I have to admit - I’ve been a huge fan of Holly Renee’s for a while. But when I heard she was writing a contemporary cowboy romance, I was more than a little skeptical. (She’s a romantasy queen!) But, as all die hard fans do, I decided to try it out.
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Blaire Monroe’s life is a mess. She’s recently learned that her fiancé has been cheating on her. Her father, a politician with no Dad gene whatsoever, is an asshole; he tries to convince Blaire to stick around and move beyond the cheating - only concerned about how this scandal might reflect on his political career and upcoming campaign. Frustrated, angry, and with nowhere else to go, Blaire heads back to her small town roots and returns to her grandmother’s strawberry farm in hopes of finding herself again. Enter Cole - “THE guy” from her past, boy-next-door…the one who got away and broke her heart in the process. Tension, emotions, and yearning that’s palpable ensues.
I approached this ARC with some hesitation since small-town, second-chance romances aren’t usually my thing. But Renee did several things right.
Renee creates a vivid small-town world full of warm, homey details and just the right amount of grit - from the strawberry farm setting to the town’s familiar feel. The setting adds richness to the story and gives the “return home” theme genuine emotion.
I also appreciated that Colt’s role as a single dad added so much depth to his character. He’s not just the rugged cowboy next door - he’s a devoted dad doing his best for his little girl, Ruby. His tenderness and patience balance perfectly with Blaire’s fiery independence, making their dynamic richer and more heartfelt.
And Ruby? She’s an absolute scene-stealer. Her innocence and charm soften Blaire’s edges in the best way. The bond that grows between them feels natural - never forced - and gives the story an emotional warmth that grounds the romance. Blaire’s moments with Ruby show how healing and love can take unexpected forms, even outside the central romance.
The secondary characters were just as awesome as Blaire and Colt. Grandma June reminded me so much of my meddling grandmother who was too wise for her own good but who had more intuition than most. I loved that she was behind the scenes, trying to play matchmaker for her granddaughter and the boy next door.
Don’t let the “small town/second chance” tag scare you away - Holly Renee breathes fresh life into the trope, giving depth, heart, and heat. Blaire and Colt’s journey reminded me that sometimes running away doesn’t save you - going back and facing your past can. And in this case, it leads to something real.
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