I'm just now seeing that I never put my review for this from when I read it awhile back. And while having accidentally skipped book two, book 1 was amazing and a 5 star read for me. So it's not surprise that this was a 4 star read for me. The characters were great, the grumpy sunshine trope is one of my favorites and this one delivered. While it may be years later, I feel like a reread might be in order.

I wasn't familiar with this author up until now, so I also haven't read the other books in the Grand Valley series, but after reading this I can confirm that I'll be looking into getting my hands on the other books asap as well.

This was just the kind of perfect in between romance read I'm always looking for. That kind of book that you can pick up any time, when you want to loose yourself in a good romance.

As said in the synopsis: Featuring Liora Blake’s signature “funny, endearing, and more than a little hot” (Library Journal) ... This is totally true! This book was funny, it was heartwarming and endearing and it was sexyyyy. Loved it!

Get ready for another fun, sexy and hilarious read from the Grand Valley series, Ready for Wild. I loved this series from the start and now sad to see it end. But being introduced to these cute and loving couples from Grand Valley had me smitten from the start!

Braden Montgomery is the grumpy Colorado Game Warden and to make him in an even crappier mood, he's been told that he needs to help Amber Regan and her tv crew with show. It's the last thing that Braden wants to do! Right off the bat, Braden judges the beautiful Amber as just a pretty face with no real talent when it comes to hunting.

So when Braden has to help Amber with her show, he is pleasantly surprised how much this woman knows her way around and he can't be help but fall for her! And Amber has a lot on her mind, she's trying to save her show from being cancelled and now, Braden is occupying her head.


These two fail to fight their attraction and decide to see where their relationship goes, but there's one problem...Braden is Colorado and Amber has a life and career in Texas.

I adore everything about this entire series. The characters are likable, the writing is clever and witty and the story line is perfectly romantic. Makes for a perfect summer beach read!

Are you looking for your next book to enjoy as you curl up under a warm blanket by the fire...? Then my book recommendation for you is Ready for Wild by Liora Blake. This one has been out for a while but recently I've been on a reread kick and I happened to pick this one up again. I can't say enough just how much I loved it, even the second time around.  

The great outdoors is brought to life when Braden Montgomery and Amber Regan go head to head! He's a by the book, down to earth game warden and she is the star of her own hunting show... yeah, SHE has her own hunting show. Needless to say, you can imagine how Braden isn't to keen on her and is totally doubtful that she has any actual skills... I mean, she looks like princess in camo! Amber is determined to prove him wrong and prove her ability in all things outdoors. When they are forced to work together... holy smokes the sparks fly! I was immediately swept into the story and quickly felt invested in these two complex characters. I was definitely reminded why I loved this book the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it the second time. 

Pick this up for your next winter read and be ready to swoon for the burly game warden and fall for the sweet camo "princess"... a MUST READ!

Brandon Montgomery is a game warden in Colorado and after arguing against drawing for straws as to see who gets to take Amber Regan around. She is a female hunter with her own show, and it is not that he dislikes her, he dislikes all hunting shows. She of course shows up in full pink camo and after they have a discussion over google maps and his eyes, as he was in an area that she wanted to go and there was no water. After their talk they spend the next 4 hours hiking and she spends it looking at his back side wondering if he is ever going to stop or actually take a deep breath. When they finally make it to the top his fantastic personality appears once again when he takes the granola bar she is eating out of her hand and tosses it. Telling her she should be eating a candy bar instead. Letting him know about endorsements he could care less he gives her something more healthy and homemade. Now slowly a friendship. They both become intrigue with the other person and though he does not allow himself to get close to anyone, which is explain in the story she slowly breaks down his walls. She really makes progress when she surprises him and shows up in town unannounced. This is really when the story takes a good turn and you find out more about each character. About both of their pasts and their fears. By the time you get to the end you are surprised by the change in both but it is for the best. Read this wonderful story about two people finding themselves before love. A very good book.

“…the overall story was a fun read, and so is the rest of the series”
~ Under the Covers

Ready for Wild is the third and last installment of Liora Blake’s Grand Series. Just like the previous book, Liora Blake writes a love story of two people from two different worlds.

As luck might have it, Braden Montgomery, the Game Warden of the state of Colorado is assigned to give Amber Reagan a tour/guide to scout out the lands for her new show. Amber happens to be the star of a hunting reality show looking for a new edge. Unfortunately, Braden hates hunting shows and this starts them off to a very rocky start.

I don’t blame him and like him, I already have my reservations about Amber. I thought she was superficial and a narcissist to boot. I also thought she was just a “glorified shooter”. A sell out. All she cared about was making new edge to keep her show. She’s very Hollywood. Such a different being from Braden who is pretty much a eat healthy and a tree hugger. Braden is serious and broody. He was described to be with a hulking stature with a glowering scowl like Joe Manganiello. That’s exactly how I pictured him as I read the book. Definitely quite the opposite of Amber but as different as they are, they’re attraction is undeniable and there was no stopping their romance.

I sort of anticipated that Ms. Blake will show us a different side of Amber that will prove her worth to be with Braden. And I guess she did. There’s more to that girl than meets the eye. Unfortunately, she’s still my least favorite heroine of the series. Fortunately, the overall story was a fun read, and so is the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to Ms. Blakes future work.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read the previous two and was really looking forward to Braden's book. He is a surly game warden and gets tasked with helping out a reality star, Amber, on her quest to hunt in Colorado. This was kind of a enemies to lovers, but didn't have a ton of antagonist behavior, just the right amount for me. When Braden fell for Amber, he did it hard. Even though he had a crusty exterior, his interior was soft and gooey and wonderful. He appreciated Amber for more than just her body and sexuality. It was great to see him felled by his love. Amber was pretty kick ass with her hunting and such. It was nice to see really fit H/H with little to no shaming of others.

This book was way sexier than I remember the first two books being. So if you are looking for a book that has a high heat level, this might be for you.

There were some fun side characters, particularly Colin and Teigen that I wouldn't mind learning more about. And there are brief glimpses of characters from the first two books.

All told, this was a solid read and delivered a HEA for two characters that I believed in.

Oh wow, I loved this book. I often feel like contemporary romances have very... cheesy stakes. Not always, but they are often so dramatic that it couldn't happen in real life. But this story is so real. It could definitely happen. And it was so well written that I found myself wanting to dive in and stay in the woods for as long as I possible could have.

You know what I have a thing for? Grumpy heroes. I LOVE grumpy heroes! They speak to me, probably because I'm also kind of grumpy. And Braden was one of the most endearing grumpy heroes I've ever read in a CR. I loved him, and I loved Amber with him.

This was just so sweet and so fun and so good. Review to come today!

Great romance by Liora Blake, with the right combination of sexy, sweet, and humor! Braden is a simple man who loves the outdoors, his job as a game warden, and his dog, Charley. He enjoys his simple life, but it’s about to get more complicated than he ever imagined. Amber is the star of her own outdoor hunting show, but her ratings are down. She needs to do something to boost those ratings or chance losing her show. She comes up with the idea of a big elk hunt in Colorado. One of the areas she is scouting happens to be where Braden works. When the two first meet, it’s fiery. Braden can’t stand what Amber represents, and Amber thinks he’s a jerk. Underneath all that antagonism is pure lust. They don’t know whether to kill or kiss each other. Can romance blossom between two polar opposites or do they have more in common than each is willing to admit?

Braden is complicated. He is sexy and rugged, but he admits himself that he has a “seventy-five-year-old cantankerous asshole who lives inside my thirty-two-year-old body.” He doesn’t believe in technology…this man doesn’t even have cable, and handwrites letters to his parents…no email. He spends all of his time outdoors, but hunting magazines drive him nuts. He refuses to watch hunting shows as he thinks it doesn’t give a realistic view of hunters. When Amber shows up, and he literally draws the short stick to be her scout, he’s NOT HAPPY. She represents all that he hates.

He is confused by Amber. When he first saw her poster, he thought she was a “sexed-up advertising cliché of a sportswoman,” but she stirred feelings in him he hadn’t had in a very long time. The only woman who shares his bed is his beloved dog, Charley. However, as he spends more time with Amber, he realizes she isn’t the woman on that poster, she’s much more, and that scares him. He has had his heart broken before, and he refuses to feel that way again.

Amber is a complicated character as well. She’s beautiful and has no qualms about using her beauty to her advantage. At least, that is how it appears at first glance. Spending time with Braden changes her, she questions how the shows and advertising are using her for her looks and not her intelligence or skill as a hunter, and she has to do some soul-searching within herself to determine what direction she wants her life to go.

The chemistry between these two is HOT! The heated banter just seems to continually drive it to scorching levels. There is a sweetness between them too. As they become closer, they question the longevity of their relationship and how they will come out of it in one piece. They made a promise to each other, “We said we would forget all the reasons this shouldn’t work and try to find just one reason it would.” I just kept hoping they would see what was right in front of them…they were in love with each other! I wanted them to find their HEA.

As you can tell, I loved Amber and Braden’s story. A lot of what made it so good was how Blake developed their personalities. They came alive for me. But, the plot and setting themselves were very good. Her descriptive writing put me everywhere the characters were whether it was on the trails or in the game warden’s office. The plot was also different. Sometimes romances tend to run together, and I can’t remember them. This one stands out. It’s a romance between a game warden and a television star. That idea was a genius move on Liora Blake’s part. She is a new author to me, but she is now on my go to list of favorite writers!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

READY FOR WILD is book three in The Grand Valley series and is a swoony-ish, contemporary, small town, standalone romance. This is actually a first read for me from author, Liora Blake and I absolutely enjoyed reading it! The story was well written so that it ebbed and flowed easily. It was comical and amusing, the back and forth between Amber and Braden was smart and funny. Though it was also frustrating sometimes, especially in the beginning when most of their interactions were fraught with preconceived notions and misjudgment (from both Amber and Braden)! It worked out though, just reinforced my personal belief of not judging a book by it’s cover!! Anyway, I ADORED Amber and her tough persona wrapped up in a Playboy Bunny body. She was witty, strong and plucky. And from page one, we see how cranky and “Grinch-like” (I think Amber even called him something like that!) Braden was but he managed to climb into my heart with his gruff and bearish ways that actually hid the heart of a big ole teddy bear. They were very different personalities that also had a whole lot in common and an instant lust for each other that’s sexy AND sweet! I also appreciated the beautiful details of the basins, mountains and trails. The realistic background made it easy to imagine being right there with Braden and Amber. Overall, this one is a lighter, sweeter read with a happy ending. Told from dual POVs. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

For reasons I am not entirely clear on, I didn't realise that this was the last in the Grand Valley series until I got to the end of this story.  But for my money, this was in some ways, the most enjoyable of the three.

Braden's grumpiness as a counterpoint to Amber's more upbeat outlook just works well.  The smoothing of rough edges and the developing relationship was written with an underlying sense of light humour.  That, combined with the chemistry between these two, and the ease of their interactions, made this a truly enjoyable read.  

The narrative is well paced, and has a natural flow that drives the story forward beautifully.  

I was genuinely disappointed to learn that there would be no more from the Valley.  

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Nothing like a book to expand your mind past the stereotypes and beliefs you had for another kind of life. That's one of my favourite things about reading: exploring other people's lives and trying out new ways of thinking. And that's what happened in this book. Much like Braden had to face his contempt for TV shows featuring hunting, I had to face my issues with hunting itself. I mean, Bambi, guys.

Luckily, this book was written in such a way that I was hooked on the characters and their attraction, enough to distract me from the fact that they enjoyed killing things. But more than that, it showed me that while there are idiots who go around doing it irresponsibly, there are people who go hunting for the challenge, and who don't do it just to hang up trophies but actually use the animal for sustenance. (For the record, I am one of those people Braden mentioned early on who is better off pretending the meat I buy is from a magical land where nothing gets hurt. I like steak too much to be a vegetarian, sorry.)

But enough about that. You want to know why I've given this book four stars, don't you? Well! A few reasons.

First of all, yes, the hunting thing. It was new ground for me, and it meant the characters were inherently different from others I've read. Both Braden and Amber are very self-reliant and hardy, able to handle the wilderness on their own for days on end. They had skills that are pretty enviable, such as archery and, well, basically just surviving without plumbing. I even made a vow to check protein bar packaging in the future.

They were also different in other ways. Amber was so sure of what she wanted, and she had no qualms with speaking her mind, taking no shit from Braden. She didn't apologise for liking both "masculine" and "feminine" things. She worked hard and took responsibility for her actions and her life. On the other hand, Braden was your typical brooding mountain man, but he went further than that, enjoying isolation and reading.

Braden earned a whole star on his own in one particular scene. There's a trend in romance novels to have these alpha males who have to swoop in and save the day. They want to protect their women from other men AKA stake their claim. This is often seen as swoony and caring, but it's also condescending and controlling to assume the women can't handle the situation or want their help. In Ready for Wild, there was one such scene where I was preparing myself for Braden to play the hero, but then he did something that actually made him a hero. I won't spoil it for you, but when you reach the scrawny cowboy scene, you'll know.

And it didn't stop there: he was very attentive to what Amber wanted when they overcame the tension between them. Which, by the way, was wonderfully shortlived because those two could not help themselves. Especially with Amber being so upfront about their shared attraction. There was no fade-to-black when these two got those pesky clothes out of the way, but I didn't find it overly gratuitous either. I really liked the creativity of some of the scenes. ;)

My one niggle? WHY did she have to be petite? Why are heroines always teeny tiny things? Why can't they be a normal height and size?

All in all, I liked this! It was sexy, fun, and educational, in a good way. I'll have to give the rest of the series a go soon!

I want to start off by saying I wasn’t a fan of this book and surprisingly, I don’t have much to say about it. I tried very hard to get into this story but most times I found myself barely skimming through the pages and not really interested in what would happen next. Both main characters in the book, Amber and Branden, are hunters so the book revolves around that topic. I’m not into hunting or activities that involve guns—since I’m scared of them—and that alone made it very hard to like the story (yeah, I didn’t read the synopsis don’t kill me).

Amber and Braden were a pain in my ass while reading this book.
Most times I found Amber to be a very shallow character. Here’s a bit of a spoiler but there’s a scene where something emotional happened and the next thing Amber did was take a selfie. I get that she’s famous or whatnot but I really hated that she did that.
And I found Branden being very obnoxious and very nitpicking. He would judge Amber for eating sugar, l mean what the heck.
The only things I loved about the book were Braden’s dog and the banter between Amber and Braden.

For the past week I’ve been on a mini reading slump caused by me binge watching Netflix/Outlander and weirdly enough, I thought this book would get me out of it. Turns out it pushed me deeper into my slump. The point to this mini story is that I want everyone to know I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I weren’t so distracted at the moment. I always say don’t knock it until you try it and I truly think a lot of you are really going to enjoy this book.

I have loved each book in Liora Blake’s Grand Valley series and I am sad that it is ending with Ready for Wild. But very honestly, this book is the absolute perfect ending to an amazing series. Ready for Wild absolutely snuck up on me – with not only it’s release date, but just how much I loved it. This is an enemies-to- lovers story that is so much more with a Heroine who is a dynamic and pops off the page; countered by a grumpy-ish hero who is the ultimate renaissance man. Put them together and be still my heart – ROMANCE. Pure swoony, romance.

Amber Regan is the Heroine you didn’t know you needed. She is Miss Right Now. She is herself, with zero apologies. She is a hunter and media personality wrapped in a pretty package, who gets painted with a brush by those who think pretty is, as pretty does. Beyond that, she is smarter and way more determined than she is given credit for. I thought quite a bit about Regan since the last time I read, Ready for Wild and I keep coming back to not just her strength, but her savvy. Liora Blake conveys it all so perfectly. She is more than her image, a sister who loves her brother that much. A friend who loyal to those who are equally loyal to her. A woman who guards her heart fiercely. Even then, the true beauty of this woman shines through and it is impossible not love her even more.

Braden Montgomery has been a constant thread (and curmudgeon) in the Grand Valley series. But getting to know him in Ready for Wild is an absolute joy. Not just seeing him for the really good guy that he is, but the chance to see him fall head over heels for a woman who gives as good as she gets is worth the price of admission. Braden is truly good people, a man who helps his friends, no matter the situation or back breaking the work. Who is true steward to the land is sworn to protect. Most of all, does all he can to understand and support the woman who is bit by bit, claiming his heart.

What Braden and Amber share goes beyond chemistry. They are two halves of the same soul, who love and respect the laws of nature, but also each other. Each of their hearts have been broken and rather than healing, they have grown a hard coating around them. The fun part is watching them find the cracks to worm their way in.

If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, I highly recommend them both. Each is a standalone, that were both 5+ star reads for me. Ready for Though, is truly the cherry on top of the series and I absolutely loved every moment getting lost in its pages. Enjoy!!

Happy reading!!

Laurie’s Rating: 5+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++STARS

Despite I didnt like the first book of this series, I thought to give it a try to this book because the synopsis sounded interesting but i found the same problem with the first book of the series. The characters were so dull to me, the story didnt interest me enough to continue reading.

Ready for Wild is the third book in the Grand Valley series by the super talented Liora Blake. I love this series and I'm very sad to see it end! I've become very invested in these characters and their lives and I really do want more! Ready for Wild is Braden's story. I've been a fan of his surly, grouchy goodness since the beginning. And I knew the lady who was going to bring him to his knees was going to be fabulous. Braden is a game warden who literally drew the short straw to babysit a TV show star who's hot as hell and wears pink camo and high heels. She's everything he's against. Show off, wanna be hunter. They share barbs and she has an answer for every one of his jabs. Once he learns she's the real deal, he not only respects her, he wants her. Badly. But that would be a mistake, right? Amber is more than just her sexy good looks. She knows what she's doing. She's a real hunter. She knows the rules, the terrain and the animals. She loves doing the show because she makes the calls. She's been working for a long time to make something of herself and Braden is the first man in a long time to stir something inside her. She's not put off by his cranky ass. She's intrigued by his way of thinking and his straight forward answers. She also wants to wrap her entire body around his and feel his hardness. At first they seem like an unlikely pair, but they soon learn they have more in common than they thought possible. Can a few states and job uncertainty keep Braden and Amber apart? Will they figure out how to have it all? Oh man! I loved this story. Braden is perfection with his 6'5'' frame, bulging muscles, homemade healthy snacks and cooking abilities. I love his sweetness and his dirty AF mouth! Amber is hilarious! She's a tell it like it is girl and I love that about her! He's more than just a pretty face and she's determined to be who she is. Together they are hot, sexy, funny and sweet. Add in Charley, the perfect dog, and Ready for Wild is everything!

"Take us, Braden. Take us to your Fortress of Frosty Doom."

"Oh my God. Are you a firefighter, Braden? Or do you just play one in a calendar?"
"I'm on the volunteer squad, yes."

"Now explain yourself. Tell me what you're doing here, why you didn't tell me you were coming" - he pauses and works over a labored swallow - "and how long I have you for."

"I missed you. Losing you turned me into a real asshole. Fine. It turned me into a bigger asshole."

A Game Warden and a TV personality. An unlikely combination which is seamlessly executed.

Braden is a Game Warden. He lives with his dog, Charley and likes his solitary life outside of his work. He is grumpy and doesn't communicate much, except with his few friends. His ex is the reason for his lifestyle.

Amber is the star of a TV hunting show. Growing up wasn't so glamorous and she doesn't want to go back there. She is also popular with the media.

Amber has arranged a shoot in Grand Valley, the very place where Braden works. He is not too receptive to the idea, but unfortunately he draws the short straw to shadow her. He doesn't really have any choice. He already has preconceived ideas about Amber. None, very flattering. To his horror, he likes her and she takes great delight in rubbiing him up the wrong way. He soon discovers that her show doesn't reflect her true personality and the reasons why she is doing this particular shoot. Her job is on the line.

They develop a comfortable, but somewhat tentative relationship. Their banters, face to face and through texts are great fun and full of innuendos. Soon, they find themselves in deeper than anticipated. Their lifestyles are so different that the future doesn't look too hopeful. Can they find a compromise?

I like Braden's straightforward approach. He speaks his mind. Amber is independent, proficient and goes after what she wants. They might appear to be opposites, but the sizzling chemistry is blatantly obvious.

The story has a steady flow and the characters are well developed. It's an interesting storyline where everything is well captured. It's fun and easy to read. Well worth reading.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.