After reading a run of gory horror stories, I needed something.....not gory.....and I picked a winner!!! Fern needs a change; she's had nothing but bad luck lately, and being the maid of honor in someone else's wedding seems to emphasize the point. When Gabe barges into her cabin unannounced, at least it's exciting. This was an entertaining story that kept expectations high and maintained an overall light tone. Even when Fern runs away to lick her wounds, she's learned some things about herself. I was looking for a different, less dark book, but I found a new author to add to my following list.

Wild in Minnesota by Mary Lee Painter • ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Read: 6/14-6/23 2025

✨ Review ✨

Thank you so much Satin Romance and NetGalley for this ARC!!

Happy release day!! Congratulations on releasing your second book! If you love 2000s rom-com’s, you’ll love this. I’m in a mood where I just want to be secluded near a small town and this fits the ticket. It’s giving all of the small town romance x brother’s best friend/best friend’s sister x found family tropes and many laughs along the way.

I can’t wait to read more of your work!!

P.S. It’s very ironic how close this book is lined up with my life location/event wise right now. (1) I’m on a vacation right now (hence this review being posted at night instead of this morning like I would have liked - I’m sorry) headed up to Wisconsin for my niece’s (2) wedding, although it’s actually being held in (3) Cottage Grove, Minnesota, which is in the same area that this books takes place. The niece that is getting married is named (4) Madison, the same name as the female lead in Mary Lee’s first book, The Fork in the Road, and I have a nephew named (5) Gabe, the same name as the male lead in this book.

Releases June 23, 2025
Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/0So7Lel

I enjoyed reading Wild in Minnesota by Mary Lee Painter. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The book had an interesting premise and a promising setting, but it didn’t quite deliver. The story felt flat at times, and there were a few noticeable mistakes. Characters and storyline both lacked depth, and it didn’t spark the connection I was expecting. It was not terrible, but not great either.

Lot's of Spice and a brothers best friend romance, if those two things interest you, this book may be for you! Personally there was not enough plot to keep me interested but it was a good palate cleanser between some heavier fantasy books. 2.5 stars rounded up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this arc and opportunity!! This book was a really fun read and definitely far from boring. As much as it was interesting, there was a lot going on with the plot especially in the beginning. The writing was alright, it was easy to follow and know what was happening. I just felt it was a lot of information at once.

With Fern and Gabe, it was insta-love/lust with forced proximity between an NHL player (barely any correlation to the plot) and a surgical nurse. I didn’t really like that but as the story went on, they were cute together. I really liked Gabe, he was cute and so caring for her. Fern was kinda relatable and overall very entertaining to read about. They were both so so lovable!

Overall I would definitely recommend this for anyone who’s a fan of insta-love, forced proximity, best friend’s sister. It’s messy but soo fun and enjoyable to read!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5

I loved this one! It was such a cute story with amazing characters! I was hooked from the very beginning and I loved every page! I giggled so much and I didn’t want to put it down

I had high hopes for this novel, based on the synopsis but unfortunately it seemed to lose it footing about the third chapter and it never really found it again.

Thank you to NetGalley and BookBuz for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5⭐️ &🌶️

This book follows Fern, who returns to her hometown to serve as maid of honor in her cousin’s wedding. There, she crosses paths with Gabe, NFL-level star, player and her brother’s best friend. When Fern arrives at a cabin to help with some last-minute wedding prep, she unexpectedly runs into Gabe, and their instant chemistry leads to a spontaneous “one weekend only” arrangement. But as the weekend unfolds, it becomes clear that their connection runs deeper. Still, unresolved issues from their past and Fern’s protective brother, make turning their fling into a real relationship anything but simple.

This book has an exciting premise with some fun tropes—insta-love, brother’s best friend, and forced proximity— that I LOVE. Fern and Gabe’s relationship kicks off with immediate intensity, which sets a fast pace for the story.

The beginning dives straight into the action with some bold plot choices (like the car chase), which, while unexpected, definitely grab attention. It did take me a little while to settle into the story and connect with the characters, but once Fern and Gabe started interacting more, the emotional stakes began to build.

The foundation for Fern and Gabe’s relationship had great potential, and I would have loved to see their connection develop more gradually with added tension and deeper emotional beats. Including more scenes with Fern’s brother could have added an interesting dynamic and helped highlight the conflict in a more layered way.

Overall, the story moves quickly, which makes for a fast and engaging read, but I found myself wishing for more character backstory and quieter, emotional moments to really flesh out the romance. Flashbacks to Fern and Gabe’s past experiences would have added depth and made their love story even more compelling. That said, readers who love fast-paced romance with high-stakes emotions might really enjoy the read.

This was my very first ARC, and I was so excited to dive in, the blurb completely drew me in! While the story didn’t fully click with me and I found parts of it challenging to get through, I appreciated the opportunity to read it early and can see how it will appeal to readers who enjoy this style of romance.

From the first scene that Fern and Gabe meet there is chemistry. I was hooked from page one and love how their story has so many turns to it. As a North Dakota girl, the weather and hockey Instantly connected me to the story as well.

The pacing of the story was a little off for me, in the first few scenes there was the fight at the cabin, which I loved and it hooked me right away. But then the bar scene, getting chased by criminals (the llamas showing up throughout the story and never explaining it to anyone) and the major accident they didn't really tell anyone about. It was alot to absorb.

I know this was an advanced copy so I do hope all of the typos were correct, the one that stuck out to me the most was NFL instead of NHL - he's an NHL player so that is huge.

I did enjoy the storyline, just very heavy in some parts.

I read this exactly like a 2000’s rom-com was playing in my mind. I didn’t mind the back and forth and drama of the temporary playboy hockey player and his best friend’s sister but I felt like I was left in a little cliffhanger. I know they ended up together butttttt what does that mean for her travel job? And do all his past ladies finally stop showing up to his place?! I felt the last page was very rushed. The ending could’ve used some more time - she just kind of appeared and they didn’t even talk about the kiss between her and her male bff. Minus the quick ending, I couldn’t put this book down. It was cute and had all the feels. I would recommend it! Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was honestly so much at once…like romcom meets soap opera meets action flick. And while I was totally down for the setup (girl alone in a cabin accidentally fights a hot NHL player in her kitchen?? yes pls), the pacing and tone sometimes felt like they couldn’t decide what they wanted to be?

Fern was a relatable mess, trying to move on from her past, overthinking everything, and accidentally catching feelings during what was supposed to be a no-strings weekend. And her inner monologue had me laughing a few times, but it also got a little repetitive. Gabe was giving protective golden retriever energy, and I liked that he wasn’t just some cocky athlete stereotype, he actually cared and communicated, which was refreshing.

The wedding party chaos was fun but insane. I mean, we’re talking bar fights, a high-speed chase, and a whole missing bride situation like ?? ma’am what genre are we in again?? Some of the drama felt a little out of pocket, like things were escalating just for the sake of drama. I also felt like the ending tried to do a lot and wrapped up too quickly for everything that went down.

If you’re into messy characters with baggage, hockey boy romances, and chaotic small-town family energy, this could still be a fun weekend read. Just go in expecting drama and not a super deep emotional arc.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

Wild in Minnesota is a hilariously heartfelt romp through the rugged woods and even rougher terrain of one woman’s post-divorce rediscovery. Painter has created a main character who is equal parts chaos and charm—think Bridget Jones if she swapped wine bars for wildlife sanctuaries. After a very public marital implosion, our heroine finds herself back in her small hometown in Minnesota, licking her wounds and dodging the town’s relentless gossip mill.

What follows is a joyfully unfiltered journey of self-reliance, romantic misfires, and unexpected friendships—including a broody park ranger with secrets of his own. The writing is razor-sharp and self-aware, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with tender introspection. Painter doesn’t just deliver romance—she delivers growth, grit, and a healthy dose of Midwest weirdness (moose-related mishaps included).

This book is a love letter to second chances, untamed hearts, and the wildness we carry inside us. It’s not just about surviving heartbreak—it’s about thriving in spite of it, with muddy boots and a smirk.

First of all, thank you Mary Lee Painter, Melange Satin Romance and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was very excited about this book after reading the description, Fern as a traveling nurse, Gabe as a Hockey Pro, bachelorette/bachelor, forbidden romance, IM IN!
But as excited and happy I was, I couldn't believe It took me some time to finished it, but I did. And I really don't want to sound mean, but I think it was so much of stuff/situations and not much of romance. This book certainly is a roller coaster. In some parts I was laughing, and there were some "what did I just read?" moments.
There was so many things going on, and I was a bit overwhelmed with all the situations that it felt a little unrealistic, and It was hard for me to keep reading at first. I couldn't keep track of what was happening.

I looove insta-love, but this was more like attraction type of thing, because I felt It wasn't romance or at least not much, and I am not talking about the intimacy, I am saying about romantic gestures between FMC and MMC, how they felt in love.

I liked the banter between Fern and Gabe, and how they were so themselves when around each one.
Fern is such a character, sassy, wild and loved who she was herself all the way. But It didn't make sense, as she is a cancer survivor, there was some decisions she made that a person in that situation wouldn't do that, at least not an esophagus cancer survivor.
Gabe have some trauma going on, have a lot of baggage that he have to work on, and It was nice to see how his relationship with Fern helped surpass that.

I like the found family, how they support each other, and be there when needed the most. I love the hockey player trope.
I liked the relationship between Fern and her brother Dave.

What I didn’t like it was that the POV weren’t separated as chapters or showing who's POV is in it now. I had to read few sentences to figure it out.
It might need a little bit of transitions between one situation and the next one. There were few typos, hope those were catch up during the editing.

I am not a fan of miscommunication... I can understand it why is needed, I can handle some miscommunication and misunderstanding, but this was too much of it, and it was kind of hard for me to read it.
The plot is there, the potential is there, but unfortunately it wasn't for me.

The description of this book hooked me in right away and I was so excited to read it! The story immediately jumps in and I found it absolutely hilarious how the Fern and Gabe meet one another (everyone loves a little pepper spray in the face🤣) and it was fun to watch their interactions over the first weekend that they shared. Fern and Gabe's relationship was very much an insta-love, which is personally not my favorite, but if that is something a reader likes then this is a great book for them!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this book. A cute story with an interesting meeting between the FMC and MMC. Gabe and Fern really just understood each other and were drawn to each other immediately after meeting one another. I felt like the similarities between Amy and Fern were too specific. I would really love to see the stories of Dave and the others in the bridal party.

Loved this book way more than I thought I would.
Is it because I live in Minnesota and can relate to so much?... Hockey, the scenery, all of it?... maybe.
But with that out of the way, this was an incredible cute book and I can't wait to read more from this author (even if they aren't all based in Minnesota).
Fern wasn't looking for a new love when she stayed at the cabin before the wedding. She definitely wasn't expecting to have an NHL player from the Wild burst through the doors. I personally don't feel this is complete enemies to lovers as I feel is was more banter between the two, but I absolutely loved everything about this book.
And yes, I did read a book about hockey, snow, and Minnesota in the summer!

ARC in exchange for ans honest review from Net Galley and Melange Satin Romance.

As a Minnesota girl, I live a Minnesota based romance. Wild in Minnesota started off with a bang and the pulled at my heart strings almost too many times. I feel like I was yelling Nooo every few chapters.

Fern is not your typically FMC. She is a wild cat, full of sass and a competitive spirit. Gabe is a heart broken, pro hockey player hanging by a thread after the death of his wife.

Their meeting is fantastic. The banter and chemistry between these two is chefs kiss. However, the miscommunication is excruciating.

I loved the book but it wrapped up so fast and had no epilogue… I would have loved to see how they navigate what’s next.

Wild in Minnesota sounded like a book I was going to love. Location was the first big yes for me and to toss in hockey it was adding up to be a book I was going to devour. Sadly, it was one the most uninteresting dull books I have read in a long time. When I finished the last page, I knew it was one that I would not recommend to anyone to read.
Thank you NetGalley and Melange Satin Romance for the copy of Wild in Minnesota. This is my personal review.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Mary Lee Painter, and Melange Satin Romance publishing for the ARC and opportunity to review Wild in Minnesota.

DNF @ 20%

Unfortunately I was unable to finish reading this book. It did not capture my attention enough to continue after a handful of chapters. The story starts out swinging (literally) which was fun and then pulled at my heartstrings with Gabe's backstory, but then it fell into numerous over-the-top situations that put me off and seemed too unrealistic. I also expected there to be more push back from Gabe on his attraction to Fern based on his previous loss. The characters just didn't feel real and the chemistry felt forced. The dialogue also felt off for the ages and experiences of the characters. I wanted to like this book because I loved the premise but the story fell flat.