Emma Slate: Lavender Lake

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236908474-lavender-lake

Book Blurb:

One night. All passion. No names.

I’ll never see him again.

But when I get on a plane home to Huckleberry Hill for a family emergency, my one-night stand sits down next to me.

Cas Bowman.

Famous bull rider.

And my future brother-in-law’s best friend.

No one can know we hooked up—not even my sister. And I vow never to let it happen again.

But then I remember the feel of him against me and the taste of him on my lips . . .

Suddenly, a thousand-acre ranch is too small to contain our lust, and it takes only a spark before we fall into bed again.

A future together is impossible. My life is back in New York and he’s destined to return to the rodeo circuit.

Then the stick turns pink . . .

Cas is a famous bull rider—but now he’s in for the wildest ride of his life.

Tropes:

*Darkstar Romance ALC  *Cowboy romance *Smalltown Romance  *Strangers --> more

*Twin (FMC) *Forced Proximity *Surprise Pregnancy *He Falls First 

*State Challenge (Idaho repeat)  *Long term grief  *Bull rider MMC *Cinnamon roll MMC

*Spice *Age Gap *secrets 

Thoughts:

Salem (FMC) Is on her way home for two reasons... and only 2 reasons to be by her father's side as he recovers from an accident, and to be there for her twin sister as she walks down the aisle to marry the man she loves.  She is leaving back to her life in the big city (New York) ASAP and does not need any unexpected delays.

Cas (MMC) is an unexpected delay Salem didn't see coming, meeting en route to home she has what she thinks will be a one night thing with a handsome stranger... only to find herself seated on the plane next to him... what?  Turns out this is Cas, her future brother-in-laws best man and he's going to be staying in the same house as her... in the room right next to hers.

To start with I wasn't a big fan of Salem's she seemed pretty young and she is she's in her early 20's but life keeps throwing additional wrenches she doesn't see coming so when she finds out her father has a girlfriend... and everyone knows about it but didn't bother to tell her because they were worried how she would react she gets pretty upset about it.  

Throughout the story the general theme is that Salem is a bit of a hot head and doesn't take things well, she even gets in a bar fight with her high school nemesis.  But I think that people don't give her enough credit even though she is a bit of a hot head at times she also loves deeply and is highly protective over family and friends those who she considers part of her family... I don't think that others give her enough credit that she can handle harder news and because of that they avoid talking about it with her leading to some of these issues that come up when a simple conversation (sooner) could have solved the problem.

Salem has been avoiding coming home because it reminds her of her mom (who she lost when she was younger), it's hard to return to the home she grew up in knowing that person she wants to see the most won't be there.  

This story had many emotional moments and it was really sweet seeing Cas just be there for Salem when she needed him most, she didn't have to say anything he just knew what she needed... someone who started as a one night stand is becoming so much more and quickly... but he's a professional bull rider and still very much involved with that lifestyle does he even want a girlfriend? --> more?  Her home is across the country she never planned on staying but the idea of leaving is feeling harder and harder.

Cas is so sweet he's down to earth, he's supportive, he's handsome and he's just what our girl Salem needs to keep her grounded when she's feeling a bit out of control they completed each other like a missing piece to a puzzle. 

As I said before I wasn't a big fan of Salem's at the beginning but as her story unfolds you can truly see she's a sweet girl with a big heart just trying to do the right thing... even when she's keeping secrets it's coming from a good place.  

This book did feel a bit like a repeat of the first one at times but over all I enjoyed this book and I plan to read the next in the series soon.  

The narrators did an amazing job bringing this story to life and I thank the author and DarkStar Romance for this ALC!  If you enjoy audio books and this book is on your TBR get the audio book! 

If you've read this one what did you think?  

Emma Slate: Huckleberry Hill

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235731168-huckleberry-hill

Book Blurb:

When my fiancé leaves me because I can’t have children, I do the only thing I can think of . . .

I run away to my family’s ranch in Idaho to hide from my feelings and nurse my wounded heart.

I expect the comforts of home, the solitude of the mountains, and long horseback rides through the forest.

What I don’t expect is my father’s new ranch hand.

Declan Brewer.

Tall. Dark. Rugged.

And he looks just as delicious on a horse as he does a Harley.

He’s got a wicked smile full of promises . . .

Our chemistry is undeniable, and in one forbidden moment, we combust. But instead of burning out, our energy rages into a passionate inferno.

Between bouts of pleasure in Declan’s arms and the laughter we share in his bed, he chips away at the armor I’ve erected around my heart.

Declan is everything I’ve ever wanted, but I’m scared he won’t stay when he finds out the truth . . .

I’m broken, and I don’t know if love will be enough.

*Cowboy romance  *Small town  *strangers --> more  *banter  *Rom-com *forced proximity

*Infertility *insta lust/love  *surprise pregnancy  *state challenge Idaho *close family

*Dark Star Romance ALC 2026 *forbidden romance *boss's daughter *whirlwind relationship 

*Cinnamon Roll MMC  *Cozy read *green flag book boyfriend *Sassy Grandma

*small town gossip *Age Gap 

Thoughts:

Hadley (FMC) returns home to her family ranch after her engagment breaks off suddenly first night at home she runs into the new ranch hand Declan who is super hot and shirtless... well now this return visit just got interesting.

Not wanting to jump into anything after just getting out of a long term relationship Hadley struggles with her growing attraction towards Declan and also knows that her dad wouldn't like her snuggling up with his new employee... in fact it's something her father would fire him over, but her dad just might be keeping his own secrets.

Hadley has a strong group of friends including her twin sister and other two room mates that were all living together in New York City (until recently when she returned home to have some time for self reflection).  She is dealing with another big blow not just the loss of her relationship but also the news that she recently learned of her infertility.

Declan is handsome, charming and caring he's hardworking and pretty much the best book boyfriend ever it's easy to see how Hadley was drawn to him to the point of not being able to resist any longer.  After some discussions with her friend group who are all for her getting over her last guy by getting under a new one she decides to throw caution to the wind... all caution and goes for it where our couple ends up sneaking around (but not as well as they thought since it's a small town and word travels fast... lets just hope for Hadley's sake no one tells her dad before she can.

Hadley has some decisions to make too is she returning to the big city or staying home?  What will happen when she tells her dad about the relationship with Declan, is it a situationship?  or more because she certainly wasn't planning on starting anything new while coming home to get over her ex.

This was a cute cozy read, I loved Hadley's relationship with her family and her girlfriends and that coming home was a real eye opener to finding out who she was as a person now without her friend group and her ex fiance in the mix she's always been a people pleaser and maybe it's time for her to do something she wants to do... as soon as she figures out what that is!  Declan was a strong steady support system for Hadley and was there when she needed him... even saving her from a bear.  

I loved Hadley's grandma she was sweet and sassy!  I'm also hoping that the rest of the series is about Hadley's friend group also finding their own sweet cowboy... even her twin who is reluctant to ever leave the big city and return home.  

I did think that this was more of an insta love and everything moved pretty fast without them really knowing much about each other… but I guess sometimes love happens fast.  

This was a multicast audio book and everyone did a great job bringing these sweet characters to life thank you to the author and Dark Star Romance for this ALC

Rebecka Cole: Legacy & Lace

Hazel left her family, friends and everything she knew behind her (family, friends, the family ranch) in Montana after her father's death she sets up her new life in Colorado and hasn't been back since... Until now when she hears through the grapevine that her aunt is struggling more with a recent injury than she's letting on in her weekly phone calls she doesn't hesitate to come home to help... it's just temporary.

Eli Dawson had been Hazel's best friend since childhood, he's a handsome, steady cowboy and at this point no longer waiting for Hazel to change her mind... he stayed while she left maybe it was bad timing on his part but he's always loved Hazel and the time he decides to just tell her she leaves before he wakes up the next morning... now she's breezing back in town expecting everyone to thank her for coming things have been tough for awhile she just didn't hang out long enough to see that he's been helping hold together the ranch with limited resources.  

When Hazel returns to the ranch in many ways she has a lot to catch up on but in others it feels like she never left the closer it gets to having to make a decision as to whether to go back to her life she's been building in Colorado or stay and help in Montana she finds herself torn between two tough choices... but maybe it's just a bit harder this time since Eli has dug his way a bit deeper in her heart.

With the ranch being in a dire financial situation there are big choices to make... and a shady neighbor keeps popping up... go away Cole!  

*ARC Read *2026 *State Challenge Montana *slow burn *Second chance romance  *cowboy 

*Ranch life  *Brooding MMC  *Grief  *Loss of parent (FMC) *long term pining *small town  *Indie Author

Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book right away you can see how grief is clouding everything in Hazel's life she loved her dad and the ranch and everything in Montana but couldn't see herself able to stay after his passing how could she go on in her dad's world without him there with her? 

Coming back to town after so long there is big tension between Eli and Hazel he's still bitter and upset (reasonably so) after they had a night to remember and then she left him without a word, even with his heart shattered and his girl out of the state he continued to help on his own ranch and help Hazel's Aunt out on her Ranch but he knows the lay of the land and that the financial situation isn't what it used to be, without Hazel's dad there to run the place the extra income opportunities left and word spreads fast in a small town.

Hazel is back but for how long?  I liked that Eli didn't let her off the hook immediately after so long he was guarded, grumpy and doesn't let up on harder questions like How long are you staying?  He wanted answers and while he gave up waiting around for her to come back he makes it known that her leaving wrecked him.

This has amazing slow burn tension even when he's grumpy and guarded you know that Eli still feels the same way and since she's back Hazel is finally facing that she might feel that way too but what is she supposed to do?  Her life is in Colorado now she only has so many weeks out of work to help and she is getting questioned by her boss when is she returning?... But what if she is seeing her future now in Montana?

To be honest Eli had my heart from the beginning... if you ever find someone who loves you as much as Eli loves Hazel... don't run off in the middle of the night to a different state without talking to them you keep them and hold on tight so someone else doesn't grab them up.  I did find myself getting irritated with Hazel at times because she was so set on not making any decisions about staying but and I didn't want to see her break Eli's heart again!  

This is an emotional read that will have you rooting for both of our leads to find their way back to each other... and for Hazel to finally face and make big decisions.