City girl Cecily never expected to end up working on a cattle ranch, but after escaping her abusive soon-to-be-ex-husband, she needs a job—and refuge. If only her new boss, Austin Wells, would stop being so hot and cold; his gaze makes her feel things she hasn’t in years, but she knows that getting over her ex by getting under the grumpy rancher isn’t worth the potential fallout. Afterall, Austin’s a gruff, no-nonsense man—and he’s certain that Cecily won’t stick around, because nobody ever stays. Add the wedding ring indent still on her finger, and she’s more trouble than she’s worth. Yet the more time they spend together on the ranch, the more they’re drawn to each other. When Cecily’s past catches up with her, Austin discovers that she’s already placed a branding iron on his heart. If he wants her to stay, he needs to keep her safe.

Alive and Wells is Bailey Hannah’s debut novel, and it is impressive: a beautifully written story, packed with chemistry and so much heart. FMC Cecily’s experiences are heartbreaking and some parts may be challenging for some readers, but her journey is handled with the utmost thought and care. Despite her history, she brings a dose of sunshine to the story through her resilience. MMC Austin is a great match for her, with an endearing gruffness and sturdy nature that balances the vibrance that emerges in Cecily as she grows more comfortable in her new life. One of my favourite aspects was that Austin’s history was given as much depth and consideration as Cecily’s; they both have their own issues around trust and to work through, and the transition from strangers, to friends, to lovers as they both followed their own healing journeys as individuals and together felt especially natural. I’ll be skipping book two in the series, Seeing Red, as it is centred on themes that are major nopes for me, but I definitely encourage others to check it out and I will be reading book three, Change of Hart, when it releases later this month.