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Hit The Ground
Caleb Kelly has been my secret weakness since the day I moved to Sugar Brush, Wyoming.
I spend my days among the stacks as the town’s librarian and my nights serving drinks at Joy’s Elbow Room. It’s safe, predictable, and a little boring. The only thing that makes my pulse kick is when Caleb Kelly walks through the door and takes a seat at one of my tables.
Four years of stolen glances, watching him laugh with his family, listening to him talk about his son, and pretending he doesn’t unravel me just by saying my name. Alice.
Then one reckless night, I steal a kiss. And for one perfect, heart-stopping second, he kisses me back.
But the thing is, Caleb doesn’t date. He has his son, his ranch, and no room for anything—or anyone—else.
So I finally stop waiting, stop hoping, stop hiding. It’s way past time to begin living my life on my own terms.
Just as I start to move forward, trouble knocks me back. And when I need someone the most, Caleb is the one by my side again and again, standing between me and the worst of it. His steady, fierce presence is impossible to ignore.
I should know better than to keep falling for a man who told me he can’t give me more. I should walk away before I get hurt again.
It’s just that every time he shows up, every time he really sees me, every time he stays, my heart refuses to listen.
But letting him in might be the one thing I can’t come back from.
I spend my days among the stacks as the town’s librarian and my nights serving drinks at Joy’s Elbow Room. It’s safe, predictable, and a little boring. The only thing that makes my pulse kick is when Caleb Kelly walks through the door and takes a seat at one of my tables.
Four years of stolen glances, watching him laugh with his family, listening to him talk about his son, and pretending he doesn’t unravel me just by saying my name. Alice.
Then one reckless night, I steal a kiss. And for one perfect, heart-stopping second, he kisses me back.
But the thing is, Caleb doesn’t date. He has his son, his ranch, and no room for anything—or anyone—else.
So I finally stop waiting, stop hoping, stop hiding. It’s way past time to begin living my life on my own terms.
Just as I start to move forward, trouble knocks me back. And when I need someone the most, Caleb is the one by my side again and again, standing between me and the worst of it. His steady, fierce presence is impossible to ignore.
I should know better than to keep falling for a man who told me he can’t give me more. I should walk away before I get hurt again.
It’s just that every time he shows up, every time he really sees me, every time he stays, my heart refuses to listen.
But letting him in might be the one thing I can’t come back from.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2025
370 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
About the author
Julia Wolf
49 books3,467 followersJulia lives in Maryland with her patient husband and three crazy, beautiful kids!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
November 9, 2025
Well, this book wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be (it was okay-ish). I honestly expected a total gut punch and a completely awful MMC, but it was actually a pretty low-angst read. The MMC acted like a jerk a few times at the beginning of the book, but the FMC didn’t let him get away with it. It’s not that his behavior didn’t bother me (I still didn’t like that he ignored her or didn’t notice her for four years 😕, and I have no idea why his feelings for her suddenly changed). Also, something happened around the 83% mark where he tried to push the FMC away… he really pissed me off and I wanted to knock some sense into him. But overall, I didn’t think he was that bad, probably because he made up for his actions throughout the book and the FMC wasn’t a doormat.
Anyway, I enjoyed the first half more than the second.
3.5⭐️ for the first 50%
2⭐️ for the second half
Note: If the MMC had only started caring about the FMC after she changed her hair and clothes, I would’ve given this book 1⭐️ because I can’t deal with that nonsense! But he started noticing her before that.
______
Book info:
— H (in his thirties) / h (29)
— Single dad to a 13 year old boy
— She falls first
— Low angst
Safety:
— About the MCs’ past:
╰➤ Virgin h 🤧. That was so unnecessary! She’s almost thirty, why does she have to be a freaking virgin?! She said it just never happened and since she moved to town four years ago and started catching feelings for the H, she just couldn’t… so basically she’d been waiting for him!! I really hated the imbalance in the MCs’ sex lives.
╰➤ Experienced H but not a manwhore. He said he wasn’t dating or getting into relationships because he didn’t have time for that.
╰➤ The h had a huge crush on the H for four years and everyone knew about her feelings except the H. He didn’t really notice or care about her all that time.
╰➤ The H worked as a waitress at the bar, where she often ran into the H. She briefly mentioned “just once” that she got jealous on those rare times when the H paid attention to other woman.
╰➤ The H had been celibate for a long time (no idea how long though).
╰➤ Co-parenting with his ex (Shelby). He only mentioned their past briefly at the start 3%, and he didn’t have any feelings for her at all.
— OM:
After the H rejected the h (at the beginning 13%), he avoided her for two weeks so she could “lick her wounds” (his words). But he ran into her at the restaurant with a date (she’s already trying to move on 😂).
She went on a few dates with two different guys and the H got jealous (I was here for those scenes 😏). As I mentioned above, I’m not sure why he suddenly started caring about her now! It makes no sense at all, but I guess he realized what he’d lost after rejecting her. 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, on the h’s second date, OM drugged her and tried to assault her but luckily someone stopped him before he could do anything. But she ended up with a concussion and a broken wrist.
— No ow/cheating/scenes with other people
The H’s ex didn’t cause any drama between the MCs (she showed up in a few scenes). She had a terrible boyfriend and he was the one who caused trouble.
— The h wasn’t a doormat:
At the beginning of the book, when she kissed the H for the first time and asked him out, she was ready to take whatever he offered. But when he rejected her, she wasn’t pathetic or desperate, she just moved on and I really liked that. Tbh, I was kinda scared she’d end up being miserable over him, esp since she’d had feelings for him for four years, but thankfully there was none of that. She was soft and strong in her own way and when the MMC was acting like an ass, she called him out on his behavior.
She didn’t jump into his arms right away when he realized his mistake and started getting close to her. She was friendly with him but she kept pushing him away too (for the first 50%)
— The H was the one who pursued the h. There was this stupid, unnecessary moment when the H tried to push the h away (around 83%) but it got resolved pretty quickly.
— HEA (one year later, they’re married and expecting a baby)
Trigger :
— Attempt to SA (see above)
— kidnapping (the H’s son got kidnapped by his mom’s boyfriend)
— Grief! (the h’s sister)
Anyway, I enjoyed the first half more than the second.
3.5⭐️ for the first 50%
2⭐️ for the second half
Note: If the MMC had only started caring about the FMC after she changed her hair and clothes, I would’ve given this book 1⭐️ because I can’t deal with that nonsense! But he started noticing her before that.
______
Book info:
— H (in his thirties) / h (29)
— Single dad to a 13 year old boy
— She falls first
— Low angst
Safety:
— About the MCs’ past:
╰➤ Virgin h 🤧. That was so unnecessary! She’s almost thirty, why does she have to be a freaking virgin?! She said it just never happened and since she moved to town four years ago and started catching feelings for the H, she just couldn’t… so basically she’d been waiting for him!! I really hated the imbalance in the MCs’ sex lives.
╰➤ Experienced H but not a manwhore. He said he wasn’t dating or getting into relationships because he didn’t have time for that.
╰➤ The h had a huge crush on the H for four years and everyone knew about her feelings except the H. He didn’t really notice or care about her all that time.
╰➤ The H worked as a waitress at the bar, where she often ran into the H. She briefly mentioned “just once” that she got jealous on those rare times when the H paid attention to other woman.
╰➤ The H had been celibate for a long time (no idea how long though).
╰➤ Co-parenting with his ex (Shelby). He only mentioned their past briefly at the start 3%, and he didn’t have any feelings for her at all.
“We’d had a casual thing off and on when we were teens and into our early twenties. One of those “on” times had resulted in Jesse.
We’d been co-parents all these years, and it’d been all right. Never too many conflicts or fights. Shelby was easygoing for the most part and a good mom to our boy. She was also a fine-looking woman, with her thick blonde hair, curves that looked good in a tight pair of jeans and, when she took those sunglasses off, bright-blue eyes that were nice to look into.
There’d been hope—and not just from her—we’d end up together. The pretty homecoming queen and heir to the Kelly ranch. There’d been a time she would’ve jumped if I’d said I wanted to do the whole family thing with her, but we weren’t a real match, and we’d both moved on from each other.”
— OM:
After the H rejected the h (at the beginning 13%), he avoided her for two weeks so she could “lick her wounds” (his words). But he ran into her at the restaurant with a date (she’s already trying to move on 😂).
“All I could see was the way Alice had let that man hold her hand. Why was I fixating on that? We were barely more than strangers. What she did didn’t matter.
Still, she’d kissed me two weeks ago and was already off on a date with another guy. It didn’t sit right with me. Was I that easy to get over?
Hell, looked like I was.”
She went on a few dates with two different guys and the H got jealous (I was here for those scenes 😏). As I mentioned above, I’m not sure why he suddenly started caring about her now! It makes no sense at all, but I guess he realized what he’d lost after rejecting her. 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, on the h’s second date, OM drugged her and tried to assault her but luckily someone stopped him before he could do anything. But she ended up with a concussion and a broken wrist.
— No ow/cheating/scenes with other people
The H’s ex didn’t cause any drama between the MCs (she showed up in a few scenes). She had a terrible boyfriend and he was the one who caused trouble.
— The h wasn’t a doormat:
At the beginning of the book, when she kissed the H for the first time and asked him out, she was ready to take whatever he offered. But when he rejected her, she wasn’t pathetic or desperate, she just moved on and I really liked that. Tbh, I was kinda scared she’d end up being miserable over him, esp since she’d had feelings for him for four years, but thankfully there was none of that. She was soft and strong in her own way and when the MMC was acting like an ass, she called him out on his behavior.
She didn’t jump into his arms right away when he realized his mistake and started getting close to her. She was friendly with him but she kept pushing him away too (for the first 50%)
“I liked my little house, mugs of tea, and quiet life, but I’d like it even more if I had someone to share it with. It wouldn’t be Caleb (the H), but there was someone out there for me. Except if I kept on how I was, I wouldn’t find him”
— The H was the one who pursued the h. There was this stupid, unnecessary moment when the H tried to push the h away (around 83%) but it got resolved pretty quickly.
— HEA (one year later, they’re married and expecting a baby)
Trigger :
— Attempt to SA (see above)
— kidnapping (the H’s son got kidnapped by his mom’s boyfriend)
— Grief! (the h’s sister)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2026
5 stars
How lucky am I to have one of my first books of the year be a five star? The entire Kelly Ranch series has been fantastic. I don't know if this book or 'Hold the Line' is my favorite, but they're both wonderful.
Caleb Kelly is the brother who works tirelessly running the ranch. He's a dad and has his teenage son every other week. He's got a family he adores, work that is meaningful to him, and a kid who is the best. That's all he needs. Until he gets to know Alice.
Alice might be my favorite Julia heroine. She's sweet, strong, and wonderful. She's had it bad for Caleb for a while, but it took him way too long to notice. Alice is a librarian by day and waitress by night. She also knows Cay's son, Jesse from school. I loved their relationship as well.
This romance was sweet and quiet in the best way. I adored these characters and had the biggest smile on my face all the way through. I can't wait for the next Kelly Ranch book.
How lucky am I to have one of my first books of the year be a five star? The entire Kelly Ranch series has been fantastic. I don't know if this book or 'Hold the Line' is my favorite, but they're both wonderful.
Caleb Kelly is the brother who works tirelessly running the ranch. He's a dad and has his teenage son every other week. He's got a family he adores, work that is meaningful to him, and a kid who is the best. That's all he needs. Until he gets to know Alice.
Alice might be my favorite Julia heroine. She's sweet, strong, and wonderful. She's had it bad for Caleb for a while, but it took him way too long to notice. Alice is a librarian by day and waitress by night. She also knows Cay's son, Jesse from school. I loved their relationship as well.
This romance was sweet and quiet in the best way. I adored these characters and had the biggest smile on my face all the way through. I can't wait for the next Kelly Ranch book.
November 4, 2025
4.5 stars
I’m slowly falling in love with Julia Wolf’s prose, and Hit the Ground was the perfect example to capture it.
Alice, the female main character in this book, was simply a delight. I loved every second of being in her mind. the book had that kind of plot I plead guilty of loving: when the female lead tries her best to win over the male lead, but he just doesn’t get the hints or refuses to cross the line for X or Y reasons. then she suddenly stops caring altogether, and the moment he notices the change, he becomes addicted to the tiny bits and pieces she throws his way. that happened and let me just tell you, she made him work. HARD.
but the book was also emotional and so beautifully written when it came to the connections between the characters, especially the tight bond that was forged between Alice and Caleb’s son. his son’s character played such a crucial role in painting Alice in a different light through Caleb’s eyes.
one major point in favor of the book is that Caleb wasn’t your typical six-pack-abs hottie, but a real, massive man with a dad bod, and that kind of character depiction has become one of my absolute favorites.
I won’t let any more details slip away, because a good portion of the book is better experienced first-hand especially the way he fought for his life to win her over.
many thanks to Valentine PR & the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
”I hit the ground again. I didn’t know it was possible to fall for someone over and over, but here I am, head over heels for you and still tumbling.”
I’m slowly falling in love with Julia Wolf’s prose, and Hit the Ground was the perfect example to capture it.
Alice, the female main character in this book, was simply a delight. I loved every second of being in her mind. the book had that kind of plot I plead guilty of loving: when the female lead tries her best to win over the male lead, but he just doesn’t get the hints or refuses to cross the line for X or Y reasons. then she suddenly stops caring altogether, and the moment he notices the change, he becomes addicted to the tiny bits and pieces she throws his way. that happened and let me just tell you, she made him work. HARD.
but the book was also emotional and so beautifully written when it came to the connections between the characters, especially the tight bond that was forged between Alice and Caleb’s son. his son’s character played such a crucial role in painting Alice in a different light through Caleb’s eyes.
one major point in favor of the book is that Caleb wasn’t your typical six-pack-abs hottie, but a real, massive man with a dad bod, and that kind of character depiction has become one of my absolute favorites.
I won’t let any more details slip away, because a good portion of the book is better experienced first-hand especially the way he fought for his life to win her over.
many thanks to Valentine PR & the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
November 6, 2025
Here we are again, back at the Kelly Ranch, one of my favorite places to be.
Alice and Caleb were everything I wanted them to be. After a rocky start, where Caleb thinks he can't be emotionally available... he starts to open up his heart and discovers he has an Alice-sized hole waiting to be filled. (yeah, there's also a dirty pun in there... but the sentiment is sweet.)
Alice is kind, gentle, and loving but she's not a pushover. She was treated poorly by family members when she was young, and she refuses to settle for anything less than everything in romance.
Then there was also Jesse, Caleb's teenage son. He was charming in his own right and completely has Alice's heart too. They are going to make a beautiful family.
There was a dash of suspense thrown in at the end and we did take a bit to get the story moving, but overall, this was another winner from my favorite author. I'm already looking forward to a reread and highlighting all my favorite lines. *sigh*
5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
Alice and Caleb were everything I wanted them to be. After a rocky start, where Caleb thinks he can't be emotionally available... he starts to open up his heart and discovers he has an Alice-sized hole waiting to be filled. (yeah, there's also a dirty pun in there... but the sentiment is sweet.)
Alice is kind, gentle, and loving but she's not a pushover. She was treated poorly by family members when she was young, and she refuses to settle for anything less than everything in romance.
Then there was also Jesse, Caleb's teenage son. He was charming in his own right and completely has Alice's heart too. They are going to make a beautiful family.
There was a dash of suspense thrown in at the end and we did take a bit to get the story moving, but overall, this was another winner from my favorite author. I'm already looking forward to a reread and highlighting all my favorite lines. *sigh*
5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
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November 7, 2025Available now!
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Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: http://bit.ly/4mNTUAn
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/46LMbMV
November 12, 2025
This book surprised me in the best way. I went in with pretty low expectations and ended up really enjoying it.
Julia Wolf’s writing just works. The chemistry between the main characters felt natural and I loved watching their relationship develop without it feeling rushed or forced. And can we talk about how refreshing it is to have a male lead who’s not some ridiculously perfect guy? Caleb being a real, flawed person made him so much more relatable and attractive as a character.
The relationship between Alice and Caleb’s son was honestly my favorite part. It added so much emotional depth and showed a different side of Alice that made me fall for her even more.
That said, the second half dragged a bit for me. Some of the character decisions felt off and I struggled to understand certain motivations, especially towards the end. Nothing deal-breaking, but I definitely noticed myself not as hooked as I was in the beginning.
Overall, this is a solid read that I’d recommend if you’re looking for a contemporary romance with well-developed characters and genuinely sweet moments. Not perfect, but definitely worth your time.
Julia Wolf’s writing just works. The chemistry between the main characters felt natural and I loved watching their relationship develop without it feeling rushed or forced. And can we talk about how refreshing it is to have a male lead who’s not some ridiculously perfect guy? Caleb being a real, flawed person made him so much more relatable and attractive as a character.
The relationship between Alice and Caleb’s son was honestly my favorite part. It added so much emotional depth and showed a different side of Alice that made me fall for her even more.
That said, the second half dragged a bit for me. Some of the character decisions felt off and I struggled to understand certain motivations, especially towards the end. Nothing deal-breaking, but I definitely noticed myself not as hooked as I was in the beginning.
Overall, this is a solid read that I’d recommend if you’re looking for a contemporary romance with well-developed characters and genuinely sweet moments. Not perfect, but definitely worth your time.
October 21, 2025
I enjoyed this book so much! Alice was the STAR of this book though! I was nervous going in because of the obvious pining for him while he’s oblivious. However, I think it was well done here. I definitely know some of my friends here aren’t going to love this aspect, and while I wasn’t crazy about it, I do think it was handled well.
While reading, I did NOTTTT like Caleb at first. He was very…I don’t want to say dismissive of the h, but he kinda was at first. However, it didn’t really have anything to do with her, it’s just how he operated. I started warming up to him by 30%. Even though at 30% I still wasn’t all the way sold on Caleb, I loved that he started calling her Allie. I’m a sucker for MCs shortening names to have -ie/y at the end.
