Linda L. Miller's story
The h leaves her home and got a job in Chicago. to go take care of her niece. while her sister is in a facility.. . She meets the H, who is a paramedic and horse trainer. Eventually the sister remembers what happened to her that put her in the facility.



M Yates
The h tries to steal one of the H's horses that she needs or a job. She gets caught by the H There is bad blood between the families. They develop a relationship .

I received an ARC from net galley

Bestselling authors Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates team up in Small Town Hero, a western romance anthology celebrating the men who risk their lives every day to keep their communities safe—the quintessential small-town hero.

Overview

The towns may be small, but the hearts of the cowboy heroes in this duo of romantic novellas are as outsized as the rugged land that surrounds them.

Standout Elements

Both novellas delve into themes of redemption, healing, and the transformative power of love. Miller’s story touches on the challenges of unexpected guardianship and confronting past traumas, while Yates explores the complexities of inherited reputations and the courage to forge one’s own path.

One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller

When a family crisis brings web designer and part-time house flipper Susannah Holiday to Arizona to care for her young niece, she’s soon juggling work, childcare—and her growing feelings for local paramedic and horse whisperer Ian McKenzie. They have more in common than meets the eye—including being cautious when it comes to love. But when a disturbing revelation from Susannah’s past surfaces, Ian is there to comfort her, and they both find their longing hearts opening to a better future—together.

Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates

After Birdie Lennox, daughter of a notorious cattle rustler, gets caught stealing a horse off Gunnar Parsons’ land, she ends up bunking in his barn to work off her debt—plus her daddy’s. But Birdie hardly has patience for Gunnar’s moralizing. The man inherited his ranch and has always hated her family. Still, it beats prison. Maybe. What neither anticipates is discovering they have more in common than they dreamed possible. Even more unexpected is the spark between them—and the love it might ignite.

Character Analysis

Susannah Holiday: A resilient woman facing unexpected challenges, Susannah’s journey is one of growth and rediscovery.

Ian McKenzie: A compassionate paramedic and horse whisperer, Ian embodies the essence of a small-town hero.

Birdie Lennox: Determined and spirited, Birdie’s struggle to break free from her family’s shadow is both compelling and inspiring.

Gunnar Parsons: Stoic yet fair, Gunnar’s interactions with Birdie reveal a depth of character and a capacity for understanding.

Memorable Quotes

“Sometimes, the threads we fear will unravel us are the very ones that bind us closer together.”

“Love doesn’t always come riding in on a white horse; sometimes, it walks beside you in worn boots.”

Final Thoughts

Small Town Hero offers readers two heartfelt stories that celebrate love, resilience, and the strength found in tight-knit communities. While each novella stands on its own, together they provide a satisfying exploration of the western romance genre. Fans of Miller and Yates will appreciate their signature storytelling styles, and newcomers will find this anthology a delightful introduction to both authors.

Small Town Hero offers two offerings with girl meets cowboy/hero/good guy: One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller and Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates.

One Lonesome Cowboy: After hearing the news that her sister has been hospitalized for her mental issues, Susannah Holiday heads to Arizona to care for her young niece. She meets paramedic Ian McKenzie and feels drawn to the hero/good guy/cowboy that he is. When she discovers information that could help her sister face past tragedies, the one person that she trusts to help her decide what to do is Ian. Strong main characters offer support and eventually love as both Ian and Susannah find a relationship that is truly worth nurturing.

Take Me Away: When Birdie Lennox needs transportation to get a job, she reasons that a horse... a stolen horse.. will do the trick. Her neighbor, Gunnar Parsons has plenty of horses - so it is only right that she gets one. Gunnar doesn't see it that way but offers Birdie a job instead. They both have the opportunity to see each other in a different light. She isn't the bad person that she thinks she is, and Gunnar is just the good man she deserves. Their friendship lightens many layers of loneliness. It is a true bonus when that friendship develops into love and a tenderness they both crave.
Thanks to Kensington, Linda Lael Miller, Maisey Yates, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Th duet of Small Town Hero by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates is two wonderful stories of men doing the right thing daily. These novellas were short enough to read in an evening but long enough for me to get to know and like the characters.

One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller is the story of Susannah and Ian. Both have family issues but stand by their families. Their problems are very different, but both are important to the welfare of others and themselves. The romance is quick but then it is a novella.

In Cowboy Take Me Away by Maisey Yates is the tale of Birdie and Gunnar. Having known each other since childhood their backgrounds are very different. I enjoyed this story so much as Gunnar helped Birdie see a better way to live while Birdie helped Gunnar to grasp the joy in life. The epilogue was such a marvelous way to end their story.

Cowboy, Take Me Away, Maisey Yates, is a short story in a book titled Small Town Hero featuring Linda Lael Miller. A quick 15 min story but don’t think that it isn’t filled with all good things Maisey. This story does not disappoint.

Birdie Lennox was her own worst enemy, if she didn’t have bad luck she would have no luck. That old saying of making lemonade out of lemons can go suck a lemon. She had a reputation in the town she was currently trying to escape. Mostly because of her family, a little bit because of her. But she was ready to fly this coop, the only thing standing in her way was her lack of a horse. Luckily her PIA neighbor has more than one, surely he wouldn’t mind if she borrowed one.

It has been drilled into Gunnar Parson’s head just how bad the Lennox family is. Land adjacent to his family land for generations, they knew the Lennox family stole from them over the years, just had no way to prove it. Until now. Gunnar catches Birdie red handed, the question now becomes, what will he do about it?

This story moves quickly, each character finding things out about themselves they might not have known or were not ready to realize. Each growing through these realizations, and together. Quick little epilogue update at the end wraps up the story nicely.

In Cowboy Take Me Away we meet Birdie and Gunnar. They were neighbors since they were young but Birdie has a reputation in town as a thief and Gunnar is a good guy who was raised to always do good. One night Birdie attempts to steal one of his horses but is caught in the act by Gunnar. Instead of calling the cops he gives her a chance to work for him; which is something no one has ever done for her. As they get to know each other they realize they have more in common than they thought and fall for each other.

I am a fan of Maisy Yates and have loved her western romances. Linda Lael Miller is a new to me author and I hope to read more of her books in the future. Each story was short and sweet but left me wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First of all thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Two novellas in one!

The two stories are set in picturesque small towns where everyone seems to know each other’s business. Both stories feature characters who have a struggle going on in their lives and really deserve to find some happiness, even if it shows up in the most unexpected way. I’d recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a sweet cowboy romance and is looking for a short read.

If you enjoy shorter books with happy endings this duo of stories from two great authors is just for you. Linda Lael Miller brings us Ian and Susannah meeting over unusual circumstances and different backgrounds but connecting all the same. Loved the story but like a lot of these shorter stories it leaves you wanting more fleshed out characters and longer time to a HEA. Maisy Yates gives us Birdie and Gunnar's enemies to lovers stories. Birdie's family was always a enemy to Gunnar's family. When Gunnar catches Birdie trying to steal one of his horses they finally break that enemies barrier and realize they have a lot to talk about. Really get all these feels for these two. Both had different upbringings but they both had struggles with family. I enjoyed both of these stories. A long afternoon of reading time and you can relax with this book.

I loved both stories in this book. I’ve never read anything by Linda Lael Miller before and now I can’t wait to find more books by her. Maisey Yates is an autobuy author for me and I’m a sucker for a cowboy story.
Both stories were well written, centred around cowboys and gave me my small town sweet romance fix! Highly recommend for an easy and enjoyable read.

I absolutely loved both stories. This book is a number one seller in my opinion from two incredible talented authors who are in my top ten favorite writers. Don't miss this one.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Two books for the price of one. It made a perfect book to read while on vacation.

Ian and Suzanna had instant chemistry. A lot of healing was needed though, and not just with them. There were kids, animals and them. What seemed like too much was just enough. The magic and healing stole my heart and the secret Suzanna’s sister carried had me reeling. I have always been a fan, but Linda Lael Miller has beat her best. Now I could stop there, but this book treated me to a second book by a new author to me, Maisey Yates. Birdie and Gunnar, hated neighbors were the least likely pair of misfits. After being thrust together by an unforeseen circumstance, healing for each of them started to happen and a lot of unexpected feelings. Their tale left me with the biggest feeling of warmth that all I could do was smile.

We get two stories about small towns. Linda Lael Miller shares with us the story of Susannah who rushes to Arizona to take care of her niece. On the way, she runs across an accident and meets paramedic Ian. Will they both be open enough to see where things may lead? Will city girl Susannah try to make things work with small town paramedic Ian? In our second story, Maisey Yates brings us the story of Birdie who decides she needs to liberate neighbor Gunnar's horse so she can a job. The problem is that she gets caught and now has the choice to either work off her debt or get the police involved. Both Gunnar and Birdie start learning about each other and find out that there are more similarities than differences between them. Will this be enough for them to get past their prejudices and start seeing each other as a possibility?

Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates brings us stories about life in small towns where everyone knows everyone and their business. They bring us stories of what happens when circumstances happen to individuals and how their perspectives can change because of them. Will they be open to what may happen and be brave enough to take that leap with each other?

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington for this privilege.

Every now and then I am in the mood for a short and sweet novella and these two stories in Small Town Hero fit the bill.

I really liked Linda Lael Miller's story, One Lonesome Cowboy. Susannah cared so much for her sister and niece and dropped everything to go help them. She was kind and so deserving of her own great romance with Ian, who was also a wonderful man who loved his stepdaughters so much.

Cowboy, Take me Away by Maisey Yates was my first book by Maisey and I will definitely be looking for more by her in the future. Birdie has always felt less-than and now she's just had a run in with long time neighbor Gunnar who just might show her she's had wrong thinking about herself for quite a while now. Very easy read with a little spice!


Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 24 June 2025

Small Town Hero is a collection two Western romance novellas written by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates, who are well known writers in this genre. Both stories center around how past trauma and abuse continue to affect the victim into adulthood and even into the next generation. In both these stories help from family, neighbors or friends is shown as making a great difference in helping to heal old wounds. Miller and Yates have each created fine story lines with appealing characters and satisfying conclusions. Strongly recommended for readers of Western romance.

I am a fan of both Linda Lael Miller and Maisy Yates and could not pass up the chance to read this book compilation. Novella length romances appeal to me because I enjoy reading them between longer, heavier reads. Both stories, centered around small town cowboys, gave me my sweet romance fix. I highly recommend this book to fans of this trope and/ir authors. TBR and Enjoy!

These were two great western romance stories and worked with everything that I was looking for and enjoyed from the authors. The stories were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. I always enjoy the way Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates wrote this and am excited for more.

this book contains two stories by two of my favorite authors. I loved both stories. always a good story from these authors.

Sinopsis en español :


Las ciudades pueden ser pequeñas, pero los corazones de los héroes vaqueros en este dúo de novelas románticas son tan descomunales como la tierra escarpada que los rodea...

UN VAQUERO SOLITARIO
por Linda Lael Miller
Cuando una crisis familiar lleva a la diseñadora web y flipper a tiempo parcial a casas Susannah Holiday a Arizona para cuidar de su sobrina, pronto hace malabares con el trabajo, el cuidado de los niños y sus crecientes sentimientos por el paramédico local y susurrador de caballos Ian McKenzie. Tienen más en común de lo que parece, incluyendo ser cautelosos cuando se trata de amor. Pero cuando surge una revelación inquietante del pasado de Susannah, Ian está allí para consolarla, y ambos encuentran que sus corazones anhelantes se abren a un futuro mejor, juntos...

VAQUERO, LLÉVAME LEJOS
por Maisey Yates
Después de que Birdie Lennox, hija de un notorio ladrón de ganado, sea atrapada robando un caballo de la tierra de Gunnar Parsons, termina acostada en su granero para pagar su deuda, además de la de su padre. Pero Birdie apenas tiene paciencia para la moralización de Gunnar. El hombre heredó su rancho y siempre ha odiado a su familia. Aún así, es mejor que la cárcel. Tal vez. Lo que ninguno anticipa es descubrir que tienen más en común de lo que soñaban posible. Aún más inesperado es la chispa entre ellos, y el amor que podría encender...






Reseña:


Son dos pequeñas novelas que te hacen desear que fueran más largas porque tienen mucha tela de que cortar ( o sea que fácilmente podrían convertirse en libros completos).

Son ligueros, rápidos de leer, sin tanto drama y con vea asegurado.



Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.

Contiene dos novelas que fácilmente podrían ser libros completos. Qué lástima.

One Lonesome Cowboy. Trata sobre Susannah e Ian, quienes viven en diferentes estados y nunca se han conocido hasta que la hermana de ella es ingresada a un hospital psiquiátrico. Susannah debe hacerse cargo de su sobrina, por lo que se muda, y es ahí cuando conoce a Ian, un padre soltero con quien inmediatamente tiene una conexión.
Esta historia daba para más, ya que trata temas fuertes y sensibles, pero debido a lo corta que es, ninguno de esos temas se aborda a profundidad, y hay partes en las que parece como si me hubiera perdido algo.

Cowboy, Take Me Away. Birdie y Gunnar viven en el mismo lugar, pero no podrían ser más diferentes. El padre de ella es el delincuente del pueblo, mientras que la familia de él siempre fue respetable, lo que los hace como agua y aceite. Un día, ella intenta robar un caballo, pero él la detiene y le propone un trato: no llamará a la policía si ella trabaja para él. Ambos están solos: ella porque a su padre no le importa y la gente la evita por su reputación, y él porque toda su familia está muerta.
Me pasó lo mismo que con el anterior: es muy corto y no tiene un buen desarrollo, pero tiene mucho potencial para más.



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