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Wild at Heart
BISHOP SULLIVAN
I’ve always known what my future had in store: inheriting the family ranch and having myself a wife and kids to carry on the Sullivan name. Porter Dixon never factored into those plans. We may have spent our teenage years sneaking away to lose ourselves in each other, but he always held me at arm’s length…until the day he up and left without so much as a goodbye.
PORTER DIXON
After everything I’ve lost in my life, it’s important that I keep myself tightly guarded. Especially around Bishop Sullivan. Dad would be rolling in his grave if he found out I was shacking up with a Sullivan, given the bad blood between our families. But eleven years after leaving, I’m back in Laurel Springs with something to prove: I don’t need the Sullivans, nor their land.
Except, damn it all, Bishop has this way of burrowing under my armor. The magnetic draw between us is still too hard to ignore, and what starts out as boss and ranch hand quickly turns into stolen moments and simmering encounters that make it hard to stay angry.
I want to think that love can conquer all and tame my wild heart…but the past isn’t so easy to forget.
I’ve always known what my future had in store: inheriting the family ranch and having myself a wife and kids to carry on the Sullivan name. Porter Dixon never factored into those plans. We may have spent our teenage years sneaking away to lose ourselves in each other, but he always held me at arm’s length…until the day he up and left without so much as a goodbye.
PORTER DIXON
After everything I’ve lost in my life, it’s important that I keep myself tightly guarded. Especially around Bishop Sullivan. Dad would be rolling in his grave if he found out I was shacking up with a Sullivan, given the bad blood between our families. But eleven years after leaving, I’m back in Laurel Springs with something to prove: I don’t need the Sullivans, nor their land.
Except, damn it all, Bishop has this way of burrowing under my armor. The magnetic draw between us is still too hard to ignore, and what starts out as boss and ranch hand quickly turns into stolen moments and simmering encounters that make it hard to stay angry.
I want to think that love can conquer all and tame my wild heart…but the past isn’t so easy to forget.
249 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2024
274 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
116 books7,110 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
April 24, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
Unofficial buddy read with mi amor Ivana cuz ✨Twins✨👯♀️. ‘Nuff said.
*Wild At Heart* was a sweet and spicy romance with yummy cowboys, a dreamy horse ranch scenario, and two men reuniting and fixing what was broken oh so long ago.
I think I loved the scenery and the horses more than I loved the actual book. Had the storyline been all about Storm, I wouldn’t have minded one bit.
I couldn’t really get behind the drama plot, the land feuds, the selfish and egotistical ranch hand.
Even though these characters had depth to them, both interesting and multifaceted, I couldn’t connect emotionally with either of them. Not being able to reach that empathetic level left me feeling distant, somewhat more detached than I like to be while reading romance.
Not that I didn’t enjoy watching them find their way back to each other. I just didn’t exactly love it.
A overall lovely read and nice addition to the queer cowboy sub-genre, but didn’t personally get invested in this particular plot.
Side note: I love when I find the title of the book inside the book. Just the little joys in a bookish life.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Cowboys
- Boss vs employee
- Second chance
- First love
- Closeted vs out
- Mentions of parental/family death
- Side character w/ alcoholism
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Strict top/bottom
- Rimming
- Public sex
Unofficial buddy read with mi amor Ivana cuz ✨Twins✨👯♀️. ‘Nuff said.
“Kiss me, cowboy.”
*Wild At Heart* was a sweet and spicy romance with yummy cowboys, a dreamy horse ranch scenario, and two men reuniting and fixing what was broken oh so long ago.
«He always gets me all twisted up, and I don’t know how in the hell to untangle myself from him.»
I think I loved the scenery and the horses more than I loved the actual book. Had the storyline been all about Storm, I wouldn’t have minded one bit.
I couldn’t really get behind the drama plot, the land feuds, the selfish and egotistical ranch hand.
Even though these characters had depth to them, both interesting and multifaceted, I couldn’t connect emotionally with either of them. Not being able to reach that empathetic level left me feeling distant, somewhat more detached than I like to be while reading romance.
Not that I didn’t enjoy watching them find their way back to each other. I just didn’t exactly love it.
A overall lovely read and nice addition to the queer cowboy sub-genre, but didn’t personally get invested in this particular plot.
“I’ve always been wild at heart. Turns out, I only needed to find my way home.”
Side note: I love when I find the title of the book inside the book. Just the little joys in a bookish life.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Cowboys
- Boss vs employee
- Second chance
- First love
- Closeted vs out
- Mentions of parental/family death
- Side character w/ alcoholism
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Strict top/bottom
- Rimming
- Public sex
April 27, 2024
~3.5~
Second chances, cowboys, horses, ranch setting ... hell, yes.
At 18, Porter Dixon was angry at the world and ran from Bishop, never saying goodbye. Some decade later, he shows up at the the Sullivan ranch looking for a job. Porter works hard and is a horse whisperer, but he has a temper and makes bad decisions.
Bishop (forever "Sully" to Porter), long divorced, never stopped thinking about Porter. Bishop loves the land and is a fair boss. But is that all he'll ever be to Porter?
The first half is slow-going. Nothing much happens. There's drama with a ranch hand named Randy, who has a serious drinking problem and is jealous of Porter's way with horses. Everyone tip-toes around Randy, mostly because Randy's 10-year-old daughter, Pixie, is a sweet kid and no one wants to see her hurt or displaced.
Randy and Pixie take up way too much page time. Most of the plot revolves around these two secondary characters.
I don't believe for a second that Randy, who's an alcoholic, would have been motivated and lucid enough to snoop around the Sullivans' house in the middle of the night, never mind that these top secret documents would just be lying around for anyone to find.
Also, Bishop's parents are terrible people. Their two decade deception is shrugged away, like whatcha you gonna do about it. The fuck???
The romance is raw, tender, and quite sexy. The MCs are so right for one another and get a well deserved HEA set five years in the future.
I liked the other ranch hands and Storm the wild stallion.
I did not like the whole Randy thing or the way the family secret was revealed.
Second chances, cowboys, horses, ranch setting ... hell, yes.
At 18, Porter Dixon was angry at the world and ran from Bishop, never saying goodbye. Some decade later, he shows up at the the Sullivan ranch looking for a job. Porter works hard and is a horse whisperer, but he has a temper and makes bad decisions.
Bishop (forever "Sully" to Porter), long divorced, never stopped thinking about Porter. Bishop loves the land and is a fair boss. But is that all he'll ever be to Porter?
The first half is slow-going. Nothing much happens. There's drama with a ranch hand named Randy, who has a serious drinking problem and is jealous of Porter's way with horses. Everyone tip-toes around Randy, mostly because Randy's 10-year-old daughter, Pixie, is a sweet kid and no one wants to see her hurt or displaced.
Randy and Pixie take up way too much page time. Most of the plot revolves around these two secondary characters.
I don't believe for a second that Randy, who's an alcoholic, would have been motivated and lucid enough to snoop around the Sullivans' house in the middle of the night, never mind that these top secret documents would just be lying around for anyone to find.
Also, Bishop's parents are terrible people. Their two decade deception is shrugged away, like whatcha you gonna do about it. The fuck???
The romance is raw, tender, and quite sexy. The MCs are so right for one another and get a well deserved HEA set five years in the future.
I liked the other ranch hands and Storm the wild stallion.
I did not like the whole Randy thing or the way the family secret was revealed.
April 18, 2024
Wild at Heart is an emotional second chance cowboy romance that I adored completely. Sully and Porter have a strong connection and were in love in high school, but due to misunderstanding they are separated for seven years. They eventually are reunited and their chemistry is still as strong as ever, and watching these two try to keep things professional without giving in to their mutual desire is a great aspect to their push/pull dynamic.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. The misunderstanding between Sully and Porter was frustrating, but understandable given their ages at the time. I loved seeing them both still so in love with one another and eventually find their way back together. This was a great story that I could not get enough of.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Overall I really enjoyed this story. The misunderstanding between Sully and Porter was frustrating, but understandable given their ages at the time. I loved seeing them both still so in love with one another and eventually find their way back together. This was a great story that I could not get enough of.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
June 25, 2024
4 Stars!
February 10, 2025
It Pissed me off that this book had to end 😩
April 18, 2024
I haven’t read too many cowboy books but can’t turn down a book by these two authors! I really enjoyed seeing the ranch lifestyle and how that all works and Porter working with the horses!
Bishop and Porter have such a special relationship and I loved seeing them get their second chance at love with each other. It was not an easy journey but it was so worth it for them! Their HEA was so perfect for them and it really couldn’t have been any better!
I also really enjoyed the side characters (especially Pixie and the horses, even Wade). You know it’s a great story when you get invested in the side characters stories and well being as well!
If you are a fan of second-chance, cowboy romances I highly recommend this story!! Really hope we’ll get more from this world in the future.
Bishop and Porter have such a special relationship and I loved seeing them get their second chance at love with each other. It was not an easy journey but it was so worth it for them! Their HEA was so perfect for them and it really couldn’t have been any better!
I also really enjoyed the side characters (especially Pixie and the horses, even Wade). You know it’s a great story when you get invested in the side characters stories and well being as well!
If you are a fan of second-chance, cowboy romances I highly recommend this story!! Really hope we’ll get more from this world in the future.
April 25, 2024
These two are absolute magic together.
Tanner/Cole (Tom/Charlie) and now Bishop and Porter.
These two did not have an easy road to their HEA. It was hard fought and hard won.
The depth of emotion they have for each other is simply beautiful.
I loved the found family aspect.
Porter is not the easiest person to get along with.
He carries a lot of baggage and I loved Bishop's easy and patient nature with him, simply allowing him space to be.
Tanner/Cole (Tom/Charlie) and now Bishop and Porter.
These two did not have an easy road to their HEA. It was hard fought and hard won.
The depth of emotion they have for each other is simply beautiful.
I loved the found family aspect.
Porter is not the easiest person to get along with.
He carries a lot of baggage and I loved Bishop's easy and patient nature with him, simply allowing him space to be.
April 28, 2024
* 4.5 stars *
Awesome setting in a thriving ranch for a second chance romance.
Bishop and Porter have a lot of history between them and their families have even more. There's resentment, regrets and secrets.
Porter was harboring a lot of hurt toward Bishop's family because of an old story that was more rumor than fact. I think it was holding him back and not letting him enjoy his life and be happy. He was constantly wondering about a million what ifs and wasn't able to let the past go to the point of it affecting his relationship with Bishop.
Wild at Heart is a story about second chances and learning to let the past go an focus on the future. It has a great cast of characters and just enough drama not to be too much.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
Awesome setting in a thriving ranch for a second chance romance.
Bishop and Porter have a lot of history between them and their families have even more. There's resentment, regrets and secrets.
Porter was harboring a lot of hurt toward Bishop's family because of an old story that was more rumor than fact. I think it was holding him back and not letting him enjoy his life and be happy. He was constantly wondering about a million what ifs and wasn't able to let the past go to the point of it affecting his relationship with Bishop.
Wild at Heart is a story about second chances and learning to let the past go an focus on the future. It has a great cast of characters and just enough drama not to be too much.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
May 28, 2024
I’ve been on a MM binge. Nothing makes me happier than reading manly men MM books. This one had promise - 2 cowboys. Can’t get more manly than cowboys.
But… it was kind of surface level - had the premise to be more intense, more deep feeling, more dramatic, but the execution was not quite that.
So, 3 stars.
But… it was kind of surface level - had the premise to be more intense, more deep feeling, more dramatic, but the execution was not quite that.
So, 3 stars.
April 24, 2024
"No way to make it work when your heart's with someone else."
🤎Second chances
🤎Friends to lovers
🤎Cowboy
🤎Boss/Employee
🤎Found family
🤎Grumpy/Sunshine
Who doesn't love second chances..
Best friends who end up loving each other..
The family that is found after isolating yourself from everyone..
Bishop Sullivan and Porter Dixon are childhood friends turned lovers, they spend all the time together at the ranch and at their stream. It's nothing serious or so they think but when tragedy strikes and one needs the other but isn't there for him, leaving is the only answer.
This cowboy romance is different in the sense that this is more plot/character driven than spice. It's there of course but it isn't the main focus.
Bishop isn't who he wants to be and hides his true self from everyone so he doesn't disappoint anyone but especially his parents. Losing the one person he loves hurt him deep but also pushed him to move forward with what was expected of him but ultimately that didn't work either.
Porter owns who he is and has made his way around different ranches in the country and made a name for himself in a good way and a not so good way. Going back home is the last thing he wants especially to the ranch he grew up working on and to the one person he cared the most for but left behind.
Bishop & Sully captured me from the beginning and did not let me go until the end. These two have a bond that even after years apart is still very much alive. There is of course heartbreak, sadness, some smiles in there, and most of all love.
Truly a great book with a hard fought second chance for best friends who ended up loving each other with everything they have.
🤎Second chances
🤎Friends to lovers
🤎Cowboy
🤎Boss/Employee
🤎Found family
🤎Grumpy/Sunshine
Who doesn't love second chances..
Best friends who end up loving each other..
The family that is found after isolating yourself from everyone..
Bishop Sullivan and Porter Dixon are childhood friends turned lovers, they spend all the time together at the ranch and at their stream. It's nothing serious or so they think but when tragedy strikes and one needs the other but isn't there for him, leaving is the only answer.
This cowboy romance is different in the sense that this is more plot/character driven than spice. It's there of course but it isn't the main focus.
Bishop isn't who he wants to be and hides his true self from everyone so he doesn't disappoint anyone but especially his parents. Losing the one person he loves hurt him deep but also pushed him to move forward with what was expected of him but ultimately that didn't work either.
Porter owns who he is and has made his way around different ranches in the country and made a name for himself in a good way and a not so good way. Going back home is the last thing he wants especially to the ranch he grew up working on and to the one person he cared the most for but left behind.
Bishop & Sully captured me from the beginning and did not let me go until the end. These two have a bond that even after years apart is still very much alive. There is of course heartbreak, sadness, some smiles in there, and most of all love.
Truly a great book with a hard fought second chance for best friends who ended up loving each other with everything they have.
April 18, 2024
I love a good queer cowboy romance and this one definitely delivered! Porter Dixon is angry at the world; he had to leave the ranch he grew up on when his mother died and he realised he had no future with the love of his life, ranch owner’s son Bishop Sullivan (Sully). To add more complication, he believes the ranch that Sully’s parents own should’ve been his - his great-grandfather was cheated out of it. He has spent the last eleven years working at ranches across the state, getting into fights and fucking every willing cowboy he can. But now he has returned to the Sullivan ranch and to the man he has always loved… but will it ever be the same as it was when they were younger?
This book was angsty - Porter is angry at the world and flies off the handle when upset. Sully is going out of his way to put himself out there to Porter, but Porter is skittish and keeps pushing him away. In the story, Porter is in the process of taming a wild stallion, so it’s fun to see the parallel of Porter taming the horse whilst Sully ‘tames’ him!
Read ‘Wild at Heart’ for:
✨ Queer cowboys in love
✨ Found family
✨ Plenty of angst
✨ Healing from trauma
✨ Sexytimes under the stars
Thank you to the authors and Gay Romance Reviews for an ARC of this book! It is available on 27th April 2024 💕
This book was angsty - Porter is angry at the world and flies off the handle when upset. Sully is going out of his way to put himself out there to Porter, but Porter is skittish and keeps pushing him away. In the story, Porter is in the process of taming a wild stallion, so it’s fun to see the parallel of Porter taming the horse whilst Sully ‘tames’ him!
Read ‘Wild at Heart’ for:
✨ Queer cowboys in love
✨ Found family
✨ Plenty of angst
✨ Healing from trauma
✨ Sexytimes under the stars
Thank you to the authors and Gay Romance Reviews for an ARC of this book! It is available on 27th April 2024 💕
April 24, 2024
4 stars
This was very good, a high emotional second chance love story.
Porter and Bishop met at 13 when Porter's mom is hired as a cook at Sullivan's Ranch. Porter's dad, a very complicated man he loved deeply, has just died and his mom needed a job, so she accepted to work for the family they hold a grudge against for generations.
In fact, rumors says that Bishop's great grandfather was Porter's great grandfather business partner, but he framed him, sending him to jail and then stole the land.
Porter grew up with a lot of resentment towards the Sullivan family because, thank to what happened years before, his parents owned nothing. The only thing that brings him joy is Bishop: at 18 they're in a secret relationship and try to fool around whenever they have the chance. Even if Porter is not able to name his emotions, he still feels safe and loved when he's with Bishop (his Sully). They're young and immature, but the moments they spend together are very sweet.
When Porter's mom suddenly dies, Porter needs his friend to hold him and comfort him, but Sully is with a girl (the one his parents want him to marry) and the betrayal is so strong that Porter leaves town and never get back, until 11 years later.
I felt so sorry for Porter: he was completely alone in the world, he needed to work for other people when he could have owned a ranch, he's angry and bitter, he's full of resentment, he keeps moving around from ranch to ranch, without never finding his place. When he and Sully meet again, a lot has changed and they're not the same boys anymore.
