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Wolves of Maddox Ranch #1
The Cowboy and the Stray
A bruised runaway.
A guarded cowboy.
And a ranch full of secrets.
Fleeing Las Vegas with nothing but a bruised body and a shattered heart, Tess never expected to crash-land, quite literally, into the middle of Texas ranch country. Her plan was disappear, heal, and never be found. But when she wakes up in a stranger’s bed on a sprawling, secretive ranch run by people who are far more than they seem, hiding becomes impossible
Calder Maddox didn’t ask to be Alpha. He sure as hell didn’t ask for the injured redhead who showed up in his barn, bleeding, beautiful, and clearly running from something… or someone. Letting her stay is a mistake. Falling for her is worse
But the more time Tess spends among the people of Hollow Ridge, the more she senses there's something wild lurking beneath their calm exteriors. Something ancient and animal. And Calder? Calder isn’t just the rugged cowboy with haunted eyes and a protective streak a mile wide. He’s dangerous in a way that calls to the broken, feral parts of her soul
In this heart-pounding, slow-burn paranormal romance, secrets don’t stay buried, enemies bite back, and fate has claws.
🔥 Small-town suspense
🐺 Protective alpha shifter
🩸 Bruised but fierce heroine
💔 Found family
🛠️ Ranch life, danger, and redemption
💞 Forced proximity, sizzling tension
🫣 Trigger domestic abuse in memory, stalking
Welcome to Hollow Ridge. Where the wolves are real, the danger is closer than you think, and love might be the most dangerous thing of all.
A guarded cowboy.
And a ranch full of secrets.
Fleeing Las Vegas with nothing but a bruised body and a shattered heart, Tess never expected to crash-land, quite literally, into the middle of Texas ranch country. Her plan was disappear, heal, and never be found. But when she wakes up in a stranger’s bed on a sprawling, secretive ranch run by people who are far more than they seem, hiding becomes impossible
Calder Maddox didn’t ask to be Alpha. He sure as hell didn’t ask for the injured redhead who showed up in his barn, bleeding, beautiful, and clearly running from something… or someone. Letting her stay is a mistake. Falling for her is worse
But the more time Tess spends among the people of Hollow Ridge, the more she senses there's something wild lurking beneath their calm exteriors. Something ancient and animal. And Calder? Calder isn’t just the rugged cowboy with haunted eyes and a protective streak a mile wide. He’s dangerous in a way that calls to the broken, feral parts of her soul
In this heart-pounding, slow-burn paranormal romance, secrets don’t stay buried, enemies bite back, and fate has claws.
🔥 Small-town suspense
🐺 Protective alpha shifter
🩸 Bruised but fierce heroine
💔 Found family
🛠️ Ranch life, danger, and redemption
💞 Forced proximity, sizzling tension
🫣 Trigger domestic abuse in memory, stalking
Welcome to Hollow Ridge. Where the wolves are real, the danger is closer than you think, and love might be the most dangerous thing of all.
534 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
389 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 12, 2025
Different
I loved how this story was "real". I know werewolves are real, but I felt that this was more realistic. No big flashy compound, no rich alphas.
I loved how this story was "real". I know werewolves are real, but I felt that this was more realistic. No big flashy compound, no rich alphas.
July 19, 2025
Found by a Cowboy, Claimed by a Wolf — And I’d Let Him Do It Again
Okay. Deep breath. I devoured this book with my heart in my throat and my Kindle in a death grip.
The Cowboy and the Stray by Lainie Anderson pulled me in with the promise of a battered woman finding refuge on a mysterious ranch—but what I didn’t expect was to get so attached to the quiet strength of Calder Maddox, the raw resilience of Tess, and the undercurrent of something dark and wild running through every scene. This wasn't just a romance—it was a full-body experience.
Tess? She’s not some fragile flower, even if her story starts in broken pieces. She’s got fire in her, and I felt every scar, every shaky breath, every moment she chose herself—even when it terrified her. I rooted for her like she was my own sister. The way she starts to feel safe again in a place that holds just as many secrets as she does? Whew. Hits hard.
And then there's Calder. Broody, rugged, maddeningly self-contained Calder. The kind of cowboy who wears guilt and duty like armor, but watch out when his protective instincts kick in—especially when it comes to Tess. That slow-burn between them? Yeah, it sizzles. The heat is all in the glances, the tension, the “just stay one more night,” and the way he looks at her like she’s worth fighting for—even if it means going against everything he’s been taught.
Also: the setting? Total mood. A ranch with supernatural shadows, a found family of gruff, complicated people who don’t ask questions but have each other’s backs, and a tension that crawls along your spine because you know something big is coming... and when it does? Boom.
This story gave me:
• 🐺 Protective alpha who’d absolutely tear someone apart for his girl
• ❤️🩹 A heroine I cried with and cheered for
• 🌾 Moody, slow-burn magic with ranch grit and supernatural spice
• 🛠️ Trauma recovery woven into a shifter romance that feels real
• 💋 Chemistry that simmers until it explodes
Final Thoughts?
If you’re like me and crave stories where survival turns into belonging, where the alpha doesn’t just protect—he sees her—and where the secrets are tangled up in ancient instincts and soul-deep bonds... you need this book.
5 out of 5 “Yes Calder, I will stay on your ranch forever” stars.
I’ll take cowboy-shifters with heartache, danger, and devotion any day. Hollow Ridge just earned a permanent place on my bookish map.
Okay. Deep breath. I devoured this book with my heart in my throat and my Kindle in a death grip.
The Cowboy and the Stray by Lainie Anderson pulled me in with the promise of a battered woman finding refuge on a mysterious ranch—but what I didn’t expect was to get so attached to the quiet strength of Calder Maddox, the raw resilience of Tess, and the undercurrent of something dark and wild running through every scene. This wasn't just a romance—it was a full-body experience.
Tess? She’s not some fragile flower, even if her story starts in broken pieces. She’s got fire in her, and I felt every scar, every shaky breath, every moment she chose herself—even when it terrified her. I rooted for her like she was my own sister. The way she starts to feel safe again in a place that holds just as many secrets as she does? Whew. Hits hard.
And then there's Calder. Broody, rugged, maddeningly self-contained Calder. The kind of cowboy who wears guilt and duty like armor, but watch out when his protective instincts kick in—especially when it comes to Tess. That slow-burn between them? Yeah, it sizzles. The heat is all in the glances, the tension, the “just stay one more night,” and the way he looks at her like she’s worth fighting for—even if it means going against everything he’s been taught.
Also: the setting? Total mood. A ranch with supernatural shadows, a found family of gruff, complicated people who don’t ask questions but have each other’s backs, and a tension that crawls along your spine because you know something big is coming... and when it does? Boom.
This story gave me:
• 🐺 Protective alpha who’d absolutely tear someone apart for his girl
• ❤️🩹 A heroine I cried with and cheered for
• 🌾 Moody, slow-burn magic with ranch grit and supernatural spice
• 🛠️ Trauma recovery woven into a shifter romance that feels real
• 💋 Chemistry that simmers until it explodes
Final Thoughts?
If you’re like me and crave stories where survival turns into belonging, where the alpha doesn’t just protect—he sees her—and where the secrets are tangled up in ancient instincts and soul-deep bonds... you need this book.
5 out of 5 “Yes Calder, I will stay on your ranch forever” stars.
I’ll take cowboy-shifters with heartache, danger, and devotion any day. Hollow Ridge just earned a permanent place on my bookish map.
March 19, 2026
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me—I ended up DNFing at chapter 16.
It felt repetitive early on, like I was reading the same thoughts and phrases over and over. At one point, a sentence was even repeated word for word just a line later, which really pulled me out of the story.
I also struggled with the lack of character development. The writing stayed focused on the same emotions without much growth, making it hard to feel invested or see how the relationship between the main characters would realistically evolve.
Each chapter is labeled by character and written in their POV, but there was one chapter where the perspective suddenly shifted for a few lines, which made things feel confusing and disjointed.
In the end, after reading 35% off the book it just couldn’t keep my interest enough to continue.
It felt repetitive early on, like I was reading the same thoughts and phrases over and over. At one point, a sentence was even repeated word for word just a line later, which really pulled me out of the story.
I also struggled with the lack of character development. The writing stayed focused on the same emotions without much growth, making it hard to feel invested or see how the relationship between the main characters would realistically evolve.
Each chapter is labeled by character and written in their POV, but there was one chapter where the perspective suddenly shifted for a few lines, which made things feel confusing and disjointed.
In the end, after reading 35% off the book it just couldn’t keep my interest enough to continue.
January 10, 2026
cowboy romance with a side of werewolves and mafia
Tessa is running again. After running with her mother as a child, then from group home to group home, now she’s on the run from her ex who it turns out is a gun runner for the mafia.
When she hits a deer with her car, she begins walking and finds a hideyhole in a barn.
She doesn’t expect the ranch owners to let her stay and recover. She also doesn’t expect the to be werewolves.
This felt like an epic ranch story with the cowboys coming to the rescue of a stranded female but it also did have very strong female leads, female empowerment, supportive side characters, some inclusivity of the strange and of course a romance with a werewolf.
Tessa is running again. After running with her mother as a child, then from group home to group home, now she’s on the run from her ex who it turns out is a gun runner for the mafia.
When she hits a deer with her car, she begins walking and finds a hideyhole in a barn.
She doesn’t expect the ranch owners to let her stay and recover. She also doesn’t expect the to be werewolves.
This felt like an epic ranch story with the cowboys coming to the rescue of a stranded female but it also did have very strong female leads, female empowerment, supportive side characters, some inclusivity of the strange and of course a romance with a werewolf.
August 8, 2025
The Cowboy and the Stray by Lainie Anderson is a small-town cowboy shifter romance. This is the first book in the Wolves of Maddox Ranch series.
I loved the slow burn romance between Calder and Tess over the course of the book. I loved how Calder helped build Tess back up and make her a stronger version of herself. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series The Wrangler and the Tenderfoot to be released so I can get Reid and Jennie's story.
I would recommend this book if you're looking for a paranormal romance, small town romance, or cowboy romance.
I loved the slow burn romance between Calder and Tess over the course of the book. I loved how Calder helped build Tess back up and make her a stronger version of herself. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series The Wrangler and the Tenderfoot to be released so I can get Reid and Jennie's story.
I would recommend this book if you're looking for a paranormal romance, small town romance, or cowboy romance.
February 16, 2026
I had a hard time with Sloane's attitude? like I guess I thought it would get better or explained. I'm sure there is a reason but it really bothered me, if you aren't going to even hint at a reason why bother with it? I'm sure there will be an explanation in her book (assuming there is one). Other than that, Lance was built up to seem fairly important and bad but like very anticlimactic (like it said in the book) uhmmm what?? even Tess thought so which I guess makes sense why would a normal human match up with a wolf but he walked into the trap like he was expecting it? but if he did then why didn't he try harder? bleh idk not my fave
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2025
"Yes indeedy, sweetie! Loved this one!"
I'm a Texas girl, so I really enjoyed the ranch setting. It made the book feel real. If the author doesn't live on a ranch, she did her research.
The chemistry between the characters was so good. A nice slow burn, not too fast but not too slow either. Tess was a solid FMC. I don't think she annoyed me once while reading. And Calder was far from an Alpha-hole but still hot.
I can't wait for the next book in the series, The Wrangler and the Tenderfoot. Eek!
~PastelSkiesReviews❤️
I'm a Texas girl, so I really enjoyed the ranch setting. It made the book feel real. If the author doesn't live on a ranch, she did her research.
The chemistry between the characters was so good. A nice slow burn, not too fast but not too slow either. Tess was a solid FMC. I don't think she annoyed me once while reading. And Calder was far from an Alpha-hole but still hot.
I can't wait for the next book in the series, The Wrangler and the Tenderfoot. Eek!
~PastelSkiesReviews❤️
August 31, 2025
Amazing book about love in the hill country.
A little bit of a slow burn but beautifully written per usual.
The FMC is stubborn and strong but meets her match is the MMC -
This one feels different than others written by the same author as this one feels a little closer to the heart and more like home..
While slow, you fall in love with everything as the characters fall for each other.
Can't wait for another one in this series!
A little bit of a slow burn but beautifully written per usual.
The FMC is stubborn and strong but meets her match is the MMC -
This one feels different than others written by the same author as this one feels a little closer to the heart and more like home..
While slow, you fall in love with everything as the characters fall for each other.
Can't wait for another one in this series!
February 11, 2026
editor
You need an editor for a proof reader.. you need to learn what you’re writing about. Horses poop what we turn as full biscuits they’re round firm and they are not runny and slushy like you indicated when the people were cleaning out the barn. jerky is dry it does not leave crumbs. If you’re digging a grave in the desert, you are not gonna be getting mud on your boots. These are just a few of the things that you have wrong in your story.
You need an editor for a proof reader.. you need to learn what you’re writing about. Horses poop what we turn as full biscuits they’re round firm and they are not runny and slushy like you indicated when the people were cleaning out the barn. jerky is dry it does not leave crumbs. If you’re digging a grave in the desert, you are not gonna be getting mud on your boots. These are just a few of the things that you have wrong in your story.
July 17, 2025
Tess is running from an abusive boyfriend when she ends up on Maddox Ranch, where she meets and falls for Calder. I do love a great cowboy romance, and the fact that he is a shifter was the cherry on top. This is a slow burn shifter romance with danger, suspense, drama, steam, and a great ending. The Cowboy and the Stray is book one and a great start to the Wolves of Maddox Ranch series, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
July 18, 2025
Cowboys and wolf shifters…say less! If you enjoy slow burn romances with found family vibes this one is for you!
Tess is on the run when she happens to find herself injured and wonders onto a ranch. Little does she know this is a ranch for wolf shifters and the alpha Calder Maddox has his sights set on her. But what happens when Tess’ life catches up with her.
Tess is on the run when she happens to find herself injured and wonders onto a ranch. Little does she know this is a ranch for wolf shifters and the alpha Calder Maddox has his sights set on her. But what happens when Tess’ life catches up with her.
September 10, 2025
Tess & Calder
It starts with Tess escaping abuse, then there is Calder,and a wonderful story begins! This is a wonderfully original story that kept me flipping pages, and needing to know what happens next. This story was a wonderful surprise for me and I Loved every page! I Highly recommend! No Spoilers!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It starts with Tess escaping abuse, then there is Calder,and a wonderful story begins! This is a wonderfully original story that kept me flipping pages, and needing to know what happens next. This story was a wonderful surprise for me and I Loved every page! I Highly recommend! No Spoilers!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 28, 2026
DNF at 50%. I tried, I really did- but an fmc that acts like a twelve year old when it comes to cursing is a personal pet peeve of mine, and I couldn’t get past the unnatural introduction of this Ash person and the subsequent “cursing lessons.”
Don’t get me wrong, this was far from the worst book I’ve read. I think it just felt a little slow-paced for me.
Don’t get me wrong, this was far from the worst book I’ve read. I think it just felt a little slow-paced for me.
March 24, 2026
i was going to give this two stars but the more i read the worse it got.
there are plot holes, grammatical errors, continuity issues, lack of detail, POV shifts in the middle of chapters that make 0 sense, and overall this is piss poor writing. if this isn’t one of them AI generated books then this author needs to be banned from writing because what the actual fuck was this? never in my years…
there are plot holes, grammatical errors, continuity issues, lack of detail, POV shifts in the middle of chapters that make 0 sense, and overall this is piss poor writing. if this isn’t one of them AI generated books then this author needs to be banned from writing because what the actual fuck was this? never in my years…
March 6, 2026
Not for me
The story started out good and held my interest for a while. It was 10 hours of boring dialogue and details. It wasn't bad but it was so long there was no spice I just started scrolling and then gave up it's way too long.
The story started out good and held my interest for a while. It was 10 hours of boring dialogue and details. It wasn't bad but it was so long there was no spice I just started scrolling and then gave up it's way too long.
March 21, 2026
Great Read!
I really enjoyed book 1 in this series watching Calder and Tessa travel their very winding road to finding their HEA. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 in this series and will definitely recommend this book to everyone.
I really enjoyed book 1 in this series watching Calder and Tessa travel their very winding road to finding their HEA. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 in this series and will definitely recommend this book to everyone.
March 30, 2026
This one was pretty good. Loved the whole cowboy and wolf aspect. Found family. These two were so good together once trust came about. I enjoyed this for the most order. A little slow in parts.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 8, 2025
I love, love, cowboy books, and when you throw shifters into the mix-be still my heart! Tess and Calder are perfect for each other. They complement each other so well they just don’t know it yet. New beginnings and new dangers, but love trumps all. I can’t wait for the next story in this series!!
August 2, 2025
Any book by the author I will devour. So talented!!!
September 8, 2025
THIS WAS SO GOOD.
Rtc
Rtc
December 4, 2025
Good story!!
I enjoyed the story of a woman running from the fears straight Info the arms of the one man (wolf?) who can be gentle enough to allow her to grow.
I enjoyed the story of a woman running from the fears straight Info the arms of the one man (wolf?) who can be gentle enough to allow her to grow.
January 17, 2026
good
Such a good read! Highly recommend this book to read it was so interesting and loved it.! Read this book
Such a good read! Highly recommend this book to read it was so interesting and loved it.! Read this book
February 1, 2026
Good
I enjoyed this book and the characters in this book and how they had to let go of the past
I enjoyed this book and the characters in this book and how they had to let go of the past
February 2, 2026
Easy read to calm my mind. Good guy always wins.
February 6, 2026
Not clean but there was enough plot outside of it that I was already invested in the book - swearing and spice
February 9, 2026
Wasn’t bad, just very boring.
February 17, 2026
bit slow but loved it
February 18, 2026
This one was pretty good. Loved the whole cowboy and wolf aspect. Found family. These two were so good together once trust came about. I enjoyed this for the most order. A little slow in parts.
February 18, 2026
Slow burn
This slow burn is so good. The tension, the unknown. So good. Though, I wish there was more information about the wolves and their world. It was good.
This slow burn is so good. The tension, the unknown. So good. Though, I wish there was more information about the wolves and their world. It was good.
March 12, 2026
The Cowboy and the Stray
I just found this author and this is my first book loved it. I just hope the next book is as good as this one.
I just found this author and this is my first book loved it. I just hope the next book is as good as this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews