Review - - Hero for the Holidays

Hero for the Holidays

by Maisey Yates

Four Corners Ranch - Book 9

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

When Landry King shows up at Four Corners Ranch with Lila, the teenage daughter no one ever knew he had, it sets the gossip mill churning. Landry’s daughter has lost her adoptive parents and is in desperate need of a new family. So this Christmas, the untamed cowboy is finally getting the chance to become the father he could never have been when Lila was born. Even if it means dealing with his other biggest regret…

Fia Sullivan hates Landry King. That’s how it’s always been. At least, that’s how it’s been since their dramatic teenage love affair ended in a way that shattered their hearts and left them with wounds that never healed. When Landry dredges up her most agonizing secret, Fia’s devastated…and also overjoyed at the possibility of the new life they could have. But there’s only so long she can be near Landry before their simmering desire reignites. Can they finally overcome their past pain to find new love—and new family—this Christmas?

PJ's Thoughts:

Maisey Yates is an author I turn to for complex family dynamics and deeply emotional romance with a western flair. I like some of her books more than others but she’s an author who has never let me down. Her newest novel, a second-chance, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers story with deep emotional underpinnings just may be my all-time Yates favorite.

Everyone on the Four Corners Ranch knows Fia Sullivan and Landry King can’t stand each other but nobody knows why. Those of us who have been reading this series don’t know why. Hero for the Holidays opens with that reason and, boy howdy, it’s a doozy. What follows is a roller coaster of emotions as Fia, Landry, and Lila navigate the life-changing events that have been thrust upon all three of them.

What I enjoyed most about this book is the evolution of these characters, both individually as well as a family unit. I like how Yates leaves no stone unturned in the development and evolution of Fia and Landry as she guides them through a present-day reflection of the turmoil of their teens, something they had never talked about, helping them forge a new understanding of decisions made at that time through the more mature lens of the people they are today. It’s a gradual process, with ups and downs, as is to be expected when you’ve spent years believing you’re 100% in the right about something only to realize maybe you shoulder some of the blame. Their individual growth paves the way for forgiveness, understanding, and a chance to rekindle an old love in a more balanced, mature, and enduring, though no less fiery, way. These two have chemistry!

Lila offers another layer of emotion, complication, sarcastic humor, and hope as only a young teen whose life has imploded can. She’s authentic, relatable, and has a firm grip on my heart, as she does with Landry, Fia, and the entire King and Sullivan families. She’s the heartbreaking - but ultimately healing - catalyst for the changes that are long overdue in Landry’s and Fia’s lives. I laughed with her, ached for her, loved her. She’s one of my favorite characters of this entire series. 

Hero for the Holidays is the ninth book in the Four Corners Ranch series. While several characters and couples from earlier books are featured in this book, Yates has written the story in such a way that it can be enjoyed as a standalone. I’ve read all of the books and it’s fun to catch up with other characters but I don’t think starting with Hero for the Holidays would lessen the emotional impact of Fia’s and Landry’s story. It might, however, make you curious enough to pick up the other eight books. ;-)

Review - - Finding Mr. Write

Finding Mr. Write

by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 25, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Daphne McFadden already knows that as a female author, the cards are stacked against her. Now she knows just how much. Because her sudden whim to pose as an “outdoorsy hunk of masculinity” male author for her new book just resulted in the unthinkable: a bidding war, a huge book deal, and the kind of fame every author dreams of. Now she’s in big trouble. Because she needs to convince the world that Zane Remington actually exists . . . but how?

By hiring an actor, of course.

Only Chris Stanton is not an actor—not officially. He’s used to balancing the books, not pretending he wrote one. Still, he’s mostly certain he can pose as some overly macho bro-author. But when the media descend on Daphne’s gorgeous remote home in the Yukon, it’s not enough for Chris to just be the face of Zane Remington—he’ll have to become him. All while hilariously balancing the terrifying dangers of the wilderness, a massive femme fandom, and a serious crush on Daphne. But as the hype circus gets more out of control, it’s just a matter of time before someone discovers their little write lie . . .

PJ's Thoughts:

This is the book I didn't know I needed but am overjoyed that I found. Filled with laugh-out-loud humor and overflowing with heart, it gave me that "I love this book so much I'm going to read it five times then place it front and center on my keeper shelf so I can revisit it every time I need a warm book hug" kind of feeling. Okay, so I haven't actually read it five times. I've only read it three. So far.

If you've seen Sandra Bullock's hilarious movie, The Lost City (and if you haven't, that's something you should correct immediately), this book is going to give you the same kind of vibe, though without the maniacal kidnapper and life-or-death chase through the jungle. Set primarily in the Yukon (and an assortment of book tour cities), this story has its fair share of adventure (there be bears) and comedic fish-out-of-water situations (for Chris) but also endearing moments and emotional depth. And it has Tika: best caring, protective, judgmental dog ever. And Sakura: best caring, protective, efficient, judgmental publicist ever. 

Daphne's experiences with the publication of her book (women in all professions should be able to relate) and all that entails when its post-publication popularity skyrockets is a dilemma many people-shy people face. I enjoyed watching her gradual evolution during the course of the book and how she learns to handle that. I really loved this character and was cheering her on the entire way.

Then there's Chris, a delicious, good-hearted, cinnamon roll of a hero (he bakes brownies) who learns important lessons as well. His evolution journey is hilarious in some places and hopelessly male in others (why did he think that was the right thing to do?!?), but overall so endearing that I couldn't help but fall in love with him too. And he and Daphne together? So meant to be. 

Armstrong also offers readers a clear-eyed look behind the curtains of the publishing industry in this book in ways that are enlightening, humorous, and, at times, incredibly frustrating. As a book blogger, I especially appreciated the revolving door of publicists. 

If you're looking for a book that will tickle your funny bone, warm your heart, and have you begging Kelley Armstrong to write more books in the rom-com genre (I'm begging!), I recommend adding Finding Mr. Write to your summer reading list. It's a gem.