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Tag Archives: The Kelly Ranch series

Review – Hit the Ground

06 Thursday Nov 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Hit the Ground, Julia Wolf, The Kelly Ranch series

Hit the Ground

The Kelly Ranch #3

by Julia Wolf

Blurb:

Caleb Kelly has been my secret weakness since the day I moved to Sugar Brush, Wyoming.

I spend my days among the stacks as the town’s librarian and my nights serving drinks at Joy’s Elbow Room. It’s safe, predictable, and a little boring. The only thing that makes my pulse kick is when Caleb Kelly walks through the door and takes a seat at one of my tables.

Four years of stolen glances, watching him laugh with his family, listening to him talk about his son, and pretending he doesn’t unravel me just by saying my name. Alice.

Then one reckless night, I steal a kiss. And for one perfect, heart-stopping second, he kisses me back.

But the thing is, Caleb doesn’t date. He has his son, his ranch, and no room for anything—or anyone—else.

So I finally stop waiting, stop hoping, stop hiding. It’s way past time to begin living my life on my own terms.

Just as I start to move forward, trouble knocks me back. And when I need someone the most, Caleb is the one by my side again and again, standing between me and the worst of it. His steady, fierce presence is impossible to ignore.

I should know better than to keep falling for a man who told me he can’t give me more. I should walk away before I get hurt again.

It’s just that every time he shows up, every time he really sees me, every time he stays, my heart refuses to listen.

But letting him in might be the one thing I can’t come back from.

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/46LMbMV

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: http://bit.ly/4mNTUAn

*****

Review:

I read half of this in one sitting, just couldn’t put it down. I didn’t even get 15% into it before my heart just broke for Alice. She’s so strong, tough, finally to the point of asking for what she wants and … oh honey. Goodness that man can’t see what’s right in front of him. The whole allowing her time to lick her wounds – hahahahahaha, clueless man. But she doesn’t back down and I love love love how she put him in his place. Love her!

When Caleb finally figures his crap out, though, he goes all in and he makes a really great boyfriend. Supportive, sweet, wonderful … until he’s not. But that’s OK because Alice is willing to go after what she wants, speak her mind, and stop taking his crap. And it is awesome. I love that for her and it helps redeem him for some of his more stupid moments.

I will say that I’m not really sure I understand Caleb’s hostility towards Kent. I get that he wants to protect his son but I think that there needed a bit more fleshing out Kent’s potential issues. Otherwise, combined with his inflexibility towards Shelby and Kent’s needs, it just made Caleb look like an jerk. Of course, until proven otherwise.

I think readers are going to love Alice and be a little iffy on Caleb at first. But he does prove himself to her and to us so by the end I was more than rooting for them. And I think that’s where Wolf shines. Like with the other two books in the series, her characters are just so fabulously done you can’t help but love them.

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Review – Hold the Line

15 Thursday May 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Hold the LIne, Julia Wolf, The Kelly Ranch series

Hold the Line

The Kelly Ranch Book Two

by Julia Wolf

Blurb:

Deacon Slater was my high school crush—the bad boy with haunted eyes that made my heart skip a beat. But in our small town, the Slater name is synonymous with trouble, and Deke lived up to it when he landed in prison a few years after graduation.

He served his time and now he’s back, living in the apartment above mine, covered in ink and even more intriguing than before.

As the owner of Sugar Rush bakery, I’m used to building bridges with my muffins and cookies. I’ve seen cowboys nearly come to blows over the last lemon bar. But Deke wants nothing to do with my treats…or me. He keeps his distance, barely speaking when I knock on his door.

Until the day he doesn’t have a choice.

He’s there when I need him, stepping in to protect me, showing me the caring man beneath his rough edges.

We couldn’t be more different. I’m a curvy ray of sunshine in a pink apron and he’s a stoic, tattooed carpenter in work boots. But the more walls we tear down, the closer we get. And piece by piece, we discover how well we fit.

But when darkness from his past comes looking for him, what we’re building could all fall apart. Because this time, trouble isn’t just circling Deacon Slater.

It’s coming for us both.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43Y0Bd1

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/42ifANK

*****

Review:

Deacon is back after a few years in prison. Between his record and his less than respectable family, he’s struggling with how he’s perceived by others in his small home town. And his sweet downstairs neighbor, his childhood crush.

Phoebe had a thing for Deacon when they were kids, and a decade away hasn’t changed it much. Kindness and understanding, and a few sweet treats, has them developing a friendship of sorts. That develops into something more.

Like See It Through, the characters just shine in this series. Both Phoebe and Deacon have some baggage from their pasts (granted his is heavier than hers) but with time and patience they figure things out. And work to create a healthy, long term relationship. Wolf delivers another story that is emotional, steamy, and oh so satisfying.

*****

Author Info:

Julia Wolf writes sexy rockers, broken bad boys, snarky heroines, and bad ass women. She’s a firm believer in happily ever afters, no matter how rocky the road is to get there.

Julia lives in Maryland with her husband and three crazy, beautiful children. When she’s not writing romance, she’s reading it. Some of her favorite things are, in no particular order: goats, books, coffee, and Target.

Connect with Julia

Website: http://juliawolfwrites.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17563191.Julia_Wolf

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Julia-Wolf/author/B078VDJ3Z1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJuliaWolf

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2086152844974595

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjuliawolf/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliaIsWriting

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjuliawolf

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julia-wolf

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorjuliawolf/

~


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Review – See It Through

12 Thursday Dec 2024

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Julia Wolf, See It Through, The Kelly Ranch series

See It Through

The Kelly Ranch Series

by Julia Wolf

Blurb:

This house isn’t big enough for the both of us…

As my older brother’s best friend, Remington Town used to be like a member of my family. But the minute he turned eighteen, he left our small town of Sugar Brush, Wyoming and never looked back.

Thirteen years later, Remi shows up to settle his father’s estate, but as far as I’m concerned, he should’ve stayed gone. Besides, he’s in for a big surprise when he finds out the old farmhouse he intends to sell is now half mine.

I expect Remi to hit the road just like he did all those years ago, but infuriatingly, he settles in like he plans on staying for a while. It’s impossible to avoid him since I run my farrier business out of the house he’s now haunting. Everywhere I turn, I seem to find him, with his slow, easy smiles, and endless patience, no matter what I throw at him—literally.

When push comes to shove and I’m in danger, Remi stands by me without question. His steady, surprisingly gentle presence softens me to him. Soon, a tentative friendship leads to a fiery passion neither of us saw coming.

Remi and I find solace and beauty in each other, but behind the picturesque facade of our small town lurks an ugliness. Someone doesn’t like me having all that I do, and if they have their way, I’ll be left with nothing at all.

See It Through is a small town, western romance featuring the Kelly family. It can be read as a complete standalone, however this series is second generation. The Kelly kids’ parents are Lock and Elena, and their story starts in Sweet Like Poison. This is Hannah Kelly’s story.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4h4gCT5

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dQuWMa

*****

Review:

I’ve only read a couple of Wolf’s books and like with those I really enjoyed her characters (but this time I never felt the need to give them a stern talking to). Hanna is dealing with grief, hurt from a broken relationship, and ADHD. But putting one foot in front of the other, she’s getting better. I appreciate how he recognizes things that are difficult or hurtful for her and has learned to handle them. She’s strong, sassy, and loving.

Remi is pretty dang awesome too. He understands all the various Kellys and why they react to him the way they do. He’s a good man but I do wish that he’d gotten some help with his issues. I think it would have been nice to make therapy more common for characters who have experienced the things he has. He’s got a lot to come to terms with and talking with a professional would go a long way. I mean, he’s awfully well adjusted for everything that’s happened to him.

While there is a romantic suspense element to the story, I don’t think it is a big enough part to truly satisfy someone looking for it. But readers do need to be aware because there is danger and mystery in the story. Just not a central part 🙂 (There’s a few moments with the dialogue and the more … um, “flowery” moments that might not be everyone’s cuppa as well so just a couple of heads up things.)

I enjoyed it tho – the steam, the feels, and the supportive family & friends. From the few that I’ve read, Wolf’s writing is pretty on point. She delivers characters that have their issues, good points, and flaws. And while the story isn’t necessarily fast paced, it’s a satisfying trip as Remi and Hannah go from enemies to friends to lovers to more.

*****

Author Info:

Julia Wolf writes sexy rockers, broken bad boys, snarky heroines, and bad ass women. She’s a firm believer in happily ever afters, no matter how rocky the road is to get there.

Julia lives in Maryland with her husband and three crazy, beautiful children. When she’s not writing romance, she’s reading it. Some of her favorite things are, in no particular order: goats, books, coffee, and Target.

Connect with Julia

Website: http://juliawolfwrites.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17563191.Julia_Wolf

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Julia-Wolf/author/B078VDJ3Z1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJuliaWolf

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2086152844974595

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjuliawolf/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliaIsWriting

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjuliawolf

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julia-wolf

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorjuliawolf/

~

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FTC Disclaimer - see bottom of page for complete statement, but please be aware that in many cases I am provided a book to read. However my opinions are my own & no guarantee of positive review is given by any party.

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"Like everything else in the Rosewood River series, I enjoyed the heck out of this one." Full review at romanticread.com 🔥COVER REVEAL & PRE-ORDER ANNOUNCEMENT🔥 "From their Hallmark Channel worthy meet-cute to Holly finally finding herself, it’s just so sweet." Full review at romanticread.com "So emotional and with characters that captured me from the first page." Full review at romanticread.com "Loved, loved, loved me some Travis" Full review at romanticread.com Coming soon - REBOUND CONTROL by @jodioliverauthor releasing January 9th! "There’s a reason Piper Rayne is on my must read list and it shows from start to finish here. So much of the feels (heartache and sweet moments alike), steaminess, humor, and love from family, both born & found." Full review at romanticread.com "I just loved the two of them together – the way they kind of accidentally slide into a relationship, complete with teenagers, pets, and a fixer-upper house is just priceless." Full review at romanticread.com "While this the first in this series I’ve read (and this author for that matter), I really enjoyed myself ... their courtship and HEA made me happy." Full review at romanticread.com

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I have received ARCs of books free from NetGalley (and many moons ago from BookTrib.com) to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher, author, or PR company. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affiliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any post.

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