Unraveled

by Ariel Hendrix, M.J. Hendrix

Dolly Redford has had a crush on me for as long as I can remember.
My best friend’s little sister–the forbidden fruit–is the one temptation I’ve spent years avoiding.And now she’s living under my roof.
Her brothers asked if she could stay with me while they tracked down the man threatening her. So, I did what any good friend would do.

I lied. I told them she’s safe with me.
But nothing about Dolly has ever felt safe.

I had no idea it was her on that anonymous dating app… not at first.
Now that I do, I can’t stop imagining what she’d look like tied to my bed, and I can’t stop spending my nights describing it to her.
If her brothers ever find out, they’ll never forgive me.
When I inherited Moonlight Ranch, I planned on living and dying here, alone. That plan starts unraveling when I find myself opening up about my traumatic childhood and crashing her dates.
When the threat on her life turns out to be someone connected to me and Dolly’s heart problems take a turn for the worse, I’m faced with the very real nightmare of getting everything I thought I always wanted—which could mean losing her forever.

This is a slow-burn, brother’s best friend, morally gray cowboy romance. Please check trigger warnings.
This is book three in the Redford Ranch series. All books can be read as a complete standalone, but the best reader experience would be to start with book one, Untamed.
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5 stars
3/5 spice level
•brothers bestfriend
•grumpy x sunshine
•she falls first. he falls harder
•forced proximity
•small town
•cowboyyy
•good with rope
••••••••••
Ariel never disappoints. i’ve loved her writing and her stories from the very beginning. seeing her growth has been amazing.
damn i missed the Redford brothers. i want them all….at the same time.
Sam and Dolly were everything. the sexual tension made me blush from the very beginning. the coffee cake scene ? ayo. that was hot!
-Kenzie

I love the Redford siblings,and each and every installment of their family’s ranch saga. Their relationships are so rich and full of angst,protectiveness and an endearing sibling bond that makes me so emotional and happy while reading their individual stories.
Dolly has had a rough go of it,and life hasn’t been any simpler for her brother’s best friend, Sam.
Their love Story was a long time coming and I’m so pleased that Ariel Hendrix has given us a tension filled slow-burn that develops into a lasting relationship full of heat and heart.
This was a perfect way for Dolly’s story to be written and I truly loved it.
-Amber

Sam and Dolly’s story is pure, addictive tension from the very first page. The forbidden pull between Sam, he is a fiercely protective, emotionally scarred ranch owner, and Dolly who is his best friend’s little sister. He has liked her for years but at the same time he ignored her for years because of “bro-code”. Dolly has far more strength than anyone gives her credit for, makes every interaction crackle with intensity. Dolly has always had a crush on Sam. If you like slow-burn obsession, raw vulnerability, violently protective and high-stakes danger, this romance delivers an unforgettable emotional punch that lingers long after the final page.
-Kathryn

Dolly and Sam might be my new favorite from this series! Sam was the perfect protective yet vulnerable man. There were so many moments of laughter but then suspense. I love a good forced proximity trope so this book delivered!
-Ann

I absolutely loved this book. Story line is absolutely amazing and there’s the perfect amount of spice. I think this may be my favorite book in the series! I love the tropes in this book and how it is semi-relatable to everyone who could read it.
-Krystal

Genres: Dark Romance, Cowboy Romance, Romance

406 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

Also published as Mj Hendrix.
Ariel is a native Texan who lives in Hawaii with her dreamy husband Justin and two kiddos.
She can't resist pairing a damaged heroine with a southern gentleman who manages to tear down her walls one brick at a time. The men in her books will open every door and carry every bag, just like Justin does.
She's eternally indebted to her writing, which rescued her from the darkest place she has ever been.
Her lifelong dream is to one day write all her books in a house by the sea, with a wine cellar that's never empty and her imaginary characters somehow becoming her real-life friends.

Reviews

[Bailey]

Tropes: Brother’s best friend romance, forbidden romance, slow burn, protective MMC, she falls first; he falls harder, forced proximity

Rate: 3.5/5

Review: I liked the brother’s best friend aspect and the forbidden tension that came with it, which is one of my favorite romance tropes. The story had some emotional moments, but I found myself frustrated with many of the MMC’s choices throughout the book. It made it harder for me to stay fully invested in their relationship at times. I also felt like the FMC deserved better in certain situations, which affected how I viewed their dynamic overall. In the end, it was an okay read, but not one of my favorites from this month.

[Bailey]

I enjoyed the brother's best friend trope, and I'm always a fan of the forbidden aspect that comes with it. The romance had some sweet moments, but I found myself frustrated with many of the MMC's choices throughout the story. At times, I felt like the FMC deserved better, which made it harder for me to fully connect with their relationship. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but the main character's decisions kept it from earning a higher rating for me.

[Amber Brocklesby]

I literally devoured this book, definitely my favourite of the series so far!!!
Sam is my favourite MMC from this series so far and I don't know how anyone will top him!
They slow burn had me kicking my feet

[Jo]

Loved loved loved loved.