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Cowboys of Devil's Ditch #3

Bray: A Small Town Cowboy Instalove Romance

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The West just got Wilder! Meet the cowboys of Devil’s Ditch Montana, one steamy, instalove story at a time.I’ve known her for years… but it’s time to make her mine. My little sister’s best friend needs my help. To be her fake boyfriend.
Fake? Nothing’s fake with her. She feels it, too, but can’t understand why I finally want her after all these years. I’d take the time to prove it, but someone’s out to hurt her. That means she’s mine now whether she likes it or not.

These short reads are MF with a guaranteed spicy HEA. While they are standalone, it’s best to read them in order.

Tropes for Bray Small Town, Cowboy, Instalove, Best Friend’s Older Brother, Damsel In Distress, Fake Boyfriend, Ugly Duckling

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2025

255 people are currently reading
97 people want to read

About the author

Vanessa Vale

185 books2,552 followers
A USA Today bestseller, Vanessa Vale has written over 100 cowboy and small town romances. She lives in the American West where she's always finding inspiration for her next story.

You can find out more about Vanessa at VanessaValeAuthor.com

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5 stars
229 (42%)
4 stars
191 (35%)
3 stars
104 (19%)
2 stars
15 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Bridget.
16 reviews
Read
January 20, 2026
listen i need y’all to not perceive me if you’re seeing this… let a girl track her books and read cowboy smut in peace!!!
Profile Image for Lawlah.
240 reviews21 followers
November 16, 2025
This book has insta-love, a virgin FMC, best friend’s brother, a strong band of siblings, and a cozy small-town setting.

Katie’s insecurities were captured so well — the author portrayed her vulnerabilities with so much care.
I also love how Bray stepped up, protected her, and loved her wholeheartedly.

And the Wilder siblings? Their support for Katie was so beautiful to read. Their bond continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series.

It’s a solid 4-star read for me.

Thank you to the author and Grey Promotion for this ARC.
241 reviews4 followers
December 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A Fast, Spicy, Best-Friend’s-Older-Brother Fantasy with a Suspenseful Twist
Bray is another quick, fiery hit in the Devil’s Ditch series, delivering small-town charm, instant chemistry, and a hero who goes from “my sister’s best friend” to “mine” in the blink of an eye. When Katie slips into Bray’s lap at The Roadside Bar to escape a persistent drunk, the shift in him is immediate and electric. These Wilder men do not fall slowly, and Bray is no exception.
The fake boyfriend setup adds its own delicious tension, especially because there’s nothing fake about Bray’s feelings. Watching him finally acknowledge what’s been simmering for years gives the story that addictive older-brother, forbidden-crush edge readers adore.
The novella also brings in a hint of danger when a rock is thrown through Katie’s window. It adds just enough suspense to keep the pages turning, especially with the uncertainty of who the real target is.
Expect spice, swoony protectiveness, an “ugly duckling” glow-up vibe, and brothers who stand shoulder to shoulder the moment things get serious. Fast, hot, and easy to devour, Bray is a fun instalove escape perfect for fans of protective cowboys and best-friend’s-older-brother magic. 🤠🔥
Profile Image for lowkeyreader.
5,585 reviews51 followers
December 11, 2025
The Cowboys of Devil's Ditch series by Vanessa Vale delivers steamy, small-town cowboy romance with plenty of heat, heart, and rugged charm across Trig, Colt, and Bray. Each book features alpha heroes from the rugged Devil's Ditch ranch—Trig's brooding intensity, Colt's protective loyalty, and Bray's playful dominance—paired with strong heroines who match their fire. I loved the consistent world-building, family ties, and spicy dynamics that make the series addictive.

Vale's writing excels at quick-burning chemistry and emotional depth beneath the scorching scenes, with each installment standing strong on its own while building the overarching ranch saga. The heroes' vulnerabilities and the heroines' independence add relatable layers to the escapism.

While the insta-lust and possessive tropes are signature to Vale's style, the fresh character arcs and escalating stakes keep things engaging without feeling repetitive. Pacing is fast and fun, though some plots could delve deeper into emotional conflicts.

Overall, this series is a sizzling treat for fans of cowboy romance with dominant men and empowered women. I’m rating it 4 stars and recommend binging all three for maximum satisfaction.
Profile Image for Liz.
2,139 reviews15 followers
October 16, 2025
It’s time for Bray Wilder to finally notice the girl who has been under his nose for years and make his claim when his sister’s best friend Katie pleads for his help when a customer at the dive bar where she’s working gets a little handsy and she needs rescuing. Needing a pretend boyfriend, she throws herself at Bray not realising the possessive cowboy wasn’t about to let her go again in the third novella featuring the Cowboys of Devil’s Ditch. There’s nothing like a hint of danger to spark interest and when Bray finds out that someone has been threatening Katie all his protective instincts are raised but not he even could’ve realised just what would ensue in this fast-paced, instalove tale.

I’ve got to admit the whole ‘under their nose’ scenario doesn’t really do it for me, it makes the hero/heroine seem a bit shallow that they’ve never really noticed the person who has been part of their life and with Katie and Bray, she was part of his family and always around. Perhaps if this novella had been fleshed out to full length with time for their relationship to develop fully, I would have enjoyed it more but as it is I don’t think Bray will be my favourite one in the series.

Profile Image for Vivien Richards.
1,536 reviews20 followers
December 10, 2025
Trig is the first book of the Cowboys of Devil's Ditch series. Its tropes include runaway bride, instalove, snowed in together and mistaken identity. This was a good shorter story and if you like small town cowboy romance, this is a series you want to read. This is a good steamy story about Ellie who is rescued by Trig after her car breaks down in a snow storm. She is running away from an awful situation her father put her in. Trig to the rescue!

***Colt is book two of the series. This is a small town romance between Colt, a sheriff and Molly, who is the town's new doctor. This is another great story that includes instalove and one of my favs, "he falls first" trope.

***Bray is book three. This story includes the tropes: damsel in distress, fake boyfriend and best friend's older brother. This is a spicy yummy story where Bray "falls first" for her his girl Katie. She asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend after another guy keeps bothering her. But to him, there's no pretending. I hope to read more from this series very soon.
Profile Image for Sara.
2,387 reviews13 followers
October 16, 2025
Another short, sexy read that will grab your attention.

These Wilder brothers sure are something! Bray is the local farrier and knows how to use his muscles to carry his Kitten away to safety and he ups the steam factor with some panty melting dirty talk.

When Katie needs help from a handsy drunk at
The Roadside Bar she seeks out her best friend’s older brother hoping he will pretend to be her boyfriend. When she climbs in his lap he no longer sees her as his little sister’s best friend…he sees her as ‘Mine’. These Wilder brothers fall fast and hard for their ladies.

In addition to the steam and insta-love, Katie is in danger when someone throws a large rock through her picture window. This adds a dash of suspense to this novella’s storyline because it’s unknown why or who was the intended target.

I received a free ARC from the author; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
618 reviews
October 19, 2025
Katie and Bray ❤️

Katie has been alone since her grandparents died. Everything is so hard and she just can’t seem to make enough money to make ends meet. when one night while working at the bar for extra money. One of the customers gets a little too handsy and across the crowd she spots Bray! her best friend‘s brother who she has had a crush on forever. She goes to him and asks him to please pretend to be her boyfriend! Except Bray is not pretending !! he has had a thing for Katie for a long time before this. Now together , things will work out just fine. I love each one of these books every single brother is so hot and intense and interesting. The women they love are strong, proud and fierce. These books are like potato chips! You can’t have just one! I can’t wait for the next one where their sister Lainey finds her forever love! 💕
Profile Image for Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour).
1,107 reviews8 followers
October 13, 2025
A best friend’s brother romance that starts off with a surprising move from the girl he’s known forever and jumps straight to mine! Absolutely loved Katie and Bray, it is beyond cute that Bray cannot believe he didn’t realize his forever girl had always been right in front of him but one whispered please and a kiss and he’s ready for weddings and babies. It’s an instalove that feels like anything but, love how self sufficient Katie is and Bray is kind of a riot as he gets flustered that he’s not the first person she calls when she needs something and his possessiveness has him start imagining gouging out his brothers eyes when she’s in shorts. Definitely my favorite Wilder brother romance so far!
Profile Image for Missi.
435 reviews12 followers
December 9, 2025
I love an Insta-love read. Vanessa Vale does this trope so well. She combines great spice, emotional moments, wonderful characters and intrigue all in fast-paced great quick reads.
🤠Farrier MMC
👯Best Friend's Brother
♥️Fake Dating
💞Mutual Crush and Pining
💗Insta-love
🌶️🌶️🌶️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Friend's Brother is one of my favorite tropes. Katie has had a crush on her BFFs brother for years but he sees her as just his sister's friend, right? Katie has a lot of pressure financially happening and she is working at a roadside dive. After a handsy customer, Katie ends up with Bray as her fake boyfriend. Bray has had a thing for Katie since he came home from college but you don't hit on your sister's friend right? I loved this spicy one.
Profile Image for Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog).
2,312 reviews20 followers
December 10, 2025
Bray and Katie have known each other for years because she's his little sister's best friend. But he never considered her more than that until one night at the bar, when she needed help. Katie has been hiding secrets from everyone, including her best friend. She's been working herself to the limit to make ends meet, but when a threat appears at her job, and she sees Bray, she notices an opportunity for help. However, what happened was more than she expected. Bray opens his eyes for the first time in a long while, and he sees Katie in a new light. The chemistry between them is intense, but nothing could upset Bray more than discovering what Katie is going through. His alpha instincts are about to kick in, and it's going to be explosive.

838 reviews8 followers
October 1, 2025
Devils Ditch certainly has some crazy characters. Bray's story has some unexpected twists, but the romance at its heart is steamy and sweet. Bray's instalove moment comes when his sister's best friend, Katie, needs him to pretend to her boyfriend. Their stars align, and her childhood crush very quickly becomes her everything.

I loved Katie's innocence. She is working to keep her family's farm al
float. She has no one except her best friend until she suddenly finds a place with Bray and his family. Her burdens are shared and the Wilders are backing her up. Bray and Katie feel like a united team and this feels more inevitable than instalove.

Another perfect addition to this series of interconnected, steamy quick reads.
Profile Image for Sheila Schoenauer.
1,099 reviews12 followers
October 10, 2025
oh.. that ending.. oh my. Why must I be put in suspense?!

Bray was perfect. I love how he loves Katie. I love how he proves his love. Katie is so full of self doubt. But Bray proves she's everything he wants and more. Katie is the sweetest thing. She's struggling and refused to ask for help. Now that Bray is helping take care of her burdens she can breathe again. I love that for her. This just proves that love doesn't alway show itself until the time is right. These two have been skirting around each other for years. Their time is finally now. I love it!

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
Profile Image for Melissa * bookedwithmel.
673 reviews15 followers
December 5, 2025
Another protective Wilder man. Bray is the town farrier. Katie is Bray’s younger sister’s best friend. When she needs protection from a handsy bar guest, Bray is her savior.

Katie's suffering at the hands of the same man that Ellie was running from in book 1 of this series. She's too afraid to tell anyone about any of it, including her best friend Laney. But Bray won't let her carry the load alone anymore. One kiss is enough to bond them together.

Best friend's older brother is one of my favorite tropes and this book didn't disappoint.

Thank you Greys Promotions for my copy of this book.
Profile Image for Tia.
233 reviews
December 9, 2025
I loved this! I think the whole series premise is that it is insta love/obsession so as soon as they look at their girl they know. This was a best friend's brother romance and I loved it! Katie is being harassed by a man in a bar so begs Bray to pretend to be her boyfriend by whispering in his hair, kissing him and grinding on his lap lol. He instantly decides at that moment she is his. I love the way his whole family take her on as their own and want to help her. The ending on that cliffhanger though WHAAAT.

*best friend's brother
*childhood friends
*insta obsessed
*he falls first
*virgin fmc
*independent fmc
*found family
1,068 reviews15 followers
October 3, 2025
This is a friends to lovers, sister's best friend, cowboy romance. Bray had really never paid much attention to Katie because she was his sister's best friend and therefore off limits. Then one night he is at the bar when some guy is hassling her. To get away from the guy Katie walks over to Bray and tells the guy that he is her boy. And then she sits in his lap. Bray instantly feels like he really should be her boyfriend. But, what about his sister and the rest of his family? Can Bray and Katie make this work?
Profile Image for Praline 99.
1,156 reviews11 followers
October 15, 2025
Brother's best friend.
Katie is a young woman working on the family ranch and in a bar at night to pay for her late grandmother's health care. While she is buried in debt, a man threatens to take her ranch. Unfortunately, one night at the bar, a man who is too insistent threatens her and decides to pretend to go out with Bray, her best friend's brother.
Bray is a cowboy who works with his family in a united way. But when Katie needs him, he can't help but help her, and it was love at first sight.
Will Katie and Bray have a beautiful story or will the threat get the better of them…
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,571 reviews29 followers
October 22, 2025
Bray is book 3 in the Cowboys of Devil’s Ditch by Vanessa Vale 4.5 stars

This series is an instalove, small town romance with the Wilder Family. Up next is Bray and Katie, his sister’s best friend, who is working multiple jobs to make ends meet after her grandparents passed away, one such job in the town bar. When one patron gets to touchy feels she turns to Bray for help…this leads to asking him to be her fake boyfriend except he has crushed on her too. Reads on to see what happens…short, quick, fall hard and finding love!
Profile Image for Rachelle Whynott.
100 reviews5 followers
October 27, 2025
The touch her and die that is coming out of these Wilder men is something I’m living for. Bray and Katie get their chance when Katie is being assaulted at her workplace and she asks Bray to pretend to be her boyfriend. One kiss from Katie is all it takes to make him head over heels.

The feeling of family in these stories is so present and comforting. It’s like you have a net of people behind you to help support you when you need it the most.

I received this book as an ARC and I’m leaving my honest review
Profile Image for Brooke Hunter.
474 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2025
It was ok. Bray claimed to have noticed Katie their whole lives but only did something because she sat in his lap? Yeah, not buying it. Katie got on my nerves a bit with the pity party. The ending was wild. It didn’t fit the book IMO. It would have been better if the crazy woman at the end had been an ex or something but she wasn’t. She just became obsessed with Bray without him even knowing. It was out of left field. Poor Ma too. Getting hit upside the head with a can of beans couldn’t have felt too nice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for thecontinuitybibliophile.
441 reviews4 followers
October 31, 2025
Dual POV, Spicy, Novella, ONS, Instalove, Best Friend's Brother, Fake Dating, Protective/Possessive MMC, Farrier x Horse Trainer, Virgin FMC

When Katie puts herself in Bray's lap looking to scare a creep way from her while at work she wakes up something in him that urges him to claim her as his. Katie tries to downplay his protectiveness causing Bray to step up and take care of her proving to her he's in it for the long haul. Expect family dynamics, a very possessive and protective mmc, meddling siblings, and a cliff hanger ending.
Profile Image for Kristi.
466 reviews
October 15, 2025
These are quick. They are so much fun though.

I’m loving the family and how they fight hard for each other. These two were super cute. I felt like this one went really quick and would have not been upset to see more from them.

I hope we get to see bits and pieces of them going forward through the rest of the books.

These two fought for each other and loved hard.

They had me smiling and just happy.
771 reviews
October 15, 2025
Oh this family series!

Every start of the new each brother sees his match and falls hard! The object of their new addiction doesn't even see it coming! And then they are so startled by it they don't know where to turn or what to think! They just need to learn no is not a option with anyone of the brothers when they know that they will make you theirs even faster than you realize!
513 reviews4 followers
October 21, 2025
Loved it!

Bray was possessive and to the point. His kitten needed saving one night at the bar and that’s all it took. These men move fast and they don’t falter. She was very quiet and kept to herself. She doubted everything but Bray helped her come out of her shell. That man was sexy and delicious. The book ends with a slight cliffhanger but the next book is out tomorrow. Loving this series. Super fun
Profile Image for Just Read and Imagine.
531 reviews3 followers
October 21, 2025
Katie needed a pretend boyfriend to save her from a drunken patron while working an extra job. When she finds Bray there, she immediately asks for his help to get away and when she kisses him, Bray takes it a step further after realizing that not only is his sister’s little friend a woman now, she is his. He just has to convince Katie that she belongs to him.
Another fun read from Vanessa Vale whom from which I received an advance review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,643 reviews
December 2, 2025
I have been a Vanessa Vale fan for a long time.

Whether she writes alone or in a duo, her stories always pull me in and it's so hard to put her stories down!

Trig, Colt and Bray make up the cowboys in the first three books of the series!
Each one of these men endeared themselves to me!
I can't choose a favorite, can you?

If you're ready for some heat and insta-love, start with these three and then, yes, you know, keep it going!
Profile Image for Milena Foxy.
64 reviews4 followers
September 28, 2025
I think I enjoyed this the most. The scene bar was so funny🤤 and Katie was such a lucky girl. Love a strong FL who discovers herself. Bray is like the rest of his brothers 🥵. Now, I haven't expected the cliffhanger 🥺 nor the fact it was a woman involved. I can't wait to read the next installment and see what happens.
Love💖💓💕
Milena
Profile Image for Vanesa Sandoval-Monrroy.
327 reviews9 followers
October 9, 2025
A sweet, sisters best friend insta-love novella. Our FMC Katie boldly kisses Bray and this man is quickly obsessed with her. He's tried to push his feelings for her aside for the sake of his sister and one kiss disarms this man. I loved this. These men are protective and OTT obsessed with their women. UGH!!!
Profile Image for Dawn.
82 reviews
October 15, 2025
Omg! Vanessa does it again.
If you want a swoonworthy cowboy then read Vanessa Vale. Bray is book 3 in the Cowboys of Devils Ditch series and she just steamrolls your heart like in all the others.
Be prepared to drool, swoon and generally fall for this amazingly hot cowboy who believes in love and finding "the one"
Just grab him 😏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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