DNF’d this book at 70%
While I love a cowboy/small town romance, I just didn’t enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. The setting was great! I think the author did a nice job creating a fresh setting for a romance-Wild West theme park. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for the FMC. The banter fell flat for me. The tension was lackluster. Overall, just a no for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it so interesting, especially the idea of the main characters playing as other characters in a theme park. We also got to learn about Esra’s chronic illness. Both main characters were very fun and made this very enjoyable. Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

Thank you to Dell Romance for letting me read and review this book early. All thoughts are my own!!

The Brave and The Reckless is a small town cowboy romance that follows Esra who spends the summer working at a Wild West theme park and Noah the broody man playing opposite her as they navigate their supposed hatred for each other and find out that the line between love and hate is thin. This book is full of humor and family and so much tension that I had to take a lap around my room a few times.

I truly had the best time reading this book!! I didn’t read too much about it because I wanted to be surprised, and I’m so glad I did it that way. Everything about this book was fantastic, from the setting to the characters to the way they all interacted with each other. I really hope there are plans to write more in this universe following some of the other characters we met in this book. It would be so fun to see them again.

The characters in this book are so complex and complicated and I LOVE THEM. Esra is figuring out what she wants after spending her entire life being smothered by her parents’ expectations. I loved how bold and brave she was. She said and did what she wanted, and she didn’t waver. I loved how much care went into this book and its depiction of chronic illness and disability and accommodations. It didn’t feel forced into the story, which tends to happen more often than I’d like. You could feel how intentional the author was with writing it all, and I LOVED IT!!

Noah was also very layered as a character. He said what he wanted and took care of those around him. He tried to fight his feelings for Esra, but he did not manage to stay away from her. Their interactions throughout this book had me giggling and blushing so much. I loved their dynamic, and I’m so hopeful that we’ll get to see them again in another book in this series. The banter and the tension, sweet Jesus IT WAS BURNING HOT!! So often, I find that sex is used as a plot point right before a third act conflict, and this book doesn’t do that. Sex is just a regular part of their relationship, and one way that they build intimacy and connection together.

I love that her brother wasn’t mad about them dating. There is a hint of brother’s best friend thrown in here, but it’s not turned into a big issue just for the sake of needing conflict. Esra’s brother is so chill about it, and I really enjoyed that. Princess (derogatory) to princess (affectionate) is one of my favorite tropes/nicknames in a romance, so I LOVED seeing it in this one.

Can’t wait for everyone else to read this soon, and I will be waiting for whatever Dilan Dyer writes next!!

I absolutely loved this book!! So spicy and funny and the plot was really fun and interesting. I can't wait for more from this writer!

I wish I could have loved this book but it was not for me. The romance felt rushed and almost immediate which kinda gave me the ick. The characters were cute and well developed but I almost DNF’ed just for the insta-love type of situation that came out of absolutely no where.

Well written over all, but not my style of content

This was such a fun read. I loved the setting and that it was different than most of the other western/cowboy romances, as it’s set in a theme park. I also loved the chronic illness (FMC) and deaf (FMC’s brother) representation. I wish we had gotten more between Noah and Esra that wasn’t when he was playing Ace. And while it was a fun read and I don’t mind a good 3rd act breakup, this one was not it for me! Esra really annoyed me there.

Noah and Esra were sweet together and I liked seeing their vulnerabilities and working it out in the end. I do agree with another reviewer that this seems like it was written for TikTok. I’d probably give it 3.5 ⭐️ and I’m interested to see what’s next!

Giddy-up, we’re going to Bravetown! 🐴
Esra thinks she’s going to spend the summer scooping ice cream but what happens is so much better! Bravetown is a Wild West theme park. They put on shows for the visitors to get the old western feel. So instead of working at the ice cream shop, she becomes a character known as The Pretty Annie Lou (mostly because she fits into the costume). Ace Ryder (aka Noah) is the lawless cowboy that kidnaps Annie in the skit. This is a total opposites attract situation because Esra is chaotic & fun and Noah is a serious guy that likes everything neat & tidy.
I enjoyed how the plot and romance are nicely balanced. There is a real story here. Esra and Noah’s bickering is next level and this definitely isn’t insta-love. I really hope this becomes a series because all of the side characters were fun and interesting. I like how each chapter has a little advertisement for a place or attraction in the park. And Esra’s collection of somewhat inappropriate shirts is hilarious! My favorite was “u can't pick ur father but u can pick ur daddy" 🤠 Overall this is really fun to read and I’m looking forward to what the authors does next!

(Review will be posted to Amazon and Barnes & Noble on publication day. Link to Goodreads review provided)

My God—this was PHENOMENAL. I’m not exaggerating when I say The Brave and The Reckless has launched itself into my favorites of the year (and possibly of all time?). This book had everything: delicious banter, sizzling chemistry, a refreshingly original setting, and characters so lovable I’m already mourning being finished.

Let’s start with the setting—a small town Wild West-themed amusement park called Bravetown. HELLO??? I want to visit. I want to live there. I’ve never read a book set in a theme park quite like this and it made for such a fun, immersive backdrop. The little snippets at the beginning of each chapter, giving backstory to Bravetown’s residents, added so much depth and charm. It felt like I was being welcomed into a living, breathing place.

The story itself hooked me from chapter one. The banter? Hot. The chemistry? ELECTRIC. Esra and Noah had me giggling, kicking my feet, screaming internally—and externally. The sexual tension was off the charts, and the slow build from enemies to lovers was perfection. Also: PROP GUN PLAY?! I wasn’t ready, but I was so here for it.

Esra was a standout FMC—funny, sarcastic, strong yet vulnerable. Her chronic illness was portrayed with such authenticity, especially in those everyday “mental gymnastics” moments. As someone who related deeply to that, I felt seen in the most unexpected and welcome way. And the fact that she and Sanny sign to each other?? I’m obsessed. Noah, with his layered “good guy playing a villain” vibes, grump exterior, and soft heart? Say less. He’s the blueprint.

The supporting cast? A+ across the board. Vivi, Adriana, Lukas, Zuri, Sinan, and TORNADO (yes, Tornado!!) were all such well-developed, lovable characters that I desperately need spinoffs for. The whole world Dilan Dyer built here feels alive and real, and I’d happily buy an annual pass to Bravetown if I could.

The spice? Chef’s kiss. The roleplay? Gasp-worthy. The pacing? Absolutely flawless. I read it too fast and now I miss them all.

This book is the epitome of a grumpy x sunshine, enemies-to-lovers romance. Watching Esra learn to take care of herself—while Noah learns how to let go of control—was beautiful. Their growth felt organic, their struggles were deeply human, and their story? Completely addictive.

This is my second Dilan Dyer read and I can confidently say she’s a master at writing messy, real characters who leap off the page. Her books never feel formulaic—each one brings something unique to the table—and The Brave and The Reckless is no exception. You can feel her love for these characters and this world in every chapter.

If you’re into witty banter, high-stakes chemistry, incredible disability rep, and the most charming setting imaginable, add this to your TBR NOW. It pulled me out of a brutal reading slump and I already want to reread it. This is the book I didn’t know I needed, and I’ll be shouting about it until everyone picks it up.

Preorder it. You can thank me later.

ARC Review

Dual POV
Brother’s Best Friend
Grumpy x Sunshine
Small Town
Secret Relationship

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️ 🌶️

Super fun read! Loved to read about Esra growing into her own person and becoming more independent! The bickering between Esra and Noah was so entertaining!

Okay, so for my first foray into cowboy romance, I'm not disappointed. I can definitely see why people are gravitating towards these tropes - in such tumultuous times, of course people want the stability found in small towns. But, I was correct in assuming that these romances would end up perpetuating some stereotypes and gender roles I find discomfiting.

To start out with the positives, though, I really enjoyed the setting. Bravetown was a super fun environment, and I wouldn't mind returning to it. I also enjoyed the side characters we met and the whole premise. However, I did find problems with our main characters. Esra felt like the embodiment of the "I'm just a girl" trope. I think Dyer was trying to do the reformed rich girl thing, but I didn't feel like it worked. She didn't change enough throughout the book for that. Instead of her gaining perspective, it felt like others just grew used to her actions. As expected, Noah was the embodiment of traditional masculinity. Though this isn't problematic by nature, the demand for romances with the traditional views of masculinity does worry me.

In some ways, I do feel like I'm cheating The Brave and the Reckless because I'm using it as a vehicle to discuss larger trends within the publishing landscape, but in some ways, that's what books are for. So, while I enjoyed it, it did validate some of my fears regarding this subgenre. I'll definitely be exploring it more, though, so who knows, maybe my opinion regarding this one will shift. We'll just have to see!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

this was a fun read, like if two disneyland cast members got together lol a classic grumpy x sunshine and our FMC is crazy book smart. it’s a bit on the spicy side, and while the third act breakup wasn’t my favorite i still enjoyed it overall!

O M G, Dilan did it again! This book was the perfect inclusion of a classic enemies to lovers, but not one that felt to rushed or unrealistic. While I personally would have loved to see more interactions between “Ace and Annie,” there was still an incredible balance between both their real relationship and their fictional one. My biggest gripe with the book, however, was the 3rd act. Without spoiling, I was just very confused as to what was occurring and why, and felt as though that could have been resolved with a bit more exploration into Esra’s life before Bravetown. But with that aside, this book was an amazing read that I couldn’t seem to put down. Lets hope Esra and Noah are just the beginning of theme park romances because I am absolutely LOVING this trope!

Enjoyed this one. Going to work at an old west town, that has people in character, sounds fun. Add a touch of romance and city vs country and you have the making of a good read. Not sure why the Turkish was mentioned several times as it was not really part of the story. Still though, would recommend this one, although must admit of skimming through the sex scenes at times as they were a bit excessive. Might just be me.

Rollercoasters and cowboys? I am so in. This is the book I did not know I needed this year and I now have a new autobuy author. The banter, the sass, the enemies to lovers. I loved Esra's journey. Seeing her learn to take care of herself emotionally and physically was such a joy. Watching Noah learn to cede control and still take care of her was adorable. This is the ultimate grump x sunshine trope, and seeing who won the bet at the end...priceless.

So happy I judged this book by its theme park and took a chance on this one from NetGalley!

This book has me in a tizzy. I literally have no complaints here. Esra and Noah are just perfect, not to mention every side character was so delightful I could barely stand it. Even characters that you see for 2 seconds. There is a scene where a little girl is yelling at the main characters and it’s just the best scene. It reminded me so much of my daughter.
Bravetown is magical. I wish it was real. I don’t ever want to visit Tennessee but I would to go to bravetown.

I received a free arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There’s prop gun play, a masked cowboy, and forced proximity + hate to love vibes.. What’s not to love?!

I really enjoyed the premise of the entire book. Our FMC is a girl trying to find her wings and is a bit of a tornado. Noah is a guy with a plan, and doesn’t seem too thrilled with those plans being shaken up. Don’t even get me started on his peanut butter stash being compromised. It was a joy to see her blow into his life and turn his world upside now.

Now, if you catch me lurking around a Wild West theme park in search of a masked bandit, mind your business.

Shoutout to Random House for the arc!

The premise of this story was so incredibly unique! I haven't read or heard of anything like this before so I was definitely very instrigued. I loved the cosy small town vibes, the theme park setting and the chronic pain rep. The fmc was very relatable which added a new light to the story.

This was a cute book with a little touch of enemies-to-lovers and theme park-esque settings with multiple cast members. Noah was definitely my favorite in the whole book. Sadly, I was not the biggest fan of Esra because she just seemed very childish and not mature for her age. I feel like after being in medical school, she would be at least a bit mature and knowledgeable about social situations and the rights and wrongs, but she just wasn't. The romance was cute and definitely had some chemistry between the characters. I also really liked the writing style.

Omg, WHERE DO I BEGIN?!

I loved the setting for this story - Wild West Theme Park!!!!!!!!! Hello?! I want to visit! I want to live! I need in real life! I've never read a book where the story takes place in a small town theme park but I had so much fun! I loved beginning of each chapter and how it was giving you backstory about the characters in Bravetown. I was hooked from the very first chapter and I had to stop my other reads because this one needed ALL of my attention. This was such a fast paced read and before I knew it I was over halfway through the book.

"Always remember: In the face of adversity, kindness can be the bravest act of all."

Esra, the city girl, dropped out of med school and ran to live in the same town as her brother Sinan. She needs a job and hopes to serve icecream in the park but ends up getting the part of Annie Lou in the play that runs six days out of the week. Noah, already lives there and is casted as Ace in the play but also can't stand Esra from the first time they meet because she eats his food. Banter right out the bat was HOT hot hot. The supporting characters are some of my favorites-- Vivi, Adriana, Luke, Zuri, Sinan, and TORNADO! Loved that Ez and Sanny sign to each other to communicate and how much Ez's chronic illness is a big part of this story, even if she doesn't want to flat out talk about it with Noah.

"A glaring reminder that caring for someone didn't mean taking care of them and handling their every issue yourself. Caring for someone meant providing them with tools. It meant helping them live independently as much as possible."

The spice in this book, chefs kiss!! The foreplay. The roleplay. <spoiler>Okay the PROP GUN PLAY WAS CRAZY AND I WAS SCREAMING BECAUSE!!!! Wasn't expecting that at all but I ate it up.</spoiler> The banter. 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. Halfway through reading this I went and placed my preorder because I just need a physical trophy of The Brave and the Reckless like I need air to breathe.

If you love:
grumpy x sunshine
and they were roommates...
brother's best friend
chronic illness rep
open door spice

This releases July 29, 2025 and you should so pick it up. You can thank me later!!!

————————
thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review. all thoughts are my own.

4.5 ⭐️ I really went into this thinking I wouldn't like it that much, because I am not a cowboy fan but I like Dilan Dyer. I stand corrected. I enjoyed this so much! Especially the cowboy. The characters were so funny, and witty, I loved watching them find themselves and each other. I personally love slightly unhinged female main character, and Esra is that. She's so funny and so uniquely her. Also as an EDS girly the representation was SO good, and you can tell was not loosely thrown in but thoroughly researched. Especially at the end with the equine therapy. Noah is a cowboy I would save a horse for any day. His character was the perfect combination of standoffish asshole to jealous lover boy that we love to see. Plus the gun scene.