I enjoyed this one! It was a quick read with charming romance and lovable characters. It is a slow burn centering on a friends-to-lovers dynamic filled with lots of yearning and miscommunication. I'm not particularly fond of the "it's always been you" trope, as I always hurt for the one yearning. I felt for Perry and wanted to bop Carson upside his head! Overall, a quick and fun read. I would pick up Maisy Yates again!

I enjoyed Outlaw Lake by Maisey Yates. The childhood friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites so I really enjoyed watching it play out between Carson and Perry. Sure, it was a slow burn (not usually my favorite) but I think their love story come together nicely in the end. I'm excited to read more in the series!

Outlaw Lake was fine. It didn't really scratch that cowboy romance itch I was having (forever chasing the high of [book:Daddy Cade|61373532]!!!) and while I enjoyed the character's story, I didn't enjoy the 3rd POV and that made it hard to then jump back in with the other POVs. This is verrrry slow burn, friends-to-lovers, and I think if those are your tropes, it will SPEAK to you.

I enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as the first in the series, Rustler Mountain. The pacing for Outlaw Lake seemed off, with Carson and Perry going round and round in circles for ages. A simple conversation would have solved so much heartbreak, but it was almost like these two were more comfortable in their angst. And that just didn’t work for me.

I do really love the snippets from Perry's ancestors diary. I wouldn’t say no if Maisey Yates started writing western historical romances!

Have fallen in love with Maisey Yates story telling, she captures you from the start and keeps you until the last word in the book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Carson Wilder and Perry Bramble’s story is steeped in turmoil, tension, and the kind of slow-burning devotion that makes your heart ache. Their love is undeniable—but is it enough to weather everything stacked against them? A compelling emotional tug-of-war. Full review coming soon to Forever Book Lover.

Carson and Perry's romance was so beautiful. This did a great job of scratching my cowboy romance itch. Would read more from this author.

This just didn’t hit the way I wanted a western romance to hit, mainly because of the 3rd POV. I just cannot connect with the characters in the way that I can when it’s 1st POV. With that being said, there wasn’t enough “western” things for me either, so I didn’t love this as much as I wanted to! But Maisey’s writing was fantastic! I will definitely read something else from her

This isn’t my favorite western romance I’ve ever read. I was truly expecting it to have more western aspects, but it read more like it just happens to take place somewhere in a rural, western area. I usually love a childhood friends to lovers trope, but this read very frustrating and the lack of communication between the two supposed “best friends” was pathetic, especially when they both admit to having no one else to talk to. Was it sweet? Yes. But was it painful? Also yes. I liked how it interconnected Perry’s ancestor’s letters to her own life, but that was one of the few redeeming parts.

I love this author. I have read a lot by this author and have loved every book I have come across. I was sucked into this book from the first page and wished I had more story to read.

I love a good friends-to-lovers story! When Carson and Perry were first introduced in Rustler Mountain, I couldn’t wait for their story—and to find out it was the next in the series? What a treat! Maisey painted these characters and their friendship so beautifully. I truly felt the bond between Carson and Perry and really appreciated the slow burn between them.

Although the ending felt a bit rushed, I really enjoyed this and was here for all the angst! Maisey’s writing in Rustler Mountain took me a bit to get used to, especially with the third-person POV, but I ended up really enjoying her storytelling and breezed through this one. I highly recommend Outlaw Lake for fans of friends-to-lovers, small town romance, found family, and slow burn.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the eARC!

This wasn't my cup of tea, but I did like it. It was a quick and fast read with a pretty solid romance and likeable characters. It's definitely a slow burn, focusing on friends-to-lovers, lots of yearning, with a sprinkle of miscommunication. I'm not a big fan of the "it's always been you" trope because I dislike how it makes the hero or heroine pine for someone. I felt bad so bad for Perry. She was a young and intelligent woman, stuck in a small town, with no friends other than Carson, pining for him for most of her life. If I had been friends with her, I would have encourage her to move on and find happiness elsewhere. Carson needed someone to slap him in the back of the head, repeatedly, because it look him way too long to realize his feelings for Perry.

It’s the way I can always appreciate a friends to lovers trope! This is my first read by Maisey Yates and I truly couldn’t put it down!! The yearning??? Phenomenal!! I can’t wait to see how the rest of this series is!!

Outlaw Lake by Maisey Yates is the kind of romance that sneaks up on you, making you fall in love with the characters and their journey in such a deep, emotional way. The way the two of them navigate their relationship with all its complexities and unspoken emotions is what truly makes this book stand out. The setting, with the wild-west vibes and the gorgeous rustic backdrop, adds an extra layer of charm that’s hard to resist. Carson’s growth throughout the story, finally realising what’s been in front of him all along, makes for such a satisfying, swoon-worthy romance. Yates does a fantastic job of pulling you in with her beautifully written characters and their slow-burn romance. Overall, it is an absolute must-read for fans of heartfelt westerns romance with deep emotional pulls,

This is the first book in the series that I read (now to do some back tracking) but this was a sweet friends to lovers / its always been you / small town romance. I loved Carson and Perry!

This was a great read! Friends to lovers is a truly underrated trope and I loved it, the tension and yearning was great, the story and the romance was fun and sweet and I loved the characters

A slow burn friends to lovers is not usually something I gravitate towards but this was perfection. The hero was broody and just my type.

Outlaw Lake by new to me author Maisey Yates, published by Kensingron Publishing, is the second book in the Rustler Mountain Series. The previous book is Rustler Mountain and I recommend to read the books in order.
This is Carson and Perry's story.
The Wilder family from Rustler Mountain always had oultaws in the family. And maybe, just maybe Carson could be counted as one.
He and Perry are best friends since age 7, both are secrtely in love with each other. Problem is, secretly.
A beautiful friends to lovers slow burn that gives all the feels.

Outlaw Lake by Maisie Yates is so heartfelt with a slow burn romance that had me hooked from page one, plus I just love a small town setting! Carson and Perry’s friendship is the kind that makes you believe in soulmates. Perry has loved him since childhood, but after years of being just friends she decides it’s time to move on. But watching Carson realize what’s been right in front of him this whole time is so satisfying, yet frustrating in the best way. Nothing beats a brooding hero having a major epiphany about love. I love this series!

This is the first book that I have had the chance to review in quite some time. I have been in a real reading slump - I had struggled to sit down and actually want to read anything. A very inconvenient thing for a book reviewer, I must say....

Well, for the first time in a LONG time, and thanks to Maisey Yates, I have busted out of that slump. I could not put this book down.

Friends-to-lovers, unresolved sexual tension, yearning - all stuff I love! However, the highlight for me was seeing these two realise who they are or should be without the other, and still knowing that they had a connection that could not be ignored. Carson got really deep in those feelings before he realised his truth, didn't he? Perry was a fab heroine - honest, willing to make bold choices without being trigger-happy. Together, I just knew that when these two lit the match, the fire would burn hot and it most definitely did.

There was some lovely, funny moments, and I felt some early Spidey sense as to who may be next on the list to be hit by the love bug (cannot wait for that one!).

So thank you, Maisey Yates!

This was a good romance read. It was not anything special, but there was not anything wrong with the book.