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We Danced Among Shadows
“If he took dancing from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”
Six years after losing his wife, Jesse Holmes has dedicated his life to his son and Meadowbrook Ranch. And he’s determined not to let grief or the bottle rule him ever again. But his foundation shakes when a ranch wedding stirs painful memories. On the cusp of a relapse, he finds comfort in a guest who stirs something else entirely—feelings he doubted he’d ever have again.
Hollie Aldridge appears to have it all—a rich husband, two beautiful daughters, and a luxurious lifestyle. But she’s keeping secrets. Isolated by long term abuse, Hollie doesn’t know how to reach out for help. When her husband leaves her, she fends for herself to keep the peace, protect her girls, and manage her family’s expectations.
Masking her grief, she flies to Texas for her sister’s wedding, hoping to avoid drama at all costs. Yet five minutes after she steps off the airplane, she’s thrown into crisis with a handsome cowboy whose wide-open vulnerability cracks her fortress walls. Stealing away after the wedding, they share a dance. And the memories of him haunt her for weeks to come.
When Hollie returns to the ranch to stay for the summer, Jesse’s unflinching pursuit turns her world upside down. But opening her heart requires exposing the betrayals she has protected for so many years. Will their connection be another secret she keeps hidden in the dark? Or the dawn of her healing?
We Danced Among Shadows, is a single dad, cowboy romance set in Central Texas and the second installment of Meadowbrook Ranch—an emotional series about trauma, healing, and love amid crisis.
Six years after losing his wife, Jesse Holmes has dedicated his life to his son and Meadowbrook Ranch. And he’s determined not to let grief or the bottle rule him ever again. But his foundation shakes when a ranch wedding stirs painful memories. On the cusp of a relapse, he finds comfort in a guest who stirs something else entirely—feelings he doubted he’d ever have again.
Hollie Aldridge appears to have it all—a rich husband, two beautiful daughters, and a luxurious lifestyle. But she’s keeping secrets. Isolated by long term abuse, Hollie doesn’t know how to reach out for help. When her husband leaves her, she fends for herself to keep the peace, protect her girls, and manage her family’s expectations.
Masking her grief, she flies to Texas for her sister’s wedding, hoping to avoid drama at all costs. Yet five minutes after she steps off the airplane, she’s thrown into crisis with a handsome cowboy whose wide-open vulnerability cracks her fortress walls. Stealing away after the wedding, they share a dance. And the memories of him haunt her for weeks to come.
When Hollie returns to the ranch to stay for the summer, Jesse’s unflinching pursuit turns her world upside down. But opening her heart requires exposing the betrayals she has protected for so many years. Will their connection be another secret she keeps hidden in the dark? Or the dawn of her healing?
We Danced Among Shadows, is a single dad, cowboy romance set in Central Texas and the second installment of Meadowbrook Ranch—an emotional series about trauma, healing, and love amid crisis.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2026
35 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 14, 2026
Wow is all I can say. This book is amazing! Every time I read an Ashley Dill book I think it can’t possibly be better than the last… and then she proves me wrong. I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. Seeing the Thompson family again alongside the Meadowbrook Ranch cowboys was such a treat. It felt like a big family reunion (which technically it kind of is lol).
As much as I love Bea and Tag’s story, I think Jesse and Hollie might be a new favorite for me. Jesse is everything good in a man. He’s hard working, a great father, reliable friend, in touch with his emotions… the whole package. I loved him for Hollie. He treats her and her girls so well and jumps right in with both feet. He shows her that she is worthy of love and good things in life, and provides her a safe place to land.
Hollie is an awesome mom. She loves her family so much and would do anything for her girls. She’s been stuck in a terrible marriage for years, but is finally free. After meeting Jesse at Bea’s wedding, she can’t forget how well her little family clicked with Jesse and Cade. Jesse helps Hollie gain her confidence back, and helps her begin to love herself again. These two are just so great together and have such a beautiful connection.
I also LOVED seeing more of Cooper in this book. My heart breaks for him. I just want to wrap him in a hug and never let go. He is so hurt and broken down by life that he doesn’t let people see his tender heart. Hollie can tell Cooper is a kind soul, though, and she befriends him. I loved that for Cooper and it made me love Hollie even more as a character. Their breakfast chats over coffee warmed my heart so much. I can’t wait to see where Cooper’s story goes in the future!
The dual POV & dual timeline in this book are perfect and add a lot of depth to the story. I also couldn’t get enough of the epilogue…. Talk about a happy tears! ♥️
I 💯 recommend this book! All the stars, no complaints at all from me. Shadows is now another new favorite for me by Ashley.
Content warnings:
🌶️- fade to black (steamy kisses and 1 intimacy scene between husband/wife that contains removal of clothes & brief descriptors before door closes- nothing lewd but very emotional)
🤬- mild language (minor cuss words)
As much as I love Bea and Tag’s story, I think Jesse and Hollie might be a new favorite for me. Jesse is everything good in a man. He’s hard working, a great father, reliable friend, in touch with his emotions… the whole package. I loved him for Hollie. He treats her and her girls so well and jumps right in with both feet. He shows her that she is worthy of love and good things in life, and provides her a safe place to land.
Hollie is an awesome mom. She loves her family so much and would do anything for her girls. She’s been stuck in a terrible marriage for years, but is finally free. After meeting Jesse at Bea’s wedding, she can’t forget how well her little family clicked with Jesse and Cade. Jesse helps Hollie gain her confidence back, and helps her begin to love herself again. These two are just so great together and have such a beautiful connection.
I also LOVED seeing more of Cooper in this book. My heart breaks for him. I just want to wrap him in a hug and never let go. He is so hurt and broken down by life that he doesn’t let people see his tender heart. Hollie can tell Cooper is a kind soul, though, and she befriends him. I loved that for Cooper and it made me love Hollie even more as a character. Their breakfast chats over coffee warmed my heart so much. I can’t wait to see where Cooper’s story goes in the future!
The dual POV & dual timeline in this book are perfect and add a lot of depth to the story. I also couldn’t get enough of the epilogue…. Talk about a happy tears! ♥️
I 💯 recommend this book! All the stars, no complaints at all from me. Shadows is now another new favorite for me by Ashley.
Content warnings:
🌶️- fade to black (steamy kisses and 1 intimacy scene between husband/wife that contains removal of clothes & brief descriptors before door closes- nothing lewd but very emotional)
🤬- mild language (minor cuss words)
January 21, 2026
4.5 stars
Such an emotional and heartfelt story. I related to Hollie in her struggles with perfectionism and not giving herself enough grace. Ashley captured the eldest daughter insecurities perfectly. Jesse was such a green flag. He had walked through trauma and found healing. He communicated his feelings in a healthy way and always put the people around him first. I can’t wait to read about the other members of this close-knit family!
🖤= fade to black
🤬= very minimal
Such an emotional and heartfelt story. I related to Hollie in her struggles with perfectionism and not giving herself enough grace. Ashley captured the eldest daughter insecurities perfectly. Jesse was such a green flag. He had walked through trauma and found healing. He communicated his feelings in a healthy way and always put the people around him first. I can’t wait to read about the other members of this close-knit family!
🖤= fade to black
🤬= very minimal
January 23, 2026
ARC REVIEW
The time has come for another visit to Meadowbrook Ranch✨ We Danced Among Shadows was such a heartfelt, raw, human story🥹 Hollie’s healing and Jesse’s journey with grief yet somehow finding each other in the midst of everything was simply perfect🥹
I don’t know how Ashley does it but she creates and weaves these characters and stories so beautifully while also keeping it almost painfully human & real😭
Hollie.. my girl she’s been THROUGH it😭 I just wanted to reach through the pages and give her a hug, reading and seeing her come so far in this book from how she viewed her joys and herself made me sob😭 and even though she’s drowning herself she still shows up for her family and her girls😭
The found family in this was EVERYTHING🥹 it was like seeing two jagged pieces stitch themselves together, creating their own little family✨
The romance was so SWOONY, I was dying🫠🫠🫠 I ADORE Jesse as an MMC, Hollie was his perfect match, their story will truly stay with me forever🥹
Ashley’s writing is so addicting and beautiful, you simply lose yourself in the story each and every time, again thank you to Ashley for giving me an ARC to read early🥹🫶🏻 I cannot WAIT till everyone reads this story and I am SO excited for all that’s to come👀
We Danced Among Shadows comes out earlier than expecte, January 20th!! don’t miss it💜
The time has come for another visit to Meadowbrook Ranch✨ We Danced Among Shadows was such a heartfelt, raw, human story🥹 Hollie’s healing and Jesse’s journey with grief yet somehow finding each other in the midst of everything was simply perfect🥹
I don’t know how Ashley does it but she creates and weaves these characters and stories so beautifully while also keeping it almost painfully human & real😭
Hollie.. my girl she’s been THROUGH it😭 I just wanted to reach through the pages and give her a hug, reading and seeing her come so far in this book from how she viewed her joys and herself made me sob😭 and even though she’s drowning herself she still shows up for her family and her girls😭
The found family in this was EVERYTHING🥹 it was like seeing two jagged pieces stitch themselves together, creating their own little family✨
The romance was so SWOONY, I was dying🫠🫠🫠 I ADORE Jesse as an MMC, Hollie was his perfect match, their story will truly stay with me forever🥹
Ashley’s writing is so addicting and beautiful, you simply lose yourself in the story each and every time, again thank you to Ashley for giving me an ARC to read early🥹🫶🏻 I cannot WAIT till everyone reads this story and I am SO excited for all that’s to come👀
We Danced Among Shadows comes out earlier than expecte, January 20th!! don’t miss it💜
Review of advance copy received from Author
Coming back to Meadowbrook Ranch felt like coming home, and We Danced Among Shadows was such a tender, aching, and beautifully hopeful story. Ashley Dill writes grief, healing, and love with such care that it lingered in my heart long after I finished reading. As the book reminds us, “bad memories could taint any picturesque place,” yet this story proves that light can still grow in the same spaces that once held pain.
Hollie’s journey was written so beautifully, with honesty and vulnerability that made her feel incredibly real. There were moments where her words cut deep, especially when she admits, “My insecurities and hurts weren’t background noise. They were loud, sometimes an angry mob of voices in my head.” Watching her slowly find her strength again, learning that “Maybe I could be brave enough to try again,” was one of the most moving parts of this book. Her healing felt earned, not rushed, and deeply relatable.
Jesse completely stole my heart. He is calm, steady, mature, and such an incredible dad. The way he loves Hollie is gentle and grounding, like when he tells her, “If I’m around, you shouldn’t have to take care of everything alone." He truly feels like a safe place for her to fall, and their connection was soft, emotional, and incredibly believable. Their chemistry never felt forced, just two wounded hearts slowly finding their way back to love.
Cade, Izzy, and Nora were absolutely adorable and added so much warmth to the story. Their little family moments made my heart melt, and seeing Jesse as a father through their eyes was beautiful. That Father’s Day epilogue had me full on sobbing, it was so tender, emotional, and perfectly written.
There were so many moments that made me tear up, but the proposal absolutely wrecked me in the best way. It wasn’t loud or grand, just quiet, sincere, and heartbreakingly beautiful. It fit them perfectly and felt like a culmination of everything they had been through together.
I also loved the cameos from Tag and Bea. Seeing them again added warmth and continuity to the Meadowbrook world, and it made my heart so happy to revisit them.
One of my favorite parts was the exact moment when the title finally made sense. It was such a quiet, breathtaking realization, and it made the whole story feel even more meaningful and poetic.
This book is truly a healing romance, one that sits in the space between grief and hope. As the ending so perfectly puts it, “How our journeys have been fraught with so much darkness and pain. But somehow, we are here, surrounded by so much light we glow.” That line captures the essence of this entire story.
A deeply emotional, comforting, and unforgettable read.
Hollie’s journey was written so beautifully, with honesty and vulnerability that made her feel incredibly real. There were moments where her words cut deep, especially when she admits, “My insecurities and hurts weren’t background noise. They were loud, sometimes an angry mob of voices in my head.” Watching her slowly find her strength again, learning that “Maybe I could be brave enough to try again,” was one of the most moving parts of this book. Her healing felt earned, not rushed, and deeply relatable.
Jesse completely stole my heart. He is calm, steady, mature, and such an incredible dad. The way he loves Hollie is gentle and grounding, like when he tells her, “If I’m around, you shouldn’t have to take care of everything alone." He truly feels like a safe place for her to fall, and their connection was soft, emotional, and incredibly believable. Their chemistry never felt forced, just two wounded hearts slowly finding their way back to love.
Cade, Izzy, and Nora were absolutely adorable and added so much warmth to the story. Their little family moments made my heart melt, and seeing Jesse as a father through their eyes was beautiful. That Father’s Day epilogue had me full on sobbing, it was so tender, emotional, and perfectly written.
There were so many moments that made me tear up, but the proposal absolutely wrecked me in the best way. It wasn’t loud or grand, just quiet, sincere, and heartbreakingly beautiful. It fit them perfectly and felt like a culmination of everything they had been through together.
I also loved the cameos from Tag and Bea. Seeing them again added warmth and continuity to the Meadowbrook world, and it made my heart so happy to revisit them.
One of my favorite parts was the exact moment when the title finally made sense. It was such a quiet, breathtaking realization, and it made the whole story feel even more meaningful and poetic.
This book is truly a healing romance, one that sits in the space between grief and hope. As the ending so perfectly puts it, “How our journeys have been fraught with so much darkness and pain. But somehow, we are here, surrounded by so much light we glow.” That line captures the essence of this entire story.
A deeply emotional, comforting, and unforgettable read.
January 20, 2026
Ashley is back with another emotional and deep cowboy romance. The second book in the Meadowbrook ranch series, it was nice to return back to the ranch and catch up with old friends. You could read it as stand alone but I would definitely recommend checking out the first in the series ‘We Redeemed The Rain’ first as it does reference some characters and events.
This is the story of Hollie and Jesse, who met at the wedding of Hollie’s sister Bea to ranch owner Tag. Hollie and her kids come back to the ranch to help out Bea, who is now pregnant and struggling with hyperemesis gravadium. Their romance was very relatable and I enjoyed that it was between two people who had both been married in the past and had kids. Both characters were well developed over the novel and I enjoyed getting to know them both and their back stories. Hollie has recently divorced her ex-husband who had isolated her from her family. He has moved on with a new partner and abandoned his kids. Jesse lost his first wife in a freak accident and turned to alcohol to cope, but meeting Tag and working at the ranch has helped him move on and bond with his son.
Ashley always covers difficult topics sensitively and thoughtfully. This one includes themes of grief, domestic violence, self harm and drug and alcohol abuse. Dill takes you on rollercoaster ride of emotions through all of these, I found myself getting really angry on Hollie’s behalf with her ex-husband’s treatment and then cheering her on as she found her away again. I enjoyed seeing more about Hollie’s family and some side plots and characters introduced in the first novel. It was also fun to learn more about the rodeo circuit and general day to day life in the ranch. For people who enjoy emotional romances with depth and cowboy romance, blended family, single dad, forced proximity and love after loss tropes.
This is the story of Hollie and Jesse, who met at the wedding of Hollie’s sister Bea to ranch owner Tag. Hollie and her kids come back to the ranch to help out Bea, who is now pregnant and struggling with hyperemesis gravadium. Their romance was very relatable and I enjoyed that it was between two people who had both been married in the past and had kids. Both characters were well developed over the novel and I enjoyed getting to know them both and their back stories. Hollie has recently divorced her ex-husband who had isolated her from her family. He has moved on with a new partner and abandoned his kids. Jesse lost his first wife in a freak accident and turned to alcohol to cope, but meeting Tag and working at the ranch has helped him move on and bond with his son.
Ashley always covers difficult topics sensitively and thoughtfully. This one includes themes of grief, domestic violence, self harm and drug and alcohol abuse. Dill takes you on rollercoaster ride of emotions through all of these, I found myself getting really angry on Hollie’s behalf with her ex-husband’s treatment and then cheering her on as she found her away again. I enjoyed seeing more about Hollie’s family and some side plots and characters introduced in the first novel. It was also fun to learn more about the rodeo circuit and general day to day life in the ranch. For people who enjoy emotional romances with depth and cowboy romance, blended family, single dad, forced proximity and love after loss tropes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashley has a gift. As with her other books, this one is not only a beautiful, powerful story with vibrant characters, but it's also told with such skill that it stands apart from a lot of other books.
Jesse and Hollie are so great together. The grit and healing between them was fascinating and beautiful. I really liked the contrast between her past relationship and what they were building.
I could go on. The themes, the relationships between everyone, the writing style, story structure... it's all great. This is another must read if you enjoy emotional, gritty, healing, closed door romance.
note: This is book 2, you should definitely read We Redeemed the Rain before diving into this one.
Content notes: emotional abuse, parental neglect. Some strong language. Passionate moments. This is not a light story, but all the topics are handled with care.
Some quotes I liked:
“Facing it takes practice. The impossible looks less daunting when you’ve conquered it a thousand times.”
“If he took dancing from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”
In something as inconsequential as a dance, we faced our darkness.
She danced, while I fell.
While our first kiss felt like fire, this kiss was home. I never wanted to be anywhere else.
Jesse and Hollie are so great together. The grit and healing between them was fascinating and beautiful. I really liked the contrast between her past relationship and what they were building.
I could go on. The themes, the relationships between everyone, the writing style, story structure... it's all great. This is another must read if you enjoy emotional, gritty, healing, closed door romance.
note: This is book 2, you should definitely read We Redeemed the Rain before diving into this one.
Content notes: emotional abuse, parental neglect. Some strong language. Passionate moments. This is not a light story, but all the topics are handled with care.
Some quotes I liked:
“Facing it takes practice. The impossible looks less daunting when you’ve conquered it a thousand times.”
“If he took dancing from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”
In something as inconsequential as a dance, we faced our darkness.
She danced, while I fell.
While our first kiss felt like fire, this kiss was home. I never wanted to be anywhere else.
January 14, 2026
This book had me crying, laughing, swooning, and holding my breath. I was hooked from the first paragraph to the last page. Ashley does such an amazing job handling heavy themes. I’m always blown away by her sensitivity and ability to not shy away from the human condition. This book has moments of darkness but also so much light and love. You’ll love Jesse and Hollie’s story and I definitely recommend it!
January 20, 2026
It is absolutely no surprise to me that I loved this book. I have been on the Ashley Dill fan wagon since the first pages of the first book of hers that I read and I’ve been captivated ever since.
Meadowbook Ranch is a *very* beloved fictional place in my heart. Book 1, We Redeemed The Rain, is perhaps my favorite book of all time and I was so excited to know that Jesse would be the main character for book 2. While we were introduced to the widower ranch hand in the first book and knew he was a widower, an amazing dad, and supportive friend, we didn’t know much at all about our main female character, Hollie. I loved getting to go in a bit blind in that respect.
Hollie is reeling from a heartbreaking betrayal and the end of her marriage to an emotionally abusive and narcissistic man, and we learn how much the weight of carrying secrets alone has taken its toll on her. She and Jesse have instant, delicious chemistry that grows into something real as he tries to help her break free from the insecurities and lies that she’s heard and believed for years. But healing isn’t always as simple as being told the truth when we struggle to really believe it, and I so deeply related to Hollie’s struggle in this as she battles old doubts and fights her way to understand her worth and accept the idea of what real love looks like. Gosh, she was a FMC that you couldn’t help but wholeheartedly root for. I felt her pain deeply and this book didn’t just tell me about her struggles, it showed me. I felt them. I wrestled along with her and celebrated like crazy when she started "taking it back" and began seeing the beauty in those shadows. She loves her daughters so well and fought to protect them while fighting for herself as well. And Jesse? Well, I was all in for him from the first page. While imperfect and wrestling with his own demons, his pursuit of Hollie’s heart and his commitment to the people he loves are beautifully played out with depth and sincerity.
There’s joy, heartache, humor, grief, hope, struggle, redemption…all of the reality of the human experience woven together with tenderness and beauty. It’s what her books do so well.
Side note: getting to see more of Tag and Bea from book 1 was so very good for my soul. Such a gift.
Ashley’s writing draws me in completely and fully. I feel like I enter the world of her books and I am completely immersed. I found myself trying to balance between savoring every beautifully written sentence (I was annotating like crazy) and just devouring the thing in a day. Ashley has created a beautiful world in Meadowbrook, one that I never want to leave - and one that I can hardly wait to visit again.
Meadowbook Ranch is a *very* beloved fictional place in my heart. Book 1, We Redeemed The Rain, is perhaps my favorite book of all time and I was so excited to know that Jesse would be the main character for book 2. While we were introduced to the widower ranch hand in the first book and knew he was a widower, an amazing dad, and supportive friend, we didn’t know much at all about our main female character, Hollie. I loved getting to go in a bit blind in that respect.
Hollie is reeling from a heartbreaking betrayal and the end of her marriage to an emotionally abusive and narcissistic man, and we learn how much the weight of carrying secrets alone has taken its toll on her. She and Jesse have instant, delicious chemistry that grows into something real as he tries to help her break free from the insecurities and lies that she’s heard and believed for years. But healing isn’t always as simple as being told the truth when we struggle to really believe it, and I so deeply related to Hollie’s struggle in this as she battles old doubts and fights her way to understand her worth and accept the idea of what real love looks like. Gosh, she was a FMC that you couldn’t help but wholeheartedly root for. I felt her pain deeply and this book didn’t just tell me about her struggles, it showed me. I felt them. I wrestled along with her and celebrated like crazy when she started "taking it back" and began seeing the beauty in those shadows. She loves her daughters so well and fought to protect them while fighting for herself as well. And Jesse? Well, I was all in for him from the first page. While imperfect and wrestling with his own demons, his pursuit of Hollie’s heart and his commitment to the people he loves are beautifully played out with depth and sincerity.
There’s joy, heartache, humor, grief, hope, struggle, redemption…all of the reality of the human experience woven together with tenderness and beauty. It’s what her books do so well.
Side note: getting to see more of Tag and Bea from book 1 was so very good for my soul. Such a gift.
Ashley’s writing draws me in completely and fully. I feel like I enter the world of her books and I am completely immersed. I found myself trying to balance between savoring every beautifully written sentence (I was annotating like crazy) and just devouring the thing in a day. Ashley has created a beautiful world in Meadowbrook, one that I never want to leave - and one that I can hardly wait to visit again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•
{𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡: Book 2}
“𝙸𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚠𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝙸 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚕.”
🌙 Release Date: January 20, 2026 🌙
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If you’re looking for a story rich with healing, love, and redemption, you’ve definitely come to the right place! The characters in this book will most likely have you reaching for tissues as you watch their stories unfold in a most beautiful and restorative way. Though this book isn’t suitable for all audiences, it’s perfect for those who are emotionally mature and looking for a story that isn’t all fluff and rainbows. This is a story filled with extreme depth and healing—with light piercing through the darkness of grief and trauma. (You can find a page with content warnings at the beginning of the book)
These characters were pulling at my heartstrings right from the get-go! It takes a lot for a book to affect me enough to make me truly feel what the characters are going through, but this one did just that. Ashley Dill does an excellent job at conveying vivid and highly palpable emotions in her stories! Watching someone who felt undeserving of love find it in the arms of someone who had lost their first love was a deeply cathartic experience—the healing they found together was emotionally restorative ♥️
I loved that both MCs had children; I felt like it added such depth to both of their stories. Watching Jesse’s relationship with his son was beyond endearing and definitely had me tearing up a time or two. Hollie’s dilemma with her daughters and their father absolutely tore at my heart! I was so glad that the three children bonded as well as they did! It certainly did my heart good to see them radiating happiness when they were all hanging out together ☺️
I am so desperate for Cooper’s story after reading this book. Oh, how my heart aches for that poor boy 😢 I love that Hollie was able to befriend him and show him in a small way that he is capable of being loved by others. I just really need him to finally have his own HEA after all that he’s been through!
This book had such a beautiful ending and left me with tears filling my eyes 🥹 Ashley did a phenomenal job with writing this story—I don’t think anyone could have done it any better! The way she brought the characters to life and composed such a poignant story of healing, complete with her signature “hard-won happily ever after”, will have all readers emotionally wrecked and put back together in the best way possible!
“𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎.”
Content Notes:
•language
•passionate scenes (closed door)
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Thank you, Ashley, for allowing me the privilege of reading an arc of your new book!
{𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡: Book 2}
“𝙸𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚠𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝙸 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚕.”
🌙 Release Date: January 20, 2026 🌙
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If you’re looking for a story rich with healing, love, and redemption, you’ve definitely come to the right place! The characters in this book will most likely have you reaching for tissues as you watch their stories unfold in a most beautiful and restorative way. Though this book isn’t suitable for all audiences, it’s perfect for those who are emotionally mature and looking for a story that isn’t all fluff and rainbows. This is a story filled with extreme depth and healing—with light piercing through the darkness of grief and trauma. (You can find a page with content warnings at the beginning of the book)
These characters were pulling at my heartstrings right from the get-go! It takes a lot for a book to affect me enough to make me truly feel what the characters are going through, but this one did just that. Ashley Dill does an excellent job at conveying vivid and highly palpable emotions in her stories! Watching someone who felt undeserving of love find it in the arms of someone who had lost their first love was a deeply cathartic experience—the healing they found together was emotionally restorative ♥️
I loved that both MCs had children; I felt like it added such depth to both of their stories. Watching Jesse’s relationship with his son was beyond endearing and definitely had me tearing up a time or two. Hollie’s dilemma with her daughters and their father absolutely tore at my heart! I was so glad that the three children bonded as well as they did! It certainly did my heart good to see them radiating happiness when they were all hanging out together ☺️
I am so desperate for Cooper’s story after reading this book. Oh, how my heart aches for that poor boy 😢 I love that Hollie was able to befriend him and show him in a small way that he is capable of being loved by others. I just really need him to finally have his own HEA after all that he’s been through!
This book had such a beautiful ending and left me with tears filling my eyes 🥹 Ashley did a phenomenal job with writing this story—I don’t think anyone could have done it any better! The way she brought the characters to life and composed such a poignant story of healing, complete with her signature “hard-won happily ever after”, will have all readers emotionally wrecked and put back together in the best way possible!
“𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎.”
Content Notes:
•language
•passionate scenes (closed door)
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.
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Thank you, Ashley, for allowing me the privilege of reading an arc of your new book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
OH MY HEART. I am once again left a rambling mess after another absolute stunner by the incomparable Ashley Dill, so please forgive my lack of eloquence and conciseness. I’ve had the honor of getting to know Ashley over these past couple years, and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, her tender heart and wise spirit flow out from the pages of this achingly beautiful story. Every time I finish one of her books, I’m left with a sense of awe. Her words are healing—both poetic and raw. A balm for the soul. I can assure you, you will not leave this story unmoved. I teared up no less than four times, and I am not usually an emotional reader.
My heart was completely captured by this story from the very first page, and the vice grip it held did not relent until the very last—maybe not even then. If I’m honest, it still has a firm hold on me. I’ve spoken often of soul-searing books. This is certainly one of those. Jesse and Hollie’s story is so powerful! From their very first meeting, you know their love is inevitable—on that fateful night when a shared traumatic event opens the door to vulnerability and a depth of connection. The bond forged that evening is a kindling that is quickly ignited by their electric chemistry. I have never read an insta love story that worked SO WELL. But this is much more than a love story full of fireworks and romance—though there is plenty of that too, TRUST ME. In truth, this is a story of healing the deepest hurts in one’s soul.
After years of being emotionally abused and gaslit by a narcissistic ex-husband, Hollie—a single mother of two darling and vivacious girls—is left with a broken heart and an abysmal self-worth. The “dance” has quite literally been stolen from her. But then Jesse—a single father and widower—comes in with his gentle assurances, endless encouragement, and steadfast love. He heals parts of her heart and mind that she thought irreparably damaged. And likewise, Hollie’s selfless care and relentless pursuit of the well-being of others—especially his son Cade—heals a part of Jesse that was left battered and bruised in wake of his wife’s death. In each other, they have found a safe place to land— someone they can fully trust with the care of their hearts.
Please, oh please, read this book!! Better yet, read all of Ashley’s books! You will not regret it, I promise!
My heart was completely captured by this story from the very first page, and the vice grip it held did not relent until the very last—maybe not even then. If I’m honest, it still has a firm hold on me. I’ve spoken often of soul-searing books. This is certainly one of those. Jesse and Hollie’s story is so powerful! From their very first meeting, you know their love is inevitable—on that fateful night when a shared traumatic event opens the door to vulnerability and a depth of connection. The bond forged that evening is a kindling that is quickly ignited by their electric chemistry. I have never read an insta love story that worked SO WELL. But this is much more than a love story full of fireworks and romance—though there is plenty of that too, TRUST ME. In truth, this is a story of healing the deepest hurts in one’s soul.
After years of being emotionally abused and gaslit by a narcissistic ex-husband, Hollie—a single mother of two darling and vivacious girls—is left with a broken heart and an abysmal self-worth. The “dance” has quite literally been stolen from her. But then Jesse—a single father and widower—comes in with his gentle assurances, endless encouragement, and steadfast love. He heals parts of her heart and mind that she thought irreparably damaged. And likewise, Hollie’s selfless care and relentless pursuit of the well-being of others—especially his son Cade—heals a part of Jesse that was left battered and bruised in wake of his wife’s death. In each other, they have found a safe place to land— someone they can fully trust with the care of their hearts.
Please, oh please, read this book!! Better yet, read all of Ashley’s books! You will not regret it, I promise!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝑰 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖..”
We Danced Among Shadows is a story that will rip and tug at your heart and make you feel ALL the feelings. Ashley has a beautiful way of writing very deep, difficult topics in such a graceful way that is raw, emotional, impactful, and deeply moving. In every single book I’ve read of hers, I’ve seen parts of myself written into the pages. Hollie’s struggles and inner turmoil hit very near and dear to my heart.
Jesse is a single father after losing his wife. He’s had to overcome his grief, learn to be a single father, and fights to stay present for his son. Hollie is having her own struggles and when she learns that her sister needs help for a few weeks at Meadowbrook Ranch, she decides to go to Texas with her two daughters. Though she doesn’t know how she is going to handle seeing Jesse again.
“𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡.”
There are so many things to love about this story but some of my favorites are: Cooper and Harlan, the re-meet-cute, the flashbacks, dual POV, grieving and learning to heal, seeing more of Tag and Bea, Jesse’s relationship with Cade, Hollie’s motherly nature, the banter, how tender Jesse is, card games, dancing, and the epilogue. 🥹❤️🩹
‘𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙣𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙪𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩—𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙮.’
I personally enjoy reading a book that will rip me apart emotionally and then put my heart and soul back together, and every one of Ashley’s stories will do that. I recommend reading the Meadowbrook Ranch books in order to fully appreciate the character arcs of each person in this story. The side characters in this book absolutely stole my heart. I truly hope we get to see more of them. 🤍
–This story is a deeper emotional read and contains death, substance abuse, off page suicide, and emotional abuse. The author does write these scenes and topics with care—never romanticizing the abuse or grief.
–Level 3 intimacy; passionate scenes that are fade to black, no explicit content.
–This story contains moderate language.
–Available formats: ebook, KU, paperback, and audio coming later 2026
Thank you to the author for my advanced copy of this book. I purchased my own copy of this book as well. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
We Danced Among Shadows is a story that will rip and tug at your heart and make you feel ALL the feelings. Ashley has a beautiful way of writing very deep, difficult topics in such a graceful way that is raw, emotional, impactful, and deeply moving. In every single book I’ve read of hers, I’ve seen parts of myself written into the pages. Hollie’s struggles and inner turmoil hit very near and dear to my heart.
Jesse is a single father after losing his wife. He’s had to overcome his grief, learn to be a single father, and fights to stay present for his son. Hollie is having her own struggles and when she learns that her sister needs help for a few weeks at Meadowbrook Ranch, she decides to go to Texas with her two daughters. Though she doesn’t know how she is going to handle seeing Jesse again.
“𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡.”
There are so many things to love about this story but some of my favorites are: Cooper and Harlan, the re-meet-cute, the flashbacks, dual POV, grieving and learning to heal, seeing more of Tag and Bea, Jesse’s relationship with Cade, Hollie’s motherly nature, the banter, how tender Jesse is, card games, dancing, and the epilogue. 🥹❤️🩹
‘𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙣𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙪𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩—𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙮.’
I personally enjoy reading a book that will rip me apart emotionally and then put my heart and soul back together, and every one of Ashley’s stories will do that. I recommend reading the Meadowbrook Ranch books in order to fully appreciate the character arcs of each person in this story. The side characters in this book absolutely stole my heart. I truly hope we get to see more of them. 🤍
–This story is a deeper emotional read and contains death, substance abuse, off page suicide, and emotional abuse. The author does write these scenes and topics with care—never romanticizing the abuse or grief.
–Level 3 intimacy; passionate scenes that are fade to black, no explicit content.
–This story contains moderate language.
–Available formats: ebook, KU, paperback, and audio coming later 2026
Thank you to the author for my advanced copy of this book. I purchased my own copy of this book as well. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 23, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
We Danced Among Shadows is a cowboy romance novel that truly touched my heart. The story is beautifully written, raw, human, and full of emotion.
Hollie, the main female character, is a recently divorced single mother of two small girls. She has been through an abusive relationship that left her deeply scarred and in need of healing. While traveling to Meadowbrook Ranch to attend her sister’s wedding, she meets Jesse, a widower cowboy and single father who is still struggling with grief after the loss of his wife.
Hollie and Jesse’s story begins with an almost tragic moment, when Hollie saves Jesse’s son, Cade. From there, their connection slowly deepens, and we are allowed into their thoughts, doubts, and emotions as they both begin a difficult healing journey. Jesse helps Hollie start to heal, and she slowly begins to face her fears and rediscover her inner strength, while Hollie helps Jesse confront his grief and open his heart to life and love again.
I loved how deeply connected Jesse was to his son and how clearly his love and worries as a father were portrayed. He is a genuine, good-hearted man with deep feelings, and I appreciated that he never shied away from showing them. Watching him navigate grief while still being a devoted father made his character feel incredibly real and touching.
Their love story is a deeply emotional slow burn. Through love, patience, and time, they find healing in each other. This book made me tear up several times, but it also made me smile. When I finished it, I felt a sense of hope and joy, especially seeing how beautifully their children bonded and how the characters found their way to each other.
The story touches on delicate and heavy topics such as trauma, abuse, grief, and suicide, all handled with great care and respect. These themes are portrayed realistically, so this book might not be for very sensitive readers. However, if you are able to sit with heavier topics and find comfort in stories of healing and resolution, this book is truly worth it.
We Danced Among Shadows is for readers who love slow-burn romances that are raw, heartfelt, and emotional, and who appreciate stories about healing, love after loss, and finding hope again.
We Danced Among Shadows is a cowboy romance novel that truly touched my heart. The story is beautifully written, raw, human, and full of emotion.
Hollie, the main female character, is a recently divorced single mother of two small girls. She has been through an abusive relationship that left her deeply scarred and in need of healing. While traveling to Meadowbrook Ranch to attend her sister’s wedding, she meets Jesse, a widower cowboy and single father who is still struggling with grief after the loss of his wife.
Hollie and Jesse’s story begins with an almost tragic moment, when Hollie saves Jesse’s son, Cade. From there, their connection slowly deepens, and we are allowed into their thoughts, doubts, and emotions as they both begin a difficult healing journey. Jesse helps Hollie start to heal, and she slowly begins to face her fears and rediscover her inner strength, while Hollie helps Jesse confront his grief and open his heart to life and love again.
I loved how deeply connected Jesse was to his son and how clearly his love and worries as a father were portrayed. He is a genuine, good-hearted man with deep feelings, and I appreciated that he never shied away from showing them. Watching him navigate grief while still being a devoted father made his character feel incredibly real and touching.
Their love story is a deeply emotional slow burn. Through love, patience, and time, they find healing in each other. This book made me tear up several times, but it also made me smile. When I finished it, I felt a sense of hope and joy, especially seeing how beautifully their children bonded and how the characters found their way to each other.
The story touches on delicate and heavy topics such as trauma, abuse, grief, and suicide, all handled with great care and respect. These themes are portrayed realistically, so this book might not be for very sensitive readers. However, if you are able to sit with heavier topics and find comfort in stories of healing and resolution, this book is truly worth it.
We Danced Among Shadows is for readers who love slow-burn romances that are raw, heartfelt, and emotional, and who appreciate stories about healing, love after loss, and finding hope again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
We Danced Among Shadows, the second book in the Meadowbrook Ranch series, is another BEAUTIFUL contemporary romance novel by Ashley Dill. One of the reason I gravitate toward her books is that they are layered with personal growth, character depth, hard topics/issues, and have more than just romance in the mix. Add in family, drama, and well-developed side characters and I easily lose track of time when reading her books.
Although you could read this book as a stand-alone, some of the main characters are introduced in book one. I loved book 1 also, and recommend it as another great contemporary romance.
Quick Summary: Hollie is surviving as a single mom with two little girls. Broken from her recent divorce, she brings her girls to visit her sister Bea's home in Texas, Meadowbrook Ranch, to help with the ranch operations. A member of the ranch staff named Jesse, who is also a single dad, picks her and the girls up at the airport. On their way home, an accident occurs, bringing the whole brood into crisis mode. Jesse leans on Hollie for help, and the two begin an unlikely friendship. The two begin to see how they could help heal the hurts of the other, and work together to create the family they always wanted.
One of my favorite elements of this book was the way Hollie had to consider what was best for her girls versus just what she wanted for herself. It portrayed the strength and sacrifice of motherhood, and her wisdom in every strong choice she made.
This book deals with heavier themes of divorce, medical issues, infidelity (not main characters), abandonment, death of a spouse (past tense), and self-esteem. There is some profanity, with a sparse number of strong (f--) words, and fade to black romance. I loved the way intimacy was saved for marriage but still upheld with high regard, importance, significance, and there were many swoon-worthy kisses and yearning along the way.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of this book. My review is my own opinion as is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.
Although you could read this book as a stand-alone, some of the main characters are introduced in book one. I loved book 1 also, and recommend it as another great contemporary romance.
Quick Summary: Hollie is surviving as a single mom with two little girls. Broken from her recent divorce, she brings her girls to visit her sister Bea's home in Texas, Meadowbrook Ranch, to help with the ranch operations. A member of the ranch staff named Jesse, who is also a single dad, picks her and the girls up at the airport. On their way home, an accident occurs, bringing the whole brood into crisis mode. Jesse leans on Hollie for help, and the two begin an unlikely friendship. The two begin to see how they could help heal the hurts of the other, and work together to create the family they always wanted.
One of my favorite elements of this book was the way Hollie had to consider what was best for her girls versus just what she wanted for herself. It portrayed the strength and sacrifice of motherhood, and her wisdom in every strong choice she made.
This book deals with heavier themes of divorce, medical issues, infidelity (not main characters), abandonment, death of a spouse (past tense), and self-esteem. There is some profanity, with a sparse number of strong (f--) words, and fade to black romance. I loved the way intimacy was saved for marriage but still upheld with high regard, importance, significance, and there were many swoon-worthy kisses and yearning along the way.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of this book. My review is my own opinion as is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.
January 22, 2026
“The true heart reveals itself in crisis- no one can hide when they are thrown into the fire.”
✨Hollie and Jesse’s story will forever have a special place in my heart. From the moment they met, the chaos of events that followed their first encounter made it possible for their connection to feel authentic. Once they finally met again, they slowly get to know each other as individuals and as parents, sharing wholesome moments with their kids while also facing the truths from their pasts and leaning into each other to heal at their own pace.
✨It was really beautiful reading about Hollie’s journey, not only is she an amazing mother to Izzy and Nora, but she has such a caring heart that melted my own when she was caring for Cade as her own. She has been pushed to forget and change who she is in order to please her ex, but watching her step into the light, heal her relationships with her family, and fight for herself and her daughters had me cheering so hard for our girl.
✨Jesse is hands down a gentleman, with such a sweet and caring heart for those he loves. His honesty from the very beginning was so refreshing, seeing a man who even when he wasn’t sure his feelings would be reciprocated he shared them, making sure his intentions were never hidden or misunderstood. From the moment he realized he liked Hollie, he opened his mind and his arms to her and her girls, welcoming them to the ranch, to the cabin and eventually to becoming family.
✨Coming back to Meadowbrook Ranch was every bit as exciting, heartbreaking and healing as the firs book in the series. I admire Ashley so freaking much because of the wonderful way she approaches addresses the hard themes in her books. There is always a sense of caring, of being true to the feelings being portrayed in the pages, and a remarkable ability to keep you in your feelings for the whole time you read, or even think of the worlds she creates.
✨Hollie and Jesse’s story will forever have a special place in my heart. From the moment they met, the chaos of events that followed their first encounter made it possible for their connection to feel authentic. Once they finally met again, they slowly get to know each other as individuals and as parents, sharing wholesome moments with their kids while also facing the truths from their pasts and leaning into each other to heal at their own pace.
✨It was really beautiful reading about Hollie’s journey, not only is she an amazing mother to Izzy and Nora, but she has such a caring heart that melted my own when she was caring for Cade as her own. She has been pushed to forget and change who she is in order to please her ex, but watching her step into the light, heal her relationships with her family, and fight for herself and her daughters had me cheering so hard for our girl.
✨Jesse is hands down a gentleman, with such a sweet and caring heart for those he loves. His honesty from the very beginning was so refreshing, seeing a man who even when he wasn’t sure his feelings would be reciprocated he shared them, making sure his intentions were never hidden or misunderstood. From the moment he realized he liked Hollie, he opened his mind and his arms to her and her girls, welcoming them to the ranch, to the cabin and eventually to becoming family.
✨Coming back to Meadowbrook Ranch was every bit as exciting, heartbreaking and healing as the firs book in the series. I admire Ashley so freaking much because of the wonderful way she approaches addresses the hard themes in her books. There is always a sense of caring, of being true to the feelings being portrayed in the pages, and a remarkable ability to keep you in your feelings for the whole time you read, or even think of the worlds she creates.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? If you're looking for a lighthearted romance... this isn't it. But if you're looking for a book that will absolutely wreck you before putting your heart back together, there are truly none better than Ashley Dill's books. She has such a beautiful way of writing about trauma and healing... I truly cannot even find the words to describe how much I love them that will actually do them justice. Each one of her books becomes an instant favorite and sticks with me long after the final pages. This one was no exception. Right from the start, the undeniable chemistry between Hollie and Jesse drew me in. Their story is told through multiple timelines, all beautifully woven together to reveal this story and all its heartache at just the right moment. There were so many layers to this story, and so many past hurts that Hollie and Jesse had to work through, but there was such a beautiful sense of healing by the end, and I absolutely loved every single moment with these two. If you love emotional cowboy and/or single parent romances, this is one you absolutely will not want to miss... just be sure to keep those tissues handy, you're absolutely going to need them.
We Danced Among Shadows is a closed-door romance with steamy kisses and fade to black. It does have stronger language than Ashley's previous books- mostly mild/moderate but it does have one use of the f-word as well. It is the second book in the Meadowbrook Ranch series. While I would recommend reading the previous book first, I do think that this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
We Danced Among Shadows is a closed-door romance with steamy kisses and fade to black. It does have stronger language than Ashley's previous books- mostly mild/moderate but it does have one use of the f-word as well. It is the second book in the Meadowbrook Ranch series. While I would recommend reading the previous book first, I do think that this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
January 26, 2026
Okay let me see if I can organize my thoughts in a way that adequately portrays everything I felt for this book. I should have written this review immediately upon finishing because I feel like now I won’t be able to do it justice.
So let’s just start with Jesse. Jesse was fantastic. A true definition of a book boyfriend. This man was the total package. I loved him so much. I loved how he cared for his son. I loved how he cared for Hollie. He was so patient and kind with her and showed her what it meant to be truly loved.
Hollie had been through so much emotional and mental abuse and gaslighting that she was in a constant state of doubt over her choices. I really enjoyed the journey Ashley wrote for her. I feel like Ashley does an outstanding job of writing the realities of tough situations and the thoughts and feelings of people in those situations and she did the same thing here with Hollie. Hollie was so kind and one of my favorite things was her relationship with Cooper. She was a true example of meeting people where they are and loving them there.
I feel like I can never do Ashley’s books justice when I review them so just take my word for it and read them. Ashley writes books that feel so completely realistic to me and her characters are flawed but lovable. Definitely recommend adding her to your TBR.
Thank you so much Ashley for the ARC!
👍🏻Read If You Like:
* cowboy/rancher romances
* single dad romances
* single mom romances
* caretaking when sick
🛑Content Warnings:
* gaslighting/emotional abuse
* divorce
* loss of spouse (past)
* emotional abuse
* off page suicide/attempted suicide
* cheating
* mild self harm
* anxiety
🖤Fade to Black Romance
So let’s just start with Jesse. Jesse was fantastic. A true definition of a book boyfriend. This man was the total package. I loved him so much. I loved how he cared for his son. I loved how he cared for Hollie. He was so patient and kind with her and showed her what it meant to be truly loved.
Hollie had been through so much emotional and mental abuse and gaslighting that she was in a constant state of doubt over her choices. I really enjoyed the journey Ashley wrote for her. I feel like Ashley does an outstanding job of writing the realities of tough situations and the thoughts and feelings of people in those situations and she did the same thing here with Hollie. Hollie was so kind and one of my favorite things was her relationship with Cooper. She was a true example of meeting people where they are and loving them there.
I feel like I can never do Ashley’s books justice when I review them so just take my word for it and read them. Ashley writes books that feel so completely realistic to me and her characters are flawed but lovable. Definitely recommend adding her to your TBR.
Thank you so much Ashley for the ARC!
👍🏻Read If You Like:
* cowboy/rancher romances
* single dad romances
* single mom romances
* caretaking when sick
🛑Content Warnings:
* gaslighting/emotional abuse
* divorce
* loss of spouse (past)
* emotional abuse
* off page suicide/attempted suicide
* cheating
* mild self harm
* anxiety
🖤Fade to Black Romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
Getting to ARC read for this book has been such a treat. I knew going into this I would be feeling all the things, & Ashley delivered another deeply moving story full of love, loss, and redemption.
Jesse and Hollie had both been through so much, experiencing heartache and grief in very different ways, but from those experiences, they grew into individuals who loved their kids well and sought to fight for them each day.
Hollie learning to overcome the lies in her head & heart was so relevant to many, and that is the story of our identity being rooted in God. We can replace the lies of the enemy with His truth. While it was painful, Jesse helped Hollie work through it by speaking truth over her. I loved those scenes so much.
I adored their children and how they interacted with one another. Cade & his growth was so sweet & I was rooting for him the whole time. I’m wanting a Cade HEA as well, Ashley! 👀🤣 Also, her friendship with Cooper was pivotal for his character arc, and I’m anticipating big things for him. 🤩
The first half of the book built slowly. It almost felt like there were two parts to their story. I do realize this was necessary for the characters to develop trust in one another & provide backstory. That being said, the second half of the book really shined for me with the main couple and their trajectory. I cried so many times in the last 20%.
Don’t get me started on the epilogue too. 🫠🤩🥰😭
This was such a beautifully written story. If you want forgiveness, redemptive love, and a phoenix-rising-from-ashes vibe, this is your book!
CW: This is a fade-to-black closed door romance with heavy themes. Please make sure to read Ashley’s content warning at the beginning of the book.
Thanks for the ARC, Ashley!! All thoughts are my own.
Jesse and Hollie had both been through so much, experiencing heartache and grief in very different ways, but from those experiences, they grew into individuals who loved their kids well and sought to fight for them each day.
Hollie learning to overcome the lies in her head & heart was so relevant to many, and that is the story of our identity being rooted in God. We can replace the lies of the enemy with His truth. While it was painful, Jesse helped Hollie work through it by speaking truth over her. I loved those scenes so much.
I adored their children and how they interacted with one another. Cade & his growth was so sweet & I was rooting for him the whole time. I’m wanting a Cade HEA as well, Ashley! 👀🤣 Also, her friendship with Cooper was pivotal for his character arc, and I’m anticipating big things for him. 🤩
The first half of the book built slowly. It almost felt like there were two parts to their story. I do realize this was necessary for the characters to develop trust in one another & provide backstory. That being said, the second half of the book really shined for me with the main couple and their trajectory. I cried so many times in the last 20%.
Don’t get me started on the epilogue too. 🫠🤩🥰😭
This was such a beautifully written story. If you want forgiveness, redemptive love, and a phoenix-rising-from-ashes vibe, this is your book!
CW: This is a fade-to-black closed door romance with heavy themes. Please make sure to read Ashley’s content warning at the beginning of the book.
Thanks for the ARC, Ashley!! All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a six-star read for me in every sense of the word.
@ashleydill_author writes emotional depth in a way that feels almost achingly intimate. Nothing is rushed, nothing is shallow, and every emotion—grief, hope, love, fear—feels fully lived in. The shadows in this story aren’t just obstacles; they are spaces the characters must learn to breathe inside, and that’s what makes the journey so powerful🥹
Hollie and Jesse’s story absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. Their connection is raw, complicated, and profoundly human. They aren’t perfect, and that’s exactly why they work. Watching them navigate pain, vulnerability, and the quiet moments in between felt deeply authentic. Their love isn’t loud or flashy; it’s built in glances, in shared silences, in the courage it takes to let someone see your wounds.
What truly sets this book apart is how Ashley handles emotional healing. It’s not romanticized or magically fixed. Healing is not straightforward but messy, and earned—and that honesty is what made the story hit so hard. I felt everything alongside Hollie and Jesse, and there were moments I had to pause just to sit with the weight of it all.
This is a book for readers who crave stories with soul—stories that hurt a little, heal a little, and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. We Danced Among Shadows is beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Ashley Dill has once again proven that she knows exactly how to reach into the shadows and pull out something achingly real🙌🏼🤍
This was a six-star read for me in every sense of the word.
@ashleydill_author writes emotional depth in a way that feels almost achingly intimate. Nothing is rushed, nothing is shallow, and every emotion—grief, hope, love, fear—feels fully lived in. The shadows in this story aren’t just obstacles; they are spaces the characters must learn to breathe inside, and that’s what makes the journey so powerful🥹
Hollie and Jesse’s story absolutely wrecked me—in the best way. Their connection is raw, complicated, and profoundly human. They aren’t perfect, and that’s exactly why they work. Watching them navigate pain, vulnerability, and the quiet moments in between felt deeply authentic. Their love isn’t loud or flashy; it’s built in glances, in shared silences, in the courage it takes to let someone see your wounds.
What truly sets this book apart is how Ashley handles emotional healing. It’s not romanticized or magically fixed. Healing is not straightforward but messy, and earned—and that honesty is what made the story hit so hard. I felt everything alongside Hollie and Jesse, and there were moments I had to pause just to sit with the weight of it all.
This is a book for readers who crave stories with soul—stories that hurt a little, heal a little, and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. We Danced Among Shadows is beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Ashley Dill has once again proven that she knows exactly how to reach into the shadows and pull out something achingly real🙌🏼🤍
January 22, 2026
Ohhhh my heart... I'm pretty sure I was teary, if not crying, for a solid 20% of this book. Heck, I started crying in chapter 2, so that just set the tone.
But it's just so good! Y'all, I typically don't gravitate towards single mom/dad books because I don't relate to books with kids. (No shade, I've just never wanted kids, so I don't relate to those stories.) But that wasn't a deterrent at all for me with this book, and, honestly, I credit it to Ashley's skill as a writer.
This book contains not just one tragic backstory -- there are several. Hence all my crying. And I can relate to part of what Hollie endured, making this story painful to read at times. But that's also what I absolutely LOVE about Ashley's stories -- they're real, they're raw, they're painful and relatable because they show real life, in all its tragic, messy, beautiful glory. Her books break your heart, then piece it back together with honesty, forgiveness, and love.
But it's not all tears and sniffles, there are definitely laugh-out-loud moments, too! Like the McDonald's scene. 😂
This is book 2 at Meadowbrook Ranch. And while you could potentially read it as a standalone, I don't recommend it. You'll be able to follow along, but you'll miss out on a lot of depth to better appreciate the story.
⚠️ Occasional cursing
🫑 Kissing, some touching (not private areas)
Thank you so much, Ashley, for the privilege of ARC reading for you!
But it's just so good! Y'all, I typically don't gravitate towards single mom/dad books because I don't relate to books with kids. (No shade, I've just never wanted kids, so I don't relate to those stories.) But that wasn't a deterrent at all for me with this book, and, honestly, I credit it to Ashley's skill as a writer.
This book contains not just one tragic backstory -- there are several. Hence all my crying. And I can relate to part of what Hollie endured, making this story painful to read at times. But that's also what I absolutely LOVE about Ashley's stories -- they're real, they're raw, they're painful and relatable because they show real life, in all its tragic, messy, beautiful glory. Her books break your heart, then piece it back together with honesty, forgiveness, and love.
But it's not all tears and sniffles, there are definitely laugh-out-loud moments, too! Like the McDonald's scene. 😂
This is book 2 at Meadowbrook Ranch. And while you could potentially read it as a standalone, I don't recommend it. You'll be able to follow along, but you'll miss out on a lot of depth to better appreciate the story.
⚠️ Occasional cursing
🫑 Kissing, some touching (not private areas)
Thank you so much, Ashley, for the privilege of ARC reading for you!
January 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
🌶️ = steamy kisses and one fade to black scene at the very end
⚠️ = emotional abuse, anxiety/panic attacks, self-harm
Thank you Ashley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Ahh I loved Hollie and Jesse’s story. Hollie really made my heart hurt in this one. All the stuff she went through really made my heart hurt, and you could really see how her past contributed to her present struggles. Ashley (once again) does a great job delving into her traumas and motivations, and bringing about her slow healing and growth. It was beautiful to see how sweet sweet cinnamon roll Jesse helped her to debunk all the lies she’d believed and start living again. Their relationship was so pure and real. It was beautiful to see how having Hollie around also helped him and Cade too. They all came together so well.
The story as a whole felt really authentic (as did the characters, Ashley is great at this!). I wish we got more out of Hollie’s relationship with Bea and her other family members, especially given how much they were involved with her trauma.
The ending was super sweet too. So many good quotes about love and healing. And I love Meadowbrook! And getting to see Cooper, Bea, and Tag’s stories continue too. Cooper and Hollie were so sweet ugh.
🌶️ = steamy kisses and one fade to black scene at the very end
⚠️ = emotional abuse, anxiety/panic attacks, self-harm
Thank you Ashley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Ahh I loved Hollie and Jesse’s story. Hollie really made my heart hurt in this one. All the stuff she went through really made my heart hurt, and you could really see how her past contributed to her present struggles. Ashley (once again) does a great job delving into her traumas and motivations, and bringing about her slow healing and growth. It was beautiful to see how sweet sweet cinnamon roll Jesse helped her to debunk all the lies she’d believed and start living again. Their relationship was so pure and real. It was beautiful to see how having Hollie around also helped him and Cade too. They all came together so well.
The story as a whole felt really authentic (as did the characters, Ashley is great at this!). I wish we got more out of Hollie’s relationship with Bea and her other family members, especially given how much they were involved with her trauma.
The ending was super sweet too. So many good quotes about love and healing. And I love Meadowbrook! And getting to see Cooper, Bea, and Tag’s stories continue too. Cooper and Hollie were so sweet ugh.
January 20, 2026
Oh my goodness, how is it possible that each book is more beautiful than the last? If you’re looking for a lighthearted romance this isn’t for you. But if you are looking for a soul wrenching amazing story of love and healing, this will check that box. I don’t feel like I get super emotional in books but this had me choking back tears multiple times.
The tender love that Jesse lavishes on Hollie is just a sight to behold. And the growth and resilience that Hollie experiences in this book? Ten out of ten.
There is so much heartache in this book but the joy and redemption and growth that every single person experiences is worth all the pain. I’m going to call this already and say this may be my favorite read of 2026. It’s definitely going to be in the top.
Random notes:
-just starting and emotional already. Bill’s the real hero already.
-well okay, a hummingbird making me bawl.
CW: closed door(fade to black between married couple—not descriptive, make outs), verbally/emotionally abusive significant other, some cursing throughout (one f word), s**cide attempt, drug and alcohol abuse mentions, ptsd, mention of cancer (past) in relative.
The tender love that Jesse lavishes on Hollie is just a sight to behold. And the growth and resilience that Hollie experiences in this book? Ten out of ten.
There is so much heartache in this book but the joy and redemption and growth that every single person experiences is worth all the pain. I’m going to call this already and say this may be my favorite read of 2026. It’s definitely going to be in the top.
Random notes:
-just starting and emotional already. Bill’s the real hero already.
-well okay, a hummingbird making me bawl.
CW: closed door(fade to black between married couple—not descriptive, make outs), verbally/emotionally abusive significant other, some cursing throughout (one f word), s**cide attempt, drug and alcohol abuse mentions, ptsd, mention of cancer (past) in relative.
January 21, 2026
everything I was hoping it’d be!
“there are some really good men in the world who will take a woman as she is and love her through her darkness. And sometimes receiving love is the real healing we need.”
I have been waiting for this novel since I finished reading “We Redeemed the Rain” 11 months ago. It was worth the wait! I love the way Ashley Dill tells stories and I get sucked into her books every time I open one. We Danced Among the Shadows was beautifully and thoughtfully written, as expected. I finished reading it in less than 2 days. That’s a bittersweet thing- sweet that the story was so engrossing that I couldn’t put it down, bitter that it ended so quickly.
Just as with Ashley’s other novels, I’ve underlined and saved numerous quotes from this book. The themes of darkness and light, grief, single parenting, affairs, forgiveness, and moving on are beautiful. The characters are relatable and endearing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a sucker for a good love story. There is some swearing and intimacy but not overtly graphic. I save 5 star reviews for only my favorite novels- this one earned each star for sure.
“there are some really good men in the world who will take a woman as she is and love her through her darkness. And sometimes receiving love is the real healing we need.”
I have been waiting for this novel since I finished reading “We Redeemed the Rain” 11 months ago. It was worth the wait! I love the way Ashley Dill tells stories and I get sucked into her books every time I open one. We Danced Among the Shadows was beautifully and thoughtfully written, as expected. I finished reading it in less than 2 days. That’s a bittersweet thing- sweet that the story was so engrossing that I couldn’t put it down, bitter that it ended so quickly.
Just as with Ashley’s other novels, I’ve underlined and saved numerous quotes from this book. The themes of darkness and light, grief, single parenting, affairs, forgiveness, and moving on are beautiful. The characters are relatable and endearing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a sucker for a good love story. There is some swearing and intimacy but not overtly graphic. I save 5 star reviews for only my favorite novels- this one earned each star for sure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashley does it again. I’m tearing up just trying to write this. This is a dual-timeline, dual-POV contemporary romance that exposes the absolute brokenness one can feel when someone who is supposed to love you strips you of yourself—and how living with loss is messy and moving forward can be complicated.
Hollie and her girls have been through it. Ugh, y’all—I just want to hug her. Jessie and his boy Cade… wow. A standing ovation for this MMC. I can’t even with this blended family, guys.
This story slowly tore me down and rebuilt me, piece by piece. It’s full of hope and healing, and shows how loving someone in their darkness can lead them back to the light.
“In something as inconsequential as a dance, we faced our darkness. She danced, while I fell.”
“the pain and longing and hope so intertwined I couldn’t tell where each started and began. But maybe that was exactly how this moment should feel.”
“If he took dancing from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”
💋 Fade to Black (between married couple)
🤬 Minor Language
Hollie and her girls have been through it. Ugh, y’all—I just want to hug her. Jessie and his boy Cade… wow. A standing ovation for this MMC. I can’t even with this blended family, guys.
This story slowly tore me down and rebuilt me, piece by piece. It’s full of hope and healing, and shows how loving someone in their darkness can lead them back to the light.
“In something as inconsequential as a dance, we faced our darkness. She danced, while I fell.”
“the pain and longing and hope so intertwined I couldn’t tell where each started and began. But maybe that was exactly how this moment should feel.”
“If he took dancing from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”
💋 Fade to Black (between married couple)
🤬 Minor Language
January 20, 2026
“If he took dancing away from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”
I loved this story of growth and finding yourself again. What I love about Ashley’s books is that they contain so much emotion and heartache, but the healing journey fills me with hope, as it does her characters. I’ve loved all of her books, and this one was no exception.
Jesse is a widow who works at Meadowbrook farm. His world revolves around his son. He struggled with grief and is often consumed with worry for his son. There is trauma after loss that keeps him from fully living.
Hollie visits Meadowbrook farm with her two girls for a month to stay and care for her sister, who is struggling during a difficult pregnancy. Hollie is estranged from her family, having kept them at a distance for years. The result of manipulation by her ex-husband and the burden of family secrets that she holds onto. She is a good mother and good person, but she has traumatic scars from a manipulative and emotionally abusive marriage.
I loved every interaction between Jesse and Hollie. Their kindness and carefulness with each other allowed for growth and safety. As Hollie opens up and lets Jesse in, she is able to speak of her past and gain clarity about how her ex manipulated her from a young age. I loved watching her find herself. She was always strong, but she grows in strength in a beautiful way.
