Book Review: Wild and Wrangled (Rebel Blue Ranch #4) by Lyla Sage

September 7, 2025April 22, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Lyla Sage
Publisher: Dial Press
Release Date: April 15th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s the one that got away. He’s the one that never let her go.

From the bestselling author of Done and Dusted and Swift and Saddled, the next book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, a small town romance in which past lovers get a second chance to rediscover what they lost.

Camille Ashwood had always loved a plan. Her latest was her best yet. She was going to get married so she could secure her daughter’s future, get her overbearing parents off her back, and finally start building her own life in small town Meadowlark, Wyoming. Easy, right?

But when her groom doesn’t show up to the wedding, Cam’s life is turned upside down—she doesn’t even have a place to live. That is, until she finds out the house she’s loved since high school is available to rent. There’s only one problem: the neighbor.

Dusty Tucker has spent nearly all of his adult life running. Running from what, though? More like who: Cam Ashwood. But ever since he returned home last year, the girl who was his first, well, everything has become a woman seemingly determined to keep him at arm’s length. And he was okay with that—at least, that’s what he kept telling himself. She was getting married, after all. But now she’s single and living next door. Dusty wants to show her that they can be friends, and that he can stay put.

Despite her best attempts to stay far away from Dusty Tucker, Cam realizes that being close to him is like slipping on her favorite jeans. Easy. Comfortable. That is until past wounds start to open and feelings—both old and new—wreak havoc. Nearly ten years after they first met, Dusty and Cam begin to wonder if their first love can also be their last. And this time, will it be forever?

I AM BEREFT.

OH how I wanted to love this final book in the Rebel Blue ranch series. And there were many good pieces too it!! But gosh dang it, some things made me throw my phone too.

The good is all about this family. I love this whole ranch, seeing all of my favorite characters, having the hard conversations and the loving ones too. There’s a lot of healing I feel when I read those scenes. And I did like some pieces of the romance too. I can admit to that.

Our dear FMC, Cam drove me up a wall. I felt that the inner monologue about her parent issues and other such things were on a constant loop and made the story feel lacking in the plot. Some of the flashbacks with Dusty were really sweet which made me all the more nervous to find out what caused the initial rupture. AND LO AND BEHOLD. It made me cranky, so very cranky. I think this third act is about as bad as miscommunication (honestly it falls under the umbrella).

Not all I was hoping for, but I still look forward to future Sage books.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: 3-4 open door
Violence: low
Content warnings: emotionally manipulative parents

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ARC Book Review: Darkness Births the Stars by Sarah Lee Wohn

September 6, 2025August 27, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 700 pages
Author: Sarah Lee Wohn
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: September 3rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Their forbidden love tore the world apart.
Now two broken gods might be the only ones able to heal it.

Haunted by his past and the evil forces he commanded, Noctis, once the God of Darkness, cannot forget Rada, the former Goddess of Light—and the queen who ruled at his brother’s side. Condemned to mortality, thought dead to the whole world, Noctis craves one last meeting …

Stripped of her magic and exiled for treason, Rada has built an idyllic new life on a farm at the edges of the realm. But her peace is shattered one stormy night when Noctis—the enemy who caused her downfall, the lover she betrayed in turn—appears at her door, wounded and desperate.

When a sinister attack reveals the powers of Chaos are stirring once more, Noctis’s dark past begins to unravel. As desire and duty entwine, Rada faces an impossible choice. Can she become the ally of the man who broke her heart to save everything she holds dear?

Inspired by Nordic mythology, this first book in a series follows star-crossed lovers, their fall from grace and their quest for redemption. Sizzling, tension-filled romance, high-stakes magical battles, and morally-grey characters make this the perfect read for fans of Gild, The Cruel Prince and When the Moon Hatched.

Are you prepared to touch the Darkness?

Thank you to the author and MTMC Tours for the gifted copy.

I KIND OF WANT BOOK TWO.

I was really into this for probably the first 30-40%. The length hadn’t started to show and the story was interesting! But then I started to see some cracks.

There is no way this needed to be 750 pages. Some condensing would have made the plot move steadier and still allowed for the same growth and arcs. And something that tends to bug me is when flashback chapters are used to add spice. It flirts with that line I have about needing plot > spice if the flashbacks aren’t truly adding much to the story. NOW there were some scenes that absolutely did add more world system set up. It wasn’t a total lost cause.

The MC’s were probably my favorite of the book. I enjoyed Noctis and Rada the most. Especially Noctis with his brooding ways and self sacrificing nature when it comes to anything involving Rada. I love villainous love interests and he plays the part expertly.

While it was a bit of a slog to get to the last quarter I think the book started to shine again. I enjoyed the ending and the hinted set-up for the next book (I definitely thought this was a standalone so you’ve been warned!!). No big cliffhanger at least.

For a debut, it was good. I genuinely could see the effort and care for the story, even with my hang-ups. I’m curious about book two and how this will spiral the plot.

Overall audience notes:

Romantasy
Language: moderate – strong
Romance: 4ish+ long open door
Violence: high

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Book Review: Black Tide Son (The Winter Sea #2) by H.M. Long

September 5, 2025August 17, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 437 pages
Author: H.M. Long
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: July 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Swashbuckling adventure on the high-seas, full of magic, betrayal, redemption and fearsome women, in the second book of the Winter Sea series, for readers of Adrienne Young and Naomi Novik.

A captured pirate reveals shocking news to Mary and Samuel that sends them in urgent pursuit of Samuel’s twin brother, Benedict, but their search uncovers much more than they bargained for. While evading a cunning new foe, Mary and Samuel must navigate the complexities of their own growing bond as they launch a rescue mission within one of the most secure fortresses on the Mereish Coast.

GREAT SEQUEL.

We all know that second book can be hit or miss and I found this one to be a hit! I enjoyed reading this via audiobook again and love love love that it’s dual POV.

I think this journey continued well and I loved being back on the open seas with this crew. There’s a lot of good action and drama and one of those very slow burn romances that has you begging them to get together ASAP. I thought the tangent aspects of the plot fit back into the larger arc and it has me excited to pick up book three!

I can’t directly pinpoint what was missing, but it just wasn’t a full five star for me. Definitely a good read, one I’d recommend and filled with awesome characters and magic too.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy + Romance
Language: low, scattered throughout
Romance: heated make-outs
Violence: moderate
Content Warnings: kidnapping, loss of life, attempted murder

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Book Review: A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores #3.5) by Julie Klassen

September 4, 2025August 9, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 238 pages
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The holiday stirs up excitement as fondly remembered guests come to stay and acquaintances grow into more. . . .

With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year’s Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland–and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall–blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year’s dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters?

Spend the holiday season with the Summers sisters on the charming Devonshire coast, where family bonds are strengthened, love is rekindled, and Christmas joy abounds.

Julie Klassen’s heartwarming Christmas companion to the On Devonshire Shores series holds themes of friends to more, sisterhood bonds, and matchmaking that will fill you with holiday spirit. This novella can be read separately or along with the series and will appeal to fans of Jane Austen, English Regency romance, and Downtown Abbey.

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy.

IT WAS SWEET.

I’ve really enjoyed this series from Julie Klassen. And this little novella was just as sweet as the rest. It touched on a lot of good themes and topics that brought about moments for growth and realizing that you’ve got to adapt to move forward.

I adore all of the sisters and how close they have become over each book. Getting to see them all together celebrating the holidays was tender and made for an easy read. I love reading close relationships between family members.

There’s a little bit of romance too!! I liked the slow burn and swoony moments too. Callum was such a great love interest and I adored Effie and Cora too. Truly this whole cast was a delight. It’s a heartwarming story perfect for the holiday season.

Overall audience notes: