DNF at 50%. I really wanted to like this book, but the insta-love based on pure attraction was a total turnoff for me. If the story was plotted differently and had more tension, I'd be into it. I may revisit this in the future, but I'm shelving it for now. Also, the emojis as conversation were difficult to read on a Kindle...and does anyone even communicate like that? I just couldn't get into it enough and wasn't enjoying it. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Wren's Maserati breaks down in a small Texan town she must rely on the help of Hudson Bass the local mechanic. The Italian parts for her car will take a while to arrive and Hud takes it upon himself to find her a place to stay over the local diner. As they see each other frequently to discuss her vehicle and the timeline to get it fixed things begin to heat up between them. Things get more complicated when Wren's best friend decides to buy a gorgeous old farmhouse in the small town to turn it into a B&B and vineyard, while signing Wren up as his decorator.

Meanwhile Hud who is usually a local favorite has the townsfolk turn against him as he refuses to sell the land that's been in his family for generations so that a factory can be built there which would bring more jobs to the area. He suspects the company really just wants his resources, plus they're known for dumping toxic waste, something he doesn't want anywhere near his land or the community. With less work at his mechanic shop he agrees to cut the fields for Anderson, Wren's bestie, and prep the land for the vineyard to go in.

Things get even more complex when Hud's ex shows up with their son demanding he sell the land so she can take advantage of his extra income and force him to pay more child support.

Will Hud manage to hang on to the family land? Will his ex take his son and run? Will Wren's car ever get fixed so she can get out of this small town?

Thanks NetGalley and Rupert Bossier for a digital copy of this in exchange for my honest review!

@netgalley ARC Review out August 1st, 2025 by
Liberty Stowe
🌟🌟🌟.5
Wren Baldwin’s Maserati breaks down and lands her in Vogel Springs where she meets mechanic, Hudson Bass. These two can’t deny the attraction and tension between them but their guards are up. Will the city girl find a reason to stay with a town she is growing to love or run?

The story was predictable, Hudson definitely could’ve stopped putting his guards up so much but I enjoyed this small town romance.

I really liked this cozy, small town romance between Wren and Hud. Loved Wren's spunk and confidence right from the start. Who can withstand her charm and how bubbly she is. Was hoping for more spice between her and Hud but overall loved the book. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Okay, Steady Now completely surprised me in the best way. Liberty Stowe’s writing is intimate and emotional—like a friend quietly telling you a secret. Wren, a runaway in a Maserati, and Hud, the town’s emotionally constipated mechanic, had me hooked from the start. Their chemistry? Slow burn and totally worth it.

The small-town setting, lovable side characters, and just the right amount of spice (3.5/5) made this the perfect summer read. Yes, there’s a bit of miscommunication drama, and the middle dragged slightly, but the heart and payoff made up for it.

I love a small-town romance, and this one? Loved it. Hud and Wren, you’ve got my heart.

Rating: 4 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and RupertBossier for the ARC!

Shoot, I unfortunately had to DNF this one. I think the authors writing style didn't end up working for me and left me not wanting to pick the book back up again. I think the characters fell a little flat and it felt a little too insta-love for me.

I think readers will like this book if you enjoy small-town romance, with a good amount of drama. It is worth checking out if the premise sounds interesting to you at all! It just didn't work for me.

I don't want to put a low star rating simply because I didn't finish the book.

A Cozy Hug in Book Form (with Just Enough Spice to Keep It Interesting)

Okay, Steady Now totally snuck up on me in the best way. Liberty Stowe writes like she’s whispering secrets right into your ear. The story feels small in scope but big on feeling. Think: quiet mornings, messy emotions, and that one scene that makes you stop and go “ouch... but also yes.”

The characters? Real. Relatable. Occasionally made me want to shake them, but in the way you want to shake your best friend when they’re being extra. I especially loved how Stowe doesn’t rush the story it’s a slow burn emotionally, but worth every page.

Why not five stars? A few parts went of track a bit, and I wanted just a bit more oomph in the middle. Still, the vibes? Immaculate. The ending? Satisfying. My heart? Full.


Thank you NetGalley and RupertBossier for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

Steady Now was a really nice story with good characters and an interesting plot. The book was well written and a good length. I’ve always been a sucker for that lost city girl meets small town guy. They had good chemistry, but I wish they built the relationship just a bit more before getting down and dirty lol.

I liked that the story focused on more than just romance, the land issue, the custody issue, etc. I was invested in how the main characters navigated all the problems while also making time to be together. This was an easy read with a dash of intrigue but not too much to make me frustrated lol. I rated the book 4 stars, and could potentially pick up the next one.

Grade
4/5 ⭐ overall
3/5 ❤️ romance
4/5 🌶️ spice

This is such a great book! The first few pages had me hooked for the story. This is a small town romance where Wren’s car breaks down just outside Vogel Springs, which brings her into Hud’s orbit, The book is a great slow burn romance that takes on growth and healing from both Wren and Hud's past.

I wavered back-and-forth on whether or not I enjoyed this book, overall I enjoyed the premise of it, but I felt it could be at minimum 100 pages less. The dual POV overlapped and I didn’t enjoy that style. It felt like I was reliving what I just read, while it did create a bit more explanation of how the character was feeling on the other side, I don’t think it was done that well. There was a lot of backstory that was left out, and I feel it could have moved the book along in a better way had it been explored. There were a lot of unfinished pieces when all was said and done, while the main characters may have received their HEA… There was no closure for the rest of the characters or a hint that there would be another book. Overall, I will give this 2.5 stars as I did enjoy it at times, but I won’t be recommending it.
Thank you to NetGalley and RupertBossier for the opportunity to read and review this book in advance of its release.

This was a nice story and I don’t reach for small town often, so let’s just say that means a lot😂. This story is about Wren, the girl running from her life in a Maserati and unexpectedly liking the small town she gets stranded in, and Hudson, the town’s ’fix it felix’ mechanic who loves fixing things for everyone else, yet when it comes down to his problems, it doesn’t come as easy. Also a trusty best friend sidekick for both Wren and Hudson, the characters are very likable and don’t get thrown out in the background shaded by the plot. Classic case of man sees woman and can’t take his eyes off her, I LIVE for a forbidden love moment. As infuriating as some parts were with the whole miscommunication trope, which yes this has because they all do, the pacing and ending makes up for it. Spice 3.5/5 maybe and pacing as I said isn’t too slow which is much appreciated. Overall 4 star read for me.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy of Steady Now for an honest review. I literally couldn’t put this book down. Ms Stowe had me hooked from the start with the Mazarati versus Mazda and AAA conversation. I knew I was going to be thoroughly entertained by Hud and Wren as their forced proximity turned into something much deeper. And only in Texas could something this accidental turn into a huge win for a small town hero! Kudos to all the characters for exemplifying the true values of friendship, love and support for each other throughout the entire book. I am recommending this to all my friends.

This story kept me coming back for more. I wanted to know what was going on with these characters from the beginning. Hud and Wren had me hooked. The author developed these characters and their friends beautifully. The way the "secrets" or "mystery" was uncovered was just as special. It was beautiful. For me, hopeless romantic that I am, I expected more. I felt like I had the best candy covered ice cream cone and just as I was getting to the waffle cone bite, it gets snatched away. I wanted more.

A cute romance about getting out of your comfort zone, sacrifices, and relationships. The love interest progressed quite fast and parts of the story seemed thrown together but still a cute read. Could see this having a sequel.

Wren and Hud are definitely opposites however actually have a lot in common which makes them great for each other and had me excited to see where things go. Once we add in the towns folk because seriously who doesn't love a small town that's in everyone's business lol and make it a slow burn I was hooked. This was a great read and can not wait to read more books by this author!

I received an arc copy of this book for my honest review.

This book just wasn’t for me. I usually love me a good small town romance, however, I just couldn’t buy into the characters. The dialogue didn’t always flow or feel believable and even though Rosalee was one of the villains in this story, I didn’t love the way the MMC spoke about her or the flashes of his inner thoughts. Gave me red flags.

Wren, in the midst of escaping her problems, breaks down close to the small town of Vogel Springs. Even though she desperately wants to keep running, she has to wait to get her vehicle fixed. While waiting, she ends up meeting the hot mechanic, Hud. But Hud is in a whole whirlwind of his own problems and believes Wren is just a moment away from leaving his life for good.

I initially was excited to read this book, but I ended up desperately wanting more. And it isn't at fault of the author, the book was written smoothly and did answer the basic questions I had a long the way. My problem was the relationship between Wren and Hud. (However, I am sure someone will absolutely eat this up.) A cute small town romance in Texas where Wren is ready to forget her latest mishap and Hud who wasn't seeking a relationship, but desperately craves one from Wren. The downfall? The poor communication between the two and instead getting the information from their friends instead. But of course, not at complete fault. Hud has trust issues and Wren tried to get that information out.

I gave this a 3 just for the fact that it was enjoyable, for the most part, but just in the end wasn't my complete cup of tea. But if you like miscommunication, small town romance with a bit of surprises. You'll love this book.

This small-town romance was a lot of fun to read. I adored the relationship between Hud and Wren, and the characters were well-developed. It was genuinely amazing to see how both of them—so different but so similar in their fears—learned to trust again. This book was amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I had a difficult time getting into this book. I really liked the relationships with the townsfolk in this book, it was very heartwarming! There were many secrets that had to be unraveled, which kept things interesting. If you’re a fan of small town romance and a bit of mystery, this is a great read for you! However, at times plot felt a bit disjointed to me and I felt like there was a lot going on all throughout. I couldn’t really feel the characters’ chemistry which took me out of the book. Ultimately this wasn’t my cup of tea, but I appreciate how everything wrapped up in the end.

I had a hard time finishing this book, it started out strong but ended up falling flat for me. The story between Wren and Hud developed fast and had potential but not finding out their back story until the end didn’t make a lot of sense to me.