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Writing Saddle
Two guarded hearts. Two different pasts. One safe word.
Rising romance author Maisie Brooks can’t catch a break. Dealing with blow after devastating blow, she’s left with no other pack up her life in the Big Apple in search of something real to write about. Moving to her family's ranch in rural Montana seems to be the ticket to her wildest dreams—only the cocky, unbearably sexy cowboy who came with the ranch was decidedly not on her twelve-step plan.
Grayson Miles, foreman of Foxy Roxy Ranch, is used to taking blows of his own. One life-changing decision has him tangled in a sticky mess he’s not sure he’ll ever escape. He only has three rules for life, and having a gorgeous spitfire on the ranch is proving to be trouble for them all.
The heart wants what the heart wants, and there’s no escaping a love story to rival the classics. With a love as sweet as honey and a passion that burns hotter than whiskey, what could go wrong? Will she save her career and ride her cowboy into the sunset, or will their decisions haunt them the rest of their lives?
Writing Saddle is the first book in Lupine Love Letters, an interconnected standalone, adult dark cowboy romance series.
Rising romance author Maisie Brooks can’t catch a break. Dealing with blow after devastating blow, she’s left with no other pack up her life in the Big Apple in search of something real to write about. Moving to her family's ranch in rural Montana seems to be the ticket to her wildest dreams—only the cocky, unbearably sexy cowboy who came with the ranch was decidedly not on her twelve-step plan.
Grayson Miles, foreman of Foxy Roxy Ranch, is used to taking blows of his own. One life-changing decision has him tangled in a sticky mess he’s not sure he’ll ever escape. He only has three rules for life, and having a gorgeous spitfire on the ranch is proving to be trouble for them all.
The heart wants what the heart wants, and there’s no escaping a love story to rival the classics. With a love as sweet as honey and a passion that burns hotter than whiskey, what could go wrong? Will she save her career and ride her cowboy into the sunset, or will their decisions haunt them the rest of their lives?
Writing Saddle is the first book in Lupine Love Letters, an interconnected standalone, adult dark cowboy romance series.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2026
About the author
Alexis Morgan
3 books66 followersAlexis Morgan was born and raised in the beautiful rainy state of Washington. She discovered her love for reading and writing later in life—thanks to a bout of boredom while her husband was deployed overseas. Since then, books have become her passion (and, admittedly, her whole personality). When she's not curled up with a good book, accompanied by her Frenchie, Enzo, and cat, Evie, you’ll likely find her at the gym, spending time with family, or—more often than not—browsing the aisles of her favorite bookstore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
June 12, 2026
so i’m a little conflicted, honestly, on how i want to rate this book. there are a lot of things i liked, but quite a few things that i didn’t as well. so to start, i like cowboy x city girl. i LOVED that he’s a 6’5 southern man with dimples, brown curly hair, tattoos & a slutty little mustache 🤭 (he also has a tattoo that says she comes first LIKE HELLO???) like if i could describe my favorite type of cowboy, he’s it. and he calls her HONEY which is one of my favorite nicknames (i’m a country bumpkin, sue me) the spice is great, the banter is bantering, & the writing in this book is nice. BUT…
it was a little too insta-love for me. like, he was saying day two she was important to him and that’s not gonna fly with me LOL i will say it was insta lust as well, but they did wait a while before acting on it. the back and forth between the two was fine at first but jesus it just dragged and dragged. the fmc forgave him way too quickly in so many instances and i think it would have been way better had he have to work for some trust back.
i will say this is not just a regular cowboy book, it does have some darker themes, so if you’re looking for light and fluffy this is not your book. thank you to alexis morgan & her team for an early copy. all opinions are my own!
it was a little too insta-love for me. like, he was saying day two she was important to him and that’s not gonna fly with me LOL i will say it was insta lust as well, but they did wait a while before acting on it. the back and forth between the two was fine at first but jesus it just dragged and dragged. the fmc forgave him way too quickly in so many instances and i think it would have been way better had he have to work for some trust back.
i will say this is not just a regular cowboy book, it does have some darker themes, so if you’re looking for light and fluffy this is not your book. thank you to alexis morgan & her team for an early copy. all opinions are my own!
July 27, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
This book was so addictive wow !
This book was so addictive wow !
July 5, 2026
4 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy of Writing Saddle 💛
dark romance / mafia / underground fighting / cowboy x city girl
I finished this a week ago and have been thinking about it since!!!
Between our protective mmc and strong willed fmc, I had so much fun reading their love story.
This was different than any other cowboy romance book I have read thus far. When I saw that the author was coming out with a book that involved cowboys and underground fighting, I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to read the story asap!!
If you like your mmc AND fmc to be spicy, protective, strong, and someone who doesn’t take anyones shit … then, this is the book for you!!
(all opinions are my own)
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy of Writing Saddle 💛
dark romance / mafia / underground fighting / cowboy x city girl
I finished this a week ago and have been thinking about it since!!!
Between our protective mmc and strong willed fmc, I had so much fun reading their love story.
This was different than any other cowboy romance book I have read thus far. When I saw that the author was coming out with a book that involved cowboys and underground fighting, I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to read the story asap!!
If you like your mmc AND fmc to be spicy, protective, strong, and someone who doesn’t take anyones shit … then, this is the book for you!!
(all opinions are my own)
September 3, 2026
4 stars !!!! Fast pace read, cependant je décrirais pas ça comme un dark romance vraiment...
June 18, 2026
4.25⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
This is my first Dark Cowboy Romance…and I’m sold. I love cowboy romance books, and dark romance books…put them together, and you have a fabulous niche genre that I am now obsessed with. 🤠🤠
Characters: I really connected with Maisie, her love for her cat, evie, her anxiety, her insecurities of not having many close friends, etc. etc. I think almost anyone will be able to connect on some level with her, or Grayson. Seeing the story from both of the main character’s POV really added to the plot, imo. Seeing how much Grayson struggled internally with some of the things he had to do vs. how Maisie saw it, was sooo good
Spice: Grayson is literally a cowboy themed wet dream walking. Says “good girl”? Check. Protective? Check. Tall, dark, and grumpy? Check. The spice was well done, it was a slow burn that exploded at just the right time. It didn’t overpower the plot at all. There is YEARNINGGG from this man. Who doesn’t love a man that yearns?! And one who knows just what to say?? I’ll tell ya, Grayson has a mouth on him 👏🫠🤭. I may need to tell my husband to ditch the beard and grow a mustache. W.P.M. — ifykyk 🤭😘.
Storyline: This is def a insta-lust to insta-love type story…so if you’re looking for enemies to lovers, this isn’t for you. BUT, the insta-lust and love is done really well, and fits with the story. It may be insta-lust, but it’s a slow burn, so buckle up cowgirl 🤠🫡. There are SO MANY Easter eggs in this story for future books in the series, and I’m dying to know who the next book will be about. Hunter, Lan, Chester/Laine??? I MUST know 😭😭. I do wish we got a little more insight into what Lan does?? But I think that’s to come in another book. I loved having the two little epilogues at the end, so cute. Who doesn’t love a good HEA?!
Review of Advanced Reader Copy — all opinions are my own.
This is my first Dark Cowboy Romance…and I’m sold. I love cowboy romance books, and dark romance books…put them together, and you have a fabulous niche genre that I am now obsessed with. 🤠🤠
Characters: I really connected with Maisie, her love for her cat, evie, her anxiety, her insecurities of not having many close friends, etc. etc. I think almost anyone will be able to connect on some level with her, or Grayson. Seeing the story from both of the main character’s POV really added to the plot, imo. Seeing how much Grayson struggled internally with some of the things he had to do vs. how Maisie saw it, was sooo good
Spice: Grayson is literally a cowboy themed wet dream walking. Says “good girl”? Check. Protective? Check. Tall, dark, and grumpy? Check. The spice was well done, it was a slow burn that exploded at just the right time. It didn’t overpower the plot at all. There is YEARNINGGG from this man. Who doesn’t love a man that yearns?! And one who knows just what to say?? I’ll tell ya, Grayson has a mouth on him 👏🫠🤭. I may need to tell my husband to ditch the beard and grow a mustache. W.P.M. — ifykyk 🤭😘.
Storyline: This is def a insta-lust to insta-love type story…so if you’re looking for enemies to lovers, this isn’t for you. BUT, the insta-lust and love is done really well, and fits with the story. It may be insta-lust, but it’s a slow burn, so buckle up cowgirl 🤠🫡. There are SO MANY Easter eggs in this story for future books in the series, and I’m dying to know who the next book will be about. Hunter, Lan, Chester/Laine??? I MUST know 😭😭. I do wish we got a little more insight into what Lan does?? But I think that’s to come in another book. I loved having the two little epilogues at the end, so cute. Who doesn’t love a good HEA?!
Review of Advanced Reader Copy — all opinions are my own.
July 5, 2026
ARC REVIEW!
Okay this was my first cowboy romance and it most definitely will NOT be my last!! This book had me hooked from the very first paragraph. I laughed, I giggled, I drooled, I cried. This book had it all!!
The story itself was amazing! I love that both main characters had such complex pasts that they fought to conquer. Their story was so damn cute and realistic! Nothing felt forced and it all flowed so beautifully!! Seriously one of the best love stories I have read in a really long time!
Maisie doesn’t take shit from anyone and she definitely matched the sassy cowboys energy from the start. She was guarded from a checkered past but the way she grew and opened up through this book was AMAZING!! Graysonnnnnnn!!! I AM IN LOVE! I think I need a cowboy. He’s ruthless when it comes to protecting who and what he cares about. And he is so sassy and flirty. Gahhh he had me droolingggggggg!!!
Let talk about chapter 48…the saddle….ALEXIS!! Good lord I wasn’t ready!! My husband was asking so many questions about why my jaw was on the floor! ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!
Thank you so much for this ARC read I cannot wait for book two to find out who the next couple is! I have so many guesses and questions!!!!
Okay this was my first cowboy romance and it most definitely will NOT be my last!! This book had me hooked from the very first paragraph. I laughed, I giggled, I drooled, I cried. This book had it all!!
The story itself was amazing! I love that both main characters had such complex pasts that they fought to conquer. Their story was so damn cute and realistic! Nothing felt forced and it all flowed so beautifully!! Seriously one of the best love stories I have read in a really long time!
Maisie doesn’t take shit from anyone and she definitely matched the sassy cowboys energy from the start. She was guarded from a checkered past but the way she grew and opened up through this book was AMAZING!! Graysonnnnnnn!!! I AM IN LOVE! I think I need a cowboy. He’s ruthless when it comes to protecting who and what he cares about. And he is so sassy and flirty. Gahhh he had me droolingggggggg!!!
Let talk about chapter 48…the saddle….ALEXIS!! Good lord I wasn’t ready!! My husband was asking so many questions about why my jaw was on the floor! ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!
Thank you so much for this ARC read I cannot wait for book two to find out who the next couple is! I have so many guesses and questions!!!!
June 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you Alexis Morgan for the e-ARC is exchanged for my honest review.
For a debut cowboy romance, Writing Saddle was a really impressive start!
I had a lot of fun with the aspects of a big-city author FMC who travels to a small town to "research" her next cowboy romance. Watching her gather inspiration while getting pulled into ranch life and the sexy local cowboy, made for such a fun premise. ;) And the research notes at the end of each chapter were honestly one of my favorite parts. They added so much personality to the story and had me laughing more than once.
I also loved the mafia style suspense woven throughout the plot. It added an unexpected layer of mystery and kept me curious about what was gonna happen next. That said, I did find that storyline a little drawn out at times, and I think it lost some momentum in the middle.
The romance itself leaned pretty heavily into insta attraction or insta love, and while that's not usually a dealbreaker for me, I didn't completely connect with the way it was handled here. I would have loved a little more relationship development before the feelings escalated.
Overall, though, this was a fun read with plenty of charm, an engaging premise, and a unique voice. For a debut novel, Alexis Morgan definitely delivered an entertaining cowboy romance, and I'm excited to see what she writes next.
Thank you Alexis Morgan for the e-ARC is exchanged for my honest review.
For a debut cowboy romance, Writing Saddle was a really impressive start!
I had a lot of fun with the aspects of a big-city author FMC who travels to a small town to "research" her next cowboy romance. Watching her gather inspiration while getting pulled into ranch life and the sexy local cowboy, made for such a fun premise. ;) And the research notes at the end of each chapter were honestly one of my favorite parts. They added so much personality to the story and had me laughing more than once.
I also loved the mafia style suspense woven throughout the plot. It added an unexpected layer of mystery and kept me curious about what was gonna happen next. That said, I did find that storyline a little drawn out at times, and I think it lost some momentum in the middle.
The romance itself leaned pretty heavily into insta attraction or insta love, and while that's not usually a dealbreaker for me, I didn't completely connect with the way it was handled here. I would have loved a little more relationship development before the feelings escalated.
Overall, though, this was a fun read with plenty of charm, an engaging premise, and a unique voice. For a debut novel, Alexis Morgan definitely delivered an entertaining cowboy romance, and I'm excited to see what she writes next.
September 20, 2026
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tears: 💧💧💧
A cowboy romance is my absolute favorite. FMC flees to Lupine, Montana to get a change of scenery, write her book, and clear her mind. Visiting her family she meets MMC who has some dark secrets. The two grew well together and had great chemistry. It was a slow burn kind of thing with some enemies-to-lovers aspect. It wasn’t too slow by any means, the perfect amount in my opinion. Alexis Morgan’s writing style was great. It was poetic, engaging, and swoon-worthy. Finishing the book, I was impressed and satisfied. I thought the overall storyline was amazing from beginning, middle, to end. If you’re fans of dark romance and cowboy romance; I think this is a great book for you.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tears: 💧💧💧
A cowboy romance is my absolute favorite. FMC flees to Lupine, Montana to get a change of scenery, write her book, and clear her mind. Visiting her family she meets MMC who has some dark secrets. The two grew well together and had great chemistry. It was a slow burn kind of thing with some enemies-to-lovers aspect. It wasn’t too slow by any means, the perfect amount in my opinion. Alexis Morgan’s writing style was great. It was poetic, engaging, and swoon-worthy. Finishing the book, I was impressed and satisfied. I thought the overall storyline was amazing from beginning, middle, to end. If you’re fans of dark romance and cowboy romance; I think this is a great book for you.
July 7, 2026
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!! I got the privilege of receiving and arc and I absolutely gobbled this up! I mean our mmc is a 6’4’’ dark and grumpy cowboy with a slutty little mustache and a FILTHY mouth and yes, I imagined Riley Green (sue me). I’m telling you, Grayson Miles is THAT MAN!!
This book was such a fun cowboy romance and the banter between our main characters was everything! It is a bit more insta-lusty but it worked for them. And don’t get me STARTED on the whiskey play..
THANK YOU ALEXIS for letting me get an early read, this was absolute perfection and I can’t wait to read more of this world :)
This book was such a fun cowboy romance and the banter between our main characters was everything! It is a bit more insta-lusty but it worked for them. And don’t get me STARTED on the whiskey play..
THANK YOU ALEXIS for letting me get an early read, this was absolute perfection and I can’t wait to read more of this world :)
July 7, 2026
3.75⭐️
I was able to read this as an arc, so thank you to Alexis!
I was sold on the fact that this is a dark cowboy romance. Normally, I think winter/fall for dark romances and summer/spring for cowboy romances, but this was a great read for the summertime! The two main characters have a connection almost immediately, which is sometimes not my taste. But, other than that, it was a good read and something I would recommend to others.
I was able to read this as an arc, so thank you to Alexis!
I was sold on the fact that this is a dark cowboy romance. Normally, I think winter/fall for dark romances and summer/spring for cowboy romances, but this was a great read for the summertime! The two main characters have a connection almost immediately, which is sometimes not my taste. But, other than that, it was a good read and something I would recommend to others.
June 19, 2026
3.75⭐️ ARC REVIEW💜
LOVED this one! This was the first book I’ve read by Alexis and I love her writing! This was such a good cowboy summer read with a hint a darkness. It felt a little slow for me at times, but it kept sucking me back in. Such a cute story, my dream truly. And the spice was to die for 🤭
LOVED this one! This was the first book I’ve read by Alexis and I love her writing! This was such a good cowboy summer read with a hint a darkness. It felt a little slow for me at times, but it kept sucking me back in. Such a cute story, my dream truly. And the spice was to die for 🤭
June 29, 2026
I wanted to love this book so bad. Unfortunately some of it just fell flat for me. The writing was just not my cup of tea🥲 the mafia plot line was interesting but it was too insta love and the FMC def forgave him for some shady shit. I appreciate the author giving me an ARC copy of this book. I may check out the rest of the series as they come out just out of curiosity.
July 8, 2026
thank you to the author for the arc!
I absolutely loved gray and maisie! I was invested from page one. The tension, slow burn, banter was all done so well. The way gray loved and protected maisie made me CRY at the end😭 I can’t wait for more books from this series!! If you love Elsie silver and mafia romance, then this is for you!!!
I absolutely loved gray and maisie! I was invested from page one. The tension, slow burn, banter was all done so well. The way gray loved and protected maisie made me CRY at the end😭 I can’t wait for more books from this series!! If you love Elsie silver and mafia romance, then this is for you!!!
July 10, 2026
Maisie and Grayson's love story in this dark cowboy romance was sweet. I enjoyed the fact that his why for his decisions revolved around his family. At times I felt like I struggled to get through chapters in the middle just simply was slow for me personally. The book as a whole was great from plot, to romance, found family, cowboys, and the mafia twist.
August 14, 2026
This book has such a unique storyline, and I honestly don't think I've ever read anything quite like it 🤠🐎
A cowboy, a ranch, a heartbroken writer who has sworn off men, AND a little mafia chaos mixed in? Okay, you officially have my attention 👀🔥
Grayson is the dirty mouthed, tattooed cowboy we’ve been waiting for, and Maisie is the awkward, hilarious writer with the biggest heart. I absolutely adored them both!
The found family and friendship throughout this story were everything, and that ending?! 😭 I’m calling Saddle because this one seriously tugged on my heartstrings💕
A cowboy, a ranch, a heartbroken writer who has sworn off men, AND a little mafia chaos mixed in? Okay, you officially have my attention 👀🔥
Grayson is the dirty mouthed, tattooed cowboy we’ve been waiting for, and Maisie is the awkward, hilarious writer with the biggest heart. I absolutely adored them both!
The found family and friendship throughout this story were everything, and that ending?! 😭 I’m calling Saddle because this one seriously tugged on my heartstrings💕
July 1, 2026
So how long until the next one ?😍😉♥️🤠This was my first ARC and I loved it ! Can’t wait to read more of your books ! Dark and cowboys are kinda my thing 😉
July 20, 2026
Okay so where can I get a pair of those jeans?!
August 20, 2026
Honestly would have been a DNF but I was buddy reading with someone else so I completed the book.
The pacing was very inconsistent and often the storyline felt all over the place. The dialog was cringy and phrases were overly repeated . Not a fan
The pacing was very inconsistent and often the storyline felt all over the place. The dialog was cringy and phrases were overly repeated . Not a fan
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been struggling with this book for a week and I came up to the conclusion that it is just not doing it for me. It just got me so bored, I was not intrigued about the book as noticed picking up my phon and scrolling instead of reading....
I have read around 72% of it and even my curiousity has taken a break because I don't even want to finish it and I don't normaly dnf books...
I think that it's not a bad book per se, it has a plot but it did give me insta love which I haaaaate with a passion. Also the writting sometimes jumps around so I had to re-read some bits to understand what happened.
I would not consider this a dark cowboy romance. There is a cowboy and there are some mafia elements (not a lot) but it's nowhere near dark.
If you like cowboys with a twist you might like it.
Thank you Alexis Morgan for an ARC!
I have read around 72% of it and even my curiousity has taken a break because I don't even want to finish it and I don't normaly dnf books...
I think that it's not a bad book per se, it has a plot but it did give me insta love which I haaaaate with a passion. Also the writting sometimes jumps around so I had to re-read some bits to understand what happened.
I would not consider this a dark cowboy romance. There is a cowboy and there are some mafia elements (not a lot) but it's nowhere near dark.
If you like cowboys with a twist you might like it.
Thank you Alexis Morgan for an ARC!
July 7, 2026
This is exactly the type of story line I would expect from a small town x cowboy x mafia romance book.
I liked Grayson’s character a lot and how he fit so well on the ranch with Maisie’s family. However, I think the third act breakup was unnecessary. Grayson did what he needed to do in about a week after breaking up with Maisie, then leaves her be for 6 months because she “seemed happy” …. Did you learn nothing about Maisie in your time together? Hello?? On top of that, there was no groveling! Just flowers, hi i missed you, then all is well! I know he did what had to be done and needed her out of the way, but I just felt like the last 20-25% was just all over the place for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the story & the addition of the dark aspects! Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this one early!
I liked Grayson’s character a lot and how he fit so well on the ranch with Maisie’s family. However, I think the third act breakup was unnecessary. Grayson did what he needed to do in about a week after breaking up with Maisie, then leaves her be for 6 months because she “seemed happy” …. Did you learn nothing about Maisie in your time together? Hello?? On top of that, there was no groveling! Just flowers, hi i missed you, then all is well! I know he did what had to be done and needed her out of the way, but I just felt like the last 20-25% was just all over the place for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the story & the addition of the dark aspects! Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this one early!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of Writing Saddle, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you, Alexis Morgan, for sending me this ARC. As a chronic cowboy romance enjoyer, I absolutely ate this up. This is a book that you readily make time for. I read most of this in one sitting, and it felt like the time blissfully melted away. Writing Saddle was a book I dove head-first into and fell in love with its characters and story.
.°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖☀︎ᨒ↟✩₊˚.⋆☾𓃦⋆⭒˚.⋆♘ᨒ ོ ☼°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖☀︎ᨒ↟✩₊˚.
℧ Writing Saddle was a mix of genres I have never read before, and I don’t know how I got this far in life without reading a story like this. A dark cowboy romance with Mafia threads woven into a cosy small-town tapestry?? Hell yeah. Sign me all the way up! Alexis may be the only person in the entire world to ever convince me a mustache is hot. I don’t know how she did it, but I couldn’t picture Grayson without it now. My therapist will also be in contact because the emotional damage inflicted upon us is real. This book will rip out your heart, and we will say thank you, and ask for more please.
℧ Maisie was a wonderful FMC for this story. She lived a life of trauma and loneliness instead of one of friendship and love. Maise is a bright fire cracker that draws you in and makes you wonder how anyone with so much gumption could ever be made to feel so small. I felt personally offended for her when anyone had wronged her. She felt like a friend I would ride at dawn for! She has this incredible spark that warms all around her, instead of burning everything to the ground. Alexis writes trauma and pain with care and consideration, which was super important for this book. A theme of this story is that pain recognises pain, and people who are hurting can become a balm to one another’s souls. The fact that Alexis writes such subject matter with the reverence it deserves means the world, and really drives these themes home. The characters are the beating heart of not just Maisie’s story, but Writing Saddle as a whole. There is a whole cast of loveable characters that welcome us in like we’re family. I am praying to literally any God that will listen that Hunter and Laine get their own books, because the foundations for these stories have been set, and I can only hope we see these built upon. Also, on a selfish note, I just loved Hunter and Laine, and they’re not just Maisie’s friends now, they’re ours too.
℧ Grayson was dark and complicated. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, dancing in the fire without a care in the world. Maise and Grayson found love in the eye of the storm, a tumultuous swirl of insecurity, danger and past pain trying to drag them away from the only safe harbour they have ever known. If they want to stay together, they have to fight tooth and nail for it, whilst nefarious forces try to rip them apart. It was interesting seeing the different sides to Grayson. He was morally grey and complex. Grayson is like the raging sea: treacherous, all consuming and dangerously beautiful. I often mirrored Maisie’s doubts and trepidation. He went from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, and his affections often left Maisie and myself with whiplash. One thing you can say about Grayson with absolute certainty, he loves HARD. He is willing to condemn himself to the pits of hell, muddying his soul, just to keep yours pure, clean and safe. He loves deeply and protects fiercely, which makes him an intriguing MMC. I would also like to take a second to talk about the spice in this book! It had me blushing and dimming my Kindle to its lowest setting. Alexis knows how to write romantic tension for sure!
℧ My only qualm about this book was entirely a personal thing for me. I love a good grovel when a man makes a mistake in the relationship. Give me a pathetic man on his knees begging for forgiveness any day (no, I will not take further questions). However, Writing Saddle missed the mark for me here. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t go into too much detail, but I think Maisie deserved so much more. She didn’t deserve to suffer like she did. This, in of itself, is a testament to Alexis and her ability to create characters that I care so wholly for. I adored Maisie and felt so much pain for her. There were gut-wrenching moments that had me stopping to catch my breath, which is why the apology and grovelling fell a bit flat. I think the pain was given the perfect amount of time to take root and sprout weeds in Maisie and Grayson’s relationship. But, the act of nurturing the hurt that needed healing, and the pruning of these harmful growths weren’t given as much time. This made it hard for me to make the jump from anger on Maisie’s behalf, to forgiveness. All this being said, this is just my personal taste, and did not detract from the emotions and love I felt whilst reading this story.
℧ Writing Saddle felt like an ailment for any soul that has ever been hurt. If you have ever felt alone, or covered your heart in barbed wire to prevent it being torn to pieces again, you will see yourselves in this story. This is a book with themes of trust and learning to drop your walls to lean on others. There is a community and family out there for everyone, and we all deserve a safe place to land. Everyone has a right to be loved loudly and fiercely, in any form. Writing Saddle is a perfect combination of dark and cosy to keep us on the edge of our seats, and enough romance to have us giggling and kicking our feet. If you love mafia romances and cowboys, you will love this delicious melting pot of genres.
.°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖☀︎ᨒ↟✩₊˚.⋆☾𓃦⋆⭒˚.⋆♘ᨒ ོ ☼°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖☀︎ᨒ↟✩₊˚.
℧ Writing Saddle was a mix of genres I have never read before, and I don’t know how I got this far in life without reading a story like this. A dark cowboy romance with Mafia threads woven into a cosy small-town tapestry?? Hell yeah. Sign me all the way up! Alexis may be the only person in the entire world to ever convince me a mustache is hot. I don’t know how she did it, but I couldn’t picture Grayson without it now. My therapist will also be in contact because the emotional damage inflicted upon us is real. This book will rip out your heart, and we will say thank you, and ask for more please.
℧ Maisie was a wonderful FMC for this story. She lived a life of trauma and loneliness instead of one of friendship and love. Maise is a bright fire cracker that draws you in and makes you wonder how anyone with so much gumption could ever be made to feel so small. I felt personally offended for her when anyone had wronged her. She felt like a friend I would ride at dawn for! She has this incredible spark that warms all around her, instead of burning everything to the ground. Alexis writes trauma and pain with care and consideration, which was super important for this book. A theme of this story is that pain recognises pain, and people who are hurting can become a balm to one another’s souls. The fact that Alexis writes such subject matter with the reverence it deserves means the world, and really drives these themes home. The characters are the beating heart of not just Maisie’s story, but Writing Saddle as a whole. There is a whole cast of loveable characters that welcome us in like we’re family. I am praying to literally any God that will listen that Hunter and Laine get their own books, because the foundations for these stories have been set, and I can only hope we see these built upon. Also, on a selfish note, I just loved Hunter and Laine, and they’re not just Maisie’s friends now, they’re ours too.
℧ Grayson was dark and complicated. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, dancing in the fire without a care in the world. Maise and Grayson found love in the eye of the storm, a tumultuous swirl of insecurity, danger and past pain trying to drag them away from the only safe harbour they have ever known. If they want to stay together, they have to fight tooth and nail for it, whilst nefarious forces try to rip them apart. It was interesting seeing the different sides to Grayson. He was morally grey and complex. Grayson is like the raging sea: treacherous, all consuming and dangerously beautiful. I often mirrored Maisie’s doubts and trepidation. He went from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, and his affections often left Maisie and myself with whiplash. One thing you can say about Grayson with absolute certainty, he loves HARD. He is willing to condemn himself to the pits of hell, muddying his soul, just to keep yours pure, clean and safe. He loves deeply and protects fiercely, which makes him an intriguing MMC. I would also like to take a second to talk about the spice in this book! It had me blushing and dimming my Kindle to its lowest setting. Alexis knows how to write romantic tension for sure!
℧ My only qualm about this book was entirely a personal thing for me. I love a good grovel when a man makes a mistake in the relationship. Give me a pathetic man on his knees begging for forgiveness any day (no, I will not take further questions). However, Writing Saddle missed the mark for me here. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t go into too much detail, but I think Maisie deserved so much more. She didn’t deserve to suffer like she did. This, in of itself, is a testament to Alexis and her ability to create characters that I care so wholly for. I adored Maisie and felt so much pain for her. There were gut-wrenching moments that had me stopping to catch my breath, which is why the apology and grovelling fell a bit flat. I think the pain was given the perfect amount of time to take root and sprout weeds in Maisie and Grayson’s relationship. But, the act of nurturing the hurt that needed healing, and the pruning of these harmful growths weren’t given as much time. This made it hard for me to make the jump from anger on Maisie’s behalf, to forgiveness. All this being said, this is just my personal taste, and did not detract from the emotions and love I felt whilst reading this story.
℧ Writing Saddle felt like an ailment for any soul that has ever been hurt. If you have ever felt alone, or covered your heart in barbed wire to prevent it being torn to pieces again, you will see yourselves in this story. This is a book with themes of trust and learning to drop your walls to lean on others. There is a community and family out there for everyone, and we all deserve a safe place to land. Everyone has a right to be loved loudly and fiercely, in any form. Writing Saddle is a perfect combination of dark and cosy to keep us on the edge of our seats, and enough romance to have us giggling and kicking our feet. If you love mafia romances and cowboys, you will love this delicious melting pot of genres.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Writing Saddle by Alexis Morgan was such an emotional and addictive start to the Lupine Love Letters series. I went into this expecting cowboy romance, forced proximity, and a broody ranch man, but I ended up getting so much more than that. This book had grief, healing, danger, tension, found family, longing, spice, and two characters who were carrying so much pain while still somehow finding comfort in each other.
Maisie Brooks was such an easy heroine to feel for. I loved that she is a romance author, but at the same time she is struggling with everything life has thrown at her. After dealing with so much and feeling overwhelmed by the busy, chaotic city life, she goes back to her aunt and uncle’s family ranch to breathe again and hopefully find inspiration for a new book. I loved that her next story was supposed to be cowboy themed, because then Grayson Miles comes into her life and suddenly he becomes more than just inspiration. He becomes the man she cannot ignore.
Grayson was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book. He is the foreman of Foxy Roxy Ranch, and on the outside he has that guarded, grumpy, protective cowboy energy. But underneath all of that, he is carrying such a heavy past. The fact that he was forced into underground fighting because he was desperate to save his sister made his story so heartbreaking. He wanted to help his sister, especially with something as serious and expensive as a life-saving operation, and someone took advantage of that desperation. Now he is trapped in debt, forced to keep fighting, and stuck in a dangerous situation that he never truly asked for.
That part made me feel so much for him, because Grayson is not just this dark, broody cowboy with secrets. He is someone who made a sacrifice for the people he loved, and now he is paying for it in ways that keep hurting him. His love for his sister and niece showed such a softer side to him, and I really loved that Foxy Roxy Ranch gave him a place to work, a place to belong, and a sense of purpose when everything else in his life felt heavy.
The romance between Maisie and Grayson had such good tension. They are clearly attracted to each other, but it is not simple. Both of them have been through tragic losses, both of them are guarded in their own way, and Grayson especially does not want to bring Maisie into the mess of his life. That made the slow burn feel even more satisfying because the longing was there, the chemistry was there, but there was also this emotional weight behind every moment between them.
I really enjoyed the cowboy x city girl dynamic too. Maisie coming to the ranch for inspiration and accidentally finding herself pulled toward Grayson was so fun to read. He was not part of her plan at all, but he quickly became the kind of man who stays in your head. Their connection had that mix of sweetness and danger, and I loved how protective Grayson was of her. He tries to keep her away from the darker parts of his life, but at the same time, he cannot fully stay away from her either.
And the spice? The longing? The tension? Yes, please. This book definitely delivered on the slow burn and the payoff. The chemistry between Maisie and Grayson felt emotional, intense, and very swoon-worthy. I loved that it was not only about attraction, but also about trust, vulnerability, and the way they slowly became a safe place for each other.
Overall, Writing Saddle gave me exactly the kind of dark cowboy romance I love. It had a romance author heroine, a protective ranch foreman, forced proximity, a mafia subplot, underground fighting, anxiety representation, emotional backstory, and a love story that felt sweet as honey but hotter than whiskey. It was tender, spicy, angsty, and full of heart.
If you love cowboy romances with darker edges, protective heroes, city girl x ranch boy energy, slow-burn tension, and characters who are trying to heal while falling in love, this book is definitely worth picking up. I cannot wait to see more from this series.
Maisie Brooks was such an easy heroine to feel for. I loved that she is a romance author, but at the same time she is struggling with everything life has thrown at her. After dealing with so much and feeling overwhelmed by the busy, chaotic city life, she goes back to her aunt and uncle’s family ranch to breathe again and hopefully find inspiration for a new book. I loved that her next story was supposed to be cowboy themed, because then Grayson Miles comes into her life and suddenly he becomes more than just inspiration. He becomes the man she cannot ignore.
Grayson was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book. He is the foreman of Foxy Roxy Ranch, and on the outside he has that guarded, grumpy, protective cowboy energy. But underneath all of that, he is carrying such a heavy past. The fact that he was forced into underground fighting because he was desperate to save his sister made his story so heartbreaking. He wanted to help his sister, especially with something as serious and expensive as a life-saving operation, and someone took advantage of that desperation. Now he is trapped in debt, forced to keep fighting, and stuck in a dangerous situation that he never truly asked for.
That part made me feel so much for him, because Grayson is not just this dark, broody cowboy with secrets. He is someone who made a sacrifice for the people he loved, and now he is paying for it in ways that keep hurting him. His love for his sister and niece showed such a softer side to him, and I really loved that Foxy Roxy Ranch gave him a place to work, a place to belong, and a sense of purpose when everything else in his life felt heavy.
The romance between Maisie and Grayson had such good tension. They are clearly attracted to each other, but it is not simple. Both of them have been through tragic losses, both of them are guarded in their own way, and Grayson especially does not want to bring Maisie into the mess of his life. That made the slow burn feel even more satisfying because the longing was there, the chemistry was there, but there was also this emotional weight behind every moment between them.
I really enjoyed the cowboy x city girl dynamic too. Maisie coming to the ranch for inspiration and accidentally finding herself pulled toward Grayson was so fun to read. He was not part of her plan at all, but he quickly became the kind of man who stays in your head. Their connection had that mix of sweetness and danger, and I loved how protective Grayson was of her. He tries to keep her away from the darker parts of his life, but at the same time, he cannot fully stay away from her either.
And the spice? The longing? The tension? Yes, please. This book definitely delivered on the slow burn and the payoff. The chemistry between Maisie and Grayson felt emotional, intense, and very swoon-worthy. I loved that it was not only about attraction, but also about trust, vulnerability, and the way they slowly became a safe place for each other.
Overall, Writing Saddle gave me exactly the kind of dark cowboy romance I love. It had a romance author heroine, a protective ranch foreman, forced proximity, a mafia subplot, underground fighting, anxiety representation, emotional backstory, and a love story that felt sweet as honey but hotter than whiskey. It was tender, spicy, angsty, and full of heart.
If you love cowboy romances with darker edges, protective heroes, city girl x ranch boy energy, slow-burn tension, and characters who are trying to heal while falling in love, this book is definitely worth picking up. I cannot wait to see more from this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A huge thank you to Alexis Morgan for making my cowboy romance dreams come true with an ARC!!! I’ve wanted to dive into this genre for the longest time, but I never knew where to start. I’m truly grateful for this unforgettable opportunity💕
The second I read the blurb, I knew I was in serious trouble… and that trouble’s name is Grayson. 😮💨🔥 Because let’s be honest babes if a cowboy is already stealing my attention before I’ve even turned the first page, what chance do I have once he starts talking? 🫠🥴
I had a feeling this book was going to send me spiraling 🌀 It absolutely did. All of the characters were fantastic in their own, especially Maisie. However, Grayson is the one who stuck out to make the most not just because he’s a heartthrob but because his story is compelling.
Writing Saddle was such a fun, emotional, and steamy ride, but babes let’s be real for a hot minute..Grayson Miles completely stole the show for me 😍 I am officially ruined over this book because of this man!! He has absolutely ruined men for me 😮💨🤠 Like I’m sorry… what do you mean I’m supposed to go back to regular fictional men after that? No!! Absolutely not!! I only want cowboys now. I only want this type of cowboy That’s it. That’s the review.😂 In all seriousness, Grayson has that broody, guarded, unbearably sexy cowboy energy no other man could compare! He’s strong, yeah we find out he has some baggage, but who doesn’t?. I’m not giving anything away please go read this and become madly in love with all of the characters like I have!!
The ranch setting, the tension, the emotional baggage, the chemistry between characters just made me say one more chapter like I always say…, which turned into a late night read session into 7am with no sleep 😵💫 How can I stop reading when the book just keeps getting more fascinating?! … As the story progressed we find out Grayson is like an onion he has layers. (if you know the reference you know🧅) every great character has their struggles. My struggle reading this was seeing Grayson in pain and being vulnerable. He gave me the “ I can fix him but…” 🥺
Maisie and Grayson had such a strong connection, and I loved that their relationship had more than just spice. They’re both carrying so much, and watching those walls slowly come down made everything hit harder. But Grayson? Yeah, he’s the problem. The way he’s protective, intense, emotionally unavailable in the hottest possible way, and somehow still soft underneath all that cowboy stubbornness?? I fear I’ll never recover.
This book gave me the tension, the angst, the heat, and the emotional pull I wanted, but mostly it gave me a new problem: I now expect every man to own a ranch, wear boots, brood in silence, and call me darlin’. Grayson Miles set the bar offensively high and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him for it.
So yes, this was my first cowboy romance and yes, it has completely altered my brain chemistry. Grayson Miles ruined men for me, ruined my peace, and convinced me that maybe all I really need in life is a cowboy with emotional damage.
The second I read the blurb, I knew I was in serious trouble… and that trouble’s name is Grayson. 😮💨🔥 Because let’s be honest babes if a cowboy is already stealing my attention before I’ve even turned the first page, what chance do I have once he starts talking? 🫠🥴
I had a feeling this book was going to send me spiraling 🌀 It absolutely did. All of the characters were fantastic in their own, especially Maisie. However, Grayson is the one who stuck out to make the most not just because he’s a heartthrob but because his story is compelling.
Writing Saddle was such a fun, emotional, and steamy ride, but babes let’s be real for a hot minute..Grayson Miles completely stole the show for me 😍 I am officially ruined over this book because of this man!! He has absolutely ruined men for me 😮💨🤠 Like I’m sorry… what do you mean I’m supposed to go back to regular fictional men after that? No!! Absolutely not!! I only want cowboys now. I only want this type of cowboy That’s it. That’s the review.😂 In all seriousness, Grayson has that broody, guarded, unbearably sexy cowboy energy no other man could compare! He’s strong, yeah we find out he has some baggage, but who doesn’t?. I’m not giving anything away please go read this and become madly in love with all of the characters like I have!!
The ranch setting, the tension, the emotional baggage, the chemistry between characters just made me say one more chapter like I always say…, which turned into a late night read session into 7am with no sleep 😵💫 How can I stop reading when the book just keeps getting more fascinating?! … As the story progressed we find out Grayson is like an onion he has layers. (if you know the reference you know🧅) every great character has their struggles. My struggle reading this was seeing Grayson in pain and being vulnerable. He gave me the “ I can fix him but…” 🥺
Maisie and Grayson had such a strong connection, and I loved that their relationship had more than just spice. They’re both carrying so much, and watching those walls slowly come down made everything hit harder. But Grayson? Yeah, he’s the problem. The way he’s protective, intense, emotionally unavailable in the hottest possible way, and somehow still soft underneath all that cowboy stubbornness?? I fear I’ll never recover.
This book gave me the tension, the angst, the heat, and the emotional pull I wanted, but mostly it gave me a new problem: I now expect every man to own a ranch, wear boots, brood in silence, and call me darlin’. Grayson Miles set the bar offensively high and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him for it.
So yes, this was my first cowboy romance and yes, it has completely altered my brain chemistry. Grayson Miles ruined men for me, ruined my peace, and convinced me that maybe all I really need in life is a cowboy with emotional damage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Alexis Morgan for the opportunity to read an ARC of Writing Saddle in exchange for an honest review!
Writing Saddle was such a fun introduction to this world, and I'm already excited for the next books in the series!
From the very first chapter, this book had my attention. Maisie's life takes an unexpected turn, sending her to Montana, and I was immediately invested in seeing where her journey would lead. The combination of cowboy romance with a touch of mafia intrigue kept me hooked, and I found myself invested in both Gray and Maisie's story right away. I also loved that this was written in dual POV. Being able to see both sides of the relationship added so much depth to the story and made me even more connected to the characters.
Gray is basically the definition of a book boyfriend. Protective, loyal, hardworking, and undeniably swoon worthy, he was everything I want in a cowboy MMC. Maisie was a wonderful match for him. I loved watching her adjust from city life to ranch life, and the fact that she's an author was an added bonus that made her especially easy to root for.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the banter. The chemistry between Gray and Maisie was fantastic, and the slow burn created so much tension. While there is definitely some insta love energy mixed in, that's never something that bothers me, and I thought it worked well here. The spice was good, but the emotional build up and tension were what really stood out to me.
I also adored Maisie's cat, Evie, who completely stole every scene she was in.
I appreciated the similarities between Gray and Maisie's pasts. However, I did find myself wanting a little more exploration of Gray's backstory. There were some emotional elements there that I would have loved to see developed further. I also wished we had gotten a bit more time with the ranch family and side characters to strengthen that found family feeling.
If you're someone who is curious about dark romance but doesn't want to jump straight into something extremely dark, this could be a great place to start.
Overall, Writing Saddle was an enjoyable cowboy romance filled with great banter, strong chemistry, and a MMC who is impossible not to love. I can't wait to see where this series goes next, and I already have my theories about who will be starring in the upcoming books!
Writing Saddle was such a fun introduction to this world, and I'm already excited for the next books in the series!
From the very first chapter, this book had my attention. Maisie's life takes an unexpected turn, sending her to Montana, and I was immediately invested in seeing where her journey would lead. The combination of cowboy romance with a touch of mafia intrigue kept me hooked, and I found myself invested in both Gray and Maisie's story right away. I also loved that this was written in dual POV. Being able to see both sides of the relationship added so much depth to the story and made me even more connected to the characters.
Gray is basically the definition of a book boyfriend. Protective, loyal, hardworking, and undeniably swoon worthy, he was everything I want in a cowboy MMC. Maisie was a wonderful match for him. I loved watching her adjust from city life to ranch life, and the fact that she's an author was an added bonus that made her especially easy to root for.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the banter. The chemistry between Gray and Maisie was fantastic, and the slow burn created so much tension. While there is definitely some insta love energy mixed in, that's never something that bothers me, and I thought it worked well here. The spice was good, but the emotional build up and tension were what really stood out to me.
I also adored Maisie's cat, Evie, who completely stole every scene she was in.
I appreciated the similarities between Gray and Maisie's pasts. However, I did find myself wanting a little more exploration of Gray's backstory. There were some emotional elements there that I would have loved to see developed further. I also wished we had gotten a bit more time with the ranch family and side characters to strengthen that found family feeling.
If you're someone who is curious about dark romance but doesn't want to jump straight into something extremely dark, this could be a great place to start.
Overall, Writing Saddle was an enjoyable cowboy romance filled with great banter, strong chemistry, and a MMC who is impossible not to love. I can't wait to see where this series goes next, and I already have my theories about who will be starring in the upcoming books!
July 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Alexis Morgan for the ARC. I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I really wanted to love this one. The premise immediately pulled me in, a romance author escaping to a Montana ranch to research her next cowboy romance while falling for the ranch foreman? Add in hints of mafia suspense, and I was all in.
The book started incredibly strong. Maisie was easy to root for from the very beginning. She's resilient, funny, and despite everything she's been through, she refuses to let life harden her. I appreciated that her trauma wasn't her entire personality, and I found myself invested in seeing her finally find a place where she belonged.
Grayson was exactly the kind of cowboy romance hero I gravitate toward. Protective, broody, morally gray, covered in tattoos, and with just enough emotional vulnerability beneath the surface to make me keep turning the pages. The chemistry between him and Maisie was there from the start, and the spice definitely delivered once it arrived.
Where the story lost me was in the pacing. Around the 40% mark, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. It felt like the book was trying to juggle several different stories at once: a cowboy romance, romantic suspense, mafia elements, and Maisie's writing career. While I liked each of those ideas individually, together they never fully came together in the way I'd hoped.
I also expected this to lean much darker based on the marketing. Instead, it felt more like a contemporary cowboy romance with suspense woven throughout. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but readers looking for a truly dark romance may find it's lighter than anticipated.
The romance itself didn't bother me. Insta-lust and insta-love don't usually bother me when the chemistry works, and I believed the attraction between Maisie and Grayson. I just would have liked a little more development surrounding some of the emotional conflict later in the story.
Overall, I think this is a solid start to a new series with a lot of promise. Alexis Morgan has created likable characters, an engaging ranch setting, and laid the groundwork for what could be a really fun interconnected series. While this one didn't completely hit the mark for me, I'd absolutely pick up the next book to see where this world goes next.
🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Alexis Morgan for the ARC. I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I really wanted to love this one. The premise immediately pulled me in, a romance author escaping to a Montana ranch to research her next cowboy romance while falling for the ranch foreman? Add in hints of mafia suspense, and I was all in.
The book started incredibly strong. Maisie was easy to root for from the very beginning. She's resilient, funny, and despite everything she's been through, she refuses to let life harden her. I appreciated that her trauma wasn't her entire personality, and I found myself invested in seeing her finally find a place where she belonged.
Grayson was exactly the kind of cowboy romance hero I gravitate toward. Protective, broody, morally gray, covered in tattoos, and with just enough emotional vulnerability beneath the surface to make me keep turning the pages. The chemistry between him and Maisie was there from the start, and the spice definitely delivered once it arrived.
Where the story lost me was in the pacing. Around the 40% mark, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. It felt like the book was trying to juggle several different stories at once: a cowboy romance, romantic suspense, mafia elements, and Maisie's writing career. While I liked each of those ideas individually, together they never fully came together in the way I'd hoped.
I also expected this to lean much darker based on the marketing. Instead, it felt more like a contemporary cowboy romance with suspense woven throughout. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but readers looking for a truly dark romance may find it's lighter than anticipated.
The romance itself didn't bother me. Insta-lust and insta-love don't usually bother me when the chemistry works, and I believed the attraction between Maisie and Grayson. I just would have liked a little more development surrounding some of the emotional conflict later in the story.
Overall, I think this is a solid start to a new series with a lot of promise. Alexis Morgan has created likable characters, an engaging ranch setting, and laid the groundwork for what could be a really fun interconnected series. While this one didn't completely hit the mark for me, I'd absolutely pick up the next book to see where this world goes next.
June 15, 2026
🤎🤠🎀 4⭐️ ARC Review 🎀🤠🤎
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity!
Cowboy romance has quickly become one of my favorite genres, so when I saw this book was also being marketed as a dark romance with a mafia element, I knew I had to pick it up—and I’m so glad I did.
The very first quote in this book immediately had me hooked:
“Men are good for three things: orgasms, entertainment, and protection. But all three of those things could be solved with my right hand, a good book, and a taser, so really, men ain’t shit.”
Any book that starts off like that is going to grab my attention, and that’s exactly what Writing Saddle did.
One of my favorite things about this story was the banter between Maisie and Grayson. The tension, the back-and-forth, the yearning—it was all done so well. Their chemistry felt natural, and I found myself rooting for them from the beginning. I also loved seeing their personal growth throughout the story. Learning more about their pasts helped me understand why they had built so many walls around themselves, making their journey together even more rewarding.
Maisie was such a fun FMC—independent, determined, and a fellow writer. Grayson was the perfect protective cowboy with plenty of layers beneath the surface. Add in the cowboy vibes, the mafia connections, and the “he falls first” energy, and this book had so many elements I love.
The reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is because I wish we had gotten a little more of the mafia storyline. The concept of combining mafia, dark romance, and cowboy romance was incredibly unique, and I found myself wanting even more of that side of the story. The ending also felt slightly rushed to me.
That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved how Maisie and Grayson’s story came together in the end. The author did a wonderful job blending these genres into something fresh and entertaining, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future books.
And please tell me I’m not the only one hoping Moretti gets his own story someday! 👀
Overall: 4/5 stars 🤎🤠🎀
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity!
Cowboy romance has quickly become one of my favorite genres, so when I saw this book was also being marketed as a dark romance with a mafia element, I knew I had to pick it up—and I’m so glad I did.
The very first quote in this book immediately had me hooked:
“Men are good for three things: orgasms, entertainment, and protection. But all three of those things could be solved with my right hand, a good book, and a taser, so really, men ain’t shit.”
Any book that starts off like that is going to grab my attention, and that’s exactly what Writing Saddle did.
One of my favorite things about this story was the banter between Maisie and Grayson. The tension, the back-and-forth, the yearning—it was all done so well. Their chemistry felt natural, and I found myself rooting for them from the beginning. I also loved seeing their personal growth throughout the story. Learning more about their pasts helped me understand why they had built so many walls around themselves, making their journey together even more rewarding.
Maisie was such a fun FMC—independent, determined, and a fellow writer. Grayson was the perfect protective cowboy with plenty of layers beneath the surface. Add in the cowboy vibes, the mafia connections, and the “he falls first” energy, and this book had so many elements I love.
The reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is because I wish we had gotten a little more of the mafia storyline. The concept of combining mafia, dark romance, and cowboy romance was incredibly unique, and I found myself wanting even more of that side of the story. The ending also felt slightly rushed to me.
That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved how Maisie and Grayson’s story came together in the end. The author did a wonderful job blending these genres into something fresh and entertaining, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future books.
And please tell me I’m not the only one hoping Moretti gets his own story someday! 👀
Overall: 4/5 stars 🤎🤠🎀
July 10, 2026
After Maisie walks in and finds her boyfriend with another woman, she thinks things can't get much worse. Then she's told her latest manuscript needs to be scrapped and completely rewritten. Well, shit! She needs a break. She needs some inspiration. And what better place to write a cowboy romance than her family's ranch in Lupine, Montana? Looks like this city girl is headed back to cowboy country.
Maisie is one heck of a character. This fiery FMC has been through a lot and carries the grief and anxiety of it with her. She's strong, resilient, and armed with a sharp tongue that's impossible not to love. But beneath that snark and stubbornness is a woman who has closed herself off. She doesn't allow anyone to get too close, but returning to Lupine and the ranch starts to change something in her. Surrounded by love and care, she finds something she never realized she was missing: a home. She starts to slow down, soften around the edges, and maybe even lets a slutty, mustached cowboy sneak his way into her heart.
Gray is in trouble. This protective man will do whatever it takes to save someone he loves, and for his sister, that meant borrowing money from the wrong people. Now he's in deep, and they aren't letting him go. He's carrying the weight of it all alone, hiding behind that confident, cocky cowboy exterior while inside, he's exhausted, desperate, and slowly breaking. He's everything I love in a cowboy hero. Tough, stubborn, dependable, and all heart.
But Maisie is something he never saw coming. She's everything he could have ever dreamed of, the kind of woman who feels made for him. But she's also the one thing he can't let himself have... because to Gray, love is a liability.
Their connection was giving all the insta-love. They just fit together so naturally, built on sarcasm, banter, and undeniable tension. Watching them dance around their feelings was such a fun ride because it was obvious they belonged together. But beneath the teasing and chemistry were two people carrying so much hurt. Both struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Both fiercely guard their hearts, hurt so deeply that letting someone in feels impossible. So when they finally stop fighting the pull between them, they don't just fall. They ignite. And every single moment of it was absolutely delicious.
I really loved how both Maisie and Gray's mental health was handled with such care. It added so much depth to their characters and made their journey even more meaningful. Add in the ranch setting, the suspense, the mafia elements, and this swoony cowboy romance, and it made for one hell of a read!
Maisie is one heck of a character. This fiery FMC has been through a lot and carries the grief and anxiety of it with her. She's strong, resilient, and armed with a sharp tongue that's impossible not to love. But beneath that snark and stubbornness is a woman who has closed herself off. She doesn't allow anyone to get too close, but returning to Lupine and the ranch starts to change something in her. Surrounded by love and care, she finds something she never realized she was missing: a home. She starts to slow down, soften around the edges, and maybe even lets a slutty, mustached cowboy sneak his way into her heart.
Gray is in trouble. This protective man will do whatever it takes to save someone he loves, and for his sister, that meant borrowing money from the wrong people. Now he's in deep, and they aren't letting him go. He's carrying the weight of it all alone, hiding behind that confident, cocky cowboy exterior while inside, he's exhausted, desperate, and slowly breaking. He's everything I love in a cowboy hero. Tough, stubborn, dependable, and all heart.
But Maisie is something he never saw coming. She's everything he could have ever dreamed of, the kind of woman who feels made for him. But she's also the one thing he can't let himself have... because to Gray, love is a liability.
Their connection was giving all the insta-love. They just fit together so naturally, built on sarcasm, banter, and undeniable tension. Watching them dance around their feelings was such a fun ride because it was obvious they belonged together. But beneath the teasing and chemistry were two people carrying so much hurt. Both struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Both fiercely guard their hearts, hurt so deeply that letting someone in feels impossible. So when they finally stop fighting the pull between them, they don't just fall. They ignite. And every single moment of it was absolutely delicious.
I really loved how both Maisie and Gray's mental health was handled with such care. It added so much depth to their characters and made their journey even more meaningful. Add in the ranch setting, the suspense, the mafia elements, and this swoony cowboy romance, and it made for one hell of a read!
June 17, 2026
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be apart of the ARC team for this novel!
Writing Saddle was such a fun ride! While I’m not typically a cowboy romance reader, the darker elements and mafia subplot had me completely hooked. The suspense and danger added an extra layer that kept me flying through the pages and eager to see what would happen next.
Gray was easily one of my favorite parts of this book. His filthy mouth and protective nature made him impossible not to love, and I found myself rooting for him and his happy ending from the very beginning. The conclusion was beautiful, and I loved seeing these characters finally get the family and sense of belonging they had been longing for.
One thing I especially appreciated was how invested I became in the side characters. Sometimes supporting characters fade into the background, but here I was just as interested in their stories as I was in the main romance. In fact, some of my biggest questions revolve around them!
I do have a few lingering questions that I’m hoping will be addressed in book two. What exactly was in Hunter’s grocery basket? Was that a pregnancy test? Where is that storyline headed? I’m also incredibly curious about what’s going on between Ches and Laine. And while I was satisfied with the overall ending, I would have loved a little more detail about what happened after the mafia boss was eliminated and how Gray was ultimately able to secure his freedom for good.
Even with those unanswered questions, I had a great time reading this one. As long as those loose ends are explored in the next book, this was an easy 4-star read for me. I can’t wait to continue the series and see where these characters’ stories go next.
Writing Saddle was such a fun ride! While I’m not typically a cowboy romance reader, the darker elements and mafia subplot had me completely hooked. The suspense and danger added an extra layer that kept me flying through the pages and eager to see what would happen next.
Gray was easily one of my favorite parts of this book. His filthy mouth and protective nature made him impossible not to love, and I found myself rooting for him and his happy ending from the very beginning. The conclusion was beautiful, and I loved seeing these characters finally get the family and sense of belonging they had been longing for.
One thing I especially appreciated was how invested I became in the side characters. Sometimes supporting characters fade into the background, but here I was just as interested in their stories as I was in the main romance. In fact, some of my biggest questions revolve around them!
I do have a few lingering questions that I’m hoping will be addressed in book two. What exactly was in Hunter’s grocery basket? Was that a pregnancy test? Where is that storyline headed? I’m also incredibly curious about what’s going on between Ches and Laine. And while I was satisfied with the overall ending, I would have loved a little more detail about what happened after the mafia boss was eliminated and how Gray was ultimately able to secure his freedom for good.
Even with those unanswered questions, I had a great time reading this one. As long as those loose ends are explored in the next book, this was an easy 4-star read for me. I can’t wait to continue the series and see where these characters’ stories go next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 Stars)
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity.
Writing Saddle was my first dark cowboy romance, and now I completely understand the hype. Alexis Morgan delivered a story that was equal parts emotional, spicy, and impossible to put down.
Maisie Brooks is a romance author struggling to find inspiration after life knocks her down one too many times. When she leaves New York for her family’s Montana ranch, the last thing she expects to find is Grayson Miles—the broody, protective foreman with far too many secrets. What starts as attraction quickly becomes something deeper, but Grayson’s dangerous past and the choices he’s made threaten everything between them.
The chemistry between Maisie and Grayson was one of my favorite parts of the book. The tension, longing, and slow burn were done so well. Grayson may be rough around the edges, but his love for his family and his protective nature made it impossible not to fall for him. And Maisie? She was strong, relatable, and refreshingly stubborn.
I also loved the darker elements woven into the story. The underground fighting, mafia connections, and emotional backstories added depth without overshadowing the romance. The found family dynamic, anxiety representation, and healing journey made this feel like more than just a love story.
The pacing was a little slower in the middle for me, but the emotional payoff was absolutely worth it. By the end, I was fully invested in these characters and already excited for the next book in the series.
If you love:
🤠 City Girl x Cowboy
🥃 Whiskey-soaked tension
🖤 Mafia subplot
🐴 Underground fighting
🏡 Forced proximity
🌙 Slow burn romance
💕 Found family
🔥 Protective, obsessed cowboy energy
then Writing Saddle deserves a spot on your TBR.
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity.
Writing Saddle was my first dark cowboy romance, and now I completely understand the hype. Alexis Morgan delivered a story that was equal parts emotional, spicy, and impossible to put down.
Maisie Brooks is a romance author struggling to find inspiration after life knocks her down one too many times. When she leaves New York for her family’s Montana ranch, the last thing she expects to find is Grayson Miles—the broody, protective foreman with far too many secrets. What starts as attraction quickly becomes something deeper, but Grayson’s dangerous past and the choices he’s made threaten everything between them.
The chemistry between Maisie and Grayson was one of my favorite parts of the book. The tension, longing, and slow burn were done so well. Grayson may be rough around the edges, but his love for his family and his protective nature made it impossible not to fall for him. And Maisie? She was strong, relatable, and refreshingly stubborn.
I also loved the darker elements woven into the story. The underground fighting, mafia connections, and emotional backstories added depth without overshadowing the romance. The found family dynamic, anxiety representation, and healing journey made this feel like more than just a love story.
The pacing was a little slower in the middle for me, but the emotional payoff was absolutely worth it. By the end, I was fully invested in these characters and already excited for the next book in the series.
If you love:
🤠 City Girl x Cowboy
🥃 Whiskey-soaked tension
🖤 Mafia subplot
🐴 Underground fighting
🏡 Forced proximity
🌙 Slow burn romance
💕 Found family
🔥 Protective, obsessed cowboy energy
then Writing Saddle deserves a spot on your TBR.
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