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Beneath the Wild Sky #3
Take a Hike
WHY DATE A MOUNTAIN MAN? Because it's effing in-tents.
Bounty Hunter Charlie Pax is in a bind. Not only did her own mother skip town after putting the family home up as collateral, but it's days before her first court hearing and she still hasn't been found. If she doesn't show, Charlie and her sisters will lose everything. There's only one thing left for Charlie to make a big show of leaving town with the one piece of bait sure to lure her mother out of hiding and set a trap for her in the remote Rocky Mountains town of Simpson, Colorado.
Surly Simpson firefighter Kieran Byrne is no stranger to being on the wrong side of the law. He's the prime suspect in the murder of a local militia leader, and he needs help proving his innocence before he can take the fall for someone else's crime. Charlie's got her hands more than full, but pretty soon the two strike a deal; if she can help Kieran prove his innocence, he will use his contacts to track and entrap her mom. Two birds, meet one stone.
As they break into the local militia's compound, dodge flying bullets, and hunt for the stolen necklace, Charlie and Kieran discover they share an explosive attraction…and a growing affection neither can deny. But is there room for something as soft as romance in either of their hardscrabble worlds, or will the call of that lifelong adventure be something neither can find it within themselves to deny?
Bounty Hunter Charlie Pax is in a bind. Not only did her own mother skip town after putting the family home up as collateral, but it's days before her first court hearing and she still hasn't been found. If she doesn't show, Charlie and her sisters will lose everything. There's only one thing left for Charlie to make a big show of leaving town with the one piece of bait sure to lure her mother out of hiding and set a trap for her in the remote Rocky Mountains town of Simpson, Colorado.
Surly Simpson firefighter Kieran Byrne is no stranger to being on the wrong side of the law. He's the prime suspect in the murder of a local militia leader, and he needs help proving his innocence before he can take the fall for someone else's crime. Charlie's got her hands more than full, but pretty soon the two strike a deal; if she can help Kieran prove his innocence, he will use his contacts to track and entrap her mom. Two birds, meet one stone.
As they break into the local militia's compound, dodge flying bullets, and hunt for the stolen necklace, Charlie and Kieran discover they share an explosive attraction…and a growing affection neither can deny. But is there room for something as soft as romance in either of their hardscrabble worlds, or will the call of that lifelong adventure be something neither can find it within themselves to deny?
304 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2025
27 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Katie Ruggle
21 books1,222 followersA fan of the old adage “write what you know”, Katie Ruggle lived in an off-grid, solar- and wind-powered house in the Rocky Mountains until her family lured her back to Minnesota. When she’s not writing, Katie rides horses, trains her three dogs, cross-country skis (badly) and travels to warm places where she can scuba dive. A graduate of the Police Academy, Katie received her ice-rescue certification and can attest that the reservoirs in the Colorado mountains really are that cold. A fan of anything that makes her feel like a bad-ass, she has trained in Krav Maga, boxing and gymnastics. You can connect with Katie at http://katieruggle.com/, https://www.facebook.com/katieruggleb..., or on Twitter @KatieRuggle
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 9, 2025
End of the series, wrapping up the big plot. This felt like one of the weakest books in the series. Some important plot elements were wrapped up super quick and without conflict after reading through each book of tension. Also every sister's book and romance takes place in one month which is insane math and romance.
Charlie is the most obnoxious sister and the chemistry between her and Kiki (I refuse any other name he has) was weak. Insert her being over the top and annoying, him being grumpy and thrown off guard, bickering, and boom instalove they are it for each other.
Kiki just kind of appeared and never left the plot without having too much reason to be there. Charlie was all gas no brakes the whole time. Lots of characters from past books and all the sisters.
It's fun seeing the Search & Rescue OG characters in this but if you don't read or enjoy that series it's kind of hard to keep up with the barrage of side characters that are important to the plot.
I dunno, glad the series is finally over. Lackluster.
Also THE COVER ties into nothing. There's no rock climbing! There's no tents!! What are we doing.
Charlie is the most obnoxious sister and the chemistry between her and Kiki (I refuse any other name he has) was weak. Insert her being over the top and annoying, him being grumpy and thrown off guard, bickering, and boom instalove they are it for each other.
