Will I ever tire of cowboy romances? No! This was all kinds of yeehaw 😂 loved the main character and the spice was good

Second chance romances are always a risk for me, and unfortunately this one didn't pay off.

The book had a great start and I thought the chemistry between the two main characters was great, but this book had too much drama that was repetitive. I lost interest and by the end I didn't think Aubrey deserved Gunner.

A conversation could have cut this book down by quite a bit.

And for anyone wondering, you definitely don't need to read the previous two books to enjoy this one.

3.5 for me

I loved the characters and the overall plot however was frustrated with Aubrey and the lack of communication the Gunner.

Both characters has issues from their past that effected their ability to connect communicate with each other but thankfully they both overcame that and we got out HEA.

Hea is personally a must for me.

Worth mentioning that this is 3rd person POV as I know it’s not for everyone . It’s also les that 300 pages , as mood reader I have a TBR for short books and long and would happily recommend this if someone is looking for a short quick read that they just want to snuggle up on the couch with something that will leave them with the warm and fuzzy felling at the end ,I mean after all we have a cowboy and small town what’s not to love

This book was a cute romance but didn’t knock my socks off. It’s the third in a series in which I hadn’t read the first two, so I might have been at a bit of a disadvantage. There were some things I really enjoyed about this book and some things that I really did not. I didn’t like that he was a recovering addict but still drank. I didn’t like a side storyline where he was mentoring elementary students (nice idea but it just came across super cheesy). But my big hang up was I hated the way the MMC spoke so much. Tons of y’alls and darlin’ and honestly it felt like the stupidest stereotype of a country singer. I just couldn’t get past it and I was pulled out of the story almost every time he spoke. If that works for you, there were things to really love about this book but it was more of a miss for me.

Thank you Stacey Kennedy , Harlequin romance and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! All information below is based off my own opinion of the book! I also like to keep my reviews short and simple as someone who looks at the short reviews before reading books. 💕⭐️
Book rating: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Favorite characters: didn’t have one
Review: I had a really hard time connecting with the characters. I felt like the book was repetitive. By 70% in I was ready for the book to be over. With that being said it was an okay read for me. I liked the cowboys, the music aspect, and the cocktails Aubrey was making they sounded pretty good!

This was such a cozy second-chance small-town romance- gave big Elsie Silver vibes and I ate it up. Gunner and Aubrey’s chemistry was obvious, and messy in all the best ways!!

She’s got her own wounds, he’s got his own past, and when they reconnect in Montana, the slow build and emotional stakes really landed.

It wrapped up nicely, though the last stretch lost a little sparkle for me- personally, some of the tension fizzled once their issues were out in the open. But still, warm, heartfelt, cowboy charm, and a perfect taste of redemption and romance.

I'm obsessed with second chance, small town Western romances and this one was one of my favorites for sure! Every aspect was perfect. The author did a wonderful job with tugging at readers' emotions.

This book was amazing! I love western country music books! This one is one of the best I have read before!

3.5 stars -
Sometimes you are in the mood for a spicy read, and when it also has a cowboy as the lead – be still my heart.

This book started with a hot kickstart and awesome hopes for the book. A fabulous week that leads to actions that carry on and impact the characters throughout the rest of the book, even years later.

I have to admit, I got a bit frustrated a time or two with my Aubrey for the way she treated Gunner by not having conversations that could have opened the door to healing instead of heartbreak. He tried over and over, and let’s be honest, there is only so much someone should put up with, and he went over and above.

The book is loaded with tension and longing. They belong together, and the fact that she withheld for so long did not lead ot emotional impact for me. It led me to frustration.

Kennedy added a wonderful setting and secondary characters that were sweet and supportive. The wedding descriptive scenes were awesome and set the tone for the book

Overall, The Rebel with Broken Strings is a sweet romance with a perfect touch of spice. These two broken and insecure hearts eventually find love, but they remain insecure throughout. A satisfying and simplistic plot with a bit more drama than needed, in my opinion. But the ending made up for so much! LOVE

Thank you so much @staceykennedybooks @netgalley @hqn_shamelessromantics @harlequinbooks @afterglow_books for this ARC 💕⛰️🤠 Pub Date 📅 November 25,2025 Themes: small town, second chance, opposites attract, he falls first, rebel with a cause, forbidden ❤️‍🔥

I love, love, loved this book! The plot locked me in from page one, and spit me out a new person on the last page. The characters became real to me and will live in my brain forever. The setting was tangible and perfect. The pacing was riveting, but not rushed. All coming together to be a book I can't wait to recommend to my friends.

Review: The Rebel with Broken Strings by Stacey Kennedy 🌟
This book gave me all the feels. 💔🎶 Gunner is the kind of hero you can’t help but root for—flawed, vulnerable, and determined to make things right. Aubrey’s walls are sky-high, but the slow unraveling of her heart was so worth the wait. Their second-chance romance is messy, tender, and seriously swoony. 💕
The small-town Montana setting adds so much charm (I want to live in Timber Falls now 😍), and the side characters bring that cozy, community vibe that makes you feel right at home.
Yes, the middle stretched a little slow at times, but honestly? The emotional payoff and the heat 🔥 more than made up for it.
If you love:
✨ Second-chance romance
✨ Small-town settings
✨ A hero who wears his scars with pride
✨ Emotional, heart-tugging journeys
…then this one’s for you. 💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Unfortunately I could not finish this book and I didn't feel enough connection to the characters. I wanted more meaning behind things to drive the characters forward, but it felt more transactional to me.
This is just my opinion and understand it's slightly outside my usual reading taste.
Thanks for this opportunity to read this book.

I am currently in my cowboy romance era and this book fits the bill. I liked the plot and the chemistry of the characters. I do feel that the characters could have been built up more to give depth and make them more dimensional. I enjoyed the plot but think it was over-simplified at times and had drama that didn’t add to the story. I enjoyed learning more about the friend group and the dynamics within it. I think the language, punctuation and flow was basic and could use development. Overall, I think it was a good cowboy palette cleanser but did not live up to other cowboy series I have read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

The Rebel with Broken Strings is a heartfelt and engaging read. The story is emotional, well-written, and keeps you invested. While a few parts felt a little drawn out, overall it’s a powerful and memorable book.

If you're craving a spicy Western romance with a side of emotional depth, The Rebel with Broken Strings hits all the right notes.
Aubrey Hale, the self-proclaimed "good girl" with a past, finds herself in small-town Montana after a whirlwind one-night stand with country star Gunner Woods. When Gunner unexpectedly shows up in her life again, sparks fly, but so do the complications. Aubrey's reluctance to revisit old flames and Gunner's journey of redemption create a tension that's both steamy and heartfelt.
Gunner's character arc is particularly compelling. A country star who's faced the consequences of his past mistakes, he's now on a path to reclaiming his life and career. His vulnerability and determination make him a swoon-worthy hero.
Kennedy's writing beautifully balances the heat of romance with the complexities of personal growth. The chemistry between Aubrey and Gunner is undeniable, and their journey towards trust and love is both passionate and poignant.
If you're a fan of second-chance romances with a touch of country charm, this book is a must-read. It's the perfect blend of heat, heart, and healing.

Aubrey and Gunner had an incredible week together in Atlanta before Gunner disappeared without so much as a note from Aubrey's life. Struggling with pain and a pill addiction as well as seeing his music career go up in flames, he just didn't think he could make it work. Now he is back in Aubrey's orbit in Timber Falls. Montana and he wants to see if they can make it work. He's sober and committed to finding a way back into her heart. This is the third book in the Naked Moose series by Stacey Kennedy - I hadn't read the first two but you do meet the characters that are in the other two books and I think it would be good to have read the other two to help situate this book. It is a sweet story that has a solid amount of spice between the two lovers. You certainly fall in love with Timber Falls and the community that resides there - I definitely would visit just to try one of Aubrey's cocktails - they sounded delicious. I can't say that I totally engaged with Aubrey and Gunner's romance but the friendships between all the key characters in the book was certainly heartwarming. The epilogue pulls the three books together into a final moment for them all. For me it is a three and half star read that was enjoyable to read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read the arc. This final book in the series comes out in November 2025.

There’s just something about a country star with a guitar, a broken dream, and a smoulder that SCREAMS "book boyfriend." !!

Aubrey is out here doing her best "good girl in small town Montana" routine, pretending she never had one wild night with Gunner Woods.

Meanwhile, Gunner’s trying to put the pieces of his career back together and, oh yeah, maybe steal Aubrey’s heart while he’s at it.

The chemistry between these two??
Instant spark, slow burn, and a whole lot of stolen glances that made me internally squeal.

And I loved how both characters were figuring out who they wanted to be, not just together, but for themselves.

Also, the Western vibes + country music touches? Perfection.

If you like your small town romance spicy, musical, and full of second chances, this one is calling your name.

⭐️⭐️✨ (2.5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Rebel with Broken Strings by Stacey Kennedy.

This story had an interesting premise and moments that I did enjoy, but overall it didn’t fully connect with me. The pacing felt a little uneven at times, and I struggled to form a strong attachment to the characters. While the romance had potential, I was left wanting more emotional depth and intensity to really draw me in.

That said, Stacey Kennedy’s writing style is easy to read and I think readers who enjoy a lighter romance with a straightforward storyline may connect with this one more than I did. For me, it was an okay read, but I’m sure others will appreciate it differently.

Aw this was such a good ending
To this series.
The connection between Gunner and
Aubrey was so sweet.
I loved the storyline and how Gunner Changed his life and got his girl.
The vibes of this book are everything.
The cowboy winning over his girl.
The strong girl who allows her heart
To lead.
I loved how the epilogue not only showed Their happy ending but reading about
The other couples to.
Truly a good book.
4