Wesley

by Ivy Starck

Photographing my brother’s best friend for his final rodeo season?
Bad idea.

When he’s also the ex who broke my heart three years ago?
Absolutely terrible.

Wesley Blackstone isn’t just the bad boy I never got over.

He’s rodeo royalty. A legendary PBR champion with a cocky grin, a reckless streak, and enough swagger to make every woman in the arena swoon.

Unfortunately, I know exactly how dangerous that swagger can be.

Now forced together, crisscrossing the country, every argument gets hotter, every boundary gets blurrier—

And one stolen cowboy hat leads to a night that proves Wesley Blackstone is still my favorite bad decision.

Then my camera captures something it shouldn’t.

Bulls are being sabotaged. Dangerous men are watching me.

And Wesley’s protective streak turns downright possessive.

Suddenly, my grumpy ex is sticking to me like a second skin—and daring anyone to touch what he still considers his.

The real problem?

The most dangerous thing about this second chance might be...

How badly I want it.


*WESLEYis the second sizzling standalone in Devil’s Ridge: The BAD BOYS of Hellfire Ranch—a series packed with rugged cowboys, dangerous secrets, forbidden desire, and the kind of love worth fighting for.

519 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2026

About the author

Ivy Starck is an author of dark and steamy contemporary romance novels. She loves to write about sexy, rough around the edges bad boys and the women that love them. Her books are filled with a whole lot of intrigue, exciting plot lines, spicy scenes and suspenseful stories that will keep you reading until late into the night.

Ivy lives on the beautiful west coast of Canada with her husband, son and Boston Terrier. When she’s not plotting her next steamy love story, she enjoys spending time walking the lush green forest trails for a good dose of forest therapy with her fur baby in tow.

Reviews

[Ruth R]

Lucia is a freelance, she used to work as a photographer in taking races horses and bull riding.
One day while taking photos in a horse race , she met an old friend.
She tells her that Wesley is retiring from his career.
She asks her to go back working together because of Wesley’s ending his career she took photos when he began his career and her photos finished in front pages .
That moment people started arguing because they said the winner was cheating and hell begun ,men started firing at the air .
She saved her friend and two other women they were grateful, then she met Wesley she couldn’t not talk with him, they finished making out that day.
The day after was the conference when Wesley announced his retirement, when finished she told Chloe that she accepted the job,her primary assignment is on Wesley.
Decker warned Wesley to be careful because of the cartel people, he was showing him a video of the shooting and says that they were targeting someone .
A man came to him to propose to join with his company, his gut tells him to refuse immediately ,but the man was insistent .
One of his riding didn’t went well, and he knew that something was wrong.
Lucia witnessed something that she couldn’t tell him until they went home.

An incredible story that I really loved reading.

[Nathalie DeSousa]

This is a steamy second chance romantic suspense story!

Wesley is a bull rider looking for the last ride before retiring. He has sacrificed a life for his dream in the circuit, but he feels the need to go back home and rest after years on the road.
Lucia is part of his reasons for retiring, she is a photographer who has been in love with him since the moment they met, but and accident made him pushed away 3 years ago. Now, she is part of the media that follows the circuit and back into Wesley's arms. Their chemistry is off the charts, this is a steamy relationship, but more than that their connection has not died, in fact it seems to have come back to life.

But as he gets closer to his last ride, a new sponsor will arrive to try and get him involved in their money laundering schemes whether he likes it or not. Be ready for action, suspense, love, and a connection that was waited 3 years to mature!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diane]

I voluntarily reviewed "WESLEY" I thoroughly enjoyed the intriguing, dangerous, suspense filled, intense, emotional journey with some twists & surprises keeping you upon edge.
Wesley Blackstone of Devil's Ridge is known as Rodeo Royalty he's Lucia brother's best friend they use to be an item til he broke her heart wanting to protect her & her career, he'd been badly injured & it almost killed him, at first she wants to decline but heads to Texas it's been 3years & she still has feelings for him.
Lucia was only there to photograph one event but stayed the season being back together both still madly in love with one another, their sizzling hot chemistry is undeniable, then their also dealing with the Cartel threatening Wesley & family he steps up protecting her along with the family when the danger threatens them.
Will Wesley & Lucia end up finally getting their second chance to be together so much myster & twists to get through to see what happens it's a must read for sure.

[JP18267]

I was caught off guard by this book in the best possible way! Lucia leads one heck of an exciting life, and I was curious to discover what exactly Wesley's pull was on her. Lucia is wild with a sharp eye and fits Wes's determination and compassion like a missing puzzle piece.

The playful moment they spot each other again was absolute perfection! I couldn't get enough of them—despite their lingering pain, their connection makes it feel as if no time has passed. Between the witty banter, tracking each other across the crowd, and extremely spicy chemistry, this book is absolutely sizzling. Throw in a mysterious, aggressive stranger, and I seriously stayed up all night reading. And Grace and Mack are two peas in a dangerous pod. A seriously wild, bumpy ride that left me speechless and breathless.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Hutchins]

OH MY GOSH!!!! First of all, I though the cover to Decker was hot, but nope, just look at Wesley and then getting to know him!!! This was so, so good and I love that we get all the characters from Devil's Ridge back together for Wesley and Lucia's second chance love story. Because, I just can't get enough of Grace. Her and Lucia together was such a treat and I can't tell you how many times I was laughing and crying at the same time. I love that Wesley and Lucia never really got over each other, and loved each other so deeply. Their chemistry is so obvious and you're given enough drama from outlying forces that keep you burning through the pages. By the end you are so happy and excited that they get their HEA!!!

Ivy Starck thank you so much for this fun ride with Hellfire Ranch in Wesley's story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb]

I truly enjoyed returning to Devil’s Ridge as Wesley and Lucia reconnect. This book is a second chance, romantic suspense story with well developed and relatable characters and detailed world building.

I became invested in Wesley surviving each ride and seeing it from Lucia’s eyes both as a photographer and the woman who loves him. I had never thought about the life of a professional bull rider, but this story gives the reader a front row seat.

It was also fun to see the characters from the first book, Wesley’s brother Decker, his fiancee and his band of brothers. It is heartwarming to see them band together for Wesley and Lucia when it matters most.

I am looking forward to the more visits to Hellfire Ranch to see who falls next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathy Moir-Allen]

When Lucia met up with Chloe at a Florida racetrack, she had no idea how much her life was about to change. Chloe wanted her back at the PBR to film Wesley's final season. The man who had broken her heart without ever asking what she wanted. The man she still loved three years later. She agreed to one event. Wesley Backstone, twelve years on the PBR, two time champion and the man foolish enough to push Lucia away, because he was afraid he couldn't offer her the life she deserved. Three years and she still held his whole heart. She came to photograph one event and stayed for the season.

[Debdutch]

“Wesley” by Ivy Starck

-This book is a surprise—in the best way! Lucia and Wesley are likable, and their chemistry is seriously off the charts. Their banter is enjoyable as is watching them find their way back to each other after three years apart. The mystery, danger, and plenty of spice keeps the reader interested and involved. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

[Marci Crawford]

Yes! A second-chance cowboy romance where he broke her heart, but she’s still the only one he wants? Their reunion? Gah. I was here for it!

There’s mystery and danger, plenty of good times between these two, and just the right amount of emotional angst. I flew through this book, it really had me hooked from Wesley’s first interview of the season and didn’t let up.

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Mary Kathleen]

This is the second book in the Devils Ridge series and it doesn’t disappoint. Spice, suspense and romance. Great characters and interesting storyline. Always fun to revisit characters from the previous book. Wesley and Lucia rekindle their relationship and things sizzle between them. Loved the ending and looking forward to the next installment!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aleksandra]

I absolutely loved Wesley and Lucia’s second-chance romance! Their chemistry was off the charts, and I loved that the feelings between them never really disappeared. The rodeo setting, suspense, danger, banter, and all the Devil’s Ridge characters coming back made this such an addictive read. I laughed, got emotional, and couldn’t put it down. A steamy, heartfelt cowboy romance with a very satisfying HEA!

[Becky]

I was hooked from the cover! Wesley....... oh my. You need to meet him. Such a sweet second chance romance. Very HOT! The clever banter is worth reading this book alone. Then the spice. The adrenaline of the 8 second rides. . The danger from the cartel. The close knit family. Wonderful characters.
I highly recommend.

[N M]

Steamy second chance romance. This series is fantastic hope to read them all. Easy to follow, great development, with emotional journey. Great steamy and fun read.