What do you think?
Slow Burn
Beck Hollis is six feet of grumpy steer roper, and my brother’s best friend… and he can’t stand me.
Too bad I’m the only person who can save his ranch.
I wouldn’t be back in Sage Valley if my city life hadn’t imploded. I need a job, and fast. So here I am, consulting for Wild Sage—Beck’s ranch.
The problem is, Beck doesn’t want my help. He’s made it clear since we were kids that he wants nothing to do with me.
But long days and late nights have me seeing a different side of this broody cowboy.
He’s gentle in a way I wasn’t expecting, supportive in a way that never makes me feel small, protective in a way that I love.
And Beck hating me? I think it’s been an act all along.
Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage, and Bailey Hannah!
Too bad I’m the only person who can save his ranch.
I wouldn’t be back in Sage Valley if my city life hadn’t imploded. I need a job, and fast. So here I am, consulting for Wild Sage—Beck’s ranch.
The problem is, Beck doesn’t want my help. He’s made it clear since we were kids that he wants nothing to do with me.
But long days and late nights have me seeing a different side of this broody cowboy.
He’s gentle in a way I wasn’t expecting, supportive in a way that never makes me feel small, protective in a way that I love.
And Beck hating me? I think it’s been an act all along.
Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage, and Bailey Hannah!
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2026
About the author
Meg Riley
5 books91 followersHi! I'm Meg Riley. I'm a Canadian author of small town romance novels set in the heart of the Rocky Mountains! My stories are steamy, spicy, and cute - all of the best flavours of smut!
I live in Calgary, Alberta with my husband and my dog. Writing is currently my side gig - I am a nurse as my day (and night!) job and I feel very lucky to have a job where I can care for others and meet so many interesting humans that inspire me.
Thanks for joining my community of romance readers! I am so happy you're here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
September 15, 2026
“It hits me all at once, why I could never give all of myself to anyone else. Part of my heart has always been reserved for Lyla. For this beautiful, intense, wildfire of a woman.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ᴡɪʟᴅ ᴀs ʜᴇʀ” x ᴄᴏʀᴇʏ ᴋᴇɴᴛ
2:16 ─────────♥─── 3:19
Lyla comes back to Sage Valley after her life in the city falls apart, taking on a job helping Beck with his struggling ranch. The only problem? Beck is her brother’s best friend, he’s been cold toward her for years, and working together means they’re suddenly spending a whole lot more time around each other. What starts off as tension and frustration slowly turns into something neither of them can really ignore.
Lyla was immediately a character I connected with. I loved that she refused to bend her morals just to make other people comfortable, and she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed was right, even when there were consequences. At the same time, it made me so sad seeing how much she had internalized the idea that she was “too much” and needed to make herself smaller to be accepted. I loved her passion, her honesty, and watching her slowly realize that she didn’t need to change those parts of herself.
And Beck… I literally knew immediately that this man had been crushing on her for YEARS. 😂 Because why else would he be so standoffish with a woman who had done absolutely nothing to him?! This man was fighting for his life trying to deny his feelings. 😆 But underneath all that gruffness, I really loved how caring he was. He had so much responsibility on his shoulders and was carrying things he didn’t want to put on his siblings, all while trying to keep everything together. He was exhausted, closed off, and basically wasting his life away because he thought he had to handle everything alone.
And that’s where sweet Lyla came in. She helped Beck realize that he didn’t have to carry everything by himself. He had an entire village of people who loved him and wanted to help him—he just had to let them. Watching him slowly loosen up, live in the moment, and actually allow himself to have fun was one of my favorite parts of their relationship 🙂↕️
In return, Beck showed Lyla that she wasn’t too much. 🩷🩷 He made her feel like it was okay to have feelings, voice her opinions, be honest, and actually let people see what was going on inside her. And honestly, the way he paid attention to her little things?? Making sure she had food she could eat because she’s vegan was SUCH a small detail, but it told me everything about how much he cared. 🥹
Once they both started realizing there was something more between them… OH 😏 The flirting, the boundary pushing, the banter getting spicier?? YUM. That slow burn was GOOD. I loved the buildup and getting to watch everything shift between them little by little.
My biggest disappointment was that we were told Beck had been crushing on Lyla for so long, but I never really felt like we got to experience that history. There weren’t flashbacks or many moments that showed us what that looked like, so it felt more like something we were told rather than something we got to live through with him. Even with the romance taking its time, I still wanted a little more depth there.
Overall, this was such a cute cowboy romance with characters I genuinely enjoyed getting to know. I loved their individual growth just as much as I loved watching their relationship slowly develop, and now I’m VERY curious about who the next book will focus on. Austin? or Skye? 👀 hmmm
favorite quotes ↓
“I’m not a submissive kind of guy. I don’t back down, I don’t give in. I’m stubborn and tenacious and I get what I want. But for her? For her I’d get on my knees and beg.”
“When I’m around Lyla, I’m inspired to be better, I’m motivated to be the best version of myself.”
“I’m jealous of anyone else who has the pleasure of even looking at Lyla Morgan.”
“There will be before kissing Lyla and after kissing Lyla, and that will become my measure of time, my measure of significance for everything in my life.”
“Sometimes you need to say all of your fears and anxieties out loud so you can hear them clearly. So you can see that they don’t have as much power over you as you think they do.”
things to know about the book ↓
💜 brothers best friends
💜 boss x employee
💜 slowburn (obviously)
💜 secret tattoo
💜 “it’s always been you”
💜 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 14, 25, 27, 28, 31, 37
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
september 15th- THIS COVERRRRR 😍😍😍
this authors note>>>
This is what I want for you, reader: a love that shows you how valuable, how special, and how beautiful you are despite how society tries to keep us small.
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ᴡɪʟᴅ ᴀs ʜᴇʀ” x ᴄᴏʀᴇʏ ᴋᴇɴᴛ
2:16 ─────────♥─── 3:19
Lyla comes back to Sage Valley after her life in the city falls apart, taking on a job helping Beck with his struggling ranch. The only problem? Beck is her brother’s best friend, he’s been cold toward her for years, and working together means they’re suddenly spending a whole lot more time around each other. What starts off as tension and frustration slowly turns into something neither of them can really ignore.
Lyla was immediately a character I connected with. I loved that she refused to bend her morals just to make other people comfortable, and she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed was right, even when there were consequences. At the same time, it made me so sad seeing how much she had internalized the idea that she was “too much” and needed to make herself smaller to be accepted. I loved her passion, her honesty, and watching her slowly realize that she didn’t need to change those parts of herself.
And Beck… I literally knew immediately that this man had been crushing on her for YEARS. 😂 Because why else would he be so standoffish with a woman who had done absolutely nothing to him?! This man was fighting for his life trying to deny his feelings. 😆 But underneath all that gruffness, I really loved how caring he was. He had so much responsibility on his shoulders and was carrying things he didn’t want to put on his siblings, all while trying to keep everything together. He was exhausted, closed off, and basically wasting his life away because he thought he had to handle everything alone.
And that’s where sweet Lyla came in. She helped Beck realize that he didn’t have to carry everything by himself. He had an entire village of people who loved him and wanted to help him—he just had to let them. Watching him slowly loosen up, live in the moment, and actually allow himself to have fun was one of my favorite parts of their relationship 🙂↕️
In return, Beck showed Lyla that she wasn’t too much. 🩷🩷 He made her feel like it was okay to have feelings, voice her opinions, be honest, and actually let people see what was going on inside her. And honestly, the way he paid attention to her little things?? Making sure she had food she could eat because she’s vegan was SUCH a small detail, but it told me everything about how much he cared. 🥹
Once they both started realizing there was something more between them… OH 😏 The flirting, the boundary pushing, the banter getting spicier?? YUM. That slow burn was GOOD. I loved the buildup and getting to watch everything shift between them little by little.
My biggest disappointment was that we were told Beck had been crushing on Lyla for so long, but I never really felt like we got to experience that history. There weren’t flashbacks or many moments that showed us what that looked like, so it felt more like something we were told rather than something we got to live through with him. Even with the romance taking its time, I still wanted a little more depth there.
Overall, this was such a cute cowboy romance with characters I genuinely enjoyed getting to know. I loved their individual growth just as much as I loved watching their relationship slowly develop, and now I’m VERY curious about who the next book will focus on. Austin? or Skye? 👀 hmmm
favorite quotes ↓
“I’m not a submissive kind of guy. I don’t back down, I don’t give in. I’m stubborn and tenacious and I get what I want. But for her? For her I’d get on my knees and beg.”
“When I’m around Lyla, I’m inspired to be better, I’m motivated to be the best version of myself.”
“I’m jealous of anyone else who has the pleasure of even looking at Lyla Morgan.”
“There will be before kissing Lyla and after kissing Lyla, and that will become my measure of time, my measure of significance for everything in my life.”
“Sometimes you need to say all of your fears and anxieties out loud so you can hear them clearly. So you can see that they don’t have as much power over you as you think they do.”
things to know about the book ↓
💜 brothers best friends
💜 boss x employee
💜 slowburn (obviously)
💜 secret tattoo
💜 “it’s always been you”
💜 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 14, 25, 27, 28, 31, 37
Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
september 15th- THIS COVERRRRR 😍😍😍
this authors note>>>
This is what I want for you, reader: a love that shows you how valuable, how special, and how beautiful you are despite how society tries to keep us small.
September 3, 2026
3.75🌟 | 2🌶️
A slow burn with years of buried feelings, a grumpy cowboy, and a heroine who refuses to make herself smaller? I was completely on board.
The chemistry between Beck and Lyla built naturally, and the pining was so good, especially once all that restraint finally gave way. Their dynamic kept me invested from beginning to end.
Lyla was incredibly easy to root for, and I appreciated how unapologetically herself she was. Beck took a little longer to win me over, but I really liked seeing how supportive he became, especially when it came to her dreams and personality. The found-family atmosphere and chaotic animal sidekicks added so much charm too. I did wish the brother’s best friend aspect had felt a little more forbidden, and the third act conflict felt slightly unnecessary to me personally, but neither took away from the overall romance for me.
The pacing worked especially well for a slow burn, and I liked that the relationship had time to develop beyond the attraction. A few plot points could have used a little more depth, but overall this was such a fun, cozy cowboy romance with plenty of yearning, personality, and heart.
I’m definitely invested enough in this little world to see where the series goes next.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Meg Riley, Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
A slow burn with years of buried feelings, a grumpy cowboy, and a heroine who refuses to make herself smaller? I was completely on board.
The chemistry between Beck and Lyla built naturally, and the pining was so good, especially once all that restraint finally gave way. Their dynamic kept me invested from beginning to end.
Lyla was incredibly easy to root for, and I appreciated how unapologetically herself she was. Beck took a little longer to win me over, but I really liked seeing how supportive he became, especially when it came to her dreams and personality. The found-family atmosphere and chaotic animal sidekicks added so much charm too. I did wish the brother’s best friend aspect had felt a little more forbidden, and the third act conflict felt slightly unnecessary to me personally, but neither took away from the overall romance for me.
The pacing worked especially well for a slow burn, and I liked that the relationship had time to develop beyond the attraction. A few plot points could have used a little more depth, but overall this was such a fun, cozy cowboy romance with plenty of yearning, personality, and heart.
I’m definitely invested enough in this little world to see where the series goes next.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Meg Riley, Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
August 18, 2026
Advanced reader copy received from the author:
I really enjoyed this brother’s best friend cowboy romance. The pacing was excellent, for the slow burn and for the story as a whole. I really liked the characters and how they interacted with each other. I loved this quiet, closed off, grumpy MMC who falls so hard for an out of place FMC. The pining was on point, but once the emotions were acknowledged there was no reining it back. I loved that.
I really enjoyed this brother’s best friend cowboy romance. The pacing was excellent, for the slow burn and for the story as a whole. I really liked the characters and how they interacted with each other. I loved this quiet, closed off, grumpy MMC who falls so hard for an out of place FMC. The pining was on point, but once the emotions were acknowledged there was no reining it back. I loved that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2026
4 ⭐️
I’m genuinely a little sad that this is only the first book because I already NEED more of these characters. 😭 I finished Slow Burn feeling so attached to this little world, and I’m ridiculously excited to see where Meg Riley takes the series next.
Meg Riley did such an exceptional job capturing everything I want from a small-town cowboy romance. It had that warm, comforting found-family feeling, plenty of personality, adorable animals, and of course a brother’s-best-friend romance with years of buried feelings behind it.
Beck Hollis has been yearning for Lyla for years, but because she’s his best friend’s sister, he’s always respected that boundary and refused to cross the line. That is, until Lyla returns home after unexpectedly losing her city job, and suddenly keeping his feelings buried becomes a whole lot harder.
And Beck?! 🫠 I loved how supportive he was of Lyla. She has huge ideas, strong opinions and absolutely no problem voicing them, and he never once made her feel like she needed to tone herself down. He didn’t make her feel small or like she was “too much.” Instead, he genuinely believed in her, encouraged her and wanted to see her succeed. Their relationship had such a lovely underlying respect to it, which made their romance even sweeter.
But I also need to talk about the furry sidekicks, because they absolutely deserve their own mention. 😂 We have a three-legged goat, a dog who looks well past his due date, and a motherless calf, and somehow this chaotic little collection of animals made the entire story even more charming. They added so much humour and heart to the small-town atmosphere.
My only real complaint was the tiny third-act breakup/conflict. Personally, I didn’t think it was necessary and felt like the situation could have been handled very differently. Thankfully it was resolved pretty quickly, so it didn’t frustrate me enough to take away from everything else I loved.
Overall, Slow Burn was such a sweet, comforting introduction to this series. Give me yearning cowboys, small-town chaos, found family, ridiculous animals and a man who has secretly been in love with his best friend’s sister for years and apparently I’m sold. 🤠💕
Now the problem is… I have to wait for the next book. 😭
I’m genuinely a little sad that this is only the first book because I already NEED more of these characters. 😭 I finished Slow Burn feeling so attached to this little world, and I’m ridiculously excited to see where Meg Riley takes the series next.
Meg Riley did such an exceptional job capturing everything I want from a small-town cowboy romance. It had that warm, comforting found-family feeling, plenty of personality, adorable animals, and of course a brother’s-best-friend romance with years of buried feelings behind it.
Beck Hollis has been yearning for Lyla for years, but because she’s his best friend’s sister, he’s always respected that boundary and refused to cross the line. That is, until Lyla returns home after unexpectedly losing her city job, and suddenly keeping his feelings buried becomes a whole lot harder.
And Beck?! 🫠 I loved how supportive he was of Lyla. She has huge ideas, strong opinions and absolutely no problem voicing them, and he never once made her feel like she needed to tone herself down. He didn’t make her feel small or like she was “too much.” Instead, he genuinely believed in her, encouraged her and wanted to see her succeed. Their relationship had such a lovely underlying respect to it, which made their romance even sweeter.
But I also need to talk about the furry sidekicks, because they absolutely deserve their own mention. 😂 We have a three-legged goat, a dog who looks well past his due date, and a motherless calf, and somehow this chaotic little collection of animals made the entire story even more charming. They added so much humour and heart to the small-town atmosphere.
My only real complaint was the tiny third-act breakup/conflict. Personally, I didn’t think it was necessary and felt like the situation could have been handled very differently. Thankfully it was resolved pretty quickly, so it didn’t frustrate me enough to take away from everything else I loved.
Overall, Slow Burn was such a sweet, comforting introduction to this series. Give me yearning cowboys, small-town chaos, found family, ridiculous animals and a man who has secretly been in love with his best friend’s sister for years and apparently I’m sold. 🤠💕
Now the problem is… I have to wait for the next book. 😭
September 9, 2026
Rating: Loved it
🌵 Grumpy Cowboy x Sunshine
🤠 Brother’s Best Friend
🔥 Slow Burn / Years of Pining
💞 Found Family
🐐 Chaotic Farm Animals
✨ She Refuses to Shrink Herself
❤️ He Supports Her Dreams
Y'all know I love a grumpy cowboy, a brother’s best friend, and I REALLY love a slow burn romance.
So naturally, Slow Burn had me at hello.
Beck has been secretly pining for Lyla for YEARS, and watching him fight his attraction because she’s his best friend’s little sister was exactly the kind of delicious angst I came for. The tension, the yearning, the restraint…GIVE ME ALL OF IT.
Lyla was so easy to root for. She’s unapologetically herself, refuses to make herself smaller, and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. I loved watching Beck go from grumpy and frustrating to realizing that this woman is absolutely NOT too much and loving her exactly as she is.
Once he stopped being a pain in the ass? His unwavering support for Lyla was EVERYTHING. He encouraged her dreams, let her be herself, and never tried to hold her back. That kind of love gets me every time.
I also loved the found-family vibes and the chaotic animal crew. A three-legged goat named Kenny Rogers, and eventually an orphaned calf named Dolly? Because you can't have Kenny without Dolly. 💔❤️🩹😭 Pair those two with Critter the Chihuahua and his snaggletooth? Lyla and Beck got me to the ranch, but these critters kept me there for sure.
My only real complaint was the third-act conflict. It felt a little unnecessary on Lyla's part. We had all this amazing communication with a slow-burn cherry on top just to fall victim to the dreaded third-act breakup.
But overall? This was such a cozy, swoony, feel-good cowboy romance, and I am officially invested in this little world.
Thank you, @megrileyauthor, @netgalley, and @victoryeditingngc for the ARC.
🌵 Grumpy Cowboy x Sunshine
🤠 Brother’s Best Friend
🔥 Slow Burn / Years of Pining
💞 Found Family
🐐 Chaotic Farm Animals
✨ She Refuses to Shrink Herself
❤️ He Supports Her Dreams
Y'all know I love a grumpy cowboy, a brother’s best friend, and I REALLY love a slow burn romance.
So naturally, Slow Burn had me at hello.
Beck has been secretly pining for Lyla for YEARS, and watching him fight his attraction because she’s his best friend’s little sister was exactly the kind of delicious angst I came for. The tension, the yearning, the restraint…GIVE ME ALL OF IT.
Lyla was so easy to root for. She’s unapologetically herself, refuses to make herself smaller, and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. I loved watching Beck go from grumpy and frustrating to realizing that this woman is absolutely NOT too much and loving her exactly as she is.
Once he stopped being a pain in the ass? His unwavering support for Lyla was EVERYTHING. He encouraged her dreams, let her be herself, and never tried to hold her back. That kind of love gets me every time.
I also loved the found-family vibes and the chaotic animal crew. A three-legged goat named Kenny Rogers, and eventually an orphaned calf named Dolly? Because you can't have Kenny without Dolly. 💔❤️🩹😭 Pair those two with Critter the Chihuahua and his snaggletooth? Lyla and Beck got me to the ranch, but these critters kept me there for sure.
My only real complaint was the third-act conflict. It felt a little unnecessary on Lyla's part. We had all this amazing communication with a slow-burn cherry on top just to fall victim to the dreaded third-act breakup.
But overall? This was such a cozy, swoony, feel-good cowboy romance, and I am officially invested in this little world.
Thank you, @megrileyauthor, @netgalley, and @victoryeditingngc for the ARC.
September 24, 2026
Arc review:
This was indeed a slow burn. The first 20% was very repetitive and I almost gave up. In the end, this book was fine, but the repetition nature and the constant nickname made me want to vomit.
Also, it was told to us a million times that Lyla was “a lot” but I never actually got that impression.
I did love the story line. You can never go wrong with a brother’s best friend trope. Beck’s is a true cowboy who has taken over the family ranch which is sadly struggling financially.
Lyla is back to her hometown after getting fired for “being too much.” Beck and Lyla have known each other growing up.
I feel like you could feel Becks connection to Lyla, but it seemed one sided throughout the book. I never got the feeling she felt the same way about
This was indeed a slow burn. The first 20% was very repetitive and I almost gave up. In the end, this book was fine, but the repetition nature and the constant nickname made me want to vomit.
Also, it was told to us a million times that Lyla was “a lot” but I never actually got that impression.
I did love the story line. You can never go wrong with a brother’s best friend trope. Beck’s is a true cowboy who has taken over the family ranch which is sadly struggling financially.
Lyla is back to her hometown after getting fired for “being too much.” Beck and Lyla have known each other growing up.
I feel like you could feel Becks connection to Lyla, but it seemed one sided throughout the book. I never got the feeling she felt the same way about
September 6, 2026
I have been on a run of grumpy cowboys of late, these men of few words are starting to grow on me. Add in the slow burn and I was all in.
I love how Lyla and Beck grew organically, they have plenty of tension, pining, and that slow build up to where they cannot hold back any longer. I was invested in them and wanted to know more.
Lyla is a great character, her confidence, her personality, she could very easily be a friend. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Beck, but he charmed me with his unwavering support for Lyla. I am ready for more in this series.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
I love how Lyla and Beck grew organically, they have plenty of tension, pining, and that slow build up to where they cannot hold back any longer. I was invested in them and wanted to know more.
Lyla is a great character, her confidence, her personality, she could very easily be a friend. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Beck, but he charmed me with his unwavering support for Lyla. I am ready for more in this series.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5/5. A not-so-gentle reminder that I only like the brother’s best friend trope when it’s clearly established why it’s forbidden.
I just want to preface what I'm about to write by saying that ultimately I understand why it would be a good book for others but it's definietely not something for me. The mix of the tropes sounded great, but the execution was too frustrating for my brain. I'm sure a normal person who doesn't take issue with details as much as me would love this. So, with that said, let me review.
There are parts of it which I really enjoyed like all the animals being taken care of and having personalities and the cover art (IG @jwitless_art) which pulled me to it in the first place.
The scene in the storm was very dramatic and fitting their current vibe, so I adored that. Also, kind of connected to that, after some things went down Beck was finally able to think about something other than sex, and that was a relief. His yearning turned more sweet, less creepily obsessed with Lyla's body.
And I love the point it makes about letting yourself be yourself and to let people in. Expressing your emotions in a healthy way is important and women shouldn't make themselves smaller to be more amiable and easier to swallow. Beck is amazing at making sure Lyla doesn't keep things in and acts freely around him, which is very sweet. She also helps him unwind a little in return, open himself up to people who love him, and that's beautiful.
Unfortunately, I was too hung up on the brother's best friend aspect of it - among other things - to appreciate much more. Let's get into what didn't work for me personally, as a someone who gets easily annoyed by a lack of strict boundries.
The brother’s best friend trope was frustrating from all angles. This is something that I've learnt I love but only if it's executed well. If not, I really hate it. Here, it makes the reading experience extremely repetitive, because until Austin eventually learns what's going on, Beck constantly thinks about how wrong what he's doing/thinking is, how forbidden it is, how much of a betrayal.
However I choose to look at it, it's coming off badly. What do I mean?
If I stick to my stance of 'why would it matter if you're dating his sister? She's her own person, he's not her guardian, there was no blood pact or anything, and he actually likes you, so he should be happy about his sister being with a great dude', then the whole thing is just pointless and annoying.
If I try to get into this mindset of 'yes, this is a bad thing, you should talk to him before you do anything, if you even do anything because it's so forbidden', then the fact that he crosses so many boundries and still fails to talk to him pisses me off.
I literally can't win here. I genuinely don't understand why this would be enticing to someone in this format.
But that's not the only issue I have. Beck’s over-the-top grumpiness (he's constantly negative about everything - pets, music, changes, clothes, etc.), inability to talk about anything (you're a grown man, not a child, act like it), constant horniness (it stops after they do stuff but until then the objectification is cranked up to 100), lack of proper boundries (both setting them and not going over someone else’s), and stringing Tessa along even though he claims he’d never (he did, he literally did that, what do you mean 'he's not that type of guy' - YES, he IS) are all things that made him difficult for me to cheer for. He's quite sweet when it comes to Lyla, but that's pretty much that.
Also, Lyla making assumptions, throwing a fit, and refusing to show empathy as the 3rd act break-up got me so angry. It's fine for a woman to express her feelings loudly, sure, but it's not fine to act like the world revolves around you. This man has been under so much weight because of his ranch's situation - which he chooses to bear alone because he wants his siblings to live full, happy and free-of-this-shit lives - and you pull that stunt on him and make him feel bad for something he doesn't even get a chance to properly explain and which was a moment of weakness based on desperation? And he's the one who should apologize? For what? He didn't do anything wrong, at least in my opinion.
Plus, I didn’t feel any actual tension. I was told there was some, but it never registered.
Overall, I think if you like the best friend trope - it's the central focus here - and you don't need it to be well-explained - like I do - then this should be a perfectly fine read for you. Especially if you're into really grumpy cowboys that basically grunt and get constantly angry at first, and don't mind waiting a very long time for them to change (this is the real slow burn you get here, the emotional development of the MMC). I can't overstate how much not for me this was, even though on paper I do enjoy these tropes.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me a chance to read the ARC.
I just want to preface what I'm about to write by saying that ultimately I understand why it would be a good book for others but it's definietely not something for me. The mix of the tropes sounded great, but the execution was too frustrating for my brain. I'm sure a normal person who doesn't take issue with details as much as me would love this. So, with that said, let me review.
There are parts of it which I really enjoyed like all the animals being taken care of and having personalities and the cover art (IG @jwitless_art) which pulled me to it in the first place.
The scene in the storm was very dramatic and fitting their current vibe, so I adored that. Also, kind of connected to that, after some things went down Beck was finally able to think about something other than sex, and that was a relief. His yearning turned more sweet, less creepily obsessed with Lyla's body.
And I love the point it makes about letting yourself be yourself and to let people in. Expressing your emotions in a healthy way is important and women shouldn't make themselves smaller to be more amiable and easier to swallow. Beck is amazing at making sure Lyla doesn't keep things in and acts freely around him, which is very sweet. She also helps him unwind a little in return, open himself up to people who love him, and that's beautiful.
Unfortunately, I was too hung up on the brother's best friend aspect of it - among other things - to appreciate much more. Let's get into what didn't work for me personally, as a someone who gets easily annoyed by a lack of strict boundries.
The brother’s best friend trope was frustrating from all angles. This is something that I've learnt I love but only if it's executed well. If not, I really hate it. Here, it makes the reading experience extremely repetitive, because until Austin eventually learns what's going on, Beck constantly thinks about how wrong what he's doing/thinking is, how forbidden it is, how much of a betrayal.
However I choose to look at it, it's coming off badly. What do I mean?
If I stick to my stance of 'why would it matter if you're dating his sister? She's her own person, he's not her guardian, there was no blood pact or anything, and he actually likes you, so he should be happy about his sister being with a great dude', then the whole thing is just pointless and annoying.
If I try to get into this mindset of 'yes, this is a bad thing, you should talk to him before you do anything, if you even do anything because it's so forbidden', then the fact that he crosses so many boundries and still fails to talk to him pisses me off.
I literally can't win here. I genuinely don't understand why this would be enticing to someone in this format.
But that's not the only issue I have. Beck’s over-the-top grumpiness (he's constantly negative about everything - pets, music, changes, clothes, etc.), inability to talk about anything (you're a grown man, not a child, act like it), constant horniness (it stops after they do stuff but until then the objectification is cranked up to 100), lack of proper boundries (both setting them and not going over someone else’s), and stringing Tessa along even though he claims he’d never (he did, he literally did that, what do you mean 'he's not that type of guy' - YES, he IS) are all things that made him difficult for me to cheer for. He's quite sweet when it comes to Lyla, but that's pretty much that.
Also, Lyla making assumptions, throwing a fit, and refusing to show empathy as the 3rd act break-up got me so angry. It's fine for a woman to express her feelings loudly, sure, but it's not fine to act like the world revolves around you. This man has been under so much weight because of his ranch's situation - which he chooses to bear alone because he wants his siblings to live full, happy and free-of-this-shit lives - and you pull that stunt on him and make him feel bad for something he doesn't even get a chance to properly explain and which was a moment of weakness based on desperation? And he's the one who should apologize? For what? He didn't do anything wrong, at least in my opinion.
Plus, I didn’t feel any actual tension. I was told there was some, but it never registered.
Overall, I think if you like the best friend trope - it's the central focus here - and you don't need it to be well-explained - like I do - then this should be a perfectly fine read for you. Especially if you're into really grumpy cowboys that basically grunt and get constantly angry at first, and don't mind waiting a very long time for them to change (this is the real slow burn you get here, the emotional development of the MMC). I can't overstate how much not for me this was, even though on paper I do enjoy these tropes.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me a chance to read the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of Advanced Reader Copy from Meg Riley. All opinions are my own.
This ended up as a cute little, pallet cleanser read for me. For the record, I typically can't stand slow burn romances. But, I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone lately which is why I applied for the ARC. This was my first book by Meg and I was surprised by how much I didn’t hate it.
Tropes and what to expect:
👢 Brother's best friend
👢 Grumpy cowboy (but not really)/Sunshine
👢 Off limits
👢 Slow burn
👢 Longing
👢 Spice level: 🌶🌶
Lyla is back home in Sage Valley after getting fired from her job. While she looks for a new one, she gets hired onto Beck's family ranch as a consultant. They are on the verge of losing the ranch and it seems she may be their last hope. Beck is her brother's best friend who also can't stand her. Or so she thinks. Beck makes it clear he doesn't want the help, but it's not out of hate like Lyla assumes. Cue the angst and pining.
Lyla was fun. She reminded me so much of myself. I've always been the one that is "to much." The one who will stand up for what doesn't seem right, even if it gets me in trouble. Too loud or not loud enough. Like me, Lyla doesn't sugarcoat or hide what needs to be said. She holds true to what she believes in and doesn't falter.
Beck was.....irritating lol but in the end he grew on me. The first kinda half of the book I just felt he objectified Lyla a little too much. In a like, her eyes are up there, kind of way. Like sir that is NOT all that she's here for. His relationship/non-relationship with Tessa also rubbed me the wrong way. Like how are going to do this to what seems like a really sweet, albeit a little clueless, girl like that. Rude. Grow a pair. You're excuse isn't excusing. Anyways. Towards the end I liked him, mainly for how he treats Lyla and allows her to be herself. So, he gets like 6...ish....out of 10. He's still on probation though.
Also, I feel like the third act breakup was a little silly. Like over reaction much? But then again, I'd probably do the same. So lemme shut my trap 🤐
Overall, I enjoyed this. The plot had a few ehh moments, but the writing was great and I did enjoy the characters. For my first official, read all the way through, slow burn I give it 4 stars.
Happy reading 🌻
Thank you to Meg for the opportunity to read this ARC!
This ended up as a cute little, pallet cleanser read for me. For the record, I typically can't stand slow burn romances. But, I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone lately which is why I applied for the ARC. This was my first book by Meg and I was surprised by how much I didn’t hate it.
Tropes and what to expect:
👢 Brother's best friend
👢 Grumpy cowboy (but not really)/Sunshine
👢 Off limits
👢 Slow burn
👢 Longing
👢 Spice level: 🌶🌶
Lyla is back home in Sage Valley after getting fired from her job. While she looks for a new one, she gets hired onto Beck's family ranch as a consultant. They are on the verge of losing the ranch and it seems she may be their last hope. Beck is her brother's best friend who also can't stand her. Or so she thinks. Beck makes it clear he doesn't want the help, but it's not out of hate like Lyla assumes. Cue the angst and pining.
Lyla was fun. She reminded me so much of myself. I've always been the one that is "to much." The one who will stand up for what doesn't seem right, even if it gets me in trouble. Too loud or not loud enough. Like me, Lyla doesn't sugarcoat or hide what needs to be said. She holds true to what she believes in and doesn't falter.
Beck was.....irritating lol but in the end he grew on me. The first kinda half of the book I just felt he objectified Lyla a little too much. In a like, her eyes are up there, kind of way. Like sir that is NOT all that she's here for. His relationship/non-relationship with Tessa also rubbed me the wrong way. Like how are going to do this to what seems like a really sweet, albeit a little clueless, girl like that. Rude. Grow a pair. You're excuse isn't excusing. Anyways. Towards the end I liked him, mainly for how he treats Lyla and allows her to be herself. So, he gets like 6...ish....out of 10. He's still on probation though.
Also, I feel like the third act breakup was a little silly. Like over reaction much? But then again, I'd probably do the same. So lemme shut my trap 🤐
Overall, I enjoyed this. The plot had a few ehh moments, but the writing was great and I did enjoy the characters. For my first official, read all the way through, slow burn I give it 4 stars.
Happy reading 🌻
Thank you to Meg for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC received from NetGalley and Victory Editing
Slow Burn by Meg Riley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There’s something about a cowboy romance with a grumpy hero, a sunshine heroine, a forbidden brother’s best-friend situation, and enough tension to make you want to yell at both of them to JUST KISS ALREADY. And Slow Burn absolutely delivered. 🤠🔥
This was a deliciously slow burn, but the emotional payoff made the waiting worth it. I loved watching the tension build between Lyla and Beck, especially knowing there was so much standing between them. The brother’s best-friend dynamic added that extra layer of “we absolutely should not be doing this” that made every stolen moment feel even better.
And Beck? Sir. The cowboy hat, the mustache, the steely grumpy exterior, the way he loves Lyla with his whole damn heart, I was listening. 👀
But what really got me was the way his feelings for her were written. This man wasn’t simply attracted to her. He was completely undone by her.
“There will be before kissing Lyla and after kissing Lyla, and that will become my measure of time.”
EXCUSE ME. Sir. Who gave you permission to be that romantic?
And then:
“Lyla is a shooting star, and I’ll be her gravity.”
I’M SORRY. 🥹
That line perfectly captures what I loved about their relationship. She is bright and impossible to hold still, and he doesn’t want to cage her. He just wants to be the place she comes back to.
I also loved the found-family element and all the furry friends woven throughout the story. They added that cozy small-town/cowboy-romance feeling that makes you want to move to the country, acquire a horse, and start calling everyone darlin’. 😂
The dual POV was another win for me because getting inside both Lyla’s and Beck’s heads made the slow burn even better. Watching them fight what they wanted while knowing exactly how deeply they were falling made the tension delicious.
And yes, there is spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ The door is very much open, ladies.
Slow Burn gave me cowboys, tension, forbidden feelings, found family, furry friends, emotional angst, and a romance that took its sweet time before finally giving me what I wanted.
Meg Riley, you can keep the cowboy romances coming. Apparently I have a problem now. 🤠❤️
Slow Burn by Meg Riley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There’s something about a cowboy romance with a grumpy hero, a sunshine heroine, a forbidden brother’s best-friend situation, and enough tension to make you want to yell at both of them to JUST KISS ALREADY. And Slow Burn absolutely delivered. 🤠🔥
This was a deliciously slow burn, but the emotional payoff made the waiting worth it. I loved watching the tension build between Lyla and Beck, especially knowing there was so much standing between them. The brother’s best-friend dynamic added that extra layer of “we absolutely should not be doing this” that made every stolen moment feel even better.
And Beck? Sir. The cowboy hat, the mustache, the steely grumpy exterior, the way he loves Lyla with his whole damn heart, I was listening. 👀
But what really got me was the way his feelings for her were written. This man wasn’t simply attracted to her. He was completely undone by her.
“There will be before kissing Lyla and after kissing Lyla, and that will become my measure of time.”
EXCUSE ME. Sir. Who gave you permission to be that romantic?
And then:
“Lyla is a shooting star, and I’ll be her gravity.”
I’M SORRY. 🥹
That line perfectly captures what I loved about their relationship. She is bright and impossible to hold still, and he doesn’t want to cage her. He just wants to be the place she comes back to.
I also loved the found-family element and all the furry friends woven throughout the story. They added that cozy small-town/cowboy-romance feeling that makes you want to move to the country, acquire a horse, and start calling everyone darlin’. 😂
The dual POV was another win for me because getting inside both Lyla’s and Beck’s heads made the slow burn even better. Watching them fight what they wanted while knowing exactly how deeply they were falling made the tension delicious.
And yes, there is spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ The door is very much open, ladies.
Slow Burn gave me cowboys, tension, forbidden feelings, found family, furry friends, emotional angst, and a romance that took its sweet time before finally giving me what I wanted.
Meg Riley, you can keep the cowboy romances coming. Apparently I have a problem now. 🤠❤️
August 25, 2026
I absolutely loved the premise of Slow Burn, the first book in Meg Riley’s new series featuring women who possess characteristics society might label as “undesirable” and the men who love them exactly as they are. In this book, Lyla is “too emotional”—and I loved watching her be unapologetically herself. I’m already excited to see where this series goes!
I also loved the dual narration, with chapters alternating between Lyla and Beck. Lyla is so easy to cheer for. She’s kind to everyone (including animals!), fiercely loyal, and always looking for ways to take care of the people she loves. She’s the kind of character I could genuinely picture being friends with. And Beck definitely needs some of that TLC. He’s been carrying the weight of the world—and his family’s ranch—on his shoulders for so long that he’s forgotten what it feels like to let someone take care of him.
One of my favorite things in a love story is watching two people who have both been shouldering too much start to take care of each other and realize they don’t have to carry everything alone. Add in a MMC who has been secretly yearning for his best friend’s sister, and you have me hooked.
Sage Valley also sounds absolutely gorgeous. It has the kind of magnetic beauty that makes you want to explore the town yourself, and I would happily spend an afternoon drinking coffee on the porch of the guesthouse at Wild Sage.
My one critique is that I wanted a little more depth in some of the plot points. The sale of Lyla’s childhood home felt like a significant part of the story, but I felt like we moved past it a little too quickly given how important it became later. I also wanted to understand more about the situation that led to Lyla being fired—what exactly did the company do that was so unethical? I think unpacking those pieces a little more would have made the story feel more complete.
Overall, I love a cowboy romance, and Slow Burn did not disappoint. I loved Lyla and Beck, enjoyed watching them learn to lean on each other, and I’m very intrigued by the setup for the next book. And Austin? I’m hoping we get to see him find his own relationship next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I also loved the dual narration, with chapters alternating between Lyla and Beck. Lyla is so easy to cheer for. She’s kind to everyone (including animals!), fiercely loyal, and always looking for ways to take care of the people she loves. She’s the kind of character I could genuinely picture being friends with. And Beck definitely needs some of that TLC. He’s been carrying the weight of the world—and his family’s ranch—on his shoulders for so long that he’s forgotten what it feels like to let someone take care of him.
One of my favorite things in a love story is watching two people who have both been shouldering too much start to take care of each other and realize they don’t have to carry everything alone. Add in a MMC who has been secretly yearning for his best friend’s sister, and you have me hooked.
Sage Valley also sounds absolutely gorgeous. It has the kind of magnetic beauty that makes you want to explore the town yourself, and I would happily spend an afternoon drinking coffee on the porch of the guesthouse at Wild Sage.
My one critique is that I wanted a little more depth in some of the plot points. The sale of Lyla’s childhood home felt like a significant part of the story, but I felt like we moved past it a little too quickly given how important it became later. I also wanted to understand more about the situation that led to Lyla being fired—what exactly did the company do that was so unethical? I think unpacking those pieces a little more would have made the story feel more complete.
Overall, I love a cowboy romance, and Slow Burn did not disappoint. I loved Lyla and Beck, enjoyed watching them learn to lean on each other, and I’m very intrigued by the setup for the next book. And Austin? I’m hoping we get to see him find his own relationship next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Cool, and Meg Riley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
4.5 ⭐️
The dedication: “For the women who are told they’re too much… You need Beck Hollis.” 🤏🏼🤏🏼🤏🏼🤏🏼
The book starts from a note from the author that immediately made me a Meg Riley fan for life.
“This is what I want for you, reader: a love that shows you how valuable, how special, and how beautiful you are despite how society tries to keep us small. A love that heals you enough that you start to unconditionally love yourself.” 🥹🥹🥹🥹
A small town girl comes back to her hometown after being fired from her dream job only to run into her brothers grumpy, cowboy best friend. I am a sucker for a brother‘s best friend trope anyways, but then you add in the cowboyness of it all and I’m a gonerrr! He’s so down bad for her and always has been.
The tension starts immediately at the beginning of the book when she watches him at the rodeo and they lock eyes. He secretly been in love with her for years and she drives him crazy and I love that in a book!!! The scene in the truck when they leave the bar?!!! 🥵🔥🤤
I also loved the female friendship in this and all the animals. I can already tell this series is going to have the best found family. This book gives you all that feel good small-town romance charm that you want/need as a reader.
I only docked half a star because of the third act… it was done well, but always seems like a wtf moment in a romance book to me.
Slow Burn left my heart feeling warm and happy and I cannot wait to read what other books she comes out with in this series!!
Favorite quotes:
“I fucking love you, Trouble.” “I fucking love you, Bossman.”
“You light me on fire, and I burn for you. I’ve burned for you since the day I met you.”
“I love you, Lyla. Exactly the way you are. I’ll say it as many times as I need to to make you believe it. I’ll show you every day for the rest of my life.”
“And god, you are the best thing I’ve ever come home to,”
Her mouth finds my jaw, my neck, and she nips at my earlobe before murmuring, “I love us, like this.” “I love you, Trouble,” I say.
4.5 ⭐️
The dedication: “For the women who are told they’re too much… You need Beck Hollis.” 🤏🏼🤏🏼🤏🏼🤏🏼
The book starts from a note from the author that immediately made me a Meg Riley fan for life.
“This is what I want for you, reader: a love that shows you how valuable, how special, and how beautiful you are despite how society tries to keep us small. A love that heals you enough that you start to unconditionally love yourself.” 🥹🥹🥹🥹
A small town girl comes back to her hometown after being fired from her dream job only to run into her brothers grumpy, cowboy best friend. I am a sucker for a brother‘s best friend trope anyways, but then you add in the cowboyness of it all and I’m a gonerrr! He’s so down bad for her and always has been.
The tension starts immediately at the beginning of the book when she watches him at the rodeo and they lock eyes. He secretly been in love with her for years and she drives him crazy and I love that in a book!!! The scene in the truck when they leave the bar?!!! 🥵🔥🤤
I also loved the female friendship in this and all the animals. I can already tell this series is going to have the best found family. This book gives you all that feel good small-town romance charm that you want/need as a reader.
I only docked half a star because of the third act… it was done well, but always seems like a wtf moment in a romance book to me.
Slow Burn left my heart feeling warm and happy and I cannot wait to read what other books she comes out with in this series!!
Favorite quotes:
“I fucking love you, Trouble.” “I fucking love you, Bossman.”
“You light me on fire, and I burn for you. I’ve burned for you since the day I met you.”
“I love you, Lyla. Exactly the way you are. I’ll say it as many times as I need to to make you believe it. I’ll show you every day for the rest of my life.”
“And god, you are the best thing I’ve ever come home to,”
Her mouth finds my jaw, my neck, and she nips at my earlobe before murmuring, “I love us, like this.” “I love you, Trouble,” I say.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🔥 Slow Burn - Meg Riley
⭐ 4/5
This was a slow burn that actually understood the assignment and lived up to its name.
I’m a huge fan of romances that take their time building the chemistry, tension AND emotional connection between the characters, and Meg Riley gave me exactly that with Beck and Lyla. I felt like I actually got to watch them fall for each other.
Their relationship develops naturally through all those little interactions and moments of growing closeness, which made the eventual payoff so much more satisfying. Give me yearning. Give me tension. Give me two people slowly realising oh no, I actually really like this person 🤌🏻
But what I loved most was the message underneath their romance. Lyla is someone who has spent her life being made to feel like she’s too much - too loud, too passionate, too emotional, too chaotic.
And Slow Burn asks: what if you don't need to make yourself smaller?
What if the right kind of love isn't simply someone tolerating all the parts of you that other people found inconvenient, but someone genuinely loving and celebrating you because of them?
As a fellow animal lover, I also found Lyla incredibly easy to connect with. Her huge heart and passion for animals made me love her even more. And an honourable mention MUST go to the real stars of this book: Kenny Rogers and Critter. The furry side characters had absolutely no business being as cute as they were. As someone who always gets irrationally attached to fictional animal sidekicks, I was always going to be vulnerable, but these two? OBSESSED 🐾🥹
Meg Riley created characters I became genuinely invested in, and I really enjoyed the emotional depth woven through the romance.
⭐ 4/5 — a genuinely satisfying slow burn about chemistry, connection and finding someone who doesn't ask you to dim your fire.🔥
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐ 4/5
This was a slow burn that actually understood the assignment and lived up to its name.
I’m a huge fan of romances that take their time building the chemistry, tension AND emotional connection between the characters, and Meg Riley gave me exactly that with Beck and Lyla. I felt like I actually got to watch them fall for each other.
Their relationship develops naturally through all those little interactions and moments of growing closeness, which made the eventual payoff so much more satisfying. Give me yearning. Give me tension. Give me two people slowly realising oh no, I actually really like this person 🤌🏻
But what I loved most was the message underneath their romance. Lyla is someone who has spent her life being made to feel like she’s too much - too loud, too passionate, too emotional, too chaotic.
And Slow Burn asks: what if you don't need to make yourself smaller?
What if the right kind of love isn't simply someone tolerating all the parts of you that other people found inconvenient, but someone genuinely loving and celebrating you because of them?
As a fellow animal lover, I also found Lyla incredibly easy to connect with. Her huge heart and passion for animals made me love her even more. And an honourable mention MUST go to the real stars of this book: Kenny Rogers and Critter. The furry side characters had absolutely no business being as cute as they were. As someone who always gets irrationally attached to fictional animal sidekicks, I was always going to be vulnerable, but these two? OBSESSED 🐾🥹
Meg Riley created characters I became genuinely invested in, and I really enjoyed the emotional depth woven through the romance.
⭐ 4/5 — a genuinely satisfying slow burn about chemistry, connection and finding someone who doesn't ask you to dim your fire.🔥
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
-Brother’s Best Friend
-Grumpy Sunshine
-Steer Roper x Vegan
-Moustache Rides
-“Wear The Hat Ride The Cowboy”
-Found Family
Thank you Meg Riley for the ARC!!
Overall, I liked the writing and the story.
Lyla loses her job and has to move back to her home town where he brother’s best friend, who she has been crushing on, is trying to save his family’s ranch. Beck is doing his best to keep their heads above water and accepts help from Lyla after his dad hires her.
I related to Lyla a lot. Never wanting to whine, mope or frown. Never sure if you are being too loud, too much. She gets excited when someone does the bare minimum for her. I loved how this book spoke to accepting yourself and your people will find you and love you for who you are.
Beck is your typical grumpy MMC that can’t keep his eyes off his best friend’s sister. Other than being able to finally break things off with Tessa, I didn’t see a huge amount of character development from him, but that’s ok.
I do love a good best friends sibling romance, but this one didn’t feel as “off limits” as others had. We did hear Austin say a couple times he didn’t want anyone after her, but I feel like that was more about his anger issues, not a protective nature. It seemed like the main issue he had with them being together was that they didn’t tell him. Beck didn’t want to ruin their relationship, but I’m not sure I felt the off-limits nature as much as I wanted to.
I did like Lyla and Beck as a couple, but I wanted more yearning and tension. Maybe this was supposed to be why they didn’t go all the way with each other in the bedroom, but I like to see the tension/yearning when they are interacting around others.
The third act breakup felt a bit too much This could have been avoided if she had just asked him what was going on, but plot haha. I didn’t see the harm in him just getting information.
Overall, I did like the book in general, but there were a few things that kept this from being more than 4 stars. I will definitely read the rest of the series because I love her writing and am liking the set up here.
-Grumpy Sunshine
-Steer Roper x Vegan
-Moustache Rides
-“Wear The Hat Ride The Cowboy”
-Found Family
Thank you Meg Riley for the ARC!!
Overall, I liked the writing and the story.
Lyla loses her job and has to move back to her home town where he brother’s best friend, who she has been crushing on, is trying to save his family’s ranch. Beck is doing his best to keep their heads above water and accepts help from Lyla after his dad hires her.
I related to Lyla a lot. Never wanting to whine, mope or frown. Never sure if you are being too loud, too much. She gets excited when someone does the bare minimum for her. I loved how this book spoke to accepting yourself and your people will find you and love you for who you are.
Beck is your typical grumpy MMC that can’t keep his eyes off his best friend’s sister. Other than being able to finally break things off with Tessa, I didn’t see a huge amount of character development from him, but that’s ok.
I do love a good best friends sibling romance, but this one didn’t feel as “off limits” as others had. We did hear Austin say a couple times he didn’t want anyone after her, but I feel like that was more about his anger issues, not a protective nature. It seemed like the main issue he had with them being together was that they didn’t tell him. Beck didn’t want to ruin their relationship, but I’m not sure I felt the off-limits nature as much as I wanted to.
I did like Lyla and Beck as a couple, but I wanted more yearning and tension. Maybe this was supposed to be why they didn’t go all the way with each other in the bedroom, but I like to see the tension/yearning when they are interacting around others.
The third act breakup felt a bit too much This could have been avoided if she had just asked him what was going on, but plot haha. I didn’t see the harm in him just getting information.
Overall, I did like the book in general, but there were a few things that kept this from being more than 4 stars. I will definitely read the rest of the series because I love her writing and am liking the set up here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I couldn't have come up with a better title for this one if I tried! It was literally that - a slow burn. Lyla and Beck's story was filled with forbidden yearning, tension, and finding that person you can be your authentic self with who brings out the best in you.
Beck Hollis - this man yearns! For years. Always running to Lyla's aid in the name of being a good best friend to her brother Austin...right? WRONG! He's been in love with her for years, but acts like he doesn't want anything to do with her, and now he has to work with her to try to save his ranch.
Lyla left Sage Valley years ago to start over in the city. She's back, under less than ideal circumstances, but is determined to prove herself and help the business of Wild Sage Ranch out of a hole. Then she can use them as a reference and find a new job back in the city. A great plan. What she didn't plan for was seeing a softer side of Beck. Honestly, this man just melts for her. All his grump and brood disappears while they're forced to spend time together and I was eating that ish up! And then the boundary he set (IYKYK) added an extra layer of tension that had me begging for them to cross it!
Sometimes I wanted to yell at her for being self-deprecating, but I could totally relate to that negative tape that can play in your mind and tell you that you aren't good enough, or you're too much. It was so nice to see her journey and to have someone support her. I thought things were going to go miscommunication sideways at the end for a min but they just needed a second thank goodness.
I'm definitely intrigued by the side characters, and already want more of Tate, Sutton, Skye, Nash and Austin -oh and we can't forget Kenny Rogers!
The epilogue made me even more in love with Beck, and then left me wondering WHO IN THE HELL IS COMING TO TOWN?! Can't wait for the next book in the Wild Sage series!
Thank you so much to Meg for this ARC <3
Beck Hollis - this man yearns! For years. Always running to Lyla's aid in the name of being a good best friend to her brother Austin...right? WRONG! He's been in love with her for years, but acts like he doesn't want anything to do with her, and now he has to work with her to try to save his ranch.
Lyla left Sage Valley years ago to start over in the city. She's back, under less than ideal circumstances, but is determined to prove herself and help the business of Wild Sage Ranch out of a hole. Then she can use them as a reference and find a new job back in the city. A great plan. What she didn't plan for was seeing a softer side of Beck. Honestly, this man just melts for her. All his grump and brood disappears while they're forced to spend time together and I was eating that ish up! And then the boundary he set (IYKYK) added an extra layer of tension that had me begging for them to cross it!
Sometimes I wanted to yell at her for being self-deprecating, but I could totally relate to that negative tape that can play in your mind and tell you that you aren't good enough, or you're too much. It was so nice to see her journey and to have someone support her. I thought things were going to go miscommunication sideways at the end for a min but they just needed a second thank goodness.
I'm definitely intrigued by the side characters, and already want more of Tate, Sutton, Skye, Nash and Austin -oh and we can't forget Kenny Rogers!
The epilogue made me even more in love with Beck, and then left me wondering WHO IN THE HELL IS COMING TO TOWN?! Can't wait for the next book in the Wild Sage series!
Thank you so much to Meg for this ARC <3
September 13, 2026
📖 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 📖
🔥 Slow Burn by Meg Riley 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved Beck and Lyla’s story! Their love felt truly meant to be. Beck fell first when they were kids, and Lyla has remained on his mind and in his heart ever since. There is something so beautiful about a love that never completely fades, no matter how much time passes.
The chemistry, tension, and slow-burning romance between Beck and Lyla kept me completely invested. Beck may appear to be a grumpy cowboy, but underneath it all, he is gentle, supportive, and protective. I loved watching those softer parts of him slowly come through.
I also loved the vegan and animal-welfare aspect of the story. It was thoughtfully woven into the plot and made the book even more meaningful. The adorable three-legged goat and toothless Chihuahua completely stole my heart! They added so much sweetness, humor, and personality to the story.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“It’s hard to give your heart to someone else when it’s still holding on to the last.”
“You light me on fire, and I burn for you. I’ve burned for you since the day I met you.”
That second quote perfectly captures Beck and Lyla’s entire love story a beautiful and emotional slow burn that began long before either of them was ready to admit it.
If you love grumpy cowboys, brother’s-best-friend romances, childhood crushes, forced proximity, adorable rescue animals, and a hero who fell first, add Slow Burn to your TBR!
🔥 Slow Burn by Meg Riley 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved Beck and Lyla’s story! Their love felt truly meant to be. Beck fell first when they were kids, and Lyla has remained on his mind and in his heart ever since. There is something so beautiful about a love that never completely fades, no matter how much time passes.
The chemistry, tension, and slow-burning romance between Beck and Lyla kept me completely invested. Beck may appear to be a grumpy cowboy, but underneath it all, he is gentle, supportive, and protective. I loved watching those softer parts of him slowly come through.
I also loved the vegan and animal-welfare aspect of the story. It was thoughtfully woven into the plot and made the book even more meaningful. The adorable three-legged goat and toothless Chihuahua completely stole my heart! They added so much sweetness, humor, and personality to the story.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“It’s hard to give your heart to someone else when it’s still holding on to the last.”
“You light me on fire, and I burn for you. I’ve burned for you since the day I met you.”
That second quote perfectly captures Beck and Lyla’s entire love story a beautiful and emotional slow burn that began long before either of them was ready to admit it.
If you love grumpy cowboys, brother’s-best-friend romances, childhood crushes, forced proximity, adorable rescue animals, and a hero who fell first, add Slow Burn to your TBR!
August 13, 2026
This gave me so much of what I love in a cowboy romance: small town vibes, a grumpy cowboy, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, found family, and a slow burn that actually gives the relationship time to develop. But what really made this one stand out to me was Beck and Lyla themselves.
Lyla was easily one of my favorite parts of this book. She’s passionate, outspoken, emotional, and unapologetically herself, even after spending so much of her life being made to feel like she’s “too much.” I loved watching her find someone who never wanted her to make herself smaller. Beck doesn’t simply tolerate all of those pieces of Lyla. He genuinely loves her for them. There was something so special about watching her slowly realize she could be completely herself with someone and still be fully loved.
And then there’s BECK. This grumpy, broody cowboy was fighting his feelings for his best friend’s little sister with everything he had while simultaneously being completely gone for her.
I especially loved the way Beck made space for Lyla. He understood her. He saw her. And underneath all that brooding and stubbornness was a man who cared so deeply that resisting her was basically a losing battle from the beginning.
What really worked for me, though, was how much time Meg Riley gave their relationship to become something. It wasn’t just attraction or chemistry carrying the romance. We got all those smaller interactions, the growing closeness, the tension, and SO much yearning. By the time these two finally stopped fighting what was happening between them, I believed in their relationship and I was ALL IN. The payoff was absolutely worth the wait.
I also loved being in Sage Valley. The ranch, family relationships, adorable animals, found family, and cozy small town atmosphere made this feel like the beginning of a world I’m genuinely excited to come back to.
I had such a good time with this one and I’m already ready for my next trip back to Sage Valley!
Thank you so much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, NetGalley, and Meg Riley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lyla was easily one of my favorite parts of this book. She’s passionate, outspoken, emotional, and unapologetically herself, even after spending so much of her life being made to feel like she’s “too much.” I loved watching her find someone who never wanted her to make herself smaller. Beck doesn’t simply tolerate all of those pieces of Lyla. He genuinely loves her for them. There was something so special about watching her slowly realize she could be completely herself with someone and still be fully loved.
And then there’s BECK. This grumpy, broody cowboy was fighting his feelings for his best friend’s little sister with everything he had while simultaneously being completely gone for her.
I especially loved the way Beck made space for Lyla. He understood her. He saw her. And underneath all that brooding and stubbornness was a man who cared so deeply that resisting her was basically a losing battle from the beginning.
What really worked for me, though, was how much time Meg Riley gave their relationship to become something. It wasn’t just attraction or chemistry carrying the romance. We got all those smaller interactions, the growing closeness, the tension, and SO much yearning. By the time these two finally stopped fighting what was happening between them, I believed in their relationship and I was ALL IN. The payoff was absolutely worth the wait.
I also loved being in Sage Valley. The ranch, family relationships, adorable animals, found family, and cozy small town atmosphere made this feel like the beginning of a world I’m genuinely excited to come back to.
I had such a good time with this one and I’m already ready for my next trip back to Sage Valley!
Thank you so much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, NetGalley, and Meg Riley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Slow Burn by Meg Riley follows Beck, a ranch owner who is struggling to keep it afloat, and his best friend’s little sister, Lyla, who came back to the small town after some unfortunate circumstances occurred in Calgary. In the meantime, Lyla helps consult for Beck’s ranch and the more time they spend together the more she sees a different side of him.
Tropes:
Slow burn
Best friend’s little sister
Grumpy x Sunshine
Small Town
*Vague but also maybe minor spoilers*
I thought this was a quick and easy read. The writing flowed very well. I would definitely say it’s slow burn and kind of one-sided crush at first.
I liked the characters and it’s strange because I usually like reading books more focused on the main characters but for some reason I wanted to get to know the other supporting characters a bit more. I wish we got to see more of Lyla’s relationship with her brother, Austin, though I did love her relationship with Wade, Beck’s father.
Wasn’t the biggest fan of the third act breakup, just because I agreed with Beck with looking at all the possibilities.
I wouldn’t say the consulting to save the ranch bored me but sometimes it was too much talk about it with no solution and sometimes it was too little/forgotten if that makes sense.
I’m glad Lyla finally got to do what aligns with her beliefs and morals especially since she was big on helping animals.
I am excited to read the next book!
Thank you to the author and publishing company for providing me with an arc for my honest review.
Tropes:
Slow burn
Best friend’s little sister
Grumpy x Sunshine
Small Town
*Vague but also maybe minor spoilers*
I thought this was a quick and easy read. The writing flowed very well. I would definitely say it’s slow burn and kind of one-sided crush at first.
I liked the characters and it’s strange because I usually like reading books more focused on the main characters but for some reason I wanted to get to know the other supporting characters a bit more. I wish we got to see more of Lyla’s relationship with her brother, Austin, though I did love her relationship with Wade, Beck’s father.
Wasn’t the biggest fan of the third act breakup, just because I agreed with Beck with looking at all the possibilities.
I wouldn’t say the consulting to save the ranch bored me but sometimes it was too much talk about it with no solution and sometimes it was too little/forgotten if that makes sense.
I’m glad Lyla finally got to do what aligns with her beliefs and morals especially since she was big on helping animals.
I am excited to read the next book!
Thank you to the author and publishing company for providing me with an arc for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to netgalley & victory editing for the arc <3
GOD I LOVE COWBOY ROMANCES!!!! they truly are just incredible, i love our characters and their relationship. i hope we get to see more of the friendships between the girlies and austin+beck
but this was so fun, beck is incredible delicious if you will and lyla is the purest of souls i truly felt a connection to her
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
brothers best friend i am about to be fed
'the only place ive ever felt truly free to be my myself, the only place i ever felt truly
grounded now belongs to someone else' bit too close to home
HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND???? surely not
okay so it's not actually his girlfriend
the nickname trouble i'll go feral
'a square peg in a circle hole' can i mention shane hollander? yes always
why do i love them!! they're just so cute i love the jabs at one another
FUCK THEY KISS AND THEN HE DECIDES NO AAAAAA
confessions in the rainnnn one of my fav tropes
I STG IF THE TATTOO IS THE CONSTEALLTION OF THE NIGHT RHEY ALMOST KISSED ILL THROW UP IT FUCKING ISSSSSSS
fuckkk they're naming the baby cow dolly as in dolly parton rip our country queen
i fucking love 'wear the hat ride the cowboy' so much so the fact that she took his hat and put it on aaaaaa
eek he hasn't told austin about them or told her about dave and his offer
lyla feeling like her family home kept her connected to her life even though she didn't live there hits way too close to home for me
WELL I WONDER WHOS SHOWING IP NEXT WEEK HUH
GOD I LOVE COWBOY ROMANCES!!!! they truly are just incredible, i love our characters and their relationship. i hope we get to see more of the friendships between the girlies and austin+beck
but this was so fun, beck is incredible delicious if you will and lyla is the purest of souls i truly felt a connection to her
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
brothers best friend i am about to be fed
'the only place ive ever felt truly free to be my myself, the only place i ever felt truly
grounded now belongs to someone else' bit too close to home
HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND???? surely not
okay so it's not actually his girlfriend
the nickname trouble i'll go feral
'a square peg in a circle hole' can i mention shane hollander? yes always
why do i love them!! they're just so cute i love the jabs at one another
FUCK THEY KISS AND THEN HE DECIDES NO AAAAAA
confessions in the rainnnn one of my fav tropes
I STG IF THE TATTOO IS THE CONSTEALLTION OF THE NIGHT RHEY ALMOST KISSED ILL THROW UP IT FUCKING ISSSSSSS
fuckkk they're naming the baby cow dolly as in dolly parton rip our country queen
i fucking love 'wear the hat ride the cowboy' so much so the fact that she took his hat and put it on aaaaaa
eek he hasn't told austin about them or told her about dave and his offer
lyla feeling like her family home kept her connected to her life even though she didn't live there hits way too close to home for me
WELL I WONDER WHOS SHOWING IP NEXT WEEK HUH
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"You light me on fire, and I burn for you. I've burned for you since the day I met you."
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
After getting fired for standing up for her morals, Lyla Morgan finds herself back in her hometown of Sage Valley. Desperate for a job, she finds herself working for the gruff and broody Beck Hollis - her brother's best friend, and the man she's so certain must hate her.
I love a cowboy romance, and this is the absolute perfect one if you love a "secret softy" mmc like I do! Beck and Lyla are complete opposites, but they compliment each other so well. The tension in the beginning when she returns to town is so good, and I love the way Meg tackles her internal worries of being "too much" as she job hunts and thinks about her future (and how it's revealed Beck never wants her to dull her spark).
And then Beck - the man is so gruff and grumpy, I loved how he softens! There were so many sweet moments where Lyla works her way past his walls as she helps him with his ranch, and the forbidden relationship moments were so delicious. There were some small moments & repetition that I didn't fully connect with, but I still had a great time in Wild Sage!
I am definitely looking foward to more in this series, especially with the peek for who's next! If you love a cowboy slow burn (with a heap of yearning), then you will absolutely love this!
Tropes & Tags:
🐴 brother's best friend
⛰️ steer roper x vegan
💖 cowboy romance
🐴 grumpy x sunshine
⛰️ it's always been you
💖 small town
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Meg Riley! 📖]
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
After getting fired for standing up for her morals, Lyla Morgan finds herself back in her hometown of Sage Valley. Desperate for a job, she finds herself working for the gruff and broody Beck Hollis - her brother's best friend, and the man she's so certain must hate her.
I love a cowboy romance, and this is the absolute perfect one if you love a "secret softy" mmc like I do! Beck and Lyla are complete opposites, but they compliment each other so well. The tension in the beginning when she returns to town is so good, and I love the way Meg tackles her internal worries of being "too much" as she job hunts and thinks about her future (and how it's revealed Beck never wants her to dull her spark).
And then Beck - the man is so gruff and grumpy, I loved how he softens! There were so many sweet moments where Lyla works her way past his walls as she helps him with his ranch, and the forbidden relationship moments were so delicious. There were some small moments & repetition that I didn't fully connect with, but I still had a great time in Wild Sage!
I am definitely looking foward to more in this series, especially with the peek for who's next! If you love a cowboy slow burn (with a heap of yearning), then you will absolutely love this!
Tropes & Tags:
🐴 brother's best friend
⛰️ steer roper x vegan
💖 cowboy romance
🐴 grumpy x sunshine
⛰️ it's always been you
💖 small town
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Meg Riley! 📖]
September 3, 2026
I LOVED THIS BOOK. 😭❤️ And can we PLEASE talk about the fact that it’s set in Canada AND written by a Canadian author?! 🇨🇦👏🏻 I will never get tired of seeing Canadian romance getting the love it deserves!
Also… BECK HAS MY HEART. 🫠
If you know me, you KNOW I love a brother’s best friend romance, and Beck & Lyla absolutely delivered. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them together. Beck was so sweet, completely head over heels for Lyla, and the way he showed her how much he cared for her? 🥹 My heart.
And Lyla?! Watching her grow throughout this book was one of my favourite parts. She grew so much emotionally and in the way she handled life, and I absolutely loved getting to watch that journey unfold.
The setting was EVERYTHING. I genuinely wish I could pack my bags and go to Wild Sage Ranch because it sounds like the kind of place I never want to leave. 😭🌾
The country singer names for the animals had me laughing 😂 and this book definitely had me kicking my feet more than once. But when the spice hits… HOT DAMN, BECK. 🔥🔥🔥
I’m pretty sure Beck has officially earned himself a spot on the fictional boyfriend list. 😏
And now I NEED Austin’s book!!! 👀 Because… are we getting him with the ex-con they have starting on the rescue?! BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW. 😂
Overall, this was such a well-written, feel-good read that had me completely smitten. I binged this one FAST and absolutely did not want to put it down.
I highly recommend this one and I CANNOT WAIT to return to Wild Sage Ranch! 🤠❤️
Thank you to Meg Riley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a good second chance romance! Although not in the traditional sense since Beck had always been in Love with Lyla but never really acted on it until the forced proximity of them working together to save his family ranch really made them have to spend time together. Lyla was running from her own problems and really sought out refuge on the farm while she figured out the next steps in her career.
Lyla was always a free spirit who wore her emotions on her sleeve and tended to be a little too much for most people because of it. She spent a long time away from her home town and now that she is back, she was worried that people would treat her differently because she stayed away for so long. Of course her return was not something she was planning on doing, but when she was fired from her job in the city, she really didn't have much of a choice.
Lyla was hired by Beck's father to hopefully get their family farm out of a state of ruin, and didn't inform Beck about any of it. Beck and Lyla were forced to work together to figure out how to turn things around and have longevity in a farm that has meant so much to Beck and his family.
This was a story of second chances, found family, small town vibes, and workplace romance. The flow and progression of the book was perfect and the timeline of everything happening always made sense. Meg Riley really killed this book and I cannot wait to see what else she comes up with for Sage Valley!
Lyla was always a free spirit who wore her emotions on her sleeve and tended to be a little too much for most people because of it. She spent a long time away from her home town and now that she is back, she was worried that people would treat her differently because she stayed away for so long. Of course her return was not something she was planning on doing, but when she was fired from her job in the city, she really didn't have much of a choice.
Lyla was hired by Beck's father to hopefully get their family farm out of a state of ruin, and didn't inform Beck about any of it. Beck and Lyla were forced to work together to figure out how to turn things around and have longevity in a farm that has meant so much to Beck and his family.
This was a story of second chances, found family, small town vibes, and workplace romance. The flow and progression of the book was perfect and the timeline of everything happening always made sense. Meg Riley really killed this book and I cannot wait to see what else she comes up with for Sage Valley!
Review of advance copy received from Author
There's something about a grumpy cowboy who's obsessed with his bestfriends sister.. Make that sister pure sunshine with a massive personality and it was perfect!
Lyla has returned home to Sage Valley after losing her job. Desperate to find a new place of employment she agrees to work on Beck's family struggling ranch. Even though Beck's is determined to keep her store arm lengths and makes it known he doesn't want her help. She's loud, outspoken and will fight for what she believes in. I loved that after always being told she was 'too much' she finally got to be herself.
Beck, a grumpy cowboy who's taken over the ranch after his father has let it get in to deep has tried hard to do it all himself. Beneath his gruff exterior and the way he is around Lyla is a man who YEARNS for a woman he has no business wanting. Also the mustache👀
I always really struggle with a slow burn but Meg Riley has nailed the trope. The relationship between Beck and Lyla felt so natural and none of it was rushed. Not only was it full of chemistry and attraction but all the little important things that lead to a believable love. The tension and yearning had me literally melting into a puddle.
Slow Burn is a small town romance that is full of cowboys, found family, furry friends, tension and a romance that's quickly become one of my favourites of the year!
Thank you so much Meg Riley for the chamc eto read this before the masses❤️
Lyla has returned home to Sage Valley after losing her job. Desperate to find a new place of employment she agrees to work on Beck's family struggling ranch. Even though Beck's is determined to keep her store arm lengths and makes it known he doesn't want her help. She's loud, outspoken and will fight for what she believes in. I loved that after always being told she was 'too much' she finally got to be herself.
Beck, a grumpy cowboy who's taken over the ranch after his father has let it get in to deep has tried hard to do it all himself. Beneath his gruff exterior and the way he is around Lyla is a man who YEARNS for a woman he has no business wanting. Also the mustache👀
I always really struggle with a slow burn but Meg Riley has nailed the trope. The relationship between Beck and Lyla felt so natural and none of it was rushed. Not only was it full of chemistry and attraction but all the little important things that lead to a believable love. The tension and yearning had me literally melting into a puddle.
Slow Burn is a small town romance that is full of cowboys, found family, furry friends, tension and a romance that's quickly become one of my favourites of the year!
Thank you so much Meg Riley for the chamc eto read this before the masses❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for sending me an arc of this book!💗
Ughh I loved this book so much. I’m a sucker for books that have small town vibes with characters that feel real, that have me giggling & kicking my feet and that give me that comfort book feeling while also having depth and this gave me all of that!
I LOVED Beck. He was obsessed with Lyla from THE BEGINNING. The way he treated and showed up for her, stood up for her and encouraged her to just be herself & not shrink for anyone was so beautiful. (He’s perfect idc what anyoneee says🙂)
So many women I think could connect to Lyla. She’s always been told she’s too loud, too emotional, too opinionated and too passionate. But she’s fiercely loyal, she loves animals, she stands up for what she believes in and just wants to find a place where she feels like she can grow and be loved.
Lyla and Beck were absolutely perfect for each other with their grumpy x sunshine dynamic and the way they understood each other.
The animals and their names were one of the highlights of this book.🥹
The writing was amazing! I didn’t want to put the book down but even when I had to I was picking it back up as soon as I got the chance.
I can’t wait for more from this world and of these characters.
And the ending… I need the next one as soon as possible pls.🤣😅
Ughh I loved this book so much. I’m a sucker for books that have small town vibes with characters that feel real, that have me giggling & kicking my feet and that give me that comfort book feeling while also having depth and this gave me all of that!
I LOVED Beck. He was obsessed with Lyla from THE BEGINNING. The way he treated and showed up for her, stood up for her and encouraged her to just be herself & not shrink for anyone was so beautiful. (He’s perfect idc what anyoneee says🙂)
So many women I think could connect to Lyla. She’s always been told she’s too loud, too emotional, too opinionated and too passionate. But she’s fiercely loyal, she loves animals, she stands up for what she believes in and just wants to find a place where she feels like she can grow and be loved.
Lyla and Beck were absolutely perfect for each other with their grumpy x sunshine dynamic and the way they understood each other.
The animals and their names were one of the highlights of this book.🥹
The writing was amazing! I didn’t want to put the book down but even when I had to I was picking it back up as soon as I got the chance.
I can’t wait for more from this world and of these characters.
And the ending… I need the next one as soon as possible pls.🤣😅
September 18, 2026
Meg Riley’s Slow Burn was the perfect cowboy romance to end my summer with.
Beck Hollis, the quiet, brooding rancher, was the perfect MMC for me. Our FMC Lyla, on the other hand, is anything but reserved. She’s direct, honest, and wears her heart on her sleeve. A lot of the people around her see her as “too much”, which eventually even costs her her job and leads her back to her hometown, where she starts working on Beck’s ranch.
The problem? Beck is her brother’s best friend and has disliked Lyla since they were kids. Because to him, she’s simply … “too much” too. Or is that just what Lyla has convinced herself of?
Slow Burn combines the brother’s best friend trope with a true slow burn that really lives up to the title. The attraction between Beck and Lyla builds slowly, with just the right amount of tension, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
I especially loved the ranch setting and the fact that Lyla gets to use her professional skills to help Beck keep the ranch afloat. Of course, being the stubborn man he is, Beck is absolutely determined not to accept her help at first, which only makes things more fun!
A great start to The Wild Sage Series and definitely a cowboy romance I had a lot of fun reading.
As Meg Riley herself writes in the foreword:
“For the women who are told they’re too much… You need Beck Hollis.” 🤎
Beck Hollis, the quiet, brooding rancher, was the perfect MMC for me. Our FMC Lyla, on the other hand, is anything but reserved. She’s direct, honest, and wears her heart on her sleeve. A lot of the people around her see her as “too much”, which eventually even costs her her job and leads her back to her hometown, where she starts working on Beck’s ranch.
The problem? Beck is her brother’s best friend and has disliked Lyla since they were kids. Because to him, she’s simply … “too much” too. Or is that just what Lyla has convinced herself of?
Slow Burn combines the brother’s best friend trope with a true slow burn that really lives up to the title. The attraction between Beck and Lyla builds slowly, with just the right amount of tension, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
I especially loved the ranch setting and the fact that Lyla gets to use her professional skills to help Beck keep the ranch afloat. Of course, being the stubborn man he is, Beck is absolutely determined not to accept her help at first, which only makes things more fun!
A great start to The Wild Sage Series and definitely a cowboy romance I had a lot of fun reading.
As Meg Riley herself writes in the foreword:
“For the women who are told they’re too much… You need Beck Hollis.” 🤎
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Wild Sage Series: Beck and Lyla
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was actually really enjoying this one. The tension, the will they/won’t they, the forced proximity… All of it worked really well for me.
Then the brother’s best friend trope kicked in and sent my blood pressure through the roof!
Beck kept choosing Austin’s feelings over Lyla’s, and I just couldn't understand it. Even when it seemed like they were finally making progress, there was still this sense that Austin’s feelings mattered more than the woman Beck was supposedly falling for.
And the inheritance situation made it even worse. Austin had sold their shared inheritance years earlier to get himself out of trouble, leaving Lyla with nothing. It seems to have been a big part of why she left town in the first place.
So watching Beck worry about Austin’s feelings after all of that?
*Ahem, Beck, please reconsider your priorities….
I did like that he finally gave Austin a bit of a serve towards the end, although honestly, it needed to be a lot more forceful.
Despite my frustration with the Beck and Austin bromance, I really did like the story. The chemistry and slow-burn tension kept me invested, and there was plenty here that worked for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was actually really enjoying this one. The tension, the will they/won’t they, the forced proximity… All of it worked really well for me.
Then the brother’s best friend trope kicked in and sent my blood pressure through the roof!
Beck kept choosing Austin’s feelings over Lyla’s, and I just couldn't understand it. Even when it seemed like they were finally making progress, there was still this sense that Austin’s feelings mattered more than the woman Beck was supposedly falling for.
And the inheritance situation made it even worse. Austin had sold their shared inheritance years earlier to get himself out of trouble, leaving Lyla with nothing. It seems to have been a big part of why she left town in the first place.
So watching Beck worry about Austin’s feelings after all of that?
*Ahem, Beck, please reconsider your priorities….
I did like that he finally gave Austin a bit of a serve towards the end, although honestly, it needed to be a lot more forceful.
Despite my frustration with the Beck and Austin bromance, I really did like the story. The chemistry and slow-burn tension kept me invested, and there was plenty here that worked for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I cannot find the words to appropriately explain how much I loved this one.
A slow burn that plays out beautifully. The slow is only because they both are fighting what’s right in front of their faces.
I loved both Beck and Lyla. The grumpy sunshine dynamic worked so well in this story. Dual POV allowed us to see sides from each perspective and that helped understand every thing. Through Beck’s POV you see his grumpiness is because he carries the weight of the world while fighting between allowing himself the love he deserves and fighting the feelings of loyalty to his best friend. You see Lyla’s sunshine continue to break down the walls he’s tried so hard to build. But he loves Lyla with his whole heart and as she breaks down those walls he just wants to find a way to be happy, to love Lyla out loud, save his ranch and keep the honor in the friendship with Austin. I absolutely love that he sees Lyla for exactly who she is and never makes her feel like she’s too much!
Lyla is such a beautiful soul. She’s battling her own feelings and demons making her believe she doesn’t belong. She’s honestly just yearning to belong. She finally finds that with Beck. Following these two on their journey to their HEA was beautiful and I couldn’t get enough!
A slow burn that plays out beautifully. The slow is only because they both are fighting what’s right in front of their faces.
I loved both Beck and Lyla. The grumpy sunshine dynamic worked so well in this story. Dual POV allowed us to see sides from each perspective and that helped understand every thing. Through Beck’s POV you see his grumpiness is because he carries the weight of the world while fighting between allowing himself the love he deserves and fighting the feelings of loyalty to his best friend. You see Lyla’s sunshine continue to break down the walls he’s tried so hard to build. But he loves Lyla with his whole heart and as she breaks down those walls he just wants to find a way to be happy, to love Lyla out loud, save his ranch and keep the honor in the friendship with Austin. I absolutely love that he sees Lyla for exactly who she is and never makes her feel like she’s too much!
Lyla is such a beautiful soul. She’s battling her own feelings and demons making her believe she doesn’t belong. She’s honestly just yearning to belong. She finally finds that with Beck. Following these two on their journey to their HEA was beautiful and I couldn’t get enough!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lyla Morgan has to go back home to Sage Valley with her tail tucked between her legs after getting fired from her big city job. She ends up working on her brother’s best friend’s ranch as a consultant to help save it from financial troubles, but she can’t help but notice that the surly man, Beck, who has always looked out for her is still being sneakily kind to her, even if he’s got a grumpy facade going on.
This was such a fun small town cowboy romance - think Lyla Sage vibes - and was exactly what I needed! Beck was the perfect pining MMC/brother’s best friend who has always been in love with Lyla and loves everything about her and never thinks she’s too much! And the farm animal side characters were the absolute cutest - why does Kenny Rogers the three-legged goat remind me of my dog?! 🥹 I definitely can’t wait to read the next installment of the Wild Sage series!
Read for:
🐐 Brother’s best friend
🐐 Canadian cowboy romance
🐐 Small town romance
🐐 Meddling dad
🐐 Grumpy sunshine
🐐 Critter the snaggletoothed chihuahua mix
🐐 Slutty little mustache
🐐 Forbidden romance
🐐 Save the ranch
🐐 Kenny Rogers the three-legged goat
🐐 City girl
🐐 Bunny yoga
🐐 Secret tattoo
🐐 It’s always been you
🐐 Mustache ride
Thank you Meg Riley for the ARC!
September 7, 2026
Who doesn't like a closed-off MMC with a longing that he has been hiding for years, a bad-ass FMC that speaks her mind and chemistry that is off the charts?!?
What stuck with me:
Beck giving Lyla the room to express who she is and feel safe with her feelings
What surprised me:
I'm in a massive reading slump and I thought that I'm going to struggle through this book but it was such an easy read - once you get started you wouldn't want to put the book down!
What frustrated me:
Not really a frustration but the furry side-kicks were a bit much for me - I know this is a quirk of the book and Lyla's characters but yeah... was a bit much
What I couldn't stop thinking about:
How Beck and Lyla starting trusting each other so completely that Beck started opening up more for Lyla and that she felt safe enough with Beck to just be herself.
What I would actually tell another reader:
This book delivered what it promised, a slow burn, cowboy romance with a found family thrown into the mix - a bit of forced-proximity, years of yearning and best friend's sister - if this all sounds good to you then you have to add it to your TBR today.
Thank you Meg Riley and Netgalley for gifting me this e-arc in return for an honest review.
What stuck with me:
Beck giving Lyla the room to express who she is and feel safe with her feelings
What surprised me:
I'm in a massive reading slump and I thought that I'm going to struggle through this book but it was such an easy read - once you get started you wouldn't want to put the book down!
What frustrated me:
Not really a frustration but the furry side-kicks were a bit much for me - I know this is a quirk of the book and Lyla's characters but yeah... was a bit much
What I couldn't stop thinking about:
How Beck and Lyla starting trusting each other so completely that Beck started opening up more for Lyla and that she felt safe enough with Beck to just be herself.
What I would actually tell another reader:
This book delivered what it promised, a slow burn, cowboy romance with a found family thrown into the mix - a bit of forced-proximity, years of yearning and best friend's sister - if this all sounds good to you then you have to add it to your TBR today.
Thank you Meg Riley and Netgalley for gifting me this e-arc in return for an honest review.
September 18, 2026
Slow Burn | Meg Riley
4.5☆ | 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 1 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴
*eARC review* Releasing TODAY!! 🧘♀️🐐🤠🐴🐎🍑
After her life in the city implodes, Lyla reluctantly returns to Sage Valley as the consultant for Beck’s ranch - her brother’s best friend. Beck is a grumpy steer roper and wants nothing to do with her, including her help on the ranch. Despite their clashing personalities, long working days and late nights have forced them to see a different side of one another.
“𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”
The story took its time building chemistry, emotional connection, and a solid foundation before turning romantic which I very much appreciated, and it lived up to its title - truly a slow burn. I loved Beck and Lyla’s story, as I do with all of Meg’s books and am excited to see how this series continues on. Every emotion and “we shouldn’t be doing this” moments, the yearning, and tension built was done very well and what keeps me coming back to Meg’s writing as one of my comfort authors. Sage Valley is a universe I will be excited to come back for in the next book.
A huge thank you to @megrileyauthor and the publisher for this ARC of Slow Burn in exchange for an honest review!
4.5☆ | 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 1 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴
*eARC review* Releasing TODAY!! 🧘♀️🐐🤠🐴🐎🍑
After her life in the city implodes, Lyla reluctantly returns to Sage Valley as the consultant for Beck’s ranch - her brother’s best friend. Beck is a grumpy steer roper and wants nothing to do with her, including her help on the ranch. Despite their clashing personalities, long working days and late nights have forced them to see a different side of one another.
“𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”
The story took its time building chemistry, emotional connection, and a solid foundation before turning romantic which I very much appreciated, and it lived up to its title - truly a slow burn. I loved Beck and Lyla’s story, as I do with all of Meg’s books and am excited to see how this series continues on. Every emotion and “we shouldn’t be doing this” moments, the yearning, and tension built was done very well and what keeps me coming back to Meg’s writing as one of my comfort authors. Sage Valley is a universe I will be excited to come back for in the next book.
A huge thank you to @megrileyauthor and the publisher for this ARC of Slow Burn in exchange for an honest review!
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