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Note to If an annoying cowboy in a mask decides he wants to stalk you, run.

Dying was never a thought in my mind—not until I found a death note sitting on the seat in my car.

Except that wasn’t even the worst part. It was when the man I absolutely cannot stand decided to take it upon himself to watch my back.

Now he’s in every alley, behind every door, and breaking into my house. Despite his efforts, the threats keep coming. Now I don’t know what’s messing with my mind more—the danger on my life or the way he doesn’t hesitate to take my boss out of the picture after he touched me. Or how much I like it.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

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About the author

Karley Brenna

14 books525 followers
Karley Brenna lives in a tiny mountain town in the middle of nowhere out West with her fiancé, son, and herd of pets. Her hobbies include writing, reading countless books heavy on romance, and listening to country music for hours. If she’s not at home, she’s either at a bookstore or getting lost in the hills on horseback. To stay up to date with Karley’s future projects, follow her on social media @authorkarleybrenna.

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5 stars
310 (33%)
4 stars
352 (37%)
3 stars
222 (23%)
2 stars
45 (4%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
Profile Image for Bri.
97 reviews6 followers
September 1, 2025
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an e-arc!

4⭐️!!! Cowboy + Dark Romance + Masked MMC! YES F*CKING PLEASE!!! 🖤

I read this book so quickly, it was fast paced and super spicy! Although I haven’t read book one (Swallow Your Fear), I was still able to read and understand this plot and the characters well!

I loved McKenna (FMC) and her bold, fiery personality and how it meshed with Austin (MMC) and his [also] bold and broody personality! Both were very dominant and submissive for each other which was fun to watch play out, and their overall banter, tension, and dynamic kept me hooked.

The suspense and mystery aspect of the plot was intriguing and added an interesting addition to the storyline which I enjoyed. There was a good balance between dark, suspense, and cute / romantic moments.

Overall, this was a quick and spicy read, and would definitely recommend! I can’t wait to read more of this Whiskey Ridge Series!🖤

—

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ↴
Star: 4⭐️/5
Spice: 3.5-4🌶️/5 (depending on tolerance)
Emotion: 2💧/5

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 ↴
🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Masked Cowboy MMC
🖤 Touch Her and D*e
🖤 “Good boy”
🖤 He Stalks Her
🖤 Ice Play
🖤 Bubble Gum Play
🖤 Banter and Tension

⚠️ Highly recommend checking trigger warnings prior to reading this book! (Some listed below )⚠️

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ↴
🖤 On-Page M*rder and T*rture
🖤 Stalking
🖤 Blood
🖤 G*n Use and Play
🖤 Mention of S*icide
🖤 Spit Play
🖤 Bubble Gum Play
🖤 Leash and Collar Play
🖤 C*m Play
🖤 Breath Play / Choking
🖤 Mention of Parental M*rder
🖤 Minor S*xual A**ult (Not by MC’s)
🖤 Consensual Somnophilia
🖤 Exhibitionism
Profile Image for ReadaholicDeb.
863 reviews26 followers
September 15, 2025
This dark, dangerous, and addictively intense romance delivers.

When McKenna discovers a threatening note, Austin will stop at nothing to protect her and make anyone who dares look her way regret it. She swears she wants nothing to do with him, but Austin doesn’t believe in letting go. His obsession blurs the lines between protector and stalker, and their push-pull dynamic had me hooked from start to finish.

🔥 Strong hate-to-love tension
🔥 Possessive, protective, obsessed MMC (yessss!)
🔥 Danger, suspense, and sizzling chemistry

This one follows Swallow Your Fear and brings us back to the world of the three masked, morally grey cowboys, this time focusing on McKenna and Austin. I loved every second of it
Profile Image for Chiara^•^.
442 reviews138 followers
September 15, 2025
Never Fear by Karley Brenna
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️

This one was a quick and easy spicy read, and I loved it! I managed to get through it in just under three hours. I hadn't read the first book, but I could easily follow along with the story. The spice is seriously hot, and the tension is through the roof! I was hooked by the suspense. The characters, Austin and McKenna, have such strong personalities, and their banter is so much fun. I really enjoyed how they like to push each other's buttons.

When Austin discovers that McKenna is receiving threatening notes and is in danger, he becomes determined to keep her safe. But McKenna, being the strong and independent woman she is, insists she can take care of herself and doesn’t need anyone’s help. I found it funny (and hot) to see how Austin stalks her with a mask on just to get under her skin. He is clearly drawn to her sass and fiery personality. Slowly, his attraction turns into an obsession!

