As I've learned to expect, a beautifully written and fun read. Yates writes wonderfully believable stories with flawed but truly good heroes and heroines

Maisey Yates has done it again. This is a great romance book. This is a book you would want to read. The characters are amazing.

Rancher’s Wild Secret (Gold Valley Vineyards #1). By Maisey Yates. 2019. Harlequin Desire (ARC eBook).

Holden McCall has come to Gold Valley to get revenge on the Maxfield Winery’s owner, James Maxfield, for hurting his sister. Working undercover as the newly hired hand at the Maxfield’s family vineyard, he seeks damning evidence against the man. But one of Maxfield’s daughters, Emerson, catches his eye; and she makes no qualms about also seeking him out before she is stuck in a hopelessly loveless marriage to a man her father chose.

A sexy revenge romance with Emerson and her sisters being tested by their father’s betrayals and Holden realizing that his revenge could very well destroy his future happiness. A quick read which made the characters feel a bit underdeveloped. But overall, Rancher’s Wild Secret is an entertaining beginning to a new series.

Truth time--I didn't read the blurb for this one at all; I just saw it was a Maisey Yates book and couldn't even see the blurb over my own grabby hands. So I started it knowing absolutely nothing beyond the title and it was a new series--so certain aspects of the plot took me a teensy bit by surprise.

Steamy sex scenes? Complicated hero? Hero and heroine who think they know themselves but who actually don't have a clue? Totally expecting. Dark, deep revenge plot? Took me a bit by surprise. (Again, could have been solved by reading the blurb. But obviously that's not how I roll.) Once I got over my aggravation with them (really, Holden? How did you truly think any of this was going to make your sister feel better? Thank goodness he had Emerson to do his heavy lifting there) and they allowed themselves to even think about reaching for an HEA, though, I couldn't put the darn thing down.

Though, honestly, that was what I expected, going in. Now how long must we wait for book 2? ;) (Probably not that long, honestly. I don't understand how she has so much time to write, with all of the beautiful knitting I see her doing on Instagram. Doesn't she sleep?)

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I was not sure I was going to enjoy this book. I am not usually a fan of revenge book, but it was a Maisey Yates book so i thought i would give it z try. I am so glad i did. It was very good. I was also very steamy.

Thank you netgalley and harlequin for allowing me to read this title for an honest review. I highly recommend this book.

Revenge, passion, deep, bold emotions, pretentious facades hiding secrets that are causing family drama...
A breathtaking quick read with a raw ardent coupling that gets a chance to be something more, bigger, deeper, and real while Holden McCall works on his vengeance towards Emerson Maxfield's father.
I love Yates' style of storytelling and her ability to adjust the writing to a different category, even while writing in the same series and their spinoffs. This story, part of the new spinoff and Desire books in Harlequin, had the focus on the fierily igniting, undeniable lust the protagonists have for each other. There was still space for drama, and most importantly the characters to grow and develop, find their selves while finding a new normal in their lives while desperately falling in love.
An intensely fervent tale of hunger for more, in love as well in life, that surely brings on the heat and entertains.
~ Four Spoons

Rancher’s Wild Secret by Maisey Yates is a sexy revenge romance for a man seeking payback only to find himself falling for his enemy’s daughter.

Emerson Maxfield doesn’t know what to think of her father’s new hired ranch hand at the family vineyard. Something about him makes her want to test the chemistry arcing between them.

Holden has been waiting for his chance to get revenge on James Maxfield, Emerson’s father, for seducing and discarding his younger sister, leaving her struggling to deal with a miscarriage, then attempting suicide and being institutionalized. Clearly Emerson has no idea of the man her father really is under his fancy suits and suave demeanor. Holden wants to make James pay, and ensure he can’t damage another young woman again. If he has to do it by seducing his enemy’s daughter, so be it.

Emerson and Holden have amazing chemistry and bring this book to life.

Emerson Maxfield is the perfect pawn for rancher Holden McCall’s purposes. She’s engaged to a man solely to win her father’s approval, and the sheltered beauty never steps out of line. Until one encounter changes everything. Now this good girl must marry Holden to protect her family—or their desire could spell downfall for them all.
This was a great story by a great author. I’ve read a number of her books and they don’t disappoint. I really liked both main characters as well as the plot. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Emerson and Holden meet and tge attraction us immediate. This is nit my favorite start to a story, however, the author makes their relationship work. Their connection is immediate and then they work on building a friendship and marriage.

When Emerson realizes what started as adversarial has grown into love she tells Holden. He runs scared and only after talking with his emotionally scarred sister, does he realize he lives Emerson too and goes back to tell her and try to save the marriage.

An easy read and quick story. Not my favorite but enjoyable. Hoping book 2 is an improvement.

I received a free ARC eBook from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the quintessential romance of rich girl and bad boy made self made millionaire. This book is a quick enjoyable read.

The first book in a new series always introduces many characters, but only a glimpse of most of them. Emerson Maxfield is the oldest daughter of James Maxfield, owner of Maxfield Vineyards. She loves the winery and has made it her life's work, realizing that she and her sisters have grown up with lots of privileges because of it. So much so, that she is willing to give up any future chance at love, by agreeing to marry a man her father picked out for her, a man who has no interested in her, only the share of the business he will receive when she become she bride. So it is against her nature to be attracted to Holden Brown, the new ranch hand. But she has never felt chemistry like this with a man before. A one night stand turns into a black mailed trip to Vegas for a wedding, because Holden has a secret and is out for revenge. But can Emerson turn this marriage real? The book finished, way too soon for me and I am ready to read the next installment- perhaps about Emerson's sister Wren and her love/hate relationship with their main competitor?

I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Emerson Maxfield has been engaged for two years to the man her father chose for her. Unfortunately, she feels no spark with him - at all. Her past experiences have led her to believe that she just doesn't "spark" with anyone, until she meets Holden "Brown", her father's newest ranch hand. She nearly goes up in flames at the first sight of him. Since she and her fiance aren't a love match, would it be so wrong to experience passion before she settles for something way less?

Holden McCall came to the Maxfield Winery with revenge on his mind. Emerson's father had an affair with his younger sister, got her pregnant and walked out, never knowing that she lost the baby. His sister's mind hasn't been the same since, and Holden wants to destroy Maxfield. When he meets Emerson, and she offers herself to him, he realizes there is an even better way. Whoever marries Emerson gets shares in the winery. If he tells her the truth, will she help him destroy the man she has tried to please all her life?

This book was vintage Maisey Yates. Gruff, seemingly emotionless hero, sexy, beautiful heroine, and a major conflict between the two. This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone. It was fun for me to read, though, because I've read most of the others and could "catch up" with some of the characters.

Now this is the one that I couldn't say no to! I mean come on, it's MAISEY YATES and if you've ever read any of the Gold Valley series, you simply know that you can't miss a page!

Here's the thing, I learned from the last Harlequin Desire book I read (which happen to be from this same series by the same author) that they are shorter stories, heavy on the romance, and more on the steamy/blush worthy side. This time around that description fit like a glove, but the story itself, I was a bit up in the air. I mean, I liked Emerson, and initially I liked Holden, but things go to you-know-where rather quickly and that turns what they had from a lust filled encounter of sexual expression into something much bigger, and more daunting for them all. It's definitely an enemies to lovers trope candidate and the chemistry is off the charts, but I don't know. I'm just not certain I bought the whole big bad sexy cowboy heck bent on revenge turns out to be someone that loves so deeply, cares so much, he doesn't even realize it himself, and is truly a diamond in the rough seas of love. On the other hand, I highly respect Emerson's ability to push forward through the unappetizing options offered, accept her fate so to speak, yet also freely state where she stands with him, her heart, and her life. They didn't meet in any version of what one would call ideal circumstances, but neither could deny that the still waters that ran deeply through them both cared nothing for the bad blood between them, and everything about what they could be if only they'd get out of their own way.

In the end, it's a quick read that's sure to warm up your holiday nights and a sexy addition to the Gold Valley series from author Maisey Yates that fans won't want to miss.

Rancher’s Wild Secret is a well written romance.. great plot and well developed characters. I highly recommend this book. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

Who is Emerson Maxfield? Who are Cricket and Donovan? Who are the Coopers Why does Wren get so upset when their names are mentioned? I wasn't sure how I felt about Holden at first. That started to change when he came clean about his intentions to Emerson. What did she do when she learned the truth? I loved what Emerson, Wren, and Cricket came up with in regards to Soraya. I love Soraya's words of wisdom to Holden. Read and see what happens!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.

I am always eager to read a novel by Maisey Yates, and especially one that's the first title in her Gold Valley spin-off series, Gold Valley Vineyards in the Harlequin Desire imprint, but since I love getting lost in her books, I knew from the get-go that I'd want a longer read than is the usual in Harlequin Desire. I also had mixed feelings about the main characters, something else that is rare in one of Ms. Yates' novels, but it's the reason I cannot give this novel more than 3.5 stars.

From the very beginning, I wasn't thrilled with the heroine, Emerson Maxwell, eldest daughter to her father, James, the scion of the family and owner the upscale Maxwell Vineyards winery. Emerson is serving as hostess, and is the face of the winery, and is currently playing hostess at a posh party at the highly regarded Maxwell Vineyards. She's all charm and smiles at the party, but bored, suffering from internal malaise, and wearing insincere smiles for her guests. She's also sporting a huge diamond engagement ring, and is ready to marry her father's choice for her, the always absent Donovan, who lives in another state and with whom she's barely had contact. After a two-year engagement she still feels nothing for the man, and they've never done more than share a few less than stellar kisses, but Emerson plans to marry this man she doesn't love to make her father happy. She's always been her dad's puppet, and has dedicated her life to publicizing the Maxwell Vineyards label, since she'll be inheriting the lion's share of the business and estate when her father either retires or dies. When she marries, her husband will also inherit shares in the company.

Needing some fresh air, she steps outside to the balcony and spots a strange person wandering through the vineyards. Despite her many guests and her duties as their hostess, she heads down the stairs to find out who this stranger is. He introduces himself as their new ranch hand, Holden--tall, handsome, broad of shoulder, and with a chiseled jaw, and Emerson is struck by insta-lust. Holden is pretty taken with her too, and that will fall right in line with his plot for revenge against James Maxwell. Revenge, you may ask? Let's just say that Holden isn't who he purports to be. While Emerson, a short time later, offers herself to sexy hunk, Holden, leave it to Ms. Yates to make their encounter sizzling hot and steamy. While Holden wasn't expecting this attraction, he isn't going to refuse to bed this beautiful woman, who readily tells him all about her personal family issues, her lack of sexual experience, her lack of enthusiasm for the man she's engaged to marry, and Holden is not about to turn down her offer of no-strings sex, and he soon sees a way to incorporate her in his revenge plot.

While I don't want to give away too much of the plot in this review, I will let you know that Holden's need is to avenge what James Maxwell did to his younger sister, Soraya Jane, not only breaking her heart and stealing her innocence, but leaving her pregnant and heartbroken, even more so when he tells her to get an abortion, and pays her off to disappear. She was so devastated by this turn of events, that when she miscarries and loses the baby she's carrying she suffers a complete break from reality and ends up living in a mental institution. Oh, and she's not the only young woman that James has paid off and forced to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Emerson is shocked to hear this about the father she loves, but when Holden gives her an ultimatum, she chooses to marry him, thereby giving Holden a piece of Maxwell Vineyards, rather than allowing him to publicize her father's indiscretion with Soraya, but also his other victims, and destroy not only James Maxwell, but also the vineyard she hopes to someday inherit and run, the vineyard she's dedicated herself to all her life.

While I'm a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, a fan of steamy reads, especially the ones written by Ms. Yates, the plot and intricacies of the relationships between all the characters in this novel was a bit too much in too short a novel and too short a time period. While I grew to understand and like Emerson, sympathize with her, and even understand and accept Holden's reasons for using and then discarding her, all of this needed more time and more space to unfold.

While I loved the way the HEA ending was handled, again, it was too abrupt. I felt that Ms. Yates was stifled by the mandatory short word count, and it just didn't do this story and it's complex characters any justice. It was, however, a very good, very well-written, and very emotional read, and for those reasons, as well as the fact that it's a start of a new series, I'd recommend getting in on the ground floor, grabbing a copy and reading it. Personally, I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

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

This was an okay story. The first half seemed to drag on and on, while the second half felt rushed. I wished we had gotten to know Soraya a little bit better, along with finding out more of what happened with James. This is where it felt rushed. The family dynamics were tested, and there were some surprising twists! I hope the other two sisters get their books. I can feel something between Wren and the "enemy".

If your all about the smut then your gonna love this book, there is plenty of steamy scenes. Unfortunately I'm not one of those people. I'm a fan of Maisey Yates books so I was curios to see what she had to offer with this book. When you look past the sex this book really does feel rushed but for what was there was good I suppose. Maybe this book just wasn't for me.

Bear with me, I've been on cold-meds and I'm a little fuzzy here, so I'm sorry for how this "review" turns out.

As usual Ms. Yates writing is lovely, bringing both Emerson and Holden's emotions to life, and I did feel some heat and chemistry between them. I think the sticking point for me was that Holden's revenge plot basically meant he was willing to steep to the level his target, Emerson's father, and I just thought how does this make Holden any better than Emerson's father? Yes, Emerson and Holden developed real feelings for each other in the process, but Holden was still willing to do whatever to ruin Emerson's father. No matter who it hurt. I found Holden's character to be a little questionable, and Emerson didn't really inspire a lot of love either. I mean she was willing to enter a loveless marriage (to some other guy, not Holden) at the request of her father for business reasons.

Revenge plots are never my favorite, but I love Maisey Yates' romances so I wanted to give this one a go. The Rancher's Wild Secret is pretty short, so it wasn't like this was a long drawn out drama, it wasn't super frustrating or anything, it just didn't knock my socks off.

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

Emerson has worked hard to create her own place in the family winery business and that includes being engaged to a man for business reasons not because she loves him. Her whole world is turned upside down when her father hires a new ranch hand and she becomes collateral damage.

When Holden accepted a position at the Maxfield Vineyards he had ulterior motives and he is not about to be swayed by a woman no matter how hot the chemistry is between them. What started out as one steamy night together took a turn and now Emerson has become part of his plan whether she wants to or not.

There was no denying the chemistry between them but Holden refuses to believe it is anything more and it will take the intervention of an unlikely source to realize what is truly important.