the book started very promising + i loveeed the main characters’ chemistry. their one night stand and break up after was so attention grabbing and i enjoyed seeing mmc fighting for fmc.

but…. after 60% the book, it became too repetitive and therefore boring. the main couple got together, out of nowhere, and now they moved to the background. they had no development in their characters or relationships. both became very blunt and emotionless. the writing was also not the best.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

So I was drawn in by the cover of this book actually and very excited to be accepted for the ARC. I also realised this was the third in the Naked Moose series.

This is Gunner and Aubrey’s story, I really enjoyed it. It was nice to see Aubrey thaw and the second chance develop. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous book, I think Aubrey was quite cold at points and I felt it was a little slow paced in the middle. I would have liked more moments between Aubrey and Gunner.

Still an enjoyable cowboy romance - I do love the Naked Moose and the stories being centred around the bar rather than a ranch. I’m also here for the support Aubrey gets from her girls - such an important thing to represent!

I also read this in one day, really easy to read.

Thank you for this ARC and I will definitely read more from Stacey!

The Rebel with Broken Strings
By Stacey Kennedy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I devoured this book like a slice of warm pie after a long day on the ranch. I mean—cowboys, romance, redemption? Yes, please! 🤠💕

Though it’s the third book in the series, it reads perfectly fine as a standalone (I jumped in without reading the first two and had no trouble keeping up). This is a heartfelt, emotional story about second chances, healing from addiction, and finding love in the unlikeliest of places.

Gunner—a soulful musician, rugged cowboy, and recovering addict—completely stole my heart. Aubrey, a strong-willed chef with her own heavy baggage, was equally compelling. Together?

Their chemistry felt real and raw, with enough tension and tenderness to keep the pages turning late into the night.
The friendships and side relationships added warmth to the story.
I could honestly see this book playing out on screen—the scenery, the slow-burn romance, the music... it all screams for a cozy, binge-worthy movie or TV series.
If you’re into cowboy charm, and stories that leave your heart a little fuller, this one’s a must-read.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance for the ARC.
This comes out November 25, 2025,

This steamy second-chance romance follows self-proclaimed good girl Aubrey Hale, who's traded her big-city dreams for small-town Montana life and is pretending she's never met the devastatingly sexy country star Gunner Woods when he unexpectedly arrives in Timber Falls. After swearing off men with her friends, Aubrey refuses to acknowledge their scorching one-night stand, leaving Gunner confused by her cold shoulder treatment and wondering what happened to the carefree woman he remembers. Both nursing wounds from recent failures - her abandoned city life and his flopped record launch - they could find solace in each other if Aubrey would stop acting like he's a complete stranger, but she's determined to keep her guard up even as the sparks between them threaten to combust. This contemporary romance explores whether you can chase separate dreams without losing everything, proving that sometimes the past shows up exactly when you need it most, even if you're not ready to admit it.

This really wasn’t for me (but some people will enjoy it!!)

It was really over explained and clinical without also explaining anything at all

I had to DNF as I found the writing really hard to read (it almost read like AI) - the time jump with zero explanation to the present was really jarring and overall just didn’t flow right with me!

Stacey Kennedy delivers a fun, flirty, and emotional western romance in The Rebel with Broken Strings. Set against the backdrop of country music and small-town charm, this story blends the grit of a cowboy romance with the passion and spice Kennedy is known for.

The characters had great chemistry right from the start. I really enjoyed the tension between them—the mix of attraction, vulnerability, and those moments of playful banter. The country music element added a unique and engaging layer to the story, making it feel fresh compared to other cowboy romances.

This is definitely on the spicier side, with plenty of steam balanced by heartwarming emotional beats. I also appreciated that the book explored deeper themes of identity, redemption, and following your true passions, which gave the romance more weight.

While there were a few moments where the pacing slowed a bit, overall, I found myself hooked and invested in the journey. Stacey Kennedy fans will love this, and readers looking for a western romance that’s sexy, emotional, and entertaining should definitely pick it up.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a gut wrenching romance about second chances. The characters were well written and the storyline was believable. I will absolutely read the previous two books from this series. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC, I enjoyed it thoroughly

Loved the second chance romance!!
This is the third book in the series it was very fast paced.
For such a short story a lot was going on which had me enjoying it but I think we need more to the story it was to short to be honest would have liked to see more of the Mmc and how he over come his addiction. But loved the friendship and relationship in the group want to read the other books.
Overall it was a good book just need to be longer 🥰

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. I had trouble connecting with the characters and really struggled to get into the storyline.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴋᴇᴅ ᴍᴏᴏsᴇ sᴇʀɪᴇs
⇢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ ɪɴ ʙʟᴜᴇ ᴊᴇᴀɴs


This book was heartwarming, also gut wrenching at times too. it’s a heartfelt country romance. it all came together with another chance and a redemption arc for him. He is a country star, who blew up his whole life helping a friend. one of the things he lost was the girl he was in love with, Aubrey. i’m so glad i was able to get this ARC. it truly means everything.

this book was more like a 3.5 for me. It wasn't bad, and I was expecting a bit more drama from the story to be honest. However it was giving hallmark movie vibes so I still had a good time. I just wish the trauma between the two MC was a little more deep, I would've loved to see a bit more groveling, and the "third act drama" felt weak to me. I love a good messy storyline if there's gonna be any issues around that 70% mark

Book 3 in the Naked Moose Series.

Thank you to Netgally for the ARC.

Can be read as a standalone, but you'll get so much more out of this series if read together.

The title really does hit the mark, this book has some raw emotion, Gunner and Aubreys story hits on addiction, abandonment, sexual assault but friendship, dreaming big in a town that has your back can make anything possible.

The naked moose is still rocking and those cocktails sound delicious, throw in a few hot cowboys what more could you want? of course a cowboy that can play guitar and sing his heart out!

This is the 3rd book in the series and I absolutely fell in love with it and I can’t wait to read the 1st and 2nd as I didn’t read them before but I can’t wait to go back in time and read them

Gunner Woods, exestrella de la música country y chico rebelde caído en desgracia, regresa a Timber Falls intentando reconstruir su vida lejos de las adicciones que casi lo destruyen. Allí se reencuentra con Aubrey Hale, la mujer con la que compartió una intensa semana dos años atrás y a quien abandonó sin explicación. Aubrey, marcada por un pasado de abandono y abuso laboral, ha levantado muros para protegerse y jura no volver a caer en las redes de Gunner. Sin embargo, la convivencia en su pequeño pueblo, un programa musical comunitario y la boda de unos amigos en común, los obligarán a enfrentarse a la verdad de lo que sienten, sus heridas y si están dispuestos a arriesgarlo todo por una segunda oportunidad.

Reseña:
Stacey Kennedy construye una historia donde el romance va de la mano con el proceso de sanar: Gunner, intentando demostrar que es un hombre nuevo, y Aubrey, luchando contra el miedo a volver a ser herida.

Es una lectura entretenida, ligera, sin dramas de otras mujeres u otros hombres y se lee en una sentada.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

this was a strong third entry in the Naked Moose series, it had that element that I enjoyed from the previous two books. The overall feel was everything that I enjoyed and continued to feel like it was supposed to in this world. The characters were so well written and enjoyed how realistic it was and was hooked from start to finish. Stacey Kennedy has a strong writing style and was invested from the Western romance concept in this book.

This is a book of second chances, redemption and heartbreak.
well, this was the third book in a series. It is the first one I have read and I totally devoured this book and I cannot wait because I’m going to go back in time and read books one and two!

A lovely heartfelt country romance.

Gunner has a troubled past, but the fact that his initial interaction with Aubrey sparks his recovery is an incredible opening to the story. Seeing Aubrey navigate her abandonment hang ups to allow herself to open up to Gunner is just beautiful.

This was a quick, cozy read with very little angst. A romance between a big country star facing his demons and a city chef finding herself. The setting felt familiar, almost like a Hallmark movie.

It would have been great to have a little more build up to their love story, as some parts felt glossed over or sped up.

My first time reading this author.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
#TheRebelwithBrokenStrings #Netgalley

A great second chance romance that's full of emotion and yearning.

The MMC here is a famous singer recovering from addiction. I thought Gunner's story arc was emotional and a beautiful tale of redemption. Aubrey has been through a lot and is finally in a good place in her life at the Naked Moose. When Gunner re-enters her life she has to decide whether he's truly a changed man or if she should kick him to the curb. The romance here is really moving since both characters have an undeniable connection but a lot of hurt stands between them. I thought the romance was believable and incredibly sweet. The yearning and angst here will make your heart ache.

Love the title for this one. It's very fitting and catchy.

Would recommend.

I devoured this story in one sitting. Talk about a second chance love with a cowboy singer who is healing from addiction. It was emotional and, most of all, full of hope and yearning. I love when hearts get another chance to connect with the heart that it once had stopped for, that it broke, it melted, and grew stronger. It was sweet as sugar with a bun of spice.