Romero and Juliette

by Kat Baxter

Cruz
I swore I was done with surprises.
Then I found a stowaway in my van—a too-young, too-tempting mechanic who’s supposed to be fixing engines, not wrecking my focus. Juliette Winslow is everything good and sweet wrapped in grease-stained overalls, and she’s got no idea the guy she’s been flirting with on a dating app is me.
Now we’re stuck together on a road trip, sharing bad coffee, cramped motel rooms, and way too much tension. I’m old enough to know better. But when she smiles at me like that? Better goes straight out the window.

Juliette
Maybe sneaking into Cruz Romero’s van wasn’t my best idea.
But if I waited around for permission, I’d never live a little—or find love. I thought my crush was a blip, but the stoic ex-Ranger with a decade and change on me—makes me forget every reason he should be off-limits. He’s the kind of man who fixes what’s broken. The kind of man I could fall for—hard.
But Cruz has secrets, and one of them might just break my heart. Because somewhere between pit stops and puppy rescues, I’m realizing the man behind the screen might be sitting right next to me.

Genres: Romance

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her “The Queen of Adorkable.” and her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” and “hot enough to melt your kindle.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.

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Reviews

[Tiffany Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Dating Apps to Real Life**

I just finished reading "Romero and Juliette," the seventh book in the Dog Tags series, and let me tell you, it just keeps getting better! This story about Cruz and Juliette is such a delightful mix of age-gap romance, an exciting road trip, hidden identities, and a good dose of humor—it's a wonderful addition to the series!

Cruz and Juliette have a sweet history together. Cruz has worked with other veterans at the dog rescue center, and he frequently stops by Juliette’s mechanic shop to keep the rescue van in tip-top shape. He’s always found her attractive but didn’t want to make a move because of their age difference.

Things get a little wild when they both match on a dating app, but they don’t realize it at first. Juliette decides to surprise Cruz by stowing away on his road trip to rescue some dogs that were misplaced after a storm. When they finally figure out who they’ve been chatting with online, it’s like a spark ignites! Their chemistry has always been off the charts, and things heat up pretty quickly between them.

I was so wrapped up in their story that I really didn’t want it to end! I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's take some of my favorite tropes and throw them together into such a cute, fun, satisfying story... yes, please 😍! Kat Baxter has done it again! I have loved all of the guys in this series and enjoyed all of their stories, but this one was so fun. I am such a sucker for text messages in books/online conversations and was so excited for how Cruz and Juliette's relationship developed. As always, I just wish I had more time with them because I fall in love about as fast as they do 🤣.

[Jennifer Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Cruz just knew the first time he saw Juliette she was the one, but he also thought he was too old for her. Throw in a whole dating website where they don't realize they are talking to each other and it's just the funniest, cutest thing. I honestly loved the book and highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliette and Romeo are literally impossibly perfect!! He’s fighting the feelings cause of her age and she’s stubborn enough to chase her happiness instead of pining for him. It’s sweet and perfect and I loved it!! Cannot get over the HEA it’s sooooo good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romero and Juliette

This was a great read. She is in dating app and doesn’t know the whole time she has been talking to Romero. A cute, sweet and great read. No disappointments whatsoever with a happy ending

[Andrea Fleury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliette and cruz

Juliette works for her brother as a mechanic. One day as Cruz goes in to have his van looked at. Next thing he see the young mechanic. He thinks she's beautiful. But she has eyes for him. So she sneaks into his van to surprise him.

[Ali's In Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another pretty cute read.

Another pretty cute read. I loved Juliette's sense of humour.

He towers over me. His hand is still tight around my wrist. “I’ll probably die before you even have gray hair.”
I scoff. “Good! I’ll still be hot for my second husband.”

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Buttercup and the best hostile takeover ever

Romero and Juliette is the seventh book in the Dog Tags series. I absolutely adored this story about Juliette Winslow and Cruz "Romeo" Romero. She was an old soul from a young age. She and her two older sisters were raised by their older brother Jude when their parents died. Jude kept the family garage/mechanic shop open which is where Juliette works. She is not in the office but in the shop bays with grease under her fingernails. Cruz is an ex Army Ranger who was discharged after injuring his knee. He moved to Saddle Creek, Texas to work at and be part of the dog rescue and found his family. One day at one of the town festivals he spots a woman walking past him that catches his eye. When he asks who she is and gets laughed at he is not sure why, until she turns around he realizes just how young she is. This does not stop him from wanting her but he decides he has to keep his distance. So he starts chatting with women on a dating app and that is where he meets a woman who he clicks with. Juliette is tired of being alone and with a very limited dating pool in the small town she signs up on a dating app and starts chatting with men she is matched with, without sharing photos. She blocks many but there is one that she seems to click with. Unbeknownst to them both they are clicking together. To find out how they finally come together is something you will have to read for yourself....but you will not be disappointed.

[EstelaReadsRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Book Birthday!! Romero and Juliette by Kat Baxter is out in the wild and it’s fabulous!!!



Our Queen of Adorkable has done it again!! Juliette and Romero… aka Cruz… aka Romeo… are so entertaining!! Their banter will make your cheeks hurt from smiling so much. From their Funyuns/beef jerky… cake/pie debates… and every thing in between, you feel pulled into these two’s orbit. And holy Great Dane, y’all!!! Ooooh their spice… thank goodness I read this in a cold month, ya know what I’m sayin?

Secret crushes is my jam, so already pressing my love buttons there. Add the aspect th

at they don’t know they are secret dating app penpals (while avoiding crushing on each other) just gave this story a bit more delicious tension. Aaaand the fact that Cruz thinks he’s too old for Juliette… c’mon… age gap level unlocked!! I did want to smack him on his deliciously hairy chest because Juliette was so into him. But I am glad he finally came to and realized that she was worth fighting for…. But it did take Juliette stowing away in his car (to join him on a long roadtrip) to do it!! Loved it!!



All seven books in the Dog Tags series have been amazing…. And I love each title of the books. I am sorry to see it end. Thank goodness I can reread them at any time!! Good job, Kat Baxter!!


[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is book seven in the author’s Dog Tags series based in Saddle Creek, Texas around a dog sanctuary and the group of former military buddies that run it. In this one, Romeo (Cruz), who never thought he’d have a chance with his Buttercup, a woman half his age with an extremely over protective brother, finally gets his girl.

Juliette had had it! She’d crushed on Cruz for months but he’d made it perfectly clear he wasn’t interested, now she was on a mission to find someone who could love her back… starting with an online dating app. Mustang Ranger seemed promising—he was fun to talk to and they really clicked, maybe he could help her forget about Cruz…

This was a really fun book, the texts were a hoot and although he fought it kicking and screaming, Cruz couldn’t help the way he felt about Juliette which also made it incredibly sweet. I will admit, it was also a super slow burn but I was so enthralled with their story that I didn’t really feel like I was missing anything. That’s not to say I wasn’t glad when it turned steamy, I was—I was also just content to sit back and enjoy them finding their way to each other. Awesome book! 4.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has noticed her from the first time he went to the shop. The curvy mechanic is gorgeous but he knows she is too young for him so he stays away. She has noticed him too, but also that he holds himself back. She has lived here her whole life and he is the only one that interests her. So decides to try online dating to see if she can find a connection outside her small town. She thinks she found someone and decides to do something crazy, stowaway on one of his trips to meet up with her online interest, but something happens on the way, they have a connection that neither can deny especially in such close quarters. He is holding back, she is ready to go all in, they have to figure out if they are brave enough to take what they want. This is part of a series, each couple is stand alone but it is better if you read them in order as you build the back story and the characters will pop up in later books. They are all quick reads with curvy girls and hot alpha men who will do anything for their girls.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruz Romero is one of the guys that help Dane out with the dogs and was in the military with him. He lives in Saddle Creek, Texas. He was talked into getting on a dating app by one of the guys. Juliette, pretty much worships her elder brother, Jude, who took care of her and their sisters, (Aria & Sofia) when their parents died. Now that she is a full adult, she wants her brother to realize it. She has had a crush on Cruz for a while now. She too, joins a dating app and slowly but surely, whittles down the guys she speaks with on there, until only one is left. I love the Princess Bride and Lone Ranger mentions in the book. Two of my fave movies growing up. The book is fun, funny, sweet, romantic, and steamy. It also shows that sometimes fate loves to play jokes. lol. It takes a bit for Juliette to talk Cruz into being with her, even tho he is extremely interested in her, he is worried about how people will perceive their big age difference. I like how she handles that problem and him. lol. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and Emory, Jude’s wife, had me giggling like mad.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romero & Juliette is book 7 in the Dog Tags book and features Cruz & Juliette. It's giving age gap, Instalove, military romance, pen pals and found family and I am here for it all. I love how Kat incorporates the text threads into these stories, it adds so much. You can feel the reactions and ribbing between the characters.

