3.5 - A married couple tries to reconnect after life throws some curveballs at them & the FMC struggles to recover, asking the MMC to leave & give her some space.

Beau was a fantastic book boyfriend - Incredibly patient & sweet with a filthy mouth.

I couldn’t vibe with Elsie though. Not telling your husband who you’ve been with for a literal decade that you get panic attacks? Especially when he’s actually sweet as pie! Girl…

Really hope there’s a book two for Cooper & Jade!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Overall I enjoyed this book, there were plenty of emotional moments that pulled on my heart strings, but I think I’m just maybe not a “marriage in crisis” trope lover. I wanted a little more depth at times. But I will say I am very excited for the next couple of books in this series, the hints at the future couples had me dying for more of them!

If you’re looking for a good happy cry this book is for you. I didn’t realize I need this book in my TBR.

When they say books can heal the past and help see the end of the tunnel this is a great example!

Beau is everything! Sweet, passionate, cowboy, loyal, and funny.
Elsie overcomes a lot in this book, Madison did a great job of showing the growth of Elsie without it being too much.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for an earc copy of this book!

I read this in less than 24 hours and loved it! It was a super cute, small town romance that had me hooked! The second chance romance in this was fabulous and I really loved the characters! I wish it was longer but only so I could read about them more!

Would definitely recommend! Will absolutely be continuing the series!

A second chance romance and a surprise pregnancy trope? Sign me up! I really enjoyed reading about Elsie and Beau. The found family aspect was so heartwarming, and I found myself really relating to Elsie. I loved seeing her stand up for herself and set boundaries—it’s so important, especially after everything she went through. Something that meant the world to her was taken away, and it’s only natural that she struggled to rediscover who she was without it. The pressure from her mother to return to ballet felt so real, and I admired how she eventually channeled that experience into something positive through teaching.

I do wish she had opened up to Beau and Jade about her anxieties earlier on, but I appreciated that she was learning how to communicate—there was real growth there. Beau’s character growth stood out to me too. I loved how he listened and showed up for Elsie in the way she needed, especially after learning about her panic attacks. His willingness to give her space once he realized what she was going through really spoke to his growth. I also liked how Cooper consistently stood up for Beau—he needed that support system.

In the end, I’m so glad Elsie and Beau got the happy ending they deserved.

“This isn’t our first rodeo, and one way or another, we’re going to find our way back to each other”
I never met a cowboy romance I didn’t like! This is a small town second chance romance that will break your heart and put it back together again.

Overall, I enjoyed this book! I found it hard to connect with Elsie at times but the dual POV with Beau bumped up my rating. Read if you’re a fan of closed door/fade to black, charming small town, accidental pregnancy trope and an MMC who is so emotionally put together it makes my heart sing!

I really wanted to enjoy this, it had all of my favorite things in a book (accidental pregnancy, small town, cowboys, second chance, found family) but it just didn’t really jive with me, and I didn’t really find my groove with it, so I am dnf’ing at 46%.

✶✶✶ / 5 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔰 ꔫ

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc prior to the release in exchange for my honest opinion.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

This book follows Elsie, a ballet dancer who once had a thriving career—and an even better husband. Her world begins to unravel after a career-ending injury, followed by a devastating miscarriage that leads her to push everyone away, including her husband, Beau. But Beau can’t stay away. After a night spent together, Elsie finds herself pregnant once again. While Beau is ready to support her, Elsie isn’t ready to let him back in—still grieving, still struggling to accept this new pregnancy and everything it means.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

This is a second-chance, small-town romance with an accidental pregnancy trope. I have to admit, these combinations aren’t usually my favourite and aren’t something I tend to gravitate towards—but I found the premise interesting and thought I’d give it a go.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed the book. It was very easy to read, and I finished it in one sitting. It also features something I personally adore in books—short chapters. The pacing was solid, and the characters were likeable. That said, they weren’t my favourite, but for someone who loves these tropes, I can absolutely see how this would rate higher on their scale.

I really don’t enjoy pregnancy tropes of any kind, but I’m determined to branch out and try new things. I’d say my main issue with this aspect of the story was the lack of real healing or character development for Elsie. While I think these delicate subjects were handled with care, the story was missing the realistic support you’d hope someone in her situation would seek—such as therapy, support groups, or even conversations about mental health.

That said, I do recognise that for some women, it can be incredibly difficult to process and speak about their experiences. Still, I would have loved to see Elsie access therapy or receive some form of support for her grief and trauma. Without giving away spoilers, there’s a mental health concern written into the plot, but there’s no resolution to it—no coping mechanisms or meaningful support introduced. Having a supportive partner is important, of course, but we also didn’t see Beau learning how to help her or navigating that part of their relationship. There was a beautiful opportunity for this to be explored more deeply, but sadly, it wasn’t.

All that being said, I’d like to mention that this book isn’t particularly romance-heavy. That’s not an issue, but don’t go into it expecting serious heat or a romance-driven plot. While there is some spice, the focus is more on Elsie as she processes her emotions and grief, comes to terms with her pregnancy, and slowly begins to let Beau back into her life.

3.5 stars!

Don't be fooled by the cute cover! This story will break you and put you back together again. This is a second chance romance with high stakes - small town cowboy meets professional ballerina

This story was emotionally heavy! Elsie's (fmc) grief felt so raw and real it was almost like you're experiencing it alongside her. The battles she faces with depression and anxiety felt authentic and the more sensitive themes were handled with care by the author.

This book does not just use anxiety as a
trope, but rather shows the complexity of surviving mental illness. Elsie isolates herself, has frequent panic attacks and completely loses her sense of self in the midst of grief and injury. She feels shame for not healing quicker and she's exhausted pretending to be okay in front of others. Her panic, grief and shame are not dismissed, they're respected - this is a rare honesty we see in romance books but the representation is very much needed!

This story really will stay with you, if you've experienced anxiety or loss then Elsie's story feels like finally being seen. This is not about being saved but instead is about saving yourself though knowing you're worthy of the help and support of those around you. Healing is not linear, and mental illness is messy but as 'not our first rodeo' will show you - love can still meet you in the middle of a mess.

Don’t let the cute, cozy cover fool you—this is not a light-hearted cowboy romance. This book dives into some heavy emotional territory, tackling themes of miscarriage, identity loss, and the quiet unraveling of a marriage under the weight of grief. As someone who has experienced multiple miscarriages, I found parts of this story deeply personal and handled with care.

The FMC, Elsie, has her world upended—first by the loss of her ballet career, and then by a devastating pregnancy loss. Her response is to retreat inward, shutting out the world and, heartbreakingly, her incredibly patient husband, Beau. While Elsie’s grief is front and center, I appreciated that the author didn’t forget Beau’s pain. It’s rare to see a male character given space to grieve and be supported by those around him.

The emotional depth is definitely there, and the book explores important issues like the fear of vulnerability, the isolation that comes with grief, and how even strong marriages can falter when communication breaks down. There’s power in the message that “hurt people hurt people,” and the couple’s journey to reconnect and rebuild feels real.

That said, I struggled with the pacing and tone. The emotional weight often overshadowed the romance, and at times it felt like the story got stuck in its grief without much movement. While I appreciated the rawness, it left me emotionally drained rather than uplifted.

If you’re looking for a romance with real emotional stakes and a focus on healing rather than heat, this might be the right book for you. Just go in knowing it’s a quieter, heavier read than the cover suggests.

A couple who separated after a miscarriage and a career lost find a way back to one another when they discover they're pregnant once again and that the love between them is still there. Elsie Jennings thought she had it all figured out with a blooming ballet career, a husband who adored her and being pregnant... only an injury destroys her career and then she has a miscarriage that breaks something deeper in her. Elsie pushes everyone away including her husband saying she needs space and for him to leave while she figures herself out. Beau Jennings has never stopped loving Elsie, he's still in love with her and despite her asking for space he'll wait as long as she needs for her. Yet when they have a one night stand and it ends in Elsie getting pregnant again, Beau is determined to stay around and help her and make her see that he's not going anywhere... can Elsie heal after everything or is it too soon? So this was definitely a story about healing and about grief. Beau was the perfect partner for Elsie, he was so patient and loving with her while she figured out her own grief. This is a great book for anyone who wants a story about healing.

Release Date: July 11, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I loved the premise of this book and felt that it was executed well! I think writing about mental health can be very hard and nuanced. I think Madison depicted the FMC struggles and experiences with poise and accuracy. I think she also portrayed the difficulties and emotions of loving someone who is battling their mental health through the MMC. He had the appropriate balance of support, challenge, and love. Another important aspect is how people not actively involved portray mental health. For example the MMC's twin and his opinions really highlighted that from an outsiders perspective mental health can appear confusing and selfish. I think the there was a string foundation, strong story line, and strong themes that added to the success of this book. The romance as top tier. Cannot wait to keep reading the series!

This book? Exactly the kind of read I’m always in the mood for. Cowboy romance with all my favourite tropes—second chance, marriage in trouble, accidental pregnancy—and every single one of them was done so well!

I completely fell in love with Elsie and Beau’s story. I loved watching her growth, her healing, and the way she slowly started letting Beau back in. You could really feel how much he cared for her and how steady he was, always there even when things got tough. Their relationship felt real, messy at times, full of emotion, but so full of love.

Honestly, I devoured this book. It had all the comfort of a small-town romance, but also the depth that made me feel connected to the characters. Definitely a new favourite and one I’ll be thinking about for a while.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,75

WHAT A FUN STORY!! From the moment I read the blurb I knew this one was one I was going to be obsessed with and it did not disappoint! What a ride, the tension was HIGH, I loved it!

thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

i’ll start by saying that i was really excited to read this book, because i mean: cowboys, marriage in crisis, a pregnancy trope…this is amazing, so i hope my three stars rating won’t be taken as a bad thing.

now, i loved the mmc: he’s such a sweetheart and so patient that i swear if he was real he’d look like a damn unicorn. i also enjoyed some of the adorable moments between the main couple. however, i did had one main issue with this book.

i’m not saying the book is bad per se, because i don’t think that. in fact as i said, i did like it, unfortunately though sometimes i could not connect with the fmc’s feelings, like i really couldn’t understand her.

i totally get the feeling of having to isolate yourself after something bad happens and trying to get back on your feet on your own (and as someone who has experienced heavy anxiety in the past, i liked the representation and i so i do understand) but i also believe that when you’re married to a good man and have a good marriage (and in their case they’ve been together for 12 years) you should at least share some of the things that happen to you, or what you feel and the fmc did not communicate at all (like what do you mean you had panic attacks since you were little and your husband, who you’ve been with since you were 16, doesn’t know) which i get in some cases but this time i felt like it was needed.

nonetheless i am going to keep reading this series (if the author continues it ofc) because i loved the side characters and i have a feeling maybe there could be a book about cooper…? maybe with jade?? 🫢🫢🫢

anyway, sum of my review: i liked it just couldn’t connect much with the fmc🥹

Tropes:
╰⪼ Second chance romance
╰⪼ Accidental pregnancy
╰⪼ Dual POV

I see what the author was aiming for, but this fell flat. While the story tackles serious themes like divorce, miscarriage, and panic attacks, it didn’t deliver the emotional impact I was hoping for. I didn’t feel fully convinced of Beau and Elsie’s relationship, and much of the writing felt like it was telling rather than showing. Still, the week-by-week pregnancy format was a sweet touch and will appeal to readers who enjoy softer, domestic romances.

Thanks to NetGalley, Madison Wright and Victory Editing for the ARC.

When ex-ballerine Elsie runs into her horse rider husband Beau at a bar after two months of separation, she doesn’t expect to end up pregnant, just as she’s starting to pull herself together after a hard year.

Throughout her pregnancy Beau and Elsie come back together till their marriage is even better than before, and I loved seeing Elsie allow herself to be vulnerable with her husband and her friends and family too.

This was a gentle and tender love story full of both funny and sad moments, with a whole host of wonderful characters making me really look forward to the next book in the Lucky Stars series. It’s somewhere around a 3.5/4 for me, but I’m rounding it up for my review here.

Really my only criticism is how often the phrase ‘her face hardens’ ‘his eyes hardened’ etc was used! Once I noticed it I couldn’t stop.

I would give this a 3 stars out of 5. I enjoyed it and had a fun time, the plot set up was quite unique for a romance story too with them coming from . I liked how the more difficult topics were handled and how they both dealt with their grief and loss. Second chance romance isn't always my favourite trope in a romance book so at times it didn't excite me like I thought it was going to and at times. But I LOVE a small town romance every time so this never misses! Thank you to Madison Wright and Victory Editing on NetGalley for this arc.

I don’t love pregnancy plots but this was really enjoyable. I can never fault a cowboy romance, sweet spicy and funny.

Foremost, you for the opportunity to read this book.

I originally chose this because I wanted to broaden my horizons and settle into a cosy, feel-good contemporary. I think this book delivered on being cosy and emotionally raw. I was very intrigued by the concept of a marriage in trouble, when that marriage was still regarding a loved-up couple.

However, I felt that this book was a lot of all tell and no show. I think it dragged out the idea of Elsie not wanting to show vulnerability to her husband, and I was unable to connect with her to feel empathy for that. I think it touches on a very sensitive topic and I am respectful of that, but as there was not much shown about any of it, only told, I just couldn’t connect. As well, I felt mostly that Beau was being treated unfairly. He also suffered, but had to endure it and be left in the dark by someone he loved. I was begging for Elsie to consider therapy so that we could move past the awkwardness of their relationship.

There was not much chemistry between Elsie and Beau, either. It seemed to just rely on them having a history to sell us their idea of a loved-up marriage in crisis. I wasn’t necessarily enthusiastic to see them overcome their demons, because I didn’t have much to go off. As well, I couldn’t connect with his character because I felt he said and did things that were unrealistic.

Please know that I will not be sharing this review on reviewing sites as I do not wish to influence any average ratings. I appreciate the chance to read this and wish the author luck with their book.