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Don't Take the Girl
At ten, I was the unwanted tagalong on London Hale's fishing trip—the fatherless girl next door he resented having to include. But all it took was one hot Texas summer afternoon of fishing to change everything.
At sixteen, he saved my life, and then he kissed me. The star quarterback and the quiet outsider, we defied every small-town stereotype as we fell hopelessly in love. By eighteen, we had our futures mapped out together until four desperate words shattered everything.
"Don't take the girl."
With those words, my world collapsed, and London disappeared from my life.
Six years later, I'm starting fresh at my best friend's ranch, healing among horses instead of people, until I discover that the rival rancher next door is none other than London Hale. The boy I loved. The man who should be in prison.
He wants me gone, and I understand why. His sacrifice cost him everything. But I never asked him to save me, not the first time or the second.
Sharing another small town with him isn't going to be easy, but I'm not going anywhere. I need this job, and besides—it's temporary. At the end of the summer, I'll have my certification, and I'll leave just as he asked me to.
But when I uncover the truth behind that fateful night and why London never went to jail, I realize our story wasn't finished at eighteen—it's been waiting here all along.
Some chapters aren't meant to be closed. Sometimes, the most beautiful stories are the ones brave enough to try again.
At sixteen, he saved my life, and then he kissed me. The star quarterback and the quiet outsider, we defied every small-town stereotype as we fell hopelessly in love. By eighteen, we had our futures mapped out together until four desperate words shattered everything.
"Don't take the girl."
With those words, my world collapsed, and London disappeared from my life.
Six years later, I'm starting fresh at my best friend's ranch, healing among horses instead of people, until I discover that the rival rancher next door is none other than London Hale. The boy I loved. The man who should be in prison.
He wants me gone, and I understand why. His sacrifice cost him everything. But I never asked him to save me, not the first time or the second.
Sharing another small town with him isn't going to be easy, but I'm not going anywhere. I need this job, and besides—it's temporary. At the end of the summer, I'll have my certification, and I'll leave just as he asked me to.
But when I uncover the truth behind that fateful night and why London never went to jail, I realize our story wasn't finished at eighteen—it's been waiting here all along.
Some chapters aren't meant to be closed. Sometimes, the most beautiful stories are the ones brave enough to try again.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
790 people are currently reading
2447 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Ferro
13 books697 followersL.A. Ferro has had a love for storytelling her entire life. For as long as she can remember she put herself to sleep plotting stories in her head. That thirst for a good tale led her to books where she became an avid reader.
The unapologetically dramatic characters, steamy scenes, and happily ever afters found inside the pages of romance novels irrevocably transformed her. The world of romance ran away with her heart, and she knew her passion for love would be her craft.
When she’s not trailing after one of her three crazy kids, she loves to construct messy ‘happily ever afters’ that take her readers on a journey full of angst, lust, and obsession with page-turning enchantment.
Chasing her literary dreams, she hopes to captivate her readers with the stories that have lived rent-free in her mind for years. As an avid reader, dominant alpha males and feisty heroines have always stolen her heart and she is optimistic her books will bring the same amount of heart and heat that inspired her.
Keep In Touch
https://www.facebook.com/L.A.Ferro.au...
https://www.amazon.com/author/laferro
The unapologetically dramatic characters, steamy scenes, and happily ever afters found inside the pages of romance novels irrevocably transformed her. The world of romance ran away with her heart, and she knew her passion for love would be her craft.
When she’s not trailing after one of her three crazy kids, she loves to construct messy ‘happily ever afters’ that take her readers on a journey full of angst, lust, and obsession with page-turning enchantment.
Chasing her literary dreams, she hopes to captivate her readers with the stories that have lived rent-free in her mind for years. As an avid reader, dominant alpha males and feisty heroines have always stolen her heart and she is optimistic her books will bring the same amount of heart and heat that inspired her.
Keep In Touch
https://www.facebook.com/L.A.Ferro.au...
https://www.amazon.com/author/laferro
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
July 31, 2025
Didn’t feel the love with this one. I was expecting some epic love story but all I got was meh 😑
July 23, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
What an absolute emotional ride. My heart broke a few times, but also managed to grow ten sizes. London and Laney’s love story is absolutely captivating and worth the journey.
The writing was great, and I easily connected to the characters. I am so grateful to Hambright for the opportunity to read this ARC!
What an absolute emotional ride. My heart broke a few times, but also managed to grow ten sizes. London and Laney’s love story is absolutely captivating and worth the journey.
The writing was great, and I easily connected to the characters. I am so grateful to Hambright for the opportunity to read this ARC!
August 1, 2025
not good
I don’t understand the joy in reading about a fmc chasing after a man that is constantly hurting her. Can’t she at least be written with more self respect?
The mmc spends the majority of the book pining after her only to keep hurting her when he has her. Why should he be forgiven so easily… and toward the end, possibly at all?
The influence of each of the side characters that pushed them together were justifying the actions of the mmc more than the mmc himself. He had no backbone and used his fear as an excuse to hurt her.
If you’re looking for some good grovelling you most definitely would find it some place else.
I don’t understand the joy in reading about a fmc chasing after a man that is constantly hurting her. Can’t she at least be written with more self respect?
The mmc spends the majority of the book pining after her only to keep hurting her when he has her. Why should he be forgiven so easily… and toward the end, possibly at all?
The influence of each of the side characters that pushed them together were justifying the actions of the mmc more than the mmc himself. He had no backbone and used his fear as an excuse to hurt her.
If you’re looking for some good grovelling you most definitely would find it some place else.
August 16, 2025
“𝗠𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. 𝗜𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.”
I’m don’t HATE the miscommunication trope. When done correctly, it can add that level of angst that just really adds depth to the story. But this book was literally just ALL MISCOMMUNICATION in the most frustrating way. These two barely talk.
Laney and London have known each other since they were 10 and 11…slowly falling in love. Planing their future…marriage, kids…everything. Then…one night in high school changes everything. Laney is attacked and London is presumed to be in jail. Communication for the next 6 is non-existent. And Laney is heartbroken but resigned to the fact that London is probably in jail and the future they had planned is over.
It’s 6 years later and Laney is working on a horse farm when she realises that London is living next door. And has been this entire time. And this is when the chaos begins *rubs temples*
London claims that Laney is the love of his life. Soulmate. Yet…he does everything in his power to stay away from her. He leaves HER. He leaves her with no word. No reason. No communication. And never leaves back. Sleeping with women…living his best life. 👀👀👀 Bro be so for real. This man is awful. I hate him. He has no redeeming qualities.
Even when these two reunite, he’s STILL being an a hole. Still saying , “love of my life” while simultaneously telling her to kick rocks. And Laney is sitting there smiling pretty with zero back bone.
They get back together and he decides to just PISS HER OFF by lying about cheating on her to make her mad and jealous??? What are we 12 years old ??? Grow up! Seriously! What kind of BS is that??? Obviously there is a 3rd act breakup. In my opinion it should have been a forever breakup. But…again. Laney has no spine so she forgives him without a morsel of grovelling.
And the big secret that kept him away from her for 6 years? Literally a big fat nothing burger. She didn’t even care. I….threw my kindle. I couldn’t stand either one of these MC’s.
That being said….I love L.A. Ferro and their writing. This definitely wasn’t my favorite but I’ll always pick their books up.🧡
Thank you so much to L.A. Ferro and Hambright PR for the opportunity to ARC read this book.🧡
🧡Contemporary Romance
🖤Childhood Love to Strangers to Lovers
🧡BIG MISCOMMUNICATION
🖤Second Chance
🧡Cowboy
🖤Lies & Secrets
🧡Slow Burn
🖤Girl Next Door
🧡Small Town
🖤Angst
🧡Dual POV
🖤HEA
I’m don’t HATE the miscommunication trope. When done correctly, it can add that level of angst that just really adds depth to the story. But this book was literally just ALL MISCOMMUNICATION in the most frustrating way. These two barely talk.
Laney and London have known each other since they were 10 and 11…slowly falling in love. Planing their future…marriage, kids…everything. Then…one night in high school changes everything. Laney is attacked and London is presumed to be in jail. Communication for the next 6 is non-existent. And Laney is heartbroken but resigned to the fact that London is probably in jail and the future they had planned is over.
It’s 6 years later and Laney is working on a horse farm when she realises that London is living next door. And has been this entire time. And this is when the chaos begins *rubs temples*
London claims that Laney is the love of his life. Soulmate. Yet…he does everything in his power to stay away from her. He leaves HER. He leaves her with no word. No reason. No communication. And never leaves back. Sleeping with women…living his best life. 👀👀👀 Bro be so for real. This man is awful. I hate him. He has no redeeming qualities.
Even when these two reunite, he’s STILL being an a hole. Still saying , “love of my life” while simultaneously telling her to kick rocks. And Laney is sitting there smiling pretty with zero back bone.
They get back together and he decides to just PISS HER OFF by lying about cheating on her to make her mad and jealous??? What are we 12 years old ??? Grow up! Seriously! What kind of BS is that??? Obviously there is a 3rd act breakup. In my opinion it should have been a forever breakup. But…again. Laney has no spine so she forgives him without a morsel of grovelling.
And the big secret that kept him away from her for 6 years? Literally a big fat nothing burger. She didn’t even care. I….threw my kindle. I couldn’t stand either one of these MC’s.
That being said….I love L.A. Ferro and their writing. This definitely wasn’t my favorite but I’ll always pick their books up.🧡
Thank you so much to L.A. Ferro and Hambright PR for the opportunity to ARC read this book.🧡
🧡Contemporary Romance
🖤Childhood Love to Strangers to Lovers
🧡BIG MISCOMMUNICATION
🖤Second Chance
🧡Cowboy
🖤Lies & Secrets
🧡Slow Burn
🖤Girl Next Door
🧡Small Town
🖤Angst
🧡Dual POV
🖤HEA
August 8, 2025
HE wouldn’t put her first.
HE left her.
HE cut contact.
HE had a FWB type of relationship.
HE didn’t love her as much as she loved him.
I unfortunately came from TikTok and I feel stupid that I gain fell for this.
He is NOT an amazing MMC, they did NOT have an epic love story.
Disappointing.
HE left her.
HE cut contact.
HE had a FWB type of relationship.
HE didn’t love her as much as she loved him.
I unfortunately came from TikTok and I feel stupid that I gain fell for this.
He is NOT an amazing MMC, they did NOT have an epic love story.
Disappointing.
August 7, 2025
I really love how L.A. Ferro writes her books and the details she puts into every story she writes.
We met Laney & London when they where in there childhood years and at this point they said that they where going to get married one day. They dated in high school and in senior year something happens to them and they get separated and their relationship is over.
We see them again many years later and Laney thinks she has saw a ghost from her past. Are they willing to fight for each other again as they both still loved one another all these years later you will have to read to find out what happens between them.
I really enjoyed there story very much. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a get second chance romance book.
Thank you L.A. Ferro for allowing me to be on your ARC team and for allowing me to read this book before it’s even out!
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
We met Laney & London when they where in there childhood years and at this point they said that they where going to get married one day. They dated in high school and in senior year something happens to them and they get separated and their relationship is over.
We see them again many years later and Laney thinks she has saw a ghost from her past. Are they willing to fight for each other again as they both still loved one another all these years later you will have to read to find out what happens between them.
I really enjoyed there story very much. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a get second chance romance book.
Thank you L.A. Ferro for allowing me to be on your ARC team and for allowing me to read this book before it’s even out!
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
July 25, 2025
I love second chance romances, especially when it’s a childhood friends to lovers 🥹
One minute London was Laney’s everything, the next he’s gone. Years go by, they run into each other again. Can they forget the pain of the past, or has too much time gone by?
This book was an emotional roller coaster, some of the twists had my jaw on the floor. I really enjoyed this book!
Thank you L.A. Ferro and Hambright for the ARC!
One minute London was Laney’s everything, the next he’s gone. Years go by, they run into each other again. Can they forget the pain of the past, or has too much time gone by?
This book was an emotional roller coaster, some of the twists had my jaw on the floor. I really enjoyed this book!
Thank you L.A. Ferro and Hambright for the ARC!
September 21, 2025
I really loved London and Laney’s story. It’s one of those stories you see playing out like a movie. From childhood to adults. A story about family drama, young love and heartbreak. The ONLY thing I did not like about this story was the misunderstanding with Londons ex about 70% of the way through and the third act break up. It was very short lived and cleared up quickly I will say that, but the story would have been just as good without it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2025
Don’t Take the Girl
By L.A. Ferro
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Leave it to @l.a.ferro to absolutely blow my mind with an amazing story! This emotional, beautiful story had me from the first few pages. London & Laney start as childhood friends, but were separated in high school due to the one of the saddest circumstances I have ever read. After that night everything changes for the both of them. Now 6 years later, fate comes along and brings them back together. Don’t Take the Girl is filled with so many emotions, chemistry, secrets, lies, twists and turns. Laney & London also felt so real and raw. The protection the two of these characters had over one another was amazing. I also really enjoyed the side characters in this story…well most of them (Noah .. IYKYK)
No matter what comes in the way of these two, there is no fighting the love they have for one another. Their love shows exactly how a strong relationship could stand next to the test of time.
Thank you so much for this ARC! I will forever be thinking about this book.💛
#arcreview #donttakethegirl #laferro #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #cowboyromance #romancebooks #booksta #bookish #newrelease #smalltownromance #hambrightpr #hambrightprinfluencer #hprdonttakethegirl #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram
By L.A. Ferro
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Leave it to @l.a.ferro to absolutely blow my mind with an amazing story! This emotional, beautiful story had me from the first few pages. London & Laney start as childhood friends, but were separated in high school due to the one of the saddest circumstances I have ever read. After that night everything changes for the both of them. Now 6 years later, fate comes along and brings them back together. Don’t Take the Girl is filled with so many emotions, chemistry, secrets, lies, twists and turns. Laney & London also felt so real and raw. The protection the two of these characters had over one another was amazing. I also really enjoyed the side characters in this story…well most of them (Noah .. IYKYK)
No matter what comes in the way of these two, there is no fighting the love they have for one another. Their love shows exactly how a strong relationship could stand next to the test of time.
Thank you so much for this ARC! I will forever be thinking about this book.💛
#arcreview #donttakethegirl #laferro #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #cowboyromance #romancebooks #booksta #bookish #newrelease #smalltownromance #hambrightpr #hambrightprinfluencer #hprdonttakethegirl #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram
July 20, 2025
4.25
This was one very emotional roller coaster of a ride. A second chance romance with pain, heartbreak and tears. Laney & Lincoln have known each other since they were kids and had a teenage romance with their futures mapped out together. Until one night, her senior year of high school, something happens that changed their lives forever. Fast forward 6 years where she’s working with horses on her friend’s ranch for the Summer. Little does she know that London is living next door when everyone thought he was in prison.
I actually was thinking what one of the big secrets might be at around 40% in but everything, and the reasons, still were profound. It was also really hard to like Landon about 90% of the book. He does, and says, things more than once that have you going “what are you doing? “ and “have you not learned the first time?” It was a struggle to even wonder how they could come back from some of those things and be together, but in the end it all makes sense. It was truly a beautiful story about soul mates that knew they were the one at age 10 and 11, respectively.
I really love Trigg and hope we get his story soon too.
This was one very emotional roller coaster of a ride. A second chance romance with pain, heartbreak and tears. Laney & Lincoln have known each other since they were kids and had a teenage romance with their futures mapped out together. Until one night, her senior year of high school, something happens that changed their lives forever. Fast forward 6 years where she’s working with horses on her friend’s ranch for the Summer. Little does she know that London is living next door when everyone thought he was in prison.
I actually was thinking what one of the big secrets might be at around 40% in but everything, and the reasons, still were profound. It was also really hard to like Landon about 90% of the book. He does, and says, things more than once that have you going “what are you doing? “ and “have you not learned the first time?” It was a struggle to even wonder how they could come back from some of those things and be together, but in the end it all makes sense. It was truly a beautiful story about soul mates that knew they were the one at age 10 and 11, respectively.
I really love Trigg and hope we get his story soon too.
August 11, 2025
Whew, this was an emotional rollercoaster. Starting with two little kids who were neighbors, a little boy who didn’t want his dad to take the little girl next door. A friendship that blossomed into something more. But something that turned into tragedy and heartbreak.
Six years had passed since Laney and London had seen one another. They were supposed to each others forever and one night changed everything. And now she is looking into his eyes once again, but he’s Dallas. She’s confused, hurt, angry, excited to see him, and so much more. Her entire world has been turned upside down. And what does he do? He tells her to go!
Their love is tested so many times during this story. It’s never easy for them. There are so many secrets that are uncovered. Trusts and turns along the way. Broken hearts and so many tears shed along the way. Laney is so strong, I don’t know how she holds on. Their story will tug at your heartstrings several times. Just when you think they finally get their HEA, something else will happen.
Also, when my girl Laney said this.. Girllllll…whew!
"We're in the dining room. I thought I’d make your first meal memorable... Eat.”
Six years had passed since Laney and London had seen one another. They were supposed to each others forever and one night changed everything. And now she is looking into his eyes once again, but he’s Dallas. She’s confused, hurt, angry, excited to see him, and so much more. Her entire world has been turned upside down. And what does he do? He tells her to go!
Their love is tested so many times during this story. It’s never easy for them. There are so many secrets that are uncovered. Trusts and turns along the way. Broken hearts and so many tears shed along the way. Laney is so strong, I don’t know how she holds on. Their story will tug at your heartstrings several times. Just when you think they finally get their HEA, something else will happen.
Also, when my girl Laney said this.. Girllllll…whew!
"We're in the dining room. I thought I’d make your first meal memorable... Eat.”
August 8, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
What an emotional roller-coaster! L. A. Ferro has a way of destroying your heart and then slowly putting it back together. But she does it so beautifully!
Laney and London's story hooked me from the start! At the age of ten, they were next door neighbors. London initially wanted nothing to do with Laney, particularly during his father and son's fishing trip. The story progresses through their teenage years and eventually their developing relationship. A life-changing event when they are seniors will lead them down separate roads for the next six years. They are reunited by chance, but they will be tested and the ugly truths will come out. There are plenty of twists and turns, I was there for it! Have your tissues ready because this one will tug at your heartstrings till the very end!
What to expect:
* Friends to Lovers
* Boy Next Door
* Small Town
* Rival Ranch
Thank you so much to L. A. Ferro for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
What an emotional roller-coaster! L. A. Ferro has a way of destroying your heart and then slowly putting it back together. But she does it so beautifully!
Laney and London's story hooked me from the start! At the age of ten, they were next door neighbors. London initially wanted nothing to do with Laney, particularly during his father and son's fishing trip. The story progresses through their teenage years and eventually their developing relationship. A life-changing event when they are seniors will lead them down separate roads for the next six years. They are reunited by chance, but they will be tested and the ugly truths will come out. There are plenty of twists and turns, I was there for it! Have your tissues ready because this one will tug at your heartstrings till the very end!
What to expect:
* Friends to Lovers
* Boy Next Door
* Small Town
* Rival Ranch
Thank you so much to L. A. Ferro for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 28, 2025
I was so looking forward to this second chance, childhood friends to lovers, rival ranchers story. For me, I don't think this ended up being the book for me. I enjoyed some aspects of this book, but also didn't enjoy others.
Blurb:
London Hale and Laney Hart have known each other since they were ten. They grew up next door to each other and saw one another often. The feelings they felt were strong and way beyond that of "young love." The future was bright for them: graduate, go to college together, and live happily ever after. Until their worlds collapsed and they were separated.
Six years later, Laney is thriving. She is working at her best friend's ranch, helping owners and horses heal while working towards her certifications. Only then does she discover that in the rival ranch next door, lives London Hale. He shouldn't be there. He should be in prison.
He wants her gone and to never come back. His life is completely different and the arrival of Laney puts that all at risk. But she isn't going anywhere. Laney starts to discover the secrets of the night that broke her and realizes it was never really over with London. He's been waiting for her all along.
Review:
This book was emotional roller coaster, to say the least. I loved the beginning with the flashback chapters to the start of London and Laney. You could really see that they were falling in love and just how much they cared for each other. Once we got the "present" chapters, that's where is started to fall a bit for me.
Once the two characters were back in each other's lives they were the epitome of miscommunication. NOBODY WAS TALKING TO EACH OTHER!!! They would have a moment then one would get mad and it would keep repeating. If they really loved each other, they would have trusted one another with all the secrets of what happened that one night. I know that some people won't see that, but I do.
Also every time they talked to each other about how in love they were with the other person, it was like a half-page's worth of of one character speaking. The things they were saying were very dramatic in my opinion. There were also just very large gaps between dialogue that I ended up skimming this book a lot to get through it. I didn't want to read the same inner thoughts/monologue repeatedly every chapter.
And to top the whole book off, we had ! I was oh so very much over this book by that point.
All in all while I enjoyed aspects of this book, it was not for me in the end.
Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Blurb:
London Hale and Laney Hart have known each other since they were ten. They grew up next door to each other and saw one another often. The feelings they felt were strong and way beyond that of "young love." The future was bright for them: graduate, go to college together, and live happily ever after. Until their worlds collapsed and they were separated.
Six years later, Laney is thriving. She is working at her best friend's ranch, helping owners and horses heal while working towards her certifications. Only then does she discover that in the rival ranch next door, lives London Hale. He shouldn't be there. He should be in prison.
He wants her gone and to never come back. His life is completely different and the arrival of Laney puts that all at risk. But she isn't going anywhere. Laney starts to discover the secrets of the night that broke her and realizes it was never really over with London. He's been waiting for her all along.
Review:
This book was emotional roller coaster, to say the least. I loved the beginning with the flashback chapters to the start of London and Laney. You could really see that they were falling in love and just how much they cared for each other. Once we got the "present" chapters, that's where is started to fall a bit for me.
Once the two characters were back in each other's lives they were the epitome of miscommunication. NOBODY WAS TALKING TO EACH OTHER!!! They would have a moment then one would get mad and it would keep repeating. If they really loved each other, they would have trusted one another with all the secrets of what happened that one night. I know that some people won't see that, but I do.
Also every time they talked to each other about how in love they were with the other person, it was like a half-page's worth of of one character speaking. The things they were saying were very dramatic in my opinion. There were also just very large gaps between dialogue that I ended up skimming this book a lot to get through it. I didn't want to read the same inner thoughts/monologue repeatedly every chapter.
And to top the whole book off, we had ! I was oh so very much over this book by that point.
All in all while I enjoyed aspects of this book, it was not for me in the end.
Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 25, 2025
“Take me instead. Take my breath, take my heart, take every year I have left, and give them to her.”
What an emotional second chance romance! I need to process it…
What an emotional second chance romance! I need to process it…
August 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I love L.A Ferro but this has to be my favorite book by her! I felt so many emotions reading this book. Swooning, anger, sad, you name it, you will feel it with this one! It will really pull on your heartstrings.
Our characters all have unique personalities, making them so easy to love. They are the perfect clique. The author sucks you in from the very beginning, and keeps you guessing until the very end about our plot. My mind was on overdrive trying to figure out why things happened the way that they did. I am such a fan of a small town theme, but ranches has to be my favorite. Just overall a great a must read book!
I love L.A Ferro but this has to be my favorite book by her! I felt so many emotions reading this book. Swooning, anger, sad, you name it, you will feel it with this one! It will really pull on your heartstrings.
Our characters all have unique personalities, making them so easy to love. They are the perfect clique. The author sucks you in from the very beginning, and keeps you guessing until the very end about our plot. My mind was on overdrive trying to figure out why things happened the way that they did. I am such a fan of a small town theme, but ranches has to be my favorite. Just overall a great a must read book!
August 2, 2025
This song has been embedded in me since childhood, so as soon as I saw this book, I couldn’t resist reading it as quickly as possible!
This story is packed with sweet first love moments. London and Laney share a deep connection that starts when they’re 10 years old and watching their love grow from the very beginning was so cute. Life of course, gets in the way, and they’re forced to figure out how to navigate all the unexpected challenges that come their way.
London did frustrate me at times with his lack of communication, and I didn’t always understand his choices but it definitely kept me on my toes! Ultimately, I loved them as a couple and was rooting for them. The book also has some suspense, leaving you wondering what’s going to happen next with each chapter.
While the pacing felt a bit off in places, the story itself was addicting and so much fun to read!
🌶️🌶️.5
This story is packed with sweet first love moments. London and Laney share a deep connection that starts when they’re 10 years old and watching their love grow from the very beginning was so cute. Life of course, gets in the way, and they’re forced to figure out how to navigate all the unexpected challenges that come their way.
London did frustrate me at times with his lack of communication, and I didn’t always understand his choices but it definitely kept me on my toes! Ultimately, I loved them as a couple and was rooting for them. The book also has some suspense, leaving you wondering what’s going to happen next with each chapter.
While the pacing felt a bit off in places, the story itself was addicting and so much fun to read!
🌶️🌶️.5
August 8, 2025
I'm a sucker for a first love story & Don't Take the Girl took me down that road & then on such an emotional rollercoaster. I adore this author. Her books are never predictable & always throw some curve balls when you least expect it. But she also gives the best HEA's, which are essential in my world to wrap the whole experience up & feel all the angst & suspense is worth it.
If you like contemporary, small town, boy next door, cowboy romances, friends to lovers, lots of angst, tension, twists & turns, then this is absolutely the book for you 🤠😍💔😭😶🌫️🥹❤️🩹🫣💞❤️🔥💋
If you like contemporary, small town, boy next door, cowboy romances, friends to lovers, lots of angst, tension, twists & turns, then this is absolutely the book for you 🤠😍💔😭😶🌫️🥹❤️🩹🫣💞❤️🔥💋
August 5, 2025
Spice: 2
Tropes:
second chance
friends to lovers
slow burn
girl next door
small town
Dual POV
I grew up in Kentucky on 90s country music. One of my all time favorites is "Don't Take the Girl" by Tim McGraw. That song use to break me until I watched the music video for the first time. Gah, it's so good. So, when I saw the title of this book I immediately knew I had to read it. Man, and I glad I took a chance on this one. It was everything my 90s country heart needed in a story. Was the song inspiration? 100% Did the author make it her own? 100% When I tell you I felt every emotion this book poured into me.... I did. I literally got butterflies. My stomach ended up in knots and I felt sick from heartbreak. I felt pain, sorrow, joy, happiness, love. It's been a while since a book rocked me in such a physical way in the way this one did. It made me nostalgic for high school, first love, first heartbreak... dang, I really loved this book.
Also, the majority of this book takes place in Kentucky so that felt close to home. I loved knowing the area its set in so that helped me picture everything! I hope we get a series from this one, there's characters who fates I need to know.
London and Laney have been best friends since they were 10/11 years old, when London's father took Laney on a fishing trip with them. That friendship morphed into love when they were teenagers, and they had their whole lives planned out. College, marriage, kids. But one night a stranger attacks Laney in an alley and London's decisions in that moment change the course of their whole lives. 6 years later, Laney's in KY working on a horse farm, believing London is sitting in a prison somewhere and he's cut her off. However, turns out that former boy-next door is the man-next door and the secrets that have been kept are threatening to spill out.
Will London and Laney find their way back to one another? or will fate continue to pull them apart?
Please go read this book. I need to talk to someone about it. I loved it that much.
Tropes:
second chance
friends to lovers
slow burn
girl next door
small town
Dual POV
I grew up in Kentucky on 90s country music. One of my all time favorites is "Don't Take the Girl" by Tim McGraw. That song use to break me until I watched the music video for the first time. Gah, it's so good. So, when I saw the title of this book I immediately knew I had to read it. Man, and I glad I took a chance on this one. It was everything my 90s country heart needed in a story. Was the song inspiration? 100% Did the author make it her own? 100% When I tell you I felt every emotion this book poured into me.... I did. I literally got butterflies. My stomach ended up in knots and I felt sick from heartbreak. I felt pain, sorrow, joy, happiness, love. It's been a while since a book rocked me in such a physical way in the way this one did. It made me nostalgic for high school, first love, first heartbreak... dang, I really loved this book.
Also, the majority of this book takes place in Kentucky so that felt close to home. I loved knowing the area its set in so that helped me picture everything! I hope we get a series from this one, there's characters who fates I need to know.
London and Laney have been best friends since they were 10/11 years old, when London's father took Laney on a fishing trip with them. That friendship morphed into love when they were teenagers, and they had their whole lives planned out. College, marriage, kids. But one night a stranger attacks Laney in an alley and London's decisions in that moment change the course of their whole lives. 6 years later, Laney's in KY working on a horse farm, believing London is sitting in a prison somewhere and he's cut her off. However, turns out that former boy-next door is the man-next door and the secrets that have been kept are threatening to spill out.
Will London and Laney find their way back to one another? or will fate continue to pull them apart?
Please go read this book. I need to talk to someone about it. I loved it that much.
July 28, 2025
This book had me at childhood-friends-to-lovers! The author did a spectacular job putting so much depth into not just the plot but also each of the characters, especially London and Laney. I was beyond impressed to feel such a heartache in the very beginning of this book, a.k.a. the moment London and Laney first became enemies-to-friends at the ripe age of 11 and 10, respectively, and oh my, whatever happened to them in the following years truly wrecked me. BUT that ending also pieced back all of the broken pieces of my heart. There were no words to describe how heartbreakingly beautifully written this book was and I couldn't wait to read more of L.A. Ferro's books.
***Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
***Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
July 28, 2025
What an emotional rollercoaster ride. Laney and London were childhood friends turned strangers after senior year. She returns to town six years later, they are forced to interact and there are still some things left unsaid.
The characters are well written, you feel every emotion on the page.
The characters are well written, you feel every emotion on the page.
August 4, 2025
This was an emotional roller coaster that I couldn’t get off of. It was mind boggling at times as to why things wouldn’t work out. But I loved the angst and the mystery of what was going to happen! Entertaining book!
August 3, 2025
This book…. The choke hold it has on me. The way I fell into every twist and turn and will they won’t they and every spicy scene. Laney and London are imperfectly made for each other and the banter and push and pull and strength they each show. The character they have to protect each other and love each other is so flawless written. The spicy scenes had me sweatin like a sinner in church and the storyline had me on the edge of my couch. Hands down favorite 5 star read this year.
August 8, 2025
The overall premise of this book was very intriguing to me; the idea of a person basically sacrificing their life for someone seemed like it would lead to an epic love story.
And in some ways it did; Laney and London really did have a beautiful love story that spanned years, starting from when they were just children.
The backstory, the reveals, the side characters all added something interesting to the plot line.
I only had one problem with this book and that was how long it dragged-the main theme of keeping secrets to protect someone was overdone and eventually every chapter felt like a repeated cycle of the same thing.
The ending was beautiful for sure; I just don’t enjoy books that take way too long to get to a conclusion that could have been reached in half the time (thats just my personal preference though😂)
Also when is goodreads gonna add the .5 star option 😂
And in some ways it did; Laney and London really did have a beautiful love story that spanned years, starting from when they were just children.
The backstory, the reveals, the side characters all added something interesting to the plot line.
I only had one problem with this book and that was how long it dragged-the main theme of keeping secrets to protect someone was overdone and eventually every chapter felt like a repeated cycle of the same thing.
The ending was beautiful for sure; I just don’t enjoy books that take way too long to get to a conclusion that could have been reached in half the time (thats just my personal preference though😂)
Also when is goodreads gonna add the .5 star option 😂
October 4, 2025
Possible spoilers….
I really wanted to love it, but for me, the story just dragged on. I don’t mind a slow burn, and although I know the story needed to unfold and the truth to be revealed, I was just getting so frustrated! The push and pull was there, but it repeated many times, and I was just getting a bit bored waiting for the storyline to actually move forward to where it needed to go. Laney and London's interactions were always so ‘bitty’; they had more flash-in-the-pan dialogue and interactions than they did full meaningful ones, until around 75% into the story. So frustrating!
We saw a lot of the ‘after’ rather than the ‘during’ throughout the story, especially at the beginning. The beginning had a lot of time jumps, which isn’t a problem, but with limited interactions on the page, it just didn’t give me enough of their actual relationship.
The author was so good at making the words, emotions, and feelings so poetic in their thoughts, but I needed them to actually say them out loud! The outloud parts only really happened three quarters of the way.
Then the actual reveal kind of fell flat for me. All that time, buildup, and secrecy felt a bit….well….wasted. London, the secrecy, and the bigger reveal were apparently all for protection; the reasons just all felt wishy-washy. If her mum had just been open with Laney, it all wouldn’t have happened. Plus, it was actual self-defense. There was another part where if her mum had just told her who was in town, then she wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place. Protection that ended up putting Laney in more danger.
Then London pushing Laney away again at the end… why?? It just felt like added drama for drama's sake without any real reasoning, and he was giving me whiplash. They’d been through enough at that point, and all that we’d read and trudged through to get to where they were, and then more drama was thrown in. At that point, I was nearly past caring, and I rolled my eyes when he told her why.
I hate to say it, but some books you read so quickly that you can’t wait to read it all and have immersed yourself entirely to get to the ending and have just really enjoyed their entire story. Unfortunately, I felt dragged to the ending to finally find out what happened. It doesn’t mean to say I didn’t enjoy parts of the story, but a lot of the time it felt like a chore. I really had to stick with it to finally get to where the story needed to go.
I can’t quite see what the author was going for in the end; it just felt convoluted.
I really wanted to love it, but for me, the story just dragged on. I don’t mind a slow burn, and although I know the story needed to unfold and the truth to be revealed, I was just getting so frustrated! The push and pull was there, but it repeated many times, and I was just getting a bit bored waiting for the storyline to actually move forward to where it needed to go. Laney and London's interactions were always so ‘bitty’; they had more flash-in-the-pan dialogue and interactions than they did full meaningful ones, until around 75% into the story. So frustrating!
We saw a lot of the ‘after’ rather than the ‘during’ throughout the story, especially at the beginning. The beginning had a lot of time jumps, which isn’t a problem, but with limited interactions on the page, it just didn’t give me enough of their actual relationship.
The author was so good at making the words, emotions, and feelings so poetic in their thoughts, but I needed them to actually say them out loud! The outloud parts only really happened three quarters of the way.
Then the actual reveal kind of fell flat for me. All that time, buildup, and secrecy felt a bit….well….wasted. London, the secrecy, and the bigger reveal were apparently all for protection; the reasons just all felt wishy-washy. If her mum had just been open with Laney, it all wouldn’t have happened. Plus, it was actual self-defense. There was another part where if her mum had just told her who was in town, then she wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place. Protection that ended up putting Laney in more danger.
Then London pushing Laney away again at the end… why?? It just felt like added drama for drama's sake without any real reasoning, and he was giving me whiplash. They’d been through enough at that point, and all that we’d read and trudged through to get to where they were, and then more drama was thrown in. At that point, I was nearly past caring, and I rolled my eyes when he told her why.
I hate to say it, but some books you read so quickly that you can’t wait to read it all and have immersed yourself entirely to get to the ending and have just really enjoyed their entire story. Unfortunately, I felt dragged to the ending to finally find out what happened. It doesn’t mean to say I didn’t enjoy parts of the story, but a lot of the time it felt like a chore. I really had to stick with it to finally get to where the story needed to go.
I can’t quite see what the author was going for in the end; it just felt convoluted.
August 1, 2025
"I only wonder if she knows I see everything I want in this world when I'm staring back at her."~London
"I'm keeping you, Laney Hart... forever."~London
"I don't care what kind of storm London Hale is; I could dance in his rain or cry in its downpour." ~Laney
And cry she did!!☹️😢😢💔 It hit like a tsunami. I don't know where to begin here. The quotes above are from the beginning of this small town friends to lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies saga. This was an emotional rollercoaster ride that I wanted to get off and run away from. It went on and on, one bad thing after another, one extra plot twist here, there, and everywhere. It was exhausting for me as a reader, and the world building and narrative. This book, this story was extremely long, no joke, it was sooo loooong. It started well enough at ages 10 and 11 for Laney and London having their young love knowledge, then being teenagers, the anxiety of wanting forever, prom night twisted itself in at ages 17 and 18... Boom! Life changed forever. I was okay with it up until then. This was chapter 10.
But now. Part 2 ((6yrs later)) took a spin your wheels in mud, staying stuck in the vicious cycle of betrayal, you did this, but if you only you knew scenarios were dwelled upon, but neither one of them was speaking about that night and the radio silence since then.😮💨🙄 Each attempt to talk was either interrupted by a person or bees or a storm.ha! Seriously. Why did London always have to save Laney? Her ankle. But I'm going dancing, oh wait, it's my ankle again. Then the bees.🤦 Can we talk about what happened 6yrs ago? Be adults. Time to grow up kids. Nope. They're 24 and 25 now and they happened to run into each other at a very wealthy horse ranch in Kentucky. There were many repetitive sentences, one example: the air between us feels electric. Once or twice okay. But constantly. Or Laney being angry b/c London stole 'her crime', that was a betrayal for her. Howw?🤷🏼♀️ Girll. You've got bigger issues than that one. They were each in their own head about feelings and nobody was doing anything about them. Back and forth.😒
They flirt, sweet nothings, to being angry and then playing games. Ugh. London was too wishy-washy for me. If a man wants a woman, there's none of that it's not what it looks like bs, marry me to yeah I can't deny what it looks like Laney. Or London being mad while being with other women but Laney moving on after he left her 6yrs ago was not allowed? Nah dude!✋🏻😑 I don't think he was the man for her. He romanticized love but didn't know how to take care of it. But he's 25. Imo Laney put up with too much. She forgot herself. No guy would go under a table while his older brother was talking to his girl. That was an eww moment. Show some respect. Slight spoiler: Did we really need a 3rd act breakup? On top of everything else? The don't take the girl moment at the end, were those thoughts lyrics from Tim McGraw's song?🤔
It's up to you if you want to read this. To be fair, the writing was good, however the story got pulled down with the pile up of tropes, lies, and extra secrets that it buckled under it's own weight. For me, it was too much and too long. Less can be more. I love the horses.🐴🐴🐴🐴 Cute book cover. Happy reading.*•>§<•*💛💛💛
👨🏻🔧🥀💁🏼♀️Thank you to Ms Ferro and Bookfunnel. These are my thoughts/review over the book I read.💁🏼♀️🥀👨🏻🔧
"I'm keeping you, Laney Hart... forever."~London
"I don't care what kind of storm London Hale is; I could dance in his rain or cry in its downpour." ~Laney
And cry she did!!☹️😢😢💔 It hit like a tsunami. I don't know where to begin here. The quotes above are from the beginning of this small town friends to lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies saga. This was an emotional rollercoaster ride that I wanted to get off and run away from. It went on and on, one bad thing after another, one extra plot twist here, there, and everywhere. It was exhausting for me as a reader, and the world building and narrative. This book, this story was extremely long, no joke, it was sooo loooong. It started well enough at ages 10 and 11 for Laney and London having their young love knowledge, then being teenagers, the anxiety of wanting forever, prom night twisted itself in at ages 17 and 18... Boom! Life changed forever. I was okay with it up until then. This was chapter 10.
But now. Part 2 ((6yrs later)) took a spin your wheels in mud, staying stuck in the vicious cycle of betrayal, you did this, but if you only you knew scenarios were dwelled upon, but neither one of them was speaking about that night and the radio silence since then.😮💨🙄 Each attempt to talk was either interrupted by a person or bees or a storm.ha! Seriously. Why did London always have to save Laney? Her ankle. But I'm going dancing, oh wait, it's my ankle again. Then the bees.🤦 Can we talk about what happened 6yrs ago? Be adults. Time to grow up kids. Nope. They're 24 and 25 now and they happened to run into each other at a very wealthy horse ranch in Kentucky. There were many repetitive sentences, one example: the air between us feels electric. Once or twice okay. But constantly. Or Laney being angry b/c London stole 'her crime', that was a betrayal for her. Howw?🤷🏼♀️ Girll. You've got bigger issues than that one. They were each in their own head about feelings and nobody was doing anything about them. Back and forth.😒
They flirt, sweet nothings, to being angry and then playing games. Ugh. London was too wishy-washy for me. If a man wants a woman, there's none of that it's not what it looks like bs, marry me to yeah I can't deny what it looks like Laney. Or London being mad while being with other women but Laney moving on after he left her 6yrs ago was not allowed? Nah dude!✋🏻😑 I don't think he was the man for her. He romanticized love but didn't know how to take care of it. But he's 25. Imo Laney put up with too much. She forgot herself. No guy would go under a table while his older brother was talking to his girl. That was an eww moment. Show some respect. Slight spoiler: Did we really need a 3rd act breakup? On top of everything else? The don't take the girl moment at the end, were those thoughts lyrics from Tim McGraw's song?🤔
It's up to you if you want to read this. To be fair, the writing was good, however the story got pulled down with the pile up of tropes, lies, and extra secrets that it buckled under it's own weight. For me, it was too much and too long. Less can be more. I love the horses.🐴🐴🐴🐴 Cute book cover. Happy reading.*•>§<•*💛💛💛
👨🏻🔧🥀💁🏼♀️Thank you to Ms Ferro and Bookfunnel. These are my thoughts/review over the book I read.💁🏼♀️🥀👨🏻🔧
August 5, 2025
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
To say I freaked out when L.A. Ferro told me she wrote this book based on the Tim McGraw song “Don’t Take The Girl” would be seriously downplaying my reaction. I’m a HUGE Tim fan and his song Don’t Take The Girl is my all time favourite by him. And let me tell you L.A. Ferro literally took his song and created an entire book from it. If you know the song then you know whats going to happen, but what I wasn’t expecting is the deep emotional entanglement that gets us from point A to point B. My heart hurt for these characters and what they went through, but don’t worry they get their HEA ❤️
This is L.A. Ferro’s first cowboy romance and she came out like a championship barrel racer but instead of weaving around barrels she was weaving a story of first loves, passion, heartbreak, secrets, forgiveness, second chances, and a love that stands the test of time. Laney and London were imperfectly perfect together. Yes, they made mistakes. Yes, they said hurtful things. Yes, they should have learned from their mistakes. Yes, they were afraid to put it all on the line again not wanting to suffer through another heartbreak. But the love they have for each other is stronger than anything that could come between the two of them, past, present, or future.
London, London, London … there were times I seriously wanted to throat punch this man, harsh, I know … but I trusted the process and truly ended up falling in love with this man. So there might be times you don’t understand why he does what he does, and you may feel like I did, but it all comes from a place of fear and love. Trust me, you’ll get it. Laney was a wonderful FMC. She had her walls built so high around her when in came to London, and with good reason, but I loved every second of watching those walls crumble. She is also a character that stays true to herself and believes in the honesty even if it hurts her in the end.
If you’re a fan of L.A. Ferro, read the book. If you’re a fan of Tim McGraw’s song Don’t Take The Girl, read the book. If you love a great cowboy romance, read the book. If you’re a fan of emotional rollercoasters, read the book. And just incase I haven’t made it clear … read the book.
Spice 🌶️🌶️
To say I freaked out when L.A. Ferro told me she wrote this book based on the Tim McGraw song “Don’t Take The Girl” would be seriously downplaying my reaction. I’m a HUGE Tim fan and his song Don’t Take The Girl is my all time favourite by him. And let me tell you L.A. Ferro literally took his song and created an entire book from it. If you know the song then you know whats going to happen, but what I wasn’t expecting is the deep emotional entanglement that gets us from point A to point B. My heart hurt for these characters and what they went through, but don’t worry they get their HEA ❤️
This is L.A. Ferro’s first cowboy romance and she came out like a championship barrel racer but instead of weaving around barrels she was weaving a story of first loves, passion, heartbreak, secrets, forgiveness, second chances, and a love that stands the test of time. Laney and London were imperfectly perfect together. Yes, they made mistakes. Yes, they said hurtful things. Yes, they should have learned from their mistakes. Yes, they were afraid to put it all on the line again not wanting to suffer through another heartbreak. But the love they have for each other is stronger than anything that could come between the two of them, past, present, or future.
London, London, London … there were times I seriously wanted to throat punch this man, harsh, I know … but I trusted the process and truly ended up falling in love with this man. So there might be times you don’t understand why he does what he does, and you may feel like I did, but it all comes from a place of fear and love. Trust me, you’ll get it. Laney was a wonderful FMC. She had her walls built so high around her when in came to London, and with good reason, but I loved every second of watching those walls crumble. She is also a character that stays true to herself and believes in the honesty even if it hurts her in the end.
If you’re a fan of L.A. Ferro, read the book. If you’re a fan of Tim McGraw’s song Don’t Take The Girl, read the book. If you love a great cowboy romance, read the book. If you’re a fan of emotional rollercoasters, read the book. And just incase I haven’t made it clear … read the book.
July 31, 2025
3.5⭐️
Thank you Hamburg PR and.A Ferro for this ARC!
This book started off great for me. I was enjoying it and then when part 2 came and switched up to seem like a cowboyish romance, it threw me off a little. I know Laney’s best friends family own race tracks and what not but for Laney to all of a sudden work with horses after college, I would of liked it mentioned earlier in the book that she loved horses and wanted to work with them for the story to have had a better flow. I felt like the whole dynamic of the book changed.
Laney is the type of FMC that you can relate to when it comes to relationships and love. The kind where you always keep running back to them. She was a sweet and smart girl but I wanted to shake her at times and tell her no, just move on. But I did like that she was very relatable and that aspect.
London- he was definitely sweet when he wanted to be. But he was so hot and cold he made me want to scream! All the BS he put Laney through, he honestly didn’t deserve her. Him completely ghosting her for 6 years was in my opinion uncalled for and she just kept forgiving him! And the final “3rd act” break up didn’t make any sense to me. He proposes to her and she says yes and then she says that she wants her family and friends to be apart of it and then he shuts down and then lets her think that he cheated on her with his ex fling? And then he feels like he has a right to get mad at her about certain things after that? He aggravated me a lot and I wanted to love him so bad. And that’s why I rated this a 3.5⭐️. I can get past not liking the FMC in a book but not the MMC. Also I felt this book was to long, and the chapters were extremely long 40min in a chapter? It washed me out and I had to take multiple breaks which is why this took me so long to finish. Over all the storyline was good, it just didn’t fully deliver for me and that’s ok. This was my first book by this author and it intrigued me enough to want to read more by her!
Thank you Hamburg PR and.A Ferro for this ARC!
This book started off great for me. I was enjoying it and then when part 2 came and switched up to seem like a cowboyish romance, it threw me off a little. I know Laney’s best friends family own race tracks and what not but for Laney to all of a sudden work with horses after college, I would of liked it mentioned earlier in the book that she loved horses and wanted to work with them for the story to have had a better flow. I felt like the whole dynamic of the book changed.
Laney is the type of FMC that you can relate to when it comes to relationships and love. The kind where you always keep running back to them. She was a sweet and smart girl but I wanted to shake her at times and tell her no, just move on. But I did like that she was very relatable and that aspect.
London- he was definitely sweet when he wanted to be. But he was so hot and cold he made me want to scream! All the BS he put Laney through, he honestly didn’t deserve her. Him completely ghosting her for 6 years was in my opinion uncalled for and she just kept forgiving him! And the final “3rd act” break up didn’t make any sense to me. He proposes to her and she says yes and then she says that she wants her family and friends to be apart of it and then he shuts down and then lets her think that he cheated on her with his ex fling? And then he feels like he has a right to get mad at her about certain things after that? He aggravated me a lot and I wanted to love him so bad. And that’s why I rated this a 3.5⭐️. I can get past not liking the FMC in a book but not the MMC. Also I felt this book was to long, and the chapters were extremely long 40min in a chapter? It washed me out and I had to take multiple breaks which is why this took me so long to finish. Over all the storyline was good, it just didn’t fully deliver for me and that’s ok. This was my first book by this author and it intrigued me enough to want to read more by her!
August 4, 2025
I’ve seen so many reels about this book before it came out and now I finally got to read it and let me tell you this book brought EMOTIONS. 💔❤️🩹 Like, I think my heart and brain broke down while reading this. There is so much happening, so many emotions, angst, happiness, sadness, drama, some OWD (that’s not really OWD to be honest), some betrayal and people growing up really.
The storyline goes from childhood to being in their twenties. They meet at like 11 years old and became friends. As they get older their feelings grows too. The MMC and FMC is a good match, they have some rocky moments when they figure out their feelings and such and then get together. 💛
And then it’s six years later. That’s when the real storyline takes off. 💔 Pretty much everything has change for the main couple but also for some of the side characters even though their story isn’t the main you still get glimpses. And since I really like the side characters I approve. 🙃
And BOOM I’m an emotional mess. ❤️🔥 Feeling stuff about this book and be like JUST F ING TALK but also bring on the ANGST and betrayal .. be mad.. anything… I’m messy like that. 💅
Good book. Good storyline. Loved the FMC. Loved the MMC. Kick ass friends. Four star for sure! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The storyline goes from childhood to being in their twenties. They meet at like 11 years old and became friends. As they get older their feelings grows too. The MMC and FMC is a good match, they have some rocky moments when they figure out their feelings and such and then get together. 💛
And then it’s six years later. That’s when the real storyline takes off. 💔 Pretty much everything has change for the main couple but also for some of the side characters even though their story isn’t the main you still get glimpses. And since I really like the side characters I approve. 🙃
And BOOM I’m an emotional mess. ❤️🔥 Feeling stuff about this book and be like JUST F ING TALK but also bring on the ANGST and betrayal .. be mad.. anything… I’m messy like that. 💅
Good book. Good storyline. Loved the FMC. Loved the MMC. Kick ass friends. Four star for sure! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 9, 2025
••• Received a gifted ARC from Hambright PR. All opinions are my own. •••
This whole book gave me 90s country vibes with a reality tv show flare. If you love the song, you’ll enjoy the vibes of this book. I enjoyed getting the glimpses of each “verse” throughout the story. Fairly fast paced overall and predicable.
Part 2 jumps into adulthood. Things moved fairly quickly here as well. We get a surprise pregnancy (not really a surprise IYKYK). A bunch of questions get answered from Part 1 and overall a HEA.
The constant back and forth of “we’re together” and “no we’re not” got tiring especially towards the end of the book. Along with the CONSTANT miscommunication between literally every character. Both of these contributed to my lower overall star rating. I get the back and forth when they were teens, but even in their mid-twenties? That was a bit much.
I can see where other people loved this book, it is addictive with the constant drama and suspense. I did really enjoy my read, just not sure it’s a book I would ever reread.
Tropes:
🏠 Boy Next Door
🐴 Rival Ranches
👩❤️💋👨 Friends to Lovers
🤠 Cowboy
🕰️ Time Jump
Book Deets 📖
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Emotional Damage:💧
Genre: Cowboy Romance
Format Read: 📱
This whole book gave me 90s country vibes with a reality tv show flare. If you love the song, you’ll enjoy the vibes of this book. I enjoyed getting the glimpses of each “verse” throughout the story. Fairly fast paced overall and predicable.
Part 2 jumps into adulthood. Things moved fairly quickly here as well. We get a surprise pregnancy (not really a surprise IYKYK). A bunch of questions get answered from Part 1 and overall a HEA.
The constant back and forth of “we’re together” and “no we’re not” got tiring especially towards the end of the book. Along with the CONSTANT miscommunication between literally every character. Both of these contributed to my lower overall star rating. I get the back and forth when they were teens, but even in their mid-twenties? That was a bit much.
I can see where other people loved this book, it is addictive with the constant drama and suspense. I did really enjoy my read, just not sure it’s a book I would ever reread.
Tropes:
🏠 Boy Next Door
🐴 Rival Ranches
👩❤️💋👨 Friends to Lovers
🤠 Cowboy
🕰️ Time Jump
Book Deets 📖
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Emotional Damage:💧
Genre: Cowboy Romance
Format Read: 📱
July 19, 2025
Make sure to check your triggers as there are some theme's that could be sensitive. What a crazy and emotional rollercoaster ride. Written with Tim McGraw's song Don't Take the Girl themes in mind. I loved reading this. Coming together just to fall apart again is beautiful and heartbreaking. First love turns into forever love.
I instantly fell in love with Laney and London. 10 years old and London wanting nothing to do with the girl next door and his fishing trip with his dad. it fast forwards to their teen years in high school. Where they are starting to really realize their feelings for each other. His seudo girlfriend shoves Laney into the lake during a party and London loses his mind and saves her. He publicly claimed Laney in front of the girl who was playing his girlfriend. Then; things really start to fall apart when she hits her senior year. From there, life gets crazy and they're pulled apart.
this is a MUST read book, but make sure you have tissues ready!
I instantly fell in love with Laney and London. 10 years old and London wanting nothing to do with the girl next door and his fishing trip with his dad. it fast forwards to their teen years in high school. Where they are starting to really realize their feelings for each other. His seudo girlfriend shoves Laney into the lake during a party and London loses his mind and saves her. He publicly claimed Laney in front of the girl who was playing his girlfriend. Then; things really start to fall apart when she hits her senior year. From there, life gets crazy and they're pulled apart.
this is a MUST read book, but make sure you have tissues ready!
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