Never Fear

Whiskey Ridge #2

by Karley Brenna

Note to If an annoying cowboy in a mask decides he wants to stalk you, run.

Dying was never a thought in my mind—not until I found a death note sitting on the seat in my car.

Except that wasn’t even the worst part. It was when the man I absolutely cannot stand decided to take it upon himself to watch my back.

Now he’s in every alley, behind every door, and breaking into my house. Despite his efforts, the threats keep coming. Now I don’t know what’s messing with my mind more—the danger on my life or the way he doesn’t hesitate to take my boss out of the picture after he touched me. Or how much I like it.

Genres: Dark Romance, Westerns, Cowboy Romance, Forced Proximity, Dark, Found Family, Romantic Suspense

306 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Karley Brenna lives in a tiny mountain town in the middle of nowhere out West with her fiancé, son, and herd of pets. Her hobbies include writing, reading countless books heavy on romance, and listening to country music for hours. If she’s not at home, she’s either at a bookstore or getting lost in the hills on horseback. To stay up to date with Karley’s future projects, follow her on social media @authorkarleybrenna.

Reviews

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an e-arc!

4⭐️!!! Cowboy + Dark Romance + Masked MMC! YES F*CKING PLEASE!!! 🖤

I read this book so quickly, it was fast paced and super spicy! Although I haven’t read book one (Swallow Your Fear), I was still able to read and understand this plot and the characters well!

I loved McKenna (FMC) and her bold, fiery personality and how it meshed with Austin (MMC) and his [also] bold and broody personality! Both were very dominant and submissive for each other which was fun to watch play out, and their overall banter, tension, and dynamic kept me hooked.

The suspense and mystery aspect of the plot was intriguing and added an interesting addition to the storyline which I enjoyed. There was a good balance between dark, suspense, and cute / romantic moments.

Overall, this was a quick and spicy read, and would definitely recommend! I can’t wait to read more of this Whiskey Ridge Series!🖤

—

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ↴
Star: 4⭐️/5
Spice: 3.5-4🌶️/5 (depending on tolerance)
Emotion: 2💧/5

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 ↴
🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Masked Cowboy MMC
🖤 Touch Her and D*e
🖤 “Good boy”
🖤 He Stalks Her
🖤 Ice Play
🖤 Bubble Gum Play
🖤 Banter and Tension

⚠️ Highly recommend checking trigger warnings prior to reading this book! (Some listed below )⚠️

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ↴
🖤 On-Page M*rder and T*rture
🖤 Stalking
🖤 Blood
🖤 G*n Use and Play
🖤 Mention of S*icide
🖤 Spit Play
🖤 Bubble Gum Play
🖤 Leash and Collar Play
🖤 C*m Play
🖤 Breath Play / Choking
🖤 Mention of Parental M*rder
🖤 Minor S*xual A**ult (Not by MC’s)
🖤 Consensual Somnophilia
🖤 Exhibitionism

[ReadaholicDeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark, dangerous, and addictively intense romance delivers.

When McKenna discovers a threatening note, Austin will stop at nothing to protect her and make anyone who dares look her way regret it. She swears she wants nothing to do with him, but Austin doesn’t believe in letting go. His obsession blurs the lines between protector and stalker, and their push-pull dynamic had me hooked from start to finish.

🔥 Strong hate-to-love tension
🔥 Possessive, protective, obsessed MMC (yessss!)
🔥 Danger, suspense, and sizzling chemistry

This one follows Swallow Your Fear and brings us back to the world of the three masked, morally grey cowboys, this time focusing on McKenna and Austin. I loved every second of it

[Chiara^•^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Fear by Karley Brenna
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️

This one was a quick and easy spicy read, and I loved it! I managed to get through it in just under three hours. I hadn't read the first book, but I could easily follow along with the story. The spice is seriously hot, and the tension is through the roof! I was hooked by the suspense. The characters, Austin and McKenna, have such strong personalities, and their banter is so much fun. I really enjoyed how they like to push each other's buttons.

When Austin discovers that McKenna is receiving threatening notes and is in danger, he becomes determined to keep her safe. But McKenna, being the strong and independent woman she is, insists she can take care of herself and doesn’t need anyone’s help. I found it funny (and hot) to see how Austin stalks her with a mask on just to get under her skin. He is clearly drawn to her sass and fiery personality. Slowly, his attraction turns into an obsession!

Their dynamic is interesting, and I loved seeing McKenna take the lead while Austin practically worships her. It was sweet to watch him open up to her first, helping her feel comfortable, and it was heartwarming to see her slowly let her guard down. The spicy scenes are definitely steamy, and the suspense kept me engaged throughout. Overall, this was a delightful, spicy read that I genuinely enjoyed! There’s a great mix of heat, sass, and even some sweet moments that make it all the more enjoyable.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Swallow Your Fear came out last year, I was OBSESSED and have been looking forward to McKenna and Austin’s book ever since! Y’all, this book did not disappoint!

Never Fear picks up shortly where Swallow Your Fear leaves off. When McKenna receives a threatening note, Austin takes it upon himself to keep her safe by stalking her, watching her every move. As McKenna starts to spend more time with Austin, it becomes evident that there is something between the two of them. But when the threats starts to worsen? Austin will stop at nothing to protect her.

I loved the dynamic between the two of them. The sass? The banter? The tension? I. Ate. It. Up. I thought Booker was protective, but Austin? He took it to a whole new level and talk about a man obsessed. He is a masked golden retriever who takes touch her and d!e very seriously if you know what I mean. And the spice? It was goood 😮‍💨. I also loved the suspense element of this book and I cannot wait to see where it takes us with Henley’s book.

This was a quick, fun and spicy read. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly suggest reading Swallow Your Fear first (and trust me, you won’t regret it because not only is it so good, but hot 🥵).

Thank you so much to Karley for the eARC 🖤

[Ashley Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I enjoyed this one more than the first. The banter between Austin & McKenna was such a fun time! I felt there was more plot in this one as well. If you just want a quick fix of dark cowboy romance this series is for you! Not much to think about and just a fun time. I would say Austin was touch her and die vibes all the way.

[Georgia]

since when has a dark romance put me into a slump plz

[Shawna Jalbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

•Dark Cowboy Romance
•Masked Cowboy
•Stalking
•Good Boy
•Touch Her and ☠️
•Bubble Gum Play
•Breath Play
•🌶️🌶️🌶️

♡ARC Review♡
Austin and McKenna’s story was everything. Austin is doing everything to protect McKenna with the threat on her life, and she just thinks Austin is an overprotective pain in the butt. On the other side of things.. these two are both incredibly sassy towards one another that when one bites the other encourages it more. Austin LOVES to see McKenna’s claws come out. The sass is literally back and forth in the entire book. This one wasn’t as spicy as book one, but when it hit, it hit right! I never knew bubble gum play could be so d*mn hot 🥵. Not to mention… McKenna is a BOSS. She has Austin CRAWLING to her. YES.👏🏻FREAKING.👏🏻PLEASE.👏🏻That’s literally one of my favorite microtropes. I can't wait for y’all to read their story! I hope if there’s another, it’s Henley’s and Graces!

[Heather Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karley Brenna don't you dare stop writing dark cowboy romance because girrrrllll *CHEFS KISS* Dang these books are on fire!!!

First I fell head over heals for Booker but then Karley gives us Austin and lawd have mercy on my soul because that man while a little crazy is hot as sin 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[Shannon Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ARC of Never Fear by Karley Brenna, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it early! This story pulled me in right from the first chapter — the tension, the emotional depth, and the characters’ chemistry were all on point. Karley’s writing is engaging and fast-paced, which made it hard to put down.

🖤Bubble gum play
🖤Touch her a die
🖤Masked cowboys
🖤He stalks her

[Tiffany Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an absolute pleasure to receive this ARC — I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity! 🫶🏻

Dark romance meets cowboy romance?! YES PLEASE. Gimme it all day long! 🤠🔥
-
I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first book. The spice-to-plot ratio felt far more balanced, though I do wish it had been just a touch longer, especially to dive deeper into the stalking and kidnapping elements (you know I love that darker twist!).
That said, I am obsessed with a strong, independent, sassy FMC — and McKenna DELIVERED. She gave me everything I felt was missing from Brynne in book one 🙌🏻
And don’t even get me started on the banter between Austin & McKenna — it was everything I needed and more. I ATE. IT. UP. 😍

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I didn’t read the first one and I will definitely be going back a reading that one too BUT I can’t get enough of Austin & McKenna. The banter was so good, the tension was 🤌🏻 *chefs kiss*. Telling him to get on his knees and crawl! 🥵

Masked, stalker, protective… need I say more?! 🖤

Make sure you check your trigger warnings.

[Lucy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark cowboy romance ✔️ masked MMC with golden retriever energy ✔️ black cat fierce FMC ✔️ LOTS of k!nk exploring, including bubblegum play ✔️ he st@lks her… but in an obvious way ✔️

Honestly, all the stars, all the love and no notes. I absolutely ADORED this second installment to Karley’s Whiskey Ridge series.

McKenna and Austin were everything I wanted them to be and SO MUCH MORE. So many unexpected things, so many times I had to put my kindle down and gather myself… or consider a cold shower 🥵 their story was wild and crazy, it was HOT but also had me all in my feels. Austin was the most protective, possessive, obsessive man, our masked golden retriever who gives major touch her and 💀 energy (Boy DOES HE 👀) was so down bad and would do ANYTHING for his girl.
McKenna… where do I start? I have the hugest crush on her, she was her sassy, fiery self that I’d loved from the first book, but getting to know her on a deeper level was so special. She is such a hellion, she gives as good as she gets and I freaking adore her. She tries to hard to be independent, to be the strong one, but when it comes to Austin she can’t help but let him take the reins just a smidge… but not all the time 😉

I also loved getting to see more of Booker and Brynne and their dynamic too, and the little bits of snippets of Henley and the little hints we got at their friendsgiving dinner has me so curious for his book.

The dark/suspense element in this was also fantastic, the plot was plotting and had me hooked from the first page, and I only guessed the whodunnit juuuust before we found out in the story because they were acting far too weird 🤣

I had the TIME OF MY LIFE reading this book. Honestly, one of my faves of the year.

[Marlee Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

I have been waiting almost an entire year to get my hands on Austin and McKennas story and it wasn't 100% worth the wait! I loved the grumpy x sassy push and pull dynamic these two had. The banter had me giggling and smiling at my Kindle. It was so hard to read in public 🤭 the spice was WILDDD!!! I think chapter 8 actually made me pass out because OH MY GOD 🥵🥵

In this book McKenna has developed a stalker that is posing a threat to her life and Austin is NOT having it! The way he used stalking as a love language was my favorite part of this by far. Hes just protective 🥹 This man was WHIPPED and I love that for him.

Compared to book one this one is much more character driven and you really get to see their characters develop through the story more than we saw with Booker and Brynne which was really nice! McKenna is such headstrong take no shit girl and I adore her! I loved seeing Austin's soft and protective side under all of that masked cowboy gruffness.

I loved the way the suspense plotline played out in this one and Im really really hoping we get a Henley book in the future because I do not ever want this series to end!

• Dark Cowboy Romance
• Masked Cowboy MMC
• grumpy x sassy
• touch her and ☠️ (very literally)
• found family
• "good boy"
• man OBSESSED

Thank you to Karley and Twisted Tales PR for the eARC!

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! I have been craving this book for nearly a year since I read the first book of the series and wow is that a book you need to read first to just simply understand this universe that they are all in.

Ever since reading the first book I have been so intrigued with Austin a cowboy I have come to love and McKenna who is the FMC's best friend in the first book. Safe to say though that McKenna hates Austin for some reason. That all changes when McKenna gets threatening notes left for her and Austin takes it into his own hands to stalk McKenna and try to keep her safe only the two fall for each other but fairly slowly.

The tension between those two and McKenna constantly putting herself on the path of danger was simply so intense to read. I love how it was Austin to make these changes in himself with the hope of keeping McKenna as his, opening up to her about the past surely was not an easy task but it helped McKenna to see who he really is.

I loved everything about reading this book, and to be honest, I read it fairly quickly within a few hours mainly because I was unable to put it down as Austin and McKenna had me so hooked, to say this book was hot would be an understatement!

[sam | sammylou.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

You like cowboys? Spice? Masked men?
Boy, have I got the series for you 😏

This was quick & easy and so so good!! Never Fear picks up right where Swallow Your Fear leaves off, so I do recommend reading that one first! (you don't *have* to, but you won't regret it!! it's hotttt 🔥)

McKenna, our FMC, is full of fire with a sassy mouth and I love herrr! She starts receiving threatening notes, so Austin 👀 keeps an eye on her (aka stalks her 😏.) She also “hates” Austin for whatever reason (BUT DOES SHE REALLY) so there's plenty of tension & banter! And the spiceee?? LORDAHMERCY 😮‍💨

Highly recommend if you're a dark romance fan looking for a quick read!!

What to expect:
- Bubble gum play
- Touch her and ☠️
- Masked cowboy MMC
- He stalks her
- Ice play
- “Good boy” 😏

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! A spicy cowboy with a mask… huh yum!!
The tension and banter between Austin and McKenna was so fun to read. They had me kicking my feet and my jaw on the floor a few times! Don’t even get me started on the spicy scenes.. cause OMG!
The chemistry between Austin and McKenna was perfection. I loved how their relationship progressed and how they open up to each other even though they are both stubborn and sassy!
The suspense and mystery in the book had me on the edge of my seat.

[emsbooklife · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Touch what’s mine, and you lose your privilege to live.”

ARC REVIEW

Oooff i couldnt get enough of Austin & Mckenna!!
The banter and tension was soo good. We love a FMC that tells HIM to get on their knees and crawl🤏🏼
The action and spice was everything, every page was entertaining and just so fast paced!
I love this series so much, i’m never disappointed with Karley’s books🤭

- hate to love
- stalker mmc
- dom fmc
- forced proximity
- masked cowboy
- bubblegum play

[Angela Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Yes i'm here for his obsession, his addiction.... and his Mask ;)
What a man Booker is, and what an incredibly feisty, and lucky girl McKenna is!

I adore both characters so much, the push and pull, the tension! And the safety.

The Whiskey Ridge series as it is now, and when it continues will be my 'comfort' dark romance series, and I will recommend, shout it from the rooftops and scream it for all to hear!

[Alexia _reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded to 5 for Goodreads.
*thank you to the author for the ARC!*

You want cowboys, masked men, stalker, oh and a "good boy"??? THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!
I didn't read the first book in the series and while at first I felt like I would be totally lost, I wasn't! but it made me want to read the first one even more.
This book has so many delicious, spicy scenes but also pretty intense, suspenseful ones as well!

[Candace P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

full review to come, but... where do I find my own masked cowboy to stalk me?

[~☆Courtney☆~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ it's been a hot minute since I read a book within a day...yay me 🤭 review to come !

[Elizabeth Appolloni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good from beginning to end!

We get a sassy, strong, smart FMC.
We get a sassy, strong, protective MMC.
We get found family.
We get ✨spice✨

I ate it up, left no crumbs!

[Kim W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better story, smut still a solid 10/10❤️‍🔥

[Gwen (Draco’s Version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg YES- a considerable improvement from last book, the TENSIONNN, the BANTER, the CHEMISTRY, I was hooked (I literally woke up in the middle of the night to continue it PLS)

[Brie | bookedbybrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Swallow your Fear, I knew I needed McKenna’s book. There wasn’t any word at first, but I think once there was enough talk about Karely knew she had to continue with this series. And so glad she did.

Never Fear brought back the cowboys, the masked men, and more spooky vibes. Perfect spooky read for this spooky season. How many times can I say, spooky in a sentence? Haha


Anyways, Never Fear is a very quick and spicy read that picks up after you finish Swallow your Fear. So before you even question it, YES! Absolutely read Swallow your Fear first before you jump into Never Fear. Plus, you won’t be disappointed, it's a grand ole time.

McKenna, our feisty, fiery and sassy FMC, works at the local diner and the story immediately picks up where she starts receiving these threatening notes in her car. Quickly Austin, our MMC, one of the cowboys, jumps at the chance to watch over her, or “stalks” her, to ensure her safety. Austin, what do I say about him, other than the fact that he was the most obsessive and possessive man, protective of our girl, stalking her, with a mask and giving off the best ‘touch her and die’ vibes. And to make things fun, McKenna couldn’t stand Austin, making it equally a good time. Bringing out some of thee best delicious tension, banter, and spice. I mean…… when the FMC tells her man to get on his knees and crawl….. GIVE. IT. TO. ME. Let’s go!


Thanks Karley for allowing me to be an early reader of Never Fear.

[Brittany Secor · Rating 5 out of 5]

“With him, I was safe. With him, I was me. And for him, I’d do anything.” 🖤

This book is everything and more. Book 1 of this series was a CRAZY rollercoaster, and I knew that book 2 would be just as chaotic. The masked cowboys who will protect those that they love. But how far are they willing to go? Very far.

This story follows Austin and McKenna, two who always seem to argue and can’t stand each other (which makes everything hotter IMO). When she received a 💀 note on the front seat of her car, the masked cowboy will go to the ends of the earth to protect her.

[Lauren Votrain · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read swallow your fear - you know this is the perfect continuation from it. I loved the dynamic of Austin and McKenna in the first book. The banter and the dialogue and the flirting - all lead up to this book being everything it needed to be lol it was sassy, it was serious and emotional when it needed to be. I’m obsessed with a man that’s down bad for his woman - and these mass Cowboys do not ever disappoint 🫠

I think there was a potential set up for book 3, and I’m hoping that I’m right because I would love to see how that plays out 👀🥵

[Notyourmomsshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I forget how much I love Karley’s cowboys? Never. Especially not her dark unhinged cowboys. Getting back into Whiskey Ridge, McKenna and Austin are still feuding. BUT the tension grows thicker and thicker by the hour. And I devoured it. I loved that while Austin was somewhat denying his feelings for McKenna, he still felt the pull to protect her. A broody protective cowboy who will literally unalive people for you? HUH?! McKenna is such a feisty FMC but really needed the right man to be there for her. I was so glad Austin was it. The suspense was really interesting in this and I really happy with how Karley kept things a mystery till the end.

I am so ready to see how the rest of these stories pan out because in Whiskey Ridge, things don’t lie dormant and peaceful for long.

[Elizabeth Keeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin never expected McKenna to turn his world upside down. She first appears as the fiercely independent best friend of Brynne, who happens to be dating his best friend. While Brynne and Booker are wrapped up in their whirlwind romance, McKenna stands apart, sharp-tongued, guarded, and impossible to ignore. Austin is intrigued from the start, but when McKenna’s life is suddenly threatened, intrigue turns into something much deeper, a consuming need to protect her at all costs. McKenna, however, isn’t the type to let anyone take the reins. She’s fiery, stubborn, and intent on proving she doesn’t need saving, least of all from a man like Austin. She delights in teasing him, refusing to hand him control no matter how close danger creeps. But as the threats against her escalate, even McKenna can’t deny that she might truly be in danger. For the first time, her fierce independence collides with the reality of needing someone in her corner. Austin, who once thought he was fine living a carefree, solitary life, finds himself unraveling in her orbit. Nicknaming her Kitten for the claws she constantly shows him, he’s captivated by the fight in her, even when it’s directed at him. Beneath his easygoing surface lies a man who would burn the world down to keep her safe. And when danger comes to McKenna’s doorstep, Austin refuses to back down, his loyalty and determination making him the kind of hero who would risk everything for the woman who clawed her way into his heart.

Austin is a relatable MMC because he embodies the tension between wanting freedom and realizing that love can change everything. He never sought commitment, but when McKenna enters his life, he can’t imagine letting her go. His protectiveness doesn’t come from a need to control, it comes from a place of devotion, of wanting her safe and whole even if it costs him everything. McKenna, meanwhile, is a deeply relatable FMC for anyone who has ever hidden vulnerability behind walls of independence. She’s used to carrying her own burdens, and the idea of leaning on someone else feels impossible. Yet Austin slowly chips away at her defenses, showing her that allowing yourself to be loved doesn’t equal weakness, it’s the bravest choice of all.

In conclusion, I gave this book 5 stars because Never Fear delivers a dark cowboy romance that skillfully weaves together danger, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt emotion. Karley Brenna raises the stakes with a plot that pulses with tension, threats lurking in the shadows, secrets that refuse to stay buried, and the ever-present question of whether love can survive when lives are on the line. At the same time, the romance simmers with undeniable attraction, sharp banter, and moments of vulnerability that make Austin and McKenna’s connection feel both combustible and deeply authentic. At its core, this is a story about two stubborn souls who are used to fighting their battles alone, only to discover that real strength comes from leaning on someone else. With returning characters, Booker and Brynne, still gloriously wrapped up in their own love story, and Henley brooding in the background, Never Fear proves that love isn’t about losing control, it’s about finding the courage to let someone in all the way and discovering the unshakable strength that only comes when you stop fighting alone.

[Cheyenne Yowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

Never Fear ARC Review

I don’t even have words strong enough to describe how much I loved this book—OBSESSED doesn’t even begin to cover it. Austin is hands down my favorite guy in the series. He’s lethal, unhinged, absolutely feral, but at the same time he’s protective, obsessive, and worships McKenna like she hung the damn moon. The push and pull between them had me clinging to every page.

This story was dark, spicy, twisted, and addictive in all the best ways. I annotated the absolute hell out of it because I couldn’t not mark every savage line, every filthy command, every unhinged thought. The tension? Off the charts. The ice chest scene? Legendary. The gun scene? I had to set my kindle down and just breathe. And yet—through all the chaos, threats, and feral energy—there’s a deep obsession and love that broke me down right alongside them.

Austin doesn’t just take the crown—he is the crown. He devours, destroys, and makes you beg for more. And McKenna? She holds her own, never letting him bulldoze her sass or independence, which made their dynamic even more addicting. Their chemistry is fire, their banter is razor-sharp, and the way they push each other to the brink (in every possible way 😏) is unforgettable.

This book gave me everything I want in a dark romance—danger, obsession, worship, sass, and steam that’s not just spicy but unforgettable. I already know I’ll be rereading Austin’s moments again and again because no one else compares.

Favorite Annotations / Quotes ✨
• “You wanted to be bait, kitten. So go be a good girl and put on a show.”
• “Sit back down, McKenna.”
• “What do good boys say?” “Please.”
• “The only one allowed to put a leash on me is you, kitten.”
• “Most men wanted fast cars, money, and all the girls in the world panting at their feet. I wanted her.”
• “With him, I never had to fear. I just had to love.”

Kinks you’ll find inside 🔥:
• Consensual somnophilia
• Ice cube play
• Bubble gum play
• Leash/collar play
• Gun play
• Breath play
• Spit play
• Snowballing
• Exhibitionism