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Branded Betrayal
A young woman and the cowboy who broke her heart face off in a tumultuous second-chance romance about family, redemption, and loyalty from USA Today bestselling author Kristen Luciani.
When her favorite aunt dies, Savannah Carlson inherits the family’s struggling ranch. But after leaving her corporate life in Denver, she arrives in Wyoming to find things worse than she thought. Turns out, she’s been saddled with an impossible Make Red Rock Ranch profitable in six months’ time—or lose it forever.
Overwhelmed yet resolute, she digs right in, ready for anything. Then Blaze Hartman, her brother’s ex–best friend and the slick cowboy who once shattered her heart, returns to town too. When Savannah meets his whiskey eyes, she can’t deny their familiar spark. But those eyes still hide a world of dark secrets.
Running the ranch is anything but simple. Dangerous local crime lords and shocking new details about her parents’ tragic deaths only add to the chaos. As much as it hurts, Savannah longs for the burn of an old flame to help her through. But can she and Blaze rekindle love from the ashes of betrayal?
When her favorite aunt dies, Savannah Carlson inherits the family’s struggling ranch. But after leaving her corporate life in Denver, she arrives in Wyoming to find things worse than she thought. Turns out, she’s been saddled with an impossible Make Red Rock Ranch profitable in six months’ time—or lose it forever.
Overwhelmed yet resolute, she digs right in, ready for anything. Then Blaze Hartman, her brother’s ex–best friend and the slick cowboy who once shattered her heart, returns to town too. When Savannah meets his whiskey eyes, she can’t deny their familiar spark. But those eyes still hide a world of dark secrets.
Running the ranch is anything but simple. Dangerous local crime lords and shocking new details about her parents’ tragic deaths only add to the chaos. As much as it hurts, Savannah longs for the burn of an old flame to help her through. But can she and Blaze rekindle love from the ashes of betrayal?
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Kristen Luciani
97 books1,655 followers
Kristen Luciani is a USA Today bestselling romance author, momtrepreneur, and a beauty product junkie with a penchant for stilettos, Silicon Valley, plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis. As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Dark-ish
*Cowboy
*Ex-military
*Brother's best friend
*Off limits
*Betrayal
*Small town
*Redemption
*Suspense
Savannah goes back to her hometown when her aunt died, after 6 years of being away due to a series of devastating events that included grief and heartbreak. Blaze is back to town too and he seems that he can't stay away from her despite all the hurt he brought upon her. But there are a lot of secrets gnawing on them and things are becoming dangerous.
Savannah is a heartbroken, full of grief and guilt, but strong and willing to make things work even though people surrounding her are not always the easiest.
Blaze... I hate and love him at the same time. I liked that he was possessive but all that back and forth and back and forth gave me whiplash and somewhere in the middle felt tiresome. But in the end he redeemed himself without expecting anything back. And I fell for him because he was betrayed from people who weren't supposed to.
Savannah's brother was a real piece. Initially I was sympathising him but after the truth comes out I kind of hated him for the way he behaved
Overall it was a good romantic suspense though the end felt a little bit rushed. I would have liked some expansion instead of jumping timelines but I liked it.
I received this arc and this is my honest opinion
*Cowboy
*Ex-military
*Brother's best friend
*Off limits
*Betrayal
*Small town
*Redemption
*Suspense
Savannah goes back to her hometown when her aunt died, after 6 years of being away due to a series of devastating events that included grief and heartbreak. Blaze is back to town too and he seems that he can't stay away from her despite all the hurt he brought upon her. But there are a lot of secrets gnawing on them and things are becoming dangerous.
Savannah is a heartbroken, full of grief and guilt, but strong and willing to make things work even though people surrounding her are not always the easiest.
Blaze... I hate and love him at the same time. I liked that he was possessive but all that back and forth and back and forth gave me whiplash and somewhere in the middle felt tiresome. But in the end he redeemed himself without expecting anything back. And I fell for him because he was betrayed from people who weren't supposed to.
Savannah's brother was a real piece. Initially I was sympathising him but after the truth comes out I kind of hated him for the way he behaved
Overall it was a good romantic suspense though the end felt a little bit rushed. I would have liked some expansion instead of jumping timelines but I liked it.
I received this arc and this is my honest opinion
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a dark western storyline that kept me engaged and entertained, while simultaneously frustrating me to no end!
It delivers a rollercoaster ride of emotions surrounding these characters and their situation. I love when that happens.
Savannah and her brother Nash have just had their worlds upended. Returning home to deal with the ranch puts her in the middle of unseen danger and lies that could be lethal to her, and the deliberate destruction of her trust isn't something she sees coming either!
Blaze is trapped in an agreement with a man who will exploit any weakness to get what he wants, regardless of the casualies. Blaze's past choices are swirling around into a situation he cannot control. I went from loving Blaze to hating him, and back again, for what he was doing with Savvie from chapter to chapter.
Honestly, that's the favorite part of this author's creativity... the way these chapters pull my emotions out and allow me to engage with the darkness of the storyline. Because this isn't a sweet romance - it's rough, dangerous, suspenseful, steamy, and frustrating. Love that!!
These characters have a lot to live through, before they reach their HEA, and each chapter made me want more.
I am excited for the next one in this series.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily leave my review.
It delivers a rollercoaster ride of emotions surrounding these characters and their situation. I love when that happens.
Savannah and her brother Nash have just had their worlds upended. Returning home to deal with the ranch puts her in the middle of unseen danger and lies that could be lethal to her, and the deliberate destruction of her trust isn't something she sees coming either!
Blaze is trapped in an agreement with a man who will exploit any weakness to get what he wants, regardless of the casualies. Blaze's past choices are swirling around into a situation he cannot control. I went from loving Blaze to hating him, and back again, for what he was doing with Savvie from chapter to chapter.
Honestly, that's the favorite part of this author's creativity... the way these chapters pull my emotions out and allow me to engage with the darkness of the storyline. Because this isn't a sweet romance - it's rough, dangerous, suspenseful, steamy, and frustrating. Love that!!
These characters have a lot to live through, before they reach their HEA, and each chapter made me want more.
I am excited for the next one in this series.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily leave my review.
Did Not Finish
September 2, 2026Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for an ARC but I have to dnfffffffff.
Listen. I'm purposely not rating this one because I think it would be unfair if I did. I just don't think I'm into these kinds of romances. Mafia type is what I would call it but I'm not 100% sure that it was technically the Mafia. Me from 20 years ago would have loved it. I feel like I've just grown out of it.
I didn't care for the writing, I hated the brother (HATED), and felt no connection whatsoever to anyone else.
I personally just wasn't vibing with it.
Listen. I'm purposely not rating this one because I think it would be unfair if I did. I just don't think I'm into these kinds of romances. Mafia type is what I would call it but I'm not 100% sure that it was technically the Mafia. Me from 20 years ago would have loved it. I feel like I've just grown out of it.
I didn't care for the writing, I hated the brother (HATED), and felt no connection whatsoever to anyone else.
I personally just wasn't vibing with it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review thanks to Brilliance publishing & the author ☆
Ugh. Unfortunately this is a no for me.
Both characters were annoyingly wrong and acting like morons who never grow up and change for the better.
Both being destructively toxic , empty promising of being better yet never acting on those promises....
I would have DNFed at 30 % if it wasn't an ALC ; so let me tell you that it does not get better until the last 5% of the book and still it left me a bitter after taste :/
Sadly , it's a hard pass ☆
Ugh. Unfortunately this is a no for me.
Both characters were annoyingly wrong and acting like morons who never grow up and change for the better.
Both being destructively toxic , empty promising of being better yet never acting on those promises....
I would have DNFed at 30 % if it wasn't an ALC ; so let me tell you that it does not get better until the last 5% of the book and still it left me a bitter after taste :/
Sadly , it's a hard pass ☆
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to love this book so much! I mean, take a look at the cover. Isn't it gorgeous?! Branded Betrayal starts off strong with an utterly captivating prologue. I was hooked and couldn't wait to find out more. Sure, some things frustrated me, like Nash's negative attitude towards Savannah. It's presented in a way that makes you feel sorry for him, but as you dive deeper into the story, you realize he's not truly the victim he makes himself out to be.
And then there's Savannah and Blaze. Their forbidden romance was definitely enticing, but the way things went down made me absolutley crazy. Yes, I loved his possessive, alpha tendencies and loved the way the chemistry between them still lingered, but he seriously needs to learn how to communicate.
While most of the above aspects led to some delicious tension throughout the story, I won't lie, some of it felt repetitive. Like, I get it, but can we please have some groveling and more yearning?
Overall, for me, Branded Betrayal was a bit of a mixed bag. I enjoyed it and thought it was entertaining; however, it frustrated me to no end.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
And then there's Savannah and Blaze. Their forbidden romance was definitely enticing, but the way things went down made me absolutley crazy. Yes, I loved his possessive, alpha tendencies and loved the way the chemistry between them still lingered, but he seriously needs to learn how to communicate.
While most of the above aspects led to some delicious tension throughout the story, I won't lie, some of it felt repetitive. Like, I get it, but can we please have some groveling and more yearning?
Overall, for me, Branded Betrayal was a bit of a mixed bag. I enjoyed it and thought it was entertaining; however, it frustrated me to no end.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙
📖 & 🎧
📖 This book felt like watching a cowboy series… almost like fiction that could be real. Life is not easy, and this story definitely reminded me of that.
And Blaze… MAN, you can't do that! You hurt Savvie, you betrayed her, and she has every right to be reluctant. You want her back, but you’re so overwhelmed by guilt and self-loathing that you keep pushing her away. One minute hot, one minute cold… COME ON, MAN… MAN UP!
And yet, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. I was cheering for both of them because I truly believed they deserved each other, but Blaze sure took his sweet time figuring that out.
And then there’s Savvie, who refuses to simply let everyone else decide her fate. She knows what she wants, fights for it, and slowly finds her place in a world that is very different from the one she left behind... I rooted for her all throughout this book. I supported her decisions... all the while the men in her life were betraying her one way or the other... all of them... working against her, betting on her failure... but she was "unstoppable", determined and hard worker... until the betrayal became unbearable...
There’s betrayal, secrets, guilt, danger, a slow-burn romance, and a whole lot of frustration… I loved this book. It dragged a little in the middle with all the push and pull, but at the same time, it felt very real. The hardships, the ranch life, the family, the small-town mentality, and the mafia element bringing the darker side of the story all worked really well together.
🎧 And then there’s the audiobook. WOW. That ACCENT!!! ❤️ I loved it so much! Lee Samuels and Morais Almeida were such a great combination. They really captured the essence of this story: the cowboy life, the hardships, the roughness, the emotions, the hurt, the loss… everything. I could hear the characters, feel their struggles, and really get immersed in their world. The book was great. The audiobook made it even better and made everything feel even more real.
But in the end, I was rooting for these two. Because sometimes getting another chance is the easy part… Keeping it is the real work.
📖 & 🎧
📖 This book felt like watching a cowboy series… almost like fiction that could be real. Life is not easy, and this story definitely reminded me of that.
And Blaze… MAN, you can't do that! You hurt Savvie, you betrayed her, and she has every right to be reluctant. You want her back, but you’re so overwhelmed by guilt and self-loathing that you keep pushing her away. One minute hot, one minute cold… COME ON, MAN… MAN UP!
And yet, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. I was cheering for both of them because I truly believed they deserved each other, but Blaze sure took his sweet time figuring that out.
And then there’s Savvie, who refuses to simply let everyone else decide her fate. She knows what she wants, fights for it, and slowly finds her place in a world that is very different from the one she left behind... I rooted for her all throughout this book. I supported her decisions... all the while the men in her life were betraying her one way or the other... all of them... working against her, betting on her failure... but she was "unstoppable", determined and hard worker... until the betrayal became unbearable...
There’s betrayal, secrets, guilt, danger, a slow-burn romance, and a whole lot of frustration… I loved this book. It dragged a little in the middle with all the push and pull, but at the same time, it felt very real. The hardships, the ranch life, the family, the small-town mentality, and the mafia element bringing the darker side of the story all worked really well together.
🎧 And then there’s the audiobook. WOW. That ACCENT!!! ❤️ I loved it so much! Lee Samuels and Morais Almeida were such a great combination. They really captured the essence of this story: the cowboy life, the hardships, the roughness, the emotions, the hurt, the loss… everything. I could hear the characters, feel their struggles, and really get immersed in their world. The book was great. The audiobook made it even better and made everything feel even more real.
But in the end, I was rooting for these two. Because sometimes getting another chance is the easy part… Keeping it is the real work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC, in exchange for my true opinion.
General thought:
I had a hard time with this book and I think my problem was the fact that it didn't feel as much as a small town romance and more like a mafia romance, at least from most of the book. I like to read romances as a palate cleanser and when I think the world is going crazy, so I want a romance to warm my heart. 'Branded Betrayal' end up doing that but after a lot of suffering that I didn't appreciated or expect.
Characters:
Savannah was too naïve for a person with her life story. She was disappointed by all man in her life and even with all of that she is still really hopeful. She is a very capable women that thrived in a corporate environment so even I appreciate some light hearted characters, in this case will make more sense that she will be more sceptical and pragmatic. In my opinion.
Blaze starts as a really possessive, sexist and self entitle character, that thinks he loves her but never gave her space or even listens to her. He consistently make decisions for her and has this self entitle aura about him that I despise for the majority of this book. Unfortunately this is a common trait for the male characters of this book what for me made the full experience quite difficult at timers. He does, however, riddim himself and his arc it is quite satisfying.
I wish I had spend more time with the side characters to have more a small town community vibe.
Setting:
I think the setting was preform appropriately. Some parts suck you in this setting. Gives old west and Red Dead Redemption vibes. I just didn't appreciate the strong language, I didn't thought was need it.
Plot:
It was interesting enough. It felt at some parts more like a thriller then a romance.
General thought:
I had a hard time with this book and I think my problem was the fact that it didn't feel as much as a small town romance and more like a mafia romance, at least from most of the book. I like to read romances as a palate cleanser and when I think the world is going crazy, so I want a romance to warm my heart. 'Branded Betrayal' end up doing that but after a lot of suffering that I didn't appreciated or expect.
Characters:
Savannah was too naïve for a person with her life story. She was disappointed by all man in her life and even with all of that she is still really hopeful. She is a very capable women that thrived in a corporate environment so even I appreciate some light hearted characters, in this case will make more sense that she will be more sceptical and pragmatic. In my opinion.
Blaze starts as a really possessive, sexist and self entitle character, that thinks he loves her but never gave her space or even listens to her. He consistently make decisions for her and has this self entitle aura about him that I despise for the majority of this book. Unfortunately this is a common trait for the male characters of this book what for me made the full experience quite difficult at timers. He does, however, riddim himself and his arc it is quite satisfying.
I wish I had spend more time with the side characters to have more a small town community vibe.
Setting:
I think the setting was preform appropriately. Some parts suck you in this setting. Gives old west and Red Dead Redemption vibes. I just didn't appreciate the strong language, I didn't thought was need it.
Plot:
It was interesting enough. It felt at some parts more like a thriller then a romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an eARC of this book for review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.This story was interesting, don't get me wrong. But I also felt like it was somehow too dramatic and slightly too long. Yet it also needed to be a little longer to go more in depth. In short, it's a decent story, but maybe a little messier than it could be.
The prologue was a great hook and sets up all the pain people are going to be feeling 6 years later. But then we got to the present and while people were feeling that pain, everyone was so hurt that they were kind of whiny and "woe is me" and all I really wanted to do was smack some heads. You've got Savannah who felt guilty because of her relationship with Blaze, so she ran away because she didn't know how to deal. You've got Nash who's feeling guilty because of Reasons™ and taking it out on everyone instead of talking to a therapist. And then you've got Blaze who's sort of responsible but honestly not, who's blaming himself for everything under the sun.
To an extent, I liked Savannah and Blaze and their relationship. They had decent chemistry and the whole "I want to stay away but can't" mostly played out really well. The flip side is both of them gave both themselves and each other way too many ultimatums and that push and pull got old. On the one hand, I get why Blaze wouldn't say something; he was so busy trying to protect everyone that he didn't stop to realize he was making things worse. But he also couldn't figure out any other way to protect anyone because it was all he'd known (and his father was a total d*ck and deserved a lot more than house arrest). And Savannah had trauma to live with too, between the fire and that accident and everything. I get it. I do. But I also got frustrated with her attitude because at the end, she forgave Nash but turned around and tried to forget Blaze ever existed. Not saying she had to jump into his arms or accept his proposal but the fact that she held onto what Blaze had done when Nash was just as complicit seemed a little "blaming you because it's convenient". I did like Aunt Marg's letter and how it allowed Savvie to make her realizations.
I wanted to smack Nash for a decent portion of the book. When Savannah came back, he blamed her for running away and everything with that. And yes, Savannah did run, she's not entirely blameless here. But from the sounds of things, Nash didn't bother to try and reach out either. So why does Savannah get all the blame when Nash didn't bother trying either? I get that guilt and anger and all that can play a part in actions and choices. But Nash didn't get to act like everything was all Savannah's fault when she held only part of the blame.
I will say that I was only partially surprised on Wilkerson's "eyes". And really was only surprised at how the connection was made. Not that the connection was there. It was unfortunate but it just fit. Although it did feel like that was supposed to be more of a "stalking" angle than it did (I mean, yes, there was stalking. But it felt like it was trying for a slight red herring situation instead of the connection it was).
Book releases September 29th, 2026
September 30, 2026
This is the first in a new series, and this is Blaze and Savanna / Savvie’s story.
Savvie and Blaze were torn apart by tragedy, and he shattered her heart and left town. Savvie is back in town 6-years later after her beloved aunt’s death, where she inherits the family’s struggling ranch, with the condition that she makes the ranch profitable in 6-months, or she loses it forever. Blaze who is her brother’s ex best friend, comes back to town, and the sparks between him and Savvie fly. Will secrets tear them apart permanently?
This is a well written story, which has family, friendships, emotions, tension, secrets, lies, betrayal, flawed characters, heartbreak, loss, manipulation, organised crime, loyalty, second chances, redemption, vengeance, trust, forced proximity, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, and unpredictable addictive page tuner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Savvie and Blaze were torn apart by tragedy, and he shattered her heart and left town. Savvie is back in town 6-years later after her beloved aunt’s death, where she inherits the family’s struggling ranch, with the condition that she makes the ranch profitable in 6-months, or she loses it forever. Blaze who is her brother’s ex best friend, comes back to town, and the sparks between him and Savvie fly. Will secrets tear them apart permanently?
This is a well written story, which has family, friendships, emotions, tension, secrets, lies, betrayal, flawed characters, heartbreak, loss, manipulation, organised crime, loyalty, second chances, redemption, vengeance, trust, forced proximity, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, and unpredictable addictive page tuner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a total sucker for a broody, rugged cowboy with secrets, which is exactly why I sprinted to read this. Kristen Luciani completely delivers on the small-town atmosphere, intense romantic suspense, and a whirlwind of pure angst and betrayal!
Fair warning: I didn't realise just how heavily this plot would rely on the miscommunication trope (which is usually not my fave). There were definitely moments where the lack of talking and heavy silences between Savannah and Blaze dragged the pacing down a bit for me. BUT! I totally got why it had to happen. It really showed how shattered their trust was, making their entire journey to rebuild it feel so deeply earned.
And let me tell you, when they finally got past the silence and everything came together? The reunion was absolutely worth the wait! The romance burns so unbelievably bright, and the suspenseful plot kept me hooked the entire time. It is an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s 100% worth the ride! 🙌✨
My thanks to Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the opportunity to read an early copy of Branded Betrayal. All thoughts expressed are my own. 😊
Fair warning: I didn't realise just how heavily this plot would rely on the miscommunication trope (which is usually not my fave). There were definitely moments where the lack of talking and heavy silences between Savannah and Blaze dragged the pacing down a bit for me. BUT! I totally got why it had to happen. It really showed how shattered their trust was, making their entire journey to rebuild it feel so deeply earned.
And let me tell you, when they finally got past the silence and everything came together? The reunion was absolutely worth the wait! The romance burns so unbelievably bright, and the suspenseful plot kept me hooked the entire time. It is an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s 100% worth the ride! 🙌✨
My thanks to Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the opportunity to read an early copy of Branded Betrayal. All thoughts expressed are my own. 😊
September 21, 2026
2 stars for me.
I love romantic suspense,but this one was not really for me. Blaze,Savannah first love would save himself years of being a criminals lacky just if he ask for help and told someone what is going on.Romance on the other hand for me was more about lust than love,and at some point they just should move on.Two stars as I liked Savannah and she deserved better family and romantic interest.I guess it was just not for me.
Thank you netgalley and Montlake for arc,my review is honest and my own.
I love romantic suspense,but this one was not really for me. Blaze,Savannah first love would save himself years of being a criminals lacky just if he ask for help and told someone what is going on.Romance on the other hand for me was more about lust than love,and at some point they just should move on.Two stars as I liked Savannah and she deserved better family and romantic interest.I guess it was just not for me.
Thank you netgalley and Montlake for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A second chance at love read. Savannah And Blaze were once everything to each other….lets call it a fun secret romance..because her brother would not be happy. Then tragedy hit Savanna’s family and Blaze broke both of their hearts. Several years later she is back in town and he has secrets on top of his secrets. Can these two be honest with each other and figure out that they belong together?!? This is a well layered read with a lot going on. A story about family legacy, second chances and everything in between. The characters had great depth and told a heck of a story. I look Forward to reading more books by this author.
Review of advance copy
Review coming soon!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Take my love of mafia romances and throw it into a small-town with brooding cowboys, strong FMCs and a “brother’s best friend” trope. And I’M HOOKED!🤠
Branded Betrayal had me gripped from the prologue and I didn’t put the book down until I was finished. I went into this book expecting a typical cowboy second-chance romance, which it is most definitely not. Instead, this book was a wild whirlwind of angst, betrayal, and intense love.
⚠️ SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️
.
.
.
The story does rely on a heavy miscommunication trope. Normally, this trope can drive me crazy, but it worked here to highlight just how deeply broken their trust was after she left town, making their journey to rebuild it feel deeply earned. Given the high stakes of trying to save the ranch and the secrets Blaze held onto about her parents' deaths, the silence between Savannah and Blaze actually made sense.
However, I did feel the plot relied a bit too much on this silence, causing it to drag slightly. Thankfully, when they finally laid all their cards on the table, the reunion was absolutely worth the wait!⏳🔥 My only other minor critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed when it came to wrapping up the crime subplot and the mystery of her parents’ deaths, which felt like it was solved a little too quickly.
.
.
.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
🤯This book completely changed my thoughts on what cowboy romance can be. I never considered mixing dark romance with a small-town western setting, 🙌AND I LOVED IT🙌. It gives you the perfect blend of small-towns, romantic suspense, and a love story that burns hot enough to scorch the pages. It is a thrilling, hard-to-put-down dark western that I highly recommend binge-reading in one sitting—ESPECIALLY if you love brooding cowboys and fiercely strong heroines.🖤
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Take my love of mafia romances and throw it into a small-town with brooding cowboys, strong FMCs and a “brother’s best friend” trope. And I’M HOOKED!🤠
Branded Betrayal had me gripped from the prologue and I didn’t put the book down until I was finished. I went into this book expecting a typical cowboy second-chance romance, which it is most definitely not. Instead, this book was a wild whirlwind of angst, betrayal, and intense love.
⚠️ SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️
.
.
.
The story does rely on a heavy miscommunication trope. Normally, this trope can drive me crazy, but it worked here to highlight just how deeply broken their trust was after she left town, making their journey to rebuild it feel deeply earned. Given the high stakes of trying to save the ranch and the secrets Blaze held onto about her parents' deaths, the silence between Savannah and Blaze actually made sense.
However, I did feel the plot relied a bit too much on this silence, causing it to drag slightly. Thankfully, when they finally laid all their cards on the table, the reunion was absolutely worth the wait!⏳🔥 My only other minor critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed when it came to wrapping up the crime subplot and the mystery of her parents’ deaths, which felt like it was solved a little too quickly.
.
.
.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
🤯This book completely changed my thoughts on what cowboy romance can be. I never considered mixing dark romance with a small-town western setting, 🙌AND I LOVED IT🙌. It gives you the perfect blend of small-towns, romantic suspense, and a love story that burns hot enough to scorch the pages. It is a thrilling, hard-to-put-down dark western that I highly recommend binge-reading in one sitting—ESPECIALLY if you love brooding cowboys and fiercely strong heroines.🖤
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2026
Branded Betrayal is a cowboy romance with a redemption arc, a second-chance romance, and plenty of romantic suspense thrown into the mix when Savannah Carlson leaves Whiskey Creek after a tragedy leaves her heartbroken and carrying more guilt than she knows what to do with. Years later, she’s forced to return when her aunt dies, only to discover she’s inherited the family ranch. Unfortunately, this just give her brother Nash further reason to be angry with her. Now Savannah has six months to turn the ranch around or risk losing it. Then there’s Blaze Hartman, her brother’s former best friend and the man who broke her heart after rejecting her when she needed him the most. He’s back too, offering to help Savannah save the ranch though his motives are questionable. The problem is, Blaze has his own secrets and a dangerous past that isn’t quite finished with him yet. Blaze’s story is really the heart of this book. He’s the classic bad boy caught up in a situation that started with him trying to protect his family before spiralling completely out of control. He made some bad choices, got in way over his head, and has spent years trying to escape the consequences but even joining the army had failed to free him from his enemies’ reach. His feelings for Savannah had never really gone away, but now he’s being forced to choose between the life he’s been trapped in and the woman he never stopped loving so how far he is willing to go before finally breaking free?
I really enjoy Kristen Luciani’s mafia books, and this one definitely has all same the ingredients - crime lords, dangerous secrets, cowboys, betrayal and tension but it didn’t have quite the same dark and gritty edge I’ve come to expect from her writing. I also found myself missing the morally grey anti-heroes she usually gives us. Saying that there was still plenty that worked for me, particularly the emotional side of the story and the angsty second-chance romance. Where I struggled was with the characters, especially the men. Nash spends much of the book blaming Savannah for the past when all she’d done was fall in love with his friend while at the same time he conveniently overlooks his part in what happened to their family. And honestly, I just wanted him to man up already instead of acting like a whiny little boy. His knowing Savannah could be in danger but still leaving her alone and vulnerable in the middle of everything was incredibly frustrating and, at times Blaze wasn’t much better. He needed to stand up for himself and, more importantly, actually communicate with Savannah. Savannah herself is frustrating in a different way because she’s completely ignorant of just how much is happening around her. She’s basically a sitting target while everyone else seems to know more than she does and when something does happen she reverts to type and runs away.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the emotional and suspenseful elements of the story, and there was definitely potential in the combination of cowboys organised crime with a redemption arc. The story brought the angst and drama, but for me, some of the character decisions kept it from having the impact it could have had, and I just wish they’d been a little more alpha in their behaviour. I guess I ultimately prefer my heroes more mad, bad and dangerous to know.
I really enjoy Kristen Luciani’s mafia books, and this one definitely has all same the ingredients - crime lords, dangerous secrets, cowboys, betrayal and tension but it didn’t have quite the same dark and gritty edge I’ve come to expect from her writing. I also found myself missing the morally grey anti-heroes she usually gives us. Saying that there was still plenty that worked for me, particularly the emotional side of the story and the angsty second-chance romance. Where I struggled was with the characters, especially the men. Nash spends much of the book blaming Savannah for the past when all she’d done was fall in love with his friend while at the same time he conveniently overlooks his part in what happened to their family. And honestly, I just wanted him to man up already instead of acting like a whiny little boy. His knowing Savannah could be in danger but still leaving her alone and vulnerable in the middle of everything was incredibly frustrating and, at times Blaze wasn’t much better. He needed to stand up for himself and, more importantly, actually communicate with Savannah. Savannah herself is frustrating in a different way because she’s completely ignorant of just how much is happening around her. She’s basically a sitting target while everyone else seems to know more than she does and when something does happen she reverts to type and runs away.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the emotional and suspenseful elements of the story, and there was definitely potential in the combination of cowboys organised crime with a redemption arc. The story brought the angst and drama, but for me, some of the character decisions kept it from having the impact it could have had, and I just wish they’d been a little more alpha in their behaviour. I guess I ultimately prefer my heroes more mad, bad and dangerous to know.
September 30, 2026
BRANDED BETRAYAL is the first instalment in Kristen Luciani’s contemporary, adult WHISKEY CREEK SINNERS dark, erotic, cowboy romance series. This is former US soldier Blaze Hartman, and Savannah Carlson’s story line.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Savannah and Blaze) BRANDED BETRAYAL follows in the wake of the return of Savannah Carlson to Whiskey Creek, Wyoming. Six years earlier, following the death of her parents, Savannah struggled with the loss but when her high school sweetheart Blaze Hartman walked out of her life, Savannah ran without looking back, leaving her brother to struggle on his own. Fast forward to present day, with the death of her beloved Aunt Marg, Savannah discovers she has inherited Red Rock Ranch, a failing cattle ranch on the brink of implosion but Savannah never expected to come face to face with the man who broke her heart, a man whose secrets are dark. Unable to trust Blaze Hartman, Savannah struggles with Blaze’s hot and cold demeanor, a demeanor that is hiding a dangerous past, a past that is taking aim at our story line heroine.
The world building follows several intersecting pathways and conflicts including Savannah’s struggle to save Red Rock Ranch, and her brother’s heart break upon her return. From intimidation to greed, organized crime to threats of death, the requisite evil takes aim at the most vulnerable, pressuring people when their guards are down. Betrayal is revealed on many levels, betrayal by the people trusted the most.
The relationship between Savannah and Blaze is one of second chances but acrimonious in the face of broken hearts, secrets and lies. Savannah is unaware of the truth-why Blaze left without looking back. Blaze is hoping for a second chance but the ghosts from the past refuse to let go, threatening any chance of a happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and often questionable secondary and supporting characters many of whom battle between head and heart at the perceived betrayals and family mistrust. We are introduced to Savannah’s brother Nash, as well as Blaze’s brothers Colt, and Wyatt, and their father Harlon Hartman.
BRANDED BETRAYAL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, organized crime and manipulation, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, detailed and edgy; the romance is seductive and raw; the characters are animated, tragic and flawed.
copy supplied for review
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Savannah and Blaze) BRANDED BETRAYAL follows in the wake of the return of Savannah Carlson to Whiskey Creek, Wyoming. Six years earlier, following the death of her parents, Savannah struggled with the loss but when her high school sweetheart Blaze Hartman walked out of her life, Savannah ran without looking back, leaving her brother to struggle on his own. Fast forward to present day, with the death of her beloved Aunt Marg, Savannah discovers she has inherited Red Rock Ranch, a failing cattle ranch on the brink of implosion but Savannah never expected to come face to face with the man who broke her heart, a man whose secrets are dark. Unable to trust Blaze Hartman, Savannah struggles with Blaze’s hot and cold demeanor, a demeanor that is hiding a dangerous past, a past that is taking aim at our story line heroine.
The world building follows several intersecting pathways and conflicts including Savannah’s struggle to save Red Rock Ranch, and her brother’s heart break upon her return. From intimidation to greed, organized crime to threats of death, the requisite evil takes aim at the most vulnerable, pressuring people when their guards are down. Betrayal is revealed on many levels, betrayal by the people trusted the most.
The relationship between Savannah and Blaze is one of second chances but acrimonious in the face of broken hearts, secrets and lies. Savannah is unaware of the truth-why Blaze left without looking back. Blaze is hoping for a second chance but the ghosts from the past refuse to let go, threatening any chance of a happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and often questionable secondary and supporting characters many of whom battle between head and heart at the perceived betrayals and family mistrust. We are introduced to Savannah’s brother Nash, as well as Blaze’s brothers Colt, and Wyatt, and their father Harlon Hartman.
BRANDED BETRAYAL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, organized crime and manipulation, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, detailed and edgy; the romance is seductive and raw; the characters are animated, tragic and flawed.
copy supplied for review
September 30, 2026
I've enjoyed this author's mafia books in the past and took a chance on reading this book since I don't gravitate to reading westerns. The Prologue started the dramatic introduction of the main characters, Savannah/Savvie Carlson and Blake Hartman, and the tragedy that tore them apart. The story is told from a dual perspective so the reader knows Savvie fled Whiskey Creek and moved to Denver after the devastating loss of her parents and Blake's sudden abandonment when she needed him the most. The reader knows Blake suddenly left and enlisted in the Army to get away from Jack Wilkerson, the crime lord who forced Blake into illegal jobs to help pay off his father's gambling debts.
Six years later, Savvie returns to Whiskey Creek because of her aunt's passing. Upon arriving at her aunt's home, she's met by her very bitter brother, Nash, who's angry that she hasn't been back to visit Whiskey Creek nor can he forgive that she was fooling around with his best friend behind his back. Wilkerson forces Blake back because he needs him to manipulate Savvie into selling the ranch to him.
Much of this book has Nash being cold and angry about the fact their Aunt Marg left Savvie her ranch. Blake spends the entire book hiding his involvement with Wilkerson from Savvie, so he takes on a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality when he's sweet to her one moment, but then turns cold as he tries to stay away in order to "protect" her. Savvie, who knows absolutely nothing about ranching, is somehow managing the tasks alone, with some help from part-time ranch hands. Because of Blake's wishy-washy attitude, I wasn't very invested in this couple.
I think the author was trying to do too much all at once with this first book. There were too many unexplained details that took me out of the story. For example, Savvie was eighteen when her parents died. How did she end up in a high powered corporate job without a college degree? Her aunt's cattle ranch was huge so how was Savvie able to take care of a lot of the day to day tasks on her own? In the confrontation with the bad guys, how did the good guys get the upperhand when they were outnumbered by the bad guys? There were other instances, but I don't want to reveal any spoilers. As a new series, I'm not sure I'm invested in any of the sibling characters enough to want to read another.
Six years later, Savvie returns to Whiskey Creek because of her aunt's passing. Upon arriving at her aunt's home, she's met by her very bitter brother, Nash, who's angry that she hasn't been back to visit Whiskey Creek nor can he forgive that she was fooling around with his best friend behind his back. Wilkerson forces Blake back because he needs him to manipulate Savvie into selling the ranch to him.
Much of this book has Nash being cold and angry about the fact their Aunt Marg left Savvie her ranch. Blake spends the entire book hiding his involvement with Wilkerson from Savvie, so he takes on a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality when he's sweet to her one moment, but then turns cold as he tries to stay away in order to "protect" her. Savvie, who knows absolutely nothing about ranching, is somehow managing the tasks alone, with some help from part-time ranch hands. Because of Blake's wishy-washy attitude, I wasn't very invested in this couple.
I think the author was trying to do too much all at once with this first book. There were too many unexplained details that took me out of the story. For example, Savvie was eighteen when her parents died. How did she end up in a high powered corporate job without a college degree? Her aunt's cattle ranch was huge so how was Savvie able to take care of a lot of the day to day tasks on her own? In the confrontation with the bad guys, how did the good guys get the upperhand when they were outnumbered by the bad guys? There were other instances, but I don't want to reveal any spoilers. As a new series, I'm not sure I'm invested in any of the sibling characters enough to want to read another.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5✨
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - September 29, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- second chance romance
- brother’s best friend
- cowboy romance
- forbidden romance
- small town
- protective & possessive hero
- betrayal & redemption
- romantic suspense
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Savannah returns to Wyoming after her aunt’s death and inherits the struggling Red Rock Ranch. With only six months to make the ranch profitable, she has a lot on her plate already. But things get even more complicated when Blaze Hartman, her brother’s ex-best friend & the man who once broke her heart, comes back into her life.
There are old feelings, painful secrets, family drama and dangerous people waiting around every corner. And when Savannah starts uncovering more about her parents’ deaths, everything becomes even messier.
I honestly had such a good time with this one. The whole cowboy + ranch setting was such a vibe, and I loved how the romance was mixed with suspense and darker secrets. Savannah was strong, determined and I really enjoyed watching her find her way through everything that was thrown at her.
& Blaze... this man had me going from loving him to being annoyed with him and then falling for him again lol. His possessive side and the chemistry between them were definitely my weakness, but his secrets and all the push and pull between them had me screaming at my book sometimes. 😭
The betrayal, family secrets & second chance romance kept me hooked. I also really liked the emotional side of their relationship because getting a second chance is one thing, but rebuilding trust after everything they went through felt so much more meaningful.
Overall, this was such an addictive romantic suspense with a messy romance, cowboy vibes, emotional moments and enough drama to keep me turning the pages. I really enjoyed Savannah and Blaze’s story & I’m definitely curious about what comes next in this series.
Thanku so much netgalley for the book!!
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - September 29, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- second chance romance
- brother’s best friend
- cowboy romance
- forbidden romance
- small town
- protective & possessive hero
- betrayal & redemption
- romantic suspense
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Savannah returns to Wyoming after her aunt’s death and inherits the struggling Red Rock Ranch. With only six months to make the ranch profitable, she has a lot on her plate already. But things get even more complicated when Blaze Hartman, her brother’s ex-best friend & the man who once broke her heart, comes back into her life.
There are old feelings, painful secrets, family drama and dangerous people waiting around every corner. And when Savannah starts uncovering more about her parents’ deaths, everything becomes even messier.
I honestly had such a good time with this one. The whole cowboy + ranch setting was such a vibe, and I loved how the romance was mixed with suspense and darker secrets. Savannah was strong, determined and I really enjoyed watching her find her way through everything that was thrown at her.
& Blaze... this man had me going from loving him to being annoyed with him and then falling for him again lol. His possessive side and the chemistry between them were definitely my weakness, but his secrets and all the push and pull between them had me screaming at my book sometimes. 😭
The betrayal, family secrets & second chance romance kept me hooked. I also really liked the emotional side of their relationship because getting a second chance is one thing, but rebuilding trust after everything they went through felt so much more meaningful.
Overall, this was such an addictive romantic suspense with a messy romance, cowboy vibes, emotional moments and enough drama to keep me turning the pages. I really enjoyed Savannah and Blaze’s story & I’m definitely curious about what comes next in this series.
Thanku so much netgalley for the book!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**NetGalley Review Summary:**
'Branded Betrayal' is an addictive, emotional, and suspense filled, second chance cowboy romance that completely hit the right spot. What starts as a romance between former lovers Savvie and Blaze quickly unfolds into a gripping story of family secrets, betrayal, redemption, and healing.
The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, with plenty of angst, longing, jealousy, and tension that keeps the pages turning.
Blaze is a morally grey, frustrating, yet deeply compelling hero whose redemption arc feels genuinely earned, while Savvie is a strong heroine who refuses to settle for less than she deserves. Their growth throughout the story makes their journey feel authentic and rewarding.
What truly sets this book apart is beyond the romance, the story explores loyalty, family obligations, grief, and the difficult reality that love alone is not always enough. The suspense, twists, and betrayals add an extra layer of intrigue, while the realistic continuation of the story after the main conflict is resolved makes the ending especially satisfying.
With memorable characters, a compelling ranch setting, intense romance, and excellent character development, 'Branded Betrayal' is a powerful blend of cowboy romance, romantic suspense, and family drama. It's a captivating read that will keep readers invested from beginning to end and is sure to be a favorite for fans of second chance romances, brooding cowboys, and emotionally charged love stories.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
'Branded Betrayal' is an addictive, emotional, and suspense filled, second chance cowboy romance that completely hit the right spot. What starts as a romance between former lovers Savvie and Blaze quickly unfolds into a gripping story of family secrets, betrayal, redemption, and healing.
The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, with plenty of angst, longing, jealousy, and tension that keeps the pages turning.
Blaze is a morally grey, frustrating, yet deeply compelling hero whose redemption arc feels genuinely earned, while Savvie is a strong heroine who refuses to settle for less than she deserves. Their growth throughout the story makes their journey feel authentic and rewarding.
What truly sets this book apart is beyond the romance, the story explores loyalty, family obligations, grief, and the difficult reality that love alone is not always enough. The suspense, twists, and betrayals add an extra layer of intrigue, while the realistic continuation of the story after the main conflict is resolved makes the ending especially satisfying.
With memorable characters, a compelling ranch setting, intense romance, and excellent character development, 'Branded Betrayal' is a powerful blend of cowboy romance, romantic suspense, and family drama. It's a captivating read that will keep readers invested from beginning to end and is sure to be a favorite for fans of second chance romances, brooding cowboys, and emotionally charged love stories.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My first dark cowboy romance and I'm not mad about it. I haven't read a book from Kristen Luciani before and I was quite intrigued when I read the description...
What stuck with me:
A few things stuck with me on this one... I did like the suspense in the book and the connection between the characters, regardless of where they found themselves in life.
What surprised me:
How long this audio book was but how quickly the story flew by! There wasn't any lull in this story - I was hooked from the first chapter.
What frustrated me:
Urgh the lies, deceit and the fact that our MMC, Blaze was such a morally grey a-hole and yet... still loved him throughout this story.
What I couldn't stop thinking about:
How our FMC, Savannah had to work through all the deceit and lies and had to try and rebuilt all the trust between herself and every person she held close to her.
The Narration:
Lee Samuels and Morais Almeida were the narrators in this book and they brought these characters to life - I felt their angst, the pain, their happiness and their love - they delivered!
What I would actually tell another reader:
This book frustrated the heck out of me and yet I was hooked... the morally grey MMC, the suspense, the utter betrayal and complete reckless way our MC's loved each other wasn't something I thought I could get behind and yet this was a 4-star listen for me...
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Kristen Luciani for entrusting me with this ALC in return for an honest review.
What stuck with me:
A few things stuck with me on this one... I did like the suspense in the book and the connection between the characters, regardless of where they found themselves in life.
What surprised me:
How long this audio book was but how quickly the story flew by! There wasn't any lull in this story - I was hooked from the first chapter.
What frustrated me:
Urgh the lies, deceit and the fact that our MMC, Blaze was such a morally grey a-hole and yet... still loved him throughout this story.
What I couldn't stop thinking about:
How our FMC, Savannah had to work through all the deceit and lies and had to try and rebuilt all the trust between herself and every person she held close to her.
The Narration:
Lee Samuels and Morais Almeida were the narrators in this book and they brought these characters to life - I felt their angst, the pain, their happiness and their love - they delivered!
What I would actually tell another reader:
This book frustrated the heck out of me and yet I was hooked... the morally grey MMC, the suspense, the utter betrayal and complete reckless way our MC's loved each other wasn't something I thought I could get behind and yet this was a 4-star listen for me...
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Kristen Luciani for entrusting me with this ALC in return for an honest review.
October 1, 2026
Second Chances!
This is what Blaze and Savannah deserve but first they have to clear the years,yes years! Savvy left six years ago after losing her parents and uncle and Blaze hurt her terribly, her brother Nash was so mad at her,that she just ran,she needed breathing space.So now she is back at the ranch her late aunt left her and she really does still hate Blaze and Nash is still mad too.This story is filled with a ton of secrets from Blaze,Nash,Colt and even Blaze's father and of course Savvy been carrying one around too.Blaze is trying to protect her but she won't have it,but at the time he is trying to take ranch down.Things get bad that Blaze finally let's go and tells her what happen six years ago and the more he tells,the more she fines out that her parents,uncle maybe we're hiding secerts,She fines out that Nash was keeping secrets too and at the same time Blaze fines out his brother Colt and even what the secrets that his father was hiding.But before everything settles,she gets kidnapped and they finally excape,Savvy tells Blaze and Nash she can't takes the lies and secrets anymore and she runs again,she says she needs to breathe.Time goes by but she is just living,she meets a nice guy but nothing changed but she receives a letter from her late aunt and it opens her eyes and she goes back to the ranch and where a big sexy cowboy is waiting with open arms and his heart on his sleeve,maybe he will get his second chance too.This story was hard for me to get into at first,it felt different than Kristen 's other story's but I couldn't put it down and I'm glad.I was so sad for Ms Bea too.
This is what Blaze and Savannah deserve but first they have to clear the years,yes years! Savvy left six years ago after losing her parents and uncle and Blaze hurt her terribly, her brother Nash was so mad at her,that she just ran,she needed breathing space.So now she is back at the ranch her late aunt left her and she really does still hate Blaze and Nash is still mad too.This story is filled with a ton of secrets from Blaze,Nash,Colt and even Blaze's father and of course Savvy been carrying one around too.Blaze is trying to protect her but she won't have it,but at the time he is trying to take ranch down.Things get bad that Blaze finally let's go and tells her what happen six years ago and the more he tells,the more she fines out that her parents,uncle maybe we're hiding secerts,She fines out that Nash was keeping secrets too and at the same time Blaze fines out his brother Colt and even what the secrets that his father was hiding.But before everything settles,she gets kidnapped and they finally excape,Savvy tells Blaze and Nash she can't takes the lies and secrets anymore and she runs again,she says she needs to breathe.Time goes by but she is just living,she meets a nice guy but nothing changed but she receives a letter from her late aunt and it opens her eyes and she goes back to the ranch and where a big sexy cowboy is waiting with open arms and his heart on his sleeve,maybe he will get his second chance too.This story was hard for me to get into at first,it felt different than Kristen 's other story's but I couldn't put it down and I'm glad.I was so sad for Ms Bea too.
October 2, 2026
This is an arc review ✨ thank you so much to Kristen Luciani and Montlake for the gifted copy of the ebook through NetGalley!
As you can see, I rated this book 3 stars and while I try to no start a book with a set of expectations, I will admit that I do have hopes based on the blurb and the cover. Unfortunately, reading Branded Betrayal didn’t quite meet those hopes. Overall, I think it’s a good plot line with layered emotional traumas but I couldn’t fully end up liking the main characters.
Blaze is the epitome of the toxic love you can’t get past and who keeps hurting you in the name of love while Savannah is the definition of someone who’s willing to take scraps as long as they feel loving, which is a frustrating feeling as a reader who wants the couple to get a chance at their HEA while not being complete red flags.
I couldn’t look past their back and forth, even though I understand the reasoning behind it and how it added to the general plot line. At one point, I just thought it’d be best if they didn’t end up together. Unfortunately, I also disliked family members and the small town residents with one exception, which I won’t spoil.
A 3 star rating is an average rating for me, it’s not a bad book but I did not love it nor did I really like or connect with the characters but I will say that this is a very personal take on the book and you might feel differently if you read it.
Thank you anyways for the arc!
As you can see, I rated this book 3 stars and while I try to no start a book with a set of expectations, I will admit that I do have hopes based on the blurb and the cover. Unfortunately, reading Branded Betrayal didn’t quite meet those hopes. Overall, I think it’s a good plot line with layered emotional traumas but I couldn’t fully end up liking the main characters.
Blaze is the epitome of the toxic love you can’t get past and who keeps hurting you in the name of love while Savannah is the definition of someone who’s willing to take scraps as long as they feel loving, which is a frustrating feeling as a reader who wants the couple to get a chance at their HEA while not being complete red flags.
I couldn’t look past their back and forth, even though I understand the reasoning behind it and how it added to the general plot line. At one point, I just thought it’d be best if they didn’t end up together. Unfortunately, I also disliked family members and the small town residents with one exception, which I won’t spoil.
A 3 star rating is an average rating for me, it’s not a bad book but I did not love it nor did I really like or connect with the characters but I will say that this is a very personal take on the book and you might feel differently if you read it.
Thank you anyways for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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4 1/2 stars
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
In this second-chance, dark western romance we meet Savannah and Blaze, who as teenagers ignored Nash, Savannah’s brother, and secretly became very close. Both left their hometown to make something of themselves but also to leave their traumatic memories. This is the story of them returning home.
This story felt so comfortable when reading it that I immediately sat and devoured a huge segment straight away. The writing is so on point that you feel like you are in the story, watching as events unfold.
I like Savannah immensely from the get-go but will admit I did become annoyed with Blaze because of his yo-yo actions. Together their chemistry is off the charts super hot. Their second chance at love did not come easily at all.
Nash is a character who rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning, I guess this is another sign of the author’s terrific writing because he really didn’t change.
The emotional merry-go-round this story takes you on is truly all-encompassing. There is plenty of danger, secrets, and betrayal, action, drama, and some very steamy scenes. All making it interesting and at times
4 1/2 stars
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
In this second-chance, dark western romance we meet Savannah and Blaze, who as teenagers ignored Nash, Savannah’s brother, and secretly became very close. Both left their hometown to make something of themselves but also to leave their traumatic memories. This is the story of them returning home.
This story felt so comfortable when reading it that I immediately sat and devoured a huge segment straight away. The writing is so on point that you feel like you are in the story, watching as events unfold.
I like Savannah immensely from the get-go but will admit I did become annoyed with Blaze because of his yo-yo actions. Together their chemistry is off the charts super hot. Their second chance at love did not come easily at all.
Nash is a character who rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning, I guess this is another sign of the author’s terrific writing because he really didn’t change.
The emotional merry-go-round this story takes you on is truly all-encompassing. There is plenty of danger, secrets, and betrayal, action, drama, and some very steamy scenes. All making it interesting and at times
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Savannah Carlson put her Denver city life on hold to save Red Rock Ranch with six months to make it profitable. She expected hard work, but not a reunion with the cowboy who broke her heart: Blaze Hartman.
This book had me hooked from the prologue, but as the story went on, I felt like the chemistry between Savannah and Blaze was lacking.
Savannah’s Journey was heartwarming and it’s what made the book shine. Watching her go from an overwhelmed outsider to someone genuinely fighting for a home, and for herself, is what kept me turning pages even when the romance itself felt a bit disconnected. I kept thinking, “How is she going to react to this or that?!”
Blaze was a great character in his own right. He came with a lot of baggage, but his redemption and growth throughout the book were some of my favorite parts.
There was a heavier topic touched on briefly in the book that I wish had gotten more of a reaction than it did. I felt like it was brushed under the rug a bit quickly.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. I absolutely could not put it down once I hit the halfway point.
Thank you Montlake for providing this book review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book had me hooked from the prologue, but as the story went on, I felt like the chemistry between Savannah and Blaze was lacking.
Savannah’s Journey was heartwarming and it’s what made the book shine. Watching her go from an overwhelmed outsider to someone genuinely fighting for a home, and for herself, is what kept me turning pages even when the romance itself felt a bit disconnected. I kept thinking, “How is she going to react to this or that?!”
Blaze was a great character in his own right. He came with a lot of baggage, but his redemption and growth throughout the book were some of my favorite parts.
There was a heavier topic touched on briefly in the book that I wish had gotten more of a reaction than it did. I felt like it was brushed under the rug a bit quickly.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. I absolutely could not put it down once I hit the halfway point.
Thank you Montlake for providing this book review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 1, 2026
This read was a mixed bag for me as I really didn't like most of the characters for most of the book and it was only at the end that I was beginning to chnage my opinion.
Savannah Carlson got her heart broken many years ago and left for Denver but when her aunt passes away she heads back to Red Rock Ranch to either turn it around or lose it. Yet most people do not want her to succeed so she has a lot to do to turn everything around and find people to help her.
Blaze Hartman was once the love of Savannah's life but he broke her heart and she left town to pick up the pieces. Now he is also back watching Savannah but his heart is not in the same place.
I found there were so many layers in the book and so much backstabbling and just evil characters that I couldn't get attatched. as the book went on, secrets were revealed but I was angry for so long as I knew people wanted to escape what they were going through but they were just stuck and it was frustrating!
I knew that the author wanted us to dislike some of these characters but there was so much going on and I was frustrated with so many of these male characters and their ego's that it got to be too much for me. 3.5 Stars- Rebecca
Savannah Carlson got her heart broken many years ago and left for Denver but when her aunt passes away she heads back to Red Rock Ranch to either turn it around or lose it. Yet most people do not want her to succeed so she has a lot to do to turn everything around and find people to help her.
Blaze Hartman was once the love of Savannah's life but he broke her heart and she left town to pick up the pieces. Now he is also back watching Savannah but his heart is not in the same place.
I found there were so many layers in the book and so much backstabbling and just evil characters that I couldn't get attatched. as the book went on, secrets were revealed but I was angry for so long as I knew people wanted to escape what they were going through but they were just stuck and it was frustrating!
I knew that the author wanted us to dislike some of these characters but there was so much going on and I was frustrated with so many of these male characters and their ego's that it got to be too much for me. 3.5 Stars- Rebecca
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Brother’s Best Friend
Second Chance
Cowboy Mafia Vibes
Dark Western
Small Town
Touch Her and 💀
Enemies to Lovers
EPIC Grovel
Forced Proximity
Obsessive Possessive Hero
Dual POV - 1st person
Dual narration - Lee Samuels & Morais Almeida
Fabulous performance.
Book #1 Whiskey Creek Sinners series
Savannah ran from her hometown to get away from her grief and rejection from the man she loved. Getting involved with her brother's best friend led to some very complicated happenings. She is now back home when her aunt passes away and leaves the family ranch to her. Savannah's brother is very upset and leaves her to face the troubles of a failing ranch by herself. Blaze is facing some issues after serving in the service and loosing close friends in the line of duty. He also is dealing family drama.
This book really felt like watching a movie unfold. The things the characters are going through felt realistic and so very hard. Overall, this book is captivating and well written. The narrators were wonderful; you could feel the true emotions in their performance.
Thank you Kristen Luciani, Brilliance publishing, & NetGalley for this ALC.
Second Chance
Cowboy Mafia Vibes
Dark Western
Small Town
Touch Her and 💀
Enemies to Lovers
EPIC Grovel
Forced Proximity
Obsessive Possessive Hero
Dual POV - 1st person
Dual narration - Lee Samuels & Morais Almeida
Fabulous performance.
Book #1 Whiskey Creek Sinners series
Savannah ran from her hometown to get away from her grief and rejection from the man she loved. Getting involved with her brother's best friend led to some very complicated happenings. She is now back home when her aunt passes away and leaves the family ranch to her. Savannah's brother is very upset and leaves her to face the troubles of a failing ranch by herself. Blaze is facing some issues after serving in the service and loosing close friends in the line of duty. He also is dealing family drama.
This book really felt like watching a movie unfold. The things the characters are going through felt realistic and so very hard. Overall, this book is captivating and well written. The narrators were wonderful; you could feel the true emotions in their performance.
Thank you Kristen Luciani, Brilliance publishing, & NetGalley for this ALC.
September 30, 2026
3.75/5
This book is an entertaining mix of dark romance, cowboy, and mafia surrounding a second chance/off limits relationship. Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the book copy,
This book depicts the love story between Savannah & Blaze; a second chance at forbidden love as he is her brother's ex best friend. Lots of misunderstandings and drama clouds their relationship. She is the girl who left the ranch for the city, an optimist, a bit naive, and always following what others want from her. When her aunt dies, she inherits the ranch, but returns only to find that she has a limited time to make it work before she loves it. Blaze is the man that broke her heart, and one of the reasons why she left, He is demanding, possessive, protective, and very haunted by his past. Their relationship is a pull/push of feelings that seem at times one sided, not allowing her to make decisions, they do go through some trials and tribulations as the twists, secrets, and danger arrives to the ranch. There is plenty of suspense due to a mafia plot that involves the ranch bringing extra drama to the story,
Overall the book was a good read!
This book is an entertaining mix of dark romance, cowboy, and mafia surrounding a second chance/off limits relationship. Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the book copy,
This book depicts the love story between Savannah & Blaze; a second chance at forbidden love as he is her brother's ex best friend. Lots of misunderstandings and drama clouds their relationship. She is the girl who left the ranch for the city, an optimist, a bit naive, and always following what others want from her. When her aunt dies, she inherits the ranch, but returns only to find that she has a limited time to make it work before she loves it. Blaze is the man that broke her heart, and one of the reasons why she left, He is demanding, possessive, protective, and very haunted by his past. Their relationship is a pull/push of feelings that seem at times one sided, not allowing her to make decisions, they do go through some trials and tribulations as the twists, secrets, and danger arrives to the ranch. There is plenty of suspense due to a mafia plot that involves the ranch bringing extra drama to the story,
Overall the book was a good read!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Some secrets don’t stay buried… especially when the heart remembers what the past tried to forget.
Kristen Luciani launches her new Whiskey Creek Sinners series with a romance packed with twists, turns, intrigue and a rawness that gives the story an emotional edge.
Savannah and Blaze bring that undeniable second-chance pull to the pages, but this is far from a simple story of finding your way back to the person you once loved. Lies, secrets and betrayal sit at the heart of their journey, creating a tension that keeps you questioning what is real, what has been hidden and whether some wounds can ever truly heal.
And while Savannah and Blaze undoubtedly capture your attention, it’s the characters surrounding them who add another layer to the story. Savannah’s brother Nash and Blaze’s brother bring their own presence, secrets and complications, making this feel like the beginning of a much bigger story within Whiskey Creek.
There’s a hard-fought second chance at the centre of it all — one that isn’t handed to them easily. Their past has left scars, and rebuilding trust means confronting everything that came before.
Beyond the synopsis: this isn’t just about two people getting a second chance at love. It’s about the secrets that shaped them, the betrayals that broke them and whether love can survive when the truth finally comes out.
A gripping start to a new series from Kristen Luciani, with plenty of intrigue to keep you turning the pages. My only criticism? For me, the story was simply a little too long, and I felt some parts could have been tightened without losing the heart of the romance.
But if you love second chances, family drama, secrets, betrayal and a romance with a darker, rawer edge, Whiskey Creek Sinners is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Kristen Luciani launches her new Whiskey Creek Sinners series with a romance packed with twists, turns, intrigue and a rawness that gives the story an emotional edge.
Savannah and Blaze bring that undeniable second-chance pull to the pages, but this is far from a simple story of finding your way back to the person you once loved. Lies, secrets and betrayal sit at the heart of their journey, creating a tension that keeps you questioning what is real, what has been hidden and whether some wounds can ever truly heal.
And while Savannah and Blaze undoubtedly capture your attention, it’s the characters surrounding them who add another layer to the story. Savannah’s brother Nash and Blaze’s brother bring their own presence, secrets and complications, making this feel like the beginning of a much bigger story within Whiskey Creek.
There’s a hard-fought second chance at the centre of it all — one that isn’t handed to them easily. Their past has left scars, and rebuilding trust means confronting everything that came before.
Beyond the synopsis: this isn’t just about two people getting a second chance at love. It’s about the secrets that shaped them, the betrayals that broke them and whether love can survive when the truth finally comes out.
A gripping start to a new series from Kristen Luciani, with plenty of intrigue to keep you turning the pages. My only criticism? For me, the story was simply a little too long, and I felt some parts could have been tightened without losing the heart of the romance.
But if you love second chances, family drama, secrets, betrayal and a romance with a darker, rawer edge, Whiskey Creek Sinners is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into Branded Betrayal expecting a standard second-chance cowboy romance with all the fun angst that comes with it, but it ended up also being a heavier story about family secrets and betrayal at the same time, in the best way possible.
I love angst, and the story definitely delivered on that front. The push-and-pull between Savannah and Blaze is highly engaging. The added pressure from outside parties (to not spoil anything) and the lingering mystery surrounding Savannah's parents kept the plot moving.
The characters are so human. I really loved how they were handled, and not just the FMC and MMC, but the supporting characters as well. You change your opinions on them multiple times during the story. It was definitely my favorite part of the book.
The reason why I'm not giving it five stars is that I had some issues with the pacing. But overall, it's still a very solid and fun read with a great cast of characters!
I love angst, and the story definitely delivered on that front. The push-and-pull between Savannah and Blaze is highly engaging. The added pressure from outside parties (to not spoil anything) and the lingering mystery surrounding Savannah's parents kept the plot moving.
The characters are so human. I really loved how they were handled, and not just the FMC and MMC, but the supporting characters as well. You change your opinions on them multiple times during the story. It was definitely my favorite part of the book.
The reason why I'm not giving it five stars is that I had some issues with the pacing. But overall, it's still a very solid and fun read with a great cast of characters!
June 11, 2026
While the beginning felt a little slow and focused too much on sexual tension, the second half of the book really gave me all the plot and threw some twists that really made the book come together well.
I really enjoyed Blaze's character because even though the town gave him so much crap, he didn't let that faze him when started his rebuild of the ranch. While he was dealing with so much chaos from the past and the present it just meant so much to see him run back to Savvi when he needed her most. You could tell that he wasn't trying to use her that she was his safe place away from all the crap he was having to do. His story is so deep and sad.
Savvi, definitely made me want to pull my hair out more than one time but she definitely got her crap together and stood up for herself which is what she needed to do. In regard to almost every person in the book, she needed to stand her ground. It was nice to see that she understood that time away was exactly what she needed to regroup and put herself first.
I really enjoyed Blaze's character because even though the town gave him so much crap, he didn't let that faze him when started his rebuild of the ranch. While he was dealing with so much chaos from the past and the present it just meant so much to see him run back to Savvi when he needed her most. You could tell that he wasn't trying to use her that she was his safe place away from all the crap he was having to do. His story is so deep and sad.
Savvi, definitely made me want to pull my hair out more than one time but she definitely got her crap together and stood up for herself which is what she needed to do. In regard to almost every person in the book, she needed to stand her ground. It was nice to see that she understood that time away was exactly what she needed to regroup and put herself first.
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