Characters that consumed me & absolutely stole my heart. So much tension, banter, chemistry, & the best family/friend group! When I tell you this book took my heart, tore it to shreds, & then gave me happiness back! I was so engulfed in this one!!
Verge is a top tier MMC. The swoony, bull rider, who is slightly closed off. He is going through his own trauma, but continues to show up for Shiloh! Shiloh is the lovable rope team FMC who is struggling with her own past. Both of these characters are dealing with emotional aspects & are slow to let love in. This is an emotional ride, that is also fun, swoony, and gets you with a twist!
When I tell you I was in full blown tears through this book! My heart was not prepared. I loved so many of these characters & just cannot wait for what comes next!!!
My new favorite by Sydney! Thank you for always trusting me with your books & for this early copy!! 🥰❤️🫶🏻
The rollercoaster of emotions this book had me going through! I enjoyed reading about these characters and seeing this friend group evolve. Oh boy were there some heartbreaking moments, but the journey was so good.
I am officially jealous of anyone who gets to experience 8 Endless Seconds for the very first time when it releases on May 15, because this one completely swept me away.
From the prologue, I was hooked. This story sinks its claws in early and does not let go. Set against the rodeo circuit, with our female main character as a team roper and so much of the story taking place at different rodeos, it adds this gritty, fast paced, high stakes energy that made everything feel so real.
Let’s talk about our bull riding male main character… because WOW. He is the epitome of a book boyfriend. Gritty, passionate, a little rough around the edges but with a depth that hits you right in the heart. Every scene with him had me completely invested.
This book had me in all the feels. Tension, longing, heartbreak, and those moments that make your chest ache in the best way. Sydney French really knows how to build emotion and connection in a way that feels raw and real.
If you love • emotional, character driven romance • rodeo settings with high stakes • unforgettable, swoon worthy MMCs
you need this on your radar immediately.
I didn’t just read this, I felt it. And I already want to go back and experience it all over again.
I need book 2 now.
Thank you to Sydney French for the ARC. This one will be living rent free in my head for a long time.
I enjoyed this one overall, but I do think I would have liked it even more if it hadn’t leaned so heavily into the insta-love and virgin trope. Those just aren’t my personal favorites.
That said, the plot kept me invested from beginning to end. There was plenty of trauma, suspense, and mystery that had me wanting to keep turning the pages. I also really loved the found family aspect. The relationships were one of my favorite parts of the story, although I definitely feel like there’s still so much more to learn about these characters.
And that epilogue. Excuse me?! That final reveal left me with so many questions, and now I absolutely need the next book to find out what happens.
i had the opportunity to read this as an ARC before it’s published and i loved every minute of it. there was love, heartbreak, happiness, grief, all of the emotions. the prologue was good and drew me in but the epilogue and everything in between???? JAW ON THE FLOOR. definitely a five star read for me⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shiloh and Verge’s story will have you hooked from the very beginning!
Shiloh’s dad was a pro bull rider and has a fatal accident. She swears off bull riders forever….or so she thought.
Verge is a pro bull rider that has the potential to be the best in the industry! He struggles with a loss and joins up with Shiloh and her “family” to travel the rodeo circuit together.
No spoilers here, but yall definitely need to check this book out! I’m a big cowboy romance loving girlie and this one did not disappoint.
Highly recommend!
Thank you Sydney for letting me ARC read this! Definitely won’t be my last 🩷
This was such an enjoyable read for me. I enjoyed the glimpse into rodeo life if you are looking for a cowboy romance this one fits the bill.
What really stood out in this book for me was the friendship group. The banter felt natural and fun, and I loved the sense of connection between the characters. Found family/friendship dynamics always get me, and this book did that really well.
The romance was sweet and tender, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Personally, I tend to love a slower simmer with a little more buildup, so I would have loved a bit more time to sit with the emotional development, but that’s very much a personal preference.
Overall, I had a great time with this one, and the ending definitely left me curious to see where the story goes next. I’m already looking forward to book two.
I’m so glad I finally picked this one up after hearing so many people talk about it because it absolutely lived up to the hype for me.
First of all, I never knew I needed a bull-rider romance in my life until now. 😂 I loved the banter between Shiloh and Verge so much, and their chemistry kept me turning the pages. But it wasn’t just the main couple… I genuinely loved the entire cast of characters and found myself invested in everyone's stories.
This book had me hooked from the prologue, and it definitely pulled at my heartstrings. By the end, I was absolutely shedding some tears. And can we talk about that epilogue?! My jaw was literally on the floor. I did not see that coming at all.
If you enjoy emotional romances with great banter, memorable characters, and an ending that leaves you desperate for more, I definitely recommend picking this one up. I can't wait to see where these characters go next!
Everyone needs to drop what they’re doing and run out an read this book right now! If you want a book with emotional depth that will make you cry multiple times, then this is the book for you. This was my first book by Sydney, and I will immediately be reading the rest of her books. We have a bull rider and a cowgirl romance with this. They have both suffered huge losses and learning how to navigate love together. I don’t want to say a whole lot about this one, because I feel going in blind with this one is the best way. Just please go read it. Thank you Sydney for the arc!
Omg my heart!! I absolutely loved this story! After an accident shatters Shilohs world as a kid, she is never getting involved with a bull rider. Verge’s whole world is bull riding. When their lives collide and tension builds can she keep her promise to herself to never fall for a bull rider! Ugh the tension between these two and confidence of our MMC has me swooning! Yes there was moments of tears and the emotion this book brought out of me made this a read that is top tier! One of the sweetest stories I’ve read! Omg and don’t get me started on that epilogue 😱😱😱😱
For there to be an emotional moment that actually made me FEEL, right in the beginning, before knowing the characters, I was impressed!!! Speaking of knowing the characters, I LOVE them all.
What brought it down is the lack of editing. There were a lot of typos and the pacing was off. It was very insta-lust (which I LOVE) but then it was also a slooow burn. And honestly, that may work for a lot of people.
This book is not my typical genre but I decided to branch out and let me just say, I did not expect to be reading this book, crying at 2 am! I had to finish the last 40% in one sitting because it got deep quick. Overall, I enjoyed this read and it was nice to branch out a bit!
I was lucky to read this as an arc reader so thank you! But omf this book is going to have you crying and laughing and mad all the way through! 8 seconds could change EVERYTHING! definitely a must read, my top favorite book for 2026 🩷
Absolutely loved it. Fell in love with the characters. Felt their pain. Sydney writes great love stories. The Epilogue threw by heart into my stomach and now waiting for the next one. Tyler's story crushed me.
"8 seconds… that’s all it took… for my world to completely shatter. 8 endless seconds."
What can you expect? 🤠 Small-town romance 🐂 Cowboy/Western 😩 Angsty 💘 Enemies to lovers 🔥 Bull Rider x Team Roper 🗣️ Dual POV 🩷 Found Family
⭐️ 4.25 | 🌶️ 2
Shiloh, 20, is a team roper alongside her best friend, Cross. When she was five, her father, a professional bull rider, died in a riding accident. Since then, she’s sworn she would never fall in love with a bull rider because she knows she wouldn’t survive those terrifying eight seconds every time they ride. But then she meets Verge.
Shiloh heads to a rodeo with her brother Cash, his friend Beau, and Cross, and that’s where Verge enters the picture. From the moment they meet, the attraction between them is undeniable, no matter how much Shiloh tries to keep her distance.
Even though their relationship evolves quickly, I genuinely loved these two together. There was still so much plot, emotional depth, and character growth woven into the romance. I also loved the side storyline with Cross finding someone, too. Tyler joins the group, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between all of them. Shiloh also found a sister in Tyler, and I loved seeing that friendship grow throughout the book.
Shiloh or “Shi,” as Verge calls her, slowly falls hard, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. Even with her trauma and fears, she still tries to support him. Verge has been emotionally closed off since losing his mom, and Shiloh is the first person to make him feel something again.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the friend group and found family vibes.
I don’t want to spoil too much because I went into this book completely blind, and I think that made the experience even better. This book definitely made me tear up a few times. The plot was so good, the spice was well balanced, and THAT ending?! THAT epilogue?! OMG. I need book two ASAP!
This was my first book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last.
-Bull Rider x Team Roper -Found Family -Western Romance -Enemies to Lovers -Angst and Suspense
If you are going to read this book be prepared to completely binge the whole thing. This is easily in my top 5 books I have ever read. I was absolutely hooked! I can tell you one thing, Sydney can write a 5 star read! I’m quite literally obsessed. We come from a livestock background and this book just hit home for me.
First off I absolutely love the found family in this book. The friendship between Shiloh and Cross. They work so well together as a team but their friendship is second to none. They have the kind of childhood friendship that everyone hopes to have. I also love that once the friend group gets to know verge and Tyler, they are all in.
I feel so bad for Verge. You can tell how bad he is struggling since his mom passed away and he looses everything. You want to talk about watching someone hit rock bottom and not stopping until he gets to the top. I also love how much pure talent he has with bull riding. When other people start commenting that he reminds them of Shiloh’s dad with how talented he is, it guts me.
Shiloh watched her dad pass away in the beginning of the book due to a Bull riding accident. So she struggles trying to fight her connection with Verge. She swears she will never date a Bull rider and then she finally gives in to Verge and realizes how much she feels so him. She is such a strong, stubborn, independent woman who is also extremely fierce in the competition world. She knows just how good her team is at roping.
This book has so many winds and turns. There is a lot of moving pieces that will absolutely break your heart in a thousand pieces but also put you back together. I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait to read the next one!! 10/10 recommend taking the time to read this amazing Authors writing !
"8 seconds...That's all it took...for my world to completely shatter.. 8 endless seconds."😢🐂
This book will have you laughing, crying, cheering them on but in the end you will fall in love with Shiloh and Verge.
Verge your MMC a swoony Bull Rider whose world was turned upside down after losing everything but continues to ride those 8 seconds. Shiloh your FMC a love team roper with her best friend Cross who has been then for her during all her trauma. She tries to deny all bull riders and relationships, until she bumps into Verge during check in at the rodeo and looks into those silver eyes. ☺️
They both are going through different trauma and try to hide their feelings but deep down they know the heart wants what it wants. 🥰
I am so glad I picked this book up and Sydney, girl you knocked this book out of the park. I don't even have words to describe how perfect this book is. ❤️ Add this to you TBR now or just grab it on Kindle Unlimited... YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! 🐂
This was my first book by Sydney French, and I’m so glad I finally picked one up. Between hearing so many readers talk about it and seeing the author’s posts, I couldn’t stop thinking about this story. I had to read it and I’m so glad I did.
I absolutely fell in love with all the characters and loved the cowboy rodeo storyline. It reminded me so much of Heartland, but honestly, even better. By the end, I was holding my breath, completely invested in how everything was going to play out.
This story has the banter, the found family, the love, and even the tears. It built my heart up and broke it in the best possible way.
If you’re ready for a book that will make you feel everything, pick this one up. You won’t regret it!
Well Ms French, you succeeded in ripping my heart out!😭💔 You will absolutely fall in love with these characters. I am tearing up as I write this because it still gets to me. You feel for all of these characters, not just Shiloh and Verge the main ones. Shiloh witnesses something a 5 yo shouldn’t witness and it shaped how she viewed certain things as she got older. Verge dealt with his trauma later in life and his is still fresh. I always like a character that has sworn off a certain people/profession and it comes back to bite them, as they fall for that exact person. Found family is a strong component to this story. Verge definitely found that with Shiloh. And holy smokes, there are some twists! I can’t wait to see how this all plays out in the 2nd book.
The characters felt real, their connection was undeniable, and the emotional depth made this story impossible to put down. It had me smiling, swooning, and completely lost in their world. The romance was everything I love in a cowboy romance—heartfelt, passionate, and packed with moments that stay with you long after you finish the last page.
What makes Sydney French one of my favorite indie authors is her ability to create stories that feel effortless yet leave such a lasting impact. Every book reminds me why I automatically one-click anything she writes.
And now that I’ve finished? I’m already counting down the days until the audiobook releases because I know without a doubt I’ll be experiencing this story all over again. Some books are worth rereading
Just finished “8 Endless Seconds” by Sydney French and WOW 😭💔 I absolutely loved this book even though it completely shattered me. Shiloh went through so much emotionally, and Verge absolutely wrecked me too. Every time I thought I had the ending figured out… BAM 💥 Sydney said absolutely not 😂😭
This book had me emotional from start to finish and I was so attached to these characters by the end. Definitely one of those stories that stays in your head long after you finish it. I cried SO many tears and would still read it all over again in a heartbeat 🥹
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the next book because I NEED IT immediately 😭📚
Not sure where to begin!! This book and these characters consumed me!! As much as I was wanting to turn the pages as fast as I could, I also wanted to savor each one.
Shiloh and Verge were incredible together. Both have been through so much in their young lives and they needed each other to heal and move forward. It was beautiful.
Not only did we get an amazing couple but the friendship Shiloh had with Cross was perfection. Their relationship was so heartwarming.
Not only was I invested in the main characters but the side characters were just as special and I felt everything from each one. Now that’s a good author😊
The ending of the prologue had me GRIPPING MY KINDLE. The twist? WTF. Now that we have that out of the way, I absolutely adored these two. Verge is one my absolute favorite MMC, he is so broken, but the standout for me was how he was ALL IN for Shiloh. He was there every step of the for her and the family he found in the rodeo. Shiloh was broken in her own ways too and while she skirted around her feelings, deep down she knew the connection was a forever one. These two had a bond that was undeniable even when life was pulling them apart. The found family in this one is what found family is all about and you can feel their bonds with each other throughout.
I had the chance to ARC read 8 Endless Seconds it will live rent free in my mind forever!
Shiloh is a team roper who doesn’t do bull riders. Verge is a bull rider ready to steal Shiloh’s heart.
I love the story that unfolds between these two. They encounter real life struggles such as grief, fear, depression, rage, and love. The love between the Shiloh and Verge prevail through it all.
While many heavy topics are covered in this book, you still see so much love, joy, and happiness! These characters have the best banter. They give each other a “hard time” as most couples do which is part of what makes their relationship so special.
This book will have you laughing, crying, and blushing all the way through! Sydney knows how to rip your heart out and put out back together all in a span of a few chapters!
If cowboys are your thing, then you definitely need this book! I can’t wait until the next one comes out!
I love a good cowboy romance, and this one definitely delivered. The family dynamic was so lovable & easy to connect with. It felt like I was reading the perfect Hallmark movie - until an unexpected wave of heartbreak hit and completely changed the tone. And that twist at the end? I suspected something was going on, but I never saw that coming. Emotional, heartwarming & full of surprises, this was a story I thoroughly enjoyed!
This was my first cowboy romance!! And I am so glad I picked this as my first!
I was hooked from the beginning and fell in love with all the characters! The story had an amazing plot and timeline. I felt I was living inside this book right alongside the characters! It made me laugh, happy, mad and sad! I definitely cried.
But when you can feel what your characters are feeling, you know this book was written well.
4.5 stars! I thought this was going to be a sweet easy, cowboy read. It was sweet. I loved so many of the characters. And Verge is top tier. BUT it is heartbreaking. There is an HEA but I did shed tears.
Honestly, I would’ve given it five but I can’t stand. Apple logs that start on the next story. I would rather have an epilogue about the two main character characters.
I don’t even know where to start with this book! I absolutely loved it. It is probably my favorite cowboy romance. It isn’t just about a cowboy and cowgirl falling in love. There is such a good plot and so many twists in it. The rodeos they go to are so well thought out. There’s death and grief which just adds to their story! I was either crying or smiling. The characters are so relatable too!
I absolutely loved this book!! The ending had me 🤯 I loved every part of this book! Verge will forever be one of my favorites! This book had me feeling every emotion from kicking my feet giggling to crying! Can’t wait to see if there might be more to come!
Im going to say right now.. wtf is this.. Now love and enjoy this book. Also a great cowboy romance. The yearning the way they hate each other. I also love this dogs and the pain omg the hurt so much. I hate you for making me cry.. but also love this book!!