Wilde Cowboy

Love Is a Cowboy, Book 1

By: Kelly Elliott

Narrated by: Ryan McCarthy, Savannah Peachwood

From New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Kelly Elliott comes a new series that takes us back to her roots.

Ladd

As the son of a third-generation cattle rancher, it’s expected that I would follow in the footsteps of my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and work the family ranch just as they did.

However, that wasn’t my dream, and thankfully, my parents stood behind me when I told them I wanted to open a sporting goods store in our hometown of River Falls, Colorado. That’s my plan. My endgame, and nothing is going to distract me from that goal.

Then, I met Vivianne Pennington. It soon becomes clear to me that Vivianne is now a part of my dreams, and when I bring her home for Christmas, my entire family and the town of River Falls fall head over heels in love with her.

Vivianne

I’ve gone and found myself in love with a cowboy from a small town in Colorado. When Ladd’s mother and father insist that I come and spend Christmas with them on the family’s cattle ranch, I’m both excited and nervous.

It becomes clear to me that Ladd’s family has deep roots in the community and a family bond I’ve never experienced before. Estranged from my own parents, I long to be a part of the Wilde family and start to see myself living on the ranch and being a part of the community.

But I’m keeping a secret from my past. A secret that I’m terrified will destroy the future I envision, and I’m scared to lose the wild cowboy who has stolen my heart.

Wilde Cowboy is a prequel in the Love Is a Cowboy series. It is the author’s hope that by listening to Ladd and Vivianne’s story first, you will have a beautifully painted picture of River Falls Cattle Ranch and the Wilde Family.

©2025 Kelly Elliott (P)2026 Blackstone Publishing

An emotional, heartfelt romance

I loved this book! It made me tear up so many times. Mostly swoony, loving tears, some sad ones too. This is what everyone deserves in life and love. I cannot wait for the rest of the series!

I really enjoyed this one!

What a great start to a new series! I was hooked immediately and didn’t want to put it down!!

The author did a great job setting up this series without taking away from the story that was being told. I found myself getting attached to all the characters and wanting to see their stories told.

If you are an audio person be sure to check this one out! I really enjoyed it. The narrators brought so much life to the story. Really helped pull me in. It really did play out like a movie in my mind!

This is definitely a book that I was sad that it came to an end. I loved that there was no long drawn out drama and no third act breakup.

I cannot wait to see what happens next! So if you’re looking for a found family, small town, cowboy, love at first sight romance look no further!

The hug & family I didn’t know I needed!

I finished out January 2026 with Wilde Cowboy by Author Kelly Elliott. It’s on KU and so beautifully written! This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I LOVED it! It was the easiest 5 stars I gave last month! Looking forward to continuing his series!!

*Small Town
*Cowboy Romance
*He Falls 1st
*Hidden Secrets
*Origin Story
*Found Family (one of the best I’ve read)

“The moment I saw you, I knew I wanted you to be mine for the rest of my life.”

She fell for a cowboy and a family she never had. Ladd & Vivanne’s story is the absolute BEST intro into Author Kelly Elliott’s River Falls Cattle Ranch Series. It gave me ALL the feels! Highly recommend! I did an immersive read and the narration just brought this story to life! I never want to leave River Falls Cattle Ranch! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An Amazing Prequel to Love is a Cowboy Series!!

4 ⭐️
2 🔥
Small Town Romance
Origin Story
Insta Love
He Falls First
Ranch Life
No Third Act Breakup
Found Family
Great on Audio! 🎧
This was short, sweet and just a little spicy! This is book one, set as a prequel for the Love is a Cowboy series, and my first from this author. I really enjoyed it and will definitely be picking up the rest of the series! This one is about Ladd & Vivianne. Ladd is part of the Wilde family, and although they run a cattle ranch, he wants to open his own sporting goods business in town. So, he goes away to school, and this is where he meets Vivianne. They quickly hit it off and have been dating, when Ladd’s parents come to town and invite Vivianne to spend Christmas with the Ladd family. This whole family is just sweet and really takes to Vivianne, easily bringing her into the fold. This book was truly heartwarming, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!

Thank you Kelly Elliott and Hambright PR for the ARC!

Surprisingly Pleased

It was great to read a story without excess drama and wear a young lady was not only said to be strong but showed she was!!!