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Green River Hearts #1
Barbed Wire Hearts
Kate has always been a city girl. The city is all she knows, and she’s fine with that until an ex-boyfriend knocks on her door and destroys all her carefully made plans. Now, she has no choice but to run and get as far away from the city as possible. Head west. Move fast. She doesn’t stop until she finds herself in the mountains of Wyoming.
Answering an ad looking for help on a ranch should have been a silly idea, but Kate’s never been afraid of hard work and she likes animals. Besides, no one should find her out in the middle of nowhere. Steele Mountain Ranch is safe and exactly what she’s looking for, or so she thinks.
Dakota Steele, the namesake of the ranch. Wiley Carter, the horse wrangler. Levi James, the lead cowhand. Each of them is as unpredictable as the Wyoming weather. But not everything is as safe as it seems out in the mountains. Kate may have run from a murder of crows only to find herself in a rattlesnake nest, and everyone knows a rattlesnake bite can be deadly.
The past is coming for Kate. She can’t run forever, but Steele Mountain won’t let her go without a fight. Out here, they don’t call 911.
Come and take her.
**Barbed Wire Hearts is a full-length dark WhyChoose stand-alone novel. Get ready to enter your dark cowboy romance era! Recommended 18+ due to mature language, adult situations, and sensitive content. Check the trigger warnings.**
Answering an ad looking for help on a ranch should have been a silly idea, but Kate’s never been afraid of hard work and she likes animals. Besides, no one should find her out in the middle of nowhere. Steele Mountain Ranch is safe and exactly what she’s looking for, or so she thinks.
Dakota Steele, the namesake of the ranch. Wiley Carter, the horse wrangler. Levi James, the lead cowhand. Each of them is as unpredictable as the Wyoming weather. But not everything is as safe as it seems out in the mountains. Kate may have run from a murder of crows only to find herself in a rattlesnake nest, and everyone knows a rattlesnake bite can be deadly.
The past is coming for Kate. She can’t run forever, but Steele Mountain won’t let her go without a fight. Out here, they don’t call 911.
Come and take her.
**Barbed Wire Hearts is a full-length dark WhyChoose stand-alone novel. Get ready to enter your dark cowboy romance era! Recommended 18+ due to mature language, adult situations, and sensitive content. Check the trigger warnings.**
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2024
138 people are currently reading
4987 people want to read
About the author
Kendra Moreno
74 books792 followersKendra Moreno is secretly a spy but when she’s not dealing in secrets and espionage, you can find her writing her latest adventure. She lives in Texas where the summer days will make you melt, and southern charm comes free with every meal. She’s a recovering Road Rager (kind of) and slowly overcoming her Star Wars addiction (nope!), and she definitely didn’t pass on her addiction to her son (she did). She has one hellhound named Mayhem who got tired of guarding the Gates of Hell and now guards her home against monsters. She’s a geek, a mother, a scuba diver, a tyrannosaurus rex, and a wordsmith who sometimes switches out her pen for a sword.
If you see Kendra on the streets, don’t worry: you can distract her with talks about Kylo Ren or Loki.
#LokiLives #BringBackBenSolo
To learn more about Kendra Moreno, you can visit her website, kendramorenoauthor.com, or joing her Facebook group, Kendra's World of Wonder.
If you see Kendra on the streets, don’t worry: you can distract her with talks about Kylo Ren or Loki.
#LokiLives #BringBackBenSolo
To learn more about Kendra Moreno, you can visit her website, kendramorenoauthor.com, or joing her Facebook group, Kendra's World of Wonder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews
June 8, 2024
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
🚩 B𝐀R𝐁E𝐃 𝐖I𝐑E H𝐄A𝐑T𝐒 🚩 Is a full length Romance book by newly discovered author Kendra Moreno. Spoken in various POV's. In this you'll meet Kate, Dakota, Levi & Wiley
When I first saw this doing the rounds I was all in, cowboys, RH say no more, then the cover dropped and I was even more intrigued, so then I went and read this authors series 'Prey Island' and from that glimpse into the darkness she's capable of I couldn't wait to dive into this one.
This was exactly what the doctor ordered, not going to lie it did take me a wee bit to get into but once it sunk its hooks into me I didn’t put it down.
Thirty-one year old Kate had to do a runner from 'New Jersey' a place she's lived all her life due to her ex boyfriend with a gambling addiction threw her to the wolves, the 'Crows' to be exact an up and rising new gang taking over the streets, a gang you don't want to be on their radar.
Packing up her meager belongings, and her treasured cat and house plant throwing it all into her purple BMW she took off to lands unknown.
After passing many towns she lands in Wyoming and as luck would have it that same day she lands a job at Steele Mountain Ranch as a ranch hand along with accommodation which is ideal for her and the perfect place to hide away. Being a city girl she's completely out of her element, but that doesn't deter her from trying to befriend all the farm animals and the hot cowboys that run the ranch.
📖 '𝑾𝙝𝒆𝙧𝒆 𝑾𝙞𝒍𝙚𝒚 𝒊𝙨 𝙖𝒍𝙡 𝙨𝒎𝙤𝒐𝙩𝒉 𝒉𝙖𝒑𝙥𝒊𝙣𝒆𝙨𝒔, 𝙇𝒆𝙫𝒊 𝒊𝙨 𝙧𝒐𝙪𝒈𝙝 𝙖𝒓𝙧𝒐𝙜𝒂𝙣𝒄𝙚.
𝑻𝙝𝒆 𝒄𝙞𝒏𝙣𝒂𝙢𝒐𝙣 𝙧𝒐𝙡𝒍 𝒗𝙚𝒓𝙨𝒖𝙨 𝙩𝒉𝙚 𝙜𝒓𝙪𝒎𝙥𝒚 𝒃𝙖𝒔𝙩𝒂𝙧𝒅.
𝑻𝙝𝒆𝙧𝒆'𝒔 𝒂 𝒅𝙖𝒓𝙠𝒏𝙚𝒔𝙨 𝙖𝒃𝙤𝒖𝙩 𝘿𝒂𝙠𝒐𝙩𝒂 𝒕𝙝𝒂𝙩 𝙗𝒐𝙩𝒉 𝒖𝙣𝒏𝙚𝒓𝙫𝒆𝙨 𝙢𝒆 𝒂𝙣𝒅 𝒊𝙣𝒕𝙚𝒓𝙚𝒔𝙩𝒔 𝒎𝙚.'
Meet the men that run the ranch, Dakota, Levi & Wiley, they may not be related by blood but they have a bond thicker than blood, each hiding dark demons from their pasts, forged together as best friends in shitty situations.
This was unique with some over the top scenes which made for a fun unputdownable read.
June 3, 2024
I think my greatest weakness as a reader is my stubborn-ness. I shouldn’t have downloaded the book (& paid a hefty £5.99 for it!) after I didn’t enjoy the sample. And yet I did. Because I don’t like to leave things unfinished.
It’s not awful. It IS every cliche you’ve ever imagined about a “quirky city girl” and a cowboy ranch out West. Oooh she’s so alternative with her blue streaked hair, she drives a purple car, she walks her cat on a lead… it’s the ultimate checklist of “not like the other girls”. The men aren’t much better, the trio tick every box of a 3-guy tie; one is overly cute & super friendly, one is more aloof but has a pure soul & one is a dick at first but only because he’s struggling with his own issues.
I don’t think there’s any chemistry. The characters aren’t well developed & I’ve given up at 48% because I just don’t care anymore.
Also- the initial reason for her escape to cowboy ranch is so preposterous that I’m even more horrified I continued to read it. It’s such a lazy way of upending someone’s life & it wasn’t believable to me.
Why did I pay for it?!
Why does it have such good reviews?!
Why can’t I ever learn to listen to my own instincts?!
It’s not awful. It IS every cliche you’ve ever imagined about a “quirky city girl” and a cowboy ranch out West. Oooh she’s so alternative with her blue streaked hair, she drives a purple car, she walks her cat on a lead… it’s the ultimate checklist of “not like the other girls”. The men aren’t much better, the trio tick every box of a 3-guy tie; one is overly cute & super friendly, one is more aloof but has a pure soul & one is a dick at first but only because he’s struggling with his own issues.
I don’t think there’s any chemistry. The characters aren’t well developed & I’ve given up at 48% because I just don’t care anymore.
Also- the initial reason for her escape to cowboy ranch is so preposterous that I’m even more horrified I continued to read it. It’s such a lazy way of upending someone’s life & it wasn’t believable to me.
Why did I pay for it?!
Why does it have such good reviews?!
Why can’t I ever learn to listen to my own instincts?!
May 29, 2024
♾️/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Have you ever read a book that takes a piece of your heart with it when you’re done? Yeah, that’s this book for me. I quite literally will never get over this book. I’ll never stop thinking about it. The found family trope in this book is superior to any others that have been done. It was NAILED to a T.
If you love:
Why choose
Bondage
Dark cowboy
Broody MMCs
Golden Retriever MMCs
Touch her and 💀
Possessive
DVP
And more
This book is perfect for you. It was hot. It was emotional. The supporting characters were just as amazing and I can only hope for more books in this world. I laughed and I cried and I laughed and cried at the same time. This book definitely took a piece of me with it. 🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Have you ever read a book that takes a piece of your heart with it when you’re done? Yeah, that’s this book for me. I quite literally will never get over this book. I’ll never stop thinking about it. The found family trope in this book is superior to any others that have been done. It was NAILED to a T.
If you love:
Why choose
Bondage
Dark cowboy
Broody MMCs
Golden Retriever MMCs
Touch her and 💀
Possessive
DVP
And more
This book is perfect for you. It was hot. It was emotional. The supporting characters were just as amazing and I can only hope for more books in this world. I laughed and I cried and I laughed and cried at the same time. This book definitely took a piece of me with it. 🖤
September 23, 2025
3.75 stars
Want to read
June 5, 2024dark rh cowboy romance!?? consider me intrigued!
May 28, 2024
I had the ability to read an ARC copy of this book. I was very excited because my go-to genre of choice is Why Choose/RH. Yeah, the queer person who is married to a woman likes when the lady gets all of the men. LOL. I was also interested because who doesn’t love a good cowboy story.
This book is interesting. I say that in the very best way possible. On its surface, it almost seems like a Hallmark movie. City girl comes to the country and falls in love with cowboys. But this is far from a Hallmark movie. Although I would absolutely watch where the city girl is traded to the mafia boss to settle a debt against her will and runs away to the last place they would look for her, only to find three cowboys with their own demons who don’t mind sharing.
What I love about Why Choose books is you get so many tropes in one. Grumpy and Sunshine. Golden Retriever. Straight laced but hiding a past. Dark city girl letting the yee-haw infect her soul. Found family. What’s not to love?
My favorite thing about this book is that everyone has hidden demons and no one is as simple as they seem. But they all are accepting of each other’s dark past and it makes them stronger as a family. And it is not just the main characters that make-up the family but everyone and thing on their small piece of heaven. The absolute highlight of this story is the army of animals that come to the rescue.
This story gave me Yellowstone vibes in the very best way. The spice was spicy but didn’t overpower the story. And who doesn’t like a good barn scene. I didn’t want to put this story down and was sad when I got to the end. I know I tend to rate things high but I really feel like this deserves the five stars. I am always excited to see good Why Choose stories being put out into the world.
This book is interesting. I say that in the very best way possible. On its surface, it almost seems like a Hallmark movie. City girl comes to the country and falls in love with cowboys. But this is far from a Hallmark movie. Although I would absolutely watch where the city girl is traded to the mafia boss to settle a debt against her will and runs away to the last place they would look for her, only to find three cowboys with their own demons who don’t mind sharing.
What I love about Why Choose books is you get so many tropes in one. Grumpy and Sunshine. Golden Retriever. Straight laced but hiding a past. Dark city girl letting the yee-haw infect her soul. Found family. What’s not to love?
My favorite thing about this book is that everyone has hidden demons and no one is as simple as they seem. But they all are accepting of each other’s dark past and it makes them stronger as a family. And it is not just the main characters that make-up the family but everyone and thing on their small piece of heaven. The absolute highlight of this story is the army of animals that come to the rescue.
This story gave me Yellowstone vibes in the very best way. The spice was spicy but didn’t overpower the story. And who doesn’t like a good barn scene. I didn’t want to put this story down and was sad when I got to the end. I know I tend to rate things high but I really feel like this deserves the five stars. I am always excited to see good Why Choose stories being put out into the world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
This one was fun, I practically inhaled this book. Personally, I am not a mafia storyline fan, but this one I can forgive since it is more focused on the farm and romance. Oh yeah, can't forget about my new favorite cat that loves to go on walks with his leash. William Shakespurr. Not to mention, dark romance cowboys? Potentially my new obsession for how much I enjoyed this.
May 31, 2024
*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-PoV
*Cowboys
*City Girl
*Gangs
*FMC on the run
*Men with Pasts
*Working Ranch
*Slower Burn
*Standalone
Can’t beat the cowboys 😍
There’s a great mix of tropes for this story on top of those listed…she’s sunshine and happiness as opposed to there grumpy don’t even talk to me vibes; it’s got small town vibes and found families 😃
There’s plenty of action throughout this not only in Kate finding her place at the ranch and on the cattle run but also in potential threats that arise when New Jersey comes a knocking! And let’s not forget the spicy action as well, the seggs maybe towards the mid end but the tension that builds is 🔥🔥
Love the fact that our city girl turns out to be some kind of animal whisperer and she has them all wrapped around her little finger in no time! She has some great animal sidekicks 😍
Simple storyline spiced up with some rowdy ranchers 😃
*Contemporary
*Multi-PoV
*Cowboys
*City Girl
*Gangs
*FMC on the run
*Men with Pasts
*Working Ranch
*Slower Burn
*Standalone
Can’t beat the cowboys 😍
There’s a great mix of tropes for this story on top of those listed…she’s sunshine and happiness as opposed to there grumpy don’t even talk to me vibes; it’s got small town vibes and found families 😃
There’s plenty of action throughout this not only in Kate finding her place at the ranch and on the cattle run but also in potential threats that arise when New Jersey comes a knocking! And let’s not forget the spicy action as well, the seggs maybe towards the mid end but the tension that builds is 🔥🔥
Love the fact that our city girl turns out to be some kind of animal whisperer and she has them all wrapped around her little finger in no time! She has some great animal sidekicks 😍
Simple storyline spiced up with some rowdy ranchers 😃
October 31, 2025
Cowboys ✅
Mafia ✅
One women somehow stuck between the three of them ✅
Mafia ✅
One women somehow stuck between the three of them ✅
May 24, 2024
I AM OBSESSED!
I wish I knew where to begin but I am absolutely speechless. This book had me in a vice-like grip. I could not put it down until I was completely finished. Even now, while I sit and write this, I want more! I truly felt like I was there with everyone while everything was going down, that’s how good this writing was. This book has to be hands down my favorite read of the year! I will definitely be going through Kendra’s backlist.
Kate has lived her whole life in the city. When her ex-boyfriend shows up to her apartment asking for help and then two strange men show up with an ultimatum, the only thing she can do is run. She finds herself running to the country and trying to get a job out on a ranch. What she doesn’t realize is she might be running right into three men who might not let her go.
I loved every single character in this book… except the ex-boyfriend and the bad guys. Kate was so much fun and so fierce. Wiley had me laughing and swooning almost immediately. Dakota had me willing to submit. Levi had me yelling but then over time I just wanted to take care of him. Honestly, this group of characters was perfect.
This book ate and left no crumbs. The action in this book was phenomenal. The spice in the book was top-tier. I loved every moment of this book while reading. I highly recommend reading this book especially if you want a cowboy romance and why choose. Thank you Kendra for getting me out of my slump and writing such an amazing book. AND thank you K.A. Knight for making this book happen.
“You stole these old, barbed wire hearts and wrapped them tight. You took ‘em whether we wanted you to or not.”
I wish I knew where to begin but I am absolutely speechless. This book had me in a vice-like grip. I could not put it down until I was completely finished. Even now, while I sit and write this, I want more! I truly felt like I was there with everyone while everything was going down, that’s how good this writing was. This book has to be hands down my favorite read of the year! I will definitely be going through Kendra’s backlist.
Kate has lived her whole life in the city. When her ex-boyfriend shows up to her apartment asking for help and then two strange men show up with an ultimatum, the only thing she can do is run. She finds herself running to the country and trying to get a job out on a ranch. What she doesn’t realize is she might be running right into three men who might not let her go.
I loved every single character in this book… except the ex-boyfriend and the bad guys. Kate was so much fun and so fierce. Wiley had me laughing and swooning almost immediately. Dakota had me willing to submit. Levi had me yelling but then over time I just wanted to take care of him. Honestly, this group of characters was perfect.
This book ate and left no crumbs. The action in this book was phenomenal. The spice in the book was top-tier. I loved every moment of this book while reading. I highly recommend reading this book especially if you want a cowboy romance and why choose. Thank you Kendra for getting me out of my slump and writing such an amazing book. AND thank you K.A. Knight for making this book happen.
“You stole these old, barbed wire hearts and wrapped them tight. You took ‘em whether we wanted you to or not.”
May 23, 2024
This one is all you possibly want in a book… RH, alpha male Cowboys, small town vibe, spicy that gets just right, angst, funny moments and a lot of freaking cute animals! I mean… it’s perfect!
I really love it! The story is very good, well paced and the good writing keeps you interested the whole time!
The characters are so good, Kate it’s cute but a the same time it’s enough strong headed to keep up with this sturdy cowboys! And the boys, let’s just say they’re the perfect trio, one grumpy, one mysterious stoic man and a golden retriever.
I love that we discover each of their stories without losing the main plot and the development of their relationship with Kate.
I definitely recommend it!!
I really love it! The story is very good, well paced and the good writing keeps you interested the whole time!
The characters are so good, Kate it’s cute but a the same time it’s enough strong headed to keep up with this sturdy cowboys! And the boys, let’s just say they’re the perfect trio, one grumpy, one mysterious stoic man and a golden retriever.
I love that we discover each of their stories without losing the main plot and the development of their relationship with Kate.
I definitely recommend it!!
June 15, 2024
tropes ⛓️💥🖤⛓️💥🖤⛓️💥🖤⛓️💥🖤⛓️💥🖤⛓️💥🖤⛓️💥🖤
•why choose
•dark cowboy romance
•touch her and ☠️
•found family
•golden retriever MMC
•possessive/broody MMC
This was my 2nd Kendra Moreno book and I absolutely loved it! A dark RH cowboy romance? Say no more girl. This book follows Kate, who is on the run from a big gang in New Jersey thanks to her scum ex boyfriend and finds herself in Wyoming at a ranch who is in need of some help. Dakota and Levi doubt her abilities but Wiley is all for her help. When the crows start tracking her down - Kate has to come clean as to why she’s on the run and hope for the best.
SUUUUCH a good read. Y’all need to add this to your TBR now if you like cowboy romances! But Wiley is mine so find your own cowboy.
4.5/5 ⭐️
•why choose
•dark cowboy romance
•touch her and ☠️
•found family
•golden retriever MMC
•possessive/broody MMC
This was my 2nd Kendra Moreno book and I absolutely loved it! A dark RH cowboy romance? Say no more girl. This book follows Kate, who is on the run from a big gang in New Jersey thanks to her scum ex boyfriend and finds herself in Wyoming at a ranch who is in need of some help. Dakota and Levi doubt her abilities but Wiley is all for her help. When the crows start tracking her down - Kate has to come clean as to why she’s on the run and hope for the best.
SUUUUCH a good read. Y’all need to add this to your TBR now if you like cowboy romances! But Wiley is mine so find your own cowboy.
4.5/5 ⭐️
December 19, 2024
dnf - terrible writing
June 7, 2024
I had a grand ole time with this, plot was there, smut was there and 3 hot as hell cowboys 💜
I’m really gonna miss Levi, Dakota and Wiley 😭
I’m really gonna miss Levi, Dakota and Wiley 😭
May 26, 2024
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This book will forever be a part of me.
This dark why choose cowboy romance made my country girl heart happy. Dakota Steele can call me darlin’ all day everyday.
After living in the city her whole life, she runs trying to stay anonymous. Coming across a small town that instantly feels like home she answers an ad for a ranch hand never knowing how much it would change her life.
The spice was phenomenal. The characters always had to laughing, crying or swooning. There was never a dull moment where my heart wasn’t racing and I wasn’t wanting more. I want to go back and read it again. Start my journey of reading this book over just so I can fall in love with these characters all over again.
There’s not much more you could ask for in a book. A why choose that has a golden retriever, black cat and German Shepard all loving the FMC is beautiful. Kate is a great FMC who gets more badø$$ as the book goes on. She loves everyone and everything with all that she is and heals those barbed wires hearts while also falling head over heals.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This book will forever be a part of me.
This dark why choose cowboy romance made my country girl heart happy. Dakota Steele can call me darlin’ all day everyday.