I loved how Sully never gave up on Porter, how he was kind and attentive to not scare him off, how he gave him space to breath without smothering him, how he wanted to know the truth, even if it hurt.
I loved when they finally fell into each other's arms again and it was like they were never been apart.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Sully is 30 years old and he's still under his parents' thumb, it seemed that they treated him like a boy rather than a man. And I didn't like that he kept avoiding coming out, even when things with Porter got more serious.
I'm not very fond of Sully's parents: they're good people, especially his mother, but they could have fixed the problem way before. Instead they hired Porter's mom out of charity and let her work for them for five years without doing anything. Then another 11 years passed and they still didn't find a way to fix things. That was the part that really bothered me and left a veil of sadness over the story.
The epilogue is beautiful and I love how everything went the right way for all the people in this story.
I hope the author will consider to make this a series, because now we need for Wade to have his happy ending too.
Very recommended.
I received an ARC of this book from the authors and this is my honest review.
This was very good, a high emotional second chance love story.
Porter and Bishop met at 13 when Porter's mom is hired as a cook at Sullivan's Ranch. Porter's dad, a very complicated man he loved deeply, has just died and his mom needed a job, so she accepted to work for the family they hold a grudge against for generations.
In fact, rumors says that Bishop's great grandfather was Porter's great grandfather business partner, but he framed him, sending him to jail and then stole the land.
Porter grew up with a lot of resentment towards the Sullivan family because, thank to what happened years before, his parents owned nothing. The only thing that brings him joy is Bishop: at 18 they're in a secret relationship and try to fool around whenever they have the chance. Even if Porter is not able to name his emotions, he still feels safe and loved when he's with Bishop (his Sully). They're young and immature, but the moments they spend together are very sweet.
When Porter's mom suddenly dies, Porter needs his friend to hold him and comfort him, but Sully is with a girl (the one his parents want him to marry) and the betrayal is so strong that Porter leaves town and never get back, until 11 years later.
I felt so sorry for Porter: he was completely alone in the world, he needed to work for other people when he could have owned a ranch, he's angry and bitter, he's full of resentment, he keeps moving around from ranch to ranch, without never finding his place. When he and Sully meet again, a lot has changed and they're not the same boys anymore.
I loved how Sully never gave up on Porter, how he was kind and attentive to not scare him off, how he gave him space to breath without smothering him, how he wanted to know the truth, even if it hurt.
I loved when they finally fell into each other's arms again and it was like they were never been apart.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Sully is 30 years old and he's still under his parents' thumb, it seemed that they treated him like a boy rather than a man. And I didn't like that he kept avoiding coming out, even when things with Porter got more serious.
I'm not very fond of Sully's parents: they're good people, especially his mother, but they could have fixed the problem way before. Instead they hired Porter's mom out of charity and let her work for them for five years without doing anything. Then another 11 years passed and they still didn't find a way to fix things. That was the part that really bothered me and left a veil of sadness over the story.
The epilogue is beautiful and I love how everything went the right way for all the people in this story.
I hope the author will consider to make this a series, because now we need for Wade to have his happy ending too.
Very recommended.
I received an ARC of this book from the authors and this is my honest review.
April 22, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: second chance, cowboys, found family
I love cowboy romances and second chances, so I'd really been looking forward to this story, and it didn't disappoint. Wild Heart was a beautiful and emotional second chance romance!
Porter and Bishop had a lot of history between them, and there were glimpses at the beginning of the story that showed parts of their pasts together. There was a lot of anger and resentment from Porter's side about Bishop's family, and after a misunderstanding he simply took off and stayed away for about eleven years before returning to the ranch. Upon his return, it was clear that the years hadn't lessened their feelings or the connection between them.
Porter and Bishop's story had a fair share of misunderstandings and miscommunication, which was frustrating but also very much on track with this pair. There was just so much hurt to overcome for these two. Porter wasn't always the most sensible person and his anger sometimes got the best of him. Bishop understood him though, and he was so patient and gentle with him.
I loved their second chance, the small steps, them reconnecting... It was obvious that they were both gone for each other, that they'd always been. Porter might not have understood what made him return to the Sullivan ranch, but his wild heart definitely knew what it was doing.
Wild at Heart had quite a bit of angst and drama, and I really enjoyed it! Bishop and Porter made an interesting couple, and I loved seeing them figure things out and the personal growth they both went through. The epilogue was beautiful, and it was lovely to finally see them get their HEA together. And while it seems like this will be a standalone, I'll for sure keep my finger's crossed for more books about this ranch and their little found family!
-
Thanks to the authors for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: second chance, cowboys, found family
I love cowboy romances and second chances, so I'd really been looking forward to this story, and it didn't disappoint. Wild Heart was a beautiful and emotional second chance romance!
Porter and Bishop had a lot of history between them, and there were glimpses at the beginning of the story that showed parts of their pasts together. There was a lot of anger and resentment from Porter's side about Bishop's family, and after a misunderstanding he simply took off and stayed away for about eleven years before returning to the ranch. Upon his return, it was clear that the years hadn't lessened their feelings or the connection between them.
Porter and Bishop's story had a fair share of misunderstandings and miscommunication, which was frustrating but also very much on track with this pair. There was just so much hurt to overcome for these two. Porter wasn't always the most sensible person and his anger sometimes got the best of him. Bishop understood him though, and he was so patient and gentle with him.
I loved their second chance, the small steps, them reconnecting... It was obvious that they were both gone for each other, that they'd always been. Porter might not have understood what made him return to the Sullivan ranch, but his wild heart definitely knew what it was doing.
Wild at Heart had quite a bit of angst and drama, and I really enjoyed it! Bishop and Porter made an interesting couple, and I loved seeing them figure things out and the personal growth they both went through. The epilogue was beautiful, and it was lovely to finally see them get their HEA together. And while it seems like this will be a standalone, I'll for sure keep my finger's crossed for more books about this ranch and their little found family!
-
Thanks to the authors for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
April 24, 2024
I really loved this! It was such a joy to read. Riley and Christina are both such excellent writers and when they write a story together they just knock it out of the park every time!
I have such a love for cowboys. This takes place on a ranch in Colorado. Bishop (or Sully as only Porter calls him) and Porter have been in love with each other since their teen years and they spent as much time together during those years, often sneaking off to their favorite place on the farm which is by a stream. Porter is angry because of a feud for the ranch’s land between his and Bishop’s great grandfathers, something that his dad never got over. He doesn’t think he should be working for the Sullivan’s let alone falling in love with their son. After his mom dies he takes off and breaks Bishop’s heart.
Bishop is such a good person, he wants to do right by his parents and take ivermectin the ranch one day but he can’t get over his one love, Porter Dixon. After eleven years Porter comes back but he tells Bishop they can’t be more than boss & employee.
These two were just meant to be and they can’t stay apart for long. There is sone tension on the ranch caused by one of the ranch hands and Porter doesn’t think he’s good enough for Bishop. Bishop wants to come out for Porter and build their life together running the ranch. Amid all of this there are great side characters and the way Porter connects with a wild mustang was beautiful.
I really hope we get a book about Wade! He has a story and I’m dying for it!!!!
This was a romantic story that left me smiling!!!
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
I have such a love for cowboys. This takes place on a ranch in Colorado. Bishop (or Sully as only Porter calls him) and Porter have been in love with each other since their teen years and they spent as much time together during those years, often sneaking off to their favorite place on the farm which is by a stream. Porter is angry because of a feud for the ranch’s land between his and Bishop’s great grandfathers, something that his dad never got over. He doesn’t think he should be working for the Sullivan’s let alone falling in love with their son. After his mom dies he takes off and breaks Bishop’s heart.
Bishop is such a good person, he wants to do right by his parents and take ivermectin the ranch one day but he can’t get over his one love, Porter Dixon. After eleven years Porter comes back but he tells Bishop they can’t be more than boss & employee.
These two were just meant to be and they can’t stay apart for long. There is sone tension on the ranch caused by one of the ranch hands and Porter doesn’t think he’s good enough for Bishop. Bishop wants to come out for Porter and build their life together running the ranch. Amid all of this there are great side characters and the way Porter connects with a wild mustang was beautiful.
I really hope we get a book about Wade! He has a story and I’m dying for it!!!!
This was a romantic story that left me smiling!!!
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
April 28, 2024
beautiful
wild at heart was so good. a beautifully written romance i highly
recommend! i'm not surprised at all
i love everything i read by these two authors.
wild at heart was so good. a beautifully written romance i highly
recommend! i'm not surprised at all
i love everything i read by these two authors.
April 17, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Heroes: Bishop (Sully) and Porter
This is an emotional, angst filled, second chance romance.
Bishop and Porter's families had a falling out over land several years back. That left Porter's family poor and without a ranch or land while Bishop's family thrived. When they are 13 years old Porter's father passes and Bishop's family gives Porter a job at the ranch as well as his mom as their cook. The two boys start hooking up once they are older and start to fall for one another but keep it to themselves. When Porter's mom has a heart attack and passes, he leaves town without saying goodbye.
The story takes place 11 years later when Porter returns to town to take a job at the ranch again. There is a lot of hurt that they need to overcome and a lot that needs to be said and confessed. Porter is angry over losing both of his parents and that no one believed his family over the land. He's held a grudge against Bishop's family his entire life. Bishop is mostly running the ranch now, so he has a lot on his plate. There is also some drama with another of the ranch hands. It's a large part of the story so I will say that if seeing someone struggle with alcoholism is a trigger for you then please be aware that it's prevalent throughout this story; not only with the ranch hand (who is a father to a young girl) but also with Porter's father.
The title of the book is so spot on with this book. Porter is angry, wild, short tempered, and bounces around constantly never feeling at peace or at home. The parallels between Porter "taming" the stallion while Bishop is "taming" him are so perfect. It's on the nose and not subtle but honestly, I loved it so much more because of that.
I know my review is centered around Porter, but for me, he was the focal point. It's about Bishop and coming into his role as the boss in place of his dad on the ranch as well finally having the love of his life. It's about the patience, love, and support that is needed to help heal those that are internally damaged or "broken." It's about found family. And it's a love story to living, loving, and working on the ranch.
Their HEA was so satisfying, not ashamed to say I teared up some at the end.
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Heroes: Bishop (Sully) and Porter
This is an emotional, angst filled, second chance romance.
Bishop and Porter's families had a falling out over land several years back. That left Porter's family poor and without a ranch or land while Bishop's family thrived. When they are 13 years old Porter's father passes and Bishop's family gives Porter a job at the ranch as well as his mom as their cook. The two boys start hooking up once they are older and start to fall for one another but keep it to themselves. When Porter's mom has a heart attack and passes, he leaves town without saying goodbye.
The story takes place 11 years later when Porter returns to town to take a job at the ranch again. There is a lot of hurt that they need to overcome and a lot that needs to be said and confessed. Porter is angry over losing both of his parents and that no one believed his family over the land. He's held a grudge against Bishop's family his entire life. Bishop is mostly running the ranch now, so he has a lot on his plate. There is also some drama with another of the ranch hands. It's a large part of the story so I will say that if seeing someone struggle with alcoholism is a trigger for you then please be aware that it's prevalent throughout this story; not only with the ranch hand (who is a father to a young girl) but also with Porter's father.
The title of the book is so spot on with this book. Porter is angry, wild, short tempered, and bounces around constantly never feeling at peace or at home. The parallels between Porter "taming" the stallion while Bishop is "taming" him are so perfect. It's on the nose and not subtle but honestly, I loved it so much more because of that.
I know my review is centered around Porter, but for me, he was the focal point. It's about Bishop and coming into his role as the boss in place of his dad on the ranch as well finally having the love of his life. It's about the patience, love, and support that is needed to help heal those that are internally damaged or "broken." It's about found family. And it's a love story to living, loving, and working on the ranch.
Their HEA was so satisfying, not ashamed to say I teared up some at the end.
April 25, 2024
Well, that went down very well but I must say I had very low expectations. Not perfect but it had some lovely moments that I really enjoyed. Not a fan of second chance but that bit worked quite well. I did not like the 100 year old land issue too much though, because it somehow made me uncomfortable due to how it made Porter feel. It could be because my family also had some land issues over 100 years ago and we pretty much lost most of it. Sometimes things trigger us that we had no idea they would. Go figure. But it was a good book in the end and I am happy I read it.
April 16, 2024
A very sweet second chance cowboy romance ❤️❤️ Easy to read and well written ❤️ A good plot and good spice🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
May 4, 2024
3.5 stars
July 17, 2024
i dont feel that porter loves sully as much as sully loves porter 😟 too many going on with the side characters 😬
April 21, 2024
5 Stars!!
I’ve been craving a good cowboy romance lately, and this one definitely hit the spot.
I absolutely adored Bishop/Sully, but it took a bit of time to warm up to Porter. Porter is bitter and angry, but most of all, he’s hurt and feels betrayed by Sully.
I loved watching them get to know one another again. Like magnets, they tried, but couldn’t stay away from one another. Those feelings they had for each other are still present, even after 11 years of being apart.
Sully and Porter had amazing chemistry and were smoking hot together. I loved not only the love story, but I also enjoyed seeing them in action on the ranch.
The story was well-written and very enjoyable. While the story was satisfying and the ending swoony, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these guys. This is definitely a recommendable read!!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
I’ve been craving a good cowboy romance lately, and this one definitely hit the spot.
I absolutely adored Bishop/Sully, but it took a bit of time to warm up to Porter. Porter is bitter and angry, but most of all, he’s hurt and feels betrayed by Sully.
I loved watching them get to know one another again. Like magnets, they tried, but couldn’t stay away from one another. Those feelings they had for each other are still present, even after 11 years of being apart.
Sully and Porter had amazing chemistry and were smoking hot together. I loved not only the love story, but I also enjoyed seeing them in action on the ranch.
The story was well-written and very enjoyable. While the story was satisfying and the ending swoony, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these guys. This is definitely a recommendable read!!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
Read
April 24, 2024A second chance romance with a ranch backdrop and lots of emotion and angst, co-written by Christina Lee and Riley Hart... it was a one-click...
and I wasn't disappointed. This book had a slow build, learning to trust story that still gave plenty of steam and emotional reactions. It was a seamless co-write and sucked me right into their world. I loved the side characters, especially Pixie and Storm! I can't wait to see what future co-writes from this duo will bring.
and I wasn't disappointed. This book had a slow build, learning to trust story that still gave plenty of steam and emotional reactions. It was a seamless co-write and sucked me right into their world. I loved the side characters, especially Pixie and Storm! I can't wait to see what future co-writes from this duo will bring.
May 9, 2024
❤️ Wild at Heart - Christina Lee & Riley Hart ❤️
❤️🔥 enemies to lovers (but not really)
🩷 second-chance romance
💖 first love
🐎 ranch life
🤫 family secrets/feud
I finished reading Wild at Heart two days ago and I LOVED IT SO MUCH 🥰 this was the first time I ever read a cowboy/ranch romance but I have to say it was a REALLY good story 💞 some angst mixed with cowboy romance? YASSS 😍 Bishop and Porter are MADE FOR EACH OTHER 💗 soulmates in every way possible from a first love to a forever one 😭 also can we appreciate this book not having a third-act breakup?!!! 👏🏻
❤️🔥 enemies to lovers (but not really)
🩷 second-chance romance
💖 first love
🐎 ranch life
🤫 family secrets/feud
I finished reading Wild at Heart two days ago and I LOVED IT SO MUCH 🥰 this was the first time I ever read a cowboy/ranch romance but I have to say it was a REALLY good story 💞 some angst mixed with cowboy romance? YASSS 😍 Bishop and Porter are MADE FOR EACH OTHER 💗 soulmates in every way possible from a first love to a forever one 😭 also can we appreciate this book not having a third-act breakup?!!! 👏🏻
May 27, 2024
This was gonna be 5 stars for like 85% of the book. I loved how well the pining was handled. It's funny how similar this book is to Morgan, the first book in Riley's latest series, the whole teen loves but one has a super troubled home life, something happens that the troubled one takes as a betrayal (which it genuinely wasn't in this, unlike Morgan lol) and they leave the area for a decade, return because reasons, and they have to spend the first half of the book walking on the eggshells of the past before they finally accept they're gonna be a thing. The big difference is that I responded to it WAY better here than in Morgan, both Sully and Porter were fantastic reps for their archetypes and I loved seeing them slowly get out of their own way. Everything with Storm the stallion and Pixie was perfect too.
The ending kind of pissed me off a little, like the final twist reveal. Or rather, the fallout from the twist. Without getting into specifics, this was something that affected one of the guys his entire life, and something that could have easily shattered the other's trust in the people he'd felt safe with his whole life. But instead it was swept under the "it's not important anymore" rug almost the second it was revealed. Now anyone who has been following my reading life for the last year knows the obsession I've picked up with lower angst Kindle Unlimited romances, and when an author has an emotional storyline, I imagine it's a pretty thin line to try and walk to both be true to that emotional journey and to keep the stakes relatively low. And I absolutely respect that, but that doesn't mean that sometimes the author just misses the mark and doesn't stick the landing.
That did, I really did love this book, I'm sad it doesn't look like it'll be a series because I would have loved to spend more time in this world. But oh well, it was a good time.
The ending kind of pissed me off a little, like the final twist reveal. Or rather, the fallout from the twist. Without getting into specifics, this was something that affected one of the guys his entire life, and something that could have easily shattered the other's trust in the people he'd felt safe with his whole life. But instead it was swept under the "it's not important anymore" rug almost the second it was revealed. Now anyone who has been following my reading life for the last year knows the obsession I've picked up with lower angst Kindle Unlimited romances, and when an author has an emotional storyline, I imagine it's a pretty thin line to try and walk to both be true to that emotional journey and to keep the stakes relatively low. And I absolutely respect that, but that doesn't mean that sometimes the author just misses the mark and doesn't stick the landing.
That did, I really did love this book, I'm sad it doesn't look like it'll be a series because I would have loved to spend more time in this world. But oh well, it was a good time.
April 22, 2024
Wild at Heart is one of those books that will pull at your heartstrings in the best of ways!
🤠 MM romance
🤠 Cowboy romance
🤠 Boss x employee
🤠 Second chance romance
🤠 Childhood friends
🤠 Found family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️.5
Angst level: 💔.5
Porter and Bishop were childhood best friends that turned into secret lovers. They were living their best lives together in secret, until tragedy strikes and Porter leaves the ranch and doesn’t come back for over another decade.
Now here we are in the present and Porter is back on Bishop’s family’s ranch to work. He has been through it the last decade and that has made him an even more gruff and broody version of the kid he once was.
Neither of them has forgotten their secret love affair from back then, but they are both scared in their own way of bringing up the past and all of the hurt that comes from it. But walls are broken down and truths are told to where they can start to know the men that they are today. But will the past continue to haunt them in this new reality?
Bishop and Porter as individuals and as a couple completely stole my heart! Porter has had a rough life and I loved that Bishop could be his safe place. Even now, he knew he could come back to the farm and his subconscious knew that Bishop would welcome him back. I loved how they both grew together in a sense to become their true selves.
I loved most of the side characters – especially Pixie and all the ranch hands. The ranch hands were absolutely hilarious! Wade was also such a great, unexpected character.
🤠 MM romance
🤠 Cowboy romance
🤠 Boss x employee
🤠 Second chance romance
🤠 Childhood friends
🤠 Found family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️.5
Angst level: 💔.5
Porter and Bishop were childhood best friends that turned into secret lovers. They were living their best lives together in secret, until tragedy strikes and Porter leaves the ranch and doesn’t come back for over another decade.
Now here we are in the present and Porter is back on Bishop’s family’s ranch to work. He has been through it the last decade and that has made him an even more gruff and broody version of the kid he once was.
Neither of them has forgotten their secret love affair from back then, but they are both scared in their own way of bringing up the past and all of the hurt that comes from it. But walls are broken down and truths are told to where they can start to know the men that they are today. But will the past continue to haunt them in this new reality?
Bishop and Porter as individuals and as a couple completely stole my heart! Porter has had a rough life and I loved that Bishop could be his safe place. Even now, he knew he could come back to the farm and his subconscious knew that Bishop would welcome him back. I loved how they both grew together in a sense to become their true selves.
I loved most of the side characters – especially Pixie and all the ranch hands. The ranch hands were absolutely hilarious! Wade was also such a great, unexpected character.
August 1, 2024
Porter Dixon has lost everything, his dad and mom have both died, he has lost the family home, and had his ranch taken from him. At eighteen he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. The only light in his life is Sully, (Bishop Sullivan) who is his best friend and someone he fooled around with. The only problem is Sully’s family own the ranch that was taken from Porter and his ancestors.
Bishop Sullivan is a successful ranch manager on his family's ranch. Hoping to take over from his dad. He loves Porter but they never discuss what they mean to each other. Sully is bi-sexual but not out to his family, he is expected to marry and have a family. Sully is heartbroken when Porter up and leaves one night after his mother’s death with no explanation.
Eleven years later Porter returns to Sullivan ranch looking for a job. He sees Sully and realises feelings are still there, and he still loves him. Can they re kindle their relationship? There are some obstacles in the way, with the likes of Randy (who has it in for Porter and wants to make trouble for him). Pixie is a lovely side character, as is Storm.
Wild at Heart is a standalone cowboy romance by Riley Hart and Christina Lee, and when these two write together who know it will be good. The writing as always is fantastic and character development is wonderful.
This is a lovers to strangers to lovers, second chance romance.
“What happens if the boss wants his employee so bad, he aches for him”?
He blinks in shock, then quickly recovers. “How about if the employee wants to kiss his boss hard to shut him up”.
Bishop Sullivan is a successful ranch manager on his family's ranch. Hoping to take over from his dad. He loves Porter but they never discuss what they mean to each other. Sully is bi-sexual but not out to his family, he is expected to marry and have a family. Sully is heartbroken when Porter up and leaves one night after his mother’s death with no explanation.
Eleven years later Porter returns to Sullivan ranch looking for a job. He sees Sully and realises feelings are still there, and he still loves him. Can they re kindle their relationship? There are some obstacles in the way, with the likes of Randy (who has it in for Porter and wants to make trouble for him). Pixie is a lovely side character, as is Storm.
Wild at Heart is a standalone cowboy romance by Riley Hart and Christina Lee, and when these two write together who know it will be good. The writing as always is fantastic and character development is wonderful.
This is a lovers to strangers to lovers, second chance romance.
“What happens if the boss wants his employee so bad, he aches for him”?
He blinks in shock, then quickly recovers. “How about if the employee wants to kiss his boss hard to shut him up”.
April 17, 2024
I want to thank GRR for provide the arc.
I´m not going to hide that i´m a huge Riley Hart and Christina Lee fan. I am delighted to have received the arc.
Yes, they did it, again.
The book is a story about facing the problems of the past in an adult way, accepting oneself and trying to improve as a person.
The story begins in adolescence of the main characters, Bishop, Sully, and Porter. Bishop is the son of the owners of the ranch where Porter and his mother work. The main characters have a love relationship that they hide from their families, and even from themselves, because they deny that what they have is more than a simple physical relationship.
There is family drama here, because Bishop's great-grandfather and Porter's great-grandfather shared ownership of the ranch, which is now owned by Bishop's family. The night Porter's mother dies, he goes to seek comfort in Bishop's arms, finding him talking to a girl. Porter gets angry, quits his job and runs away.
Years later Porter returns to the ranch, only to be reunited with Bishop. At first ,they establish a boss/employee relationship but we already know how this is going to end.
I love the secondary characters. I think this is a standalone, but there is one secondary character, Wade,that has stolen my heart, therefore I would like him to achieve his happy ending.
I´m not going to hide that i´m a huge Riley Hart and Christina Lee fan. I am delighted to have received the arc.
Yes, they did it, again.
The book is a story about facing the problems of the past in an adult way, accepting oneself and trying to improve as a person.
The story begins in adolescence of the main characters, Bishop, Sully, and Porter. Bishop is the son of the owners of the ranch where Porter and his mother work. The main characters have a love relationship that they hide from their families, and even from themselves, because they deny that what they have is more than a simple physical relationship.
There is family drama here, because Bishop's great-grandfather and Porter's great-grandfather shared ownership of the ranch, which is now owned by Bishop's family. The night Porter's mother dies, he goes to seek comfort in Bishop's arms, finding him talking to a girl. Porter gets angry, quits his job and runs away.
Years later Porter returns to the ranch, only to be reunited with Bishop. At first ,they establish a boss/employee relationship but we already know how this is going to end.
I love the secondary characters. I think this is a standalone, but there is one secondary character, Wade,that has stolen my heart, therefore I would like him to achieve his happy ending.
April 27, 2024
Cowboy westerns are one of the sub-genres that I like to read, but often I'm a bit disappointed because they lack some of the authenticity that I hope for. This one was thoroughly enjoyable and did not disappoint at all. It's got the ranch-related details and a love affair that is unpredictable at times, but inevitable.
Bishop and Sully grew up together with Sully's family owning the ranch and Bishop's father claiming that half the ranch was stolen from his family. Bishop's father, an angry alcoholic, died prematurely. Bishop's mother came to work on the ranch as a cook. Bishop and Sully entered their late teens as secret lovers who couldn't get enough of each other. Then, Bishop's mother also died unexpectedly and Bishop could not stay there anymore, leaving a broken-hearted Sully.
Now, eleven years later, Bishop has returned to ask for a job, angry as ever, but still drawn back to Sully. Sully has never forgotten his first love. Can these men find a future together when secrets and opposition surround them? This book has supportive friends and family, beloved animals, ranch life, passion, and a beautiful forever love.
Bishop and Sully grew up together with Sully's family owning the ranch and Bishop's father claiming that half the ranch was stolen from his family. Bishop's father, an angry alcoholic, died prematurely. Bishop's mother came to work on the ranch as a cook. Bishop and Sully entered their late teens as secret lovers who couldn't get enough of each other. Then, Bishop's mother also died unexpectedly and Bishop could not stay there anymore, leaving a broken-hearted Sully.
Now, eleven years later, Bishop has returned to ask for a job, angry as ever, but still drawn back to Sully. Sully has never forgotten his first love. Can these men find a future together when secrets and opposition surround them? This book has supportive friends and family, beloved animals, ranch life, passion, and a beautiful forever love.
April 18, 2024
I really love second-chance romance and this one was an emotional one. Just whaooooo I couldn’t stop reading, Bishop and Porter were meant for each other but what can they do when an old feud impacts their life so much.
After leaving without a word, Porter is back to work at the ranch, he doesn’t plan to stay long and doesn’t really want to be the spectator of Bishop’s happiness with his wife and possible kids. But reality is not what it seems, Bishop’s marriage fell apart years ago and seeing Porter again brought back so many memories and it hurts, Bishop wants to know why he left, does he love/loved him as he is/was.
As they work together again, some moments are just like nothing happened and they’re back in the past when they were insouciant young men.
Porter carries so much anger/resentment, it’s painful to see how much it’s affecting him. Meanwhile, Bishop is torn up by his duty toward the ranch, his parents. They both have their issues to work on 😅
Two lovers reuniting after a decade, just a beautiful story with two hot cowboys. I hope there is more to come in this universe because it was amazing.
I received an ARC Copy of this book from gayromancereview, this review is from my own thoughts 😍
After leaving without a word, Porter is back to work at the ranch, he doesn’t plan to stay long and doesn’t really want to be the spectator of Bishop’s happiness with his wife and possible kids. But reality is not what it seems, Bishop’s marriage fell apart years ago and seeing Porter again brought back so many memories and it hurts, Bishop wants to know why he left, does he love/loved him as he is/was.
As they work together again, some moments are just like nothing happened and they’re back in the past when they were insouciant young men.
Porter carries so much anger/resentment, it’s painful to see how much it’s affecting him. Meanwhile, Bishop is torn up by his duty toward the ranch, his parents. They both have their issues to work on 😅
Two lovers reuniting after a decade, just a beautiful story with two hot cowboys. I hope there is more to come in this universe because it was amazing.
I received an ARC Copy of this book from gayromancereview, this review is from my own thoughts 😍
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