From Vegas glitter to Texas pastures, sometimes the biggest risk leads to the greatest reward. Vegas was supposed to be simple. Show up. Smile for the family. Survive my brother’s wedding without doing anything reckless. Then I saw her. The casino’s untouchable host. Leni is temptation wrapped in tight skirts, killer heels, and curves that could bring a man to his knees. She’s everything I shouldn’t want and exactly what I can’t walk away from. One weekend in Vegas. One woman I can’t touch. One sin I’m going to commit anyway.
This is for fans of spicy small-town cowboys, forbidden Vegas hookups, and slow-burn tension. Book 1 in the Dawson Family series, where love is always worth betting on.
Kalli Dean lives on coffee, chocolate and Baileys. Not necessarily in that order. She lives on the Mid North Coast of Australia and if she’s not eating, hiking or reading, she’s definitely plotting some scheme for her characters, based on her friend’s real life events (sorry, not sorry!).
What a complete badass is the first impression of Leni that I got. Wes is just 100% cowboy. They both would like to discover love but they think it will never happen. I think Wes fell in love when he spotted Leni on the casino floor. This was a smaller book but don’t let that fool you. It packs more of a punch that you would expect. Take a chance with the book. I also can’t wait for the rest of the Dawson family ✨✨
Their story began in Vegas when he saw a beautiful blonde in a red skirt accosted by a drunk...
Wes Dawson took over the responsibility for everything concerning his family fifteen years ago when their father died. He was only twenty at the time. He's put his own life on hold to care for his mother, Sarah, brothers, Grady, Bennett, Mason, and Cooper, and sisters, Jolene and Daisy.
Leni Blaine is the casino's top host, and she takes guff from no man. She has the reputation for being polite, professional, and immune to charm. After an incident with a handsy tourist who had slapped her on the rear, and she put him on the floor, she had winked at a cowboy. Now seeing her best friend, Ellie, and upon learning that all of the groom's brothers are in Vegas, she has the sinking feeling that the cowboy she winked at is one of Ellie's future brothers-in-law. She was correct.
Ellie Morrison and Leni became best friends in college. They were both broke and bonded over surviving on ramen noodles. Ellie returned to Texas and ended up in a small town there to begin her teaching career, while Leni stayed in Vegas. Now she's found her cowboy and is marrying Bennett. However, the bride between wedding crises has the time to do a bit of matchmaking on the side. Leni is her maid of honor, while Wes is the best man. Ellie thinks both of them deserve a touch of magic in their lives—and what better place than Vegas for magic?
There's an instant fiery attraction between them. But her life is in Vegas, while his is with the family ranch in Texas. He loves her enough to say goodbye to her. After all, her dream job is almost within her grasp. But when the job is offered to her, she begins to see that maybe it's not what she truly wants. Yes, the job offers a lot more money and prestige to her life, but she'd be alone every night. Maybe it's time to see what Wes and this ranch in Texas could offer her in exchange for what Vegas has to offer. Who knows, maybe Wes' family won't like her, or she won't like them.
She can soon see herself making a home with Wes on this ranch, but Wes can only see what she’d be missing from her life.
Is she going to let a man, even one she's falling in love with, make decisions for her? No way! This cowboy isn't going to know what hit him!
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
In Sin City Surrender, Kalli Dean takes us on a thrilling ride from the glitzy streets of Las Vegas to the tranquil charm of Texas ranch life, creating a tantalizing mix of forbidden romance and undeniable chemistry.
The story centers around a weekend away that spirals into a passionate escapade that neither character can resist.
The story kicks off pretty clear, a family wedding in Las Vegas, where Wes has every intention of staying on the straight and narrow. Enter Leni, the captivating casino host whose magnetic presence turns his carefully laid plans upside down.
Leni is a vibrant character. Their immediate chemistry crackles off the page, drawing us into a whirlwind of desire and temptation that feels both exciting and dangerous.
Our hero wrestles with the consequences of his attraction to Leni, a woman who is not only off-limits but also appears to embody everything he’s trying to avoid. The “forbidden” element of their attraction adds an exhilarating tension that keeps us reading, we need to see how their relationship will unfold. Each encounter is charged with anticipation, making the slow burn feel both torturous and rewarding.
The story is peppered with playful dialogue and humorous moments that lighten the more intense scenes and enhance the overall enjoyment of the book. I found myself both laughing and sighing as Leni and Wes dance around their undeniable attraction, leading to moments that are both steamy and warm.
Sin City Surrender is perfect for fans of spicy small-town cowboys and seductive Las Vegas nights. It’s a tale of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, embracing temptation, and ultimately discovering what one truly desires, both in love and life.
This book is a delightful escape for anyone looking to indulge in a hot and captivating love story.
Wow, what did I think of Sin City Surrender.....I loved it. Who doesn't like an insta attraction leading to forever love? Well I certainly do!
