What do you think?
Rate this book
Wildwood #3
Steel Obsession
She ruined his life. He’ll protect her anyway.
Cowboy Travis Hawkins wears a black Stetson and a permanent scowl, courtesy of the woman who left him. But when Missy shows up with their girls in the middle of the night, the terror in her eyes pierces the steel he’s built around his heart.
Missy knows she’s not welcome at Falcon Ridge Ranch. Travis will never forgive her for leaving him—or understand why she needed to. But with a dangerous man stalking her, Travis is the only one she can trust to keep their daughters safe. She doesn’t expect him to help her too, but he offers her refuge anyway.
After all, he promised to protect her once—and unlike her, he keeps his promises.
Secluded in his mountain cabin, old flames reignite, sparking hope for a second chance. But Missy can’t stay hidden forever. She’s still the target of a dangerous obsession, and her hunter is just waiting for her to emerge from the shadows…
Author Steel Obsession is a small-town second-chance romantic suspense novel. Each book in the Wildwood series is a standalone novel featuring a different Hawkins sibling. This series is great for readers who
cowboys with hearts of goldstrong women who refuse to sit on the sidelinesSearch and rescue missionsplot twistsfamily sagassizzling banter, steamy kisses, and low-to-medium spice.
Cowboy Travis Hawkins wears a black Stetson and a permanent scowl, courtesy of the woman who left him. But when Missy shows up with their girls in the middle of the night, the terror in her eyes pierces the steel he’s built around his heart.
Missy knows she’s not welcome at Falcon Ridge Ranch. Travis will never forgive her for leaving him—or understand why she needed to. But with a dangerous man stalking her, Travis is the only one she can trust to keep their daughters safe. She doesn’t expect him to help her too, but he offers her refuge anyway.
After all, he promised to protect her once—and unlike her, he keeps his promises.
Secluded in his mountain cabin, old flames reignite, sparking hope for a second chance. But Missy can’t stay hidden forever. She’s still the target of a dangerous obsession, and her hunter is just waiting for her to emerge from the shadows…
Author Steel Obsession is a small-town second-chance romantic suspense novel. Each book in the Wildwood series is a standalone novel featuring a different Hawkins sibling. This series is great for readers who
cowboys with hearts of goldstrong women who refuse to sit on the sidelinesSearch and rescue missionsplot twistsfamily sagassizzling banter, steamy kisses, and low-to-medium spice.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2026
About the author
Nicole Gardner
14 books60 followersMystery + Romantic Suspense author. Writer of quaint towns with cozy vibes, romantic suspense, and plot twists you'll never see coming. Nicole lives in Arkansas with her husband, sons, and two dogs. If she’s not at her desk writing, you’ll probably find her in the garden or creating teas and tinctures in her kitchen.
Connect with Nicole:
www.nicolegardnerbooks.com
Newsletter: https://nicolegardnerbooks.com/newsle...
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicolegardnerbooks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicolegardnerbooks
Connect with Nicole:
www.nicolegardnerbooks.com
Newsletter: https://nicolegardnerbooks.com/newsle...
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicolegardnerbooks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicolegardnerbooks
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 24, 2026
This is my 5th Nicole Gardner book, and it was possibly my favorite.
Steel Obsession is about a divorced couple who co-parent two little girls in Wyoming. When the FMC Missy becomes the victim of a dangerous stalker, she takes her children back to their father's ranch to keep them safe. The MMC Travis wants to protect Missy as well, and due to their new living arrangements, they find time to talk about thier relationship.
The suspense and second chance elements are attractive to me, as is the spice level between Missy and Travis. (Probably the most fireworks I've see in a Gardner book!) But the main thing about their story is that it's relatable. Relationships are complex, with history and two sides and deep feelings, and Gardner lets the reader feel all of it.
Also enjoyed the guest appearance of Claire And Vance from book 2!
Highly recommend this series!
Steel Obsession is about a divorced couple who co-parent two little girls in Wyoming. When the FMC Missy becomes the victim of a dangerous stalker, she takes her children back to their father's ranch to keep them safe. The MMC Travis wants to protect Missy as well, and due to their new living arrangements, they find time to talk about thier relationship.
The suspense and second chance elements are attractive to me, as is the spice level between Missy and Travis. (Probably the most fireworks I've see in a Gardner book!) But the main thing about their story is that it's relatable. Relationships are complex, with history and two sides and deep feelings, and Gardner lets the reader feel all of it.
Also enjoyed the guest appearance of Claire And Vance from book 2!
Highly recommend this series!
Read
May 19, 2026Steel Obsession: Wildwood #3 by Nicole Gardner Missy & Travis story. A romantic suspense that kept me guessing on who and what was going to happen because I knew something would, not what I had guessed though. I loved the direction the book took. The love these two shared was enough for them to make changes and reconnect after their separation when Missy is in danger and the safest place is where where she left and the man she never stopped loving. A great story of family coming together, second chance with meaningful conversations and change when picking each other and their girls becomes the priority. On a the family ranch in a small Wyoming town.
Second chance
MC’s in their 30’s
Small town
Grumpy cowboy
Romantic suspense
He promises to protect her
Second chance
MC’s in their 30’s
Small town
Grumpy cowboy
Romantic suspense
He promises to protect her
August 17, 2026
Steel Obsession
This story is about a couple who lost each other. Travis works so many hours on his Father’s ranch that he neglects to be there for his wife and kids. Missy leaves with their daughters making a new life for them in the city.
When a stalker forces her back to the ranch both have to air their truths. Can they find a way back.
Definitely didn’t see the twist coming in this one. Very well written.
This story is about a couple who lost each other. Travis works so many hours on his Father’s ranch that he neglects to be there for his wife and kids. Missy leaves with their daughters making a new life for them in the city.
When a stalker forces her back to the ranch both have to air their truths. Can they find a way back.
Definitely didn’t see the twist coming in this one. Very well written.
Review of advance copy received from Author
May, Book 55 of 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Was beyond grateful for an e-arc of @nicolegardnerbooks "Steel Obsession" and of course, it did not disappoint 👏
This was such a breath of fresh air after all of the Romantasy reads I've completed.
Cannot wait to get my hard copy #booktrophy this week ❤️
#romancemystery #arcreader #nicolegardner #wildwoodseries
Romance
Mystery
Cowboy
Cowgirl
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Was beyond grateful for an e-arc of @nicolegardnerbooks "Steel Obsession" and of course, it did not disappoint 👏
This was such a breath of fresh air after all of the Romantasy reads I've completed.
Cannot wait to get my hard copy #booktrophy this week ❤️
#romancemystery #arcreader #nicolegardner #wildwoodseries
Romance
Mystery
Cowboy
Cowgirl
May 30, 2026
Nicole Gardner does it again, delivering a heart-warming love story that first takes you through mystery, murder, and suspense. I love how she paints scenes with her words, making me feel like I’m right there with the characters. The characters feel real, with flaws and blunders that are relatable. I love the Hawkins family! Each character is unique, and some go their own way, but love ties them together no matter what. Great read!!
June 1, 2026
A grumpy cowboy. An ex wife in distress. A plot twist that keeps you on edge the entire time?? Couldn’t put this book down! A mystery read with a side of romance that’s equally balanced throughout the whole book. It’s bingeable. I started it and couldn’t stop. The characters are so relatable. So much emotion built up. Such a good read!
July 6, 2026
The romance was cozy, and the mystery kept me on my toes, but that plot twist was 🔥🤯!!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews