Gathering Storms

Wild at Heart #4

by Lex Martin

What’s more complicated than a marriage of convenience? Falling for your husband.

After losing my apartment and librarian job in the same week, I'm one bad day away from hitting rock bottom. That's the only reason I consider Jace Walker's offer to be his toddler's nanny while he goes on a national tour.

I don't even like the man. But he recently had a baby he didn't know about dumped on his doorstep, and for once in his charmed life, he's as desperate as I am.

The plan seems simple — until his label says only spouses can join the tour. And Jace Walker, it turns out, would rather lose the chance of a lifetime than leave his daughter behind.

So when he asks if I'd consider marrying him, I know exactly what I am: his last resort.

I agree to his four-month marriage, convinced he'd never tempt me. Besides, he's too charming, too handsome, too talented to look twice at a quiet bookworm. I have rules and walls up for good reasons.

Except life on the road with this rugged cowboy has other plans—bandmates who resent me, his conniving ex who joins the tour, and a deranged fan who leaves us creepy gifts.

And nothing prepares me for Jace himself. The man underneath the charm. The father who'd give up everything for his daughter. The one who makes me feel things I buried a long time ago—and the storm building between us reminds me exactly why I buried them.

If you enjoy reformed playboys, swoony cowboys, single dads who adore their daughters, or prickly, closed-off librarians who would rather read than hang out with country stars, this one is for you!

Genres: Marriage Of Convenience, Forced Proximity, Small Town Romance, Cowboy Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Romance

461 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2026

About the author

Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of the Wild at Heart series, Varsity Dads, Texas Nights, and the Dearest series. She writes contemporary romance novels, the steamy kind she hopes her readers love but her parents avoid. A former high school English teacher and freelance journalist, she resides in Texas with her husband and twin daughters. Drop her a line. She loves hearing from readers.

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Reviews

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when I’m reading a romantic suspense and I have so many theories and speculations.
When you don’t know The Who or how it’s going to play out. That’s how I know it’s going to be good.

And gosh there were a few people I straight wanted to two hand throttle.

Jace & Rory
Our country lead singer star brother
Is going on tour!
But there’s a surprise baby.
And he needs a nanny
And bam she is jobless and homeless.
Our cute little shy librarian.

This was a whirlwind.
I wanted to shake Rory. And then I was you go girl!
I wanted to punch Jace and then awe.
The plot was plotting hard.

Arc review ✨

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟, 3🌶️

I absolutely love when a romance has me making theories every few chapters, only to prove me completely wrong.

Jace and Rory completely won me over. Rory’s quiet strength and kind heart made her so easy to root for, while watching Jace grow into fatherhood was every bit as swoon-worthy as the romance itself. Their marriage of convenience felt believable, heartfelt, and filled with the kind of slow-burn chemistry that made every moment between them worth the wait.

What really made this story unforgettable was how effortlessly it blended romance, family, humor, and suspense. Just when I thought I knew where things were heading, another twist had me questioning everything. I went from smiling at the sweetest moments with Layla to wanting to shake a few characters, then straight back to completely melting over Jace and Rory. Their emotional connection felt genuine, and watching them slowly become each other’s safe place was easily my favorite part of the book.

By the time I reached the final chapters, I was completely invested in every outcome, and the ending still managed to surprise me. This is the kind of romance that keeps your heart full while keeping you guessing, and I loved every second of it. Jace, Rory, and Layla have easily become some of my favorite characters, and this story will be living rent-free in my head for a very long time.

This delivered everything I could have wanted and somehow even more.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Lex Martin and Team for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're not the consolation prize, Aurora. You're the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."~Jace😍

"They have my whole heart."~Rory🥹

"Darlin' you look like something out of a cowboy's dirty dream."~Jace😈

"...he's mine now, and I plan to keep him."~Rory🥰

"I want to make your dreams come true too, not just mine."~Jace🫠

🎸🎶📚📻🤘🏻👢👢🚍🤠👶🏻🎸🎶🥵🌠🛻💋❤️‍🔥😚

Welcome back to Wild Heart, Texas, y'all. It's time to go back to the Walker ranch, visit the brothers, their sassy wives, playful kids, and get wrapped up in their funny family drama(s).😂 There's never a dull moment. And we wouldn't want it any other way. This time it's Jace Walker, 27, who's going to get his world shook then flipped upside down.🔮 He's not ready, but then, who is?😉 Especially when a woman from his past knocks on the door with a one year old little girl in a car seat. His little girl.🤯 Now, Jace, how can I put this, Rory called him a manw*ore. Yeah. That should summarize it.🤭 No judgement Jace.lol This guy has had his share of groupies and women galore. But he is on a s3x cleanse. Abstinence. I have to say, I like that Jace made a change for himself b/c he didn't like where that path was leading him. It's different. Did I mention he's in a band, and the lead singer? An opportunity has presented itself to be an opening act for a famous singer, after 10yrs of waiting and hoping, but how can he do this, he just found out he has a little girl.🫢🫢🫢🫢 He won't leave his child at home.

Aurora (Rory) Anderson, 25, is very smart, loyal, and a librarian. She's sweet and doesn't like to make a fuss about things. She's an introvert and an over-thinker. Relatable. And yes, she dresses in long baggy clothes. She wears glasses. But don't underestimate where beauty lives.🫡 People aren't very nice to her. She's overlooked. A wallflower. But that girl is beautiful. Jace will show her and make her feel it.🥰🥰🥰🥰 Rory gets up, hurting, even as she keeps tripping and falling.😖 I don't think she's clumsy but it is what it is. Just know, that as this story progressed, there's less of that happening. I saw Rory grow, get out of her comfort zone, speak up for herself and shut people up, down and sideways. Yassss girl!🎉🫰🏻🫰🏻🫰🏻 Finally mama. Do your thing.🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻 She loves to read, loves kids, doesn't have a lot of friends, and has trust issues. Well things are about to turn to... 💩💩💩😫 very quickly!!!!!! Rory gets evicted, she even got fired from the library. Ughhh. The nerve.🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️ Her friends, Paige, Honey, Baylee, who are they, Jace's sister-in-laws. You see where I'm going here? Jace needs a road nanny and she needs a job. Rory doesn't like Jace much. He's too much of a player and is too d@mn good looking. Her cheating ex was in a band. But deep down, I know that she finds Jace very attractive.😜✨✨🧲🧲🧲✨✨

The hitch is: she can go on the road, but only as his wife.😱😱😱😱😱😱🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥

Non-negotiable.🚍🛄

Time to get hitched and pack your bags honey!💍

What's the worse that can happen?

Besides sharing some serious time together, caring for Layla, and a bed. Really? What could possibly happen?🤔😲😲😲🥵🥵🥵🥵🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💋💋💋💋🫦🫦

With a crazy @$$ stalker!😬🍒👥👤👥🍒

I was, still am, excited that I got to read the next Walker brother get his whirlwind love of a lifetime.🫶🏻 This is a sloww burn romance. It doesn't just leap in but builds from the ground up. I appreciate that even more. It doesn't drag but smoothly flows the characters, this family, in being supportive, showing up, and giving love. Expect opposites attract, close proximity, suspense, a bit of a mystery, a twist, drama, will they or won't they, humor, a cute little baby named Layla, marriage of convenience, online presence, photos, lies, misunderstandings, jealousy, heat, flirting, kisses, Jace wrote a song for Rory and sings it((his firefly)), horses back at the ranch, a romantic evening under the stars, and some serious changes and developments. He even wants to buy her a bookstore. Love that.♥️📚 These 2 people went out on tour together and found what they never expected in each other.😽😽

Now Ms Martin will put her readers through it ((in a good way)) and having you read late into the night, one more chapter becomes ten. You may look like a zombie as you go into work in the morning.🧟‍♀️🤣🤣 And all you'll be thinking about is: when is lunch so you can read the book again. It's like that. The true story of book realness✧⁠\⁠(⁠>⁠o⁠<⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠✧(⁠☉⁠｡⁠☉⁠)⁠! Jace makes mistakes. Rory didn't reveal her feelings. Whyyyyyy?! But they both protect and support each other. I figured out who the evil troll was. Noooo, I'm not telling you. As if!!!😂😂 I'm invested here. Worth it.🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️ It's such a good book. Great job, Ms Martin!🥳🥂

I love the book cover. There's horses in the background. I adore this couple. The story is written well. There's spice too.🌋🌋 Naughty talk from Jace.☺️ I recommend. It's a standalone but interconnected with the first 3 books. They're all worth reading. Put them on your TBR pile.🌟🌟🌟🌟

Shout-out to Dreamer🐴, Fluffy🐑, and the many nameless horses, chickens out on the ranch.🐴🐴🐴🐴🐓🐓🐓🐥🐥🐥🐔🐔🐔 And also Bluebell a VW🚙 and a van named Pamela Vanderson.🚐 Happy reading.*•>§<•*💜🩵💜🩵💜🌪️

🚩🚩Read the TWs. 18+ read.🚩🚩

🧑‍🎤💘👩🏻‍🏫Thank you to Ms Martin and Grey's Promotions for an early book. This is my honest review on the book I read.👩🏻‍🏫💘🧑‍🎤

[Van · Rating 1 out of 5]

Atrocious
Very immature man and a doormat
Not romantic at all, I don’t believe for a second that he was in love with her

Everyone in this book humiliates and steps on heroine, her family, the hero loser, ahis band, his ex, his fans… and at the end she is glad to continue a relationship with all of them and even apologize, I don’t know why? For breathing?

He humiliates and humiliates her all through the book, honestly either the Arc are from author’s friends or they don’t know a good love story
She is his daughter nanny and there was nothing sexy about it, just a creepy relationship
We all need to have more self respect, women
She should have left, he was almost ok with that idea…

His ex is with him and his band on tour and they pretend they are together or flirting for the fans in front of heroine! It’s a cluster freak show
He never thinks about her at all or fight for her and his band mates treated her horribly!
🤢

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Solid 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because it is not a 4 star story.

Do with that what you will. I'll back in the morning to expand

[Zion Archeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gathering Storms was such an immersive and surprisingly insightful read. What starts as a marriage of convenience between a reformed playboy rockstar and a quiet librarian quickly turns into a story about responsibility, trust, and building a family in the most unexpected way.

Jace , the lead singer of a famous band, suddenly finds himself becoming the father of a baby girl he never knew existed just as he's about to leave for tour. Rory, recently fired from her librarian job, accepts a temporary nanny position that soon turns into a fake marriage so she can travel with the band. It's a setup that could have felt overdone, but Lex Martin makes it feel fresh through the characters.

Rory was easily my favorite part of the book. She's thoughtful, steady, observant, and quietly funny without even realizing it. I loved how she never rushed into decisions but stayed present in every situation, whether it involved caring for baby Lila, navigating life on tour, or supporting Jace through difficult moments. Her calm nature balanced Jace's more laid-back personality beautifully.

And baby Layla was a sweetie at every scene she appeared in.

I also enjoyed seeing Rory's personal growth . She begins as someone whose world revolves around books and routine, but touring with the band pushes her outside her comfort zone and helps her discover a more adventurous version of herself without changing who she is at her core.

What made the story feel especially wholesome was the sense of family surrounding the characters . Rory has spent much of her life feeling unsupported by both sides of her family, so watching Jace’s brothers and sisters-in-law welcome her, value her opinions, and show up for her in small everyday ways was incredibly heartwarming. At the same time, Jace also has a strong support system in his brothers, who constantly help him think through problems and stand beside him when things get difficult. That contrast between Rory’s loneliness and the warmth she gradually finds with Jace’s family added an emotional depth that I really loved.

My favorite touches were the original songs Jace writes throughout the story. The snippets of lyrics , especially Firefly, felt like little gifts woven between the chapters. They offered a sweet pause amidst the romance and drama while also showing his feelings in a way that words alone couldn't. Those moments made the relationship feel even more intimate and memorable.


One aspect I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much was the behind-the-scenes look at the music industry. The touring life , contracts, publicity, social media, and the pressures of fame added an interesting layer that made the story feel more authentic and gave me a greater appreciation for everything that happens beyond the stage.

The middle portion does bring plenty of drama. . But those conflicts also highlighted the importance of standing up for your partner, communicating honestly, and making each other feel valued despite demanding careers and outside pressures.

The suspense surrounding the stalker kept me invested, and I appreciated that Rory's intelligence and presence of mind played such an important role instead of relying on unnecessary drama.

Overall, this was an easy, fun, and incredibly addictive read. Once I started, I genuinely didn't want to put it down. My only advice? Make sure you don't begin it when you desperately need sleep—the emotional roller coaster in the middle will keep you turning pages. And yeah, it is definitely spicy.

A heartwarming romance with a lovable baby, a golden retriever rockstar, a quietly brilliant librarian, and a reminder that sometimes the qualities that carry us through life's storms are steadiness, trust, and choosing each other every single day.

recommended for readers who want
TROPES:
💜 marriage of convenience
💜 single dad
💜 opposites attract
💜 forced proximity
💜 small town
💜 romantic suspense

Thank you to the Author Agency team for providing an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake vows. Real chemistry. Absolute perfection.

5 ⭐️ | 2.75 🌶️

Lex Martin… I need answers.

What is in these books? Meth? Kryptonite? Some kind of addictive literary sorcery? Because every single time I pick up one of her novels, I tell myself I’ll read “just a few chapters”… and then suddenly it’s 2 a.m., I’ve devoured the entire book, and I’m wondering how she managed to hijack my life for the last 24 hours.

Gathering Storms is the fourth instalment in the Wild at Heart series, and somehow Lex Martin keeps raising the bar.

Rory is the kind of heroine I instantly adored. She’s a quiet librarian, a homebody, happiest surrounded by books rather than people. After losing both her apartment and her job in the span of days, she’s desperately trying to stay afloat when an unexpected opportunity lands in her lap.

Enter Jace Walker.

Cowboy. Musician. Certified charmer. Newly surprised single dad to an adorable little girl he never knew existed. When the opportunity of a lifetime sends him on tour, he needs someone to help care for his daughter. The solution seems simple… until tour rules dictate only spouses are allowed to travel with the band.

Cue one of my favourite tropes: marriage of convenience.

What I loved most about this book wasn’t the trope itself; it was how beautifully Lex Martin made it unfold. Nothing felt rushed or forced. Rory and Jace don’t simply fall into each other’s arms. They slowly peel back each other’s layers, discovering the people hidden beneath their carefully built walls. Their relationship feels authentic, vulnerable, passionate, and incredibly earned.

And Jace? Good grief.

Watching this former playboy transform into a fiercely devoted father was enough to melt my heart. Seeing the way he loved his daughter made every romantic moment hit even harder. Add in the cowboy charm, musician lifestyle, protective instincts, and emotional vulnerability, and you’ve got a book boyfriend who deserves every bit of the hype.

But don’t let the sweet moments fool you.

This story has tension simmering beneath every page. Between life on tour, complicated relationships, lingering emotional scars, jealous band dynamics, an ex who refuses to stay in the past, and increasingly unsettling events surrounding the tour, there’s this constant feeling that something bigger is coming.

And when it finally arrives…

HOLY. SHIT.

I genuinely did not see that plot twist coming. Not even a little.

I love when a romance surprises me, and this one absolutely delivered.

Lex Martin has such a gift for writing love stories that feel deeply emotional without ever losing their addictive pacing. The romance is swoony, the chemistry is electric, the emotional beats land exactly where they should, and every page leaves you desperate for just one more chapter.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s sexy, heartfelt, funny, emotional, beautifully written, and impossible to put down, Gathering Storms deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.

If you love:
🤍 Marriage of convenience
🎸 Rockstar × cowboy
👶 Single dad
📚 Quiet librarian heroine
❤️ Nanny romance
🌩️ Slow-burn tension with incredible payoff
🤠 Reformed playboys who fall hard

…then trust me, you’ll be just as obsessed as I was.

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the eARC, and congratulations to Lex Martin on another unforgettable Wild at Heart novel (out July 9th)!

[Shonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Gathering Storms

AUTHOR: Lex Martin

SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

RATING: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🅜🅨 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦-

Gathering storms is the 4th book in the wild at heart series.

I am truly at a loss for words for how incredible this story was. I devoured this beautiful story and I didn’t want to put it down. Lex Martin is a phenomenal storyteller. I adore everything she writes but Gathering storms will hold a special place in my heart.

Jace walker is an aspiring country rock star who has dreams of making his band hit the big time. He has a wonderful support group by his brothers and their wives. Jace unexpectedly gets a surprise on his doorstep in the form and the cutest little girl. Jace dives head first into the role of the doting father who will do whatever it takes for his young daughter. But Jace is stuck in abit of a dilemma he has a tour coming up with his band and has no one to help out with child care his only alternative is to hire a nanny but no one can travel with the band unless they are a spouse.

Rory is the quiet librarian who keeps to herself. She’s shy and very reserved after she has just lost her job and is soon to be homeless her friends come to her with a solution to her problems that will help her out and also help Jace out.

Jace and Rory couldn’t be more opposite if they tried yet they were incredible together. Their chemistry was undeniable and I loved how protective Jace was with Rory. Jace and Rory’s romance isn’t all rainbows and sunshine with jace’s band members taking a disliking to Rory and with Jace having a stalker who sends creepy gifts which seems to get darker and more sinister every time they send them. Will Rory and Jace have what it takes to overcome the obstacles in their path or will it destroy their relationship before they even have a chance to try and make it work.

I have loved every single release in this series but for me jace’s story is by far my favourite. I am throughly looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I cannot recommend this story enough!

If you’re a fan of single dad, marriage of convenience and country rockstar romances then make sure you read this phenomenal story!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

You just had to do it didn’t you?!?!
😭😭😭😭

First off:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Now… sexy librarian and sexy musician, fake marriage, and secret baby????

WHAT!!!!

Jace is in his prime. FINALLY getting the chance of a lifetime to tour and make his band known nationwide until a baby is dropped on his doorstep. The funny, single, partying, one night stand, lover boy is now a dad. But what about the tour? No women are allowed to travel unless they are married. Who’s going to take care of the baby? His sister in laws make a suggestion. Rory. The woman who hates him with a passion.

Rory has had crap luck with love. With no family around after some EPIC drama, then suddenly disaster happens at the library. But not only that, with her living situation. Without a job or a place to live, she’s stuck on what to do, until her friends suggest being a nanny. Only one problem… She has to marry the man she hates to take the job.

Rory takes the job and marries Jace. She’s Layla’s nanny and starts falling in love with her.
Of course there’s drama with the band mates and old flames pop up. But the guys have some creepy stuff happening while on tour. In every city. In every place they go. Who is it?
What happens with Rory and Jace? What happens with the band drama? What about this fake relationship that isn’t so fake anymore?

I was crying by chapter 49 and lord woman it was over the smallest thing. But you had me in my feelings. I loved this book so so much!

[Carm Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love getting ARCs from authors I already know and love. It’s even better when it’s a book I’ve been eagerly waiting for in a series I’ve been thoroughly enjoying.

That’s exactly what I got with Gathering Storms, book four in the Wild at Heart series by Lex Martin.

This is the ultimate unlikely-couple romance. Jace, a musician and now single father, finds himself entering into a marriage of convenience with Rory, a quiet librarian, homebody, and someone who is unapologetically herself.

After a series of unfortunate circumstances, Rory joins Jace on tour as not only the nanny to his daughter but also his wife and a rockstar world she is not used to.

One of my favourite things about this book was that, although the attraction between Jace and Rory was obvious from the beginning, Jace actually had to work for it. Rory doesn’t simply fall at his feet, and I loved that about her. There were definitely moments where I wanted to tell her she was worthy, but her insecurities and personal journey added so much depth to the story.

In classic Lex Martin fashion, there are plenty of twists and turns, a few genuine WTF moments, and when the spice hits, it hits.

I’m genuinely disappointed that there’s only one book left in this series, but I’m already counting down the days for Chasing Shadows.

Thank you to Lex Martin and The Author Agency for sending me this ARC. This review is my own personal opinion x

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Jace and Rory because they were a couple that didn’t make sense on paper but ended up being perfect for each other. I ate this story up because there was so much going on that kept me on the edge of my seat till the very end. This couple goes through some ups and downs with a few unexpected twist to get to their HEA.
Jace Walker has put everything into his band and when he finally gets his big break, he finds out he has a daughter. Jace is not sure how he is going to go on tour with his daughter and thinks he is going to have to let his band down. Rory is having a rough time, she has lost her job as the town librarian and her apartment. Rory’s friends suggest that they she join Jace on his tour as his nanny. In order for Rory to join Jace on tour, they have to be married, so they agree to a marriage of convenience and to get a divorce at the end of the tour. While falling for each other Jace and Rory face a bunch of obstacles like angry bandmates, a meddling ex, demanding tour schedule, and a crazy stalker. You will have to read Gathering Storms to see how Jace and Rory handle everything that comes their way and if they are willing to fight for their relationship. I enjoyed watching these two fall for each other because Rory was nervous about going on tour because she was going to be stuck on the bus and doesn’t like big crowds, but as her and Jace grew closer, she gained confidence in herself and Jace started to imagine a future he never thought possible.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora Anderson agrees to marry Jase Walker in order to go on tour with him as his nanny. But let me back up a second.

In one fell swoop, Rory loses her apartment and job as the town librarian around the time Jase finds a baby he never knew about dropped on his doorstep as he's getting ready to go on the first ever US tour with his band, Wayward Sons.

Jase refuses to tour without his daughter (knowing what that parental abandonment feels like), and management says only spouses can accompany the band on tour. Rory has her reservations, because Jase shares too many similarities to the guy who broke her heart (and, hoo boy, is that ever a story).

Not only do we have the perfect setup for a heartfelt, compelling romance, but this gifted wordsmith delivers it perfectly. This one is amazing! Jase and Rory are so freaking sweet together, but holy wow, are there ever a lot of forces working against them.

I loved the drama and suspense with the side of mean-girl diva, but the twist? Knock-your-socks-off terrific! Jase, bless his heart, made some poor choices, but he really stepped up when things got critical. I loved seeing his growth, but it was Rory finding her faith in herself and growing into the woman she was meant to be that really stole the show. A truly phenomenal read in every imaginable, this is one you won’t want to miss!

[Hayley Peckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A STORM!!! The title absolutely states exactly what I went through reading this book 🥹

Let’s start with the way Jace jumped right into fatherhood. His cute little nicknames for his daughter had my ovaries completely activated. Swoonville city especially when he was going to give up his dreams without a second thought because he refused to abandon his baby girl…but then steps in Rory, the cute and shy librarian who’s out of a job and Jace needs a nanny to go on tour…perfect solution except only “wives” are allowed on the tour bus…. Fake marriage? Say less. 🤭

I was rooting for these two (and one sweet little girl 🥹) with my whole heart, but holy moly... what an emotional rollercoaster. All those plot twists and turns that you never see coming, some people you absolutely want to 🤜 their jugular throughout the story. These poor two had the odds stacked against them at every turn LITERALLY…. and it absolutely wrecked me. Rory fought so hard to protect her heart and resist Jace... but he's a Walker brother and if you’ve read this series you know falling for those men are inevitable. 😮‍💨

And the spice? Whew...LAWD have mercy. 🥵🪭 The chemistry was off the charts, and I was kicking my feet one minute and clutching my chest the next. What a ride.

I think this might be my new fav in the series. 💜

Thank you Lex for the advanced copy to read 🫶

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lex Martin has once again slayed my cowboy-loving heart! Gathering Storms might be my favorite book in the Wild at Heart series yet. With forced proximity, a marriage of convenience, a dreamy country music star and an unexpected single dad, this book had everything I love. I laughed, cried, swooned, and even bit my nails thanks to the suspense.

Jace Walker absolutely ruined me. He’s officially my favorite Walker brother. The way he steps up as an overnight single dad and loves Rory with his whole heart had me melting. He isn’t perfect, but he owns his mistakes, apologizes and puts in the work—and I loved him even more for it.

Rory is just as easy to root for. She has insecurities and struggles of her own, but she’s brave, resilient and grows so much by stepping outside her comfort zone to help Jace. Watching them both grow individually and together made their HEA feel completely earned.

The spice was perfection and Jace’s dirty mouth was absolutely everything. Between the chemistry, angst, romance and suspense, I couldn't put this book down. Gathering Storms delivers everything you want in a romance and somehow gives you even more than you knew you needed. Put this one on your shelf or e-reader immediately!

ARC Review 📚

[Brigid Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved EVERYTHING about this book!! Lex Martin absolutely knocked it out of the park with Gathering Storms. It had me laughing, swooning, tearing up, smiling, and wondering what the heck was going on. I was hooked from the first chapter.

Jace Walker is confidence and swoony swagger. He has been working so hard for the past decade to make on the country music scene, and just when his big chance has finally happened, life has thrown him a huge curveball- a 1 year old daughter.

Enter Rory. She his opposite. She's shy, completely introverted, and doesn't trust easily. Down on her luck and desperate she agrees to be his nanny. Did I say nanny? I meant fake wife. But oh boy, with their chemistry they were destined to be real. Was it an easy ride to their HEA? Nope, but then that makes it all the better.

Jace and Rory's story reminded me why I love Lex Martin's books so much. She writes characters who feel real, romances that make your heart ache in the best way, and love stories that stay with you long after you've turned the last page. So if you're a fan of single dads, marriage of convenience, slow-burn romance, found family, and protective heroes, do yourself a favor and one-click now!

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED Jace & Rory & Layla.

Ok first off Jace is forever my book boyfriend, and you can't have him. Now that we have that cleared up.... this was such a good story and so much more than I expected. The suspense was so good and while I consider myself a sleuther, it took me a while to put the pieces together.

Now, on to the fun stuff. Jace is our cowboy, country rock crooner Walker brother, who right before the break of a lifetime finds out he has a daughter. Rory is a down on her luck librarian who is also friends with the Walker brother's women. He needs a nanny and she needs a job and a home. Off they go on tour. When the spice gets to spicing, it was hot hot hot. There were also so many bumps they traveled over that broke my heart.

Lex wrote the musician aspect of this story sooo well. There were plenty of times I wanted to throat punch several characters, but I also loved watching Rory stand her ground and Jace coming to the realization that he loved her and she was his true north star. My favorite part of the whole story though is the bonus epilogues when we get glimpse into their future. Gah it was soooo good.

[Anah Grindrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gathering Storms completely consumed me. I expected a fun marriage of convenience cowboy romance and instead fell hard for Jace, Rory, and sweet little Layla. 🤠📚💘

Jace Walker is everything I love in a book boyfriend: former playboy country star, unexpected single dad, and a man who would burn the world down for his daughter. Watching him stumble through fatherhood while loving Layla so fiercely absolutely melted me. 🥹💙

Rory was the perfect match for him — quiet, guarded, bookish, and slowly learning that she deserves love, family, and happiness again. Their forced proximity on a country music tour bus, fake marriage setup, and slow-burn chemistry had me completely hooked. 🚌✨🔥

And Layla? Total scene-stealer. She was the heart of the story and made this found family feel even more special. 👧🏼💞

With heart, humour, tension, swoon, and just enough drama to keep me turning the pages, this was such an addictive read. If you love marriage of convenience, single dads, country music stars, forced proximity, grumpy bookworms, and accidental found family, add this to your TBR immediately. 📖🤍

Tropes:
🌩️ Slow-burn tension with incredible payoff
🤠 Reformed playboys who fall hard
🤍 Marriage of convenience
🎸 Rockstar × cowboy / Single Dad
📚 Quiet librarian heroine
❤️ Nanny romance

Thank you Lex Martin and The Author Agency for the ARC

[Spreading Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What do you say, Aurora? Can I date my wife? Would that be okay with you?"

Wow! I am stunned by how incredibly good this was! I need to go back and read the first 3 in the series immediately. This is an interconnected standalone and I had no issues jumping in at this point in the series but man I want all the details now!

This novel is a contemporary romance for Jace, the MMC who is a rockstar and Rory, the FMC who was a librarian and is now the nanny for a surprise baby. I mean, that sentence alone just shows you the potential twists and turns, but you have to figure in a stalker, a few exes, missing family, and a whole lot of found family. Oh, don't forget the secret marriage and the band tour. SO MUCH GOING ON!!! I loved it.

"Because I licked her and now she's mine." Yup there is some spice here. It is a slow burn and maybe about a 🌶️🌶️. The spice is spicing but it isn't the main focus here. This is one of the best Romantic Suspense novels I have read this year.

💜 marriage of convenience
💜 single dad
💜 cowboy country singer
💜 forced proximity
💜 romantic suspense
💜 small town romance
💜 opposites attract

*This is an ARC review*

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this phenomenal series, and this is Jace and Rory’s story.
Jace is in a band he loves, and becomes a single dad to his baby daughter, whom he never knew about, and Rory is the local librarian. When Rory hits rock bottom when she loses her apartment and job in the same week, Jace needs a nanny for his daughter while he is on tour, but when the label states only spouses can join, they agree to a marriage of convenience. Rory becomes a target of a deranged fan, the band mates resent her, and Jace’s conniving ex, so life is not easy for her.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, romance suspense, intrigue, marriage of convenience, opposites attract, forced proximity, humour, witty banter, challenges, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, and unpredictable, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Alicia Guillory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Single dad ✔️ Marriage of convenience ✔️ Rock star ✔️ Romantic suspense ✔️ …Yes, please!

I absolutely loved this book, and that twist? I never saw it coming!

Jace is the perfect tortured rock star with the biggest heart, while Rory is the sweetest, quiet book nerd. They’re opposites in almost every way, but their chemistry is undeniable—even though they both fight their feelings for completely different reasons.

One of my favorite parts was watching Rory love and care for Layla like she was her own from the very beginning. She constantly puts everyone else first, and it was so rewarding to watch her finally come out of her shell. And Jace? I was obsessed with his secret romantic side. Seeing him grow throughout the story made me love him even more.

If you’re looking for a romantic suspense filled with cowboys, rock stars, a beautiful librarian, swoony romance, and plenty of twists, this one is definitely for you!

[Jezebel Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ok this one was definitely my fav out of the series!
Jace was just the perfect MMC ☺️

Jace & his band are finally getting a chance to get signed. But will all his hard work be delayed when a woman shows up out of the blue with his baby?

Rory, our sweet librarian somehow finds herself without a job & looking for a new place to live.

And leave it up to the girls to come up with the perfect solution for them.
Get married, be a nanny & go on tour.

The tension between Jace & Rory is everything. Their story is such a cute a read with a little bit of edge to it.

[Sheridan Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you read a romance and are like… that’s too good to be true. Well Lex is an absolute mastermind and can make you absolutely believe anything! This book had my heart in a vice grip the ENTIRE time! I could not put it down. I adore Jace and Rory! Holy cow do they go through the wringer but come out so strong.

There are twists and turns in this book that I thought I had all figured out just to be completely shocked by the end. It is SO good! Stealing Hearts has always been my #1 but Gathering Storms is now my new favorite in the series! Lex Martin is an auto buy for me and she reminds me why with every book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following this author for quite some time, but only recently started reading, and man, I wish I hadn't waited so long! I have catching up to do!

I am just loving her story telling!

Opposites attract. That's what they say.
Will this be the case for Jace and Rory?

Is taking the job as a nanny, the break Rory needs?

What happens when an uber fan doesn't appreciate Rory in Jace's life?
Will Rory change her mind about Jace?
Will his bandmates come around?

I had fingers and toes crossed for these two and the baby!

Plenty of emotions, steam and everything in between!

[Jessica_BookishBrat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise in how much I enjoyed it! There was a little bit of everything rolled into it, and the plot twist took me by surprise, too. It had some banter, humor, little taste of slow burn, mystery, rockstar, small town, single dad, marriage of convenience, cowboy-ish. This book packs a punch in so many great ways! I enjoyed it!

[Ashley Wengert · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS. So good absolutely no notes! i absolutely ate this up. i could not put it down! Even when i wasn’t reading all i could think about was Jace and Rory! what a beautiful couple. this book is so beautifully written. it felt like i was actually there with the characters! this was my first book by Lex Martin and it’s safe to say i will be continuing to read!

[Megan ~The Never Ending Book Basket · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is absolutely no secret that I am a huge fan of Lex Martin and her books. I have read and loved every single one of them, and they have all been five star reads. There is just something incredible that she infuses into her characters, her stories, and all of the feels that she gives you within the unforgettable books that she creates. Simply put, I have loved and treasured every single story and couple and journey I have been on with her characters in the over 10+ years. I have been reading her books.

She is one of my favorite authors for a reason, and what she encapsulates with her characters and their feelings and what they give you is equal parts authentic, unforgettable, vibrant, and just heart touching. I have loved every single book that she has written, and I have treasured every reading experience she has given me as a proud romance reader, but the one that I just experienced in Gathering Storms was truly everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING. This book took a hold of my heart with all that it had and it gave me with Jace and Rory. It gave me the two of them wholeheartedly in the most authentic and genuine way, and it pulled my heart fiercely to those two and everything they gave me in their book. Their story was incredibly consuming, and it just wowed me on every page because of what these characters gave one another, what they allowed each other to feel, and what they pushed each other to hope and dream for together.

So let me just say, if there is anything you take away from this review, it’s that you need to read Gathering Storms and experience every breath of Jace and Rory story this very second. Trust me on that. Because I’m about to say a lot more words about what I loved about this book but really the biggest thing you need to know is that this book is utterly amazing, and the journey and the experiences and moments you get with these characters will not only pull your heart to them fiercely, but it will have you loving and believing in them with everything you have. And honestly, that’s just scratching the surface of what I loved about this book, this couple, and what they gave each other and felt and shared throughout their story.

Now I have to say that one of my favorite aspects of this book was getting to be back with the entire Walker family and in the small town of Wild Heart because this is truly one of my happiest places to be. This family is everything. They show up for each other, they love each other, they call each other on their BS, and they just are a family. In every way that matters. And seeing that family grow and evolve over this series has been the reading experience of a lifetime. I have loved every journey I’ve gone with these brothers and getting Jace‘s story was no different. It has me just more in love with this family, the way that they are together, and the way they love one another, well also, so desperately excited for what’s to come for all of them! Plus, the small town they live in is a gem and I honestly treasure any moment I get with these characters in the place they all call home. It is truly something special and you feel that in your bones in every single book of this series.

Over the course of Gathering Storms you get to go through every tour stop and twist and turn that comes their way as they pour their hearts out to one another, as they let the music push and pull between them growing that fierce connection between them, and as they put their hearts on the line when it really matters for one another. Throw in a little bit of suspense and a whole lot of emotion and you are honestly just scratching the surface of what makes this an incredible romance to finish. What Jace and Rory share together in this book is absolutely unforgettable, completely consuming, and will just have you knowing and believing in everything that is so real between these two. Their relationship might have started off as a deal and a way to help them both out, but it’s soon becomes something they can’t live without. Getting to be with them as they put their hearts on the line and bare their souls to one another over the course of this book as they fight for the realness and heart that is so beautiful and fierce between them is truly the best reading experience you could ask for.

Trust me when I say there is literally no resisting these two, and you will absolutely be blown away by what they show you with their hearts, Jace’s music, Rory’s tenacity, and the fierce and unadulterated connection that they let you experience with them.

If I’m being honest, I don’t think I knew exactly what to expect with Jace and his story with Rory. I mean, I knew I would love it, I knew that I would consume it and just be blown away because that’s the feeling I’ve had reading every book by Lex Martin, but he was the brother that I definitely didn’t know what to expect with. (Though Isaiah might give Jace a run for my money on that one, and I can’t wait!) I knew that he was a bit of a playboy, I knew that he was a phenomenal musician, but I just didn’t know what his story would entail. And I just have to say that I was utterly blown away by that man. Because let me tell you that when his world is turned upside down, not only does he do everything in his power for his little girl, but he also does the same for Rory as he falls so hard for her. I absolutely LOVED that about him. His genuine level of heart, the care and protectiveness that shines through in every moment with him, and the authenticity that shines with him is absolutely everything. I spent this book falling more and more in love with his character, and I really cannot say enough how much I loved getting to feel so connected to him through every single second of this book.

That man walks the walk and talks the talk. Sure there are complications that come his way, and sure he has his flaws like every human being, but his heart is in it and there’s no doubt about that. His heart is in being the best dad he can be after unexpectedly finding out he had a child almost a year after she was born. His heart is in creating a family with his child and showing her that he will always choose her no matter what, while simultaneously healing his own scars from the past. His heart is in giving what he feels with Rory a real chance because he knows there’s no reality in which he wants to exist without her. His heart is in creating music and an experience that is invigorating and memorable, but also full of truth and authenticity. His heart is in being there for his siblings and his family and for those he cares about in any way that he can be. His heart is in it, and it shines through every moment of protectiveness, and heart, and every moment of seeing and celebrating and loving Rory and her dreams and hopes and desires just as much as he does all of that with his own hopes and dreams and desires. But most of all his heart is just in it with Rory & Layla in every breath of this book and it’s PHENOMENAL.

Now not to be all done is the one and only Rory because I connected so much to that girl on a very real level while reading this book. The way that she is so true to herself, the way that she is so vulnerable with her own feelings and insecurities, the way she is so hopeful about the life that she wants to have and create pulled my heart fiercely to her. The way that she just continues to show up with a heart of gold, even when the world has done her wrong, even when the people in her life who were supposed to love her most have done her wrong, is truly everything. That girl is a true gem, and I love her with my whole heart because I saw so much of myself in her character and in who she was. The way that she is a wallflower and proud bookworm and just so genuinely good hearted. The way that she just shows up even when people try to dim the light that she just so naturally brings to the world and those around her. The way she just loves and cares and feels with her full heart is absolutely beautiful.

Rory is so easy to love and relate to and I honestly just cannot say enough how much I enjoyed getting to spend time with her as a character. Not only because I just felt so connected to her, but because she just was such a genuinely good human. She was someone who had been through so much, but was still pushing on, full of hope, and feeling all that she could. She was someone who gave it her all even when she was doing something she never expected to be doing. And she did it all with a genuine heart of gold and a smile on her face because she was going to show up when it really mattered and take a chance. I loved that about her and I just loved getting to see her have that fire within her through every part of this book. Even when others tried to diminish it or take away from her, she stood tall and firm with her heart of gold on her sleeve ready to feel it all and take a chance on love, and I just loved that about her. I loved that so so much.

Rory and Jace definitely have an unconventional story, but that is honestly what I loved about the two of them. What starts off as something purely on paper between them soon become something so much more. When Jace needs a nanny for his new daughter that was literally dropped on his doorstep, Rory comes in to save the day. She’s the town librarian, who has recently lost her job and definitely needs a push to the next step. What she doesn’t expect is that that next step involves touring on a tour bus with Jace as his new wife and nanny. But she decides to take a chance and these two decide to help each other out. But what they don’t expect is one small bedroom on the back of the bus, so much heart and feeling, and a connection between them that grows every second they’re together. Over the course of this book these two soon realize that what started off as fake has soon become much more real than they ever expected it to be, but more than that it’s something that they both want to hold onto and are willing to fight like how far.

As you can clearly tell, I absolutely loved every second of this book. I loved everything that Jace and Rory built together. I loved getting to see the way they poured their hearts out to one another, the way they broke down each other’s walls, and the way they both came together after both having experienced their own heartaches. These two have both been hurt in the past by those who should have been there for them and they’re still picking up the pieces in this book. But what they find together, what they allow each other to share and feel together, and how they literally help put the pieces of one another back together again as they pour the hearts out to each other in this book is truly INCREDIBLE to experience. It shows you the true depth the feeling that both Jace and Rory feel for one another, but it also shows the vulnerability and the authenticity that exists between them.

The way these two see each other, love every version of one another and continue show up for each other, fight for each other and their relationship, and just feel everything together will have your heart in every breath of this book. I promise you that. I think that’s what I loved most about this book. It was the way these characters not only saw the truest, most real and raw versions of one another, but it was the way in which they celebrated and loved those versions. Even the complicated and flawed versions that they didn’t want the world to see. Even the versions that made mistakes and had missteps. Even the versions of themselves that sometimes broke their own hearts. They saw those versions in one another and they still showed up. They still fought for each other and their relationship. They still cared and loved and felt it all. Even when it scared them both out of their minds, even when they didn’t know if it was all truly real, and even when they didn’t know what came next, they were there and they showed up when it matter and that was EVERYTHING.

Rory and Jace share a connection, a level of heart and emotion, and a level of vulnerability with one another that they’ve never felt or shared with anyone before. And honestly, that shines on every single page of this book with what you get with them because you feel it in your bones how right these two are for one another. You feel it in your soul how much they mean to one another, how much they matter to each other, and how much they know they have to see this through with one another…and all of that allows you to feel so utterly connected to both of them and their story and what they feel and share together in this book.

Experiencing all of that with Jace and Rory and what you get through Lex Martin’s writing in Gathering Storms will have you beyond in love with these two. (And really 3, if you include Layla, which you should because she is the actual sweetest.)

Like I said at the start of my review, Lex Martin writes some of my all-time favorite books and there is a reason she is one of my favorite authors. She just allows you to feel everything with her characters. She put you in the heart of her stories, she gives you dynamic and vibrant and memorable characters that you love with your whole heart, but more than that she just gives you characters and a love story you want to believe in. She shows you why this couple has to find a way and why their love is a love worth fighting for and love worth believing in. You feel that in every part of your heart and soul reading this book and it makes for the most incredible reading experience with Jace and Rory. It makes for a reading experience that just shows you the depth of connection in the ferocity of which these two feel for one another, and it will have you fighting right along with them to get that much deserved happily ever after.

Lex Martin truly leaves it all on the pages of this book in the best way. She shows you why these two have to be together, she gives you a memorable and enjoyable story that is full of so much heart and swoon and love and laughter. She shows you that these two have an undeniable level of connection and feeling that just doesn’t quit, and she allows you to experience every high and low and everything in between with them. She also gives you an incredibly consuming story that perfectly encompasses suspense, small town goodness, family vibes, a touring rock band, and so much emotion and vibrancy. She creates a story that has every piece you need as a romance reader, and it makes for the most consuming, unforgettable, an utterly phenomenal book to read and experience.

I really can’t say that enough. Nor can I say enough, how much I just loved Jace and Rory and Layla and the dynamic and family they created together. Those three are truly something special and my heart will be forever marked by those three because of what they allowed me to experience over the course of this book with them. Their story is beautiful, it’s emotional, it’s sweeping and fierce and memorable, it’s full of color and vibrancy and music and heart, but most of all it’s just truthfully theirs. In every way possible, this story belongs to the three of them, what they so beautifully and authentically share together, what they fight like hell for, and what they show up for in one another and themselves in this phenomenal romance. Lex Martin allows you to experience every breath of that through her impeccable, writing and storytelling with this couple, and it will truly have you loving and basking in every single moment you get with this couple.

I promise you that.
And more.

Because honestly, what you get with Jace and Rory and Layla, and every other incredible character of this world is so much more. The way that you connect to these characters, the way that you feel every breath of what they feel for one another and what they share together, and the way that you just feel so invested in the two of them, putting the pieces of themselves back together again while they take a chance on opening their hearts to one another is truly EVERYTHING and so much more. It is a beautiful story of resilience and hope and love, and getting to see these two show up for each other, getting to see them love and celebrate and fall for every version of themselves and each other, and just getting to be there in every big and small moment with them throughout this book and this story is the actual best.

Gathering Storms is a beautiful, all feeling, and utterly consuming love story full of so much spark and music and joy and love and vulnerability and heart and connection that will truly sweepy off your feet. But more than that, it will give you an incredible love story between Jace and Rory that feels beyond meant to be. It will show you that these two may have had an unconventional start to everything, but the feelings between them cannot be denied, nor can the truth that is on every page of this book: these two have to be together because they truly complete one another, they truly see one another, and they truly love and cherish and care for every single piece of one another.

Their story is one you won’t soon forget, and I promise you that it will deliver an unforgettable romance that will check all of the boxes, that will give you all of the swoon and fire, but most of all that will have you just loving this entire world of characters and utterly in love and consumed with everything this couple gives you.

Simply put, Gathering Storms by Lex Martin is an absolute must read and is one of my top reads. I’ve read this year. It is an utterly incredible romance from start to finish that will give you incredible and dynamic characters that will steal your whole heart and that you will love to pieces. It is another impeccable romance by this author that has shown me through every single page why she is one of my all-time favorite authors and why I will always look forward to a new book of hers. This book delivered everything and more, and honestly, I could go on and on with so many more words about how much I loved this book and how incredible it was to experience this love story with Jace and Rory. Those true truly gave me at all in this book and I just loved it.

I loved it so fucking much. And I know you will too. So so much.

So just do yourself a favor and run yourself to this book and this entire series. It is small town goodness, filled to the brim with so much charm and heart and fire, and it is Lex Martin at her best. Trust me when I say there is a multitude of reasons that makes her such an incredible author, and the author of some of my all-time favorite books, and this book just shows that in spades. Honestly, this whole series does that and more, and will have you absolutely in love with this small town, this fantastic family, and every ounce of feeling and emotion you get within the pages of these books.

Trust me when I say that Gathering Storms by Lex Martin is your next romance read that will steal your whole heart and you will absolutely love everything you get with Jace & Rory and their story. There’s no denying the love and connection between these two and what they bring out in one another. What you get with them will have you believing in that and in them fiercely and unequivocally with your whole heart…and honestly, it doesn’t get better than that. Not one little bit. 💜

[Katie Vitale · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
4.5 Stars

This one had me going through it!! It was like falling in love; there were highs, giggles, frustration, lows, exasperation, and then so much happiness and contentment!

Jace and Rory are so perfect for each other and do they prove their commitment over and over. They are put in some pretty tough situations but end up on the right side, in mostly the right way! There are some tough moments where I want to shake some sense into Jace but that's dealing with men😂😅

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gathering Storms, book 4 in author Lex Martin’s Wild at Heart series, is sweet, heartwarming and just makes you feel good. Sure, there are sneaky people, dishonest people, mean people, dangerous people and lots of conflict but at the heart is the Walker family and you can’t help but love them. Brothers Rhett, Maverick, Beau, Jace and Isaiah. Wives, girlfriends/fiancées and maybe-someday-significant-others Paige, Baylee, Honey, Rory and Liberty and assorted children or children on the way. The brothers had tough childhoods; once their mother left their father basically gave up on parenting them. Instead he worked them like indentured servants on the family ranch. The women have experienced their fair share of hardship, difficulty, and loss, too, but they have all pulled through to always be there for each other and to bring the ranch back to a successful state. (Well, we have to wait until book 5 to find out what’s up with Isaiah and Liberty, but he is a Walker, after all.) Each contributes in their own way to maintaining the ranch. Jace works hard when he’s there, but he’s gone most of the time touring as the popular lead singer of the band Wayward Sons.

Jace envies the strong relationships his brothers have with their wives or girlfriends and loves being Uncle Jack to the children but he’s not interested in long-term or settling down himself. After growing up with parents that were never there for him or his brothers he does not want children because he’s afraid of letting them down. Plus, he needs to see the band reach the next level before he even considers that; he’s worked too hard and too long to stop now. His looks, charm and sexy singer status make his one-night-only lifestyle possible. Except one of those one-nights almost two years ago with a woman he doesn’t remember at all resulted in a child he knew nothing about until that woman shows up at his doorstep and says, “She’s yours, Jace, and I need you to take her, or I’m giving her up for adoption.” Baby Layla owns his heart instantly, but what is he going to do? The band is just about to go on tour and it looks like their big break might be coming at last. How can he tour and be with his daughter – who he doesn’t consider for a moment abandoning – at the same time? He’ll have to drop out of the tour, and maybe the band.

Wait . . . maybe there’s a solution after all but it’s pretty wild.

Rory is Bailey’s friend and worked at her salon until leaving to become the new Wild Heart town librarian. She’s quiet, unassuming, the girl with the glasses and the awkward smile. Rory knows about abandonment too; her father abandoned Rory and her mother to be with his secret “other” wife and his twin children with her, who disgustingly are within two weeks of Rory’s age. She was in what she thought was a long-term relationship but was unceremoniously dumped. She’s so quiet and tries so hard to fade into the background that she’s often mocked or made fun of. She loves her librarian job, though. It’s the best part of her life. Her impossible dream is to someday own a bookstore but she knows that will never happen. A jerk of a boss, a bigger jerk of a landlord, not much money but she gets by day-to-day. Until the ceiling literally falls in on her in her run-down apartment and she is evicted and suddenly in no-pay status at her job.

And then fate steps in. Don’t you just love fate in these tender, romantic stories? Bailey and Paige come up with the absolutely brilliant idea that Rory and Jace can help each other out: she needs a place to live and food to eat, he needs a nanny for Layla. So it’s simple – Rory and Layla will go on tour with Jace. Except touring rules are that no hookups or girlfriends on tour, only wives. Okay, they’re both desperate and what’s four months of a pretend marriage?

