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The Endless Fall
Willa Dunn is finally getting the hell out of Deadwood—but first she needs to tell her overprotective family that she’s leaving.
For years she’s dreamed of escaping the small town that refuses to let her forget the past, but when Ryker Bennett—her childhood bully and brother’s best friend—comes back to East Texas, all her plans go up in smoke.
Against her brother’s wishes, Willa finds herself drawn to the broody troublemaker with scars that rival her own. But as her attraction to Ryker ignites, so do the disturbing events around town. Shadows move in the forest, dismembered livestock plague the ranch next door, and Willa slowly realizes she’s not the only one keeping secrets…
As betrayals and lies bring her to the breaking point, Willa must decide if turning her back on her godforsaken hometown is worth losing the one person
worth staying for.
For years she’s dreamed of escaping the small town that refuses to let her forget the past, but when Ryker Bennett—her childhood bully and brother’s best friend—comes back to East Texas, all her plans go up in smoke.
Against her brother’s wishes, Willa finds herself drawn to the broody troublemaker with scars that rival her own. But as her attraction to Ryker ignites, so do the disturbing events around town. Shadows move in the forest, dismembered livestock plague the ranch next door, and Willa slowly realizes she’s not the only one keeping secrets…
As betrayals and lies bring her to the breaking point, Willa must decide if turning her back on her godforsaken hometown is worth losing the one person
worth staying for.
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2025
250 people are currently reading
3247 people want to read
About the author
Emmerson Hoyt
6 books291 followersEmmerson Hoyt lives in Central Texas with her husband and a small horde of animals. When she’s not writing, she’s getting floral tattoos or playing video games.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
April 10, 2025
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
'𝐓H𝐄 𝐄N𝐃L𝐄S𝐒 𝐅A𝐋L' Is the first full length enemies to lovers romance book within the (Deadwood) duet by new to me author Emmerson Hoyt. Be warned that this does end in a cliffy..
I saw this one doing the rounds on release day, cover grabbed my attention, liked the sound of the blurb, one thing led to the other, grabbed it, dived in and and the rest is history..There is so much to unpack in this book, and I am so glad I took that first initial plunge and grabbed this because once started I couldn’t put it down, though I need to go back and reread the epilogue because I don’t know where that fits in this book because throughout that’s been the confusing part of this book.
In a creepy shivers down your back kind of way, where shadows move in the forest, and animals are maimed, and where a cult is setting up residence within a small town in Texas, our heroine Willa Dunn wrings those cotton ball feels out of you, her brother and father protect her and treat her as though she's fragile, (but this girls hiding a backbone that will peek out at times) the town ostracised her due to the scarring marring her body, they whisper behind her back, point and stare, she strives to leave the town of Deadwood and never look back. Getting accepted into her college of choice is her means of escape, she just needs her father and brother to accept the fact that she's leaving.
Now with her childhood bully, Ryker Bennett her brothers best friend arriving back in town complicates things when her father allows him to live with them, where he's treated like another son.
She's the forbidden fruit his best friend warns him to keep away from, but Ryker's never one to follow the rules, he's had a thing with Willa as far back as he can remember.
Now living under the same roof all bets are off. The push and pull between these two was chefs kiss,
Many twists and turns
Secrets and lies
This author left many little breadcrumbs thrown around haphazardly never making up the full puzzle 🧩 piece by piece we had to gather all the information to form the bigger picture..And then it ends on a cliffy..
April 11, 2025
Welcome to my new obsession. This book was so addicting, I could not put it down and it has consumed my every thought. This has easily become a new all time favorite of mine and I’m not sure how I will survive the wait for the next book! The writing was riveting, the setting was atmospheric, and these incredible and complex characters had me in an absolute chokehold. 😭
Willa and Ryker’s backstories are tragic, their struggles are heartbreaking. It was so cathartic seeing them find solace in one another and being the one person to truly understand the other. You could feel the love between them pouring off the pages and it was so easy to get wrapped up in. I fell so incredibly hard for both of them individually and together. There is so much more I could say, but I just need you to read it and experience it for yourself!
What you’ll find in this book is a southern gothic setting with eerie culty vibes, brothers best friend, spicy spice 😮💨, suspense, twists that keep twisting, oh and emotional damage✨. Seriously, the last quarter of the book gave me heart palpitations from the anxiety and I am so unwell after the ending and am dying (DYING) for book two. So if anyone needs me, I’ll just be in the fetal position until that comes out. Also after finding out what inspired this entire story in the acknowledgements… Emmerson is an absolute genius 🤌🏼
Willa and Ryker’s backstories are tragic, their struggles are heartbreaking. It was so cathartic seeing them find solace in one another and being the one person to truly understand the other. You could feel the love between them pouring off the pages and it was so easy to get wrapped up in. I fell so incredibly hard for both of them individually and together. There is so much more I could say, but I just need you to read it and experience it for yourself!
What you’ll find in this book is a southern gothic setting with eerie culty vibes, brothers best friend, spicy spice 😮💨, suspense, twists that keep twisting, oh and emotional damage✨. Seriously, the last quarter of the book gave me heart palpitations from the anxiety and I am so unwell after the ending and am dying (DYING) for book two. So if anyone needs me, I’ll just be in the fetal position until that comes out. Also after finding out what inspired this entire story in the acknowledgements… Emmerson is an absolute genius 🤌🏼
April 10, 2025
That ending!!!! I need the next book ASAP!!
May 26, 2025
ms hoyt really pulled out all the sexiest tropes of mankind for this one.
❥ southern gothic
❥ creepy small town
❥ a cult
❥ he hates anyone’s touch but hers
❥ (a lot of) spanking
❥ physically & mentally scarred mc’s (her mom literally tried to burn her alive at a church lol)
❥ he’s a giver 🫦
this dragged me out of my slump by the throat. i was invested from page 1 to 500. but that ending? jail. i better be seeing that sequel soon or else*
*or else nothing i’ll just cry
❥ southern gothic
❥ creepy small town
❥ a cult
❥ he hates anyone’s touch but hers
❥ (a lot of) spanking
❥ physically & mentally scarred mc’s (her mom literally tried to burn her alive at a church lol)
❥ he’s a giver 🫦
this dragged me out of my slump by the throat. i was invested from page 1 to 500. but that ending? jail. i better be seeing that sequel soon or else*
*or else nothing i’ll just cry
June 22, 2025
This story has a lot of twists and turns but it doesn’t make sense to me, unfortunately.
April 4, 2025
Gothic, cowboys, trauma, scars and cults… we’ve also got bully to lovers and brothers best friends. Ryker Bennett is broody protective, perfection. Cannot wait for book 2 which we’re told will be DARKER, which ofc is always a YES from me! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
“Will one taste quench the thirst, Princess? Will it douse the flame or burn me alive.”
“Will one taste quench the thirst, Princess? Will it douse the flame or burn me alive.”
April 1, 2025
The Endless Fall was my first book by Emerson Hoyt. I’ve had lots of friends recommend her books to me, and when I saw that she was writing a southern gothic romance with a brother’s best friend trope and spankings, I said I’M IN!
Admittedly, I struggled to get into the first 10% of this book. I believe part of that was because there seemed to be a heavy dose of internal monologue, but the other part was due to me being in a major book slump from previous books, so that one could be on me.
One of the reasons why I love the brother’s best friend trope is the aching tension and forbidden aspect that goes into them. However, I didn’t seem to find that here. The relationship started pretty early, and some of the elements I was really excited about (like the spankings) seemed to not hit the way I wanted them to, and seemed overdone in some instances. That being said, I did like the characters on their own, and I liked them together even if their romance didn’t excite me as much as I was hoping. Another aspect I enjoyed were the plot twists—the story felt like an original take on some older plot twists. This book also passed the “Bechdel Test”; the heroine had goals, aspirations and conversations outside of the romantic relationship with the hero, and I enjoyed that aspect of the story a lot too.
Additionally, for some reason, the character’s name “Old Man Dan” threw me for a loop. Don’t ask me why. 😂
Overall, this was an okay read to me—not great, but not bad—and I can see it working really well for a lot of romance readers.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you very much for the ARC!
Admittedly, I struggled to get into the first 10% of this book. I believe part of that was because there seemed to be a heavy dose of internal monologue, but the other part was due to me being in a major book slump from previous books, so that one could be on me.
One of the reasons why I love the brother’s best friend trope is the aching tension and forbidden aspect that goes into them. However, I didn’t seem to find that here. The relationship started pretty early, and some of the elements I was really excited about (like the spankings) seemed to not hit the way I wanted them to, and seemed overdone in some instances. That being said, I did like the characters on their own, and I liked them together even if their romance didn’t excite me as much as I was hoping. Another aspect I enjoyed were the plot twists—the story felt like an original take on some older plot twists. This book also passed the “Bechdel Test”; the heroine had goals, aspirations and conversations outside of the romantic relationship with the hero, and I enjoyed that aspect of the story a lot too.
Additionally, for some reason, the character’s name “Old Man Dan” threw me for a loop. Don’t ask me why. 😂
Overall, this was an okay read to me—not great, but not bad—and I can see it working really well for a lot of romance readers.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you very much for the ARC!
April 26, 2025
Plot: 5/5
Spice: 2/5
Well it’s official, Emmerson Hoyt not only popped her FMC’s cherry, but she also popped mine! First five star read of the year? CHECK! Finally lost that v-card lol. I had a sneaking suspicion that this book was going to be a five star, but it far surpassed all of my expectations.
When I tell you that I am shook and my brain feels broken, I’m not even joking. She well and truly fucked up my head. I already knew that I liked Emmerson’s writing - her Jackals and Vipers duet is really good - but this book was something else entirely. She literally leveled up when she wrote this. “Oh you liked that duet? Good, hold my beer…” and then WHAM. Shook.
I’m seriously struggling with how to describe this book to you without giving anything away… It’s got serious vibes. Think creepy southern gothic, like run down, back woods kinda town and then add in a touch of cultish craziness and urban legends. Chef’s kiss. Fucking immaculate vibes.
I don’t even want to give you a bunch of tropes or anything because you just need to experience it. But Ryker was perfection and Willa was so relatable and had such a well thought out and realistic arc that I adored her. And we all know I struggle with liking most FMC’s, so that’s saying something. Even the side characters and their arcs were perfection. I don’t have a single note. None.
The plot…fucking eh. I’m gunna cry again just thinking about it. Yes, I cried. Actual real tears left my eyes. I’m so dumbfounded by everything that played out and I’m seriously stressed out that we’re gunna have to wait so long to find out what happens lol. In all of my musings and theorizing about how this was going to go, I didn’t see any of it coming. Just complete devastation and awe.
I’m also completely dumbfounded that this is only Emmerson’s third book. Lady, you have some serious skill and you should be insanely proud of yourself. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this gets picked up for a trad deal.
If you haven’t read this, I highly suggest you do. Like immediately. Stop what you’re doing and go start this book. And then I want all of your thoughts and reactions in my DM’s so I can relive it with you lol.
Xo
- J
P.S. I will be making an edit for this at some point, because holy fuck it needs a permanent spot in my highlights.
Spice: 2/5
Well it’s official, Emmerson Hoyt not only popped her FMC’s cherry, but she also popped mine! First five star read of the year? CHECK! Finally lost that v-card lol. I had a sneaking suspicion that this book was going to be a five star, but it far surpassed all of my expectations.
When I tell you that I am shook and my brain feels broken, I’m not even joking. She well and truly fucked up my head. I already knew that I liked Emmerson’s writing - her Jackals and Vipers duet is really good - but this book was something else entirely. She literally leveled up when she wrote this. “Oh you liked that duet? Good, hold my beer…” and then WHAM. Shook.
I’m seriously struggling with how to describe this book to you without giving anything away… It’s got serious vibes. Think creepy southern gothic, like run down, back woods kinda town and then add in a touch of cultish craziness and urban legends. Chef’s kiss. Fucking immaculate vibes.
I don’t even want to give you a bunch of tropes or anything because you just need to experience it. But Ryker was perfection and Willa was so relatable and had such a well thought out and realistic arc that I adored her. And we all know I struggle with liking most FMC’s, so that’s saying something. Even the side characters and their arcs were perfection. I don’t have a single note. None.
The plot…fucking eh. I’m gunna cry again just thinking about it. Yes, I cried. Actual real tears left my eyes. I’m so dumbfounded by everything that played out and I’m seriously stressed out that we’re gunna have to wait so long to find out what happens lol. In all of my musings and theorizing about how this was going to go, I didn’t see any of it coming. Just complete devastation and awe.
I’m also completely dumbfounded that this is only Emmerson’s third book. Lady, you have some serious skill and you should be insanely proud of yourself. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this gets picked up for a trad deal.
If you haven’t read this, I highly suggest you do. Like immediately. Stop what you’re doing and go start this book. And then I want all of your thoughts and reactions in my DM’s so I can relive it with you lol.
Xo
- J
P.S. I will be making an edit for this at some point, because holy fuck it needs a permanent spot in my highlights.
April 1, 2025
Okay, Ma’am. I adore your writing. I’m obsessed. Starting out at the prologue, I was hooked. The vibes of this book were *chefs kiss*. Southern gothic ish? We are in small town Texas…but not cute small town Texas. Creepy small town Texas. Think True Blood minus the vampires. Willa is trying to get out of Deadwood after living a life on the outside after trauma as a child. But, there’s some odd activity around town along with some other drama that just keeps you hooked.
Ryker is Willa’s brothers best friend. Brother’s best friend is one of my all time favorite tropes and it’s done so well here. The sneaking around, the “we shouldn’t be doing this”, the TENSION. My goodness I was sweating when that tension finally snapped. She’s a slow burn though, so be ready for it.
That ending. I had words for Emmerson. So many words and I CANNOT WAIT for book 2. I’m ready.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Ryker is Willa’s brothers best friend. Brother’s best friend is one of my all time favorite tropes and it’s done so well here. The sneaking around, the “we shouldn’t be doing this”, the TENSION. My goodness I was sweating when that tension finally snapped. She’s a slow burn though, so be ready for it.
That ending. I had words for Emmerson. So many words and I CANNOT WAIT for book 2. I’m ready.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
May 18, 2025
5 ⭐️
Holy wow. That was SO 👏🏻 GOOD 👏🏻
I LITERALLY HAVE NO NOTES AND ALL CAPS.
I did not want this to end. The writing, legit in love.
I was slurping this up the tension- EVERYTHING was so damn good.
Gothic, cult vibes, small town Texas western.. brothers best friend. Childhood friends. It was always you moments. A WILD ending. All 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 DHing 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 🔥 🔥
I need book two like… yesterday!
Holy wow. That was SO 👏🏻 GOOD 👏🏻
I LITERALLY HAVE NO NOTES AND ALL CAPS.
I did not want this to end. The writing, legit in love.
I was slurping this up the tension- EVERYTHING was so damn good.
Gothic, cult vibes, small town Texas western.. brothers best friend. Childhood friends. It was always you moments. A WILD ending. All 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 DHing 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 🔥 🔥
I need book two like… yesterday!
October 8, 2025
•• “𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵, 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴? 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦?”
This book did in fact burn me alive - in the best way. Thanks to the layers of secrets, haunting backstories, and 𝙍𝙮𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙩, I had absolutely no chance of putting this down from the very moment I picked it up.
In fact, as soon as I made it to the last page I flipped right back to the prologue, just to try and grasp at a few more crumbs of this story. I’m still reeling from the ending, still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor after the way things went down, and I don’t think I’ll find any peace until the rest of this duet is complete.
