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Sweet Briar #1
Burning Love
One year. Two ranches. A secret neither of them can outrun.
Chesney Jennings is the last person Jasper Smith ever expected to see back in Sweet Briar, Wyoming. So when Jasper’s grandfather dies and leaves half of Wind River Ranch to him and the other half to Chesney, heir to the family they’ve been feuding with for generations, he’s blindsided.
But the will comes with one non-negotiable condition:
To claim the inheritance, they must run the ranch together for one full year.
Jasper has spent his whole life holding Wind River together with grit, loyalty, and stubborn determination. The ranch is struggling, and his family is running out of options. The last thing he needs is help from a Jennings—especially one who disappeared years ago and left a hole in Jasper’s chest that never quite healed.
Chesney never planned to return to Sweet Briar. Not after spending years trying to outrun the town, the feud, and the devastating memories he left behind. But refusing the inheritance isn’t an option, and neither is avoiding the man who once meant more to him than anyone else.
Forced into long days, sleepless nights, and a partnership neither of them wants, the tension between Jasper and Chesney sparks fast—and burns hotter than either man is prepared for.
Secrets come out, lines blur, and somewhere between shared burdens and stolen moments, resentment turns into something far more tumultuous.
But in a town where everyone remembers everything—and families don’t forgive easily—loving each other might cost them more than the ranch.
It might cost them everything.
Chesney Jennings is the last person Jasper Smith ever expected to see back in Sweet Briar, Wyoming. So when Jasper’s grandfather dies and leaves half of Wind River Ranch to him and the other half to Chesney, heir to the family they’ve been feuding with for generations, he’s blindsided.
But the will comes with one non-negotiable condition:
To claim the inheritance, they must run the ranch together for one full year.
Jasper has spent his whole life holding Wind River together with grit, loyalty, and stubborn determination. The ranch is struggling, and his family is running out of options. The last thing he needs is help from a Jennings—especially one who disappeared years ago and left a hole in Jasper’s chest that never quite healed.
Chesney never planned to return to Sweet Briar. Not after spending years trying to outrun the town, the feud, and the devastating memories he left behind. But refusing the inheritance isn’t an option, and neither is avoiding the man who once meant more to him than anyone else.
Forced into long days, sleepless nights, and a partnership neither of them wants, the tension between Jasper and Chesney sparks fast—and burns hotter than either man is prepared for.
Secrets come out, lines blur, and somewhere between shared burdens and stolen moments, resentment turns into something far more tumultuous.
But in a town where everyone remembers everything—and families don’t forgive easily—loving each other might cost them more than the ranch.
It might cost them everything.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2026
About the author
Ashley James
29 books1,591 followersAshley James is a romance author who enjoys writing (and reading) LGBTQIA+ books. She is from Washington State—and no, not Seattle—and currently resides in South Carolina with her two kids and hairless kitties, Goose, Maverick, and Houston. Ashley is introverted and slightly (okay, majorly) awkward. She refuses to make this section sound like a tacky dating app profile, so she won't be telling you how much she enjoys music, how she thoroughly enjoys dancing and singing in her kitchen, despite not being able to carry a tune, and she won't be telling you about her love of toxic and broken fictional men.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
August 28, 2026
4.25🌟 | 2.5🌶️
I went in expecting a cowboy romance and got something much more emotional.
Chesney and Jasper’s second chance is wrapped in years of grief, guilt, and unresolved feelings, and I really enjoyed watching them slowly find their way back to each other.
Jasper was such a standout for me. His patience and quiet devotion to Chesney were everything, while Chesney’s journey toward letting go of the guilt he’d carried for so long added so much depth. I also loved the family dynamics, flashbacks, and the healing woven through the romance.
The slow burn definitely took its time, but the tension and emotional payoff kept me invested. Their HEA felt well deserved, and I loved seeing them finally choose happiness after so many years of running from it.
A great pick if you’re looking for an angsty cowboy romance with second chances, hurt/comfort, and plenty of feelings.
~~~~
A huge thank you to Ashley James and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I went in expecting a cowboy romance and got something much more emotional.
Chesney and Jasper’s second chance is wrapped in years of grief, guilt, and unresolved feelings, and I really enjoyed watching them slowly find their way back to each other.
Jasper was such a standout for me. His patience and quiet devotion to Chesney were everything, while Chesney’s journey toward letting go of the guilt he’d carried for so long added so much depth. I also loved the family dynamics, flashbacks, and the healing woven through the romance.
The slow burn definitely took its time, but the tension and emotional payoff kept me invested. Their HEA felt well deserved, and I loved seeing them finally choose happiness after so many years of running from it.
A great pick if you’re looking for an angsty cowboy romance with second chances, hurt/comfort, and plenty of feelings.
~~~~
A huge thank you to Ashley James and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
August 22, 2026
This book was much heavier than I expected it to be. I love a cowboy romance, but at its core, this story is really about dealing with intense grief and learning how to heal.
Chesney is still overwhelmed by the grief of losing his little brother in an accident he blames himself for. He ran away to escape the constant reminders of his loss, and while he was gone, he also lost his mom. When he gets a call from his other brother telling him that their dad is in his final days, he reluctantly returns home for a visit.
My heart really went out to Chesney. I can't imagine losing that many people you love. And while he lost so many family members, he also pushed away his best friend, Jasper, because of the intense grief and shame he carried. In many ways, he lost everything. As much as he tried to rebuild his life somewhere new, he never truly healed.
Jasper was such a green flag character. His love for his former best friend was still there, along with his own grief over losing his dad and the heartbreak of losing the only person he had ever loved. When he finds out his grandfather left their ranch to both him and Chesney—with the stipulation that they have to run it together for a year—they are forced to reunite and finally face the feelings that never went away.
This is a painful, slow-burn second-chance romance. I was often frustrated with Chesney because, even 20 years later, he was still so stuck in the unresolved feelings of his past. He still had feelings for Jasper but was too stubborn and afraid to let himself have anything good. The journey to them getting back together was enjoyable to read, although it did feel like it dragged at times.
I really loved the healing that took place between Chesney, his brother, and his dad. It was so nice to see him finally start letting go of the unnecessary shame and guilt he had carried over his brother's death. It was heartbreaking to think about him spending 20 years of his life trapped in that grief, but it was lovely to watch him begin to heal, love again, and realize that he deserved to be happy.
And I absolutely loved Jasper. He was so steady and always there for Chesney, even when Chesney was doing everything he could to push him away. He was patient, kind, and willing to wait for Chesney to finally come around. And he did! Their HEA was hard-earned and incredibly satisfying when it finally happened. The tension between them leading up to that point was frustrating at times, but it also kept me turning the pages.
If you like a cowboy romance with lots of angst, hurt/comfort, tension, second chances, and an ultra-slow burn, you should definitely add this one to your TBR!
Tropes:
🤠 Cowboy romance
💔 Second chance romance
🐎 Forced proximity
🏡 Shared inheritance
🤝 Former best friends
❤️🩹 Hurt/comfort
😭 Grief and healing
🔥 Unresolved feelings
🐌 Ultra slow burn
💥 Angst
💚 Green flag love interest
✨ Hard-earned HEA
Chesney is still overwhelmed by the grief of losing his little brother in an accident he blames himself for. He ran away to escape the constant reminders of his loss, and while he was gone, he also lost his mom. When he gets a call from his other brother telling him that their dad is in his final days, he reluctantly returns home for a visit.
My heart really went out to Chesney. I can't imagine losing that many people you love. And while he lost so many family members, he also pushed away his best friend, Jasper, because of the intense grief and shame he carried. In many ways, he lost everything. As much as he tried to rebuild his life somewhere new, he never truly healed.
Jasper was such a green flag character. His love for his former best friend was still there, along with his own grief over losing his dad and the heartbreak of losing the only person he had ever loved. When he finds out his grandfather left their ranch to both him and Chesney—with the stipulation that they have to run it together for a year—they are forced to reunite and finally face the feelings that never went away.
This is a painful, slow-burn second-chance romance. I was often frustrated with Chesney because, even 20 years later, he was still so stuck in the unresolved feelings of his past. He still had feelings for Jasper but was too stubborn and afraid to let himself have anything good. The journey to them getting back together was enjoyable to read, although it did feel like it dragged at times.
I really loved the healing that took place between Chesney, his brother, and his dad. It was so nice to see him finally start letting go of the unnecessary shame and guilt he had carried over his brother's death. It was heartbreaking to think about him spending 20 years of his life trapped in that grief, but it was lovely to watch him begin to heal, love again, and realize that he deserved to be happy.
And I absolutely loved Jasper. He was so steady and always there for Chesney, even when Chesney was doing everything he could to push him away. He was patient, kind, and willing to wait for Chesney to finally come around. And he did! Their HEA was hard-earned and incredibly satisfying when it finally happened. The tension between them leading up to that point was frustrating at times, but it also kept me turning the pages.
If you like a cowboy romance with lots of angst, hurt/comfort, tension, second chances, and an ultra-slow burn, you should definitely add this one to your TBR!
Tropes:
🤠 Cowboy romance
💔 Second chance romance
🐎 Forced proximity
🏡 Shared inheritance
🤝 Former best friends
❤️🩹 Hurt/comfort
😭 Grief and healing
🔥 Unresolved feelings
🐌 Ultra slow burn
💥 Angst
💚 Green flag love interest
✨ Hard-earned HEA
August 26, 2026
♾️⭐️
‼️TW
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.
.
.
🪽Today is the 3rd anniversary of my moms death. When I opened this book on Sunday and saw the author's note and the TW it stopped me cold, I wasn’t sure if this was the right time to be picking this up. I mentioned to one of my best friends that I was concerned about a trigger warning in a book I was starting due to what was coming today. She told me she couldn’t help but think that it was like my mom was saying hi and that maybe I was meant to read it this week.I didn’t think of it like that, but at 5% I knew she was right. I had a feeling, I just knew. If you’ve followed my reviews for any length of time you know how rare it is that I call a book that early on. I was spot on. This is the first book in a bit that I haven’t wanted to put down. I was itching to pick back up. This one is plot heavy, grief is a major theme so please check your triggers. This is hands-down, my favorite Ashley James book to date. I love a good prologue that draws you in right from the beginning. I honestly cannot pick a favorite . I loved Jasper and Chesney both for different reasons. I loved the found family. I loved the brotherhood. I loved how much heart was put into the story. I honestly didn’t expect to resonate with both of them as much as I did, with Jasper and him never being able to say goodbye and with Chesney and his father‘s diagnosis. I knew every side to both of their grief, this one hit super close to home. This kind of grief is very hard to talk about and I’m glad to see more representation even if it hurts to read. It’s also cathartic and healing as well for those of us who experienced it in real life. I really have hopes about there being a book two because I definitely want to see that dynamic. I want to thank Ashley for writing such a beautiful story and for allowing me to read it ahead of release.
‼️TW
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.
.
.
🪽Today is the 3rd anniversary of my moms death. When I opened this book on Sunday and saw the author's note and the TW it stopped me cold, I wasn’t sure if this was the right time to be picking this up. I mentioned to one of my best friends that I was concerned about a trigger warning in a book I was starting due to what was coming today. She told me she couldn’t help but think that it was like my mom was saying hi and that maybe I was meant to read it this week.I didn’t think of it like that, but at 5% I knew she was right. I had a feeling, I just knew. If you’ve followed my reviews for any length of time you know how rare it is that I call a book that early on. I was spot on. This is the first book in a bit that I haven’t wanted to put down. I was itching to pick back up. This one is plot heavy, grief is a major theme so please check your triggers. This is hands-down, my favorite Ashley James book to date. I love a good prologue that draws you in right from the beginning. I honestly cannot pick a favorite . I loved Jasper and Chesney both for different reasons. I loved the found family. I loved the brotherhood. I loved how much heart was put into the story. I honestly didn’t expect to resonate with both of them as much as I did, with Jasper and him never being able to say goodbye and with Chesney and his father‘s diagnosis. I knew every side to both of their grief, this one hit super close to home. This kind of grief is very hard to talk about and I’m glad to see more representation even if it hurts to read. It’s also cathartic and healing as well for those of us who experienced it in real life. I really have hopes about there being a book two because I definitely want to see that dynamic. I want to thank Ashley for writing such a beautiful story and for allowing me to read it ahead of release.
September 22, 2026
I got the ARC for this book and didn't read it in time for release day. I picked it up and I realized pretty fast that I needed to be in a specific mood for this story so I decided to wait. I am so glad I did that. This story deserved my full attention. I bought the ebook yesterday and decided that it is time. Oh, and what a time it was.
This book made me cry more than once. Like... seriously, it should be illegal. Sure, I expected emotion, but this was devastation. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed some more.
Jasper and Chesney's story touched my heart in a way I never saw it coming. As someone who's not necessarily a fan of 2nd chance romances this one did it for me big time. If someone deserved a second chance it was these two. The yearning, the love than spans for decades, the friendship, everything. Omg, it was everything. I feel like crying all over again just thinking about these two.
The grief, the family drama/conflict, the grief again, and again, and the loss. Omg... stop. Seriously, I was not prepared for this. I loved it. It hurt, but in the end it was the good kind. It hurt, but I LOVED it.
I can't wait for the next book in the series. I can't wait to see the progress on the ranch, see Truett happy. He deserves it just as much as Chesney and Jasper did.
I'm gonna go stare at the wall now. I need a minute.
5 stars.
This book made me cry more than once. Like... seriously, it should be illegal. Sure, I expected emotion, but this was devastation. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed some more.
Jasper and Chesney's story touched my heart in a way I never saw it coming. As someone who's not necessarily a fan of 2nd chance romances this one did it for me big time. If someone deserved a second chance it was these two. The yearning, the love than spans for decades, the friendship, everything. Omg, it was everything. I feel like crying all over again just thinking about these two.
The grief, the family drama/conflict, the grief again, and again, and the loss. Omg... stop. Seriously, I was not prepared for this. I loved it. It hurt, but in the end it was the good kind. It hurt, but I LOVED it.
I can't wait for the next book in the series. I can't wait to see the progress on the ranch, see Truett happy. He deserves it just as much as Chesney and Jasper did.
I'm gonna go stare at the wall now. I need a minute.
5 stars.
August 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️| 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Chesney and Jasper! These boys who became men have been holding on to so much pain and grief for twenty years stole my heart. Can you imagine developing a secret friendship and falling in love with the boy who’s part of a family your family has been in this years long fued with… and then a tragic accident and you blame yourself as well as him… grief and self loathing take over and you hurt the only person who has ever truly seen you… and years later you have to work side by side and no matter how much you fight it… feelings come back. My heart really did hurt for Chesney, but also for Jasper who is just the biggest walking green flag. Chesney definitely had so much to work through, and Jasper was so patient. Sometimes we run from things that hurt so bad they nearly break us, and sometimes they pull us back in to help us face it all and heal…. This was definitely that for me.
Chesney and Jasper! These boys who became men have been holding on to so much pain and grief for twenty years stole my heart. Can you imagine developing a secret friendship and falling in love with the boy who’s part of a family your family has been in this years long fued with… and then a tragic accident and you blame yourself as well as him… grief and self loathing take over and you hurt the only person who has ever truly seen you… and years later you have to work side by side and no matter how much you fight it… feelings come back. My heart really did hurt for Chesney, but also for Jasper who is just the biggest walking green flag. Chesney definitely had so much to work through, and Jasper was so patient. Sometimes we run from things that hurt so bad they nearly break us, and sometimes they pull us back in to help us face it all and heal…. This was definitely that for me.
September 1, 2026
3.75 stars
This was nice, it was definitely a heavier book and it brought back some memories for me of losing my father but it was very real and I appreciated that.
I liked both Jasper and Chesney and they have a very slow burn but I felt like something was missing. I wasn’t that excited by them. I loved Truett, Chesney’s older brother and Wade, Chesney’s friend.
This was nice, it was definitely a heavier book and it brought back some memories for me of losing my father but it was very real and I appreciated that.
I liked both Jasper and Chesney and they have a very slow burn but I felt like something was missing. I wasn’t that excited by them. I loved Truett, Chesney’s older brother and Wade, Chesney’s friend.
August 20, 2026
4.8 stars ⭐️
This was absolutely beautiful! The grief they all went through in this book was so devastating, but very real and raw to show how grief looks different for everyone and learning how to heal. Jasper was an angel and I was so happy him and Chesney got their hard earned hea.
This was absolutely beautiful! The grief they all went through in this book was so devastating, but very real and raw to show how grief looks different for everyone and learning how to heal. Jasper was an angel and I was so happy him and Chesney got their hard earned hea.
August 27, 2026
4.25/5 stars 2.5/5 spice
I wasn’t expecting this to be as emotional as it was. I definitely shed some tears, those scenes with the guilt, grief, and heartbreak got to me. My heart broke for Chesney, Jasper, and Truett. Tragedy broke them all in different ways.
Jasper was such a light for Chesney. Even after the devastating heartbreak of Chesney abandoning him, he was still there for him when he came back to town. Even when Chesney made it clear that nothing could come of them together, he stood by his side being the person Chesney could lean on during his grief.
I loved the past chapters that gave insight into their relationship as teenagers. All of their firsts, their feelings, and hidden friendship. I think that Truett was an amazing brother. He was always there for Chesney, even when Chesney wasn’t there for him. He carried so much on his shoulders, it was nice to see Chesney take some of the weight off.
I think this book told a beautiful story where grief can make you push everyone and everything away, but it can also bring you back together and closer than before.
- Small town
- Secret best friends/more to strangers to business partners to lovers
- First loves
- Rival families
- Grief
- Forced proximity
I wasn’t expecting this to be as emotional as it was. I definitely shed some tears, those scenes with the guilt, grief, and heartbreak got to me. My heart broke for Chesney, Jasper, and Truett. Tragedy broke them all in different ways.
Jasper was such a light for Chesney. Even after the devastating heartbreak of Chesney abandoning him, he was still there for him when he came back to town. Even when Chesney made it clear that nothing could come of them together, he stood by his side being the person Chesney could lean on during his grief.
I loved the past chapters that gave insight into their relationship as teenagers. All of their firsts, their feelings, and hidden friendship. I think that Truett was an amazing brother. He was always there for Chesney, even when Chesney wasn’t there for him. He carried so much on his shoulders, it was nice to see Chesney take some of the weight off.
I think this book told a beautiful story where grief can make you push everyone and everything away, but it can also bring you back together and closer than before.
- Small town
- Secret best friends/more to strangers to business partners to lovers
- First loves
- Rival families
- Grief
- Forced proximity
August 30, 2026
"We've spent decades acting like we're enemies. When, really, we're just people who inherited somebody else's heartbreak."
Burning Love by Ashley James
THIS BOOK!!! THIS STORY!! THESE TWO!! 😭❤️ Tears were shed, hearts were broken, and somehow Ashley still managed to give me the most beautiful, warm HEA.
Ashley did what Ashley does best, delivered a beautiful story that pulled at my heartstrings, made me fall in love with the characters, and left me yearning for a place and people that only exist in her books. How does she do that?! I want to be their friend and go help them on the ranch! 😂 But my heart was burning right along with theirs.
We all remember our first love. The first person who makes us smile at everything and nothing at all. The first person who makes our heart skip a beat and gives us those butterflies. The person we share all our firsts with, the first kiss, the first time holding hands like it’s the most precious thing in the world. But what Chesney and Jasper went through? No one should have to experience that, especially at their age.
To have such a beautiful memory ripped away and then have those hateful, painful words thrown back in your face by the same person? MY HEART. Poor Jasper. I completely understand why Magnolia is so protective of him.
On the flip side, I understood Chesney too, even when his anger was so misplaced. He wasn’t just angry at the situation, he was angry at all the “what ifs” he had created in his own mind. Hate and anger are such powerful emotions, and seeing them passed down from generation to generation without even knowing why you’re supposed to hate someone was intense.
And I was SO proud of Chesney for questioning his father. Why should you hate someone who has shown you nothing but love and support simply because your family tells you to?
The hardest part was seeing Chesney become the very thing he hated. After 20 years, these two are brought back together to save a ranch on the brink of failing while also being forced to face the painful past that tore them apart.
Jasper, being the gentle, kindhearted man he is, was able to let go of his anger fairly quickly for the sake of the ranch and their families. Chesney, however, had a much harder time letting go of the anger and all those what ifs.
In the end, a beautiful dream became reality, the ugly truth behind decades of hate was finally uncovered, and that fence separating two families finally came down, both literally and figuratively. And, of course, Chesney and Jasper finally got the HEA they deserved. ❤️
This book was just so heartbreakingly beautiful. My heart was devastated by everything they went through, but it was also so incredibly full of happiness seeing them finally find their way back to each other.
I am SO excited for this new series from Ashley! Bring on ALL the cowboys and ranchers! 🤠🐎 I’m already excited to see who’s coming up next!
Burning Love by Ashley James
THIS BOOK!!! THIS STORY!! THESE TWO!! 😭❤️ Tears were shed, hearts were broken, and somehow Ashley still managed to give me the most beautiful, warm HEA.
Ashley did what Ashley does best, delivered a beautiful story that pulled at my heartstrings, made me fall in love with the characters, and left me yearning for a place and people that only exist in her books. How does she do that?! I want to be their friend and go help them on the ranch! 😂 But my heart was burning right along with theirs.
We all remember our first love. The first person who makes us smile at everything and nothing at all. The first person who makes our heart skip a beat and gives us those butterflies. The person we share all our firsts with, the first kiss, the first time holding hands like it’s the most precious thing in the world. But what Chesney and Jasper went through? No one should have to experience that, especially at their age.
To have such a beautiful memory ripped away and then have those hateful, painful words thrown back in your face by the same person? MY HEART. Poor Jasper. I completely understand why Magnolia is so protective of him.
On the flip side, I understood Chesney too, even when his anger was so misplaced. He wasn’t just angry at the situation, he was angry at all the “what ifs” he had created in his own mind. Hate and anger are such powerful emotions, and seeing them passed down from generation to generation without even knowing why you’re supposed to hate someone was intense.
And I was SO proud of Chesney for questioning his father. Why should you hate someone who has shown you nothing but love and support simply because your family tells you to?
The hardest part was seeing Chesney become the very thing he hated. After 20 years, these two are brought back together to save a ranch on the brink of failing while also being forced to face the painful past that tore them apart.
Jasper, being the gentle, kindhearted man he is, was able to let go of his anger fairly quickly for the sake of the ranch and their families. Chesney, however, had a much harder time letting go of the anger and all those what ifs.
In the end, a beautiful dream became reality, the ugly truth behind decades of hate was finally uncovered, and that fence separating two families finally came down, both literally and figuratively. And, of course, Chesney and Jasper finally got the HEA they deserved. ❤️
This book was just so heartbreakingly beautiful. My heart was devastated by everything they went through, but it was also so incredibly full of happiness seeing them finally find their way back to each other.
I am SO excited for this new series from Ashley! Bring on ALL the cowboys and ranchers! 🤠🐎 I’m already excited to see who’s coming up next!
August 28, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Wow. This book was beautiful, but it was definitely not a lighthearted romance.
Chesney and Jasper grow up on neighboring farms, with families who hate each other. Two small boys, only twelve years old, meet and become secret friends because the adults in their lives have allowed a feud, one that nobody even seems to know the origin of, to dictate their lives.
Something more than friendship begins to blossom between them, but at sixteen, the tragic death of Chesney’s brother, Lyle, changes everything. Chesney bans Jasper from his life and flees town, consumed by guilt. He connects Lyle’s death to his forbidden love for Jasper and can no longer even look at him.
The adults in their lives really let them down. They spent years trying to fill these boys’ hearts with hatred for the other family, and I still can’t comprehend why Chesney’s father was so incredibly hard on him when he was a child, even before Lyle’s death.
Twenty years later, Jasper’s grandfather tries to make things right with his will by leaving the ranch to both Chesney and Jasper, with the condition that they work together for a year.
Chesney has no choice but to return. His brother is drowning in medical bills because of their dying father, and the farm is struggling. So he has to face the place and the person he has spent twenty years running from.
This book is grief after grief… 😢
Chesney loses Lyle and then spends twenty years being eaten alive by guilt away from his family. Jasper loses his grandfather after already losing his father and mother. Chesney is also struggling to pick up the pieces of his life while dealing with his father’s illness and everything that happened in the past.
And underneath all that darkness, there is a second-chance love story trying desperately to shine through.
Jasper is honestly one of the most patient men ever, and I really appreciated that. I also understood Chesney as a character, even when his choices were painful to watch, and I ended up really liking him.
Their reunion and the process of finding each other again were beautiful. ❤️
For me, though, the grief in this book slightly outshone the romance. I enjoyed the book and read it in a day, but I have to admit that I like to smile when I read, and this book had my heart aching through so much of it. 🥺
That being said, the writing was beautiful, and I loved the themes of finding happiness, healing, and building a found family. So despite the emotional devastation, this was still a solid 4 stars for me.
I do think the promotion of this book could be a little clearer about the premise and emotional weight, though. The sunny cover and the listed tropes really didn’t prepare me for just how much grief and pain were packed into this story.
But despite all the tears and heartache, I definitely want to read book 2 and will be checking out more from this author.
Read this if you like :
✨ First love getting a second chance
✨ Small-town romance
✨ Building a new family
✨ Forgiveness & understanding each other
✨ Childhood friends to lovers
✨ Emotional second-chance romance
Wow. This book was beautiful, but it was definitely not a lighthearted romance.
Chesney and Jasper grow up on neighboring farms, with families who hate each other. Two small boys, only twelve years old, meet and become secret friends because the adults in their lives have allowed a feud, one that nobody even seems to know the origin of, to dictate their lives.
Something more than friendship begins to blossom between them, but at sixteen, the tragic death of Chesney’s brother, Lyle, changes everything. Chesney bans Jasper from his life and flees town, consumed by guilt. He connects Lyle’s death to his forbidden love for Jasper and can no longer even look at him.
The adults in their lives really let them down. They spent years trying to fill these boys’ hearts with hatred for the other family, and I still can’t comprehend why Chesney’s father was so incredibly hard on him when he was a child, even before Lyle’s death.
Twenty years later, Jasper’s grandfather tries to make things right with his will by leaving the ranch to both Chesney and Jasper, with the condition that they work together for a year.
Chesney has no choice but to return. His brother is drowning in medical bills because of their dying father, and the farm is struggling. So he has to face the place and the person he has spent twenty years running from.
This book is grief after grief… 😢
Chesney loses Lyle and then spends twenty years being eaten alive by guilt away from his family. Jasper loses his grandfather after already losing his father and mother. Chesney is also struggling to pick up the pieces of his life while dealing with his father’s illness and everything that happened in the past.
And underneath all that darkness, there is a second-chance love story trying desperately to shine through.
Jasper is honestly one of the most patient men ever, and I really appreciated that. I also understood Chesney as a character, even when his choices were painful to watch, and I ended up really liking him.
Their reunion and the process of finding each other again were beautiful. ❤️
For me, though, the grief in this book slightly outshone the romance. I enjoyed the book and read it in a day, but I have to admit that I like to smile when I read, and this book had my heart aching through so much of it. 🥺
That being said, the writing was beautiful, and I loved the themes of finding happiness, healing, and building a found family. So despite the emotional devastation, this was still a solid 4 stars for me.
I do think the promotion of this book could be a little clearer about the premise and emotional weight, though. The sunny cover and the listed tropes really didn’t prepare me for just how much grief and pain were packed into this story.
But despite all the tears and heartache, I definitely want to read book 2 and will be checking out more from this author.
Read this if you like :
✨ First love getting a second chance
✨ Small-town romance
✨ Building a new family
✨ Forgiveness & understanding each other
✨ Childhood friends to lovers
✨ Emotional second-chance romance
August 24, 2026
✨May contain spoilers✨
I love me a good ranch romance with cowboys and the works but I was not expecting this to be a lot more heavier than I expected. I really cherished this book and these two got their hard earned happily ever that they really deserve.
Jasper and Chesney’s family’s are rival and want nothing to do with one another. We don’t find out why until much later. These two built a friendship as kids and slowly became more when they were in their teenagers. Something tragic happens and Chesney cuts Jasper off completely and even leaves town for a hot minute.
Then, he gets a call from his brother to come home due to his father in his last days. He returns home. Then, Jasper shows up with the fact that his grandfather’s will that Chesney and Jasper must run Wind River Ranch together. That was something no one else expected.
Chesney is going through so much and for the longest time, he blamed himself for Lyle. Thank goodness he did go to therapy to talk to someone because that really had to be a rough time. When Chesney cut Jasper off when they were kids was such an emotional scene. I didn’t cry but I was an emotional mess.
I loved these two so much. Jasper is by far my favorite of the two because he’s absolutely there for Chesney. The way he takes care of him when he needs it, especially at the end 🥺 gosh, my heart broke.
The way that they come together by having to work together is everything and I love the moments.
I’m usually not a fan of flashbacks but the way it’s done, it’s so beautifully done. We get to see them as kids and how everything progressed.
And Wade.. he is a freaking hoot. I really hope he gets a book later because he had me giggling when he would tell stories with Chesney.
This book hit all the spots. From the hurt/comfort aspect. You also get to see these two surpass the grief and pain. I absolutely love how Jasper is truly Chesney’s rock. I’m also a huge fan of the found family in this book and I cannot wait to see what is next in this book.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I love me a good ranch romance with cowboys and the works but I was not expecting this to be a lot more heavier than I expected. I really cherished this book and these two got their hard earned happily ever that they really deserve.
Jasper and Chesney’s family’s are rival and want nothing to do with one another. We don’t find out why until much later. These two built a friendship as kids and slowly became more when they were in their teenagers. Something tragic happens and Chesney cuts Jasper off completely and even leaves town for a hot minute.
Then, he gets a call from his brother to come home due to his father in his last days. He returns home. Then, Jasper shows up with the fact that his grandfather’s will that Chesney and Jasper must run Wind River Ranch together. That was something no one else expected.
Chesney is going through so much and for the longest time, he blamed himself for Lyle. Thank goodness he did go to therapy to talk to someone because that really had to be a rough time. When Chesney cut Jasper off when they were kids was such an emotional scene. I didn’t cry but I was an emotional mess.
I loved these two so much. Jasper is by far my favorite of the two because he’s absolutely there for Chesney. The way he takes care of him when he needs it, especially at the end 🥺 gosh, my heart broke.
The way that they come together by having to work together is everything and I love the moments.
I’m usually not a fan of flashbacks but the way it’s done, it’s so beautifully done. We get to see them as kids and how everything progressed.
And Wade.. he is a freaking hoot. I really hope he gets a book later because he had me giggling when he would tell stories with Chesney.
This book hit all the spots. From the hurt/comfort aspect. You also get to see these two surpass the grief and pain. I absolutely love how Jasper is truly Chesney’s rock. I’m also a huge fan of the found family in this book and I cannot wait to see what is next in this book.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
August 27, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Burning Love a surprisingly emotional MM, second chance, cowboy romance that had me shedding a few tears. It deals with grief and how it impacts us throughout our life. It touched me on a deeper level and I think so many of us can relate to the losses the characters suffered through. On top of all that it was a beautiful romance.
Chesney and Jasper formed a close friendship when they were kids that they had to keep secret, due to their rival families. They started to fall for each other in their teen years, but a tragedy ended everything. Chesney left town after the death of his younger brother, leaving his family's ranch and Jasper behind him.
Jasper has dedicated his life to his family's ranch but is shocked to learn his grandfather left it to him instead of his uncle. The only catch, his grandfather also left it to Chesney, and they have to work together on the ranch for a year. Chesney does not ever want to return home to be around all the memories and grief, but his father has cancer and his brother is struggling to keep their ranch going. Now, he is back home and forced to work with Jasper.
This was such a slow burn romance with so much angst. The flashbacks helped show the beautiful connection between Chesney and Jasper. It was so heartbreaking to see how in love they were and how things fell apart. Chesney dealt with so much guilt and self-loathing over the loss of his brother. Being with Jasper opens up his heart again and helps him forgive himself and his father. I found his complicated relationship with his father to be really moving, especially with their reconciliation while he was dying from cancer.
I know this all may sound like heavy subject matter, but it was handled with care. Chesney and Jasper felt like soul mates, and it was beautiful to see them come together. This is one of my favorite second chance romances I have ever read.
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ARC.
CW: Loss of sibling, loss of father, cancer, grief
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Burning Love a surprisingly emotional MM, second chance, cowboy romance that had me shedding a few tears. It deals with grief and how it impacts us throughout our life. It touched me on a deeper level and I think so many of us can relate to the losses the characters suffered through. On top of all that it was a beautiful romance.
Chesney and Jasper formed a close friendship when they were kids that they had to keep secret, due to their rival families. They started to fall for each other in their teen years, but a tragedy ended everything. Chesney left town after the death of his younger brother, leaving his family's ranch and Jasper behind him.
Jasper has dedicated his life to his family's ranch but is shocked to learn his grandfather left it to him instead of his uncle. The only catch, his grandfather also left it to Chesney, and they have to work together on the ranch for a year. Chesney does not ever want to return home to be around all the memories and grief, but his father has cancer and his brother is struggling to keep their ranch going. Now, he is back home and forced to work with Jasper.
This was such a slow burn romance with so much angst. The flashbacks helped show the beautiful connection between Chesney and Jasper. It was so heartbreaking to see how in love they were and how things fell apart. Chesney dealt with so much guilt and self-loathing over the loss of his brother. Being with Jasper opens up his heart again and helps him forgive himself and his father. I found his complicated relationship with his father to be really moving, especially with their reconciliation while he was dying from cancer.
I know this all may sound like heavy subject matter, but it was handled with care. Chesney and Jasper felt like soul mates, and it was beautiful to see them come together. This is one of my favorite second chance romances I have ever read.
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ARC.
CW: Loss of sibling, loss of father, cancer, grief
August 28, 2026
4⭐️
Well, that hit me right in the feels. I went into this expecting feuding ranchers and a second-chance romance, and somehow ended up getting punched directly in the heart by a story about grief, guilt, forgiveness, family, and finding your way home.
There is so much grief woven throughout this story, and I really appreciated how differently each character carried it. Chesney has spent years weighed down by guilt and everything that happened when he was sixteen, while Jasper has carried the heartbreak of losing the boy he loved without ever fully understanding why. Watching these two slowly work through twenty years of hurt, misunderstandings, and feelings that never really went away made for such an emotional second-chance romance.
And then there was Truett. For a character who wasn’t one of the romantic leads, he may have been the MVP of this book for me. His steadfastness and loyalty to his family absolutely got me. He experienced the same devastating losses, but he was so often the person who simply kept standing because someone had to. I loved the patience and gentleness he showed Chesney, and I sincerely hope we haven’t seen the last of him.
My one real disappointment was the eventual explanation behind the generations-long family feud. There was so much buildup surrounding what could have possibly happened between these families to create decades of hatred that, when the truth was finally revealed, it felt surprisingly anticlimactic compared with everything that feud ultimately set into motion.
That aside, this was beautiful. It was heartbreaking at times, hopeful at others, and filled with second chances that went far beyond just Jasper and Chesney’s relationship. And apparently it also decided I needed to cry my way through several chapters, so thanks for that.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Well, that hit me right in the feels. I went into this expecting feuding ranchers and a second-chance romance, and somehow ended up getting punched directly in the heart by a story about grief, guilt, forgiveness, family, and finding your way home.
There is so much grief woven throughout this story, and I really appreciated how differently each character carried it. Chesney has spent years weighed down by guilt and everything that happened when he was sixteen, while Jasper has carried the heartbreak of losing the boy he loved without ever fully understanding why. Watching these two slowly work through twenty years of hurt, misunderstandings, and feelings that never really went away made for such an emotional second-chance romance.
And then there was Truett. For a character who wasn’t one of the romantic leads, he may have been the MVP of this book for me. His steadfastness and loyalty to his family absolutely got me. He experienced the same devastating losses, but he was so often the person who simply kept standing because someone had to. I loved the patience and gentleness he showed Chesney, and I sincerely hope we haven’t seen the last of him.
My one real disappointment was the eventual explanation behind the generations-long family feud. There was so much buildup surrounding what could have possibly happened between these families to create decades of hatred that, when the truth was finally revealed, it felt surprisingly anticlimactic compared with everything that feud ultimately set into motion.
That aside, this was beautiful. It was heartbreaking at times, hopeful at others, and filled with second chances that went far beyond just Jasper and Chesney’s relationship. And apparently it also decided I needed to cry my way through several chapters, so thanks for that.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2026
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Burning Love is not what I would consider a typical love story, even for an MM romance. Most of the plot isn't centered around the progression or the relationship between Jasper and Chesney (Love those names, btw!) This is a second-chance romance with MOUNTAINS of trauma and old heartache to overcome first. Not just between the guys but between Chesney and his father, too. So you have to be really patient with them because there is so much for them to work through before their HEA. Before then, have the Kleenex handy, because some scenes are just gut-wrenching (I'm looking at you, Chapter 28).
Since it takes a while before Jasper and Chesney come to their senses, there aren't a lot of spicy scenes. What scenes there are are pretty hot, though.
What I love about Burning Love is that the story feels genuine. It's not picture perfect and pretty. But it is really good and I hope you give it a read too.
Fav Quotes:
My friendship with Jasper comes so easily. It's simple and genuine, and there are no conditions attached. No expectations.
Jesus Christ. Chesney's shirtless. But that's only the first problem. The second problem is that nearly twenty years of distance did absolutely nothing to prepare me for that reality.
"It's taken me a long time to be able to say this out loud, but that night, with you and me and what we shared...I don't regret it."
"We've spent decades acting like we're enemies. When, really, we're just people who inherited somebody else's heartbreak."
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Burning Love is not what I would consider a typical love story, even for an MM romance. Most of the plot isn't centered around the progression or the relationship between Jasper and Chesney (Love those names, btw!) This is a second-chance romance with MOUNTAINS of trauma and old heartache to overcome first. Not just between the guys but between Chesney and his father, too. So you have to be really patient with them because there is so much for them to work through before their HEA. Before then, have the Kleenex handy, because some scenes are just gut-wrenching (I'm looking at you, Chapter 28).
Since it takes a while before Jasper and Chesney come to their senses, there aren't a lot of spicy scenes. What scenes there are are pretty hot, though.
What I love about Burning Love is that the story feels genuine. It's not picture perfect and pretty. But it is really good and I hope you give it a read too.
Fav Quotes:
My friendship with Jasper comes so easily. It's simple and genuine, and there are no conditions attached. No expectations.
Jesus Christ. Chesney's shirtless. But that's only the first problem. The second problem is that nearly twenty years of distance did absolutely nothing to prepare me for that reality.
"It's taken me a long time to be able to say this out loud, but that night, with you and me and what we shared...I don't regret it."
"We've spent decades acting like we're enemies. When, really, we're just people who inherited somebody else's heartbreak."
August 27, 2026
Wow! What an emotional ride this was! A lot deeper than I expected. This one hurt, but also healed me in ways. Let's discuss the book!
Chesney and Jasper grew up on neighboring ranches. They formed a secret friendship since these two families had been rivals for decades. No one could even remember why these two families hated one another and never explained it to either of them. So, they snuck around and formed a close bond, which then turned into something much more. They found love when they didn't even understand what that was yet. When they were sixteen, a tragic accident happened that changed their lives forever. It caused Chesney to leave Sweet Briar and start a whole new life somewhere else, leaving Jasper behind and breaking his heart.
Twenty years later, they are forced to come together again when Jasper’s grandfather dies and leaves the ranch to him and Chesney. With Chesney’s father also dying, he comes home to help his older brother in hopes of saving the ranch and all their family has worked for. Neither men are happy about having to work together for at least a year under the strict rules of what the will states. There is so much hurt and tension between them. As they work together, those old feelings they pretended didn't exist anymore, start coming to light once more. Can they make it work after all this time, or will they end up torn apart once more? Guess you will have to read and find out besties!
Chesney and Jasper grew up on neighboring ranches. They formed a secret friendship since these two families had been rivals for decades. No one could even remember why these two families hated one another and never explained it to either of them. So, they snuck around and formed a close bond, which then turned into something much more. They found love when they didn't even understand what that was yet. When they were sixteen, a tragic accident happened that changed their lives forever. It caused Chesney to leave Sweet Briar and start a whole new life somewhere else, leaving Jasper behind and breaking his heart.
Twenty years later, they are forced to come together again when Jasper’s grandfather dies and leaves the ranch to him and Chesney. With Chesney’s father also dying, he comes home to help his older brother in hopes of saving the ranch and all their family has worked for. Neither men are happy about having to work together for at least a year under the strict rules of what the will states. There is so much hurt and tension between them. As they work together, those old feelings they pretended didn't exist anymore, start coming to light once more. Can they make it work after all this time, or will they end up torn apart once more? Guess you will have to read and find out besties!
September 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I am such an Ashley James fan, but I seriously think this might be my favourite one yet.
This book was so unexpectedly sad. There was so much grief all around. Every character was fighting their own demons and just going through the motions instead of living. Jasper broke my heart carrying the guilt of his brother’s death with him since the tragedy. Chesney carrying the pain of losing his family and also his best friend. Then a stipulation in a will brings Chesney and Jasper working together on a farm despite the fact that their families have been enemies for decades.
I really enjoyed the dual timelines as it really brought depth to their relationship. I’m also loving the sprinkle of teasers throughout this book as to who will be next. Shoutout to Wade. What a lad. PLEASE let him have a story. I am definitely looking forward to continuing this series.
Thank you to Ashley James for the advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am such an Ashley James fan, but I seriously think this might be my favourite one yet.
This book was so unexpectedly sad. There was so much grief all around. Every character was fighting their own demons and just going through the motions instead of living. Jasper broke my heart carrying the guilt of his brother’s death with him since the tragedy. Chesney carrying the pain of losing his family and also his best friend. Then a stipulation in a will brings Chesney and Jasper working together on a farm despite the fact that their families have been enemies for decades.
I really enjoyed the dual timelines as it really brought depth to their relationship. I’m also loving the sprinkle of teasers throughout this book as to who will be next. Shoutout to Wade. What a lad. PLEASE let him have a story. I am definitely looking forward to continuing this series.
Thank you to Ashley James for the advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one was a full on emotional ride for me. Just the dedication alone had the tears flowing! This was such a beautiful story, filled with loss, love, grief, and healing.
Chesney had been carrying so much guilt throughout his life while also dealing with so much loss, and my heart broke for him. Jasper was a walking green flag. He had so much love to give, and even after twenty years, he would have given Chesney the world. These two really were each other’s person, and them finding their way back to each other was beautiful.
Grief sucks, and Ashley did such a wonderful job of portraying it while also giving us a story about love, healing, and learning to let go of the guilt we carry.
I’m really excited to see what’s next in this series, and I’m hopefully there are a few fewer tears next time!
Chesney had been carrying so much guilt throughout his life while also dealing with so much loss, and my heart broke for him. Jasper was a walking green flag. He had so much love to give, and even after twenty years, he would have given Chesney the world. These two really were each other’s person, and them finding their way back to each other was beautiful.
Grief sucks, and Ashley did such a wonderful job of portraying it while also giving us a story about love, healing, and learning to let go of the guilt we carry.
I’m really excited to see what’s next in this series, and I’m hopefully there are a few fewer tears next time!
September 6, 2026
"A friendship. A secret. A promise made beside a creek that doesn't care about family names and history. One we'll spend years keeping, even when the rest of the world tells us not to."
Burning Love is a Sweet Briar novel by @authorashleyjames about two members of rival ranching families. Thank you, Ashley & The Author Agency for my copy. What to expect
🧡 MM Romance
🧡 Rival Ranching Families
🧡 Small Town
🧡 Cowboy
🧡 Forced Proximity
🧡 Hurt/Comfort
🧡 Grumpy/Sunshine
🧡 Second Chance
🧡 Dual POV
🧡 Prologue
Burning Love is an immensely sad story & Jasper & Chesney HEA is wrapped up in a lot of grief. The first tragic event happens in the prologue & readers are encouraged to check the content warnings. I love a second chance romance & I was rooting for their HEA. The use of chapters set in the past really elevated their story. I am excited to return to Sweet Briar.
Burning Love is a Sweet Briar novel by @authorashleyjames about two members of rival ranching families. Thank you, Ashley & The Author Agency for my copy. What to expect
🧡 MM Romance
🧡 Rival Ranching Families
🧡 Small Town
🧡 Cowboy
🧡 Forced Proximity
🧡 Hurt/Comfort
🧡 Grumpy/Sunshine
🧡 Second Chance
🧡 Dual POV
🧡 Prologue
Burning Love is an immensely sad story & Jasper & Chesney HEA is wrapped up in a lot of grief. The first tragic event happens in the prologue & readers are encouraged to check the content warnings. I love a second chance romance & I was rooting for their HEA. The use of chapters set in the past really elevated their story. I am excited to return to Sweet Briar.
September 1, 2026
4 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
I started this book approx 2min after seeing a post about it on Booksta. I was hoping it would be an easy, palate cleanser and that’s exactly what it was.
Burning Love delivers exactly what it promised to. Childhood friends x second chance and some broody, grumpy cowboys who are brought (forced) back together that’s to a grandfather who decided meddling from beyond the grave via his will was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
I wish we had a little less brooding at times (I know!) and more conversation and a bit more depth to the plot - but for the light cowboy romance I was needing it to be, it was great.
I started this book approx 2min after seeing a post about it on Booksta. I was hoping it would be an easy, palate cleanser and that’s exactly what it was.
Burning Love delivers exactly what it promised to. Childhood friends x second chance and some broody, grumpy cowboys who are brought (forced) back together that’s to a grandfather who decided meddling from beyond the grave via his will was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
I wish we had a little less brooding at times (I know!) and more conversation and a bit more depth to the plot - but for the light cowboy romance I was needing it to be, it was great.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This one makes me genuinely sad to review because I love Ashley James. I’ve read and loved so many of her books, and I really, really wanted to love this one too.
But I think, at the end of the day, this story just wasn’t for me.
Yes, there is a romance here. But to me, the romance never felt like the heart of the book.
The heart of this story is Chesney. His grief. His guilt. His father. His brother. His family. His past. His journey toward forgiving himself and finally allowing himself to move forward.
And there is SO. MUCH. GRIEF.
Grief is everywhere in this book. Loss is everywhere. Pain is everywhere. It honestly felt like everyone was dead, dying, grieving, or carrying the weight of someone they had lost. There was barely a ray of sunshine until the very, very end.
And I want to be very clear about something: the grief was really well written.
If you love books that explore grief deeply, books that hurt and crush your heart and make you feel like you’re grieving right alongside the characters, I genuinely think this will work beautifully for you. It’s emotional. It’s painful. You FEEL Chesney’s guilt and everything he’s carrying. Some of those scenes genuinely hurt.
I completely understand why so many readers are loving that part of this story.
But I wasn’t here for the grief.
I was here for the romance.
And that’s ultimately where this book lost me.
I felt like I was reading a deeply emotional story about grief, guilt, family, forgiveness and healing with a romance, rather than reading a romance about two broken cowboys finding their way back to each other.
And for me, there’s a huge difference.
Jasper was ready. I could feel Jasper’s love. I could feel that after twenty years, a part of him still belonged to Chesney. His yearning was there.
But Chesney? Chesney wasn’t here for a romance.
For most of this book, he didn’t want Jasper back. He didn’t want a relationship. He wasn’t ready to open that door again, and he had very good reasons for it. I understood him. It made complete sense for his character and for everything he was going through.
And yes, I know that resistance is part of the yearning. I know we’re supposed to wait for those walls to finally come down.
But they stayed up for so long.
Until very, very late in the book, Chesney simply wasn’t ready for the romance I was waiting for.
And eventually I found myself thinking: if Chesney doesn’t want the romance… who’s going to give it to me?
Because I was here for that romance.
I was waiting for it. Jasper was waiting for it. But Chesney was drowning in everything else for so long that the love story couldn’t become the emotional center of the book.
The romance didn’t get room to breathe.
I didn’t get room to breathe.
The moments that hit me the hardest emotionally weren’t even between Jasper and Chesney. They were Chesney and his father. Chesney and his brother. His guilt. His grief. His family.
The family storyline carried more emotional weight for me than the love story, and I desperately wanted the reverse.
I wanted to ache over THEM.
Give me two cowboys who fell in love as teenagers, were torn apart and spent twenty years unable to truly move on, and I want to be absolutely destroyed by the yearning. I wanted the longing. The tension. The I’ve loved you all this time and I don’t know what to do with it.
Instead, most of the time, I was just sad.
By 80%, the heaviness had become so relentless for me that I genuinely thought this book was going to put me into a reading slump. It was grief after grief after grief, and I kept waiting for the romance to finally become the emotional center of the story.
The payoff DOES come. And I really liked it.
I’m a payoff girl—I need it in my books. ❤️
Those final moments gave me some of what I had been waiting for, and I was happy with where Jasper and Chesney ended up.
But after spending so much of the book drowning in everything else, the payoff couldn’t completely change how the journey had made me feel.
And I think that’s why this is ultimately so much more about personal taste than the book doing something wrong.
If you want a deeply emotional story about grief, family, guilt, forgiveness and healing, with a second-chance romance woven through it, I absolutely understand loving this.
But I’m a romance girl.
I wanted the romance to crush my heart. I wanted Jasper and Chesney to be the reason I was hurting. I wanted their love story to be the emotional core.
Instead, I felt like I read Chesney’s healing journey, with Jasper and their second chance as one part of it.
The book made me feel exactly what it wanted me to feel.
It just wasn’t what I wanted to feel.
But I think, at the end of the day, this story just wasn’t for me.
Yes, there is a romance here. But to me, the romance never felt like the heart of the book.
The heart of this story is Chesney. His grief. His guilt. His father. His brother. His family. His past. His journey toward forgiving himself and finally allowing himself to move forward.
And there is SO. MUCH. GRIEF.
Grief is everywhere in this book. Loss is everywhere. Pain is everywhere. It honestly felt like everyone was dead, dying, grieving, or carrying the weight of someone they had lost. There was barely a ray of sunshine until the very, very end.
And I want to be very clear about something: the grief was really well written.
If you love books that explore grief deeply, books that hurt and crush your heart and make you feel like you’re grieving right alongside the characters, I genuinely think this will work beautifully for you. It’s emotional. It’s painful. You FEEL Chesney’s guilt and everything he’s carrying. Some of those scenes genuinely hurt.
I completely understand why so many readers are loving that part of this story.
But I wasn’t here for the grief.
I was here for the romance.
And that’s ultimately where this book lost me.
I felt like I was reading a deeply emotional story about grief, guilt, family, forgiveness and healing with a romance, rather than reading a romance about two broken cowboys finding their way back to each other.
And for me, there’s a huge difference.
Jasper was ready. I could feel Jasper’s love. I could feel that after twenty years, a part of him still belonged to Chesney. His yearning was there.
But Chesney? Chesney wasn’t here for a romance.
For most of this book, he didn’t want Jasper back. He didn’t want a relationship. He wasn’t ready to open that door again, and he had very good reasons for it. I understood him. It made complete sense for his character and for everything he was going through.
And yes, I know that resistance is part of the yearning. I know we’re supposed to wait for those walls to finally come down.
But they stayed up for so long.
Until very, very late in the book, Chesney simply wasn’t ready for the romance I was waiting for.
And eventually I found myself thinking: if Chesney doesn’t want the romance… who’s going to give it to me?
Because I was here for that romance.
I was waiting for it. Jasper was waiting for it. But Chesney was drowning in everything else for so long that the love story couldn’t become the emotional center of the book.
The romance didn’t get room to breathe.
I didn’t get room to breathe.
The moments that hit me the hardest emotionally weren’t even between Jasper and Chesney. They were Chesney and his father. Chesney and his brother. His guilt. His grief. His family.
The family storyline carried more emotional weight for me than the love story, and I desperately wanted the reverse.
I wanted to ache over THEM.
Give me two cowboys who fell in love as teenagers, were torn apart and spent twenty years unable to truly move on, and I want to be absolutely destroyed by the yearning. I wanted the longing. The tension. The I’ve loved you all this time and I don’t know what to do with it.
Instead, most of the time, I was just sad.
By 80%, the heaviness had become so relentless for me that I genuinely thought this book was going to put me into a reading slump. It was grief after grief after grief, and I kept waiting for the romance to finally become the emotional center of the story.
The payoff DOES come. And I really liked it.
I’m a payoff girl—I need it in my books. ❤️
Those final moments gave me some of what I had been waiting for, and I was happy with where Jasper and Chesney ended up.
But after spending so much of the book drowning in everything else, the payoff couldn’t completely change how the journey had made me feel.
And I think that’s why this is ultimately so much more about personal taste than the book doing something wrong.
If you want a deeply emotional story about grief, family, guilt, forgiveness and healing, with a second-chance romance woven through it, I absolutely understand loving this.
But I’m a romance girl.
I wanted the romance to crush my heart. I wanted Jasper and Chesney to be the reason I was hurting. I wanted their love story to be the emotional core.
Instead, I felt like I read Chesney’s healing journey, with Jasper and their second chance as one part of it.
The book made me feel exactly what it wanted me to feel.
It just wasn’t what I wanted to feel.
August 25, 2026
ARC Review: Thank you to Ashley James and The Author Agency for sending me an advanced copy of Burning Love to read and review.
Oh my goodness! What a beautiful and emotional read. The flashbacks to when Chesney and Jasper were growing up were everything. It was so special to read about how they met, and how the boys started to realize they felt something for each other even though they really weren’t sure what that was. This book will tear your heart and rip it to shreds, then it will pick it back up and put it back together.
The way this book approached grief and healing was so well done. I fell in love with all the characters. Wade, Chesney’s friend was hilarious and provided the perfect comedic relief. I’m a small-town girl, and I loved learning all the family secrets between the two rival families.
Oh my goodness! What a beautiful and emotional read. The flashbacks to when Chesney and Jasper were growing up were everything. It was so special to read about how they met, and how the boys started to realize they felt something for each other even though they really weren’t sure what that was. This book will tear your heart and rip it to shreds, then it will pick it back up and put it back together.
The way this book approached grief and healing was so well done. I fell in love with all the characters. Wade, Chesney’s friend was hilarious and provided the perfect comedic relief. I’m a small-town girl, and I loved learning all the family secrets between the two rival families.
August 28, 2026
This book had me going through all the emotions. It dealt with grief, loss, finding yourself, forgiveness, and love so well.
Chesney and Jasper were best friends but due to the feud no one could know. The love between them was palpable from the beginning but tragedy drove them away until it brought Chesney back into town.
I love the push and pull. You never know if this was going to be the moment they realised they were in love again.
Ashley did a fantastic job. The side characters and found family were done so well. It has me excited to read wades book if he gets one.
Chesney and Jasper were best friends but due to the feud no one could know. The love between them was palpable from the beginning but tragedy drove them away until it brought Chesney back into town.
I love the push and pull. You never know if this was going to be the moment they realised they were in love again.
Ashley did a fantastic job. The side characters and found family were done so well. It has me excited to read wades book if he gets one.
September 22, 2026
MY OPINION: I’ve not read a lot of books by Ashley James, but this book certainly makes me want to read more titles by them. I genuinely enjoyed Burning Love and look forward to what happens on the ranch next.
This is one of those second chance romances that is a little heartbreaking. It’s been a hot minute since I cried a lot while reading and this one got me. There is an awful lot of emotion in this book: broken hearts, losing loved ones, and financial stress in spades. Ashley weaves us through these things while bringing teenage sweethearts back together again.
Chesney and Jasper weren’t supposed to be together when they were teens, and when that love broke apart, the pain was too much. Coming back together seemed impossible, but being forced together guides them back together.
As mentioned above, there was so much emotion with all the things these men are going through. Even between the tears, I enjoyed the story and wanted everything to work. There is a good amount of talk about ranching, and lots of interaction with the small town and family.
The spice in the book is open door, and there is enough to feel the emotional connection. Everything wraps up both men finding peace with each other.. We end with a happily ever after and I would have enjoyed more story about these two. There are some interesting paths we follow which made it interesting and read worthy.
If you like and easy small-town, second chance romance this is a great place to start, it’s the first in a series and I look forward to the next one.
This is one of those second chance romances that is a little heartbreaking. It’s been a hot minute since I cried a lot while reading and this one got me. There is an awful lot of emotion in this book: broken hearts, losing loved ones, and financial stress in spades. Ashley weaves us through these things while bringing teenage sweethearts back together again.
Chesney and Jasper weren’t supposed to be together when they were teens, and when that love broke apart, the pain was too much. Coming back together seemed impossible, but being forced together guides them back together.
As mentioned above, there was so much emotion with all the things these men are going through. Even between the tears, I enjoyed the story and wanted everything to work. There is a good amount of talk about ranching, and lots of interaction with the small town and family.
The spice in the book is open door, and there is enough to feel the emotional connection. Everything wraps up both men finding peace with each other.. We end with a happily ever after and I would have enjoyed more story about these two. There are some interesting paths we follow which made it interesting and read worthy.
If you like and easy small-town, second chance romance this is a great place to start, it’s the first in a series and I look forward to the next one.
August 22, 2026
Chesney and Jasper
A hard earned, second chance romance between two childhood friends turned lovers, torn apart when tragedy strikes.
Chesney and Jasper are the youngest members of two different families at odds with each other. Neither of them really understands the feud happening between their families - what started it or why it's been going on since the time of their grandparents - they just know that they're supposed to hate each other. Too bad, they're teenagers and drawn to one another ... until something bad happens and Chesney is never really the same again. He flees rather than dealing with his feelings, leaving Jasper in the dust.
Fast forward 10 + years and Jasper's grandfather has passed away and left the farm to Jasper... AND Chesney? That's weird right. Well, weird or not, Chesney's time to run from his past is officially over with the reading of this will and the two are thrown back together, no longer boys, but grown men with farms to run, business ventures to get up and running and their families to keep afloat.
They quickly realise that the spark that brought them together as children is alive and well, and yet, none of the issues that tore them apart have been resolved. Will they be able to work things through? Put aside their differences and the disagreement that's been plaguing their families for decades? You'll just have to read this book to find out!!
A unique start to what I'm assuming is going to be a new series? Be sure to check this one out if you're a fan of MM romances between childhood besties who were in a secret relationship of sorts, second chance romances, family secrets, hard earned HEAs and some really interesting side characters.
A hard earned, second chance romance between two childhood friends turned lovers, torn apart when tragedy strikes.
Chesney and Jasper are the youngest members of two different families at odds with each other. Neither of them really understands the feud happening between their families - what started it or why it's been going on since the time of their grandparents - they just know that they're supposed to hate each other. Too bad, they're teenagers and drawn to one another ... until something bad happens and Chesney is never really the same again. He flees rather than dealing with his feelings, leaving Jasper in the dust.
Fast forward 10 + years and Jasper's grandfather has passed away and left the farm to Jasper... AND Chesney? That's weird right. Well, weird or not, Chesney's time to run from his past is officially over with the reading of this will and the two are thrown back together, no longer boys, but grown men with farms to run, business ventures to get up and running and their families to keep afloat.
They quickly realise that the spark that brought them together as children is alive and well, and yet, none of the issues that tore them apart have been resolved. Will they be able to work things through? Put aside their differences and the disagreement that's been plaguing their families for decades? You'll just have to read this book to find out!!
A unique start to what I'm assuming is going to be a new series? Be sure to check this one out if you're a fan of MM romances between childhood besties who were in a secret relationship of sorts, second chance romances, family secrets, hard earned HEAs and some really interesting side characters.
September 1, 2026
4/⭐️
2.5/🌶️
This book is so different than what I usually expect with an Ashley James book, but in the good way. The emotions I felt with this story??? Ugh. I craved an enemies to lovers story, fast actions and slow feelings. This one was slow all the way through. But these men really burned hot together.
Jasper and Chesney story was hard earned. There was tears and blood. Lots of hurt and denial.
I’m not typically a duel time line reader, but this one was in small amounts. Only about 5 chapters, to fill in the story within the whole situation.
I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to hug a character as much as I wanted to hug Chesney. That sweet man just needed a shoulder to cry on, but also needed a weighted blanket and 60 hours of sleep. He slowed healed within the book, but the waaaay I cried when he was saying goodbye. Also the way Jasper was there for him- no questions, even when he hurt so deeply. The love was a 3 decade slow burn with some hot moments. But they fell in love on a river bank and never really gave one another up.
This book was a lot of emotional turmoil. I hurt my own feelings reading it. But I’m also in love with them. I loved the more hurt comfort story. It gave it depth I didn’t know I craved in a love story.
*I received this book as an arc in exchange for my honest review and opinions.*
2.5/🌶️
This book is so different than what I usually expect with an Ashley James book, but in the good way. The emotions I felt with this story??? Ugh. I craved an enemies to lovers story, fast actions and slow feelings. This one was slow all the way through. But these men really burned hot together.
Jasper and Chesney story was hard earned. There was tears and blood. Lots of hurt and denial.
I’m not typically a duel time line reader, but this one was in small amounts. Only about 5 chapters, to fill in the story within the whole situation.
I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to hug a character as much as I wanted to hug Chesney. That sweet man just needed a shoulder to cry on, but also needed a weighted blanket and 60 hours of sleep. He slowed healed within the book, but the waaaay I cried when he was saying goodbye. Also the way Jasper was there for him- no questions, even when he hurt so deeply. The love was a 3 decade slow burn with some hot moments. But they fell in love on a river bank and never really gave one another up.
This book was a lot of emotional turmoil. I hurt my own feelings reading it. But I’m also in love with them. I loved the more hurt comfort story. It gave it depth I didn’t know I craved in a love story.
*I received this book as an arc in exchange for my honest review and opinions.*
August 24, 2026
Aaand she does it again!
I had the absolute pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of BurningLove - my first ARC from Ashley James, but my 8th read. And like all the reads before, I was locked in.
'Burning Love' had all of my favorite things! Friendship. Young love. Forced Proximity. And so much more.
I loved this story. AJ has a special way of transporting you directly into her worlds and making you feel and fall for her characters. Jasper and Chesney are no different. Amazing what some good ol' communication will get you!
If you love MM and a second-chance romance with a HEA, this one should be on your list!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I had the absolute pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of BurningLove - my first ARC from Ashley James, but my 8th read. And like all the reads before, I was locked in.
'Burning Love' had all of my favorite things! Friendship. Young love. Forced Proximity. And so much more.
I loved this story. AJ has a special way of transporting you directly into her worlds and making you feel and fall for her characters. Jasper and Chesney are no different. Amazing what some good ol' communication will get you!
If you love MM and a second-chance romance with a HEA, this one should be on your list!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn’t know what to expect from this book it’s the first for me by this author but I didn’t expect to cry as much as I did! This was a second chance cowboy romance between Chesney and Jasper! Their family had a life long feud so when they were kids they became friends in secret then more in secret but unfortunately as they were kids chesney lost his little brother in a farm accident and he blamed himself and Jasper because he was with Jasper when it happened then he said a lot of hurtful things and left! 20 years later Jaspers grandfather dies and the ranch is supposed to go to his uncle but his grandfather left it to Jasper and Chesney with a clause that they had to work together on the ranch for at least one year then the other could buy out the other
Jasper goes to bring the papers to Chesneys house not knowing he was home because his father was dying! Their relationship is very very strained like can’t be in the same room strained and Chesney says no he won’t do it but his brother convinces him because they need the money for their ranch and also their dad is dying but he has a strained relationship with his dad because he thought his dad blamed him for what happened to his brother
Chesney agrees to the ranch but the tension is tensioning! It’s a slow burn awhile before they talk at all Chesney is in charge of the office work and they come up with a plan to get more revenue by continuing Jaspers dads plans of making it a dude ranch with cabins and all the bells and whistles
I think what changed between them happened when they both had to clean out the offices it took days shared space alcohol and finding out the real reason behind the feud! Their grandparents were having an affair! When they settled after the news of that they went to jaspers to eat and finally they reconnected! Of course this freaks out Chesney and he runs to his former home
They need to talk and Chesney wants no more mess so they agree not to do it anymore but he’s losing the battle because he realizes that Jasper has always been there when it got rough even when Chesney told him to go after Lyle died his brother told him Jasper stayed out in the yard for a hour Jasper has always been there for Chesney and always loved him!
I do love that we get to go back and see how their friendship developed into a relationship before everything went to hell!
Chesney and his father finally got to talk and his dad apologized to him for what he’s said and done and when his dad turned up at the grand opening I bawled!!
It took them awhile but I feel like they earned their hea it was hard fought for when they are supposed to hate each other! I like that the 3 of them are going to make one big giant ranch! Their little found family and they deserved all the happiness
Fav quotes
Chesney’s shirtless. But that’s only the first problem. The second problem is that nearly twenty years of distance did absolutely nothing to prepare me for that reality. I practically swallow my own tongue trying not to drool all over myself
Because apparently nearly twenty years, a family feud, and all the reasons I walked away aren’t enough to make me forget the boy I once loved.
“If I wasn’t so distracted watching you watch”—he tips his head in my direction—“him, then the paint brush would’ve successfully made it back into the tray.” My gaze snaps toward Chesney. He’s glaring at his friend with cinched eyebrows and a tight jaw. “I was not watching him.” Wade snorts. “Oh, yes, you were, my friend.” I look between the two men, my cheeks growing hotter by the second. It suddenly feels like I shouldn’t be here, or like I should look away. But I can’t. “If anything, I was making sure he was doing it properly,” Chesney mutters, the annoyance clear in his voice.
Chesney was watching me?
“Awfully defensive for someone who wasn’t checking out the cowboy.” This is so awkward. “I wasn’t—” Heaving a sigh, Chesney shakes his head. “You know what? Fuck off.”
“The raccoon didn’t have rabies, damnit,” Chesney mutters. “He was alone and misunderstood.”
Because even though nothing has changed with our families, and probably never will, this is too special of a moment to let reality get in the way.
It’s taken me a long time to be able to say this out loud, but that night, with you and me and what we shared… I don’t regret it.” “I don’t regret it either.” My voice comes out strong, even though I feel anything but.
“My dad’s going to lose his fucking mind,” I say, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck. “Your grandmother literally caused a generational blood feud.” “Hey.” I point accusingly. “So did your grandfather.” Jasper snorts. “Fair.”
“I chose you over being home. And n-now Lyle’s gone. He’s gone forever because I. Chose. You.”
“Don’t ‘good morning’ me, Jasper Theordore Smith.” My brows pinch, and I breathe out a laugh. “That’s not even my middle name.”
“Jasper came because he loved you.” “What?” “I saw him,” he says softly. “Standing outside after you went back inside and slammed the door. He stayed out there for almost an hour.” I don’t move. Don’t breathe. My vision blurs. “He just stood in the middle of the yard where anybody could’ve seen him.” Truett swallows, then delivers a blow to my chest. “Jasper loved you, Chesney. And I think you loved him too.”
Sobbed!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROBERT & ELAINE SMITH Their dream was to create a place where people could come together, make memories, and experience the beauty of this land. Today, that dream lives on.
Sobbed again
“You brought him.” My father is the last person I expected to be here tonight. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen him step foot on this side of the property line. Not only that, but he has been bedbound for weeks. “He asked to come,” my brother says, his voice cracking. “Said he wanted to see it.”
“I’m here, Dad,” Truett murmurs. I lean closer. “So am I.” His eyes linger on both of us. “My boys.”
Dad looks toward Truett, who’s barely holding it together. “I love you both,” he rasps. “You’ve both…make me…so proud.” “We’re okay, Dad. It’s okay. Go be with Mom and Lyle.” “Tell them…” I clear my throat. “Tell them we love them.” “We’ve got it from here, Dad,” Truett says. “You don’t have to worry about us.”
“You.” The single word is my undoing. “I’ve spent months trying to convince myself that I didn’t still have feelings for you. I’ve spent so many nights telling myself the night we spent together was a mistake. I told myself it was grief or loneliness. That it was history.” His shoulders rise and fall with a shaky breath. “But it wasn’t.” “Jasper, I’ve spent nearly twenty years pretending I didn’t love you. I don’t want to pretend tonight.”
“I don’t want you making this decision because you’re hurting,” I murmur. “I’m making this decision because I am hurting.” “And because every time my life has fallen apart…” His voice cracks again. “It’s always you that’s been there for me. I pushed you away once. I won’t do it again.”
“This,” Chesney breathes out, “is what I need. You are what I need. Do you hear me?”
“It’s you.” His mouth crashes into mine, and he kisses me like he never wants to stop. “It’s always been you.”
“I love you, Dad. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when we forgot how to find each other. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make you proud.”
“I love you.” Chesney’s watching me with wide eyes and parted lips. I can’t read the expression he’s wearing, but it doesn’t stop me from saying what’s in my heart. “I know we’ve only technically been together for a little while, but we’ve also known each other basically our whole lives. And if we’re being honest here, I’ve kind of been in love with you since I was sixteen. Maybe even earlier than that. You don’t have to say it back. I’m not expecting you to. I just wanted you to know because—”
“I love you.” The world stops moving. The music, the laughter, the festival going on around us… None of it matters. None of it exists in this moment. Chesney smiles, and my heart skips a beat. “And I know I’ve loved you for just as long.”
“I think he knew that if anyone could finally make it right, it would have to be the people who understood both the cost of that love and the value of it.”
“This land doesn’t belong to one family anymore. It belongs to the people willing to fight for it. I don’t want just a business partner.” Looking at Jasper, then at Truett, I say,” I want family. The way it should’ve been all along.”
My brother lifts his gaze to Jasper. “You sure you want to tie yourself to this family?” He doesn’t hesitate. “I’ve wanted to since I was fifteen.”
“I’m asking…” My voice cracks. “Chesney Jennings, I’m asking if you’ll move in with me. You don’t have to answer tonight, but it’s something I would love if you’re ready.” “I’d love to move in.” My heart gallops, and my smile is beaming. “Yeah?” “Absolutely.” Chesney glances through the kitchen window. I follow his gaze, finding everyone gathered around the table playing cards. Truett. Wade. Magnolia. Matty, who somehow managed to fit right in without even trying. Family. Old and new.
Jasper goes to bring the papers to Chesneys house not knowing he was home because his father was dying! Their relationship is very very strained like can’t be in the same room strained and Chesney says no he won’t do it but his brother convinces him because they need the money for their ranch and also their dad is dying but he has a strained relationship with his dad because he thought his dad blamed him for what happened to his brother
Chesney agrees to the ranch but the tension is tensioning! It’s a slow burn awhile before they talk at all Chesney is in charge of the office work and they come up with a plan to get more revenue by continuing Jaspers dads plans of making it a dude ranch with cabins and all the bells and whistles
I think what changed between them happened when they both had to clean out the offices it took days shared space alcohol and finding out the real reason behind the feud! Their grandparents were having an affair! When they settled after the news of that they went to jaspers to eat and finally they reconnected! Of course this freaks out Chesney and he runs to his former home
They need to talk and Chesney wants no more mess so they agree not to do it anymore but he’s losing the battle because he realizes that Jasper has always been there when it got rough even when Chesney told him to go after Lyle died his brother told him Jasper stayed out in the yard for a hour Jasper has always been there for Chesney and always loved him!
I do love that we get to go back and see how their friendship developed into a relationship before everything went to hell!
Chesney and his father finally got to talk and his dad apologized to him for what he’s said and done and when his dad turned up at the grand opening I bawled!!
It took them awhile but I feel like they earned their hea it was hard fought for when they are supposed to hate each other! I like that the 3 of them are going to make one big giant ranch! Their little found family and they deserved all the happiness
Fav quotes
Chesney’s shirtless. But that’s only the first problem. The second problem is that nearly twenty years of distance did absolutely nothing to prepare me for that reality. I practically swallow my own tongue trying not to drool all over myself
Because apparently nearly twenty years, a family feud, and all the reasons I walked away aren’t enough to make me forget the boy I once loved.
“If I wasn’t so distracted watching you watch”—he tips his head in my direction—“him, then the paint brush would’ve successfully made it back into the tray.” My gaze snaps toward Chesney. He’s glaring at his friend with cinched eyebrows and a tight jaw. “I was not watching him.” Wade snorts. “Oh, yes, you were, my friend.” I look between the two men, my cheeks growing hotter by the second. It suddenly feels like I shouldn’t be here, or like I should look away. But I can’t. “If anything, I was making sure he was doing it properly,” Chesney mutters, the annoyance clear in his voice.
Chesney was watching me?
“Awfully defensive for someone who wasn’t checking out the cowboy.” This is so awkward. “I wasn’t—” Heaving a sigh, Chesney shakes his head. “You know what? Fuck off.”
“The raccoon didn’t have rabies, damnit,” Chesney mutters. “He was alone and misunderstood.”
Because even though nothing has changed with our families, and probably never will, this is too special of a moment to let reality get in the way.
It’s taken me a long time to be able to say this out loud, but that night, with you and me and what we shared… I don’t regret it.” “I don’t regret it either.” My voice comes out strong, even though I feel anything but.
“My dad’s going to lose his fucking mind,” I say, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck. “Your grandmother literally caused a generational blood feud.” “Hey.” I point accusingly. “So did your grandfather.” Jasper snorts. “Fair.”
“I chose you over being home. And n-now Lyle’s gone. He’s gone forever because I. Chose. You.”
“Don’t ‘good morning’ me, Jasper Theordore Smith.” My brows pinch, and I breathe out a laugh. “That’s not even my middle name.”
“Jasper came because he loved you.” “What?” “I saw him,” he says softly. “Standing outside after you went back inside and slammed the door. He stayed out there for almost an hour.” I don’t move. Don’t breathe. My vision blurs. “He just stood in the middle of the yard where anybody could’ve seen him.” Truett swallows, then delivers a blow to my chest. “Jasper loved you, Chesney. And I think you loved him too.”
Sobbed!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROBERT & ELAINE SMITH Their dream was to create a place where people could come together, make memories, and experience the beauty of this land. Today, that dream lives on.
Sobbed again
“You brought him.” My father is the last person I expected to be here tonight. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen him step foot on this side of the property line. Not only that, but he has been bedbound for weeks. “He asked to come,” my brother says, his voice cracking. “Said he wanted to see it.”
“I’m here, Dad,” Truett murmurs. I lean closer. “So am I.” His eyes linger on both of us. “My boys.”
Dad looks toward Truett, who’s barely holding it together. “I love you both,” he rasps. “You’ve both…make me…so proud.” “We’re okay, Dad. It’s okay. Go be with Mom and Lyle.” “Tell them…” I clear my throat. “Tell them we love them.” “We’ve got it from here, Dad,” Truett says. “You don’t have to worry about us.”
“You.” The single word is my undoing. “I’ve spent months trying to convince myself that I didn’t still have feelings for you. I’ve spent so many nights telling myself the night we spent together was a mistake. I told myself it was grief or loneliness. That it was history.” His shoulders rise and fall with a shaky breath. “But it wasn’t.” “Jasper, I’ve spent nearly twenty years pretending I didn’t love you. I don’t want to pretend tonight.”
“I don’t want you making this decision because you’re hurting,” I murmur. “I’m making this decision because I am hurting.” “And because every time my life has fallen apart…” His voice cracks again. “It’s always you that’s been there for me. I pushed you away once. I won’t do it again.”
“This,” Chesney breathes out, “is what I need. You are what I need. Do you hear me?”
“It’s you.” His mouth crashes into mine, and he kisses me like he never wants to stop. “It’s always been you.”
“I love you, Dad. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when we forgot how to find each other. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make you proud.”
“I love you.” Chesney’s watching me with wide eyes and parted lips. I can’t read the expression he’s wearing, but it doesn’t stop me from saying what’s in my heart. “I know we’ve only technically been together for a little while, but we’ve also known each other basically our whole lives. And if we’re being honest here, I’ve kind of been in love with you since I was sixteen. Maybe even earlier than that. You don’t have to say it back. I’m not expecting you to. I just wanted you to know because—”
“I love you.” The world stops moving. The music, the laughter, the festival going on around us… None of it matters. None of it exists in this moment. Chesney smiles, and my heart skips a beat. “And I know I’ve loved you for just as long.”
“I think he knew that if anyone could finally make it right, it would have to be the people who understood both the cost of that love and the value of it.”
“This land doesn’t belong to one family anymore. It belongs to the people willing to fight for it. I don’t want just a business partner.” Looking at Jasper, then at Truett, I say,” I want family. The way it should’ve been all along.”
My brother lifts his gaze to Jasper. “You sure you want to tie yourself to this family?” He doesn’t hesitate. “I’ve wanted to since I was fifteen.”
“I’m asking…” My voice cracks. “Chesney Jennings, I’m asking if you’ll move in with me. You don’t have to answer tonight, but it’s something I would love if you’re ready.” “I’d love to move in.” My heart gallops, and my smile is beaming. “Yeah?” “Absolutely.” Chesney glances through the kitchen window. I follow his gaze, finding everyone gathered around the table playing cards. Truett. Wade. Magnolia. Matty, who somehow managed to fit right in without even trying. Family. Old and new.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2026
Chesney and Jasper have grown up next to each other on their family's ranches. They were secretly friends because of a feud with their families this friendship began to grow into love. It was that first love a love that makes your heart flutter and butterflies in your stomach however something tragic happens to Chesney baby brother Lyle and he passes away. Chesney takes all his anger out on Jasper calling him horrible names and telling him he wished that had never met. Years pass Chesney has left his home town in the rearview however when his father is sick he returns to the one place hever wanted to come back to. Jasper is also dealing with loss in his family. His grandfather passes away and in his will makes it that Chesney and Jasper have to work the ranch together.
At first this isn't gonna work there is too much that has happened to them too much loss. Jasper and Chesney begin to get closer after a night together Chesney flees back to his home and Jasper is left with the weight over what happened.
Both of them love each other and they want to be together yet the past is crushing them and that happiness. Jasper remembers the hurtful words Chesney said that last night. While Chesney is carrying the weight of his brothers death and the fact that he was so cruel to Jasper. Can they deal with the past and move forward toward a future that saves not only their ranches but themselves.
At first this isn't gonna work there is too much that has happened to them too much loss. Jasper and Chesney begin to get closer after a night together Chesney flees back to his home and Jasper is left with the weight over what happened.
Both of them love each other and they want to be together yet the past is crushing them and that happiness. Jasper remembers the hurtful words Chesney said that last night. While Chesney is carrying the weight of his brothers death and the fact that he was so cruel to Jasper. Can they deal with the past and move forward toward a future that saves not only their ranches but themselves.
September 11, 2026
ARC kindly porvided in exhcnage for an honest review
Rating: 4.5⭐
This is the most heartbreaking book by Ashley James so far, and I absolutely loved it. It was a bit difficult at the start due to the heavy themes the plot tackles, but once the flashbacks began, I gradually fell in love with Chesney & Jasper’s relationship—especially the parallels between their family tragedies, their pasts and presents, and everything they build together. I also loved the beautiful secondary characters the author created for this book; and honestly, I’m so excited about the possibility of reading stories about some of them in the future.
I think Chesney was the one who truly broke my heart; it was painful reading from the prologue on, seeing him endure so much grief and guilt over Lyle’s death, and as the plot unfolded and Ashley revealed more about his relationship with his dad, the choices he’d made in the past, and his regrets, I just wanted to protect and hug him. That’s why I loved the sweet moments between Chesney and Truet: I adored how his brother was always there for him during the toughest times, knowing when Chesney needed him even when he was hiding his feelings, and offering unconditional support. I also cried a lot over the storyline involving his dad—it’s heartbreaking, and I was surprised (and delighted) by the direction the author took with that part of the story.
Jasper stole my heart right away! I loved meeting him during the reading of the will; I loved how much he loves his family’s ranch and how hard he fights to keep it alive. One of the things I liked most about this character was how my perspective of him shifted throughout the story based on what the author revealed about his relationship with Chesney; my heart broke for him too, and I loved that—despite his own pain—he was always there for Chesney, understanding the reasons behind her decisions and her withdrawal. I also loved his support and concern for Truett; the fact that his personal history shares so many similarities with the Jennings siblings' story makes him the perfect person to look after them when they need it most.
Chesney & Jasper have the most heartbreaking love story I’ve read from this author, which is why they’ve earned such a special place in my heart. It broke me, yet I appreciated how Ashley James handled and portrayed the characters' respective grief, how their tragedies are intertwined, and how those losses interrupted their love so many years ago. I also really enjoyed watching them get to know each other and learn to trust again—seeing how they loathe the idea of working together yet ultimately succeed at it. Also, I found their ending to be one of the most moving and beautiful I’ve read this year—and undoubtedly well-deserved for both characters, including Truett, whose story I look forward to reading in the next book.
🤠Chesney: 5/5
🤠Jasper: 5/5
🤠plot: 4/5
🤠love story: 5/5
🤠secondary characters: 5/5
🤠Cover: 5/5
🥵2/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación: 4.5⭐
Este ha sido el libro de Ashley James que más me ha hecho sufrir y me encantó, fue un poco complicado al inicio debido a los temas complicados que la trama aborda, pero una vez que empezaron los flashbacks me fui enamorando poco a poco de la relación de Chesney & Jasper, especialmente de las similitudes de sus tragedias familiares, de su pasado y presente y de todo lo que construyen juntos. Además, me encantó que la autora me diera personajes secundarios tan hermosos como los de este libro, y la verdad es que estoy muy emocionada de la posibilidad de leer a algunos de ellos en el futuro.
Creo que Chesney fue quien más me rompió el corazón, fue muy doloroso leerlo desde el prologo experimentando tanto dolor y culpa por la muerte de Lyle, y a medida que avanzaba la trama y Ashley me mostraba más de la relación con su papá, de las decisiones que tomó en el pasado y de sus arrepentimientos, solo sentí más ganas de protegerlo y abrazarlo. Por eso me encantó que la autora me diera todos esos momentos tan lindos entre Chesney y Truet: AMÉ que su hermano siempre estuviera ahí para él en los momentos más complicados, que supiera cuando Chesney lo necesitaba aún cuando él ocultaba sus sentimientos y que lo apoyara incondicionalmente, también lloré mucho con toda la trama con su papá, porque es muy triste, y porque me sorprendió (y encantó) la dirección que la autora le dio a esta parte de la historia.
Jasper se robó mi corazón de inmediato! Me encantó conocerlo en la lectura del testamento, amo la manera en la que ama el rancho de su familia y pelea por mantenerlo vivo. Una de las cosas que más me gustó de este personaje fue que mi perspectiva sobre él cambiara a lo largo de la historia debido a las cosas que la autora me mostró de su relación con Chesney: mi corazón se rompió por él también, y me encantó que a pesar de lo herido que está, siempre estuvo ahí para Chesney y comprendió el porque de sus decisiones y distanciamiento. Además, amé que también apoyara a Truett y se preocupara por él, que su historia personal comparta tantas similitudes con las de los hermanos Jennings y que eso lo haga la persona perfecta para cuidarlos cuando más lo necesitan.
Chesney & Jasper tienen la historia de amor más desgarradora que he leído de esta autora y creo que por eso se ganaron un lugar muy especial en mi corazón. Me rompió el corazón, pero también me gustó la manera en la que Ashley James manejo y retrato los diferentes duelos de estos personajes, la manera en la que sus tragedias se conectan y como esas perdidas interrumpieron su amor hace tantos años. También disfruté mucho leerlos aprendiendo a conocerse y confiar de nuevo, la manera en la que detestan la idea de tener que trabajar juntos pero como triunfan haciéndolo, demás, su final me parece uno de los más conmovedores y hermosos que he leído este año, y sin dudas uno muy merecido para ambos personajes, incluso para Truett a quien espero leer en el próximo libro.
🤠Chesney: 5/5
🤠Jasper: 5/5
🤠trama: 4/5
🤠historia de amor: 5/5
🤠personajes secundarios: 5/5
🤠portada: 5/5
🥵2/5
Rating: 4.5⭐
This is the most heartbreaking book by Ashley James so far, and I absolutely loved it. It was a bit difficult at the start due to the heavy themes the plot tackles, but once the flashbacks began, I gradually fell in love with Chesney & Jasper’s relationship—especially the parallels between their family tragedies, their pasts and presents, and everything they build together. I also loved the beautiful secondary characters the author created for this book; and honestly, I’m so excited about the possibility of reading stories about some of them in the future.
I think Chesney was the one who truly broke my heart; it was painful reading from the prologue on, seeing him endure so much grief and guilt over Lyle’s death, and as the plot unfolded and Ashley revealed more about his relationship with his dad, the choices he’d made in the past, and his regrets, I just wanted to protect and hug him. That’s why I loved the sweet moments between Chesney and Truet: I adored how his brother was always there for him during the toughest times, knowing when Chesney needed him even when he was hiding his feelings, and offering unconditional support. I also cried a lot over the storyline involving his dad—it’s heartbreaking, and I was surprised (and delighted) by the direction the author took with that part of the story.
Jasper stole my heart right away! I loved meeting him during the reading of the will; I loved how much he loves his family’s ranch and how hard he fights to keep it alive. One of the things I liked most about this character was how my perspective of him shifted throughout the story based on what the author revealed about his relationship with Chesney; my heart broke for him too, and I loved that—despite his own pain—he was always there for Chesney, understanding the reasons behind her decisions and her withdrawal. I also loved his support and concern for Truett; the fact that his personal history shares so many similarities with the Jennings siblings' story makes him the perfect person to look after them when they need it most.
Chesney & Jasper have the most heartbreaking love story I’ve read from this author, which is why they’ve earned such a special place in my heart. It broke me, yet I appreciated how Ashley James handled and portrayed the characters' respective grief, how their tragedies are intertwined, and how those losses interrupted their love so many years ago. I also really enjoyed watching them get to know each other and learn to trust again—seeing how they loathe the idea of working together yet ultimately succeed at it. Also, I found their ending to be one of the most moving and beautiful I’ve read this year—and undoubtedly well-deserved for both characters, including Truett, whose story I look forward to reading in the next book.
🤠Chesney: 5/5
🤠Jasper: 5/5
🤠plot: 4/5
🤠love story: 5/5
🤠secondary characters: 5/5
🤠Cover: 5/5
🥵2/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación: 4.5⭐
Este ha sido el libro de Ashley James que más me ha hecho sufrir y me encantó, fue un poco complicado al inicio debido a los temas complicados que la trama aborda, pero una vez que empezaron los flashbacks me fui enamorando poco a poco de la relación de Chesney & Jasper, especialmente de las similitudes de sus tragedias familiares, de su pasado y presente y de todo lo que construyen juntos. Además, me encantó que la autora me diera personajes secundarios tan hermosos como los de este libro, y la verdad es que estoy muy emocionada de la posibilidad de leer a algunos de ellos en el futuro.
Creo que Chesney fue quien más me rompió el corazón, fue muy doloroso leerlo desde el prologo experimentando tanto dolor y culpa por la muerte de Lyle, y a medida que avanzaba la trama y Ashley me mostraba más de la relación con su papá, de las decisiones que tomó en el pasado y de sus arrepentimientos, solo sentí más ganas de protegerlo y abrazarlo. Por eso me encantó que la autora me diera todos esos momentos tan lindos entre Chesney y Truet: AMÉ que su hermano siempre estuviera ahí para él en los momentos más complicados, que supiera cuando Chesney lo necesitaba aún cuando él ocultaba sus sentimientos y que lo apoyara incondicionalmente, también lloré mucho con toda la trama con su papá, porque es muy triste, y porque me sorprendió (y encantó) la dirección que la autora le dio a esta parte de la historia.
Jasper se robó mi corazón de inmediato! Me encantó conocerlo en la lectura del testamento, amo la manera en la que ama el rancho de su familia y pelea por mantenerlo vivo. Una de las cosas que más me gustó de este personaje fue que mi perspectiva sobre él cambiara a lo largo de la historia debido a las cosas que la autora me mostró de su relación con Chesney: mi corazón se rompió por él también, y me encantó que a pesar de lo herido que está, siempre estuvo ahí para Chesney y comprendió el porque de sus decisiones y distanciamiento. Además, amé que también apoyara a Truett y se preocupara por él, que su historia personal comparta tantas similitudes con las de los hermanos Jennings y que eso lo haga la persona perfecta para cuidarlos cuando más lo necesitan.
Chesney & Jasper tienen la historia de amor más desgarradora que he leído de esta autora y creo que por eso se ganaron un lugar muy especial en mi corazón. Me rompió el corazón, pero también me gustó la manera en la que Ashley James manejo y retrato los diferentes duelos de estos personajes, la manera en la que sus tragedias se conectan y como esas perdidas interrumpieron su amor hace tantos años. También disfruté mucho leerlos aprendiendo a conocerse y confiar de nuevo, la manera en la que detestan la idea de tener que trabajar juntos pero como triunfan haciéndolo, demás, su final me parece uno de los más conmovedores y hermosos que he leído este año, y sin dudas uno muy merecido para ambos personajes, incluso para Truett a quien espero leer en el próximo libro.
🤠Chesney: 5/5
🤠Jasper: 5/5
🤠trama: 4/5
🤠historia de amor: 5/5
🤠personajes secundarios: 5/5
🤠portada: 5/5
🥵2/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, so I think reading this book while also dealing with a death in the family and the passing of my father-in-law probably wasn’t the best idea, but reading is therapeutic, right? Because I cannot tell you how much I loved this book.
We follow Chesney and Jasper, whose love story begins when they meet as adolescents for the first time. Their story moves back and forth through different periods of their lives, including a long period of no communication between them. We don’t fully see the impact of that separation until later, but once everything starts coming to the surface, you realize just how many layers there are to their story. There is a family feud between their families, their relationship is a secret, they’re both dealing with grief within their families, and then there is SO MUCH GUILT, seriously. So much guilt. There are so many hurdles these two have to get through before they can finally reach a place where they aren’t allowing the past to dictate their future or harboring resentment toward one another.
And Jasper? Jasper was amazing from beginning to end. The patience he showed Chesney throughout his journey of grief was one of my favorite parts of this book. Honestly, I think this is some of Ashley’s best work. I love all of Ashley’s books, but this one really stayed with me. I don't know if it's because of my own current grief, but this was amazing. I loved the way the story explored the inability to process emotions and communicate with each other between parent and child, and just how damaging that can be. We see how the choices people make and the ways they respond to pain can have consequences that eventually become impossible to change. Sometimes you reach a point where you can’t go back and fix what happened. You can only accept what is, figure out how to live with it, and find a way forward. That's what happened in this book. It's not always about forgiveness.
And then there’s Chesney and Jasper together. Once these two finally get together, it is a LOVE EXPLOSION. But even then, there are more layers because they start discovering all of the things they missed about each other and all the time they lost. I wanted to go back to their teenage selves and shake them both. Not literally, obviously, but just grab them by the shoulders and say, “GUYS. COME ON. YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER.” But Chesney made it hard!!
There is also one particular moment when Chesney’s brother tells him something Jasper did, and I cannot say anything else because I refuse to spoil it. Just know that I stopped what I was doing. I then got up and walked outside to touch grass to stop crying.
What I appreciated most about this book was how respectfully it handled grief. It shows that grief doesn’t always look the way we expect it to and that losing someone can bring up complicated emotions, memories, guilt, anger, love, and everything in between. I especially appreciated the acknowledgment that grief can stay with you for a long time. Even when you have therapy, even when you learn coping skills, and even when you think you’ve worked through something, there can still be things that linger and things that trigger you. But there are also ways to work through those things. Sometimes that way is to just face it head-on, but to admit that you need support.
I had the honor of reading this as an ARC, and I genuinely loved every bit of it. This book was emotional, layered, beautifully complicated, and exceptionally written(as always). It gave me everything I wanted from Chesney and Jasper’s story and then somehow still managed to break my heart along the way, but made sure to build it right back up.
We follow Chesney and Jasper, whose love story begins when they meet as adolescents for the first time. Their story moves back and forth through different periods of their lives, including a long period of no communication between them. We don’t fully see the impact of that separation until later, but once everything starts coming to the surface, you realize just how many layers there are to their story. There is a family feud between their families, their relationship is a secret, they’re both dealing with grief within their families, and then there is SO MUCH GUILT, seriously. So much guilt. There are so many hurdles these two have to get through before they can finally reach a place where they aren’t allowing the past to dictate their future or harboring resentment toward one another.
And Jasper? Jasper was amazing from beginning to end. The patience he showed Chesney throughout his journey of grief was one of my favorite parts of this book. Honestly, I think this is some of Ashley’s best work. I love all of Ashley’s books, but this one really stayed with me. I don't know if it's because of my own current grief, but this was amazing. I loved the way the story explored the inability to process emotions and communicate with each other between parent and child, and just how damaging that can be. We see how the choices people make and the ways they respond to pain can have consequences that eventually become impossible to change. Sometimes you reach a point where you can’t go back and fix what happened. You can only accept what is, figure out how to live with it, and find a way forward. That's what happened in this book. It's not always about forgiveness.
And then there’s Chesney and Jasper together. Once these two finally get together, it is a LOVE EXPLOSION. But even then, there are more layers because they start discovering all of the things they missed about each other and all the time they lost. I wanted to go back to their teenage selves and shake them both. Not literally, obviously, but just grab them by the shoulders and say, “GUYS. COME ON. YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER.” But Chesney made it hard!!
There is also one particular moment when Chesney’s brother tells him something Jasper did, and I cannot say anything else because I refuse to spoil it. Just know that I stopped what I was doing. I then got up and walked outside to touch grass to stop crying.
What I appreciated most about this book was how respectfully it handled grief. It shows that grief doesn’t always look the way we expect it to and that losing someone can bring up complicated emotions, memories, guilt, anger, love, and everything in between. I especially appreciated the acknowledgment that grief can stay with you for a long time. Even when you have therapy, even when you learn coping skills, and even when you think you’ve worked through something, there can still be things that linger and things that trigger you. But there are also ways to work through those things. Sometimes that way is to just face it head-on, but to admit that you need support.
I had the honor of reading this as an ARC, and I genuinely loved every bit of it. This book was emotional, layered, beautifully complicated, and exceptionally written(as always). It gave me everything I wanted from Chesney and Jasper’s story and then somehow still managed to break my heart along the way, but made sure to build it right back up.
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