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The Midnight Gang #2
Providence
You fall in love with a sinner and there’s two ways it can go...
Left to fend for himself as a young boy, Aiden has lived most of his life with little to call his own and little say in what comes next. But when his latest job working as a cattle driver for a wealthy rancher turns bad, he makes the deal that he hopes will give him a chance at a new start. All he has to do is spend the next week making sure nothing and no one causes his employer’s luck to run dry at the card table. Then he’s free.
Except in this bustling Texas town, Aiden finds far more than he bargained for once he encounters a charismatic gambler named Cypress, an apparent thief who seems far more interested in getting under Aiden’s skin than he does in playing the cards he’s been dealt.
The more Aiden learns about his illusive adversary, the more he’ll be forced to question if the promises he made are the right ones or if perhaps the one path he never saw for himself is the one worth taking—no matter where the road leads.
Set nine years before Adversity’s events, this Wild West romance tells the story of how certain enemies became unlikely allies willing to bet everything on each other.
Left to fend for himself as a young boy, Aiden has lived most of his life with little to call his own and little say in what comes next. But when his latest job working as a cattle driver for a wealthy rancher turns bad, he makes the deal that he hopes will give him a chance at a new start. All he has to do is spend the next week making sure nothing and no one causes his employer’s luck to run dry at the card table. Then he’s free.
Except in this bustling Texas town, Aiden finds far more than he bargained for once he encounters a charismatic gambler named Cypress, an apparent thief who seems far more interested in getting under Aiden’s skin than he does in playing the cards he’s been dealt.
The more Aiden learns about his illusive adversary, the more he’ll be forced to question if the promises he made are the right ones or if perhaps the one path he never saw for himself is the one worth taking—no matter where the road leads.
Set nine years before Adversity’s events, this Wild West romance tells the story of how certain enemies became unlikely allies willing to bet everything on each other.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
38 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Ren Browne
4 books153 followersRen Browne writes character-driven romances that not only keep you up late chasing just one more chapter, but also stay with you long after the final page. When she’s not writing or reading, Ren is busy restoring a century-old farmhouse and barn with her Ron Swanson-esque husband, keeping up with their two adventurous kids, and caring for an ever-growing pack of animals.
Ren also co-hosts the Shelf-Aware Podcast with her sister Lizzy, where they deep dive into books, TV, and film with the kind of analytical (and occasionally obsessive) enthusiasm that would make their AP English teacher proud.
Ren also co-hosts the Shelf-Aware Podcast with her sister Lizzy, where they deep dive into books, TV, and film with the kind of analytical (and occasionally obsessive) enthusiasm that would make their AP English teacher proud.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 9, 2026
Arc review - chefs kiss. no notes. perfect. AND I’m in the acknowledgments which made me cry.
Beta read review -
genuinely one of the best cowboy romances i’ve ever read. It’s not a surprise considering how much i adore Adversity but this just took it to another level.
The TENSION the YEARNING, the most torturous slow burn.
This book gives us the origin story to how Cypress and Aiden met, 9 years before they meet Cora in Adversity it has high stakes, the best tension and ugh i just can’t help but fall in love with the Menace that is Cypress, and how much Aiden hates that he really doesn’t hate Cy :’)
They use verbal sparring as foreplay and i think i lost count how many times i said to Ren i could read 1000 pages of them just throwing witty comments back and forth.
So so excited for this to be out in the world, i will never stop recommending these books, the BEST historical cowboy romance <3
Beta read review -
genuinely one of the best cowboy romances i’ve ever read. It’s not a surprise considering how much i adore Adversity but this just took it to another level.
The TENSION the YEARNING, the most torturous slow burn.
This book gives us the origin story to how Cypress and Aiden met, 9 years before they meet Cora in Adversity it has high stakes, the best tension and ugh i just can’t help but fall in love with the Menace that is Cypress, and how much Aiden hates that he really doesn’t hate Cy :’)
They use verbal sparring as foreplay and i think i lost count how many times i said to Ren i could read 1000 pages of them just throwing witty comments back and forth.
So so excited for this to be out in the world, i will never stop recommending these books, the BEST historical cowboy romance <3
April 11, 2026
SYNOPSIS
Before the little bird… there was the gambler and his wolf.
Aiden was left to fend for himself as a young boy, and has lived most of his life with little to call his own. But when his latest job working as a cattle driver for a wealthy rancher turns bad, he makes the deal that could give him a chance at a new start. All he has to do is spend the next week making sure nothing and no one causes his employer’s luck to run dry at the card table. Then, he’s free.
Except in this bustling Texas town, Aiden finds far more than he bargained for once he encounters a charismatic gambler named Cypress, an apparent thief who seems far more interested in getting under Aiden’s skin than he does in playing the cards he’s been dealt.
Set nine years before Adversity's events, this Wild West romance tells the story of how certain enemies became unlikely allies willing to bet everything on each other.
Tropes
🤠 MM romance
🔥 Cowboy outlaws
🤠 Enemies to lovers
🔥 Forced proximity
🤠 Touch him & die
🔥 Who did this to you?
🤠 Slow burn
🔥 Gunslinger & gambler
MY REVIEW
God, how do I sum up the way I feel about this book?
I loved “Adversity” (book 1 of the Midnight Gang series) because of the age gap dynamic, romantic intensity, barren Western atmosphere, and incredibly sexy intimate scenes.
I didn’t know what to expect going into Providence, but I know I hoped for at least some of Adversity’s sexiness to travel over to Aiden and Cypress’ origin story. What I didn’t expect was to feel such heart-wrenching dismay when I finished the final page, having encountered not much spice at all.
Cypress, our chaotic gambler MMC, dresses like a funeral undertaker but has all the charisma and adorableness of a golden retriever. He likes to help the helpless, and punish those who deserve it by hustling them in high-stakes games of cards. Cypress suffered a lot of trauma when he was young due to running with the wrong crowd, which means he has a bit of a “need to be a hero” complex. He is observant, hilarious, and a total sucker for Aiden from the first moment they meet. Cypress’ personality brings so much light and humour into the story.
And if you thought Aiden was broody in Adversity, Providence DEFINITELY takes that up a notch or 3 😆 Like Cy, Aiden has suffered his fair share of trauma, and he keeps to himself as much as he can. He is also a serial over-thinker and overanalyses his interactions with Cypress to the point of wanting to tear his own hair out 😆 I love how the story in Providence (and Cy’s character) slowly and tenderly tease out Aiden’s soft side, being respectful of the need for Cypress to first earn Aiden’s trust.
If Adversity is spicy and action-packed, then Providence is cheeky, intelligent, and heart-clenchingly intimate. It doesn’t need to rely on spice to hold your attention (although when you do get some spice… HEAVEN) because just seeing these two characters let down their walls to let the other in is its own special kind of privilege.
This book is artfully woven from the first page to make you desperate for Aiden and Cypress to get their happily ever after. Can’t recommend it enough.
✨ 4.5/5
🌶️ 1.5/5
Before the little bird… there was the gambler and his wolf.
Aiden was left to fend for himself as a young boy, and has lived most of his life with little to call his own. But when his latest job working as a cattle driver for a wealthy rancher turns bad, he makes the deal that could give him a chance at a new start. All he has to do is spend the next week making sure nothing and no one causes his employer’s luck to run dry at the card table. Then, he’s free.
Except in this bustling Texas town, Aiden finds far more than he bargained for once he encounters a charismatic gambler named Cypress, an apparent thief who seems far more interested in getting under Aiden’s skin than he does in playing the cards he’s been dealt.
Set nine years before Adversity's events, this Wild West romance tells the story of how certain enemies became unlikely allies willing to bet everything on each other.
Tropes
🤠 MM romance
🔥 Cowboy outlaws
🤠 Enemies to lovers
🔥 Forced proximity
🤠 Touch him & die
🔥 Who did this to you?
🤠 Slow burn
🔥 Gunslinger & gambler
MY REVIEW
God, how do I sum up the way I feel about this book?
I loved “Adversity” (book 1 of the Midnight Gang series) because of the age gap dynamic, romantic intensity, barren Western atmosphere, and incredibly sexy intimate scenes.
I didn’t know what to expect going into Providence, but I know I hoped for at least some of Adversity’s sexiness to travel over to Aiden and Cypress’ origin story. What I didn’t expect was to feel such heart-wrenching dismay when I finished the final page, having encountered not much spice at all.
Cypress, our chaotic gambler MMC, dresses like a funeral undertaker but has all the charisma and adorableness of a golden retriever. He likes to help the helpless, and punish those who deserve it by hustling them in high-stakes games of cards. Cypress suffered a lot of trauma when he was young due to running with the wrong crowd, which means he has a bit of a “need to be a hero” complex. He is observant, hilarious, and a total sucker for Aiden from the first moment they meet. Cypress’ personality brings so much light and humour into the story.
And if you thought Aiden was broody in Adversity, Providence DEFINITELY takes that up a notch or 3 😆 Like Cy, Aiden has suffered his fair share of trauma, and he keeps to himself as much as he can. He is also a serial over-thinker and overanalyses his interactions with Cypress to the point of wanting to tear his own hair out 😆 I love how the story in Providence (and Cy’s character) slowly and tenderly tease out Aiden’s soft side, being respectful of the need for Cypress to first earn Aiden’s trust.
If Adversity is spicy and action-packed, then Providence is cheeky, intelligent, and heart-clenchingly intimate. It doesn’t need to rely on spice to hold your attention (although when you do get some spice… HEAVEN) because just seeing these two characters let down their walls to let the other in is its own special kind of privilege.
This book is artfully woven from the first page to make you desperate for Aiden and Cypress to get their happily ever after. Can’t recommend it enough.
✨ 4.5/5
🌶️ 1.5/5
April 23, 2026
I'm so happy we got more depth of Cypress and Aiden’s story after having met them in Adversity.
In the first book we get more of Cora, Cypress, and Aiden. And this book we go back in time on how Cy and Aiden meet and the wild interesting journey they take up until we make it back full circle to the start of Adversity.
I thought I couldn't love these characters more than I already did, but I was wrong.
Getting more background history on these two just made things even better.
I couldn't get enough.
The fun banter and tension between them. The way Cy just keeps Aiden on his toes with his crazy gambling tactics. 🤣
But just overall these two cowboys are the ones you want on your side.
I just love them so much. And what was revealed in the epilogue 👀 I can't wait to see what's next!
Thank you Ren & Luna Literary for the arc. 🫶🏻
In the first book we get more of Cora, Cypress, and Aiden. And this book we go back in time on how Cy and Aiden meet and the wild interesting journey they take up until we make it back full circle to the start of Adversity.
I thought I couldn't love these characters more than I already did, but I was wrong.
Getting more background history on these two just made things even better.
I couldn't get enough.
The fun banter and tension between them. The way Cy just keeps Aiden on his toes with his crazy gambling tactics. 🤣
But just overall these two cowboys are the ones you want on your side.
I just love them so much. And what was revealed in the epilogue 👀 I can't wait to see what's next!
Thank you Ren & Luna Literary for the arc. 🫶🏻
April 17, 2026
What happens when a snarky lone wolf meets a chaotic bisexual. THIS.
And I loved every second of it!!!
It was the Wild West with the gunslinging and poker and horses and trains. And then there was the pining!
Cypress couldn’t have been more obvious and Aiden couldn’t have been more in denial!
They made me laugh. They made my frozen heart thaw a little.
I’m definitely rereading Adversity. And then I’ll reread them both AGAIN before I read Prosperity!!!
Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novel !
And I loved every second of it!!!
It was the Wild West with the gunslinging and poker and horses and trains. And then there was the pining!
Cypress couldn’t have been more obvious and Aiden couldn’t have been more in denial!
They made me laugh. They made my frozen heart thaw a little.
I’m definitely rereading Adversity. And then I’ll reread them both AGAIN before I read Prosperity!!!
Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novel !
April 26, 2026
We have a cover!! And it’s beautiful 🥰
I’m so excited for this sequel
UPDATE after release:
Oh my goodness!!!!!! This was absolutely worth the wait. I adored Adversity. I couldn’t believe it exceeded every expectation for a book that was already exactly my cup of tea. But Providence just blew it out of the water.
I loved seeing Aiden meet Cypress and fall head over heels in love. The banter? Constant and endlessly charming.
My cheeks hurt from grinning so hard for hours while devouring this book.
I’m immediately going to go reread Adversity with all this knowledge about the boys under my belt.
6/5 ⭐️ can’t recommend enough
I’m so excited for this sequel
UPDATE after release:
Oh my goodness!!!!!! This was absolutely worth the wait. I adored Adversity. I couldn’t believe it exceeded every expectation for a book that was already exactly my cup of tea. But Providence just blew it out of the water.
I loved seeing Aiden meet Cypress and fall head over heels in love. The banter? Constant and endlessly charming.
My cheeks hurt from grinning so hard for hours while devouring this book.
I’m immediately going to go reread Adversity with all this knowledge about the boys under my belt.
6/5 ⭐️ can’t recommend enough
April 21, 2026
This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews
Note: While technically Book 2 in this series, the events in this book take place in the years before Adversity and are Aiden and Cypress's origin story. If you haven't read the first book, it won't spoil this one, but I definitely recommend the previously release as well and they can be read in either order.
Aiden is doing a job he doesn't like for man he detests. He was out of options and needed the payday, so he signed on for a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas with an obnoxious boss. Maddock is an entitled, condescending and far too over-confident bastard. But he is the boss and he's determined to make Aiden come to heel. Hmmmm. This could be a mistake that could lead to disaster for everyone.
Maddock is determined to line his pockets in more than one way. He's under his parents thumb and he resents it. He really doesn't have any desire to drive cattle. No, he has much bigger ambitions. And he needs Aiden to make sure things go to plan. He knows who Aiden is - or rather "was" to hear Aiden tell it.
When Maddock and his men, including Aiden and a ragtag group of cowboys stop in the town of Soldana, they are determined to win some money at poker at the local saloon with Maddock promising to share the winnings with the crew. Aiden thinks this is a terrible idea. He also doesn't like it when people recognize him from newspaper stories. He's not that man anymore. He refuses to kill for Maddock - or anyone else for that matter. His gunslinger days are behind him. Or so he wishes.
The first night though a very unusual man show up to the card game. And he loses. But Aiden's watching him and he is pretty sure there is more going on than meets the eye. When he confronts the man in the alley, well things don't exactly go as Aiden had planned. And when the man, Cypress, gets the better of him, well he's not at al happy about it. The longer they play these games and the more time they spend dancing around each other, the more worried he gets.
When Cypress leaves him a gift, Aiden is once again surprised. He can't figure out what this man's game is. Or what he wants with Aiden since he certainly doesn't leave him alone. As the week in town winds down, things get out of control and Aiden and Cypress have to make a run for it. They have left a mess behind them that is going to restrict their next moves. Cypress isn't exactly unhappy about that. Aiden isn't exactly happy about it. ;)
The crazy journey they take to finding who and what they mean to each other is a hair raising saga. Cypress has friends that help them along the way. These two are going to have to learn how to blend their moral compasses and overcome or at least make peace with their respective traumatic pasts in order to have any kind of a chance at a life together.
This book was sooooo good. I loved the whole tone of this story. I honestly would not have survived the wild wild west! God what a crazy time and place. Lawless. Dangerous. At the mercy of the elements. Corruption. No modern medicine. No thank you! I am, however, a HUGE sucker for broken characters finding each other and figuring out how to come together to make something good. Aiden and Cypress both have overcome terrible ordeals in their past. They didn't have childhoods really. They've been on their own since way before they should have had to take care of themselves. They could not be more different and that is likely what makes them work in the end. Cypress is outgoing, a good actor and his motivation for what he does is so unexpected. Aiden is a stoic. He's not interested in risking his heart and being devastated ever again. He's determined that killing isn't for him and he isn't going to do it unless he absolutely has to save his life or the life of someone he cares about - which has been no one up to this point. Turns out killing didn't actually resolve anything much for him, despite trying his best to only kill those who needed killing ;) Together they eventually have to find a balance after much reluctance on Aiden's part and so much resistance to Cypress's charms.
When push comes to shove, these two realize that they belong together and they are going to have to be honest about their feelings after a LOT of pining. Despite their banter and their disagreements, they are not going to be any good, one without the other. Dolly, Cypress's friend, helps these two get out of their own way and she also has their backs. A critical piece to their story, Dolly is a fabulous character and I absolutely loved her. Also, the UST is off the charts with these two! This is a slooooooow burn that gets derailed a few times on the journey. The author's writing was so evocative. I kept picturing the Wild Wild West meets The Big Valley the whole time I was reading this book. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a hard fought battle for a love that is so deserved with loads of pining and banter. Historical fans will love this also.
Note: While technically Book 2 in this series, the events in this book take place in the years before Adversity and are Aiden and Cypress's origin story. If you haven't read the first book, it won't spoil this one, but I definitely recommend the previously release as well and they can be read in either order.
Aiden is doing a job he doesn't like for man he detests. He was out of options and needed the payday, so he signed on for a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas with an obnoxious boss. Maddock is an entitled, condescending and far too over-confident bastard. But he is the boss and he's determined to make Aiden come to heel. Hmmmm. This could be a mistake that could lead to disaster for everyone.
Maddock is determined to line his pockets in more than one way. He's under his parents thumb and he resents it. He really doesn't have any desire to drive cattle. No, he has much bigger ambitions. And he needs Aiden to make sure things go to plan. He knows who Aiden is - or rather "was" to hear Aiden tell it.
When Maddock and his men, including Aiden and a ragtag group of cowboys stop in the town of Soldana, they are determined to win some money at poker at the local saloon with Maddock promising to share the winnings with the crew. Aiden thinks this is a terrible idea. He also doesn't like it when people recognize him from newspaper stories. He's not that man anymore. He refuses to kill for Maddock - or anyone else for that matter. His gunslinger days are behind him. Or so he wishes.
The first night though a very unusual man show up to the card game. And he loses. But Aiden's watching him and he is pretty sure there is more going on than meets the eye. When he confronts the man in the alley, well things don't exactly go as Aiden had planned. And when the man, Cypress, gets the better of him, well he's not at al happy about it. The longer they play these games and the more time they spend dancing around each other, the more worried he gets.
When Cypress leaves him a gift, Aiden is once again surprised. He can't figure out what this man's game is. Or what he wants with Aiden since he certainly doesn't leave him alone. As the week in town winds down, things get out of control and Aiden and Cypress have to make a run for it. They have left a mess behind them that is going to restrict their next moves. Cypress isn't exactly unhappy about that. Aiden isn't exactly happy about it. ;)
The crazy journey they take to finding who and what they mean to each other is a hair raising saga. Cypress has friends that help them along the way. These two are going to have to learn how to blend their moral compasses and overcome or at least make peace with their respective traumatic pasts in order to have any kind of a chance at a life together.
This book was sooooo good. I loved the whole tone of this story. I honestly would not have survived the wild wild west! God what a crazy time and place. Lawless. Dangerous. At the mercy of the elements. Corruption. No modern medicine. No thank you! I am, however, a HUGE sucker for broken characters finding each other and figuring out how to come together to make something good. Aiden and Cypress both have overcome terrible ordeals in their past. They didn't have childhoods really. They've been on their own since way before they should have had to take care of themselves. They could not be more different and that is likely what makes them work in the end. Cypress is outgoing, a good actor and his motivation for what he does is so unexpected. Aiden is a stoic. He's not interested in risking his heart and being devastated ever again. He's determined that killing isn't for him and he isn't going to do it unless he absolutely has to save his life or the life of someone he cares about - which has been no one up to this point. Turns out killing didn't actually resolve anything much for him, despite trying his best to only kill those who needed killing ;) Together they eventually have to find a balance after much reluctance on Aiden's part and so much resistance to Cypress's charms.
When push comes to shove, these two realize that they belong together and they are going to have to be honest about their feelings after a LOT of pining. Despite their banter and their disagreements, they are not going to be any good, one without the other. Dolly, Cypress's friend, helps these two get out of their own way and she also has their backs. A critical piece to their story, Dolly is a fabulous character and I absolutely loved her. Also, the UST is off the charts with these two! This is a slooooooow burn that gets derailed a few times on the journey. The author's writing was so evocative. I kept picturing the Wild Wild West meets The Big Valley the whole time I was reading this book. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a hard fought battle for a love that is so deserved with loads of pining and banter. Historical fans will love this also.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
“I have never once pretended like I didn’t want you. Anytime, wolf. Any place. You just say the word.”
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Ex-gunslinger Aiden finds himself making a deal with a wealthy rancher in exchange for a much-needed fresh start, only to become wrapped up with a clever gambler that he can't seem to stop running into (and thinking about).
I loved Adversity with my whole heart, so I was so excited when I heard that we were getting more of Aiden and Cypress. This is such an amazing book and a perfect compliment to the first, I loved that their story was the 2nd in this series (and a prequel). In Adversity we get to see how well Aiden and Cypress work as a team, so to get to read their initial meeting and how they fell for each other first was such a treat. The title for this book is so perfect as well - I loved the threads of fate that felt like were woven in their meeting (and the winks at their little bird, I stg I teared up each time! I LOVED that Cora has always been a part of them, even before they fully knew it).
Getting to see how gruff Aiden is again - how he sees so much and get is utterly oblivious as hell to what's happening between him and Cypress at the beginning was the sweetest thing, there were so many moments that had me grinning and kicking my feet. And Cypress - he is as smooth as ever, thought I loved the moments where Aiden swept him off his feet, I truly have too many moments between them highlighted. Each scene between them felt like it had it's perfect place, and I could have easily read a thousand more pages of them flirting and fighting - I love them so much.
Dolly was such a delight as well, I hope I am half as cool as her when I grow up. You can feel the way Cypress dotes on her, she really is such a part of his family and I love the way she sees their attraction so clearly and works so hard to get them (Aiden, mostly) to see it as well. The tension between Aiden and Cypress is palpable, and the way their feelings build is done so well. They truly are inevitable, and I believe that with my whole heart.
I loved this so much, and am heading back to reread Adversity - this series is so, so good. If you love a cowboy romance that is dripping with yearning and fighting for the things (and people) you love, you are going to eat this up. 💖
Tropes & Tags:
🐴 mm cowboy romance
🌵 gunslinger x gambler
🖤 morally grey mmcs
🐴 enemies to lovers
🌵 forced proximity
🖤 dual pov
🐴 opposites attract
🌵 old west setting
🖤 touch him and 💀
🐴 slow burn
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Ren Browne and Luna Literary Management! 📖]
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Ex-gunslinger Aiden finds himself making a deal with a wealthy rancher in exchange for a much-needed fresh start, only to become wrapped up with a clever gambler that he can't seem to stop running into (and thinking about).
I loved Adversity with my whole heart, so I was so excited when I heard that we were getting more of Aiden and Cypress. This is such an amazing book and a perfect compliment to the first, I loved that their story was the 2nd in this series (and a prequel). In Adversity we get to see how well Aiden and Cypress work as a team, so to get to read their initial meeting and how they fell for each other first was such a treat. The title for this book is so perfect as well - I loved the threads of fate that felt like were woven in their meeting (and the winks at their little bird, I stg I teared up each time! I LOVED that Cora has always been a part of them, even before they fully knew it).
Getting to see how gruff Aiden is again - how he sees so much and get is utterly oblivious as hell to what's happening between him and Cypress at the beginning was the sweetest thing, there were so many moments that had me grinning and kicking my feet. And Cypress - he is as smooth as ever, thought I loved the moments where Aiden swept him off his feet, I truly have too many moments between them highlighted. Each scene between them felt like it had it's perfect place, and I could have easily read a thousand more pages of them flirting and fighting - I love them so much.
Dolly was such a delight as well, I hope I am half as cool as her when I grow up. You can feel the way Cypress dotes on her, she really is such a part of his family and I love the way she sees their attraction so clearly and works so hard to get them (Aiden, mostly) to see it as well. The tension between Aiden and Cypress is palpable, and the way their feelings build is done so well. They truly are inevitable, and I believe that with my whole heart.
I loved this so much, and am heading back to reread Adversity - this series is so, so good. If you love a cowboy romance that is dripping with yearning and fighting for the things (and people) you love, you are going to eat this up. 💖
Tropes & Tags:
🐴 mm cowboy romance
🌵 gunslinger x gambler
🖤 morally grey mmcs
🐴 enemies to lovers
🌵 forced proximity
🖤 dual pov
🐴 opposites attract
🌵 old west setting
🖤 touch him and 💀
🐴 slow burn
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Ren Browne and Luna Literary Management! 📖]
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Providence” by Ren Browne
5⭐/5⭐
2.5🌶/5🌶
“He’s part of what I’ve been searching for, and finding him made me think that it actually was worth it. That there was a reason for it. That I haven’t been wrong to believe…”
“Providence” is the highly anticipated follow-up to “Adversity”, but with a twist: this is a prequel about Aiden and Cypress, and how the two seemingly opposites meet and fall in love. I still recommend reading “Adversity” first, even though the events of “Providence” take place years in the past. There are so many little Easter eggs and details that new readers will gloss over, and I think those details are too important to miss when reading “Providence”.
Set in the wild west of American history, the story focuses first on Aiden, a hardened gunslinger who desperately wishes to be free of his past. He works for unsavory individuals until he’s able to make a clean break, but before he can make his move he meets Cypress, a charismatic gambler. There’s something magnetic about Cypress, and Aiden can’t get him off his mind. Meanwhile, Cypress moves through life as though he knows the path laid out, and that path leads right to Aiden. He has a set of ethics and morals, and while he doesn’t break them, he certainly stretches their limits in order to get what he wants. The two are forced to team together, forever altering their lives.
I think what I loved the most about this story was the amount of yearning between these two individuals, and how different it looked based on which POV I was reading. Aiden is confused about his affection towards Cypress, and doesn’t know what to make of this other-worldly pull he feels towards this other man. That’s not to say he’s confused about being attracted to another man, the confusion is about Cypress as an individual. Cypress is so *different* from Aiden, and the way he talks about Aiden initially scares him. Whereas Cypress is acting based on a fated feeling towards Aiden. Aiden is, as he says in the book, inevitable; all of his actions have led him to this other man.
This is a slow burn, with the tension building in such subtle ways, by the time action is taken, it’s almost explosive. You can think of the book as taking a deep breath, an incredible crescendo, and when Cypress and Aiden act on their feelings, the exhale is so satisfying.
There are so many instances of these two men expressing their admiration and affection toward the other that will make you blush, and perhaps bring a tear to your eye; the writing is so beautiful. I really loved getting the chance to read about Aiden and Cypress meeting, and how they establish a relationship; it makes me want to go back and reread “Adversity”.
5⭐/5⭐
2.5🌶/5🌶
“He’s part of what I’ve been searching for, and finding him made me think that it actually was worth it. That there was a reason for it. That I haven’t been wrong to believe…”
“Providence” is the highly anticipated follow-up to “Adversity”, but with a twist: this is a prequel about Aiden and Cypress, and how the two seemingly opposites meet and fall in love. I still recommend reading “Adversity” first, even though the events of “Providence” take place years in the past. There are so many little Easter eggs and details that new readers will gloss over, and I think those details are too important to miss when reading “Providence”.
Set in the wild west of American history, the story focuses first on Aiden, a hardened gunslinger who desperately wishes to be free of his past. He works for unsavory individuals until he’s able to make a clean break, but before he can make his move he meets Cypress, a charismatic gambler. There’s something magnetic about Cypress, and Aiden can’t get him off his mind. Meanwhile, Cypress moves through life as though he knows the path laid out, and that path leads right to Aiden. He has a set of ethics and morals, and while he doesn’t break them, he certainly stretches their limits in order to get what he wants. The two are forced to team together, forever altering their lives.
I think what I loved the most about this story was the amount of yearning between these two individuals, and how different it looked based on which POV I was reading. Aiden is confused about his affection towards Cypress, and doesn’t know what to make of this other-worldly pull he feels towards this other man. That’s not to say he’s confused about being attracted to another man, the confusion is about Cypress as an individual. Cypress is so *different* from Aiden, and the way he talks about Aiden initially scares him. Whereas Cypress is acting based on a fated feeling towards Aiden. Aiden is, as he says in the book, inevitable; all of his actions have led him to this other man.
This is a slow burn, with the tension building in such subtle ways, by the time action is taken, it’s almost explosive. You can think of the book as taking a deep breath, an incredible crescendo, and when Cypress and Aiden act on their feelings, the exhale is so satisfying.
There are so many instances of these two men expressing their admiration and affection toward the other that will make you blush, and perhaps bring a tear to your eye; the writing is so beautiful. I really loved getting the chance to read about Aiden and Cypress meeting, and how they establish a relationship; it makes me want to go back and reread “Adversity”.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌵“Cy…” I murmur, inching closer so that my forehead is pressed to his as I wrap an arm around him, tight enough to hold us both together. “Will you tell me?”
☀️“Why?” he mutters. “So you can be burdened instead?”
🌵“So I can keep my word to you,” I tell him. “I want your future, Cypress, but I want your past, too. So when you go back to visit it, you’re not alone there anymore either.”
5 ⭐ 1.5🌶️
I had no idea what I was walking into with this book…but I am not the same person walking out
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am seriously so blown away by Ren Browne’s writing!!! This was EXCEPTIONAL and I already have Adversity downloaded and ready to go the second I hit post on this review hehe!
The banter is what completely sets this book apart...
It’s so beautiful watching Cypress want Aiden so badly while being (somewhat) patient LOL as he waits for Aiden to catch up to what he already knows
The grumpy x sunshine dynamic shines SO well here!!!
Cypress is the sunshine! he loves out loud, so deeply, and his quick witted humor had me giggling and blushing right alongside Aiden. I love that he’s been through SO MUCH and still chooses to wear his heart on his sleeve
And when he buys Aiden that gift…
omfg my heart just melted into a puddle 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
His love language making Aiden feel seen and loved no matter how hard Aiden pushes back was everything TO ME!!!!
Aiden is our grumpy, no nonsense type… but underneath? A total teddy bear He’s exhausted from being seen as the town hero and deeply haunted by his past. He’s determined not to repeat it.. and to him that means not letting anyone get close. Because love, in his mind, only leads to pain.
God… some of the writing in this story is just pure poetry.
I felt it SO deeply.
When Aiden shoots the top of the train car for Cypress…
OMFG. I had tears streaming down my face I LOVE THEM SO MUCH
And I think that’s what makes this book so special is it’s the little moments that quietly build into something so powerful by the end.
It’s a sloooow burn,
with tiny puzzle pieces coming together to create something that feels like a true work of art.
I LOVED IT. I cannot say that enough.
I love these characters SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
And somehow… I’m sitting here wondering how there could possibly be more love between them??
But with Cypress’s soothsaying abilities, I am VERY intrigued to see who might fill that third chair…
Literally running to see what happens next!!!
☀️“Why?” he mutters. “So you can be burdened instead?”
🌵“So I can keep my word to you,” I tell him. “I want your future, Cypress, but I want your past, too. So when you go back to visit it, you’re not alone there anymore either.”
5 ⭐ 1.5🌶️
I had no idea what I was walking into with this book…but I am not the same person walking out
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am seriously so blown away by Ren Browne’s writing!!! This was EXCEPTIONAL and I already have Adversity downloaded and ready to go the second I hit post on this review hehe!
The banter is what completely sets this book apart...
It’s so beautiful watching Cypress want Aiden so badly while being (somewhat) patient LOL as he waits for Aiden to catch up to what he already knows
The grumpy x sunshine dynamic shines SO well here!!!
Cypress is the sunshine! he loves out loud, so deeply, and his quick witted humor had me giggling and blushing right alongside Aiden. I love that he’s been through SO MUCH and still chooses to wear his heart on his sleeve
And when he buys Aiden that gift…
omfg my heart just melted into a puddle 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
His love language making Aiden feel seen and loved no matter how hard Aiden pushes back was everything TO ME!!!!
Aiden is our grumpy, no nonsense type… but underneath? A total teddy bear He’s exhausted from being seen as the town hero and deeply haunted by his past. He’s determined not to repeat it.. and to him that means not letting anyone get close. Because love, in his mind, only leads to pain.
God… some of the writing in this story is just pure poetry.
I felt it SO deeply.
When Aiden shoots the top of the train car for Cypress…
OMFG. I had tears streaming down my face I LOVE THEM SO MUCH
And I think that’s what makes this book so special is it’s the little moments that quietly build into something so powerful by the end.
It’s a sloooow burn,
with tiny puzzle pieces coming together to create something that feels like a true work of art.
I LOVED IT. I cannot say that enough.
I love these characters SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
And somehow… I’m sitting here wondering how there could possibly be more love between them??
But with Cypress’s soothsaying abilities, I am VERY intrigued to see who might fill that third chair…
Literally running to see what happens next!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"Loving you is not something I needed to decide, wolf. I was looking for you for so long. In every face I passed I looked for you, hoping that when I saw you, I would know. And I did. I saw you and knew who you were in this life and in the next and in all the ones that came before, because you were mine in every single one of them. I saw you and I knew that I would gladly go through it all again, that I would relive every single moment of my life just to have one single moment where I mattered in yours. To have one single moment where you let me."
Once upon a time...two outlaws cross paths, and fate refuses to let them walk away.
I didn't expect this story to feel as tender as it did, considering it was an MM love story between a gambler and a gunslinger. The two men are the definition of rough and tumble with survival and morally grey choices always close at hand. What surprised me most was the quiet tenderness they showed each other. Neither wanted to be the first to admit their true feelings while also never quite hiding the pull between them. Truly, Providence is the perfect 'sweet' to balance the 'spicy' of Adversity.
Ren Browne has quickly become one of my favorite western romance authors of all time. She captures the grit of the western frontier while grounding it in deeply emotional, character-driven romance. Her work feels like a balance between Janet Dailey and Elsie Silver - classic grit with a contemporary emotional core. The heated, intimate scenes are filled with the perfect amount of gruff, male dominance and cautious vulnerability making the characters and their story so captivating. Cypress and Aiden pull readers along through quiet yearning and restraint. Their feelings are undeniable, inevitable - yet neither is willing to be the first to give in. Readers will be enthralled by the enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and a slow burn that truly earns its payoff. I'm convinced there's nothing more compelling than being loved by Cypress or protected by Aiden.
Providence is defined by quiet tenderness and restrained longing between two hardened men. Their feelings refuse to be held back by their reputation as outlaws. Discovering this author and The Midnight Gang series has been one of the highlights of my reading and reviewing career! Thank you to Ren Browne and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read and review.
Once upon a time...two outlaws cross paths, and fate refuses to let them walk away.
I didn't expect this story to feel as tender as it did, considering it was an MM love story between a gambler and a gunslinger. The two men are the definition of rough and tumble with survival and morally grey choices always close at hand. What surprised me most was the quiet tenderness they showed each other. Neither wanted to be the first to admit their true feelings while also never quite hiding the pull between them. Truly, Providence is the perfect 'sweet' to balance the 'spicy' of Adversity.
Ren Browne has quickly become one of my favorite western romance authors of all time. She captures the grit of the western frontier while grounding it in deeply emotional, character-driven romance. Her work feels like a balance between Janet Dailey and Elsie Silver - classic grit with a contemporary emotional core. The heated, intimate scenes are filled with the perfect amount of gruff, male dominance and cautious vulnerability making the characters and their story so captivating. Cypress and Aiden pull readers along through quiet yearning and restraint. Their feelings are undeniable, inevitable - yet neither is willing to be the first to give in. Readers will be enthralled by the enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and a slow burn that truly earns its payoff. I'm convinced there's nothing more compelling than being loved by Cypress or protected by Aiden.
Providence is defined by quiet tenderness and restrained longing between two hardened men. Their feelings refuse to be held back by their reputation as outlaws. Discovering this author and The Midnight Gang series has been one of the highlights of my reading and reviewing career! Thank you to Ren Browne and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read and review.
April 21, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Providence by @renbrownewrites
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Ren Browne makes the Wild West feel immersive—even for someone like me who doesn’t usually gravitate toward Westerns. Her writing is vivid and atmospheric, pulling you straight into the dust, heat, and tension of the world.
And the characters? So well done. Layered, complex, and completely believable. Aiden is a stoic, guarded gunslinger trying to outrun his past—and I ate him up. Controlled, closed off… until Cypress.
Cypress is a charismatic gambler who immediately gets under Aiden’s skin. He’s secretive and clearly hiding something—something Aiden can’t help but chase. I loved how his carefree exterior masks a wounded but still hopeful core.
Together? The tension is immediate. It’s enemies-to-lovers energy, but one-sided because Cypress is already halfway gone. And when their slow burn finally tips into spice? Absolutely delicious.
This is a prequel to Adversity, so it works as a starting point for The Midnight Gang series. And yes, I will absolutely be continuing—because a polyamorous romance is right up my alley.
If you love slow-burn MM romance with outlaws, loaded stares, and characters who might ruin each other—and choose it anyway—add this to your TBR immediately.
Thank you to Ren Browne and @lunaliterary.management for the ARC.
For fans of:
🤠 MM Historical Western Romance | 😤 Enemies to Lovers | 🐎 Outlaws on the Run | 🔥 Slow Burn
#MMRomance #HistoricalRomance #WesternRomance #EnemiesToLovers #Bookstagram
Providence by @renbrownewrites
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Ren Browne makes the Wild West feel immersive—even for someone like me who doesn’t usually gravitate toward Westerns. Her writing is vivid and atmospheric, pulling you straight into the dust, heat, and tension of the world.
And the characters? So well done. Layered, complex, and completely believable. Aiden is a stoic, guarded gunslinger trying to outrun his past—and I ate him up. Controlled, closed off… until Cypress.
Cypress is a charismatic gambler who immediately gets under Aiden’s skin. He’s secretive and clearly hiding something—something Aiden can’t help but chase. I loved how his carefree exterior masks a wounded but still hopeful core.
Together? The tension is immediate. It’s enemies-to-lovers energy, but one-sided because Cypress is already halfway gone. And when their slow burn finally tips into spice? Absolutely delicious.
This is a prequel to Adversity, so it works as a starting point for The Midnight Gang series. And yes, I will absolutely be continuing—because a polyamorous romance is right up my alley.
If you love slow-burn MM romance with outlaws, loaded stares, and characters who might ruin each other—and choose it anyway—add this to your TBR immediately.
Thank you to Ren Browne and @lunaliterary.management for the ARC.
For fans of:
🤠 MM Historical Western Romance | 😤 Enemies to Lovers | 🐎 Outlaws on the Run | 🔥 Slow Burn
#MMRomance #HistoricalRomance #WesternRomance #EnemiesToLovers #Bookstagram
April 22, 2026
Set 9 years before the events of Adversity, Providence gives us the story of how Aiden and Cypress met and what followed from there….I love that Ren wrote their story before Cora came into their lives and it’s such a great prequel.
Aiden is as taciturn and monosyllabic as ever, and we love him for it. His walls are sky high and he’s not really living anymore, just surviving and passing the days working as a cattleman and trying to outrun his gunslinger past.
Cypress is the same irrepressible, chaos agent I’ve come to know and love. His devil may care attitude hides a wealth of pain though, and he has his own demons. However, he doesn’t let those demons hold him back and he’s just a delight to read.
Opposites really do attract when it comes to Cypress and Aiden - the epitome of a grumpy x sunshine pairing on the surface of things. But their pasts also give them a deeper understanding of each other, and the intimate bond that builds between them was gorgeous. I loved that it was a slow burn - it particularly makes sense for Aiden as he’s slow to trust and I think it was more poignant when they finally did give in to the burning attraction between them.
The tension and sheer yearning that builds through the story was glorious. Add in some outlaw shenanigans, Wild West style shootouts and a touch of soulful stargazing, and you get a tender but action-packed ride of a book that will have you wanting to read Adversity immediately after (even when you only read it a couple of weeks ago like me)!
*I received a review copy from the author - this is my honest opinion.
Aiden is as taciturn and monosyllabic as ever, and we love him for it. His walls are sky high and he’s not really living anymore, just surviving and passing the days working as a cattleman and trying to outrun his gunslinger past.
Cypress is the same irrepressible, chaos agent I’ve come to know and love. His devil may care attitude hides a wealth of pain though, and he has his own demons. However, he doesn’t let those demons hold him back and he’s just a delight to read.
Opposites really do attract when it comes to Cypress and Aiden - the epitome of a grumpy x sunshine pairing on the surface of things. But their pasts also give them a deeper understanding of each other, and the intimate bond that builds between them was gorgeous. I loved that it was a slow burn - it particularly makes sense for Aiden as he’s slow to trust and I think it was more poignant when they finally did give in to the burning attraction between them.
The tension and sheer yearning that builds through the story was glorious. Add in some outlaw shenanigans, Wild West style shootouts and a touch of soulful stargazing, and you get a tender but action-packed ride of a book that will have you wanting to read Adversity immediately after (even when you only read it a couple of weeks ago like me)!
*I received a review copy from the author - this is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5⭐You are surrounded by sinners, gunslingers, and gamblers. Cue the western music, smell of smoke & whisky in the air, while you watch a poker game. This book has you jumping back in time from book one to get more of who and where Adien & Cypress come from. The author's writing style and flow are uniquely her own. From meeting her by chance in a Wisconsin bookstore, I can hear her personal voice being pushed onto the pages. Her storytelling is something I love!
This book is filled with tension, yearning to be loved by a found family. Two characters searching for their own inner peace and what that means to them. Can what they have done in the past be forgiven/taken away, or will it haunt them forever? I enjoyed the push and pull between Cypress and Adien and how their two outlooks on life come together. That old saying applies to opposites attract.
I stated in my review of Adversity, “ It felt a little forced on how all three of the main characters got together in the beginning. It was hard to correlate how the two men were both instantly interested in Cora.” I feel this was answered in a very beautiful way, and I am getting the answers I needed!
After finishing the book I am really in the mood to play poker. Is that just me? lol
What I DID like:
✨Old Western Gunslingers and Cowboys
✨️Elegant & Engaging Writing Style/Voice
✨️The Emotional Impact of “Who Did This To You” Trope
✨️Little Bird & Wolf
This book is filled with tension, yearning to be loved by a found family. Two characters searching for their own inner peace and what that means to them. Can what they have done in the past be forgiven/taken away, or will it haunt them forever? I enjoyed the push and pull between Cypress and Adien and how their two outlooks on life come together. That old saying applies to opposites attract.
I stated in my review of Adversity, “ It felt a little forced on how all three of the main characters got together in the beginning. It was hard to correlate how the two men were both instantly interested in Cora.” I feel this was answered in a very beautiful way, and I am getting the answers I needed!
After finishing the book I am really in the mood to play poker. Is that just me? lol
What I DID like:
✨Old Western Gunslingers and Cowboys
✨️Elegant & Engaging Writing Style/Voice
✨️The Emotional Impact of “Who Did This To You” Trope
✨️Little Bird & Wolf
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
Providence by @renbrownewrites
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Thank you for the ARC @renbrownewrites and @lunaliterary.management - I loved Aiden and Cyprus’ story.
I hadn’t realised how much I needed Aiden and Cypress’ story until I started reading and then I became obsessed and demolished Providence within a day. Set nine years prior to Adversity, this is how Cypress and Aiden met and their journey. And it’s blummin amazing.
The yearning!!!! It’s on a whole other level. This story is such a slow burn but it’s beautifully done. Cyprus and Aiden are both complicated so it was never going to be an easy ride but throughout it’s obvious they aren’t going to let anything happen to one another; protect one another.
There are some beautiful emotions shared in this book; Cyprus has a found family that makes you smile - I think everyone needs a Dolly in their lives to absolutely have your back but also to perhaps meddle as well. Some of the moments between Cyrus and Aiden is enough to bring tears; discussion about your worth as a human being despite the choices you have made, how your past doesn’t define you and there is always hope that you will find the person (or people as we know Cyprus and Aiden meet Cora in the future) in the future.
If you loved all the gunslinger action of Adversity you absolutely need to read Providence and then be as excited about the prospect of Prosperity in 2027.
Providence by @renbrownewrites
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Thank you for the ARC @renbrownewrites and @lunaliterary.management - I loved Aiden and Cyprus’ story.
I hadn’t realised how much I needed Aiden and Cypress’ story until I started reading and then I became obsessed and demolished Providence within a day. Set nine years prior to Adversity, this is how Cypress and Aiden met and their journey. And it’s blummin amazing.
The yearning!!!! It’s on a whole other level. This story is such a slow burn but it’s beautifully done. Cyprus and Aiden are both complicated so it was never going to be an easy ride but throughout it’s obvious they aren’t going to let anything happen to one another; protect one another.
There are some beautiful emotions shared in this book; Cyprus has a found family that makes you smile - I think everyone needs a Dolly in their lives to absolutely have your back but also to perhaps meddle as well. Some of the moments between Cyrus and Aiden is enough to bring tears; discussion about your worth as a human being despite the choices you have made, how your past doesn’t define you and there is always hope that you will find the person (or people as we know Cyprus and Aiden meet Cora in the future) in the future.
If you loved all the gunslinger action of Adversity you absolutely need to read Providence and then be as excited about the prospect of Prosperity in 2027.
Review of advance copy
Providence is book 2 of the Midnight Gang series by Ren Browne.
While this book is labeled as second in the series it takes place 9 years before Adversity. It is the back story on Cypress and Aiden, how they met and they came to be together. It does a wonderful job of adding even more depth to their story. I’m struggling to decide if reading Adversity first helped me pick up on the nuance and simple gestures between the characters or if reading Providence first would just enhance Adversity since you now know the back story. Either way the stories are wonderful and the only wrong choice is not reading them at all.
I love these characters. They are both a little broken but together they begin to mend those jagged pieces. Cypress is special, I knew that from Adversity but you really learn about him and all the ways he is amazing in this story. I feel like less was revealed about Aiden, we learned more about him in Adversity so this story while yes it is a love story between them but it is a love letter about Cypress.
I read a lot, and I don't say this often but I think I might be obsessed with these characters.
Rounded from 4.5 stars
While this book is labeled as second in the series it takes place 9 years before Adversity. It is the back story on Cypress and Aiden, how they met and they came to be together. It does a wonderful job of adding even more depth to their story. I’m struggling to decide if reading Adversity first helped me pick up on the nuance and simple gestures between the characters or if reading Providence first would just enhance Adversity since you now know the back story. Either way the stories are wonderful and the only wrong choice is not reading them at all.
I love these characters. They are both a little broken but together they begin to mend those jagged pieces. Cypress is special, I knew that from Adversity but you really learn about him and all the ways he is amazing in this story. I feel like less was revealed about Aiden, we learned more about him in Adversity so this story while yes it is a love story between them but it is a love letter about Cypress.
I read a lot, and I don't say this often but I think I might be obsessed with these characters.
Rounded from 4.5 stars
April 20, 2026
Providence ARC Review
5⭐️
2.5🌶️
My babies, my babies, my babiessssss!!
I have missed these two like you wouldn’t believe! The dynamic between them, the shared attraction and respect it’s just simply so perfect!
I love my girl Cora and I’ll admit I was missing her; but these two have such a chemistry that just sells this prequel all on its own!! And that is a testament to the amazing writing of the author, thank you Ren, I literally can’t get enough!
I love the instant attraction you get to see between them. From the moment they met it’s there; on Aiden’s part it is a bit more cautious, as is his character, but with Cypress it’s like a magnetic effect. We get reminded why he is so forthcoming with first Aiden and then later Cora!
Now as for the supporting characters in this story, they are so good and along with the old western vibes of the world it was a true delight. I love movies and stories that take place in that time period for the story opportunities and limitations that it creates. Adding a beautiful romance to the rough and tumble west is just the cherry on top of it all!
Overall would I return? HELL YES, in a heartbeat! I am so excited to she what’s being cooked up next and best believe I will be first in line for it!
5⭐️
2.5🌶️
My babies, my babies, my babiessssss!!
I have missed these two like you wouldn’t believe! The dynamic between them, the shared attraction and respect it’s just simply so perfect!
I love my girl Cora and I’ll admit I was missing her; but these two have such a chemistry that just sells this prequel all on its own!! And that is a testament to the amazing writing of the author, thank you Ren, I literally can’t get enough!
I love the instant attraction you get to see between them. From the moment they met it’s there; on Aiden’s part it is a bit more cautious, as is his character, but with Cypress it’s like a magnetic effect. We get reminded why he is so forthcoming with first Aiden and then later Cora!
Now as for the supporting characters in this story, they are so good and along with the old western vibes of the world it was a true delight. I love movies and stories that take place in that time period for the story opportunities and limitations that it creates. Adding a beautiful romance to the rough and tumble west is just the cherry on top of it all!
Overall would I return? HELL YES, in a heartbeat! I am so excited to she what’s being cooked up next and best believe I will be first in line for it!
April 27, 2026
One week to play security for his employer's card table... except he gets more than what he bargains for when he runs into a charismatic gambler who is determined to not only get under his skin but get lucky too. Aiden has spent his life working hard and doing what he needs to do to make ends meet. When his latest job turns bad he makes a deal: he'll spend a week making sure nobody causes trouble at his employer's card table and then he'll be free. Yet things take a turn when he meets Cypress, a mysterious gambler who is absolutely interested in him.
This was such a fun MM Cowboy romance and I absolutely adored the banter and chemistry between Aiden and Cypress. They just worked so perfectly together and it's a fun way to see the two characters from the previous book get their backstory told! I adore this series and can't wait to read the next book! I will absolutely recommend this series for fans of unique western romances!
Release Date: April 21, 2026
Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
This was such a fun MM Cowboy romance and I absolutely adored the banter and chemistry between Aiden and Cypress. They just worked so perfectly together and it's a fun way to see the two characters from the previous book get their backstory told! I adore this series and can't wait to read the next book! I will absolutely recommend this series for fans of unique western romances!
Release Date: April 21, 2026
Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Luna Literary for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
Review of advance copy received from Author
I regret ever saying I wasn’t a big Western romance reader; it turns out I just needed Ren’s writing.
Holy gods, this book! Like, all the tension, verbal gun slinging, and ahh, the banter truly made this book impossible to put down. This is one of the most deliciously drawn-out slow burns, and it is worth every second. Ren’s magic really is how she can make a book full of so much hot tension and yearning, and they haven’t even touched each other. And when they do, ugh, I am unable to accomplish any of the things I need to do for the day. A little good boy goes a long way, and I think Cypress would agree.
Aiden and Cypress are so beautifully written. I fell in love with them in Adversity, and getting their backstory made me love them even more. These characters who believe they are flawed and then find the people who find the beauty in those things they don’t think are worthy. Getting a little backstory on Wolf and the book perfectly tying into book one, what more could you want? This book is so fun and worth every second I stayed up past my bedtime. I will continue to read anything Western as long as it’s written by Ren. I cannot wait for more of the Midnight Gang!4.5/5 stars 2/5 spice
Tropes
MM Cowboy outlaw romance
Enemies to lovers
Who did this to you
SLOW burn
Morally gray MMCs
Holy gods, this book! Like, all the tension, verbal gun slinging, and ahh, the banter truly made this book impossible to put down. This is one of the most deliciously drawn-out slow burns, and it is worth every second. Ren’s magic really is how she can make a book full of so much hot tension and yearning, and they haven’t even touched each other. And when they do, ugh, I am unable to accomplish any of the things I need to do for the day. A little good boy goes a long way, and I think Cypress would agree.
Aiden and Cypress are so beautifully written. I fell in love with them in Adversity, and getting their backstory made me love them even more. These characters who believe they are flawed and then find the people who find the beauty in those things they don’t think are worthy. Getting a little backstory on Wolf and the book perfectly tying into book one, what more could you want? This book is so fun and worth every second I stayed up past my bedtime. I will continue to read anything Western as long as it’s written by Ren. I cannot wait for more of the Midnight Gang!4.5/5 stars 2/5 spice
Tropes
MM Cowboy outlaw romance
Enemies to lovers
Who did this to you
SLOW burn
Morally gray MMCs
April 23, 2026
When I finished “Adversity” in August 2025, the first thing I said was “I wish I could go back and meet these characters again for the first time.” I was so in love with their dynamics, I wanted to be swept away again.
Well, here we are, less than a year later and wishes came true! ❤️🔥 “Providence” is set years earlier, chronicling the lives of Aiden and Cypress before they meet and when their lives collide.
Is it fate? An inevitability? An inconvenience? 😏
However you want to define it, this book will have you sat. Aiden and Cypress’s back stories will show you how each of their broken pieces fit together 🥹 I love this beautiful slow burn, the quick witted banter, the grumpy/sunshine dynamic - without spoilers, when you get to the train car scene… screaming and kicking my feet.
@renbrownwrites will always been an automatic read for me, and “Providence” does not disappoint.
As a side note, personally, I think reading “Adversity” first will make you melt more for the nuances and little moments in “Providence” but either book could be read first!
Well, here we are, less than a year later and wishes came true! ❤️🔥 “Providence” is set years earlier, chronicling the lives of Aiden and Cypress before they meet and when their lives collide.
Is it fate? An inevitability? An inconvenience? 😏
However you want to define it, this book will have you sat. Aiden and Cypress’s back stories will show you how each of their broken pieces fit together 🥹 I love this beautiful slow burn, the quick witted banter, the grumpy/sunshine dynamic - without spoilers, when you get to the train car scene… screaming and kicking my feet.
@renbrownwrites will always been an automatic read for me, and “Providence” does not disappoint.
As a side note, personally, I think reading “Adversity” first will make you melt more for the nuances and little moments in “Providence” but either book could be read first!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Providence was not what I expected- it was 1000% better.
I have never read a historical MM Western, and I do not know if I would ever be able to read one again after this. This was perfection. I could not put it down. The book kept you on your toes until the last page.
I adore the writing style of this book. It left enough suspense, questions and action that it was impossible to put down. I easily lost sleep reading. Ren Browne was born to write westerns. I cannot wait to read more!
Aiden and Cypress are the cowboys that want to do good in the face of rich men who could care less about the "help". Aiden was trying to move away from the famous past he fell into. Cypress is your classic "steal from the rich to help the poor" who played the role so well. The two of them together were the classic Enemies to Lovers plot. I ate it up. The tension and angst was off the charts hot. The slow burn made it all worth it.
I cannot wait for more!
I have never read a historical MM Western, and I do not know if I would ever be able to read one again after this. This was perfection. I could not put it down. The book kept you on your toes until the last page.
I adore the writing style of this book. It left enough suspense, questions and action that it was impossible to put down. I easily lost sleep reading. Ren Browne was born to write westerns. I cannot wait to read more!
Aiden and Cypress are the cowboys that want to do good in the face of rich men who could care less about the "help". Aiden was trying to move away from the famous past he fell into. Cypress is your classic "steal from the rich to help the poor" who played the role so well. The two of them together were the classic Enemies to Lovers plot. I ate it up. The tension and angst was off the charts hot. The slow burn made it all worth it.
I cannot wait for more!
April 18, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book much more than I expected. As a kid I loved the western genre, watching everything from the late 50s to the 70s with my dad. Therefore the setting felt very familiar, saloons, poker games, guns and horses.
But on top this story has a beautiful MM romance that takes its time to develop. I am not very patient normally, slow burn only works for me, if it’s not done just for the sake of being slow burn. But Ren Browne does a wonderful job, I didn’t even realize how far I already was into the book before we get some action.
Both MMCs are easy to like, they have their quirks, one more than the other, but every interaction between them feels right and relatable.
And the way the side characters are written, made me want to know more about them, too.
What’s Dolly’s story and what will become of Arty?
I am very happy about being given the opportunity to read Providence as an ARC. Count me in for your next books 😊
But on top this story has a beautiful MM romance that takes its time to develop. I am not very patient normally, slow burn only works for me, if it’s not done just for the sake of being slow burn. But Ren Browne does a wonderful job, I didn’t even realize how far I already was into the book before we get some action.
Both MMCs are easy to like, they have their quirks, one more than the other, but every interaction between them feels right and relatable.
And the way the side characters are written, made me want to know more about them, too.
What’s Dolly’s story and what will become of Arty?
I am very happy about being given the opportunity to read Providence as an ARC. Count me in for your next books 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I ate this book up in 2 days... do you know how hard that is when you work a full-time job, have a 19 month old, & a husband 🤔 Unheard of. The amount of times I had to shush my husband just to read about my favorite gunslingers getting down and dirty for the first time was preposterous.
I couldn't sit it down. DEVOURED. I don't think I could possibly ever have enough Cypress. I NEED more Cypress. Everything he says & does makes me a tad feral. & Dolly? What a lady 🖤 This book just made my heart happy (& gave me hella butterflies).
There isn't enough good things I can say about this book. You like cowboys & cowboys with their cowboy lovers? You must read this series. I'm already dying for Prosperity... I feel one hell of a book hangover coming on. Ren Browne has honestly killed it again. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to enjoy this before official release day, honestly a huge honor 🖤
I couldn't sit it down. DEVOURED. I don't think I could possibly ever have enough Cypress. I NEED more Cypress. Everything he says & does makes me a tad feral. & Dolly? What a lady 🖤 This book just made my heart happy (& gave me hella butterflies).
There isn't enough good things I can say about this book. You like cowboys & cowboys with their cowboy lovers? You must read this series. I'm already dying for Prosperity... I feel one hell of a book hangover coming on. Ren Browne has honestly killed it again. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to enjoy this before official release day, honestly a huge honor 🖤
April 20, 2026
4.5 you know that feeling when you get so pulled in by a story that you want to fly through it but you also desperately don’t want it to end? that’s exactly how i felt with both ‘adversity’ and ‘providence’ (and i’m kicking my feet that we’ll potentially get even more of the midnight gang.. ahh!)
i feel so lucky to get an early read of aiden + cy’s story! the flawless banter in this book between our beloved cowboys is what kept me going when—even as a slow burn lover—i was begging them to hurry up and figure it out. (i’m very impatient, but i’m learning!) the yearning and the push and pull is exactly what they needed to end up as communicative and sweet as they are. oh, how we love them. i still wouldn’t have minded a couple more chapters or hundred more pages! : )
i love them + their love so much! it feels correct that ren’s amazing analyses of ‘heated rivalry’ led me to her gorgeous writing. ren, your stories and the way you weave them are a gift and i’m grateful for these arizona adventures.
i feel so lucky to get an early read of aiden + cy’s story! the flawless banter in this book between our beloved cowboys is what kept me going when—even as a slow burn lover—i was begging them to hurry up and figure it out. (i’m very impatient, but i’m learning!) the yearning and the push and pull is exactly what they needed to end up as communicative and sweet as they are. oh, how we love them. i still wouldn’t have minded a couple more chapters or hundred more pages! : )
i love them + their love so much! it feels correct that ren’s amazing analyses of ‘heated rivalry’ led me to her gorgeous writing. ren, your stories and the way you weave them are a gift and i’m grateful for these arizona adventures.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, read Adversity. PROVIDENCE may be a prequel but it throws you right into Cypress and Aiden's lives assuming you have knowledge of their backstories. There's also bounus little hints of what's to come in Adversity that feel like treats for returning readers. So start there.
PROVIDENCE gave me everything I needed in a soul mate origin story. Because that's exactly what Cypress and Aiden are. They are chance and fate personified. Cypress is the charming vengeful risk taking gambler. Aiden the stoic penitent guardian gunslinger. Their hearts were shaped by survival for the purpose of loving and keeping each other safe.
Overall, PROVIDENCE for the returning readers desperate for more time with Cypress and Aiden. The intensity of their yearning and growing partnership will make you swoon. I loved reading this.
Thank you author, Ren Browne, and Luna Literary Management for the advance digital copy to read and review.
PROVIDENCE gave me everything I needed in a soul mate origin story. Because that's exactly what Cypress and Aiden are. They are chance and fate personified. Cypress is the charming vengeful risk taking gambler. Aiden the stoic penitent guardian gunslinger. Their hearts were shaped by survival for the purpose of loving and keeping each other safe.
Overall, PROVIDENCE for the returning readers desperate for more time with Cypress and Aiden. The intensity of their yearning and growing partnership will make you swoon. I loved reading this.
Thank you author, Ren Browne, and Luna Literary Management for the advance digital copy to read and review.
April 26, 2026
ARC REVIEW
This book gives SLOW BURN a whole new meaning! After reading Adversity, I was definitely wanting answers to how Cypress and Aiden met. This book is filled with action, drama, yearning, tension, and banter. I really loved how obvious Cypress was the entire time while we got grumpy Aiden in denial. That dynamic alone, is enough to make anyone giggle and kick their feet. This definitely has the whole grumpy x sunshine trope nailed, no pun intended. We finally find out the backgrounds of Cypress and Aiden which had brought up questions from reading Adversity. I really loved the aspect of Cypress "vision" of a wolf and a bird which leads to nicknaming Aiden "Wolf". I love that lore aspect of the story. I loved that they found each other under the circumstances they were in. It made for such an exciting and action filled story. The ending was chef's kiss and leads directly into how they found their "little bird".
This book gives SLOW BURN a whole new meaning! After reading Adversity, I was definitely wanting answers to how Cypress and Aiden met. This book is filled with action, drama, yearning, tension, and banter. I really loved how obvious Cypress was the entire time while we got grumpy Aiden in denial. That dynamic alone, is enough to make anyone giggle and kick their feet. This definitely has the whole grumpy x sunshine trope nailed, no pun intended. We finally find out the backgrounds of Cypress and Aiden which had brought up questions from reading Adversity. I really loved the aspect of Cypress "vision" of a wolf and a bird which leads to nicknaming Aiden "Wolf". I love that lore aspect of the story. I loved that they found each other under the circumstances they were in. It made for such an exciting and action filled story. The ending was chef's kiss and leads directly into how they found their "little bird".
April 16, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
I haven’t read many western romances and this was a great start for me! Providence started out as two separate characters up to their own versions of “no good”. Aiden, our somewhat retired gunslinger, finds himself under contract to protect the interests of Maddock while he plays poker. During this time, Cypress sits at the table to play. Across that week, Cy and Aiden have had many encounters that build the tension between them and also a bond neither of them were expecting.
This was definitely a slow burn between the two of them but ends in such a sweet way. I loved the contrast in their personalities and the way Cypress’ confidence in their inevitability balances Aiden’s caution. Their past dictates their present but together can they build a new future? ❤️❤️ I loved this! Only took a .5 off because I was wanting more 🌶️🌶️ Very well written, Ren.
I haven’t read many western romances and this was a great start for me! Providence started out as two separate characters up to their own versions of “no good”. Aiden, our somewhat retired gunslinger, finds himself under contract to protect the interests of Maddock while he plays poker. During this time, Cypress sits at the table to play. Across that week, Cy and Aiden have had many encounters that build the tension between them and also a bond neither of them were expecting.
This was definitely a slow burn between the two of them but ends in such a sweet way. I loved the contrast in their personalities and the way Cypress’ confidence in their inevitability balances Aiden’s caution. Their past dictates their present but together can they build a new future? ❤️❤️ I loved this! Only took a .5 off because I was wanting more 🌶️🌶️ Very well written, Ren.
April 18, 2026
Holy Moly….Providence delievers so many feels on so many levels. I loved Adversity and I recently re-read it again. I already loved Cypress and Aiden, so getting to read their story was so beautiful, painfully beautiful. Aiden’s backstory helps shape the man he is and explains so much about him. I loved learning more about Cypress and hearing his POV may have been my favorite parts. This one is a DEFINITELY a slow burn in the absolute most exquisitely satisfying way. Aiden’s denial of his attraction made me laugh and swoon at the exact same time. Cypress’ humor and charisma leaps off the page. Hearing the story of Cypress’ dreams and the significance behind it literally made me cry. I loved this book, sooooo excited to read Prosperity. I am huge fan of Ren Browne and again she delivers a fantastic story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Providence was everything I hoped it would be and so much more!
I loved Adversity so having the chance to go back in time to learn exactly how Cypress and Aiden got together was an incredible journey and the events of this story unfolded into the perfectly delicious, sexy, swoony and emotionally cathartic story.
The banter and constant push-pull between these two was hilarious, intriguing, fun and so enjoyable. Their status as outlaws brought the perfect bit of suspense to the story and the imagery that Ren Browne creates in this book gives the reader the feeling like they are living this story right alongside the characters. Wrapped up with the perfect bit of wistful fate and I could not have loved this story more!
TROPES:
MM Romance
Old West Setting
Cowboy Outlaws
Forced Proximity
Touch Him & Die
Thank you to Ren Browne & Luna Literary Management for the ARC.
I loved Adversity so having the chance to go back in time to learn exactly how Cypress and Aiden got together was an incredible journey and the events of this story unfolded into the perfectly delicious, sexy, swoony and emotionally cathartic story.
The banter and constant push-pull between these two was hilarious, intriguing, fun and so enjoyable. Their status as outlaws brought the perfect bit of suspense to the story and the imagery that Ren Browne creates in this book gives the reader the feeling like they are living this story right alongside the characters. Wrapped up with the perfect bit of wistful fate and I could not have loved this story more!
TROPES:
MM Romance
Old West Setting
Cowboy Outlaws
Forced Proximity
Touch Him & Die
Thank you to Ren Browne & Luna Literary Management for the ARC.
April 22, 2026
ARC Read
4⭐️ 2🌶️
MM Cowboy Romance - prequel for Adversity but book two in the Midnight Gang
I was completely hooked on this origin story for Aiden and Cypress. After following the series, getting to see where it all began was everything. The tension in this book is absolute perfection, a true, addictive slow burn where the anticipation just keeps building until you can’t put it down. I loved how the author balanced the gritty, harsh reality of the frontier with these incredibly tender, vulnerable moments between the MMCs. Seeing two hardened men slowly let their guards down and find a sweet and soft place to land with each other was written so beautifully. The ending was the perfect payoff, and I honestly can’t recommend this series enough if you love character driven plot with emotional stakes. I love these characters! Can't wait for the next book.
4⭐️ 2🌶️
MM Cowboy Romance - prequel for Adversity but book two in the Midnight Gang
I was completely hooked on this origin story for Aiden and Cypress. After following the series, getting to see where it all began was everything. The tension in this book is absolute perfection, a true, addictive slow burn where the anticipation just keeps building until you can’t put it down. I loved how the author balanced the gritty, harsh reality of the frontier with these incredibly tender, vulnerable moments between the MMCs. Seeing two hardened men slowly let their guards down and find a sweet and soft place to land with each other was written so beautifully. The ending was the perfect payoff, and I honestly can’t recommend this series enough if you love character driven plot with emotional stakes. I love these characters! Can't wait for the next book.
April 22, 2026
If you're looking for a Wild West romance with a sweet spot between wit and genuine heart, this prequel is for you. Not having read the first book, I did not feel lost, I need to read Adversity soonish.
The heart of this story is the friction between Cypress and Aiden. Cypress is pure energy, he keeps the pace moving and the dialogue snapping. Aiden's internal struggle is the highlight, him realizing he really doesn't hate the man he's supposed to find irritating is a very entertaining plot. The banter is plentiful and actually funny, not just a western themed filler. It serves as the perfect backdrop for two characters who are clearly head over heels but need a little time to get out of their own way. Once that happens, the payoff was incredibly sweet. They fell hard, and so did I. If you love a cowboy who grumbles while secretly swooning, add this to your shelf immediately.
The heart of this story is the friction between Cypress and Aiden. Cypress is pure energy, he keeps the pace moving and the dialogue snapping. Aiden's internal struggle is the highlight, him realizing he really doesn't hate the man he's supposed to find irritating is a very entertaining plot. The banter is plentiful and actually funny, not just a western themed filler. It serves as the perfect backdrop for two characters who are clearly head over heels but need a little time to get out of their own way. Once that happens, the payoff was incredibly sweet. They fell hard, and so did I. If you love a cowboy who grumbles while secretly swooning, add this to your shelf immediately.
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