Wild Rivals

Wild Heartlands #3

by K.A. James

A steamy small-town cowboy romance for fans of Elsie Silver and Paisley Hope!

Praise for KA

'What a way to kick start this series! I cant wait for the rest of it!' Reader Review

'So beautifully written and an amazing love story' Reader Review

'This is a beautifully written second chance cowboy x country star romance, one where we see the cowboy hung up on old feelings and heartbreak he hasn't gotten over yet. We see their love rekindle in the most lovely and delicious way!' Reader Review

Genres: Cowboy Romance, Romance, Westerns, Audiobook

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2026

About the author

KA James is the author of contemporary billionaire romances that bring the heat, the heart, and a billion reasons to fall. She writes steamy stories with swoon-worthy heroes and the heroines who keep them on their toes.

Her upcoming billionaire romance, Trust Me, Billionaire, brings back fan favorite characters from her debut series, Breaking the Rules.

When she’s not crafting happily-ever-afters, KA works in Human Resources and escapes into the stories playing like movies in her mind. KA James lives near London, England, with her fluffy Bichon Frisé, Mia, who has perfected the art of stealing the spotlight.

Come follow KA to be kept up to date on all things romance:

Join KA’s Facebook group: The Crossover - KA James & Addison Tate Reader Group

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Reviews

[Kaity]

so damn perfect <3 <3

[Wendy Livingstone]

This is the third book in this impressive series, and this is Maddie and Wyatt’s story.
Maddie and Wyatt’s families have been feuding for generations, and now the ranch between them is for sale, with Wyatt determined he is going to buy it first. Maddie and Wyatt have a history, but they are both as stubborn as each other. I love how their relationship eventually evolved from competing with each other to more.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, tension, angst, rivalry, secrets, drama, forbidden attraction, secrets, enemies / lovers, revelations, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, small-town romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

[Gosia]

I haven’t read the previous books. It was not necessary to understand this one, although at certain points it felt like a little bit of context is missing. Not anything important for the plot of main couple here so could be ignored but in terms of “is it a good standalone” I would say so-so.

The writing itself was just fine but I couldn’t get into the story or these characters fully. I had issues understanding their… issues.
The enemies part felt rather one sided. Wyatt was holding a grudge for what reason? I mean, he did have a reason but it was made into way bigger then than it made sense. And holding this rage and grudge for so long? I was rolling my eyes.

It felt like they started to have hots for each other out of the blue. The first kiss - what even was that. I needed to read it twice cause it felt THIS random.
Overall I just had issues with how it all started and it was hard to get past it. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters. Wyatt was too much of an a-hole, how is he supposed to be a love interest?
Come on, it’s romance, contemporary one, if you want to make him a black or grey character, write a dark/mafia romance, if you want to make him into a bit of an a-hole, at least give him good enough reason for it and then make him redeem himself.
This was not it.

Thank you Boldwood Books for NetGalley ARC.
I was excited for this book, especially since it’s not overly long (hashtag: bring back 300 pages romance books!) but sadly this book did not work for me at all.

[VickydpBooks]

If you love spicy western romance, enemies-to-lovers, feuding families and forbidden love, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR! 🤠💕

Maddie Hart and the Wilde family have been on opposite sides of a bitter family feud for generations. With a ranch caught between the two families going up for sale, the rivalry between Maddie and her longtime enemy reaches a whole new level. But beneath all those arguments, tension and years of resentment is an attraction neither of them can ignore.

I absolutely loved the enemies-to-lovers dynamic! The chemistry between Maddie and her rival was undeniable, and watching their relationship change from heated arguments and competition into something much deeper made this such an addictive read.

The ranch setting added the perfect western atmosphere, while the family feud brought plenty of drama, secrets and conflict. I especially enjoyed the forbidden aspect of their romance—knowing they shouldn’t be together only made their attraction even more intense. 🔥

With lifelong rivals, feuding families, a gorgeous ranch setting, forbidden romance and plenty of spice, this book had all the ingredients for a fun and swoony western romance.

Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage and Paisley Hope! 💕🤠🔥

Enemies to lovers + cowboy romance + family drama + forbidden love = a winning combination!

[Paige Rothwell]

The tension in this one was SO good.

Maddie and Wyatt have history, family drama, rivalry, stubbornness, and absolutely no ability to stay away from each other, which obviously made this very easy for me to love.

I really enjoyed watching their relationship shift from frustration and competition into something deeper. The chemistry was there from the beginning, but underneath it was so much emotion, hurt and history that made their story feel like more than just a rivals-to-lovers romance.

And Wyatt? That man was down bad whether he wanted to admit it or not.

I also loved the family dynamics throughout the story. There is so much history between these families, and I liked that the romance didn’t magically erase all of that. Maddie and Wyatt both had things they needed to work through, individually and together.

Small-town cowboys, family rivalry, banter, tension, chemistry and two incredibly stubborn people falling for each other?

[Julie Booklover]

Wild Rivals is the third book in the Wild Heartlands series. Maddie and Wyatt’s families have been feuding for generations. This book can stand alone, but this reader recommends reading them in order for the best enjoyment.

Now there is a lot going on between these two, but it comes down to Maggie and Wyatt are two of the most stubborn characters you will meet. They have a history, but there is a fine line between love and hate. There is tension, rivalry, competition, and undeniable chemistry between Maddie and Wyatt. I enjoyed watching these two using their competitive nature and eventually having it become more.

Then there is the rest of the story, the family dynamic, the secrets, the forbidden attraction. Now this is a small town, so add in the friendships, the banter, and the endless humor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Taylor]

Wild Rivals was an entertaining read. The plot line started out slow but picked up at the book went on. The characters had depth and were interesting to read about.

The tension and banter between Maddie and Wyatt was magnetic. This book was a whirlwind of emotions but there was never a dull moment in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne Wollstein]

I was super excited to read Maddie and Kades story and it did not disappoint. This book starts a little slower than the previous two, but the tension between the FMC and MMC was so good. I’ve really grown attached to these characters and hope we get another book soon!


Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for sending me this ARC!

[Rachel]

If you love a small town, enemies to lovers romance with a fair bit of steam, Wild Rivals would be perfect for your next read! I loved the spark between Wyatt and Maddie and how the tension was built and snapped between them. I really enjoyed KA James writing style and have enjoyed both books I’ve read by her.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Net Galley for this ARC.

[The Lit]

🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
​I am giving Wild Rivals by K.A. James a thrilling, high-stakes 4-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
​Get ready to hold onto your cowboy hats because this fiery western romance serves up top-tier enemies to lovers, delicious rivalry, and an unputdownable slow burn right to your Kindle screen! 🤠🌾🔥
​ARC Disclosure: A huge thank you to NetGalley, publisher Boldwood Books, and author K.A. James for providing an early digital review copy (eARC) of this book! All thoughts, fanatical reactions, and honest reflections shared in this review are entirely my own.
​The Review
​Wild Rivals by K.A. James is book three in the series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend picking up books one and two first! Because I jumped straight into this installment, it took me a little while to get into the rhythm of the story and fully wrap my head around the dynamic family histories involved. But once you find your footing in their world, this story hooks you completely—so much so that I ended up reading it in one sitting!
​Wyatt and Maddie are absolute top-tier lead characters! Their chemistry is magnetic, and K.A. James handles the enemies-to-lovers trope so masterfully that you simply cannot put the book down. The "he falls first and harder" element is executed to perfection, making every moment of quiet devotion hit so much deeper. If you love small-town western rivalries, electric tension, and slow-burn heat, this book is a captivating must-read!
​The Good
​Wyatt and Maddie carry this story with unbelievable chemistry! The enemies-to-lovers dynamic paired with "he falls first and harder" creates a page-turning tension that makes reading the book in a single sitting practically effortless.
​The Not So Good
​Because of the deep web of family dynamics established in the previous books, starting with book three means a slightly slower start while catching up on character connections.

[Reanna Abare]

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Wild Rivals in exchange for an honest review!

This has easily been my favorite book in the series so far. I enjoyed the first two books, but this one felt like it had more emotional depth, stronger character development, and a romance that really had time to build.

If you love dual POV, enemies to lovers, family rivals, cowboys, small town settings, ranch life, and a slow burn romance packed with tension, this one is definitely worth picking up.

The tension between Wyatt and Maddie was definitely the highlight for me. Their chemistry kept me invested from beginning to end, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time. I do wish we'd gotten a little more time with Wyatt and Maddie once everything finally came together. After investing in their journey, I would have loved a bit more of their happily ever after before the story ended.

I also highly recommend reading the first two books before starting this one. While the romance stands on its own, you'll get a much richer experience knowing the characters, families, and history that lead into this story.

I'm hoping K.A. James has more books planned for this world because I absolutely need Gracie's story and Autumn's story. I also wouldn't complain if Olivia or even Maddie's brothers ended up getting books too!

Overall, this was an enjoyable, easy to read cowboy romance with fantastic tension, lovable characters, and my favorite installment of the series yet. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

[Joanna]

I received this as an arc from Boldwood Books in exchange for my honest review

Enemies to lovers, feuding families, ranches and a whole lot of tension — Wild Rivals was such a fun introduction to Wild Heartlands!

Maddie Hart and her rival have spent years firmly on opposite sides of a family feud, with generations of bad blood between the Harts and Wildes. When the ranch sitting between their properties comes up for sale, their rivalry reaches a whole new level. Neither is willing to back down, and all those heated arguments soon start blurring the very thin line between hate and attraction.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two. The banter, stubbornness and competitive streak made the enemies-to-lovers element so entertaining, while the sneaking around added that delicious forbidden edge. There’s something about two people who are absolutely determined they can’t stand each other while simultaneously being completely unable to stay away from one another that gets me every time!

I also loved the Wild Heartlands setting. The ranching community, long-standing family history and small-town atmosphere gave the romance plenty of character, and I’m definitely intrigued by some of the people we meet along the way.

A steamy, addictive small-town romance packed with family rivalry, chemistry, secrets and plenty of tension. I really hope there are more books planned in this series because I’m absolutely not ready to leave Wild Heartland & Hartland families yet!

[Andrea Perez]

⭐ 2.5 stars ⭐

This was my first book from the series, and I actually think the dynamic between the characters was easy enough to understand without having read the previous books. That said... I really struggled with the romance.

These two go from 0 to 100 SO fast. They’ve known each other forever, but suddenly they’re completely obsessed with each other and can’t stop thinking about one another, and I just didn’t buy it. I needed way more build-up for that kind of connection.

I also wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, and unfortunately I never really connected with the characters. Wyatt’s anger especially confused me. I couldn't understand why he was still holding onto so much rage over something that happened TWENTY years ago. And then when the reason is finally revealed... WOW. Just... wow. That was the reason you've been this angry for 20 years?! I honestly didn't know what to say.

And then... THE “I’ve had better” comment after they had sex??? Excuse me??? The audacity of this man 😭 And the fact that he never properly apologizes for it made it even worse for me. Sorry not sorry, but from that point on I just couldn't understand their relationship or how we were supposed to move past that so easily.

Overall, everything just felt a little flat for me. There were some interesting ideas and I can see why others might enjoy the rivalry and the romance, but I needed more depth, more build-up, and honestly... a lot more groveling from Wyatt.

[Natasha Clark]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars

Wild Rivals was an absolute page-turner! K.A. James delivered a romance packed with tension, passion, and unforgettable characters that had me hooked from the very first chapter.

The rivals-to-lovers dynamic was executed brilliantly. Every interaction between the main characters crackled with chemistry, witty banter, and just the right amount of frustration, making their journey from enemies to something much deeper incredibly satisfying. Their emotional growth felt authentic, and I loved watching their walls slowly come down as the story unfolded.

The pacing was fantastic, balancing emotional moments, romance, and plenty of tension that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The chemistry was undeniable, and the steamy scenes were perfectly woven into a relationship that developed with real depth and heart.

K.A. James also did a wonderful job creating a setting and supporting cast that brought the story to life, making the world feel immersive and leaving me wanting more long after I finished.

If you love rivals-to-lovers romance, sharp banter, emotional vulnerability, irresistible chemistry, and a story that will have you smiling, swooning, and rooting for the characters every step of the way, Wild Rivals is one you won’t want to miss.

A fantastic read that easily earns five stars—I can’t wait to see what K.A. James writes next!

[Desiree Mosley - A Love Affair With Books]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 Stars

Wild Rivals by K.A. James is Book 3 in the Wild Heartland series. While you don’t have to read the previous books to appreciate Maddie and Wyatt’s story, reading them will give you some extra background on the other Wilde brothers, Grayson and Kade.

I absolutely loved the back-and-forth between Maddie and Wyatt. She gave him just as good as he gave her, and their chemistry and banter kept me entertained. Maddie is a true powerhouse of a woman, and it would take someone as strong and confident as Wyatt to even think about being her equal.

And then there’s Wyatt… 🔥 This man is one seriously sexy cowboy. Every time he called her “darlin’,” I understood the attraction immediately. 😂 The heartbreak toward the end nearly did me in, and I am NOT going to spoil it—not even with a hint! Just be prepared.

As a Florida girl, the thought of voluntarily living somewhere with Montana level snow has never exactly appealed to me. But the way the Hartlands and Heartlands were described? I might actually be convinced to reconsider my position. Maybe. 😂

Overall, Maddie and Wyatt made this a fun and emotional addition to the series. The banter, chemistry, heartbreak, and one very sexy cowboy made for an enjoyable read!

Now...someone tell me what is up with Autumn!!

Thank you to Net Galley and K.A. James for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Cora]

*A special thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.*

I ultimately decided to DNF this book at 15% because I couldn't connect with the characters.

The premise immediately caught my attention. An enemies-to-lovers romance about neighboring ranchers where the tension turns to passion makes for a compelling story. The writing is easy to follow and I enjoyed the sibling relationships on both the FMC and MMC's sides.

Where the story lost me was Wyatt's deep, irrational anger over things that happened 20+ years prior. He was so stuck in the past he couldn't let go, even though he wasn't directly involved in either situation and they didn't have any lasting impact. His anger and resentment felt very overblown and irrational, and made it very difficult to connect with him as a character. I also had a hard time with Maddie and Wyatt starting to "notice" each other out of nowhere. Given their intense resentment towards each other, the sudden and mutual attraction felt abrupt and unfounded. I wanted moments that showed why they began seeing each other differently, not just that they magically did.

Ultimately, this book wasnt the right fit for me, but you may like it if you enjoy:
*Cowboy Romance
*Family Rivals
*Enemies to Lovers

[Holli Pounds]

Im sad & excited to read this book! Its the last in the series, like an end of an era!!

We saw snippets of these two in the first two books and now we get to see how their story unfolds.

We have Wyatt who helps run Wild Heartlands Ranch with his brothers. Then we have Maddie who runs Hartlands Ranch with her father. I would call them being rivals mildly 🤭

It appears that something happened to Wyatts cousin twenty years ago that has caused his hatred for the Harts family. He cant seem to let go of that anger and blames Maddie for it aswell.

There is a plot of land up for sale that Maddie would love to buy but of course Wyatt over hears this and plans to out bid her. Will he ever get over the past?

As they seem to be seeing more of eachother feelings seem to switch from annoyance and frustration to something neither of them is willing to acknowledge yet.

When those two collide oh boy was it explosive. I absolutely loved it!! Their chemistry is off the charts, they are both reluctant because of the past but when they are together it's beautiful!

This book had me on the edge of my seat, I couldnt get enough, what a way to end this amazing series, hats of to KA James. Another 5 star read for me!

[Bookz4Hollz1225]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Maddie & Wyatt

From the very first chapter, I knew I was going to love this book! Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and Maddie and Wyatt delivered everything I wanted.

Wyatt has a difficult history with Maddie’s brother, so he doesn’t trust her family. With so many tourists coming into town, causing damage and trespassing on his property, he is already frustrated. Things get even more complicated when Maddie puts in a bid on a piece of land between their properties… and Wyatt wins it.

Maddie is furious and immediately goes to confront him. But their chemistry is impossible to ignore, and before long, they find themselves pulled toward each other despite trying to fight the connection.

When Wyatt finally convinces Maddie to go on a date with him, her dad gives his approval—but then she turns around and finds Wyatt on the floor! Will Maddie and Wyatt be able to make their relationship work? And what will happen with the piece of land between them?

This book was so good! It was definitely my favorite in the series. I loved the ending, the emotions, and especially the grand gesture. Maddie and Wyatt’s story was everything I hoped it would be.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. This is my honest review!

[K.J. Sweeney]

Wild Rivals is the very best kind of enemies-to-lovers story. Maddie and Wyatt don't just dislike or distrust one another; there's a deep-seated hatred that spans both families. As we all know, there's a thin line between love and hate and once this pair cross it, the chemistry is off the charts.
I loved the buildup of the tension between Maddie and Wyatt; they work really well together and although they are reluctant to begin with, they clearly bring out the best in one another.
This was a really entertaining read, and once I started, I didn't want to stop. It would have been nice to see a little bit more of them together once they finally took that step, but the build-up was so delicious that I didn't mind to much and despite wanting it, it might have taken some of the shine away if I'd got it.
I love this series and hope there's more to come soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

[Eileen Cassells]

Maddie and Wyatt, have been enemies for as long as they both can remember. Wyatt is holding onto anger over an incident that happens years ago, that anger is misdirected at Maddie.

After an anger fuelled argument leads to something else entirely. Both are left feeling confused by their recent actions.

I really enjoyed the story of Maddie and Wyatt and how anger seemed to draw them closer together yet make it harder for them to stay away from each other. It was clear in the way the book was written that their actions started to show a range of emotions and feelings that neither wanted to acknowledge at first.

When Maddie’s world is completely torn apart, she is left bereft and Wyatt shows up for her in a way I honestly didn’t think he would. He shows such a kind and compassionate side to him and I loved the development of that side to his character.

As always, a highlight of this series for me is Heartlands ranch, it is such a core part of all of the Wilde brothers stories and I adore the way it brings everyone together, all the time. It really makes it feel like a home from home.

The book starts off quite spicy and I really liked how that came first and then allowed the story to develop beyond that afterwards.

[Joanna HL]

Wild Rivals is basically Romeo & Juliet... but make it cowboys, rival families and a LOT of chemistry.

Maddie and Wyatt's families have been feuding forever, and when a ranch between them comes up for sale, things get even messier. They're stubborn, competitive and absolutely determined to be rivals... except they're also ridiculously caring and kind to each other underneath it all.

The tension between these two is FIRE. The banter, the rivalry, all those feelings they've been denying for far too long... and yes, when they finally stop denying them, the spice was SPICING.

But I loved the softer side too. There's grief woven through the story, and both Maddie and Wyatt have these tough exteriors while quietly showing up for each other when it matters.

I've read the other Wild Heartlands books, so I loved getting all those extra layers from the characters and community I already knew. Honestly, can I just move there now?

Such an easy, fun romance with loads of heart. I had a really good time with this one.

[Elia Winters]

I have been waiting for Mad’s and Wyatt’s story since I felt some chemistry and tension in previous books between them. I love how fast paced this book was and I appreciated the banter and rivalry Mad and Wyatt had but I don’t blame Maddie for being upset at Wyatt for upping his offer behind her back but I also love how he realized it wasn’t great and made it right ❤️ who doesn’t love a big gesture.

My heart broke from Maddie towards the end, no spoilers, but I do love that Wyatt and Maddie’s brother Deacon made peace after. Wyatt also didn’t give up on Maddie and showed up even when she didn’t know he was showing up. I loved that and I am glad Maddie could see that through the grief and open herself back up to Wyatt.

Biggest complaint is the reason Wyatt and Deacon hated each other (dumb boys). Otherwise it was so great.

Enjoyable story and I can’t wait to see more in this world!

[Lotte (themagicalpageturner)]

This past week I needed something light to read, so I figured a cowboy romance would be great and I was right! 🤠

Wild Rivals takes us into the story of Wyatt and Maddie. History between the two families has made them enemies, ignoring their chemistry until they can't deny it any longer.

I really liked how both Wyatt and Maggie developed in a natural way. Realising what is actually most important. I love fast paced stories as they keep me hooked and that is exactly what happened. KA James isn't afraid to bring emotional events into the story and I think every event and every development of the characters added perfectly to the story. There were a few intimite scenes, nothing to spicy though, decently written.

My only feedback would be Maddie calling her dad daddy while being an adult. To me that felt weird. And was a slight annoyance.

Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood books and author KA James for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Emma H]

Another visit to the ranches with lots of familiar characters. This time it is the turn of Wyatt the middle brother who has a reputation for the ladies. His issues from the past make it hard for him to build relationships outside his tight family and has always seemed quite angry through the books, despite being charming to most of the ladies in town and a blue eyed handsome cowboy. The main characters are smart, feisty and successful so sparks really go fly when they engage.

The family feud with the neighbouring Hart ranch runs particularly deep with this brother. However, when anger turns to lust with the Hart sister Maddie everything turns hot!

This book deals with grief, feelings on lots of levels, love, anger and friendship in a beautiful and realistic way. A slow burn of a book that turns read hot and leaves you feeling warm and happy. A great series and can’t wait to see who the focus is in the next book.

[Lauren Kenna]

I really enjoyed Wild Rivals. The enemies-to-lovers storyline, the family feud and all the history between the Wilde and Hart families made this such a fun read.

Maddie and Wyatt certainly know how to push each other's buttons! I loved the tension between them and watching all that rivalry slowly turn into something neither of them could really fight. There was plenty of chemistry, sneaking around and that feeling of knowing they absolutely shouldn't be together, but not being able to stay away from each other.

I really liked Maddie as a character. She was strong, stubborn and more than capable of standing up for herself, which made the back-and-forth with Wyatt even more entertaining. Their relationship had plenty of drama, but I loved seeing them start to realise that maybe the feud between their families didn't have to define them.

Another enjoyable addition to the Wild Heartlands series. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and seeing how everything came together.

[Lra]

I really enjoyed this one. Wyatt and Maddie have so much history that every interaction feels intense, whether they're arguing or trying to ignore the attraction that keeps growing. Their chemistry is one of the strongest parts of the story, and I liked how neither of them gave up easily.

The small town and ranch setting added a lot to the atmosphere, and the family dynamics made the story feel even more complete. There were plenty of emotional moments mixed with humor and tension, which kept me turning the pages. I also appreciated that both Wyatt and Maddie had their own personal struggles instead of the romance being their only focus.

If you like enemies to lovers, stubborn characters, family rivalries, and cowboy romances with lots of banter and emotional growth, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Kim]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC 🥰

I truly enjoyed getting to know Maddie and Wyatt. Their tension was off the CHARTS 🤭
The story starts really strong, they are true enemies and the background story tells you why. When they both want to buy the same land and Wyatt wins the tension boils over to a point of no return. It's where the tension shifts towards something deeper and feelings can no longer be ignored. It was really fun to read about.
I did not expect the little plot twist at the end of the book but that's what made it so good, so vulnerable and real.
I do feel like the ending was a little bit rushed and I would have liked to see a little more of their relationship developing.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone and I am definitely interested in reading the first two books in this series 🥰

[Lynn Brooks]

Enemies to lovers indeed! My first book by KA James will not be my last because I'm hooked on these families! This is the third book in the Wild Heartlands series, but I didn't find it hard to catch up on the family that came prior to Wyatt and Maddie. The one place that I did feel like there were major holes was with Autumn's story. The past happenings were kind of left in the dark, as well as who her baby daddy currently might be. I would have liked a little more clarity on that since she was a pretty big player in the storyline. Overall, I liked Wyatt and Maddie both quite a lot and their family backstory added layers to the plot. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a small town rancher type family who packs a punch with sass and swagger as each sibling is finding their very own happily ever after.

[N.L. Craig]

It's not a secret that Wyatt dislikes the Harts. So when he's in a bidding war against his rivals, especially the attractive Maddie Hart, he can't help but play dirty and win the game. But things aren't fair in war, and it may take love to break this long-standing feud.

James gives us a fantastic novel of an enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved seeing the characters from the previous books in the series, and we can see how far the timeline has continued, but we also continue to get more involved with the back story.

I couldn't help but laugh that no one could honestly keep a secret in this small town, and wanted to hold my head in my hands every time something was said.

There is also a heavy theme, which is written beautifully, showing understanding in a deeply sensitive scenario.

I am super excited for what this author brings us next, and whose story is to be told.

[M Letzer]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Transported yet again to the world of Heartland Ranch and all the wonder that it entails. Wild Rivals is a true enemies to lovers story filled with humor, angst, yearning and "oh so nice" spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️. Wyatt and Maddie have known each other since they were children but a teenage accident and business plans that not everyone agrees with, drove a wedge between the families over the years. The enemies to lovers trope is perfectly executed by KA James!!! This small town romance will hook you from the first page, drawing you in to a world that you truly want to be a part of.

Bravo KA James and thank you for continuing the Wild Heartlands series! Is there more to come?!?

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC