Small Town Smokeshow

The Calloway Ranch #2

by Holly Renee

Hunter Calloway is a small town smokeshow and the kind of man my father warned me about.

He’s got a reputation a mile wide, a smile that could burn through any girl’s good sense, and did I mention he’s also the man my sister once loved and left behind?

He strolls through town like he owns it, tips his hat with a promise in his eyes, and slides those calloused hands across my bakery counter like they haven’t been haunting my dreams for years. He’s six feet of pure temptation wrapped in worn Wranglers, and every time I’m near him, it’s like striking a match during a drought…

Dangerous, inevitable, and exactly what I shouldn’t want.

I try to convince myself I don’t notice the way his gaze lingers, or the way he says my name as if he’s tasting it. But all my good intentions crumble to dust when we find ourselves alone under a sky full of stars with nothing but whiskey and want between us.

And it changes everything.

We promise each other we’re just having fun, yet his fingertips brush across my skin when no one’s watching, and we pretend we don’t ache for each other in a room full of people who would never understand. Every kiss stays in the dark, every desire whispered like a secret, and every touch brands me with guilt.

I know better than to fall for a cowboy like him.
I know better than to want my sister’s past.
But when his eyes find mine, I forget every reason I’ve ever had to say no.

Every touch feels like a risk and every secret like a countdown. I’m lying to everyone, falling harder for a man who never promised me anything, and wondering how much longer I can pretend I don’t care whether I’m just another notch on his well-worn belt.

Because I’m in love with Hunter Calloway regardless of the cost.

Genres: Romance, Cowboy Romance, Westerns, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

Expected publication May 12, 2026

About the author

✨USA Today Bestselling Author
🤠 Cowboy Casual out October 7th

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhollyrenee/
Join my Reader Group, Hollywood: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HollyRenee


🩷🤠COWBOY ROMANCE🤠🩷

Cowboy Casual | Coming October 7th


✨🌙⚔️FANTASY ROMANCE⚔️🌙✨

The Veiled Kingdom Series

The Veiled Kingdom
The Hunted Heir
The Rivaled Crown

The Stars and Shadows Series
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal
A Kingdom of Venom and Vows
A Kingdom of Fire and Fate


🖤🫦CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE🫦🖤

The Boys of Clermont Bay Series
The Touch of a Villain
The Fall of a God
The Taste of an Enemy
The Deceit of a Devil
The Seduction of Pretty Lies
The Temptation of Dirty Secrets

The Good Girls Series
Where Good Girls Go to Die
Where Bad Girls Go to Fall
Where Bad Boys are Ruined

The Rock Bottom Series
Trouble with the Guy Next Door
Trouble with the Hotshot Boss}
[book: Trouble with the Fake Boyfriend

The Wrong Prince Charming
The Wrong Prince Charming

Reviews

[Holly Renee]

Releasing May 12th!

Pre-order your copy today!
https://bit.ly/47Y8sb3

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3LHobnk

[Sophie (lambsbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Review to come but unfortunately, this fell flat



__________________


Cover Reveal:

HE'S ON HIS KNEES

*chants* HUNTER HUNTER HUNTER

[Larareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Holly and her team for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my favorite cowboy romance! I can't even say more than this because this book just left me speechless. It's my second Holly book and I honestly feel like there is perfection in her writing and her characters.

Watching Hunter and Maggie's story after all the tension and yearning in Cowboy Casual was honestly the best! The yearning in this book, the tension, the love, the spice! I loved everything about Small Town Smokeshow.

I am honestly so so sad that this story is over, but I'm also so extremely excited for the next book! I think I know who the third book will be about and it's going to be amazing!

Read this if you love:
• independent FMC
• so much banter and tension
• yearning
• found family

[Giulia ❀]

CAN’T WAIT GUYS

[Holly]

Cowboy's already on his knees on the cover 👏👏👏

[Calista Presti · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY ARE WE JOKING????? 🍒🤠💗 *ARC COPY*

I was almost positive nobody would touch Colt but boyyy Hunter is right there with him 😮‍💨
I started today, finished today. And that’s how you know a book is 🤌🏼🤌🏼
The YEARNNINNGG… speechless. I have so much love for this series. Full review to be on my tik tok this week cause ya girl has ALOT to say 😜
McCoy & Sutton next? 👀

[Irene]

he dated her sister and continues to date other people in front of fmc, meanwhile we know nothing about her past, alexa play exile by taylor swift about how this book is going to go,



“He’s not looking at you like you’re friends.” “Well, he should. Considering he’s my sister’s ex.” “Oh, shit.” The way he was looking at her was like he wanted to eat her alive. Not like a man who used to date her sister.



