What do you think?
Rate this book
Devil's Ridge #1
Branded
From bestselling author Bonnie Poirier comes a small-town, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers romance, the first book in the brand-new dark western romance Devil's Ridge Ranch series.
As the daughter of one of Montana's oldest ranching families, I grew up knowing exactly what it meant to be traded for legacy, land and obligation. I ran from that life. Straight into the arms of Sebastian Drake.
A Texas rancher. A California mogul. Sebastian is the kind of man who always gets what he wants.
And now he wants me.
I tell myself I'll survive him. That I'll endure the rules, the lies and the way he looks at me like I already belong to him.
But the more I fight him the harder it becomes to remember why I should.
Because beneath the monster everyone fears is a man willing to do terrible things for the people he loves.
And when a decades-old ranching war turns deadly, I discover something far more dangerous than being married to Sebastian Drake.
Loving him.
The worst part?
I think he might love me, too.
Fans of Victoria Wilder, Paisley Hope, Jennifer Millikin, Lyla Sage and Catherine Cowles will devour this perfect, emotional small-town dark western romance.
Forced proximity Dark romance Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Morally grey, protective hero Dual POV Happily ever after
As the daughter of one of Montana's oldest ranching families, I grew up knowing exactly what it meant to be traded for legacy, land and obligation. I ran from that life. Straight into the arms of Sebastian Drake.
A Texas rancher. A California mogul. Sebastian is the kind of man who always gets what he wants.
And now he wants me.
I tell myself I'll survive him. That I'll endure the rules, the lies and the way he looks at me like I already belong to him.
But the more I fight him the harder it becomes to remember why I should.
Because beneath the monster everyone fears is a man willing to do terrible things for the people he loves.
And when a decades-old ranching war turns deadly, I discover something far more dangerous than being married to Sebastian Drake.
Loving him.
The worst part?
I think he might love me, too.
Fans of Victoria Wilder, Paisley Hope, Jennifer Millikin, Lyla Sage and Catherine Cowles will devour this perfect, emotional small-town dark western romance.
Forced proximity Dark romance Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Morally grey, protective hero Dual POV Happily ever after
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Did Not Finish
September 8, 2026Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the review copy of Branded. All opinions expressed are entirely my own thoughts.
DNF at 31% I really wanted to like this one. I love dark romance, and I do enjoy a good cowboy or small-town romance, although admittedly I haven’t read a huge number of them. I think there may just be something personal about dark cowboy romances that doesn’t always quite land for me, because I often find myself struggling to settle into them, and unfortunately, that was the case here too.
I struggled with the auction set-up and wasn’t fully convinced by Sebastian suddenly wanting marriage when he had never wanted it before. I think I needed a little more of their history, as all we really knew was that he was her boss and they’d interacted a few times. Given that the first time we as readers saw them together was at the auction, I didn’t feel like they acted like two people who were even particularly aware of each other, which only added to the pacing issues for me.
Because of how disjointed the pacing felt, I struggled to see the enemies-to-lovers dynamic come through. There was clearly enough substance between Sebastian and Lennox for that part of their relationship to make sense, but I didn’t feel it in their interactions, particularly because Lennox seemed to accept Sebastian and his demands so readily. I did like Lennox. She was resilient, pragmatic and knew exactly what she had signed up for. She wasn’t a pushover, which made it difficult for me to reconcile that headstrong woman with how quickly she seemed to become more meek around Sebastian.
I’m all for an obsessive and possessive MMC, but for me, Sebastian crossed the line from possessive into treating Lennox more like something he owned and could mould into his ideal woman. I understand that his controlling nature is part of his character, but I struggled with how little agency Lennox seemed to have within that dynamic, especially when their relationship was still so new and to me, felt like they were strangers more than anything.
For me, it ultimately came down to the disconnect between the characters I was introduced to and the relationship they seemed to develop from that. I wanted to feel more of Lennox’s fight and more of the tension between them, and without that, I struggled to become invested in their romance.
DNF at 31% I really wanted to like this one. I love dark romance, and I do enjoy a good cowboy or small-town romance, although admittedly I haven’t read a huge number of them. I think there may just be something personal about dark cowboy romances that doesn’t always quite land for me, because I often find myself struggling to settle into them, and unfortunately, that was the case here too.
I struggled with the auction set-up and wasn’t fully convinced by Sebastian suddenly wanting marriage when he had never wanted it before. I think I needed a little more of their history, as all we really knew was that he was her boss and they’d interacted a few times. Given that the first time we as readers saw them together was at the auction, I didn’t feel like they acted like two people who were even particularly aware of each other, which only added to the pacing issues for me.
Because of how disjointed the pacing felt, I struggled to see the enemies-to-lovers dynamic come through. There was clearly enough substance between Sebastian and Lennox for that part of their relationship to make sense, but I didn’t feel it in their interactions, particularly because Lennox seemed to accept Sebastian and his demands so readily. I did like Lennox. She was resilient, pragmatic and knew exactly what she had signed up for. She wasn’t a pushover, which made it difficult for me to reconcile that headstrong woman with how quickly she seemed to become more meek around Sebastian.
I’m all for an obsessive and possessive MMC, but for me, Sebastian crossed the line from possessive into treating Lennox more like something he owned and could mould into his ideal woman. I understand that his controlling nature is part of his character, but I struggled with how little agency Lennox seemed to have within that dynamic, especially when their relationship was still so new and to me, felt like they were strangers more than anything.
For me, it ultimately came down to the disconnect between the characters I was introduced to and the relationship they seemed to develop from that. I wanted to feel more of Lennox’s fight and more of the tension between them, and without that, I struggled to become invested in their romance.
September 12, 2026
As your resident cowboy romance junkie, you already know I have room in my heart for ALL kinds of cowboys. Sweet cowboys, grumpy cowboys, broken cowboys, and yes, the morally questionable ones who probably need to come with several warning labels. 😂 And Sebastian Drake? Definitely belongs in that last category.
Branded is dark, messy, intense, and there is SO much happening beneath the romance that I found myself completely sucked into this story.
Lennox and Sebastian are two incredibly stubborn people thrown into an absolutely wild situation, and their relationship is anything but easy. Sebastian especially is…a lot. This man is controlling, complicated, and makes choices that had me questioning whether I wanted to smack him or keep reading to see what outrageous thing he’d do next. Probably both.
And THAT is what made this so much fun for me. I never quite felt settled while reading it. Just when I thought I understood the characters, their families, or where the story was headed, Bonnie would drop another little piece of information that had me reevaluating everything.
By the time I hit the final stretch? GIRL…I was no longer casually reading. Things started clicking into place while simultaneously going completely off the rails, and I was eating it UP!
There was also so much more happening here than just Lennox and Sebastian. Rival ranches, complicated family dynamics, generations of history, secrets, power, loyalty…basically all the ingredients required to make me nosy as hell about everyone involved!!
Give me a cowboy romance with a little darkness, a whole lot of family drama, and a man whose moral compass is pointing somewhere south of questionable, and I’m so there!! 🤠🖤
Branded was messy, twisty, addictive, and one heck of a way to kick off this series.
Thank you so much to Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and Bonnie Poirier for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Branded is dark, messy, intense, and there is SO much happening beneath the romance that I found myself completely sucked into this story.
Lennox and Sebastian are two incredibly stubborn people thrown into an absolutely wild situation, and their relationship is anything but easy. Sebastian especially is…a lot. This man is controlling, complicated, and makes choices that had me questioning whether I wanted to smack him or keep reading to see what outrageous thing he’d do next. Probably both.
And THAT is what made this so much fun for me. I never quite felt settled while reading it. Just when I thought I understood the characters, their families, or where the story was headed, Bonnie would drop another little piece of information that had me reevaluating everything.
By the time I hit the final stretch? GIRL…I was no longer casually reading. Things started clicking into place while simultaneously going completely off the rails, and I was eating it UP!
There was also so much more happening here than just Lennox and Sebastian. Rival ranches, complicated family dynamics, generations of history, secrets, power, loyalty…basically all the ingredients required to make me nosy as hell about everyone involved!!
Give me a cowboy romance with a little darkness, a whole lot of family drama, and a man whose moral compass is pointing somewhere south of questionable, and I’m so there!! 🤠🖤
Branded was messy, twisty, addictive, and one heck of a way to kick off this series.
Thank you so much to Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and Bonnie Poirier for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 9, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I plucked this out of the catalog because I was intrigued by the promise of cowboys and kisses with a side of biting. I felt like it was intentionally vague because I didn't know what to expect. The opening came straight out of the gate like a bucking bronco. It was pure adrenaline and we were shot out a cannon right into the action. The first quarter of the book was incredibly strong from the introduction to the "branded" inspection. After that, my interest dipped as it became more of a family dynamics struggle rather than a billionaire marriage contract. It seemed as if the hero's mother had an equal if not more page time than our heroine. I did like the high heat and spice, even if Lennox acted like a hellcat for half the book. I'm still intrigued by this series if we explore the love lives of the Drake family. I'm in no rush for a red-hot cattle stamp so could we substitute a few spankings to be considered Branded instead? I know the cows aren't big fans, why should I?
I plucked this out of the catalog because I was intrigued by the promise of cowboys and kisses with a side of biting. I felt like it was intentionally vague because I didn't know what to expect. The opening came straight out of the gate like a bucking bronco. It was pure adrenaline and we were shot out a cannon right into the action. The first quarter of the book was incredibly strong from the introduction to the "branded" inspection. After that, my interest dipped as it became more of a family dynamics struggle rather than a billionaire marriage contract. It seemed as if the hero's mother had an equal if not more page time than our heroine. I did like the high heat and spice, even if Lennox acted like a hellcat for half the book. I'm still intrigued by this series if we explore the love lives of the Drake family. I'm in no rush for a red-hot cattle stamp so could we substitute a few spankings to be considered Branded instead? I know the cows aren't big fans, why should I?
Read
September 1, 2026Prostitución disfrazada de negocio. Se supone que era un acuerdo entre mujeres y hombres con dinero, en el que ellos, mediante una subasta, elegían a su futura esposa por los siguientes dos años. Pero resulta que la razón por la que Lennox termina ahí es porque a una conocida la estaban obligando a participar. ¿No se supone que esto era de mutuo acuerdo y que era un negocio legítimo?
Sebastian dice que ama a Lennox y a la primera oportunidad, la pone en peligro. Cuando la acusan de ser una infiltrada, no la defiende. Y cuando ella le pide espacio, que en realidad solo quería cambiarse de habitación por esa noche, él le dice que es de su propiedad, que no puede hacer nada sin su permiso y que nunca debe olvidar que él la compró.
Lo peor es que ella también tiene una familia con poder y si tan solo les hubiera contado lo que estaba pasando, la habrían ayudado y le habrían dado una buena lección al idiota.
Ah, y la suegra le dio un consejo: que él demostrara que ella era valiosa para que empezara a tratarla con respeto y que si no funcionaba, entonces se fuera. Pero, como dije, no antes de enseñarle su valor y demostrarle que podía serle de ayuda. 🙃
Sebastian dice que ama a Lennox y a la primera oportunidad, la pone en peligro. Cuando la acusan de ser una infiltrada, no la defiende. Y cuando ella le pide espacio, que en realidad solo quería cambiarse de habitación por esa noche, él le dice que es de su propiedad, que no puede hacer nada sin su permiso y que nunca debe olvidar que él la compró.
Lo peor es que ella también tiene una familia con poder y si tan solo les hubiera contado lo que estaba pasando, la habrían ayudado y le habrían dado una buena lección al idiota.
Ah, y la suegra le dio un consejo: que él demostrara que ella era valiosa para que empezara a tratarla con respeto y que si no funcionaba, entonces se fuera. Pero, como dije, no antes de enseñarle su valor y demostrarle que podía serle de ayuda. 🙃
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🤠 Branded - Bonnie Poirier
⭐ 2.5/5
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this one.
Dark romance? ✔️
Cowboys? ✔️
Rival ranching families? ✔️
Possessive MMC? ✔️
On paper, Branded had so many ingredients that should have worked for me. Unfortunately, the execution just felt messy.
From the opening chapters, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story rather than introduced to it. Things start happening immediately, before I'd really had an opportunity to understand who these characters were or become emotionally invested in what was happening to them. And that feeling followed me throughout much of the book.
There was a lot of telling rather than showing, particularly through the characters' internal monologues. I was frequently being told how someone felt, what something meant or how important a connection was rather than watching those things develop naturally on the page. My biggest struggle, though, was with the characters themselves.
Lennox initially had SO much potential. She's introduced as brave, capable and resilient - a rancher's daughter who knows exactly what she's getting herself into and is strong enough to hold her own in some pretty intense situations. I liked her! But as the story progressed, that characterisation seemed to disappear.
Instead of watching her strength evolve alongside everything she experiences, she gradually became increasingly unsure, insecure and dependent. Of course trauma can change someone, and vulnerability certainly doesn't make a character weak, but the transition didn't feel intentional or explored enough for me to see it as character development. It simply felt inconsistent with the Lennox we'd initially met. And unfortunately, she wasn't the only character who felt inconsistent...
Sebastian's mother also felt like two different characters. At times she's portrayed as this intimidating, cold and exacting matriarch, and then suddenly she's almost playing saviour. I struggled to reconcile those sides of her because there wasn't enough development connecting them. And then she essentially disappears... we literally don't see her again Ma'am??? Where did you GO? 😭
The romance itself was another major sticking point. I'm a dark romance reader. I know what genre I've walked into, and I'm certainly not expecting every relationship to model healthy communication and impeccable decision-making. But even within dark romance, I still need to understand and believe in the relationship I'm being asked to root for...
Given the circumstances surrounding Lennox and Sebastian's relationship - and particularly the way Sebastian initially treats her as something he possesses rather than a person - I needed a LOT more work to get me from that to happily rooting for them as a couple. Most importantly: WHERE. WAS. THE. GROVELLING?!
Sir, you cannot behave like THAT and then simply stroll into the romance portion of the programme. There are FEES TO PAY 😭
I also struggled with how consent was handled in certain moments. I know dubious consent and complicated power dynamics aren't unusual within dark romance, but the execution here didn't work for me personally. Rather than feeling deliberately explored as part of the darker nature of the relationship, some moments felt careless.
And there were so many missed opportunities!
The conflict in this book could have been one of the strongest parts of the story. We have rival ranching families and drama. We have threat and danger. And we have two strong ranching families, each with their own loyalties and very protective, alpha patriarchs, coming together to deal with that danger. And yet when their worlds eventually collide, we don't get to see them actually interact on page. I expected more between Sebastian and Lennox’s fathers. These are two strong personalities with a lot at stake, and bringing them face-to-face felt like such an obvious opportunity for tension or reluctant respect or… something.
That's ultimately what frustrated me most about Branded: I could see the potential. The premise was there. The family conflict was there. Lennox had the foundations of a compelling FMC. And dark romance set against rival ranching families absolutely could have been my kind of book.
I just needed more development, more consistency and more time actually watching these characters and relationships unfold.
⭐ 2.5/5 - Dark romance and cowboys should've had me in a chokehold. Unfortunately, the execution never quite saddled up.
⭐ 2.5/5
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this one.
Dark romance? ✔️
Cowboys? ✔️
Rival ranching families? ✔️
Possessive MMC? ✔️
On paper, Branded had so many ingredients that should have worked for me. Unfortunately, the execution just felt messy.
From the opening chapters, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story rather than introduced to it. Things start happening immediately, before I'd really had an opportunity to understand who these characters were or become emotionally invested in what was happening to them. And that feeling followed me throughout much of the book.
There was a lot of telling rather than showing, particularly through the characters' internal monologues. I was frequently being told how someone felt, what something meant or how important a connection was rather than watching those things develop naturally on the page. My biggest struggle, though, was with the characters themselves.
Lennox initially had SO much potential. She's introduced as brave, capable and resilient - a rancher's daughter who knows exactly what she's getting herself into and is strong enough to hold her own in some pretty intense situations. I liked her! But as the story progressed, that characterisation seemed to disappear.
Instead of watching her strength evolve alongside everything she experiences, she gradually became increasingly unsure, insecure and dependent. Of course trauma can change someone, and vulnerability certainly doesn't make a character weak, but the transition didn't feel intentional or explored enough for me to see it as character development. It simply felt inconsistent with the Lennox we'd initially met. And unfortunately, she wasn't the only character who felt inconsistent...
Sebastian's mother also felt like two different characters. At times she's portrayed as this intimidating, cold and exacting matriarch, and then suddenly she's almost playing saviour. I struggled to reconcile those sides of her because there wasn't enough development connecting them. And then she essentially disappears... we literally don't see her again Ma'am??? Where did you GO? 😭
The romance itself was another major sticking point. I'm a dark romance reader. I know what genre I've walked into, and I'm certainly not expecting every relationship to model healthy communication and impeccable decision-making. But even within dark romance, I still need to understand and believe in the relationship I'm being asked to root for...
Given the circumstances surrounding Lennox and Sebastian's relationship - and particularly the way Sebastian initially treats her as something he possesses rather than a person - I needed a LOT more work to get me from that to happily rooting for them as a couple. Most importantly: WHERE. WAS. THE. GROVELLING?!
Sir, you cannot behave like THAT and then simply stroll into the romance portion of the programme. There are FEES TO PAY 😭
I also struggled with how consent was handled in certain moments. I know dubious consent and complicated power dynamics aren't unusual within dark romance, but the execution here didn't work for me personally. Rather than feeling deliberately explored as part of the darker nature of the relationship, some moments felt careless.
And there were so many missed opportunities!
The conflict in this book could have been one of the strongest parts of the story. We have rival ranching families and drama. We have threat and danger. And we have two strong ranching families, each with their own loyalties and very protective, alpha patriarchs, coming together to deal with that danger. And yet when their worlds eventually collide, we don't get to see them actually interact on page. I expected more between Sebastian and Lennox’s fathers. These are two strong personalities with a lot at stake, and bringing them face-to-face felt like such an obvious opportunity for tension or reluctant respect or… something.
That's ultimately what frustrated me most about Branded: I could see the potential. The premise was there. The family conflict was there. Lennox had the foundations of a compelling FMC. And dark romance set against rival ranching families absolutely could have been my kind of book.
I just needed more development, more consistency and more time actually watching these characters and relationships unfold.
⭐ 2.5/5 - Dark romance and cowboys should've had me in a chokehold. Unfortunately, the execution never quite saddled up.
September 9, 2026
I went in expecting a moody western romance and ended up absolutely glued to the pages I’ve given it a 3.75 🌟 overall it’s a definite recommended read but there was some areas that just had me deducting marks.
Lennox comes from an old Montana ranch family , I wasn’t a huge fan of the family I cannot pin point exactly why I just didn’t click with them. When her father threatens to arrange a suitable marriage for her she has had enough and she run away
Somehow whilst trying to help a friend Lennox ends up married to Sebastian Drake, yes the irony she runs away from her family as she doesn’t want an arranged marriage and ends up with one anyway, Sebastian is a mix of a Texan rancher, a California businessman and a man who’s family had lots of secrets dating back hundreds of years that he will do anything to protect.
Their dynamic/ relationship is tense, messy lots of back and forth. Now this is another area I struggled with a little bit, there was parts of their characters and relationship that were 5🌟, the back and forth between them , Lennox is strong and standing up for herself and is s sure she can survive him, and all the rules and his family But then there are times where I felt I was reading pages for 2 totally different character and lost a little interest in the book because I really wasn’t engaging with either Lennox or Sebastian. Lennox became meak and Sebastian was just mens , not possessive in a she’s mine way just mean and really unlikeable.
As you would expect with a dark cowboy , romantic suspense book Sebastian is one of those morally grey mmc who does terrible things even for the people he loves, and you will find yourself torn between rooting for him and Lennox and wishing Lennox would just run away.
As I said at the beginning overall I did enjoy the book, the writing and pacing of the book was really well done and I read the book really quickly there was just some areas where I wasn’t cooking with the characters. For me side character can make or break a book and I really didn’t not like either of Lennox or Sebastian’s family
Review of advance copy received from Author
❤️ Cowboys
❤️ Morally Grey MMC
❤️ Touch Her & Die
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Strong FMC
❤️ He Falls First
❤️ Enemies To Lovers
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Sebastian is the typical arrogant CEO of a huge California hotel company … or is he?
Lennox is a hardened rancher who’s trying to escape her family obligations by going to California starting a new life. Except, when a friend finds herself in a sticky situation, Lennox has no choice but to step in — bringing her right back to the ranching life she was trying to leave behind.
Wow. The twists and turns in the middle of this book?! I am genuinely shocked and honestly don’t even have the words to explain how I feel. There were so many moments where I thought I knew what was happening, only for everything to be turned completely on its head.
Sebastian has a real darkness inside him, and he allows it to rule his emotions. This has a huge impact on his relationship with Lennox, who is such a strong, resourceful woman who takes absolutely no crap. I loved watching their relationship unfold and seeing how they challenged each other.
I also loved getting to see both the Drake and Briggs families, and I can only hope we get to see more of the siblings from each family because I NEED their stories!
And Lennox going home?! It was everything a typical cowboy romance needs and wants, and I absolutely loved it.
This book has ALL the twists, turns and surprises. That last quarter of the book was absolutely insane! I was genuinely on the edge of my seat, shouting at the book — but in the best possible way. I could not put it down.
And these quotes?! 😭
“Because you’re the only good thing in my life right now and it would kill me if I lost you to something I could prevent.”
“Forever’s a long time.”
“Not long enough, not with you!”
I loved this book so much. The drama, the secrets, the family dynamics, the cowboy vibes and the romance all came together perfectly. Definitely one that kept me guessing right until the end!
❤️ Morally Grey MMC
❤️ Touch Her & Die
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Strong FMC
❤️ He Falls First
❤️ Enemies To Lovers
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Sebastian is the typical arrogant CEO of a huge California hotel company … or is he?
Lennox is a hardened rancher who’s trying to escape her family obligations by going to California starting a new life. Except, when a friend finds herself in a sticky situation, Lennox has no choice but to step in — bringing her right back to the ranching life she was trying to leave behind.
Wow. The twists and turns in the middle of this book?! I am genuinely shocked and honestly don’t even have the words to explain how I feel. There were so many moments where I thought I knew what was happening, only for everything to be turned completely on its head.
Sebastian has a real darkness inside him, and he allows it to rule his emotions. This has a huge impact on his relationship with Lennox, who is such a strong, resourceful woman who takes absolutely no crap. I loved watching their relationship unfold and seeing how they challenged each other.
I also loved getting to see both the Drake and Briggs families, and I can only hope we get to see more of the siblings from each family because I NEED their stories!
And Lennox going home?! It was everything a typical cowboy romance needs and wants, and I absolutely loved it.
This book has ALL the twists, turns and surprises. That last quarter of the book was absolutely insane! I was genuinely on the edge of my seat, shouting at the book — but in the best possible way. I could not put it down.
And these quotes?! 😭
“Because you’re the only good thing in my life right now and it would kill me if I lost you to something I could prevent.”
“Forever’s a long time.”
“Not long enough, not with you!”
I loved this book so much. The drama, the secrets, the family dynamics, the cowboy vibes and the romance all came together perfectly. Definitely one that kept me guessing right until the end!
September 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Advanced Copy received via NetGalley. Thank you to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this novel.
This was a fresh take on cowboy romance for me, my first dive into a bit of a darker side to the genre. If you like all the unorthodox action of shows like Yellowstone or Territory, you’ll love this book.
I really enjoyed the concept of this. The first quarter of the book was very engaging but unfortunately the rest of the book felt like it was lagging a little. There’s plenty of action but it felt like the execution was inhibited by the sheer volume of very long conversations between characters. Sebastian ends up being chastised at length by every character in the book and it does get to a point where it is repetitive. I do like having a grovelling MMC, but he’s not grovelling so much as saying “I’m trying to be better” for 100 pages.
There are two other things that stopped this from being any higher for me.
First, timeline continuity errors. This is the sort of thing that really irks me. For the first approximately 50% of the book, the time skip isn’t defined. On one page, it says it has been 3 weeks, and on the next, two weeks. I don’t know if this is an issue which is fixed in the official release of the book but it was something that was very frustrating.
Secondly, Lennox has no faults and no character arc. All the character arc work is done in Sebastian. I do feel like her being this perfect, infallible FMC who never has to change or grow at all made this weaker than it could have been.
If there’s one thing I can really give the author props for, it’s that the characters have great sexual chemistry!
Overall, this was a cool concept of a book with some really enjoyable moments. However, it does feel like it was written quite quickly and could have benefited from a developmental edit.
Advanced Copy received via NetGalley. Thank you to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this novel.
This was a fresh take on cowboy romance for me, my first dive into a bit of a darker side to the genre. If you like all the unorthodox action of shows like Yellowstone or Territory, you’ll love this book.
I really enjoyed the concept of this. The first quarter of the book was very engaging but unfortunately the rest of the book felt like it was lagging a little. There’s plenty of action but it felt like the execution was inhibited by the sheer volume of very long conversations between characters. Sebastian ends up being chastised at length by every character in the book and it does get to a point where it is repetitive. I do like having a grovelling MMC, but he’s not grovelling so much as saying “I’m trying to be better” for 100 pages.
There are two other things that stopped this from being any higher for me.
First, timeline continuity errors. This is the sort of thing that really irks me. For the first approximately 50% of the book, the time skip isn’t defined. On one page, it says it has been 3 weeks, and on the next, two weeks. I don’t know if this is an issue which is fixed in the official release of the book but it was something that was very frustrating.
Secondly, Lennox has no faults and no character arc. All the character arc work is done in Sebastian. I do feel like her being this perfect, infallible FMC who never has to change or grow at all made this weaker than it could have been.
If there’s one thing I can really give the author props for, it’s that the characters have great sexual chemistry!
Overall, this was a cool concept of a book with some really enjoyable moments. However, it does feel like it was written quite quickly and could have benefited from a developmental edit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What an emotional, gritty, and completely addictive ride this was.
From the very beginning, Branded pulls you into a story that feels raw and real, with characters who are anything but simple. Lennox is the kind of heroine you can’t help but admire—strong, selfless, and quietly fierce. The sacrifices she made, giving up two years of her life for her best friend, set the tone for just how deep her loyalty runs… and honestly, it broke my heart a little.
Then there’s Sebastian. A man who never wanted a wife, never wanted his life to change—and yet somehow ends up in a situation he never saw coming. Watching his walls slowly crack as Lennox challenges everything he thought he wanted? That was chef’s kiss. The chemistry between them is intense, complicated, and beautifully messy.
Their relationship isn’t easy. They’re thrown together in a way that feels almost impossible, forced to navigate trust, pain, and their own expectations while figuring everything out as they go. And that’s what makes this story so compelling—it doesn’t pretend love is simple. It shows the hard parts, the uncomfortable moments, and the growth that comes with it.
The journey is full of tension, emotion, and those “just one more chapter” moments. And that ending? Completely worth it. Every bit of struggle, every ounce of doubt—it all leads to a payoff that feels earned, satisfying, and honestly a little swoon-worthy.
An unlikely couple, an unforgettable journey, and a love story that proves sometimes the life you never wanted turns out to be exactly what you needed.
Highly recommend.
From the very beginning, Branded pulls you into a story that feels raw and real, with characters who are anything but simple. Lennox is the kind of heroine you can’t help but admire—strong, selfless, and quietly fierce. The sacrifices she made, giving up two years of her life for her best friend, set the tone for just how deep her loyalty runs… and honestly, it broke my heart a little.
Then there’s Sebastian. A man who never wanted a wife, never wanted his life to change—and yet somehow ends up in a situation he never saw coming. Watching his walls slowly crack as Lennox challenges everything he thought he wanted? That was chef’s kiss. The chemistry between them is intense, complicated, and beautifully messy.
Their relationship isn’t easy. They’re thrown together in a way that feels almost impossible, forced to navigate trust, pain, and their own expectations while figuring everything out as they go. And that’s what makes this story so compelling—it doesn’t pretend love is simple. It shows the hard parts, the uncomfortable moments, and the growth that comes with it.
The journey is full of tension, emotion, and those “just one more chapter” moments. And that ending? Completely worth it. Every bit of struggle, every ounce of doubt—it all leads to a payoff that feels earned, satisfying, and honestly a little swoon-worthy.
An unlikely couple, an unforgettable journey, and a love story that proves sometimes the life you never wanted turns out to be exactly what you needed.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🩷 Blurb-
As the daughter of one of Montana's oldest ranching families, I grew up knowing exactly what it meant to be traded for legacy, land and obligation. I ran from that life. Straight into the arms of Sebastian Drake.
A Texas rancher. A California mogul. Sebastian is the kind of man who always gets what he wants.
I tell myself I'll survive him. That I'll endure the rules, the lies and the way he looks at me like I already belong to him.
But the more I fight him the harder it becomes to remember why I should.
Because beneath the monster everyone fears is a man willing to do terrible things for the people he loves.
And when a decades-old ranching war turns deadly, I discover something far more dangerous than being married to Sebastian Drake.
Loving him. The worst part?
I think he might love me, too.
🩵Review-
If you love spicy cowboy romance novels then you will love Banded. From the very first chapter I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. I loved Lennox and Sebastian's spicy chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
🧡 Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author Bonnie Poirier and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
As the daughter of one of Montana's oldest ranching families, I grew up knowing exactly what it meant to be traded for legacy, land and obligation. I ran from that life. Straight into the arms of Sebastian Drake.
A Texas rancher. A California mogul. Sebastian is the kind of man who always gets what he wants.
I tell myself I'll survive him. That I'll endure the rules, the lies and the way he looks at me like I already belong to him.
But the more I fight him the harder it becomes to remember why I should.
Because beneath the monster everyone fears is a man willing to do terrible things for the people he loves.
And when a decades-old ranching war turns deadly, I discover something far more dangerous than being married to Sebastian Drake.
Loving him. The worst part?
I think he might love me, too.
🩵Review-
If you love spicy cowboy romance novels then you will love Banded. From the very first chapter I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. I loved Lennox and Sebastian's spicy chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
🧡 Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author Bonnie Poirier and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Boldwood Ever after, NetGalley and Bonnie herself for the opportunity to reading this arc.
I loved the thought of A billionaire Rancher, enemies to lovers Dark romance. Over all I enjoyed this but some things just didn’t hit the spot.
