Review - - Small Town Hero

Small Town Hero

by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

The towns may be small, but the hearts of the cowboy heroes in this duo of romantic novellas are as outsized as the rugged land that surrounds them . . .

ONE LONESOME COWBOY
by Linda Lael Miller
When a family crisis brings web designer and part-time house flipper Susannah Holiday to Arizona to care for her young niece, she’s soon juggling work, childcare—and her growing feelings for local paramedic and horse whisperer Ian McKenzie. They have more in common than meets the eye—including being cautious when it comes to love. But when a disturbing revelation from Susannah’s past surfaces, Ian is there to comfort her, and they both find their longing hearts opening to a better future—together . . .

COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY
by Maisey Yates
After Birdie Lennox, daughter of a notorious cattle rustler, gets caught stealing a horse off Gunnar Parsons’ land, she ends up bunking in his barn to work off her debt—plus her daddy’s. But Birdie hardly has patience for Gunnar’s moralizing. The man inherited his ranch and has always hated her family. Still, it beats prison. Maybe. What neither anticipates is discovering they have more in common than they dreamed possible. Even more unexpected is the spark between them—and the love it might ignite . . .

PJ's Thoughts:

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.