Beyond Duty

The Rockwell Ranch Series #1

by Katelyn Smyth

Aspen
I used to believe that love meant sacrifice, that if you fought hard enough, you could fix even the most broken things. But what do you do when the person you love is the one breaking you?
Every moment with him is a battle—a carefully choreographed dance on eggshells, trying to avoid the next eruption. I've learned to smile through the pain, to mask the bruises with pretty words and practiced excuses. But the cracks in the facade are widening, and I can’t keep pretending. Not for him. Not for anyone.

Ryett
They say you can’t pour from an empty cup, but I’m running on fumes these days. Being a single dad to my wild, spirited little boy isn’t exactly a cakewalk, but he's my whole world. Between raising him, pulling long shifts as a cop, and trying to help on the ranch when I can, I barely have time to think—much less feel. And that’s just how I like it. Feeling is dangerous, especially with my ex lurking in the shadows of this town, stirring up trouble just by existing.
I told myself I wouldn’t fall again, not after the way my ex left me shattered. But life has a funny way of throwing you curveballs when you least expect it. The problem is, I can’t tell if this is the kind of love that saves you... or breaks you all over again.

Genres: Westerns

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2025

Reviews

[Kirstie · Rating 2 out of 5]

CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS. READ WITH CAUTION.

I enjoyed this book, the storyline was great in theory but it just didn't flow, there were, in my opinion, gaps in the story and things that definitely should have been included.
The issues surrounding carters birth mother, there's no discussion over custody or legal rights, as a law enforcer it seemed far fetched that Ryett wouldn't ensure everything was legally in place, but it just seems like he's withholding his son from his biological birth mother without any legal right to do so in place when surely legally she'd be entitled to see him? and why didn't she seek legal counsel if she was so desperate to be apart of her sons life? if there was something in place it wasn't mentioned once which seems like an oversight.
The issues surrounding Aspens Husband, this is a man with money and resources, how did he not find her sooner? Was it Ryetts Ex who told him where she was in the end? what happened to Shelly, if she did tell him, when, why, was she legally entangled with his case due to giving aspens location away? did she give her rights as a parent? she wasn't mentioned again. it felt sloppy and unfinished in that regard.
This story would of been amazing with just a bit more attention to detail in parts, the bones of the story were fantastic but it just didn't execute that well overall. There was just things missing that I feel should been included, and the development of some of the relationships seemed rushed.
Hoping the second book is executed better.

[abbiscosycorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an unexpected book, the love from both main characters but also the found family aspect was beautiful.

Ryett is a Single Dad, Cop and lives in a ranch! Aspen is running from her past and becomes a nanny for Ryett.

The first met was so cute, it’s a fast burn, good spice and great plot. The protection, the link to other characters, small town vibes and the love.

If you like small town romance, protective MMC. This book is for you! There are twists, drama and lots of love!

[Tiffany Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a good booked. Like the story line but the grammar was a bit of a struggle and at times I felt like there were important pieces of information skipped through the book. At times it was hard to follow who was saying what because it all seemed to run together.

[Louise McConnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely got me in the feels. Both Ryett and Aspen have such difficult starts in life, and watching them slowly find trust, love, and healing was honestly beautiful. I loved Ryett’s grumpy, closed-off attitude especially the running joke of everyone just letting themselves into his house without asking 🤣 I swear, I’d have the same reaction!

Aspen’s bond with Carter absolutely melted me. Their relationship was written with so much tenderness and warmth, I was smiling one minute and tearing up the next. The story handled some really tough topics with care and emotion, and by the end I was fully invested (and maybe a little puffy-eyed).

It’s the perfect cowboy romance! Emotional, funny, healing, and full of heart. I loved every page. 💛🤠

[Caroline M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aspen escapes a violent marriage and starts over in a small town with the help of a friend. There, she meets Ryett, the local police sergeant and hot single dad. Needing a job, she becomes his son’s nanny. Living and working so closely, feelings quickly grow—and it’s obvious this was never going to stay simple. 💕

This book completely stole my heart—put it through the wringer, then gave it back in pieces. I laughed, cried, felt scared, and caught myself kicking my feet more than once. I loved the characters so much, and while the domestic violence storyline was hard-hitting, it felt necessary and was written with real care. I’m a sucker for a cowboy book, and this one absolutely delivered. It was also a nice change to not have them flirting around each other for half the book they just jumped straight in.. 🤠❤️

[Claire Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very repetitive

I found the book to be very repetitive. I loved the storyline and that it was very fast paced but feel like it was over descriptive in some parts and not descriptive in others. The word anchor was said throughout the book so many times, far too much if I'm honest. I feel parts of the book were very rushed. But saying that I will continue to read the series as they are released as I loved the characters

[Jennifer Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story

I love a good romance and I like that they were honest with each other instead of hiding important information that would cause conflict later. I enjoyed the story, but there were slot of grammatical errors that were hard to look over.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Wonderfully written!
I need a Ryett in my life🥰 if you love a cowboy romance you need to read this book!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been relishing this cowboy romance era that I'm in and I had my eye on Beyond Duty for awhile before I got to it. Aspen and Ryett are the poster main characters for insta-love! The story starts off with a bang as Aspen decides if she is going to walk down the aisle to marry her abusive fiancé. I'm not going to tell you if she goes through with it or not, but I will tell you that her bestie comes to her rescue at some point, and takes her to her hometown to help her sort things out. While there, she connects Aspen with local police officer/rancher/single dad Ryett. Ryett who just happens to need a nanny- see where this is going? Aspen and Ryett fall fast and hard and though it was a little hard for me to keep up with their feelings at first, I decided this is the beauty of fiction and I'm going with it! There is a hint of danger lurking around corners throughout the story and Katelyn created an exciting and nerve-wracking feeling of suspense. I felt absolutely terrible for Aspen, but so glad she had Ryett, his son and his brothers on her side. This ended up being a really sweet love story and thankfully had an HEA!

[Annalise Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!!!

From start to finish I loved this book, the way the characters were protrayed and the way they just clicked straight away I loved. Katelyn has also showed really well in her writing how you can find love after disaster and it is the people who walk into your life unexpectedly that can mean the most to you!!! Someone you've known 2 weeks can make you feel more than someone in 2 years hasn't. I also loved the relationship between Aspen and Carter. I thought it was beautiful!!

I cannot wait to read the next one and hopefully we see some more from Ryett and and Aspen in the background!!!

[Alison Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book had the potential to be great, but in places it just seemed rushed I felt it lacked important detail. The timeline didn’t seem credible throughout the book for me. There was lots of repetition and chapters wasted on what I would describe as waffle and ending up speed reading over a lot of content as it wasn’t relevant and added no additional value to the main characters stories. There were also a lot of grammar issues. Overall I felt it a shame as the book had the story to make it great but the writing let it down

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing, would definitely recommend reading this book I literally can not wait the next ones to come out!!! All I’m gonna say is you will not regret reading it🫶🏻

[Alissa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book!

[Katie Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 23%

The story line moved far too quickly and was just too unbelievable for me to continue. The idea of the book was good but very poorly executed

[Claudia]

DNF for me, too boring and predictable for me.

[Meg Simpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been such a good cowboy/police book! I’m a bit disappointed as the spelling and format made it quite frustrating to read. One minute she’s riding penny, then it’s Lucy.. who’s Lucy?

She goes from quite a traumatic domestic relationship to declaring her love for a random man she moved in with to look after his son. The beginning feels so rushed and then there is a lull and it’s almost overkill with detail about looking at each other and sounds and sights but it feels like it’s repeating itself. We then pick up the pace and go from the big plot twist at the end into the next sentence which is ‘a week later’. Surely that would be a new chapter? Shame…

[Tracie Bauguess · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this story. Unfortunately it read like a fanfic. There were too many grammatical errors to overlook. The gaps in the story felt rushed and unfinished. Speaking from experience, I don’t understand how a woman can come from such a traumatic experience and immediately begin to trust again. I DNF at 25%.

[Ally · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DNFd at 7%

The writing and grammar were terrible. I honestly think I could’ve enjoyed the story but I just couldn’t get past how badly written it was. Shame.