Uprooting

by Jenna Rogers

Go to a concert. Check. Attend a ranching conference. Check. Fall in love with my brother’s best friend. Not on the list…but check.

Lauren

In hindsight, trying to kiss my brother’s best friend after three glasses of whiskey wasn’t my brightest idea. I came into the bar to escape my cheating ex-fiancé, my dad’s health crisis, and the pressure of keeping my family’s ranch afloat, but Jax Greer was behind the counter, playing the noble protector like always. He’s known as the biggest flirt in Texas and is easily the last person I should turn to for comfort. Still, when he punches my ex and tells me I deserve better, I no longer want quiet solitude. I want Jax.

Jax

There are rules when it comes to kissing your best friend’s sister, and all of them end with don’t do it. Throw in my past of not protecting those I love, and there’s no way I could kiss Lauren when she leans in. But I’ve loved Lauren since the moment I met her, and I hate the lost look in her eyes, so I help her make a bucket list to rediscover herself. As we take swing dance lessons, work on her ranch, and share a bed after a hotel mix-up, it feels like I’m on the brink of everything I’ve ever wanted. Except Lauren wants to keep our relationship a secret, and I’m terrified it means even she knows I’m not enough.

Genres: Westerns

424 pages, Paperback

First published December 5, 2025

About the author

Jenna Rogers loves crafting heartfelt, closed-door contemporary romance stories. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up with a good book, baking something sweet, or pumping iron at the gym. Jenna calls the Pacific Northwest her home and enjoys all the beautiful sunrises and sunsets the region has to offer. Her debut novel, Where the Sun Lights the Shadows, marked the start of her professional writing journey, but Jenna started writing when she was seven years-old. Even then, she was captivated by love, writing a story about cows falling in love and another with a romantic plot set along the Oregon Trail. Jenna can also be found on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @jennarogersbooks.

Reviews

[Bailey Edwards]

Back for another trip to Roots!

Jenna Rogers yet again blew me out of the water with her characters. She doesn't shy away from difficult topics that I feel would be challenging to put down on paper. Getting each of their perspectives as they work though their own internal and external demons to build what turns into a beautiful and strong relationship is so heartwarming. It's perfect to read on a cold winter night wrapped in your favorite blanket.

Boy oh boy when she says "he falls first" did she mean it! When you add in the only one bed moment I was melting! I'm normally not a fan of a 3rd act break up but I'm not really sure this was one. It got right up to the line but never crossed it. It honestly didn't hit me that it may have counted as a 3rd act break up until I started writing this review.

Reading about the challenges that Jax and Lauren overcome to be together make it hard to put down. Not only are they learning to overcome the challenges life throws at then alone but they are also growing together and learning it's ok let go and lean on your person. A hard lesson for anyone to learn no matter your struggles in life.

Jenna Rogers is quickly rising the ranks as one of my favorite authors her books are so relatable and quite the page turner! I will definitely be lining up for any future books!

[Yashna]

Uprooting was such an emotional cowboy romance journey. Lauren is overwhelmed, heartbroken, and trying to hold her family ranch together on her own. Jax has loved her for years but is haunted by his past and terrified he will not be enough. Their story felt raw, tender, and relatable. I loved how they created a bucket list, slowly rediscovered themselves, and learned to lean on one another. The slow burn kept me hooked, the character growth was beautiful, and the support system of Olivia and Callie was everything. A story filled with healing, vulnerability, and love that grows quietly until it becomes impossible to ignore. 🤍

[Meg ♥︎]

ARC Review | Uprooting | 5 ⭐️ | Releases December 5, 2025

Jenna, you have done it again. From the dedication alone, I felt seen as someone who struggles with saying no and asking for help and I knew this story would hit close to home just like the last one did.

Uprooting follows Lauren and Jax, two people who have loved each other since they were teens (without either of them knowing), losing each other after high school, and finding their way back to each other later in life. Both struggle with trust, communication, and learning that it’s better to dance in the rain with people you love than dancing in it alone.

Lauren’s growth was my favorite part. You watch her go from a people pleaser who does everything on her own to someone who slowly learns how to ask for help. It isn’t easy or instant, and that’s what makes it so real. I saw so much of myself in her and was gently reminded that it’s okay to slow down and let people love you.

Jax completely stole my heart and I think Lauren stole his. From buying her books (and knowing the difference between a book and a novella), to taking care of her even when she insists she’s fine. Even though he struggles to open up fully at first because he doesn’t want to burden Lauren, when he finally does, it is so worth it and their relationship truly blossoms. The emotional depth in both of these characters is chefs kiss.

This book as a whole is a closed door romance that’s tender, sweet, and full of emotional intimacy. More than anything, you can feel the care Jenna pours into these characters. She mentions in her author’s note that she occasionally pulls from real life, and honestly, it makes everything hit deeper.

Huge thank you to Jenna Rogers for trusting me again with another ARC. I felt so honored returning to Roots, Texas and seeing character I so deeply have grown to love. I already can’t wait for what’s next. 🤍

🧡 Small Town
🧡 Cowboy Romance
🧡 Brothers Best Friend
🧡 Found Family
🧡 Dual POV
🧡 Closed Door

[Kell 5wordsorlessbooks]

This was my first book by Jenna Rogers and the second in the series, but honestly, I never felt like I’d missed anything by not reading book one. It stands perfectly well on its own.

This story tackles some pretty emotional topics, but the writing handles them with such care that it never feels heavy or overwhelming. Instead, it’s a soft, slowest-of-slow burns kind of romance; full of delicious tension, loaded glances, and that constant are we feeling the same thing? uncertainty that keeps you turning the pages.

I absolutely love the internal turmoil that comes with a brother’s–best–friend romance, and this book delivers it in the best way. The push and pull, the “I shouldn’t want this… but I do,” and the fight to believe you deserve something good after being hurt..... it all pays off so well here.

Closed-door romance usually isn’t my jam, especially in cowboy/western settings, but the tension in this book? DELICIOUS. Jenna Rogers writes it in a way where you never feel like you’re missing out; the emotional intimacy does all the heavy lifting.

Both Lauren and Jax get solid, meaningful character development. Something which I’ve realised is absolutely essential for me to enjoy a romance these days. Their growth felt real, earned, and satisfying.

It was an easy, engaging read that I devoured over two days, and absolutely works as a standalone. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author.

Thank you to Jenna Rogers for an eARC, all my opinions are my own.

[Leah-Marie]

Aww, this story completely melted my heart. It’s one of those soft, gentle romances that sneaks up on you and wraps you in the warmest hug.

We follow Jax and Lauren two absolute sweethearts. Lauren is genuinely one of the kindest, softest heroines. She has this quiet goodness about her that makes you root for her from page one. And Jax… sweet, broken man. He’s her brother’s best friend, a man who’s convinced he’s unworthy of love because of the childhood he survived. The way he struggles with his self-worth made me ache for him.

Their connection builds slowly and tenderly a true slow burn that simmers with all the soft moments, lingering glances, and gentle “do I deserve this?” tension. Watching these two find safety, love, and healing in each other was honestly beautiful.

It’s a story about emotional healing, choosing softness even when life hasn’t been kind, and learning that you are worthy of the good things. Jax and Lauren were just perfection together.

If you love:
sweet heroes, sunshine heroines, emotional depth, small-town touches, brother’s best friend and a romance full of genuine heart…

Then this is absolutely one to pick up. I adored it.

[Randi Sampson]

Two things I love: brother's best friend and cowboy romances... and when you put them together in one story? I can think of nothing better than that! Jax and Lauren drew me in right from the start. Both have had struggles in their history that has impacted their self-worth and relationships. The author did such a great job of tackling tough topics with grace, leaving readers with a sense of growth and healing in the end. Their story was emotional and tender... and I found myself enjoying absolutely every single minute. Theirs was definitely a slower burn, but the payoff is absolutely worth the wait. This was my second visit to Roots, and I find myself looking forward to the next one already. This was truly a beautiful story and one that fans of cowboy romance are sure to want to experience for themselves.

Uprooting is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have some language throughout. It is the second book in the Roots series, and while those who have read the previous book will enjoy seeing some familiar characters again, this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[literary_hoarder]

Thank you Jenna Rogers for the opportunity to read your book.

I read it in a couple of sessions and it was such an easy and delightful read. I need to go back and read the first book. It’s a standalone novel and didn’t cause any confusion when read out of order.

This story follows the classic trope of falling for a brother’s best friend. Lauren, recently out of a difficult relationship, bumps into her former crush, Jax, who happens to be her brother’s best friend. They’ve both avoided each other due to Lauren’s brother Charlie and her being out of bounds. Jax, who fell for Lauren as a teenager, doesn’t want to cause tension between him and his friend but is now trying to navigate his life and potential relationship. Will they risk everything?

It was a great read. Lauren and Jax both had their secrets and issues to overcome. Jenna’s writing is captivating and makes it an easy read. The characters have a great relationship and humour. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Haley]

Uprooting is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. I loved the premise of the brother’s best friend who has been secretly in love with his best friend’s little sister since high school. Not wanting to cross any boundaries, Jax has protected Lauren for years, especially after her brother moved to California and she was left to manage the family ranch.

This story is packed with beloved romance tropes: sharing a bed, forced proximity, a protective MMC, a secret relationship, found family, and so much yearning. Oh, the yearning was so good. There are plenty of sweet romantic moments, and the relationship unfolds at a healthy, believable pace. There’s no spice, but lots of kissing, sweeping-off-your-feet moments, and cuddling.

Their chemistry, loyalty, and the deep understanding between them made this one such a comforting, satisfying read. You’ll absolutely be rooting for this couple long after the final page.

Thank you, Jenna Rogers, for providing me with an ARC of this book. I'm so excited to see where this series continues!

[Amy]

ARC Book Review 📖

First of all, a massive thank you to Bookworm Books PR and Jenna Rogers for the opportunity to ARC read and review Uprooting. I loved the first book in the series so I was thrilled when you selected me as a reviewer.

It was such a treat to return to Roots for the second book in the series and slipping back into the cosy small town of Roots.

Lauren and Jax both get some great character development; each is battling their own issues while trying to find their feet in a brand new relationship. The secret relationship trope is handled brilliantly – plenty of humour, a few near misses, and just the right amount of tension to keep you grinning.

There’s also a sprinkle of festive fun woven through the story, which I’m an absolute sucker for and thoroughly enjoyed. If you love brothers best friend romances with heart, warmth, and a charming small town setting, this one’s definitely for you.

[Busychapterbelle]

Lauren’s story is quiet and loud at once — a hardworking people-pleaser whose life unravels after a bad breakup, forcing her to learn to slow down, breathe, and accept help. The book moves from painful setbacks to small, honest victories as she relearns who she is and what she wants. Jax’s arc is the other side of the mirror: the new kid who becomes Charlie’s best friend and quietly carries a lifetime of shame about being a “Carter.” He stays away from Lauren not from lack of feeling but from a belief he isn’t worthy — a belief rooted in childhood trauma that he must face to see his own value. The author’s vulnerability about how our minds play tricks makes the book resonate beyond romance fans; it’s a thoughtful look at how we get stuck and how we can come unstuck. If you’re drawn to stories about healing, loyalty, and real human flaws, pick up a copy.

[Sreesha]

I loved that the story wasn’t just romance but of heartbreak, healing, responsibility, and learning to ask for help. Lauren’s character felt so real: burnt out, overwhelmed but still trying to hold her world together. Whereas, Jax completely stole my heart. The rugged flirt who listens, braids her hair, buys her books, cooks for her and shows love through actions more than words? Dream man. His mix of masculinity and softness made every moment with him feel warm.

But what stayed with me most was the gentle and honest communication between them. They gave each other space but also showed up when things got heavy. The emotional intimacy and the way they helped each other grow individually and together felt tender and real. It’s a closed-door romance, but the feelings are deep and unforgettable.

[emilie]

This story was so cute and full of love, respect and kindness ! I truely enjoyed the story from beginning to end.

I especially loved Jax’s reflections about his father, gambling, and alcohol use. As someone who works with people dealing with substance use and gambling issues, it meant a lot to see these themes handled in a thoughtful way.

I also found myself so reflected in the FMC. She’s a hard worker, always on top of her to-do lists, doing her best… but also exhausted. It made me think about how important it is to ask for help instead of trying to do everything on our own.

I really enjoyed this book, even though there was a lot of miscommunication. It’s definitely the main obstacle between the two MCs, but honestly, it felt realistic. Real change takes time, because people need to adjust to the situation.

[Katie]

I had a hard time picking a rating for my review of this book. I am stick somwhere between a 2 and 3.

I will start with what I enjoyed. I really liked both our MC's. I found myself rooting for Jax and Lauren from the beginning. They both had natural chemistry and I loved how supportive Jax was of Lauren. Jax willingness to be there for Lauren and help her complete her bucket list was everything you want to see in a romance and more.

Here is where I struggled. Honestly, I felt this book was far too long at 425 pages. It is very much a slow burn, and I just felt myself wanting to "skip" parts of the story to move it along.

Overall, a cute read and I really do enjoy this author and her writing but this one just missed the mark a bit for me.

Thank you Jenna for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[kbn1031]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Uprooting by Jenna Rogers

Lauren is in charge of her family's ranch. She takes on everyone's problems and refuses to ask for help. Jax is her brother's best friend. He has loved Lauren for years but doesn't think he is worthy of her. Together, these two help each other realize how wrong they are about themselves. Yes, this is a super sweet, closed door, cowboy romance. But it is also so much more! Every single character in this book has depth. All of their stories are woven together beautifully to make for a really great read. I managed to get the flu at the 85% mark, and I couldn't read for three days. Otherwise, I would have flown through this one.

I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Jenna Rogers, and Bookworm Books PR for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️

[Casey Flynn]

I do love a cowboy romance so as soon as I saw the opportunity to read and review this, I was all over it!

The story follows Lauren and her brother’s best friend, Jax. I really enjoyed how sweet this story was but don’t be fooled it does deal with some difficult topics throughout. Lauren and Jax drew me in right from the very beginning and I was hooked watching their love blossom. The challenges they overcome together made it really hard to put down as I kept waiting to see what was going to happen next. It’s dual POV so I loved how we got to see both of their perspectives!

It’s such a cute small town romance, I wouldn’t highly recommend for all you cowboy lovers to give a read when it’s released!

[Batty for books]

✨ Book Review: Uprooting by Jenna Rogers ✨

I was so excited to be on the ARC team for this one, and now that it officially released yesterday, you can all finally dive in too! 🎉

I ended up giving Uprooting 4⭐️, and honestly, Jax and Lauren completely won me over. Their story is so sweet, tender, and full of heart. I absolutely adored the way Jax cared for Lauren—he gave her everything he had, and it made their connection feel so genuine and warm. 😍

And the ending? Exactly what I wanted. I closed the book with the biggest smile.

If you’re looking for a heartfelt, cozy romance to add to your TBR, definitely pick this one up! 💕

Huge thank-you to the author for letting me be on the ARC team—such an honor! 📚✨

[Andrea Britton]

Five Sweet Stars!

What a story! Lauren’s story is one emotional rollercoaster. One that shows healing, growth and finding your self worth and a true love. It’s not just Lauren’s story it’s also Jax’s story and his is one of healing, forgiving, and also finding his self worth and his one true love. The beautiful part is that these two learn to lean on one another. They each help shoulder the burden and pain.

Uprooting is an emotional charged sweet romance that will have you swooning, cheering and falling in love with two strong characters. I loved every single page of this book! Unputdownable!


Highly recommended.
A*R*C review

[Sarah Beth Barksdale]

Small town Texas, closed door, cowboy romance with relatable characters, real life struggles and fears, and another cute foster puppy. A great group of best friends, genuine relationships with their families, and trying to live up to the expectations they believe are expected of them. A great holiday vibe as the story spans from Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Thank you to the author for providing me an eARC. Jax and Lauren made me feel braver and reminded me that keeping things bottled up doesn’t always protect those I love. Sometimes, secrets hurt others and cripple the secret keeper.

[Rhyan]

The sweetest brother’s best friend, small town, cowboy romance. Jax and Lauren’s story was so cute. She’s trying to move on after a long and rough relationship. He’s convinced he’s not worthy of love but has been in love with her for years.

He helps her learn to do things for herself, and that she doesn’t have to always hold everyone else together, and that asking for help isn’t failure. She helps him learn he is worthy of love and doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world alone.

I loved watching them help each other grow individually but together as well.

[Micahla]

Uprooting is more than a small-town romance—it’s a tender story about heartbreak, healing, and learning to lean on someone again. Lauren feels achingly real in her burnout and resilience, while Jax is the rugged, soft-spoken dream man who shows love through actions—braiding her hair, cooking for her, quietly being her safe place.

What stayed with me most was their gentle communication and the way they held space for each other through the heavy moments. It’s a closed-door romance, but the emotional intimacy is deep, warm, and unforgettable.

[Mariah Martinez]

This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. This book follows the story of Lauren and Jax. The story tackles a lot of relatable situations with lots of different emotional aspects. There is great character development with a slow burn romance. This was a great read. I definitely recommend it and can't wait to read more from this author. I had the pleasure of reading this story early.

[Cindy Palmer]

Jax has been in love with Lauren for ever. Lauren is doing whatever she can to hold together her family's ranch and she's failing. Jax doesn't believe that he's good enough for her and can't be everything that she needs. Lauren leans on Jax to help with the farm and ultimately for so many other things. This slow burn is the way that Lauren and Jax find their way to each other by leaning on each other and growing. Great cowboy book.

[Kayleigh Owen]

Wow! This was stunning!! I do love me a cowboy romance and the brothers best friend to make it better!! Obsessed isn’t the word! This broke me and healed me. Dealt with some hard topics but both wrote beautifully. The challenges both jax and Lauren faced together and how they overcome it. The growth and love in every page was everything.

[Kristin 🩵]

I absolutely loved this book and I love everyone in Roots. I loved watching Jax & Lauren grow and heal together. Brother’s best friend/best friend’s brother is one of my favorite tropes and this one was written so so well. And of course, there’s a cutie patootie pup in this book. I have a feeling book 3 is going into my heart out but I’m ready for it.

[Abi Plested]

Loved this as much as the first one. I have the memory of a fish so don’t remember the details about the MCs from book 1, but it doesn’t matter - these are standalone books in an interconnected series.
A really lovely relatable romance, although Jenna sure knows how to write a man I fall in love with!! Dual POV and it’s very well done - a cosy easy read.

[Ashley Wolfe]

I loved almost everything about this book!! One thing happened in the middle of the book that I don’t think is something to joke about and it the only reason it’s not a 5 star for me. I absolutely loved the way these two worked so hard and well together to grow during the book and I am excited for book 3!

[Erica Sherlock]

Jenna Rogers has made me completely fall in love with cowboy romance! Her characters, their dialogue, their journeys… all are top tier for me! I read this baby in one sitting, and immediately wished I had the next book in my hands. Trust me, you will love it!

[Christine]

This is a sweet small town, friends to lovers romance. Lauren is fresh off a break up with her high school boyfriend. her brothers best friend Jax, who has been in love with her for years, helps her create a bucket list of sorts. Their friendship quickly turns into more, but Lauren is hell bent on keeping them a secret.

I usually dont love the closed door romances but this was sweet. im looking forward to the next book to read her brothers story!