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I’ve made a lot of bad decisions in my life.
Showing up on Tucker Bradshaw’s doorstep claiming we share a daughter is not one of them.
The youngest Bradshaw brother’s reputation is well known in Willow Bend and I plan to use it against him.
I thought he’d simply throw money at the problem, hoping to make us go away.
But Tucker doesn’t see my daughter and me as a problem.
He sees us as a solution.
So, instead of getting to take the money and run, I find myself being moved into his mansion. Driving one of his cars. Spending time with his family.
But I draw the line at sleeping in his bed. That’s never going to happen.
Except Tucker isn’t at all the man I expected him to be. He’s funny and kind. Selfless and humble.
When he reads my daughter bedtime stories, my resolve forms a crack.
When he builds her a princess bed, complete with a tower, that crack widens.
And when he pulls me close one night, telling me what a good mother I am, it crumbles completely.
And that’s a problem.
Because while Tucker’s presence is keeping my daughter and me safe, mine is putting him in danger.

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2026

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About the author

Janice Whiteaker

74 books230 followers

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5 stars
451 (62%)
4 stars
230 (31%)
3 stars
32 (4%)
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7 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
Profile Image for ₊  ˚  ale   ࿓ ♡ ⋆。˚.
531 reviews3,230 followers
July 6, 2026
‎ ‎ ‎ ⌗‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ── 🤭🍋‍🟩🐈‍⬛ᝰ .ᐟ read.
holy shit, this was SO SO SO good! i need a tucker bradshaw just for me.
RTC

‎ ‎ ‎ ⌗‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ── 🤭🍋‍🟩🐈‍⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
thanks to hambright pr for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

once again, my dumb ass didn't check that this was a series, but once again, i'm excited and i'll read them all, lmaooo
Profile Image for Sim-fully Ever After.
558 reviews70 followers
June 26, 2026
5🌟, 3🌶️

ARC Review 📖

I am completely smitten with this story, which turned out to be so much more than the typical playboy romance I expected.

Tucker is a revelation—deeply kind, humble, and unexpectedly gentle, especially in how he completely took to fatherhood. Whether he was crafting a whimsical princess bed for Birdie or showing Ruth her own strength, he set an incredibly high bar for what a devoted partner should look like.

The dynamic between Tucker and Ruth is pure magic, blending sizzling chemistry with a slow-burn tension that feels entirely earned. I loved watching their arrangement evolve from a chaotic misunderstanding into a deeply rooted, forever love. The surrounding Bradshaw family brings such a wonderful sense of belonging to the story, filling the pages with humor, loyal support, and those heartwarming moments that make you want to cheer for their happiness.

I couldn't put this book down, staying up far too late just to savor every interaction. It balances just enough suspense to keep things exciting with the kind of raw emotional depth that stays with you long after the final chapter.

If you are searching for a read that delivers laughter, swoon-worthy romance, and a beautiful sense of found family, this is an absolute triumph that you simply cannot miss.

~~~~

ALC Review (Audiobook) 🎧

The audiobook experience is truly the gold standard for this story, elevating the emotional stakes through a phenomenal duet narration that brings every scene to vibrant life. The chemistry between our narrators is palpable, making the banter feel natural and the tender, intimate moments hit with even more resonance. If you have the option, definitely choose this format; it adds an immersive layer of heart and soul that makes it nearly impossible to stop listening until the very last word.

~~~~

I was lucky enough to receive both an ARC and an ALC, and being able to immersive read and listen to this story made the whole experience even more special.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Janice Whiteaker and The Author Agency for the ARC & ALC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Profile Image for Morgan.
270 reviews62 followers
July 10, 2026
Definitely read

Loved this book. Mmc was kinda over the top but it worked.
Loved the fmc and her kiddo too.
It was spicy and sweet and loved the continued suspense storyline that each book has had.
Profile Image for Kelsea.
120 reviews3 followers
June 21, 2026
Ruth is a single mom by choice because the alternative is sharing her daughter with a horrible man. She needs a way out of town and is almost broke. Tucker is a known f*** boy around town with a mother who wants him to settle down. When Ruth shows up at Tucker doorstep claiming they share a daughter, things don't go the way she planned. What curve ball does Tucker throw Ruth? How does Tucker help Ruth? How does Ruth help Tucker? Who is Birdies dad? Is he dangerous? Is Tucker just her solution or is there more going on between them?

"The way I want her can't be healthy."

Untamed is a small town contemporary romance told in dual POV. The story is plot driven, medium paced with a world that is easy to digest. There are equal parts spice and character development. If you're are looking for a cute and cozy romance this is it! I love Birdie and her toddler tactics! Seeing Tucker past his trauma and as a man who loves hard was refreshing. I love a good "he falls first" story. I also enjoyed how willing the family was to accept Ruth and her daughter simply because Tucker loved them.

If you are looking for a book that has a Single Mom, a Reformed F-boy, Fake Dating, Small Town, Schemers to Lovers, and Found Family, this book may be for you! While it is apart of the Bradshaw Brother's series, it is an interconnected standalone and the series can be read in any order.
Profile Image for Nahal TC.
411 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2026
Sweet, Funny, and Surprisingly Heartwarming

ARC/ALC Review

Untamed was not my first read by Janice Whiteaker but my first book in this series. I definitely felt that at the beginning. There were a lot of names and relationships introduced right away without much explanation, and I honestly struggled to keep track of who was who. Everything eventually made sense, but it took me a while to settle into the story. I think readers who have read the previous books will probably have a much easier time getting immersed from the start.

That said, once I found my footing, I really enjoyed the story.

This is very much a plot-driven romance with a fake relationship trope at its core. Although the circumstances that brought Ruth and Tucker together and led them into the fake relationship felt a little far-fetched and somewhat ridiculous at times, the story was charming enough that I didn’t mind. It kept me invested and entertained throughout.

The characters were incredibly likable and relatable. Ruth felt authentic, and her insecurities, fears, and struggles made her easy to connect with. Birdie absolutely stole every scene she was in. As a mother myself, I found her toddler antics both hilarious and incredibly relatable. Janice captured those little everyday parenting moments perfectly, and they added so much warmth and humor to the story.

Tucker was probably my biggest surprise. Going into the book, I expected him to be the typical self-centered grump who slowly softens throughout the story. Instead, he turned out to be one of the sweetest, most thoughtful, protective, and supportive heroes imaginable. He was patient, caring, dependable, and genuinely attentive—a man many women would love to have in their lives.

I also loved the bond between the brothers. Their relationship added a lot of heart to the story and some genuinely funny moments. The only aspect that didn’t completely work for me was Tucker’s lingering trauma. At times, I struggled to understand why he carried so much emotional weight from events that hadn’t directly happened to him. But again, this is fiction, and it ultimately didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

Janice Whiteaker’s writing style was another pleasant surprise. It was funny, relatable, and flowed effortlessly. There were no unnecessary fillers, and both Ruth’s and Tucker’s inner monologues had me laughing more than once. The writing felt natural and easy to read while still delivering emotional moments when needed.

The romance itself is definitely a slow burn. The spice arrives quite late in the story and isn’t particularly frequent, but when it does happen, it feels natural, well-written, and fitting for the characters and their relationship. The focus here is much more on the emotional connection and character development than on the steam.

The audiobook elevated the entire experience for me. Grayson Owens was, as usual, fantastic as Tucker—sexy, funny, charming, and effortlessly bringing his personality to life. C.J. Bloom perfectly captured Ruth’s insecurities, fears, vulnerability, and emotional growth. Their performances complemented each other beautifully, and I especially loved that the audiobook was performed in duet narration. For me, the narration was the standout element and made an already enjoyable story even better.

Thank you to Janice Whiteaker and The Author Agency for providing me with the ARC and ALC. This is my honest review.

Breakdown

⭐ Story: 3/5
⭐ Characters: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 1.5/5
✍️ Writing: 4/5
🎧 Narration: 5/5

Overall Rating: 3.5–4 Stars
Profile Image for Tanya.
311 reviews27 followers
July 8, 2026
Untamed was such a sweet small-town romance with all the cozy, emotional moments I love. 🤎

This story gave me fake dating, found family, a protective hero, and a single mom romance that slowly pulls you in as the characters start letting their walls down.

I really enjoyed watching Tucker surprise everyone who thought they knew him. He had the reputation, but underneath it was someone funny, caring, and incredibly selfless. The way he showed up for her daughter was honestly one of the sweetest parts of the book. The little moments, like bedtime stories and creating a princess bed with a tower, showed exactly who Tucker was beneath the surface. 🥹

The fake dating aspect was done so well because the feelings didn’t happen overnight. Watching something that started as an arrangement slowly become something real was the best part. Their connection grew naturally, and I loved seeing the trust build between them.

I also really enjoyed the balance of romance, family, and the little bit of suspense woven throughout the story. It gave the book extra depth while still keeping that warm small-town feeling.

Tucker and this family dynamic were definitely the highlights for me, and I loved seeing the characters find something they didn’t even know they needed.

✨ what to expect:

🤎 small-town romance
🤎 fake dating
🤎 single mom FMC
🤎 reformed playboy
🤎 protective MMC
🤎 found family
🤎 emotional healing
🤎 slow-burn feelings

If you love romances with heart, family, and a hero who proves he’s more than his reputation, Untamed is a sweet addition to your TBR. 🤍
June 17, 2026
ALC.
I’m loving this series & this family as a whole.
This one wasn’t my favourite in the series, I found it hard to get on board with the plot, it was bizarre.
She turns up at a known womanisers house, claiming her daughter is his thinking he wouldn’t remember sleeping with her even though he never did. But he’s happy to go along with it even though he knows she’s lying for money, because he wants to get his mam off his back about being in a relationship so it’s a “fake dating” story. Very strange but I do love her writing. The family are all insanely wholesome I love listening to them all connect together. I LOVE DEIDRE, the woman is an absolute beaut. I loved birdie & her going off to 💩 😂😂😂😂 the breeding kink in this was a no for me. But overall the series is so bingeable I listened to it in one day. Can’t wait for the next one!!
Profile Image for The Romantic Rush Blog.
3,013 reviews980 followers
Read
July 5, 2026
Jumped into this mid series, but was intrigued by the premise and had a chance to listen on audio. This is a small town, contemporary romance that is equal parts heart, humor, and slow building heat. The pacing leans steady and there is a solid secondary plot. Overall Untamed was easy to sink into thanks to the warm, readable writing and the intriguing Bradshaw world. Though, I do think I'd have been able to dive in easier having read the first two books.

Ruth Wagner is running out of options, fast. A single mom by choice, she’s made a life for herself and her daughter Birdie in the only way she can control, but staying means risking ties to a man she refuses to let anywhere near her child. With money tight and escape plans hanging by a thread, she shows up on Tucker Bradshaw’s doorstep with a story that changes everything: Birdie is his daughter.

Except Tucker knows it is a lie. What Ruth expects is anger, denial, maybe even rejection. What she gets instead is Tucker Bradshaw doing something completely unexpected. He does not shut the door on her, he opens a different one entirely. A deal. A setup. A fake relationship to convince his meddling mother he is finally settling down, in exchange for giving Ruth the stability and breathing room she desperately needs. Simple enough on paper, until time, proximity, and one very opinionated toddler start turning pretend into something neither of them is prepared for. And suddenly the question is not just who Birdie’s father really is, or whether Ruth’s past is going to catch up to her, but whether Tucker is just a convenient solution…or something far more permanent.

Ruth is a fiercely protective heroine who has built her entire world around survival and motherhood, and her vulnerability underneath that strength makes her incredibly easy to root for. Tucker, on the other hand, is the definition of surprise. We go in expecting the classic playboy setup, but what you actually get is a man who is far more grounded, emotionally intelligent, and unexpectedly soft in all the best ways. Watching him step into Birdie’s life is one of the absolute highlights, because he does not just tolerate her, he fully shows up for her. And Birdie is a total scene stealer.

There is just enough external tension to keep things moving with the suspenseful secondary element, but the real focus is always the emotional shift between Ruth and Tucker as their arrangement starts to blur in all the right and wrong ways The dynamic between Ruth and Tucker is a slow burn that leans heavily into tension, banter, and emotional layering rather than instant fireworks. There is chemistry from the start, but it builds in a way that feels authentic rather than rushed, especially as trust starts to form where suspicion used to live. The found family element through the Bradshaw brothers adds a lot of warmth and humor, making the entire story feel even more charming. I loved the family and definitely am curious about the brothers whose books I haven't read (especially the first, which seems to have a similar heroine in distress, not his baby type vibe to this one).

I will say the set-up for this book was, well, odd. Like the logic just did NOT make sense, and no one seemed to acknowledge how utterly ridiculous is was and treated it like a totally plausible plan. I just accepted this was a plot contrivance and checked my thoughts, so be prepared to suspend disbelief a bit. I was honestly wondering i I'd missed something- like this did not make sense lol. But, once the emotional core locks in, it becomes very easy to just enjoy the ride. The romance is not just about attraction, it is about safety, stability, and learning what it means to be chosen. It's quite sweet and about more than just romance but about finding and making family.

Overall, this ends up being much more than a typical fake dating playboy romance. It is soft where you expect swagger or spice, heartfelt where you expect tropey genericisms, and surprisingly tender in all the ways that matter most. Definitely will check out the rest of the series.

The audiobook was a great listen and really the way to go, and is what got me to pick this one up since I loved both Grayson Owens and C.J. Bloom. The duet narration format makes a huge difference here, especially in a romance that relies so much on banter and emotional push and pull. Both narrators bring a really natural rhythm to the dialogue, which makes the fake relationship dynamic feel even more believable and immersive. There is so much charm to the performances it made the oddness of the beginning more paltable. Both bring warmth, humor, and emotion to Tucker and Ruth's journey. Grayson captures both Tucker's playful, flirtatious side and the incredibly kind, devoted man underneath the reputation. C.J. Bloom perfectly conveys Ruth's resilience, vulnerability, and fierce love for Birdie, making it easy to connect with every emotion. CJ always has such great emotional range and is really so underrated. I also loved what she did with Birdie's voice- so much personality and so stinking cute. Their vocal chemistry was also really strong.

Tropes / What to Expect
🧡Single Mom
🧡Fake Dating
🧡Reformed Playboy Hero
🧡Small Town
🧡Found Family
🧡Schemers to Lovers
🧡Slow Burn
🧡Surprise/Secret Baby Pysche-out
🧡Forced Proximity
🧡Scene Stealing Kiddo
Profile Image for Emmy Wong.
597 reviews22 followers
June 18, 2026
This book was so damn beautiful and emotional that I cried through half of it. I’m not usually super into single parent romances but something about Tucker Bradshaw being protective over Ruth and her daughter Birdie has my ovaries exploding like an atomic bomb. While very emotional this book was a laugh out loud romance with Tucker’s hilarious inner commentary (such as his newfound ankle kink?), Birdies cute child chaos, and family group chats that are so funny and all over the place. The meet cute was also hilarious with Ruth trying to “extort” Tucker for his money and Tucker just being happy with this and offering her to be his fake girlfriend. They have the most beautiful relationship, healing parts of each other that have been broken for ages, and Tucker falls so hard I was swooning t eve swooning he did for her. The found family trope just really hard one in this one as Ruth grew up with a single mom herself and now doesn’t have any family left to help her with Birdie, while Tucker has an amazing family (although most have some sort of trauma) that support and love him. I loved how the Bradshaw immediately took her in and loved her and Birdie, and I especially mama Deidre Bradshaw because she was a real girlboss and the most supportive mother ever. There are some darker subjects in this book so please check your triggers. the plot is emotional but also very intense which great plot twists at the end. I loved the ending it was so beautiful and I can’t wait for what comes next for Trevor Bradshaw. I give this a 5/5
Profile Image for Sarah | Sarahs.BookCorner.
565 reviews71 followers
July 1, 2026
✩5

✦What to Expect✦
•Fake dating
•Singe mom
•Recovered F’Boy
•Small town
•Romantic suspense
•Found family
•Scheemers to lovers
•Slow burn

✦Characters✦
•Tucker Bradshaw
•Ruth Wagner

✦Narrated By✦
•CJ Bloom
•Grayson Owens

✦Fav Quotes✦
Some people crack jokes. Some people tell stories. Tucker Bradshaw flirts.

“All you have to do is say the word, and I’ll be more than happy to show you how useful I can be.”

Who would have thought that’s what would lead to my ovaries exploding? Definitely not me.

“You are a fucking goddess, Ruthless.”
“So lay back and let me worship you.”

I don’t have a breeding kink. I swear I don’t. But I also didn’t think I had a knee fucking kink, and I definitely have one of those. Along with an elbow kink. Possibly even an ankle kink.

✦Thoughts✦
Immersive read this one and had such a good time! The audio is sooooooo good!

I am jumping into this series with Tucker’s book and I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books. The Bradshaw brothers are 👏🏼👏🏼so good!

Tucker was precious and such flirt! I loved how he stepped up and jumped into help Ruth and Birdie, also how he just immediately was taken with Birdie🥹 so cute! I loved seeing all the Bradshaw brothers just completed enamored with her and took them both in as one of their own.

Ruth and Tucker together, I loved it!!!

The mystery plot! I was invested!

I am sooooo pumped for Trevor & Maren in the next book!


•ARC Read•

✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
BookstagramGoodreadsBookBubStorygraphFable
Profile Image for Patty .
1,446 reviews7 followers
July 31, 2026
I am super addicted to the Bradshaw Brothers. They are one of a kind. This installment focuses on Tucker. Tucker is a playful, flirtaious, and caring man. The youngest of the Bradshaw Brothers, so no one really takes him seriously. But oh how he can be so serious. Especially when it comes to getting his mother off his back and out of his love life. But make no mistakes Deidre is a force to be reckoned with and you won't see her coming.

I love the banter between all the characters in this series. It is amazing how these brothers run a successful business, watch each others backs and take care of their own. In this book we learn who has been undermining the brothers at the workplace and why they did it, but not the who that is behind it all. I can say the mystery is unraveling one thread at a time.

Overall Tucker's story was highly entertaining and very fun to read. Especially little Birdie and her finger. As with all the books before this one includes interactions between all the characters and it is such fun to read. There is some violence in this book as well as the books before and that gives the books that extra oomph to make it so much more interesting.

The ending of this book leads us directly into the next story by setting up the scene. And let me tell you it is a scene to remember, but not unexpected. I could see that brother's story happening a mile a way and I cannot wait to read it.
Profile Image for Jen.
412 reviews
June 26, 2026
5★
🎧 + 📖-Untamed by Janice Whiteaker
Performance-10/10
Story-10/10
This amazing audiobook is duet narrated by the amazing CJ Bloom and Grayson Ownes they did an amazing job bringing these characters and their emotions to life!
This is my first book by Janice Whiteaker but I definitely will be going back and reading the other books in this series for sure.
Ruth is a single mom to an amazing little girl Birdie who needs to get away and asap so she comes up with a plan to tell the Tucker the playboy of the Bradshaw boys that they had a one nightstand and that Birdie is his daughter but Tucker knows he would have never forgotten a woman like Ruth but he plays along because this woman has him captivated and he doesn’t want his meddling mother to make him the next brother she sets up with someone.
The brother’s group chat is wild and hilarious.
Tucker definitely became a top book boyfriend for me because he could have turned Ruth away instead he offers her a fake relationship but what happens when feelings become real! I love how Tucker got along so well with little Birdie…. That little girl knows how to steal hearts I promise you she will become one of your favorite kids in a book!

Thank you for the opportunity by Hambright PR for letting me read and Listen to an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for HeyGirl_Whatcha_Reading.
120 reviews4 followers
June 19, 2026
Thank you Janice Whiteaker and Hambright PR for the advanced listening and advanced reader copies. The immersive read was great so I could stop and highlight all my favorite quotes (and there were MANY). The audiobook is a duet narration and it was done so well!!

I love this series so much!
Each story is both emotional and wonderful. This is hands-down my favorite book in the series so far!

First and foremost, Deidra Bradshaw remains the absolute QUEEN! She’s the best mom in the world. I adore her.

Tucker, with his fetish for Ruth’s knee 🤣 (when you read it you’ll laugh as hard as I did) is so wonderfully charming, thoughtful, broken, and hilarious. These men are the ULTIMATE green flags! I’m obsessed with the way they treat their partners and now there are babies, my godddddd.
Ruth (Ruthless) and Birdie were perfection. Ruth is willing to do absolutely anything for her little girl and I love her for it.

This was a different twist on starting a fake dating arrangement and I loved it. We also got a little more info on the “dead Dans” and who has been targeting the company.

If you aren’t reading this series yet, what’s stopping you? Truly, love it.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,116 reviews48 followers
June 27, 2026
Unplumbed depths!
Tucker Bradshaw appears to be a happy-go-lucky golden retriever type of man. But that man is so much more. He lets everyone believe he’s a womanizing man-child, but he’s so much more. Tucker has been deeply affected by past events he’s too ashamed to admit.
When Ruth Wagner appears on Tucker’s doorstep with an adorable, tiny human, claiming the little girl is his, he seizes the opportunity to get his matchmaking mama off his back, even while he knows there is no chance the child is his. Much to Ruth’s dismay, who was desperate enough to try to get a payoff from Tucker, he ushers her in and starts to build a life with Ruth and her daughter, Birdie.
It’s all meant to be fake, but the homelife Tucker and Ruth build for Birdie is irresistible. Their story is funny, sweet, heartfelt, and heart-pounding. Not to mention, schmexy as all get out! An inner knee fetish is the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time! Ruth and Tucker have a protective and healing kind of love that made me swoon!
CJ Bloom and Grayson Owens gave a stellar performance in this wonderful audiobook!
Profile Image for KG Reads.
174 reviews11 followers
July 5, 2026
“I think you underestimate how very memorable you are”

This was my first introduction to Janice Whitaker, and let me tell you- I’m here for it. It’s really unheard of for me to read a series out of order, or read an interconnected stand alone out of order. But I did in this series- and did it comfortably. I didn’t miss any pertinent details or histories of the other characters.

I absolutely adored Tucker and Ruth.

This story starts with Ruth being quite ruthless in her in person encounter with Tucker. She went to his house, with a demand and an expectation, but Tucker saw through her demand, and gave her a counter-offer.

He offered Ruth the payout she desperately needs, and in return, she pretends to be his girlfriend. He wanted a decoy to keep his mom out of his personal life, but instead he caught feelings.

They both fooled around and fell in love, but is this new love worth the risks and the danger her past presents? Is it worth it for Tucker to address and handle pain and trauma from his past?

This book is perfect for readers that love:
📚Single mom
📚Small Town
📚Touch her & die
📚Fake relationship
📚Schemers to lovers
📚It’s his baby…
Profile Image for Tara.
38 reviews
June 28, 2026
I have been reading a lot of dark romance lately and this small town contemporary romance was a great break from it. I found the two schemes from both the FMC, Ruth, a single mom looking to take advantage of a known rich playboy and the MMC, Tucker, who wanted to use Ruth for a fake relationship very interesting! The biggest surprise was the gentle, compassion this certified f*ck boy had! He falls first and gave golden retriever energy, ready to provide Ruth with what she needed. Especially when it came to that cutie Birdie! CJ Bloom and Grayson Owens narrating couldn’t have been a better fit. I have always enjoyed listening to their work and their performance with this audiobook was no exception. If you like the single mom, small town romance, he falls first vibe with spice, Untamed is for you! This was my first time read from Janice Whiteaker and I would definitely read more of her work! Thank you to Janice and The Author Agency for my ALC and ARC copies!
Profile Image for The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek.
156 reviews11 followers
June 30, 2026
❤️ Untamed ❤️
((Spoiler Free ARC Review))

Title- Untamed
Author- Janice Whiteaker
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Series- The Bradshaw Brothers Book 3

Trope City-
👶🏼 Fake Dating
👶🏼 Single Mom
👶🏼 Found Family
👶🏼 Small Town
👶🏼 Reformed F-Boy

I LOVE THE BRADSHAW BROTHERS. Book 3 follows Tucker’s (MMC) story. Tucker has a history of very temporary situationships. Their past family trauma led him to avoid deep connections to avoid inevitable heartbreak. Ruth (FMC) is running from one mistake that’s spiraled in to a lifelong commitment to punishment. She and her daughter are looking for funding to escape the toxic and abusive sperm donor that continues to flex on her. Tucker is looking to fake a relationship to get his meddling mother off his back. So, it only makes sense for these two to fake a relationship right?! What could possibly go wrong?

Thank you Hambright PR for sharing this with me! I’m committed to this series! Happy Pub Week Janice! ❤️
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,443 reviews101 followers
June 30, 2026
The premise is interesting, a single mom who has a pretty bad guy as a baby daddy. She is in a corner, broke, but working a way to get out of town. Choosing a known playboy around town to be her baby daddy on the chance he does not remember her. Ruth has a great plan on paper. She approaches Tucker.

Tucker’s mom has played matchmaker in two of his brothers girls, and fears he is next. He has no interest in settling down. When Ruth arrives at his door, he sees an opportunity.

I loved Ruth and Tucker together, the competition to be favorite Uncle has set him up for parenthood. How he takes to Birdie so quickly. Together they form a lovely family, and the chemistry ruins any chance that their arrangement is temporary. Tucker fell hard and fast. Things do not always run smoothly, but the Bradshaw family is always there with support. I am ready for the Bradshaw brother.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Jill Elza.
96 reviews
July 5, 2026
Untamed by Janice Whiteaker was such a heartfelt small-town romance with the perfect mix of fake dating, found family, emotional softness, and protective hero energy.

I loved the setup of a single mom showing up with a plan and expecting Tucker Bradshaw to be exactly what his reputation says he is. But Tucker completely surprised me. He was funny, kind, selfless, and so much more caring than expected. The moments with her daughter were some of my favorites, especially the bedtime stories and the princess bed with a tower. Those scenes brought so much warmth to the story.

The fake dating tension worked so well because the emotions slowly started feeling real. I loved watching the walls come down piece by piece. This romance had heart, heat, family, and just enough danger in the background to keep everything moving.

A 5-star read for me and perfect for readers who love single mom romance, reformed f-boys, small towns, fake dating, and found family.
Profile Image for Holly.
131 reviews17 followers
June 29, 2026
Thank you, Janice, for the ARC!

When Ruth knocks on Tucker’s door with a problem she can’t fix, she expects him to hand over the money and shut the door in her face. Instead, he invites her into his home and treats her daughter like a princess. While the pair grow closer, so does the problem. Will Ruth accept help, or run away?

Ruth’s maternal protectiveness is the reason she’s on the doorstep. She’s fierce, headstrong and determined to give Birdie the best life she can. Rucker is a family man trying to stop his mother from meddling in his love life. The initial awkwardness slowly fades away, and they both begin to reveal their flaws and insecurities.

I liked the humour between Tucker and his brothers; it brought some lightheartedness to the heavy storylines surrounding it. With a little bit of spice, plenty of drama and a will they won’t they storyline, this was a great book.
Profile Image for Natalie Quezada.
57 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2026
✨ARC Review✨

I absolutely loved this story! 🥹🤎 I'm a total sucker for a fake dating trope, and this one had a twist I hadn't seen before that kept me guessing the entire time.

I'll admit, I wasn't fully sold on Tucker going into his book after everything we'd learned about him, but he won me over so fast. Watching him become the man Ruth and Birdie needed was so sweet. He was protective, dependable, and willing to grow, which made me love him even more🥰

Ruth is incredibly strong and independent after losing her mom, and seeing her finally find a family in the Bradshaws, along with Brooke, Mariah, and Maren, made my heart so happy 🫶🏽 I absolutely love this group!

Now bring on Trevor and Maren's book because I've been waiting for this one! 🤭 I just know it's going to be entertaining, and I cannot wait to see their story!
Profile Image for Camis.little.library .
635 reviews16 followers
June 30, 2026
A swoony single mom, fake dating romance 💕✨

🧑‍🧒 Single Mom
🤭 Reformed F-boy
🚫 Fake Dating
🏡 Small Town
♥️ Schemers to Lovers
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found Family

This was fun, swoony, had some spice, some emotions, some suspense - I ate it all up!

Our MC’s agree to fake date so single mom Ruth can get money for her and her daughter, and so Tucker’s mom will get off his back about dating.

I loved this story from beginning to end, and highly recommend you read books 1 & 2 as well ( interconnected standalone).

I also love the ongoing “suspense “ and trying to figure out who our culprits are, aspect throughout all of the books so far!

I do feel the ending was a BIT rushed- I would have loved the “climax” to draw out a little more.

Highly recommend for any romance or romantic suspense lovers!
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.9k reviews263 followers
June 26, 2026
This is the third book in this awesome series, and this is Tucker and Ruth’s story.
Ruth is a single mom who will understandably do anything for her daughter, even to show up at reformed bad boy, Tucker’s mansion to make him think her daughter is his, but he sees through her plan and offers her a solution, as he needs a fake girlfriend.
This is a well written easy to read story, with found family, friendships, emotions, suspense, intrigue, fake dating / engagement, schemers / lovers, humour, witty banter, challenges, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, fun, twisted, and unpredictable, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sierra.
314 reviews14 followers
June 25, 2026
⭐️Arc/Alc Review⭐️
Untamed
The Bradshaw Brothers book 3
Available June 26th

Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Grayson Owens

🧑‍🧒Single Mom
🤭Reformed F-boy
🚫Fake Dating
🏡Small Town
❤️Schemers to Lovers
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found Family


Tucker Bradshaw, the man that you are. 😍

I went into this expecting a cocky playboy and instead got the sweetest, most devoted father who completely stole my heart. Between the princess bed with the tower, the bedtime stories, and the way he constantly supported Ruth and reminded her she was a good mom, I was an absolute puddle.🫠

The chemistry between Tucker and Ruth was so natural, with the perfect mix of tension, tenderness, and swoon-worthy moments. I also loved watching Ruth grow throughout the story, and little Birdie had everyone wrapped around her finger (Walker & myself included!)

As always, the Bradshaw family banter and group chats were hilarious, and the ongoing suspense storyline kept me hooked. Add in fantastic narration from CJ and Grayson, and this audiobook was impossible to put down.

Sweet, funny, emotional, and full of heart this one was an easy 5 stars for me. ⭐️ And now I'm counting down the days until Trevor's book!

Thank you the Author Agency & Janice Whiteaker for this arc in exchange for my thoughts. ❤️
Profile Image for Amber |  AmberNReadit.
278 reviews28 followers
June 23, 2026
Ruth is a single mom who will do anything for her daughter. Including showing up on Tucker’s doorstep claiming they have a daughter together so she can get some (financial) help.
This was a cute small town romance with some suspense elements. I loved that Tucker had absolutely no intention of settling down until Ruth came along.
Birdie was adorable and the found family aspect was exactly what Ruth needed.

Tropes:
🧑‍🧒 Single Mom
🤭 Reformed F-boy
🚫 Fake Dating
🏡 Small Town
♥️ Schemers to Lovers
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found Family

Thank you hambright pr and the author for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nena Taylor.
495 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2026
I loved this book!!! And oh how I loved Birdie!! She was the cutest. I love the fake relationship troupe and Tucker was very charming. And Ruth was super strong especially after what she went thru with her momma at age 22. Highly recommend this story
Profile Image for Lilit.
203 reviews3 followers
June 20, 2026
their story felt a bit rushed then the other couples in the series but overall enjoyed getting some more answers for the overall major plot.

thanks hambright for the ALC!
Profile Image for Mary Lohorn.
251 reviews14 followers
June 20, 2026
If protective heroes who fall just as hard for the child as they do the heroine are your weakness, meet Tucker Bradshaw. 💙

He’s the town’s former F-boy, but the way he shows up for Ruth and her daughter (Birdie) with bedtime stories, a princess bed, and just how naturally he fits into their world completely won me over.

Ruth is guarded and protective, so nothing between them is rushed, and I really liked that. It made everything feel more real as she slowly lets him in.

And honestly… every “Ruthless” had me smiling.
This is book/audio is sweet, swoony, funny, and just the right amount of suspense. This one deserves a spot on your TBR. 📚✨

Narrated by C.J. Bloom and Grayson Owens, and they really brought this story to life. Everything just felt more real because of their voices. The emotion, the tension, and the softer family moments all landed so well.
361 reviews
July 2, 2026
4.7
I had a great time reading about Ruth and Tucker and let's not forget about Little Bird. I think this book is my favorite of the series, so far.
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