Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Hartwell Hills #1

Somebody Like Me

Rate this book
The last thing Kyla Richards needs is a man asking “What’cha Drinkin’” as she starts her life over, but the Cowboy who caught her eye asks just that. As the sparks fly and cue balls roll, Kyla decides that she just needs one night to be free, before the real world summons her back.

Rhett Hartwell has thought of nothing else since he first laid eyes on Kyla, and after their one shared night, he’s not ready to let her go. After learning the reason why she’s starting over, he doesn’t hesitate to offer his home, Hartwell Hills Ranch, as a place to refresh and unwind before starting down her new path.

But when Kyla’s gaslighting ex catches up with her, there’s only one thing she can think of to push him away - getting “married” to Rhett. Happy to tie the knot with Kyla, Rhett is determined to show her just how perfect she is all while Kyla is trying to hide from the threat at his front door.

Kyla wants a reset, but what if all she really needs is somebody like Rhett? The temporary marriage should be just that…temporary. Unless they find themselves being roped down the aisle for real?

Unknown Binding

Published September 13, 2024

74 people are currently reading
1171 people want to read

About the author

Stefanie K. Steck

9 books136 followers
Stefanie K. Steck is a self-published author of swoony contemporary romance novels. In her books, you can find all the emotions you need always with a happily ever after.

Stefanie lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband Spencer, three kids, two dogs (whom she loves almost more than writing), and a newly adopted cat. She works as a full-time dental assistant, which she rather enjoys. When she’s not assisting with a root canal or cleaning her house; you can find her writing her new novels or cuddling with her dogs and kids. She enjoys reading, is an avid Pokémon GO player, and loves all the Marvel movies (Iron Man and Spiderman are her favorites, and she will never leave out Loki).

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
198 (41%)
4 stars
171 (35%)
3 stars
82 (17%)
2 stars
22 (4%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
Profile Image for Katie | alittlebookfarm .
56 reviews
August 11, 2024
This book… oh my goodness I absolutely loved this book and couldn't stop reading it! The chemistry between Rhett and Kyla was palpable and I found myself rooting for them throughout the entire book. I adored Rhett's family, particularly his nephew Stetson 🥰. I appreciated all of the charming details and quirks in the story. I couldn't put this book down and found myself staying up late into the night just to see what would happen next. The ending left me feeling satisfied and happy, yet also wanting more (in a good way). I can't wait to read more from Stefanie in the future. This is an easy 5-star read for me. Thank you Stefanie for the ARC copy!

Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming and engaging read.

👉🏻 Found Family
👉🏻 Marriage of convenience
👉🏻 He falls first
👉🏻 Mental health rep
👉🏻 Rodeo romance
Profile Image for Heather Gray.
125 reviews24 followers
September 13, 2024
The chokehold this book had on me!

I loved everything about this book. Lyla and Rhett were perfect together. I also loved meeting all of Rhett’s family.

Rhett and Lyla meet at a bar, and Rhett falls instantly for her. Lyla is a little more skeptical about everything, since she had a bad relationship in the past. Rhett doesn’t let that stop him though! When she needs Rhett, he steps up to the plate to help her, and in turn they both fall for each other.

Kyla sees that not all men are bad, and she realizes her feelings for Rhett are real and valid. I love that she went with him and supported him through the rodeos. She became invested in all things rodeo!

I can’t wait for everyone to read this! Thank you Stefanie for this AMAZING ARC!
Profile Image for Marissa | Readswith_marissa.
245 reviews14 followers
September 7, 2024
All my besties know how much I LOVE COWBOY ROMANCES. Well this one certainly hit all my boxes! 🤠 This was such a feel good, heart warming book. Once I started I could not put it down and finished it in one sitting! It was filled with genuine plot scenes and down to earth, relatable characters. This book will literally rip your heart out, have you laughing out loud from Kyla and Rhett’s banter and falling in love with their true chemistry.

