Grit and Grace

Sagebrush Cowboys #7

by Atreus Rosewood

A city wedding planner. A small-town sheriff. A love they never planned on.

Xavier
When my best friend asked me to plan his wedding, I said yes. I just didn’t expect it to be on a dusty ranch in nowhere, Texas.

I’m Xavier Hart, a Manhattan wedding planner, perfectionist, and completely out of my depth in cowboy country. Wrangling vendors, dodging small-town gossip, and living in a guest cabin with spotty Wi-Fi isn’t exactly my style. But for Lucas, I’ll make it work.

What I didn’t plan for was him.

Sheriff Marcus Webb. He’s tall, steady, and devastatingly handsome. He’s grit and steel wrapped in a uniform, with a voice that makes my knees weak and eyes that linger too long. One dance at the bachelor party and I’m gone, falling for a man from a different world than mine.

Marcus
Being sheriff means living under a spotlight. My father wore this badge before me, and I’ve spent my life trying to be the man Sagebrush expects.

The one thing I can’t be? Out.

I’ve always liked men, but not here, not where every choice I make is judged. Annual vacations to Houston are where I let myself breathe. Sagebrush is where I keep the mask on.

Until Xavier Hart blows into town in sharp suits and sharper words, tearing down every wall I built. He’s chaos, temptation, and everything I’ve told myself I can’t have.

And the longer he’s here, the more I wonder if I can be the sheriff Sagebrush needs… and live my truth at the same time.

Grit and Grace is a heartfelt, slow-burn cowboy romance about risking it all for love, finding the courage to out loud, and discovering that sometimes the toughest battles are the ones worth winning.

Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2026

About the author

Atreus Rosewood is a gay romance author living in Michigan with his two boyfriends, two cats, a spoiled dog, and all the beaches he could ask for. He writes constantly to the detriment of all else and that's just the way he likes it. If you happen to find him wandering a beach and mumbling to himself, iced coffee is how you’ll lure him back to civilization.

Atreus writes under three separate Pen Names:

--Blake R. Wolfe -- Gay Paranormal Romance

--Atreus Rosewood -- Gay Contemporary Romance

--Eoghan R. Cunningham -- LGBTQ+ Fantasy

Reviews

[Kellouie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I assume it's me that's the issue when I read a book that is well rated and I can't give it more than 2 stars. I also don't usually like to include spoilers but I have some issues with this book. Some of my call outs below may seem nitpicky but my brain can't get past those things.

I read this book because it was recommended in a "big coming out" thread and I love small town ranch vibes. It didn't deliver on those vibes at all. (I have not (and will not) read any of the others books in the series.) Overall, I found the book corny and missing depth and seems like it was speed written. There are a lot of stones left unturned in this story and my brain was going nuts over it.

I can start with what I liked:
Xavier was funny and I liked that he didn't tone down his style for a small town.

Ok, now for the dislikes that led to my two star rating:

- WTF does Xavier look like? I have no clue. This isn't the first book that didn't paint a picture for me and it is something I need to feel like I can see the characters.

- I have no clue what Sagebrush looks like either. I live in a forested, mountainous area and I totally had the small mountain towns in my mind because I don't know what small town Texas looks like. Yes I could have googled some examples but I really shouldn't have to do that. I can't picture the ranch either. I just imagine the cabins on a lot of gravel.

- Why was there a theft subplot if it never gets solved?!?!? Omg. I get that it was used to have some tension between Marcus and Xavier but we get to the very end and Marcus is like "oh yeah! We never figured that out". The things the theft took were personal and seemed like the theif knew how to get into places with ease. I really wanted to know who it was and for Dakota to get his beads back.

- Marcus and Xavier fell in love after three weeks. I'm not saying it's impossible but I have no clue why. They don't know each other. They have sex and their deepest convo is Xavier telling him that Marcus that he should come out. I don't get why they are in love or how it happened. Especially for Xavier who didn't do live or relationships.

- why in the world would Marcus risk his life for two cats? It's stupid. It would be super sad for the old lady to lose them but they are cats. "Tell xavier I'm sorry (that I chose two cats over you)." Give me a fucking break. Xavier should see that as a red flag, imo.

- Marcus' coming out was a nothing burger. He built up a lifetime of hiding to just casually walk into it without a care in the world? We don't even hear about how the town reacted. We don't hear what that meant for Marcus.

- Xavier gives up his life that he loves (since he mentions it A LOT) in NYC to move to in with Marcus after three weeks. Give me a break. We don't even know how Xavier came to this conclusion. It just came out of nowhere. I was expecting them to do the long distance thing for awhile and then make that decision.

- They had sex in Marcus' truck at the airport. He's a sheriff and that's a crime so I just didn't think it belonged in the story at all. For a sheriff so worried about his reputation, why would he risk have public indecency, lewd conduct and indecent exposure on his rap sheet? I doubt he overcame a lifetime of anxiety around his reputation in 6 weeks to be ok with this.

- Marcus has a lot of internalized issues to overcome before he can come out, even in a town of gay men (no gay women??) but we never feel him overcome this or deal with it. He gets words of encouragement from his lover and gay friend but no one else, the straights he's obviously concerned the most about, give him any reassurances or overt support.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is book seven in the author’s Sagebrush Cowboys series and Sheriff Marcus Webb FINALLY got his HEA. I’ve been waiting so long, it feels like, for him to find someone and Xavier, the big city wedding planner and Lucas’s (from Rust and Stardust) best friend from New York was exactly what Marcus needed to help him overcome his fear of losing everything important to him if his truth were to become known.

This was such a sweet romance! Marcus broke my heart with his fears for the future and the way he allowed the past to control him so completely. He needed someone like Xavier, mouthy and unapologetically himself, to help him finally step out and take what he wanted. There was an unexpected mysterious storyline woven throughout the book that kept me reading all the way through in one sitting waiting for the big reveal though it didn’t happen quite like I expected; I couldn’t be too disappointed though considering the sweet and steamy ending we got.

Although this CAN be read as a standalone, all of the books in the series are interconnected and include characters from previous books which makes it a lot more fun and interesting to read. It almost feels like you have a front row seat to what they’re up to and what’s going in all their lives and is enough to keep me coming back for more.

For friends, found family and a heartfelt HEA, check out this book as well as the rest of the series, they’re all really good books with only one that disappointed me a little but that’s just me; it got great reviews so check ‘em all out for yourself. For Marcus and Xavier, 4.5 stars

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kurohagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure to revisit the Sagebrush community.
Xavier is the most urban of all the characters who have ended up in this small, remote Texas town, and we love seeing him discover the exact opposite of his New York life. We also love seeing him fall under the spell of the Sheriff, who is himself the exact opposite of all the men they meet in New York.
We discover a sheriff who is very attached to his community, torn between his sexuality, which he keeps hidden at all costs, and the fear of losing his job if he were to be discovered.
Yet the attraction between the two is too strong for them to deny.
Between organizing Lucas and Beau's wedding, investigating a theft, and dealing with inclement weather, Xavier and Marcus are quickly put to the test.
Another beautiful Texas romance, with colorful characters and unparalleled loyalty

-----

Toujours un plaisir de retrouver la communauté de Sagebrush.
Xavier est le plus citadin de tous les personnages qui ont atterris dans cette petite ville perdue du Texas et on adore le voir découvrir l'exact opposé de sa vie New Yorkaise. Et on aime le voir tomber sous le charme du Sheriff qui est lui-même l'exact opposé de tous les hommes qu'ils fréquentent à New York.
On découvre un Sheriff très attaché à sa communauté, torturé entre sa sexualité qu'il garde caché à tout prix et la crainte de perdre son poste s'il était découvert.
Pourtant l'attraction entre les deux est trop forte pour qu'ils puissent la nier.
Entre l'organisation du mariage de Lucas et Beau, un enquête pour vol et autres intempéries, Xavier et Marcus sont très vite mis à l'épreuve.
Encore une belle romance texane, avec des personnages haut en couleur et d'une loyauté sans égal.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Sagebrush Cowboys Series.
Xavier and Marcus couldn't be more different - the sassy, out and proud city boy vs the closeted, stoic, small town sheriff. The attraction is instant, but it takes a little more for the connection to truly start building as Xavier has his work cut out for him trying to get Marcus to give in to their desires. And when he does, the steamy, spicy chemistry is through the roof. They think there's an end date, but the didn't count on how quickly their feelings would factor into their fling.
Both MC's are truly likeable and deserving of the genuine love they find and their HEA is absolutlely on par for them. I liked that the author did a great job of making their connection feel genuine despite the short time frame.
There are a lot of secondary characters - mostly from previous book - that add depth, support, and sometimes the little nudge our MC's need to move things along. There is a mystery that wasn't solved in this book, it is a situation that may be over, but might not be - have to wait for the next book to find out I guess. And there is a scary situation that occurs that turns out the best it could have.
Overall, I found this book to be entertaining, fun, spicy, and worth reading.

I received an ARC from the author, this review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

[Steve Pardue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book seven in the Sagebrush Cowboys series has arrived, and for fans like myself, it’s a treat despite some minor flaws. The series has become a delightful journey through a small Texas town, where love always finds a way. This time around, we delve into the life of Xavier, a big-city wedding planner who unexpectedly finds a connection with Sheriff Marcus.

This installment continues to charm with its recurring characters as we see the Sagebrush community evolve. Even though I missed book six, jumping back into these characters’ lives felt like a homecoming. The book introduces new faces while maintaining the essence of the town. Xavier’s entrance creates a compelling dynamic with Sheriff Marcus, allowing the storyline to mix love and drama seamlessly.

While this may be the lowest rating I've given a book in the series, it’s essential to clarify that it’s still a good read. The relationship between Xavier and Marcus has a romantic heat that captures readers’ attention. The supporting storylines featuring local couples tie into the overall narrative, giving fans the sense of community that the Sagebrush series is known for.

Whether you’re a longtime follower or new to the series, this book remains a worthy addition. The evolving gay population in Sagebrush is celebrated, adding a unique layer to the storytelling and making it an enjoyable experience for all.

[Magda | AnotherOneReadsRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next installment in the series is finally here! I’ve been waiting for this one and literally dropped everything just to read it today.
Marcus, the respected sheriff of Sagebrush, hides behind high walls, fearing rejection from everyone who matters to him. Even though the town has changed over the years, the survival patterns he’s lived by are hard to break. Everything shifts when he meets Xavier, who flies in from NYC to pull off the wedding of the century in Sagebrush. Xavier was such a wonderful, unapologetic character—someone who never pretends and is 100% himself every single day. That’s exactly what gave Marcus the courage to finally reach for what he’s been denying himself for so long.
The chemistry between them was electric from the start, I couldn't wait for one of them to finally make a move! But the wait was so worth it. Our characters discover new feelings against the backdrop of some wedding planning and a mysterious case for the sheriff’s office. Marcus and Xavier created a safe haven for each other, and even though they only knew each other for a few weeks, I fully believed in their connection. I couldn't put this book down until I reached their happy ending, and it didn't disappoint for a second. Now, I’m just waiting to see what happens next in Sagebrush.

[Cristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho esta historia.
Marcus es el sheriff de Sagesbrush y lleva el peso de varias generaciones sobre sus hombros.
Sabe que es gay desde siempre, pero lo oculta por miedo a lo que pensaran los del pueblos.
Me ha encantado este personaje, ver como sus miedos lo controlan y como va consiguiendo superarlos ha sido maravilloso.
Xavier es un urbanita, alegre, que no se calla ni debajo de agua y que la lía haya donde va. Podre Dolly lo que ha tenido que aguantar.
Él pone patas arriba la vida de Marcus. Ninguno esperaba lo que ocurre entre los dos y no saben cómo enfrentarlo.
La parte del misterio me ha dejado con mal sabor de boca.

[la review bleu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sagebrush. I love this cowboy series. I had a good time reading this, it was fun, I laughed. Story was intriguing, and above all it was so sweet to see X falling for the secretly gay Sheriff. Two worlds crashing into each other. Loved it.
And even tho I don't like weddings, I found myself so happy for Lucas and Beau.

[Simera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xavier agrees to help plan his best friends wedding however, he didn't realize he would be doing it in Sagebrush.
Marcus is a sheriff in Sagebrush and he is trying to live up to what he thinks they want even if that means not being true to himself.
Slow burn, a little drama never hurt anyone, finding love and stepping outside your comfort zone to get what you want.

[lori forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome the best one yet

Love this series & yes I do believe this is the best book of the series!!! The first one with Beau & Login comes in an extremely close second!!!! But they didn't solve the mysterious thefts
Thank you so much I love Sagebrush Texas - Lori

[NBRuJaDo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Después de unos libros solamente pasables y con algunos errores de traducción severos, por fin tenemos uno con unos protagonistas creíbles y una historia satisfactoria. Un par de errores de traducción típicos de géneros cambiados, pero visto lo visto, no se puede pedir más.

[Jimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a pleasure reading cowboy/city Boys falling in love. Rosewood does it well.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin, Atreus? Lucas and Beau are getting married, and Beau's best friend Xavier flies out from New York to arrange the wedding. While in Sagebrush, Xavier meets Marcus, the town's sheriff. After a few misses, Xavier and Marcus hook up. At the end of the book, Xavier has decided he can work out of Sagebrush as well, so he moves, and he and Marcus have become a couple at the end.