4.5 Stars

Olivia Logan is smarting from her break-up with Bennett Dodge, the man she always thought she’d marry. He didn’t propose, and she broke it off with him, but Bennett doesn’t seem very upset, and Olivia’s worried she made a mistake. Having a few run-ins with Luke Hollister, the smug, handsome cowboy who’s always guaranteed to irritate her, makes Bennett sit up and take notice and so they hatch a mutually beneficial plan to make him jealous.

Olivia’s come off as a prissy, uptight character in the last few books, and her relationship with Bennett seemed completely without chemistry. The first 20% or so of the book I was wondering if I’d ever warm up to Olivia, but then the reasons she was so controlled and cold started coming out, and I completely understood. Luke ruffles her feathers whenever they’re together and her carefully controlled composure unravels, brining out a desires and passion she never knew she had and it terrifies her!

Luke seemed totally opposite, carefree, happy, the consummate player, but he also set himself apart and controlled the relationships he’s had over the years for his own reasons. Everyone likes him, and Luke has no problem charming the pants off any woman, except for Olivia, and he loves riling her! Their “fake” dates spark real feelings quickly, and Luke feels a fierce possessiveness for Olivia he’s never felt with any other woman.

One of the many things I love about Maisy Yates’ romances it the depth and layers of her characters. Olivia seemed like such a stuck-up prude at first, but the some of her layers are peeled back to show why she acted that way, and while she’s pretty straight laced, Olivia’s a warm-blooded woman underneath it all, with a whole big heart ready to love. Same with Luke; he just seems kind like a love-them-and-leave-them sort of guy, just out for a good time, but he’s so much more than that and it takes their pairing to start uncovering the real Luke and Olivia, and oh my, was it steamy!

Maisey Yates was a new to me author last year and since then I’ve picked up several of her romances and have not been disappointed! At first glance her stories seem like light, fun-loving romances, but there’s a depth to them that make them so much more satisfying and heartfelt. Smooth-Talking Cowboy is related to the Copper Ridge series, and the first book in the Golden Valley series, but it’s not necessary to read any of the prior books to enjoy it.

A copy was kindly provided by HQN Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

I really enjoy Maisey Yates books. You can call me a fan girl – I’ll take it. I consider her my comfort read author and she always delivers for me. Smooth-Talking Cowboy is the first in her Gold Valley series, a neighboring town to her Copper Ridge series. More cowboys and small town fun – and I’m still enjoying.

Olivia, or Liv, has been dating Bennett for a year. They grew up together, and when they started dating, it didn’t shock anyone. But – when Bennett did not propose to Liv over Christmas, as she expected, she broke up with him, fully expecting him to realize his mistake and beg her back. But he doesn’t. This makes Liv upset and sad. Liv likes her life orderly. She is very prim and proper and likes everything in her control. Growing up, her twin sister was wild, and eventually got into heavy drugs and ran away. This put enormous strain on her parents, so Liv did everything she could to be the perfect daughter and not cause problems. This has carried forward as an adult – always trying to be perfect. It would have been perfect to have a Christmas proposal, and she didn’t get that and it has thrown her life into a bit of a tail spin.

When she gets a flat tire one day on her way to work at the local winery, none other than Luke is the one that drives by and helps her out. Luke is one of Bennett’s best friends. Luke lost a lot in his childhood, and found himself wandering around at the age of sixteen. He made it to the “Get Out of Dodge” ranch where he fell in love with ranching and hard work. Grant, Wyatt and Bennett (brothers) took him in and considered him family. Luke is one of those gruff cowboys – wears his hat low, rolls up his sleeves, and probably cares more about cattle than people. He has secretly loved Liv since he was eighteen, but she was always hooked to Bennett’s side. So now they are broken up, she starts to get under his skin more.

Luke wants to buy property for sale by Liv’s father – but her father is very picky about who he will sell it to. Liv wants to make Bennett jealous – so they come up with a plan. Luke will pretend to date Liv, if Liv puts in a good word to her dad so Luke can buy the property. Guess what happens?? Liv and Luke fall in love along the way.

I really enjoyed this romance – there is really good sexual tension…

“I don’t,” she said, sniffing loudly. “I don’t believe in indulgence for the sake of it.”

He reached out and grabbed hold of the fork, taking a large slice off the cinnamon roll and putting the bite in his mouth slowly. So very slowly. It was gratuitous. It forced her to watch the motion of his lips, the play of his throat as he swallowed.

“I do,” he said finally. “Whiskey and cinnamon rolls. I do it because it feels good.”

“Not me,” she whispered. She wouldn’t have been able to make her voice louder now if she wanted to.

“Try it,” he said, his voice holding more temptation than all the butter in the cinnamon roll ever could. “You might find it’s not as scary as you think.”

…dirty sex and a great grovel scene at the end.

“I was wrong, Liv. I was flat-out wrong. I want the chance to explain myself.” Hank honked his horn again. Luke hit the side of his truck with his open palm and hung his head out the window again. “Hank! I’m declaring my love here. Don’t make a scene.”

Come on, Hank!

I’m weak for cowboys that have sexy forearms, who drive big trucks, and have lots of stubble. Weak, I tell you!!! Luke knows exactly how to push Liv’ buttons so that he gets that judgmental “sniff” out of Liv – and it drives her insane.

“I’m not stuck-up,” she said, bristling.

He shifted in his seat and her eyes were drawn to where his hand was wrapped around his glass. He had strong hands. A working man’s hands. Callused and rough, vaguely dirty around the fingernails even when they were clean.

She imagined that they’d be rough to the touch.

That they would scrape against her skin.

If she were to shake hands with him, or something. Because there were no circumstances otherwise under which they would ever touch.

She looked away.

“Okay, Olivia.” His tone was so maddeningly placating it made her want to punch him.

Liv eventually realizes that she loves the thought of Bennett – but not Bennett himself. Then she is faced with Luke – who brings out passion in her that she didn’t know existed.

There are a few things that may not work for all though. I’ll just lay them out. First, Luke has slept with a gazillion women and Liv is a virgin. I know – been there done that.

Luke calls Liv “Kiddo” throughout the entire book. Thinking in my personal life, if my husband called me Kiddo, I’d be like – WTF??? But then I think of some of the other nicknames he calls me and maybe we are all weird and Kiddo is okay. But to me, Kiddo lends into the – Luke is the more experienced and Liv is the naive one – and I don’t know. Take it as you will.

I’m already in love with Wyatt, Grant and Bennett. I’m ready for their books!

Grade: B

Smooth-Talking Cowboy is the first book in Maisey Yates’ new Gold Valley series, and it has all of the charm and romance that you’d expect of a small-town romance. Olivia and Luke are opposites and drive each other a little crazy. When they decide to pretend that they’re in a relationship to make Olivia’s ex-boyfriend jealous, they begin to see each in a whole new light and start to admire some of the things that make them so different. A fierce attraction ignites and their chemistry proves to be irresistible, but Olivia has to decide if her heart is free or if it still belongs to her ex.

Luke and Logan are both endearing characters with interesting backstories, and they are perfectly matched. Smooth-Talking Cowboy is a lovely opposites-attract story with a captivating blend of heartfelt romance and steamy love scenes.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

First of all, I would like to say that my copy of this book had two stories and I am very happy for that. If I had paid for the book (I got an ARC people, I am not a pirate) I would have loved getting two stories for the price of one! I have to admit that due to lack of time I haven't read the second story, but I had mostly good feelings about the main story. Second, this book is connected with a previous series and Olivia appears there, but there is no need to have read it in order to enjoy this one. I haven't and I had no problem getting into this book.

The weird thing about me and this book was the way I liked the characters. In the beginning, I was a little worried that we would have a lot of drama with Olivia's feelings for Bennett and I wasn't very happy with her and her "love" for him. I liked Luke and the way he was courting her. Then Luke who was the good guy changed (nothing drastic don't worry) and started singing another tune which seemed out of place and character. I felt like this change was just a plot to create friction and drama. In the meantime, I had begun liking Olivia more and more because she had started to grow as a character and she was becoming a person I could relate to. She went from the "a little annoying heroine" to a person I actually liked. Good for her and the book!

Despite my hot and cold feelings for the characters I liked the story and I would recommend the book. I can't wait to see what the author plans to do with the other characters we saw in this story.

Loved!

Everyone who read Christmastime Cowboy knew that Olivia's relationship with Bennett was missing something--I for one was beyond excited to see her get her HEA, and was so glad that it did not disappoint! (If you haven't read it, though, no worries--technically it's a different series anyway and everything you need to know about her prior relationship shows up here too.) Olivia and Luke were fantastic together, and obviously their relationship was a long time coming, even though both of them seemed determined to deny it as long as possible...

(Fortunately for us, that wasn't very long!)

I'll admit, I wasn't a huge Olivia fan in the beginning--at the book's start (and in the last book she showed up in) she was very prickly and proper and just didn't seem all that relatable. The more Ms. Yates brought us into her head, though, the more sympathetic Olivia became. Soon, thoughts like this made me an Olivia fan:
Luke made a very masculine sound of satisfaction and stretched out on the bed beside her, above the covers, still unconcerned with the fact that he didn't have anything on. She was a bit concerned by it. Because she couldn't concentrate with him like that. Not at all.
I hear you, sister.

Like every other Maisey Yates book I've read (how on earth does she write such awesome books with fantastic characters so quickly? Not that I'm complaining, mind), Smooth-Talking Cowboy managed to make me laugh, swoon, and reach for a fan in equal measures. The Dodge brothers (Olivia's ex and his two older brothers) are clearly being set up as future series heroes (one of them with Olivia's boss Lindsey--woot!), and I. Cannot. Wait!

Also--a (literal) bonus to this book--one of the Copper Ridge Desire's novels is included! Rebecca's brother (from Last Chance Rebel ) gets his own HEA in Seduce Me, Cowboy :)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I really had trouble getting into the book initially and getting caught up in the emotions of the characters. The storyline was good, but it just didn’t stand out in my mind amongst other books in the genre. The blurb was great, but overall the book just fell flat for me.

Smooth-Talking Cowboy is the first book in the Gold Valley series by Maisey Yates. Olivia and Luke are quite the unlikely pairing. They've known each other a long time, but they are complete opposites. Luke is the town player, and Olivia is the town golden child. They don't particularly like each other either, but once they start spending time with each other, the sparks start to fly... even though they're both in denial about it. It's just a fling! This was a fun story, and Luke was far more complex than I thought he would be. I enjoyed both characters, and they're story was cute and steamy.

'There was only one word that echoed inside of her. A word that didn’t make any sense, but one that shouted loudly nonetheless.
Finally.'

It’s great to be back on the Oregon coast with Maisey Yates and her signature swoony cowboys—even if we have moved a town over, to Gold Valley.

Actually, that makes it sound like the move wasn’t wanted or warranted, but it was. After a long-running-but-excellent series set in Copper Ridge, it’s actually kind of wonderful to be somewhere somewhat familiar, but also new. It made a great foundation, not just for this story, but for the new Gold Valley series, and I couldn’t have been happier to see fresh faces, especially when they mixed with familiar ones.

Smooth-Talking Cowboy was a little bit of a slow starter for me, but within a few chapters, it started moving and I started getting very, very invested in Luke and Olivia. And falling very deeply in book boyfriend love with Luke.

He is one smooth, sexy cowboy—charming but hiding a past that left him bruised. I did enjoy the way he developed and recognized the changes Olivia wrought in him, and some of his more caveman reactions made my heart get all fluttery. I’m so easy when it comes to a Smooth-Talking Cowboy . . .

All in all, this one left me happy—to be back in Oregon, to have seen Olivia find her HEA after a couple of memorable appearances in previous books, and to know that Smooth-Talking Cowboy is just the beginning.

'He kissed her. Kissed her like it was going to save them both, even though odds were it would only ruin them. Kissed her because he wanted to. And she wanted him.
Olivia Logan. She was going to be his. His finally.'

~ 4.5 STARS ~

This is my first title by Maisey Yates, and I definitely enjoyed it. I liked her writing style and I loved the way the characters seemed to take on a life of their own.

Luke and Olivia have known one another forever, but she has decided he is not the perfect one for her, and that she wants the man her father, and the town thinks she should be with. She has this life planned out, she knows what she thinks she wants, and is adorably frustrated when life fails to follow her plans. Luke is one of those things that are NOT in Olivia's life plan. He is totally wrong for her...or so she thinks. And, as there is nothing between them, playing that they are dating to make Bennett jealous is a no risk solution to the problem.

Right?

Wrong.

The story itself isn't all that original...but the way it is told definitely is. I related to the characters, they seemed like the kind of people you meet, and know, in real life. I feel like I could go to the bar with Luke and hang out at the winery with Olivia.

There were parts that I thought the secondary characters had a little too much of the story line, but that is not uncommon in the first book of the series, and it is not something that ruined the story.

I am looking forward to the next titles in the series.

Maisey Yates truly scared me with this first novel in her new Gold Valley series. Usually I'm hooked from the first page and stay that way through to the last, but not this time. Although I'd met the heroine, Olivia Logan, as a secondary characters in Ms. Yates' Copper Ridge series, which I loved, from the get-go in this novel, I couldn't stand her. Usually I love her heroines, they're sassy and snarky, and the kind of gals you'd love to hang out with, but instead of sassy and snarky, Olivia is snippy, snide, and way too proper, prissy, uptight and prudish, which is why I wanted to only give this novel 4.5 stars, mainly for making me think I'd have to put up with her snippy attitude for an entire novel. I should have trusted Ms. Yates, because by the end of this novel I totally empathized with her, and because I was so wrapped up in this story and its characters, once again, it was a 5-star read.

When we first see Olivia, she's standing at the roadside in a total snit because she has a flat tire and is on her way to work. She can't call her boyfriend, Bennett Dodge, because she ended their year-long relationship when he didn't propose to her at Christmas, and she also can't call his older brother, Wyatt for obvious reasons. Then, along comes her rescuer, the long-time thorn in her side, the flirtatious charmer, Luke Hollister, in his beat-up truck, offering to drive her to work, return to her car and fix her flat tire. I was charmed by Luke's easygoing manner, Olivia not so much, especially when she acts like what she is, entitled local royalty, and far too good for the likes of Luke, something he truly believes too--but that's about to change in a major way.

Luke, while charming, lighthearted, and handsome at the outset, is proof of the "still waters run deep" adage. He has no one but himself. While he's lived and worked on the Dodge ranch for the past two decades, he's never felt like a member of the family that took him in when he turned up, alone and emotionally lost at age 16. He's been working hard to earn his keep there ever since. When the Dodge sons left the ranch, one by one, Luke stayed on, and now that the brothers have returned and are trying to turn the ranch into a dude ranch/tourist destination, he's still there, but little by little, he's getting the urge for something more, and that something more is a piece of ranch property on the other side of Gold Valley, up for sale by Olivia's father.

Olivia regrets having dumped Bennett, one of the Dodge brothers, and she hatches a plot to make him jealous, a plot that requires Luke's assistance as her faux boyfriend. So, in exchange for putting in a good word with her father about Luke wanting to purchase that piece of Logan land, he agrees to be her fake boyfriend in her attempt to make Bennett realize how much he wants her back. What Olivia doesn't realize is that for Luke, there's nothing fake about his feelings for her. The fake relationship trope always works for me, and this novel is no exception, but up until this point, I still wasn't liking Olivia.