I loved this book and HIGHLY recommend it to all my book besties who enjoy cowboy romances with fade to black romance scenes, AND a MMC that will have you wanting to move out west and find yourself a rodeo cowboy. 😍

🤠”Let this be the summer of Cowboys.”🤠

Big thank you to author Stefanie Steck for allowing me to read the ARC of this book! 🩷
Profile Image for Sydney.
329 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2024
⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 1/5
* OH MY GOD THIS BOOK IS SO CUTE!!
* Stetson is my favorite character, specifically for the scene with the ring
* This book literally had me tearing up at work. Like I had to put it down to not cry at my desk
* The anxiety/mental health representation honestly made me feel so seen. I loved how Stefanie was able to accurately describe how one episode can drain you for days
* Rhett 😍 need I say more?
Profile Image for Leigha Grace.
77 reviews5 followers
August 9, 2024
If you like the sound of a small town ranch cowboy (golden retriever) who is also a professional tie down roper who falls FIRST with a city girl who fled from an emotionally abusive ex fiancé (who is nuts) with AMAZING banter & end up in a temporary marriage this is FOR YOU! I am going to rate this a ⭐️4.5 stars, I love a southern romance & the mental health conversations this book had was so amazing 👏🏼 I really loved the story of Rhett and Kyla & can’t wait to see what story is next in the Hartwell Ranch

& thank you Stefanie for sending me the ARC I absolutely love your writing and the story you created!!

Tropes
-instant attraction
-temporary marriage
-cowboy romance
-he falls first
Profile Image for Madeleine Berges.
277 reviews18 followers
September 9, 2024
Cowboy take me away! 💛

Kyla was so sweet and had a huge journey of self discovery through the story! I loved seeing her gain confidence!

Rhett was a swoon worth MMC character who I adored!

I throughly enjoyed the whole family dynamic! I can’t wait to see more of the family as the series develops!!

This was my first book by the author and I will absolutely be exploring her backlist!
371 reviews
May 24, 2024
The way this book and this cowboy have my whole heart! Stefanie totally nailed it with this story! More review to come but after beta reading it I promise you want it on your tbr!
Profile Image for Becca.
404 reviews8 followers
November 14, 2024
For someone that doesn't really like cowboy romances, this book was the first one that has truly changed my mind. It had everything going for it - the fmc trying to escape and find a better life, the mmc being a delicious cowboy, the small town, AND the rodeo vibes. Was a winning combo for me, and one I am now highly interested in!

Kyla.. dear, sweet Kyla... she reminded me so much of myself in the past. Her struggles, her fears, the thoughts of never being good enough. I can so easily relate to these feelings because I have truly been there.

Rhett... oh what a fine, fine man. Mouthy, sexy, and just plain adorable.

What was supposed to be just one night became the ultimate story of finding self love, self acceptance, on the way to finding the feeling of security and true love.

I loved the romance aspect, I loved the character arcs and development (Kyla is just everything, and she is truly such an incredible reminder for women - you can love, but you don't need to lose yourself in order to be lovable.), and shockingly enough - I LOVED the rodeo aspect the most. The camaraderie between the guys on the road, the excitement from the vivid descriptions, the swoony romantic kisses, and ummmm there is a cow. A cute, baby cow. So really? What could go wrong!

This was my first Stefanie Steck book but you better believe it won't be my last!

Quotes I loved:
“She wears the hat, she rides the cowboy.”

“You have a cow, my little cousin, and my cousin falling for you,” he grumbled. “No one has fallen for me,” I retorted, folding my arms over my chest. “I have,” Stetson answered, turning back to me with his eyes wide. “Mama said you were leaving for your new home soon and Miss Kyla, I don’t want you to leave.”

“It will be real.” “Temporarily?” “Temporarily real.”

And for the ultimate best friends quote:“if you hurt her, I will cut off your favorite appendage with a dull wooden spoon.”
Profile Image for Vivi.
403 reviews
March 19, 2025
4*

Again I found myself adoring a insta-love book, because despite not being my favorite, it still managed to be a great story. I was completely enthralled from the beginning, the chemistry between the main characters was off the charts. Most of all, I loved the rodeo background, it wasn’t all about the championship or the MMC wanting to win, but about loving what he does. And a FMC that fell in love with the sport as well.
Both main characters were great people. The MMC was just a good guy that deserved to be loved and made me smile a lot. But the FMC was the one that made me truly connect with the story. She was real, she wasn’t perfect and didn’t want to be. She had fears and issues she was trying to learn to deal with, she was brave and took herself out of a bad situation. She was as realistic as possible in the best of ways. And they made one hell of a couple together, it was just heartwarming to read.
Finding a new good author is one of my favorite things in reading. Stefanie K. Steck surprised me with how engaging her writing was, it barely felt like reading, I was just sailing through the story with a smile on my face. This series has a lot of promise with all the other side characters. The next book is already going into my tbr and I can’t wait to know more about all these people. It’s one of those times you don’t wanna leave the world you’re in, because it is that good. I just wish I could go live in that Ranch too.
Profile Image for Symone Malloy.
5 reviews
August 7, 2024
“Somebody Like Me” is a feel good HEART THROBBING book that makes me happy and giddy inside TO where I don't want to stop reading. The story follows a woman named Kyla who left her home to find work in another state for a fresh start, so she is taken aback when she gets a “What’cha Drinkin" from a cowboy at the bar she stopped at for a quick drink. This cowboy, named Rhett, is going to try everything in his power to make Kyla his. “ Maybe she deserved someone like him.”

This rustic romance fiction has everything from cliche, but charming plot scenes , to down to earth excerpts that WILL RIP your heart OUT if you are a hopeless romantic like myself. Follow Kyla as she navigates through anxiety about work, family, new found love, and the return of her ex fiancé who tries to crumble all the calm that her cowboy provides her with in abundance, through care, patience and understanding in such little time.

THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO GO OUT ON A RANCH SOMEWHERE AND FIND YOU A MAN WHO RIDES HORSES AND ISN'T AFRAID TO GET HIS BOOTS DIRTY “BUCKLE” UP FOR THE RIDE OF LOVE WITH A COWBOY. Stefanie K Steck.
Profile Image for Christina Hill.
Author 11 books108 followers
July 15, 2025
This book was so delightful in every way! The tension, characterization, and plot kept me eating up this story.

Kyla determines she needs one night to relax and enjoy...cue Rhett, who approaches her at the bar and convinces her she could use a little more than one night for this. But Kyla has her own plans.

I like to go into books blind, so the fake marriage was such a fun trope to experience on the page! It really made these two characters shine. Plus, all of the rodeo details were so interesting and spot on!

Highly recommend if you enjoy:
+fake marriage
+calf roping/rodeo
+he falls first
+she falls hard
Profile Image for Anna Renne.
27 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2024
I’ve made it a general consensus that everyone needs and deserves a Rhett Hartwell. I have never found a book more relatable to my own little love story.

I’ve never seen mental health so beautifully represented as Kyla’s inner thoughts show the effect of toxic relationships and how much change a great love can bring. This story includes a marriage of convenience, rodeo/ cowboy romance, a failed one night stand, and a found family. It is a fade to black styled spice but don’t worry the love story is so grand you will swoon just as hard core. So take this as a sign that this is your next cowboy romance. Heck, this is your next romance in general. Scratch this, this is your next book. Period. Go pre-order it….NOW!
Profile Image for Beckie Clarke.
94 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2024
Oh my goodness, I so enjoyed reading this book! It was satisfying on so many levels—consider me in my cowboy era (again). 😄 I loved the chemistry between Rhett and Kyla. For a fade-to-black, closed door romance, this book has all the swoon! Kyla’s past trauma and resulting anxiety was handled with care and very authentic. I loved how Rhett fell first and fell hard for her, treating her so tenderly as she worked through her issues. And I REALLY enjoyed how he handled her ex. 😆

You don’t want to miss this if you like:
🔥 Slow burn after a failed one-night stand
💍 marriage of convenience
🤠 cowboys/rodeo
💕 he falls first
🌳 small town romance
💗 mental health rep
🤍 found family

Thank you, Stefanie Steck, for the ARC of your book!! I really hope there will be more books about the Hartwell family—I can’t wait to read them! 🙌
Profile Image for MoreThanAPrettyCover.
181 reviews5 followers
September 14, 2024
Ohhhhhh this one made my heart happy! Seeing Kyla's process of learning to love herself again after her terrible ex was beautiful. And Rhett is the book boyfriend we all deserve. He believed in her from the beginning and never wavered.

I also really enjoy when the sport, in this case rodeo most specifically tie down, plays a major role without there being too much jargon or is too technical. Like I'm still reading a romance, not a history on the sport. Annnddd this one was perfectly that! We got scenes of the rodeo without it being too technical, feeling like anyone could read this one and not be lost.

The side characters were absolutely my favorite part. Rhett's nephew Stetson has my whole heart. And Josie the cow is precious 😍 I can't wait for the next books which I'm hoping follow the rest of the Hartwell family!
Profile Image for Amanda.
42 reviews
August 8, 2024
This book has my heart. These characters are real and raw and lovable. THIS is how you write a novel about overcoming a toxic relationship and navigating mental health. Rhett is major eye candy and Kyla is relatable in so many ways. This is a story about not settling and the importance of finding your people. Thank you so much to Stefanie K. Steck for the ARC!
199 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2024
This book had me enthralled from the get-go I loved Rhett from the beginning. This story was a rollercoaster, and I was laughing, kicking, screaming, and shed some tears. I didn't want to put it down, but I didn't want this to end. This story was amazing, and I hope that it continues with Lachlan, Wyatt, and even Abi
Profile Image for ReadwithKenzie_.
74 reviews7 followers
August 17, 2025
SHE HAS DONE IT AGAIN! I absolutely loved this book so much! I love Kyla and Rhett, and the found family in this series as a whole. I have fallen in love with these characters and cannot wait for the next book to come out!

This book does talk about anxiety (very well if you ask me) and I would check trigger warnings just in case, but it honestly was done so well and I finished the book genuinely smiling and giggling.

Rhett is such a MAN! God I want a cowboy IMMEDIATELY!
Profile Image for gianna.
71 reviews
August 24, 2025
OMGGGGGG 4.5 STARS!!
when i tell u i have fully stepped into my cowboy era and this did NOT disappoint wow how i love rhett hartwell 🤤
i devoured this i love kyla and RHETT don’t get me started on this man cause did i mention W O W i wanna make out with him
this was just SO GOOD everything about it
I NEED A COWBOY NOW 👢👢🤠🤠
Profile Image for Lindsey (Bagel).
201 reviews37 followers
August 23, 2024
3 stars!! Someone Like Me is a cute and easy romance! Although I loved different parts of the story, I wasn’t a huge fan of the insta-love between the 2 main characters. However, this was a sweet story perfect for those who love cowboys, fake marriages, and personal growth!
Profile Image for Kelsey Low.
277 reviews13 followers
August 23, 2024
OK I LOVED THIS BOOK. My favorite cowboy romance ever & I already can’t wait for more!!!! There will be 4 books in the series & I NEED THEM NOW. Fade to black but still so spicy & yummy & just so good. Ugh Rhett Hartwell I LOVE YOU 4EVER🤠🐴🐮
Profile Image for Lauren Benjamin.
193 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2024
10⭐️ I couldn’t have loved this book more. The story line, the characters, the writing. Omg. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish but how could I not ?!? The book hangover from this story is REAL. I didn’t want it to end and cannot wait for more!!!!
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Garrett.
192 reviews9 followers
September 13, 2024
This book touched my heart . Imagine the dreamiest most swoon-y person and you have Rhett. His love for his girl is pure from the moment they met .
I loved every second of this book. Kyla was looking for something .. and she found it (plus some )

10/10 recommend 🩷
Profile Image for Madison Glynn.
328 reviews7 followers
February 25, 2025
This was so stinking cute omg. Rhett fell HARD and FAST and I couldn’t have loved it more. Kyla was also just so cute and sweet and I’m so happy they got their HEA.
Profile Image for Rachael Shelley.
22 reviews
June 17, 2025
That was adorable! It was like reading a Hallmark. I also felt like it was a perfect read because summer reminds me of rodeos.
Cute book! Definitely read if you just want something warm and cozy.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
33 reviews7 followers
August 26, 2024
✨ ARC review ✨
When I got approved to read “Somebody Like Me” I was really really excited albeit a bit hesitant when I realized it was a close door romance (lol). If you know me, you know I’m a fan of spicy romance book and I especially love me a cowboy romance! “Somebody Like Me” not only exceeded my expectations but made me want to continue to read books both with open door AND closed door spice as the tension between these characters was SO REAL! This book immediately sucked me in, kept me reading as fast as possible to get to the ending, and overall gave me all the warm fuzzy feels! As all books need a conflict, especially to get the story moving, there was something about this book that had that yet still gave the calm and sweet feeling of everything working out and being tied up in a nice bow! That in and of itself brought me joy as it carried lots of emotions through the story of Rhett and Kyla (another cowboy named Rhett!? YES PLS, cue the Chestnut spring series) 🤠❤️ Everything ending in a perfect hea along with the insane emotional tension, while also giving me the warm fuzzies of a cute lighthearted love story, made for a great, fun read! I can’t say enough good things about this book and gave it a full ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5! This was my first book I read by Stefanie Steck but I know for sure it won’t be my last! Can’t wait for this book to be released on 9/13 for all the cowboy loving romance readers like me to enjoy!! This is def one I’ll continually recommend for all readers!!! So so lucky to have had this opportunity to read this one! 🌻💕🦋
Profile Image for Darci Kester.
391 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2024
Cowboy romcom. Marriage of convenience. Found family. Another great book by Stefanie K. Steck!

Kyla is moving to get away from her gas-lighting douche bag of an ex when she runs into Rhett. Instant chemistry.

Found family is one of my favorite tropes and this one delivered with great secondary characters. Well, except the ex. Ew, David! 😉 Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Thanks to Stefanie K. Steck for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Somebody Like Me to come out September 13, 2024.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.