**Small Town Hero**
by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates

This collection presents 2 beautifully woven stories that are best described as a slow-burn romance, perfect for readers who prefer clean storytelling. The book features two heartwarming novellas, each set against the backdrop of charming small towns and infused with themes of love, resilience, and the joy of happy ever afters. The relationship between Birdie and Gunnar stands out for its intensity; their chemistry is palpable, bringing a more passionate element to the anthology.

The novellas included are:

**ONE LONESOME COWBOY**
by Linda Lael Miller

In this story, we meet Susannah Holiday, a determined woman who has left her home to come to a small town in Arizona to care for her mentally ill sister and her young niece after her sister is hospitalised due to severe depression. Susannah, a skilled web designer and house flipper, is ready to confront her family's challenges head-on. In town, she crosses paths with Ian, a compassionate paramedic with a noble heart who spends his free time rescuing horses. As a divorced stepfather to twin girls, Ian understands the intricacies of love, family dynamics, and the hidden scars of trauma. Together, Susannah and Ian navigate the tight-knit community, exploring themes of healing, forgiveness, and the deep bonds that can form even in the face of adversity, all while unravelling a mysterious element that intertwines their lives.

**COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY**
by Maisey Yates

This novella introduces us to Birdie, a spirited young woman longing for freedom from the weight of her family's legacy. Living in a town where the shadows of her father's wrongdoings loom large, Birdie feels trapped and judged. Her impulsive nature leads her to a moment of desperation when she attempts to steal one of her neighbour Gunnar's prized horses, a bold act that sets off an unexpected chain of events. Caught red-handed by Gunnar, who is much more than he seems—a kind-hearted man who has always tried to look past her family's reputation—Birdie finds herself in an unlikely partnership. As they navigate their differences and the longstanding rivalries between their families, a deeper connection blossoms, challenging both of them to confront their pasts and embrace the possibility of a shared future. Through witty banter and undeniable chemistry, Birdie and Gunnar's journey becomes a testament to love’s capacity to overcome ancient grudges.

Small Town Hero is an anthology of two novellas by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates — both delivering exactly what you’d expect from sweet western romances.

I’d never read anything by Linda Lael Miller before, but I found her storytelling warm with a wholesome ending. One Lonesome Cowboy did have some pretty dated lines (you could tell this was written by an older author): the main character called the airline to book a ticket and later flashed her ATM card for a purchase. The story wrapped up a bit quickly for me. I actually would’ve loved to spend more time with these characters; it could have easily been expanded into a full novel

Cowboy, Take Me Away was much more my usual style. Maisey Yates’s modern voice worked perfectly for Birdie and Gunnar’s story. The length felt just right, though I could’ve done without quite so many ellipses.

This is great if you're looking for a quick beach or weekend read.

Two wonderful stories by two of my favorite authors. They both capture the quintessential cowboy and help him discover true love. Quick but fun books by two great authors. Their character gets cone to life and you cheer them on as they grow and face their past to capture the future and true love.

Although I received a free ARC from Net galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my iwn.

There are two novellas in this one book.
One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller
This story will make you smile as you read it. Susannah and Ian are so perfect for each other. The words flow off the page as I read and I really cared about these two characters.

Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates
Birdie and Gunner meet in a way that sets up a very interesting story. Gunner caught Birdie stealing a horse and this makes the interaction between the two a story that was a quickly for me.

I like both of the authors and look forward to reading longer books by both,
Thank you NetGalley, Linda Lael Miller; Maisey Yates and and Kensington Publishing for the copy of Small Town Hero. This is my personal review.

Small Town Heroes by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates is a “twofer”. There are two novellas in the book. Both novellas have strong male lead characters who are cautious and guarded. I loved the Cowboy Take Me Away and found One Lonesome Cowboy good, not fabulous. Small Town Heroes by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates is a good read.

One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Laeh Miller
Susannah needs to move immediately to Arizona to help care for her niece. Her sister is struggling with her mental health and her daughter is with a foster family. Susannah moves lock, stock and barrel. Luckily her job is one that can be done online. She is determined to give her niece strong support. Meanwhile, there is Ian McKenzie, a paramedic and a horse whisperer. Susannah and Ian confront the past trauma and deal with the struggle in order to move on.

Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates is a great novella. Gunnar is dogged and determined to work his farm. He is the last person in his family and feels he can’t leave the land. He really could use some help. Only to have help come to him in an unusual way. Birdie Lennox is caught by Gunnar trying to steal a horse. Her goal is she needs a horse for her next job and then she would return him. Gunnar is having none of it and gives her a place to stay and a job instead of jail. Who knows what will happen next? They are two strong workers with little support or understanding spending time working together, eating together and talking to each other.

Small Town Hero contains two short stories.
I really enjoyed both stories, but the one by Maisey Yates the most.

One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller:
This is such a sweet story! Susannah and Ian both deserved their HEA. They’re both very caring people and I really liked them and their families.

Cowboy Take Me Away by Maisey Yates:
The story of Birdie and Gunnar was a much more passionate one. Sparks fly between those two. I loved when they shared their experiences of childhood/life and how their feelings for one another developed. Heartwarming!
~~“Because I told you. I have to fly away.” “But what if you didn’t?”~~

I received a free arc of this book through NetGalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Small Town Hero is romance with stories by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates is cowboy through and through. The first, Miller’s, is a story of a woman, Susannah Holiday, who comes to town to care for her mentally ill sister and her sister’s daughter. She immediately buys a small house to flip while she is living in it and accomplishing her task. Ian McKenzie is a nearby rancher with two small stepdaughters for whom he was the only father they’d ever known. He adored them. That is how they met: his daughters and her niece. It turned into a fun romance. The second book, Yates’, is about two people who have lived next door for ages. One is “perfect”, or nearly so, with little joy in his life. The other is a thief and a scoundrel who is caught trying to steal her neighbor’s horse so she can accept a job on a cattle ranch, far away from here and her inherited reputation. It is fun to watch their interactions as they rub off on one another, and finally kind of meet in the middle.

Both fun reads, the character development is about what you would expect in a romance novel, focusing only on certain parts of the characters. The most important thing is not the plot, not the characters, not the pacing, but simply the feel a reader gets reading it. This book has all the feels, delivered in different ways, but still there. Worth reading if you are a fan.

I was invited to read Small Town Hero by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #LindaLaelMiller #MaiseyYates #SmallTownHero

Both of these stories were a heartwarming read, full of good men and rescued horses along with the women who will change their lives.

ONE LONESOME COWBOY
by Linda Lael Miller

Susannah comes to town to take care of her family and finds an accident along the way causing her to meet Ian the local paramedic. He and his ranch will play an important role in her life. Along with his support with her family. Gorgeous story as two find their second chances at love.

COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY
by Maisey Yates

Birdie is caught mid crime by her neighbour Gunnar. Sworn enemies since they were children he's about to change her life. Working off her debts rather than prison is the beginning of their story. Who knew that chemistry between them could beat the odds. Love will find a way.

One Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller 4 stars
Susan comes to AZ to take care of her niece while she's in the hospital. Ian and his cute twins burrow into their lives.
Cowboy Take Me Away by Maisey Yates 3 stars
Gunner catches Birdie stealing a horse and they teach each other how to work together instead of being alone.

Fans of Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates should enjoy diving into new stories by these well-known western romance authors. For readers new to one or both, these quick reads are a great way to sample what both Miller and Yates have to offer.

In "One Lonesome Cowboy," Miller explores love, family, community, trauma, and healing with a dash of mystery in a slow-burn romance that's both charming and heart-tugging. The characters drew me into their lives almost immediately and had me rooting for their happy endings.

Maisey Yates is known for her emotionally rich stories, often featuring characters with harsh or traumatic life experiences. "Cowboy, Take Me Away" features Birdie Lennox who may be one of the most wounded characters she's featured though she hides it well under a brash exterior. I really enjoyed watching Birdie and Gunnar slowly break down walls and open hearts in this enemies-to-lovers story of healing, redemption, community, and a hard-won happy ending.

If you're looking for a quick, satisfying western romance with relatable characters, strong community, family dynamics, and heartfelt happy endings, add this duology to your summer reading list.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

I'm a fan of the western genre, but don't mind if a bit of romance plays a part in the western. Linda Lael Miller is a prolific writer known for her western romances. In Small Town Hero, readers are treated to two short stories featuring cowboys who find love and romance. Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates flex their writing skills to give readers a full-grown romance in fewer pages than some chapters. Each does an excellent job of building a story that is "sigh" worthy. Fast reads and great characters make this a treat you'll always have time for.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was excited for this one at first. Then I got into it and was a little disappointed. It is actually 2 novellas by 2 different authors. I actually ended up DNF’ing the book after the first short story. I couldn’t bring myself to read the second one. The pacing was off in the first story. The first story actually had the making of a full novel and probably would have been good as a full novel. However, I didn’t feel like it lent itself well to a novella.

Posted to GoodReads: 6/24/25
Review submitted to Amazon on 6/24/25
Did not post to IG due to only a 3 star rating on the half of the book that I read. DNF’d the second story.

So LLM only writes non smex romance, which I didnt know.
But because this was such a short little story, I felt nothing about the connection between our 2 main characters. There is a lot of meat for a good story but it felt like I was watching/reading some abridged version of a whole novel. Didnt have enough time or depth to get invested in the romance so it's a 2 from me.

Cowboy take Me Away by Maisey Yates:

Now this was good! I loved Gunnar and Birdie, I adored their vulnerabilities and how basically 2 lonely people just found the right spark with each other. This was the shorter of the 2 stories and Im so mad about that. This def deserved to be a full length novel. Also FULL FULL points for that happy little epilogue ( I demand we start doing the hea with kids in the future epilogues again!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a sweet, satisfying duo of short stories—perfect for a lazy afternoon or a weekend getaway read. Linda Lael Miller delivers a heartwarming tale full of small-town charm, and Maisey Yates follows up with a story that’s equally engaging and full of heart. Both stories are quick, enjoyable reads with just the right mix of romance and character-driven moments. The writing is strong, the settings are vivid, and the tone is just right for a light summer escape. If you’re a fan of either author (or both), "Small Town Heroes" is an easy pick. Great for readers looking for feel-good fiction with a romantic spark.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Small Town Hero is two novellas in one book (which I will always grab, especially when the authors are ones I enjoy), that brings us two somewhat unusual romances, with characters who leap off the page. I was easily captured by both stories and completely enjoyed myself.

The Lonesome Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller brings us Susannah and Ian, with an unusual first meeting. I loved watching this couple find their footing and open their hearts to possibilities. 4 stars

Cowboy, Take Me Away by Maisey Yates features Birdie and Gunnar. I absolutely loved Birdie; she’s full of snark and attitude with a lonely young woman well hidden beneath the surface. Of the two stories, this one was my favorite for the characters felt real, were dealing with lots of family history, and their happy ever after was well fought for. 5 stars

If you love well-written, emotional, and somewhat intense romances, then Small Town Hero by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates would be perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This was an enjoyable quick read. I liked both stories. They were both very short though. I know they are novellas, but I still think they could have done with each of them having a few more characters. It really would have flushed out the stories more. Of the two I liked Miller slightly more. Not by much but hers worked better for me.

What I didn't like about Miller's, both really was that they felt a bit rushed. It took a bit for both of them to find or show the romance of their relationship, and I have to say that Miller's kind of jumped from meeting each other to love.

I did really like all four characters. They made their individual stories. Without them being so likable I'm not sure how I'd feel. I will say this book in perfect for those who don't have a ton of time to read but still want some to enjoy.

Small Town Hero
Two novellas with similar themes of small towns and HEA.

One Lonesome Cowboy 
By Kinda Lael Miller
Susannah drops everything for her sister and niece.  Now faced with dealing with the past, it's time to get to the bottom of the mental stressor that has been plaguing her sister since she was a teen. And making sure her niece Ellie is okay. 

Ian isn't looking for complications,  he's already dealing with the fallout from his divorce and missing his twin stepdaughters something fierce. But when he meets Susannah he's instantly drawn to her strength and focus under pressure.  Finding a way to make her complicated life mesh with his small-town existence just needs a little compromise. 

Cowboy,  Take me Away
By Maisey Yates

An unlikely pairing of neighbors whose families have been at odds for years. Birdie is ready to leave town,  she's painted with the same brush as her father and hasn't been given a fair shake her entire life.  But her best-laid plans are foiled by her can-do-no-wrong neighbor,  Gunnar. He offers her a solution,  some hard work.  She's not one to back down from a challenge.  As they work closely together they realize that the animosity isn't there and they have more in common than they realized.  Maybe they just needed to leap and Birdie didn't need to fly away to find her safe place.

SMALL TOWN HERO – Linda Lael Miller & Maisey Yates
Kensington Books
ISBN: 978-1496753700
June 24, 2025
Contemporary Romance Anthology

ONE LONESOME COWBOY -- Linda Lael Miller

Susannah Holiday flies to Arizona to care for her young niece after her sister is committed to a mental facility. It means she will likely be upending her life in Chicago, but Susannah will do whatever she can to help her niece. She quickly runs into rancher/paramedic Ian McKenzie, and an attraction develops. However, neither Susannah nor Ian has time right now to get involved with each other. He is currently dealing with his two stepdaughters as they are visiting. As it turns out, Ian and Susannah help each other out. Will their attraction lead to love?

ONE LONESOME COWBOY is a short story that goes rather quickly. Both Ian and Susannah need help, and they are drawn to each other from the moment they meet. Her goal is to unlock her sister’s mental issues, and his is to deal with the fact that he has no legal standing on his twin stepdaughters. As they navigate their lives, they make time for each other. Will everything resolve itself, and can our couple find a way to be together forever?

Short and sweet—and a good way to start off the book.

COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY -- Maisey Yates

Birdie Lennox is the daughter of a notorious cattle rustler and all-around bad guy. No one trusts a Lennox, and Birdie appears to be following in her father’s footsteps. Late one night, Birdie is caught by rancher Gunnar Parsons trying to steal one of his horses. She insists she needs it for a job in Texas. He offers not to report it to law enforcement if she works for him for a few months. She accepts. But once she is living on his property, Gunnar discovers a side of Birdie he didn’t know existed and one he finds attractive.

It's a time of discovery for both Birdie and Gunnar in COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY. Her family has a bad reputation, and she is determined to break the mold, but she needs a horse to work on a cattle drive in Texas. Since she doesn’t have one and Gunnar has plenty, Birdie thought she could borrow one. Alas, he caught her. Birdie turns out to be a hard worker, and he begins to appreciate her, not only as a worker but as a woman. Readers will watch while the two fall in love.

A short tale that will leave you smiling for a good reason.

It’s a couple of great Western contemporary romances for fans of the genre. You won’t want to miss SMALL TOWN HERO. Both are quick reads, but make for reading when time is short.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

This reader has mixed feelings about the two novellas in this volume with similar themes--cowboy heroes and redemption, and the stars I gave this book are an average of a 3-star review for "Small Town Hero," by Linda Lael Miller, and a 5-star review for "Cowboy, Take Me Away," by Maisey Yates, who happens to be one of my favorite authors in this genre.

"Small Town Hero" was a love-at-first-sight story, and I'm not a true believer in that trope in general. Susannah Holiday stops on the road to try to help a young boy who has been thrown from his horse and is seriously injured. Ian is the first responder to arrive and is instantly enamored of Susannah, a total stranger, who was coming to town to care for her young niece, since Susannah's sister had had a mental breakdown and was in a mental hospital. There's not much character development in this story, I didn't feel connected to any of these characters, and this was just an okay read for me. I give it 3-stars.

"Cowboy, Take Me Away," Maisey Yates' novella, was a much better read, her characters fully fleshed-out, and the slow build romance between Birdie Lennox, the have-not, ne'er-do-well, 28-year-old daughter, a survivor of an alcoholic father and a missing mother on a nearby ranch, who is not above stealing anything from food to one of Gunnar Parsons' stable of horses, was a much more sympathetic character with little self-esteem. When Gunnar catches her red-handed, trying to steal one of his mares in the middle of night, he decides to offer her a job working for him on his ranch, rather than calling the police and having her arrested. I loved the way Gunnar treated the wanna-be horse thief, giving her a job at his ranch, and slowly coming to realize that there was a lot more to Birdie than just her bad reputation. Theirs is a slow-burn love affair and had me riveted and reading their story until the wee hours of the morning. It was a 5-star read, and I absolutely loved it. It's a 5-star read.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book, The opinions stated are my own.

This 'duet' of two novellas from authors I enjoy and have read before was a very nice way to spend a couple of afternoons thinking of cowboys and their loves.

Ms. Miller's book was about helping. Paramedic Ian, meets Suzanna who is relocating to take care of her niece while her sister is having a crisis, at an accident scene. It's almost like they needed an introduction and the accident gave them that! Neither can forget their initial meeting. As the story moves along, Ian and Suzanna both realize they are looking for something...but don't think they can achieve it together. Fate plays a role letting them see that everything can be worked out if you want it badly enough.

Ms. Yates' book is about overcoming. Birdie and Gunnar have been next door ranch neighbors for their entire lives. They went to school together. When Gunnar catches Birdie trying to steal one of his horses, he gives her a choice. Work for him to 'pay off' the debt of trying to steal his horse and she'll get the horse when the debt is paid. Gunnar has always had bad feelings for Birdie and her family. Her mother abandoned the family and her father is a drunk. They are no account loafers in his opinion. Birdie has always felt Gunnar was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has never had any problems. When each of them realize they know nothing of the other, they realize their perceived notions must be overcome before they can move on.

Two very good feel good stories.