To Cross the Valley: A Small Town, Second Chance, Cowboy Romance

by Kristy Werner

There are consequences for sin.

And when Mattie Johnson became pregnant, she got slapped with them all. Her family abandoned her, her love skipped town, and she lost her precious daughter. With only her found family and her best friend’s ex to lean on, she did her best to forge on.

Two and a half years later, her plans are simple. Survive the second birthday that would never be celebrated and not lose her friends for leaning on them too much. What isn’t in her plans? Wyatt waltzing back into town expecting to meet his child.

Believing the lies that rodeo cowboys were good for nothin’, Wyatt Avery set out to become a better man for the only woman he’d ever love and his unborn child. Able now to care for the family he left behind, he returns to Osage County. But what he finds is a tiny grave and a broken woman.

Love may be able to come home, but can Mattie trust Wyatt’s love to not abandon her again? Can she find the courage to cross the valley between them?

Nestled in the heart of Osage County, Oklahoma is the small town of Pawhuska, surrounded by a paradise of rolling hills and the Tallgrass Prairie. If you enjoy clean, first-love romance, then this small-town, second-chance romance is for you.

Genres: Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2025

About the author

Kristy Werner is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. She grew up in Tulsa, the setting for her Tulsa Town Romance series, where she spent most of her time writing, drawing, and reading. She still lives in Oklahoma and loves to travel with her husband.
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Reviews

[Christina Rost · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt story explores themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the complexities of love. Mattie’s journey to rebuild her trust in love while confronting past wounds is deeply moving and relatable. If you’re looking for a truly inspiring and uplifting story that tugs on the heartstrings, To Cross A Valley will hit the mark! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

[Holly Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for review.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A moving read that has resurfaced my memories of motherhood, loss, and abandonment. Mattie has lived through the heartache as well. She’s a young woman who fell in love with rodeo Cowboy, Wyatt, and was left to pick up her life and live with her sin (out of wedlock pregnancy) without him. More than two years later Wyatt returns and the harsh reality of his sin is thrown at him. The consequences of his actions and distorted beliefs that he was not enough for Mattie’s love is confronted. He’ll do anything to regain her trust and love once again.

If you have experienced infant loss, miscarriage and family abandonment please be mindful of the triggers. As a mother of six I personally have experienced the loss of a son. As I read Mattie’s story I was struck by her grief and healing journey…how did she do it without her family and Wyatt? She embodies that saying, “love knows no bounds.” She freely acknowledges her sin based on the religious shame of her family and regains her faith through this heart aching experience. Wyatt steps back in and her wounds are reopened. Slowly they rebuild together.

Everyone should find best friend’s like Hannah and Aaron. (Their story is in Book 1 To Touch the Earth) We get a glimpse of their relationship and how they faced grief, abandonment and forgiveness. Hannah faced loss as well and together Mattie helps her overcoming a fear.

Among the rolling hills of Oklahoma is a valley that the author uses as a metaphor for these characters. It’s lovely and helped me understand my own complex feelings of loss. Thank you for sharing them with me Kristy Werner.

📒Small town romance
🖼️ Restaurateur
📒Construction builder
🖼️Closed door romance
📒Pregnancy
🖼️Religious shaming
📒Redemptive love
🖼️Family abandonment
📒Second chances
🖼️Found family
📒bonus chapter download

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattie Johnson lost everything when she unexpectedly became pregnant. Her family abandoned her, she lost her daughter, and the one she loved left town. She manages to find the one person she can lean on. But with her past always in the forefront of her mind, she wonders if she will ever be freed from her past and find true happiness in her life.

But when Wyatt arrives back in Osage County, what he finds is not what he expected. How can Wyatt prove to Mattie that he still loves her and won’t leave her alone again? Is Mattie ready to trust Wyatt with her heart again, or does she think he is the same Wyatt that will never change?

To Cross the Valley, authored by Kristy Werner, is a wonderful and inspirational story full of hope. This is an amazing story of redemption and the unfailing love and grace of Jesus. This story grabbed me at the very first page, filled with wonderful characters and amazing descriptions of Osage County with its beautiful rolling hills. The amazing plot twist was completely unexpected.

This wonderful story was unputdownable. I was completely emotional throughout this phenomenal book. So make sure you keep the Kleenex box close, because you will definitely need it. Although this story can be read as a standalone book, I highly recommend the entire series. I loved everything about this book from start to finish. I highly recommend this wonderful story.

[bri fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Kristy Werner's stories aren't listed under: Romance suspense, she creates circumstances that greatly stimulates the heart! One issue at the outset is: the parents lacking the unconditional love for their child, Mattie. That is part of a larger scene where her boyfriend is the father of Mattie's child: abandons her. Even Mattie's church fails to show her God's unconditional love.
The author, Kristy, develops the story where we see further devastating moments for Mattie. But thankfully she has a great support system among her friends, and one in particular at maybe Mattie's most critical moments in her life: gives Mattie the love that she needs to survive.
But redemption often happens when one least expects it to, as in this dramatically touching story. I see Mattie as a strong woman, who has suffer great loses: family, spiritually, physically...but overcoming her losses thanks to intensely protective, supportive friends, and that special friend that she always loved...the one that abandon her, then at long last, returns. And when her heart starts to heal: she accept back into her life: the greatest lover of all: God.

"I received a complimentary copy from the publisher" to your review. Of course, I wasn't obligated to write a review. It's more like: how could I not write a review for such a deeply talented writer.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Cross the Valley by Kristy Werner
Hearts of Osage County Book Two
Wyatt Avery had thought he was doing the right thing two and a half years ago. Boy, was he ever wrong. His dad always said he was worthless, and he had heard enough to believe it. And even though he was in love with Mattie, he couldn’t provide for her while on the rodeo circuit. Couldn’t make her travel all over and stay in roach motels. What he didn’t know? She always thought he was enough.
Mattie Johnson had been through so much. Her best friend had left town. Her love had left town. Her parents disowned her. Her sister followed her parents' wishes. Thankfully, good friends cared for her and stuck by her side. And now, after it was too late, Wyatt returns to town.
My eyes were damp throughout this story, but it was superb. I couldn’t stop reading from beginning to end. I’m glad I knew there’d be a happily ever after. It just takes some bumps—big potholes—to get there.
**Tissue alert!
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...

[Tochukwu Ezigbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"To Cross the Valley" is a gentle tale that encourages us to take our time as we navigate through life's tricky patches instead of hurrying to find our way out. Kristy Werner puts the spotlight on emotional growth rather than sensational incidents, making the journey feel quite sincere and easy to connect with. The characters in this story often find themselves pausing, pondering, and at times, feeling a bit stuck—just like we all do in our own lives, rather than wrapping things up in a neat package. The pace is slow and reflective, but that suits the mood of the book just right. It’s a soft, character-driven read that appeals to anyone who finds comfort in stories about resilience, healing, and seeking meaning when life seems uncertain.

[Craig Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

Reading Maddie's story and exploring the depths of her highs, lows, struggles, and strength kept me intrigued, start to finish. The story shares the heartache of each character in such a way that pulls you closer to each one as they deal with the choices they have made in their life and the choices others have made. The struggle to forgive, be it for what others have done, or what you are guilty of is so real that you want to pray along with Mattie and Wyat as they seek God's direction and help. One suggestion while reading it. Keep a box of tissues nearby.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Read! Clean Romance! Emotional Journey! The author does such a good job of pulling you in as if you are the story yourself. You feel each emotion, twist and turn. I had sob sessions, bouts of laughter, and yells of finally you get it. I didn’t want to put the book down if I could have read it all in one day I would of but was through it in just a short two days it was such a captivating read. You won’t regret this read and will want to read it repeatedly. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my introduction to a new to me author and “Wow!” doesn’t begin to cover what I experienced reading Mattie and Wyatt’s story, along with Hannah, Aaron, Ryder and others. Emotions ran deep, from sadness to joy, grief to healing, bitterness to forgiveness, and the list goes on. Yet through every scenario, every challenge, the promise of God’s faithfulness remained constant, dispelling fear, sorrow, loss and heartbreak. Truly a work of heart!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Cross the Valley by Kristy Werner is the second book in the Hearts of Osage series. It's the first time I've read a book by Kristy, and I'm pleasantly surprised. It's a well-written book that flows well and is based on Christian principles. The characters are true to life and you get to know them well. The story is moving and touches your heart. It takes place in a village where love and togetherness flourish. I had trouble putting the book down and read it in one sitting.

[S.J. Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy to have continued on with this series! Kristy’s characters always tug on my heart strings! I loved getting to see Mattie and Wyatt’s story come full circle and enjoyed all the found family aspects of this book. Definitely recommend this book and To Touch The Earth (Book 1)!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a good second chance romance. Wyatt left Maddie just when she needed him the most. When he finally comes back, is it too late. This book deals with abandonment and the loss of a child. It is a very emotional read. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

[Peggy Mangum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Received A Complimentary Copy from the Publisher. Boy, Am I Glad I did! What a Beautiful Uplifting Story About a Second Chance For Mattie and Wyatt. When We Put Our Trust in God, Beautiful Things Happen in Our Life 🙏 I Highly Recommend This Book 🤗

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristy Werner has hit the ball out of the park again! Another great second chance romance and one that you cannot put down! It’s filled with tears, laughter, heartache and love! Can hardly wait to read the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written second chance romance that is full of emotions. Maddie and Wyatt's story will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Bridgette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC, this is my personal preference, but this is not my type of book.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

”To Cross The Valley” is a beautifully written novel that includes Second Chance Romance, Suspense, Redemption, and Faith elements. Although this was a very emotional story, I found myself mesmerized by the plot and enamored with the characters. If you like real world problems, raw emotions, and heart wrenching plot twists then this is the book for you!

I did receive a complementary copy of this novel, but all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Content Warnings:

Loss Of Child
Abandonment