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Wild Embers

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I swore I’d never come back to Evergreen Falls, Wyoming. But when I’m warned that if I don’t return, people will die—I don’t hesitate.

The plan is simple: slip in unnoticed, find the source of the threat, fix the problem, and disappear before anyone realizes I’m here. Evergreen Falls doesn’t need me. And I don’t need the memories buried in its snow.

But that plan shatters the second I’m arrested by Sheriff Walker Maddox—my dad’s best friend, my childhood protector…and the one man I’ve never been able to stay away from.

And he isn’t the only one.

They’ve always been off limits. That never stopped me from crossing lines I shouldn’t.

Santiago Ramirez—the reckless cowboy with a wicked smile

Levi Harding—the quiet town vet with a steady, grounding presence.

Men I grew up around. Men I trusted. Men I was never supposed to want.

Now they look at me like they see it too.

They make it harder to remember why I ever planned to leave.

When the danger shifts toward me, these three men—loyal, lethal, and completely off limits—refuse to let me face it alone. And the closer I get to them, the harder it is to pretend I don’t belong right here, between them.

Because Evergreen Falls is hiding something darker than old secrets and small-town gossip. Someone is hunting the town’s heroes…and exposing them for the monsters they really are.

And the deeper I dig, the clearer it becomes—these aren’t the acts of a deranged killer.

This is the past coming back to collect its debt.

*This is a 18+ dark reverse harem romance with explicit scenes. Check the content warnings before reading.

499 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2026

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About the author

Ivy King

9 books229 followers
New to my books? Start with Fractured Fear, book one of The Devils of New York.

Ivy King is a why choose dark romance author who lives in the mountains of Idaho with her book husband, four wild kids, and cuddly pitbull. When Ivy isn’t writing smut, you can find her tending to her emotional support houseplants, wrapped in a fluffy blanket reading romance novels, doom scrolling on her phone, or watching true crime.

To stay up to date on all things Ivy King, make sure to follow her on social media and signup for her newsletter! Links to everything on her website www.ivykingauthor.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
Profile Image for Leah D.
724 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2026
After reading the devils of New York series which I loved, I was super excited to read this book.

Some parts were done well, and some parts could have been done/ dealt with better. I liked the characters enough to care about them but overall I found the whole thing was rushed. The relationships seemed to go from 0-60 in a flash, with the exception of Walker.

While that one took a little bit longer, even that one felt fast. Everything was definitely very insta-love, things moved at an extremely fast pace which made it kind of hard to be believable on the men’s side. On her end, she had always had a crush on her fathers three best friends, so her falling for them wasn’t a crazy concept or stretch but even then, it had been something like 7 years since she’s seen them.. do you really know them now like you did then? Debatable.

The whole premise that these three guys are vigilantes and seemingly started with her dad but never get caught, nobody seems to ask questions about their kills, the whole thing is just kind of glossed over which to me was weird. Especially seeing as two of their vigilante kills were school employees (one is a teacher and is a guidance counselor at the same school), it makes no sense that missing people are never reported??

The stalker reveal was very obvious, I figured that part out early on but I still enjoyed the book. It is not an amazing one but it also isn’t inherently bad. I think if we spent more time developing the relationships at a more realistic pace it would have been better to me.

Even the plot seemed to move quickly with the whole debt collector part and I still don’t even see the point in the whole Abbott side story other than a way to have Blake be alone? If you like dark, why choose romance and love an insta-love vibe, this is great for that but if you prefer to have more character development and relationships that make sense in terms of pace this is probably not going to be one of your favorites.

3.25⭐️
3🌶️
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
121 reviews19 followers
July 22, 2026
When a book completely consumes you and leaves you never wanting to leave its world… ❤️

I absolutely adore Ivy’s writing. She has such a beautiful way of building worlds and characters that you feel instantly transported into their lives, completely forgetting about everything else.

This book reminded me so much of The Devils of New York series, with Spencer and her guys, and I loved that. Blake is such a fantastic FMC, stubborn, strong, and never afraid to stand up for the people she loves.

After the trauma of her childhood, Blake has spent years avoiding Evergreen Falls. Left behind were her silent protectors…

When she’s forced to return home with a secret mission of her own, old feelings resurface, the tension reignites, and the chemistry between them absolutely scorches.

Filled with suspense, mystery, found family (both human and animal), and characters you’ll become completely invested in, Wild Embers has it all.

And that ending… effortlessly beautiful. ❤️

Thank you, Ivy, for trusting me with this ARC.

Happy reading!
😊🔥🐾
Profile Image for Ariel Oliver.
383 reviews14 followers
July 27, 2026
I have loved Ivy from her very first book and this one was no exception! Wild Embers is a chonker but the story is worth it!

Blake is a beautiful artist who is drawn back home by a psycho, but she doesn't tell anyone she is back. She hides in the shadows, watching and waiting, until she sees a fire and tries to help.

Walker is the Sheriff and he is so afraid of his feelings for Blake, it's kind of sad. Knowing his story and knowing what I know now, doesn't make it any less sad. He has a very complex relationship and history with her.

Santiago is my cowboy and my absolute favorite! He is sweet and affectionate from the start, and you can't help but fall in love with his character.

Levi is the local vet, and oh boy is he a wild card, and let's not forget his relationship with Santiago (which is super hot BTW). He is affectionate with Blake and loves her too, and is just as affectionate as Santiago. I love a man who is open with his feelings!

This book was so good, there were moments of heaviness, moments of doubt, moments where I had my own murder board trying to figure things out! Ivy has a way of writing her characters that make you instantly fall in love with them, even when they are grumpy assholes 😂 The suspense made for a great book, and the characters are once again top tier!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Profile Image for Courtney|the.bookcourt.
608 reviews19 followers
July 22, 2026
Thank you to Ivy King for the e-arc in exchange for my review. All opinions that follow are honest and my own!
OOOOHHHH YOU KNOW I LOVE ME SOME COWBOYS HEHE
Add in why choose, and a bit of small town drama?? YUP.

This book was truly entertaining from start to finish, kept me on my toes but also kicking my feet and squealing. Because these men??? HOT HOT HOT.
Was I not a huge fan of the fact that they knew her as a child, yeah but honestly it grew on me a bit once more was explained about Blake's past.
Each of Blake's men were unique in their own way and I love that we got to see the relationships develop not only with Blake but with each other.
I will say that the plot twist was a bit predictable, would've liked a little more intrigue built but overall a solid small town romantic suspense!
Profile Image for Leanne Jones.
152 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2026
Wow this was amazing. Blake with her smart mouth and sass. The boys cowboy, vet and sheriff. The banter between all of them was so funny. These boys were so sweet the little things they did for Blake was so lovely. I picked the suspect but I just didn’t know the why. The suspense kept you hanging on wanting to know what was going to happen next. Great book!
Profile Image for Nita.
886 reviews14 followers
July 24, 2026
So Good

This is such a good book. It literally gives you everything. It gives you the drama. It gives you the spice. It gives you twist and turns plots with it you weren't expecting Ivy really knows how to write a psychological why choose thriller.
Profile Image for Ashley.
271 reviews
July 26, 2026
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this knowing it was a why choose and cowboy romance. Two of my favorite genres! If you know me you know I love me some cowboys! I quickly became obsessed! This book was honestly SO good. Why choose, Morally Grey, Dad’s Best Friends. All the good stuff! Blake comes back to town to because of a threatening message. She’s trying to protect the ones she loves and not get caught doing it. Spoiler alert: Blake would not make a good spy!
Profile Image for Nɪᴋᴋɪ❤️.
204 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2026
If you’re looking for a why choose, cowboy, artist, also with a man in uniform (cop) ….this is your sign to go read it!
The spice and yearning between the characters was 🔥. This book is a little thicker, but It kept my attention which made reading this fly by!

Great Job Ivy!
Profile Image for Ash Logan.
56 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2026
Thank you, Ivy King for the opportunity to ARC read this intense and amazing book! What a wild ride! So many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat! I love the main characters, the plot was amazing, I could feel the emotions the characters felt- this was a very well-written story.
Profile Image for Emily Knaus.
636 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 21, 2026
I’m a sucker for a dad’s friend age gap romance, and this book doesn’t just give you one, it gives you three. Blake’s return to Evergreen Falls drops her straight into the orbit of the men who once stood shoulder to shoulder with her father, men twenty plus years older who should be off limits but absolutely aren’t. It’s messy, charged, and addictive in all the best ways.

Blake’s return to Evergreen Falls at thirty is the kind of homecoming that feels more like a reckoning. The town hasn’t softened in her absence, and neither have the men who end up orbiting her. What starts as survival quickly turns into something far more complicated, charged, and impossible to walk away from.

Levi is the town’s veterinarian. He’s got steady hands and quiet devotion, the kind of man who sees right through her defenses. Santiago, the rancher, is all heat and passion, he worships her and sees as more than just worthy but as everything he never knew he needed. And Maddox, the Sheriff, is a protector with a past that clings to him like dust, which somehow makes him the most dangerous temptation of all.

What makes their dynamic hit even harder is the history. All three men were once her dad’s friends, the men who stepped in after he died when Blake was seven. That shared past adds weight to every glance, every boundary crossed, every moment where loyalty and longing collide. There are so many secrets that they all hold, but when revealed doesn’t break them but makes them stronger.

There’s something addictive about the way these men move when danger follows Blake back to Evergreen Falls. Levi, Santiago, and Maddox don’t hesitate, don’t question, don’t flinch. Each of them makes it clear in their own way that they will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even when the threats get darker and the secrets start cracking open. That protective edge with the grit, the devotion, the quiet promises is one of the best parts of this story.

What really makes me giggle and kick my feet is the nicknames Blake has from each of her men. Levi calls her “Butterfly”, a soft, steady name that fits the way he sees her; delicate but determined, always transforming. Santiago’s “Mi Cielo” is pure heat and devotion, a reminder that she’s his sky, his calm, his everything. And Maddox’s “Baby Girl” carries that dangerous mix of authority and tenderness that only he can pull off.

Evergreen Falls itself is a pressure cooker of secrets, betrayals, and twists that keep tightening around Blake and the men who refuse to let her face them alone. The danger doesn’t just raise the stakes; it sharpens every emotion, every choice, every line they shouldn’t cross but do anyway.

“This. This right here is what I’m choosing. Levi Harding, Santiago Ramirez, and Walker Maddox. My choice is them.”

The romance is perfectly spiced, perfectly tense. It’s the kind of slow burn heat that coils under your skin until it snaps. Each connection feels distinct and earned, layered with history, desire, and the kind of chemistry that thrives when everything around them is falling apart.

Wild Embers is a gritty, suspenseful, and emotionally charged why choose romance.

A huge thank you to Ivy King for the early copy!!
Profile Image for Jasmine Kelii.
44 reviews6 followers
July 18, 2026
If there’s one thing I can count on Ivy for, it’s a romantic suspense that has me completely hooked and features my newest book boyfriends! 😍

“𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒊𝒕. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚.”

Walker, Santiago, and Levi are the type of small town men we all obsess over! A grumpy and broody, a golden retriever, and a cinnamon roll 😮‍💨 And they’ll do whatever it takes to keep Blake safe. The fact that they’re all much older than her and happen to be her dad’s best friends? Cherry on top 🥵

“𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑰 𝒂𝒎. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒗𝒂𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒓𝒐. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆.”

I loved that Blake was sassy and strong minded. Even when she had a traumatic childhood. (𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘞𝘴!) She came out a badass who could hold her own 💅

The suspense in this one was top tier! It was giving Criminal Minds with all the spice! A serial killer and a stalker. Is it one person or two different people?? The back and forth with this suspense had me eating this upppp!

“𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍.” “𝑵𝒐.” 𝑴𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒖𝒈. “𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔.” “𝑷𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔.” 𝑯𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. “𝑴𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍.”

And the little cameos from Savannah?? Ahhh I love how this whole universe is connected. I can’t wait to see where Ivy takes us next!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✨ Reverse Harem
✨ MMFM
✨ Cowboy Romance
✨ Romantic Suspense
✨ Dad's Best Friends
✨ Serial Unaliver
✨ She's an artist
✨ Morally Gray Heroes
✨ Dark Romance
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Touch Her & Die
✨ Age Gap
✨ Return to

𝐓𝐖𝐬:
⚠️ Animal abuse/injury (not explicitly described)
⚠️ Arson
⚠️ Child Abuse and Molestation (implied/off page)
⚠️ Death by Suicide (not on page, briefly recapped)
⚠️ Emotional Abuse (not by main characters)
⚠️ Graphic Descriptions & Scenes
⚠️ Injured Animals (no animals were killed fictionally or otherwise in the production of this story)
⚠️ Murder
⚠️ Nightmares
⚠️ PTSD & Flashbacks
⚠️ Sexual Abuse (implied/off page)
⚠️ Stalking (the morally gray kind and the bad kind)
⚠️ Suicidal Thoughts (no attempt)
⚠️ Torture
⚠️ Branding
⚠️ Violence

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬:
⛓️ Masturbation
⛓️ Shower
⛓️ Oral
⛓️ Public bathroom
⛓️ Anal play
⛓️ Office
⛓️ Hand necklace
⛓️ Public
⛓️ MF
⛓️ MM
⛓️ MMF
⛓️ DP
⛓️ MMFM
⛓️ MFM
⛓️ DVP
⛓️ Anal
⛓️ Praise

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
POV: Multi - first person
Ending: 🩷HEA
Profile Image for Nikki B..
1,165 reviews28 followers
July 26, 2026
Wild Embers is a dark, why choose, dad's best friends, age gap, cowboy romance. This is a thrilling, suspenseful story with laced with murder, mystery, stalking, and revenge
This was honestly such a good why choose. Not only did Blake get 1 of her dad's best friend, but 3 of them. 3 cowboys who are basically like vigilantes who take matters into their own hands.
Walker, Levi, and Santiago are all such amazing characters, unique in their own ways. It started with Santiago being my favorite because he seems so calm, good natured, the one you go to when you need a smile to brighten your day. He's the ranch owner. But then there's Walker, who is also my favorite. He's such a broody grump, but I feel like he's more serious and logical. Which, I guess, makes sense since he's the sheriff. And then, Levi, who also became my favorite because he's so blunt and open and honest. He's also a vet and his love for animals had me in the palm of his hands. And then I realized, this is a why choose, they can all be my favorite.
Blake is also no damsel. She is a strong, feisty, sassy character. That whole shower scene with her being on the shower floor with Levi and Walker standing over her, basically catching her, will live rent free in my head. The way that had me cackling. It seems like they all always had some sort of attraction to Blake but always thought she was too young to act on it. But now she's back in town, older and more mature. What lured her back to town though is what brought them together and keeps them together though because when they learn that Blake is being targeted by a stalker/killer, they go full protection mode.
Ivy's writing is addicting. You're not only sucked in because the spice is hot. The plot... is so well written and keeps you on your toes. The little cryptic messages she was receiving basically toying with her, threatening someone important to her like her mom, or her dog, and then her race to them to ensure their safety... it literally had me at the edge of my seat, biting my nails. Ivy writes these amazing mmc's. They are all so unique and different from each other but work so well for the fmc's needs and for the plot. I also, honestly didn't see the twist coming. I went through a range of emotions in this book. My heart hurt for Javi.
If you love your cowboy romances dark with not 1, but 3 men that are possessively obsessed and protective over their woman, then this is definitely the right pick.
Profile Image for Victoria Golby.
2,183 reviews14 followers
July 20, 2026
Another fantastically dark RH romance from Ivy King

This is another fantastic dark romance by Ivy King. It's full of murder, mystery, suspense, dark slow-burn age-gap romance with 🌶️, a determined FMC with sass, a sheriff, vet and ranch owner MMCs who were all best friends of her dad’s and overly protective of her, why choose (MMFM including some MM), past traumas, stalking, secrets, revenge, touch her & ☠️, twists, banter and found family. Ivy has put heaps of brilliant emotion and feeling in Blake, Walker, Levi & Santiago (and you can’t help but love them all) but please read the trigger warnings.

Blake had left the small town of Evergreen Falls when she was eighteen, not wanting to look back, but years later she returns after an anonymous message threatens her mum and the men she’d secretly loved as a teenager. But on returning she finds the childhood crush she had for all three of her dad’s best friends have just become adult infatuation, and when Santiago and Levi both start flirting with her she realises they might feel the same way, though Walker is still a cold grump, particularly when she won't listen to him and works independently.

"Have you always been into art? How did I not know this about you?" Blake's cheeks turn pink as she chews on her bottom lip. On the new page, I catch a quick glimpse of what looks to be me, Levi, and Walker. "Why did you --"
The drawing is snatched away. "That's enough of show and tell."
"Do you draw me often?"
Blake rolls her eyes. "Next subject."
Definitively circling back to this later.

The men are all surprised but delighted to have Blake back in their lives, they’d all longed for her and having her back none of them want to lose her again (calling her Baby Girl, Mi Cielo and Butterfly). But they're worried as there’s a stalker and killer in town. It was a great read seeing Blake’s men working together to protect and love her.

Walker is the protective sheriff, cold and grumpy to hide his feelings
Santiago is a ranch owner, a flirt with a wicked smile who brings pure chaos and heat
Levi is the local vet, he's steady, loyal and loving, and keeps everyone grounded

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Crystal Reads.
1,240 reviews64 followers
July 20, 2026
Wild Embers is a deliciously addictive dark why choose cowboy romance packed with suspense, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of emotional tension. With a broody sheriff, a compassionate veterinarian, and a charming cowboy, all of whom happen to be Blake's father's best friends. The mystery kept me frantically turning the pages, and the romance left me wanting even more.

Blake never imagined she'd return to her hometown, but after receiving a series of cryptic text messages and realizing someone is stalking her, she has no choice but to go back. Waiting for her are Walker, Santiago, and Levi, three very different but equally irresistible men. Walker is the grumpy, protective sheriff, Levi is the sweet cinnamon roll veterinarian, and Santiago is the fun loving golden retriever cowboy. Each of them is fiercely protective of Blake in their own way, and I loved watching their devotion and obsession with keeping her safe.

Ivy delivers an incredible romantic suspense that had me on the edge of my seat. As mysterious fires break out and bodies begin to pile up, I couldn't stop asking questions. Was someone targeting Blake? Were the men in danger? Or was there something much bigger at play? The mystery unfolds at the perfect pace, with just enough clues to keep me guessing without giving everything away. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist proved me wrong.

And during all the danger, their romance blossoms naturally. Blake does everything she can to keep her distance, but the chemistry between her and the three men is impossible to ignore. Their relationships develop in a way that feels both emotional and intensely passionate, and I especially enjoyed seeing Santiago and Levi's connection evolve alongside everything else. The chemistry is undeniable, the spice is scorching, and it perfectly complements the suspense without overshadowing the story.

If you love dark why choose romances with protective cowboys, found family, pulse pounding suspense, and plenty of heat, Wild Embers is one you won't want to miss.
Profile Image for Diana Martins.
361 reviews9 followers
July 27, 2026
"You can’t let the fear win.”

A page-turning dark why choose romance.

With a plot full of crime, suspense, drama, steamy moments, and countless twists, this story keeps you guessing until the very end.
You'll constantly find yourself trying to figure out what's really going on, who did what, and why.

It also delivers deeply emotional moments that will either break your heart and bring tears to your eyes or leave you feeling furious and outraged.

What a fantastic FMC.
She has had a hard life, but it only made her fight even harder to build a better future.
She may be a survivor whose scars are hidden, but she's also tough as nails. She doesn't turn the other cheek, and if necessary, she's the first to throw a punch.
She has an incredibly captivating personality, managing to be funny, cynical, and bratty all at once.
She keeps the MMCs on their toes—some of them even become completely exasperated—but none of them can resist being drawn to her.

Then there are the MMCs...
They're all so different from one another, and that's exactly what makes them such a perfect match.
They're the best kind of morally gray characters—the kind whose red flags somehow start looking like shades of green.
They share a strong bond built on friendship, loyalty, and, for some of them, something even deeper.
They always stand together against what's wrong. They're also older than the FMC.
Honestly, every single one of them surprised me in the best possible way.

The FMC was the missing piece they didn't even realize they needed—or maybe wouldn't allow themselves to believe they needed.

Another thing that completely won me over was the way the MCs love and care for animals. It's no surprise that the love and devotion are returned just as wholeheartedly.

It's a journey full of twists and turns and a wide range of emotions—both good and bad—but they'll get the well-deserved HEA they fought for.
Profile Image for Ashley Bolan.
434 reviews3 followers
July 19, 2026
Another fantastic story by the amazing Ivy King. I swear she writes some of the best why choose books. Each guy is absolutely loveable and possessive/protective of their girl. This book follows Blake who we met in Dark Whispers. She is forced home to protect her mom and her dad's best friends. Blake is in love with all three men and ran away from them because of a misunderstanding when she was younger. Now that she is back each man is determined to keep her and show her where she belongs. We have Walker, who is the sheriff of the town. He is the grump of the group. He is the one that tries to resist his love and attraction the longest, but when he finally breakes he is so down bad it is not funny. What he does for Blake is utter perfection. Any man who does that for his woman is a keeper. Then you have Santiago and Levi. Both have no problem showing their love and devotion to Blake. They both want her and have no problems sharing her. Not to mention they are also basically boyfriends themselves. There are several different things going on in this book. Their is an arsonist/murder on the lose. He is causing chaos in the town. Blake is caught in the middle of it more than once. When all is revealed they all realize there was more than meets the eye for a long time. Blake is also carrying so pretty heavy baggage from her childhood. Her men do everything in their power to help her heal and to move on from her trauma. Ivy has done a great job setting up this interconnected world. All her characters are lovable and top notch men. The women are fighers and prove they can handle anything that is thrown in their path. If you love a good why choose with a touch of mystery, then this book is for you.
Profile Image for Danielle Watts.
191 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2026
Stop what you're doing and go read this immediately!
(Please check the trigger warnings)

This book was phenomenal! I finally picked it up last night (have been dealing with on/off migraines making it difficult to read) and I literally couldn't put this down. I read it in one sitting last night. As soon as I got a couple chapters in, I was hooked.

This book had me in my feelings. Ivy sent us on a wild ride with this one. This was dark and spicy and suspenseful.

Blake was an interesting fmc. She had a dark past, an unloving family, and a wild crush on her late father's best friends. Hello age gap!

Walker, Levi and Santiago were all so different from each other but worked so well together. They were strong, supportive, and super protective of Blake. Which, if you've read this you would understand why.

The characters were complex and I loved each and every one of them. This kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages because I absolutely needed to know what would happen next. This was fast paced and had me gasping at times. I definitely guessed one of the characters who had some bad behavior but the real "bad guy" caught me off guard. The chain of events that takes place keeps you guessing. You're constantly trying to connect the dots.

Blake's past is traumatic. Her mother was awful. Her protectors finally share some details from their past that could endanger their relationship. I could not get enough of Blake, Walker, Levi and Santiago.

Oh, and a particular part at the end had me in tears and I'm slightly mad at Ivy for it. IYKYK.

This is a must for your summer TBR! Ivy is an auto read author for me and she probably will be for you too after you read this.
Profile Image for Rebekah Price.
67 reviews3 followers
July 18, 2026
Wild Embers by Ivy King was an enjoyable blend of romance and mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was the use of multiple POVs from all four main characters. Not only did it add depth to the why choose romance, but it also allowed each character to feel fully developed and more relatable. Seeing the events unfold through different perspectives helped me understand their motivations and made me more invested in their relationships.

The multiple POVs also added another layer to the murder mystery. At times they created convincing red herrings that kept the suspicion shifting from one character to another. As someone who reads a lot of mystery fiction, I started piecing the clues together early and correctly guessed the identity of the Debt Collector. It was incredibly satisfying to see my detective instincts pay off when the reveal finally came.

While the why choose trope isn't one I typically gravitate toward, I thought it worked surprisingly well alongside the age-gap romance and the overall plot. The relationships felt intentional rather than forced, and they complemented the mystery instead of overshadowing it.

Overall, Wild Embers is a well-balanced romantic suspense with engaging characters, an intriguing mystery, and enough twists to keep readers turning the pages. If you enjoy romance with multiple perspectives, a touch of suspense, and solving the mystery alongside the characters, this is definitely worth picking up.
#WildEmbers #IvyKing #WhyChooseRomance #ReverseHaremRomance #RomanticSuspense #AgeGapRomance
Profile Image for Cathleen.
27 reviews2 followers
July 21, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and the opinions and feedback are my own.

Highlights:
🖤 MMFM Romance 🖤 Morally Gray MMCs 🖤 Protectors 🖤 Dad’s Best Friends 🖤 Muliple POV 🖤 Age Gap

Favorite Snippets:
💬 Apparenrly, I’m collecting red flags like it’s my job because I’m weak in the knees.
💬 If you two need to f*ck it out, feel free.
💬 Healing isn’t pretending the past never happened. It’s refusing to let it decide who I become.

This book was very busy. We follow the 4 MCs throughout the story as they live their personal lives and their life together. We see the reconnection, the chemistry, the care, the fear, the doubt, the anger, the guilt… it’s all here in this book. And while they’re navigating all of that, they’re also trying to come to terms with the past, solve a mystery, and not get killed.

I loved the different personalities of each MMC. They were all 3 very enjoyable and I didn’t feel they were copies of one another, which I appreciated. You had Mr. Serious, Mr. Sweet, and Mr. Sassy. It was a great blend having them with the FMC, who was strong willed and independent, but eager to be loved by them.

Overall I would recommend this book for people who enjoy age gap, dad’s best friend(s), Why Choose romances with vigilante justice.

The content warnings in this book are accurate.

Content Note: in this book dad’s best friend doesn’t mean they become close as adults. The MMCs were close with the FMC when she was a child. It is integral to the story, and while absolutely nothing questionable happens during that timeframe, the ‘helped raise her’ angle is kind of an ick for some, so I wanted to disclose that.
Profile Image for Kilee Goode.
201 reviews10 followers
July 23, 2026
Ivy absolutely knocked this one out of the park! I was truly, utterly obsessed from beginning to end, and honestly, everything about this book felt absolutely perfect.

This story delivers the perfect blend of dark romance, suspense, and mystery. Add in the why choose cowboy romance element and it’s everything I love in a book. Every chapter had me hooked, constantly trying to piece together the truth while the twists & turns kept proving me wrong. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another revelation completely changed the game. The suspense was executed flawlessly and had me unable to put this book down.

The characters completely stole my heart. Walker, Santiago, and Levi each brought something so unique to the story, and their individual personalities made the dynamic between them & Blake feel authentic & unforgettable. The chemistry was off the charts, the tension was delicious, and watching these fiercely protective cowboys rally around her had me swooning every single time.

I also loved how the mystery never overshadowed the romance or vice versa. Ivy balanced both elements perfectly, creating a story that kept my heart racing from both the emotional moments and the edge of your seat suspense. And don’t get me wrong. There were tear jerker moments, but she made them into something beautiful.

If you’re looking for a dark why choose romance with rugged cowboys, protective men, incredible chemistry, shocking twists, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, this is one you absolutely need to read.

Ivy has officially set the bar incredibly high with this one, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Profile Image for The_Book_Brat.
1,025 reviews188 followers
July 19, 2026
*Why Choose Romance
*Contemporary Romance
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Small Town Romance
*Abused FMC
*Returning Home
*Age-Gap
*Dad’s Best Friends
*Morally Grey MMCs
*Established Harem (3)
*MM Romance
*Fast Burn
*Standalone
This is packed with some juicy tropes and it delivers on them!
Blake is being blackmailed in returning to her smallltown Wyoming home she high tailed it out of ten years ago after her childhood (There are dark elements to this story - please check your TWs although most happen off page and are referenced to) yet there are still people there she is willing to protect and risk it all for. She is cocksure and not afraid to battle with the world and the men trying to coral her, but ultimately she is trying to hide her vulnerabilities. Of her love interests there is Walker, the Sheriff who is a bit of an A-hat but he is trying to manage his own feelings whilst trying to work out who the serial killer is in his town; Santi the cowboy laden with charms and smooth talking and one who isn’t afraid to go after Blake; and Levi the vet who becomes a safe place for our girl and encourages her to explore what she wants from life! They gel together well, and who’s the who hurt you/protective vibe you gotta love and the group scenes are hot…
At times I did feel Levi became a little background compared to Santi and Walker but that might jut be me.
The plot line was interesting in how the blackmailer and the murderer could be linked with some red herrings thrown in there. Overall a great read.
55 reviews5 followers
July 23, 2026
I wasn’t sure what to expect since this is my first Ivy King book. And I can honestly this will not be my last.

The FMC, Blake, leaves her small town after graduation to get away from some serious family drama. She is gone for 12 years with no plans to ever return. That is until she gets anonymous text messages threatening her mother, and her dead father’s three best friends who she has know pretty much her entire life (and has had a school girl crush on too). So she heads back to her hometown with plans to stalk them in order to keep an eye on them. Well, her plan blew up in her face after she finds herself at the scene of a crime, and getting arrested- by one of her crushes who is the Sheriff. She then finds herself in the middle of solving a murder mystery with the Sheriff, the town’s Vet and owner/cowboy of a local ranch. And did I mention they are all sexy as hell, and that she realizes her school girl crush is now a full grown woman crush? But do they feel the same way?

This book has suspense, drama, trauma, and mystery. Between trying to figure out whodunit and the steamy scenes between her and the three hotties- I couldn’t put this book down.

This is a dark romance and there are heavy topics covered that could be triggering to some. So please read the Trigger Warnings.

Overall Rating: 5/5
Spice Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Why Choose, MF, MMF, MMFM, F**k It, Slow Burn, Second Chances, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Grumpy x Sunshine, Small Town, Cowboy Romance, Daddy’s Best Friends
Profile Image for Melinda Berryhill.
92 reviews3 followers
July 20, 2026

🌟 5/5
🌶️ 2/5

🖤 Why Choose (MMFM)
🖤 Romantic Suspense
🖤 Over Protective Men
🖤 Dad’s best friend
🖤 Trauma/healing


Wow this one right here was a roller coaster of emotions. It starts from the first page and doesn’t slow down all the way through. I am obsessed with this book and these characters. Watching them get their ending was bitter sweet because I didn’t want to see them go.

In this one we start with Blake, our FMC, going back to her hometown because someone is threatening the people she cares about. And from here our story begins and it’s one mysterious and devastating thing after the next. Blake reunites with her dad’s best friends and it’s a tension filled yet beautiful story of how they all found solace in each other. I won’t say more so I don’t ruin the plot.


Watching Blake overcome all the things that have happened to her and become comfortable in her own skin and with these men was perfection 🥹. The suspense keeps you turning pages and avoiding your responsibilities. And the men!? 🥵 where can I find mine? Santi, Levi, and Walker are the very definition of perfect book boyfriend.


Overall, this was a five star read for me. The pacing, the writing style, the plot, and the characters flowed together and made another beautiful story from Ivy King. I can’t wait to see where she takes us next!


Thank you Ivy King for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🖤


Profile Image for Cassy.
38 reviews
July 25, 2026
**Contains Spoilers**

I received a free ARC Copy of this book

Okay, I loved Ivy King's The Devils of New York series, but this book might have just topped it. I wish the epilogue had featured a little more in the future, just to get more of these 4. Let's start with Blake; she was sassy, sweet, loving, and so dedicated to making sure everyone she loved was safe that she gave no regard to anything more. It made her an amazing FMC. Santi was the fun-loving wild cowboy that you could feel his wink through the pages!! Levi was the sensitive one with a heart of gold who knew no one knew or suspected he was Blake's anonymous buyer. And last, there is Walker, the Brody sheriff, who tried to hide all his feelings by pushing Blake away but had the sweetest affection for her (once he stopped denying them). These 4 and their chemistry were off the charts; the spice level was definitely a 4.5.

This book took me on such an emotional roller coaster ride; it was crazy. I laughed, cried, and had to look at everyone like a suspect because you just didn't know what was gonna happen. Definitely not a predictable book. I don't think I have ever cried in a book so much between the bridge scene and then Javier dying, to her own tribute art picture of Javier, I bawled. Even when I had that suspicion of who was behind everything, the reasoning for it all blew me away and totally threw me for a loop.

This book is definitely a 5-star, 10/10 recommendation for me.
Profile Image for x.o-St3fani3-o.x.
320 reviews
July 27, 2026
Small Town Secrets and Big Feelings

I really enjoyed this book by Ivy King! This was my first book from her, and it definitely won’t be my last. I love a good age gap romance, and this one featured three older men, so I was hooked from the start.

Blake is a small-town country girl who moved to New York City the first chance she got. When she receives an anonymous message concerning the people she loves, she finds herself returning to Evergreen Falls. Not long after arriving, she stumbles upon a murder scene, and things only get more intense from there.

As a teenager, Blake had a crush on three of her dad’s best friends, never realizing they would one day return those feelings. Walker is the grumpy sheriff who will do anything to protect the people he loves and the town he calls home. Levi is the town veterinarian and part-time deputy with the sweetest heart. Santiago is the rugged, life-of-the-party rancher who also occasionally serves as a deputy.

Together, the four of them work to solve a series of murders that have plagued Evergreen Falls while doing everything they can to protect one another through every twist and turn.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and wasn’t ready for it to end. I found myself wishing there was more because I had such a great time with these characters. I can’t wait to see what Ivy King writes next!
Profile Image for sycokittykat - Stefanie.
1,487 reviews43 followers
August 3, 2026
A cowboy, the sheriff, a veterinarian and the artist they all want

I will say right off this book was way more instant love than I expected it was going to be. I also struggled with the fact that the men knew her as a child especially since then knew what her childhood held.

Blake returns to her hometown when a mysterious text threatens good people should she not listen. Honestly after how long she had been gone it makes zero sense until the end. Though I will say the who was very easy to pinpoint and it was honestly laughable that they didn't figure it out.

This story had some very interesting moments but the relationship aspect was not really part of it. Only one if the men put up any resistance and the other two were all in as soon as she said go.

I loved some of the side characters more than the main characters. The dog and the horse were fantastic. Also, I adored the lady at the Cafe and Jose. These two were so good to her.

The steamy scenes were fun but lacked the emotional connection I wanted.

Overall it was a good story that needed more. More connected, more passion, and more relationship building. 3.75 stars for me. Not a favorite or one I would reread but it wasn't a bad book. If you want an age gap, father's next friends, instalove story with a predictable villain where only the why is unknown this is perfect for you.
Profile Image for Chelsey Black.
97 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy
July 16, 2026
🖤 Age gap
🩶 MMFM
🐎 Ranch owning MMC
🚨 Law enforcement MMC
🐾 Vet MMC
🎨 Artist FMC
💀 Romantic suspense
👀 Twist and turns

This is one that you should read trigger warnings for. There is alot of suspense, mystery, and secrets. The three MMCs are very protective of the FMC. The nicknames were cute Butterfly, Mi Cielo, and baby girl.

After she flees the town and stays away for along time she comes back because of threats. She was brave and came back even at the idea of remembering trauma she experienced there. There were moments I wanted to shake her out of her delusions. Mainly when it came to her mom and father. I was so glad the MMCs saved her and put a stop to other problems the same way.

I found that the moms behavior was absolutely horrible. She failed her daughter so badly and it was sad that there was not even a moment of clarity for her to apologize for it. There were twist and honestly it was disappointing about the reason for bringing her back. The main villian was seriously so wrong for past and present problems.

It ends sorta bittersweet because it is happy but it has sadness too.
Profile Image for The Honest Bookmark .
174 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2026
Wild Embers by Ivy King

Plot: I enjoyed the overall story, but it felt slower than I expected. For a book that was supposed to be suspenseful, we spent a little too much time on everyday, "normal" activities. I kept waiting for the suspense to ramp up, and while it did, it took longer than I wanted.

Characters: The characters all had great personalities, but I never fully bought into the romance. They just didn't have the chemistry I was looking for, and that ended up being my biggest issue with the book. I wanted to feel their connection more than I did.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ The spice was definitely spicing. 🥵 It was well done and added some much-needed heat to the story.

Ending: The ending wrapped everything up nicely, but I still found myself wanting more. I would've loved to see a glimpse into their future without the stalker/killer hanging over their heads and just watch them live their happily ever after.

Overall: While this one didn't completely hit the mark for me, it was still an enjoyable read, and I think readers who enjoy slower-burn romantic suspense may connect with it more than I did.
484 reviews4 followers
July 29, 2026
Ugh this was such a good book and I can honestly say I will love anything that Ivy writes. This book is about Blake, a girl that left her past in Wyoming when she had the chance and had to be forced to come back. Where she meets her father three best friends again. They have to figure out the mystery of the Debt Collector and why all clues lead to one thing. In this book you meet Blake and you learn about what happens to her in the past. You kind of get an idea somewhat in the first chapter but it doesn't really show you until the middle of the book. Realistically when I read the first chapter I didn't think of that but halfway through the book I was like something happened to her and it was confirmed. Then you meet her father's best friends Walker, Santiago, and Levi. And each of these men have a past of their own. This book is super interesting there's so much detail that you can miss something without even knowing it. There is smut, but I feel like it's a good amount of smut not too much. But I still love the story, the plot was just what I needed, and the mystery was just everything I needed for this book. Loved it so much and I will tell anyone to read this book!
Profile Image for Megs.
640 reviews8 followers
July 17, 2026
🖤🤠ARC Review🤠🖤

Thank you Ivy King for this ARC of Wild Embers, I was absolutely wild about this MMFM romance 😍

Wild Embers was a wild ride in the BEST way!! The suspense had me in its grip! How much these three MMCs all longed for Blake to find her way back home to them, mix that with a stalker and/or a killer(s) lurking in the shadow exacting revenge? YES PLEASE!

I was trying so hard to figure out the “Who”, but that confession of the why was 🤯

Ivy has left me in awe AGAIN! The way she built this town and the characters and their world was magnificent! How each detail lead to a new piece to the puzzle! Plus we got some Savannah from Silence in the Snow 😏

This was my 3rd Ivy book and I can’t wait to jump into more! 🖤 The perfect amount of spice and everything nice, with a story that will entangle you in its web.

Tropes:
🧡Cowboy Romance
🤠Why Choose
🖤Romantic Suspense
🧡Dad’s Best Friends
🤠Serial Unaliver
🖤She’s an artist
🧡Morally Gray Heroes
🤠Dark Romance
🖤Forced Proximity
🧡MMFM
🤠Touch Her & Die
🖤Age Gap
🧡Return to Hometown
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