I waited a beat, letting the silence stretch before I leveled my gaze at him. “At least I’m staring at my ex and not her little sister.” “Oh, shit,” McCoy laughed, leaning forward until he was sitting up beside me. “We’re going there, huh?” “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” Hunter growled, but he was so full of shit. Hunter and Ella, Maggie’s older sister, broke up a little over two years ago, and he’s spent that exact amount of time staring at Maggie like she wasn’t five years younger than him or related to his ex. “Right.” I nodded before I met his eyes. “So you can see the way I’m looking at Blaire, but you’re blind to your own shit?” “I have no interest in Maggie. She’s Ella’s sister, for fuck’s sake.”



His gaze lingered on Maggie for a long moment before he finally turned, and we all watched him go. He stalked toward the truck, shoulders wound tight, and then I caught sight of his date, Alicia, making her way back down to the water. She beamed at him, completely oblivious to his mood.



“Baby, Hunter,” I crooned, leaning over to ruffle his hair with my free hand. His dark strands were still a bit damp from swimming, and my fingers moved through his hair like they had a hundred times before, a habit from when we were kids. While Colt had been my world, Hunter had been like a little brother. “With that face? Who would dare cheat on your handsome ass?” He grinned, a flash of teeth, and pretended to be mortally wounded by the memory. “It’s my tragic origin story, Blaire. Women sense the trauma, makes me irresistible.” He put the back of his hand to his forehead in a grand, swooning gesture. “I bet that really works for you, doesn’t it?” I smiled down at him. “Kind of, yeah.” He nodded, and I barely caught Alicia rolling her eyes. “So who was the heartbreaker?” I asked playfully. “I’ll have to kick her ass for you.” His eyes slid past me to Maggie then back again. “Maggie’s sister,” he said, and even though he said it like a punchline, I heard the old ache in the way he let the words out slow and flat.

[manas (suffering)]

THIS COVER

[amna (taylor’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is 5 am and i did in fact accidentally just read my arc in one sitting as soon as i received it … the yearning is just absolute chefs kiss

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Holly Renee for the arc. I absolutely flew through this book. The tension between Hunter and Maggie was DELICIOUS and honestly Hunter? That man was on fire the entire book. Holly Renee really knows how to write chemistry and yearning in a way that keeps you completely locked in from start to finish.

I loved finally getting their story after all the buildup in Cowboy Casual. Every scene between them had so much tension, so much wanting, and the banter was so good. This book was sexy, emotional, and impossible to put down.

Now I’m just sitting here impatiently waiting for the next book because I am not ready to leave this world yet. Oh and hello new sheriff in town I need his book too please!

[Shannai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-read October 2025: Holly Renee in her cowboy era is the best thing to happen, ever!! Hunter, babyyy, I can’t wait to see him pining over Maggie!! 😭💖

[Libraryat44 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited for Hunter and maggies story from all the little bits we saw of them in cowboy causal this had so much potential but sadly it didn't hit for me. I loved Hunter! He was so hot! And I love this world but the story felt so rushed. There were so many unresolved issues at the end of the book. We were told how much Hunter was in love with Maggie and it was always her but we didn't see why that was. Why was he with Ella for so long? When clearly it was Maggie he wanted. And what happened to make Ella go for him when he knew Maggie liked him first? I just would of loved a bit more backstory in the past to really build on that tension as it would of given their story so much more depth. It just seemed very surface level and we were being told a lot of their story rather than being shown. I just wanted more from the story and it being 300 pages felt more like a filler novella. Having said that I did enjoy what I read and I do love hollys writing I just wanted more from their story. I'm interested to see where she takes Mcoys story and hoping it's him and Sutton as I loved what we saw of them!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

updated review to reflect new additions to arc, and all I can say is I went from loving it to LOVING it! full 5 stars!

If you ever need to teach a course on romantic chemistry and tension, just pull up Small Town Smokeshow and the rest will take care of itself. Talk about a sublime showcase of romantic chemistry, emotional intimacy, and sexual tension. Whewwww! It’s palpable all throughout this book and I invested in every single facet of it. This is a book full of swoons, my heart would not stop pitter-pattering. I was blushing at times! I got all shy reading! Who gets shy reading!? Apparently me when I witness explosive chemistry on the page, haha! Needless to say: I LOVED this book! I literally stayed up past midnight reading this, I had to read it in one sitting. Like I was in a chokehold for this book…and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is a top tier favorite you won’t want to miss out on!

Maggie and Hunter are absolutely dynamite. He’s her sister’s ex, she’s his ex’s little sister. But before that, they were friends. Something was there but left unexplored.

Usually, this is not my type of trope but I thought it was explored extremely well. We get to understand the complicated bond between Maggie and her sister, and how her sister’s selfishness has affected Maggie. Not just in terms of romance but also her business of her bakery. Maggie is cast aside in her family and expected to give up her dreams. She is entirely selfless, and that’s one of the many reasons I loved her slowly but steadily choosing to be selfish and wanting something for herself. Be it business…or be it love. Maggie deserves something for herself.

But Hunter was always hers, just as she was always his.

So happy we have Hunter’s POV that leaves no doubts for his feelings for Maggie. He certainly tries to push it away to conserve their friendship, and Maggie does the same, but my gosh, the chemistry is seriously undeniable. To deny it, would be a straight up tragedy. And I love when Hunter decides to switch gears and earn his girl’s trust.

Theirs is a slow burn with an instant ignition of chemistry. It’s so tense, palpable, and organic. It’s written in a way that makes one invest in their love, root for their love, and want to protect their love. Like I am never going to shut up about how outstanding I find the chemistry between Maggie and Hunter. And I mean it on all levels. The obvious physical attraction is electric, but so is the emotional attraction. This isn’t lust. It’s love. This is two people truly seeing one another, understanding one another by mere gaze of the eyes, and finding a home in one another. It’s sensational, delicious, and so incredibly heartfelt.

The ending is magic and terrifically executed. I loved how Hunter and Maggie are able to clear past misunderstandings, and what the means for the family Maggie chooses to no longer include in her life. She stands up for herself and Hunter stands in support right by her side. They are each other's home and I adored how the final act really emphasizes this.

Seriously, do *not* let this book slip through your hands upon its release. Read it, read it, read it! You are going to fall in love so hard with this one!

Thank you so kindly to Holly and Lauren for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

[Katie (Katieeatsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ 05/06/2026 🤠

Thank you Holly & Lauren for letting us little traitors read early as always! 🥹

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Coming 05/12/2026)

Listen Holly could’ve wrote 2 pages about Hunter Calloway’s slutty little jeans and I would’ve still given it five stars, actually we probably could’ve seen just Maggie’s grocery list for the bakery and I’d still be like “chefs kiss no notes” 👌🏻

But seriously there’s always perfection when it comes to Holly and her writing, it’s because everything she writes has so much heart behind it and this was no exception! 💖

I’m a sucker for a cowboy named Hunter (and biased too 😉) but boy did he know exactly what he wanted and no stubbornness would get in the way!

Watching Hunter and Maggie’s story unfold after all that tension we saw between them in Cowboy Casual was absolutely top tier 🍒

There’s no way this book could’ve gotten any better and now I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for that epilogue we so very much need 😉

Read this one if you love:
🍒Cowboy Casual
✨Slutty Cowboys
🍒Independent and sassy FMCS
✨Top tier banter
🍒Relentless tension
✨Torturous spice
🍒 All things Holly 🥹

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a reason that I finished this book within a day. It completely took over my mind, and wouldn’t let go even once I’d read the acknowledgements. Holly Renee has once again proven that she can craft an irresistible romance, no matter the genre.

Hunter and Maggie are everything, and I loved this story even more than Cowboy Casual. It was perfectly painful, full of yearning, and so hot that I thought I would incinerate. The tension between Hunter and Maggie was there from the prologue, and it only grew throughout the book. Their eye contact alone had me begging for one of them to make a move. And once they finally do, it’s so worth the wait.

Thank you Holly Renee for gifting me with an eARC, all thoughts expressed are my own.

[Chelsea Hoth ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

you could cut the tension with a knife. I love Holly’s writing and I think that’s why I rated this as high as I did. I loved the tension, pining and yearning so much but I felt like there was so much missing, explanations I wanted and it felt like the ending was super rushed. I could’ve read 50-100 more pages. There wasn’t an epilogue in the arc I received so after I read that maybe I will feel different. Yes the sister sucked but as someone who also has a sister maybe this trope just isn’t for me.

[Kendall DalBello · Rating 4 out of 5]

*review of ARC from the author*
i loved being back on this ranch with these characters. at times it felt like we were getting more of the side characters stories than that of maggie and hunter, but man did i love them. the TENSION! i absolutely love when there’s a sort of forbidden aspect to a love story like this one and holly renee did it to perfection. hunter calloway has a degree in yearnilism, my friends. whew 😮‍💨 overall, loved this one and i can’t wait to see who the next book will be about! i’m needing the epilogue, like, ASAP.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly knows how to write good romance. I just devoured this in under two days. The pining between Hunter and Maggie was everything. A forbidden romance with her sister's ex boyfriend. If there is one thing that I love it’s a jealous cowboy and especially one who isn’t afraid to show it. So many good moments in this love story, the first half was especially strong.

I love the characters of Calloway Ranch. Highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys bingeable spicy cowboy romances.

[Kay✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for an ARC of this book these opinions are my own and no one else’s.

I ATE THIS BOOK UPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!! I was a little skeptical about reading this one after not vibing with the first one very well but I was very pleasantly surprised!!!!! I really enjoyed Maggie and Hunters story!!!

The tension was TENSIONINGGGGGGGGGG besties oh my lorddddddd!!! Holly made us wait for it for sure but oh boy was it HOT when we got there!!!!! I throughly enjoyed reading the angst and tension between these two!! I felt so bad for Brody because he seems like a sweetie but I was very happy where the story went!!
The spicy scenes were SO HOT and in my opinion better than book 1 for sure!!!! I enjoyed the different aspects of the spice that Holly played with in this book and I think it played out very VERYYYYYYY well because let me tell you I kinda wanted to make my partner do that same thing to me HEY NOWWWW!! I really enjoyed seeing the progression in their relationship!!
And is this a safe space?!? Because I got SEVERAL bones to pick with Maggie’s family let me tell youuuuuuuuu!!! Actually I won’t tell you because no spoilers but oh boy let’s just say if I was there my girl Maggie wouldn’t have to worry about them no more!!!!
Overall I throughly enjoyed reading this one and in my opinion it was the perfect length!!!
4.5 /5🌟
2.5 /5🌶️

[em (whats.em.reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ugh Holly Renee has done it again, the queen of yearning and down bad men. Hunter & Maggies story was just perfection. Filled with years of tension, over coming shame, and learning to do what makes you happy. This book was everything i needed, another filthy mouthed Calloway boy, and the sweet but stubborn Maggie were a whirlwind of stolen moments, lust filled glances and an ‘it’s always been you’ taboo as he’s her sisters ex….. I’m so excited for this to be out, and for future books in this world, i NEED more of Brody ?? And Sutton & McCoy?!!!

“I want to ruin you for anyone else.”
“And you’re going to let me….. aren’t you sunshine”
DO YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING

“Maggie Dawson was gasoline and a lit match, and every time I got near her, I wanted to burn.”

“I never stood a chance. You came in just the way the sun does—slowly at first, then you were everywhere, all at once, until I couldn’t remember what it was like not to be soaked in you.”

Out May 12th and i am already so excited for the audio and to reread this

[daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧.”

Holly did it again: Small Town Smokeshow is a steamy cowboy romance which I finished in one sitting. Not only is the cover stunning (he’s literally on his knees for her) but the writing was also top tier. I loved Maggie and Hunter together; and who doesn’t love a man who’s been pining after the fmc for years? I also loved that we got so many cameo’s of the other characters. Overall really enjoyed myself, I just struggled a bit because the ending felt rushed.

the vibes ™:
- yearning
- lots of tension
- she owns a bakery
- it’s always been you
- friends to lovers (?)
- close friendship group

🤠✨🎀

[Hailey P]

3.75 rounded up⭐️

I had a fun time!! I just wanted this to be a little longer🥹 270 pages wasn’t enough time in Calloway ranch for me.

I wanted more backstory for Hunter & Maggie so I could feel their longing/angst more than just hear about it.

The ending was a little rushed for me but I hope that epilogue fixes that issue! I’ll report back once it’s out🫡

I loved McCoy, I’m going to be absolutely feral for his book I can already tell. I think I highlighted everything he said🤣


Blaire & June were so funny too🤣



I will absolutely be continuing this series 🩷

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay but WHY did Small Town Smokeshow have me giggling, blushing, and kicking my feet over a cowboy in Wranglers 😭🤠

Hunter Calloway is the definition of “bad idea but make him irresistible.” The tension?? INSANE. Small town gossip, secret hookups, sister’s ex drama, whiskey under the stars, and a man who looks at her like she’s his next breath??? Holly Renee knew exactly what she was doing with this one.

This book felt like sparks on dry grass one touch and EVERYTHING burns. 🔥

[Jada Ashling]

will be writing my review after the new edits are sent out to ARC readers 💞

[Rebecca]

Currently content and copy editing

[Abi Janakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review - 4⭐️ | it physically PAINS me not to give this 5 stars because up until the end I was dead set on this being my favorite contemporary romance book I’ve EVER read. But… the last like 20% felt super rushed. I felt like it needed ~100 more pages to go more in depth with certain scenes/scenarios. I just wanted more! Don’t let this take away from the fact that I absolutely DEVOURED this book. Ate it up and left no crumbs. I read it in 12 hours (while also full time momming a toddler by myself).

On the other hand, Hunter is a man that YEARNSSSS and I couldn’t get enough😩 I loved them so much and the forbidden aspect just made it that much better. I can’t wait to read the epilogue and get more from Calloway Ranch!!

The way that I was squealing and kicking my feet while reading this!!! Some of the things this man said🤭🥵 I can’t express enough how much I LOVED most of this book!!

Also, Holly Renee writes scenery like no other!! You truly feel like you are there with the characters.

[Brittney (brittandlit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Small Town Smokeshow was such a fun, tension-filled ride. The slow burn in this one was absolutely delicious! The yearning, the lingering moments, the chemistry simmering under the surface… Holly Renee really knows how to make you ache for two characters to finally give in.

While Cowboy Casual still has my heart just a little more, I still thoroughly enjoyed this story and flew through it. And honestly? Sutton and McCoy already have me obsessed. Their banter was top tier every single time they were on page, and I’m fully expecting (and hoping) they steal the spotlight in the next book.

Also… can we talk about the hot new sheriff for a second? Because I definitely need more of him immediately. 👀

If you love small town romance packed with tension, longing, and chemistry that keeps you hooked, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

✨ Tropes:
• Small town romance
• Slow burn
• Delicious tension & yearning
• Flirty banter
• Protective MMC
• Found family vibes
• Southern charm
• “Just kiss already” energy

[Emma Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review- I was so excited to go back to Calloway Ranch, and Small Town Smokeshow did NOT disappoint!

One minute I was giggling, biting my lip, and losing my mind over Hunter Calloway’s filthy mouth and the next I was tearing up over themes that hit way too close to home.

Maggie and Hunter’s chemistry is undeniable. The tension, the banter, the YEARNING!!! Simply incredible. Hunter is the kind of MMC that makes you want to scream into your pillow because that man knows exactly what he wants and he is not afraid to show you.

For a book under 300 pages, this story feels incredibly well rounded. Beyond the banter, flirting, and spice, there are themes of home, growing up, and carrying old wounds that add so much depth to these characters and make them feel so relatable.

This was the perfect continuation of the Calloway Ranch series. I’m already so excited to see what Holly has in store for us next because I will absolutely be first in line for any future Calloway Ranch books!

[Dawn Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter and Maggie brought the TENSION in this book!

We got hints of them in Cowboy Casual and this starts off with the insane chemistry between these two.

I loved seeing Hunter crave Maggie but have some restraint while staring daggers at anyone who tries to get with her - thinking that of course no one would notice 😂

Maggie knows what she wants but she still doesn’t think she deserves to behave true happiness with wanting to please her family, especially her sister.

I do wish we got some resolve to certain plot angles and maybe it’ll come with the epilogue so I’ll definitely be reading again for the full effect!

Thanks to Literary Love on the Line for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Johna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I just finish this book in 3 hours? Yes, yes I did.

Holly!!! This was a work of art! I loved that we still got to see Blaire and Colt while following Hunter and Maggie!

The burn was sloooooow, just how I like it.
The banter was TOP TIER.
The tension, omg. 🤤

I love that Maggie overcame her worries of her families opinion and that ending? I need to know what happens next. Personally hope Hunter knocks her dad out. 😂

All in all, you’ve done it again Holly. 🫶🏼

Thank you a million times for providing yet another ARC! Forever grateful for you!