I loved this book! Plot was fantastic, characters were fantastic, I really enjoyed the story! It definitely gripped me! I highly recommend!

Dust Storm was my first book by Maggie Gates. I thoroughly enjoyed Cassandra and Christian's story. It was an interesting and unique premise. I will be recommending Dust Storm to my book club.

Dust Storm by Maggie Gates is a whirlwind of excitement from start to finish! With vivid storytelling and characters that leap off the page, Gates pulls readers into a gripping, dust-choked world that’s both haunting and hopeful. The pacing is pitch-perfect—just when you think you can catch your breath, another twist sweeps in. I loved the strength of the protagonist and the way themes of resilience and found family were woven throughout. This is the kind of book you stay up late for and recommend to all your friends the next day. A thrilling, heart-filled ride—highly recommend!

Wanted to love this, but the characters didn't even really seem to like each other and the story just didn't flow nicely. Appreciated that the characters and plot had depth, however.

4.25/5

God I love a Yee Haw moment!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!!! This was my first Maggie Gates book and I am so incredibly eager to read the rest of this series.

I tend to read a lot of cowboy romances, and I felt that Cassandra really set this one apart from others I've read. I loved her character and her tenacity that she brought to every single thing she does. I love how she didn't change herself for anyone and used her prickly and colder demeanor as a tactic in standing up for those around her. She was truly unlikable in the best way and made me instantly rooting for her in everything that she does.

I loved the humor in this book. Cassandra and Christian going back and forth made me giggle every single time and I really enjoyed their dynamic. I also just really enjoyed Christian's kids and their relationship with Cassandra. It was so realistic and a blast to read.

Overall, I really liked this one a lot!!!

Thank you Berkley Romance and Maggie Gates for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

It was amazing!! I didn’t think I will love this book so much. The author did an amazing job! I can’t wait to read the rest of the séries!

YEE FREAKIN HAW!!!! adding this to my list of books that make me want to save a horse and ride a cowboy 🤣🤠

Dust Storm by Maggie Gates is a raw and powerful read that lingers long after the final page. Gates creates a haunting atmosphere with prose that’s both lyrical and grounded, capturing the emotional weight of grief, resilience, and the complex ties that bind people together. The characters feel incredibly real—flawed, vulnerable, and unforgettable. The story unfolds like a slow-burning storm, growing in intensity with every chapter.

If you enjoy literary fiction with emotional depth and a strong sense of place, this one is a must-read. Maggie Gates is a writer to watch.

3.5 stars

Forced Proximity
Cowboy/Boss B!litch
Fence Scene
Single Dad

Christian was utter perfection! He really made this book for me and kept me reading! Our FMC was a different story. I really struggled with her. She did improve as the story went on but unfortunately not as much I would have liked her to.
I am interested in the brothers and continuing this series!

Dust Storm was one of those books that quietly snuck up on me and ended up hitting way harder than I expected. Maggie Gates did such a great job making the characters feel real and flawed in a way that made their growth and connection feel earned.

I especially loved the setting and that quiet, dusty small-town vibe. It added so much atmosphere without taking over the story. And the romance? It had just the right mix of angst and intimacy without ever feeling over the top.

If you’re into cowboy romances then this one is worth the read!!

That was… good. I think.

The romance was fine, the emotional depth was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics. I think overall the romance and the relationship believability were iffy for me. I do think it was a fun, easy to binge book, and I’m looking forward to reading about the other family members.

What’s to love…
- single dad, cowboy MMC + city girl “I don’t want kids” FMC
- MMC with a dad bod (it was cute, trust me) + a man bun
- tall FMC (“topping out at six feet”)
- great emotional depth
- Emotionally mature MMC
- easy to binge
- forced proximity (she’s staying at his house)
- Mickey the adorable pet cow who wears pool noodles on his horns

What’s not to love…
- The FMC is going to rub some readers the wrong way. She’s gruff, matter of fact, and take no sh-t, sometimes bordering on excessively so.
- The MC that doesn’t want kids trope can go either way for me and this was an instance where I didn’t love the FMC/kids interactions at first.
- The behavior of both the MCs was, at times, a little much.
- It could have used a little more tension, banter, and chemistry. None were particularly bad, but not particularly amazing either.

A small thing to note…
There were a number of statements, or word choices that were… not great. It felt like this could do with a pass from a general sensitivity reader. I’m reading an early arc copy from Berkley so I’m hopeful that a few changes are yet to be made.

🌶️- Open door, explicit. Ch. 15, 19, 20, 22, 24, 27, 28

Cassandra Parker, a New York publicist, is exiled to Texas after one of her clients spreads some career-ending lies about her. Desperate to save her career, Cassandra takes over publication relations for the Griffith Brothers Ranch.

Christian Griffith, widowed father of two girls, really isn't interested in all the changes Cassandra is pushing onto his ranch. But at the same time, he can't help but be drawn to her.

I'll be completely honest, I absolutely did not find these characters to be believable or likable at all. Cassandra was so incredibly nasty, especially to Christian's children. But at the same time, I got so sick of his "you don't speak to my family like that" thing. The pair genuinely had negative chemistry, despite the author reassuring me that sparks were flying. I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing them anywhere.

These characters straight up did not like each other at any point, but then they were sleeping together, and one of them was demanding a relationship. What? It was just so unbelievable. I did not believe at any point that they didn't despise each other, much less that they were in love.

Everyone else seemed to like Cassandra, despite her being incredibly nasty and awful. Especially Christian's daughters. They seemed to worship the ground she walked on, and I could not fathom why. Toward the end of the book, maybe in one of the epilogues, she says something like, "Lead with love and a little tenacity, and everything will work out in the end." What??? She was full of nothing but nastiness and hatred the entire time. Lead with love where???

Don't get me wrong, Christian was no prize either. Why is he "adjusting himself" in front of his entire family, including his daughters, at the dinner table? Just because this woman is here? What? He walks in on her in a compromising position and makes it extremely, extremely weird. When Cassandra sets boundaries, asking him not to leave hickeys on her, he essentially tells her that he will mark her body if he wants to, because it belongs to him. The second time they ever sleep together. Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew. No. Not in a million years.

One thing that bothered me a bit is that one side couple in this story is from one of the author's previous books. That's definitely not something I mind at all, especially as it's quite common in romance series. But the relationship was from a different series entirely, seemingly unconnected to this universe, and their background was referenced constantly. It made me feel like I needed to go back and read the author's other books just to understand the book I was currently reading, despite it being the first in a series. Not a big fan of that.

Besides that, I don't know. I liked the setting, especially because I grew up on what was once a farm. It felt a bit familiar to me in some ways. I'd definitely be interested in reading another book like this.

Sadly, what lingers most about this book is the fact that someone "backed away from the vanity and did a neat 360 to pivot toward the door." Sorry, buddy, but I don't think you're going to make it very far like that. And I'm really not sure how no one caught that mistake in editing.

Two stars just because I finished it pretty quickly in the midst of a reading slump.

3.5 stars. This had a lot of good elements-- the setting, the MMC, the family dynamics-- but fell short for me on the FMC. As a woman with a job (lol), I find that career-oriented women are increasingly caricaturized in novels, and come across as cold and mean, as we saw here. I found the romance somewhat hard to believe, based on how the FMC treated the children in the novel and her general sourness. I did warm up to her a bit later on in the story, but her behaviour made me question why the MMC was so into her right from the very beginning. I did enjoy Gates' writing style so I will be on the lookout for her next works.

What's better than finding a fantastic indie published book? Seeing it get the love it deserves with a traditional publisher! Maggie Gates's "Dust Storm," originally a March 2024 gem, is now riding into the spotlight with Berkeley Romance, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Seriously, if you're a fan of later-in-life romance, this one's for you. Christian and Cassandra's journey is a delightful mix of mature love and real-world baggage. You totally get why they're both a little hesitant to dive in headfirst, especially Cassandra, who's basically signing up for a whole new Texas-sized life. But watching them navigate those doubts? Chef's kiss.

And speaking of series, consider me fully invested! I'm a total sucker for a good family saga or friend group series, and I'm already chomping at the bit to learn more about Ray and CJ. But the absolute cherry on top? A single dad, a black cat/golden retriever dynamic, AND cowboys?! My heart might just explode. Plus, a plus-size male main character? Yes, please and thank you! We get amazing representation for women, but seeing that "dad bod" get its moment in the sun with Christian? I'm here for it, 10 out of 10 baby!

I can’t wait for everyone to get the chance to get their hands on this book in October. (and if you want a special little treat, make sure you go back to “The Stars Above Us” for Becks and Nate’s story)

I don’t understand the approach of this book. I LOVE single dad, smalltown and FMC ‘comes from the big city’ tropes. But being mean to kids is a huge no-no, and the FMC not only is cold and snooty to adults but also to the MMC kids multiple times? He is supposedly lusting after her anyway?? As a reader, I don’t have any interest in continuing to see what happens to her at this point?

Liked Christian and the overall writing though and I would probably give this author another chance on a different book.

DNF at 20%

Beyond excited that Maggie Gates is getting picked up. I read this last year and fell absolutely in love with the series as it continued to come out. These new covers are absolutely gorgeous.

This was such a steamy, fluffy sexy single daddy cowboy/single dad book!!! The pacing is perfect, it's addictive, and the conflict isn't drawn out or ridiculous. t was so addictive, the pacing was perfect--conflict isn't stretched out over long periods of time.

Christian is such a sexy daddy!!! in the way he handles pretty much everything!! he's your classic "im a classy man" cowboy type and I WAS HERE FOR IT.
"She carries the weight of my name. She's a Griffith to you. If you so much as look at her wrong and she wants you gone, you're gone. Have I made myself clear?"

LOUD AND CLEAR DADDY!!!

Telling her to posture her hips like a specific something, paying for her nails when she didn't ask because he simply wanted to make her happy and then he goes and compliments them, which ofc makes our girl real happy, his little name drops happened so gradually, i barely noticed when one slipped in there but then i was like did he just say sweetheart??? 🦋🦋oh my god??🦋 calling her my queen, princess. "then enjoy what it feels like to be my goodgirl" (I'm trying???)

"My kids think you're the greatest thing to walk the earth. Frankly, so do I."

Christian's relationship with his two daughters is so precious. he grew his hair out so he could practice hairstyles on himself, took the time every morning to do their hair just so he could spend time with them. and i know these are bare minimums but hey the bar is in h3ll! it was sweet for a change that they WANTED him to find someone, that they accepted a new woman with open arms. though i felt for them and their grief. but i also loved how conversations about his late wife were never awkward with cassandra. they were both refreshingly mature about everything. yes, cassandra might ignore him now and then but i mean... we can't be perfect💋🤷🏻‍♀️

Cassandra was lowkey a baddie. Sure, she's the "uptight city girl" in the small town, but honestly she just wasn't having anyone's crap, nor was she letting anyone dish it out to the people in her circle. the way she stood up to the principal, the MAYOR of the town, all just for the people she loves (but ofc doesn't know it yet😉) I WAS LOVING IT. she stayed true to herself and didn't change to fit other people's molds or expectations. and you know what? christian loved her for it.

"That was my favorite thing about myself. I simply refused to quit.
and you know what? she did that.

Small town & found family

The family vibes in this little town was perfect. their ranch felt huge, it felt like everyone was there, you've got some horseback riding, cows, etc; and then you have the found family. claire was such a wonderful character for a matriarch instead of the popular patriarch super-cowdaddy.

Thank you Berkley for the arc!

A single daddy and cowboy with a soft belly? SOLD!
This book was devoured in one day!

Easily fell for the characters. Cristian had his village to help him raise his daughters.

Everything was A okay until Cassandra showed up to the ranch. Cristian was pushed with his patience and boy did he hold onto it. Case was sassy and knew how to defend herself.

Love the bonus epilogues, be prepared with the tissues!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in advance!

Tropes:
Cowboy Romance
Single Dad
Forced Proximity
Opposites Attract
Workplace
Found Family
Small Town
BANTER!

"Are you flirting with me?"
"Yes. that should be obvious. now shut up and let me do the talking."

“I don’t like kids,” I said as I ran a brush over my hair and twisted it into a low bun. “I like those kids. There’s a difference.

I'm definitely in my cowboy single dad era, so Christian is EVERYTHING! Cass is hilarious and fierce at the same time.

The plot kept me interested all the time and touch on real life aspects of dating someone with a kid and just real life situations. I want to be apart of the Griffith Family as soon as possible. I love a book where the side characters are able to shine too. I can't wait for book 2, Maggie gave just enough details to have me hooked already.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Berkley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Firstly - I am SO incredibly proud of this gorgeous and inspiring woman! The fact that this book, this beautiful series is now traditionally published? I am just so blown away, and so grateful for that! The Griffith Brothers are truly something special, and this book in particular just truly stole my heart!

You know those books that you pick up, read, and you just KNOW? Like you know it's going to be a favorite just a few pages in, and you know you're going to want it? That was this book for me. By Chapter 2 this book was in my cart, and by the time I turned the page onto chapter 3 all 3 of the Griffith Brothers books were purchased and on their way to me. I just couldn't resist...

Where to begin with this one? The forced proximity was everything, toss in the small (beautiful!) town and the city girl vs the cowboy? YUMMY.

Cassandra and Christian's banter from the very start just had me cracking up and then swooning and kicking my feet. Their love shined through and was as rich and real as the "not mud" was that Tripp stepped in!

I love Christian's entire story - his painful backstory and history with Gretchen, and how much he struggled but always tried to do what's best to be the best father possible to his girls. It was beautiful, and the love that he has for his "squirrels"? It just really shines through in the best possible way. I love how he's raising them with the "they need to know what to expect from a partner" in mind - and the line?? "Rule number one. You ride in my truck; you let me open the door." I audibly gasped because... well, yum.

The banter and the wonderful back and forths were really well done - I highlighted SO much as I just truly enjoyed it! Oh and how he teaches her to ride a horse? Those were the words taught to me at a tender age of like 5, so, I completely lost it with my laughter over that. There are heavier moments also - the exploration of honest grief of a widower and his honestly and openness about how the loss has changed him was really honest and true. I loved the line "Unfortunately, coping with grief is easier said than lived." as I truly understand that. If you know loss, you understand.

Overall I just really loved this tender book - the romance was sweet, the lines were fun and memorable, and the characters will stick with me for a long time to come.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to read this book, but it was the first time I finished it. It was cute but bossy, know it all cowboys aren’t really my thing. The saving grace of this book were his daughters. While she came around eventually, our main characters literally hatred of kids made her so unlikable and hard to relate to.