REVIEW: Unbroken Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Unbroken Cowboy by Maisey Yates is another entertaining and sexy romance set in Gold Valley, Oregon.

Beatrix Leighton grew up in a wealthy household but felt more at home with animals than her family. Taking care of injured strays became a lifelong habit, so much so that she lives in a small cottage off of her former sister-in-law Lindy’s successful winery where she’s created a sanctuary of sorts for animals needing a home while she works at a local vet clinic and takes online courses. She’s also become a de-facto caretaker for Lindy’s brother Dane. The minor inconvenience to that is the crush she’s had on Dane since she was a teenager.

Dane Parker is still recovering from a bull riding accident that left him with multiple injuries and in chronic pain. He lives in the big house on his sister’s winery and still dreams of getting back onto the rodeo circuit. But having just progressed from a wheelchair to walking again it’s a daily struggle to keep moving. That Beatrix has adopted him like one of her strays hasn’t escaped him. She sees past his facade and challenges him not to be afraid to admit his weakness. But he’s never seen her as anything other than a pseudo younger sister – until he catches her in an amusing incident involving a raccoon and stolen underwear, and realizes that she’s a very grown up and attractive woman. After several months of self imposed celibacy, the emotional awareness that sparks between them leads to a secret affair, one that Beatrix may have longed for in her secret heart but never expected to become a reality. But with both of them harboring emotional baggage and reasons not to commit, can they find their way to a forever happy ending?

As the fifth story in the Gold Valley series, there are plenty of other characters present but the author does a great job of explaining who they are without too much preamble such that every novel reads well as a standalone, and makes you intrigued enough to want to read more set in this world.Like all her characters, Beatrix and Dane are complex, both having experienced emotional upheaval in their childhoods that affects them as adults. For Beatrix it was growing up in a rich household with parents who cheated on each other, and the discovery that the man she believes to be her father is not biologically hers, and that her real father chose money over her. She doesn’t think much of marriage as a result, and finds that caring for animals is less of a risk to her heart ( her crush on Dane notwithstanding).

Dane on the other hand grew up very poor with a father who abandoned him. He made something of himself by becoming a successful bull rider (for reasons even he doesn’t like to acknowledge) and with that taken away from him he feels angry, bitter and often useless. It’s not surprising that Beatrix sees him as another of her wounded creatures and she sets about finding ways to help him build up his self esteem and confidence.

I love how Beatrix and Dane go from a wary friendship to lovers with abandon. Their love scenes are steamy and lead to intimate conversations that reveal their past hurts. As they forge that emotional connection, they have to contend with the future and whether they are ready to take steps forward together or will go their separate ways as Dane’s recovery continues. There are some other familial reckonings too. After a few ups and downs and some soul seraching, they get a very satisfying happy ending. I’m looking forward to more Gold Valley adventures!

Book Info:

Publication: Apr 23, 2019 | Harlequin | Gold Valley #5

In Gold Valley, Oregon, forbidden love just might be the sweetest…

Dane Parker traded in his trailer-park roots for glory as a bull rider. But when a serious injury sidelines him for months, it’s the first time he can’t just pull himself up by his bootstraps. The last thing he wants to deal with is sweet family friend Bea treating him like one of her wounded animals—or the unexpected attraction that suddenly flares between them.

Beatrix Leighton has loved Dane for years, while he’s always seen her as another sister. When she enlists his help to start her animal sanctuary, she thinks it will give him purpose. Instead, it brings all the desire she feels for him to the boiling point. Bea’s father taught her early on that love means loss. But could her forbidden crush turn into a love that will last a lifetime?