he isn’t sure if he is ready to be a dad, though he will force himself. He has a reputation for being tough and surly, but he will do anything for Lila. Fia is the oldest Sullivan sister and has spent the past several years raising her younger siblings after they were abandoned by their parents. She also has been getting their store up and running. She never forgot about the baby she gave up and, in a sense, punished herself. Now she has a second chance to make her daughter happy. There are unresolved feelings between Landry and Fia, which are confronted now that they are forced to spend time together. Will love grow between them once again?

Readers will no doubt be rooting for Landry and Fia to reconnect in HERO FOR THE HOLIDAYS. They are halfway there when Lila indicates she wants her parents to live under the same roof. While readers don’t get to hear Lila’s inner thoughts about it, you know she would be happy to see Landry and Fia marry. Will this happen? Find out the answer by grabbing a copy of this beautiful and emotional tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Hero for the Holidays by Maisey Yates: Landry had a daughter. To be correct, he had had a daughter for thirteen years, but now her adoptive parents had been killed and someone had found the note in her file at the adoption agency and they had contacted him. There she was; he was overwhelmed. He took her back to the ranch and introduced her to his family, none of who had any idea. But there were harder introductions before him. Theirs was a unique situation, four ranches, known collectively as the Four Corners, had entered into a partnership wherein they each ran their own ranch but they voted on expenditures to be made and new projects and such. It was the new generation whose parents had all let them down in one way or another. It was working. But this, he wasn’t sure. It was just a matter of time until Fia Sullivan saw Lila and knew who she was. He hated her for what she had done so long ago. But, she had been right: the two of them, at sixteen and seventeen, with horrors for home lives could not have raised this child. She hated him for how he had reacted but there would be a reckoning, very soon.

Fia had taken over management of her father’s ranch at eighteen and made a success of it, differently than anyone had expected, partly because of the collective. She was tenacious and creative and she was making it happen. Landry worked with his brothers on a more traditional ranch but was looking at expanding into other areas which he hoped would produce income. When they had been teens, they had been each other’s refuge. He, from an abusive father, and she from a cheating one and a distraught mother. Their hormones had taken over and that had produced a child. Now, due to a random auto accident they had another chance. This book was so many things, but mainly emotional. They talked to one another and hashed through all they had felt tgeb and felt now. They talked about their daughter. They caused me to stop and think more than once. Well written by Yates, full of feels, full of new beginnings. It was more than a cowboy romance, so much more. Such a unique plot. Good book.

I was invited to read Hero for the Holidays by Harlequin Trade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarlequinTradePublishing #MaiseyYates #HeroForTheHolidays

Hero for the Holidays by Maisey Yates is the newest of her Four Corners Ranch Series (#9). The novel is full of Kings as we get insight into that part of the Four Corners Ranch. The novel also finally allows us to understand Fia and Landry. Everyone assumed that something happened between Fia and Landry, but no one knew what caused the hatred.

Landry is in the middle of adopting his daughter Lila. Lila was orphaned by her adopted parents and Landry, her biological father, was approached to adopt her. Landry was thrilled and went through all the obstacles. Landry brings Lila home to his family and she is immediately accepted, however gossip being what it is Fia finds out. She is Lila’s biological mother and with some push gets Landry to agree to co-parent with her. Lila is a 13 year old who has a head on her shoulders and seems to want to spend time with both parents. It is through this that the Four Corners Ranch finally learns the secret of the animosity between Fia and Landry.

The novel is a wonderful mix of navigating the past to find the future and serious hotness. Hero for the Holidays allows the joys of parenting to shine while figuring out the everyday. I enjoyed the novel, meeting the Kings, and Lila. Hero for the Holidays by Maisey Yates is a good read.

"Hero for the Holidays" by Maisey Yates is a heartwarming second-chance romance that I absolutely loved. The story of Landry and Fia is filled with emotion, from their painful past to their new beginning. I especially enjoyed the dynamic with Landry’s daughter, Lila, who brought so much warmth to the story. The way Maisey Yates handled grief and healing felt genuine, and the romance never felt forced or cringy. The characters’ interactions were beautifully written, and I was hooked from the start. If you love second-chance romances with heartfelt moments, this one is perfect for the holiday season!

THE BEST BOOK EVER. I loved Fia and Landry so much. THEY ARE EVERYTHING. I love how they found happiness and love again after years. Fia is absolutely a queen. She was always there for her sisters. She was like their mother. When I found out her secret about being mother at younger age, I felt so bad what happened to her. I’m happy she found peace again. I love Fia, Landry and their daughter moments. Giving found family trope and I’m living.

You should absolutely read this book.🩷

Wow. Fia and Landry had a child when they were teens- Lila- who was adopted by another couple. Now tragically, Lila's adoptive parents have been killed and Landry has brought her home. This has a lot of family drama, not only as Landry and Lila navigate their new reality, but also for Fia. And for both of their larger families. You can probably guess how this will turn out but it's a nice journey. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. For fans of Yates.

Well, this is my first Four corners book, and maybe that explains why I struggled with it. The story was a good one, adopted daughter reunited with birth parents (under unfortunate circumstances) in which the birth parents hate each other, but actually are still deeply in love.
I liked the over arching story, but I struggled to like the main characters, there was so much toxicity! Lack of communication is a trope i struggle with. Although these two sure were nonstop thinking about each other...and it could be that this is a early reader edition, but the wiring style with the stuttering multiple short sentences was a distraction. It pulled me away from the story a bit, thinking who talks like this?
I appreciate the opportunity to read this story, but I fear it's just not for me.

Landry King shows up at Four Corners Ranch with Lila his teenage daughter. No one knows he has a daughter. Lila was born when Landry was a teenager, and her mother Fia Sullivan decided to give her up for adoption. Lila's adopted parents are now dead, and he was listed in her adoption papers as a contact for when she turns eighteen. He brings her home to the ranch and they start settling in when Fia finds out her daughter is living with Landry.
Fia and Landry has a lot of decisions to make on making a family for Lila. This is my first read on the Four Corners Ranch series.

El inicio no me gustó, pero a medida que avanzaba, todo mejoró y terminó siendo un buen libro. Definitivamente leeré los libros anteriores y esperaré las historias de los hermanos King.

Fia y Landry tuvieron una relación secreta cuando eran adolescentes, que terminó en un embarazo. Ambos vivían en ambientes familiares tóxicos, por lo que su relación no era la mejor. Sin embargo, Fia sabía que no quería que su hija o hijo creciera en ese entorno, así que decidió darl@ en adopción. Landry no estaba de acuerdo, por lo que ella se escapó durante dos meses. Cuando regresó, ya no tenía al bebé. Él no pudo perdonarla y durante los siguientes 13 años apenas se hablaron.

En el presente, los padres de su hija han fallecido y ahora ellos tendrán que cuidarla. Es todo lo que diré para no dar más spoilers.

Lo que me gustó es que no todo se soluciona con el poder del amor, no, aquí no. Es un relato en doble punto de vista, lo que permite apreciar cómo les afectó a ambos todo lo que vivieron, tanto juntos como separados, y cómo la situación de su hija influyó en su manera de vivir y relacionarse con los demás.

Yo amé a Fia, me pareció una niña muy fuerte (aunque no tenía por qué serlo), una maravillosa hermana, una gran mamá, una exitosa empresaria y una mujer digna de admiración.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a good book! I enjoyed the theme and it got me ready for Christmas. Plus I love cowboys. Would read more by this author!

Fans of the Four Corners Ranch series have been waiting forever to see what the deal is with Fia and Landry and we finally find out. I was super surprised by the reveal. I was not expecting that at all. Yates really threw me for a loop haha.

I found this story to be really heartwarming and emotional. Fia and Landry have a complicated past but still hold a lot of love for each other. They are constantly bickering because of this. I loved that we explored their relationship and had a journey of watching these two heal from past hurts. Both characters are written really well and have so much growth throughout the story.

We also get to see some familiar faces which is always nice in a family interconnected series. I love the small town and the ranch so it was nice to see it again.

This is a beautiful story that will definitely warm readers' hearts. Highly recommend!

Hero for the Holidays is a truly captivating novel that showcases Maisey Yates' exceptional storytelling skills once again. I was thrilled to discover that Fia Sullivan's story was the focus of this book, as she had always been a mysterious and intriguing character to me. The intense animosity she harbored towards Landry King had piqued my curiosity, and I was completely taken aback by the revelation of her unexpected pregnancy. Yates skillfully takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride, delving deep into the complex feelings of both Fia and Landry. I found myself shedding tears as I empathized with their pain and struggles. This is not a light-hearted read, so I advise readers to brace themselves for the emotional intensity. The conclusion of their story was nothing short of fantastic, providing a satisfying end to their tumultuous journey.

I love holiday stories and this is a beautiful, heartwarming tale set against the backdrop of the festive and cozy Four Corners Ranch.

I haven't read the other books in the series (I will be now), but this can be read as a standalone.

The story follows Landry King, who returns with his teenage daughter, Lila, stirring up old memories and unresolved feelings with Fia Sullivan, his former love.

Yates brings the characters’ emotional journeys to life. The way she portrays Landry and Fia’s rekindled romance, set against the festive backdrop of the holidays, is so heartwarming and relatable. 

Yates explores themes of redemption, family, and rekindled romance which is perfect for holiday read.

The characters are well-developed, and their emotional journey is both poignant and uplifting. 

It's a beautifully written story that captures the magic of second chances and the spirit of Christmas.

While I have not read the other books in this particular series, I am familiar with Maisey Yate's style. This book had a large cast of characters and a setting with a rich history, but it was easy to follow. Lately, I have been loving single-parent romances. This book is an interesting take on a second-chance romance. I like how this book focused on personal growth in addition to the building of family bonds.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Release date October 22, 2024

This is such a heartwarming story, that brings us back to the Four Corners Ranch. Even though this is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. This is a second chance romance.
Landry King and Fia Sullivan were high school sweethearts.
They both came from homes with questionable parents. So when Fia found herself pregnant at 15, she felt the only option was to adopt the baby out. Landry had a different opinion. But Fia felt that they were both too young and wanted the best for their daughter.
So for the past 13 years, they have still had to work together. Neither one of their families could understand why they were always at each other and constantly bickering.
The one thing Landry did do is he made sure that the adoption agency had his name and number just in case his daughter wanted to meet him when she got older .
As it turned out, their daughter, Lila’s adoptive parents were killed in a car accident. After being in foster care for a year, they finally found Landry number.
So Landry went and got her and brought her back to the four corners ranch. He had her home for about three weeks before Fia found out.
I don’t want to give any more away, so I highly recommend that you read this and you may want to have some tissues near.