The Rebel with Broken Strings

Naked Moose #3

by Stacey Kennedy

One hot stolen night with a country star turns into a major complication in this Western romance set in the wilds of Montana, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage.

The past is the past—until he shows up on your doorstep.

Self-proclaimed good girl Aubrey Hale has too many secrets. Among them is missing the big-city life she left behind for small-town Montana—the life that included a one-night stand with country star Gunner Woods. But Aubrey and her friends have recently sworn off men. So when Gunner turns up in Timber Falls looking all kinds of sexy, she pretends she’s never met him.

Gunner is surprised to see Aubrey again and even more surprised by how she’s acting. The carefree woman he knew for one night is now jaded. After a failed record launch, Gunner can relate—and maybe they could even find solace in each other, if she’d stop treating him like a stranger.

Aubrey’s not ready to let her guard down, but she’s just fine with letting the sparks between them burn… But when Gunner’s career reignites, she’ll have to reckon with her discontent. Can you chase two separate dreams without burning everything to the ground?

From showing up to glowing up, the characters in Afterglow Books are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way.

Don’t miss any of these other fun titles in the Naked Moose series:
Book 1: The Devil in Blue Jeans
Book 2: Lone Wolf in Lights
Book 3: The Rebel with Broken Strings

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Westerns, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Audiobook, Harlequin

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Stacey Kennedy is a USA Today bestselling author who writes contemporary romances full of heat, heart, and happily ever afters. With over 50 titles published, her books have hit Amazon, B&N, and Apple Books bestseller lists.

Stacey lives with her husband and two children in southwestern Ontario—in a city that’s just as charming as any of the small towns she creates. Most days, you’ll find her enjoying the outdoors with her family or venturing into the forest with her horse, Priya. Stacey’s just as happy curled up indoors, where she writes surrounded by her lazy dogs. She believes that sexy books about hot cowboys or alpha heroes can fix any bad day. But wine and chocolate help too.

Stacey absolutely loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at stacey@staceykennedy.com.

Reviews

[cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into The Rebel with Broken Strings really wanting to love it. It had all the makings of a story I’d normally fall for: a redemption arc, a small-town second chance, and a country star hero trying to make things right. (i’m a sucker for anything related to music 🎶) And while there were definitely some parts that hit the mark, others just didn’t quite land for me.

The story follows Gunner, a country singer whose career (and personal life) have both hit rock bottom. After getting the help he desperately needs, fate ends up leading him to Timber Falls, Montana. It’s a quiet little town where he just so happens to cross paths with Aubrey, the woman he once left behind after one unforgettable week together. That one choice has haunted him ever since, but Aubrey’s not exactly in a forgiving mood when he shows up again… 🙅🏼‍♀️🙅🏼‍♀️

What I really liked was Gunner’s growth. He’s gone through a lot, and you can tell how much work he’s put into becoming the man he wants to be—someone steady, kind, and real. His scenes with the kids in town, helping them find their confidence and creativity, were honestly some of my favorites. (There’s just something so endearing about a man who not only tries to better himself, but also lifts up others along the way 🫣🩷) He was sweet, patient, and so determined to make amends. It made him easy to root for. 😚🫶🏼

Aubrey, on the other hand… I struggled with her. She’s a chef who’s been through her share of setbacks and heartbreak, and while I understood why she was guarded, she often came off a bit too harsh and self-centered for me. Even when she learned the truth about why Gunner left (which was actually kinda a selfless decision), she still couldn’t seem to let go of her anger, and that just made her feel stuck. I wanted to see more emotional growth from her, especially since Gunner clearly had his.

That said, the small-town setting was cozy, and I did enjoy the dynamic between both sets of friends. It gave off really nice found-family energy. I just wish the focus had stayed more on Aubrey and Gunner, because parts of the story (especially around her friend’s wedding) pulled attention away from their relationship. I found myself skimming a bit to get back to their scenes. 🥲🥲

Overall, this wasn’t exactly a bad read, but let’s just say I won’t be picking up the two previous books in the series. It’s got heart, forgiveness, and that classic small-town charm. I just didn’t connect with Aubrey’s side of the story at all which made it really hard to feel the spark I wanted between them.

If you like second-chance romances with redemption arcs, a touch of small-town warmth, and a hero who’s genuinely trying to do better, definitely give this one a try. 🩷🧡

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

“But the pain didn't remind him of all he'd done wrong anymore. The pain was a reminder of how much he'd risen back up”

⸻

“And when he sang to me, just for me, I
felt like the only woman in the world."

⸻

“Sometimes," he continued, his voice thick with emotion, "the bravest thing you can do is just show up and be yourself."

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

things to know about the book ↓

🎵 chef x country singer
🎶 second chance
🎵 addiction healing
🎶 guarded heroine
🎵 dual POV (third person)

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin - Romance, and Stacey Kennedy for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -
Sometimes you are in the mood for a spicy read, and when it also has a cowboy as the lead – be still my heart.

This book started with a hot kickstart and awesome hopes for the book. A fabulous week that leads to actions that carry on and impact the characters throughout the rest of the book, even years later.
I have to admit, I got a bit frustrated a time or two with my Aubrey for the way she treated Gunner by not having conversations that could have opened the door to healing instead of heartbreak. He tried over and over, and let’s be honest, there is only so much someone should put up with, and he went over and above.

The book is loaded with tension and longing. They belong together, and the fact that she withheld for so long did not lead ot emotional impact for me. It led me to frustration.

Kennedy added a wonderful setting and secondary characters that were sweet and supportive. The wedding descriptive scenes were awesome and set the tone for the book

Overall, The Rebel with Broken Strings is a sweet romance with a perfect touch of spice. These two broken and insecure hearts eventually find love, but they remain insecure throughout. A satisfying and simplistic plot with a bit more drama than needed, in my opinion. But the ending made up for so much! LOVE

3.5 STARS!!

* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Ful review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-rebel-wi...

[julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf 67%

the book started very promising + i loveeed the main characters’ chemistry. their one night stand and break up after was so attention grabbing and i enjoyed seeing mmc fighting for fmc.

but…. after 60% the book, it became too repetitive and therefore boring. the main couple got together, out of nowhere, and now they moved to the background. they had no development in their characters or relationships. both became very blunt and emotionless. the writing was also not the best. “So am I. I know we’ve got a lot to figure out, so let’s just figure it out, okay?”. ummm okay?

Thank you to Netgalley, Afterglow Books by Harlequin and Hopeless Romantics for the arc.

[faye ✮ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ★

⋆˚࿔ i’m sorry but how did everything even start? there’s no decent plot or clear timeline. everything felt really scattered. i needed some kind of tension between gunners and aubrey because without it, their relationship didn’t feel convincing. everything also happened too fast and i couldn’t really feel any development in their relationship. besides, it’s written in third pov which made it even harder for me to stay engaged. no offense, but this one’s really not my cup of tea.

Thank you to Stacey Kennedy, Mills & Boon & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first in the NAKED MOOSE series, it definitely wont be my last.

Talk about cowboy romance my friends...set in smalltown Montana, we meet Gunner and Aubrey.

Aubrey has sworn off men, AFTER having one heck of a one night stand with a country music singer. So imagine her surprise when he shows up in her little town of timber falls!

A lovely story of breaking down emotional walls and letting others in, the Rebel with Broken Strings is perfect for those in their "Cowboy like me" era.

The narration: magnifique if you're an audiobook lover like myself.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Harlequin audio for a chance to listen in to this one.

[Ava Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I would say. I haven’t read that many country romance books but out of the ones I have read, I’d say this is higher on the list. I really liked how they didn’t rush the relationship and that both characters stayed true to what they wanted in their lives. My only thing is when authors overuse the same word too many times, and this book’s was that Gunner made Aubrey shiver a lot and “palpable”.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

More 4 1/2 🌟

[ThianeJansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should have dnf’d I feel I ended up ‘annoy’ reading this

✨ Country singer x chef
✨ Second chance
✨ Small town romance
✨ Addiction + healing

I went into this book wanting to love it. The tropes are exactly my kind of thing so I thought this would be an easy win. But as I read, I kept feeling like the story was telling me everything instead of letting me actually see it. It’s one thing to know what a character is feeling, but I wanted to feel it with them, and the writing just didn’t give me that emotional pull.

It’s also such (a choice) to start a book as steamy as this😆 like damn.

The story follows Aubrey, who returns to her small hometown after things in her life start to fall apart. Coming home means facing the one person she’s spent years avoiding - Gunner, the singer who she never fully got over. Their breakup was messy, tied up in Gunner’s addiction and the ways they both hurt each other while trying to hold on.

Now, years later, they’re forced back into each other’s orbit. Aubrey is trying to rebuild her confidence and figure out what she actually wants out of her life, and Gunner is doing the hard work of staying sober and becoming someone he isn’t ashamed of anymore. The chemistry between them is still there, but so are the wounds, the unfinished conversations, and the fear of repeating their past.

Readers who enjoy lighter small-town romances with straightforward writing will probably enjoy this more than I did, but personally, I wanted more heart behind the moments that mattered.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional, second chance, dual POV, small town romance between a recovering addict country star and the woman he ghosted after they had a great week together two years ago. Aubrey left Atlanta after a workplace harassment incident with her former Chef boss and is trying to live a quiet life with her two best friends and co-owners of the Naked Moose bar.

She didn't expect to have Gunner show up and so when he confronts her she pretends she doesn't know him. Of course eventually he convinces her to give him another try and wins her over by his self-less acts of community service, helping mentor young aspiring singer/musicians in the town.

Heartfelt with good mental health, addiction and disability (Gunner has a leg injury he's rehabbing), this was good on audio and I really enjoyed the small town, cowboy, found family vibes. Perfect for fans of authors like Lyla Sage or Elsie Silver. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Mama Needs to Read Romance]

DNF @20%

So many the triggers. This was heavier than I thought, and a book that starts with spice like that isn't for me. Ultimately, this just seems like a classic case of the book and reader not jiving, which is why I didn't rate the book. Hopefully the people who enjoy lots of spice and some past trauma will find this and really enjoy it! Wishing nothing but the best for this author!

I'd like to thank Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think if a little more time was spent on this during revisions, it would've been a great western romance. Unfortunately it felt like it was written in a rush and it showed throughout the novel. The more I thought on the story, the more gaps I started to notice.

Pining for a one night stand for two years feels wild to me (or a weekend romp, whatever you want to call it). And there just ended up being no depth to the couple. Also, the narration choice was a little bit cringe. The narrator did fine for the FMC but her southern twang voice for a guy from Montana was a weird choice, and not having a male narrator hurt the story a bit.

[Kate Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute small town cowboy second chance romance.

I love found family and this book does it well, it also takes you through addiction, trauma, heartache, healing! It was wholesome and an easy read.

[Jessica Wears Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars

This book was...meh unfortunately because it started out promising. I liked their initial experience together but from there it just went downhill. I had a few issues with the plot and the first thing was her lying and gaslighting Gunner that it was her 2 years ago. That was such a weird choice especially when you know he had addiction issues, it was using his own sickness to make him feel worse and crazy. My next issue was the timeline because at the start of the book he signed up to help at the talent show that's a month away and also planning a wedding for the Spring while they mention snow on the ground. However, both of these things (talent show and wedding) happen within like a week of each other. A wedding in the spring is much different than a wedding in 5 weeks. And almost the whole book happens in this period. The MCs don't get together right away yet when Gunner is asked to go to Nashville, they keep talking about how they already started building a life together... When?? In the maybe 3 weeks y'all have been together? And only 1 week two years ago? And there was so much focus on the wedding planning (for some other couple) and talent show that we saw NONE of the relationship growing. Big plot points were just fully skipped like Gunner meeting Aubrey's mom and the actual wedding that we had to see all the planning for. Or the 2 weeks between the wedding and Nashville where they were excited to spend as much time as possible together, we saw none of it. Not even when they had to part! He was just suddenly in Nashville.

But my biggest issue was the word "familiar." EVERY THING was familiar. Smells, chills, aches, weights of guitars, sounds, warmth, shapes. I searched and found this word used 64 times (plus 2 times unfamiliar). Honestly, I don't think I would have noticed it if the audiobook narrator didn't pronounce it so weird (like FUR-miliar). I did the math and I heard this word about every 4 minutes in the audiobook (since I listen at 2x speed). I was genuinely about to lose it by the 80% mark and by the end I never wanted to hear that word again.

The audio was...fine. I think the narrator made a weird choice for Gunner's voice. Also, do cowboys in Montana have a southern accent? I just looked it up actually because I'm from the south and it made no sense to me as I was writing this why this Montana raised boy would sound like that. And they don't have that accent!! Cowboy does not mean southern accent!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC and ALC.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess this is the series of surprise blow jobs, because this one starts with one...was not expecting that.

The timeline here was all over the place. We start with a prologue, a week into their not-quite-a-one-night-stand relationship (though it sure ends up feeling like it is, because that one night is all we get to see). Then we jump to somewhere near the end of the last book timewise (I think? I'm not going back to make sure) when they're not getting along at all--in fact, Aubrey is pretending it wasn't her that week back (2?) years ago, Gunner is mistaken. Um, hello--he's BFFs with your BFFs' SOs and lives in the same town you do now, how do you think you're going to be able to pull off the whole it wasn't me bit for the rest of your lives? Is this woman an actual adult??? Then once they finally get together, we skip a few months of their relationship, witness an unspecified amount of time of them being happy-ish, then skip a few months again. Then a mild dark moment for their relationship, which they resolve a few weeks later (another time skip) with the most eye-rolling makeup scene I've read in a while.

I just...at least the series is over now? All 3 of the Naked Moose women found their HEAs and we got a super treacle-y epilogue wrapping everything up with a nice, neat bow. I suppose if the other 2 were your cup of tea, you'll like this one just as much...if you didn't care for them, though, this one sure isn't going to change your mind.

Rating: 3 (generous) stars, because at least it was a quick read / C

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Jadey (GetBookedWithMe) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Rebel With Broken Strings is loaded with tension and longing. I went into this really wanting to love it, it had all the makings of a story I'd swoon over from the start: small town, second chance romance. There were parts that hit the mark, and others that just didn’t quite land for me.

Stacey Kennedy delivers her trademark emotional writing and undeniable chemistry between the leads. You can feel that they belong together, and their connection is intense and believable. However, while the buildup had me invested, the emotional payoff didn’t fully deliver. Aubrey’s decision to withhold for so long didn’t heighten the emotion; instead, it added frustration. I found myself wanting more release and resolution after so much tension.

Overall, this is a sweet romance with a nice amount of spice, centered around two broken and insecure hearts who eventually find love. It’s a simple plot with a bit too much drama for my taste, but it still delivers plenty of emotion and heat for readers who enjoy a heartfelt, angsty love story. If you like second chance romances with a small-town touch, definitely give this one a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Heather Saizar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rebel With Broken Strings was a cute cowboy romance with a ton of potential. I loved the premise and the warm, small-town charm woven through the story. The chemistry was sweet, the cowboy vibes were nice, and it had all the ingredients of a comfort read.

The writing did get a bit repetitive at times, and I found myself wishing for deeper character development, especially with how much emotional ground the story could have covered. With a little more growth and complexity, it could have hit harder. There were definitely some plot holes as well, which made a few moments feel a little unfinished or rushed.

The audiobook narrator, Alexa Elmy, did a commendable job juggling so many different characters; her performance added a nice layer of personality to the story. That said, I felt the voice/accent choice for Gunner was a little off. He came across much older than I expected, which pulled me out of the story occasionally.

Overall, it’s a fast, easy listen with a tender heart, and fans of soft cowboy romances will find plenty to enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

NAKED MOOSE IS BACK!!!

If you haven't taken the time to visit Naked Moose... NOW IS THE TIME! The Rebel with Broken Strings is an adorable romp through everyone's favorite small town. This time, readers start immediately with a spicy scene for our couple. Aubrey & Gunnar find themselves quite literally at every crossroad you can think of. Life, Career, Second Chance Romance? All of the above are present within this story. Gunnar has found a new voice for himself in his quaint hometown, and Aubrey is completing a soft reset on her life after some hardships.

This story is sure to pull you DEEP and not let you go until the last page. The spice, the emotional connection, and the cameos from our other favorites at Naked Moose all combine to make a genuinely satisfying story. Getting to be back with other favorite characters and experience this second chance was just such a joy. I cannot wait to see if our favorite wedding planner might be the next relationship tackled, but until then, I'll be daydreaming over the sweetness of Gunnar & Aubrey!

[EJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rebel with Broken Strings was a sweet easy read with that small town, second chance romance vibe. I liked the idea of a country star showing up in the same town as his one night stand… the setup had so much potential! Gunner was charming and a bit vulnerable and I liked seeing his softer side. Aubrey was relatable in her guarded “sworn off men” era too.

However I didn’t fully connect with them or their story the way I wanted to. The chemistry was there but the emotional depth felt a little surface level and some parts wrapped up a bit too neatly. Still, it’s a fun feel good read if you’re after something light with a touch of small town charm and a music twist!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC!

[✨Poppy✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll admit that’s on me, I requested this one without looking too closely at what it was about. But I’m honestly not sure how everything even started. There wasn’t a clear plot or timeline, and the story felt scattered from the beginning.

I also really needed some kind of tension or emotional buildup between Gunners and Aubrey, because without it, their relationship didn’t feel believable or developed. Everything moved too quickly, and I couldn’t get invested in their connection.

On top of that, the third-person POV made it harder for me to stay engaged. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange of my honest opinion!

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars Audiobook ARC review

This one starts out hot and heavy with an early betrayal that really sets the tone. I completely understood why Aubrey wanted nothing to do with Gunner after what happened—honestly, I think she should’ve held out even longer.

Gunner goes through a lot of character growth, and while I appreciated his turnaround, I didn’t love that he jumped back into music without really discussing it with Aubrey.

Once they finally got together, they were incredibly sweet with each other. Aubrey’s nerves made sense given their past, but her hopes and dreams felt a bit underdeveloped—almost scattered at times. Even so, I still felt she should have been more of a priority and given more reassurance.

Overall, it’s a cute and sweet romance. I really appreciated Gunner’s struggles and how much he grew as a person.

[Yureli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an Audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First off, the narrator, Alexa Elmy, did a good job and changed her voice enough for each of the characters in the book.

As for the book itself, I felt it was overall okay. It could have benefitted from more character development given the emotional trauma the lead characters were dealing with. But if you’re just looking for a good time with a spice cowboy romance, this audiobook was quick fun and easy to get through.

Thanks again to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Sarah Festa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who loves Country music and Cowboy romance, this sounded like the perfect read and I wanted to love it.

But for me, it fell short.

it felt very repetitive, and yet the story felt like it was missing some umph.

Like give me a blazing argument in the rain or something to give me that feeling.

Granted I haven't read any of the other books but the other characters around the main couple felt way to perfect to me.

I did read until the end but it was a struggle.

[Kattie Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cowboy romance is my favorite kind, especially the famous singer kind. Aubrey and Gunner made zero sense to me. The context of this book had great potential, something just didn’t quite click for me. The narrator for the female hooked me, but the accent of the male was something I struggled with throughout. Overall, I struggled to stay interested and pay attention to what was going on. This may have worked better for me as a physical read.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️?

This was okay! It felt like a hallmark movie, a bit surface level but fun and passed the time. It was a cute small town romance with an ex famous singer and a chef with a sprinkle of second chance 🩷.

[Sabrina Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this the 3rd in the series. I enjoyed the topics it covered. It was quite obvious how the storyline was going to go but sign me up for a troubled hot cowboy who wears his heart openly any day of the week and good with kids is a winner all round to me

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Rebel with Broken Strings by Stacey Kennedy

This book was such a beautiful, emotional ride. Gunner completely stole my heart—a country music star trying to rebuild his life after losing everything—and Aubrey was the perfect match for him. She’s strong, determined, and brings out a softer, more hopeful side of him that I absolutely loved watching unfold.

Stacey Kennedy’s writing is emotional, tender, and full of hope. The small-town Montana setting, the music, and the redemption arc all blended perfectly to create a story that felt real and deeply moving. I loved watching Gunner and Aubrey find their way to healing and happiness together.

A heartfelt, emotional, and romantic read that will leave you smiling and swooning. 💕🎶🤠

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Rebel with Broken Strings. Who doesn’t love a second chance romance between a country singer and a chef?! The only reason I couldn’t rate it higher than a 3 was that I was a tad lost. I didn’t realize when I applied for the arc, that this was book 3 in a series - while it could technically be read as a standalone, I’m not sure I could recommend it. Friendship groups, couples dynamics, side characters, and places were already established and formed; therefore, all of that was a bit glossed over in Rebel with Broken Strings. Understandable considering the author likely assumed you would have read the previous books before starting this one. So I think it would be best to read the other two books before venturing into this book, in order to get the full experience! This was on me for not checking before I applied for the arc. I still found the story engaging and sweet.
Gunner and Aubrey started off with a bang! Literally! The chemistry between the two was undeniable. It wasn’t hard at all to root for these two! Gunner, the fallen country star, who had battled with addiction and is working on healing is trying to get back with the one who made him want to get better. The only problem is, after he left her (literally) in their hotel room, they never were back in touch after he got sober. When they find themselves living in the same town, Gunner sees this as a chance to reignite their connection and try again. He wants to tell Aubrey that he was struggling when they met and she inspired him to change his life, and now he’s a better and changed man. However, Aubrey is pretending to not to remember their week together, claiming she’s not the girl he spent a week with in Atlanta. Aubrey, who has some very justifiable hurts from her past, isn’t willing to hear Gunner out. After a lot of persuasion from Gunner, Aubrey eventually hears Gunner out and is surprised and touched by his honesty. She decides to take things slowly with Gunner and see where they go. They have amazing chemistry and Gunner proves to be a worthy man who will never leave her. Until one of his local performances goes viral and Nashville comes calling. Gunner has to decide if the bright lights of fame and Nashville are worth losing what he’s built with Aubrey.
I’m not sure how I felt about the ending, which I won’t spoil here. The ending, while satisfying, almost felt a bit unbelievable. I’m not sure that Aubrey, or Gunner for that matter, would have been able to make their particular ending work long term.
I enjoyed the story, but the ending threw me off a bit. It seemed like Gunner had wishy washy feelings - he was beyond happy with his quiet, small town life, but then suddenly he was almost desperately missing the fame and the crowds. He even told Aubrey he wouldn’t make her wait for him while he went to Nashville and toured. Aubrey had to do all the fighting for them to be able to stay together. It just felt off because Gunner had worked and fought so hard to win Aubrey back in the first place. It just sort of felt like when he decided to go to back to Nashville, he just sort of gave up on fighting to keep Aubrey.
The time jump at the end was nice and clearly wrapped up the series. All in all, a very sweet story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the eARC!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a short, easy, feel-good read with the cosy charm of a Hallmark Christmas movie, look no further than The Rebel with Broken Strings.

I picked this book up based purely on the description because, what can I say, being a big cowboy romance fan, I couldn’t resist. The book started off strong, steamy, and full of promise. It’s written in third person (not my favourite), but I thought it worked well here.

Our main character, country music star Gunner Woods, is introduced as someone struggling with the aftermath of a painful accident and a reliance on pills to cope. The story quickly jumps forward to Timber Falls, where Gunner is sober and trying to rebuild his life.

Then there’s Aubrey Hale, who is left heartbroken and hurt after Gunner abandoned her following their passionate week together. She’s now living in Timber Falls too, refuting her past with Gunner.

While there was potential for a really emotional reunion, Gunner’s relentless attempts to get Aubrey to admit who she was made me uncomfortable, and I found myself wishing he’d just moved on. Their chemistry was emphasised repeatedly, but their reconciliation lacked the depth and redemption arc I hoped for. Once they rekindled their romance, the story felt as though it lost some momentum.

I also didn’t really connect with the characters. They felt a little too sweet, forgiving, and tidy for my taste. Based on the description, I was expecting more angst and more steamy scenes, but neither really materialised.

That said, the author’s descriptive writing shines when it comes to setting. Timber Falls is painted vividly, though at times the detail felt a little heavy-handed. And while the pacing lagged for me (the book felt like it could’ve ended around the 60% mark), it was still a quick read at under 300 pages.

Overall, The Rebel with Broken Strings didn’t quite deliver the emotional punch I was hoping for, but it’s a light, easy read perfect for fans of cowboy romances. I’d still consider picking up the other books in the series when I’m in the mood for something simple and comforting.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Stacey Kennedy and Harlequin for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

The Rebel with Broken Strings is the third title in the Naked Moose series in Harlequin’s Afterglow imprint. Full disclosure: I hadn’t read the entire series at the time I picked up this ARC, yet once I finished Aubrey’s and Gunner’s story, I went back to purchase the two earlier books because I wanted to know what came before. Spending money on any earlier books to complete a series (to that point) is an indication of my enjoyment of the reading experience I got from the story. For me, it wasn’t necessary to have read the previous stories to enjoy this one, but it did spike my curiosity to know what had happened earlier in the series.

For one amazing week, Aubrey and Gunner were intensely, passionately involved… until Gunner disappeared from her life without warning, and as a result, Aubrey turned bitter toward him. When they cross paths again, she’s not at all willing to listen to anything Gunner has to say, even though the attraction between them certainly hasn’t died down.

I’ll be frank in saying that of the two main characters, I enjoyed Gunner more. It was easier to get behind a man who saw his issues, did something about them, and is looking for forgiveness (from himself as well as others) and redemption. Aubrey, for me, seemed so stuck in the past and could not let go of her “version” of the truth that she, at times, became annoying. I didn’t see her grow as much as Gunner did, although the connection between them still shouted that they belonged together.

If you enjoy a romance full of redemption, complications, and a passionate love that cannot be denied, then you’d love The Rebel with Broken Strings by Stacey Kennedy. I found it to be well-written, emotional, and engaging enough to want to go back to read the entire series (so far). If that sounds like your kind of romance reading experience, then you’d enjoy Aubrey and Gunner’s story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Megan | Megan.Reads.Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars - thank you so much Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Audio for the ARC/ALC via NetGalley!

This is my first Stacey Kennedy book, and I'm jumping in to the... Naked Moose? series in the middle.

This is a story of Gunner, a recovering addict country star singer who ghosted our FMC, Aubrey, before crashing out and going to rehab. Between then and now, Aubrey has gone through it, and so has Gunner. They both end up in Gunner's hometown in Montana, and Aubrey wants nothing to do with Gunner haven't he left her in the middle of night, only to take up and discover he'd vanished.

I did this story on audio, and I was very distracted by narrator Alexa Elmy's performance, particularly when it came to Gunner. Whenever she narrated his parts, he had this country accent that is so far from a Montana accent, it was alarming. Yes, he's a country star and has spent time in Nashville, but this accent is like... a deep south accent that is only acquired through birth. This only seemed to happen when Gunner was begging for attention from Aubrey (or speaking in general), but I just could not get past that.

I might've enjoyed this story more if I'd just eyeball read it, but there was a lot going on, so my rating of the story is between 3.25-3.75.

There were lots of moving parts in this story, some of which I enjoyed, some which I thought were too much:
- Spicy start to the story, being a one-night (or week) stand with a country star
- Time jump, in which Aubrey has relocated from Atlanta I think to Montana to be with her friends (?) or sister and friend??
- Gunner returns to Montana after rehab, Aubrey pretends not to know him
- Their mutual friends/cousins(?) get engaged, and there's forced proximity while *everybody* helps plan a wedding
- An addict walks into a bar... but his addiction is pills, so it's okay if he drinks
- Aubrey still ignores Gunner, her friends don't know what happened between them, but Gunner is persistent
- Small town shenanigans/people sticking their nose in other people's business
- Forgiveness
- The best part was Gunner volunteering with the local music community center project with the children - he really shined