I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine!

Okay, I sort of loved this tbh. It wasn't necessarily a western/cowboy romance per say, but it had enough of those adjacent vibes that I see it. The theme part/WestWorld setting was so fun and I liked seeing the characters balance their costume personality with their real ones. There are moments when the lines blur and you're like 🤭.

I enjoyed Esra and Noah as the mains. Both of them had slight trauma that definitely impacted their actions but it wasn't ever anything completely out of left field. I'm not sure what disability Esra had for certain, but it read to me as EDS which, I have to say this is one of the recent examples where it was obvious and they made it a character point (if that makes sense). Esra knew her limitations and it wasn't some secret vague thing. I think it informed a lot about how she reacted some scenarios in the back part of the story so it definitely added to her character. I also think we could've gotten more background for Noah. You sort of get told his backstory, but most of the development happens on her end more than his. He has moments though.

The romance low key had me screaming. It's a little abrupt with the way it starts but some of the stuff they were getting into I was like oh! I see you lol. There's definitely one scene that had me feeling scandalized and when you read it you'll know the one. Like good for you girl! I get why Ace would be a hot character, and Noah being able to tap into his Ace energy really made me like him more lmao. He was nice but bossy at the same time 😂. Cmon actor!

This didn't reach 5⭐ for me for a few reasons:
- even though I liked the romance, as I said it starts a little abruptly. I felt like I missed something when they actually get together but it just ...happens. Which is fine.

- Some of the behaviors near the end were giving juvenile in a story where everyone otherwise acted very adult. Esra definitely was doing some stuff around the dreaded 3rd act breakup and I was like really girl? Still was down for her though lol

- Esra's academics could've been a larger focal point. Like it's mentioned in her background and then she randomly has some scenes where she busts it out but idk, I wanted more. Also as mentioned above, I wanted more of Noah's background too

- Some of the dialogue definitely felt out of place with the characters and it felt like it was added to make things more ~cowboyish when it didn't need to be. There's one moment where Noah calls Esra "woman" and it's like huh? He wouldn't say that lmao.

Overall, I was here for this and absolutely would tell my friends about it. I think this one was less cowboyish in the end which helped it for me lol.

Honestly this book was a blast start to finish! Esra and her tshirts were so much fun, I read this whole book in one sitting! Couldn’t put it down! I loved the chronic illness representation of Esra, it is so relatable and I think we need so much more of it in our FMC’s. Now Noah was such a surprise!!! He seemed like a serious no fun kind of guy but when the spice hit?! My goodness his mouth was everything! Dirty talking hot hot man! The chemistry between the two of them was scorching and the banter from day one leading up to it was phenomenal! It was lighthearted and fun but it still did have so much more to it as well. The depth of these characters was great. And yes they’re playing Ace and Annie and running around Bravetown together as a robber and a damsel. But they have real life problems that they both have to deal with and I loved loved loved their story! Great job Dilan Dyer! I had the time of my life reading this! Also loved the whole Bravetown setting. What an original and fun idea for the story, I’ve truly never read anything like this and I enjoyed every second of it!

I’m going to be honest when I first saw this book I thought oh perfect a new cowboy romance, so I was a little surprised to find out this books take place in a “Wild West” amusement park. Which was definitely a twist I wasn’t expecting. There are lots of tropes this book covers that I think a lot of people will like: brothers best friend, found family, hate to love. We definitely still get a broody cowboy so I was very happy about that. I also really enjoyed how the handled the FMCs chronic illness. Overall I think that was a fun read.

This book is titled "The Brave and the Reckless" by Dilan Dyer. This book is scheduled to be released on July 29, 2025. This book is a spicy cowboy and small town romance. The main female character moves to where her brother lives and while there she meets the town's grumpy cowboy.

I received a free arc for my honest review
Oh my YES! This story was fantastic. I ate it up. It was such a a good new spin on your typical cowboy romance. Noah young! Umm we need more men like him out there. The banter was fantastic. The spicy scenes amazing. I giggled through the whole thing and just adored the characters. I can't wait for more to come out in the series!

I really wasn’t a fan of the FMC. She is selfish and out of touch. She steals the belongings of others on purpose, and then acts shocked that people are upset about it. It was all just really hard to root for her.

I feel like I should put a small disclaimer in front of my review. This book takes place at a theme park. An environment I have way too much experience in. Working at a theme park for 10+ years has caused me to be more critical of books using them for there plot. I have to admit after finishing "The Brave and The Reckless" by Dilan Dyer, I’m a tad bit disappointed.

Now don’t get me wrong even though I was slightly disappointed overall I still enjoyed the book and will definitely be checking out more of Dilan Dyers books. Our story follows Esra, a medical school drop-out who gets a job thanks to her brother at a Wild West theme park. Instead of working at the ice cream shop she’s thrown into entertainment and forced to play “Annie”. That’s where she meets her partner in the show criminal “Ace Ryder” also known as Noah. The two immediately clash and lines are drawn. Setting up for a summer romance.

My first big issue was of course the theme parks elements. The events that transpired would never actually take place in a theme park. Quite literally I was screaming safety red flags from the get go. So for me the whole theme park misadventure and antics felt like a giant HR issue. But I digress beside my obvious struggle with the theme park elements. I also struggled with Esra’s character I found her at times to be extremely unlikable and spoiled. I understand she wants to break free and not be treated like bubble wrap. But girly I need you to use your adult brain and speak up. Your brother and Noah can’t read your mind. And as a reader you could genuinely tell they both cared and would bend over backwards for her.

Now Noah’s character on the other hand. I loved him and I wish we got more backstory and his perspective. I found him to be super relatable and such a great charming cowboy. And even though I had my issues with Esra. I still really enjoyed them as a couple. Their banter was hilarious, the tension was great and the ending chef kiss for them!

Overall, even though it had its hiccups I still enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to my fellow romance readers. Lastly Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Romance is far from dead in the wild west - or at least the wild west theme park called Bravetown.

Esra is questioning her life choices when she winds up at Bravetown working with her brother. Expecting something straightforward, she is hired instead to play the lead in the park's main act -- a reenactment of a cowboy heist. The cowboy is played by her brother's best friend Noah, who is not much fun. Esra and Noah fight like cats and dogs until the sparks sent up by their friction erupt into a blazing passion neither of them expected.

I wish I liked this more. I loved the representation of chronic illness, which is something you don't find often. Some of the spicy scenes were very hot, and the romantic connection seemed genuine enough. But there was...something...missing. Something about the fabric this story was woven into seemed too thin. It's hard to put my finger on exactly what was missing, but it left me wanting.

One thing it does have going for it is the immaculate title. If you're looking for a spicy romp this summer, this one will certainly scratch that itch, it just may not be something to write home about.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4 stars ⭐️ Cowboy romances are my guilty pleasure! I can read through them in 1-2 days. The Brave and the Reckless is cute, funny and spicy!

What to expect:
- small town romance
- brother’s best friend
- grumpy x sunshine

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

This book is ADORABLE! I absolutely loved Esra's antics and her dynamic with Noah.

Esra is on a journey of self-discovery, determined to experience everything she’s missed—and to do it on her terms. Noah, a rigid, by-the-book kind of guy, completely clashes with Esra’s free-spirited approach to life.

When they start working together, sparks fly—mostly in the form of fiery tension and mutual irritation. But hey, opposites attract... and these two definitely did.

This book was such a fun ride, full of heartfelt and surprisingly enlightening moments. I'm sure I’ll ALWAYS remember it.

Cowboy romance! This is the first time I’ve read this sub-genre and I had a good time with this one! Following Esra as she upheaves her life and moves to where her brother is working at the Wild West Theme Park of Bravetown. She meets Noah, her brother’s best friend and a real cowboy, of whom she butts heads with immediately.

I loved the plot of this novel, I thought the banter between Noah and Esra was a lot of fun, and the Wild West theme park aspect of this was also so much fun. The dual POVs worked here too, with Noah and Esra being such different people, this novel was really strengthened by getting both of their perspectives. I didn’t find myself preferring one or the other too, which I think is a huge plus; both were equally entertaining. While their tension and banter was good, I think we do lose that a little too quickly, but there is a specific chapter here that is both so sweet for developing their relationship and…hot.

My one note about Noah is that I would have liked to feel more of his friendship with Sinan, Esra’s brother, because it was there and it was mentioned a lot that they were best friends, but I don’t think we got enough time of them two together for that to feel real. With Esra, that third-act breakup I really struggled with. Her choices could very much be boiled down to her age, but even then, I felt so frustrated by it and I don’t think the resolution made up for the things she did/said. While I liked what her personal journey was (wanting to live for herself and not others), the argument she had with Noah was just so much and I don’t think it’s fully redeemed.

That being said, this novel is a good time, and I think it is well worth the read if you like a very outspoken FMC and well, cowboys.

Thank you to NetGalley & Ballantine/Dell for the ARC! Book comes out July 29, 2025!

I had been looking forward to reading this book as it seemed like a straightforward romantic comedy set at a theme park. I was pleasantly surprised by the ways that the book went beyond that to touch on chronic pain/illness and how it effects the patient but also their family and friends.

Thank you NetGalley for this book. I unfortunately just wasn’t interested in this book. It was not keeping me interested at all. I definitely seem to be in the minority on this one and that is okay. I think it’s a super fun idea and others would love it, but it just wasn’t for me sadly. I can’t really explain why, I’m not sure what it is.

The chemistry. Just everything had me giggling and kicking my feet and I think I read the book too fast because I miss them now.

same condition and dealing with the things you deal with daily is mind blowing
This book is something else and I'll be thinking about for a long time.
Can't wait to recommend it to all my friends,.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publishers for sending me an e-arc of this book! Unfortunately this book was just not for me, some the dialogue was a bit weird to me. I think this could be a good read for someone it just wasn’t my personal taste.

A small-town romance set in a western-themed amusement park? With chronic illness rep, brother’s best friend, and top-tier banter? Um, yes please. 👏🏼

Hands down, this has been my favorite western romance of the year.

The FMC, Esra, is a med school dropout with a wicked sense of humor and the most hilarious wardrobe. I swear, every time her T-shirt choices came up, I was cackling. 🤣

She moves to a small town reliant on tourism that the amusement park brings. After she abruptly put the medical field on hold, Ezra’s brother hooks her up with a summer job at the local amusement park’s ice cream stand. But plot twist… her boss has other plans. Suddenly, Esra finds herself cast as the leading lady in the park’s staged wild west town.

Cue all the delicious banter with the MMC, Noah, who happens to be her brother’s best friend. At first they despise each other, which results in the best banter ever!! Noah is only working at the park to save up for the therapeutic horse facility he dreams of building on the land his late parents left him. Also, Noah stars as the lead outlaw in the park’s main attraction—which just so happens to involve him kidnapping Esra’s character in every show!

What follows? Spicy banter, prop/faux gun play (yes, in that way 👀), and a slow-burn romance that absolutely delivers.

I especially appreciated the chronic illness representation and Esra finally standing up to her overbearing parents. So, so good.

After dropping out of Med School, Esra Taner moves to Bravetown for the summer after her brother secures her a job scooping ice cream. Bravetown is a Wild West theme park located in a small town in Tennessee (think Disney on a much smaller scale). Country boy, Noah Young, is Esra’s new coworker and roommate and the two opposites need to spend a lot of time together this summer.

Initially, I was skeptical of the theme park setting but it was fun and whimsical. Fans of The Fine Print by Lauren Asher will enjoy this one as the setting and build up are similar. The banter between Noah and Esra was very entertaining but the tension was resolved pretty abruptly. The characters seemed a lot younger than their ages noted, for Esra this made sense, but as a whole I was lost a little on this.

Overall, this was a fun read and the romance was sweet but theme park x cowboy romance is probably not my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Rating:- ⭐⭐⭐.75/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice rating:- 🌶🌶🌶.5/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

Tropes:-

✨Small town romance

🐴Brother's best friend

✨City girl x Town boy

🐴Grumpy guy

✨Cowboy romance

Esra, a city girl (who according to me was kinda spoiled), goes to Bravetown for the summer after leaving the city and has no plans about what she's going to do with her life after summer. Esra gets a job in the town's famous show as the 'Pretty Annie Lou' however, the job requires spending a lot of time with Noah, the grumpy cowboy, who also happens to be her brother's best friend who lives next door.

Now let's start with their first meet, which spoiler alert! is not cute, but kinda funny. Anyway, this was my very first cowboy romance and... Yk they say, 'First impression is the last impression,' I really hope that it's true cuz my first impression of cowboy romance is really good... In fact, this might become one of my favorite tropes.

Now let's move on to the smut... The smut!!! Yk, there's something about the smut in Dilan's books. Maybe it's the foreplay or maybe it's the tension between the couples... Or maybe it's both, but whatever that is, it makes the smut so fucking gooooodddd!! Like, the smut written by her can NEVER disappoint me.

Last but not least, I really hope that Adriana (Esra's bsf) gets her own book with Lucky Luke, cuz they'd just make the perfect couple.

Ps:- I looove Tornado, the horse.

The most perfect grumpy sunshine book!! Plus cowboys…hello sign me up!! The banter, the sass and enemies to lovers was just perfect. I also loved Esras whole journey and her learning to take care of herself. I have a new auto but author now. Will definitely be recommending this to all my cowboy girlies.