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Wilder Horizons #2
Challenged By You
There are two problems with competing against Jerrick Thorne. First—he plays to win. Second—so do I. Now we’re locked in a high-stakes tango on a Costa Rican billion-dollar pitch panel—and losing isn’t an option.
Brynn Wilder knows adventure. As a Wilder Horizons co-owner, she can sell billionaires on anything from luxury African safaris to sustainably built eco-lodges in the wilds of Patagonia. But when she’s paired with the company’s oldest rival for a high-profile pitch-off, she’s got one goal—wipe the smug grin off Jerrick Thorne’s infuriatingly handsome face.
Jerrick Thorne is precision personified—polished, disciplined, and irritatingly perfect, with enough scars and secrets in his past to keep Brynn guessing. Brynn? She’s a walking curveball, fueled by charm, chaos, and inconvenient impulses. He lives for order. She thrives in the unpredictable. And with every volley of banter, the tension between them gets hotter… and a whole lot harder to ignore.
Challenged By You is a sexy, rivals-to-lovers romantic comedy with whip-smart banter, forced proximity, and enough slow-burn tension to leave you begging for the final slide. Perfect for readers who crave serious heat, razor-sharp wit, and characters who know exactly what it takes to win—especially when it comes to each other.
💋 Adult language, adult situations, and adults doing very adult things. On several occasions.
swearing, sparring, and one hilariously inappropriate hammock scene. Recommended 18+.
Brynn Wilder knows adventure. As a Wilder Horizons co-owner, she can sell billionaires on anything from luxury African safaris to sustainably built eco-lodges in the wilds of Patagonia. But when she’s paired with the company’s oldest rival for a high-profile pitch-off, she’s got one goal—wipe the smug grin off Jerrick Thorne’s infuriatingly handsome face.
Jerrick Thorne is precision personified—polished, disciplined, and irritatingly perfect, with enough scars and secrets in his past to keep Brynn guessing. Brynn? She’s a walking curveball, fueled by charm, chaos, and inconvenient impulses. He lives for order. She thrives in the unpredictable. And with every volley of banter, the tension between them gets hotter… and a whole lot harder to ignore.
Challenged By You is a sexy, rivals-to-lovers romantic comedy with whip-smart banter, forced proximity, and enough slow-burn tension to leave you begging for the final slide. Perfect for readers who crave serious heat, razor-sharp wit, and characters who know exactly what it takes to win—especially when it comes to each other.
💋 Adult language, adult situations, and adults doing very adult things. On several occasions.
swearing, sparring, and one hilariously inappropriate hammock scene. Recommended 18+.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
49 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Kate Sweden
7 books34 followersKate Sweden is an award-winning romance author with a flair for funny, a soft spot for slow burns, and a love of happily ever afters with heat. A former Air Force officer, educator, and lifelong book nerd, she traded briefing rooms and lesson plans for plot twists and first kisses. These days, she lives in Northeast Florida with her husband, their teenage son, and a very opinionated dog named Sailor—plus a pantry that’s suspiciously short on chocolate.
Wrecked By You is a proud recipient of:
✨Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal for Excellence in Romance Fiction
✨1st Place Winner of the Firebird Book Awards in Chick Lit
✨Hollywood Book Festival First Place Winner in Genre-Based Fiction (Romance).
✨Literary Titan Book Award Gold Medal Winner
Member of the The National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
Editorial Reviews:
★★★★★ “A sizzling, emotionally intelligent rom-com set against a breathtaking backdrop. Kate Sweden delivers heart, heat, and unforgettable chemistry.”
—Readers’ Favorite
★★★★★ “A fantastically sassy, highly amusing romance packed full of sexual
chemistry. A Wishing Shelf ‘highly recommended’ read!” —The Wishing Shelf (UK)
★★★★★ "Wrecked By You is a romance that thrives on contrast. It's chaotic and funny, yet tender and raw." —Literary Titan
Wrecked By You is a proud recipient of:
✨Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal for Excellence in Romance Fiction
✨1st Place Winner of the Firebird Book Awards in Chick Lit
✨Hollywood Book Festival First Place Winner in Genre-Based Fiction (Romance).
✨Literary Titan Book Award Gold Medal Winner
Member of the The National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
Editorial Reviews:
★★★★★ “A sizzling, emotionally intelligent rom-com set against a breathtaking backdrop. Kate Sweden delivers heart, heat, and unforgettable chemistry.”
