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Valiant Peak Rodeo #1
Wild Wager
A wounded cowboy billionaire meets his match in a fierce wolf biologist who turns his empty ranch—and guarded heart—upside down.
I built Coyote Falls to hide. From the cameras. The crowds. The accident that left me hollow.
Then my sister’s best friend, Lanie Parker, shows up at my door—wild-cherry hair, cinnamon-sugar scent, Big Sky eyes that see everything I’ve tried to bury. She studies wolves in Alaska’s remotest corners. She’s built for wild places, for a life that’s the opposite of everything I am.
But she looks at me like I’m whole. Like the scars on my skin and the wager I made, which could lose me everything I’ve worked so hard to build, don’t define me. Like this damaged ex-rodeo star might actually be worth saving.
I shouldn’t ask her to stay. Shouldn’t pull her into my empty homestead, my found family of broken cowboys, the refuge I carved from granite and sweat. Shouldn’t touch her when I know damn well I’m riding toward my own destruction in a few weeks.
But shouldn’t and can’t are two different things.
And the only thing I can’t do? Let her go.
This unmissable steamy Western romance from USA Today bestselling author Sofia Aves is perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage and Elliott Rose.
I built Coyote Falls to hide. From the cameras. The crowds. The accident that left me hollow.
Then my sister’s best friend, Lanie Parker, shows up at my door—wild-cherry hair, cinnamon-sugar scent, Big Sky eyes that see everything I’ve tried to bury. She studies wolves in Alaska’s remotest corners. She’s built for wild places, for a life that’s the opposite of everything I am.
But she looks at me like I’m whole. Like the scars on my skin and the wager I made, which could lose me everything I’ve worked so hard to build, don’t define me. Like this damaged ex-rodeo star might actually be worth saving.
I shouldn’t ask her to stay. Shouldn’t pull her into my empty homestead, my found family of broken cowboys, the refuge I carved from granite and sweat. Shouldn’t touch her when I know damn well I’m riding toward my own destruction in a few weeks.
But shouldn’t and can’t are two different things.
And the only thing I can’t do? Let her go.
This unmissable steamy Western romance from USA Today bestselling author Sofia Aves is perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage and Elliott Rose.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2026
About the author
Sofia Aves
131 books572 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Sofia Aves writes fast-paced police romances, sizzling military units, steamy cowboys with a Montana backdrop and the occasional cheeky god. Sofia writes kidlit for charity and has over one hundred and fifty publications across five not-so-super-secret pen names. She’s the acquisitions editor for Evernight and Evernight Teen publishing and is a mum of three crazies in a returned veteran household. Sofia has two overly large fur babies who think they’re teacup puppies.
Sofia lives near Brisbane, Australia where she has her own alpaca park, Lorendel.
Rep: Nicky Lovick at WGM Atalntic
Sofia lives near Brisbane, Australia where she has her own alpaca park, Lorendel.
Rep: Nicky Lovick at WGM Atalntic
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to like this because the premise sounded so good—a recluse cowboy billionaire meets a scientist who works with wolves and isn't exactly a people person either. This could have been brilliant, but here we are.
Lanie and Cord find themselves drawn together, which would be all well and good, even with the "insta-love" happening. However, this wasn't just insta-love, it was straight-up obsession on Cord's part from the very first day, and he even admits as much. While Lanie was also attracted to him and interested in getting to know him, I didn't get such strong feelings from her side until suddenly they were in love. Come on—they've known each other for what, a few weeks? And she's staying, but maybe not?
The relationship was weird and messy, and they didn't really talk until right at the very end, which I guess we can count as character development. Although, Cord still doesn't listen to people very much, and his habit of cutting her off with kisses is just annoying. Listen to what she wants to say first!
For the positives, I liked the found family trope, the atmosphere at the ranch was perfect and West is the best right-hand man you could have—Cord should definitely listen to him more. The developments with Cord's family were appreciated, but everything happened so suddenly that I'm still not entirely sure what the point of it all was.
There were some sentences throughout the book that didn't make much sense linguistically, but as this was an advanced copy, I'm hoping it will all be corrected before the final release.
To sum it up, I guess if you like insta-love and pushy cowboys, this might be for you. Personally, I needed a little bit more substance, and for Lanie to actually learn to say "no" at times (and for the plot to make sense, especially with such a strong premise).
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
Lanie and Cord find themselves drawn together, which would be all well and good, even with the "insta-love" happening. However, this wasn't just insta-love, it was straight-up obsession on Cord's part from the very first day, and he even admits as much. While Lanie was also attracted to him and interested in getting to know him, I didn't get such strong feelings from her side until suddenly they were in love. Come on—they've known each other for what, a few weeks? And she's staying, but maybe not?
The relationship was weird and messy, and they didn't really talk until right at the very end, which I guess we can count as character development. Although, Cord still doesn't listen to people very much, and his habit of cutting her off with kisses is just annoying. Listen to what she wants to say first!
For the positives, I liked the found family trope, the atmosphere at the ranch was perfect and West is the best right-hand man you could have—Cord should definitely listen to him more. The developments with Cord's family were appreciated, but everything happened so suddenly that I'm still not entirely sure what the point of it all was.
There were some sentences throughout the book that didn't make much sense linguistically, but as this was an advanced copy, I'm hoping it will all be corrected before the final release.
To sum it up, I guess if you like insta-love and pushy cowboys, this might be for you. Personally, I needed a little bit more substance, and for Lanie to actually learn to say "no" at times (and for the plot to make sense, especially with such a strong premise).
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(arc review)
Sad to say, but I was just not vibing with this. I was very excited for this from the description and indeed the start was hooking but it felt more like insta love!! They were acting like teenagers half the time. They met ONCE and fell in love?? started picturing their life together?? come on.
Also the writing was hard to get at times, the story also felt like it's going nowhere but all the places at the same time.
And not to forget he calls her niece chicken! CHICKEN!! ugh!
Thankyou netgalley, storm publishing and the author for providing me with this arc.
Sad to say, but I was just not vibing with this. I was very excited for this from the description and indeed the start was hooking but it felt more like insta love!! They were acting like teenagers half the time. They met ONCE and fell in love?? started picturing their life together?? come on.
Also the writing was hard to get at times, the story also felt like it's going nowhere but all the places at the same time.
And not to forget he calls her niece chicken! CHICKEN!! ugh!
Thankyou netgalley, storm publishing and the author for providing me with this arc.
April 2, 2026
This was absolutely terrible. I struggled to not swear in my review and didn't manage it. If this was written by an actual human and not AI then they ought to have their cognitive functioning tested.
TL;Dr: great concept, terrible execution. To put it kindly, this book needs like three more re-writes and to be proof-read by someone competent cause it followed absolutely none of the grammatical rules in the English language.
If this actually gets the proposed sequel(s) imma flip a table. I'll even ghost write it FFS and will do so on said flipped table lol
And now an essay on how this was one of the worst books I've ever read:
There's so much about this book that was completely nonsensical. Like, I actually HOPE this was written by AI cause if an actual person wrote this I'd be alarmed for the state of their mental health and cognitive functioning. There was a strange emphasis placed on not "swearing" (ex. This quote...“Hell, yes.” Her hand rises to clamp over her mouth. "I mean, if you want to share it with potty mouth me." ...like that's not even a swear?). This had me thinking that perhaps this was written by a boomer - like full on grey haired grandma - googling Sofia Aves has determined that she might be a boomer, but a full on grey haired grandma she is not.
This "romance" seemed like it was about to turn into a murder mystery for two thirds of the book. Cord/Rand was immediately obsessed with Lanie -to the point of being stalkerish- and was extremely fond of taking her into the middle of nowhere...where they'd be completely alone. Like hi, y'all just met, let's be smart about this, okay.
Initially, whenever Cord attempted any sort of physical contact Lanie moved away from it, so naturally, he just kept doing it anyways?!? Ick. Coercion isn't cute, forcing someone past their comfort zone isn't cute.
Quotes showing the lack of respect for boundaries:
-His fingers massage slow circles on the inside of my thigh, an absent gesture, but somehow I know it's not. Nothing with Cordell Rand is absent, except sometimes himself.”
-"We're perfectly matched-two workaholics who
never see each other, except for when we choose to
socialize at mealtimes. Congratulations on that.
never thought I would see that table full of people."
-"You don't mind?" I squeeze my knees together, trapping his hand in the middle."
-His mouth hovers above mine. My lips tingle, though he hasn't fully kissed me yet. "Should we find these wolves?"
I open my mouth to say yes, but Cord swallows my reply with the soft pressure of his mouth against mine.)
-“You should stop,” I murmur through a haze of need.
Cord laughs softly. "Why, because we're not in a bed? Lanie, I don't play by the rules." His mouth crushes my lips again as his hand works at the other cup of my bra, rolling the freed nipple between his fingers.
(Like at least wait for an answer if someone say "stop" in any sort of sexual context unless you have a different safe word. That's literally the bare minimum of being a decent human being.)
-I shake my head as he returns to the teasing rhythm, straining restlessly on his hold over my wrists. "I—no, I have no idea," I whisper, my mind fracturing between the points of pleasure he draws from me.
"Let's find out."
Cord's mouth latches on to one nipple as he plays with the other, his tongue swirling, thumb and finger pinching and plucking. I moan, rubbing against the hardness of him, until he pulls his body back and suddenly I'm humping nothing but air.
"No,” I gasp, spreading my legs wider as he sucks on my nipple. "Please, I need-"
I have no idea what I need, but he apparently does, as heat rushes through the emptiness between my legs where he denies me pressure as he gives pleasure elsewhere.
(Again, she's saying "no" out loud, her body might be giving other signals, but they've never spoken about a safe word or what they're comfortable with. So it's alarming how he hears "no" multiple times and then just carries on doing whatever he wants anyways)
-Breath hisses between his teeth as his hands fist in my hair, winding the lengths around and around. He guides me gently, letting me have my fun and ex- plore until his hips jerk. He drives my head down briefly and then pulls me back with an oath. Swallowing quickly, I fit my mouth around the head of his cock and take him deep, an inch at a time, reveling in the sounds of pure pleasure he makes.
-His fists press to the back of my head and then he moves with me, rocking with each suck, pulling me back and pushing me down all the way until I need to swallow faster or choke.
My heart pounds as I try to time my breaths at the fast rhythm he sets. No rules, Cord said before. The way he demands what he wants is as sexy as hell, but it's dangerous, too.
Thinking it's dangerous that someone's forcefully cutting off your circulation with their dick would be fine, if it felt more consensual and not like Cord hasn’t already been refusing to listen to her when she says "no" or "stop". After that it just made this feel so incredibly gross. If they'd talked about this as a fantasy and both expressed a desire for it outside of bed it would be different, but this is still just abusive).
-
How is Cord a billionaire? How many cowboy billionaires are there? (I'm gonna guess none). Why doesn't he actually ever use his money like a billionaire? Like he works all day and all night when he could just, idk, hire more people? Hire an assistant if he insists on doing things himself so they can at least keep him scheduled and regulated instead of working until 1am and waking up at 5am on a seemingly daily basis.
Speaking of sleeping arrangements, Cord forces Lanie to move in with him, and then only goes to bed after she's fallen asleep and wakes up before she does every single day so they barely spend time together...which had been the point of moving in…no? This future murder suicide asshole just needs a blow up doll and not an actual real life human.
Aves knows nothing about medicine, for instance, at one point a surgeon takes off their mask whilst talking to the "family" and crumples it in their hand. So much of that is highly concerning. They're supposed to be the "top doctors", but already right there I know they don't know shit cause they cannot practice proper donning and doffing.
Cord is so injured that he cannot ride a bike, but doing manual labour on the farm daily is not a problem? And he just made this wager out of nowhere for absolutely no reason? When going to bed, by herself, Lanie who isn't under the influence of any substance, was barely able to walk;
-"Lanie doesn't say anything as she retreats into the hall leading to my room, bumping into the walls with hands that shake."
Fortunately, Cord is a 'gentleman' and gives her moment to remember how to walk and stop shaking before blaming her and fucking her.
Lanie is mad at him for his wager - simply because he's putting his own farm at risk and she wanted to stay? She's concerned about the farm hands? It's never actually specified, but she's so upset that she's crying and incapable of looking after herself.
Upon seeing that Lanie is upset Cord immediately gaslights her and says that it's her fault as she was the one who told him to "be impulsive" (I don't remember her saying that, but I also don't care enough to check, he said it was her idea and Lanie didn't disagree, so I'm just going with it).
And she starts bawling her eyes out and asks Cord to fuck her like he does his "buckle bunnies" (eww, just, eww).
The following day she's upset and seeks out Cord's BFF West and he looks at her and immediately asks "did he hurt you?" Like why would he immediately ask that? And she says he didn't hurt her physically. Maybe, she now was regretting the sex she had consented to and was now feeling comfortable enough to say so, I could understand that, but no, she liked the sex, she's just bawling and upset because she's…a hormonal woman? Young and stupid? No reason is ever actually given (yet again).
And she tells West that Cord was mean somehow? Idek. (Note, during sex the night before she allegedly came so hard that she fell into a literal pile at his feet and then when she woke up she had to check if she was paralyzed or if she could wiggle her toes? Like wtf, none of that is good sex - "I wiggle my toes, testing that everything works as it should. When all the important bits prove functional, I hobble to the bathroom." -That's not good sex. If you seriously have to check if you’re capable of moving your toes after sex then that’s sexual abuse).
-I legitimately went back multiple times to read and re-read the same damn thing and there was absolutely no reason given for why Lanie was upset. None.
Cord catches West giving Lanie, who is having an emotional breakdown for no apparent reason, a hug, so naturally Cord freaks out at both of them and thinks that West wants to fuck Lanie. West is then scared that Cord is going to physically injure Lanie so he places his body between them. Like the red flags have red flags now.
Extra quotes that exemplify problems:
-Why reword a known phrase? Just why?
"I blather on when he probably can't care less." Couldn't. Couldn't care less. Gah.
-"Something twinges in my lower back. I raise my hand to brush my scar, the numb patch there more terrifying than anything else in my life."
Later the scar and numbness is at the TOP of his back, more specifically, on his neck. How'd that change come about?
-Whhhhy is this bitch talking about fucking wolves? We already know she's obsessed with them and after this comment beastiality doesn't sound like it's off the table for her....also, I get the impression that he's actively trying to hurt her with his dick, no?
That's little dick energy right there.
“I'm on the shot.” She pauses. “I'm safe, Cord. promise wolves aren't that sort of mischievous."
I laugh softly. “Good girl.” I push in another inch as she moans for me and slide my hand to her nape, pushing her head lower until she kisses the mattress. "I'll go slow for now. Tell me if I'm hurting you."
"You're not," she manages as I edge into her, filling her tight body until I'm fully sheathed.
Then I pull out and slam back in, reveling in her muffled scream. "Now?"
"Again, please," she whispers.
This woman.
I plunge into her raw, over and over, one hand pressed to the back of her neck, holding her in place as her screams bounce off the walls and reverberate back at me.
-the morning after when Lanie is acting like she was sexually assaulted and West immediately jumps to worrying about her having been physically assaulted by Cord:
“Last night was—" I clamp my mouth shut, keeping the words at bay. Just.
West catches my arm in a firm grip, leading me deeper into the barn's depths. "Did he hurt you, Lanie?"
I stare up at him, my denial bubbling to my lips, but then I bite that response back, too. Had he? Last night Cord was cold. A part of him bruised my heart, but he hadn't physically damaged me. If anything, he did the complete opposite, and afterward... Heat rises along my cheeks in a flush I can't prevent that I know West sees despite the dimmed light.
“No. He didn't hurt me, but—" I press my lips to- gether, trying to gather my thoughts while the mem- ory of everything we did in his bedroom-and after —assails me in a battery of memory.
West waits. I swear it's his superpower.
“These are details I shouldn't share with a man. Not one who knows him."
West's lips twitch. "I'm pretty sure I've been there through it all for him, Lanie. Tell me.”
So I do.
Cutting out the more intimate moments, I sketch an image that leaves no room for doubt of our conversation after West stormed from the house. Cord's best friend takes the information in, unmoving, unflinching, until I
stop talking.
Then West swears. “Damn. I'm sorry, girl. He should never have been that way with you.” He wraps one arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a bear hug.
(I still have no fucking clue how Cord treated her if she didn't mention any of the sex to West? What was the problem? Who fucking knows)
-"Fuck the history." West spins on his heel to face me, fury blazing from eyes as dark as the razorback mountains behind the homestead on an overcast day. "It's you I'm talking about. You can't ride again. You in a goddamn wheelchair for life. The doctors warned us. Not even a bike.
What is even going on with all of this quote? Like he sounds abusive. RUN.
“My exhales coming fast, I step into the room. She looks up at me, her blue eyes sparkling.
Fuck, I made her cry.
I want to kneel at her feet and beg her forgiveness, but before I have the chance, she slithers off the bed, pads across the heavy carpet, and pauses a breath away. Her hands trace the outline of my shirt. "Forgive me," I murmur, my voice cracking. "I scared you. I'm sorry."
"You're dangerous, Cord." The tears that shimmer in her eyes break their banks, tumbling over her cheeks. The sight lances through my heart. I brush one tear away with my thumb, but she shakes her head violently, knocking my hands away.
-Her eyes flash in the dimmed room. "Right now, you're an asshole, too," she huffs.
"Fuck, you're cute when you're angry." I cup her jaw, tipping her face up to study her.
"And you're reckless," she whispers.
Fear shimmers in her next layer of tears, but I don't wait to see them fall, pulling her sharply into me so that our bodies collide, transforming all the fear and panic and uncertainty of tonight into cold, hard desire. I fist a silky skein of her hair, pulling her head back as she arches for me on demand.
Lanie stares at me through heavy-lidded eyes without protest, her chest heaving.
"Maybe reckless is all I have left," I snarl, lifting her to her toes as I claim her mouth.”
-I nod, swallowing back panic, needing to be more for her. "You're right. I fucked up," I admit softly. Her eyes flare wide, but I press my thumb to her lips. “I can't take back what I've done, only try to make this right. And I don't expect you to forgive me. I'm not... the usual sort of man you date."
"No shit," she mutters, glaring at me through jewel-encrusted lashes. A drop trickles along her cheek.
-“You thought I wanted to use you like a show bunny before, didn't you,” I coo against her ear, licking the shell as she shivers for me, already so damn close. Hell, I can taste her need scenting the air as it drips from her. I tip her chin back until she strains on her toes for me. “Let me show you how I treat them."
TL;Dr: great concept, terrible execution. To put it kindly, this book needs like three more re-writes and to be proof-read by someone competent cause it followed absolutely none of the grammatical rules in the English language.
If this actually gets the proposed sequel(s) imma flip a table. I'll even ghost write it FFS and will do so on said flipped table lol
And now an essay on how this was one of the worst books I've ever read:
There's so much about this book that was completely nonsensical. Like, I actually HOPE this was written by AI cause if an actual person wrote this I'd be alarmed for the state of their mental health and cognitive functioning. There was a strange emphasis placed on not "swearing" (ex. This quote...“Hell, yes.” Her hand rises to clamp over her mouth. "I mean, if you want to share it with potty mouth me." ...like that's not even a swear?). This had me thinking that perhaps this was written by a boomer - like full on grey haired grandma - googling Sofia Aves has determined that she might be a boomer, but a full on grey haired grandma she is not.
This "romance" seemed like it was about to turn into a murder mystery for two thirds of the book. Cord/Rand was immediately obsessed with Lanie -to the point of being stalkerish- and was extremely fond of taking her into the middle of nowhere...where they'd be completely alone. Like hi, y'all just met, let's be smart about this, okay.
Initially, whenever Cord attempted any sort of physical contact Lanie moved away from it, so naturally, he just kept doing it anyways?!? Ick. Coercion isn't cute, forcing someone past their comfort zone isn't cute.
Quotes showing the lack of respect for boundaries:
-His fingers massage slow circles on the inside of my thigh, an absent gesture, but somehow I know it's not. Nothing with Cordell Rand is absent, except sometimes himself.”
-"We're perfectly matched-two workaholics who
never see each other, except for when we choose to
socialize at mealtimes. Congratulations on that.
never thought I would see that table full of people."
-"You don't mind?" I squeeze my knees together, trapping his hand in the middle."
-His mouth hovers above mine. My lips tingle, though he hasn't fully kissed me yet. "Should we find these wolves?"
I open my mouth to say yes, but Cord swallows my reply with the soft pressure of his mouth against mine.)
-“You should stop,” I murmur through a haze of need.
Cord laughs softly. "Why, because we're not in a bed? Lanie, I don't play by the rules." His mouth crushes my lips again as his hand works at the other cup of my bra, rolling the freed nipple between his fingers.
(Like at least wait for an answer if someone say "stop" in any sort of sexual context unless you have a different safe word. That's literally the bare minimum of being a decent human being.)
-I shake my head as he returns to the teasing rhythm, straining restlessly on his hold over my wrists. "I—no, I have no idea," I whisper, my mind fracturing between the points of pleasure he draws from me.
"Let's find out."
Cord's mouth latches on to one nipple as he plays with the other, his tongue swirling, thumb and finger pinching and plucking. I moan, rubbing against the hardness of him, until he pulls his body back and suddenly I'm humping nothing but air.
"No,” I gasp, spreading my legs wider as he sucks on my nipple. "Please, I need-"
I have no idea what I need, but he apparently does, as heat rushes through the emptiness between my legs where he denies me pressure as he gives pleasure elsewhere.
(Again, she's saying "no" out loud, her body might be giving other signals, but they've never spoken about a safe word or what they're comfortable with. So it's alarming how he hears "no" multiple times and then just carries on doing whatever he wants anyways)
-Breath hisses between his teeth as his hands fist in my hair, winding the lengths around and around. He guides me gently, letting me have my fun and ex- plore until his hips jerk. He drives my head down briefly and then pulls me back with an oath. Swallowing quickly, I fit my mouth around the head of his cock and take him deep, an inch at a time, reveling in the sounds of pure pleasure he makes.
-His fists press to the back of my head and then he moves with me, rocking with each suck, pulling me back and pushing me down all the way until I need to swallow faster or choke.
My heart pounds as I try to time my breaths at the fast rhythm he sets. No rules, Cord said before. The way he demands what he wants is as sexy as hell, but it's dangerous, too.
Thinking it's dangerous that someone's forcefully cutting off your circulation with their dick would be fine, if it felt more consensual and not like Cord hasn’t already been refusing to listen to her when she says "no" or "stop". After that it just made this feel so incredibly gross. If they'd talked about this as a fantasy and both expressed a desire for it outside of bed it would be different, but this is still just abusive).
-
How is Cord a billionaire? How many cowboy billionaires are there? (I'm gonna guess none). Why doesn't he actually ever use his money like a billionaire? Like he works all day and all night when he could just, idk, hire more people? Hire an assistant if he insists on doing things himself so they can at least keep him scheduled and regulated instead of working until 1am and waking up at 5am on a seemingly daily basis.
Speaking of sleeping arrangements, Cord forces Lanie to move in with him, and then only goes to bed after she's fallen asleep and wakes up before she does every single day so they barely spend time together...which had been the point of moving in…no? This future murder suicide asshole just needs a blow up doll and not an actual real life human.
Aves knows nothing about medicine, for instance, at one point a surgeon takes off their mask whilst talking to the "family" and crumples it in their hand. So much of that is highly concerning. They're supposed to be the "top doctors", but already right there I know they don't know shit cause they cannot practice proper donning and doffing.
Cord is so injured that he cannot ride a bike, but doing manual labour on the farm daily is not a problem? And he just made this wager out of nowhere for absolutely no reason? When going to bed, by herself, Lanie who isn't under the influence of any substance, was barely able to walk;
-"Lanie doesn't say anything as she retreats into the hall leading to my room, bumping into the walls with hands that shake."
Fortunately, Cord is a 'gentleman' and gives her moment to remember how to walk and stop shaking before blaming her and fucking her.
Lanie is mad at him for his wager - simply because he's putting his own farm at risk and she wanted to stay? She's concerned about the farm hands? It's never actually specified, but she's so upset that she's crying and incapable of looking after herself.
Upon seeing that Lanie is upset Cord immediately gaslights her and says that it's her fault as she was the one who told him to "be impulsive" (I don't remember her saying that, but I also don't care enough to check, he said it was her idea and Lanie didn't disagree, so I'm just going with it).
And she starts bawling her eyes out and asks Cord to fuck her like he does his "buckle bunnies" (eww, just, eww).
The following day she's upset and seeks out Cord's BFF West and he looks at her and immediately asks "did he hurt you?" Like why would he immediately ask that? And she says he didn't hurt her physically. Maybe, she now was regretting the sex she had consented to and was now feeling comfortable enough to say so, I could understand that, but no, she liked the sex, she's just bawling and upset because she's…a hormonal woman? Young and stupid? No reason is ever actually given (yet again).
And she tells West that Cord was mean somehow? Idek. (Note, during sex the night before she allegedly came so hard that she fell into a literal pile at his feet and then when she woke up she had to check if she was paralyzed or if she could wiggle her toes? Like wtf, none of that is good sex - "I wiggle my toes, testing that everything works as it should. When all the important bits prove functional, I hobble to the bathroom." -That's not good sex. If you seriously have to check if you’re capable of moving your toes after sex then that’s sexual abuse).
-I legitimately went back multiple times to read and re-read the same damn thing and there was absolutely no reason given for why Lanie was upset. None.
Cord catches West giving Lanie, who is having an emotional breakdown for no apparent reason, a hug, so naturally Cord freaks out at both of them and thinks that West wants to fuck Lanie. West is then scared that Cord is going to physically injure Lanie so he places his body between them. Like the red flags have red flags now.
Extra quotes that exemplify problems:
-Why reword a known phrase? Just why?
"I blather on when he probably can't care less." Couldn't. Couldn't care less. Gah.
-"Something twinges in my lower back. I raise my hand to brush my scar, the numb patch there more terrifying than anything else in my life."
Later the scar and numbness is at the TOP of his back, more specifically, on his neck. How'd that change come about?
-Whhhhy is this bitch talking about fucking wolves? We already know she's obsessed with them and after this comment beastiality doesn't sound like it's off the table for her....also, I get the impression that he's actively trying to hurt her with his dick, no?
That's little dick energy right there.
“I'm on the shot.” She pauses. “I'm safe, Cord. promise wolves aren't that sort of mischievous."
I laugh softly. “Good girl.” I push in another inch as she moans for me and slide my hand to her nape, pushing her head lower until she kisses the mattress. "I'll go slow for now. Tell me if I'm hurting you."
"You're not," she manages as I edge into her, filling her tight body until I'm fully sheathed.
Then I pull out and slam back in, reveling in her muffled scream. "Now?"
"Again, please," she whispers.
This woman.
I plunge into her raw, over and over, one hand pressed to the back of her neck, holding her in place as her screams bounce off the walls and reverberate back at me.
-the morning after when Lanie is acting like she was sexually assaulted and West immediately jumps to worrying about her having been physically assaulted by Cord:
“Last night was—" I clamp my mouth shut, keeping the words at bay. Just.
West catches my arm in a firm grip, leading me deeper into the barn's depths. "Did he hurt you, Lanie?"
I stare up at him, my denial bubbling to my lips, but then I bite that response back, too. Had he? Last night Cord was cold. A part of him bruised my heart, but he hadn't physically damaged me. If anything, he did the complete opposite, and afterward... Heat rises along my cheeks in a flush I can't prevent that I know West sees despite the dimmed light.
“No. He didn't hurt me, but—" I press my lips to- gether, trying to gather my thoughts while the mem- ory of everything we did in his bedroom-and after —assails me in a battery of memory.
West waits. I swear it's his superpower.
“These are details I shouldn't share with a man. Not one who knows him."
West's lips twitch. "I'm pretty sure I've been there through it all for him, Lanie. Tell me.”
So I do.
Cutting out the more intimate moments, I sketch an image that leaves no room for doubt of our conversation after West stormed from the house. Cord's best friend takes the information in, unmoving, unflinching, until I
stop talking.
Then West swears. “Damn. I'm sorry, girl. He should never have been that way with you.” He wraps one arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a bear hug.
(I still have no fucking clue how Cord treated her if she didn't mention any of the sex to West? What was the problem? Who fucking knows)
-"Fuck the history." West spins on his heel to face me, fury blazing from eyes as dark as the razorback mountains behind the homestead on an overcast day. "It's you I'm talking about. You can't ride again. You in a goddamn wheelchair for life. The doctors warned us. Not even a bike.
What is even going on with all of this quote? Like he sounds abusive. RUN.
“My exhales coming fast, I step into the room. She looks up at me, her blue eyes sparkling.
Fuck, I made her cry.
I want to kneel at her feet and beg her forgiveness, but before I have the chance, she slithers off the bed, pads across the heavy carpet, and pauses a breath away. Her hands trace the outline of my shirt. "Forgive me," I murmur, my voice cracking. "I scared you. I'm sorry."
"You're dangerous, Cord." The tears that shimmer in her eyes break their banks, tumbling over her cheeks. The sight lances through my heart. I brush one tear away with my thumb, but she shakes her head violently, knocking my hands away.
-Her eyes flash in the dimmed room. "Right now, you're an asshole, too," she huffs.
"Fuck, you're cute when you're angry." I cup her jaw, tipping her face up to study her.
"And you're reckless," she whispers.
Fear shimmers in her next layer of tears, but I don't wait to see them fall, pulling her sharply into me so that our bodies collide, transforming all the fear and panic and uncertainty of tonight into cold, hard desire. I fist a silky skein of her hair, pulling her head back as she arches for me on demand.
Lanie stares at me through heavy-lidded eyes without protest, her chest heaving.
"Maybe reckless is all I have left," I snarl, lifting her to her toes as I claim her mouth.”
-I nod, swallowing back panic, needing to be more for her. "You're right. I fucked up," I admit softly. Her eyes flare wide, but I press my thumb to her lips. “I can't take back what I've done, only try to make this right. And I don't expect you to forgive me. I'm not... the usual sort of man you date."
"No shit," she mutters, glaring at me through jewel-encrusted lashes. A drop trickles along her cheek.
-“You thought I wanted to use you like a show bunny before, didn't you,” I coo against her ear, licking the shell as she shivers for me, already so damn close. Hell, I can taste her need scenting the air as it drips from her. I tip her chin back until she strains on her toes for me. “Let me show you how I treat them."
February 19, 2026
Thank you go Netgally and the publishers for this ARC for my honest review.
I went into this book with high hopes, and I truly hate giving low ratings but unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. The concept and premise were intriguing, and the beginning did a good job of pulling me in. However, as the story progressed, the author’s writing style ultimately lost me.
I’m not a big fan of insta-love, especially when there’s little to no buildup. The relationship moved from “I like you” to “come live with me” incredibly fast, and I never really felt a strong emotional connection between the characters. It left me wondering whether they truly had chemistry or if the relationship was simply rushed to serve the plot.
The “wolf girl” element, while a great idea in theory, didn’t fully work for me in execution. I loved the concept, but it didn’t feel well integrated into the overall storyline, and at times it felt disconnected rather than essential.
As a whole, I struggled to connect with the characters. Ironically, West ended up being my favorite so much so that I found myself more interested in his storyline than the main one. I’d genuinely be curious to see if he and Winnie will get their own book.
One of my biggest challenges with this read was the pacing and structure. The story often went off on tangents, which repeatedly pulled me out of the narrative. I found myself getting lost frequently and unsure of what was happening. The book felt overly long, with many unnecessary details that distracted from the core plot. Overall, it felt like the story would benefit from a significant rewrite to tighten the narrative and better organize the most important elements.
While this book ultimately wasn’t a win for me, I do think the author has creative ideas and a strong foundation here it just didn’t come together in a way that kept me engaged.
I went into this book with high hopes, and I truly hate giving low ratings but unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. The concept and premise were intriguing, and the beginning did a good job of pulling me in. However, as the story progressed, the author’s writing style ultimately lost me.
I’m not a big fan of insta-love, especially when there’s little to no buildup. The relationship moved from “I like you” to “come live with me” incredibly fast, and I never really felt a strong emotional connection between the characters. It left me wondering whether they truly had chemistry or if the relationship was simply rushed to serve the plot.
The “wolf girl” element, while a great idea in theory, didn’t fully work for me in execution. I loved the concept, but it didn’t feel well integrated into the overall storyline, and at times it felt disconnected rather than essential.
As a whole, I struggled to connect with the characters. Ironically, West ended up being my favorite so much so that I found myself more interested in his storyline than the main one. I’d genuinely be curious to see if he and Winnie will get their own book.
One of my biggest challenges with this read was the pacing and structure. The story often went off on tangents, which repeatedly pulled me out of the narrative. I found myself getting lost frequently and unsure of what was happening. The book felt overly long, with many unnecessary details that distracted from the core plot. Overall, it felt like the story would benefit from a significant rewrite to tighten the narrative and better organize the most important elements.
While this book ultimately wasn’t a win for me, I do think the author has creative ideas and a strong foundation here it just didn’t come together in a way that kept me engaged.
Read
March 31, 2026DNF at 20%
May 18, 2026
instalove and miscommunication made this a quick no for me. the terrible writing and unlikeable characters made it an ever bigger no. i'm so sorry but like... just no.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!
Did Not Finish
March 22, 2026Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.
I DNFed at 10%. I dislike long chapters in books and the insta love trope. There was something in the writing style I didn't like at all. Maybe I will give it another chance in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
I DNFed at 10%. I dislike long chapters in books and the insta love trope. There was something in the writing style I didn't like at all. Maybe I will give it another chance in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
March 18, 2026DNF @ 23%
I love cowboy romances and the cover, title and blurb got me really excited for this book. However, it fell short for me and I was really dissapointed I couldn't keep going but it was beginning to get me frustrated.
> The characters needed more depth and even 23% in, Rand just seemed off to me.
> The instant-love trope is not something I am into. Yes, there was yearning but it was straight from the get go and it just felt a bit too much.
> By the point I DNF'd, they were already making out which is fine but at this point, it just felt rushed.
> Some of the sentences just didn't read well and so I hope this gets changed for the release this month. The plot felt a bit rushed as well.
Overall, it just didn't hook me like I hoped but that is my own opinoin.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC.
I love cowboy romances and the cover, title and blurb got me really excited for this book. However, it fell short for me and I was really dissapointed I couldn't keep going but it was beginning to get me frustrated.
> The characters needed more depth and even 23% in, Rand just seemed off to me.
> The instant-love trope is not something I am into. Yes, there was yearning but it was straight from the get go and it just felt a bit too much.
> By the point I DNF'd, they were already making out which is fine but at this point, it just felt rushed.
> Some of the sentences just didn't read well and so I hope this gets changed for the release this month. The plot felt a bit rushed as well.
Overall, it just didn't hook me like I hoped but that is my own opinoin.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC.
Did Not Finish
February 23, 2026Review of advanced reader copy from NetGalley!
DNF @ 16%
I am an avid cowboy romance reader and I was so excited to read this book but unfortunately, it just didn’t hit the way that it should have.
I’m not the biggest fan of insta-love romances and these two basically fell in love after meeting twice? Even though both of them are introverts/borderline recluses. It did not make their love story believable at all.
They also described them both as recluses multiple times and it begun to sound repetitive. Along with saving she was a wolf lover and he was a billionaire. After a number of times, we understand that this is what they are.
Thank you again for the advanced reader copy!
DNF @ 16%
I am an avid cowboy romance reader and I was so excited to read this book but unfortunately, it just didn’t hit the way that it should have.
I’m not the biggest fan of insta-love romances and these two basically fell in love after meeting twice? Even though both of them are introverts/borderline recluses. It did not make their love story believable at all.
They also described them both as recluses multiple times and it begun to sound repetitive. Along with saving she was a wolf lover and he was a billionaire. After a number of times, we understand that this is what they are.
Thank you again for the advanced reader copy!
April 23, 2026
✨ Thankyou to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨
Unfortunately I DNF’d this 20% in. The premise had potential but the insta-love from the very beginning left little desire to continue on. What’s the point in reading a romance if there’s nothing to yearn for? The characters lacked personality, and the story just fell flat for me.
Unfortunately I DNF’d this 20% in. The premise had potential but the insta-love from the very beginning left little desire to continue on. What’s the point in reading a romance if there’s nothing to yearn for? The characters lacked personality, and the story just fell flat for me.
March 5, 2026
3.75 ⭐
This was my first ever Cowboy Romance, and I'll be honest I was a little wary! Turns out I didn't have any reason to be, because I loved this book!
With all the various cowboy's at Coyote Falls, it was a little hard to get to grips with all the different characters at first. However, because you're dropped right into the story it becomes a lot more immersive quicker. I'm unfamiliar with cowboy/western terminology, but it was easy enough to pick up on the context as time went on.
Even though the romance is closer to insta-love than I usually read, I loved that they both Cord and Lanie have their own issues to work through. I took their instant connection to be closer to instant attraction rather than love, and it was great to watch their relationship evolve throughout the book. Not to mention I really enjoyed seeing their flirting and physical affection early on! The spice wasn't half bad either 👀
One area of their relationship that felt a little rushed was their offer and agreement to living together on Coyote Falls (even temporarily). As Lanie was used to wandering, and Cord used to having complete privacy it felt a bit off for their characters. Add to that the fact that Lanie can bring in all of Cord's cowboys to eat in the house at the drop of a hat, where previously they were wary of her, it seemed slightly too easy for me!
Despite this, the story felt heartwarming in its emphasis on family bonds (whether blood or chosen). Cord's had a difficult life, as have the other cowboys on his land and it was lovely to see them become close with each other. Not to mention Cord's sister (and Lanie's best friend) with her daughter.
I also loved the emphasis on animals! The bulls and bull riding that goes on near Coyote Falls as well as the wolf research Lanie does further afield. I find it really interesting when romance leads have such depth outside of their relationship and it's written really well here!
As mentioned above, I struggled a little bit with side characters - this became more important when there are some revelations later in the book. I imagine they weren't as impactful as they could've been otherwise for me! However, I absolutely loved West and I'm hoping he'll be a lead in future books of the series or at least present more often!
I appreciated that the author didn't take the easy way out with a decision Cord made, and there were a lot of tense moments where I wasn't quite sure what was going to happen next or how various things would be resolved. Lanie makes some decisions that I wasn't expecting as a result, and then has some more twisty moments following. It was all quite unpredictable!
The only thing I didn't really enjoy about the latter part of the book was the third act. All the way through the book we see Cord and Lanie navigating their challenges, but at the end it just sort of falls into place without any rhyme or reason. Despite this, I still enjoyed the epilogue moments we see and I'm curious how Cord and Lanie will handle future books in the series.
I think anyone coming from a contemporary romance background would enjoy Wild Wager like me! It's a touching tale of commitment, trust, and family with a steamy romance paving the way. It's action packed the whole way through!
Thank you to Sofia Aves and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first ever Cowboy Romance, and I'll be honest I was a little wary! Turns out I didn't have any reason to be, because I loved this book!
With all the various cowboy's at Coyote Falls, it was a little hard to get to grips with all the different characters at first. However, because you're dropped right into the story it becomes a lot more immersive quicker. I'm unfamiliar with cowboy/western terminology, but it was easy enough to pick up on the context as time went on.
Even though the romance is closer to insta-love than I usually read, I loved that they both Cord and Lanie have their own issues to work through. I took their instant connection to be closer to instant attraction rather than love, and it was great to watch their relationship evolve throughout the book. Not to mention I really enjoyed seeing their flirting and physical affection early on! The spice wasn't half bad either 👀
One area of their relationship that felt a little rushed was their offer and agreement to living together on Coyote Falls (even temporarily). As Lanie was used to wandering, and Cord used to having complete privacy it felt a bit off for their characters. Add to that the fact that Lanie can bring in all of Cord's cowboys to eat in the house at the drop of a hat, where previously they were wary of her, it seemed slightly too easy for me!
Despite this, the story felt heartwarming in its emphasis on family bonds (whether blood or chosen). Cord's had a difficult life, as have the other cowboys on his land and it was lovely to see them become close with each other. Not to mention Cord's sister (and Lanie's best friend) with her daughter.
I also loved the emphasis on animals! The bulls and bull riding that goes on near Coyote Falls as well as the wolf research Lanie does further afield. I find it really interesting when romance leads have such depth outside of their relationship and it's written really well here!
As mentioned above, I struggled a little bit with side characters - this became more important when there are some revelations later in the book. I imagine they weren't as impactful as they could've been otherwise for me! However, I absolutely loved West and I'm hoping he'll be a lead in future books of the series or at least present more often!
I appreciated that the author didn't take the easy way out with a decision Cord made, and there were a lot of tense moments where I wasn't quite sure what was going to happen next or how various things would be resolved. Lanie makes some decisions that I wasn't expecting as a result, and then has some more twisty moments following. It was all quite unpredictable!
The only thing I didn't really enjoy about the latter part of the book was the third act. All the way through the book we see Cord and Lanie navigating their challenges, but at the end it just sort of falls into place without any rhyme or reason. Despite this, I still enjoyed the epilogue moments we see and I'm curious how Cord and Lanie will handle future books in the series.
I think anyone coming from a contemporary romance background would enjoy Wild Wager like me! It's a touching tale of commitment, trust, and family with a steamy romance paving the way. It's action packed the whole way through!
Thank you to Sofia Aves and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 2, 2026
Wild Wager by Sofia Aves was everything I want in a cowboy romance and more—I absolutely devoured it. From the rugged ranch setting to the irresistible chemistry, this felt like the perfect start to a series I already can’t wait to continue.
Cord is the kind of wounded, guarded cowboy hero that’s impossible not to fall for—used to being alone, carrying his past quietly, and fully in control of his world at Coyote Falls. Then Lanie walks in—his sister’s best friend, a fiercely independent wolf biologist with a passion for her work—and completely turns his life upside down in the best way. Their connection is immediate, but what I loved most is how it deepens as they navigate real challenges, not just attraction.
The ranch setting was such a standout. It has that immersive, small-town, found-family feel where everyone looks out for each other, and I loved seeing Lanie slowly become part of that world. The contrast between her life studying wolves and Cord’s life running the ranch added a unique layer that made this feel fresh compared to other cowboy romances.
The chemistry between Cord and Lanie was 🔥—emotional, intense, and addictive. I couldn’t stop turning pages to see how they would figure things out, especially with the added tension of Cord’s past, the looming rodeo, and outside pressures threatening everything he’s built.
What really made this a 5-star read for me was the balance: romance, tension, a bit of drama, and a strong emotional core. It’s fun and bingeable, but still has enough heart to make you fully invested in the characters and their future.
Final verdict: A steamy, emotional, and completely addictive cowboy romance with a unique twist. If you love grumpy cowboys, strong heroines, found family, and small-town drama, this is an absolute must-read. I’ll definitely be back for the next book in the series.
Cord is the kind of wounded, guarded cowboy hero that’s impossible not to fall for—used to being alone, carrying his past quietly, and fully in control of his world at Coyote Falls. Then Lanie walks in—his sister’s best friend, a fiercely independent wolf biologist with a passion for her work—and completely turns his life upside down in the best way. Their connection is immediate, but what I loved most is how it deepens as they navigate real challenges, not just attraction.
The ranch setting was such a standout. It has that immersive, small-town, found-family feel where everyone looks out for each other, and I loved seeing Lanie slowly become part of that world. The contrast between her life studying wolves and Cord’s life running the ranch added a unique layer that made this feel fresh compared to other cowboy romances.
The chemistry between Cord and Lanie was 🔥—emotional, intense, and addictive. I couldn’t stop turning pages to see how they would figure things out, especially with the added tension of Cord’s past, the looming rodeo, and outside pressures threatening everything he’s built.
What really made this a 5-star read for me was the balance: romance, tension, a bit of drama, and a strong emotional core. It’s fun and bingeable, but still has enough heart to make you fully invested in the characters and their future.
Final verdict: A steamy, emotional, and completely addictive cowboy romance with a unique twist. If you love grumpy cowboys, strong heroines, found family, and small-town drama, this is an absolute must-read. I’ll definitely be back for the next book in the series.
March 10, 2026
I want to begin by thanking NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of Wild Wager in exchange for an honest review.
On paper, it had everything I love most: a cowboy billionaire romance with an independent wolf biologist. It’s an atypical and surprising combination, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me in the end.
While I liked the personalities of Cord and Lanie separately, everything happened too fast between them and I didn’t feel any sparks. I was even sometimes embarrassed by their relationship. I didn’t like the “wolf girl” nickname at all, which felt really weird and uncomfortable at many moments. Their physical attraction was too intense and too easy from the very beginning. It was honestly very far from what I expected. But maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood. I’m more of a slow-burn reader, so if you’re not, you might enjoy their dynamic!
I enjoyed the vibes of Coyote Falls, and that’s why I love these Western settings so much. Everything was very easy to picture in my mind.
I honestly didn’t feel much for Cord and Lanie as a couple. Even though they both have their own personalities, their relationship didn’t feel very realistic and was a little cliché at times, especially with Lanie’s character. I know they don’t have many interactions for a long time, but the way it was described sometimes made me feel like they were being compared to animals. It felt a bit strange. However, I still enjoyed the end of the story and the plot twist.
I’m pretty sure that if you enjoy easy, fast-paced romances with Western vibes, you will like this story. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t the right target reader for it and I’m the first sad about it.
2,5/5
On paper, it had everything I love most: a cowboy billionaire romance with an independent wolf biologist. It’s an atypical and surprising combination, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me in the end.
While I liked the personalities of Cord and Lanie separately, everything happened too fast between them and I didn’t feel any sparks. I was even sometimes embarrassed by their relationship. I didn’t like the “wolf girl” nickname at all, which felt really weird and uncomfortable at many moments. Their physical attraction was too intense and too easy from the very beginning. It was honestly very far from what I expected. But maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood. I’m more of a slow-burn reader, so if you’re not, you might enjoy their dynamic!
I enjoyed the vibes of Coyote Falls, and that’s why I love these Western settings so much. Everything was very easy to picture in my mind.
I honestly didn’t feel much for Cord and Lanie as a couple. Even though they both have their own personalities, their relationship didn’t feel very realistic and was a little cliché at times, especially with Lanie’s character. I know they don’t have many interactions for a long time, but the way it was described sometimes made me feel like they were being compared to animals. It felt a bit strange. However, I still enjoyed the end of the story and the plot twist.
I’m pretty sure that if you enjoy easy, fast-paced romances with Western vibes, you will like this story. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t the right target reader for it and I’m the first sad about it.
2,5/5
March 7, 2026
First, thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Sofia Aves for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.
Unfortunately, this one was not for me. I thought the plot was lacking and I did not find any of the main characters relatable or appealing, except for maybe West. There were sentences that just didn’t make any sense. The conflicts were weird to me. The only ones that remotely made sense were the conflict with Jed and the conflict between West and Cord. The conflicts between Cord and Lanie and Lanie and Winnie made no sense at all.
Lanie and Cord fell in love almost immediately after Cord love bombed her and moved her in. She felt accepted and loved it there, the land, the people, etc. but missed her wolves and felt neglected while Cord was preparing for the invitational. But then after Cord’s injury, the main conflict was not him neglecting her really, it wasn’t him being depressed, or being grumpy or any of the normal things someone deals with after injury. It was her feeling like she didn’t belong in his world… hmm… okay. So she leaves without a word… Then when he hunts her down to ask her to come back, she doesn’t ever really explain why she left or what needed to change or how she felt, but he tells her she makes his house a home and she agrees immediately to go back with him. I just couldn’t get it. Wasn’t for me.
Don’t even get me started on that part in the middle after Cord makes the deal with Jed and then he and Lanie have that steamy night and then she lowkey tells West that Cord assaulted her or made her uncomfortable. West literally asks her “did he hurt you?” And I was just sitting here thinking, “why tf would he think that…?” I never really understood that. And then she references the “predator” she saw in him. WHAT… Then the part where he asks if she is on birth control and she said “I’m on the shot. I’m safe, Cord. I promise wolves aren’t that mischievous.” *gasps and chokes* WHAT. I’m sorry, WHAT???
Winnie trying to set Lanie and Cord up from the beginning and then making Lanie think Cord wasn’t serious about her AFTER she purposely set them up. And then being upset about them loving each other and then coming to the hospital to SLAP Lanie and blame her for Cord’s injury… HUH??
Cord was an incredibly insecure and immature MMC. The parts where he was shitty to West because West was actually considering how Lanie felt were disgusting. “What, you want a turn?” “I was sleeping with her before you all came in my house and cozied up to her.” Then he goes off and “taps” (AKA punches) his truck and makes his hand bleed. OKAY KYLE.
I’ll be honest, I was rooting for one person and one person only during this whole book and that was West. The happy ending would have been West leaving and finding love.
I’m very glad for the opportunity to read this book and I think the idea and the writing definitely have potential, but could have been executed better.
Unfortunately, this one was not for me. I thought the plot was lacking and I did not find any of the main characters relatable or appealing, except for maybe West. There were sentences that just didn’t make any sense. The conflicts were weird to me. The only ones that remotely made sense were the conflict with Jed and the conflict between West and Cord. The conflicts between Cord and Lanie and Lanie and Winnie made no sense at all.
Lanie and Cord fell in love almost immediately after Cord love bombed her and moved her in. She felt accepted and loved it there, the land, the people, etc. but missed her wolves and felt neglected while Cord was preparing for the invitational. But then after Cord’s injury, the main conflict was not him neglecting her really, it wasn’t him being depressed, or being grumpy or any of the normal things someone deals with after injury. It was her feeling like she didn’t belong in his world… hmm… okay. So she leaves without a word… Then when he hunts her down to ask her to come back, she doesn’t ever really explain why she left or what needed to change or how she felt, but he tells her she makes his house a home and she agrees immediately to go back with him. I just couldn’t get it. Wasn’t for me.
Don’t even get me started on that part in the middle after Cord makes the deal with Jed and then he and Lanie have that steamy night and then she lowkey tells West that Cord assaulted her or made her uncomfortable. West literally asks her “did he hurt you?” And I was just sitting here thinking, “why tf would he think that…?” I never really understood that. And then she references the “predator” she saw in him. WHAT… Then the part where he asks if she is on birth control and she said “I’m on the shot. I’m safe, Cord. I promise wolves aren’t that mischievous.” *gasps and chokes* WHAT. I’m sorry, WHAT???
Winnie trying to set Lanie and Cord up from the beginning and then making Lanie think Cord wasn’t serious about her AFTER she purposely set them up. And then being upset about them loving each other and then coming to the hospital to SLAP Lanie and blame her for Cord’s injury… HUH??
Cord was an incredibly insecure and immature MMC. The parts where he was shitty to West because West was actually considering how Lanie felt were disgusting. “What, you want a turn?” “I was sleeping with her before you all came in my house and cozied up to her.” Then he goes off and “taps” (AKA punches) his truck and makes his hand bleed. OKAY KYLE.
I’ll be honest, I was rooting for one person and one person only during this whole book and that was West. The happy ending would have been West leaving and finding love.
I’m very glad for the opportunity to read this book and I think the idea and the writing definitely have potential, but could have been executed better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2026
I love me a good contemporary, cowboy romance. When I read the synopsis for Wild Wager I knew that this would be right at my alley, but when I started reading it, I immediately kind of got annoyed of lust get down with it but one of the first things he ends up saying to her is “that’s a job” when he finds out that she’s a wolf biologist. And it just kind of rubbed me the wrong way and then he pretty much gave her thenickname of wolf girl immediately. I have been reading cowboy romance longer than some of the most popular authors currently have been writing it. I do think overall the writing was pretty good, but I think my initial reaction to everything just paved the way to how I was going to feel about the book overall. Please don’t let how I felt sway you from trying it yourself. I do think everybody should read and make their own opinions about a book and not take mine, especially because of how I felt initially sway anyone. I still think you should give it a try,
Thank you Storm Publishing for the complementary copy all thoughts and opinions on my own
Thank you Storm Publishing for the complementary copy all thoughts and opinions on my own
March 16, 2026
I did think quite a lot about how to write this review. I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. A cowboy billionaire, a wolf biologist, a remote ranch setting and a found family of cowboys sounded like it could be a very interesting western romance.
Unfortunately, I couldn't really connect with the story or the characters.
I read easily about halfway through the book, then I struggled to feel invested in the characters or the storyline until the end. While the setup has a lot of elements that I usually enjoy, I found it difficult to really engage with what was happening and never quite felt drawn into the romance or the overall plot. It felt like I was reading more of an YA/first crush or something similar.
Sometimes a book simply doesn’t click with a reader at the right moment and I guess, this ended up being one of those cases for me.
Even though it wasn’t the right fit for me, readers who enjoy cowboy romances with wounded heroes may still find something to enjoy here.
⭐ 2.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.
Unfortunately, I couldn't really connect with the story or the characters.
I read easily about halfway through the book, then I struggled to feel invested in the characters or the storyline until the end. While the setup has a lot of elements that I usually enjoy, I found it difficult to really engage with what was happening and never quite felt drawn into the romance or the overall plot. It felt like I was reading more of an YA/first crush or something similar.
Sometimes a book simply doesn’t click with a reader at the right moment and I guess, this ended up being one of those cases for me.
Even though it wasn’t the right fit for me, readers who enjoy cowboy romances with wounded heroes may still find something to enjoy here.
⭐ 2.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was really looking forward to reading this book as the cover was so pretty and the description of the story enticed me.
I was only 15% into the book and I already noted more than a few mistakes - some sentences didnt make sense eg. 'One science miracle does not a local threat make'. I just didn't understand this and I even asked someone else and they didnt understand it aswell. The other mistake, a small mistake, was her description said she had long hair down to her thighs but on the cover, her hair is much shorter than that. Of course this is just a small pick up but I couldn't help but note it.
The author does have a good set up, i just couldn't look past those mistakes.
I thank you for giving me a chance to review this book
I was only 15% into the book and I already noted more than a few mistakes - some sentences didnt make sense eg. 'One science miracle does not a local threat make'. I just didn't understand this and I even asked someone else and they didnt understand it aswell. The other mistake, a small mistake, was her description said she had long hair down to her thighs but on the cover, her hair is much shorter than that. Of course this is just a small pick up but I couldn't help but note it.
The author does have a good set up, i just couldn't look past those mistakes.
I thank you for giving me a chance to review this book
March 28, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Rating: ★★★/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Tropes: Ex Rodeo Champion, Billionaire Rancher, A bull with a history, Dire Wolf Mystery
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity
I wanted to love this because of how good the blurb on the back of the book was, and I absolutely hate giving low ratings but unfortunately this one just didn’t hit for me.
I found myself struggling to connect with the characters, and was thrown off by the pacing at times, but I must say, I did enjoy the cowboy x wolf biologist dynamic.
In saying all that, if you are a cowboy romance enjoyer with a little more pizazz✨you may enjoy Wild Wager:)
Rating: ★★★/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Tropes: Ex Rodeo Champion, Billionaire Rancher, A bull with a history, Dire Wolf Mystery
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity
I wanted to love this because of how good the blurb on the back of the book was, and I absolutely hate giving low ratings but unfortunately this one just didn’t hit for me.
I found myself struggling to connect with the characters, and was thrown off by the pacing at times, but I must say, I did enjoy the cowboy x wolf biologist dynamic.
In saying all that, if you are a cowboy romance enjoyer with a little more pizazz✨you may enjoy Wild Wager:)
March 18, 2026
I wanted to like this one more. I was really interested in reading about a wolf wildlife biologist who falls for a grumpy bull rider cowboy but the characters felt like caricatures and it was very predictable. I don't know the writing wasn't great, often cringey at times. I doubt I'll keep reading more by this author but I appreciate a chance to read an early digital review copy in exchange for my honest feedback. This one wasn't for me sadly.
March 29, 2026
Okay I am really torn between 3-4 stars. I love cowboy small town anything so that already gets 3 stars. The insta love I know some people love or hate and I don’t mind it but I feel like they didn’t really talk yet were obsessed with eachother and he honestly treated her pretty poorly other than being obsessed with having her. She was alone so much. The found family vibes are also a favorite of mine which knocked this from a 3 to a 4. I like how quirky the FMC is as well.
April 9, 2026
Sweet story with alot of emotional growth. I like the characters, strong FMC and wild MMC. Cowboy romance, with spice. I recommend this to contemporary romance lovers
February 20, 2026
Wait this was so fun!
3.75 stars
The wolf thing was kinda random but it was entertaining and I appreciate the research the author would have had to do to gather the information that was shared.
This was so Elsie Silver, Paisley Hope coded & I thought it was a really easy, enjoyable read.
But I will say, if you’re looking for a slow burn then this might not be the book for you as the romance was quiet fast paced from the get go - but sometimes that’s just what you want!
I definitely will keep reading future books 😌
Thank you for the author and publisher for this ARC!
3.75 stars
The wolf thing was kinda random but it was entertaining and I appreciate the research the author would have had to do to gather the information that was shared.
This was so Elsie Silver, Paisley Hope coded & I thought it was a really easy, enjoyable read.
But I will say, if you’re looking for a slow burn then this might not be the book for you as the romance was quiet fast paced from the get go - but sometimes that’s just what you want!
I definitely will keep reading future books 😌
Thank you for the author and publisher for this ARC!
April 6, 2026
Sofia Aves’s Wild Wager, the first book in the Valiant Peak Rodeo series, is an emotional, slow-burning romance that blends rugged cowboy charm with a deeper story about healing, purpose, and taking risks on love.
From the start, the story centers on Cord, a billionaire who chooses to live a quieter, more grounded life after everything he’s been through. He builds his ranch in Coyote Falls not just for himself, but as a place for other cowboys who need a fresh start—a fair shot at work, stability, and dignity. That purpose gives the story a strong emotional foundation. The ranch isn’t just a backdrop; it represents second chances, both for Cord and the men he’s brought together.
Cord is a layered character. On the outside, he’s strong and capable, but underneath, he’s carrying emotional and physical scars that still shape how he sees himself. His desire to stay out of the spotlight and keep his life simple makes sense, especially as you begin to understand what he’s been trying to move past. Adding to his world are the people closest to him—his sister Winnie, her nine-year-old daughter Sally, and his best friend and foreman, West. These relationships bring warmth and balance to the story, showing a softer side of Cord and reinforcing the sense of family he’s built, both by blood and by choice.
Then Lanie enters, and she brings a completely different energy into his world. As a wolf biologist, she’s independent, observant, and deeply connected to nature. What stands out most is how she sees Cord clearly—without focusing on his wealth, his past, or his struggles. She doesn’t try to fix him. Instead, she meets him with honesty and patience, which makes their connection feel balanced and genuine.
Their relationship develops slowly, which works well for this story. The chemistry builds through shared time, quiet conversations, and moments where both characters let their guard down. The ranch setting gives their relationship space to grow naturally, while also highlighting the life Cord has created—not just for himself, but for others.
There’s also an underlying tension throughout the story tied to the risks Cord is taking—both personally and professionally. Those choices add weight to the romance, reminding readers that opening your heart doesn’t come without consequences. Lanie, in turn, has to decide how much she’s willing to invest in someone who is still working through his own battles.
The pacing is steady and focused on emotional growth rather than dramatic twists. Cord’s development is especially strong as he begins to confront what he’s been avoiding and consider the possibility of something more. Lanie’s journey is quieter but just as important, as she balances her independence with her growing feelings.
The writing style is smooth and easy to read, with a strong focus on emotion and atmosphere. The dialogue feels natural, and the quieter moments often carry the most meaning. The sense of place—especially the ranch and surrounding landscape—adds depth without taking over the story.
At its core, Wild Wager is about rebuilding—creating a life that feels meaningful and allowing yourself to be seen, even when it’s uncomfortable. It shows that love doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful, and that sometimes the strongest connections are built in the quiet moments.
Readers who enjoy character-driven romance with a slower pace and strong emotional depth will appreciate this story. It has a similar feel to Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage and Flawless by Elsie Silver, both of which balance cowboy romance with personal growth and found-family elements.
My Final Thoughts:
Wild Wager is a heartfelt, steady-paced romance about healing, second chances, and building something real. It’s a reminder that sometimes the life you create for others can lead you exactly where you need to be.
From the start, the story centers on Cord, a billionaire who chooses to live a quieter, more grounded life after everything he’s been through. He builds his ranch in Coyote Falls not just for himself, but as a place for other cowboys who need a fresh start—a fair shot at work, stability, and dignity. That purpose gives the story a strong emotional foundation. The ranch isn’t just a backdrop; it represents second chances, both for Cord and the men he’s brought together.
Cord is a layered character. On the outside, he’s strong and capable, but underneath, he’s carrying emotional and physical scars that still shape how he sees himself. His desire to stay out of the spotlight and keep his life simple makes sense, especially as you begin to understand what he’s been trying to move past. Adding to his world are the people closest to him—his sister Winnie, her nine-year-old daughter Sally, and his best friend and foreman, West. These relationships bring warmth and balance to the story, showing a softer side of Cord and reinforcing the sense of family he’s built, both by blood and by choice.
Then Lanie enters, and she brings a completely different energy into his world. As a wolf biologist, she’s independent, observant, and deeply connected to nature. What stands out most is how she sees Cord clearly—without focusing on his wealth, his past, or his struggles. She doesn’t try to fix him. Instead, she meets him with honesty and patience, which makes their connection feel balanced and genuine.
Their relationship develops slowly, which works well for this story. The chemistry builds through shared time, quiet conversations, and moments where both characters let their guard down. The ranch setting gives their relationship space to grow naturally, while also highlighting the life Cord has created—not just for himself, but for others.
There’s also an underlying tension throughout the story tied to the risks Cord is taking—both personally and professionally. Those choices add weight to the romance, reminding readers that opening your heart doesn’t come without consequences. Lanie, in turn, has to decide how much she’s willing to invest in someone who is still working through his own battles.
The pacing is steady and focused on emotional growth rather than dramatic twists. Cord’s development is especially strong as he begins to confront what he’s been avoiding and consider the possibility of something more. Lanie’s journey is quieter but just as important, as she balances her independence with her growing feelings.
The writing style is smooth and easy to read, with a strong focus on emotion and atmosphere. The dialogue feels natural, and the quieter moments often carry the most meaning. The sense of place—especially the ranch and surrounding landscape—adds depth without taking over the story.
At its core, Wild Wager is about rebuilding—creating a life that feels meaningful and allowing yourself to be seen, even when it’s uncomfortable. It shows that love doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful, and that sometimes the strongest connections are built in the quiet moments.
Readers who enjoy character-driven romance with a slower pace and strong emotional depth will appreciate this story. It has a similar feel to Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage and Flawless by Elsie Silver, both of which balance cowboy romance with personal growth and found-family elements.
My Final Thoughts:
Wild Wager is a heartfelt, steady-paced romance about healing, second chances, and building something real. It’s a reminder that sometimes the life you create for others can lead you exactly where you need to be.
March 18, 2026
Cord is one very hot alpha cowboy!
Holy hotness Cowboy!!! Author Sofia Aves has brought one alpha cowboy who avoided company like the plague, together with a passionate biologist who preferred the company of wolves. And WOW, the result was WILD WAGER, a hot and unputdownable romance that I absolutely loved.
Ms Aves set up the chemistry between them straight out of the gate. Written in dual POV, we got to see Cord as a stunned mullet upon his first vision of Lanie Parker. She had been far from civilisation observing and studying the lives of a wolf pack in the remotest part of Alaska, and was now temporarily staying with her best friend, Winnie and her daughter Sally. So when she went to pick up Sally from her Uncle Cordell Rand's ranch, Lanie is confronted (in the best possible way) with the breath-stealing vision of total alpha-cowboy-maleness;
“I can’t shake the image of the shirtless rancher and the way he looked at me like I was something he wanted to devour. Part of me is kind of okay with that. Or more than okay with it. ... A shirtless, off-limits, and sexy-as-a-Montana-sunset rancher. Broad shoulders slimming to that vee that features on bodice rippers in airport bookstores.”
I know right! 👀👀👀
WILD WAGER is a book full of romance, found family, light suspense and a couple who are insanely attracted to each other but wonder if their individual futures are set in stone.
Ms Aves gives great depth to the story with the amazing cast of secondary characters a couple of whose book we will be getting next. She has the balance just perfect in that they emphasise, support, and round out the lives of Cord and Lanie, never taking over the story. We met Sally first, Cord’s full-of-life nine-year-old niece who loved staying at the ranch and had immersed herself into the lives of Ranch Manager West and the ranch hands. West was a surly character had been with Cord during the worst period of his life, giving unconditional support when his own family walked away and it had taken time for Winnie to reconnect with him after a period of time.
Villain characters are also important, and one in particular was rather odious and it was with his involvement that A WILD WAGER come about in spite of Cord’s usual common sense. A bet was placed that should never have been aired, but this person had a malicious intent going on adding in that suspenseful element.
How Ms Aves has managed to write a cowboy romance that is sweet and dirty, plus hot and spicy?? I don't know, but with A WILD WAGER, she nailed it!!! The talented Ms Aves can beautifully write any trope she has a mind to put her heart and soul into, from this spicy AF yet sweetly (relatively speaking!) romantic cowboy trope through into the realms of romance darkness that even my reading eyes haven’t dared to venture! 👀🫣
Seriously, A WILD WAGER is a cowboy romance that I believe will appeal to readers of all interests. I most definitely held mine and that is why I recommend it at 5-hot-alpha-cowboy-Stars 🖤🐎✦
Holy hotness Cowboy!!! Author Sofia Aves has brought one alpha cowboy who avoided company like the plague, together with a passionate biologist who preferred the company of wolves. And WOW, the result was WILD WAGER, a hot and unputdownable romance that I absolutely loved.
Ms Aves set up the chemistry between them straight out of the gate. Written in dual POV, we got to see Cord as a stunned mullet upon his first vision of Lanie Parker. She had been far from civilisation observing and studying the lives of a wolf pack in the remotest part of Alaska, and was now temporarily staying with her best friend, Winnie and her daughter Sally. So when she went to pick up Sally from her Uncle Cordell Rand's ranch, Lanie is confronted (in the best possible way) with the breath-stealing vision of total alpha-cowboy-maleness;
“I can’t shake the image of the shirtless rancher and the way he looked at me like I was something he wanted to devour. Part of me is kind of okay with that. Or more than okay with it. ... A shirtless, off-limits, and sexy-as-a-Montana-sunset rancher. Broad shoulders slimming to that vee that features on bodice rippers in airport bookstores.”
I know right! 👀👀👀
WILD WAGER is a book full of romance, found family, light suspense and a couple who are insanely attracted to each other but wonder if their individual futures are set in stone.
Ms Aves gives great depth to the story with the amazing cast of secondary characters a couple of whose book we will be getting next. She has the balance just perfect in that they emphasise, support, and round out the lives of Cord and Lanie, never taking over the story. We met Sally first, Cord’s full-of-life nine-year-old niece who loved staying at the ranch and had immersed herself into the lives of Ranch Manager West and the ranch hands. West was a surly character had been with Cord during the worst period of his life, giving unconditional support when his own family walked away and it had taken time for Winnie to reconnect with him after a period of time.
Villain characters are also important, and one in particular was rather odious and it was with his involvement that A WILD WAGER come about in spite of Cord’s usual common sense. A bet was placed that should never have been aired, but this person had a malicious intent going on adding in that suspenseful element.
How Ms Aves has managed to write a cowboy romance that is sweet and dirty, plus hot and spicy?? I don't know, but with A WILD WAGER, she nailed it!!! The talented Ms Aves can beautifully write any trope she has a mind to put her heart and soul into, from this spicy AF yet sweetly (relatively speaking!) romantic cowboy trope through into the realms of romance darkness that even my reading eyes haven’t dared to venture! 👀🫣
Seriously, A WILD WAGER is a cowboy romance that I believe will appeal to readers of all interests. I most definitely held mine and that is why I recommend it at 5-hot-alpha-cowboy-Stars 🖤🐎✦
March 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lanie is a wolf biologist moving from place to place to conduct her research. After a breakup and failing to secure funding for future research, she moves in with her best friend, Winnie and her daughter, Sally. After being estranged, Winnie reconnects with her brother Cordell (referred to as Cord or Rand) who lives 3 hours away at his Ranch. After injuring himself bull-riding nearly a decade ago, he built a ranch where he now resides and Sally visits for weekend trips. The story focuses around Cord trying to find out who is stealing his equipment after being in denial that it’s being stolen for like half the book then a wager about getting back on the bull to secure his ranch.
Lanie and Cord are immediately attracted to each other and Lanie proceeds to move in with him after knowing him for like a week and going on a singular date. Lanie and Cord’s relationship is very physical and attraction-based. I never understood why they liked each other and what they liked about each other. Cord seems lonely in his large ranch and emotionally closed off while Lanie is trying to secure funding to research more wolves and is scared of being tied down. Winnie and West, Cord’s main ranch-hand, had a more interesting dynamic than Lanie and Cord.
Cord repeatedly gave me the ick when he was aggressive with Lanie without ever asking what she wanted and kept mentioning how his sexual acts to Lanie were painful… uhm… where’s the conversation talking about your sexual preferences? There’s even a point where West asks Lanie if Cord hurt her and Winnie finds out and tells her to move back in with her. Run girl.
Lanie seems to the be the worst friend because she essentially ghosts Winnie for her brother for like half of the book. There’s a point in the story where she even says she hasn’t texted Winnie since she arrived. Like girl. Winnie housed you and this is how you repay her?
I never felt the charm of the small town because of the limited description of the ranch and neighbouring towns. The story didn’t have a good sense of place and space.
Many of the chapters were choppy and unfocused; plot lines were introduced and disappeared suddenly like Lanie’s migraines. She frequently drives 3 hours between Winnie’s townhouse and Cord’s ranch but only gets the migraine once then the migraine plot line literally only appear twice more with the second in passing. Chapters where her having a migraine would make sense, she doesn’t have them.
The story felt like it was going nowhere and everywhere all at once. The pacing was off. The “wager” happens at around half way through the book.
The characters desperately needed more development; they were hot and cold and inconsistent in their behaviour so their actions and reactions didn’t make sense.
⭐️⭐️
Lanie is a wolf biologist moving from place to place to conduct her research. After a breakup and failing to secure funding for future research, she moves in with her best friend, Winnie and her daughter, Sally. After being estranged, Winnie reconnects with her brother Cordell (referred to as Cord or Rand) who lives 3 hours away at his Ranch. After injuring himself bull-riding nearly a decade ago, he built a ranch where he now resides and Sally visits for weekend trips. The story focuses around Cord trying to find out who is stealing his equipment after being in denial that it’s being stolen for like half the book then a wager about getting back on the bull to secure his ranch.
Lanie and Cord are immediately attracted to each other and Lanie proceeds to move in with him after knowing him for like a week and going on a singular date. Lanie and Cord’s relationship is very physical and attraction-based. I never understood why they liked each other and what they liked about each other. Cord seems lonely in his large ranch and emotionally closed off while Lanie is trying to secure funding to research more wolves and is scared of being tied down. Winnie and West, Cord’s main ranch-hand, had a more interesting dynamic than Lanie and Cord.
Cord repeatedly gave me the ick when he was aggressive with Lanie without ever asking what she wanted and kept mentioning how his sexual acts to Lanie were painful… uhm… where’s the conversation talking about your sexual preferences? There’s even a point where West asks Lanie if Cord hurt her and Winnie finds out and tells her to move back in with her. Run girl.
Lanie seems to the be the worst friend because she essentially ghosts Winnie for her brother for like half of the book. There’s a point in the story where she even says she hasn’t texted Winnie since she arrived. Like girl. Winnie housed you and this is how you repay her?
I never felt the charm of the small town because of the limited description of the ranch and neighbouring towns. The story didn’t have a good sense of place and space.
Many of the chapters were choppy and unfocused; plot lines were introduced and disappeared suddenly like Lanie’s migraines. She frequently drives 3 hours between Winnie’s townhouse and Cord’s ranch but only gets the migraine once then the migraine plot line literally only appear twice more with the second in passing. Chapters where her having a migraine would make sense, she doesn’t have them.
The story felt like it was going nowhere and everywhere all at once. The pacing was off. The “wager” happens at around half way through the book.
The characters desperately needed more development; they were hot and cold and inconsistent in their behaviour so their actions and reactions didn’t make sense.
⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Sofia Aves for the opportunity to read Wild Wager as an ARC.
I will start by saying that I love cowboy romances, so I went into this really hoping it would click for me. Unfortunately, this one did not quite land the way I expected.
The spice was definitely there (around 4🌶️), but the story itself lacked the emotional tension and spark I usually look for in a romance. Much of the drama revolved around Jed and Cord’s bet and the mystery of who was stealing from the ranch, rather than the romance itself.
One thing that also disappointed me was how long it took to learn what the “wild wager” actually referred to. I initially assumed it would relate to Cord and Lanie’s relationship, but when it turned out to be the bet between Cord and Jed, it felt a little underwhelming.
The relationship between Cord and Lanie also progressed very quickly. Cord seemed to fall for her almost instantly and soon convinced her to move in with him after only knowing each other for two to three weeks, which made the romance feel rushed. It leaned heavily into insta love, which made the relationship feel unrealistic and harder to emotionally invest in.
Some of the character conflicts were also confusing. The hospital confrontation between Winnie and Lanie did not fully make sense to me, and the situation after Cord and Lanie’s steamy night, where West asks Lanie if Cord hurt her, felt strange given what we had actually seen happen on the page. Even after rereading the scene, I was still left confused about why Lanie explained the situation the way she did.
Cord as an MMC was difficult for me to connect with, and some of his reactions came across as insecure and immature. In contrast, West ended up being the character I liked the most. He felt more thoughtful, rational, and emotionally aware, and I often found myself rooting for him instead.
One element I did really enjoy was the found family aspect within the ranch. Those moments were genuinely sweet and added warmth to the story. However, I was not sure why every guy on the ranch seemed to feel the need to touch Lanie, even if they were trying to be supportive. I found that uncomfortable.
Even though the book did not fully work for me, I did stick it out and read it in full, which took about 7.5 hours, because I wanted to give the ARC a fair chance rather than stopping early.
It also felt like this first book was largely introducing the wider cast of characters, likely because the author mentioned plans to write stories for the rest of them. The next book appears to focus on West and Winnie, which honestly sounds like it could be a more interesting pairing. That said, after this one, I am not sure I will be continuing with the series.
Overall, while the premise had potential and the spice delivered, the pacing, insta-love dynamic, and confusing character conflicts meant it ultimately did not work for me.
I will start by saying that I love cowboy romances, so I went into this really hoping it would click for me. Unfortunately, this one did not quite land the way I expected.
The spice was definitely there (around 4🌶️), but the story itself lacked the emotional tension and spark I usually look for in a romance. Much of the drama revolved around Jed and Cord’s bet and the mystery of who was stealing from the ranch, rather than the romance itself.
One thing that also disappointed me was how long it took to learn what the “wild wager” actually referred to. I initially assumed it would relate to Cord and Lanie’s relationship, but when it turned out to be the bet between Cord and Jed, it felt a little underwhelming.
The relationship between Cord and Lanie also progressed very quickly. Cord seemed to fall for her almost instantly and soon convinced her to move in with him after only knowing each other for two to three weeks, which made the romance feel rushed. It leaned heavily into insta love, which made the relationship feel unrealistic and harder to emotionally invest in.
Some of the character conflicts were also confusing. The hospital confrontation between Winnie and Lanie did not fully make sense to me, and the situation after Cord and Lanie’s steamy night, where West asks Lanie if Cord hurt her, felt strange given what we had actually seen happen on the page. Even after rereading the scene, I was still left confused about why Lanie explained the situation the way she did.
Cord as an MMC was difficult for me to connect with, and some of his reactions came across as insecure and immature. In contrast, West ended up being the character I liked the most. He felt more thoughtful, rational, and emotionally aware, and I often found myself rooting for him instead.
One element I did really enjoy was the found family aspect within the ranch. Those moments were genuinely sweet and added warmth to the story. However, I was not sure why every guy on the ranch seemed to feel the need to touch Lanie, even if they were trying to be supportive. I found that uncomfortable.
Even though the book did not fully work for me, I did stick it out and read it in full, which took about 7.5 hours, because I wanted to give the ARC a fair chance rather than stopping early.
It also felt like this first book was largely introducing the wider cast of characters, likely because the author mentioned plans to write stories for the rest of them. The next book appears to focus on West and Winnie, which honestly sounds like it could be a more interesting pairing. That said, after this one, I am not sure I will be continuing with the series.
Overall, while the premise had potential and the spice delivered, the pacing, insta-love dynamic, and confusing character conflicts meant it ultimately did not work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cowboy + billionaire is a trope combination that will almost always get my attention, so I went into this book genuinely excited. There were definitely elements here that worked for me.
The FMC being a wolf biologist was one of my favorite aspects of the story. It’s a refreshing career choice and adds an interesting layer to the setting and character. Starting with a playlist also immediately earned points from me. I love when authors do that because it helps set the tone for the story.
However, this book ultimately didn’t work for me.
The romance leans heavily into insta-love, and the emotions sometimes felt too strong for how quickly the relationship develops. Several moments describe leaving the FMC as “the hardest thing he’s done in over a decade,” even when the characters have only just met or are simply stepping away briefly. Those emotional beats felt exaggerated rather than earned.
The billionaire trope also felt a bit overemphasized. Instead of allowing the character’s lifestyle to naturally show through the story, the narrative repeatedly reminds the reader of the MMC’s wealth — sometimes even through his own internal thoughts. For me, tropes tend to work best when they’re shown through context rather than explicitly stated.
I also noticed some inconsistencies in the MMC’s character. At one point he describes himself as closed off “like a nun,” but earlier he mentions that he usually hooks up with buckle bunnies this time of year. Moments like that made the character feel a bit uneven to me.
There were also parts of the plot, particularly around the ranch conflicts, that left me a bit confused. Some developments felt underexplored, which made certain character reactions harder for me to fully follow.
That said, I did enjoy the spicier scenes, which were fun to read and likely where the author’s strengths show the most.
Overall, the book has a strong premise and some interesting ideas, but for me the emotional pacing and character development needed more depth to fully deliver on that potential.
I’m still somewhat intrigued by the series. The next book focuses on the foreman, who plays a significant role in this story, and I’d be curious to see how his story develops.
Rating: 2.5 / 5
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy:
• fast-paced romance
• strong instant attraction
• cowboy / billionaire tropes
It simply wasn’t the right match for me.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read and review this story.
Cowboy + billionaire is a trope combination that will almost always get my attention, so I went into this book genuinely excited. There were definitely elements here that worked for me.
The FMC being a wolf biologist was one of my favorite aspects of the story. It’s a refreshing career choice and adds an interesting layer to the setting and character. Starting with a playlist also immediately earned points from me. I love when authors do that because it helps set the tone for the story.
However, this book ultimately didn’t work for me.
The romance leans heavily into insta-love, and the emotions sometimes felt too strong for how quickly the relationship develops. Several moments describe leaving the FMC as “the hardest thing he’s done in over a decade,” even when the characters have only just met or are simply stepping away briefly. Those emotional beats felt exaggerated rather than earned.
The billionaire trope also felt a bit overemphasized. Instead of allowing the character’s lifestyle to naturally show through the story, the narrative repeatedly reminds the reader of the MMC’s wealth — sometimes even through his own internal thoughts. For me, tropes tend to work best when they’re shown through context rather than explicitly stated.
I also noticed some inconsistencies in the MMC’s character. At one point he describes himself as closed off “like a nun,” but earlier he mentions that he usually hooks up with buckle bunnies this time of year. Moments like that made the character feel a bit uneven to me.
There were also parts of the plot, particularly around the ranch conflicts, that left me a bit confused. Some developments felt underexplored, which made certain character reactions harder for me to fully follow.
That said, I did enjoy the spicier scenes, which were fun to read and likely where the author’s strengths show the most.
Overall, the book has a strong premise and some interesting ideas, but for me the emotional pacing and character development needed more depth to fully deliver on that potential.
I’m still somewhat intrigued by the series. The next book focuses on the foreman, who plays a significant role in this story, and I’d be curious to see how his story develops.
Rating: 2.5 / 5
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy:
• fast-paced romance
• strong instant attraction
• cowboy / billionaire tropes
It simply wasn’t the right match for me.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read and review this story.
March 18, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
I received a digital ARC of this book from Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
*Spoilers ahead* I am all about a cowboy romance but, unfortunately, I was disappointed with this story, plot, and pace. For one, I thought it was strange how the MMC and FMC instantly started "dating," if you can even call it that. I don't think they even identified what they were in the entire story. Sure, I believe in love at first sight, but there was no build-up or development in their feelings/relationship. It was all physical and even that didn't go subtly. They just one day started holding hands, kissing, and then went all the way. It would've been nice to see them get to know each other, even adding a little banter could have elevated the romance. Instead, the MMC has her move in with him, she gets really cozy with his friends instantly, and he entitles her to his assets the day before the accident. I am also uncomfortable with the fact that his friends are very touchy with her. They barely met her and it's not just one guy, there are multiple males in that household/ranch.
There's also the issue with the MMC's past. We get a very tiny glimpse of what happened in the beginning, but there's no way to empathize with the MMCs past. All we know is that he's rich and has had "bunnies" come over.
Then there are just random tidbits that get mentioned, not really elaborated, and pops up again in the story. For example, the FMC's migraines are literally mentioned in the beginning and at the end, as if it was just put there so the FMC and MMC can have one thing in common after the accident. Then the whole wolf project grant. At first, it was made to seem so important to the FMC, a tough decision to make if it was accepted. But as soon as she was in Alaska, she left that project without turning back in an instant.
I just felt the story was all over the place, there needed to be more character development, more personality. I do see potential in the actual style of writing, however, just needs some work on the above mentioned.
Thank you to the author, the Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to provide my honest feedback for this ARC.
I received a digital ARC of this book from Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
*Spoilers ahead* I am all about a cowboy romance but, unfortunately, I was disappointed with this story, plot, and pace. For one, I thought it was strange how the MMC and FMC instantly started "dating," if you can even call it that. I don't think they even identified what they were in the entire story. Sure, I believe in love at first sight, but there was no build-up or development in their feelings/relationship. It was all physical and even that didn't go subtly. They just one day started holding hands, kissing, and then went all the way. It would've been nice to see them get to know each other, even adding a little banter could have elevated the romance. Instead, the MMC has her move in with him, she gets really cozy with his friends instantly, and he entitles her to his assets the day before the accident. I am also uncomfortable with the fact that his friends are very touchy with her. They barely met her and it's not just one guy, there are multiple males in that household/ranch.
There's also the issue with the MMC's past. We get a very tiny glimpse of what happened in the beginning, but there's no way to empathize with the MMCs past. All we know is that he's rich and has had "bunnies" come over.
Then there are just random tidbits that get mentioned, not really elaborated, and pops up again in the story. For example, the FMC's migraines are literally mentioned in the beginning and at the end, as if it was just put there so the FMC and MMC can have one thing in common after the accident. Then the whole wolf project grant. At first, it was made to seem so important to the FMC, a tough decision to make if it was accepted. But as soon as she was in Alaska, she left that project without turning back in an instant.
I just felt the story was all over the place, there needed to be more character development, more personality. I do see potential in the actual style of writing, however, just needs some work on the above mentioned.
Thank you to the author, the Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to provide my honest feedback for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2 ⭐
❤️ The initial chemistry between the characters was soo good hence I was immediately hooked, as if the premise wasn't attractive enough.
❤️ I loooved the found family and how the people on the Ranch bonded soo well with Laine. I really enjoyed their friendship.
❤️ West? My man he was THE advisor, brain of the book, I was so in for his sage advice, the best wingman ever!
BUT ..
• This book made me so close to tearing up, IN FRUSTRATION!
• The premise was soo good- he was broody, charming with trauma perfect for the hurt /comfort trope and she's a wolf biologist who'd chase wolves down into alaska, had issues with tied up to anyone and needs freedom!
• But this man wanted to chain her down, everything was soo instantaneous- 24% they're kinda together, 50% she's in love with him..how?
• The actual antagonist of this book was Cord (MMC) himself-Him not properly communicating with Laine, wanting to tie her down, throwing a temper tantrum, and never for once listening to his best friend who I think had the most clear head..and just messing up everything? He himself had a complex about his money and I hated the fact that his billionaire status was cemented over and over again and it also felt that whenever anybody acknowledged it they're hammering that into his identity.
• And the instances where he was soo offending, I- I was totally questioning why she didn't leave him..and there was so proper groveling AT ALL. She says she can't always say yes to him and he always convinces her...and that thing isn't talked about al all Whyy??!!
• This book had me questioning my sanity. And that wolf thing was so random like midway the author forgets about it and then its back to spice up things so everything could be tied with a pretty little bow..?!
💖 This book was soo totally not for me.
⛓️Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.⛓️
❤️ The initial chemistry between the characters was soo good hence I was immediately hooked, as if the premise wasn't attractive enough.
❤️ I loooved the found family and how the people on the Ranch bonded soo well with Laine. I really enjoyed their friendship.
❤️ West? My man he was THE advisor, brain of the book, I was so in for his sage advice, the best wingman ever!
BUT ..
• This book made me so close to tearing up, IN FRUSTRATION!
• The premise was soo good- he was broody, charming with trauma perfect for the hurt /comfort trope and she's a wolf biologist who'd chase wolves down into alaska, had issues with tied up to anyone and needs freedom!
• But this man wanted to chain her down, everything was soo instantaneous- 24% they're kinda together, 50% she's in love with him..how?
• The actual antagonist of this book was Cord (MMC) himself-Him not properly communicating with Laine, wanting to tie her down, throwing a temper tantrum, and never for once listening to his best friend who I think had the most clear head..and just messing up everything? He himself had a complex about his money and I hated the fact that his billionaire status was cemented over and over again and it also felt that whenever anybody acknowledged it they're hammering that into his identity.
• And the instances where he was soo offending, I- I was totally questioning why she didn't leave him..and there was so proper groveling AT ALL. She says she can't always say yes to him and he always convinces her...and that thing isn't talked about al all Whyy??!!
• This book had me questioning my sanity. And that wolf thing was so random like midway the author forgets about it and then its back to spice up things so everything could be tied with a pretty little bow..?!
💖 This book was soo totally not for me.
⛓️Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.⛓️
February 20, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book
Wild Wager had so many elements I usually gravitate toward in a Western romance - a wounded cowboy billionaire, a fiercely independent heroine, emotional scars, high stakes, and a rugged ranch full of found family. On paper, this should have been a five-star read for me. While I enjoyed parts of it, it didn’t quite hit the mark overall.
The premise is strong: a reclusive ex-rodeo star hiding from his past collides with Lanie Parker, a wolf biologist who belongs in the wild and refuses to be intimidated by his walls. I appreciated Lanie’s confidence and competence, and I loved the idea of Coyote Falls as a refuge for broken cowboys trying to rebuild their lives.
However, the romance developed much too quickly for my taste. The emotional connection escalated within just a couple of chapters, leaning heavily into insta-love. I struggled to fully believe in the depth of their feelings because I didn’t feel like we had enough time to see their bond grow naturally. The chemistry was there, but the emotional buildup felt rushed.
I also found the writing hard to follow at times. Some internal monologues and transitions made the pacing feel uneven, which pulled me out of the story more than once. I wanted more clarity and more layered development to really sink into the emotional stakes.
Interestingly, I found myself more invested in West and his storyline. His character intrigued me, and I’m genuinely hoping we get a second book; maybe one centered around him and Winnie? I’d absolutely return to this world to explore those dynamics more deeply.
Overall, Wild Wager was a 4 star read for me. It has strong tropes, solid steam, and plenty of broody cowboy energy, but the pacing and insta-love element kept it from being a standout. Readers who enjoy fast-burn romance and intense chemistry right from the start may love this one more than I did.
Wild Wager had so many elements I usually gravitate toward in a Western romance - a wounded cowboy billionaire, a fiercely independent heroine, emotional scars, high stakes, and a rugged ranch full of found family. On paper, this should have been a five-star read for me. While I enjoyed parts of it, it didn’t quite hit the mark overall.
The premise is strong: a reclusive ex-rodeo star hiding from his past collides with Lanie Parker, a wolf biologist who belongs in the wild and refuses to be intimidated by his walls. I appreciated Lanie’s confidence and competence, and I loved the idea of Coyote Falls as a refuge for broken cowboys trying to rebuild their lives.
However, the romance developed much too quickly for my taste. The emotional connection escalated within just a couple of chapters, leaning heavily into insta-love. I struggled to fully believe in the depth of their feelings because I didn’t feel like we had enough time to see their bond grow naturally. The chemistry was there, but the emotional buildup felt rushed.
I also found the writing hard to follow at times. Some internal monologues and transitions made the pacing feel uneven, which pulled me out of the story more than once. I wanted more clarity and more layered development to really sink into the emotional stakes.
Interestingly, I found myself more invested in West and his storyline. His character intrigued me, and I’m genuinely hoping we get a second book; maybe one centered around him and Winnie? I’d absolutely return to this world to explore those dynamics more deeply.
Overall, Wild Wager was a 4 star read for me. It has strong tropes, solid steam, and plenty of broody cowboy energy, but the pacing and insta-love element kept it from being a standout. Readers who enjoy fast-burn romance and intense chemistry right from the start may love this one more than I did.
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