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Heartstrings
I knew I’d have my hands full being a nanny for Walker Rhodes: country music star, rugged cowboy, and hot-as-sin single dad.
Our sizzling chemistry is instant and too hot to handle. So he makes the rules clear: he's my boss. I'm off limits.
Except he loses his mind when he finds out I've never been touched by any other man.
He acts like my innocence is his to protect. Like I'm his to claim.
I’m a good girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Gruff cowboys with filthy mouths and a possessive streak are trouble and I know it.
But I’m learning there’s a softer side to him. He takes care of me without thinking. His walls drop when it’s just us. He’s a gentle, patient, loving dad to his little boy.
This is supposed to be temporary. No strings. When summer’s gone, so am I.
Only Walker holds me like he wants forever instead...
Single dad / nanny
Cowboy
Age gap
Grumpy / sunshine
He's her first
Jealous/possessive but secret cinnamon roll hero
Small town
Found family
Slow burn to high heat
So much banter
Summer vibes
Spice
Standalone. Dual POV. First person.
Our sizzling chemistry is instant and too hot to handle. So he makes the rules clear: he's my boss. I'm off limits.
Except he loses his mind when he finds out I've never been touched by any other man.
He acts like my innocence is his to protect. Like I'm his to claim.
I’m a good girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Gruff cowboys with filthy mouths and a possessive streak are trouble and I know it.
But I’m learning there’s a softer side to him. He takes care of me without thinking. His walls drop when it’s just us. He’s a gentle, patient, loving dad to his little boy.
This is supposed to be temporary. No strings. When summer’s gone, so am I.
Only Walker holds me like he wants forever instead...
Single dad / nanny
Cowboy
Age gap
Grumpy / sunshine
He's her first
Jealous/possessive but secret cinnamon roll hero
Small town
Found family
Slow burn to high heat
So much banter
Summer vibes
Spice
Standalone. Dual POV. First person.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2026
99 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Kes Winter
4 books66 followersKes Winter loves creating steamy, emotional, high-tension love stories featuring obsessive heroes and strong heroines. She runs on coffee, sugar, and an overactive imagination.
In the rare moments she’s not writing, she’s usually staying up until the middle of the night reading a book.
Keep up with my latest releases and get fun behind-the-scenes glimpses and goodies by joining my newsletter! It's always on the last page of my books or on my website: keswinter dot com.
In the rare moments she’s not writing, she’s usually staying up until the middle of the night reading a book.
Keep up with my latest releases and get fun behind-the-scenes glimpses and goodies by joining my newsletter! It's always on the last page of my books or on my website: keswinter dot com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heartstrings is the first book in the Wild Rose Ranch series written by Kes Winter. I have never heard nor never read anything by this author before, but my goodness her storytelling and beautiful writing style left me completely speechless, I can't wait to read the next book by the one and only talented Kes Winter. Heartstrings was beautiful, emotional, heart warming, extremely spicy, inspiring, raw, authentic, powerful, aesthetic, and bohemian. I don't know what it is, but there's just something about a single dad and a cowboy that has me kicking my feet in the air and giggling while raising my standards hoping this kind of man walks into my life and treating me like a queen. When I first started this book, I thought it was going to be all cute and fluffy, but boy was I wrong, yes it was cute, but it was so much more than that, it was just perfect in every single way. I mainly requested this book because of that stunning cover, but by the end I had happy tears streaming down my face. This love story was truly so beautiful, I hope this kind of love finds me one day. Heartstrings is a world of whiskey kisses, midnight swims, trail rides through the mountains, and heroes with rough hands and filthy mouths but big hearts. I can't recommend this book enough, if you love single dads, cowboys, romance, and spice then y'all better have your calendars marked for April 9th, 2026 for the publication of this beautiful love story because it will touch the hearts of many readers.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND VICTORY EDITING NETGALLEY CO-OP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
☾𖤓ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy- Big & Rich☾𖤓
1:00 ───|──────3:21
📖🌸💖TROPES & THEMES📖🌸💖
🤠🎆Single Dad/Nanny🤠🎆
🤠🎆Cowboy🤠🎆
🤠🎆Age Gap- (Female: 24 years old, Male: 36 years old)🤠🎆
🤠🎆Grumpy/Sunshine🤠🎆
🤠🎆He's Her First🤠🎆
🤠🎆Jealous/Possessive but secret cinnamon roll hero🤠🎆
🤠🎆Found Family🤠🎆
🤠🎆Slow Burn to High Heat🤠🎆
🤠🎆So Much Banter🤠🎆
🤠🎆Summer Vibes🤠🎆
🤠🎆Spice🤠🎆
"❣️☁️Cloud nine. That's the thing about clouds. You can't hold them. They always drift away❣️☁️".
"🎶📖One of the things you learn as a songwriter is how to say the most with the fewest words🎶📖".
"💘🦋Isn't it better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all💘🦋?"
"💟🤪You can only young, wild, and free for so long before you start wondering if there's more to life than what craziness you can get up to on a Saturday night💟🤪".
"💓🥰I'm an asshole who is absolutely fucking crazy about you💓🥰".
Sadie Sullivan is twenty-four years old and has never been in a relationship before, she's also a virgin, and she has never been given flowers before. Sadie is the true definition of girl next door perfection with the most gorgeous red hair and beautiful blue eyes. Sadie is in Marble Falls, Montana for the summer in a trailer park taking care of her ailing mother, but in the fall she has plans to move to New York City to become an English teacher. But for the summer in Marble Falls, Sadie is a tutor for the literacy program at the community center. Sadie is the more nerdy librarian type than a party girl. Sadie is a small town girl with a smart mouth who had to grow up way too fast because her father decided to walk away from his family. Despite having a smart mouth, Sadie has one of the more purest hearts of gold. Miss Sadie Sullivan is so sassy she can make a smile look like a middle finger in the air. My girl Sadie, I love you so much, but you broke my heart and I related to you so much, Sadie takes care of everyone around her but puts herself last. As a people pleaser, it felt like Sadie was my twin, all you want to do is make everyone around you happy that you often forget to take care of your own mental health. For the few months she has left in Marble Falls, Sadie is going to be a live in nanny for Walker Rhodes where she takes care of Walker's son. Sadie is CPR trained and a certified lifeguard. Walker was Sadie's favorite musician because when things were bad at home during her childhood, Walker's music made her feel like she wasn't alone in feeling so lonely.
Walker Rhodes is a thirty-six year old country artist and of course he has the cutest five year old son named Jonah who will just steal your heart. Walker has spent the last decade in Nashville, Tennessee or traveling the world on tour, but now he's mentally exhausted so he returns home to Marble Falls, Montana where he plans to live a quiet and simple life. As a musical artist, Walker has three Grammy's, multiple sold out world tours, and a Stagecoach headliner, but now he's in a music rut because he's afraid to be vulnerable. Walker is a hot lumberjack who owns Wild Rose Ranch which is one of the most beautiful properties. Walker's son- Jonah is struggling in school after the divorce between his parents, so Walker is looking for a live in nanny to help Jonah while Walker tends to the needs on the ranch. Walker and his ex-wife met on set for one of his music videos, she's also a supermodel, but they have been divorced for two years because she publicly cheated on Walker. I love the relationship between Walker and Jonah- he just loves his son so fiercely. As an entitled bossy ass cowboy- Walker has a stallion named Journey. Despite being grumpy, Walker has a big fierce loyal heart and he constantly worries about the people he loves so deeply.
Sadie and Walker have this obsessed with you- can't spend another moment of this one wild and beautiful life without you thing going on. They both keep their walls up because they both have deep emotional baggage, but as the story goes on their character and personal growths were so inspiring. Before Sadie, Walker was a mountain lion with a thorn in it's paw, but now he's full of smiles. Walker likes to make Sadie mad because he finds it cute when she gets all sassy. Walker and Sadie first met when Sadie was swimming naked in the lake on the Rhodes property and Walker gave her a lecture on hypothermia because Sadie left her clothes and towel in her car. After their meeting, Walker hires Sadie to be his live in nanny for three months from seven in the morning to five in the evening, but she has the weekends off. During their time together, Walker becomes so protective of Sadie, he fantasizes about making her his wife, and he's so gentle and guides her during Sadie's first spicy time. Walker's crazy possessive talk had me swooning the entire time. I absolutely love and adore the relationship Sadie and Jonah had- they both bonded together because they were both left behind by someone who was supposed to love them the most. I absolutely loved and adored watching Sadie and Walker together, their chemistry was just off the charts beautiful and hot and of course I love how they included Jonah in some of the things they did. Ugh, I can't wait to meet them in book two again.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND VICTORY EDITING NETGALLEY CO-OP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
☾𖤓ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy- Big & Rich☾𖤓
1:00 ───|──────3:21
📖🌸💖TROPES & THEMES📖🌸💖
🤠🎆Single Dad/Nanny🤠🎆
🤠🎆Cowboy🤠🎆
🤠🎆Age Gap- (Female: 24 years old, Male: 36 years old)🤠🎆
🤠🎆Grumpy/Sunshine🤠🎆
🤠🎆He's Her First🤠🎆
🤠🎆Jealous/Possessive but secret cinnamon roll hero🤠🎆
🤠🎆Found Family🤠🎆
🤠🎆Slow Burn to High Heat🤠🎆
🤠🎆So Much Banter🤠🎆
🤠🎆Summer Vibes🤠🎆
🤠🎆Spice🤠🎆
"❣️☁️Cloud nine. That's the thing about clouds. You can't hold them. They always drift away❣️☁️".
"🎶📖One of the things you learn as a songwriter is how to say the most with the fewest words🎶📖".
"💘🦋Isn't it better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all💘🦋?"
"💟🤪You can only young, wild, and free for so long before you start wondering if there's more to life than what craziness you can get up to on a Saturday night💟🤪".
"💓🥰I'm an asshole who is absolutely fucking crazy about you💓🥰".
Sadie Sullivan is twenty-four years old and has never been in a relationship before, she's also a virgin, and she has never been given flowers before. Sadie is the true definition of girl next door perfection with the most gorgeous red hair and beautiful blue eyes. Sadie is in Marble Falls, Montana for the summer in a trailer park taking care of her ailing mother, but in the fall she has plans to move to New York City to become an English teacher. But for the summer in Marble Falls, Sadie is a tutor for the literacy program at the community center. Sadie is the more nerdy librarian type than a party girl. Sadie is a small town girl with a smart mouth who had to grow up way too fast because her father decided to walk away from his family. Despite having a smart mouth, Sadie has one of the more purest hearts of gold. Miss Sadie Sullivan is so sassy she can make a smile look like a middle finger in the air. My girl Sadie, I love you so much, but you broke my heart and I related to you so much, Sadie takes care of everyone around her but puts herself last. As a people pleaser, it felt like Sadie was my twin, all you want to do is make everyone around you happy that you often forget to take care of your own mental health. For the few months she has left in Marble Falls, Sadie is going to be a live in nanny for Walker Rhodes where she takes care of Walker's son. Sadie is CPR trained and a certified lifeguard. Walker was Sadie's favorite musician because when things were bad at home during her childhood, Walker's music made her feel like she wasn't alone in feeling so lonely.
Walker Rhodes is a thirty-six year old country artist and of course he has the cutest five year old son named Jonah who will just steal your heart. Walker has spent the last decade in Nashville, Tennessee or traveling the world on tour, but now he's mentally exhausted so he returns home to Marble Falls, Montana where he plans to live a quiet and simple life. As a musical artist, Walker has three Grammy's, multiple sold out world tours, and a Stagecoach headliner, but now he's in a music rut because he's afraid to be vulnerable. Walker is a hot lumberjack who owns Wild Rose Ranch which is one of the most beautiful properties. Walker's son- Jonah is struggling in school after the divorce between his parents, so Walker is looking for a live in nanny to help Jonah while Walker tends to the needs on the ranch. Walker and his ex-wife met on set for one of his music videos, she's also a supermodel, but they have been divorced for two years because she publicly cheated on Walker. I love the relationship between Walker and Jonah- he just loves his son so fiercely. As an entitled bossy ass cowboy- Walker has a stallion named Journey. Despite being grumpy, Walker has a big fierce loyal heart and he constantly worries about the people he loves so deeply.
Sadie and Walker have this obsessed with you- can't spend another moment of this one wild and beautiful life without you thing going on. They both keep their walls up because they both have deep emotional baggage, but as the story goes on their character and personal growths were so inspiring. Before Sadie, Walker was a mountain lion with a thorn in it's paw, but now he's full of smiles. Walker likes to make Sadie mad because he finds it cute when she gets all sassy. Walker and Sadie first met when Sadie was swimming naked in the lake on the Rhodes property and Walker gave her a lecture on hypothermia because Sadie left her clothes and towel in her car. After their meeting, Walker hires Sadie to be his live in nanny for three months from seven in the morning to five in the evening, but she has the weekends off. During their time together, Walker becomes so protective of Sadie, he fantasizes about making her his wife, and he's so gentle and guides her during Sadie's first spicy time. Walker's crazy possessive talk had me swooning the entire time. I absolutely love and adore the relationship Sadie and Jonah had- they both bonded together because they were both left behind by someone who was supposed to love them the most. I absolutely loved and adored watching Sadie and Walker together, their chemistry was just off the charts beautiful and hot and of course I love how they included Jonah in some of the things they did. Ugh, I can't wait to meet them in book two again.
April 19, 2026
“Heartstrings. Of course. A guitar has strings. So does a heart. Both are the kind that go slack and silent after enough neglect, that need coaxing back into tune.
The kind that once they start vibrating again, make beautiful music.”
This is my second book by Kes Winter, and yeah… I’m not disappointed. Not even a little. The first one was a short, sweet little taste, but this? This felt fuller. Richer. And listen, I am absolutely WEAK for a single dad x nanny situation. Absolutely gone. I flew through this so fast it almost felt disrespectful, like I should’ve slowed down and savored it more (but also… the tension?? impossible to resist).
Because the thing is… it’s not exactly a slow burn, but it kind of is??? At least emotionally. Walker is GONE for her early on, like fully spiraling internally while trying to keep it together. And his internal battle?? DELICIOUS. Watching him fight himself while she’s just there, living in his house, existing in his space, breathing his air… HAHA YEAH. YOU BETTER BELIEVE I ATE THAT UP. 😝😝
SIR. WE HEAR YOU. WE SEE YOU. AND WE LOVE THAT FOR US. (yes us because this was just as much for us as it was for Walker🙄)
And Sadie… I loved her. There’s something about the way she just… she’s so caring in a way that feels instinctive rather than forced. The way she connects with Jonah?? My heart didn’t stand a chance. 😭 Their relationship felt so genuine and grounding, like she didn’t just walk into Walker’s life… she rooted herself into every part of it. 🥹
AND I—??? I need a moment. 😭😭 Because that right there is exactly the energy. She didn’t change herself to fit into his world, she became his world. Effortlessly. Naturally. (and yes, I did in fact giggle and kick my feet after I read that🤭)
Also, can we talk about how she becomes his muse?? Because that wrecked me. The idea that just her presence, her being herself, is enough to pull him out of a creative drought???
I’m unwell. SEND A DOCTOR 😩😭
AND THE BED OF THE TRUCK SCENE??? Yeah. I’m not elaborating. Just know it has a permanent residence in my brain now. Sweet, intimate, and a little bit charged 🥹🥹 (okay or a lot)
For all of Walker’s rough edges, there’s this softness underneath that only she gets to see. The way he takes care of her without even thinking about it. The way he notices her. He takes care of her when no one else does 🥹🥹🥹
And that’s it. That’s the whole book distilled into two lines. Not grand gestures. Not extravagance. Just… choosing each other.
I will say the ending felt a little rushed, especially the epilogue. I wanted more time to sit in it, to breathe in the after of everything they built. It wasn’t bad, it just felt like it sped up right when I wanted it to slow down the most. 😭
But overall?? This was so good. Warm, a little messy, full of tension and heart and a cowboy who just wants to give his girl the world. 🥹🫶🏼
And now I’m left here wondering… are we getting Cassidy and Tanner next or Josie and Rafe 👀 because I am OH SO INVESTED.
things to know about the book ↓
💙 single dad x nanny
💙 grumpy x sunshine
💙 age gap (she’s 24 / he’s 36)
💙 forced proximity
💙 he falls first and HARD
💙 virgin FMC
💙 found family
💙 dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
The biggest thank you to BookSirens & Kes Winter for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The kind that once they start vibrating again, make beautiful music.”
This is my second book by Kes Winter, and yeah… I’m not disappointed. Not even a little. The first one was a short, sweet little taste, but this? This felt fuller. Richer. And listen, I am absolutely WEAK for a single dad x nanny situation. Absolutely gone. I flew through this so fast it almost felt disrespectful, like I should’ve slowed down and savored it more (but also… the tension?? impossible to resist).
Because the thing is… it’s not exactly a slow burn, but it kind of is??? At least emotionally. Walker is GONE for her early on, like fully spiraling internally while trying to keep it together. And his internal battle?? DELICIOUS. Watching him fight himself while she’s just there, living in his house, existing in his space, breathing his air… HAHA YEAH. YOU BETTER BELIEVE I ATE THAT UP. 😝😝
“How am I supposed to function when a mere smile from her makes me feel like I’m losing my mind?”
SIR. WE HEAR YOU. WE SEE YOU. AND WE LOVE THAT FOR US. (yes us because this was just as much for us as it was for Walker🙄)
And Sadie… I loved her. There’s something about the way she just… she’s so caring in a way that feels instinctive rather than forced. The way she connects with Jonah?? My heart didn’t stand a chance. 😭 Their relationship felt so genuine and grounding, like she didn’t just walk into Walker’s life… she rooted herself into every part of it. 🥹
“There’s no ‘just’ anything about Sadie. She waltzed into my life, into my home, and reoriented my entire world around her.
She’s not an employee.
She’s the queen of this house.
Long may she reign.”
AND I—??? I need a moment. 😭😭 Because that right there is exactly the energy. She didn’t change herself to fit into his world, she became his world. Effortlessly. Naturally. (and yes, I did in fact giggle and kick my feet after I read that🤭)
Also, can we talk about how she becomes his muse?? Because that wrecked me. The idea that just her presence, her being herself, is enough to pull him out of a creative drought???
“Darlin’,” he says. “Don’t you know? Any song I ever write again will be for you.”
“It’s my love letter to her. Twelve tracks. Forty-three minutes. Everything I haven’t been able to say out loud since the second week of June.”
I’m unwell. SEND A DOCTOR 😩😭
AND THE BED OF THE TRUCK SCENE??? Yeah. I’m not elaborating. Just know it has a permanent residence in my brain now. Sweet, intimate, and a little bit charged 🥹🥹 (okay or a lot)
For all of Walker’s rough edges, there’s this softness underneath that only she gets to see. The way he takes care of her without even thinking about it. The way he notices her. He takes care of her when no one else does 🥹🥹🥹
“What do you want, baby? I just wanna give you the world.”
“I don’t want the world. I just want you.”
And that’s it. That’s the whole book distilled into two lines. Not grand gestures. Not extravagance. Just… choosing each other.
I will say the ending felt a little rushed, especially the epilogue. I wanted more time to sit in it, to breathe in the after of everything they built. It wasn’t bad, it just felt like it sped up right when I wanted it to slow down the most. 😭
But overall?? This was so good. Warm, a little messy, full of tension and heart and a cowboy who just wants to give his girl the world. 🥹🫶🏼
And now I’m left here wondering… are we getting Cassidy and Tanner next or Josie and Rafe 👀 because I am OH SO INVESTED.
things to know about the book ↓
💙 single dad x nanny
💙 grumpy x sunshine
💙 age gap (she’s 24 / he’s 36)
💙 forced proximity
💙 he falls first and HARD
💙 virgin FMC
💙 found family
💙 dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
The biggest thank you to BookSirens & Kes Winter for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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dnr
March 27, 2026“Except he loses his mind when he finds out I've never been touched by any other man.
He acts like my innocence is his to protect. Like I'm his to claim.”
WHAT THE F 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
He acts like my innocence is his to protect. Like I'm his to claim.”
WHAT THE F 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC REVIEWER
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟|🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I loved this so much 💗from the very first interaction between Sadie and Walker, I was hooked.
Walker being into her from the start and I loved it. And in true cowboy fashion, he’s clearly into her but still tries to be a gentleman, keeping a little distance. That push-pull tension was so good.
Sadie is such a fiery spitfire—bold, witty, and actually challenges him. She made me smile the whole time and I loved her energy.
And the tension… SO good. The chemistry between them was insane.
The Fourth of July scene honestly checked every box for me, sentimental, a little spicy, and still really wholesome 🥹
Sadie loving her Jonah was so sweet 🫶 he’s such a cutie, just a kid who wants to be loved and happy, and it made my heart so soft.
And jealous Walker… definitely one of my favorite parts. It felt like the tension finally paid off and was worth the wait.
I finished this and immediately wanted to rant with someone about it 😭
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟|🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I loved this so much 💗from the very first interaction between Sadie and Walker, I was hooked.
Walker being into her from the start and I loved it. And in true cowboy fashion, he’s clearly into her but still tries to be a gentleman, keeping a little distance. That push-pull tension was so good.
Sadie is such a fiery spitfire—bold, witty, and actually challenges him. She made me smile the whole time and I loved her energy.
And the tension… SO good. The chemistry between them was insane.
The Fourth of July scene honestly checked every box for me, sentimental, a little spicy, and still really wholesome 🥹
Sadie loving her Jonah was so sweet 🫶 he’s such a cutie, just a kid who wants to be loved and happy, and it made my heart so soft.
And jealous Walker… definitely one of my favorite parts. It felt like the tension finally paid off and was worth the wait.
I finished this and immediately wanted to rant with someone about it 😭
April 23, 2026
I want to begin by thanking NetGalley for the ARC of Heartstrings in exchange for an honest review.
It was my first book by this writer and not the last one. I enjoyed reading this beautiful, tender, emotional and spicy romance so much. But what I love the most is definitely the writing. It’s a special style of few words but so powerful and meaningful. I felt deeply every emotion and it has something very poetic. Honestly, I’m very impressed and speechless by Kes Winter’s work.
If you’re a lover of : single dad x nanny • cowboy/country singer x teacher • age gap (24/36) • found family and spicy, this book is definitely for you !!!
My sweet little boy Jonah had my heart from the first line. He is such a tender heart, sunshine and sensitive child. Seeing him evolve day by day with Sadie brought me so many tears and smiles. I felt like a proud mom, as if he was my own child.
Sadie and Walker had such great chemistry on every plan : deep feelings, connection, sparks and fight. They couldn’t feel more right for each other. It’s the story of two souls who have wounds who just needed to take care of each other.
I loved them together as much as separately. They’re two interesting characters with strong personalities. They touched a part of my heart.
I loved the storytelling, writing, characters and all the amazing atmosphere surrounding it. Everything have been behind my expectations!
It was my first book by this writer and not the last one. I enjoyed reading this beautiful, tender, emotional and spicy romance so much. But what I love the most is definitely the writing. It’s a special style of few words but so powerful and meaningful. I felt deeply every emotion and it has something very poetic. Honestly, I’m very impressed and speechless by Kes Winter’s work.
If you’re a lover of : single dad x nanny • cowboy/country singer x teacher • age gap (24/36) • found family and spicy, this book is definitely for you !!!
My sweet little boy Jonah had my heart from the first line. He is such a tender heart, sunshine and sensitive child. Seeing him evolve day by day with Sadie brought me so many tears and smiles. I felt like a proud mom, as if he was my own child.
Sadie and Walker had such great chemistry on every plan : deep feelings, connection, sparks and fight. They couldn’t feel more right for each other. It’s the story of two souls who have wounds who just needed to take care of each other.
I loved them together as much as separately. They’re two interesting characters with strong personalities. They touched a part of my heart.
I loved the storytelling, writing, characters and all the amazing atmosphere surrounding it. Everything have been behind my expectations!
April 9, 2026
REVIEW OF ADVANCE COPY RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR
My 1st Kes winter book pure perfection.
I love it sooo much. Miss i can do it all by myself meets i know but let me do it for you.
You can't go wrong with a single dad cowboy romance. Were do i began I love them so much.
I was hooked finished it all in one sitting. Their banter, their chemistry, the push-pull tension it was amazing.
Walker takes care of everyone he loves it's adorable.
The fourth of July scene was my most favorite scene the stargazing tho things hot a little spicier after.
The relationship Jonah and Sadie have was adorable and cute. She was a mother figure to him as since she 1st met him. They way she cares for him, she treates him she did more tham his bio mom did. She was his momma since day 1.
Jealous Walker is fun and they way and Sadie knowing which button to push..... just cute. Reading these book It was an just AMAZING.
I love a Single Dad X Nanny with an age gap ❤
My 1st Kes winter book pure perfection.
I love it sooo much. Miss i can do it all by myself meets i know but let me do it for you.
You can't go wrong with a single dad cowboy romance. Were do i began I love them so much.
I was hooked finished it all in one sitting. Their banter, their chemistry, the push-pull tension it was amazing.
Walker takes care of everyone he loves it's adorable.
The fourth of July scene was my most favorite scene the stargazing tho things hot a little spicier after.
The relationship Jonah and Sadie have was adorable and cute. She was a mother figure to him as since she 1st met him. They way she cares for him, she treates him she did more tham his bio mom did. She was his momma since day 1.
Jealous Walker is fun and they way and Sadie knowing which button to push..... just cute. Reading these book It was an just AMAZING.
I love a Single Dad X Nanny with an age gap ❤
April 11, 2026
He thinks she’s trouble. She finds the man behind the damage.
Sadie takes a summer job expecting long days, sharp edges, and a paycheck that gets her one step closer to the life she’s planned for herself. What she doesn’t expect is Walker: a famous cowboy with a wrecked heart and a house full of silence he’s barely holding together. She’s there for his son, not for him, but the chemistry hits anyway, and it doesn’t take long for every rule between them to start feeling fragile.
The longer Sadie stays, the more the lines blur. Walker is possessive, restrained, and far more caring than he wants anyone to notice. Sadie is all grit, loyalty, and buried softness. What starts as friction turns into dangerous intimacy, built in kitchens, quiet hallways, and the small domestic moments neither of them knows how to treat lightly. By the time desire breaks through, it isn’t just heat. It’s trust, hunger, and the fear of losing something neither of them planned to need.
Sadie grows into someone willing to trust care and choose love without treating it like weakness. Walker learns to stop hiding behind pride and ask for the future he wants. Their relationship shifts from combative attraction into sexual trust, emotional dependence, and the kind of partnership that starts to feel like home.
Ultra steamy, age gap, forbidden, single dad, nanny, grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, forced proximity, protective hero, cowboy, small town romance about two guarded people pulled together by timing, proximity, and need, where sharp banter and protective heat give way to trust, vulnerability, and the kind of care that changes everything. It’s about healing after betrayal, risking real intimacy, and learning that home can be something you choose with the people who finally make you feel fully known.
The Elevator Pitch: A sharp-tongued young nanny takes a summer job in the home of a brooding country star and single father, only to find that the man who unsettles her most is also the one quietly rebuilding a life from the inside out. What begins as friction and forbidden pull turns into something far more dangerous when desire gives way to trust, and the temporary space between them starts to feel like home. But when both of them have more to lose than they can admit, love becomes less about surrender and more about whether two wounded people can choose each other before time runs out.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
Sadie takes a summer job expecting long days, sharp edges, and a paycheck that gets her one step closer to the life she’s planned for herself. What she doesn’t expect is Walker: a famous cowboy with a wrecked heart and a house full of silence he’s barely holding together. She’s there for his son, not for him, but the chemistry hits anyway, and it doesn’t take long for every rule between them to start feeling fragile.
The longer Sadie stays, the more the lines blur. Walker is possessive, restrained, and far more caring than he wants anyone to notice. Sadie is all grit, loyalty, and buried softness. What starts as friction turns into dangerous intimacy, built in kitchens, quiet hallways, and the small domestic moments neither of them knows how to treat lightly. By the time desire breaks through, it isn’t just heat. It’s trust, hunger, and the fear of losing something neither of them planned to need.
Sadie grows into someone willing to trust care and choose love without treating it like weakness. Walker learns to stop hiding behind pride and ask for the future he wants. Their relationship shifts from combative attraction into sexual trust, emotional dependence, and the kind of partnership that starts to feel like home.
Ultra steamy, age gap, forbidden, single dad, nanny, grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, forced proximity, protective hero, cowboy, small town romance about two guarded people pulled together by timing, proximity, and need, where sharp banter and protective heat give way to trust, vulnerability, and the kind of care that changes everything. It’s about healing after betrayal, risking real intimacy, and learning that home can be something you choose with the people who finally make you feel fully known.
The Elevator Pitch: A sharp-tongued young nanny takes a summer job in the home of a brooding country star and single father, only to find that the man who unsettles her most is also the one quietly rebuilding a life from the inside out. What begins as friction and forbidden pull turns into something far more dangerous when desire gives way to trust, and the temporary space between them starts to feel like home. But when both of them have more to lose than they can admit, love becomes less about surrender and more about whether two wounded people can choose each other before time runs out.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
April 3, 2026
This was absoute single, broody, cowboy daddy perfection.
You have so many amazing things going in:
- singe dad
- small town/cowboy
- grumpy/sunshine
- an adorable little boy who loves with his whole heart
- found family
This reminds me a lot of the chestnut springs series by Elsie Silver with the small town, multiple brothers, a big ranch where they grew up together and found family vibes.
The characters here are well written, with a lot of depth. The relationship between Sadie and Walker is straight up chefs kiss, 10/10, zero notes. Their banter is spot on, the way their relationship developed over time, how they both let down their walls for each other, and the love that is so palpable between them will have you so excited for them. Everything about this book and the romance is beyond heartwarming.
I loved how Sadie was able to completely change Walker and Jonah’s lives and bring them so much happiness. That kid will have you melting, the mouth on Walker will have you sweating and swooning, and the way Sadie shows up for them and loves them will leave you breathless.
I absolutely loved this book. If you liked caught up by Liz Tomforde or the chestnut springs series by Elsie Silver you should run, not walk to grab this book so that you can be completely swept off of your feet by Walker Rhodes.
Thank you to Book Sirens and to the author for this advanced reader copy of the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
5⭐️
2.5🌶️
You have so many amazing things going in:
- singe dad
- small town/cowboy
- grumpy/sunshine
- an adorable little boy who loves with his whole heart
- found family
This reminds me a lot of the chestnut springs series by Elsie Silver with the small town, multiple brothers, a big ranch where they grew up together and found family vibes.
The characters here are well written, with a lot of depth. The relationship between Sadie and Walker is straight up chefs kiss, 10/10, zero notes. Their banter is spot on, the way their relationship developed over time, how they both let down their walls for each other, and the love that is so palpable between them will have you so excited for them. Everything about this book and the romance is beyond heartwarming.
I loved how Sadie was able to completely change Walker and Jonah’s lives and bring them so much happiness. That kid will have you melting, the mouth on Walker will have you sweating and swooning, and the way Sadie shows up for them and loves them will leave you breathless.
I absolutely loved this book. If you liked caught up by Liz Tomforde or the chestnut springs series by Elsie Silver you should run, not walk to grab this book so that you can be completely swept off of your feet by Walker Rhodes.
Thank you to Book Sirens and to the author for this advanced reader copy of the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
5⭐️
2.5🌶️
April 27, 2026
I was almost positive I’d read this before until I checked the release date. Wayyyy too much like another book in the beginning…
It was actually pretty decent up until Walker discovers Sadie still has her V card. Then he became the gross old guy who will be the ONLY man she’s ever with. I almost dnfed at their first spicy scene. I skipped some because dude grossed me out. It got a little better after that, but then it just felt like so many different things were trying to be shoved in the story.
Jonah gets a star to himself because he’s the one who held this story together and kept me from dnfing.
It was actually pretty decent up until Walker discovers Sadie still has her V card. Then he became the gross old guy who will be the ONLY man she’s ever with. I almost dnfed at their first spicy scene. I skipped some because dude grossed me out. It got a little better after that, but then it just felt like so many different things were trying to be shoved in the story.
Jonah gets a star to himself because he’s the one who held this story together and kept me from dnfing.
April 11, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC REVIEWER
I absolutely devoured Heartstrings by Kes Winter. It combines so many of my favorite tropes—single dad, nanny, cowboy, small-town setting, age gap, and a grumpy/sunshine dynamic—and executes them perfectly.
From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The story is fast-paced, engaging, and balances humor, emotion, and spice really well. Fans of small-town romance will find a lot to love here.
I’m already excited to see what the rest of the series has in store!
ARC REVIEWER
I absolutely devoured Heartstrings by Kes Winter. It combines so many of my favorite tropes—single dad, nanny, cowboy, small-town setting, age gap, and a grumpy/sunshine dynamic—and executes them perfectly.
From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The story is fast-paced, engaging, and balances humor, emotion, and spice really well. Fans of small-town romance will find a lot to love here.
I’m already excited to see what the rest of the series has in store!
April 17, 2026
As someone who’s hopelessly obsessed with cowboy characters, Walker completely stole my heart. He’s the perfect grumpy‑sunshine mix 🤠 all tough edges until you see how huge his heart is, especially with Jonah. And Jonah is just adorable; every scene with him made me melt.
Sadie, though, brings the perfect amount of sass to balance Walker’s grump. She challenges him in all the right ways, and watching their relationship grow felt so real and so easy to root for.
A warm, heartfelt cowboy story that hit all my favourite notes.
Sadie, though, brings the perfect amount of sass to balance Walker’s grump. She challenges him in all the right ways, and watching their relationship grow felt so real and so easy to root for.
A warm, heartfelt cowboy story that hit all my favourite notes.
April 23, 2026
If you love a good cowboy trope and already love Elsie Silver, this one by Kes Winter is definitely for you!
April 16, 2026
♡♡♡
Second book by this author and I'm still in love with her writing style. This contemporary romance was a heartwarming, slow burn journey that had me settling in to enjoy each moment between Walker, Sadie and little Jonah.
Single dad and reclusive country singer, Walker Rhodes is desperate for a live in nanny he can trust to care for his boy and not try to get in his pants. Sadie is the perfect candidate - she manages to charm Jonah right from the get-go - but she also pushes all of Walker's buttons. Not to mention the crazy attraction he feels for the younger woman.
Sadie is desperate to get away from her hometown and finally have the stable and safe life she wasn't afforded in her childhood. She has a job lined up on the city but needs all the extra cash she can get over the summer. Agreeing to nanny for her favorite country singer seems like a dream come true until she meets said singer.
I loved the banter and the low key flirting these two do while they dance around their forbidden attraction. I loved their gradual pacing from boss/employee to friends and then to lovers. Walker is am absolute green flag hero and I loved how he didn't fall into the cliche of acting out or hurting the heroine for "her own good". He was supportive, affectionate and definitely not shy about sharing/voicing his feelings for Sadie. 100% loved that about him.
Then there's Sadie. She was such a sweet and genuine character. She was independent and strong working and watching her get absorbed into the Rhodes family was so wholesome and heartwarming. After a rough childhood, she's been micro focused on planning out a good career and a stable life outside of her small town but when Walker and Jonah get put in her path, her crystal clear plan gets turned around.
This was a perfect blend of romance, spice, humor and sweetness. The side characters were all a bonus and I'm super excited to see where their stories go because I will literally be getting all my favorite tropes! Definitely recommend if you like small town romance, forbidden romance or the single dad x nanny tropes.
Favorite Bits:
🖤 The firework scene was 🔥🔥🔥
🖤 The slow burn from boss/employee, to friends to soul mates
🖤 The other Rhodes brothers! Hockey player and rodeo star?! Yes, please!
🖤 The epilogue!!!
SAFETY INFO:
There's territorial, and then there's Walker Rhodes levels of unhinged territorial.♡♡♡
Second book by this author and I'm still in love with her writing style. This contemporary romance was a heartwarming, slow burn journey that had me settling in to enjoy each moment between Walker, Sadie and little Jonah.
Single dad and reclusive country singer, Walker Rhodes is desperate for a live in nanny he can trust to care for his boy and not try to get in his pants. Sadie is the perfect candidate - she manages to charm Jonah right from the get-go - but she also pushes all of Walker's buttons. Not to mention the crazy attraction he feels for the younger woman.
Sadie is desperate to get away from her hometown and finally have the stable and safe life she wasn't afforded in her childhood. She has a job lined up on the city but needs all the extra cash she can get over the summer. Agreeing to nanny for her favorite country singer seems like a dream come true until she meets said singer.
I loved the banter and the low key flirting these two do while they dance around their forbidden attraction. I loved their gradual pacing from boss/employee to friends and then to lovers. Walker is am absolute green flag hero and I loved how he didn't fall into the cliche of acting out or hurting the heroine for "her own good". He was supportive, affectionate and definitely not shy about sharing/voicing his feelings for Sadie. 100% loved that about him.
Then there's Sadie. She was such a sweet and genuine character. She was independent and strong working and watching her get absorbed into the Rhodes family was so wholesome and heartwarming. After a rough childhood, she's been micro focused on planning out a good career and a stable life outside of her small town but when Walker and Jonah get put in her path, her crystal clear plan gets turned around.
This was a perfect blend of romance, spice, humor and sweetness. The side characters were all a bonus and I'm super excited to see where their stories go because I will literally be getting all my favorite tropes! Definitely recommend if you like small town romance, forbidden romance or the single dad x nanny tropes.
Favorite Bits:
🖤 The firework scene was 🔥🔥🔥
🖤 The slow burn from boss/employee, to friends to soul mates
🖤 The other Rhodes brothers! Hockey player and rodeo star?! Yes, please!
🖤 The epilogue!!!
SAFETY INFO:
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
"Heartstrings...A guitar has strings. So does a heart. Both are the kind that go slack and silent after enough neglect, that need coaxing back into tune. The kind that once they start vibrating again, make beautiful music. "
I absolutely devoured Heartstrings by Kes Winter. This is such a strong start to a series, and I already know I’m going to be first in line for the next books.
What really made this story shine for me was the character work. Walker and Jonah’s relationship completely stole my heart, and seeing Walker interact with his brothers added so much depth and made the world feel lived-in. I'm a sucker for some good sibling banter. I loved that Walker, despite being this tough, stubborn cowboy, was willing to acknowledge his past mistakes. It made him feel real and redeemable.
Sadie was another highlight. She knows her worth and refuses to let her past define her, which made her incredibly easy to root for. I loved how she used her struggles as motivation instead of a crutch. She exhibited so much strength without also losing her softness.
The romance? SO good. The chemistry between Walker and Sadie was undeniable, and I especially loved the push-and-pull tension. Their dynamic had me hooked from the start, and the slow burn paid off in such a satisfying way. Add in the found family vibes and Walker being a genuinely loving dad, and I was all in. The cookie scene made me melt totally.
The pacing was also spot-on. I finished this in one day because I simply couldn’t put it down. Kes Winter’s writing style made everything feel so vivid that it honestly played out like a movie in my head. As someone who lives in Nashville and is a musician, I especially appreciated the realistic music industry details sprinkled throughout..it added an extra layer of authenticity that made the story even more immersive for me.
That said, the book wasn’t a perfect 5-star read for me. Some of the dialogue between Walker and Sadie, particularly surrounding her virginity, felt a bit over-the-top and occasionally took me out of the story. While I understand its importance to the plot, it was emphasized just a little too much at times, and some of the dialogue around it was a tad cringey. I found myself wishing for a more natural approach.
Even with that, though, this book completely won me over. The characters, the emotion, the chemistry, and the setting all came together in a way that made it incredibly memorable.
I cannot wait to see where this series goes next...those hints?? I need more immediately!! I already can't wait to return to Marble Falls!
"Heartstrings...A guitar has strings. So does a heart. Both are the kind that go slack and silent after enough neglect, that need coaxing back into tune. The kind that once they start vibrating again, make beautiful music. "
I absolutely devoured Heartstrings by Kes Winter. This is such a strong start to a series, and I already know I’m going to be first in line for the next books.
What really made this story shine for me was the character work. Walker and Jonah’s relationship completely stole my heart, and seeing Walker interact with his brothers added so much depth and made the world feel lived-in. I'm a sucker for some good sibling banter. I loved that Walker, despite being this tough, stubborn cowboy, was willing to acknowledge his past mistakes. It made him feel real and redeemable.
Sadie was another highlight. She knows her worth and refuses to let her past define her, which made her incredibly easy to root for. I loved how she used her struggles as motivation instead of a crutch. She exhibited so much strength without also losing her softness.
The romance? SO good. The chemistry between Walker and Sadie was undeniable, and I especially loved the push-and-pull tension. Their dynamic had me hooked from the start, and the slow burn paid off in such a satisfying way. Add in the found family vibes and Walker being a genuinely loving dad, and I was all in. The cookie scene made me melt totally.
The pacing was also spot-on. I finished this in one day because I simply couldn’t put it down. Kes Winter’s writing style made everything feel so vivid that it honestly played out like a movie in my head. As someone who lives in Nashville and is a musician, I especially appreciated the realistic music industry details sprinkled throughout..it added an extra layer of authenticity that made the story even more immersive for me.
That said, the book wasn’t a perfect 5-star read for me. Some of the dialogue between Walker and Sadie, particularly surrounding her virginity, felt a bit over-the-top and occasionally took me out of the story. While I understand its importance to the plot, it was emphasized just a little too much at times, and some of the dialogue around it was a tad cringey. I found myself wishing for a more natural approach.
Even with that, though, this book completely won me over. The characters, the emotion, the chemistry, and the setting all came together in a way that made it incredibly memorable.
I cannot wait to see where this series goes next...those hints?? I need more immediately!! I already can't wait to return to Marble Falls!
Did Not Finish
April 4, 2026Thank you so much Victory Editing & Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Unfortunately, I decided to DNF at 42%. I wanted to stop at 35%, but decided to keep reading, because I recognized that it’s such a gift to receive an ARC. I hope a DNF works better than a genuine lower rating if I were to finish it.
Book tropes:
🤠 Single Dad x Nanny
📚 Age Gap (MMC 36 - FMC 24)
🤠 Cowboy/Country Star x Teacher
📚 Grumpy x Sunshine
🤠 Small Town
📚 Found Family
I absolutely love the tropes mentioned above, so I was pretty excited to read this book.
I’ll highlight what I liked about it first: Sadie’s bond with Jonah, the MMC’s son. Their interactions were funny and cute. I thought it was a good match, specifically because Sadie mentions that she sees herself in him, as he tries to figure out why his mom didn’t stick around, just like her dad. I’m sure that would be comforting and helpful for him to deal with this situation. And the other thing I enjoyed was the MMC’s family. Walker’s brothers and his dad brought some humor to the story, up until the point where I read it.
Now, the reason I didn’t finish was because because the relationship moved too fast for me. While reading the MMC’s POV, I thought he developed feelings too quickly. That, plus the lack of scenes/moments/interactions between them to make me believe that there was an undeniable chemistry and tension just waiting to happen. It was hard for me to have him already imagining a life with her, forever and more, when they just met.
Pacing is a personal preference. So this isn’t to discourage anyone from reading. Readers who enjoy fast paced/insta love are going to enjoy this. Maybe it’s not even fast for them. It was for me.
And the other thing that made me feel like dropping the book at 35% was the conversation between the MCs her being a virgin. I cringed when he said some things along the lines of her first time being with him. I don’t think this is a spoiler…
Anyways, thank you again for the ARC! I hope this books finds its readers when it’s published!
Unfortunately, I decided to DNF at 42%. I wanted to stop at 35%, but decided to keep reading, because I recognized that it’s such a gift to receive an ARC. I hope a DNF works better than a genuine lower rating if I were to finish it.
Book tropes:
🤠 Single Dad x Nanny
📚 Age Gap (MMC 36 - FMC 24)
🤠 Cowboy/Country Star x Teacher
📚 Grumpy x Sunshine
🤠 Small Town
📚 Found Family
I absolutely love the tropes mentioned above, so I was pretty excited to read this book.
I’ll highlight what I liked about it first: Sadie’s bond with Jonah, the MMC’s son. Their interactions were funny and cute. I thought it was a good match, specifically because Sadie mentions that she sees herself in him, as he tries to figure out why his mom didn’t stick around, just like her dad. I’m sure that would be comforting and helpful for him to deal with this situation. And the other thing I enjoyed was the MMC’s family. Walker’s brothers and his dad brought some humor to the story, up until the point where I read it.
Now, the reason I didn’t finish was because because the relationship moved too fast for me. While reading the MMC’s POV, I thought he developed feelings too quickly. That, plus the lack of scenes/moments/interactions between them to make me believe that there was an undeniable chemistry and tension just waiting to happen. It was hard for me to have him already imagining a life with her, forever and more, when they just met.
Pacing is a personal preference. So this isn’t to discourage anyone from reading. Readers who enjoy fast paced/insta love are going to enjoy this. Maybe it’s not even fast for them. It was for me.
And the other thing that made me feel like dropping the book at 35% was the conversation between the MCs her being a virgin. I cringed when he said some things along the lines of her first time being with him. I don’t think this is a spoiler…
Anyways, thank you again for the ARC! I hope this books finds its readers when it’s published!
April 10, 2026
📖Book Review📖
Heartstrings
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
This is the first book in the Brand New Wild Rose Ranch series by Kes Winter and I was fortunate enough to be able to read an arc copy of this book. all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book, I flew through it and liked the story line. I instantly loved all the characters and can’t wait for their stories too, I know they will be just as good.
Jonah 🥹😭🩷
He was so freaking cute I can’t cope, just the stuff he said about his mum broke my heart 💔. You could tell he loved his dad and how much he loved Sadie. It was so adorable to read about.
There were a few grammar/ spelling mistakes but that is to be expected from an arc copy and it didn’t take away from the story. The book and story itself was fast paced and did flow smoothly.
I’ve read one of Kes’s books before and loved it, I’m very happy to say that I fe the same way about this one and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I also love how every chapter has a name, I think that always makes the book more fun.
THE MOUTH ON THIS MAN 🥵😏 I’m not complaining tho, I love spice.
Walker was so supportive of Sadie following her dreams and the promise she made to herself (WE👏🏻 LOVE👏🏻 A👏🏻 SUPPORTIVE👏🏻 MAN👏🏻) it was so heartwarming but also heartbreaking to read because you could see the connection between them was something else.
“This isn't goodbye,” she says. “This is just see you later.” This line broke my heart. 😭💔
The ending was so damn cute and not one I’ve seen before, I was crying but so happy things turned out the way they did. For me it made me like the book even more.
The cherry ring pop 😭👌🏻🩷🍒
Iykyk
Thank you so much Kes for the opportunity to read your book.
Tropes
🤠Cowboy romance
🩷Single dad x nanny
🏘️Small town
🌶️Spicy
🌓Grumpy x sunshine
🤷🏻♀️Age gap
🍒Hes her first
😤Jealous/ possessive but secret cinnamon roll hero
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🔥Slow burn to high heat
👙Summer vibes
4⭐️
3.5-4🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
Heartstrings
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
This is the first book in the Brand New Wild Rose Ranch series by Kes Winter and I was fortunate enough to be able to read an arc copy of this book. all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book, I flew through it and liked the story line. I instantly loved all the characters and can’t wait for their stories too, I know they will be just as good.
Jonah 🥹😭🩷
He was so freaking cute I can’t cope, just the stuff he said about his mum broke my heart 💔. You could tell he loved his dad and how much he loved Sadie. It was so adorable to read about.
There were a few grammar/ spelling mistakes but that is to be expected from an arc copy and it didn’t take away from the story. The book and story itself was fast paced and did flow smoothly.
I’ve read one of Kes’s books before and loved it, I’m very happy to say that I fe the same way about this one and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I also love how every chapter has a name, I think that always makes the book more fun.
THE MOUTH ON THIS MAN 🥵😏 I’m not complaining tho, I love spice.
Walker was so supportive of Sadie following her dreams and the promise she made to herself (WE👏🏻 LOVE👏🏻 A👏🏻 SUPPORTIVE👏🏻 MAN👏🏻) it was so heartwarming but also heartbreaking to read because you could see the connection between them was something else.
“This isn't goodbye,” she says. “This is just see you later.” This line broke my heart. 😭💔
The ending was so damn cute and not one I’ve seen before, I was crying but so happy things turned out the way they did. For me it made me like the book even more.
The cherry ring pop 😭👌🏻🩷🍒
Iykyk
Thank you so much Kes for the opportunity to read your book.
Tropes
🤠Cowboy romance
🩷Single dad x nanny
🏘️Small town
🌶️Spicy
🌓Grumpy x sunshine
🤷🏻♀️Age gap
🍒Hes her first
😤Jealous/ possessive but secret cinnamon roll hero
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🔥Slow burn to high heat
👙Summer vibes
4⭐️
3.5-4🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Firstly, thank-you to the author and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review. No AI was used in this review.
Secondly.... HOLY MOLY!
5 STARS | EXTRA SPICE
I will do my utmost to make this spoiler free, but I doubt I will be able. Sorry not sorry. For the safety, I will spoiler this review. I loved this so much, I read it within a day, I could NOT put this book down.
From the get go, I knew this book was going to be a good one, not only the cover but the blurb. I don't know what it is, maybe because I'm a British woman, but hot damns I want a cowboy. These cowboy romances lately are getting out of hand with me, and Walker being jealous, hot damn. xD
The ending is a super cute HEA.
This was one hundred percent a hit.
Secondly.... HOLY MOLY!
5 STARS | EXTRA SPICE
I will do my utmost to make this spoiler free, but I doubt I will be able. Sorry not sorry. For the safety, I will spoiler this review. I loved this so much, I read it within a day, I could NOT put this book down.
From the get go, I knew this book was going to be a good one, not only the cover but the blurb. I don't know what it is, maybe because I'm a British woman, but hot damns I want a cowboy. These cowboy romances lately are getting out of hand with me, and Walker being jealous, hot damn. xD
The ending is a super cute HEA.
This was one hundred percent a hit.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What IS it with these cowboys?!?
I never had a 'cowboy craze phase'. And yet here we are. Christian Crawford, Stormland Lane, and now Walker Rhodes. Apparently, I've developed a thing for black Stetsons, and I can't say I regret it a single bit.
Kes Winter really, really hit it out of the park with this one. I've read two of her books before this, and each one gets better than the last. Wild Rose Ranch is going to be a HIT series, and I am SO HERE FOR IT.
As a starter, Heartstrings is possibly the best choice of book to release. A country music star, broken by the system, the wife who should have loved him, hiding from the world and trying to heal; a young woman on a mission to be dependent on no one and pave her own path forward. Together, they make magic - quite literally.
Sadie is the heroine you WANT, reasonable, personable, filled with emotion and fire and gumption, who isn't afraid to call it like she sees it, but who also knows when to be soft and when the time is right to be quiet.
Walker is the hero you dream of. Broody, yes, moody, hell yes, but with the softest heart feeling every emotion and hiding it from the world because it's been stomped on so much, loyal, protective, devoted to the cause he chooses.
The Rhodes family are also pure perfection, and I mean, sign me RIGHT UP for the books about Tanner, Slade, Josie and Rafe. Like, I'll even take one for Walker's label's president, who is apparently an honorary Rhodes brother according to Sadie, or something of the sort.
Ms Winters writes poignantly, not dramatically at all, building on yearning and all the reasons why things shouldn't happen ... until they do, and then you're wondering why the hell anyone was against them from the get-go. You could see it in her shifter romances, and you can CLEARLY see it in these cowboy romances now.
I'm now in this for the long haul. And this might be the book I need in physical copy rather than just the e-book.
Yee-haw!
What IS it with these cowboys?!?
I never had a 'cowboy craze phase'. And yet here we are. Christian Crawford, Stormland Lane, and now Walker Rhodes. Apparently, I've developed a thing for black Stetsons, and I can't say I regret it a single bit.
Kes Winter really, really hit it out of the park with this one. I've read two of her books before this, and each one gets better than the last. Wild Rose Ranch is going to be a HIT series, and I am SO HERE FOR IT.
As a starter, Heartstrings is possibly the best choice of book to release. A country music star, broken by the system, the wife who should have loved him, hiding from the world and trying to heal; a young woman on a mission to be dependent on no one and pave her own path forward. Together, they make magic - quite literally.
Sadie is the heroine you WANT, reasonable, personable, filled with emotion and fire and gumption, who isn't afraid to call it like she sees it, but who also knows when to be soft and when the time is right to be quiet.
Walker is the hero you dream of. Broody, yes, moody, hell yes, but with the softest heart feeling every emotion and hiding it from the world because it's been stomped on so much, loyal, protective, devoted to the cause he chooses.
The Rhodes family are also pure perfection, and I mean, sign me RIGHT UP for the books about Tanner, Slade, Josie and Rafe. Like, I'll even take one for Walker's label's president, who is apparently an honorary Rhodes brother according to Sadie, or something of the sort.
Ms Winters writes poignantly, not dramatically at all, building on yearning and all the reasons why things shouldn't happen ... until they do, and then you're wondering why the hell anyone was against them from the get-go. You could see it in her shifter romances, and you can CLEARLY see it in these cowboy romances now.
I'm now in this for the long haul. And this might be the book I need in physical copy rather than just the e-book.
Yee-haw!
April 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Heartstrings completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. The story follows a young woman who takes a summer job as a nanny for Walker Rhodes — a rugged cowboy, country music star, and single dad who is determined to keep things strictly professional. Their chemistry is instant, but Walker makes it clear that she’s off limits… even though the tension between them is impossible to ignore. What starts as a temporary job quickly turns into something far more complicated as their connection deepens and feelings begin to blur the lines between employer and employee.
As they spend more time together on the ranch, their relationship slowly begins to shift. Walker’s gruff, guarded personality contrasts perfectly with the heroine’s warmth and optimism, creating a fun grumpy/sunshine dynamic that made their interactions so entertaining to read. Beneath his tough exterior, Walker shows a softer, protective side—especially when it comes to his son—and those moments add so much heart to the story. Watching both characters slowly lower their walls and confront the feelings building between them had me completely invested in their journey.
Kes Winter does a fantastic job balancing heartfelt moments with humour, emotional depth, and plenty of tension. The characters feel authentic, the romance develops naturally, and the chemistry between them keeps the pages turning. The story is full of swoon-worthy moments, emotional growth, and just the right amount of spice to keep things exciting.
What really makes Heartstrings stand out is the emotional pull. It’s a story about love, family, healing, and taking a chance on something real even when it feels risky. By the end, I was completely invested in these characters and their happiness.
Tropes:
💜 Cowboy romance
💜 Single dad
💜 Grumpy x Sunshine
💜 Small-town setting
💜 Boss x employee
💜 Forced proximity
💜 Slow burn
💜 Protective dad moments
If you love emotional cowboy romances with strong chemistry, heartfelt family moments, and a swoony grumpy hero, Heartstrings is definitely one to add to your TBR.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Heartstrings completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. The story follows a young woman who takes a summer job as a nanny for Walker Rhodes — a rugged cowboy, country music star, and single dad who is determined to keep things strictly professional. Their chemistry is instant, but Walker makes it clear that she’s off limits… even though the tension between them is impossible to ignore. What starts as a temporary job quickly turns into something far more complicated as their connection deepens and feelings begin to blur the lines between employer and employee.
As they spend more time together on the ranch, their relationship slowly begins to shift. Walker’s gruff, guarded personality contrasts perfectly with the heroine’s warmth and optimism, creating a fun grumpy/sunshine dynamic that made their interactions so entertaining to read. Beneath his tough exterior, Walker shows a softer, protective side—especially when it comes to his son—and those moments add so much heart to the story. Watching both characters slowly lower their walls and confront the feelings building between them had me completely invested in their journey.
Kes Winter does a fantastic job balancing heartfelt moments with humour, emotional depth, and plenty of tension. The characters feel authentic, the romance develops naturally, and the chemistry between them keeps the pages turning. The story is full of swoon-worthy moments, emotional growth, and just the right amount of spice to keep things exciting.
What really makes Heartstrings stand out is the emotional pull. It’s a story about love, family, healing, and taking a chance on something real even when it feels risky. By the end, I was completely invested in these characters and their happiness.
Tropes:
💜 Cowboy romance
💜 Single dad
💜 Grumpy x Sunshine
💜 Small-town setting
💜 Boss x employee
💜 Forced proximity
💜 Slow burn
💜 Protective dad moments
If you love emotional cowboy romances with strong chemistry, heartfelt family moments, and a swoony grumpy hero, Heartstrings is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank-you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this e-ARC!
I absolutely adored this book 💘 from the very first interaction between Sadie and Walker, I was completely hooked.
A single dad cowboy, small town setting and nanny trope is already such a winning combination, and Kes Winter executes it beautifully. Walker is broody, protective and trying his best to do the right thing, even when his feelings are anything but simple. The restraint and quiet longing between him and Sadie were so well written and made their connection feel incredibly genuine.
Sadie is such a lovely heroine 🥹 she is kind, patient and warm, but also strong, independent and unafraid to challenge Walker when needed. I especially loved the bond she formed with JoJo. The care and tenderness she shows him adds such a soft, emotional depth to the story.
JoJo completely stole my heart 🤍 the found family element in this book is truly something special. Watching the three of them gradually build something safe, loving and real was one of my favourite parts.
The tension throughout is so well paced. The slow build, the meaningful glances and the almost moments create such a strong sense of anticipation, and when it finally pays off, the chemistry is undeniable. It balances emotional intimacy with just the right amount of heat 🫠🌶️
There is also a really thoughtful thread of healing woven throughout the story. Walker navigating fatherhood and returning home, alongside Sadie figuring out her own path, adds depth and sincerity to their journey.
And the Fourth of July scene… I will be thinking about it for a long time.
This is a heartfelt, swoony romance that truly lives up to its title. It is tender, emotional and full of warmth, with characters that stay with you long after you finish.
If you enjoy:
🤍 single dad romance
🤍 small town settings
🤍 nanny trope
🤍 slow burn tension
🤍 protective, broody heroes
🤍 found family
I would absolutely recommend picking this up 💕
I absolutely adored this book 💘 from the very first interaction between Sadie and Walker, I was completely hooked.
A single dad cowboy, small town setting and nanny trope is already such a winning combination, and Kes Winter executes it beautifully. Walker is broody, protective and trying his best to do the right thing, even when his feelings are anything but simple. The restraint and quiet longing between him and Sadie were so well written and made their connection feel incredibly genuine.
Sadie is such a lovely heroine 🥹 she is kind, patient and warm, but also strong, independent and unafraid to challenge Walker when needed. I especially loved the bond she formed with JoJo. The care and tenderness she shows him adds such a soft, emotional depth to the story.
JoJo completely stole my heart 🤍 the found family element in this book is truly something special. Watching the three of them gradually build something safe, loving and real was one of my favourite parts.
The tension throughout is so well paced. The slow build, the meaningful glances and the almost moments create such a strong sense of anticipation, and when it finally pays off, the chemistry is undeniable. It balances emotional intimacy with just the right amount of heat 🫠🌶️
There is also a really thoughtful thread of healing woven throughout the story. Walker navigating fatherhood and returning home, alongside Sadie figuring out her own path, adds depth and sincerity to their journey.
And the Fourth of July scene… I will be thinking about it for a long time.
This is a heartfelt, swoony romance that truly lives up to its title. It is tender, emotional and full of warmth, with characters that stay with you long after you finish.
If you enjoy:
🤍 single dad romance
🤍 small town settings
🤍 nanny trope
🤍 slow burn tension
🤍 protective, broody heroes
🤍 found family
I would absolutely recommend picking this up 💕
April 23, 2026
Kes Winter’s *Heartstrings* is one of those books that sneaks up on you emotionally. It starts off fairly gentle and introspective, and before you know it, you’re completely invested in the characters and their lives. It’s a story about love, loss, and all the messy, complicated connections in between—and it handles those themes really well.
The biggest strength here is definitely the characters. They feel real, like people you might actually know, with flaws, doubts, and all those little contradictions that make them human. The main character, especially, is easy to connect with—you can really feel their struggles and growth throughout the story. The relationships are also a highlight, whether it’s romantic or not. Nothing feels overly dramatic or fake; it all comes across as genuine.
That said, the pacing can be a bit slow at times. There are moments where the story sits in the same emotional space for a little too long, and it feels like it could’ve moved things along a bit quicker. But if you’re someone who enjoys soaking in the feelings and atmosphere, it might not bother you much.
The writing style is another plus. It’s simple but still has some really nice, almost poetic moments sprinkled in. There are a few lines that genuinely stick with you after you’ve finished reading, which is always a good sign.
It’s also fair to say that parts of the story are a bit predictable. You can kind of see where things are heading in certain sections. Still, even when you know what’s coming, the emotional payoff makes it worth it.
Overall, I’d give *Heartstrings* a solid 4 stars. It’s warm, emotional, and very character-focused. Not perfect, but definitely a worthwhile read if you’re into stories that lean more into feelings and relationships than fast-paced plot.
Thankyou BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The biggest strength here is definitely the characters. They feel real, like people you might actually know, with flaws, doubts, and all those little contradictions that make them human. The main character, especially, is easy to connect with—you can really feel their struggles and growth throughout the story. The relationships are also a highlight, whether it’s romantic or not. Nothing feels overly dramatic or fake; it all comes across as genuine.
That said, the pacing can be a bit slow at times. There are moments where the story sits in the same emotional space for a little too long, and it feels like it could’ve moved things along a bit quicker. But if you’re someone who enjoys soaking in the feelings and atmosphere, it might not bother you much.
The writing style is another plus. It’s simple but still has some really nice, almost poetic moments sprinkled in. There are a few lines that genuinely stick with you after you’ve finished reading, which is always a good sign.
It’s also fair to say that parts of the story are a bit predictable. You can kind of see where things are heading in certain sections. Still, even when you know what’s coming, the emotional payoff makes it worth it.
Overall, I’d give *Heartstrings* a solid 4 stars. It’s warm, emotional, and very character-focused. Not perfect, but definitely a worthwhile read if you’re into stories that lean more into feelings and relationships than fast-paced plot.
Thankyou BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 20, 2026
I have some mixed feelings about this one. I liked the idea the book was promising and I was extrememly intrigued from the beginning. The first few chapters was really promising but *AND THIS IS JUST MY OPINION* (I cannot stress this enough) it was very quickly resembling another very popular cowboy romance book written by a very famous author.
I'm not accusing anyone of anything, I swear to God, but because of the similarities that I saw, it made it a little difficult for me to truly enjoy Heartstrings the way I wanted to. Not only was that hard for me to ignore, but the way the virgin thing was handled was a tough one for me. In my experience the way that was discussed and handled was not realistic in any way and I just kept finding the dialogue icky. Certain things like 'cherry' and 'de flower' really gave me hives while I was reading the very intimate scenes.
Lastly, my biggest issue with this was how the MMC would sometimes speak to the FMC. And honestly, I can only think of one instance that made me wanna hit him. . . Walker literally questions what Sadie is wearing the night she's going out with a FRIEND. He actually suggested she was 'asking' for it by wearing the dress she wore. I'm not sure if this whole grape academy thing changed my view on some of the stuff in this book that I probably would not have found offensive two weeks ago, but oh well.
NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF. . . I really liked the dynamic between the FMC and the son, Jonah. Their relationship felt very genuine and it was very wholesome being able to watch those two grow together throughout the summer while Sadie tried to navigate her very first adult relationship. The ending of the book (before the prologue) was extremely heartwarming and I gotta admit that it did in fact pull on my heartstrings (LOL).
Anyways, if you don't have any ICKS, I highly suggest :)
I'm not accusing anyone of anything, I swear to God, but because of the similarities that I saw, it made it a little difficult for me to truly enjoy Heartstrings the way I wanted to. Not only was that hard for me to ignore, but the way the virgin thing was handled was a tough one for me. In my experience the way that was discussed and handled was not realistic in any way and I just kept finding the dialogue icky. Certain things like 'cherry' and 'de flower' really gave me hives while I was reading the very intimate scenes.
Lastly, my biggest issue with this was how the MMC would sometimes speak to the FMC. And honestly, I can only think of one instance that made me wanna hit him. . . Walker literally questions what Sadie is wearing the night she's going out with a FRIEND. He actually suggested she was 'asking' for it by wearing the dress she wore. I'm not sure if this whole grape academy thing changed my view on some of the stuff in this book that I probably would not have found offensive two weeks ago, but oh well.
NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF. . . I really liked the dynamic between the FMC and the son, Jonah. Their relationship felt very genuine and it was very wholesome being able to watch those two grow together throughout the summer while Sadie tried to navigate her very first adult relationship. The ending of the book (before the prologue) was extremely heartwarming and I gotta admit that it did in fact pull on my heartstrings (LOL).
Anyways, if you don't have any ICKS, I highly suggest :)
April 25, 2026
From the moment we meet Walker Rhodes country music star, rugged cowboy, and single dad you just know this isn’t going to be a simple nanny story. The chemistry between him and our girl? Immediate. Electric. The kind that makes you sit up like “oh… this is about to ruin me in the best way.” 🔥
Walker starts off all gruff, guarded, and strictly business with his “you’re my nanny, off limits” rules… but the SECOND he realizes she’s never been with anyone?? Yeah, that man short-circuits 😮💨 He goes from distant boss to protective, possessive cowboy REAL quick and honestly? I ate it up.
But what really got me wasn’t just the tension (which is chef’s kiss 👀), it’s the layers. Our FMC being a “good girl from the wrong side of the tracks” hit HARD. You feel her hesitation, her self-doubt, her trying to keep things professional even when everything between them is pulling her closer. And watching her slowly open up? Beautiful.
And Walker… whew. He’s not just the hot, filthy-mouthed cowboy (though yes, he absolutely is that 🥵), he’s also this soft, devoted dad. The scenes with his son?? MELTED me. Seeing that gentle, patient side of him made everything deeper. It’s one thing to fall for a man… it’s another to see the way he loves his child and realize just how big his heart really is.
The push and pull between “this is temporary” and “this feels like forever” was EVERYTHING. You can feel the tension building with every stolen moment, every quiet glance, every time he holds her just a little too long 💔
And that ending?? Yeah… Heart Strings is the PERFECT title because this book pulls on every single one of them.
If you love:
🤠 Grumpy cowboy x sweet, innocent FMC
🎤 Country star vibes
🔥 Forbidden boss/employee tension
🍼 Single dad with a soft side
💖 Protective, possessive MMC who falls HARD
…this one will absolutely own you.
I’m still not over it 😭💞
Walker starts off all gruff, guarded, and strictly business with his “you’re my nanny, off limits” rules… but the SECOND he realizes she’s never been with anyone?? Yeah, that man short-circuits 😮💨 He goes from distant boss to protective, possessive cowboy REAL quick and honestly? I ate it up.
But what really got me wasn’t just the tension (which is chef’s kiss 👀), it’s the layers. Our FMC being a “good girl from the wrong side of the tracks” hit HARD. You feel her hesitation, her self-doubt, her trying to keep things professional even when everything between them is pulling her closer. And watching her slowly open up? Beautiful.
And Walker… whew. He’s not just the hot, filthy-mouthed cowboy (though yes, he absolutely is that 🥵), he’s also this soft, devoted dad. The scenes with his son?? MELTED me. Seeing that gentle, patient side of him made everything deeper. It’s one thing to fall for a man… it’s another to see the way he loves his child and realize just how big his heart really is.
The push and pull between “this is temporary” and “this feels like forever” was EVERYTHING. You can feel the tension building with every stolen moment, every quiet glance, every time he holds her just a little too long 💔
And that ending?? Yeah… Heart Strings is the PERFECT title because this book pulls on every single one of them.
If you love:
🤠 Grumpy cowboy x sweet, innocent FMC
🎤 Country star vibes
🔥 Forbidden boss/employee tension
🍼 Single dad with a soft side
💖 Protective, possessive MMC who falls HARD
…this one will absolutely own you.
I’m still not over it 😭💞
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC gifted in exchange for review
10 stars no notes.
I love a cowboy romance, and I love a single dad romance. Combine the two and I’m a happy girl. Kes gave me exactly what I needed in Heartstrings with the sweetest little boy, a nanny with a heart of gold who is so used to taking care of everyone else while having no one care for her, and the broody single dad who just wants the best for his boy, who’s hiding a marshmallow center under his gruffness. Fame took a lot from Walker Rhodes, time with his family, his marriage, and his light. He came home to Montana to give his boy a place to be surrounded by love and to give himself a place to heal. Sadie’s got her ticket out of small town Montana booked with a teaching job lined up in NYC, and a dream of leaving that small town behind. She wasn’t counting on meeting a broody cowboy who made her blood boil, or his sweet little boy who reminded her so much of herself. Walker, Sadie and JoJo were always meant to be, those three were written in the stars. I admired so much about Sadie, the way she gave JoJo her undivided attention whenever he was speaking, her patience, her kindness and her determination to keep the promise she made to herself. I loved how Walker did his best to check in with her constantly, to make sure that he wasn’t taking advantage of her, that she was happy and sure of what she wanted. It hurt my heart to know that her leaving at the end of the summer was going to break those Rhodes boys hearts. Watching Sadie and Walker fall in love made me feel all the feels, and brought tears to my eyes more than once. Sadie took care of everyone but Walker took care of her 🥺 the spice was a solid 10/10 for me not going to lie but truly my favorite part was the love between their little family.
10 stars no notes.
I love a cowboy romance, and I love a single dad romance. Combine the two and I’m a happy girl. Kes gave me exactly what I needed in Heartstrings with the sweetest little boy, a nanny with a heart of gold who is so used to taking care of everyone else while having no one care for her, and the broody single dad who just wants the best for his boy, who’s hiding a marshmallow center under his gruffness. Fame took a lot from Walker Rhodes, time with his family, his marriage, and his light. He came home to Montana to give his boy a place to be surrounded by love and to give himself a place to heal. Sadie’s got her ticket out of small town Montana booked with a teaching job lined up in NYC, and a dream of leaving that small town behind. She wasn’t counting on meeting a broody cowboy who made her blood boil, or his sweet little boy who reminded her so much of herself. Walker, Sadie and JoJo were always meant to be, those three were written in the stars. I admired so much about Sadie, the way she gave JoJo her undivided attention whenever he was speaking, her patience, her kindness and her determination to keep the promise she made to herself. I loved how Walker did his best to check in with her constantly, to make sure that he wasn’t taking advantage of her, that she was happy and sure of what she wanted. It hurt my heart to know that her leaving at the end of the summer was going to break those Rhodes boys hearts. Watching Sadie and Walker fall in love made me feel all the feels, and brought tears to my eyes more than once. Sadie took care of everyone but Walker took care of her 🥺 the spice was a solid 10/10 for me not going to lie but truly my favorite part was the love between their little family.
April 7, 2026
Thank you to the author Kes Winter for allowing me to read an advanced copy for an honest review.
Kes Winter truly never disappoints. I’ve read all of her work, and every single story finds a way to live rent free in my head and this one was no exception. I absolutely devoured it, lost sleep over it, and it now holds a permanent place in my heart.
We meet Sadie, a smart, no-nonsense small-town girl who has faced abandonment and hardship but is determined to build a life on her own terms even if that means leaving everything behind. Then there’s Walker, a broody cowboy and former country music star who has returned to his hometown in Montana to raise his five-year-old son, Jonah. When Walker needs a live-in nanny for the summer, Sadie steps in placing her directly in the orbit of her musical hero and crush.
Sadie is exactly the kind of heroine you root for fierce, independent, and unapologetically strong, yet with a softness that makes her impossible not to love. And Walker? Immediate elite book husband status. The broody exterior, the emotional walls, the protective and slightly unhinged territorial energy… I was done for.
The emotional depth in this story is beautifully done. The characters are layered, complex, and feel incredibly real. Kes paints such vivid imagery that I could practically see the Montana landscape. I’m convinced I now need to go pick lupines.
The banter is sharp, the found family elements are heartwarming, and the spice is intentional and adds to the story rather than overshadowing it. This book made me laugh, swoon, and feel everything all at once.
Obsessed. Magic. No notes. Zero regrets.
If you love broody cowboys, fierce FMCs, found family, and emotionally rich romance with beautiful writing, you need to pick this up immediately.
Kes Winter truly never disappoints. I’ve read all of her work, and every single story finds a way to live rent free in my head and this one was no exception. I absolutely devoured it, lost sleep over it, and it now holds a permanent place in my heart.
We meet Sadie, a smart, no-nonsense small-town girl who has faced abandonment and hardship but is determined to build a life on her own terms even if that means leaving everything behind. Then there’s Walker, a broody cowboy and former country music star who has returned to his hometown in Montana to raise his five-year-old son, Jonah. When Walker needs a live-in nanny for the summer, Sadie steps in placing her directly in the orbit of her musical hero and crush.
Sadie is exactly the kind of heroine you root for fierce, independent, and unapologetically strong, yet with a softness that makes her impossible not to love. And Walker? Immediate elite book husband status. The broody exterior, the emotional walls, the protective and slightly unhinged territorial energy… I was done for.
The emotional depth in this story is beautifully done. The characters are layered, complex, and feel incredibly real. Kes paints such vivid imagery that I could practically see the Montana landscape. I’m convinced I now need to go pick lupines.
The banter is sharp, the found family elements are heartwarming, and the spice is intentional and adds to the story rather than overshadowing it. This book made me laugh, swoon, and feel everything all at once.
Obsessed. Magic. No notes. Zero regrets.
If you love broody cowboys, fierce FMCs, found family, and emotionally rich romance with beautiful writing, you need to pick this up immediately.
April 23, 2026
A sweet and spicey cowboy romance with all the broody cowboy banter!
Walker Rhodes the single dad with a dirty mouth. This man is a country star and has a way with words professionally and privately. I'm sure he could make any woman's panties melt, but he has eyes for one woman only: his too young, too innocent nanny who's only here for the summer.
Sadie knows her worth and always follows through with her promises (even the ones she makes for herself). Being raised by a single mom in the trailer park from the rough part of town, Sadie has learned to care for herself. Stability and hard work await her in New York at the end of the summer, she just has to deal with a broody cowboy first.
Jonah is the sweetest little boy who is so loves by the Rhodes family (and Sadie). I loved the little touches that bring out his personality: dinosaurs, finding ladybugs, learning to rope and ride. One of my favorite parts of the story is the airport scene and his cute purchase.
The push and pull in this book was everything. Take this one scene (of many) for example: they fool around, he pushes it in, and sends her on a date with him filling her up... then shows up on said date.
I'll preface this next opinion by saying I normally stay clear of books with a virgin trope. Sadly, the beginning of the book held so much emphasis on Sadie being a virgin. Some of the dialog was cringey and over the top, and it took away from the story. Personally, I feel like this story was strong enough and could've relied on the age gap as inexperienced, omitting the virgin trope all together.
Over all, this is a spicey summer cowboy romance and I enjoyed reading it! Thank you gifted eARC and chance to provide my honest opinions.
Walker Rhodes the single dad with a dirty mouth. This man is a country star and has a way with words professionally and privately. I'm sure he could make any woman's panties melt, but he has eyes for one woman only: his too young, too innocent nanny who's only here for the summer.
Sadie knows her worth and always follows through with her promises (even the ones she makes for herself). Being raised by a single mom in the trailer park from the rough part of town, Sadie has learned to care for herself. Stability and hard work await her in New York at the end of the summer, she just has to deal with a broody cowboy first.
Jonah is the sweetest little boy who is so loves by the Rhodes family (and Sadie). I loved the little touches that bring out his personality: dinosaurs, finding ladybugs, learning to rope and ride. One of my favorite parts of the story is the airport scene and his cute purchase.
The push and pull in this book was everything. Take this one scene (of many) for example: they fool around, he pushes it in, and sends her on a date with him filling her up... then shows up on said date.
I'll preface this next opinion by saying I normally stay clear of books with a virgin trope. Sadly, the beginning of the book held so much emphasis on Sadie being a virgin. Some of the dialog was cringey and over the top, and it took away from the story. Personally, I feel like this story was strong enough and could've relied on the age gap as inexperienced, omitting the virgin trope all together.
Over all, this is a spicey summer cowboy romance and I enjoyed reading it! Thank you gifted eARC and chance to provide my honest opinions.
April 13, 2026
Walker a once famous country singer is back on his families small town ranch to raise his son. Sadie works in the bookstore and her first encounter with Walker features him trying to give her a safety lecture after discovering her taking a swim in the lake on their property, which she does not appreciate! Jonah, Walkers son needs some help with his reading so he takes him to the library where he ends up taking a class with Sadie. He takes an instant liking to her which leads to Walker asking Sadie if she would be his nanny for the summer before she heads off to start her new job in New York. With 3x the salary, she jumps at the chance to work for him. Thinking him a grump, it doesn’t take long for Sadie to see the real Walker. But with her leaving will Walker be enough to make her stay?
I loved the whole vibe of this story, I felt like I was in Montana on a summers day! Jonah was super cute. Walker is like the ultimate cowboy romance MMC. Country star, single dad, family man .. the list goes on! He truly loved Sadie and it was heartwarming to see all the different ways he showed her. The family they created together was beautiful and there is a scene where Sadie helps Walker write a song after he’d lost inspiration and it so romantic. If you love cowboy/country romances I would definitely recommend picking this up. The cover is so pretty and I think it captures the characters perfectly.
Read This If You Love…
💕 single parent
💕 cowboy x nanny
💕 age gap
💕 small town
💕 grumpy x sunshine
Rating 4⭐️
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for sending me a copy to review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heartstrings completely swept me off my feet. From the very first page, Kes Winter draws you into a beautifully emotional story that feels both heartfelt and deeply authentic. The writing is effortless and immersive, making it impossible not to become fully invested in the characters and their journeys.
What truly stood out to me was the emotional depth—this book doesn’t just tell a love story, it makes you feel every moment of it. The chemistry between the characters is electric yet tender, and their development throughout the story is handled with such care and realism. I found myself rooting for them from start to finish.
And yes—the spice is perfectly done. It adds an extra layer of intensity to the relationship without ever overshadowing the emotional connection. The intimate moments feel natural, well-paced, and genuinely meaningful, making the romance even more compelling and believable.
Kes winter has a real talent for balancing romance, emotion, and those steamier moments, weaving in vulnerability, growth, and self-discovery that elevate the story beyond a typical love story. There were scenes that genuinely tugged at my heartstrings (no pun intended!) and others that left me smiling long after I’d put the book down.
If you’re a fan of emotional, character-driven romance with just the right amount of heat, Heartstrings is an absolute must-read. This is easily a five-star book for me, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books from Kes Winter.
What truly stood out to me was the emotional depth—this book doesn’t just tell a love story, it makes you feel every moment of it. The chemistry between the characters is electric yet tender, and their development throughout the story is handled with such care and realism. I found myself rooting for them from start to finish.
And yes—the spice is perfectly done. It adds an extra layer of intensity to the relationship without ever overshadowing the emotional connection. The intimate moments feel natural, well-paced, and genuinely meaningful, making the romance even more compelling and believable.
Kes winter has a real talent for balancing romance, emotion, and those steamier moments, weaving in vulnerability, growth, and self-discovery that elevate the story beyond a typical love story. There were scenes that genuinely tugged at my heartstrings (no pun intended!) and others that left me smiling long after I’d put the book down.
If you’re a fan of emotional, character-driven romance with just the right amount of heat, Heartstrings is an absolute must-read. This is easily a five-star book for me, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books from Kes Winter.
April 9, 2026
Another cowboy romance? Color me shocked 🤣 but honestly, I loved this one so much.
The added layer of Walker being a famous country music star was chef’s kiss and really made this stand out from other cowboy romances. It gave the story a fresh twist while still keeping that small town charm. And their first meeting? Absolute perfection. I loved getting to see Sadie’s feisty side right from the start. Also, the nickname Copperhead was way too cute.
I really appreciated the depth the author gave Jonah. His emotional backstory added so much weight to the story and made everything feel more real. I also loved how Sadie naturally fit into their family and how both her and Walker always kept Jonah at the center while building their relationship. It made their connection feel thoughtful and grounded.
Walker being jealous was so fun to read, and somehow he managed to do it in a respectful way, which I didn’t even know was possible. And Walker Rhodes as a whole? The standard. Him paying for Sadie’s mom’s treatment and caregiver, even knowing she still planned to go to New York, was the sweetest thing and truly just put a bow on how perfect he was.
I did like that Sadie still had her heart set on New York, but I’m not gonna lie… the second that principal called me about using my man for charity, I would have been out of there immediately.
This was my first book by Kes Winter and I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be reading more from her, and I cannot wait for the Wild Rose Ranch series to continue.
The added layer of Walker being a famous country music star was chef’s kiss and really made this stand out from other cowboy romances. It gave the story a fresh twist while still keeping that small town charm. And their first meeting? Absolute perfection. I loved getting to see Sadie’s feisty side right from the start. Also, the nickname Copperhead was way too cute.
I really appreciated the depth the author gave Jonah. His emotional backstory added so much weight to the story and made everything feel more real. I also loved how Sadie naturally fit into their family and how both her and Walker always kept Jonah at the center while building their relationship. It made their connection feel thoughtful and grounded.
Walker being jealous was so fun to read, and somehow he managed to do it in a respectful way, which I didn’t even know was possible. And Walker Rhodes as a whole? The standard. Him paying for Sadie’s mom’s treatment and caregiver, even knowing she still planned to go to New York, was the sweetest thing and truly just put a bow on how perfect he was.
I did like that Sadie still had her heart set on New York, but I’m not gonna lie… the second that principal called me about using my man for charity, I would have been out of there immediately.
This was my first book by Kes Winter and I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be reading more from her, and I cannot wait for the Wild Rose Ranch series to continue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
✨ Book Review: Heartstrings by Kes Winter ✨
POV: you take a nanny job for a country music star… and accidentally fall in love with your boss 🤠💔
Walker Rhodes is EVERYTHING you shouldn’t want:
Single dad. Country star. Grumpy cowboy.
And ridiculously protective 😮💨🔥
From the moment they meet, the chemistry is instant—and absolutely impossible to ignore. But he makes it clear:
He’s the boss.
She’s the nanny.
She’s off limits.
…sure. Except nobody is following those rules 👀
We’ve got:
✨ single dad romance
✨ grumpy x sunshine tension
✨ forbidden boss/nanny dynamic
✨ possessive but soft MMC
✨ cozy, emotional domestic moments
What makes this hit so hard is the balance—Walker is all rough edges and control in public, but with his son (and her), he’s patient, tender, and unexpectedly soft 🥹
And the FMC? A good girl from the wrong side of the tracks trying not to fall… but clearly losing that battle.
Because this was supposed to be temporary.
No strings.
No forever.
But Walker doesn’t look at her like temporary…
He looks at her like she already belongs 💔
This book leans into:
👉 forbidden attraction
👉 emotional healing through love
👉 soft but protective MMC energy
👉 “we shouldn’t… but we are” romance
If you love:
• cowboy romance 🤠
• single dad tropes
• slow burn tension
• protective MMCs who fall HARD
This one will absolutely ruin you in the best way 😮💨
Be honest… are you still leaving at the end of summer
✨ Book Review: Heartstrings by Kes Winter ✨
POV: you take a nanny job for a country music star… and accidentally fall in love with your boss 🤠💔
Walker Rhodes is EVERYTHING you shouldn’t want:
Single dad. Country star. Grumpy cowboy.
And ridiculously protective 😮💨🔥
From the moment they meet, the chemistry is instant—and absolutely impossible to ignore. But he makes it clear:
He’s the boss.
She’s the nanny.
She’s off limits.
…sure. Except nobody is following those rules 👀
We’ve got:
✨ single dad romance
✨ grumpy x sunshine tension
✨ forbidden boss/nanny dynamic
✨ possessive but soft MMC
✨ cozy, emotional domestic moments
What makes this hit so hard is the balance—Walker is all rough edges and control in public, but with his son (and her), he’s patient, tender, and unexpectedly soft 🥹
And the FMC? A good girl from the wrong side of the tracks trying not to fall… but clearly losing that battle.
Because this was supposed to be temporary.
No strings.
No forever.
But Walker doesn’t look at her like temporary…
He looks at her like she already belongs 💔
This book leans into:
👉 forbidden attraction
👉 emotional healing through love
👉 soft but protective MMC energy
👉 “we shouldn’t… but we are” romance
If you love:
• cowboy romance 🤠
• single dad tropes
• slow burn tension
• protective MMCs who fall HARD
This one will absolutely ruin you in the best way 😮💨
Be honest… are you still leaving at the end of summer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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