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Small Town Hero
Bestselling authors Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates team up for a western romance anthology celebrating the men who risk their lives every day to keep their communities safe - the quintessential small-town hero!
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 . . .
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 . . .
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 . . .
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 . . .
208 pages, Paperback
Published June 24, 2025
77 people are currently reading
4044 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
551 books3,233 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 26, 2025
Thankful to have won this in a Goodreads giveaway. It is two stories in one-the first being more mild love story and the second spicier. I enjoyed the sweet romantic storyline mixed in with heavier deeper tones. I would recommend this for a short read!
January 12, 2025
I was lucky enough to be able to read this early. The book is a quick read (2 in 1). I would describe the story line as a slow burn romance. If you are looking for a clean romance then this is for you.
I do wish we got a little more initial interaction between main characters to draw us into the relationship but overall this was a good read and I would recommend it.
I do wish we got a little more initial interaction between main characters to draw us into the relationship but overall this was a good read and I would recommend it.
February 5, 2026
Enjoyed the first story. Second story had smutty, vulgar language which was totally unnecessary. Did not finish.
September 5, 2025
I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
This book has two romance novellas in it, and unfortunately, they're both pretty terrible. They are both extremely predictable as well as being completely unrealistic, and the authors seem to both spell out what everyone is feeling, with zero subtlety. They're both textbook examples of telling instead of showing, and they seem to be unable to allow the reader to fill in any blanks whatsoever.
In the first novella, Susannah Holiday travels to Arizona after her sister is hospitalized, so that Susannah can help take care of her sister and her sister's young daughter. She happens upon an injury on the road, and handsome paramedic and horse farmer Ian shows up. They somehow have an instant attraction despite not really talking to each other, and of course Susannah's niece and Ian's daughters happen to know each other, and of course they happen to run into each other while Susannah and her niece are at a restaurant. Predictably, they start dating, while at the same time Ian helps Susannah with her sister. They uncover some serious past trauma in Susannah's sister's childhood, but this somehow gets resolved incredibly quickly, and the story rushes towards the predictable happy ending. All problems are neatly tied up by the end, completely unrealistically. And no sex at all, because of course, Susannah doesn't want to have sex before marriage. If the romance is going to go this smoothly, I would hope that the author would at least include some hot sex scenes.
In the second novella, Birdie Lennox needs a horse to join a cattle drive, and she ends up trying to steal one from Gunnar, a neighbor whose family has historically not gotten along with Birdie's, because Birdie's family keeps stealing from Gunnar's. Birdie gets caught, and Gunnar offers her a deal to not call the police if she works on his ranch. And then predictably, as they spend more time together, romantic feelings develop, despite this weird indentured servitude situation, and Birdie's whole cattle drive plan goes out the window. The rough start where Gunnar catches Birdie stealing predictably leads to a romance, especially since they're really the only two people that even appear in this novella. At least in this one there's some sex, though it's really just a mention of a condom being brought out, and then it immediately cuts to a postcoital embrace.
In both novellas, the authors explain the characters' desires explicitly, never allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions from their actions. It's a lot of telling instead of showing, with everything spelled out, as if the authors did not trust that the reader would be able to figure things out. The characters have problems and flaws, and yet they seem to all conveniently go away for the sake of the happy ending, like with Susannah's existing life back in Chicago, Ian's ex-wife and dealing with shared custody, Birdie's history of larceny and lack of stable family, Gunnar's difficulties getting emotionally close to someone, etc. These issues are overcome in the plot so easily and conveniently that it feels unrealistic.
These are both bad novellas, in surprisingly similar ways. They're mercifully short, but that also amplifies certain problems, like the lack of real character development and the unrealistically simple resolution of any problems that arise. They both have an obvious happy ending that you can see coming from the very beginning, and the authors both say exactly what is on the characters' minds instead of showing things through their actions. If only there were some hot sex scenes to make up for all of the bad writing, but alas, there is barely any sex, and it's over very quickly when it does happen.
This book has two romance novellas in it, and unfortunately, they're both pretty terrible. They are both extremely predictable as well as being completely unrealistic, and the authors seem to both spell out what everyone is feeling, with zero subtlety. They're both textbook examples of telling instead of showing, and they seem to be unable to allow the reader to fill in any blanks whatsoever.
In the first novella, Susannah Holiday travels to Arizona after her sister is hospitalized, so that Susannah can help take care of her sister and her sister's young daughter. She happens upon an injury on the road, and handsome paramedic and horse farmer Ian shows up. They somehow have an instant attraction despite not really talking to each other, and of course Susannah's niece and Ian's daughters happen to know each other, and of course they happen to run into each other while Susannah and her niece are at a restaurant. Predictably, they start dating, while at the same time Ian helps Susannah with her sister. They uncover some serious past trauma in Susannah's sister's childhood, but this somehow gets resolved incredibly quickly, and the story rushes towards the predictable happy ending. All problems are neatly tied up by the end, completely unrealistically. And no sex at all, because of course, Susannah doesn't want to have sex before marriage. If the romance is going to go this smoothly, I would hope that the author would at least include some hot sex scenes.
In the second novella, Birdie Lennox needs a horse to join a cattle drive, and she ends up trying to steal one from Gunnar, a neighbor whose family has historically not gotten along with Birdie's, because Birdie's family keeps stealing from Gunnar's. Birdie gets caught, and Gunnar offers her a deal to not call the police if she works on his ranch. And then predictably, as they spend more time together, romantic feelings develop, despite this weird indentured servitude situation, and Birdie's whole cattle drive plan goes out the window. The rough start where Gunnar catches Birdie stealing predictably leads to a romance, especially since they're really the only two people that even appear in this novella. At least in this one there's some sex, though it's really just a mention of a condom being brought out, and then it immediately cuts to a postcoital embrace.
In both novellas, the authors explain the characters' desires explicitly, never allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions from their actions. It's a lot of telling instead of showing, with everything spelled out, as if the authors did not trust that the reader would be able to figure things out. The characters have problems and flaws, and yet they seem to all conveniently go away for the sake of the happy ending, like with Susannah's existing life back in Chicago, Ian's ex-wife and dealing with shared custody, Birdie's history of larceny and lack of stable family, Gunnar's difficulties getting emotionally close to someone, etc. These issues are overcome in the plot so easily and conveniently that it feels unrealistic.
These are both bad novellas, in surprisingly similar ways. They're mercifully short, but that also amplifies certain problems, like the lack of real character development and the unrealistically simple resolution of any problems that arise. They both have an obvious happy ending that you can see coming from the very beginning, and the authors both say exactly what is on the characters' minds instead of showing things through their actions. If only there were some hot sex scenes to make up for all of the bad writing, but alas, there is barely any sex, and it's over very quickly when it does happen.
May 11, 2025
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.
You can also find this review (and more) on my blog:
Forever Book Lover
https://foreverbklover.blogspot.com
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.
You can also find this review (and more) on my blog:
Forever Book Lover
https://foreverbklover.blogspot.com
July 8, 2025
"Small Town Hero"
by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates
This collection presents 2 beautifully woven stories that are best described as a slow-burn romance, perfect for readers who prefer clean storytelling. The book features two heartwarming novellas, each set against the backdrop of charming small towns and infused with themes of love, resilience, and the joy of happy ever afters. The relationship between Birdie and Gunnar stands out for its intensity; their chemistry is palpable, bringing a more passionate element to the anthology.
The novellas included are:
"ONE LONESOME COWBOY"
by Linda Lael Miller
In this story, we meet Susannah Holiday, a determined woman who has left her home to come to a small town in Arizona to care for her mentally ill sister and her young niece after her sister is hospitalised due to severe depression. Susannah, a skilled web designer and house flipper, is ready to confront her family's challenges head-on. In town, she crosses paths with Ian, a compassionate paramedic with a noble heart who spends his free time rescuing horses. As a divorced stepfather to twin girls, Ian understands the intricacies of love, family dynamics, and the hidden scars of trauma. Together, Susannah and Ian navigate the tight-knit community, exploring themes of healing, forgiveness, and the deep bonds that can form even in the face of adversity, all while unravelling a mysterious element that intertwines their lives.
"COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY"
by Maisey Yates
This novella introduces us to Birdie, a spirited young woman longing for freedom from the weight of her family's legacy. Living in a town where the shadows of her father's wrongdoings loom large, Birdie feels trapped and judged. Her impulsive nature leads her to a moment of desperation when she attempts to steal one of her neighbour Gunnar's prized horses, a bold act that sets off an unexpected chain of events. Caught red-handed by Gunnar, who is much more than he seems—a kind-hearted man who has always tried to look past her family's reputation—Birdie finds herself in an unlikely partnership. As they navigate their differences and the longstanding rivalries between their families, a deeper connection blossoms, challenging both of them to confront their pasts and embrace the possibility of a shared future. Through witty banter and undeniable chemistry, Birdie and Gunnar's journey becomes a testament to love’s capacity to overcome ancient grudges.
by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates
This collection presents 2 beautifully woven stories that are best described as a slow-burn romance, perfect for readers who prefer clean storytelling. The book features two heartwarming novellas, each set against the backdrop of charming small towns and infused with themes of love, resilience, and the joy of happy ever afters. The relationship between Birdie and Gunnar stands out for its intensity; their chemistry is palpable, bringing a more passionate element to the anthology.
The novellas included are:
"ONE LONESOME COWBOY"
by Linda Lael Miller
In this story, we meet Susannah Holiday, a determined woman who has left her home to come to a small town in Arizona to care for her mentally ill sister and her young niece after her sister is hospitalised due to severe depression. Susannah, a skilled web designer and house flipper, is ready to confront her family's challenges head-on. In town, she crosses paths with Ian, a compassionate paramedic with a noble heart who spends his free time rescuing horses. As a divorced stepfather to twin girls, Ian understands the intricacies of love, family dynamics, and the hidden scars of trauma. Together, Susannah and Ian navigate the tight-knit community, exploring themes of healing, forgiveness, and the deep bonds that can form even in the face of adversity, all while unravelling a mysterious element that intertwines their lives.
"COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY"
by Maisey Yates
This novella introduces us to Birdie, a spirited young woman longing for freedom from the weight of her family's legacy. Living in a town where the shadows of her father's wrongdoings loom large, Birdie feels trapped and judged. Her impulsive nature leads her to a moment of desperation when she attempts to steal one of her neighbour Gunnar's prized horses, a bold act that sets off an unexpected chain of events. Caught red-handed by Gunnar, who is much more than he seems—a kind-hearted man who has always tried to look past her family's reputation—Birdie finds herself in an unlikely partnership. As they navigate their differences and the longstanding rivalries between their families, a deeper connection blossoms, challenging both of them to confront their pasts and embrace the possibility of a shared future. Through witty banter and undeniable chemistry, Birdie and Gunnar's journey becomes a testament to love’s capacity to overcome ancient grudges.
June 20, 2025
This reader has mixed feelings about the two novellas in this volume with similar themes--cowboy heroes and redemption, and the stars I gave this book are an average of a 3-star review for "Small Town Hero," by Linda Lael Miller, and a 5-star review for "Cowboy, Take Me Away," by Maisey Yates, who happens to be one of my favorite authors in this genre.
"Small Town Hero" was a love-at-first-sight story, and I'm not a true believer in that trope in general. Susannah Holiday stops on the road to try to help a young boy who has been thrown from his horse and is seriously injured. Ian is the first responder to arrive and is instantly enamored of Susannah, a total stranger, who was coming to town to care for her young niece, since Susannah's sister had had a mental breakdown and was in a mental hospital. There's not much character development in this story, I didn't feel connected to any of these characters, and this was just an okay read for me. I give it 3-stars.
"Cowboy, Take Me Away," Maisey Yates' novella, was a much better read, her characters fully fleshed-out, and the slow build romance between Birdie Lennox, the have-not, ne'er-do-well, 28-year-old daughter, a survivor of an alcoholic father and a missing mother on a nearby ranch, who is not above stealing anything from food to one of Gunnar Parsons' stable of horses, was a much more sympathetic character with little self-esteem. When Gunnar catches her red-handed, trying to steal one of his mares in the middle of night, he decides to offer her a job working for him on his ranch, rather than calling the police and having her arrested. I loved the way Gunnar treated the wanna-be horse thief, giving her a job at his ranch, and slowly coming to realize that there was a lot more to Birdie than just her bad reputation. Theirs is a slow-burn love affair and had me riveted and reading their story until the wee hours of the morning. It was a 5-star read, and I absolutely loved it. It's a 5-star read.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book, The opinions stated are my own.
"Small Town Hero" was a love-at-first-sight story, and I'm not a true believer in that trope in general. Susannah Holiday stops on the road to try to help a young boy who has been thrown from his horse and is seriously injured. Ian is the first responder to arrive and is instantly enamored of Susannah, a total stranger, who was coming to town to care for her young niece, since Susannah's sister had had a mental breakdown and was in a mental hospital. There's not much character development in this story, I didn't feel connected to any of these characters, and this was just an okay read for me. I give it 3-stars.
"Cowboy, Take Me Away," Maisey Yates' novella, was a much better read, her characters fully fleshed-out, and the slow build romance between Birdie Lennox, the have-not, ne'er-do-well, 28-year-old daughter, a survivor of an alcoholic father and a missing mother on a nearby ranch, who is not above stealing anything from food to one of Gunnar Parsons' stable of horses, was a much more sympathetic character with little self-esteem. When Gunnar catches her red-handed, trying to steal one of his mares in the middle of night, he decides to offer her a job working for him on his ranch, rather than calling the police and having her arrested. I loved the way Gunnar treated the wanna-be horse thief, giving her a job at his ranch, and slowly coming to realize that there was a lot more to Birdie than just her bad reputation. Theirs is a slow-burn love affair and had me riveted and reading their story until the wee hours of the morning. It was a 5-star read, and I absolutely loved it. It's a 5-star read.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book, The opinions stated are my own.
June 7, 2025
Small Town Hero by Linda Leal Miller and Macy Yates, in the first book Susan gets a call her sister has had a tragic accident and she must go to Arizona to take care of her small niece, Susan thinks life can’t get any worse but they will get much better insert paramedic! Ian McKenzie and his cute little twins Mabel and Vivian. After a few bumps in the road he becomes a blessing not only to her but her sister and niece as well. The next story is Cowboy Take Me Away, when good boy and even better man gunner catches Birdie Lennox stealing a horse he thinks the apple doesn’t fall from the tree being the daughter of an infamous cattle wrestler but when he agrees to let her work off her and her dad‘s debt she doesn’t know what to think about her lifelong nemesis. they grew up next to each other with him chasing her away from his property especially the creek but the longer they’re forced to be in each other’s company the more they realize they’re falling for each other. Can Bertie let go of the past and allow her much abused heart to be loved or will her inner thoughts and self-doubt keep her from the one good thing she’s ever been offered. The first story loan cowboy is a good slightly action romance is a really good story I loved Elie the twins Mabel and Vivian, the romance was swoon worthy and a definite recommendation for me. As for the second book it was more a practice and wish fulfillment and OMG did it fulfill all my wishes I love stories like this and although I wish it had been written more like the first story if I was better versed in literary lingo I could explain further but regardless it was still a great book and one I definitely recommend. I love these two authors book bundles and cannot get enough of them and definitely recommend this one.#NetGalley, #KensingtonBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #MacyYates, #LindaLealMiller, #SmallTownHero,
June 2, 2025
I was excited to read "Small Town Hero" because Maisey Yates is one of the contributors and I love her books. What I didn't expect was how much I would enjoy, devour, and become attached to was Linda Lael Miller's contribution. The stories touched me in different ways making for a wonderful read.
"One Lonesome Cowboy" by Ms. Miller was story of hope and love at first sight. Susannah Holiday is called to a small town in Arizona to care for her niece and hopefully help her sister. Oh my, Susannah is the sister we all should be lucky enought to have. Her gentle and caring heart was an inspiration. Her kindness has her helping a boy on the side of the road. The chance meeting with Ian, the paramedic, was intense. I couldn't wait to see if anything would come of it. The family dynamics within this story brightened my day. Family comes first. Family above all else makes for a beautiful ending.
Maisey Yates's "Cowboy, Take Me Away" had me hoping for a wonderful romance. She did not disappoint. It taking place in small town, Central Oregon just made it that much better. My heart broke for Birdie. She had had a rough life living with her drunk father and all the bad things that go with being neglected. Instead of helping, the citizens seemed to turn away and talk about her, speaking of anything and everything negative. Desperate to leave, she steals one of the neighbor's horses only to get caught. It didn't take long for Gunnar, the grumpy cowboy, to see there is much more to Birdie Lennox. Learning about Birdie and Gunnar was like peeling layers from an onion, including the tears. Watching them discover each other, their truths and let walls crumble was the highlight of my day.
