Rough Edges

by Wren West

Life has broken them both in devastating ways. A road of heartbreak, fear, and obligation has led them to each other, but can they see a future through the clouds of their pasts?

Mattie…

I thought I was being rescued from the life I was born into until the tall walls of suburbia became a new prison. I'm no longer the ‘trailer trash’ young girl I had no choice but to be or the perfect housewife I was forced to be. Now I'm finally just Mattie - but who is that?

I'm on a mission to answer that question for myself now that my wheels have stopped turning in Stone Valley. I came here in search of freedom and was blindsided by being freed in more ways than I could have imagined.

For once in my life, I feel like I belong. I feel like I am wanted - but will my past catch up to me and rip it all away?

Cooper…

Even when your world is falling apart around you, the rest of the world keeps turning. You’ve got to step up and keep up - and that’s what I've been doing for a decade since my parents died.

I run on auto pilot keeping my their legacies alive - the family ranch and the bar uptown. My siblings are out in the world living their dreams so I'm on my own here - which is how I prefer it. You can’t lose what you don’t have. I'm content alone - that is until she stomped her way into my bar, my ranch, and my entire being.

After so long of living in a controlled numbness, will letting her in also let in the guilt and pain from my past? Why can’t I shake the feeling that if I blink, she could vanish?

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2024

Reviews

[Carly Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart… ❤️
This story pulled at every string in my heart.. i cried, i smiled, i laughed.. i could relate to the main character Mattie on so many levels. So many aspects of this book i could relate to in my own life. I love how they fell in love so quickly, love how they trusted each other with some of theirs hardest secrets to share.. and the spicy 🌶️ scenes.. phew 😌 so so good! This is a book i could read over and over again.. honestly I’d sell my soul to read this again for the first time.. cooper and Mattie are such relatable characters that you can’t help but fall in love with 😍

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a dark romance girl. So there are times that I really need to take a step back from that genre. This is a great read for my brain to relax. There’s still enough tension in the book with the FMC’s story to keep me engaged. It’s a slow burn but when Mattie and Cooper get close, they get dirty!
Mattie is running from a bad marriage from a man who met her when she was 16. He finds her in one town and she runs to another town where she meets Cooper (bar owner/rancher). He doesn’t make the best first impression; he’s having a rough day and snaps at her. She’s learning to stand up for herself and snaps right back. It’s not quite an enemies to lovers and they fight their attraction for each other which causes friction in addition to their initial meeting. Once they move forward, they still have a few hurdles to overcome, specifically Mattie’s marriage.
This was a great read and I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a sweet Cowboy read.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this read! Wren has a fantastic way of writing a story without too much fluff but just the right amount of anticipation and lead up! I was squirming in my seat and fanning my collar with the way she built up that sexual tension baby 😮‍💨 This love story will make you giggle, cry, should with excitement and keep you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait for the next one

[Rileyreads11_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the beginning!!

The suspense, the grumpy MMC, the FMC who doesn’t take his shit! What else do you need to know!!


I fell in love with Wrens writing style and the way she was able to captivate my attention from the first page. I loved learning about Mattie and everything she’s been through even though it broke my heart a little but to see how much of an amazing person she becomes after everything was so beautiful!

Then you have cooper and let’s just say he’s hot when he first met Mattie he was having one of those days where nothing goes right so he was grumpy but watching his love more Mattie grow WAS TOP TEIR!!

The tension in this book was soo good when it was time for the tension to snap it was HOT HOT HOT!!

5/5⭐️

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the vibes of Virgin River, Yellowstone and Safe Haven, then this is the book for you! I absolutely loved this book! Wren has an amazing way of telling a story, and it had me hooked from the very beginning. I could not put it down. I read it in two sittings, but it would have been one if I didn’t have to work the next day.

This book is a heartwarming love story following Mattie and Cooper. Mattie is on the run from an abusive ex when she decided to settle down in Stone Valley. One of the first people she runs into is the grumpy bar owner, Cooper. They have a confrontational first meeting, so imagine Mattie’s dismay when she discovers Cooper owns the house she is looking to rent. They then proceed to get to know one another and fall for each other. Along the way, they both over come past traumas that have been bogging them down in life. It is a bit of a slow burn, but the spice is spicing once it does happen!

This book made me feel all the emotions. It was such a sweet and touching story. There was never a dull moment. At times I was on the edge of my seat. And I cried tears of joy at the end of the story. I will be recommending this book to everyone!

Fantastic job Wren!!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

if 90’s country music was written into a modern day romance! This is it!

I love this book! Like the title says the vibe of the book is how 90’s country music told stories. The tragedy in a love song, the strength in a broken woman, and the country boy who had to admit she had him at hello. The spice is top notch! I don’t want to spoil anything but I was hook early on and recommend this book 100%!

[Andrea Kujat · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWOON

I absolutely fell in LOVE this book. The characters, story, and Stone Valley! I was hooked on this story from page 1. Wren West does such an amazing job of painting the picture of the perfect small town. The perfect balance of suspense, excitement, spice, and with an incredible MMC and FMC. I loved the banter and relationship between Mattie and Cooper. This is one of my favorite books! I was immediately ready for book 2! I couldn’t put this book down.

[Shelbie Booktok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off with a girl running from an abusive past, and of course she runs into the hands of a grumpy cowboy. My favorite kind of cowboy romance books. The author did such a great job with keeping things accurate when it came to farm life including making the FMC change her clothes during a scene.

I will be reading her other books in the future <3

[Nina Hurney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Kept me hooked the entire time! It has everything- it’ll make you laugh and cry and just fall in love! Plus some suspense and of course the right amount of spice! Such an easy and enjoyable read

[Mindy Latulipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This was cute, and I liked the suspense aspect, but a little too insta-love for me, and had some pacing issues in the beginning. The spice was good but almost too much of it that wasn’t really advancing the plot and so it was taking me out of the story.

[Margaret Worrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing back what being a cowboy means

I love that the dirtier aspects of ranch life aren't glossed over nor are they overdone but written at a nice medium. True ranching is blood sweat and tears for your animals and the land you inhabit. We need more of this!

[Allison Hait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down. Mattie’s story had me by my throat (no pun intended (; ) from the second chapter. I was so infested in her story.

Cooper is your typical country boy.. fell in love with him right away!!! Can’t wait to hear about Taylor’s story!

[Ashley Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could rate this higher I would!!!! This book had me hooked from the first page! Obsessed is an understatement! Recommend 1000000000%!!!!!!

[Lorine Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so freaking good! Had me kicking and giggle almost whole time. A couple times I about was on floor laughing.

[Heidiwoolwine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and description of Stone Valley felt like I was there in the sweet little town! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Jess Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in a day, it was fantastic and the story that I didn’t know I needed!

[Emily Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! I could picture this whole story! Good spice in it! Love love the plot!

[Tracey Donahue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the small town feel and extra spice. She had me at “light choking.”

[Tomica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Great book! Highly recommend

[Brooke Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. There was great character development. The slow burn was perfect and when the spice hit it was phenomenal. I give this 5 out of 5 because I couldn’t put it down

I can’t wait until the next book

[Bridgett Pletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Local Author and I totally enjoyed immersing myself in the storyline!! Descriptive narrative and well written! Looking forward to finishing the series and offered to help with her next series! (In my wheelhouse!)