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He never meant to touch her.
She never meant to want him.
And what they shared—masked behind usernames and screens—should’ve stayed anonymous.
Until it didn’t.

Diego Brooks has two win the bull riding world championship, and keep his heart locked away beneath layers of muscle, scars, and silence.
But when Aurora Riva returns to Sunrise Ranch as a performance coach, everything starts to crack.
He’s always known Rory was trouble. She’s too young. Too brilliant. Too close—being the little sister of his best friends.
And yet, for weeks they played with fire behind anonymous usernames, sharing secrets and desires in a private online chat where neither knew who the other was supposed to be.
Now, as Rory wrestles with her own ghosts and the need to prove she can stand on her own, Diego is forced to confront the past he’s always buried—and the truth about how he feels for her.
They’re too different. Too complicated. Too exposed.
And still, every training session, every stolen glance, every forbidden touch brings them closer to the edge.
He knows he should let her go.
But she’s the one thing that makes him want to stay.
And this time… letting her go might just break him.

Sunrise Ranch Book 2 — but it can also be read as a STANDALONE.

411 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 27, 2025

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About the author

Valentina Iania

10 books243 followers
Valentina Iania writes steamy contemporary romances, rom-coms, cowboy romances, and dark romance, blending heart, heat, and emotional intensity across charming small-town worlds and darker, more dangerous settings. Her stories feature found family, seasonal vibes, sizzling chemistry, and unapologetically spicy love stories, with plenty of strong heroines and stubborn heroes along the way.

She also writes scorching cowboy and hockey romances, known for emotionally charged relationships, irresistible chemistry, and heroes who are impossible to resist.

When she’s not writing, she’s riding horses, cheering on her favorite NHL team, or dreaming up her next obsession-worthy cowboy.

You can find her on social media at @valentinaianiaauthor.

Saddle up, it’s about to get hot.

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5 stars
78 (51%)
4 stars
46 (30%)
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19 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for sky ~miss.littlereader~.
231 reviews7 followers
June 18, 2025
🅰🆁🅲 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐔𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐈𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚

It’s official... I loved this one even more than Saddle and Bound! I honestly never thought I'd say that, but here we are. Diego and Rory completely stole my heart.

If you're looking for a small town romance packed with swoon worthy moments, emotional highs and lows, undeniable chemistry, and just the right amount of spice, my lovelies, you need this book on your TBR.

The slow burn romance was everything. Add in the forbidden relationship, aching tension, and a beautiful journey of healing, and I was completely invested. Diego and Rory's story is filled with angst, vulnerability, and passion, but what made it truly stand out was how authentic it felt.

Both characters carry deep emotional scars, and instead of magically fixing one another, they stumble, struggle, and heal side by side. Their growth felt earned, making the romance so much more than just another hot cowboy story. It was heartfelt, messy, and incredibly real.

And can we please talk about the app?!🥵 The way they "met" through anonymous messages? Absolute freakn genius. Those conversations were equal parts flirty, intimate, and addictive. Watching them slowly unravel each other's identities had me screaming, "JUST TELL HIM ALREADY OR I WILL!"😂 The anticipation was almost unbearable in the best possible way.

This book gave me butterflies, made my heart ache, and had me smiling like an idiot more times than I can count. Safe to say, this is my favorite in the series so far.
Profile Image for little_cowgirll.
89 reviews12 followers
June 7, 2025
Full review coming closer to release, but let me just say… this book NEEDS to be on your radar! I was hooked from the very beginning and completely swept up in the story. So, so good!

Review ⤵️

Okay, this book is phenomenal and I truly believe the world needs to know about it.

Let’s start with the plot. The narrative device? ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! I loved how the story started off with such a mysterious vibe. And the idea of the app? A total masterpiece!

The story unfolds in a way that’s intriguing, funny, and sexy. I especially loved how the author brings us into the world of bull riding—so immersive and well done.

And the two main characters? I’M OBSESSED!!
Rory is funny and has so much personality. And Diego… he’s officially my new favorite book boyfriend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for charisse ♡.
650 reviews83 followers
August 2, 2025
˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

another romance book set in italy!! *cheers*

i really enjoyed reading this book and i loved diego and rory's relationship. i loved the little anonymous masked chat aspect. it was honestly so smart! i was definitely hooked from the very first page and i couldn't stop reading once i started. i loved watching rory and diego's character development. overall, a lovely book, would recommend!

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Emma.Isbooked.
7 reviews10 followers
June 7, 2025
Alpha reader here & I’ll be sharing a full review closer to release, but wow—this book absolutely blew me away. The characters, the tension, the emotion… it’s all next-level. This is Valentina Iania’s strongest work yet, and it deserves all the hype. DO NOT sleep on this one!!
Profile Image for Kelsey Sanderson-Hutley.
129 reviews
July 22, 2025
Now this book was good! The writing was much more fluid and there was a good back story which went on for the first 25% of the book. It’s always nice to have a back story that’s told properly so you can understand the characters better.
I don’t normally go for the age gap trope but Rory and Diego are a great couple. The tension between them is there from the beginning and it’s built up over the years until they’re forced to work together. There are a few twists and turns here so the next few books are going to be exciting! I loved that Diego is a bull rider and how Aurora came out of her shell a bit when she got home from university.
The writing style is so different in this book and is definitely worth a read.
Profile Image for Brandi.
200 reviews27 followers
July 27, 2025
Unmasked is the second book in the series and, while it's labeled as a standalone, I couldn’t help but feel that I was missing key pieces of the story. Certain moments felt like they lacked context and I found myself wishing I had more background to fully connect with everything happening and all of the side characters.

That said, I really loved the plot and was completely drawn to Diego and Rory’s relationship. Their dynamic kept me hooked and I especially appreciated the Riva family embracing Diego so fully—it added warmth and depth to the story.

Overall, this was a good read with solid characters and an engaging premise. But the missing context held it back from being a 4 or 5 star for me.

Thank you to Valentina Iania for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Format: ebook
Profile Image for Claudia.
112 reviews6 followers
July 29, 2025
4.5⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
absolutely adored this book! Unmasked is a beautifully written story about healing, love, and learning to accept the kind of connection we think we’re unworthy of.

Diego, the beautiful, broken bull rider, completely stole my heart. His emotional wounds from a harsh upbringing and never feeling “good enough” were heartbreaking, but watching him open up to his friends and slowly realize his worth was powerful and touching. The way he loved Rory was everything, gentle, steady, and so sincere.

Rory was pure fire and sunshine. I loved her! She was strong-willed, full of heart, and exactly what Diego needed. Their chemistry and connection felt so natural, and I loved that there was no third act breakup! Just growth, trust, and two people choosing each other.

Also, let’s just be real: a man who makes you a playlist of songs and explains why he chose each one, listens to all the Taylor Swift you want, gifts you concert tickets and gives you an orgasms? That’s a keeper 😂

The found family and friend group in this series is one of my absolute favorites. It was such a joy to catch up with characters from Saddle and Bound and Dusty. While Unmasked can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the series in order to fully experience the ongoing story arc that continues through the books.

I cannot wait to read more in this series and spend more time with these characters. I just know Max and Lexy’s story is going to be epic.

Thank you to the author for the ARC—this was such a heartwarming, emotional, and unforgettable read!
Profile Image for Marissa | Readswith_marissa.
263 reviews16 followers
July 23, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for the #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏻

This is Valentina’s best work yet! There is such an undeniable attraction and push and pull tension between Rory and Diego that had me hooked from the beginning! The unique story line of this book is guaranteed to reel you in.

Rory was so special and such a relatable character. The absolute growth from her personal trauma was something to be noted. I just loved how while also battling herself, she was helping Diego battle his own demons along the way.

I loved grumpy bull rider Diego. The pinning for Rory while trying to keep his distance made for some really hot, electric chemistry. I really adored the two of them together and watching their journeys unfold. The app messages had me HOOKED. Like I said, such a cool, unique idea to add a little something more to it than just a cowboy romance.

Valentina blew this one out of the park. I would highly recommend to all of my cowboy loving book besties who love a good brothers best friend, forbidden romance!
Profile Image for Gracie Payne .
2 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2025
Unmasked
This is the second book in the sunrise ranch series and it’s my favourite so far.

I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. Rory and Diego are just 😍😍 this book is full of romance, lots of spice.

I would 100% recommend reading this book I was hocked from the first page and can’t wait for the next book to come out.

This book is about Aurora Riva ( Rory )and Diego Brooks. Rory ever since she was little had a crush on her older brothers best friend Diego. Diego has always noticed Rory.

They book get talked into making an account on this app called Masquerade it’s basically an app where you can get to know people without showing your face.

It also shows that you don’t always think you are good enough, as you can’t see how they see you but in reality you are loved and cherished by so many people.
Profile Image for Sasha.
704 reviews62 followers
August 1, 2025
Thank you to my friend Valentina for gifting me an ARC of her book!

I loved this book so much, it’s the cutest brothers best friend, grumpy/sunshine and cowboy romance! The banter had me screaming it was so fun, and there was one part of the book that made me cry. It was so damn wholesome.

This is also an age gap romance which I love and the spice was the perfect amount.

Overall, I loved this book, it had me laughing, crying and screaming with joy. So much good banter in this book omg 😆 I seriously love banter so I had to mention it again. This was just an adorable romance.

Also LOVED all the Taylor Swift references 🩷
Profile Image for MJay.
179 reviews5 followers
August 1, 2025
ARC Review- 4.5⭐️

This book was gripping from the beginning. Starting off with a bit of back story, which gave so much context, and fluidly developed into a funny, intense, sexy and sweet one. Grumpy Diego, who is a bullrider and has emotional wounds from childhood trauma and insecurities of not being good enough.
Beautiful, sassy, and strong-willed Ro is all sunshine and has her own traumas that she tackling and Diego becomes a strong force for her.
Choosing each other through understanding, mutual respect, and love.
Sweet and spicy!

Thank you @valentinaianiaauthor
Profile Image for Thirsa Westende.
46 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2025
I was fortunate to be one of the first readers! On Valentina’s streateam!

WOW WOW WOW! This book was amazing! The growth of Valentina and her writing. I can’t give 0,5 star here but it’s definitely 4,5 stars! The buildup, the tension, the growth of the characters! The love story and plot are amazing!!!

A hidden crush, one night turns there world upside down. She is his boss! Fighting against there attraction. They need to figure out what they feel. In the meantime the world around them goes to dangerous times and there happens allot!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amy.
10 reviews
October 22, 2025
A good cowboy romance to get me over a reading slump. Its well written with some spice along tje way
Profile Image for lauren kindl3w0rm .
134 reviews13 followers
June 12, 2025
I'm sorry but this was amazing!!!! I couldn't put this down! Read 60% in one go.

Rory & Diago are 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 🫶🏼
I loved the whole beginning of this, fall for big brothers best friend, can't have him but joining an app changes everything! They've loved eachother for years & everything was just perfect 🥹
Diago is literally the big bad championship bull rider with the softest heart and only has eyes for one girl.
The letter he wrote Rory with the mixtape 😭😭 please stop it! And I cried when Rory's dad and brothers said what they said near the end. This was perfection & with it being released on my birthday (July 27th 😏) this is the best birthday pressie 🩷🩷

Thank you Valentina for letting me read this ARC! You're an amazing writer & every book you bring out just gets better (and your first one was pretty amazing!)
From being one of the first people I spoke to on here when I made my page, to now writing books and being a full on author!!! Super proud of you & I can't wait for these to be released in the UK so I can have them on my shelf.
Profile Image for Cheryl Adams.
16 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2025
ARC Read!!

Wow I devoured this book and did not want it to end! Full review coming soon but this book is a must read.

Grumpy cowboy to make you melt ✔️

Val you have smashed it again with this one !!

💘 Tropes & Vibes:
🔥 Brother’s best friend
🩰 Age gap
🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
🩰 She’s the boss
🔥 Small town romance
🩰 Second chance
🔥 Accidental matches
🩰 Role play
🔥 Hot bull rider 👀
Profile Image for Delyanel.
6 reviews
October 8, 2025
This is seriously the BEST.
I loved every single page: it was steamy, hilarious, made me cry, and the characters are amazing.
Profile Image for alyssaxfae_.
14 reviews
June 10, 2025
🌵 ARC REVIEW – UNMASKED by Valentina Ianía 🌵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Thank you Valentina lanía for providing me with this arc copy
“He never meant to touch her. She never meant to want him.”
And from the very first page, I knew this book was going to break me in the best way.

Unmasked is everything I could ever want in a romance — spicy, emotional, deeply heartfelt, and so well written. Valentina Ianía absolutely nails the forbidden tension between Diego Brooks — the silent, scarred bull rider — and Aurora Riva — the brilliant, determined performance coach who also happens to be his best friend's little sister.

The anonymous online chat twist?? GENIUS. The slow unravelling of their identities had me on edge, desperate to scream “JUST TELL HIM” every few pages. Their private connection builds such an intense emotional intimacy that when the physical tension hits… it hits.

Expect:
🤠 Hot cowboys
💻 Secret online identities
🔥 Grumpy x sunshine
📍 Small town + second chance
📚 Age gap + brother’s best friend
🧠 Emotional depth + character growth
🩷 And yes — some seriously swoon-worthy roleplay moments 👀

But what really sets this apart is how both characters are carrying real pain, and the way they face it together — through stubbornness, conflict, vulnerability — made the romance so believable. It’s not just about the steamy scenes (although, trust me, they deliver) — it’s about healing.

Diego and Rory’s story is the perfect blend of angst, heart, and passion. This isn’t just a bull-rider romance — it’s a love story about finding the courage to be seen. And I can’t wait to return to Sunrise Ranch for whatever Valentina writes next.

🩷 Coming July 2025 — add it to your Goodreads NOW, preorder for the special launch price, and clear your TBR because this is a 100% unmissable read.
Profile Image for riding_the_pages.
147 reviews8 followers
July 27, 2025
Yeeeees! This book had all the good things in it.
Dual POV
Age gap
Brothers best friend
Small town
Ranch family
Plot twist
Cliffhanger!

What I loved the most about this book was watching the mmc, Diego, grow. To be honest I enjoyed his character more than Rory's. He's got a tuff exterior and is mostly broody around everyone. Typical hide your feelings type. But inside? Oh! Inside this guy just melts for Rory. She gets to him on a entirely different level.
There's also a deeper issue he struggles with that truly tugs at the emotions. From it he learns a great deal about the people around him. It also highlights some of the best qualities in them and himself. What he's capable of on the inside! ugh. Made my heart swell. I won't say anymore than that!

I still love Rory! She's fierce, strong minded, doesnt back down. She also softens her dges when it comes to Diego. Like Diego, she has internal battles too that make her entirely relatable. Together Diego and Rory make each other better. I love that!

Speaking of together 😏 The tension between them is one thing, but when these two get hot and heavy 🥵 phew!

The book ends on a pretty big Cliffhanger. I definitely look forward to what's coming next for Sunrise Ranch.
If you love yourself some cowboy romance, pink boots, rodeo competitions and learning about the strength of a ranch family, then I highly recommend this.

I can't say Thank You enough to Valentina Iania ❤️ for providing the ARC. Being part of the arc team has been so much fun! Talking to everyone about the book and reading updates. I'm very excited to see what you have in store for us next.
Profile Image for booksandcoffeebygi .
47 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2025
𝐔𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝

"𝙼𝚘𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚋𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜"

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 5/5 ⭐

OH. MY. GOD!!

This was such a great book, I’m obsessed! I didn’t think I would love Unmasked as much as I did Saddle and Bound but oh boy, I was so wrong!

In this book we follow Rory and Diego, and even though calling hate is a bit too much, they do dislike each other. And you wanna know why? Because the tension, my friend, is off the roof!!

I loved the characters deeply, each and every one of their moves was so well written by the author, as well as the whole world building - small town, ranch type of style! The detail on the ranch life, the bull riding competition was just fantastic!

Personally I’m a huge fan of this setting and also of the best friend’s brother trope 🤭 that’s right, Diego is the best friend of Rory’s older brothers which makes everything more dangerous!

And also, can we talk about the app? How they “met” in there? That was so hot, I don’t have words to describe it! 🥵

Also, I loved all of the side characters that often appeared and Valentina, I want a book for each and every one of them!

Truly, this was such a great book, and I can’t wait what’s coming next. I mean, the cliffhanger at the end?? I almost threw my kindle at the other side of the room!

Lastly, I want to thank Valentina, the amazing author behind all of this, one of the kindest souls there is. It’s such an honor to be part again of this universe and getting this ARC! 💜

For all of you that might be tempted to read this book? JUST DO IT! 🤭
Profile Image for Pixiebookshelf.
8 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2025
Wow. Just… wow.

Unmasked completely stole my heart. This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about healing, finding your worth, and letting yourself be loved in the ways you’ve always been afraid to accept.

Diego absolutely wrecked me (in the best way). This beautiful, broken bull rider has been through so much, and my heart ached for him. But watching him slowly open up, trust, and realize he deserves happiness? Pure magic. And the way he loved Rory—gentle, steady, unwavering—had me swooning.

Rory was everything. Strong, fiery, full of life, and exactly the kind of person Diego needed by his side. Their chemistry leapt off the page, and I loved how their relationship grew with so much care and trust.
And can we take a moment for Diego being the dreamiest book boyfriend? Playlists with explanations? Taylor Swift listening sessions? Surprise concert tickets? Plus, let’s just say, he knows how to take care of a woman. 👀 Yes. Please.

The found family in this series continues to be one of my favorite things. Catching up with characters from Saddle and Bound and Dusty felt like coming home. While this can be read as a standalone, do yourself a favor and read the whole series for the full emotional impact.

I am already counting down the days for the book 3—if it’s anything like this one, it’s going to be unforgettable. And also can't wait for Valentina's Fall romance... counting days for Pumpkin Spice... lessons!
Profile Image for Celeste.
217 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2025
“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠, 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝? 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝. 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎, 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞?”
💞🐂👢🇮🇹



First of all, a cowboy romance set in southern Italy? Count me in! Even though I'm literally from the south of Italy and, sadly, I wasn’t exactly feeling the vibe, I still really appreciated the effort and the attempt at representation a lot.

Our two protagonists are Aurora Riva, a sweet, carefree young woman whose parents and brothers run a ranch, and Diego Brooks, her brothers' best friend and a bull rider who works on the same ranch.

This novel felt really unique. I’ve honestly never read anything quite like it before. The whole idea of the “masked chat app to match” was such a fun, original twist, and I loved how it was handled and the fact that it only involved the first few chapters.

I also adored the dynamic between Rory and Diego: the forbidden attraction, the slow-burn tension, and how they kept finding their way back to each other despite trying to resist. It genuinely felt like they were meant to be, and it was kind of sweet. I especially loved how unhinged Diego is for her. He’s completely obsessed from chapter one, in the best possible way. And while she definitely has a huge crush on him, he’s just totally gone for her. I ate it up.

Also, I really appreciated Rory’s character. She’s the kind of girl you can’t help but be proud of, and I loved how she kept trying to be the best version of herself and a little bolder each time.

I really liked the epilogue focused on the two protagonists, even if it felt a little crowded and crammed with a lot going on. I didn’t read the first novel, so I was kind of lost about who was who and what was happening.

Definitely a good romance, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves small town and cowboy stories!
Profile Image for -Allison-.
45 reviews
July 27, 2025
This book was amazing! I love a good cowboy romance, and this one was no different! Rory and Diego really complemented each other, and they connect with each other through all their emotions, whether they’re insecurities, fears, happiness, and love. The pining that Rory and Diego had for the other person was intense, they had wanted each other for such a long time, and once they finally got together, you could tell how much happier they were, and how much more carefree they became.

With Diego, you could really tell what a positive effect Rory had on him. He started out being a grumpy and self-isolating cowboy, but nearing the end of the book he not only laughed and smiled more, but he finally accepted that he isn’t a burden to the people around him.

With Rory, Diego also had a positive effect on her. Over the course of the book, Rory did have issues with her body, but Diego helped make her feel less insecure and unhappy with her body, and instead helped her like and appreciate her body.

These two might have had a rocky start to their relationship, but over the course of the book they really connected and not only loved each other, but they helped the other person love themself, and that’s what made them such a strong couple. This book was absolutely amazing, and I definitely recommend giving it a read!!
Profile Image for kayleighsBookCorner.
105 reviews27 followers
June 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This cowboy romance hits all the right notes—just the right amount of spice, heartfelt emotion, and swoon-worthy romance. It's well written, and I couldn'tput it down. I absolutely adored it! And yes… it features the brother’s best friend trope 🥵—need I say more?

The story follows Diego and Aurora, who start out ("one-sided") loathing (kind of) each other. Despite each having a crush on the other for years. When an incident at the ranch sees Rory as his new boss and trainer, they are forced to work together closely, and what started out as a one-sided loathing soon blossoms into something forbidden, as she's his best friends little sister, who is 10 years younger.

But this story is more than just romance. Both Rory and Diego are wrestling with personal trauma. As they grow closer, they help each other heal in a way that’s both tender and powerful, making their connection feel even more profound.

This book definitely needs to be added to your TBR. It is book 2 in the Sunrise Ranch Series by @valentinaianiaauthor

That little anonymous masked chat reveal was just perfect. You expect it. But getting to read all the messages and their thoughts was an added bonus that just built to their story.
Profile Image for Megs.
697 reviews9 followers
July 28, 2025

💗🤠ARC Review🤠💗

Thank you Valentina Iranian for this ARC copy of Unmasked and the honor of being apart of your team!

THIS BOOK 👏👏👏👏
I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!
(Plus yes I am so glad that I read Saddle and Bound first, you feel why all the looks and silence between Rory and Diego was full of tension)

I absolutely LOVED how it started, then shifted to how it got to that point! You could just feel everything dripping off the page of this book! Whether it was the tension or the longing for eachother to the frustration of how bad they both not only wanted each but needed one another!

The angst and the love and the fear of the unknown was so raw and real. How Diego even got Ro to eat after she confessed to him about her issues with food and her body and the way Ro showed Diego how loved and wanted he was!

I’m not gonna say anything els, this book was such a sweet yet sassy Cowboy Romance that you definitely need to read!
Tropes:
🤠Bull Rider MMC
💗She Becomes his Boss
🤠Age Gap
💗Brothers Best Friend
🤠Both have secretly longed for eachother
💗NO Third Act Break-Up
🤠Secret Relationship
Profile Image for Lucy.
10 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2025
Unmasked by Valentina Iania
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes you’ll find:
🤠 Sexy cowboys
📱 Secret online personas
☀️ Grumpy x sunshine
🏘 Small-town life
💞 Second chance romance
📈 Age gap
👬 Brother’s best friend
💧 Emotional depth
🥵 Steamy roleplay tension

Wow. I am absolutely obsessed with Unmasked. If you’re craving a romance that’s equal parts small-town charm, forbidden tension, heartfelt emotion, and scorching spice—you need this book in your life.
Rory and Diego’s journey had me hooked from page one. Their chemistry is explosive, but what really makes this story shine is how raw and real their struggles feel. Both characters are carrying heavy baggage, and watching them clash, break, and slowly heal together is so moving. It’s not just about cowboys and bull riding—this book digs deeper into grief, resilience, and love.
And don’t get me started on the app. The anonymous online chats? PURE genius. The slow reveal of their identities had me screaming, “JUST SAY IT ALREADY!” while grinning like a fool. The build-up is chef’s kiss perfection.
To everyone debating whether to pick this up—don’t hesitate. Grab it, devour it, and prepare to fall hard.
Profile Image for Selena.
12 reviews
August 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’re looking for a grumpy x sunshine cowboy romance that’s equal parts swoon‑worthy and scorching hot, this is it. From the very first chapter, I was hooked—not just by the sizzling chemistry, but by how real and layered the characters felt.

The “brother’s best friend” dynamic? Absolutely nailed. The tension, the teasing, the unspoken history between them made every interaction spark. And the cowboy vibes? Perfectly balanced—rugged, earthy, and full of charm without ever feeling like a cliché.

I fell head over boots for both leads, but especially the way the sunshine heroine brought light (and just the right amount of sass) into the life of our broody cowboy. The banter had me grinning, the tender moments made my heart melt, and the heat… let’s just say I may never look at a rodeo the same way again.

An addictive, heart‑stealing read. I loved every single page and can’t wait to dive into more from this author.
Profile Image for Maryann.
618 reviews
July 3, 2025
4.5/5 stars

Tropes:
-small town
-grumpy x sunshine
-brother's best friend
-age gap
-she's the boss
-rodeo
-role play
-second chance

Unmasked is book two in the Sunrise Ranch series but can be read as a standalone. It is Diego and Aurora's story.

Despite these two having a secret crush on one another for years, there is a one-sided dislike towards the other. They both join this app where you don't have to show who you are and that is how they "meet". They are forced to work together, and you really see their dynamic change.

I absolutely loved book one, Saddle and Bound, and this is a great book. It is more than just a romance book; the characters have depth to them, and the plot keeps you engaged. With the two of them, they bring the angst and chemistry.

Releasing July 27, 2025. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ilyssa Cammisa.
7 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2025
ARC Review: I absolutely loveddddd reading Unmasked!!! This is the second book in the Sunrise Ranch Series & it’s my fave so far!!🤍

Rory & Diego’s story was so fun to read. This book is so well written & I adore the dynamic between these two characters.

The forbidden romance between Rory & Diego had me swooning the entire time! Diego is a bull rider who has been pining for his best friend’s younger sister. Rory is completely oblivious to her brother’s best friend’s feelings. But as the two spend more time together, it becomes harder to deny their feelings for one another.

I was hooked from beginning to end while reading this!! The character development between Rory & Diego is everything. I cannot recommend this book enough!!💗

Thank you so much Valentina for sending me this ARC copy to read!!💕💕
Profile Image for Crystal.
135 reviews9 followers
July 18, 2025
Rory and Diego’s book was really sweet. It had such a fun premise, and I loved that they were secretly talking to each other without realising.

I did find the pacing to feel a bit rushed, though. I wish we could have seen more of their interactions as ‘strangers’ and learned more of their backstories and personalities earlier on. It felt like we didn't know anything about either of them except that they had crushes on each other for the longest time.

The middle section was fantastic, but the ending felt like it wrapped up abruptly and was more of a hint towards the next books instead of a conclusion of their story.

Despite this, the duo had great chemistry, and their spice was fantastic. They seemed like a really good fit for one another.
Profile Image for Jordan Johnson.
320 reviews
August 1, 2025
I wanted to take my time with this review because I absolutely loved this book! Diego & Rory are our main characters. I loved the masked concept in this book, it was different than anything I have read which I appreciated! Diego is a bull rider and Rory is a performance coach, and also his best friends little sister which means she’s absolutely off limits. But one little online anonymous chat has them getting closer without even knowing it. Let me tell you, the chats between them are HOT 🔥

🔥 Brother’s best friend
🩰 Age gap
🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
🩰 She’s the boss
🔥 Small town
🩰 Second chance
🔥 Accidental matches
🩰 Role play
🔥 Hot bull rider

Thank you, Valentina for the ARC! I absolutely loved this one! 🖤
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