Cowboy Casual

The Calloway Ranch #1

by Holly Renee

Blaire Monroe is the only woman I’ve ever loved, and the only one I’ve let break my heart.

It’s been ten years since she ran from this town, chasing a life that didn’t include the cowboy next door who blurred the line between best friend and something more.

Now she’s back.
Fresh off a busted engagement and hiding out on her grandmother’s crumbling strawberry farm like the past never happened.

Like she doesn’t still linger in every part of me I’ve spent years trying to erase.

But Blaire isn’t the kind of girl you forget.
She’s wildfire: reckless, untamed, and impossible to hold without getting scorched.

We collide the second we’re in the same room.
Too much heat. Too much history. Not nearly enough distance.
The tension crackles, the pull is impossible, and before long, we’re right back where we swore we’d never be—pressed against the wall, her hands in my hair, my mouth on hers like I’ve been starving for a decade.

I tell myself I can handle it.
But the truth is, this cowboy was never meant for casual.
Not with her. And sure as hell not again.

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

418 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2025

About the author

✨USA Today Bestselling Author
🤠 Cowboy Casual out October 7th

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhollyrenee/
Join my Reader Group, Hollywood: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HollyRenee


🩷🤠COWBOY ROMANCE🤠🩷

Cowboy Casual | Coming October 7th


✨🌙⚔️FANTASY ROMANCE⚔️🌙✨

The Veiled Kingdom Series

The Veiled Kingdom
The Hunted Heir
The Rivaled Crown

The Stars and Shadows Series
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal
A Kingdom of Venom and Vows
A Kingdom of Fire and Fate


🖤🫦CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE🫦🖤

The Boys of Clermont Bay Series
The Touch of a Villain
The Fall of a God
The Taste of an Enemy
The Deceit of a Devil
The Seduction of Pretty Lies
The Temptation of Dirty Secrets

The Good Girls Series
Where Good Girls Go to Die
Where Bad Girls Go to Fall
Where Bad Boys are Ruined

The Rock Bottom Series
Trouble with the Guy Next Door
Trouble with the Hotshot Boss}
[book: Trouble with the Fake Boyfriend

The Wrong Prince Charming
The Wrong Prince Charming

Reviews

[rei ‧₊˚✩彡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

╰┈➤ 5 stars!

call me basic or whatever you want but i will eat up a cowboy romance like a starved reader because this book got me out of my slump 😝

・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・

pre-read:

to sum my january up, it’s basically a month of feeling so slumpy that it feels like a chore to read books, and i’ve decided enough is enough. i need to go back to my roots, and that is to read a cowboy romance book to get me back to reading. i have been eyeing this book for quite some time because just look at that cover?! it’s STUNNING! i just hope the inside is just as pretty if not more!! 😩🩷🤞🏼✨🫧

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"HOUSE DADDY WON'T BITE. PROMISE." 👀👀👀🤭

Well, this was fuuuuuun. I was hooked from the start honestly. I loved Colt & Blaire's second chance love so much. BUT I am so excited for more of The Calloway Ranch because the tension between MAGGIE and HUNTER!!!!! WHATTTT. I need a story for them immediately. My forbidden romance loving heart is ITCHING for it.

This was such an adorable small town/ cowboy/ single daddy romance book! I loved the side characters so much. I do think my only thing was I wanted a little more emotion between the two characters since I typically struggle with second chance but all in all, this was enjoyable.

When Maggie said: "Godspeed, cowgirl. Make sure you hydrate. Mustache burn is REAL." I DIED. 😂

[Brittany Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, six big-ass yeehaw stars for this book.
💓🥹😮‍💨👏🏻🤠🍓
This honestly felt like someone reached into my brain, pulled out everything I absolutely fucking love in a book, and packed it right into this one. It’s angsty as hell, dripping with tension, super sexy, flirty, emotional, and filled with the kind of push and pull that ruins you in the best way.

I live for the yearning in a second-chance romance, and this one turned it up like ten notches. I also love that we didn’t get flashback chapters, yet I still felt completely connected to their past. Sometimes flashbacks can take away from the present, but this was executed perfectly.

When I tell you I highlighted half the book, I mean it. I couldn’t stop. The way Blair’s journey of finding herself again after losing who she was in a bad relationship hit me to my core. And Colt? The way that man pined for her? THIS MAN’S MOUTH. OMG.

There’s a scene out by the dock where they don’t even touch each other, and it’s somehow one of the hottest things I’ve ever read. Colt was so down bad (and has always been down bad) for this woman, and it shows. It was portrayed flawlessly. His inner monologue was giving me life. He’s basically like, “She’s back, she’s it for me, and I’m going to fight for her,” and I just fucking love that.

And don’t even get me started on the side characters June is my girl!! That woman honestly felt like a badass warm hug. I don’t even know how to explain it, but everyone needs a June in their life. All the side characters were top-tier, and I cannot wait for the next book, because obviously, we already know what we’re getting with that one 🤭🤭

And the strawberry on top? The relationship Blair builds with Colt’s daughter, Ruby. I had tears permanently welling in my eyes for 75% of this book. It was written with so much love and care, and their bond was developed so beautifully. THE NECKLACE ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!??💓🥹🍓”daddy said it belonged to the bravest girl he ever knew”

This is easily a top-three cowboy romance for me. It was absolutely fucking incredible. If I could force everyone to read it, I would. This book had everything I love, nothing was missing. The plot, the found family, the ranch life, the emotion, and the spice that had my a Colt sized puddle on the floor, it all delivered.

Perfection. There’s nothing else to say. READ IT.



“I want to trace every inch of you with my tongue until we’ve made up for all those sunsets when I was supposed to be kissing you.”🌅🥹

[Alyssa Nieves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect read for February!! 🤍🍓✨

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the life her father, Senator Monroe, curated for her falls apart, Blaire Monroe finds her backbone and returns home to Willow Grove, Tennessee after 10 years and an entire lifetime away.

These two… The yearning, the tension… You can feel their desperation and sense their all-consuming love amid the heartbreak on every single page. Colt Calloway and his slutty mustache are damn near perfect in all the ways - as a father, a son, a brother, a friend, and a lover. And you see all those sides as these two rekindle their lost love.

Also, anyone else picturing Riley Green as Colt throughout the entire book?? 🫠

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🤬🥺🫣😊😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult

✨ Tropes: Family Saga, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers, Miscommunication/Lie for Reasons, Second Chance, Single Parent, Small Town
 
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Cowboy, Hand Necklace, It’s Always Been You, Jealous/Possessive, MINE!, Pet Name

💋 Kinks: Biting/Marking, Domination, Finger Licking Good, Spanking

⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!

🚩 Safety Squad: OW/OM Drama (Mild, One Sided)

📣 Type: Cowboy Casual is the first book in The Calloway Ranch series, but can be read as a standalone.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[itsjessamess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The YEAAAAAARNINGGGGGGGG for TEN YEARSSSSSSSSSSS I‘m going insane
Ihr wisst alle ich liebe meine Cowboy Romance - Found Family - Small Town Bücher so sehr… and here’s another one😍
Ich hab die Geschichte von Blaire und Colt richtig ENJOYED, ich habs richtig aufgesogen🥹 Vorallem RUBYYYYY!!! Colts kleine Tochter (Ja Single Daddy👀) Sie hat mir wirklich alles gegeben😭🫂
Loveddddddd und ich kann nicht auf Band 2 warten!!!🤭

[Megan Coggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
I can dig a strawberry farm cross with a cowboy romance.

This was fun and at times sweet and everything you expect from a cowboy romance.

Blaire & Colt 💕
Second chance x high school sweethearts
Single dad
Meddling grandma
Forced proximity
Spice
Banter
Enemies ish to lovers vibes
A douche ex and a controlling dad.

I have read a lot of books with cowboys. And this was sort of run of mill (not necessarily in a bad way) but in the sense that I really need something to stand out and this was just missing that extra.
I think if you haven’t read a cowboy book with the tropes above a few times before, this will be your jam (pun) 🍓

After seeing other reviews I’m definitely in the minority. My reviews are purely opinion. And I’m never gonna hype a book just because it was an arc read. I’m always gonna be honest and not misleading.

Arc review ✨

[The Polished Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes off immediately! I mean, my heart was racing, I was on the edge of my seat. Overall I really loved the characters in this book and I was obsessed with the idea of them.

Unfortunately, there was something dissonant about the progression of the plot, especially in how the past was weaved into the present. Despite us always knowing that Colt was the one who broke Blaires heart and sent her away (from chapter 1, I’m pretty sure), the present is written with a power dynamic as if it was Blaire who broke Colts heart by leaving him (which is also how the books description is written). This dynamic is present both with outside characters (which could be excused based on how much knowledge those characters have of what happened) AND both MCs, which I feel cannot be excused. Why would these two characters continually treat the FMC as if she had something to prove to the MMC when she’s the injured party? I found myself frustrated multiple times over what she allowed the MMC to do and say (or not say) knowing what they know of their history. It unfortunately made me dislike both MCs at certain times, the FMC for demanding nothing from someone who hurt her, and the MMC for not groveling or acting externally as if he was sorry in instances where he should have yielded the power to her as the injured party. His proof of care in anything outside the physical unfortunately came too late in my opinion. And while he does internally think about being sorry early on, that’s just never going to be enough for me. If you don’t say it out loud to the person you hurt, it doesn’t matter. I’m not sure if this mixed dynamic made sense to other people.. but it just doesn’t for me?

While I keep seeing comments about how great Ruby’s character is (and honestly it totally is, she’s perfect) I could never really get over the fact that her existence is kind of the biggest betrayal from Colt and it doesn’t get addressed at all between Colt and Blaire. Here he pushed her away from this future they had planned, where they dreamed of having kids… then he goes and has a kid with someone else and then refuses to answer Blaire’s question or give any explanation as to what that relationship was? Idk. As much as I loved Ruby as a character, I didn’t like how that went down. They weren’t together so no, he technically doesn’t owe her an explanation. But they were only not together because he broke them apart. And again, this weird power dynamic where he demands that she basically prove that she still thought of him and had feelings for him while she was with someone else while giving nothing back. As much as I liked how Colt seemed so in love with her internally… he didn’t give to Blaire any information that I felt she could hold on to. Other than physical encounters.

Plot aside, there were some things that felt repetitive as I moved along, certain phrases being used over and over in short spans, but overall nothing that bothered me too much and I always hope that type of thing gets cleaned up a little in final edits.

Overall this was a very sweet story that wholly achieves giving that giddy feeling. I just wish I got more from Colt by way of working to show her and tell her how he feels and felt for the time she was gone. And not just sexually. He’s fine telling her that kind of stuff. I need the feelings too. Out loud haha. As always I’m always so thankful to receive eArcs from authors so big big thank you!

[Cozy Puppy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be completely honest, I actually had never read a cowboy-themed romance before this book, and this one set the standard by far. I definitely did not have this on my bingo card, but here we are! 😂 I am absolutely obsessed with the audiobook for Cowboy Casual! ❤️ This was actually my first-ever cowboy romance, and it surprised me how quickly I was hooked in. The duet narration was so good, it was almost totally unexpected, and I genuinely didn’t realize just how addictive this was going to be!

Holly Renee has crafted a second-chance romance that hits every single mark, from the simmering slow burn and blazing tension to the deeply emotional yearning and pining that kept me hooked from the very first chapter. The writing is lush and detailed; from the way she describes the strawberry fields to the horseback riding, the scenes brought the atmospheric environment of Calloway Ranch to life in the best way.

Beyond the romance, I was struck by the surprising depth of Blaire’s character arc. Returning home after years away, she's hit with waves of memories and undergoes a powerful transformation—learning to stand up for herself and finally choosing what she wants over what is expected of her by her father. It was an incredibly rewarding journey of resilience that added so much substance to the story. The reconnection between her and Colt develops beautifully over time, grounded by a powerful sense of found family and the sweet and tender moments between Blaire and Colt’s daughter, Ruby.

The banter between the characters is top-tier, and for those wondering about the steam—the spice is spicing! It is a perfectly spicy read that balances the emotional stakes with serious heat.

The production quality of this audiobook is top-tier; even at an accelerated listening speed of 1.5x+, the narration remained crystal clear and easy to understand. Samantha Brentmoor is amazing as always, bringing Blaire to life with such sincerity, while Thomas Oakley’s baritone voice is the perfect fit for Colt. Their duet narration creates a seamless, addictive chemistry that has me genuinely excited for the next installment of this series, Small Town Smokeshow. I can’t wait to see more of Hunter and Maggie, and excited for more scenes with Colt and Blaire in the future.

Even though I listened to the audiobook, I already know this series is going to be a serious favorite. Planning to order a special edition copy with the cute sprayed edges! The design is stunning, and I absolutely love the beautiful and romantic artwork from Brittany Keller Art.

Perfect if you love:
❤️ Small town romance with deep roots
✨️ Second chance romance filled with pining
❤️ Slow burn, tension, and yearning
😂 Banter and clap-backs that made me laugh
🍓 Dreamy ranch atmosphere vibes: think horseback riding and strawberry fields
🥰 Found family
❤️ A Single Dad MMC
🤠 Protective, heroic cowboys
👢 A resilient FMC learning to stand up for herself
🔥 Spicy scenes that don't hold back
✨️ Dual POV
🎧 Duet-style Narration (*chef's kiss!*)

Thank you to Podium Entertainment for an ALC of this audiobook for review consideration. I am writing this review voluntarily. These are my honest thoughts and all opinions are my own.

[megan ◡̈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 ⭐️

i genuinely do not know where to start with this review, other than this is book 100% tied with people watching as my favorite read of the year (which i truly thought would be impossible for another book to accomplish, so i feel like its very important i throw it out there lol).

blaire and colt had me in a complete chokehold from page 1 all the way to page 427. the angst, the yearning and the chemistry between these two were so palpable i physically felt like it was choking me at times as dramatic as that sounds. i found myself never wanting to put this book down and getting so annoyed at life when i had to go focus on something else 😂

this was my first book of hollys, i knew from the moment i saw the cover and read the synopsis that i was going to love it but i truly did not realize JUST how much like saying im obsessed is an understatement. this book has some of the most BEAUTIFUL JAW DROPPING writing ive ever read. the imagery and the way holly sets a scene is stunning to say the least, i felt like i was immersed in willow grove every time i picked it up.

getting to read this while tloas came out was such a treat because i found myself listening to eldest daughter and thinking of these two, especially as far as the bridge is concerned. the two of them getting their second chance with one another when they never thought they would love again the way they did as innocent teens when everything was so sparkly and light. it made me look at that song a little differently and now i find it sweet to recall these two each time it comes on ✨

id like to throw in that this book was SO. HOT. i literally just got goosebumps thinking about them that how insane it was LMAO. i spent the entire book blushing, giggling & getting chills over the hotness that are these two individuals.

now for the star of the show RUBY, oh my god i was SO pleasantly surprised by this being a single dad book. ruby is hands down the cutest child i have ever read about, i loved watching blaire and colt constantly melting over her because i felt the exact same way 😂. she added such a beautiful warmth to colt & blaires story, she is also the reason for me shedding quite a few tears towards the end LOL. i just adored her completely and loved every time she was in a scene, if i ever have kids one day i definitely hope i get one as cool as her lol.

i feel like im just rambling at this point but i wholeheartedly loved this book in every way possible, i dont think i will ever shut up about them or stop trying to force all my friends to read it. i cannot WAITTTT to see where holly takes us with this willow grove story, i am already begging on my knees for hunter & maggies story. i already cannot wait for an audiobook to be announced because you can bet your ass the second i can get my hands on it i WILL be rereading.

[°❀⋆.monica ೃ࿔*:･ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

oh the things I would do for my own cowboy yall don’t even know!!!!

this one was such a fun but heartfelt second chance romance that hit me right in the feels 🫶🏼 having read other books by holly renee, I can say with confidence that contemporary romance is her best work, the romance, the characters, the setting, it was all so well done!

blaire was the perfect heroine - brave, vulnerable, and human, and watching her grow into herself was beautiful! and colt is everything I’d want from a man and more 🙂‍↔️ you best believe I’ll be praying for my own colt!!!!

my only complaint is that I wish there was a bit less spice and more of a focus on developing their relationship once they do get together, but the buildup was well worth the wait 🤭🥵

I’m so excited to continue on with this series and see what else holly renee writes in the future!

thank you to valentine pr and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[taylor ❤️‍🔥 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝒊’𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒊 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊’𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅. 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒉. 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈.”

after being sent pictures of her fiancé cheating on her blaire escapes to the only real home she’s ever known, the strawberry fields of her grandma junes farm. the only problem with coming home? it’s a small town and there is no avoiding running into colt, the man that broke her heart ten years ago. it’s hard enough to run from her true feelings but things become more complicated when she discovers he’s now a single dad to the sweetest little girl.

the yearning between these two draws you in from the very beginning. the dual pov that holly writes makes you feel the desperation and all consuming love they still have for one another while still feeling the devastation of the heartbreak from all of those years ago. neither colt or blaire are perfect, and for me that was something that made me love them both individually and together. not to mention their love for ruby can warm even the coldest of hearts. 🥹

i can honestly say that i think this is the best thing that holly renee has written yet. it’s giving she was put on this earth to write cowboy romance because oh my god, colt and his slutty little mustache? the mouth on him? I WAS SAT.

i am desperate for the second book already, and the peek she gave us into hunter and maggies dynamic already had me gnawing at the bars of my enclosure.


𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🤍

[veerali · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was very casual indeed.

[Jessie ツ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
3🌶️
⚠️SAFETY at end has spoilers

The tension here was delicious fucking torture!🥵

——ˋˏBLURBˎˊ——
Alright so here we’ve got Colt and Blaire.
✅Grew up together
✅Childhood sweethearts
✅Blaire left for 10 yrs

She returns home after ending her engagement to find Colt is a single dad. She wants to avoid him but that goes awry bc:
✅Forced proximity
•She’s staying with him
•Families are super close
•Same friends

Colt is absolutely mesmerized the woman he’s been aching for returned home. But he’s scared she’ll leave again.

MCs can’t avoid each other long as:
✅Colt follows her like a lovesick puppy
✅Blaire can’t deny his mustache

And mostly because…
✅They are both still madly in love ♥️

——THOUGHTS——
This was perfect, perfect, perfect! Ugh.

Absolutely obsessed with this…and I didn’t think I would be. It gave similar vibes to “In a Jam” by Kate Canterbury, which I ADORED!

~✨What I Loved✨~
1. lovable side characters🫶
2. 5 year old cuteness 👧
3. tensionnnn, longing, pining😝
4. cowboy with mustache🤠
5. cute girl dad shit 🩷
6. cowboy with mustache🥵
7. pathetically in love H🫡


~Comments~

🤨- it’s weird to me she calls her grandma by her first name??? Ik the grandma said to at one point but idk it made me forget it was her actual grandma

👎- NOTHING WILL MAKE ME READ Hunter’s story. 🤮🤮🤮Ew. Gross. He was flirting with everything in this book, brining woman around his love interest, and seemed to have LOVED his ex (which is love interests SISTER). He was hurt by ex cheating on him. MMC even says Hunter only started looking at love interest ONCE him and ex broke up (again..HER SISTER!). Oh there’s more but he doesn’t deserve my time. (He was the only thing to annoy me this whole book and it wasn’t even about him. 😐)

——TROPES ——
•cowboy
•small town
•single dad
•second chance
•forced proximity

The barn scene lives rent free👀
open door, risky, semi-public, no condom, tiny spanking,

SPOILERS IN SAFETY BELOW 👇


——SAFETY——
•CW: grief of parent (past, brief)
•No manhoe
•No cheating
•HEA

Ok, I swear this was chill vibes🤠🤠
But, if you know me, I HAVE to include any and every little detail in safety (bc that’s what I look for too) <33

TLDR-
Daughter ONS (mom left when 3)
Barely OPD
FMC has ex fiancé
MCs never loved anyone else

→MMC’s daughter -
╰┈➤ from ONS. They tried relationship bc of pregnancy but mother left when daughter was 3 bc of MMC being in love w/ FMC (he would call out FMC name in his sleep etc). He never loved her bc she wasn’t FMC. It was chill vibes & daughter’s mother only brought up like twice.

╰┈➤there is a scene early on when FMC asks MMC if he loved daughters mother & he doesn’t answer - making FMC think he did love her. Worry not! he only didn’t ans bc embarrassed to say how she left him bc of FMC/how in love he still is with FMC.

→No OWD -
╰┈➤ except for one scene when a kids mom puts her arm on MMC while talking to him. Before MMC walked in she made it seem like her and MMC had a date. MMC walks in and clears up that it was a PLAY DATE for the kids (and that he doesn’t like this woman and ONLY tolerates her presence bc their kids are friends). FMC jealous regardless and makes him pay! 😌
(she doesn’t show up again)

→Tiny OMD -
╰┈➤ Scene where OM comes up to FMC and asks her out. This was acc one of my fav scenes bc before she could politely turn him down MMC showed up and got possessive af. I don’t want to spoil the scene but best believe I highlighted the shit out of that part 😍😍

╰┈➤ FMC’s ex fiancé shows up at end of story. MCs together at this point and it was fine. He was POS.

Original Review 1/5/26: Ahh!!! RTC but this was AMAZING 😭😭💖💖💖💖

[❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars ⭐️
this was the best book i’ve read this year and this couple is one of my favorite. i’ve never read a book where the MMC was so undeniably in love with the FMC. the quotes from this book are just perfect and i wanted to cry reading about how in love he was with her. if you are looking for a book with a man who yearns this is perfect for you. i loved the found family in this book as well, the strawberry farm set the perfect vibe, and you know i love me a cowboy romance. this was also a single dad romance which i did not know going into this book but single dad is one of my favorite tropes so i was so excited when i found out about Ruby, she is the cutest most sweetest little girl. i am so excited to see these characters more in the rest of the series and i can not wait to read Hunter and Maggie’s story in the next book when it releases in May. this book was simply perfection.

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

”I'd been homesick too.
Not for a place, but for a moment suspended in time. I'd yearned for a feeling that lived only in my memories, and there she was, eating her pancakes like me.”

that was my first Renee book and definitely not the last. i absolutely loved how the author orchestrated this story. it didn’t feel forced, yet it was so raw, so heartbreaking, so emotional in so many parts.

the way the second-chance romance arc unfolded was both beautiful and devastating. i really appreciated that the narrative didn’t alternate between past and present timelines. instead, it stayed grounded in their present, showing how they slowly stitched together the broken pieces of their past. it made their reconciliation feel more intimate, more earned.

and i have to say i adored Ruby, the kid. she played such a big role in bringing them back together, and her presence added so much warmth and heart to the story.

i’m genuinely excited to read the rest of the series, especially maggie’s book, because i already know i’m going to love it.

all in all, it was a beautiful read that balanced perfectly emotional and tender. one of my absolute favorite books of the year.

🍓 many thanks to valentine pr & the author for the arc!

[Larareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsie Silver has been my all time favorite cowboy romance author... but this book just might take almost every book she wrote (there is nothing that will ever compare to Reckless).
I adored every single page of this book!!! I definitely know the next book will be amazing as well and I honestly can't wait until the release!!!

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances and strawberry fields is a HARD YES FOR ME.

Blair is back home and staying with her grandma June on the strawberry farm to heal from a bad breakup with a cheating finance.
She has one mission: avoid Colt, her former bestie, now enemy. But as we know, small towns make avoidance hard and we find ourselves right in the middle of their sassy banter.

Colt, now a single dad still pines for Blair- but damnit....he doesnt want to admit it.

Their heat and chemistry bounces right off the pages and this cowboy romance will have you yearning for your own strawberry farm and cowboy lover.

Thank you to Valentine PR and Holly Renee for allowing me to read an advance copy, I will be adding this one to my library when it releases on October 25th

[Anni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf @56%. Everyone behaves as she has something to prove, while it was he who drove her away and broke her heart. She does not demand answers and he does not grovel. To top it off, he gone and has a kid with someone else. Colt’s entitlement is really next level. Also, June feels like she’s on his side the whole time, so basically her whole family is shitty.

[Angie]

17% DNF.

Not a bad story. I liked the tension. But there’s a lot of repetitive inner thoughts to the point that it is so noticeable and became really annoying. And it’s mostly the FMC, Blaire, constantly bringing up Colt and how it’s so painful to think about him. We get it. No need to bring this up in every other page.

[katie ⋅♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’d loved her for as long as I could remember, and I’d never stopped. It was as deeply rooted in me as the old oak trees on this ranch. It weathered storms and droughts, but it still held strong.”

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

I absolutely ate this book up. If you enjoy reading a slow burn second chance romance AND a cowboy who yearns for the FMC look no further. This was such a great read. It definitely tugged on my heart stringssss.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

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[Irene]

cover is so pretty but i am wary of second chances, waiting for safety reviews.

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sitting here after just finishing this book and have tears at the corner of my eyes begging to escape. This book was a hit right to the heart. I find glimpses of my childhood played out in the eyes of Blaire with her father. This hits hard for those who spent their life with love only being given to them with conditions by the people who should have loved them unconditionally. Those who spend their life putting on an act and not feeling like they were ever enough. I felt seen and understood when reading this masterpiece.

That being said, there are no words to explain how much I loved Colt and Blaire together. I was practically screaming at them the whole book that they were quite literally written in the stars. This second chance romance was written so beautifully. I loved everything about it. The tension and chemistry was top notch and Ruby made me heart sing. I loved this book so much and I hope everyone reads it even if it's not your typical genre. Well done, Holly. 10 freaking stars.

#Second Chance Romance done right

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha & beta read 🤠🩷

[DIVINITY&#x1f319; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shut the FRONT door because WHY was this book that damn good?!🍓💕🤠

Did I have to suspend reality a teensy tiny bit?
Absolutely.
Did I care?
NOT EVEN A LITTLE. Because this second-chance was everything my teensy little heart desired.

The angst?? Immaculate.
The tension?? Deliciously painful.
The will-they-won’t-they?? I was this close to locking them in a closet myself.

And the smut??
BABYYYYY. 🤤🔥
I was two pages away from turning into a literal fly on the wall because the way those scenes were SCENEING?! Whew.

Also HOW is this my first book by this author?! The way I’m sprinting to their entire backlist after this. And don’t even get me started on Hunter… because I’m gonna need a second book pronto 🤪😍☺️ Not a request. A public service announcement.

10/10 would re-read, scream, and fan myself again!! Yeeehawwwwwwwww

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colt and Blaire were childhood besties to lovers, that broke each others hearts when she left 10 years ago. Now Blaire is back in their small town and living with her grandma June on her adorable strawberry farm after breaking things off with her cheating ex fiancé. Blaire was doing her best to avoid Colt, but we all know that impossible in a small town.

Colt and Blaire are so clearly meant for each other. The tension between these two was palpable and undeniable. The build up to their breaking point had me on the edge of my seat. I was swooning at the way Colt absolutely melts for his daughter and Ruby was quite possibly the cutest kid ever. Colt also has quite the mouth on him. The spice was extra spicy and oh so good. The heat was also well balanced with heartfelt and tender moments that were just as impactful and important. The characters were so well written and you could really feel the depth of their shared history, pain, and undeniable chemistry. The whole book was an emotional roller-coaster and I loved every minute of it. I want to say more, but I don't want to give anything away!

Cowboy Casual is easily one of my favorite books of 2025. This book was amazing from page one and I loved every minute of it. I felt an immediate connection with the characters and I loved their story and their journey back to each other. I haven't felt this connected or invested in a book in a while and it was a breath of fresh air wrapped up in a hot cowboy with a slutty mustache bow. Holly outdid herself with this one! It was an amazing start to a new series and I can't wait to see more of Colt and his brothers.

Tropes:
- Cowboy romance
- Second chance
- Single dad
- Small town
- Forced proximity
- All the tension and chemistry

[Salma]

beta read <3

[carliereadssss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy I popped my Holly Renee cherry with this bad boy. This one is gave me all the feels that Heartless by Elsie Silver did.. but even just a smidge more. This single dad small town romance was absolute PERFECTION. The yearning? Slow burn? Banter?? EVERYTHING. I couldn’t get enough and I need book 2 ASAP!!

[Jo Bennesch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5⭐️
3/3🌶

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

ᯓ★ rating: ★★.5

Cowboy Casual is a small-town, second-chance romance between Blaire and Colt. Blaire is engaged to a cheating asshole (he will not be named), and she returns back to her hometown that she's been away from for 10 years. In this small town, there's her ex-boyfriend, Colt, who is now a single dad, and they didn't have the best breakup.

This story was cute, but I truly think it could've been WAY shorter. There's a ton of unnecessary internal dialogue that I felt like kept getting repeated throughout the book...like we get it!

The story is pretty much "it's always been you." See, I'm always torn with second-chance romances because sometimes they can be great and other times not. This one is the latter. Although I was really excited for this book, I found myself putting this book down to doom scroll. It was really hard to like the FMC...she was too indecisive for my liking and could not make up her mind for the life of her.

The reason I gave this book 3 stars is that I loved June (FMC's grandma) and Ruby (Colt's daughter), and they were the bright side of this book! I will only continue this series probably to read McCoy's book because I need to know who this man ends with me, and IT SHOULD BE ME...I'm joking. But no, really, I need to know who he ends up with!