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Heartland: A Marriage of Convenience Small Town Spicy Cowboy Romance
My new husband is a gruff, gorgeous cowboy who gives me everything I want and treats me like a princess. The only catch? It's a fake marriage with a built in expiration date.
Slade Rhodes is a 6'5 dark-haired grumpy sweetheart who plays pro hockey when he's not working his family's Montana ranch. But he doesn't do love. He doesn't do forever.
He only proposed so I could access my trust fund. The terms are simple: no intimacy. No complications. No feelings.
Then he buys me a giant diamond ring. Rescues a stray dog with me. Cooks for me. Spends way too much money on me and proudly introduces me to his loud, loving family as his wife.
He can't keep his eyes off me as he shows this city girl what it's like to get down and dirty with a cowboy.
He's still leaving this small town in a few months. And I'm staying, building a life far from my toxic family.
But when our slow burn explodes into the most intense passion I've ever known, my fake husband seems obsessed with making me his wife for real…
Tropes:
Marriage of Convenience
Fake Relationship
Protective Hero
Grumpy/Sunshine
Found Family
Small Town
Opposites Attract
Slow Burn
Spicy
Dual POV
Slade Rhodes is a 6'5 dark-haired grumpy sweetheart who plays pro hockey when he's not working his family's Montana ranch. But he doesn't do love. He doesn't do forever.
He only proposed so I could access my trust fund. The terms are simple: no intimacy. No complications. No feelings.
Then he buys me a giant diamond ring. Rescues a stray dog with me. Cooks for me. Spends way too much money on me and proudly introduces me to his loud, loving family as his wife.
He can't keep his eyes off me as he shows this city girl what it's like to get down and dirty with a cowboy.
He's still leaving this small town in a few months. And I'm staying, building a life far from my toxic family.
But when our slow burn explodes into the most intense passion I've ever known, my fake husband seems obsessed with making me his wife for real…
Tropes:
Marriage of Convenience
Fake Relationship
Protective Hero
Grumpy/Sunshine
Found Family
Small Town
Opposites Attract
Slow Burn
Spicy
Dual POV
434 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2026
About the author
Kes Winter
5 books104 followersKes Winter loves creating steamy, emotional, high-tension love stories featuring obsessive heroes and strong heroines. She runs on coffee, sugar, and an overactive imagination.
In the rare moments she’s not writing, she’s usually staying up until the middle of the night reading a book.
Keep up with my latest releases and get fun behind-the-scenes glimpses and goodies by joining my newsletter! It's always on the last page of my books or on my website: keswinter dot com.
In the rare moments she’s not writing, she’s usually staying up until the middle of the night reading a book.
Keep up with my latest releases and get fun behind-the-scenes glimpses and goodies by joining my newsletter! It's always on the last page of my books or on my website: keswinter dot com.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heartland is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series written by Kes Winter. I truly thought I loved the first book Heartstrings, but Heartland was honestly my favorite so far in this lovely series, I know it's only the second book, but hands down it's my favorite. I don't know what Kes puts in her books, but her beautiful writing and lovable characters never fail to make me laugh and then cry on the exact same page. Heartland was emotional, lovable, powerful, heart warming, and beautiful. If this line doesn't make you want to read this book, I guess I will have to do some more convincing because this series is a must read- "a gorgeous gruff cowboy treats his wife like a princess". After loving the first book, I knew I had to get my hands on the second one because there's just something about cowboys that I dearingly love so much. Can we just take a minute and admire this cover, it's absolutely stunning, the colors are just so eye popping. I cannot recommend this book enough, if you love cowboys and the marriage of convenience trope, y'all better add this book to your want to read shelf and mark your calendars for July 9th, 2026 because you won't want to miss out on this loving community of cowboys and their loving family's. I need everyone and their mothers to read this book as soon as possible so we can all rave together and drool over this handsome cowboy. If a cowboy doesn't come and sweep me off of my feet and treat me like a princess, I will lose all hope for finding my true love and future husband. 💖✨Heartland is dedicated to those who have ever been asked "what's your love language?" and answered "all of them💖✨".
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND VICTORY EDITING NETGALLEY CO-OP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
જ⁀➴ ♡ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Cowboy Take Me Away by The Dixie Chicksજ⁀➴ ♡
0:54 ————|———4:51
"💓🤠Love does strange things to us💓🤠".
"🌱🌈The best things in life happen when you step outside of your comfort zone🌱🌈".
"💝😭It feels like my heart is a tender and bruised thing, something that got badly broken and never healed right💝😭".
"💜💫Sometimes life takes you places you would never expect💜💫".
Slade Rhodes is thirty-five years old and the middle child of the Rhodes brotherhood. Slade is a hockey player, number thirteen for the Seattle Storm, he rents out a house in whatever city his hockey team is based out of, but his home base will always be at the Wild Rose Ranch in Marble Falls, Montana. Slade is taking a break from hockey after having shoulder surgery, so he has time on his hands. Slade has been playing hockey for fifteen years, but ranch work has his heart during the off-season. Slade Rhodes is humble, thoughtful, and generous but he's so hard on himself because he's been told that he's always absent and emotionally unavailable. During his surgery recovery, Slade already has his eyes set on Denver for next hockey season, but just a friendly reminder that Marble Falls will always be his home. Slade is the type of person who doesn't ask for his family's approval to live his own life, he's completely unbothered by what anyone thinks of him. Slade has never been in love before, but he does have a soft spot for Damsel's in distress. My heart just breaks for Slade, his mom died ten years ago from lung cancer, but there's a cruel irony to that because she never smoked a day in her life. Over the death of his dear mom, Slade's anger faded to numbness but he always talks about his mom and it was so beautiful to watch Slade not let her memory fade. Slade loves to read, his affection for others is so precious, and his possessiveness is so freaking hot. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Slade the biggest hug, the way he talked about his mom just broke my heart and made me smile, I absolutely love the stories and memories he shared about her.
Lila Sherwood is a twenty-five year old frivolous city girl, but calls Marble Falls, Montana her new home now after moving there six months ago. Lila is a volunteer at an animal shelter, she loves Legally Blonde, and she owns a small design firm and boutique. Lila is so precious, she wears her heart on her sleeve, ugh I love this woman. Lila has a complicated family, she has been on her own since she was just eighteen years old, now Lila and her family have little to no contact. Everyone in the Sherwood family gets a trust fund, but Lila never wanted to be controlled and manipulated with that money, so she cut those strings and moved to Montana. The trust fund money is released when you reach certain milestones in life, but if Lila doesn't claim her money it gets redistributed to her siblings, so now Lila is on a deadline, she has thirty days to get married by the time she turns twenty-six or she can forfeit that five million dollars. I absolutely hate and despise Lila's parents, they are so degrading and mean, they made Lila feel unwanted and unworthy. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Lila the biggest hug while she had to talk about her parents. Lila is a soft hearted gal, she has a precious soul and the biggest heart for animals. Lila has many ear piercings and she loves rings- my type of girl. As a jewelry girly, I always got excited when Lila talked about her piercings.
Slade and Lila first met when Lila was wearing a pink bunny costume for a charity event for the animal shelter, they ran into each other on the side of the road when Lila was trying to rescue an injured dog on Slade's property. The dog did end up losing her leg due to severe injuries, but she does get a prosthetic leg and Lila and Slade decide to co-parent this precious pup because they don't want her to be scared and alone at the animal shelter, and she doesn't have a microchip, so Lila and Slade decide to name her Lucky because they found and saved her life. After their chance meeting, Lila randomly brings up her trust fund issue with Slade and they decide on a deal- a marriage of convenience, one year of marriage so it's not suspicious, it's just a marriage on paper, and their motto is love at first sight so Lila's parents don't ask questions. After that one year is up, it will be a clean break when hockey season starts and Slade will be out of Montana. They strike another deal- no sex and no complications so no one gets hurt in the end. During their fake marriage, Lila never touches a door handle and Slade always walks on the outside of the sidewalk, y'all let me just say something, Slade Rhodes is a dream husband. Slade learns that Lila owns a boutique, so he hires her to design his home in Montana. Slade lets Lila be emotional without judgement. There's one particular scene that I loved, Lila and Slade were riding ATV's in the mud, it was just so goofy it had me laughing like a little kid on a Slip n' Slide. Ladies, get you a man that shampoos your hair because this part had me swooning. Slade and Lila's epilogue had me bawling and sniffling like a little baby. I loved these two from the very beginning, they never failed to make me smile during their tender moments.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND VICTORY EDITING NETGALLEY CO-OP FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
જ⁀➴ ♡ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Cowboy Take Me Away by The Dixie Chicksજ⁀➴ ♡
0:54 ————|———4:51
"💓🤠Love does strange things to us💓🤠".
"🌱🌈The best things in life happen when you step outside of your comfort zone🌱🌈".
"💝😭It feels like my heart is a tender and bruised thing, something that got badly broken and never healed right💝😭".
"💜💫Sometimes life takes you places you would never expect💜💫".
Slade Rhodes is thirty-five years old and the middle child of the Rhodes brotherhood. Slade is a hockey player, number thirteen for the Seattle Storm, he rents out a house in whatever city his hockey team is based out of, but his home base will always be at the Wild Rose Ranch in Marble Falls, Montana. Slade is taking a break from hockey after having shoulder surgery, so he has time on his hands. Slade has been playing hockey for fifteen years, but ranch work has his heart during the off-season. Slade Rhodes is humble, thoughtful, and generous but he's so hard on himself because he's been told that he's always absent and emotionally unavailable. During his surgery recovery, Slade already has his eyes set on Denver for next hockey season, but just a friendly reminder that Marble Falls will always be his home. Slade is the type of person who doesn't ask for his family's approval to live his own life, he's completely unbothered by what anyone thinks of him. Slade has never been in love before, but he does have a soft spot for Damsel's in distress. My heart just breaks for Slade, his mom died ten years ago from lung cancer, but there's a cruel irony to that because she never smoked a day in her life. Over the death of his dear mom, Slade's anger faded to numbness but he always talks about his mom and it was so beautiful to watch Slade not let her memory fade. Slade loves to read, his affection for others is so precious, and his possessiveness is so freaking hot. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Slade the biggest hug, the way he talked about his mom just broke my heart and made me smile, I absolutely love the stories and memories he shared about her.
Lila Sherwood is a twenty-five year old frivolous city girl, but calls Marble Falls, Montana her new home now after moving there six months ago. Lila is a volunteer at an animal shelter, she loves Legally Blonde, and she owns a small design firm and boutique. Lila is so precious, she wears her heart on her sleeve, ugh I love this woman. Lila has a complicated family, she has been on her own since she was just eighteen years old, now Lila and her family have little to no contact. Everyone in the Sherwood family gets a trust fund, but Lila never wanted to be controlled and manipulated with that money, so she cut those strings and moved to Montana. The trust fund money is released when you reach certain milestones in life, but if Lila doesn't claim her money it gets redistributed to her siblings, so now Lila is on a deadline, she has thirty days to get married by the time she turns twenty-six or she can forfeit that five million dollars. I absolutely hate and despise Lila's parents, they are so degrading and mean, they made Lila feel unwanted and unworthy. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Lila the biggest hug while she had to talk about her parents. Lila is a soft hearted gal, she has a precious soul and the biggest heart for animals. Lila has many ear piercings and she loves rings- my type of girl. As a jewelry girly, I always got excited when Lila talked about her piercings.
Slade and Lila first met when Lila was wearing a pink bunny costume for a charity event for the animal shelter, they ran into each other on the side of the road when Lila was trying to rescue an injured dog on Slade's property. The dog did end up losing her leg due to severe injuries, but she does get a prosthetic leg and Lila and Slade decide to co-parent this precious pup because they don't want her to be scared and alone at the animal shelter, and she doesn't have a microchip, so Lila and Slade decide to name her Lucky because they found and saved her life. After their chance meeting, Lila randomly brings up her trust fund issue with Slade and they decide on a deal- a marriage of convenience, one year of marriage so it's not suspicious, it's just a marriage on paper, and their motto is love at first sight so Lila's parents don't ask questions. After that one year is up, it will be a clean break when hockey season starts and Slade will be out of Montana. They strike another deal- no sex and no complications so no one gets hurt in the end. During their fake marriage, Lila never touches a door handle and Slade always walks on the outside of the sidewalk, y'all let me just say something, Slade Rhodes is a dream husband. Slade learns that Lila owns a boutique, so he hires her to design his home in Montana. Slade lets Lila be emotional without judgement. There's one particular scene that I loved, Lila and Slade were riding ATV's in the mud, it was just so goofy it had me laughing like a little kid on a Slip n' Slide. Ladies, get you a man that shampoos your hair because this part had me swooning. Slade and Lila's epilogue had me bawling and sniffling like a little baby. I loved these two from the very beginning, they never failed to make me smile during their tender moments.
July 30, 2026
“I look in your eyes and the color reminds me of whiskey in the sunlight. It’s the sweetness you’ve brought into my life, the maple syrup and chocolate you bake with. It’s luxury and beauty, like those gemstones you wear, tigers eye and smoky quartz. It’s striking, like the mountains in autumn, and it’s comfort, like honeyed tea my mom used to make. Your eyes make me think of only the best things. Of home.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"ɪɴ ᴄᴀꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ" x ʙʀᴇᴛᴛ ʏᴏᴜɴɢ
0:47 ─♥──────── 3:44
A fake marriage between a guarded cowboy/pro hockey player and a woman trying to escape her toxic past slowly turns into something neither of them expected. What starts as a practical arrangement becomes a beautiful, slow-burning love story filled with healing, family, and finding a place to finally call home.
I genuinely didn’t think anything in this series could top the first book… and then Slade Rhodes walked into my life and completely proved me wrong. HOW IS THIS MAN EVEN REAL??? He has officially earned a spot among my favorite MMCs because he is quite literally everything.
I will admit the beginning felt a little rushed, and I questioned how quickly everything came together. but honestly????? Once the story settled into itself, it all felt so natural that I completely forgot my hesitation. Before I knew it, I was fully invested in Slade and Lila and rooting for them with my whole heart🥹
Watching Slade slowly fall apart in the best possible way because of Lila was EVERYTHING. Her kindness, patience, and genuine heart quietly chipped away at every wall he had spent years building. it was steady, intentional, and so incredibly rewarding to watch. 🥹🫶🏼 Seeing someone who had convinced himself that love only ended in heartbreak slowly realize that some people are worth risking your heart for absolutely melted me.
There was something so beautiful about watching Slade learn that loving someone doesn’t always have to be tied to fear. That opening yourself up to loss is also opening yourself up to joy, comfort, belonging, and a love that changes everything. Every little step he took toward vulnerability felt earned, and because of that, every emotional moment hit ten times harder. Their relationship wasn’t just romantic 🥹🥹 it felt healing
And can we PLEASEEEEE talk about how this man would literally do anything for Lila? His entire life revolved around discipline and routine, yet the second Lila wanted him to try the sweets she baked, he happily threw his strict eating schedule out the window. Even the initial finding a stray dog on the side of the road and he’s already figuring out how to make things work. 😭 It didn’t matter if it was inconvenient, unexpected, or completely outside his comfort zone, if it mattered to Lila it mattered to Slade.🥹🥹😭
Every single time she needed something, his answer was simply yes. The way this big, gruff cowboy absolutely folded for her had me smiling like an idiot.😝😝 He was so unbelievably soft for her, and I loved every second of it 😌
I loved every single minute of this book. It made me laugh, smile, and completely fall in love with these characters. I already miss them.🥹
Now I’m just patiently (not patiently) waiting for Tanner and Cassidy… or maybe Josie and Rafe 👀
favorite quotes ↓
“Every moment of happiness was worth every moment of pain. That’s just the truth of it. That’s what love is.”
“You dress exclusively in black, grey, and navy, and you bought me a pink car.”
“I shrug. ‘You’re introducing me to the rainbow.’”
“She has no idea that she’s it for me. That somewhere between a country road and a pink bunny costume and a three-legged dog, she became the only woman I want for the rest of my life.”
“I fell in love with her because she saw me, not the jersey number, not the Rhodes name, just me. And she liked that man. She’s the love I wasn’t looking for and didn’t expect. The only love I’ll ever want.”
“Marry the man who thinks you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him and treats you like it. Don’t take anything less than that.”
things to know about the book ↓
💍 marriage of convenience
💍 age gap (25/35)
💍 cowboy hockey player MMC
💍 grumpy x sunshine
💍 found family
💍 protective MMC
💍 SLOWWWWBURNNNN
💍 he falls first and HARD
💍 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 21, 33, 34, 36, 37, 45
Thank you Grey's Promotions, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"ɪɴ ᴄᴀꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ" x ʙʀᴇᴛᴛ ʏᴏᴜɴɢ
0:47 ─♥──────── 3:44
A fake marriage between a guarded cowboy/pro hockey player and a woman trying to escape her toxic past slowly turns into something neither of them expected. What starts as a practical arrangement becomes a beautiful, slow-burning love story filled with healing, family, and finding a place to finally call home.
I genuinely didn’t think anything in this series could top the first book… and then Slade Rhodes walked into my life and completely proved me wrong. HOW IS THIS MAN EVEN REAL??? He has officially earned a spot among my favorite MMCs because he is quite literally everything.
I will admit the beginning felt a little rushed, and I questioned how quickly everything came together. but honestly????? Once the story settled into itself, it all felt so natural that I completely forgot my hesitation. Before I knew it, I was fully invested in Slade and Lila and rooting for them with my whole heart🥹
Watching Slade slowly fall apart in the best possible way because of Lila was EVERYTHING. Her kindness, patience, and genuine heart quietly chipped away at every wall he had spent years building. it was steady, intentional, and so incredibly rewarding to watch. 🥹🫶🏼 Seeing someone who had convinced himself that love only ended in heartbreak slowly realize that some people are worth risking your heart for absolutely melted me.
There was something so beautiful about watching Slade learn that loving someone doesn’t always have to be tied to fear. That opening yourself up to loss is also opening yourself up to joy, comfort, belonging, and a love that changes everything. Every little step he took toward vulnerability felt earned, and because of that, every emotional moment hit ten times harder. Their relationship wasn’t just romantic 🥹🥹 it felt healing
And can we PLEASEEEEE talk about how this man would literally do anything for Lila? His entire life revolved around discipline and routine, yet the second Lila wanted him to try the sweets she baked, he happily threw his strict eating schedule out the window. Even the initial finding a stray dog on the side of the road and he’s already figuring out how to make things work. 😭 It didn’t matter if it was inconvenient, unexpected, or completely outside his comfort zone, if it mattered to Lila it mattered to Slade.🥹🥹😭
Every single time she needed something, his answer was simply yes. The way this big, gruff cowboy absolutely folded for her had me smiling like an idiot.😝😝 He was so unbelievably soft for her, and I loved every second of it 😌
I loved every single minute of this book. It made me laugh, smile, and completely fall in love with these characters. I already miss them.🥹
Now I’m just patiently (not patiently) waiting for Tanner and Cassidy… or maybe Josie and Rafe 👀
favorite quotes ↓
“Every moment of happiness was worth every moment of pain. That’s just the truth of it. That’s what love is.”
“You dress exclusively in black, grey, and navy, and you bought me a pink car.”
“I shrug. ‘You’re introducing me to the rainbow.’”
“She has no idea that she’s it for me. That somewhere between a country road and a pink bunny costume and a three-legged dog, she became the only woman I want for the rest of my life.”
“I fell in love with her because she saw me, not the jersey number, not the Rhodes name, just me. And she liked that man. She’s the love I wasn’t looking for and didn’t expect. The only love I’ll ever want.”
“Marry the man who thinks you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him and treats you like it. Don’t take anything less than that.”
things to know about the book ↓
💍 marriage of convenience
💍 age gap (25/35)
💍 cowboy hockey player MMC
💍 grumpy x sunshine
💍 found family
💍 protective MMC
💍 SLOWWWWBURNNNN
💍 he falls first and HARD
💍 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 21, 33, 34, 36, 37, 45
Thank you Grey's Promotions, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
╔════════════════════════╗
💕✨ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 ✨💕
╚════════════════════════╝
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Kes Winter for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I got the ARC for book one and i loved it dearly!!! I am so excited to dive into this universe again!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LILA AND SLADE. i loved and adored this just as much as the first book. i am so excited for book 3 and cannot wait to see how that turns out. lila was everything i wanted her to be and more. slade was perfect a hockey cowboy yes sir im sat. lucky and chance really captured my heart. i cannot wait to see where their story will continue in book 3.
💕✨ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 ✨💕
╚════════════════════════╝
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Kes Winter for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I got the ARC for book one and i loved it dearly!!! I am so excited to dive into this universe again!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LILA AND SLADE. i loved and adored this just as much as the first book. i am so excited for book 3 and cannot wait to see how that turns out. lila was everything i wanted her to be and more. slade was perfect a hockey cowboy yes sir im sat. lucky and chance really captured my heart. i cannot wait to see where their story will continue in book 3.
July 9, 2026
Loved going back to Wild Rose Ranch for the cute slow burn marriage of convenience between our gentle giant Slade and his city girl, Lila. This series honestly just gets better and better. I love all the brothers and loved that they all make appearances again.
From the first page, Heartland took off and the journey was full of laughs, delicious tension, chemistry and emotional moments that slowly romanced me. I loved Slade and Lila. These two were opposites on the outside but I loved learning how similar they were on the inside. Even though they were both adamant they weren't looking for love, it was fun watching them succumb to their attraction and drop their walls. They went from friends to lovers with all the twists and turns and a few bumps along the way but it was all worth it in the end.
This was a comfy romance that I just know I'll be revisiting again and again. This has Halloween vibes (iykyk), small town, country living, and found family too. A perfect mix with likable characters and a swoony romance that guarantees a HEA! Highly recommend.
Favorite Bits:
🖤 The slow burn was perfection!
🖤 Slade making every moment special for Lila, the wedding, her birthday, it was all magic.
🖤 Tanner + Cassidy and Rafe + Josie 🥰
SAFETY INFO:
From the first page, Heartland took off and the journey was full of laughs, delicious tension, chemistry and emotional moments that slowly romanced me. I loved Slade and Lila. These two were opposites on the outside but I loved learning how similar they were on the inside. Even though they were both adamant they weren't looking for love, it was fun watching them succumb to their attraction and drop their walls. They went from friends to lovers with all the twists and turns and a few bumps along the way but it was all worth it in the end.
This was a comfy romance that I just know I'll be revisiting again and again. This has Halloween vibes (iykyk), small town, country living, and found family too. A perfect mix with likable characters and a swoony romance that guarantees a HEA! Highly recommend.
Favorite Bits:
🖤 The slow burn was perfection!
🖤 Slade making every moment special for Lila, the wedding, her birthday, it was all magic.
🖤 Tanner + Cassidy and Rafe + Josie 🥰
SAFETY INFO:
July 9, 2026
I absolutely loved adored this book!! I'm so happy to have found this author and book. I'm looking forward to going back and reading the prior book, and reading the rest of this series. (Because the siblings in thus book are great!!) If you love a tension filled, marriage of convenience, pick this up right now!! You will love Slade the hockey playing cowboy and Lila his free spirited, rose gold haired wife's story!
July 12, 2026
10 stars
Like the first one this is just perfection
Very romantic
Extremely hot and sexy sex scenes
He is a dream and she is a very good heroine, strong, smart, independent
Marriage of convenience but insta love from the first moment they met
Very lovely and amazing second characters, I can’t wait for every family member’s book!
No cheating at all
No other people drama
No angst!
Very very romantic book
Can’t wait for the next one!!!
Give this author a try!
Like the first one this is just perfection
Very romantic
Extremely hot and sexy sex scenes
He is a dream and she is a very good heroine, strong, smart, independent
Marriage of convenience but insta love from the first moment they met
Very lovely and amazing second characters, I can’t wait for every family member’s book!
No cheating at all
No other people drama
No angst!
Very very romantic book
Can’t wait for the next one!!!
Give this author a try!
June 30, 2026
The YEARNING in this book?? unmatched.
July 16, 2026
I don’t even know where to begin because I LOVED this book.
I already adored this series, but Heartland completely stole my heart. I honestly thought Walker Rhodes would always be my favorite… and then Slade Rhodes showed up. Sorry Walker, I have a new book husband. 🤠❤️
Cowboy and professional hockey player? My two favorite romance worlds collided, and I was obsessed from the very first chapter.
Slade is the ultimate gruff cinnamon roll. Protective, quiet, loyal, and absolutely gone for “his wife” long before he’ll admit it. Watching his walls slowly come down for Lila was everything.
Lila was the perfect match for him. A sunshine city girl with the biggest heart, an animal rescuer, and someone who never stopped believing in the good in people. Their chemistry, banter, and mutual yearning had me completely hooked.
I also have to say… THANK YOU for giving us a marriage of convenience without a third-act breakup. 🙌
The Rhodes family continues to be one of my favorite fictional families, and I already cannot wait for the next book.
✨ What to expect:
🤠 Cowboy x NHL Player
💍 Marriage of Convenience
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏡 Small Town Romance
❤️ Forced Proximity
✨ Age Gap
🐾 Animal Rescue FMC
🔥 Mutual Yearning
🚫 No Third-Act Breakup
Kes Winter has officially written one of my favorite cowboy romances, and Slade Rhodes now owns a permanent spot on my book boyfriend list. ❤️
I already adored this series, but Heartland completely stole my heart. I honestly thought Walker Rhodes would always be my favorite… and then Slade Rhodes showed up. Sorry Walker, I have a new book husband. 🤠❤️
Cowboy and professional hockey player? My two favorite romance worlds collided, and I was obsessed from the very first chapter.
Slade is the ultimate gruff cinnamon roll. Protective, quiet, loyal, and absolutely gone for “his wife” long before he’ll admit it. Watching his walls slowly come down for Lila was everything.
Lila was the perfect match for him. A sunshine city girl with the biggest heart, an animal rescuer, and someone who never stopped believing in the good in people. Their chemistry, banter, and mutual yearning had me completely hooked.
I also have to say… THANK YOU for giving us a marriage of convenience without a third-act breakup. 🙌
The Rhodes family continues to be one of my favorite fictional families, and I already cannot wait for the next book.
✨ What to expect:
🤠 Cowboy x NHL Player
💍 Marriage of Convenience
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏡 Small Town Romance
❤️ Forced Proximity
✨ Age Gap
🐾 Animal Rescue FMC
🔥 Mutual Yearning
🚫 No Third-Act Breakup
Kes Winter has officially written one of my favorite cowboy romances, and Slade Rhodes now owns a permanent spot on my book boyfriend list. ❤️
July 9, 2026
This is the second book in this series, and this is Slade and Lila’s story.
Slade is a gruff cowboy who plays pro hockey, who works on his family’s Montana ranch in his spare time, while Lila is a city girl, who has a toxic and complicated family, she moved to Marble Falls 6-months previously for a fresh start, and she volunteers at an animal shelter. When Lila’s trust is due to be released there are conditions, stating she needs to be married, or her trust will be redistributed to her siblings. Slade and Lila agree to a fake marriage for her to claim her trust.
This is a well written easy to read, slow burn story, which is revealed in dual POV’s, with found family, friendships, emotions, fake relationships, opposites attract, marriage of convenience, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and heartwarming, small town cowboy romance.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Slade is a gruff cowboy who plays pro hockey, who works on his family’s Montana ranch in his spare time, while Lila is a city girl, who has a toxic and complicated family, she moved to Marble Falls 6-months previously for a fresh start, and she volunteers at an animal shelter. When Lila’s trust is due to be released there are conditions, stating she needs to be married, or her trust will be redistributed to her siblings. Slade and Lila agree to a fake marriage for her to claim her trust.
This is a well written easy to read, slow burn story, which is revealed in dual POV’s, with found family, friendships, emotions, fake relationships, opposites attract, marriage of convenience, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and heartwarming, small town cowboy romance.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
July 17, 2026
Heartland is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series and it is a must read!
There’s just something about the men in this series that is next level. And I know I said this about Walker but Slade Rhodes is your next book boyfriend🩵
Lila and Slade are just meant to be from day one. I absolutely loved their love and romance starting from the beginning and grow. This book was sweet, spicy, and had incredible banter.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There’s just something about the men in this series that is next level. And I know I said this about Walker but Slade Rhodes is your next book boyfriend🩵
Lila and Slade are just meant to be from day one. I absolutely loved their love and romance starting from the beginning and grow. This book was sweet, spicy, and had incredible banter.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2026
4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
What a beautiful small town romance and the cover is stunning, easily one of my favourite covers of the year so far. From the way this started, I was hooked. This is a character driven storyline where, from the very beginning, both characters have fantastic chemistry.
Starting with Lila her family is work and I felt so bad for her, but despite them she manages to build a business and career, and along the way meets the man who will treat her like she’s the most treasured thing in the world. I loved her fun, happy energy that lit up every room. Then we have Slade. He is so perfect this man made me swoon. From the moment he met her, he was obsessed. He is now one of my favourite romantic MMCs I’ve read in a while. Their chemistry and intimate moments had me smiling they are perfect together and the Rhodes family is so warm and welcoming. I loved every scene with all the family members it felt like home.
I do want to mention that I know Lila volunteers at the animal shelter, but I found that a little odd. It’s only briefly mentioned at the start when she’s meant to head to an event, then later she donates money to animal shelters, but at the end Slade gifts her an animal shelter? That storyline didn’t quite fit for me because it didn’t have much substance. She never actually visits the shelter throughout the book or talks about wanting one, so being gifted one just shocked me and felt out of place. I would have liked to see her volunteering on page to give it more weight. Also, I felt the book was a little long the first 50% I devoured, but the last 50% felt a little slow and could have been cut a little. More of a personal preference.
Overall, I still really enjoyed this story, and I look forward to picking up more of Kes’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 429
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 🌟
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Spicy Chapters: 33, 34, 36, 37, 44 and 45.
POV: First Person - Dual
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The Wild Rose Ranch Series
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Strangers To Lovers, Age Gap (10yrs), Marriage Of Convenience, Cowboy, Opposites Attract, One Bed, Found Family, Slow Burn, Tension, Chemistry, Jealousy, Made Me Laugh, Massages, Carries Her Bridal Style, When She Wears His Clothes, Mine, My Wife, Injured, Family Drama, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Taken Bare, Rough Play, Breath Play and Shower Scene.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
What a beautiful small town romance and the cover is stunning, easily one of my favourite covers of the year so far. From the way this started, I was hooked. This is a character driven storyline where, from the very beginning, both characters have fantastic chemistry.
Starting with Lila her family is work and I felt so bad for her, but despite them she manages to build a business and career, and along the way meets the man who will treat her like she’s the most treasured thing in the world. I loved her fun, happy energy that lit up every room. Then we have Slade. He is so perfect this man made me swoon. From the moment he met her, he was obsessed. He is now one of my favourite romantic MMCs I’ve read in a while. Their chemistry and intimate moments had me smiling they are perfect together and the Rhodes family is so warm and welcoming. I loved every scene with all the family members it felt like home.
I do want to mention that I know Lila volunteers at the animal shelter, but I found that a little odd. It’s only briefly mentioned at the start when she’s meant to head to an event, then later she donates money to animal shelters, but at the end Slade gifts her an animal shelter? That storyline didn’t quite fit for me because it didn’t have much substance. She never actually visits the shelter throughout the book or talks about wanting one, so being gifted one just shocked me and felt out of place. I would have liked to see her volunteering on page to give it more weight. Also, I felt the book was a little long the first 50% I devoured, but the last 50% felt a little slow and could have been cut a little. More of a personal preference.
Overall, I still really enjoyed this story, and I look forward to picking up more of Kes’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 429
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 🌟
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Spicy Chapters: 33, 34, 36, 37, 44 and 45.
POV: First Person - Dual
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The Wild Rose Ranch Series
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Strangers To Lovers, Age Gap (10yrs), Marriage Of Convenience, Cowboy, Opposites Attract, One Bed, Found Family, Slow Burn, Tension, Chemistry, Jealousy, Made Me Laugh, Massages, Carries Her Bridal Style, When She Wears His Clothes, Mine, My Wife, Injured, Family Drama, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Taken Bare, Rough Play, Breath Play and Shower Scene.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
July 15, 2026
🤍 Finding Home Where Your Heart Belongs 🤍
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
Heartland completely swept me away. What starts as a marriage of convenience quickly becomes a heartfelt story about healing, belonging, and discovering that sometimes the family you choose is even more powerful than the one you're born into. Between the Montana ranch setting, the slow-burn romance, and the unforgettable Rhodes family, this was one of those books that left me smiling long after I turned the final page.
Slade Rhodes is exactly the kind of hero I can't resist. Gruff on the outside but endlessly thoughtful beneath the surface, he has a habit of showing how much he cares through quiet actions rather than grand declarations. Whether he's opening every door, making sure Lila has everything she needs, rescuing an injured stray dog, or proudly introducing her as his wife, every gesture slowly chips away at the walls he's spent years building around his heart. Watching him carry the grief of losing his mother while keeping her memory alive in the stories he shared added so much depth to his character. For a man determined not to believe in forever, he certainly had a funny way of making Lila feel like the most cherished woman in the world. And when his protective side and surprisingly filthy mouth finally made an appearance? Let's just say Slade Rhodes completely won me over.
Lila was equally wonderful to follow. After growing up in a family that constantly made her feel unwanted and controlled, she carved out a fresh start for herself in Marble Falls, determined to build a life on her own terms. She's compassionate, resilient, and impossible not to root for. I loved her huge heart for animals, her passion for her boutique and design business, and all the little details that made her feel so genuine. More than anything, I loved watching her slowly discover what it feels like to be surrounded by people who truly love and value her. The contrast between her toxic family and the warmth of the Rhodes family gave this story so much emotional depth.
Together, Slade and Lila were absolutely perfect. Their relationship unfolds through so many small, meaningful moments that make their fake marriage slowly begin to feel real. Co-parenting Lucky after rescuing her, Lila redesigning Slade's home, riding ATVs through the Montana mud, and even the simple moment of Slade shampooing her hair all made their relationship feel authentic and beautifully earned. The slow burn builds through lingering glances, quiet acts of service, growing trust, and all those blurred lines between pretending and genuinely falling in love. I especially loved that Slade's feelings were obvious long before he was ready to admit them. Every thoughtful gesture, every protective instinct, and every proud "my wife" melted my heart.
The Rhodes family was another highlight of the story. Their love, loyalty, and unwavering support created the perfect found-family atmosphere, making Wild Rose Ranch feel like a place you never want to leave. They welcomed Lila with open arms from the very beginning, giving her the sense of home she'd been missing her entire life. Those family moments, combined with the beautiful Montana setting, added so much warmth and charm to an already wonderful romance.
Heartland is the perfect blend of marriage of convenience, cowboy romance, slow-burn chemistry, emotional healing, and found family. It made me laugh, tugged at my heartstrings more than once, and reminded me that the strongest relationships are often built through the smallest acts of love. Kes Winter has absolutely earned a place on my must-read author list, and I already can't wait to return to Wild Rose Ranch for another Rhodes family story.
Thank you to Kes Winter and Grey's Promotions for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
Heartland completely swept me away. What starts as a marriage of convenience quickly becomes a heartfelt story about healing, belonging, and discovering that sometimes the family you choose is even more powerful than the one you're born into. Between the Montana ranch setting, the slow-burn romance, and the unforgettable Rhodes family, this was one of those books that left me smiling long after I turned the final page.
Slade Rhodes is exactly the kind of hero I can't resist. Gruff on the outside but endlessly thoughtful beneath the surface, he has a habit of showing how much he cares through quiet actions rather than grand declarations. Whether he's opening every door, making sure Lila has everything she needs, rescuing an injured stray dog, or proudly introducing her as his wife, every gesture slowly chips away at the walls he's spent years building around his heart. Watching him carry the grief of losing his mother while keeping her memory alive in the stories he shared added so much depth to his character. For a man determined not to believe in forever, he certainly had a funny way of making Lila feel like the most cherished woman in the world. And when his protective side and surprisingly filthy mouth finally made an appearance? Let's just say Slade Rhodes completely won me over.
Lila was equally wonderful to follow. After growing up in a family that constantly made her feel unwanted and controlled, she carved out a fresh start for herself in Marble Falls, determined to build a life on her own terms. She's compassionate, resilient, and impossible not to root for. I loved her huge heart for animals, her passion for her boutique and design business, and all the little details that made her feel so genuine. More than anything, I loved watching her slowly discover what it feels like to be surrounded by people who truly love and value her. The contrast between her toxic family and the warmth of the Rhodes family gave this story so much emotional depth.
Together, Slade and Lila were absolutely perfect. Their relationship unfolds through so many small, meaningful moments that make their fake marriage slowly begin to feel real. Co-parenting Lucky after rescuing her, Lila redesigning Slade's home, riding ATVs through the Montana mud, and even the simple moment of Slade shampooing her hair all made their relationship feel authentic and beautifully earned. The slow burn builds through lingering glances, quiet acts of service, growing trust, and all those blurred lines between pretending and genuinely falling in love. I especially loved that Slade's feelings were obvious long before he was ready to admit them. Every thoughtful gesture, every protective instinct, and every proud "my wife" melted my heart.
The Rhodes family was another highlight of the story. Their love, loyalty, and unwavering support created the perfect found-family atmosphere, making Wild Rose Ranch feel like a place you never want to leave. They welcomed Lila with open arms from the very beginning, giving her the sense of home she'd been missing her entire life. Those family moments, combined with the beautiful Montana setting, added so much warmth and charm to an already wonderful romance.
Heartland is the perfect blend of marriage of convenience, cowboy romance, slow-burn chemistry, emotional healing, and found family. It made me laugh, tugged at my heartstrings more than once, and reminded me that the strongest relationships are often built through the smallest acts of love. Kes Winter has absolutely earned a place on my must-read author list, and I already can't wait to return to Wild Rose Ranch for another Rhodes family story.
Thank you to Kes Winter and Grey's Promotions for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 19, 2026
🇪🇸 ARC proporcionado por Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Heartland era una historia que no esperaba que me llegara tanto, y sin embargo aquí estoy, completamente enamorada de Slade y Lila.
Lo que más destaca de este libro es el crecimiento de sus dos protagonistas. Kes Winter lo desarrolla de manera muy natural, sin prisas, dejando que cada paso tenga su propio peso emocional. Los dos tienen un corazón precioso, y eso se nota en cada página. Slade es, sencillamente, un diez. De esos personajes que te hacen pensar que ojalá existieran en la vida real — atento, protector, generoso y completamente entregado a la persona que ama. Un vaquero que enamora sin apenas intentarlo.
Lila también es un diez, con todas sus inseguridades a cuestas. Sin embargo, sentí que su desarrollo de carácter podría haber ido un poco más allá. Slade la protege tanto que en ocasiones su voz queda un poco en segundo plano, y me hubiera gustado verla brillar más por sí sola.
La familia de Slade es absolutamente increíble — uno de los puntos más fuertes del libro. Y en contraste, la situación familiar de Lila duele de una manera muy real, porque uno sabe que hay familias así en la vida real, y eso añade una capa emocional que hace que la historia pese mucho más.
La diferencia de edad entre los protagonistas se deja notar en ciertos momentos, y creo que añade una dinámica interesante aunque no siempre del todo equilibrada.
En definitiva, Heartland es una historia de amor bonita de verdad, de las que te dejan con el corazón lleno. Y sin haber leído el primero, puedo decir que esta serie ya tiene mi corazón.
Tropes: fake marriage · grumpy/sunshine · small town romance · found family · age gap · strangers to lovers
Steam: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4/5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
🇬🇧 ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Heartland was a story I didn't expect to move me as much as it did — and yet here I am, completely swept away by Slade and Lila.
What stands out most is the character growth of both protagonists. Kes Winter develops it beautifully, unhurried and natural, letting every step carry its own emotional weight. Both characters have the most beautiful hearts, and it shows on every page. Slade is, simply put, a ten. The kind of character that makes you wish men like him existed in real life — attentive, protective, generous, and completely devoted to the woman he loves. A cowboy who steals your heart without even trying.
Lila is also a ten, insecurities and all. That said, I felt her character development could have gone a little further. Slade protects her so fiercely that her own voice sometimes takes a back seat, and I would have loved to see her shine more on her own terms.
Slade's family is absolutely wonderful — one of the strongest elements of the book. And in contrast, Lila's family situation hurts in a very real way, because you know families like hers exist, and that adds an emotional layer that makes the story hit much harder.
The age gap between the protagonists is noticeable in certain moments, adding an interesting dynamic — though not always perfectly balanced.
Overall, Heartland is a genuinely beautiful love story, the kind that leaves your heart full. And having come in without reading the first book, I can say this series already has my whole heart.
Tropes: fake marriage · grumpy/sunshine · small town romance · found family · age gap · strangers to lovers
Steam: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— 4/5
Heartland era una historia que no esperaba que me llegara tanto, y sin embargo aquí estoy, completamente enamorada de Slade y Lila.
Lo que más destaca de este libro es el crecimiento de sus dos protagonistas. Kes Winter lo desarrolla de manera muy natural, sin prisas, dejando que cada paso tenga su propio peso emocional. Los dos tienen un corazón precioso, y eso se nota en cada página. Slade es, sencillamente, un diez. De esos personajes que te hacen pensar que ojalá existieran en la vida real — atento, protector, generoso y completamente entregado a la persona que ama. Un vaquero que enamora sin apenas intentarlo.
Lila también es un diez, con todas sus inseguridades a cuestas. Sin embargo, sentí que su desarrollo de carácter podría haber ido un poco más allá. Slade la protege tanto que en ocasiones su voz queda un poco en segundo plano, y me hubiera gustado verla brillar más por sí sola.
La familia de Slade es absolutamente increíble — uno de los puntos más fuertes del libro. Y en contraste, la situación familiar de Lila duele de una manera muy real, porque uno sabe que hay familias así en la vida real, y eso añade una capa emocional que hace que la historia pese mucho más.
La diferencia de edad entre los protagonistas se deja notar en ciertos momentos, y creo que añade una dinámica interesante aunque no siempre del todo equilibrada.
En definitiva, Heartland es una historia de amor bonita de verdad, de las que te dejan con el corazón lleno. Y sin haber leído el primero, puedo decir que esta serie ya tiene mi corazón.
Tropes: fake marriage · grumpy/sunshine · small town romance · found family · age gap · strangers to lovers
Steam: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4/5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
🇬🇧 ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Heartland was a story I didn't expect to move me as much as it did — and yet here I am, completely swept away by Slade and Lila.
What stands out most is the character growth of both protagonists. Kes Winter develops it beautifully, unhurried and natural, letting every step carry its own emotional weight. Both characters have the most beautiful hearts, and it shows on every page. Slade is, simply put, a ten. The kind of character that makes you wish men like him existed in real life — attentive, protective, generous, and completely devoted to the woman he loves. A cowboy who steals your heart without even trying.
Lila is also a ten, insecurities and all. That said, I felt her character development could have gone a little further. Slade protects her so fiercely that her own voice sometimes takes a back seat, and I would have loved to see her shine more on her own terms.
Slade's family is absolutely wonderful — one of the strongest elements of the book. And in contrast, Lila's family situation hurts in a very real way, because you know families like hers exist, and that adds an emotional layer that makes the story hit much harder.
The age gap between the protagonists is noticeable in certain moments, adding an interesting dynamic — though not always perfectly balanced.
Overall, Heartland is a genuinely beautiful love story, the kind that leaves your heart full. And having come in without reading the first book, I can say this series already has my whole heart.
Tropes: fake marriage · grumpy/sunshine · small town romance · found family · age gap · strangers to lovers
Steam: 🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— 4/5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC REVIEW thankyou Kes winters and Greys Promotion for giving me the opportunity fo read and review.
This is the first book I've read by Kes Winters and it wont be the the last, I read it in a day.
I was looking for a new author who writes Cowboy Romances so off to a good start, blurb sounded great love a fake marriage so another tick and then to top it all off this book just so happened to have another aspect that I love Hockey player!! 😍🥰
I initially requested this book because of the gorgeous blurb, Kaz Winters’ has a beautiful way of storytelling and the emotional depth left me completely speechless. The chemistry between these two is raw, authentic, and packed with incredible tension.
The story is a true slow-burn that builds an intense passion before it explodes into plenty of open-door spice. Heartland completely swept me off my feet! Wow, is Slade Rhodes just chef’s kiss💋 The way he falls first and falls hard for Lila is everything.
And let me tell you, our Slade has a surprisingly dirty mouth on him! 🔥🌶️🤠
He is also beautifully possessive and devoted. Once he commits, his focus is entirely singular, delivering intense, high-stakes romantic tension and that heavy, protective "who did this to you" energy that us romance readers love. He definitely gives off touch her and die vibes 🥰🔥
Oh and major green flag he rescues a dog and bottle feeds puppies..... swoon 🥰
Lila is such an incredible heroine—she brings so much emotional depth and genuine heart to the story and has this beautiful, resilient strength that makes it impossible not to root for her shes been through alot with her horrid family.
Lila stands her ground so well against Slade and is the perfect match for this grumpy cowboy.
I loved watching her slowly let her guard down it was so heartwarming.
I also loved that she wasn't just a damsel in distress; her inner strength shines through in every single chapter, making the way Slade completely worships her feel so well-earned."
The supporting cast mostly Slades family are so welcomimg and supportive taking Lila in with open arms even when they know the marraige is fake.
Add in the small-town setting and its wonderful layer of found-family that makes the world feel incredibly cozy I loved my time on the Wild Rose Ranch in Montanna and cant wait to return.
Honestly though what really made this book stand out was the emotional pull—it balances laugh-out-loud humor with heartfelt moments of healing and family.
It gave me all the butterflies and left me with a massive smile on my face. I did well up a few times too, especially when Slade finally tells Lila how he truly feels about her and also when he talks about his late Mum.
I can now add Kes Winters to my go to authors list and have already added Book 1 Heartstrings in the Wild Ranch series to my TBR list.
If you love deeply emotional, swoon-worthy romances with the perfect amount of spice,
And have a thing for cowboys and hockey then you need to add this to your TBR immediately!
🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read for me
Spice 🌶🌶🌶.5
Swoon 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Recommend ✅️
This is the first book I've read by Kes Winters and it wont be the the last, I read it in a day.
I was looking for a new author who writes Cowboy Romances so off to a good start, blurb sounded great love a fake marriage so another tick and then to top it all off this book just so happened to have another aspect that I love Hockey player!! 😍🥰
I initially requested this book because of the gorgeous blurb, Kaz Winters’ has a beautiful way of storytelling and the emotional depth left me completely speechless. The chemistry between these two is raw, authentic, and packed with incredible tension.
The story is a true slow-burn that builds an intense passion before it explodes into plenty of open-door spice. Heartland completely swept me off my feet! Wow, is Slade Rhodes just chef’s kiss💋 The way he falls first and falls hard for Lila is everything.
And let me tell you, our Slade has a surprisingly dirty mouth on him! 🔥🌶️🤠
He is also beautifully possessive and devoted. Once he commits, his focus is entirely singular, delivering intense, high-stakes romantic tension and that heavy, protective "who did this to you" energy that us romance readers love. He definitely gives off touch her and die vibes 🥰🔥
Oh and major green flag he rescues a dog and bottle feeds puppies..... swoon 🥰
Lila is such an incredible heroine—she brings so much emotional depth and genuine heart to the story and has this beautiful, resilient strength that makes it impossible not to root for her shes been through alot with her horrid family.
Lila stands her ground so well against Slade and is the perfect match for this grumpy cowboy.
I loved watching her slowly let her guard down it was so heartwarming.
I also loved that she wasn't just a damsel in distress; her inner strength shines through in every single chapter, making the way Slade completely worships her feel so well-earned."
The supporting cast mostly Slades family are so welcomimg and supportive taking Lila in with open arms even when they know the marraige is fake.
Add in the small-town setting and its wonderful layer of found-family that makes the world feel incredibly cozy I loved my time on the Wild Rose Ranch in Montanna and cant wait to return.
Honestly though what really made this book stand out was the emotional pull—it balances laugh-out-loud humor with heartfelt moments of healing and family.
It gave me all the butterflies and left me with a massive smile on my face. I did well up a few times too, especially when Slade finally tells Lila how he truly feels about her and also when he talks about his late Mum.
I can now add Kes Winters to my go to authors list and have already added Book 1 Heartstrings in the Wild Ranch series to my TBR list.
If you love deeply emotional, swoon-worthy romances with the perfect amount of spice,
And have a thing for cowboys and hockey then you need to add this to your TBR immediately!
🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read for me
Spice 🌶🌶🌶.5
Swoon 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Recommend ✅️
July 19, 2026
This was such a cosy, heartwarming romance that completely stole my heart. The characters, the small-town setting, and the gentle unfolding of their love story made every page a delight. At its core, it’s about two strangers from opposite worlds: Lila, who grew up in an aristocratic world ruled by money, power, and status, and Slade, whose life revolves around love, family, and genuine connection.
Slade is a grumpy, ruggedly handsome cowboy and hockey defenceman who keeps people at arm’s length. After losing his mother, he’s built his life around routines and rules, believing it’s safer not to let anyone in. Though he’s a well-known hockey star, Slade shies away from the limelight and prefers the quiet, grounded life of a true cowboy. Beneath his tough exterior, he’s a total softie loyal, protective, and gentle with those who earn his trust.
Lila, a 25-year-old interior designer, has always been the black sheep of her aristocratic family. She refuses to conform to their rigid expectations, preferring to colour outside the lines with her pink hair and bold career choices. At eighteen, she broke free from their control and never looked back, determined to create a life on her own terms. In Marble Falls, she’s built a thriving boutique and a sense of belonging that’s entirely her own.
An injured dog brings Slade and Lila together, sparking an instant connection between two people from opposite worlds. When Lila learns she’ll inherit a fortune if she marries, Slade proposes a deal: they’ll wed so she can use the money to help others, rather than see it divided up among her spoiled siblings. What begins as a practical arrangement quickly deepens into something real, as their friendship turns to love. Their differences, once so stark, become strengths, showing them what truly matters and how love can bridge any gap. Slade finds himself drawn to Lila in ways he never expected; he changes his routines, brings her coffee, and is compelled to protect her and make her happy. He doesn’t even realise how much he’s changing until he can’t imagine his life without her. Lila was meant to simply redecorate his home, but she ends up changing his heart. Their deal sets the stage for something beautiful to bloom, but with Slade’s hockey team in Denver for the next season, they’re faced with a new challenge: can their love survive the distance, or will it force them to confront what they truly want from each other and their future?
I loved the connection between the main characters, and the side characters brought so much humour and warmth to the story. It was an easy, addictive read that I genuinely didn’t want to put down. My only minor critique is that the ‘fake marriage’ trope was repeated a bit too often, which made some sections feel a little repetitive. Still, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment or the book's charm. Thank you to Kes Winter and Greys Promotions for sending me this ARC; I’m already looking forward to the next in the series!
Slade is a grumpy, ruggedly handsome cowboy and hockey defenceman who keeps people at arm’s length. After losing his mother, he’s built his life around routines and rules, believing it’s safer not to let anyone in. Though he’s a well-known hockey star, Slade shies away from the limelight and prefers the quiet, grounded life of a true cowboy. Beneath his tough exterior, he’s a total softie loyal, protective, and gentle with those who earn his trust.
Lila, a 25-year-old interior designer, has always been the black sheep of her aristocratic family. She refuses to conform to their rigid expectations, preferring to colour outside the lines with her pink hair and bold career choices. At eighteen, she broke free from their control and never looked back, determined to create a life on her own terms. In Marble Falls, she’s built a thriving boutique and a sense of belonging that’s entirely her own.
An injured dog brings Slade and Lila together, sparking an instant connection between two people from opposite worlds. When Lila learns she’ll inherit a fortune if she marries, Slade proposes a deal: they’ll wed so she can use the money to help others, rather than see it divided up among her spoiled siblings. What begins as a practical arrangement quickly deepens into something real, as their friendship turns to love. Their differences, once so stark, become strengths, showing them what truly matters and how love can bridge any gap. Slade finds himself drawn to Lila in ways he never expected; he changes his routines, brings her coffee, and is compelled to protect her and make her happy. He doesn’t even realise how much he’s changing until he can’t imagine his life without her. Lila was meant to simply redecorate his home, but she ends up changing his heart. Their deal sets the stage for something beautiful to bloom, but with Slade’s hockey team in Denver for the next season, they’re faced with a new challenge: can their love survive the distance, or will it force them to confront what they truly want from each other and their future?
I loved the connection between the main characters, and the side characters brought so much humour and warmth to the story. It was an easy, addictive read that I genuinely didn’t want to put down. My only minor critique is that the ‘fake marriage’ trope was repeated a bit too often, which made some sections feel a little repetitive. Still, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment or the book's charm. Thank you to Kes Winter and Greys Promotions for sending me this ARC; I’m already looking forward to the next in the series!
July 16, 2026
I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Heartland is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. That said, the warm, chaotic Rhodes family dynamic definitely made me want to spend even more time at the ranch!
This was such an enjoyable mix of fake marriage, grumpy x sunshine, slow burn romance and small-town cowboy charm, with the added bonus of Slade being both a professional hockey player and a ranch-working cowboy. Honestly, why choose one when you can have both?
Slade Rhodes is exactly the kind of gruff, emotionally guarded hero I love. At 6’5, dark-haired and determined that he doesn’t do love or forever, he enters into a marriage of convenience for one very practical reason: to help his new wife access her trust fund and escape the control of her toxic family. The rules are simple. No intimacy. No complications. No feelings. Naturally, those rules never stood a chance.
What I really loved about this story was the way Slade’s feelings were shown through his actions long before he was ready to admit them. The giant diamond ring, rescuing a stray dog together, cooking for her, spending money on her, making sure she has everything she needs and proudly introducing her to his loud, loving family as his wife… for a man who claims he doesn’t do feelings, Slade is spectacularly bad at acting like he doesn’t care.
There’s something so satisfying about watching a grumpy, emotionally unavailable man slowly become completely obsessed with the woman he was only supposed to marry temporarily. Slade has that wonderful “I don’t believe in love, but I will treat my fake wife like an absolute princess” energy, and I was completely here for it.
I also really enjoyed the contrast between the heroine’s toxic family background and the warmth of the Rhodes family. Her journey isn’t just about falling in love; it’s about building a life for herself, finding independence and discovering what it feels like to be surrounded by people who genuinely want her there. That emotional element gave the romance more depth and made the ranch setting feel like a true place of belonging rather than simply a backdrop.
The slow burn was deliciously frustrating in the best way. The chemistry builds gradually through lingering looks, domestic moments, protective instincts and all those increasingly blurred boundaries between what is “fake” and what is very obviously becoming real. And when that tension finally breaks? The chemistry between them absolutely delivers.
I especially loved the softer moments: the stray dog, the family interactions, Slade quietly taking care of her and the way their marriage begins to feel real before either of them is brave enough to acknowledge it. Those small details were what made me genuinely invested in them as a couple.
The only reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me was that there were moments where I wanted a little more emotional depth and slightly more development around certain conflicts. A few parts felt familiar within the fake-marriage romance formula, and I occasionally wanted the story to dig deeper into the more complicated emotions beneath their arrangement.
Heartland is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. That said, the warm, chaotic Rhodes family dynamic definitely made me want to spend even more time at the ranch!
This was such an enjoyable mix of fake marriage, grumpy x sunshine, slow burn romance and small-town cowboy charm, with the added bonus of Slade being both a professional hockey player and a ranch-working cowboy. Honestly, why choose one when you can have both?
Slade Rhodes is exactly the kind of gruff, emotionally guarded hero I love. At 6’5, dark-haired and determined that he doesn’t do love or forever, he enters into a marriage of convenience for one very practical reason: to help his new wife access her trust fund and escape the control of her toxic family. The rules are simple. No intimacy. No complications. No feelings. Naturally, those rules never stood a chance.
What I really loved about this story was the way Slade’s feelings were shown through his actions long before he was ready to admit them. The giant diamond ring, rescuing a stray dog together, cooking for her, spending money on her, making sure she has everything she needs and proudly introducing her to his loud, loving family as his wife… for a man who claims he doesn’t do feelings, Slade is spectacularly bad at acting like he doesn’t care.
There’s something so satisfying about watching a grumpy, emotionally unavailable man slowly become completely obsessed with the woman he was only supposed to marry temporarily. Slade has that wonderful “I don’t believe in love, but I will treat my fake wife like an absolute princess” energy, and I was completely here for it.
I also really enjoyed the contrast between the heroine’s toxic family background and the warmth of the Rhodes family. Her journey isn’t just about falling in love; it’s about building a life for herself, finding independence and discovering what it feels like to be surrounded by people who genuinely want her there. That emotional element gave the romance more depth and made the ranch setting feel like a true place of belonging rather than simply a backdrop.
The slow burn was deliciously frustrating in the best way. The chemistry builds gradually through lingering looks, domestic moments, protective instincts and all those increasingly blurred boundaries between what is “fake” and what is very obviously becoming real. And when that tension finally breaks? The chemistry between them absolutely delivers.
I especially loved the softer moments: the stray dog, the family interactions, Slade quietly taking care of her and the way their marriage begins to feel real before either of them is brave enough to acknowledge it. Those small details were what made me genuinely invested in them as a couple.
The only reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me was that there were moments where I wanted a little more emotional depth and slightly more development around certain conflicts. A few parts felt familiar within the fake-marriage romance formula, and I occasionally wanted the story to dig deeper into the more complicated emotions beneath their arrangement.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Heart Land
Lila and Slade.
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. It was so good. I couldn’t get enough of it.
I have read the first book heart strings, and it was my absolute favorite Sadie and Walker I adore them.
I love the Rhodes family, the cowboys and their loves. I can’t wait for two more of the cowboys stories. I liked that we got to see Walker and Sadie’s story continued a little bit in this book.
This is a marriage of convenience, age gap, forced proximity, small town, cowboy romance.
Slade is a NHL star/cowboy, he’s rough around the edges, keeps to himself, quiet, often perceived as cold, which is far from the truth. He’s driven, a force to be reckoned with, smart, compassionate, loyal, and handsome ruggedly handsome. He’s never settled in one place to long or made anything his own until he meets a certain rose gold haired woman who turns his world upside down but in a very good way he didn’t see coming.
Lila is an interior decorator, store owner /animal rescue volunteer. She’s sweet, makes her own way in the world, loves animals and helps them as much as she can. Lila is smart, strong willed, independent, and beautiful with the most kindest heart. She comes from my family who doesn’t appreciate her and has a decision to make about a trust, but needs help from a certain handsome cowboy.
What starts as a fake marriage doesn’t become so fake after all. The magnetic pull between them is passionate. These two are so good together. You can’t but help cheer them on to their happy ending. The pinning this cowboy does for her. Oh my goodness he’s going to be your next book Boyfriend. Slade Rhodes is every girl‘s dream. The way they fall so madly deeply in love with each other is everything.
And these two my goodness are so hot together it’s going to make you blush. The things this cowboy says are shocking but in that oh so good way.
Slade Rhodes just does it for me.
I absolutely fell in love with this book. I couldn’t put it down. It was just too good. I loved heartstrings and now I love heartland. I seriously can’t get enough. I am excited and curious for the next book and I hope we get to see Slade and Lila‘s story continue as well. I am curious to see if the next book is going to be the cowboys baby sister/ travel nurse or the brother/ cowboy/ rodeo star love story next.
⭐️/ 5 stars and infinity ♾️ really, it was so good.
🌶️/ 3 the mouth on that 🤠 cowboy
Lila and Slade.
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. It was so good. I couldn’t get enough of it.
I have read the first book heart strings, and it was my absolute favorite Sadie and Walker I adore them.
I love the Rhodes family, the cowboys and their loves. I can’t wait for two more of the cowboys stories. I liked that we got to see Walker and Sadie’s story continued a little bit in this book.
This is a marriage of convenience, age gap, forced proximity, small town, cowboy romance.
Slade is a NHL star/cowboy, he’s rough around the edges, keeps to himself, quiet, often perceived as cold, which is far from the truth. He’s driven, a force to be reckoned with, smart, compassionate, loyal, and handsome ruggedly handsome. He’s never settled in one place to long or made anything his own until he meets a certain rose gold haired woman who turns his world upside down but in a very good way he didn’t see coming.
Lila is an interior decorator, store owner /animal rescue volunteer. She’s sweet, makes her own way in the world, loves animals and helps them as much as she can. Lila is smart, strong willed, independent, and beautiful with the most kindest heart. She comes from my family who doesn’t appreciate her and has a decision to make about a trust, but needs help from a certain handsome cowboy.
What starts as a fake marriage doesn’t become so fake after all. The magnetic pull between them is passionate. These two are so good together. You can’t but help cheer them on to their happy ending. The pinning this cowboy does for her. Oh my goodness he’s going to be your next book Boyfriend. Slade Rhodes is every girl‘s dream. The way they fall so madly deeply in love with each other is everything.
And these two my goodness are so hot together it’s going to make you blush. The things this cowboy says are shocking but in that oh so good way.
Slade Rhodes just does it for me.
I absolutely fell in love with this book. I couldn’t put it down. It was just too good. I loved heartstrings and now I love heartland. I seriously can’t get enough. I am excited and curious for the next book and I hope we get to see Slade and Lila‘s story continue as well. I am curious to see if the next book is going to be the cowboys baby sister/ travel nurse or the brother/ cowboy/ rodeo star love story next.
⭐️/ 5 stars and infinity ♾️ really, it was so good.
🌶️/ 3 the mouth on that 🤠 cowboy
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC REVIEW**
Slade & Lila
Fake Relationship
Marriage of Convenience
Opposites Attract
Cowboy Romance
Small Town
Found Family
I loved everything about this book. It was well written and I was captivated by the slow burn between the two characters. It was obvious that they were beyond attracted to one another from the moment they met.
Slade is a hockey player who is recovery from a shoulder injury on his families ranch. He runs into the beautiful pink haired Lila while she was on the side of the road helping an injured dog. This was just the beginning between these two.
Slade may come off as grumpy and gruff but throughout the book you start to realize he is a marshmallow on the inside. He's just a man who has never recovered from losing his mother and is scared to open up and depend on someone else. He was raised to be a gentleman and the little things he does for Lila without a second thought absolutely made me swoon. He may be scared but he soon realizes that taking a chance on Lila is one he never will regret.
Lila is a city girl who is wanting to escape her Elite family. She found sanctuary in Marble Falls and is finally going to get her fresh start. With her overbearing family breathing down her next for all the wrong reasons, she just wants to rid of them and live her life. Having been on her own for years she just wants some to choose her for her and become the home she's been looking for. Little does she know that the guy who stopped to help her on the side of the road is that man.
Slade and Lila come to an agreement, get married to help Lila receive her trust fund so that her siblings don't get it. They divorce in a year and go their separate ways. But with the little things Slade does for Lila and how he keeps saying "My Wife", that is getting harder and harder to remember their agreement. Slade starts smiling more and starts getting possessive of his women. Its time for him to stop running scared and start running towards his forever.
I love a cowboy romance and this book had it in spades. I love these two characters and everything they stand for. Great job Kes Winter!! I can't to see what else you have in store for the Rhodes family!
Slade & Lila
Fake Relationship
Marriage of Convenience
Opposites Attract
Cowboy Romance
Small Town
Found Family
I loved everything about this book. It was well written and I was captivated by the slow burn between the two characters. It was obvious that they were beyond attracted to one another from the moment they met.
Slade is a hockey player who is recovery from a shoulder injury on his families ranch. He runs into the beautiful pink haired Lila while she was on the side of the road helping an injured dog. This was just the beginning between these two.
Slade may come off as grumpy and gruff but throughout the book you start to realize he is a marshmallow on the inside. He's just a man who has never recovered from losing his mother and is scared to open up and depend on someone else. He was raised to be a gentleman and the little things he does for Lila without a second thought absolutely made me swoon. He may be scared but he soon realizes that taking a chance on Lila is one he never will regret.
Lila is a city girl who is wanting to escape her Elite family. She found sanctuary in Marble Falls and is finally going to get her fresh start. With her overbearing family breathing down her next for all the wrong reasons, she just wants to rid of them and live her life. Having been on her own for years she just wants some to choose her for her and become the home she's been looking for. Little does she know that the guy who stopped to help her on the side of the road is that man.
Slade and Lila come to an agreement, get married to help Lila receive her trust fund so that her siblings don't get it. They divorce in a year and go their separate ways. But with the little things Slade does for Lila and how he keeps saying "My Wife", that is getting harder and harder to remember their agreement. Slade starts smiling more and starts getting possessive of his women. Its time for him to stop running scared and start running towards his forever.
I love a cowboy romance and this book had it in spades. I love these two characters and everything they stand for. Great job Kes Winter!! I can't to see what else you have in store for the Rhodes family!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I don’t know what kind of crack this author injects into these books but holy Mac, I am addicted. The previous book in this series was amazing and this was no different. This book is a master class in how to love your partner.
The way that Slade loves and cares for Lila? My heart melted like a bag of m&ms left out in the blazing sun. He protects her peace like it’s his job. She comes from a family that quite frankly are the definition of jerks and when they try to insult her in any way, he’s there rushing to her defence and absolutely eats and leaves no crumbs with what he says to them. It is highly entertaining and equally hilarious both to Lila and the reader.
After his mom passes, Slade decides that he doesn’t want to form attachments of any kind to protect his heart but when he meets Lila, that gets blown out of the water. He takes in a stranded, injured dog and basically has shared custody of said dog until they decide they’re going to get married (this is not a spoiler, it literally says marriage of convenience on the cover). Once they get together and finally get out of their own way, their love story will sweep you off your feet, have you smiling so hard your face hurts and swooning so hard you may just hit the floor.
Lila is so patient and caring towards Slade and treats him like the treasure that he is. This is a man who is not used to depending on other people or being taken care of and she helps bring out a softer side to him, that only she gets to see. She pushes him outside of his comfort zone and loves him for the person he is, not what he has and his fame.
This was absolute marriage of convenience/ forced proximity, found family perfection. I absolutely inhaled this and have zero regrets.
4.5⭐️
2🌶️
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for this advanced reader copy of the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The way that Slade loves and cares for Lila? My heart melted like a bag of m&ms left out in the blazing sun. He protects her peace like it’s his job. She comes from a family that quite frankly are the definition of jerks and when they try to insult her in any way, he’s there rushing to her defence and absolutely eats and leaves no crumbs with what he says to them. It is highly entertaining and equally hilarious both to Lila and the reader.
After his mom passes, Slade decides that he doesn’t want to form attachments of any kind to protect his heart but when he meets Lila, that gets blown out of the water. He takes in a stranded, injured dog and basically has shared custody of said dog until they decide they’re going to get married (this is not a spoiler, it literally says marriage of convenience on the cover). Once they get together and finally get out of their own way, their love story will sweep you off your feet, have you smiling so hard your face hurts and swooning so hard you may just hit the floor.
Lila is so patient and caring towards Slade and treats him like the treasure that he is. This is a man who is not used to depending on other people or being taken care of and she helps bring out a softer side to him, that only she gets to see. She pushes him outside of his comfort zone and loves him for the person he is, not what he has and his fame.
This was absolute marriage of convenience/ forced proximity, found family perfection. I absolutely inhaled this and have zero regrets.
4.5⭐️
2🌶️
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for this advanced reader copy of the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 12, 2026
📖Book Review📖
Heartland
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
***MAY CONTAIN POTENTIAL SPOILERS***
Thank you Kes for allowing to arc read a copy of this book.
I enjoyed this book, I have to say I’m not the biggest lover of cowboy romances but I did like this one.
I loved seeing Slade and Lila’s story, it was fun and heartbreaking at the same time.
This book is a slowwwwww burnnnnnnnnn but let me tell you when the spice hits, IT HITS. 🔥🥵 and the man has a dirty mouth 👄
The storyline was great and I loved seeing walker, Sadie and Jonah from book 1 as well as all the other side characters. Their banter together was immaculate and just the whole found family and closeness they all had was so nice.
I also liked how Kes wrote about Slades mum and what he went through and how he dealt with his emotions. It was written in a very mature and sensitive way.
It was a fast paced book and one I would definitely recommend, I’m excited to read the next book in the series, I hope it’s Tanners story but would be equally as happy to read Rafe and Josies story too.
The story was well written and fast paced with short chapters (which I love)
One I definitely recommend you read too x
Tropes
💍Marriage of convenience
💕Fake relationship
💪🏻Protective hero
🌓Grumpy x sunshine
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🏘️Small town
🧲Opposites attract
❤️🔥Slow burn
🌶️🔥Spicy
👥Dual POV
🤠Cowboy romance
🛏️Only one bed
💘🌵Western romance
🔀Strangers to lovers
😍he falls first
👑Independent heroine
💞Feel good romance
🫥Introvert
🚫No third act break up
🌵🏙️Cowboy x city girl
🥵“My wife”
🐶They adopt a dog together
🎉Grand gesture
☀️Sunshine animal lover fmc
😠🥹Gruff protective cinnamon roll mmc
💵🚪🗣️He pays for everything, opens every door and has flawless manners. But also has a filthy mouth
4⭐️
3.5/4🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
Heartland
Please check for any trigger warnings before you start this book. Your Mental Health is important.
***MAY CONTAIN POTENTIAL SPOILERS***
Thank you Kes for allowing to arc read a copy of this book.
I enjoyed this book, I have to say I’m not the biggest lover of cowboy romances but I did like this one.
I loved seeing Slade and Lila’s story, it was fun and heartbreaking at the same time.
This book is a slowwwwww burnnnnnnnnn but let me tell you when the spice hits, IT HITS. 🔥🥵 and the man has a dirty mouth 👄
The storyline was great and I loved seeing walker, Sadie and Jonah from book 1 as well as all the other side characters. Their banter together was immaculate and just the whole found family and closeness they all had was so nice.
I also liked how Kes wrote about Slades mum and what he went through and how he dealt with his emotions. It was written in a very mature and sensitive way.
It was a fast paced book and one I would definitely recommend, I’m excited to read the next book in the series, I hope it’s Tanners story but would be equally as happy to read Rafe and Josies story too.
The story was well written and fast paced with short chapters (which I love)
One I definitely recommend you read too x
Tropes
💍Marriage of convenience
💕Fake relationship
💪🏻Protective hero
🌓Grumpy x sunshine
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🏘️Small town
🧲Opposites attract
❤️🔥Slow burn
🌶️🔥Spicy
👥Dual POV
🤠Cowboy romance
🛏️Only one bed
💘🌵Western romance
🔀Strangers to lovers
😍he falls first
👑Independent heroine
💞Feel good romance
🫥Introvert
🚫No third act break up
🌵🏙️Cowboy x city girl
🥵“My wife”
🐶They adopt a dog together
🎉Grand gesture
☀️Sunshine animal lover fmc
😠🥹Gruff protective cinnamon roll mmc
💵🚪🗣️He pays for everything, opens every door and has flawless manners. But also has a filthy mouth
4⭐️
3.5/4🌶️
*Images are from Pinterest and are being used for book review aesthetic/purposes only.
July 13, 2026
Heartland Review ⛸️🖼️
I received an ARC for this book, so I want to thank Kes Winter and Grey Promotions for sending it to me.
I can honestly say that hockey players never disappoint! And if the hockey player happens to be the quiet, broody type? Even better.
Slade is terrified of commitment. That’s why he never stays with the same team for more than one season, why he avoids relationships, and why he never wants children. He’s too afraid of losing the people he loves. But what if taking that risk is worth it?
Lila is like a tornado in the best possible way. She’s young, owns her own interior design company, and spends her free time volunteering at the local animal shelter. The pink-haired girl is the last thing Slade expected… but exactly what he needed.
Slade is drawn to her from the very beginning. He can’t explain it, he just knows he wants to be around her. The more time they spend together, the more he wants. He agrees to co-parent a dog with her, lets her redesign his house, and before long, he realizes he can’t imagine his life without her.
After growing up in such a loving family, Lila knows exactly what she wants. She wants a partner who loves her wholeheartedly, a family of her own, a house full of rescued animals, and a future built on love. As she falls for Slade, she realizes she wants all of those things with him. The only problem is that he plans on leaving as soon as the season is over.
It takes time for them to find their footing, but once they do, they realize that love is worth making sacrifices for. They learn what truly matters and what they’re willing to fight for so they can build a future together.
I absolutely adored this book! Slade and Lila quickly became one of my favorite couples I’ve read in a long time. Their chemistry was amazing, their emotional growth felt genuine, and I loved watching Slade slowly let his walls come down for the right person.
This is an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me. ⛸️🖼️
I received an ARC for this book, so I want to thank Kes Winter and Grey Promotions for sending it to me.
I can honestly say that hockey players never disappoint! And if the hockey player happens to be the quiet, broody type? Even better.
Slade is terrified of commitment. That’s why he never stays with the same team for more than one season, why he avoids relationships, and why he never wants children. He’s too afraid of losing the people he loves. But what if taking that risk is worth it?
Lila is like a tornado in the best possible way. She’s young, owns her own interior design company, and spends her free time volunteering at the local animal shelter. The pink-haired girl is the last thing Slade expected… but exactly what he needed.
Slade is drawn to her from the very beginning. He can’t explain it, he just knows he wants to be around her. The more time they spend together, the more he wants. He agrees to co-parent a dog with her, lets her redesign his house, and before long, he realizes he can’t imagine his life without her.
After growing up in such a loving family, Lila knows exactly what she wants. She wants a partner who loves her wholeheartedly, a family of her own, a house full of rescued animals, and a future built on love. As she falls for Slade, she realizes she wants all of those things with him. The only problem is that he plans on leaving as soon as the season is over.
It takes time for them to find their footing, but once they do, they realize that love is worth making sacrifices for. They learn what truly matters and what they’re willing to fight for so they can build a future together.
I absolutely adored this book! Slade and Lila quickly became one of my favorite couples I’ve read in a long time. Their chemistry was amazing, their emotional growth felt genuine, and I loved watching Slade slowly let his walls come down for the right person.
This is an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me. ⛸️🖼️
July 16, 2026
Heartland is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series, and it completely stole my heart!
Lila and Slade are the perfect grumpy/sunshine pairing. A chance encounter leads to an unexpected marriage of convenience, and while they're instantly drawn to each other, both carry emotional baggage that keeps them guarded. Slade avoids commitment for fear of losing the people he loves, while Lila has spent her life relying only on herself after being rejected by her wealthy family and building a new life in Marble Falls.
As they settle into married life, they're determined to stick to the rules of their arrangement: a fake marriage with an expiration date. But it's impossible to ignore the way Slade quietly puts Lila first, caring for and prioritizing her in ways no one ever has. And for Slade, the house that once felt empty finally feels like a home with Lila in it. For the first time, he realizes he has someone worth committing to forever.
I loved the chemistry between these two from the very beginning! Watching them slowly realize that what started as a fake relationship had become something deeply real made me giddy 🥰 Lila finally finds a place where she can be unapologetically herself, surrounded by people who love and accept her, while Slade learns that putting down roots and opening his heart isn't nearly as frightening as he once believed.
I also loved spending more time with the Rhodes family. The dynamic between them all was so enjoyable, and the little teases for future books in the series have me even more excited to continue - I need to know whose book is next!!
Heartland is a heartfelt small-town cowboy romance filled with found family, emotional healing, and a swoon-worthy love story. If you love marriage-of-convenience romances with plenty of heart, this is one you won't want to miss. 💗
4.5 🌟
Thank you to Kes Winter & Grey’s promotions for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ☺️
Lila and Slade are the perfect grumpy/sunshine pairing. A chance encounter leads to an unexpected marriage of convenience, and while they're instantly drawn to each other, both carry emotional baggage that keeps them guarded. Slade avoids commitment for fear of losing the people he loves, while Lila has spent her life relying only on herself after being rejected by her wealthy family and building a new life in Marble Falls.
As they settle into married life, they're determined to stick to the rules of their arrangement: a fake marriage with an expiration date. But it's impossible to ignore the way Slade quietly puts Lila first, caring for and prioritizing her in ways no one ever has. And for Slade, the house that once felt empty finally feels like a home with Lila in it. For the first time, he realizes he has someone worth committing to forever.
I loved the chemistry between these two from the very beginning! Watching them slowly realize that what started as a fake relationship had become something deeply real made me giddy 🥰 Lila finally finds a place where she can be unapologetically herself, surrounded by people who love and accept her, while Slade learns that putting down roots and opening his heart isn't nearly as frightening as he once believed.
I also loved spending more time with the Rhodes family. The dynamic between them all was so enjoyable, and the little teases for future books in the series have me even more excited to continue - I need to know whose book is next!!
Heartland is a heartfelt small-town cowboy romance filled with found family, emotional healing, and a swoon-worthy love story. If you love marriage-of-convenience romances with plenty of heart, this is one you won't want to miss. 💗
4.5 🌟
Thank you to Kes Winter & Grey’s promotions for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ☺️
July 17, 2026
Lila was such a refreshing FMC. From the very beginning, her kindness and willingness to put others before herself immediately stood out. The way she stopped everything to help an injured dog, even while she was supposed to be attending a charity event, perfectly showed the type of person she was — someone with a huge heart who genuinely cared.
Her journey was not just about escaping her toxic family situation or gaining independence; it was about finally finding a place where she felt accepted, valued, and loved for exactly who she was.
Then we have Slade Rhodes… the grumpy cowboy who absolutely convinced himself this marriage was just an arrangement. 😂
The funniest part was watching him slowly fall for Lila while completely refusing to acknowledge it. He starts the story believing there are rules, boundaries, and an expiration date, but his actions tell a completely different story.
Because this man:
💍 buys her a beautiful ring
🐶 rescues a dog with her
🍳 cooks for her
🏡 introduces her proudly as his wife
🤍 protects her and makes her feel cherished
Sir… that sounds a lot like love to me.
I really enjoyed the slow burn between Lila and Slade because their relationship developed naturally. They started as two people helping each other, but somewhere along the way they became each other’s safe place.
The found family aspect was also something I loved. The warmth of the ranch, the family dynamics, and the feeling of belonging gave this story such a comforting small-town romance atmosphere.
✨ Tropes I loved:
🤍 Marriage of Convenience
🤍 Fake Relationship
🤍 Grumpy x Sunshine
🤍 Opposites Attract
🤍 Slow Burn Romance
🤍 Protective Hero
🤍 Found Family
🤍 Small Town Romance
This was such a sweet, spicy, and heartwarming cowboy romance about finding love in the most unexpected place.
Sometimes the person you never planned on keeping becomes the person you never want to let go. 🤍
Her journey was not just about escaping her toxic family situation or gaining independence; it was about finally finding a place where she felt accepted, valued, and loved for exactly who she was.
Then we have Slade Rhodes… the grumpy cowboy who absolutely convinced himself this marriage was just an arrangement. 😂
The funniest part was watching him slowly fall for Lila while completely refusing to acknowledge it. He starts the story believing there are rules, boundaries, and an expiration date, but his actions tell a completely different story.
Because this man:
💍 buys her a beautiful ring
🐶 rescues a dog with her
🍳 cooks for her
🏡 introduces her proudly as his wife
🤍 protects her and makes her feel cherished
Sir… that sounds a lot like love to me.
I really enjoyed the slow burn between Lila and Slade because their relationship developed naturally. They started as two people helping each other, but somewhere along the way they became each other’s safe place.
The found family aspect was also something I loved. The warmth of the ranch, the family dynamics, and the feeling of belonging gave this story such a comforting small-town romance atmosphere.
✨ Tropes I loved:
🤍 Marriage of Convenience
🤍 Fake Relationship
🤍 Grumpy x Sunshine
🤍 Opposites Attract
🤍 Slow Burn Romance
🤍 Protective Hero
🤍 Found Family
🤍 Small Town Romance
This was such a sweet, spicy, and heartwarming cowboy romance about finding love in the most unexpected place.
Sometimes the person you never planned on keeping becomes the person you never want to let go. 🤍
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in fictional Marble Falls, Montana, Lila and Slade are immediately attracted to each other when they meet. But Slade is only home until the next hockey season starts back up (and has deep emotional damage from the lose of his mother). When they keep interacting over the coming weeks, he learns that Lila needs to marry in the next month or her siblings will get her family trust. Lila would just donate the money to worthy causes, but she doesn't have a boyfriend and has resigned herself to the reality. Slade steps in and proposes a solution: they marry, she gains access to her trust and donates the funds, and they divorce before his hockey season in less than a year. No emotions involved and no problems. However, they both find this plan immediately not working when their attraction to each other just keeps increasing as they get to know each other. Eventually, Slade has to decide if he can open his heart and date his wife or if he'll let the woman he loves go.
This was so much fun! I loved the tension building until they finally came together! It was feeling a little too insta-love at first for me, so the time after their marriage before their relationship became physical was really helpful from my perspective. I loved all the moments with his family! I can't wait to read more in this series!
This western romance features:
🤠 Marriage of convenience (an all time fav trope for me that worked great here)
🤠 Grumpy x sunshine
🤠 Pro hockey player (defenseman) cowboy x interior designer
🤠 Complicated family dynamics
🤠 Rescue animals
🤠 Age gap (10 years)
🤠 Part of a series (I read this one first and now plan to read the whole series)
Open door / spicy!
5 / 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!
This was so much fun! I loved the tension building until they finally came together! It was feeling a little too insta-love at first for me, so the time after their marriage before their relationship became physical was really helpful from my perspective. I loved all the moments with his family! I can't wait to read more in this series!
This western romance features:
🤠 Marriage of convenience (an all time fav trope for me that worked great here)
🤠 Grumpy x sunshine
🤠 Pro hockey player (defenseman) cowboy x interior designer
🤠 Complicated family dynamics
🤠 Rescue animals
🤠 Age gap (10 years)
🤠 Part of a series (I read this one first and now plan to read the whole series)
Open door / spicy!
5 / 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this ARC through NetGalley, so a huge thank you to NetGalley and Kes Winter for the opportunity to read this incredible book.
Heartland is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series by Kes Winter. I haven't read book one (Heartstrings), and I can confidently say that you don't need to have read it to enjoy Heartland. That said, I immediately ran to Amazon and bought Heartstrings because I absolutely need more of this world!
From the very first page to the last, I was completely hooked. Kes Winter's writing is beautiful, and the characters are so lovable and unforgettable—even Lucky stole my heart. This book had me laughing, crying, and grinning all within the same chapter.
If you love small-town romance, cowboys, fake marriage, and found family, this book is a must-read. It's packed with heartwarming and emotional moments, a stunning setting, and all the cosy, feel-good vibes you could want.
Slade is smoking hot in more ways than one. 🥵 A professional hockey player during the season and a cowboy on his family's ranch the rest of the year, he initially comes across as the quiet, independent type. But when Lila enters his life, she helps him see just how colourful and fulfilling life can be. Beneath his tough exterior is a golden retriever hero who loves with his whole heart and is fiercely protective of the woman he loves.
Lila is kind, gentle, and impossible not to root for. She's always been treated as the black sheep of her family, never truly fitting in despite having the biggest heart. Over the years, she lost herself trying to meet their expectations—until Slade becomes the cowboy who reminds her of her worth and gives her the love and support she's always deserved.
I adored every second of this book. I can't wait to dive into Heartstrings, and I'll be counting down the days until book three is released. ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heartland is the second book in the Wild Rose Ranch series by Kes Winter. I haven't read book one (Heartstrings), and I can confidently say that you don't need to have read it to enjoy Heartland. That said, I immediately ran to Amazon and bought Heartstrings because I absolutely need more of this world!
From the very first page to the last, I was completely hooked. Kes Winter's writing is beautiful, and the characters are so lovable and unforgettable—even Lucky stole my heart. This book had me laughing, crying, and grinning all within the same chapter.
If you love small-town romance, cowboys, fake marriage, and found family, this book is a must-read. It's packed with heartwarming and emotional moments, a stunning setting, and all the cosy, feel-good vibes you could want.
Slade is smoking hot in more ways than one. 🥵 A professional hockey player during the season and a cowboy on his family's ranch the rest of the year, he initially comes across as the quiet, independent type. But when Lila enters his life, she helps him see just how colourful and fulfilling life can be. Beneath his tough exterior is a golden retriever hero who loves with his whole heart and is fiercely protective of the woman he loves.
Lila is kind, gentle, and impossible not to root for. She's always been treated as the black sheep of her family, never truly fitting in despite having the biggest heart. Over the years, she lost herself trying to meet their expectations—until Slade becomes the cowboy who reminds her of her worth and gives her the love and support she's always deserved.
I adored every second of this book. I can't wait to dive into Heartstrings, and I'll be counting down the days until book three is released. ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 10, 2026
* Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heartland by Kes Winter is a very cozy and also a bit spicy romance novel.
Our FMC Lila recently moved to town setting up a business as interior designer. She comes from old money but has mostly cut ties with her family. The MMC Slade grew up in town on his families ranch where he is currently recovering from shoulder surgery due to a hockey injury. He plans town continue his NHL career in Denver as soon as the next season starts.
Lila and Slade have their meet cute on the side of a road where they rescue an injured stray dog together. Things heat up a while later when Slade suggests a fake marriage to enable Lila accessing a trust fund set up by her family...
This story is truly a feel good romance. We get a dual POV which allows us to see how much these characters care about each other from the start. There is not only physical attraction but also a very deep emotional connection forming between Lila and Slade which we get to experience in small and big moments throughout their first few weeks and month together. The Rhodes family is just so precious, I love how supportive they are of our MMCs even though they know the marriage is supposed to be fake. The Sherwood family is the only toxic thing in this book but I love how Slade handles them - it was just so funny.
The reason I give this book five stars is the relationship between the MMCs: Lila and Slade are so authentic, I understand their concerns and struggles. They never loose hope though and that is what makes this story an absolute delight. There is no overly dramatic, unnecessary third act breakup - our couple faces their struggles and works them out together. May this kind of love hit me like a freight train please...
All things considered this is an amazing, feel good love story that I will absolutey recommend to everyone from now on.
Heartland by Kes Winter is a very cozy and also a bit spicy romance novel.
Our FMC Lila recently moved to town setting up a business as interior designer. She comes from old money but has mostly cut ties with her family. The MMC Slade grew up in town on his families ranch where he is currently recovering from shoulder surgery due to a hockey injury. He plans town continue his NHL career in Denver as soon as the next season starts.
Lila and Slade have their meet cute on the side of a road where they rescue an injured stray dog together. Things heat up a while later when Slade suggests a fake marriage to enable Lila accessing a trust fund set up by her family...
This story is truly a feel good romance. We get a dual POV which allows us to see how much these characters care about each other from the start. There is not only physical attraction but also a very deep emotional connection forming between Lila and Slade which we get to experience in small and big moments throughout their first few weeks and month together. The Rhodes family is just so precious, I love how supportive they are of our MMCs even though they know the marriage is supposed to be fake. The Sherwood family is the only toxic thing in this book but I love how Slade handles them - it was just so funny.
The reason I give this book five stars is the relationship between the MMCs: Lila and Slade are so authentic, I understand their concerns and struggles. They never loose hope though and that is what makes this story an absolute delight. There is no overly dramatic, unnecessary third act breakup - our couple faces their struggles and works them out together. May this kind of love hit me like a freight train please...
All things considered this is an amazing, feel good love story that I will absolutey recommend to everyone from now on.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It was fun to return to the world of Wild Rose Ranch and the Rhodes family after reading and enjoying Book 1, Heart Strings, earlier this year. ☺️
This time, Heartland follows another of the Rhodes brothers, Slade, who somehow manages to deliver both cowboy and hockey player hotness. He splits his time between working on the family ranch and playing professional ice hockey. 🏒 🤠
Our FMC, Lila, is a loveable pink-haired interior designer who has recently moved to the area and owns her own vintage-inspired design business. 🪞🪴
I’m forever a fan of a marriage of convenience trope, and overall it was done well. However, around the halfway point I did find myself wondering when the spice was finally going to arrive… Slade was determined to be a gentleman for as long as possible, but I was more than ready for him to give in. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait too much longer! The spicy scenes are good, and Slade is dreamy in the way he likes to be in control but also tender and caring. 🩷
Towards the end, I did feel things became a little too sweet for my taste. The declarations of love started to feel slightly over the top, but I do think this is one of those books that’s just easy to sink into and enjoy. It’s full of romance, great chemistry, and feel-good vibes, so it’s best to embrace it for what it is. And while there’s plenty of sweetness, Kes Winter definitely knows how to write a fantastic smutty scene too! 🌶️
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series. The little hints we got about the other members of the Rhodes family have me so intrigued, so I’m excited to find out what happens next.
Thank you Kes Winter and Grey’s Promotions for the ARC. 💕
This time, Heartland follows another of the Rhodes brothers, Slade, who somehow manages to deliver both cowboy and hockey player hotness. He splits his time between working on the family ranch and playing professional ice hockey. 🏒 🤠
Our FMC, Lila, is a loveable pink-haired interior designer who has recently moved to the area and owns her own vintage-inspired design business. 🪞🪴
I’m forever a fan of a marriage of convenience trope, and overall it was done well. However, around the halfway point I did find myself wondering when the spice was finally going to arrive… Slade was determined to be a gentleman for as long as possible, but I was more than ready for him to give in. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait too much longer! The spicy scenes are good, and Slade is dreamy in the way he likes to be in control but also tender and caring. 🩷
Towards the end, I did feel things became a little too sweet for my taste. The declarations of love started to feel slightly over the top, but I do think this is one of those books that’s just easy to sink into and enjoy. It’s full of romance, great chemistry, and feel-good vibes, so it’s best to embrace it for what it is. And while there’s plenty of sweetness, Kes Winter definitely knows how to write a fantastic smutty scene too! 🌶️
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series. The little hints we got about the other members of the Rhodes family have me so intrigued, so I’m excited to find out what happens next.
Thank you Kes Winter and Grey’s Promotions for the ARC. 💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heartland is the second book on the Wild Rose Ranch series, it can be read as a standalone. The story is about fake marriage, force proximity, found family, small town.
Slade and Lila meet while trying to help a stray dog. She is dressed as a bunny for a charity event and ends up getting lock out of her car. He jumps in to help and gives her a ride as they are helping Lucky, the dog.
What starts as a easy relationship with Lucky as a connection develops into something more. Slade wanting her present in his life hires her to decorate his house. Lila trying to make a life of her own with her rich family involvement is caught in a sticky situation. If she is not married by her next birthday, a month away, her 5M trust fund goes to her brother and sister. Both are desperate for the money that they already consider theirs.
Our NHL cowboy Slade jumps in and propose a marriage to ensure she gets her trust fund. His lovely family knows is is "fake" but they make everything to make it real. He is everything her family doesn't want. They make it all look real and ensure it is everything her family will not like it.
Their force proximity, shared the house, Lucky and his family always ready to jump in, pushes them even closer. They both want each other but are always willing to keep a part as part of their deal until they aren't. They both communicate very well what they want and expect from each other. The Rhodes family is becoming a favorite cannot wait for more! Please sign me up!
Story is told in a Dual POV.
I really want more on Rafe and Josie story!
Thank you ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, the author and Netgalley for the advance copy.
Slade and Lila meet while trying to help a stray dog. She is dressed as a bunny for a charity event and ends up getting lock out of her car. He jumps in to help and gives her a ride as they are helping Lucky, the dog.
What starts as a easy relationship with Lucky as a connection develops into something more. Slade wanting her present in his life hires her to decorate his house. Lila trying to make a life of her own with her rich family involvement is caught in a sticky situation. If she is not married by her next birthday, a month away, her 5M trust fund goes to her brother and sister. Both are desperate for the money that they already consider theirs.
Our NHL cowboy Slade jumps in and propose a marriage to ensure she gets her trust fund. His lovely family knows is is "fake" but they make everything to make it real. He is everything her family doesn't want. They make it all look real and ensure it is everything her family will not like it.
Their force proximity, shared the house, Lucky and his family always ready to jump in, pushes them even closer. They both want each other but are always willing to keep a part as part of their deal until they aren't. They both communicate very well what they want and expect from each other. The Rhodes family is becoming a favorite cannot wait for more! Please sign me up!
Story is told in a Dual POV.
I really want more on Rafe and Josie story!
Thank you ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, the author and Netgalley for the advance copy.
July 19, 2026
Umm.. i have words. Words that describe how beautifully written this book was. Like I loved pretty much everything about this book. The main characters had depth, had understanding, had their own careers, both grew so much within the span of the book that it made me so happy and giddy for them. I love the instant attraction, the instant crush but what I loved more was that it wasn't necessarily love at first sight. It was crush, attraction and then getting to know each other more.
I love Slade. I love how he started to open up and share his vulnerabilities and fears with Lila. At first he didn't because of past trauma but slowly and surely he started to open up and I LOVE how Lila didn't push him. She asked leading questions but never pushed more than he was ready for. I love how steady she was to him and how she really showcased to him that it's okay to be vulnerable.
I loved Lila. I love how steady she was. I love that she followed her heart and is doing what she set out to do and what she loves. I love how confident she is in herself and how she won't let herself go back to a situation that hurt her. I love how she stands up for herself and love that she was able to find her own family.
I loved them together! I loved the timeline. It felt real and not rushed at all. I do wish we got to see more of Lila in her natural working habitat. I would have loved to see her picking up furniture for Slade's home. I wish we got to see Slade in hockey gear, practicing. I wanted more of the family involved more (they were so fun lol). I do love how there is no third act breakup.
Overall, a wonderful read!
I love Slade. I love how he started to open up and share his vulnerabilities and fears with Lila. At first he didn't because of past trauma but slowly and surely he started to open up and I LOVE how Lila didn't push him. She asked leading questions but never pushed more than he was ready for. I love how steady she was to him and how she really showcased to him that it's okay to be vulnerable.
I loved Lila. I love how steady she was. I love that she followed her heart and is doing what she set out to do and what she loves. I love how confident she is in herself and how she won't let herself go back to a situation that hurt her. I love how she stands up for herself and love that she was able to find her own family.
I loved them together! I loved the timeline. It felt real and not rushed at all. I do wish we got to see more of Lila in her natural working habitat. I would have loved to see her picking up furniture for Slade's home. I wish we got to see Slade in hockey gear, practicing. I wanted more of the family involved more (they were so fun lol). I do love how there is no third act breakup.
Overall, a wonderful read!
August 6, 2026
Saddle up because this book completely stole my heart. 🤠💐
I went into Heartland expecting a sweet cowboy romance... and came out with an emotional support book.
Kes Winter absolutely nailed the perfect mix of small-town charm, ranch life, swoony romance, and emotional depth. From the very first chapter, I felt like I was right there in Heartland, surrounded by wide-open fields, unforgettable characters, and a love story that slowly wrapped itself around my heart.
The chemistry between the main characters was EVERYTHING. The banter? Top tier. The tension? Delicious. The quiet moments? Somehow even better. Watching them fall in love felt so natural that I couldn't stop smiling... until Kes Winter decided to absolutely destroy my emotions.
The found family, the healing, the vulnerability, the unwavering love—it all felt so authentic. This wasn't just about romance; it was about finding a place to belong and learning to let someone love every broken piece of you.
And can we talk about the cowboy vibes for a second? Boots, horses, sunsets, protective cowboy energy... say less. 🤠✨
This book had me:
💛 Kicking my feet.
😭 Crying over fictional people.
🤭 Giggling at the flirting.
📖 Saying "one more chapter" until it was way past my bedtime.
If you're looking for a romance that feels like a warm hug while simultaneously putting your heart through the emotional wringer, Heartland deserves a spot on your TBR.
Kes Winter didn't just write a love story—she created a place I never wanted to leave. And now I'm left with the world's biggest book hangover, wondering how I'm supposed to move on from these characters.
Cowboy romances are officially my personality now. 🌾🤍🐎
I went into Heartland expecting a sweet cowboy romance... and came out with an emotional support book.
Kes Winter absolutely nailed the perfect mix of small-town charm, ranch life, swoony romance, and emotional depth. From the very first chapter, I felt like I was right there in Heartland, surrounded by wide-open fields, unforgettable characters, and a love story that slowly wrapped itself around my heart.
The chemistry between the main characters was EVERYTHING. The banter? Top tier. The tension? Delicious. The quiet moments? Somehow even better. Watching them fall in love felt so natural that I couldn't stop smiling... until Kes Winter decided to absolutely destroy my emotions.
The found family, the healing, the vulnerability, the unwavering love—it all felt so authentic. This wasn't just about romance; it was about finding a place to belong and learning to let someone love every broken piece of you.
And can we talk about the cowboy vibes for a second? Boots, horses, sunsets, protective cowboy energy... say less. 🤠✨
This book had me:
💛 Kicking my feet.
😭 Crying over fictional people.
🤭 Giggling at the flirting.
📖 Saying "one more chapter" until it was way past my bedtime.
If you're looking for a romance that feels like a warm hug while simultaneously putting your heart through the emotional wringer, Heartland deserves a spot on your TBR.
Kes Winter didn't just write a love story—she created a place I never wanted to leave. And now I'm left with the world's biggest book hangover, wondering how I'm supposed to move on from these characters.
Cowboy romances are officially my personality now. 🌾🤍🐎
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