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Sterling Ridge #4
Wilder After All
Every ranching family needs a cowboy that you can’t take too seriously. Cooper Wilder has always felt it his place to fulfill that role at Hayes Ranch as the youngest in the family. Then the girl that got away blows back into town, and she’s in trouble. Suddenly, Cooper’s nothing but serious about helping Hallie—even if it means marrying her. But can he mend their relationship, keep her safe, and play the attentive husband, all while proving to his family, and himself, that he’s capable of more?
Hallie Bronson had her dream job, until one fateful night that sends her seeking the safety of home. When she stumbles into her uncle’s bar back in Sterling Ridge to find Cooper all grown up, it’s a little hard to believe. Especially when he offers her the chance to erase her identity and hide in plain sight, right back here at home. Now she just needs to ensure that her heart is protected from falling for her husband—again.
Hallie Bronson had her dream job, until one fateful night that sends her seeking the safety of home. When she stumbles into her uncle’s bar back in Sterling Ridge to find Cooper all grown up, it’s a little hard to believe. Especially when he offers her the chance to erase her identity and hide in plain sight, right back here at home. Now she just needs to ensure that her heart is protected from falling for her husband—again.
- GenresRomance
278 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Marriage of convenience + it’s always been you + small town!
Six years ago, Cooper didn’t show up for a first date with his best friend. Present day, Hallie returns to their small town unexpectedly & in trouble. Cooper would do anything to protect her, including marrying her on the spot.
Read if you love...
- small town
- marriage of convenience
- dual POV
- it’s always been you
- caretaking
- found family
- childhood friends to strangers to lovers
- no third act breakup
- cowboy + chef
I cannot believe the Sterling Ridge series is complete! I’m not ready for it to end at all!
I could easily read one thousand more pages of Coop & Hal! To be honest, I read this 3x while editing and still wanted to read my ARC copy because I just love them so damn much!
The mix of tropes is perfection.
The caretaking is top tier.
The vibes are soft and swoony.
The found family & side characters are immaculate.
And honestly a million more things I want to say but can’t because spoilers.
But I’ll leave you with this quote...
“Hallie girl, I’d lasso the moon for you.”
CA, forever and ever proud of you, your writing, and this series!
PUB day: March 3, 2026!
Location: Wyoming
Content warnings: details of harassment & assault; trauma-related nightmares; mention of past loss of family; mentions of relocation in the foster care system
Six years ago, Cooper didn’t show up for a first date with his best friend. Present day, Hallie returns to their small town unexpectedly & in trouble. Cooper would do anything to protect her, including marrying her on the spot.
Read if you love...
- small town
- marriage of convenience
- dual POV
- it’s always been you
- caretaking
- found family
- childhood friends to strangers to lovers
- no third act breakup
- cowboy + chef
I cannot believe the Sterling Ridge series is complete! I’m not ready for it to end at all!
I could easily read one thousand more pages of Coop & Hal! To be honest, I read this 3x while editing and still wanted to read my ARC copy because I just love them so damn much!
The mix of tropes is perfection.
The caretaking is top tier.
The vibes are soft and swoony.
The found family & side characters are immaculate.
And honestly a million more things I want to say but can’t because spoilers.
But I’ll leave you with this quote...
“Hallie girl, I’d lasso the moon for you.”
CA, forever and ever proud of you, your writing, and this series!
PUB day: March 3, 2026!
Location: Wyoming
Content warnings: details of harassment & assault; trauma-related nightmares; mention of past loss of family; mentions of relocation in the foster care system
March 10, 2026
4.5 stars
Cooper WIlder my looovvveee!!!
Cooper really set the standard for all other book boyfriends. He was so caring and supportive to Hallie and I especially loved how protective of her he was. Even though years had passed since they last saw he each other he was immediately ready to drop everything for her and do whatever she wanted.
Hallie was such a badass - she was dealing with so much but she kept going and did her best to stay positive. She was so independent and didn't want to burden anyone with her problems so I was definitely cheering every time she let Cooper help her or even just be there for her. Hallie was also so good for Cooper and showing him that there were so many people in his life that loved him and believed in him. Their relationship was so sweet and cozy and I am obsessed with them together.
I do wish there had been a little bit better of a resolution with the reason Cooper and Hallie lost touch in the first place. They danced around it the whole book and acted like they could be in a relationship without talking about it and then when they finally did it was so easily resolved and could have happened so much earlier.
Cooper WIlder my looovvveee!!!
Cooper really set the standard for all other book boyfriends. He was so caring and supportive to Hallie and I especially loved how protective of her he was. Even though years had passed since they last saw he each other he was immediately ready to drop everything for her and do whatever she wanted.
Hallie was such a badass - she was dealing with so much but she kept going and did her best to stay positive. She was so independent and didn't want to burden anyone with her problems so I was definitely cheering every time she let Cooper help her or even just be there for her. Hallie was also so good for Cooper and showing him that there were so many people in his life that loved him and believed in him. Their relationship was so sweet and cozy and I am obsessed with them together.
I do wish there had been a little bit better of a resolution with the reason Cooper and Hallie lost touch in the first place. They danced around it the whole book and acted like they could be in a relationship without talking about it and then when they finally did it was so easily resolved and could have happened so much earlier.
Review of advance copy received from Author
first off, just want to thank C.A. Steinhaus for the opportunity to read the last installment of Sterling Ridge early!!
"Hallie girl, I'd lasso the moon for you."
I have been waiting for Coopers story - we first get introduced to him in the very first book as the clumsy young ranch handler but to see the man he becomes!!
I loved the plot of this book because we got the prologue of cooper and how he was during that time. Having the connection of 2 sterling ridge locals was exactly what I needed. the YEARNING was fantastic on Coopers part. I always love C.A. Steinhaus approach to communication because these characters are TALK TO ONE ANOTHER -crazy I know. but it seriously makes the story so much more enjoyable.
I think this book was an excellent way to end the sterling ridge series and I seriously recommend every single one of these books!!
"Hallie girl, I'd lasso the moon for you."
I have been waiting for Coopers story - we first get introduced to him in the very first book as the clumsy young ranch handler but to see the man he becomes!!
I loved the plot of this book because we got the prologue of cooper and how he was during that time. Having the connection of 2 sterling ridge locals was exactly what I needed. the YEARNING was fantastic on Coopers part. I always love C.A. Steinhaus approach to communication because these characters are TALK TO ONE ANOTHER -crazy I know. but it seriously makes the story so much more enjoyable.
I think this book was an excellent way to end the sterling ridge series and I seriously recommend every single one of these books!!
March 12, 2026
If you are looking for a sweet, happily ever after look no further! We have Cooper, our protective MMC, who is completely head over Cowboy boots for his best friend Hallie. Hallie, on the other hand, is back in Sterling Ridge running from L.A. and secrets she not ready to share. All Cooper wants to do is keep her safe anyway possible, so he finds two gold bands in the lost and found, and the rest is history.
As always, there are twists and turns and even a touch of suspense that will keep you guessing until the end!
While this is the final book in the series, I do believe it can be read as a standalone. I read the previous three last year, and while there are character cameos, the story lines are all their own.
You will love Wilder After All if you love
💚 Found Family
💚 He Falls First and Hard
💚 Marriage of Convenience
💚 Chef x Cowboy
As always, there are twists and turns and even a touch of suspense that will keep you guessing until the end!
While this is the final book in the series, I do believe it can be read as a standalone. I read the previous three last year, and while there are character cameos, the story lines are all their own.
You will love Wilder After All if you love
💚 Found Family
💚 He Falls First and Hard
💚 Marriage of Convenience
💚 Chef x Cowboy
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review:
This book was incredible from the beginning! Their love story was fantastic and he is such a protective MMC. The amount of yearning is perfect for a second chance, best friends to lovers romance! Cooper’s personality really grew from the other books in the series. The perfect way to end an amazing series!!
•Marriage of Convenience
•Second Chance
•Protective MMC
•Found Family
•Cowboy x chef
This book was incredible from the beginning! Their love story was fantastic and he is such a protective MMC. The amount of yearning is perfect for a second chance, best friends to lovers romance! Cooper’s personality really grew from the other books in the series. The perfect way to end an amazing series!!
•Marriage of Convenience
•Second Chance
•Protective MMC
•Found Family
•Cowboy x chef
March 11, 2026
Such a sweet ending to the series. I find her books to always be soft and sweet and enjoyable. I could have gone for a little more drama in the end, but it’s a sweet, quick read when you need something like that.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amazing from the beginning to the end. The love Cooper had for Hallie was amazing. Such a good friends to lovers read.
March 13, 2026
Honestly this was a solid 3.5-4 stars.
It was good I found I was just reading and warn being engulfed in the story but it was a good way to end the series.
It was good I found I was just reading and warn being engulfed in the story but it was a good way to end the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Things I Loved:
He calls her Hallie girl.
Cooper is her safe space.
Their first date.
He takes protecting her very seriously.
They were each other’s soft spot to land.
Blue cowboy boots.
Cooper was all in on their marriage from the start.
Uncle Waylon.
She watches comfort shows from the 90s.
He helps her cook again.
The personal growth and the way they believe in one another.
This is the last book in the Sterling Ridge Series and it did not disappoint. It was such a sweet ending to the series. Cooper and Hallie were childhood friends to strangers to lovers and were perfect for each other. If you are looking for a second chance Cowboy romance, check this one out!
He calls her Hallie girl.
Cooper is her safe space.
Their first date.
He takes protecting her very seriously.
They were each other’s soft spot to land.
Blue cowboy boots.
Cooper was all in on their marriage from the start.
Uncle Waylon.
She watches comfort shows from the 90s.
He helps her cook again.
The personal growth and the way they believe in one another.
This is the last book in the Sterling Ridge Series and it did not disappoint. It was such a sweet ending to the series. Cooper and Hallie were childhood friends to strangers to lovers and were perfect for each other. If you are looking for a second chance Cowboy romance, check this one out!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews