Claiming the Rancher’s Heir

A professional rivalry turns to passion in the steamy but simplistic second Gold Valley Vineyards romance from Yates (after Rancher’s Wild Secret). Though snooty Wren Maxfield of Maxfield Vineyards and cocky Creed Cooper of Cowboy Wines share a blistering attraction, they can’t be in the same room without arguing. But if they want to turn Logan County into a wine trail destination, they’ll have to collaborate—and their first planning session devolves into scorching hot hate-sex. Wren is struggling with the recent revelation that her controlling father is a sexual predator and trying to understand who she might be outside of his influence. Meanwhile, Creed is haunted by a trauma from his teen years: he got a girl pregnant and she completely shut him out of the child’s life. So when Wren discovers she’s pregnant, Creed is determined to make good and demands that they get married. It’s a classic setup, and though Yates gestures at updating the premise’s outmoded sexual politics, it still feels dated. While Wren worries about going from her father’s house to her husband’s house without ever striving for independence, this concern is glossed over in the rote happy ending. The palpable desire between the characters will satisfy series fans, but many readers will long for more substance. (Nov.)