Trail Rides and Starry Eyes

by Katrina Emmel

A swoony, sweet YA rural romance between a rancher and the Hollywood hotshot she's tasked with turning into a cowboy—perfect for fans of Kasie West, Erin Hahn, and Kristy Boyce!

Sixteen-year-old Cassidy Sterling can't imagine life beyond her family's Wyoming ranch. Her days are filled with colt breaking, cattle rustling, and an online Intro to Astronomy class. Seventeen-year-old Wilder Nash also has his sights set on the stars—the ones on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A teen heartthrob, he's now he's ready for the big time. To land a lead role as a cowboy in a prime-time mini-series, he must convince the casting director he's an experienced horseman. The problem? He’s all hat and no cowboy.

With less than a month to learn to ride, Wilder heads to Silver Stallion Ranch.

Cassidy's quiet life is disrupted when Wilder arrives. As he mucks out stalls and grooms horses, Wilder begins to see there's more to life than his looks. And Cassidy starts imagining a future beyond the ranch. The growing spark between them threatens to ignite into something more, but Cassidy must decide if she's brave enough to take the reins of her own life. Meanwhile, Wilder faces a the glamorous life of a star or a simpler life under the stars.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Romance, Contemporary, Cowboy Romance

288 pages, Paperback

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[ari [gin’s vrsn 🩵] [semi ia]]

i also got this arc and lwk it looks so cute i can’t wait for this oneeee

my first western romance 🤠
(considering i’ve had an irl crush on a cowboy for four years that’s surprising to me)

[Anisa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute fun and easy read, Dual POV, short chapters. This story made me laugh out loud quite a bit and also swoon over the MMC. We have elements of forced proximity. the FMC is a country girl whose whole life has been on a ranch and the MMC is a up and coming actor who needs to learn how to ride horses for an upcoming role. The story was very descriptive I felt like I was on the ranch with the characters. I learned about horses and was totally into the story so much so that now I want to get on a horse and learn to ride myself. 🤗

Side note: Why is it that YA romances hit harder than adult ones 😭 this was my first cowboy romance as well and now I have to read more of them!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes was such a cute novel, and such a quick and fun read! It was so easy to find myself absorbed in the setting of Silver Stallion Ranch, and I found myself unable to put it down. The descriptions of Wyoming were absolutely stunning- I could easily picture the golden sunsets, the horse trails, and the wildflowers in my mind as I was reading.

Our main trope in this story is Forced Proximity- Hollywood Golden Boy Wilder Nash meets our main character Cassidy when he’s sent to undergo six weeks of horse riding lessons. Wilder wants the role he’s working on terribly, but he also wants to go home. Cassidy wants a summer of peace and quiet, and she doesn’t want to fall for some hunky actor.

I think what I loved the most was how clumsily Wilder spoke whenever he was off-script. Acting comes easy to him, being told what to say and when or where to say it, but when it comes to real conversations, from the heart? He’s completely and utterly lost. And it’s so realistic. My heart hurt for him and his impossible crush on this girl.

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes is fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the e-arc! Look out for this book when it releases on December 9!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Katrina Emmel manages to create such a vivid and entrancing environment in this story, but the story itself just doesn't do much for me. There were a lot of false starts, a lot of set-ups without the punchline, and that made me sad. It wasn't bad. Don't get me wrong. But it just didn't give me much of anything.

Anyway, my full review is available over at Gateway Reviews. Check it out if you want to know more!

Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Cute slow burn cowboy read 🥰

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In full honesty I haven’t been enjoying this book from the very first chapter. When I originally read the synopsis it seemed like something I would enjoy. I love cowboy romances and used to do horseback riding so the overall plot aspect really hooked me. However, this book was just so slow. It really struggled to keep my attention in the first half and the plot ended up being a little more boring than expected.

I really didn’t enjoy the writing style of this book. There were a lot of cringy/cheesy lines and jokes included. I suppose it is more suited for a younger audience however the characters were seventeen and about to be seniors in high school so I feel like it should’ve appealed a bit more to that age group instead of feeling like it was written for pre-teens. I also do think the ending was a bit rushed and didn’t really end with a real or satisfying conclusion. It definitely leaves a lot to imagine afterwards. A prologue would be nice to include of a few months or years later.

Next up I just didn’t really connect with the characters. They aren’t memorable for me. I honestly didn’t even feel like they had chemistry between each other but maybe that was just because I myself didn’t really like them. It was also really difficult to read with how heavily the miscommunication trope was used.

On the positive side the author obviously has experience in the whole ranch life or at least did very good research. I wasn’t hesitant going in since I did horseback riding for almost 10 years but I was really happy to see that the author used correct terminology when discussing the sport and experience. I also loved that this novel, which is classified as young adult, had NO SPICE. It was great having a cute and wholesome romance that didn’t involve teenagers doing smutty things.

Overall, this book really wasn’t a favorite of mine but it did get better by the end. Like I said I appreciate the effort the author put in to researching and I really appreciate keeping spice out of young adult. If you are looking for a cute cowboy romance with no spice definitely check this out!! The writing and slow pace wasn’t my cup of tea but I know a lot of others have really enjoyed this book!

🤠🐴🌾Read If You Like:
- no spice young adult (wholesome romance)
- cowboy romance
- country setting
- horseback riding and farm chores
- forced proximity
- city boy x small town/farm girl

Thank you once again to the publisher for gifting me a copy for an honest review!

RELEASE DATE : December 9, 2025

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel is an absolute delight to read. Cassidy Sterling lives on her family’s Wyoming ranch and works hard to keep things running. Wilder Nash is working to make himself a name in Hollywood. When Wilder needs to learn how to ride a horse fast for a coveted part, Cassidy’s uncle sends him to Cassidy’s ranch to learn. He truly has no idea what he is in for.

This was adorable with all the feels. Cassidy and Wilder were so fun to get to know. I appreciated that they were so hard working and were thoughtful characters. It was great to join them as Cassidy taught Wilder to ride a horse, deal with chickens and maybe befriend a few goats. The story is filled with sweet banter, humor, and ranch antics. I loved the ranch setting and wanted to ride a horse in Wyoming after reading.

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel is filled with sweet romance, a great ranch setting, and some very perky farm animals. I highly recommend Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

[Ashlee (bookswithnopictures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thank you @getunderlined for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Cassidy lives by the expectations of her family and the associated guilt for herself. She's going to take over their family ranch someday and any interest outside of that is boxed up and shoved out of her mind. Taking on the task of teaching Wilder, an up and coming teenage heartthrob, to ride like a legitimate cowboy should be easy enough and a small hiccup once he returns to his life of glamour.
Trail Rides and Starry Eyes is such a swoony YA romance. There's no spice in it but the chemistry between Wilder and & Cassidy is off the charts. I loved their starry eyes for each other, how they each pushed each other to realize their dreams, and the beautiful landscape Katrina explored for the setting. It's feel good and one I'd easily recommend to romance readers of any age. It makes me want to be 17 again so I can go hang out with them for a summer at the ranch.

This releases in just a couple of weeks and would be a perfect gift! Might as well get to reading Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses while you're at it (a favorite of mine from last year). 😉

[Louis (audiobookfanatic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trail Rides & Starry Eyes is a cozy, wholesome YA contemporary romance that's set against a small-town ranch backdrop. The story has a great balance of slow-burn romance, coming-of-age themes, character growth, and small-town charm—so it will appeal to more than just the typical romance reader!

The story follows Cassidy Sterling, a 16-year-old from a Wyoming ranch, whose life is all about family, ranch chores, and horses. Cassidy’s uncle, an agent in Hollywood, sends Wilder Nash, a rising teen actor, to the ranch for a crash course in horseback riding for a cowboy TV role. The collision of worlds sets up a classic forced-proximity romance: ranch chores and riding lessons by day & emotional sparks under starry Wyoming nights.

Cassidy is a sweet, grounded protagonist who’s very loyal to her family. She enjoys her ranch life but has quiet doubts on whether it’s enough for her—and she also feels pressure to continue with the family tradition of working the ranch for life. When Wilder arrives, and she’s in charge of assigning him chores and giving him a crash course in horse riding, everything changes. Wilder is pompous on the exterior but internally very insecure about his talent. As he works on the ranch and develops a friendship with Cassidy, he begins to realize there could be more to life than stardom. At the same time, Cassidy starts seeing cracks in her comfortable routine and imagines possibilities beyond the ranch. Their parallel journeys of self-discovery and growth are the heart of the story, and their arcs are nicely illustrated, especially for a YA novel. Wilder gains humility and real-life skills, and Cassidy learns how to dream bigger and have faith in her life choices! The slow-burn romance is more secondary to the character growth, but it's still very sweet—and there's a lot of great banter that deepens their connection—perfect for a closed-door YA vibe!

The pacing is steady and cozy—so don’t expect any major plot twists and dramatic confrontations. The first few chapters focus on Cassidy’s family relationships, ranch routines, and then slowly adjusting to Wilder’s presence. There are no instant fireworks, but instead a slow building of connection and chemistry, which feels more authentic than a typical “love at first sight” swoony romance. Through feeding animals, sharing chores, and awkward conversations is where their relationship blossoms and the book finds its magic. Toward the end, there are satisfying arcs as important decisions are made and feelings are confronted. The final chapter feels a bit rushed after so many immersive “starry-sky nights” on the ranch, but the ending still feels hopeful and will leave a smile on readers’ faces!

Overall, Trail Rides & Starry Eyes is a sweet YA romance with an original twist on the country gal-meets-city boy trope! It’s perfect for anyone who loves cozy closed-door romances with opposites-attract, forced proximity, and small-town (ranch life) charm!

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel is a first person dual-POV YA contemporary romance. When his agent claims he can ride a horse in order to land a role, Wilder has no choice but to stay with his agent’s family for an intensive bootcamp to learn all the skills he needs for the film. Cassidy is Wilder’s agent’s niece and has spent her whole life on the ranch, away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. After the two meet, sparks fly, but can they find a way to make it work?

Cassidy and Wilder’s romance is neither instalove nor a slowburn, it’s a relatively even paced romance that hits the genre beats pretty well. It takes a bit for Wilder and Cassidy to see each other as partners as Wilder is there for work and Cassidy views him as someone she has to look out for after he makes several mistakes when he arrives. When things start to shift, there’s very little of the drama or jealousy that could appear in romances dealing with actors and its more of a logistics thing for them because they live in different states.

I think this is a very cute, very sweet romance for younger fans of YA who are just getting into romance. I would place this as more for the 13-14 range, maybe 15, because of how sweet it is and how much value is placed on Cassidy’s family accepting Wilder, both as a student and later as a boyfriend for her. It’s also a quick read with shorter chapters, which gives young readers places to put the book down if they need to.

I would recommend this new fans of romance who are starting to read YA and readers of celebrity romances who want something sweeter and cozier

[Janae McGinnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassidy and Wilder make for an undeniably charming couple, spending their days preparing Wilder for his shot at stardom in a TV show all about riding horses. While their chemistry is evident, I couldn't help but wish their connection felt more genuine and well-developed. It seemed like they barely scratched the surface of each other's lives, leaving me craving deeper conversations and a stronger bond. Suddenly, out of nowhere, they start developing crushes—I'd have loved to see this unfold more naturally, with richer moments between them. Their individual backstories are touched on briefly, just enough to satisfy younger readers. However, adding more scenes—perhaps exchanges with Cassidy's grandpa or other family members—could have enriched the story considerably. Wilder’s internal doubts about reaching his big break also stood out as a missed opportunity for added depth and entertainment. Overall, the book felt a bit too short, leaving some characters and relationships underexplored. With a bit more development, it could truly shine and resonate more deeply.

[Addy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trail Rides & Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel was a cute, no-spice YA, slow-burning, love story. The book is also told through Dual POV narration. I received an ARC via NetGalley, and I enjoyed the read! In the end, I rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Admittedly, the beginning felt sort of slow and boring. I don't really think that I got into it until half of the way through. For whatever reason, the characters felt younger than they actually were. While I did enjoy Cassidy and Wilder and their story, they did feel younger than 17. I don't know if that makes much sense or how to explain it, but... It also felt as though we followed along the everyday ranch activities rather than exploring the further development of put MCs.

All of that aside, the story was good! It was an enjoyable read that made me laugh! If you frequent or prefer YA love stories, then Trail Rides & Starry Eyes may be right down your alley! 💫

[Esme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads very slow. The pacing was rough. The first half took me a long time to get through but then once we hit the half way point the book picks up the pace a bit and gets into a nice flow. I want to talk about the characters a bit. I liked Wilder but I wish we could have gone a bit deeper into his personal backstory. I really liked Cassidy she was a great main character but she did jump to a lot of conclusions sometimes which irritated me to no end. (when you read it you'll understand lol) She was about as stubborn as the goats but it was part of her charm. This is a very low stakes book, so don't go into it expecting big Hollywood drama, it's very much meant to be a cute cozy romance focused YA. My favorite part was Cassidy's family. I just loved how they interacted!

Release date: December 9th 2025

Thank you Netgalley & Random House/Delacorte Romance for the ARC copy! *all opinions are my own*

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

This was such a cute, fish out of water, dual pov YA romance between a young actor sent to research on a Wyoming ranch for his next movie role where he falls hard for the cowgirl who lives there. Full of laughs and heart, this was great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Kasie West or Erin Hahn. Definitely worth a read! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[bayan alrefai · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ✰ this was so cute and so fast paced! wilder is a famous LA actor who is trying to learn how to become a cowboy for a movie role and it so happens that cass can be the only one to teach him at her familys ranch so u can guess what happens next 🤠🏃🏻‍♀️ i wish we got more backstory and it did feel kinda insta love-y but it was sweet and i liked the ending!

thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review <3

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a fan of cheesy rom coms, this book is for
you! Wilder is Hollywood's next big star, and Cassdy is a farm girl who rarely leaves her Wyoming ranch. When Wilder lands a huge role in a TV show, he must learn to expertly ride horses -- with Cassidy's help! It's a cute, clean romance that is totally worth reading!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

(I received this as an ARC from Rainy Day Books)

[Katie]

Cute fluffy YA book. There wasn’t much depth to the characters or to the romance but if a teen read it I don’t think they’d notice or care, so don’t mind me😅

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to partner @prhaudio and #netgalley for the gifted copy.

Be still my teenaged heart! This is the exact type of book I would have devoured as a teen and I still enjoyed it even though I’m miles past that era of my life. I spent a lot of time in the saddle as a kid and teen and it took me back to those days.

Set in Wyoming, teen heartthrob Wilder Nash has to learn to ride and manage horses, and fast, for a hopeful role in an upcoming movie. Country-girl Cassidy gets to teach him the ins and outs of ranch life and horses, and in the meantime, the sparks start to ignite.

The dual points-of-view were everything and delivered many laughs, some heartfelt moments, and plenty of teen angst and swoon. I enjoyed the ranch life and recognizing that each of us have experiences to learn and grow from, lessons to realize, and relationships to develop, whether we’re rich and famous or living a simpler life. It was a treat to watch Wilder fill out his cowboy boots and to observe Cassidy’s steady nature.

This is such a sweet YA story and I loved the way it was written. A cute romance with a few mild swears and a whole lot of swoon made this one a winner.

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Alexandria Hopkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFd the pacing was just wayyy too slow for me. 40% and nothing was happening and I didn’t feel the connection at all to the characters :(

[tristyn dawn❤︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

3.25⭐️

enchanted by taylor swift
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 1:23
“I was enchanted to meet you”

spoiler free review!

read if you like:
⤿western romances
⤿actor & normal person trope
⤿horses
⤿clean books
⤿ranch life

this was cute! I loved Wilder and Cassidy, and there were definitely some swoony romantic scenes, but sadly the pacing of the book kinda ruined things for me.
a lot of people were saying the beginning was really slow, but for me it was way too fast. this may be considered a spoiler but it felt very insta-attraction to me. I personally prefer slowburn and lots of tension. the ending was also kinda fast paced. I also would have loved an epilogue.

I loved all the info and details on ranch life. you could tell the author knew what she was talking about.


characters

{Cassidy}
She was fun! I don’t have any super strong opinions on her.

{Wilder}
I liked him, he was such a cutie! I wish we had more backstory on him.

{Natalie}
She was my favorite side character for sure, maybe even my fave character! She was barely in the book but I still loved her so much. You could tell she was a girl’s girl. I wish she was in the book more!

Overall this was a fun, cute, and clean romance. The reason for a lower rating is I honestly didn’t like the book when I first started reading it. It got better though, and I ended up enjoying it. I might recommend it to a few people.

Age rating: 12+
no spice. a few non-descriptive kisses.
TW: it is mentioned that our fmc’s grandma passed away, light swearing. d*mn used frequently, h*ll and sh*t used non frequently. I can’t remember any uses of the Lord’s name in vain but there may have been a few.

❤︎ quotes ❤︎

quotes may contain minor spoilers.

“Cassidy’s a vision, standing there twirling the saddle axe like a boss cowgirl. Not gonna lie, I’m kinda in awe.”

“Cassidy’s frown deepens, which cuts me to the core. I hate how unhappy she looks and I hate that I’m the reason.”

“He lifts his hand as if he’s pretending to tip his hat and says, “Just doing my job ma’am.””

“Crushes are the worst. Why can’t they just automatically die when you discover the person you’ve set your heart on doesn’t feel the same? Or worse, they were just acting like they did. It would be so much simpler if there was an off switch instead of a hope-hinge that just won’t allow the door to your heart to close completely.”

“”Safety first.” I say. But I’m not entirely sure if I’m referring to the helmet protecting his head or my attempts to protect my heart. Because Wilder, in a cowboy hat, is dangerous.”

“She hasn't been airbrushed to perfection, and yet she’s absolutely stunning.”

“There’s definitely a spark between us, at least as far as I'm concerned, and I worry that if I get caught up in it, I’ll only end up getting burned.

[Cordelia Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story of two worlds colliding and how we learn from others about ourselves.

things i loved:
🌸 characters didn’t hate each other!!!
don’t get me wrong, i LOVE enemies to lovers, but i’ve gotten a little bored of seeing it half heartedly replayed and also bastardized. this story instead has two characters who just innately see each other and admire each other despite hardly knowing each other. it was really sweet and refreshing to see reluctant allies to lovers
🌻 female main character was SO even tempered
she really was a rock. partly, she was in her element. but also, she was just really self assured of the kind of person she was and her own abilities. even when she was emotional she was even keeled, rational, and in control and it was a real relief to be half set in that kind of character
🌾 male main character doesn’t/wouldn’t have a power advantage
their meeting is predicated on his complete lack of knowledge. a knowledge our fmc is meant to share. so he walks into all situations at a disadvantage, which is something you hardly ever see in romance, and i thought it was really interesting and added to his internal conflict
🌸 rich internal conflicts!
(speaking of!) both characters had salient internal conflicts that I found really interesting. truthfully, I wish they’d been leaned into more and been more fleshed out but doing so would’ve probably considerably lengthened the book and i’m here for five hundred page cowboy romance but I digress. internal conflicts also created a really interesting foil dynamic between the characters
🌻 rich, cozy world!
works are (so far) all set in these magically enveloping universes. first, a section of the oregon trail, then a sprawling ranch in wyoming. if her next book is set in coastal yet foresty new england i’m going to lose my freaking mind. anyway. I just find myself drawn to these spaces. long after i finish the books, i find myself daydreaming about diving into them. like, i just want to inhabit the vibe and the space

things i would’ve loved more of:
🌾banter and conversation
this one felt far less revealing of its characters. i knew them because i was in their head, but i couldn’t really get totally locked in because so much of the narration was the characters’ internal monologues. which is fine for such deep internal conflicts. but i felt like it kept the characters from truly and deeply falling for each other, and thusly me from falling for them
🌸 more world details
like i said, i just love these worlds. I wanted to feel more connected to it and feel it come to life around me more
🌻 tighter prose
there was a little too frequent redunancy in the prose for me to overlook it entirely. there was also a lot of repetitive problem listing. every other chapter we reiterate the unmovable object in the way of our unstoppable force. it felt pathetic for these two very smart and capable character to stare at this jumpable hurdle and wonder how on earth to get past it. same vein, a lot of telling and not showing which i know comes from trying to keep word count slim per publisher request but i just think it actually added words. because the author felt cornered into telling, they used less effective description, and compensated by adding more telling. vicious cycle

🌸 final thoughts
not a perfect book (no such thing), but i was DELIGHTED. i had a great time reading it. it was relaxing and fun, with a good mix of drama and coziness. really quick to get through, not dense or sloggy at all so perfect for someone in a slump or on a roll. sweet and heartfelt with some relatable discourse on self and identity

read if you like: near misses &cowboy kisses (author’s first book); geek charming and/or starstruck dcoms); camping and outdoorsy cottagecore vibes

THANK YOU ENDLESSLY to the author for gifting a galley of this book for review purposes 🩷

[Cindy Huskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, I’m not saying this book moves slowly, but I’m pretty sure I aged a decade waiting for Cassidy and Wilder to figure out what both of them announce—in every other paragraph—they’re already feeling. Cassidy is crushing on Wilder. Wilder is crushing on Cassidy. Cassidy thinks Wilder is cute but oh no, he’s a celebrity. Wilder thinks Cassidy is amazing but oh no, what if he won’t be ready to ride for the movie. Rinse. Repeat. Add horses.

That said? Young teens are going to eat this up like it’s a freshly baked batch of ranch cookies. It’s squeaky clean, wholesome as a Wyoming sunset, and built on every cozy YA rural romance trope that makes the middle school crowd swoon. You’ve got ranch chores, you’ve got colt breaking, you’ve got Hollywood-boy-must-learn-to-ride-before-he-disappoints-his-agent. And the chemistry, while aggressively announced, is adorably earnest.

Cassidy is a grounded, hardworking heroine who’s basically living her best “small-town girl with dreams bigger than the sky” life. Wilder is the “I’m famous but sad inside” celeb who slowly learns there’s more to life than perfectly styled hair and pretending he knows how to hold reins. Together, they are exactly the cinnamon-roll romance teens beg me to add to the library.

Did it work for me? Ehhhhh… let’s just say I’ve had faster-paced days waiting in the school copier line. But for the intended audience? Absolutely chef’s kiss. I’ll happily buy it for the library because this is precisely the kind of sweet, swoony romance young readers adore—and honestly, they deserve cute stories that don’t involve murder, trauma, or someone being secretly a fae prince (not that I’m complaining).

So yes, this is on my to-buy list for the teens who will check it out and come back demanding the next ranch romance immediately.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars – A sweet and swoony YA romance set under the Wyoming stars

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel is a charming, feel-good young adult romance that blends small-town ranch life with the glitz of Hollywood. It follows Cassidy, a grounded ranch girl with her eyes on the stars (literally—she’s taking an online astronomy class), and Wilder, a teen heartthrob actor determined to land a cowboy role in a new mini-series.

I loved how Cassidy and Wilder helped each other grow—facing their fears and discovering new dreams in the process. Their connection felt genuine, and I appreciated the way they each built confidence not only in themselves, but also in each other. It’s a wholesome, uplifting dynamic that YA readers will really connect with.

I also loved that I felt like I had an inside look at a typical day in the life of a ranch hand. I have a newfound appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to keep a ranch running smoothly. The details felt authentic, and I especially enjoyed how the animals were treated with so much love and care—they even had the cutest names!

The writing style made it super easy to read, with a steady pace that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The rural setting and ranch lifestyle gave the story a cozy, down-to-earth vibe, which contrasted nicely with Wilder’s Hollywood background.

This is a great pick for fans of sweet, clean young adult romance—especially those who love small-town charm, horses, and opposites-attract storylines. I’d definitely recommend it to readers looking for a light, heartwarming escape.

Thank you “Random House Children’s Books” for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sofa · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what? Hell yeah.

This was just the right size for a teen romance novel. It was short and sweet and the setting was very fun. I would say it translated teen romance and teenage feelings well.

This novel does a decent job at balancing out romance and coming-of-age. Though some things were unnecessarily repetitive—like yeah he’s from Hollywood🎥 and yes she wants more than this provincial life🥀 WE GET IT—the characters thoughts and feelings came through clear and I would say it was fairly accurate to young adult feelings and conflicts.

I would say that to add more depth to the story, it would have been nice to expand a little more on each of their family backstories and also have some more meaningful conversations between the characters.

All that said, I became invested in the characters and I’m genuinely curious to know how Cassidy (SPOILER‼️) fares in LA, especially after seeing Wilder’s challenges and development on the ranch.

I read this book on behalf of my Once Upon a Book Club box subscription, and it made my reading experience so much more fun!

This novel wasn’t outstanding, but it was a pleasant and quick read for a contemporary / teen romance lover. A solid four star book⭐️

I’d also like to conclude this post by saying that I casted Chris Briney from “The Summer I Turned Pretty” to play Wilder in my mind and he did a fantastic job.

(Not that this is relevant at all, but I just want to say that I actually wrote a way better in depth review for this, but then my finger slipped and it all got deleted. So this is my second time writing this and this is a brief summary of what I can remember writing in my first review.)

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Cassidy lives with her family on their ranch in Wyoming. She can't imagine always living on the ranch, but she also can't exactly imagine living anywhere else, because the ranch is all she's ever known.

Wilder is a teenage actor looking for his leading role to take him to stardom. When his casting agent lands him a role in a Western, with claims that he was "born in the saddle," this California boy is sent to the ranch to quickly learn the ropes (literally).

The two teenagers have a spark almost immediately, but Cassidy knows he is a Hollywood heartthrob who is only here temporarily. Wilder, while suave on set, has a hard time coming up with his own lines to tell Cassidy how he feels.

I thought the story was cute and a quick read, but there were some plot holes. Some sections drag on with a lot of details and then other parts will jump days or weeks ahead. Example: At one point, they are locked in a barn and then it switches to later, when they are out of the barn and simply mentioned that her mom rescued them. What did they do other than practice knots? How long were they in there? Did anyone notice them missing?

Also, Cassidy is 17 and with her family seemingly strict and old-school (no phones & clean shirts at the dinner table) so I was a bit surprise when she sets out with Nash to go on an overnight camp in the woods alone and also at the end when she makes a decision that really any 17-year-old wouldn't/shouldn't make on their own without first consulting her parents.

[Pam O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cassidy is a teen working on her family's ranch in Wyoming. Wilder is an up-and-coming young actor who has never left LA. Alex, and Cassidy's uncle and Wilder's agent, lets Wilder know he's got a part in a new mini-series, but there's a catch -- Alex has told the studio Wilder was basically born in the saddle, yet Wilder has never ridden a horse in his life! Wilder goes to spend the summer with Cassidy where she teaches him about horses, ranching, and being a bonafide cowboy, and they both learn a bit about crushes and first love as well.

This is a truly adorable YA book. It is 100% YA, and not a borderline young/new adult book. Both characters are teens, they are decently developed, their infatuation with each other is intense crush, there is no spicy scenes (thank you for being age appropriate), and the story is sweet and funny. There are antics with Van Goat and Rambrandt, the resident goats, as well as some chickens and other barnyard animals. This is a very easy to read story, a perfect palette cleanser kind of book, and the imagery of the farm/ranch is idyllic, calming, and beautiful. I could really imagine myself in the paddocks learning how to ride, seeing the stars at night, and remembering how high stakes crushes feel when you're 16 to 18 years old.

If you're looking for a quick read with a little bit of Hollywood and a whole lot of sweeping mountain-scapes and horseback riding, add Trail Rides and Stary Eyes to your TBR!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassidy is a small town Montana girl growing up on a ranch with her family. She has always been close with her family, especially her Uncle Alex. Alex left home and the ranch many years ago to fulfill his dreams, and Cassidy's grandfather (Alex's dad) has never forgiven him for it. One night during dinner, Cassidy's dad receives a call from Alex requesting something from her. He asks if she would be willing to teach Wilder, on of the teen actors he manages, how to ride horses and be a ranch hand for an upcoming movie where he will be the star. Cassidy is torn between helping Alex out and honoring her grandfather. When Wilder shows up on the ranch, little does she know how tings are going to evolve.

Told in alternating chapters between Cassidy and Wilder, Trail Rides and Starry Skies is a fun, humorous romp through ranch life. Sparks fly and hearts break.

I enjoyed the story very much. The names for the animals were so quirky and fun and they made me laugh out loud all the time. The story read as if the author actually grew up on a ranch. I was sucked in from the beginning. I don't usually gravitate toward "horse" stories but this one was so good. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I thought there was more to come with the story lines but it was just done....I wanted more of the family story line with Alex and also the relationship between Cassidy and Wilder. I don't know if there will be a sequel but I want one. I would definitely read it. I need closure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Cassidy! She was a spunky cowgirl, and while she liked her life, she wondered if there was more out there for her. I really loved her path to discovering herself while trying not to disappoint her family or leave them behind. I also really liked Wilder more than I thought I would. I initially thought he was going to be a pretty boy from LA who didn't care about anyone but himself. However, he was such a sweet character who had so many of the same concerns in life as Cassidy. They were a perfect pair to help each other through their struggles. I absolutely loved the setting for the story! The ranch was such an ideal, picturesque place...and the perfect back drop to a love story! I always love a good ranching story. The writing style was good, but you could definitely tell this was a young adult story. I don't mind reading young adult books, but this read a little too young for my liking. But, the writing was well done and enjoyable. The storyline was good with a strong plot. I didn't feel like there were any holes to fill throughout the story. I definitely wanted to keep reading to see what Cassidy decided when it came to exploring life outside of her family's ranch. Overall, I found this to be a pretty good book and I would recommend it to someone looking for a nice, clean, teenage romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Danielle Kaitlin (daniallreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I just need a book that's so cozy & light that it puts me at ease...

Thank you @katrinaemmelauthor and @getunderlined for the #gifted traveling arc.

Katrina wrote the coziest & most delightful cowboy romance e v e r. (I'm not kidding, ask @bookswithnopictures I immediately needed to read her other book once I finished this) Stories that have beautiful settings, simple prose, adorable characters, fur babies with big personalities and a love story will always put me at ease.

I've been very drawn to young adult romances lately because they're simple. They bring back that nostalgia of the butterflies you get when you see your crush & the feeling of "does he like me or does he not." Reading books like Katrina's makes me feel young & light again.

It makes me want to chase after books that give these feels constantly. (If you're like me & want more, I highly recommend Legends & Lattes, Dungeons & Drama, and heck check out Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses)

Never have I wanted to book a trip to WYOMING (of all places) faster. The way Katrina described the ranch & it's simplistic beauty. I needed it. Oh, day dreaming about owning a ranch with temperamental goats & sassy chickens did happen.

I could babble on & on about why I loved this book. Just go + request it on NetGalley to experience it yourself.

Yes, Wyoming is worth it.

My final thought... Cassidy + Wilder 4 EVER! (yes, I did write this about 452 times in the traveling book & no, I don't regret it)

🐎 Western Romance
🩷 Cozy & Light
🐓 Animals with B I G Personalities
🩷 Beautiful Wyoming Setting
🐐 Actor × Ranchers Daughter
🩷 Independence & Growing Up
🐎 Perfect for fans of Kristy Boyc