—Readers’ Favorite
★★★★★ “A fantastically sassy, highly amusing romance packed full of sexual
chemistry. A Wishing Shelf ‘highly recommended’ read!” —The Wishing Shelf (UK)
★★★★★ "Wrecked By You is a romance that thrives on contrast. It's chaotic and funny, yet tender and raw." —Literary Titan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 4, 2025
A great love story ❤️ Each character had their own challenges they are facing while trying to figure out how to get their own relationship to work. The banter was off the charts as usually and I loved the FMCs inner dialog 😆
November 2, 2025
ARC Review: Challenged By You by Kate Sweden – Sarcasm, Smut, and Six-Figure Adventures
Title: Challenged By You
Author: Kate Sweden
Genre: Romantic Comedy, High-Heat Contemporary Romance, Erotica
Publisher: Wild Magnolias Press (ARC provided for review)
Anticipated Release: 2025
Rating: ★★★¾ (3.75/5 Stars) | Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Filthy, High-Proof)
The Pour: A Strong Blend of Snark and Spice
Pour a glass of something bold and adventurous, because Challenged By You is a strong, compelling blend. This book is a loud, confident sip—the kind that hits you immediately with wit and heat. While it doesn't achieve the rare status of a perfect, barrel-aged pour, it is a highly satisfying, punchy read that excels in its sharp humor and spicy tension.
Kate Sweden delivers exactly what she promises in the dedication: sarcasm is a love language, and the resulting smut is filthy and fun. Set against the backdrop of Aoide Horizons, a luxury adventure travel company run by six ambitious siblings, this story takes the classic workplace tension trope and transplants it into exotic, high-stakes locales. If you like your heroes and heroines to clash verbally before combusting passionately, this one’s for your shelf.
What I Sip and Savored 🥃 (The Smooth Finish)
The parts of this high-proof blend that went down flawlessly:
🥃 Sarcasm as Foreplay: The dialogue is sharp, snappy, and consistently hilarious. The chapter titles alone ("Deck Me, Daddy," "Don't Touch the F*cking Frogs") give you a fantastic indication of the book’s tone—it’s smart, irreverent, and doesn't take itself too seriously, which is the perfect fuel for a high-heat romance.
🥃 The Unique Setting: The world of Aoide Horizons is captivating. Dealing with luxury adventure travel adds such a fun, high-octane environment for the romance to develop. The pressure of maintaining a family legacy, especially when the main character is the one "who knocked on impossible doors," creates a fantastic layer of professional conflict.
🥃 The Pacing of the Passion: The book earns its high spice rating. The author manages to seamlessly integrate the intense character development and professional challenges with sizzling, well-earned intimacy. The chemistry is palpable from the first interaction.
🥃 Sibling Dynamics: The small glimpses we get of the sibling structure—with Gummer handling schedules and Juliette steering global strategy—promise a rich, supportive, and probably highly competitive family environment that I can’t wait to see more of.
What I Side-Eyed 🥃 (The Fleeting Jolt)
This strong blend suffered from a couple of noticeable jolts that prevented a top score:
🥃 The Adventure vs. Emotion Balance: The rapid-fire succession of events and exotic locations often felt like we were "always chasing, never arriving," which, while fitting the adventure theme, sometimes prioritized the setting over the necessary emotional breath. The emotional landings were occasionally too swift, meaning the profound connection could have benefited from more moments of quiet, settled depth to truly earn the highest score.
The Finish
Challenged By You is a perfect read for those who need more than just sweetness; they need snark, adventure, and serious heat. It’s smart, deeply sexy, and expertly structured around a unique family business that feels built for drama. If you’re looking for a book to make you laugh out loud and fan yourself repeatedly, this is the one. A definite pre-order for fans of spicy rom-coms!
The Perfect Pairing
Pairing: A Spicy Mezcal Margarita. Why? It’s complex, unexpected, delivers a smoky, powerful kick (the spice/smut), and is perfectly suited for high-end adventure and heat (the exotic travel setting). It’s not shy, just like this book.
Spicy Mezcal Margarita Recipe
This recipe yields one serving of a smoky, spicy, and complex margarita.
Ingredients
2 oz Mezcal (for smoke)
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.75 oz Orange Liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
0.75 oz Agave Nectar (adjust to taste)
2–3 thin slices of Jalapeño (for heat)
Ice
Salt/Chili Blend (e.g., Tajín) for the rim
Instructions
Prepare the Rim: Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass (old-fashioned or coupe), then dip the rim into the salt/chili blend.
Muddle: Add the jalapeño slices and agave nectar to a cocktail shaker and gently press (muddle) to release the spicy oils.
Combine: Add the mezcal, lime juice, and orange liqueur to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.
Shake: Shake the mixture vigorously until the shaker is thoroughly chilled (about 15-20 seconds).
Serve: Double-strain the cocktail into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
Garnish: Enjoy!
Tropes: Workplace/Colleague Romance, High-Heat/Erotica, Forced Proximity, Snarky Banter, Family Business/Legacy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Title: Challenged By You
Author: Kate Sweden
Genre: Romantic Comedy, High-Heat Contemporary Romance, Erotica
Publisher: Wild Magnolias Press (ARC provided for review)
Anticipated Release: 2025
Rating: ★★★¾ (3.75/5 Stars) | Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Filthy, High-Proof)
The Pour: A Strong Blend of Snark and Spice
Pour a glass of something bold and adventurous, because Challenged By You is a strong, compelling blend. This book is a loud, confident sip—the kind that hits you immediately with wit and heat. While it doesn't achieve the rare status of a perfect, barrel-aged pour, it is a highly satisfying, punchy read that excels in its sharp humor and spicy tension.
