West of Forever by: Corinne Michaels

West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)
Author: Corinne Michaels
Published: June 2026
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: ARC eBook/ALC
Pages: 384
Rating: 5/5
Summary:

Tristan Stone is off limits.

It doesn’t matter that the grumpy, single dad did nothing wrong. He’s a cowboy and his last name means I’m bound by blood to hate him. My family would never be okay with me having feelings for our enemy.

When he stops—in the pouring rain—because I have a flat tire, the last thing I expect is for him to help me.

I do my best to ignore the water sliding off his hat and how he fills out those jeans. My best, however, is not good enough. Each night I close my eyes and dream of a future we can never have. And after he defends me at the bar and we share a magical dance? It only gets worse.

I know I should forget about him, but when I find him alone one night, I offer up a no-strings attached relationship that we both promise to keep secret. Sidelong glances across property lines morph into clandestine meetings under the stars wrapped up in each other’s arms.

Never mind that our families will never approve or that he told me he can never love again, I crave him.

Soon our no feelings agreement is in tatters, and my heart belongs to that broken cowboy. Will he break it or will he defy them all and choose us instead?

Review:

First, I'd like to thank Corinne Michaels & Team for sending me an ARC/ALC copy to review! This is the first book in a new series and let me tell you it starts off with a bang! The characters, the town, the people and grudges... this had it all!

Right from the beginning I was hooked onto Tristan and Lark's story. Considering it's a small town, you know everyone knows everything, and when the single father is trying to uncover who is causing trouble between the two families that already have bad blood. But when he finds Lark alone in the rain, one thing leads to many more moments like this and they wind up with a secret fling that no one can find out about.

But with all secrets, they come to light and I'll say I was shocked on a few things right at the very end even and it had a smirk plastered on my face at just how perfect this story wrapped up to be. I couldn't put it down, and getting to listen to the audio at the same time?! OH MY GOD it was incredible! Connor and Vanessa were perfection in my ears, and I swear I could hear that man talk to me all day long about nothing and I'd be enthralled.

The whole family feud thing definitely got to me at times, only because I wanted to reach into the book and slap them all upside the head over it. The way Tristan tells his daughter how to treat people who've done nothing to you was a great moment! Speaking of, the relationship and dynamic Sadie has not only with her family but with Lark was so sweet! I loved reading their time together and how soft Lark was around her.

And when this little secret sex time came about, holy hell they were hot together! Like you can't deny these feelings they have for one another with the glances, the constant same place same time moments, and just the general way both Tristan and Lark don't particularly care about this feud. There were many layers to the story and as the pages passed, you really got to peel of each layer towards their HEA and I was addicted!

Overall, this was a fantastic read! It was hot, it was emotional especially over both Tristan and his sister's unfortunate passing of their spouses, but it was also healing. A page turner that had me on the edge of my seat, and turning up the volume on my headphones listening to an incredible narration, bringing these characters to life!

That's all for my review, I hope you enjoyed it and be sure to grab your copy today!

So until the next time, keep reading!

Your Graduated Bookworm!! :)