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Will to Run

Not yet published
Expected 23 Sep 26

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 23, 2026

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About the author

Kelly O'Reilly

6 books54 followers
Kelly has been obsessed with words since she learned to read-poems, lyrics, magnetic poetry, cutting out words for collages, writing down favorite phrases. As for obsessed with love? Probably longer.

These days, you can find her hoarding all the good pens while writing contemporary romance novels full of heartfelt emotion, epic banter, spicy spice, and laugh-out-loud moments with characters you fall for and plots you get lost in.

And happily ever afters. Always happily ever afters.

When she's not writing, she's collecting moments with her four kids and husband, taking photos, dreaming of seeing the world, loving her 80 pound pitty bull, seeking new, fun experiences, or dancing to late 90s/early 2000s songs. Spoiler Alert: She can no longer Get Low.

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5 stars
37 (74%)
4 stars
11 (22%)
3 stars
2 (4%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for The Honest Bookmark .
200 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 17, 2026
Plot: I LOVED this book. It's not often that I find myself so drawn into contemporary romance books, but I really didn't want to stop reading this one. Della, our FMC, is running from her wedding after finding her fiancé sleeping with someone else. She runs into Jaxon while trying to get to her best friend's family house, and he offers her a place (a cabin on his family ranch) to stay while she waits out the storm. As we all know happens in romance books, she stays for longer than the storm. This girl went through the wringer as a child/young adult, and somehow our playboy MMC found love in her. Even through their fight and subsequent breakup, you could tell how much they both loved each other and wanted to be together.

Characters: Della, FMC, was such a fun character to read about. She had been through some sh*t, but still, she pressed on. She never let anything break her, and I LOVED that! Jaxon, MMC, was a strong, rugged cowboy playboy who changed his mindset when he met Della, and he loved her FIRECLY. He loved her and made room for her to grow. Honestly, you couldn't ask for a better MMC.

Spice: WOHA! The spice in this one was SPICY! There were so many scenes, and they were all so HAWT!

Ending: What a beautiful ending to a beautiful book. I loved that she got her HEA and loved even more that she built the life she wanted. She grew in her art and in who she was, and her relationship with Jaxon was hands down top tier. They are 1000% goals.

Overall: I LOVED this book! I couldn't stop reading it. Della and Jaxon are an amazing couple.
Profile Image for Lawlah.
390 reviews27 followers
September 12, 2026
Beautiful, Emotional, and Full of Heart

Will to Run is such a beautiful story.

The story follows Della, who runs away from her wedding after discovering her soon-to-be husband with his best man. She leaves him standing at the altar and starts a journey of finding herself again.

Della’s story was beautifully written. Seeing how her father manipulated and gaslighted her into marrying Tripp made her journey even more heartbreaking.

Jaxson was completely smitten with Della from the beginning, and I loved how he became a safe space for her when she needed one. The way he supported her and allowed her to heal was beautiful to read.

The found family aspect of this book was one of my favorite parts. The way the Wills family welcomed Della and took her into their fold was so heartwarming. Kelly is officially the queen of the found-family trope.

Another thing that stood out was the beautiful female friendships. They added so much warmth and depth to the story.

This is a 5-star read, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Kelly for this ARC.
Profile Image for Danielle Hooke.
203 reviews
September 17, 2026
✨ARC review✨
well this was such a sweet book, Jaxon and Della were so fun together and i really enjoyed watching their relationship develop 🥹

Della is a runaway bride and stumbles upon a garage needing help with her car, but lo and behold she meets Jaxon whose family owns the biggest ranch in the area. of course he helps a woman in need and offers her a safe haven for 3 days while a snow storm passes through

well 3 days turns into 6 weeks and allows for a Della to have solid ground to stand on while finding herself again and working through her trauma that’s occurred throughout her life. during that time, her and Jaxon develop a friendship with serious chemistry that evolves into a relationship and it was so heartwarming to see Jaxon support Della wholeheartedly and allow her the space to grow into the person she is 😭

this was a quick, fun and cute read. and if you love cowboys this will be right up your alley 🤠
Profile Image for alexis.
276 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 20, 2026
A run away bride and a hot small town rugged cow boy?? Yes please.

Della ran from her wedding, realising she has been existing and living for the pleasure of others and herself. On her way to see her best friend to runs into Jaxon, he offers her a place to stay at her ranch. She ends up falling in love with the raunch, the family and of course, Jaxon. It’s not an easy journey for them both but seeing the adoration and love they have for each other, the ranch and the family, is just so special.

This one was also HOOOOTTT, their chemistry is insane and so so good. It was also heart warming, funny as and just an overall good time.

🤠 Run away Bride
🤠 Cowboy/Rancher
🤠 Found Family
🤠 Healing
🤠 Forced Proximity
Profile Image for Theresa.
13 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 19, 2026
Heart, romance, intensity, and plenty of spice… Will to Run has it all.

The setting is beautifully brought to life, making it incredibly easy to feel completely immersed in the story's world.

The yearning between the characters is next level, and the spice is chefs kiss.

Alongside all that tension, there’s an amazing sense of humour. In the span of just a single chapter, the tone can seamlessly flip from laugh out loud funny to absolute fire.

I’m keeping this review spoiler free, but I highly recommend putting this on your TBR....you will absolutely gobble it up!

Thank you so much to Kelly O'Reilly for providing an advanced reader copy!!
Profile Image for Brittany.
1,281 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 22, 2026
A runaway bride needs help to survive a snow storm...and finds a new lease on life with the help of a cowboy.

To sum it up shortly, but so much more happens. Tender moments, trauma, found family, healing, drama, banter, spice, heartache, tension, wooing, protectiveness, and more.
325 reviews2 followers
September 14, 2026
Stop what you are doing and please read this book! It is a beautiful story about finding yourself and finding love. It does have some tough topics but the message and growth behind them is done beautifully. I cried a few times but I absolutely loved this book. This family is amazing and welcoming. Thank you for the ARC!
Profile Image for morgan.
56 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
September 17, 2026
Oh I really really loved this 🥹 Della & Jaxon made my heart melt the entire time. I just kept wondering how it could get any better and then it did. It just kept getting better and better. I loved every minute of this book
Profile Image for Nikki Dunlap.
206 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 20, 2026
A runaway bride, a Wyoming cowboy, and a whole lot of unexpected feelings… SIGN ME UP. 🤠💍❤️

Della’s life changes in one moment when she realizes the future she’s been living toward isn’t actually the life she wants. Walking away from her wedding sends her somewhere she never expected to be—and straight into the path of Jaxon Wills.

What started as an escape turned into something so much bigger.

I’m usually not one for the “instant chemistry” or “instant lust” books but this one was written where it felt organic and their chemistry was off the charts ❤️

I really loved watching Della come into her own throughout this story. She’s spent so much of her life making choices based on what other people wanted for her, so seeing her slowly discover her own voice, desires, and dreams was incredibly rewarding. Her journey wasn’t always easy, but it made her growth feel genuine and earned. 🥹

And then there’s Jaxon. 🥵

This man was EVERYTHING. Protective without being overbearing, patient when Della needed space, and completely gone for her. I loved that he didn’t try to “fix” her or decide her future for her. Instead, he gave her the security to figure out who she wanted to be and then stood beside her.

Their relationship had that perfect combination of slow-building emotion + undeniable attraction, and I was invested in every single moment between them. 🔥

But honestly, one of my favorite parts was Amberheart Valley itself. The small-town atmosphere, the Wills family, the friendships, and that sense of belonging made this story feel so warm and inviting. The found-family element was absolutely one of my highlights. 🥹❤️

Things I loved:

🤠 Cowboy romance
💍 Runaway bride
🏡 Small-town setting
🔥 Serious chemistry
❤️ Found family
🫶 Emotional healing
✨ Starting over
💞 A heroine finding herself

Will to Run gave me all the feels. It was emotional, romantic, comforting, and spicy enough to keep me turning those pages. Della and Jaxon completely won me over, and by the end, I was nowhere near ready to say goodbye to Amberheart Valley.

Kelly O’Reilly absolutely delivered with this one! 💕
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you, Kelly, for the ARC! These are my honest thoughts!
Profile Image for ashleey.
241 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy
September 15, 2026
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Picture this: It's your wedding day. You just got your hair and makeup done, you feel exceptionally beautiful. But then, where is it? Oh shit, you forgot your family heirloom. So you run to your rental to grab it. Then, you see your fiancé having a threesome... topping his best man. Della is a very strong woman because if I saw what she saw on my wedding day, I would be a menace. But no, she was classy with it. She just left, completely ghosted everyone (as she should). Her best friend even provided the getaway car. Bless that woman.

I liked this, I really did but the whole reason Della stays with Jaxon is due to a storm... where was said storm??? Days go by and no one mentions this huge storm they were supposed to have. Otherwise, Della and Jax had a cute friendship going that constantly teetered on sexual chemistry. Once the sex lessons started, this lost traction for me. The scenes were awkward and Della acts more childish when it comes to sex which turned me off. She explicitly said she was sexually active prior to her engagement but maybe I'm reading too much into it.

While I found the romance lacking, the friendship was beyond real. Della wasn't looking for a family in the Wills but they just adopted her into the fold which I loved. There is just something endearing about a big family that actually likes each other and is kind to everyone just to be kind.

Thank you to The Author Agency for this eARC 🖤 I'll be checking out the next books in this series.
Profile Image for MN Book Lady.
2,608 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy
September 17, 2026
The heartbreak and coming back together was amazing! This is how you grovel!

When Della found her fiancé cheating on her the morning of her wedding, her best friend helped her run. She almost made it to her destination when she was halted by a snowstorm, where she met Jaxon, a local private mechanic and part-owner of a luxury ranch with his siblings. Jaxon offered Della a place to stay to ride out the storm in hopes that she would stay longer and get to know him better, which does end up with a job offer for a short-term position on the ranch. During this time, Jaxon and Della get to know each other and eventually start a relationship, one Della actually wants to be in. But Jaxon's brother is going through a terrible divorce and isn't in the right headspace to be supportive, and while in one of his moods, pokes Jaxon too far, making him say things to get his brother to leave, and Della overhears this. So how will he win her back?

Jaxon and Della get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.

This was amazing! My heart broke for Della and what she went through with her ex and her father, and really losing her mother the way that she did, but I loved that she found family once again that wanted her just for her. Jaxon's groveling was top-notch, and I loved how he found a meaningful way to show how much she meant to him but also to show that he understood her and what she needed too. I do love that Jaxon's brother also apologized separately and explained his side and what he was doing to be better as well to keep the family together. I can't wait to see how this family and ranch grow, and if Della's best friend gets her wedding there in the future!

I received an advance review copy from The Author Agency, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Tanja Brennan.
269 reviews57 followers
September 17, 2026
I loved Della’s story so much. 🥹

After finding her soon-to-be husband with his best man right before their wedding, Della does exactly what the title says—she runs. And honestly, watching her slowly figure out who she is and what she actually wants was one of my favorite parts of this book.

My heart hurt for her, especially as we learn more about the way her father manipulated and gaslit her into a life she never really chose for herself. There’s so much healing in this story, and I loved watching Della finally start making choices for Della.

And then there’s Jaxson. 🫠 He is completely smitten with her from the beginning, but he never tries to rush her or swoop in and fix everything. He gives her a safe place to land, supports her while she finds her footing, and lets her heal on her own terms. I loved him for that.

But the Wills family might have been my favorite part. The way they immediately pull Della into their crazy, loving family and make room for her was everything. Kelly O’Reilly really knows how to do found family. The Wills family is chaotic, loving, and exactly the kind of family you want to be part of.

And I have to mention the female friendships! I loved seeing women show up for each other without unnecessary drama or competition. Della needed people firmly in her corner, and watching her find that kind of friendship along with a family she chose made her journey even sweeter.

This one had heartbreak, healing, found family, wonderful female friendships, and a man who knew exactly when to step up and when to simply be there. I was completely invested in Della finding the life—and the people—she deserved. ❤️
Profile Image for Kirsty.
825 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy
September 18, 2026
OMG WILL TO RUN!!! Kelly O’Reilly absolutely got me with this one 😭🔥🤠

I LOVED Jaxon and Della so freaking much!! A runaway bride getting stranded in a tiny Wyoming town and finding herself in the arms of a gorgeous rancher??? YES. GIVE ME ALL OF IT.

Della broke my heart because she’s spent so long living a life that was basically chosen for her, and then she finally RUNS. Watching her slowly realise that she deserves to choose what she wants, who she loves and what her future looks like had me so emotional. 🥹

AND JAXON WILLS!!! SIRRRR. 🔥🔥🔥 The warm, protective cowboy who gives her somewhere safe to land and then basically decides he’s going to fight for her once he realises she belongs in Amberheart Valley?? I WAS DONE. The way he made Della feel desired instead of disdained and cherished instead of conquered absolutely melted me.

And the CHEMISTRY??? 🥵🔥 Jaxon and Della were HOT AF together. The tension, the attraction, the emotion underneath it all… I was eating up every single interaction waiting for them to finally give in.

I loved that their relationship wasn’t just about Jaxon saving Della either. He gave her the space and safety to finally find HERSELF and choose the life she actually wanted. 😭❤️

Small town ✔️
Runaway bride ✔️
Protective cowboy ✔️
Forced proximity ✔️
Emotional healing ✔️
INSANE chemistry ✔️🔥

Jaxon and Della completely stole my heart. I devoured this and did NOT want to leave Amberheart Valley.
Profile Image for Jade.
209 reviews
September 22, 2026
ARC REVIEW | ⭐️ 4.5 | 🌶️ 3

Who doesn’t love a runaway bride stumbling into a small town and immediately finding herself VERY distracted by a hot ranch owner? 🙋‍♀️ Add in Della and Jaxon’s instant chemistry and a few spicy little “lessons” and yeah… you know you’re onto a winner.

But underneath all the fun and spice, Della’s story was heartbreakingly enraging. The way she lost her mum was traumatic enough, but watching how her father used her grief and guilt for his own personal benefit…Disgusting.

The way Della was able to come back to herself, find her way back to painting and build this beautiful found family around her. What. A. Woman. Then there’s Jaxon, a man obsessed. Watching him show Della exactly how she deserved to be loved after everything she’d been through was EVERYTHING.

I didn’t love the third-act breakup or the circumstances around it, even if I do love a grovelling man. It just felt unnecessary, especially after all of Della’s hurt and the progress she’d made. Just let the poor girl live.

Cayson, babe… I need your book immediately because honestly, who hurt you enough to make you this cynical! Although, we absolutely love a self-aware man who goes to therapy. Let the redemption arc begin.

If this is how we’re starting the series, I am genuinely so excited to watch the rest of the Wells crew fall in love.

I was given an advance copy of this book by the author for free and leave this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Khou Yang.
114 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy
September 20, 2026
What a rollercoaster! A solid 4 star for this one! Della and Jaxon were a match made in heaven from the beginning!

Della runs away on the morning of her wedding after finding out one of the biggest betrayals. She finds herself in Amberheart after meeting Jaxon. What was supposed to be a few nights in Amberheart before she went to her destination turned into working on the Will's ranch until she got back on her feet. When they give in to their desire, Jaxon realizes he wants her to stay. And she feels the same way.

I was hooked on this book right from the beginning. Della and Jaxon's playful banter and flirting had me in my feels. A few times, I found myself yelling "just do it!" because I could not take the tension. But man, it was so worth the wait! Here I thought it was going to be a cute read, and then I found myself crying over what Jaxon says about Della. My girl had spent 5 years being overlooked and ignored. And my heart broke for her. Jaxon was on my bad guy list for a bit. But he did not give up. People, THIS IS HOW YOU DO GROVELING! He gave her space but showed her he wasn't going anywhere! When he started groveling, AHHH! I was ready to forgive him right away. I loved reading about Jaxon showing Della she deserved so much more than she was given.

if you love small town, instant attraction, and a jealous MMC, this book is for you!
Profile Image for Lauren.
146 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 13, 2026
Kindly received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Will to Run by Kelly O’Reilly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

🌸Runaway Bride
🤠Cowboy/City Girl
🌸Found Family
🤠Healing Journey
🌸Instant Chemistry
🤠"You're Mine"

Will to Run was a fun cowboy romance that I know I will be recommending for a long time! I quickly fell in love with Della and Jaxon. The instant chemistry between these two characters was electric. Jaxon focused on Della's comfort and reminding her that she is enough no matter what anyone says. I enjoyed that we got to read and understand all of the emotions and thoughts each character felt.

I read this book over the span of two days and could not put it down! If you are looking for your next Cowboy Romance, here is your sign.

The relationship between Della and her mom reminded me of my own with my mother. My mom has and still would drop everything she is doing and come help me if I called her. I pray that others will experience this same level of love, commitment, and dedication from at least one person in their life. <3

This book also makes me want to start painting again!

Thank you so much to the author for the eARC and I can't wait to read more books by Kelly O'Reilly!
Profile Image for Ashley Perez.
84 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 19, 2026
Will to Run ARC review

OMG this book was absolute perfection! I devoured this in one day. From the first chapter I was hooked. I absolutely loved Della & Jaxon. She’s a runaway bride and he’s the man to help her with a place to stay. The attraction and chemistry is instant but also didn’t feel forced.

This man is a flirt by nature but the biggest green flag and just drawn to Della. I love how she decided to stay and find herself again. She wanted to build confidence in herself and she was so strong in doing that and with some help from Jaxon 😉After what she went through she deserved all the happiness and love Jaxon was able to give her. Della was such a fun FMC and some of her inner thoughts were so funny.

And holy hell the spice?! These two were so friggen hot I couldn’t get enough! 🥵🔥🫠 Jaxon you are that man.

The found family in this one was top tier and the girls acceptance of Della was instant and I loved she was able to create her own girl group and being loved fiercely by the hot cowboy.

Infinity stars and I cannot wait for the next book. Thank you so much Kelly and the author agency for the ARC

🍂Cowboy/City Girl
🤎Runaway Bride
🍁Sexploration
🤎Healing Journey
🍁Found Family
🤎Former Playboy
🍁Instant Chemistry
🤎You're Mine
Profile Image for Joan | We Read Past Our Bedtime.
118 reviews10 followers
Read
September 19, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨

⭐️: 5
🌶️: 3

💭: What a beautiful ride that was!!! Kelly always takes you on a journey with her books, and I’m so glad she entered her cowboy era. 🤠

Typically, I like my cowboys grumpy 😂 but man, sometimes I love one who is just so down bad for a woman and sweet as pie. Jaxon was that perfect balance — strong, tough, masculine, but also soft, loyal, and sensitive in all the right places. Is there anything better than a sexy man who is also kind as hell? Just GOOD!

Della — well, she’s got so many layers that I swear pulling back each one slowly revealed the masterpiece underneath. God, she was so worthy and so incredible, and honestly, she was just dealt the most horrific hand. Watching her navigate her insecurities and rise above them was incredible, and I thought Kelly handled it all so delicately.

I said it during my bedside broadcasts, but an artist FMC x rugged cowboy was the duo I really didn’t know I needed…but good lord, do I need MORE!!

I knew this would be 5 stars early on — but when I tell you Kelly knocked it out of the park with this one? GRAND FREAKING SLAM! And that epilogue… brought me to tears. 🥹

So yeah…I stand by my 5 stars. Absolutely loved every second. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Alicia Bradley.
131 reviews
Review of advance copy
September 19, 2026
This is one of very few books that could earn 6⭐️ from me. I have one word to really sum it up and it’s obsessed! I am absolutely obsessed with Jaxon & Della’s story!

This read is emotion packed and absolutely beautiful! Della is running from a future of misery and going to try to find herself. What she finds is an incredibly charming cowboy named Jaxon. Former playboy until he laid eyes on Della. He is kind, protective, dependable and completely swoon worthy. He see’s the situation Della is in and he immediately wants to help! He offers her a soft place to land for a few days that turns into so much more.

The chemistry between these two is so intense. But together they build a relationship that is beautiful and all consuming! Jax helps Della on her journey to finding herself while she helps him see what falling in love really feels like!

This story is absolutely beautiful and I was hooked from the very beginning. I not only loved the main characters but all the supporting characters/Jaxon’s family. The way they embrace Della is amazing despite his one skeptical brother who eventually comes around. I didn’t want this to end. I literally couldn’t get enough. Can’t wait to see what’s next at the Heart of Will Ranch!
Profile Image for Barbara Mann.
511 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
September 22, 2026
4.5/5...Jaxon and Della had me completely hooked. There’s something about a grumpy-but-gentle cowboy, a runaway bride, and a slow-burn romance that just works—and this one delivered all the swoony feelings. I really loved the emotional side of this story. Jaxon’s tenderness toward Della, especially when she’s learning what it means to be cared for rather than controlled, made their relationship feel incredibly satisfying. Their chemistry was undeniable, but it was the little moments of trust, comfort, and vulnerability that really got me.Della was easy to root for as she fought to figure out what she actually wanted from life, and I appreciated watching her grow into her own choices. Jaxon, meanwhile, was the kind of cowboy hero who knows when to be protective without taking away her agency—which made falling for him very easy. The small-town/ranch setting gave the book that cozy Western-romance atmosphere I love, while the romance brought plenty of heat and heart. I did have a few moments where the pacing felt a little uneven, which is why this lands at 4.5 stars for me, but overall, I was thoroughly entertained.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Glenda.
275 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
September 13, 2026
Yes. Grab this one right away. Point. Blank. Period.

Let me tell you… within the first 2 minutes of reading, I was already obsessed. And within the first 10 minutes, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor from the twist that was thrown at me. 😂

And if you’re wondering… within 15 minutes, I already knew which side character’s book I couldn’t wait to read even though I had no clue if they were even getting a book! 😂 By the end of the story, I was wishing I didn’t have to wait for the next book in the series.

So, do I recommend this book? Absolutely YES.

Kelly O’Reilly delivered one magnificent story. The way she put Della’s feelings and everything she went through into words completely had my heart. I genuinely teared up a few times throughout this story.

There was just something so special about Della’s story, and seeing her find someone just as special in Jax made it that much better. Their story completely pulled me in, and I honestly can’t stress enough just how obsessed I was with this book.

I’m already excited to see what the rest of this series has in store because if this book is any indication… I am ALL IN. 🖤
Profile Image for Deanna.
296 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 20, 2026
"Thank you Kelly for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I swear every book from Kelly is my favorite until I read the newest book and then it becomes my new favorite. This book has me up late, hating the fact that I had to work because I wanted to finish it and had to know what happened!

After learning that her soon-to-be husband has not been faithful to her, Della flees and leaves him at the altar. Her plan is to escape west, to a friends house, but on the way she stops in a small town and ends up staying due to incoming bad weather. There, she meets Jaxon, the swoony, playboy rancher who takes her under his wing.

Jaxon is determined to show Della that she deserves the absolute best and Della wants to rediscover herself and her passions, and if a hot rancher helps her along the way, even better.

I absolutely adored how Della grew stronger and stood up for herself, and rediscovered her passions, her drive, and her joy. Jaxson was the biggest consent king ever and he was so swoon-worthy that I need to find me a Jaxson of my own!

Lovers of small town, strong characters who rediscover their joy, this one is for you!"
262 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
September 12, 2026
Thank you Kelly and the Author Agency for this ARC.

This is my first book by Kelly and it will not be my last! I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait for the rest of this series.

Della’s friend helps her escape on her wedding day after discovering her fiancé in a compromising situation with a few others. As Della gets closer to her friend’s family home, a snowstorm rolls in, forcing her to stop at a local shop where Jaxon is working on a car. Just one look at her and Jaxon cannot take his eyes off of her. After informing her that she will not get through the mountain pass with the snow storm coming in, he offers a cabin at his family's ranch for a few days.

Della's life has been basically chosen for her and now she’s determined to finally take a stand and make her own decisions. Jaxon becomes her safe place while encouraging her to build her confidence and discover who she really is. But when Della overhears a conversation between Jaxon and his brother, she leaves the ranch and moves into town. Their breakup gives them both something they desperately need: time apart. Della needs the space to find herself and figure out what she wants for her future, while Jaxon has to come to terms with just how much his life has changed since the moment he first laid eyes on her.

When they eventually find their way back to each other, it feels earned. Della and Jaxon were exactly what the other had been missing.

I loved watching the growth between them: not only as individuals, but also as a couple. Their relationship felt stronger because they each took the time to figure themselves out before finding their way back to each other.
Profile Image for Jaylynn Schubauer.
339 reviews3 followers
September 16, 2026
Kelly O’Reilly has given me yet another cowboy to fall in love with! This is the first book in the Heart of Will series, and I can’t wait to see where it goes!

Oh my goodness is Jaxon everything. I love how much he loves and cares for his family and the ranch and how protective he is of Della. The way he brings out the light in her and helps he see that she is everything and deserves happiness is so beautiful and heartwarming. He really is her biggest fan. Does he make a huge f*** up? Yes. But I absolutely LOVED how he went about winning Della back. I cried 😭

And my sweet darling Della. She deserves the world and I love how her confidence in herself grew in this book. She dealt with so much hardship and being told she wasn’t good enough in her past but the way she overcame that was so good. And not only with Jaxon’s help, but with Hazel, Molly, and Quinn. I love a girl gang and ride or die friendships.

This book is full of grief, self doubt, overcoming obstacles, self discovery, found family, romances, and beautiful friendships. It’s a must add for your tbr!
Profile Image for Amber.
28 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 17, 2026
This book had me kicking my feet, crying and absolutely swooning for Jaxon Wills!

I have been deep in my cowboy romance era lately and this was the perfect read! I absolutely loved this book so so much! The found family was chefs kiss, the romance between Della and Jaxon was absolutely swoon worthy, and witnessing Della find herself and really grow as a person after such a terrible hand of cards was dealt to her in life was so incredibly moving. Not to mention the author did a hell of a job writing Jaxon, not only the perfect play boy turned loved boy with a western twist, but she did a hell of a job making him grovel! I was merely the reader and even I wanted to forgive Jaxon for his stupidity.

This book has lemotional growth, a sexy cowboy, a whole lot of heart and is the perfect read if you want to get lost on a gorgeous ranch in Wyoming where the sunrises are otherworldly and the people make you feel like you’ve found your place in this world.

Thank you so much Kelly for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Profile Image for Lindsay .
338 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 15, 2026
I am so excited for this next series by Kelly O'Reilly! Will To Run was SO good and I couldn't put it down. Della is set to marry Tripp who she doesn't love but is marrying out of obligation. She discovers him cheating on the morning of her wedding and leaves abruptly with whatever she can fit into her car. Along the way she stops at a mechanic and meets Jaxon. He informs her there's a snow storm in the mountains and there is no way she will make it in her car. He offers her a place to stay on his family's ranch to wait until it's safe to drive.
I absolutely adored Jaxon. He was so sweet to Della and tried so hard to fight his attraction for her after knowing what she went through. I also loved the found family aspect of the story. Della's father was absolutely horrible to her after her mother passed away and she was all alone. Jaxson's family brought her into their family and I loved that for her. I can't wait to see where the series goes next!
Profile Image for Jackie | thelifeofabookishmom .
174 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 17, 2026
3.5⭐💫 rounding up. This one is hard for me to rate in the sense that it is a good book, but my expectations going into it didn't meet what the book actually delivered. I went into this thinking it was a cowboy romance book, which it is not. I would describe this book as a contemporary romance book that takes place at a high end western resort with an MMC who leans slightly country boy. The most cowboy thing we saw him do was ride a horse, which I think only happens twice? I will wholeheartedly acknowledge that I am *very* selective about which cowboy romance books I enjoy, so if you aren't hung up on that, then you would probably really enjoy this book.

As for the story, I would have really enjoyed our FMC spending some time with herself (which was insinuated but didn't come to pass). This book is also pretty heavy insta lust, which isn't my favorite.

Thank you to the author and TAA for the eARC.
Profile Image for knottychickenafterdark .
28 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 20, 2026
Ladies...if a yummy cowboy 🤤 romance sounds good to you, ride your 🐴 as fast as you can and add this to your TBR!!! This is one of THE BEST western romances I've read this year ❤️ @kellyoreillyauthor thank you for one heck of a ride!!!

Jaxon: getting involved with a runaway bride is dumb, even for me.

Della: to secure my family's livelihood, I'm supposed to say I do to the man my father chose for me

Instead, I run before I make it to the church!

I immediately fell in love with Jaxon. Think of the ultimate sexy cowboy, mixed with a golden retriever, and you have him. A knight in a cowboy hat, waiting to rescue a damsel.

And Della, the beautiful pawn. In a life she didn't want, and decided to take destiny into her own hands, and discovered a life worth living, while rediscovering herself!!

I LOVED this book so much, and will forever recommend it!
Profile Image for Aubrey Watson.
56 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 21, 2026
Finished this book in 24 hrs, enough said!
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Will to Run has me losing sleep because I didn’t want to put it down! I loved Jaxon and Della - their dynamic, the chemistry, tension and passion!
Jaxon had me blushing at the reformed playboy who is head over heels for this girl who drove into his life! Della is the girl you’re rooting for as she works to find herself again, find her strength, passion and confidence!
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I got angry with Jaxon in the 3rd act, but loved Della’s strength and love for herself. Plus, you get to see Jaxon grovel, and boy is he good at it! I also thought the conflict even sold me even more into the found family, the couples chemistry and the book as a whole! It worked and for me only added to the story!

I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait to see what happens next! 💜🩵
Profile Image for AmbReadsSpice.
117 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 18, 2026
This was my first Kelly O'Reilly read and I really enjoyed it.

Jaxon was hilarious and also very sweet and supportive of Della. I loved the way he built her up to stand on her own. Della was also a great FMC who was able to find herself and her worth throughout this story and I appreciated that arc so much for her.
The side characters were another great addition to this and made me excited to see what else comes from this serious - I am so curious about Cayson!

While the third act did break my heart a bit, I actually loved the grovelling and felt it was just right in order to establish a lot of independence in the characters within their relationship with each other.

Thank you so much to Kelly for this ARC; I had a blast!

4 Stars
2 Chili Peppers
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