"One Lonesome Cowboy" by Ms. Miller was story of hope and love at first sight. Susannah Holiday is called to a small town in Arizona to care for her niece and hopefully help her sister. Oh my, Susannah is the sister we all should be lucky enought to have. Her gentle and caring heart was an inspiration. Her kindness has her helping a boy on the side of the road. The chance meeting with Ian, the paramedic, was intense. I couldn't wait to see if anything would come of it. The family dynamics within this story brightened my day. Family comes first. Family above all else makes for a beautiful ending.
Maisey Yates's "Cowboy, Take Me Away" had me hoping for a wonderful romance. She did not disappoint. It taking place in small town, Central Oregon just made it that much better. My heart broke for Birdie. She had had a rough life living with her drunk father and all the bad things that go with being neglected. Instead of helping, the citizens seemed to turn away and talk about her, speaking of anything and everything negative. Desperate to leave, she steals one of the neighbor's horses only to get caught. It didn't take long for Gunnar, the grumpy cowboy, to see there is much more to Birdie Lennox. Learning about Birdie and Gunnar was like peeling layers from an onion, including the tears. Watching them discover each other, their truths and let walls crumble was the highlight of my day.
June 27, 2025
Small Town Hero is romance with stories by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates is cowboy through and through. The first, Miller’s, is a story of a woman, Susannah Holiday, who comes to town to care for her mentally ill sister and her sister’s daughter. She immediately buys a small house to flip while she is living in it and accomplishing her task. Ian McKenzie is a nearby rancher with two small stepdaughters for whom he was the only father they’d ever known. He adored them. That is how they met: his daughters and her niece. It turned into a fun romance. The second book, Yates’, is about two people who have lived next door for ages. One is “perfect”, or nearly so, with little joy in his life. The other is a thief and a scoundrel who is caught trying to steal her neighbor’s horse so she can accept a job on a cattle ranch, far away from here and her inherited reputation. It is fun to watch their interactions as they rub off on one another, and finally kind of meet in the middle.
Both fun reads, the character development is about what you would expect in a romance novel, focusing only on certain parts of the characters. The most important thing is not the plot, not the characters, not the pacing, but simply the feel a reader gets reading it. This book has all the feels, delivered in different ways, but still there. Worth reading if you are a fan.
I was invited to read Small Town Hero by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #LindaLaelMiller #MaiseyYates #SmallTownHero
Both fun reads, the character development is about what you would expect in a romance novel, focusing only on certain parts of the characters. The most important thing is not the plot, not the characters, not the pacing, but simply the feel a reader gets reading it. This book has all the feels, delivered in different ways, but still there. Worth reading if you are a fan.
I was invited to read Small Town Hero by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #LindaLaelMiller #MaiseyYates #SmallTownHero
June 29, 2025
Small Town Heroes by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates is a “twofer”. There are two novellas in the book. Both novellas have strong male lead characters who are cautious and guarded. I loved the Cowboy Take Me Away and found One Lonesome Cowboy good, not fabulous. Small Town Heroes by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates is a good read.
One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Laeh Miller
Susannah needs to move immediately to Arizona to help care for her niece. Her sister is struggling with her mental health and her daughter is with a foster family. Susannah moves lock, stock and barrel. Luckily her job is one that can be done online. She is determined to give her niece strong support. Meanwhile, there is Ian McKenzie, a paramedic and a horse whisperer. Susannah and Ian confront the past trauma and deal with the struggle in order to move on.
Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates is a great novella. Gunnar is dogged and determined to work his farm. He is the last person in his family and feels he can’t leave the land. He really could use some help. Only to have help come to him in an unusual way. Birdie Lennox is caught by Gunnar trying to steal a horse. Her goal is she needs a horse for her next job and then she would return him. Gunnar is having none of it and gives her a place to stay and a job instead of jail. Who knows what will happen next? They are two strong workers with little support or understanding spending time working together, eating together and talking to each other.
One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Laeh Miller
Susannah needs to move immediately to Arizona to help care for her niece. Her sister is struggling with her mental health and her daughter is with a foster family. Susannah moves lock, stock and barrel. Luckily her job is one that can be done online. She is determined to give her niece strong support. Meanwhile, there is Ian McKenzie, a paramedic and a horse whisperer. Susannah and Ian confront the past trauma and deal with the struggle in order to move on.
Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates is a great novella. Gunnar is dogged and determined to work his farm. He is the last person in his family and feels he can’t leave the land. He really could use some help. Only to have help come to him in an unusual way. Birdie Lennox is caught by Gunnar trying to steal a horse. Her goal is she needs a horse for her next job and then she would return him. Gunnar is having none of it and gives her a place to stay and a job instead of jail. Who knows what will happen next? They are two strong workers with little support or understanding spending time working together, eating together and talking to each other.
March 14, 2025
This was such a cozy read with 2 stories in one and happy endings. One Lonesome Cowboy is the story of Susannah and Ian. Ian is a paramedic in town and also rescues horses in his free time He is also a divorced stepdad of twin girls. Susannah is a web designer and house flipper who goes to Arizona to take care of her niece after her sister is hospitalized for depression. she meets Ian one day after saving a boy from a fall on his horse and the attraction is instant. Ian helps comfort Susannah after she has a memory surface of a secret her sister had kept hidden and the truth is revealed and they fall for each other and live happily ever after.
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.
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.
June 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for these sweet ARC’s for my honest review. I loved that both of these stories are about true Heroes.
Story 1 is about Family coming first. Susannah gets the call that she is needed to come care for your niece while her sister deals with her mental illness. Susannah is a very special sister that any sibling would love to have. It’s such a beautiful story of hope and a real chance of real love with a town hero. It’s such a special story of love at first sight with the town hero, Ian. It was a joy to watch Susannah and Ian’s relationship grow.
Story 2 is heartbreaking to see Birdie who is living a rough life at the hands of her drunk father. She will do anything to fly away from her situation including stealing one of her neighbors horses which she needs for the job she is hoping for to get her fresh start. However, in the process of stealing the horse, she gets caught by the owner, Gunnar, who is just a lonely cowboy. So, instead of calling the cops, he has offered her a deal. He will allow her to work off her crime. It is heartwarming to see the support he gives her when he sees her current living situation. Birdie doesn’t know how to handle the support he is giving her as she has never had any support. There was a lot of tension between them but loved how their relationship evolved. Their chemistry is undeniable. This is a true enemies to lovers story.
I loved both of these stories.
Story 1 is about Family coming first. Susannah gets the call that she is needed to come care for your niece while her sister deals with her mental illness. Susannah is a very special sister that any sibling would love to have. It’s such a beautiful story of hope and a real chance of real love with a town hero. It’s such a special story of love at first sight with the town hero, Ian. It was a joy to watch Susannah and Ian’s relationship grow.
Story 2 is heartbreaking to see Birdie who is living a rough life at the hands of her drunk father. She will do anything to fly away from her situation including stealing one of her neighbors horses which she needs for the job she is hoping for to get her fresh start. However, in the process of stealing the horse, she gets caught by the owner, Gunnar, who is just a lonely cowboy. So, instead of calling the cops, he has offered her a deal. He will allow her to work off her crime. It is heartwarming to see the support he gives her when he sees her current living situation. Birdie doesn’t know how to handle the support he is giving her as she has never had any support. There was a lot of tension between them but loved how their relationship evolved. Their chemistry is undeniable. This is a true enemies to lovers story.
I loved both of these stories.
June 16, 2025
This 'duet' of two novellas from authors I enjoy and have read before was a very nice way to spend a couple of afternoons thinking of cowboys and their loves.
Ms. Miller's book was about helping. Paramedic Ian, meets Suzanna who is relocating to take care of her niece while her sister is having a crisis, at an accident scene. It's almost like they needed an introduction and the accident gave them that! Neither can forget their initial meeting. As the story moves along, Ian and Suzanna both realize they are looking for something...but don't think they can achieve it together. Fate plays a role letting them see that everything can be worked out if you want it badly enough.
Ms. Yates' book is about overcoming. Birdie and Gunnar have been next door ranch neighbors for their entire lives. They went to school together. When Gunnar catches Birdie trying to steal one of his horses, he gives her a choice. Work for him to 'pay off' the debt of trying to steal his horse and she'll get the horse when the debt is paid. Gunnar has always had bad feelings for Birdie and her family. Her mother abandoned the family and her father is a drunk. They are no account loafers in his opinion. Birdie has always felt Gunnar was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has never had any problems. When each of them realize they know nothing of the other, they realize their perceived notions must be overcome before they can move on.
Two very good feel good stories.
Ms. Miller's book was about helping. Paramedic Ian, meets Suzanna who is relocating to take care of her niece while her sister is having a crisis, at an accident scene. It's almost like they needed an introduction and the accident gave them that! Neither can forget their initial meeting. As the story moves along, Ian and Suzanna both realize they are looking for something...but don't think they can achieve it together. Fate plays a role letting them see that everything can be worked out if you want it badly enough.
Ms. Yates' book is about overcoming. Birdie and Gunnar have been next door ranch neighbors for their entire lives. They went to school together. When Gunnar catches Birdie trying to steal one of his horses, he gives her a choice. Work for him to 'pay off' the debt of trying to steal his horse and she'll get the horse when the debt is paid. Gunnar has always had bad feelings for Birdie and her family. Her mother abandoned the family and her father is a drunk. They are no account loafers in his opinion. Birdie has always felt Gunnar was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has never had any problems. When each of them realize they know nothing of the other, they realize their perceived notions must be overcome before they can move on.
Two very good feel good stories.
July 16, 2025
ONE LONESOME COWBOY
by Linda Lael Miller
On her way into town to care for her niece, Susannah is stopped along the way due to an accident and catches sight of one of the paramedics that arrives. Although they didn’t actually meet, he stays in her memory. The two eventually meet and there’s a definite attraction. They find they have more in common than they could have imagined. When she discovers her sister has been hiding a horrifying secret that has stayed with her through adulthood with devastating consequences, she sets out to bring an end to her sister’s pain once and for all.
A wonderful story about healing, family dynamics, justice, new beginnings, and more.
COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY
by Maisey Yates
Birdie and Gunnar have been neighbors for as long as she can remember. Gunnar from the has it all, never went without lifestyle, and Birdie from a family not well liked by townsfolk due to her father’s drinking and the family’s reputation for stealing and other undesirable activities. When Birdie is caught stealing a horse from Gunnar, he makes her stay in his bunkhouse to work off the theft and to help recover payment from her father’s misdeeds. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they have in common and that they’ve had misconceptions about each other. They’re able to help each other and discover an attraction they never could have imagined.
An awesome story about self-doubt, forgiveness, healing, growing, new beginnings, and more.
by Linda Lael Miller
On her way into town to care for her niece, Susannah is stopped along the way due to an accident and catches sight of one of the paramedics that arrives. Although they didn’t actually meet, he stays in her memory. The two eventually meet and there’s a definite attraction. They find they have more in common than they could have imagined. When she discovers her sister has been hiding a horrifying secret that has stayed with her through adulthood with devastating consequences, she sets out to bring an end to her sister’s pain once and for all.
