Smooth Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates

An unforgettable love story about what happens when opposites attract.

Olivia Logan has a plan: win back her ex by making him see what he’s missing!

First she needs to find a man who’s willing to play along. With his laid-back cowboy charm, Luke Hollister is an unlikely hero—but he wants her help convincing her father to sell him land, which means he needs her as much as she needs him.

Good girl Olivia has always been off limits to Luke.So why does she get to him like no one else? Luke ‘s supposed to help her win back another man…not keep her in his arms. But now that he has her there, he’s not sure he wants to let go.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33259027-the-duchess-deal

Title: Smooth Talking Cowboy
Author: Maisey Yates
Series: Gold Valley
Pages: 315
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Cowboy
Hot Buttons: briefly touches on the effects of a loved one's suicide, and the effects of a loved one's addiction <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

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This book has been on my wishlist for ages - I’m a sucker for, well, most of the tropes contained in the book - laidback cowboy, bad boy / good girl, opposites attract, fake to real romance, enemies (sort of) to lovers… But when I’ve got a book that I can’t wait to get my hands on - I often find myself disappointed.

I was NOT disappointed by this book in any way at all.

This is the first book in Maisey Yates’ Gold Valley cowboy romance series. Having said that, with a few characters popping up who already seem to have their happily-ever-afters, I’m assuming that this series is an offshoot from the Copper Ridge series. You don’t have to have read any of that series to enjoy this one. And there are also plenty of other characters popping up that I’m hoping will also get their own happily-ever-afters in future novels.

This is the kind of book that you can seriously get lost in. It’s got small town charm in spades but it’s the writing that really pulls you in and make you feel part of what’s going on. The language, the imagery, the descriptions of the scenery and of life itself - everything draws you in and keeps you reading long past your bedtime!

I loved Olivia even if she’s not your usual heroine. She’s definitely a good girl but she’s also controlling, a tiny bit manipulative and wants everything her way or no way. And the fact that I still loved her shows the skill of Ms Yates’ writing. There was a vulnerability about Olivia despite her actions. And while she did things to get what she wanted (manipulate Bennett in order to win him back and get him to propose, for example), she was honest with herself and when she realised she was wrong - she admitted it and tried to change. She was just a little bit lost and this really was a journey of discovery for her, as well as her romance.

The leading man in this case was Luke. Ah, Luke. He is the kind of hero that I dream about. He was laid-back and carefree but partly as a way to keep people at arm’s length. He was a cowboy through and through - a man’s man - but he was also a little damaged and didn’t feel himself worthy of the love of anyone, let alone a woman like Olivia.

I loved the banter between the pair. How they took each other out of their comfort zones. How they drove each other crazy - in only the best way. How they completed each other and couldn’t stay away from each other - even if they had wanted to. I fell in love with them as they fell in love with each other. And then there was that word that made butterflies appear in my stomach and made my heart ache: Finally.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It had everything that I need for an enjoyable romance - engaging characters, honest attraction, chemistry and a happily ever after that made me sigh. 5 stars from me and 5 more for that stunning cover. I could stare at it for days. Gorgeous.