Thank you to Netgalley and RupertBossier for a free copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This book is the epitome of the Country song "Good Directions," But if it kept going. The entire time I was reading, that song kept playing in the back of my head.

I really liked our FMC, Wren. She is down to earth despite her upbringing and when she accidentally lands in a small town in Texas, she can't help but fall in love with its charm... and its mechanic. Even with a rocky start in the town, she quickly makes friends and carves out her own little place while waiting on her car to be fixed. She was realistic and optimistic despite the past that she was running from.

Hudson, our MMC, was a bit harder to fall for. He was gruff and grumpy, which is always a plus, but absolutely refused to have an adult conversation. He refused to let himself get close to Wren because "she'll be leaving soon." even though it was clear she was growing attached to the town and its people. He is the source of miscommunication, but its just because he never wanted to talk, even to his own best friend. Of course, the fault doesn't just lay with Hudson, as even Wren had moments of not just saying what she was feeling/thinking.

The side characters of Anderson and Cal stole the show every time they were on the page. I absolutely fell in love with them and their own budding romance. They brought sass and charm and humor to the page, which was needed due to the tension between our main couple. I loved Anderson trying to carve out his own place in the world by buying and restoring an old Victorian era home into a Bed and Breakfast, and even poaching who may be the very best cook in Texas to run the kitchen.

I will say that this book has its moments of being absolute perfection. I mean.... Tractor, and even the way that Wren interacts with Connor. The more tender moments between Wren and Hud, especially revolving around her panic attacks were swoon worthy. However, I feel like the best part of this book is the way the author portrays the friendships. Anderson gave Wren a reason to stay in Vogel Springs by having her work on the B&B. Cal tries to get through Hudson's thick skull to show that his ex, Rosalee, is manipulative and to help him get custody of his son. They had each others backs and were trying to do what was best for everyone. It was just so beautiful and my favorite part of the story.

The climax of the book didn't feel rushed like so many others do. It felt like the author drug everything out with tension in a way that felt natural. The problems weren't solved in a day, it took time and I LOVED that aspect of it. I always feel like the Climax happens and is resolved in a chapter with most books I read.

This was a cute Rom-com even if it did start off with a bit of Insta-love.... It just needed some Turnip Greens.

Steady now , is a romantic frolic. I began really liking this book. But by the middle I was done. The rich vs small town began to seem patronizing. I didn’t even want a hea

I'm really surprised. Maybe because this is the first contemporary small town romance that I read in a while (taking a break from romantasy) and I'm really glad I landed on this story.
Wren and Hudson are amazing, with their realistic flaws and all but very likable (even relatable at moments). Not too dramatic, not too plain. Loved their connection (a bit rushed) and how they both navigated their issuse and growth. The right amount of personality for both, no complains there. The story has great side caracter too that make the journey even nicer. Hope this is the start of a series or interconected books because It would be a shame no knowing more about Vogel Springs and their people, or even more about Hud and Wren.
I really enjoyed that beyonce the romance plot, there was something else happening driving the book. The plot wans't JUST the romance, a very nice complement.. I finished this book in one day, I just couldn't put it down, I really needed to know the outcome!|

Anyway, a fast-paced story, emotional but with some spice and with dual POV. What else do we want? Oh yeah, THE TRACTOR. Go read and thank me later, totally worth it.

This was a great read, I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed all of the different characters, to me they were all well developed. They each had their own uniqueness, things that made them individuals.

This is a small town, dual pov, spicy, single dad, found family story. Wren Baldwin is running from her problems and finds herself stuck in Vogel Springs and falling for its charm, and auto shop owner Hudson Bass.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this arc.

Steady Now by Liberty Stowe

What its About: Wren Baldwin is running from her problems when she gets stuck in Vogel Springs after her Maserati breaks down. While waiting for a car part from Italy, she comes to know the locals and falls in love with the town. Including the Bass Pit Stop owner, Hudson Bass, where her car is being fixed. Hudson Bass is six foot something tall, dark handsome with Grey eyes. He is not what she expected and she is definitely not what he needs at the moment while dealing with potential loss of his land and ex with his son.

My Thoughts: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. Such a cute, wholesome book! I enjoyed every minute of reading it. Hudson is lovable and sounds like someone i would be all to happy to meet. Wren and him together are just perfect. I love Anderson her best friend. He brings a level of sass and humor to the story. Small town stories just make me smile. And I loved the ending.

Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶. Appropriate level of plot to spice ratio. But dang the garage and tractor scene. Guys, it was super hot!

Small-town contemporary romance - Dual POV - Slow burn - Single dad - He falls first - Found Family

This is one of those stories that catch you off guard—with tenderness and emotional intensity. I didn’t expect to like it this much! Or to feel this much. I really didn’t expect it to hit me this hard!


Told in dual POV, the story follows Wren, who is running from a messy breakup and from her controlling father, and Hud, a single dad, stubborn, stoic, and heartbreakingly loyal who seems has given up on love.



The story begins with Wren Baldwin arriving in Vogel Springs, a small Texas town, after her car (a pearl-white 444-horsepower Maserati, basically a UFO in a place like that) breaks down. It's clear from the very beginning that she’s running from something, though we only learn the truth near the end of the book. One thing is for sure: she never expected to meet Hud Bass, a sexy, silent, absolutely irresistible mechanic ready to turn her world upside down.



Hud is the kind of hero who wins you over quietly. One of those men who say little but show everything through their actions. Fixing her car, making sure she has a place to stay in the meantime, standing up for her even when she doesn’t ask. Every gesture makes Wren, and you, fall for him a little more. But yes: he is the one who falls first. Hard.



Their connection is a perfect slow burn: tension-filled silences, meaningful glances, sharp banter and vulnerability. It’s not just physical attraction, although believe me, it’s there (just one word: “tractor”… you’ll know when you get there) but it’s an emotional connection that feels rare and powerful. The kind you root for screaming YEAH!!


Hud is everything I love in a book boyfriend: protective but not possessive, loyal and honest, always quietly showing up for the people he loves. Wren is a heroine I instantly connected with: she’s been through hell, but she still fights for her happiness. She’s afraid but unbreakable. She’s fierce, brave, and she accepts some good challenges.



The town of Vogel Springs is your classic close-knit community where everyone knows your business but somehow it manages to be welcoming, warm, and real—like family. 

The side characters are everything! They step up to support each other, and show that you don’t need grand gestures to help, just the will to show up, with what you have and who you are. Gorgeous!

One of the most beautiful things in this book is the way friendship is portrayed: as a true lifeline. Anderson gives Wren a reason to stay (in the form of a historic infested-house to turn into a B&B). Cal helps Hud see the truth behind Rosalee’s manipulation and how to fight for custody of his son. And together—with Wren—they uncover a long-standing fraud that helps Hud save his land and business. No one is alone. They don’t save each other with superpowers—they save each other with love, loyalty, and grit.



And the title? "Steady Now" it’s not just a phrase, it’s a legacy. Hud’s father used to say it in hard times, Hud tattooed it on his back, and now he says it to Wren when she’s most vulnerable—and to himself, when he needs the strength to keep fighting for the people he loves. Poetry!



So, my only complaint? The cover. This book deserves an illustrated one—preferably featuring a real WHITE Maserati. PLEASE!



⚠️ CW: Custody battle, drug addiction (off-page), controlling parental relationship (off-page), emotional distress from a one-sided relationship (off-page).



Huge thanks to NetGalley and Rupert Bossier for the ARC of this emotional gem.

Not what I was expecting but was pleasantly surprised! This was a very fast paced small town romance. I loved that it went more in depth than some short small town romances I’ve read but I do feel like the ending needed more. I would love to see a sequel or even an epilogue of what they get up to in the future.

Overall I enjoyed the read and kept me interested all the way through.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Liberty Stowe for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wild read, with ups and downs, but overall a good, easy read. It had some strong elements that I loved such as the small town romance, which showed lovely sweet moments between Wren and Hud, which was great to read and we got a good chunk of their story. However, the romance did start very quickly into the book which I guess fast cars, fast romance?

It didn't impact the reading of the book, just wish we got to see the tension build a bit more between the two

Would highly recommend though!!

I loved this book from start to finish. It has so many elements of books that I love.

-Small Town
-Single Dad
-City Girl starting over
-Found Family

Wren and Hud are the ultimate City Girl/Small Town Guy story line. There is so much chemistry, tension, and intensity between these two. They will draw you in and frustrate the hell out of you in the best way.

The supporting characters and their storyline are just as great. Anderson and Cal... adorable. Connor, Hud's son is so sweet and loving. Martha the town mother is just the best.

This book will not disappoint. I really can't wait to read more of Liberty's books.

ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Net Galley and Liberty Stowe.

This is a cute small town romance. Big city girl Wren is in the middle of running away from her problems when her very rare, expensive car breaks down and she is forced to stay in a “one horse town”. She ends up falling in love with the town and the people. She even falls in love with the mechanic that fixes her car who is also a single dad with a complicated ex. There is drama, angst, friendships old and new, and spice all rolled up in this book. He protected her before he even knew her (such a southern gentleman!). There’s so many cute and funny moments with this full cast of characters.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I really enjoyed this story. I cannot give it a 5 because honestly the emoji texting and texts in general were so bad and all of the MFC’s “good night”s annoyed me immensely. But overall, worth a read!!

The premise was there—a woman running from her past, her Maserati breaking down in the middle of nowhere, and a small-town mechanic who just might be her fresh start. 🏎️➡️🚜

But unfortunately, it just missed the mark for me. The romance moved too quickly, going from “she’s hot” to “she’s rubbing my back, let’s kiss” without enough emotional connection to back it up. I was hoping for more tension and a deeper bond before the spice kicked in. 💨🔥

If you love small-town settings and emotional healing arcs, this might still be worth a read—but it didn’t fully land on the romantic front for me.

✨ Tropes:
🌍 Opposite worlds
🏡 Small town vibes
⚡ Insta lust
🌞😒 Grumpy sunshine
🚜 One tractor (yes, really)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute small town romance. It was fast paced and I finished it quick.
I love a good slow burn and this was definitely slow but it was worth it.
The only thing I didn't love was the classic miscommunication trope. Otherwise it was a good debut.
Thank you NetGalley & RupertBossier for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this story as an ARC. I really enjoyed the slow-burn pacing and the small-town charm that made both the setting and characters so easy to fall in love with. The emotional depth between Wren and Hud felt authentic, and even though the plot followed a fairly predictable arc, the strong character development and chemistry kept me engaged from start to finish. I gave it a solid 4 stars.

I did notice a few minor inconsistencies with character name spellings—specifically "Phillip" vs. "Philip" and "Marcos" vs. "Marcus"—which might be worth a final proofread pass before publication.

Overall, it’s a heartfelt and satisfying read, and I’m excited for others to discover it when it releases August 1st.

I didn't hate this book. I quite liked the ideas and the characters and some of the execution. But it really needed another round or two with a capable editor, just to clean up the rough edges and smooth out the messiness the can linger after the first draft stage.

Some of the transitions came out of left field, some didn't get wrapped up very well. Some of the plot points should have been more important, but they were shoved in the background and didn't come back at all. Or if they did, it was well after the narrative seemed to have forgotten about it. It was also hard to have a good sense of place and setting. Small town, sure. But I've been in plenty of small towns that sound like Vogel Springs and NONE of them could reliably support a B&B or a Dollar General (hard to imagine for city folks, but there are indeed run-down clumps of buildings trying to be a town that even DG wouldn't dream of going to).

I still like the premise and the characters. It just needed a little tightening up in the editing phase.

After a breakup Wren is on the road in her Maserati when it breaks down. She is towed to Hud’s repair shop and stuck there for a few days until parts come in. She falls in love with the small idyllic town and those who live there. This is a wonderful book about learning to trust and staying true to yourself. Hud is about to lose his son to a conniving woman, and his land to a company that wants to purchase it. Wren’s best friend and the townspeople band together to support Hud and Wren. Great love story with characters you learn to love and hate.

Who doesn't love a small-town romance? This read is so cute and such an easy fast paced read. I absolutely adored the characters and the town. The tropes were so well executed and the slow burn was so satisfying. I cant wait for the chance to visit this heart tugging town again.

I really enjoy a good debut and this one did not disappoint.
Was it a bit insta-lovey? Yes.

I am not normally a fan but this just flowed for me.

Both Wren and Hud have a lot going on in their lives and are probably not in the best place to pursue any kind of romantic situation. Their chemistry is undeniable. I loved the little twists and what Wren did to help Hud out? oh my heart.

Also, the title of the book and how it ties into the story is ❤️ 🥺

I'm really hoping for some certain side characters story, so I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more from this author.

Many thanks to Netgalley and author for the chance to read the ARC and share my thoughts.

This book had a lot of potential and all of the pieces were there to make it a huge success but I think the execution was a bit off.

Wren and Hudson's attraction to each other was immediately undeniable. It seemed like the emotional connection wasn't quite there though. It seemed like a lot of surface level interactions combined with avoidance. I had a difficult time being invested in the relationship because it never seemed to build past the initial spark

The last portion of the book was packed with a lot of backstory and explanations that felt rushed. The potential for slow burn and tension was there, but a lot of the key moments were either breezed through or delivered quickly. The parts that could've been very captivating just didn't have a big impact.

There was an abruptness to the ending that lacked emotional payoff to me. It seemed more like a pause than an ending, but it was underdeveloped and underwhelming for me. I truly believe with some plot adjustments and stronger character development this could be a promising favorite.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Sweet story from this debut author. When Wren’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, she ends up in this quaint town of Vogel Springs, Texas. She meets Hud, the mechanic, and is taken by his small town charm and ‘rustic’ appearance. She stays in Vogel Springs for a few days while her car is getting fixed and falls in love with the town and its’ people. I thought the story line kind of dragged on for awhile, especially since Wren & Hud got together very early on in the book; but it was a sweet story with a little bit of spice. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC. This book releases early August 2025. #booksbyashleynicole