Country, Crimes & Second Chances: A Spicy Dark Romantic Comedy

by I.M. Wraith

Country star Tally Creed lost her spark and became a murderer. Accidentally.One minute, she’s wrestling with songwriter’s block, but suddenly her biggest problem isn’t her abusive manager or those nosy paparazzi. It’s how to stay out of prison.

Panicked, she can only think of one person she trusts enough to help her estranged ex-husband and former singing partner, Rustin McAllister.

Rust never got over Tally.

More than a decade ago, sinister circumstances forced him to walk away from her and his music career. But when his ex-wife turns up at his doorstep with a body in the trunk, he doesn't hesitate.

Sparks fly during corpse disposal and lead to a spicy reunion that breaks through Tally's creative block. She realizes the perfect recipe for her new album is simple. All it takes is a shared felony–and a shared bed with her ex.

Tally asks Rust for one more favor. She wants to spend a week on the road, performing in disguise in dive bars like they used to before she became famous. Plus a little crime. For inspiration.

She sets a single Don’t catch feelings.

But somebody from their past is watching their criminally sizzling chemistry and is set on breaking them up again. Fatally.

Rust and Tally must decide if they’re going to be more than just partners in crime… or if their final encore ends six feet under.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 15, 2026

About the author

I.M. Wraith writes Southern dark romance with heat & humor.

Wraith is fueled by strong coffee, kinky smut, and dog cuddles. She loves nothing more than a cozy night in with her hubby to watch a movie together.

Reviews

[Gianna Corradino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me feeling all sorts of ups and downs. It was crazy, funny, comforting, spicy, and more. I was scared to finish it but these two for once get the happy ever after they deserve without a threat at each turn.

[KayBeReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tally and Rust go way, they used to be married. Something happened that tore them apart. Now Tally(a famous country singer) needs Rust help. And Rust will do anything for her. Rust is still hung up on Tally and vice versa but she’s upset with him about how it ended. We get to find out what tore them apart very quickly in the book and I love that. Y’all these two ain’t even been in the same place for that long and they have already fell back in the bed. They still love each other and fall into affection quickly. Now they’re about to go on a road trip and make no strings attached love all over the country to help with her writers block. This is about to be messy. While reading I can hear their country accent and it’s probably because I’m a southern girl myself and it makes me laugh so hard. Now I will say some of the sayings I’ve heard before but I don’t use them. I’m country adjacent. 🤭Rust is just the sweetest cowboy with a dirty mouth and Tally is a sassy woman who knows what she wants. These two are on a road trip just f*****g and acting up( kind of illegally), it’s their foreplay. There was one scene in here that had me giggling and clutching my pearls. All I will tell you is a balaclava was involved, do with that as you want. And I will never look at a piece of corn the same way. Tally and Rustin never stopped loving each other and their roadtrip was exactly what they needed. The ending was perfect, the entire story was adorable. If you’re looking for second chance love story that has mischief, revenge, hot smut, love and laughs a much more this is the book for you. And friends your crocs should never be in sport mode.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the blurb for this a couple of months ago, I was immediately intrigued. It was a story that sounded brand new to me. A humorous, dark spicy romance? Not often do you get those all in one. AND IT DELIVERED. Let me tell you! Without spoilers of course, because what fun would that be. You need to read it for your damn self and experience the laugh out loud, giddy, swooning, wildly inappropriate and perfect duo of Tally and Rust.

Tally is a one of a kind country singing beauty—don’t let her curly hair and cowgirl boots fool you—deep down she’s a bundle of fun and Trouble. Capital T. The only person that ever sees that side of her is Rust and boy did he know how to make that side of her shine. Not only did he support her but he encouraged it. Good ole hot and handsome Rust—sweet ass man at heart, but he’s got a secret k!nky side. (IYKYK).

They had me dying laughing and kicking my feet. They’re both unhinged in the absolute best way. I have never laughed so much while reading a dark spicy romance and I loved every single part of it. There’s crime, spice, mystery, revenge, second chance love and hilarious side characters.

This was masterful and I’m so glad I took a chance on it. The storyline is unique in itself and Tally and Rust will live on in my head creating chaos that I will happily embrace. I adored them and their crazy ass journey. 1000% Perfection.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I had found myself a hell of a new author to obsess over when I ARC read "Right number, wrong man", and good God, am I not bloody in love with this one too.
I am, I fear, forever going to simp over a man with no fucks to give over anything other than how in love he is. And Rust is, as I once read, balls deep in love with his wife. No questions, no second-guessing, no bullshit. Hook, line, and sinker from day one on.
This book is amazing, funny, kinda played in my head like one of those shows that shows random stills of messy as fuck situations at the beginning of each episode and goes from them back and then on.
I hope, pretty pretty please, that the next book has Caleb as a MMC because, disappointing as this may be for some, I am a sucker for the blondies (I am yet to outgrow the phase that Jace Wayland started).

[Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and I’m so glad signed up!! This book is funny, spicy, and dark at times. Tally needs help so she goes to the only person she knows will help her no matter what, her ex-husband. Rust will do anything for the woman he still calls his wife.
“I’d do anything for her. Theft, arson or murder? No problem so long as it makes her smile. I’d burn this whole town if she asked me to. Or if she wanted to do it herself, I’d gift her a can of gasoline and a lighter.”
The two go on a wild adventure from Kentucky to LA getting into all kinds of trouble (good and bad) along the way. I really can’t recommend this enough, their story is so sweet (and dark) but I melted when Rust wrote Tally a song!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publication date: 15 March 2026

I received this book as an ARC, and I am delighted I signed up! This book is everything it's promised to be: dark, spicy, and hilarious AF.

Tally reconnects with her ex-husband after accidentally committing murder. They embark on an adventurous roadtrip together, and, let me tell you, I was SO entertained. Their banter is top tier, had me laughing out loud. Rustin is a swoon worthy hero, and while reading I learned I wasn't the only one swooning.

Pick this book up if you're in the mood for a Bonny and Clyde type story. No worries, it ends better than their story did!

[Kristy James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC for this book. Here is my honest opinion:

I usually shy away from second chance romances. I’m not sure why exactly but I haven’t found an author that writes it well and for it to pull me in. Holy moly, this book delivered on that end.

Tally and Rust are so damn funny and their banter carried the whole book in my opinion 😂 I mean I was rolling at some parts. I definitely like the little murdery theme it had as well. Give this book a read if you are in the mood for the spicy banter, spicy scenes (🌶️🌶️), and second chances!

Thank you for the ARC and I look forward to many more books from this author! 🖤📚

[Amanda Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the pleasure of being an ARC reader!
This story hooked me from page 1, I mean hello ex husband, body in the trunk, and funny FMC? Reading Tally and Rust come back together had me in the feels, this was second chance love done right! The bantar was top notch and the spice was SPICEY. I mean public play?! Whewww lawd it got me and I mean corn? IFYKYK. This was a read I didn't want to end, I was laughing, I was holding my breath and I was sweating if you know what I mean 🌶️🥵. First book I've read by this author and I can't wait to read more now. Also as a curvy
Girl love the way it was talked about in this book!

[Ambreezy83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this good ole second chance love story with a hint of dark kink. Tally has held a grudge against Rust for 12 years - a night in Vegas after a last minute marriage Rust walked away. Tally has felt so much pain even though her music career took off. Nothing like being lonely when you are surrounded by people. An accidental vehicular homicide brings Tally back to Rust and nothing is the same. Their cross country road trip to LA comes with its own twist and turns but this sorry ends with the best HEA possible. It was sweet with a side of murder.

[Anona Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

totally swoonworthy I loved every word of this book the sassy FMC was beautifully written and funny the MMC made me drool.
There were so many moments in this book that had me longing for "blue collar man with a dirty mouth and a dominant streak to take care of me in a flowers and candlelight dinner kinda way and the bury the body and help hide the evidence kinda way."
I can't recommend this book enough

[tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

first of all, thank you for choosing me as an ARC reader ❤️

OH MY GOSH! This book had me hooked from the dedication. It kept the steam throughout the entire book not knowing what to expect next. super easy to read and follow the story without too much or too little spice. Cannot recommend it enough.

"ride my mustache like a good girl"

[Jennica Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the first page! Definitely a dark rom com but a great palette cleanser. You will fall for Rust and be amazed by Tally. There is plot and spice and you stay engaged until the very end. I laughed and felt empowered. Loved this love story between the two and you have to love a man who has a good balance of cowboy outlaw and gooey cinnamon roll.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

I ATE THIS UP. Crime, second chances, chaos, country music, morally grey man? Yep give me it all. This was honestly amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever look at a cob of corn again HOWEVER, you’re gonna have to read this if you wanna know why 👀 am I obsessed? Yes, yes I am. Will I be reading this more than once? Absolutely. This was perfect 🥹🖤

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

•• ARC Review ••

I really enjoyed the hell out of this book. The banter, the humor, the spice, the small town friends to lovers and heartbreak in between. It’s dark but funny and I definitely laughed a time or three. Tally and Rustin are just fun characters. And Rustin, you dirty boy. 🌽