Steady Now was everything you’d want in a small town romance. Banter, fun, home renovations…and tension…Sooooo much tension! Wren and Hud were super likeable MC’s and I loved all the supporting characters too. Everything flowed and this was a quick read. I would highly recommend to fans of hard-headed characters refusing to see their relationship for what it truly is. For me, the ending was a bit abrupt, but didn’t reduce my enjoyment.

A cute romance with mostly likeable characters. I do wish that we got to see more of Hud's son, Connor, and that Wren had more interaction with Connor, though I enjoyed their relationship in general. The bad guys got what was coming to them, and everything ended in a happily ever after, which is always nice.

Thanks to Liberty Stowe, RupertBossier, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

ARC review of Steady Now
Pub date: 01 August 2025

4/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

My first from the author! There is so much sweetness in this debut story. A small town romance with found family elements, lots of history, and loyal friendships.

Wren and Hud had chemistry from the start and boy I loved the teasing. Both wanted each other and tried to fight it and I was so ready when they finally gave in 😗 Beautiful!

The story kept me engaged and I was rooting for everything to work out because PLEASE I needed Wren and Hud. TOGETHER.

Thank you to the author, Liberty Stowe, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

I struggled with this book.

I just found it slow and repetitive. Why does the FMC not know what kind of car she drives?! I couldn’t understand what was supposed to be happening. It all felt very quick and slow at the same time.

This was my Camp NetGalley pick for July~ I'm revising this to 4 stars.
I actually think this was very well structured as a story and paced very well.
It's a modern romance with a big city rich girl x small town blue collar hunky single dad. A hallmark movie with a bowtie ending.
The romance is basically insta-attraction/ insta-like, but they do grow to love. The characters were like magnets toward each other in a medium-burn set-up because they have one "lose all control" moment about third of the way in and then no other firework interactions.
I was tapping my pages mumbling "okay when when when" because there was definitely tension!
I was pretty happy there was no serious misunderstanding/miscommunication trope. There was a hint of "omg talk to each other!!" but it was just a second because each character's thought processes were logical. They actually arrived at sensible conclusions even in the face of some uncertainty. We love to see it. Adults being sensible is good in romances!
I also loved the setting. It all took place basically at an intersection, but I was really transported there and to the lakeside home, the pool, the diner.

What made me take one star away is:

One - it's a somewhat generic story. Didn't rock my world and it won't stick with me too too long, but still a great time and better than many.

Two - Connor's storyline resolution gets brushed off a bit too quickly & then I genuinely did not understand FMCs beef with her father. It was hinted at but never fully explained. He was written as a shrewd almost evil corporate rich man, but actually turned out to be kind of stand up guy? Was the whole gripe that he just never prioritized her and didn't want her to date her co-worker? That doesn't quite justify FMCs reaction..

Finally, three - the book needs editing. This is an arc so I won't remove a star for this, but it does.

Welcome to Vogel Springs—where the meringue is sky-high, the tractor emojis are flirty, and healing sometimes comes with a side of motor oil.

Steady Now is a sultry, soul-stirring small-town romance that simmers with longing, laughter, and second chances. When Wren Baldwin’s high-end life quite literally breaks down in the form of a Maserati on the fritz, she finds herself stuck in a dusty Texas town—and in the path of one very complicated, very irresistible mechanic.

Hudson Bass is gruff, guarded, and grappling with a storm of legal and emotional baggage. Fixing cars is easy. Fixing his heart? Not so much. But Wren—sharp, hurting, running—upends his hard-earned isolation in all the best and worst ways.

Liberty Stowe has a gift for writing chemistry that crackles. The banter is playful and whip-smart, and the tension between Wren and Hud is downright combustible. But it’s the emotional depth that elevates this book—grief, guilt, and the quiet ache of wanting something that feels just out of reach. Both characters are a little broken, but Stowe never treats them like they need saving—just someone to see them clearly.

With a rich cast of small-town characters (including the flirtiest group chat ever), vivid sensory details (bacon! meringue! engine grease!), and a love story that earns every sigh and swoon, Steady Now is a low-key banger of a romance—equal parts sexy and sincere.

If you love forced proximity, big-hearted small towns, and grumpy-meets-glam sparks that fly from the first chapter, park your heart right here.

Wren’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere (aka Vogel Springs) and luckily for her, Hud’s auto shop is the only garage around. As Wren comes to terms with being stuck in Vogel Springs, she starts to learn more about the town and the townsfolk and decides to make Vogel Springs her new home.

The story progresses relatively fast, but the backstories never fully develop. Hud’s disparaging remarks about his ex (although may be well deserved? tbd?) left a bad taste in my mouth and brought this book down a notch for me.

I saw that the blurb said small town romance and clicked immediately. The beginning had me worried because I was not connecting with Wren at all but as she assimilated to Vogel Springs, I started to understand her. The plot gave major Things We Never Got Over vibes with a small town, grumpy/sunshine, found family, and criminal subplot. It might have started slow, but I just wanted the second half of the book to keep going. I would definitely return to Vogel Springs in the future if we ever got a sequel.

Despite starting with a bang, it took a long time to build, and then the ending felt rushed, with everything happening in the last few chapters.

Thank you to NetGalley and RupertBossier for the electronic Advanced Reader Copy, and for WeAreBookish (and NetGalley) for running Camp NetGalley this year.

My Camp NetGalley selection

Hud & Wren

Felt like a slow burn for things to start happening but in a good way. The story could've been way quicker with what was happening.
Car breaks down, hot mechanic , couple of days to get parts and no where to stay in the small town.

But there was s0 much more happening in the background and when they finally let go it felt like in a way a relief. I liked the introduction into the best friends and that they played a vital part in the story as well. The small town feeling and the people around them felt real as well.

I quite enjoyed the story.

Thank you NetGalley & RupertBossier for this arc read.

I enjoyed reading Steady Now by Liberty Stowe. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

I love small town romances and this did not disappoint! I loved how much charm there was in a slow-burn romance and i cannot wait to read more from this author!

Fantastic read!

I got so caught up in this book and couldn't put it down. I got lost in the tiny town Of Vogel Springs and the cast of characters that live there. This story follows Wren and Hudson (Hud) in a small town rich girl local boy will they wont they romance. The support cast of characters are memorable and I would love to see their stories as well. There is a hint of spice, if you are ok with some open door then this will be a great read for you. If you are more of a keep this type of scene off the page then you may want to skip it. I thought it was tastefully done and just the right amount. There were twists and turns that I certainly didn't see coming which drew me in and certainly made me stay up too late because I got so immersed

Arc review
Title: Steady Now
Author: Liberty Stowe
Publisher: RupertBossier
Publication date: 1 August 2025

When Wren’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Vogel Springs, Texas, she meets Hud, a single dad and the only mechanic in town. He has a fixer mentality but ironically can’t seem to fix himself. What follows is a story about two people falling in love while navigating the complexities of adulthood: land lawsuits, child custody battles, and emotional baggage.

The premise pulled me in right away, it was engaging and had a lot of potential. There’s some light flirtation between the two leads, all set against the charming backdrop of a small town that felt warm, cozy, and alive through Wren’s perspective. I really enjoyed the depth added by their individual stories, which gave more dimension to both characters.

That said, I feel like the book tried to do too much at once and lost focus along the way. The romance didn’t quite land for me. There were cute, sweet, and even steamy moments, but stepping back, it felt like Wren and Hud barely knew each other. Their emotional connection didn’t have enough time to fully develop, and what we got felt like insta-love, which isn’t really my thing.

After about 50% into the story, their interactions became minimal as each dealt with their own struggles (especially Hud). I thought the pause in their romance would allow for more natural development, but instead, several chapters passed with little to no interaction between them. Hud’s early protectiveness felt unjustified and, at times, possessive. While he clearly cared for Wren, his actions were often self-centered. The miscommunication between them was frustrating. Just talk to each other! You’re adults. Don’t make assumptions and decisions in your head without even having a conversation.

We also didn’t get enough meaningful insight into Wren’s life before she ran away, and what little we got felt shallow. In contrast, Hud’s backstory was more developed, but the way it wrapped up felt rushed.

And one final note: if Wren, a grown woman, calls her estranged father “daddy” one more time, I will gladly sell my soul to Matilda.

Overall, this is a decent debut. I enjoyed it for what it was: a feel-good and funny novel with cozy vibes and heavier themes sprinkled in. I especially appreciated that it wasn’t just a fluffy romance, instead it touched on real-life issues. I just wish that everything had been more balanced.
This debut has its rough edges, but I'm excited to see Liberty Stowe evolve as an author.

This was a cute and wholesome small town romance. I enjoyed the themes and plot and enjoyed the character growth throughout the book.

Liberty Stowe's "Steady Now" isn't just a book; it's an experience. From the very first page, I was completely swept away, finding myself utterly incapable of putting it down. This is, without a doubt, a genuine page-turner that will keep you engrossed until the final, satisfying word.
Stowe masterfully crafts a narrative that is both deeply moving and incredibly compelling. The characters feel real, complex, and utterly relatable, drawing you into their lives and making you genuinely care about their journeys. You'll root for them, hurt with them, and celebrate their triumphs as if they were your own. The emotional depth woven throughout the story is remarkable, exploring themes of resilience, connection, and the quiet strength found in everyday moments.
The pacing is impeccable, building suspense and emotion with skillful precision. Just when you think you have things figured out, Stowe introduces a twist or a revelation that keeps you turning the pages. The writing itself is beautiful – evocative, sharp, and perfectly attuned to the emotional landscape of the story.
"Steady Now" is more than just a captivating read; it's a testament to the power of human spirit and the profound impact of steady, unwavering support. It's a book that resonates long after you've turned the last page, leaving you with a sense of hope and a renewed appreciation for the quiet heroes in our lives.
If you're looking for a book that will hook you from the start and refuse to let go, one that delivers an emotional punch while remaining utterly uplifting, then "Steady Now" is an absolute must-read. Prepare to clear your schedule, because once you begin, you won't want to stop.
I want to thank the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was an easy read and perfect for summer. I would have like to have found out more about the story line. It goes very slow in parts of each chapter. I would not recommend to most friends but have some that would like this kind of easy breezy read I will share the book. I won't post a review socially because of the reasons above. If large parts of some Chapters were removed and the story more involved this book would be 5 stars.

I had the chance to read Steady Now early as part of Camp NetGalley 2025 in exchange for my honest review!

I wasn’t expecting this book to be so spicy but wow, it did not hold back. 🔥
Steady Now is one of those slow-burn small town romances where the chemistry is immediate, but the emotional intimacy takes its time. With Wren and Hudson, you know they were made for each other way before they ever do!

We’ve got “rich girl stumbles into nowhere town” energy, paired with “mysterious hot guy with a past,” and honestly? I was hooked. I finished it within 24 hours! The romance felt believable, the spice was surprisingly bold, and there was a nice balance of emotional growth from both characters that made the story feel more grounded.

It wasn’t a life-changing read, but it was a really solid one, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something cozy, romantic, and a little bit steamy!

Steady Now is a sweet and charming small-town romance that plays out like a cozy Hallmark movie—in the best way possible. The story follows a high-powered city lawyer who finds herself in a quiet town full of secrets, unexpected challenges, and one irresistible mechanic.

Though the storyline follows a familiar arc, it’s comforting rather than cliché. The characters are likable, the romance has just enough tension to keep the pages turning, and the small-town setting is easy to fall into.

This was a fun, heartwarming read that worked perfectly as a palate cleanser between heavier books. If you’re looking for a low-angst, feel-good romance with a touch of drama, Steady Now delivers.

Small town steamy romance. Wren and Hudson can’t be more different. Their background has nothing in common but their connection is powerfully. Stranded in Vogel Spring with her masseratti, Hudson is the only one mechanic who can repair it. But can he repair more than her car? Will he let her help him with the problems he is facing? The side characters are to die for. Thanks to a NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review..