Brooks - Back In The Saddle : Enemies to Lovers, Small Town Ranch Romance

by Olivia Kay

427 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2026

Reviews

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

Brooks — Back in the Saddle begins The McCallister Ranch series with an emotional story of finally facing one’s past, finding redemption for the choices made, and, hopefully, forgiveness from those who have been hurt the most yet are also the most important people in one’s life. Hard choices. That’s what Brooks is facing as he returns home following his father’s death. He’d never intended to return; the final argument with his father still lingers in his mind, as well as regret over those he left behind years ago. Years ago, he’d made hard choices, some that he’s beginning to regret now. His father’s will is about to bring brothers back into each other’s lives, as well as a past love and her son. The choices that Brooks makes now, in the present, will lead to his future… and storming away again is not an option.

I enjoyed Brooks — Back in the Saddle so much. Summer, the woman Brooks walked away from years ago, also has some hard choices to make. Mainly, whether to ignore the feelings that are just as strong as ever for this annoying cowboy. That her son, Wyatt, adores the man adds to the complications. Their story is strong, showing the results of their choices, finding a peace that once felt impossible, and coming to terms with the past to move toward the future. Summer and Brooks’s journey is well-written, emotional, and passionate, and it touches on so many aspects of life that we often push to the back of our minds… but those thoughts never really leave us until they’re resolved. Brooks — Back in the Saddle shows the truth of that.

While there were, admittedly, some sub-storyline threads that were left dangling… that never surprises me in a series where those answers will most likely be addressed in future stories. It’s just an indicator to me that there is more good stuff to come. If this sounds like your kind of Modern Western Romance, then you’ll love Brooks and Summer’s romance.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Brea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Sweet, emotional, and packed with small-town cowboy charm. Brooks Back in the Saddle gave me all the second-chance romance feels with family drama, ranch tension, and a hero trying very hard to prove he’s finally ready to stay.

Brooks and Summer’s history added so much emotional weight to this story, and watching them slowly work through old heartbreak, regret, and forgiveness felt genuine. The McCallister brothers brought a strong family dynamic to the book, but Wyatt absolutely stole every single scene he was in. That kid had me smiling constantly.

I loved the mix of romance, humor, family tension, and the mystery surrounding the ranch troubles. The small-town gossip, complicated family relationships, and emotional healing all worked really well together. Brooks showing up for Summer and Wyatt instead of running again made the romance feel earned.

The pacing did feel a little uneven at times because of some abrupt time jumps, and there were a few plot threads left hanging that I wish had been explored more. But overall, this was a heartfelt, writing-heavy romance with lovable characters and a strong emotional core that definitely made me invested in this ranch family.

If you love second-chance romance, broody cowboys, small-town drama, family-centered stories, and emotionally layered love stories, this is absolutely worth picking up.

Thank you Olivia Kay for the ARiC!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series, and this is Brooks and Summer’s story.
Summer has her heart broken by Brooks, and now she is a single mom to her son Wyatt, who keeps her busy as well as running her clinic. Now Brooks has returned to Riverbend, Texas, and Summer is determined to keep her heart intact and stay away from Brooks, but an emergency at the ranch has them is close proximity, and them Wyatt invites him to dinner.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, tension, mystery, making choices, enemies / lovers, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and heartfelt, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Kiely · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are someone who enjoys a small town romance seeped in mysteries that the author leaves you clues for but does not always solve for you, this book is for you! The way that you are drawn into the characters' and immediately invested in the community and the McAllister's Ranch is as exciting as watching the characters grow. Wyatt's sweet, unassuming --but about as subtle as a brick --questions are endearing to move characters into thinking about their wants.

I hope that future books in the series resolve some more of the conflict or mysterious elements about what is happening on the ranch.

*I received an ARC copy from the author and am leaving my honest review*

[Justene Ortman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. Cowboys, enemies to lovers and building a family. This book has so many things going for it. When you first meet Brooks you want to hate him but as he grows your opinion will change. Summer has a lot to handle day to day between running her clinic and keeping her son Wyatt happy. I love how the book keeps saying the best thing to show someone you love them is staying and choosing each other everyday. Finishing the book leaves the reader feeling satisfied but there are still somethings left to solve for the family. I can’t wait to see what will happen in the next books in the series.

[Cheryl Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in the McCallister Ranch series and it features Brooks McCallister and Summer Tate. They were together and planning a future. One day, seven years ago, he packed and left. Now he’s back for the reading of his father’s will and she’s freaked out. Even though he left without an explanation, he did make something of himself while he was gone. Seven years and a lot of things have changed. As mad as she is, her feelings are starting to surface again.

This is a fantastic story with awesome characters. I love the brooding cowboys! I can’t wait to read more about this fascinating ranch family.

[LANA DUPONT · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never left a bad review on a book, however, I’ve reached the exception with this book. I listened to the audiobook which was virtually narrated. Absolutely no emotion, no distinction between male/female/child/friends/family and it was all basically a run on sentence. The story wasn’t interesting, funny, captivating or charming, I was bored and couldn’t wait for it to end. Not worth a pepper at all for spice level and let me say if you haven’t experienced a “sexy scene” with a virtual narrator, it’s a hard pass!!! This book was a waste of my time, HIGHLY do not recommend.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooks left and took Summer’s heart with him.
Now he’s back and the small town is buzzing with how soon he and Summers will hook up.
The story exemplifies the best and the bad of a small town: the help but the gossip.
I deduced most of the story but had a lot of satisfaction as it came to fruition.
It’s a good launch for a new series because there are more brothers back on the ranch.
Thanks Olivia Kay for the advance copy.

[Debdutch]

“Brooks Back in the Saddle” by Olivia Kay

-Brooks returns to the ranch and to Summer, the woman whose heart he broke, stirring gossip and hope in their small town. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Mystery, family tension, and ranch life add depth while Brooks works to prove he’s changed and truly intends to stay. A strong series starter with heartfelt romance, community charm, and a lovable scene-stealer in Wyatt.

[Rosa Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family is all

A love story about love lost then regained. A woman's struggle and a cowboy who came back to stay. I was left wondering why Brooks didn't ask Wyatt if he could adopt him. I totally expected that to happen. The family settled into a new home Brooks built and they lived happily ever after. I would recommend this book to all who love western romance.
Thank you Olivia Kay for another wonderful book.

[Angela Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brooks & Summer

3 stars. Very clinical, one question, one-word answers, no warmth, very few conversations, full of fluff. Everything I learned from the characters, activities etc. was from the characters thinking them. The only saving grace was the last 15% of the book where there were actual conversations and a little bit of romantic behavior. I will not read this book again or any further books in this series. An editor is very badly needed for the story and characters.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The past haunts you. You can't move on. Your fathers will is soon to be read, leaving 4 brothers to cope and agree on what to do. You never should have left. Being scared is not an excuse. Can you get a 2nd chance or will you be running away again? Very emotional read. Love the McAllister men😍

[Dawn Baffa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the story as a whole

I wish the author would have taken the time to give some background of the main characters. I felt some things were not solved, the person who wanted to buy the ranch, the person who sabotaged the ranch, and no mention of adopting Wyatt. I feel the author could have addressed this by leaving out some of the "I'm not leaving" or "this is our life"

[Amanda Evernden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good storyline with amazing characters. A bit of steam to get the heart going and a dreamy cowboy who realises his mistakes and tries to fix them. I never wanted it to end and look forward to more ranch stories by a very talented author.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is home to settle his father’s estate. She is his past. Will she be able to move on and give him another chance? Will he mend things with his brother and stay? This was such a great story. I enjoyed it very much. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[T.Albada · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about a small town with his gossip and his feeling of being one great family.
How the author it has written you can feel it.
I loved to read it

[Michelle Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute read - enjoyed Summer & Brooks story