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, Forced Proximity, Marriage Of Convenience, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Found Family

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published 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 🫂]
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

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.
Pub Date: 2/18/26

[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 ✨

[Mandy Robitaille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen Willow was so so good - devoured this one. Second in the series, this small town romance had me feeling all the feels. The way that Dallas is with Ellie had my heart absolutely melting - I loved watching their banter and tension turn into something more. And then Ellie and Willow's dynamic was so precious too. Overall, this was a really heartwarming read.

I also loved seeing Rose & Wilder again! Can't wait to see what is next for Blue River Springs!

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in series omg I loved it it’s defo carrying on from book 1. I normally don’t like or enjoy cowboy romance but this series I enjoyed it was almost 5 star but I don’t like the end bit!

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

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.

[Jen Altman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a soul-crushingly beautiful journey of healing and resilience, Fallen Willow is a must-read! This heartwarming, small-town romance follows Dallas, a hardworking cowboy reeling from the tragic loss of his fiancée, only to discover he has a six-year-old daughter he never knew existed. Just as he’s struggling to rebuild his life amid a half-finished house and a shattered heart, he finds Willow, a fiery, witty piano player escaping a controlling situation in NYC... literally in his bed! To secure custody of his daughter, Ellie, these two opposites enter a marriage of convenience that quickly evolves into the most delicious of slow burns. It is a raw, emotionally charged story where trust-building and kindness act as a healing balm for two people who had both sworn off the possibility of ever finding a forever kind of love.

What truly makes this story stand out is the authentic portrayal of Dallas’s grief and Willow’s grounded support. Watching their walls crumble is an angsty, heat-fueled experience. The connection between Willow and little Ellie is particularly touching, providing the heart of the story as they face a high-stakes court battle together. You can really feel the push and pull of attraction these characters fight and Willow's fears of "competing with a ghost" are so realistic and heartfelt. With plenty of small-town drama and combustible chemistry, this book will shatter your heart into a million pieces before putting it back together again in the best way possible!

[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

[Rachel Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Blue River Ranch. Where the cowboys are grumpy with hearts of gold. Fallen Willow is the second book in the series and you meet both Willow and Dallas in the first book Wild Rose. Willow is Rose's best friend and Dallas is Wilder's brother who is lost in his grief after losing his fiancé in a fire on their ranch.

I have anxiously been waiting for this book because I adored Dallas in the first book and I loved Willow's sassy attitude. She cares deeply and she's determined to show that she can stand on her own two feet and not rely on anyone but herself. Forced by an impossible situation, Willow leaves the city and heads to visit her best friend on the ranch and meets the man she previously sniffed 😂

Dallas is Wilder's brother who is still lost to his grief while trying to connect and raise his 7 year old daughter. Except now he needs a fake marriage to keep his daughter where she belongs. There is instant chemistry between Willow and Dallas and what starts out as Willow wanting to help keep a family together because its not something that she has experienced herself. Her mother is busy with her career and her father is not on the scene, so she is determined to help Dallas keep his daughter.

What begins as friendship slowly develops into something deeper. Yearning and fighting to let go off the past, feelings develop and grow into something that neither of them expected or what they were looking for. It's a beautiful story and I loved seeing the family dynamics grow while Willow and Dallas are fighting their feelings and attraction to one another. There is humor, its got sassy female characters who have no issue with stepping into the spotlight.

Dallas who wants to protect Willow and make her realize that she doesn't need to be on her own anymore and fight her inner demons. There is a lot of love in this book and emotional growth that I loved witnessing because it really gets to you. This book just makes you want to hug Dallas because he is so torn over his love and feelings towards Willow and his deceased fiancé. Overall, a touching, heartwarming, beautiful story.

Now I need to know what Silas and Storm's story is.... and is there a Denver Kings hockey team story that I missed because I would read those books 😊

[Lucy Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Embla Books for gifting me this copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 Stars

Fallen Willow by Roxanne Tully, the second book in the Blue River Springs series, was an enjoyable read overall—especially if you’re a sucker for a grumpy cowboy romance like I am.

Tropes:
*Fake Relationship
*Marriage of Convenience
*Single Dad/Nanny
*Forced Proximity

Marriage of convenience isn’t usually my favourite trope however, I actually preferred this second instalment to the first book in the series. I really loved getting to see Rose and Wilder again. If I’m being completely honest, I enjoyed them even more in this book than in their own story.

I did find the writing a little wordy in places. Some sentences felt like they had extra words that didn’t add much, which occasionally pulled me out of the story and slowed the pacing.

Overall, Fallen Willow was a cute little small-town cowboy romance, easy to read and plenty enjoyable. I also have to mention the cover which I absolutely love.

[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.

[sam | sammylou.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd been dying to being back in Blue River Springs ever since I finished Wild Rose last year and Fallen Willow did not disappoint!! 🙂‍↔️ (Roxanne Tully x single dad/nanny always hits though.)

Fallen Willow is a quick and enjoyable read, but also takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you're giggling and kicking your feet over Dallas and Willow's first meeting, the next you're tearing up and feeling for Dallas and all the trauma he's been through. Dallas tragically lost his fiancée in a fire, then a few months later he discovers he has a six year old daughter, Ellie.

Six months after the losing his fiancée, he meets Willow and while everything happens fairly quickly in their relationship, it's written in a way that's believable. I thought we were headed for a third-act breakup for a second (which I typically eat up), but I loved that Dallas stayed calm, believed Willow, and didn’t automatically assume the worst. What a man.

Overall, I highly recommend this series and honestly anything by Roxanne!

Read if you enjoy:
-Ranch romance
-Single dad x nanny
-Forced proximity
-Found family

Thank you to Embla Books for the ARC. I cannot wait for the next book!!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the start!! One of my favourite tropes being single dad and I loved this single dad 😍

I love Roxanne’s writing so much and this definitely had me feeling all sorts of things! I was kicking my feet giggling! A “my wife’ moment gets me every time!!! Dallas and Willow have a space in my heart and I absolutely adored them 🥹

There’s so many emotions you experience with this one, the undeniable tension, the heartfelt moments and the love! I adored this book and I wish I could read it all over again!! The healing journey we witnessed definitely pulled on the heartstrings 🥺 To see someone’s grief the way we saw Dallas’ was so beautifully articulated! The relationship felt so natural and I love when that happens!

Thank you so much Roxanne, Embla and Midnight for this ARC! I loved every minute of it 💚

[Marie-Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐
Such a cute, heartwarming story! Dallas was not my favorite in book 1, but he did gain a lot of points here. He is such a loving, caring character. I liked how his grief evolved slowly throughout the book and how we get to finally see him happy. Also, Willow's relationship with Ellie was the sweetest!!!

I must say the found family in this series is one of my favorite components. The playful teasing, the unconditional care, and the deep love they have for each other. I loved having some moments with Wilder & Rose, but I have to admit Silas is my favorite and I'm impatient for his story 😶‍🌫️

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion 🫶🏽

[Ally G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes, 1000 times, YES! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC because I was just introduced to one of my new favorite cowboy romance series. I could not put this book down and just devoured it. I love Dallas and Willow - excellent banter, delicious tension and their story was so sweet. I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I sighed - I just loved this. I love single dad/nanny, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity tropes and this delivered! I’m not always the biggest fan of marriage of convenience but Roxanne Tully executed this one beautifully.

Will have to go back and read Wilder & Rose’s story but cannot wait for Silas (western AND hockey in one book?!) later this year!

[Izabella Blanchard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did I just re-read “Lost and Lassoed”? This is like the same book.
-straight laced single dad
-unruly red-head music lover fmc who drives him nuts
-Nanny plot line (barely— we rarely see it)
-The ranch is literally called “Blue River”, it’s called “Rebel Blue” in Lost and Lassoed.

And what was up with the insta-love?
The whole set-up was perfect for a slow-burn. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was executed better.

And they keep saying how well Willow and Ellie get along, but we barely see them one on one.

The custody battle was underwhelming and the way Cole “gave” Ellie back to Dallas and Willow was so ridiculous.

There is so much more that could have been done with this book to make it unique and more substantial.

[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.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐
Engrossing story with really likeable main characters, but, boy, Dallas really had been put through the wringer with his fiancee dying tragically then finding out he was father to a six year old girl. Willow is made of sterner stuff than she would ever give herself credit for. Her basic response is stepping up to help. Now going to read the first in the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Typical cowboy romance. Cute enough. I always like the single dad trope & thankfully it was a very slow burn.

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like this one a lot! I rolled my eyes at the nanny trope but she wasn't really a nanny tbf so it was fine

[jessysreadingcorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

One of my absolute favourites. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down 🥵 obsessed

[Liv Niklas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Por algún motivo este se me hizo más corto. Lo disfruté pero tengo muchos peros con este libro. Hubo momentos que no acababan de encajar y desde luego no he conectado para nada con ella. No creo que continue con esta saga.







Spoilers 🔽


El es viudo. Y sin embargo, le dura relativamente poco esa tristeza de la que nos hablan. Entiendo que es para que haya historia, pero se me hizo raro que describiera a su difunta prometida como el amor de su vida y un solo encuentro con Willow le pareciera que su mundo había cambiado. Tampoco entendí la personalidad de ella, ni ese instalove que también sintió ella y por eso quiso arriesgar todo por el. Raro en general, la verdad.

[MrsxBxTurnsThePage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I’d fall for Dallas and Willow from the moment I saw the setup. Roxanne Tully packed this story with so many of my favourite tropes, and it delivered exactly what I wanted.

Tropes:

• Small‑town romance
• Grumpy/sunshine
• Second chances at happiness
• Found family
• Protective cowboy

Dallas is the kind of cowboy I’m obsessed with as he’s rugged, loyal, and quietly intense in all the right ways.

Willow balances him beautifully, and their chemistry feels effortless.

The emotional moments land, the tension builds just right, and the whole story has that warm, comforting vibe I love in a small‑town romance.

If you’re into heartfelt cowboy romances with familiar, well‑executed tropes, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Heather Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book!

It is first person, Dual POV. It has marriage of convenience, single dad/nanny, Cowboy, grumpy/sunshines tropes!

Dallas was a grumpy cowboy who lost his fiancee, and Willow was a woman looking to find herself in a new place. And she did and with Dallas and his daughter Ellie.

I loved Dallas and Willow's love story. I enjoyed their chemistry, banter, and tension.
The way Willow fell in love with his daughter was amazingly sweet.

I can't wait for the next book!

[Mackenzie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars 🌟
2 🌶️

Thank you to Roxanne Tully, Embla Books, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book early in advanced of its release.
I read the first book in this series last year and enjoyed it, and this one is definitely a very underrated series. This series truly is for fans of cowboy and smalltown romances, the likes of Lyla Sage, Elsie Silver, Jessica Peterson and Bailey Hannah.. If you liked a book similar to “Wild Side” by Elsie Silver, than I think you may like this one in terms of how the marriage of convience comes through a trauma induced situation with the desire to keep the family together.

Willow, Our FMC a fiery redhead 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. While also dealing with a complicated relationship with her partner who is borderline inappropriate and controlling. But Willow is also resourceful in the fact that she wants to take charge of her situation. She is able to safely leave her situation, and is able to escape to Blue River Springs, as one of her friends Rose is there now. Willow, does not come into the situation with Dallas with an idea of “waving a magic wand” to fix everything. She’s there to support this family that she’s coming into to be someone they can lean on. She is sharp, witty, and has her head on her shoulders even after falling into the belief that she might have to swear off men due to her past relationships.. thats until Dallas anyway.

Dallas, our MMC at the beginning of this novel is realing with the death of his partner, and is then informed a few months later that he has a child from a previous relationship.Thus, Dallas is grieving the life that he had, and a life that he is going to be apart of. As now the child that he has grown affection for is threatened to be taken away.. which is heart-shattering. He was also taking the fact that his little girl whom he barely knew about is something that he is holding onto during his grief journey. While Ellie’s not from his previous relationship, but from a moment in time. Dallas’s grief journey and learning to accept that things were different after his loss was handled beautifull. He took the time grieve what he believed his life to be and what it was becoming. His hesitance to have any romantic feelings towards Willow in the beginning felt genuine to the portrayal of a character being thrust into his situation. As he was going to do anything and everything to keep his little girl around, even if it involved marrying someone he didn’t really know to secure her safety.

The fact that this book centres around a marriage of connivence to keep his daugther safe left like it was the right avenue for this story and the dynamic felt realistic. Willow is a new character that was brought into the story and her relationship with Dallas felt like it started off as a reserved and Willow was kept at a distance. But as we continued with the story, Dallas’s growing affection for Willow was evident. During the story, their walls fall down and it becomes a beautiful story of resilience and the belief that things will turn out how they were always meant to be. The Spice in this book did have some heat to it, and there was a number of tender moments including her having a bath on their wedding night where he ends up braiding her hair. Also there is a moment in the forest… after their wedding that is.. iconic.

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

[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.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A single dad + nanny-ish romance

My Review: Fallen Willow by Roxanne Tully is book #2 in the Blue River Springs series. It is said to be a "steamy and highly addictive" romance, featuring "grumpy cowboys who love wildly and protect fiercely." It is scheduled for release on 2/18/26.

About the Book: "Six months ago, a fire on my ranch took my fiancée. And my whole world along with her.

But just when I thought I'd never feel again, a six-year-old landed on my porch-with a paternity test...

Now the people who brought her to me want her back-and I'll do anything to keep her.

[Hmm...] A fake marriage..."

In My Own Words: Something in the real is cooking between a cowboy who is not looking for love and a beautiful entertainer/nanny who has been viciously burned by love.

What I Liked/Loved:

💚 - I liked Dallas and Willow's backstory action. None of either story was simple. It was layered and emo-rich.

💗 - I really liked the glimpses back in time where we could see the attraction between the leads. The sweet tension made for most excellent reading.

💚 - I loved the whole cowboy energy. It was giving, and I was taking. Yeehaw!!!

💗 - I loved the way the fake relationship/marriage of convenience trope was presented. (This is one of my favorites. I was not disappointed.)

💚 - I am a huge fan of the found family theme. (Can we just wrap these lovies up in a giant hug?)

💗 - The dynamic between Willow and Ellie was quite darling. From the beginning, they had a connection. I loved the playfulness and the love that kept growing.

💚 - I liked the pacing of this book. It was slow burn, but it was also a passionate building.

💗 - I loved the way that the concept of grief was explored in this novel. The takeaway is that it can look very different for each person. I think the author did a wonderful job of showing how complex feelings and emotions can be. Doing life beyond loss can be debilitating, but it can also move one towards a beautiful healing with the right support and intervention.

My Final Say: Book two in this new cowboy romance series gets a golden heart rating. I loved it so much. It was tender and heartfelt, just as much as it was raw and real. The added bonus for me was the newness of what Dallas, Willow, and Ellie found together.

Other: Readers who enjoy the following tropes will like this book.

Tropes:

💚 Ranch Romance

💚 Marriage of Convenience

💚 Fake Relationship

💚 Grumpy x Sunshine

💚 Single Dad / Nanny

💚 Forced Proximity

💚 Found Family

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 💞🌶
Chemistry: 💛
Format: 📱
Pacing: M
Series: Yes
Cover: +

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Embla Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work of fiction. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

[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.

[Geri Stoikova · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Wild Rose I was so ready for Fallen Willow and Roxanne Tully's type of cowboy romance. You know, I'm here for the slow burn, the mutual pinning and the angst and the sweetest six year old girl ever. Put in the mix the small town and it's people and you have yourself a pretty picture. When Dallas appeared in Wild Rose it broke my heart for his loss and broken dreams and then a miracle happened. Little Ellie came into his life and gave him hope and a will to live for his daughter. Also he has six years of catching up to do. And he was a man coming back to life when he met Willow. And it was such a great meet cute. Willow is Rose's friend who was there for her in all her shenanigans. Now Willow needs her friend and a place to stay to figure out her life. That's how Willow ends in Blue River Ranch and in Dallas and Ellie's lives. Dallas is patient and caring man and is working on himself to become the best dad Ellie deserves. And he needs help. Willow sees herself in Ellie and wants to help them stay together. Willow and Ellie have such a great connection from the start and their relationship was caring and full of understanding. On the other hand Dallas made Willow feel all the feeling she forbade herself to guard her heart. Those two were so good together. The tension and the pinning were of the charts. Their instant attraction when they met wasn't just a fluke but something that lived and breathed. And with time Dallas and Willow were so good together. And they were so good and loving with Ellie. That plot twist and that intense court battle for Ellie broke my heart. And then Dallas and Willow showed that they were good people with good and caring hearts. I was glad how that situation played out and that small family got their happy ending. And if Cole , Ellie's grandad redeemed himself I'm not a fan of Willow's mom and her actions. The last chapter and that epilogue were everything and it was so good when everything ended well. Fallen Willow is the perfect small town cowboy romance that will melt your heart and you didn't know that you needed.

Thanks to the author , Midnight Readers Book Promotion and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.