What do you think?
Rate this book
Valley of Broken Hearts: Women of the Beartooth-Book 2
One small family. Two broken hearts. One more opportunity.
Once Clara found her brother, she was hopeful that she and her children would have the protection and love that were missing in their lives. She found so much more. While happily embracing new friendships and feelings, the one that frightened her the most was her attraction to Robert. A miserable marriage and an abusive and controlling mother had left enough scars to persuade her that the best she could hope for was being safe and content.
The childhood accident that left a facial scar had Robert convinced that no woman would ever want to marry him. Ordinarily the quiet bystander, he finds Clara’s arrival turning his world upside down as battles wage between what his heart wants and what his mind tells him.
While it becomes more apparent that their friendship is turning into something deeper, Clara’s mother is determined to stop any possibility for her daughter’s happiness. Clara must confront her innermost trepidations and fears when her mother goes too far and she almost loses what has become dear to her heart.
Sometimes, our biggest fight is with ourselves.
Once Clara found her brother, she was hopeful that she and her children would have the protection and love that were missing in their lives. She found so much more. While happily embracing new friendships and feelings, the one that frightened her the most was her attraction to Robert. A miserable marriage and an abusive and controlling mother had left enough scars to persuade her that the best she could hope for was being safe and content.
The childhood accident that left a facial scar had Robert convinced that no woman would ever want to marry him. Ordinarily the quiet bystander, he finds Clara’s arrival turning his world upside down as battles wage between what his heart wants and what his mind tells him.
While it becomes more apparent that their friendship is turning into something deeper, Clara’s mother is determined to stop any possibility for her daughter’s happiness. Clara must confront her innermost trepidations and fears when her mother goes too far and she almost loses what has become dear to her heart.
Sometimes, our biggest fight is with ourselves.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 7, 2025
Love always wins…
Another great read, just like the first book. The story also has a great message, something we all can relate to. Seeing Clara change and grow, despite having such a demonic mother, is certainly a highlight and I loved the romance slowly developing, with the perfect happy ending.
Another great read, just like the first book. The story also has a great message, something we all can relate to. Seeing Clara change and grow, despite having such a demonic mother, is certainly a highlight and I loved the romance slowly developing, with the perfect happy ending.
February 18, 2026
I recently finished Valley of Broken Hearts by Charlie West, the second book in the Women of the Beartooth series. After absolutely loving the first book, A Valley Deep and Wide, which was a 5-star read for me, I went into this sequel with high expectations.
I did enjoy getting to see what happens next in these characters’ lives. I also enjoyed seeing the narrative from the first book from a different point of view. However, this installment didn’t feel as impactful. Many of the scenes felt very similar to moments from the first book, and at times the story felt repetitive rather than like a natural progression. Instead of expanding the world in a new way, it often circled back to the same conflicts. The “evil mother” dynamic, their physical scars, the miscommunication trope, it all began to feel overemphasized as the story went on.
That said, I still appreciated revisiting these characters and seeing their journeys continue. Overall, this one didn’t capture me the way the first book did, but it wasn’t without its strengths.
I did enjoy getting to see what happens next in these characters’ lives. I also enjoyed seeing the narrative from the first book from a different point of view. However, this installment didn’t feel as impactful. Many of the scenes felt very similar to moments from the first book, and at times the story felt repetitive rather than like a natural progression. Instead of expanding the world in a new way, it often circled back to the same conflicts. The “evil mother” dynamic, their physical scars, the miscommunication trope, it all began to feel overemphasized as the story went on.
That said, I still appreciated revisiting these characters and seeing their journeys continue. Overall, this one didn’t capture me the way the first book did, but it wasn’t without its strengths.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
I enjoyed this book! Clara has been through so much abuse and doesn’t ask for much, doesn’t even think she deserves much, and she is willing to work hard for just some peace and safety for herself and her children Maddie and Samuel.
I enjoyed all of the characters: Robert, strong, hardworking, on the quiet side. Clara’s brother Michael and his wife, Maggie were already familiar to me from reading the first book of this series, A Valley Deep and Wide: Women of the Beartooth. I was happy to know more of how they were doing. Maggie’s spunkiness in not allowing Hilda to walk all over her was a good role model for Clara. Hilda, a character you love to hate!
Loved the closeness of Clara and her brother having gone through much of the abuse together
Ahh… and the secret Clara’s mother, Hilda finally let out, helped to explain a lot, some people who are not happy don’t want others to be happy either.
The innate feeling of justice are served in this story. At the end of the book I had such a good feeling.
I enjoyed all of the characters: Robert, strong, hardworking, on the quiet side. Clara’s brother Michael and his wife, Maggie were already familiar to me from reading the first book of this series, A Valley Deep and Wide: Women of the Beartooth. I was happy to know more of how they were doing. Maggie’s spunkiness in not allowing Hilda to walk all over her was a good role model for Clara. Hilda, a character you love to hate!
Loved the closeness of Clara and her brother having gone through much of the abuse together
Ahh… and the secret Clara’s mother, Hilda finally let out, helped to explain a lot, some people who are not happy don’t want others to be happy either.
The innate feeling of justice are served in this story. At the end of the book I had such a good feeling.
June 30, 2025
The second in the Women of the Beartooth Series, Valley of Broken Hearts set in 1878 Montana seamlessly blends with book one. However, this book can also be read as a stand-alone.
In this book, Clara travels with her two small children and her mother in search of her twin brother Michael - a main character in book one. Tensions immediately arise on their arrival at the Montana ranch where he is working due to her mother's bitter nature.
Will it be possible for Clara to ever escape the abuse her mother showers on her? When feelings grow between Clara and one of the ranch owners, Clara is tentative as she's rarely experienced love.
Another well-written sweet historical romance by Charli West who is a master of the genre. I've read many of her books and look forward to the third in this series.
In this book, Clara travels with her two small children and her mother in search of her twin brother Michael - a main character in book one. Tensions immediately arise on their arrival at the Montana ranch where he is working due to her mother's bitter nature.
Will it be possible for Clara to ever escape the abuse her mother showers on her? When feelings grow between Clara and one of the ranch owners, Clara is tentative as she's rarely experienced love.
Another well-written sweet historical romance by Charli West who is a master of the genre. I've read many of her books and look forward to the third in this series.
June 18, 2025
This slow burn was the absolute best torcher. You can feel the chemistry between the two main characters from the very beginning. Their past scars keep them from opening up to each other but when they finally do it makes me so happy. They are both so stubborn! I absolutely adore these characters and can’t wait for the next book!
December 28, 2025
There were several moments where I wanted to drag Robert & Clara by their ears & force a straight conversation lol. And woooooo did Hilda need a whalluping something fierce, disappointed we didn't get a scene where she got a full comeuppance. The characters are well fleshed out, writing is excellent & the story is authentic. 5 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2026
Hooked again!
Valley of Broken Hearts, the second book of the Women of the Beartooth series, focuses on Robert and Clara. Both convinced they are unloveable, they fail to recognize the love growing between them. Despite being assured of West’s signature HEA, I was still eagerly turning the pages to find out “will they or won’t they”!
Valley of Broken Hearts, the second book of the Women of the Beartooth series, focuses on Robert and Clara. Both convinced they are unloveable, they fail to recognize the love growing between them. Despite being assured of West’s signature HEA, I was still eagerly turning the pages to find out “will they or won’t they”!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews