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Cowgirls Do It Better #1
Redemption
Introducing the first book in a brand new western romance series by Lila Dawes!
Redemption
When my father unexpectedly dies, I'm left with the overwhelming task of managing the family ranch and caring for my four younger sisters.
As if dealing with my grief wasn't enough, I soon discover the mountain of debt my father left behind. Everything we've ever known is on the line, and I have no idea how to fix it.
Just when I’m about to give up hope, help arrives in the form of a tall, dark, and dangerously handsome man. He shows up at the ranch looking for my father and, in a desperate moment, we strike a deal. He works for free and in return, I get the help I so desperately need.
It should be simple, a win-win.
There’s just one I can’t stop staring at him, and worse, he’s staring right back.
This is bound to end in disaster.
But this isn’t just any man. He’s notorious in my hometown, and of all the men in Reverence, he’s the one I could never trust, least of all with my heart.
Because he’s the man who killed my mother…
***************************************************************************************************************************************
Cowgirls Do It Better is the brand new series by Lila Dawes, where in Reverence, Wyoming, it's the girls who run the ranch.
The series centers around the Cartwright sisters and their lives as they move on from tragedy and embrace all that life has to offer; including challenges, laughs, loves, sexy cowboys, ex-cons, famous movie stars and grumpy veterinarians / farriers and even an a**hole bison who just wants to be loved.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Redemption Ranch in Reverence, Wyoming and have an unmissable time!
Redemption
When my father unexpectedly dies, I'm left with the overwhelming task of managing the family ranch and caring for my four younger sisters.
As if dealing with my grief wasn't enough, I soon discover the mountain of debt my father left behind. Everything we've ever known is on the line, and I have no idea how to fix it.
Just when I’m about to give up hope, help arrives in the form of a tall, dark, and dangerously handsome man. He shows up at the ranch looking for my father and, in a desperate moment, we strike a deal. He works for free and in return, I get the help I so desperately need.
It should be simple, a win-win.
There’s just one I can’t stop staring at him, and worse, he’s staring right back.
This is bound to end in disaster.
But this isn’t just any man. He’s notorious in my hometown, and of all the men in Reverence, he’s the one I could never trust, least of all with my heart.
Because he’s the man who killed my mother…
***************************************************************************************************************************************
Cowgirls Do It Better is the brand new series by Lila Dawes, where in Reverence, Wyoming, it's the girls who run the ranch.
The series centers around the Cartwright sisters and their lives as they move on from tragedy and embrace all that life has to offer; including challenges, laughs, loves, sexy cowboys, ex-cons, famous movie stars and grumpy veterinarians / farriers and even an a**hole bison who just wants to be loved.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Redemption Ranch in Reverence, Wyoming and have an unmissable time!
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2025
527 people are currently reading
3681 people want to read
About the author
Lila Dawes
8 books166 followersLila is a thirtysomething writer living in Derbyshire, England with her *cough* parents *cough*, elderly tortoiseshell cat and perpetually dying bonsai tree, Benny.
She has been writing since she was a teenager but the penny didn't drop until last year, she's a little slow sometimes...
It’s Only Love is her debut novel and the first in the Citrus Pines series.
Lila is a huge fan of the romance reading and writing community so why not say hello, she can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads and website: www.liladawesauthor.com
She has been writing since she was a teenager but the penny didn't drop until last year, she's a little slow sometimes...
It’s Only Love is her debut novel and the first in the Citrus Pines series.
Lila is a huge fan of the romance reading and writing community so why not say hello, she can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads and website: www.liladawesauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews
June 4, 2025
1.7~2⭐️
I’m so disappointed. I was really looking forward to this book (I blame that stunning cover) but he FMC ruined the book for me 🤦🏻♀️.
Spoilers ahead
•
•
•
This book kicks off with a flashback to 12 years ago when the MMC was just 18 and drunk. He was celebrating his birthday which is why he was drunk but he had just gotten into a fight with his abusive parents and wanted to get out of the house as fast as he could. In that messed-up state he accidentally hit someone with his car turns out it was the FMC’s mom (he didn’t even see her). She died and from that moment his whole life spiraled out of control.
He ended up spending 12 years in prison. And the only person who ever visited him and didn’t give up on him was the FMC’s dad. Over time they even became close friends.
Fast forward to the present, the FMC’s dad just died leaving behind 5 daughters and a mountain of debt. Now the FMC has to step up, take care of her sisters and somehow keep the family farm from falling apart.
Meanwhile the MMC finally gets out of prison after 12 years. The first thing he wants to do is visit his only friend… only to find out the man has been dead for six weeks.
And that’s when he meets the FMC.
The FMC was so annoying and childish for most of the time (she was acting like a teenager). Sometimes she was rude to the MMC but other times she’d act with decorum around him. She kept pushing him away even though she was attracted to him and the fact that she kept watching him from her window in the dark? So cringe 😬.
These two wanted each other but kept fighting it and I got tired of the back and forth and all the miscommunication 🙄. Even after they were intimate for the first time the FMC kept pushing him away till the very end (she kept rejecting him emotionally and all she cared about was the physical part and not only that — she treated him like her dirty little secret, while the MMC was clearly emotionally invested in her).
Everyone (except the future MMCs & the FMC’s sisters) treated the MMC like he was some kind of serial killer. He was a kid when the accident happened and he’s been carrying the guilt for twelve years, he didn’t deserve to be treated so badly by the whole town. He was really a nice and good guy and honestly, I didn’t like the way the FMC treated him either. He definitely deserved so much better than her 🤧.
Overall I didn’t enjoy it much… it just didn’t work for me.
______
Safety:
— H (30) / h (31)
— Hate (from her side only) to lovers
— Small town
— Loss of loved one (the h’s parents)
— Grief
— His family had abandoned him
— He falls first
— The h has been celibate for years
— Virgin H
(We got this about his past)
“I’d only had two girlfriends and we didn’t get too hot and heavy. I got to third base with one of them but that was it.”
— OM:
The h wanted to get the H out of her system, so she went on a date with a guy she met on a dating app. She wasn’t attracted to him but OM put something in her drink. Luckily the H was there and saved her.
— No really OW:
Some women tried to hit on him but he wasn’t interested. He only had eyes for the h.
— No cheating/scenes with other people
— 3rd act break up (misunderstandings):
She thought he told her sisters about the farm debt, he didn’t tell them but she didn’t even let him explain 😪. They kept avoiding each other for weeks.
— Push away from both (mostly the h)
— HFN (in a relationship)
•
•
•
Self Notes (about the other sisters):
➥ Tate & Gertie (the fmc’s bff) :
The next book… Looks like they’ve been neighbors since they were kids and it seems like Tate got feelings for her!! She just got divorced from her abusive husband.
➥ Tilly (15) & Max (26) :
Hard pass. He’s known for his reputation as a player!! while she’s underage in this book and has a huge crush on him (she's chasing him).
Max seems like a nice guy but I seriously can’t deal with this tropes.
“But I couldn’t help but notice that her new look was a little bit like the type of women I’d seen Max flirting with at The Lonely Bison.
“You’re not trying to impress a certain bartender who’s eleven years older than you, are you?”
“Oh my God, can you not!” Tilly groaned.
“I’m just saying, he’s too old for you. You can think about men when you’re eighteen,”
* * *
“No lady?”
“Nope, ain’t got time for that really. I’m not boyfriend material so I just hook up when I need it.”
* * *
“Speaking of Cartwright sisters,” I said and nodded towards the door where Tilly, the youngest, was peeking in.
Max cursed and when Tilly spotted him, her eyes practically turned into hearts. “What is her deal?”
“She’s infatuated, that’s all. You never had a crush when you were fifteen?”
* * *
“He was the only one who didn’t treat me like some dumb, grieving kid. He spoke to me like I was an adult, like he understood.
Talked, fell in love. At least I did…”
* * *
“That’s the last thing I need, some kid mooning over me, thinking I’m her hero.”
“Must be nice being idolized. Why’s that so bad?”
Max sighed. “Because I’m no one’s hero.”
* * *
“You need to move on, Princess,” Max said, and Tilly looked at him like he’d just told her Santa wasn’t real.
“Someone just needs to get it into her thick skull that she’s a child and get over this pathetic little crush of hers,” Max snarled. Tilly gasped, then promptly burst into tears and ran off.
“I didn’t wanna be a dick but she needed it. Now she can hate me and move on and stop staring at me with hearts in her goddamn eyes!”
➥ Maddy & Leo / (29) :
Hard pass 2. Childhood friends and she’s been in love with him for a long time. He seems to feel the same way but that didn’t stop him from messing around with other girls and yeah she gets so jealous 🙄. The fact that there are other girls and she has to see him with them… that’s a turn-off for me. She also goes on dates with other guys and he gets jealous too… so yeah I’m not a fan of this dynamic. They both clearly love each other but keep making each other jealous — not my thing.
“You didn’t tell me you were dating Booby Barbara,” she sniped at him. “I had to find out from Insta!”
Oh shit, trouble in Best Friend Paradise.
Leo smirked. “We’re not dating, exactly.”
Maddy’s mouth snapped closed and she huffed.”
* * *
“We entered the packed bar which stank of alcohol, perfume and sweat. The loud music blared and giggles abounded from the women crowded in the corner with the mechanical bull. The moment they spotted Leo their shrieks escalated.
“You better go and join your buckle bunnies over there,” Maddy said tartly, smoothing a hand down her white jumpsuit.
“Well they’re more fun to be around right now than you,” Leo teased”
Maddy slammed her last glass down on the bar. “We’re having SO MUCH FUN!” she shouted, staring meaningfully down at the huddle of bunnies around Leo.
“Really? Desperate much?”
* * *
“I’d seen the way he watched Maddy at the bar and the way she glared at the buckle bunnies that draped themselves over him. Yeah they were best friends but there was something more there too.”
➥ Daisy (25) & Duke (?) :
Rivals to lovers. He’s an arrogant, fancy jerk but he seems attracted to Daisy! Meanwhile she’s super annoying and childish… even worse than the FMC in this book!
She struck some kind of deal with him (we still don’t know what it is) but in return he paid off the farm debts.
➥ August (20) :
The quiet and shy librarian. Looks like her love interest hasn’t shown up yet.
==================
This has a VIRGIN MMC!!! I'm excited now 👏🏻.
(I'm not sure if he’s a 💯 virgin or barely virgin but the fact that the FMC is his first for a lot of things! that gives me some high hopes…Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading this one).
I’m so disappointed. I was really looking forward to this book (I blame that stunning cover) but he FMC ruined the book for me 🤦🏻♀️.
Spoilers ahead
•
•
•
This book kicks off with a flashback to 12 years ago when the MMC was just 18 and drunk. He was celebrating his birthday which is why he was drunk but he had just gotten into a fight with his abusive parents and wanted to get out of the house as fast as he could. In that messed-up state he accidentally hit someone with his car turns out it was the FMC’s mom (he didn’t even see her). She died and from that moment his whole life spiraled out of control.
He ended up spending 12 years in prison. And the only person who ever visited him and didn’t give up on him was the FMC’s dad. Over time they even became close friends.
Fast forward to the present, the FMC’s dad just died leaving behind 5 daughters and a mountain of debt. Now the FMC has to step up, take care of her sisters and somehow keep the family farm from falling apart.
Meanwhile the MMC finally gets out of prison after 12 years. The first thing he wants to do is visit his only friend… only to find out the man has been dead for six weeks.
And that’s when he meets the FMC.
The FMC was so annoying and childish for most of the time (she was acting like a teenager). Sometimes she was rude to the MMC but other times she’d act with decorum around him. She kept pushing him away even though she was attracted to him and the fact that she kept watching him from her window in the dark? So cringe 😬.
These two wanted each other but kept fighting it and I got tired of the back and forth and all the miscommunication 🙄. Even after they were intimate for the first time the FMC kept pushing him away till the very end (she kept rejecting him emotionally and all she cared about was the physical part and not only that — she treated him like her dirty little secret, while the MMC was clearly emotionally invested in her).
Everyone (except the future MMCs & the FMC’s sisters) treated the MMC like he was some kind of serial killer. He was a kid when the accident happened and he’s been carrying the guilt for twelve years, he didn’t deserve to be treated so badly by the whole town. He was really a nice and good guy and honestly, I didn’t like the way the FMC treated him either. He definitely deserved so much better than her 🤧.
Overall I didn’t enjoy it much… it just didn’t work for me.
______
Safety:
— H (30) / h (31)
— Hate (from her side only) to lovers
— Small town
— Loss of loved one (the h’s parents)
— Grief
— His family had abandoned him
— He falls first
— The h has been celibate for years
— Virgin H
(We got this about his past)
“I’d only had two girlfriends and we didn’t get too hot and heavy. I got to third base with one of them but that was it.”
— OM:
The h wanted to get the H out of her system, so she went on a date with a guy she met on a dating app. She wasn’t attracted to him but OM put something in her drink. Luckily the H was there and saved her.
— No really OW:
Some women tried to hit on him but he wasn’t interested. He only had eyes for the h.
— No cheating/scenes with other people
— 3rd act break up (misunderstandings):
She thought he told her sisters about the farm debt, he didn’t tell them but she didn’t even let him explain 😪. They kept avoiding each other for weeks.
— Push away from both (mostly the h)
— HFN (in a relationship)
•
•
•
Self Notes (about the other sisters):
➥ Tate & Gertie (the fmc’s bff) :
The next book… Looks like they’ve been neighbors since they were kids and it seems like Tate got feelings for her!! She just got divorced from her abusive husband.
➥ Tilly (15) & Max (26) :
Hard pass. He’s known for his reputation as a player!! while she’s underage in this book and has a huge crush on him (she's chasing him).
Max seems like a nice guy but I seriously can’t deal with this tropes.
“But I couldn’t help but notice that her new look was a little bit like the type of women I’d seen Max flirting with at The Lonely Bison.
“You’re not trying to impress a certain bartender who’s eleven years older than you, are you?”
“Oh my God, can you not!” Tilly groaned.
“I’m just saying, he’s too old for you. You can think about men when you’re eighteen,”
* * *
“No lady?”
“Nope, ain’t got time for that really. I’m not boyfriend material so I just hook up when I need it.”
* * *
“Speaking of Cartwright sisters,” I said and nodded towards the door where Tilly, the youngest, was peeking in.
Max cursed and when Tilly spotted him, her eyes practically turned into hearts. “What is her deal?”
“She’s infatuated, that’s all. You never had a crush when you were fifteen?”
* * *
“He was the only one who didn’t treat me like some dumb, grieving kid. He spoke to me like I was an adult, like he understood.
Talked, fell in love. At least I did…”
* * *
“That’s the last thing I need, some kid mooning over me, thinking I’m her hero.”
“Must be nice being idolized. Why’s that so bad?”
Max sighed. “Because I’m no one’s hero.”
* * *
“You need to move on, Princess,” Max said, and Tilly looked at him like he’d just told her Santa wasn’t real.
“Someone just needs to get it into her thick skull that she’s a child and get over this pathetic little crush of hers,” Max snarled. Tilly gasped, then promptly burst into tears and ran off.
“I didn’t wanna be a dick but she needed it. Now she can hate me and move on and stop staring at me with hearts in her goddamn eyes!”
➥ Maddy & Leo / (29) :
Hard pass 2. Childhood friends and she’s been in love with him for a long time. He seems to feel the same way but that didn’t stop him from messing around with other girls and yeah she gets so jealous 🙄. The fact that there are other girls and she has to see him with them… that’s a turn-off for me. She also goes on dates with other guys and he gets jealous too… so yeah I’m not a fan of this dynamic. They both clearly love each other but keep making each other jealous — not my thing.
“You didn’t tell me you were dating Booby Barbara,” she sniped at him. “I had to find out from Insta!”
Oh shit, trouble in Best Friend Paradise.
Leo smirked. “We’re not dating, exactly.”
Maddy’s mouth snapped closed and she huffed.”
* * *
“We entered the packed bar which stank of alcohol, perfume and sweat. The loud music blared and giggles abounded from the women crowded in the corner with the mechanical bull. The moment they spotted Leo their shrieks escalated.
“You better go and join your buckle bunnies over there,” Maddy said tartly, smoothing a hand down her white jumpsuit.
“Well they’re more fun to be around right now than you,” Leo teased”
Maddy slammed her last glass down on the bar. “We’re having SO MUCH FUN!” she shouted, staring meaningfully down at the huddle of bunnies around Leo.
“Really? Desperate much?”
* * *
“I’d seen the way he watched Maddy at the bar and the way she glared at the buckle bunnies that draped themselves over him. Yeah they were best friends but there was something more there too.”
➥ Daisy (25) & Duke (?) :
Rivals to lovers. He’s an arrogant, fancy jerk but he seems attracted to Daisy! Meanwhile she’s super annoying and childish… even worse than the FMC in this book!
She struck some kind of deal with him (we still don’t know what it is) but in return he paid off the farm debts.
➥ August (20) :
The quiet and shy librarian. Looks like her love interest hasn’t shown up yet.
==================
This has a VIRGIN MMC!!! I'm excited now 👏🏻.
(I'm not sure if he’s a 💯 virgin or barely virgin but the fact that the FMC is his first for a lot of things! that gives me some high hopes…Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading this one).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2025
3.5 stars. This was my first read by this author and it was absolutely because of the cover (I’m obsessed with the cover artist’s work). This was super solid and I enjoyed it, I just wanted a bit more a lot of the time with the story. It was entertaining and a quick read (just under 350 pages) so I did love that!
This is a cowboy, western romance with an emotional storyline. The hero is just out of prison after being locked up for 12 years, at 18 he was a drunk driver who killed a woman. The woman he killed is the heroine’s mother. The heroine has just lost her father as well and is now in charge of her family (she has 3 younger sisters) and their ranch. She finds out the ranch is in debt and that her father had been secretly seeing the hero in prison every month and formed a sort of bond with him. Now the hero shows up at the ranch to see her father and it goes from there. She ends up needing his help and offer to work the ranch and gives him a place to stay as well.
This was solid and really easy to read. I was always left wanting a bit more from the characters or plot, but all in all I liked the set up. It was super easy to see how all of the sister’s books will end up playing out as well, a solid foundation for a series and I’d def check out more.
This is a cowboy, western romance with an emotional storyline. The hero is just out of prison after being locked up for 12 years, at 18 he was a drunk driver who killed a woman. The woman he killed is the heroine’s mother. The heroine has just lost her father as well and is now in charge of her family (she has 3 younger sisters) and their ranch. She finds out the ranch is in debt and that her father had been secretly seeing the hero in prison every month and formed a sort of bond with him. Now the hero shows up at the ranch to see her father and it goes from there. She ends up needing his help and offer to work the ranch and gives him a place to stay as well.
This was solid and really easy to read. I was always left wanting a bit more from the characters or plot, but all in all I liked the set up. It was super easy to see how all of the sister’s books will end up playing out as well, a solid foundation for a series and I’d def check out more.
September 22, 2025
3.5/5 🤠
December 13, 2025
I saw this VERY GORGEOUS cover on my Goodreads timeline and I KNEW I had to read it ASAP.
Jack is out of prison after his twelve-year sentence and at the age of 30 only has one friend – Charlie Cartwright, the husband of the woman Jack killed in a drunk driving accident when he was eighteen. Now free, he goes to Redemption Ranch to find Charlie after six weeks of no contact, and is face-to-face with Katarina Cartwright.
Katarina Cartwright is the eldest of four sisters, and her dad has just died. The man who broke her family has the audacity to show up on her front porch. Now in charge of her sisters, she finds out that her father has a lot of debt that she has no idea how to pay. She won't tell her sisters, and she doesn't know how to run the ranch as smoothly as her father. And with her grief and anger over Jack being released, she feels too much right now. Her father left Jack his cabin, and in exchange for her allowing it, he has to work for free.
She knows she could never love the man who hurt her family, and Jack would never do that to Charlie or break the Cartwrights' further, but they can't help but look for each other in every room.
I don't fuck with anyone who drives under the influence, and at first, no matter how hot that man is on the cover, didn't want to trust him. Jack knows he fucked up, the reason he was drunk driving in the first place is also valid, but the reason he crashed is less valid for me. He did his time, he still is haunted by what he is done, but PERSONALLY, I don't think I could forgive someone if they killed my mom. I am a mama's GIRL. That is not the point though and I didn't dock any points for my personal feelings towards that heavier plotpoint, I just wanted to share.
The writing in this wasn't my favorite. It wasn't bad by any means, but there were some lines that felt a little juvenile. I'm not a writer, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I don't mind when authors use "I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding", and I know many roll their eyes at it and its a big pet peeve. That statement doesn't annoy me, but when I see it in a book, I make note of it, and this book had it so OFTEN. I'm a redundant ass bitch; when I read my old Goodreads reviews I LOL at how many times I used the same thing over and over again. Redemption had SO many lineswhere I'd read something, and then a few paragraphs or pages later I'd read the same catchphrase or sentence.
This book is fun, sweet, emotional, and hilarious, but also has a bit of smut if that's your thing! I see a lot of the hype for this book being about the virgin MMC, and I can confirm he is a virgin and hadn't done a lot of sexual/ romantic things prior to meeting Kat.
The physical copy of this book has a pink spine and I legally need these hot people on my shelves ASAP.
I'm SOOOOO excited for shy-boy Tate and his love-story with his childhood girl next door, Gertie!
Jack is out of prison after his twelve-year sentence and at the age of 30 only has one friend – Charlie Cartwright, the husband of the woman Jack killed in a drunk driving accident when he was eighteen. Now free, he goes to Redemption Ranch to find Charlie after six weeks of no contact, and is face-to-face with Katarina Cartwright.
Katarina Cartwright is the eldest of four sisters, and her dad has just died. The man who broke her family has the audacity to show up on her front porch. Now in charge of her sisters, she finds out that her father has a lot of debt that she has no idea how to pay. She won't tell her sisters, and she doesn't know how to run the ranch as smoothly as her father. And with her grief and anger over Jack being released, she feels too much right now. Her father left Jack his cabin, and in exchange for her allowing it, he has to work for free.
She knows she could never love the man who hurt her family, and Jack would never do that to Charlie or break the Cartwrights' further, but they can't help but look for each other in every room.
I don't fuck with anyone who drives under the influence, and at first, no matter how hot that man is on the cover, didn't want to trust him. Jack knows he fucked up, the reason he was drunk driving in the first place is also valid, but the reason he crashed is less valid for me. He did his time, he still is haunted by what he is done, but PERSONALLY, I don't think I could forgive someone if they killed my mom. I am a mama's GIRL. That is not the point though and I didn't dock any points for my personal feelings towards that heavier plotpoint, I just wanted to share.
The writing in this wasn't my favorite. It wasn't bad by any means, but there were some lines that felt a little juvenile. I'm not a writer, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I don't mind when authors use "I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding", and I know many roll their eyes at it and its a big pet peeve. That statement doesn't annoy me, but when I see it in a book, I make note of it, and this book had it so OFTEN. I'm a redundant ass bitch; when I read my old Goodreads reviews I LOL at how many times I used the same thing over and over again. Redemption had SO many lineswhere I'd read something, and then a few paragraphs or pages later I'd read the same catchphrase or sentence.
This book is fun, sweet, emotional, and hilarious, but also has a bit of smut if that's your thing! I see a lot of the hype for this book being about the virgin MMC, and I can confirm he is a virgin and hadn't done a lot of sexual/ romantic things prior to meeting Kat.
The physical copy of this book has a pink spine and I legally need these hot people on my shelves ASAP.
I'm SOOOOO excited for shy-boy Tate and his love-story with his childhood girl next door, Gertie!
Read
July 30, 2025I have a feeling this is going to be one of my new favorite small town worlds based on how the next books were laid out in this one.
And I did enjoy this one! The author really discussed the trials of overcoming guilt, dealing with the opinions of those around you, and forgiveness. This would be a hard relationship to form and overcome the judgment of others, but I liked the redemption aspect of it all.
And Jack…I did love his character and understood the sisters and the FMC’s evolution. Excited to read more of this world.
And I did enjoy this one! The author really discussed the trials of overcoming guilt, dealing with the opinions of those around you, and forgiveness. This would be a hard relationship to form and overcome the judgment of others, but I liked the redemption aspect of it all.
And Jack…I did love his character and understood the sisters and the FMC’s evolution. Excited to read more of this world.
July 16, 2025
I bought this for the cover and had to stop reading at the truly abysmal writing. I will hopefully come back to this since the plot is fast paced but my god. All of the 4 and 5 star reviews completely did not touch upon how truly horrible the writing and general character & plot development is. I can't even describe how bad. A shame it's such a cute cover!
May 23, 2025
ARC review:
Honestly this was fantastic. I loved every minute and I genuinely don't know if my tummy had ever dipped and my heart has ever hurt as much as it did in this book.
Jack brought tears to my eyes regularly and I just felt for him and his loneliness.
Kat is such a bad ass woman and I just adore her connection with her sisters and her bestie.
I'm so bloody excited for the side characters to all get their stories after we got such an insight during this one!
I am obsessed with 'CowGIRLS do it better'.
5 ⭐️ 2.5🌶️
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Forbidden romance
- Virgin MMC
- Found family
-HEA.
Honestly this was fantastic. I loved every minute and I genuinely don't know if my tummy had ever dipped and my heart has ever hurt as much as it did in this book.
Jack brought tears to my eyes regularly and I just felt for him and his loneliness.
Kat is such a bad ass woman and I just adore her connection with her sisters and her bestie.
I'm so bloody excited for the side characters to all get their stories after we got such an insight during this one!
I am obsessed with 'CowGIRLS do it better'.
5 ⭐️ 2.5🌶️
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Forbidden romance
- Virgin MMC
- Found family
-HEA.
June 15, 2025
4.5 ☆
—thoughts | SPOILER AHEAD
ok so let’s start by saying i absolutely loved this book. again im a sucker for cowboys and blue collar men. forbidden romance is not a genre/trope i delve into often but this was executed so well. i was unsure how the romance with progress considering how jack had killed their mother but it was done well.
the pacing and plot were intriguing and i loved every second of it. i can’t wait for the next book, especially the cover reveal because this cover is a work of art!!
—characters | SPOILER AHEAD
katarina — kat attacking jack from the moment she saw him was— i’m not gonna lie—kinda funny(there was a small chuckle). seeing her grieve over two parent especially with the added stress of her mother’s killer appearing, i don’t think i would have the same strength as her. i hate that her father lied to her to protect her but that is something that is very real and it sticks that her father was never all like to tell her the truth. her being able to see jacks guilt over what he’d done probably gave her the closure to continue their relationship and it was a very important detail to the story.
jack — seeing everything that happened leading up to the accident was heart breaking and so was reading about his trial. his parents were absolutely horrible and disgusting ugh i hated them. i would have liked to know what happened to scotty and why he was never mentioned again. im guessing he abandons jack and that makes him a horrible friend especially considering how he enabled jack’s decision. jack feeling guilt and taking accountability for the accident is not something that all people who have committed a crime like his do. him and charlie relationship transcending the accident was heartwarming and bittersweet considering that he never got to say goodbye.
✧ . * — 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙
this book caught my eye for two reasons. one, the plot and setting because i am a sucker for cowboys and two, the cover. the cover is absolutely STUNNING, i love looking at it.
—thoughts | SPOILER AHEAD
ok so let’s start by saying i absolutely loved this book. again im a sucker for cowboys and blue collar men. forbidden romance is not a genre/trope i delve into often but this was executed so well. i was unsure how the romance with progress considering how jack had killed their mother but it was done well.
the pacing and plot were intriguing and i loved every second of it. i can’t wait for the next book, especially the cover reveal because this cover is a work of art!!
—characters | SPOILER AHEAD
katarina — kat attacking jack from the moment she saw him was— i’m not gonna lie—kinda funny(there was a small chuckle). seeing her grieve over two parent especially with the added stress of her mother’s killer appearing, i don’t think i would have the same strength as her. i hate that her father lied to her to protect her but that is something that is very real and it sticks that her father was never all like to tell her the truth. her being able to see jacks guilt over what he’d done probably gave her the closure to continue their relationship and it was a very important detail to the story.
jack — seeing everything that happened leading up to the accident was heart breaking and so was reading about his trial. his parents were absolutely horrible and disgusting ugh i hated them. i would have liked to know what happened to scotty and why he was never mentioned again. im guessing he abandons jack and that makes him a horrible friend especially considering how he enabled jack’s decision. jack feeling guilt and taking accountability for the accident is not something that all people who have committed a crime like his do. him and charlie relationship transcending the accident was heartwarming and bittersweet considering that he never got to say goodbye.
✧ . * — 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙
this book caught my eye for two reasons. one, the plot and setting because i am a sucker for cowboys and two, the cover. the cover is absolutely STUNNING, i love looking at it.
June 14, 2025
This one has me a bit conflicted. Having lost someone to a drug driver, parts of this story hit very close to home, and I definitely shed a few tears along the way. It was raw in moments I wasn’t expecting, and I appreciated how it didn’t shy away from the grief and weight of that kind of loss.
I really loved the unique friendship between Jack and Charlie that bond was such a quiet strength throughout the story and led beautifully into Jack’s time at Redemption Ranch.
Jack and Kat’s relationship was pretty tame compared to the usual chaos I read (you know I like my spice unhinged), but it still had emotional depth. Watching them wrestle with their feelings and the slow burn tension was sweet and satisfying in its own way.
All of the side characters were solid too; well written, interesting, and absolutely the kind of crew I’d happily read more about if they each got their own books.
Overall, I’d give this a solid 3 stars. It didn’t blow me away, but it kept me reading, made me care, and had enough heart to stick with me. Could’ve been better, could’ve been worse but it earned its place on the shelf.
I really loved the unique friendship between Jack and Charlie that bond was such a quiet strength throughout the story and led beautifully into Jack’s time at Redemption Ranch.
Jack and Kat’s relationship was pretty tame compared to the usual chaos I read (you know I like my spice unhinged), but it still had emotional depth. Watching them wrestle with their feelings and the slow burn tension was sweet and satisfying in its own way.
All of the side characters were solid too; well written, interesting, and absolutely the kind of crew I’d happily read more about if they each got their own books.
Overall, I’d give this a solid 3 stars. It didn’t blow me away, but it kept me reading, made me care, and had enough heart to stick with me. Could’ve been better, could’ve been worse but it earned its place on the shelf.
June 26, 2025
3.5 stars.
I was honored to read this as a ARC. I love a cowboy romance, and did enjoy this story. We meet Jack a ex-con. Who was just released out of jail after serving 10 years.
We meet Katarina who lost her mom a few years ago, and now just lost her dad and is left with a ranch that is in the red and raising four sisters.
I found the sisters so funny. I did like Jack and felt for him. Katarina got on my nerves a bit.
I was honored to read this as a ARC. I love a cowboy romance, and did enjoy this story. We meet Jack a ex-con. Who was just released out of jail after serving 10 years.
We meet Katarina who lost her mom a few years ago, and now just lost her dad and is left with a ranch that is in the red and raising four sisters.
I found the sisters so funny. I did like Jack and felt for him. Katarina got on my nerves a bit.
June 7, 2025
★★★¼
พล็อตมาอย่างเข้ม ดราม่าละครช่องสาม เปิดเรื่องมาอย่างดี มีฟาม promising แต่อ่านไปเรื่อยๆ แล้ว underwhelming อ่า
เริ่มเรื่องมาก้คือพระเอกเพิ่งออกจากคุกตอนอายุสามสิบ หลังจากติดตั้งแต่อายุสิบแปดเพราะเมาแล้วขับชนแม่นางเอกตาย เราชอบตัวละครตัวนี้นะ คือเอาใจช่วย please protect him at all costs ชีดูเปนผชอ่อนโยนยิ้มง่ายอะ แต่ชีวิตทำชีหนัก ช่วงแรกๆ คือรันทดมากเงินแทบไม่มี งานก้หาไม่ได้ ก้สมอลทาวอะ คนในเมืองรู้ประวัตินังหมด ตรงนี้ทำดี
แต่ตลค.อื่นแม่งไม่ค่อยเวิ้กกะเราเลย กับนางเอกเนี่ย เอาจิงพอจะเก็ตความรู้สึกชีอยู่นะ ความบาดเลือดแค้นกับพระเอก แต่นข.เล่าเกี่ยวกับแม่นางเอกน้อยไปหน่อย เราเลยไม่ sympathize กับชีเท่าไหร่ แล้วบางทีชีก็ดูมีสติ บางทีก็โอ๊ยหยุดดิ๊5555 แก๊งน้องสาว(บางคน)ของนางเอกก้ all over the places พอๆ กัน มันเลยแบบ อ้ยๆ เอนจอยไม่สุด
โปรเกรสคสพ.ของพระนางก้แปกๆ เราไม่ซื้อความ oh i feel so guilty why am i thirsting after my own mother's killer??😖🥴🥹☺️ของนางเอกอะ คือโอเค เวลาอยู่ด้วยกันเขาน่ารักนะ เซ้กสีนได้ พระเอกเสียซิงให้นางเอกไม่เกินจบิง มีฟาม protective of each other นางเอกมีช่วงเวลาปกป้องพระเอกแบบเท่ๆ แต่นั่นแหระะ นอกจากเรื่อง sexual attraction และความพระเอกคอยอยุ่ในทุกช่วงเวลาแย่ๆ ของนางเอก เรายังไม่รุ้สึกว่าทั้งคุ่มันรักกันจากตัวตนกันและกันขนาดนั้น
ช่วงท้ายๆ 20%หลัง นี่แหละ เริ่มมาละ เปนช่วงขยี้ปม มีการแตะประเด็นที่เราติดใจมาตั้งแต่ต้น ที่ว่าทั้งคู่มันจะมูฟออนแบบที่จะไม่ขุดขึ้นมาตอนทะเลาะกันในอนาคตได้จริงไม๊ ซึ่งก็เกือบจะ satisfying ละ แต่ก้ยังคงรุ้สึกว่าด้วยความแรงของปม เขาคลี่คลายได้ไม่จับใจพออะ อยากให้เร่นหยั่ยกว่านิ🤧
สรุปโดยรวมแล้วก้เปนแนวอ่านได้เรื่อยๆ อะนะ สนุกสลับขัดใจ ให้คะแนนตรงพล็อตตต
spice level: 2.5/5
พล็อตมาอย่างเข้ม ดราม่าละครช่องสาม เปิดเรื่องมาอย่างดี มีฟาม promising แต่อ่านไปเรื่อยๆ แล้ว underwhelming อ่า
เริ่มเรื่องมาก้คือพระเอกเพิ่งออกจากคุกตอนอายุสามสิบ หลังจากติดตั้งแต่อายุสิบแปดเพราะเมาแล้วขับชนแม่นางเอกตาย เราชอบตัวละครตัวนี้นะ คือเอาใจช่วย please protect him at all costs ชีดูเปนผชอ่อนโยนยิ้มง่ายอะ แต่ชีวิตทำชีหนัก ช่วงแรกๆ คือรันทดมากเงินแทบไม่มี งานก้หาไม่ได้ ก้สมอลทาวอะ คนในเมืองรู้ประวัตินังหมด ตรงนี้ทำดี
แต่ตลค.อื่นแม่งไม่ค่อยเวิ้กกะเราเลย กับนางเอกเนี่ย เอาจิงพอจะเก็ตความรู้สึกชีอยู่นะ ความบาดเลือดแค้นกับพระเอก แต่นข.เล่าเกี่ยวกับแม่นางเอกน้อยไปหน่อย เราเลยไม่ sympathize กับชีเท่าไหร่ แล้วบางทีชีก็ดูมีสติ บางทีก็โอ๊ยหยุดดิ๊5555 แก๊งน้องสาว(บางคน)ของนางเอกก้ all over the places พอๆ กัน มันเลยแบบ อ้ยๆ เอนจอยไม่สุด
โปรเกรสคสพ.ของพระนางก้แปกๆ เราไม่ซื้อความ oh i feel so guilty why am i thirsting after my own mother's killer??😖🥴🥹☺️ของนางเอกอะ คือโอเค เวลาอยู่ด้วยกันเขาน่ารักนะ เซ้กสีนได้ พระเอกเสียซิงให้นางเอกไม่เกินจบิง มีฟาม protective of each other นางเอกมีช่วงเวลาปกป้องพระเอกแบบเท่ๆ แต่นั่นแหระะ นอกจากเรื่อง sexual attraction และความพระเอกคอยอยุ่ในทุกช่วงเวลาแย่ๆ ของนางเอก เรายังไม่รุ้สึกว่าทั้งคุ่มันรักกันจากตัวตนกันและกันขนาดนั้น
ช่วงท้ายๆ 20%หลัง นี่แหละ เริ่มมาละ เปนช่วงขยี้ปม มีการแตะประเด็นที่เราติดใจมาตั้งแต่ต้น ที่ว่าทั้งคู่มันจะมูฟออนแบบที่จะไม่ขุดขึ้นมาตอนทะเลาะกันในอนาคตได้จริงไม๊ ซึ่งก็เกือบจะ satisfying ละ แต่ก้ยังคงรุ้สึกว่าด้วยความแรงของปม เขาคลี่คลายได้ไม่จับใจพออะ อยากให้เร่นหยั่ยกว่านิ🤧
สรุปโดยรวมแล้วก้เปนแนวอ่านได้เรื่อยๆ อะนะ สนุกสลับขัดใจ ให้คะแนนตรงพล็อตตต
spice level: 2.5/5
June 9, 2025
lady in the window creepily watching this man
July 28, 2025
4⭐️
stop, this was so good!! i quite literally could NOT put this down. it was so well written, and the characters were so well done. i adored this, and i can't wait for the next one
stop, this was so good!! i quite literally could NOT put this down. it was so well written, and the characters were so well done. i adored this, and i can't wait for the next one
July 27, 2025
first 70% 4 stars, last 30% 3.5 stars
first off this cover is absolutely gorgeous, it’s one of the main reasons i picked this up in the first place.
i love all of the main characters i think they each have great personalities, even max & leo who aren’t as prominent as the cartwright sisters are still really shine through. i really appreciate the pace of the book, it just worked really well alongside the writing style, the characters, storyline, it all fell into place & honestly with a romance like this where the main character (jack) was responsible for drinking & driving & taking the life of kat’s mother. it’s a very heavy topic. it's not something that i thought would flow within a story unless it was paced very slow or it was meant to be an ending not a beginning, but as i saw right from the start the situation is extremely complicated. charlie (kat’s father) has a heart of gold, & the amount of forgiveness, care & support he provided jack despite him taking his wife’s life is just unbelievable. he really did look out for jack despite everything.
i love jack & kat’s relationship. it takes a lot of forgiveness & courage for them to get to where they are. i love how kat wanted to stand up for him in the local shoe store & i love how after they ended up having a great day out of town instead. i do have to say the first 70% of the book i was loving, but the last 30% fell a bit short. i know kat wanted to deal with everything herself but her sisters are full grown adults too that wanted to be part of helping the ranch. i didn’t really understand why she was so mad when they found out or why she was so adamant on doing it all herself when she has had this support system right by her. it would’ve saved her a lot of trouble, also that whole thing where she thought herself into a hole & blamed jack for her sisters finding out about all the loans was a little bit of a stretch. it was wild what that fight turned into & that’s kinda where the story lost me a bit because it didn’t feel the same which i’m upset about because this story started strong & it maintained it’s strength but fell short right by the end. i know the next book is about gertie & tate but i’m hoping for a story with daisy & duke or maddy & leo i would love to read those.
first off this cover is absolutely gorgeous, it’s one of the main reasons i picked this up in the first place.
i love all of the main characters i think they each have great personalities, even max & leo who aren’t as prominent as the cartwright sisters are still really shine through. i really appreciate the pace of the book, it just worked really well alongside the writing style, the characters, storyline, it all fell into place & honestly with a romance like this where the main character (jack) was responsible for drinking & driving & taking the life of kat’s mother. it’s a very heavy topic. it's not something that i thought would flow within a story unless it was paced very slow or it was meant to be an ending not a beginning, but as i saw right from the start the situation is extremely complicated. charlie (kat’s father) has a heart of gold, & the amount of forgiveness, care & support he provided jack despite him taking his wife’s life is just unbelievable. he really did look out for jack despite everything.
i love jack & kat’s relationship. it takes a lot of forgiveness & courage for them to get to where they are. i love how kat wanted to stand up for him in the local shoe store & i love how after they ended up having a great day out of town instead. i do have to say the first 70% of the book i was loving, but the last 30% fell a bit short. i know kat wanted to deal with everything herself but her sisters are full grown adults too that wanted to be part of helping the ranch. i didn’t really understand why she was so mad when they found out or why she was so adamant on doing it all herself when she has had this support system right by her. it would’ve saved her a lot of trouble, also that whole thing where she thought herself into a hole & blamed jack for her sisters finding out about all the loans was a little bit of a stretch. it was wild what that fight turned into & that’s kinda where the story lost me a bit because it didn’t feel the same which i’m upset about because this story started strong & it maintained it’s strength but fell short right by the end. i know the next book is about gertie & tate but i’m hoping for a story with daisy & duke or maddy & leo i would love to read those.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-> ♾️🌟
🌶️🌶️.5
🐎 Ranch Owner FMC X Convict MMC
💖 Enemies To Lovers
🐎 Small Town
♠️ Forbidden
💖 Virgin MMC
🐎 Forced Proximity
💖 Found Family
Lila Dawes literally came out of the shoot with a whole BANGER of a book!! This book is soo much more than what you see it as in black and white. It poses the life-long question of can you ever outlive a stupid mistake you made as a kid? Or even young adult? Is redemption an option?
Lila gave us an amazing question that people have been asking for AGES! She definitely came prepared with much more than a small town cowboy 🤠 Romance.
Kat was such an amazing woman who took the reigns of a 🐎 ranch after a huge tragedy. Something she wasn't anticipating but still did what she had to do to make sure that the ranch was still running. But she got so much more than a ranch 🐎 to run! As the eldest of 4 she definitely had her hands full with everything. But she made the best of the situation so that they could save the ranch. The answer to her prayers came in the form of Jack, fresh from prison.
Jack ♠️ made a mistake when he was 18 that impacted not only him but her as well. He was so endearing and trying so hard to be the best version of himself. He wanted nothing more than redemption for his crime. Jack falling for Kat the way he did made my little heart ❤️ go pitter patter and jump around with joy. He didn't want to waste his fresh chance at life, but he sure fell hard 🥰 for Kat. It was the thing I didn't know I needed from this book!
Kat and Jack sharing so much more than kisses 💋 throughout this book really grabbed me and made me feel some type a way. It was the warm feeling the 💚 Grinch 💚 felt when his heart grew 3 sizes.
Not only did Lila bring us this beautiful couple she set it up just perfect for book 2! I cannot wait to see what is coming!
🔥 Let's Talk About Sex Baby 🥵:
🌶️🌶️.5 /5
Thank you so much to Lila Dawes for the free copy 🫶🏻. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
🌶️🌶️.5
🐎 Ranch Owner FMC X Convict MMC
💖 Enemies To Lovers
🐎 Small Town
♠️ Forbidden
💖 Virgin MMC
🐎 Forced Proximity
💖 Found Family
Lila Dawes literally came out of the shoot with a whole BANGER of a book!! This book is soo much more than what you see it as in black and white. It poses the life-long question of can you ever outlive a stupid mistake you made as a kid? Or even young adult? Is redemption an option?
Lila gave us an amazing question that people have been asking for AGES! She definitely came prepared with much more than a small town cowboy 🤠 Romance.
Kat was such an amazing woman who took the reigns of a 🐎 ranch after a huge tragedy. Something she wasn't anticipating but still did what she had to do to make sure that the ranch was still running. But she got so much more than a ranch 🐎 to run! As the eldest of 4 she definitely had her hands full with everything. But she made the best of the situation so that they could save the ranch. The answer to her prayers came in the form of Jack, fresh from prison.
Jack ♠️ made a mistake when he was 18 that impacted not only him but her as well. He was so endearing and trying so hard to be the best version of himself. He wanted nothing more than redemption for his crime. Jack falling for Kat the way he did made my little heart ❤️ go pitter patter and jump around with joy. He didn't want to waste his fresh chance at life, but he sure fell hard 🥰 for Kat. It was the thing I didn't know I needed from this book!
Kat and Jack sharing so much more than kisses 💋 throughout this book really grabbed me and made me feel some type a way. It was the warm feeling the 💚 Grinch 💚 felt when his heart grew 3 sizes.
Not only did Lila bring us this beautiful couple she set it up just perfect for book 2! I cannot wait to see what is coming!
🔥 Let's Talk About Sex Baby 🥵:
🌶️🌶️.5 /5
Thank you so much to Lila Dawes for the free copy 🫶🏻. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
June 1, 2025
4.5 🌟
- 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
- 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘔𝘊
- 𝘌𝘹 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘔𝘊
- 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
- 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯
- 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯 MMC
- 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘮
- 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
The cover alone is what drew me to this book and once I started reading I couldn’t stop!
Redemption follows Kat who has taken on the family ranch after her father passed away. Jack turns up on her doorstep after being released from prison filled with guilt and unsure about where is place is in life now.
I love that Kat is a cowgirl, she’s super independent and works hard to make sure her sisters are cared for with a roof over their heads, although with the ranch in trouble she definitely needed her sisters to lean on which I’m glad she finally did in the end.
Sweet Jack, after 12 years in prison has to work his butt off to fit back in the small town he grew up in after what he did, not only that but work hard to gain Kats trust.
I loved their slow progression of enemies to lovers, their chemistry was off the charts and they really helped each other in their healing processes. And I just loved that Jack had found a home in Kat and her sisters.
I’m very excited for more of this series, especially after the intro to characters of book 2!
I hope to see a book for Daisy and August one day, loved them!
Overall, Cowgirls definitely do it better 🤭🩷
- 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
- 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘔𝘊
- 𝘌𝘹 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘔𝘊
- 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
- 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯
- 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯 MMC
- 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘮
- 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
The cover alone is what drew me to this book and once I started reading I couldn’t stop!
Redemption follows Kat who has taken on the family ranch after her father passed away. Jack turns up on her doorstep after being released from prison filled with guilt and unsure about where is place is in life now.
I love that Kat is a cowgirl, she’s super independent and works hard to make sure her sisters are cared for with a roof over their heads, although with the ranch in trouble she definitely needed her sisters to lean on which I’m glad she finally did in the end.
Sweet Jack, after 12 years in prison has to work his butt off to fit back in the small town he grew up in after what he did, not only that but work hard to gain Kats trust.
I loved their slow progression of enemies to lovers, their chemistry was off the charts and they really helped each other in their healing processes. And I just loved that Jack had found a home in Kat and her sisters.
I’m very excited for more of this series, especially after the intro to characters of book 2!
I hope to see a book for Daisy and August one day, loved them!
Overall, Cowgirls definitely do it better 🤭🩷
June 28, 2025
I loved this! My only complaint was I wanted more 😂
If you love Lyla Sage you’ll love this!!
4.5✨
If you love Lyla Sage you’ll love this!!
4.5✨
June 4, 2025
At its heart, this is meant to be a sweet redemption story - but the endless whiplash from the FMC was just cruel. I found myself getting more and more angry with her. And then he whiplashed back…. And just GAHHHH. Ugh.
💕. Third act breakup. So many little mini breakups. Like don’t be together if you have no idea what you’re doing and are incapable of talking about it. And they live like 12 ft from each other and work together all day, so it’s annoyingly easy for this to happen.
🗣️. Miscommunication all over the damn place. She wants to be with him, then she doesn’t, then she lashes out and is mean, and then she regrets. Weeks and months pass?? Who knows how much time. He rejects her periodically bc idk why not? He’s confused? Also, the layers of miscommunication. She lies to her sisters by omission by not telling them that she and Jack are together and never tells them that the ranch is in serious financial trouble. Her dad also lied to them all and never told them that he was visiting Jack in prison or that he was a gambler and that the ranch is in serious debt. 🙄
👩🏻🤝👨🏼. Kat is 30 yrs old and oldest of 5 sisters. She is responsible for their ranch in the wake of their father passing. Jack is also 30 and when he was 18 he killed Kats mom in a tragic drunk driving accident. He just got out of jail after 12 yrs and we learn that her dad visited him every month that he was in jail and became a trusted friend. Jack’s family is terrible, abusive, and disowned him.
🏡. There’s the 4 sisters, Leo - some guy that’s like a brother but is clearly in love w Maddie; some jerky fancy rancher who ends up paying their debt? Max at the bar, Tate the farrier. Clearly setting up the world and other stories.
Jack comes to work at the ranch for free to help Kat after she learns that her dad left him the little cabin on the property. They are fairly immediately drawn to each other but why? Who really knows? She hates him, he feels insanely guilty. It’s all manner of f’d up. But it shouldn’t be.
She is annoyingly stubborn and mean. It’s not being badass or strong or whatever other thing the author is peddling. It’s immature. She refuses to tell any of her ADULT siblings that the ranch is in trouble and refuses help from anyone. She only has 6 months to fix it but it seems like weeks and months flash by so it’s really hard to tell how much time is passing.
Tropes
- virgin MMC
- hard ass heroine
- western backdrop/ranch
- insta attraction
- close proximity (she can see into his cabin from her house)
- dead parents
I honestly just felt badly for Jack from the first page. And she tromped all over his heart and jerked him around. It was not okay.
💕. Third act breakup. So many little mini breakups. Like don’t be together if you have no idea what you’re doing and are incapable of talking about it. And they live like 12 ft from each other and work together all day, so it’s annoyingly easy for this to happen.
🗣️. Miscommunication all over the damn place. She wants to be with him, then she doesn’t, then she lashes out and is mean, and then she regrets. Weeks and months pass?? Who knows how much time. He rejects her periodically bc idk why not? He’s confused? Also, the layers of miscommunication. She lies to her sisters by omission by not telling them that she and Jack are together and never tells them that the ranch is in serious financial trouble. Her dad also lied to them all and never told them that he was visiting Jack in prison or that he was a gambler and that the ranch is in serious debt. 🙄
👩🏻🤝👨🏼. Kat is 30 yrs old and oldest of 5 sisters. She is responsible for their ranch in the wake of their father passing. Jack is also 30 and when he was 18 he killed Kats mom in a tragic drunk driving accident. He just got out of jail after 12 yrs and we learn that her dad visited him every month that he was in jail and became a trusted friend. Jack’s family is terrible, abusive, and disowned him.
🏡. There’s the 4 sisters, Leo - some guy that’s like a brother but is clearly in love w Maddie; some jerky fancy rancher who ends up paying their debt? Max at the bar, Tate the farrier. Clearly setting up the world and other stories.
Jack comes to work at the ranch for free to help Kat after she learns that her dad left him the little cabin on the property. They are fairly immediately drawn to each other but why? Who really knows? She hates him, he feels insanely guilty. It’s all manner of f’d up. But it shouldn’t be.
She is annoyingly stubborn and mean. It’s not being badass or strong or whatever other thing the author is peddling. It’s immature. She refuses to tell any of her ADULT siblings that the ranch is in trouble and refuses help from anyone. She only has 6 months to fix it but it seems like weeks and months flash by so it’s really hard to tell how much time is passing.
Tropes
- virgin MMC
- hard ass heroine
- western backdrop/ranch
- insta attraction
- close proximity (she can see into his cabin from her house)
- dead parents
I honestly just felt badly for Jack from the first page. And she tromped all over his heart and jerked him around. It was not okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dropped
July 27, 2025I was DYING to see the dynamic between the heroine and the hero who literally killed her mom (not intentionally, while drunk driving at eighteen, but still, that's bonkers), and later went to prison for that, coming back to find the husband of the deceased woman who had become his only friend (YES IKR!!!) had passed away and had left him some property while all his five daughters who had known nothing about this friendship and hated the killer's guts still lived there, too.
However, the writing is not really good, and the relationship between the heroes is not interesting enough, which is crazy, considering the premise. Alas, I am dropping this at 19%, which is a shame, because I have a thing for Wyoming cowboys (and no, the Brokeback Mountain is not the prime reason for that!), and secondly, because the cover is absolutely STUNNING. Like, if I met a guy looking like that and knew he had committed something awful (apart from hurting my family, though), I would have thought twice, ngl.
However, the writing is not really good, and the relationship between the heroes is not interesting enough, which is crazy, considering the premise. Alas, I am dropping this at 19%, which is a shame, because I have a thing for Wyoming cowboys (and no, the Brokeback Mountain is not the prime reason for that!), and secondly, because the cover is absolutely STUNNING. Like, if I met a guy looking like that and knew he had committed something awful (apart from hurting my family, though), I would have thought twice, ngl.
December 28, 2025
3.75⭐️
This was such a sweet story. I had seen the cover of this and loved the art and was intrigued by the story. It’s a simple, small town romance. It’s not changing the game in anyway but it was a very easy read and had a lot of things in a romance book I like.
The reason this is standing out for me is the background to the MMCs story and the horrible event that leads to him and the FMC being in each others lives. It’s something I haven’t read before and made for a really unique story to tell. The MMC is such a lovable guy who had a horrible event happen and you just want him to succeed from the moment you meet him. His whole story and journey was a really strong part of the book. It was also very heartbreaking and had me a bit teary in some parts.
The FMC is written a bit frustrating at times due to her need to do everything on her own instead of getting help from her sisters. But it’s part of her character journey. She’s the oldest sister and thinks that everything is her responsibility while dealing with grief over the loss of her father and the MMC being in her life and the trauma from the past. So the characters decisions make sense but as a reader you just wanna shake her and be like get it together and ask for some help. It didn’t ruin the story though it added to it which is why I still enjoyed this. Can’t wait to jump into book #2.
This was such a sweet story. I had seen the cover of this and loved the art and was intrigued by the story. It’s a simple, small town romance. It’s not changing the game in anyway but it was a very easy read and had a lot of things in a romance book I like.
The reason this is standing out for me is the background to the MMCs story and the horrible event that leads to him and the FMC being in each others lives. It’s something I haven’t read before and made for a really unique story to tell. The MMC is such a lovable guy who had a horrible event happen and you just want him to succeed from the moment you meet him. His whole story and journey was a really strong part of the book. It was also very heartbreaking and had me a bit teary in some parts.
The FMC is written a bit frustrating at times due to her need to do everything on her own instead of getting help from her sisters. But it’s part of her character journey. She’s the oldest sister and thinks that everything is her responsibility while dealing with grief over the loss of her father and the MMC being in her life and the trauma from the past. So the characters decisions make sense but as a reader you just wanna shake her and be like get it together and ask for some help. It didn’t ruin the story though it added to it which is why I still enjoyed this. Can’t wait to jump into book #2.
Read
October 23, 2025dnf 40% the only person i liked was august and she said about 10 sentences the entire time.
July 8, 2025
Ok so this was really good! I read some reviews & was unsure if I even wanted to read this. So glad I did. My heart broke for Jack. Drink driving is not ok but his story broke my heart. I felt for the Cartwright sisters so much too. At the beginning of the book I thought the girls were immature for being in their 20s-30s so that made me unsure if I was going to like the story. Overall a really good read.
May 14, 2025
I'm not a huge cowboy romance fan... but I freaking inhaled this cowgirl one! In true Lila Dawes fashion, this book not only makes you laugh and swoon, but makes you sweat, too! How has she incorporated serious family drama with a true slow burn? The MCs are contradictory, but in the BEST ways and come together (pun totally intended!) so flawlessly, it makes you want to keep reading well past the last page! The side characters round out a great first book in this series! And this cover?? Lawd, have mercy! I can't wait to read more!!!
June 7, 2025
Redemption by Lila Dawes 🌸🤠
I picked up this book purely because of this cover and i’m not even mad about it since it’s stunninggg 😍 This book started off strong, it had a solid plot line and a unique one that id never read before. I liked the fact that the ranch was run by sisters/women, I think I need more books like this!
The chemistry between Kat and Jack was 🔥🥵 The trauma from both sides was heartbreaking and the reasoning behind him going to jail was so sad. The angst between these two was executed well. I loved the tension and their relationship was a slow burn which suited them well. Kat needed time to forgive Jack and it was nice seeing both of them working on themselves.
I really liked the family dynamic and the love between the sisters. I come from a family that only has girls so to read about just sisters was a nice mix up. The arguing was something I could relate to 🤭
So I did have some issues with this book so let’s talk about it. In some parts I felt that the authors writing was unfinished and choppy in some parts? If she broke up the writing a bit that would’ve made it less confusing when she jumped scenes all of a sudden.
Low key hated when she attacked Jack, ain’t no way a 30+ yr old woman would do that, would’ve made more sense if she just slapped him?! Idk that whole attacking thing felt out of place.
I really would’ve liked to see them more in town. Leo mentioned he was a bull rider but we never saw him compete. I would’ve loved to see a rodeo scene been written since it would’ve been a fun thing to read about. The whole gang watching him compete and the tension between the two main characters would’ve been epic.
I think Jack’s trauma was overlooked. Yes he got therapy but that was so incredibly late into the story that we only saw him talk about it, we never actually saw him attend a session. It was a nice ending but I would’ve liked to see more. Setting up the ranch for a bright future would’ve been nice to see happen maybe at the 60-70% mark? The best friend showing up was kinda random? I thought there would’ve been some lead up to that, maybe some calls or messages just so it would’ve been suspenseful when the best friend showed up at the ranch.
I think that this book had a lot of potential. I still really enjoyed my time reading about Redemption ranch and would consider reading the rest in the series. This was a unique story and I really loved reading about the MMC Jack. He is really hot and him on the book cover is 🔥 I honestly think everyone deserves to read about Jack because he’s one of a kind.
My rating reflects me liking/enjoying the book but I did have some issues which didn’t make it a 4 star + ⭐️ read
I picked up this book purely because of this cover and i’m not even mad about it since it’s stunninggg 😍 This book started off strong, it had a solid plot line and a unique one that id never read before. I liked the fact that the ranch was run by sisters/women, I think I need more books like this!
The chemistry between Kat and Jack was 🔥🥵 The trauma from both sides was heartbreaking and the reasoning behind him going to jail was so sad. The angst between these two was executed well. I loved the tension and their relationship was a slow burn which suited them well. Kat needed time to forgive Jack and it was nice seeing both of them working on themselves.
I really liked the family dynamic and the love between the sisters. I come from a family that only has girls so to read about just sisters was a nice mix up. The arguing was something I could relate to 🤭
So I did have some issues with this book so let’s talk about it. In some parts I felt that the authors writing was unfinished and choppy in some parts? If she broke up the writing a bit that would’ve made it less confusing when she jumped scenes all of a sudden.
Low key hated when she attacked Jack, ain’t no way a 30+ yr old woman would do that, would’ve made more sense if she just slapped him?! Idk that whole attacking thing felt out of place.
I really would’ve liked to see them more in town. Leo mentioned he was a bull rider but we never saw him compete. I would’ve loved to see a rodeo scene been written since it would’ve been a fun thing to read about. The whole gang watching him compete and the tension between the two main characters would’ve been epic.
I think Jack’s trauma was overlooked. Yes he got therapy but that was so incredibly late into the story that we only saw him talk about it, we never actually saw him attend a session. It was a nice ending but I would’ve liked to see more. Setting up the ranch for a bright future would’ve been nice to see happen maybe at the 60-70% mark? The best friend showing up was kinda random? I thought there would’ve been some lead up to that, maybe some calls or messages just so it would’ve been suspenseful when the best friend showed up at the ranch.
I think that this book had a lot of potential. I still really enjoyed my time reading about Redemption ranch and would consider reading the rest in the series. This was a unique story and I really loved reading about the MMC Jack. He is really hot and him on the book cover is 🔥 I honestly think everyone deserves to read about Jack because he’s one of a kind.
My rating reflects me liking/enjoying the book but I did have some issues which didn’t make it a 4 star + ⭐️ read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
dnf at 67% I gotta stop buying books just because the covers were pretty and I am convinced that these 4-5 star ratings are either paid or y’all have just never read a book before because this was giving wattpad. please give me my time back, it wasn’t even worth seeing til the end
June 9, 2025
Originally picked this up because the cover is so cute but unfortunately the book didn’t live up to what I thought it would be. I hated the prose, the FMC, and found the plot in general to be trite at best. The writing is Wattpad-level through and through, even down to the breath she didn’t know she was holding. The details Jack notices about Kat are gross and if I have to read “leggy blonde” one more time I’ll tear my hair out. Originally, I was delighted to see a FMC who is a bit older than is common in the genre, but the prose made her feel juvenile regardless, which was really disappointing. Past the prose, the plot isn’t much better. Mom is fridged in chapter one, and the LI scenario being “I want him but he killed my mom” is not nearly as interesting as the blurb makes it out to be. Also, considering the alcoholism and substance abuse in the early novel, I found the casual use (overuse, in my opinion) of alcohol by the sisters, Kat especially, to be really distasteful. I would have DNF’d but by the time I was fed up and ready to quit, I was about halfway through and decided to see it through in hopes it would stick the landing. It didn’t.
July 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. It was an emotional read that dealt with a lot of really complicated topics and I thought the author handled them well. The plot had depth and while some aspects felt a little ‘too perfect’ in respects to the reformed Jack and the forgiving Charlie, it was still nice to not have it be more dramatic or complicated than it was. There foundation was set for more stories in this series and I will definitely be picking up the next book!
June 9, 2025
This is such a unique twist on an enemies-to-lovers story. The title of Lia Dawes's mirrors the theme of this book - can you redeem yourself after making a horrible & tragic mistake at 18 years old? This might be a cowboy, small town romance, but it's so much more & for a new author, I am truly impressed by the way she not only depicted this beautiful story but also set up this series that has me itching for Book 2.
This story follows Kat, eldest of 4 daughters, who now needs to sort out managing her father's ranch after his sudden death. She needs help to save her family's home after discovering the mountain of debt that is left. But she didn't expect that help to come in the form of Jack, fresh out of prison after making a grave mistake at 18 that not only impacted his life but Kat's as well. Jack is ready to do anything to make up for all he cost Kat & her family, but what he didn't anticipate was to fall head over heels for her...
This story tugged at all my emotions. Jack, in particular, is such a vulnerable, endearing MMC who truly is trying to be the best version of himself. He's all alone in this world & after being conditionally let into Kat's world, he is not going to waste his chance at a new start. The way that man falls headfirst for Kat is so delicious. There's this intense tension & chemistry that I just ate up.
Kat is the strong caretaker for her family who holds the world on her shoulders. The progression of her relationship with Jack, allowing him to shoulder some of her burden, is so wonderful & healing for these characters. How she moves through her emotions around Jack & accepts all of Jack (including making peace with the past) is such a pivotal part of this story. I was captivated from beginning to end.
Lila sets the stage for this series, with potential storylines for each sister. I am so excited to see where these stories are going & can't wait to come back to this small town ASAP!
💖 Enemies to Lovers
🤠 Ranch Owner FMC x Ex Convict MMC
🐴 Small Town
🏡 Forced Proximity
❣️ Forbidden
💋 Virgin MMC
🫶 Found Family
✌🏻 Dual POV
This story follows Kat, eldest of 4 daughters, who now needs to sort out managing her father's ranch after his sudden death. She needs help to save her family's home after discovering the mountain of debt that is left. But she didn't expect that help to come in the form of Jack, fresh out of prison after making a grave mistake at 18 that not only impacted his life but Kat's as well. Jack is ready to do anything to make up for all he cost Kat & her family, but what he didn't anticipate was to fall head over heels for her...
This story tugged at all my emotions. Jack, in particular, is such a vulnerable, endearing MMC who truly is trying to be the best version of himself. He's all alone in this world & after being conditionally let into Kat's world, he is not going to waste his chance at a new start. The way that man falls headfirst for Kat is so delicious. There's this intense tension & chemistry that I just ate up.
Kat is the strong caretaker for her family who holds the world on her shoulders. The progression of her relationship with Jack, allowing him to shoulder some of her burden, is so wonderful & healing for these characters. How she moves through her emotions around Jack & accepts all of Jack (including making peace with the past) is such a pivotal part of this story. I was captivated from beginning to end.
Lila sets the stage for this series, with potential storylines for each sister. I am so excited to see where these stories are going & can't wait to come back to this small town ASAP!
💖 Enemies to Lovers
🤠 Ranch Owner FMC x Ex Convict MMC
🐴 Small Town
🏡 Forced Proximity
❣️ Forbidden
💋 Virgin MMC
🫶 Found Family
✌🏻 Dual POV
July 19, 2025
I went in blind and had no idea this story would be so intense. This was a beautiful, emotional romance that caught me completely off guard, in the best way. Lila Dawes created an impossible situation and somehow made it feel real. Two broken characters, each facing their demons, yet still finding their way to each other. It was a wild, emotional ride, and I loved every second.
The FMC was a total boss. I loved her strength, her vulnerability, and especially her bond with her sisters and best friend. Those relationships brought so much heart to the story.
And the MMC? First of all, have you seen the cover? He’s stunning. But beyond that, he’s loyal, sweet, and omg I loved how much he pined for her. Oh, and he’s a virgin, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes. The chemistry between them was hot, but the emotional connection hit even harder.
I kept asking myself, “Could I forgive him?” The story made me feel everything. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because their reunion felt like a stretch in the real world, but I still believed in their story and rooted for them the whole way.
The FMC was a total boss. I loved her strength, her vulnerability, and especially her bond with her sisters and best friend. Those relationships brought so much heart to the story.
And the MMC? First of all, have you seen the cover? He’s stunning. But beyond that, he’s loyal, sweet, and omg I loved how much he pined for her. Oh, and he’s a virgin, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes. The chemistry between them was hot, but the emotional connection hit even harder.
I kept asking myself, “Could I forgive him?” The story made me feel everything. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because their reunion felt like a stretch in the real world, but I still believed in their story and rooted for them the whole way.
June 17, 2025
Love the book cover it caught my eye but … Katarina was exhausting to read. I realized the gravity of the situation between her and Jack, but as the oldest, she made impulsive decisions. I believe the debt owing situation was rushed; she should have told her sister from the start. This was MID, but it kept me reading and made me care about the side characters and Jack. Could have been better, though.
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