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Gold Valley #12
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass
Can Gold Valley’s wallflower heal a damaged cowboy’s broken heart? Find out in this enthralling romance by New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates.
Shy Iris Daniels is on a mission to shake up her life. She’s sick of being underestimated, and she’s got a new business plan to prove it. The one thing she didn’t factor in is her new landlord, Griffin Chance. The gruff mountain man isn’t what she expected, but Iris recognizes the pain in his eyes. Yet the attraction he ignites is much more unfamiliar…and might be the perfect chance for Iris to embrace the adventure she yearns for.
Griffin Chance knows firsthand how senseless the cards dealt in life can be. He wouldn’t have isolated himself on a remote mountain ridge if he didn’t. Innocent Iris craves excitement, and he’s a man who thought he’d forgotten how to feel. But when their connection grows deeper than either of them anticipated, Griffin has to decide if he can put down the pain of his past and step into a love he never believed possible.
Shy Iris Daniels is on a mission to shake up her life. She’s sick of being underestimated, and she’s got a new business plan to prove it. The one thing she didn’t factor in is her new landlord, Griffin Chance. The gruff mountain man isn’t what she expected, but Iris recognizes the pain in his eyes. Yet the attraction he ignites is much more unfamiliar…and might be the perfect chance for Iris to embrace the adventure she yearns for.
Griffin Chance knows firsthand how senseless the cards dealt in life can be. He wouldn’t have isolated himself on a remote mountain ridge if he didn’t. Innocent Iris craves excitement, and he’s a man who thought he’d forgotten how to feel. But when their connection grows deeper than either of them anticipated, Griffin has to decide if he can put down the pain of his past and step into a love he never believed possible.
409 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 29, 2021
113 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Maisey Yates
1,161 books2,994 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 71 reviews
July 21, 2021
Iris Daniels has long felt like she was second best. Not as vibrant as her sisters and mostly valued because of her usefulness to the family. Iris was the oldest sister when they lost their parents, and at fourteen she stepped in as sort of the mother while her older brother, Ryder assumed the role of guardian at the young age of eighteen. But who was there to comfort and mother Iris? Seeing all her siblings find love and happiness Iris is determined to take her life out of pause and do something just for herself. She knows she’s good at cooking and baking and has the perfect place in town to set up shop. Trouble is the rent the new owner is charging is prohibitive.
Iris finds out that the new owner is a hermit living up at a remote mountain cabin and decides to strike up a deal with him. She figures this guy is an old curmudgeon, but is shocked to find a much younger, grumpy man. His big, burly, bearded, but underneath that gruff appearance he’s the most handsome man she’s laid eyes on, and she wants!
Griffin bought his mountain property to get away from all the prying and pity and to wallow in his grief. Iris throws a wrench in works when she shows up with her cookies and determination. Theirs was a passionate romance, electricity sparking between them from that very first meeting!
I’ve long been a fan of Maisey Yates’ romances! The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass was heartfelt and emotional. Iris understands grief and so recognizes it clearly in Griffin, and my heart broke for everything they had endured. They shared a bond and struck up a friendship even though he’s pretty grumpy at first. Hard not soften up when being plied with delicious food and treats! I was hungry just reading!
I fell hard for Griffin, because once Iris showed up it was like he woke up from the five years he’d just been existing, and he was all in. I could tell Iris was going to give some trouble, but luckily, she had a lot of good advice from her close-knit, loving family.
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass is the twelfth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone in a pinch. However, you’ll miss some of Iris’ history and the sibling’s romances.
A copy was kindly provided by HQN via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Iris finds out that the new owner is a hermit living up at a remote mountain cabin and decides to strike up a deal with him. She figures this guy is an old curmudgeon, but is shocked to find a much younger, grumpy man. His big, burly, bearded, but underneath that gruff appearance he’s the most handsome man she’s laid eyes on, and she wants!
Griffin bought his mountain property to get away from all the prying and pity and to wallow in his grief. Iris throws a wrench in works when she shows up with her cookies and determination. Theirs was a passionate romance, electricity sparking between them from that very first meeting!
I’ve long been a fan of Maisey Yates’ romances! The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass was heartfelt and emotional. Iris understands grief and so recognizes it clearly in Griffin, and my heart broke for everything they had endured. They shared a bond and struck up a friendship even though he’s pretty grumpy at first. Hard not soften up when being plied with delicious food and treats! I was hungry just reading!
I fell hard for Griffin, because once Iris showed up it was like he woke up from the five years he’d just been existing, and he was all in. I could tell Iris was going to give some trouble, but luckily, she had a lot of good advice from her close-knit, loving family.
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass is the twelfth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone in a pinch. However, you’ll miss some of Iris’ history and the sibling’s romances.
A copy was kindly provided by HQN via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2021
This is a Cowboy Romance, and this is the 12th book in the Gold Valley series. I have been wanting a book about Iris. I have really enjoying getting to know Iris better, and I love her character so much. I also feel we got to know more about her parents before their death in this book. I also loved the Griffin character, I loved getting to know him slowly during this book. I really enjoyed this book, but I think I enjoyed it so much because I read some of the other book in this book series. I want to add that this book covers some hard to read things like death. Maisey Yates as became one of my favorite authors. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin) or author (Maisey Yates) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
February 10, 2024
IT´S SO CUTE!!
Este libro fue una recomendación y me gustó mucho.
Iris es la hermana mayor “solterona” y virgen que dedico casi toda su vida al cuidado de sus hermanos al morir sus padres, ahora ella tiene sueños y los quiere cumplir quiere abrir su propio negocio y tiene el local en la mira, el único problema es su propietario un hombre gruñón y solitario.
Llegan a un trato ella le lleva comida y limpia su casa a cambio de la renta del local.
A medida que conviven Iris se siente muy atraída por él nunca ha tenido ningún novio y quiere por fin tener una aventura en la vida pero sabe que es un hombre con demonios que lo único que no le puede dar es amor.
Es la primera vez que leo a la autora y me gustó, el libro tiene vibes de pueblo pequeño un romance tierno, con un poco de drama, una protagonista dulce y maternal y un mc con un pasado doloroso y trágico.
Quiero leer más libros de esta autora.
Este libro fue una recomendación y me gustó mucho.
Iris es la hermana mayor “solterona” y virgen que dedico casi toda su vida al cuidado de sus hermanos al morir sus padres, ahora ella tiene sueños y los quiere cumplir quiere abrir su propio negocio y tiene el local en la mira, el único problema es su propietario un hombre gruñón y solitario.
Llegan a un trato ella le lleva comida y limpia su casa a cambio de la renta del local.
A medida que conviven Iris se siente muy atraída por él nunca ha tenido ningún novio y quiere por fin tener una aventura en la vida pero sabe que es un hombre con demonios que lo único que no le puede dar es amor.
Es la primera vez que leo a la autora y me gustó, el libro tiene vibes de pueblo pequeño un romance tierno, con un poco de drama, una protagonista dulce y maternal y un mc con un pasado doloroso y trágico.
Quiero leer más libros de esta autora.
July 9, 2021
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
This was a tough one to rate. It was good but it touched on one of my pet peeves so I'll try and put those aside.
Rating 3.5
Iris loss both her parents at a young age. She and her siblings (she was the older girl and she had a brother who was able to care for all as the oldest) banded together and raised themselves. As the older girl, Iris took the role of "mother" and dedicated her life to taking care of everyone as well as the household. She loved and cared for her family to the detriment of her own wants. When all her sidings found the HEA she realized it was her turn. She decides the first thing on her list was to open a bakery, she's a wonderful baker and cook. Iris knows just the location too. She finds out who owns the building, Griffin chance.
Iris learns he lives in a primitive cabin in the mountains and heads up there with some of her baked goods as ammunition, or maybe as bribery.
Griffin Chance has lost everything and he's making sure that he gets the punishment he deserves. His grief is unbearable at times and he want's to live his life in total solitude. No family, no friends, no creature comforts for him. But one day he gets a knock on his door and from that point on his life takes a different turn. Griffin begins to realize the things he's been missing and the reality of life continues to evolve. And all this is from one individual, Iris, sweet and kind Iris.
These two navigate some heavy and sweet moments. The character development evolves at good pace, but the story line is pretty slow the first third of the book (I almost decided to put it aside for a bit). The secondary characters are all likable and assist in the story line. Love the theme of family, loyalty and small town feel. I did feel the end was a little rush.
Now just a side note. The issue of a dead wife in storylines has always been touchy for me. I struggle with the hero's dedication to dead wife and the heroine. It's such a balancing act and some authors do it well, others not so much. MY has written a few books with this issue and done wonderful, but this one I think wasn't her best in my humble opinion. It left me unsettled for some reason, just wasn't executed to my satisfaction. Again this is my issue and others might be totally okay with it.
This was a tough one to rate. It was good but it touched on one of my pet peeves so I'll try and put those aside.
Rating 3.5
Iris loss both her parents at a young age. She and her siblings (she was the older girl and she had a brother who was able to care for all as the oldest) banded together and raised themselves. As the older girl, Iris took the role of "mother" and dedicated her life to taking care of everyone as well as the household. She loved and cared for her family to the detriment of her own wants. When all her sidings found the HEA she realized it was her turn. She decides the first thing on her list was to open a bakery, she's a wonderful baker and cook. Iris knows just the location too. She finds out who owns the building, Griffin chance.
Iris learns he lives in a primitive cabin in the mountains and heads up there with some of her baked goods as ammunition, or maybe as bribery.
Griffin Chance has lost everything and he's making sure that he gets the punishment he deserves. His grief is unbearable at times and he want's to live his life in total solitude. No family, no friends, no creature comforts for him. But one day he gets a knock on his door and from that point on his life takes a different turn. Griffin begins to realize the things he's been missing and the reality of life continues to evolve. And all this is from one individual, Iris, sweet and kind Iris.
These two navigate some heavy and sweet moments. The character development evolves at good pace, but the story line is pretty slow the first third of the book (I almost decided to put it aside for a bit). The secondary characters are all likable and assist in the story line. Love the theme of family, loyalty and small town feel. I did feel the end was a little rush.
Now just a side note. The issue of a dead wife in storylines has always been touchy for me. I struggle with the hero's dedication to dead wife and the heroine. It's such a balancing act and some authors do it well, others not so much. MY has written a few books with this issue and done wonderful, but this one I think wasn't her best in my humble opinion. It left me unsettled for some reason, just wasn't executed to my satisfaction. Again this is my issue and others might be totally okay with it.
June 13, 2021
I am a huge fan of Maisey’s books and this one did not disappoint. I’ve read a few of this series but not them all and I love seeing the characters grow and develop. And Gold Valley sounds like my happy place.
Iris is one of my fav characters of the series, so I was glad to finally see her story come to life. She is a shy people pleaser, who lost her parents when she was younger and doesn’t realize all she has to give.
Iris wants to make her dream of owning her own bakery a reality but the owner of the building is a recluse and his manager wants more rent than she can afford so she approaches him with a sample of her cookies and ends up making a deal with him that benefits them both. Griffin is living alone, trying to survive but definitely not healing after major loss devastated him.
Griffin and Iris did not see coming what the other brought to their lives and how they could each help the other grow and heal and become all that they can be by bringing out the best in the other.
This book gave me all the feels and the ending was so satisfying that I couldn’t help but smile.
Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
Iris is one of my fav characters of the series, so I was glad to finally see her story come to life. She is a shy people pleaser, who lost her parents when she was younger and doesn’t realize all she has to give.
Iris wants to make her dream of owning her own bakery a reality but the owner of the building is a recluse and his manager wants more rent than she can afford so she approaches him with a sample of her cookies and ends up making a deal with him that benefits them both. Griffin is living alone, trying to survive but definitely not healing after major loss devastated him.
Griffin and Iris did not see coming what the other brought to their lives and how they could each help the other grow and heal and become all that they can be by bringing out the best in the other.
This book gave me all the feels and the ending was so satisfying that I couldn’t help but smile.
Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
June 27, 2021
I knew Iris Daniels story was going to be the one that would really tug at your heart with her grief and the life she had with her siblings, but what I did not see is Maisey Yates giving us a hero that would be filled with such loss and grief. These two characters were made for each other.
When the Iris’s two sisters and her friend Sammy find the loves of their lives, Iris knows that her life has to change. She does not feel that her place in the home she grew up in is hers anymore. She wants to have her own dreams and one of them is to own a bakery and to get that she has to scale the mountain to find the owner of the building. Griffen Chance lived in small cabin with no amenities as loss and heartache brought him to Gold Valley to build the home, he thought was a tribute to his wife and daughter that were taken from him tragically. But when Iris Daniels enters his life, he starts to come out of the grief and he thinks that maybe he can live again in the present and see a future with Iris, but he has to work hard to convince her of that.
Of all the Daniels, I knew that Iris was going to the one that would really pull me in emotionally and with Griffin in the mix, I was on a rollercoaster of emotions. And working through their mutual grief had me reaching for the tissue box. It was compelling story and I could not put this book down. Maisey Yates lures you into her books with her hot, sexy cowboys and gives them strong and stubborn women to make them work for the love that is given to these heroes.
I thinks this is one of the best books Maisey has given us in the series and I look forward to her proving me wrong with the next one.
This was a 5 Star book in my honest opinion. Thank you Maisey Yates and her publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
When the Iris’s two sisters and her friend Sammy find the loves of their lives, Iris knows that her life has to change. She does not feel that her place in the home she grew up in is hers anymore. She wants to have her own dreams and one of them is to own a bakery and to get that she has to scale the mountain to find the owner of the building. Griffen Chance lived in small cabin with no amenities as loss and heartache brought him to Gold Valley to build the home, he thought was a tribute to his wife and daughter that were taken from him tragically. But when Iris Daniels enters his life, he starts to come out of the grief and he thinks that maybe he can live again in the present and see a future with Iris, but he has to work hard to convince her of that.
Of all the Daniels, I knew that Iris was going to the one that would really pull me in emotionally and with Griffin in the mix, I was on a rollercoaster of emotions. And working through their mutual grief had me reaching for the tissue box. It was compelling story and I could not put this book down. Maisey Yates lures you into her books with her hot, sexy cowboys and gives them strong and stubborn women to make them work for the love that is given to these heroes.
I thinks this is one of the best books Maisey has given us in the series and I look forward to her proving me wrong with the next one.
This was a 5 Star book in my honest opinion. Thank you Maisey Yates and her publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 16, 2021
Iris Daniels spent all her life raising her siblings and cousins with her older brother when they lost their parents in an accident. At 31, and now that all her siblings found their soulmate and almost everyone left the nest, she's ready to start really living. Her first step is to find a building for the bakery she wants to open. Her second, maybe find a man. Maybe the recluse man living in the mountain who own a property in town could help her with both.
Griffin Chance left San Francisco a few years ago, grieving and not feeling support from his relatives who wanted him to be the same he was before tragedy wrecked his life. He's been living off-the-grid ever since but it's about to change now, thanks to a shy but determined lady and her cookies and whose friendship will breathe life back into him.
Another great addition to the Gold Valley series. Once again, Maisey Yates makes her MC fight for their HEA with introspection and the dramas that shaped their lives and view on love. Worth the heartbreak and touching and with a family that'll be there to offer you advices and hugs, whether you asked for it or not😛.
Griffin Chance left San Francisco a few years ago, grieving and not feeling support from his relatives who wanted him to be the same he was before tragedy wrecked his life. He's been living off-the-grid ever since but it's about to change now, thanks to a shy but determined lady and her cookies and whose friendship will breathe life back into him.
Another great addition to the Gold Valley series. Once again, Maisey Yates makes her MC fight for their HEA with introspection and the dramas that shaped their lives and view on love. Worth the heartbreak and touching and with a family that'll be there to offer you advices and hugs, whether you asked for it or not😛.
March 30, 2023
Yay,Iris finally got her Man! Great story Maisey Yates
September 27, 2021
3.75-4 stars
July 4, 2021
4.5 stars
Initial thoughts: I was unsure about this is the beginning, but once it got to a certain point I absolutely fell in love with it. It just knocked it out of the park. It gave me all the feels and angst that I was looking for. It was raw. It was intense. It was absolutely heartbreaking at points. Tears pooled in the eyes while ripping out my heart, but I also smiled as I saw Griffin and Iris heal together and eventually embrace the love between them. Griffin was swoony especially when he did little things to take care of Iris that made a huge impact of showing where his heart was, which was with her. It was glorious.
Review:
Major Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk
ONCE AGAIN MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD, THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING
I have been waiting for Iris for the past nine months. I have been anticipating and craving it so much that as soon as the book was in my hands I immediately picked it up. My expectations were pretty high for this one because I so wanted an epic HEA for Iris, who deserved it more than anything in the world.
As I stated from my initial thoughts above, it did take me a bit to connect with it. I don’t know if it was the fact that I had really high expectations going in or my head just wasn’t quite into at the start because I had other things on my mind or what, but it just was a little bit hard to get into in the beginning. I knew the basic setup going in so I had expectations based on that. It didn’t exactly go how I was expecting of how things were going to play out. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Griffin and Iris’s dynamic and connection early on, but I did feel like her attraction happened a little bit quicker than I wanted. There was just something missing for me in the beginning half of the story.. Something just wasn’t clicking for me in those moments.
But then the first kiss happened, and everything just feel into place where it was working for me on every level. It gave me the feels I was looking for. I got the angst I was wanting. It was very emotional. It was everything that I love about Maisey Yates stories that I love come to life from that point on. It was so good, and I fell so hard in love with the love story between Iris and Griffin. Just everything was right again once it got there.
This one was very emotional and very intense just like Maisey Yates books are, but this one seemed double raw, emotional and intense because both Iris and Griffin had really tragic loss and pain of love ones in their past. There was lots of grief, which connected them because they knew about it in away that no one else could because they hadn’t experienced what they had in their life. They understood each other and the grief they went through in similar yet different ways. It was heartbreaking on so many levels. It made my heart clench when they spoke of their loses to each other, increasing intimacy between them as well as allowing each other to heal with each other. It was beautiful heartbreaking especially when Griffin told Iris about his loss because it was both release for him yet connection because she was close to him in that moment. That just bonded them even further than they were before.
But I think what got me the most and had me tearing up was the unresolved issues that Iris had with her mother. That was just devastating because she carried that for so long and caused her shape her life and how she chose to live it especially with her love ones. It affected her life in so many different way especially in how she dealt with her relationship with Griffin. It was just heartbreaking because of how it made her feel about herself. It really affected her romance with Griffin. It was clear that he cared about her unconditionally, but Iris didn’t see it that way because she thought by her interactions with her family that she needed to be helping, taking caring of them in order to receive love. It just broke me so much especially near the end when she and Griffin were having a moment that was supposed to be good, but because her point of view was skewed it became a raw and hurtful moment. That was just a stab in the heart because he was offering everything, yet she didn’t believe it. It ripped me open and made tears pour down my cheeks over that. I thought was going to be more emotional of Griffin emotional storyline, but Iris that really packed a punch.
What I loved about this book the most was Griffin’s transformation. He made such a big change from this hermit up in the mountain that wanted noting to do with people to craving family and love and just wanting to be in the world again. It was hard and painful, but it was beautiful. Truly I saw Griffin come to life again with every moment he spent with Iris. The happiness and love that just radiated through him as he was falling in love with her was amazing. I loved how his light just kept getting brighter and brighter as the story progressed. It was a joy to watch as he embraced falling in love with Iris.
I loved the interaction with her family and Griffin as well as with Iris herself. It was just perfection. It is one of the best thing that Maisey Yates does in her novels is the family interactions. I loved seeing those played out especially when Griffin was introduced to the family. They might have been cautious at first but very quickly they welcomed him into to fold because they knew that Griffin was the one for Iris. I was especially impressed with Ryder in this one and how much of role he played in getting Iris and Griffin to their HEA. I loved the talks Ryder had with both Iris and Griffin throughout the story. I think I was most impressed that Griffin told Ryder straight up how important Iris was to him even if he couldn’t define the terms of the relationship yet. Then of coarse there were the moments between the sisters that I loved. It just warmed my heart. I love the family dynamics in Maisey Yates stories as much as I love the romances. This one did not disappoint one little bit in that regards either.
Overall once this story clicked with me, it really just rally clicked. It was worth the wait with a satisfying HEA for Iris, who I had been rooting hard for since Rose and Logan’s story. It was very heart wrenching and devastating with the issues of grief, loss and pain in full supply. However there was light at the same time, full of love, caring and tenderness that would warm anyone’s heart. Griffin and Iris just were meant to be. There were two halves of a whole understand each other in way no one else possible be could. They embraced each other and helped each other heal as they came to terms with their grief and loss. It was such a beautiful love story. I fell in love with it and I will be rereading this again in the future.
Highly recommend for fans of Maisey Yates, Gold Valley fans, and fans that love raw, painful, emotional romances that have the healing from love theme. Bring your tissues though you are going to need them.
Initial thoughts: I was unsure about this is the beginning, but once it got to a certain point I absolutely fell in love with it. It just knocked it out of the park. It gave me all the feels and angst that I was looking for. It was raw. It was intense. It was absolutely heartbreaking at points. Tears pooled in the eyes while ripping out my heart, but I also smiled as I saw Griffin and Iris heal together and eventually embrace the love between them. Griffin was swoony especially when he did little things to take care of Iris that made a huge impact of showing where his heart was, which was with her. It was glorious.
Review:
Major Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk
ONCE AGAIN MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD, THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING
I have been waiting for Iris for the past nine months. I have been anticipating and craving it so much that as soon as the book was in my hands I immediately picked it up. My expectations were pretty high for this one because I so wanted an epic HEA for Iris, who deserved it more than anything in the world.
As I stated from my initial thoughts above, it did take me a bit to connect with it. I don’t know if it was the fact that I had really high expectations going in or my head just wasn’t quite into at the start because I had other things on my mind or what, but it just was a little bit hard to get into in the beginning. I knew the basic setup going in so I had expectations based on that. It didn’t exactly go how I was expecting of how things were going to play out. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Griffin and Iris’s dynamic and connection early on, but I did feel like her attraction happened a little bit quicker than I wanted. There was just something missing for me in the beginning half of the story.. Something just wasn’t clicking for me in those moments.
But then the first kiss happened, and everything just feel into place where it was working for me on every level. It gave me the feels I was looking for. I got the angst I was wanting. It was very emotional. It was everything that I love about Maisey Yates stories that I love come to life from that point on. It was so good, and I fell so hard in love with the love story between Iris and Griffin. Just everything was right again once it got there.
This one was very emotional and very intense just like Maisey Yates books are, but this one seemed double raw, emotional and intense because both Iris and Griffin had really tragic loss and pain of love ones in their past. There was lots of grief, which connected them because they knew about it in away that no one else could because they hadn’t experienced what they had in their life. They understood each other and the grief they went through in similar yet different ways. It was heartbreaking on so many levels. It made my heart clench when they spoke of their loses to each other, increasing intimacy between them as well as allowing each other to heal with each other. It was beautiful heartbreaking especially when Griffin told Iris about his loss because it was both release for him yet connection because she was close to him in that moment. That just bonded them even further than they were before.
But I think what got me the most and had me tearing up was the unresolved issues that Iris had with her mother. That was just devastating because she carried that for so long and caused her shape her life and how she chose to live it especially with her love ones. It affected her life in so many different way especially in how she dealt with her relationship with Griffin. It was just heartbreaking because of how it made her feel about herself. It really affected her romance with Griffin. It was clear that he cared about her unconditionally, but Iris didn’t see it that way because she thought by her interactions with her family that she needed to be helping, taking caring of them in order to receive love. It just broke me so much especially near the end when she and Griffin were having a moment that was supposed to be good, but because her point of view was skewed it became a raw and hurtful moment. That was just a stab in the heart because he was offering everything, yet she didn’t believe it. It ripped me open and made tears pour down my cheeks over that. I thought was going to be more emotional of Griffin emotional storyline, but Iris that really packed a punch.
What I loved about this book the most was Griffin’s transformation. He made such a big change from this hermit up in the mountain that wanted noting to do with people to craving family and love and just wanting to be in the world again. It was hard and painful, but it was beautiful. Truly I saw Griffin come to life again with every moment he spent with Iris. The happiness and love that just radiated through him as he was falling in love with her was amazing. I loved how his light just kept getting brighter and brighter as the story progressed. It was a joy to watch as he embraced falling in love with Iris.
I loved the interaction with her family and Griffin as well as with Iris herself. It was just perfection. It is one of the best thing that Maisey Yates does in her novels is the family interactions. I loved seeing those played out especially when Griffin was introduced to the family. They might have been cautious at first but very quickly they welcomed him into to fold because they knew that Griffin was the one for Iris. I was especially impressed with Ryder in this one and how much of role he played in getting Iris and Griffin to their HEA. I loved the talks Ryder had with both Iris and Griffin throughout the story. I think I was most impressed that Griffin told Ryder straight up how important Iris was to him even if he couldn’t define the terms of the relationship yet. Then of coarse there were the moments between the sisters that I loved. It just warmed my heart. I love the family dynamics in Maisey Yates stories as much as I love the romances. This one did not disappoint one little bit in that regards either.
Overall once this story clicked with me, it really just rally clicked. It was worth the wait with a satisfying HEA for Iris, who I had been rooting hard for since Rose and Logan’s story. It was very heart wrenching and devastating with the issues of grief, loss and pain in full supply. However there was light at the same time, full of love, caring and tenderness that would warm anyone’s heart. Griffin and Iris just were meant to be. There were two halves of a whole understand each other in way no one else possible be could. They embraced each other and helped each other heal as they came to terms with their grief and loss. It was such a beautiful love story. I fell in love with it and I will be rereading this again in the future.
Highly recommend for fans of Maisey Yates, Gold Valley fans, and fans that love raw, painful, emotional romances that have the healing from love theme. Bring your tissues though you are going to need them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2021
I have often in my previous reviews referred to author Maisey Yates as the Queen of Angst. Light hearted rom.-coms., even light-hearted moments are just not Yates thing. Of all the many romance authors I read none come close to Yates in consistently creating characters struggling with such heavy emotional baggage that keeps them from achieving happiness. Not only do her characters carry an overwhelming amount of soul crushing emotional baggage but readers spend much of her stories inside their heads sharing their inner most demons, fears and hopes. The majority of Yate’s stories are consumed with her characters internal monologues revealing their inner thoughts or conversations with other characters revealing their thoughts and feelings. This story is no exception.
This is the fourth book in Yate’s Hope Springs Ranch section of her Gold Valley series, a spinoff of her Copper Valley series all located on the Oregon coast in farming and ranching communities. Our heroine in this story is Iris Daniels, second oldest of the four Daniels siblings and the oldest female. When Iris was fourteen her parents, her aunt and uncle and their close friend Logan’s mother all died in a plane crash on their way to an Alaskan vacation. This left Ryder, then 18 years old as the head of the family and the only member old enough to qualify as guardians for both his siblings and his two male cousins Jake and Colt and family friend Logan, all of whom lost their parents in the same accident. While Ryder with the help of Jake, Colt and Logan took over the responsibilities of running the ranch, Iris took on the responsibilities for running the household and being the main caregiver for her two younger sisters, Pansy, 8 years old at the time and Rosie at 6 years old the youngest. Prior to her parents death Iris had already been actively helping her mother care for her sisters. At this point in their story Ryder has married his BFF Sammie and had a child with her leaving Sammie as the woman of the house. Pansy, now the youngest and first female police chief of Gold Valley has married West and settled in on his ranch. Rosie is now engaged to her longtime crush Logan (who is like a brother to the rest of the Daniels) and is living with him in his cabin on the ranch. The two cousins both bull riders, are off riding the rodeo circuit. This leaves Iris feeling like an empty nester without any real purpose in her life. At 31 years old and still a virgin she’s suffering a world class existential crisis as she realizes she’s used her role as homemaker and mother figure to her younger sisters as a means to hide from life so she can’t be hurt by disappointment and tragedy again. In focusing upon taking care of everyone else she didn’t have to challenge herself to build a life for herself outside of her family. Iris learned to cook and bake at her mother’s knee and uses both to feel a connection to her late mother. She determines she needs a life outside of Hope Springs Ranch, deciding to open a bakery in a brick building on Main St in the town of Gold Valley that once housed a failed bakery. But by the time she’s ready to pursue her dream the building has changed hands and the rent is beyond Iris’s meager budget. Rosie convinces Iris to seek out the building’s owner and negotiate a lower rent for the building than his business agent quoted her. Enter Griffin Chance the so called Hearbreaker of Echo Pass.
Griffin Chance a mountain of a man who was a wealthy California real estate developer has been living a monastic life in a rustic, dilapidated cabin at the top of the mountain at Echo Pass. As we discover Griffin lives there trying to hide from his own horrible grief at the loss of his wife and daughter in a fire five years earlier. Griffin is not so much a heartbreaker as he is heartbroken. Just as Iris hid from her grief by burying herself in caring for her family, Griffin attempts to hide from his grief by shutting himself off from the world and single handedly attempting to build the house he and his late wife Mel dreamed of getting away from the phoniness and materialism of the San Francisco Bay society in. Griffin speaks to absolutely no one family or business acquaintance unless he absolutely has to.
One day a determined Iris shows up on his doorstep offering a platter of home baked cookies as an example of her baking skills and inducement to negotiating a lower rent for the building. Griffin attempts to dismiss Iris but when she convinces him to try her cookies something inside him awakens. For the first time in years he experiences something pleasurable, more than required for survival. The offering of her cookies and Griffin’s response is of course a metaphor for the future of their relationship. Iris doesn’t know how to handle her body’s response to Griffin having never felt the awakenings of true desire for a man before as she kept that part of her life locked down fearing rejection as Iris has always saw herself as a plain Jane. She negotiates sharing a percentage of her profits and an offer to cook and clean for Griffin in return for rent of the bakery and the apartment upstairs. This leads Iris to have regular contact with the enigmatic man further flaming Iris’s attraction to him and leading her to determine he should be the man to give her virginity to. Both her sisters Pansy and Rose who were also relatively late in losing their V-cards encourage her to act on her attraction telling her it doesn’t have to lead to a long-term relationship. Which is ironic since both of them are either married or engaged to the only man they’ve ever had sex with. I suspect Iris will follow in her younger sisters footsteps in that regard. But the path from losing her virginity to losing her heart to Griffin is long and filled with potholes. You would think it would be Griffin who must be dragged kicking and screaming into love but while Griffin is more than ready to rebuild his life, Iris is carrying a lot of unresolved issues about her relationship with her mother and her own self-worth because of it.
Yate’s writing style admittedly isn’t for everyone but she hooked me early in my introduction into contemporary romance and I remain a faithful fan and admirer. As an added bonus there is a novella at the end of this book. A friends to lovers story involving Laz the town’s saloon owner and friend to all Laz. Which is a little odd only because in The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass it is mentioned that Laz is already married but his story comes after.
This is the fourth book in Yate’s Hope Springs Ranch section of her Gold Valley series, a spinoff of her Copper Valley series all located on the Oregon coast in farming and ranching communities. Our heroine in this story is Iris Daniels, second oldest of the four Daniels siblings and the oldest female. When Iris was fourteen her parents, her aunt and uncle and their close friend Logan’s mother all died in a plane crash on their way to an Alaskan vacation. This left Ryder, then 18 years old as the head of the family and the only member old enough to qualify as guardians for both his siblings and his two male cousins Jake and Colt and family friend Logan, all of whom lost their parents in the same accident. While Ryder with the help of Jake, Colt and Logan took over the responsibilities of running the ranch, Iris took on the responsibilities for running the household and being the main caregiver for her two younger sisters, Pansy, 8 years old at the time and Rosie at 6 years old the youngest. Prior to her parents death Iris had already been actively helping her mother care for her sisters. At this point in their story Ryder has married his BFF Sammie and had a child with her leaving Sammie as the woman of the house. Pansy, now the youngest and first female police chief of Gold Valley has married West and settled in on his ranch. Rosie is now engaged to her longtime crush Logan (who is like a brother to the rest of the Daniels) and is living with him in his cabin on the ranch. The two cousins both bull riders, are off riding the rodeo circuit. This leaves Iris feeling like an empty nester without any real purpose in her life. At 31 years old and still a virgin she’s suffering a world class existential crisis as she realizes she’s used her role as homemaker and mother figure to her younger sisters as a means to hide from life so she can’t be hurt by disappointment and tragedy again. In focusing upon taking care of everyone else she didn’t have to challenge herself to build a life for herself outside of her family. Iris learned to cook and bake at her mother’s knee and uses both to feel a connection to her late mother. She determines she needs a life outside of Hope Springs Ranch, deciding to open a bakery in a brick building on Main St in the town of Gold Valley that once housed a failed bakery. But by the time she’s ready to pursue her dream the building has changed hands and the rent is beyond Iris’s meager budget. Rosie convinces Iris to seek out the building’s owner and negotiate a lower rent for the building than his business agent quoted her. Enter Griffin Chance the so called Hearbreaker of Echo Pass.
Griffin Chance a mountain of a man who was a wealthy California real estate developer has been living a monastic life in a rustic, dilapidated cabin at the top of the mountain at Echo Pass. As we discover Griffin lives there trying to hide from his own horrible grief at the loss of his wife and daughter in a fire five years earlier. Griffin is not so much a heartbreaker as he is heartbroken. Just as Iris hid from her grief by burying herself in caring for her family, Griffin attempts to hide from his grief by shutting himself off from the world and single handedly attempting to build the house he and his late wife Mel dreamed of getting away from the phoniness and materialism of the San Francisco Bay society in. Griffin speaks to absolutely no one family or business acquaintance unless he absolutely has to.
One day a determined Iris shows up on his doorstep offering a platter of home baked cookies as an example of her baking skills and inducement to negotiating a lower rent for the building. Griffin attempts to dismiss Iris but when she convinces him to try her cookies something inside him awakens. For the first time in years he experiences something pleasurable, more than required for survival. The offering of her cookies and Griffin’s response is of course a metaphor for the future of their relationship. Iris doesn’t know how to handle her body’s response to Griffin having never felt the awakenings of true desire for a man before as she kept that part of her life locked down fearing rejection as Iris has always saw herself as a plain Jane. She negotiates sharing a percentage of her profits and an offer to cook and clean for Griffin in return for rent of the bakery and the apartment upstairs. This leads Iris to have regular contact with the enigmatic man further flaming Iris’s attraction to him and leading her to determine he should be the man to give her virginity to. Both her sisters Pansy and Rose who were also relatively late in losing their V-cards encourage her to act on her attraction telling her it doesn’t have to lead to a long-term relationship. Which is ironic since both of them are either married or engaged to the only man they’ve ever had sex with. I suspect Iris will follow in her younger sisters footsteps in that regard. But the path from losing her virginity to losing her heart to Griffin is long and filled with potholes. You would think it would be Griffin who must be dragged kicking and screaming into love but while Griffin is more than ready to rebuild his life, Iris is carrying a lot of unresolved issues about her relationship with her mother and her own self-worth because of it.
Yate’s writing style admittedly isn’t for everyone but she hooked me early in my introduction into contemporary romance and I remain a faithful fan and admirer. As an added bonus there is a novella at the end of this book. A friends to lovers story involving Laz the town’s saloon owner and friend to all Laz. Which is a little odd only because in The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass it is mentioned that Laz is already married but his story comes after.
July 12, 2021
3.5/5 Stars
** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**
This was super easy to read and quick to get through. I really enjoyed the romance between our two characters. I'll even admit that I ended up getting emotional while reading. I found Iris to be an easy character to connect to, she was very relatable. I will admit the reason i went with 3.5 instead of a 4 star is because the ending felt very abrupt to me. I felt like we get to our big moment and then it was just over. I would've liked extra pages at the end just to wrap up the story and characters relationships. Overall a good read and would recommend.
** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**
This was super easy to read and quick to get through. I really enjoyed the romance between our two characters. I'll even admit that I ended up getting emotional while reading. I found Iris to be an easy character to connect to, she was very relatable. I will admit the reason i went with 3.5 instead of a 4 star is because the ending felt very abrupt to me. I felt like we get to our big moment and then it was just over. I would've liked extra pages at the end just to wrap up the story and characters relationships. Overall a good read and would recommend.
July 2, 2021
In The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass, the 12th book in the Gold Valley series, Maisey Yates has written what I believe to be the most emotionally wrenching and profound novel about loss, grief and grieving, heartache, loneliness, and healing, that it's been my tearful pleasure to read in decades. I believe this is her best novel to date, and it gets 5-stars from this reader.
We finally get to Iris Daniels' book. After losing all of their parents, 14-year-old Iris and her 18-year-old brother, Ryder, raised the rest of their younger siblings, and added more family members as this series has progressed. Ryder ran the Hope Springs family ranch, and Iris became the caregiver, the cook, the pseudo-mom to her younger siblings. But her siblings have now all found their mates, and while they still rely on her cooking skills at dinnertime, Iris has become an empty-nester, a 31-year-old virgin who's never even been kissed, and she's decided to finally begin to act on her dream of owning and operating her own bakery. She's found the space on Main Street, but can't afford the rent, so she decides to meet the owner of the property and see if he can give her a break for a percentage of her profits.
The owner of the building in question is Griffin Chance, who has totally isolated himself in the deep woods of Echo Pass since losing his wife and baby daughter in a house fire 5 years earlier. He's a big, strong, mountain of a man, and has been wallowing in his own heartbreak and loneliness ever since. When Iris shows up at his door with a plate of her cookies and a proposition, he doesn't know what to make of her, and ends up agreeing to bartering his storefront building in exchange for her cleaning and cooking skills at his small, rundown, rustic cabin in the woods. Griffin and his grief call out to Iris' caregiving nature, and a friendship slowly forms between the two, although Griffin doesn't give up his secrets easily, nor does Iris admit to her virginity, her lack of dating experience, and her feeling that she's always been second-fiddle to the siblings she raised, and even to her own deceased mother. It's time for her to strike out on her own, and in meeting and getting to know and help Griffin, does she ever.
Being no stranger to grief and grieving, having lost my own mother at age 15, and my first and best friend at 38, and too many other dear friends to mention, this novel and Ms. Yates' deep understanding of love and loss, of grief and healing, and of moving on, struck a deep chord that resonated within me so strongly that I spent half of this novel in tears. I don't know where or how Ms. Yates came to such a deep understanding of the pain of loss and missed opportunities, but did she ever!
Ms. Yates' insight into all the emotional baggage these two characters are and have been carrying alone, her use of alternate narration as we get to know them, and their constant internal dialogue as these two wounded strangers try to help and heal each other, with all their misgivings, with all their doubts, with all their fears, made for one impossible to put down, deeply engrossing, and unforgettable read, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Thank you, Maisey Yates, for this incredible and deeply moving read. I absolutely loved it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
We finally get to Iris Daniels' book. After losing all of their parents, 14-year-old Iris and her 18-year-old brother, Ryder, raised the rest of their younger siblings, and added more family members as this series has progressed. Ryder ran the Hope Springs family ranch, and Iris became the caregiver, the cook, the pseudo-mom to her younger siblings. But her siblings have now all found their mates, and while they still rely on her cooking skills at dinnertime, Iris has become an empty-nester, a 31-year-old virgin who's never even been kissed, and she's decided to finally begin to act on her dream of owning and operating her own bakery. She's found the space on Main Street, but can't afford the rent, so she decides to meet the owner of the property and see if he can give her a break for a percentage of her profits.
The owner of the building in question is Griffin Chance, who has totally isolated himself in the deep woods of Echo Pass since losing his wife and baby daughter in a house fire 5 years earlier. He's a big, strong, mountain of a man, and has been wallowing in his own heartbreak and loneliness ever since. When Iris shows up at his door with a plate of her cookies and a proposition, he doesn't know what to make of her, and ends up agreeing to bartering his storefront building in exchange for her cleaning and cooking skills at his small, rundown, rustic cabin in the woods. Griffin and his grief call out to Iris' caregiving nature, and a friendship slowly forms between the two, although Griffin doesn't give up his secrets easily, nor does Iris admit to her virginity, her lack of dating experience, and her feeling that she's always been second-fiddle to the siblings she raised, and even to her own deceased mother. It's time for her to strike out on her own, and in meeting and getting to know and help Griffin, does she ever.
Being no stranger to grief and grieving, having lost my own mother at age 15, and my first and best friend at 38, and too many other dear friends to mention, this novel and Ms. Yates' deep understanding of love and loss, of grief and healing, and of moving on, struck a deep chord that resonated within me so strongly that I spent half of this novel in tears. I don't know where or how Ms. Yates came to such a deep understanding of the pain of loss and missed opportunities, but did she ever!
Ms. Yates' insight into all the emotional baggage these two characters are and have been carrying alone, her use of alternate narration as we get to know them, and their constant internal dialogue as these two wounded strangers try to help and heal each other, with all their misgivings, with all their doubts, with all their fears, made for one impossible to put down, deeply engrossing, and unforgettable read, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Thank you, Maisey Yates, for this incredible and deeply moving read. I absolutely loved it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 29, 2021
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass by Maisey Yates fills a void I didn’t realize I had in my reading pile. Hunky mountain man meets mousy maiden. Ok well that isn’t exactly the synopsis of the book but let me explain.
Iris has basically been a housewife without ever being married, she stepped up to raise her siblings and cousins after their parents all perished in a freak accident many years ago. Now that everyone has grown and found their significant others, she is feeling a little lost. When a prime opportunity arises to finally jump out on her own, the only thing standing in her way is a hot hunk of mountain man determined to stay alone.
Griffin has moved himself away from everything and everyone he ever knew, and yes it was on purpose. Going days, sometimes weeks without speaking to another soul is exactly what he wants and needs. When a knock at his door brings him something he never realized he was missing, he fights it tooth and nail but how will he handle Iris and her ability to get into his head?
Like missing pieces finding their way together in a puzzle neither knew they were building, their “dysfunction” makes life function all the better. Both characters are broken with grief, one thinking they have “dealt” with the grief, the other living every minute of every day consumed by it. “I think you’re mad at the wrong deadwoman” just about sums it up.
First impressions are not always the best judgment and both Iris and Griffin quickly decide they are way off on their first moment determinations. They forge an unusual relationship as she struggles to build her business while keeping up her end of their barter deal. Meanwhile Griffin, who once loved to be alone, finds himself searching for moments to interact with Iris. This story arc moves fast at times, maybe too fast for some, but when destiny gets involved there is no timeline.
A bonus story is included in the back of the paperback, Solid Gold Cowboy featuring Laz and Jordan.
Iris has basically been a housewife without ever being married, she stepped up to raise her siblings and cousins after their parents all perished in a freak accident many years ago. Now that everyone has grown and found their significant others, she is feeling a little lost. When a prime opportunity arises to finally jump out on her own, the only thing standing in her way is a hot hunk of mountain man determined to stay alone.
Griffin has moved himself away from everything and everyone he ever knew, and yes it was on purpose. Going days, sometimes weeks without speaking to another soul is exactly what he wants and needs. When a knock at his door brings him something he never realized he was missing, he fights it tooth and nail but how will he handle Iris and her ability to get into his head?
Like missing pieces finding their way together in a puzzle neither knew they were building, their “dysfunction” makes life function all the better. Both characters are broken with grief, one thinking they have “dealt” with the grief, the other living every minute of every day consumed by it. “I think you’re mad at the wrong deadwoman” just about sums it up.
First impressions are not always the best judgment and both Iris and Griffin quickly decide they are way off on their first moment determinations. They forge an unusual relationship as she struggles to build her business while keeping up her end of their barter deal. Meanwhile Griffin, who once loved to be alone, finds himself searching for moments to interact with Iris. This story arc moves fast at times, maybe too fast for some, but when destiny gets involved there is no timeline.
A bonus story is included in the back of the paperback, Solid Gold Cowboy featuring Laz and Jordan.
December 27, 2022
3.5 stars
This is the best pair of characters I've read from Maisey so far. I was irked about the emphasis on Iris's virginity (insert eye roll), and also at Rose's continued presence in this book (I get it, she's Iris's sister...but UGH). Other than that, however, the focus of this book on Iris's trauma from her relationship with her mother and her equating being loved with being useful to people was REAL and felt beautifully handed. She ended the book with hope but not healed by her relationship with Griffin.
This is the best pair of characters I've read from Maisey so far. I was irked about the emphasis on Iris's virginity (insert eye roll), and also at Rose's continued presence in this book (I get it, she's Iris's sister...but UGH). Other than that, however, the focus of this book on Iris's trauma from her relationship with her mother and her equating being loved with being useful to people was REAL and felt beautifully handed. She ended the book with hope but not healed by her relationship with Griffin.
July 5, 2021
Loved Iris's story.
February 1, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. I cried a few times too. It is about how people have overcome great losses in their lives and gone on. And it is beautifully written. Thank you Maisey Yates for this wonderful book.
December 29, 2022
Too much angst for me. Iris bugged me, because she had to “fix” and “help” everyone
November 11, 2021
The more I read this series, the less I care for it. Yates’s female protagonists are always less than. Why all 3 Daniels' sisters had to be virgins before they met their husbands is absurd. Yes, losing their parents did a number on them, but why did they isolate themselves? Why were the Daniels men allowed to sow their oats but the women had to remain virginal? It’s hard to get past that to enjoy the love stories because the women are coming from a position of weakness. They each had to find their strength. This all just seems so regressive.
Also, what’s with the titles? Is Ryder Daniels really a hero or just a young man who did what was best for his family (Book 10)? Perhaps martyr would be more appropriate. What is a Last Christmas Cowboy (Book 11)? Griffin isn’t a heartbreaker; he’s heartbroken (Book 12).
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from HQN through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Also, what’s with the titles? Is Ryder Daniels really a hero or just a young man who did what was best for his family (Book 10)? Perhaps martyr would be more appropriate. What is a Last Christmas Cowboy (Book 11)? Griffin isn’t a heartbreaker; he’s heartbroken (Book 12).
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from HQN through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
September 20, 2021
Oh boy, this was a doozy. I cannot believe I didn’t connect with Iris in the first couple of books that dealt with the Daniels family. It wasn’t until the last book to deal with these siblings, The Last Christmas Cowboy, that I felt a connection to Iris. I even mentioned in my review that it surprised me. Little did I know that Iris was just hiding her true self in those other stories.
Iris doesn’t really let her family get to know her, no matter how close they all are. She has to be the “good” one, the strong one, the one everyone can rely on to keep her head and get things done. Iris has some mini flashbacks, remembering conversations with her mom from when she was young, that really helped me to understand her in a way I wasn’t able to previously. They broke my heart. They also helped me to realize how much her family takes her for granted. Of course, that’s because she never spoke up for herself in the past and asserted her need to be someone other than their caregiver. But once she does start on her path to independence, I’m not crazy about how they all react. It should be the wake-up call they need to see how much they’ve taken advantage of her over the years. Yet it takes some major missteps before it all sinks in for the other siblings.
Griffin has been through some very bad times. He’s hidden himself away for years. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s been years since he’s seen his family, and he rarely contacts them by phone. He only goes to town for supplies when absolutely necessary. He is the very definition of a hermit. Griffin hides himself away in his small cabin in the woods in the mountains and goes months at a time without seeing another human. He likes it that way, but it’s not healthy for him. Not the way he’s doing things. Griffin is wallowing. He’s alive but not living. Imagine his surprise when Iris, someone he knows nothing about and has never heard of before, shows up at his remote doorstep with cookies. I loved it! Griffin is a grump. And in the beginning, he’s not even a loveable grump or a grump with a heart of gold. Just a grump.
The genius thing about pairing Iris and Griffin is that neither knows anything about the other. Griffin is flummoxed by Iris’s somewhat low self-esteem. He doesn’t understand her offhand comments about her sisters when she seems to put herself down while raising them up. He hasn’t met these people. He doesn’t have preconceived ideas about who they are or how they should act. He only sees Iris. A beautiful, smart, hardworking woman who amazes him and has brought him out of his shell.
There is amazing chemistry between Griffin and Iris. But there is so much angst and heartache for both of them individually that they can’t help but bring that to the table when they start their relationship. I cannot tell you how much Iris broke my heart, over and over. But, eventually, she is able to see her own worth. Not just for Griffin, but for herself. Iris finally gives herself permission to be loved with no strings attached. Not because she is doing something for someone, not because she is taking care of someone, just because she is Iris.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Maisey Yates always makes me cry. I cried a lot in this story. Some sad tears, some happy tears, some tears of pain, some tears of joy. This book touched my heart in so many ways.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
Iris doesn’t really let her family get to know her, no matter how close they all are. She has to be the “good” one, the strong one, the one everyone can rely on to keep her head and get things done. Iris has some mini flashbacks, remembering conversations with her mom from when she was young, that really helped me to understand her in a way I wasn’t able to previously. They broke my heart. They also helped me to realize how much her family takes her for granted. Of course, that’s because she never spoke up for herself in the past and asserted her need to be someone other than their caregiver. But once she does start on her path to independence, I’m not crazy about how they all react. It should be the wake-up call they need to see how much they’ve taken advantage of her over the years. Yet it takes some major missteps before it all sinks in for the other siblings.
Griffin has been through some very bad times. He’s hidden himself away for years. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s been years since he’s seen his family, and he rarely contacts them by phone. He only goes to town for supplies when absolutely necessary. He is the very definition of a hermit. Griffin hides himself away in his small cabin in the woods in the mountains and goes months at a time without seeing another human. He likes it that way, but it’s not healthy for him. Not the way he’s doing things. Griffin is wallowing. He’s alive but not living. Imagine his surprise when Iris, someone he knows nothing about and has never heard of before, shows up at his remote doorstep with cookies. I loved it! Griffin is a grump. And in the beginning, he’s not even a loveable grump or a grump with a heart of gold. Just a grump.
The genius thing about pairing Iris and Griffin is that neither knows anything about the other. Griffin is flummoxed by Iris’s somewhat low self-esteem. He doesn’t understand her offhand comments about her sisters when she seems to put herself down while raising them up. He hasn’t met these people. He doesn’t have preconceived ideas about who they are or how they should act. He only sees Iris. A beautiful, smart, hardworking woman who amazes him and has brought him out of his shell.
There is amazing chemistry between Griffin and Iris. But there is so much angst and heartache for both of them individually that they can’t help but bring that to the table when they start their relationship. I cannot tell you how much Iris broke my heart, over and over. But, eventually, she is able to see her own worth. Not just for Griffin, but for herself. Iris finally gives herself permission to be loved with no strings attached. Not because she is doing something for someone, not because she is taking care of someone, just because she is Iris.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Maisey Yates always makes me cry. I cried a lot in this story. Some sad tears, some happy tears, some tears of pain, some tears of joy. This book touched my heart in so many ways.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
June 26, 2021
The most exquisitely profound rendering of grief I've ever read!
As this is the fourth book of the Hope Springs family, we know all about the tragedy that nearly leveled the Daniels family years ago. Iris is still finding her independence, all the more important now that each of her siblings have found their own HEAs. In order to set up the bakery she's always dreamed of, she's going to need the help of her potential landlord to cut her a deal she can manage.
Griffin has been hiding away from the entire world for the past five years after an unimaginable loss shattered his entire sense of self. He's not the least bit interested in helping the determined young woman who ignores every hint to leave him alone. But it turns out there's an extra dash of hope in her plate of cookies, one that starts him on the road to living again.
This author must have experienced tragedy personally to be able to write such a visceral, gut-wrenching examination of all the various depths of emotion required to come back from a loss that redefines one's life. Both Iris and Griffin know grief, but where that shared understanding initially brings them together, it also serves to drive them apart. On the surface, the romance is simple and straightforward. In this story, however, the complexity of the feelings - of love, guilt, failures, purpose - are brought out one by one, aired out and refreshed, and then reassigned a proper role as these two figure out how to keep on living. It's beautifully done, enthralling and captivating, heart-warming and heart-breaking all at the same time.
If you're already invested in the Daniels family, you don't want to miss this one. If you like spunky heroines who take on grumpy mountain men, this is your catnip. If you want to know what living after world-shattering loss looks like, this is the only book you need. I wholeheartedly recommend this story for anyone who loves to read romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
As this is the fourth book of the Hope Springs family, we know all about the tragedy that nearly leveled the Daniels family years ago. Iris is still finding her independence, all the more important now that each of her siblings have found their own HEAs. In order to set up the bakery she's always dreamed of, she's going to need the help of her potential landlord to cut her a deal she can manage.
Griffin has been hiding away from the entire world for the past five years after an unimaginable loss shattered his entire sense of self. He's not the least bit interested in helping the determined young woman who ignores every hint to leave him alone. But it turns out there's an extra dash of hope in her plate of cookies, one that starts him on the road to living again.
This author must have experienced tragedy personally to be able to write such a visceral, gut-wrenching examination of all the various depths of emotion required to come back from a loss that redefines one's life. Both Iris and Griffin know grief, but where that shared understanding initially brings them together, it also serves to drive them apart. On the surface, the romance is simple and straightforward. In this story, however, the complexity of the feelings - of love, guilt, failures, purpose - are brought out one by one, aired out and refreshed, and then reassigned a proper role as these two figure out how to keep on living. It's beautifully done, enthralling and captivating, heart-warming and heart-breaking all at the same time.
If you're already invested in the Daniels family, you don't want to miss this one. If you like spunky heroines who take on grumpy mountain men, this is your catnip. If you want to know what living after world-shattering loss looks like, this is the only book you need. I wholeheartedly recommend this story for anyone who loves to read romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
July 24, 2021
Iris Daniels has lived her life taking care of her siblings after her parents died in a plane crash.
Now her siblings are all either married or have a significant other. She now feels that she is no longer needed. She has loved baking and wants to strike out on her own and open a bakery. She has just the spot in mind but realizes she cannot afford the rent. Finding out who the owner of the building is and where he lives she decides to pay him a visit.
Griffin Chance is the building owner and has sentenced himself to a solitary life. He lives in a shack in the mountains with no electricity and no indoor plumbing. His grief over what he has lost is overwhelming. When he meets Iris he is not the most welcoming person. She does manage to talk him into a deal. She has brought him a plate of her homemade cookies. When he tries them he agrees with her that they are the best he has had.
Griffin makes a deal with her. In exchange for having her bakery rent free she will clean and cook for him. She will bring him meals along with her sweets. This becomes the start of a friendship that will eventually turn into more.
Also in this book was Maisey Yates story Solid Gold Cowboy. Laz Jenkins owns a bar in Gold Valley and makes many friends. Jordan is one of those friends, in fact she is his best friend. They have known each other for the better part of ten years. One night as he was closing the bar in walks Jordan in her wedding gown. She was supposed to get married that day but ran instead. This is just the beginning of Laz and Jordan's story. Although this is a short story MY knows how keep you invested to the very end.
I loved both of these stories very much; so much so that I didn't want them to end.
Now her siblings are all either married or have a significant other. She now feels that she is no longer needed. She has loved baking and wants to strike out on her own and open a bakery. She has just the spot in mind but realizes she cannot afford the rent. Finding out who the owner of the building is and where he lives she decides to pay him a visit.
Griffin Chance is the building owner and has sentenced himself to a solitary life. He lives in a shack in the mountains with no electricity and no indoor plumbing. His grief over what he has lost is overwhelming. When he meets Iris he is not the most welcoming person. She does manage to talk him into a deal. She has brought him a plate of her homemade cookies. When he tries them he agrees with her that they are the best he has had.
Griffin makes a deal with her. In exchange for having her bakery rent free she will clean and cook for him. She will bring him meals along with her sweets. This becomes the start of a friendship that will eventually turn into more.
Also in this book was Maisey Yates story Solid Gold Cowboy. Laz Jenkins owns a bar in Gold Valley and makes many friends. Jordan is one of those friends, in fact she is his best friend. They have known each other for the better part of ten years. One night as he was closing the bar in walks Jordan in her wedding gown. She was supposed to get married that day but ran instead. This is just the beginning of Laz and Jordan's story. Although this is a short story MY knows how keep you invested to the very end.
I loved both of these stories very much; so much so that I didn't want them to end.
August 31, 2021
Iris lost her parents at a young age. As the oldest girl, she took on the role of mother and dedicated her life to taking care of her siblings. She loved and cared for her family never thought of what she wanted. When all her siblings found spouses, she was ready to start living for herself. The first thing she wanted to do was to open a bakery so she needed to find a building. She knows she’s good at cooking and baking and found the perfect place in town to set up shop. The problem was the rent the new owner was charging was too high for her.
Iris learned the owner lived in a cabin in the mountains so she headed up there. She took some of her cookies to prove how good a baker she was and hopefully negotiate a lower rent on the building.
Griffin Chance left San Francisco a few years ago, grieving a tragedy that wrecked his life. He'd been keeping to himself in a remote cabin since then but his life was about to change, thanks to Iris. She's a determined woman whose cookies and friendship will make him want to live again.
They became friends, working through some difficult moments. The character development evolved at a good pace. The secondary characters were likable and help in the storyline. I loved the small town and Iris's family.
Their HEA didn't come easily for Iris and Griffin. But it was worth the heartbreak. Iris's family was very close, always willing to give hugs and advice.
There were a few things that didn't sit right with me in this book. I thought there was more description than needed. And Griffin said he was a cowboy but I didn't agree. He had TWO horses! The cover model was so bad. He looked nothing like the character who was very big with a long dark beard.
My rating is 3.5 stars
Iris learned the owner lived in a cabin in the mountains so she headed up there. She took some of her cookies to prove how good a baker she was and hopefully negotiate a lower rent on the building.
Griffin Chance left San Francisco a few years ago, grieving a tragedy that wrecked his life. He'd been keeping to himself in a remote cabin since then but his life was about to change, thanks to Iris. She's a determined woman whose cookies and friendship will make him want to live again.
They became friends, working through some difficult moments. The character development evolved at a good pace. The secondary characters were likable and help in the storyline. I loved the small town and Iris's family.
Their HEA didn't come easily for Iris and Griffin. But it was worth the heartbreak. Iris's family was very close, always willing to give hugs and advice.
There were a few things that didn't sit right with me in this book. I thought there was more description than needed. And Griffin said he was a cowboy but I didn't agree. He had TWO horses! The cover model was so bad. He looked nothing like the character who was very big with a long dark beard.
My rating is 3.5 stars
July 12, 2021
Iris Daniels is a woman on a mission, she wants to step out of her comfort zone, and experience life through new eyes. She wants an adventure... and she finds that and more when she meets mountain man Griffin Chance. He isn't like anyone else she knows, he's growly at times, handsome, and he sparks something in her that she has never known... but wants to explore! But that maybe easier thought than done, as he isn't too receptive to love or relationships... or anything closely related!
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass is a story of adventure, healing, finding love, and finding the courage to embrace the unknown. These two couldn't be more different, but the loss they carry in their hearts united them. Both have endured a lot of pain and loss in their lives, and it's left them with altered views on life and love. So much so that Griffin has hidden himself from the world and let his pain keep him from living. While Iris is taking a different approach, she is letting her pain fuel her to make a change in her life, experience new things and take the world by a storm. One little knock changed everything for them... and boy did I enjoy watching it all unfold!
This was such a heart-squeezing second chance romance, it came with heavy moments that weighed on the heart, but there were also happier moments to lighten the load and balance things out. I loved watching these two heal their hearts and give love a second chance, their beautiful story left quite the indent on my heart! Highly recommend!
I received an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, as part of Maisey's Grassroots Crew, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass is a story of adventure, healing, finding love, and finding the courage to embrace the unknown. These two couldn't be more different, but the loss they carry in their hearts united them. Both have endured a lot of pain and loss in their lives, and it's left them with altered views on life and love. So much so that Griffin has hidden himself from the world and let his pain keep him from living. While Iris is taking a different approach, she is letting her pain fuel her to make a change in her life, experience new things and take the world by a storm. One little knock changed everything for them... and boy did I enjoy watching it all unfold!
This was such a heart-squeezing second chance romance, it came with heavy moments that weighed on the heart, but there were also happier moments to lighten the load and balance things out. I loved watching these two heal their hearts and give love a second chance, their beautiful story left quite the indent on my heart! Highly recommend!
I received an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, as part of Maisey's Grassroots Crew, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 7, 2021
Iris has always been the caretaker. Even before her parents death she and her brother has always taken care of the siblings group and others. As she's watching everyone go on with their lives she's finally going to take a chance to start a new business but has to get though less then friendly Griffin to do so. Finally coming up with an agreement that works for both of she's finally out there doing her own thing but it worried she's still gonna be place as second and as the caretake as she slowly falls for Griffin.
I just really loved Iris's characters. Personally feel like she's the most relatable and couldn't help but root for her. She knows where she's comfortable at but is seen as boring and spinster-ish and wants to break out of that mold. She's finally doing something for herself and I kept hoping she would keep fighting for what she wants, that includes getting the guy. I mean she really like Griffin but was having a bit of confidence issues based on her upbringing and was worried that she would take second place and has always been kinda like that and didn't want that cycle to continue. She was cautious which was understandable. Then there was Griffin who was dealing with grief and isolating himself from those he loves because I loved seeing Iris bring him out in the light again. There was plenty of romance and steamy scenes. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it.
I just really loved Iris's characters. Personally feel like she's the most relatable and couldn't help but root for her. She knows where she's comfortable at but is seen as boring and spinster-ish and wants to break out of that mold. She's finally doing something for herself and I kept hoping she would keep fighting for what she wants, that includes getting the guy. I mean she really like Griffin but was having a bit of confidence issues based on her upbringing and was worried that she would take second place and has always been kinda like that and didn't want that cycle to continue. She was cautious which was understandable. Then there was Griffin who was dealing with grief and isolating himself from those he loves because I loved seeing Iris bring him out in the light again. There was plenty of romance and steamy scenes. Overall this was a pretty great book I really enjoyed it.
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May 9, 2021Sometimes a book just is what you need to read. There is a deep meaning that you need to hear or the main character seems to feel just the way you do. For me, The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass by Maisey Yates was something I needed to read. Iris Daniels was always what people wanted. She nurtured, cooked, cleaned, encouraged, prompted and pushed her siblings into adulthood. She did not have her own life outside that of the family. The fact that she is shy and quiet by nature did not help her.
Griffin Chance is hiding on a mountain, building a house for a woman who died for a life that is no more. He owns a building in town that Iris wants to rent to open up a bakery, but according to the management company the rent is too high for what she feels comfortable with. Iris figures out how to find him and attempts to get him to rent to her the building at a lower rate.
Griffin was not expecting Iris when she walked up his mountain with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. He did not expect to feel again. He did not expect to see Iris for the courageous woman she is. Iris did not expect to find Griffin, a mountain of man with grief so strongly entwined around him. Iris was used to be the one everyone counted on, not the one who deserved an all consuming love.
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass by Maisey Yates requires a complete box of tissues and a five star rating.
Griffin Chance is hiding on a mountain, building a house for a woman who died for a life that is no more. He owns a building in town that Iris wants to rent to open up a bakery, but according to the management company the rent is too high for what she feels comfortable with. Iris figures out how to find him and attempts to get him to rent to her the building at a lower rate.
Griffin was not expecting Iris when she walked up his mountain with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. He did not expect to feel again. He did not expect to see Iris for the courageous woman she is. Iris did not expect to find Griffin, a mountain of man with grief so strongly entwined around him. Iris was used to be the one everyone counted on, not the one who deserved an all consuming love.
The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass by Maisey Yates requires a complete box of tissues and a five star rating.
July 6, 2021
Maisey Yates wrote an intense, emotional, amazing love story in The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass, part of her Gold Valley series. Iris Daniels is the quintessential shy woman. She’s tired of being overlooked, forgotten, part of the background, taking care of everyone else. Ready to shake up her life, she created a business plan to open a bakery but the rent on the store she wants is out of her reach. At the suggestion of her sisters, she decides to barter the rent with the store’s landlord. Iris was not prepared for Griffin Chance, the gruff mountain man hiding from civilization. Iris recognizes the pain and hurt he is dealing with; she is less familiar with the attraction and feelings he stirs within her. Iris is ready for an adventure; shed her innocence. Griffin has forgotten how to feel, at least until hurricane Iris arrived and stirred up his life; reminding him how to live. The shared attraction and chemistry drives the connection between them; faster and deeper than either anticipated. Griffin will have to find a way to recover from the pain of his past before he can give Iris the love she deserves; the love she had sought.
Ms. Yates wrote a wonderful, intense, emotional and sizzling story that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with magnetism, chemistry, and charming characters giving Iris and Griffin a chance to find that happily ever after. I highly recommend The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms. Yates wrote a wonderful, intense, emotional and sizzling story that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with magnetism, chemistry, and charming characters giving Iris and Griffin a chance to find that happily ever after. I highly recommend The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
July 8, 2025
I felt sorry for Iris Daniels in several ways. First she lost her parents at a very young age then she became the mother for her younger siblings. She missed her growing up years of hanging with friends and dating. Not as pretty as her younger sisters she turned into a wallflower. Iris has dreams and plans and no way to carry them forward. She decides to open a bakery and finds a perfect location. The problem is the rent is out of her budget. Armed with her sensational chocolate chip cookies she heads up the mountain to have a conversation with Griffin Chance who owns her perfect location.
Griffin’s family died a few years ago. He is isolating himself from all human beings. He still has years of wallowing and throwing himself a pity party. Iris worms her way right in and Griffin doesn’t know what to do. He didn’t even know his business manager bought the building that he owns that Iris wants.
Both Iris and Griffin are hurting. I just wished the back and forth was shorter, it dragged the story. They are what the other needs but they have no owners manual on how to make that happen.
Griffin’s family died a few years ago. He is isolating himself from all human beings. He still has years of wallowing and throwing himself a pity party. Iris worms her way right in and Griffin doesn’t know what to do. He didn’t even know his business manager bought the building that he owns that Iris wants.
Both Iris and Griffin are hurting. I just wished the back and forth was shorter, it dragged the story. They are what the other needs but they have no owners manual on how to make that happen.
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June 24, 2021Iris Daniels’ parents died when she was 14, leaving her and her 18 year old brother to raise their younger siblings and cousins. While her brother was running the ranch, Iris stepped in as the parent figure, putting her own needs on hold. Now 31, with everyone living their own lives, Iris is ready to begin living hers. When she decides to open her own bakery, she must approach Griffin Chance, a hermit after the death of his wife and child. They will each need to face the ghosts of their past in order to move on with their lives and face a future.
Overall, Maisey Yates’s The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass is a decent light romance book. While the character development could be somewhat better, the characters are not two-dimensional, as we sometimes see in books. Over the story line develops well. My main complaint is the overuse of the virgin woman trope. Can we be done with that already?
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.
Overall, Maisey Yates’s The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass is a decent light romance book. While the character development could be somewhat better, the characters are not two-dimensional, as we sometimes see in books. Over the story line develops well. My main complaint is the overuse of the virgin woman trope. Can we be done with that already?
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.
August 8, 2021
Iris is the final Daniels sibling that is still single, not including the cousins. Since she was the oldest girl she helped her brother raise the other kids when their parents were killed… but not she is ready for her own life. She wants outside her comfort zone and has a plan to do that by opening a bakery in town. Griffin is new to Gold Valley, at they think he is since no one really knows who he is. He is dealing with his own trauma, and it is a doozy. I expected Iris since we have gotten to know her in other books. I expected her past and what it did to her… but I was in no way expecting Griffin. He ripped my heart out time and time again. His story was so just sad, yet a prefect pairing for Iris. I really though the last Gold Valley book was going to end up my favorite of this part of the series, but this one took over that spot immediately. I can’t see what awaits in the next book.
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