Kiki just kind of appeared and never left the plot without having too much reason to be there. Charlie was all gas no brakes the whole time. Lots of characters from past books and all the sisters.
It's fun seeing the Search & Rescue OG characters in this but if you don't read or enjoy that series it's kind of hard to keep up with the barrage of side characters that are important to the plot.
I dunno, glad the series is finally over. Lackluster.
Also THE COVER ties into nothing. There's no rock climbing! There's no tents!! What are we doing.
January 17, 2026
The final Pax sister is up and Charlie is a firecracker. She has little to no filter, a casual disregard for personal safety, and a bit of a thing for the grumpy firefighter whose face seems to be permanently etched in a scowl. Yup, Kieran absolutely does it for her. From his head to his toes (and everything in between) to his irritated grunts and near-snarls, he's a treat to Charlie's senses.
While the reason Charlie and Felicity (and Bennett) are technically in Simpson is to catch Jane and make sure she makes her court appearance so the sisters don't lose their house, they're soon caught up in the goings on of Simpson. As in, they're welcomed (with open arms) into the Simpson Murder Club. Which is not a club that commits murders, but one that SOLVES them. Just so we're clear.
One of the murders they need to solve is one that has sexy firefighter Kieran as a person of interest. And as long as they're helping him clear his name, he might as well help them spring their trap to draw their mother out. I mean, fair's fair, RIGHT? Also, Kieran is sort of drawn to Charlie. She's surprisingly direct, isn't put off by his angry face, and makes him feeeeeeel things. Frankly these two are ADORABLE together from beginning to end.
With Jane's court date looming, a murder to solve, a militia to infiltrate (sort of), and treasure hunters to thwart, there's a lot going on here. As an added bonus, we get to spend time with the good folk of Simpson and see what Lou, Rory, Elle, Daisy and their special someones have been up to since their books. GOOD TIMES!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
While the reason Charlie and Felicity (and Bennett) are technically in Simpson is to catch Jane and make sure she makes her court appearance so the sisters don't lose their house, they're soon caught up in the goings on of Simpson. As in, they're welcomed (with open arms) into the Simpson Murder Club. Which is not a club that commits murders, but one that SOLVES them. Just so we're clear.
One of the murders they need to solve is one that has sexy firefighter Kieran as a person of interest. And as long as they're helping him clear his name, he might as well help them spring their trap to draw their mother out. I mean, fair's fair, RIGHT? Also, Kieran is sort of drawn to Charlie. She's surprisingly direct, isn't put off by his angry face, and makes him feeeeeeel things. Frankly these two are ADORABLE together from beginning to end.
With Jane's court date looming, a murder to solve, a militia to infiltrate (sort of), and treasure hunters to thwart, there's a lot going on here. As an added bonus, we get to spend time with the good folk of Simpson and see what Lou, Rory, Elle, Daisy and their special someones have been up to since their books. GOOD TIMES!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 6, 2025
that was kind of a tough read
November 17, 2025
The cover makes no sense since not once in this book did these characters go hiking or mountain climbing.
Likeable characters and a satisfying conclusion to the series. Happy that it was set in Simpson again, and we got more cameos of the other familiar characters.
Likeable characters and a satisfying conclusion to the series. Happy that it was set in Simpson again, and we got more cameos of the other familiar characters.
January 17, 2026
"Who knew that the mountains held such a delight."
⛰️🏤🚒👩🚒
-Libby 🎧
⛰️🏤🚒👩🚒
-Libby 🎧
November 13, 2025
Will the Pax sisters find their duplicitous mother and save their house?
Will Felicity and Charlie make it out of Simpson alive?
What will happen to the Freedom Survivors, and will the petition to change that name succeed?
What about that subjectively hot firefighter?
Inquiring minds will find this a fun, fast read.
My favorite book is still Felicity's story, but this is a satisfying end to the Pax story arc.
Will Felicity and Charlie make it out of Simpson alive?
What will happen to the Freedom Survivors, and will the petition to change that name succeed?
What about that subjectively hot firefighter?
Inquiring minds will find this a fun, fast read.
My favorite book is still Felicity's story, but this is a satisfying end to the Pax story arc.
July 10, 2025
A cute, fun, funny read. I will never say no to a grumpy/sunshine pairing, and if you add in LOL banter I'm pretty much a goner ;) Leans heavily on the instalove trope, but Charlie's always been the most extra of the sisters so it pretty much works. Could be read as a standalone, but it really works best when the series is read in order so that the overarching drama of the sisters' mother makes the most sense.
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 8, 2026
Time to say goodbye to the Pax sisters.
We have followed the five Bounty-Hunting Pax sisters as they try and bring in their own mother to justice. Jane has stolen an expensive necklace. She was let out of jail on bond and has been in hiding ever since, planning to jump bail after she put up the family house. The same house where the sisters have paid off the mortgage after their mother left them. If Jane succeeds and misses her court appearance, they will lose the house they love so much and be out on the street with nothing. As we get to Charlie’s story, they are running out of time as Jane’s court date quickly approaches. They have spent months trying to track her down with no success. They have had every lowlife in town breaking into the home, all certain that Jane has hidden that necklace in the house, even going so far as to kidnap Charlie’s twin, Cara. (Risk It All.)
It is Charlie who eventually finds what Jane was looking for when she too broke into the house–a hidden key. Charlie then goes with her sister, Felicity and her stalker-now-husband, Bennett, and they head off once again to the sleepy mountain town of Simpson, Colorado (Search and Rescue Series) to work with the (un)official murder club. They want to use the key as bait for Jane and hope their new friends will help box her in.
Of course, once the Pax sisters (and Bennett) arrive, they quickly find themselves being stalked by several amature sleuths/lowlifes who are also trying to find Jane but who are more interested in finding the necklace she has stolen than getting Jane to the court on time.
Once in Simpson, Charlie meets grumpy firefighter, Kieran Bryne. Kieran’s father had once been head of the local militia and is currently doing time in prison. Once news of his father’s activities became known in the small town, Kieran has become person non-grata. So while the Pax sisters are in town looking for Jane, he wants them to also help him find who is responsible for killing the man whose body Felicity and Bennett found. (The Scenic Route)
Something about the grumpy and quiet Kieran sets off something in the ultra-outgoing Charlie and she just can’t spend enough time around him. Every smile she gets is a win in her book and most surprisingly, he hasn’t gotten annoyed with her squirrel-on-caffeine outgoing personality.
I really like these Pax sisters and I enjoyed each of the five stories, even if the stories were broken up between Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters and Beneath the Wild Skies series. Why? And since I have read all of Katie Ruggle’s stories, I really enjoyed the fact that she took us back to Simpson a second time and resurrected most of the Search and Rescue characters.
The only thing I found unsatisfying is the fact that they were way too lenient with Jane in the end. Jane is not much of a mother to her five daughters. She is a criminal and has lead them on a merry chase these last few months, stealing their home’s equity to fund her bond and willing to leave the girls homeless in order to stay out of jail for her crimes. Of course, they catch her in the end, or else it would have been a terrible end to the series, but they stood up for her at the Court hearing–a shitty, criminal mother who was willing to steal from her own kids and leave them homeless. Bah! Send her to prison!
I will miss these girls but maybe we can find a long-lost Pax cousin or an unknown step-sister who can use help and come back to this fun group.
We have followed the five Bounty-Hunting Pax sisters as they try and bring in their own mother to justice. Jane has stolen an expensive necklace. She was let out of jail on bond and has been in hiding ever since, planning to jump bail after she put up the family house. The same house where the sisters have paid off the mortgage after their mother left them. If Jane succeeds and misses her court appearance, they will lose the house they love so much and be out on the street with nothing. As we get to Charlie’s story, they are running out of time as Jane’s court date quickly approaches. They have spent months trying to track her down with no success. They have had every lowlife in town breaking into the home, all certain that Jane has hidden that necklace in the house, even going so far as to kidnap Charlie’s twin, Cara. (Risk It All.)
It is Charlie who eventually finds what Jane was looking for when she too broke into the house–a hidden key. Charlie then goes with her sister, Felicity and her stalker-now-husband, Bennett, and they head off once again to the sleepy mountain town of Simpson, Colorado (Search and Rescue Series) to work with the (un)official murder club. They want to use the key as bait for Jane and hope their new friends will help box her in.
Of course, once the Pax sisters (and Bennett) arrive, they quickly find themselves being stalked by several amature sleuths/lowlifes who are also trying to find Jane but who are more interested in finding the necklace she has stolen than getting Jane to the court on time.
Once in Simpson, Charlie meets grumpy firefighter, Kieran Bryne. Kieran’s father had once been head of the local militia and is currently doing time in prison. Once news of his father’s activities became known in the small town, Kieran has become person non-grata. So while the Pax sisters are in town looking for Jane, he wants them to also help him find who is responsible for killing the man whose body Felicity and Bennett found. (The Scenic Route)
Something about the grumpy and quiet Kieran sets off something in the ultra-outgoing Charlie and she just can’t spend enough time around him. Every smile she gets is a win in her book and most surprisingly, he hasn’t gotten annoyed with her squirrel-on-caffeine outgoing personality.
I really like these Pax sisters and I enjoyed each of the five stories, even if the stories were broken up between Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters and Beneath the Wild Skies series. Why? And since I have read all of Katie Ruggle’s stories, I really enjoyed the fact that she took us back to Simpson a second time and resurrected most of the Search and Rescue characters.
The only thing I found unsatisfying is the fact that they were way too lenient with Jane in the end. Jane is not much of a mother to her five daughters. She is a criminal and has lead them on a merry chase these last few months, stealing their home’s equity to fund her bond and willing to leave the girls homeless in order to stay out of jail for her crimes. Of course, they catch her in the end, or else it would have been a terrible end to the series, but they stood up for her at the Court hearing–a shitty, criminal mother who was willing to steal from her own kids and leave them homeless. Bah! Send her to prison!
I will miss these girls but maybe we can find a long-lost Pax cousin or an unknown step-sister who can use help and come back to this fun group.
November 21, 2025
We're into book 3 of this series, and I think it might actually be the end of it because all of the sisters seem to have found "their men", so there's nobody left to marry off. A spinoff is possible, but in the meantime...some observations.
– Neither the cover nor the title has the slightest thing to do with the book. Neither, for that matter, does the tagline on the cover ("Why date a mountain man? Because it's effing in-tents"). I doubt the author had anything to do with the cover, or the tagline, but I'm sorely disappointed with the publisher.
– This has some of the worst insta-love I've read in years. The book takes place over roughly four days.
– Kieran does get two minutes of character development in which he tells Charlie that she can't possibly love him—not because they've known each other for less than a week, mind, but because nobody has ever loved him before. This is solved by Charlie telling him that he's lovable and hot, and then it's never mentioned again.
– Here is the sum total of Kieran's personality: big. muscular. firefighter. taciturn. protective. big.
– At one point Kieran tells Charlie that he's required to get regular STI tests for work...as a firefighter. This...sounds like horseshit to me, unless he also dresses as a firefighter for some kind of undisclosed side gig. (HIV testing after an accidental needle-stick, sure, but routinely?)
– I'm starting to think that none of Ruggle's heroes are actually fluent in English. And that would be fine, if I thought they were fluent in another language...but they communicate mostly in grunts, grumbles, and scowls, and I'm no longer certain. (Charlie, just like her sisters, finds this entirely adorable; it does not concern her that she learns almost nothing about Kieran that cannot be communicated in a grunt.) The men also pout a lot (except it's not described as pouting, it's described as looking "a bit grumpy") whenever the women mention any other man being hot (which they do a lot; nobody in this series is deep).
– The thread that holds this series together is about Charlie and her sisters' mother, who has stolen a necklace and skipped out on bail, but that is very very very much an afterthought in this book, and in the series more generally.
– In this small town, the coffee order for the fire station includes eight full drink carriers, each of which I assume holds four drinks. Am I to understand that they have thirty-two firefighters on duty at one time? In their wee little town?
– So many reminders of how big and muscle-y the various romantic leads from this series (and related series) are. So many. Meanwhile, the baddies are all either 1) kind of weeny or 2) possibly fat. So I'm left with the impression that you can only be a hero if you're swole in an everyone-thinks-he-takes-steroids-but-actually-he's-just-that-hot kind of way, and if you aren't a muscle man, you're lazy and a possible villain.
So there we are. I gave the book three stars because it's playful, but I think my initial enthusiasm for this series has long since run out. Maybe I'd have enjoyed it more on a different day, but I think I needed a bit more realism somewhere—if not in the bounty hunting and constant running from explosions and bullets and so on, then in the relationship. And this kind of insta-love just doesn't give me that.
Counts:
growl: 20
grumble, grumbling, grumbly: 29
grump, grumpy, grumped: 6
grunt: 30
rumble: 5
scowl: 50
surly: 8
– Neither the cover nor the title has the slightest thing to do with the book. Neither, for that matter, does the tagline on the cover ("Why date a mountain man? Because it's effing in-tents"). I doubt the author had anything to do with the cover, or the tagline, but I'm sorely disappointed with the publisher.
– This has some of the worst insta-love I've read in years. The book takes place over roughly four days.
– Kieran does get two minutes of character development in which he tells Charlie that she can't possibly love him—not because they've known each other for less than a week, mind, but because nobody has ever loved him before. This is solved by Charlie telling him that he's lovable and hot, and then it's never mentioned again.
– Here is the sum total of Kieran's personality: big. muscular. firefighter. taciturn. protective. big.
– At one point Kieran tells Charlie that he's required to get regular STI tests for work...as a firefighter. This...sounds like horseshit to me, unless he also dresses as a firefighter for some kind of undisclosed side gig. (HIV testing after an accidental needle-stick, sure, but routinely?)
– I'm starting to think that none of Ruggle's heroes are actually fluent in English. And that would be fine, if I thought they were fluent in another language...but they communicate mostly in grunts, grumbles, and scowls, and I'm no longer certain. (Charlie, just like her sisters, finds this entirely adorable; it does not concern her that she learns almost nothing about Kieran that cannot be communicated in a grunt.) The men also pout a lot (except it's not described as pouting, it's described as looking "a bit grumpy") whenever the women mention any other man being hot (which they do a lot; nobody in this series is deep).
– The thread that holds this series together is about Charlie and her sisters' mother, who has stolen a necklace and skipped out on bail, but that is very very very much an afterthought in this book, and in the series more generally.
– In this small town, the coffee order for the fire station includes eight full drink carriers, each of which I assume holds four drinks. Am I to understand that they have thirty-two firefighters on duty at one time? In their wee little town?
– So many reminders of how big and muscle-y the various romantic leads from this series (and related series) are. So many. Meanwhile, the baddies are all either 1) kind of weeny or 2) possibly fat. So I'm left with the impression that you can only be a hero if you're swole in an everyone-thinks-he-takes-steroids-but-actually-he's-just-that-hot kind of way, and if you aren't a muscle man, you're lazy and a possible villain.
So there we are. I gave the book three stars because it's playful, but I think my initial enthusiasm for this series has long since run out. Maybe I'd have enjoyed it more on a different day, but I think I needed a bit more realism somewhere—if not in the bounty hunting and constant running from explosions and bullets and so on, then in the relationship. And this kind of insta-love just doesn't give me that.
Counts:
growl: 20
grumble, grumbling, grumbly: 29
grump, grumpy, grumped: 6
grunt: 30
rumble: 5
scowl: 50
surly: 8
December 4, 2025
Ok so I loved this book, but as other reviewers have mentioned there is neither hiking nor rock climbing anywhere in this book. OK the "take a hike' doesn't have to be literal, but it still doesn't make sense with the book. But the cover? I don't hate the cover, but I don't understand how it's even remotely related to the book.
apart from that I like the grumbly, grumpyness of the MMC. The romance was fast, but adorable,
I also like that there is lots of action and adventure and cameos from other books, and little to no relationship drama that always annoys me in typical romances. I rarely read romance that doesn't contain magic or space travel or something like that, but I like this author. This one is likely my favorite of this series.
apart from that I like the grumbly, grumpyness of the MMC. The romance was fast, but adorable,
I also like that there is lots of action and adventure and cameos from other books, and little to no relationship drama that always annoys me in typical romances. I rarely read romance that doesn't contain magic or space travel or something like that, but I like this author. This one is likely my favorite of this series.
November 30, 2025
Overall, it was a mostly satisfying conclusion to the series. We get to finally see the overarching storyline regarding the mom concluded.
Charlie has been the most over-the-top sister, so her story being the insta-love trope makes sense to me. Kieran, being the grumpy to her sunshine, mostly communicates in grumbles except for one moment of vulnerability.
Still, the story was fun, funny, and had enough action to keep me engaged.
Charlie has been the most over-the-top sister, so her story being the insta-love trope makes sense to me. Kieran, being the grumpy to her sunshine, mostly communicates in grumbles except for one moment of vulnerability.
Still, the story was fun, funny, and had enough action to keep me engaged.
August 30, 2025
This was really cute, with snappy, very funny dialogue. Some of the banter was borderline absurd, but in a good way? It really made me chuckle. Otherwise, it was a little too instalove for me, but the first two books in this series were the same way, so it must be a quirk of the author. Oh, and though it’s cute, the book cover has nothing at all to do with the storyline, FYI.
November 15, 2025
I love this book so much. I kinda wish it was a little bit longer, but I know Kate Ruggle has another story coming along. That will probably interact with the pack sisters, and I’m 100% in love getting everyone from the very first book— the murder club ladies and they’re really hot guys— 100% love it. I have never laughed so much, so hard. I’m so excited to read Katie Ruggle’s next book.
November 16, 2025
The world that Katie Ruggle built has been such a legitimate joy to immerse myself in, that I am genuinely sad to see the last Pax sister paired off 🥺
Like all of her books there is spice, suspense, and witty one liners galore. Charlie and Kieran are perfectly mismatched and this was such a satisfying conclusion to the series long mysteries!
Like all of her books there is spice, suspense, and witty one liners galore. Charlie and Kieran are perfectly mismatched and this was such a satisfying conclusion to the series long mysteries!
February 13, 2026
I for sure liked other books in this series better but I liked Charlie’s character. Her mind was a lot different than other female leads I just wish I knew what I was getting into before starting this book to enjoy it better.
Kieran’s explanation that nobody ever loved him was so authentic I also wish I knew more about him going into this book.
Kieran’s explanation that nobody ever loved him was so authentic I also wish I knew more about him going into this book.
December 4, 2025
Katie continues to be my happy space. reading her books is like reading about a friend. a friend who always finds themselves in a murder mystery or in criminal danger. but a friend nevertheless. sad to see this series to come an end.
February 13, 2026
Charlie is chaotic, which was entertaining. It was nice seeing characters from other books. I felt Ruggle focused too much on how "hot" everyone is (seriously, what are the odds?) but still a fun romp. Nothing too deep and a nice palate cleanser from other heavy reading material.
November 26, 2025
so cuties. again, not a huge fan of insta love, i’m more of a slow burn kinda girl but i really enjoy katie ruggles books :)
December 3, 2025
3.5/5.
December 26, 2025
Entertaining, Unpredictable, Wonderful characters, Romantic, sisters
December 31, 2025
Cute, quirky, sexy romance
January 29, 2026
This was a fun read!
February 13, 2026
3.75⭐️
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December 24, 2025
I was excited to read this one, a long awaited conclusion to a series.
I have a hard time when the characters literally fall in love with each other in a week.
But alas, visiting previous books characters and encountering the grumpy monosyllabic MMC that ruffle writes always delights.
One steamy scene that’s pretty fast. Maybe a three steam level (can’t remember already, oops).
3-3.5 stars
I have a hard time when the characters literally fall in love with each other in a week.
But alas, visiting previous books characters and encountering the grumpy monosyllabic MMC that ruffle writes always delights.
One steamy scene that’s pretty fast. Maybe a three steam level (can’t remember already, oops).
3-3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews