Dakota Nguyen has always strived to achieve, but after reaching each of her goals, when the sense of accomplishment wears off, she is left feeling unfulfilled. Even the excitement of being named only the second female elite warrior of the Grey Wolf pack can't fill the whole in her soul. A part of the emptiness comes from the feelings she has, but is intent on hiding, for her best friend and fellow elite warrior, Blaze Carter.

Blaze wants more than just friendship from Dakota, Haunted by his past, ashamed of the things he's seen and the things he's done, he keeps himself tightly controlled, sure Dakota deserve more than he can offer her.. When his greatest nightmare shows up in Montana, he's forced to face it head on. And he discovers he'll do anything to protect Dakota, even die.

This is the latest installment of the Seven Range Shifters series. I've loved the series since the beginning, but none of the previous books has hit me the way this one did. I found myself more emotionally invested in Dakota and Blaze than i have in the previous couples. They are two vulnerable people who choose to focus on their perceived weaknesses rather than recognize their strengths. Their pain and isolation jumps off the page as does their need to protect each other while keeping themselves apart.. This story will stay with me for a while.

This story features a strong female wolf shifter and a cocky veteran wolf shifting cowboy. Blaze and Dakota have been friends forever but now they both want more but don’t know how to reach for it. Dakota is smart, strong and confident everywhere but in her personal life. Blaze uses humor to cover his PTSD and fears that he doesn’t deserve happiness. This book is a tale of coming together and learning there is now shame in leaning on each other. This is a sweet and sexy tale with an old orange tabby cat that is convinced she is the queen of the world.

Wild Cowboy Wolf is a friends to lovers story that, while book 5 in the series, would work well on its own and combines sexy cowboys and hot alpha shifters. Blaze is a full package – hot sexy protective alpha wolf & cowboy but also funny, irreverent, fierce, and broody at times. He’s been in love with Dakota for over a decade but has settled for being best friends (although everyone but Dakota seems to know the truth) as he also feels damaged due to a dark period during his military career (and resulting in PTSD issues). But when Dakota suddenly decides to lay a “not so platonic” kiss on him, he decides to reconsider his stance and go for what he wants instead. Meanwhile, danger related to that dark period of Blazes haunts the horizon and Blaze and may endanger the pack and their future. Overall, the story was well written and included some humor and action. However, as much as I liked Blaze, I found Dakota annoying. She was wishy-washy and inconsistent, running hot/cold toward Blaze and oblivious/selfish in her attitudes. The story also included some other pet peeves of mine (lack of communication, talking at instead with others). These distracted me and made it hard to get and stay lost in the story, thus effecting my overall enjoyment. As that is personal preference matter rather than storytelling issue, others who do not have the same pet peeve issues, would most likely do better with this story.

Wild Cowboy Wolf by Kait Ballenger
Book 5 of the Seven Range Shifters series. Best read as part of the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Paranormal romantic suspense. Friends to lovers troupe.
Blaze spent time undercover in Russia with the Volk, and suffers nightmares as a result. He’s sure they will come after him and kill his entire Grey wolf pack. He trains everyone in the pack to fight hoping by to use any advantage he can to defeat this enemy.
Dakota is a newly promoted warrior of the pack. She’s also the local vet. But something is missing from her life and she looks to her best friend for answers.

Blaze and Dakota have been best friends for a long time. Dakota only just realizes that maybe their relationship can be more. Blaze has been in love with Dakota as long as he can remember. But his past is full of threats and he doesn’t want to put her in danger.

I was frustrated by Blaze and his forward and back thoughts. Switch On, he’s hot for her and imagines the two together. Switch Off, he needs to keep his distance and protect her. On. Off. On. Off. Ugh. That whole talk to each other thing! He is a bit of a joker which saves the book from dragging too much as well as antics by a very particularly standoff pet cat.

“Was wanting to ride your best friend harder than one of the ranch horses a bad thing?”

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

Wild Cowboy Wolf -Seven Range Shifters Novel
Kait Ballenger
#ShifterRomance

“Was wanting to ride your best friend harder than one of the ranch horses a bad thing?”
Oooooosh!

Dakota and Blaze are BFFs, but in love with each other.

Denial, admittance, denial and a mysterious enemy threatening the pack.
#WerewolfShifter #WerewolfshifterRomance

Lots of spicy scenes so far!

Peaches is my hero! She is the comedic relief.

Should’ve known the author was a cat owner – no one but a cat owner could write such an accurate representation of our beloved feline companions.

Really enjoyed this book, I thin I’d like to go back and read the previous books in the series too!

4 stars

#BFFs #Cowboy #CowGirl #spicy #shifter #paranormal #besties #felines #mystery #bestfriends #friendship #bff #readinglist #literature #kindle #reader #literate #bookstagram #wolves #bookstagrammer

Wolf shifter Blaze carries a lot of guilt in his heart for the things he did when he was in the army's special shifter force. The PTSD is more than most have to deal with. He hides it from everyone with humour.

At home now on the Wolf run ranch he needs to protect his pack from those who are coming for him.

Dakota is proud to be only the second female wolf to be made one of the pack's elite warriors. So why doesn't she feel as if it's enough? The need to prove herself capable of anything has always driven her.

This is an action packed paranormal romance with characters that are expert at torturing themselves. Learning to let themselves be loved for who they are is the drive for this story. There is a lot of danger from powerful and monstrous enemies, and bloodthirsty battles for the whole pack to face.

An emotional, but also fun addition to the series. You can read each book in the series on it's own, but as a series they are best read in order.

Very exciting.

This is an awesome paranormal romance! I loved it! It has drama, romance and action.. This couple has such fantastic chemistry.. Wonderful characters!

The main protagonists in this book are Blaze Carter and Dakota Nguyen. Blaze and Dakota are best friends, although Blaze has always loved Dakota and she's oblivious to that.

The opening is a wedding reception and Blaze seeks out the source of his unease, which turns out to be an old military buddy, Amarok 'Rock' Saila, who delivers a warning that has Blaze very worried.

Blaze believes that by holding back on his feelings that he is protecting her. His military excursion has put a target on his back and he knows how the enemy works.

Dakota has been filling in for her friend and is offered a permanent position as an elite warrior. Although she should be elated, she's not feeling that way, and Blaze notices only to show up with a plan to divert her attention. This plan goes haywire when Dakota changes the plan. Dakota feels spurned and that she's made a terrible mistake. Blaze can't stop thinking about her and while his defenses drop, hers go way up. Blaze takes up the challenge.

When the pack leader gets tired of Blaze and Dakota's lack of following through on orders, he forces them to team up together to find the missing herd and work through their issues.

Dead cattle and a body point to an evil that Blaze has been dreading. He's been found.

I love this shifter world, and Blaze is swoon-worthy! He's got that tough sexy outward appearance but when it comes to Peaches, he's a big softy inward. I love Blaze's humor where he gets under the pack leader's skin with the t-shirts he wears. I wanted to yell at Blaze and Dakota for not seeing what's right in front of them, although Blaze has noble intentions; there is strength and safety in numbers! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I requested and received an ARC from NetGalley via Sourcebooks Casablanca and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

This is the 5th book in the Seven Range Shifter series by Kait Ballenger. This book tells the story Blaze Carter and Dakota Nguyen. Blaze is one of the elite warriors of Grey Wolf security. He is super smart, always laughing and he has a deep, dark secret. This secret keeps getting in the way of his love for Dakota.

Dakota has everything that a she-wolf could want. She was just appointed one of the pack's first female warriors, she has a thriving career as the ranch's vet and a loving family. Unfortunately, she has no one to share it with until she begins to see her best friend Blaze in a new light. Once her perspective changes all she wants is to be with him.
Unfortunately, for Blaze and Dakota, life is never easy. The shifters will have to take on ghosts from Blaze's past if they ever want to have a future. I found this book excellent. It had a perfect blind of suspense and romance. I would highly recommend this book to people who enjoy Jennifer Ashley's Shifter's Unbound series or The Others series by Christine Warren.

It's always a great story when the beginning starts with a friends only relationship that blossoms into a lovers ending. Blaze Carter and Dakota Nguyen have dynamic chemistry and I loved how easily they were able to relate to one another. This is a wolf shifter book and my first one and I have to say that I am now a fan!

Dakota has become an elite warrior in the pack. Blaze has known for years that she is his mate; but has not acted on claiming her.

Blaze know things from his time in the military station in Russia. He went up against a really bad group of shifters. Blaze receives word that they are in the US looking for him.

He has the warriors training for an attacked without letting them know how bad it can be. Dakota is finally starting to realize her best friend is who she really wants in her life forever

A friends to lovers story. Blaze Carter and Dakota Nguyen have been friends for years. Blaze suffers from PTSD although few of his pack mates are aware of that fact or all that he sacrificed to protect them. He hides his trauma behind jokes. When his past returns to endanger his pack, Blaze struggles. Dakota must choose to move forward with Blaze as a lover, partner, and support system. A new enemy known as 'Volks' has arrived and leaves the pack devastated. I read a copy of Wild Cowboy Wolf via NetGalley and chose to leave a review.

I love paranormal stories and shifter books but I can’t get into this series . This is the second book I tried but it isn’t for me . I am not sure I can point the reason why .

Love the direction these books are taking. Never, for the life of me, thought I would be reading about Cowboy Wolf Shifters. Love the main protagonists in this book, just like every book of Mrs. Ballenger. After reading this book, I went out and purchased everyone of the other books in this series and am I so ever happy I did. Wow! What an amazing storyteller this author is and I absolutely adore every book in this series. I highly recommend these books, however after being a little confused by some of the situations in this book; I highly recommend reading the series in order. You will be so much happier you did read all the books in order.

This is the first book I have read by this author and it was a very good start. It is a well written story that is full of action and romance. The two main characters, Dakota and Blaze are both strong but Blaze has secrets that have kept him from claiming Dakota. There is a HEA but a lot happens first. The danger level in this book is intense and the romance level is hot which makes for a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

In Wild Cowboy Wolf , Kait Ballenger brings romance, action, and suspense to the fifth book in the Seven Range Shifters paranormal romantic suspense series. 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.

Blaze and Dakota are fantastic characters. They have been attracted to each other for ten years, but have stayed best friends. Dakota doesn’t want to ruin their friendship and Blaze has a past that he feels is a relationship killer. Blaze hides his regret, pain, and shame behind a joking persona. His jokes are a way to deflect and avoid. While he suffers from PTSD, he is an excellent fighter and protector of his pack mates. Dakota is smart, fierce, funny, brave, loyal and an elite warrior. These protagonists are definitely not boring, but will their secrets and flaws eventually doom the romance? There are some familiar secondary characters from previous novels that add conflict and support.

The plot was not overly complicated, but was suspenseful. Additionally, the action didn't start until about 75 percent of the way through the book. This allowed the reader time to get to know the main characters and how they interacted as well as slowly building the suspense level. Will they take a chance on a happily ever after or will circumstances prevent it? An old enemy is about to enter the picture. Who will survive and how will this affect Blaze and Dakota?

The last 25 percent was riveting with protagonists that I liked and cheered on as the story progressed and became ever more dangerous and unusual. It held my attention fully and contained the elements that I love in this genre of books. This book delivers on escapism through attraction, friendship, family, romance, and love while also tackling serious issues including secrets, stressful situations, failure to communicate, PTSD, and selfless sacrifice for others. While most conflicts and issues are resolved, there are threads that may lead to future books in the series.

Overall, it was suspenseful, full of friendship, suspense, romance, and some action. This engaging combination kept my interest and covered some deeper themes if a reader looks for them. The subplots tied together well, the main characters were strong and the ending was explosive. If you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense novels, then I recommend you check out this series. There is enough background that this novel can be read as a standalone, but the series is best read in order.

SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Kait Ballenger provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 30, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

I received a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

This book follow Blake and Dakota as they move from friends to lover. Blake is a typical alpha male with a go lucky personality. Underneath his mask he's hiding a past that he fears will ruin his growing relationship with Dakota. He was very attentive and sweet to her needs. Dakota is suppose to be fierce as the 2nd ever made female elite warrior. She does hold up her own in fights that the pack comes across. However, throughout the book she was hot and cold with Blake even though she was the one who initiated it. Overall it was an enjoyable read, can't wait for the next book!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Casablanca for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This book is part of a series, but reads well as a stand alone. This is Blaze and Dakota's story. There is suspense, and lots of drama. I liked the characters but could not really relate. It is an interesting story. I would not say that this is a fun love story. 3.5 stars

Wild Cowboy Wolf is a wild ride by Kait Ballenger. The story focuses on Blaze and Dakota, friends who become something more, but danger is around every corner and when Blaze’s past comes back to haunt him, his and the lives of his pack mates become more complicated. Both Blaze and Dakota are warriors, but both questions their lives. Blaze questioning his past and Dakota questioning who she really is and what is missing from her life. The two have a passion for each other but have been afraid to make the first move due to their long-time friendship, but once they cross the line, boy do they burn!

There is a lot going on in this story, with secrets coming to life, a new breed of shifters (who are certainly different), friends becoming lovers and people just making things complicated. It may have been easier to read this series from the beginning, but you can still follow along with the storylines if this is your first foray into this series.

Overall, a good read with some intriguing twist and turns and two great characters who fight their attraction, but ultimately know that they are better together!

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

More of my reviews can be found on my blog: http://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com

I enjoyed the other books in this series, so I requested this one. It was good. I'm not a big fan of friends to lovers - especially in this case where the couple has known each other for a while.

But it was an enjoyable story