Brazen

Dansboro Crossing #3

by Avery Samson

She was a phoenix rising from the ashes.

I was drawn to her in a way I had never felt before.

And then she shot me.

What type of woman chooses to reenact every right of passage in this small town? This woman, that’s who. I might as well. It’s not like I’m getting any younger. Besides, I never got around to any of this in high school. I’m past due. I just didn’t plan on becoming the gorgeous, new sheriff deputy’s main focus. Turns out being chased by the sheriff is exhilarating.

Eliot Caraway is going to be the death of me. She’s mischievous and reckless. She’s also the most beautiful and brilliant woman I’ve ever crossed paths with. I don’t know why she’s on this destructive path, but she’s dragging me along for the ride. If I can’t get to the bottom of this soon, we may both wind up paying the price.

I’d just really like to give her something else to focus on before it goes that far.

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2024

About the author

Avery Samson grew up on a ranch outside of a small west Texas town. Since she could remember, she’s had her face stuck in a book. High School graduation found her leaving ranch life for the big city.

After living all over the state of Texas, she now finds herself back on one of the family ranches near Dallas with her husband surrounded by cattle. A lot of them. They’re everywhere! When not traveling or reading, she spends her time writing.

Avery would love for you to follow her. She’s everywhere (just like those damn cows.)

Website - https://www.averysamsonbooks.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/averysamsona...
Instagram - www.instagram.com/averysamson91
TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@averysamson91
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/averysamson91

Reviews

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t generally annotate or highlight books much as I’m reading, but I was laughing so much at this book my ebook looks like I was reading a textbook full of highlighted passages that I need to remember. I cackled. Straight up like a witch. I’m glad I didn’t try to read this one at work, because it would not have been incognito at all. Sparks were flying like the Fourth of July, or Eliot’s first misdemeanor in this case 😅 I absolutely adored this book!

❤️ Tropes ❤️
💋 small town romance
💋 slow burn
💋 officer/newly habitual offender

Eliot has always been the good girl. She’s never really gotten in trouble, and where has that gotten her? Lonely and bummed about her upcoming birthday, she makes a list of things to do that she never did while growing up. Our accountant by day starts shooting fireworks, TPing houses, and many other activities that kids do as they are growing up. An unexpected perk being that there’s a new officer in town and his butt looks fabulous in that uniform. Maybe getting in trouble isn’t so bad!

Thank you to Literally Yours PR for the copy, all thoughts are my own.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brazen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Avery Samson

This is a slow burn, small town romance between recent transplant Sheriff’s Deputy Owen and almost thirty midlife crisis accountant Eliot. Eliot has a list of things she wants to do before turning thirty to show herself she hasn’t missed out on life.

Owen recently moved from Chicago to Dansboro Crossing and is settling in and runs into spitfire Eliot as she begins checking off her items on her bucket list.

Fireworks erupt literally but then a slow burn towards romance ensues! There were times when I laughed out loud and times when I just thought they were the cutest then combustible characters ever.

Give this one a try it’s a quick read and will give you all the feels!

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Brazen we are taken back to Dansboro Crossing and back to the entertaining life of the Caraway sisters. In this story we meet Owen the new local sheriff and his encounters dealing with the usually more reserved Caraway sister, Eliot. This is is a small town, slow burn romance with lots of family and friend banter which I adored. This is the third book in the Dansboro Crossing series and I would recommend reading Overdue and Upshot before hand as you meet a lot of the featured characters in those books. This is a quick and easy read and I would highly recommend this one as well as the whole series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brazen by Avery Samson is book Three in the Dansboro Crossing Series. This is the story of Owen Steele and Eliot Caraway. Eliot has decided she is going to mark off a few things on her list before her birthday. Which leads her into some mischief that the new Sheriff Deputy Owen found her in first one and now he is following her around while she continues. Enjoyed this book.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously this has got to be my favourite read from the Dansboro series, I found myself reading this book with a huge smile on my face. I love the Eliot we got in Brazen, especially after the oldest Caraway sister had come across as being a bit uptight in the previous books and it looks like she agreed with me as, with her thirtieth birthday approaching, she has a early midlife crisis as she realises what she’d missed by being a ‘mathlete’ at high school so she decides to recreate all the experiences she’d missed out on incurring the attentions of the towns new deputy as she did so. Owen was a bit of a stickler. He’d left the big city due to work pressures and a personal reason that was revealed later. Theirs was definitely a meet cute introduction and he was a goner for Eliot when she shot him with a rocket, accidentally of course. Their romance was of the slowburn variety and it could be said Owen wooed her, though to be honest I thought he was going to have to hit her over the head before she realised but he eventually captured her attention with his dancing skill, and just saying if Eliot’s reaction to his bachata is anything to go by then who needs an Argentine tango! Their chemistry was seriously off the charts and that was with their clothes on! With fantastic banter and sarcasm not only between Owen and Eliot but Eliot and her sisters who enjoyed far too much seeing their sister flustered, well they do say turn about is fair. I also loved the small-town setting of Dansboro Crossing where no one is a stranger and Owen was welcomed with open arms as the townspeople enjoyed his pursuit of Eliot. I had thought that with the last of the Caraway sisters settled that this was the end of the series but I’m so happy it’s going to continue with Geneva & Peter next.

[Dani (dtieds_allbookedup) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dani's Rating: 4.25⭐️

Eliot Caraway feels like she's played it safe her whole life. With her birthday coming up, she's determined to check off every single right of passage in her small town she missed out on before she's another year older. After getting caught knocking one off the list, she finds that being chased by the handsome new sheriff's deputy makes this adventure all the more exhilarating. Even if she shot him during their first encounter, Owen Steele is smitten with the wild and mischievous Eliot. Chasing her around town as she does reckless stunt after stunt has him both infuriated and falling head over heels for her. Without a clue why she's going down this path, he grows closer to her to find out the why before either of them ends up in jail with the hope he might make her fall in love along the way.

Dani's Thoughts: I was taken by surprise with this book and really enjoyed it. Having not read any book in the rest of the series, I still felt like I knew the backgrounds of those characters well enough throughout this book. Eliot was so great throughout this book finally trying to live a little before her 30th birthday by creating a bucket list of things she never did in high school. The meeting between Owen and Eliot was priceless with her accidentally shooting him with a Roman candle with only her first item on the list. From there, Eliot had Owen chasing her all over town with her silly bucket list items. Owen was such a sweet, cinnamon roll character who fell fast and hard for Eliot. Owen is a dream book boyfriend with his love of books, the fact that he would drop everything to help those he loves, and can dance!! This book was such a fun and cute rom-com that I'm glad I happily stumbled across it!

Read if you love:
📋Bucket List Adventures
He Falls First
💕Dual POVs
🥰Cinnamon Roll MMC
Ride-or-Die Sisters

"She was a phoenix rising from the ashes.
I was drawn to her in a way I had never felt before.
And then she shot me."

Brazen, an all-new small-town, stand-alone romance from bestselling author @averysamson91 is now available!

Thank you to Literally Yours PR and Avery Samson for an ARC of this book.

[Sarah | Sisters Who Read Together · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliot Caraway feels like she's played it safe her whole life. With her birthday coming up, she's determined to check off every single right of passage in her small town she missed out on before she's another year older. After getting caught knocking one off the list, she finds that being chased by the handsome new sheriff's deputy makes this adventure all the more exhilarating. Even if she shot him during their first encounter, Owen Steele is smitten with the wild and mischievous Eliot. Chasing her around town as she does reckless stunt after stunt has him both infuriated and falling head over heels for him. Without a clue why she's going down this path, he grows closer to her to find out the why before either of them ends up in jail with the hope he might make her fall in love along the way.

This was my first book by this author and of this series. Despite not reading the first two books, I felt I knew the background of the previously featured characters without feeling overwhelmed with an info dump to know what happened. I LOVED ELIOT AND OWEN. Their first meeting was such a unique meet-cute moment. Eliot's tenacity and determination to knock these activities off her list makes me want to create a bucket list of my own. And Owen was such a sweet MMC even if he got frustrated with Eliot's antics, he was supportive of those closest to him dropping everything to make sure they were safe. I mean how can one resist a man who loves to read, has a library card, helps his elderly landlady with her groceries, and knows how to dance?? The answer is you can't help but fall in love with him. Their inner monologues during their POVs and witty banter had me laughing out loud constantly. A quick and swoony small-town romance read!

Read if you love:
📋Bucket List Adventures
🫠He Falls First
💕Dual POVs
🥰Cinnamon Roll MMC
🫶🏼Ride-or-Die Sisters

[Allie Zehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brazen is a dual pov small town romance, kind of enemies to lovers, slow burn about a new to town deputy and a woman about to enter her 30s trying to prove to herself that she can be spontaneous and deserves her own happy ever after.

This book quite literally starts of with Eliot the main character talking about how she always took the safe route unlike her sisters and now unlike them has nothing to show for it as they both have happy lives and she has nothing to show for hers as she is almost thirty in an almost self deprecating way. what does she do to prove shes not straight-lace stick to the books lights fireworks off in the middle of the street except things go wrong the cops show up quicker than expected. The new deputy. And hes gorgeous but a bit of a dick, but she did shoot him with a roman candle, (by accident of course.)

This book is a good and easy read the relationship development between Eliot and Owen is great and hot. the relationship between Eliot and her sisters perfectly describes the relationship between sisters. The way Eliot is written is great she is funny and sarcastic and her inner monologue had me laughing many times. the spice level is mild mostly in the form of innuendos, jokes and internal desires and then picks up to open-door scenes about halfway through the book

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious small-town romance with passion, steam and poignant moments
I have read and enjoyed every single one of these Dansboro Crossing stories. Ms. Samson can write some of the funniest lines; snappy and snarky dialogue. The reader really gets to know the characters like they are your friends from school. Interesting and entertaining secondary characters, some of whom have had their own books. After all, Eliot is the third sister; Brontë and Austen came before. Catchy names, right?
The blurb explains why Eliot is doing all the crazy, outlandish things she is doing. Her 30th birthday is fast approaching and up til now she has been the perfect daughter, sister, friend. She needs to cut loose before the dreaded three-oh! The new deputy in town finds her quite amusing after the first firecracker incident. Owen Steele is 34yo, buff and beautiful or so all the unattached ladies in Dansboro think…even some of the very attached. Wink! He has a story to tell too which only adds to a very good book. If you like to laugh and experience touching moments during a romance, you will want to read this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of it through BookSirens.

[Sharon Moritz-rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is book 3 in the series of three stand-alone books about three very different sisters, but all come from a small town. They also are all given Jane Austen type names because their mom is a fan. This is Elliott's story.

She is an accountant who is hitting 30 and has always lived the safe predictable life and now she has a bucket list of things that she always thought sounded fun but too risky for her. As she hits thirty, she wants to do them no matter what. It's about taking a risk and really seeing if she has the courage to do it before time escapes her.

Unfortunately, there is a new cop in town and well he gets sent to her crime scenes. Haha. This book was a total hoot. He thinks she is a bit crazy but in an awesome crazy way and well she wants to LIVE! Along the way these two find each other and I adored them together.

I have loved this whole series. I wish there were more siblings. The whole family is just so much fun. If you need a light read, then you will adore this story. Its sweet, hot, sexy and very lighthearted.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

It was a little refreshing. Owen and Eliot were attracted to each other from the start. They didn't exactly try to resist each other, but they also didn't try to date each other. Eliot was having a mid-life crisis. She was about to turn 30 and realized she missed out on things. She was the oldest of 3 girls, and she was never rebellious. She made good grades, had the right friends, and even became an accountant. Now, she is trying things she missed out on as a teenager. Her first adventure brings Owen into her life. Owen is a sheriff deputy who responds to a call about fireworks, and there he finds Eliot. Owen ends up responding to Eliot's other adventures. As punishment, Eliot is forced to hand out flyers to the Pancake Fundraiser as well as introduce Owen to the town. She also has to take Owen to the fundraiser.

It is a quirky little story that was easy and fun to read. I liked both Owen and Eliot. There is no real drama to the story. It was refreshing.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm starting to get really addicted to Avery Samson's books. It doesn't matter which series; she delivers hysterical characters and wet-your-pants situations.

In her third offering for the Dansboro Crossing series, we focus on the eldest Caraway sister, Eliot. She's the snarky and wise one who is all about following the rules. At least she was until she has a mid-life crisis brought on by her impending 30th birthday, so she does what any sane, small-town accountant does. She creates a bucket list of things an insane high-schooler would do. Which results in her shooting the new deputy sheriff with a Roman Candle. Sparks fly. Literally.

Poor Owen doesn't know what hit him. He thought moving to a small town from Chicago would mean boring days and lonely nights. Instead, the town accountant is leaving haiku poems about his rear end around the town.

Do yourself a favour. If you need to laugh out loud or have people around you question your sanity, read this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery Samson is the queen of witty heroine's, and Eliot might just be my favorite.

Eliot's 30th birthday is fast approaching, so what does the woman, who's spent her life being the "good girl" do? Create a little chaos. And of course, there's no better time for a new officer to move to town. Owen never had a chance...

Eliot is comedy gold. Based on her perception of herself, you'd expect her to be timid and shy. Instead, she's outgoing and quick with the sarcasm and snark.

Owen, on the other hand, was not what I expected. When he makes his first appearance, you kind of get the impression he's going to be trouble. He is law enforcement, after all. What I did not expect was how he held his own against Eliot.

And, as always, when things really start going well, a wrench gets thrown in, and I did not see this one coming. As far as wrenches go, I'm not complaining either.

So, if you love a good, light romance, with a sharp-witted heroine and a swoony cop, this is a must-read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read filled with humor, sweet emotions and so much sass. Eliot is approaching the big 3-0 and she’s not taking it well. She’s been serious for most of her life and she’s got a list of fun things to do before her 30th birthday. Most of these ‘to-do’s’ are things she missed out on doing while in high school.

Owen is new to town and a sheriff’s deputy. He meets Eliot after she accidentally shoots him with a Roman candle after setting off a bunch of fireworks in the middle of the street. They both make quite the first impression on each other.

The writing is fun and humorous, and the characters engaging. I did read the 2nd book in the series so I felt like I already knew many of the characters which made the book even better.

I definitely enjoy Avery’s work and look forward to reading more of her books.

I received a free ARC from the author and Hidden Gems; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery Samson’s “Brazen” is the third book in her Dansboro Crossing series, and it’s Owen Steele and Eliot Caraway’s story.

I thought this book was a really great read! I’ve read quite a few books by Avery Samson now, and I’ve enjoyed every one of them, including both of Eliot’s sisters’ stories.

However, there was something about Owen and Eliot’s story that really drew me in and held my attention the whole way through.

Owen was such a cinnamon roll hero, and I loved him for it. I’m pretty sure he fell for Eliot during their very first meeting, even though it took him time to come to terms with his feelings.

And Eliot! She was such a fun character to read about because of her snarky sense of humor and sassy nature. I thought she was a very likable heroine as well.

All in all, this was a fantastic read. I’ve truly enjoyed every book in the Dansboro Crossing series, and this one was no exception!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC BOOK REVIEW: Brazen by Avery Samson

This is the third book in the “Dansboro Crossing” series and while this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend you read the first two books in the series as there are connecting characters from the other books.

“You choose me when you didn’t have to. Whatever happens, that will always stay with me. To know you opened your home and your heart to me. I’m glad you shoes us. Eliot. I’m so glad Uncle Owen knew what he found when he met you.”

We all have regrets in life, things we wish we would have done at a younger age. For Eliot (our FMC) that horrid age of missed opportunities is 30, which makes me laugh because things start to get good when you hit your 30’s. Eliot creates a bucket list of sorts that she feels she missed out on and now wants to complete allllll the things in a short matter of a few months.

While carrying out her bucket list, she meet the new deputy sheriff (Owen-MMC) in her small Texas town. Her first encounter with Owen had me laughing hysterically and I knew I was hooked from there on out. As more items of the list are crossed off, Owen joins in on the antics and a budding relationship between the two is emerging.

If you are looking for a book that just warms your heart, makes you laugh hysterically, and has that swoon factor then this is your read. This book had everything, witty banter, hysterical family dynamics, slow burn love story and our FMC that learns to stand on her own two feet and gain confidence in herself.

Overall, I absolutely adored this book and it gave me all the feels. If I could rate this book with more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Tropes:
• Small Town Romance
• Slow Burn
• Strong Female Characters
• Bucket List Adventures
• Found family

*ARC courtesy of the author and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to the valued author and publisher for providing a copy.*

[Melissa Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by Avery Samson and my first visit to Dansboro Crossing. I will definitely be going back to read books 1 and 2 so I can meet the other Caraway sisters. I love a good small town, slow burn romance and Brazen gave me everything I needed to draw me in. Avery Sampson's writing was great, and the way she made me fall in love with these characters and be so invested in their HEA was amazing.
I really enjoyed Eliot and Owen's story. I loved how Eliot saw the big 3-0 as such a big moment that she got herself into some shenanigans and in the crosshairs of the new deputy in town. Owen couldn't help himself in the way he was drawn to Eliot, even if she did keep getting herself into trouble. I enjoyed their relationship and the natural development to more. Will definitely be reading more from Avery Samson!

[J Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy. Eliot is the oldest Caraway sister, we met her in Overdue and Upshot. Eliot has always been a good girl, good grades, never gotten into trouble and as an adult she has a great job as an Accountant. Eliot is getting ready to turn 30 and decides to create a bucket list of things to do prior to the big 30. Eliot gets herself into some trouble when she decides to shoot off some fireworks and the police are called in. Owen is a new deputy sheriff in town and he did not expect to be shot by a firework where he first meets Eliot.

Owen and Eliot are very attracted to each other and as Eliot pulls more of her crazy bucket list stunts they really get to know each other. These two had me laughing at their antics and you can see how perfect they are for each other.

[Deb V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Absolutely LOVED this book. After reading the first 2 in the series, I can honestly say that I enjoyed this one the most. Eliot Caraway is as stable and boring as they come. She is about to turn 30 and realizes that there is so much that she never did growing up being the 'good' girl; so she creates a bucket list of items she missed out on as a teenager and vows to cross them all off her list no matter what. While marking off the first item, she ends up attracting the hot new sheriff's deputy in town, Owen. This book is so beautifully written with heart and wit. My only complaint is that the series is now complete and I will miss these wonderful characters! I laughed and cried while reading this book, I HIGHLY recommend this heartfelt series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliot has always done what was expected of her and with a milestone birthday approaching she finds herself reflecting on all the experiences she didn’t have. She has decided that the time to have those experiences is now and the only thing standing in her way is Owen a member of law enforcement who always seems to show up at the most inopportune times.

When Owen relocated to Dansboro Crossing he thought the locale would be uneventful, but Eliot manages to challenge him at every turn and now he views his primary job as protecting Eliot from herself.

This story was so much fun as Eliot believes there is so much more to life than the way she has been living it and Owen is with her every step of the way.

[M19arta · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first got into this series, I never thought that Eliot would end up being my favorite of the three Carraway sisters. She was amazing, and the banter between her and Owen was absolutely hilarious. I've had a few laugh-out-loud moments while reading.
I was unable to put the book down and read it in one sitting.
I love how Avery Samson narrates her stories; the characters are always so vivid and relatable, with no unnecessary drama happening just for the sake of drama—just a funny, witty, fast-paced love story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliot is the oldest of three girls and has always done what she is supposed to do. Before she reaches thirty, she has a list of things many high school girls did that she wants to accomplish. Owen is the new deputy sheriff and is working the night shift where Eliot’s escapades usually happen. It does not take long before he is captivated by her. This book is so much fun! I enjoyed every item on Eliot’s list and loved the way Owen reacted to each stunt. Eliot’s sisters were so supportive of her and so were their spouses. The book is a wonderful romance and so full of fun!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book on this phenomenal series, and this is Owen and Eliot’s story.
With her 30th birthday fast approaching, Eliot decides it is time to let losses and cross some items off her bucket list, and Owen is the new sheriff in town.
This is a well written story which has family, friendships, humor, witty banter, crazy shenanigans, emotions, and love, which leads to an entertaining, touching, and steamy small town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Katie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brazen follows wild and free Eliot as she is nearing her 30th birthday and is caught up in a bucket list of shenanigans that gets her in trouble with the new sheriff. I loved that Eliot was so unique, a spit fire, and so unapologetically herself and that Owen didn’t try to change her in order to fit into the mold that worked best for him. I didn’t particularly like the 4th wall breaks randomly throughout the book but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Jill Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite book in the series so far. Eliot is feeling like she needs to do something with her life and Owen comes along to stop her in every thing she does- and well he is the local sheriff!
This is a slow burn romance but I love the way Owen never gives up on her and even helps her finish her goals before she turns 30. They were such an adorable couple.
I received a copy from Booksirens and leave my review voluntarily

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in the series with the Caraway sisters. This one was the most entertaining of the three. Following Eliot through her adventures as she checks off the goals on her list before she turns thirty. Getting caught by the new deputy sheriff, Owen, at each event proves interesting. Love the banter. Love the chemistry. I loved the entire book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brandy Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, quick, romcom with great characters and fantastic witty banter. Eliot is great, I loved her sarcasm and her witt. She was entertaining as she worked to cross things off of her bucket list. Owen was so sweet and supportive. I really enjoyed the development of their relationship. This story is great with lots of laughs, a little bit of steam and some great inner monologues.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud so often while reading this book. Owen and Eliot are so good together. It was nice to see him chase her and then her letting him catch her. With the addition of Tessa more lightness and fun was added to their relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliot has always been the good sister. She's approaching 30 with a bucket list of all the trouble she didn't get into earlier in life. Owen is the new deputy in town, who seems to get called out every time Eliot pulls a prank. There is amazing and hilarious dialogue between them - laugh-out-loud funny much of the time - and the book was a delight to read. The author certainly saved the best sister for the last book in the series. I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is the sheriff and he is drawn to her like a moth to a flame but she is on a destructive path. She pulls him to her and he wants to help her so much. What is going to happen? Will it all go well? Will they be great together? See how it all goes
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want t0 review