Sawyer: A steamy single-parent, found-family cowboy romance

Lucky River Ranch #3

by Jessica Peterson

Dirty dancing leads to a chance at forever in this sizzling single parent, found family, small town romance by Jessica Peterson.

As a recently divorced single mom, I have zero interest in flirting with guys while on a rare girls’ weekend away with my sisters. I just want to have fun, celebrate my new job, and listen to live music at a honky tonk.

But when I literally stumble into the most gorgeous guy ever on the dance floor, those plans go up in smoke. Growing up on the barrel racing circuit, I’m not immune to the charms of a cowboy. But this particular one is hot as hell: Sawyer’s got a mustache, some sexy tattoos, and a very filthy mouth.

Needless to say, we end up naked in his swanky hotel room. It’s the best sex of my life. And the way Sawyer treats me like a queen? Let’s just say a girl could get addicted to that kind of adoration.

Good thing he’ll always be just a one night stand I can look back on with a smile. I’m rebuilding our life from scratch, and I need to focus on my three-year-old daughter and the dream job I just landed.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I move to Hartsville and run into a tattooed cowboy with an endearing daughter of his own. Now Sawyer wants more than the occasional playdates between our girls. But the closer we become, the more determined this sexy single dad is to keep me forever.

As much as I am falling for Sawyer, I’m terrified. I’ve been down this road before with my ex, and I wonder if I can trust this cowboy. Will he rope the moon for me? Or is my heart destined to be trampled all over again?

SAWYER is a standalone book in the interconnected Lucky River Ranch Series.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Cowboy Romance, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Contemporary Romance, He Falls First

400 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2025

About the author

Jessica Peterson writes romance with heat, humor, and heart. Heroes with hot accents are her specialty. When she’s not writing, she can be found bellying up to a bar in the south’s best restaurants with her husband Ben, reading books with her adorable daughters Gracie and Madeline, or snuggling up with her 70-pound lap dog, Martha.

A Carolina girl at heart, she fantasizes about splitting her time between Charleston and Asheville, but currently lives in Charlotte, NC.

Reviews

[veerali · Rating 3 out of 5]

⁀ ⊹ ₊ Let me have you, I silently tell her as I kiss her mouth. I’m yours, cowboy.

i was hyped for this book. i absolutely loved the first two books in this series, and sawyer had been on my anticipated releases. small-town vibes and single parents? sign me up. plus, after meeting sawyer in the previous books, i was already kinda obsessed. he just seemed like the emotionally intelligent, gentle type that i'm all about.

𖣠 sawyer

let's talk about sawyer first, because, honestly, he's the main reason i even picked this up. dude is a legit man written by a woman boyfriend, but like, in the best way possible. he's got this quiet strength and this incredible understanding of his own feelings, which is honestly, rare these days. and the way he is with his daughter ella. my heart. melted. into a puddle of pure, unadulterated feels. he's just so gentle and supportive, you can tell he's putting in the work to be a good dad.

⁀ ⊹ ₊ But when it comes to her, I feel like I’m standing on a steep slope that keeps collapsing under my feet. Leaves me scrambling to find my balance.

𖣠 ava

then there's ava. girl's been through it. divorced, single mom, and she's clearly just trying to find her footing and have some fun. i appreciated that she wasn't written as some damsel in distress. she's actively pursuing what she wants, which is bold. liked that she wasn't afraid to put herself out there and explore what she wanted, even if it meant ruffling some feathers. you go, girl. we stan a confident, independent queen.

⁀ ⊹ ₊ It’s clear Sawyer is a family man at heart. He may be the world’s best lay, and a cowboy, and a DILF to end all DILFs. But at his core, he loves his people, and he loves them fiercely.

however, here's where the but comes in. and it's a big but, babes.

here’s where things get a little iffy. the insta-love and insta-lust is not my fave. like, i get it, hormones are raging but the immediate connection between sawyer and ava felt a little forced. and it's not that i'm completely against a quick connection, but it felt like i wanted some crucial character development and relationship building. i wanted to see them get to know each other on a deeper level before all the steamy scenes.

while i enjoyed the characters – truly, i did – the overall plot felt predictable. like, I knew exactly where it was going from pretty much the beginning. there weren't any real twists or turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. it kind of followed the standard small-town, single-parent romance formula a little too closely.

that being said, the found family trope in this book is chefs kiss. the community is a total vibe. everyone is so supportive and caring, and you can really feel the sense of belonging. it's the kind of small town where everyone knows your name, and they've got your back no matter what. i love how author has built this world where people are there for each other, through thick and thin. it's heartwarming and makes you wish you could just pack your bags and move there.

overall it's a decent read. it's a sweet, feel-good romance with likeable characters and a strong sense of community. if you're looking for a light and fluffy read with minimal drama, this is definitely for you.


── ୭ ˚. pre read review

EVERYONE SHUT TF UP I HAVE AN ERECTION.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

rtc

—

Manifesting that Sawyer’s book is going to be my fave 🤞

——

eep I got the arc?? 🤩

[charlotte ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ★

I enjoyed this a lot. It was a fast and pleasant read that gave me that yeehaw feeling I was looking for.

This was the story of Ava (single mom) and Sawyer (single dad), who run into each other three months after their one-night stand, and try to figure out how they want to fit into each other's lives.

・❥・ Ava

I liked her. She was fun, a good mom, and pretty aware of what she wanted from life. After getting out of a toxic marriage, she was set on never giving up her freedom again. Now, do I think she had freedom confused with just a lack of toxicity in a relationship? Sure. But I get it, after getting out of such a bad situation, you try to cut out anything that has the potential to make you feel like that again. Hence, her aversion to marriage. I didn't get her logic that well, but I still enjoyed her character. I could do without the 900 mentions of her being a “wild, free, untamable, crazy spirit”, but we're gonna skip over that.

