A Contemporary Love Triangle Cowboy Romance in the Wild Men series by USA Today bestselling author Melissa Belle. Leleila Brayden Wild was my first kiss. The Montana football star with the cowboy boots and sexy tattoo. He salvaged my heart from a bad choice I wish I never made, on a night I wish I could forget. But that was twelve years ago. And since then, I’ve been wise enough to play it safe. … then, I’ve been wise enough to play it safe. Certain. Risk-free.
Until I go to the store and spill granola all over…Brayden Wild. He’s still rocking a wild mess of blond hair. He’s still sexy as hell.
My smooth reaction? I trip and fall on him. And then I run off like a frightened deer.
Because I still WANT him.
But I’m getting married in a month.
Brayden
Leleila Wills. The bookish, teenage girl with the sad, beautiful eyes and killer body who electrified me at first sight—is now a grown woman living here in Mountainview. I finally know her name. I finally have a second chance to ask her out. But I can’t.
Because I DON’T go after women who are taken. Ever.
I try to focus on coaching my football team and on taking care of things at the ranch. So why can’t I get her the hell out of my head?
I tell myself it’s because she needs a friend. I mean, what kind of tool stands up his wife-to-be before their wedding dance class? But the truth is….
I like Leleila’s awkward, quirky personality. And I can’t deny how my body’s on fire whenever she’s nearby.
I’ve got one month to get to know her the way I wanted to twelve years ago, even if it’s only as her friend. That will have to be enough.
So what the hell will I do if it’s not?
more
Every time I read one of the Wild Men stories, I fall in love with a Wild. And this one is no exception. Leleila is such a sweet and innocent girl when she first meets Brayden Wild at a football party in high school. He saves her from a horrifying incident with the quarterback, Noah, and when all is said and done, he’s the one who gives her her first kiss. But as she moves on through life, working to get her psychiatric degree, she ends up with her high school sweetheart, a scientist by the name of Phillip, a becomes engaged. It isn’t until she fails her final and ends up working in her sister’s shop that she meets Brayden again. And it turns out he never forgot about her either. As she works alongside him and looks into an environmental issue with him, they discover that the attraction goes both ways. Will her engagement stand up to this new revelation? Will Brayden be able to move forward to something more with her, or will he be stuck in the friendzone?
Brayden is such a gentleman in this story, even at times when he doesn’t want to be. And I love that the author writes from both POV’s so we get to see both inner struggles as they navigate their friendship and figure out whether they’re really following the paths they always wanted and what’s been missing in their lives. It’s sweet and poignant, and it is always fun to watch a Wild fall in love in the most unusual circumstances. I couldn’t help but fall in love myself. I’m looking forward to seeing how things go with the next Wild man.
Everything Happens For A Reason; Sometimes Things Fall Apart So Better Things Can Fall Together!
Twelve YEARS Ago her life was Rocked to its Foundation…
Who was there…
A S€X¥ Football Star with tons O’ Swagger,
Swoopin’ in with a Cowboy Hat, Captivatin’ Eyes, & Comfortin’ Arms!
They left an impression on the awkward teen,
So much so, their next meetin’s like a Reality Show…
Now, this Gal’s takin’ a look at her life,
Thinkin’ maybe things ain’t quite turnin’ out quite RIGHT!
But, what’s she gonna DO,
When she’s seems from saying I DO!
Especially, seeing the MAN on the other side of the alter,
Only makes her want to falter…
They say everything happens for a Reason…
Has “Brayden” come back into her life at just the Right Season?!
I was granted an ARC of Melissa Belle’s “Brayden (Wild Men Book 5)” via Booksprout; I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time… Happy Reading!
Enjoyed
Another great book in the series. Brayden first set eyes on Leleani when was a party in high school. They lived in separate towns. But he saved her in a way that she held close for 12 years. This story brings a man who does the right thing and a woman who still has a bit of fear.
I haven’t read such a good book like this in a long time. The characters are so well developed you feel like you know them.
i really enjoyed this story
Beautiful love story! I could have done without the F- word…..author needs to know not everyone talks like that! But a beautiful story. Brayden is ONE OF A KIND!! What an amazing man. Leleila… there were times I just wanted to slap her up the side of the head and wake her up. Leleila had a horrible experience with a horrible guy that Brayden actually was going to try to save her from. Right after she managed to get away, she ran into Brayden, literally, and kissed him and then ran away and didn’t see him for 12 years. After her awful experience she started dating Phil and they were engaged when she ran into Brayden again… literally and they became friends. Phil is a jerk and literally has no time for Leleila, Brayden fills in as Leleila’s dance partner at Phil’s request!! Phil is a self centered control freak that manipulates Leleila’s every move!! Thank heavens for amazing Brayden!!! A great standalone with an HEA!!!
Good characters with people leaning to trust their instincts to follow their dreams.
Master of building anticipation, this author let’s us believe in characters with morals and realistic HEAs.
This entire series is very easy to read; all the characters are interesting. There are a few twists & turns for each one of the guys in the series!!
He helped her out on one night but that was 12 years ago. They bump into each other again. There are still sparks but she is about to marry. What will happen? He knows he wants her what will be do? What will she do? See how it will go
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A captivating read from beginning to end! An exciting storyline that leaves you breathless wanting more! Sexy steam filled chemistry! Emotionally heartfelt, enjoyable and fun! One heck of a twisted, intense rollercoaster ride! An amazing must read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Twelve years ago he saved her and gave her her first kiss. She ran and they didn’t trade names. Now she’s run into him again and suddenly all the “safe” choices she’s made in her life seem questionable. His name is Brayden and he’s working part time for her sister in order to get enough money together to buy a ranch of his own.
Leleila’s been taking the safe road ever since the incident 12 years ago and finds herself engaged to a man that ignores her, she failed her dissertation and she’s preparing to go to Africa after her wedding. In the meantime she’ll help her sister.
June, her sister, immediately sees a connection between them and since she hates her sisters fiance, she doesn’t hesitate to give a little prod here and there.
When her fiancé bails on a dance class, Brayden steps in, as a friend and they spend time getting to know each other.
This is a wonderful story about two people who are perfect for each other and have been since the first time they saw each other. Now, as adults they’ll have to weigh their options for the future.
I loved the characters in the book. Both Leleilani and Brayden were well developed and their story took the main stage. Lei’s sister June was very helpful and the fiancé was a waste of time.
They had to deal with a number of obstacles including her ptsd from the event 12 years ago and he didn’t want to poach someone who belonged to another guy. One question from Brayden explains everything—she is going to Africa after the wedding and he asks if she wants to go—no one has asked her until now. She’s allowed herself to be pushed around but now, for Brayden she’ll make a stand. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC),
An enthralling enjoyable read! There is so much to look forward to – family, friends, witty banter, and humour. The book is well written and relatable; the plot is well-developed and consistent, the ideas are well-thought-out and there is a great pace from scene to scene. Brayden and Leleila are great together; they are strong and show true depth; their chemistry is off the charts and undeniable. This story will tug your heart strings, will make you smile, and will captivate and hold your interest until the end. It is a love story you will enjoy reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Awesome love story, sort of a second chance romance, but with a twist of the shining knight on one scary night and does she follow her heart or the safe path. Loved it.
How is it possible this series just keeps getting better and better? I absolutely loved Brayden and Leleila. The author does a very good job of walking a very tricky line with all the characters involved. I also love how seamlessly the rest of the family is integrated.
An interesting story on if one should follow the safe, predictable path or follow one’s heart. Leleila had decisions to make in both her professional and personal life. Should she stay the course with both her fiance who she has known since high school and follow her parents’ career path, or should she trust her heart with Brayden, a one encounter knight and follow her art passion? There was a lot of internal reflection on Leleila’s part. It got to where I wanted to shake her! And we get glimpses of Brayden’s thoughts, which were quite noble. A slow burn romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Leleila gets her first kiss, it knocks both her and Brayden off their feet. But she runs off after and he doesn’t see her again for 12 years. Only now she’s engaged and has plans for her future, so Brayden knows better than to even think of starting something with her. But…perhaps they can be friends?
12 years ago Brayden and Leleila were teenagers with their lives ahead of them. Now they’re adults who have plans for their futures. His is to buy a ranch and keep coaching the high school football team. Hers is to fight to get her dissertation approved and finish her PhD and to marry her fiancé, Phillip. But, things can change in an instant and Brayden is the one who’s there for her when they do change, just as he was there for her that night 12 years ago when her life was irrevocably changed too.
I loved Brayden, the character and the story. It’s deeply moving and substantial. I love that it’s a slow burn and that Brayden and Leleila start off as soul mate kind of friends. And the secondary cast is just as great as the two leads – I can’t wait for more in this series!
When past collides with present, is listening to your heart worth risking your soul? Brayden is one woman’s choice to play it safe and the man that could topple her house of cards. Belle gives readers a peek inside the head and hearts of a once happy couple. In their own words we get to discover what went wrong and if they are willing to make it right. Leleila and Brayden are the perfect blend of engaging frustration and heartbreaking first love. Will their hearts guide them back to love or will their head get in the way of a second chance?
Leleila is a very curious character, a scholar because that is what is expected, but has the soul to be an artist. Brayden know that his heart and life belong on a ranch, two very different personalities that find a connection that really explodes on the pages. I didn’t quite like Lei’s parents, so focused on their own lives that their daughters became second, but that’s the mom in me. Phillip came through as the perfect douche of a man, who in their right mind sends their fiancee off with a guy that’s better looking. I loved that the characters did have a moral high ground with no cheating, wouldve spoiled the entire character building. The imagery was awesome could almost imagine the mountain vistas around them, and the unity of family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An Outstanding Story!
Don’t let the cover fool you…this story has such depth and richness to it. The author, Melissa Belle, has written an engaging love story about what happens when you settle for the sake of safety…you forsake your own life for someone else’s. and that what Leleila has done for twelve years and now she is about to marry Philip who she questions if this is the right thing to do. And Philip, he’s so much in his head and ego centered that he pawns her off to Brayden and that sets them both off on an emotional roller coaster.
I kept waiting for Leleila to walk in on Philip with another professor (Mindy)so she could storm out. Instead the author had, gasp, her act the adult and explain why they needed to break up. It was all so civil. The author also had her make an appointment with a therapist to address the trauma she experienced as a teenager. How healthy! Thank you Melissa for addressing what are symptoms of PTSD Leleila experiences.
Definitely recommending this book for your reading enjoyment