Ashley is clear that her books are not for everyone. There’s some heavy content that might be triggering for some readers. If you are sensitive about certain topics, please feel free to reach out and ask me about the content.
I loved this story of growth and finding yourself again. What I love about Ashley’s books is that they contain so much emotion and heartache, but the healing journey fills me with hope, as it does her characters. I’ve loved all of her books, and this one was no exception.
Jesse is a widow who works at Meadowbrook farm. His world revolves around his son. He struggled with grief and is often consumed with worry for his son. There is trauma after loss that keeps him from fully living.
Hollie visits Meadowbrook farm with her two girls for a month to stay and care for her sister, who is struggling during a difficult pregnancy. Hollie is estranged from her family, having kept them at a distance for years. The result of manipulation by her ex-husband and the burden of family secrets that she holds onto. She is a good mother and good person, but she has traumatic scars from a manipulative and emotionally abusive marriage.
I loved every interaction between Jesse and Hollie. Their kindness and carefulness with each other allowed for growth and safety. As Hollie opens up and lets Jesse in, she is able to speak of her past and gain clarity about how her ex manipulated her from a young age. I loved watching her find herself. She was always strong, but she grows in strength in a beautiful way.
Ashley is clear that her books are not for everyone. There’s some heavy content that might be triggering for some readers. If you are sensitive about certain topics, please feel free to reach out and ask me about the content.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another beautifully written novel by Ashley Dill. As usual the characters have such depth to them; it draws me in every time.
Hollie is so worried about protecting an image, her daughter and her family she has forgotten how to protect herself. She deserves to be loved completely but isn’t sure she will ever be ready.
Jesse is a walking green flag who loves his son, honors his late wife and can make a girl who feels unlovable feel loved. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a true cowboy either.
On top of wonderful characters the book takes place back on Meadowbrook Ranch, a place I’d vacation if it was real. This is the 2nd book in the series and while you could try to read this as a stand-alone I strongly recommend reading the first book, We Redeemed The Rain, to know the back story for all of the characters.
This novel is not just another love story. It’s filled with heartbreak and grief but also redemption and healing. It’s the perfect read for anyone who likes romance that feels real and shows the messy side of life.
Hollie is so worried about protecting an image, her daughter and her family she has forgotten how to protect herself. She deserves to be loved completely but isn’t sure she will ever be ready.
Jesse is a walking green flag who loves his son, honors his late wife and can make a girl who feels unlovable feel loved. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a true cowboy either.
On top of wonderful characters the book takes place back on Meadowbrook Ranch, a place I’d vacation if it was real. This is the 2nd book in the series and while you could try to read this as a stand-alone I strongly recommend reading the first book, We Redeemed The Rain, to know the back story for all of the characters.
This novel is not just another love story. It’s filled with heartbreak and grief but also redemption and healing. It’s the perfect read for anyone who likes romance that feels real and shows the messy side of life.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashley has done it again. She’s delivered a deeply moving story full of raw emotion, love and healing. I enjoyed getting to know Hollie and Jesse and their amazing growth arc.
Hollie is such a good mom to her sweet girls, but she’s suffering from a loss of self esteem. She doesn’t feel lovable after a devastating marriage to a self centered man.
Jesse is still reeling from the loss of his wife and struggles with feelings of betraying her as he tries to move on. His son Cade is so caring and provides a reason for his dad to keep going.
This is all about second chances, love and redemption, and the healing that true love brings. If you enjoy a story with realistic themes and deeply felt themes, this is the story for you. Be aware that there are adult situations and some fade to black between a married couple, also mild language. Check the list of trigger warnings at the beginning of
Hollie is such a good mom to her sweet girls, but she’s suffering from a loss of self esteem. She doesn’t feel lovable after a devastating marriage to a self centered man.
Jesse is still reeling from the loss of his wife and struggles with feelings of betraying her as he tries to move on. His son Cade is so caring and provides a reason for his dad to keep going.
This is all about second chances, love and redemption, and the healing that true love brings. If you enjoy a story with realistic themes and deeply felt themes, this is the story for you. Be aware that there are adult situations and some fade to black between a married couple, also mild language. Check the list of trigger warnings at the beginning of
January 25, 2026
After the first book, I knew that this book hurt, but I also knew just how healing it would be to read it 🤍
It was wonderful to return to the world of Meadowbrook again and to delve back into the lives of some of the characters I’d fallen in love with! I loved getting to read Jesse and Hollie’s story, and I was cheering for them both from the moment they appeared on the page together.
The author does a wonderful job of writing from those deep places and crafting a story that shines with hope and offers the chance for a new beginning.
This is a lot heavier than what I’d usually read, featuring moderate language, pretty steamy kisses (it is a closed-door though!), and dealing with some really tough topics. So please read the content warnings before you decide whether or not to read 💕
Huge thank you to the author for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
It was wonderful to return to the world of Meadowbrook again and to delve back into the lives of some of the characters I’d fallen in love with! I loved getting to read Jesse and Hollie’s story, and I was cheering for them both from the moment they appeared on the page together.
The author does a wonderful job of writing from those deep places and crafting a story that shines with hope and offers the chance for a new beginning.
This is a lot heavier than what I’d usually read, featuring moderate language, pretty steamy kisses (it is a closed-door though!), and dealing with some really tough topics. So please read the content warnings before you decide whether or not to read 💕
Huge thank you to the author for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Here we are again, Ashley making me cry big fat ugly tears… I don’t know how she does it but I think I’ve loved every book more than the last!
Tag and Bea’s story was wonderful and incredibly emotional, but this one I really felt on a soul-deep level. Hollie’s pain was a quiet one, and she carried her burdens solo for so long. That’s a kind of grief I think few can understand, yet Ashley captures it completely. I cannot fathom the grief that Jesse lives with but having even just a glimpse of it through this story, and the beauty on the other side, is a special gift.
I cannot thank Ashley enough for these beautiful stories she writes, and for the opportunity to read them early.
You are a treasure my friend ❤️
CW: one open door scene, fade to black; some strong language.
Tag and Bea’s story was wonderful and incredibly emotional, but this one I really felt on a soul-deep level. Hollie’s pain was a quiet one, and she carried her burdens solo for so long. That’s a kind of grief I think few can understand, yet Ashley captures it completely. I cannot fathom the grief that Jesse lives with but having even just a glimpse of it through this story, and the beauty on the other side, is a special gift.
I cannot thank Ashley enough for these beautiful stories she writes, and for the opportunity to read them early.
You are a treasure my friend ❤️
CW: one open door scene, fade to black; some strong language.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashely is auto read for me, and then an automatic re-read too.
No one writes realistic emotions and trauma quite like Ashley can. The beauty, pain, and redemption woven into these chapters is really something special. I loved “getting to know” Hollie and Jesse, and following their story together, but I also was SO happy that we got to see a good bit more of Tag and Bea too. I inhaled this book in literally one night, staying up until 3am reading my copy because I was absolutely lost in the pages and didn’t want to come back for air.
I’m going to be crossing my fingers and hoping it comes to audio too sometime because I will be the very first in line for a reread that way.
No one writes realistic emotions and trauma quite like Ashley can. The beauty, pain, and redemption woven into these chapters is really something special. I loved “getting to know” Hollie and Jesse, and following their story together, but I also was SO happy that we got to see a good bit more of Tag and Bea too. I inhaled this book in literally one night, staying up until 3am reading my copy because I was absolutely lost in the pages and didn’t want to come back for air.
I’m going to be crossing my fingers and hoping it comes to audio too sometime because I will be the very first in line for a reread that way.
January 21, 2026
Favorite Quote:
“In something as inconsequential as a dance, we faced our darkness. She danced, while I fell.”
Im so excited to be back at Meadowbrook Ranch and my heart was wrecked and put back together! ❤️🩹
I absolutely loved Jesse and Hollie’s story! Their journey to healing, both individually and as a family was beautiful.
Jesse’s wedding speech!😭😭
Hummingbirds iykyk 😭
Cooper holds my heart and if he doesn’t get a happily ever after, I will riot!!
🚨- This is a story with broken people dealing with their own darkness.
TW include: death, off-page suicide, and emotional abuse, moderate language, passionate scenes, and characters wrestling with morality.
“In something as inconsequential as a dance, we faced our darkness. She danced, while I fell.”
Im so excited to be back at Meadowbrook Ranch and my heart was wrecked and put back together! ❤️🩹
I absolutely loved Jesse and Hollie’s story! Their journey to healing, both individually and as a family was beautiful.
Jesse’s wedding speech!😭😭
Hummingbirds iykyk 😭
Cooper holds my heart and if he doesn’t get a happily ever after, I will riot!!
🚨- This is a story with broken people dealing with their own darkness.
TW include: death, off-page suicide, and emotional abuse, moderate language, passionate scenes, and characters wrestling with morality.
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