a hair rote, but the romance is definitely sizzling, and i don't think it's very possible to get bored of grumpy cowboy romances. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

3,5/5. I enjoyed myself in the end, sure, it’s a good time, but my comments throughout speak for themselves, and they are mostly: men in this book suck (mostly the MMC and his BFF, to be fair), Wesley is the shittiest friend and brother on Earth, inconsequential, and Willow and Dallas are like the only two people I care about and that one scene with them at the end was more exciting than the rest of the book for me.

I liked the story and the banter, the side characters, the spice, and some other bits and pieces. It did become interesting at some point, though I had trouble getting into it at first, mostly because of bad formatting of the copy (chaotic, it’s not easy to tell who says what).

I didn’t particularly like the main characters (although they do fit together nicely), because he was a possessive, unreasonable, hypocritical prude, and she was too reckless with other people’s property and livelihood.

I hated Wesley. He is the absolute worst, and nothing can convince me otherwise. Just the sole fact that he knew the ranch was struggling and yet chose to impose upon his supposed best friend his sister who he had absolutely no faith in and thought of as a wild card is beyond me. His behavior throughout the book is unacceptable, both as a friend and as a brother. I hate him.

At times, it felt like the author didn't read back anything she'd already written and because of that there were some awkward repetitions, weird dialogues, and inconsistencies, but they weren't big, so it's not that great of an issue.

Overall, I had enough fun, and I think I'm going to go back in again when Willow and Dallas' story is out. I suspect I might like it more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read the ARC!

When a driven rancher barely keeping it together crosses paths with a woman fleeing the wreckage of her own past, sparks fly in the most unexpected ways.
Wilder Thorne isn’t just any cowboy—he’s the backbone of Blue River Ranch, shouldering the weight of responsibility with grit and quiet resolve. Exhausted and spread too thin, he’s not exactly thrilled when unexpected help shows up in the form of his best friend’s little sister, a woman with a wild streak and a past she's not ready to share.
Rose Evans isn’t what she seems. Branded as impulsive and unreliable, she’s actually navigating life through a fog of emotional scars and regret. Hoping to rediscover herself far away from the noise of the city, she lands in Wilder’s world with nothing but a suitcase and a need to rebuild.
Their initial encounters are a masterclass in friction—prickly, charged, and layered with unspoken truths. But what begins as wary cooperation slowly unfolds into something more vulnerable and real. Underneath the surface tension lies a deep emotional current neither of them can deny.
Rose challenges Wilder’s rigid control. He anchors her chaos. Together, they unearth something neither of them thought they were ready for: a genuine, soul-deep connection that refuses to be ignored.
But healing isn’t linear. When ghosts from Rose’s past threaten everything she’s come to care about, Wilder is forced to confront his own demons. Can love survive when trust is tested and fears resurface?
This is a slow-burn romance that simmers with emotional intensity, humor, and hope. Rose and Wilder will have you cheering, tearing up, and believing in second chances. Their journey is messy, heartfelt, and beautifully human—a reminder that sometimes the person who seems all wrong ends up being exactly right.

Wild Rose is the swooning cowboy romance you're looking for. It is light and fluffy with moments of seriousness and tenderness that hit close to home. The relationship between Rose and Wilder is so sweet, and the complement each other so well. Rose is a passionate, headstrong artist with a wild streak. Wilder is the responsible one taking care of the Ranch and his family. He's all about duty and obligation, and she's all about living her life to the fullest. I love when a romance book actually has that chemistry connection and maintains it throughout everything, and that's exactly what Roxanne Tully does. Wild Rose is an ode to damaged women finding the love and compassion they need in a strong partner. It's about embracing yourself, and not changing for another.

Roxanne Tully is a college dropout. She's almost done with her senior year when she decides that being a therapist isn't the life for her. I mean if it wasn't working for her, why would she sign up to be a fraud? Her brother offers her refuge from her sleepless nights working as a bartender on the late shift by coming down to spend the summer working at his friend's Ranch. Wilder has been covering all the leadership roles from his brother until he gets his head sorted out. Unfortunately for Wilder that means all work no play. Thankfully for Widler he's avoided any kind of permanent play after a woman betrayed him and almost made him give up what he loves most, his family. They push all of each others buttons both the right and wrong kind. After golf cart stealing, speed dating, and horseback rides, can Wilder and Rose learn that they work better together than apart?

Grumpy cowboy romances are my cryptonite, so you already know I was going to request this book from Netgalley.

With his brother sidelined, Wilder is left to manage their ranch alone for the summer until his best friend, Wes, suggests hiring his sister, Rose. The plan seems perfect until Rose arrives, and licaptivating woman with a fiery spirit. Naturally (because this is a romance book of course) Wilder falls QUICK. Meanwhile, Rose sees this summer as an opportunity to escape her past and have fun. But that fun quickly turns into trouble, and as Wilder repeatedly comes to her rescue, Rose wonders if their remaining weeks will be enough.

Wilder's attraction seemed mildly surface level at the beginning. I know he said he liked her, but the fact that he was so flighty and kept bringing up his ex didnt help. The groveling at the end though was ✨️ perfection ✨️

Rose's complexity made the book for me. The whole front she put on in front of people just to secretly be looking for someone to keep her safe and protected was relatable.

Also, can we talk about how God awful Randy was..... I feel like we haven't seen the last of him.


The banter in this book was bantering + a Brother's best friend age gap romance was 👏. I CAN NOT wait for Willow and Dallas' book.

YOU’RE NEXT MUST-READ COWBOY ROMANCE

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

From the second Rose steps out onto the ranch, Wilder knows he’s got a problem. This story follows Wilder & Rose both wanting one another but knowing they shouldn’t go there. This is a slow-burn! Waiting for them to eventually give in and realise they might have more than just lust. But the main problem? Rose is Wilder’s best friend’s little sister.

The back and forth of snippy comments and rebellious nature is so fun to read between these two. Rose is determined to be herself and not be caged in by Wilder or her brother but Wilder is over-protective and tries to tell himself it’s because Rose is his best friend’s little sister rather than caring for her himself.

If you love Lyla Sage and Elsie Silver, Roxanne Tully's small-town cowboy romance series will have you head over boots 🤠

I was gifted this as an ARC and so I had an un-proved copy. This may be why there were a few grammar errors and the way speech was written, was a little hard to follow along at times as it didn’t always specify who was talking.

Tropes: Cowboy x city girl | Grumpy x sunshine | Brother's best friend | Age gap | Ranch romance | Workplace romance | Small-town romance

Quick Summary: A small town, cowboy romance

My Review: Wild Rose by Roxanne Tully is book #1 in the Blue River Springs series. It is scheduled for release on 7/23/25.

About the Book: "She's the one he shouldn't want.

Rose Evans is off limits.

She's young, impulsive and my best friend's little sister.

-

He's the one she doesn't know she needs.

This summer is a chance to slow down...

Instead, I get a grumpy boss with buttons too easy to press...

He's addicted to saving me.

I only have a few weeks left. Will they be enough for him to ask me to stay?"

-

In My Own Words: A cowboy who has suffered a broken heart catches feelings for a city girl with a traumatic past. Can they heal enough to find something wonderful together?

My Final Say: Book one in this new cowboy romance series was a winner. The main story was entertaining, the cast was easy to connect with, and the breadcrumbs left for the next installment was on point. I loved the places where conflict existed. The movements made for interesting reconciliation in the featured relationships. And I must say, Dallas and Willow already have all of my attention. Let's go!

Other: Readers who enjoy cowboys, cuddling, misunderstandings, tiffs, close proximity work situations, and grumpy versus sunshine relationships will love this small town, age gap, brother's best friend love story.

It should be noted that some content may be triggering. Potential readers should read any and all author/publisher notes.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status/Level: 💞🌶
Trigger: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Embla Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review. I look forward to continuing with this series.

I was very excited to read the first book in a new cowboy steamy series! Tully did a fantastic job creating an entertaining story for Book 1. I enjoyed the banter and thought the characters were well developed. The entire book held my attention. I give it five stars for being able to do that when there is a saturation of this genre. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was ok, to be honest I was bored most of the time. I didnt feel a lot of chemistry between the two main characters and while the book wasn’t bad it was also easily forgettable.

I loooove a man whose love language is acts of service, and if you feel the same, this book is one for you! Wilder may be confused and at war with his own feelings throughout the entire book, but the way he showed care for Rose was so sweet.

I felt so much pain for Rose and was so proud of her self worth journey in this book. I think it could have been fleshed out a little bit more, but it was very satisfying nonetheless. I think the same can be said of Wilder’s character arc. Oddly enough, I was most moved by the ups and downs of Rose’s relationship with her brother, Wes.

A word of warning - this book relies heavily on miscommunication as a trope. If you’re not a fan, this title may not be for you. However, I think it was used very effectively in this book, so give it a chance! The ensuing groveling made it all worth it. The spice was also perfect - not too much, not too little. I’m really excited to read more books in this series, as the breadcrumbs for future couples were super exciting. I need to get more from Dallas and Ellie (and maybe Dusty???) asap.

I’d recommend to fans of Alex Volkov’s groveling at the end of Twisted Love, gruff cowboys, and hurt people learning how to not hurt other people.

Thank you to Roxanne Tully and Embla Books for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own. Wild Rose releases July 23, 2025.

*Arc review*

This was a fun cowboy romance! Loved the setting, plot, and really loved the characters. I especially liked willow and hope we get to see more of her and maybe with one of the brothers *hint hint* The only thing I would like to see more of is the actual ranch and like cowboy stuff but otherwise loved it! Cant wait to see whos up next for blue river ranch!

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy of Wild Rose, the first in the series of Blue River Springs. Wilder is running the ranch on his own, while his brother Dallas is grieving and it is running him ragged. His best friend Wes, the chef at the ranch, has a solution and a favor. Hire his "little sister" Rose as Wilders assistant for the summer. She is having trouble in NYC and could use the escape. Turns out trouble is Rose's middle name and she finds her own trouble on the ranch. Wilder is also nursing his own broken heart and wants nothing to do with a realtionship, but can't keep himself away from this kind of trouble.

I can't wait to read more in this series.

I seriously LOVED this one. I enjoyed every part of it. Rose and Wilder had such amazing chemistry, like from the beginning I felt their connection. Their moments together were sweet, deep, and also a bit spicy, which I really appreciated. I liked how Rose slowly opened up after everything she went through, and how Wilder was just everything. Not trying to fix her, just being there, supporting her. It was really beautiful to read. Both of them grew so much. Rose found her strength again, and Wilder felt like he finally had someone who truly saw him. Their bond felt honest and real, not rushed. I also liked how the story showed that healing looks different for everyone. It made the emotions feel more genuine and very real. I couldn’t stop reading. 5 stars easy. Already counting the days for book 2. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

It was an amazing fantastic book. I really enjoyed it.
If you love cowboy romances you have got to read this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In this book, we have:
✨️Grumpy Cowboy
✨️Brothers Best Friend
✨️Ranch Romance
✨️Wild FMC

This book has everything I enjoy in a cowboy romance!

We have Wilder, the grumpy cowboy stuck under the pressure of trying to hold the ranch together on his own whilst his brother Dallas is grieving. His best friend Wesley, who also works on the ranch, convinces him he needs some help, and he knows just the person, his sister!

Enter Rose, the wild child sister who breezes into Wilder's life and changes everything!
Rose comes across as impulsive, and even her brother thinks she can be a bit flakey, but there's a lot more to her story than anyone knows! It was great seeing her and Wilder's relationship develop despite multiple hurdles and set backs mostly from themselves!

The tension and slow burn between them was so good, I love that "f**k it" moment when they finally give in! Who doesn't want a bossy, possessive cowboy?? 🥵

And what would a good story be without some bar brawls, rival families, lots of drama oh and some grovelling!

Cowboy romances are a comfort read for me, and it looks like I've got a new series to add to my tbr. I'm looking forward to Dallas' story next!

I LOVE ROSE AND WILDER. this was such an easy read, especially because I’m obsessed with cowboys right now. Watching the chemistry build was amazing. They have such good chemistry. If you want a fun, easy read, this is the one for you. Cowboys are 🤭🤭🤭🤭

This book was so good I read it in one morning! I am a huge fan of the cowboys, and Wilder hit the spot. This book had me laughing at their banter, crying, and facepalming whenever Rose did something I knew was about to piss off Wilder. The secondary characters in this were so fun too and I can’t wait to read (hopefully!) more about them too!

Wild rose is a forbidden love story. The story is about wilder who needs help with his land and helps out his friend by agreeing to hire his friends younger sister. Rose is considered the flaky wild child by her brother. Wilder is attracted to rose but tries to ignore the attraction since she’s younger than him and its friends sister, I enjoyed the characters and the story. The story was longer than necessary.

The bare story itself is your typical small town cowboy romance but the plot and character development is what makes this story stand out.

Rose is a city girl looking for change in a job that her brother found for her in the ranch he works at and is owned by his best friend. She is perceived, by her family—more importantly her brother, as a train wreck who can't make her own decision even though she's a whole adult. If i'm being honest i was not a fan of Wes, her brother, i though he was rude and just never really cared to know or understand her and judge her. Rose was much likable and being able to see everything from her perspective made her really relatable. I enjoyed being in her pov and she was probably my favorite between her and wild.

Wilder (love his name) is a rancher who is struggling to run the ranch without the help of his brother, Dallas, who is grieving due to the loss of his fiancée. He gets saddled with responsibilities that overfill his plate and yet it seems like people don't respect him enough. He was a good character, I couldn't even imagine doing half the things he needed to do with but enough hours in the day.

I actually really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. I’m not a big fan of miscommunication but this book executes it well.

I was not a fan of Dallas, obviously grief was expected but completely neglecting duties and hurting others just because you can't be bothered to be better or care is not a trait I appreciate. I took a much better liking to him after his whole side plotline and him seemingly becoming more sober and actually taking responsibility. I know that his book is next and im looking forward to reading it when it's ready and seeing his character development.

3.5⭐

Rose Evans está fuera de los límites.

Ella es joven, impulsiva y la hermana pequeña de mi mejor amiga.

Ahora estoy atascado con ella como mi asistente.

Y algo me dice que no soy el único dispuesto a cruzar la línea.

Más salvaje

Mi hermano está fuera de servicio, así que me he quedado a cargo del rancho yo solo todo el verano. O al menos así era hasta que mi mejor amigo me propuso contratar a su hermana, una niña rebelde, de la Costa Este.

Parecía perfecto... hasta su primer día.

Porque la Rosa que una vez conocí ya es adulta. Menuda, bocazas... con pecaminosos ojos esmeralda que no se acobardan ante mis ceños fruncidos. Me deja sin aliento. Y no solo porque no deja de chocar conmigo en el trabajo.

Pero esta fiera es más de lo que se ve. Y lo quiero todo.

Rosa

Este verano es una oportunidad para reducir la velocidad, respirar, reiniciarme... y dejar ir un pasado que me sigue como una sombra.

En cambio, me toca un jefe gruñón con botones demasiado fáciles de presionar.

Cree que me gusta meterme en líos. Es adicto a salvarme. Y cuanto más lo hace, más fácil me resulta confiar en él, con cada parte de mí.

Pero su propio corazón está fuertemente cerrado.

Solo me quedan unas semanas. ¿Serán suficientes para que me pida que me quede?



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Lo recomiendo plenamente, pero tengan en cuenta que el publico meta es juvenil por lo que no esperen que ciertos temas se traten de manera madura.

Es un buen libro para pasar el rato y despejarse.

Gracias Netgalley por el ARC.