I flee to my family’s mountain ranch to heal a broken heart.

I did not expect a charging bear.

But then a shirtless, tattooed cowboy saves me.

Declan Brewer is my father’s new ranch hand.

He’s a retired rodeo star who’s got swagger in spades.

And he’s completely forbidden.

Declan is new to Huckleberry Hill, but the small town welcomes him as one of their own.

Then one night after bourbon and banter, we cross the line.

Now we’re sneaking around, in hopes my father doesn’t find out.

Declan makes me feel safe, even when I’m on the back of his motorcycle.

He’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

But I’m scared he’ll abandon me when he finds out I can’t have children.

Just like my ex.

And then the impossible happens:

I’m pregnant with a cowboy’s baby.

My Review

We meet Hadley and Declan when they find themselves in quite the wild predicament! Hadley is home as a surprise at her family’s ranch, where the grizzly bears are roaming around and even trying to get into the cabins. Declan works on her family’s ranch, and let’s just say he checks all the boxes on Hadley’s list of weaknesses: cowboy, chest hair, and a good sense of humor. 😂🤠

The instant lust and banter between these two are great! There’s just one problem: Hadley is fresh out of a long-term relationship, and Declan is off-limits. Her sister encourages her to have a little fling, but Hadley isn’t looking for anything serious. Her previous relationship ended because she can’t have children, and that’s a difficult topic that weighs heavily on her.

Hadley is incredibly close to her twin sister, Salem, and her other roommates, Wynn and Poet. I felt for Hadley because, while she sometimes seems ashamed of herself and her circumstances, her feelings are relatable, even when the subject matter is hard.

The story is told mostly from Hadley’s POV, and things get steamy as she starts breaking all the rules. Of course, now that they’ve crossed that line, things could get awkward—especially if her dad and grandma decide to evict Declan first! 😂

This ranch adventure has everything from potty-training baby goats and herding cattle to settling back into small-town life. I absolutely adore how much Declan cares for Hadley. He’s a golden-retriever cowboy book boyfriend who rides horses and motorcycles, and I’m here for it! ❤️

The romance is steamy, sweet, and a little rough around the edges. I loved the wild ranch elements, including the hot springs! I wasn’t expecting some of the twists toward the end, but they added even more to the forbidden romance, second-chance romance, and accidental pregnancy elements. There’s also trauma and healing woven into the story’s subtext, giving Hadley’s journey more emotional depth.

When her past comes knocking, what will happen to these two?

At its heart, this is a sweet story about second chances, small-town life, a cinnamon-roll cowboy, and a small-town girl falling in love. And can we talk about the puppies and the goat on a leash?! 🐐🐶 Those little details absolutely won me over.

The book ends on a family cliffhanger, taking us back to New York and Hadley’s sister before wrapping up with a steamy bonus scene.

This is exactly the kind of western, ranch, and cowboy-family series I love: heartwarming and dramatic stories filled with family, friendship, and small-town charm that leave you wanting to read more.

A note for romance readers: This couple also has a bit of a breeding kink, adding another layer to their steamy dynamic. 🔥

If you love cowboy romances, forbidden attraction, small-town drama, adorable animals, and a golden-retriever hero who will make you swoon, this one is worth adding to your TBR!

If you would like to read Huckleberry Hill by Emma Slate, you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Cowboy, Friends to Lovers and Forbidden Romance.