After living in the city her whole life, she runs trying to stay anonymous. Coming across a small town that instantly feels like home she answers an ad for a ranch hand never knowing how much it would change her life.
The spice was phenomenal. The characters always had to laughing, crying or swooning. There was never a dull moment where my heart wasn’t racing and I wasn’t wanting more. I want to go back and read it again. Start my journey of reading this book over just so I can fall in love with these characters all over again.
There’s not much more you could ask for in a book. A why choose that has a golden retriever, black cat and German Shepard all loving the FMC is beautiful. Kate is a great FMC who gets more badø$$ as the book goes on. She loves everyone and everything with all that she is and heals those barbed wires hearts while also falling head over heals.
May 31, 2024
Kate, Wiley, Levi, + Dakota
-whychoose romance
-small town
-dark cowboy romance
-on the run
this was a mix..that you'd think wouldn't work...yet it was 🤌🤌🤌 chefs freaking kiss!! like....think the final battle in crazy fantasy climaxes...butttt. its...a giant mix of a farm herd cresting the horizon...😂😂😂 yes. it was as amazing as it sounds. but anyways... hahaha the characters chemistry for all involved were amazingly done as well so the romance was always amazing!
-whychoose romance
-small town
-dark cowboy romance
-on the run
this was a mix..that you'd think wouldn't work...yet it was 🤌🤌🤌 chefs freaking kiss!! like....think the final battle in crazy fantasy climaxes...butttt. its...a giant mix of a farm herd cresting the horizon...😂😂😂 yes. it was as amazing as it sounds. but anyways... hahaha the characters chemistry for all involved were amazingly done as well so the romance was always amazing!
May 24, 2024
Holy shit.
These men 🤤
I love how headstrong and bad*ss Kate is. She is such an amazing woman.
The books build up and then in the final pages the big battle. Omg, I was in the edge of my seat the whole time.
The commentary and the way everyone around Kate rallied was beautiful.
The trigger warnings should be taken to heart!!! But I love the slow bonding of all 4 of them showing each other all their secrets and dirty laundry.
Now her men. These men are attractive but yet so different. I haven’t ever read a cowboy RH but now I’m invested. I’ve never read anything like this and it is written so so so well.
This cowboys/mafia romance is stunning. The way Kendra can write a spicy scene never seems to fail. She basically had me on my knees craving these men.
These men 🤤
I love how headstrong and bad*ss Kate is. She is such an amazing woman.
The books build up and then in the final pages the big battle. Omg, I was in the edge of my seat the whole time.
The commentary and the way everyone around Kate rallied was beautiful.
The trigger warnings should be taken to heart!!! But I love the slow bonding of all 4 of them showing each other all their secrets and dirty laundry.
Now her men. These men are attractive but yet so different. I haven’t ever read a cowboy RH but now I’m invested. I’ve never read anything like this and it is written so so so well.
This cowboys/mafia romance is stunning. The way Kendra can write a spicy scene never seems to fail. She basically had me on my knees craving these men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
Spoilers
Kate’s ex bf is in debt to The Crows gang, so even though they have been broken up for a year he tells them Kate will pay his 250K debt and also shows her picture, so they go to Kate and say either pay in 7 days or the boss is taking you. Kate, rightfully feeling afraid flees her home in New Jersey and ends up states away and finds a job working on a ranch in Wyoming. Here she meets Dakota, Wiley and Levi who run the ranch, she gets involved with Wiley first but soon all 3 of them are with her too. They all have darkness in their pasts and when the Crows finds Kate they all promise to keep her safe.
I really enjoyed this book, for me I didn’t think it was dark. The end big battle when the Crows came for her and they stood their ground and fought was actually hilarious, it was fun and enjoyable to read but it was a bit too unbelievable. The book went from Yellowstone to Looney Tunes at the end. Like Levi came riding over the hill to save the day on the angry bull that ended his rodeo career when it broke his back and he thought he might never walk again, the bull was kept in a pen and never ridden again because no one could safely get near him he was too dangerous but suddenly there’s Levi leading the charge on the Bull with goats, roosters and pigs coming to help save the day. And then the bad guy is outnumbered and knows he’s lost so he’s just like ‘My apologies Kate, I had not realised the snakes I was messing with.’
And tells her she has his respect and suddenly he’s eyeing her friend Naomi with interest and tells them ‘I don’t think this will be the last we see of each other’ before he’s taken away by the police. Oooook then.
So 2 months later they find out he was released on bail as soon as he was sent back to NJ and flowers show up at the ranch for Kate with a card telling her that her freedom is hers, consider all debts paid and he’d see her soon. She’s obviously like well fuck him throw the flowers away and Naomi asks ‘can I have them.’ Hmmm wonder where this is going, into a different book maybe?
Anyway I was just expecting it to be darker but I wasn’t disappointed. I had a lot of fun reading it and I do recommend.
-No OWD
-No 3rd act break up
-Mostly Kates pov with some chapters with the guys pov
-One thing that bothered me was there was no safety talk. They started having sex but no mention of birth control, condoms, being tested. Also scenes where lube should have definetly been being used but no mention of it. It was kinda distracting from the spice lol
Kate’s ex bf is in debt to The Crows gang, so even though they have been broken up for a year he tells them Kate will pay his 250K debt and also shows her picture, so they go to Kate and say either pay in 7 days or the boss is taking you. Kate, rightfully feeling afraid flees her home in New Jersey and ends up states away and finds a job working on a ranch in Wyoming. Here she meets Dakota, Wiley and Levi who run the ranch, she gets involved with Wiley first but soon all 3 of them are with her too. They all have darkness in their pasts and when the Crows finds Kate they all promise to keep her safe.
I really enjoyed this book, for me I didn’t think it was dark. The end big battle when the Crows came for her and they stood their ground and fought was actually hilarious, it was fun and enjoyable to read but it was a bit too unbelievable. The book went from Yellowstone to Looney Tunes at the end. Like Levi came riding over the hill to save the day on the angry bull that ended his rodeo career when it broke his back and he thought he might never walk again, the bull was kept in a pen and never ridden again because no one could safely get near him he was too dangerous but suddenly there’s Levi leading the charge on the Bull with goats, roosters and pigs coming to help save the day. And then the bad guy is outnumbered and knows he’s lost so he’s just like ‘My apologies Kate, I had not realised the snakes I was messing with.’
And tells her she has his respect and suddenly he’s eyeing her friend Naomi with interest and tells them ‘I don’t think this will be the last we see of each other’ before he’s taken away by the police. Oooook then.
So 2 months later they find out he was released on bail as soon as he was sent back to NJ and flowers show up at the ranch for Kate with a card telling her that her freedom is hers, consider all debts paid and he’d see her soon. She’s obviously like well fuck him throw the flowers away and Naomi asks ‘can I have them.’ Hmmm wonder where this is going, into a different book maybe?
Anyway I was just expecting it to be darker but I wasn’t disappointed. I had a lot of fun reading it and I do recommend.
-No OWD
-No 3rd act break up
-Mostly Kates pov with some chapters with the guys pov
-One thing that bothered me was there was no safety talk. They started having sex but no mention of birth control, condoms, being tested. Also scenes where lube should have definetly been being used but no mention of it. It was kinda distracting from the spice lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2024
What in the world did I just read? Like actually. WHAT.
I saw this book floating around booktok and bookstagram and was like, dark romance, why choose, and cowboys? Like sign me up! I actually have not dived into cowboy romances yet, but have wanted to. But as an avid dark romance and why choose romance reader? I figured this would be a perfect way to jump in. But omg was I wrong.
First, the basis of the plot isn't bad. Cheating stealing ex, gets into debt with the mob. Tries to scare her into paying and then threatens to sell her to the mob for his debts. It was a little far fetched how badly the mob wanted her in my opinion, and how far and the resources they used to go after her. But again, I could look past and it wasn't bad.
We have a ton of stereotypes going on here. City girl, she can't possibly work on a ranch. Ooooo girl who wears black and has blue in her hair? Must be a witchy goth girl. Blah blah.
The guys are all pretty hot and I will say I was into them for the majority of the perk. Per most why chooses, we have the friendly flirty golden retriever, the moody broken grump with a traumatic past, and the stoic protective leader. I liked them all. And add in the cowboy aspect? All the "ma'ams" and "darlin's" and cowboy hat tips had me swooning. But I did get the ick with the grump called the FMC a b-tch during sex, and said he was gonna "mark his territory like a b-tch in heat." Why. WHY. I hate the b word used in books and then comparing her to a dog was just gross. But I was able to overlook cause it only happened once.
The spice was fine. It definitely was more rough, but surprisingly for a why choose, we didn't get as much as I expected. Also, sorry, but my thought so many times that they're just doing it out in the fields was, they're probably so covered in dirt and grim... the UTIs. Especially with no cleanup after 🤣 I get these books aren't realistic, but still.
But it's the ending that got to me. Omg. That ending. WHAT WAS THAT! Levi all of a sudden riding the mean nasty bull that almost killed him. All the animals "fighting" the mob. The "yee haw". I couldn't. I was cackling and just flabbergasted at what I was reading. Like. Wow.
I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. It was too ridiculous, too stereotyped, and just, weird.
I saw this book floating around booktok and bookstagram and was like, dark romance, why choose, and cowboys? Like sign me up! I actually have not dived into cowboy romances yet, but have wanted to. But as an avid dark romance and why choose romance reader? I figured this would be a perfect way to jump in. But omg was I wrong.
First, the basis of the plot isn't bad. Cheating stealing ex, gets into debt with the mob. Tries to scare her into paying and then threatens to sell her to the mob for his debts. It was a little far fetched how badly the mob wanted her in my opinion, and how far and the resources they used to go after her. But again, I could look past and it wasn't bad.
We have a ton of stereotypes going on here. City girl, she can't possibly work on a ranch. Ooooo girl who wears black and has blue in her hair? Must be a witchy goth girl. Blah blah.
The guys are all pretty hot and I will say I was into them for the majority of the perk. Per most why chooses, we have the friendly flirty golden retriever, the moody broken grump with a traumatic past, and the stoic protective leader. I liked them all. And add in the cowboy aspect? All the "ma'ams" and "darlin's" and cowboy hat tips had me swooning. But I did get the ick with the grump called the FMC a b-tch during sex, and said he was gonna "mark his territory like a b-tch in heat." Why. WHY. I hate the b word used in books and then comparing her to a dog was just gross. But I was able to overlook cause it only happened once.
The spice was fine. It definitely was more rough, but surprisingly for a why choose, we didn't get as much as I expected. Also, sorry, but my thought so many times that they're just doing it out in the fields was, they're probably so covered in dirt and grim... the UTIs. Especially with no cleanup after 🤣 I get these books aren't realistic, but still.
But it's the ending that got to me. Omg. That ending. WHAT WAS THAT! Levi all of a sudden riding the mean nasty bull that almost killed him. All the animals "fighting" the mob. The "yee haw". I couldn't. I was cackling and just flabbergasted at what I was reading. Like. Wow.
I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. It was too ridiculous, too stereotyped, and just, weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2024
Heroine in peril + three dark & mysterious Cowboys = one happy reader
This was so good. I absolutely loved all 3 of the guys, especially Levi. I devoured this. Couldn't put it down. Immediately ordered a signed copy off the authors site so I can have a physical copy.
This was so good. I absolutely loved all 3 of the guys, especially Levi. I devoured this. Couldn't put it down. Immediately ordered a signed copy off the authors site so I can have a physical copy.
September 19, 2024
The only good thing about this book, was the group activity. It was trash otherwise.
April 12, 2025
Wanted to love this more than I did but I’m also not that big of a fan of RH so that’s on me I guess😅 obviously this is fiction, but certain parts of this book just felt so far-fetched to me that it was kinda ridiculous. For example, the climax… it was so over the top I had to roll my eyes & laugh because what?!😭 this book had a few action & darker scenes which made the book a bit more exciting and thrilling. I was expecting more from the smut but tbh it wasn’t overly smutty compared to other RH I’ve read. I think the premise (dark, cowboy, RH, small town romance) of this book is unique & cool, but unfortunately this book was just a tad bit boring, slow paced & not memorable enough- I lowkey think I’ve forgotten the characters names so let me test my knowledge rn lol😅
Kate was too much of a cliche “I’m not like other girls”😭 however her empathetic personality was so relatable & had me giggling. Wiley was the jokester, flirt, playful, easygoing mmc. Dakota was the broody, standoffish, yet charming & kind mmc, & Levi was the grumpy, reserved, asshole but secretly sweet, broken mmc. I honestly didn’t feel much chemistry between any of the men with Kate. Why did I lowkey ship her more with Lennox (the mafia guy- I think that’s his name), the guy that literally wanted to kidnap her, than with her 3 cowboys💀😭 I thought Kates relationship with each of the guys progressed so quickly & unnaturally that it gave the romance a very surface level feel to it. Because of that, I just felt very disconnected from the story & didn’t feel that much excitement for the characters or relationships.
Kate was too much of a cliche “I’m not like other girls”😭 however her empathetic personality was so relatable & had me giggling. Wiley was the jokester, flirt, playful, easygoing mmc. Dakota was the broody, standoffish, yet charming & kind mmc, & Levi was the grumpy, reserved, asshole but secretly sweet, broken mmc. I honestly didn’t feel much chemistry between any of the men with Kate. Why did I lowkey ship her more with Lennox (the mafia guy- I think that’s his name), the guy that literally wanted to kidnap her, than with her 3 cowboys💀😭 I thought Kates relationship with each of the guys progressed so quickly & unnaturally that it gave the romance a very surface level feel to it. Because of that, I just felt very disconnected from the story & didn’t feel that much excitement for the characters or relationships.
March 3, 2025
Barbed Wire Hearts by Kendra Moreno is a spicy, "why choose" cowboy romance that follows Kate, who flees her ex’s gambling debts and ends up on a Wyoming ranch surrounded by sexy cowboy best friends. The chemistry between Kate and the men is intense, and the book skillfully blends steamy moments with Kate’s emotional growth as she learns to trust again. The characters are well-developed, and the romance is fiery, with each cowboy bringing something unique to the table, making for a compelling and passionate read.
However, one detail did stand out as an inconsistency. Early in the book, a goat named Ninny lives with Dozer the bull, but by Chapter 25, the goat is suddenly referred to as Nanny. While this is a minor issue, I found myself scratching my head. Despite this, Barbed Wire Hearts is a fun, read for fans of spicy romance and "why choose" dynamics, with plenty of tension, heat, and drama to keep you hooked.
However, one detail did stand out as an inconsistency. Early in the book, a goat named Ninny lives with Dozer the bull, but by Chapter 25, the goat is suddenly referred to as Nanny. While this is a minor issue, I found myself scratching my head. Despite this, Barbed Wire Hearts is a fun, read for fans of spicy romance and "why choose" dynamics, with plenty of tension, heat, and drama to keep you hooked.
January 31, 2025
Book Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m so sorry but why the frick did I not read this sooner??? A dark RH cowboy romance???? Yes a million times over!
I’m definitely in my cowboy era now I will be booking flights to Nashville, Montana, Wyoming and everywhere else that has a cowboy in it.
We follow Kate who has always lived in the city and enjoys her life and her apartment that she shares with her cat but unfortunately, an ex boyfriend has come back knocking and let’s just say he isn’t the only one knocking on her door now. The only decision Kate has is to run, we’ll drive actually so she does what any normal person would do and drives as far away as she possibly can. She empties her bank accounts and becomes completely anonymous.
Dakota, Wiley and Levi need a lot more help on the ranch if they are gonna make it through their busiest time of year. When Wiley is out putting some flyers in town for some help wanted he runs into a woman who definitely doesn’t belong to these parts of town and she just so happens to be interested in work.
THE CONNECTIONNNN BETWEEN THESE CHARACTERS!!!! Omgggg! All of these men have some serious past’s and scars of their own and as much as some of them tried fighting their feelings towards Kate they couldn’t help but gravitate towards her. I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did and holy cow and I need me a cowboy and a ranch of my own.
This book was so funny and full of banter, sexual tension and lots of suspense plussss some excellent spice.
I can’t wait to read more in this interconnected world!
Happy reading xx
I’m so sorry but why the frick did I not read this sooner??? A dark RH cowboy romance???? Yes a million times over!
I’m definitely in my cowboy era now I will be booking flights to Nashville, Montana, Wyoming and everywhere else that has a cowboy in it.
We follow Kate who has always lived in the city and enjoys her life and her apartment that she shares with her cat but unfortunately, an ex boyfriend has come back knocking and let’s just say he isn’t the only one knocking on her door now. The only decision Kate has is to run, we’ll drive actually so she does what any normal person would do and drives as far away as she possibly can. She empties her bank accounts and becomes completely anonymous.
Dakota, Wiley and Levi need a lot more help on the ranch if they are gonna make it through their busiest time of year. When Wiley is out putting some flyers in town for some help wanted he runs into a woman who definitely doesn’t belong to these parts of town and she just so happens to be interested in work.
THE CONNECTIONNNN BETWEEN THESE CHARACTERS!!!! Omgggg! All of these men have some serious past’s and scars of their own and as much as some of them tried fighting their feelings towards Kate they couldn’t help but gravitate towards her. I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did and holy cow and I need me a cowboy and a ranch of my own.
This book was so funny and full of banter, sexual tension and lots of suspense plussss some excellent spice.
I can’t wait to read more in this interconnected world!
Happy reading xx
January 31, 2025
Barbed Wire Hearts follows Kate who has to run from her hometown in New Jersey because her ex boyfriend gave her name to “The Crows”, a local gang turned mafia, to settle a debt he owes. She ends up in a small town in Wyoming and applies for a job on a ranch even though she has absolutely no experience, other than loving all animals and having a special touch with them. Dakota, Wiley, and Levi are the three cowboys who she works for that all have their own secrets and past trauma that they are dealing with. Did Kate run from one bad situation into a worse one? I am definitely in my cowboy romance era and have been wanting to dip my toes into some dark romance, so this was the perfect stepping stone into the genre for me. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone wanting to start on their dark romance journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2024
YEEEEE HAW
This was my first book from Kendra, so I didn’t know what to expect, but baby I’M IN LOVE. This book combined so many things that I love - cowboys, why choose, a lil mafia action, grumpy x sunshine.
I went in kinda blind and assumed it was going to be super smut heavy, but the plot was there and it was plotting!! I ate up all the action and suspense. The last few chapters were pretty epic and I immediately purchased the next book in the series.
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙡𝙙, 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 ‘𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩.”
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
🤠 Why Choose
🤠 FMC on the Run
🤠 Small Town
🤠 Touch Her and Die …literally.
🤠 Dual POV
This was my first book from Kendra, so I didn’t know what to expect, but baby I’M IN LOVE. This book combined so many things that I love - cowboys, why choose, a lil mafia action, grumpy x sunshine.
I went in kinda blind and assumed it was going to be super smut heavy, but the plot was there and it was plotting!! I ate up all the action and suspense. The last few chapters were pretty epic and I immediately purchased the next book in the series.
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙡𝙙, 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 ‘𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩.”
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
🤠 Why Choose
🤠 FMC on the Run
🤠 Small Town
🤠 Touch Her and Die …literally.
🤠 Dual POV
November 11, 2024
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
I absolutely adore this book, and not just because of the sexy and hell cowboys but the fact that this is a dark romance as well.
The guys in this book have their own scars and pasts, but when Kate comes into the picture, everything changes. And these men couldn't be more different from each other but at the same time complimenting each other perfectly.
I love all the puns and little references to movies and just the banter, suspense, spice, and everything in between!!
If you haven't read this book, you need to as I couldn't put it down, and I am 100% jumping into the next book!
Check out tashie_leereads for my bookstagram! :)
Spicy content 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
I absolutely adore this book, and not just because of the sexy and hell cowboys but the fact that this is a dark romance as well.
The guys in this book have their own scars and pasts, but when Kate comes into the picture, everything changes. And these men couldn't be more different from each other but at the same time complimenting each other perfectly.
I love all the puns and little references to movies and just the banter, suspense, spice, and everything in between!!
If you haven't read this book, you need to as I couldn't put it down, and I am 100% jumping into the next book!
Check out tashie_leereads for my bookstagram! :)
February 6, 2025
A morally grey cowboy why choose with the perfect dose of spice. You have plot! Characters you’ll love. And a place you’ll long to call home.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Multi POV that was incredibly done so you always know who it was.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Multi POV that was incredibly done so you always know who it was.
June 9, 2025
okay, I get the cowboy fascination now 😅
Even if this story was a flop, I would love it simply for the amount of punny names in this for the animals.
Turned out I also enjoyed the story.
I mean...who wouldn't enjoy a dark, cowboy, why choose?
Even if this story was a flop, I would love it simply for the amount of punny names in this for the animals.
Turned out I also enjoyed the story.
I mean...who wouldn't enjoy a dark, cowboy, why choose?
July 9, 2025
This was not dark. I spent six dollars on it and it was average. And the whole Levi riding that bull in the end into battle? It just didn’t seem real. Good for her finding love but it was just not it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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