This post may contain affiliate links — meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. We carefully curate our affiliate partnerships and only work with companies we like and believe in. Earning commissions like this helps us sustain our blog but the opinions we share are always our own.
The Official Blurb
“Christmastime in Gold Valley, Oregon, means hot chocolate, snowy nights and one very sexy cowboy holiday surprise…
There’s only one thing Chloe Nolan wants for Christmas this year—and he wears a cowboy hat and is completely off-limits. When her mom married into the Reid family, Chloe found her calling, working with horses on the ranch. How could she risk that newfound stability by revealing her crush on her stepbrother, Tanner? But when Chloe and Tanner get snowed in on their way to a family gathering, it’s just the chance to extinguish the flame that’s been burning for too long. One night. One wish. One bed…
She’s the woman Tanner’s always wanted—and vowed he’d never touch. Yet when Chloe reveals her secret wish, all those years of pent-up longing erupt with life-changing force. Now it’s Tanner’s turn to take a risk, and turn one magical Christmas night into the beginning of forever…”
Snowed In with the Cowboy by Maisey Yates
Genre: Contemporary Cowboy Romance
Spice Level: 🌶️ Jalapeño
Published: 2018
Spoilers & Trigger Warning: Sibling Incest (step-siblings)
Welcome to Gold Valley, Oregon — Where the Cowboys Are Hot and the Family Trees Are … Complicated
If you’ve ever wanted to cozy up with a snowbound cowboy romance that skates the thin, icy line of taboo, Maisey Yates’s Snowed In with the Cowboy might be the holiday read you didn’t know you were conflicted about.
Let’s just rip the Band-Aid off: this is a romance between step-siblings. Chloe Nolan and Tanner Reid aren’t blood-related but their family ties definitely make things awkward — and a little eyebrow-raising. Think: Hallmark setting, HBO content, and a plot twist that says, “surprise, we grew up together … and now we’re snowed in with only one bed.”
The Setup:
Chloe, 25, works with horses on the family ranch. She’s independent, passionate, and — oh yeah — been secretly lusting after her much older stepbrother Tanner since she was 12. Tanner, a classic cowboy type who’s been pining for Chloe since she turned 18, is equal parts rugged, broody, and inappropriate fantasy fuel.
Due to an ill-timed snowstorm and some extremely convenient plotting by the author, Chloe and Tanner find themselves stranded overnight in a small-town lodge. With — you guessed it — one room with one bed. Cue the snowball fight, burgers and fries, hot chocolate … and spicy confessions.
Chloe lays it all out: she wants one night of no-strings-attached sex. Tanner’s response? “You’re my darkest fantasy.” And they have a night of intimate interludes. Chloe, a virgin, manages to climax through oral and intercourse on the first try — which, okay, I guess miracles really do happen at Christmas.
The Conflict:
The next day, they pretend nothing happened. But they definitely bang again. And, surprise!, Tanner catches feelings. (Or maybe he’s just been hiding them this whole time. It’s unclear … but emotions are high and the sexual tension remains jalapeño-hot.)
Chloe isn’t so sure. She’s worried about what a relationship could mean for her family ties, her job on the ranch, and, let’s be real, the general weirdness of dating her stepbrother. But they talk. Like, actually communicate — which, to be fair, is a refreshing rarity in romance land.
With some surprisingly supportive family advice (especially from Chloe’s mom), the couple decides to give it a shot. And yes, there’s a Christmas Day proposal. Because nothing says “family holiday” like a ring from your stepbrother.
Things I Liked:
- The pacing! Fast and satisfying — perfect for a snow day read.
- Dialogue: Maisey Yates really knows how to make characters talk like actual people.
- Communication: Chloe and Tanner talk through their issues, which is more than I can say for half the romance genre.
- Condom use. Cheers to safe sex in fiction!
Things I Struggled With:
- The step-sibling relationship. No blood relation, sure — but cultural taboos aren’t so easily shaken off. (I think my podcast co-host was more freaked out about this than I was, though.)
- Virgin Sex Climaxing Magic. Chloe experiences perfect orgasms with every single one of her first intimate encounters. I mean, girl, good for you … but I remain skeptical.
- The “Darkest Fantasy” Line. I don’t like to kink shame … but …
Final Thoughts:
Would I read more Maisey Yates? Yes! But maybe I’ll stick to her cowboy romances without the complicated family web. I loved the Oregon setting (who knew it had cowboys?), the snowed-in setup, and the message that love is active. That part? I believe in 100%.
Would I Recommend It?
Depends. If you’re into spicy cowboy romances and can look past the step-sibling dynamic, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if that’s a hard limit for you — this ain’t your rodeo.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the book, you can listen to the podcast episode on your favorite podcast streaming service. Or click here for our in-house podcast player. I share my Romantic Reminder gleaned from the book. You can also find out if I won the episode Boobie Prize. Want to read the book for yourself? You can get it here.
Have you read The Border Lord’s Bride? Let me know your thoughts on this book in the comments!