Their dynamic is interesting, and I loved seeing McKenna take the lead while Austin practically worships her. It was sweet to watch him open up to her first, helping her feel comfortable, and it was heartwarming to see her slowly let her guard down. The spicy scenes are definitely steamy, and the suspense kept me engaged throughout. Overall, this was a delightful, spicy read that I genuinely enjoyed! There’s a great mix of heat, sass, and even some sweet moments that make it all the more enjoyable.
Profile Image for Jess.
177 reviews21 followers
September 13, 2025
When Swallow Your Fear came out last year, I was OBSESSED and have been looking forward to McKenna and Austin’s book ever since! Y’all, this book did not disappoint!

Never Fear picks up shortly where Swallow Your Fear leaves off. When McKenna receives a threatening note, Austin takes it upon himself to keep her safe by stalking her, watching her every move. As McKenna starts to spend more time with Austin, it becomes evident that there is something between the two of them. But when the threats starts to worsen? Austin will stop at nothing to protect her.

I loved the dynamic between the two of them. The sass? The banter? The tension? I. Ate. It. Up. I thought Booker was protective, but Austin? He took it to a whole new level and talk about a man obsessed. He is a masked golden retriever who takes touch her and d!e very seriously if you know what I mean. And the spice? It was goood 😮‍💨. I also loved the suspense element of this book and I cannot wait to see where it takes us with Henley’s book.

This was a quick, fun and spicy read. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly suggest reading Swallow Your Fear first (and trust me, you won’t regret it because not only is it so good, but hot 🥵).

Thank you so much to Karley for the eARC 🖤
Profile Image for Sarcasticpageturner.
970 reviews166 followers
September 7, 2025
3.5

I enjoyed this one more than the first. The banter between Austin & McKenna was such a fun time! I felt there was more plot in this one as well. If you just want a quick fix of dark cowboy romance this series is for you! Not much to think about and just a fun time. I would say Austin was touch her and die vibes all the way.
Profile Image for Clairsreads.
542 reviews73 followers
July 15, 2026
4.5 ⭐️

McKenna and Austin have been frenemies until her life is threatened and he makes himself a permanent fixture at her side. With tensions running high and chemistry running higher the two start to realize there may be more to their connection. When McKenna is taken Austin will stop at nothing to save her.
This series is so underrated and I have LOVED these dark cowboys and their bad ass women.
4.5⭐️
Profile Image for Heather Stewart.
133 reviews5 followers
September 9, 2025
Karley Brenna don't you dare stop writing dark cowboy romance because girrrrllll *CHEFS KISS* Dang these books are on fire!!!

First I fell head over heals for Booker but then Karley gives us Austin and lawd have mercy on my soul because that man while a little crazy is hot as sin 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Profile Image for Shannon Morton.
24 reviews
September 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ARC of Never Fear by Karley Brenna, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it early! This story pulled me in right from the first chapter — the tension, the emotional depth, and the characters’ chemistry were all on point. Karley’s writing is engaging and fast-paced, which made it hard to put down.

🖤Bubble gum play
🖤Touch her a die
🖤Masked cowboys
🖤He stalks her
Profile Image for Tiffany Leigh.
64 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2025
It was an absolute pleasure to receive this ARC — I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity! 🫶🏻

Dark romance meets cowboy romance?! YES PLEASE. Gimme it all day long! 🤠🔥
-
I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first book. The spice-to-plot ratio felt far more balanced, though I do wish it had been just a touch longer, especially to dive deeper into the stalking and kidnapping elements (you know I love that darker twist!).
That said, I am obsessed with a strong, independent, sassy FMC — and McKenna DELIVERED. She gave me everything I felt was missing from Brynne in book one 🙌🏻
And don’t even get me started on the banter between Austin & McKenna — it was everything I needed and more. I ATE. IT. UP. 😍
Profile Image for Samantha.
18 reviews
September 6, 2025
ARC REVIEW

I didn’t read the first one and I will definitely be going back a reading that one too BUT I can’t get enough of Austin & McKenna. The banter was so good, the tension was 🤌🏻 *chefs kiss*. Telling him to get on his knees and crawl! 🥵

Masked, stalker, protective… need I say more?! 🖤

Make sure you check your trigger warnings.
Profile Image for Lucy Walker.
245 reviews11 followers
September 12, 2025
Dark cowboy romance ✔️ masked MMC with golden retriever energy ✔️ black cat fierce FMC ✔️ LOTS of k!nk exploring, including bubblegum play ✔️ he st@lks her… but in an obvious way ✔️

Honestly, all the stars, all the love and no notes. I absolutely ADORED this second installment to Karley’s Whiskey Ridge series.

McKenna and Austin were everything I wanted them to be and SO MUCH MORE. So many unexpected things, so many times I had to put my kindle down and gather myself… or consider a cold shower 🥵 their story was wild and crazy, it was HOT but also had me all in my feels. Austin was the most protective, possessive, obsessive man, our masked golden retriever who gives major touch her and 💀 energy (Boy DOES HE 👀) was so down bad and would do ANYTHING for his girl.
McKenna… where do I start? I have the hugest crush on her, she was her sassy, fiery self that I’d loved from the first book, but getting to know her on a deeper level was so special. She is such a hellion, she gives as good as she gets and I freaking adore her. She tries to hard to be independent, to be the strong one, but when it comes to Austin she can’t help but let him take the reins just a smidge… but not all the time 😉

I also loved getting to see more of Booker and Brynne and their dynamic too, and the little bits of snippets of Henley and the little hints we got at their friendsgiving dinner has me so curious for his book.

The dark/suspense element in this was also fantastic, the plot was plotting and had me hooked from the first page, and I only guessed the whodunnit juuuust before we found out in the story because they were acting far too weird 🤣

I had the TIME OF MY LIFE reading this book. Honestly, one of my faves of the year.
Profile Image for Marlee Elizabeth.
382 reviews32 followers
September 7, 2025
ARC review

I have been waiting almost an entire year to get my hands on Austin and McKennas story and it wasn't 100% worth the wait! I loved the grumpy x sassy push and pull dynamic these two had. The banter had me giggling and smiling at my Kindle. It was so hard to read in public 🤭 the spice was WILDDD!!! I think chapter 8 actually made me pass out because OH MY GOD 🥵🥵

In this book McKenna has developed a stalker that is posing a threat to her life and Austin is NOT having it! The way he used stalking as a love language was my favorite part of this by far. Hes just protective 🥹 This man was WHIPPED and I love that for him.

Compared to book one this one is much more character driven and you really get to see their characters develop through the story more than we saw with Booker and Brynne which was really nice! McKenna is such headstrong take no shit girl and I adore her! I loved seeing Austin's soft and protective side under all of that masked cowboy gruffness.

I loved the way the suspense plotline played out in this one and Im really really hoping we get a Henley book in the future because I do not ever want this series to end!

• Dark Cowboy Romance
• Masked Cowboy MMC
• grumpy x sassy
• touch her and ☠️ (very literally)
• found family
• "good boy"
• man OBSESSED

Thank you to Karley and Twisted Tales PR for the eARC!
Profile Image for Kimberley.
449 reviews11 followers
September 1, 2025
What a book! I have been craving this book for nearly a year since I read the first book of the series and wow is that a book you need to read first to just simply understand this universe that they are all in.

Ever since reading the first book I have been so intrigued with Austin a cowboy I have come to love and McKenna who is the FMC's best friend in the first book. Safe to say though that McKenna hates Austin for some reason. That all changes when McKenna gets threatening notes left for her and Austin takes it into his own hands to stalk McKenna and try to keep her safe only the two fall for each other but fairly slowly.

The tension between those two and McKenna constantly putting herself on the path of danger was simply so intense to read. I love how it was Austin to make these changes in himself with the hope of keeping McKenna as his, opening up to her about the past surely was not an easy task but it helped McKenna to see who he really is.

I loved everything about reading this book, and to be honest, I read it fairly quickly within a few hours mainly because I was unable to put it down as Austin and McKenna had me so hooked, to say this book was hot would be an understatement!
Profile Image for sam | sammylou.reads.
264 reviews100 followers
September 9, 2025
You like cowboys? Spice? Masked men?
Boy, have I got the series for you 😏

This was quick & easy and so so good!! Never Fear picks up right where Swallow Your Fear leaves off, so I do recommend reading that one first! (you don't *have* to, but you won't regret it!! it's hotttt 🔥)

McKenna, our FMC, is full of fire with a sassy mouth and I love herrr! She starts receiving threatening notes, so Austin 👀 keeps an eye on her (aka stalks her 😏.) She also “hates” Austin for whatever reason (BUT DOES SHE REALLY) so there's plenty of tension & banter! And the spiceee?? LORDAHMERCY 😮‍💨

Highly recommend if you're a dark romance fan looking for a quick read!!

What to expect:
- Bubble gum play
- Touch her and ☠️
- Masked cowboy MMC
- He stalks her
- Ice play
- “Good boy” 😏
Profile Image for ❅ Karen ❅.
327 reviews97 followers
May 27, 2026
This book was just absolutely insane. I was completely shocked over the plot twist at the end. These characters are intense but I also love it.
The two main characters are absolutely hilarious together. Because you have the FMC wanting to be independent and living her own life but the MMC is very possessive and a stalker. But at the same time they are on the same page for what they would do to protect one another. And it's that crazy type of love that I love to see in a book
I would definitely advise to read the trigger warnings before picking up the book. It does discuss some crazy events but not too graphic.
Profile Image for Courtney.
39 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! A spicy cowboy with a mask… huh yum!!
The tension and banter between Austin and McKenna was so fun to read. They had me kicking my feet and my jaw on the floor a few times! Don’t even get me started on the spicy scenes.. cause OMG!
The chemistry between Austin and McKenna was perfection. I loved how their relationship progressed and how they open up to each other even though they are both stubborn and sassy!
The suspense and mystery in the book had me on the edge of my seat.
Profile Image for emsbooklife.
373 reviews166 followers
September 2, 2025
“Touch what’s mine, and you lose your privilege to live.”

