Book Review: “Smooth Talking Cowboy” by Maisey Yates
Olivia Logan has a reputation of being Golden Valley’s sweetheart and she certainly would never get wrapped up in something even slightly scandalous. So when she’s spotted out on the town with Luke Hollister, who has quite the reputation, especially in regards to women, no one knows quite what to think. Olivia, however, is determined to win back her ex-boyfriend, Bennett, and making him jealous is sure to make him realize she is the right woman for him. Luke is happy to play along, as the deal also works in his favor; he’s got an eye on a piece of property that is owned by Olivia’s father and he needs her to talk him up. Neither one of them expected their fake courtship to be anything other than that.
Smooth Talking Cowboy was my first Maisey Yates book and I really enjoyed it. I was drawn to the storyline, as the fake relationship trope is one of my favorites. And I always enjoy a steamy romance novel. So I was pleasantly surprised to see it was also about: learning how to let love in, letting go of everything you once believed you wanted and embracing the love you have always been looking for.
Yates did a really great job at making Olivia and Luke’s relationship one you want to root for. While it is apparent to readers from the first time we see them on the page together that their chemistry is off the charts, they have this underlying connection that stems from knowing each other for almost a decade. Their relationship wasn’t solely love/lust at first sight, which was a welcome surprise.
I also really enjoyed Luke’s character. I found myself flipping through the book to see how many pages until I got to the next Luke scene on more than one occasion. Besides being a smoking hot cowboy, he’s gruff, antagonizing and standoffish, yet still lets parts of him be seen without realizing it. He was honest to a fault, but you always knew what he was feeling. Despite having a rough family life as a child, he was able to remain loyal to his friends, who he saw as his “chosen” family. He went so far as to deny his attraction to Olivia for years, because he felt like she deserved better than him. However, the thing I enjoyed most about Luke is that he always knew the right time to say the most swoon-worthy things.
“You’re not just a pretty girl. There are millions of pretty girls. But there is only one of you and you have had me, had my heart, for a hell of a long time.”
Seriously, any Luke Hollister copy cats out there? I’m single.
Overall, I recommend this book to any romance lovers out there. I’m going to keep reading Maisey Yates’ novels, especially as this was the first in a new series and I’m excited to see what comes next.
Official Synopsis:
Olivia Logan has a plan: win back her ex by making him see what he’s missing. But first she needs to find a man who’s willing to play along. With his laid-back cowboy charm and knack for getting under her skin, 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.
Luke likes his life—and his women—uncomplicated. So why does good girl Olivia heat his blood like no one else? She’s always been off-limits, but the more time they spend as Gold Valley’s hottest new “couple,” the more real it’s starting to feel. Luke was 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’ll ever let go.
Smooth Talking Cowboy came out February 20th. Book 2 in the Gold Valley series is Untamed Cowboy and comes out June 19, 2018. For more on Maisey Yates and her books visit her website.