Fake dating was supposed to be the plan… falling in love wasn’t.
In Lonesome Ridge, Maisey Yates delivers a small-town cowboy romance layered with emotional tension, family history, and a relationship that builds from reluctant partnership to something much deeper.
Lonesome Ridge by Maisey Yates
Series: Rustler Mountain #3
Published: February 24, 2026
Genres: Cowboy Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars)
This post contains Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Book Description
Tourists may flock to Rustler Mountain, Oregon for its Wild West reenactments, but for locals, the feuds between the outlaws and the lawmen are still very much alive in this swoon-inducing contemporary western series from New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates—ideal for fans of Lyla Sage, Elsie Silver, Jennifer Ryan, and Robyn Carr.
Good guys and bad guys . . . myth and legend . . . gold and ranching. That’s what historic Rustler Mountain, Oregon, is made of, complete with feuding families descended from outlaws and lawmen. A century later, their grudges still hold—but for a new generation, when opposites attract, it might be time to surrender . . .
From killers to courtesans, the Hancock family has what might be called an eclectic history. But they’ve managed to leverage it into something respectable, creating the popular Hancock Wild West Show. The event features reenactments and trick riding—the latter performed by clever, charismatic Jessie Jane Hancock.
Jessie is usually unflappable, but lately something’s needling her—and it’s not just her annoying attraction to exasperatingly sexy Flynn Wilder—whose great, great, great, great, great grandfather was betrayed by Jessie’s just-as-many-times-great grandfather. It’s the upcoming mayoral election. Specifically, the unopposed Danielle LeFevre, mean girl, all-around awful person, and Flynn’s not-so-beloved half-sister. Jessie wants to keep Danielle from winning . . . and the only person who bothers Flynn more than she does is Danielle.
“I want you to be my first man.” Jessie Jane is hot enough to make him hallucinate, but her request is very real. Jessie wants to run for mayor, and she wants him by her side, as her fake fiancé. A Hancock engaged to a Wilder. An outsider against the status quo. A drama their town will devour. Flynn always knew Jessie was a wild card, but bringing down his corrupt stepfamily is a temptation he can’t resist. Just like the vexing spark between him and Jessie. And once that fire catches, the real showdown begins . . .
My Review
This third book in the Rustler Mountain series focuses on Flynn and Jessie Jane—and while it can stand alone, I do think reading the series in order adds more depth to the family dynamics.
As with most of Maisey Yates’ books, this one leans heavily into emotional introspection. You spend a lot of time inside the characters’ heads, working through their fears, insecurities, and complicated relationships with family. I know that style isn’t for everyone—but I absolutely love it.
What really stood out to me was the focus on emotional connection rather than just physical attraction. After reading a string of books that leaned heavily into instant chemistry, this slower, more thoughtful build felt refreshing.
The progression into the third act felt grounded and believable, not overly dramatic. That said, I do think the resolution could have used just a little more depth—but it didn’t take away from the overall emotional payoff.
Both Flynn and Jessie Jane carry that sense of being outsiders within their own families, and watching them find acceptance—both in each other and within themselves—was one of the strongest elements of the story.
Why You’ll Love It
- Fake dating with real emotional stakes
- Enemies to lovers with layered history
- Small-town cowboy setting
- Strong focus on emotional growth
- Found family and belonging themes
Character Spotlight
🤠 Flynn Wilder – The youngest Wilder sibling, carrying the weight of family expectations and a complicated past. Quiet, guarded, and far more vulnerable than he lets on.
🎪 Jessie Jane Hancock – Confident, bold, and used to commanding attention—but beneath that strength is someone navigating fear, identity, and where she truly belongs.
Together, their story is built on tension, history, and the slow realization that sometimes the person you’ve been pushing away is the one who understands you best.
More from the Rustler Mountain Series
If you loved Lonesome Ridge, be sure to explore the earlier books in the Rustler Mountain series. Each story builds on the Wilder family dynamics, small-town tensions, and emotional journeys that make this series so compelling.
📖 Rustler Mountain (#1)
The book that started it all—introducing the Wilder siblings, long-standing feuds, and the emotional foundation of the series.
Read my review →
🔥 Outlaw Lake (#2)
A friends-to-lovers romance filled with longing, grief, and the quiet realization that love has been there all along.
Read my review →
🏔️ Lonesome Ridge (#3)
Fake dating turns into something real in this emotional, character-driven romance centered on Flynn and Jessie Jane.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her family. Known for her emotionally rich romances, she writes both intense category romances and light, contemporary love stories set in small-town communities.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy cowboy romances that lean into emotional depth rather than just heat, Lonesome Ridge is a strong addition to the series.
It’s thoughtful, character-driven, and filled with the kind of emotional tension that makes the payoff feel earned.
If cowboy romance is your thing, you’ll find more like this in my Book Reviews collection—perfect for your next binge read.
0 comments
Thanks for being here! I love hearing from readers, so please leave a comment below.