Kate Sweden delivers exactly what she promises in the dedication: sarcasm is a love language, and the resulting smut is filthy and fun. Set against the backdrop of Aoide Horizons, a luxury adventure travel company run by six ambitious siblings, this story takes the classic workplace tension trope and transplants it into exotic, high-stakes locales. If you like your heroes and heroines to clash verbally before combusting passionately, this one’s for your shelf.
What I Sip and Savored 🥃 (The Smooth Finish)
The parts of this high-proof blend that went down flawlessly:
🥃 Sarcasm as Foreplay: The dialogue is sharp, snappy, and consistently hilarious. The chapter titles alone ("Deck Me, Daddy," "Don't Touch the F*cking Frogs") give you a fantastic indication of the book’s tone—it’s smart, irreverent, and doesn't take itself too seriously, which is the perfect fuel for a high-heat romance.
🥃 The Unique Setting: The world of Aoide Horizons is captivating. Dealing with luxury adventure travel adds such a fun, high-octane environment for the romance to develop. The pressure of maintaining a family legacy, especially when the main character is the one "who knocked on impossible doors," creates a fantastic layer of professional conflict.
🥃 The Pacing of the Passion: The book earns its high spice rating. The author manages to seamlessly integrate the intense character development and professional challenges with sizzling, well-earned intimacy. The chemistry is palpable from the first interaction.
🥃 Sibling Dynamics: The small glimpses we get of the sibling structure—with Gummer handling schedules and Juliette steering global strategy—promise a rich, supportive, and probably highly competitive family environment that I can’t wait to see more of.
What I Side-Eyed 🥃 (The Fleeting Jolt)
This strong blend suffered from a couple of noticeable jolts that prevented a top score:
🥃 The Adventure vs. Emotion Balance: The rapid-fire succession of events and exotic locations often felt like we were "always chasing, never arriving," which, while fitting the adventure theme, sometimes prioritized the setting over the necessary emotional breath. The emotional landings were occasionally too swift, meaning the profound connection could have benefited from more moments of quiet, settled depth to truly earn the highest score.
The Finish
Challenged By You is a perfect read for those who need more than just sweetness; they need snark, adventure, and serious heat. It’s smart, deeply sexy, and expertly structured around a unique family business that feels built for drama. If you’re looking for a book to make you laugh out loud and fan yourself repeatedly, this is the one. A definite pre-order for fans of spicy rom-coms!
The Perfect Pairing
Pairing: A Spicy Mezcal Margarita. Why? It’s complex, unexpected, delivers a smoky, powerful kick (the spice/smut), and is perfectly suited for high-end adventure and heat (the exotic travel setting). It’s not shy, just like this book.
Spicy Mezcal Margarita Recipe
This recipe yields one serving of a smoky, spicy, and complex margarita.
Ingredients
2 oz Mezcal (for smoke)
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.75 oz Orange Liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
0.75 oz Agave Nectar (adjust to taste)
2–3 thin slices of Jalapeño (for heat)
Ice
Salt/Chili Blend (e.g., Tajín) for the rim
Instructions
Prepare the Rim: Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass (old-fashioned or coupe), then dip the rim into the salt/chili blend.
Muddle: Add the jalapeño slices and agave nectar to a cocktail shaker and gently press (muddle) to release the spicy oils.
Combine: Add the mezcal, lime juice, and orange liqueur to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.
Shake: Shake the mixture vigorously until the shaker is thoroughly chilled (about 15-20 seconds).
Serve: Double-strain the cocktail into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
Garnish: Enjoy!
Tropes: Workplace/Colleague Romance, High-Heat/Erotica, Forced Proximity, Snarky Banter, Family Business/Legacy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 15, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! This book
delivered the perfect sizzling banter and sharp, witty romantic comedy that I adore.
In this rivals-to-lovers story, we follow Brynn, a co-owner of a luxury travel company, and her infuriatingly handsome rival, Jerrick. Their conflict erupts when they're paired up for a high-profile pitch panel in Costa Rica, a chaotic situation shaped by forced proximity. I found Brynn to be a walking curveball who thrives on chaos and impulse, while Jerrick is precision personified: disciplined, guarded, and carrying deep scars and secrets from his past. The tension gets hotter and far more complicated for Brynn and Jerrick, and I loved watching it build with every chapter.
What I absolutely adored about their dynamic is how it becomes a perfect setup for contrasting their attachment styles. Brynn, with her charm and impulsiveness, leans towards a more open and anxious style, while Jerrick, with his guarded composure and hidden past, seems like the classic, self-controlled avoidant partner. When a couple like this appears in a story, I love seeing how their relationship develops and what obstacles they encounter. I loved how Kate, the author, uses their professional rivalry to slowly chip away at Jerrick's walls, revealing the vulnerability beneath his perfect exterior. Their connection didn't feel purely physical to me; rather, it was a fascinating study of two complete opposites finding a thrilling balance.
The writing is spot on, it drew me into their conflict immediately. Kate truly knows how to craft scenes beautifully, especially in the way she layers the slow-burn tension. The setting of Costa Rica adds an element of escape and spontaneity that mirrors Brynn's personality, creating the ideal backdrop for forced proximity to work its magic.
Kate has done a brilliant job, a hilarious, romantic and utterly perfect book! I now wish I'd read 'Wrecked by You' the first book in this series, and I'll definitely be hunting it down next summer to read it! 💗
delivered the perfect sizzling banter and sharp, witty romantic comedy that I adore.
In this rivals-to-lovers story, we follow Brynn, a co-owner of a luxury travel company, and her infuriatingly handsome rival, Jerrick. Their conflict erupts when they're paired up for a high-profile pitch panel in Costa Rica, a chaotic situation shaped by forced proximity. I found Brynn to be a walking curveball who thrives on chaos and impulse, while Jerrick is precision personified: disciplined, guarded, and carrying deep scars and secrets from his past. The tension gets hotter and far more complicated for Brynn and Jerrick, and I loved watching it build with every chapter.
What I absolutely adored about their dynamic is how it becomes a perfect setup for contrasting their attachment styles. Brynn, with her charm and impulsiveness, leans towards a more open and anxious style, while Jerrick, with his guarded composure and hidden past, seems like the classic, self-controlled avoidant partner. When a couple like this appears in a story, I love seeing how their relationship develops and what obstacles they encounter. I loved how Kate, the author, uses their professional rivalry to slowly chip away at Jerrick's walls, revealing the vulnerability beneath his perfect exterior. Their connection didn't feel purely physical to me; rather, it was a fascinating study of two complete opposites finding a thrilling balance.
The writing is spot on, it drew me into their conflict immediately. Kate truly knows how to craft scenes beautifully, especially in the way she layers the slow-burn tension. The setting of Costa Rica adds an element of escape and spontaneity that mirrors Brynn's personality, creating the ideal backdrop for forced proximity to work its magic.
Kate has done a brilliant job, a hilarious, romantic and utterly perfect book! I now wish I'd read 'Wrecked by You' the first book in this series, and I'll definitely be hunting it down next summer to read it! 💗
December 21, 2025
Kate Sweden's Challenged by You was a great sequel to her first Wilder Horizons book. This series is only getting better as the books progress, and I'm very excited to see where she leads us with all the sisters.
Jerrick and Brynn's story is different in many ways to the first story in the series. While there was a forbidden colleague feel to book 1, Wrecked by You, this book takes competitors to lovers to the next level.
Before the book starts up, Jerrick is in direct competition with Brynn for high class clients with caviar expectations for vacations. Both of them are great at their jobs, and one night they connect deeply, but soon after, Jerrick steals Brynn's idea, and she struggles to forgive his dishonesty.
Now, as co-presenters and competitors in a vacation level up presentation, Brynn and Jerrick must work together, but also against each other. The situation is complex, but leads to explosive sexual tension.
Two things you need to know about this book. One, the setting is again phenomenal, and now I really want to get a passport stamp from Costa Rica. The other thing you need to know is this book does not make it easy to get to the HEA. The yearning and longing Sweden builds into the resolution really creates genuine heartache.
Can't wait for the next sister's book. Since I don't have any vacation time coming soon, I'll dig into more Wilder Horizons books to travel with.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jerrick and Brynn's story is different in many ways to the first story in the series. While there was a forbidden colleague feel to book 1, Wrecked by You, this book takes competitors to lovers to the next level.
Before the book starts up, Jerrick is in direct competition with Brynn for high class clients with caviar expectations for vacations. Both of them are great at their jobs, and one night they connect deeply, but soon after, Jerrick steals Brynn's idea, and she struggles to forgive his dishonesty.
Now, as co-presenters and competitors in a vacation level up presentation, Brynn and Jerrick must work together, but also against each other. The situation is complex, but leads to explosive sexual tension.
Two things you need to know about this book. One, the setting is again phenomenal, and now I really want to get a passport stamp from Costa Rica. The other thing you need to know is this book does not make it easy to get to the HEA. The yearning and longing Sweden builds into the resolution really creates genuine heartache.
Can't wait for the next sister's book. Since I don't have any vacation time coming soon, I'll dig into more Wilder Horizons books to travel with.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 27, 2025
4.75 ⭐
First of all, I want to say thank you to Booksprout and the author fo this AMAZING opportunity ❤️
Oh, what a difference from the first book to this one. I loved every page, every chapter.
You know that feeling when authors really "listen" to their readers? That's what happened here 🧡
The writing, once again, is impeccable. The descriptions are incredible, and the comedy in this book is brilliant 🧡
Now, what really made me happy was the fact that I had his POV in this second one! God, that made the book so much better!!
Enemies to lovers? We have it. Slow burn? That too. TENSION? Oh DEFINITELY we have it 🥵
Brynn and Jerrick had me completely hooked. Completely different personalities that complement each other so well.
The backstory was completely addictive. From the family drama to the professional drama, it was everything. And that ending? Yeah, 5 stars 😭
I will recommend this to everyone, without a doubt. And I can't wait, like, REALLY for the next one. Because this series has everything it takes to be incredible from the first book to the last.
Congratulations, Kate, this book was everything ❤️❤️
Kate Sweden
Challenged By You
First of all, I want to say thank you to Booksprout and the author fo this AMAZING opportunity ❤️
Oh, what a difference from the first book to this one. I loved every page, every chapter.
You know that feeling when authors really "listen" to their readers? That's what happened here 🧡
The writing, once again, is impeccable. The descriptions are incredible, and the comedy in this book is brilliant 🧡
Now, what really made me happy was the fact that I had his POV in this second one! God, that made the book so much better!!
Enemies to lovers? We have it. Slow burn? That too. TENSION? Oh DEFINITELY we have it 🥵
Brynn and Jerrick had me completely hooked. Completely different personalities that complement each other so well.
The backstory was completely addictive. From the family drama to the professional drama, it was everything. And that ending? Yeah, 5 stars 😭
I will recommend this to everyone, without a doubt. And I can't wait, like, REALLY for the next one. Because this series has everything it takes to be incredible from the first book to the last.
Congratulations, Kate, this book was everything ❤️❤️
Kate Sweden
Challenged By You
October 13, 2025
First, I just want to say how grateful and excited I am that Kate invited me to be part of her BETA reading team—what an honor! It was honestly SO fun and such a thrilling challenge!
Challenged by You by Kate Sweden completely stole my heart. I LOVED this book! It delivered everything—sharp comebacks, tension, spicy scenes, and real vulnerability.
The enemies-to-lovers transition was so smooth and genuinely funny. I mean, who doesn’t love those inner monologues where you try to convince yourself “he’s definitely NOT the one” (but deep down we all know… he absolutely IS). With Brynn, I loved seeing her let her guard down, choose curiosity over assumption, and allow herself to actually see Jerrick for who he truly is. And Jerrick stepping up—not just for her, but for himself—was incredibly satisfying and, honestly, powerful. It hit close to reality: parents trying to shape your life according to their plans, not yours.
And of course, a special shoutout to the bartender—the unexpected voice of truth and chaos—always dropping the exact challenge our beloved characters needed. That subtle outsider push?
Challenged by You by Kate Sweden completely stole my heart. I LOVED this book! It delivered everything—sharp comebacks, tension, spicy scenes, and real vulnerability.
The enemies-to-lovers transition was so smooth and genuinely funny. I mean, who doesn’t love those inner monologues where you try to convince yourself “he’s definitely NOT the one” (but deep down we all know… he absolutely IS). With Brynn, I loved seeing her let her guard down, choose curiosity over assumption, and allow herself to actually see Jerrick for who he truly is. And Jerrick stepping up—not just for her, but for himself—was incredibly satisfying and, honestly, powerful. It hit close to reality: parents trying to shape your life according to their plans, not yours.
And of course, a special shoutout to the bartender—the unexpected voice of truth and chaos—always dropping the exact challenge our beloved characters needed. That subtle outsider push?
November 9, 2025
Jerrick and Brynn are enemies. They are business competitors. He stole and took credit for her idea years ago. For that reason, she is determined to win at the vendor conference they are attending, and presenting together at. But business is not the only thing they will attend to. A contract is not the only thing they will win. Before they can have their happily ever after though, they have a huge problem to unravel and overcome.
This story had me pausing, laughing out loud, reading parts aloud to my husband, and anxiously waiting to turn the page and see what happened next. The plot twist involving Jarrick's father added some mild suspense and a layer of drama for them to overcome. I liked the crossover characters from the first story, but also how they were not so interconnected that things are given away.
Now I am waiting for book 3 to come out to see what is in story for Emme in Patagonia.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story had me pausing, laughing out loud, reading parts aloud to my husband, and anxiously waiting to turn the page and see what happened next. The plot twist involving Jarrick's father added some mild suspense and a layer of drama for them to overcome. I liked the crossover characters from the first story, but also how they were not so interconnected that things are given away.
Now I am waiting for book 3 to come out to see what is in story for Emme in Patagonia.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️��️ ARC Review for “Challenged by You”
A huge thank you to the author for giving me the privilege of being an ARC reader for Challenged by You!
This book was SO good — I couldn’t put it down. It’s everything you want in an enemies-to-lovers romance and more. The female lead? A total powerhouse — strong-willed, smart, and not afraid to stand her ground against a man. I absolutely loved that she fell first, and watching that slow emotional unraveling between them had me hooked from start to finish.
The banter between the two was perfection — funny, flirty, and perfectly timed. And let’s not forget the spice… 🥵 it was chef’s kiss! This story has it all — humor, heart, passion, and those tender moments that sneak up and make you feel everything.
From hating each other to breaking down each other’s emotional walls, Challenged by You is a beautiful, fiery rollercoaster of love and growth. Truly one of those reads that stays with you long after “The End.”
A huge thank you to the author for giving me the privilege of being an ARC reader for Challenged by You!
This book was SO good — I couldn’t put it down. It’s everything you want in an enemies-to-lovers romance and more. The female lead? A total powerhouse — strong-willed, smart, and not afraid to stand her ground against a man. I absolutely loved that she fell first, and watching that slow emotional unraveling between them had me hooked from start to finish.
The banter between the two was perfection — funny, flirty, and perfectly timed. And let’s not forget the spice… 🥵 it was chef’s kiss! This story has it all — humor, heart, passion, and those tender moments that sneak up and make you feel everything.
From hating each other to breaking down each other’s emotional walls, Challenged by You is a beautiful, fiery rollercoaster of love and growth. Truly one of those reads that stays with you long after “The End.”
November 6, 2025
This is a truly funny enemies to lovers slow burn that will keep you turning pages and shouting at our couple to get together already since their chemistry is off the charts! I really enjoyed that this book had dual POV and it was great seeing things happening from both of our lead characters sides.
Loved getting to know Brynn better in this book and her sisters also made appearances throughout the book I love how close their family is. Jerrick had a difficult relationship with his father which had you rooting for him to succeed throughout the book.
I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for the first in this series and hope to be able to be selected for the next in the series I love these sisters and their partners!
Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*enemies --> More *rivals --> more *Rom-Com *ARC read 2025 *spice *slow burn
*dual POV *cinnamon roll MMC *travel
Loved getting to know Brynn better in this book and her sisters also made appearances throughout the book I love how close their family is. Jerrick had a difficult relationship with his father which had you rooting for him to succeed throughout the book.
I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for the first in this series and hope to be able to be selected for the next in the series I love these sisters and their partners!
Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*enemies --> More *rivals --> more *Rom-Com *ARC read 2025 *spice *slow burn
*dual POV *cinnamon roll MMC *travel
December 15, 2025
I adore the Wilder sisters! They each are so unique. Brynn is supposed to be pure chaos and maybe she is but I like her. Then you have Jerrick who works for a competitor. They get selected to present together yet get judged separately. They have a past and sparks fly from the beginning and not in a good way or maybe they do. You don’t get to the hot spicy stuff until Chapter 14. At first I was like oh ok it’s just feelings toward each other….nope you get details. The Wilder sisters like to curse and drop F bombs all the time. Jerrick doesn’t ever curse however Brynn brings it out in him. It is funny, yet truly awful and heartbreaking all at the same time. Kate Sweden has a way about her writing that really pulls you in. You don’t want to put the book down and then you want more and she has more to give. Can’t wait to read about the next Wilder sister. Thank you Booksirens for allowing me to be part of the review team!
November 1, 2025
This is just the perfect book for your next reading break. The story of Brynn and JErrick is best describe at enemies to lovers with a spice twist. They are coworkers will have to test their feelings as they are set to work together in Costa Rica; the catch, they will have to share a room.
She is strong, fierce, independent. He is damaged, controling, perfection; together they are banter, electric tension, insane chemistry, and scorching passion. But between their intense moments, there is the realization that they are in a way what they have been looking for.
You are going to devour this book, and be wanting more!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She is strong, fierce, independent. He is damaged, controling, perfection; together they are banter, electric tension, insane chemistry, and scorching passion. But between their intense moments, there is the realization that they are in a way what they have been looking for.
You are going to devour this book, and be wanting more!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2025
This book was energetic and chaotic from the very first pages. The main characters are workplace rivals from competing companies, and in this story they find themselves both collaborating on a joint presentation and competing for the same lucrative contract. While the premise is creative, the setup sometimes felt a bit confusing, which made it hard for me to stay grounded in the story.
I also struggled to connect with the central conflict and the chemistry between the leads. Their banter, which should have highlighted their tension, often felt a bit forced and over-the-top for my taste.
Even though this one wasn’t my personal favorite, I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC, and I know many readers who enjoy high-drama, high-energy romances may connect with it more than I did.
I also struggled to connect with the central conflict and the chemistry between the leads. Their banter, which should have highlighted their tension, often felt a bit forced and over-the-top for my taste.
Even though this one wasn’t my personal favorite, I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC, and I know many readers who enjoy high-drama, high-energy romances may connect with it more than I did.
November 28, 2025
The sisters’ banter was so good. I loved it in the first book and I love it here too. When Brynn needed all the support, they were always there for her. And she truly needed it…
While Jerrick and Brynn didn’t start off positively, the mutual attraction was always there sizzling in the background. When they are pushed into close proximity, the sizzling soon turns into full on explosion mode.
While the first book was more light-hearted, this book pulled out all the emotions, especially in the last act. This was another amazing book in the series and I look forward to reading future books.
While Jerrick and Brynn didn’t start off positively, the mutual attraction was always there sizzling in the background. When they are pushed into close proximity, the sizzling soon turns into full on explosion mode.
While the first book was more light-hearted, this book pulled out all the emotions, especially in the last act. This was another amazing book in the series and I look forward to reading future books.
January 7, 2026
“Not a kiss. A fucking reckoning.
He didn't savor. He consumed. His lips claimed and devoured, no softness left between us. His need inked into the way he touched me.”
SWOON!
Where do I even begin?
I laughed, I gasped, I clutched my imaginary pearls.
Brynn is beautiful, fierce, sarcastic & clearly knows how to dress! Rayann is the sister we ALL need, ready for a drink and to tell you the hard truth.
As I was reading I had hoped and prayed that we would get to see inside Jerricks thoughts and I was SO GLAD we got a dual pov about 50% in!
This book read like your best friend was telling you all about her trip to Costa Rica, juicy, funny, OMG NOOOO WAY, moments and all.
He didn't savor. He consumed. His lips claimed and devoured, no softness left between us. His need inked into the way he touched me.”
SWOON!
Where do I even begin?
I laughed, I gasped, I clutched my imaginary pearls.
Brynn is beautiful, fierce, sarcastic & clearly knows how to dress! Rayann is the sister we ALL need, ready for a drink and to tell you the hard truth.
As I was reading I had hoped and prayed that we would get to see inside Jerricks thoughts and I was SO GLAD we got a dual pov about 50% in!
This book read like your best friend was telling you all about her trip to Costa Rica, juicy, funny, OMG NOOOO WAY, moments and all.
October 30, 2025
I love a good destination rivals to lovers! Brynn and Jerrick are head to head, pitching for a Costa Rica contract for their respective exclusive luxury travel companies. Their rivalry is strong, but the chemistry is stronger. But while Brynn's family's company is built on family, honesty, and communication, the same can't be said for Jerrick, whose dominating father always needs the last word. Brynn and Jerrick have to work together, flanked by meddling sisters, to maintain their integrity and pull off a kick-ass contract.
ARC provided by NetGalley
ARC provided by NetGalley
October 31, 2025
This is book 2 in Sweden's Wilder Horizons series. A great addition to the series that can be read as a standalone. Our main characters are Brynn and Jerrick who are rivals competing for the same Costa Rica contract. The rivalry is strong but so is their chemistry. Sweden delivers a well written, captivating and humorous romance that is perfectly balanced. I adored this enemies to lovers romance and couldn't put it down. Another win from Sweden! I can't wait for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jungle Spice & Laugh-Till-You-Cry Energy! 🌴🔥
Okay, someone please check on me because this book had me howling! 🤣 Brynn and Jerrick’s chemistry is straight-up fire — I’m talking hot, steamy, and dangerously addictive. 🔥 Every page had me either fanning myself or spitting my drink out (sometimes both at once 💀). The banter? Perfection. The tension? Off the charts. The “jungle spice”? ICONIC. If you love your romance with equal parts heat and humor, Challenged by You is a must-read. Kate Sweden absolutely nailed it — I’m officially obsessed! 💋📚
Okay, someone please check on me because this book had me howling! 🤣 Brynn and Jerrick’s chemistry is straight-up fire — I’m talking hot, steamy, and dangerously addictive. 🔥 Every page had me either fanning myself or spitting my drink out (sometimes both at once 💀). The banter? Perfection. The tension? Off the charts. The “jungle spice”? ICONIC. If you love your romance with equal parts heat and humor, Challenged by You is a must-read. Kate Sweden absolutely nailed it — I’m officially obsessed! 💋📚
November 16, 2025
This was an interesting book. Brynn and Jerrick’s constant rivalry got old really quick. Not on Jerrick’s side but Brynn. Sparks fly because Brynn is over the top and obsessed with Jerrick but refuses to acknowledge it. Tons of attitude that turned me off. Some of the exchanges were ok. The banter easily turned steamy but the story moved a little slow. This is a rivals-to-lovers stories. If you are into strong opinionated characters you’ll enjoy this one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 18, 2025
Ahh this was the best book! Wrecked by you was so amazing and funny and spicy that I knew I was going to be obsessed with challenged by you!
I live for Kate’s Spicy rom coms they have everything you need! The story line is soo good in this one and I didn’t put the book down once! It was a must read in one sitting because you have to know the ending! The spicy scenes will leave you sweating and there is nothing better then actually lol out loud when reading this book!
I live for Kate’s Spicy rom coms they have everything you need! The story line is soo good in this one and I didn’t put the book down once! It was a must read in one sitting because you have to know the ending! The spicy scenes will leave you sweating and there is nothing better then actually lol out loud when reading this book!
October 21, 2025
If you loved Wrecked by You, get ready—Challenged by You is even better!
This book had me laughing out loud and totally hooked from start to finish. The humor? On point. The spice? Way hotter than book one. The hottie male? A+ material. And don’t even get me started on the hammock scene—🤣🤣 no spoilers, but you’ll know when you get there!
Challenged by You brings the heat, the heart, and the hilarity. It’s everything I wanted and more. Highly recommend!
This book had me laughing out loud and totally hooked from start to finish. The humor? On point. The spice? Way hotter than book one. The hottie male? A+ material. And don’t even get me started on the hammock scene—🤣🤣 no spoilers, but you’ll know when you get there!
Challenged by You brings the heat, the heart, and the hilarity. It’s everything I wanted and more. Highly recommend!
October 28, 2025
✨Tropes✨
🔥Rivals to Lovers
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥RomCom
🔥Cinnamon Dom
🌶️🌶️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book had everything - witty comebacks, super spicy scenes, insane chemistry and sexual tension and truly loveable characters. I loved this storyline. Rivals to Lovers is one of my favorite Tropes and Kate Sweden did this one well. Brynn was a sarcastic snarky strong FMC. But she also suffered from some self-doubt. Jerrick was just the right kind cinnamon roll MMC. The spicy scenes were red hot.
🔥Rivals to Lovers
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥RomCom
🔥Cinnamon Dom
🌶️🌶️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book had everything - witty comebacks, super spicy scenes, insane chemistry and sexual tension and truly loveable characters. I loved this storyline. Rivals to Lovers is one of my favorite Tropes and Kate Sweden did this one well. Brynn was a sarcastic snarky strong FMC. But she also suffered from some self-doubt. Jerrick was just the right kind cinnamon roll MMC. The spicy scenes were red hot.
October 29, 2025
This is the second book in the Wilder Horizons series, and if you’ve read Wrecked By You and loved Max, you’ll definitely enjoy Challenged By You and fall more in love with Jerrick! Kate Sweden writes the spiciest workplace romcom with the best MMC & FMC! I loved that this novel took place in Costa Rica, and it involves alcohol & bad decisions 🤭 Can’t wait to read more books by Kate!
Thank you Kate for allowing me to read this ARC.
Thank you Kate for allowing me to read this ARC.
October 30, 2025
I loved these two! They are hilarious! This tropical rom-com has everything I need in a romance: a lot of spicy, banter for years, wild animals, Tarzan vibes and full time rivals to lovers.
Brynn is an amazing super fun FMC and Jerrick is my ideal book boyfriend: a cinnamon roll dressed in shirts and sexiness. I almost combust reading their adventures.
Happiness secure. I highly recommend it if you want to LOL many times and blush like a school girl.
Brynn is an amazing super fun FMC and Jerrick is my ideal book boyfriend: a cinnamon roll dressed in shirts and sexiness. I almost combust reading their adventures.
Happiness secure. I highly recommend it if you want to LOL many times and blush like a school girl.
December 26, 2025
Brynn and Jerrick send sparks flying even before they are in the same room together. These opposites are perfect for each other in every way despite their bumpy path. Lots of witty banter in steamy Costa Rica. The characters annoyed me at times with their stubbornness and the resolution at the end was glossed over a bit too much/quickly, but overall I really enjoyed the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 25, 2025
This was a great book. The writing was tight, the story interesting and the characters were so much fun. Brynn and Jerrick gave great rivals-who-really-want-one-another vibes and their banter was sharp and witty. The sexual tension between the two kept the story sizzling. Watching these two find their way to their happily ever after was so satisfying.
October 27, 2025
Challenged by You by Kate Sweden Here is my ARC review
Oh my Kate nails it again!! These sisters are hysterically crazy. The banter and steam that Brynn and Jerrick delivered is delicious. All the feels and heat from Costa Rica puts you right there with them!! Tequila and bad decisions ugh and the forearms everyone loves hot forearms!! Cannot wait for Emmes story next
Oh my Kate nails it again!! These sisters are hysterically crazy. The banter and steam that Brynn and Jerrick delivered is delicious. All the feels and heat from Costa Rica puts you right there with them!! Tequila and bad decisions ugh and the forearms everyone loves hot forearms!! Cannot wait for Emmes story next
November 1, 2025
I love a good Rom Com and this one brings it. Brynn and Jerrick make this workplace comedy romance a wonderfully fantastic joy to read! I loved that it made me laugh and makes me want to tell people how good it is! I did read book one first and I highly recommend this story! No Spoilers! No Blurb repeats!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 4, 2025
Okay, it’s official, Kate Sweden is now an auto-buy author for me! If you like romance books that are fresh, contemporary, and funny as all get out, you will love this book (and the series)! Full of perfectly placed saucy banter, romantic swoon, and some good ol’ rivalry to get your heart pumping. READ IT - don’t miss out on one of the best up-and-coming romance authors!
November 5, 2025
While I initially had a hard time connecting to the FMC, her character development worked well in this book. Jerrick was excellent from the beginning, very compelling. His story line is definitely more emotionally invested and you really want to root for him. If you like rivals to lovers, this one will hit for you!
October 12, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I didn't think an MMC could top Max from the previous book but Kate proved me wrong with Jerrick. He and Brynn are my new favorite couple. I cannot wait to read what Kate writes next!!!
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