WILD COWBOY WOLF
Seven Range Shifter's book 5
Kait Ballenger
Paranormal Romance / Fantasy

In this shapeshifter romance two best friends must come together to save their pack from danger. The sparks start to fly as they work closer and closer together.

I absolutely loved this book. With its steamy scenes and the danger that lurks all around them, it will have you hooked. While this is the 5th book in a series, I easily read this as a stand-alone. I definitely give this book a solid 5 stars.

I’m playing catch-up on Kait Ballenger’s Seven Range Shifters series. The fifth book, Wild Cowboy Wolf, came out late last year, and I read it in less than two days. I would’ve finished it in one day, but the family wouldn’t let me read in peace.

Storyline/My Thoughts: Most of the books I’ve been reading this year (2022) have had the Enemies to Lovers trope. It’s great to read one that has another of my favorite tropes: Friends to Lovers, and that is precisely what trope is in Wild Cowboy Wolf. Blaze Carter, one of my favorite male characters since he was introduced, finally gets his book, and I was glad to hear that it would have Dakota Nguyen as the FMC. Blaze is the computer security expert in the pack, and he’s also the one that makes everyone laugh and smile. His crazy shirts that he wears always have something to say on them. Dakota is the animal vet who takes care of the pack’s livestock and animals. She will also be the next female elite warrior of the pack. Sierra, the FMC of the last book, paved the way for more female elite warriors, and I was happy to know Dakota would be the next elite warrior in this book.

Here’s the thing between Blaze and Dakota. They have been best friends for years. Everyone in the pack but Dakota knows that Blaze is in love with Dakota. One night for movie night, Dakota decides to kiss her best friend, Blaze, for the first time. Before it could go any further, Blaze stops the kiss. Dakota is surprised by it, but Blaze has his reasons. Ever since he came back from Russia, he hasn’t been the same, and he doesn’t want his best friend ever to find out what he did in Russia under special assignment. He would do anything to protect her from his past and the bad people who want him dead.

I enjoyed reading Blaze and Dakota’s story, especially after Blaze told Dakota that she would ask for a kiss from him. She said she wouldn’t, but how could someone resist Blaze? I know I wouldn’t be able to because of how he was in the bedroom with her. I love a friend-to-lovers book, and this book had that and the spice to it.

Now, I wish Blaze would have opened up more to Dakota about what happened to him. He wouldn’t even tell some of the other pack members. The only one who knew was even a part of the back, but he had been his commanding officer in Russia. Blaze had been suffering for years with what he had to do in Russia. The poor wolf needed someone to confide in, but I could understand why he didn’t want to tell her. He shows his other side to her when someone tries to hurt her. No one messes with Dakota.

Dakota knows how to handle her own. She proved it with other male wolves that didn’t like her being an elite warrior. I loved getting to know her character and how she was with her best friend. She cared for him, and it took others to tell her the truth about how Blaze felt for her. I liked that she made the first move with him, too.

Overall, I give the fifth book in the series four stars. I am saddened by what happened towards the end of this book with certain characters. Kait Ballenger made the waterworks happen. I was not expecting what she did in this book.

I’m also upset that the sixth book in the series is the last, but I know Kait Ballenger will have more books than I can read and devour. Whatever she writes, I will read without hesitation. She’s become one of my favorite PNR authors.

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Seven Range Shifters, and I recommend reading it in order. Each features a new couple, but you miss out on the previous couples that I already had their books.

Steam/Spice Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

Trope(s): Friends to Lovers

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend the whole series to Paranormal Romance readers out there. If you are a fan of the show Yellowstone, you’ll also enjoy this series by Kait Ballenger. Kait gives us a PNR version of Yellowstone.

Wild Cowboy Wolf (Seven Range Shifters #5). By Kait Ballenger. 2021. Sourcebooks Casablanca (ARC eBook).

An old enemy of security specialist, Blaze, brings the fight to the Grey Wolves of the Seven Range Wolf Pack. At the same time that Blaze wants to distance himself, which would hopefully draw the Volk’s attention away from his friends and family, his best friend and love of his life, Dakota, decides its time to seduce him. Overall, Wild Cowboy Wolf is an entertaining romance with a story that further expands the world of shifters. There is flirty banter, action and past trauma. I liked Rogue/Maeve and Maverick/Sierra more, but I do look forward to continuing the series, and catching up on the books I’ve missed.

This is the second book that I read from the Seven Range Shifters series.

Both Blaze and Dakota had baggage they were carrying. One changed his life when he was sent to Russia, while the other has always had an issue with admitting mistakes.

But these two powerful shape-shifter wolves couldn't possibly be best friends any longer.While they are testing the waters to level up their relationship, enemies lurk in the threat of destroying their pack.

It is sad that they were supporting characters that bid farewell. This story, to me, reflects the experiences of soldiers and how they overcame fear and demons on their own. It was a nice read.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the ARC! I am hoping that I can also read the next installment, which is about Malcolm. 😉

Loved the characters, loved the story. Friends to lovers, Dakota and Blaze their friendship makes you want to scream "let's go already!" In a very Bender (from Futurama) tone. Blaze has always loved Dakota, everyone can see it to the point the alpha tells him to tell her finally. What keeps Blaze from doing so is the past he's hiding from everyone. Dakota lives Blaze but is scared of ruining their friendship, scared that she doesn't deserve his love.
Blaze's past catches up to him and threatens the whole pack.

I’ve been a fan of this author & series since book 1! So this book is no exception! I found myself liking Blaze more than I originally thought! Blaze is our alpha wolf hero, who has a past that he won’t let anyone know about. He’s the resident tech guy & in love with his best friend. Dakota is the alpha heroine and best friend to Blaze. She’s a vet who works hard with the animals on the ranch. These two have a lot to get past in order to change from friends to lovers to an HEA but it’s worth every page! Dakota has her ups and downs when it comes to Blaze and how she doesn’t want to ruin her friendship but she wants the lover side of him also. Blaze is determined to show Dakota they can be both even though he holds himself back. When the past comes to the ranch, Blaze and the whole pack must fight a bloody battle. Blaze struggles with his protective side & letting people in. I loved watching him learn it’s ok to give love & receive love in return! I absolutely loved this book!! Plus the steam levels are hot!! I can’t wait for Malcom’s story!

After my first encounter with Kait’s cowboy wolf shifters (or is it wolf cowboy shifters?) in Fierce Cowboy Wolf, I was very curious to read on in the next book of the series.

In this part we meet Dakota, the pack’s veterinarian and-after Sierra- the second female elite warrior. And although she worked her ass off to become an elite warrior, the moment that Maverick told her the news, she felt empty inside. Now that Sierra has found her mate, Dakota can’t help but wonder how it would be, to face the world together. Too bad that her best friend Blaze doesn’t seem to be interested in her, romantically speaking.

Blaze has had his eye on Dakota for years now. But ever since his undercover­mission in Rusland, years ago, he has never fully recovered from the traumas of his experiences there. So, he doesn’t feel worthy of her. Being her friend is the only way to stay in her orbit. But then, in a moment of weakness, Blaze lets his guard down and Dakota kisses him. Now, all bets are off: will Blaze claim her as his mate?

Just as Blaze is starting to acknowledge his feelings for Dakota, his dark past re-appears. So now Blaze needs to keep Dakota away. or she will be a target too.

However, Dakota didn’t become an elite warrior to let herself be pushed away. Together with Blaze she will face the danger and save her pack. But is she prepared for the horrific truth of Blaze’s past?

Full of suspense, laughter and romance. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Wild Cowboy Wolf is the fifth title in the Seven Range Shifters series and is one intense, sexy, bantering, dangerous adventure from start to finish. I love this world and I’m always eager to return to it.

Elite warrior, Blaze has been in love with his best friend, Dakota for perhaps a decade now but he hasn’t pushed beyond friendship for he has a target on his back that could, and probably will bring extreme danger to his pack and those he cares about. Now those feelings are tumbling around them as Dakota begins to see Blaze with different eyes. It’s not the ideal time for falling in love, finding your mate, and looking for that elusive happy ever after ending… not when one of the cruelest, vilest groups of evil are hunting you and your pack by association. But then, when is falling in love ever truly “convenient”?

I enjoyed Wild Cowboy Wolf so much. While the first half (or a bit more) of the book is Dakota and Blaze discovering their deeper feelings for each other and the shenanigans that best friends and packmates rile each other up with. It’s a time to get a good feel for where Blaze is today, how his past is still haunting him, and even cheering him on to finally tell Dakota how he feels about her. For Dakota, she’s always known Blaze as a reliable friend yet now there’s a sizzle between them, an awareness that they could be more if they take a few emotional risks. My only wish would be that Blaze didn’t do the push (yes, I love her) and pull (no, it’s safer if I don’t love her) male shifter thing. But then, he’s an alpha male so this thinking too hard in his head is a normal reaction to changing situations.

Once the danger to Blaze, his pack, and Dakota is realized the action heats up and everyone goes into full protection mode for the pack. The Volk are vile, there is no other way to describe them. And because of Blaze’s past with this group, they will stop at nothing to destroy Blaze’s pack… and see Blaze dead.

We’ll run into some familiar faces from previous books in the series, have a heart-stopping experience as the battle for survival takes place, and watch two best friends navigate what happens when a lifetime kind of love when mates enter the equation. I had such a good time back in this world and I’m already looking forward to the next release. If you love an intense, sexy, sassy, funny, dangerous Romantic Suspense of the Paranormal Kind… then this story and this series would be perfect for you. While I would suggest reading this series in order (if you can) because of arching plot lines that are woven through all the stories – you “could” read this as a stand-alone, enough necessary information is given that you’d not be lost in the storyline.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This story keeps you on an up and down merry-go-ride. Blaze and Dakota dance around each other until the Volk attack. They are the thing of nightmares. This is a well written story with a balance between romance and PTSD effects on a warrior.

The fifth book in the Seven Range Shifters, Wild Cowboy is an enjoyable romance. Dakota and Blaze are intriguing and well suited fated mates. The story has all I have come to love about this series; action, suspense, and romance. I will be reading more of these books and recommending them to readers.

WILD COWBOY WOLF is the fifth instalment in Kait Ballenger’s contemporary, adult SEVEN RANGE SHIFTERS erotic, paranormal romance series. This is security technology specialist and warrior Blaze Carter, and veterinarian Dakota Nguyen’s story line. WILD COWBOY WOLF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary. SEVEN RANGE SHIFTERS is a spin off from the author’s EXECUTION UNDERGROUND Series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premies, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Blaze and Dakota) WILD COWBOY WOLF follows the friends to lovers relationship between wolf shifters security technology specialist and warrior Blaze Carter, and veterinarian Dakota Nguyen. Blaze has loved Dakota for as long as he can remember but the demons from his past refuse to let go such that to claim Dakota as his mate means to place Dakota in the direct line of fire. Once a member of the shifters only MAC-V-Alpha team with the US Army, Blaze’s last undercover assignment in Russia broke our hero, leaving him struggling in the wake of witnessing the atrocities and brutality of the group under investigation. When a pack mate goes missing, and several cattle are destroyed, the return of his old enemy is first and foremost on his mind, leaving Blaze battling the ghosts of battles lost. What ensues is the reluctant but building romance and relationship between Blaze and Dakota, and the potential fall-out as the pack is targeted in a vicious act of vengeance and power.

Blaze Carter’s past is shrouded in secrets having spent several months undercover on assignment in Russia but Blaze’s secrets are destroying the man with whom Dakota has fallen in love. As the newest member of the Seven Range Shifter warriors Dakota wants to prove herself capable as everyone else but Blaze’s need to protect Dakota goes into overdrive with reality that his past has resurfaced, hoping to finish the job.

The relationship between Dakota and Blaze is a fated mates wherein Blaze struggles to claim our heroine in the wake of his inability to let go of the past. Blaze knows it is only a matter of time before everyone he loves is target, and in this, not claiming Dakota means protecting the woman with whom he had fallen in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Grey Wolf packmaster Maverick and his mate Sierra (Fierce Cowboy Wolf 3), warrior and pack medic Austin, doctor Belle Beaumont, Malcolm and Kieran. Not everyone will survive the upcoming battle.

WILD COWBOY WOLF is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and obsession, friendships, family, relationships and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is passionate; the characters are compelling and determined.



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While I enjoyed reading this book and all the drama, I seriously felt like a yo-yo with the way Blaze kept going back and forth with his "no, I can't risk our friendship, and I am not good enough" and then he changes his mind and practically forces Dakota into a relationship. Then, most of the book is the back and forth as Blaze can't seem to keep her in the friends zone but when he has her in the relationship, he is looking to escape.

I understand he had good reason for doubting with his undercover history and the horrors that he participated in while undercover and what he saw happen. There are parts of the book that are so sad as they must defend themselves and some close friends are lost.

I loved seeing previous couples in this book as they are part of the same pack. It was also great the way that Dakota handled the visit with the pack that they were hoping to gain as an ally!

Hoping there will be another in this series!

This is book 5 in the Seven Range Shifters series and honestly I would read the other books before reading this one just so you know the dynamic and the characters in this one. In this one we get Blaze and Dakota's story. Blaze is a security expert but he is also a warrior for their pack. He usually acts on his impulses, no matter what they are. And while he is quick to find the humor in things, he also has this secret in his past that makes him hold back. Dakota is a vet but she is also a female that has been appointed as an elite warrior. The only thing she feels like she is missing is someone of her own to share her life with. And when she starts seeing her best friend as someone who can be more, can either of them chance acting on it?

I really enjoyed this book! Blaze has so much that he keeps hidden inside and no one really knows it because of how he comes across. There is so much more to him than I was expecting but I loved him and I also got irritated with him. I understand how much he fears that what he had to do in his past will hurt the people he cares about but the back and forth with him made me want to smack him a few times. Dakota is definitely this strong, independent woman but she also has a heart of gold and isn't afraid to fight for those she cares about or considers under her protection. Their chemistry together is completely off the charts hot and I definitely felt like I needed a fan!! The only thing that really brought this book down, in my opinion, was the action portion seemed to take forever to show up in the book. Not that that is a bad thing, I just felt like I was constantly waiting for it and then it wouldn't happen. All in all, definitely a great read!

Wild Cowboy Wolf is the 5th book in the Seven Ranger Shifters series by Kait Ballenger and it features Blaze the wisecracking wolf of the pack and Dakota the more serious goal driven she-wolf.

Blaze and Dakota have been best friends for years but Blaze has loved her from the start. Everyone in the pact knows it except for Dakota. Blaze has held back especially when he returned a few years ago from a mission in Russia. He is afraid his past will put any of his loved ones in danger.

Blaze is the pack’s head security and computer guru. He is super smart and strong like any other wolf warrior, and he makes everyone laugh. But what everyone doesn’t know is that he’s more dangerous than they think. He doesn’t want anyone, especially Dakota, knowing about his time he spent in Russia because he’s afraid they will look at him differently.

Dakota like other she-wolves in the pack is hoping to becoming another female warrior for the pack. (After Sierra was named the first in the previous book, they have hopes for more.) She is also the veterinarian for the pack, taking care of the cattle and other livestock. She is the type of person who sets goals and then doesn’t stop until she met them, only to make another list to achieve. Kissing her BFF has never been on the list but at one of their movie nights she wonders (and asks Blaze) why they’ve never…. You know. So she kisses him.

Blaze manages to stop before things go to far from that kiss. They spend the rest of the story, working through their feelings for each other and protecting the pack from dangerous enemies.

Wild Cowboy Wolf is a great addition to the series, and I loved seeing these long time best friends find passion and love with each other. I look forward to the next installment, Cowboy Wolf Outlaw releasing in Summer of 2022.

I just really enjoyed this book. It was just really easy to get lost in this book. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

Loved this book!!!! Blaze is the best. A funny, irreverent, tortured hero who is trying to find his way to his HEA. Dakota is a heroine who has something to prove and is not willing to accept less than perfection. These 2 mismatched best friends have to find a way to each other, while navigating their own personal demons. Along with real live demons who are mounting an attack on the Gray Wolves.

Wild Cowboy Wolf continues the Seven Range Shifters series. We do get to peek into the lives of others we have met along the way. Meeting Maverick's future pack leader newborn is a joy. As always Kait has written a fantastic paranormal romance that includes both humor and heartbreak. An interesting and intriguing plot with fun characters. I can not wait for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This was a fantastic read that will grab you from the very first page. It moves along at a great pace making for an easy read. It has interesting characters that you will love and you want to see them succeed no matter what happens. The story will grab you and keep you reading till the end and then you need more. This book is a must read, no doubt about it.

What a great addition to this series. It is full of romance, suspense, and romance. I enjoyed how Blaze's dark past was woven throughout the story. It defiantly kept the plot moving & interesting. I found the whole book to be interesting and entertaining and look forward to the next one.

Blaze is an elite warrior but he has some secrets that are about to catch up to him. Dakota is his best friend but he's been in love with her for years and she has no idea until she decides she has feelings for him.

Dakota is also an elite warrior, one of the pack's first female's to have the job but she wants more. She wants someone to share her life with, she just never considered Blaze to be that person until now.

When a friend of Blaze's comes to warn him that his secrets are about to catch up with him and he could be in danger along with his pack and anyone close to him, he decides to tell his alpha. Blaze had been sent on a mission that still haunts him. He had been sent to Russia to infiltrate the Volk who are sadistic, murderous, sociopathic wolf shifters that were thought to have been extinct. He was able to join their ranks and be the spy he was sent there to be and report back to his superiors about them but in doing so he made an enemy of the Volk and still has nightmares about what he saw. So when he's warned they might be coming for him, he's worried.

When Dakota finally realizes she has feelings for her best friend, Blaze and that he loves her too, they try to take things slow but end up being together because they know they are meant to be mates. But the Volk are coming so they can't put as much into their relationship before the attack happens.

Blaze tries to prepare his pack for the arrival of the Volk and the vampires that come along to attack them but they didn't have enough time to prepare and there are some losses when they are attacked. Blaze blames himself and does something stupid to try and keep the rest of the pack safe.

This was an interesting twist on shifters, a different kind of shifter and vampires. I like the story of how the Volk came into being and how this ended. I've been reading this series for some time and I usually really like the books but while I really liked the 2nd half of this book, the first half was slow to get going. I'm glad I stuck with it though because the story does pick up and get a lot better. The action in the second half is great.

Disclosure: I was given an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wild Cowboy Wolf is the fifth book in the Seven Range Shifters series by Kait Ballenger. A thrilling paranormal romance with a hint of mystery that is sure to pull you into the story from the very beginning. Set in contemporary times in rural Montana near Billings, this novel features security specialist Blaze Carter and veterinarian Dakota Nguyen who have been best friends for years. The characters are well-written with an undeniable chemistry that is sure to bring the heat. If you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense novels, then I recommend you check out this series.