I really enjoyed this book. I mean if there’s a ranch or cowboys you can always count me in.

Rory is a wellness influencer who is has to go to the US from England to take over or sell her aunt’s ranch. I really liked Rory. She came off super positive in front of everyone else, however, she would let her sadness take over behind closed doors. I love when she decided to let her followers know what was really going on with her and her ex-boyfriend. I love how she took the idea of turning the ranch into a wellness retreat and completely made it her own.

Wyatt was as grumpy as they come. He did not like Rory and her positive personality what-so-ever. I felt like he really judged her in the beginning, but slowly started to realize that she wasn’t always so happy and positive. I love how he was willing to help Rory right away. I know he was getting something out of it as well, but he didn’t even hesitate to help.

I really loved these two together. They definitely had chemistry, but they were both scared of where their relationship would go. Both, Rory and Wyatt have been hurt in the past so it was tough for them really trust the other person.

The narrators, Charlie Albers and Alexander Cendese also did a wonderful job! I loved them as Wyatt and Rory.

Overall, I really enjoyed this small town, slow burn with plenty of spice! I thought it was cute and I would recommend it!

Thank you Emma Lucy, HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for the ALC for an honest review.

Thank you to Harper Audio for the chance to listen to Live, Ranch, Love. This was my first from the author Emma Lucy.

This story follows Rory and Wyatt in a small town romance story. Rory comes to town after inheriting some land and meets grumpy Wyatt.
The story is a slow burn, enemies to lovers.

Unfortunately this one was not for me. I did not connect with the FMC. I did not finish this story.

This audiobook threw me off. I did not like the British accent! Cowboy romances aren’t supposed to have British accents! The narrative moved too fast, it was insta lovey. They committed too fast, too soon. I also didn’t like how both of their ex’s appeared in the book. It just got messy. I’d say if you’re going to read this book do kindle or physical, don’t do the audiobook.

This small town cowboy romance with grumpy sunshine trope was overall a cute read. Rory is a fitness and positivity influencer who just inherited a ranch. Wyatt is a hired hand doing what he loves working on a ranch that he loves.

I found the plot to be a little slow, with not much happening in the first half of the book. The tension and eventual romance that builds between Rory and Wyatt does redeem this read in the second half.

While it is not a book I can see myself coming back to, its lovable characters and small town charm make it a story that readers are sure to enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Emma Lucy for giving me this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Rory's not having a great time. She's successful in her business but just walked in on her boyfriend with another woman. Hightailing it to her late great aunt's ranch, Rory is hoping to get it on the market and get back to her life. But Wyatt has been successfully running the ranch for years and doesn't want to let go. They get under each other's skin...until they don't.

"Live, Ranch, Love" is a cute rivals to lovers/grumpy + sunshine romance. It was written very basically and I really had to push myself to finish it. It was a cute story with likeable characters and some great humor. As the second book is already slated for release, I hope the writing improves a bit. I will give the second book a try.

This was cute. Definitely benefited from not leaning too hard on the details of how a ranch runs. (Ranchers are owners...the guys who work with them are ranch hands, or cowboys, but never ranchers...) Honestly, if you can't so it right, don't bother, and I was relieved to not be cringing about inaccuracies.

My weird specific niche interest aside, like I said, this was a cute easy romance. Aurora wasn't AS annoying as she could have been--i knew going in that a "wellness influencer" probably wasn't going to be my favorite FMC ever, but I loved that she was spunky, and the scene where she went off on Wyatt's behalf made me cheer. Wyatt was great, too. Kind of a cheesy simp, but sometimes a guy that feral for his woman in a RL setting is nice.

I had this on audio from Netgalley, and honestly I probably would have liked this even better if I'd been reading instead of listening. The narrators were not my favorites even at their best, and them trying to do the opposite character low key made me cringe every time. Would have been so much better as a duet narration instead of dual but I almost always feel that way.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ALC of this book!

Such a cute story! Wyatt and Aurora, despite being polar opposites, were a perfect match. I loved how they naturally gravitated towards each other, forging an unbreakable bond built on witty banter and genuine affection. Watching the "sunshine" influencer Aurora melt grumpy Wyatt's tough exterior was incredibly satisfying; she really was everything the brooding rancher didn't realize he needed. Beyond the sweet romance, I especially appreciated how both flawed characters mutually supported each other's growth. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers with healing hearts and a deliciously slow burn, make sure to check this one out.

I received an ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback. This review is my own thoughts and opinions.

This is a cutesy smalltown romance. Overall it was good. I wish there would have been a little more tension or chemistry. It is insta-lovey, but I didn't mind that. I think they just needed a little more back and forth to build on their relationship. It is an easy and enjoyable read.

ALC REVIEW
Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy
Willow Ridge #1
Narrated by Charlie Albers & Alexander Cendese

Overall rating: 5/5

Live, Ranch, Love is the debut novel from Emma Lucy and is a knockout. This was an absolute torture of a slow burn with both MCs not wanting to repeat issues of their past, but once then spice hits, it was scorching.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
* Small town romance
* Grumpy/sunshine
* Slow burn
* Forced proximity
* Cowboy x British wellness influencer

There are SO MANY FUN & DELIGHTFUL MOMENTS in this book! Unfortunately, I listened to the audiobook (to be fair, an arc read), and I think there are some kinks to be worked out. These two narrators may have faired better with duet style. Their voices portraying the opposite sex in each of their POV's fell short and was often off putting.

The choices in the audiobook give the book a much campier tone, and the MMC is far to enthusiastic/upbeat on every sentence. The FMC has a thick accent that fits the character, but is an absolute choice and acquired taste to listen to for that many hours. The content was fun, lighthearted and enjoyable. It really picked up near the middle - end. Again, in terms of the listening experience and a great audio book, the only hope for these two narrators would have been duet style, and even then there is some work needed before the audio book launches. Would love to read the book to see if I don't have a better experience than listening to the content. Very cute, and Emma Lucy writes spice well!

2.5 Stars
First, I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Audio for allowing me to get an ALC of this to give my honest opinion.

Live, Ranch, Love had all the ingredients I usually enjoy, a small-town charm, ranch life, a rugged love interest, and a slow-burn romance, but unfortunately, it didn't fully deliver for me, especially in the audiobook format.

The plot was slow to get going, and while I can appreciate a gentle pace when it's done well, this one felt like it dragged. The characters had potential, but I never felt truly connected to them. Their chemistry felt forced at times, and the emotional stakes never really hit home. I kept waiting for something to happen.

As for the narration, it was okay. The narrator had a pleasant voice, but the pacing was inconsistent which made it hard to follow dialogue.

That said, there were a few sweet and heartfelt moments that made me smile, and the setting was described in a lovely, vivid way. I can see this appealing to fans of cozy, low-stakes romances who don’t mind a more relaxed, slice-of-life approach.

I didn't connect with the characters. This needed more passion more drama. I also personally was very distracted by the heavy accent.

I enjoyed this so much. The narrators did a wonderful job. I found the plot to be entertaining and I love the slow burn, when the tension between the characters finally breaks, it was delicious. The miscommunication was a bit overdone but it was still a good read!

*Audiobook Review*
**Rating this a 3.75 rounding up to 4**

I was super excited to listen to this ALC! A cute Grumpy x Sunshine Cowboy RomCom. I really enjoyed the plot line and I really liked how the Author wrote Wyatt’s Family Dynamic.
Wyatt (MMC) & Aurora (FMC) are definitely opposites attract. She is a wellness influencer and he is a grumpy rancher and when their paths cross their personalities definitely clash.

There is open door spice which the author did a great job at balancing the spice and the plot together. It wasn’t too much where it took over the storyline. It all flowed well together.

I did have trouble with the narrators in this one. Their accents together for me just didn’t mush well together. I would recommend reading the book vs listening to the audiobook. I do wish the audiobook was a duet and not a dual. The female narrator does do the male lines in her paragraphs and that honestly really threw me off.

Also the tension in this one is very light I wish there was a little bit more tension/banter between the two main characters since this is a slow burn. Their chemistry at times did feel a little forced.

Even though somethings including the audiobook didn’t work for me this is a cute, cozy, fun cowboy romcom.

The book is available now on KU and the audio will be live later on this year.

*Thank You to NetGalley | Harper Audio | The Publishers | and Author Emma Lucy for the ALC.**

I unfortunately decided to DNF this book rather quickly at 5%. For me, when I read romances, I have to like the characters. I didn't mind our FMC, however, I really did not like our MMC. I found him to be kind of insufferable with the whole "she's walking in her like she owns the place" - when, in fact, she DOES. It was just too gender stereotype. Don't get me wrong, I have loved many books with a traditionally masculine male character, but when he spends most of his time criticizing her in the first chapter in his POV and the only positive thing he can say is about her body, I'm really turned off. I know there may be some development if I just continued on, but there just wasn't enough that hooked me.

🔥Live, Ranch, Love is the slowest of slow burns in the history of slow burns.🔥

Wyatt us the grumpy rancher set in his ways and Rory is the city girl ready for a change of scenery and to regain control of her life. This was a cute and easily palatable read. I enjoyed the narration styles of Charlie Albers and Alexander Cendese. They did a great job bringing these characters to life!

I always enjoy a small town cozy cowboy romance. if you're looking for something enjoyable, reflective, and easy to read, Live, Ranch, Love is for you!



Thank you to Harper Audio and Emma Lucy for an ALC to listen on NetGalley!

I enjoyed the story in the plot line of the book. I struggled with the female narrator, doing the male voices. I felt as though it was an over exaggeration of what a rural Colorado accent would be.

It was a cute book but it just didn't grab my attention and keep me wanting to read and wonder what was going to happen next.

I was super excited to dive into Emma's world, and while I did love this story, I think I'm looking forward to see where the author goes next instead. I learned that I didn't love the influencer feel from the FMC, and I truly think that may have been a ME thing. Not an author thing.

The MMC was a great grumpy cowboy and we of course will always love that. Our FMC was actually a great opposite to him and I loved watching them unfold their relationship together, and watch the other change their minds on the other since their original opinions were both way off.

Cowboys will probably be a forever favorite of mine and I hope to see more in Willow Ridge that I fall for!!

Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy is the kind of comfort read that feels like coming home. Set against the backdrop of a rustic ranch, this story blends emotional healing, second chances, and slow-burn romance in all the right ways.

The heroine is both strong and vulnerable, making her journey toward self-discovery and love feel real and relatable. The chemistry between the leads is genuine and built with patience—no insta-love here. The small-town community plays a lovely supporting role, adding richness to the setting and side characters.

The only reason I’m holding back one star is due to some pacing issues midway through the book—it lags slightly in spots where I was hoping for more forward momentum. That said, the emotional payoff is worth it.

If you enjoy spicy romance with emotional depth, horses, and characters who feel like friends by the end, you’ll want to add this to your TBR. Emma Lucy delivers a story full of hope, healing, and heart.