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Blue Crescent Harbor #1
Rein Me In
Rein Me In is a gorgeously cozy single dad, small-town romantic comedy from BESTSELLER Camilla Isley
Can he lasso her heart…
Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbor for a fresh start. A place to disappear, teach first grade, and keep her secrets buried. She didn’t expect the hottest single dad in school and small-town royalty to march into her classroom to share his stubborn opinions. Tall, rugged, and fiercely devoted to his son, he’s a walking complication in flannel and cowboy boots.
Ryder has no patience for anyone telling him how to raise his kid. Especially not a sharp-tongued teacher with city polish and eyes promising trouble. Their mutual dislike is second only to their explosive chemistry!
Too bad she can’t avoid him. At parent meetings. On the dancefloor at the local dive bar. In her dreams, wearing that backward baseball cap and a grin that makes her forget she’s sworn off men. But he’s off-limits. She’s his son’s teacher, and this town loves to gossip. Yet Ryder’s flirty banter, his son’s adoration, and his dedication to his family’s ranch make sticking to the rules difficult. Staying invisible was the plan, but he makes her want to be seen. What if the real risk is not running, but wanting to stay?
Can he lasso her heart…
Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbor for a fresh start. A place to disappear, teach first grade, and keep her secrets buried. She didn’t expect the hottest single dad in school and small-town royalty to march into her classroom to share his stubborn opinions. Tall, rugged, and fiercely devoted to his son, he’s a walking complication in flannel and cowboy boots.
Ryder has no patience for anyone telling him how to raise his kid. Especially not a sharp-tongued teacher with city polish and eyes promising trouble. Their mutual dislike is second only to their explosive chemistry!
Too bad she can’t avoid him. At parent meetings. On the dancefloor at the local dive bar. In her dreams, wearing that backward baseball cap and a grin that makes her forget she’s sworn off men. But he’s off-limits. She’s his son’s teacher, and this town loves to gossip. Yet Ryder’s flirty banter, his son’s adoration, and his dedication to his family’s ranch make sticking to the rules difficult. Staying invisible was the plan, but he makes her want to be seen. What if the real risk is not running, but wanting to stay?
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2026
32 people are currently reading
749 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Isley
42 books3,019 followers
Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsical realm of romantic fiction.
She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, might be a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every story she pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unless you're a vampire, of course.
Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She's a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn't want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐
It was cozy and a single dad cowboy romance is my weakness!! I loved the setting and the characters.
Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbor to start over, working as a first grade teacher. She meets Ryder, the father of one her students and even though their first meeting doesn't go well, sparks fly.. They slowly get closer, teasing and flirting with each other, but she doesn't want to get involved with a father of a student. Summer is coming though and then there's nothing stopping them.. He has baggage, she has secrets, their connection is strong, but can they overcome their past??
Faye was strong, patient and stood her ground. She knew how to put Ryder in his place and she fought for him. She was an amazing teacher, I loved how much she cared for her students.
Ryder was an amazing dad, he was stubborn and a little temperamental, but he still listened and we love a man that deals with his problems, eventually.
I absolutely adored Ryder's family, they always had his back, after teasing him mercilessly, of course.
Ryder and Faye were adorable together, the banter, the flirting, the dancing, the fairy smut, the tulips, the trip, the dock, the understanding.. I didn't like the conflict though, I knew it was coming, but I think it was completely unnecessary..
I wish there was more depth and some things were very rushed. I feel like a lot of things happened in a short span of time and their connection wasn't developed enough. The lust was prominent, which in turn made their chemistry great, but lacked the emotional depth..
I do have to say that I'm glad how the issue with Rhys, Ryder son's, was handled and how they made sure he was ready for certain conversations.. That little boy was absolutely precious.
The small town and the ranch were such a beautiful setting, I really enjoyed it. I loved the bookclub and I can't wait for to learn more about them all.
I'm honestly so excited to read more stories in this world, especially the next one about Liam. I have a feeling I'm going to love him!!
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC.*
It was cozy and a single dad cowboy romance is my weakness!! I loved the setting and the characters.
Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbor to start over, working as a first grade teacher. She meets Ryder, the father of one her students and even though their first meeting doesn't go well, sparks fly.. They slowly get closer, teasing and flirting with each other, but she doesn't want to get involved with a father of a student. Summer is coming though and then there's nothing stopping them.. He has baggage, she has secrets, their connection is strong, but can they overcome their past??
Faye was strong, patient and stood her ground. She knew how to put Ryder in his place and she fought for him. She was an amazing teacher, I loved how much she cared for her students.
Ryder was an amazing dad, he was stubborn and a little temperamental, but he still listened and we love a man that deals with his problems, eventually.
I absolutely adored Ryder's family, they always had his back, after teasing him mercilessly, of course.
Ryder and Faye were adorable together, the banter, the flirting, the dancing, the fairy smut, the tulips, the trip, the dock, the understanding.. I didn't like the conflict though, I knew it was coming, but I think it was completely unnecessary..
I wish there was more depth and some things were very rushed. I feel like a lot of things happened in a short span of time and their connection wasn't developed enough. The lust was prominent, which in turn made their chemistry great, but lacked the emotional depth..
I do have to say that I'm glad how the issue with Rhys, Ryder son's, was handled and how they made sure he was ready for certain conversations.. That little boy was absolutely precious.
The small town and the ranch were such a beautiful setting, I really enjoyed it. I loved the bookclub and I can't wait for to learn more about them all.
I'm honestly so excited to read more stories in this world, especially the next one about Liam. I have a feeling I'm going to love him!!
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC.*
Currently Reading
May 6, 2026 # —pre-read 🌅
⤿ ⟢ started: may 3
happy May everyone!! 🩷 I'm finally picking up this arc because it releases in 3 days and I refuse to be late with another one. I have a feeling this will be a short and sweet romance which is exactly what I need right now. wish me luck 🤞🏼
thank you so much to netgalley, boldwood books and Camilla Isley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!!
⤿ ⟢ started: may 3
happy May everyone!! 🩷 I'm finally picking up this arc because it releases in 3 days and I refuse to be late with another one. I have a feeling this will be a short and sweet romance which is exactly what I need right now. wish me luck 🤞🏼
thank you so much to netgalley, boldwood books and Camilla Isley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!!
Read
May 8, 2026It’s for her that I’m standing in the doorway of a classroom, holding a Tupperware of stolen cookies, clean-shaven and combed, having spent the last four days reading spicy fairy tales instead of sleeping. —Ryder Evans, Rein Me In
Dear Reader,
After months of talking about Ryder and Faye, I’m finally able to share them with you fully.
Rein Me In is out now, and if you’ve been following along, you already know a little about what’s waiting for you inside. A grumpy cowboy who is alarmingly good at line dancing. And a first-grade teacher who is sharp-tongued, has a secret, and has no patience for alpha-single-dad energy in her classroom. Their meet-not-so-cute sparked the idea for this story. I had this scene burned in my mind that refused to leave until I wrote the entire book around it.
Ryder is a fiercely protective single dad in a way that some might call too much. But for me, when it comes to the love for one’s child, more is more. I’m a goner for a devoted parent, someone with that fierce, visceral love that makes them go to war for their kid without a second thought. Ryder is that kind of father, turned up to eleven, and I loved him for it even when he was being completely unreasonable. Especially then, honestly.
But I also delighted in Faye taking him down a peg. The heroines I love to bring to life know their worth and don’t shrink to make space for someone else’s ego. These women are witty and smart, strong but with their fragilities, and in Faye’s case, a mysterious past. Watching her go head-to-head with Ryder was just as satisfying to write as every moment he went to the ends of the earth for his son, or groveled to her afterward in the most charming ways.
And then there’s Blue Crescent Harbor. The town that holds all these threads together and will keep showing up in this series. I have given a piece of my heart to this fictional place, and I hope you will too.
Ryder, Faye and Blue Crescent Harbor are waiting for you. Go find them at your favorite bookshop:
Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
Apple Books
Kobo and Kobo Plus (ebook and audiobook)
All other ebook and audiobook bookshops and libraries
Happy reading,
Camilla
Dear Reader,
After months of talking about Ryder and Faye, I’m finally able to share them with you fully.
Rein Me In is out now, and if you’ve been following along, you already know a little about what’s waiting for you inside. A grumpy cowboy who is alarmingly good at line dancing. And a first-grade teacher who is sharp-tongued, has a secret, and has no patience for alpha-single-dad energy in her classroom. Their meet-not-so-cute sparked the idea for this story. I had this scene burned in my mind that refused to leave until I wrote the entire book around it.
Ryder is a fiercely protective single dad in a way that some might call too much. But for me, when it comes to the love for one’s child, more is more. I’m a goner for a devoted parent, someone with that fierce, visceral love that makes them go to war for their kid without a second thought. Ryder is that kind of father, turned up to eleven, and I loved him for it even when he was being completely unreasonable. Especially then, honestly.
But I also delighted in Faye taking him down a peg. The heroines I love to bring to life know their worth and don’t shrink to make space for someone else’s ego. These women are witty and smart, strong but with their fragilities, and in Faye’s case, a mysterious past. Watching her go head-to-head with Ryder was just as satisfying to write as every moment he went to the ends of the earth for his son, or groveled to her afterward in the most charming ways.
And then there’s Blue Crescent Harbor. The town that holds all these threads together and will keep showing up in this series. I have given a piece of my heart to this fictional place, and I hope you will too.
Ryder, Faye and Blue Crescent Harbor are waiting for you. Go find them at your favorite bookshop:
Amazon & Kindle Unlimited
Apple Books
Kobo and Kobo Plus (ebook and audiobook)
All other ebook and audiobook bookshops and libraries
Happy reading,
Camilla
May 6, 2026
A sweet read from Isley, I enjoyed this one because it was just what I needed at the time: a book to read effortlessly that required little thought.
In this book, we have the hot cowboy – Ryder – single Dad and working his hardest on the farm to keep everything running whilst looking after his son. His first meeting with Faye has obvious chemistry and sparks fly, although their first interaction as parent and teacher is not without its tensions – sexual and otherwise.
Flipping between Ryder and Faye’s perspective, the story follows this summering relationship between the two. Yet, as Faye is Rhys’s teacher, both her and Ryder know it would be inappropriate and unprofessional to act on their feelings, despite how obvious the attraction is. I liked seeing the distant relationship develop between the two characters, particularly as they try to fight their feelings because of Ryder’s son. However, it’s only a matter of time before the characters get together – although the writer certainly keeps readers waiting on that front.
I enjoyed how Faye’s character is mysterious. Few people know why she has moved to the area and despite being a primary school teacher in the community, she still stands out. With her secretive past, flashy car and expensive clothes, Ryder senses this. I enjoyed how surprising Faye’s background was, liking sharing Ryder on his journey of discovery. I think this made Faye’s character more interesting than Ryder’s, so it would have been better if this was expanded upon throughout the book, rather than a lengthy revelation towards the end.
On the other hand, I thought it really sweet how Rhys is the centre of Ryder’s world. Both Faye and Ryder appreciate how precarious Rhys’s situation is with not having a mother and I thought it lovely how protective Ryder is towards his son. Conscious that he doesn’t want to rush any developments with Faye but also realistic that a new relationship is on the horizon, Ryder is keen to make sure he does the right thing by his son… just making him even more of an attractive cowboy!
The start of a new series, I look forward to returning to Blue Crescent Harbour and seeing the next relationship develop. Hopefully there won’t be too long to wait!
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, we have the hot cowboy – Ryder – single Dad and working his hardest on the farm to keep everything running whilst looking after his son. His first meeting with Faye has obvious chemistry and sparks fly, although their first interaction as parent and teacher is not without its tensions – sexual and otherwise.
Flipping between Ryder and Faye’s perspective, the story follows this summering relationship between the two. Yet, as Faye is Rhys’s teacher, both her and Ryder know it would be inappropriate and unprofessional to act on their feelings, despite how obvious the attraction is. I liked seeing the distant relationship develop between the two characters, particularly as they try to fight their feelings because of Ryder’s son. However, it’s only a matter of time before the characters get together – although the writer certainly keeps readers waiting on that front.
I enjoyed how Faye’s character is mysterious. Few people know why she has moved to the area and despite being a primary school teacher in the community, she still stands out. With her secretive past, flashy car and expensive clothes, Ryder senses this. I enjoyed how surprising Faye’s background was, liking sharing Ryder on his journey of discovery. I think this made Faye’s character more interesting than Ryder’s, so it would have been better if this was expanded upon throughout the book, rather than a lengthy revelation towards the end.
On the other hand, I thought it really sweet how Rhys is the centre of Ryder’s world. Both Faye and Ryder appreciate how precarious Rhys’s situation is with not having a mother and I thought it lovely how protective Ryder is towards his son. Conscious that he doesn’t want to rush any developments with Faye but also realistic that a new relationship is on the horizon, Ryder is keen to make sure he does the right thing by his son… just making him even more of an attractive cowboy!
The start of a new series, I look forward to returning to Blue Crescent Harbour and seeing the next relationship develop. Hopefully there won’t be too long to wait!
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2026
Thanks @netgalley @boldwoodbooks and the author for this ARC. Always so grateful.
It was a good cowboy romance that I had great time with but I'll probably forget it very quickly.
Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbor for a fresh start. A place where she can teach first grade and leave her secrets behind. Everything was under her control until she met Ryder, the single dad of one of her students who isn't afraid to share his opinions. I liked Faye's character and the kindness she shows her students and the attention she pays to the well-being of Rhys, Ryder's son. She's a strong, sweet and patient young woman who deserves the same in return.
On the other hand, I had a hard time with Ryder. Although he's a devoted father to his son and worker to his farm, I found him far too impulsive. Like some of his reactions were so disproportionate that I struggled to feel any emotion for the difficulties he faced in his life. I think slamming the door behind you doesn't solve problems. And a man who doesn't listen and gives the silent treatment? That's a no for me.
I didn't feel any chemistry between the two of them even though they had some cute moments. However, I loved Ryder's family, Rhys, who is the cutest kid on earth and the other residents of this charming little town.
It was a good cowboy romance that I had great time with but I'll probably forget it very quickly.
Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbor for a fresh start. A place where she can teach first grade and leave her secrets behind. Everything was under her control until she met Ryder, the single dad of one of her students who isn't afraid to share his opinions. I liked Faye's character and the kindness she shows her students and the attention she pays to the well-being of Rhys, Ryder's son. She's a strong, sweet and patient young woman who deserves the same in return.
On the other hand, I had a hard time with Ryder. Although he's a devoted father to his son and worker to his farm, I found him far too impulsive. Like some of his reactions were so disproportionate that I struggled to feel any emotion for the difficulties he faced in his life. I think slamming the door behind you doesn't solve problems. And a man who doesn't listen and gives the silent treatment? That's a no for me.
I didn't feel any chemistry between the two of them even though they had some cute moments. However, I loved Ryder's family, Rhys, who is the cutest kid on earth and the other residents of this charming little town.
Read
April 23, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
The tagline for this book was 'enter your cowboy era' and they're not wrong to be fair, this is my third this year with more to come...
Such great pacing for this, and no third act drama omg I was convinced there was going to be a big expose, and while I disagreed with hot-headed Ryder, I was willing to put up with those temper tantrums for little Rhys okay?
There was nothing crazy complicated going on here, just two people giving love a second chance (read: being down bad) after being dealt some very poor cards, and all of it unfolding in a small town (of course!!!)
It was a little bit of a shame that we met so many cool women at the start of the book and then basically never saw them again after the first book club,, but maybe they make a reappearance in book 2?
The tagline for this book was 'enter your cowboy era' and they're not wrong to be fair, this is my third this year with more to come...
Such great pacing for this, and no third act drama omg I was convinced there was going to be a big expose, and while I disagreed with hot-headed Ryder, I was willing to put up with those temper tantrums for little Rhys okay?
There was nothing crazy complicated going on here, just two people giving love a second chance (read: being down bad) after being dealt some very poor cards, and all of it unfolding in a small town (of course!!!)
It was a little bit of a shame that we met so many cool women at the start of the book and then basically never saw them again after the first book club,, but maybe they make a reappearance in book 2?
Did Not Finish
May 2, 2026DNF. Meh. It started out OK but, by the time I got to the country music version of John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever ", it started going downhill from there. I liked the overall idea of this story but not so much the execution. The author's style is just not my taste. Multiple characters with potentially interesting backgrounds were introduced but there was no follow-up to any of them. I understand that there's the potential for the author to write about them in future books but their introduction felt a bit choppy and all over the place.
I try to give a new book (especially a new author) some time to get me engaged but by the time I got to about 40%, I was done.
Lots of profanity.
I try to give a new book (especially a new author) some time to get me engaged but by the time I got to about 40%, I was done.
Lots of profanity.
April 18, 2026
This is a pretty standard small town single dad/son’s teacher romance.
Unfortunately, this fell pretty flat for me. I didn’t particularly find either character intriguing or that likable. The third act breakup was infuriating. The reason for their break up was really a best case scenario situation for me personally. I would legitimately be thrilled. This was a lot of things shoved into one book and I wish they had dialed back on some of the random scenes. It felt frenetic, jumping from place to place.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy!
Unfortunately, this fell pretty flat for me. I didn’t particularly find either character intriguing or that likable. The third act breakup was infuriating. The reason for their break up was really a best case scenario situation for me personally. I would legitimately be thrilled. This was a lot of things shoved into one book and I wish they had dialed back on some of the random scenes. It felt frenetic, jumping from place to place.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy!
March 25, 2026
Book 51 of 2026
The premise of this book - a small town teacher & cowboy falling for each other - immediately caught my eye. I also love the low level of spice & fade to black moments Isley uses in her stories. It’s enough to feel their connection, but not over the top. Ryder & Faye fall for each other fairly quickly, but because she’s his son’s teacher & their individual backstories of heartbreak, they take things slow. Ryder’s son, Rhys, is just the right amount of adorable & really elevates the story, along with Ryder’s entire family. Isley does a terrific job of establishing this small town community & leaves you craving more. I’ll definitely be back for Liam’s book when it releases!
The only thing I didn’t love was Ryder’s reaction to Faye’s secret. I thought he blew it a little out of proportion, but given his history with Rhys’ mom, I can somewhat make sense of it. Just glad we got our HEA!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Be sure to pick it up when it releases in May!
Format: ARC (ebook)
The premise of this book - a small town teacher & cowboy falling for each other - immediately caught my eye. I also love the low level of spice & fade to black moments Isley uses in her stories. It’s enough to feel their connection, but not over the top. Ryder & Faye fall for each other fairly quickly, but because she’s his son’s teacher & their individual backstories of heartbreak, they take things slow. Ryder’s son, Rhys, is just the right amount of adorable & really elevates the story, along with Ryder’s entire family. Isley does a terrific job of establishing this small town community & leaves you craving more. I’ll definitely be back for Liam’s book when it releases!
The only thing I didn’t love was Ryder’s reaction to Faye’s secret. I thought he blew it a little out of proportion, but given his history with Rhys’ mom, I can somewhat make sense of it. Just glad we got our HEA!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Be sure to pick it up when it releases in May!
Format: ARC (ebook)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinion.
I'm in my cowboy era 🐎🤭 cos tell me why I enjoyed this one so much! Faye & Ryder, oh my gosh 😍❤️. In short, this book left me speechless – that's how much I enjoyed it. I have no words to describe my reading experience; I highlighted a lot. My cheeks hurt because I was smiling so much at the antics and banter between Faye & Ryder 😍❤️.
A slow burn with tension that I actually love, closed door romance, but the heat you can feel everywhere 🥵. Swoon-worthy ✔️, chemistry ✔️, banter that makes you smile a little too much ✔️.
But I do have a little something to say to Ryder: I get that what Faye did hurt you, but you can't expect her to unload her entire life story the day you got together – it isn't her fault.
Overall, I love Rhys (kids indeed say the darndest things 🤣), I love the characters, and my favorite character is hands-down Faye 🤭. I loved that girl, and I can't wait for the next book in the series 🥰. Thank you to boldwoodeverafter for the e-ARC.
I'm in my cowboy era 🐎🤭 cos tell me why I enjoyed this one so much! Faye & Ryder, oh my gosh 😍❤️. In short, this book left me speechless – that's how much I enjoyed it. I have no words to describe my reading experience; I highlighted a lot. My cheeks hurt because I was smiling so much at the antics and banter between Faye & Ryder 😍❤️.
A slow burn with tension that I actually love, closed door romance, but the heat you can feel everywhere 🥵. Swoon-worthy ✔️, chemistry ✔️, banter that makes you smile a little too much ✔️.
But I do have a little something to say to Ryder: I get that what Faye did hurt you, but you can't expect her to unload her entire life story the day you got together – it isn't her fault.
Overall, I love Rhys (kids indeed say the darndest things 🤣), I love the characters, and my favorite character is hands-down Faye 🤭. I loved that girl, and I can't wait for the next book in the series 🥰. Thank you to boldwoodeverafter for the e-ARC.
May 3, 2026
Cute cowboy romance with very minimal spice!
Faye moves to small town Blue Crescent Harbor & gets a job at the local elementary school. One day she arranges a meeting with her students father Ryder, who just happens to be a single dad. Let’s just say, it’s not the meet cute you’re expecting! From their tensions rise as they bump into each other all over town. I really enjoyed the banter between them! Loved how the author handled sensitive situations between Ryder & his son Rhys! Overall I really enjoyed this small town romance, and will definitely continue the series.
Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood books & Camilla Isley for the ebook copy to review!
Faye moves to small town Blue Crescent Harbor & gets a job at the local elementary school. One day she arranges a meeting with her students father Ryder, who just happens to be a single dad. Let’s just say, it’s not the meet cute you’re expecting! From their tensions rise as they bump into each other all over town. I really enjoyed the banter between them! Loved how the author handled sensitive situations between Ryder & his son Rhys! Overall I really enjoyed this small town romance, and will definitely continue the series.
Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood books & Camilla Isley for the ebook copy to review!
May 6, 2026
This is such a good read! I finished it in one sitting which is always a good sign!
I love me a good cowboy romance and this didn’t disappoint! I was hooked from the start. A single dad, small town cowboy romance? SIGN ME UP.
Blue Crescent Harbour was the perfect setting. I love the map for this town it’s so cute🥺
Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC. I can’t wait to continue the series 🤍
3.5⭐
I love me a good cowboy romance and this didn’t disappoint! I was hooked from the start. A single dad, small town cowboy romance? SIGN ME UP.
Blue Crescent Harbour was the perfect setting. I love the map for this town it’s so cute🥺
Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC. I can’t wait to continue the series 🤍
3.5⭐
May 7, 2026
I don't know if this is a 3 or 3.5 stars book for me. It was a fast read, a slow-burn romance, that was really slow-burn and closeted. I loved the story, it was cute and funny. It also delivered on the cowboy and small town vibes I was searching for in a few books previously read, that didn't.
There is the cowboy, single dad - Ryder, and a mysterious teacher Faye.
The chemistry was there, as well as the yearning and I lapped that part eagerly.
My problem was with the third act break up, if you can call it that, since they just started dating. The mmc was overly dramatic about it and it was unreasonable in my eyes, because it was about something that's discussed when starting to blend their lives together, not in the beginning of a relationship. And not to mention, that the fmc had a totally solid reason for her to guard her secrets.
So even though I enjoyed this book a lot, that part ruined it for me a bit.
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Camilla Isley for providing this ARC!
There is the cowboy, single dad - Ryder, and a mysterious teacher Faye.
The chemistry was there, as well as the yearning and I lapped that part eagerly.
My problem was with the third act break up, if you can call it that, since they just started dating. The mmc was overly dramatic about it and it was unreasonable in my eyes, because it was about something that's discussed when starting to blend their lives together, not in the beginning of a relationship. And not to mention, that the fmc had a totally solid reason for her to guard her secrets.
So even though I enjoyed this book a lot, that part ruined it for me a bit.
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Camilla Isley for providing this ARC!
April 10, 2026
Rein Me In was such a fun, cozy, and steamy small-town romance. Faye heads to Blue Crescent Harbor for a fresh start, hoping to keep her past buried while settling into life as a first-grade teacher. Of course, things get complicated fast when she clashes with Ryder, a tall, rugged single dad who is fiercely devoted to his son and not exactly thrilled about anyone stepping into their lives. Their mutual irritation quickly turns into undeniable chemistry, and watching that tension build made this such an addictive read. Camilla Isley never misses for me, and this was another charming, swoony romance with plenty of heart and a very hot cowboy vibe.
May 6, 2026
Thank you to Boldwood Books and author Camilla Isley for the arc! I loved this sweet but a little sexy for closed door small town cowboy romance! I especially loved how Faye and Ryder both had things to overcome but their undeniable chemistry and a little forced proximity kept pushing them together. It also helped that Faye was Ryder’s son’s teacher and his son adored her. I didn’t mind a little bit of a third act breakup because I knew their HEA would be so lovely which it definitely was. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
April 16, 2026
Thank you Boldwood books for the ARC!
The perfect short but sweet cowboy romance.
Faye is giving Miss honey vibes but with a hidden past. And Ryder is a hotheaded cowboy with trust issues. Perfect combo tbh.
Notes
-Missouri
-Remy next! After Liam pleaseee
Tulips
Bobcats hat
Closed door romance.
The perfect short but sweet cowboy romance.
Faye is giving Miss honey vibes but with a hidden past. And Ryder is a hotheaded cowboy with trust issues. Perfect combo tbh.
Notes
-Missouri
-Remy next! After Liam pleaseee
Tulips
Bobcats hat
Closed door romance.
May 6, 2026
It’s a cozy cowboy romantic comedy. I have enjoyed this book!!
Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Paisley Hope and Bailey Hannah!🤠
It’s a rom-com and sexual chemistry.
It’s part of Blue Crescent Harbor Series
Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Paisley Hope and Bailey Hannah!🤠
It’s a rom-com and sexual chemistry.
It’s part of Blue Crescent Harbor Series
April 25, 2026
This book has such a cozy small-town feel that makes it really easy to get into the story. The main couple does share a few genuinely cute moments, but I never fully felt that spark between them. Their relationship had potential, but it was missing the depth and chemistry that really makes you root for them.
I also wasn’t a fan of the third-act breakup, it felt unnecessary and didn’t really add much to the story. Overall, the plot was pretty predictable, and I found myself guessing most of what would happen next.
It’s still a nice, easy read, perfect if you’re in the mood for something light, with a comforting small-town setting and great side characters (Ryder’s family, I’m definitely talking about you). But personally, I’ve enjoyed other books by Camilla a lot more. That said, I’m still really curious about the next book, especially since it will focus on a different character who already caught my interest here.
Thank you NetGalley and Camilla Isley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I also wasn’t a fan of the third-act breakup, it felt unnecessary and didn’t really add much to the story. Overall, the plot was pretty predictable, and I found myself guessing most of what would happen next.
It’s still a nice, easy read, perfect if you’re in the mood for something light, with a comforting small-town setting and great side characters (Ryder’s family, I’m definitely talking about you). But personally, I’ve enjoyed other books by Camilla a lot more. That said, I’m still really curious about the next book, especially since it will focus on a different character who already caught my interest here.
Thank you NetGalley and Camilla Isley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Faye arrives in Blue Crescent Harbour desperate for a fresh start – a place where she can quietly rebuild her life, teach first grade, and keep her secrets firmly buried in the past. She’s determined to keep her head down and avoid attention. What she doesn’t expect is for the school’s most attractive single dad – and something of a local legend – to stride into her classroom, bringing with him a whole lot of stubborn opinions and an undeniable presence. Tall, rugged, and fiercely devoted to his son, Ryder is the kind of man who complicates everything, all flannel shirts, cowboy boots, and quiet intensity.
Ryder, for his part, has no patience whatsoever for anyone telling him how to raise his child. He’s been doing just fine on his own, thank you very much. Especially not when the advice is coming from a sharp-tongued teacher with big-city polish and eyes that hint at secrets he has no business wanting to uncover. From their very first meeting, sparks fly – and not the good kind. Their mutual irritation is almost immediate, but it’s impossible to ignore the simmering tension beneath the surface.
The problem? Avoiding each other simply isn’t an option. Not at parents’ evenings, where their disagreements turn into something far more charged. Not on the dancefloor at the local dive bar, where the lines between frustration and attraction begin to blur. And certainly not in Faye’s dreams, where Ryder appears in that backwards baseball cap, wearing a grin that makes her forget every reason she’s sworn off men. He’s completely off-limits – she knows that. She’s his son’s teacher, and in a town like this, gossip spreads like wildfire. Yet Ryder’s easy charm, his playful, flirtatious banter, and the unwavering love he shows for both his son and his family’s ranch make it harder and harder for Faye to keep her distance.
I usually begin any review of Camilla Isley’s books by saying just how much I adore her writing. That said, her last couple of novels didn’t quite resonate with me in the same way as some of her earlier work, so I’ll admit I went into this one feeling slightly sceptical. I wasn’t entirely sure if it would recapture the magic I’d come to expect.
Thankfully, Ms Isley is well and truly back on top form with this story. I ended up completely engrossed and devoured the book in a single sitting. It has all the elements I love in her writing – engaging characters, witty dialogue, and a romance that feels both fun and heartfelt. While there weren’t any major twists or shocking moments, that familiarity is part of what makes her books so comforting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes you just want a story that delivers exactly what it promises, and this one certainly does.
If I had one small criticism, it would be that I would have loved the animosity between Faye and Ryder to have been drawn out just a little longer. Their early clashes were so entertaining that I found myself wanting more of that tension before things began to soften between them. And, perhaps because I have absolutely no experience with line dancing, I have to admit that scene didn’t quite land for me and felt a bit cringeworthy.
That said, these are only minor quibbles. Overall, I really enjoyed the way their relationship developed, and the chemistry between them was written in a way that felt natural and compelling. Their journey from reluctant adversaries to something much deeper was satisfying and genuinely engaging.
I’m already looking forward to the next instalment in the series – especially after being introduced to Liam, who has definitely piqued my interest.
Tropes:
- Cowboy
- Single Dad
- Grumpy x Sunshine
Ryder, for his part, has no patience whatsoever for anyone telling him how to raise his child. He’s been doing just fine on his own, thank you very much. Especially not when the advice is coming from a sharp-tongued teacher with big-city polish and eyes that hint at secrets he has no business wanting to uncover. From their very first meeting, sparks fly – and not the good kind. Their mutual irritation is almost immediate, but it’s impossible to ignore the simmering tension beneath the surface.
The problem? Avoiding each other simply isn’t an option. Not at parents’ evenings, where their disagreements turn into something far more charged. Not on the dancefloor at the local dive bar, where the lines between frustration and attraction begin to blur. And certainly not in Faye’s dreams, where Ryder appears in that backwards baseball cap, wearing a grin that makes her forget every reason she’s sworn off men. He’s completely off-limits – she knows that. She’s his son’s teacher, and in a town like this, gossip spreads like wildfire. Yet Ryder’s easy charm, his playful, flirtatious banter, and the unwavering love he shows for both his son and his family’s ranch make it harder and harder for Faye to keep her distance.
I usually begin any review of Camilla Isley’s books by saying just how much I adore her writing. That said, her last couple of novels didn’t quite resonate with me in the same way as some of her earlier work, so I’ll admit I went into this one feeling slightly sceptical. I wasn’t entirely sure if it would recapture the magic I’d come to expect.
Thankfully, Ms Isley is well and truly back on top form with this story. I ended up completely engrossed and devoured the book in a single sitting. It has all the elements I love in her writing – engaging characters, witty dialogue, and a romance that feels both fun and heartfelt. While there weren’t any major twists or shocking moments, that familiarity is part of what makes her books so comforting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes you just want a story that delivers exactly what it promises, and this one certainly does.
If I had one small criticism, it would be that I would have loved the animosity between Faye and Ryder to have been drawn out just a little longer. Their early clashes were so entertaining that I found myself wanting more of that tension before things began to soften between them. And, perhaps because I have absolutely no experience with line dancing, I have to admit that scene didn’t quite land for me and felt a bit cringeworthy.
That said, these are only minor quibbles. Overall, I really enjoyed the way their relationship developed, and the chemistry between them was written in a way that felt natural and compelling. Their journey from reluctant adversaries to something much deeper was satisfying and genuinely engaging.
I’m already looking forward to the next instalment in the series – especially after being introduced to Liam, who has definitely piqued my interest.
Tropes:
- Cowboy
- Single Dad
- Grumpy x Sunshine
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC received from Boldwood Books and Camilla Isley in exchange for honest review.
Faye Rose has been teaching Ryder Evans' son Rhys for almost a year, but has never met Ryder himself, until she calls him in to talk about school policy on family units. After he blows up at her, incorrectly assuming he is failing at being a single father, Faye is coldly furious with him. But a night at the local bar changes everything, and mutual attraction means sparks fly - up to a point. Whilst Faye is Rhys' teacher, she can't date Ryder, so they long for each other from afar, counting down the days. But Faye is hiding her past, and Ryder is desperate to know he can trust her. Can he?
Rein Me In is a super sweet, small-town, cowboy romance with a lot of heart. If you are looking for super spicy, this book is not what your heart desires, but if you want a love story that is a sloooooow burn, with 90% green flags on both sides (Faye's hiding of her history being the reds), a single dad who works his backside off and still manages to read a bedtime story to his son every night, a teacher rewriting the policies of the local school to be more inclusive and supportive of non-nuclear family units, and a man who'll happily read his girl's faerie smut, you are in the right place.
Ryder Evans is enough to make your ovaries swoon. He is an incredibly dedicated Dad, and whilst he may not be the most connected with his son's school life, that is only because he is working so hard to keep his family's legacy alive. Hot cowboy alert! He's proud and incredibly stubborn, having raised Rhys on his own since he was a year old. He gets incredibly defensive when it comes to his son and his upbringing, and it is that which means his first meeting with Faye is so prickly. Breaking out the line dance to impress her though? SMOOTH. For Ryder, trust is everything - he has to know that whatever is going on, his son won't suffer as a result. The trust also extends to his own heart. Badly bruised from Rhys' mother leaving suddenly, he hasn't had the nerve to put himself in that position again, something that is endearing (and relatable, for me at least!).
Faye is very much an enigma for most of the book. She has arrived in Blue Crescent Harbor, long term renting what is intended to be a holiday cottage, with nobody knowing much about her history whatsoever. She shows signs of having money behind her - a BMW, the expensive lease, a virtual gaming studio in the cottage - but she hasn't told anyone she's made friends with since her arrival the story behind it. She's happy to let everyone assume it is family money behind her, worried the truth will see her past dragged back into the present and what that would entail. She knows that Ryder needs to trust her 100%, but that fear stops her from being upfront with him, which turns out to be a costly mistake.
I absolutely loved the care Camilla Isley took when it came to the welfare of Rhys, and the dynamics of Ryder and Faye's relationship on him. This little boy has known no mother in his life, and whilst he has wanted for nothing, it would have been quite easy for an author to gloss over the impact of new relationships on a child used to a single parent. Instead she has written her story in a way that highlighted the best "practice" in how to prepare that child for a new relationship, particularly as Faye is his teacher for the majority of the book. You see on page the impact that being teased about having no mother has on Rhys, and Faye's understanding of this, and her attempts to change school policy to support a different family dynamic are another way in which the author has impressed me with her handling of the subject.
The third act breakup was not unexpected, having seen Ryder's need for trust demonstrated throughout the book, and it hit hard. Faye's method of getting him to listen to her explanation was the perfect circle moment, and their reconciliation sweet, with a lovely epilogue one year on, which perfectly showed the importance of everything this book had laid out about Rhys' welfare. Rein Me In will leave you with a warm heart and a contented smile, and joyful that this is the start of a series.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Faye Rose has been teaching Ryder Evans' son Rhys for almost a year, but has never met Ryder himself, until she calls him in to talk about school policy on family units. After he blows up at her, incorrectly assuming he is failing at being a single father, Faye is coldly furious with him. But a night at the local bar changes everything, and mutual attraction means sparks fly - up to a point. Whilst Faye is Rhys' teacher, she can't date Ryder, so they long for each other from afar, counting down the days. But Faye is hiding her past, and Ryder is desperate to know he can trust her. Can he?
Rein Me In is a super sweet, small-town, cowboy romance with a lot of heart. If you are looking for super spicy, this book is not what your heart desires, but if you want a love story that is a sloooooow burn, with 90% green flags on both sides (Faye's hiding of her history being the reds), a single dad who works his backside off and still manages to read a bedtime story to his son every night, a teacher rewriting the policies of the local school to be more inclusive and supportive of non-nuclear family units, and a man who'll happily read his girl's faerie smut, you are in the right place.
Ryder Evans is enough to make your ovaries swoon. He is an incredibly dedicated Dad, and whilst he may not be the most connected with his son's school life, that is only because he is working so hard to keep his family's legacy alive. Hot cowboy alert! He's proud and incredibly stubborn, having raised Rhys on his own since he was a year old. He gets incredibly defensive when it comes to his son and his upbringing, and it is that which means his first meeting with Faye is so prickly. Breaking out the line dance to impress her though? SMOOTH. For Ryder, trust is everything - he has to know that whatever is going on, his son won't suffer as a result. The trust also extends to his own heart. Badly bruised from Rhys' mother leaving suddenly, he hasn't had the nerve to put himself in that position again, something that is endearing (and relatable, for me at least!).
Faye is very much an enigma for most of the book. She has arrived in Blue Crescent Harbor, long term renting what is intended to be a holiday cottage, with nobody knowing much about her history whatsoever. She shows signs of having money behind her - a BMW, the expensive lease, a virtual gaming studio in the cottage - but she hasn't told anyone she's made friends with since her arrival the story behind it. She's happy to let everyone assume it is family money behind her, worried the truth will see her past dragged back into the present and what that would entail. She knows that Ryder needs to trust her 100%, but that fear stops her from being upfront with him, which turns out to be a costly mistake.
I absolutely loved the care Camilla Isley took when it came to the welfare of Rhys, and the dynamics of Ryder and Faye's relationship on him. This little boy has known no mother in his life, and whilst he has wanted for nothing, it would have been quite easy for an author to gloss over the impact of new relationships on a child used to a single parent. Instead she has written her story in a way that highlighted the best "practice" in how to prepare that child for a new relationship, particularly as Faye is his teacher for the majority of the book. You see on page the impact that being teased about having no mother has on Rhys, and Faye's understanding of this, and her attempts to change school policy to support a different family dynamic are another way in which the author has impressed me with her handling of the subject.
The third act breakup was not unexpected, having seen Ryder's need for trust demonstrated throughout the book, and it hit hard. Faye's method of getting him to listen to her explanation was the perfect circle moment, and their reconciliation sweet, with a lovely epilogue one year on, which perfectly showed the importance of everything this book had laid out about Rhys' welfare. Rein Me In will leave you with a warm heart and a contented smile, and joyful that this is the start of a series.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rein Me In is Camilla Isley’s first story in her new romantic comedy series set in a fictional small Missouri town. It’s a realistic opposites-attract romance between a single dad rancher/farmer with a meddling family and his son’s first grade teacher. The story is told in dual POV.
Faye Rose escaped Los Angeles and relocated to Blue Crescent Harbor, Missouri for a fresh start. She’s teaching first grade and living in a small lakeside cottage on a private farm. She mostly keeps to herself but has made friends with a group of women in her book club. In April, she requests a meeting with a parent of one of her students, in order to discuss her concerns about Mother’s Day activities. This is her first interaction with this parent, as the child’s grandmother has been the primary contact. She is shocked when this handsome and smelly cowboy unloads on her before she can even explain herself.
32-year-old Ryder Evans has a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. His wife abandoned him and their one-year-old son over six years ago with just a note, and he hasn’t heard from her since. He feels simultaneously judged and pitied by the townspeople and resents the attention. Ryder lives on the land that his family has owned for generations, near his widowed mother, Mae, and younger sister, Rebecca “Becky”, and brother, Remy. He works very hard on their land and relies on his mom to babysit his son, Rhys.
Little Rhys adores Miss Rose, as does everyone who has met her. She is stunningly beautiful, polished, can take command of a situation, and has the patience of a saint. When Ryder’s family hear about his disastrous first meeting with Miss Rose, they try to repair the damage by getting them together at the town’s only bar. When Ryder is cleaned up and showered, Faye can appreciate his sex appeal and dancing skills. They both know that they can’t act on their mutual attraction while Faye is Rhys’ teacher. So they try to keep their distance for the next two months.
During this time, Ryder volunteers to serve as a chaperone on the class’ overnight field trip and hosts the class at the farm. Faye encourages Ryder to seek professional counseling to help him talk to Rhys about his absentee mother. Ryder has trust issues and is baffled by Faye’s reluctance to talk about herself. She has no ties to the community and appears to be well-off financially but won’t talk about her past. Eventually things come to a head, and they have to decide if they can trust each other.
Rein Me In is my new favorite book by this author, and Faye Rose is one of my favorite fictional characters. The chemistry between Faye and Ryder is electric, and her observations of Ryder’s odors add a little extra to the story. Rhys is adorable, and the sweet meddling by Ryder’s family is wonderful. I really want to know more about Ryder’s siblings, Becky and Remy. Readers are introduced to a semi-villain townsperson, Liam Stockwood, who might be the hero in the next book in this series. The romantic scene is closed-door, but Ryder drops several F-bombs throughout the story.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Faye Rose escaped Los Angeles and relocated to Blue Crescent Harbor, Missouri for a fresh start. She’s teaching first grade and living in a small lakeside cottage on a private farm. She mostly keeps to herself but has made friends with a group of women in her book club. In April, she requests a meeting with a parent of one of her students, in order to discuss her concerns about Mother’s Day activities. This is her first interaction with this parent, as the child’s grandmother has been the primary contact. She is shocked when this handsome and smelly cowboy unloads on her before she can even explain herself.
32-year-old Ryder Evans has a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. His wife abandoned him and their one-year-old son over six years ago with just a note, and he hasn’t heard from her since. He feels simultaneously judged and pitied by the townspeople and resents the attention. Ryder lives on the land that his family has owned for generations, near his widowed mother, Mae, and younger sister, Rebecca “Becky”, and brother, Remy. He works very hard on their land and relies on his mom to babysit his son, Rhys.
Little Rhys adores Miss Rose, as does everyone who has met her. She is stunningly beautiful, polished, can take command of a situation, and has the patience of a saint. When Ryder’s family hear about his disastrous first meeting with Miss Rose, they try to repair the damage by getting them together at the town’s only bar. When Ryder is cleaned up and showered, Faye can appreciate his sex appeal and dancing skills. They both know that they can’t act on their mutual attraction while Faye is Rhys’ teacher. So they try to keep their distance for the next two months.
During this time, Ryder volunteers to serve as a chaperone on the class’ overnight field trip and hosts the class at the farm. Faye encourages Ryder to seek professional counseling to help him talk to Rhys about his absentee mother. Ryder has trust issues and is baffled by Faye’s reluctance to talk about herself. She has no ties to the community and appears to be well-off financially but won’t talk about her past. Eventually things come to a head, and they have to decide if they can trust each other.
Rein Me In is my new favorite book by this author, and Faye Rose is one of my favorite fictional characters. The chemistry between Faye and Ryder is electric, and her observations of Ryder’s odors add a little extra to the story. Rhys is adorable, and the sweet meddling by Ryder’s family is wonderful. I really want to know more about Ryder’s siblings, Becky and Remy. Readers are introduced to a semi-villain townsperson, Liam Stockwood, who might be the hero in the next book in this series. The romantic scene is closed-door, but Ryder drops several F-bombs throughout the story.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Thank you to Camilla Isley, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review! 💝
Faye is just a girl trying to start over and build a fresh life after everything she’s been through, and I really loved that about her. She feels so real like an actual person with relatable interests. She’s a gamer, a reader, someone who loves learning and teaching, and I just adored those little details about her character. It made her feel grounded and easy to connect with. Because of her past, it’s hard for her to trust again, which is completely understandable, but I loved seeing her slowly let her walls down for Ryder and take a chance on something new. Her secret toward the end was something I could kind of guess, but it still added a nice layer to her story.
Ryder, at first, comes off as this aggressive, bad-tempered guy, but once you get to know him, he’s actually very soft underneath all that. He deeply cares about his family, his work, and most especially his son. The way he prioritizes his child and balances everything from his responsibilities on the farm, his family, and his personal life was honestly admirable. His backstory with his ex, Abigail was heartbreaking too. Situations like that happen in real life, but reading about it still hits hard. Like Faye, he struggles with trust, but seeing him slowly open up and let someone in again was really satisfying to read.
Rhys was such a standout for me. He’s one of the few child characters that I genuinely loved and he was written in such a cute and endearing way that I just wanted to hug him the entire time.
I also have to mention how cute and witty the shop names were like Dye Hard for a salon, Gym & Tonic for a gym, and Rise and Moonshine for a dive bar. Those small details added so much charm to the setting.
The overall environment and the characters brought me so much comfort. There’s something about the small-town vibe and the dynamics that made me feel nostalgic in a way. I actually read this pretty slowly because I wanted to stay in the world longer and really soak everything in. I’m already excited for the next book especially Liam Rockwood’s story and lowkey hoping we get Rebecca and Remy’s story too 👀
The sibling banter?? SO GOOD. Like, WDYM he literally put on a whole show at a dive bar just to prove he could dance so she’d dance with him?? That scene was everything 😭
This book is definitely a slow burn like we’re talking 70–80% in before their first kiss and I actually enjoyed that. The buildup made everything feel more earned and satisfying.
———
‼️‼️‼️ SPOILERS AHEAD ‼️‼️‼️
PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK :))
‼️ FAVORITE MOMENTS (SPOILER-ISH) ‼️
* The three Evans siblings dancing at the dive bar 🥹
* The fairy smut audiobook scene 😭
* Sunday pancake days!! 🥞
* Hayride + flower picking 🫶🏻 so cuteee
* The very late first kiss 🤭 happened at the last 6-7 chapters ??
* Faye line dancing and embarrassing herself just for Ryder 💃
* Ryder being soft for Faye in small, quiet moments
* Farm life scenes (lowkey healing??)
Thank you to Camilla Isley, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review! 💝
Faye is just a girl trying to start over and build a fresh life after everything she’s been through, and I really loved that about her. She feels so real like an actual person with relatable interests. She’s a gamer, a reader, someone who loves learning and teaching, and I just adored those little details about her character. It made her feel grounded and easy to connect with. Because of her past, it’s hard for her to trust again, which is completely understandable, but I loved seeing her slowly let her walls down for Ryder and take a chance on something new. Her secret toward the end was something I could kind of guess, but it still added a nice layer to her story.
Ryder, at first, comes off as this aggressive, bad-tempered guy, but once you get to know him, he’s actually very soft underneath all that. He deeply cares about his family, his work, and most especially his son. The way he prioritizes his child and balances everything from his responsibilities on the farm, his family, and his personal life was honestly admirable. His backstory with his ex, Abigail was heartbreaking too. Situations like that happen in real life, but reading about it still hits hard. Like Faye, he struggles with trust, but seeing him slowly open up and let someone in again was really satisfying to read.
Rhys was such a standout for me. He’s one of the few child characters that I genuinely loved and he was written in such a cute and endearing way that I just wanted to hug him the entire time.
I also have to mention how cute and witty the shop names were like Dye Hard for a salon, Gym & Tonic for a gym, and Rise and Moonshine for a dive bar. Those small details added so much charm to the setting.
The overall environment and the characters brought me so much comfort. There’s something about the small-town vibe and the dynamics that made me feel nostalgic in a way. I actually read this pretty slowly because I wanted to stay in the world longer and really soak everything in. I’m already excited for the next book especially Liam Rockwood’s story and lowkey hoping we get Rebecca and Remy’s story too 👀
The sibling banter?? SO GOOD. Like, WDYM he literally put on a whole show at a dive bar just to prove he could dance so she’d dance with him?? That scene was everything 😭
This book is definitely a slow burn like we’re talking 70–80% in before their first kiss and I actually enjoyed that. The buildup made everything feel more earned and satisfying.
———
‼️‼️‼️ SPOILERS AHEAD ‼️‼️‼️
PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK :))
‼️ FAVORITE MOMENTS (SPOILER-ISH) ‼️
* The three Evans siblings dancing at the dive bar 🥹
* The fairy smut audiobook scene 😭
* Sunday pancake days!! 🥞
* Hayride + flower picking 🫶🏻 so cuteee
* The very late first kiss 🤭 happened at the last 6-7 chapters ??
* Faye line dancing and embarrassing herself just for Ryder 💃
* Ryder being soft for Faye in small, quiet moments
* Farm life scenes (lowkey healing??)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“She’s roasting me. Politely, professionally, but thoroughly roasting me. And I deserve every singe.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Not me just realising this was THEE Camilla Isley, the author of the True Love series I was obsessed with! I’m still as obsessed with her characters and her fun and engaging writing; how she perfects the small town setting. The perfect fuzzy and cosy read. Romcoms are here to stay!
“She has flames blazing under her frosty crust. All I have to do is melt the ice cap and reach the burning core. And heaven forgive me, I want to. I want to be there when she lets that fire loose. Oh, I’m the one about to get very, very stupid over a woman.”
Ryder has little patience, especially for a sharp-tongued, city girl teacher who he assumes is trying to tell him how to raise his kid. But boy was he wrong. After an embarrassing first impression, they can’t seem to avoid each other and Ryder takes every opportunity to redeem himself. Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbour for a fresh start. She tries to keep her distance from everyone, especially the grumpy cowboy who’s off limits. However, mutual dislike starts to turn into explosive chemistry. But will the truth of her identity ruin her new life before it’s even begun?
“What changed?” “A rude, handsome cowboy stormed into my classroom and insulted me.” “Was the cowboy more rude or handsome?”
Im such a sucker for a grumpy single dad cowboy so no surprise that I absolutely devoured this book. It’s the perfect balance of romance, emotion, fear, longing and small town cosiness, all bundled together with a neat bow. Camilla wrote hilarious meet-cute scenarios that had me cackling. Their whit and banter made the magnetic pull between them all the more delicious. Also love seeing a female tech nerd in books; I felt so seen with her and only wish we got more of this side of her.
On the emotional side, whilst Ryder had fears of abandonment, Faye dealt with fears of rejection and loneliness so the clash was bound to happen. Im partial to a third act breakup but I wasn’t the hugest fan of Ryder’s reactions from his fears but he redeemed himself in my eyes! Aside from the grumpiness, he was a sweet family man who yearned for Faye and bided his time. Their communication was strong and created a realistic, patient approach to dating that comes with considering a child’s feelings.
“I’m an idiot. A fool. A man who should know better than to fall for someone who’s made it crystal clear she doesn’t want to be fallen for. But her gravity doesn’t care what I want, and down I go.”
Needless to say, found family always takes centre stage and I am looking forward to seeing more of Ryder meddlesome siblings. I can’t wait to see what else happens in Blue Crescent Harbour 👀
What’s included:
🐎 Cowboy Romance
💞 Romcom vibes
🌄 Small Town Romance
🌾 Single Dad
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
💘 He Falls First
✨ Secret Identity
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Not me just realising this was THEE Camilla Isley, the author of the True Love series I was obsessed with! I’m still as obsessed with her characters and her fun and engaging writing; how she perfects the small town setting. The perfect fuzzy and cosy read. Romcoms are here to stay!
“She has flames blazing under her frosty crust. All I have to do is melt the ice cap and reach the burning core. And heaven forgive me, I want to. I want to be there when she lets that fire loose. Oh, I’m the one about to get very, very stupid over a woman.”
Ryder has little patience, especially for a sharp-tongued, city girl teacher who he assumes is trying to tell him how to raise his kid. But boy was he wrong. After an embarrassing first impression, they can’t seem to avoid each other and Ryder takes every opportunity to redeem himself. Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbour for a fresh start. She tries to keep her distance from everyone, especially the grumpy cowboy who’s off limits. However, mutual dislike starts to turn into explosive chemistry. But will the truth of her identity ruin her new life before it’s even begun?
“What changed?” “A rude, handsome cowboy stormed into my classroom and insulted me.” “Was the cowboy more rude or handsome?”
Im such a sucker for a grumpy single dad cowboy so no surprise that I absolutely devoured this book. It’s the perfect balance of romance, emotion, fear, longing and small town cosiness, all bundled together with a neat bow. Camilla wrote hilarious meet-cute scenarios that had me cackling. Their whit and banter made the magnetic pull between them all the more delicious. Also love seeing a female tech nerd in books; I felt so seen with her and only wish we got more of this side of her.
On the emotional side, whilst Ryder had fears of abandonment, Faye dealt with fears of rejection and loneliness so the clash was bound to happen. Im partial to a third act breakup but I wasn’t the hugest fan of Ryder’s reactions from his fears but he redeemed himself in my eyes! Aside from the grumpiness, he was a sweet family man who yearned for Faye and bided his time. Their communication was strong and created a realistic, patient approach to dating that comes with considering a child’s feelings.
“I’m an idiot. A fool. A man who should know better than to fall for someone who’s made it crystal clear she doesn’t want to be fallen for. But her gravity doesn’t care what I want, and down I go.”
Needless to say, found family always takes centre stage and I am looking forward to seeing more of Ryder meddlesome siblings. I can’t wait to see what else happens in Blue Crescent Harbour 👀
What’s included:
🐎 Cowboy Romance
💞 Romcom vibes
🌄 Small Town Romance
🌾 Single Dad
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
💘 He Falls First
✨ Secret Identity
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3,5/5. Great fun, but again this month, the 3rd act break-up irked me the wrong way. I don't know if it's me getting unnecessarily angry over details because of my private life or what's happening.
I love Camilla's writing style. It's light, funny and bantery, exactly what I lean towards. This particular book also contains two people who are stupidly, obsessively into each other, and as much as I'm not partial to insta lust/love, this time I needed and relished it.
The fairy smut thing was a fun detail, Liam's cameo was cool, and I appreciate that for all the heat and horniness - and there was a lot of it - they acted responsibly, waited, and talked, taking the kid into consideration.
For most of the book, I was hooked. Pure escapism. Just what I wanted. Then the 3rd act break-up rolled in.
I don't want to spoil anything and it's probably going to be absolutely fine for most readers but I don't like how the 'issue' that came up was handled by the MMC. Faye had a great reason not to bring this up sooner (not even mentioning that the hard part came later and what he threw a temper tantrum over was ultimately just her financial status) and even if not - he's not the only person on Earth entitled to trust issues. Did he really expect her to immediately spill every detail, every secret she has, to a guy who's practically a stranger, who she barely just decided to tentatively date? Yes, honesty is important, but she told him the parts that were relevant when it mattered, and it's not like he dragged the ultimate 'issue' out of her - she did tell him, just when he wasn't expecting it. She had to drag everything out of him before, though, with him lashing out, and no one made a big deal about that. But I think the icing on the cake for me was him suddenly perceiving her differently (precisely what she wanted to avoid) and deciding that he knows what she wants and needs best. Maybe that's too close to a real man for me, and that's why I got the biggest ick. All of that would've been fine, though, if both parties really apologized. One of them did, and kudos for that, but it wasn't the one that had my red flag waving.
All of this to say, it's a nice, easy read with a lot of heat (no actual spice, though) and too much real-life-man energy for me personally (but I seem to be in my feminine rage era, it's easy to set me off).
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC!
I love Camilla's writing style. It's light, funny and bantery, exactly what I lean towards. This particular book also contains two people who are stupidly, obsessively into each other, and as much as I'm not partial to insta lust/love, this time I needed and relished it.
The fairy smut thing was a fun detail, Liam's cameo was cool, and I appreciate that for all the heat and horniness - and there was a lot of it - they acted responsibly, waited, and talked, taking the kid into consideration.
For most of the book, I was hooked. Pure escapism. Just what I wanted. Then the 3rd act break-up rolled in.
I don't want to spoil anything and it's probably going to be absolutely fine for most readers but I don't like how the 'issue' that came up was handled by the MMC. Faye had a great reason not to bring this up sooner (not even mentioning that the hard part came later and what he threw a temper tantrum over was ultimately just her financial status) and even if not - he's not the only person on Earth entitled to trust issues. Did he really expect her to immediately spill every detail, every secret she has, to a guy who's practically a stranger, who she barely just decided to tentatively date? Yes, honesty is important, but she told him the parts that were relevant when it mattered, and it's not like he dragged the ultimate 'issue' out of her - she did tell him, just when he wasn't expecting it. She had to drag everything out of him before, though, with him lashing out, and no one made a big deal about that. But I think the icing on the cake for me was him suddenly perceiving her differently (precisely what she wanted to avoid) and deciding that he knows what she wants and needs best. Maybe that's too close to a real man for me, and that's why I got the biggest ick. All of that would've been fine, though, if both parties really apologized. One of them did, and kudos for that, but it wasn't the one that had my red flag waving.
All of this to say, it's a nice, easy read with a lot of heat (no actual spice, though) and too much real-life-man energy for me personally (but I seem to be in my feminine rage era, it's easy to set me off).
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC!
April 12, 2026
3.5⭐️. As a horsey gal, I’m a sucker for a cowboy romance, so when I saw the plot for this book (woman comes to small town and, after a tense first meeting, ends up falling for the hot, single dad who happens to be a cowboy) it was an easy and immediate request!
Overall, I had a good time with it and think it’s a fun, quick to read, spring romance. While it doesn’t necessarily do anything new, Blue Crescent Harbor was giving all the small town, found family vibes that readers want from this genre, and I loved that one of Faye’s interests was reading, which means that we not only got to see her at book club, but we also got a funny moment with some fairy smut 🤣.
For most of the book, I liked the fact that Ryder (the MMC) wasn’t perfect. As much as we all love a book boyfriend, sometimes I find them to be written to be so perfect that it’s not just unbelievable but also a little boring. That being said, I didn’t love his reaction in the third act breakup portion of the book; I realise he was dealing with a lot of stress at the time, but it felt a bit over the top, unnecessary, and self-centred. To the point that I found myself feeling quite disconnected from him by the end and, consequently, not really rooting for their relationship.
I also feel like I didn’t enjoy the second half as much as the first, and I think that’s for a couple of reasons. Although there’s attraction from the start, Faye and Ryder’s relationship is slow burn, which I liked. However, for a slow burn, I feel like I didn’t see a huge amount of relationship development beyond the surface and their attraction, because they’re often only getting snatched moments together here and there. So when they’re suddenly saying they’re all in and fully committed, it didn’t feel completely earned. I also wished we got more of Faye’s backstory early on, which I think would’ve added more depth and made her character more three dimensional, as it was hinted at from early on but never explained until the end.
All that being said, I’d definitely continue on with the series, as I’m intrigued by the side characters and I’m hoping for a book that features Liam Rockwood as the MMC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book.
Overall, I had a good time with it and think it’s a fun, quick to read, spring romance. While it doesn’t necessarily do anything new, Blue Crescent Harbor was giving all the small town, found family vibes that readers want from this genre, and I loved that one of Faye’s interests was reading, which means that we not only got to see her at book club, but we also got a funny moment with some fairy smut 🤣.
For most of the book, I liked the fact that Ryder (the MMC) wasn’t perfect. As much as we all love a book boyfriend, sometimes I find them to be written to be so perfect that it’s not just unbelievable but also a little boring. That being said, I didn’t love his reaction in the third act breakup portion of the book; I realise he was dealing with a lot of stress at the time, but it felt a bit over the top, unnecessary, and self-centred. To the point that I found myself feeling quite disconnected from him by the end and, consequently, not really rooting for their relationship.
I also feel like I didn’t enjoy the second half as much as the first, and I think that’s for a couple of reasons. Although there’s attraction from the start, Faye and Ryder’s relationship is slow burn, which I liked. However, for a slow burn, I feel like I didn’t see a huge amount of relationship development beyond the surface and their attraction, because they’re often only getting snatched moments together here and there. So when they’re suddenly saying they’re all in and fully committed, it didn’t feel completely earned. I also wished we got more of Faye’s backstory early on, which I think would’ve added more depth and made her character more three dimensional, as it was hinted at from early on but never explained until the end.
All that being said, I’d definitely continue on with the series, as I’m intrigued by the side characters and I’m hoping for a book that features Liam Rockwood as the MMC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book.
April 15, 2026
Rein Me In is a small town cowboy romance between a single father and his son’s teacher. Dual POV, plenty of angst and cosy small town vibes.
Ryder is a single dad with serious trust issues after his son’s mom left them when he was just a baby. After an awkward first meeting he finds himself falling for his son’s teacher. Can he work through his issues and let her in? He was such a good dad! He worked hard for his family and you could tell he put his soul into the farm. He went through an emotional journey throughout this book and I was really rooting for him - who doesn’t like a rugged cowboy!
“Because the look she gave me, before she remembered she’s supposed to hate me, it’s all it takes. She has flames blazing under her frosty crust. All I have to do is melt the ice cap and reach the burning core. And heaven forgive me, I want to. I want to be there when she lets that fire loose. Oh, I’m the one about to get very, very stupid over a woman.”
Faye is running away from city life and looking for a fresh start Blue Crescent Harbour. She’s traded her tech job to be a teacher and didn’t expect a handsome cowboy to waltz into her classroom and steal her heart. They have instant chemistry but can’t act since she’s his son’s teacher. She was so cute with her students!
I love the cosy small town vibes - how they made her feel at home and become one of them. The book club was so fun!
“We know enough,” Lila says firmly. “We know you love romance novels, but pretend you’re reading them ironically. You make the best comments during discussions. Everyone who has a kid in first grade loves you.” I’d call twenty-one out of twenty-two on that. “You moved here from somewhere you don’t want to talk about, and that’s fine. We don’t need your life story to want to hang out with you.” I glance between them, these women who have become my friends despite my efforts to keep everyone at arm’s length. They’re looking at me with hopeful expressions, like me going actually matters to them.”
Overall - a cute fun read!
ARC copy provided by Boldwood Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Ryder is a single dad with serious trust issues after his son’s mom left them when he was just a baby. After an awkward first meeting he finds himself falling for his son’s teacher. Can he work through his issues and let her in? He was such a good dad! He worked hard for his family and you could tell he put his soul into the farm. He went through an emotional journey throughout this book and I was really rooting for him - who doesn’t like a rugged cowboy!
“Because the look she gave me, before she remembered she’s supposed to hate me, it’s all it takes. She has flames blazing under her frosty crust. All I have to do is melt the ice cap and reach the burning core. And heaven forgive me, I want to. I want to be there when she lets that fire loose. Oh, I’m the one about to get very, very stupid over a woman.”
Faye is running away from city life and looking for a fresh start Blue Crescent Harbour. She’s traded her tech job to be a teacher and didn’t expect a handsome cowboy to waltz into her classroom and steal her heart. They have instant chemistry but can’t act since she’s his son’s teacher. She was so cute with her students!
I love the cosy small town vibes - how they made her feel at home and become one of them. The book club was so fun!
“We know enough,” Lila says firmly. “We know you love romance novels, but pretend you’re reading them ironically. You make the best comments during discussions. Everyone who has a kid in first grade loves you.” I’d call twenty-one out of twenty-two on that. “You moved here from somewhere you don’t want to talk about, and that’s fine. We don’t need your life story to want to hang out with you.” I glance between them, these women who have become my friends despite my efforts to keep everyone at arm’s length. They’re looking at me with hopeful expressions, like me going actually matters to them.”
Overall - a cute fun read!
ARC copy provided by Boldwood Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rounding up from 2.5
-Single Dad
-Cowboy Romance
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Secret Identity
-Forced Proximity
-Small Town
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.
I had high hopes for this one but it wasn’t for me.
What I liked:
-A book finally set in Missouri! I have read over 200 books in the last year, and this was the first one set in Missouri where I am from. It was fun to hear about the Ozarks.
-Rhys, Remy and Becky. I liked the secondary characters and might read the next one just to see what happens to them. I am also intrigued by Liam though he feels like a giant cliché…
-The relationship between Ryder and his siblings. They are sassy but you can also see how much they love each other.
-Their meet-cute. I liked how she was wanting to meet with him to talk about making things more inclusive for kids with less traditional family structures. He got very defensive thinking it was about something else only for her to throw it back in his face.
-Ryders insecurities after his ex left and how he was worried Faye would get bored. This did make sense and felt relatable.
What fell flat for me:
-The writing. There was too much exposition/description for me. I found myself skimming around 30% into the book and just reading the dialogue and some of the description just to get the gist of the scene.
-During their meet-cute, it felt like he went from hating her to lusting for her at the drop of a hat. It didn’t feel genuine to me.
-I got the ick for Ryder when he started line dancing and I think it was supposed to have the opposite affect… It was hard for me to come back from that.
-It seemed like the only hangup for them was her being his sons teacher, but 70% in, the school year is over. It felt anticlimactic.
-The third act break up seemed extreme. More lies by omission and I know he has trust issues but it wasn’t worth all that. I was worried her past wouldn’t get fleshed out and while it was really crappy what happened, it seemed like a lot to be so secretive about… I also got an ick when she was trying to apologize.
-Single Dad
-Cowboy Romance
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Secret Identity
-Forced Proximity
-Small Town
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.
I had high hopes for this one but it wasn’t for me.
What I liked:
-A book finally set in Missouri! I have read over 200 books in the last year, and this was the first one set in Missouri where I am from. It was fun to hear about the Ozarks.
-Rhys, Remy and Becky. I liked the secondary characters and might read the next one just to see what happens to them. I am also intrigued by Liam though he feels like a giant cliché…
-The relationship between Ryder and his siblings. They are sassy but you can also see how much they love each other.
-Their meet-cute. I liked how she was wanting to meet with him to talk about making things more inclusive for kids with less traditional family structures. He got very defensive thinking it was about something else only for her to throw it back in his face.
-Ryders insecurities after his ex left and how he was worried Faye would get bored. This did make sense and felt relatable.
What fell flat for me:
-The writing. There was too much exposition/description for me. I found myself skimming around 30% into the book and just reading the dialogue and some of the description just to get the gist of the scene.
-During their meet-cute, it felt like he went from hating her to lusting for her at the drop of a hat. It didn’t feel genuine to me.
-I got the ick for Ryder when he started line dancing and I think it was supposed to have the opposite affect… It was hard for me to come back from that.
-It seemed like the only hangup for them was her being his sons teacher, but 70% in, the school year is over. It felt anticlimactic.
-The third act break up seemed extreme. More lies by omission and I know he has trust issues but it wasn’t worth all that. I was worried her past wouldn’t get fleshed out and while it was really crappy what happened, it seemed like a lot to be so secretive about… I also got an ick when she was trying to apologize.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars.
Small town. A teacher and a cowboy single father. Some grumpiness, tractor driving and line dancing...It was lovely!
Camilla Isley's writing is solid- It's a joy to read her books. This was very slow burn, but actually in my opinion the slow burn part was the best.
I loved the first half of the book! After the MCs get together there are some problems - a tornado for example - and then some misunderstandings. After that they don't tell pretty much anyone that they are together - FOR A YEAR. That's because of MMC's son. I understand that it's very important to consider such things very carefully when there are children involved, but a year sounds, well, a very long time! (It's also possible that I'm impatient.)
WHAT I LIKED: The tension was so good that I couldn't put it down!
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Pov: dual, 1st person
Heat: fade to black
Pacing: slowburn
Communication: some miscommunication, some healthy communication
Third act:
Ending:
Main characters:
* Alpha Hero
* Cinnamon roll hero
* City girl - small town boy
* Cowboy
* Enemies to lovers
* Grumpy - sunshine
* Opposites attract
* Physically very different
* Single parent
What?
* Forbidden love
* Forced proximity
* Mutual pining
Where?
* Small town
Drama?
* Difficult past
* Secret identity
Other vibes:
* Backwards baseball hat
I’m entering my cowboy era. Full-on, no-going-back, ride-off-into-the-sunset frontier. And there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop it. Yee-fucking-haw.
Small town. A teacher and a cowboy single father. Some grumpiness, tractor driving and line dancing...It was lovely!
Camilla Isley's writing is solid- It's a joy to read her books. This was very slow burn, but actually in my opinion the slow burn part was the best.
I loved the first half of the book! After the MCs get together there are some problems - a tornado for example - and then some misunderstandings. After that they don't tell pretty much anyone that they are together - FOR A YEAR. That's because of MMC's son. I understand that it's very important to consider such things very carefully when there are children involved, but a year sounds, well, a very long time! (It's also possible that I'm impatient.)
WHAT I LIKED: The tension was so good that I couldn't put it down!
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Pov: dual, 1st person
Heat: fade to black
Pacing: slowburn
Communication: some miscommunication, some healthy communication
Third act:
Ending:
Main characters:
* Alpha Hero
* Cinnamon roll hero
* City girl - small town boy
* Cowboy
* Enemies to lovers
* Grumpy - sunshine
* Opposites attract
* Physically very different
* Single parent
What?
* Forbidden love
* Forced proximity
* Mutual pining
Where?
* Small town
Drama?
* Difficult past
* Secret identity
Other vibes:
* Backwards baseball hat
April 2, 2026
Thank you to Boldwoodbooks for the arc!
“He tastes of spearmint and secrets I was always meant to learn.”
Camilla has such a fun, light, exciting and engaging way of writing that has you glued to the page and wishing for the fairytale ending for her characters. I loved her development of character which had a focus on actual human emotion making the characters feel so relatable and tangible.
I did wish for more rich descriptions of Blue Crescent Harbour, as a reader, I love to be firmly situated in the environment especially when it’s the rolling acres of a cowboy town! But I am excited for the next book and those fall vibes so hopefully it’ll be rich in all the orange and brown descriptions.
I love the focus on family and an actually mature approach to the single dad finding a new partner!! No moving in after one date and melting into the perfect family. We had therapists, conflict, and adult conversations - love ! And Ryder’s fierce protectiveness of Rhys and he’s devote love is so so cute and will make any reader swoon.
I love how we had a strong fmc who has faced considerable trials in her past and yet overcame and let karma run its course. I did want to reach into the pages and shake Ryder when he was being considerably silly and immature with his reaction - I think Faye was totally within her rights to withhold her fortune based on past experience! But that just shows the expertise of Camilla’s writing - she truly takes her reader through each emotion and you find yourself creating connections to the story and its characters. I did find myself hoping to linger on the of the bigger moments for longer, I wish we had more than a few chapters dedicated to the overcoming of the third act breakup but maybe that’s me being selfish and wanting more Ryder and Faye?!
Overall, it was a cutesy cowboy read that will have you falling for Ryder and the Evans family and wishing you could escape to Blue Crescent with your own cowboy (or maybe a motorbike racing billionaire ?!)
Oh! And how can we forget Ryder’s appreciation for fairy smut?! And wanting to recreate?!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★★★.75 rounded up || Thank you Camilla, and NetGalley for the eARC in return for an honest review.
Faye is starting over, and comfortably able to do what she loves (teaching) while remaining reserved with her time, energy, and emotions. Ryder is a worn-out single dad, running a huge ranch and wrangling his 7-year-old son in his limited down time. She's his son's teacher and they've both been burned before, making them wary to act upon their natural chemistry. While they navigate natural disasters, family planning, and withholding truths, they realize that it's hard to open yourself back up to be vulnerable the it can be life's greatest gift when you do.
Things I loved:
-characters, everyone felt unique and crucial to the growth and development of the story
-a kid who actually acts like a kid and not a thousands-year-old seer trapped in a tiny body
-adults who communicate like adults and apologize when their emotions get the better of them
-yearning that you can feel through actions instead of words
-perfect setting with rich enough side characters that set me up for wanting to read the rest of the series
Things that missed for me:
-pacing felt a little wonky? I think instead of some of the time skips, there could have been some more on-page development.
-ending felt slightly underdeveloped for the same reasons above. the book wasn't terribly long so i don't think 20 more pages would have been a bad thing, or maybe that's just me wanting more
-the conflict resolved a little too easy, given how well the characters communicate. i think i'd have liked to skip some of the earlier relationship development and instead seen the trials of navigating a complex new relationship where one party has a child whom they don't want to hurt
-cowboy romance
-single dad x teacher
-minimal miscommunication
-tension on tension on tension
-surprise i'm a billionaire
Faye is starting over, and comfortably able to do what she loves (teaching) while remaining reserved with her time, energy, and emotions. Ryder is a worn-out single dad, running a huge ranch and wrangling his 7-year-old son in his limited down time. She's his son's teacher and they've both been burned before, making them wary to act upon their natural chemistry. While they navigate natural disasters, family planning, and withholding truths, they realize that it's hard to open yourself back up to be vulnerable the it can be life's greatest gift when you do.
Things I loved:
-characters, everyone felt unique and crucial to the growth and development of the story
-a kid who actually acts like a kid and not a thousands-year-old seer trapped in a tiny body
-adults who communicate like adults and apologize when their emotions get the better of them
-yearning that you can feel through actions instead of words
-perfect setting with rich enough side characters that set me up for wanting to read the rest of the series
Things that missed for me:
-pacing felt a little wonky? I think instead of some of the time skips, there could have been some more on-page development.
-ending felt slightly underdeveloped for the same reasons above. the book wasn't terribly long so i don't think 20 more pages would have been a bad thing, or maybe that's just me wanting more
-the conflict resolved a little too easy, given how well the characters communicate. i think i'd have liked to skip some of the earlier relationship development and instead seen the trials of navigating a complex new relationship where one party has a child whom they don't want to hurt
-cowboy romance
-single dad x teacher
-minimal miscommunication
-tension on tension on tension
-surprise i'm a billionaire
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