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Enticed
When I left Poplar Ridge nine years ago, I never expected to return to my small hometown as a single dad or to fall for a woman who’s completely off limits.
Enter Jasmine Hayes. The fiery barrel racer with a smart mouth and hypnotic eyes is my new coworker, my greatest temptation, and… my best friend’s daughter.
At twenty-one, she’s far too young for me, but she’s made it clear she doesn’t care about our sixteen year age gap. I doubt her father would feel the same, and since he’s also my boss, getting involved with her is out of the question.
Still, she’s determined to break down my walls and steal my heart. I try to keep my distance, but when her dad tasks me with accompanying her to her barrel races, we’re forced to live in close quarters, and my restraint slowly begins to unravel. I try to fight my feelings for her, knowing that if I cross that line, I risk losing my job and my best friend, but some things are inevitable.
And some people are worth risking everything for.
Enter Jasmine Hayes. The fiery barrel racer with a smart mouth and hypnotic eyes is my new coworker, my greatest temptation, and… my best friend’s daughter.
At twenty-one, she’s far too young for me, but she’s made it clear she doesn’t care about our sixteen year age gap. I doubt her father would feel the same, and since he’s also my boss, getting involved with her is out of the question.
Still, she’s determined to break down my walls and steal my heart. I try to keep my distance, but when her dad tasks me with accompanying her to her barrel races, we’re forced to live in close quarters, and my restraint slowly begins to unravel. I try to fight my feelings for her, knowing that if I cross that line, I risk losing my job and my best friend, but some things are inevitable.
And some people are worth risking everything for.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2026
About the author
Ashley Cade
20 books950 followersAshley is a USA Today Bestselling author who likes her small town romance extra spicy with a touch of angst and a splash of humor. Her swoon worthy heroes will melt your kindles (along with your undergarments). She resides in Ohio with her husband and two sons where she pens emotionally gripping love stories about imperfect people who find their happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
June 22, 2026
“I love you, Jasmine. More than the tides love the moon and the morning glory loves the sun…
I love you more than Mr. Darcy could ever dream of loving Lizzie. You own my entire heart and soul. 𝓑𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓮𝔁𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭. 𝓞𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸 𝓘 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓮.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴘʀᴏʙᴀʙʟʏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ” x ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ꜱᴛᴀᴘʟᴇᴛᴏɴ
1:08 ─────♥─────── 3:33
I went into this book knowing two things:
1. age gaps usually aren’t my thing
2. cowboys somehow always manage to sneak past my defenses anyway
The very first note I wrote while reading was about Gabe doing the hand flex like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, and honestly that should’ve been enough warning for me. The second a man starts accidentally channeling Mr. Darcy, (secretly obsessed and fights his attraction) my ability to think critically starts declining at an alarming rate 😩
Watching Jasmine flirt with Gabe while he desperately tried to maintain his boundaries was honestly one of the funniest parts of the book. She spent so much of the story testing him, teasing him, and casually stepping all over the lines he kept drawing in the sand while he stood there trying to convince himself he was still in control of the situation.
(spoiler!! he was not 🤣)
The second Jasmine’s dad asked Gabe to accompany her to races because he couldn’t make it, I knew those professional boundaries had approximately five business days left to live.
I was also giggling every time Gabe became more invested in The Vampire Diaries during their road trips. Something about this cowboy slowly getting sucked into vampire drama was ridiculously entertaining to me. At the same time, I loved how attentive he was to Jasmine. The way he checked on her, paid attention to her diabetes, and always made sure she was comfortable felt so natural. It wasn’t treated like some grand gesture; it was simply part of the way he cared for her, and those moments got me every. freaking. time.
That said, there were a few moments where Jasmine frustrated me. 🙄🙄 I understood why she wanted Gabe to stop fighting his feelings, but sometimes it felt like she was only looking at things from her perspective. When she called him a coward, I found myself siding with Gabe because he wasn’t just worried about romance complications. Her dad was one of the most important people in his life, and risking that relationship wasn’t some small inconvenience. 😭😭😭 I just wish she’d shown a little more understanding for what he stood to lose.
I know this relationship dynamic probably won’t work for every reader, and I completely understand why some people might be hesitant. The part that will probably raise the most eyebrows is that Gabe knew Jasmine when she was younger and watched her grow up. What made it work for me was that the book is very intentional about showing that he never viewed her romantically when she was underage. In fact, when he comes back to town, he doesn’t even recognize her at first. The attraction starts when they reconnect as adults, and that distinction made a huge difference in how I viewed their relationship and helped me settle into the romance a lot more comfortably. That distinction mattered to me and made a huge difference in how I experienced the romance.
a few more things i liked ↓
→ Jasmine’s grandma. Every great romance deserves at least one slightly unhinged older person stirring the pot, and she delivered. Every time she showed up, I knew I was about to have a good time 🤣
→ How Gabe's ex was handled. I fully expected to have negative feelings toward her because the ex having a villain personality is a common theme. It was refreshing to see a divorced couple who simply realized they weren’t in love anymore and chose what was best for everyone involved. Their conversations about Aurora felt mature, honest & and respectful 🙂↕️
→ Aurora!! Sweet little Rory 🥹 I adored that girl. She added so much heart to the story. Some of my favorite moments were just watching Gabe be a dad because that man loved his daughter with his whole entire heart. Every time he put Aurora first, I fell for him a little more 🤭
Even now, I’m still not a huge fan of sixteen-year age gaps on paper. But lately I’ve noticed that when a relationship is written well enough, I stop focusing on the numbers and start focusing on the connection. This was one of those books. I loved that the attraction was there, but neither of them acted on it immediately. The tension had room to build, the push-and-pull felt earned, and every interaction seemed to tighten the string a little more until it finally snapped.
And that tension?
Absolutely delicious
Every lingering look, every stolen moment, every time Gabe tried convincing himself he could keep things professional while literally nobody—INCLUDING HIMSELF 🤣—believed it had me completely hooked. By the time everything finally started unraveling, I was sitting there like, “sir we’ve all known where this was going for 200 pages” HAHAH
The yearning was yearning.
The tension was tensioning.
The cowboy was cowboying.
And I was having an EXCELLENT time🙂↕️😏
favorite quotes ↓
“There’s nothing gross about you or your diabetes. This,” I said, reaching out to tap on her pump, “is what keeps you alive. And to me, that makes it the most beautiful accessory you’ve ever worn.”
“I didn’t consider myself a violent man, but Jasmine brought out every primal urge I had to protect what was mine.”
“You own every part of me, body, heart, and soul.”
things to know about the book ↓
🐎 best friend’s daughter
🐎 age gap (21/37)
🐎 cowboy romance
🐎 her first crush
🐎 diabetes rep
🐎 road trips
🐎 forced proximity
🐎 forbidden
🐎 he’s her trainer
🐎 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 26, 30, 35, 37, 41, 42, 46, 49
Thank you Smuthood, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 🤠🐎 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
16 year age gap??? WHAT WAS I THINKING 😭
I love you more than Mr. Darcy could ever dream of loving Lizzie. You own my entire heart and soul. 𝓑𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓮𝔁𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭. 𝓞𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸 𝓘 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓮.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴘʀᴏʙᴀʙʟʏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ” x ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ꜱᴛᴀᴘʟᴇᴛᴏɴ
1:08 ─────♥─────── 3:33
I went into this book knowing two things:
1. age gaps usually aren’t my thing
2. cowboys somehow always manage to sneak past my defenses anyway
The very first note I wrote while reading was about Gabe doing the hand flex like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, and honestly that should’ve been enough warning for me. The second a man starts accidentally channeling Mr. Darcy, (secretly obsessed and fights his attraction) my ability to think critically starts declining at an alarming rate 😩
Watching Jasmine flirt with Gabe while he desperately tried to maintain his boundaries was honestly one of the funniest parts of the book. She spent so much of the story testing him, teasing him, and casually stepping all over the lines he kept drawing in the sand while he stood there trying to convince himself he was still in control of the situation.
(spoiler!! he was not 🤣)
The second Jasmine’s dad asked Gabe to accompany her to races because he couldn’t make it, I knew those professional boundaries had approximately five business days left to live.
I was also giggling every time Gabe became more invested in The Vampire Diaries during their road trips. Something about this cowboy slowly getting sucked into vampire drama was ridiculously entertaining to me. At the same time, I loved how attentive he was to Jasmine. The way he checked on her, paid attention to her diabetes, and always made sure she was comfortable felt so natural. It wasn’t treated like some grand gesture; it was simply part of the way he cared for her, and those moments got me every. freaking. time.
That said, there were a few moments where Jasmine frustrated me. 🙄🙄 I understood why she wanted Gabe to stop fighting his feelings, but sometimes it felt like she was only looking at things from her perspective. When she called him a coward, I found myself siding with Gabe because he wasn’t just worried about romance complications. Her dad was one of the most important people in his life, and risking that relationship wasn’t some small inconvenience. 😭😭😭 I just wish she’d shown a little more understanding for what he stood to lose.
I know this relationship dynamic probably won’t work for every reader, and I completely understand why some people might be hesitant. The part that will probably raise the most eyebrows is that Gabe knew Jasmine when she was younger and watched her grow up. What made it work for me was that the book is very intentional about showing that he never viewed her romantically when she was underage. In fact, when he comes back to town, he doesn’t even recognize her at first. The attraction starts when they reconnect as adults, and that distinction made a huge difference in how I viewed their relationship and helped me settle into the romance a lot more comfortably. That distinction mattered to me and made a huge difference in how I experienced the romance.
a few more things i liked ↓
→ Jasmine’s grandma. Every great romance deserves at least one slightly unhinged older person stirring the pot, and she delivered. Every time she showed up, I knew I was about to have a good time 🤣
→ How Gabe's ex was handled. I fully expected to have negative feelings toward her because the ex having a villain personality is a common theme. It was refreshing to see a divorced couple who simply realized they weren’t in love anymore and chose what was best for everyone involved. Their conversations about Aurora felt mature, honest & and respectful 🙂↕️
→ Aurora!! Sweet little Rory 🥹 I adored that girl. She added so much heart to the story. Some of my favorite moments were just watching Gabe be a dad because that man loved his daughter with his whole entire heart. Every time he put Aurora first, I fell for him a little more 🤭
Even now, I’m still not a huge fan of sixteen-year age gaps on paper. But lately I’ve noticed that when a relationship is written well enough, I stop focusing on the numbers and start focusing on the connection. This was one of those books. I loved that the attraction was there, but neither of them acted on it immediately. The tension had room to build, the push-and-pull felt earned, and every interaction seemed to tighten the string a little more until it finally snapped.
And that tension?
Absolutely delicious
Every lingering look, every stolen moment, every time Gabe tried convincing himself he could keep things professional while literally nobody—INCLUDING HIMSELF 🤣—believed it had me completely hooked. By the time everything finally started unraveling, I was sitting there like, “sir we’ve all known where this was going for 200 pages” HAHAH
The yearning was yearning.
The tension was tensioning.
The cowboy was cowboying.
And I was having an EXCELLENT time🙂↕️😏
favorite quotes ↓
“There’s nothing gross about you or your diabetes. This,” I said, reaching out to tap on her pump, “is what keeps you alive. And to me, that makes it the most beautiful accessory you’ve ever worn.”
“I didn’t consider myself a violent man, but Jasmine brought out every primal urge I had to protect what was mine.”
“You own every part of me, body, heart, and soul.”
things to know about the book ↓
🐎 best friend’s daughter
🐎 age gap (21/37)
🐎 cowboy romance
🐎 her first crush
🐎 diabetes rep
🐎 road trips
🐎 forced proximity
🐎 forbidden
🐎 he’s her trainer
🐎 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 26, 30, 35, 37, 41, 42, 46, 49
Thank you Smuthood, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 🤠🐎 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
16 year age gap??? WHAT WAS I THINKING 😭
June 24, 2026
5🌟, 3🌶️
This book was an absolute blast to read.
Watching Jasmine relentlessly tease her dad’s best friend while Gabe tried (and failed miserably) to keep his professional boundaries was the highlight of my week. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the slow-burn tension between them built up so perfectly that when they finally gave in, it felt like an explosion. I loved that the connection was built on mutual respect and genuine desire rather than just physical attraction, which made their path to each other feel so much more earned.
Beyond the sizzle, this story had so much heart. The way Gabe cared for Jasmine and supported her through the challenges of living with diabetes was incredibly tender and swoon-worthy. Plus, adding his sweet daughter, Rory, into the mix was such a perfect touch. Seeing the three of them bond felt so natural and grounded, and it was a relief to read a story where an ex-wife was treated with maturity and respect rather than being a villain.
I honestly haven't stopped thinking about these two since I turned the last page. It was funny, deeply emotional, and packed with exactly the kind of forbidden tension that keeps you glued to the book until the very end.
If you are looking for a story that gives you butterflies, makes you giggle, and delivers all the feels, you absolutely need to grab this one.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This book was an absolute blast to read.
Watching Jasmine relentlessly tease her dad’s best friend while Gabe tried (and failed miserably) to keep his professional boundaries was the highlight of my week. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the slow-burn tension between them built up so perfectly that when they finally gave in, it felt like an explosion. I loved that the connection was built on mutual respect and genuine desire rather than just physical attraction, which made their path to each other feel so much more earned.
Beyond the sizzle, this story had so much heart. The way Gabe cared for Jasmine and supported her through the challenges of living with diabetes was incredibly tender and swoon-worthy. Plus, adding his sweet daughter, Rory, into the mix was such a perfect touch. Seeing the three of them bond felt so natural and grounded, and it was a relief to read a story where an ex-wife was treated with maturity and respect rather than being a villain.
I honestly haven't stopped thinking about these two since I turned the last page. It was funny, deeply emotional, and packed with exactly the kind of forbidden tension that keeps you glued to the book until the very end.
If you are looking for a story that gives you butterflies, makes you giggle, and delivers all the feels, you absolutely need to grab this one.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
June 20, 2026
4.25 stars.
Ashley Cade's "Enticed" is a best friend's daughter forbidden age-gap cowboy romance that is definitely worth your time. After getting divorced from his wife, Gabe (MMC) has just moved back to his hometown of Poplar Ridge and has just gotten his old job back, working as a horse trainer with his best friend. His first night in town, he meets Jasmine (FMC), the now-grown-up daughter of his best friend, Woody. Jasmine has harbored a crush for the much older Gabe since she was 12 years old. Gabe refuses to let anything happen between them despite their mutual attraction to one another. Despite her heavy flirtations, he denies her at every turn in a quest to do the right thing by everyone involved, despite his own feelings. Jasmine is helping teach his daughter, Rory, how to ride, and she has taken a shine to her while doing so. I totally bought into the friendship between the main characters, all the way up to their eventual relationship. The mutual pining between the two of them is palpable, but since Gabe is 16 years older than Jasmine, and since he is Jasmine's dad's best friend, he doesn't want to jeopardize that friendship or be considered a creepy old man who did something improper. Jasmine pursues him quite fervently. Will Gabe allow himself to give in to his attraction to her to get what he wants for once? The back-and-forth slow-burn worked for me as well! Jasmine has diabetes, and the way Gabe doesn't shy away from helping her with what she needs to keep herself in check was well-written. He was so sweet, so patient with her. I like how dedicated to her job Jasmine was throughout the book. She never let anything get in the way of her goals, often to her detriment. I always hate when characters don't eat in books, though, especially if they have a medical problem. It just never feels realistic to me! Again, that's a me problem. The spicy scenes are super hot in this one! I also loved the relationship between Rory and Jasmine. She was such a cute kid! I really liked this one!
Thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Ashley Cade's "Enticed" is a best friend's daughter forbidden age-gap cowboy romance that is definitely worth your time. After getting divorced from his wife, Gabe (MMC) has just moved back to his hometown of Poplar Ridge and has just gotten his old job back, working as a horse trainer with his best friend. His first night in town, he meets Jasmine (FMC), the now-grown-up daughter of his best friend, Woody. Jasmine has harbored a crush for the much older Gabe since she was 12 years old. Gabe refuses to let anything happen between them despite their mutual attraction to one another. Despite her heavy flirtations, he denies her at every turn in a quest to do the right thing by everyone involved, despite his own feelings. Jasmine is helping teach his daughter, Rory, how to ride, and she has taken a shine to her while doing so. I totally bought into the friendship between the main characters, all the way up to their eventual relationship. The mutual pining between the two of them is palpable, but since Gabe is 16 years older than Jasmine, and since he is Jasmine's dad's best friend, he doesn't want to jeopardize that friendship or be considered a creepy old man who did something improper. Jasmine pursues him quite fervently. Will Gabe allow himself to give in to his attraction to her to get what he wants for once? The back-and-forth slow-burn worked for me as well! Jasmine has diabetes, and the way Gabe doesn't shy away from helping her with what she needs to keep herself in check was well-written. He was so sweet, so patient with her. I like how dedicated to her job Jasmine was throughout the book. She never let anything get in the way of her goals, often to her detriment. I always hate when characters don't eat in books, though, especially if they have a medical problem. It just never feels realistic to me! Again, that's a me problem. The spicy scenes are super hot in this one! I also loved the relationship between Rory and Jasmine. She was such a cute kid! I really liked this one!
Thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
June 12, 2026
Age gap? With a cowboy?What more could you ask for?
Jasmine Hayes(21) is a wild child, free spirited and just all around fun.
She’s a barrel racer who’s currently training for her competition.
Gabriel Montgomery (37), her father’s best friend, need I say more? He’s also her trainer 🫠
Jasmine, total badass. Type 1 diabetic like myself. So I know that girl has a hard ass life.
Instantly won me over. 🫶🏻❤️
My girl is a flirt with a capital F. She knows what she wants and exactly how to get it. Her fluttering those eyelashes 😂
Gabe is such a hunk. I need ten of him, stat.
That man is so protective over Jasmine. I was so damn giddy seriously. He always made sure she ate to keep her sugar in check. I’m telling you I’m in love with Gabe. 🫶🏻
Add in the fact he is an immaculate father. I’m completely won over.
Him watching vampire diaries and catching up (secretly liking it I know 😂) so stinking cute!!
I love how carefree Jasmine made Gabe feel. Them riding in the car just jamming to old school music? Literally my ideal day
Such a slow burn but instant chemistry between the two. They really held back for as long as they could 😭
The relationship between Aurora (Rory) and Jasmine was so sweet. I loved watching that little girl have someone she could really look up to. Jasmine helped her in more ways than she could have imagined.
Chapter 30? I’ll replay that forever.
🥵🥵
I’ll forever recommend this one if you love a good age gap, the perfect forbidden romance and an extra spicy protective cowboy.
5.0/5⭐️
Thank you Ashley Cade for this arc.
The brim of his cowboy hat partially shielded his face from the sun, but it couldn’t hide his cerulean eyes that sparkled like the Caribbean Sea.
————-
“I wish I could stop wanting you. I wish I could stop dreaming about you. But this craving I have for you will not abate,” I confessed.
—————
“I love you, Jasmine. More than the tides love the moon and the morning glory loves the sun,” he declared
June 26, 2026
This book was the perfect cowboy romance, featuring a headstrong fmc, a yearning mmc, a plot full of so much tension and longing, and most importantly was beautifully emotional from start to finish with NO third act breakup. I love a dads gest friand be romance because it’s deliciously forbidden and the yearning and tension is always off the charts. The forced proximity makes it even better with the single bed trope reigning king, I loved Jasmine, she’s an amazing horse rider / racer and literally such a badness woman in general. She knows what she wants and goes after it, and when Gave doesn’t treat her the way she deserves, she does what is best for her. I love an fmc like this and it was so refreshing in a sense to an fmc who loves and takes care of herself. I also loved the diabetes representation and it was very accurate (considering a close friend of my mine also has diabetes). One of my favourite scenes is when he’s observing how she uses her pump, and she says that most guys are disgusted by it, he says he loves it because it keeps her alive and healthy. I was swooning and melting into a puddle on the ground, especially when he constantly checks in on her blood sugar levels and makes sure she’s stocked on insulin at all times. He’s also her biggest supporter, the best single dad and the most green flag man ever. The plot was very typical cowboy romance plot I’d say with nothing too surprising but it was full of tension, banter, and emotions from start to finish. For me the characters took the cake because of their growth and pure love for each other. I give this a 4.5/5
July 4, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ashley Cade has a way of writing characters that are easy to root for. Gabe and Jasmine's chemistry is undeniable, and the slow-burn tension kept me flipping pages to see when they'd finally stop fighting the inevitable. The forbidden age-gap romance was handled thoughtfully, with Gabe wrestling with his feelings instead of rushing headfirst into them, which made their relationship feel more believable.
I also loved the ranch setting, the barrel racing, and the family dynamics. Rory completely stole every scene she was in, and Gigi brought just the right amount of humor and chaos. Jasmine's Type 1 diabetes was woven naturally into the story, adding another layer to her character without defining her.
While I enjoyed the romance, there were a few moments that felt a little drawn out for me, and I wanted the pacing to pick up in the middle. That said, Ashley Cade's writing kept me invested, and once the story hit its stride, I was fully along for the ride.
If you're looking for a protective cowboy, forbidden romance, dad's best friend, slow-burn tension, and plenty of swoony moments, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Thank you, Ashley Cade, for sharing Gabe and Jasmine's story, and thank you to Smuthood PR for the opportunity to read and review it. I can't wait to see what's waiting at Honeysuckle Ranch next.
Ashley Cade has a way of writing characters that are easy to root for. Gabe and Jasmine's chemistry is undeniable, and the slow-burn tension kept me flipping pages to see when they'd finally stop fighting the inevitable. The forbidden age-gap romance was handled thoughtfully, with Gabe wrestling with his feelings instead of rushing headfirst into them, which made their relationship feel more believable.
I also loved the ranch setting, the barrel racing, and the family dynamics. Rory completely stole every scene she was in, and Gigi brought just the right amount of humor and chaos. Jasmine's Type 1 diabetes was woven naturally into the story, adding another layer to her character without defining her.
While I enjoyed the romance, there were a few moments that felt a little drawn out for me, and I wanted the pacing to pick up in the middle. That said, Ashley Cade's writing kept me invested, and once the story hit its stride, I was fully along for the ride.
If you're looking for a protective cowboy, forbidden romance, dad's best friend, slow-burn tension, and plenty of swoony moments, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Thank you, Ashley Cade, for sharing Gabe and Jasmine's story, and thank you to Smuthood PR for the opportunity to read and review it. I can't wait to see what's waiting at Honeysuckle Ranch next.
June 17, 2026
This was such a spicey, intense read and I enjoyed every second of it ! This was a "one more chapter read" as it kept me on edge wondering when the forbidden love was going to be discovered. There were so many times when I was like "omg they're gonna get caught" right after this and I would be so unwell with relief when they didn't ! I also enjoyed the representation in this book with the FMC - this was only the second book I've read with a chronic illness representation and it gave so much insight and added so much depth to her and the way the MMC loved and cared for her, it gave me butterflies ! While the relationship can be considered taboo, I feel like the author did a great job of slowly building the relationship while adding the inner turmoil the characters felt about their feelings and how it affected everyone, making it comfortable and making it easier to root for them. This a 5 star read for me as it gave me everything in a small town, forbidden love romance that I crave !
June 22, 2026
Enticed is EVERYTHING you could want from a forbidden romance.. add in cowboys and mind blowing chemistry? WHEW!
Jasmine was such a fun character to follow. She's sassy, fearless, and determined to live life on her own terms. I also loved the Type 1 diabetes representation, which was written with care and added so much depth to her story.
Gabe Montgomery completely stole my heart. He's protective, caring, and impossible not to swoon over. The way he looked after Jasmine, from the smallest moments to the biggest, made him one of my favorite book boyfriends.
The chemistry between Jasmine and Gabe was undeniable and I loved watching their relationship slowly unfold. Add in the small town setting, Rory's sweet presence, and PLENTY of spice, and I was completely invested.
If you love forbidden romance, age gaps, single dads, and protective cowboys.. this book will sweep you off your feet!! Thank you to The Smuthood and Ashley Cade for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Jasmine was such a fun character to follow. She's sassy, fearless, and determined to live life on her own terms. I also loved the Type 1 diabetes representation, which was written with care and added so much depth to her story.
Gabe Montgomery completely stole my heart. He's protective, caring, and impossible not to swoon over. The way he looked after Jasmine, from the smallest moments to the biggest, made him one of my favorite book boyfriends.
The chemistry between Jasmine and Gabe was undeniable and I loved watching their relationship slowly unfold. Add in the small town setting, Rory's sweet presence, and PLENTY of spice, and I was completely invested.
If you love forbidden romance, age gaps, single dads, and protective cowboys.. this book will sweep you off your feet!! Thank you to The Smuthood and Ashley Cade for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 15, 2026
I’m a sucker for forbidden, age gap romances. Throw a cowboy into that, and I’m sold. This one was different. The added bonus of the daughter and an ex-wife he actually respects and gets along with was done really well. It added some much-needed character depth and connection to the storyline. But I think my favorite mini-trope in this one was the forced proximity travel for barrel racing competitions. It’s not something I’ve read in a romance before, and found it really interesting. I’ll be adding “going to a rodeo” to my summer to do list.
Overall, my favorite part of this book was the FMC. She was not afraid to stand up for herself and make her desires known, regardless of the possibility of rejection. Was she a little bratty? Yes, but not in a bad way. It played into their banter, which was on-point. The spice was spicy, but not so much that it pulled away from the plot. This was definitely one of the best cowboy, age-gap romances I’ve read.
Overall, my favorite part of this book was the FMC. She was not afraid to stand up for herself and make her desires known, regardless of the possibility of rejection. Was she a little bratty? Yes, but not in a bad way. It played into their banter, which was on-point. The spice was spicy, but not so much that it pulled away from the plot. This was definitely one of the best cowboy, age-gap romances I’ve read.
June 16, 2026
4.5⭐️ 3🌶️
Forbidden. Age Gap. Enticing.
I absolutely devoured this one. Who wouldn’t want a forbidden age gap cowboy romance?
Gabriel moves back to Tennessee after 9 years following a divorce and runs into a stunning woman at a bar. Only, she’s the daughter of his best friend who had a crush on him all those years ago. He struggles to reconcile the feelings she evokes in him and the pull between them. His loyalty to his best friend has him trying to resist Jasmine, but she is stubborn and knows what she wants. She slowly breaks down the boundaries/walls he has tried to put in place.
The slow burn tension and angst that builds between Gabe and Jasmine is magnetising and when the tension finally breaks there is some delicious spice and beautiful moments. Gabe’s daughter is adorable and I loved the connection that her and Jasmine built from the get go.
If you love small town romance, with a strong, stubborn and sassy FMC who goes after what she wants then I highly recommend giving this one a go.
Thank you Ashley Cade and Smuthood for this ARC.
Forbidden. Age Gap. Enticing.
I absolutely devoured this one. Who wouldn’t want a forbidden age gap cowboy romance?
Gabriel moves back to Tennessee after 9 years following a divorce and runs into a stunning woman at a bar. Only, she’s the daughter of his best friend who had a crush on him all those years ago. He struggles to reconcile the feelings she evokes in him and the pull between them. His loyalty to his best friend has him trying to resist Jasmine, but she is stubborn and knows what she wants. She slowly breaks down the boundaries/walls he has tried to put in place.
The slow burn tension and angst that builds between Gabe and Jasmine is magnetising and when the tension finally breaks there is some delicious spice and beautiful moments. Gabe’s daughter is adorable and I loved the connection that her and Jasmine built from the get go.
If you love small town romance, with a strong, stubborn and sassy FMC who goes after what she wants then I highly recommend giving this one a go.
Thank you Ashley Cade and Smuthood for this ARC.
June 15, 2026
This book!!! It has all my favorite tropes. It was the first book I’ve read by this author and I was so pleasantly surprised.
Gabe Montgomery and Jasmine Hayes were truly soulmates. He is her father’s best friend and he has to fight his inner turmoil about his feelings for Jasmine knowing how her father would feel about it. He’s 37 and she’s 21. Every time he got called “old”, I grew another gray hair 👵🏻 😂 I’m about his age 🥴
I absolutely loved the banter between all the characters. The relationship with Jasmine and Rory was the cutest thing ever 🥹 just everything about this book!
Oh and the trailer scene where he couldn’t touch her??? 🥵 dear heavens I had to fan myself off. And the scene where Gabe wanted to condition his saddle? Goodness 🥵 those scenes will live rent free in my head for a very long time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Gabe Montgomery and Jasmine Hayes were truly soulmates. He is her father’s best friend and he has to fight his inner turmoil about his feelings for Jasmine knowing how her father would feel about it. He’s 37 and she’s 21. Every time he got called “old”, I grew another gray hair 👵🏻 😂 I’m about his age 🥴
I absolutely loved the banter between all the characters. The relationship with Jasmine and Rory was the cutest thing ever 🥹 just everything about this book!
Oh and the trailer scene where he couldn’t touch her??? 🥵 dear heavens I had to fan myself off. And the scene where Gabe wanted to condition his saddle? Goodness 🥵 those scenes will live rent free in my head for a very long time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
June 17, 2026
First time reading Ashley Cade’s work and what immediately drew me in was the age gap and best friends daughter trope.
I loved how Jasmine was a strong FMC who knew exactly what she wanted and went after it—despite what her family might think of her relationship with Gabe. She was set on getting her cowboy.
The relationship between Gabe and Jasmine took some time to develop and it took Gabe some time to give in to his feelings but when he finally did—-🔥🔥
There was the perfect mix of tension, spice, longing and side characters who could steal the scene—-Rory and Gigi Rose. It was an easy read and the storyline flowed beautifully. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
I loved how Jasmine was a strong FMC who knew exactly what she wanted and went after it—despite what her family might think of her relationship with Gabe. She was set on getting her cowboy.
The relationship between Gabe and Jasmine took some time to develop and it took Gabe some time to give in to his feelings but when he finally did—-🔥🔥
There was the perfect mix of tension, spice, longing and side characters who could steal the scene—-Rory and Gigi Rose. It was an easy read and the storyline flowed beautifully. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
June 13, 2026
Enticed by Ashley Cade is a forbidden romance in which Gabriel Montgomery moves back to Tennessee following his divorce only to run into a gorgeous woman at a bar, who just so happens to be his best friend’s daughter.
This book was written really well. It caught my attention immediately, I loved all the characters (and can’t wait to read more about her brothers), and I loved Will They Won’t They dynamic between Gabe and Jasmine.
If you love a book with yearning, tension, and a forbidden aspect, this is a great book for you.
This book was written really well. It caught my attention immediately, I loved all the characters (and can’t wait to read more about her brothers), and I loved Will They Won’t They dynamic between Gabe and Jasmine.
If you love a book with yearning, tension, and a forbidden aspect, this is a great book for you.
June 28, 2026
Thank you The Smuthood for the advance reader copy.
Small town romance, an age gap and a cowboy with serious daddy energy? That's basically a guaranteed win for me. This book was sweet, cozy and checked every box for Hallmark meets spice.
Jasmine is stubborn in the best way, Gabe is endlessly loyal and charming, and the way he takes care of her had me grinning the entire time. Throw in her hilariously overprotective family, and you've got the perfect feel good summer romance.
Cute, comforting and exactly the kind of book I wanted to get lost in.
Small town romance, an age gap and a cowboy with serious daddy energy? That's basically a guaranteed win for me. This book was sweet, cozy and checked every box for Hallmark meets spice.
Jasmine is stubborn in the best way, Gabe is endlessly loyal and charming, and the way he takes care of her had me grinning the entire time. Throw in her hilariously overprotective family, and you've got the perfect feel good summer romance.
Cute, comforting and exactly the kind of book I wanted to get lost in.
June 15, 2026
Age gap, cowboy romance, forbidden romance? Sign me the hell up! I absolutely adored this book. The thing I loved the most was Jasmine, she knew what she wanted and she was going to do anything to get it! Gabe, he is so sweet I felt for him when it comes to loyalty to Woody but I’m glad he put his happiness first. Rory! She is the cutesttt, hope they do a next generation of the kids cause I reckon she will be as badass as Jasmine!
June 25, 2026
This book had me hooked from page 1! The tension building and the spice are perfect! This book was pure perfection in every way possible!
June 25, 2026
I received an ARC.
I REALLY enjoyed this book. Between the characters and tropes it was the perfect combination for me. He’s her father’s employee and best friend that has known her since she was little. He comes back to town and their chemistry right away is undeniable.
The tension between the characters is written insanely well, you can feel it as you read. I thought it both characters personalities were perfectly matched for each other. Also reading how Jasmine and his daughter interact is adorable.
All around enjoyable, I would recommend immediately!!
I REALLY enjoyed this book. Between the characters and tropes it was the perfect combination for me. He’s her father’s employee and best friend that has known her since she was little. He comes back to town and their chemistry right away is undeniable.
The tension between the characters is written insanely well, you can feel it as you read. I thought it both characters personalities were perfectly matched for each other. Also reading how Jasmine and his daughter interact is adorable.
All around enjoyable, I would recommend immediately!!
June 18, 2026
Enticed by Ashley Cade
Book #1 in the Honeysuckle Ranch Series
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
Tropes
Small Town Romance
Cowboy
Age Gap
Road Trip
Dad’s Best Friend
Forbidden
Diabetic representation
Initial Thoughts
Enticed was a sweet and emotional small-town cowboy romance filled with longing, forbidden attraction, family dynamics, and plenty of heart. Gabe and Jasmine’s chemistry was undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them from the beginning. While there were a few moments where the age-gap and dad’s best-friend dynamic felt a little strange to me, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially Gabe’s relationship with Rory and the strong family-focused atmosphere throughout the book.
Full Review
The Characters
Gabe
Gabe was easily my favourite character in the book.
He’s hardworking, loyal, compassionate, and constantly trying to do the right thing, even when it comes at the expense of his own happiness. His devotion to his daughter and the sacrifices he made for his family made him so easy to love.
One of my favourite aspects of his character was how much thought he put into every decision. While his tendency to overthink became frustrating, it also felt realistic considering everything he stood to lose.
Seeing him navigate life after divorce while trying to rebuild a future for himself and Rory added a lot of depth to his character.
Jasmine
Jasmine was determined, hardworking, and surprisingly mature.
I loved her passion for barrel racing and the dedication she put into achieving her goals. She knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it, even when the odds were stacked against her.
One thing I appreciated was the representation of her Type 1 Diabetes. It was woven so naturally into her daily life without becoming her entire personality, and I thought it added another layer to her character. I also don’t see that type of representation in romance a lot, so it was refreshing to see.
She also challenged Gabe in ways that no one else could, refusing to let him hide behind excuses when it came to his feelings.
Rory
Rory stole every scene she appeared in.
She brought so much warmth and humour to the story, and I adored her relationship with both Gabe and Jasmine. The way Jasmine cared for her and the way Rory naturally gravitated towards Jasmine made many of their scenes incredibly sweet.
Favourite Quotes
“Those are boys, not men. There’s nothing gross about you or your diabetes.”
“You showed me what it meant to fight for love, to go after what you want no matter how many obstacles stand in your way. I will be forever grateful that you didn’t give up on me, that you didn’t give up on us. And I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I was worth it, that our love is worth your persistence and every hardship we had to face to be together.”
Spoiler Thoughts
The biggest conflict throughout the story wasn’t whether Gabe and Jasmine loved each other—it was whether Gabe could allow himself to choose his own happiness.
I understand his fears. His best friend was also his boss, and after everything he’d sacrificed for his marriage and family, risking the life he’d rebuilt wasn’t a small decision.
That said, there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake him and tell him to stop overthinking and just go for it already.
I also really appreciated the way the story handled Gabe’s relationship with his ex-wife. It would have been easy to make her the villain, but instead, the divorce felt mature and realistic. Sometimes two people simply aren’t right for each other, and I thought the book handled that well.
Final Verdict
Enticed is a heartfelt cowboy romance that combines family, friendship, and forbidden attraction into a story that’s both sweet and emotional.
While the age-gap and dad’s-best-friend dynamic occasionally felt a little awkward for me personally, the strong characters, lovable family dynamics, adorable single-dad moments, and genuine emotional connection between Gabe and Jasmine kept me invested from beginning to end.
If you enjoy small-town romances, cowboys, single dads, forbidden relationships, and stories filled with heart, Enticed is definitely worth picking up.
I’m excited to continue the Honeysuckle Ranch series and spend more time with this family.
Book #1 in the Honeysuckle Ranch Series
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
Tropes
Small Town Romance
Cowboy
Age Gap
Road Trip
Dad’s Best Friend
Forbidden
Diabetic representation
Initial Thoughts
Enticed was a sweet and emotional small-town cowboy romance filled with longing, forbidden attraction, family dynamics, and plenty of heart. Gabe and Jasmine’s chemistry was undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them from the beginning. While there were a few moments where the age-gap and dad’s best-friend dynamic felt a little strange to me, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially Gabe’s relationship with Rory and the strong family-focused atmosphere throughout the book.
Full Review
The Characters
Gabe
Gabe was easily my favourite character in the book.
He’s hardworking, loyal, compassionate, and constantly trying to do the right thing, even when it comes at the expense of his own happiness. His devotion to his daughter and the sacrifices he made for his family made him so easy to love.
One of my favourite aspects of his character was how much thought he put into every decision. While his tendency to overthink became frustrating, it also felt realistic considering everything he stood to lose.
Seeing him navigate life after divorce while trying to rebuild a future for himself and Rory added a lot of depth to his character.
Jasmine
Jasmine was determined, hardworking, and surprisingly mature.
I loved her passion for barrel racing and the dedication she put into achieving her goals. She knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it, even when the odds were stacked against her.
One thing I appreciated was the representation of her Type 1 Diabetes. It was woven so naturally into her daily life without becoming her entire personality, and I thought it added another layer to her character. I also don’t see that type of representation in romance a lot, so it was refreshing to see.
She also challenged Gabe in ways that no one else could, refusing to let him hide behind excuses when it came to his feelings.
Rory
Rory stole every scene she appeared in.
She brought so much warmth and humour to the story, and I adored her relationship with both Gabe and Jasmine. The way Jasmine cared for her and the way Rory naturally gravitated towards Jasmine made many of their scenes incredibly sweet.
Favourite Quotes
“Those are boys, not men. There’s nothing gross about you or your diabetes.”
“You showed me what it meant to fight for love, to go after what you want no matter how many obstacles stand in your way. I will be forever grateful that you didn’t give up on me, that you didn’t give up on us. And I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I was worth it, that our love is worth your persistence and every hardship we had to face to be together.”
Spoiler Thoughts
The biggest conflict throughout the story wasn’t whether Gabe and Jasmine loved each other—it was whether Gabe could allow himself to choose his own happiness.
I understand his fears. His best friend was also his boss, and after everything he’d sacrificed for his marriage and family, risking the life he’d rebuilt wasn’t a small decision.
That said, there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake him and tell him to stop overthinking and just go for it already.
I also really appreciated the way the story handled Gabe’s relationship with his ex-wife. It would have been easy to make her the villain, but instead, the divorce felt mature and realistic. Sometimes two people simply aren’t right for each other, and I thought the book handled that well.
Final Verdict
Enticed is a heartfelt cowboy romance that combines family, friendship, and forbidden attraction into a story that’s both sweet and emotional.
While the age-gap and dad’s-best-friend dynamic occasionally felt a little awkward for me personally, the strong characters, lovable family dynamics, adorable single-dad moments, and genuine emotional connection between Gabe and Jasmine kept me invested from beginning to end.
If you enjoy small-town romances, cowboys, single dads, forbidden relationships, and stories filled with heart, Enticed is definitely worth picking up.
I’m excited to continue the Honeysuckle Ranch series and spend more time with this family.
June 20, 2026
Enticed by Ashley Cade was a strong start to the new Honeysuckle Ranch series. It had so many of my favorite components: age gap, forbidden love, father’s best friend, cowboys, ranching, and so much more. I loved meeting all of the characters and seeing the family dynamics, from the older big brothers and big, hulking dad to the sweet but mischievous grandmother and mom. The banter was amazing. Gabe, the MMC, moves home to Tennessee following his divorce and runs into Jasmine at a bar without recognizing her at first, and that scene was so funny to me. Gabe and Jasmine’s banter and chemistry really jumped off the page. Gabe’s devotion to Rory, along with Jasmine’s relationship with her, was wonderful and helped solidify the strong, family-focused atmosphere of the story.
Gabe had such depth as a character. He was loyal and compassionate, constantly trying to do the right thing even when it came at the expense of his own happiness. That willingness to sacrifice for the people he loves made him such an easy character to root for. Jasmine was also determined, hardworking, mature, stubborn, and passionate. Her dedication to barrel racing and teaching riding really shone through, and she was not afraid to go after what she wanted, whether that was her racing career or her relationship with Gabe.
I really appreciated the Type 1 diabetes representation and how well it was written overall. It was woven naturally into the story rather than feeling like a trope the author tried to fit in somewhere. It was simply part of Jasmine’s life, and it was refreshing to see how it was navigated in her day-to-day experiences and in her romantic relationship. Rory and Gigi were absolutely two of my favorite side characters, bringing laughter and family warmth to the story. I also appreciated how the divorce between Gabe and his ex-wife was handled—with maturity rather than turning her into a villain or another obstacle the main characters had to overcome. The heat level was also handled really well. It blended with the story instead of overshadowing the plot.
My only complaint was the repeated emphasis on Gabe being Jasmine’s father’s best friend, sixteen years older than her, and yet somehow only in his mid-thirties. Based on the family setup, Woody would have had to be in his sixties at least in order to have fathered all of Jasmine’s older brothers. Because of that, it did not quite make sense to me that someone so much younger could be his best friend, while that same age difference was treated as such a major issue when it came to Gabe dating Jasmine. There are fewer years between Gabe and Jasmine than there are between Gabe and Woody, and that confusion pulled me out of the story at times. I think Woody could have simply been Gabe’s boss while still keeping the age-gap dynamic, and that would have been enough. Friends, sure—just maybe not best friends.
That said, this was absolutely a high four-star read for me, and I do recommend it if you enjoy age-gap, cowboy, and best friend’s daughter tropes. I enjoyed this family so much that I cannot wait to read the next books in the series. The book was really well written, and I am excited to read more from Ashley Cade.
Tropes/Triggers
⭐Small Town Romance
⭐Ranching/Cowboy/Barrel Racing
⭐Age Gap/Dad’s Best Friend
⭐Road Trip
⭐Slow Burn with Heat
⭐Forbidden Relationship
⭐Type 1 Diabetes Representation
Gabe had such depth as a character. He was loyal and compassionate, constantly trying to do the right thing even when it came at the expense of his own happiness. That willingness to sacrifice for the people he loves made him such an easy character to root for. Jasmine was also determined, hardworking, mature, stubborn, and passionate. Her dedication to barrel racing and teaching riding really shone through, and she was not afraid to go after what she wanted, whether that was her racing career or her relationship with Gabe.
I really appreciated the Type 1 diabetes representation and how well it was written overall. It was woven naturally into the story rather than feeling like a trope the author tried to fit in somewhere. It was simply part of Jasmine’s life, and it was refreshing to see how it was navigated in her day-to-day experiences and in her romantic relationship. Rory and Gigi were absolutely two of my favorite side characters, bringing laughter and family warmth to the story. I also appreciated how the divorce between Gabe and his ex-wife was handled—with maturity rather than turning her into a villain or another obstacle the main characters had to overcome. The heat level was also handled really well. It blended with the story instead of overshadowing the plot.
My only complaint was the repeated emphasis on Gabe being Jasmine’s father’s best friend, sixteen years older than her, and yet somehow only in his mid-thirties. Based on the family setup, Woody would have had to be in his sixties at least in order to have fathered all of Jasmine’s older brothers. Because of that, it did not quite make sense to me that someone so much younger could be his best friend, while that same age difference was treated as such a major issue when it came to Gabe dating Jasmine. There are fewer years between Gabe and Jasmine than there are between Gabe and Woody, and that confusion pulled me out of the story at times. I think Woody could have simply been Gabe’s boss while still keeping the age-gap dynamic, and that would have been enough. Friends, sure—just maybe not best friends.
That said, this was absolutely a high four-star read for me, and I do recommend it if you enjoy age-gap, cowboy, and best friend’s daughter tropes. I enjoyed this family so much that I cannot wait to read the next books in the series. The book was really well written, and I am excited to read more from Ashley Cade.
Tropes/Triggers
⭐Small Town Romance
⭐Ranching/Cowboy/Barrel Racing
⭐Age Gap/Dad’s Best Friend
⭐Road Trip
⭐Slow Burn with Heat
⭐Forbidden Relationship
⭐Type 1 Diabetes Representation
Review of advance copy received from Author
🤠❤️ He Was Worth Risking Everything For ❤️🤠
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
Enticed was everything I love in a romance and then some. Give me a protective cowboy, a forbidden romance, an age gap, a single dad, and enough tension to keep me glued to my Kindle, and I'm immediately invested. Ashley Cade delivered all of that and more.
Gabriel Montgomery completely stole my heart. After returning to Poplar Ridge following his divorce, the last thing he expects is to find himself falling for Jasmine Hayes, the daughter of his best friend and boss. Gabe spends so much of this book fighting his feelings because he genuinely cares about doing the right thing, and that only made me love him more. He is loyal, protective, thoughtful, and an incredible father to his daughter Rory. Every time he made sure Jasmine was taking care of herself, every time he put others before himself, and every time he tried to deny what was so clearly inevitable, I found myself falling harder for him.
Jasmine was equally wonderful. She's confident, stubborn, determined, and completely unapologetic about knowing what she wants. I loved that she wasn't afraid to go after the life and love she wanted, even when everyone around her told her it was impossible. The chemistry between her and Gabe was instant, but Ashley Cade took her time building their relationship, making every moment feel earned and authentic.
The slow-burn tension in this book was absolute perfection. Watching Gabe and Jasmine travel together for her barrel racing competitions created some of my favorite moments in the story. The forced proximity, the stolen glances, the lingering touches, and the constant fear of getting caught had me turning pages late into the night. Every time I thought they were about to be discovered, my anxiety skyrocketed.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Jasmine and Rory. Their bond was incredibly sweet and added so much heart to the book. Rory quickly became one of those side characters who steals every scene she's in, and I loved watching Jasmine become someone she could look up to.
The spice was fantastic, but it never overshadowed the story. Instead, it enhanced the emotional connection between the characters and made those long-awaited moments even more satisfying. And yes, certain scenes will absolutely live rent-free in my head for a very long time.
Enticed is a beautifully written forbidden romance filled with heart, chemistry, tension, and one of my favorite cowboy heroes of the year. If you love age-gap romances, protective single dads, small-town settings, and heroes who are willing to risk everything for the woman they love, this book belongs on your TBR.
Thank you to Ashley Cade and Smuthood Inc. for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
Enticed was everything I love in a romance and then some. Give me a protective cowboy, a forbidden romance, an age gap, a single dad, and enough tension to keep me glued to my Kindle, and I'm immediately invested. Ashley Cade delivered all of that and more.
Gabriel Montgomery completely stole my heart. After returning to Poplar Ridge following his divorce, the last thing he expects is to find himself falling for Jasmine Hayes, the daughter of his best friend and boss. Gabe spends so much of this book fighting his feelings because he genuinely cares about doing the right thing, and that only made me love him more. He is loyal, protective, thoughtful, and an incredible father to his daughter Rory. Every time he made sure Jasmine was taking care of herself, every time he put others before himself, and every time he tried to deny what was so clearly inevitable, I found myself falling harder for him.
Jasmine was equally wonderful. She's confident, stubborn, determined, and completely unapologetic about knowing what she wants. I loved that she wasn't afraid to go after the life and love she wanted, even when everyone around her told her it was impossible. The chemistry between her and Gabe was instant, but Ashley Cade took her time building their relationship, making every moment feel earned and authentic.
The slow-burn tension in this book was absolute perfection. Watching Gabe and Jasmine travel together for her barrel racing competitions created some of my favorite moments in the story. The forced proximity, the stolen glances, the lingering touches, and the constant fear of getting caught had me turning pages late into the night. Every time I thought they were about to be discovered, my anxiety skyrocketed.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Jasmine and Rory. Their bond was incredibly sweet and added so much heart to the book. Rory quickly became one of those side characters who steals every scene she's in, and I loved watching Jasmine become someone she could look up to.
The spice was fantastic, but it never overshadowed the story. Instead, it enhanced the emotional connection between the characters and made those long-awaited moments even more satisfying. And yes, certain scenes will absolutely live rent-free in my head for a very long time.
Enticed is a beautifully written forbidden romance filled with heart, chemistry, tension, and one of my favorite cowboy heroes of the year. If you love age-gap romances, protective single dads, small-town settings, and heroes who are willing to risk everything for the woman they love, this book belongs on your TBR.
Thank you to Ashley Cade and Smuthood Inc. for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
ARC Review
A very sweet forbidden age gap cowboy romance.
Coming back to his hometown after finalizing his divorce, he runs into his best friend’s daughter at the bar, all grown up. Not really having seen her over the 9 years he was away trying to make his marriage work, it was an unexpected surprise, even more unexpected were the feelings she evoked from him. Knowing who she is, and how much older he is than her, he knows he can’t act on any of his attraction toward her, even though he’ll see her every day while they both work on her father’s farm.
Our FMC had harboured a crush on her dad’s best friend ever since she knew what a crush was, but when he left with the woman he accidentally got pregnant she buried those feelings. Now that he’s back, amicably divorced, with a wonderful daughter, those feelings are coming back as she sees him every day, working his cowboy magic with training the rescue horses, and getting to see what a good father he is when his daughter comes to stay with him.
Loyal and honourable to a fault, our MMC denies his feelings for his best friend’s daughter, who, he reminds himself often, is so much younger than him. His aim is always to do right by her, even though she flirts with him, he’s convinced that he’s not who she needs. Yet, he knows he’ll always look out for her, not just because his best friend asked him to, but because he can’t help but want her happy and safe.
The slow burn tension that builds between these MCs is delightful, and when they get stuck in some forced proximity travelling to her barrel racing shows together it only gets better. They’re both such strong characters, she’s stubborn in her understanding of what she wants and willingness to go for it, while he works so hard in denying the feelings that he’s convinced he can’t act on. When the tension finally snaps be ready for some delicious spice and so many more little steamy moments.
This was truly such a sweet romance, the connection between the two MCs was written so naturally. Nothing felt rushed in the building of their relationship and the tension was so good. At one point the FMC communicated exactly what she felt and what she needed from the MMC, I adored that, my only problem was that her resolve crumbled fairly quickly without the MMC delivering anything close to what she asked for. I did feel like things could’ve progressed to the next step for our MCs at one point, but instead things went back to what was considered safe.
Overall, this was a great introduction to this new author to me and this new small town they’ve created. I adore all the characters we’ve been introduced to and I can’t wait for more sweet romances!
A very sweet forbidden age gap cowboy romance.
Coming back to his hometown after finalizing his divorce, he runs into his best friend’s daughter at the bar, all grown up. Not really having seen her over the 9 years he was away trying to make his marriage work, it was an unexpected surprise, even more unexpected were the feelings she evoked from him. Knowing who she is, and how much older he is than her, he knows he can’t act on any of his attraction toward her, even though he’ll see her every day while they both work on her father’s farm.
Our FMC had harboured a crush on her dad’s best friend ever since she knew what a crush was, but when he left with the woman he accidentally got pregnant she buried those feelings. Now that he’s back, amicably divorced, with a wonderful daughter, those feelings are coming back as she sees him every day, working his cowboy magic with training the rescue horses, and getting to see what a good father he is when his daughter comes to stay with him.
Loyal and honourable to a fault, our MMC denies his feelings for his best friend’s daughter, who, he reminds himself often, is so much younger than him. His aim is always to do right by her, even though she flirts with him, he’s convinced that he’s not who she needs. Yet, he knows he’ll always look out for her, not just because his best friend asked him to, but because he can’t help but want her happy and safe.
The slow burn tension that builds between these MCs is delightful, and when they get stuck in some forced proximity travelling to her barrel racing shows together it only gets better. They’re both such strong characters, she’s stubborn in her understanding of what she wants and willingness to go for it, while he works so hard in denying the feelings that he’s convinced he can’t act on. When the tension finally snaps be ready for some delicious spice and so many more little steamy moments.
This was truly such a sweet romance, the connection between the two MCs was written so naturally. Nothing felt rushed in the building of their relationship and the tension was so good. At one point the FMC communicated exactly what she felt and what she needed from the MMC, I adored that, my only problem was that her resolve crumbled fairly quickly without the MMC delivering anything close to what she asked for. I did feel like things could’ve progressed to the next step for our MCs at one point, but instead things went back to what was considered safe.
Overall, this was a great introduction to this new author to me and this new small town they’ve created. I adore all the characters we’ve been introduced to and I can’t wait for more sweet romances!
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌶️🌶️.5/5
I hate giving negative reviews, especially when they’re for an ARC. But I believe in being honest and fair in my reviews, so here goes.
I really wanted to love Enticed. On paper, it had everything I typically enjoy: age gap, best friend’s daughter, single dad, forbidden romance…this should have been a home run for me.
Unfortunately, I think the biggest issue was that I just didn’t connect with the author’s writing style. Obviously, that’s a personal preference, but I struggled throughout the story. At times, the dialogue and narration felt a bit stilted and unnatural. For example, there’s a point where Gabe says his love for her “will not abate.” While I know what the word means, it isn’t the kind of language people typically use in everyday conversation, and moments like that kept pulling me out of the story.
My other struggle was the forbidden aspect of the romance. I’ve read plenty of books with questionable connections and have enjoyed a lot of best friend’s daughter romances, but something about this one gave me the ick. Gabe knew her growing up. When he first left, she was around twelve, and when he returned, she was seventeen before the story eventually picks up when she’s twenty-one. The fact that she had always had a crush on him and that he had known her during those formative years made the dynamic harder for me to get past. Usually with this trope, there’s more distance. It’s often a situation where the characters barely knew each other or haven’t seen each other in decades. Here, the history felt much more present, and it just didn’t work for me.
That said, there were definitely positives. I thought the characters were well developed, and I especially liked Gabe’s daughter, Rory. I also appreciated that her mom/Gabe’s ex wife wasn’t written as a stereotypical villain. The side characters were enjoyable, and I liked the small-town setting and overall atmosphere.
Ultimately, though, between the writing style and my discomfort with the romance dynamic, I just couldn’t fully connect with this one. If you’re someone who enjoys easy-reading cowboy romances and doesn’t think the age gap/best friend’s daughter setup will bother you, this may work much better for you than it did for me. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
🌟Thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the ARC and the opportunity to read and provide my honest review
I hate giving negative reviews, especially when they’re for an ARC. But I believe in being honest and fair in my reviews, so here goes.
I really wanted to love Enticed. On paper, it had everything I typically enjoy: age gap, best friend’s daughter, single dad, forbidden romance…this should have been a home run for me.
Unfortunately, I think the biggest issue was that I just didn’t connect with the author’s writing style. Obviously, that’s a personal preference, but I struggled throughout the story. At times, the dialogue and narration felt a bit stilted and unnatural. For example, there’s a point where Gabe says his love for her “will not abate.” While I know what the word means, it isn’t the kind of language people typically use in everyday conversation, and moments like that kept pulling me out of the story.
My other struggle was the forbidden aspect of the romance. I’ve read plenty of books with questionable connections and have enjoyed a lot of best friend’s daughter romances, but something about this one gave me the ick. Gabe knew her growing up. When he first left, she was around twelve, and when he returned, she was seventeen before the story eventually picks up when she’s twenty-one. The fact that she had always had a crush on him and that he had known her during those formative years made the dynamic harder for me to get past. Usually with this trope, there’s more distance. It’s often a situation where the characters barely knew each other or haven’t seen each other in decades. Here, the history felt much more present, and it just didn’t work for me.
That said, there were definitely positives. I thought the characters were well developed, and I especially liked Gabe’s daughter, Rory. I also appreciated that her mom/Gabe’s ex wife wasn’t written as a stereotypical villain. The side characters were enjoyable, and I liked the small-town setting and overall atmosphere.
Ultimately, though, between the writing style and my discomfort with the romance dynamic, I just couldn’t fully connect with this one. If you’re someone who enjoys easy-reading cowboy romances and doesn’t think the age gap/best friend’s daughter setup will bother you, this may work much better for you than it did for me. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
🌟Thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the ARC and the opportunity to read and provide my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Enticed is my first book by Ashley Cade, and she officially has my attention—her writing is brilliant, and this small-town cowboy romance completely captured my heart. The story pulls you in immediately with a fantastic forbidden age-gap, dad’s best friend dynamic that keeps you hooked from the very first page. Gabe is back in his hometown to help out on the ranch after a difficult divorce, and the last person he expects to run into at the local bar is his best friend’s daughter. It was wonderful how the story established early on just how long it had been since they last saw each other; Jasmine is now twenty-one and no longer the little girl he recalls, and Gabe doesn’t even recognize the spirited, determined young woman she has grown into.
The childhood crush Jasmine harbored for Gabe is still very much alive, and seeing his sweet, nurturing side with his own daughter only amplifies her feelings. She is on a mission to ensure Gabe finally sees her as a grown woman, leading to an incredible build-up filled with yearning, fantastic banter, and undeniable chemistry. Gabe tries his best to resist the attraction and stay true to his best friend, but after one kiss and a little teasing, the connection and dirty-talk-filled spicy scenes become too intense to fight.
What makes this book truly amazing beyond the central romance is the authentic family dynamics. The relationships add so much depth to the story, from the protective tension of a secret romance to the delightfully spunky grandmother, who provided some of my favorite moments. The impending dread of what will happen when Jasmine’s father finds out in the worst way possible keeps the pages turning, though it does make you wonder how much longer they would have waited to tell her family on their own. Ultimately, watching their relationship develop and grow into a beautiful happy ending was incredibly satisfying. There wasn't a single thing I didn't love about this standalone book, and I highly recommend listening to the playlist while reading to add a wonderful layer of nostalgia to the experience. It is an absolute must-read for fans of cowboy romance and top-tier age-gap tropes, and I can't wait to see what Ashley Cade delivers next.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The childhood crush Jasmine harbored for Gabe is still very much alive, and seeing his sweet, nurturing side with his own daughter only amplifies her feelings. She is on a mission to ensure Gabe finally sees her as a grown woman, leading to an incredible build-up filled with yearning, fantastic banter, and undeniable chemistry. Gabe tries his best to resist the attraction and stay true to his best friend, but after one kiss and a little teasing, the connection and dirty-talk-filled spicy scenes become too intense to fight.
What makes this book truly amazing beyond the central romance is the authentic family dynamics. The relationships add so much depth to the story, from the protective tension of a secret romance to the delightfully spunky grandmother, who provided some of my favorite moments. The impending dread of what will happen when Jasmine’s father finds out in the worst way possible keeps the pages turning, though it does make you wonder how much longer they would have waited to tell her family on their own. Ultimately, watching their relationship develop and grow into a beautiful happy ending was incredibly satisfying. There wasn't a single thing I didn't love about this standalone book, and I highly recommend listening to the playlist while reading to add a wonderful layer of nostalgia to the experience. It is an absolute must-read for fans of cowboy romance and top-tier age-gap tropes, and I can't wait to see what Ashley Cade delivers next.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2026
Jasmine, is a woman who knows what she wants. She was not afraid to stand up for herself and make her feelings known despite the possibility of rejection from Gabe and despite what her family may think of their relationship. Jasmine was determined to show Gabe just how she felt about him. Flirting and teasing him every chance she got.
This book had a great blend of longing, tension, and spice. The chemistry between the two was so good! The relationship between Jasmine and Gabe was a slow burn and took some time to develop, but that wasn’t on Jasmine’s part. If it was up to her, she would have had her cowboy the first day he came back into town. But Gabe is loyal to his best friend, Woody. Gabe is constantly fighting his feelings and attraction to Jasmine. Being afraid of the possible backlash of what may happen if he gives in.
Once that tension broke, and Gabe finally gave into his feelings all bets were off, and he was completely invested in their relationship,
Nothing could tear them apart. The spice in this book was spicy, and added to Gabe and Jasmine’s emotional connection.
I loved how caring and protective Gabe is of Jasmine. He took the time to learn everything he could about diabetes, and made sure she had everything she needed and was constantly checking in to make sure she was okay.
The side characters were a great addition to this story, especially Gigi Rose. She was hilarious and she knew Jasmine and Gabe’s relationship was inevitable. The way that Jasmine instantly bonded with Rory was so wholesome and sweet.
This was such a sweet forbidden, age gap, small town romance. It was well balanced with longing, tension and spice. Gabe and Jasmine’s relationship and connection was written so naturally, that there were times where it didn’t feel like there was a 16 year age gap between the two. I appreciate the fact that there wasn’t a third act breakup in this book. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Honeysuckle Ranch series!
This book had a great blend of longing, tension, and spice. The chemistry between the two was so good! The relationship between Jasmine and Gabe was a slow burn and took some time to develop, but that wasn’t on Jasmine’s part. If it was up to her, she would have had her cowboy the first day he came back into town. But Gabe is loyal to his best friend, Woody. Gabe is constantly fighting his feelings and attraction to Jasmine. Being afraid of the possible backlash of what may happen if he gives in.
Once that tension broke, and Gabe finally gave into his feelings all bets were off, and he was completely invested in their relationship,
Nothing could tear them apart. The spice in this book was spicy, and added to Gabe and Jasmine’s emotional connection.
I loved how caring and protective Gabe is of Jasmine. He took the time to learn everything he could about diabetes, and made sure she had everything she needed and was constantly checking in to make sure she was okay.
The side characters were a great addition to this story, especially Gigi Rose. She was hilarious and she knew Jasmine and Gabe’s relationship was inevitable. The way that Jasmine instantly bonded with Rory was so wholesome and sweet.
This was such a sweet forbidden, age gap, small town romance. It was well balanced with longing, tension and spice. Gabe and Jasmine’s relationship and connection was written so naturally, that there were times where it didn’t feel like there was a 16 year age gap between the two. I appreciate the fact that there wasn’t a third act breakup in this book. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Honeysuckle Ranch series!
June 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enticed was such an addictive cowboy romance and I absolutely flew through it.
If you love age-gap romance, dad’s best friend, forced proximity, and a MMC desperately trying not to fall for the one woman he shouldn’t want, this book delivers all of it.
Jasmine has had a crush on Gabe for years, and now that he’s back at her family’s ranch, she’s no longer interested in hiding it. What I loved about her was how confident she was when it came to what she wanted. She wasn’t afraid to flirt, tease, or go after the man she’d spent years dreaming about.
Meanwhile, Gabe is fighting for his life trying to resist her 😭
And honestly? I understood why. It’s not just the age gap that’s holding him back—it’s the fact that Jasmine is his best friend’s daughter. The risk of losing his friendship, his job, and the family he’s become part of adds so much tension to every interaction between them.
The chemistry between these two was fantastic. The longing, the stolen moments, the constant push and pull of wanting something you know you probably shouldn’t have… it kept me hooked the entire time.
I also really appreciated the representation of diabetes throughout the story. As someone familiar with the condition, I thought it was handled thoughtfully and naturally. Rather than being treated as a defining trait, it was simply part of Jasmine’s life, and I loved the way Gabe viewed the devices that helped keep her healthy. Some of those moments were genuinely sweet.
The forced proximity during their trip together only made everything better. Being stuck together, trying to ignore their feelings while the tension keeps building? Sign me up every time.
Overall, this was a fun, emotional, and incredibly swoony romance with a lovable heroine, a protective cowboy, plenty of chemistry, and enough tension to keep me turning the pages.
If you enjoy:
🤠 Cowboys
❤️ Dad’s best friend
🔥 16-year age gap
🏡 Forced proximity
🥹 Emotional tension
💕 Protective MMCs
🥰 Feisty FMC
Then I’d definitely recommend giving Enticed a try.
Enticed was such an addictive cowboy romance and I absolutely flew through it.
If you love age-gap romance, dad’s best friend, forced proximity, and a MMC desperately trying not to fall for the one woman he shouldn’t want, this book delivers all of it.
Jasmine has had a crush on Gabe for years, and now that he’s back at her family’s ranch, she’s no longer interested in hiding it. What I loved about her was how confident she was when it came to what she wanted. She wasn’t afraid to flirt, tease, or go after the man she’d spent years dreaming about.
Meanwhile, Gabe is fighting for his life trying to resist her 😭
And honestly? I understood why. It’s not just the age gap that’s holding him back—it’s the fact that Jasmine is his best friend’s daughter. The risk of losing his friendship, his job, and the family he’s become part of adds so much tension to every interaction between them.
The chemistry between these two was fantastic. The longing, the stolen moments, the constant push and pull of wanting something you know you probably shouldn’t have… it kept me hooked the entire time.
I also really appreciated the representation of diabetes throughout the story. As someone familiar with the condition, I thought it was handled thoughtfully and naturally. Rather than being treated as a defining trait, it was simply part of Jasmine’s life, and I loved the way Gabe viewed the devices that helped keep her healthy. Some of those moments were genuinely sweet.
The forced proximity during their trip together only made everything better. Being stuck together, trying to ignore their feelings while the tension keeps building? Sign me up every time.
Overall, this was a fun, emotional, and incredibly swoony romance with a lovable heroine, a protective cowboy, plenty of chemistry, and enough tension to keep me turning the pages.
If you enjoy:
🤠 Cowboys
❤️ Dad’s best friend
🔥 16-year age gap
🏡 Forced proximity
🥹 Emotional tension
💕 Protective MMCs
🥰 Feisty FMC
Then I’d definitely recommend giving Enticed a try.
June 18, 2026
✨ Enticed – Ashley Cade ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
🤠🔥🐎❤️😮💨
If you love:
• age gap romance
• best friend’s daughter
• cowboy romance
• forced proximity
• slow-burn tension
• protective MMC
THIS BOOK WAS FILLED WITH ANGST, TENSION, AND ALL THE FORBIDDEN FEELS 😮💨❤️
From the moment Jasmine Hayes walks onto the page, you know she’s going to turn someone’s world upside down—and that someone is definitely the cowboy who’s been trying very hard not to notice her 😭🤠
Jasmine was one of my favorite parts of this book. She’s confident, determined, and refuses to let anyone tell her what she can or can’t want. Her passion for barrel racing and her fierce personality made her impossible not to root for 🐎🔥
And the MMC?
The man is STRUGGLING.
Between the age gap, the fact that she’s his best friend’s daughter, and the very real possibility of losing both his job and his friendship, he spends a good portion of the book trying to fight feelings that clearly aren’t going anywhere 😮💨
The forced proximity during the barrel racing trips was where this story really shined. Being stuck together in close quarters created so much tension, and every stolen glance and lingering moment had me waiting for the inevitable explosion.
What I loved most was the emotional push and pull. Neither character enters the relationship lightly, and the stakes feel real because there is so much to lose if things go wrong.
The reason this wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me was that some parts felt a little repetitive with the back-and-forth internal conflict, and I would have loved a bit more development of the side characters and relationships outside the romance.
Still, the chemistry was strong, the tension delivered, and the cowboy vibes were absolutely on point 🤠❤️
If you love forbidden romance, age-gap tension, protective cowboys, and characters willing to risk everything for love, Enticed is definitely worth adding to your TBR 🐎🔥❤️✨.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
🤠🔥🐎❤️😮💨
If you love:
• age gap romance
• best friend’s daughter
• cowboy romance
• forced proximity
• slow-burn tension
• protective MMC
THIS BOOK WAS FILLED WITH ANGST, TENSION, AND ALL THE FORBIDDEN FEELS 😮💨❤️
From the moment Jasmine Hayes walks onto the page, you know she’s going to turn someone’s world upside down—and that someone is definitely the cowboy who’s been trying very hard not to notice her 😭🤠
Jasmine was one of my favorite parts of this book. She’s confident, determined, and refuses to let anyone tell her what she can or can’t want. Her passion for barrel racing and her fierce personality made her impossible not to root for 🐎🔥
And the MMC?
The man is STRUGGLING.
Between the age gap, the fact that she’s his best friend’s daughter, and the very real possibility of losing both his job and his friendship, he spends a good portion of the book trying to fight feelings that clearly aren’t going anywhere 😮💨
The forced proximity during the barrel racing trips was where this story really shined. Being stuck together in close quarters created so much tension, and every stolen glance and lingering moment had me waiting for the inevitable explosion.
What I loved most was the emotional push and pull. Neither character enters the relationship lightly, and the stakes feel real because there is so much to lose if things go wrong.
The reason this wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me was that some parts felt a little repetitive with the back-and-forth internal conflict, and I would have loved a bit more development of the side characters and relationships outside the romance.
Still, the chemistry was strong, the tension delivered, and the cowboy vibes were absolutely on point 🤠❤️
If you love forbidden romance, age-gap tension, protective cowboys, and characters willing to risk everything for love, Enticed is definitely worth adding to your TBR 🐎🔥❤️✨.
June 24, 2026
Enticed was my first book by Ashley Cade, and it definitely won’t be my last. It’s a best friend’s daughter, age-gap cowboy romance had me hooked from the beginning, and I found myself not wanting to put it down…. but also now hoping that there will be a book 2 and more in the Honeysuckle Ranch!
Gabe (FMC) has recently returned to his home town of Poplar Ridge following his divorce to work for his best friend Woody. He goes to the local pub one night and is drawn to one of the young women at the bar, not realizing who she is and that they do in fact know each other.
Jasmine (FMC and the daughter of Woody), who he hasn’t seen in years and is most certainly now all grown up.
The chemistry between Jasmine and Gabe is obvious from the start, but it was the friendship, mutual respect, and emotional connection between them that made it seem so real. Gabe spends a lot of the book trying to do the right thing, even when it’s not what he wants, and I appreciated that his hesitation actually made sense given the circumstances.
One of my favourite parts of the story was seeing Jasmine’s relationship with Rory, Gabe’s daughter. Their bond felt genuine and added another layer to the story. I also appreciated how Ashley Cade incorporated Jasmine’s diabetes into the book (I have read a few books as of late that have had really great representation of health issues). It wasn’t used as a plot device, but rather as part of who Jasmine is, and I loved how supportive and caring Gabe was whenever she needed him.
Jasmine was also a character I really enjoyed. She was driven, dedicated to her career, and knew what she wanted, even if it sometimes came at her own expense.
If you enjoy age-gap, forbidden romance, best friend’s daughter tropes, and a hero who will do anything for the people he loves, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thanks you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for this ARC. This review is my own opinion x
Gabe (FMC) has recently returned to his home town of Poplar Ridge following his divorce to work for his best friend Woody. He goes to the local pub one night and is drawn to one of the young women at the bar, not realizing who she is and that they do in fact know each other.
Jasmine (FMC and the daughter of Woody), who he hasn’t seen in years and is most certainly now all grown up.
The chemistry between Jasmine and Gabe is obvious from the start, but it was the friendship, mutual respect, and emotional connection between them that made it seem so real. Gabe spends a lot of the book trying to do the right thing, even when it’s not what he wants, and I appreciated that his hesitation actually made sense given the circumstances.
One of my favourite parts of the story was seeing Jasmine’s relationship with Rory, Gabe’s daughter. Their bond felt genuine and added another layer to the story. I also appreciated how Ashley Cade incorporated Jasmine’s diabetes into the book (I have read a few books as of late that have had really great representation of health issues). It wasn’t used as a plot device, but rather as part of who Jasmine is, and I loved how supportive and caring Gabe was whenever she needed him.
Jasmine was also a character I really enjoyed. She was driven, dedicated to her career, and knew what she wanted, even if it sometimes came at her own expense.
If you enjoy age-gap, forbidden romance, best friend’s daughter tropes, and a hero who will do anything for the people he loves, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thanks you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for this ARC. This review is my own opinion x
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨Summary✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
HEA: Yes, no 3rd act breakup
POV: Dual
Tropes: Age Gap (21/37), Forbidden, Dad’s Best Friend, Cowboy, Single Dad, Chronic Illness Representation, Rodeo, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn
Gabe is a single dad and horse trainer who has returned to his hometown after a divorce. On his first night back, a woman catches his eye…only for him to discover she’s his best friend’s daughter! Determined to ignore their attraction, Gabe tries to keep his distance, but working at her father’s ranch and helping Jasmine prepare for barrel racing competitions means they’re constantly thrown together. When family circumstances leave Jasmine needing someone to accompany her on the rodeo circuit, Gabe steps in, forcing them both to confront feelings they’ve been trying to deny.
I loved Gabe and Jasmine. Gabe is an incredible dad to his daughter, Rory, and I loved seeing that side of him. Rory is absolutely smitten with Jasmine, just like Gabe lol. I also loved the Pride & Prejudice references throughout the story. A man who understands the significance of the hand flex is definitely sexy.
Jasmine has Type 1 diabetes, and it plays a significant role in the story. I appreciated how Ashley Cade incorporated it naturally into Jasmine’s daily life, showing all aspects of it. You can tell that people in her past haven’t always understood her diabetes or the realities of living with an insulin pump, but Gabe never treats it as a burden. He accepts it as part of who she is and simply wants her to be healthy and safe. As someone who doesn’t know much about Type 1 diabetes or insulin pumps, I found that aspect of the book both interesting and educational, and it answered quite a few questions I didn’t even realize I had.
The spicy scenes were great. It takes a while to get there, but it was worth the wait. Gabe absolutely worships Jasmine, and their chemistry shines through in all their stolen moments.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Jasmine’s grandmother was a standout character and had me laughing throughout the story. She was firmly in Gabe and Jasmine’s corner from the beginning and couldn’t have cared less about the age gap. This is the first book in the series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading Jasmine’s siblings’ stories.
Thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
HEA: Yes, no 3rd act breakup
POV: Dual
Tropes: Age Gap (21/37), Forbidden, Dad’s Best Friend, Cowboy, Single Dad, Chronic Illness Representation, Rodeo, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn
Gabe is a single dad and horse trainer who has returned to his hometown after a divorce. On his first night back, a woman catches his eye…only for him to discover she’s his best friend’s daughter! Determined to ignore their attraction, Gabe tries to keep his distance, but working at her father’s ranch and helping Jasmine prepare for barrel racing competitions means they’re constantly thrown together. When family circumstances leave Jasmine needing someone to accompany her on the rodeo circuit, Gabe steps in, forcing them both to confront feelings they’ve been trying to deny.
I loved Gabe and Jasmine. Gabe is an incredible dad to his daughter, Rory, and I loved seeing that side of him. Rory is absolutely smitten with Jasmine, just like Gabe lol. I also loved the Pride & Prejudice references throughout the story. A man who understands the significance of the hand flex is definitely sexy.
Jasmine has Type 1 diabetes, and it plays a significant role in the story. I appreciated how Ashley Cade incorporated it naturally into Jasmine’s daily life, showing all aspects of it. You can tell that people in her past haven’t always understood her diabetes or the realities of living with an insulin pump, but Gabe never treats it as a burden. He accepts it as part of who she is and simply wants her to be healthy and safe. As someone who doesn’t know much about Type 1 diabetes or insulin pumps, I found that aspect of the book both interesting and educational, and it answered quite a few questions I didn’t even realize I had.
The spicy scenes were great. It takes a while to get there, but it was worth the wait. Gabe absolutely worships Jasmine, and their chemistry shines through in all their stolen moments.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Jasmine’s grandmother was a standout character and had me laughing throughout the story. She was firmly in Gabe and Jasmine’s corner from the beginning and couldn’t have cared less about the age gap. This is the first book in the series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading Jasmine’s siblings’ stories.
Thank you to Ashley Cade and The Smuthood for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is emotional, steamy, and absolutely overflowing with forbidden small-town romance tension 👀🖤🔥
A single dad returning to his hometown?
A fierce barrel racer who knows exactly what she wants?
A romance complicated by a sixteen-year age gap and the fact that she's his best friend's daughter??
Yeah… I was hooked IMMEDIATELY.
Jasmine Hayes was SUCH a fun FMC 👀✨
Confident. Determined. Fearless.
The kind of woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants—even when everyone else thinks it's a bad idea.
And honestly??
I loved her from the start.
Then there's the MMC.
And WOW 👀🔥
Protective. Loyal. Completely conflicted.
He's spent years trying to do the right thing, and falling for Jasmine is the one thing he knows he shouldn't do.
But the more time they spend together?
The harder it becomes to stay away.
The chemistry between these two was SO good.
Because while he's busy listing all the reasons they can't be together, Jasmine is determined to prove that some connections are worth fighting for.
The tension.
The banter.
The stolen moments.
Every interaction had me turning pages faster.
And WOW 🖤✨
The forced proximity from traveling to barrel races together added so much to their relationship.
Watching them spend more time together while his carefully built walls slowly crumbled was EVERYTHING.
Then add in the small-town setting, family dynamics, and the constant risk of losing everything if their relationship is discovered...
AND WOW 👀🔥
I was completely invested.
✨ If you love:
• age gap romance
• best friend's daughter
• single dad romance
• small-town romance
• forced proximity
• forbidden love
This one is swoony, emotional, addictive, and packed with forbidden romance tension 🖤🔥✨🤠
A single dad returning to his hometown?
A fierce barrel racer who knows exactly what she wants?
A romance complicated by a sixteen-year age gap and the fact that she's his best friend's daughter??
Yeah… I was hooked IMMEDIATELY.
Jasmine Hayes was SUCH a fun FMC 👀✨
Confident. Determined. Fearless.
The kind of woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants—even when everyone else thinks it's a bad idea.
And honestly??
I loved her from the start.
Then there's the MMC.
And WOW 👀🔥
Protective. Loyal. Completely conflicted.
He's spent years trying to do the right thing, and falling for Jasmine is the one thing he knows he shouldn't do.
But the more time they spend together?
The harder it becomes to stay away.
The chemistry between these two was SO good.
Because while he's busy listing all the reasons they can't be together, Jasmine is determined to prove that some connections are worth fighting for.
The tension.
The banter.
The stolen moments.
Every interaction had me turning pages faster.
And WOW 🖤✨
The forced proximity from traveling to barrel races together added so much to their relationship.
Watching them spend more time together while his carefully built walls slowly crumbled was EVERYTHING.
Then add in the small-town setting, family dynamics, and the constant risk of losing everything if their relationship is discovered...
AND WOW 👀🔥
I was completely invested.
✨ If you love:
• age gap romance
• best friend's daughter
• single dad romance
• small-town romance
• forced proximity
• forbidden love
This one is swoony, emotional, addictive, and packed with forbidden romance tension 🖤🔥✨🤠
June 22, 2026
I had the absolute pleasure of reading the ARC of this beautiful book.
I saw the words ‘Age-Gap’, ‘Dads Best Friend’ & ‘Forbidden’ and jumped onto it quick smart!!
It follows the story of twenty-one year old barrel racer Jasmine. Feisty, beautiful, total smart ass and if I’m being completely honest one of my favourite FMCs I’ve ever read. I love her.
She runs into a smokin hot older cowboy at a bar one night, being a bit flirty with him, for them both to realise it was her dad’s best friend Gabe.
They hadn’t seen each other in a few years, she had clearly grown up a lot since he last saw her.
He shuts it down pretty quickly but that doesn’t stop Jasmines pure determination to act on the spark they noticed straight away.
Her dad offers Gabe the position of her ‘roadie’ to help her to all her barrel racing events, he hesitates but takes him up in the offer.
Things get hot & spicy from there.
Jasmine takes matters into her own hands and that first spicy scene, Jasmine’s solo. Holy moly, even made me question my sexuality. The woman is HOT!
Gabe is also a single father to a funny little pocket rocket Rory. She is an adorable little girl who has everyone wrapped around her little finger.
Jasmine is also a perfect one for those who have type one diabetes. She is an amazing representation for others like her. It’s tasteful & beautifully written into the story.
I am completely obsessed with the Granny Gang & feel I need more of Rose aka Gigi. Maybe her story?
I really did love this read & I advise anyone to do themselves a favour & give it a go.
If you love cowboy, feisty women, age-gap, forced proximity, powerful women, diabetic rep, barrel racing, spicy then look no further.
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