But while I wait, I’ll be constantly thinking about this tragic love story. The tension was red hot til it finally exploded in the most beautiful and emotional way. Not many contemporary romances tug at my heart like this, but Willa and Ryker will always have a place of honor on my shelves now.
And while this is romance heavy, the plot never feels overshadowed. There’s so many secrets and such a general air of mystery that kept me on my toes - and also made the emotional moments that much more powerful. It’s addicting and brilliant, and you need to read it, simple as that.
What you can expect:
•𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀
•𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻
•𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱
•𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
•𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘆
•𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
•𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀, 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀
•𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
•𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲
This book did in fact burn me alive - in the best way. Thanks to the layers of secrets, haunting backstories, and 𝙍𝙮𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙩, I had absolutely no chance of putting this down from the very moment I picked it up.
In fact, as soon as I made it to the last page I flipped right back to the prologue, just to try and grasp at a few more crumbs of this story. I’m still reeling from the ending, still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor after the way things went down, and I don’t think I’ll find any peace until the rest of this duet is complete.
But while I wait, I’ll be constantly thinking about this tragic love story. The tension was red hot til it finally exploded in the most beautiful and emotional way. Not many contemporary romances tug at my heart like this, but Willa and Ryker will always have a place of honor on my shelves now.
And while this is romance heavy, the plot never feels overshadowed. There’s so many secrets and such a general air of mystery that kept me on my toes - and also made the emotional moments that much more powerful. It’s addicting and brilliant, and you need to read it, simple as that.
What you can expect:
•𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀
•𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻
•𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱
•𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
•𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘆
•𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
•𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀, 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀
•𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
•𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲
March 23, 2025
The rollercoaster this book sent me on was wild.
I absolutely loved this world Emmerson created, it’s gritty and gothic, and the writing just encapsulates it. I was hooked by the prologue, and it honestly kept me on me freaking toes the entire time.
The lies, the secrecy and the utter betrayals I live for this type of emotional trauma in books and it was delivered.
Our FMC Willa suffered a very traumatic event that leaves her with burns and scars on her body, which makes everyone either feel bad for her or, makes her the laughing stock of the town. She is so misunderstood but her growth throughout this book was incredible, it was done in such an entertaining way too.
The MMC Ryker, my god. Misunderstood, and also comes with a little baggage/ trauma as well, but damn he handles it well. Especially when things progress with Willa. Ryker is best friends with Willa’s brother Noah for years, basically bullying Willa any chance he gets growing up, which leaves some tension between them. The slow burn was paced so well.
Every character was written immaculately, Willa’s dad, the Blackthorns, the mayor, the best friend Isabel, Jenny. Everyone was perfectly placed in the story to make everything flow so naturally.
The secrets kept me on my freakin toes, and did I see any of them coming? Hell no, my jaw was on the floor for the last 2 hours of this book - it was constant with the reveals.
I feel like the entire book was one movie playing in my head and I can’t wait for the next one because damn im on the edge of my seat- I need to know what’s happening with everyone, and have every unanswered question I have - answered.
I’m just in aw at how perfectly executed this was.
I absolutely loved this world Emmerson created, it’s gritty and gothic, and the writing just encapsulates it. I was hooked by the prologue, and it honestly kept me on me freaking toes the entire time.
The lies, the secrecy and the utter betrayals I live for this type of emotional trauma in books and it was delivered.
Our FMC Willa suffered a very traumatic event that leaves her with burns and scars on her body, which makes everyone either feel bad for her or, makes her the laughing stock of the town. She is so misunderstood but her growth throughout this book was incredible, it was done in such an entertaining way too.
The MMC Ryker, my god. Misunderstood, and also comes with a little baggage/ trauma as well, but damn he handles it well. Especially when things progress with Willa. Ryker is best friends with Willa’s brother Noah for years, basically bullying Willa any chance he gets growing up, which leaves some tension between them. The slow burn was paced so well.
Every character was written immaculately, Willa’s dad, the Blackthorns, the mayor, the best friend Isabel, Jenny. Everyone was perfectly placed in the story to make everything flow so naturally.
The secrets kept me on my freakin toes, and did I see any of them coming? Hell no, my jaw was on the floor for the last 2 hours of this book - it was constant with the reveals.
I feel like the entire book was one movie playing in my head and I can’t wait for the next one because damn im on the edge of my seat- I need to know what’s happening with everyone, and have every unanswered question I have - answered.
I’m just in aw at how perfectly executed this was.
October 1, 2025
5 mf shiny ass stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ holy f* was this book good!
I don’t know what I was expecting, but this book had my jaw on the floor. It had me gasping, had me crying my little eyeballs out, clutching my pearls, gasping some more I did not see that ending coming and little surprises me so for this book to shock me multiple times was refreshing. I am foaming out the mouth for book 2. I need it in my hands immediately!
I know that this is labeled as a contemporary southern Gothic romance, but I would say it is actually pretty dark.
You have a scarred FMC with a tragic past, a cult mystery unfolding, strange animal, disappearances, weird notes being left for the FMC, hidden identities, secrets on all sides AND a hot slow burn steamy romance that I’m absolutely obsessed with.
Ryker was to die for & had me swooning. I absolutely loved Willa’s character as well I cannot wait to see how the story unfolds in book 2.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but this book had my jaw on the floor. It had me gasping, had me crying my little eyeballs out, clutching my pearls, gasping some more I did not see that ending coming and little surprises me so for this book to shock me multiple times was refreshing. I am foaming out the mouth for book 2. I need it in my hands immediately!
I know that this is labeled as a contemporary southern Gothic romance, but I would say it is actually pretty dark.
You have a scarred FMC with a tragic past, a cult mystery unfolding, strange animal, disappearances, weird notes being left for the FMC, hidden identities, secrets on all sides AND a hot slow burn steamy romance that I’m absolutely obsessed with.
Ryker was to die for & had me swooning. I absolutely loved Willa’s character as well I cannot wait to see how the story unfolds in book 2.
July 13, 2025
Omg that ending!! The writing in this book is so fast paced that even though this book is long, I devoured it in three days (while also reading three other books lol). I’m going to need book 2 asap because I need resolution! 4.5 stars!
March 23, 2025
Voodoo magic worked again. ♾️ stars
Spoiler free review but DAMN. Emmerson you’ve got some explaining to do mam and I will only accepted apologies via book two asap. RYKER BENNET 🔥 The connection between those two was just.. fire. Like a moth to a flame. Are EH books full of heartbreak, spice, and crack? Yes.
The southern gothic vibes were so well detailed and incredibly easy to picture.
Spoiler free review but DAMN. Emmerson you’ve got some explaining to do mam and I will only accepted apologies via book two asap. RYKER BENNET 🔥 The connection between those two was just.. fire. Like a moth to a flame. Are EH books full of heartbreak, spice, and crack? Yes.
The southern gothic vibes were so well detailed and incredibly easy to picture.
May 15, 2025
This book roped me in and held me hostage—I’m still reeling. The Endless Fall is drenched in Southern Gothic atmosphere, laced with culty tension, and wrapped in a romance that’s as dangerous as it is addictive.
I’m still not even sure I fully understand everything that’s happening—but that’s part of the magic. The mystery pulls at you, page after page, until you're breathless and begging for answers. It’s eerie, immersive, and dripping with dread in the most beautiful way.
And yes, it ends on a cliffhanger. A brutal, perfectly placed one that left me spiraling. 🖤
Let’s talk about Ryder—because he just claimed a permanent spot on my book boyfriend list, and no one’s talking me out of it. Brooding. Protective. Mysterious in all the right ways. The kind of man you know is trouble, but you fall anyway.
Willa’s journey, though? Phenomenal. She starts off trapped—by place, by circumstance, by fear—but the growth she shows by the end is so raw and earned. Watching her unravel the truth, piece by piece, while finding her strength was gripping.
And the angst? It devoured me. That slow-burn ache, the push and pull, the uncertainty—every bit of it had me desperate to know what came next.
If you’re into:
✔️ Southern Gothic vibes
✔️ Cults and creepy small towns
✔️ Slow-burn, high-stakes romance
✔️ Unreliable truths
✔️ Emotionally charged character arcs
✔️ Cliffhangers that leave scars
Then you need this book in your life. Just… brace yourself.
🌶🌶
I’m still not even sure I fully understand everything that’s happening—but that’s part of the magic. The mystery pulls at you, page after page, until you're breathless and begging for answers. It’s eerie, immersive, and dripping with dread in the most beautiful way.
And yes, it ends on a cliffhanger. A brutal, perfectly placed one that left me spiraling. 🖤
Let’s talk about Ryder—because he just claimed a permanent spot on my book boyfriend list, and no one’s talking me out of it. Brooding. Protective. Mysterious in all the right ways. The kind of man you know is trouble, but you fall anyway.
Willa’s journey, though? Phenomenal. She starts off trapped—by place, by circumstance, by fear—but the growth she shows by the end is so raw and earned. Watching her unravel the truth, piece by piece, while finding her strength was gripping.
And the angst? It devoured me. That slow-burn ache, the push and pull, the uncertainty—every bit of it had me desperate to know what came next.
If you’re into:
✔️ Southern Gothic vibes
✔️ Cults and creepy small towns
✔️ Slow-burn, high-stakes romance
✔️ Unreliable truths
✔️ Emotionally charged character arcs
✔️ Cliffhangers that leave scars
Then you need this book in your life. Just… brace yourself.
🌶🌶
April 29, 2025
I´m so confused but also this was fucking addictive!?
March 28, 2025
That ending has just about KILLED ME.
Thank you to Emmerson and her team for the ARC, I’m so grateful I got ti experience Deadwood and all of its insanity firsthand.
Emmerson is officially an autobuy author for me. This newest addition of hers had me HOOKED from the start. The vibes were spooky, gothic, western, and overall immaculate. She can create a setting and automatically make it vibe so well. The characters were all equally flawed and traumatized. I loved it so much.
Willa lives in a small town where everyone treats her like she’s broken. She suffered a major trauma when she was younger and no one lets her forget it. Except her brother’s best friend who’s always gotten under her skin. When Ryker comes back to town, they are inevitably drawn to each other, all while a mysterious and scary plot unfolds around them.
Willa was so relatable to me. The insecurity, the “feeling like a burden”, taking in the caretaker role…I just found so much of myself in her that it was so hard not to love her. Flaws and all. Did she drive me crazy sometimes? Yes, but that’s because she is me. Ryker…oh Ryker. A traumatized man who will do anything for the people he loves. I adored how he treated Willa as an equal, and pushed her to do better. This man is book HUSBAND material.
This focuses a lot on the romance between our two main characters, and I absolutely loved it. Their relationship was deep, caring, empowering, and supportive. I loved how they brought out the best in each other.
But that’s ending. I feel like I’ve been stabbed. I’m terrified for what’s to come and I need book two like I need oxygen.
Look, I will never stop recommending anything Emmerson writes, even her grocery list.
Thank you to Emmerson and her team for the ARC, I’m so grateful I got ti experience Deadwood and all of its insanity firsthand.
Emmerson is officially an autobuy author for me. This newest addition of hers had me HOOKED from the start. The vibes were spooky, gothic, western, and overall immaculate. She can create a setting and automatically make it vibe so well. The characters were all equally flawed and traumatized. I loved it so much.
Willa lives in a small town where everyone treats her like she’s broken. She suffered a major trauma when she was younger and no one lets her forget it. Except her brother’s best friend who’s always gotten under her skin. When Ryker comes back to town, they are inevitably drawn to each other, all while a mysterious and scary plot unfolds around them.
Willa was so relatable to me. The insecurity, the “feeling like a burden”, taking in the caretaker role…I just found so much of myself in her that it was so hard not to love her. Flaws and all. Did she drive me crazy sometimes? Yes, but that’s because she is me. Ryker…oh Ryker. A traumatized man who will do anything for the people he loves. I adored how he treated Willa as an equal, and pushed her to do better. This man is book HUSBAND material.
This focuses a lot on the romance between our two main characters, and I absolutely loved it. Their relationship was deep, caring, empowering, and supportive. I loved how they brought out the best in each other.
But that’s ending. I feel like I’ve been stabbed. I’m terrified for what’s to come and I need book two like I need oxygen.
Look, I will never stop recommending anything Emmerson writes, even her grocery list.
March 24, 2025
ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅʟᴇꜱꜱ ꜰᴀʟʟ 🔥
By Emmerson Hoyt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to expect:
• Southern Gothic
• Brothers best friend
• Forced proximity
• Creepy small town
• Spanking
• Light bullying
• Touch adverse MMC
• ADHD/CPTSD FMC
Well now that I’ve finally picked my jaw up off the floor I’m going to try and put some words together to explain how I feel about this book.
I am actually floored. The Endless Fall was so f*cking good. So many things happened that I absolutely did not see coming. The vibes were absolutely immaculate. It was sexy but also creepy and suspenseful. Completely unputdownable.
Willa and Ryker both carry trauma that haunts them daily in a small town where everyone knows your buisiness. Willa has always felt like an outsider ever since the terrible thing that happened to her when she was little. Shes finally decided she is going to stop hiding and tick items off her bucket list when her brothers best friend and also her childhood nemesis comes back to town. Ryker is sexy and mysterious and Willa finds herself drawn to him. As the two get closer strange and creepy things start happening around the town.
The twists had me literally gasping out loud. I am a sucker for being caught off guard and love when I can’t predict what’s going to happen and Emmerson absolutely achieved that and then some!
I’m coming to terms with the fact that I will be broken hearted until then next book comes out. Emmerson Hoyt has found a permanent spot on my auto buy author list 🖤
The Endless Fall will be available April 1 ✨
By Emmerson Hoyt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
What to expect:
• Southern Gothic
• Brothers best friend
• Forced proximity
• Creepy small town
• Spanking
• Light bullying
• Touch adverse MMC
• ADHD/CPTSD FMC
Well now that I’ve finally picked my jaw up off the floor I’m going to try and put some words together to explain how I feel about this book.
I am actually floored. The Endless Fall was so f*cking good. So many things happened that I absolutely did not see coming. The vibes were absolutely immaculate. It was sexy but also creepy and suspenseful. Completely unputdownable.
Willa and Ryker both carry trauma that haunts them daily in a small town where everyone knows your buisiness. Willa has always felt like an outsider ever since the terrible thing that happened to her when she was little. Shes finally decided she is going to stop hiding and tick items off her bucket list when her brothers best friend and also her childhood nemesis comes back to town. Ryker is sexy and mysterious and Willa finds herself drawn to him. As the two get closer strange and creepy things start happening around the town.
The twists had me literally gasping out loud. I am a sucker for being caught off guard and love when I can’t predict what’s going to happen and Emmerson absolutely achieved that and then some!
I’m coming to terms with the fact that I will be broken hearted until then next book comes out. Emmerson Hoyt has found a permanent spot on my auto buy author list 🖤
The Endless Fall will be available April 1 ✨
March 27, 2025
THIS BOOK. Say hello to your newest OBSESSION !
I don’t think I can accurately put into words how incredible The Endless Fall is but I sure will try.
Let me start one of the easiest 5 stars I’ve been able to give.
5/5⭐️
2.5/5🌶️
From the very first page I was hooked to this story and it never let me go. I am truly obsessed with Emmerson’s writing because it transports you to the worlds she creates. Our main character Willa was a FMC I could truly connect with and see myself in. I loved her introverted personality and witty sass in her inner monologue. I also really admired her growth and the way she pushed herself beyond her comfort zones in order to find her own footing for the first time.
Ryker. Ryker my new top tier book boyfriend. This man was an absolute force of nature in this book. Every word out of his mouth had me swooning. All the little moments and the way he showed he saw Willa and cared for her. Sorry Willa he is my husband now.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book because it was full of mystery. There was constant speculation about what our characters were up to, how all these mysterious and creepy things were happening and what exactly was coming next.
THAT ENDING! EMMERSON. Straight to jail.
How much more can you put us through! (But honestly I love it. Please keep traumatizing me)
I knew something was coming but I NEVER could have predicted how that ending was going to play out. I was left STUNNED.
*A huge thank you to the author Emmerson Hoyt for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this masterpiece*
I don’t think I can accurately put into words how incredible The Endless Fall is but I sure will try.
Let me start one of the easiest 5 stars I’ve been able to give.
5/5⭐️
2.5/5🌶️
From the very first page I was hooked to this story and it never let me go. I am truly obsessed with Emmerson’s writing because it transports you to the worlds she creates. Our main character Willa was a FMC I could truly connect with and see myself in. I loved her introverted personality and witty sass in her inner monologue. I also really admired her growth and the way she pushed herself beyond her comfort zones in order to find her own footing for the first time.
Ryker. Ryker my new top tier book boyfriend. This man was an absolute force of nature in this book. Every word out of his mouth had me swooning. All the little moments and the way he showed he saw Willa and cared for her. Sorry Willa he is my husband now.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book because it was full of mystery. There was constant speculation about what our characters were up to, how all these mysterious and creepy things were happening and what exactly was coming next.
THAT ENDING! EMMERSON. Straight to jail.
How much more can you put us through! (But honestly I love it. Please keep traumatizing me)
I knew something was coming but I NEVER could have predicted how that ending was going to play out. I was left STUNNED.
*A huge thank you to the author Emmerson Hoyt for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this masterpiece*
October 21, 2025
Rating: 6 FREAKING STARS ⭐️
*CHECK TW*
Tropes:
- Creepy Small Town
- Southern Gothic Vibes
- Culty Vibes
- Touch-adverse MMC
- Brothers Best Friend
Oh my FREAKING GOSH!!! This was everything I’ve ever wanted in a small town romance and more. I love a good gothic vibes setting, but then you throw in a small-town setting as well, consider me so sold!
The way the author writes the atmosphere of Deadwood, is spectacular. I really got the creepy, southern gothic vibes she was going for from beginning to end.
The plot… just wow. It was solid throughout, and I did not see any of those plot twists coming until like a chapter or two before the actual reveals. My jaw was literally on the floor. And also that ending… I need book two like I need AIR!
*I will say, this is very much a prequel to our MCs romance and I knew that going in (the author does tell us this as well)*
Now our characters… Ryker and Willa… I LOVE THEM! Both have their own tragic pasts they are working through, but the way they help each other work through their demons was so beautiful to see. They both bring out exactly what the other needs.
Overall, I definitely recommend reading The Endless Fall but please check the content warnings!
*CHECK TW*
Tropes:
- Creepy Small Town
- Southern Gothic Vibes
- Culty Vibes
- Touch-adverse MMC
- Brothers Best Friend
Oh my FREAKING GOSH!!! This was everything I’ve ever wanted in a small town romance and more. I love a good gothic vibes setting, but then you throw in a small-town setting as well, consider me so sold!
The way the author writes the atmosphere of Deadwood, is spectacular. I really got the creepy, southern gothic vibes she was going for from beginning to end.
The plot… just wow. It was solid throughout, and I did not see any of those plot twists coming until like a chapter or two before the actual reveals. My jaw was literally on the floor. And also that ending… I need book two like I need AIR!
*I will say, this is very much a prequel to our MCs romance and I knew that going in (the author does tell us this as well)*
Now our characters… Ryker and Willa… I LOVE THEM! Both have their own tragic pasts they are working through, but the way they help each other work through their demons was so beautiful to see. They both bring out exactly what the other needs.
Overall, I definitely recommend reading The Endless Fall but please check the content warnings!
April 25, 2025
Screaming. Crying. Throwing up!
I fell in love with Emmerson’s writing style with the Jackal and Viper duet and the writing style remained in this book top tier but SUCH DIFFERENT VIBES!
The intro of this book being a present timeline but the rest of the book jumping back in time had me feverishly reading because WHAT LEAD TO THAT?!
This book has it all- betrayal, growth, swoon worthy spice, creepy/cult vibes, small town romance, forbidden love, mystery. The addition of something sinister happening really made this book top notch for me.
The whiplash I had at the ending though had me silently screaming and devastated. It is midnight and my poor snoring husband has no idea I’m over here grieving.
I love reading authors notes, and when I saw that Country Song by Seether inspired this story I snorted and was like, “no wonder I love this book!”
So if you too enjoy everything that song has to offer, brother’s best friend romances, trauma bonding, sinister/mystery vibes, dark haired MMCs, and being anguished this book is for you!
I fell in love with Emmerson’s writing style with the Jackal and Viper duet and the writing style remained in this book top tier but SUCH DIFFERENT VIBES!
The intro of this book being a present timeline but the rest of the book jumping back in time had me feverishly reading because WHAT LEAD TO THAT?!
This book has it all- betrayal, growth, swoon worthy spice, creepy/cult vibes, small town romance, forbidden love, mystery. The addition of something sinister happening really made this book top notch for me.
The whiplash I had at the ending though had me silently screaming and devastated. It is midnight and my poor snoring husband has no idea I’m over here grieving.
I love reading authors notes, and when I saw that Country Song by Seether inspired this story I snorted and was like, “no wonder I love this book!”
So if you too enjoy everything that song has to offer, brother’s best friend romances, trauma bonding, sinister/mystery vibes, dark haired MMCs, and being anguished this book is for you!
October 1, 2025
Wow!! I randomly grabbed this from my KU recs and I’m so glad I did. This was an awesome read and easily one of my favourites of 2025 so far! 5⭐️ from me!
The tension and suspense had me wanting more and I couldn’t put this book down! The slow burn and romance was perfection. It was a longer read but I enjoyed the writing and I didn’t feel like it dragged on at all, with everything adding to the plot and building to that WILD ending (which I did not see coming). It had a lot of tropes/themes I like (slow burn, small town, gothic/suspense/thriller vibes) which probably contributed to how much I loved this book. I can’t wait for Book 2 of this duet! I’ll definitely be checking Emmerson Hoyt’s other books.
The tension and suspense had me wanting more and I couldn’t put this book down! The slow burn and romance was perfection. It was a longer read but I enjoyed the writing and I didn’t feel like it dragged on at all, with everything adding to the plot and building to that WILD ending (which I did not see coming). It had a lot of tropes/themes I like (slow burn, small town, gothic/suspense/thriller vibes) which probably contributed to how much I loved this book. I can’t wait for Book 2 of this duet! I’ll definitely be checking Emmerson Hoyt’s other books.
March 25, 2025
✨RTC Just finished and OMG! All the stars. I could not love this more.
OKAY!! I'm back, and I'm ready to absolutely gush over this book and Emmerson. I'm giving this book every single star that I could ever give. I love the characters ( some of them I dislike, but I love their drama).
Ryker Bennett is broody, dark, sinful perfection and I would do anything he ask me to do. This book is full of twists, tension, spice, and possibly drugs (Emmerson?) I need book 2 right now because not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about this book since I finished.
🔥Vibes🔥
Brother's Best Friend
Secrets
Gothic Small Town
Touch adverse MMC
Spanking
Thank you so much @emmerson.hoyt for the opportunity to read this eARC and for letting me scream in your DMS.
OKAY!! I'm back, and I'm ready to absolutely gush over this book and Emmerson. I'm giving this book every single star that I could ever give. I love the characters ( some of them I dislike, but I love their drama).
Ryker Bennett is broody, dark, sinful perfection and I would do anything he ask me to do. This book is full of twists, tension, spice, and possibly drugs (Emmerson?) I need book 2 right now because not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about this book since I finished.
🔥Vibes🔥
Brother's Best Friend
Secrets
Gothic Small Town
Touch adverse MMC
Spanking
Thank you so much @emmerson.hoyt for the opportunity to read this eARC and for letting me scream in your DMS.
April 6, 2025
I read this entire book in basically one sitting. I was up until 2:30am! And I am seriously considering rereading it immediately! I miss it already.
Just read it..now… RIGHT NOW! Ryker is my new favorite book bf 😈. I adore him 🖤. I cannot wait for book 2 to be released & I dk how I’m supposed to wait 😭. I also really enjoyed the creepy southern gothic vibes in this book! It made it that much more addicting.
The ending had me fuckkkked up lol. I was so angry with Willa for not hearing Ryker out though 😡
Just read it..now… RIGHT NOW! Ryker is my new favorite book bf 😈. I adore him 🖤. I cannot wait for book 2 to be released & I dk how I’m supposed to wait 😭. I also really enjoyed the creepy southern gothic vibes in this book! It made it that much more addicting.
The ending had me fuckkkked up lol. I was so angry with Willa for not hearing Ryker out though 😡
April 1, 2025
I was not ready for the ending. This whole book I knew something crazy was coming but I could never guess it or figure it out. There were so many secrets and twists that just kept you wanting more.
I loved Willa and Ryker. Their dynamic was prefect and I can't wait to see what unfolds for them in the next book of this duet.
*Thank you to the author Emmerson Hoyt for sending me an e-ARC of this masterpiece*
I loved Willa and Ryker. Their dynamic was prefect and I can't wait to see what unfolds for them in the next book of this duet.
*Thank you to the author Emmerson Hoyt for sending me an e-ARC of this masterpiece*
March 20, 2025
♾️⭐️
4🌶
Omg this was amazing. From start to finish, everything about this story was perfection. From the dark and broody brothers best friend to the ominous small town vibes; all the mysteries and betrayals. The tension, the plot twists... just everything was done so incredibly I could not put this down.
Ryker Bennett was the absolute perfect dark broody, tortured soul. I loved him and his dirty mouth so much. I could not get enough of him, and I'm absolutely desperate for the next book already.
4🌶
Omg this was amazing. From start to finish, everything about this story was perfection. From the dark and broody brothers best friend to the ominous small town vibes; all the mysteries and betrayals. The tension, the plot twists... just everything was done so incredibly I could not put this down.
Ryker Bennett was the absolute perfect dark broody, tortured soul. I loved him and his dirty mouth so much. I could not get enough of him, and I'm absolutely desperate for the next book already.
May 14, 2025
I honestly don’t even have words. RTC.
June 15, 2025
no words.
October 30, 2025
That sure was a lot of fire. Ending was criminal.
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