Cowboy Christmas Redemption

Guilt, unrequited love, grief, family drama - all of that boils down to angst, lots and lots of angst. Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing except when you have angst just for the sake of angst, and after a while, this started to feel that way. Nevertheless, we do have a sexy cowboy to swoon over, and Caleb is such a sweetheart. He's a little bit too guilt-ridden in my opinion, which holds him back, but he's still lovable, and it's hard not to want to see him get his happy ever after. Ellie made me a bit crazy with her back and forth. I get her reasons for being so gunshy, but the repetition of her inner monologue caused a few eye-rolls for me. The conclusion was the saving grace in Cowboy Christmas Redemption, and I have to hand it to Maisey Yates - that scene between our couple, once they have their epiphany, warms you all the way to your toes. In the end, this one had things I liked and things I didn't, but the story was definitely worth the read, and that conclusion leaves you with all the warm fuzzies a Christmas romance should.

4.5 Caleb and Ellie’s love story in Cowboy Christmas Redemption by Maisey Yates, book 8 in A Gold Valley series, was an emotional, sexy, and enjoyable tale. Since the day he met her, Caleb Dalton has loved Ellie Bell; despite her dating, and then marrying his best friend Clint. Now a widow and single mom, Ellie thinks of Caleb as her best friend and rock. She has always been oblivious to his feelings and interest in her; which was difficult for me to visualize and understand. Caleb has always been hands-off with Ellie so when he discovers that she has a Christmas wish list including a kiss under the mistletoe, he knows he’s in. He’s not going to let anyone else get close to her and take another chance at losing her. He is the only one who will be kissing Ellie as well as sharing the magic of Christmas with her and her daughter. Now if only Caleb can prove that he’s the one to complete and fulfill Ellie and her daughter’s lives. Ms. Yates wrote a fun, flirty, sexy sports romance that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, sexual chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters giving Caleb and Elle a chance to at love, and the chance to be a family for. I highly recommend Cowboy Christmas Redemption to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Caleb has loved Ellie for at least 10 years and her daughter for 4 years. It was love at first sight for him, but unfortunately Ellie was in love with his good friend and brother-from-another, Clint. However, Clint dies in an accident before his daughter is born and Caleb steps in as Ellie's friend and protector. Caleb has always felt inferior to everyone due to his learning disabilities and doesn't feel that he is good enough for Ellie, but he also cannot see her being with anyone who isn't him. Ellie has been alone for 4 years and isn't real crazy about her maturing, post childbirth body, but she is lonely and is craving the physical touch of a man. Ellie decides to make a Christmas wish list and with the help of her friend, Vanessa, she is going to try to find a man to sleep with her. Caleb gets a hint of what is going on and shows up at the bar and sees red. He dances with Ellie and then confronts her about what she is doing and she finally says that maybe it should be him that fulfills her list. Once he sees what all she has listed, he knows that this is going to be a huge test of his patience, his love, and his libido. In order for Ellie and Caleb to find their HEA, they must both confront and overcome the shadows in their past. I really loved this book and look forward to reading more by Ms. Yates. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.