The cowboy I swore I’d never want again just walked back into my life, and resisting him might be the hardest thing I have ever done.

Brooks McCallister walks back into the small town of Riverbend, Texas, looking unfairly hot just like when he shattered me years ago.  One look and my body betrays every boundary I ever built.  I tell myself I’m fine. I tell myself I’m past all of it.

Then a McCallister ranch emergency forces us together, pressed close in the heat and dust, his breath warm against my skin.

The tension between us hits hard.  His eyes linger.  My pulse kicks.  Memories spark to life like they were waiting for this moment.

I should walk away before I repeat history. Instead, I keep letting him in.  My son Wyatt invites him to dinner. Afterward, with bedtime stories done, the night turns steamy.  I end up with two pink lines and a cowboy I swore I would never want again.

Now I am staring down the one truth I never wanted to face.  If he leaves a second time, he won’t just break my heart. He will break me and everything I’ve rebuilt.

Titles in The McCallister Ranch series include:  Brooks — Back in the Saddle ~ 

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Brooks — Back in the Saddle
Series:  The McCallister Ranch #1
Author:  Olivia Kay
Published:  March 12, 2026
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Brooks — Back in the Saddle begins The McCallister Ranch series with an emotional story of finally facing one’s past, finding redemption for the choices made, and, hopefully, forgiveness from those who have been hurt the most yet are also the most important people in one’s life.  Hard choices.  That’s what Brooks is facing as he returns home following his father’s death.  He’d never intended to return; the final argument with his father still lingers in his mind, as well as regret over those he left behind years ago.  Years ago, he’d made hard choices, some that he’s beginning to regret now.  His father’s will is about to bring brothers back into each other’s lives, as well as a past love and her son.  The choices that Brooks makes now, in the present, will lead to his future… and storming away again is not an option.

I enjoyed Brooks — Back in the Saddle so much.  Summer, the woman Brooks walked away from years ago, also has some hard choices to make.  Mainly, whether to ignore the feelings that are just as strong as ever for this annoying cowboy.  That her son, Wyatt, adores the man adds to the complications.  Their story is strong, showing the results of their choices, finding a peace that once felt impossible, and coming to terms with the past to move toward the future.  Summer and Brooks’s journey is well-written, emotional, and passionate, and it touches on so many aspects of life that we often push to the back of our minds… but those thoughts never really leave us until they’re resolved.  Brooks — Back in the Saddle shows the truth of that.

While there were, admittedly, some sub-storyline threads that were left dangling… that never surprises me in a series where those answers will most likely be addressed in future stories.  It’s just an indicator to me that there is more good stuff to come.  If this sounds like your kind of Modern Western Romance, then you’ll love Brooks and Summer’s romance.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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