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Sable Sky #1
Dust and Desire
One bronc ride to save his ranch. One fake wife to save his heart.
Landry
I’m back on the bronc circuit for one the prize money that’ll keep the ranch from foreclosure and my six-year-old daughter Sadie out of her grandparents’ custody. The same ranch I bled dry fighting my wife’s cancer. Then Quinn Farley shows up—24, city-sharp, camera rolling for her documentary “The Comeback Rider.” She wins Sadie over in minutes and starts cracking the walls I’ve kept up for years.
Desperate, I offer her a fake-marry me for the courts, get the raw footage you need. No feelings. No strings.
Except every morning she’s on my porch with coffee, every night Sadie begs for “Quinn stories,” and every brush of her hand sets me on fire. I’m falling hard—and terrified I’ll lose her the second she sees how broken I still am.
Quinn
I came for the story of a comeback legend, and to rebuild myself and my worth. I never expected to fall for the quiet, scarred cowboy or his little girl, and I certainly never expected him to look at me like I’m the first person in years who really sees him.
When Landry proposes a marriage of convenience to protect Sadie and the ranch, I say yes for the film… and maybe to see if the chemistry between us will last.
Fake vows turn real fast. Ranch chores become excuses to touch. Training sessions turn into foreplay. Nights in his bed burn hotter than any arena.
Until his buried secrets and my own scars explode right before his make-or-break ride, and I walk away thinking it was all just a convenient deal for him.
Was it?
Landry
I’m back on the bronc circuit for one the prize money that’ll keep the ranch from foreclosure and my six-year-old daughter Sadie out of her grandparents’ custody. The same ranch I bled dry fighting my wife’s cancer. Then Quinn Farley shows up—24, city-sharp, camera rolling for her documentary “The Comeback Rider.” She wins Sadie over in minutes and starts cracking the walls I’ve kept up for years.
Desperate, I offer her a fake-marry me for the courts, get the raw footage you need. No feelings. No strings.
Except every morning she’s on my porch with coffee, every night Sadie begs for “Quinn stories,” and every brush of her hand sets me on fire. I’m falling hard—and terrified I’ll lose her the second she sees how broken I still am.
Quinn
I came for the story of a comeback legend, and to rebuild myself and my worth. I never expected to fall for the quiet, scarred cowboy or his little girl, and I certainly never expected him to look at me like I’m the first person in years who really sees him.
When Landry proposes a marriage of convenience to protect Sadie and the ranch, I say yes for the film… and maybe to see if the chemistry between us will last.
Fake vows turn real fast. Ranch chores become excuses to touch. Training sessions turn into foreplay. Nights in his bed burn hotter than any arena.
Until his buried secrets and my own scars explode right before his make-or-break ride, and I walk away thinking it was all just a convenient deal for him.
Was it?
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Daisy Jane
52 books1,374 followersDaisy Jane is a forbidden love romance author, inspired by VC Andrews and more . When she's not penning a hot age gap novel or dreaming up steamy stories, she's enjoying the sunshine and warmth at her home in California. She enjoys reading, true crime, exercise and, of course, romance.
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Connect with Daisy!
WEBSITE: DaisyJane.com
NEWSLETTER: Newsletter Sign Up
FACEBOOK: Daisy on FB
INSTAGRAM: Daisy on IG
PINTEREST: Daisy on Pinterest
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
June 1, 2026
I don’t even know where to start because this book had me emotional before I was even properly settled into the story. Like… five chapters in and I was already trying not to cry. 😭
There was something so warm and homey about Sable Sky and the way everyone looked after one another. It felt like a community in the truest sense of the word.
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ꜱᴏᴍᴇʙᴏᴅʏ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ” x ᴋᴇɪᴛʜ ᴜʀʙᴀɴ
0:46 ─♥───────── 5:23
First off Mabel 😂
That woman was operating as cupid fulltime and I loved every second of it. Every time she showed up with her little meddling schemes, I found myself smiling. She was ridiculous in the best possible way.
Then there’s Landry. Oh Landry 😭😭
My heart absolutely shattered for this man. Everything he does revolves around Sadie. Every choice he makes, every sacrifice, every impossible decision comes back to what will give her the best life possible. Watching him constantly put himself last because her happiness matters more than his own was so hard to read.
This quote completely sums him up.
He’s carrying so much grief and guilt, yet he still gets up every day and keeps pushing forward for his daughter. (and the fact that he does Sadie’s hair every morning?🥺🥹)
The fact that he was willing to do absolutely anything to keep her safe and happy? I was done for. Completely done for.
What got me most, though, was how lost he seemed when it came to the idea of being loved again. He’d spent so many years grieving and surviving that he genuinely didn’t know what to do when someone started caring for him. There was such an honesty and vulnerability to him that made me love him even more 🥹🫶🏼
And sweet Sadie
She was such a kind little soul. My heart broke for her multiple times throughout this book because she understood so much more than a child her age should have to. She saw her dad struggling and instead of being angry or resentful, she constantly reminded him that he was doing his best. 🥺🥺🥺
Then we have Quinn
I’ll admit I was a little unsure about her at first because of her reasons for coming to town. But the more time she spent there, the more I loved her. What really won me over was seeing how quickly she realized these weren’t just people she was documenting. They were real people with real struggles and stories that deserved respect. She fell in love with the town, the people, and especially Landry, and honestly I couldn’t blame her.
It made me so happy for Landry because he deserved something good. I know some readers might think his attraction to Quinn happened quickly, but for me it worked. This is a man who spent six years grieving, not living. Six years putting every piece of himself into surviving and taking care of his daughter. Sometimes when you know, you know, and that’s exactly how this felt. 🙂↕️😌
What I loved most about their relationship was how they slowly taught each other how to love and be loved again. Quinn helped Landry see that he wasn’t a failure. That tragedy doesn’t define a person. That sometimes terrible things happen and it doesn’t mean you’re broken or unworthy.
I will say one thing that didn’t completely work for me was the way some of the spice was initially introduced. It felt a little disconnected from the emotional tone the story had built up beforehand. Personally, I’m just not a huge fan of that particular dynamic, and it felt a little out of place compared to how sweet and emotional the rest of their relationship was. That said, it definitely wasn’t enough to ruin the story for me.
Although I will say I was genuinely shocked by how filthy Landry’s mouth was once things got going because that sweet hardworking cowboy had me fooled. 😭
By the end seeing Landry's POV on Quinn made my heart flutter so much.
I was so happy that he found love again 🥹🥹🥹
Overall, I really loved this one. The beginning, when they were first falling for each other, was probably my favorite part, but the entire story was filled with so much heart. It’s a story about community, healing, family, and learning that even after the worst moments of your life, you’re still allowed to find happiness again.
things to know about the book ↓
🤠 single dad
🤠 marriage of convenience
🤠 cowboy romance
🤠 bronc rider MMC
🤠 small town
🤠 grumpy x sunshine
🤠 age gap
🤠 dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
chapters: 14, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31, 36, epilogue
swearing: yes
Thank you Smuthood & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 📷 🐓💓 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
tbh this blurb has me so excited 🤭 im ready for some emotional healing... + it's in Texas?? My home state??? giddy up cowboys 🤠
There was something so warm and homey about Sable Sky and the way everyone looked after one another. It felt like a community in the truest sense of the word.
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ꜱᴏᴍᴇʙᴏᴅʏ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ” x ᴋᴇɪᴛʜ ᴜʀʙᴀɴ
0:46 ─♥───────── 5:23
First off Mabel 😂
That woman was operating as cupid fulltime and I loved every second of it. Every time she showed up with her little meddling schemes, I found myself smiling. She was ridiculous in the best possible way.
Then there’s Landry. Oh Landry 😭😭
My heart absolutely shattered for this man. Everything he does revolves around Sadie. Every choice he makes, every sacrifice, every impossible decision comes back to what will give her the best life possible. Watching him constantly put himself last because her happiness matters more than his own was so hard to read.
“But I’m a parent, and what I want is meaningless compared to what she needs, what’s best for her.”
This quote completely sums him up.
He’s carrying so much grief and guilt, yet he still gets up every day and keeps pushing forward for his daughter. (and the fact that he does Sadie’s hair every morning?🥺🥹)
The fact that he was willing to do absolutely anything to keep her safe and happy? I was done for. Completely done for.
What got me most, though, was how lost he seemed when it came to the idea of being loved again. He’d spent so many years grieving and surviving that he genuinely didn’t know what to do when someone started caring for him. There was such an honesty and vulnerability to him that made me love him even more 🥹🫶🏼
And sweet Sadie
She was such a kind little soul. My heart broke for her multiple times throughout this book because she understood so much more than a child her age should have to. She saw her dad struggling and instead of being angry or resentful, she constantly reminded him that he was doing his best. 🥺🥺🥺
Then we have Quinn
I’ll admit I was a little unsure about her at first because of her reasons for coming to town. But the more time she spent there, the more I loved her. What really won me over was seeing how quickly she realized these weren’t just people she was documenting. They were real people with real struggles and stories that deserved respect. She fell in love with the town, the people, and especially Landry, and honestly I couldn’t blame her.
It made me so happy for Landry because he deserved something good. I know some readers might think his attraction to Quinn happened quickly, but for me it worked. This is a man who spent six years grieving, not living. Six years putting every piece of himself into surviving and taking care of his daughter. Sometimes when you know, you know, and that’s exactly how this felt. 🙂↕️😌
What I loved most about their relationship was how they slowly taught each other how to love and be loved again. Quinn helped Landry see that he wasn’t a failure. That tragedy doesn’t define a person. That sometimes terrible things happen and it doesn’t mean you’re broken or unworthy.
I will say one thing that didn’t completely work for me was the way some of the spice was initially introduced. It felt a little disconnected from the emotional tone the story had built up beforehand. Personally, I’m just not a huge fan of that particular dynamic, and it felt a little out of place compared to how sweet and emotional the rest of their relationship was. That said, it definitely wasn’t enough to ruin the story for me.
Although I will say I was genuinely shocked by how filthy Landry’s mouth was once things got going because that sweet hardworking cowboy had me fooled. 😭
By the end seeing Landry's POV on Quinn made my heart flutter so much.
"Today I’m not just marrying the woman who made my world make sense, I’m promising you every beat of my heart, every sunrise, and every single day after. You’re my forever, darlin’.”
I was so happy that he found love again 🥹🥹🥹
Overall, I really loved this one. The beginning, when they were first falling for each other, was probably my favorite part, but the entire story was filled with so much heart. It’s a story about community, healing, family, and learning that even after the worst moments of your life, you’re still allowed to find happiness again.
things to know about the book ↓
🤠 single dad
🤠 marriage of convenience
🤠 cowboy romance
🤠 bronc rider MMC
🤠 small town
🤠 grumpy x sunshine
🤠 age gap
🤠 dual POV
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
chapters: 14, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31, 36, epilogue
swearing: yes
Thank you Smuthood & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 📷 🐓💓 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
tbh this blurb has me so excited 🤭 im ready for some emotional healing... + it's in Texas?? My home state??? giddy up cowboys 🤠
May 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
*rounded up
This was my first book by Daisy Jane, and oh my lord… I loved this book so much.
The yearning between these two from the very beginning was absolutely palpable. The tension? INSANE. The spice? Completely on fire. Every moment between them had me kicking my feet and needing more.
But beyond the chemistry, the storyline itself was so well done. I loved the small-town atmosphere and how the entire community felt full of love and support. And don’t even get me started on the adorable little girl who completely stole my heart.
If you’re looking for a small-town bronc rider romance with a single dad, this one is absolutely perfect.
Watching both characters learn how to love again was honestly beautiful. He’s still grieving the loss of his wife after years together, while she’s trying to heal after being betrayed by the man she thought she’d spend forever with. They both carry so much hurt, and seeing them slowly grow together and work through it all was so emotional and rewarding.
I cannot wait for book two in this series!
*rounded up
This was my first book by Daisy Jane, and oh my lord… I loved this book so much.
The yearning between these two from the very beginning was absolutely palpable. The tension? INSANE. The spice? Completely on fire. Every moment between them had me kicking my feet and needing more.
But beyond the chemistry, the storyline itself was so well done. I loved the small-town atmosphere and how the entire community felt full of love and support. And don’t even get me started on the adorable little girl who completely stole my heart.
If you’re looking for a small-town bronc rider romance with a single dad, this one is absolutely perfect.
Watching both characters learn how to love again was honestly beautiful. He’s still grieving the loss of his wife after years together, while she’s trying to heal after being betrayed by the man she thought she’d spend forever with. They both carry so much hurt, and seeing them slowly grow together and work through it all was so emotional and rewarding.
I cannot wait for book two in this series!
May 29, 2026
4.5🌟, 3🌶️
I fell so hard for this messy, tender, and surprisingly sweet love story.
What began as a chaotic fake-marriage arrangement slowly turned into something surprisingly tender and genuine. I loved Quinn’s confident, take-charge personality paired with Landry’s softer, broken side, and watching them help each other work through old heartbreaks made their relationship feel so real.
Sable Sky was the perfect backdrop for this story. The small-town atmosphere felt cozy without overpowering the romance, and I absolutely adored the little family they built together. Landry’s daughter, Sadie, completely stole the show for me, and every scene with her added so much heart. The way these characters slowly found comfort and happiness together felt natural and earned.
This book balanced steam and sweetness so well that I never wanted to put it down. It had just the right amount of tension, warmth, and hope, all wrapped up in a romance that completely swept me away.
This was the kind of romance that leaves a lasting impression.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Daisy Jane & The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I fell so hard for this messy, tender, and surprisingly sweet love story.
What began as a chaotic fake-marriage arrangement slowly turned into something surprisingly tender and genuine. I loved Quinn’s confident, take-charge personality paired with Landry’s softer, broken side, and watching them help each other work through old heartbreaks made their relationship feel so real.
Sable Sky was the perfect backdrop for this story. The small-town atmosphere felt cozy without overpowering the romance, and I absolutely adored the little family they built together. Landry’s daughter, Sadie, completely stole the show for me, and every scene with her added so much heart. The way these characters slowly found comfort and happiness together felt natural and earned.
This book balanced steam and sweetness so well that I never wanted to put it down. It had just the right amount of tension, warmth, and hope, all wrapped up in a romance that completely swept me away.
This was the kind of romance that leaves a lasting impression.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Daisy Jane & The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
May 24, 2026
Review of advanced copy
4.5* rounded up.
I’m obsessed with Quinn and Landry. Also, Sadie was the cutest!
I really loved the setting of Sable Sky and the small town community here. That was such a great aspect of this story.
The TENSION and ANGST between Quinn and Landry 🔥🔥. I was kicking my feet so much reading this book with these two.
This was such a heartwarming story of finding love after loss and I loved every minutes. Daisy Jane handled it so well.
Sadie was probably my favorite child I’ve read in a single parent romance.
If you’re looking for a book with a sexy cowboy, a strong and sweet fmc, and high stakes, then you should read this book!
June 2, 2026
4 ⭐️
4 🌶️
🌟ARC Read🌟
Landry lost his wife when Sadie was still young. After years of medical treatments and expenses, he is raising his daughter alone while running his ranch. He used to be a famous bull rider, but he believes that chapter of his life is behind him. Until he signs up for one last comeback.
Quinn is a filmmaker from San Francisco. Her boss sends her to Texas to film a documentary about the famous bull rider Landry Vaughn, now known as The Comeback Rider.
I am always here for a grumpy cowboy and a city girl in sparkly pink cowboy boots.
The attraction between them is immediate, but what I loved most was watching Landry slowly open up to Quinn. She also develops such a sweet relationship with Sadie, which made me love her even more.
Things get complicated when Landry is served custody papers from his late wife’s parents. They have never liked him, barely have a relationship with Sadie, and suddenly want custody. They are rich, entitled, and honestly infuriating.
Tate, Landry’s best friend, suggests a marriage of convenience to show he can provide a stable home. Quinn agrees since it gives her full access for her documentary.
But Quinn has one additional request. She wants free use of Landry whenever she wants. That was definitely a new one for me, and surprisingly, I loved it.
The chemistry between these two was fantastic. They fit together so naturally, and I loved how fiercely they cared for and protected each other.
My only real complaint was the third act breakup. I rarely enjoy them, and this one felt unnecessary. I am not a fan of miscommunication, and I think the story would have been stronger without it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and had a great time with Landry and Quinn’s story.
Spicy Chapters 🔥
14
15
16
23
24
25
28
30
31
36
Epilogue
4 🌶️
🌟ARC Read🌟
Landry lost his wife when Sadie was still young. After years of medical treatments and expenses, he is raising his daughter alone while running his ranch. He used to be a famous bull rider, but he believes that chapter of his life is behind him. Until he signs up for one last comeback.
Quinn is a filmmaker from San Francisco. Her boss sends her to Texas to film a documentary about the famous bull rider Landry Vaughn, now known as The Comeback Rider.
I am always here for a grumpy cowboy and a city girl in sparkly pink cowboy boots.
The attraction between them is immediate, but what I loved most was watching Landry slowly open up to Quinn. She also develops such a sweet relationship with Sadie, which made me love her even more.
Things get complicated when Landry is served custody papers from his late wife’s parents. They have never liked him, barely have a relationship with Sadie, and suddenly want custody. They are rich, entitled, and honestly infuriating.
Tate, Landry’s best friend, suggests a marriage of convenience to show he can provide a stable home. Quinn agrees since it gives her full access for her documentary.
But Quinn has one additional request. She wants free use of Landry whenever she wants. That was definitely a new one for me, and surprisingly, I loved it.
The chemistry between these two was fantastic. They fit together so naturally, and I loved how fiercely they cared for and protected each other.
My only real complaint was the third act breakup. I rarely enjoy them, and this one felt unnecessary. I am not a fan of miscommunication, and I think the story would have been stronger without it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and had a great time with Landry and Quinn’s story.
Spicy Chapters 🔥
14
15
16
23
24
25
28
30
31
36
Epilogue
May 27, 2026
What an adorably cute and spicy cowboy romance this was 🤠🔥
I absolutely fell in love with Landry, this man was the definition of a walking green flag. He’s caring, supportive, devoted, and doing everything he can to be the best dad possible despite all the difficult things life has thrown at him.
Landry and Quinn were so damn cute together, and honestly nobody was fooled by this “fake” marriage 😂 The connection between them was obvious from the start. They supported each other so naturally, became each other’s biggest hype team, and slowly built something really beautiful together.
And Quinn falling so effortlessly into this little family with Landry and Sadie? My heart 🥹 They made the sweetest family ever.
The spice in this book was also so good 🔥 I loved that both characters took turns being dominant while still being caring, understanding, and attentive to each other’s needs. Their chemistry was absolutely top tier.
I loved this story so much 🖤
✨ What to expect:
🤠 Age Gap Romance
👨👧 Single Dad MMC
🐎 Bronc Rider MMC
🎥 Filmmaker FMC
💍 Fake Marriage
🔥 Free Use Dynamics
Spice Rating: 5/5 🌶️
I absolutely fell in love with Landry, this man was the definition of a walking green flag. He’s caring, supportive, devoted, and doing everything he can to be the best dad possible despite all the difficult things life has thrown at him.
Landry and Quinn were so damn cute together, and honestly nobody was fooled by this “fake” marriage 😂 The connection between them was obvious from the start. They supported each other so naturally, became each other’s biggest hype team, and slowly built something really beautiful together.
And Quinn falling so effortlessly into this little family with Landry and Sadie? My heart 🥹 They made the sweetest family ever.
The spice in this book was also so good 🔥 I loved that both characters took turns being dominant while still being caring, understanding, and attentive to each other’s needs. Their chemistry was absolutely top tier.
I loved this story so much 🖤
✨ What to expect:
🤠 Age Gap Romance
👨👧 Single Dad MMC
🐎 Bronc Rider MMC
🎥 Filmmaker FMC
💍 Fake Marriage
🔥 Free Use Dynamics
Spice Rating: 5/5 🌶️
May 26, 2026
Dust and Desire by Daisy Jane is an emotional cowboy romance that blends grief, healing, and found family with a slow building love story that feels incredibly heartfelt. The fake marriage trope adds just the right amount of tension, but the emotional core of the story is what really stands out.
Landry is carrying so much loss and responsibility, and watching him slowly open himself back up to connection felt genuinely moving. Quinn brings warmth and energy to the story while still dealing with her own insecurities, and together they create a relationship that feels supportive, messy, and deeply human. Their chemistry develops naturally through everyday moments, which made the romance feel even more believable.
Sadie absolutely steals scenes throughout the book and adds so much heart to the story. The family dynamic, ranch setting, and emotional vulnerability all work together to create a romance that feels comforting while still carrying emotional weight.
Landry is carrying so much loss and responsibility, and watching him slowly open himself back up to connection felt genuinely moving. Quinn brings warmth and energy to the story while still dealing with her own insecurities, and together they create a relationship that feels supportive, messy, and deeply human. Their chemistry develops naturally through everyday moments, which made the romance feel even more believable.
Sadie absolutely steals scenes throughout the book and adds so much heart to the story. The family dynamic, ranch setting, and emotional vulnerability all work together to create a romance that feels comforting while still carrying emotional weight.
June 10, 2026
Dust & Desire – Daisy Jane
Length: 450 Pages
Rating: 4.5 Stars
FMC: Quinn
MMC: Landry
Tropes:
• Age Gap
• Comeback Story
• Cowboy/City Girl
• Fake Marriage
• Forced Proximity
• Single Dad
• Smalltown
• Sports/Rodeo/Bronc Rider
• Widower
My Thoughts: Can I just say Landry’s little girl Sadie made the story so freaking cute! I love the push and pull between Quinn and Landry so much. Landry puts himself through hell to make sure he keeps custody of his little girl.
A bit about the book: Quinn is sent to film a story about a Bronc riders’ comeback after being out of the rodeo circuit for a while. Once she gets to town, she learns a little more about his situation and vows to do anything she can to help him keep his family together.
Landry feels his age every day but knows the only way to save his generational home and keep his daughter is to ride a bronc again. He’s also agreed to do a story on his life and comeback. Quinn shows up at his door with sparkly pink cowboy boots, and he doesn’t know what hit it! He soon learns that she loves his little girl as much as he does and will do anything for the both of them.
Advanced Copy Gifted By:
@smuthood and @daisyjane
Length: 450 Pages
Rating: 4.5 Stars
FMC: Quinn
MMC: Landry
Tropes:
• Age Gap
• Comeback Story
• Cowboy/City Girl
• Fake Marriage
• Forced Proximity
• Single Dad
• Smalltown
• Sports/Rodeo/Bronc Rider
• Widower
My Thoughts: Can I just say Landry’s little girl Sadie made the story so freaking cute! I love the push and pull between Quinn and Landry so much. Landry puts himself through hell to make sure he keeps custody of his little girl.
A bit about the book: Quinn is sent to film a story about a Bronc riders’ comeback after being out of the rodeo circuit for a while. Once she gets to town, she learns a little more about his situation and vows to do anything she can to help him keep his family together.
Landry feels his age every day but knows the only way to save his generational home and keep his daughter is to ride a bronc again. He’s also agreed to do a story on his life and comeback. Quinn shows up at his door with sparkly pink cowboy boots, and he doesn’t know what hit it! He soon learns that she loves his little girl as much as he does and will do anything for the both of them.
Advanced Copy Gifted By:
@smuthood and @daisyjane
June 7, 2026
Calling all buckle bunnies. Daddy Landry’s in town and man, does he deliver.
But honestly it was little momma Quinn who called for free use of her man that I enjoyed. Can’t a lady ask for what she wants? In the year of our lord 2026? Yes, she can.
All the characters in this were sweet as tea. Though I’d really have like to see more character development of some of the secondary characters. Maybe that would call for a little shorter/less of the hanky panky but honestly that’d be alright. Scenes are hot enough already.
I wanted to know more about Love (like why her name is Love…). I wanted Tate to have a conversation that was more than one paragraph. I wanted Mabel to explain what happened with her man after their sneaky love affair. And what’s happening next with her film career? Or the farm?
There were so many loose ends and not a single insight into the next book.
But honestly it was little momma Quinn who called for free use of her man that I enjoyed. Can’t a lady ask for what she wants? In the year of our lord 2026? Yes, she can.
All the characters in this were sweet as tea. Though I’d really have like to see more character development of some of the secondary characters. Maybe that would call for a little shorter/less of the hanky panky but honestly that’d be alright. Scenes are hot enough already.
I wanted to know more about Love (like why her name is Love…). I wanted Tate to have a conversation that was more than one paragraph. I wanted Mabel to explain what happened with her man after their sneaky love affair. And what’s happening next with her film career? Or the farm?
There were so many loose ends and not a single insight into the next book.
May 30, 2026
If you enjoy ranch life, age gap, a fake marriage, and a little reality TV this book is for you! Quinn is determined to make the best documentary featuring Landry as he makes his return to the rodeo. Landry is in debt and desperate to not lose his ranch. The only home his little girl, Sadie knows. When he gets served with papers informing him that his deceased wife's parents are trying to take custody of his daughter, he gets even more desperate. So desperate that he asks Quinn to marry him.
June 11, 2026
It was good! I think maybe a little long but truly it never felt boring and there was always something going on. Though his wife died, he never compared the FMC to her or anything like that which was a HUGE relief. Sadie, the little girl was the cutest and added such a big dynamic in Landry and Quinn’s relationship. All hang ups about their relationship were mental and I love that they communicated. Until the end… the miscommunication was a bit silly but overall cute read!
May 26, 2026
Love cowboys, age gap, fake relationship with a marriage of connivence? You'll love this book. Quinn is a city girl that heads to Texas to film a bronc rider's comeback. Landry is the hot single dad that's struggling to keep his ranch afloat after his wife's death. The attraction is instant with these two and while it is a slow-burn, once the spice hits you won't be disappointed!!
May 27, 2026
Thank you so much to The Smuthood and Daisy Jane for this ARC! This was my first Daisy Jane book, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Landry is a grumpy single dad and widower who would do anything to save both his daughter and his ranch. Quinn is a filmmaker documenting Landry’s comeback to bronc riding, and the chemistry between them was there from the very beginning.
Sadie was absolutely adorable and such a great addition to the story. I loved the small-town atmosphere, the found family vibes, and the close-knit friend group. Even though this started as a fake marriage, their relationship felt real almost immediately, and you could tell how completely obsessed they were with each other.
The third-act conflict definitely stressed me out a bit, and I found myself wishing Landry would just tell Quinn what was going on. I yelled at my Kindle more than once because of it.
What to expect:
✨ Age gap
✨ Single dad/widower
✨ Bronc rider x filmmaker
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨ Fake relationship
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
✨ Small-town romance
✨ Found family
✨ Hurt/comfort
✨ Size difference
✨ “My wife” energy
If you love emotional small-town romances with a grumpy cowboy who falls hard, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Landry is a grumpy single dad and widower who would do anything to save both his daughter and his ranch. Quinn is a filmmaker documenting Landry’s comeback to bronc riding, and the chemistry between them was there from the very beginning.
Sadie was absolutely adorable and such a great addition to the story. I loved the small-town atmosphere, the found family vibes, and the close-knit friend group. Even though this started as a fake marriage, their relationship felt real almost immediately, and you could tell how completely obsessed they were with each other.
The third-act conflict definitely stressed me out a bit, and I found myself wishing Landry would just tell Quinn what was going on. I yelled at my Kindle more than once because of it.
What to expect:
✨ Age gap
✨ Single dad/widower
✨ Bronc rider x filmmaker
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨ Fake relationship
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
✨ Small-town romance
✨ Found family
✨ Hurt/comfort
✨ Size difference
✨ “My wife” energy
If you love emotional small-town romances with a grumpy cowboy who falls hard, this one is definitely worth picking up.
May 27, 2026
Wow. Just… wow.
Dust and Desire was beautiful, sweet, and completely wrecked me in the best way. This story pulled at my heartstrings from page one and didn’t let go.
Landry and Quinn’s chemistry is off the charts. What starts as a fake marriage for the ranch and the documentary turns into something so real, so tender, and yeah… spicy. The yearning between them is palpable, and when those two finally give in? The flames. Woah. I’m still fanning myself.
Beyond the heat, I’m in awe of how well this was written. The bond with little Sadie adds so much heart, and watching Landry and Quinn slowly let their walls down for each other felt genuine and earned. It’s emotional, hopeful, and satisfying in every way.
If you love small-town cowboys, fake dating that turns real fast, and a romance that’s both swoony and steamy, this is everything and more. I’m still not over them.
Definitely adding this to my favorites.
Dust and Desire was beautiful, sweet, and completely wrecked me in the best way. This story pulled at my heartstrings from page one and didn’t let go.
Landry and Quinn’s chemistry is off the charts. What starts as a fake marriage for the ranch and the documentary turns into something so real, so tender, and yeah… spicy. The yearning between them is palpable, and when those two finally give in? The flames. Woah. I’m still fanning myself.
Beyond the heat, I’m in awe of how well this was written. The bond with little Sadie adds so much heart, and watching Landry and Quinn slowly let their walls down for each other felt genuine and earned. It’s emotional, hopeful, and satisfying in every way.
If you love small-town cowboys, fake dating that turns real fast, and a romance that’s both swoony and steamy, this is everything and more. I’m still not over them.
Definitely adding this to my favorites.
June 3, 2026
Enjoyed this read so much. I loved the ranch element and the marriage of convenience. I loved Sadie so much in the entire book. The heartbreaking story of Landry held my heart through the entire book. I loved watching Quinn and Landry fall in love over time and I enjoyed all the friendships, spice, miscommunication, betrayals, heartaches and so much more with this book. The ending was so happy and teary filled
May 30, 2026
Thank you so much to Daisy Jane and the PR team for the ARC of Dust and Desire!
As soon as I saw "cowboy romance," I knew I had to apply. 🤠💕
This story follows a bronc rider looking for a comeback and the woman documenting his journey, and I really enjoyed that setup. One of my favorite parts was the relationship she built with his daughter - I'm always a sucker for a single dad trope, and those moments added a lot of heart to the story.
The chemistry between the main characters was undeniable, and the spicy scenes definitely delivered. 🔥🔥
While I enjoyed many aspects of the book, there were a couple of elements that didn't fully work for me. I struggled a bit with the fake marriage storyline, as I wasn't completely convinced by her reasons for agreeing to it. I'm also generally not a fan of third-act breakups, although I appreciated that this one was resolved fairly quickly.
Overall, this was a well-written romance with plenty of steam, emotional moments, and an adorable father-daughter dynamic. Even though it wasn't quite the right book for me personally, I can absolutely see cowboy romance lovers enjoying this one
As soon as I saw "cowboy romance," I knew I had to apply. 🤠💕
This story follows a bronc rider looking for a comeback and the woman documenting his journey, and I really enjoyed that setup. One of my favorite parts was the relationship she built with his daughter - I'm always a sucker for a single dad trope, and those moments added a lot of heart to the story.
The chemistry between the main characters was undeniable, and the spicy scenes definitely delivered. 🔥🔥
While I enjoyed many aspects of the book, there were a couple of elements that didn't fully work for me. I struggled a bit with the fake marriage storyline, as I wasn't completely convinced by her reasons for agreeing to it. I'm also generally not a fan of third-act breakups, although I appreciated that this one was resolved fairly quickly.
Overall, this was a well-written romance with plenty of steam, emotional moments, and an adorable father-daughter dynamic. Even though it wasn't quite the right book for me personally, I can absolutely see cowboy romance lovers enjoying this one
Review of advance copy received from Author
4⭐️
3🌶️
🔥Cowboy Romance
🔥Age Gap
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Small Town
🔥Single Dad MMC
🔥City Girl/Country Boy
🔥Marriage of Connvience
🔥Hurt/Comfort
🔥Free Use
🔥Dual First Person POV
Saddle up, put on your boots, it’s time to go to Sable Sky. Landry is struggling under an ever growing mountain of debt. When he finds out that the rodeo is coming back to Sable Sky he sees this as his chance to save his ranch and give his daughter the life she deserves. Landry is a broody single dad who’s willing to do anything for his daughter. Quinn is a documentary film maker and her next assignment is about a rodeo star making his big comeback after being away from the sport for six years. Quinn doesn’t know anyhting about the rodeo. She’s never even seen a horse in person before. The inn where is staying is run by the colorful Mable Sable, along with her rooster, Mr. McCharger. Mable starts filling in Quinn on all the local knowledge about the town and Landry. Quinn is dedicated to telling Landry’s story and making the best film possible for him and the town of Sable Sky. Just when Landry thought things couldn’t get any worse, he finds out Sadie’s maternal grandparents are seeking full custody. His best friend suggests that if gets married he’ll be able to show the court he’s giving Sadie a stable home. Landry rebuffs that suggestion, but after watching Quinn with Sadie he asks her to marry him. Quinn is kind hearted and she wants to help, because she sees what an amazing father he is. Her only stipulation is she wants free use of him. Quinn wants him whenever the mood strikes. Landry is shocked but doesn’t hesitate to agree. Now when you hear a story has free use, you might assume its going to be more spice than plot, that is not the case here. This is still a delicious slow burn. Quinn is tenacious and sweet, but underneath is a dirty talking temptress. She surprised me with her take charge attidtude and firey sprit. Soon the emotional connection is too much to ignore, between the lingering looks and tender moments, both start wanting this arrangement to be real. Quinn is surprised at how much she feels at home with Landry and Sadie, they all just fit together perfectly. Landry knows just what to stay but at the same time, shuts down when it matters most. Because of that, there is the dreaded miscommunication incident, but it doesn’t last long. Daisy Jane knows how to write a heartfelt and tension filled romance with scandlous spice.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 5
Character: 4
Thank you Daisy Jane & The Smuthood for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
“I want this whenever I want it, however I want it. That’s my demand. I get free use of you, Landry Vaughn, and in exchange, I’ll be your temporary wife.”
“But under the lights, all the people that matter to me nearby, amidst the dust and full of desire, I feel like I can finally breathe. For the first time in a long time.”
“My cowboy to play with, my cowboy to ride, my bareback rider to suck and f_€k,”
“It’s not fake anymore. This whole thing with us. It’s not fake. Not for Sadie, and not for me.”
“It’s not fake for me either, Landry. And I don’t… I don’t want to leave.”
3🌶️
🔥Cowboy Romance
🔥Age Gap
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Small Town
🔥Single Dad MMC
🔥City Girl/Country Boy
🔥Marriage of Connvience
🔥Hurt/Comfort
🔥Free Use
🔥Dual First Person POV
Saddle up, put on your boots, it’s time to go to Sable Sky. Landry is struggling under an ever growing mountain of debt. When he finds out that the rodeo is coming back to Sable Sky he sees this as his chance to save his ranch and give his daughter the life she deserves. Landry is a broody single dad who’s willing to do anything for his daughter. Quinn is a documentary film maker and her next assignment is about a rodeo star making his big comeback after being away from the sport for six years. Quinn doesn’t know anyhting about the rodeo. She’s never even seen a horse in person before. The inn where is staying is run by the colorful Mable Sable, along with her rooster, Mr. McCharger. Mable starts filling in Quinn on all the local knowledge about the town and Landry. Quinn is dedicated to telling Landry’s story and making the best film possible for him and the town of Sable Sky. Just when Landry thought things couldn’t get any worse, he finds out Sadie’s maternal grandparents are seeking full custody. His best friend suggests that if gets married he’ll be able to show the court he’s giving Sadie a stable home. Landry rebuffs that suggestion, but after watching Quinn with Sadie he asks her to marry him. Quinn is kind hearted and she wants to help, because she sees what an amazing father he is. Her only stipulation is she wants free use of him. Quinn wants him whenever the mood strikes. Landry is shocked but doesn’t hesitate to agree. Now when you hear a story has free use, you might assume its going to be more spice than plot, that is not the case here. This is still a delicious slow burn. Quinn is tenacious and sweet, but underneath is a dirty talking temptress. She surprised me with her take charge attidtude and firey sprit. Soon the emotional connection is too much to ignore, between the lingering looks and tender moments, both start wanting this arrangement to be real. Quinn is surprised at how much she feels at home with Landry and Sadie, they all just fit together perfectly. Landry knows just what to stay but at the same time, shuts down when it matters most. Because of that, there is the dreaded miscommunication incident, but it doesn’t last long. Daisy Jane knows how to write a heartfelt and tension filled romance with scandlous spice.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 5
Character: 4
Thank you Daisy Jane & The Smuthood for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
“I want this whenever I want it, however I want it. That’s my demand. I get free use of you, Landry Vaughn, and in exchange, I’ll be your temporary wife.”
“But under the lights, all the people that matter to me nearby, amidst the dust and full of desire, I feel like I can finally breathe. For the first time in a long time.”
“My cowboy to play with, my cowboy to ride, my bareback rider to suck and f_€k,”
“It’s not fake anymore. This whole thing with us. It’s not fake. Not for Sadie, and not for me.”
“It’s not fake for me either, Landry. And I don’t… I don’t want to leave.”
Review of advance copy
ARC Reader Review:
Dust off your pink cowboy boots and prepare for a sweet romance! This single dad cowboy and ambitious filmmaker's love story is a delightful escape. 💕
The author has a remarkable talent for forging a deep connection between the reader and the characters. I found myself completely swept away into Sable Sky. 🌌
The book starts with Landry, who we see as this hardworking, grumpy cowboy just trying to keep his family ranch alive. He's the kind of guy that life's thrown off a few times, but he always gets back in the saddle. You learn throughout the book that he is very serious and no-nonsense, unless it has to do with his "cowgirl," his little girl Sadie, her horse Daisy, and her chicken Big B, who needs her meds! His daughter keeps him going every day while he does anything and everything to keep her safe and happy, as well as keeping his family farm for her to grow up happy. This includes dusting off those spurs and stepping back into the rodeo circuit to compete as a bronc rider once again, agreeing to be filmed for a documentary, and asking the beautiful filmmaker to marry him out of convenience to help save everything he could lose.
Quinn, our headstrong but sweet MFC, is a young documentary filmmaker from San Francisco coming into Sable Sky like the city girl she is, wearing her Barbie pink cowboy boots and her mini skirts. She is welcomed into the town by the lovely Mr. McCharger 🐓. She then follows Landry around, documenting everything that goes on in his life that he will let her see. One night, he asks her to marry him, telling her about how he needs help to save his daughter from her paternal grandparents. She agrees to marry him with some stipulations: he needs to let her film the more sensitive areas of his life, mornings with his daughter, the early morning training. And her final stipulation is that he needs to let her use his body anyway, anywhere she wants to. She wants him, and he agrees to let her have him.
Reading this book, I found myself completely swept away, experiencing giddy, feet-kicking happiness, only to turn the page and be fighting back tears! The romance is scorching, with spicy scenes that are a solid 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶. It was really refreshing to have the female character so gung-ho about taking action first and telling her devoted husband to do it exactly how she likes 🎆, and that old cowboy saying, "Yes, ma'am," and doing it just the way she wants, whatever it may be that his young wife may want/need. Like bringing his riding gear into bed and telling him to watch.😍
You will really enjoy the unique premise of the protagonist filming the male lead's return to the rodeo circuit, not just to save his family's ranch but to save his life, his heart (his little girl). It was thrilling to witness his rigorous training and the realistic challenges he faced.
This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that combines emotional depth, sizzling romance, and an engaging plot!
So, if you're looking for a read that'll leave you breathless with anticipation and grinning ear to ear, grab this book! You won't regret taking a ride with this cowboy and filmmaker! 💕
Dust off your pink cowboy boots and prepare for a sweet romance! This single dad cowboy and ambitious filmmaker's love story is a delightful escape. 💕
The author has a remarkable talent for forging a deep connection between the reader and the characters. I found myself completely swept away into Sable Sky. 🌌
The book starts with Landry, who we see as this hardworking, grumpy cowboy just trying to keep his family ranch alive. He's the kind of guy that life's thrown off a few times, but he always gets back in the saddle. You learn throughout the book that he is very serious and no-nonsense, unless it has to do with his "cowgirl," his little girl Sadie, her horse Daisy, and her chicken Big B, who needs her meds! His daughter keeps him going every day while he does anything and everything to keep her safe and happy, as well as keeping his family farm for her to grow up happy. This includes dusting off those spurs and stepping back into the rodeo circuit to compete as a bronc rider once again, agreeing to be filmed for a documentary, and asking the beautiful filmmaker to marry him out of convenience to help save everything he could lose.
Quinn, our headstrong but sweet MFC, is a young documentary filmmaker from San Francisco coming into Sable Sky like the city girl she is, wearing her Barbie pink cowboy boots and her mini skirts. She is welcomed into the town by the lovely Mr. McCharger 🐓. She then follows Landry around, documenting everything that goes on in his life that he will let her see. One night, he asks her to marry him, telling her about how he needs help to save his daughter from her paternal grandparents. She agrees to marry him with some stipulations: he needs to let her film the more sensitive areas of his life, mornings with his daughter, the early morning training. And her final stipulation is that he needs to let her use his body anyway, anywhere she wants to. She wants him, and he agrees to let her have him.
Reading this book, I found myself completely swept away, experiencing giddy, feet-kicking happiness, only to turn the page and be fighting back tears! The romance is scorching, with spicy scenes that are a solid 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶. It was really refreshing to have the female character so gung-ho about taking action first and telling her devoted husband to do it exactly how she likes 🎆, and that old cowboy saying, "Yes, ma'am," and doing it just the way she wants, whatever it may be that his young wife may want/need. Like bringing his riding gear into bed and telling him to watch.😍
You will really enjoy the unique premise of the protagonist filming the male lead's return to the rodeo circuit, not just to save his family's ranch but to save his life, his heart (his little girl). It was thrilling to witness his rigorous training and the realistic challenges he faced.
This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that combines emotional depth, sizzling romance, and an engaging plot!
So, if you're looking for a read that'll leave you breathless with anticipation and grinning ear to ear, grab this book! You won't regret taking a ride with this cowboy and filmmaker! 💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Tropes:
Single dad
Grumpy x sunshine
Marriage of convenience
Fake relationship
Hurt/comfort
She’s the boss in the bedroom
ARC read, thank you to the author and Smuthood PR for an early copy.
This book took me on such an emotional rollercoaster! I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I raged.
Landry, our widower, single father, retired bronc rider, rancher has my whole heart. He lost his wife to cancer when his daughter was a few months old and is drowning in debt from trying to save her. When we meet him, he’s in danger of losing both his family ranch and his daughter, as his late wife’s parents are trying to get custody. When he sees the rodeo is returning to Sable Sky, he decides to come out of retirement and compete as the prize money would allow him to save his home.
Quinn is an indie documentary filmmaker looking for her big break, when she’s assigned to make a film about Landry’s comeback. She’s sweet, sassy, and confident, but hurting after her boyfriend (and boss) cheated on her with a coworker. She sticks out like a sore thumb on the ranch in her pink sparkly cowboy boots and tiny denim skirts, but soon discovers that ranch life is everything she’s been looking for without knowing it.
Both Quinn and Landry have everything riding on the documentary and comeback, but for different reasons. As they spend more time together, they get closer, and more attracted to each other. When Landry’s best friend points out that getting married would help his custody case, he settles on Quinn as the best option. Quinn agrees with one demand - that she gets free use of her husband.
What begins as purely a marriage of convenience soon deepens into real intimacy and feelings, although neither of them admit how they feel for the longest time.
Their chemistry is off the charts, and it made a refreshing change to have Quinn in charge in the bedroom and Landry being bossed around. The spice is spicing and, whilst this is a slow burn, once they start they can’t keep their hands off each other!
Landry’s daughter, Sadie, is just adorable. She’s gorgeous and funny and one of my favourite parts of the book. And I need a Mabel in my life! I fell in love not only Landry, Quinn, and Sadie, but the whole of Sable Sky and I can’t wait for more books in the series.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Tropes:
Single dad
Grumpy x sunshine
Marriage of convenience
Fake relationship
Hurt/comfort
She’s the boss in the bedroom
ARC read, thank you to the author and Smuthood PR for an early copy.
This book took me on such an emotional rollercoaster! I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I raged.
Landry, our widower, single father, retired bronc rider, rancher has my whole heart. He lost his wife to cancer when his daughter was a few months old and is drowning in debt from trying to save her. When we meet him, he’s in danger of losing both his family ranch and his daughter, as his late wife’s parents are trying to get custody. When he sees the rodeo is returning to Sable Sky, he decides to come out of retirement and compete as the prize money would allow him to save his home.
Quinn is an indie documentary filmmaker looking for her big break, when she’s assigned to make a film about Landry’s comeback. She’s sweet, sassy, and confident, but hurting after her boyfriend (and boss) cheated on her with a coworker. She sticks out like a sore thumb on the ranch in her pink sparkly cowboy boots and tiny denim skirts, but soon discovers that ranch life is everything she’s been looking for without knowing it.
Both Quinn and Landry have everything riding on the documentary and comeback, but for different reasons. As they spend more time together, they get closer, and more attracted to each other. When Landry’s best friend points out that getting married would help his custody case, he settles on Quinn as the best option. Quinn agrees with one demand - that she gets free use of her husband.
What begins as purely a marriage of convenience soon deepens into real intimacy and feelings, although neither of them admit how they feel for the longest time.
Their chemistry is off the charts, and it made a refreshing change to have Quinn in charge in the bedroom and Landry being bossed around. The spice is spicing and, whilst this is a slow burn, once they start they can’t keep their hands off each other!
Landry’s daughter, Sadie, is just adorable. She’s gorgeous and funny and one of my favourite parts of the book. And I need a Mabel in my life! I fell in love not only Landry, Quinn, and Sadie, but the whole of Sable Sky and I can’t wait for more books in the series.
May 29, 2026
When I first started reading Dust and Desire, I was lowkey expecting a typical spicy cowboy romance with a fake marriage trope, single dad and all that but this ended up being way more emotional than I initially anticipated. Daisy Jane balanced the angst, grief, romance, and domestic intimacy well here, and Landry honestly carried so much of the emotional weight of the story for me.
Landry is a widowed single dad trying to keep his ranch while drowning in grief, debt, and the pressure of holding everything together for his daughter. Quinn comes into his life to film a documentary about his rodeo comeback, and their fake marriage arrangement slowly turns into something much deeper and more complicated. Both of them had a bit of a trouble in their past having dealt with lost of love one and betrayal of someone you dearly trusted.
What I loved most about this book was how natural their relationship felt once they started settling into everyday life together. The fake marriage wasn't exactly sprung out of nowhere. There was a bit of a foundation there that started from the quieter moments they had in the ranch... Quinn helping around the ranch, taking care and actually getting along with Sadie, late night conversations which honestly hit harder for me than some of the bigger dramatic scenes.
I also appreciated how the book showed grief. Landry’s love for his late wife wasn’t erased or treated like something disposable that Quinn had to compete with. The emotional conflict felt messy in a realistic way, especially when Landry struggled with guilt and the fear of moving forward. Anyone in that position would really feel the same way.
The chemistry between Quinn and Landry was strong from the beginning, and the spice was VERY spicy, but most of the intimate scenes still felt emotionally connected instead of existing purely for shock value. To be completely honest, I didn't really expect the way their intimacy started all I can say is Go Quinn haha
There was one minor issue for me, the middle portion dragged a tiny little bit because some of the emotional conflicts started feeling repetitive. I also wish Quinn’s personal arc had been explored a bit more deeply because Landry’s character development was noticeably stronger.
Overall, this was such a good cowboy romance filled with a lot of topics that were handled with lots of care and thought. This deals with grief, healing, found family, and domestic intimacy. If you love single dad romances, emotionally wrecked cowboys, fake marriages, and relationships that slowly grow through shared routines and emotional support, this will probably work really well for you.
Many thanks to Daisy Jane and the Smuthood for providing me with an ARC copy of Dust and Desire. I am leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my honest reaction to the story.
Landry is a widowed single dad trying to keep his ranch while drowning in grief, debt, and the pressure of holding everything together for his daughter. Quinn comes into his life to film a documentary about his rodeo comeback, and their fake marriage arrangement slowly turns into something much deeper and more complicated. Both of them had a bit of a trouble in their past having dealt with lost of love one and betrayal of someone you dearly trusted.
What I loved most about this book was how natural their relationship felt once they started settling into everyday life together. The fake marriage wasn't exactly sprung out of nowhere. There was a bit of a foundation there that started from the quieter moments they had in the ranch... Quinn helping around the ranch, taking care and actually getting along with Sadie, late night conversations which honestly hit harder for me than some of the bigger dramatic scenes.
I also appreciated how the book showed grief. Landry’s love for his late wife wasn’t erased or treated like something disposable that Quinn had to compete with. The emotional conflict felt messy in a realistic way, especially when Landry struggled with guilt and the fear of moving forward. Anyone in that position would really feel the same way.
The chemistry between Quinn and Landry was strong from the beginning, and the spice was VERY spicy, but most of the intimate scenes still felt emotionally connected instead of existing purely for shock value. To be completely honest, I didn't really expect the way their intimacy started all I can say is Go Quinn haha
There was one minor issue for me, the middle portion dragged a tiny little bit because some of the emotional conflicts started feeling repetitive. I also wish Quinn’s personal arc had been explored a bit more deeply because Landry’s character development was noticeably stronger.
Overall, this was such a good cowboy romance filled with a lot of topics that were handled with lots of care and thought. This deals with grief, healing, found family, and domestic intimacy. If you love single dad romances, emotionally wrecked cowboys, fake marriages, and relationships that slowly grow through shared routines and emotional support, this will probably work really well for you.
Many thanks to Daisy Jane and the Smuthood for providing me with an ARC copy of Dust and Desire. I am leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my honest reaction to the story.
June 3, 2026
I absolutely fell head over heels for this emotional, heartwarming cowboy romance. 🤠💖 What started as a practical arrangement quickly transformed into something far deeper, and watching Quinn and Landry find their way to each other was such a rewarding experience.
Landry Vaughn has spent years carrying the weight of grief after losing his wife. Between raising Sadie on his own, managing his ranch, and putting his dreams aside, he's convinced his days as a champion bull rider are long behind him. But when he decides to make one final ride back into the spotlight as "The Comeback Rider," everything changes. 🐂✨
Quinn arrives from San Francisco to film a documentary about Landry's return to rodeo fame. She's ambitious, independent, and completely out of her element in Texas—especially in those unforgettable sparkly pink cowboy boots. 👢💗 From their first meeting, the attraction between them is impossible to ignore, but what truly captured my heart was the emotional connection that slowly developed beneath all the tension and banter.
One of my favorite parts of the story was seeing Landry gradually lower the walls he'd built around himself. Beneath his gruff exterior is a man still healing, and Quinn's patience and strength make her the perfect person to stand beside him. At the same time, Quinn forms the sweetest bond with Sadie, and every scene they shared added so much warmth and emotion. Honestly, Sadie completely stole my heart. 🥹❤️
The story takes an intense turn when Landry's late wife's wealthy parents suddenly file for custody of Sadie. Their entitlement and treatment of Landry made my blood boil, and I found myself rooting for him even harder. To strengthen his case, Landry's best friend Tate suggests a marriage of convenience. Quinn agrees because it benefits her documentary project, but she has a condition of her own that adds a fun and unexpected twist to the arrangement. 😏🔥
What I loved most was how naturally their relationship evolved. The fake marriage never felt forced. Instead, it created opportunities for trust, friendship, and genuine love to grow. Their chemistry was incredible, balancing emotional vulnerability with plenty of sizzling moments. ❤️🔥
The setting of Sable Sky added another layer of charm to the story. The small-town atmosphere felt welcoming and cozy without overshadowing the romance itself. Watching Quinn, Landry, and Sadie slowly create a family together was both beautiful and deeply satisfying. 🏡💕
This book delivered everything I want in a romance—emotion, humor, passion, healing, and hope. Quinn and Landry's journey felt authentic from beginning to end, and by the final page, I was completely invested in their happiness. It's the kind of love story that lingers in your mind long after you've finished reading. ⭐📖💞
May 18, 2026
ARC Review
Consider this my “on the record” statement: Daisy Jane’s cowboy era is my favorite.
Dust & Desire kicks off her Sable Sky series and centers around Landry, a widowed single dad and former bronc rider who is struggling to keep everything together. His ranch is in danger of being lost to the bank, the house is in desperate need of some TLC, and to make matters worse his in-laws are seeking custody of his six year old daughter. His only mission — win enough money to take care of his debts, fix up his ranch, and secure custody of his sweet girl.
Enter Quinn — a young documentary filmmaker who is given the opportunity to document Landry’s comeback to the rodeo circuit. She’s an independent and creative soul who sees beauty in the ordinary, and her tenacity and sweetness disguises the true temptress she is. She is dedicated to the authenticity of storytelling through film and is bound and determined to showcase Landry’s story as a well-rounded, intimate look inside the life of a rodeo man’s return to the ride.
Quinn is a Daisy Jane lady through and through — she is the young San Franciscan who, as the story goes on, settles into Sable Sky like she was always meant to find it. Her adoration for Landry’s integrity and role as a father, as well as her innate connection to Sadie just sweetens the story. She honors and respects him as a man, a widower and a father. She is as honest and brimming with integrity as Landry is.
This is Daisy’s first marriage of convenience, and much like all of her stories, it is filled with heart and a sense of home that always makes my chest ache. One of Daisy’s specialties is that she digs into the rawness of her characters’ physical attributes that sets her apart from other authors — these folks are so everyday, effortlessly blue collar that they become an endearing representation of small-town love. Her descriptors for Landry are authentic and honest.
There is plenty of Daisy Jane spice, free use and all, and Quinn really leans into some surprising domination as Landry’s “wife”. She ignites a life and fire back into him that he has been missing for the past six years, and the vulnerability that arises as they journey from “fake” to “real” is truly beautiful.
The relationship between Landry and his daughter Sadie is strong — she is a child raised in simplicity and love of ranch life and Daisy paints this picture immediately and vividly. I really appreciate how she is woven into key moments of the story and is truly the central focus for both characters. Daisy writes children so well, and Sadie is certainly a special one.
I love this book dearly, and will be rereading by way of audio (performed in duet by Daisy and Stephen Borne) when it arrives.
Welcome to Sable Sky, fellow cowboy romance loving readers. Landry, Quinn and Sadie are waiting for you.
Consider this my “on the record” statement: Daisy Jane’s cowboy era is my favorite.
Dust & Desire kicks off her Sable Sky series and centers around Landry, a widowed single dad and former bronc rider who is struggling to keep everything together. His ranch is in danger of being lost to the bank, the house is in desperate need of some TLC, and to make matters worse his in-laws are seeking custody of his six year old daughter. His only mission — win enough money to take care of his debts, fix up his ranch, and secure custody of his sweet girl.
Enter Quinn — a young documentary filmmaker who is given the opportunity to document Landry’s comeback to the rodeo circuit. She’s an independent and creative soul who sees beauty in the ordinary, and her tenacity and sweetness disguises the true temptress she is. She is dedicated to the authenticity of storytelling through film and is bound and determined to showcase Landry’s story as a well-rounded, intimate look inside the life of a rodeo man’s return to the ride.
Quinn is a Daisy Jane lady through and through — she is the young San Franciscan who, as the story goes on, settles into Sable Sky like she was always meant to find it. Her adoration for Landry’s integrity and role as a father, as well as her innate connection to Sadie just sweetens the story. She honors and respects him as a man, a widower and a father. She is as honest and brimming with integrity as Landry is.
This is Daisy’s first marriage of convenience, and much like all of her stories, it is filled with heart and a sense of home that always makes my chest ache. One of Daisy’s specialties is that she digs into the rawness of her characters’ physical attributes that sets her apart from other authors — these folks are so everyday, effortlessly blue collar that they become an endearing representation of small-town love. Her descriptors for Landry are authentic and honest.
There is plenty of Daisy Jane spice, free use and all, and Quinn really leans into some surprising domination as Landry’s “wife”. She ignites a life and fire back into him that he has been missing for the past six years, and the vulnerability that arises as they journey from “fake” to “real” is truly beautiful.
The relationship between Landry and his daughter Sadie is strong — she is a child raised in simplicity and love of ranch life and Daisy paints this picture immediately and vividly. I really appreciate how she is woven into key moments of the story and is truly the central focus for both characters. Daisy writes children so well, and Sadie is certainly a special one.
I love this book dearly, and will be rereading by way of audio (performed in duet by Daisy and Stephen Borne) when it arrives.
Welcome to Sable Sky, fellow cowboy romance loving readers. Landry, Quinn and Sadie are waiting for you.
May 23, 2026
Thank you to Daisy Jane and SmutHood for the opportunity to read this eARC!
Rating: 5/5
Spice 2.5/5
Tropes:
- single dad
- age gap
- marriage of convenience
- grumpy x sunshine
- cowboys (duh)
"It's not fake for me either Landry. And I don't... I don't want to leave."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Meet Landry: cowboy, former bronc rider and dad to a spunky six year old Sadie. He's struggling to make ends meet since his wife died six years prior, the same time he quit bronc riding. So when a competition comes to town he has no choice but to sign up.
Quinn come from San Francisco, an indie film maker fresh off of heartbreak and ready to film the comeback story of the grumpy cowboy. But when she arrives in Texas, the people are nicer than she thought, the cowboy she's filming is HOT, and she finally feels like she has a place to call home.
When Sophie's grandparents come knocking with a custody battle, they have no choice but to marry to prove Landry has a stable environment. This gives Quinn inside access for her film plus a little fun bonus. But as the film rolls and their relationship grows, maybe it's not as fake as they think...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This was such a fun book to read! It was a quick contemporary romance read with cowboys, found family, and a very angry rooster. I found myself quickly immersed in a small Texas town with quirky people and a quick moving plot.
The character development was well done, with POVs from Landry and Quinn so you feel like you get both sides of the story. Sophie was an adorable addition, and who doesn't love a single dad story? Plot points like the marriage of convenience and the film felt realistic, but still had fun elements of dating and family fun with Sophie. The plot moved along at a good pace, not dragging too much making me bored but also didn't rush making me feel like there could have been more.
Once the spice started, it did not stop. These two could not get enough of each other, but it still felt like a slow burn reaching the ultimate point of the relationship. It even incorporated things from the farm like his bronc rigging (ifykyk). This is one of those books where if you skip the spice, you will miss out on plot and character development. I honestly love how that was tied in, making it feel well rounded and not just spice added to have spice.
This was a fun quick cowboy read, and served as a good break from other more serious books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see where this author goes next!
Rating: 5/5
Spice 2.5/5
Tropes:
- single dad
- age gap
- marriage of convenience
- grumpy x sunshine
- cowboys (duh)
"It's not fake for me either Landry. And I don't... I don't want to leave."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Meet Landry: cowboy, former bronc rider and dad to a spunky six year old Sadie. He's struggling to make ends meet since his wife died six years prior, the same time he quit bronc riding. So when a competition comes to town he has no choice but to sign up.
Quinn come from San Francisco, an indie film maker fresh off of heartbreak and ready to film the comeback story of the grumpy cowboy. But when she arrives in Texas, the people are nicer than she thought, the cowboy she's filming is HOT, and she finally feels like she has a place to call home.
When Sophie's grandparents come knocking with a custody battle, they have no choice but to marry to prove Landry has a stable environment. This gives Quinn inside access for her film plus a little fun bonus. But as the film rolls and their relationship grows, maybe it's not as fake as they think...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This was such a fun book to read! It was a quick contemporary romance read with cowboys, found family, and a very angry rooster. I found myself quickly immersed in a small Texas town with quirky people and a quick moving plot.
The character development was well done, with POVs from Landry and Quinn so you feel like you get both sides of the story. Sophie was an adorable addition, and who doesn't love a single dad story? Plot points like the marriage of convenience and the film felt realistic, but still had fun elements of dating and family fun with Sophie. The plot moved along at a good pace, not dragging too much making me bored but also didn't rush making me feel like there could have been more.
Once the spice started, it did not stop. These two could not get enough of each other, but it still felt like a slow burn reaching the ultimate point of the relationship. It even incorporated things from the farm like his bronc rigging (ifykyk). This is one of those books where if you skip the spice, you will miss out on plot and character development. I honestly love how that was tied in, making it feel well rounded and not just spice added to have spice.
This was a fun quick cowboy read, and served as a good break from other more serious books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see where this author goes next!
May 25, 2026
This was my first time reading anything by Daisy Jane, and when I saw the tropes and the ARC opportunity, I pretty much jumped in immediately. OMG, forever trusting my instincts to sign up for ARCs lol
I LOVED Quinn and Landry’s story! Lately, I’ve been reading stuff less than 300 pages, and when I started this (about 450 pages) I spazzed a bit. By the end, I was whining that it was over 😅
Since it’s on the longer side, we do get a ton of time in the MC’s heads and a great understanding of their feelings and thought process. Immediately we see that there’s attraction on both sides. Quinn is his daily shadow, always there filming and gathering material. So, you can see their connection building on top of the already existing thick sexual tension. Then throw in Landry’s 6 year old daughter, Sadie, into their daily routine and it’s adorable. She’s so precious and sassy. Seriously, Sadie stole the show many times lol
Quinn is funny and very sweet. I enjoyed seeing her story unfold and regaining her excitement with her new assignment. She went to a small town in Texas and jumped right into the ranch lifestyle. It was endearing to see her learn new things and love it. Sadie teaching her the difference between a rooster and chicken? Hilarious! I just sat there blinking and thinking…. “What?” (Very city girl of me lol). Landry, the big ol teddy bear. I was rooting for him from the very beginning! The characters may have kept their crushes close to the vest, but once it started to feel real they were open with each other (yay!). Neither of them can do any wrong in my eyes, and I’m SO happy with their HEA!
The spice? Oh myyyyyyy lanta. Not going to lie, the “free use” trope (micro trope?) is what sold me on the ARC. Imagine MY surprise when I found out that it was free use of HIM not her! Hahah I love it and I need more of this. And it was definitely the vibes of her corrupting him. Again, love it. No notes. Give. Me. More lol
🤠Quinn (24F) / Landry (38M)
🐎Marriage of Convenience / Fake Marriage
⛰️He’s a Cowboy and Bronc Rider
📹She’s a Filmmaker
💐Love After Loss
🐂Small Town
👧Single Dad
😏“My Wife/Husband”
👫Dual POV
🗣️First Person POV
🐓BRIEF 3rd Act Breakup
🤎HEA
5⭐️4🌶️
Love after loss trope: He was in love and married before, but shortly after Sadie was born his wife was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed away. Story starts off about 6 years after her death. I’m not the biggest fan of the love after loss trope, but it actually didn’t bother me at all in this one! We weren’t in the part of his healing journey where everything was compared to his late wife, and he wasn’t overcome with guilt about moving on. It was more so he was open to and happy about the idea of being in love and having a family again.
I LOVED Quinn and Landry’s story! Lately, I’ve been reading stuff less than 300 pages, and when I started this (about 450 pages) I spazzed a bit. By the end, I was whining that it was over 😅
Since it’s on the longer side, we do get a ton of time in the MC’s heads and a great understanding of their feelings and thought process. Immediately we see that there’s attraction on both sides. Quinn is his daily shadow, always there filming and gathering material. So, you can see their connection building on top of the already existing thick sexual tension. Then throw in Landry’s 6 year old daughter, Sadie, into their daily routine and it’s adorable. She’s so precious and sassy. Seriously, Sadie stole the show many times lol
Quinn is funny and very sweet. I enjoyed seeing her story unfold and regaining her excitement with her new assignment. She went to a small town in Texas and jumped right into the ranch lifestyle. It was endearing to see her learn new things and love it. Sadie teaching her the difference between a rooster and chicken? Hilarious! I just sat there blinking and thinking…. “What?” (Very city girl of me lol). Landry, the big ol teddy bear. I was rooting for him from the very beginning! The characters may have kept their crushes close to the vest, but once it started to feel real they were open with each other (yay!). Neither of them can do any wrong in my eyes, and I’m SO happy with their HEA!
The spice? Oh myyyyyyy lanta. Not going to lie, the “free use” trope (micro trope?) is what sold me on the ARC. Imagine MY surprise when I found out that it was free use of HIM not her! Hahah I love it and I need more of this. And it was definitely the vibes of her corrupting him. Again, love it. No notes. Give. Me. More lol
🤠Quinn (24F) / Landry (38M)
🐎Marriage of Convenience / Fake Marriage
⛰️He’s a Cowboy and Bronc Rider
📹She’s a Filmmaker
💐Love After Loss
🐂Small Town
👧Single Dad
😏“My Wife/Husband”
👫Dual POV
🗣️First Person POV
🐓BRIEF 3rd Act Breakup
🤎HEA
5⭐️4🌶️
Love after loss trope: He was in love and married before, but shortly after Sadie was born his wife was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed away. Story starts off about 6 years after her death. I’m not the biggest fan of the love after loss trope, but it actually didn’t bother me at all in this one! We weren’t in the part of his healing journey where everything was compared to his late wife, and he wasn’t overcome with guilt about moving on. It was more so he was open to and happy about the idea of being in love and having a family again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ride a cowboy!! 🤠
ARC Review
Dust & Desire was such an emotional and addictive cowboy romance 😭🤠
Landry Vaughn used to have everything — success in the rodeo world, the love of his life, and a future that felt secure. But after losing his wife to illness, everything changed. Between mounting debt from her treatments and the pressure of raising his daughter Sadie alone, Landry is barely holding onto his ranch and the life he built for his family.
The only option left? Returning to the rodeo world for one final comeback.
Enter Quinn Farley, a production assistant sent to film a documentary about Landry’s return to riding. Quinn is dealing with her own heartbreak after discovering her boyfriend cheated on her — and to make matters worse, he’s also her boss and clearly hoping this assignment will fail badly enough to get her fired.
What I loved most about this story was how naturally Quinn became attached to both Landry and Sadie. From the beginning, there’s this warmth between them that made their connection feel believable and emotional. Quinn immediately sees the exhaustion and grief Landry carries, but she also sees how loving and devoted he is as a father. And Sadie completely stole every scene she was in 😭
The chemistry between Quinn and Landry was SO good. I especially loved that despite the 14-year age gap and Landry being the more dominant personality overall, Quinn is actually the one who realizes her feelings first and pushes for more between them. She knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, which honestly made me love her character even more.
And the marriage of convenience storyline??? SO GOOD.
Watching Quinn slowly go from filming a documentary to genuinely becoming part of Landry and Sadie’s life was everything. Some of my favorite moments were the lighter scenes between them — like Quinn literally climbing Landry like a tree after getting scared by a snake 😂 or discovering that Sadie’s pet snake is named Smurf. Those moments balanced out the heavier emotional themes really well.
The custody battle with Landry’s late wife’s wealthy parents honestly broke my heart. All Landry has ever tried to do is give his daughter a good life, even sacrificing everything financially to try experimental treatments for his wife before she passed. Seeing people question his ability to parent because he was struggling financially was devastating.
I also really appreciated how emotional and vulnerable Landry was underneath the rough cowboy exterior.
“It’s not fake anymore. This whole thing with us. It’s not fake. Not for Sadie, and not for me.”
That line got me 😭
Overall, Dust & Desire was emotional, romantic, funny, and full of heart. It’s a story about grief, healing, family, second chances, and finding love when life feels completely broken. If you love cowboy romances with a widowed single dad, marriage of convenience, age gap romance, adorable children, emotional healing, and plenty of tension, this is definitely one to pick.
ARC Review
Dust & Desire was such an emotional and addictive cowboy romance 😭🤠
Landry Vaughn used to have everything — success in the rodeo world, the love of his life, and a future that felt secure. But after losing his wife to illness, everything changed. Between mounting debt from her treatments and the pressure of raising his daughter Sadie alone, Landry is barely holding onto his ranch and the life he built for his family.
The only option left? Returning to the rodeo world for one final comeback.
Enter Quinn Farley, a production assistant sent to film a documentary about Landry’s return to riding. Quinn is dealing with her own heartbreak after discovering her boyfriend cheated on her — and to make matters worse, he’s also her boss and clearly hoping this assignment will fail badly enough to get her fired.
What I loved most about this story was how naturally Quinn became attached to both Landry and Sadie. From the beginning, there’s this warmth between them that made their connection feel believable and emotional. Quinn immediately sees the exhaustion and grief Landry carries, but she also sees how loving and devoted he is as a father. And Sadie completely stole every scene she was in 😭
The chemistry between Quinn and Landry was SO good. I especially loved that despite the 14-year age gap and Landry being the more dominant personality overall, Quinn is actually the one who realizes her feelings first and pushes for more between them. She knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, which honestly made me love her character even more.
And the marriage of convenience storyline??? SO GOOD.
Watching Quinn slowly go from filming a documentary to genuinely becoming part of Landry and Sadie’s life was everything. Some of my favorite moments were the lighter scenes between them — like Quinn literally climbing Landry like a tree after getting scared by a snake 😂 or discovering that Sadie’s pet snake is named Smurf. Those moments balanced out the heavier emotional themes really well.
The custody battle with Landry’s late wife’s wealthy parents honestly broke my heart. All Landry has ever tried to do is give his daughter a good life, even sacrificing everything financially to try experimental treatments for his wife before she passed. Seeing people question his ability to parent because he was struggling financially was devastating.
I also really appreciated how emotional and vulnerable Landry was underneath the rough cowboy exterior.
“It’s not fake anymore. This whole thing with us. It’s not fake. Not for Sadie, and not for me.”
That line got me 😭
Overall, Dust & Desire was emotional, romantic, funny, and full of heart. It’s a story about grief, healing, family, second chances, and finding love when life feels completely broken. If you love cowboy romances with a widowed single dad, marriage of convenience, age gap romance, adorable children, emotional healing, and plenty of tension, this is definitely one to pick.
Review of advance copy
This was my first book by Daisy and I liked it a lot! I love a good small town romance, and add in a single dad–who used to be a bronc rider–and an age gap, and I’m sold. It was fun to see Landry make his bronc riding comeback during this story. He’d given it up to take care of his daughter, Sadie, while she was young, but things on his ranch had gotten bleak, so he needed to make a comeback and win so he could keep taking care of Sadie the way she deserved. Enter Quinn, the documentarian who came to Sable Sky to film Landry’s comeback and help him show the world a new side of him while he fought to get back on the bronc. There was immediate chemistry between Landry and Quinn, but it was also great to see Quinn immediately bond with Sadie, too. It was hard for Landry to let Quinn into his and Sadie’s life because he knew she would be leaving as soon as she was done filming, but things got complicated quickly when Landry suddenly had to fight his in-laws for custody of Sadie. He and Quinn decided to get married to show the courts that Sadie had stability, but Quinn wanted something out of the deal too–she got to have Landry whenever she wanted. As you can imagine, things changed for them both even quicker after that because they started falling for each other and it was becoming more than just a deal to help Landry. I liked seeing them both fall for each other during the story, and it was great to see them communicate that, too. It took them a little while to fully gather the courage, but eventually they both let the other know it wasn’t fake anymore. There was a lot of fun k!nk exploration in this story, and I liked seeing it, though my only note was there were a few times that I felt like the spice was taking over the story and it overshadowed the story itself a bit. However, that’s probably just my own personal preference, so if you don’t mind a lot of spice in the name of exploring some k!nks, you’ll enjoy it. The only other thing that pulled me out of the story a bit was that I felt like all the problems at the end were a bit superficial and came across as a problem just for the sake of having some issues between Landry and Quinn, so they felt a bit forced to me. However, I’m still giving the book 4 stars because the spice part is personal preference, and while I will stand by the problems between them at the end feeling forced, they managed to communicate and fix them quickly enough that it wasn’t a major issue. All in all, this was a great book, and I would be excited to see what might happen next in Sable Sky!
Thank you, Daisy and The Smuthood, for providing me with an ARC!
Thank you, Daisy and The Smuthood, for providing me with an ARC!
June 7, 2026
This one hurts because I wanted to love it.
The premise had my name written all over it: cowboy romance, a strong heroine, breeding, freeuse... all wrapped into one book. I went in genuinely excited because the reverse freeuse sounded so different from anything I'd read before.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn't work for me.
The insta-lust was almost immediate, and while I can usually suspend disbelief in romance, everything moved so fast that I never really had time to become emotionally invested in the relationship. I will admit that single dads aren't usually my thing, and widower romances even less so, but I was more than willing to overlook that because everything else sounded so good.
The fake marriage setup also stretched my suspension of disbelief more than I expected. I struggled with parts of the fake marriage setup and found some of the plot developments difficult to buy, for example, the idea that a judge would see a marriage to someone who arrived in town only a few weeks earlier as evidence of a stable family situation was a bit difficult for me to buy!! And his ex in-laws' attitude not understanding he spent all the money on their daughter's recovery attempt and he went into debt trying to save Amelia even less!! And then oh no, the third act break up, just no!!!
My biggest issue, however, was the heroine. I know many readers will probably love her confidence and assertiveness, and on theory I would too, but I never connected with her on paper. Instead of finding her empowering, I often found her abrasive, and the way she spoke to the hero during their smexy times frequently pulled me out of the story. His submissiveness for some reason was unappealing!
Ironically, the reverse free-use aspect was one of the reasons I picked up the book in the first place!!! I thought I would love it. Instead, this ended up being my least favorite part of the novel, damn it. Whether that's because the trope isn't for me or because this particular execution didn't work for me, I'm honestly not sure. Ugh, so frustrated!
I also found myself missing some of the elements that initially hooked me. The documentary storyline, the small-town atmosphere, and the emotional setup seemed to fade into the background once the relationship became physical.
This is one of those books where I can completely understand why other readers enjoyed it, but it simply wasn't the right fit for me. I loved the concept far more than I loved the actual reading experience, which is always disappointing and to be completely honest, I forced myself to finish it, and it took me several days, I just wasn't hooked but didn't want to DNF.
The premise had my name written all over it: cowboy romance, a strong heroine, breeding, freeuse... all wrapped into one book. I went in genuinely excited because the reverse freeuse sounded so different from anything I'd read before.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn't work for me.
The insta-lust was almost immediate, and while I can usually suspend disbelief in romance, everything moved so fast that I never really had time to become emotionally invested in the relationship. I will admit that single dads aren't usually my thing, and widower romances even less so, but I was more than willing to overlook that because everything else sounded so good.
The fake marriage setup also stretched my suspension of disbelief more than I expected. I struggled with parts of the fake marriage setup and found some of the plot developments difficult to buy, for example, the idea that a judge would see a marriage to someone who arrived in town only a few weeks earlier as evidence of a stable family situation was a bit difficult for me to buy!! And his ex in-laws' attitude not understanding he spent all the money on their daughter's recovery attempt and he went into debt trying to save Amelia even less!! And then oh no, the third act break up, just no!!!
My biggest issue, however, was the heroine. I know many readers will probably love her confidence and assertiveness, and on theory I would too, but I never connected with her on paper. Instead of finding her empowering, I often found her abrasive, and the way she spoke to the hero during their smexy times frequently pulled me out of the story. His submissiveness for some reason was unappealing!
Ironically, the reverse free-use aspect was one of the reasons I picked up the book in the first place!!! I thought I would love it. Instead, this ended up being my least favorite part of the novel, damn it. Whether that's because the trope isn't for me or because this particular execution didn't work for me, I'm honestly not sure. Ugh, so frustrated!
I also found myself missing some of the elements that initially hooked me. The documentary storyline, the small-town atmosphere, and the emotional setup seemed to fade into the background once the relationship became physical.
This is one of those books where I can completely understand why other readers enjoyed it, but it simply wasn't the right fit for me. I loved the concept far more than I loved the actual reading experience, which is always disappointing and to be completely honest, I forced myself to finish it, and it took me several days, I just wasn't hooked but didn't want to DNF.
June 8, 2026
✨🤠❤️ 5 Stars - My cowboy-loving heart is in pieces and I loved every second of it! ❤️🤠✨
Daisy Jane absolutely delivered with Dust and Desire, a story that wrapped itself around my heart and refused to let go.
Landry is the kind of hero who sneaks up on you. Beneath the rough-and-tough bronc rider exterior is a man carrying years of grief, sacrifice, and responsibility on his shoulders. Everything he does is for his daughter, Sadie, and watching this devoted single father fight for his family had me completely swooning.
And then there's Quinn.
She arrives to film the comeback story of a rodeo legend, but what unfolds is so much bigger than either of them expected. Quinn isn't just documenting Landry's life, she's slowly becoming part of it. Watching her bond with Sadie absolutely melted me. Their relationship felt so genuine and sweet that I found myself smiling through countless scenes.
Now let's talk about the fake marriage.
Because WOW.
I will never get tired of a fake relationship that slowly transforms into something real. Every shared glance, every accidental touch, every quiet morning coffee on the porch felt loaded with emotion. The tension built beautifully as Landry and Quinn danced around feelings neither wanted to acknowledge.
And Landry? This man was gone. Completely, utterly gone for Quinn.
The way he looked at her. The way he cared for her. The way he slowly allowed himself to hope again after believing that chapter of his life was over. My heart didn't stand a chance.
What made this story shine for me was the healing woven throughout the romance. Both Landry and Quinn carry wounds from their pasts, and their journey toward finding happiness felt authentic and deeply emotional. Their love wasn't about fixing each other. It was about finding someone willing to stand beside them while they learned to heal.
And Sadie? That precious little girl stole every scene she appeared in. ❤️
Dust and Desire is packed with cowboy charm, emotional depth, found family vibes, fake marriage goodness, a swoony single dad, and a romance that burns hot while still delivering all the feels.
If you love:
🤠 Single dad cowboys
❤️ Fake marriage romance
🏡 Small-town ranch life
🌻 Healing after heartbreak
✨ Adorable child side characters
🔥 Chemistry that leaps off the page
Then saddle up because Dust and Desire is going straight onto your must-read list.
Landry, Quinn, and Sadie completely stole my heart, and honestly? I'm not asking for it back. ❤️📚🤠
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A beautiful story about love, healing, second chances, and finding home in the people who choose you. 💕
Daisy Jane absolutely delivered with Dust and Desire, a story that wrapped itself around my heart and refused to let go.
Landry is the kind of hero who sneaks up on you. Beneath the rough-and-tough bronc rider exterior is a man carrying years of grief, sacrifice, and responsibility on his shoulders. Everything he does is for his daughter, Sadie, and watching this devoted single father fight for his family had me completely swooning.
And then there's Quinn.
She arrives to film the comeback story of a rodeo legend, but what unfolds is so much bigger than either of them expected. Quinn isn't just documenting Landry's life, she's slowly becoming part of it. Watching her bond with Sadie absolutely melted me. Their relationship felt so genuine and sweet that I found myself smiling through countless scenes.
Now let's talk about the fake marriage.
Because WOW.
I will never get tired of a fake relationship that slowly transforms into something real. Every shared glance, every accidental touch, every quiet morning coffee on the porch felt loaded with emotion. The tension built beautifully as Landry and Quinn danced around feelings neither wanted to acknowledge.
And Landry? This man was gone. Completely, utterly gone for Quinn.
The way he looked at her. The way he cared for her. The way he slowly allowed himself to hope again after believing that chapter of his life was over. My heart didn't stand a chance.
What made this story shine for me was the healing woven throughout the romance. Both Landry and Quinn carry wounds from their pasts, and their journey toward finding happiness felt authentic and deeply emotional. Their love wasn't about fixing each other. It was about finding someone willing to stand beside them while they learned to heal.
And Sadie? That precious little girl stole every scene she appeared in. ❤️
Dust and Desire is packed with cowboy charm, emotional depth, found family vibes, fake marriage goodness, a swoony single dad, and a romance that burns hot while still delivering all the feels.
If you love:
🤠 Single dad cowboys
❤️ Fake marriage romance
🏡 Small-town ranch life
🌻 Healing after heartbreak
✨ Adorable child side characters
🔥 Chemistry that leaps off the page
Then saddle up because Dust and Desire is going straight onto your must-read list.
Landry, Quinn, and Sadie completely stole my heart, and honestly? I'm not asking for it back. ❤️📚🤠
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A beautiful story about love, healing, second chances, and finding home in the people who choose you. 💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
Daisy Jane’s Dust and Desire made me realize that apparently my emotional weakness is a grief-stricken cowboy whispering “my wife” while covered in dirt, sweat, emotional repression, and rodeo bruises. Daisy Jane, thank you so much for the gifted ARC because this book absolutely wrecked my heart, patched it back together with duct tape and porch coffee, then shoved me straight into the Texas dust for one last emotional bronc ride.
This story feels like sunburned skin, creaky ranch porches, stubborn grief, and falling in love when you truly believe your heart is already buried six feet under. Landry Vaughn isn’t just a “hot cowboy romance hero.” This man is exhausted. Broke. Still grieving his wife years later. Fighting foreclosure, custody threats, and the crushing pressure of trying to hold together a life that’s been slowly collapsing around him. Every decision he makes revolves around his daughter Sadie, and honestly? Watching this man love that little girl so fiercely nearly took me out emotionally.
And then Quinn arrives in Sable Sky wearing sparkly pink cowboy boots and carrying her own heartbreak like hidden luggage. She’s younger, sharp, ambitious, messy in the best way, and completely unprepared for the way this town—and this family—gets under her skin. What starts as a documentary about Landry’s rodeo comeback slowly turns into something so much softer and more intimate. Porch coffees. Shared chores. Lingering touches. Fake vows turning terrifyingly real.
“Was it all just convenient for him?”
NO MA’AM. MY STRESS LEVELS SAY OTHERWISE.
The chemistry between these two is genuinely ridiculous. Daisy Jane somehow made ranch work, bronc training, and dirty talk feel equally intimate. Quinn being the more sexually confident one added such a refreshing dynamic too. And Landry? That man folds for her constantly. Respectfully… I get it.
But underneath the spice, this is really a story about healing. About letting yourself love again after unimaginable loss. About community showing up when life gets ugly. About a little girl praying for happiness and finally getting it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
“She looked at me like I was still worth saving.”
If you love emotionally damaged cowboys, marriage of convenience, small-town romance, single dads, age gaps, grief healing, found family, and romances that feel dusty, tender, sexy, and deeply human all at once… saddle up immediately.
Now excuse me while I emotionally recover and pretend I don’t suddenly want to move to a fictional ranch town. 🤠
#DustAndDesire #DaisyJane #CowboyRomance
This story feels like sunburned skin, creaky ranch porches, stubborn grief, and falling in love when you truly believe your heart is already buried six feet under. Landry Vaughn isn’t just a “hot cowboy romance hero.” This man is exhausted. Broke. Still grieving his wife years later. Fighting foreclosure, custody threats, and the crushing pressure of trying to hold together a life that’s been slowly collapsing around him. Every decision he makes revolves around his daughter Sadie, and honestly? Watching this man love that little girl so fiercely nearly took me out emotionally.
And then Quinn arrives in Sable Sky wearing sparkly pink cowboy boots and carrying her own heartbreak like hidden luggage. She’s younger, sharp, ambitious, messy in the best way, and completely unprepared for the way this town—and this family—gets under her skin. What starts as a documentary about Landry’s rodeo comeback slowly turns into something so much softer and more intimate. Porch coffees. Shared chores. Lingering touches. Fake vows turning terrifyingly real.
“Was it all just convenient for him?”
NO MA’AM. MY STRESS LEVELS SAY OTHERWISE.
The chemistry between these two is genuinely ridiculous. Daisy Jane somehow made ranch work, bronc training, and dirty talk feel equally intimate. Quinn being the more sexually confident one added such a refreshing dynamic too. And Landry? That man folds for her constantly. Respectfully… I get it.
But underneath the spice, this is really a story about healing. About letting yourself love again after unimaginable loss. About community showing up when life gets ugly. About a little girl praying for happiness and finally getting it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
“She looked at me like I was still worth saving.”
If you love emotionally damaged cowboys, marriage of convenience, small-town romance, single dads, age gaps, grief healing, found family, and romances that feel dusty, tender, sexy, and deeply human all at once… saddle up immediately.
Now excuse me while I emotionally recover and pretend I don’t suddenly want to move to a fictional ranch town. 🤠
#DustAndDesire #DaisyJane #CowboyRomance
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝐈𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.
Thank you Daisy and her team for the ARC, all thoughts are my own.
This book is going to be hard for me to review because I really loved the plot and premise, but a couple things didn't land for me.
First I'll say I'm a big fan of Daisy Jane as she's one of the only authors I know to consistently write dominant FMC's well, and I'll continue to reach for her books!
Quinn, a city girl and documentary filmmaker travels to Texas to film "the comeback rider" - our single dad Landry.
Landry lost his wife several years ago and after sinking all the farms finances to try and save her, is now facing losing his ranch and losing his daughter to his conniving inlaws. In an effort to save everything, he asks Quinn to fake marry him to show he's got a stable home life for his daughter, and then he plans to win one last rodeo to pay off his bills. It's all a little too easy, even though the stakes are high.
I love a fake marriage. I love an age gap. I can even get behind a single dad. I love that Quinn is a little bossy in the bedroom, though I wish she was more dominant in this.
Part of Quinn's conditions to marry Landry are that she would have free use of his body, and I was excited to read a book where the FMC arranges the free use over an MMC. Unfortunately, she BARELY uses him, and even though the spice is good, it could have been better.
Somewhere around 70% the breeding k!nk got to be too much for me and I started skimming. I personally just don't abide anything pregnancy adjacent, and it gave me serious ick, and took me out of the story and the spice. But some people LOVE that and if you do, this could be the book for you because it's plentiful!
The story itself is very cute and sweet. Landry's daughter Sadie, is a lovely addition and that's coming from someone not into kids in their books. I also absolutely loved Mabel, meddling old lady that she was. It's got some very sentimental and emotional moments, which I appreciated.
That said, the 3rd act breakup/misunderstanding was hugely unnecessary, and really stalled out the end of the book for me.
I did enjoy it and I think if you enjoy some of the tropes mentioned, it'll be a really fun and sweet read for you!
Thank you Daisy and her team for the ARC, all thoughts are my own.
This book is going to be hard for me to review because I really loved the plot and premise, but a couple things didn't land for me.
First I'll say I'm a big fan of Daisy Jane as she's one of the only authors I know to consistently write dominant FMC's well, and I'll continue to reach for her books!
Quinn, a city girl and documentary filmmaker travels to Texas to film "the comeback rider" - our single dad Landry.
Landry lost his wife several years ago and after sinking all the farms finances to try and save her, is now facing losing his ranch and losing his daughter to his conniving inlaws. In an effort to save everything, he asks Quinn to fake marry him to show he's got a stable home life for his daughter, and then he plans to win one last rodeo to pay off his bills. It's all a little too easy, even though the stakes are high.
I love a fake marriage. I love an age gap. I can even get behind a single dad. I love that Quinn is a little bossy in the bedroom, though I wish she was more dominant in this.
Part of Quinn's conditions to marry Landry are that she would have free use of his body, and I was excited to read a book where the FMC arranges the free use over an MMC. Unfortunately, she BARELY uses him, and even though the spice is good, it could have been better.
Somewhere around 70% the breeding k!nk got to be too much for me and I started skimming. I personally just don't abide anything pregnancy adjacent, and it gave me serious ick, and took me out of the story and the spice. But some people LOVE that and if you do, this could be the book for you because it's plentiful!
The story itself is very cute and sweet. Landry's daughter Sadie, is a lovely addition and that's coming from someone not into kids in their books. I also absolutely loved Mabel, meddling old lady that she was. It's got some very sentimental and emotional moments, which I appreciated.
That said, the 3rd act breakup/misunderstanding was hugely unnecessary, and really stalled out the end of the book for me.
I did enjoy it and I think if you enjoy some of the tropes mentioned, it'll be a really fun and sweet read for you!
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