I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.︎︎

The True Cowboy of Sunset Ridge is the first book from Maisey Yates that I have read and WoW! what an impressive read. I have no clue why I waited so long to read her books. Well, as they say, better late than never. This emotionally laden story will wreak havoc on one’s emotions, while allowing the characters to worm their way into the reader’s heart.

🎧︎The True Cowboy of Sunset Ridge is the 14th book in the Gold Valley series. However, it works as as a standalone. Some of the characters from the previous books made an appearance, whetting my appetite for their stories.

This installment gives us Colt and Mallory’s story. The story began with Mallory moving to Gold Valley after dumping her cheating boyfriend. She came to Gold Valley to re-invent herself and utilise her midwifery skills. Feeling free for the first time in a long while, she resolved to indulge her fantasy of a one-night stand with the handsome cowboy she met six months ago. Of course, she thought she would never see him again after the deed was done. To her dismay, the handsome stranger who gave her the best sex of her life turned out to be her new landlord and her sister-in-law’s cousin. Talk about awkward.

Colt and Mallory were both poster children for painful baggage. Pain, loss, guilt, inadequacies and secrets permeated their lives. Now they both were not looking for a committed relationship. Learning about their past allowed the reader to understand their fears. They fought their attraction to each other, but the lingering memories of their one-night stand wreaked havoc on their senses. Then introducing a newborn baby placed them in an even more tenuous position.

There are many facets to Colt and Mallory, and I had an interesting time figuring out each of them.  Both are strong individuals which was evidenced by how they maintained their sanity after all the mess life threw at them. 

I loved the manner in which Yates delivered the story. As the reader, I was privy to their inner thoughts and feelings. It made their struggles so realistic. Yates bared their raw emotions throughout the pages. So prepare for an emotional roller coaster ride if you choose to read this book.

The story featured some sweet moments, which will warm the coldest of hearts. I loved how Colt and Mallory opened up to each other in ways they couldn’t with others. Their chemistry and connection felt authentic.

Narration

Samantha Cook narrated. She is a new to me narrator. I enjoyed her performance. Her female voices were fine, but I was not keen on her male voices. However, this did not take away from the beauty of the story.

Conclusion/Recommendation

🎧︎The True Cowboy of Sunset Ridge is a heartfelt story of love, healing and forgiveness. Thiis is a story that reach down into your soul and touch your heart.

Favourite Quotes

“I’ll protect you, forever,” he said. He wanted to speak vows to this child. So that she would know. “And if it was all for this. If it was all for you… It’s enough. And I’ll be the best I can be. Because that’s what you deserve. You don’t deserve any less. There’s a lot of imperfect love inside me."

“No,” he said. “What isn’t fair is that you’re alive. You’re alive— Trent is dead. You’re alive— my parents are dead. You’re alive and you don’t want to live. And believe me, that would’ve been the pot calling the kettle black just a couple of weeks ago. And I realize that now. There is no point in going on about everything if you’re just doing it to stay safe. I love you. And yeah, I want it all. The deepest, messiest parts of you. I want you to need me, the way that I need you. I want you to be mine. The way that I want to be yours. And when you can take that. When you can handle it… Well, then you can find me.”

“Mallory,” her father said, speaking after a long silence. “I wish I woulo you years ago. I wish I would’ve had the words to say it years ago. But special does not come from what you do. It is not grades on a report card, or a degree on the wall. It isn’t money in the bank. Special comes from being loved . When people love you, you occupy an essential place in their world. You are special, Mallory. Because we couldn’t live without you. Simply because you’re you. And I’m sorry that we did a bad job of making sure you knew that that love wasn’t dependent on anything. I’m sorry that our encouragement became impossible hoops for you to jump through. Because it was never meant to be.”

This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading