Broken Heart Country

by Maeve Marlowe

Trouble is never done with me.

For once, it’s not even my own, but that doesn’t stop me from having to flee my home city in the middle of the night to find somewhere no one will think to look for me.

Gracie Anne’s Second Chance Ranch.

In the middle of nowhere in Utah, it seems to be just the place. The kind old owner is in need of some bookkeeping expertise and she likes to pay in cash. The only thing that keeps it from being perfect is the stubborn ass of a cowboy, Wes Dawson.

He walks around like he owns the place and won’t stop asking what it is I’m running from.

I told myself I wasn’t here to make friends, but the longer I stay, the more I discover I’m far from the only person on the ranch with a secret…

Genres: Westerns

415 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2026

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. Evie is such a strong wrong after all the stuff she has been thru.

The banter and tension between the two. Chef kiss.

[Jonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC read✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off I wanna thank the author for the ARC for this book, I read it in 2 days because it had me gripped! 😩🫣

What’s it about?
-Evie does the books for a restaurant in Reno, and one night working late she overhears a murder in her boss’s office. She packs her bag and goes on the run and ends up at the Second Chance ranch in Utah as their new bookkeeper where she butts heads with the grumpy cowboy Wes 🤠 who is suspicious of her from the start

I thought the writing was great and it really had me immersed in the story and could just picture myself at the ranch. Loved the found family and all the side characters.
Both the main characters were messy and real which made this at times quite an emotional read.

I loved Evie’s sass, she didn’t take any shit from Wes from the start and was giving it back a 💯! At the same time my heart broke for her, she’s been through so much and was kinda fucked up in the head cause of it and can’t blame her for it either 🥺
Wes was the right amount of grumpy and the patience and understanding he showed Evie was really sweet. They were just perfect for each other 🧡

The spice was 🤌🏻 😮‍💨
it was just the right amount and things got pretty kinky at times 🥵 so I’d check your triggers (BDSM themes)

The book also has other heavy themes like mentions of both mental & physical domestic violence, mentions of attempted sexual assault and suicidal thoughts

Tropes:
🌻grumpy x grumpy
🌻found family
🌻forced proximity
🌻both MC’s in their late 30’s
🌻enemies to lovers

Some of my fave quotes:

“You may walk around like you own this place, but you don’t. I don’t answer to you, and I learned a long time ago that if you’re going to make it, you don’t let people walk all over you. Especially men like you who think it’s a woman’s job to do every little menial bullshit task they think is beneath them. So it’ll be a cold day in hell before I make you a pot of coffee.”

“I am not a religious man, but you are going to be some kind of test. I can feel it.”

“You. Are. Mine,” he rasped. “We only say it when we fuck, but I want it all the time. Not just your body. I want your anger and all the hidden pieces you haven’t let me touch yet. I think someone made you afraid you could never have that, and if you give me a name, Evie, I will make tomorrow his last day on earth for what he did to you. I do want you. I’ve wanted you since the moment you told me to make my own fucking coffee.”

[mrnuina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m gonna start by saying ”WHAT!?” Just when you tought this is it BUUM out of now where came new thing that made me jump of my bed! So well done! Honestly! I really did not see that coming, i’m still kinda speechles!
There is so many times that you are just suprised so much that you will just look your kindle gaping!
I can’t get over how well this is written and how you don’t see things happening.
Let’s start with Wes, oh my my how i drooled! Grumpy hot cowboy, yeah, i could get piece of that!
Evie was kinda a bi**h, I know why she was the way she was but still. I would not have been as patient as Wes. Oh no, i would have just walked away. Tho it would have been very short story, so good thing i wasn’t there.
Side characters are awsesome too! Well not everyone, few of them could fall of the cliff and i would have been fine with that.
Gonna need more from Maeve, i’m a fan!

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exhilarating unputdownable page turner. I was immediately drawn into the story from the first few pages. The characters are incredible. And the narrative is so, so damn good. I loved the dynamics of this, how everything built up and that surprise turn of events toward the ending. One other thing that I liked was that this author balanced the heavy and the lightness of things. I think this really helped formulate a solid foundation for this book. And of course the banter, romance and spice, I thought was done very well. An excellent story. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this.


Some of my favorite lines:
"Well, come on then, cowboy. The floorboards are waiting."

"The darker things get in your head, baby, the darker you need the things we do to be in order to escape them."

[Jennifer Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Her tongue did things that could only be learned in hell."

🌶🌶 Evie is running from her past and Wes is grumpy cowboy just trying to save her from herself. So stuck in her way of just getting by and not letting anyone get close enough to see all her scars. This is found family and finding that its ok to have those scars because scars heal.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evie is on the run and settles at Second Chance Ranch and meets cowboy Wes. Evie is strong and independent, doesn't take anything from anyone, especially the grumpy cowboy. Their chemistry and banter was fun. Wes was determined to figure out what she was running from. Together they grew to trust and love each other.

[Lauren Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG YES. “Rowdy” is peak cowpoke sin! The hat shadowing his jaw, the slow grin that ruins your day, and him pressing you up against a wall because words, feelings, and dirt are his aphrodisiac. I am so here for the possessive cowboy energy, the kind who smells like horses, hay, and whiskey and thinks ownership is a love language. 🥵🔥 

Evie has just left Reno to take an accounting job at a ranch somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Utah. After seeing nothing but tumbleweeds and dirt for what seemed like forever a sign appears, Welcome to Gracie’s Second Chance Ranch where she meets Rowdy Dawson who is the kind of cowboy who smells like hay and trouble and makes you want to apologize for existing before he’s even touched you. This book is full of banter, and reads like a rodeo you’d happily sign up for! Rowdy is rough but not cruel, violent in the way of people who’ve been damaged and learned to name the world after their hunger. Evie holds her own more than enough to stay believable while being absolutely undone by him, which is the whole point of this delicious dance. And Mrs. Gracie is the grandmother that every little girl dreams of! If you want tidy healing, look elsewhere, but if you want a hot, messy, morally tangled cowboy that leaves you breathless and a tiny bit guilty, this is your drug. Five stars and a warning: you will reread scenes at 3 a.m. and shame smile about it at work!

P.S. Bring tissues!

[Jenn W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me at grumpy cowboy romance!

I loved this book so much. Great plot, the banter was on point and the spice 🥵 hot damn!
The story is sooo good. My only complaint is that I thought it was a little long in the middle with not much happening.

If you like characters that have both been through the gutter and grumpy cowboys that’ll do anything for their woman, well give this one a read.

[Erin Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Well, I think that’s because you were meant for me, baby.”

Evie- Needing to escape and run away from something (I won't spill what) she gets a job at a ranch in the middle of nowhere Utah as their accountant. I loved her. She is so strong and doesn't take crap from anyone. The banter in this between her and Wes is top tier.

Wes- Long time employee and boss that acts like he owns the ranch (but doesn't). Is suspicious of Evie from the start. So their initial meet wasn't exactly pleasant and just kind of got more intense from there.

Ugh this made my heart bleed a bit at certain parts. This gets really heavy and emotional. Their relationship is so real, fragile, and tense. There's so much pain and so many walls. Eventually filled with so much patience and love. How their relationship grew from practically hating each other to protectiveness and love. 😍 This doesn't stagger from the super heavy aspects not only them individually and what they are personally going though but together as well. Dealing with that pain, healing, breaking down those barriers. This will destroy you and make your heart flutter at the same time.

The spice in this was perfection! I loved the whole plot and the mystery involved. Things were timed perfectly for revealing answers to questions I had. The suspense just kept happening too. As soon as something got revealed something else popped up that I totally wasn't expecting! I personally loved the ending. 😍 I'm swooning. I love them ❤️‍🩹

✔️Later in life (later 30s)
✔️Forced proximity
✔️Hate to love
✔️grumpy/ grumpy
✔️he falls first
✔️Steamy

Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[darkreadswithnalieee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sharp edges. Whiskey burn. Pride vs. pride.
And two stubborn people who would rather bite each other than admit they’re falling.
And honestly?
The tension alone was worth the read.

City Girl in Hiding
Evie doesn’t run to Gracie Anne’s Second Chance Ranch because she wants a fresh start.
She runs because she has to.
From the second she drives past the cow skull sign and the rows of sunflowers lining the fence, you feel it — this isn’t some Pinterest-perfect country escape. It’s isolated. Quiet. A place you could disappear.
And that’s exactly why Evie chooses it.
The rent-free cottage. Weekly cash pay. No paper trail.
That detail alone? Suspicious in the best way.
You know she’s hiding something long before the book tells you what.

Gracie: The Heart of the Ranch
Gracie is warmth and flour-dusted aprons and quiet desperation. The ranch is behind on taxes. The books are a mess. She trusts too easily.
Evie stepping into that office — staring at six months of chaos stacked in bank boxes — is the first glimpse we get of who she really is.
She’s sharp. Cynical. Competent. Guarded.
She doesn’t want friends.
She wants control.

Enter Wes Dawson (Rowdy 😏)
And then he walks in.
Black cowboy hat. Broad shoulders. Beard with a little silver. Attitude to match.
Their first interaction? Over coffee.
And it is PERFECT.
He assumes she’ll make it.
She shuts that down immediately.
He bristles.
She doesn’t bend.
The way she says, “I’m not a secretary. I’m the bookkeeper.”
The way he grinds his teeth but tips his hat anyway?
That’s the kind of enemies-to-lovers tension that actually works.
Not miscommunication. Not petty drama.
Pride.

The Hate-Fucking Scene
When Evie casually asks, “How do you feel about hate-fucking?”
I—
That was not cute tension.
That was hot.
Their dynamic works because it’s built on mutual challenge. She pokes. He pushes back. Neither of them want vulnerability — they want control.
The truck scene is raw, messy, fueled by whiskey and unresolved tension. It’s not soft. It’s not romantic.
It’s combustion.
And the next morning? The pregnancy scare banter?
Unhinged. Delicious. Very on brand for both of them.

Why Their Tension Works
Wes isn’t dominant because he’s cruel.
He’s dominant because he likes control. Because he’s used to being respected. Because he sees through Evie’s attitude and knows it’s armor.
And Evie?
She refuses to submit emotionally.
Physically? She’ll play the game.
Emotionally? Not a chance.
That line:
“You’re in my house. In my house, you follow my rules.”
The possession. The confidence. The way she shivers even while snapping back?
That’s chemistry.

The Twist & Action
When the story finally reveals what Evie is running from — and the danger catches up to her — the ranch shifts from slow-burn tension to protective, action-driven romance.
Wes stepping into protector mode?
Hot.
But what made it better is that Evie doesn’t suddenly turn helpless. She still has bite. She still fights.
And when she finally opens up?
That’s when the emotional layer hits.
Because underneath all the sarcasm and hate-fucking bravado, she’s scared. She’s tired. She doesn’t trust stability.
And Wes, for all his gruffness, wants to be something steady.

[The · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Maeve Marlowe for giving me the opportunity to read "Broken Heart Country" as an ARC. I'm very grateful for the chance I've gotten to be a part of the ARC team and hope my contribution is helpful.

"Broken Heart Country" has been my first introduction to western/cowboy romances and Maeve Marlowe did not disappoint. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. The relationship had a great pacing that matched the circumstances of the FMC and MMC, it felt like a natural progression that didn't leave me feeling like I was getting whiplash. Evie and Wes honestly felt like a match made in heaven that are able to love each other, despite their history and burdens. Their love is a great example of how past experiences can shape someone to be the perfect lover in the future. The way Maeve slowly revealed Evie's history had me enraptured, and I was pleasantly surprised by how there was a good action side plot to a romance book.

I know I say this a lot, but Wes is another name on the list of great book boyfriends. He's definitely the charming cowboy, but he has the patience to love someone with a history. Wes has a rowdy and rough around the edges kind of vibe to him, which makes him all the more attractive. The spice was SO DAMN GOOD. Those two lovers are kinky little things and I was living for it. Wes is also just a smooth dirty talker that had me blushing with Evie.

In conclusion, I give this book five out of five stars. I blew through this book in three days because I was so in love with it. I really hope a special edition comes out because I would love to have a pretty copy on my bookshelf. I recommend this book to anyone who is wanting a little bit of a darker cowboy read. Do check the trigger warnings if you have issues with subjects such as violence and abuse. This isn't a cute, fluffy read so if you're looking for a palate cleanser, don't read this quite yet. Also, for any seasonal job workers who love to read you should pick this up. I do seasonal resort work and seeing a book involving that kind of job was really amusing. Its the first time I've seen a book mention it, so I was very excited to see an author's perspective. With that, I look forward to seeing what else Maeve Marlowe writes in the future.

[Kelly Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I am not a religious man, but you are going to be some kind of test. I can feel it.”

My word. This book had me had me wrapped around its finger from the start!

You give me a western/cowboy romance and I fold immediately, it’s absolute catnip for me....but this? This completely exceeded my expectations.

We have Evie, fleeing her home in the dead of night, running from a past that refuses to let her breathe. She lands at Gracie Anne’s Second Chance Ranch in the middle of nowhere, Utah, a place that feels like safety… until she meets Wes Dawson.

And when I tell you this is grumpy x grumpy perfection? I mean it.

No sunshine to soften the edges. No easy smiles. Just two guarded, sharp-tongued, late-thirty-somethings who have been through hell and are not in the mood for nonsense.

The banter? Elite.
The sparring? Delicious.
The tension? Off. the. charts.

Evie is whip-smart, quick-witted, and carries her trauma without ever losing her bite. I loved her sass. She doesn’t crumble, she recalculates.

And Wes. Oh, Wes.

Tortured rancher. Ex-soldier. Protective to a fault. Patient in a way that made my chest ache, but when it comes to Evie? Obsessed. Focused. Kinky as hell in a way that feels intentional and deeply rooted in trust (yes, there are BDSM elements and they are done right).

What truly stood out to me, though, was the depth of the story. This isn’t a fluffy cowboy romp. It tackles heavy themes: mental and physical domestic violence, attempted assault, suicidal ideation, and it does so with care. Their pain shapes the connection in a way that feels authentic.

I also loved that this book was longer than most cowboy romances I pick up. It allowed the relationship to grow naturally. No insta-love here. And honestly, that wouldn’t have worked. These are two people who need time to untangle their pasts before they can even think about building a future.

I was all in. Fully feral. Absolutely frothing for it.

Love a tortured cowboy, a heroine who gives as good as she gets, and spice that hits with purpose? Say less.

Thank you to the author for trusting me with this story, I received an early copy and all opinions are my own.

[Kaela Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Arc Review✨
Broken Heart Country is a country romance filled with depth, heart and healing.
Evie is a bookkeeper in Reno who witnesses something terrible at her boss’s restaurant. Fearing for her safety, she packs up her life and runs, landing at Gracie Anne’s Second Chance Ranch. Gracie, the ranch’s owner, quickly sees that Evie needs more than just a job, she needs refuge. With the ranch’s finances in trouble and a looming deadline to reconcile the books, hiring Evie may be the saving grace Gracie desperately needs.
On her very first day, Evie meets the ranch’s resident grumpy cowboy, Wes Dawson and sparks fly. Or rather… clash. A tense exchange over coffee sets the tone, and from there, every encounter between them turns into sharp-tongued verbal sparring. The chemistry is undeniable, even if it initially manifests as irritation and hostility. That tension eventually ignites into a fiery, physical connection. If you enjoy spice with a touch of BDSM woven into your romance, this book absolutely delivers.
Wes and Evie’s budding relationship has a rocky beginning. Evie has not had an easy life, with past trauma and domestic violence, she carries deep scars psychically, and emotionally making vulnerability feel impossible. Although Wes is battling with his own demons from his army days, he can see that Evie needs someone to be there for her. Two broken souls recognising a kindred spirit.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book, there was no insta love in this story, it is a slow journey of discovery and trust. It is refreshing to read a later-in-life romance where the couple are mid to late 30’s. Evie and Wes are not perfect, but perfect for each other.
I also really enjoyed the found family aspect to this book. It is a ranch of second chances. Gracie’s warmth and unwavering support give Evie more than employment; it gives her a family.
If you love found family, later-in-life romance, forced proximity and strong characters that overcome personal challenges, then this is the book for you.

[Lexie Parizek · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a small town/cowboy romance with some suspense and a little bit of mystery that will keep you on your toes, this is the book for you. This is not going to be your fluffy romance love story.
The FMC is on the run and gets a job at a ranch as an accountant. Immediately you know that there’s going to be some mystery because there’s financial things going on with the ranch that the FMC is supposed to help discover. The MMC is the one who helps the ranch owner run the ranch and the ranch owner and her husband took the MMC in when he was spiraling and gave him a place to belong and helped him out out of the bad place he was in so he feels like he owes them and it’s very protective of the ranch owner. The ranch owner‘s husband passed away so it’s just her left and she is so sweet, the grandmother that everyone wants to have.
The FMC doesn’t want to make any attachments or relationship since she’s running from danger. She doesn’t wanna put them at risk and she also doesn’t want to be heartbroken when she has to move on. But she’s forming attachments anyway. Her and the MMC get off a little bit on the wrong foot and the banter between the two of them is amazing. He calls her a demon and she embraces the name. I absolutely love them together. They develop feelings and a relationship. The both of them learn that you don’t have to do everything alone, you can rely on someone else.
The suspense and mystery will have you continuing the book not even because you like the characters (which you will), but because it’s done so well it pulls you in and you want to know what is going on. You want to solve this mystery and see what happens.
Thank you Maeve Marlowe for the early copy - all opinions are my own!

[Courtney|the.bookcourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Maeve Marlowe for the eARC to read and review! All opinions that follow are honest and my own.

When Evie ends up at the Second Chance Ranch, it’s meant to be a quick stopover. Somewhere to make some money and be gone before anyone can find her. She’s got a past, multiple pasts, and has learned that it is never a good idea to trust people. But the thing about Second Chance Ranch, right in the middle of broken heart country, is that it’ll make you fall in love with it. Or at least with a cowboy and some homemade cooking. When the past comes knocking, it’s up to Evie to decide if she’s ready to trust, or if she’ll do what she does best, and run.

Sexy cowboys on a picturesque ranch that rescues broken down animals and people with found family and some solid kinky spice? Not to mention some heart thumping action scenes? Yeah this one was a solid read.
Evie is such a snarky little character and I was right there with Wes, frustrated as heck when she wouldn’t accept help or any form of admiration. But I grew to love her and the way her past shaped her but didn’t destroy her. The mafia/trafficking ring was an interesting tie in that while it did confuse me a little, overall it added some epic action to the story which is always a bonus!
Wes was phenomenal. An absolute gentleman even when he said he wasn’t. The way he was so patient with Evie, letting her come out of her shell when she was ready. Ugh my heart.

Overall such a solid story, and I look forward to seeing if there’s anymore in this world! Would love to know more about the other cowboys!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so good!! Definitely some Loathe-to-love and forced proximity goodness in this book. Evie and Wes were both such complex characters, each working through tough issues. I loved how much Evie could trust Wes, even right from the start. She just knew he would take care of her and was able to let go. It takes a lot to be able to trust implicitly and Wes just always knew what to do. That just made him so endearing and impossible not to fall for.

I really liked Evie. She could come off a little rough around the edges but her heart was good. I loved how seamlessly she fit into the ranch and was so willing to pitch in. I enjoyed watching her come out of her shell and finally relax. I also enjoyed all her snappy comebacks and banter with Wes.

I loved Wes right from the beginning. He was so pure and true. He maybe didn't always know what to do but he tried so hard. He was willing to put himself out there and be vulnerable which just warmed my heart.

I really enjoyed the tension and angst in this story. The suspense was well done and kept me glued to the pages. The writing was engaging and painted a detailed picture of the ranch. I loved both of the main characters and the secondary characters added to the depth of the story and were all likeable. If you're looking for an intriguing book then I would recommend this one!!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one surprised me in the best way. I went in not knowing what to expect since this was a new author to me, but the story pulled me in right away. There's a reason the ranch is called Second Chance Ranch in this book.

Both Wes and Evie have scars and stories to tell. They both ended up at the ranch for their own reasons. Wes and Evie do not start off on the best foot, but they will soon find that they need each other more than they expected.

It has a lot more drama and romantic suspense than I expected, but that's why it is one of my favorite books so far this year. I love a book that goes in different directions than what you are expecting.

Another thing I loved was the characters were older. It helps give more depth to a character that has been through some stuff, has trauma to work through, and can come out on the other side better and more realistic.

For a first read from Maeve Marlowe, this one definitely stood out and has gained a new follower for certain. Thanks for the ARC.

[Marci Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a cowboy romance, and I flew through this one! Even though there’s some heat between Evie and Wes early on, it’s truly a sweet slow-burn romance as they get to know each other and come to terms with the fact that they need, and want, each other more than they may care to admit. They both carry a lot of baggage, which is how they end up at Second Chance Ranch in the first place.
There’s tension, banter, and plenty of heartfelt moments to keep you turning the pages. I really enjoyed watching their connection grow. However, I felt like Evie’s backstory and the reason she fled were pushed to the wayside for much of the book, only to be brought back near the end and wrapped up pretty quickly. While I was invested in the romance, I did find myself wondering when that storyline would resurface.

Overall, 3.5 ⭐️, it’s a great story with an easy-to-read writing style, lovable characters, plenty of cowboy charm, and strong healing-together vibes.

Thank you to the author for sharing this advanced readers copy.

[Lanae (findmeonsmutlane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well hot damn. This was a deliciously smutty and emotional little cowboy romance.

I went in with zero expectations and was absolutely blown away with the amazing banter between the main characters. Seriously. I love a grumpy sunshine trope, but this was grumpy grumpy and I LOVED IT. The FMC was full of piss and vinegar and our MMC just ate it up. I loved their back and forth. It was the perfect amount of attitude and sass, but neither character ever crossed the line of being too mean.

And the tension? Whew. The tension was TENSIONING. It was so hot and explosive. I was SWEATING.

But the story was also super emotional. Two broken people finding each other, and helping fit each other back together. It was so good. I loved that the MMC never tried to change the FMC. He let her be, and he was just the rock she needed. It was so good.

And the spice? Whew, I was dying. It is HOT. And it was plentiful.

If you want a steamy cowboy romance filled with banter, tension, and HOT smut. This is the read for you.

[Bonnie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set at Gracie Anne’s Second Chance Ranch in the middle of nowhere Utah, this one throws our FMC straight into forced proximity with Wes Dawson, a stubborn, broody cowboy who is just as rough around the edges as the land he works. The grumpy meets grumpy energy works so well, and the slow burn builds exactly the way you want it to. There’s real tension, some genuinely sweet moments, and enough spice to keep things interesting, all wrapped in that dusty western atmosphere.

What I loved most is that the story does not dodge the heavy stuff. Grief, trauma, addiction, and second chances are all handled with care and depth without killing the romance. The found family at the ranch is a highlight, and watching these broken people slowly put themselves back together hit right in the feels.
if you like cowboy romance with emotional weight, a touch of darkness, and a hopeful ending that does not feel cheesy, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Delaney Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evie stumbles upon Gracie’s Second Chance Ranch while trying to outrun her own life. When the kindhearted Gracie offers her not just a job, but a place to stay, Evie knows it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up. As the ranch’s new bookkeeper, she quickly crosses paths with Wes, the grumpy cowboy who keeps everything running smoothly and isn’t exactly thrilled about her arrival.

They start off at odds, barely able to tolerate each other, but soon discover that you don’t have to like someone to enjoy the undeniable chemistry 😉! As the tension builds, they begin to realize there’s a very thin line between love and hate and they might be standing right on it and Wes might just decide Evie isn’t someone he is willing to let go!

This story has a touch of suspense, plenty of sharp banter, and lots of steam. It was such a fun read, and Wes and Evie made an unforgettable pair.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Tianna Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I was rooting for the main characters the whole time as I was watching their love story grow. The book follows Evie who responds to a job posting at Gracie Anne’s Second Chance Ranch. Wes Dawson is a ranch hand who gets under Evie’s skin for some reason but she is keeping everyone at arms length as she is running from a situation she found herself in. Wes is bound and determined to figure out all of Evie’s secrets as he slowly breaks down some of her walls. This book is a cowboy romance but has some suspense thrown in that keeps you engaged. The banter between Evie and Wes is so good, she can be so mean to him at times but he keeps coming back for more. Gracie’s ranch is truly about second chances for the animals but also the people who work there who truly become like family. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and applied for an ARC from a post on Instagram and I’m so glad I did, I will be reading more of Maeve’s books.

[Hope Everly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Heart Country by Maeve Marlowe is a fast-paced contemporary romance told in first person through the dual POVs of Evie and Wes.

Evie is on the run after witnessing something she never should have seen. Fearing for her life, she hides out in a remote small town and takes a temporary job fixing the accounts at a struggling ranch. Her plan is simple: keep her head down, do the work, and leave before anyone really knows her. No roots, no attachments.

But small towns have a way of pulling people in. Between Maggie’s warmth and Wes’s stubborn presence, Evie quickly finds that leaving might not be as easy as she planned. Wes and Evie get off to a rough start, it’s grumpy meets grumpy, with sharp banter and constant digs at each other that slowly shift from irritation into something far more entertaining and enjoyable. Their tension eventually sparks into something neither of them expected to become more than a one-time mistake.

This story leans heavily into popular romance tropes and moves at a fairly quick pace. Personally, I think it could have worked beautifully as a duet to allow more time to sit with the emotions and deepen some of the heavier moments. That said, if you enjoy trope-filled romances that move quickly and keep things entertaining, this one will absolutely hit the mark.

What I loved most were the small details that gave the story heart, the coffee mugs, the art, the town atmosphere, and the way the characters bond and tease each other. Those little touches made the relationships feel warm and genuine and added a lot of charm to the story.

If you like small-town romances with banter, strong personalities, and a quick-moving plot, Broken Heart Country is a fun and engaging read.

[Blitheroo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book SO MUCH!! Wes has to be one of my very favorite MMCs yet, he's strong and steady and loves Evie's brand of crazy. He's the one tough enough to stick around through anything, possessive enough to have a bit of a jealous streak, and badass enough to end a fight.

Evie is so tragically broken, but she owns it. She's overcome so much in her life (she's in her upper 30s!! Yessss!!!) She's smart and competent, hard working, and she's strong enough to face her past and her fears. I love her snark and her spunk, but mostly I just love them as a couple. Their story tugged at my heart in a way that not many manage to do. The emotions were spot on, and the progression of their relationship felt natural. There is PLENTY of spice, but it adds to the story instead of overpowering it.

I feel bad for whatever book I pick up next because there's just no getting over Wes!

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contemporary spicy, cowboy romance checked all the boxes! First: the setting of the ranch and its operations, beautiful and with a purpose. Next, the characters! (They are both a bit older, which is an automatic check.) Evie is grumpy, guarded and sassy, trying to escape from some dark secrets. Wes is also a grump, but, protective head rancher. Then: the romance! Their hate-to-love romance was heightened by their undeniable attraction, their banter, the tension and passion and spice! I appreciated the bit of suspense and mystery that Evie’s past brought and how it brought out the “who hurt her” protective nature of Wes. Finally, the message: I found myself rooting for them, as needs someone to love and be loved back unconditionally. Her resistance and his relentlessness was such a great dynamic. A well earned happily ever after! 4.25 stars
Thanks to the author for the eARC

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys- trust me- if you want a cowboy romance that is MORE, this is it!

We have a sassy, feisty, intelligent FMC who is on the run. A grumpy cowboy with scars of his own.

I absolutely fell in love with Evie, the way she stood up for herself right from the start, the sass, the way she owned her sexuality.

And Wes- our scarred, grumpy cowboy who is actually the sweetest most protective man.

This story had suspense for days, just when you thought everything was good- something new entered. It kept me on my toes and I absolutely loved that.

The chemistry between Wes and Evie was immediate and HOT. Something about that hate fking that just gets ya going.

I was hooked on this one from start to finish!

[Andrea Hendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gracie Anne second chance Ranch is out in the middle of nowhere. Many people have came to the ranch for a second chance including Evie. Evie has secrets that’s she is running from. She ends up taking a job at the ranch as a bookkeeper. While helping Gracie get her books in order Evie discovers something not right. While working on the ranch she runs into the one and only Wes Dawson. Wes is a grumpy cowboy who thinks he doesn’t need anyone until he meets Evie. She doesn’t cut him no slack. Once Evie secrets start to unravel Wes will do whatever he needs to do to protect her. The chemistry between these two starts immediately. These two will keep you in your toes from the bickering and what Evie calls hate f**king. I absolutely loved this book

[FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MMC takes up the challenge to break the tough wall that the FMC built as a result of the the past she was trying to get over and outrun. Their encounter in the initial stage was fun, filled with witter banters, until things start to get a little more serious where the emotions start pouring in a little deeper. The push-and-pull between them adds delicious tension, especially as outside threats complicate their growing bond. They have a wonderful people that supports them in navigating their journey together. With a solid support system behind them, their journey becomes not just about love, but about courage, trust, and choosing to fight for something that really matters.

Im thankful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! I'm still digesting this awesome book!! 🤯🤯 Maeve has weaved a world that made me feel the heat and dust while reading! Wes is a cowboy at Second Chance Ranch. Evie finds herself a new job while escaping her life at Second Chance Ranch. The sparks between these two, you can feel the sexual tension!! Evie finds herself drawn to Wes even though she wants to hate him. This book had me in a chokehold! I loved that the Wes and Evie were older.

I would have loved a longer epilogue... to see Wes and Evie months or years down the road. Maybe there will be a book 2?! I'd love to read about all of the other characters on second chance ranch! If you like grumpy x grumpy, cowboys, enemies to lovers, he falls first then I DEFINITELY recommend!!!

[Stephanie Routhier · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book as an ARC. This review and thoughts are mine alone.*

Rating: 4.5⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️


Okay. This was hard for me to get into for a bit at the beginning. Solely because it was hard to discern the flashbacks.

However, once it got going, i read it fairly quickly.

I enjoyed the banter and the spice.

Eventually i got really curious of every single person who worked on the ranch concerning the money going missing. I truly had a theory about every single person.

But i also really loved Gracie. That woman is a SAINT. Taking care of the entire ranch, feeding them, housing them, and still doing everything above and beyond the usual tasks of the other ranch hands.

I loved this overall!