Gone

by Sarah Hill

Genres: Romance

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 24, 2026

About the author

SARAH HILL, lives in Idaho with her husband, 3 dogs and cat. When she isn't feeding, playing or doctoring one of her fur babies, you can find her watching a chick flick or favorite Hallmark movie, hanging with family and friends, reading or taking pictures (because photos are important!) Some of her favorite things include the world of Harry Potter, Mexican food, camping, playing pranks, laughing and kissing her husband.

Sarah continues to listen to the characters who find her and whisper their stories in her ear and plans to get their stories out to the world.

Reviews

[Queenie2023 aka Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so gone for Gone!
This book y’all- it has my heart! It was so good! Definitely did not want to put down this fun cowboy Romance at all. I was hooked from the start- line and sinker. A definite must read!

[Steff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stran: our cowboy - you may not like him at first but trust me, he grows on you.

Harper: our FMC - she has been through hell and back…and hell and back again!

One night, they give into their grief and anger and let it out…together 😉

Now, they have to try and move through their grief, deal with the consequences of that night, and navigate these feelings.

Tropes:
Cowboy
Forbidden Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Brother’s Fiancée

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️

[Karleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advance Copy received from author


This was not at all what I expected….it was far better! The MMC is both infuriating and swoon worthy and the FMC is loaded with heart which led to a roller coaster of emotions. I couldn’t put this one down, honestly Sarah did it again, she flooded my heart with emotions. The plot was gold, the main characters and side characters will be ones I think about for a long time each one of them were so special, and the spice went great with the story line!

[Colsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
ARC REVIEW! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gone surprised me in the best way!

Pregnancy and grief are usually tropes I tend to avoid, so I wasn’t sure how I would connect with this story. However this one is absolutely worth the read!

I have never read any of Sarah’s books before… but now I’m going to go and dive into them!

Sarah handled the stories themes with such care that it felt effortless to read. The grief was never rushed or brushed aside, allowing the emotions to feel authentic and giving the story the depth it needed.

One of my favourite aspects was the progression of the relationship between Harper and Stran. The transition from anger to friendship was paced beautifully, and I enjoyed reading and feeling their connection grow naturally over time. The author did an incredible job of balancing the memory and love she had for Derek while still allowing something new and meaningful to develop with Stran. It never felt like one love story diminished the other, which made the emotional journey all the more believable and swoon-worthy.

The pacing remained strong throughout most of the book, keeping me invested from start to finish. My only small pet peeve would be the jump from “I love you” to engagement, which felt a little quick compared to the otherwise carefully developed relationship. That said, after everything these characters went through, I was more than happy to let that slide.

Overall, Gone delivered an emotional, heartfelt story with well-developed characters, meaningful growth, and a romance that slowly earned its place.

[Jamie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Copy From Author...review
This was a great read...
Harper, the FMC has been through a lot!!!!
Stran the MMC, you may be mad at for some of the book at first, but he softens.
Grief bring these two together for a night...they are left facing feelings neither of them justify. And a life changing event.
It's a forbidden romance about loss, loyalty, and loving someone you were never meant to be with.
I read this in 2 days. It was a very easy read low spice but just enough for the story.
Beautifully written.

[Janess Salusky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Gone!

Spicy cowboy country romance? Sign me up!
Enjoyed following Stran and Harper as they navigated through their grief, growth, and growing love story. I’ve never visited Idaho, but Sarah Hill sure makes me feel like I have! Would recommend!

[Miranda Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book. I have been on a kick of cowboy romances and this one absolutely hit the spot. I definitely will be purchasing this book when it comes out. I am extremely grateful to the author for letting me be an ARC reader.

I laughed, I cried, I wanted to put the book in the freezer (Friends reference lol), but over all I truly enjoyed how this book was written. How the main characters were perceived in a way that you could connect with both of them. I absolutely love the support of the side characters, definitely adds to the story. This is definitely a book I wish I could read again for the first time.

[Jessica Hernandez]

ARC REVIEW... I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sarah did it again! This story was far better than I could have imagined. Spicy cowboy romance and lot of learning and growing for all characters. The author kept you hooked on reading for days. Talking about emotions, I was up late crying- happiness, joy, love, sad, fear, anger… my heart felt all of those. Stran and Harper are trying to navigate life through grief. Stran is so cold and can’t express his feelings while being mean to Harper. Harper is just trying to get through life and winds up in bad situations. Grief forces them into each other whether they like it or not.

Sarah did an amazing job writing a story that makes you feel a deep connection with the characters. This book will keep you up all night because you can’t put it down.

[Jessica Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

So lucky to have been an ARC reader for this! I LOVED THIS BOOK!! If you are looking for a good Cowboy romance, this should be on your TBR! I loved the two main characters, but also the side characters were amazing and added so much to the story. The spice didn’t override the plot, but fit in nicely with it. I felt all of the emotions and I will be thinking about this story for a long time! If you love the cowboy, forbidden romance, brother’s fiancée, enemies to lovers tropes, you’ll enjoy this one!

[Chante (Chan.ReadsXO) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Gone was a beautiful small town cowboy romance. A friend recommended this book to me, and I’m so glad she did!

The story grabbed me right away with the enemies to lovers tension. Harper and Stran’s relationship developed in such an unexpected way, but somehow it felt like they were always meant to find each other.

When loss brings two people together, love can appear when you least expect it. This story is full of heartfelt moments, personal growth, healing, and meaningful life lessons, all wrapped up in a beautiful happily ever after.

[Laced In Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC 🫶
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up (Goodreads please give us half stars 🙏)
Check TW ✔️ (although note that the list is not exhaustive)
🫶 Grief and loss of loved one
🤬 Enemies to lovers
⛔️ Forbidden romance
😍 Found Family
🍼 Surprise Pregnancy (this is not listed in the content notes at the start of the book, I think it should be though as this will be a major trigger for some people in deciding whether or not to continue with the book)
❤️ Emotional trauma (including side characters also - and again, imo not fully disclosed in detail in the initial content warning)
Objectively a decent plot and storyline. I struggle with the pregnancy trope and feel this was not clear from the beginning which hindered my reading experience as I wasn't prepared for this. I also really struggled to relate or like either character due to their true hate and resentment making it quite a difficult read for me.
Brief plot summary - Struggling with the loss of her fiancee, Harper is lost in all sense of the word. She doesn't know where she belongs and is feeling like a hindrance to her dead partners family. This includes grumpy "a-hole" of a brother Stran who aside from one very first interaction many years ago, makes it very clear that he hates her guts and resents her. I never truly understood the hate here and feel we could have seen more of Harper and Derek's past to get a better understanding of their relationships as a whole.
A hate f*ck later and some grump fueled miscommunication and the pair are no closer to mending their relationship.
Derek's last words to his brother Stran was to look after Harper and boy is he failing in that department.
The consequences of their actions eventually become clear (although to someone who hates a pregnancy trope the signs became very obvious very early on...). The pair must grow up, put their feelings aside and decide what their future looks like. They dont want to shatter their family anymore than the grief already being felt but this situation cannot be ignored.
Overall i would recommend to those without the specific triggers I have noted. I do feel knowing more about the triggers would have given me a better reading experience as I could have been prepared for them better.
Raw, emotional read 📚

[Danielle Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gone by Sarah Hill
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

👢🐮 A small-town, emotional cowboy romance packed with so much tension that I couldn't sit still while reading. 🐮👢

Holy Tootsie Pop, I absolutely loved this book. It was an easy 5-star read for me. The family dynamics, friendships, grief, anger, shame, and spice—especially the spice—had me completely invested from beginning to end.

👢 Harper (FMC) is broken and lost, struggling to figure out how to move forward after the death of her fiancé.

🐮 Stran (MMC) is grieving the loss of his brother while trying to come to terms with a promise he made during a dream in which his brother asked him to take care of Harper.

The animosity between Harper and Stran was intense, but the chemistry and tension simmering beneath the surface had me squirming in my seat and kicking my feet the entire time. I seriously could not put this book down.

I'll admit, I was hesitant going in. A romance between a woman and her deceased fiancé's brother sounded like it might be difficult to get behind. I kept wondering how it could work without feeling like a betrayal. But Sarah Hill handled those emotions beautifully. She addressed the complicated feelings head-on, pulled at my heartstrings, and somehow had me rooting for them every step of the way.

The side characters also played a huge role in the story, adding depth and helping shape Harper and Stran's journey together. Sarah Hill did a phenomenal job crafting a heartfelt, emotional, and believable love story.

Such a beautiful story, Sarah!

🐮 Enemies to Lovers
🐮 Forbidden Love
🐮 Forced Proximity
🐮 Small Town Romance
🐮 Grumpy Cowboy
🐮 Grief & Growth
🐮 Slow Burn

[Meg Muto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah did it again. Loved it and could not put it down. Here is a little preview….

When Harper Harris loses the man she planned to spend her life with, grief is only the beginning of her heartbreak. His brother, Stran Beaumont, acts like she’s to blame for his brother's choices—and makes no secret of it.

Harper wants nothing more than to survive the loss and rebuild a life that no longer makes sense without the man she loved. But Stran is bound by a promise his brother asked of him in a nightmare the night he died: Take care of Harper. Staying close to her is the last thing Stran wants—yet walking away would mean breaking the final request his brother ever made, even if it was just a dream.

Grief forces them into each other’s lives, where resentment slowly gives way to something far more dangerous. When one reckless night shatters the boundaries they swore they would never cross, Harper and Stran are left facing feelings neither of them can justify—and consequences that could fracture what remains of their families.

Now they must decide whether to bury their growing love in the name of loyalty… or risk everything for a future built on the one relationship they were never meant to have.

A raw, forbidden romance about loss, loyalty, and the dangerous power of loving the one you were never meant to touch.

[Shannon Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a few days to write this review. I needed a few days to decipher the emotional rollercoaster this book was. Thank you to the author for the privilege to read this.

The emotional aspects of this book are definitely what makes it. I was torn apart and put back together in the best ways.

Stran starts out as a huge asshole and I kinda hated him but I also felt sorry for him and the grief you could feel on page. He shouldn’t have treated Harper the way he did and I feel like his grovel made up the way he acted.

Harper my word girl, you didn’t deserve anything you received and I would have been 💯 behind you if you would have told him to kick rocks.

You can see that everyone involved had their hearts ripped from their chests when Derek died. It was tragic and debilitating but at some point people have to move on for their own sanity.

I am so happy that they both found their forever with each other.

Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Side Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Natasha Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gone by Sarah Hill was a gripping and emotional read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The story pulled me in quickly with its strong atmosphere, compelling characters, and steady sense of tension. I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see how everything would unfold.

What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of the story. The characters felt layered and believable, and their struggles added a real sense of weight to the narrative. I also appreciated the pacing, which balanced quieter, more reflective moments with scenes that kept the story moving.

Sarah Hill’s writing was easy to get into and created a vivid reading experience without feeling overly complicated. While there were a few moments where I wanted a little more development, overall this was an enjoyable and memorable read.

If you’re looking for a story with strong emotion, engaging characters, and a plot that keeps you invested, I’d definitely recommend giving Gone a try.

[Heather Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I truly am a sucker for cowboy romances and this one did not disappoint! This story had me very emotional at times with everything it hit on. This story is about the struggles of loss, grief, family, finding happiness all while navigating the everyday and stumbling upon unexpected surprises and love that was never imagined.

Harper and Derek were high school sweethearts with a wedding and bright future ahead until tragedy struck. Derek had an older brother named Stran and a family that was having a hard time dealing with this tragedy as well. Stran and Harper did not get along, but would soon find solace in each other that would lead into a lot of emotions and life altering changes for them all.

This was an amazing story with so much feeling. It contains so many real life events that will break you and put you back together. This is a must read.

[Amy Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this ARC of Gone. This is a soulful, sweet-and-spicy, small-town romance about two lovers who should have never been. Stran, the hunky cowboy with a heart of steel, meets the beautiful, guarded Harper in junior high, but sadly, before he can act, he loses her to his golden-boy brother Derek. Stran reluctantly walks away and tries to put as much distance between Harper and himself as possible. But what happens years later when Derek unexpectedly visits Stran in a dream and tells him to "take care of Harper?" Wait--how is that possible when Derek is fighting for our country on the other side of the world? That's when the dream becomes a nightmare. Derek is gone, and Stran and Harper are suddenly thrown together. These enemies have a mountain to climb before they can act on long dormant feelings. Will they be able to find each other amid the ensuing storm?

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

ARC REVIEW

Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy.

This is my first cowboy romance, and overall I enjoyed it. The premise was compelling, and I was really invested in the story, especially the themes of grief, healing, and finding a way forward after loss.

What held it back for me was the romance itself. I never fully bought into the relationship between the main characters. The transition from enemies to lovers felt rushed, and I didn't think enough time was spent developing their chemistry. There were plenty of big plot moments, but not enough quiet moments that made me believe they genuinely fell in love.

I also struggled with the MMC. While I understood that many of his actions stemmed from his insecurities and his complicated relationship with his father, I found him immature for much of the book. His initial resentment toward the heroine felt disproportionate, and I often wished he was held more accountable for his decisions instead of the FMC constantly extending him grace.

I liked Harper, I enjoyed her perspective and thought her journey through grief, pregnancy, and rebuilding her life was the strongest part of the novel. I just wish we had gotten more of her POV and less time spent in the MMC's head.

The ending wrapped things up nicely, and I appreciated seeing the family begin to heal. While the romance didn't completely work for me, I still enjoyed the overall story enough to finish it and would read more from the author in the future.

[Amy Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.

Spoiler Free Review

This book completely took me by surprise, in the best way. When I read the blurb for this book, I figured it would put me through a few emotions but I had no idea I would go through all the emotions. Grief is a trope that while I can read, I don’t generally gravitate to it. This is a story with such heart shattering grief, loss of a fiance, and life after. The guilt felt so heavy but also was so beautifully written that I had to proceed. If you love enemies to lovers, cowboy romance, found family, forced proximity, and surprise pregnancy- this is the book for you. I really enjoyed this book so much!

[Jeong Sieun Alexandrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Reader review through BookSirens ☆

2.5 ☆

I am...conflicted.
While I normally do like the forbidden love trope here it felt like it was not assumed by the MMC & FMC at all for 60ish % of the book ?
It was such a long and slow part of the book where they are going in circles hating and raging at each other then being horny insatiable humans to go right back to being vicious to each other. Talk about whiplash.
The story arrives on a very sudden and not so well arrived resolution and " happy ever after".
This book just was not it for me unfortunately.

[ToniReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I read it in a day. This is not my typical genre, but I was enthralled. A forbidden love story. This book made you hate and love the characters, chapter after chapter. I found myself crying both happy and sad tears over and over. Sarah’s writing made me feel like I was in this book, she paints the story so beautifully. This cowboy romance should be in everyone’s TBR! Sarah you’ve rose to the top of my author lists I look forward to reading more of your books! Thank you for the opportunity to ARC read for you!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about forgiveness as much as it is about love and loss. Forgiving ones self as well as forgiving others.

For about 80% of the book I was sure we were going to find out Derek had been cheating on Harper and that's why he didn't want her to move with him. It wasn't the case, but I wondered.

Allie and Cash deserve awards for their patience. Harper and Starn were as lovable as they were frustrating, which is fitting since that is pretty much how they see each other.

Not usually a fan of cowboy romances but I enjoyed this one.

[Katie Kerfoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I am so grateful for Sarah to reaching out to me to give me an ARC for this book.

This is hands down one of the best books I’ve read this year, I love a good cowboy romance but this was so much more, so much depth and emotion in the story.

This is my first read from Sarah Hill but it definitely won’t be my last!!

Harper & Stran 🩷

Enemies to lovers 🖤
Forbidden romance ❌
Small town 🏠
Grumpy cowboy 🤠
Forced proximity 👩‍❤️‍👨
Grief 😭
Slow burn 🔥

[Maddie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! I was hooked from the very first chapter. One moment I was laughing, and the next I was genuinely shocked by what unfolded.
Sarah Hill handles grief in such a thoughtful and balanced way. The emotional weight is there, but it never overwhelms the story. Instead, it adds depth and makes the journey of moving forward feel authentic and hopeful.
This was such a compelling read, and I'm already looking forward to having a finished copy on my shelf when it releases!

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

GONE carried all the feels throughout the entire book. Well written, beautiful character development and connections, emotional topics, and characters who have to work through their grief and life obstacles. Enjoyed this book immensely and will definitely be reading more Sarah Hill books.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Carrisa Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I absolutely loved this book. The story of heartbreak to love was one that is not easily written and this author did amazing. Seeing Harper and Stran go from their meet cute in high school to hating each other to love was absolutely amazing. Watching them find their love for each other and their happiness together as they worked their way thru grief. Plus the twist was perfect

[bound_to_please_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The yearning, mixed with grief, on top of internal struggle is masterfully woven together to bring us Gone!

Being an Idaho native, the way Hill writes makes me feel like I am right at home! The small town charm, the way of life, and of course the way the characters talk are so realistic! You’ll fly through this read!

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an advanced copy from the author for an honest review.

Gone had me reeling and feeling all the feels.
I enjoyed watching Stran and Harper's story unravel - witnessing their journey from grief to healing.

✨ Cowboy Romance
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Possessive MMC
✨ A little bit of spice

If any of that sounds good to you then you should definitely give it a try.

[Marissa Montano]

I loved this book. I could feel everyone’s emotions, I wanted to give everyone a hug and sometimes a smack on the back of the head 😂

The author wrote this beautifully, it made me want more, more from the main characters and more from the side characters. I got so lost in her writing that it felt like I was there.

I would reread this when I want to feel that warm fuzzy feeling.

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. Just wow it gets you in all the feels! My heart was ripped out by Harper and Stran and the parents. This hit every trope I love. It had me up past midnight reading. I was crying and laughing and fanning my face all in the span of a couple chapters. Sarah Hill this was amazing!!