・❥・ Sawyer

What a cutie patootie this one was. A thoughtful single dad will always do me in. He is the suffer in silence and help everyone else type, which isn't my kryptonite but I can't say I mind it either. I love how well he understood Ava, having gone through similar hardships himself, and how whipped by her he was. And naturally, we love a man who understands how hard being a mother is. Genuinely don't have a bad thing to say about him. And while I obviously enjoyed his character a lot, I can't say I fell in love with him… I just failed to form a connection with his character, I think. Still, as I said, he was a cutie.

・❥・ Their Relationship

Their relationship was very insta-love, insta-lust with a little bit of “let's pretend to fight it but actually don't” in it. And while I usually like my favorite characters to yearn for a couple of years before they get together, I still liked this. I think it's mostly because of how well they got each other. It truly felt like they were exactly what the other one needed. I still wanted a little more, though. We got so many moments of them together, but I just wish more of those moments were about them forming a deeper connection. But all in all, I think they were very good together.

・❥・ A little moment to appreciate Junie and Yella cause they were just so cute. I loved to see them become besties and sisters. The kids in sigle-parent romances are always the cutest little things, and that was the case here as well.

・❥・I also adored the little family they created together. The scenes of the four of them together were some of my favorites. Really, the entire found-family aspect. including Sawyer’s brothers and many other people, was so wholesome and heartwarming, and one of the things I enjoyed most.

・❥・ The writing

The writing was very pleasant and easy to read. I finished this in a little bit over a day. It had me interested from the first couple of chapters. My only issue was that sometimes it felt like the author was feeding us some deep thoughts and reflections that felt a little stated rather than shown to be true. Other than that it was a very nice read.

・❥・One more thing worth mentioning is that this had more more smut than the last three dark romances I’ve read combined. And I don't want to say that quantity won over quality here, but also, it kind of did? It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything to gush over either.

・❥・So, in general it was a very fun read, easily bingeable and perfect if you're feeling like reading a cute cowboy romance, this is a perfect pic. Wouldn't call in anything life-changing, but definitely worth a read.

Thank you Valentine PR and Jessica Peterson for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!


pre-read

i got the arc guysss 👀
and i'm in a yeehaw mood so this is perfect

[Grace Quan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. RTC 🌅

~•~•~•~
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚🎀🐄 pre-read:

Single mom x Single dad!!! This is one of my most favorite tropes so I hope this delivers! 🤞🏼

[megan ◡̈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAPPY PUB DAY TO MY FAV DILF & MILF 🤠

yallll when i tell you i had SO much fun with this one, oh my god. from start to finish this was everything to me!!! i hadn’t done a single parent book yet where both MCs are single parents and MAN have i been missing out!!!! but also i think that if i were to even go try any other they wouldnt come close to holding a candle to these two!!!

this book is very fast paced, it is all gas and no brakes and ava & sawyer were hot hot hot from start to finish 😮‍💨😮‍💨

i am constantly standing all ten toes screaming to anyone who will give me a little bit of their attention to recommend this series to them, it is BY FAR my favorite cowboy series ive ever done and ive thought this from the moment i met cash & molly. literally just nothing compares to these characters and hartsville!!! there is just something about the way i feel so immersed in this world when im reading them and it feels like im actually there 🤠

ava is hands down one of the best FMCs there ever was, i absolutely loved the way she took no ones shit and was doing everything she could to give her and her baby a good life, at the same time im so happy she let sawyer through those walls of hers she had built up with only a baby break down over it lol (so real as i am a queen of everything’s fine but i gotta be dramatic first) 🤪 she was fun, funny, wild in a way a girl can only dream of letting go and being and she was an AMAZING mom.

sawyer i mean that man 😮‍💨 i have never seen a greener flag in my entire life. that man is the end all be all for MMCs like, i already had impossibly high standards but WHEW he somehow managed to make me raise them even more he was that perfect.

while this book is a lot of fun and spice there was also such BEAUTIFUL and tremendous growth through out, like i started this thinking ava & sawyer were already emotionally intelligent and mature as fuck and somehow they just managed to get even better?? (confirms all my life’s issues would be solved with a hottie like one of them…. kidding, kinda.)

although im not a parent so i cant really attest to anything involving such skills but i LOVED how realistic their parenting felt. i loved that everything wasnt rainbows and sunshine, i loved being shown temper tantrums and poopie blowouts and if im being honest i wish more single parents books would show the not perfect side of their parenting lives!!

words simply cannot convey how much i loved this books, these characters and hartsville. every time i start one of these boys books im blown away by how much i love them after thinking “its going to be so hard to top the last book” and i get proved wrong every single time!! when i start them i never want to leave them. its safe to say when i get my hands on these audiobooks (wyatt and sawyers both) i will be nonstop binge listening to all three at least once a month 🤭

also the peak a dukes book….. prepare to be SICK OF ME when i get my hands on him and wheeler my god ill be like a rabid dog

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you get two burnt out single parents who finally get a free night on the town?

The sexiest one night stand that lasts for 4 delicious chapters.

Jessica writes such deeply complex characters and Sawyer & Ava were no exceptions. These single parents, each with a 3 year old daughter, make the most out of their one night stand all the while never being able to get each other out of their heads.

Through a delicious twist of fate their paths cross again and they work on ranches next door to each other and keep bumping into each other. Sawyer falls hard and fast, but Ava is more hesitant. She's just gotten out of a terribly loveless marriage and feels too jaded to pursue anything romantic.

Enter Sawyer and his never ending patience, love, and understanding.

These two build such a beautiful relationship based off friendship, love, and taking care of one another. They both know how hard it is to parent on your own so they both have a unique understanding on how best to be there for one another. A more perfect for each other match doesn't exist.

Thank you endlessly to Jessica and Valentine PR for trusting me with an arc. This was incredible.

Also, couldn't get over the most incredible crumbs for Duke.

Guess whose arc dropped?

Mine 🤭

🤠

Single dad cowboy? Yes please.

Just finished the arc for Wyatt and the crumbs for Sawyer are delicious.

[Kristia Peschka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ladies, I'm sorry to say, but the bar is on the floor here.

2.5/5

This one started off so strong. Their wild one night in Austin was amazing, they were both fun, relaxed, having a grand ole time. Jump a couple months, Ava is working in Hartsville where Sawyer lives and they have another chance encounter, love that for them. It's clear their chemistry is still off the charts, they're both still wildly attracted to each other, and now they've learned their each single parents.

That's where things start to go sideways for the story. This book gets so repetitive. We've got Sawyer, middle child, the fixer of the family, the one always doing for other while refusing to let others help him because how dare he be a burden to his family. He wants the white picket fence, the marriage license, the 5 kids (2.5 ain't enough for this guy). He's constantly stressing about doing everything to run his home, raise his daughter, and also pull his weight on the family ranch. Don't get me started on how he bucks off the responsibilities he has at the ranch for time with Ava.

Ava, also middle child, divorced, never wants to get married again, not sure she wants to fall in love again. Her husband did a number on her, he dulled her shine, never lifted a finger, she ignored her family's warnings that he was trash until it was time for a divorce. But now, half of all of her chapters are comparing Sawyer to Dan (the ex). How Dan would never have done xyz, but Sawyer did. How Sawyer noticed and acted upon things, which Dan never did. How Sawyer must want a "proper lady-like wife" (literally her thoughts) because Dan did, never mind that Sawyer has never once mentioned that.

This book drug on in that way. We just kept revisiting the same thoughts over and over again from each person. Even when Sawyer would start letting others help, it was with immense guilt. He has his parent's marriage on such a pedestal, which sure fair, but also he was 16 when they died, it's not likely he knew their struggles. At one point, Ava swoons because the man cooks vegetables, VEGTABLES, like he isn't a single father who knows his kid needs proper nutrition. That's what I mean by the bar being on the floor. Dan did so little, that anything Sawyer does is perfection in comparison.

The side characters were all so cringy here too. I don't remember that being the case in the first two books, but every time they pop up they're making some sexual innuendo that feels so incredibly forced I got 2nd hand embarrassment for them at times. I also wish we got more of Ava becoming friends with the SILs, the book talks a big game about the village she's building for her kid, but not about her as a person. We also get all these comments about gender norms and how archaic it is, yet Ava is never more than a mother in the book. She doesn't get to go have fun, or have an adult conversation with someone who isn't Sawyer.

By the end, I was just waiting for this book to wrap up. Then we get hit at the 90% mark with some completely unnecessary drama, that is honestly unclear what actually happened, and how much time had passed. The book says a little more than 24 hours, but everyone else is acting like it's days. Very unclear.

Yes, I understand this next point is petty - but there were way too many current cultural things here. The talk about "adulting" - I'm honestly surprised when Ava asks if Sawyer is a serial killer in Austin that she doesn't say "unaliver." There was also WAY too many references to which music was playing. I don't need a play by play of which covers the band is playing while they're at the honky tonk. That all read like the author was trying to hit a word count.

I will continue with the series, because at this point I gotta see what the twins get up to. But hoping this is just the low point.

Thanks to the author and Valentine PR for the ARC!

[buket · Rating 4 out of 5]

how i love when hot people date hot people

[Anila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with writing this review. There wasn’t anything that I could think of that I really loved about this book, but I didn’t it hate either. It was just okay. So, we’re sticking with three stars.

Look, I like smut, but I found it to be excessive at times in this book. I mean there were like 7 chapters in a row of smut just for their one-night stand. For context, this book only has 34 chapters. I get that Sawyer and Ava’s romance is insta-lovey, but I still wanted the author to spend more time developing their emotional connection on top of their physical one.

I adored Sawyer. He was sweet and caring and probably the main thing I enjoyed about this book. However, I had trouble connecting with the female lead and it’s why I didn’t end up fully appreciating the romance between them.

I also found that the author does a lot of telling rather than showing. I mean Sawyer is described as being a caretaker who always looks out for his family, but I felt like it was Sawyer’s siblings who was making Sawyer’s load lighter and not the other way around. With Ava, she is described as a free-spirit who can’t be tamed, but the author doesn’t really do anything that affirms that. All of Ava’s talk about not being a lady-like wife and needing to be free was a bit cringey and weird too. The development of her character did not make sense to me honestly.

All in all, there is nothing groundbreaking about this series, but it satisfies my need for cowboy romances when it hits.

[Liz | Bookslizreads90 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

WOW! Jessica does it again. I'm BLOWN AWAY with this book. Sawyer is absolutely the PERFECT male specimen. I honestly don't know how he's going to be beat. That being said, I'm so excited to read Duke because of what we read at the end of this book 🤭. Anyway, this book - ♾️ Stars! My new favorite in the series and new favorite cowboy romance! 😍 I had so many highlights while reading this. I had such a hard time picking which to include in my post! The chemistry between Sawyer and Ava was amazing! Their daughters were the cutest and sweetest. The found family in this series is the best! I just can't recommend this book and series enough.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review!

[Koisty · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Champagne Stars⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5

Opening my eyes, I see that Ava’s not wearing her hat anymore. I am.
“Hold up, hold up,” I say, cupping the crown of the hat in my hand. “I thought the saying was wear the hat, ride the cowboy?”
Her eyes flash. “You clearly haven’t been hanging out with enough cowgirls. The saying works both ways—you wear my hat, you ride the cowgirl.”

Have you ever had a book that, the minute you finished, you wanted to start again because you just wanted to experience that rush and elated feeling that the book brought while you were reading it?
Well, Sawyer was that book for me. I've been sitting on writing this review for days because I don't think I have the skills or expertise to adequately put into words how fantastic this book is. Quite frankly, I am in awe and blown away by the amazing and captivating story that Jessica Peterson has told with these characters.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
The story starts with Ava and Sawyer meeting innocently at a bar in Austin. After a little bit of bumping and beer spillage, they hit it off instantaneously. Sparks fly between them, this gravitational pull drawing them together, and they end up having a wonderful and unforgettable night. But it can only be a night because Ava needs to get back to her real life... she has a daughter to look after and a new job. So she starts her new life in Hartsville, never expecting to see Sawyer again. Or so she believes. A few months pass, and Ava's super happy working as a barrel racing teacher at a local Ranch, and one of her friends, Sally, is desperate for her to meet her soon-to-be brother-in-law, who also has a three-year-old daughter. And when Ava finally meets him, she realises she already knows him very, very intimately...

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I was very apprehensive starting this because after reading Wyatt, which was one of my favourite reads of last year, and worried that this might impact my view on the series. But quite frankly I had nothing to worry about... because this one hit on a completely different level.

Wyatt was fantastic, yet this was SO MUCH MORE. This was utter perfection in cowboy form. I firmly believe there must be something in the water at Lucky River Ranch because these cowboys are just built differently. They act differently. They come across differently. They can out-cowboy any cowboy you can imagine. Quite frankly, move over Elsie Silver and hold the reins, Lyla Sage, because Jessica Peterson knows how to write a cowboy and make you want to ride - HARD.

I was worried as I expected these two characters to perhaps fight their attraction towards each other after their One Night Stand because that is often what happens in a "second chance" romance like this. Especially since they both have complicated lives, they’re both single parents raising toddlers, both balancing work, parenting and a social life.
But none of that actually happened.

The electricity and spark that existed from that first night? They embraced it. They acknowledged it, and they wanted to see where it could go. There was an impossibility that could not seem to separate them. The fact that fate brought them back together made them want to explore their attraction even more.

Ava is wild. She’s finally able to be who she wants to be, having come out of a relationship that dulled her life and dampened her personality as she was always having to be the perfect wife, picking everything up, doing everything around the house, and realising her husband was never going to commit to a real 50-50 partnership. Now she's not looking to repeat that mistake, she’s not looking for another marriage. She’s not looking to be tied down. She’s just looking to finally be herself.

Sawyer is the type of man who looks after everyone. He's always got everyone else on his mind, and he never takes a moment to breathe and think about what he needs. He's always the dependable one. The strong one. And he’s afraid to ask for help, because if you're supposed to be the one everyone depends on, you can’t fall apart and you’ve got to have your shit together.

Ava and Sawyer complement each other so well. They bring out the best in each other. They support each other. They just have this innate ability to read what the other needs and give it without feeling indebted, forced, or obligated and they do it because they care, and love. Together, they make this sweet little family of four, giving each other exactly what they both need.

I loved that Sawyer uplifted Ava. He loves her vibrant, sparkly personality, and he becomes her biggest cheerleader, wanting her to shine as brightly as possible. And Ava allows Sawyer to finally take a break. She shows him that he doesn’t have to carry the whole world on his shoulders and that it’s okay to have someone help him too.

Another thing I adored is the accurate portrayal of kids in a book. I have read so many books where 3 year olds act like they are 50 or are two snarky and sassy and smart of their age, and this book did none of that! They were moody, they threw tantrums, they were curious and scared and behaved like ACTUAL CHILDREN... and I appreciated this so much!

This book was emotional, sweet, romantic and sexy. The cowboys of River Ranch have the sweetest, most gentlemanly behaviour in public... but boy, are they little freaks in the sheets and Sawyer is no different. He’s definitely got the mouth of a cowboy and knows how to use it and Ava, being a barrel rider, definitely knows how to ride. 😉

I was blushing, kicking my feet, and squealing over these two. I loved their chemistry, the fact that they felt like soul mates and that they felt like they were destined to be together.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Small Town Romance
▶ Cowboy Romance
▶ Single Mom X Single Dad
▶ He Falls First
▶ Takes Care of You
▶ Golden Retriever/Cinamon Roll
▶ Found Family
▶ Forced Proximity

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ "Who Did This To You?"
▷ Lift your Hips for Me
▷ "Look At Me"
▷ Potato Sack over His Shoulder
▷ "You Taste Like"
▷ "Greedy Girl"

It was just such a cute, sweet, and wholesome romance that the minute I finished it, I wanted to pick it up and read it again.

Thank you to ValentinePR and Jessica Peterson for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own

[shei · Rating 2 out of 5]

—— 2.75.✰ stars.

“You really do remember everything.” “I do when it comes to you.”

thanks to valentine pr and Jessica Peterson for providing me the arc in exchange of an honest review

I’m so sad that I didn’t love this! I was actually excited when I submitted my request for the arc and even more excited when I got approved, but I must admit I wasn’t feeling the mood of cowboy romances this month.

honestly, the book has 0 problems, there is nothing I have to say as a reason why I didn’t love this, but at the same time, there is not a single thing either that I can say that I loved or really liked about it, I just feel kind of indifferent about it.

the plot is very classic cowboy romances style, and the setting is also amazing, I love the ranch, the honky tonk, the cowboy boots and hats and everything.

ava and sawyer are both single parents that met randomly in a bar, where they have a one night stand, after three months, they meet again since ava moves to the small town where sawyer lives.

it was a nice novelty that both of them were single parents that made them understand each other and no one had to really compromise with their lifestyles, however, it made things a little repetitive, since BOTH had the same concerns.

them as characters, I guess they are ok I didn’t become obsessed with any of them but i never had any negative feelings towards them either. I just felt a bit indifferent overall.

the romance was too insta-love/lust, which I don’t love at all, but the communication was great, sawyer is a very emotionally intelligent man. The “ending drama” which isn’t a proper drama was a bit unnecessary and dramatic, but at least it was short.

I honestly don’t know if I’m going to continue the series, but not gonna lie I’m interested in Duke’s story! And also maybe I will go back to read Wyatt.

thank you so much again to valentine pr and the author for their trust with this.

[giulsxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

➼ 3.25★

“Love is the beginning and end of everything.”

read this if you like:
♡ single dad x single mom
♡ found family
♡ he falls first and hard
♡ spicy spice
♡ cowboy romance

“He kisses me like the world is ending.”

i think i’ve developed a problem with cowboy romances. i think i need a break from them.
let’s say this book wasn’t bad by any means, i did appreciate the single dad x single mom trope (my first time reading it)—so refreshing—and i did enjoy seeing yella and junie becoming besties. but i guess it wasn’t enough to make me love this book.

the two main characters’s relationship was 100% insta love, but they had no chemistry whatsoever—, or better, it felt so forced.
their inner monologues were repetitive and sometimes boring.
the smut was, uhm, dare i say awful? the first hot scene lasted 4 chapters and nothing special happened (no wow factor here); the others were just bland—a lot of lust and basically no action.

i appreciate how sawyer acknowledged how hard is being a full time mom (as if i’m a mother but you know what i mean), and how hard worker women are in general. but he was kinda lame… (sorry)
i appreciate how ava was free spirited and independent and wild—she got out of a toxic marriage and started a new life with her daughter (girls power yay).

overall, this book was cute but nothing special i’m afraid. again, it might just be me, i guess i’m not in my cowboy era at the moment. i wish i liked it more, but it is what it is.

thank you to valentine pr and jessica peterson for the ARC of this book!

“Let me have you, I silently tell her as I kiss her mouth.
She kisses me back. I’m yours, cowboy.”

[jenna 💘✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Jessica Peterson and Valentine PR for the ARC!!!

Oh how I love Lucky River Ranch!!! Sawyer has easily become my favorite in this series and I devoured every single second of this book!!!

Ava and Sawyer are two beautifully written main characters!!! Two single parents who feel like they exist with the weight of the world on their shoulders, who feel responsible for everyone around them. I loved getting to know each of them and explore their personalities. Ava, the fiery, caring, witty, and fun girl who wants to taste freedom and live her life how she wants it. Sawyer, the protective, caring, gentle, and responsible guy who just wants to be seen and feel his own sort of freedom. Two single parents who will do anything in the world for their kids, their families, and their futures.

The romance in this one is literally on FIRE. The tension and chemistry between these two is practically radiating off the page from their very first interaction. An unexpected one night stand that turns into a beautiful friendship and relationship. They both understand each other so well, and I loved getting to see them each provide each other with the safety, comfort, and love they deserve. The spice in this book was unreal, I was literally sweating and blushing 😭. I love them so much!!!!! AND THEIR KIDS ARE SO CUTE I WANTED TO CRY.

This is a dual single parent, one night stand turned lovers, small town, cowboy x barrel racer romance and is the 3rd book in the Lucky River Ranch series!!! I highly recommend reading this book, as well as the entire series!!!

[Katie Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how Jessica keeps doing this, but I feel like these books are just getting better and better. I am madly in love with ALL of these characters. Sawyer and Ava were PERFECT! I laughed at the fact that legit the first like 80 pages of this book are the hottest one night stand I have ever read. It just kept going in like the best way. They both felt this instant connection but recognized that it was one night and walked away. Well hello FATE who intervened. When Ava saw Sawyer again after their night it was perfect! She was surprised in the best way. Can I tell yall that I laughed out loud at all of the situations these single parents found themselves in with their 3 year old daughters? I have one myself so I think I was laughing out of recognition. The fighting tooth and nail on what to wear. Potty training. It just made these two that much more perfect together. I loved how their romance just kinda picked up right where they left off. They both recognized that they had something special. Watching Sawyer let people help him was SOO CUTE! His brothers being like who is this guy and what have you done with our brother who is never late and never does anything for himself. I loved how fast and hard Sawyer felt but also that Ava was right there with him. They knew what they wanted and went for it!

Sawyer is in Austin for a guys weekend when he legit has one of the best nights of his life. With a woman who he only knows her first name. He has never felt that alive before. That himself. That comfortable with a woman. And then she is gone in the morning and acting all weird. Fast forward a few months and Sawyer hasn't stopped thinking about her. He can't help it. She took something with her when she left. He doesn't even know anything about her. So imagine his surprise when Ava shows up at a neighborhood BBQ and happens to work with his brother's girlfriend Sally. When he finds out she lives here now and she also has a 3 year old daughter. When he realizes he has a chance to make this work. This could be his reality. But he has to play it slow. He can't propose on day one, but he can ask her out. Which he does. And the more time they spend together the more he just KNOWS how right this. Sure they might want different things on the surface but really they want the same thing. Someone who loves them and supports them and that they can grow old with. He just has to convince Ava he will take her with those terms any day of the week.

Ava is in Austin for a girls weekend and though she doesn't think she will find a man. She finds one. A cowboy at that. He is beyond gorgeous and sweet and fun. And she has one of the best nights of her life. But then she remembers what relationships feel like for her. Like a cage. So she wakes up and leaves the next morning and tries to forget. But she fails miserably. She can't stop thinking about Sawyer. So imagine her surprise when her friend/coworker introduces her to Sawyer at the local BBQ. She now lives in his town. He has a 3 year old daughter too. They go to the same preschool. She can't ignore what fate is trying to tell her. This man is meant to be in her life. He treats her like a queen. He makes her feel all kinds of things in the best way. She recognizes that she is scared of the future because of what she has experienced. But then she has to ask herself if being scared is worth walking away from what they have. And the answer is unequivocally no.

This book had all of the things. There was some angst but not anything crazy- more like how much do I tell this person about how I am feeling without scaring them away. This was a wonderful instant connection story. Both of them were feeling it, they just had to walk each other through it. I loved learning more about the Rivers family. The side characters were wonderful as always. These books just make me SMILE SO BIG! And also BLUSH SO HARD. I appreciate your creativity with these cowboys Jessica!! I am so looking forward to more of these characters and for Duke's book!! And then of course Ryder. I am here for it!! If you haven't picked up this series or book, you need to do. It is worth your time and money!!

Thank you to Valentine PR and to Jessica for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)

[Cristina Neves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Cash" so so much, I loved "Wyatt" too, but this one is my favorite book of the series until now!
I don't know how JP is gonna top "Sawyer" but I'll be anxiously waiting for the next one!

Ava and Sawyer first met in Austin and spent the longest one-night stand I've ever came across in a book!
Must be a cowboy thing! 😄😄🤠🤠
It was wild, very spicy, crazy, insane, funny, tender, adorable, swoony and without any refrain!
They were their true selves!
The connection and chemistry between them was instantly!

When they parted in the morning they thought they would never meet again!
But fate, or what ever you want to call it, had it's own agenda!

So back to Hartsville, Texas, where they find themselves face to face being formally introduce to one another!
Neither Sawyer or Ava had forgotten that epic night they had together, on the contrary.

He's a single dad, as we already know, and it so happens she's a single mom, who recently moved to town a couple of months ago for a new job in the Wallace Ranch.

The chemistry is still there, even stronger than before, and they don't seem able to not being pull towards each other.
Their daughters are the same age, 3 and a half years-old, become best friends, go to the same class, it's a smalll town after all, they began to slowly know each other's story and the exhausting and loneliness they always feel becomes a shared one.
They can't remember being so happy and loved for who they really are! 😊😊💕💕

Sawyer wants a commitment and to start his own family, but Ava had a hard time with her ex husband and don't want to be trapped again in a relationship were she can not be herself, be emotional and especially free!
She can see he's kind, that he listens, pays attention, takes care of her needs, has a capacity to think ahead and never ever judges!
And eventually they find a way!

The ending is so emotional, so heart breaking and so beautiful it had me crying and smiling at the same time!
❤️❤️❣️❤️❤️

[Ervita · Rating 1 out of 5]

What the fuck did I just read.

There’s a lot of stuff that I didn’t like (the whole book tbh) but here are the things that threw me off the most:

1. A 3yo has a kindle. Is that common in the US?

2. A car accident at 90%. I think the author needed the extra words because there was no need for this to happen.

3. This is supposed to be a single parent but the kids only appear when the author suddenly remembers that they’re missing.

4. The dog that I literally forgot about until the mmc is waking up in the hospital and asks himself who is taking care of him.

5. The unnecessary sex scenes.

6. The pace pissed me off too.

And this are only the things that I could remember cause I just skipped through the book.

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

Це милий і приємний роман з чудовими персонажами. Тут мінімальна кількість драми, без розриву у третьому акті
Головний герой, який своїми діями показує, який має бути партнер у стосунках.
Головні герої - самотні батьки, які несуть цей тягар і намагаються дати найкраще своїм дітям і при цьому не зійти з розуму🤪
Тут чудова атмосфера маленького містечка, спільноти, коли кожний бере участь у твоєму житті, готовий допомогти і бути поруч коли ти найбільше цього потребуватимеш.

Але якщо чесно я не зовсім зрозуміла яку свободу так хотіла мати Ава, що не хотіла заміж за Сойєра
Що такого вона хотіла робити будучи вільною від шлюбу🤷‍♀️ якось це поверхнево було описано
Все ж перша книга, мені здалася найг��ибшою.

[all.the.smut.things · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Cowboy take me away. This man is obviously a fictional boyfriend because he is simply too good for this world.

I love him. 10/10 no notes. SAWYER RIVERS. That’s it. That’s the review.

But seriously I loved Sawyer and Ava so much! This book was the perfect blend of spice and heart and watching these two with their insane chemistry and connection reminded why I love romance books so much.

✨ Small Town
✨ Cowboy Romance
✨ One Night Stand
✨ Single Mom
✨ Single Dad

Okay so this one starts out with a bang. Literally. 💥 These two meet in a bar and have one of the hottest and most intense one night stands I have ever read. I didn’t think I was going to make it through this book without overheating 🥵🥵 But they also have this crazy connection every though they both have every intention of making it only one night.

But then they meet each other months later in their hometowns and it’s like the universe just wants them to give it a shot. I love that both Sawyer and Ava are single parents and that they lean on each other for support with their daughters. Ans I love how much Ava especially, makes Sawyer feel seen.

This book is just so well balanced with spice and heart and watching these two fall so hard and so easily for each other truly warmed my heart.

[abby :)]

dnf @ 67%

i could not care less about this book. all that happened was sawyer and ava hook up on a night out, they end up living in the same area and now they’re in love because they’re both single parents and they understand each others struggles. sadly i was actually the only one struggling because this book was boring as hell.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These cowboys are my favorite😭. I wanna hug sawyer and Ava. I love this series because there is no third act breakup and they will always communicate!!


Cannot wait for wheeler and duke😩

[Senna ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ (massive reading slump) · Rating 4 out of 5]

౨ৎ ˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩
4.5 Stars
Jessica Peterson just does it right. She knows exactly what i want and that’s this book💁‍♀️ I usually don’t read the one night stand trope but here i fucking loved it. Both characters have my heart and soul, i adore them. I’m so excited about the fourth book, i literally can’t wait i need it now.

Fav quotes:

His dimples deepen. "You'll just have to wait and see."

He grins. I have the sudden urge to stick my tongue inside his dimple, the one on his right cheek.

"I have an idea or two." "I like those ideas." "You don't know what they are." "I think I do."

I grit my teeth. "You best not be playin', pretty girl." "I'll play with you all i like, cowboy."

She leans in to whisper in my ear, "But only if you'll play with me too."

"Now open your mouth." Her eyes flick from the bottle down to my dick and back up again. "What are you gonna put in it, cowboy?"

I kiss her back, licking into her mouth. If laughter had a taste, this would be it.

Maybe ever. "What?" I ask. "Just." He blows out a breath. "You. So fucking pretty when you smile. I can't—goddamn it, Ava."

His eyes are on my face. It strikes me that he's rarely taken them off me all night. Not at the honky-tonk. Not in the lobby. Not here in this bed. It's like everything I do—my every movement, every expression-fascinates him.

"Look, I totally get it if you want some peace and quiet—" "I want you. All night."

I think I've been dying of thirst for a while, but being with you makes me feel like I'm dancing in the rain. Water is suddenly everywhere.

"Hey, Wyatt," he says. "Sally, it's always a pleasure seeing yo ..." The word dies in his mouth when our gazes lock.

"Listen to those manners!" Ava pops up to standing, her eyes catching on mine. "Good job, Dad." I blink away the slight but sudden pressure behind my eyes. It's a simple compliment. A small one.

She laughs. "I had some memorable lines that night, didn't I?" Yes you did, pretty girl. I remember them all.

"See ya then, Ava. Looking forward to it." She smiles. "I am too. I mean we-we're, um, we can't wait."

Mom. Dad. I really wish you were here to tell me what to do. To tell me that it gets better. I'm trying, but I always feel like I'm messing up. I miss you. So fucking much.

Sawyer's deep, rumbling laugh sends a delicious shiver up my spine. "You gotta stop followin' me around, Ava."

"You're gonna love it here, June. Shine bright today."

"Y'all are cute." "Cute?" He tilts his head, frowning. "Last I checked, you said I was 'hot as fuck!'"

"Nah." He's grinning. "Well, okay, maybe a little bit. But really, I just wanna make you smile."

"Stop." "Stop what?" "Being hot and nice." His expression softens. "I won't stop. Not ever. Especially not the hot part."

"You and Ella are welcome to be a part of our village if you'd like. Hell, judging by how well Ella and June get along, I'd say you are already part of it. I mean, here you are, already taking care of me."

"So pretty, aren't you? Inside" —his eyes move to my lips-"and out. You wanna help me, pretty girl?"

"I was tired and a little emotional." Ava's eyes are on mine. They glitter with amuse-ment. "So Sawyer gave me a—" "Hug." Oh, God, now I'm really gonna laugh. My sides hurt from holding it back. Ava runs her tongue along her bottom lip. "I really needed a hug, yes." "Hugs." Duke leans against the doorframe. He looks at the pillow on my lap, then at the hat Ava knocked onto the floor. "Right. Who doesn't love those?"

"Because I'm a gentleman, I won't make a joke about the other big problem I have in my pants right now." Ava's mouth falls open, her eyes going wide. "Oh, no, you pooped, didn't you? I have wipes in the car—" "Stop." Laughing, I pull my hand out of my pocket and curl it around her upper arm.

"I heard you got laid this morning, man. Good for you." I stare at Duke. "What the fuck did you tell them?"
"Nothin'." The bastard shrugs. "I told you everyone thought you'd died. When they asked where you were, I just said that you were alive and very well."

Back at the barn, the five of us workshopped some text ideas before we all headed home.

"It's actually really cute how obsessed Sawyer is with you." She sets down the laptop on a nearby desk. "He's so freaking excited for your date, I can't even begin to tell you. Actually, he won't stop telling all of us about it."

Mollie gasps. "Ohmigod yes! The blanket jacket! Which she can use as a jacket or—" "Duh, a blanket after Sawyer strips her naked."

"Baseball hats are hot, but cowboy hats are hot," she explained. Cash grinned, putting a hand on Mollie's growing belly. "Here's proof." "I'm happy for y'all, really, but—yeah, please don't elaborate," I said,

In fact, they seemed pretty thrilled about having her over. Cash bought Disney+ just for the occasion, and he told Ella he couldn't wait to become acquainted with Rapunzel, Elsa, and Ariel.

"You smell delicious. What're these?" She nods at the flowers. "Two dozen roses." Ava blinks, pulling back to get a better look. She glances up at me, her lips curving into a pretty grin. "That's the song we danced to at the Blue Stallion."

"But I'm hoping I'll get in the habit of going out more." "Preferably with me." He smiles at the familiar line, a handsome flash of white teeth and those fucking dimples. Could he be more devastatingly delicious?

"That's a good girl. Such a good fucking girl, Ava. My God."

"I'm right here, pretty girl. I'm not going anywhere."

"Hey." Crooking his finger underneath my chin, he tips up my face. "You okay?"

"It's fine." He reaches up to wipe his eyes. "Ella really did change my life for the better."

"Your mom and dad would be so proud of you." He gets this look in his eyes— can't tell if he's going to keep smiling or kiss me or start to cry.

"You're the reason I'm enjoying anything at all right now. You and Ella and June."

"Christ, Wyatt, since when did you get ... introspective?" "I feel like I should be offended by that comment. I'm not, by the way. But I feel like I should be."

"You're cute when you're bossy." "I'm always cute. Now show me your hand."

"Well hey there, cowboy," Ava singsongs when she picks up. "How was your nap?" "Fucking amazing. Thank you. I drooled on myself and everything."

"Anytime. For as long as you'll let me stay." Straightening, he looks me in the eye. " 'Cause I wanna stay, pretty girl."

"Let me," he murmurs, kissing my mouth. "Let me, Ava." He kisses one cheek, then the other. "Please let me stay."

"Listen. We all want a guarantee that things will work out and we'll be okay. Truth is, nobody gets a guarantee. You take risks and hope they work out, and that’s all you can do.”

"But it's all our lives, isn't it? Because you're a part of June's life now, Sawyer." She squeezes my hand. "I hope a big part. And I should've told Dan about us, because he's going to be seeing a lot of you." Holy.

"I do. So fuckin' much, pretty girl. I love you so fucking much. I love that you're always down for an adventure. You're spontaneous. Fun as hell. I love that you like to try new things. I love how you love your baby. Didn't realize how dead I was inside until I met you, and no matter what happens, I'll always be grateful that you brought me back to life."

"You should 'dance' more." Sally uses air quotes. "I can tell you from experience that everyone's happier when you're dancing."

"But you ever make my girl cry again, I won't be this nice. Understood?"

Then, without warning, I feel something land on my head. Opening my eyes, I see that Ava's not wearing her hat anymore. I am. "Hold up, hold up," I say, cupping the crown of the hat in my hand. "I thought the saying was wear the hat, ride the cowboy?"

"Is Wheeler pregnant?" Cash opens his eyes. They're wet. "Yes, Duke. Wheeler is pregnant."

[Nada A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
This love story progresses super, super fast but the characters are so good together and the story is so cute with the daughters that it still works. And the pacing is perfection.

The -0.25 stars is for the smoking, which was…unnecessary.

[Mora]

Self note:

Okay, I’m really not the biggest fan of the mmc who sleeps with his female best friend and gets her pregnant! They’d been close friends since they were like 16, then after years they became friends with benefits and she ended up pregnant. They tried to make it work between them but it didn’t, so they decided to co-parent. She doesn’t actually show up in the book but she’s mentioned a few times.

[payton · Rating 2 out of 5]

notice how the best parts of the books happened when the kids weren’t around? the story was less about Ava & Sawyer and more about their “gentle millennial parenting” that clearly wasn’t working.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have so much to say about this book and none of it is nice.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen. I love a cowboy. I love a single parent romance. I especially love a steamy one-night stand turning into “oh shit, we live in the same town now and maybe also I love you?” but this book had me feeling a little like the exhausted single parent was me, purely from how often it was mentioned. Y’all. We know. You’re tired. You’re juggling it all. You deserve a nap, a medal, and probably a vibrator. But please, stop reminding me in every chapter.

That said, the characters? Adored them. Ava and Sawyer had great chemistry, and the spice was spicing. Their kids were cute as hell. I also loved getting little updates on Cash and Wyatt bless those sweet cowboy hearts.

This one was easy to read, sweet in the right places, and definitely sexy but not one I’d reach for again. A solid, comforting slice of cowboy romance, just a bit heavy-handed on the parental fatigue.

Fave quotes

“I also wanna keep dating her. It’s too soon for that phase of our story to be over. Really, I wanna date her forever if she’ll let me.”

“Hold up, hold up,” I say, cupping the crown of the hat in my hand. “I thought the saying was wear the hat, ride the cowboy?” Her eyes flash. “You clearly haven’t been hanging out with enough cowgirls. The saying works both ways—you wear my hat, you ride the cowgirl.”

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ | 4🌶
I immediately wanna reread because WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT 6 MONTHS TO BE BACK IN HARTSVILLE?! But oh my GAWD this was FANTASTIC! Jessica, this was everything! Sawyer. Sawyer Rivers IS THE STANDARD. Sawyer and Ava had THE BEST chemistry. And them with their daughters both together and individually was just perfect! Can you tell I simply ADORED this masterpiece? Yeah, I am NEVER shutting up about them. Literally cannot freaking wait for Duke. Thank you to valentine pr for this arc

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you valentine pr and jessica peterson for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!!

oh i absolutely devoured this! i think there needs to be more single mom and single dad romances because this was so cute!! it did feel a little insta lovey but it was something i could look over! i loved sawyer and ava their chemistry and relationship was everything!!

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and if I could give it a million more, I WOULD)

Jessica Peterson is out here RUINING me in the best way possible. Each book in this series just keeps getting better, and Sawyer? It took me out. I am unwell. I am feral. I am OBSESSED.

Sawyer and Ava’s story was ✨PERFECTION✨. It starts with a one night stand that absolutely scorches the pages, and then fast forward three months and fate decides that these two belong together, because SURPRISE, they’re now neighbors. And not only that… they’re both single parents to the cutest three year old girls ever. Are you kidding me?! The found family vibes were STRONG, and so beautifully done.

Let’s talk about parenthood in this book: it felt real. The exhaustion. The fear. The constant questioning. Both Sawyer and Ava are doing it alone, and Jessica Peterson didn’t shy away from showing the hard stuff, but still gave us so much love and joy in the in between moments. It made me want to hug them both.

Now Sawyer… SAWYER. I don’t even have the words. This man is a walking green flag. Sweet, loyal, protective, kind—but in the bedroom? That mouth. FILTHY. He’s so emotionally intelligent and soft hearted, it physically hurt. He’s not just looking for a partner; he’s dreaming of building a life with someone. He wants to carry the weight of the world with someone, not for them. I wanted to crawl into the pages and live in his arms. Also, he calls Ava pretty girl and I have not stopped screaming since.

And Ava? What a queen. She’s a free spirited, wild, resilient badass who got out of a toxic marriage and is rebuilding her life on her own terms. She’s fierce and independent and still allows herself to feel everything. She never dims her light again, and Sawyer? He worships it. He sees every part of her and doesn’t just accept it, but he adores it. I’m OBSESSED with her. She’s the kind of FMC I want to be best friends with.

Their chemistry is absolutely off the charts, but what really made me melt was their compatibility. Sure, they want different things at first, like Sawyer’s dreaming of weddings and white picket fences, and Ava’s holding on tight to her freedom, but their emotional connection, their respect for each other, their yearning... it’s magnetic.

And the communication? Chef’s kiss. No third act breakup, no unnecessary drama (except Ava’s ex trying to stir the pot, and Sawyer handling it like the KING he is). Just two adults figuring things out while parenting, healing, and falling so hard it’s breathtaking.

Some of my favorite tropes done to absolute perfection:
✔️ single parent x single parent
✔️ one night stand turned forever
✔️ cinnamon roll cowboy hero
✔️ “who did this to you?”
✔️ he falls first (and hard)
✔️ found family
✔️ he calls her “Pretty Girl”
✔️ cowboy hats and backward caps
✔️ no other woman drama
✔️ real, heartfelt parenting moments
✔️ slow build to HEA

Sawyer is what dreams are made of: adoring father, dependable brother, phenomenal barista, filthy lover, cowboy hat wearing, emotionally aware KING. And Ava? She’s fire and freedom and everything he never knew he needed.

The Rivers Family strikes gold AGAIN. My heart is so full. Already frothing at the mouth for Duke’s book, because if Sawyer did this to me, I don’t even want to imagine what’s coming next!

Thank you to Valentine PR and Jessica Peterson for the eARC of this book.