Lone Wolf in Lights is book two in the Naked Moose series by Stacey Kennedy.
I loved everything about this book! From the fun banter to the small-town vibes. This book was a fun read that I could not put down!
I loved Willow and Eli’s story.
This book has all the feels and a great happily ever after. Stacey Kennedy writes great complex characters. Don’t miss this book
I can’t wait to read book three The Rebel with Broken Strings.

Thank You NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Lone Wolf in Lights (Naked Moose #2) by Stacey Kennedy

I couldn’t wait to get back to this small town of Timber Falls Colorado, and The Naked Moose Bar! This emotional story is filled full of memories, love and pain. But it is also about a community with a big heart, and spirit coming together at Christmas time to help one of their own that has suffered and is trying to help others. From the moment I started reading this story it had my
heart and soul and it has stayed with me long after I finished reading it. The characters growth and development through this story pulled at my heart strings, but they also brought joy, so much joy and love to this story!

This is Willow Quinn and Eli Cole’s journey and it didn’t disappoint.

Willow Quinn moved to town with her two best friends to open up The Naked Moose, hoping to start a new life and leave her pain behind and heal.
But every time she was around Eli Cole her heart skipped a beat, and then there it was again, their off-the-charts chemistry. But she couldn’t go there again after what she had been through. Or Could she?

Eli Cole is a local cowboy who is drawn to the beautiful Willow. After hearing of her past he admires her unique combination of strength, sweetness and compassion that she possesses, because he is also dealing with his own grief and anger after losing his sister. But when Willow’s safety is threatened he comes to her with a course of action. They will fake date to keep her safe!

“They stay with us, in the stories we share, the memories we cherish. Grief has a way of isolating us, but it’s through these moments we remember that we’re not alone.”

What a beautiful, emotional, Christmas romance! It had so many uplifting, fun moments that brought so much to this story. I loved reading about the Empowerment Elves support group. But watching two broken people, heal and learn to trust and love again is what makes my heart happy!

“I have the power to shape my own future.”

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

I absolutely loved Lone Wolf in Lights by Stacey Kennedy! This second book in the Naked Moose series is packed with heart, emotion, and a dash of Christmas magic. It was a fast-paced, fun read that pulled me right in. Stacey Kennedy does such a fantastic job of creating characters you can’t help but root for, and I’m a huge fan of hers.

In this installment, we follow Willow Quinn, who moves to Timber Falls, Montana, with her best friends to open a bar and leave her painful past behind. Willow is trying to heal after surviving an abusive relationship with her ex, Niko, who’s now in jail. Eli "The Storm" Cole, a former rodeo star with his own tragic past, is drawn to Willow, feeling protective of her after losing his sister to domestic violence. Eli wants to help Willow feel safe again, but after one steamy kiss, she pushes him away, afraid to open her heart.

As Christmas approaches, Willow forms a group at the bar called "Empowerment Elves" to support local women and raise money for a women's shelter. When Willow starts receiving threatening messages, Eli convinces her to pretend they're dating for her safety. Slowly, their fake relationship turns real, and they begin to share their pasts and heal together. But just as things are looking up, disaster strikes, testing their bond. With the support of their friends, Eli and Willow must find their way back to each other to get their well-deserved happy ending.

This book has all the feels—a sweet, caring hero, a heroine rediscovering her strength, and a delightful mix of romance and holiday cheer. The fake dating trope was executed perfectly, and Eli was such a patient and supportive love interest. I can't wait to dive into Aubrey and Gunner's story next!

If you enjoy steamy Christmas romances with emotional depth and strong characters, Lone Wolf in Lights is a must-read!

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - July 16, 2024
Publication Date - October 22, 2024

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @staceykennedybooks, @harlequinbooks and @netgalley!

I was so excited to read Lone Wolf in Lights because one thing about me is how much I love country music and it’s on my bucketlist to go to a bar like The Naked Moose one day! This is a shorter book and I usually prefer longer ones but I kept that in mind while reading and still enjoyed it! I appreciated that it was not all light and fluffy, even though there’s nothing wrong with that either. This book involves some deeper topics and emphasizes how healing is not always linear, which is such an important message. I also liked how it had Christmas and holiday vibes but also some mystery and suspense, it all worked really well together! I know it’s not even Halloween yet but this book got me so excited for the holidays!

If you like books with cowboys, found family, small town and fake dating, you should give Lone Wolf in Lights a try!

Get excited to read Lone Wolf in Lights, available October 22! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

LONE WOLF IN LIGHTS – Stacey Kennedy
A Perfect 10
Naked Moose, Book 2
Afterglow Books
ISBN: 978-1-335-57485-5
October 22, 2024
Contemporary Romance

Timber Falls, Montana – Present Day

After a painful relationship in Phoenix that left her physically and emotionally battered, Willow Quinn has started afresh in Montana. Willow and her two friends have opened the Naked Moose bar which is becoming successful. One of the frequent visitors to the bar is former bull rider Eli Cole. There is a spark of attraction between Willow and Eli, which starts the night he kisses her. But due to her past, she pushed away from him and now tries to avoid him. He can only watch her from afar as he continues to want her.

The ladies at the bar have started a group therapy where women who have been abused in the past gather to connect and make Christmas ornaments. After Willow posts a picture of them on her social media, someone leaves a hateful and threatening message. Then she gets a similar text sent to her on her cell phone. It is Eli who comes to the rescue and helps her. He suggests that they pretend to be dating so his being around her won’t appear unusual. For Eli, he has a reason other than his attraction to Willow to help her. His sister was murdered by her abuser. He won’t let the same happen to Willow.

LONE WOLF IN LIGHTS deals a lot with the physical and emotional abuse some women receive while in an abusive relationship. It gives this tale an emotional edginess that will resonate with readers. Willow literally shakes in fear of it happening again, while Eli will do whatever it takes to protect her. Who is sending those hateful messages to her and is it connected to her or someone in the group? It turns out there are two parts to the answer. Readers will have to find out what they are. While this tale is part of the Naked Moose series, it can be read as a standalone, though we do see Charly and Jax from THE DEVIL IN BLUE JEANS in some scenes.

As for Willow and Eli, now that they are “together” in the sense that they are dating, they finally have the chance to get to know each other. She discovers that he is a nice guy, and he continues to treat her gently. Eli learns that Willow continues to remain strong even as the unknown threats swirl around her. She will do whatever it takes to help other women, and readers will root for them to be successful. Their attraction is both instant and slow building. It’s clear they really like each other, but their pasts put up a barrier. He has to be gentle with her, while she has to learn to trust again. But there’s no denying the passion that soon explodes between them.

I found LONE WOLF IN LIGHTS a book that was hard to put down. I had to find out who was sending the threatening messages and why. I had to find out if Willow and Eli would fall in love. For being a fascinating read I had to give it a Perfect 10, one of Romance Reviews Today's top ratings. Both Willow and Eli are engaging characters on their own, but together they are perfect. I highly recommend LONE WOLF IN LIGHTS, and I hope you fall in love with the story as much as I did.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

3.5⭐️
I love a cowboy romance and especially a holiday theme! Eli is a former rodeo bull rider but tragedy struck his family and he hasn’t been the same since. Willow was in an abusive relationship and has a lot of scars (physically and mentally).

3 months ago these two kissed and Willow pushed Eli away because she want ready. Now, the two need to help Willow’s charity.

This is a 3rd person POV, fake dating story with two characters plagued by the past.

Themes/Tropes: Healing after trauma, Spicy romance, Small town, Christmas season, HEA

Lone Wolf In Lights is the second book in the Naked Moose series but can be read as a stand alone. This cozy cowboy Christmas novel tells the story of healing after trauma for both Willow and Eli. Willow is dealing with the aftermath of an abusive ex and Eli the death of his sister and his mother. Together they learn how to love again set in the magic of the holiday season.

I found this book to be exactly what it promised, a cozy Christmas romance story. It has some heavy themes but there is so much hope and healing in this story. It made me want to go live in this small town of Timber Falls and be part of this little community. The friendships of the women who run The Naked Moose bar make you want to plan a girl’s night. I found the characters easy to root for and easy to like. This is a moderately spicy novel that is also a little bit of a slow burn. The romance is not lacking in this story and doesn’t feel rushed. Since it does deal with sensitive subjects of abuse that is done with a lot of care and consideration for the characters.

Overall if you want a sweet romance story set in a small town in Montana this is a good one to add to your reading list.

Lone Wolf In Lights brings readers back to TIMBER FALLS!

Stacey Kennedy invites readers back to Timber Falls in Lone Wolf in Lights, a heartwarming continuation of the world introduced in Devil in Blue Jeans. This time, we follow Willow Quinn, one of the esteemed owners of The Naked Moose, as she navigates both personal and professional challenges. Willow’s commitment to community-building makes her a target of online harassment, leading her to agree to a fake relationship with Eli Cole—a perfect setup for fans of the fake dating trope. As the pretend romance progresses, genuine emotions begin to surface, building into a touching, passionate connection.

Kennedy once again masterfully blends lighthearted romance with deeper, more poignant themes. While Lone Wolf in Lights delivers a feel-good romance, it also tackles weighty topics such as domestic violence and grief, adding an emotional depth that elevates the story. Readers should be mindful of potential triggers, but the story’s impact is undeniable, with its powerful message and heartfelt storytelling.

With its mix of sweet romance, spicy chemistry, and meaningful themes, this novel is sure to resonate with longtime fans of Stacey Kennedy and newcomers alike. Don’t miss out—you’ll regret it if you do!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book. While I have not read the first book in this series, I don't feel like I really missed too much. This was a fun holiday romance set during Christmas. It has fake dating and cowboys and is an "open door" romance, so proceed with caution if thats not your jam. Overall I am giving this 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. Cute, fun, low stakes.

Willow Quinn and her two best friends open a bar in Montana. The three friends left their old lives behind to start over. Eli Cole is a former bull rider and comes into the bar all the time. They are attracted to each other but is Willow ready to let another man into her life after the abuse she suffered from her former boyfriend.
They decide to try a fake relationship to help each other out. Of course, they leads to more problems.
Great story.

I wanted to like this story. However, I could not connect with the characters. Unfortunately, this book was a DNF.

Willow Quinn moves to Timber Falls, Montana, with her friends Aubrey Hale and Charly Henwood to open a bar, hoping to leave behind her traumatic past, including her abusive ex, Niko Sanchez, now in jail. She’s struggling to feel safe again. Eli “The Storm” Cole, a quiet and patient man, understands this feeling of guilt and loss, having lost his sister to domestic violence while he was away on the rodeo circuit. He feels drawn to Willow and wants to protect her, though she initially pulls away after a passionate kiss.

As Christmas approaches, Willow starts a support group at the bar called “Empowerment Elves” to help local women by making and selling Christmas decorations for a women’s shelter. However, when Willow receives threatening messages, Eli suggests they pretend to date for her safety. As they grow closer, they begin to confront their pasts and build trust.

Just as things are looking up for Willow, disaster strikes, shaking both her and Eli to the core. It takes time and deep reflection before they can find their way back to each other, but ultimately, they achieve their happy ending. This steamy, fake-dating Christmas story highlights Eli’s caring nature and how he helps Willow regain her confidence. The story sets up anticipation for Aubrey and Gunner’s future romance in the series.

This one wasn't for me. Admittedly, I didn't read the first of this series but I don't think you really needed to. Willow immediately pissed me off and it never went away throughout the whole book. Eli was "meh" as a main character. I think the only character I sorta liked was Betty. This book took on some heavy things and I don't think it was done well. Writing pace was all over the place and it just never really came together for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I found that this book was missing something. It covers deeper topics a like grief and domestic violence but it lacks deep development of the romantic plotline. I think that both character’s back stories were handled well and realistic. I was left wanting to see more of that deep connection developing between Eli and Willow- it fell flat to me, felt more surface level. I think fans of Rein Me In by Kayla Grosse will enjoy this book.

This was completely my bad, but I did not realize that this was book two in a series I have not read lol. But the premise intrigued me and I have to admit that the author did a pretty good job balancing a mix of heavy, important topics while still not missing out on the romance, or making the romance dull the importance of the discussed topics.

And I'm always a fan of an elderly wise soul to guide along the young-ins, so Betty really sold it for me!

Lone Wolf in Lights is the second book in the Naked Moose series, set in the small town of Timber Falls, Montana. Eli and Willow are the focus of this story and it was both heartwarming and hopeful. These two have been through some tough things that color how they approach relationships, and I enjoyed how they figured out how to overcome them.

There is a threat of danger that gives Willow and Eli a reason to spend more time together and sparks fly. These two have great chemistry and there are some seriously romantic interactions between them.

This story is set at Christmas time and the town of Timber Falls really shines. Willow and her friends start the Empowerment Elves to help raise money for a local women’s shelter and the community shows up in force to help. Eli even revisits his bull riding days to contribute.

I really like the friend groups in this series and cannot wait for Aubrey & Gunner.

Please review the author’s content warnings at the beginning of the book and take care while reading.

Really enjoyed this book - thought it touched on some hard topics well and I could relate to some experienced the characters went through.

Lone Wolf in Lights by Stacey Kennedy is a captivating holiday-themed novel filled with drama, darkness, tension, and budding love. The story delves into the lives of Eli and Willow as they navigate through challenges to ultimately find their happy ending. While the plot took a darker turn than expected, it added depth to the narrative. However, some aspects of the story, such as the rushed development of the characters' relationship and the occasionally awkward dialogue, left room for improvement. Despite these minor flaws, the novel offers a unique blend of sweetness, fast-paced action, and a touch of darkness that is perfect for the holiday season. Lone Wolf in Lights is a compelling read that may surprise readers who are looking for a holiday-themed book with a twist.

Gosh I really liked the premise of this book, I mean..fake dating a cowboy in Montana during the holidays? It’s a trope dream come true! I just couldn’t vibe with the writing style and I wasn’t as patient as Eli with Willow. This one just wasn’t for me.

Book 2 of Naked Moose of everything I loved about the first in this series. Surprisingly poignant in its dealing with difficult topics that are unfortunately the reality of many especially in rural communities. Eli and Willow's romance was tender and earned. Give it a read!

Thank you to Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.