Savage Heart

by Willow Aster

One car accident. Two shattered lives. Twelve years of silence.

Maverick Harrington was eighteen when prom night stole everything—his best friend's life and the girl he secretly loved. Unable to face his grief, he chose rage instead, turning his back on Iris Sullivan and letting the whole town do the same. Now he runs Harrington Ranch with an iron will and a heart locked tight.

Iris Sullivan never left Ironwood, even when staying meant raising her son alone in a town that branded her a killer. She's survived on grit and grace, asking nothing from anyone—especially not from Maverick Harrington.

But when circumstances bring Iris back to the ranch, proximity becomes a reckoning. Old wounds crack open. New feelings ignite. And a twelve-year-old boy with his father's smile forces Maverick to confront the truth he's been running from: some lies are told out of love, and some loves are worth forgiving everything for.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling Author of emotional, angsty love stories with a side of quirk. She is co-writer of The End of Men series with Tarryn Fisher and co-writer of the G.D. Taylors series with Laura Pavlov.


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Reviews

[Rachael]

Iris & Maverick

Prepare the tissues because this one will have you going with all the emotions. It was so easy to devour and I was unable to put it down.

I absolutely loved Iris' character, such a strong FMC. Especially when the whole town turned their back on her and didn't think twice about it. Having to endure constant scrutiny and judgement, yet she held her head high and gave her son the entire world.

The minute Mav learnt he messed up he made it his mission to set things straight and these two were just inevitable, their chemistry burned bright and they finally got their time.

Thank goodness Mav stood up for her and she finally had people in her corner.
No amount of grovelling would make it ok with how she was treated and that town had some work to do!

The side characters and found family were great and I cant wait for more.

- Friends to enemies to Lovers
- Single mom
- Secret Past
- Cowboy Romance
- Angst and secrets

4.5⭐️ 1.5🌶

Bonus Points go towards the relationship between Iris and Linc her son. They were hust beautiful

Thankyou to Willow and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read this one early 🫶🏻

[Erin Marie]

This may be the most emotional book that Willow has ever written. I was hooked from the epilogue.

Iris and Maverick. I don't even know how to begin to explain their history without spoiling everything. Just know there are flashbacks to get a sense of their younger selves and how much they used to mean to each other.

Iris is such a strong woman. Not only for what she went through years ago but also for what she continually goes through. She is quite the inspiration. The tension between between her and Maverick literally jumps off the page and you can not help but cheer them on as their relationship develops.

I love my main man Linc. I can not wait to see more of him throughout the series. I just love how by the end everyone came together.

“Grief doesn’t move on. It just finds new ways to hurt." - I FELT THIS IN MY SOUL
“When its just us I feel like anything is possible”

HE CALLS HER TIGER EYES!

thank you Willow! I love you <3

[Megan Coggins]

I devoured this 🥣
I didn’t want to put this one down.

I love a good messy angsty tension filled book.

Iris & Maverick
Childhood friends x crushes
Single mom
Cowboy vibes
There’s an accident
She becomes the town pariah
I cannot say more, I do not want to give much away.

And it’s dual timeline. Which I’m rarely a fan of but here it worked. It added to the story.

Her son is absolutely adorable.

This kept me on my toes and flipping pages.
This sits at the top spot of Willow Asters books for me.

Arc review ✨

[Tracy Serrano]

Thank you to valentine pr for the ALC


This is new to me author and I absolutely loved this book. This story had me hooked from the very beginning.

She held a secret that made folks around town hate her.

[Cigi cini]

🤠 Cowboy Romance
💔 Second Chance Romance
👩‍👦 Single Mom
🐎 Ranch Romance
🏡 Small Town Romance
🔥 Forced Proximity
🥀 Tragic Past
🤫 Secrets and Regret
💞 Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🩹 Healing Romance
🖤 Emotional MMC
💪 Strong FMC
👦 Single Parent Romance
⚡ Years of Hurt
🔥 Rekindled Chemistry
🛡️ Protective Hero
🥹 Emotional Romance
❤️ Forgiveness and Healing
🌶️ Spicy Romance
✨ Happily Ever After

Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Savage Hearts is an emotional, heartfelt, and beautifully messy second chance romance about grief, blame, forgiveness, and finally finding the courage to face the past instead of continuing to let it control the future.

Maverick Harrington has carried the events of prom night with him for twelve years. Losing two of his best friends in completely different ways changed him, and instead of dealing with that grief, he allowed anger and resentment to take over. Now he is running Harrington Ranch, carrying the weight of his family name and holding tightly to feelings he has never truly dealt with.

Then Iris Sullivan walks back into his life.

Iris has spent those same twelve years living with the consequences of that night and raising her son in a town that never really allowed her to forget what happened. She is strong, resilient, stubborn, and has learned how to survive without expecting anyone to stand beside her.

Being forced back into Maverick's world brings every old hurt and unresolved feeling straight to the surface.

I really loved the emotional tension between these two. There is so much history sitting between them, and Willow Aster does such a good job of making you feel the weight of everything that has gone unsaid for years. Maverick has built his entire view of Iris around anger and blame, but the more time they spend together, the more those walls start to crack.

And once he begins looking beyond the rumours and the past, he starts seeing Iris for the woman she actually is.

The connection between Maverick and Iris feels complicated in the best way because forgiveness does not come easily. There is hurt, guilt, resentment, attraction, and so much unfinished business tangled together. Watching Maverick slowly realise that the version of the past he has held onto might not be the entire truth adds another layer to the story.

I also loved the relationship that develops around Iris's son. His presence makes everything feel even more emotional because the consequences of what happened twelve years ago are no longer just about Maverick and Iris. There is an entire life caught up in the secrets and decisions of the past.

Savage Hearts is full of longing, heartbreak, family, ranch life, buried secrets, and that delicious second chance tension where two people have to decide whether they are brave enough to stop punishing themselves and each other for something they cannot change.

A beautiful continuation of the Harrington Ranch series and definitely one for readers who love emotional cowboy romances with plenty of history, hurt, healing, and chemistry.

[ReadingMomma]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️

I originally finished this thinking 4.5 stars, but the more I thought about everything this book put me through, the more I realized this was absolutely a five-star read. 😭❤️

Iris and Maverick have known each other since kindergarten. Maverick, Iris, and their best friend Lincoln grew up as their own little trio, but it was always Maverick that Iris wanted—and the feelings were definitely mutual. They shared a kiss when they were younger, but ultimately decided their friendship was too important to risk.

Then life took a turn that changed absolutely everything.

Fast forward twelve years and Iris is raising her son, Linc, on her own while living in a town that has never let her forget the worst night of her life. She has spent years carrying so much grief, judgment, and responsibility by herself, and my heart absolutely broke for her. I swear I was on the verge of tears for half this book. 😭

And then there's Maverick. Our cowboy. 🤠

When Iris needs help getting Linc into the summer camp at Maverick's family's ranch, their lives collide again. There is so much history between these two—hurt, anger, regret, buried feelings, and twelve years of things that were never said.

But once Maverick realizes just how badly he messed up? That man is RELENTLESS.

He shows up. He pursues her. He makes it very clear that he's done keeping his distance, even when it means going against people in his own life. And when Iris's car dies?! Sir. 😭🤠

I also absolutely adored the people who quietly showed up for Iris and Linc over the years. Some of those relationships ended up meaning so much more than I initially realized, and finding out just how long certain people had been in Iris's corner absolutely got me.

This book is about so much more than a second-chance romance. It's childhood friendship, grief, motherhood, forgiveness, found family, small-town judgment, and finally getting the chance to heal from something that changed the course of your entire life.

Iris deserved someone who would finally choose her loudly, and watching Maverick decide he wasn't wasting another chance with her was EVERYTHING.

I flew through this book because once I started, I could not put it down. I wasn't expecting it to hit me quite this hard, but I loved Iris and Maverick's story. ❤️🤠

Thank you to Valentine PR, NetGalley, and Willow Aster for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

[Mary]

Savage Heart by Willow Aster absolutely wrecked me. 😭❤️‍🩹

Tears were shed at SO many different places throughout this book. And I’m not talking about getting a little misty-eyed—I mean I REALLY cried. I honestly can’t remember the last time a book made me cry like this one did.

Maverick and Iris’s story carries twelve years of grief, anger, guilt, heartbreak, and unanswered questions. One devastating night changed everything for them, and while Maverick chose to hold onto his anger, Iris was left to build a life for herself and her son in a town that had already decided what it believed about her.

And then she ends up back at Harrington Ranch. 👀

The forced proximity. The resentment. The history between them. The secrets. The moments when Maverick slowly begins questioning everything he thought he knew. I was completely consumed by it all.

But what really got me was the emotion woven throughout this story. Maverick has spent so long using anger to protect himself from grief, and watching those walls slowly crack absolutely broke my heart. Iris, meanwhile, is such a strong heroine. She’s survived years of judgment while raising her son and continuing to move forward despite everything that happened.

And that twelve-year-old boy? 🥹😭 My heart could NOT handle it.

There were moments when I wanted to hug these characters, moments when I wanted to yell at them, and moments when I had to put my Kindle down because I was crying too hard to keep reading. That is exactly the kind of emotional romance that sticks with me.

Willow Aster gave me heartbreak, healing, forced proximity, small-town drama, buried secrets, incredible chemistry, and characters who desperately needed to confront the past before they could ever have a future.

Savage Heart earned every single one of these five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to Willow Aster, Valentine PR, Montlake, and NetGalley for the #gifted eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🤍

[Jen (jensdreamylittlereads)]

Whew. I was just not prepared for this emotional ride. Willow Aster always delivers, but she completely outdid herself with this drama-filled, heart-wrenching, poignant story. It was so good. So compulsively readable and so wonderfully rewarding. It was tragic and redemptive and I loved every punch delivered, and reveled in every balm it placed upon my heart. Buckle up - this one's going to hurt a little. But it's worth every minute.

I felt Iris and Maverick's connection to my core, and felt every ache and bruise as these two sorted through their issues and fumbled their way into a hard-won love story. There was history between these two and it was not pretty. Their story is a veritable rollercoaster ride of emotions that left me feeling raw and only to have it all swept away by the sweet beauty of the ending and the overwhelming rightness of this couple.

Willow Aster’s smart, engaging writing and her effortlessly addictive storytelling made Savage Hearts an absolute treat to read. The magic is often in the smaller moments - and there were so many of those little "everyday life" moments, as well as the flashbacks, and especially the relationship between Iris and her son (ohhh, my heart!) that took my breath away over the course of Iris and Maverick's story. I ate this book up, and savored every beautiful word. I loved it all so much!

This book was the whole package - a compelling, addictive read, jam packed with emotions, and an ending that left me beaming with happiness. I want to read a million more of these stories. I'm on pins and needles to see where things go from here. GAHHHHH YOU GUYS! Go read it!!

[Jenn the Readaholic]

Iris broke my heart. She’s a pariah and it’s all because of small minds, narrow focus, and misplaced hatred. And yet, she endures. She stays strong. She doesn’t give up, even if that would be easier. She keeps the secret that changed her life and does it even though she’s somehow the common enemy to all. And Maverick? Well, he’s the reason for it. He deserves every single smidge of guilt and regret he feels for his anger and his refusal to ever once listen to reason or open his own eyes to the truth he KNOWS is there.

The rest of the town? They’re just as bad. There are a few willing to bear the wrath and those few deserve every bit of good for seeing what is so painfully obvious. A certain mother is there to support and love also, which is so very needed and appreciated. But when Maverick chooses to finally open his eyes and mind to reality, he’s got an uphill battle ahead of him. He doesn’t deserve the easy road and neither does anyone else who so gleefully hurt an already hurting girl.

This is an excellent lesson in being kind and good, in seeing truth no matter that anger or gossip wants you to believe, and coming clean even if it means admitting just how wrong you were in letting such a farce play out. A farce that did its best to level Iris, I might add. This is also an excellent start to a new series, complete with a name or two you’ll recognize with fondness, and I’m already sitting here, wondering when we get more!

[Nene Niall]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Masterclass in Second Chance, Angsty Small-Town Romance!

I am completely captivated. Willow Aster has delivered an absolute masterpiece with Savage Heart. From the very first page, I was pulled into the emotional, raw, and beautifully fragile world of Maverick and Iris. This book delivers everything a contemporary romance lover could possibly crave: a brooding, guarded cowboy, a fiercely resilient single mother, high stakes past trauma, and the kind of forced proximity that makes your chest ache in the best way possible.
Maverick Harrington is the ultimate hardened hero. Twelve years after a tragic prom-night accident fractured his world, he carries his grief and hatred like armor.
Enter Iris Sullivan, the girl who carried the blame, returning to Harrington Ranch as a single mom trying to build a future for her son. The history between them is heavy, the tension is razor-sharp, and the angst is absolutely top tier.
This is a beautiful story about wrangling a tragic past into hope for the future. If you love childhood-best friends to-enemies-to-lovers, secret legacies, and deeply emotional cowboy romances, you need to read this immediately!

Thank you so much to the author Willow Aster and Valentine PR & Literary Management for the opportunity to read and review an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Sarah | sarah_rose_reads]

A beautiful and emotional second chance romance from the amazing Willow Aster!

Savage Heart will tug at your heartstrings, have you tearing up, and believing that love really does always find its way.

Maverick and Iris' story was so heart-wrenching - ripped apart by a tragic car accident that left them both with a loss of someone they loved, the two of them haven't been on good terms for 12 years! On top of it all, Iris is disliked by almost all of their small town because of the events 12 years ago... But on a waitress' salary, she's unable to leave Ironwood, where she's busy raising her sweet son, Linc.
While Iris is busy taking care of her son, Maverick is taking care of his family land at Harrington Ranch. Each summer, the ranch runs a summer camp for kids, one that Iris' son Linc loves to attend. As Maverick runs into Iris more and more due to the ranch's camp and Linc's attendance, old feelings resurface, or maybe it's just ones that have never gone away...

Filled with angst, secrets, tragic pasts, heartbreak, forgiveness and healing - Savage Heart will have you rooting for Maverick and Iris to make peace with the past and get their HEA!

Thank you so much to Willow and the VPR team for my eARC🩵

[Lou_lovesreading]

One accident that changed everything! Maverick, Lincoln and Iris have been best friends since they were 6 years old and one night changes it all.
My heart honestly broke for Iris - she didn’t have the best start and without Maverick and Lincoln (her only friends) she only had her neighbour Otis who really cared for her and after the accident becomes someone no one wants anything to do with. She’s a single mom, working hard and doing everything she can to keep her son happy.
Maverick loves Iris and has from the moment they first met, but fate has other ideas and it broke my heart to find out what happened and although he stepped up to help I was disappointed he waited so long to do so. This book is incredibly emotional and absolutely amazing. I was hooked from the first chapter and did not want to put it down.
Loved Mavericks’ relationship with Linc, he came across as such a lovely kid that Iris raised so well on her own.
Highly recommend it as I loved it and I cannot wait for the rest of the series.
Thank you so much to Willow and the team at Valentine PR for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

[Dominique]

This book will be living rent free in my head for a long time to come. Willow freaking knocked it out of the park with this one.

After tragedy hits, Iris Sullivan becomes an outcast in the small town, Ironwood. Life has not been easy for her and her son the last 12 years but she puts aside her pain for her son when he gets the opportunity to go to summer camp on a local ranch. A ranch that is owned my Iris’ childhood best friends family. A ranch she spent a ton of time on as a kid. A ranch she isn’t so welcome at anymore.

There is still and always be a pull between childhood best friends Maverick Harrington and Iris. Through the hate, the love is still there. It’s like they say, it’s a thin line between love and hate.

Things from the last aren’t necessarily like they seem…. And I don’t want to give anything away

This story pulled at my heartstrings and I probably cried through at least half of the story and I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t put it down, finished within 24 hours and it probably would have been less if I didn’t have adulting to do.

It’s a heartbreaking story but yet put my heart back together at the end.

Do yourself a favor and read this story when it releases in October 6th. You will NOT be disappointed!!

[Deanie]

Oh boy this one HURRT. It was emotional, angsty, and so so sweet too.

A few bad decisions causes horrible repercussions for our FMC, Iris. She is left as the town pariah, shunned and mistreated. Lucky for her she’s strong as all get out and is also an amazing mama.

I wanted to shake Maverick so hard at the beginning of the book. That man was not innocent in Iris’ pain but after he figured out how wrong he was, he does his absolute best to stand for Iris and Linc and protect her from the hate.

I loved Maverick’s relationship with Linc. He realised that Linc was just an innocent child and took him under his wing a bit while they worked the ranch. It was very seeet!

I was so happy when everything came to light! It hurt my heart to watch Iris get treated so terribly so it was nice to see it wrapped up in a happy ending!! I loved that there was no third act breakup too. I absolutely cannot wait for the next sibling in the Harrington Ranch series!

[Ginny]

I couldn't wait to dive into this story, and what an introduction to Harrington Ranch it was! The dual timelines were woven together so beautifully that I felt completely immersed in the story from start to finish. As the twists and turns unfolded, my heart ached for everyone involved, and I found myself deeply invested in every moment. Iris was an incredible heroine. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering love for those around her made her impossible not to root for. Through every challenge she faced, she continued to show up for her best friends and proved what an amazing mother she is. I absolutely loved her character. Maverick was everything I hoped he would be. Watching how grief had shaped his outlook while still seeing the caring, loyal friend beneath it all made his journey so compelling. No matter how hard he tried to fight it, his feelings were impossible to ignore, and I loved watching his story unfold. This was an emotional, beautifully crafted read that kept me hooked throughout. I adored every minute of it and am already counting down the days until book two!

[k's.bookshelf.]

Well that was a punch straight to the heart. Hope you have a whole box of tissues ready. You're gonna need it!

I pretty much went in blind to this story. I have been absolutely blown away by Willow's words. I was not prepared for this, at all.

I have read many, many books. All usually contain similar themes and story structures, etc. So when I come across one that can actually still surprise me a little, that serves some serious brownie points.

While there will be no spoilers here, this story was incredible and you should read it asap.


Quick character review -

Iris was the strongest and toughest fmc I've read in a very long time. I think, out of the literal hundreds I've read, there only has been two others that have stuck out as strong and powerful as her. Iris has definitely earned her spot on the 'badass fmc' hall of fame.

And then there's Maverick. He's hot, he's broody and he's humble. Very interesting story progression he has. Still loved him though.

[Ashley Cole]

This my absolute FAVORITE Willow Aster book I have read so far!!!! This was an immediate 5⭐️ for me!

The angst and tension between Maverick and Iris! These two have such a history! My heart broke for both of them and all they lost with Lincoln’s death.

Iris is the most selfless person and I loved her from the beginning! Maverick is your broody cowboy who takes his anger about Lincoln’s death on Iris. These two dance around each other until they can’t anymore.

I loved Linc! He is the sweetest boy and I just loved how he was just like his dad. He brought everyone together in the best ways.

Willow does an incredible job of breaking you while reading this, but then manages to put you all back together piece by piece in the end. I couldn’t put this book down!

Thank you so much to Willow & VPR for this early copy!

[Chelsea Mansell]

Savage Heart by Willow Aster eARC Review 🩵

♾️⭐️ hands down.

This book is angsty, emotional and absolutely incredible.

What a ride. I was hooked from the very beginning and basically read it in one sitting. I couldn’t get enough. The entire plot is so addicting and my heart was breaking for Iris and Linc. The hate and criticism that they endure is gut wrenching and you better believe I was holding out hope for a happily ever after with Maverick.

This is such a beautiful story about grief, forgiveness and healing. All the stars. I loved this book with my entire heart.

What to expect:
Cowboy
Angsty
Small town
Guarded hearts
Childhood best friends
Friends to enemies to lovers

Thank you so much Willow and VPR for the arc!

[Reading In the Red Room]

A perfectly sweet emotional read! This was a layered read that I truly enjoyed. Maverick is a hard working rancher who has been through a lot. As a teenager he lost two of his best friends in a car accident…only one of them died. Iris is a single mother who has the world on her shoulders in so many ways. She works hard to provide for her family and lives in a town where people look at her differently. This emotional journey was beautifully written and told a wonderful story. A story about secrets, second chances and everything in between. The characters had incredible depth and truly belonged together…..they just took the long way to get there. I loved this book from page one to the last page. This book took flashbacks to tell a story that was soo worth telling.

[BookThots]

I finished this in less than 4 hours because once I started, I genuinely could not stop.
I already love Willow’s books, but this one? It completely blew me away. And I cried. Which needs to be noted because I never cry while reading, and this one absolutely did me in.
I spent a good portion of this book internally screaming, questioning everything, and desperately needing people to just TALK… but somehow, it was all worth it.
Best friends. Tragedy. A secret. Small town vibes. Angst. And so much emotion.
I don’t want to say much more because going in without knowing too much made this hit so much harder. It was completely unexpected and gave me that “holy sh*t, I need MORE” feeling.
Willow, respectfully… what did you just do to me? I need the next book immediately.

[Lyla Nadeau]

The female main character deserved so much better from everyone!!!! This is a second chance of sorts, friends to enemiesish to lovers, small town romance. There is a lot of past mistakes that revolve around these characters and they have to face the past to overcome their current challenges. I really don’t know how to feel about this story other than she deserved better and I think the MMC wasn’t for me and was selfish. Overall it was good but I wanted better for her.

[Lacey]

Wow. This book had all the emotions. I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry at nearly every chapter. The pain and abandonment Iris had gone through after the accident was heartbreaking. She might be the strongest person I've ever read on page. If you want a good cry with a HEA this is the book for you!

[Shana]

RTC

[Patti Lucas]

I absolutely loved Savage Heart by Willow Aster; it is a small-town enemies to lovers love story. It is the first book in her new Harrington Ranch series. Willow Aster is a new author for me; and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors to read. Willow Aster is an amazing storyteller. Savage Heart was impossible to put down and I loved every moment on every page; it filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions. It is one of the most enjoyable books that I have read recently. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? Savage Heart is the story of Iris Sullivan, single mother of twelve-year-old, Linc and her former best friend, Maverick Harrington, rancher and owner of Harrington Ranch. Iris and Maverick had been lovers in college, but one day Iris disappeared from Maverick’s life. Iris and Maverick were childhood best friends along with Lincoln Keller. They have not been best friends since the car accident that took Lincoln’s life following a farewell party for everyone going off to college. Lincoln was supposed to go to Ohio State on a football scholarship, Iris was headed to Central Wyoming, a community college, and Maverick was headed to Cal ply to study agricultural economics and business. Everyone in Ironwood believes that Iris is responsible for Lincoln’s death since she was driving drunk the night of the accident and have always treated her like an outsider. Iris and her son, Linc live in the same trailer where Iris grew up. Linc wants to attend the summer camp at Harrington Ranch, Iris cannot afford the camp with the money she makes from waitressing. I love Maverick’s initial reaction when Iris approaches him regarding the camp, and the deal that he makes with Iris and Linc. As Iris and Maverick begin to spend time together again, things slowly change between them, even though Maverick is still angry at Iris for the role she played in Lincoln’s death. Only Iris and Lincoln’s brother, Brandon know what really happened the night of the accident. As Iris and Maverick spend time together with the camp and Linc’s job on the ranch, things continue to change between them, but neither one of them is willing to admit their true feelings for one another. I love the sizzling chemistry between Iris and Maverick and the conversations between them flow so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and dirty talking Maverick. I love all the little things that each of them does for the other, especially all the things that Maverick and his mother Evelyn have done for Iris over the years. I love all the heart-to-heart conversations between Iris and Maverick, especially when Iris reveals what really happened the night of the accident and the reason that she would not have been driving drunk. Some of the interactions between Iris and her mother are truly heartbreaking. It was such a heartbreaking conversation. One of the favorite parts of the book is the song that Iris and Maverick dance to at the Broken Spur. I loved that Savage Heart is a more than just a romance, there are dilemmas that both Iris and Maverick are facing that need to be resolved, and there is a plot twist that reveals everything that really happened twelve years ago. I loved everyone's reaction to the shocking news. I love all the other secrets and surprises that were revealed. I love how the storylines get so beautifully resolved. I love the ending of the love story, and how both Iris and Maverick change because of their love for one another and everything that they are willing to do to have a life each other. My favorite part is the conversation between Linc and Maverick in the barn that Iris overhears. Another favorite part are the chapter titles in the book and how they set the tone for the chapter. Most of the chapters happen in the present day, but others reveal what happened in the past between Iris, Lincoln, and Maverick and how Maverick has loved Iris since he was six-years-old. My favorite part is the epilogue that is told from Iris’s perspective, it is the perfect ending of their love story. So glad that Iris and Maverick got their happy ever after. I love all the descriptions of the Harrington Ranch setting. Savage Heart is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a love story, Willow Aster did not disappoint, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments as well as the plot twist and surprises that filled this page turner. As well as all the moments that made me laugh. I love how Willow Aster always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. I really enjoy how the book is written in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. I love all the characters in Savage Heart, especially Otis and everything he has done for Iris. They feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between the Harrington siblings and the family dynamic; it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing, but sad with the way that they treated Iris. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Savage Heart, who does not love a single mother/enemies to lovers love story. It was such an enjoyable book to read. Highly recommend this incredible love story. Cannot wait to read the other books in the series, I loved meeting Maverick’s siblings. I received an advanced copy from the author. 

[Audio book lover]

🤠💔 Twelve years of silence, one shattered past, and a love that never really disappeared. 💔🤠

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: Dual
Series: Harrington Ranch, Book 1 (can be read as a standalone)

Prepare the tissues because Savage Heart will take you through ALL the emotions. This was such an emotional, heartfelt, and beautifully messy second-chance romance about grief, blame, forgiveness, and finally finding the courage to face the past.

It was incredibly easy to devour, and once I started listening, I really struggled to put it down. Willow Aster brings together heartbreak, healing, forced proximity, small-town drama, buried secrets, and incredible chemistry in a story that kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end.

I absolutely loved Iris. She is such a strong FMC, and I really admired the way she has survived everything that was thrown at her without losing herself in the process. But one of my favorite parts of the entire book was her relationship with Linc. Their mother-son bond was genuinely beautiful, and those moments between them added so much heart to the story.

What I Loved

✔️ A strong and resilient FMC
✔️ Iris and Linc's beautiful mother-son relationship
✔️ Second-chance romance with plenty of emotional baggage
✔️ The emotional depth of the story
✔️ Grief, forgiveness, and healing
✔️ Buried secrets and revelations
✔️ Incredible chemistry between Iris and Maverick
✔️ Small-town and ranch atmosphere

🎧 Narration

Sean Masters and Chloe Ryan gave phenomenal performances in dual narration.

Sean's gritty tone brought the broody cowboy to life perfectly. He captured Maverick's anger, emotional walls, and softer moments so well.

Chloe's gentle yet steady tone was such a great fit for Iris. She brought out Iris's strength and vulnerability beautifully, making it incredibly easy to connect with her character.

Their performances worked so well together and added even more emotion to the story. If audiobooks are your thing, this is definitely one I'd recommend listening to.

Tropes & Vibes

✔️ Cowboy Romance
✔️ Small Town Romance
✔️ Second Chance Romance
✔️ Friends to Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Single Mom
✔️ Strong FMC
✔️ Tragic Past
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Rekindled Chemistry
✔️ Protective Hero
✔️ Healing Romance
✔️ Forgiveness & Healing
✔️ Emotional Romance

Final Thoughts

Savage Heart was an emotional and heartfelt second-chance romance that completely pulled me in. It has heartbreak, anger, regret, secrets, healing, and plenty of chemistry, but what really made it work for me was the emotional connection between the characters.

Iris was definitely the standout for me. She's strong, resilient, and easy to root for, and her relationship with Linc was honestly one of the most beautiful parts of the book.

Maverick has a lot of anger and hurt to work through, and watching these characters confront twelve years of pain, misunderstandings, and buried emotions made for an emotional ride.

If you enjoy cowboy romance, second chances, single moms, small-town drama, forced proximity, emotional healing, and characters who have a LOT of history to work through, Savage Heart is definitely worth picking up. Just bring the tissues.

[World Of Books 65]

If the first book in Willow Aster’s A Harrington Ranch series is any indication of what is to come, then firstly, this series is going to need a health warning… and you’d better have a couple of boxes of tissues ready before you start!
Savage Heart will completely wrap itself around your heart.

This is a powerful story of grief, secrets, forgiveness, love and second chances. At its heart are three best friends who have been inseparable since childhood — until one tragic night when they were eighteen changed everything.
For the two left behind, Maverick and Iris, life would never be the same.

Twelve years later, Iris is a single mum to her twelve-year-old son, Linc. She never left town. Instead, she stayed and worked hard to build a life for her son in the very place that had turned its back on her.
She has carried the judgement, the whispers and the weight of that night for twelve years — while somehow finding the strength to keep going and give Linc the life he deserves.

And then there is Mav.

He hasn’t been the same since that night. He lost not only his best friend, but the friend he loved. Twelve years have passed, but the pain, the unanswered questions and the memories haven't disappeared.

And now fate is about to step in.

Because Iris is still here. Mav is still here. And perhaps the past isn't quite finished with either of them.
Willow Aster has created such a deeply moving and emotional story, one where the past and present collide beautifully. I loved the flashbacks to the three friends growing up together — seeing their friendship, their bond and the happiness they shared makes the events of that fateful night even more heartbreaking.

And then there are the secrets.

As the story slowly reveals more of what happened, layer by layer, the emotions just keep building. The storyline is beautifully paced, the deeply rooted emotions are woven through every page, and the gradual unveiling of those secrets makes the whole story even more gut-wrenching.

And that HEA? 100% perfect. ❤️

But let's talk about the Harringtons…

Because being introduced to this family in book one was the absolute icing on the cake. They already feel like a family you’re going to want to know everything about, and I have a feeling they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

What comes next?
I honestly have no idea — and I LOVE that Willow Aster has given absolutely nothing away!
If heartfelt, moving stories filled with grief, secrets, forgiveness and love are your thing, then Savage Heart is a book you are going to devour.
And yes… I read it in one sitting. 💜

⭐ WOB 65 VERDICT:
A beautifully emotional, heart-wrenching start to what I already suspect is going to be one seriously addictive series.

📖 READ IT FOR:
❤️ Second-chance love
💔 Heart-wrenching secrets
👩‍👦 A fiercely determined single mum
🤝 Childhood friendships
🔥 Deep-rooted emotions
🤠 Small-town & ranch vibes
😭 Bring-the-tissues feels
💜 A perfectly deserved HEA

[Mandy Britt]

Savage Hearts by Willow Aster is a deeply moving examination of unresolved trauma and the difficult path to redemption, centering on Maverick Harrington and Iris Sullivan, two individuals whose lives were derailed twelve years prior on a fateful prom night.

Losing two of his best friends fundamentally changed Maverick, and rather than processing that profound grief, he buried it under anger and resentment while running Harrington Ranch.

Meanwhile, Iris has spent those same twelve years living in the shadow of that night, navigating single motherhood while enduring the relentless judgment of a small town that refused to let her move on.

She is a remarkably strong, resilient, and inspiring heroine who kept her head high and gave her son the world.
​
While explaining their intricate history requires avoiding spoilers, the narrative weaves in powerful flashbacks to reveal how deeply connected they once were.

The audiobook format elevates this bond even further, and narrators Chloe Ryan and Sean Masters have truly outdone themselves, bringing an incredible layer of emotional depth, character distinction, and chemistry to the performance.

Being forced back into Maverick's world brings every old hurt and unresolved feeling straight to the surface, and their vocal delivery makes the intense romantic and emotional tension leap.

Forgiveness does not come easily because their dynamic is tangled with guilt, lingering attraction, and heavy, unsaid truths.

Maverick built his entire view of Iris around anger and blame, but hearing those walls crack in the narration as he realizes the past isn't quite what he believed adds incredible depth.

Once he recognizes his mistakes, he makes it his mission to set things right, and their execution of the characters' push-and-pull is undeniable.

​The relationship that develops around Iris's son makes everything even more emotional, ensuring the consequences of those past secrets are no longer just about the two main characters.

No amount of grovelling could fully erase how poorly Iris was treated by a town that had some serious work to do, but hearing Maverick finally stand up for her and bring supportive people into her corner makes the resolution deeply satisfying.

Supported by a strong secondary cast—including the standout presence of Linc, brought to life wonderfully through the audio performance, and whom I am eager to hear more of in the series—the world-building extends past the central couple into a rewarding found-family dynamic.

Rich with longing, heartbreak, ranch life, and buried secrets, the audiobook version of Savage Hearts delivers everything you want in a story of two people deciding whether they are brave enough to let go of an unchangeable past.
​
If you are looking for an emotionally charged listen with a fierce heroine, top-tier audio talent, and a second-chance romance that will completely consume you from start to finish, grab your headphones and queue this one up immediately!

[Amy Carducci]

There are parts of Savage Heart that I desperately want to talk about, but I can’t. This is one of those books where experiencing those moments without knowing they’re coming is part of what makes the story so powerful. Go into this one as blind as possible.

I discovered Willow Aster through The Single Dad’s Playbook series, and I loved all five of those books. They packed some serious emotional punches, but Savage Heart hit me on an entirely different level. For me, this is Willow Aster’s most emotional book yet.

The story opens with a car accident that forever changes the lives of three people. At its core, this is a story about how one night can ripple through so many lives and how one choice, one decision, can haunt you for years.

Yes, this has the tropes we love: second chance, cowboy romance, single mom, small town. But this is so much more than a lighthearted, trope-driven romance.

Iris might be one of the strongest FMCs Willow has written. For twelve years, life has just kept hitting her. She’s raising her son alone in a small town where people judge her and openly treat her terribly. She endures verbal abuse and isolation while caring for an alcoholic mother who now has dementia. Her little circle is essentially her son and a wonderful older neighbor who has become a grandfather figure to them.

Then there’s Maverick. He carries his own hurt, anger and grief because Iris wasn’t simply someone from his past. She was the woman he loved. The woman he thought he would spend forever with. And eventually, all that history, longing and chemistry between them refuses to stay buried.

But more than anything, Savage Heart is about healing and forgiveness. And Willow doesn’t make either one neat or easy. Sometimes forgiveness is misunderstood. Sometimes healing is messy. Sometimes moving forward means finally confronting everything you’ve spent years carrying.

And somehow, after everything these characters endure, the story leaves you feeling complete. It reminds you that even after years of pain, you can find your way forward. You can start over.

The narration is outstanding.

Sean Masters is fantastic as Maverick. You can actually hear the hurt and longing in his performance. His voice was perfect for this character and gave Maverick exactly the emotional weight he needed.

Chloe Ryan is equally powerful as Iris. She captures her loneliness, strength and exhaustion in a way that makes you feel everything this woman has carried for twelve years.

Together, Sean and Chloe make an already emotional story even more powerful. This is one of those audiobooks where the performances become part of the emotional experience.

5⭐️ story. 5⭐️ narration. An emotional roller coaster that absolutely made me cry.

This one is going to stay with me.

ALC Disclosure: Thank you to Willow Aster and Valentine PR for the advance listening copy of Savage Heart. All opinions are my own.

[Mindie (loveleigh.reads)]

Cue ALL the tears! I bawled my eyes out. Because what do you mean it's been 12 years of the whole town hating her including her best friend when they don't actually know the real story! 😭

💔 Second Chance
🤠 Cowboy Romance
🩷 Single Mom
😭 Emotional AF
💫 Forced Proximity
❤️‍🔥 It’s Always Been You
🥹 Best Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers
❤️‍🩹 Forgiveness & Healing

I can't tell you how many times I cried throughout Savage Heart. This one absolutely GUTTED me. Maverick & Iris's lives were forever changed on one tragic night, and nothing has been the same for either of them for the last 12 years.

Once each other's everything, they're now essentially strangers. Especially after Maverick told Iris she no longer existed for him. You might think that after that night, Iris would leave their small town, but she didn't. She stayed. And for 12 years, she's had to deal with everyone's stares, judgment, & outright meanness. She's raised her son the best she can while doing everything in her power to protect him from the hurt and pain she's endured. And if everyone knew, REALLY knew what happened that night all those years ago, they might look at her differently. But she's held on to the past secrets and dealt with it for so long that it doesn't even seem like an option at this point.

One of Iris's son's favorite things to do is spend time at Maverick's family ranch, Harrington Ranch. And despite how everyone feels about Iris, he is welcomed there. So as he spends more time at the ranch, Iris & Maverick are inevitably forced to face each other again. Time hasn't softened Maverick's heart when it comes to forgiving Iris, but that doesn't necessarily mean it changed how he feels about her. Because underneath all that anger, the feelings he's had for her have never really gone away.

Mav's internal struggle was SO palpable. The anger, the hurt, the confusion, the love he doesn't want to admit is still there... THE ANGST. 😭 Watching these two navigate everything that happened between them after 12 years apart absolutely broke me. Then certain information comes to light, and EVERYTHING changes. I don't want to say too much because (no spoilers) & you truly need to experience for yourself, but the way everything comes together?! My heart. 💔

Maverick & Iris's story is one of grief, heartbreak, betrayal, forgiveness, & ultimately healing. Willow wrote their story in a way that made me FEEL every bit of their pain, and I was completely invested in these two from beginning to end.

Savage Heart is heartbreaking, emotional, messy, & beautifully written. It completely gutted me and then somehow managed to put my heart back together again. One of those stories that stays with you long after you finish. It is INCREDIBLE.

[Aysha]

Savage Heart is the first book in the Harrington Ranch series and can be read as a standalone.

There were three things I loved about this book: Iris, Linc (her son) and Otis (her fatherly figure who is an absolute star).

Iris is a strong, resilient woman and fantastic mum.
Linc was also awesome. I’m not surprised that Iris raised a great child all by herself.

Willow Aster’s writing kept me emotionally invested. The flashbacks in particular were beautifully written, added value to the story and flowed very well.

The dual narration by Chloe Ryan and Sean Masters made this an enjoyable listen that kept me engaged. Their voices definitely fit the characters’ personalities and the emotion was easily translated.

What was the main emotion I felt reading this? Anger. Pure unadulterated rage. I cried for Iris so much. The level of judgement and isolation she faces (and subsequently Linc) was truly appalling.
This town, including Maverick, his family and Lincoln’s (Linc’s father) family were all awful, like I hate them. I don’t know how Iris stayed there.
Linc’s grandmother was the worst, the fact that she denied Linc was her grandson was literally obscene. It was a true testament to Iris’s graciousness and good nature that she forgave everyone after one measly apology like that erases years of hurt. I know it was explained why she easily forgave them but I just don’t understand… Where was the grovel?!?

I kind of wish Iris got with Dalton (who did just kind of disappear?) over Maverick.
Did Maverick prove himself and stick up for Iris when he learnt the truth? Yes. Does than mean I forgive him? Absolutely not. He hurt Iris for 12 years without giving her a chance to explain! He didn’t really bother with Linc for 12 years!

In summary, there was a lot that I enjoyed. I was very invested in Iris and Linc’s HEA and the plot managed to surprise me a few times. However, I did guess the truth about Iris’s secret from the beginning. The main thing that affected my enjoyment of the book was the lack of grovelling and/or a true apology that felt genuine.

This book contains triggering content such as a car accident that leads to injuries, mention of death, parent who is an alcoholic, parent who has dementia, past childhood neglect, side character who has a heart attack, on-page panic attacks.

🏘️ Small town
🤠 Cowboy romance
👑 Single mum
💕 Second chance
💋 Forced proximity
😡 Friends to enemies to lovers
🤫 Old secrets
💔 One very complicated love story

Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Narration by Chloe Ryan & Sean Masters: 🌕🌕🌕🌕

QOTD: If you listen to audiobooks, can you do other tasks while you listen or do you have to give your full concentration?