I did Love the rancher life and how both families handle things differently. Lennox is a woman who doesn’t generally back down that’s worked hard on her family’s ranch and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.
When it first came about Lennox was taking her friend’s place in a contract, I was like ok this is different but I didn’t like the auction! The fact women could be brought and was bound to two years with this man but I got over it.
The enemies to lovers wasn’t enough for me, she repeatedly said she hated him but was quickly sleeping with him, I know a part of it was the contact but she still continued to after. The hate wasn’t really there.
After Sebastian and Lennox quickly fell into a routine. Sebastian started to show his dark side more of his controlling side and there wasn’t enough grovelling for how he treated Lennox, he quickly changed but I would have liked more back and forth, more banter.
I went from hating side characters to loving them.
However I did like the layout, seeing what real rancher life is like, the work that goes into.
I loved the thought of A billionaire Rancher, enemies to lovers Dark romance. Over all I enjoyed this but some things just didn’t hit the spot.
I did Love the rancher life and how both families handle things differently. Lennox is a woman who doesn’t generally back down that’s worked hard on her family’s ranch and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.
When it first came about Lennox was taking her friend’s place in a contract, I was like ok this is different but I didn’t like the auction! The fact women could be brought and was bound to two years with this man but I got over it.
The enemies to lovers wasn’t enough for me, she repeatedly said she hated him but was quickly sleeping with him, I know a part of it was the contact but she still continued to after. The hate wasn’t really there.
After Sebastian and Lennox quickly fell into a routine. Sebastian started to show his dark side more of his controlling side and there wasn’t enough grovelling for how he treated Lennox, he quickly changed but I would have liked more back and forth, more banter.
I went from hating side characters to loving them.
However I did like the layout, seeing what real rancher life is like, the work that goes into.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1/5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I decided to DNF ‘Branded’ by Bonnie Poirier at 21%. I went into this expecting a dark romance, and I do enjoy dark romance, but unfortunately this wasn’t the type of dark romance for me.
The main issue for me was the way consent and the way Lennox’s autonomy was handled. I understand that dark romance can involve morally grey characters, power imbalances and difficult situations, but for me there wasn’t a clear line of consent in some of the situations I encountered. I also struggled with the way vulnerable women were being used and taken advantage of, particularly when they didn’t seem to have a clear choice in what was happening to them. This crossed a line for me and wasn’t something I was comfortable continuing to read.
I also felt that the description didn’t fully prepare me for the level of darkness I encountered. While I knew this was marketed as a dark romance, I wasn’t expecting some of the situations that came up so early in the book.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the type of dark romance for me, so I decided it was best to stop reading rather than force myself to continue.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I decided to DNF ‘Branded’ by Bonnie Poirier at 21%. I went into this expecting a dark romance, and I do enjoy dark romance, but unfortunately this wasn’t the type of dark romance for me.
The main issue for me was the way consent and the way Lennox’s autonomy was handled. I understand that dark romance can involve morally grey characters, power imbalances and difficult situations, but for me there wasn’t a clear line of consent in some of the situations I encountered. I also struggled with the way vulnerable women were being used and taken advantage of, particularly when they didn’t seem to have a clear choice in what was happening to them. This crossed a line for me and wasn’t something I was comfortable continuing to read.
I also felt that the description didn’t fully prepare me for the level of darkness I encountered. While I knew this was marketed as a dark romance, I wasn’t expecting some of the situations that came up so early in the book.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the type of dark romance for me, so I decided it was best to stop reading rather than force myself to continue.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 20, 2026⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
“Branded” was a fun mix of morally grey romance, dark romance and cowboy romance, and I really enjoyed how these elements came together. The rival ranch conflict added an interesting layer to the story and kept things feeling a little more intense than your typical cowboy romance.
I especially enjoyed getting to know Sebastian and Lennox as individuals. Their chemistry 😉 was definitely a highlight for me, and I liked watching their relationship develop against the backdrop of the rivalry between their ranches.
There were a couple of things that held this one back for me. I felt like Sebastian and Lennox’s relationship moved a little too quickly, and I would have loved more time to see their connection develop. I also needed way more grovelling!After everything that happened, I felt like Lennox caved a little too easily, and I was hoping for a bit more fight and emotional payoff.
Overall, I enjoyed this morally grey cowboy romance and the combination of the darker elements with the rival ranch storyline. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but Sebastian and Lennox smut kept me invested.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Branded” was a fun mix of morally grey romance, dark romance and cowboy romance, and I really enjoyed how these elements came together. The rival ranch conflict added an interesting layer to the story and kept things feeling a little more intense than your typical cowboy romance.
I especially enjoyed getting to know Sebastian and Lennox as individuals. Their chemistry 😉 was definitely a highlight for me, and I liked watching their relationship develop against the backdrop of the rivalry between their ranches.
There were a couple of things that held this one back for me. I felt like Sebastian and Lennox’s relationship moved a little too quickly, and I would have loved more time to see their connection develop. I also needed way more grovelling!After everything that happened, I felt like Lennox caved a little too easily, and I was hoping for a bit more fight and emotional payoff.
Overall, I enjoyed this morally grey cowboy romance and the combination of the darker elements with the rival ranch storyline. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but Sebastian and Lennox smut kept me invested.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m finding it hard to sum up my thoughts on this book. I found the first 30-40% really difficult to get into, I kept picking up and putting the book down. The plot eventually picked up and I finished the book in one evening.
I enjoy dark romance, especially dark cowboy romances. This had a slight twist as our MMC Sebastian was a born/bred rancher but set off to make his own path in life in California, while still running the old fashioned auction his ancestors had started as the Drakes tradition. Which I totally respect making his own way, and 90% of the story was set on the ranch, which I could appreciate.
This is definitely a fast paced romance but not set across a long period of time, we skipped a few weeks but I didn’t feel like any character development had happened, nor had the relationship got stronger while the entire plot of the book stayed the same.
Eleanor played such a big role and then just disappeared, I felt like she should have been included more in the end.
I also think in the beginning clearer consent is needed with the whole consummate the marriage rule, while I understand it’s a dark romance and an auction for a bride literally just happened, I just think as the reader this needs to be clear on the page not just expected as obvious.
While it seems all doom and gloom above (sorry!) I did enjoy the family taking matters into their own hands and fighting back. The dynamic of the family was interesting, Caroline really stood out as she knew her exact role and got stuff done!
I would have loved to have more of a connection with the side character and the town with this book.
Advanced Reader copy received in exchange for my honest review
Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for letting me read this ahead of release.
I enjoy dark romance, especially dark cowboy romances. This had a slight twist as our MMC Sebastian was a born/bred rancher but set off to make his own path in life in California, while still running the old fashioned auction his ancestors had started as the Drakes tradition. Which I totally respect making his own way, and 90% of the story was set on the ranch, which I could appreciate.
This is definitely a fast paced romance but not set across a long period of time, we skipped a few weeks but I didn’t feel like any character development had happened, nor had the relationship got stronger while the entire plot of the book stayed the same.
Eleanor played such a big role and then just disappeared, I felt like she should have been included more in the end.
I also think in the beginning clearer consent is needed with the whole consummate the marriage rule, while I understand it’s a dark romance and an auction for a bride literally just happened, I just think as the reader this needs to be clear on the page not just expected as obvious.
While it seems all doom and gloom above (sorry!) I did enjoy the family taking matters into their own hands and fighting back. The dynamic of the family was interesting, Caroline really stood out as she knew her exact role and got stuff done!
I would have loved to have more of a connection with the side character and the town with this book.
Advanced Reader copy received in exchange for my honest review
Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for letting me read this ahead of release.
September 14, 2026
Sebastian Drake is overseeing the latest marriage auction, a longstanding event at the private club, when he recognises Lot no 7 as an employee from his hotel. An employee he’s noticed in the six months she’s been working there and become intrigued by her. Lennox has entered the auction at the last minute to protect her best friend, Janie, as she knows that Janie would be broken by the experience. She doesn’t know exactly what the auction entails and neither has she got any idea of the far-reaching consequences her impulsive decision will lead to.
Sebastian and Lennox are both very strong characters and the dynamics in their relationship are constantly changing and shifting as they navigate some very choppy waters. Sebastian has been brought up in a strong family male tradition of control and dominance whilst Lennox has been brought up to look after and defend herself – sparks definitely fly! Other members of each family are equally interesting with Sebastian’s siblings, especially, more to the forefront in this book. Teasing hints about his siblings backgrounds will hopefully lead to their stories being told soon.
Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.
Sebastian and Lennox are both very strong characters and the dynamics in their relationship are constantly changing and shifting as they navigate some very choppy waters. Sebastian has been brought up in a strong family male tradition of control and dominance whilst Lennox has been brought up to look after and defend herself – sparks definitely fly! Other members of each family are equally interesting with Sebastian’s siblings, especially, more to the forefront in this book. Teasing hints about his siblings backgrounds will hopefully lead to their stories being told soon.
Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.
August 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Branded!
THIS. WAS. SO. GOOD. Branded combines my two favorite romance generes, dark romance and cowboy romance into one well executed book. Now this is darker than I think the description let’s on, so be weary if you only want a ‘lightly’ dark romance, this may not be for you. Branded follows Lennon who sacrifices herself in an auction of sorts so her friend does not have to go through it and Sebastian who is our rich, western, morally grey mmc who has purchased Lennon to be his wife for 2 years. My favorite part of this book wasn’t even the couple (honestly Sebastian did ick me out sometimes), it was the family structure they both have (even though Sebastian’s father made me mad as hell at one point) I really appreciated a unified family on both sides and really found their dynamics to be more realistic than other dark romance book families. As always, im someone who loves to really only read confident and outspoken fmcs in romance books, and i think Bonnie wrote Lennon perfectly to how I prefer fmcs! I’m very interested in reading other books in this series if the other siblings get a book!
THIS. WAS. SO. GOOD. Branded combines my two favorite romance generes, dark romance and cowboy romance into one well executed book. Now this is darker than I think the description let’s on, so be weary if you only want a ‘lightly’ dark romance, this may not be for you. Branded follows Lennon who sacrifices herself in an auction of sorts so her friend does not have to go through it and Sebastian who is our rich, western, morally grey mmc who has purchased Lennon to be his wife for 2 years. My favorite part of this book wasn’t even the couple (honestly Sebastian did ick me out sometimes), it was the family structure they both have (even though Sebastian’s father made me mad as hell at one point) I really appreciated a unified family on both sides and really found their dynamics to be more realistic than other dark romance book families. As always, im someone who loves to really only read confident and outspoken fmcs in romance books, and i think Bonnie wrote Lennon perfectly to how I prefer fmcs! I’m very interested in reading other books in this series if the other siblings get a book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC REVIEW:
Branded By Bonnie Poirier
Release Date: 8th September 2026
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶
3.5⭐️
🅃🅁🄾🄿🄴🅂
🖤 Dark Cowboy Romance
✨️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Marriage Contract
✨️ Enemies X Lovers
🖤 Morally Grey MMC
𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕀’𝕧𝕖 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕.
Sometimes all you need is a quick and steamy read and branded by Bonnie Poirier gives you just that. Its a story that feels real and is completely addictive your not going to be able to put it down!
“𝕀’𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕘𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕡𝕙𝕪𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕞 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕃𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕩. 𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦. 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖’𝕤 𝕒 𝕕𝕚𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖.”
From the very first chapter your thrown straight into the story and it keeps on giving up until the very end! You've got a MFC who knows her worth and won't let anything change that. You've got an MMC willing to change his ways just to keep his wife. Branded literally gives you everything you need if you want a book that you can just fly through and not be disappointed. Its got humour, great characters, an amazing storyline and some spicy scenes that will make you want to ride a cowboy.
Thank you Boldwood Books & netgalley for gifting me this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!
Branded By Bonnie Poirier
Release Date: 8th September 2026
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶
3.5⭐️
🅃🅁🄾🄿🄴🅂
🖤 Dark Cowboy Romance
✨️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Marriage Contract
✨️ Enemies X Lovers
🖤 Morally Grey MMC
𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕀’𝕧𝕖 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕.
Sometimes all you need is a quick and steamy read and branded by Bonnie Poirier gives you just that. Its a story that feels real and is completely addictive your not going to be able to put it down!
“𝕀’𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕘𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕡𝕙𝕪𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕞 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕃𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕩. 𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦. 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖’𝕤 𝕒 𝕕𝕚𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖.”
From the very first chapter your thrown straight into the story and it keeps on giving up until the very end! You've got a MFC who knows her worth and won't let anything change that. You've got an MMC willing to change his ways just to keep his wife. Branded literally gives you everything you need if you want a book that you can just fly through and not be disappointed. Its got humour, great characters, an amazing storyline and some spicy scenes that will make you want to ride a cowboy.
Thank you Boldwood Books & netgalley for gifting me this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review: Thank you to Bonnie Poirier, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of Branded to read and review.
I was hooked from page one! Branded is a much darker book than what Bonnie Poirier usually writes, but she made the pivot so seamless. I really liked the romantic suspense aspect of this book.
I love Lennox. She is strong-willed, and she doesn’t take crap from anyone. She’s a rancher’s daughter through and through. If you love a strong FMC, you’ll love Lennox. One of my favorite points in the book was when she went home to visit her family. It was there that hers and Sebastian’s relationship changed.
I really liked the dynamic of the Drake family. The history of the family. Sebastian’s mom is a character that surprised me. By the end of the book, I really liked her. I love how the family secrets are revealed throughout the book. Sebastian will burn the world for Lennox, and he makes it a point to become the man she deserves. I love a man who is willing to look inside himself and make changes to become a better man for the woman he loves.
I was hooked from page one! Branded is a much darker book than what Bonnie Poirier usually writes, but she made the pivot so seamless. I really liked the romantic suspense aspect of this book.
I love Lennox. She is strong-willed, and she doesn’t take crap from anyone. She’s a rancher’s daughter through and through. If you love a strong FMC, you’ll love Lennox. One of my favorite points in the book was when she went home to visit her family. It was there that hers and Sebastian’s relationship changed.
I really liked the dynamic of the Drake family. The history of the family. Sebastian’s mom is a character that surprised me. By the end of the book, I really liked her. I love how the family secrets are revealed throughout the book. Sebastian will burn the world for Lennox, and he makes it a point to become the man she deserves. I love a man who is willing to look inside himself and make changes to become a better man for the woman he loves.
September 4, 2026
Branded… YES YES YES. I was SO into this.
Cowboys, rival ranches, morally grey families, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, family land and obligation, possessive MMC… honestly, the tropes were TROPE-ING and I ate it up.
Lennox is trying to escape the expectations of her Montana ranching family, while Sebastian is a Texas-born rancher turned California hotel mogul who sets his sights on her and basically decides… yep, I want her.
There’s a desire of sorts from the start, but everything between them just builds and builds. And Sebastian?! The possession. The NEED. The touch-her-and-die energy. Plus this gets spicy pretty early and I was absolutely here for it.
But I also loved everything going on around them. The rival ranches, family history, Warren, Eleanor’s story, all the expectations and obligations tied up in the land. I ended up genuinely invested in every single person!
Dark, spicy, messy, morally grey cowboys and complicated families.Apparently this is exactly what I need from a book because I was OBSESSED.
Cowboys, rival ranches, morally grey families, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, family land and obligation, possessive MMC… honestly, the tropes were TROPE-ING and I ate it up.
Lennox is trying to escape the expectations of her Montana ranching family, while Sebastian is a Texas-born rancher turned California hotel mogul who sets his sights on her and basically decides… yep, I want her.
There’s a desire of sorts from the start, but everything between them just builds and builds. And Sebastian?! The possession. The NEED. The touch-her-and-die energy. Plus this gets spicy pretty early and I was absolutely here for it.
But I also loved everything going on around them. The rival ranches, family history, Warren, Eleanor’s story, all the expectations and obligations tied up in the land. I ended up genuinely invested in every single person!
Dark, spicy, messy, morally grey cowboys and complicated families.Apparently this is exactly what I need from a book because I was OBSESSED.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Branded by Bonnie Poirier was a lovely read that pulled me into a gritty world of dark romance, ruthless billionaires, and cowboys who definitely know how to make trouble. The chemistry between the characters was intense, and I loved the push-and-pull dynamic that kept me turning the pages. The western setting added a fun, rugged atmosphere that worked really well with the darker romance elements. The characters were complicated, passionate, and far from perfect, which made their relationship even more interesting. There were plenty of steamy moments, emotional tension, and enough drama to keep things moving. A few parts felt a little predictable to me, and I would have liked some aspects of the story to be developed a bit more, but overall, this was an entertaining and addictive read. Overall, Branded was an enjoyable dark western romance with a powerful cowboy, possessive energy, and plenty of heat.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
August 25, 2026
I don’t usually read billionaire romances but the synopsis pulled me in and I was pretty much hooked since the first page.
I love a strong-willed, take no shit FMC and Lennox was perfect. She makes the ultimate sacrifice and stares it down while doing it. I love how she was a strong character but you could also see her softer and loving parts.
The relationship between Lennox and Sebastian was not always perfect, but I loved watching it develop and grow into something.
The rest of the Drake family are an interesting bunch as well. Everyone has a specific role within the family and I loved reading about them all especially Sebastian’s mom.
I thought the plot was steady and the dark undertones really helped set the vibe. The romantic suspense toward the end really helped wrap up the book in an unpredictable but satisfying way.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I love a strong-willed, take no shit FMC and Lennox was perfect. She makes the ultimate sacrifice and stares it down while doing it. I love how she was a strong character but you could also see her softer and loving parts.
The relationship between Lennox and Sebastian was not always perfect, but I loved watching it develop and grow into something.
The rest of the Drake family are an interesting bunch as well. Everyone has a specific role within the family and I loved reading about them all especially Sebastian’s mom.
I thought the plot was steady and the dark undertones really helped set the vibe. The romantic suspense toward the end really helped wrap up the book in an unpredictable but satisfying way.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lennox is loyal; she's escaped the confines of her father's wishes, but she's now saving her best friend. While Lennox takes her best friend's place, she walks on stage and doesn't expect to be bought by the man who has never bid at an auction before: the man who runs them, and also her boss, Sebastian Drake.
Sebastian has been brought up in a world where control is power and love is weak. But Lennox will challenge him, and he will need to rewrite his rules in order to keep her.
Poirier gives us an exciting, adventure-packed story. I admit I found the character of Sebastian hard to read at the beginning, but there is a character development throughout the novel.
There were several side characters who added to the atmosphere and tone of the novel, which I would have liked to have heard from towards the end, especially the character of Eleanor, however, this was a good book overall.
Sebastian has been brought up in a world where control is power and love is weak. But Lennox will challenge him, and he will need to rewrite his rules in order to keep her.
Poirier gives us an exciting, adventure-packed story. I admit I found the character of Sebastian hard to read at the beginning, but there is a character development throughout the novel.
There were several side characters who added to the atmosphere and tone of the novel, which I would have liked to have heard from towards the end, especially the character of Eleanor, however, this was a good book overall.
September 10, 2026
Trigger Warnings: Women sold at auctions
Thank you so much to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC!
In another life I would like to believe that I am HALF the woman that Lennox is. Her bravery and loyalty are insanely impressive and something I admire her very much for. The pacing of this book was also very good, and there was definitely a lot of action in the beginning. On the other hand, I did feel like I was starting the book at least 30% into the story. Unfortunately, it was really hard for me to get past the initial auction and discussing women as something to own. Going into this book I had no idea this theme was such a significant part of the novel, and it was definitely initially off-putting simply because I was not aware of it. I wish there had been a little more communication around that, or even a little more of a lead into that storyline so that we could get to know the characters more before being thrust (no pun intended) into this world.
Thank you so much to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC!
In another life I would like to believe that I am HALF the woman that Lennox is. Her bravery and loyalty are insanely impressive and something I admire her very much for. The pacing of this book was also very good, and there was definitely a lot of action in the beginning. On the other hand, I did feel like I was starting the book at least 30% into the story. Unfortunately, it was really hard for me to get past the initial auction and discussing women as something to own. Going into this book I had no idea this theme was such a significant part of the novel, and it was definitely initially off-putting simply because I was not aware of it. I wish there had been a little more communication around that, or even a little more of a lead into that storyline so that we could get to know the characters more before being thrust (no pun intended) into this world.
September 11, 2026
Sebastian and Lennox
I have to admit this one didn't start out very strong and I was tempted to DNF, but eventually the story started taking shape and the last part was well worth sticking around for.
It really could have benefitted from a competent editor, one who could sort out the "counting the days" mess and catch some of the other inconsistencies. But those aren't hard to overlook, and we do get a very dramatic third act with lots of intense action and all the right notes for the romance to solidify into a very satisfying HEA.
I enjoyed the way Lennox stood up to Sebastian, but still allowed him a bit of the control that he needed. I really enjoyed the way her family was integrated into the story - once that happened, the entire story was elevated and the romance became much more authentic.
All in all, I'm glad I read it, but I wish it had been given a little more time in the editing oven to become all it was promised to be.
I have to admit this one didn't start out very strong and I was tempted to DNF, but eventually the story started taking shape and the last part was well worth sticking around for.
It really could have benefitted from a competent editor, one who could sort out the "counting the days" mess and catch some of the other inconsistencies. But those aren't hard to overlook, and we do get a very dramatic third act with lots of intense action and all the right notes for the romance to solidify into a very satisfying HEA.
I enjoyed the way Lennox stood up to Sebastian, but still allowed him a bit of the control that he needed. I really enjoyed the way her family was integrated into the story - once that happened, the entire story was elevated and the romance became much more authentic.
All in all, I'm glad I read it, but I wish it had been given a little more time in the editing oven to become all it was promised to be.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed Branded by Bonnie Poirier. A morally grey, dark, cowboy romance. I went into this book blind and was not disappointed. The tension created from the rival ranch added to the story, and created an underlying thread of conflict. I liked the quickened pace of the story.
Lennox is a great character and rancher; she works hard and does not mind getting her hands dirty. Her family’s stand on the feud, and fighting for what is theirs, held my interest. Sebastien was hard for me to warm up to, a billionaire with a dark side. While Lennox is a standout character, Sebastian was what I expected.
This is the first book in the series, and I am looking forward to more. The side characters and the town have more stories to tell.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Lennox is a great character and rancher; she works hard and does not mind getting her hands dirty. Her family’s stand on the feud, and fighting for what is theirs, held my interest. Sebastien was hard for me to warm up to, a billionaire with a dark side. While Lennox is a standout character, Sebastian was what I expected.
This is the first book in the series, and I am looking forward to more. The side characters and the town have more stories to tell.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
September 10, 2026
“God, this woman is going to be the end of me. I need her as much as I need air to breathe.”
My goodness Bonnie Poirier did not come to play with BRANDED. I was literally obsessed with these characters and this story from beginning to end and am already jonesing for more.
Branded was dark and gritty, downright dangerous. It was hotter than the Texas sun, a no holds barred ranch rivalry with more at stake than family legacy and the power that comes with it.
Sebastian and Lennox were messy and complicated, but from the moment he paid 2 million dollars for her, all bets were off. He wanted to own her, but somewhere along the way she owned him as well. Lennox was a spitfire and challenged Sebastian every step of the way, but turns out that’s exactly what a man lime him needed. When I say this man will burn the world down for his wife…Sebastian Drake is not the man to make an enemy of when it comes to threatening what’s his.
Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Bonnie Poirier for the ARC opportunity.
My goodness Bonnie Poirier did not come to play with BRANDED. I was literally obsessed with these characters and this story from beginning to end and am already jonesing for more.
Branded was dark and gritty, downright dangerous. It was hotter than the Texas sun, a no holds barred ranch rivalry with more at stake than family legacy and the power that comes with it.
Sebastian and Lennox were messy and complicated, but from the moment he paid 2 million dollars for her, all bets were off. He wanted to own her, but somewhere along the way she owned him as well. Lennox was a spitfire and challenged Sebastian every step of the way, but turns out that’s exactly what a man lime him needed. When I say this man will burn the world down for his wife…Sebastian Drake is not the man to make an enemy of when it comes to threatening what’s his.
Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Bonnie Poirier for the ARC opportunity.
September 11, 2026
I really enjoyed the darker cowboy romance vibes of this one, and the auction aspect was definitely one of my favourite parts. It made the story feel a little different and added a fun element to the romance.
I do wish Lennox had held out a bit longer, though. The attraction between her and Sebastian felt very insta-lust, and I think I would have enjoyed their relationship even more with a bit more tension and build-up before they gave in to it. And Sebastian was definitely a dick at times 😂
This was very romance-forward rather than plot-heavy, so I would have loved a little more going on outside of their relationship to keep the stakes higher.
That being said, it was still such a cute and entertaining read. I had a really good time with it overall and would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a dark cowboy romance that’s easy to get into.
I do wish Lennox had held out a bit longer, though. The attraction between her and Sebastian felt very insta-lust, and I think I would have enjoyed their relationship even more with a bit more tension and build-up before they gave in to it. And Sebastian was definitely a dick at times 😂
This was very romance-forward rather than plot-heavy, so I would have loved a little more going on outside of their relationship to keep the stakes higher.
That being said, it was still such a cute and entertaining read. I had a really good time with it overall and would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a dark cowboy romance that’s easy to get into.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
I am giving Branded by Bonnie Poirier an honest 3-star review. ⭐⭐⭐
I’ll be totally upfront: I requested this eARC on NetGalley the second I saw "billionaire" and "cowboy" together—I said, say less! But while the writing was catchy and the leads kept me hooked, certain elements of the plot were really tough to reconcile. 🤠🔥💸
ARC Disclosure: A big thank you to NetGalley and author Bonnie Poirier for providing an early digital review copy (eARC) of this book! All thoughts, fanatical reactions, and honest reflections shared in this review are entirely my own.
The Review
Branded by Bonnie Poirier (Book 1 of the Devil's Ridge Ranch series) is a dark, gritty billionaire cowboy romance with a plot element that definitely caught me off guard. I don't mind overprotective, bossy MMC tropes, ranchers making their own law, or men who would burn the world down for their women. Sebastian fits that dark romance, overprotective bossy type completely—he’s flawed, but you root for him to change his ways. Lennox is a strong, albeit troubled FMC whom I really liked. Their chemistry, the slow-burn build, and the "who touched you" protective energy kept me reading to the very end!
However, I couldn't get past the plot point involving women being bought at auctions as wives in a literal forced marriage setup. It didn't read as a commentary on the issue, which threw me off immensely and made it hard to condone. The main reason I didn't DNF early on is that the writing itself—though repetitive at times—is easygoing, fast-paced, and makes you genuinely curious to see how things unfold. If future books keep the slow burn, "he falls first" devotion, and gritty cowboy vibes while steering clear of the auction premise, I'll definitely check out Book 2!
The Good
The slow-burn romantic dynamic, Sebastian's protective "touch her and die" energy, Lennox's strong resilience, and an easygoing, fast-paced writing style that pulls you through the story.
The Not So Good
The deeply uncomfortable wife auction premise, forced marriage setup, and occasional repetitive phrasing throughout the narrative.
I am giving Branded by Bonnie Poirier an honest 3-star review. ⭐⭐⭐
I’ll be totally upfront: I requested this eARC on NetGalley the second I saw "billionaire" and "cowboy" together—I said, say less! But while the writing was catchy and the leads kept me hooked, certain elements of the plot were really tough to reconcile. 🤠🔥💸
ARC Disclosure: A big thank you to NetGalley and author Bonnie Poirier for providing an early digital review copy (eARC) of this book! All thoughts, fanatical reactions, and honest reflections shared in this review are entirely my own.
The Review
Branded by Bonnie Poirier (Book 1 of the Devil's Ridge Ranch series) is a dark, gritty billionaire cowboy romance with a plot element that definitely caught me off guard. I don't mind overprotective, bossy MMC tropes, ranchers making their own law, or men who would burn the world down for their women. Sebastian fits that dark romance, overprotective bossy type completely—he’s flawed, but you root for him to change his ways. Lennox is a strong, albeit troubled FMC whom I really liked. Their chemistry, the slow-burn build, and the "who touched you" protective energy kept me reading to the very end!
However, I couldn't get past the plot point involving women being bought at auctions as wives in a literal forced marriage setup. It didn't read as a commentary on the issue, which threw me off immensely and made it hard to condone. The main reason I didn't DNF early on is that the writing itself—though repetitive at times—is easygoing, fast-paced, and makes you genuinely curious to see how things unfold. If future books keep the slow burn, "he falls first" devotion, and gritty cowboy vibes while steering clear of the auction premise, I'll definitely check out Book 2!
The Good
The slow-burn romantic dynamic, Sebastian's protective "touch her and die" energy, Lennox's strong resilience, and an easygoing, fast-paced writing style that pulls you through the story.
The Not So Good
The deeply uncomfortable wife auction premise, forced marriage setup, and occasional repetitive phrasing throughout the narrative.
September 15, 2026
This was a Kindle-throwing read!
This was a new-to-me author, but I'm officially a fan! The way I despised the MMC Sebastian for the first third of this story almost had me throwing my Kindle across the room multiple times.
I admired Lennox's strength and determination to help her friend, and watching her stand her ground and demand the respect she deserves had me glued to the page, eager to see how everything would unfold.
The suspense was an added bonus. Not knowing just how far the feuding neighbor would go made everything that much more intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested from start to finish.
I'm definitely counting down the days until the next installment in the Devil's Ridge series!
This was a new-to-me author, but I'm officially a fan! The way I despised the MMC Sebastian for the first third of this story almost had me throwing my Kindle across the room multiple times.
I admired Lennox's strength and determination to help her friend, and watching her stand her ground and demand the respect she deserves had me glued to the page, eager to see how everything would unfold.
The suspense was an added bonus. Not knowing just how far the feuding neighbor would go made everything that much more intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested from start to finish.
I'm definitely counting down the days until the next installment in the Devil's Ridge series!
Review of advance copy
Branded was a good read. This was one of the few instances the heroine really stood out the most to me. I enjoyed Lennox and her strong energy. She was independent and bold but wasn't trying to prove a point at every turn. I admired the way she handled herself new husband's family and felt like she held her own in any chapter. Plus she finds herself in this marriage out of love for her friend. Sebastian is dark and controlling. He's a combination of ceo boss and cowboy. He really had to turn his mentality around and i thought he did find redemption. He acknowledged faults and tried correcting his instincts. This book had action and spice that was easy to enjoy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews