Spurs & Roses

by Gracie Fuchs

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2026

About the author

Gracie Fuchs is a Midwest-rooted author who writes romance with grit, heart, and raw human connection. Seminole Creek Ranch is her debut romance series, with plenty more to come.

Reviews

[Samsboeken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this in one day.
I just love the way she writes.

You are a part of the family, just reading this series.
Writing is strong, room for your own thinking and with loads of banter.

Go read this! Meanwhile I’ll be waiting for the next one!

[Cassandra Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gracie Fuchs absolutely nailed that soft-but-devastating small town romance atmosphere and I was completely obsessed from start to finish.

Cal and Ali’s story is the definition of a slow burn. And I mean SLOW slow burn. 😮‍💨 Every loaded glance, every almost-confession, every moment where they were trying so hard not to cross the line had me internally screaming. The tension in this book felt like a prairie wildfire slowly creeping closer until suddenly everything is burning. 🔥

Cal completely wrecked me. 🥺
Gruff, exhausted, trying to hold his ranch together while also being the best dad possible to his daughter? Immediate emotional damage. Single dad romances already get me every time, but the way Cal loved Sadie was on another level. You could feel how deeply he cared about everyone around him, even while carrying the weight of everything alone.

And Ali?? I adored her so much. 💐
She comes back to Primrose Valley after her divorce trying to rebuild herself and figure out what she actually wants from life. She felt incredibly real; strong but tired, hopeful but scared to let herself want more again. Watching her slowly believe she deserved happiness had my chest tight the entire book.

What really made this romance work for me was the history between them. This wasn’t insta-love or forced drama. These two had YEARS of feelings, bad timing, friendship, tension, and unfinished business sitting between them. Every interaction felt layered with things left unsaid. 😭

And the small town atmosphere?? PERFECT.
The gossip, the ranch life, the brothers, the chaos, everybody knowing everyone’s business—it made everything feel so intimate and cozy while also making the romance even messier in the best way possible. 🤎

Also Sadie absolutely stole the show half the time. 😭 That little menace and her pranks had me laughing so hard.

This book somehow manages to be:
✨ soft and emotional
✨ funny and chaotic
✨ cozy and heartbreaking
✨ romantic without being overdramatic

And when Cal finally emotionally cracked open??? Yeah I was DONE FOR. Somebody bury me beside the rodeo arena because I did not survive that scene. 💀🤠

If you love:
🌹 slow burn romance
🤠 single dad cowboys
🌹 small town romance
🤠 years of unresolved tension
🌹 friends-to-lovers vibes
🤠 ranch settings & family chaos
🌹 emotional healing romances

you absolutely need this book.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like sitting on a ranch porch at midnight with a whiskey in hand while your heart quietly falls apart in the background 🤠🌹

Cal and Ali absolutely wrecked me in the best way. The slow burn in this book? AGONIZING. Every conversation, every loaded glance, every moment where they were trying so hard not to cross the line had me internally screaming. Gracie Fuchs dragged that tension out like a perfectly frayed rope and I loved every second of it.

Cal is the kind of MMC that sneaks up on you. Gruff, exhausted, carrying the weight of everyone around him while trying to be a good dad and hold his ranch together. And the way he loved his daughter?? Immediate emotional damage. Single dad romances already have me weak but Cal was on another level. You could feel how badly he wanted to do the right thing even while old feelings for Ali kept clawing their way back to the surface.

And ALI. I adored her. She comes back to Primrose Valley after divorce trying to rebuild herself and there was something so raw and honest about her journey. She wasn’t written as perfect or overly dramatic. She just felt real. Strong but tired. Hopeful but scared to want more again. Watching her slowly let herself believe she deserved happiness had my chest tight the entire book.

The history between them carried so much weight too. This wasn’t insta-love nonsense. These two had YEARS of feelings, regrets, bad timing, and unfinished business sitting between them. Every scene felt layered with things unsaid. The chemistry was less fireworks and more a slow prairie wildfire creeping closer until suddenly EVERYTHING is burning.

Also the small town atmosphere?? Absolutely nailed it. Primrose Valley feels alive. The gossip, the family dynamics, the brothers, the sense that everybody knows your business before you do. It made the romance feel even more intense because there was never anywhere to hide.

And when Cal finally cracked emotionally??? I was DONE FOR. Fully deceased. Somebody put me in the ground beside the rodeo arena.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. This is the second installment to the Seminole Creek Ranch Series and it is just as wonderful as the first one. It has cute animals, big love and an adorable little girl named Sophie. Who I have to say is the light in everyone's world and a big time jokester. She really is a little devient.

This book centers around Cal and Ali. These two have been circling each other for many years. Cal gave up his dreams to become a father and Ali has started over from a dream she thought she wanted into one that fits her perfectly. Her own business, a home and her friends. But she always feels as if something is missing in her life and it becomes more notable the more time she spends with Luke and Georgia.

Will these two get their ducks in a row or will everything get weird?

This book is a wonderful read that has some really big feelings in it. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It has some crazy shenanigans that will have you in stitches. This story is a steady paced love story that should become a Hallmark Movie. It is a perfect romantic comedy with some serious undertones. The world of Seminole Creek and it's characters is fun, light hearted and joyful. I can't wait to see how Ty's story turns out. I bet it will be a doozy.

Gracie Fuchs has created a wonderful romantic comedy series that is the perfect small town romance. It is full of fun and entertainment as well as sweet romance to give you the butterflies. Her writing is smooth and flows nicely. I absolutely love her writing. So if you are looking for a small town romance with cowboys, then this book is the one for you. It is best read in series order, but can be read by itself.

[Barbara Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5...This was such an emotionally grounded slow-burn romance with exactly the kind of tension that keeps you fully invested from start to finish. The chemistry between Ali and Cal felt mature, layered, and believable, especially because so much of their connection came through shared history, quiet moments, and everything left unsaid. Nothing felt rushed, which made the emotional payoff land even harder. Cal was incredibly easy to love. Beneath the exhausted single-dad exterior was a man carrying years of responsibility, regret, and loyalty, and watching him slowly allow himself to want something for himself was honestly one of the strongest parts of the story. Ali’s journey felt just as compelling. Her determination to rebuild her life without losing herself added a lot of depth to the romance, and I appreciated how independent and emotionally resilient she was. Primrose Valley felt lived-in and intimate in the best way, where every interaction carried weight because everyone knew everyone’s history. The family dynamics, especially among the brothers, added warmth and realism while also giving the story emotional texture beyond the romance. What really made this stand out was how restrained it was emotionally. The angst never tipped into melodrama, and the story trusted the characters’ history and chemistry enough to let the quieter moments speak for themselves. A few sections dragged slightly in the middle, but overall this was heartfelt, tender, and full of aching second-chance energy. Perfect for readers who love emotionally messy cowboys, small-town tension, and romances that simmer before they burn.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[yue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is a bit late due to some personal delays, but Spurs & Roses by Gracie Fuchs proved to be an easy, one-sitting read that balances charm with a fast pace. The story follows Cal, a single father returning to the rodeo circuit, and Ali, who later steps into a maternal role for his daughter, Sadie. The core strength lies in the well-executed smalltown and single dad tropes, paired with a heartwarming found family dynamic involving Cal’s supportive family and Ali' aswell. Sadie is an absolute highlight for me for the whole story. She is very charming and easy to adore. I love how Ali showed great character growth in her devotion to the family even before her relationship with Cal solidified. I especially appreciated the lack of a forced third act breakup, which allowed the romance to feel more mature.

While I enjoyed reading the book, I did struggle with emotional resonance, as I found it difficult to feel deeply attached to the characters or fully invested in their stakes. The narrative didn't fully reach me until the midway point of the story. While the insta-lust nature of the story was expected, more early internal development might have bridged that emotional gap. Despite these, I enjoyed the Corbin family enough to seek out future books in the series.

If you are looking for a story with tropes like found family, single dad, insta love and cowboys this is a perfect fit for you.

Thank you so much to Gracie Fuchs for allowing me to read this novel in advanced. This review is my honest, genuine thoughts and reaction to the story.

[Kelly Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another devour in one sitting read for me. After absolutely loving book one, I went in with high expectations, and this delivered in a completely different, quieter way.

This book carries that “ruin the friendship” weight, years of history, unspoken feelings, and the kind of tension where crossing the line could either fix everything… or break it completely.

It is a slow-burn romance in the truest sense. It’s not loud or overly dramatic, it’s the kind of love story that sneaks up on you. The tension builds so naturally between Ali and Cal, and watching two people with such a strong history try (and fail) to fight their connection? Delicious.

Cal as the single dad, ex-rodeo, trying-to-hold-it-all-together hero was so easy to root for, and Ali’s journey of rebuilding her life and finding her independence added so much emotional depth to the story. Their dynamic just works. (Also, I am here for an age gap moment!)

I also loved being back in the ranch setting, it has that small-town, everyone-knows-everyone energy that makes everything feel more intimate (and complicated). And getting to see the gang from book one again, including Clover, was such a highlight.

Also… the prank subplot? If you know, you know. It added the perfect bit of chaos and humour alongside the slower, more emotional romance.

Can we also take a moment for the new covers - this is gorge!

Thank you to the author for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

[Whits Bookish Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spurs & Roses is book 2 in Gracie Fuchs Seminole Creek Ranch series and let me tell you it is a slow, slow burn high tension and yearning best friends older brother romance.

Ali is Ty’s best friend since they were in grade school she was practically raised by his parents and older brothers most her life. After moving away Ali comes back to her small town ands starts over but with a few familiar faces. Ty, Cal and Luke take her in and help her get on her feet. For years now Ali has been wrapped up in their life and they in hers.

Cal was already grown and had his own life when Ali moved away and when she moved back the only difference was now Cal had a daughter that he loves so much but he desperately needed help with her due to responsibilities on the ranch and trying to be a single dad.

Ali and Cal have been in each other’s orbits forever but life choices have lead to their current relationship and it can’t be risked it’s not just them involved. The tension and yearning are so high but neither of them can get out of their own way. Will either of them finally find their peace and happiness?

This was absolutely a five star read for me!

Tropes:
Age gap
Best friends older brother
Found family

Thank you so much to the author Gracie Fuchs for allowing me to ARC read for her!!

[Kristina 🫶 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this book reflected the mature, quiet growing love between Cal and Ali. there was never a defined moment of doubt. it was just always there. growing in the quiet.

can we take a moment to talk about the Corbin brothers? 🥹 the fact that they all stepped up to help take care of Sadie. all three of them taking turns with baby night feeds, appointments and pulling the weight of ranch duties. the tight knit family was written so beautifully.

I absolutely adored Sadie! I laughed throughout reading, especially where Ty and Sadie were concerned. I cannot wait for the next book. I’m excited to get Ty’s HEA.

“I just needed to know I still could,” I say. “I wanted to know that life was still there if I chose it.”
The tires hum against the road as we leave the rodeo behind. “I still choose this,” I go on. “Being a dad. Running a ranch. Staying.” I look over at her. “You.”
Her expression softens, warmth settling in her eyes. “Tonight just proved that I still get to make that choice,” I add. “And that I made the right one.”

this is the second book in the Seminole Creek Ranch series.

[Lindsayrosereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow-up slips you right back into Primrose Valley with the same warmth and heart as book one. Ali and Cal’s story leans into shared history and second chances, with a steady slow burn that feels grounded and easy to root for — even if you can see where it’s headed.

Cal is easy to root for: a devoted dad doing his best to hold everything together, while Ali brings independence and emotional honesty to the pairing. Together, they feel grounded and real, even in a story that leans more toward comfort than surprise.

Sadie absolutely steals every scene she’s in, adding lightness and personality that keeps the heavier moments from weighing the story down. And Ty continues to stand out from the sideline, there’s just enough there to make you curious about where his story will go next.

Like the first book, this is an uncomplicated but heartfelt romance. It may be predictable, but it never feels shallow. The characters are well-developed, the relationships feel earned, and the small-town, found-family charm continues.

This is a solid, feel-good addition to the series and a cozy return to a world that’s easy to get attached to.

[Shaunee Swihart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this second book in the Seminole Creek Ranch series! I was so thankful to receive an ARC from the author. It had the perfect mix of heart, humor, chemistry, and small-town chaos that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Cal and Ali’s story was such a good slow burn, and I loved watching them navigate old feelings, second chances, and all the baggage that comes with small town relationships.

But honestly… Sadie completely stole the show for me 😂 She was hilarious and had me laughing so many times with the way she keeps both Ali and her dad in line. Her pranks on uncle Ty just made everything even better and gave the whole ranch family dynamic so much life.

This book had me smiling, laughing, and fully invested the entire time. If you love western romances with strong family bonds, witty banter, lovable side characters, and all the small-town ranch vibes, this one is definitely worth the read! I already need more from this series 🫶

[Marci Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic slow-burn, sweet brother’s best friend/single dad romance. I loved the sweetness between them and all the tension from wanting to be together while also not wanting to mess up their family dynamic and longtime friendship. Ali was already so involved in helping Cal with his daughter, which made the emotional stakes feel even higher because neither of them wanted to risk losing what they already had if things didn’t work out.

This is definitely a sloooow burn, and the spice doesn’t happen until pretty late in the book. Even then, and it is mildly explicit, which honestly fit the story and relationship well.

I also loved getting more of Luke & Georgia from book one. And Sadie’s antics were absolutely off the charts 😂

Can’t wait to see what book 3 brings for Ty…and Nora??? We’ll see 👀


Thank you to the author for this advanced read!

[Destiny Wescoat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the author giving me an ARC of this book. This book was amazing! This is book number two in the Seminole Creek Ranch. This picks up right after book one. You do not have to read the other book first but I recommend it. I was hooked from the beginning. This book is about Ali and Cal. Cal is a single father and takes care of the family farm with his two brothers. Ali owns a bar and helps take care of Cals little girl Sadie who is the best. She likes to play pranks on her uncles and father with the help of Ali. I live a good slow burn romance and add a cowboy in it even better! Ali is a motherly figure to Sadie and she helps do her hair and all the girly stuff. When a medical emergency happens with Sadie Cal calls Ali and she drops everything to help them out. When they both start think of the past and in blends in with the present what will happen the especially when Cal relives a part of his past. They always had feelings for each other but were afraid to mess up their relationship. If you like rodeo cowboy MMC, business owner FMC, best friends brother, single dad, and no third act breakup this is a book you should check out! 5/5 stars

[Erica Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was my first ARC experience, and Spurs & Roses totally delivered! I’m a sucker for a small town cowboy romance, so I jumped at the chance. Gracie Fuchs has truly mastered the art of the slow burn. She did a great job building the longing between Cal and Ali - you weren’t just reading about it, you were feeling it along with them. I’d give it 1.5-2 🌶️ on the spice scale. I like my romance smutty, so I hope she dials it up for Ty’s story! I also would have liked a better understanding of Ali’s past (maybe I’d know more of her back story if I’d read Luke’s and Georgia’s story first?). But overall a great addition to the micro-genre (there is no such thing as too much cowboy romance).

[CozyreaderLisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this next installment of the Seminole Ranch Creek series, we have Cal, the older brother to Luke and Ty, and Ali, the local bar owner. I love Cal and Ali’s story so much. Ali has had feelings for him since she was a kid, always finding ways to be around Cal. Cal is a single father, and Ali watches his daughter Sadie when he’s out working on the ranch. This is a slow-burn romance with tension that keeps you invested to the end. I love the shared history between Cal and Ali; it makes their connection so much more real and not rushed. Gracie Fuchs has done it again and written an amazing slow-burn cowboy romance. I hope she continues this series and writes a book about Ty. If you love a small-town slow-burn cowboy romance, then this is the series for you!

[Susan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment is just as engaging as the first, delivering a satisfying continuation of the story. One of the highlights is the natural progression of Ali and Cal’s relationship—from friendship to love—without either character having to sacrifice their individuality or goals. It’s refreshing to see a romance unfold with that kind of balance.

Sadie easily steals the spotlight as the standout character. Her spunk and personality add an extra layer of charm that elevates the entire story.

Overall, this is an uplifting romance that leaves you feeling good—a great choice if you’re looking for something heartfelt and enjoyable.

[Paige wheal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of the seminole creek series, and I enjoyed this even more than the first. The relationship was just a bit more believable, and I loved the entire story line. I found myself genuinely laughing at points, especially with Sadie (the MMC's daughter) finding out what April fools is and just pranking people constantly.

The love story was super cute, the characters were well thought out and just on the whole it was a great cowboy romance book. There were little bits of jealousy, A LOT of yearning on both ends, found family and just a whole lot of goodness. I really really enjoyed this book!

[Ashley Egipciaco · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶


Sadie was the best part of this book! Her 6-year-old personality and pranks were amusing throughout the whole book. Cal is a single dad to Sadie, and his brother's best friend, Ali, has played a major role in both of their lives, but not in a romantic way. 


This book is a VERY slow burn! I found it was lacking tension and angst during the slow-burn part. I absolutely loved the first book, *Dust and Clover*, and I'm hoping Ty will get his own book too. Although this was not my favorite, I would still recommend her books as they are well-written and full of laughs. What it lacked in tension, it made up for in cackles!

[Jessica Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from author

I really enjoyed Spurs & Roses! It was nice to get Cal’s story. Though I do wish we got a little more of his story throughout the book.

I loved Sadie so much in this book- she’s adorable!

The friends to lovers trope is not my favorite one so for that reason alone I was not obsessed with this book but I did enjoy it along with Ali and Cal’s dynamic and story. It felt well paced and everything flowed well together as well.

I would recommend this book and the series! It’s fairly short and quick to read! Ty’s story is the one I’m looking forward to the most!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in the Seminole creek series and it’s just as cute as the first. Our favorite little pest makes an appearance a few times throughout the book. The chance to take back something you thought you lost just to say you can with the perfect love story. I could feel my heart racing with anticipation during the rodeo and all the good nitty gritty stuff after was amazing too. It does take a lot longer in this book than the last to get past all the bullheaded ways for each of the characters but it is totally worth it.

[Shannon Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The boo follows Ali and Cal. You can tell from book 1 that there is definitely chemistry between them.

They have loved each other for a long time but never acted on it.

The way she loves Sadie is that of a mother’s love even those biologically she isn’t her mom. She is in every sense of the word.

I wish we could have a little more back story about Ali’s ex-husband and Sadie’s mom.

I’m hoping that Ty gets his book next. This is a heartwarming series that touches on some harder issues that they are all able to work through.

It has decent amount of spice late in the book.

[Jessica Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Ali and Cal, and you pick up on their chemistry right away. It’s one of those connections that’s always been there, you just know they’ve loved each other for so long, even if they never acted on it until now. What really stood out to me was Ali’s love for Sadie. It’s so genuine and deep, the kind of love that’s completely maternal in every way that matters, regardless of biology. I do wish we got a bit more backstory about Ali’s ex-husband and Sadie’s mom. Overall a good book.

[Latisha Jahoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sophie was the highlight of this book for me. I loved the pranks she played on Ty. They truly had me laughing and wondering where she was even coming up with these things.

I was waiting for Ali and Cal's story after all the hints that were dropped in the first book. I have to say though, I was a bit disappointed with how long they took to get together. There were so many miscommunications between them and I truly just wanted to scream at them to get together already. It was a nice read though. Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the book.

[Lauryn Rohl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

The beginning for me was a bit slow, kinda wasn't feeling it, Ali POV was 14 chapters in before Cal got him shine.
Ali is calm, the mother hen in town, always in the middle of her peoples chaos lives they've made for themselves. Her story line to be was a bit to relaxed and chill.


As soon as Cals daughter had an issue and Ali dropped everything to help and OMG what happened then, I was HOOKED!!!! The slow burn and the emotional support and friendship they have and the town creates , it's MAGIC. Finished the book in a little over 1 day.

Trust the process.

[Nikki Pasdera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the definition of a slow burn and it was SOOOOO good. I’m usually not the biggest fan of sequels and because I feel like they recycle the plot or they don’t really go back and continue the storyline of other characters, but that’s not what this book did. I feel like this book the love story was super realistic, and I love that there wasn’t a third act breakup. You could feel the tension from the pages. I loved book one in the series, but I think I love this one more. I don’t tend to reread books, but this one is definitely on my to be read again shelf.

[Breanna Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was such a cute and sweet romance novel. I really enjoyed how we didn’t get a typical reaction from Ty hating the fact that Ali & Cal got together. That he was ok with it and just wanted them both happy.

The book was super easy to read and kept me engaged. The only thing I wish is that Ali & Cal getting together happened earlier so that way we could experience them together. Regardless I enjoyed it!

[Lectures_de_Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in just two days! I was happy to get back to Primrose Valley and I was excited that this story focused on Ali & Cal! It was a beautiful, slow-burn romance. And Sadie? She’s sooooo cut. She is an amazing addition to the story. APRIL FOOOOOOOOOLS.

This book kept me smiling, laughing, and completely hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy single dads, cowboy romances with close family ties, and cozy small-town ranch life, this is a must-read!

[Jenny Lynn Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a good cowboy romance! This reminded me of coming home to my mom’s house with the cows and horses out in the pasture and the dust being kicked up. It all just felt like ranch living.

When the bartender falls…she falls hard!! But also thinks nobody else knows when her eyes are only on one cowboy.

When the cowboy gets all protective and broody over only one bartender, he thinks he’s being sly.

But when things start heating up and maybe getting real, they both freeze and get scared they are going to mess up their perfect chosen family atmosphere.

Mr Cowboy decides that he is going to take his life by the horns and show the world, and himself, he can still do whatever he sets his mind to. But will it be disastrous? Will he get hurt? Will he leave their town to pursue it more?? Will he leave her?

Such a great read and keeps you entertained the entire way through.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story and how it picked right up from book one, although you don’t have to read book one to be able to follow this one. I felt the spice could have come in sooner it was too slow of a burn for me but once it came it was good. The long wait for the friends to become lovers was worth it. I can’t wait for what I’m guessing with be Ty’s book next.

[Rachel’s Little Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life happens and we have to make the best out of it. Sadie’s adorably feral pranks show what happens when three cowboys raise a little girl. Ali and Cal’s relationship is years of longing ignored. He is a best friend’s off limits older brother and she wants stability. They are enough for each other. I loved this slow burn romance. Looking forward to easing more books.