This is a good book. The two main characters are Elizabeth and Brody. Elizabeth is a divorced mother of Ben. She has come to be a therapist on Brody’s family ranch. There is an instant attraction. They start dating. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

The pacing of this story adds to a more dynamic read. This is an interesting spin on a holiday romance novel. Worth not only reading once but adding to one's holiday library to read each holiday season.

A wonderful holiday story! Great addition to the series, and a good heartwarming story, I enjoy these stories for their setting, the great characters and their chemistry, as well as the revisiting of the family members. This was a good story of family regrouping and finding their way.

She’d been Carter’s girlfriend, Carter’s wife, Carter’s ex-wife. Who was she when he didn’t define her? Maybe she deserved to find out.

The Holiday Heartbreaker is book five in the Four Corners Ranch series but you could start here, like I did. There's obvious characters from past books, the Ranch is shared between four families and the series looks to, mainly, follow a group of brothers that own a portion. They've started a new venture with equine therapy and our heroine, Elizabeth, comes into the picture as the newly hired therapist.

He had been the favorite child of the devil. He was thirty-four years old and he still hadn’t figured out what the hell to do with that.

Elizabeth has been divorced for six years because her childhood sweetheart ended up cheating on her, but the story doesn't exactly vilify him as Elizabeth works through the pain of the divorce and acknowledges that they married too young, grew apart, and the ex, kind of, still wants to be a part of their eight year son, Benny's life. It's mostly believable, I'm not sure I'd go as far as Elizabeth delivering a smiling hello to the ex's new wife, the one he cheated on Elizabeth with, to keep the peace but I don't have to be a “perfect” heroine in a romance. There's some friction with the ex as Elizabeth finally decides to do something for herself and take the equine therapist job that requires her to move three hours away, taking Benny with her. Seventy percent of this (not a scientific number) is Elizabeth working through her issues of growing up in the foster care system and how her divorce went down.

He shifted slightly, and rested his hand on the wall just above her head, leaning in.

The other thirty percent is divided up between our hero Brody's issues and the insta-lust/love relationship with Elizabeth. Brody's dad was awful and was physically abusive to his brothers, except he treated Brody like he actually loved him. This has caused it's own trauma to Brody as he craved his father's love but doesn't know how to gel that with how abusive (we're talking setting one brother on fire to murder him) the dad was to his brothers. Brody has tried to deal with the trauma by not getting close to anyone and hitting the bars for one night stands for companionship. The first half dealt more with Elizabeth but the second half brings in Brody's issues more.

She wanted to do something wild. She wanted to do something that made her happy now. She wanted to do something that felt good now.

Since our two leads are spending so much time with their personal issues, the story spends a lot of time in their heads, not my favorite. If you personally have or had these issues the characters did, I can see this story hitting you harder than me. These two do start hitting the sheets a little bit before the midway point and get more than one open door scene, I can't say I felt the emotional depth between them. So much time is spent in their heads trying to work out their issues, the romance development got mostly left out and it read more like lust attraction.

Because he had never seen anything more beautiful in all of his life, and he had never wanted anything like he wanted Elizabeth Colfax right now.

There was a tiny little bit showing Elizabeth's job as an equine therapist but even less of Brody's ranch life and while Christmas happens in the book, there really wasn't much for seasonal vibes. The first half dealt a lot with Elizabeth's issues and I thought I would end up calling this women's fiction but Brody's issues do get showcased enough that I backed off that. However, the romance, relationship development, was pretty lacking, enough that I want to shy away from even recommending this as romance genre. I want to invent a new genre called, therapy fiction because that was what this was mostly focused on, the characters' personal issues. Like I said though, if you share anything with the characters, their emotional working through would probably hit you different and if you have been a reader of the series, you'd probably enjoy seeing one of the last brothers to fall in love. The epilogue was a condensed HEA giving the reader a look at the main couple's future.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

Sadly this one just felt ok for me. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for a small town romance, or maybe it just didn’t have enough Christmas for me. It was still enjoyable but a little too predictable. The plot was cute and it was nice to see some other characters. Overall just ok for me!

After a divorce, Elizabeth is trying to find her way, along with her son, Benny. When she finds a job at a equine therapy ranch, Elizabeth feels like things are getting better. She has always loved horses, and wants to share that love with her son, along with being around a ranch. What Elizabeth did not count on was the handsome cowboy, Brody. Brody and Elizabeth are definitely attracted to each other, but Brody does not like that fact that there is a son, and an ex-husband to contend with. Brody and his family did not have the best upbringing, and there is definitely some hidden feelings. Can Brody and Elizabeth put their past behind them, so they can look forward to a future. Love this awesome book by Maisey Yates. Thank you to Ms. Yates, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own. I will definitely be getting the other five books to this series.

Maisey Yates never fails to take me through an emotional gauntlet, depositing me, smiling and satisfied, on the other side. Each book in the Four Corners Ranch series has been a heart-tugging journey but this one, The Holiday Heartbreaker, is my favorite.

Brody and Elizabeth have so many intriguing layers. As the cover blurb says, she has "more baggage than an airport" but, honestly, he probably has more. Each of them has good reason not to trust love. Neither of them is looking for love. But love has a way of finding people when they least expect it, as is the case for these two. I like the way Yates gradually moves their relationship forward, giving each of them the necessary time to address internal issues inhibiting individual growth, which with these two is critical to a lasting relationship. The chemistry between them sizzles, once they give in to it, but the friendship that evolves is just as important. Openness, vulnerability, and trust between these two are critical.

Brody's evolving relationship with Benny, Elizabeth's eight-year-old son, is one of my favorite parts of the book. It made my heart so happy to watch Brody, a man who grew up in an emotionally and physically abusive family, use so much care with Benny. I love the relationship they forged. And the pirate cowboy scene near the end? Oh yeah, totally melted my heart.

If you're a fan of the Four Corners Ranch series, you'll undoubtedly enjoy catching up with couples from earlier books but for those of you new to this series, you should be able to jump in here and enjoy Brody and Elizabeth's journey to love. Fair warning though: once you meet the others and learn a bit about their journeys, don't be surprise if you snap up their books too.
4.5 stars

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

This book was as always a good book. Great characters and a truly enjoyable plot. I truly enjoy most books this writer offers to us a reading community.

Maisey Yates does it again. This book gives you all the Christmas feels with characters that you love. I recommend all of her books, they are always so consistently sweet.

I feel as though Brody is the McCloud brother I knew the least about. The McClouds had an abusive father and a mother who abandoned them. Brody is the only sibling that was never hit by their father. The only one who was ever treated kindly in any way. The brothers love each other deeply, they’ve been through hell and back with each other. Rationally they all know it’s not Brody’s fault their father favored him, but Brody carries that invisible scar after watching his brothers be treated badly and even almost killed while he stood alone and untouched.

Elizabeth and Brody met briefly when she was interviewing for the job at the McCloud ranch and both felt prickly about the other. Meaning, of course, that they are unwillingly attracted to each other. This story starts with Elizabeth and her 8-year-old son Benny pulling up to their new home at Four Corners Ranch. Brody is there to greet them and show them around and there is an instant comradery between Benny and Brody that I love. Brody wasn’t in the mindset of having to or wanting to impress Benny since he had no illusions that he would ever have a relationship of any sort with the prim, put-together single mom, so there was no pretense when he dealt with the youngster. He joked with him but also gently corrected him to make sure Benny was respecting Elizabeth as well as the work she did and the land they now lived on. Their friendship was one of my favorite things in this book.

While there is some angst in this story due to the nature of how both Brody and Elizabeth were raised, when it comes to the relationship they build the angst is kept quite low. Even when things come to a head with feelings Elizabeth cannot keep in and Brody doesn’t know how to accept, it doesn’t delve into despair and heartbreak. I enjoyed the maturity Brody had gained throughout the book and how he handled his chaotic feelings. It was a refreshing change.

I’ve mentioned before that this author has gotten a bit wordy for my taste and too in the character’s heads. This story was, thankfully, a nice blend of self-reflection and dialogue so I was able to feel the connection Brody and Elizabeth had. The story is still a bit wordy for my taste, but getting better.

Y’all, I am so enjoying Maisey Yates’ Four Corners Ranch series, and The Holiday Heartbreaker is such a terrific addition.

I knew Brody McCloud’s back story would be a bit deeper than I thought, and boy is it! But I loved how the relationship with Elizabeth drew him out and got him to a point where he could be himself and stop hiding from the past. And Elizabeth too! I loved how fiercely protective she was of her son Benny. And I loved how she quickly enmeshed herself with the rest of the McClouds as well as the other Four Corners families.

I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to see how Brody’s and Elizabeth’s relationship would unfold. And though a slow build, it was so worth the wait! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series—The Troublemaker—to see if Lachlan and Charity finally admit their friendship is something so much more!

THE HOLIDAY HEARTBREAKER – Maisey Yates
Four Corners Ranch, Book 5
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-60079-0
September 26, 2023
Contemporary Romance

Four Corners Ranch, Oregon – Present Day

Elizabeth Colfax is starting a new life with her son, Benny, on a remote ranch in Oregon. She and her now ex divorced years ago but she feels like there is nothing left for her in Portland. Plus, the chance to work as a horse therapist was an offer she couldn’t refuse. The McCloud family, who run the therapy organization, have been good to her as the job includes a cabin on their property. Arriving with Benny to move in, Elizabeth is greeted by Brody McCloud. From the moment she first met him, she had been aware of him. Not that she is looking to get involved with him, especially since she hasn’t had sex in six years.

Brody is intrigued by Elizabeth, though he can’t quite explain why. She doesn’t seem to be what he expected of her, though he didn’t know until she arrived that she had a son. Brody hits it off with Benny, who calls him a Pirate Cowboy. But Elizabeth is more reserved and seems out of place on the ranch. While any of his brothers can help show Elizabeth around the ranch and get her up to speed on the horses, it is Brody who volunteers for the job. He is the one-night-stand kind of guy, and he immediately recognizes that Elizabeth isn’t his kind of woman. Yet, how can he deny the attraction he has for her? Should he risk ruining their business relationship if they decide to scratch the itch?

Elizabeth was raised in foster care and started dating Carter Colfax when they were in high school. After her favorite foster mother died, Elizabeth felt lost and pressured Carter to marry her, which he did. They had Benny within a year, but the marriage didn’t last after he fell in love with another woman and had children with her. Elizabeth feels that taking the job with the McClouds will be a fresh start for her and Benny. Being around Brody makes her feel uncomfortable, though it takes a while for her to realize that it is because she’s attracted to him. As a single mom responsible for a child, the last thing she wants is to bring a man into her bed, especially one who won’t last. Yet there is no denying the attraction.

Realizing that Elizabeth should be off limits, Brody tries to be pleasant around her and Benny. But the more he gets to know her, the more he wants her. It doesn’t help that she is always there as part of the ranch. Trying to avoid her and hanging out in bars only makes him long for her presence. Brody tries being a friend, especially since Benny is a good kid who is trying to adjust to a new school and friends. But in the process, Brody gets to know Elizabeth that much better. When they are given the opportunity to be alone, will they give in to the passion that sizzles between them? Is there a future for them?

Four Corners is like a small town itself as there are four ranches where lots of people get together for town halls, making rules, and supporting a one-room school. The McCloud family is one of the four families and readers have already met Brody’s brothers in prior books in the Four Corners Ranch series. For a complete list of books, visit http://www.maiseyyates.com/series/four-corners-ranch/.

Their attraction burns hotter than the flame of a burning candle, but Elizabeth and Brody feel like they have too much baggage to make a relationship work. In THE HOLIDAY HEARTBREAKER, they have a few obstacles to overcome before they realize how much they care for each other. A book you won’t want to miss, be sure to pick it up.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Maisey Yates brings us the story of Elizabeth and her son Benny coming to Four Corners Ranch to start fresh. Working on the ranch brings her up close and personal with Brody McCloud as they fight the attraction between them. When Elizabeth decides to give in, will they be able to maneuver all of life's complications as they make discoveries about each other and themselves? Will they decide that what they have is worth it all, or will the past get in their way?

Maisey Yates brings us the story of discovery and starting over. You get to see how single mom Elizabeth tries to do her best not only for her son, but also for herself and how the two may actually be the same thing. We also get to watch Brody who runs from complications battle with himself and his attraction to mother and son.

In addition, we get a bonus story about taking chances and perhaps finding love when you do.

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 Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press for this privilege.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the talented author. This is a quick fun read about starting over. The main character, along with her son, moves away from her ex. Friendship and romance follows…