I have heard so much about A. M. Arthur that I knew that I had to read her at some point in time. I am happy that I finally did get to read and review her and know that I will definitely keep reading her.

Wild Trail was an interesting and fun read. Mack and Wes were fascinating. One protecting his heart and brooding around the ranch. The other as flamboyant as a man can get. But, they complimented each other. As they say, opposites do attract.

Mack’s version of a date was a night at a bar, pick up a guy, have a quickie in the men’s room, the darkened hall or a back alley. He wasn’t looking for or wanted any kind of a relationship. He may be “out” but he doesn’t openly flaunt it. He’s happy on the ranch with his friends and grandfather and doesn’t need the complication of a fling with one of the guests. But, he can’t help but be drawn to Wes … there is something about him that he can’t deny. His past has made sure that he’ll never give his heart away again but there may be nothing wrong with having that vacation fling.

Wes is as flashy as a gay man can get. He’s out and proud. He’s in no way a cowboy but he will do whatever his sister wants and, if she want’s a week at Clean Slate Ranch instead of a bridal shower, that’s what she’ll get. If he gets to ogle hot cowboys in tight jeans, he’s all in for that too. But, there s one that has his attention from the minute the wagon pulled up to take them to the ranch. Now, all he needs to do is figure out how to get him to pay attention to him, talk to him maybe … well, you know. He knows that he can never trust his heart again so a little fun with a hot cowboy for a week will have to do.

It takes an overnight camping trip, a runaway horse and a ghost town to finally get them to know the other. What happens next was totally unexpected and fun.

A.M. Author wrote a wonderful story that was filled with a little mystery and a whole lot of love. All her secondary characters were just as interesting as Mack and Wes. She wrote this story in a way that we knew what the other was going through and feeling. The back-stories were so well written and intense that you understood why both Mack and Wes were fearing giving away their hearts. She made sure that we were rooting for them both. The story was humorous at times, serious at times and so very sexy.

I loved the background and the premise of this one, I just didn't connect with the main characters. Def a case of it's me not you. I do like this author's work so will pick up the next in the series.

I really love books with cowboys and was eager to read for the first time an A. M. Arthur's story.

At first a common plot, the dark and handsome cowboy who feels attracted to a guy from town. No serious relationship, no commitment, until they find themselves in a situation - alone - where the attraction speaks louder and they have no more to deny.
From there, turn into a big 'Brokeback Mountain'.

The author's writing is interesting, but in some parts the scenes become obsolete. The story could get right to the point.
The main characters separately are interesting, together they have no chemistry (at least not for me).
It was an interesting read, and I believe a new attempt at an upcoming book will happen.
3,5 stars

Wes loves his sister—so much so that he is willing to endure a week at a dude ranch to fulfill her every pre-wedding wish. Dragging along his roommate Miles, his sister’s fiancé, and his brother, the group of five descends upon Clean Slate Ranch to enjoy a week in the outdoors, complete with horseback riding and camping outdoors. Met with not one but three handsome cowboys, the rather flamboyant actor turns his sights on the quiet, brooding Mick Garrett. Mick has a story, one that includes his own experiences with a cheating actor who stole his heart, and his trust, before dying in a special op Mick and his team were involved in.

Ex police and SWAT team member, Mick is a no nonsense kind of man. Now working on his grandfather’s ranch, and enjoying the outdoors, his main focus is trying to keep the nearby small town of Garrett alive so that the Ranch is able to continue and prosper. He has no time for dallying with the guests, nor does he even care to, as he’s still grappling with the loss of the man he loved. But, despite his resolve to remain aloof, Wes gets under Mick’s skin, in all the right ways, and before either know it, the attraction they feel blossoms into more than just one heated encounter. Determined not to drag out what should have been a brief affair, both men part at the end of the week without exchanging any private information, and go their separate ways.

However, absence only amplifies the attraction and before too long, Wes and Mack are brought together again, and must decide if they really want to start a long-distance relationship that both are more than a bit wary of and reluctant to begin.

Wild Trail is the start of a new series called Clean Slate Ranch by author A.M. Arthur that, by all indications, is going to be a fun ride through at least three different cowboy’s lives. Mick, Colt, and Reyes are all good friends who have left their careers to start over at the ranch. Wild Trail focuses on initially introducing all three men and then focusing on Mick’s story. Having lost his lover to friendly fire from a police op gone wrong, Mick is very reluctant to give his heart away anytime soon, especially to another actor who seems rather self-involved. Wes, however, is much more than a shallow flirt, and fairly determined to get to know Mick much better. Both men have been burnt before, which makes them equally reluctant to embrace love even when it’s staring them right in the face.

The author weaves in two side stories with good effect-one being the revelation of who actually shot the bullet that killed Mick’s lover, Geoff, and the other about the origins of the remains of a ghost town Mick and Wes stumble upon. Thankfully the ending, which could have been too neatly tied up, is left a bit open ended, with a happy for now and more than a good chance of a happy-ever-after in the cards for Mick and Wes.

While I can appreciate a good kinky element in any relationship, the one offered up for Mick and Wes seemed a bit weak to me. The nicknames of “boss” and “Daddy” got a bit cloying, and the hints that some good old-fashioned domination in the bedroom was dangled but never really came to fruition, in my opinion. I wish the author would have chosen to either go full steam ahead with the tantalizing hints of the suggested Dom/sub vibe, or abandon it completely rather than go the anemic way in which the story actually played out. Despite that glitch, there was most definitely good chemistry between Mick and Wes, and a rather believable trajectory in the development of their relationship. I really appreciated how Wes’s career choices were handled, and the idea that he continued to pursue his dream rather than give it up for Mick’s.

Wild Trail is a good beginning to what could turn out to be a steamy and fun new series. If all the signs are reliable, then Miles (Wes’s roommate) may be the focus of the next installment, and I have a feeling his past will contain some fairly serious subject matter, if the hints dropped in this novel are any indication. Either way I am hooked and looking forward to seeing more of the men of Clean Slate Ranch.

AH! I'm ashamed to say that with the holidays and everything going on, I had forgotten I had been approved for this story from NetGalley - thankfully, saw it when I went to the site recently and started it as soon as I could! And WOW, what a great new story in what promises to be a great series from AM Arthur!

This is definitely an opposites attract story, with lots of emotion, chemistry (WHOOOO Chemistry!), romance, some conflict and drama, and a HEA for our main couple with the exciting promise of future couples and new stories - just what a great story should have!

Mack, once a SWAT team officer, is now working at his grandfather's dude ranch, where they give the whole cowboy/western/dude ranch experiences to paying customers, which is how he meets Wes. Wes, once an up-and-coming actor who now performs for dinner theater, brings his sister and their friends to the dude ranch for a bridal party week. And WOOOO when Wes and Mack meet, it's instant chemistry and UST!

What I just LOVED about this story is that they have a bit of sexy build up - and they don't hook up within like the first 4 hours of meeting, but most of the story spends time during what happens after that 1 week together when Wes leaves the dude ranch. There are some bumps along the road and miscommunication when they're going from fling to relationship, but they WANT that relationship and figure out how to make it work. And I love that!

I love that they realize they want to make this fling the real deal, and then they are totally there for each other and committed to the relationship. And they just kinda fall in love, it just happened very organically for them I felt like. This is a long story, but I never felt bored or that it was wordy - it was these two very different people, with very complicated and emotional pasts, coming together and realizing that they could be it for each other.

I'm also super interested in the other characters! Miles, Wes' friend and roommate, totally has a story to tell, there's Reyes, and I CANNOT wait for Colt and Avery's story (sounds like it's gonna be another scorcher with their chemistry, too!). And I hope with the future stories we will get to see more of Wes and Mack make their HEA promises come true!

Also? Take note! This is pet name done right! Boss and Daddy - not overdone, not cheesy, but just kinda hot when they realize that they've totally come up with pet names for each other.

And finally - this is not affecting my rating obviously, but the copy I got from NetGalley had all sorts of wonky formatting - no scene separations, no line breaks between dialogue, and weird times where it was literally like 1 word on a line and then next line. Very jarring and at times hard to figure out who was talking or thinking. But I know that's a formatting issue with the ARC, not the final version.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is fabulous cowboy porn! What’s not to love about a beautiful guest ranch run by handsome cowboys? Wes and Mack meet when Wes visits the ranch with the rest of his sister’s wedding party. Their connection starts with a hookup and it quickly becomes something more.

Mack is the perfect cowboy fantasy. He’s surly, reclusive, and better with horses than humans. He’s still recovering from a traumatic time as an LA SWAT team member at his family’s ranch when he meets Wes.

Wes is a Californian actor and he lives up to most of Mack’s assumptions about actors. He is flamboyant. He’s high maintenance and he’s full of drama. But he is also warm and loyal and sweet. It takes time for Mack to get past his prejudice, but Wes eventually brings out the best in the surly cowboy.

I loved the interplay and the chemistry between Mack and Wes. I loved the colourful characters on the ranch and I enjoyed following Wes and his friends’ experiences during their week on the ranch. And the descriptions of the ranch food made me want to book a flight.

I did struggle some with the slightly disjointed plot. The book is organised into three distinct parts. I loved the first third of the book which focuses on Wes’ visit to the ranch and the start of Wes and Mack’s relationship. I enjoyed the ‘old mining town’ storyline but it felt like a whole second story and it changed the focus of the novel from a simple cowboy romance to more of a mystery. The last third focuses more on Wes and Mack again but it was missing some of the magic from their initial connection. The three parts don’t blend terribly well.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
Great start to a new series. It wasn't too wordy and kept the reader’s attention the entire time. I loved Wes and Mack. Total opposites, neither looking for a relationship but both falling hard and fast. There was a little angst, but it went with the story and didn't feel forced. I love how Mack went to Wes when he found out a secret from his past that really hurt him. That right there proved how much Mack wanted and needed Wes. I can't wait for the next book. I hope it's Miles book, he was making my heart hurt and wanting to reach thru my Kindle and hug him. Highly recommend this book.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really good book in a new series, which is great news for 2018. There are so many ways that it can go in the future, and all of them will be appealing! In this installment there is a small amount of world building, which gives us the bones to the ranch and its set up. The meat is provided in the form of some seriously hot and horny, recently minted cowboys who run the ranch. Add in an inclusive atmosphere and a group of guests who press those cowboys' buttons and there are stories to be told.

Here Mack is entranced by Wes, whether he wants to be or not – and Wes may protest that it is just short-term lust, but that doesn't come across in their conversations at all. Instead, they are considered, caring, and trusted. In spite of past romantic disasters, and constant reminders due to their careers, it is evident to us, even if not to them, where this will go. The chemistry between them was scorching, that is for sure.

Along the way there is a lot of fun banter, a group of friends who care for each other, but will tease to the nth degree, and adventures at the dude ranch in the wild west of Northern Cali. I really enjoyed the conversations, and the hints at future storylines too. Looking forward to the next book very much.

I didn't really like this one, though others seem to have enjoyed it. Maybe cowboy romances are just not for me?

Wild Trail felt looooong, like really long, and almost from the start I knew it wouldn't be a good fit. I get that we have to meet the characters, but there was SO much backstory and SO much telling vs showing. It was like, indroduce a character: cue depressing, semi-mysterious backstory, and this repeated over and over again!

I also don't like it when a series pushes the matches for the next in the series all throughout the previous book. There was too much set up for the next few books, and I found it to be distracting.

I also found the relationship between the two MCs to be mostly sexual and not really emotional. I didn't feel that romantic chemistry between the two of them.

I don't have a great track record with cowboy romance, so maybe it's just the genre, but I found this one to be slow-paced and not really to my tastes.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars- Ups and downs for me in this one

Wild Trail is the first book in Miss Arthur’s new Clean Slate Ranch series set on a dude ranch in Northern California. This also happens to be my first book by the author. I enjoyed a lot about the characters, romance, and book will likely continue the series because the secondary characters intrigued me. Unfortunately, as much as I liked aspects of Wild Trail, it felt a tad corny and overly dramatic, which kept me from really losing myself in Wes and Mack’s story.

As far as characters and romance, Wild Trail was good but had BIG characters that aren’t understated in any way. Wes and Mack meet when Wes travels to the Clean Slate Ranch where Mack works as a guest coordinator and horseman. I liked both characters well enough, though I thought the author overplayed their roles as flaming city-slicker and gruff cop turned ranch hand. It wasn’t that she made them unlikable, just a little over-the-top for my personal taste. Despite their immediate mutual attraction and some heavy flirting laden with gratuitous cowboy sexual innuendo, Wes and Mack were hesitant to commit to more than a vacation fling because of previous relationship woes so a bulk of the story is them fighting their connection. For the most part, I enjoyed getting to know both men and learning their backstories. I was pleased when the over-the-top behavior decreased a little as the story wore on and the romance developed. However, just as I was really getting into it, a cheesy line would appear leaving me rolling my eyes and less enthused to keep reading…so, yeah, a little up and down for me.

I enjoyed the plot and conflicts though I found Wild Trail to be a bit predictable. The multiple side plots were a nice touch, even trying to add a little mystery and suspense, but I was disappointed when the surprise revelations weren’t all that surprising. I was pleased the reveals weren’t drug out too much, liked their resolutions, and liked where the book ended with Wes and Mack as a couple, so again- good and bad here. While I definitely had a few issues with Wild Trail, the characters were likeable, the setting was fun and different, and my interest piqued enough that I’m definitely planning on trying book two in the series. I think if you’re intrigued by cowboy meets city-slicker romances, don’t mind some cowboy puns and theatrics from characters, Wild Trail can be a fun read with a unique setting.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great. I loved how gruff but marshmallowy Mack was. You could really feel the pull he had towards Wes. Wes was perfect for him. His lightness but not shallowness was exactly what Mack needed to pull him out of his grief. The side characters were all great, I loved the family aspect. Wes' sister and fiance were really nice. As were the other ranch guys with Mack. I could've done without the arson aspect and the thing about Mack's ex. I was prepared for a twist that never happen and am SO GLAD I was wrong. I would've been annoyed. The ghost town was fun and different as was Wes' dinner theater career. I am really excited to read Reyes and Miles (I assume) story.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Illustrated cover of two men in western wear with a vague, washed-out background. Title font fits the category/genre, author font is good. Neither the cover nor the synopsis were the selling points for me on this one, I chose to read it because of the author. I've enjoyed previous works from her and am hoping this one is just as good.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person

Wes booked a one-week vacation at a dude ranch at his sister's request for her wedding party, despite hating the dust, dirt, and horse smells that he knew would accompany it.
Mack is one of the horsemen on the ranch and the owner's grandson, having come to Clean Slate Ranch only five years ago after a tragic accident caused him to flee the big city for a quieter, more peaceful life.
Their attraction was immediate and though they tried to fight it, it was a losing battle. Secondary cast was varied, most were enjoyable. Dialogue was smart and natural. The interaction was enjoyable. The plot is full and busy, as is any series debut... introducing a new cast to the readers and building a new world for them to live in.
While there were some standard conflicts with predictable resolutions, there were some elements of surprise tucked within. The conclusion is solid enough with its implied HEA that I feel will carry on in the background of future books in the series. I'm interested in seeing if Reyes and Miles end up with a book together or if Colt and Avery reconnect. I look forward to reading more of this series.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.3 ~ Stars: 4

==========================

⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

This started so strong. The story place on a dude ranch where people come to take Western themed vacations. Wes has set this up for his best friend's wedding party. When they arrive he is immediately attracted to gruff cowboy Mack. There was a slow burn between the two and the first half of the story took the time to build up their budding relationship. I was really enjoying it and even thought at one point that it was really cool that the author was going to skip her trademark OTT drama for once.

I spoke too soon. Around 60% drama ensues and it really ruined the book for me. It was unnecessary in my opinion. I also didn't really understand the "daddy/boy" parts. It felt like it came from left field to me and didn't fit in the story at all.

Overall this was good but not great. I might read the next in the series. I'm a bit bummed because this book had the potential to be excellent and then fell flat.

I haven’t read a lot of cowboy romance novels. At this moment, without researching, I can only think of three. I noticed some of my Goodreads friends were giving Wild Trail pretty good reviews, and the setting of a Dude Ranch really piqued my interest. I was confident Wild Trail was a decent bet, and I was right.

I liked how Wes and Mack didn’t jump into bed immediately. It took time for Wes to get beyond Mack’s walls and gruff exterior, and even once they were physical it still took a bit of time for both men to recognize it wasn’t just some vacation fling. They had genuine feelings for each other, and even though both were gun shy after having been burned before they still mostly allowed those feelings to bloom.

I also enjoyed the friendship between Mack and his two best friends, Colt and Reyes. It was this friendship in particular that’s going to keep me coming back to the Clean Slate Ranch for more. I can already see where the next two books will go, for both Colt and Reyes, and I already know I want to read them.

I also have to warn you, or anyone who may be interested in this read, Wild Trail wasn’t without flaws. Some of the twists in the story felt cliched. When you didn’t see them coming it was mostly because it was too obvious, too blatant. Also, the attraction between Wes and Mack felt more sexual than emotional. There are probably a lot of readers out there who love this, but I’m more into emotional intimacy than I am physical intimacy. There were times Wes and Mack were emotionally connected, but it was almost always overshadowed by the need to get physical.

Still, it was a fun book, a light read right when I needed one. I enjoyed it.

DNF @ 33%

I wanted to love this book, but sadly, it didn't work for me. I loved the flirtation between Wes and Mack, but there are so many secondary characters and I had trouble keeping track of all of them. I thought they would fade away and the story would focus more on the main couple, but the author was obviously setting up future romances/books. For me, that distracted from the central story and I wound up losing interest.

Wild Trails
A.M. Arthur
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cute western dude ranch romance. Mack and Wes are complete opposites but like they say opposites attract.
I liked how their relationship quickly developed and how they were both able to finally find their someone.
I wasn’t a fan of their pet names for each other. I always have found it weird for someone to refer to their lover as “Daddy”.
Can’t wait for the next story in this series to come out and I hope that it’s Colt’s story.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a new author for me and my first read in the Genre. I was a bit sceptical at the beginning but I read it with an open mind and I must say that I liked the story. The chemistry between Wes and Mack was very strong. The story flowed at a good pace with some funny moments here and there. The love scenes were super hot. I've received this book in exchange for an honest opinion. Let's see what the next book in the serie will bring.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story of two guys trying to overcome their painful pasts and find love is nothing new, but A.M. Arthur certainly put a fun spin on this tale. Cowboys are hot, you know. Yowza. This one has everything a cowboy fan would love -- ghost towns, horses, ranches, rugged manly cowboys, and fun fun fun.

Mack seriously pushed every single one of my naughty buttons. I think I'm in love. Wes is cute enough, but I'm jealous. I want Mack all for myself!

I'll definitely be on the lookout for Clean Slate Ranch #2 (Colt's story) and Clean Slate Ranch #3 (Reyes' story). :)

3.5

Wild Trail was an enjoyable read. The characters were sweet and the chemistry between Mack and Wes was even more than I hoped for.
While I liked the book, it seemed to drag on in the middle and then rushed at the end.

I received an ARC for a honest review