If you’re craving a holiday romance that’s heavy on atmosphere, depth, and heartfelt heat, this one’s a winner. Maisey Yates delivers another emotionally grounded cowboy romance with just the right amount of spice and zero unnecessary drama. A sweet, satisfying, slow‑burn read that warms the heart as much as the hearth. It’s definitely for the people who like a cozy cowboy vibe.

I really appreciated forced proximity, second-chance-ish, and friends to lovers tropes in this one. I’m notorious for disliking a friends to lovers, but this one did it well!

Ugh. I really wanted to love this book.

Cowboys, Christmas, what more could a girl want?! Unfortunately…a lot.

This is the story of Sheena & Denver—two people whose stories intertwined because their dads worked together and were terrible people. He thinks he owes her, she wants to cash in.

I loved the premise this just unfortunately did not deliver. Sheena was supposed to be this badass FMC which is great except she just kept reminding us how tough she was herself. There was SO MUCH repetitive narration—-I wanted more showing and less telling…specifically less telling of the same thing over and over. By the end I just didn’t even care where the story went and it felt forced and rushed.

Apart from there not really being much of a story outside of “we’re two tough people who only do one night stands so why is this different?” I truly hope that an editor goes through this with a fine tooth comb. The writing was stilted and clunky. The amount of sentences that started with the word ‘but’ drove me insane.

I hate to be so critical because I was so excited for this and I do think it’s a great idea, it just fell so short for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had fun, not gonna say that I had no idea what was going with the previous couples it brought up but did the story intrigue me? yes, yes it did. I will be going back to view previous couples because a few of them really caught my eye.

I had fun, not gonna say that I had no idea what was going with the previous couples it brought up but did the story intrigue me? yes, yes it did.

First of all, the cover is absolutely gorgeous and is what initially drew me in. It’s a heartfelt story about two people who have been through a lot and are trying to find peace and love. Sheena and Denver both come from painful pasts. They had difficult childhoods and were forced to take on adult responsibilities too early, mostly due to their fathers' bad choices. Now, years later, they meet again and are forced to face their shared history, and maybe open their hearts again. While I did like these parts of the story, it was not without its faults.

The romance between them is a slow burn, filled with emotional moments and plenty of guarded feelings. They both struggle to let go of guilt and hurt, but through spending time together, they begin to heal. Their connection grows stronger, and even though they’re both stubborn and closed off, they find comfort in each other. One of the best parts of the story is how they learn to rest, trust, and finally accept love, which is something they never thought they deserved. Denver is not just a simple cowboy; he is actually really emotionally complex, which I did love. Sheena was strong and vulnerable, and together, they were easy to root for. I have to say though, I did not feel as connected to them as I thought I would, and I think this is due to the writing of the author. It felt like she was not connected, so neither was I.

Even though the title makes it sound like a holiday romance, the Christmas vibe is kind of missing in my opinion. The focus is more on emotional growth and healing than festive cheer. Still, it’s a sweet, small town cowboy romance that’s perfect for those who enjoy love stories with real life struggles, second chances, and characters working hard to overcome their pasts. Just be mindful that the beginning is slow, the story is repetitive, and the ending is rushed. I think many people will love this book, but it was just okay for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maisey Yates, and Canary Street Press for the eARC of this book.

putting this on pause for a while; i adore the cover and a cowboy romance sounded perfect but i gave the first third of this book a try and im not quite feeling it. i’m so disappointed because i wanted to love it but maybe ill come back to it in the future!!

3.5⭐️’s | 2🌶️

IM SO SORRY YALL I really had high hopes for this book, and there were definitely pockets I enjoyed!

SPOILERS: But like the first 35% felt repetitive and dragged on - both had shit dads, and took on the weight of parenting their siblings too young while processing their own trauma. Totally valid and made for an emotional romance.

But the beginning felt unnecessarily repetitive with their backstories. Once their connection firmed up, it did get better and more enjoyable. Their connection was strong, and I will say the scene where they went home and simply rested rather than sleep together was actually beautifully written and powerful.

This felt rather long and emotional for a Christmas romance. So HEAR ME OUT- I WOULD recommend this if you’re not on the market for a cutesy romcom holiday read, and prefer something more raw and grittier.

I’d also recommend for the slow burn girlies and those who associate with mc’s who shoulder unnecessary weight. And I’d 1000% recommend reading the full series because I felt like I really missed out on a lot by starting with this book.

I don't know, I just didn't vibe with this book. But maybe you will! I think I thought maybe it would be more Christmas-y?

Maybe it was a POV issue (this is 3rd POV) but I had a really hard time connecting with either of the main characters.

I think the premise of the story is good- its a little enemies to lovers, cowboy, good chemistry and tension.

*ARC review*

I had fun, not gonna say that I had no idea what was going with the previous couples it brought up but did the story intrigue me? yes, yes it did. I will be going back to view previous couples because a few of them really caught my eye. I do wish this storyline would have went a little more into depth with the past lives and like raising of the sisters but who knows maybe it was in the other books? (thats what I get for thinking it was a stand alone) but anyway! Thanks so much for the arc I had fun!

Wow, the cowboy Christmas book of my dreams! Sheena and Denver has some insane chemistry! I loved watching these two fall in love as she called in her favor. The vibes were immaculate.

A story of two people seeking to repent for the sins of their fathers. Two people who do anything & everything to avoid relationships, yet suddenly find themselves entangled in one with each another.

I loved the spit fire that was Sheena. Our prickly, yet deeply soft girl. And then there’s Denver.. trying to run things so smoothly for everyone and the town just to avoid actually living in the now and for himself.

The chemistry between these two could burn down a forest, tbh.

This was my first Maisey Yates book and it won’t be my last. Thank you so much to The Hive for the NetGalley arc.

I loved the cover of this book! This book was fine? Think Yellowstone with mobster ties. The writing at the end seemed rushed and weak. This story had potential to be really good but for me just fell flat.

ARC REVIEW!!!!

This book unfortunately was not a favorite of mine the beginning felt very slow and it just didn’t hook me very much which made it a little hard to get through. Things did start picking up more when Denver and Sheena started hooking up. I liked the relationship they had together but I also wish we got more of it. Another issue I had was it felt like this was so focused on Denver and all of his guilt and it was just frustrating at some points especially at the end I was kind of over it.

while everyone is out here obsessed with summerween, this read had me cozied up with Christmas in July. I absolutely fell in love with the fmc and her personality. Shes strong and resilient but folds for all the right reasons and i just absolutely love her. I really enjoyed this visit to four corners ranch and cant wait to come back.

Oldest sister forced to grow up too fast due to her fathers poor decisions leading him to an “untimely death”. Raising her youngest sisters to give them a chance to live a life outside of their small town.

Oldest brother feeling like he must make right of all his fathers wrongs, while also changing family legacies.

Two adults bonded by common trauma, working to create something of their shared difference's. Then there’s a lil flirting’ a lil snowfall, and some love thrown around.

Cozy lil thing. Not much christmas but definitely a christmas deadline.

💬 A cozy, easy, and sexy read! While the story felt a bit repetitive at times and the ending a little rushed, it was still an enjoyable and predictable ride. I had fun reading it and these two are seriously hot together!

This was a super cute and quick read. I found that it is like Yellowstone meets the Sopranos. I loved the dynamic between characters. Also, the intertwined lesson of working through generational trauma was great!

Un favor debido. Un romance fuera de los límites. Four Corners está en la Navidad más caliente que jamás haya visto.

Sheena Patrick lo ha hecho bien, considerando todas las cosas. Después de la muerte de su padre, crió a sus hermanas e hizo todo lo posible para darles la mejor vida posible. Pero ya han crecido y se han ido y Sheena está lista para hacer algo por sí misma. Pero para lograr sus objetivos necesita a Denver King.

Denver le debe a Sheena. Pasó años observando desde lejos y asegurándose de que ella estuviera bien después de que las actividades ilegales de su padre causaran la muerte de su padre. Así que cuando Sheena llega al rancho buscando el favor que prometió, Denver no puede decir que no. Él la ayudará a poner en marcha su barra de lanzamiento de hachas para Navidad, y considerará su deuda. Pero a medida que cae la nieve, las chispas vuelan entre las dos ovejas negras de Pyrite Falls. Puede que todos estén equivocados para todos los demás, pero ¿son adecuados el uno para el otro?



—-


Disfruté mucho del libro. Sheena y Denver estaban destinados a estar juntos, me encantó como se complementan y se hacen más fuertes juntos. Ambos pro separados son increíbles, pero juntos son imparables.


Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.

Out October 28th, 2025
Yates lassoed my heart with Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside—a romantic escape that feels like hot cocoa by the fire with a flannel-wrapped heartthrob at your side. The chemistry between the leads is pure magic, sparkling like frost-kissed stars. Yates gives us a cowboy who's rugged on the outside, tender on the inside, and a heroine whose strength matches his stride. Every scene unfolds like a stolen moment you want to replay on loop, right down to the snow-dusted kisses and whispered regrets.

What makes this one truly swoon-worthy is the emotional depth. Sure, there’s teasing, flirting, and tension that could melt icicles, but it’s the vulnerability that makes it sing. These characters don’t just fall in love—they lean into each other’s flaws, fears, and soft spots with surprising grace. And the winter backdrop only adds to the cozy heartbreak and healing—like a soundtrack of sleigh bells played on heartstrings.

Yates knows her way around cowboy romance, and this one is a sparkling standout. It’s sweet, spicy, and sincere, with just enough chill in the air to make you crave the warmth of love. Highly recommend curling up with this one—preferably under a blanket and preferably when you have nowhere else to be.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC! Yeehaw!

Sheena Patrick ha pasado más de una década criando a sus tres hermanas menores después de la muerte de su padre, un hombre violento y ausente que arrastró a la familia a la ruina. Aunque ha rechazado cualquier tipo de ayuda directa de los King, sabe que Denver King, el hijo del hombre que indirectamente causó la muerte de su padre, ha estado dejándole dinero en secreto todos estos años. Y cuando decide finalmente cobrar la antigua ficha de póker que Denver le dio como símbolo de deuda, no lo hace para pedir dinero, sino para proponerle una idea de negocio: abrir un bar de lanzamiento de hachas en King’s Crest.

Denver, un hombre que también carga con la culpa de un legado familiar turbio, ve en esta propuesta una oportunidad para redimirse... y también para acercarse a Sheena, una mujer fuerte, directa y desconfiada que despierta en él una atracción tan intensa como problemática. Lo que comienza como un acuerdo tenso y lleno de límites se convierte poco a poco en una conexión profunda donde ambos deberán enfrentarse a su pasado, a la culpa heredada y a un presente que por primera vez les ofrece la posibilidad de elegir su propio camino.




___

Me encantó la pareja que formaron Sheena y Denver. Fueron tan lindos juntos, pero lo que más me gustó fue cómo se ayudaron mutuamente con sus inseguridades. Ninguno intentó salvar al otro; simplemente se acompañaron en el proceso de sanar.

Además, me sentí profundamente identificada con ambos personajes. Al ser los mayores de sus familias, tomaron responsabilidades que no les correspondían, pero lo hicieron porque era lo que había que hacer. Vivieron para otros durante tanto tiempo, que cuando por fin sus hermanos crecieron, se formaron sus propias familias y los dejaron libres, ellos quedaron con una pregunta muy dolorosa: ¿Y ahora qué? ¿Quiénes son sin esa carga, sin ese rol de protectores?

Saltarse etapas de la vida deja heridas invisibles. Y este libro lo muestra muy bien: una vez que por fin pueden pensar en sí mismos, se dan cuenta de que no saben cómo hacerlo, no saben qué quieren ni hacia dónde ir. Esa incertidumbre, esa búsqueda de una identidad más allá del deber, fue algo que me tocó profundamente.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest