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Wrangled

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There was always something different about Calliope Hart.

She was an odd child, disliked and scorned—cursed like each of the Hart women that came before her.

When her abusive father is murdered, all fingers point at Calliope, not with sympathy but with blame.

She doesn’t fight it; anyplace is better than home, even a concrete cell wrapped in iron bars.

It isn’t until she’s gone that people realize that something strange is happening to their town.

See, Calliope isn’t cursed; she is the curse, and now, the once-prosperous land has withered and decayed in her absence.

By the time the odd child with the haunted eyes returns as a woman ready to embrace her villain era, the town is on the brink of collapse.

She’s a little older now, a little more twisted and far more powerful than before

After all, there was always something different about Calliope Hart

And it’s time to show everyone exactly what she’s capable of.


Wrangled Is Book One In The Wicked West Trilogy. It is a dark romance series with elements some will find upsetting. A full list of trigger warnings can be found at the front of the book. Please check them out before continuing.



RH

Morally Grey Characters (Which is pretty much all of them, though some move from grey to black as the series unfolds. You have been warned)

Cowboys

Killers

Convicts

Witch FMC

All main characters are in their 30’s/40’s

Small town setting with a dark history

A ranch house that is so much more than it seems.

Found family

HEA (Eventually)

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2026

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About the author

Candice Wright

67 books1,526 followers

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5 stars
340 (61%)
4 stars
141 (25%)
3 stars
47 (8%)
2 stars
11 (2%)
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10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
289 reviews
July 22, 2026
Sorry, I’m not interested in any of the men ending up happy. She was abused in multiple ways as a child, ended up in prison at 16, and as soon as she’s out fifteen years later, they’re all touching her - sexually and otherwise - without consent and pushing for her to let them into her life and space. She’s no better when it comes to consent either and knows it. I’m going to abandon at this point and just hope she ends up with the sweet, skinny, younger computer expert helping with security systems and kills everyone else.

Also, to the author, please update the TWs. Being touched while unconscious / allowing others to touch you while they’re unconscious is NOT consensual.
Profile Image for Holly Randall17.
55 reviews
August 3, 2026
Update your trigger warnings girl... you can't get your audience mad about the trauma and abuse of the FMC then have her do exactly the same to one of the MMCs and call it romance???? She sexually assaults him repeatedly??? While he's asleep??? AND THEN LIES ABOUT IT???? Nope. Sort it out.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
21k reviews266 followers
July 2, 2026
This is the first book in a new trilogy, and my word, what a beginning this story is.
Calliope is resilient, sassy, and strong, and the whole town knew what she endured at the hands of her abusive father, and when he is murdered, she does not fight the charges, which results in 15-years in prison. While Calliope is gone the town is forced to realise that somethings strange is happening within their community. When Calliope returns to town, she is older, more twisted, and more powerful, and it is time to show the town what she is actually capable off.
This story ends in a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to read the next book.
Be aware of the trigger warning due to sensitive content!
This is a well written action packed, easy to read, emotional roller coaster, with found family, friendships, curses, danger, suspense, intrigue, mystery, making choices, challenges, morally grey, humour, and witty banter, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, twisted, and unpredictable, dark romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Vix.
247 reviews13 followers
July 4, 2026
i’m absolutely OBSESSED with this story.

i like how it’s different from anything i’ve read so far and how much calliope wants to fuck everyone who fucked with her lol the petty in me recognizes the petty in her.

the men? to die for.
possessive, obsessive and yet so sweet for her.

as a staple of a candice book, the side characters are also so goood and funny and relatable and loving.

calliope is strong and yet sooo soft! has a good head on her shoulders and i love love love seeing the witchy side, the intuition and the connection to the land.

beautiful!!!
972 reviews12 followers
July 6, 2026
Lost cause..

Enough on this author. The FMC is always cast as abused, S.A , and weak on the books by this author. This one was the worst when the FMC was S A with explicit telling and physically abused while at 16 y.o. That's the start of the storyline. Disgusted and confusing storyline. Had enough of this author's book trends. Don't recommend this.
Profile Image for yams.
136 reviews16 followers
September 9, 2026
“Heck, if you knew the size of the wrecking ball I wanted to take to this place, you’d start calling me Miley Cyrus."

“You’ve got issues? You might as well slap my ass and call me Vogue with how many issues I’ve got at this point.”

these two lines being on the same page is a fucking crime 😭 the tonal whiplashes were INSANE. neyse all jokes aside neden böyle bir kitap var anlayamadım ben. hani olayı ne oğlum hiçbir şey olmadı kitapta. yazar ablanın fmc’ye dayamış olduğu zibilyon tane anlamsız travma hakkında da ne düşündüğümü bilmiyorum. hikayeye çok da bir şey katmayacak her travmayı yaşadı kız. şu kitabı bir serinin birinci kitabı olarak çıkarmak O KADAR saçma ki… fmc’nin rıza kavramının da amına koyim bu arada
Profile Image for Christi Goodwin.
Author 1 book3 followers
September 16, 2026
Such a unique plot!

Wrangled starts out a little rough so check triggers!
Finally a story that has me flipping pages at 2am because I have no idea what's going to happen next!
I can't say too much without giving things away. It's a perfect blend of contemporary and supernatural. Yes we get spice but not until the last few chapters.
Really hope book 2,and 3, don't dissapoint.
Profile Image for Reading by Deb.
1,297 reviews35 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 29, 2026
Calliope is wiping the blood off her face when she hears her father yelling for her. She decides it isn't worth angering him further, so she heads downstairs with the blood still smeared on her face.

Sitting with him at the kitchen table is the sheriff. Who knows exactly how her face became bruised and bloody, but she agrees with her father that she clumsily fell down the stairs.... again.

Calliope is sixteen and doesn't remember her mother, but all she can think is that she hated her to have left, leaving her behind with a monster. And a town where everyone knew why she was always injured, but bullied and treated her like a pariah, instead of helping.

As she is returning to the kitchen with some cream she made for the sheriff's wife, she overhears their conversation. That her father planned to marry her off, despite her age, to someone he could control.

Not only did he plan to have her marry her school bully, but the reason he wanted control was that the property was hers, not her fathers. He had taken her mother's name when they married to try to circumvent ownership. But only the females in the family line inherited.

I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. Warning - this book ends with a cliffhanger so you have been warned. But, for those who don't like cliffhangers, you still need to read this book. It is that amazing.

After overhearing her father and the sheriff talking, Calliope walked to town to be treated for her injuries, and then her life, as horrible as it had been all her life, got worse. But, in the fifteen years she spent behind bars, she learned why the town had treated her with disdain, but when she returned home she was faced with an even bigger truth and she vowed vengeance.

This dark romance is action-packed and has triggers and events that may bother some readers, so make sure you check out her trigger warnings. Calliope is a witch and her familiar isn't a cat or any other living thing, but the house she grew up in. She was connected to the house and the huge cattle ranch it sat upon. She was the curse, and when she was imprisoned, the town started withering away.

This book starts getting very spicy closer to the end of the book. You start getting the reverse harem vibes and who the main characters will be when there is a shocking cliffhanger that changes everything for Calliope. You have to have a warped sense of humor (I do), but you just have to love Riggs' problem and the results he isn't even aware of.

If you love dark reverse harem romance, then you will love this book. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I can't wait to see what else Calliope can 'melt'.

Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Lucy.
1,363 reviews25 followers
August 26, 2026
This was surprisingly better than I expected when I hopped into it. Sometimes those Kindle recommendations do actually get it.

First and foremost, I absolutely love the premise to this. A solid feminine rage and revenge story with an FMC that can back up the rage with action. I really enjoyed diving into this. The pacing was pristine and the plot just stayed interesting. In fact, I would argue that you could leave whatever romance is being built out of this and it would still be a solid book.

The characters are fairly well done. I really love Calliope. She was well written and felt like an authentic character. The men we're introduced to as the potential love interests had less depth to be honest. It felt as if they were written specifically to give a romance to Calliope without really giving them anything to stand on their own as characters. I suspect there may be more development in later books, but for now, Shepard and Riggs weren't anything more than lust machines. I do find it absolutely disgusting that Calliope is raped and then while Riggs is unconscious and apparently sleepwalks, she doesn't stop him from touching her sexually in her sleep and she touches him sexually as well. That's not consensual. It was basically what happened to her. And she then lies to him about it. All this and it's not in the trigger warnings.

I enjoyed this. I liked premise and Calliope. I have the next book downloaded to read. I'm just giving it a few days to stew before I either start it or realize that I don't actually want to continue.
835 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2026
Flippin’ Awesome !

This book is seriously brilliant. It’s everything I didn’t know I needed until I actually read it, in virtually one sitting.

Calliope Hart has lived a life of brutality, cruelty and abuse with most of it coming from her father. She has no memory of her mother. Everywhere she goes in their small town she is ostracised at best and bullied and beaten at worst. They said all the Hart women were cursed. She’s a long way past hiding the bruises, they all deserve to feel guilty for what they allow her father to get away with.

So it comes as no surprise to Calliope that when her abusive father is murdered that everyone points the accusing finger at her. There’s no point arguing differently, they won’t listen it’s already been decided. When she was gone the town started failing, now she’s coming back to reclaim what is rightfully hers. Nothing about this will be easy. The townsfolk still don’t want her there but she’s not a naive child anymore.

I’d be shocked if this series isn’t an absolute hit. This is a shot of current contemporary supernatural kicking @ss and taking names. I’m excited to read more!
Profile Image for Christina.
686 reviews73 followers
July 4, 2026
That cliffie was cruel, but I should have expected it because I was wondering where he was all book. I like the role he’ll serve though. I think that will be some fun tension in the next book.

I really liked this book. It was a good, quick read with an interesting plot, easy villains, and likable FMC and delicious growing harem. The easy midburn lust was believable, and I instantly bought into both men. That said, I did feel a little uncomfortable with the multiple dubcon sleep-wanks involving one, especially given her rape history. Yes she knows he wants her, but it just made me feel a little umcomfy reading it when he’s asked multiple times if he’s done anything and she straight-up lies. I know he’s fearing the worst because of his veteran PTSD night terrors and war trauma, but I feel like the longer she plays that out and lies about it, the longer this former SA victim (speaking about myself) feels very gross and less sexy about it because he doesn’t know it’s happening and didn’t consent himself. Feels a little violating.

That aside, I’m definitely wanting to read the next book as soon as it can land on my kindle. I’m curious to see where the story goes next.
123 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy
June 23, 2026
First off, Candice did it again. She needs no introduction. I can't express enough if you've never read any of Candice's books, you are missing so many twists and turns and jaw-dropping moments! What are you waiting for? Jump on the Candi Shop bandwagon now and quit being left out of all the awesomeness that is Candice Wright.
Now to the book... I hate when people give spoilers, so you'll never see those from me, but this book was so creatively written, I couldn't put it down (who am I kidding, I can never put her books down, they hook from the first page). However, the hell that Calliope faces throughout her life, which keeps swirling around her in adulthood, is more than anyone can probably endure. Enter the men who want to protect her, but her stubbornness and independence prove to be somewhat hard. I will say this book does end on a cliffhanger, but OMG, Candice will make it worth the wait. A little paranormal mixed with hot, sexy men, one who is a cowboy and one small town sheriff, will have this book checking all the boxes.
Profile Image for Deborah Peach.
748 reviews26 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 26, 2026
What the ever lovin' fluff?? Be prepared to be amazed, confounded, completely drawn in, and left wanting more. Candice Wright brought out the big guns in Wrangled. It took me 24 hours to read Wrangled, and I don't regret a single second of it.

Calliope Hart is one lady you don't want to mess with. Everyone in her life has wronged her: her father, the town's people, you name it, and they've done her nasty. Wrongly accused of taking her father's life, Calliope has spent fifteen years in prison. Upon her release, she returns home to more vitriol than she faced before. Only now, there's a sexy new sheriff in town on her side and a newly hired ranch hand who wants her for his own as well. How does a girl choose between the two? With her barracuda lawyer at her side, Calliope will take on the forces that want her gone again, including the one who "witnessed" her crime and the one she did it to. I'm rooting for Calliope all the way.

Oh, yeah, I'm warning you. Be prepared for the last page. It's a doozy.
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
5,697 reviews276 followers
July 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. This book has mystery, a super strong female character and a small town that has so much to account for.

Calliope Hart was charged with murder in the death of her father even though she knows she is innocent as do several others, none of whom came to her defense. Now she is back in town and looking to right a wrong and she's ready to make them pay.

This book gripped me right from the beginning straight through to the end of the book and I can't wait for the second book in the series! She is strong and is full of attitude yet she is still discovering who she can trust after certain events from her past.

There is an element of witchcraft in the book but it's beginning to awaken so I am not sure what more is to come but I know it's going to be good.

I'm definitely intrigued to see how the author will spread the story out over two more books as I do realize that we haven't likely even hit all of the good parts yet!

Such a great beginning to a trilogy!

4,5 Stars- Rebecca
Profile Image for jamies_bookreads.
1,401 reviews22 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 23, 2026
Ummm, Candice we need to talk…OMGosh that ending scene- it almost had me ending my phone! I was ready to throw it with the disbelief that I had flipped the last page.

Talk about a book that hooks you from page one and does not let you go. The more I read the more I was captivated. What Calliope (FMC) has had to endure is by far more than any person should.

I will admit this book is a little close to home for me, in so many aspects that at moments I found myself crying or even ticked off at the thought of her life. Her abuse from family, the town, the constant corruption- then 15yrs of her life gone. But the quiet revenge Calliope chooses - is my favorite!

However, what I was not expecting was the guys in this book to be so yin and yang to her. Boy oh Boy do they have her emotions all over the place.

I also love the mystery and unique nature of this story that has me in suspense over what is to come.
Profile Image for 25 Readings Or More.
834 reviews163 followers
July 2, 2026
Where do i start?
Where the hell do i start?!
Oh yeah, i know: I NEED THE NEXT BOOK RIGHT FREAKING NOW!!!

Okay i'm gonna calm down and tell you this story is freaking amazing.
If you have read some of my reviews, you know that i love Candice Wright' writing style (Sole Survivor is one of my unforgettable).
So when i got the chance to read this new story i jumped in without a second thought.
Reading the blurb i just had a gut feeling it would have been great, and oh boy, i was so right.

She obviously broke my heart the second i start reading it, and then she made me murderous and then i was just HOOKED. I couldn't think about anything else.
I just love Calliope because she feels the same way i do about people 😅😂😌
And those two men?!
Oh my god! I swear i was about to catch fire reading some scenes (luckily my poker face is awsome since i read them on a bus full of people 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣).
And now i'm here waiting, praying for the next book because that end killed me 😭
Profile Image for BobbiJo.
938 reviews
Review of advance copy
June 17, 2026
I couldn’t put this book down! It’s heartbreaking and dark. It’s funny and vengeful. I’m so in love with Calliope.

An abused girl and the whole town that either helped mistreat her or turned a blind eye. A double jeopardy witchy plot that has me on the edge of my seat. I’ve never wanted to see someone get revenge so badly.

Wrangled had me hooked right from the first chapter and o desperately need the next book. I have no idea who all is going to be apart of Calliope’s polycule but I know I love Shepherd and Riggs already. I love the banter between Shepherd and Calliope, the push and pull they have. Riggs is so protective and sweet with her. But I am most in love with Calliope and the power she makes me feel.

Anxious readers, this is angsty but I found it easy to handle. Though you might feel a certain way about the cliff hanger because it was killer.
Profile Image for Sandie Chraponski.
1,900 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 26, 2026
Book hangovers are seriously a thing 😵‍💫

When I started this one at 9PM I should have known I would be in trouble. Candice knows exactly how to pull me in and not let me go with every book she writes, and that’s what happened here. Because the next thing I know I’m hanging off a cliff and it’s 2AM.

Calliope has been through it, from an early age she always knew she was different, her mother left her with her abusive father and a town that always turned a blind eye. Then in one night changes everything and her life goes in a direction that no one could imagine.

This is a whole new world, and I’m here for it. This is the beginning of a trilogy that will be fully released by fall, which is good because I don’t know how long I can actually wait to see how this story unfolds. If you haven’t read Candice before this is a perfect place to start, and then get ready to not be able to stop, her books are a special sort of addictive.
Profile Image for Rachel Stephens.
2,726 reviews43 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 1, 2026
I was drawn in to Calliope's story right away! I couldn't put it down until the very end.
While this was definitely different from a lot of Candice Wright's books, it was original and captivating.
I found myself on the edge of my seat through most of the book. It was filled with mystery, betrayal, secrets, suspense, and danger. It was also emotional at times and had some spice. I cant forget the magic.😉
I loved Calliope. She was resilient and a fighter. I loved seeing her sass and confidence once she returned back home.
Riggs and Shepard... I still feel like its too early to pick a favorite. Honestly, I think we still have a lot to learn about each of the characters. There was another character, that I'm unsure about. No spoilers though, so I wont say anything about them.
That ending!!! I have so many questions!!


Profile Image for Michele.
970 reviews13 followers
July 3, 2026
This was one roller coaster of a read and unfortunately, we are stuck at the top of the track waiting to free fall, because it ended on a cliffhanger 🎢😑

There seems to be a love triangle, at the moment between Calliope, Riggs, and Shepard. Very interesting. Not sure there is a front runner at this point, but we shall see.

I like the paranormal vibe of the story -- a house that is connected to Calliope through her witch powers that she does not fully control yet.

And she spent 15 years in prison for killing her father, but he isn't really dead. That is such a mind warp because she is the only one that knows it.

I like her friendship with Jen. Nice to know that someone is looking out for her and has her best interest at heart. Love their banter and love for each other - so heartwarming.

Cannot wait for book two to come out so we can have some more of this story.
4,646 reviews52 followers
July 3, 2026
Calliope an unique child but hated by the town even though she did nothing wrong. They turned a blind eye as she was beaten black and blue by her father. Then she assaulted by one person then accused and sent to prison at sixteen for killing her father. Fifteen years she released and ready take back what he stole and face the man she supposedly killed.

Loved the PN aspect especially her and house being bound together and her powers heightened within the house. Love the protectiveness from Riggs and Shepherd. Then Candice throws in the twist at the when Austin from her past shows up and throws us for a loop. I kept wondering when he would make an appearance I just didn't think it would cause that type of chaos. Need book two now.
Profile Image for Jennifer - You Can't Resista Dirty Book .
503 reviews14 followers
July 14, 2026
Great series opener 🔥🫦🔥

Oh wow yes! What a great opener to this trilogy! Calliope is a truly fascinating FMC and I am so excited to see how her story unfolds I am already hooked. Her tragic start in life and the hurdles she has had to overcome as well as learning about herself and her ancestry was gripping and I am so ready to learn more.
I can already tell I am going to be in love with these men. Sexy Sheriff Shepherd, Riggs the super hot tattooed bodyguard/rancher, could I be more jealous of Calliope no I don't think so. Cliffhanger galore and book 2 is only a few weeks out, preorder yes I think I will!
Profile Image for Rebecca.
531 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 18, 2026
OMG this book has you yelling and tearing up at the same time. Calliope is a strong, amazing, independent woman that had no choice but to grow up fast and quick. After an extensive stay away from home, she is back and ready to start her life. Jen has arranged everything to be brought to the house. Riggs is helping unload and has a dark past. Everything she needs for protection. Sheriff Shepard is new in town and is finding out if all the whispers and dark clouds are real or not. I cannot wait for the next book!!!
Profile Image for Billie S.
11 reviews
July 3, 2026
Just hanging out on this cliff, don't mind me!!

Hands down the best book I've read in a long time, and I loved this author so much after i read one book that I've read almost every one of her books. I've been waiting for this one anxiously since I finished all the MC series and its spin offs. I was hooked on Calopie's story, like an addict, from the page #1! I read it all in less than 24 hours, and that was me trying to slow roll to the ending, or in this case, the edge of a cliff! . I knew I didn't want to get to the ending, BUT ending that way, wtf Candice? Who hurt you? I mean I had an idea how things would COME TOGETHER with Poppy, Shepard & Riggs, which I know will be a five-alarm fire! But I was on pins & needles to see when Austin's role would be brought back into her story, but THAT was for darn sure not on my bingo card and I'm pretty partial to my HEA's, which this was so not! Now I have to Sweat it out all summer waiting for Tethered! But guess what CW, I don't wanna wait! Bravo on the book, but boo hiss WOOF for that ending! Wow, just Wow ...😈😡👿 ** ps Jen is my Idol, she's the ultimate HBIC **
Profile Image for Sarah Dale.
3,260 reviews77 followers
July 9, 2026
This is the first book in a new trilogy and I am hooked already! What a way to start this beauty!

I loved Calliope she is strong and resilient considering everything she has endured and is still going through! After spending time in prison she is much stronger when she comes out and its time to show everyone who she is!

The cliffhanger is intense! whilst I want to be annoyed with Candice its brilliant and there isnt a that much of a wait so till the next one so i will forgive her 🤣

I cannot wait to see how this is going to play out as it started getting spicer at the end!

Candice is brilliant at writing these books as she draws you in, hold you hostage, has you on the edge of your seat and leaves you happy, frustrated and excited for the next book!

I was gifted a copy of this book by the Author and this is my honest opinion

https://ilovebookreviewscom.wordpress...
Profile Image for Ann.
772 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 23, 2026
I received this as an ARC. I have read a lot of Candice Wright’s books and loved all of them. This is no exception. This is a new genre for her and I am loving it. I cannot WAIT to read the next book in this series. This does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared. The story was so involved and it drew me right in. It’s got a strong female lead which is a big part of Candice’s books. I am looking forward to reading more about Calliope!

Profile Image for Vanessa  Ramirez .
1,168 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy
June 30, 2026
✨ Review ✨
***
Wrangled was so good! Candice Wright did it again. I absolutely loved this book. It's dark, intense, and magical. Calliope was amazing. I loved her story so much. The guys were perfect. The writing was so good and easy to read. I was hooked from the start. The ending left me on the edge of my seat and I need book 2 now!
***
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance: 🩷🩷
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
***
Profile Image for Trish.
1,339 reviews34 followers
July 2, 2026
🖤Why Choose
🖤Cowboy
🖤Paranormal
🖤Dark Romance

Wrangled is the first book in The Wicked West trilogy, and it pulled me in from the very first chapter! This was unlike anything I’ve read before and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to that wild cliffhanger. The suspense, twists, and mystery had me needing answers, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
101 reviews
July 10, 2026
Ugh, the queen does it again!

I dont know what Candice Wright does but she sprinkles magic into all her books and makes me want more. This book was no exception. I loved all the characters, the spice level is maybe a 3 but is a slow burn. Usually I dont like slow burns, but this book didnt feel like a slow burn. I devoured this book in 2 days. I cannot wait for August!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews