This was my first time reading anything written by Maggie Gates and it won’t be my last. Dust Storm is about Cassandra whose fiancé sends her to live on a ranch. Christian is a single dad and boss of the ranch Cassandra is sent to. Christian is forced to have Cassandra come stay with him and his two daughters because the cabins are unlivable.

Dust Storm is everything you want from a cowboy romance. Maggie Gates has written a deliciously sweet (and spicy) novel that encapsulates everything you could want from a western romance. There is the perfect swirl of emotions and loveable characters. When you meet Cassandra, Christian, Gracie, and Bree you won't want to let them go.

Cassandra is such a strong character. You will either love or hate her. I personally adored her, I think it takes guts to write a character that is flawed and arguably unlikeable. however, that just made me love her more. I think the dynamic between her and Christian was executed perfectly. I loved the tension from them. Christian, the star father figure is equally flawed and rough around the edges. They were good complements for each other. I would've loved some more tension between them on the issue of children. I think the found family dynamic was endearing, and the girls added to the story and the love interests connection. I think that there were several positive topics discussed within the book. I think this book was full of strong female characters who don't waver in their identity, even as their ideals of what they want change.

Dust Storm is a darling novel that balances family, love, and personal strength.

thank you so much for the approval- i cannot wait to dive in, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year! i will be sure to leave a review on GR/retailers to come! 💞

I've been really enjoying the single-dad romances lately. I think that coming from a "broken" family makes me love these kinds of stories more. It was a little slow to get going, and Cass was a little insufferable at times. I didn't love the major event that occurred toward the end of the book, but I understand the purpose of having it. Overall, a solid read.

This romance was absolutely adorable! I loved the banter between them and I giggled out loud so many times! These characters feel like coming home! Can’t wait for the next book!!

I read this one when it was an indie read, and was more than thrilled to jump back into the world again. I am typically not a huge fan of single-parent romances, but this one is a good one. I appreciate that it isn't a single mom romance, and that there are different dynamics to explore with that.

Cass is a bit of a hard sell to be honest. She can be frustrating at the worst of times. But Christian more than makes up for it!

All around, such a good read, lighthearted and relaxing.

This author is new to me, but I will be keeping an eye out for anything else they publish. I loved the story and the characters. The pacing of the story was great and the characters were relatable.

Okayyy I’m hooked!! Read this in 2 days, didn’t want to put it down and any character inconsistencies like this grumpy brooding dad just putting his entire guard down for a pretty girl… doesn’t matter. Or this workaholic anti kid woman suddenly loving his kids.

Frankly it didn’t matter because the story was interesting and the chemistry was good.

I loved this book so much! I am a goner for a cowboy romance so I was hooked immediately, but especially loved the dynamic that Cass had with Christian's daughters. The strong female energy that Cass had was so refreshing and I loved that she grew into the maternal figure, giving us a different side of women where we don't always need to have that maternal urge (and that's ok!!!). I also loved that Christian was described as more of a realistic dad bod cowboy! The romance was so fun and steamy and I loved the pacing of the romance through the book. If you want a fun, single dad, cowboy romance then this book is for you.

OOF, this was not the book for me. I love love love the cover art and the cowboy romance seemed like the perfect fit but boy was I wrong. Cass is insufferable and made the story SO hard to get through. I couldn’t connect with the main characters for most of the story and honestly debated DNFing at multiple points. There was ZERO chemistry between the main characters, which is weird for a small town romance. I truly don't mind a prickly main female character that gives off badass energy but that wasn't Cass. There just wasn't enough depth to her character for it to come across in that baddass way, she was just a raging bitch. WHY WAS SHE RUDE TO EVERYONE??

I needed a good cowboy romance!!!!!! I really enjoyed this one. Christian was such a kind and tender male main character, who was so good to his people. And cass!!! She was such a strong woman I loved reading about her! At times I felt a little disconnected from their emotional connection, or thought the pacing was off. And wish we got a little more of the family dynamic depth with the Griffiths but!!! Overall a really enjoyable read<3 3.5 rounding up!!!

This was a nice cowboy read and I really enjoyed it. Cass was super refreshing as a character. She didn’t do that usual big change from city girl to country girl and I actually loved that. It made her feel more real and different from other characters in cowboy romances. The romance itself was sweet and nothing over the top but I really liked the single dad angle. It added a lot of warmth to the story. Overall just a chill and enjoyable read that left me feeling good.

Dust Storm is book one of the Griffith Brothers series by Maggie Gets is getting a new cover! This book is set to be released on October 7, 2025. This book is about a city girl that meets a single dad rancher. The main male character is a widowed father raising two little girls. The more time that Cassandra spends at the ranch with Christian that more that those two start to fall for each other. If you are looking for a book cowboy romance this is the book for you!

LOVE MAGGIE GATES. she was a new author to me this year and i am so happy to add her to my top favorites authors. im a lover of cowboy romances and this did not disappoint. small town was so great to immerse myself in and i inhaled the rest of the books in this series. 10/10 would recommend

I’m a sucker for a smalltown, single dad cowboy! This was rom com vibes and I truly enjoyed every minute of it. The FMC is brash and abrasive and loved every minute of that too.

Dust storms always settle…

I loved this book! Christian is such a sweet MMC! And Cass…albeit she’s a raging bi**h sometimes, I loved how he loved her into a lovable character. I loved the family bond in this book and the single dad rep. I really loved seeing the relationship between Bree and Gracie and Cass grow. The stepmom rep was also nice in this book, especially because it was done in a way that I absolutely loved. When Cass stormed into that school and defended Bree it made my mom heart swoon! I devoured this book and I am so excited to continue this series! This book was filled with so many great quotes from Christian; he really is like a cowboy fortune cookie! And the added epilogue and bonus scenes were so sweet! 4.5 ⭐️🩷

Just finished Dust Storm by Maggie Gates and wow—I really liked it! It’s one of those books that grabs you from the start and keeps you flipping pages, even when you should be doing other things (like making dinner... oops). The story is super emotional and the main character goes through a lot, but you can’t help but cheer her on.

The writing is really good without being too fancy, and the whole thing just felt real and powerful. If you like stories about strong women and overcoming tough stuff, give this one a try.

Dust Storm by Maggie Gates is the perfect blend of small-town charm, sizzling chemistry, and heart-tugging emotion. From the moment Cassandra storms into Christian’s world—bulldozer and all—the tension crackles between them in the best way possible. Their banter is sharp, their attraction undeniable, and watching them go from reluctant housemates to something much deeper was pure romance gold.

Christian is everything you want in a cowboy hero—gruff, protective, and devoted to his family—but it’s his soft side that truly makes him unforgettable. Cassandra, with her city-girl attitude and hidden vulnerabilities, is the perfect match to shake up his world. Their slow-burn romance had me swooning, and the emotional layers woven throughout kept me hooked until the very last page.

With its heartfelt storytelling, well-drawn characters, and just the right amount of humor and heat, Dust Storm is a must-read for anyone who loves a rugged cowboy with a heart of gold and the woman who challenges him in all the best ways. Five stars—absolutely loved it!

Thank you Berkley Publishing for this opportunity!

I read a different edition of this book last year, and it really got me hooked onto Gates' writing.
I love me some cowboy romance!

Christian and Cass are *swoon*

The western/cowboy romance genre is undoubtedly having a moment with readers. However, Dust Storm by Maggie Gates stands out in the crowd. Why? For me it's because Maggie's created fiery and memorable characters. Also she doesn't treat lifestyle of being a rancher as an afterthought, we really get to see these characters live the life. There's respect and she isn't using the niche market for a quick buck. The realism? That's what I will always praise. Yes there's some moments to romanticize but when Maggie Gates digs down deep into her characters and the world she's created? 100% she shines and undoubtedly will keep readers coming back for more.

Thank you Berkley Publishing for the digital arc!