Hooked By You

Wilder Horizons #3

by Kate Sweden

There are two problems with Luc Moreau. First—he doesn’t talk much. Second—he doesn’t need to.
The man’s silence speaks volumes… and unfortunately for me, I’m fluent in trouble.

Emme Wilder knows charm is a weapon—and she wields it well. As the Wilder Horizons vendor-relations queen, she’s built an empire on partnership, laughter, and perfectly managed chaos. But when she’s sent to Patagonia to secure contracts for a new luxury eco-lodge, she meets a man who refuses to play along.

Luc Moreau is stone in human form—quiet, stubborn, and maddeningly self-sufficient. He built his remote lodge from the ground up, brick by weathered brick, and he doesn’t have time for a flirtatious corporate outsider who smells like sunshine and paperwork. But storms roll in, power cuts out, and proximity turns professional boundaries into something far more dangerous.

Between snow storms, mountainside treks, and the kind of silence that hums, Emme starts to see the cracks in Luc’s armor—and the warmth hidden beneath. And Luc? He starts to remember what it feels like to want more than survival.

Hooked By You is a slow-burn, sunshine-grump romantic comedy set against the breathtaking wilds of Patagonia. Expect tension, banter, and a love story built from sparks, storms, and stubborn hearts learning to bend. Perfect for readers who crave emotional depth, laugh-out-loud moments, and heat that sneaks up like a sunrise after a storm.

💋 Adult language, adult situations, and a scandalous amount of flannel. power outages, penguins, and one unforgettable night beneath the southern stars. Recommended 18+.

Genres: Romance

500 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

About the author

Kate Sweden is an award-winning romance author with a flair for funny, a soft spot for slow burns, and a love of happily ever afters with heat. A former Air Force officer, educator, and lifelong book nerd, she traded briefing rooms and lesson plans for plot twists and first kisses. These days, she lives in Northeast Florida with her husband, their teenage son, and a very opinionated dog named Sailor—plus a pantry that’s suspiciously short on chocolate.

Wrecked By You is a proud recipient of:

✨Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal for Excellence in Romance Fiction
✨1st Place Winner of the Firebird Book Awards in Chick Lit
✨Hollywood Book Festival First Place Winner in Genre-Based Fiction (Romance).
✨Literary Titan Book Award Gold Medal Winner

Member of the The National Association of Book Entrepreneurs

Editorial Reviews:

★★★★★ “A sizzling, emotionally intelligent rom-com set against a breathtaking backdrop. Kate Sweden delivers heart, heat, and unforgettable chemistry.”
—Readers’ Favorite

★★★★★ “A fantastically sassy, highly amusing romance packed full of sexual
chemistry. A Wishing Shelf ‘highly recommended’ read!” —The Wishing Shelf (UK)

★★★★★ "Wrecked By You is a romance that thrives on contrast. It's chaotic and funny, yet tender and raw." —Literary Titan

Reviews

[Caroline F · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb for this book attracted me but it didn't even begin to portray how beautifully written it was. It was a gorgeous, seething slow burn, where Luc and Emme danced around each other, and read each other with a clarity that was mesmerising for two people who'd only just met.

Emme was charming and engaging, and Luc was broody and compelling. She was a woman full of empathy and understanding, and he was a man in touch with the earth and nature, who didn't realise he was missing something until she walked into his life.

I absolutely loved the characters, the remote setting, and the writing style of this new-to-me author. Can't wait to read more by this author.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

[Lori Colwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Rom-Com

“Hooked By You” is a quick read and fun. Emme is the sweet talker - charmer in her family’s travel business. Luc is the loner French architect-that designed and owns a secluded lodge. When Emme travels to charm the pants off Luc for his business, they both realize their business should extend. If cute rom-coma are your thing, this one is certainly enjoyable. The author paints the reader such a clear descriptive picture on every page, you’ll feel like an extra watching it happen.
It was my first read with this author but it won’t be my last.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was descriptive the way others are not. It made me hyper-aware of my senses & made me feel, taste, see, smell and hear the story as it unfolded. The characters came alive & I could feel their emotions! Not your typical love story with witty banter & too much sex but a love story that built into something so big it couldn’t be described…..the right kind that lasts!
This was my first Kate Sweden book but will not be my last. Thank you for such a good book!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this series!!! This wasn’t like the other two where the FMC was super opinionated and bantered with the MMC. This was a more mellow and calm banter. I LOVED it. It was just different in the best way. The love was just quieter and subtle than most. Thanks to the author for the ARC.

