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Down To Ember
Ember doesn't do roots. She doesn't do trust. And she definitely doesn't do love. Then she ends up on a ranch in the middle of nowhere, working for a brooding cowboy who already has every reason to hate her.
Ryatt has spent just as long building something worth staying for. His land, his horses, his carefully quiet life. The last thing he needs is a wild-haired, sharp-tongued woman turning everything upside down, especially one hiding secrets that could burn it all to the ground.
But there's something between them that neither one can outrun.
Down to Ember is a romance about two broken people who find in each other the one thing they never thought to look for, a reason to stop running and finally come home.
Ryatt has spent just as long building something worth staying for. His land, his horses, his carefully quiet life. The last thing he needs is a wild-haired, sharp-tongued woman turning everything upside down, especially one hiding secrets that could burn it all to the ground.
But there's something between them that neither one can outrun.
Down to Ember is a romance about two broken people who find in each other the one thing they never thought to look for, a reason to stop running and finally come home.
- GenresWesterns
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 27, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
Wow this book had me hooked! I couldn’t put it down! Stayed up late and finished in one day!!
Wow this book had me hooked! I couldn’t put it down! Stayed up late and finished in one day!!
September 3, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
This was a fun, spicy, western read & I loved it 🤪
It wasn’t as dark as I was expecting but I didn’t mind that at all & it didn’t impact the rating what so ever.
I was intrigued the whole entire book. There was a suspense aspect to it that I was really vibing with.
The FMC is giving the red head in the new season of Ransom Canyon (the bad ass parts of her) and I LOVED IT.
She does whatever she has to do to survive after having a really tough upbringing and start to adulthood but only targeting bad men. She meets a guy in a bar one night, hooks up with him, and then finds an engagement ring in the back of his truck…🫣
Turns out just before they met at this bar he was going to propose to his girlfriend but found her cheating on him with his bestfriend 💀
Our FMC didn’t know this, thought the worst, stole the ring & went on her way. UNTIL, she runs into him years later and ends up staying on his ranch to make up for the stolen family heirloom. Things go DOWN….👀
The spice was GOOD. The tension was GOOD. I really enjoyed it. Super easy read & the audio was decent!!
This was a fun, spicy, western read & I loved it 🤪
It wasn’t as dark as I was expecting but I didn’t mind that at all & it didn’t impact the rating what so ever.
I was intrigued the whole entire book. There was a suspense aspect to it that I was really vibing with.
The FMC is giving the red head in the new season of Ransom Canyon (the bad ass parts of her) and I LOVED IT.
She does whatever she has to do to survive after having a really tough upbringing and start to adulthood but only targeting bad men. She meets a guy in a bar one night, hooks up with him, and then finds an engagement ring in the back of his truck…🫣
Turns out just before they met at this bar he was going to propose to his girlfriend but found her cheating on him with his bestfriend 💀
Our FMC didn’t know this, thought the worst, stole the ring & went on her way. UNTIL, she runs into him years later and ends up staying on his ranch to make up for the stolen family heirloom. Things go DOWN….👀
The spice was GOOD. The tension was GOOD. I really enjoyed it. Super easy read & the audio was decent!!
October 15, 2026
This was such a fun read. So much more than just a cowboy romance. The FMC had me laughing so much throughout this and her trauma hurt my heart for her! I really hope River gets her own book, I loved her!!
August 31, 2026
Such a fantastic romantic suspense story! I was gripped the entire way through. So impressed that this a debut novel and can’t wait to read more from this author!
September 13, 2026
Down to Ember by J. Rollins can be described as:
🤠 Dark Cowboy Romance
🖤 Morally Gray FMC
🤠 Cowboy/Bull Rider MMC
🖤 Second Chance
🤠 Woman on the Run
🖤 Suspense
My honest opinions:
This highly captivating cowboy romance and had so many twisty moments, it kept me flipping pages and I just could not put it down. I also listened along with the audiobook. The female narrator did a great job throughout. My only small concern was there could have been a bit more distinction between the female and male voices, but it did not deter me from enjoying it overall.
The FMC, Ember, has been running from her tragic past for years and now has grown into being one hell of a badass woman. I thought her character/storyline was so exciting to read in that she didn’t cower or back down from anything and chose to be stronger despite it. It was also quite unique to read a story where the woman is definitely the morally gray one, rather than the man!
The MMC, Ryatt, was a skilled bull-rider/cowboy, who got his heart broken by his cheating girlfriend. Devastated, he goes to the local bar and hits it off with Ember. This hot one-night stand takes a bad turn when Ember steals something precious from him. He then has a career ending injury and decides to start a horse training ranch. Some years later, Ember waltzes back into his life, running from her past again. But this cowboy is still so hung up on her, despite the fact she stole from him, that he tries to protect her and keep her from running once again by giving her a safe place to land on his ranch.
Their connection is an on-again/off-again enemies to lovers, full of banter, angst, and a protectiveness found in both characters. They have immediately chemistry and the spice was spicing!!! There were quite a few scenes in this book and I thought the author did a great job keeping the balance of plot and spice. 4🌶️
I really enjoyed the suspense aspects in this book too! In a way, you kinda know what’s gonna happen, but it still shocked me how it all goes down in the end. Believe me… Ember is NO victim!! It was thrilling to read. I also loved the side characters and cannot wait to get more of Ryatt’s sister, River, and this
🤠 Dark Cowboy Romance
🖤 Morally Gray FMC
🤠 Cowboy/Bull Rider MMC
🖤 Second Chance
🤠 Woman on the Run
🖤 Suspense
My honest opinions:
This highly captivating cowboy romance and had so many twisty moments, it kept me flipping pages and I just could not put it down. I also listened along with the audiobook. The female narrator did a great job throughout. My only small concern was there could have been a bit more distinction between the female and male voices, but it did not deter me from enjoying it overall.
The FMC, Ember, has been running from her tragic past for years and now has grown into being one hell of a badass woman. I thought her character/storyline was so exciting to read in that she didn’t cower or back down from anything and chose to be stronger despite it. It was also quite unique to read a story where the woman is definitely the morally gray one, rather than the man!
The MMC, Ryatt, was a skilled bull-rider/cowboy, who got his heart broken by his cheating girlfriend. Devastated, he goes to the local bar and hits it off with Ember. This hot one-night stand takes a bad turn when Ember steals something precious from him. He then has a career ending injury and decides to start a horse training ranch. Some years later, Ember waltzes back into his life, running from her past again. But this cowboy is still so hung up on her, despite the fact she stole from him, that he tries to protect her and keep her from running once again by giving her a safe place to land on his ranch.
Their connection is an on-again/off-again enemies to lovers, full of banter, angst, and a protectiveness found in both characters. They have immediately chemistry and the spice was spicing!!! There were quite a few scenes in this book and I thought the author did a great job keeping the balance of plot and spice. 4🌶️
I really enjoyed the suspense aspects in this book too! In a way, you kinda know what’s gonna happen, but it still shocked me how it all goes down in the end. Believe me… Ember is NO victim!! It was thrilling to read. I also loved the side characters and cannot wait to get more of Ryatt’s sister, River, and this
October 2, 2026
This was such a good debut novel!! Congrats to the author you smashed it!☺️
I absolutely loved Ember and Ryatts story, how they met, then ten years later when they see each other again, erg it was perfect.
Embers story is absolutely heartbreaking and I felt for her so deeply, after everything she went through being the boss ass bitch she was? Yeah big time respect. I love how she was strong, determined and never backed down but I also absolutely loved how she let herself eventually be soft with Ryatt. Talking of Ryatt… swoon. I loved that dirty mouthed cowboy.
I honestly think this book could have been a hundred pages longer because the ending did feel abit rushed and that is my only gripe about the book. I just wished we got more in depth feelings and emotions after everything happened.
However, I can’t wait to read more of this authors work, I really hope we get rivers story 🖤
If you’re a fan of:
🖤 A really hard and emotional backstory
🖤 Ranch life
🖤 A dirty talking cowboy
🖤 And a story of trying to understand who you are after years of not knowing yourself… I think you’ll love this.
⚠️ Check triggers because some parts of this are dark ‼️
I absolutely loved Ember and Ryatts story, how they met, then ten years later when they see each other again, erg it was perfect.
Embers story is absolutely heartbreaking and I felt for her so deeply, after everything she went through being the boss ass bitch she was? Yeah big time respect. I love how she was strong, determined and never backed down but I also absolutely loved how she let herself eventually be soft with Ryatt. Talking of Ryatt… swoon. I loved that dirty mouthed cowboy.
I honestly think this book could have been a hundred pages longer because the ending did feel abit rushed and that is my only gripe about the book. I just wished we got more in depth feelings and emotions after everything happened.
However, I can’t wait to read more of this authors work, I really hope we get rivers story 🖤
If you’re a fan of:
🖤 A really hard and emotional backstory
🖤 Ranch life
🖤 A dirty talking cowboy
🖤 And a story of trying to understand who you are after years of not knowing yourself… I think you’ll love this.
⚠️ Check triggers because some parts of this are dark ‼️
September 14, 2026
Well, this was my first book from J. Rollins and I have to say this girl can write!!!!! I absolutely fell in love with this story! I couldnt put it down. I read it all in one day! This is one story I wish I could read again for the first time!
I loved the characters so so much. I laughed out loud with all the sarcasm and banter. I loved the tension, the back story, the slow burn and spice, found family, suspence/drama that came along with all of them. I seriously don’t think there was anything about this story I didn’t like.
The MFC, Ember/Daisy/Cat is hilarious. I love her spunky determination after a lifetime of a hard knocks with family, men and just bad circumstances. She is a rebel that did what she had to do to survive.
The MMC, Ryatt is a hard working ex bull rider that runs a family ranch that has stayed single for years after his ex betrayed him. I fell in love with this character!!!
Their story of how they met and their journey is AMAZING! You will love this story.
I loved the characters so so much. I laughed out loud with all the sarcasm and banter. I loved the tension, the back story, the slow burn and spice, found family, suspence/drama that came along with all of them. I seriously don’t think there was anything about this story I didn’t like.
The MFC, Ember/Daisy/Cat is hilarious. I love her spunky determination after a lifetime of a hard knocks with family, men and just bad circumstances. She is a rebel that did what she had to do to survive.
The MMC, Ryatt is a hard working ex bull rider that runs a family ranch that has stayed single for years after his ex betrayed him. I fell in love with this character!!!
Their story of how they met and their journey is AMAZING! You will love this story.
July 3, 2026
HOLY HOTNESS! 🥵
I’m still in shock this is the author’s FIRST book!!
-Trauma
-Hot cowboy 🤠
-Delicious spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
To say Ember has had a rough childhood is putting it mildly. She meets Ryatt (love his name btw) in a bar, and they have AMAZING chemistry! Unfortunately, when she leaves, he’s not too happy with her.
Years down the road and states away, Ember answers an add to work on a ranch. She had NO clue Ryatt would be the owner and their chemistry did NOT go away!
Ember is (rightfully so) extremely skittish and doesn’t trust easily. Ryatt struggles between being angry at her and WANTING her.
I loved watching Ember grow more confident and more trusting as time went on and yet still stay her bad*ss self.
I hope there’s another book coming with Ryatt’s twin sister River because I LOVE HER!!!
I’m still in shock this is the author’s FIRST book!!
-Trauma
-Hot cowboy 🤠
-Delicious spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
To say Ember has had a rough childhood is putting it mildly. She meets Ryatt (love his name btw) in a bar, and they have AMAZING chemistry! Unfortunately, when she leaves, he’s not too happy with her.
Years down the road and states away, Ember answers an add to work on a ranch. She had NO clue Ryatt would be the owner and their chemistry did NOT go away!
Ember is (rightfully so) extremely skittish and doesn’t trust easily. Ryatt struggles between being angry at her and WANTING her.
I loved watching Ember grow more confident and more trusting as time went on and yet still stay her bad*ss self.
I hope there’s another book coming with Ryatt’s twin sister River because I LOVE HER!!!
September 1, 2026
I wasn't expecting to be hooked right away, but Down to Ember completely took me by surprise. The story was different from what I expected based on how it was marketed, but in the best way. I became fully engrossed and genuinely couldn't put it down. Ember has endured a terrible childhood and has spent her life learning how to survive and overcome what she's been through. Then she meets an oh-so-sexy cowboy who shows her a life she never imagined she could have. I loved how strongly Ember was written. She wasn't a pushover or someone who needed saving, she was strong and resilient, even while carrying a past she couldn't simply run from. The story was raw and emotional while still being incredibly entertaining, and I was completely invested in Ember's journey. A pleasant surprise and a story that completely pulled me in. Very well done!
October 4, 2026
I rated this book 4.5 ⭐️! I was ADDICTED from chapter one. This author did an amazing job at mentioning such dark topics and without minimizing it.. The characters has a bit of a tug and pull but that MADE SENSE! I loved Ember, she was strong because she had to be and soft as soon as she realized it was safe to be, genuinely had such amazing character growth. ❣️ I loved our MMC too but it’s something about the women in this book because I LOVED our fellow firecracker River and I can’t wait to stay in this world and learn more about her. This was a quick read, but nothing felt rushed, it was the perfect size for what was going out. This author did an amazing job at writing pain, spicy scenes 🌶️ ( and I mean SPICY), healing, being toxic and finding love in a way that just blended together.
August 20, 2026
This book had me completely hooked from the beginning and honestly I didn’t want to put it down. The story between Ryatt & Ember had me swooning one minute and stressing the next, and the chemistry between the characters was EVERYTHING!!!
I also really loved the darker themes woven throughout the story. They added so much more depth to the backstory of Ember and made the book feel like more than just a romance
And Ryatt? Yeah… I’m obsessed 🫠🤎
If you love cowboy romance, small-town romance, protective men, emotional storylines, spicy chemistry and a little darkness, this is definitely one to add to your TBR ✨
I also really loved the darker themes woven throughout the story. They added so much more depth to the backstory of Ember and made the book feel like more than just a romance
And Ryatt? Yeah… I’m obsessed 🫠🤎
If you love cowboy romance, small-town romance, protective men, emotional storylines, spicy chemistry and a little darkness, this is definitely one to add to your TBR ✨
August 30, 2026
Holy Sh*t! I cannot believe this a debt novel! Down To Ember kept me on the edge of a seat the whole time, I usually am pretty good and picking up on things and knowing where things are going but this one has me fooled! Ember is one tough cookie who fought her way out of the hell she grew up in and Ryatt was the dreamiest book boyfriend ready to catch her and fight all Ember’s demons right beside her. It’s the prefect mix of dark, spicy, swoony, so much banter and found family. I loved every minute of reading and so excited to see what J. Rollins does next!
August 30, 2026
First off, thank you J Rollins for gifting the audiobook to me in audible! This book had me hooked from start to finish! Total listening time was about 3 hours for me but it took me a few days to finish because I was reading other books in between. Ryatt is a retired Bull rider and Ember well let’s just say she likes to ride 😝 I love that this book has FMC & MMC that are in their 30’s. It makes the choices they’ve made feel more realistic than a 21 year old and the spice?! Ooof 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. I 10/10 recommend the audiobook!
August 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ dark cowboy romance! I loved this story line and the audio book was great! I liked that they gave the main character an accent that matched where she’s from! (Southern girl myself) it was very fast paced which I typically don’t prefer but it worked really well for this story. It’s a different story line than most romances and it’s was great reading one that was so well done and different from any I’ve read! The yearning and banter were my fave parts! I highly recommend!
August 17, 2026
Crazy to think a ONS and a stolen ring had this cowboy always thinking about his wild Cat, but when they reunite 10 years later it’s a different hair color and name cause she’s still running. Their second ONS situation had me laughing at how he left her even if that wasn’t very nice. I found the ending to be suspenseful but I’m grateful it wasn’t a 3rd act break up.
The narrator did a beautiful job with the whole book because solo narration on a dual pov story is tricky to hold my attention sometimes.
The narrator did a beautiful job with the whole book because solo narration on a dual pov story is tricky to hold my attention sometimes.
August 21, 2026
This story had me hooked from the very beginning.
I came across this author on TikTok and I am so glad I did. This story had me hooked from the very beginning. If you are looking for a quick read that has some dark elements you should pick this one up. I was given a code to listen to the audio but also got the book on kindle unlimited to immersive read.
I came across this author on TikTok and I am so glad I did. This story had me hooked from the very beginning. If you are looking for a quick read that has some dark elements you should pick this one up. I was given a code to listen to the audio but also got the book on kindle unlimited to immersive read.
August 27, 2026
Dark western perfection! 🖤✨
I absolutely loved this book! Ember and Ryatt are so swoony, Ryatt was an absolute green flag in all the ways, and his mouth was so delicious. The dry humor in this book was such a pleasant surprise, I was actually laughing out loud during multiple scenes.
J. Rollins’ writing was so beautiful it was such and easy 5 start read!
I absolutely loved this book! Ember and Ryatt are so swoony, Ryatt was an absolute green flag in all the ways, and his mouth was so delicious. The dry humor in this book was such a pleasant surprise, I was actually laughing out loud during multiple scenes.
J. Rollins’ writing was so beautiful it was such and easy 5 start read!
August 30, 2026
Riveting
Exceptional character development. Great world building. I was pulled in from the start. Suspenseful and delicious. Funny and emotional. Ember will have you wanting to hug her and applaud her bada$$ery in the same moment. Ryatt is the cowboy everyone needs in their corner. A must read!
Exceptional character development. Great world building. I was pulled in from the start. Suspenseful and delicious. Funny and emotional. Ember will have you wanting to hug her and applaud her bada$$ery in the same moment. Ryatt is the cowboy everyone needs in their corner. A must read!
October 6, 2026
If you're looking for a cowboy romantic suspense with some darker vibes....this one is for you!!! This girl doesn't need anyone to take care of her even though she's been running her entire life. The one night stand changed everything for them and boyyyy did it come full circle 10 years later!! I loved every second of this book, finished it in one sitting!!
August 26, 2026
This book is SO good! The way J.Rollins draws you in with her story line will leave you wanting more. Her MMC is the man we all want and her MFC has the grit and strength we strive for. And the spicy bits? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 15, 2026
This book had me hooked! This is the perfect description for 5⭐️ vibes read.Ember and Ryatt have my heart ♥️ Ember is strong and a complete badass and I really hope Ryatt’s sister gets a book because I already love her! I had a great time with this book 😍
October 30, 2026
THIS WAS SO GOOD.
RYATT 🫦🫦🫦 give me ten of him please. Ember reminded me so much of Beth Dutton from Yellowstone. I seriously had so much with reading this. The suspense aspect also, SO GOOD. I need more dark cowboy romantic suspense books please and thank you
RYATT 🫦🫦🫦 give me ten of him please. Ember reminded me so much of Beth Dutton from Yellowstone. I seriously had so much with reading this. The suspense aspect also, SO GOOD. I need more dark cowboy romantic suspense books please and thank you
June 27, 2026
Amazing!
The journey home has never been her intent, yet finding it was inevitable. The pain endured shapes her in ways you never hope to perfectly understand.
The journey home has never been her intent, yet finding it was inevitable. The pain endured shapes her in ways you never hope to perfectly understand.
Did Not Finish
August 27, 2026I am, unfortunately, DNF’ing this book because I cannot read the name “Ryatt” without hearing Scooby-Doo saying “Wyatt”. 😭
November 5, 2026
Ryatt for women’s rights and wrongs! 🙃
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews