Heartstrings

by Kes Winter

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.

Genres: Westerns, Romance, Cowboy Romance, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2026

About the author

Kes 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.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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. 😝😝

“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.

[Rando Mando Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Okay, this might actually be my new favorite cowboy romance.

I had heard absolutely nothing about Heartstrings and went into it fully expecting a giant bowl of trope soup… and somehow it was delicious.

This book has everything: single dad, cowboy, country music singer, age gap, small town, grumpy/sunshine—the list just keeps going. And honestly, any one of these things could have made it feel cheesy or overdone, but it all blended together ridiculously well.

Walker absolutely stole my heart. I loved Sadie too because she felt mature, kind, and refreshingly not annoying. Lately I’ve been so burned out on enemies-to-lovers and all the pointless bickering that comes with it, so I really appreciated that this relationship actually felt emotionally grounded. They weren’t constantly fighting for no reason just to manufacture tension. It felt natural, warm, and believable, which made me way more invested in them.

And some top tier spice in there too.

This was such an easy, addictive read for me. I flew through it and had such a good time the entire way through. Honestly the perfect palate cleanser while still giving me all the cozy, emotional cowboy romance vibes I wanted.

I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 😭

[Aleksandra [semi hiatus]]

“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 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[Eve 🌷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Symone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie was perfect for the nanny job and brought such a warm energy to the family and ranch. I’ve always been a sucker for the single dad trope, and adding those western vibes made this feel different in a really good way. The horseback riding, whiskey kisses, pool talks, and family gatherings added so much charm and created such a cozy Atmosphere for the story.

The tension and push and pull between them was entertaining. And don’t let the cute cartoon cover fool you because this one was SPICY 😅. Walker definitely had no filter. At times I felt like I was intruding. And not to mention he was possessive... Sadie had her hands full 🤣.

This was a different author and genre from what I usually read, but I had a really good time with it. I laughed a lot, and I’d definitely recommend it to the readers craving those country/western vibes mixed with humor and spice.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ❤

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My gosh! I LOVED this book so much more than I ever expected to!!!!

Walker and Sadie were PURE PERFECTION!

Tropes and Things I LOVED:
*Cowboy Romance
*Single Dad/Nanny
*Age gap
*He falls first
*Instant chemistry/high angst
*Dirty mouth MMC
*He’s a lean in the doorway guy 😍
*When you got to the part of the book that matches the cover!!! 😍

I loved the immediate attraction and they fought it. Bantered and bickered like they hated each other.
This book had me ALLLLLLLL in my feels the last 20%...even made me cry.
I loved this couple so dang much!!!!

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥.5

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many grammar mistakes! Too cheesy! Too flat!

But I did read the whole thing?? Yes...

But there are definitely better westerns out there!

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute in a very safe, low drama kind of story.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Leah D · Rating 5 out of 5]

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🌶️

[Flame and Fable · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I 3.5🌶️

I picked this up before reading my ARC of book two and I’m so glad I did.

Was it a little predictable at times? Yes. Did I absolutely inhale it in under 36 hours anyway? Also yes! I just couldn’t get enough. If you like Heartless by Elsie Silver then you’ll probably enjoy this.

Walker Rhodes is a grumpy country music superstar who comes back to his roots of being a cowboy on his ranch after a divorce and with a young son.

He’s protective and dominating in a sexy way. He talks dirty and definitely had me kicking my feet whilst also being such a gentleman! I was swooning for sure. He may be my favourite cowboy to date… 😜

Sadie has spent her whole life looking after everyone else, especially her mum, and has never really had the chance to put herself first. She dreams of moving to New York to become a teacher, but first takes a summer job as Walker’s live-in nanny.

Cue forced proximity, accidental hand brushes, adorable family moments, and enough tension to have you silently shouting, “Will you just kiss already?!”

If you love grumpy cowboys with filthy mouths, a soft spot for the woman they definitely shouldn’t be falling for, and all the yearning, this is well worth picking up.

I loved Kes Winter’s writing. She makes you really care about her characters, and once you’re invested, good luck putting the book down.

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬:
🌶️ Dirty-talking cowboy
🌶️ “Eyes on me”
🌶️ He pushes it back in.

𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐭’𝐝 𝐛𝐞:
🎶 There Was This Girl by Riley Green.
It gives me Walker and Sadie vibes from start to finish.

[Karin ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a moment to just think about this review because this is one of the bestest Cowboy books I've ever read.

Omfg okay so I'm a sucker for everything cowboy and this is the first book I'm reading by Kes but IT WON'T BE MY LAST. Holy moly macaroni this book was FANTASTIC you all.

Kes's storytelling and gorgeous writing has left me speechless. It's mindblowing. This boon is beautiful amd heartwarming but at the same time emotional and raw and human. Oh and let's not forget, it's spicy.

Anything cowboy and single dad has me kicking my feet and giggling. The way Walker is treating Sadie like a queen has me in awe. Sadie's relationship with Jonah has me crying because it was beautiful to see that boy grow.

I honestly hope this kind of love finds me one day because it was beautiful to read about.

I'm so excited to continue to read the books by Kes. I've found myself a new favorite series and author. Absolutely fantastic. Amazing. Phenomenal. Beautiful.

[Jacelynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Nichola Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[MrsxBxTurnsThePage · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was amazing from beginning to end I loved these two so much and Johan! I didn’t want this book to end at all! I asked Kes Winters when I was 35% would there be more on the Rhodes brothers and I can’t freaking wait!! I was rooting for this to from the beginning I loved how Sadie didn’t care that Walker was famous if he was rude or bossy she would call him on it.. I loved the cherry ring pop thanks to Johan helping Walker out ugh thank you Kes Winters for writing this amazing story!

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Oh this book. Perfect mix of kicking my feet, giggling and some tears. I loved their story and how she wanted it with him from the beginning. I loved the focus on loving now is worth it over the fear of it being over.
The spice was on point and it was just a delightful read.

[Amy Sekelsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one!!!! Single dad and nanny!!!! Walker is a famous country music artist. Sadie is trying her hardest to make it out of the trailer park! This one is so cute! LOVE LOVE LOVE⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jemmsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy cowboy romance 🌶️✔️
Walker and Sadie sizzle in this cowboy/ country music star romance!
Sadie becomes Walker’s son nanny after their initial lake swim run in, and it’s an instant connection from the beginning.
A highly recommended read, can’t wait to get into the not book!

[Tracy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a good cowboy trope and already love Elsie Silver, this one by Kes Winter is definitely for you!

[Kara Beckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars
The blurb is awful and doesn’t make justice to the story

The tropes are the ones I deeply dislike: single dad- nanny plus celebrity main character, I hate those but when I read the teaser of the sex scenes I gave the book a chance (I’m a smutty reader)

It’s so romantic, a lot of people will find the book cheesy but it’s beautiful
She is 24, old enough to be in a relationship, she is strong and independent, she works hard and takes care of her mother
He is simply a dream, the perfect male main character in a romance book

The book is easy to read, safe, very romantic and sexy
His family is amazing and honestly I can’t wait to read about their stories, even their dad’s ! 🤣

First book by this author I find on instagram!

[Merel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, cozy and slightly spicy cowboy romance, what’s not to love

[Aubree Corby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, the nanny single dad troupe will always get me. 🥸

[Nicole B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love romance books but this was probably the worst I have read in a while. I doubt this author has ever been to Montana and with all the southern words, I think this should have been in the south somewhere. Why did she keep saying crawdads? It felt like this author wanted to write about the south but knows people are doing well with mid west romances so just wrote a book without any research. Also, The author seems to want to build the female main character up as a strong woman initially. However , in the end, she gives up her dreams, has an accidental pregnancy and makes money her husband gives her. Do not recommend!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25/5

Thank you so much to Kes Winter for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There's something incredibly special about picking up an author's new series after loving their previous work. I adored Kes Winter's Fanged Fairytales, so I was beyond excited to see what she'd do with contemporary cowboy romance... and she absolutely delivered.

Heartstrings surprised me in the best possible way.

Going in, I expected something cute, cozy, and full of cowboy charm. It certainly has all of that, but it's also deeply emotional, beautifully written, and full of characters carrying wounds that feel incredibly real. By the time I reached the final pages, I had happy tears in my eyes and didn't want to say goodbye.

Sadie was such an easy heroine to root for. She's funny, intelligent, compassionate, and has a habit of taking care of everyone except herself. As someone who knows exactly what it's like to put other people first, I found myself connecting with her almost immediately. Walker completely stole my heart too. Yes, he's the grumpy cowboy, successful country singer, and devoted single dad, but beneath all of that is a man trying to rebuild his life while protecting the people he loves most.

And then there's Jonah.

That sweet little boy owned my heart from practically his first scene. Every interaction between him and Sadie made me smile, and watching their relationship develop was one of my favourite parts of the entire book.

One thing I appreciated most was how emotionally grounded the romance felt. Lately I've been a little burned out on couples who spend half the book arguing simply because the trope demands it. Walker and Sadie's relationship felt different. The attraction is undeniable, the tension is delicious, but underneath it all there's genuine care, respect, vulnerability, and growth. It made every emotional moment hit so much harder.

The setting deserves its own mention because Wild Rose Ranch almost became another character. The horseback rides, mountain scenery, whiskey kisses, family dinners, quiet conversations, and cozy western atmosphere made this such an immersive reading experience. It was exactly the kind of world I wanted to disappear into.

Kes Winter's writing continues to impress me. There's something almost poetic about the way she writes emotion. She doesn't overcomplicate it, but somehow every feeling lands exactly where it's supposed to.

I absolutely flew through this book. I laughed, smiled, swooned, got emotional, and genuinely didn't want it to end. The Fourth of July scenes were among my favourites, jealous Walker was everything I hoped he'd be, and the balance between heartfelt romance, family, humour, and spice worked really well for me.

If you love single dad romances, cowboy heroes, age-gap romance, nanny romance, found family, protective heroes, emotionally mature relationships, and stories that leave you with a full heart, I think you'll have a wonderful time with Heartstrings.

I'm already looking forward to returning to Wild Rose Ranch for book two.

[♥ WishfulMiss ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡♡♡

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:
Ages : Walker is 36 and Sadie is 24 (Jonah is 6)

Cheating : Not between MCs but MMC's ex-wife did cheat prior to their divorce.

OM/OW drama : None.

Separation : None.

Triggers/Tropes/Content Warnings: small town gossip/rumors, unreliable parents (on and off page), single dad, boss x nanny trope, flirting, banter, friends to lovers, open communication, green flag hero, open door spice, dirty talk, mild/low angst, feel good romance.

HEA/HFN : Ends on a HEA