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Coyote Bend
A small-town desert romance with heat, humor, and a slow burn that doesn’t quit.
When Scout Adler’s car dies on a forgotten stretch of desert highway, she figures it’s cosmic confirmation she should’ve stayed gone. Instead, she limps into Coyote Bend — a sun-baked town full of nosy strangers, cold beer, hotter pavement, and the one auto shop that shouldn’t have room for her but somehow does.
Holt Ward is all silence and discipline, a mechanic who prefers engines to people and keeps his past locked up tighter than the shop safe. He’s not looking for company. He’s definitely not looking for the talkative, stubborn woman who shows up sweating and hopeful and asking for a place to breathe.
Working side by side in the heat, Scout learns the Holt notices everything. The way she flinches at slammed doors. The way she forgets to eat when the shop gets busy. The way she looks at him like she’s waiting for him to ruin it.
And maybe that scares him more than the past he’s still learning to walk on.
But Coyote Bend runs on loyalty, gossip, and the kind of friendships that sneak up on you. Between Finn’s relentless laughter, Sunny’s unsolicited advice, and nights spent sharing a roof with the quietest man she’s ever met, Scout starts to wonder if this dusty nowhere town might be the first place she finally stops running.
Her past isn't done with her. But neither is Holt.
And the desert has a way of burning away everything that isn’t real.
When Scout Adler’s car dies on a forgotten stretch of desert highway, she figures it’s cosmic confirmation she should’ve stayed gone. Instead, she limps into Coyote Bend — a sun-baked town full of nosy strangers, cold beer, hotter pavement, and the one auto shop that shouldn’t have room for her but somehow does.
Holt Ward is all silence and discipline, a mechanic who prefers engines to people and keeps his past locked up tighter than the shop safe. He’s not looking for company. He’s definitely not looking for the talkative, stubborn woman who shows up sweating and hopeful and asking for a place to breathe.
Working side by side in the heat, Scout learns the Holt notices everything. The way she flinches at slammed doors. The way she forgets to eat when the shop gets busy. The way she looks at him like she’s waiting for him to ruin it.
And maybe that scares him more than the past he’s still learning to walk on.
But Coyote Bend runs on loyalty, gossip, and the kind of friendships that sneak up on you. Between Finn’s relentless laughter, Sunny’s unsolicited advice, and nights spent sharing a roof with the quietest man she’s ever met, Scout starts to wonder if this dusty nowhere town might be the first place she finally stops running.
Her past isn't done with her. But neither is Holt.
And the desert has a way of burning away everything that isn’t real.
- GenresSlow BurnContemporary
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
15 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 29, 2025
Really sweet story
This was a sweet story. It's very self-aware, and the characters are great. I did thunk it found use another round of editing for internal consistency. There are several times where the characters know something that they shouldn't. Some of the motivations also could have been flushed out more, but overall it's a great read, and I'd love to read more stories from Coyote Bend.
This was a sweet story. It's very self-aware, and the characters are great. I did thunk it found use another round of editing for internal consistency. There are several times where the characters know something that they shouldn't. Some of the motivations also could have been flushed out more, but overall it's a great read, and I'd love to read more stories from Coyote Bend.
January 5, 2026
3.5 Stars - Enjoyable but jumpy
I laughed and teared up reading this, and normally it would have been a solid 4 star for me. But, there are some continuity issues in the writing. There were a handful of times that the scene would jump/not line up and then suddenly switch back (or not). Not enough to stop someone from reading, but enough to make the reading a little less enjoyable.
I laughed and teared up reading this, and normally it would have been a solid 4 star for me. But, there are some continuity issues in the writing. There were a handful of times that the scene would jump/not line up and then suddenly switch back (or not). Not enough to stop someone from reading, but enough to make the reading a little less enjoyable.
November 25, 2025
For fans of Mariana Zapata
Gives the same slow burn, tension and yearning Mariana Zapata brings.
This is a slow burn love story of two people with baggage and how they move past it for a HEA
Gives the same slow burn, tension and yearning Mariana Zapata brings.
This is a slow burn love story of two people with baggage and how they move past it for a HEA
January 5, 2026
it was sweet but also frustrating. plus the drama with the ex was basically sprinkled in at the end, almost like we forgot about it but decided to try and throw it in. Plus only one instance where she got scared but multiple times loud noises mentioned?? idk wasn't my fave
November 22, 2025
Loved it!
The kind of slow burn you can't put down! Silly banter, broody men, and small town relationships. Loved it from start to finish!
The kind of slow burn you can't put down! Silly banter, broody men, and small town relationships. Loved it from start to finish!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews