Alive and Wells

Wells Ranch #1

by Bailey Hannah

The last place city girl Cecily Kennedy expected to end up was a cattle ranch.
But she needs a job—and refuge from her abusive soon-to-be-ex-husband.

If only her new boss, Austin Wells, would make it clear whether he hates her or wants her. His gaze makes her feel things she hasn’t in years. Though getting over her ex by getting under her grumpy boss isn’t worth the potential fallout.

Austin’s a gruff, no-nonsense rancher who’s seriously regretting letting his head cook hire her own help. As far as he’s concerned, Cecily won’t be sticking around for long. Nobody ever stays. And the wedding ring indent still on her finger makes her more trouble than she’s worth.

When Cecily’s past catches up with her, Austin discovers that she’s already placed a branding iron on his heart. He wants her to stay. First, he needs to keep her safe.

CW/TW: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (ON PAGE), PHYSICAL VIOLENCE (ON PAGE), DEATH OF PARENT AND GRANDPARENT (DISCUSSED), TROUBLED PARENT-ADULT CHILD RELATIONSHIP (DISCUSSED), ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION (ON PAGE), RANCHING ACTIVITIES (BRANDING, CASTRATION, VACCINATION, ROPING - ON PAGE), EXPLICIT SEX SCENES

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Cowboy Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

305 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2023

About the author

Bailey Hannah is a Canadian romance author.

She loves to write strong heroines and rugged men who aren’t afraid to love their woman hard.

Born and raised in small town British Columbia, she loves to add rural Canadian flair (dirt roads, rodeos, ketchup chips, and a two-four) to her stories.

She lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and chickens. A chronic middle-of-the-night writer, during the day Bailey can be found camping, baking sourdough, or being her daughter’s chauffeur to horseback riding lessons.

Reviews

[Heather Mclarry · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ cute cowboy romance (EVEN THOUGH HES A RANCHER YOU KNOW WHAT U MEAN) check tw!!!

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

pre-review: & a cowboy romance 😗

review: sorry, he’s not a cowboy. sir prefer the term rancher .

[What.Nikki.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st reaction.... MA'AM, MA'AM there is no way this is a debut novel. No freaking way.
Obsessed 10/5
Full review tomorrow.
PUT THIS ON YOUR TBR NOW

Full review:
🤠 Small town
🤍 Heroine on the run
🤠 Not-a-cowboy Rancher 
🤍 City Girl
🤠 Close Proximity
🤍 Slow burn 
🤠 Grumpy/ Sunshine 
🤍 DIRTY talk
🤠 No 3rd act breakup
🤍 Found Family
🤠 30s MMCs 
🤍 Dual pov/ 1st person

💓 Austin + Cecily 💓 

HOW IS THIS A DEBUT?! I don't believe it one bit. This is absolutely fantastic and a favorite of the month/year?! for sure. 
Light romantic suspense vibes with Cecily on the run from her abusive husband. She ends up at Wells Ranch and grumpy Austin is NOT excited to have a city girl on his ranch. Austin himself is a bit of a broken boy/man with a past that has left some deep scars.  
The banter between these two while they are pining for each other is great. Once that spice hits it is 🥵🥵🥵🥵. 
Watching these two help heal each others wounds while growing together was beautiful. 

⚠️ Please please read triggers. On page domestic abuse and violence. Among others. 

[itsjessamess · Rating 5 out of 5]

listen, these breathtakingly beautiful cowboy romance books make my heart ACHEEEEEEE for the ranch life

[courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I say yee you say haw

[Laurie Gilmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grumpy, protective cowboy?! Yes, please. This one had all the drama and romance I want with my cowboys. Loved it.

[jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

not a fan of when men are rude just bc they’re attracted to someone. not a fan of hearing how much in love with his ex-gf he was and constantly comparing the two women…… there was a lot i didn’t like about this but there was just the same amount that i did like so 3 stars

wanted to read the rest of the series but the ranch hands are whores so nvm

*he immediately dislikes her bc she’s a “city girl” and attractive. he’s had enough pretty girls come to the ranch to escape just to leave him. he won’t do it again. so he’s rude/standoff-ish to her for weeks (most we don’t see probably bc we would hate him)
**his ex left him years ago. they were together 2 years. living together. he proposed, she said no. she didn’t think they were serious (after 2 years, seriously???) this kinda cheapened any experience Austin and Cecily had on the ranch. each spot he would remember taking his ex there…. he was in love with her but at least recognizes that Cecily is “the one” so there’s that

[Carly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird and boring (I will be reading the next book in the series)

[✰ celly ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

needed a good cowboy romance. ended up staying up til 4am finishing this 😭

[ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as my birthday read and honestly it was exactly what I needed. Cecily running away from her mess of a life and ending up on a cattle ranch was already giving dramatic city girl energy, but the way Austin is this grumpy rancher (NOT a cowboy) who pretends he doesn’t care while very much caring had me kicking my feet. The man is all gruff on the outside but soft for her in a way he couldn’t hide even if he tried.

I loved watching Cecily try to rebuild her life while Austin is over here fighting for his life not to fall for her. The whole “no one ever stays” thing broke my heart a little because you can tell they’re both carrying so much, but somehow they fit together perfectly. Some parts were heavy but it made the sweet moments hit even harder.

Officially out of my SLUMP!

[Ri ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

“She's the sunshine of this ranch, bringing light into the parts of me that I thought I'd always keep hidden in the dark.”

Alive and Wells is a sweet and emotional small town romance. It's a story about woman in hiding in a small town to escape her abusive husband and (not) a cowboy. It's a typical small town romance with a very atmospheric, beautiful and comforting small town as a place setting. The writing is easy to read and the narrative is effortless. It's a good story for a debut author and the characters had depth and personalities that pours out in the pages of this book.

Cecily's character was sweet but also fierce and protective. I am glad she found the courage to leave her abusive life behind and build a life for herself in a new town. Austin is your typical rugged, grumpy and broody rancher (not a cowboy). He was nice and thoughful and he had a jealous and protective streak going on for Cecily since the moment she appeared on his ranch but he tried to disguise it with how much he disliked having Cecily as a distraction when he was working at ranch. It was totally dumb move honestly.

“You’re everything. All the time I spent pushing people away was just because I was waiting for you to pull me in.”

The romance was sweet and wholesome and Austin and Cecily had their emotional, vulnerable and comfort moments. I liked how they spent time knowing each other and didn't pressured each other to tell about their past. Their relationship evolved at a slow and steady pace with Cecily giving herself a chance to fall for a man who respects and love her as she deserves.

“Whether you’re in my life for a few months or fifty years, it’ll never be enough for me. So, fuck it, I’ll love you for as long as you’re here.”

Alive and Wells is a good book to set up the foundations of a small town romance series. I am definitely excited to see what other couples we are getting in Wells Ranch series.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

No tenía grandes expectativas con este cowboy romance y me ha sorprendido.

La ambientación es una pasada, te dan ganas de irte a un rancho y buscar a un vaquero que te de su sombrero !

Aunque la historia es bastante sencilla y predecible me ha enganchado mucho.

5 ⭐️ 4 🌶️

[☆EmilyEverAfter☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I love the title of this book! The little play on words fits the story perfectly. Austin Wells is what all men should aspire to be. The hardworking, dirty gentleman that he is. I mean dirty in every sense. I love that they grew together.
I'm sure sooo many women, including myself, can relate to Cecily. That's the unfortunate reality of well, just men in general. 😐  Reading about Austin beating the shit out of her ex was just so fulfilling in a way I didn't know I needed. 😅 I'm ready to hop into Red's story, which I'm sure is a wild one.

[readbydj 🧺 · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS ATE ! cecily and austin’s relationship actually growing naturally and not being rushed was so important to me.

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

5 stars
3 on the spice scale

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is one of those books I got for the cover… I love a good cowboy (but he’s not a cowboy LOL) romance. I enjoyed this debut novel, though I found my mind wandering while listening, so I’m sure I missed some things. I felt like we spent way too much time just waiting for the ex to show up, and when he finally did, meh, but the hero was great.

Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Angelina Rocca & Jack Calihan
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 9h 54m

[Jono Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ // Bailey Hannah’s writing is seriously addictive. Alive and Wells is the perfect palate cleanser and easily one of the best cowboy romances I’ve read. I really appreciated how she handled the topic of domestic violence. She didn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but still managed to keep the overall tone light and hopeful, which is no small feat.

Austin and Cecily are so sweet, and watching their relationship bloom was adorable... even if it moved at breakneck speed and felt a little hollow in parts. But did I still eat it up? Absolutely. Bailey Hannah just earned herself a new fan.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reseña Marcado a Fuego

🔥 Marcado a fuego de Bailey Hannah es un cowboy romance perfecto de los que me gustan a mí. La historia sigue a Cecily Kennedy, una chica de ciudad cuyas expectativas de vida cambian drásticamente cuando su matrimonio no sale como ella esperaba. Sin muchas opciones para salir de ese infierno, huye, y termina trabajando en el rancho Wells, donde se enfrenta a un jefe gruñón pero muy atractivo; Austin Wells. Él es el tipo de hombre que ha aprendido que la gente no se queda nunca con él… pero Cecily, sin buscarlo, se le queda marcada a fuego en el corazón.

🔥 Me ha gustado muchísimo libro sobre todo para desconectar, me lo he leído en una tarde y no me ha durado más de 5 horas. Tiene momentos de dolor, porque el pasado de Cecily pesa bastante en sus decisiones, pero también hay una pizca de esperanza, ternura, mucha química, escenas de tensión que me han dejado loca… y esa ambientación de rancho que me parece súper ideal para romances con este toque de sanación y superación.

🔥 Cecily me ha parecido un personaje muy logrado, es vulnerable pero también tiene mucha fuerza. Su huida del pasado está llena de inseguridades, de momentos de duda, y ver cómo poco a poco se va acostumbrando a su nueva vida, enfrentándose a sus miedos y a un exmarido que hablando en términos claros la manipulaba y maltrataba. Austin, por otro lado, tiene ese perfil de hombre fuerte más reservado, con sus propias heridas, que no sabe confiar del todo en la gente, pero que a la vez se derrite por Cecily aunque trate de resistirse.

🔥 El único pero que le puedo poner al libro esque la tensión romántica a veces va un poco rápido en cuanto a sentimientos, pero la autora lo va compensando con escenas emocionales muy bien escritas y momentos de vulnerabilidad que te llegan al corazón. Si me preguntas si recomiendo este libro para que empieces a leer algo de cowboys la respuesta es no, este libro es más que eso y considero que es muy importante, en este y en todos los libro realmente, leer las advertencias o notas de la autora. Como he dicho es un libro que trata el maltrato y la manipulación en una relación y puede ser un tema que no afecte igual a todo el mundo, ademas de otro temas que también se ven reflejados en la historia.

¿Qué encontrarás en esta historia?
-Cowboy romance
-Jefe x empleada
-Grumpy x sunshine
-Forced proximity
-Found family
-Small town

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐ "I'm fine with being your second husband because I'll be your last."

Austin loves so hard and Cecily deserves every second of it. I thought this started out SO STRONG & then I started to get slightly bored but all in all a cute western/small-town romance.

-small town
-western
-workplace
-heroine on the run
-grumpy sunshine
-forced proximity
-domestic violence

[Crystal's Bookish Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. A realistically developed romance about a woman escaping her abusive husband and the rancher hero who falls in love with her. It's a basic premise, but it was executed with so much nuance and care. Really great.

Will be in my next vlog

[Luciana (✿◠‿◠) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A veces solo hay que leer un cowboy romance, disfrutarlo y seguir.

No sé si va a ser una historia que recuerde de acá a un tiempo, pero ahora me hizo pasar un buen rato, así que me sirve.

[Anila · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover got me to pick this book up and I found myself really enjoying it.

There was definitely some insta-love very early on in the story, which I’m never a fan of. However, once I got over that, this was a pretty decent read. The plot moved quite fast which helped to keep me engaged and interested in the story. The characters were likeable as well, but I did find that they tended to act younger than their age. The leads are supposed to be in their thirties, but they came off as teenagers at times. I had to constantly remind myself that they’re older. There was also no third act breakup which is always a plus.

All in all, this was a not a perfect book by any means, but it had all the tropes I love and delivered on the cowboy romance I was craving for so I’ll take that as a win💁🏻‍♀️

[Leticia (jerseygirlsbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It’s the feeling of coming home from a long trip. It’s the warmth of the summer sun as you lie in a hammock with a great book. It’s the kind of kiss that lasts forever and ends too soon."
My first Bailey Hannah book and I’m so happy I took the chance on her! It’s also her debut novel and if you’re a fan of small town romance, you should check it out.

"The corner of his lip pulls into a strikingly adorable smile. Considering how hot he is with a scowl, I’d be in serious trouble if he smiled like this all the time."
This is one of those situations where the hero is perfect for the heroine. I’m a fan of Austin. I’m a fan of his grumpy ways and the way he avoids people. I’m a bigger fan of how much he loves those he lets in. And I adore the way he is with Cecily, and them together.

"She’s always unusually happy for five in the morning and, to my horror, I’ve grown to enjoy the cheeriness."
Cecily is strangely relatable to me because of what she went through. Her thoughts, her actions, the way she sees herself as broken… it's familiar. But her strength and the way she turns her life around? I mean, gotta love it.

"I’m not a cowboy, darlin’."
"No? Sorry. I guess the cowboy hat, boots, too-tight Wranglers, and compensator truck gave me that impression, for some reason."
Cecily was married to an abusive man. It never got physical, until it did. And while she was already planning on running, that made up her mind. After spending some time talking with a domestic violence survivor who is willing to open her home to her, she moves… to a ranch. She may know nothing about it, but she’s willing to do whatever it takes to survive.

"I reluctantly pull myself from the chair. Wishing he’d ask me not to go, smash his lips into mine, wrap his strong arms around me. If he wanted to, he would. And Austin doesn’t."
Even though she’s a city girl with no experience, she finds a lot of support in most people there. Except one. Austin keeps her at arm’s length. He doesn’t talk to her, he doesn’t acknowledge her and, well, that strikes her as odd. Especially when the guy is a dream to look at—even if she’s trying to avoid looking!

"I may be starved for affection even more than I am for dinner. I think he is, too."
Austin has his reasons for being like that, though. People tend to disappear from his life, leaving him behind to deal with the aftermath, so he doesn’t want to open himself to that again. But yes, he is looking at her, even if she doesn’t see it. He just doesn’t know how to handle it, especially since she might end up leaving him too.

"But I won’t want to stop there. I’ll want to run my hands over your body, and kiss every inch of your skin. And I can’t. Not when you constantly shy away from my touch."
With him, it’s about the actions—like lilac bushes, IYKYK. So they circle each other, with everyone else rooting for them left and right. When he finds out about her husband, and when she finds out about his past too, you know they can work.
It may take a while for them to fully trust each other, but it’ll be worth it.

"I didn’t feel safe at home and wasn’t sure where else to go. I thought I’d be safe here… with you."
Domestic violence is a hard topic for me. I lived with an abuser since I was 3 and until I was 19. So, for all the people who may be thinking, “Well, she could have left anytime”... it doesn’t work like that. You’re probably not aware of the level of manipulation involved. Be glad you’re not.
Thank you to the author for handling this respectfully, even if I would have liked for the issue to have been a bit further elaborated.

"When I hold her and kiss her, none of my fear matters. Nothing fucking matters."
It takes Austin and Cecily a while. It takes Austin seeing how afraid she is, and Cecily seeing how broken he is and why. They’re both broken in different ways, but they have the chance to heal each other. And they need to let each other in for that.

"Come for me. Come on my cock. Make a fucking mess of me. Make me yours."
It’s not that Cecily was that inexperienced, but being able to fully trust someone makes for some very hot moments between her and Austin. I mean, YES to barns!
Alongside the hotness factor, you see the feelings developing between them, and you love that even more.

"You’re everything. All the time I spent pushing people away was just because I was waiting for you to pull me in."
Before you ask, her husband comes knocking because of course he does. And Austin’s there for her, but she stands up for herself too. Now that she knows what her life can be like, and now that she’s surrounded by people who love her and care for her, she’ll never go back.

"You were there when it mattered."
"I always will be."
They were living their lives waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for people to leave. Waiting for heartbreak. Until someone stayed and showed them what it can be like.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ I was blushing giggling kicking my feet twirling my hair at this entire book

if you need a cowboy romance to read after finishing the Chestnut Springs series, LOOK NO FURTHER 🙅🏽‍♀️ THIS IS IT ‼️

dare I say this book is even MORE cowboy-y than Chestnut Springs tbh

is there some cheesy dialogue? sure
is the central conflict resolved very easily? absolutely
is there a lick of feminism in this entire book? hardly

BUT I DONT CARE I ATE IT UP AND LOVED EVERY SECOND

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idk wtf they put in cowboy/“not-a-cowboy I’m a rancher” books but once I read one I CAN’T STOP!!! Any type of rating system I have always goes out the door the second I pick one up. Ugh the coziness of a small town, the romance, and the cowboy banter turn me into straight up smush! 5 stars no doubt, I’m excited to see what else Bailey Hannah has up her sleeve!

[Tanique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kinda ight, it was more insta love and that’s super boring and has no angst so. Also the dramatics made me laugh a little and no genuine connection was formed. And when I saw that her ex was 6’7 I laughed….

[chroniclesofmariana ~ mariana nunes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ☆ ou 2,75 ☆ ? não sei ainda

honestamente estava à espera de amar este livro, tinha tudo para dar certo. cowboys, rancho, small town, romance, spice... porém o livro não me encheu as medidas.
confesso que não gostei nada dos protagonistas e senti que lhes faltava profundidade e personalidade.
a escrita em si não é má, mas também não me prendeu o suficiente (não sei se foi pela tradução ou pela escrita original mesmo)
senti que os personagens não tinham qualquer química (apesar das 50 mil cenas de smut no livro) e que nem ficavam assim tão bem juntos.
a história em si não me prendeu.
admito já que não me vão ver a recomendar este livro

[Noi (in & out)]

DNF 27% - Still a no, but for different reasons.
---------------
Giving it another go
---------------
Read Chapter 1, it gives 'Safe Haven' first few minutes vibes (I LOVE that movie but reading about abuse is harder for some reason).

[Aguslovesbucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Qué obra de arte acabo de leer. Me encantó desde la trama hasta el desarrollo de los personajes, especialmente el de Cecily, quien demostró ser una mujer muy fuerte a pesar de todo lo que ha pasado. Austin se ganó mi corazón al cuidar de ella, protegerla y hacerla sentir realmente amada, tal como ella lo merecía.

Además, hay que mencionar que el contenido spicy se volvía más intenso en cada momento, fue increíble. Me encantó absolutamente todo. ❤️✨️❤️✨️

[Mora]

Not for me

The H loved his ex-girlfriend and proposed to her, but she rejected him (they were together for two years)

She still lives in his mind and he compares her with the h.