Bride n' boots

by Emma Slate

Genres: Westerns, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Romance

82 pages, ebook

First published December 15, 2025

About the author

Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author Emma Slate writes romance with heart and heat.

Called “the dialogue queen” by her college playwriting professor, Emma writes love stories that range from romance-for-your-pants to action-flicks-for-chicks.

When she isn’t writing, she’s usually curled up under a heating blanket with a steamy romance novel and her two beagles—unless her outdoorsy husband can convince her to go on a hike.

Reviews

[Shannon Wallis]

Well, @emmaslateauthor does it again!

This short Huckleberry Hill Story was full of banter, instalove, passion and a hilarious meet cute!

Maisie is a Feisty Gremlin not looking for anything but to solve a work emergency problem.
Stratton is a cowboy in shining armor that knows exactly what he wants!

Even though this was a novella, it felt like a fully developed novel! No plot holes, just Emma producing magic!

We get a glimpse of Gideon, Garrett and Griffin and all I have to say is I might riot if those three don’t get a story! Especially Arden and Griffin! These books are Seven Brides for Seven Brothers coded… and there is only 4 women in the Powell sister group… so I’m hoping…. 🤞🏻

Always a 5 ⭐️ from Emma with a nice dash of 🌶️

You know what they say…

Once you come to Huckleberry Hill, you never want to leave! -Declan 💕 😍🩷🤠

[Kayli Sahagun]

Ok that was the cutest novella ever! I’m a sucker for insta love. It had just enough of everything you could want all in a small little story that has you begging for more, but enough that it doesn’t feel incomplete. Loved the instant chemistry and fun banter. Never thought a silly nickname like Gremlin could be so cute either. This was such a sweet little addition to one of my favorite series ever!

[Katy Hajek]

Such a cute little short story!!! I love Stratton and Maisey. Maisey is a photographer and became the model in this situation, she was needing a groom and met Stratton at the coffee shop. They immediately hit it off and became the hottest couple in this photoshop. Stratton is a ranch hand and helped Maisey know to break up with her no long distance boyfriend because he was a POS. That photoshoot helped them realize all they had together to explore, they moved in together and started their life. Stratton is an amazing boyfriend who wants to show Maisey what it’s like to be loved by a man. I can’t wait for this series and to see them again!

[Victoria]

Rating 4.25 ⭐️

I don’t usually rate novellas/short stories very high (4 stars is the highest - due to the length of the story and minimum growth/pacing), but I had such a fun time reading this story that I couldn’t believe it was over when I reached the last page. I felt like it could have been wrapped up a little better with a nice little epilogue to finish the story with a bow in top.

I definitely did not expect the yearning and listing from the start but was happy to read it. I liked the little glimpses of characters we already know (hopefully we’ll see Maisie and Stratton in future books).

[Liz Morales]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okaayy, a good short love story is what i needed 🥰
Maisie and Stratton are so cute together, the instant love just do it for me!! I might just wanted a tiny little glimpse of them with babies maybe. AND want to see if Arden get her own love story with a certain someone 😉cof cof* insert Griffin 🤭

[Lisa T]

Adorable, novella. The lust at first sight works perfect for this storyline. Maisie is a photographer's assistant that must stand in as a substitute bride for a photo shoot where the couple recently broke up and refused to complete their contract. But there was only one thing missing...she needed a groom. So she wandered into a diner and picked up the first cowboy she saw.
Stratton fell for her the second she asked for him to be her husband.
Even though this is a novella, the story was executed with precision.
Although I'm left curious as to whether her best friend Arden ended up moving to Huckleberry Hill since she lost the bet...

[Alimay Reads]

FINDING THE RIGHT GROOM

This short, sweet insta-connection was a beautiful story. Emma Slate teases with this novella, hooks you for more Huckleberry Hill stories as the characters drag you into their world. Wonderfully written, lovely characters and a story of finding the right partner.

[Brooke]

Bride N Boots was a cute story set in the Huckleberry Hill world but it was verrrry short and fast paced. I typically prefer a more slow burn not so insta love kind of story but I did enjoy Maisie and Stratton and the brief look at some of the characters we will be getting stories on later.

[Steph]

Such a cute, spicy, quick read! Just a straight up insta story and in true Emma Slate fashion the banter and dialog is *chef’s kiss*, the chemistry is palpable, and I would read an entire series about this couple. A delicious dose of dopamine 🤩😍

[Jen Thomas]

Absolutely loved this short story as an introduction to the Calhoun family and the Dark Timber Ranch.

Stratton and Maisie’s whirlwind romance is a whirlwind and such a fun read.

After little tidbits in the Saddles and Spurs books I am so excited for this next batch of books.

[Andrea Vessman]

Längre recension på bloggen https://upinmytree.wordpress.com/2026...
och kort på Instagram www.instagram.com/andrea.s.vessman
Bookish Coffee Vibes

[R0adTr1pJunk1e]

I LOVED it…short, sweet, a lil’ spicy & very swoony!

[Riley McMurray]

Such a fun, sweet, and spicy novella!!! Cute addition to this series 💗

[Terri]

What a great story, short, sweet n spicy too. Loved the characters and I love Huckleberry Hill!

[Sabelle C]

Super cute
Insta-love for him
Learning lesson for her
Great character development
Very short and had decent spice

[Anna Benedikte]

Fin af en lille novelle!

[Joh's boots'n'books]

I absolutely LOVED this novella! From story, characters to the writing - just perfect. I need a 350 page novel of this story!

[Lanii Ryan]

4 1/2 stars

[Courtney Royse]

Cute Novella! Just wished it was longer!!!!

[Jennifer Loschiavo]

A perfect transition to the new series that connects the two worlds.

[Deidre Hoffman]

Another Emma Slate winner!

Totally adorable little story. Loved the characters and banter and the concept. I love Huckleberry Hill. A very enjoyable read.

[Janet Hammons]

Stratton & Maisie

This is a short little tidbit but a great little tidbit. I love the meet cute and the whole storyline is amazing. They fall quick and hard.

[Paige]

Maisie wouldn’t last very long in an apocalypse. Not even a day, girl. Not even a day.

[Diane]

short and sexy

Short read and instant love but was a good read. Liked the small town vibe and friendliness. Characters were sassy and straight to the point, liked them.

[Kimberly]

What I loved:
🩷 their meet cute, where she - in a wedding dress/cowboy boots - just grabs him randomly in a coffee shop with an "I need you to be my groom"
🩷 the writing style and how the author was able to fit a whole story in just 82 pages

What you need to know:
• novella
• prequel to the Saddles & Spurs series
• cowboy x photographer's assistant
• western-themed bridal photoshoot
• insta-chemistry
• banter
• never had an O before

⚠️ technically there is cheating, as the FMC kissess the MMC whilst still in a lukewarm long-distance relationship and the MMC has a (past) reputation for hooking up with married women

[Daisyree IJben]

A short romance with instant love.
I absolutely loved it. The banter, the chemistry and the easy written styl made it an instant 5☆

[Patty]

Very instalovey. Theyre literally moving in together in less than 24hrs of meeting. Too quickly for me. They were sure about eachother without knowing anything. Theres chemistry for sure, for not believable for them to progress as they did. Though i expected a pregancy since every character in the series has gotten pregnant lol

[Dai Molina]

The love at first sight I needed it 10/10

[Yeraldina Castaneda]

The books was cute Sweet and short to the point give me a small town short story with a down bad cowboy and a sassy heroine and I am hooked from the first line. Emma really knows how to put it all together sweetly.