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Bliss Ranch #1

Never the Cowboy's Bride

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What do you do with an enemy like Brooke Carson?
Marry her.


Or at least you try. Austin Bliss can't stand Brooke. It's a fact as old as the earth itself. But his momma taught him to always do the right thing. He's her neighbor, after all.

When disaster strikes Brooke’s ranch, his honorable good-man wedding proposal might be her only hope.

The only problem? Brooke hates rich, popular Austin right back. She'll never be his bride. Not ever. No matter what.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2019

503 people are currently reading
515 people want to read

About the author

Amelia Wilde

162 books3,533 followers
Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.

Amelia does not negotiate with targeted harassment campaigns, but she appreciates the valuable time spent thinking about her books.

Subscribe to Amelia’s private mailing list for updates, giveaways, and regular chats by heading to readerlinks.com/l/525541.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
191 (42%)
4 stars
131 (29%)
3 stars
87 (19%)
2 stars
29 (6%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,147 reviews25 followers
October 9, 2019
Delightful hate-to-love romance

There's plenty of heart and humor, and even more hilarious hatred in this girl-next-ranch romance. Brooke has hated Austin for a decade, even though he never understood why, and when she finds herself competing against him in a local ranching contest, all bets are off. Until the unthinkable happens, and she's forced to forge a new working relationship with the Enemy.

Austin is still coming to terms with the recent family revelations, yet he is inexplicably drawn to Brooke and soon can't remember why he wanted to win the contest except to win it for her. Their connection is intense, their chemistry is off the charts, and their path to their HEA is anything but direct. It's a short-but-sweet, if slightly rushed, love story with terrific characters and enough steam to fog up your Kindle. It's a strong story, but it really could have used an editor and/or a beta team to catch all the obvious errors and inconsistencies. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
2,097 reviews31 followers
October 7, 2019
OMG! I loved this book. Austin and Brooke were adorable together. I’ve been waiting for the new Bliss brothers to arrive and this story did not disappoint. Austin has been going through a lot learning he has Bliss cousins across the country and where all that money was coming from all these years and he doesn’t want any of it.

Brooke has always hated Austin for reasons he can’t remember, he can place the day and her face, but not what happened to make her so sad and ultimately hate his guts. The banter between these two was off the chart crazy good, the attraction has been bubbling for a while now and it’s about to boil to the surface. A big event is coming to town and all the ranch’s are participating including Brooke’s. She’s fallen on hard times and needs a pick me up, but when she overhears a conversation, she thinks the worst of Austin and won’t believe a thing out of his mouth. These two can run around the constant heat between them and the fact she’s seen him naked, which she can’t shake from her memory and she doesn’t want to, but with constant interruptions will Austin finally get Brooke alone? Can these two work together to win the contest and who is the benefactor? So many questions, such an amazing read! Loved it and can’t wait for Luke and Miller’s stories!! I received an advance copy of this book.
Profile Image for Pamela.
4,169 reviews35 followers
December 11, 2019
Austin and Brooke are from different ranching families and they hate each other. Through a disastrous set of circumstances Austin is compelled to offer Brooke marriage as a way of saving her family ranch. Brooke doesn't want to be near Austin, much less be his wife but what choice does she have? There are twists and turns that you won't see coming with this story. Can all that hate actually turn into more than just lust but maybe love too? A good read looking forward to the brothers stories.
Profile Image for Truusje.
854 reviews
April 30, 2021
So much wasn't consistent or didn't make sense at all. It's linked to a previous series, which was a little confusing.
Profile Image for Maheswari.
526 reviews18 followers
February 2, 2022
1.5 ⭐️

The story has potential into a good 3 stars but reach only a half point from it since all the dirty talks really running out all the bad effects on me
Beyond awkward
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
April 26, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (4/26/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Anna.
1,027 reviews49 followers
October 8, 2019
Sweet, steamy, enemies to lovers goodness!!


Those Bliss genes have certainly done a good job. Austin is scrumptious!! He's not certain what he did to make Brooke hate him so much. She certainly gets under his skin. He gets under hers by simply breathing.

Brooke is all kinds of awkward. Her sister made sure she got the ranch, but does she really want it. She doesn't feel like she belongs.

And she definitely does not want Austin Bliss's help with anything.

These two could light up the night sky with their fireworks. They certainly light up each others life.

Love their fire. Luke's ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The quirky townspeople. Goatie & Connecticut. More Bliss goodness.

I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Merged review:

Sweet, steamy, enemies to lovers goodness!!

Those Bliss genes have certainly done a good job. Austin is scrumptious!! He's not certain what he did to make Brooke hate him so much. She certainly gets under his skin. He gets under hers by simply breathing.

Brooke is all kinds of awkward. Her sister made sure she got the ranch, but does she really want it. She doesn't feel like she belongs.

And she definitely does not want Austin Bliss's help with anything.

These two could light up the night sky with their fireworks. They certainly light up each others life.

Love their fire. Luke's ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The quirky townspeople. Goatie & Connecticut. More Bliss goodness.

I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
4,851 reviews10 followers
October 18, 2019
Okay read

Just an okay read that borders on being a sweet romance. Brook was an annoying character and took a long time to warm up to. Austin’s character was more likeable. A sweet romance with a few sex scenes.
Profile Image for Nicole.
2,874 reviews10 followers
October 13, 2021
Looking at all of these glowing reviews, I am wondering if I misread it. It was a sweet story, although Brooke was a little tough to like, but I found it hard to keep track of who was who to begin with. I am sure that at one stage Brooke was called Miss Bliss, which was Austin’s last name.
Profile Image for Suze Prescot.
Author 12 books31 followers
February 3, 2022
Sweet romance

This is a sweet and mostly clean romance. It's enjoyable and an amusing read. Quibble: the timeline is off and all over the place, but otherwise it is well-written.
Profile Image for juliana.
117 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2024
cute read 😁
Nothing too serious so it was okay!!
Profile Image for Anakalia.
1,830 reviews17 followers
October 7, 2019
I love this whirlwind romance!!!
Austin and Brooke a great characters, though they are both as stubborn as mules. I love their sizzling hot chemistry and their sometimes hilarious arguing and bantering. I love how down to earth they are and how heartfelt and warm.

The plot has some twists and turns, some of which are expected, others unexpected, which keeps the tension throughout the book.

This is another fantastic read in the Bliss world. I can’t wait to read Luke and Miller’s stories!

Profile Image for Gladys.
14k reviews163 followers
October 8, 2019
What an amazing start to this new series. This enemies to lovers romance is jam-packed with drama, emotions, tension, humor, charm, sizzling steam and swoon worthy romance. I loved Brooke and Austin! Their chemistry was fiery, their attraction long simmering and intense and their banter both funny and clever. A simply terrific romance. I am aready looking forward to book two! Of my own accord I am posting a volitional review.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.1k reviews256 followers
October 18, 2019
Brooke and Austin have undeniable chemistry between them, and is a sweet story as their relationship moves on from enemies / lovers. This is a well written story which has witty banter, humorous, and is an intense and steamy read, which had me hooked and intrigued throughout. I recommend for all.
401 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2020
Disjointed

I liked the characters and some of the events that occurred but... at some points I couldn’t figure out who was speaking. I also found Austin to be flippant at times and I’m not quite sure what made him fall for the h other than sex.
528 reviews4 followers
August 19, 2024
Rating: 1.5 rounded to 2 stars

This book made me feel like I was watching a new tv series but started it at like 5th episode. I hadn't read much Amelia Wilde's book and none of the other Bliss stories, so it might explain it but I thought that since it's #1 in the Bliss Ranch series, I wouldn't need any backstory. So here is your warning.

Another thing is that could really feel the connection between the main characters. It basically felt like the book needed to be shortened so some parts were skipped and we got that.

But the thing that I dislike most are major and confusing inaccuracies. Potential spoiler:
Profile Image for Kerry Kennedy.
Author 16 books197 followers
July 20, 2023
When Austin Bliss and Brooke enter a competition sparks fly she thinks it's been fixed. Not to mention that she hates him for his father not recommending her for a college scholarship. Then Brooke's house burns down and steps in to help her...
Insta attraction that Brooke tries to fight.
This is a sweet and cosy enemies to lovers, small Town romance. The characters are both likeable especially Austin I'm not sure how anyone could resist him as long as Brooke did.
It's a quick read with about 150 pages and doable in one evening.
I enjoyed the small town vibe in this book, it pulled me right into their community which I loved.
A super easy read, some steamy scenes but otherwise a clean romance.
Will I read the others in the series: absolutely
Kerry Kennedy author
112 reviews
January 1, 2020
Stunning


Brooke and Austin have undeniable chemistry between them and is a sweet story as their relationship moves on from enemies / lovers. This is a well written story which has witty banter and is humorous. This is an intense and steamy read, which had me hooked and intrigued throughout. I recommend for all. Look forward to reading Luke’s and millers stories. Well done Amelia.
Profile Image for Kandace Denys (bookish_kayy).
1,256 reviews
April 30, 2020
Awwww

I’ve got a new book boyfriend in Austin Bliss.
And if I can be best friends with Brooke, that would be great.
I’ve been expanding my reading a little bit, although I’ve read some of Wilde’s work before.
But this was just fantastic.
This gave me all the West vibes, with the ranch and the festivals, and my goodness I thought I’d packed up and relocated to Paulson.
Now I need a Bliss brother for my own HEA.
Profile Image for Jenn Allen.
3,259 reviews46 followers
May 24, 2020
I enjoyed digging in to the Bliss Ranch series with Austin and Brooke. It's a great enemies to lovers story, all this tension and resentment that has festered between them for years. They have a great back and forth, lots of heat and their story kept me entertained. My heart went out to Brooke, I may have wiped a tear or two. Looking forward to more!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
304 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2021
The "F" word on page one!

The totally not necessary "F" word on page one. I don't like hearing it when I have no control of my surroundings, but I for sure do not have to read it. It is a sign of a weak vocabulary or inability to express a point without a crutch. No apologies here from me.
Profile Image for Will Decker.
Author 23 books17 followers
July 22, 2020
This is one of those good ones where you really like the characters. They're fun, believable, a touch quirky, and all grown up. Clean editing, a good plot line, and Wilde's fantastic writing style all come together to bring you a solid romance you won't be able to put down.
841 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2021
I loved this book and seeing Austin and Brooke get together. We were introduced to Brooke a little thru the other Bliss Brothers books so I was intrigued and had to see what happened with her and the other Bliss boys.
Profile Image for T.O. Smith.
Author 150 books383 followers
February 8, 2022
Good book ; Proofreader needed

This was a good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end.

However, there are some errors that need to be fixed. Some punctuation is missing and a few words are misspelled. It was a little bit distracting.
Profile Image for Marissa Chavez.
1,380 reviews4 followers
February 26, 2021
I just loved everything about Austin and Brooke! Even though they had this love/hate relationship you just knew in the end it was going to work out! 💖
536 reviews
March 4, 2021
The Cowboys Bride

Enemies living on neighboring ranches. A grudge from the past, an almost tragedy and a contest is what it takes to get these two together.
196 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2021
Interesting

Enjoyed this book. It kept my attention. Would have loved to hear about the wedding.UT will hope to hear more in another book
Profile Image for Belinda.
1,156 reviews15 followers
January 9, 2022
A delightful enemies to lovers cowboy story.
1,591 reviews
February 1, 2022
I enjoyed this book

I enjoyed this story about Austin Bliss and Brooke Carson. I enjoyed their journey to them finding their happy ever after.
11.6k reviews49 followers
December 6, 2019
The girl next door and the boy she hates

Never the Cowboy's Bride is a sweet and charming enemies to lovers story between Austin and Brooke. The story held my attention and the characters, both main and secondary, were really nicely written. There is a lot to like about this book as it hurtles towards the inevitable HEA. But the bumpy ride along the way makes getting there all that much sweeter.
I would recommend Never the Cowboy's Bride to other readers who have already discovered Amelia Wilde and those that have not.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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