Live Love Lasso

Pine Gulch Ever After #1

by Hazel Mack

LEMON

I screwed up my first solo potion and now the customer is covered in hives. If that disaster wasn’t bad enough, knowing it might get my family’s potions house gobbled up by a competitor is the icing on the cake. What I didn’t expect was for my father to ship me off to the Wild West monster haven of Pine Gulch as punishment. He calls it an opportunity to learn. Pfft. Pine Gulch is a temporary setback—I’ll get back to the city in a New York minute.

Except things don’t go as planned when a mysterious sickness befalls the haven’s animals. Before I know it I’m smack dab in the middle of an investigation. Unfortunately, Furyon Zayle, the ranger in charge of the investigation, is a smoking-hot dark elf with an unnatural amount of charm. Him staring at me might be hot if I wasn’t being accused of somehow manufacturing the illness.

I’m a fish out of water in the worst possible way, but the pull between Furyon and me is stronger than the threat of my guilt. He introduces me to the beautiful corners of Pine Gulch—hidden pumpkin mazes, a herd of wild mustangs, a magical auction house, and the saucy town herself.

Our connection deepens as I start to fall in love with the wildness of this country haven and its people…one specifically. But good things don’t last as the investigation closes in on me. I know I’m innocent, but can Furyon and I find the culprit before I end up behind bars?

Genres: Monster Romance, Cowboy Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Monsters, Small Town Romance, Paranormal Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 28, 2026

About the author

Hazel Mack writes small town cozy but scorching monster romance. High heat but lots of sweet is the name of the game. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with Mr. Mack, Baby Mack and a dog named Andy. Hazel Mack is the sticky sweet alter ego of dark(ish) romance author Anna Fury.

Reviews

[Faye Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cowboy romances and paranormal/monster romances, so Western paranormal/fantasy romances are a mashup I always jump on when I find them! And when I saw Samantha Brentmoor was one of the two narrators, I knew I wanted to listen to the audiobook version of the book! It's dual narration, with Brentmoor as amazing as ever and new-to-me narrator Oliver Highpoint doing a great job with the American West accents.

There's no miscommunication here between the two main characters, which is great to see! They both acted their ages and the drama comes from the plot, rather than from the main characters overreacting to things.

I didn't know that Live Love Lasso was a spinoff of an extensive series of books, but the book opens with a very useful Foreword that gives a great explanation of the fantasy world. The Foreword mentions that you don't need to read the other books to read this new one, and after listening to Live Love Lasso, I definitely agree with that. It gave me all the context I needed to enjoy this story.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Listener Copy from Podium Entertainment but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Brittany Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC Review
3.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

Narrators: Samantha Brentmoor & Oliver Highpoint

This was a cute & sexy monster romance (& add some cowboy to the mix too). It was a good listen! I think the narrators really elevated and brought life to this story!

🧪 Monster Romance
🤠 Vampire x Dark Elf
🧪 Mystery
🤠 Cowboy x City Girl

Thank you to Podium for the ALC!

[spidermse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh I would have a hard time choosing which Haven to live in because while I'm so in love with Ever, Pine Gulch has stolen my heart, too. It's a totally different Haven but has the same charming, cozy feels. Monster cowboys > human cowboys.

I didn't find myself relating to Lemon very much because I'm no where near as confident and social as she is but I enjoyed seeing her take charge and make the most of her new circumstances. And of course I would have fallen as easily and quickly for Furyon as she did. Who wouldn't?? Swoony, tatted Dark Elf with the filthiest mouth in the West. I loved their chemistry and banter.

We got lots of mystery and angst, magic, and spice plus a ton of amazing side characters that I hope we get more of in future books! **cough cough Rygold**

[Ali]

YOURE JOKING??????

THANK YOU HAZEL MACK

[McKayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive never met a Hazel Mack book that I didn’t absolutely devour and love. THIS SERIES IS ALREADY SO FREAKING GOOD AHHH!

[Romancing the Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point, Hazel Mack can take me anywhere and I will follow without question. But Pine Gulch? She's made another great world for us to dive into.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Live Love Lasso by Hazel Mack

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Pine Gulch Ever After character series. Book 1.

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle. 🆓️ on KU.

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Monster romance

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Opposites attract, fated mates, fish out of water, blood play, suspense, small town, found family.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Lemon is banished to Pine Gulch after a potions mishap, where she immediately finds herself embroiled in an investigation into mysterious issues with the local wildlife. The ranger investigating her, Furyon, can't help but blur the lines as he gets to know this city girl.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I've been raving about Hazel Mack's haven series since it started, and the Haven Ever After series is still one of my favorite monster recs. So when she announced we'd be traveling to Montana for a western-style adventure in a new haven, I was all in. Add to that this gorgeous cover, and I knew there was no chance I wasn't going to enjoy it.

Furyon and Lemon were a great introduction to the PG. Lemon was a fish out of water, with a sassy attitude and glitter boots, she was unapologetically herself. And the way she fell in love with Pine Gulch made it easy for the readers to be right along side her.

But listen, we have to talk about Furyon Zale. Furyon is the quintessential man written by a women. He loves animals, has swoony tattoos, is one of the best dirty talkers I've read. Man, these two are all fire when they give into the tension.

And just like the other series, Hazel Mack does a great job of setting up a cast of characters you can't help but be invested in. I can't wait to escapt to Pine Gulch for more.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4,5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Haven but the same amazing feeling!

Hazel has this way with stories, it makes you feel like you know the characters from page one, care about them and feel with them. The moment I knew she was giving us a new haven I was first in line to read this.

Country monsters? HELL YEAH! Not only did we get a new charming downtown with moody buildings and hidden gems, but also country boys. The sheriff has me in a chokehold and he’s not even our MMC! But safe to say Furyon did have me hooked, his personality alone was the perfect tease, funny, sunshine man with a hidden past and huge heart. His love for animals alone would have done me in, but the way he treats Lemon? Down bad. I want him for myself, horns and all.

Lemon was that bitch. She was resilient, refreshing and so kind. Even faced with adversity and new challenges she was nothing but sweet. Her love for PG developed beautifully and his relationship with Furyon was so incredibly meaningful it felt real. She needed PG and it was amazing to watch how they changed each other.

Now…don’t think I didn’t notice the hints for the next books (I’m delulu and I think everyone needs a book) lol.

Hazel, thank you so much for the opportunity to read this early!


Quotes:

"Let's be clear. I am investigating you, Miss Knox. But I also can't keep my hands off you,"

"I asked you out. You said yes. Then you went home to freshen up and put on a dress that'd knock me fuckin' dead. You wanna get railed into my headboard. Tell me you don't."

"You been thinkin' about riding me as much as I've been thinkin' about lettin' you?"

"I promised to do naughty things to you in this jail, Lemon. You wanna get arrested, city girl?"

"I couldn't forget you if I tried, Lemon. You're the only thing on my mind all day. That ain't ever gonna change."

But Lemon? She brought the light back into my world, and she shines it into all the darkest corners of my heart. I'll protect that with body and soul until the day I leave this earth.

[Anastasia: Readers_Fantasy_]

I loved this so much! I have never, ever read a monster romance. It was crazy! The fucking degradation, and sex, and everything in this book is 10/10! I signed up for this barely knowing anything about this author, but this has definitely introduced me to a whole new world, and I have no regrets! Lemon and Furyon are absolutely fantastic together, and not only that, but their growth, banter, and connection are top-tier! The way Hazel Mack wrote this book made it so easy for me—and will be so easy for other readers—to fall in love with this world and be clamouring for more! Hazel does a great job introducing you to new characters and having you guessing the next story!

Can we also address that Furyon has the sluttiest, filthiest mouth ever! Lord, the things he said were just… phewww. I am in love! This book was cozy, smutty, and entertaining in ways I didn’t know were possible. Our narrators are also absolutely phenomenal. You can catch each emotion, each pressure point within the story. I truly felt that when our narrators were talking, I was either watching a movie or was in their heads. Let’s call it what it is… A MOVIE IN YOUR HEAD! Ms. Brentmoor and Mr. Highpoint—BRAVO. BRAVO, my dears!

I can say there are no notes for this story! i couldn’t get enough and i still want more from them in the best ways! i mean come on people how can we get over lemon and furyon! so well written, excellent production and i have nothing more to say expect please give us more!

[B (ReadLikeB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC but all thoughts are my own.

I'm hooked on Pine Gulch! I mean, a small town cowboy romance but with monsters?! Yes, please.

Lemon (vampire) is a city girl sent to PG as a form of punishment. Furyon (dark elf) is the local Wildlife Ranger who has an amazing connection to animals. When something weird starts happening to the local wildlife, the pair team up to try and solve the mystery.

The spice in this book was next level. I don't normally blush when reading, but there were a few scenes where I 100% was, or fanning myself, or putting the book down like "giiiiiirl!!!" But it wasn't just about the spice. The connection between the MC's was great, and I love how they respected each other and listened. There was no miscommunication here.

The mystery aspect had me on the edge of my seat. I was never sure who was up to no good, and Hazel did a great job of throwing different suspects at you. She did a good job of teasing future story lines as well. I can't wait to see who the Keeper turns out to be. Like always, the houses and buildings had such fun personalities. It's one of my favorite things about this series and the previous one.

[a collective of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lemon is a vampire who is an expert potion maker. A mistake at her family potion house in NYC and her father sends her to rural Pine Gultch. Furyon is a dark elf who is a ranger. A tall dark, and handsome cinnamon roll. 

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook. The narrators are so talented and really brought the characters to life. 

This is an amazing read with plenty of spice, which is definitely nice. The world building is unique and it was easy to picture in my mind. It's modern, but with various beings having their own place on earth with humans. Lemon and Furyon's connection is instant and fire. I really like their dynamic and glad there's little angst and appreciate the mature, adult rationale and behavior. 

It's a day in the life monster romance with family drama and small town mystery where wildlife are being poisoned. Who and why would they want to harm animals? What happens when it's time for Lemon to go back to NYC?

I received an ALC, my opinions are my own.

[Christie Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC - Podium Entertainment

Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Oliver Highpoint

My first Monster Romance and I’m so glad I was
Lucky enough to receive a copy! This was a funny, mysterious romance story and I loved it so much.

Lemon narrated by the incredibly talented Samatha Brentmoor a shamed vampire potion master is sent to Pine Gulch by her father as punishment. She’s dreading being banished to the country under the ruse of “training” she becomes the interest of the local Sherrif Dark Elf Furyon narrated brilliantly by Oliver Highpoint first as an intriguing newcomer and then as a possible suspect. The mysterious side plot that is set to destroy the small paradise of the Gulch had me hooked and while they try to solve this mystery they find themselves unable to resist each other.

It was a little spicy, fully of smart mouth funny monster side characters of all kinds. I’ll definitely be adding this genre and more Hazel Mack to my TBR.

5 ⭐️

[Jessica Koepf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author. The opinions and thoughts are my own.

I honestly love Hazel Mack's writing style. The characters all have unique traits that give them such great personalities. The romance is spicy but also so full of caring and love. What I would give to have my husband say some of these lines to me. These are the perfect cozy spicy monster romances.

Now for this story specifically. I love that the main characters have a similar traumatic past and have a deeper understanding of each other because of it. The curvy FMC is sweet, gentle and kind but with a sassy streak that I honestly love. The MMC is such a hottie, the perfect balance of possessive, and easy going. The way he handles her family made me fall head over heels for him.

I will never forget the first series at Ever but this story (much like the FMC) really brought me to Pine Gulch and showed me other Havens can be just as good.

[Morgan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hehe I really loved this story!! Such a sweet romance and so much banter!!!! There definitely is a dark mystery happening in the background that the characters have to figure out but in the forefront is the friendships and the budding love story.

Lemon is such a sassy, adorable, yet spicy character. I love her so much! She knows what she wants and she is not afraid to grab her future by the horns... definitely just her future 🤭

And Ohmygod I absolutely love Furyon!!! He totally is in denial about his initial feelings but oh I just love to see his affection grow. I really love how important Lemon becomes in his life and he really isn't afraid about who knows it. The mouth on him is just spicy and I love it!

Definitely a fun read, I really loved the mystery happening as well and I definitely cannot wait for more of this world because this book hinted at who Book 2 was going to feature and I can't wait to see if I'm right!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
The book started with a novella involving Shadow and Dain. New kink unlocked, gargoyle!! I would have loved more of them.
The book then transitioned to the storyline between Lemon and Furyon (vampire x dark elf).
Furyon was a wonderful MMC. Lemon left something to be desired for me. I knew who-dun-it early on. I legit patted myself on the back for it because I'm always wrong.
I also loved that everything is alive/magical. I've never experienced that in any of my paranormal reads. The idea of the house deciding who could inhabit it was really interesting.
I also enjoyed that any problem or conflicts were tackled like mature adults in an adult relationship. You never realize how much something is missing from storylines until you see it in one! I'm a fan!

[Literaryblonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like cute, fun, magical and free, definitely pick up  Live Love Lasso! I have read all of the Haven Ever After series and have absolutely fallen in love with their stories and characters.

Pine Gulch is another fun piece of the monster Haven systems with its witty  banter, irresistible charm with characters that will make you swoon.
If you love fated mates, monsters spice and everything nice pick up Live Love Lasso! If you've never read any of the Haven series by Hazel Mack and want to start with level of Lasso I suggest you start with All My Hexes to introduce you into the new magical world of monster living. 

If you love a spicy monster romance this will keep you warm. 

[Erica Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hahaha this was such a great book! I needed this cleansing of a book for a read! The giggles and oooo’s that I did in this book was so worth it haha! I definitely love this couple, they totally are top level couple worthy!

I got this as an ALC and it was absolutely amazing! The only thing that could have made it better was being done in duet. But when you have Samantha Brentmoor reading, you don’t mind bc she is absolutely amazing for both sides of characters. This was the first book with Oliver Highpoint but I think he definitely made my radar for narrators, his voice is very easy to listen to!! I absolutely loved this audio!!

[Ashley Arimborgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book! I have loved the Haven system since Getting it on with Gargoyle's, and I was so excited to explore Pine Gulch in this book. Lemon and Furyon have amazing chemistry (gotta love a dark elf and sexy vampire!), and the world-building that Hazel Mack builds is always phenomenal.

Lemon and Oz's friendship is so wholesome, and I fell in love with Oz immediately (I am a sucker for a gargoyle, to be fair!) Every girl needs a bestie like Oz to hype her up, and Oz definitely fits that profile.

I can't wait to see more of the Gulch, and more of Oz and Bluebell! I will definitely be getting this book and eagerly awaiting the rest of the series!!

[Jennifer Wycech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy
RomCom
Cowboy x Socialite
Fated mates
Small town
Opposites attract
Dual POV - 1st person

Dual narration - Samantha Brentmoor & Oliver Highpoint
As always Samantha is fantastic. This I think was my first time hearing Oliver Highpoint, I enjoyed his performance.

Such a fun twist on your typical cowboy or small town romance. In this one your also getting a paranormal side.

These characters were such a fun couple to read. My first Hazel Mack book and I can firmly say this will not be my last.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader**

Welp i knew I would love this book. Prolly cause it’s another Ever-ish series book but also because it was fantastic and Hazel Mack wrote it 😋

This was so cute, I’m not usually a cowboy book girlie but this was really fun, I love a monster book and there’s always some mystery to be had around the smut!

Poor Lemon dealing with her family bs but man did she hit the jackpot finding Furyou 💕 those two little trauma babies deserve the world.

Plus the spice as usual *chefs kiss* I can’t wait for more of this series to come out. I’m obsessed!

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

The connection between Lemon and Furyon is absolutely unbelievably hot! The banter was thrown through the roof, sexy, and funny as hell at times, then add in the mystery, paranormal, and magic aspect and you're just enthralled!

I just loved reading this, it was so interesting to meet all the different characters and see the bonds grow. To see how the mystery unravel and how it's affects the town and the characters.

Then when you find out what's going on and why, I was shocked, but I just knew it!!!

Overall, a great read and definitely recommend it!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ordered the ebook as a pre order and got it sent early to me! (Thanks Hazel❤️)

Was so excited to read this book and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I am comply obsessed with Pine Gulch and want to move there myself.

Making a vampire x Dark elf couple is brilliant and delicious. They start off being very wary of each other given the surcomstances, but watching their connection grow was so lovely. Add in the mystery of the issue going through the small town trying to figure out who was behind everything, I love love a mystery in my romance books.
The spice is also spicing 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Allie DeMars]

Received the audiobook via Podium Influencer Program.

Soft DNF due to the male narrator. Unfortunately I cannot get past how I don’t enjoy his voice. I plan to come back and eyeball read this one. 💜

[✨ Chayze ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining cozy fantasy romance with the best side characters and plenty of spice!

[Esther | esthersreadingnook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review later but my god that was so good. So freaking fun!!

Thank you Podium for the ALC!! Narration was amazing! Samantha Brentmoor and Oliver Highpoint are sooo good!