At this point you are going to have to get yourself a copy of Gathering Storms and find out for yourself. It’s so entertaining, so funny, so emotional. Watching this little fake family evolve is precious. Layla is adorable and every day with her tugs at Rory’s heart more. She’s also always had a little crush on Jace, and when he thinks about it that might be reciprocal. Rude, crude, inconsiderate band members on the tour bus with them, a road manager who tries his best even though problems keep surfacing and Jace has a stalker, the reappearance of Jake’s former girlfriend who just wants to stir up trouble – and a very compelling, thrilling mystery, with twists and turns and secret reveals you’ll never see coming.

I received an advance copy of Gathering Storms and just loved it. it’s steamy, swoony, sexy, romantic, tender – and aggravating and scary. I came into the Wild at Heart series in the middle. I will be going back to catch up on these fabulous characters and can’t wait for Isaish’s story. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[Holly Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gathering Storms

By: Lex Martin

(Wild At Heart Series Book Four)

I always write down thoughts, quotes, and point out any errors..my review is afterwards. I’ve never read anything by Lex Martin, but I love discovering a new (to me) author! Anything quoted from the book will be in parentheses! Enjoy!

1. like the cover! It’s nothing over the top, the background is cute, and I like the softness of the colors.

2. This is cute, and so true! (To my bookworms, to the wallflowers, to all the quiet girls out there… Someone sees you.) (pg. 10)

3. One of our boys' middle names is Isaiah and I call him Zay sometimes. (“It’s cool. Zey covered for you.”) (pg. 58)

4. Exactlyyy!! (“You listen to Eric Clapton?”) (“What classic rock lover doesn’t?”) (pg. 62)

5. Ha! This made me giggle. Nobody is Dave Grohl…except Dave Grohl! 😍(He snorts. “You’re not Dave Grohl.”) (pg. 69)

6. I love this analogy!! (My ex was a bad weather advisory, but Jace Walker? He’s a category-five storm.) (pgs. 114/115)

7. I’m loving the flow of this book and how smoothly Alex Martin writes. It’s like I’m right in the mix with the characters!

8. I’m pretty sure I know who Cherry Smasher is! How does Rory not see this ughh I wanna yell at her to open her eyes!!

9. Yes! Kids make you forget because life truly begins when you have kiddos!! (“It’s almost like I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a daughter.”) (pg. 283)

10. Ugh Jace is so sweet! The bond between him and Rory makes me tear up.

11. I love a protective man!! (“No one touches what’s mine.”) (pg. 288)

12. Hmmmm!! (Did Marlowe do this?) (pg. 309)

13. Wait…what if it’s not Marlowe, but it’s actually….😳

14. I freaking knew it!! 😱 (I warned you!” ___ yells.) (pg. 372)

15. 😳 Well, didn’t see that coming!

🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤🫶🏻🖤

This is the first book I’ve read by Lex Martin and I absolutely loved it! It is the third book in the series, so while I wish I read the first two I’m going to read those next. The cover is cute! It definitely matches Rory and her personality, but there are little things in the background that relate with Jace. I like when a cover actually matches the storyline. We say “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but we all know the title and cover catches our attention! So this one is really nice!

The way Lex Martin writes is so smooth. I love the flow, it’s not too rushed or boring. I love the familial moments with not just the baby, but the Walker gang too. Now I love some rockstar romance, opposite attracts, and instant family type of books and this one is all of that, plus more.

I’m bad at pointing out any errors in a book, it’s a pet peeve, but this one had zero errors! I enjoy the creativity that’s in this book. From the beginning to end, plus the two bonus chapters, it’s full of sweet moments, as well as artistic, shocking, funny, intense, and steamy at times.

I love how opposite Jace and Rory are, but they fit together perfectly. I was rooting for them from the beginning! I’m excited to read other books about the Walker brothers and the ladies since the side characters are so interesting! And how cute is baby Layla?! Lex Martin hit the baby talk on point. It wasn’t too overly done or stretched out. She wrote exactly how majority of babies sound at one.

The authors attention to detail is great. She shows us the characters, settings, and surroundings wonderfully. I love when an authors shows instead of tells. It makes things way better. I was able to envision everything perfectly and played the book in my mind like a movie!

This book had me giggling, full belly laughing, tearing up, and even yelling out loud at it! Lex Martin is an incredibly talented author. I checked out her list of book and honestly, I’m excited to read all of her other books! This single book has made me a fan!!

If you love a rockstar romance book with some suspense, laughter, love, and of course steam, then this is one you need to read! I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the other books in this series!!

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Walker family is back and I am head over heels in love with Jace! The fun-loving, charismatic brother is finally gracing us with his story and it does not disappoint in any way shape or form.

How is it that Jace Walker; the take nothing serious, fun uncle, normally emotionally unavailable, and only there for a good time brother is the sweetest, most thoughtful caring man of all his siblings!?! I’m going on record right now to state that Jace will ruin you for all of the other Walker men hands down. 🥰😍💖 From the moment his story begins there is magic in the air and Jace just has that "it" factor, that something special about him. It's no wonder he becomes a star as it's easy to fall in love with everything about him.

Like I said, Jace Walker is normally only with someone for a good time, so by the time he can zip up his pants, and hop back into his boots, he's out the door. He's not a relationship guy and wasn't planning to be, he's busy building his career, which is his singular focus when he's not helping around the ranch. He loves being an uncle to all of his nephews and nieces, but he never really gave a thought to having any kids of his own, at least until his daughter was dropped off on his doorstep. It was pretty instant that he fell for her and knew that he'd never leave her side. Not like the way his parents let him and his brothers down. So when he got the news that his band was selected to go on tour he knew he'd either have to give up his dream, or find a solution pretty darn quick so his daughter could travel with him. Don't judge a man by his past because present Jace is the stuff of dreams.😍

Aurora "Rory" Anderson has the most amazing character growth in this book, while still maintaining who she is at her core. She's the sweetest, nicest down to earth person and the perfect fit for everyone in the Walker family, most importantly which is Jace. 🥹😍Rory is the town librarian, who has a string of bad luck. First losing her apartment, then losing her job, but when Jace needs a nanny to watch his daughter, or else he won't be able to go on tour, the gig he's been waiting his entire life to achieve, it seems like fate has intervened and Jace asks her to watch his daughter. It's not her dream job by any means, but one that does help in the short term. Rory is so brave, and I'm talking emotionally. She puts others first, expecting nothing in return because she's just a loving, sweet person. I loved that she hadn't been tainted by her horrible past experiences or by the people who have tried to make her feel less than. She's a great FMC to read.

These two, in the beginning, are not cohesive, to put it mildly, but it also isn't over the top. Why they don't get along has a lot to do with both of their pasts and that bleeds into current assumptions and scars that they both carry. While Rory may seem mousy to someone outside of knowing her, she does know how to stand up for herself and that makes Jace take notice, even when it seems like he hasn't. He has his own issues in his life between being a new father, an ex that pops up like a ghost, and his tour that is literally his dream, but like everything in life, isn't without its snags. Honestly, even with their past scars constantly popping up, these two are just a darn good fit for one another. For example, she doesn’t take his gruff and he finds her fascinating and intriguing.Their opposites align up perfectly just as much as their similarities do and it's why they work so well. 😍

The Walker family weaves in and out throughout this book and continue to be a lot of fun. Jace and Rory have officially taken over as my new favorite couple! So Isaiah has some big shoes to fill as the last Walker brother standing.😉