ARC REVIEW

Oooff i couldnt get enough of Austin & Mckenna!!
The banter and tension was soo good. We love a FMC that tells HIM to get on their knees and crawl🤏🏼
The action and spice was everything, every page was entertaining and just so fast paced!
I love this series so much, i’m never disappointed with Karley’s books🤭

- hate to love
- stalker mmc
- dom fmc
- forced proximity
- masked cowboy
- bubblegum play
Profile Image for Alexia .p. reads.
316 reviews24 followers
September 17, 2025
4.5 ⭐ rounded to 5 for Goodreads.
*thank you to the author for the ARC!*

You want cowboys, masked men, stalker, oh and a "good boy"??? THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!
I didn't read the first book in the series and while at first I felt like I would be totally lost, I wasn't! but it made me want to read the first one even more.
This book has so many delicious, spicy scenes but also pretty intense, suspenseful ones as well!
Profile Image for Candace P..
1,387 reviews15 followers
September 1, 2025
full review to come, but... where do I find my own masked cowboy to stalk me?
Profile Image for Elizabeth Appolloni.
105 reviews7 followers
September 7, 2025
This was so good from beginning to end!

We get a sassy, strong, smart FMC.
We get a sassy, strong, protective MMC.
We get found family.
We get ✨spice✨

I ate it up, left no crumbs!
Profile Image for Gwen (Draco’s Version).
530 reviews
October 7, 2025
omg YES- a considerable improvement from last book, the TENSIONNN, the BANTER, the CHEMISTRY, I was hooked (I literally woke up in the middle of the night to continue it PLS)
Profile Image for Paige.
63 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2026
To be honest this book did lack a plot, there was a LOT of spice which I loved🌶️🔥.
I’m giving this 4⭐️ just because I love Austin and how obsessed he is with his girl😍😍.
Profile Image for Miranda Schomisch.
171 reviews4 followers
June 28, 2026
The perfect amount of danger, spice, broody cowboy and sass from McKenna. I'm loving this series!
Profile Image for Amanda.
254 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2026
Like 2.5 idk the plot was just jumpy.
Profile Image for Brie | bookedbybrie.
352 reviews29 followers
September 2, 2025
After reading Swallow your Fear, I knew I needed McKenna’s book. There wasn’t any word at first, but I think once there was enough talk about Karely knew she had to continue with this series. And so glad she did.

Never Fear brought back the cowboys, the masked men, and more spooky vibes. Perfect spooky read for this spooky season. How many times can I say, spooky in a sentence? Haha


Anyways, Never Fear is a very quick and spicy read that picks up after you finish Swallow your Fear. So before you even question it, YES! Absolutely read Swallow your Fear first before you jump into Never Fear. Plus, you won’t be disappointed, it's a grand ole time.

McKenna, our feisty, fiery and sassy FMC, works at the local diner and the story immediately picks up where she starts receiving these threatening notes in her car. Quickly Austin, our MMC, one of the cowboys, jumps at the chance to watch over her, or “stalks” her, to ensure her safety. Austin, what do I say about him, other than the fact that he was the most obsessive and possessive man, protective of our girl, stalking her, with a mask and giving off the best ‘touch her and die’ vibes. And to make things fun, McKenna couldn’t stand Austin, making it equally a good time. Bringing out some of thee best delicious tension, banter, and spice. I mean…… when the FMC tells her man to get on his knees and crawl….. GIVE. IT. TO. ME. Let’s go!


Thanks Karley for allowing me to be an early reader of Never Fear.



Profile Image for Kellie Ferris.
675 reviews8 followers
June 30, 2026
The danger felt a bit more prominent in this one.....Austin is down bad for our girl McKenna and she gives him so much sass, but he finally breaks down her walls.....love the touch her and die vibes with these dark cowboys 🥵🔥🌶️
Profile Image for Brittany Secor.
160 reviews19 followers
September 2, 2025
“With him, I was safe. With him, I was me. And for him, I’d do anything.” 🖤

This book is everything and more. Book 1 of this series was a CRAZY rollercoaster, and I knew that book 2 would be just as chaotic. The masked cowboys who will protect those that they love. But how far are they willing to go? Very far.

This story follows Austin and McKenna, two who always seem to argue and can’t stand each other (which makes everything hotter IMO). When she received a 💀 note on the front seat of her car, the masked cowboy will go to the ends of the earth to protect her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews