Unbound: A Dark Cowboy Romance Novella

by Ariel Hendrix

Genres: Dark Romance, Military Fiction, Marriage Of Convenience, Westerns, Cowboy Romance

180 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2026

About the author

Also published as Mj Hendrix.
Ariel is a native Texan who lives in Hawaii with her dreamy husband Justin and two kiddos.
She can't resist pairing a damaged heroine with a southern gentleman who manages to tear down her walls one brick at a time. The men in her books will open every door and carry every bag, just like Justin does.
She's eternally indebted to her writing, which rescued her from the darkest place she has ever been.
Her lifelong dream is to one day write all her books in a house by the sea, with a wine cellar that's never empty and her imaginary characters somehow becoming her real-life friends.

Reviews

[Rachel Way]

4.85⭐️ Okay yep, furious I read this after Duke’s story… my internet research was SO wrong and this should be read before unbridled. Yes, I know they’re written as technical standalones etc, BUT there were so many spoilers for this one in Duke’s book. I also loved Duke even more after what he did in this novella, and I needed that added emotion for his book… there were also no spoilers for Duke’s book, so basically the internet can’t be trusted and this should DEFINITELY be read before unbridled. Timeline wise, it just makes sense. But whatever, it’s done now…
The books itself! I loved it!
I always rate novellas different because they have less words to fit in as much emotion and depth and plot as possible- and this one was done well! I absolutely LOVE Sterling. I think he was done dirty in the first book (one of the brothers but is he even a character?), but then he slowly got more lines and I had already grown to love him by this novella. In Sam’s book, I was already obsessed with him and sad his book wasn’t a full length (and I hate that he spent so much time away at war!).
Sterling was absolutely everything for Eden. He took stepping up to a whole new level of southern gentleman. Ooft. Their connection was sweet and I know it only gets better based on Duke’s book and this epilogue. I REALLY wish it was a full length novel and we got the same amount of Sterling as the other Redford brothers, because damn, he could’ve potentially been the best yet?
Highly recommend this novella- I know it’s not technically classed as part of this series (the other four books as listed separately), but it absolutely should be… just read it after Sam and before Duke… 🫠

[Gemma]

This was a good little novella and an easy, enjoyable read. I just wish Sterling’s story had been a bit longer because I would have really liked the chance to get to know him and his character more.

I felt like there was so much potential in his story, and I would have loved to see more of how everything developed between the characters rather than having it all happen in such a short, swift telling. It felt like things moved very quickly, and by the time I was really getting invested, the story was already coming to an end.

I think if this had been a full-length book, or even just a little longer, I could have connected with Sterling and his story so much more.

All in all, it was an okay novella and I’m glad I read it, but unfortunately it just felt a little lacking for me. I was left wanting more — which, in this case, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because I definitely would have happily read more of Sterling’s story!

[Bookmom1213]

Sterling is a rancher, a Marine, and exactly the kind of man who sees a woman in trouble and immediately steps in, even when helping her means completely changing the plans he had for his own life. What starts as a marriage of convenience so his pregnant wife can have his insurance slowly turns into something neither of them ever expected, and I loved watching their relationship become something real. Sterling was protective, caring, and completely devoted to her, and when her past came looking for her, his darker side came out to protect the woman he had fallen in love with.

[Maggie]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Tears: 💧💧💧
I absolutely loved Unbound by Ariel Hendrix! Sterling and Eden are seriously so wonderful together. Eden's story is heartbreaking, but it felt so realistic and relatable. I just love how perfectly they balance each other out and bring out the best in one another! It was such a fantastic, quick read that I honestly couldn't put down!

[Jennifer]

I feel Robbed. Sterling could have been my favorite brother if given a full storyline. It's a shame and doesn't do the series justice. I actually recommend reading it as 3.5 before Dukes. because Eden seemed so disconnected in book 4, like she was sort of just thrown in there. I don't know. it ends abruptly.

[Alyssa Niehaus]

4 out of 5 stars. Such a nice little novella to wrap up the Redford Ranch series! I loved Eden and Sterling and honestly could’ve kept reading if there was more. The man Sterling is!! I was super excited for this one just from getting a glimpse of these two from other stories! I love it!

[Lisa T]

Such a quick read but had everything I needed. Military man that rescues a pregnant woman who runs away from her abuser. He marries her so she can have health insurance. Suspense builds when her ex finds her. Fast paced and so full of angst. Read in one sitting.

[Shae]

This novella may be short but man does it pack a punch. I love Eden and Sterling there story has a lot of drama and some suspense like the rest of the series but god did I love it!

[Katy Whiteman]

Ok so now I have to read the Good Ol’ Boys series.

I loved this! Wish I had known about it before I read Unrivaled.

[Shaye]

Ariel Hendrix has not worn a book I didn’t like!!!

[Kasey Sutton]

Loved this book!! Sterling 😍 I wanted to keep reading more!!

[Samantha]

Read in one sitting, sad it was only a short Novella a nice easy read though, I could easily have read more about Sterling and Eden, really enjoyed the Redford Series as a whole sad it's finished.

[amelia x]

sterling and Eden are so cute 🥹🥹

[Ashley]

Loved this story but I wish it was a full book instead of just a novella! Would have loved to read more about Sterling and Eden!

[Sydney Massey]

I wish Sterling and Eden had gotten a full novel, this felt so rushed 😭

[Jesse]

Loved their story but just wish it were longer :(

[Chloe M. ✨]

I’m just mad this wasn’t longer

[Jaynie Orson]

Perfect, fast paced novella to end the most amazing series!

[Life on Readpeat]

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧-𝐢𝐬𝐡...

[Bekah Vague]

Loved it!

[Hope Eden]

I love this series and I loved this novella. I wish it had been a full length novel because I was obsessed with Sterling and Eden.
I love that Ariel focuses on characters that have experienced DV. Edens story was tragic but in the end she got her happily ever after.