Fallen Willow

Blue River Springs #2

by Roxanne Tully

🤠 WELCOME BACK TO BLUE RIVER RANCH . . . 🤠

Saddle up for Dallas and Willow's irresistible story, coming February 2026 . . . Pre-order now!

Tropes:
💚 Ranch Romance
💚 Marriage of Convenience
💚 Fake Relationship
💚 Grumpy x Sunshine
💚 Single Dad / Nanny
💚 Forced Proximity
💚 Found Family

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Dallas

Six months ago, a fire on my ranch took my fiancée. And my whole world along with her.

Just when I thought I'd never feel anything again, a six-year-old landed on my porch-with a paternity test confirming what I knew the moment I saw her.

Now the people who brought her to me want her back-and I'll do anything to keep her. Even marry the fiery redhead who snuck into my half-built house and charmed my daughter faster than I could throw her out.

A fake marriage to keep my daughter safe? Deal, as long it's clear this arrangement has an expiration date.

Willow

Marrying Dallas Thorne could be the best and worst decision I've ever made.

The best because, like me, he's sworn off the four-letter word indefinitely.

The worst because he's rugged in every sense of the word and fiercely protective. So naturally, I'm drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Only this flame is bound to burn me alive if I let myself fall.

Fallen Willow is the second book in the steamy and highly addictive Blue River Springs series, featuring grumpy cowboys who love wildly and protect fiercely. If you love Lyla Sage, Elsie Silver and Jessica Peterson, Roxanne Tully's small-town cowboy romance series will have you head over boots.

Genres: Cowboy Romance, Westerns

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 18, 2026

Reviews

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good cowboy romance, and I’ll be honest… I haven’t been easy to impress lately. 😭 I’ve been chasing that specific feeling: rugged setting, emotionally guarded characters, real heart, real heat, real payoff. This one finally scratched the itch. Completely. Five stars without hesitation. 💚

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[Just a quick content note for readers: I didn’t see a TW page at the front of the book, so I want to mention this here. The MMC has lost his fiancée before the story begins. Her death and its impact are referenced throughout the book. It’s handled with care, but since loss and mourning can be sensitive topics for some readers, I wanted to mention it upfront 🫂]
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Now onto the good stuff!! ↓

From the first chapters, my heart was already invested. Dallas carries so much grief and weight that you can feel it in every scene he walks into. 🤧 Watching him at the start was actually a little frustrating (in the way that means the author did it right🙂‍↕️🤌🏼). He’s stuck, numb, unsure how to show up for the little girl who suddenly needs him most. And that part hurt to read because she’s just pure heart and hope and need. 😭😭😭 It created this emotional tension where I wanted to shake him and hug him at the same time. 🥺🥺

Then Willow enters and everything shifts.

Their first interactions told me exactly what kind of ride I was in for—sharp banter, instant friction, and a good dose of humor threaded throughout. Their dynamic never felt forced or overly polished. It felt lived-in and reactive and real. She doesn’t “fix” him in some dramatic, overdone way. She just shows up as herself, steady, warm and a whole lot of fiery, and somehow that’s what cracks the door open.

My favorite thread through the whole book was how healing was handled. Not rushed. Not magically solved. Dallas doesn’t just wake up different—he chooses differently in small ways first. Watching him realize that honoring the past doesn’t mean refusing the future was one of the most satisfying emotional arcs I’ve read in a while.

And the family element? Top tier. 😌😌 The found-family energy wraps around the story like a blanket. The Thorne family pulling Willow in without hesitation gave me that cozy, protective small-town feeling I alwayssss want in ranch romances. The support 🤞🏼, the meddling 😏, the loyalty🫶🏼… all of it added depth without stealing focus from the main couple.

This ended up being the perfect hold-me-over while I’m waiting for my next must-read cowboy author release (and that’s saying a lot, because my standards there are high🙂‍↕️🤚🏼). It didn’t just pass the time—it made me want to immediately go backward and read the earlier book and then forward into every side character’s story. I’ve already started poking around the author’s other series because I’m not ready to leave this world yet.😭

Some books are good. Some books are comforting. And some books remind you exactly why you love a trope in the first place. 👏🏼👏🏼 This one did all three… and if you’re an Elsie Silver fan like me, this will absolutely hit the spot while you wait for your next cowboy fix. 💚💚💚

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

”I couldn't tell you what I like about this little arrangement—but what I can say is, I don't like the idea of Willow being anywhere else in the world but here.”

“I've fallen for Dallas Thorne.
Painfully hard.”

"Spend the night with me. Tonight, tomorrow. Every night."
I bite the corner of my lip. "And if I don't?"
"Then we're going to have to switch rooms. Because I'm not lookin' at that bed again without you in it."

“I run both hands along her neck and into her hair.
"You're safe here. Your heart is safe with me. I'll never let you fall."

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

things to know about the book ↓

💚 marriage of convenience
💚 single dad x nanny
💚 forced proximity
💚 widower
💚 grumpy x sunshine
💚 found family
💚 dual POV

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Embla Books and Roxanne Tully for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

spice rating:【 🔥🔥🔥 】
swearing: yes

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・❥・⁀➷ pre-read

I’ve heard great things about this series. Super excited for a good marriage of convenience 💚🧡

[ReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming, small town, cowboy romance book. I flew through this book in almost one sitting and couldn't get enough of Dallas and Willow. It was heartbreaking hearing about the loss of Dallas' fiancee and even though I knew he would warm up to Willow I understood his hesitancy. Willow was a strong and supportive FMC and I loved the way she interacted with Dallas' daughter. I did feel like the ending was a little rushed and the author could have spent a little more time flushing out that part, but on the whole it was still satisfying and I loved the HEA.

Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Megan Coggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid second book of the series. 🤠

Dallas: boy was this man put through the wringer.
A dead fiancé.
A 7 year old little girl he didn’t know he had.
Grief galore.
Ranch owner.
Oldest brother.

Willow: the piano playing singing redhead
“Just visiting” the ranch
Rose’s friend
Her own secret situation.
I liked her relationship with his daughter Ellie.

Enter a marriage of convenience.
Custody issues.

Wasn’t a whole lot of ranching/cowboying in this one.
Also feel like the dead fiancé was too glossed over. Idk.

Arc review ✨

[Liz (LoverOfBooks80) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I absolutely adore a book that put me through so many emotions??

Cause oh the pain Dallas went through, the hurt, the grief, just wanted to hold him. Ellie was just the sweetest 7 year old and so pleased Dallas got his daughter, she helped bring him out of his suffering. But Willow, damn gotta love her strong sassy self. The loved the banter, the attraction, the angst, the fight, but the absolute devotion Dallas and Willow had for Ellie and then for each other x

Hated putting it down to adult, must read x

[Sarah Poulton-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved book 2 in Blue River Spring series. I fell in love with the potential for Willow and Dallas in Wild Rose. His heart is so fragile. A recently deceased fiance and a newly gifted daughter who he knew nothing about. Dallas has been forced to find a new motivation to live at a time when he is consumed by grief. He is finding himself amid a half finished house and a life that hasn't stuck to the plan.

Willow is also rebuilding. She has sworn off love and relationships having been manipulated and let down by love before. She has a heart of gold and finds a contented peace visiting the ranch and her friend Rose. She lays herself on the line to help Dalllas with a custody battle to keep Ellie and in doing so we get this beautifully slowburning love story filled with healing, trust building and kindness.

I enjoyed the push and pull of these two. You feel the power of them being drawn together but both have to confront the big questions and emotions involved in grief and starting afresh. If you love a cowboy slowburn, this is a perfect smalltown, marriage of convenience love story.

[Readingwithmammabear · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has all the tropes and set up for a great cowboy romance, but the execution was just so off the mark. I found conversations and plot progression stilted, some scenes were glossed over and other less important scenes were given too much detail. I had a hard time keeping up with the characters (Willow, Wes Wilder, Ellie and Millie - please make it easier!) and the complexities of the plot.

I still think with a little more refinement, this could be a great romance.

many thanks to Embla Press for the ARC opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin - TheQuantumBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I love a good small town, cowboy romance and this did not disappoint! 🤠 I loved Dallas & Willow’s story 🧡 I was already looking forward to it after meeting them in book 1. There were so many good tropes in this one (not listing because spoilers 🙈).

Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC! 🫶🏻

[Madeline Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely beautiful, when reading Wild Rose I knew Willow and Dallas had something but wasn’t sure what would happen. But this was amazing. I enjoy a single dad trope and this did not disappoint. There is so much emotion within this book and I loved it. I also loved that Ellie was just a great kid, and their Thorne’s seem like an amazing family for her to be raised in.

[BookReviews_by_MissaPoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Blue River Springs Series

This was a soul crushingly, heart achingly beautiful journey. Raw. Emotional. Real. Dallas and Willow will absolutely break you. They will shatter your heart into a million pieces before putting you back together again. And even then, you'll still ache just a little. Angsty, heat fueled and emotionally charged, two complete opposites find love when they least expect it. The most delicious of slow burns, these two will have you screaming for more as they fight hard through grief, heartache, painful doubts and deep rooted insecurities. The wait is so worth the reward for these two as they find their way to forever.

Co-owner of Blue River Ranch, Single Dad, Dallas Thorne is slowly finding his way back to himself after the tragic loss of his fianc`ee. Finding out you have a 6 year old daughter you never even knew about will do that to a man. Struggling through one day at a time, this gruff, grumbly, hardworking, fiercely protective cowboy will find his world in chaos once more when he finds HER in his bed. The one he couldn't get out of his head, no matter how hard he tried, and boy did he try...

Willow Brooks is a piano player and singer/songwriter at The Lock Bar in New York and best friend to Rose Evans. Extremely jaded when it comes to love and life in general, she's on the "run" from life in general. Just as she finds herself with nowhere else to turn, she runs straight to Rose and the sanctuary that is Blue River Ranch. What she doesn't realize is that she's going to find everything she didn't know she wanted or needed in the form of one little girl and her sinfully delicious Daddy.

The attraction that has always been there between the two of them grows stronger every day. Simmering beneath the surface. The chemistry combustible. And as she steps in to help Dallas and Ellie solidify their family, it's only a matter of time before walls are broken down and lines begin to blur. However, the one thing she wasn't expecting was to be competing with a ghost. Will her insecurities get the best of her or will she stand her ground and demand no less than she deserves? Is Dallas truly ready to open his heart to the possibility of new love? An even deeper, truer love? The forever kind of love that he thought he already had... But could very well have been mistaken...

Finding love after a loss so deep is precious and rare and being with Willow is like a healing balm to his battered heart. She's the light within the darkness. She's everything he's ever wanted, but too afraid to take another chance on. She's beauty and grace. She's fire and ice. She's love, longing, stability and hope. She's HOME. Through faith, love, laughter, compassion, belief, forgiveness and understanding, this sweet little family will absolutely melt your heart.

Return to Blue River Springs, Colorado. The epitome of Small Towns. Drama, Mystery, Community, Fireworks ... Oh, the fireworks! Everything you could absolutely want in a small town and more... You won't regret it.

[Lauren Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Roxanne Tully and it will definitely not be my last! Even though I haven't read Wild Rose (YET), I did not feel like I was missing much. It was easy to follow along with the story and I felt like I already knew the characters.

Dallas Thorne is still lost within his grief of losing his fiancée, Millie, to a fire on the ranch. He's lost all interest of anything, he wanted to bury himself with her. However, three months later after burying Millie, he learns that he has a six-year-old daughter, Ellie. This helps to pull his head out of the water and not feel so buried by his grief. He is still not himself and he has no idea how to take care of his daughter but he knows that he wants to give her everything. He also wants to finish building his home that he started for Millie for his daughter. Next thing Dallas knows, he has this wild, red-headed spit fire in his home. Dallas can't help but want her but he hates himself for it. He is still grieving Millie and he has so much to do for Ellie.

Willow is a feisty red-headed piano playing singer that has officially sworn off all men after coming out of a terrible relationship with her ex. After being kicked out of his apartment and with nowhere to go, Willow reaches out to her best friend Rose at the Blue River Ranch. Rose tells her that she can stay for a few days until Dallas gets back. Of course that's not the case once Dallas' world starts to fall apart.

Dallas needs Willow to prove to the courts that Ellie will have a stable home life and that he is what is best for her, rather than going and living with her grieving grandpa, Cole. Willow finds herself needing Dallas to show that she can protect herself.

I absolutely loved the tension between Dallas and Willow. The banter is hilarious and the push and pull between them was just enough! Willow's ability to put Dallas and Ellie first without wanting anything in return was heartwarming. Dallas' inner turmoil about what he wanted and what he felt like was the right thing to do was gut wrenching and so true.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the series and I will definitely be going back and reading Wild Rose!

Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hit all my favorite tropes:

Smalltown, Cowboy Romance
Marriage of Convenience
Single Dad Who Didn't Know He Was A Dad, but is going to do everything possible to fight for his daughter.
City Girl, who's a piano player that's sworn off love.
Custody Issues.

This was my first time reading a Roxanne Tully book and absolutely not my last. Even though I haven't read book one in this series, it was easy to follow along and get to know the characters as they were introduced.

Dallas is reeling form the grief of losing his fiancée and the shock of finding out he's been a father for 6 years and just found out four months ago. Ellie, his sweet daughter, is keeping his head above water as he struggles through his new life with the help of his family. When Willow comes tumbling into their world, he's determined to swear her off. Because he wants her. Deep down, he can feel that he wants her, and he hates himself for it. Because he's still grieving, and he has Ellie to think about and focus on. Willow doesn't fit into his life at the moment, she can't. Right?

Willow has sworn off love, after one too many ruined opportunities and the broken relationship to prove it, she's in need of a change of scenery. Because crashing on her mother's couch until she finds a new apartment is definitely not what she needs, but visiting her best friend at her boyfriend's ranch definitely will do that trick. She's instantly in love with the area and the little girl who has a tendency to lose her slippers in different rooms.

Willow and Dallas collide into each other's lives at the perfect time. Dallas needs Willow, to prove to the courts that he's stable and the best option for Ellie's future. And Willow needs Dallas, to prove to herself that she can protect her heart even when it's the last thing she wants to do.

The banter, the push and pull, tension between Dallas and Willow is incredibly well done. I loved watching their walls fall down and them come together as they realize how much they want and truly love each other.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ BOOK REVIEW — Fallen Willow by Roxanne Tully
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

This book is soft, emotional, and full of that grumpy rancher meets sunshine heroine magic — a healing romance wrapped in found family, fake marriage chaos, and slow-burn feelings.

Characters:
🔥 Dallas Thorne — grumpy, broken rancher, single dad, fiercely protective
🌿 Willow — fiery redhead, sunshine energy, emotionally guarded, secretly soft

Vibes:
• ranch romance
• marriage of convenience
• fake relationship
• grumpy x sunshine
• single dad / nanny
• forced proximity
• found family
• hurt/comfort energy

What the story gives:
Dallas lost his fiancée in a fire and his entire world with her. He’s numb, closed-off, and just trying to survive on his half-built ranch — until a six-year-old shows up on his porch with proof she’s his daughter.

Then comes Willow — the fiery, fearless redhead who literally sneaks into his house, bonds with his daughter instantly, and somehow becomes his only option to keep his child safe. A fake marriage turns into a very real arrangement: shared space, shared parenting, and lines that get blurrier by the day.

Dallas is all rough edges and protective instincts. Willow is warmth, resilience, and quiet heartbreak. They both swear they’re done with love… which obviously makes everything messier.

What I Loved:
• Dallas’s grumpy, broken, soft-for-his-daughter MMC energy
• Willow’s sunshine strength and emotional depth
• fake marriage → real feelings tension
• forced proximity done RIGHT
• found family vibes that hit in the feels
• slow-burn chemistry that simmers instead of explodes

Final Vibe:
Tender, emotional, and deeply comforting.
Fallen Willow is about grief, healing, unexpected parenthood, and falling in love when you’ve sworn your heart is off-limits.
I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it if you love ranch romances, single dads, and grumpy x sunshine energy.

[Ashley O'Leary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Embla books, and Roxanne Tully for the ARC copy of Fallen Willow.
What to Expect
💚 Ranch Romance
💚 Marriage of Convenience
💚 Fake Relationship
💚 Grumpy x Sunshine
💚 Single Dad / Nanny
💚 Forced Proximity
💚 Found Family
Six months after a devastating ranch fire claimed his fiancée, Dallas Thorne is a man frozen in grief. That is until a six-year-old girl appears on his porch with a paternity test he can’t deny. When the people who brought them together threaten to take her away, Dallas is willing to do anything to protect his daughter, even if it means marrying the spirited stranger who just trespassed onto his property.
Willow is that trespasser and the fiery redhead who managed to charm Dallas’s daughter and get him to let his guard down all in one afternoon. Having sworn off love herself, she agrees to the fake marriage as a temporary arrangement with a clear expiration date and boundaries. However, as Dallas’s protectiveness begins to show her not all guys are the same, Willow realizes that playing house with a rugged, broken cowboy is dangerous, especially given her past.
I honestly could not wait to get my hands on the second book of the Blue River Spring Series. From the first book, I was excited to hear Dallas’ point of view.

Willow and Dallas were quite the pair. The grumpy single (widow) dad and the nanny is probably one of my FAVORITE tropes. However, this book just fell short for me. I’m not sure if it was the writing style or how hard it was to relate to the characters, but it took me a while to get into the book. At times Willow was too difficult and Dallas was entirely too grumpy.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book, as I enjoyed book one and I know I’m bound to enjoy Silas’ book and others in the series.

[Becca T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Blue River Springs series, and it’s a goodie!

We’re back with at the ranch and picking up where Wild Rose finished with Dallas learning he has a daughter from a brief fling years ago. After losing his fiance, Millie, a few months ago, Dallas is now adjusting to being a father but he’s on a mission to build a home for Ellie so that she feels secure with him, and on the ranch.

We also get to see more of Willow, who’s introduced during Wild Rose as Rose’s bestie, and she has a gorgeous meet cute with Dallas in the first book which teases their chemistry and lays the foundation for Fallen Willow.

I absolutely adored the opening of Fallen Willow, beginning with how Willow finds herself at the ranch and the actions she’s taking for her personal growth following a concerning series of events with her ex. The flow of the relationship with Dallas and Willow is perfection, from a slow burn, teasing looks, flirting, banter and some explosive sparks between them, into a fake relationship, into acknowledging their feelings and moving into a real relationship. I also loved how seamlessly Willow stepped into Ellie’s life, the natural love that blossomed between them was stunning.

The only part I enjoyed less, was the miscommunication of Willow’s inheritance and Noah’s cagey-ness of hiding Willow’s inheritance during the custody trial. We as the reader knew that the inheritance meant nothing to Willow, but her insistence to not tell Dallas because it ‘didn’t matter’ was confusing if it doesn’t matter and it isn’t going to change your perspective on withdrawing the inheritance so why not just tell him? It felt like a mountain when it really didn’t mean to be - HOWEVER - Dallas’s response to this revelation was perfect, and showed his character development to listen before reacting, and embracing Willow, with her flaws and all.

[Sally (bookishbursnoll) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh Roxanne Tully, where have you been hiding my whole life!! Why have I never read you before!?

Lesson learnt because I absolutely loved this book!

Dallas was a dreamboat, Willow was actually really cool and everyone else fell into place too. I am kicking myself because yet again, I've managed to read this before realising it was the second in a series I haven't read before and I really wished I had read Rose and Wilder's story before Dallas and Willow's. There's a fair few references to the first book, one being that Dallas and Willow originally met in Wild Rose (book 1), so even though this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Wild Rose beforehand!

Dallas and Willow are both pretty badass, as they've both been through a lot romance-wise and although they both have very tall, cemented walls, each of them manage to chip away at the walls with the best kind of outcome. I think Willow might be one of my top FMCs as she's understanding and patient, especially with Ellie, even when Dallas doesn't actually deserve it - but lets face it, a cowboy can get away with anything right!?

This book has everything I love about romance books; heartbreak, fake marriage (which could also be marriage of convenience), cowboys, found family and my ultimate fav, grumpy sunshine with dual POV. I loved reading both characters' views and feelings on each other, especially when they're both lusting after each other without the other knowing, ah I love it SO much. Dallas really is a sweetheart under that tough exterior ey. The way Tully writes about the locations and scenery is a beauty upon itself, I found myself dreaming of the lovely big house Dallas was building (for his fiancé' who passed away no less!!), looking out onto a view with no worries at all. The perfect way to escape into a book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending an e-arc

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5, but I dodged the half star mostly because of the editing (I truly think we shouldn't give anyone access to such badly formatted things - it lessens the enjoyment of reading if you have to piece together time skips and who says what) and a little because of how short the timeline is (barely a few months have passed since he lost his previous partner and was given access to his daughter).

Otherwise, this was a treat to read - unexpectedly sweet and tender.

It's advertised as steamy (which is another problem), but it really isn't, and I think that's good. It wouldn't work as well as it did if there was more spice in it, because it would outweigh the focus of the story, which is letting yourself trust and love people, no matter how much some of them burned you in the past.

I loved Willow's dedication to everything that was happening, her motivation to do what she did, and her reasoning for not telling Dallas about the inheritance. Also, on the same note, I'm elated it didn't end like I thought it might. He didn't immediately give up on her when something went wrong and didn't assume the worst about her at every turn, which I want to see more of.

The premise was great, and everything developed around it so naturally that even though I don't like how short the timeline was, it still worked well, because the author made it so.

The first kiss scene was great, because of how genuine the moment felt. And I can't stress enough how much I adored the compassion shown in the custody battle both by Dallas and Willow.

It's a great book, and it reads really fast, so if that's what you're looking for, I recommend going for it.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for letting me read the ARC!

[Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review by Roxanne Tully and Embla Books. I want to say thank you to the NetGalley team, Embla and Roxanne Tully for the opportunity to read and review this amazing novel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️
✨Grumpy x sunshine
✨Forced proximity
✨Marriage of convenience
✨Found Family
✨Nanny x single dad
✨Top tier banter

If you want a cowboy romance with a complex MMC who grows so much during the duration of the book and a badass FMC who loves with her whole chest and will do just about anything for those she loves, this is the book for you.

This book really made me sit with the feelings it imparted on me, the grief that just hits you at the beginning is very heavy so please watch your triggers, but the way that Dallas heals throughout the book is a marvel. He has steps forward and he falls along the way, he feels deep guilt for wanting to heal. How part of him still wanted to just lay there with Millie.

Willow is such a loving character and she really shows it in this book, how she immediately falls for Dallas’ little girl Ellie, and how she falls in love with the home he built for Millie, but also for the land that it sits on. She also heals in her own way, and that is inspiring.

I cannot forget Ellie, my little slippered hero! She is my favourite, with the amount of change she has had to go through throughout her life and throughout the course of this book is astounding, I would not be okay. But she is such a dang trooper and such a light in their household.

I definitely recommend this book to those who love cowboy romances, this is the second book in the series so I would recommend going back and reading Wild Rose as well, which details Wilder and Rose’s journey!

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back in Blue River Springs, and this time we’re focused on Dallas Thorne, eldest son, grieving widower, and new father to the 6 year old he didn’t know he had. He’s grumpy, he’s hurting, he’s trying his hardest to be the best father he can be.

Willow is Rose’s best friend from New York City. She’s a sassy city girl who plays piano and sings at a bar, until her ex kicks her out of the apartment. Desperate and with nowhere else to go, Willow heads to Blue River Springs. And somehow ends up in a fake marriage with Dallas to help him keep his daughter.

The chemistry between Dallas and Willow is off the charts! Their steadfast determination to NOT fall for each other makes their attraction for each other that much more enticing. Both main characters have much to work through individually but also they are clearly so perfectly right for each other! The steam on these pages fogged up my reading glasses and if I wasn’t a fan of grumpy cowboys before this book I would be a convert now! As it is, Dallas and Wilder are neck and neck for swooniest grumpiest man on horseback. And Willow and Rose have a friendship that is both so supportive and loving and also full of snort-laughs. I love getting more of this delightful found family made up of the Thorne men and all the folks who work on the ranch. (Plus we get cameos from our favorite Hideaway Springs friends!)

Roxanne Tully continues to introduce readers to characters with such depth and compassion that they live on in readers’ minds long after the book is closed. I get lost in Blue River Springs in the best way, and loved my time with Willow and Dallas.

I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Jaymie | Girlogic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dallas & Willow

I really enjoyed Willow, Dallas and Ellie’s journey.

Willow is down on her luck after being kicked out of her rental by her ex boyfriend who also ransacked it looking for things to take.

Dallas not long ago lost his fiancé to a fire and lost in his own grief until a couple with a little girl showed up tell him he is a dad. Slowly life was breathed back into him with one lost slipper at a time.

Willow instantly falls in love with Dallas’s little girl, Ellie and ellie adores her just as much. They form a connection over lost slippers and quickly become family. Especially when Dallas needs a wife to ensure he gets to keep full custody of her. Of course, willow steps in.

Willow and Dallas are bother grumpy sunshines in their own right. I enjoyed their chemistry and the bond they create to where it’s them against the rest. Even though it started out fake, it quickly changed to something that was always meant to be.

I adore this family and their moments. It was also good to see the Reeves’ men and their better half’s as well.

Roxanne always knows how to write a good book and although I struggled to connect with the characters early on, by the end of the book it was sad to say goodbye to them.

This is a heartwarming and an addictive read. The journey of grief and learning to love again is a main part of this story. It’s also shows how difficult it can be to grieve and the people who are surrounding you to help you pull through. Who love you. It’s a beautiful story about family, new beginnings and moving forward.

Massive thank you to the author for providing me with an arc via Netgalley.

[Sharlene N · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷 𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀 is the second book in the cowboy romance Blue River Springs Series. Dallas Thorne lost his fiancée in a tragic fire, and then six months later, a six-year-old girl (whose mother has also passed away) shows up with a paternity test showing he is her father.

When the girls grandfather threatens taking her back, Dallas is willing to do anything to protect his daughter, even if it means marrying the spirited stranger who just trespassed onto his property.

I love a good single-dad grumpy trope with a feisty nanny, but the background plot on this one was just waaaay too ridiculous. We do expect some silly stuff in a romance, but this one was over the edge for me. The writing also was a bit choppy at times and I felt like I just needed a bit more. The pace of everything was totally wrong too - the love story was way too rushed especially for a parent.

However, with that being said, I thought the chemistry between Dallas and Willow was strong, the setting was good, the spice level was just right. If you need something to scratch the cowboy romance itch, this one will do. There are better ones out there, but I still enjoyed it (while rolling my eyes a few times).

Tropes:
🎀 Marriage of Convenience
🎀 Fake Relationship
🎀 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎀 Single Dad / Nanny
🎀 Forced Proximity
🎀 Found Family

Thank you NetGalley and Embla books for access to this eARC.

[Laurenreadingrecs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
💚Singe dad x nanny
💛fake relationship
💚small town
💛grumpy x sunshine
💚marriage of convenience
💛cowboy/ Ranch setting
💚banter
💛dual pov

Fallen Willow from author Roxanne Tully is part of the Blue River Springs series, Book 2, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone but you will encounter some side character overlap from book 1. In this book we get the story of Dallas Thorne and Willow.

Dallas Thorne had previously lost his love, his fiancée, Millie, in a fire on the Ranch, and the world and axis everything shifted. He was set in his grief and nothing could get him back out until he finds out he has a six-year-old daughter, Ellie , from a previous relationship and she became his reason for living again.

Willow has come to town for an extended visit to see her friend Rose, who we met in book 1. She’s a fierce spitfire and has an immediate bond with Dallas’s daughter. Willow becomes his saving grace to keep custody of his daughter. Willow is his opposite in every way. She’s all sunshine and rainbows to his grumpy demeanor.

What happens when a fake marriage turns into a real chance at love again. The lines start to get blurred and when feelings, and emotions get intertwined with a temporary relationship what will happen ?

That being said it took me a bit more time to get invested into this story and it’s very much a slow burn but overall this a solid book from Roxanne And definitely give it a read.

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨

✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - February 18, 2026

✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• small town romance
• cowboy romance
• marriage of convenience
• fake relationship
• grumpy x sunshine
• single dad vibes
• found family
• emotional healing

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This book is part of the Blue River Springs series, but it can be read as a standalone. The previous story sets the small-town atmosphere and introduces the world, but Fallen Willow focuses completely on Dallas and Willow’s journey.
Fallen Willow had my whole heart from the very first chapter. Dallas is broken, guarded, and carrying so much pain, while Willow is warmth, strength, and quiet patience. Their dynamic felt so natural and emotional.
The marriage of convenience trope was done beautifully. Nothing felt rushed. The slow build, the soft moments, the family vibes, everything hit perfectly. I loved how the story focused on healing, trust, and finding love again when you least expect it.
The small-town ranch setting added so much charm. The emotional depth mixed with romance made this book impossible to put down. Dallas as a single dad completely stole my heart, and Willow was the perfect balance of softness and strength.
This story made me smile, ache, and fall in love page by page. Definitely one of those comforting yet emotional romances that stay with you even after finishing.
Thank you so much midnightreaderPR for the free ARC!!

[Anna Christodoulou-Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review-
Yeehaw, saddle up 🤠🔥 because Fallen Willow (Wild Rose) by Roxanne Tully absolutely delivered.

This book felt like stepping into Blue River Springs and never wanting to leave. Think rustic ranch vibes, smoky tension, sweet hay in the air, and a whole lot of “sir, excuse me??” moments 🥵🌾. The chemistry is immediate and sizzling, the banter is sharp, and the attraction simmers until it flat-out ignites—especially when horses, barns, and very bad decisions collide 🐎🔥.

Wilder is the definition of broody, bossy cowboy perfection—gruff on the outside, dangerously soft where it counts 🤠💪. And Rose? She’s a wild-hearted queen, strong, spirited, and impossible not to root for 🌹✨. Together they are pure fire—emotionally charged, steamy, and completely addictive.

The small-town charm, heartfelt moments, and dusty ranch atmosphere give major Yellowstone vibes—but let’s be real… this version comes with more dirty talk and way hotter makeout scenes 😏🔥. I devoured this in one sitting and immediately wanted more.

If you love:
🌾 Grumpy cowboys who fall hard
🔥 Off-the-charts chemistry
🏡 Small-town romance with heart
🤠 Ranch vibes + spice

…then Wild Rose will have you hooked. Roxanne Tully has officially pulled me into this series, and I am impatiently waiting for book two ⏳📚💥.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Embla Books, and Roxanne Tully for providing me with this ARC!
We start off with Willow, a singer and piano player in NYC, who suddenly finds herself without a place to stay. She decides to go and stay at her best friend Rose's house on Blue River Ranch for a weekend. One event leads to another, and she finds herself staying in the empty home of Dallas, one of Blue River Ranch's owners. He recently suffered the loss of his fiancée and discovered he has a 6 year old daughter, whom he's in the process of getting custody of. However, when the little girl's grandfather shows up at his house and decides not to give full custody to Dallas, Willow jumps in to help. A fake marriage to keep his child with him.
This was a quick, deeply emotional, and heartwarming small town romance. I enjoyed both Dallas and Willows characters. Ellie, the little girl, was adorable throughout the book. Her growing relationship not only with Dallas, but also with Willow, was heartwarming to say the least. I will definitely be picking up Rose's book, and I look forward to other books released by this author.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- small town romance
- cowboy romance
- single father

[Natalie Intihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second this book popped up in my inbox, I jumped to read it. I had been dying for Dallas’ story as soon as I finished Wild Rose, so I was so excited to see Fallen Willow come to life. Willow and Dallas are such a great pairing and the marriage of convenience trope absolutely crushed it in this story.

Something I loved in this story was the arc of Dallas’ parental rights with Ellie, his daughter. I loved seeing Dallas step fully into the role of being a father and how Willow embraced Ellie as well. There was so much warmth in those interactions and the character of Ellie never failed to make me smile.

Roxanne Tully had me totally hooked when I was reading Wild Rose, and this book is a continuation of that! The Blue River Springs series is quickly becoming one of my favorite small town romance series. I’m so happy I got to read this book and can’t wait for the rest of the world to read it! And I NEED Silas to have a book coming soon too!

Thank you to Embla Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Courtney Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for my honest review

In book 2 of the Blue River Springs Series our MMc is facing the hardest days of his life. He loses his fiance in a fire, and then 3 months later finds out that he has a 7 year old daughter. He was only casual with her mother, but now that she has also passed, he is finally told about her. Our FMC is also struggling. Her ex, who scared her enough that she felt the need for self defense classes kicks her out of the apartment they shared. She would stay with her mom, but that would be a disaster - so she ends up visiting a friend on a ranch. She stays in guest rooms until one night our MMc comes back early. He wants to finish the house he has been building so his daughter has somewhere to go, but there is a lot of history. And when circumstances with his daughters grandparents turn for the worst - and the grandfather wants custody again, a plan is hatched that our MCs are engaged and building a stable family for her. But is he still struggling with grief of his finace? And will she share all her family secrets including the stipulations on her inheritance?

[Susanne Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Days!! Dallas and Willow, how can you not swoon? This was unputdownable right from the start. Immediately I was drawn to Willow, she is trying so hard to be positive and not let life get her down, but she really is running out of options. She doesn't want pity or charity, she just wants some breathing space. Que Dallas, the one person who is least likely to want to help her, to give her a chance, and BAM he gives her everything she never knew she needed. Total swoon fest.

I loved the 'will they? won't they?' aspect, they were so clearly attracted to each other, but neither wanted to take that step and be the first to put their heart out there, and neither of them thought they wanted to the commitment, watching them struggle to control their feelings around each other was great reading, and even better reading was when they gave in to those feelings and decided to go for it. Lots of spicy bedroom scenes (although they don't all take place in the bedroom!)

This was a great second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone, but really with all this cowboy yumminess who wouldn't want to read more? I can't wait for the next book.

[❤️Tina❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I will forever love a cowboy single dad, I eat it up everytime!!

I've been excited for Dallas and Willow's story since we met them in book one! They did not disappoint!

In this book we have:

✨️Single Dad
✨️Marriage of Convenience
✨️Forced Proximity
✨️Grumpy/ Sunshine

This story had the perfect blend of a serious storyline with a hint of trauma and grief, but also hope and love! I devoured it in one day!!

I loved willow's resilience even if I did want to tell her to put herself first sometimes! She's selfless and and thoughtful but also with a little wild streak!

Dallas is grieving a heartbreaking loss but has also found himself something to live for in his little girl.

Together they make such a good family unit, I loved their cute nicknames too 😍

The chemistry between Dallas and Willow was scorching, even when they were trying to fight it, Dallas is trying so hard to be a gentleman, until he isn't 🥵

All I know is I need to find myself a grumpy cowboy 👀

I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to more from Blue River Ranch!

Thank you to Embla books for the eArc for my honest review 🫶🏻

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Wild Rose, so I went into this one really excited… but it just didn’t fully click for me. Willow was a tough character for me to connect with, and Dallas had a few moments where he honestly got on my nerves. I felt like he was immature and childish. Because of that, I never really felt the spark or tension between them, which made the romance feel a little flat. I think it lacked some serious chemistry.

There were also a lot of tropes happening at once and it felt like they were just kind of thrown in there to make it have more length and excitement but it was way too much. Pulling Ellie into the fake marriage situation wasn’t my favorite choice, and the ending felt super rushed. I also felt like for all the emphasis put on it being a cowboy romance, that aspect was seriously lacking.

There were still sweet moments and pieces of the story I liked, but overall it just didn’t come together the way I hoped. Still excited to see what comes next in the series though!

Thank you to NetGalley, Roxanne Tully, and Embla Books for the eARC of this book.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Blue River Springs series. This series is good for those who like western romances. This book follows Dallas, the grieving older brother, and Willow, the best friend of Rose from book 1. I think it would help to read the first book for this story as the setup happened there. Dallas found out he has a 6 yo daughter from a previous fling. He is sharing custody with her grandparents with the intent on him getting full. When the little girl’s grandma passes away, grandpa decides he wants custody. Enter Willow who is now the nanny while she figures out next steps. I did feel that Willow’s character was lacking. There wasn’t a lot to her and she needed a little more development. This is a fast relationship and a fast read. There are a couple of open door somewhat spicy scenes, but you can pass over those. Check this out if you’ve started the series.

Thank you, Embla Books, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.