When cowboy Wes goes to Vegas for his brothers wedding, he never in a million years thought he would find his "the one". And when his eyes find Leni across the room where........
In one swift, savage motion, she grabs the guy's wrist and uses his own momentum against him, and flips him flat on his back"
To say he was stunned at the manoeuvre is an understatement. BUT she made an impression on him and he needed more.
Leni has been bitten by the cowboy bug before and to say she in unimpressed by Wes understatement. All things cowboy are banned from her agenda.
Neither are looking for a hook up or a happily ever after, but both feel the pull towards each other, when they find themselves a partners in Wes's brothers wedding. Having one drink at the bar......means nothing, right? One drink leads to more and BAM!! A hookup....(I am singing right now!!)
No complications, no ex's getting in the way, just plain sailing into a relationship.....but how does a long distance relationship work? It doesn't!
An overall great story that I enjoyed immensely. A resound well deserved 5 stars from me!
Sin City Surrender is the first book in the Dawson Family series and also lands as Book 26 in the Sexy as Sin: Las Vegas world. It delivers precisely what you want from a quick, satisfying romance read.
Sin City Surrender is a fast-paced novella that hooks you early. Watching Leni and Wes go from instant, undeniable chemistry to something deeper is the kind of tension that keeps you turning pages. Their connection feels natural from the moment they meet—flirty, charged, and emotionally layered enough that the heat actually means something when it finally ignites.
What I appreciated most was the “surrender” theme done right. This isn’t just about attraction. It’s about the characters learning that holding onto the past will cost them the love they’re being offered in the present. Leni is confident and spicy, but she’s also carrying real weight beneath that edge, and Wes is all cowboy and matches her energy in a way that makes their happily-ever-after feel earned instead of rushed.
If you like steamy slow-burn novellas with strong chemistry, emotional payoff, and a satisfying finish, this one is absolutely worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sin City Surrender was such a fun treat! A city girl meets a cowboy: best man and maid of honor at a wedding, and sparks fly immediately. Leni has built walls around herself; after experiences with men who show love only to get something in return, she’s learned not to trust easily. The cowboy, on the other hand, has carried responsibility since he was 19, running the family ranch and taking care of his siblings. Now he wants something for himself… and that something is Leni, even if she’s hesitant.
This is a fast-paced, enjoyable story about choosing happiness and going after love, with mutual respect and no unnecessary drama (and absolutely no “bullshit,” pun intended). It’s also about the power of family: both the one you’re born into and the one you find along the way. With a huge, funny, chaotic family in the mix, it makes for a short, fun, highly recommended read.
This is my honest ARC review. Kalli Dean, all the best! You've got a new fan!! Great start to the series!
Leni and Wes are a great example of the Opposites Attract trope. She’s a high-stakes event planner in Las Vegas, and he is a rancher, and they meet because they are both in a wedding party. I like that although they are different, they let the love be their bedrock, assisted by a healthy dose of respect. I also like how they both are able to adapt so that they become symbiotic rather than antagonistic, and isn’t that what the Opposites Attract trope should be about? Book is SAFE. Heat is EXPLICIT, although there’s MORE PLOT THAN HOT. TRIGGERS include recalcitrant bovines, alpaca insurance, and bridezillas. TROPES are, as mentioned, Opposites Attract, as well as Instalove, Badsass Heroine, Cowboy Hero, Family Ties, Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue, Best Man and Maid of Honor, Wedding Hookup, Viva Las Vegas, Not the Peacocks.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"a place built on the idea that anything's possible. That you can come here with nothing and leave with everything, or come here with everything and lose it all, and either way, you get to start over"
Boring.....
Not so fast my friends! There are twists and turns waiting for you in every chapter.
How can an authoress, make the cowboy seamlessly lull a girl into rural life at the same time this entrepreneur girl thrives between cows and fences, is beyond me.
She's a drill surgent longing for a partner. He's a hardened cowboy fast becoming the most romantic cowboy! "Your dreams are my dreams. Your success is my success." 🥲
They terrify one another. Is this what home feels like?
Their wedding is pure magic!!!
P.S. I can't wait to read Grady's story!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wes is in Vegas along with family to attend his brother,Bennett, marrying his love,Ellie. Ellie had chosen Vegas where her best friend and former college roommate,Leni, works as an event coordinator. Image his surprise when he sees a woman in black silk blouse with a red pencil shirt drops a drunk when the guy slaps her butt. Wes had taken control of the family ranch at 19 as the oldest of 7 kids when their father died; he is now 34. Her name is Leni Blaine! She's worth the chase! Read their back & forth as they get to know each other. Would she ever consider leaving Vegas? What are her thought of being with Wes, a cowboy? What are his thoughts when she shows up at the ranch? Is it for him alone? Would she like to start her own event planning business with maybe a partner? What about a cowboy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved this novella by Kalli! I read this one in one sitting and it was a great break to get caught up in the antics of what happens when Texans invade Vegas!
Talk about a tall drink of some seriously handsome cowboy who grabs the attention of a no-nonsense, independent, strong woman who takes no crap from anyone. The chemistry is off the charts between Leni and Wes from the start. Leni's best friend is marrying Wes's brother and she is the wedding planner/maid of honor and Wes is the best man. They decide to take a chance with all the smoldering tension between them which leads to some sexy encounters during the weekend wedding festivities. You know that saying, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas... well you need to read this one to see what happens!
Las Vegas romance. Wes, a cowboy with his own ranch, has come to Las Vegas for his brother's wedding. But as soon as he arrives at the hotel, he sees the beautiful Leni, and at first glance, he knows he'll do anything to win her over. Leni is a young woman who works at a Las Vegas hotel and never mixes business with pleasure. But while organizing her best friend's wedding, she meets Wes, for whom she can't help but fall. Will Leni and Wes have a beautiful love story, or will Leni choose not to risk her career….
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wes and Leni fell into close enough to instalove at his brother’s Vegas wedding. Decisions need to be made, because he’s from Texas, and she’s got a pretty good job… She uproots her life, but oh my lord, this golden retriever rancher makes it worth her while.
Kallie Dean has written a story where you cannot help but fall in love with Wes, too. His family is amazing, and I’m looking forward to seeing some of their stories coming up soon.
Thanks, Kalli, for the opportunity to read in advance.
Sweet romance. A wonderful read that I enjoyed all the way through. It is full of a warm feeling that comes from a large family filled with loving support of one another. Engagingly rich characters with enough backstory to not leave you wanting but not too much that bogs the reader down. Subtle comedic thread throughout but it is the genuineness of the Dawson family that shines through. I received a free copy of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily leave my review. I’d definitely recommend this book to those looking for a story where the characters just know this found love is right.
Wes Dawson is the eldest son and brother. Mason Grady, Bennett are Wes’s brothers. Leni Blaine is the Belliago’s Top host and wedding planner.
Wes is the best man and Leni is the Maid of Honor at Wes’s brother Bennett’s wedding being held at The Belliago in Las Vegas. There is an attraction and chemistry (Wes and Leni) from the start it is a slow burn to gradually igniting. Can they pull the best man and maid of honor off? Can they have a Happily Ever After?
This book has warm wonderful characters with a bit of sass and humor.
This was a fun trip to Las Vegas. Leni was an absolute boss and her entrance set the tone for her character in the best way. Wes was totally swoon-worthy and his manners were so darn sexy. Together these two made a wonderful pair and it was loads of fun to watch them give in to the inevitable. My only complaint might be that I wish the book had been longer. I was having so much fun I hated to see it end. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
On a trip to Vegas for a family wedding, Wes is there to get in and go home. Then he has an incredible weekend with Leni. Their stolen moments and time together have to end no matter what their feelings are, he has a ranch and family in Texas and she is headed for the career she’s always wanted. Will that change their minds when they realize how much they’re falling for each other? This is a short read packed with wonderful characters, great dialogue and a good story line. Don’t miss out on this read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A delightful Insta-love story. From the moment Leni and Wes see each other at his brother's wedding, they have chemistry and attraction, and they never imagined they'd fall in love instantly. Before they can start their future together, they first have to sort out things regarding work and living. A wonderful story and highly recommended!
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Leni and Wes meet when she's planning her best friend's wedding, he's on the grooms side. They find each other spending more and more time together as the tension between them builds. Leni realizes she needs to learn to let go of the past in order to have a chance at new love. He's in Texas, she's in Vegas, they have to decide what their future can look like together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great beginning to this new series. Liked this wild Texas family who are loyal, fun and live true to themselves. Enjoyed the banter within the family and liked the fast connection between Leni and Wes. Wonderful story of finding love unexpectedly and learning to trust you can count on the ones that love you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sin City Surrender by Kalli Dean is part of the Sexy as Sins Series: Las Vegas. Leni and Wes's story is a fun fast paced romance. This is the first book I have read in this series and look forward to reading more from it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. The main characters were great, and the side characters really helped to make this book. I am now looking forward to more of the family stories she said are in the works. A great addition to this series.
This was a quick read that I enjoyed, and I enjoyed the characters, It was fun and sweet and spicy book that I couldn't put down I can't wait to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this short novella. It’s fast paced and was fun to read. Wes and Leni have an instant attraction that leads to romance. I enjoyed this warm hearted story.
Quick read that follows event planner Leni Blaine as she coordinates her best friend's wedding and meets the groom's oldest brother, the devastatingly charming Wes Dawson. Sparks fly immediately but of course Ms. Blaine has her guard up, working in Sin City and dealing with confident men. Somehow Wes breaks through her barriers and
The story was good, I liked the characters and I liked how Wes and Leni were supportive of each other and helped each other heal from past experiences.