Small Town Smokeshow by Holly Renée | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received an eBook copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: Small Town Smokeshow by Holly Renée 

My rating: 4/5

Publication date: 12th May 2026

Blurb: 

Hunter Calloway is a small town smokeshow and the kind of man my father warned me about.

He’s got a reputation a mile wide, a smile that could burn through any girl’s good sense, and did I mention he’s also the man my sister once loved and left behind?

He strolls through town like he owns it, tips his hat with a promise in his eyes, and slides those calloused hands across my bakery counter like they haven’t been haunting my dreams for years. He’s six feet of pure temptation wrapped in worn Wranglers, and every time I’m near him, it’s like striking a match during a drought…

Dangerous, inevitable, and exactly what I shouldn’t want.

I try to convince myself I don’t notice the way his gaze lingers, or the way he says my name as if he’s tasting it. But all my good intentions crumble to dust when we find ourselves alone under a sky full of stars with nothing but whiskey and want between us.

And it changes everything.

We promise each other we’re just having fun, yet his fingertips brush across my skin when no one’s watching, and we pretend we don’t ache for each other in a room full of people who would never understand. Every kiss stays in the dark, every desire whispered like a secret, and every touch brands me with guilt.

I know better than to fall for a cowboy like him.

I know better than to want my sister’s past.

But when his eyes find mine, I forget every reason I’ve ever had to say no.

Every touch feels like a risk and every secret like a countdown. I’m lying to everyone, falling harder for a man who never promised me anything, and wondering how much longer I can pretend I don’t care whether I’m just another notch on his well-worn belt.

Because I’m in love with Hunter Calloway regardless of the cost.

Review:

I read Cowboy Casual, the first book in the Calloway Ranch series, back in October 2025, and absolutely adored it, so I'd been impatiently waiting for Hunter Calloway's book ever since. Hunter and Maggie were mentioned so much throughout that first book, so I was immediately intrigued to read more about them in depth.

Maggie runs the bakery in Willow Grove after moving there with her sister, Ella. In Small Town Smokeshow, we learn that Hunter previously dated Ella but Ella cheated on him and moved back home to Tennessee. Maggie has always had feelings for Hunter, which he absolutely reciprocates, but she believes that acting on those feelings would be crossing a line because of Hunter and Ella's history, despite how she treated him.

The tension between Hunter and Maggie is palpable and their relationship and concerns felt so real. We love a man who yearns and Hunter does exactly that. Everyone around him notices too, despite him thinking that he hides it well.

Alongside this sister's ex/forbidden romance storyline, Maggie's relationship with her family adds an emotional layer to the book. She is very much the black sheep and I did really feel for her.

I loved being back with these characters and in my review for Cowboy Casual, I mentioned how beautifully Ruby, Colt's daughter was woven into the story. She wasn't forgotten about and this continued on in Small Town Smokeshow, with some lovely scenes between Ruby and not only her uncle Hunter, but the rest of the gang too.

McCoy and Sutton to come? 👀

Brave New Summer by Sarah Morgan | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Title & Author: Brave New Summer by Sarah Morgan 

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: HQ

Publication date: 21st May 2026

Blurb:

Evie is the acting general manager of The Alexandra hotel in picturesque Cornwall, but she feels trapped in a life defined by others’ expectations. Just as she contemplates a fresh start, Abby arrives, sent undercover by the hotel’s owner to assess the staff and operations. But Abby is navigating her own struggles and longs to break free from the shadow of her mother.

As the two women forge an unexpected friendship, they confront their fears and the threat of change looming over them. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. Will they find the strength to reshape their futures, or will the weight of the past hold them back?

Review:

I loved this book so much and I can't believe it is my first Sarah Morgan book.

Evie is acting general manager of the Alexandra Hotel in Cornwall but after taking over the role, she knows changes have to be made to make the place more profitable. The downside is that growing up in this small town means that all of the staff have known her since she was a baby, they are set in their ways and Evie feels awkward forcing her new ideas and plans upon them.

In Boston, Alexandra Strong, the hotel chain owner decides to send her daughter Abby over undercover to report back on what the day to day runnings are like and how the staff are performing. They have received offers from other companies wanting to buy the hotel and Alexandra usually doesn't let emotions get in the way of business so Abby is confused by her mother adamantly stating that it will not be sold. She and her mother moved from Cornwall to Boston when Abby was four years old but her mother never likes to talk about the past.

The setting for this book was stunning and I loved the close knit community. There is drama, romance, found family and I loved the development between all of the characters but especially Abby and her mother when everything from the past is out in the open. 

Freeing The Wild by Paisley Hope | Book Review

[This post contains affiliate links.] 

Title & Author: Freeing The Wild by Paisley Hope 

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: Evermore

Publication date: 6th November 2025

Blurb:

Rising country star Cassie Spencer's music career is just taking off when tragedy strikes mid-tour. Seeking solace, she retreats to rural Kentucky to escape the spotlight and visit her family.

Haden Westbrook, the charming heartthrob of Laurel Creek only wants one thing: a peaceful life tending to the Silver Pines ranch and his rescue horses. But when free-spirited Cassie hurricanes back into town, his world turns upside down. Especially since the last time he saw her ended with a steamy night in his truck. . .

They’d promised then it’d be a one-time thing. But now, as Cassie and Haden spend more time together, their undeniable chemistry reignites.

Cassie's stay at Silver Pines was meant to be temporary. But as their spring fling turns into something deeper, can Haden convince her to stay?

Review:

I'll admit, from what we saw of Haden in the previous books I wasn't sure how I'd feel about him, but he has very quickly become my favourite male main character from the Silver Pines series.

Haden Westbrook is the head ranch hand at Silver Pines and enjoys secretly spending his spare time helping rescue horses. Cassie Spencer is the sister of Ivy, who is married to Haden's boss Wade, and is a singer-songwriter being pushed to the brink by her manager. The two have a one night stand before she goes on the road again but Haden is unaware that she is Ivy's sister.

Months later, Haden is still angry with Cassie and following a traumatic incident at a show, she decides to stay at Silver Pines for a few weeks to get a bit of a break. 

The character backgrounds for Haden and Cassie are fantastic. I really related to Haden's relationship with one of his parents and there was a lovely development for both of them. Cassie is going through a troubling time and Haden's past has always hung over him. Their relationship is beautiful to watch and I fell in love with both of them.

I adored this from start to finish. I'll be sad when this series is over!

Riding The High by Paisley Hope | Book Review

[This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: Riding The High by Paisley Hope 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Evermore

Publication date: 24th April 2025

Blurb:

When Cole Ashby is appointed Laurel Creek’s interim sheriff, he is determined to prove himself as the best man for the job. A devoted single dad, his goal is to lay steady roots for his young daughter.

The daughter of a Kentucky congressman, Ginger Danforth's life has always been about neat appearances. But inside she’s dying to break free and embrace the sense of adventure that runs through her veins.

During a wild weekend in Vegas, Ginger and Cole play a game of truth or dare and, after a few too many drinks, find themselves hitched in a neon-lit chapel. With no quick way out, they strike a deal: stay secretly married until Ginger’s father is re-elected and Cole lands the sheriff job permanently.

But as the pair are forced to spend an increasing amount of time in each other’s company, sparks fly and their accidental marriage starts to feel dangerously real.

Until they forget they were ever pretending at all...

Review:

From the glimpses we got of Cole Ashby and Ginger Danforth in the previous two books in the Silver Pines series, I was intrigued to see how this would pan out. Cole always seemed like he was slightly annoyed by Ginger who enjoyed riling him up.

Single dad Cole is the brother of Ginger's best friend CeCe and is due to be sworn in as the new town sheriff. Whilst looking like they don't get along on the outside, the two have been secret friends with each of them always being there for the other when they need it.

To celebrate CeCe's upcoming wedding, the whole gang go to Las Vegas and yep, you guessed it - Ginger becomes Mrs Ashby. With Cole about to be sheriff and Ginger's dad being the congressman, these two cannot afford to have a scandal. They decide to keep the marriage a secret and Ginger becomes the nanny for Cole's daughter Mabel for the summer. The two realise that their friendship has actually maybe always run deeper 

I am just obsessed with this series. The setting, the storylines, the plots, the characters, I am just completely pulled in. 

Training The Heart by Paisley Hope | Book Review

Title & Author: Training The Heart by Paisley Hope 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Evermore

Publication date: 17th October 2024

Tropes: 

• Grumpy x sunshine

• Accidental pregnancy 

• Found family

• One bed

• Caretaking

• Boss x employee 

Blurb:

Wade Ashby is the grumpiest cowboy I’ve ever met. He also happens to be my boss and the hottest man in Southern America.

It’s been my dream to train a horse on route the Kentucky derby for as long as I can remember. So when the opportunity to work at the Silver Pines ranch presented itself, I grabbed it by the horns.

Being the best horse trainer in Kentucky was my only priority. Until I accidentally slept with my boss.

Now, I can’t think of anything but him.

And once I start tearing down his walls, there’s no going back.

Because the only way he’ll open up his heart again is if it stays that way forever.

Review: 

Well done Paisley Hope for being the first author to make me like the accidental pregnancy trope.

Training The Heart is the second book in the Silver Pines series and follows permanent grump Wade Ashby who is recently divorced from his wife, and new horse trainer Ivy Spencer. Ivy has been hired to cover a maternity leave so knows she probably won't be there forever. She is feisty, taking back control of her life after leaving her ex-boyfriend.

I absolutely loved this. The setting and pace were fantastic, that combined with the development of Wade and Ivy's relationship meant that I didn't want to put this down. It does tackle some harder subjects like grief, alcoholism and infertility and it even made me like a trope that I usually hate! 

I am a fan of Paisley Hope's writing for sure and I have fallen in love with this world and these characters. Time to get stuck into the next one!