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Lost in the Reins
A struggling Manhattan romance novelist is sent to a Montana ranch for “authenticity” and clashes with a gruff, emotionally guarded rancher—until real love proves far messier, deeper, and far more irresistible than fiction.
I make a living writing swoon-worthy cowboy romances. With exactly zero real-life ranch experience, my reviews take a dive. So when my agent issues an ultimatum—“Get authentic or get out”—I swap my Manhattan latte for Montana dust, fully expecting to charm my way through a Gram-worthy adventure.
What I don’t expect? Wes Montgomery.
Rancher. Guardian to his niece. Human embodiment of a brick wall. He takes one look at me—my designer boots, my city attitude, my complete inability to tell a horse from a hay bale—and decides I’m about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. He’s got a ranch to save, a niece to raise, and absolutely no time for a clueless writer who thinks cowboys drink caramel macchiatos.
But between my tragic attempts at farm work, the terror of Bernard the kleptomaniac goose, and a few unexpected late-night talks under a sky bigger than my imagination, I start seeing the man beneath the scowl. The one who prays at sunrise, reads bedtime stories with all the voices, and carries the weight of his world on shoulders that should honestly come with a warning label.
Somewhere between city and country, between fiction and reality, I’m falling hard. But Wes Montgomery isn’t a hero in a story—he’s a man who’s lost too much to believe in happy endings. And if I can’t convince him that love is worth the risk, I’ll have to write the hardest ending of all—one where I walk away.
I make a living writing swoon-worthy cowboy romances. With exactly zero real-life ranch experience, my reviews take a dive. So when my agent issues an ultimatum—“Get authentic or get out”—I swap my Manhattan latte for Montana dust, fully expecting to charm my way through a Gram-worthy adventure.
What I don’t expect? Wes Montgomery.
Rancher. Guardian to his niece. Human embodiment of a brick wall. He takes one look at me—my designer boots, my city attitude, my complete inability to tell a horse from a hay bale—and decides I’m about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. He’s got a ranch to save, a niece to raise, and absolutely no time for a clueless writer who thinks cowboys drink caramel macchiatos.
But between my tragic attempts at farm work, the terror of Bernard the kleptomaniac goose, and a few unexpected late-night talks under a sky bigger than my imagination, I start seeing the man beneath the scowl. The one who prays at sunrise, reads bedtime stories with all the voices, and carries the weight of his world on shoulders that should honestly come with a warning label.
Somewhere between city and country, between fiction and reality, I’m falling hard. But Wes Montgomery isn’t a hero in a story—he’s a man who’s lost too much to believe in happy endings. And if I can’t convince him that love is worth the risk, I’ll have to write the hardest ending of all—one where I walk away.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
12 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 6, 2025
It's been quite a while since I read my last cowboy romance, and after this incredibly sweet, swoony, and heartwarming story, there will surely be many more to come.
I had no idea how much I missed romance stories like this one.
I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately, but my heart still beats most strongly for a real, emotional, and beautiful romance like this one.
But back to broody and grumpy cowboys 😉😂
Gosh! I loved every second of this book.
The book is sweet and swoony, and the banter between the characters and their discussions about range work are hilarious. 😂
They just fit together from the very first sentence, without trying too hard.
Chemistry from the very first moment.
I love it! 🥰
I know I shouldn't write too much, but you know those couples you meet and immediately know they are meant to be together forever?
These are exactly the main characters in this book.
I recommend this to all 100% clean romance lovers.
You will love this book.
I had no idea how much I missed romance stories like this one.
I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately, but my heart still beats most strongly for a real, emotional, and beautiful romance like this one.
But back to broody and grumpy cowboys 😉😂
Gosh! I loved every second of this book.
The book is sweet and swoony, and the banter between the characters and their discussions about range work are hilarious. 😂
They just fit together from the very first sentence, without trying too hard.
Chemistry from the very first moment.
I love it! 🥰
I know I shouldn't write too much, but you know those couples you meet and immediately know they are meant to be together forever?
These are exactly the main characters in this book.
I recommend this to all 100% clean romance lovers.
You will love this book.
April 6, 2025
Lost in the Reins is the debut novel for the pen named author Angelia Faye.
I knew that this book was going to be a little different than what I've come to love from this writer- hence the need for a new pen name- most notably is that Lost in the Reins is a 100% clean romance, so outside of a couple kisses there is nothing but longing feelings that take place between the two MCs.
Now with that being said, this book is a fabulous balance of sweet, fun and heart pulling as romance writer Paisley is sent off from her cushy Manhattan lifestyle to get real life ranch and cowboy experience at a struggling ranch in Montana after her latest unrealistic pristine cowboy romance flopped hard. Wes Montgomery is trying to hold his family's legacy together at Whispering Pines with his brothers, while also raising his niece and has no time for looking after this big city writer that wants to play rancher.
3.5 ⭐
I enjoyed the journey of this story, the fish out of water trope- where she finds herself happier and more fulfilled in this new environment, but I was also left a little underwhelmed with it as well. I'm not sure if this is the start of a series or not- I know that there is a lot of the "setting the stage" that takes place. Getting to know all the various Montgomery brothers, the state of their ranch, their losses and financial situation along with the legacy that weighs them down. The bright spot in all of it being Emma, their niece that Wes adopted and all the big personalities that live on the ranch in the form of various animals.
Now I don't read "clean" romances all that often, but one of the things I love about them is that they tend to really deliver in building those little moments of a relationship that are sometimes overlooked in the name of spice. I loved when Paisley was able to get those genuine little smirks and smiles out of Wes and the way that she started to embrace the imperfect of life- realizing that her readers didn't want this shiny version of romance but something that could feel real. While Wes' POV wasn't as prevalent as Paisley's- his actions showed the kind of provider he was and while he carried all the weight on himself he still tried to create this loving and safe environment for Emma as well as Paisley even if he did try to make avoiding Paisley an Olympic sport.
There were some moments that I did feel like I was talked in circles. Like I would read something and then a page or two later the situation or line was basically repeated to a point where I did have to double check that I hadn't turned the page in the wrong direction. I had a similar feeling when someone would mention Emma's mom, Sarah- it was always a shock that someone was speaking so candidly about her or that she would come up because the loss of her was such a sensitive subject which was understandable but like she came up... A LOT... so it didn't feel like the characters should have been so surprised each time.
But overall I did enjoy this story and wouldn't mind getting to see Jake or Colt find some love either!
I knew that this book was going to be a little different than what I've come to love from this writer- hence the need for a new pen name- most notably is that Lost in the Reins is a 100% clean romance, so outside of a couple kisses there is nothing but longing feelings that take place between the two MCs.
Now with that being said, this book is a fabulous balance of sweet, fun and heart pulling as romance writer Paisley is sent off from her cushy Manhattan lifestyle to get real life ranch and cowboy experience at a struggling ranch in Montana after her latest unrealistic pristine cowboy romance flopped hard. Wes Montgomery is trying to hold his family's legacy together at Whispering Pines with his brothers, while also raising his niece and has no time for looking after this big city writer that wants to play rancher.
3.5 ⭐
I enjoyed the journey of this story, the fish out of water trope- where she finds herself happier and more fulfilled in this new environment, but I was also left a little underwhelmed with it as well. I'm not sure if this is the start of a series or not- I know that there is a lot of the "setting the stage" that takes place. Getting to know all the various Montgomery brothers, the state of their ranch, their losses and financial situation along with the legacy that weighs them down. The bright spot in all of it being Emma, their niece that Wes adopted and all the big personalities that live on the ranch in the form of various animals.
Now I don't read "clean" romances all that often, but one of the things I love about them is that they tend to really deliver in building those little moments of a relationship that are sometimes overlooked in the name of spice. I loved when Paisley was able to get those genuine little smirks and smiles out of Wes and the way that she started to embrace the imperfect of life- realizing that her readers didn't want this shiny version of romance but something that could feel real. While Wes' POV wasn't as prevalent as Paisley's- his actions showed the kind of provider he was and while he carried all the weight on himself he still tried to create this loving and safe environment for Emma as well as Paisley even if he did try to make avoiding Paisley an Olympic sport.
There were some moments that I did feel like I was talked in circles. Like I would read something and then a page or two later the situation or line was basically repeated to a point where I did have to double check that I hadn't turned the page in the wrong direction. I had a similar feeling when someone would mention Emma's mom, Sarah- it was always a shock that someone was speaking so candidly about her or that she would come up because the loss of her was such a sensitive subject which was understandable but like she came up... A LOT... so it didn't feel like the characters should have been so surprised each time.
But overall I did enjoy this story and wouldn't mind getting to see Jake or Colt find some love either!
April 5, 2025
This was a sweet romance. Paisley and Wes are complete opposites that find love together. I enjoyed the storyline and liked the characters. Overall it was a good read I finished in a couple of hours.
November 16, 2025
Date Started: April 1st 2025
Date Finished: April 8th 2025
Characters: Paisley & Wes
Rating: 6 🌟s
Tropes:
Clean Romannce, Rancher Romance, Romance Writer, Small Town
Review:
Most readers of romance say that their favorites are the main characters, but I think 10 year old Emma is my favorite character in the entire book. Don't get me wrong, I loved Paisley and Wes's love story and I also loved the hilarious animals and Wes's brothers Colt and Jake's interactions with their brother, their niece Emma as well as with Paisley. Overall, this book is packed with Kristy Marie's humor, but with a flourish of her pen name Angelia Faye's clean romance charm of storytelling. I seriously cannot wait to read more from this pen name in the near future.
Date Finished: April 8th 2025
Characters: Paisley & Wes
Rating: 6 🌟s
Tropes:
Clean Romannce, Rancher Romance, Romance Writer, Small Town
Review:
Most readers of romance say that their favorites are the main characters, but I think 10 year old Emma is my favorite character in the entire book. Don't get me wrong, I loved Paisley and Wes's love story and I also loved the hilarious animals and Wes's brothers Colt and Jake's interactions with their brother, their niece Emma as well as with Paisley. Overall, this book is packed with Kristy Marie's humor, but with a flourish of her pen name Angelia Faye's clean romance charm of storytelling. I seriously cannot wait to read more from this pen name in the near future.
April 6, 2025
She came to learn and found a family
This is a story of a romance writer that needs help making her stories more believable and a broody rancher with an insurmountable amount of troubles on his shoulders.
Can Wes and Paisley’s growing feelings for each other lead to more or will Wes destroy what they have and push her away?
It’s a sweet story, emotional and funny with a gorgeous little girl, matchmaking townsfolk, some strange ranch animals that get up to all sorts of trouble then add in Wes’s two brothers and you have a lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
I’d love this to become a series and for Jake and Colt to get their very own stories.
This is a story of a romance writer that needs help making her stories more believable and a broody rancher with an insurmountable amount of troubles on his shoulders.
Can Wes and Paisley’s growing feelings for each other lead to more or will Wes destroy what they have and push her away?
It’s a sweet story, emotional and funny with a gorgeous little girl, matchmaking townsfolk, some strange ranch animals that get up to all sorts of trouble then add in Wes’s two brothers and you have a lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
I’d love this to become a series and for Jake and Colt to get their very own stories.
April 10, 2025
I really enjoyed Wes and Paisley’s story. City girl meets grumpy sexy cowboy, along with his niece Emma and two brothers, with amazing farm animals. Paisley, a writer, just can’t seem to get the cowboy way right in her books and is told she is heading to Montana for a real experience, she never expected to find herself, and more. Wes has been struggling to keep the homestead together without losing the legacy his family has built and when Paisley arrives she is more than he thought she’d be and the attraction is palatable. There is so much more to the cowboy life than Paisley could ever have imagined. Will she be able to go back to Manhattan or will the country life pull her to stay? Such a great read, definitely recommend.
April 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. It was entertaining, sweet and good. Paisley is an author that got booked to stay on a ranch to see how real cowboys are because her recent book lacks authenticity. She is smart, straightforward, beautiful and fierce. She is also funny. Paisley found love and family when she least expected . Wes is running his family ranch and taking care of his niece. He is handsome, stubborn, grumpy, and a hardworker. He is at his wits end and having trouble with change. Then he start to develop feelings for the romance writer and fought it. The writing was amazing and flows throughout the book. The diary insert was a great addition. I just wished we had more romance time or more between Wes and Paisley. Great work Angelia Faye!
April 11, 2025
Lost in the Reins is a sweet romance featuring an author from the city and the cowboy rancher she unexpectedly falls for.
Paisley is forced by her publisher to get some real ranch experience with real cowboys in order to try to save her flagging sales. She is definitely a city girl at heart, but agrees to the 3 month writer in residency gig so she doesn't lose her contract. When she meets Wes it doesn't all go well at first but slowly the two of them find common ground and an unexpected connection forms.
I was hooked from the very beginning and the story flowed well with no shortage of swoony moments, too. I really hope we get more from this series!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Paisley is forced by her publisher to get some real ranch experience with real cowboys in order to try to save her flagging sales. She is definitely a city girl at heart, but agrees to the 3 month writer in residency gig so she doesn't lose her contract. When she meets Wes it doesn't all go well at first but slowly the two of them find common ground and an unexpected connection forms.
I was hooked from the very beginning and the story flowed well with no shortage of swoony moments, too. I really hope we get more from this series!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
April 6, 2025
When Kristy Marie announced she was going to be writing clean romance under the pen name Angelia Faye, I was there for it.
Paisley is a romance writer who needs to experience what she writes. Her agent books her to travel to Montana to experience a real life ranch and get immersed in the real life world that she tries to write.
What she doesn't expect is to be so affected by the very grumpy rancher, Wes Montgomery. Somehow against all odds Paisley feels like it's exactly where she's meant to be but Wes continues to push her away.
Will the grumpy, serious rancher come to realize that not all good things get taken away and maybe all he had to do is take a chance.
I loved this cowboy romance greatly and even fell a little in love with a dramatic goose.
"Some things," I say finally, turning back to the griddle, "can't be written into a romance novel." "No," she agrees softly. "Some things have to be lived."
I'm very hopeful that this is the beginning of a series so I can get some more cowboy fix.
Paisley is a romance writer who needs to experience what she writes. Her agent books her to travel to Montana to experience a real life ranch and get immersed in the real life world that she tries to write.
What she doesn't expect is to be so affected by the very grumpy rancher, Wes Montgomery. Somehow against all odds Paisley feels like it's exactly where she's meant to be but Wes continues to push her away.
Will the grumpy, serious rancher come to realize that not all good things get taken away and maybe all he had to do is take a chance.
I loved this cowboy romance greatly and even fell a little in love with a dramatic goose.
"Some things," I say finally, turning back to the griddle, "can't be written into a romance novel." "No," she agrees softly. "Some things have to be lived."
I'm very hopeful that this is the beginning of a series so I can get some more cowboy fix.
April 7, 2025
I loved these characters and the story. Paisley gets herself into the funniest situations, but she keeps her chin up through everything. Wes just needs a big hug or twenty, and his brothers are hilarious. Emma was so sweet and funny, and the animals were crazy. My one complaint is that the characters had the same conversations multiple times as if they had never had them before, especially when Wes is resisting opening up. That slowed things way down unnecessarily. After that, things got back on pace, and a thoroughly unexpected solution appeared with even more humor. I hope that the brothers will be getting stories soon.
April 9, 2025
This clean romance offers up a wonderful combination of emotion, heart, humor and feelings that had no problem brightening my heart and leaving me swooning. What a beautifully moving romance.
April 16, 2025
***4,5 "City Girl VS authenticity!!!" stars***
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"Sometimes the best stories are the ones we're most afraid to write."
And now, you are wondering who the heck is Angelia Faye, right???
It is the pen name of Kristy Marie, an author that I adore reading and her new pen name gave us an incredible debut full of Montana sunrises, broody cowboys and a city girl that is trying to find authenticity in order to deliver her best cowboy romance!!!
Add to that many surprises in the form of a little intelligent girl that has a thing for cats and bubble gum baths, a kleptomaniac goose named Bernard, a dramatic peacock and three cowboys that will make your heart swoon!!!
I loved being inside the authentic life of 'Wispering Pines' ranch and the Montgomerys' clan!!!
"Well, don't expect any grand gestures or dramatic declarations while you're here. We're fresh out of fairy tales."
Paisley is a city girl through and through!!! She adores her Manhattan life with her designer clothes and overprized coffees!!! She is a cowboy romance author, but her life is turning upside down when her publisher is giving her an ultimatum when her last book took a dive on sales and critics!!! She has to go for three months in a ranch in Montana to find the authenticity in the cowboy ways!!!
Paisley is for a rude awakening when she is going to live with Wes Montgomery and his adorable niece!!!
Now, she is struggling to adapt in the country life while Wes is becoming the highlight of her trip!!!
A real cowboy that hasn't meditate with yoga not once in his life!!! LOL!!!
"I'm tired of writing fiction. I want reality. Even if it's messy. Even if it hurts."
Wes Montgomery doesn't want the nuisance of a writer inside his ranch and home, but he needs the money...
The city girl is far away from this world, but she is taking him by surprise many times!!!
This author came for authenticity in his home, but steadily she is taking a place in his house and his heart that he can not afford to give her!!!
He has obligations... A niece that he was to take care and a ranch to save!!!
He can't afford to entangle in something that will lead nowhere!!!
"Maybe some things are wirth fighting for, even if you're not sure you can win."
Wes and Paisley were so perfect for each other, even though they were so oppossite between them!!!
I loved the easy way they were communicated and I loved that Emma was bounding them more together!!!
But this cowboy was very stubborn and this writer might realize that authentic romances have not always a happy ending!!!
"Sometimes you find home in a place you never expected, only to realize that knowing where you belong doesn't mean you get to stay there."
I really loved this story... I laughed so much as always with Kristy's books!!! She has unbelievable sense of humor and her stories are always so effortless!!!
She just made me fall in love with cowboy romances and honestly, I would love to see the rest of the Montgomery brothers to fall in love too!!!
And I really need more of this crazy goose and complicated peacock's antics!!! LOL!!!
"Sometimes the best stories aren't the ones we plan. They're the ones that write themselves, in early morning coffee and bedtime stories, in shared colds and square dances, in all the quiet moments between once upon a time and happily ever after."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
[image error]
"Sometimes the best stories are the ones we're most afraid to write."
And now, you are wondering who the heck is Angelia Faye, right???
It is the pen name of Kristy Marie, an author that I adore reading and her new pen name gave us an incredible debut full of Montana sunrises, broody cowboys and a city girl that is trying to find authenticity in order to deliver her best cowboy romance!!!
Add to that many surprises in the form of a little intelligent girl that has a thing for cats and bubble gum baths, a kleptomaniac goose named Bernard, a dramatic peacock and three cowboys that will make your heart swoon!!!
I loved being inside the authentic life of 'Wispering Pines' ranch and the Montgomerys' clan!!!
"Well, don't expect any grand gestures or dramatic declarations while you're here. We're fresh out of fairy tales."
Paisley is a city girl through and through!!! She adores her Manhattan life with her designer clothes and overprized coffees!!! She is a cowboy romance author, but her life is turning upside down when her publisher is giving her an ultimatum when her last book took a dive on sales and critics!!! She has to go for three months in a ranch in Montana to find the authenticity in the cowboy ways!!!
Paisley is for a rude awakening when she is going to live with Wes Montgomery and his adorable niece!!!
Now, she is struggling to adapt in the country life while Wes is becoming the highlight of her trip!!!
A real cowboy that hasn't meditate with yoga not once in his life!!! LOL!!!
"I'm tired of writing fiction. I want reality. Even if it's messy. Even if it hurts."
Wes Montgomery doesn't want the nuisance of a writer inside his ranch and home, but he needs the money...
The city girl is far away from this world, but she is taking him by surprise many times!!!
This author came for authenticity in his home, but steadily she is taking a place in his house and his heart that he can not afford to give her!!!
He has obligations... A niece that he was to take care and a ranch to save!!!
He can't afford to entangle in something that will lead nowhere!!!
"Maybe some things are wirth fighting for, even if you're not sure you can win."
Wes and Paisley were so perfect for each other, even though they were so oppossite between them!!!
I loved the easy way they were communicated and I loved that Emma was bounding them more together!!!
But this cowboy was very stubborn and this writer might realize that authentic romances have not always a happy ending!!!
"Sometimes you find home in a place you never expected, only to realize that knowing where you belong doesn't mean you get to stay there."
I really loved this story... I laughed so much as always with Kristy's books!!! She has unbelievable sense of humor and her stories are always so effortless!!!
She just made me fall in love with cowboy romances and honestly, I would love to see the rest of the Montgomery brothers to fall in love too!!!
And I really need more of this crazy goose and complicated peacock's antics!!! LOL!!!
"Sometimes the best stories aren't the ones we plan. They're the ones that write themselves, in early morning coffee and bedtime stories, in shared colds and square dances, in all the quiet moments between once upon a time and happily ever after."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
April 10, 2025
Love can show up uninvited!
This is the absolute sweetest story that you can’t help but love! The blurb for this drew me in from the start. A struggling Manhattan romance novelist being sent to a Montana ranch for “authenticity” and clashing with a gruff, emotionally guarded rancher? Sign. Me. Up. This plot did not disappoint either but the characters absolutely stole the show for me. Paisley is clueless but so determined and doesn’t take herself too seriously. I just love her brand of humor. I feel like I can relate to her so well and she made me chuckle so many times. I don’t always like FMCs but I was all in with Paisley from the start. And Wes Montgomery? They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Give me a MMC that is real and who says morning prayers, works hard, raises his niece and reads bedtime stories complete with voices any day. Wes might be a little gruff but he still loves so fiercely and Paisley changed everything for him. Paisley and Wes came across as real people with real scars that I’d love to get to know. While they fell in love over morning coffee, chores, illnesses, square dancing and all the other little moments, I fell right along with them. But wait, there’s more! Throw in the other 2 Montgomery brothers (Colt and Jake)nand awesome little Emma and this is a top notch cast of characters even before you add in a klepto goose and dramatic peacock. I fancy myself a cowgirl (I’m not but I fancy myself as one) so Whispering Pines Ranch in Montana was a very inviting setting for me. I also enjoyed the small-town shenanigans and meddling involving Martha. There are so many things to love about this story but I didn’t love everything. There were a few editing errors, a good bit of repetition, and it was hard to keep up with the timeline of the story. I don’t mean the pacing. The pacing was fine. It was just hard to keep up with how much time had passed between events and how far we were into Paisley’s 3 month stay at Whispering Pines as the story progressed. While these are minor complaints, my biggest complaint is how ridiculously stubborn Wes was being during this story about well… everything. Paisley tried so hard to help Wes in both life and love and he was so resistant to everything. I just wanted to shake him at times. And when the conflict was resolved, Paisley resolved it with no help from Wes. Uh hello… I love you Wes but you seriously owe Paisley a grand gesture or grovel or both. For these reasons, I took off a star even though I adore this story. It’s nice to read a romance that’s clean and wholesome but still offers a heaping dose of love and a satisfying HEA. In the end this is a heartwarming story about letting go of fear, finding your courage and sharing your burdens with those that love you. What could be a happier ending than that?
This is the absolute sweetest story that you can’t help but love! The blurb for this drew me in from the start. A struggling Manhattan romance novelist being sent to a Montana ranch for “authenticity” and clashing with a gruff, emotionally guarded rancher? Sign. Me. Up. This plot did not disappoint either but the characters absolutely stole the show for me. Paisley is clueless but so determined and doesn’t take herself too seriously. I just love her brand of humor. I feel like I can relate to her so well and she made me chuckle so many times. I don’t always like FMCs but I was all in with Paisley from the start. And Wes Montgomery? They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Give me a MMC that is real and who says morning prayers, works hard, raises his niece and reads bedtime stories complete with voices any day. Wes might be a little gruff but he still loves so fiercely and Paisley changed everything for him. Paisley and Wes came across as real people with real scars that I’d love to get to know. While they fell in love over morning coffee, chores, illnesses, square dancing and all the other little moments, I fell right along with them. But wait, there’s more! Throw in the other 2 Montgomery brothers (Colt and Jake)nand awesome little Emma and this is a top notch cast of characters even before you add in a klepto goose and dramatic peacock. I fancy myself a cowgirl (I’m not but I fancy myself as one) so Whispering Pines Ranch in Montana was a very inviting setting for me. I also enjoyed the small-town shenanigans and meddling involving Martha. There are so many things to love about this story but I didn’t love everything. There were a few editing errors, a good bit of repetition, and it was hard to keep up with the timeline of the story. I don’t mean the pacing. The pacing was fine. It was just hard to keep up with how much time had passed between events and how far we were into Paisley’s 3 month stay at Whispering Pines as the story progressed. While these are minor complaints, my biggest complaint is how ridiculously stubborn Wes was being during this story about well… everything. Paisley tried so hard to help Wes in both life and love and he was so resistant to everything. I just wanted to shake him at times. And when the conflict was resolved, Paisley resolved it with no help from Wes. Uh hello… I love you Wes but you seriously owe Paisley a grand gesture or grovel or both. For these reasons, I took off a star even though I adore this story. It’s nice to read a romance that’s clean and wholesome but still offers a heaping dose of love and a satisfying HEA. In the end this is a heartwarming story about letting go of fear, finding your courage and sharing your burdens with those that love you. What could be a happier ending than that?
April 9, 2025
*Sometimes the best stories aren't the ones we plan. They're the ones that write themselves, in early morning coffee and bedtime stories, in shared colds and square dances, in all the quiet moments between once upon a time and happily ever after. And maybe, just maybe, this is only the beginning of ours.*
Paisley goes to Montana to find.....authenticity. And this is what Lost in the reins reeeks of. Authenticty. Within the 1st few chapters there's rats, cats, manure and complicated peacocks. And they all scare the hell out of Paisley. It's realistic, endearing and extremely well written. No multi sylible words were used that make you feel inadequate. It's lightheared in the best of ways, yet at the same time both complex and doesn't shy away from the heavy subjects like dealing with loss and moving on. Also includes a stubborn, brooding MC. It's almost too heavy to be a romance because you don't expect a romance novel to be this deep. Yet that's precisly what makes it a perfect. And the feelings. Oh the feeligs. Why the hell am I crying half the time. And why did I underline half of this book!!!! I need it to stop hurting while I read this thing. This book hits all the buttons. Emptionaly speaking. In a good way. I think. Mostly. Right now this is the best book I've read this year. And I'm not even finished yet. I'm only about 60% in and I'm almost scared to think what this book will do to me before it's done.
It is finished. It was a whirlwind. The good kind. And I'm a wreck. Emotionally speaking. I expected good, but I wasn't preppared for this good. Kristy Marie writes under a pen name of Angelina Faye and her writing has never been this good. Deffo the best book I read this year.
*I've written what I know now—how a family builds itself from broken pieces and stubborn hope. How love sometimes looks like a gruff cowboy reading bedtime stories with all the voices, even when he's exhausted. How home isn't always where you planned to find it, but somehow finds you anyway.*
Paisley goes to Montana to find.....authenticity. And this is what Lost in the reins reeeks of. Authenticty. Within the 1st few chapters there's rats, cats, manure and complicated peacocks. And they all scare the hell out of Paisley. It's realistic, endearing and extremely well written. No multi sylible words were used that make you feel inadequate. It's lightheared in the best of ways, yet at the same time both complex and doesn't shy away from the heavy subjects like dealing with loss and moving on. Also includes a stubborn, brooding MC. It's almost too heavy to be a romance because you don't expect a romance novel to be this deep. Yet that's precisly what makes it a perfect. And the feelings. Oh the feeligs. Why the hell am I crying half the time. And why did I underline half of this book!!!! I need it to stop hurting while I read this thing. This book hits all the buttons. Emptionaly speaking. In a good way. I think. Mostly. Right now this is the best book I've read this year. And I'm not even finished yet. I'm only about 60% in and I'm almost scared to think what this book will do to me before it's done.
It is finished. It was a whirlwind. The good kind. And I'm a wreck. Emotionally speaking. I expected good, but I wasn't preppared for this good. Kristy Marie writes under a pen name of Angelina Faye and her writing has never been this good. Deffo the best book I read this year.
*I've written what I know now—how a family builds itself from broken pieces and stubborn hope. How love sometimes looks like a gruff cowboy reading bedtime stories with all the voices, even when he's exhausted. How home isn't always where you planned to find it, but somehow finds you anyway.*
April 11, 2025
As I sat down to gather my thoughts for this review, I realized my original 3-star rating didn’t feel quite right. This one deserves 4 stars. I'm a romance reader who loves all the subgenres, and I've read my fair share of cowboy ranch romances. What really stood out to me in Lost in the Reins was the theme of authenticity.
The story follows Paisley, a romance author from New York City whose book sales are slipping. Her editor suggests she needs more authenticity in her writing—and what better way to get that than by living on a Montana ranch for three months? Enter Wes, the cowboy rancher who’s literally carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He sees Paisley's stay as a way to earn some much-needed money for the family’s struggling ranch.
Wes is your classic cowboy romance hero—handsome, brooding, emotionally closed off, but deep down, a really good guy. He runs the ranch with his brothers, and they’re still reeling from the traumatic loss of their older sister, who was the glue that held them all together. Now they’re raising her daughter, Emma, and trying to keep the ranch afloat.
I loved how completely out of her element Paisley was when she arrived. But I also appreciated how she, as a writer, recognized where her work was lacking that genuine feel. Honestly, I’ve had the same thoughts—wondering how a cowboy actually smells after a long day or how they manage to take care of everything without looking completely wiped out.
The plot is cute and a little predictable in that comforting way, but the supporting characters, the vivid ranch imagery, and yes, the barn animals, all made the story even better. It's a clean romance, and even without the spice, I really enjoyed it.
The story follows Paisley, a romance author from New York City whose book sales are slipping. Her editor suggests she needs more authenticity in her writing—and what better way to get that than by living on a Montana ranch for three months? Enter Wes, the cowboy rancher who’s literally carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He sees Paisley's stay as a way to earn some much-needed money for the family’s struggling ranch.
Wes is your classic cowboy romance hero—handsome, brooding, emotionally closed off, but deep down, a really good guy. He runs the ranch with his brothers, and they’re still reeling from the traumatic loss of their older sister, who was the glue that held them all together. Now they’re raising her daughter, Emma, and trying to keep the ranch afloat.
I loved how completely out of her element Paisley was when she arrived. But I also appreciated how she, as a writer, recognized where her work was lacking that genuine feel. Honestly, I’ve had the same thoughts—wondering how a cowboy actually smells after a long day or how they manage to take care of everything without looking completely wiped out.
The plot is cute and a little predictable in that comforting way, but the supporting characters, the vivid ranch imagery, and yes, the barn animals, all made the story even better. It's a clean romance, and even without the spice, I really enjoyed it.
April 9, 2025
This cowboy romance was sweet and funny! I really enjoyed this one from this author.
Lost In The Reins is a cowboy romance full of fun, emotion and crazy farm animals. I really enjoyed this read. I thought the banter was very fitting for these characters. Wes absolutely fit the broody cowboy description. Paisley is just so full of life. Angelia Faye writes spunky, loveable characters with a really touching story. I’d say this is definitely a hallmark vibes type of read.
I wanted to give this a five star review, however to me it felt repetitive in some places. This is still a really enjoyable read. I still thought it was really good and will continue to read more from this author! I definitely recommend it for anyone.
Lost In The Reins is a cowboy romance full of fun, emotion and crazy farm animals. I really enjoyed this read. I thought the banter was very fitting for these characters. Wes absolutely fit the broody cowboy description. Paisley is just so full of life. Angelia Faye writes spunky, loveable characters with a really touching story. I’d say this is definitely a hallmark vibes type of read.
I wanted to give this a five star review, however to me it felt repetitive in some places. This is still a really enjoyable read. I still thought it was really good and will continue to read more from this author! I definitely recommend it for anyone.
April 12, 2025
Paisley and Wes.
I have read and loved every book Kristy Marie has written. This is her first under a different name and different from what she normally writes and I love it. I found this to be cute, funny and sweet. I think it was well-written and entertaining. Wes the brooding cowboy afraid of changes. Paisley the city romance writer staying at the ranch to learn what it's real like. This really was a beautiful slow clean romance that kept me interested and invested from the start. I love small town romances from the two main characters, to the towns people, Wes's brothers who I hope are going to get their own story, Wes's adorable niece who he is taking care of and then add the unique barn animals rescued cats that have their own personalities to a klepto goose to a dramatic peacock. I hope maybe one day it will be turned into a movie because I can see me enjoy watching this.
I received a copy and read it through BookFunnel.
I have read and loved every book Kristy Marie has written. This is her first under a different name and different from what she normally writes and I love it. I found this to be cute, funny and sweet. I think it was well-written and entertaining. Wes the brooding cowboy afraid of changes. Paisley the city romance writer staying at the ranch to learn what it's real like. This really was a beautiful slow clean romance that kept me interested and invested from the start. I love small town romances from the two main characters, to the towns people, Wes's brothers who I hope are going to get their own story, Wes's adorable niece who he is taking care of and then add the unique barn animals rescued cats that have their own personalities to a klepto goose to a dramatic peacock. I hope maybe one day it will be turned into a movie because I can see me enjoy watching this.
I received a copy and read it through BookFunnel.
April 7, 2025
I enjoyed Lost in the Reins. I liked the main characters, secondary characters and the animals and ranch life in general. Paisley was such a great character i loved her outlook on things. She was always willing to try and see the good in every situation even when it was tough. She had so much determination and grit but was also so compassionate and kind. Wes was also great, whilst he was a grump you could also tell the life was just weighing him down and he couldn’t find the silver linings and happiness by himself, he needed a little help with that. I adored the secondary characters, the banter of Jake and Colt, Emma was just an absolute delight. Everything about her i just loved. It was a very good read.
April 26, 2025
(ελληνική κριτική και βλέννα μετά την αγγλική)
A textbook case, really, of how one might assemble every conceivable cliché of the romantic genre without, heaven forbid, bringing a single original thought to the table. The plot is so blindingly predictable one suspects the ending could be divined simply by scanning the ISBN.
As for the characters — well, “shallow” doesn’t quite cover it. They are less archetypes and more... caricatures drawn by an AI suffering from both existential ennui and a tragically undertrained dataset. The “bad boy with a heart of gold” and the “city girl discovering the rustic life” are rendered with all the nuance of a wet paper towel.
Faye’s prose aspires, one assumes, to something “lyrical” and “emotionally evocative” — and yet the effect is rather akin to being trapped in a particularly verbose Pinterest board. The metaphors are so exhaustingly overwrought, one finds oneself rolling one’s eyes with such force that, for a moment, you half expect to spot your own cerebellum.
And the dialogue — my word. One gets the distinct impression it was written during a caffeine crash, possibly with oven mitts on.
Lost in the Reins is not merely bad. That would almost be charming. It is tediously, achingly uninspired — so much so that even the supermarket romances (you know, the ones shelved next to the bleach and the bargain-bin floor mops) begin to resemble the lost works of Austen by comparison.
Kλασικό παράδειγμα του πώς μπορείς να έχεις όλα τα κλισέ του ρομαντικού είδους χωρίς να “φέρνεις τίποτα καινούριο στο τραπέζι”. Η πλοκή είναι τόσο προβλέψιμη που μπορείς να μαντέψεις το τέλος διαβάζοντας το ISBN του βιβλίου. Οι χαρακτήρες δεν είναι απλά ρηχοί, είναι ντροπή ακόμη και για τα κλισέ του είδους: το "κακό παιδί με την καλή καρδιά" και το "κορίτσι της πόλης που ανακαλύπτει τη φύση", γραμμένοι χωρίς ίχνος βάθους ή αληθινής προσωπικότητας, σαν από βαριεστημένη ΑΙ με ανεπαρκές feed.
Η γραφή της Faye προσπαθεί να είναι "ποιητική" και "γεμάτη συναίσθημα" (LOL), αλλά το μόνο που καταφέρνει είναι να κουράζει με φλύαρες περιγραφές και κλισέ μεταφορές που προκαλούν τόσο έντονο eyeroll ώστε κάποια στιγμή θα βρεθείς να κοιτάς τον ίδιο σου τον εγκέφαλο. Και, σίγουρα οι (σχεδόν σκόπιμα) κακογραμμένοι διάλογοι ΔΕΝ βελτιώνουν την κατάσταση.
Το «Lost in the Reins» δεν είναι απλά κακό — είναι βαρετό, ανιαρό και τόσο ανέμπνευστο, που κάνει ακόμα και τα «ρομάτζα του σουπερμάρκετ» (ξέρετε, αυτά που βάζουν ο Ψυχογιός και ο Διόπτρα δίπλα στα απορρυπαντικά και τις σφουγγαρίστρες) να μοιάζουν με λογοτεχνικά αριστουργήματα.
A textbook case, really, of how one might assemble every conceivable cliché of the romantic genre without, heaven forbid, bringing a single original thought to the table. The plot is so blindingly predictable one suspects the ending could be divined simply by scanning the ISBN.
As for the characters — well, “shallow” doesn’t quite cover it. They are less archetypes and more... caricatures drawn by an AI suffering from both existential ennui and a tragically undertrained dataset. The “bad boy with a heart of gold” and the “city girl discovering the rustic life” are rendered with all the nuance of a wet paper towel.
Faye’s prose aspires, one assumes, to something “lyrical” and “emotionally evocative” — and yet the effect is rather akin to being trapped in a particularly verbose Pinterest board. The metaphors are so exhaustingly overwrought, one finds oneself rolling one’s eyes with such force that, for a moment, you half expect to spot your own cerebellum.
And the dialogue — my word. One gets the distinct impression it was written during a caffeine crash, possibly with oven mitts on.
Lost in the Reins is not merely bad. That would almost be charming. It is tediously, achingly uninspired — so much so that even the supermarket romances (you know, the ones shelved next to the bleach and the bargain-bin floor mops) begin to resemble the lost works of Austen by comparison.
Kλασικό παράδειγμα του πώς μπορείς να έχεις όλα τα κλισέ του ρομαντικού είδους χωρίς να “φέρνεις τίποτα καινούριο στο τραπέζι”. Η πλοκή είναι τόσο προβλέψιμη που μπορείς να μαντέψεις το τέλος διαβάζοντας το ISBN του βιβλίου. Οι χαρακτήρες δεν είναι απλά ρηχοί, είναι ντροπή ακόμη και για τα κλισέ του είδους: το "κακό παιδί με την καλή καρδιά" και το "κορίτσι της πόλης που ανακαλύπτει τη φύση", γραμμένοι χωρίς ίχνος βάθους ή αληθινής προσωπικότητας, σαν από βαριεστημένη ΑΙ με ανεπαρκές feed.
Η γραφή της Faye προσπαθεί να είναι "ποιητική" και "γεμάτη συναίσθημα" (LOL), αλλά το μόνο που καταφέρνει είναι να κουράζει με φλύαρες περιγραφές και κλισέ μεταφορές που προκαλούν τόσο έντονο eyeroll ώστε κάποια στιγμή θα βρεθείς να κοιτάς τον ίδιο σου τον εγκέφαλο. Και, σίγουρα οι (σχεδόν σκόπιμα) κακογραμμένοι διάλογοι ΔΕΝ βελτιώνουν την κατάσταση.
Το «Lost in the Reins» δεν είναι απλά κακό — είναι βαρετό, ανιαρό και τόσο ανέμπνευστο, που κάνει ακόμα και τα «ρομάτζα του σουπερμάρκετ» (ξέρετε, αυτά που βάζουν ο Ψυχογιός και ο Διόπτρα δίπλα στα απορρυπαντικά και τις σφουγγαρίστρες) να μοιάζουν με λογοτεχνικά αριστουργήματα.
May 13, 2025
3.5 STARS
Who says a romance author can't write her own romance…
Romance author Paisley Monroe has made a living off of writing about swoony cowboys even though she's never set foot in rural America. After a series of bad reviews about her newest book, Paige's agents tells her she needs to experience authentic ranch life or find something else to write about. Enter Whispering Pines Ranch and Wes Montgomery. Welcoming a city slicker onto the ranch for three months wasn't part of Wes' plans, but with the prospect of losing the ranch, they need all the tourism help they can get. Between keeping ahold of their family's legacy and raising his niece, showing a city girl ranch life if the last thing he wants to do, but despite her designer appearance, she's more than willing to get her hands dirty and get involved, even when she literally ends up covered in muck. Paisley slots into the Montgomery's world more easily than Wes would have imagined, and she's even ready to help save the ranch. But Wes has given up on believing in happy endings, and with Paisley only on the ranch for three months, he's not holding out hope of a happily ever after.
Fully embracing my yeehaw era because I'm a sucker for a swoony cowboy, and Angelia certainly delivered on that front with this small town debut (Kristy Marie writing under a penname to differentiate from her other romance work). There's the moody cowboy, the fish-out-of-water city girl, the cute-as-a-button child being raised by her uncles, the fun brothers of the moody cowboy throwing in the laughs, and some kooky farm animals - a tried-and-true recipe for an enjoyable small town read.
Wes and Paisley had such a sweet relationship, with everything to love about the opposites attract and city-meets-country tropes. There's the instant mild dislike for one another, based on the assumptions of two unlikely people thrown together, which quickly moves into mutual attraction as they so easily slot into each other's lives. I wasn't expecting it be a clean romance (because I literally read nothing about the book before I dived in), so while I was initially bummed that we weren't building to a bit of spice, there were so many sweet and swoony moments the build Paisley and Wes' relationship up as the book progressed.
Outside of the romance, the Montgomery family have such a fun dynamic, a dynamic that Paisley fits into so perfectly. Emma is the sweetest child and develops a beautiful connection with Paisley (although at times she feels like she's written slightly older than is implied). Meanwhile Wes's brothers Colt and Jake had so much fun banter, and I'm kind of hoping Angelia will revisit the world of Whispering Pines Ranch to give both of them their own romances. And we can't forget that absolutely ridiculous cast of kooky and diva animal characters that add a whole new layer of fun and small town charm.
At times, I felt like Angelia was a bit too repetitive - it could almost become a drinking game the number of times Paisley or Wes referred to her time on the ranch as being an authentic ranch experience. Like, we get it, she's a writer trying to get some hands-on experience. We don't need the reminder ever other chapter. As the book progressed, it really pulled me out of the story every time this 'authentic experience' was mentioned. And Wes' constant surprise at someone speaking so candidly about Emma's mother Sarah also became quiet repetitive, especially when all of the characters were so open about their late sister, so it really shouldn't have been a surprise to any of them that they were okay about talking about her.
For all my small town romance girlies looking to ride a cowboy to save a horse, you definitely want to take a romp to Montana and Whispering Pines Ranch. Now, where can a romance reader get some hands-on, authentic ranch experiences…
Who says a romance author can't write her own romance…
Romance author Paisley Monroe has made a living off of writing about swoony cowboys even though she's never set foot in rural America. After a series of bad reviews about her newest book, Paige's agents tells her she needs to experience authentic ranch life or find something else to write about. Enter Whispering Pines Ranch and Wes Montgomery. Welcoming a city slicker onto the ranch for three months wasn't part of Wes' plans, but with the prospect of losing the ranch, they need all the tourism help they can get. Between keeping ahold of their family's legacy and raising his niece, showing a city girl ranch life if the last thing he wants to do, but despite her designer appearance, she's more than willing to get her hands dirty and get involved, even when she literally ends up covered in muck. Paisley slots into the Montgomery's world more easily than Wes would have imagined, and she's even ready to help save the ranch. But Wes has given up on believing in happy endings, and with Paisley only on the ranch for three months, he's not holding out hope of a happily ever after.
Fully embracing my yeehaw era because I'm a sucker for a swoony cowboy, and Angelia certainly delivered on that front with this small town debut (Kristy Marie writing under a penname to differentiate from her other romance work). There's the moody cowboy, the fish-out-of-water city girl, the cute-as-a-button child being raised by her uncles, the fun brothers of the moody cowboy throwing in the laughs, and some kooky farm animals - a tried-and-true recipe for an enjoyable small town read.
Wes and Paisley had such a sweet relationship, with everything to love about the opposites attract and city-meets-country tropes. There's the instant mild dislike for one another, based on the assumptions of two unlikely people thrown together, which quickly moves into mutual attraction as they so easily slot into each other's lives. I wasn't expecting it be a clean romance (because I literally read nothing about the book before I dived in), so while I was initially bummed that we weren't building to a bit of spice, there were so many sweet and swoony moments the build Paisley and Wes' relationship up as the book progressed.
Outside of the romance, the Montgomery family have such a fun dynamic, a dynamic that Paisley fits into so perfectly. Emma is the sweetest child and develops a beautiful connection with Paisley (although at times she feels like she's written slightly older than is implied). Meanwhile Wes's brothers Colt and Jake had so much fun banter, and I'm kind of hoping Angelia will revisit the world of Whispering Pines Ranch to give both of them their own romances. And we can't forget that absolutely ridiculous cast of kooky and diva animal characters that add a whole new layer of fun and small town charm.
At times, I felt like Angelia was a bit too repetitive - it could almost become a drinking game the number of times Paisley or Wes referred to her time on the ranch as being an authentic ranch experience. Like, we get it, she's a writer trying to get some hands-on experience. We don't need the reminder ever other chapter. As the book progressed, it really pulled me out of the story every time this 'authentic experience' was mentioned. And Wes' constant surprise at someone speaking so candidly about Emma's mother Sarah also became quiet repetitive, especially when all of the characters were so open about their late sister, so it really shouldn't have been a surprise to any of them that they were okay about talking about her.
For all my small town romance girlies looking to ride a cowboy to save a horse, you definitely want to take a romp to Montana and Whispering Pines Ranch. Now, where can a romance reader get some hands-on, authentic ranch experiences…
April 9, 2025
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a cowboy romance. Other cowboy romances began to feel the same and had lost their swooniness. This was said to be true until I got my hands on Ms. Faye’s debut. She takes some of this stale cowboy writing, addresses it, and makes it her own authentic read.
Paisley and Wes are two mismatched individuals who begin to acclimate to each other's temperament, quirks, and personalities. Wes is a stoic cowboy/farmer who has the world on his shoulders. He is trying to figure out how to turn a profit on his centuries-old ranch while being a legal guardian to his 10-year-old niece.
There are other secondary characters that just make this story jump off the page and make this small town in Montana sing. Wes has two brothers, Jake and Colt, who assist him on the ranch. They bring levity to Wes and his broodiness.
Lost in the Reins is a debut novel that I 100% recommend! Kudos Angelia!
Coming April 10th
April 7, 2025
3.5 stars Nice start to this series
This is Kristy Marie's first book as Angelia Faye and my first cowboy romance. This book is very different from Kristy's other books. It is a closed door type of romance which was well written and heartwarming, with funny banter, loveable characters and lots of quirky animals.
Paisley is a romance writer who needs to bring some authenticity to her cowboy heroes, so her agent decides to send her to the Montgomery farm for her to gain real experience. At the farm, she encounters the stoic Wes Montgomery who is struggling, unbeknownst to his brothers, to keep their farm afloat, manage the lost of their sister all while taking care of his niece.
I loved Paisley, she welcomed this new experience graciously with an open mind and lots of gusto. She was a ray of sunshine for all the Montgomerys. She went from a pampered city girl to a woman who put the work in. Paisley shockingly found herself loving the farm, the family and the grumpy cowboy. She also her home and found family through this experience.
Wes, in spite of his grumpiness and closed off attitude definitely had a tender heart especially with his niece. I loved how caring he was towards his family and how patient he was with Paisley. His avoidance and stubbornness in admitting his feelings and asking for help was very frustrating.
This book mainly focused on the emotional connection between Paisley and Wes, so aside from a couple of kisses there was no spicy scenes. This was fine with me however, I wanted more connection betwern them and even though their chemistry was evident, it was not palpable. I wanted more heart fluttering moments, and more swoon, I mean there were moments but it was few and far between.
Ms. Faye did bring the laugh out loud moments with the hilarious animal antics, banter between the brothers and the nosey but sweet towns folk. Also, Emma was very delightful and loveable, I enjoyed her spunk and sass.
Although I found the book unnecessarily long, with some repetitive inner monologues, I did enjoy the book and would read more from this author.
This is Kristy Marie's first book as Angelia Faye and my first cowboy romance. This book is very different from Kristy's other books. It is a closed door type of romance which was well written and heartwarming, with funny banter, loveable characters and lots of quirky animals.
Paisley is a romance writer who needs to bring some authenticity to her cowboy heroes, so her agent decides to send her to the Montgomery farm for her to gain real experience. At the farm, she encounters the stoic Wes Montgomery who is struggling, unbeknownst to his brothers, to keep their farm afloat, manage the lost of their sister all while taking care of his niece.
I loved Paisley, she welcomed this new experience graciously with an open mind and lots of gusto. She was a ray of sunshine for all the Montgomerys. She went from a pampered city girl to a woman who put the work in. Paisley shockingly found herself loving the farm, the family and the grumpy cowboy. She also her home and found family through this experience.
Wes, in spite of his grumpiness and closed off attitude definitely had a tender heart especially with his niece. I loved how caring he was towards his family and how patient he was with Paisley. His avoidance and stubbornness in admitting his feelings and asking for help was very frustrating.
This book mainly focused on the emotional connection between Paisley and Wes, so aside from a couple of kisses there was no spicy scenes. This was fine with me however, I wanted more connection betwern them and even though their chemistry was evident, it was not palpable. I wanted more heart fluttering moments, and more swoon, I mean there were moments but it was few and far between.
Ms. Faye did bring the laugh out loud moments with the hilarious animal antics, banter between the brothers and the nosey but sweet towns folk. Also, Emma was very delightful and loveable, I enjoyed her spunk and sass.
Although I found the book unnecessarily long, with some repetitive inner monologues, I did enjoy the book and would read more from this author.
April 10, 2025
This is such a beautifully written story full of heartfelt moments, witty banter, angst, found family, and real ups and downs of life. It gives you hope and genuine peace as you read it. A definite must read!!
I honestly can't believe I'm saying this but I absolutely loved this book with its unique and quirky characters and zero spice. I know I'm a huge OTT spicy smut lover at heart but this book just really brought such a fun and sweet vibe with real life struggles that show character growth as the story unfolds.
If you want a story that will have you laughing at a struggling NYC cowboy romance writer who needs to really bring authenticity to her ranchers then Paisley will be a fast favorite for sure. She might be a city girl but her determination makes her the perfect addition to this close knit family of struggling ranchers. She becomes a missing piece that this family desperately needs. She is witty, sweet, fun, and determined so she rounds out the Montgomery's perfectly.
Wes is the rugged broody rancher Paisley failed to write in her romances. But now that she's met the real deal it's more of a can her heart and feelings stay locked up for the three months while she learns how to add the authenticity to her characters that were lacking from this grumpy but absolutely lovable man. Wes is such a proud hard working man who has a world of responsibilities weighing down on his shoulders but although he is stubborn and fearful about not doing everything right, he eventually gets the courage to let Paisley in and offer the much needed help he's been looking for answers to. The push-pull they have is equal amounts of swoon-worthy to frustrating at times but it just gives you that real feeling of how messy life is at times.
So if you want to escape from the craziness of the world and get lost in a heartfelt but relatable cowboy romance I highly recommend this one. It's a fun sweet read with a 5-star HEA!
Overall: 5/☆☆☆☆☆
Spice: sweet heartfelt chemistry
I honestly can't believe I'm saying this but I absolutely loved this book with its unique and quirky characters and zero spice. I know I'm a huge OTT spicy smut lover at heart but this book just really brought such a fun and sweet vibe with real life struggles that show character growth as the story unfolds.
If you want a story that will have you laughing at a struggling NYC cowboy romance writer who needs to really bring authenticity to her ranchers then Paisley will be a fast favorite for sure. She might be a city girl but her determination makes her the perfect addition to this close knit family of struggling ranchers. She becomes a missing piece that this family desperately needs. She is witty, sweet, fun, and determined so she rounds out the Montgomery's perfectly.
Wes is the rugged broody rancher Paisley failed to write in her romances. But now that she's met the real deal it's more of a can her heart and feelings stay locked up for the three months while she learns how to add the authenticity to her characters that were lacking from this grumpy but absolutely lovable man. Wes is such a proud hard working man who has a world of responsibilities weighing down on his shoulders but although he is stubborn and fearful about not doing everything right, he eventually gets the courage to let Paisley in and offer the much needed help he's been looking for answers to. The push-pull they have is equal amounts of swoon-worthy to frustrating at times but it just gives you that real feeling of how messy life is at times.
So if you want to escape from the craziness of the world and get lost in a heartfelt but relatable cowboy romance I highly recommend this one. It's a fun sweet read with a 5-star HEA!
Overall: 5/☆☆☆☆☆
Spice: sweet heartfelt chemistry
April 10, 2025
Lost in the Reins is a debut novel by Angelia Faye.
Paisley has written cowboys for years, but she never understood them. She’s tasked with going to work on a ranch. She’s looking for authenticity to elevate her novels that have been getting poor reviews as of late.
Whispering Pines is set in Montana, and no amount of Yellowstone has prepared Paisley.
Wes and his brothers are struggling to keep the ranch afloat after the death of their sister, Sarah, and her husband. Wes has stepped up and adopted his niece, Emma, as well. Wes is stubborn, brooding, and everything you’d expect from a typical rancher who is carrying his family’s dynasty on his shoulders.
Newly pen-named, the author warned this book was not going to be like anything she’s written and published before. She delivered on that promise. This book is more faith-driven and not smutty. If you are under the misconception that it’s a slow burn and smut will appear later, I would not recommend it. This is more of the wholesome stuff.
The nitpick: there are several instances of this book repeating itself. From the way each character smells, the way they talk in circles, and it feels as if I’m reading the same stuff, yet on a different page. Parts were so repetitive that I was getting annoyed. The smell— I get it, Paisley smells of Emma’s cotton candy soap and something that’s uniquely her (four chapters with that line, word for word). Then Sarah is mentioned a lot, but each time, that’s a small explanation of how it may hurt the person talking about her. A lot of drama from the goose and peacock (that’s not so bad, but they were explained every time that they’re dramatic and/ or judgmental). The story is about authentic experiences, and it drives that point home with how often it is the topic of discussion.
The book as a whole is not bad. It sets scenes well, has multiple side characters, gives you insight into the community, and has that heartwarming feel.
Paisley has written cowboys for years, but she never understood them. She’s tasked with going to work on a ranch. She’s looking for authenticity to elevate her novels that have been getting poor reviews as of late.
Whispering Pines is set in Montana, and no amount of Yellowstone has prepared Paisley.
Wes and his brothers are struggling to keep the ranch afloat after the death of their sister, Sarah, and her husband. Wes has stepped up and adopted his niece, Emma, as well. Wes is stubborn, brooding, and everything you’d expect from a typical rancher who is carrying his family’s dynasty on his shoulders.
Newly pen-named, the author warned this book was not going to be like anything she’s written and published before. She delivered on that promise. This book is more faith-driven and not smutty. If you are under the misconception that it’s a slow burn and smut will appear later, I would not recommend it. This is more of the wholesome stuff.
The nitpick: there are several instances of this book repeating itself. From the way each character smells, the way they talk in circles, and it feels as if I’m reading the same stuff, yet on a different page. Parts were so repetitive that I was getting annoyed. The smell— I get it, Paisley smells of Emma’s cotton candy soap and something that’s uniquely her (four chapters with that line, word for word). Then Sarah is mentioned a lot, but each time, that’s a small explanation of how it may hurt the person talking about her. A lot of drama from the goose and peacock (that’s not so bad, but they were explained every time that they’re dramatic and/ or judgmental). The story is about authentic experiences, and it drives that point home with how often it is the topic of discussion.
The book as a whole is not bad. It sets scenes well, has multiple side characters, gives you insight into the community, and has that heartwarming feel.
April 10, 2025
Overall: 5
First my usual points:
- I do not do spoilers unless warned.
- If you’re looking at books, I assume you can read - read the summary above; it will tell you what the book is about. I will not reiterate.
Book:
POV/narrative: 1st person alternating
SA/ cliffhanger: Standalone (as far as I know)
Ingredients:
writing quality: 5
ease of reading: 5
plot: 4
steam: 1
Notes / opinion:
This will not be the last book for me by this author; I’ll be looking forward to more! The thing I loved most: real characters with real problems that were entertaining and endearing. No outrageous drama in the development of the relationship but a careful, building of two imperfect people who ultimately want the same thing: love, contentment, family and support when needed. Wes and Paisley are opposites at first glance but a wonderful connection grows between them that is not solely based upon attraction. It's a beautiful story of growth, connection and finding one's place. I love it and would recommend.
I rate this book as “Mild” to include:– (Note: rating description modified slightly and borrowed from another site)
• No swearing or use of deity as a swear word (dang, darn, and other substitutes okay)
May contain mild humor appropriate for preteens and up
No sex, or talking about having sex (there is 1 mention of the heroine describing the hero as 'sexy' when seeing him for the first time. No other mention of sex/sexy.)
May contain mild kissing (at the last 1/4 of the book when the main characters have made their intention/feelings clear)
May contain brief violence or bullying (non-sexual)(Main male character warns main female character that another male character 'is not for her'.
No drug, alcohol, or tobacco use by any character (that I recall)
First my usual points:
- I do not do spoilers unless warned.
- If you’re looking at books, I assume you can read - read the summary above; it will tell you what the book is about. I will not reiterate.
Book:
POV/narrative: 1st person alternating
SA/ cliffhanger: Standalone (as far as I know)
Ingredients:
writing quality: 5
ease of reading: 5
plot: 4
steam: 1
Notes / opinion:
This will not be the last book for me by this author; I’ll be looking forward to more! The thing I loved most: real characters with real problems that were entertaining and endearing. No outrageous drama in the development of the relationship but a careful, building of two imperfect people who ultimately want the same thing: love, contentment, family and support when needed. Wes and Paisley are opposites at first glance but a wonderful connection grows between them that is not solely based upon attraction. It's a beautiful story of growth, connection and finding one's place. I love it and would recommend.
I rate this book as “Mild” to include:– (Note: rating description modified slightly and borrowed from another site)
• No swearing or use of deity as a swear word (dang, darn, and other substitutes okay)
May contain mild humor appropriate for preteens and up
No sex, or talking about having sex (there is 1 mention of the heroine describing the hero as 'sexy' when seeing him for the first time. No other mention of sex/sexy.)
May contain mild kissing (at the last 1/4 of the book when the main characters have made their intention/feelings clear)
May contain brief violence or bullying (non-sexual)(Main male character warns main female character that another male character 'is not for her'.
No drug, alcohol, or tobacco use by any character (that I recall)
April 23, 2025
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
discussions of the loss of loved ones
Paisley has made a living off of writing about fake cowboys, without ever really understanding real ones. Which is how she ends up living and working on a farm for 3 months! It’s a job, get in, get out, write new books. That is NOT what happens! I mean…it does, just now how Paisley was planning! Wes Montgomery flips her world upside, just like she does his! That city girl came into his life at exactly the right moment. For him, for the farm, for his family. Paisley’s determination brings a breath of fresh air into his life. I spent plenty of time thinking “just let her in you stubborn mule!”, and I loved every second of it. Honestly, if you love cowboy romances, this is a perfect fit! It’s kind of like an inside look into the genre/tropes and the MMCs we love the most! I wasn’t even a full quarter of the way in, and I was looking forward to more time with each of these characters! Each of them were a perfect addition to the book! Even (especially) the animals!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I'm not trying to carry his load. I just... I want to walk beside him while he carries it."
• “Some things matter too much to risk losing." "And some things are worth the risk."
• “I’m not asking for guarantees. Just...don’t shut me out.”
• “Let's have one perfect moment before reality crashes back in."
• “I want reality. Even if it's messy. Even if it hurts."
• “This is me finally being smart enough to know what matters."
• “Because I love you.”
5/10 Forced Proximity
4/10 Friends to Lovers
8/10 “Single Parent”/Guardian
4/10 Second Chance
4/10 Slow Burn
5/10 Workplace-ish
Trigger Warnings include:
discussions of the loss of loved ones
Paisley has made a living off of writing about fake cowboys, without ever really understanding real ones. Which is how she ends up living and working on a farm for 3 months! It’s a job, get in, get out, write new books. That is NOT what happens! I mean…it does, just now how Paisley was planning! Wes Montgomery flips her world upside, just like she does his! That city girl came into his life at exactly the right moment. For him, for the farm, for his family. Paisley’s determination brings a breath of fresh air into his life. I spent plenty of time thinking “just let her in you stubborn mule!”, and I loved every second of it. Honestly, if you love cowboy romances, this is a perfect fit! It’s kind of like an inside look into the genre/tropes and the MMCs we love the most! I wasn’t even a full quarter of the way in, and I was looking forward to more time with each of these characters! Each of them were a perfect addition to the book! Even (especially) the animals!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I'm not trying to carry his load. I just... I want to walk beside him while he carries it."
• “Some things matter too much to risk losing." "And some things are worth the risk."
• “I’m not asking for guarantees. Just...don’t shut me out.”
• “Let's have one perfect moment before reality crashes back in."
• “I want reality. Even if it's messy. Even if it hurts."
• “This is me finally being smart enough to know what matters."
• “Because I love you.”
5/10 Forced Proximity
4/10 Friends to Lovers
8/10 “Single Parent”/Guardian
4/10 Second Chance
4/10 Slow Burn
5/10 Workplace-ish
April 14, 2025
This book is so good!! These characters are going to pull on the heartstrings, but also make you laugh so much. Romance writer Paisley is getting the authentic ranch experience with the Montgomery clan. They have so many animals with big personalities that leads to some of the most funny moments of this book. I give Paisley a lot of credit she may at stumble being a city girl in the country, but she embraces it and can laugh at her situation. My heart goes out to the Montgomery family because they have been hit with losses and their ranch may be another they have to face. Paisley brings so much light to their lives especially Wes and his niece Emma. Wes has so much riding on his shoulders being guardian to his niece and making sure his family legacy lives on. It made my heart happy to see what it in store for Wes. He so deserves to find all the happiness. The goat Bernard and peacock Kevin in this one stand out with their big personalities. This is such a fun read. It's not a steamy romance, but honestly I hardly noticed and I need a book like this every so often. A book with plenty of romance, heart, and story. I really hope Wes' brother gets books. I can't recommend this one enough! It will have you hooked right from the start and you will be sad to see it end.
April 9, 2025
THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING SWOONWORTHY! THERE WERE NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS WHERE I WAS GIGGLING & KICKING MY FEET. THERE WERE ALSO A TON OF LAUGH OUT LOUD MOMENTS & TEARS THROUGHOUT THE STORY.
THIS IS A CLEAN ROMANCE & IT WAS HONESTLY SUCH A NICE BREAK AWAY FROM THE HOT & SPICY SCENES THAT I'M SO USED TO READING. IT ALLOWED FOR THE STORY TO TRULY FOCUS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WES & PAISLEY & I JUST COULDN'T GET ENOUGH. THE ANTICIPATION OF "WHEN IS HE FINALLY GOING TO KISS HER?" ACTUALLY GAVE ME THE BUTTERFLIES IN THE STOMACH FEELING, & I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY PEOPLE LOVE CLEAN ROMANCE BOOKS.
THE SIDE CHARACTERS JAKE, COLT, & EMMA...
OMG DID THEY ALL SQUEEZE THEIR WAY INTO MY HEART! THEY WERE AS MUCH A PART OF THE STORY AS WES & PAISLEY WERE & I'M HOPEFUL THAT JAKE & COLT WILL GET BOOKS OF THEIR OWN TOO ONE DAY. AND FINALLY, JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THINGS COULDN'T GET BETTER...KEVIN & BERNARD ENTERED THE PICTURE MAKING THIS BOOK PERFECTION!
"This is me finally being smart enough to know what matters."
THIS IS A CLEAN ROMANCE & IT WAS HONESTLY SUCH A NICE BREAK AWAY FROM THE HOT & SPICY SCENES THAT I'M SO USED TO READING. IT ALLOWED FOR THE STORY TO TRULY FOCUS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WES & PAISLEY & I JUST COULDN'T GET ENOUGH. THE ANTICIPATION OF "WHEN IS HE FINALLY GOING TO KISS HER?" ACTUALLY GAVE ME THE BUTTERFLIES IN THE STOMACH FEELING, & I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY PEOPLE LOVE CLEAN ROMANCE BOOKS.
THE SIDE CHARACTERS JAKE, COLT, & EMMA...
OMG DID THEY ALL SQUEEZE THEIR WAY INTO MY HEART! THEY WERE AS MUCH A PART OF THE STORY AS WES & PAISLEY WERE & I'M HOPEFUL THAT JAKE & COLT WILL GET BOOKS OF THEIR OWN TOO ONE DAY. AND FINALLY, JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THINGS COULDN'T GET BETTER...KEVIN & BERNARD ENTERED THE PICTURE MAKING THIS BOOK PERFECTION!
"This is me finally being smart enough to know what matters."
April 11, 2025
If you love your romances, sweet, heartfelt and packed with emotion then Lost In The Reins is for you. When a romance writer needs a reality check about the characters she writes about, she is thrust into a world of how real cowboys and small country towns operate. Wes and Paisley are drawn to each other like a moth to a flame but with his family’s legacy resting on his shoulder, Wes will keep Paisley at arms length. This story draws you in and has you feeling like you are actually walking side by side with the characters. There are some laugh out loud moments and quirky, charismatic animals that will bring a lightness to the heavy moments that ranch life can bring. Wes’s niece Emma was wise beyond her years and added such an extra layer to this story. Not only will you fall in love with Wes and Paisley but Emma and her other Uncles will also own a piece of it. A beautiful heartwarming romance that has you not wanting to leave the Whispering Pines Ranch and hoping that Colt and Jake might get their own story.
April 25, 2025
This was my first book by Angelia Faye, and I really enjoyed it. It's a "sweet city girl meets country boy and falls in love" kind of story. I could feel the sparks flying between Wes and Paisley with every turn of the page. There are so many funny moments. This made it entertaining from beginning to end. The secondary characters play huge parts as well and help bring them together. Emma is such a sweetheart and very wise beyond her years. Love her!! Wes and Jake bring the comic relief and brotherly love. Even the dramatic animals are adorable (Trouble, Bernard, and Kevin). I think what I love most about this book is the heart. The heartwarming and feel good moment truly tugged at my heartstrings and made me fall in love with Wes and Paisley. From her experiencing real ranch life to Wes admitting he doesn't have to bear everything alone. This reads like a Hallmark movie (and I don't even watch those), but I love the book all the same. I could see myself in each of them, making them believable and relatable. I'd highly recommend this book, such a good read!!
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