Juliette is crushing on Cruz who is very much her senior. To try and get over her unrequited crush, she signs up for a dating app. Much like Cruz who does the same to try and get over the fact that his Buttercup is taking up all of his brain power and restraint. Little do they know they are actually talking to each other. When they both finally give in it was so worth it!!!!

I loved Juliette's sassy demeanor and her take no crap attitude. She is willing to fight for what she wants which is Cruz. While Cruz struggled with the age gap and her older brother Jude, he also realized that you only come across your soul mate once in a lifetime. This short story gave me everything I needed and wanted.

[lowkeyreader]

Romero and Juliette by Kat Baxter is a fresh and entertaining contemporary romance that offers a clever twist on the classic love story. The novel features strong, relatable characters whose witty interaction and emotional depth make their romance both engaging and believable. I appreciated the humor and heart woven throughout the story.

Baxter’s writing is sharp and lively, with well-crafted dialogue and a pace that kept me turning the pages. The chemistry between Romero and Juliette is sizzling, balanced with tender moments that showcase their growth individually and as a couple.

While the plot contains familiar elements of romantic comedy, Baxter's unique voice and strong character development help the story stand out. The pacing was steady, though a few emotional beats could have been further developed for greater impact.

Overall, Romero and Juliette is a fun, heartfelt read for fans of contemporary romance with humor and emotional sincerity. I’m giving it 4 stars and look forward to what Kat Baxter writes next.

[Nancy Koske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romero aka Romeo by his friends had left the Army Rangers and settled in Saddle Creek,TX where he works with a dog rescue group. He had joined a dating app where he has connected to a woman who likes basically the same things with a sassy attitude. Meanwhile Juliette aka Buttercup to Romero along with her 3 sisters was raised by their big brother, Jude,at 20 after their parents died in an accident when Juliette was 7. She had joined a dating app and also works at the family garage as a mechanic. Romeo had seen Buttercup and was interested except that she was too young for him. What does Buttercup do to get away from Saddle Creek and meet the guy that she has been communicating without ever seeing a picture of him since the app doesn't allow personal pictures. What happens when they learn who they have both been talking to? What is Jude's reaction to Romero?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series labeled as Dog Tags which centered around veterans and their work with the dog sanctuary. Cruz is running to pick up some dogs to rescue for the sanctuary. Juliette is the mechanic who checks over the van for Cruz before he leaves to pick up the dogs. Juliette has a crush on Cruz who is older than her but has also been communicating with a man who she is hoping to meet. She stows away in the van and later makes her presence known to Cruz when he won’t be able to turn around to take her home. Little did either of them realize that they were the ones communicating on the app. If you love small town romances, age gap, alpha heroes and the women that make them fall in love, this is the book for you. This author pulls you into the stories with great characters and stories. Loved seeing all the veterans getting their HEA in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After his military career ended Cruz settled in Saddle Creek and works at the dog rescue center. This job has him spending time at the auto shop to ensure that his vehicle is prepared for the trips he needs to make. He has had feelings for Juliette, who works there, for a while but he refuses to give in to them because of the age gap between them.

Juliette works with her brother at the auto shop and has feelings for Cruz but doesn’t believe he will return them. As a result, she has joined a dating app and has been flirting with one of the members so when she has a chance to meet him she stows away on Cruz’s road trip however her being there isn’t the only surprise that is about to revealed.

The flirting and text messages between Juliette and Cruz were heartwarming and once they finally acknowledged their feelings for each other they would do anything to protect each other and aren’t about to let anyone come between them.

[Noreen Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series by Kat Baxter.
Live the titles of the books.
Cruz (Romeo) Romero drives around to rescue any dogs which need rescueing for Dane's Dog Sanctuary.
He has a crush on his friends little sister and the mechanic who checks his car.He should not want her,she is too young for him and off limits.
Juliette has a crush on Cruz,but doesn't think he wants her.
They both end up on a dating app to try and forget the feelings they have for each other.They don't realise who they have clicked with online,and are in for a surprise when they find out.
They also end up on a road trip together,after juliete stows away in Cruz's van.
They give into the chemistry between them when they share a motel room.
They get to their happily ever after,but not before a bit of drama.
Another enjoyable Saddle Creek insta love romance with all the feels.
Cannot wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town romance.
Juliette is a young woman working in her brother's mechanics shop. At a fair in her small hometown, she meets Romero, a handsome man twice her age who doesn't seem to notice her. So, to stop thinking about him, she signs up for a dating site and chats with a mysterious stranger, for whom she gradually falls.
Romero is a former soldier working at a dog shelter. While out with his friends at the fair, he meets the beautiful Juliette, but their age difference prevents him from making a move. But when he goes on a dog rescue mission and discovers her hiding in the trunk of his truck, he realizes she's also his mysterious pen pal on the dating site.
Will Juliette and Romero have a beautiful love story, or will their age difference and Juliette's brother prevent them from being together….

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, these ex-military men who rescue dogs! Steadfast, protective, kind and generous. The only thing some of them are missing is the “one”. Luckily, there seems to be a bit of magic in the town of Saddle Creek and these veterans seem to be finding their match.
Cue Cruz and Juliette. Both have been admiring and yearning for the other for a number of years. To the point that they have both tried to forget about their mutual attraction by downloading a dating app.
A rescue road trip for Cruz becomes a stowaway opportunity for Juliette and fate steps in to get them both sorted.
This is a story can easily be read in a sitting and has just the right amount of yearning, humour and spice to keep the story moving to the anticipated happy ending.
I received a free advanced review copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was super cute and I totally wasn’t expecting that from Cruz. So many tropes in this one, one bed, forced proximity, age gap and so much more. I loved the whole pen pal type aspect to it and their banter was hilarious and adorable. Juliette was a little ball of sunshine and an old soul all rolled up into one adorable package. Cruz had so many layers to him, and while his playful side was so fun, I loved when he got protective. The man had a serious and dangerous side and it was perfection. More of a slow build to the intimate side of things, but a steamy scene did happen and Cruz is a dirty talker. I’m also a sucker for connection/meaningful tattoos, so loved that. No cheating or OM/OW drama, dual POV, HEA and an epilogue in the future. Hoping her sisters get a book because they both seem like a riot!

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Romero and Juliette’ is the best kind of novella-feels-bigger. Kat Baxter’s talent with injecting subtle facial expressions/reactions, specific songs, injecting the tiniest bits of history, at just the right time, and suddenly Cruz and Juliette are no longer stranger at all. All the books in this ‘Dog Tags’ series are like that. And, like ‘Romero & Juliette’, they’re all great stories, too.

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Cruz
FMC:
✨Juliette
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 7 of Dog Tags
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉steamy military romance
👉insta love
👉road trip
👉age gap -
👉found family
👉pen pals
👉secrets
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex
💥profanity
Burn Speed:
✨medium
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aspen G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romero and Juliette is a super cute age gap romance novella with lots of laughs and sweet Heat. Old soul Juliette is unapologetically herself—combat boots, mechanic skills, Fleetwood Mac music, and beautiful curves. Cruz Romero is her not so secret crush, and he avoids her because he thinks he is too old and broken for her. A military veteran, Cruz has a heart of gold and the patience of a saint. I loved the funny moments. And her surprise when he plunks down across from her in the restaurant is perfectly written. I adore how she fights for them. And how he always protects her. This is a fun one with an awesome epilogue to boot!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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

Absolutely adorable. Another deliciously satisfying quick read from KB. This has all the older brothers friend/ age gap feels.

Juliette and Cruz are attracted to each other. But due to the complication of Juliette's brother, neither makes a move. When she stows away in his truck to go meet an online date she has been messaging with, we get all the fun of a road trip with one bed. These two have such obvious chemistry but both are trying the online dating thing to avoid their attraction. Only to end up right back together anyway.

This is a sparky and funny quick read with a hint of heated passion between them (one steamy scene). I'm never disappointed with KB. Every couple delivers a fun HEA with humour and sparks galore.

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis is a fun short read about soulmates finding themselves emotionally, physically, and on line!

Cruz is an older vet, caring, good friends with her brother, and obsessed with Juliette. She is younger mechanic, strong, and waiting for her chance to be seen. She has been admiring Cruz for a while, but she has also been connecting with him on line, and they did not recognize each other. She is desperate to meet the person who gets her on line, and decides to stowaway in Cruz's van. Well imagine the meeting when they recognize each other, and what will happen with her older brother?

Lots of fun conversation, an interesting plot, a steamy encounter, and a sweet epilogue!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girls Read Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy, 'You've Got Mail'-esque novella anyone?

Look no further! I adore this Dog Tags series with Great Dane's sanctuary and have been waiting since early on for Romero to fall fast and hard. Of course, Kat Baxter delivered. Cruz and Juliette have been speaking online for a while, not knowing that they live in the same town and are already attracted to one another. I love a girl who takes initiative, even if it's as a stow-away, like Juliette. Girl knows what she wants and is going to get it. We love to see it.

The found family, bromance between each of the heroes in this series is yet another bonus. I love their text conversations and interactions. I'm going to be sad to see this series end, but will of course re-read often.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

She didn't get the memo...

His Buttercup is everything he could possibly want and the one thing he can never have....
But what if he is her everything too...
If he is everything she wants and needs, and she is brave enough to offer her heart....

Ah! I love how brave Juliette is, she has to be with a protective big brother like Jude, but she is certain about her feelings and is willing to fight for Cruz, for them, for their future. How can you possibly resist loving her?
They are perfect for each other and I love that they have learnt so much about each other before they even "meet", it proves just how deep and pure their feelings are. A great addition to the series, I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the "Dog Tags" series that was just as special as all the others. Juliette stowes away in Cruz's van, when he leaves to pickup some displaced dogs from a storm. She does not let him know, until they were half way there on an over night trip. When they almost got to, where they were going Cruz figured out that they had been texting each other on a dating app. Juliette had invited him to dinner that night on the app. They had noticed each other back home, but they knew her brother would not approve because of the age difference. But six hours away what could he say? I enjoyed this fabulous read as this couple went for it away from home. Letting the chips fall, where they would.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a sweet and steamy, age gap, accidentally hidden identity, contemporary romance. I enjoyed the confidence with which Juliette, the female mechanic lead, pursued her options and opportunities. I enjoyed Cruz, the male military veteran lead’s, stoic approach. I appreciated the way he was willing to take advice from others. I enjoyed the speedy relationship and intimacy development, the mutual enjoyment of hobbies and musical tastes, and the shared community networks. A great addition (and my favourite) to the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Virginia Lohrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cruz Romera and Juliette have a significant age gap. As they try to resist the forbidden attraction, they end up meeting others on a dating app. Little do they realize their in real life crush is also the dating app match. This conflict needed just a little more development to elevate this to a 5 star read. Perhaps something more before the roadtrip, forced proximity romance to show how the hero and heroine click so much in person--a bonding moment. Definitely worth the read. For fans of Baxter this is one of the best proposals.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.