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Copper Ridge #2
Brokedown Cowboy
There are lines best friends shouldn't cross, but in Copper Ridge, Oregon, the temptation might be too much...
If practice makes perfect, Connor Garrett should be world champion of being alone. Since losing his wife he's concentrated exclusively on his family's ranch. Until Felicity Foster needs a place to stay and Connor invites her to move in temporarily. That's what friends do. What friends don't do? Start fantasizing about each other in their underwear. Or out of it...
Since high school, Liss has kept her raging crush in check. But helping Connor rebuild his life only reinforces how much she longs to be a part of it. One explosive encounter, and she'll discover that getting what you always wanted can feel better than you ever dreamed...
384 pages, ebook
First published May 26, 2015
212 people are currently reading
1718 people want to read
About the author
Maisey Yates
1,175 books3,003 followersNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
March 7, 2016
Holy crap was this a drag to read. I made it through the whole thing, but I'm not sure why I bothered. I think I just have a harder time stopping an audible read because the inertia feels higher, somehow.
The problem here is all Connor. That guy loves his misery so much that he spreads it around all his friends and family just to make sure he's as deeply in it as he possibly can be. There wasn't even one new level of intimacy where he didn't kick Liss in the metaphorical face. The first time it happened, I wanted her to dump his sorry posterior and find someone worth her while. By the second, I was imagining arson. And then it happened again. And again. Felicity wasn't so much a best friend as she was a doormat for all the crap Connor could wipe off on her.
Which is a shame because Felicity herself is kind of awesome. I loved her from the start. Which is probably the real answer to why I stuck this out. I kept waiting for her to assert herself .
So yeah, I'm done with this series. I was looking for a friends-to-lovers story and got an abuse-fest full of stupid. I'm not excited to read the same again, even if it looks like the genders are reversed in Kate and Jack's story...
A note about Steamy: Not as high as the first, though there's four or five explicit sex scenes. They aren't as long and aren't as emotionally engaging as in the first book—not least because Connor uses each one as an opportunity to kick Felicity when she's most vulnerable.
The problem here is all Connor. That guy loves his misery so much that he spreads it around all his friends and family just to make sure he's as deeply in it as he possibly can be. There wasn't even one new level of intimacy where he didn't kick Liss in the metaphorical face. The first time it happened, I wanted her to dump his sorry posterior and find someone worth her while. By the second, I was imagining arson. And then it happened again. And again. Felicity wasn't so much a best friend as she was a doormat for all the crap Connor could wipe off on her.
Which is a shame because Felicity herself is kind of awesome. I loved her from the start. Which is probably the real answer to why I stuck this out. I kept waiting for her to assert herself .
So yeah, I'm done with this series. I was looking for a friends-to-lovers story and got an abuse-fest full of stupid. I'm not excited to read the same again, even if it looks like the genders are reversed in Kate and Jack's story...
A note about Steamy: Not as high as the first, though there's four or five explicit sex scenes. They aren't as long and aren't as emotionally engaging as in the first book—not least because Connor uses each one as an opportunity to kick Felicity when she's most vulnerable.
January 20, 2020
ETA: Congratulations to Maisey Yates for her 2016 RITA Award for Brokedown Cowboy!!! If you all haven't read this series, READ IT!
First let me just praise the cover. The male model? WHO are you sir and are you single? I mean....
Ooof. *fans face* I kept catching myself staring at the cover and wanting to rub my face on it like a lunatic.......
Aaaaanyways, this is my first book by this author and it won't be my last if the writing is anything to go by. Her wordplay is seriously one of a kind and nothing I've seen. I would seriously give a 5 stars just for that. It's so fluid and organic, she manages to go dark and humurous at the same time which I liked and haven't seen before in a CR setting. And by dark I mean dealing with a hero who is still greiving over the death of his wife. The wise cracks and ribbing that bounces off the brothers and group of friends is so much fun and so natural. Nothing is trying too hard. There were some lines that really made me LOL and re-read and other moments that just made me go YES! I know that feeling exactly.
The 'I'm in love with my best friend' theme here was executed wonderfully. I liked the fact that the author was conscious of the couple's long standing friendship and the hero's personal struggles to move on from losing his wife. I like that none of it was brushed under the rug and played a big part in the tension between the hero and heroine. It made the dynamic and HEA that much more realistic and plausible. The fact that Connor could *finally* accept that he will always love his wife and it's ok to move on and love someone else was so simple and honest yet bittersweet. It was a real struggle for this character and it made total sense especially given that the heroine has been his best friends for 18 years. That's a lot of history right there. And I have to say Liss, the heroine, really surprised me the most out of the two. Her no-filter personality and blurting whatever she thinks was a real hoot and so refreshing. It could have easily turned into an obnoxious quirk but it wasn't here. I loved how she kept Connor on his toes and left him speechless. I definitely want to read the next book with playboy Jack and Connor's little tomboy sister Katie. Another interesting dynamic with a lot of potential. I really recommend this author because her comedic timing is really great and her wordplay is divine!
First let me just praise the cover. The male model? WHO are you sir and are you single? I mean....
Ooof. *fans face* I kept catching myself staring at the cover and wanting to rub my face on it like a lunatic.......
Aaaaanyways, this is my first book by this author and it won't be my last if the writing is anything to go by. Her wordplay is seriously one of a kind and nothing I've seen. I would seriously give a 5 stars just for that. It's so fluid and organic, she manages to go dark and humurous at the same time which I liked and haven't seen before in a CR setting. And by dark I mean dealing with a hero who is still greiving over the death of his wife. The wise cracks and ribbing that bounces off the brothers and group of friends is so much fun and so natural. Nothing is trying too hard. There were some lines that really made me LOL and re-read and other moments that just made me go YES! I know that feeling exactly.
Years of fantasies could not have prepared her for the reality of Connor's lips on hers. It was new, and it was familiar in the most beautiful way. Like Christmas. Different all the time and somehow the same. With surprises and tradition all wrapped into one. That was kissing Connor.
********************************
She wanted a customizable menu of options with boxes she could check. Access to his finer feelings? Check. Awkward self-consciousness? No. A solid, unshakable friendship? Check. Crippling loneliness and despair? No.
Consequence-free orgasms on tap? She would double check that.
"Right," she said. "Probably should've just grabbed your penis again instead of trying to talk about feelings."
Connor sputtered, coffee sloshing over the edge of his mug. "What the hell, Liss? You can't just say stuff like that."
"Now is not really the time to get precious. The horse has left the barn, run across the pasture and trampled the daises. If you go after him now, he'll just get spooked and kick you in the head."
The 'I'm in love with my best friend' theme here was executed wonderfully. I liked the fact that the author was conscious of the couple's long standing friendship and the hero's personal struggles to move on from losing his wife. I like that none of it was brushed under the rug and played a big part in the tension between the hero and heroine. It made the dynamic and HEA that much more realistic and plausible. The fact that Connor could *finally* accept that he will always love his wife and it's ok to move on and love someone else was so simple and honest yet bittersweet. It was a real struggle for this character and it made total sense especially given that the heroine has been his best friends for 18 years. That's a lot of history right there. And I have to say Liss, the heroine, really surprised me the most out of the two. Her no-filter personality and blurting whatever she thinks was a real hoot and so refreshing. It could have easily turned into an obnoxious quirk but it wasn't here. I loved how she kept Connor on his toes and left him speechless. I definitely want to read the next book with playboy Jack and Connor's little tomboy sister Katie. Another interesting dynamic with a lot of potential. I really recommend this author because her comedic timing is really great and her wordplay is divine!
May 17, 2016
I loved the first book in this series (Part Time Cowboy), which features Connor and I couldn’t wait to get his story. My expectations were definitely met. Connor, along with his brother Eli (hero in book one) and younger sister Kate (heroine in the next book) own a big ranch, although Connor is the one who lives on the ranch and does most of the work. Three years ago, his wife of eight years died suddenly in a car accident. Connor’s grief is almost unbearable. He still performs his ranch duties, but that is about it. He works all day, and drinks all night. Repeat. His brother and sister come by and make him play poker sometimes but otherwise he has withdrawn himself from the community. To make matters even worse, his barn burned down at the end of the last book, so he now needs to rebuild that. He basically feels like the universe is against him. His only other friend is his best friend, Liss.
Liss has been BFFs with Connor since they were young. Having a crush on him, when he got married, Liss threw herself a pity party and tried to move on. Now that Connor’s wife is dead (his wife was really good friends with Liss as well) she has stepped up and tried to take care of him. Bringing him food as much as possible since all he wants for dinner is alcohol. Liss’s ex-boyfriend ran away with a lot of her stuff and ended up giving her bad credit – so when her current landlord needs to sell her apartment, she can’t secure a new apartment with her bad credit. When Connor hears of this, he offers Liss a room in his big house. He figures she has done so much for him the past few years, he can at least let her stay with him until she finds another place.
You can guess what happens next since they become roommates *wink* (yes, in involves no pants!)
Connor is a mess – and I loved it. I found his grief and his general grumpiness to be portrayed well. He is pissed off that his life has turned out the way it has. Pissed off at having to suffer through losing his wife. It’s a good thing his brother, sister and Liss love him because otherwise he is so cranky he would truly be alone. Liss of course knows this about him, but she also knows she truly loves him. Always has. I never felt Liss competed with his dead wife, which is important to me. I don’t like it when the dead spouse is criticized or faulted to make room for the new love. Connor’s marriage wasn’t perfect, but he truly loved her.
Once Liss and Connor cross into the romance, the inevitable guilt rears its head and Connor doesn’t know how to handle it. I like how Liss handles it though – she pushes back and asks for more. Although she recognizes Connor’s late wife, she also pushes for him to live the life he has now.
This author has a nice sense of humor as well. Little lines throughout the book made me laugh.
“I brought condoms.”
That brought him up short. “Later. Later I will question you about that.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” she said.
He moved up her body and kissed her deeply on the lips. “It might not be. But right now it doesn’t matter. Right now? I just need to be inside you.”
“They’re in the picnic basket,” she said.
“The picnic basket?”
“It was dessert.”
Eli and Connor’s good friend Jack, always makes me laugh (and he is the next hero – yay!). Reading this book, and the previous one – they are very good romances, but good family/friendship dynamics as well. I just thoroughly enjoy them.
Grade: B+
Liss has been BFFs with Connor since they were young. Having a crush on him, when he got married, Liss threw herself a pity party and tried to move on. Now that Connor’s wife is dead (his wife was really good friends with Liss as well) she has stepped up and tried to take care of him. Bringing him food as much as possible since all he wants for dinner is alcohol. Liss’s ex-boyfriend ran away with a lot of her stuff and ended up giving her bad credit – so when her current landlord needs to sell her apartment, she can’t secure a new apartment with her bad credit. When Connor hears of this, he offers Liss a room in his big house. He figures she has done so much for him the past few years, he can at least let her stay with him until she finds another place.
You can guess what happens next since they become roommates *wink* (yes, in involves no pants!)
Connor is a mess – and I loved it. I found his grief and his general grumpiness to be portrayed well. He is pissed off that his life has turned out the way it has. Pissed off at having to suffer through losing his wife. It’s a good thing his brother, sister and Liss love him because otherwise he is so cranky he would truly be alone. Liss of course knows this about him, but she also knows she truly loves him. Always has. I never felt Liss competed with his dead wife, which is important to me. I don’t like it when the dead spouse is criticized or faulted to make room for the new love. Connor’s marriage wasn’t perfect, but he truly loved her.
Once Liss and Connor cross into the romance, the inevitable guilt rears its head and Connor doesn’t know how to handle it. I like how Liss handles it though – she pushes back and asks for more. Although she recognizes Connor’s late wife, she also pushes for him to live the life he has now.
This author has a nice sense of humor as well. Little lines throughout the book made me laugh.
“I brought condoms.”
That brought him up short. “Later. Later I will question you about that.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” she said.
He moved up her body and kissed her deeply on the lips. “It might not be. But right now it doesn’t matter. Right now? I just need to be inside you.”
“They’re in the picnic basket,” she said.
“The picnic basket?”
“It was dessert.”
Eli and Connor’s good friend Jack, always makes me laugh (and he is the next hero – yay!). Reading this book, and the previous one – they are very good romances, but good family/friendship dynamics as well. I just thoroughly enjoy them.
Grade: B+
May 1, 2015
4 stars!
One thing I really loved about Maisey Yates is her ability to write tortured and flawed characters and making her readers love and root for these characters.
Connor Garrett has a heartbreaking past. He lost the love of his life tragically and he never quite recovered from it. Liss is his best friend. The one person who has always been there for him through thick and thin and has loved him silently for years. But Liss isn't a long suffering doormat. She has a personality to be reckon with and she's not afraid to push back or go head to head with Connor.
Circumstances has Liss living with Connor and the close proximity started opening up feelings and longings that blindsided Connor in its intensity. For those who are uncomfortable or doesn't like a hero with a past love then this book isn't for you. I personally loved it. Brokedown Cowboy is about moving on. It's about forgiveness and finding love the second time around.
I loved how Ms. Yates handled the pesky dead wife scenario. Plus the chemistry between Connor and Liss is off-the-charts hot. Some interesting secondary characters including Connor's little sister and brother who was the hero of the previous books. So great characters + witty banter + hot smexy times = awesome!
ARC provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
One thing I really loved about Maisey Yates is her ability to write tortured and flawed characters and making her readers love and root for these characters.
Connor Garrett has a heartbreaking past. He lost the love of his life tragically and he never quite recovered from it. Liss is his best friend. The one person who has always been there for him through thick and thin and has loved him silently for years. But Liss isn't a long suffering doormat. She has a personality to be reckon with and she's not afraid to push back or go head to head with Connor.
Circumstances has Liss living with Connor and the close proximity started opening up feelings and longings that blindsided Connor in its intensity. For those who are uncomfortable or doesn't like a hero with a past love then this book isn't for you. I personally loved it. Brokedown Cowboy is about moving on. It's about forgiveness and finding love the second time around.
I loved how Ms. Yates handled the pesky dead wife scenario. Plus the chemistry between Connor and Liss is off-the-charts hot. Some interesting secondary characters including Connor's little sister and brother who was the hero of the previous books. So great characters + witty banter + hot smexy times = awesome!
ARC provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
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May 9, 2015
05/09/2015 --
This book threw about 50 characters into the first 30 pages and I lost focus and interest trying to figure out who was who and what was what. I'm a lazy reader and I just don't want to work that hard to figure stuff out. It was like when the box of the checker game falls apart and you have the checkers scattered everywhere and the game board. Trying to get them all picked up on put on the board is exhausting and by the time you get it sorted you've lost interest. This is me with this book. It may have been a really great story, if I'd had patience with how it started. I don't and so I'll never know. Know what? I just don't care either.
Hope you have a better experience than I .. or more patience or whatever.
Happy Reading!
This book threw about 50 characters into the first 30 pages and I lost focus and interest trying to figure out who was who and what was what. I'm a lazy reader and I just don't want to work that hard to figure stuff out. It was like when the box of the checker game falls apart and you have the checkers scattered everywhere and the game board. Trying to get them all picked up on put on the board is exhausting and by the time you get it sorted you've lost interest. This is me with this book. It may have been a really great story, if I'd had patience with how it started. I don't and so I'll never know. Know what? I just don't care either.
Hope you have a better experience than I .. or more patience or whatever.
Happy Reading!
July 27, 2020
World of nope to this.
Brokedown Cowboy is an astonishingly bad book about how a grieving man uses and abuses his long-suffering, pining best friend as a surrogate wife and therapist while he drinks his way through life. Seriously, he treats her so badly throughout, and then at the end he apologizes and proposes, and it's like happily ever after? No. Realizing you have a problem with how you cope with grief is the first step, but there are a bajillion more before you're ready to re-commit to another woman. One half-ass apology ain't gonna cut it, mister.
Go to grief counseling, go to AA, and learn to be a self-sufficient man.
Until then: fuck off.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
Brokedown Cowboy is an astonishingly bad book about how a grieving man uses and abuses his long-suffering, pining best friend as a surrogate wife and therapist while he drinks his way through life. Seriously, he treats her so badly throughout, and then at the end he apologizes and proposes, and it's like happily ever after? No. Realizing you have a problem with how you cope with grief is the first step, but there are a bajillion more before you're ready to re-commit to another woman. One half-ass apology ain't gonna cut it, mister.
Go to grief counseling, go to AA, and learn to be a self-sufficient man.
Until then: fuck off.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
May 11, 2015
Connor is the older brother from the Garrett siblings. Three years ago, he lost his wife of eight years, and since then, Connor has been living like a hermit. His constant company is Jack Daniel’s, he is grumpy and seems to always be in a dark mood. But there is one person – outside of his brother and sister – who seems to be able to stand up to him when Connor is in the mood, and that is his best friend, Felicity “Liss” Foster.
I was eager to read Connor’s story because I LOVE friends-to-lovers themes. I don’t care if it has been hashed and rehashed a thousand times over; I don’t care if the theme usually comes with a cliché ‘argument’ a.k.a. “I don’t think this is a good idea because romance kills friendship”, etc … I just love it, period. Being friends eliminates the instant-love factor and there’s always something incredibly satisfying when reading how the hero or heroine realizes that the one they are supposed to be with, is the one who has been with them all along.
This definitely has the ultimate recipe of a great friends-to-lovers story. Connor and Liss have been best friends for almost two decades. Liss is also a good friend of Connor’s late wife, which is why Liss nurtures her secret crush in secret. I loved reading the process of Connor finally seeing Liss in a different light; how he starts to feel a ‘more than friendly’ feeling towards her. I LOVED the tension that happened between the two of them. I especially loved that Liss was not afraid to take her chance this time around. She was heartbroken when Connor and Jessie got married, but she stuck with the couple throughout. But now that there is a possibility for her longtime dream to be fulfilled, she is willing to risk it.
Connor frustrated me several times, though. His stubborn way to cling to his dark mood, his tendency to push people away, including those who love him the most, pushed my patience. However, each time I was just about ready to knock some sense into his head, Connor pulled either a thoughtful gesture … like buying the prom dress for Liss (there is a background story to that one) or sharing a heartbreaking story (the secret about Jessie that he has been keeping for the past three years from everyone) that made me forgive him for being such an ass. Plus, that love declaration in the end was pretty grand. Damn you, Connor! You made it hard for me to stay mad at you.
Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that Connor and Liss will make it together until the very end. There will be arguments – because Connor can be stubborn — but there is love and respect that grows from long-time friendship too *sigh*.
Now there is only one story left – and I admit that I’m giddy with excitement for it. I wonder how Jack will be brought down on his knees by his best friend’s little sister, Kate. Jack, the womanizer, and Kate, the tomboy. Imagine the possibilities, it will be delicious!
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I was eager to read Connor’s story because I LOVE friends-to-lovers themes. I don’t care if it has been hashed and rehashed a thousand times over; I don’t care if the theme usually comes with a cliché ‘argument’ a.k.a. “I don’t think this is a good idea because romance kills friendship”, etc … I just love it, period. Being friends eliminates the instant-love factor and there’s always something incredibly satisfying when reading how the hero or heroine realizes that the one they are supposed to be with, is the one who has been with them all along.
This definitely has the ultimate recipe of a great friends-to-lovers story. Connor and Liss have been best friends for almost two decades. Liss is also a good friend of Connor’s late wife, which is why Liss nurtures her secret crush in secret. I loved reading the process of Connor finally seeing Liss in a different light; how he starts to feel a ‘more than friendly’ feeling towards her. I LOVED the tension that happened between the two of them. I especially loved that Liss was not afraid to take her chance this time around. She was heartbroken when Connor and Jessie got married, but she stuck with the couple throughout. But now that there is a possibility for her longtime dream to be fulfilled, she is willing to risk it.
Connor frustrated me several times, though. His stubborn way to cling to his dark mood, his tendency to push people away, including those who love him the most, pushed my patience. However, each time I was just about ready to knock some sense into his head, Connor pulled either a thoughtful gesture … like buying the prom dress for Liss (there is a background story to that one) or sharing a heartbreaking story (the secret about Jessie that he has been keeping for the past three years from everyone) that made me forgive him for being such an ass. Plus, that love declaration in the end was pretty grand. Damn you, Connor! You made it hard for me to stay mad at you.
Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that Connor and Liss will make it together until the very end. There will be arguments – because Connor can be stubborn — but there is love and respect that grows from long-time friendship too *sigh*.
Now there is only one story left – and I admit that I’m giddy with excitement for it. I wonder how Jack will be brought down on his knees by his best friend’s little sister, Kate. Jack, the womanizer, and Kate, the tomboy. Imagine the possibilities, it will be delicious!
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
September 15, 2015
First of all: this cover is HORRIBLE. Connor looks like a skinny asparagus person:
...and Liss (hate that name, by the way, probably it's petty but that's the way it is) looks like she's plotting to raid his safe and run.
Secondly, I just could not get behind Liss. GROW UP WOMAN! What a sad sack. I get that she knuckled under to her mom; most kids would. I can understand having an unrequited crush. But first catering to moron Marshall (for years) and then lurking around (for more years) being Connor's "grocery monkey" (exact term from the book) and his de-facto wife with no reward and no affection, just hoping he'll look at her twice? Ugh. No spine. No pride. No self-respect. I honestly was hoping when she moved out that she'd have time to grow into herself as an adult. The book kept saying Connor was her best friend but honestly, I don't think Connor had really been a friend to her since before his marriage. If that. He was just using her - and she was allowing it - afterwards.
And CONNOR. UGH. Worst hero, EVER. I can't even count all the reasons I hated him. Probably #1 was talking - endlessly - about his DEAD WIFE in bed with Liss. Ewww. #2 was the way he talked - all the time. This seems to be a thing lately with contemporary romance in general ("new adult" genre in particular, I'd say, but there was plenty here) that men just pour out their feelingz in long, windy speeches and discuss their feelingz with all their guy friends and relatives.
It is my personal opinion that my husband would rather have his fingernails pulled out with pliers than discuss his feelings for me with any of his friends or relatives, unless he was absolutely wasted. Moreover, any discussion of prior ladyfriends has been kept as brief as he can possibly keep it. And I do understand that Connor had capital-B Baggage but during and after sex is probably not the time to discuss it, and to be honest, Liss was not the right person to discuss it with either.
I really hate the way this town is set up, where there are really only like 3 or 4 single individuals of either gender, so the matchups are pretty much foregone conclusions. OBVIOUSLY any newcomers are going to be immediate romantic matchups to the existing townspeople (case in point, Sadie and Eli) and whoever's left will just have to pair up. Gross. There are only so many matchups and basically the "series" (in this case, Copper Ridge) functions as a literary toddler puzzle where the goal is to get the right-shaped pieces back in the spots.
It makes me not want to read (fill in the final unattached character)'s book, if only to avoid the self-righteous advising and self-congratulatory sappiness of the previously coupled characters.
Sigh...I think I might need a break from contemporary romance for a while.
...and Liss (hate that name, by the way, probably it's petty but that's the way it is) looks like she's plotting to raid his safe and run.
Secondly, I just could not get behind Liss. GROW UP WOMAN! What a sad sack. I get that she knuckled under to her mom; most kids would. I can understand having an unrequited crush. But first catering to moron Marshall (for years) and then lurking around (for more years) being Connor's "grocery monkey" (exact term from the book) and his de-facto wife with no reward and no affection, just hoping he'll look at her twice? Ugh. No spine. No pride. No self-respect. I honestly was hoping when she moved out that she'd have time to grow into herself as an adult. The book kept saying Connor was her best friend but honestly, I don't think Connor had really been a friend to her since before his marriage. If that. He was just using her - and she was allowing it - afterwards.
And CONNOR. UGH. Worst hero, EVER. I can't even count all the reasons I hated him. Probably #1 was talking - endlessly - about his DEAD WIFE in bed with Liss. Ewww. #2 was the way he talked - all the time. This seems to be a thing lately with contemporary romance in general ("new adult" genre in particular, I'd say, but there was plenty here) that men just pour out their feelingz in long, windy speeches and discuss their feelingz with all their guy friends and relatives.
It is my personal opinion that my husband would rather have his fingernails pulled out with pliers than discuss his feelings for me with any of his friends or relatives, unless he was absolutely wasted. Moreover, any discussion of prior ladyfriends has been kept as brief as he can possibly keep it. And I do understand that Connor had capital-B Baggage but during and after sex is probably not the time to discuss it, and to be honest, Liss was not the right person to discuss it with either.
I really hate the way this town is set up, where there are really only like 3 or 4 single individuals of either gender, so the matchups are pretty much foregone conclusions. OBVIOUSLY any newcomers are going to be immediate romantic matchups to the existing townspeople (case in point, Sadie and Eli) and whoever's left will just have to pair up. Gross. There are only so many matchups and basically the "series" (in this case, Copper Ridge) functions as a literary toddler puzzle where the goal is to get the right-shaped pieces back in the spots.
It makes me not want to read (fill in the final unattached character)'s book, if only to avoid the self-righteous advising and self-congratulatory sappiness of the previously coupled characters.
Sigh...I think I might need a break from contemporary romance for a while.
June 20, 2015
Brokedown Cowboy wasn't a book that was under my radar until Candace invited me to be part of the blog tour. I'm so glad she did, because I've found an author whose works I feel like I'm going to devour. Brokedown Cowboy was an unconventional romance, but it was raw, honest and emotionally draining.
While the cover of this book might lead you to assume that this a cute and fluffy read, it really wasn't. Brokedown Cowboy could be a dark book at times, thanks to one of its protagonists, Connor. Having lost his wife and his barn, he was in a very dark place in his life. The author captures his depression and his mental state so authentically. It was tough to be inside Connor's head at times, and there were moment where I wanted to shake him into his senses for being so bullheaded, but I also got where he was coming from. Thankfully, he had one of the best support systems when it came to his friends and his siblings. The character that really caught my attention was Liss. She was a complete sweetheart and had a heart basically made of gold. I loved this girl so much, especially because of how kind and genuine she was. She had always been in love with Connor, even before he got married, but she let go of that heartache and stood by her friends and supported them. She was down to earth, strong and a beautifully fleshed out character. The slew of secondary characters in Brokedown Cowboy were also a breath of fresh air. I loved them all dearly and thought they were such a great band of friends. They had great banter together and their shared bond together was one of my favorite things about this book.
The romance in Brokedown Cowboy could be very tough at times. It's full of angst because of Connor's emotional state, but it wasn't the kind of angst that I dislike in books. I actually loved it because it worked well in the book and wasn't there for the sake of adding drama. I loved that Liss was the kind of girl who pushed Connor, despite knowing well that she could be hurt with their "sex-only" relationship. It hurt to watch her do that to herself, but I also admired her because she wanted to help Connor heal. When they acted all coupley, they had a very sweet romance and I loved the banter between them, because of Liss' wit and Connor's grouchiness. All in all, I really did love the romance even though I wanted to slap Connor a few times for being so blind to what was right in front of him.
A book that manages to be sweet, sexy and very emotional, Brokedown Cowboy is one book I highly recommend to romance readers. If you love best friends to more romances, you want this book.
January 25, 2016
Just one more chapter . . . ok seriously, just one more. That’s what I was saying to myself over and over, knowing I had other things I should be doing, but I couldn’t stop. I ended up reading the entire book - in one sitting.
Liss and Connor's story was everything I wanted it to be. A best-friends to lovers storyline with emotional depth, great chemistry and the perfect mix of humor. Maisey Yates has a knack for one-liners and sarcastic jabs at just the right time.
I fell for Connor immediately. What can I say, I’m a sucker for a lost and broken guy that needs saving. Sure he was a grumpy, pain in the ass, but rightfully so. He lost his wife three years earlier and it devastated him.
Liss was great. Her and Connor’s history was a tad bit messy, considering she was also best friends with his wife. Her feelings have always run deep, but she accepted that things with her and Connor just weren’t meant to be. Now, all these years later, she can’t fight what she feels anymore. It turns out to be a happy accident when she’s forced to find a new place to live. Conner offers up one of his extra rooms and it changes everything.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, I can’t stop wanting you, I can’t stop having you.”
I loved every single second of Liss and Connor together. Their chemistry was perfection. I admired Liss for taking control and really going after what she’s always wanted, but couldn't have- Connor. They were incredibly sweet and playful with one another, but had a strong connection that was cemented by their past and their shared pain. The story was full of all kinds of feels. One of my favorite parts was definitely the prom dress - it just made me fall for the grump even more.
The only thing that bothered me a teeny tiny bit (I realize, I’m probably being really picky right now) was the ending. It felt like a little bit too much, too soon. I wish the author would have held off and given us some time with them in one of the future books instead.
Liss and Connor's story was everything I wanted it to be. A best-friends to lovers storyline with emotional depth, great chemistry and the perfect mix of humor. Maisey Yates has a knack for one-liners and sarcastic jabs at just the right time.
I fell for Connor immediately. What can I say, I’m a sucker for a lost and broken guy that needs saving. Sure he was a grumpy, pain in the ass, but rightfully so. He lost his wife three years earlier and it devastated him.
Liss was great. Her and Connor’s history was a tad bit messy, considering she was also best friends with his wife. Her feelings have always run deep, but she accepted that things with her and Connor just weren’t meant to be. Now, all these years later, she can’t fight what she feels anymore. It turns out to be a happy accident when she’s forced to find a new place to live. Conner offers up one of his extra rooms and it changes everything.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, I can’t stop wanting you, I can’t stop having you.”
I loved every single second of Liss and Connor together. Their chemistry was perfection. I admired Liss for taking control and really going after what she’s always wanted, but couldn't have- Connor. They were incredibly sweet and playful with one another, but had a strong connection that was cemented by their past and their shared pain. The story was full of all kinds of feels. One of my favorite parts was definitely the prom dress - it just made me fall for the grump even more.
The only thing that bothered me a teeny tiny bit (I realize, I’m probably being really picky right now) was the ending. It felt like a little bit too much, too soon. I wish the author would have held off and given us some time with them in one of the future books instead.
February 7, 2021
I did not like this one as much as the previous Copper Ridge books. I was excited to find out Connor Garrett's story as I really liked the perfect mixture of depth-to-romance in the previous book. Connor lost his wife unexpectedly before the series began and has had a hard time coping since then. He drinks too much, is the town grump, and is sad and angry all the time. He has lost so much, and the hits keep on coming, as his entire livelihood was seriously threatened near the end of the previous book.
As this book begins, Connor's BFF needs a place to stay. Connor offers his large, mostly-empty house to her, and she agrees because she thinks she can help take care of him more easily if she lives with him. They have been best friends forever, and Connor's late wife was one of her best friends too. Liss, though, has always loved Connor-even before he married one of her best friends.
So there is a lot of baggage and grief between these two before this story even begins, and sadly it doesn't let up as the story continues. As proximity often does, the nearness makes it easy for these two to realize they have feelings for one another. I love close proximity stories usually because the tension and chemistry of shared spaces is so much fun. True to form, these two take their relationship up a few notches, and I was here for it. The problem was: Connor still talked about his late wife during the sex scenes and when he and Liss were not even fully clothed yet. I completely understand that grief is hard and it must be impossible not to think about previous relationships when the story is so tragic. But it was like EVERY TIME they were together, it was like his wife was there too. If I was Liss, it would have driven me crazy.
I'm still going to continue with the series because I love the way Maisey Yates tells her stories: they're a great mixture of depth and romance, her relationships are great, and she makes ALL of the characters part of the story in every book. Meaning I'm still able to follow Cassie and Jake AND Sadie and Eli from the previous books because they have sizable roles in Liss and Connor's story. I just wish there was a better balance between Connor's active grief and his budding romance. I'm not discounting grief, but I'm reading this series because it is romance, so. *shrugs*
The next book features the third and youngest Garrett sibling, Kate. I'm pretty excited about her story because she and family friend Jack very clearly have a thing for one another, but her overprotective brothers seem to be wedged in between them thus far. I'm also excited to keep following the rest of the characters as their stories continue.
As this book begins, Connor's BFF needs a place to stay. Connor offers his large, mostly-empty house to her, and she agrees because she thinks she can help take care of him more easily if she lives with him. They have been best friends forever, and Connor's late wife was one of her best friends too. Liss, though, has always loved Connor-even before he married one of her best friends.
So there is a lot of baggage and grief between these two before this story even begins, and sadly it doesn't let up as the story continues. As proximity often does, the nearness makes it easy for these two to realize they have feelings for one another. I love close proximity stories usually because the tension and chemistry of shared spaces is so much fun. True to form, these two take their relationship up a few notches, and I was here for it. The problem was: Connor still talked about his late wife during the sex scenes and when he and Liss were not even fully clothed yet. I completely understand that grief is hard and it must be impossible not to think about previous relationships when the story is so tragic. But it was like EVERY TIME they were together, it was like his wife was there too. If I was Liss, it would have driven me crazy.
I'm still going to continue with the series because I love the way Maisey Yates tells her stories: they're a great mixture of depth and romance, her relationships are great, and she makes ALL of the characters part of the story in every book. Meaning I'm still able to follow Cassie and Jake AND Sadie and Eli from the previous books because they have sizable roles in Liss and Connor's story. I just wish there was a better balance between Connor's active grief and his budding romance. I'm not discounting grief, but I'm reading this series because it is romance, so. *shrugs*
The next book features the third and youngest Garrett sibling, Kate. I'm pretty excited about her story because she and family friend Jack very clearly have a thing for one another, but her overprotective brothers seem to be wedged in between them thus far. I'm also excited to keep following the rest of the characters as their stories continue.
May 6, 2015
Three and a half stars: A best friends to lover romance that encompasses overcoming grief and new beginnings.
Liss barges into Connor's kitchen bearing groceries, only to find him slumped over the kitchen table, hung over, again. For three years, Liss has watched her best friend wallow in his private hell of grief and misery since his wife died. No matter how hard she tries to reach him, he pushes her away. Things suddenly change, when Liss finds her rental home swept out from under her. Connor quickly offers her a place to stay, and even though Liss wants to refuse because she is afraid of her feelings, she thinks that perhaps if she stays with Connor, she will overcome her long time crush. Unfortunately, her plan backfires, and Liss and Connor are treading in dangerous territory. Can their friendship survive?
What I Liked:
*A best friends to lovers romance is always one of my most favorite types of romance as I find them to be so believable. What is better than two long time friends finally realizing their feelings for one another and falling in love? This type of romance always feels so genuine, and I loved that about this book. Granted, this romance isn't quite as adorable and fluffy as I was hoping, but that is because it deals with grief. Still it is an excellent, realistic and heart felt romance. No love triangles, insta love or unnecessary drama in this one.
*Connor is a tough sell. Yes, he is gorgeous and a cowboy, totally swoon worthy, but he is also grumpy, bitter, angry and depressed. It has been three years since his wife was killed, and he is still waking from nightmares every night. He is lost and not really living. He lashes out at those who love him, and he fails to see the gentle hands of love reaching out to him. Even though he isn't easy to like, you can't help but to love him after learning his history. In the end, he is swoon worthy and a stand up guy. I was happy to see him find the sunshine again.
*This is a darker romance as it takes on grief and depression. Connor is still suffering from the catastrophic loss of his wife, and he is unable to move forward. Anyone who has suffered a loss like this, will easily relate to Connor and his feelings. He is going through the motions and not really living. Thankfully, with the help of his siblings and the love of a long time best friend, he slowly peels away the darkness to see the sun shining through. It is a long journey, and it is hard to be patient with him as he works through his issues, but in the end, I was left hopeful and happy with the outcome.
*The romance is one of starts and stumbles and it is cute as well. I liked when Connor suddenly started having sexual urges after finding Liss' lacy underwear in the drawer. While Connor is struggling with his new found feelings for his best friend, Liss is trying to hide her long time feelings for Connor. She has always been in love with him and he never knew it. It is a fun little dance, though there are some big obstacles and it takes awhile to work through it all. After it was all said and done, I was left smiling.
*I loved the small town setting of Copper Ridge, Oregon. I love books with a small town vibe, and this one with it's scenery and setting next to the ocean is wonderful.
*The ending is sweet and satisfying without nagging questions and a cliffhanger. This is the second book in the series, but I read it without having read the first and had no issues as it is a companion series. I always like when you can pick up a book in a series and get a complete story.
And The Not So Much:
*I was wishing that a bit more of the history between Connor and Liss had been revealed. I got that they had been best friends for eighteen years, but there really wasn't much detail on their friendship. I would love to know how they met and why they became life long friends. I was also wanting to better understand the dynamic with Connor, Liss and his late wife Jessie. Was Jessie always in the picture?
*I love best friends romances, and I was hoping for sweet and fluffy, but this one lacked the adorable feel good I usually love as Connor is battling grief. It was nice, but I grew tired of the drama, and the on and off again relationship. Especially since I knew how it was going to end.
*It bothered me that the two big events that put Connor in a tale spin weren't adequately explained. Connor's wife dies in some type of accident, but it is never revealed as to whether it was a car accident or something else. I also wasn't clear on exactly how is barn burned down either. Both of those events are a big important part of the story, so I don't understand why all the details weren't delivered.
Broken Down Cowboy is a romance that features the best friends to lovers trope with a few hurdles. This is a book about overcoming grief and learning to love again. If you are a fan of best friend romances set in a small town, give this one a read. It was a quick and satisfying read despite the fact that it was a bit darker than I anticipated.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Liss barges into Connor's kitchen bearing groceries, only to find him slumped over the kitchen table, hung over, again. For three years, Liss has watched her best friend wallow in his private hell of grief and misery since his wife died. No matter how hard she tries to reach him, he pushes her away. Things suddenly change, when Liss finds her rental home swept out from under her. Connor quickly offers her a place to stay, and even though Liss wants to refuse because she is afraid of her feelings, she thinks that perhaps if she stays with Connor, she will overcome her long time crush. Unfortunately, her plan backfires, and Liss and Connor are treading in dangerous territory. Can their friendship survive?
What I Liked:
*A best friends to lovers romance is always one of my most favorite types of romance as I find them to be so believable. What is better than two long time friends finally realizing their feelings for one another and falling in love? This type of romance always feels so genuine, and I loved that about this book. Granted, this romance isn't quite as adorable and fluffy as I was hoping, but that is because it deals with grief. Still it is an excellent, realistic and heart felt romance. No love triangles, insta love or unnecessary drama in this one.
*Connor is a tough sell. Yes, he is gorgeous and a cowboy, totally swoon worthy, but he is also grumpy, bitter, angry and depressed. It has been three years since his wife was killed, and he is still waking from nightmares every night. He is lost and not really living. He lashes out at those who love him, and he fails to see the gentle hands of love reaching out to him. Even though he isn't easy to like, you can't help but to love him after learning his history. In the end, he is swoon worthy and a stand up guy. I was happy to see him find the sunshine again.
*This is a darker romance as it takes on grief and depression. Connor is still suffering from the catastrophic loss of his wife, and he is unable to move forward. Anyone who has suffered a loss like this, will easily relate to Connor and his feelings. He is going through the motions and not really living. Thankfully, with the help of his siblings and the love of a long time best friend, he slowly peels away the darkness to see the sun shining through. It is a long journey, and it is hard to be patient with him as he works through his issues, but in the end, I was left hopeful and happy with the outcome.
*The romance is one of starts and stumbles and it is cute as well. I liked when Connor suddenly started having sexual urges after finding Liss' lacy underwear in the drawer. While Connor is struggling with his new found feelings for his best friend, Liss is trying to hide her long time feelings for Connor. She has always been in love with him and he never knew it. It is a fun little dance, though there are some big obstacles and it takes awhile to work through it all. After it was all said and done, I was left smiling.
*I loved the small town setting of Copper Ridge, Oregon. I love books with a small town vibe, and this one with it's scenery and setting next to the ocean is wonderful.
*The ending is sweet and satisfying without nagging questions and a cliffhanger. This is the second book in the series, but I read it without having read the first and had no issues as it is a companion series. I always like when you can pick up a book in a series and get a complete story.
And The Not So Much:
*I was wishing that a bit more of the history between Connor and Liss had been revealed. I got that they had been best friends for eighteen years, but there really wasn't much detail on their friendship. I would love to know how they met and why they became life long friends. I was also wanting to better understand the dynamic with Connor, Liss and his late wife Jessie. Was Jessie always in the picture?
*I love best friends romances, and I was hoping for sweet and fluffy, but this one lacked the adorable feel good I usually love as Connor is battling grief. It was nice, but I grew tired of the drama, and the on and off again relationship. Especially since I knew how it was going to end.
*It bothered me that the two big events that put Connor in a tale spin weren't adequately explained. Connor's wife dies in some type of accident, but it is never revealed as to whether it was a car accident or something else. I also wasn't clear on exactly how is barn burned down either. Both of those events are a big important part of the story, so I don't understand why all the details weren't delivered.
Broken Down Cowboy is a romance that features the best friends to lovers trope with a few hurdles. This is a book about overcoming grief and learning to love again. If you are a fan of best friend romances set in a small town, give this one a read. It was a quick and satisfying read despite the fact that it was a bit darker than I anticipated.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
February 29, 2016
Liss and Conner have been best friends sense they were 15 years old. Conner lost his wife of 8 years and is still picking up the pieces of his life 3 years later. Liss has always been there for Conner and buried any feeling that weren't friend-like because she valued her friendship with him above anything. So when Liss has to move out of her house because her landlady is selling and has no where to go, Conner says she can stay with him until she can find a new place. But Liss and Conner don't expect to find that they might be able to have more then just friendship.
You really feel for Conner's character. He has lost so much, his wife, the barn he put his blood, sweat, and tears into and much more. I love Conner(not as much as Jack from Bad News Cowboy but he is going to be hard to top)but I did lose my temper with him a few times because he was being obtuse and stubborn about his relationship with Liss. I love his loyalty and how he is really caring but doesn't want to show it. Conner doesn't do well with feelings like most men. He has spent the past few years drinking to avoid them. His grief eats at him and he spends more time passed out on his couch drunk and working his ranch then doing anything else. I have always had a thing for damaged(emotional or physically or both) heroes. Liss is one of the bright spots of Conner's life even if it takes him a while to really see that. Liss is a wonderful character. I love her strength and how she has always been there for Conner even when he doesn't know he needs her. Liss has her own set of problems she needs to work out. Liss's mother has always guilt tripped her into doing everything she wanted because of this Liss has always felt she has to earn people's love. The only person she has never felt this feeling with is Conner. Liss goes though a lot in this book. More then I thought the heroine would go though because I thought the author would focus more on the damaged hero. But Yates does great at balancing her characters. I didn't feel either had more pages time then the other.
Having been best friends for years, both are worried about how this new attraction might ruin their friendship. They have both been one of the most sable people in each other lives for 15 years. Liss has always been a little in love with Conner so her feeling aren't as hard for her to get over having. On the other hand Conner having never thought of Liss but has his friend has a harder time coming to terms with wanting to see his best friend naked. I loved watching how Conner slowly comes back to humanity because of his growing love for Liss. Conner has a secret eating at his soul and the scene were he shares it with Liss is both heartbreaking and freeing. Conner does something for Liss in this book that is so romantic. It was then that you know that Conner is in love with Liss. *sigh* It was so swoon worthy and also goofy smile worthy. You will all know what scene I am talking about when you read it. Another great scene was Liss and Conner's first kiss. I love so many scenes in this book that I can't tell you about because I don't want to spoil anything. I love his series and can't wait to read Sadie and Eli's story. I know their book was first but I love friends to lovers stories and wounded heroes so I had to read this before theirs. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves small town romance, sexy cowboys, and friends to lovers romance.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Content Rating: Mature 17+
Heat Rating: Hot
You really feel for Conner's character. He has lost so much, his wife, the barn he put his blood, sweat, and tears into and much more. I love Conner(not as much as Jack from Bad News Cowboy but he is going to be hard to top)but I did lose my temper with him a few times because he was being obtuse and stubborn about his relationship with Liss. I love his loyalty and how he is really caring but doesn't want to show it. Conner doesn't do well with feelings like most men. He has spent the past few years drinking to avoid them. His grief eats at him and he spends more time passed out on his couch drunk and working his ranch then doing anything else. I have always had a thing for damaged(emotional or physically or both) heroes. Liss is one of the bright spots of Conner's life even if it takes him a while to really see that. Liss is a wonderful character. I love her strength and how she has always been there for Conner even when he doesn't know he needs her. Liss has her own set of problems she needs to work out. Liss's mother has always guilt tripped her into doing everything she wanted because of this Liss has always felt she has to earn people's love. The only person she has never felt this feeling with is Conner. Liss goes though a lot in this book. More then I thought the heroine would go though because I thought the author would focus more on the damaged hero. But Yates does great at balancing her characters. I didn't feel either had more pages time then the other.
Having been best friends for years, both are worried about how this new attraction might ruin their friendship. They have both been one of the most sable people in each other lives for 15 years. Liss has always been a little in love with Conner so her feeling aren't as hard for her to get over having. On the other hand Conner having never thought of Liss but has his friend has a harder time coming to terms with wanting to see his best friend naked. I loved watching how Conner slowly comes back to humanity because of his growing love for Liss. Conner has a secret eating at his soul and the scene were he shares it with Liss is both heartbreaking and freeing. Conner does something for Liss in this book that is so romantic. It was then that you know that Conner is in love with Liss. *sigh* It was so swoon worthy and also goofy smile worthy. You will all know what scene I am talking about when you read it. Another great scene was Liss and Conner's first kiss. I love so many scenes in this book that I can't tell you about because I don't want to spoil anything. I love his series and can't wait to read Sadie and Eli's story. I know their book was first but I love friends to lovers stories and wounded heroes so I had to read this before theirs. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves small town romance, sexy cowboys, and friends to lovers romance.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Content Rating: Mature 17+
Heat Rating: Hot
May 26, 2015
Cooper Garrett is a widower. He lost his wife a few years ago and now he drinks his sorrows away with his best friend Jack Daniels. He has no interest in happiness. He prefers solitude although, he does let his family come around to check on him and his best friend Liss brings him groceries so he doesn’t starve.
Felicity “Liss” Foster is still trying to pay the bills after her ex created a large credit card debt. When she's asked to move out of the apartment she was living in, Cooper offers a place to stay. She doesn’t know if this is a good idea. Since she met Copper she has had a crush on him. When he married her best friend she was devastated but after a night of crying and drinking, she supported their marriage without a second guess.
Living together creates tension and desire between them. Sparks are flying. How long before they combust?
“I doubt a lot of things, Liss. But one thing I don’t doubt, and one thing you don’t need to doubt, is that I want you. Simple as that.”
~~
I love books were the heroine finally gets the chance to land the hero.
Liss was a strong heroine. She is ready to fight for her chance at love this time around. At the beginning she tries to fight her attraction to Cooper but when he confesses he’s attracted to her, all bets are off.
Cooper made me upset at him a few times, especially when he kept on pushing Liss away. I wanted to get in there and straighten him out myself.
I do love getting the cameos from Sadie and Eli. I love when Eli throw Copper’s words back at him. Someone needed to help Cooper stop self destroying his chance at happiness. It might as well be Eli.
“Stop trying to act like you’re a 100-percent-mean son of a bitch,” Eli said. “It’s only about 85 percent.”
This book also gives a hint about the next characters to get a book, Kate and Jack. I know I’m going to like their story.
“Then you’re in luck. Because you have me. I won’t be perfect, but I will love you. Now and forever.”
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
May 29, 2016
Once again Maisey Yates did it again writing another incredible book that I devoured in one sitting. I wish I could give this book more than a five stars because it definitely deserved ten. It was just so good. I absolutely love this Copper Ridge series and hope she writes more and more and never stop they are that good. But back to this book it will be definitely a favorite as well as I reread, experiencing the highs and lows once more with Liss and Connor. I absolutely loved them and their emotional journey to their happy ever after. I loved everything about this book. It included some of my favorite themes including the friends to lovers trope and the second chance love trope that I have been favoring as of late. It was just so good. So juicy. So hot. So intense. So angsty. And beyond sexy that I could barely stand it, not really but you know what I mean. Everything just worked. The love scenes were intense, steamy and so sexy and emotional making them very satisfying. Oh my goodness were they satisfying. I just loved the journey of Liss and Connor and their love story. I really could feel their love coming off the pages, which was absolutely beautiful. I can't praise this book enough. I could go on and on of my love for this book and series but I won't. Just know my love ran deep for this book. So good. So good.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Keep writing them Maisey and I'll keep reading them. In fact just keep writing period. I don't know how she does it but she knows how to do it and very well. If you're a romance fan and haven't read her before, pick up one of her books right now. You won't be disappointed. I love her so much. I am so glad that she is doing the longer format with Copper Ridge because that means more her yummy writing and all the goodies she is known for.
Loved the fact that she had the friends to lovers storyline here. Wish more authors would invest in this theme because there so many layers that are brought by that theme. It adds so much richness to the story. I just love those stories. I want more of those type of stories published because I would definitely want to read them. And read them all. Kind of went off topic but it's a side note worth mentioning.
Highly recommended for lovers of romance especially people who like the friends to lovers trope. Maisey knows how to do that trope and really well. So pick up this book. It's totally worth it I promise.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Keep writing them Maisey and I'll keep reading them. In fact just keep writing period. I don't know how she does it but she knows how to do it and very well. If you're a romance fan and haven't read her before, pick up one of her books right now. You won't be disappointed. I love her so much. I am so glad that she is doing the longer format with Copper Ridge because that means more her yummy writing and all the goodies she is known for.
Loved the fact that she had the friends to lovers storyline here. Wish more authors would invest in this theme because there so many layers that are brought by that theme. It adds so much richness to the story. I just love those stories. I want more of those type of stories published because I would definitely want to read them. And read them all. Kind of went off topic but it's a side note worth mentioning.
Highly recommended for lovers of romance especially people who like the friends to lovers trope. Maisey knows how to do that trope and really well. So pick up this book. It's totally worth it I promise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2015
Meh. This was not fun or romantic. Basically the heroine is yearning for the hero for more than a dozen years, and is his best, most supportive friend as he dives into a bottle after his wife dies. And then it takes him nearly 350 pages to figure out he loves her. While she waits painfully, tearfully, heart breaking by his side. Being a good sport.
It's spelled out very vividly how few romantic options they each have in their tiny isolated town, so you have to wonder if these two were in a bigger town with other options if there's a chance in heck they would have been together. Probably not, only enforced socializing would make a 30-something woman stick that close to a man who she had a crush on since high school. Because, well, not realistic in say NYC, or even Portland OR.
Also, the male leads in Maisey Yates' books just talk too much -- too many words per sentence, too many sentences per conversational exchange -- compared to any men I know who are not discussing football. They talk like women talk, which just feels wrong. And the ending, the overly gushing outpourings, oh, I had to avert my eyes from the page sort of like a pre-teen seeing someone kiss in movies. Ick! I just don't think any men, let alone semi-hermit, cowboys in tiny rural towns in the West, who have no education beyond a high school degree, talk that way. If they do, then I don't want to meet them. Too danged gushy.
It's spelled out very vividly how few romantic options they each have in their tiny isolated town, so you have to wonder if these two were in a bigger town with other options if there's a chance in heck they would have been together. Probably not, only enforced socializing would make a 30-something woman stick that close to a man who she had a crush on since high school. Because, well, not realistic in say NYC, or even Portland OR.
Also, the male leads in Maisey Yates' books just talk too much -- too many words per sentence, too many sentences per conversational exchange -- compared to any men I know who are not discussing football. They talk like women talk, which just feels wrong. And the ending, the overly gushing outpourings, oh, I had to avert my eyes from the page sort of like a pre-teen seeing someone kiss in movies. Ick! I just don't think any men, let alone semi-hermit, cowboys in tiny rural towns in the West, who have no education beyond a high school degree, talk that way. If they do, then I don't want to meet them. Too danged gushy.
April 28, 2015
This was a lot darker than the first one in the series. After the glimpse of Liss we got in book one, I was expecting some delicious banter and sarcasm. Sadly there wasn't a lot of either.
Connor's past is a little rough and his despair is quite heavy and dark. As Connor's BFF, Liss takes care of him and at times, babies him. I was expecting feistiness and stubbornness out of her, but she came across as a pushover. Their "relationship" was out of convenience.
The story had a lot of drinking, a lot of wallowing, a lot of grief and even more of the phrase "crossing her arms beneath her breasts". The fluffy times were few and far between, and while I got the HEA I was hoping for, it seemed quite rushed at the end.
Don't get me wrong, I did like this story and I'll definitely be reading the next in the series, I just wanted a little bit more.
**Huge thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
Connor's past is a little rough and his despair is quite heavy and dark. As Connor's BFF, Liss takes care of him and at times, babies him. I was expecting feistiness and stubbornness out of her, but she came across as a pushover. Their "relationship" was out of convenience.
The story had a lot of drinking, a lot of wallowing, a lot of grief and even more of the phrase "crossing her arms beneath her breasts". The fluffy times were few and far between, and while I got the HEA I was hoping for, it seemed quite rushed at the end.
Don't get me wrong, I did like this story and I'll definitely be reading the next in the series, I just wanted a little bit more.
**Huge thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
November 30, 2016
Connor Garrett has endured a very hard life and can see no way out of the box he has found himself in. The one light of his day is his best friend, Liss. Through all the years ups and down. Liss has loved this man. Right now she is having a hard time of things and needs someone to be there for her. This was the opening they both needed to see things in just a little bit of a different light.
If ever a man needs to be slapped, Connor Garrett needed it desperately. But Liss got this all taken care of.
If ever a man needs to be slapped, Connor Garrett needed it desperately. But Liss got this all taken care of.
March 28, 2015
Loved it!
This couple had a LOT of issues to work through but it was done so beautifully. It was painful at times - but needed to be. It was also funny and sexy with great supporting characters.
This couple had a LOT of issues to work through but it was done so beautifully. It was painful at times - but needed to be. It was also funny and sexy with great supporting characters.
January 26, 2018
Listened to this on audiobook. The narrator is really good and captured the different voices well, including the male voices.
The story is of course very emotional. Connor has been wallowing in grief for three years after the death of his wife of eight years, Jessie. They were high school sweethearts and married when she finished college. He works on the farm by day and drinks himself into oblivion every night.
Liss has loved Connor forever but Jessie was her BFF and he stayed in the friend zone. When they married, Liss tried to move on but only managed to hook up with a loser who has now run off with her truck and her credit rating.
She’s been spending the last three years making sure Connor has groceries and checking up on him, trying to help him through his grief. Not that Connor was interested in recovering.
Now she has no home and Connor has woken up enough to offer Liss a place to stay. This changes things with Connor and for the first time in a long time, he wakes up sober.
This is a lovely story with a cast of characters that are easy to relate to. Liss is very easy to know with her own set of issues, but her devotion to Connor is clear. At the same time, she doesn’t take garbage from him, pushing him to finish things like the insurances for his barn that burned down in the first book of the series.
All these little things combine to keep Connor moving forward.
I really enjoyed this book and found it very emotional. The ending was very satisfying.
The story is of course very emotional. Connor has been wallowing in grief for three years after the death of his wife of eight years, Jessie. They were high school sweethearts and married when she finished college. He works on the farm by day and drinks himself into oblivion every night.
Liss has loved Connor forever but Jessie was her BFF and he stayed in the friend zone. When they married, Liss tried to move on but only managed to hook up with a loser who has now run off with her truck and her credit rating.
She’s been spending the last three years making sure Connor has groceries and checking up on him, trying to help him through his grief. Not that Connor was interested in recovering.
Now she has no home and Connor has woken up enough to offer Liss a place to stay. This changes things with Connor and for the first time in a long time, he wakes up sober.
This is a lovely story with a cast of characters that are easy to relate to. Liss is very easy to know with her own set of issues, but her devotion to Connor is clear. At the same time, she doesn’t take garbage from him, pushing him to finish things like the insurances for his barn that burned down in the first book of the series.
All these little things combine to keep Connor moving forward.
I really enjoyed this book and found it very emotional. The ending was very satisfying.
November 1, 2018
7/22/16 Brokedown Cowboy won the RITA for Best Long Contemporary! So I have decided to provide the full review on my Tumblr blog, too! Check out my full review on
I'm Here for the Romance!
7/19/17 Here is my full review on Smart Bitches Trashy Books!
6/28/16 I am reviewing this for the Smart Bitches Trashy Books RITA Reader Challenge so I will update this with a link when that review goes live!
am a big fan of regency romance, so I thought I would step out of my comfort zone a little for the RITA Reader Challenge and read a contemporary. Well, that and I am apparently not the only fan of Regency romance so they were pretty much all spoken for by the time I got around to signing up- but I digress! I don’t usually gravitate towards contemporary romance and I have never read a “Western.” I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was not disappointed!
I was pretty much sucked in from the opening scene, where our hero is experiencing an anxiety attack. Connor Garrett, Oregon Ranch Owner and Grump Extraordinaire, lost his wife three years prior to our story’s beginning and he just cannot bring himself to move on. To top it off, just before our story starts the barn on Connor’s farm burned to the ground. Every night, whether he wakes from a panic attack or just can’t sleep, he drinks himself into a stupor and every morning one of his friends or family members come by to make sure he isn’t dead. Connor’s grief felt like a real living thing to me, it certainly was for him, and I found myself sympathizing with his inability to move on, even after it started impacting his relationship with our heroine.
Our heroine, Felicity Foster, who is none other than Connor’s very-best-friend-since-childhood, has been half in love with Connor since she was a teenager. Over the years Liss has become quite the expert at pushing those feelings wayyyyyy down, especially when Connor marries one of her closest friends and then even more so when that same friend dies in a tragic accident and Connor needs Liss in a very different way than he ever did before. Like a true friend she pushes it all aside and takes on a kind of caregiving role – buying Connor groceries and making him dinner, things like that. But then Liss’ boyfriend leaves her with a mountain of debt and no credit and then her landlord decides to sell the house she rents and it is Connor’s turn to take care of Liss by offering her a place to stay.
Liss is of course a little weary about living in such close proximity to the man of her literal and metaphorical dreams, but she convinces herself that maybe living with him will wear down some of the effect he has on her (yeah, right). Now I will admit at first I was like, “You’re telling me that you’ve been in love with this guy for nearly your entire life and you think living with him is going to solve that problem?” But as the story progresses, something that Yates does really well is show how important their friendship is to both Connor and Liss. They have been through a helluvalot together and they truly value that friendship- Connor especially, who has already faced loss and cannot fathom the idea of losing Liss as a friend. But this is a romance novel, not a friendship novel, and as such their friendship is tested and shit. gets. awkward.
That is something I really appreciated about this story: Yates does not romanticize what it is like to explore a sexual relationship with your best platonic friend of 20+ years. She emphasizes how uncomfortable it is and I loved that! Connor and Liss share years of memories and baggage and that stuff doesn’t just go away just because you (sarcasm commencing) “see your best friend in a brand new light for the very first time ever” (sarcasm complete). After years of friendship Connor and Liss have feelings for each other, and it’s weird. Then they decided to act on those feelings, thinking they can somehow separate it all, and it’s weird. But they are at least trying to figure it all out and I feel that message is really important.
Something else I loved about this story was the rare treat of a sexually inexperienced hero. So, fans of the aforementioned – I know you are out there, pick this one up. I won’t say much more because I don’t want to spoil, but if that is a trope you enjoy then Connor is your man. I also really, really liked Liss. She seems to have been pushed around and guilt-tripped a lot in her young life and now that she is in her thirties she ain’t takin’ no shit. She is funny and brazen, with a slightly inappropriate sense of humor at times.
While I’m on “things I loved about this novel” I will also touch briefly on the secondary characters and the theme of friendship. I really enjoyed the secondary characters of this novel, Connor and Liss have an inner circle of four other friends whose chemistry was all very natural and very enjoyable to read. Clearly one of Yates’ strong suits is convincing the readers that the characters have been around for years and that’s a pretty strong suit in my opinion.
My (pretty minor) qualms with this novel were a) the conflict and b) the ending. The conflict of Connor moving on from his grief and the conflict of “friends to lovers” were basically so tightly interwoven here that I am considering them the same conflict. It was really the only conflict and, unfortunately, it wasn’t always quite enough to hold the story together. I can only listen to you whine about how you don’t want to lose your best friend so many times before it gets old. Also, I felt the ending was rushed and that really took a quite a bit away from the story for me. Again I don’t want to spoil so I won’t say much but I will say that Connor’s voice and character do a complete 180, and not in the redemptive way, and I do not feel that it did his character justice. I could have made peace with the conflict, or lack of, if the ending had justified allllllll the struggling they did but it just didn’t work for me.
That being said I still enjoyed this novel, my first contemporary Western, and am quite surprised to say that I will indeed be picking up others in the series.
I'm Here for the Romance!
7/19/17 Here is my full review on Smart Bitches Trashy Books!
6/28/16 I am reviewing this for the Smart Bitches Trashy Books RITA Reader Challenge so I will update this with a link when that review goes live!
am a big fan of regency romance, so I thought I would step out of my comfort zone a little for the RITA Reader Challenge and read a contemporary. Well, that and I am apparently not the only fan of Regency romance so they were pretty much all spoken for by the time I got around to signing up- but I digress! I don’t usually gravitate towards contemporary romance and I have never read a “Western.” I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was not disappointed!
I was pretty much sucked in from the opening scene, where our hero is experiencing an anxiety attack. Connor Garrett, Oregon Ranch Owner and Grump Extraordinaire, lost his wife three years prior to our story’s beginning and he just cannot bring himself to move on. To top it off, just before our story starts the barn on Connor’s farm burned to the ground. Every night, whether he wakes from a panic attack or just can’t sleep, he drinks himself into a stupor and every morning one of his friends or family members come by to make sure he isn’t dead. Connor’s grief felt like a real living thing to me, it certainly was for him, and I found myself sympathizing with his inability to move on, even after it started impacting his relationship with our heroine.
Our heroine, Felicity Foster, who is none other than Connor’s very-best-friend-since-childhood, has been half in love with Connor since she was a teenager. Over the years Liss has become quite the expert at pushing those feelings wayyyyyy down, especially when Connor marries one of her closest friends and then even more so when that same friend dies in a tragic accident and Connor needs Liss in a very different way than he ever did before. Like a true friend she pushes it all aside and takes on a kind of caregiving role – buying Connor groceries and making him dinner, things like that. But then Liss’ boyfriend leaves her with a mountain of debt and no credit and then her landlord decides to sell the house she rents and it is Connor’s turn to take care of Liss by offering her a place to stay.
Liss is of course a little weary about living in such close proximity to the man of her literal and metaphorical dreams, but she convinces herself that maybe living with him will wear down some of the effect he has on her (yeah, right). Now I will admit at first I was like, “You’re telling me that you’ve been in love with this guy for nearly your entire life and you think living with him is going to solve that problem?” But as the story progresses, something that Yates does really well is show how important their friendship is to both Connor and Liss. They have been through a helluvalot together and they truly value that friendship- Connor especially, who has already faced loss and cannot fathom the idea of losing Liss as a friend. But this is a romance novel, not a friendship novel, and as such their friendship is tested and shit. gets. awkward.
That is something I really appreciated about this story: Yates does not romanticize what it is like to explore a sexual relationship with your best platonic friend of 20+ years. She emphasizes how uncomfortable it is and I loved that! Connor and Liss share years of memories and baggage and that stuff doesn’t just go away just because you (sarcasm commencing) “see your best friend in a brand new light for the very first time ever” (sarcasm complete). After years of friendship Connor and Liss have feelings for each other, and it’s weird. Then they decided to act on those feelings, thinking they can somehow separate it all, and it’s weird. But they are at least trying to figure it all out and I feel that message is really important.
Something else I loved about this story was the rare treat of a sexually inexperienced hero. So, fans of the aforementioned – I know you are out there, pick this one up. I won’t say much more because I don’t want to spoil, but if that is a trope you enjoy then Connor is your man. I also really, really liked Liss. She seems to have been pushed around and guilt-tripped a lot in her young life and now that she is in her thirties she ain’t takin’ no shit. She is funny and brazen, with a slightly inappropriate sense of humor at times.
While I’m on “things I loved about this novel” I will also touch briefly on the secondary characters and the theme of friendship. I really enjoyed the secondary characters of this novel, Connor and Liss have an inner circle of four other friends whose chemistry was all very natural and very enjoyable to read. Clearly one of Yates’ strong suits is convincing the readers that the characters have been around for years and that’s a pretty strong suit in my opinion.
My (pretty minor) qualms with this novel were a) the conflict and b) the ending. The conflict of Connor moving on from his grief and the conflict of “friends to lovers” were basically so tightly interwoven here that I am considering them the same conflict. It was really the only conflict and, unfortunately, it wasn’t always quite enough to hold the story together. I can only listen to you whine about how you don’t want to lose your best friend so many times before it gets old. Also, I felt the ending was rushed and that really took a quite a bit away from the story for me. Again I don’t want to spoil so I won’t say much but I will say that Connor’s voice and character do a complete 180, and not in the redemptive way, and I do not feel that it did his character justice. I could have made peace with the conflict, or lack of, if the ending had justified allllllll the struggling they did but it just didn’t work for me.
That being said I still enjoyed this novel, my first contemporary Western, and am quite surprised to say that I will indeed be picking up others in the series.
June 25, 2018
Okay, I know three stars is low but like, it’s 3.5! And I really did enjoy it but also, the HEA just needed a little more. Because it was extremely hard for me to get from I can’t let go of my dead wife’s memory to let’s get married. I just can’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2017
Broke Down Cowboy is the second book in the three book two novella series focusing on the Garrett family which is the opening series of the larger Copper Ridge Series. We were introduced to said “broke down cowboy” Connor Garrett and his BFF Felicity “Liss” Foster in the first book Part Time Cowboy his younger brother Eli and his love Sadie’s story.
Connor is broke down because he is weighed down by a mountain of crushing grief and guilt after Jessie his young wife of eight years was killed in a car crash three years prior to the start of this story. Since her death Connor has buried his days in running the family ranch and his nights in a bottle of Jack Daniels. Accountant “Liss” Foster was Jessie’s best friend in high school and has had a secret crush on Connor for just as long. Unfortunately for Liss, Connor loved and married Jessie so Liss who was Jessie’s Maid of Honor was forced to take the role of BFF to both of them during their marriage and as a shoulder to lean on and partial care giver for the struggling Connor after Jessie’s untimely death. As the story opens Connor is just starting to become self-aware that the haze of grief and alcohol he’s been living under for three years has put unfair burdens on his friends and family and is trying to take steps to re-engage with life beyond the physical requirements of running the ranch. At the same time Liss finds herself in need of a temporary place to stay. Connor sees a chance to start repaying her for all the kindness she’s shown him and quite honestly is tired of living alone so he offers Liss a room in his big empty house. Living with Liss, Connor quickly comes to the realization that his BFF Liss is a very attractive woman and his long dormant libido picks the same time to wake up. Since Liss has been carrying a torch for Connor for 18 years it doesn’t take much prodding for her to respond to his tentative overtures and before you know it despite their best efforts to deny the chemistry, they find themselves in a physical relationship with all of the angst of worrying if adding sex to the mix will ruin the deep friendship they’ve both come to count on from each other.
I’ll be honest this book is darker than most of the romance novels I’ve read, and I’ve read quite a few. It’s certainly darker than the other two friend to lover stories the novella “Imagine Me and You” (which introduced me to Ms. Yates work) and “Unbroken” the final story in her Silver Creek series. In all of these stories the hero is a rancher and the heroine BFF has had a difficult childhood whom their mutual friendship has helped them survive. In all three stories the heroine and hero find themselves living under the same roof with their opposite sex BFF, succumb to their physical attraction, have mind blowing sex and eventually recognize that what they share is more than great sex to reach their HEA. I don’t think I’m giving away any spoilers here.
Broke Down Cowboy seems imbibed with a darker shade of gray than those other stories. I mean every romance story has its time when the hero and heroine must overcome the emotional obstacles holding them back to reach their HEA but this book was different. The valleys were deeper, the pain more viceral. Even the steamy sex scenes are haunted by Liss’s awareness that this is the most she can ever hope for from Connor and that ultimately the sex they’re enjoying could be the undoing of the deep friendship they’ve clung to for almost two decades. As a man I found experiencing Liss’s pain of giving her everything to Connor with no hope of ever having her loved returned and too often Connor’s words and actions making her too aware of that reality, more painful than Connor’s numbing grief over the loss of his wife. Like his brother Eli and best friend Jack there were moments when I wanted to shake him and say “look what you have in front of you man that you’re losing because you can’t get your head out of your past!” If I didn’t know that in the end Liss would get her HEA (because this is a romance novel after all) I don’t know that I could have stuck with this story to the end.
Broke Down Cowboy despite all this isn’t all darkness and gloom before the HEA comes. The book has the witty dialogue and some comical situations you’ve come to expect in Maisey Yate’s stories. Wonderfully Eli and Sadie whom we cheered for in the first book are given strong roles as supporting characters in this story. Feisty little sister Kate and best buddy manwhore jack (the H/h of the next book) are also present and play more than token roles in the story. Even Cassie heroine of the opening novella to the series Shoulda Been a Cowboy lends a helping hand. In fact, pretty much every character we’ve already been introduced to in Shoulda Been a Cowboy and Part Time Cowboy at least gets a casual mention in the story and I really enjoyed that. And when you finally get to the pivotal moments in the story when the hero and heroine confront themselves and then their fears and lay them down for their HEA, well nobody does it better than Maisey Yates. Just be forewarned you may want a box of Kleenex near you while you work to get there.
Connor is broke down because he is weighed down by a mountain of crushing grief and guilt after Jessie his young wife of eight years was killed in a car crash three years prior to the start of this story. Since her death Connor has buried his days in running the family ranch and his nights in a bottle of Jack Daniels. Accountant “Liss” Foster was Jessie’s best friend in high school and has had a secret crush on Connor for just as long. Unfortunately for Liss, Connor loved and married Jessie so Liss who was Jessie’s Maid of Honor was forced to take the role of BFF to both of them during their marriage and as a shoulder to lean on and partial care giver for the struggling Connor after Jessie’s untimely death. As the story opens Connor is just starting to become self-aware that the haze of grief and alcohol he’s been living under for three years has put unfair burdens on his friends and family and is trying to take steps to re-engage with life beyond the physical requirements of running the ranch. At the same time Liss finds herself in need of a temporary place to stay. Connor sees a chance to start repaying her for all the kindness she’s shown him and quite honestly is tired of living alone so he offers Liss a room in his big empty house. Living with Liss, Connor quickly comes to the realization that his BFF Liss is a very attractive woman and his long dormant libido picks the same time to wake up. Since Liss has been carrying a torch for Connor for 18 years it doesn’t take much prodding for her to respond to his tentative overtures and before you know it despite their best efforts to deny the chemistry, they find themselves in a physical relationship with all of the angst of worrying if adding sex to the mix will ruin the deep friendship they’ve both come to count on from each other.
I’ll be honest this book is darker than most of the romance novels I’ve read, and I’ve read quite a few. It’s certainly darker than the other two friend to lover stories the novella “Imagine Me and You” (which introduced me to Ms. Yates work) and “Unbroken” the final story in her Silver Creek series. In all of these stories the hero is a rancher and the heroine BFF has had a difficult childhood whom their mutual friendship has helped them survive. In all three stories the heroine and hero find themselves living under the same roof with their opposite sex BFF, succumb to their physical attraction, have mind blowing sex and eventually recognize that what they share is more than great sex to reach their HEA. I don’t think I’m giving away any spoilers here.
Broke Down Cowboy seems imbibed with a darker shade of gray than those other stories. I mean every romance story has its time when the hero and heroine must overcome the emotional obstacles holding them back to reach their HEA but this book was different. The valleys were deeper, the pain more viceral. Even the steamy sex scenes are haunted by Liss’s awareness that this is the most she can ever hope for from Connor and that ultimately the sex they’re enjoying could be the undoing of the deep friendship they’ve clung to for almost two decades. As a man I found experiencing Liss’s pain of giving her everything to Connor with no hope of ever having her loved returned and too often Connor’s words and actions making her too aware of that reality, more painful than Connor’s numbing grief over the loss of his wife. Like his brother Eli and best friend Jack there were moments when I wanted to shake him and say “look what you have in front of you man that you’re losing because you can’t get your head out of your past!” If I didn’t know that in the end Liss would get her HEA (because this is a romance novel after all) I don’t know that I could have stuck with this story to the end.
Broke Down Cowboy despite all this isn’t all darkness and gloom before the HEA comes. The book has the witty dialogue and some comical situations you’ve come to expect in Maisey Yate’s stories. Wonderfully Eli and Sadie whom we cheered for in the first book are given strong roles as supporting characters in this story. Feisty little sister Kate and best buddy manwhore jack (the H/h of the next book) are also present and play more than token roles in the story. Even Cassie heroine of the opening novella to the series Shoulda Been a Cowboy lends a helping hand. In fact, pretty much every character we’ve already been introduced to in Shoulda Been a Cowboy and Part Time Cowboy at least gets a casual mention in the story and I really enjoyed that. And when you finally get to the pivotal moments in the story when the hero and heroine confront themselves and then their fears and lay them down for their HEA, well nobody does it better than Maisey Yates. Just be forewarned you may want a box of Kleenex near you while you work to get there.
May 28, 2015
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting when I decided to read Brokedown Cowboy - Maisey Yates is a "new to me" author - but there is no way I expected what I got in this book. All I can say is "WOW"! This book blew me away. I was laughing and crying right along with Felicity and Connor as they navigated the transition from friends to lovers, a journey that was fraught with emotion and pain and tears and ultimately love.
In Brokedown Cowboy, Maisey Yates gives us an incredibly complex character in our hero, Connor. Connor has been living in the darkness of grief for years, and the author does a wonderful job of showing the reader Connor's life after the loss of his wife. I've never experienced grief to the level of Connor's, but I was able to feel the pain Connor is feeling through the authors words. It was such a realistic depiction of a man who feels he's lost everything - he's drowning himself in a bottle and pushing away everyone who may try to love him for fear of losing him. You'd think he would come across as a jerk, but despite his gruff exterior and his short temper with most people in his life, I really liked Connor from the very beginning - I was rooting for him to dig himself out of the depths of darkness he was living in to join the worlds of the living and loving.
Felicity is a woman who has spent her entire life believing that she had to "earn" anything anyone every gave her - its like she has to keep a scorecard to ensure she has reciprocated anything that has been given to or done for her. She's a naturally very giving and loyal person, but her self-esteem is so wrapped up in believing that if she doesn't get what she wants, then she's not deserving of it. As a result, she puts her needs second in every relationship she has - family, friends, lovers. She believes she's not deserving of a man who loves her the way she should be loved; she wants to be loved. Throw Felicity and Connor together in close quarters and sparks will most definitely fly. Felicity and Connor have a searing-hot chemistry that just flies off the paper and has you turning the pages as fast as you can. The sex scenes are detailed. I found they enhanced the story because for Connor, the sexual interactions he has with Felicity are part of his healing process.
I found myself crying and laughing right along with the characters in Brokedown Cowboy. From the very first chapter, I was laughing out loud at the humor infused by the author and the sense-of-humor of the characters. From the very beginning, you get a picture of the wonderful relationship between these family members and friends - a perfect example from the beginning of the book:
"So," Sadie said, "pizza, pizza that's folded in on itself and deconstructed pizza."
"Pretty much," Connor said.
"Any vegetables?" Sadie asked.
"It's like you don't know us at all," Jack said.
This group of people are true family, related by blood or not. They laugh together, they love together, they cry together, and they grieve together. The laugh-out-loud humor may be immediately followed by grieving tears, and then a loving embrace. The wide spectrum of emotions experienced by the characters keeps your heart racing from the first page to the last laugh. Maisey Yates has a hit with the return to Copper Ridge in Brokedown Cowboy
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In Brokedown Cowboy, Maisey Yates gives us an incredibly complex character in our hero, Connor. Connor has been living in the darkness of grief for years, and the author does a wonderful job of showing the reader Connor's life after the loss of his wife. I've never experienced grief to the level of Connor's, but I was able to feel the pain Connor is feeling through the authors words. It was such a realistic depiction of a man who feels he's lost everything - he's drowning himself in a bottle and pushing away everyone who may try to love him for fear of losing him. You'd think he would come across as a jerk, but despite his gruff exterior and his short temper with most people in his life, I really liked Connor from the very beginning - I was rooting for him to dig himself out of the depths of darkness he was living in to join the worlds of the living and loving.
Felicity is a woman who has spent her entire life believing that she had to "earn" anything anyone every gave her - its like she has to keep a scorecard to ensure she has reciprocated anything that has been given to or done for her. She's a naturally very giving and loyal person, but her self-esteem is so wrapped up in believing that if she doesn't get what she wants, then she's not deserving of it. As a result, she puts her needs second in every relationship she has - family, friends, lovers. She believes she's not deserving of a man who loves her the way she should be loved; she wants to be loved. Throw Felicity and Connor together in close quarters and sparks will most definitely fly. Felicity and Connor have a searing-hot chemistry that just flies off the paper and has you turning the pages as fast as you can. The sex scenes are detailed. I found they enhanced the story because for Connor, the sexual interactions he has with Felicity are part of his healing process.
I found myself crying and laughing right along with the characters in Brokedown Cowboy. From the very first chapter, I was laughing out loud at the humor infused by the author and the sense-of-humor of the characters. From the very beginning, you get a picture of the wonderful relationship between these family members and friends - a perfect example from the beginning of the book:
"So," Sadie said, "pizza, pizza that's folded in on itself and deconstructed pizza."
"Pretty much," Connor said.
"Any vegetables?" Sadie asked.
"It's like you don't know us at all," Jack said.
This group of people are true family, related by blood or not. They laugh together, they love together, they cry together, and they grieve together. The laugh-out-loud humor may be immediately followed by grieving tears, and then a loving embrace. The wide spectrum of emotions experienced by the characters keeps your heart racing from the first page to the last laugh. Maisey Yates has a hit with the return to Copper Ridge in Brokedown Cowboy
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 29, 2016
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
-- MY THOUGHTS --
** Provided by Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review. **
Judging a Book by it's Cover:
Couple posed outdoors in a familiar and somewhat intimate way. He appears to be either savoring or struggling with the closeness, whereas she almost has a look of "finally" on her face. Synopsis hints that this may be an emotional read.
Looking Deeper:
Third-person POV.
Going through the motions on the ranch for the past several years since his wife died and turning to alcohol to numb the pain, loneliness and grief at night was the only way Connor could make it day-by-day. Then his barn burned down during the town-wide BBQ Fourth of July celebration (see PART TIME COWBOY) and Connor all but given up. If it weren't for his best friend, Felicity (Liss), he just may have.
Harboring a crush on her best friend for nearly 18 years, she idly watched as he fell in love with and married her other best friend, Jessie. Then worried and tried to take care of him when he fell apart after Jessie's death.
Facing impending homelessness, Jessie accepts Connor's offer to move into the ranch house. But now things are starting to become awkward, what with mint-green lacy thongs and talk about casserole sex. Can these friends cross that line and find a happier ending or are they doomed to forever be friend-zoned?
Connor's broken spirit and Liss's loving determination create a wonderful chemistry and bond between best friends. Add proximity, and those friends become lovers. It was, in turns, sweet and sensual then sexually sizzling. The secondary characters carry through from the first book, but BROKEDOWN COWBOY can and does stand well on it's own. The dialogue and interaction is entertaining and dynamic. The plot is full, but not too dimensional. While the story flows well in a written sense, it lack of outside conflict and drama leaves it slowing down at times. Predictability was not really an issue, even though I'd guessed what the biggest turmoil was about surrounding Jessie's death. The conclusion is solid enough to be satisfying, but it also leaves a cracked opening for Eli, Sadie, Connor, and Liss to continue their stories in the background of the next book, featuring Kate and Jack.
There were some great Laugh-out-Loud moments in this book, even if they were a little inappropriate, I still snicker thinking about them even now. The Casserole Sex conversation(s) is/are great, but what had me outright laughing was the post-picnic thieving fox and choking duck conversation. I'll not get more specific than that as to not spoil the hilarity for others, but for that scene alone, I'd recommend the book!
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.2 ~ Stars: 4
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-- MY THOUGHTS --
** Provided by Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review. **
Judging a Book by it's Cover:
Couple posed outdoors in a familiar and somewhat intimate way. He appears to be either savoring or struggling with the closeness, whereas she almost has a look of "finally" on her face. Synopsis hints that this may be an emotional read.
Looking Deeper:
Third-person POV.
Going through the motions on the ranch for the past several years since his wife died and turning to alcohol to numb the pain, loneliness and grief at night was the only way Connor could make it day-by-day. Then his barn burned down during the town-wide BBQ Fourth of July celebration (see PART TIME COWBOY) and Connor all but given up. If it weren't for his best friend, Felicity (Liss), he just may have.
Harboring a crush on her best friend for nearly 18 years, she idly watched as he fell in love with and married her other best friend, Jessie. Then worried and tried to take care of him when he fell apart after Jessie's death.
Facing impending homelessness, Jessie accepts Connor's offer to move into the ranch house. But now things are starting to become awkward, what with mint-green lacy thongs and talk about casserole sex. Can these friends cross that line and find a happier ending or are they doomed to forever be friend-zoned?
Connor's broken spirit and Liss's loving determination create a wonderful chemistry and bond between best friends. Add proximity, and those friends become lovers. It was, in turns, sweet and sensual then sexually sizzling. The secondary characters carry through from the first book, but BROKEDOWN COWBOY can and does stand well on it's own. The dialogue and interaction is entertaining and dynamic. The plot is full, but not too dimensional. While the story flows well in a written sense, it lack of outside conflict and drama leaves it slowing down at times. Predictability was not really an issue, even though I'd guessed what the biggest turmoil was about surrounding Jessie's death. The conclusion is solid enough to be satisfying, but it also leaves a cracked opening for Eli, Sadie, Connor, and Liss to continue their stories in the background of the next book, featuring Kate and Jack.
There were some great Laugh-out-Loud moments in this book, even if they were a little inappropriate, I still snicker thinking about them even now. The Casserole Sex conversation(s) is/are great, but what had me outright laughing was the post-picnic thieving fox and choking duck conversation. I'll not get more specific than that as to not spoil the hilarity for others, but for that scene alone, I'd recommend the book!
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.2 ~ Stars: 4
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May 28, 2015
My Review:
It's been three years since Connor's wife, and Liss's best friend, died suddenly in a car accident. Since then, Liss has been Connor's anchor. She's his best friend and his support system. She fills his refrigerator and keeps him functioning at least on a minimum level between bouts of drunkenness. Connor is very much only living a half life.
Lisa's last boyfriend left her with a load of debt and bad credit. It's inconvenient, but she's surviving until her landlord decides to sell her home. With her credit, she doesn't qualify for renting another place so she ends up moving in with Connor as a temporary solution. She's already there every day to help him out, so now she's just sleeping there too. But when Connor finds her lime green thong in the laundry basket, suddenly he's seeing Liss as a woman, not just his best bud.
I do like a good friends to lovers story. This is a good one just because the progression of the development of the relationship feels so natural. Unfortunately, Liss has been in love with Connor ever since they were teenagers, so she's excited that she finally has permission to act on those feelings. For Connor, things are much more complex. He doesn't want another relationship...ever again. He doesn't feel like he was a good husband and never wants to go to that place of horrific pain again.
While my heart broke for him, it also hurt for Liss. She loves him so much and despite his obvious feelings, he just isn't willing to give her a real chance. It's painful to read. Although I do have to admire how far Liss was willing to go to give him a chance, but she also had the strength to realize when she had had enough and needed to stand up for herself. I loved that about her.
I enjoyed the set-up with this tight group of friends. I also really liked the whole setup of the story. The backstory for Connor is horribly tragic, but it sets up so well for him to have a second beginning and chance at life. It was well-written and very entertaining. I'll definitely read from this author again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
It's been three years since Connor's wife, and Liss's best friend, died suddenly in a car accident. Since then, Liss has been Connor's anchor. She's his best friend and his support system. She fills his refrigerator and keeps him functioning at least on a minimum level between bouts of drunkenness. Connor is very much only living a half life.
Lisa's last boyfriend left her with a load of debt and bad credit. It's inconvenient, but she's surviving until her landlord decides to sell her home. With her credit, she doesn't qualify for renting another place so she ends up moving in with Connor as a temporary solution. She's already there every day to help him out, so now she's just sleeping there too. But when Connor finds her lime green thong in the laundry basket, suddenly he's seeing Liss as a woman, not just his best bud.
I do like a good friends to lovers story. This is a good one just because the progression of the development of the relationship feels so natural. Unfortunately, Liss has been in love with Connor ever since they were teenagers, so she's excited that she finally has permission to act on those feelings. For Connor, things are much more complex. He doesn't want another relationship...ever again. He doesn't feel like he was a good husband and never wants to go to that place of horrific pain again.
While my heart broke for him, it also hurt for Liss. She loves him so much and despite his obvious feelings, he just isn't willing to give her a real chance. It's painful to read. Although I do have to admire how far Liss was willing to go to give him a chance, but she also had the strength to realize when she had had enough and needed to stand up for herself. I loved that about her.
I enjoyed the set-up with this tight group of friends. I also really liked the whole setup of the story. The backstory for Connor is horribly tragic, but it sets up so well for him to have a second beginning and chance at life. It was well-written and very entertaining. I'll definitely read from this author again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 2, 2015
What a beautiful, emotional roll-a-coaster ride this book is. It is a journey through grief, it is a story of survival, and a story of friendship, that survives the most, but it is also an amazing story about love, hope, and new beginnings.
Connor has lost so much in his life. But through all the loss, there's been one rock in his life, his best friend, Liss. The one person he can count on, who is always there for him, and in the past years, has taken care of him when he wasn't able and willing doing it himself.
Liss has always loved Connor. Either romantically, or just as a friend, but the feelings has always been there. And finally he sees her as a woman, wanting her, desiring to be with her, sexually. And she really thought it would be enough, until it isn't.
I loved the circle of siblings and friends in the story. They are honest with each other, straightforward, joking and banter being their normal form of communication. They call on each others mistakes, support and help when it is needed, and give advice even when it's not wanted.
Connor and Liss have an amazing connection, as friends. The trust, caring, and protection is there for each other. Their physical attraction and chemistry is scorching hot, when they finally unleash it. The journey they have to go through, as friends to lovers, to a relationship, is full of obstacles, pain, angst, and healing. It is a beautiful journey, though a difficult one, it has moments filled with agony and misery, as well as intense moments of passion and joy. It had me in tears several times, but I was also laughing out loud, and smiling.
The story has many revelations of sorrow, loss, letting the past go, of new hope, and moving on, I noticed going back a page and rereading it, just wanting to grasp it all again. There are many moments that took my breath away, with the beauty of them, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this book, cause the life lessons are plentiful, as the love story is beautiful
~ Five Spoons
Connor has lost so much in his life. But through all the loss, there's been one rock in his life, his best friend, Liss. The one person he can count on, who is always there for him, and in the past years, has taken care of him when he wasn't able and willing doing it himself.
Liss has always loved Connor. Either romantically, or just as a friend, but the feelings has always been there. And finally he sees her as a woman, wanting her, desiring to be with her, sexually. And she really thought it would be enough, until it isn't.
I loved the circle of siblings and friends in the story. They are honest with each other, straightforward, joking and banter being their normal form of communication. They call on each others mistakes, support and help when it is needed, and give advice even when it's not wanted.
Connor and Liss have an amazing connection, as friends. The trust, caring, and protection is there for each other. Their physical attraction and chemistry is scorching hot, when they finally unleash it. The journey they have to go through, as friends to lovers, to a relationship, is full of obstacles, pain, angst, and healing. It is a beautiful journey, though a difficult one, it has moments filled with agony and misery, as well as intense moments of passion and joy. It had me in tears several times, but I was also laughing out loud, and smiling.
The story has many revelations of sorrow, loss, letting the past go, of new hope, and moving on, I noticed going back a page and rereading it, just wanting to grasp it all again. There are many moments that took my breath away, with the beauty of them, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this book, cause the life lessons are plentiful, as the love story is beautiful
~ Five Spoons
August 1, 2015
This was an emotionally turbulent yet extremely rewarding novel. Yates kept me captive from the first page to the last (and now I’m counting down the days for the next in the series). I laughed and cried in turn while becoming part of the world that was unfolding before my eyes. Yet, the story was also about so much more than simply the relationship between the main characters. Every aspect of the story made it more believable and loveable.
Yates has multifaceted character development and complexly realistic characters down pat. The main characters of this novel are no exception. I love how who they are today is built directly upon where they came from. The fact that this isn’t just Connor’s second marriage, but that there’s a big old twist in the relationship makes it more interesting. It also makes it that much more heartbreaking and harder for the characters to come to grips with. I really felt for both of the main characters, if in completely different manners. But these fantastic main characters are backed up with some intriguing individuals in their family & friends circle who truly fill out the story nicely. I really enjoyed the roles that they play in this novel. Yates not only brings her characters to life, she also brings ranching and farm living to life in a big & realistic manner. I loved getting to know these characters better in their home surroundings.
This novel was definitely a great addition to Yates’ series. It was heartfelt & funny, while at the same time tackling some very tough and sensitive subjects. It’s a must read for anyone who enjoys a good romance.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Yates has multifaceted character development and complexly realistic characters down pat. The main characters of this novel are no exception. I love how who they are today is built directly upon where they came from. The fact that this isn’t just Connor’s second marriage, but that there’s a big old twist in the relationship makes it more interesting. It also makes it that much more heartbreaking and harder for the characters to come to grips with. I really felt for both of the main characters, if in completely different manners. But these fantastic main characters are backed up with some intriguing individuals in their family & friends circle who truly fill out the story nicely. I really enjoyed the roles that they play in this novel. Yates not only brings her characters to life, she also brings ranching and farm living to life in a big & realistic manner. I loved getting to know these characters better in their home surroundings.
This novel was definitely a great addition to Yates’ series. It was heartfelt & funny, while at the same time tackling some very tough and sensitive subjects. It’s a must read for anyone who enjoys a good romance.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2016
This book is a friends-to-lovers story that had one or two things that complicated the trope. The hero was a widower. The heroine was his best friend who had had feelings for him for so long. However, it wasn't v that simple because the heroine was also best friends with the hero's late wife, so they both really had a complicated history.
I enjoyed this book because it showed how differently people deal with grief. In this book, the hero went on a downward spiral, taking comfort in alcohol instead of teaching out to people who cared about him and were always there for him.
There was a scene where the heroine said she's always had feelings on and off for the hero but that she only love him now because back then, her feelings weren't really love. And I understood that. You don't really love an idea. You think you love a person, but that's not actually true until we know the whole person, not just the parts that we see. Until we see them at their lowest, at their most broken and most hopeless, at their most impossible. And when you can still stand by there side and see only the good that they can be, that's when you can say that what you feel is really love.
Overall, this is a good story that was sweet, touching, and entertaining. The secondary characters are also worth checking out. The first couple's story is already out while the third couple is an exciting thing to look forward to. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone. I've read other books from Maisey Yates before, but I think this would be my favorite from her, so far.
I enjoyed this book because it showed how differently people deal with grief. In this book, the hero went on a downward spiral, taking comfort in alcohol instead of teaching out to people who cared about him and were always there for him.
There was a scene where the heroine said she's always had feelings on and off for the hero but that she only love him now because back then, her feelings weren't really love. And I understood that. You don't really love an idea. You think you love a person, but that's not actually true until we know the whole person, not just the parts that we see. Until we see them at their lowest, at their most broken and most hopeless, at their most impossible. And when you can still stand by there side and see only the good that they can be, that's when you can say that what you feel is really love.
Overall, this is a good story that was sweet, touching, and entertaining. The secondary characters are also worth checking out. The first couple's story is already out while the third couple is an exciting thing to look forward to. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone. I've read other books from Maisey Yates before, but I think this would be my favorite from her, so far.
September 15, 2015
If you love friends-to-lovers stories, you'll enjoy this one. I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I think this just isn't my bag. I would have walked out on Connor a lonnnng time ago. It's not the widower aspect, those are typically satisfying for me in a heavily emotional and intense way, and this was no exception. I think it was the friends-to-lovers aspect that I just didn't enjoy as much. I didn't believe it. And while it made the most sense from an HEA perspective, I've come to the conclusion I just don't like the trope.
Of course I understood Connor's reluctance and issues, but I got tired of Liss as such a darn doormat. Omg girl, quit buying his groceries and cleaning up after him and enabling him to be a dick and now giving him sex and being okay with him constantly running, and just taking what he feels he can give. I'm not saying it wasn't well written or realistic, it just struck a nerve for me. And it bored me. By the time romantic feelings were realized on his part, I was long past caring. That being said, I will definitely read the next book (Katie??) I just think this one wasn't for me completely.
Of course I understood Connor's reluctance and issues, but I got tired of Liss as such a darn doormat. Omg girl, quit buying his groceries and cleaning up after him and enabling him to be a dick and now giving him sex and being okay with him constantly running, and just taking what he feels he can give. I'm not saying it wasn't well written or realistic, it just struck a nerve for me. And it bored me. By the time romantic feelings were realized on his part, I was long past caring. That being said, I will definitely read the next book (Katie??) I just think this one wasn't for me completely.
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