What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bunkhouse #1
Smoking Gun
Nothing says welcome home like an irresistibly hot cowboy inviting himself into your shower.
I should have kicked him out the second he barged in. He’s my brother’s best friend and we’re living on a ranch in the same bunkhouse for the next three weeks. Disaster waiting to happen.
He’s hell bent on keeping his walls up. And I’m a ball of stress, fresh out of medical school, determined to focus on my career and taking care of my family.
Despite the long list of reasons why it’s a terrible idea, we jump into the burning ring of fire that is secret friends with benefits.
As long as there’s no strings attached, no feelings, and no kissing of course.
Just when I think Gage will be a distant memory once I’m gone for good, my heart starts to run the show.
Rules are broken and lines are blurred.
Now I wish the only big secret he’s been keeping was me.
Smoking Gun is a brother's best friend, secret friends with benefits, small town romance that brings the steam and the swoon! This book includes a happily ever after and is book one in the new cowboy romance series of interconnected standalones, The Bunkhouse.
I should have kicked him out the second he barged in. He’s my brother’s best friend and we’re living on a ranch in the same bunkhouse for the next three weeks. Disaster waiting to happen.
He’s hell bent on keeping his walls up. And I’m a ball of stress, fresh out of medical school, determined to focus on my career and taking care of my family.
Despite the long list of reasons why it’s a terrible idea, we jump into the burning ring of fire that is secret friends with benefits.
As long as there’s no strings attached, no feelings, and no kissing of course.
Just when I think Gage will be a distant memory once I’m gone for good, my heart starts to run the show.
Rules are broken and lines are blurred.
Now I wish the only big secret he’s been keeping was me.
Smoking Gun is a brother's best friend, secret friends with benefits, small town romance that brings the steam and the swoon! This book includes a happily ever after and is book one in the new cowboy romance series of interconnected standalones, The Bunkhouse.
310 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2023
705 people are currently reading
8663 people want to read
About the author
Lainey Lawson
8 books393 followersLainey Lawson is a romance author living in a small southern town with her two kids and husband of ten years. She writes rural setting love stories, usually with a flair of suspense, and always with heartwarming found family and friendship.
Follow Lainey on her Amazon author page, Instagram @laineylawsonromance, and check out her website and newsletter to stay up to date on new releases!
Follow Lainey on her Amazon author page, Instagram @laineylawsonromance, and check out her website and newsletter to stay up to date on new releases!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,152 reviews
December 14, 2023
Smoking Gun is a fast-paced small town romantic suspense featuring cowboy, brother's best friend, and found family tropes. The story follows Blythe, a young woman struggling to find balance after finishing medical school, and Gage, the cowboy she meets when she returns home to stay with her family in between interviews. Instantly picking up on their chemistry, Blythe and Gage begin a secret no-strings relationship behind her brother's back. However, as the two get closer and secrets are revealed, both Blythe and Gage struggle to keep their feelings at bay.
This is a very sweet and steamy read! The plot was simple and easy to follow, I loved how Blythe and Gage came together and fell in love. While their relationship developed very fast and I am not usually one for instalust, I think it worked well with how the story progressed and how fast the book went by. I absolutely loved the found family throughout the book, the boys were so sweet to Blythe and I loved how everybody was willing to make things work and be there for each other. The only issue I had with the book would be the last 20%, this is a romantic suspense with a dash of action in the last quarter and while I can appreciate the dramatic flare it gave, it felt rushed and almost unbelievable.
~Many thanks to Sunny Babe PR and Lainey Lawson for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
This is a very sweet and steamy read! The plot was simple and easy to follow, I loved how Blythe and Gage came together and fell in love. While their relationship developed very fast and I am not usually one for instalust, I think it worked well with how the story progressed and how fast the book went by. I absolutely loved the found family throughout the book, the boys were so sweet to Blythe and I loved how everybody was willing to make things work and be there for each other. The only issue I had with the book would be the last 20%, this is a romantic suspense with a dash of action in the last quarter and while I can appreciate the dramatic flare it gave, it felt rushed and almost unbelievable.
~Many thanks to Sunny Babe PR and Lainey Lawson for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
May 29, 2025
the sudden mafia part really threw me off for a sec tbh
and I wishedddddd for more of their cowboy ranch life
but i thoroughly enjoyed itttttttt
i want me a gage
and I wishedddddd for more of their cowboy ranch life
but i thoroughly enjoyed itttttttt
i want me a gage
December 14, 2023
Happy Birthday, Smoking Gun!
Cue all of the happy tears! This is my debut novel, and it's one that I am so beyond proud of. I hope you fall in love with the characters, their stories, and the setting as much as I did. I would describe this book as rustic, sexy, and unexpected. The two main characters are Gage (the broody albeit caregiving and sweet cowboy with secrets) and Blythe (the likeable and fierce country girl at heart that you can't help but root for). You'll love their steamy romance if small town with a suspenseful action-packed twist is your jam!
If you decide to give Smoking Gun a chance, thank you! I've put in so much work over the last year on it, and I'm delighted to finally be able to share it with you. The Bunkhouse series is going to be a rowdy and wild ride. This is just the start! Happy reading!
Cue all of the happy tears! This is my debut novel, and it's one that I am so beyond proud of. I hope you fall in love with the characters, their stories, and the setting as much as I did. I would describe this book as rustic, sexy, and unexpected. The two main characters are Gage (the broody albeit caregiving and sweet cowboy with secrets) and Blythe (the likeable and fierce country girl at heart that you can't help but root for). You'll love their steamy romance if small town with a suspenseful action-packed twist is your jam!
If you decide to give Smoking Gun a chance, thank you! I've put in so much work over the last year on it, and I'm delighted to finally be able to share it with you. The Bunkhouse series is going to be a rowdy and wild ride. This is just the start! Happy reading!
May 2, 2025
I'm trying not to be too judgmental as it's the author's first book and I do see potential.
I would be interested in reading more of her future books.
The start was good, then it became 80% smut and the story was nowhere to be seen. We also got a little insta love thrown in there (they only know each other for a few weeks and the 'relationship' had no emotional base, just physical). Then a mafia plot showed up out of nowhere ??? I guess to give more of a storyline? but it felt really random.
The last 2 chapters or something were really cute!
And I loved the audio narrator, Megan Wicks, she was amazing.
I would be interested in reading more of her future books.
The start was good, then it became 80% smut and the story was nowhere to be seen. We also got a little insta love thrown in there (they only know each other for a few weeks and the 'relationship' had no emotional base, just physical). Then a mafia plot showed up out of nowhere ??? I guess to give more of a storyline? but it felt really random.
The last 2 chapters or something were really cute!
And I loved the audio narrator, Megan Wicks, she was amazing.
July 10, 2024
This book took me by surprise—in the best way possible! Blythe and Gage's chemistry was instant and so much fun to follow. I loved how they didn't waste time fighting their attraction. The sibling dynamic between Blythe and Warren was also a highlight for me. Even though cowboy romance isn't usually my thing, this debut had me hooked. The writing style was great, and the characters felt so real. Despite normally not being into insta-love, it totally worked here. The mix of romance and a hint of suspense at the end kept me hooked. If you're up for a sweet and spicy cowboy romance, give this one a go. Plus, can we talk about that cover? It's seriously one of my favorites!
March 18, 2024
I have a lot of grievances with this including the author’s major confusion on how medical school/residency works and the MMC’s creepiness including but not limited to taking a pic of the FMC while she’s sleeping every day for two weeks and kissing her with his eyes open.. but why did the ending randomly turn into a hostage situation? She was literally kidnapped and hospitalized and somehow was totally unphased. I’m crying I need the new Elsie silver book now I can’t do this anymore
January 13, 2024
this was super cute but the suspense/action out of no where threw me for a loop and totally lost me, i ended up not really caring and just skimming the last 15-20% 😂
oh editing bc id also like to add this is a fantastic debut
oh editing bc id also like to add this is a fantastic debut
March 9, 2024
3 ⭐
I'm so confused by the last 35% of this book...
I'm so confused by the last 35% of this book...
May 9, 2024
This book was actually so good! It’s a fast paced small town romance that had me kicking my feet in the air! Definitely a sweet and steamy read.
I really enjoyed the plot and going through Blythes thought process on what she wants to do with her future career and the internal battles she has. It’s very relatable to me since I was in the same position. I also really loved how much she cared and supported her family.
The relationship between Gage and Blythe was pretty fast but I actually didn’t mind it at all. It definitely worked really well with the storyline and how fast everything played out. All of her brother warrens friends treated Blythe and her best friend so well and it was really nice to see them treat her like a sister…. Except Gage of course. I will say the last bit of the book I felt was a bit rushed and just really threw you into a loop of Gages past life and didn’t give much context on why his father wouldn’t represent Reynolds in court so it just kind of got a bit confusing in that part. But overall i think it was a great book and I can’t wait to read the next book!
I really enjoyed the plot and going through Blythes thought process on what she wants to do with her future career and the internal battles she has. It’s very relatable to me since I was in the same position. I also really loved how much she cared and supported her family.
The relationship between Gage and Blythe was pretty fast but I actually didn’t mind it at all. It definitely worked really well with the storyline and how fast everything played out. All of her brother warrens friends treated Blythe and her best friend so well and it was really nice to see them treat her like a sister…. Except Gage of course. I will say the last bit of the book I felt was a bit rushed and just really threw you into a loop of Gages past life and didn’t give much context on why his father wouldn’t represent Reynolds in court so it just kind of got a bit confusing in that part. But overall i think it was a great book and I can’t wait to read the next book!
December 5, 2023
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you @sunnybabepr and @laineylawsonromance for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
What I liked:
•The writing was so good, I’m shocked this was a debut novel! After 4 chapters, I was hooked and finished the book in 24 hours. The characters, plot, and setting were built up quickly so I felt invested super early on which I loved
•Sometimes…insta love just hits lol. I’m such a mood reader, and I definitely wanted a fun and spicy read. This book fit that perfectly. Gage and Blythe had such a swoony and passionate relationship. The angst, sneaking around, and spice were top notch
•I LOVED the side characters and thought they really added to the story. Everyone had such a different but captivating personality. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the bunkhouse boys and Keeana end up
What I didn’t like:
•(slight spoiler) I didn’t love where the plot went for the last 1/4 of the story with Gage’s past. The drama of it all I don’t think was needed because the plot was already so good
Read if you like:
🤠Cowboy romance
🤫Brothers best friend
😍Insta love
👏No third act breakup
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you @sunnybabepr and @laineylawsonromance for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
What I liked:
•The writing was so good, I’m shocked this was a debut novel! After 4 chapters, I was hooked and finished the book in 24 hours. The characters, plot, and setting were built up quickly so I felt invested super early on which I loved
•Sometimes…insta love just hits lol. I’m such a mood reader, and I definitely wanted a fun and spicy read. This book fit that perfectly. Gage and Blythe had such a swoony and passionate relationship. The angst, sneaking around, and spice were top notch
•I LOVED the side characters and thought they really added to the story. Everyone had such a different but captivating personality. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the bunkhouse boys and Keeana end up
What I didn’t like:
•(slight spoiler) I didn’t love where the plot went for the last 1/4 of the story with Gage’s past. The drama of it all I don’t think was needed because the plot was already so good
Read if you like:
🤠Cowboy romance
🤫Brothers best friend
😍Insta love
👏No third act breakup
April 4, 2025
I wanted to love this one. The cover is beautiful, and I LOVE a cowboy romance but this one didn’t work for me. I don’t know what the author was thinking when she turned this sweet brother’s best friend romance into a mafia style romance with a twist that literally came out of nowhere. It truly ruined the vibes of the book and my overall feelings for it. I’m the kind of person who says less is more. This was just too much, and it felt like she was trying to be original, but it destroyed everything the story was about prior to that twist.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐ (2.5 rounded up)
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐ (2.5 rounded up)
July 8, 2025
if this didn’t immediately give insta love, i would’ve ATE this up. it was fun, it was cute. the random suspense thrown in that end was…….. whatever but it was fine!!!! (im the problem)
July 18, 2024
“What would I do?” I nod waiting for her answer. “I’d probably unbuckle your belt,” she says.
“Do you make a habit out of foaming at the mouth every time you see a boner?” He quips back.
“All day,” I groan. “I waited all fucking day to get my mouth on you.” “God. Yes.”
4.5/5
I am so grateful to @Sunnybabepr for sending me this ARC. This was in exchange for a review but nothing could stop me shouting about this book after reading!!
As a lover of a slow burn I wasn't sure about a ‘fast burn’ but my god was it not the best, most realistic romance I have read in a very long time! I love, love, LOVED Gage and was so glad that he was a non-toxic strong male character who had me wondering if cowboys like this really exist.
Holy cow, the spice in this book. It had me licking and biting my lips. Lainey wrote this so well, I could picture every moment and am not afraid to admit that I’ll be getting my husband boots and a Stetson to try some of this out.
I can not wait to read more from Lainey Lawson! Everything she put on paper was fantastic! I love the Bunkhouse Boys and I can’t want to read the next book in the series.
I highly encourage everyone to but this book on their TBR and wishlist!!
SPOILERS BELOW
.
.
.
The first 70% of this book I was so on board, was like fu*k yeah this is a 5/5 perfect book. Then the shoot out happened. This was a bit much for me. I could totally see Gage as a wealthy runaway wanting to live a simple life, but the black hawk down, mission impossible scene I thought was a bit much and pulled me away from the beautiful simplicity of this small town love story. That is my only criticism.
“Do you make a habit out of foaming at the mouth every time you see a boner?” He quips back.
“All day,” I groan. “I waited all fucking day to get my mouth on you.” “God. Yes.”
4.5/5
I am so grateful to @Sunnybabepr for sending me this ARC. This was in exchange for a review but nothing could stop me shouting about this book after reading!!
As a lover of a slow burn I wasn't sure about a ‘fast burn’ but my god was it not the best, most realistic romance I have read in a very long time! I love, love, LOVED Gage and was so glad that he was a non-toxic strong male character who had me wondering if cowboys like this really exist.
Holy cow, the spice in this book. It had me licking and biting my lips. Lainey wrote this so well, I could picture every moment and am not afraid to admit that I’ll be getting my husband boots and a Stetson to try some of this out.
I can not wait to read more from Lainey Lawson! Everything she put on paper was fantastic! I love the Bunkhouse Boys and I can’t want to read the next book in the series.
I highly encourage everyone to but this book on their TBR and wishlist!!
SPOILERS BELOW
.
.
.
The first 70% of this book I was so on board, was like fu*k yeah this is a 5/5 perfect book. Then the shoot out happened. This was a bit much for me. I could totally see Gage as a wealthy runaway wanting to live a simple life, but the black hawk down, mission impossible scene I thought was a bit much and pulled me away from the beautiful simplicity of this small town love story. That is my only criticism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
4.75/5✨️ 3 /5🌶
Smoking Gun @laineylawsonromance 💕🤠
Happy Release Day, Lainey!!! How is this your first book, babes? Because I'm in love!!! For all of my cowboy-loving gals, this is sweet, heartfelt, and spicy. This one is based in Texas, and the symbolism of things in the story made me feel right at home.
In this story, Blythe has spent years away from home, being so focused on her career and helping her family from afar. But our girl is exhausted as her family offers her to come home, spend three weeks, and just let her hair down. As she agrees, her brother, Warren, offers to stay on the ranch in the bunkhouse. As she spends the next three weeks with rowdy cowboys, there's one in particular, Gage, her brother's best friend, that she soon finds herself in a very steamy shower with. These two have an attraction like they've never experienced before; as they agree to a no strings-attached relationship, but Gage has some pretty big mysteries around him as they become addicted to each other.
Blythe immediately had a sweet spot for me, as she reminded me of someone very special to me. And we have a saying down here…you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl. Blythe wants to live her life to the fullest, she's a fierce friend and on the brink of being a bad@ss doctor. Blythe is bold and brash, but she relaxed as we got to know her sweeter side, enormous heart, and well, the fact that she adores pink cowboy boots.
Gage gave the Eaton men a run for their money. There's nothing i love more than a delicious, rough-around-the-edges cowboy. He exudes the ideal blend of ruggedness and caveman charm. He was the perfect match for Blythe, as the big softy that he is.
Overall, I was a giddy mess, kicking my feet because this made me want to pull out my vintage vinyls, grab some chorizo taco, and ride off into the sunset. This gave me all the Done and Dusted vibes as we begin to put the secrets together. This book's emphasis on community—from friendships to the value of family and heart—is impeccable. I can't wait for each of the guys' stories.
Huge thank you to @laineylawsonromance and @sunnybabepr for the ARC💖
Smoking Gun @laineylawsonromance 💕🤠
Happy Release Day, Lainey!!! How is this your first book, babes? Because I'm in love!!! For all of my cowboy-loving gals, this is sweet, heartfelt, and spicy. This one is based in Texas, and the symbolism of things in the story made me feel right at home.
In this story, Blythe has spent years away from home, being so focused on her career and helping her family from afar. But our girl is exhausted as her family offers her to come home, spend three weeks, and just let her hair down. As she agrees, her brother, Warren, offers to stay on the ranch in the bunkhouse. As she spends the next three weeks with rowdy cowboys, there's one in particular, Gage, her brother's best friend, that she soon finds herself in a very steamy shower with. These two have an attraction like they've never experienced before; as they agree to a no strings-attached relationship, but Gage has some pretty big mysteries around him as they become addicted to each other.
Blythe immediately had a sweet spot for me, as she reminded me of someone very special to me. And we have a saying down here…you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl. Blythe wants to live her life to the fullest, she's a fierce friend and on the brink of being a bad@ss doctor. Blythe is bold and brash, but she relaxed as we got to know her sweeter side, enormous heart, and well, the fact that she adores pink cowboy boots.
Gage gave the Eaton men a run for their money. There's nothing i love more than a delicious, rough-around-the-edges cowboy. He exudes the ideal blend of ruggedness and caveman charm. He was the perfect match for Blythe, as the big softy that he is.
Overall, I was a giddy mess, kicking my feet because this made me want to pull out my vintage vinyls, grab some chorizo taco, and ride off into the sunset. This gave me all the Done and Dusted vibes as we begin to put the secrets together. This book's emphasis on community—from friendships to the value of family and heart—is impeccable. I can't wait for each of the guys' stories.
Huge thank you to @laineylawsonromance and @sunnybabepr for the ARC💖
May 19, 2025
thank you @sunnybabepr for this arc in exchange for my honest review!!
4.5⭐️
this book was so cute i literally got the arc yesterday and i just finished it so that’s how you know i was hooked from the beginning!!
this book follows blythe and gages story and it was everything i loved in a cowboy romance! their relationship was so cute and had me swooning!
go read this book if you love
- small town romance
- secret friends with benefits
- brothers best friend
- plot twist
- giggling and kicking your feet over fictional men
i adored this book and i am excited to read about the other bunkerboys 🤩
4.5⭐️
this book was so cute i literally got the arc yesterday and i just finished it so that’s how you know i was hooked from the beginning!!
this book follows blythe and gages story and it was everything i loved in a cowboy romance! their relationship was so cute and had me swooning!
go read this book if you love
- small town romance
- secret friends with benefits
- brothers best friend
- plot twist
- giggling and kicking your feet over fictional men
i adored this book and i am excited to read about the other bunkerboys 🤩
February 22, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
What made me want to read this book was the super cute cover. I knew the second I saw the cover of Smoking Gun that I was going to love this book. I went in BLIND and I ate this book up! So good! Once I received the book, I knew by only reading the first line of the blurb it was going to be really good. This is the one and only line I read from the blurb: "Nothing says welcome home like an irresistibly hot cowboy inviting himself into your shower". For this to be Lainey Lawson’s debut is astounding!!!! This book was well written and so entertaining. This book features Gage and Blythe. Their chemistry is very on! They mesh very well together. The banter was good and funny. I COULD NOT STOP GIGGLING IN THIS BOOK. This is definitely a page turner!!! This book literally surprised me so much. I would say more but I do not want to spoil. I RECOMMEND GOING IN BLIND FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE BUT IF YOU DON'T LIKE GOING IN BLIND THE TROPES ARE BELOW!!!
Tropes:
Contemporary romance
Romantic suspense
Cowboy/western romance
Small town
Dual POV
First-person POV
Family ties
Found Family
Brothers best friend
Forced proximity
Friends with benefits turned lovers
Open door spice
Insta love
He falls first and harder
No 3rd Act breakup
🌶️🌶️🌶️
What made me want to read this book was the super cute cover. I knew the second I saw the cover of Smoking Gun that I was going to love this book. I went in BLIND and I ate this book up! So good! Once I received the book, I knew by only reading the first line of the blurb it was going to be really good. This is the one and only line I read from the blurb: "Nothing says welcome home like an irresistibly hot cowboy inviting himself into your shower". For this to be Lainey Lawson’s debut is astounding!!!! This book was well written and so entertaining. This book features Gage and Blythe. Their chemistry is very on! They mesh very well together. The banter was good and funny. I COULD NOT STOP GIGGLING IN THIS BOOK. This is definitely a page turner!!! This book literally surprised me so much. I would say more but I do not want to spoil. I RECOMMEND GOING IN BLIND FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE BUT IF YOU DON'T LIKE GOING IN BLIND THE TROPES ARE BELOW!!!
Tropes:
Contemporary romance
Romantic suspense
Cowboy/western romance
Small town
Dual POV
First-person POV
Family ties
Found Family
Brothers best friend
Forced proximity
Friends with benefits turned lovers
Open door spice
Insta love
He falls first and harder
No 3rd Act breakup
June 20, 2024
yee? haw?
August 29, 2025
August book club pick - never heard of this book before!
Ngl, I didn’t enjoy it. It was soooo fast paced, I get it was 300 pages but still. Like they met and literally 2 mins later were in the car on the way to the bar holding hands???? I’m all for a bit of physical touch after a first date but they hadn’t gone on a date, they’d just MET, that was just strange to me.
I did not understand the storyline for about 3 chapters when all of a sudden Blythe was kidnapped, there were guns, and then everything returned to normal???? 😂 the book was trying to build up to this secret but it was so random and out of the blue.
Don’t think I’ll be picking up the next book!
Ngl, I didn’t enjoy it. It was soooo fast paced, I get it was 300 pages but still. Like they met and literally 2 mins later were in the car on the way to the bar holding hands???? I’m all for a bit of physical touch after a first date but they hadn’t gone on a date, they’d just MET, that was just strange to me.
I did not understand the storyline for about 3 chapters when all of a sudden Blythe was kidnapped, there were guns, and then everything returned to normal???? 😂 the book was trying to build up to this secret but it was so random and out of the blue.
Don’t think I’ll be picking up the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2024
❥ ARC REVIEW ❥
Tropes:
𐚁 brother’s best friend
𐚁 cowboy/small town romance
𐚁 fast burn/ insta love
𐚁 strangers to friends with benefits
2.5 ⭐️
Okay I want to start this review saying this book was not for me. The synopsis looked interesting but the book wasn’t done well. I didn’t felt attached to any character.
I loved Blythe for most of the book, she was sure of herself and knew what she wanted and then she got a little lost and I didn’t know her anymore.
I think Gage’s past should’ve been more developed, it felt rushed and it was all over the place. Maybe if the book had some throwbacks would be nice.
The book’s time line is 3 weeks at 72% and it doesn’t feel that the characters have chemistry at all.. there was an attraction, yes, but I didn’t felt the moment they start to fall in love.
The found family is nice tho, I really loved the environment in the bunkhouse and I wish we could see more shared moments between them.
I find Heston really funny, and I feel the next book will be about Weston but the one I’m really exited is Tripp & Kee’s 👀 maybe??? I felt chemistry there so fingers crossed
I really liked the Christmas scene tho 🥹 loved some christmasy spirit 💓
I want to thank Lainey Lawson and Sunny Babe PR for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Tropes:
𐚁 brother’s best friend
𐚁 cowboy/small town romance
𐚁 fast burn/ insta love
𐚁 strangers to friends with benefits
2.5 ⭐️
Okay I want to start this review saying this book was not for me. The synopsis looked interesting but the book wasn’t done well. I didn’t felt attached to any character.
I loved Blythe for most of the book, she was sure of herself and knew what she wanted and then she got a little lost and I didn’t know her anymore.
I think Gage’s past should’ve been more developed, it felt rushed and it was all over the place. Maybe if the book had some throwbacks would be nice.
The book’s time line is 3 weeks at 72% and it doesn’t feel that the characters have chemistry at all.. there was an attraction, yes, but I didn’t felt the moment they start to fall in love.
The found family is nice tho, I really loved the environment in the bunkhouse and I wish we could see more shared moments between them.
I find Heston really funny, and I feel the next book will be about Weston but the one I’m really exited is Tripp & Kee’s 👀 maybe??? I felt chemistry there so fingers crossed
I really liked the Christmas scene tho 🥹 loved some christmasy spirit 💓
I want to thank Lainey Lawson and Sunny Babe PR for the opportunity to read the ARC.
December 18, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
If you like cowboys and the show Yellowstone this is for you.
I read this book so fast!
Bunkhouse cowboys 🔥 Gage holy rugged man
Brothers best friend
Blythe was pretty solid, confident
This was cute and fun and spicy
Small town
The extra suspense was a fun twist
I’ll be excited for the other guys.
If you like cowboys and the show Yellowstone this is for you.
I read this book so fast!
Bunkhouse cowboys 🔥 Gage holy rugged man
Brothers best friend
Blythe was pretty solid, confident
This was cute and fun and spicy
Small town
The extra suspense was a fun twist
I’ll be excited for the other guys.
January 6, 2024
Super cute Cowboy romance book with a hint of Yellowstone. Was worth reading and I’m looking forward to reading the others to come. (Better review on the way)
January 8, 2024
DNF :/ the writing was painful
February 12, 2024
What in the cowboy to mafia romance happened here. I guess things just happened and bam they weee in love and bam he had a shady past??? That was crazy and not even in a good way???
December 31, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️
Tropes 🤠
- Cowboy romance
- Brother´s best friend
- No thrid act breakup
- Instalove
First of all, thank you so much to the Sunny Babe PR team and Lainey Lawson for giving me the opportunity to receive the ARC of this book 🤩.
This book is one of those perfect books as a palet cleanser between Dark Romance, it's the perfect book to get you out of a reading slump and to have a good time.
I have to say that from the beginning it was a story that captivated me and hooked me from the start, it served me well as a palet cleanser as I had been reading a whole series of dark/mafia romance in a row and needed something lighter.
I really liked the relationship between the two main characters, even if it was an instalove, something I don't usually like, in this book I really enjoyed it and I think the author did it really well.
Another thing that surprised me a lot was how well written the novel was, it doesn't feel like her debut novel at all.
The interactions between Gage and Blythe seemed very real to me, as if they were the interactions I have with my partner and that was something that I loved and allowed me to connect more with the characters because I didn't feel like they were a fictional couple.
The only thing I didn't like about the book and that made me lower my score to 3.75 ⭐ was the final plot of Gage's past and all that criminal/mafia/mystery stuff. It didn't fit at all! And it didn't need it at all! The plot of the book was already good in itself and from my point of view adding so much complication at the end was a monumental screw up. I hope the next books don't do the same thing of diverting the main plot so much, because it's not necessary.
But leaving that aside, it was a book that I really enjoyed and I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series 💕.
🌶️🌶️
Tropes 🤠
- Cowboy romance
- Brother´s best friend
- No thrid act breakup
- Instalove
First of all, thank you so much to the Sunny Babe PR team and Lainey Lawson for giving me the opportunity to receive the ARC of this book 🤩.
This book is one of those perfect books as a palet cleanser between Dark Romance, it's the perfect book to get you out of a reading slump and to have a good time.
I have to say that from the beginning it was a story that captivated me and hooked me from the start, it served me well as a palet cleanser as I had been reading a whole series of dark/mafia romance in a row and needed something lighter.
I really liked the relationship between the two main characters, even if it was an instalove, something I don't usually like, in this book I really enjoyed it and I think the author did it really well.
Another thing that surprised me a lot was how well written the novel was, it doesn't feel like her debut novel at all.
The interactions between Gage and Blythe seemed very real to me, as if they were the interactions I have with my partner and that was something that I loved and allowed me to connect more with the characters because I didn't feel like they were a fictional couple.
The only thing I didn't like about the book and that made me lower my score to 3.75 ⭐ was the final plot of Gage's past and all that criminal/mafia/mystery stuff. It didn't fit at all! And it didn't need it at all! The plot of the book was already good in itself and from my point of view adding so much complication at the end was a monumental screw up. I hope the next books don't do the same thing of diverting the main plot so much, because it's not necessary.
But leaving that aside, it was a book that I really enjoyed and I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series 💕.
January 19, 2024
I genuinely kind of went in blind to this book and WOW. It was totally not was I was expecting but it was absolutely everything.
Blythe just graduated med school and is unclear on what she really wants to do with her life, even though her dream has always been to be a doctor. She takes a weekend to go see her best friend/brother and ends up staying in the bunkhouse with a bunch of cowboys...but one of them catches her eyes.
Gage. The grumpy, broody, cowboy, who can't look at her or else he might spontaneously combust because he has never met someone so smart, beautiful, and funny.
The tension is HIGH. These two are forced to spend alot of time together and end up agreeing to a "no strings attached" relationship....but we all know how that is going to go...
Gage has a hidden past and Blythe isn't sure of where her future is heading but together they work to figure it out all while falling (HARD) for each other.
I loved this book so much!
Tropes:
-forced proximity
-romantic suspense vibes
-brother's best friend
-small town romance
-an angsty shower scene that had me on the ground I won't even lie.
4.5/5 stars
2.5/5 spice
Blythe just graduated med school and is unclear on what she really wants to do with her life, even though her dream has always been to be a doctor. She takes a weekend to go see her best friend/brother and ends up staying in the bunkhouse with a bunch of cowboys...but one of them catches her eyes.
Gage. The grumpy, broody, cowboy, who can't look at her or else he might spontaneously combust because he has never met someone so smart, beautiful, and funny.
The tension is HIGH. These two are forced to spend alot of time together and end up agreeing to a "no strings attached" relationship....but we all know how that is going to go...
Gage has a hidden past and Blythe isn't sure of where her future is heading but together they work to figure it out all while falling (HARD) for each other.
I loved this book so much!
Tropes:
-forced proximity
-romantic suspense vibes
-brother's best friend
-small town romance
-an angsty shower scene that had me on the ground I won't even lie.
4.5/5 stars
2.5/5 spice
May 10, 2025
Fand den suspense Teil irgendwie so unnötig aber den Rest mochte ich! Es war irgendwie so rushed und auch die Reaktionen auf die Vergangenheit waren so weird 😂bin normalerweise here for the drama aber das hätte nicht rein müssen 😄
Ich hoffe jeder von ihnen bekommt ein Buch, möchte Tripp und Heston’s Stories sehen 😍
Ich hoffe jeder von ihnen bekommt ein Buch, möchte Tripp und Heston’s Stories sehen 😍
July 3, 2025
i was not anticipating the crime high stake chase of it all. nonetheless cowboy romance makes me happy once more 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
July 7, 2024
4/5 -
A 🌶️🌶️ romance between a hot cowboy and his best friend's sister, who is burnt out to hell, which is pretty typical for 2024 if you ask me.
A 🌶️🌶️ romance between a hot cowboy and his best friend's sister, who is burnt out to hell, which is pretty typical for 2024 if you ask me.
February 16, 2024
dnf 67%
what i hate: insta-love
what i hate even more:
what i hate: insta-love
what i hate even more:
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,152 reviews