I've said in previous reviews of Ms. Yates' novels that she has a unique ability to give her characters depth--so much so, in fact, that they begin to feel as though you truly know them. When we delve beneath the surface of the two lead characters in this novel, to discover who they really are, why they are the way they are, and why they act the way they do, these characters truly come to life, and take on a reality of their own. When Luke and Olivia finally reveal themselves to one another, and to the reader, get ready for more than just the fireworks these two generate, get ready to care deeply about what they think and feel and how you feel about them and hold on tight, because you're in for one deeply emotional, roller-coaster of a read, that will have you rooting hard for both of them.

What I can tell you is that if you've not yet read any of Maisey Yates' wonderful, heartwarming, sexy and sweet novels, what are you waiting for? She's an amazing storyteller with excellent writing skills, and a deep understanding of the human heart and psyche, and this novel is the perfect example of that.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

4 1/2 STARS!

Opposites attract ... and turn into a sizzling duo in the kick-off to Maisey Yates's new Gold Valley series! If you've been reading the Copper Ridge series, you'll recognize a few characters that carry over into this new town. It's always fun to touch base with old couples that we've fallen in love with and see new ones start to form. The characters are down-to-earth and easy to get caught up in and I really enjoyed their story!

Olivia Logan didn't expect her ex-boyfriend Bennett to actually let her walk away when she broke up with him. She really just planned to teach him a lesson about taking her for granted ... but it back-fired! She'd do just about anything for him to want a future with her ... even pretend to date one of his closest friends!

Luke Hollister and Olivia are like oil and water. He's had a crush on her since the day he met her, but she's always been off-limits ... and totally not his type to boot! She wants his help making Bennett jealous ... and he wants her help getting her dad to sell a piece of property to him ... so why not! The more time they spend together, the more the sparks flying seem real!

Luke is a rough and tumble cowboy who wants nothing than to buy land, build a house, and raise cattle. He is loyal to the core and willing to work from dawn to dusk, his body is a testament to how hard he works. Getting sucked into helping a friend try to get back at her ex-boyfriend, Luke learns he is in love with her. Watching Luke process the loss of his mother, leaving the only job he has ever had and learning how to love was quite spectacular.

Olivia has never, ever ventured off the path her parents created for her. From living in the cottage her mother decorated to dating men her father chose for her, Olivia lived that life. When her boyfriend doesn’t propose, she pulls out all the stops to make him see the error of his ways. Using Luke to help her cause, Olivia experiences many firsts. Her heart takes no time in falling in love with Luke, only to be pushed away.

Luke and Olivia had sparks flying from the first page, it is an enemy to lovers story that had me wishing for more. The chemistry is off the charts, it carries throughout their relationship, they love hard and they fight hard. Seeing the two of them learn to explore their feelings and become stronger individuals made them a better lovers and a more mature couple. Ms. Yates keeps the story moving along so smoothly, the readers attention is easily kept from page one through the epilogue. The secondary characters add so much to the story; yet leaves us yearning to know more about them. Smooth Talking Cowboy is a western romance that could easily cross genres and make Gold Valley a visit for all romance lovers!

Luke has worked on the Dodge ranch for the last 20 years since he was a troubled teen. He stayed when the owner’s son Bennett wasn’t interested in the day to day running of the ranch but now Bennett wants to make changes that Luke isn’t onside with so he has decided that he would like his own place and he knows just the piece of land he wants.

Olivia is a twin and while her sister experienced the wild side of life she has always done what was expected of her and never caused anyone any concerns. She and her boyfriend Bennett were involved in a relationship for a long time but when she wanted something permanent he balked and now she finds herself newly single.
After Luke rescues her on the side of the road they forge an agreement where he will help her make Bennett jealous and she agrees to talk to her father and see if she can convince him to sell the land that he owns to Luke.

Luke has a way of saying just the thing that is sure to get her riled up and he loves seeing her reaction. Luke has never looked to the future and Maisey wants the security of having her future mapped out but will these two opposites find out they are more than just an arrangement? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This was great..We have the bad boy cowboy and the stiff upper lip girl fall in love..

The story is filled with sarcastic witty banter between Luke and Olivia and some introspection that has them both find out more about themselves.

Luke is the quiet cowboy who everyone likes but no one really knows. He has a heartbreaking past that he hides and deals with his pain by smiling and joking. He also loves to get Olivia’s goat and has been in love with her since he first laid eyes on her but this he denied.

Olivia is the stiff upper lip good girl who is trying to be everything her parents want because she wants their love and approval and not to remind them of her twin. She fears she will be her twin and it stifles her. It also has her not seeing that her parents love her unconditionally.

both are allowing fear to control them. Luke because he fears his love and himself isn’t enough based on his past.Olivia because she fears she will be her sister and settles for safety. Safety in her life and who she is. She doesn’t drink, doesn’t show passion and has to have things her way. We see this with Bennett. Bennett is a good guy but not right for Olivia..He feels obligated to be with her and protect her and never believes he can love someone and she wants the life he can give. It doesn’t happen and this is where our crazy plot comes in and it is liking a moth to flame for Luke and Olivia.

Luke has never really felt he belonged anywhere. He loves the get out of dodge ranch but sees it going in a direction he isn’t excited about. He loves ranching and he loves the land. So much that he has poured all his love, sweat and tears into it for the Dodge’s but doesn’t really feel that the brothers realize it or care at times. We see him get a realization that this isn’t the case but you can see why he feels that way in the book. So he is set on buying land from Olivia’s father only he has been picky about who he sells to..He sees an opportunity..Olivia wants Bennett back (although Luke sees that neither cares for the other) and he wants the land so he works out a way for them both to get what they want only it backfires and both fall in love with the other.

The attraction between these two is through the roof. You even see it in their sarcastic banter and how they drive each other nuts. Luke pushes her buttons but also gets her to live. Olivia gets Luke to feel and want more than just to be a cowboy but someone to love and be loved..

these two seem all wrong for each other but as you watch them interact and fall in love you see they are what the other needs. Luke needs someone to make him feel whole and loved and want to take a chance with and Olivia needs someone who sees her and accepts her no matter what. Someone who doesn’t want to protect her but support her and be her partner. Someone to give her passion and love with support and understanding..and this is Luke..Only they do both have inner demons to face..

Thanks to Luke, Olivia faces hers faster than he does but his are ones that he has taken to heart for a long time. It is Bennett who helps him realize his fear and open his eyes. It is also Bennett that has him realize that the Dodge’s see him as family but he was waiting for Olivia to come into his life to start one of his own and lay down roots. It was Olivia that he wanted to have a home with and that is why he waited to go out on his own. They learn that fear is good to have but when it stifles you you miss out on alot and don’t live. when you overcome it and let someone in you gain so much and more...

The characters have you fall in love with them from the beginning. Their story has you smile and keeps you in the moment to the end as you go on this wild fun entertaining ride with Luke and Olivia as they find their way to overcome their fears and fall in love with each other.

I absolutely loved this story. I pretty much inhaled it when I first read it, and then started to read it again.
Olivia Logan and Luke Hollister just won my heart over, with their characters and with the life lessons they learned on the way. The connection between them was solid, real, passionate, and lasting. They had known each other for twenty years and through those years an odd-kind of deep-rooted friendship had developed between them that had always included a lot of teasing, banter, and arguments that had the air around them virtually vibrating.
Olivia was the 'good twin' that had always been very goal oriented, a plan-maker, who had stamina and guts to go after what she wanted, or what she thought would be good for her, and for the image of her that she did her best to uphold for her parents' sake. They had enough heartache with her troubled twin, so Olivia was determined never to cause any waves, problems, or gossip that her parents had to endure because of her.
Luke is the kind of man everyone likes. He has the easy smiles, the way to smooth things over, to keep everyone happy and smiling, no drama, no deep emotions, no close relationship, and a smile that quite didn't reach his eyes. Yet inside there was a man who had loved deeply and lost everything. He was a loyal, hard-working, kind, generous, good-hearted fella who had no need for relationships or feelings. Until Olivia's flat tire, break up with Bennett, and the pretend boyfriend he promised to be to irritate the ex.
The heart to heart talks between Olivia and Luke, and even with Bennett, the secrets and hidden thoughts they share, the life lessons they learn, and the a-ha moments with their lives they have were insightful, inspirational, and encouraging. I love it when a story speaks to my heart and Smooth-Talking Cowboy definitely did that to me.
I fell in love with Olivia and Luke, with their loyalty, vulnerability, honesty, and eagerness to grasp for what life has to offer for them. There is so much passion, love, and tender feelings between them, so many swoon-worthy moments that had me sighing. They learn, grow, and develop as the story progress, yet their never loss that quirky banter and joy-filled humor that made me smile repeatedly. They might seem like the opposite at the first glance, but when they open up their hearts and minds to each other, there is likeness there and a conjunction that will last a lifetime.
It is no secret that I adore Maisey Yates' writing, there is always something in her stories that hit me in my heart and stays there. Smooth-Talking cowboy is an alluring, unputdownable story that I highly recommend to all the readers who love tales with deep, ardent emotions and charming characters who are easy to relate to and who grow and thrive as the story progress.
~ Five Spoons!

I'm a big Maisey Yates fan so when I got to read this - I was excited!! I love these books and one is just better to me at least than the one before it.

I fell in love with Luke - I mean he was such a genuine character to me and he loved, I mean LOVED to rile up Olivia and she took the bait every time. This book is a book that has been done time and time again, but here is how this author does things differently - she gives you 2 characters that are totally likeable right from the start, throws in a plot that is worth reading and let's the story grow. Some authors don't do this. They throw a lot of sex in there and profanity and mess it up. I came away wanting to read this book again because you have a heroine that's relatable, a hero that's fallible, and supporting characters that make the storyline develop. Olivia is a hot mess because she's always got to be in control of every aspect of her life, Luke's always having to mess with that order some way and some how. It was the perfect formula for me. Will I be reading the authors next one...Yep!!

I was given an ARC copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect anyone else's.

Ever start reading a novel and sense immediately that everything is going to click? That's how I felt about Smooth-Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates.

The characters feel instantly real. While I didn't immediately connect with Olivia who starts out as a control-freak who needs to plan every part of her life or else feels as if it's out-of-control, I came to like her character. She allowed herself to change and start living.

Luke is combustible. He likes to live his life without complications, without the possibility of attachment, because if you never get attached, you never get hurt. In some ways, Olivia and Luke are like souls who have just been waiting for each other.

The characters have real chemistry and swoon. Turn a fan on when they get together. While the sex isn't overly graphic, it's like a slow burn that catches your attention and doesn't let go.

I've never read a Maisey Yates novel before, but I can assure you this won't be the last. Yo, cowboy!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net-Galley, the publisher and author for an ARC of this story. These are my thoughts and only my thoughts on this story.

I enjoyed this story, what starts out as a fake relationship between Olivia and Luke. The plan was to make Bennett ex boyfriend to Olivia jealous. Olivia is the good girl never get into trouble or do anything that might be gossiped about because her twin sister was the total opposite. I hope get the sisters story as she wasn't in this story just a little background to explain why Olivia is the way she is.

Luke a hot lick-able cowboy. He has not had an easy life, he works hard for what he has and what he wants, secrets being kept from those close to him. He hides his true self from everyone even himself in a way.

I loved the chemistry between the characters. I loved the secondary characters as well and look forward to more books from this series.
I gave this book 4 stars for the fact that it was easy to put down for me, but the story is very good. One Click and see for yourself.

Smooth-Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates is the first book in the Gold Valley series. This series is connected to her Copper Ridge series so you may see some characters you have met before. Which is perfect for me. I always love to meet up with old friends. Olivia and Luke are complete opposites of each other.

Olivia is a prudish. She is naïve and sheltered. Her entire life she has dreamed of being a Rancher's wife. One rancher particular. She can't help that she just happened to have ended her relationship with him because he would not agree to Marry her as quickly as she wanted.

Luke hard working cowboy. Arrogant and a bit of a smart*** Alpha male so sure of himself that everyone knows he is a playboy. So when he sees a way to get his best friends feathers ruffled and a chance to get a piece of land he has had his mind on for a while he jumps at it. Even if his best friends ex makes him think thoughts he knows he vary well shouldn't be.

I absolutely adored this book. I could not put it down. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. Thank you for such an amazing read.

Will appear at Romance Reviews Today soon... http://romrevtoday.com/
SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY – Maisey Yates
A Perfect 10
A Gold Valley Novel, Book 1
HQN
ISBN: 978-1-335-00698-1
February 2018
Contemporary Romance

Gold Valley, Oregon – Present Day

Olivia Logan spent two years in a romantic relationship with Bennett Dodge, but at Christmas she realized he wasn’t in love with her, so she broke it off. One day, she’s on her way to work when she gets a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere, but Luke Hollister stops and gives her a ride to her job at the winery. Olivia has known Luke for years, since he moved to Gold Valley and started working for the Dodge family. Their relationship is somewhat contentious, as Luke has that bad boy vibe that shouldn’t interest good girl Olivia. But there’s this hum of attraction between them that she’s never noticed before…until now.

Since Olivia reached adulthood, Luke has had an inkling of interest in her, but he’s backed off, mainly because he doesn’t infringe on his friends’ girlfriends, and because she’s way too good for him. After an encounter at the bar between them that have people buzzing, Luke suggests they pretend to be involved to make Bennett jealous. Olivia agrees, even if her good girl reputation might take a hit. Luke soon realizes that being around Olivia only drives him crazy with need for her. She’s sassy and stubborn, which turns him on. Hot kisses lead them down a path neither expects.

Olivia thought Bennett was her perfect mate and her world revolved around him, even though it was she who put in most of the effort. She thought for sure there’d be a Christmas proposal, but there wasn’t, and she ended up breaking off with him in full view of people in town. After Olivia’s encounter with Luke, first with the flat tire and then in the local bar, tongues are soon wagging, and Bennett’s eyebrows are raised. What a perfect setup…make the man she loves jealous.

But being around Luke has other feelings emerging for Olivia, unlike what she feels for Bennett and it scares her. Olivia has a twin sister who left town after terrorizing their parents with her bad behavior. For her family’s sake, Olivia has to remain the good girl. But Luke definitely has her thinking about doing some bad things with him. Olivia fights her feelings for Luke, but will it turn out to be a losing cause? Meanwhile, Luke starts to wonder if it’s time to be his own boss. Turns out Olivia’s father has some prime property. Will this cowboy soon have his own ranch?

Olivia and Luke are interesting and fun characters, and if readers are like me, not only will you be rooting for them to get together, but you’ll hate to see SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY end. This is the reason that I had to give it one of Romance Reviews Today’s rare Perfect 10’s. SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY is the first book in the Gold Valley series by Maisey Yates and is loosely connected to her popular Copper Ridge series.

SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY is for all the good girls out there who are waiting for the right guy to help bring out their inner badness. There’s just something about a sexy cowboy that connects to readers. Grab this gem and start your next reading adventure.

Patti Fischer