[Charlene Parris · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my style

The plot was fine, but the writing style was exhausting. So so so many similies. They were charming for about 15 pages and then became something to plow through. Literally she used the word “like” 3 times a page for 400 pages. You do the math

[Maureen Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a struggle for me.

I found it difficult to really get into the story, as the first half dragged quite a bit. The pacing did improve in the second half, although I’m not entirely sure if that was due to a shift in the book itself or simply my own headspace while reading.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much chemistry between the main characters, Emme and Luc. There was very little spark for me, which made it hard to fully connect with them or root for their relationship.

I also found the writing to be overly descriptive in places. While some readers may enjoy that level of detail, for me it disrupted the flow of the story and caused my attention to wander.

That said, I can absolutely see this book working for other readers, and I’m sure many will love it—it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

[inesmflor · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐

If someone had told me a year ago that I would be part of a beta reader team, I would have said they were completely crazy.
Well, it happened. And I couldn't be prouder to have been part of this series ❤️

Kate, let me tell you something: it pisses me off that you don't get the recognition you so richly deserve.

This series has been part of my profile for a while now. The first book was an incredible surprise, and the second only didn't get 5 stars because it's the second book in a still quite large series (a lot more is yet to come). The same happens for this one.

Hooked by You is a rom-com with a DUO of tropes that are my downfall: grumpy vs sunshine & forced proximity.

Emme and Luc will take us to a world where there's chemistry screaming everywhere. I can't even describe how much I liked their story ❤️

The way this book is written, let me tell you: 5 stars. It was incredible to notice the personality differences between the two of them just in how the POVs are written. Hers had a lighter, more "human" writing style. His, on the other hand, is more complex, more precise.

If there's one thing that makes me happy when reading a romance novel, it's when we have a couple who know that regardless of everything, they are also unique individuals and that they respect each other completely. Both emotionally and professionally. Hands down to this!

I laughed so much at this book. The level of irony in this entire series is mind-blowing.

I'm pretty sure that at the end of the last book, I'll look back and say "this is my all-time favorite rom-com." ❤️

And for you Kate, thank you so much for this. I'm really happy to be part of this journey!
I wish you the best 💕

Kate Sweden
Hooked By You: A Spicy Grumpy Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romantic Comedy

[Tanisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always excited to pick up a contemporary romance with some of my favorite tropes, so I was immediately interested in this one. It has grumpy sunshine energy, forced proximity, and just the right amount of spice, which checked so many of my boxes. It is labeled as a romantic comedy, although I personally did not find it especially funny. Still, I enjoyed the emotional beats and the steady build between the main characters. The alternating first person POV is one of my absolute favorite formats, and I loved being able to see both of their thoughts, especially with the MMC’s mix of French and English.

I liked the FMC right away. Being the fifth of six daughters and helping run her family’s travel business gives her a lot of personality and responsibility, and I enjoyed how dedicated she was to her work. Her dynamic with the MMC was fun to follow too. His personality is very different from hers, but their chemistry worked, and the story gave them several meaningful moments that showed how deeply they were starting to care for one another. There are also a couple of unexpected medical situations that push their relationship forward in an emotional way, and those parts were some of my favorites.

The long distance element added a layer of realism to their romance, and I appreciated that the story acknowledged how complicated it can be. While the ending is sweet and hopeful, I do wish the epilogue had gone a little further into the future, just so I could see how their lives settle after everything they went through. Even so, I enjoyed the journey. The setting, the romance, and the steady emotional build all made this a satisfying read. It is definitely one I am glad I picked up.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[C_C · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

"Hooked by You"

(Wilder Horizon series # 3)

by Kate Sweden


Kate is a master of words. Should it be "with" words? Definitely "of" words. Because her books have this "thing", this power, this magic made of words that stays in our hearts.

I met Kate when before she released her first book, Wrecked By You. I found a strong, passionate, tender and fierce woman. Just like the ladies she writes.

And I was instantly drawn to her world. A world made of strong women (6 of them, all sisters) that fall in love with fine and handsome men, while in absolutely breathtaking countries.

An this third book, Hooked by You, has all of the above: Emme and Luc and Patagonia.
And it has snow and remote landscapes and friends and silence filled with conversations and love. It is always the love. Always.

A book to be savored. Just like love should be.


Thank you to the author for this loving ARC.

---

some my favorite quotes:

Eyes - impossible to name at first. Gray? Blue? Winter before the storm.

"It's Patagonia. The wind negotiates with no one."

I admired a man who could articulate a line by saying nothing.

I could almost hear my father's voice: if you can still hear traffic, you haven't gone far enough.

People think silence is empty. It isn't. It's crowded. You learn to stack your thoughts in it or they fall on you.

Outside, the cold was animal that waited politely at the door and then put its paw on your chest.

My pulse misbehaved. So did the rest of me. And my d*ck.

"The soul of the party is the bread"

I wanted to memorize her with my mouth.

"You're a good man who thought quiet was a wall and finally realized it's a door."

the sound of her laugh kept cutting through the wind. Her smile. It shouldn't have hit the way it did, but it lived somewhere under my ribs now, refusing to leave.

[Taylor Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥 SINFULLY GOOD & UTTERLY UNPUTDOWNABLE 🔥
A Swooning Review for Hooked By You- Wilder Horizons #3

Book 3 has me in a full chokehold. The tension, the atmosphere, the slow-burn ache that builds with every page—this installment is intoxicating in the best way. The world around Emme is written so vividly you can feel the wind off the cliffs, taste the crisp air, and hear the quiet hum of Patagonia wrapping around her like a spell.

And then there’s that line—the one that cracked something open in me:
“Not because I liked morning—God no—but because I liked claiming this slice of stillness before the day went feral.”
It’s raw, honest, and sets the tone for a story that digs deep into rediscovery, desire, and the wild freedom of solitude.

The cottage? A total fantasy. A dreamscape of warmth and quiet earthiness, the kind of place you want to disappear into and let the world melt away. The serenity, the silence, the space to relearn who you are—it all feels so visceral, so real. And the new friendships and experiences that spark within those walls? Pure magic… the kind that makes your heart race long before the romance does.

Speaking of romance—Emme & Luc?
Electric.
Their connection thrums beneath every interaction, every glance, every stolen moment. The chemistry is the kind that sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go. Spicy, emotional, tender, and thrilling all at once.

This book is a rush—dreamy, dramatic, and laced with just enough heat to keep your pulse racing. Experiencing Patagonia through Emme’s eyes has been breathtaking, and following her journey with Luc has been pure bliss.

If you need a series that sweeps you off your feet, steals your breath, and makes you grin like you’re falling in love for the first time…
Wilder Horizons is it.
A must-read. A must-feel. A must-swoon.

[Laura Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was sweet, funny, thoughtful, heart aching, breath taking, and all the things I love about romance novels.

This is a slow burn and I was here for it. Kate Sweden has a way of drawing you and making you wait for the good stuff. It’s not taken for granted or rushed.

This dynamic she builds between these two characters was something I haven’t seen before. The space they hold, the quiet they give, the honesty and the being seen so completely, undid me.

Emme Wilder is a force of nature when it comes to vendor contracts and convincing people they need the partnership she is offering. She welds her charm and intelligence like armor. But she carries a softness that really settles in your soul.

Luc Moreau is the owner of Refugio Cielo, a mountain lodge in Patagonia. He is quiet and controlled. He has a set routine and everything has a place and it’s in it. That is until Emme Wilder shows up and pulls light where he tucked it away.

I loved this story. The slow burn just intensified every feeling. I wanted to cry during the avalanche scene, I had that panicky feeling while reading and couldn’t fathom that things would be ok. That’s the edge Kate keeps you on, but you’re thankful for it in the end.

If you’ve never read any of her books check her out, and start with this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Virginia Danyow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all three books in the Wilder series, and none of them disappoint. I will say that I enjoyed the first two slightly more than this one, but it was still a well written, funny, spicy story where love crashes into their lives like an avalanche.

Emme runs a travel company with her sisters. She is the fifth of six women who inherited the company when their father died. They set their eyes on exclusive vacations in Patagonia. Emme travels to a secluded, basically off the grid, resort like destination owned and operated by a rumored recluse.

Luc landed in Patagonia after traveling following his brother's death. As an architect from Paris, he designed the entire resort himself. Now he runs it with minimal staff, and is successful. He has a six month wait list. What he doesn't have is someone to share it with. But he's ok with that. He's built walls to protect himself. What he doesn't see coming is Emme. When the unpredictable Patagonia weather turns cruel they end up snowed in together and things heat up pretty quickly.

Sometimes love hits you like an avalanche...just ask Emme and Luc.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the past few months, I have really enjoyed discovering Kate Sweden's Wilder Horizons world. While the first two books in the series have challenging dynamics, the third book in the series, Hooked By You has a very different tenor. It's softer, more reserved, and in some ways, more beautiful.

Patagonia is the setting for this adventure. Sweden's attention to detail as she builds this world that Wilder sister, Emme, enters shows a less luxury and more unique focus on a once in a lifetime experience. When Emne meets Luc, his reserved manner echoes the setting. What I loved about this book though was how it leaned into the beauty of unplugging from technology and embracing silence, the quiet. It is in this quiet that Emme and Luc are able to see and hear each other.

The characters develop a romance at a glacial pace at first. But it feels right for this book. And the connection Emme and Luc make is deep, and driving. When they finally get together, it is worth the struggle and fear they both weather.

I can't wait to read more of these books. Keep writing Kate Sweden.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Glorymar Rosario-Vicente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book of the year! — Hooked by You by Kate Sweden

First, I feel lucky and grateful for winning my first book giveaway!

Kate always does such a great job addressing mental health in her writing — it’s empowering, and she gives it the importance, time, and space that vulnerability deserves. She shows so beautifully that healing is not meant to be done alone, and that there will be people — family, friends, and professionals — who can lift you up and support you through the process. That was one of my favorite parts of this book… it was truly beautiful.

And yes — it’s always a blessing to have an Annie in our lives, whatever role they may play: friend, family member, or professional.

I also loved the way Luc and Emme slowly let each other into their worlds, allowing themselves to lower the walls they had built to protect themselves from the pain of loss — whether that loss was a person, a sense of control, or a caregiving role.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC and Kate Sweden for the physical copy!

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Wilder Horizons Series, and they are all so so good.
Luc & Emme are the focused of this story. But there is a third MC in this story and it is the environment that Kate Sweden creates for the story. She has crafted two very relatable MCs - Luc is a loner, silent, protected, and haunted by ghosts from his past, and Emme a fesity, go getter who wants to prove herself- with a powerful story in a remote and beautiful place. They are opposites, they are similar, they are attracted to each other but fighting to keep business and pleasure separate. THey will banter, they will work together, they will enjoy the silence, they will slowly disarm each other raw.

This is such a great slow burn high sensual tension story that it will keep you reading from cover to cover!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another enjoyable read in this series I liked the banter and loved how both our characters were drawn to each other but were holding back for various reasons: she's there for work not a whirlwind relationship with an expiration date, he's had a big loss in his past and his lodge is his safety/comfort zone Emme disrupts his world in the best possible ways maybe he's been set in stone for too long focusing on the past, while it's 100% ok to take all the time you need to work through your feelings you also still have a life to live it was great to see Emme bring some joy back to his life that maybe had been missing for awhile.

I have been truly enjoying this series and I look forward to the next book!

Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*Travel romance *Rom- Com *Strangers à more *work trip *French MMC *forced proximity *Grumpy/sunshine *insta lust/love *meddling sisters

*Some spice *ARC Read *mentions of loss of loved ones (in the past)

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely killed me—in the best way! It’s witty, heartfelt, and feels so real and homey. The humor had me laughing out loud (seriously, the 🐸 scene? Iconic), and the chemistry between the characters was swoon-worthy.

The dialogue is sharp and hilarious—lines like “If I had known wifi was your undoing…” and “I would apologize… but you’re naked, and I’m not sorry” are going to live rent-free in my head. The mix of snark, vulnerability, and intimacy made the story unforgettable.

My only tiny gripe? I wanted more of the ending! Epilogues aren’t my thing—I’d love to see their happily-ever-after play out slowly. For Kate’s next book, the bar is sky-high because this one was perfection! 🤌🏻

[Serena Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really liked this book. The humor or sparing back and forth so good. Chemistry for days. You get around 4 spicy hot enchiladas sexy scenes. The rest of the time it’s a lot of speaking with looks, gestures and possibly a few alpha moments. Language is a minimum but cuts back n forth from French to Spanish. I enjoyed the characters, her family and his found family. The sounds of the mountain the way the author described it makes me want to go to Patagonia. Books that make you enter another world are some of my favorites. The Wilder sisters are a force to be reckoned with. Great books take you on an adventure and this one does!
Thank you Booksirens for allowing me to be part of this books review team. This is my opinion as whose else’s would it be.

[Beth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Kate Sweden and I am now a HUGE FAN. Her descriptions make you feel like you are sitting next to the characters in the lodge. Emme, the FMC, is a PR expert who is smart, sassy and fun to get to know. I would genuinely be friends with her. Luc, the MMC, an ex-architect from Paris who built the lodge. While he is closed off in the beginning, I appreciated that he is never a jerk, just very private.
Their slow burn romance is 5 stars.

I will now be reading all Kate’s other books because I LOVED this one so much.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Danelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an adventure! The writer’s detailed descriptions of Patagonia and the lodge made me feel like I was actually there. I have no idea how true to life they are but I’m convinced I was just treated with a glimpse of its harsh beauty. The author makes it come alive. I was hooked by the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. I think this book was my first exposure to this author but if this one is any indication of her skills and writing style, this will definitely not be the last. The characters were well fleshed and very likable. I really really loved this book. Definitely recommend it! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kathryn Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! Sweden has a serious knack for metaphor and imagery. I have never seen nor been to Patagonia and she brought it to life for me. Luc is a “grumpy” designer/lodge owner who seems to love control until Emme shows up and then he doesn’t seem to mind giving her the reins. There are plenty of mishaps and hospital visits to go around but, with a lot of help from side characters, Luc and Emme may just turn a business partnership into so much more. Definitely recommend this read! I received this ARC complimentary from NetGalley in exchange for my review.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! I have read the other novels in this series and enjoyed them. This novel did not disappoint. I love a good slow burn and this novel checked so many boxes for me. From the first chapter this novel pulled me in and held on tight. I loved Emme & Luc's story. Their chemistry was so good! I loved the dialogue and banter. I loved watching their walls and defenses come down and fall in love. Once I started reading I didn't want to put this novel down. I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next. So good!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC

This is a different kind of romance, it feels steady, sure and real. Emme and Luc’s relationship was beautiful to watch unfold, they listened to, and truly saw each other. Neither holding the other back, nor pushing the other away. I found myself caught up in Kate Sweden’s writing, the stillness and peace, the sense of calm and joy this story evoked. This was my first book by the author and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

[k · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really hard for me to get into. I found it hard to be drawn in by the MCs. I actually didn’t feel that there was a lot of chemistry between the characters. I also was a bit thrown off by the intermittent languages throughout. As someone who speaks French it was a bit off, and often sounded inaccurate in translation.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked By You by Kate Sweden
This is the third book of her series and we are on another wonderful adventure to Patagonia. This is Emme and Lucs story. It is set in a seasonal winter wonderland and the scenery is spectacular once again! You will meet some lovely guest and experience all kinds of storms. From avalanches to heartbreak. Can this beautiful shattered soul finally find his HEA with Emme...or will he don't wait grab another 5 star read and find out!!!

[Brittani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emme works in the luxury travel industry and wants to make a deal with Luc's lodge in Patagonia. Luc is grumpy and gorgeous, with a French accent.

Kate's writing cracks me up and makes me cry. My whole heart belonged to Emme and Luc's story and I just want to read it again! I need everyone else to read it and know what I'm talking about.

❄️Workplace romance
❄️Grumpy x Sunshine
❄️Forced proximity
❄️Swoon and spice 🌶🌶🌶

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series truly brings us to the most magical of places and Luc’s place sounded amazing. It’s not just what you can do at a place, but how you can just be, especially in this busy and fast-paced world we live in.

I was eagerly awaiting for the f*ck it moment when Luc and Emme would finally give in to the strong attraction between them and I was definitely not disappointed by how it turned out in the end.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in Sweden's Wilder Horizons series. Another well written romance and a great addition to the series that can be read as a standalone. Our main characters are Emme and Luc. Sweden delivers a captivating slow burn romance that is sweet and funny. I loved this read and I can't wait for more from Sweden.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren Meuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from the slow burn that takes ages to heat up to the very detailed descriptions of the setting so you feel like you are actually with the characters to the character development through the book I just loved every page of this book. I also read this book as a standalone and it was still just as good. I highly recommend this book if you like any of the troupes that are listed!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hilary Litz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Kate! I thought I knew what to expect after reading the first two books in the series but Kate surprised me in the best way with this one! The emotion and depth in this book was amazing. I definitely cried a few times but I laughed even more. I cannot wait to read what Kate writes next!!