A wonderful story about healing, family dynamics, justice, new beginnings, and more.
COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY
by Maisey Yates
Birdie and Gunnar have been neighbors for as long as she can remember. Gunnar from the has it all, never went without lifestyle, and Birdie from a family not well liked by townsfolk due to her father’s drinking and the family’s reputation for stealing and other undesirable activities. When Birdie is caught stealing a horse from Gunnar, he makes her stay in his bunkhouse to work off the theft and to help recover payment from her father’s misdeeds. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they have in common and that they’ve had misconceptions about each other. They’re able to help each other and discover an attraction they never could have imagined.
An awesome story about self-doubt, forgiveness, healing, growing, new beginnings, and more.
January 9, 2026
This book is an anthology featuring two stories from two of the top cowboy/western romance authors in Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates.
I enjoyed both of the stories in this anthology but my favorite of the two was Maisey's story, Cowboy, Take Me Away. I loved all of the little ways that Gunnar took care of Birdie throughout the story despite the two of them starting out on to put it lightly, not the best of terms.
My favorite scene was the one where they had their lunch break while working by the swimming hole.
These were my favorite quotes from each story;
One Lonesome Cowboy - Linda Lael Miller
"Ian’s eyes were on the road, but he was smiling, and that put solid emotional ground under Susannah’s feet. How was it possible that a man’s smile, the sound of his voice, his mere presence, in fact, could uplift her the way it did? They hadn’t known each other for very long, and yet, from the beginning , Susannah had felt as if she’d known— and loved— this man through multiple lifetimes. He was a stranger who had never been a stranger." {Chapter 10}
Cowboy, Take Me Away - Maisey Yates
“Take your clothes off, cowboy. Join me.”
“I don’t skinny-dip.”“You don’t? Looking like that, it’s a crime you ever put clothes on at all.” {Chapter 8}
This two story anthology is a perfect choice for lovers of western/cowboy romances and is a pretty quick read at just 208 pages.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed both of the stories in this anthology but my favorite of the two was Maisey's story, Cowboy, Take Me Away. I loved all of the little ways that Gunnar took care of Birdie throughout the story despite the two of them starting out on to put it lightly, not the best of terms.
My favorite scene was the one where they had their lunch break while working by the swimming hole.
These were my favorite quotes from each story;
One Lonesome Cowboy - Linda Lael Miller
"Ian’s eyes were on the road, but he was smiling, and that put solid emotional ground under Susannah’s feet. How was it possible that a man’s smile, the sound of his voice, his mere presence, in fact, could uplift her the way it did? They hadn’t known each other for very long, and yet, from the beginning , Susannah had felt as if she’d known— and loved— this man through multiple lifetimes. He was a stranger who had never been a stranger." {Chapter 10}
Cowboy, Take Me Away - Maisey Yates
“Take your clothes off, cowboy. Join me.”
“I don’t skinny-dip.”“You don’t? Looking like that, it’s a crime you ever put clothes on at all.” {Chapter 8}
This two story anthology is a perfect choice for lovers of western/cowboy romances and is a pretty quick read at just 208 pages.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2025
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.
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.
June 22, 2025
Small Town Hero
Two novellas with similar themes of small towns and HEA.
One Lonesome Cowboy
By Linda Lael Miller
Susannah drops everything for her sister and niece. Now faced with dealing with the past, it's time to get to the bottom of the mental stressor that has been plaguing her sister since she was a teen. And making sure her niece Ellie is okay.
Ian isn't looking for complications, he's already dealing with the fallout from his divorce and missing his twin stepdaughters something fierce. But when he meets Susannah he's instantly drawn to her strength and focus under pressure. Finding a way to make her complicated life mesh with his small-town existence just needs a little compromise.
Cowboy, Take me Away
By Maisey Yates
An unlikely pairing of neighbors whose families have been at odds for years. Birdie is ready to leave town, she's painted with the same brush as her father and hasn't been given a fair shake her entire life. But her best-laid plans are foiled by her can-do-no-wrong neighbor, Gunnar. He offers her a solution, some hard work. She's not one to back down from a challenge. As they work closely together they realize that the animosity isn't there and they have more in common than they realized. Maybe they just needed to leap and Birdie didn't need to fly away to find her safe place.
Two novellas with similar themes of small towns and HEA.
One Lonesome Cowboy
By Linda Lael Miller
Susannah drops everything for her sister and niece. Now faced with dealing with the past, it's time to get to the bottom of the mental stressor that has been plaguing her sister since she was a teen. And making sure her niece Ellie is okay.
Ian isn't looking for complications, he's already dealing with the fallout from his divorce and missing his twin stepdaughters something fierce. But when he meets Susannah he's instantly drawn to her strength and focus under pressure. Finding a way to make her complicated life mesh with his small-town existence just needs a little compromise.
Cowboy, Take me Away
By Maisey Yates
An unlikely pairing of neighbors whose families have been at odds for years. Birdie is ready to leave town, she's painted with the same brush as her father and hasn't been given a fair shake her entire life. But her best-laid plans are foiled by her can-do-no-wrong neighbor, Gunnar. He offers her a solution, some hard work. She's not one to back down from a challenge. As they work closely together they realize that the animosity isn't there and they have more in common than they realized. Maybe they just needed to leap and Birdie didn't need to fly away to find her safe place.
June 24, 2025
This was an enjoyable quick read. I liked both stories. They were both very short though. I know they are novellas, but I still think they could have done with each of them having a few more characters. It really would have flushed out the stories more. Of the two I liked Miller slightly more. Not by much but hers worked better for me.
What I didn't like about Miller's, both really was that they felt a bit rushed. It took a bit for both of them to find or show the romance of their relationship, and I have to say that Miller's kind of jumped from meeting each other to love.
I did really like all four characters. They made their individual stories. Without them being so likable I'm not sure how I'd feel. I will say this book in perfect for those who don't have a ton of time to read but still want some to enjoy.
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ARC received for honest review
August 18, 2025
Small Town Hero by Linda Lael Miller & Maisey Yates
~ Two wonderful romances that allowed me to escape the summer heat and spend time with interesting people that truly deserved their happily ever after ~
ONE LONESOME COWBOY by Linda Lael Miller
Family is important to both Susannah and Ian and the chemistry is there for both of them when they first meet. This story deals with some heavy and dark issues including bullying, stalking, divorce, mental health, secrets, and a deep abiding love that develops between the main characters as they handle the issues they are faced with. Ian and Susannah are perfect for and with one another. Fun clean happy ending for this one.
COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY by Maisey Yates
Opposites attract…eventually…as Gunnar and Birdie spend time working together and learn more about one another. Two people that should have nothing in common realize that they are meant to be together. Loved the idea of relationships related to ecosystems and what that might mean to the couple. This story made me care and melted my heart…loved both Birdie and Gunnar and know they had a wonderful fulfilling life together.
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by these authors? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
~ Two wonderful romances that allowed me to escape the summer heat and spend time with interesting people that truly deserved their happily ever after ~
ONE LONESOME COWBOY by Linda Lael Miller
Family is important to both Susannah and Ian and the chemistry is there for both of them when they first meet. This story deals with some heavy and dark issues including bullying, stalking, divorce, mental health, secrets, and a deep abiding love that develops between the main characters as they handle the issues they are faced with. Ian and Susannah are perfect for and with one another. Fun clean happy ending for this one.
COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY by Maisey Yates
Opposites attract…eventually…as Gunnar and Birdie spend time working together and learn more about one another. Two people that should have nothing in common realize that they are meant to be together. Loved the idea of relationships related to ecosystems and what that might mean to the couple. This story made me care and melted my heart…loved both Birdie and Gunnar and know they had a wonderful fulfilling life together.
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by these authors? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
June 24, 2025
Small Town Hero is two novellas in one book (which I will always grab, especially when the authors are ones I enjoy), that brings us two somewhat unusual romances, with characters who leap off the page. I was easily captured by both stories and completely enjoyed myself.
The Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller brings us Susannah and Ian, with an unusual first meeting. I loved watching this couple find their footing and open their hearts to possibilities. 4 stars
Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates features Birdie and Gunnar. I absolutely loved Birdie; she’s full of snark and attitude with a lonely young woman well hidden beneath the surface. Of the two stories, this one was my favorite for the characters felt real, were dealing with lots of family history, and their happy ever after was well fought for. 5 stars
If you love well-written, emotional, and somewhat intense romances, then Small Town Hero by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates would be perfect for you.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
The Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller brings us Susannah and Ian, with an unusual first meeting. I loved watching this couple find their footing and open their hearts to possibilities. 4 stars
Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates features Birdie and Gunnar. I absolutely loved Birdie; she’s full of snark and attitude with a lonely young woman well hidden beneath the surface. Of the two stories, this one was my favorite for the characters felt real, were dealing with lots of family history, and their happy ever after was well fought for. 5 stars
If you love well-written, emotional, and somewhat intense romances, then Small Town Hero by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates would be perfect for you.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
June 25, 2025
Fans of Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates should enjoy diving into new stories by these well-known western romance authors. For readers new to one or both, these quick reads are a great way to sample what both Miller and Yates have to offer.
In "One Lonesome Cowboy," Miller explores love, family, community, trauma, and healing with a dash of mystery in a slow-burn romance that's both charming and heart-tugging. The characters drew me into their lives almost immediately and had me rooting for their happy endings.
Maisey Yates is known for her emotionally rich stories, often featuring characters with harsh or traumatic life experiences. "Cowboy, Take Me Away" features Birdie Lennox who may be one of the most wounded characters she's featured though she hides it well under a brash exterior. I really enjoyed watching Birdie and Gunnar slowly break down walls and open hearts in this enemies-to-lovers story of healing, redemption, community, and a hard-won happy ending.
If you're looking for a quick, satisfying western romance with relatable characters, strong community, family dynamics, and heartfelt happy endings, add this duology to your summer reading list.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review
In "One Lonesome Cowboy," Miller explores love, family, community, trauma, and healing with a dash of mystery in a slow-burn romance that's both charming and heart-tugging. The characters drew me into their lives almost immediately and had me rooting for their happy endings.
Maisey Yates is known for her emotionally rich stories, often featuring characters with harsh or traumatic life experiences. "Cowboy, Take Me Away" features Birdie Lennox who may be one of the most wounded characters she's featured though she hides it well under a brash exterior. I really enjoyed watching Birdie and Gunnar slowly break down walls and open hearts in this enemies-to-lovers story of healing, redemption, community, and a hard-won happy ending.
If you're looking for a quick, satisfying western romance with relatable characters, strong community, family dynamics, and heartfelt happy endings, add this duology to your summer reading list.
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review
March 5, 2025
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.
March 25, 2025
The 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 references to the Boxcar Children were so splendid. The epilogue was such a marvelous way to end their story.
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 references to the Boxcar Children were so splendid. The epilogue was such a marvelous way to end their story.
June 8, 2025
I absolutely love Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates!
You had me at small town, cowboys, romance and so much more.
One Lonesome Cowboy - Linda Lael Miller
I loved this heartfelt story about a guarded single mom and her niece, and a quiet, horse-whispering hero who’s just as cautious with his heart. With the perfect mix of romance, suspense, and a swoon-worthy lead, this is a story that stays with you—and a hero you won’t forget.
Cowboy, Take Me Away - Maisey Yates
Full of tension, charm, and unexpected heart, Cowboy, Take Me Away delivers a fiery romance between a tough-as-nails outlaw’s daughter and a straight-laced cowboy. Birdie and Gunnar’s chemistry crackles as they clash, connect, and uncover a love neither saw coming. A fun, heartfelt enemies-to-lovers story with a wild-west twist! I would love Gunnar to take me away!
You had me at small town, cowboys, romance and so much more.
One Lonesome Cowboy - Linda Lael Miller
I loved this heartfelt story about a guarded single mom and her niece, and a quiet, horse-whispering hero who’s just as cautious with his heart. With the perfect mix of romance, suspense, and a swoon-worthy lead, this is a story that stays with you—and a hero you won’t forget.
Cowboy, Take Me Away - Maisey Yates
Full of tension, charm, and unexpected heart, Cowboy, Take Me Away delivers a fiery romance between a tough-as-nails outlaw’s daughter and a straight-laced cowboy. Birdie and Gunnar’s chemistry crackles as they clash, connect, and uncover a love neither saw coming. A fun, heartfelt enemies-to-lovers story with a wild-west twist! I would love Gunnar to take me away!
June 24, 2025
So LLM only writes non smex romance, which I didnt know.
But because this was such a short little story, I felt nothing about the connection between our 2 main characters. There is a lot of meat for a good story but it felt like I was watching/reading some abridged version of a whole novel. Didnt have enough time or depth to get invested in the romance so it's a 2 from me.
Cowboy take Me Away by Maisey Yates:
Now this was good! I loved Gunnar and Birdie, I adored their vulnerabilities and how basically 2 lonely people just found the right spark with each other. This was the shorter of the 2 stories and Im so mad about that. This def deserved to be a full length novel. Also FULL FULL points for that happy little epilogue ( I demand we start doing the hea with kids in the future epilogues again!)
But because this was such a short little story, I felt nothing about the connection between our 2 main characters. There is a lot of meat for a good story but it felt like I was watching/reading some abridged version of a whole novel. Didnt have enough time or depth to get invested in the romance so it's a 2 from me.
Cowboy take Me Away by Maisey Yates:
Now this was good! I loved Gunnar and Birdie, I adored their vulnerabilities and how basically 2 lonely people just found the right spark with each other. This was the shorter of the 2 stories and Im so mad about that. This def deserved to be a full length novel. Also FULL FULL points for that happy little epilogue ( I demand we start doing the hea with kids in the future epilogues again!)
February 7, 2025
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. Book provided by NetGalley.
June 26, 2025
So grateful for the opportunity to read this early, as a Goodreads giveaway win. This is a 2-in-1 HEA "Small Town Hero" genre, two novellas from 2 authors. I was more enchanted by book 2 "Cowboy, Take Me Away" by Maisey Yates as the characters and story development were more charmingly real. The weak link (1 star) is Ms. Miller's "One Lonesome Cowboy" which had me side-eyeing the true love arc after a blink-and-you'll-miss-it roadside encounter and a follow-up chance encounter dinner with 3 children running interference. Geez, they haven't even gone on a date, and they are BOTH in love? Melodramatic dialogue, unbelievable resolution to family crisis. Like I said, 2 stars for book 2 and 1 for book 1. Quick read though.
June 27, 2025
Both of these stories were a heartwarming read, full of good men and rescued horses along with the women who will change their lives.
ONE LONESOME COWBOY
by Linda Lael Miller
Susannah comes to town to take care of her family and finds an accident along the way causing her to meet Ian the local paramedic. He and his ranch will play an important role in her life. Along with his support with her family. Gorgeous story as two find their second chances at love.
COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY
by Maisey Yates
Birdie is caught mid crime by her neighbour Gunnar. Sworn enemies since they were children he's about to change her life. Working off her debts rather than prison is the beginning of their story. Who knew that chemistry between them could beat the odds. Love will find a way.
ONE LONESOME COWBOY
by Linda Lael Miller
Susannah comes to town to take care of her family and finds an accident along the way causing her to meet Ian the local paramedic. He and his ranch will play an important role in her life. Along with his support with her family. Gorgeous story as two find their second chances at love.
COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY
by Maisey Yates
Birdie is caught mid crime by her neighbour Gunnar. Sworn enemies since they were children he's about to change her life. Working off her debts rather than prison is the beginning of their story. Who knew that chemistry between them could beat the odds. Love will find a way.
June 28, 2025
Small Town Hero contains two short stories.
I really enjoyed both stories, but the one by Maisey Yates the most.
One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller:
This is such a sweet story! Susannah and Ian both deserved their HEA. They’re both very caring people and I really liked them and their families.
Cowboy Take Me Away by Maisey Yates:
The story of Birdie and Gunnar was a much more passionate one. Sparks fly between those two. I loved when they shared their experiences of childhood/life and how their feelings for one another developed. Heartwarming!
~~“Because I told you. I have to fly away.” “But what if you didn’t?”~~
I received a free arc of this book through NetGalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I really enjoyed both stories, but the one by Maisey Yates the most.
One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller:
This is such a sweet story! Susannah and Ian both deserved their HEA. They’re both very caring people and I really liked them and their families.
Cowboy Take Me Away by Maisey Yates:
The story of Birdie and Gunnar was a much more passionate one. Sparks fly between those two. I loved when they shared their experiences of childhood/life and how their feelings for one another developed. Heartwarming!
~~“Because I told you. I have to fly away.” “But what if you didn’t?”~~
I received a free arc of this book through NetGalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion.
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