Thoroughly enjoyed reading both Wren (running from her past) and Hud’s (fighting to keep his land and son) povs in this book that had a bit of everything, including some spice 🌶️. The small Texas town setting was cute and the supporting characters all added to the story. Recommend if you’re after a small town romance.
Thanks to Netgalley and RupertBossier for the arc for review.

Steady Now is a beautifully layered romance that quietly pulls you in and holds your heart the whole way through.

Wren is cautious and emotionally closed off when we meet her—understandably so, given her past. But what struck me most was how much strength she carried beneath the surface. Watching her begin to trust, to let herself be seen and loved, was incredibly moving.

Hud, in contrast to his calm and grounded exterior, carries wounds of his own. He’s guarded too—not in the same way as Wren, but you can feel how his past has shaped him. His protectiveness, his hesitation, and the way he slowly opens up added so much depth to his character.

It was truly beautiful to watch both of them—so different, yet so alike in their fears—learn to trust again. Their connection felt genuine and hard-won. Liberty Stowe handled their emotional arcs with such care. The “opposites attract” dynamic wasn’t just a trope here; it was the foundation for real, meaningful growth on both sides.

The drama had weight but never overshadowed the heart of the story. Every moment of tension pushed the characters closer to healing. The pacing of their relationship was just right—slow, intentional, and incredibly satisfying by the time they let themselves fall.

By the end, I felt so deeply invested in Wren and Hud’s journey. This is one of those stories that stays with you—a quiet, powerful reminder of how love can be both a risk and a refuge.

Five stars out of Five Stars. Love the small town feel of this book and the chemistry between the two characters are amazing. The friends/family in this small town reminds me of Gilmore Girls because everyone knows everyone. If you love a book where both characters fall first and steamy as can be this is your book.
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An easy read in a good way. The characters captivate you and you want to keep reading to find out their past and what will happen for the two main characters.
Set in a small town in Texas, where there is a real sense of that small town vibe (think Gilmore Girls).
This is a slow burn romance book. With some spicy scenes too!

Steady now is a beautiful book, after Wren’s Maserati breaks down just outside Vogel Springs it brings her into Hud’s orbit, this is a great slow burn romance full of growth and healing from both their pasts. This is a perfect small town romance.

I really enjoyed reading this small town romance. The characters were layered and I loved Hud & Wren’s relationship. The sexual tension was nicely built and we all love a Byronic hero. Connor & Anderson’s characters brought some much needed comic relief. I found myself really rooting for Wren as she took back her agency and forged herself a new life. I hope we can get more from Cal & Anderson - maybe a book 2?

Dnf at around 40%
The characters felt very distant somehow, the plot felt very rushed and little explored. It had great potential.
Thank you so much for the arc in exchange of my honest opinion.

Loved this book from the first three pages!!! It gave off Lucy Score/Claire Kingsley Vibes, and they are two of my favorite rom com authors. I've now added Miss Liberty to that list!!!! The witty banter ( and internal funny thoughts) was 15/10. This gave me the giggles, the snorts, and the swoons. I loved it and will be off to Amazon to see if she has more books to read!!!

What a delightful surprise! I loved this story! Of course, I'm from Texas, so I could see it, smell it, taste and feel it. Stowe totally captured a small Texas town and its people. She made me chuckle, elicited my empathy for both protagonists—one who breaks down trying to run away from her life and the other is fighting to maintain his—and, unexpectedly, the story brought tears to my eyes. Such a tender moment.
It’s a lovely slow-burn romance that focuses on two people who are trying to pick up the pieces and move on. It’s about second chances and healing from deep personal wounds.
In the vein of Things We Never Got Over, the small town of Vogel Springs is a character itself. I think, if you liked the Knockemout series, you'll enjoy Steady Now.

Can I just say, I need some Hudson Bass in my real life! Way to knock it out of the park, Liberty Stowe. Hud is my new book boyfriend, and I think this may be my favorite Small Town Romance read of the year! The visit to Vogel Springs is a much needed kick off to summer! I love the author's description of this carved out place in the Hill Country of West Texas, as well as how grounded the story stayed between the two main characters and the moving parts of the thriving town. You can't help but escape with the FMC into the locals' arms that are spread wide for her. So much of this read surprised me, touched me and resonated with my own experiences of the ideals of small town living. This is the town you want to escape to... it's the place you want to hang your hat, and the people you want to surround you on your greatest day, and your worst ~

Vogel Springs takes on a character and life of its own just as Wren's is coming together in ways she least expected. I found this book topping my list mid way through, and the ending did not disappoint. The spice is very well done! I will be looking forward to more from liberty Stowe.

I don't often get to say this, and I can't say that I've ever given a Small Town Romance 5 Stars, but Steady Now earned them. There is nothing neglected in this book!

The premise of this book is amazing as well as the beginning. I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters or how they each described each other. Maybe it was a me issue, but it felt all a little too much.

I wanted to love this book and I for some reason thought it was a thriller when I picked it up initially.

This just is not the book for me.

What I liked:
-Cover is very cool
-The art for the chapter beginnings is quite nice and I really enjoyed it
-The humor

Why I don’t think it’s for me:
-Writing style and dialogue (I am picky)
-I was not able to connect with this one

Small town romance lovers will enjoy this read!

Thank you for the free eARC! I am leaving this honest feedback voluntarily.

At the 20% mark I have decided not to move forward reading this book. I'm not sure if it is the extremely short chapters or the fact that these complete strangers who got off on the wrong foot are already spontaneously bursting into HEAVY making out randomly...but it feels like it's moving too fast and skimming over a lot of missed opportunities for depth. I really loved the synopsis, but the execution feels messy and just not the tone for me.

Steady Now by Liberty Stowe is an emotionally grounded, slow-burn romance that deftly explores the intersection of personal healing and unexpected connection. With beautifully introspective prose, Stowe crafts a tender story of resilience, second chances, and the quiet courage it takes to trust again. The novel centers on two protagonists—each grappling with emotional scars from their past. One is seeking peace in the stillness of a small town, while the other is trying to outrun the noise of a life that never offered stability. Their meeting isn’t explosive or dramatic—instead, it’s gentle, like two drifting souls finally anchoring to something solid.