I loved Allie so much! She’s such a soft hearted, but strong heroine. I love that even though she could never fully get over Caleb, he couldn’t tell. And I love that she was so straight up with him.
I was sooo happy that she really tried to get over him! And I lovedddd that he had to see it 🤭
While their relationship was slow burn, I loved how once they crossed the line, they were affectionate with each other! I love to read about affectionate couples, so that was great to read!
I ended up really warming up to Caleb, however, he really made me upset when he tries to push Allie away and then she has to be the one to make him realize. She basically made all the first moves which was upsetting to me.
This was cute overall! Alice was the star of the show though! She, in my opinion, was the embodiment of a heroine who was soft yet strong! She put herself out there, and when/if it didn’t work, she knew her worth and stood up for herself! I seriously loved her.
I’ve really enjoyed this series so much!
While reading, I did NOTTTT like Caleb at first. He was very…I don’t want to say dismissive of the h, but he kinda was at first. However, it didn’t really have anything to do with her, it’s just how he operated. I started warming up to him by 30%. Even though at 30% I still wasn’t all the way sold on Caleb, I loved that he started calling her Allie. I’m a sucker for MCs shortening names to have -ie/y at the end.
I loved Allie so much! She’s such a soft hearted, but strong heroine. I love that even though she could never fully get over Caleb, he couldn’t tell. And I love that she was so straight up with him.
I was sooo happy that she really tried to get over him! And I lovedddd that he had to see it 🤭
While their relationship was slow burn, I loved how once they crossed the line, they were affectionate with each other! I love to read about affectionate couples, so that was great to read!
I ended up really warming up to Caleb, however, he really made me upset when he tries to push Allie away and then she has to be the one to make him realize. She basically made all the first moves which was upsetting to me.
This was cute overall! Alice was the star of the show though! She, in my opinion, was the embodiment of a heroine who was soft yet strong! She put herself out there, and when/if it didn’t work, she knew her worth and stood up for herself! I seriously loved her.
I’ve really enjoyed this series so much!
November 9, 2025
DNF
I normally don’t do this but it’s so cliché
The rejected woman changing her hair, her clothes, the dates, the abuser on a date…
The truth is He never saw HER and never had any interest in her, period
Sorry
I normally don’t do this but it’s so cliché
The rejected woman changing her hair, her clothes, the dates, the abuser on a date…
The truth is He never saw HER and never had any interest in her, period
Sorry
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
Normally I wouldn’t have picked this up, simply because of the trope Unrequited Love, which is rarely written so you can enjoy the actual romance afterwards. But this is Julia Wolf and I have read everything else she ever published. Julia didn’t disappoint me.
My biggest problem with this trope is usually the rejection and/or humiliation of one of the MC. It’s often so badly written that I never find the romance believable after that.
This is not the case here.
At the beginning Caleb is clueless just about everything that’s not his child, family or ranch. It won’t be excused but he’s acting like a silly fool and not someone who knows and still plays with her feelings. As soon he finally learns about her crush he’s trying to be clear and direct, he didn’t choose the best situation but it was no public humiliation of her. It will not be the last silly moment of his.
This trope would not work so well if Alice didn’t stand up for herself and make her boundaries clear, showing Caleb where he’s overstepping after his rejection. This opens his eyes and he’s slowly but surely trying to get his foot back in the door to win Alice’s interest again. Alice is my favourite even after years of a crush and rejection of that guy she stands firmly for herself and won’t be fooled.
There’s no real third act breakup, more a silent freak out which he get over with as soon as Alice says im not tolerating this and closes the door behind him.
The appearances of my favourites Elena & Lachlan put a smile on my face and the teaser for the last book’s FMC genuinely made me scream out loud.
My biggest problem with this trope is usually the rejection and/or humiliation of one of the MC. It’s often so badly written that I never find the romance believable after that.
This is not the case here.
At the beginning Caleb is clueless just about everything that’s not his child, family or ranch. It won’t be excused but he’s acting like a silly fool and not someone who knows and still plays with her feelings. As soon he finally learns about her crush he’s trying to be clear and direct, he didn’t choose the best situation but it was no public humiliation of her. It will not be the last silly moment of his.
This trope would not work so well if Alice didn’t stand up for herself and make her boundaries clear, showing Caleb where he’s overstepping after his rejection. This opens his eyes and he’s slowly but surely trying to get his foot back in the door to win Alice’s interest again. Alice is my favourite even after years of a crush and rejection of that guy she stands firmly for herself and won’t be fooled.
There’s no real third act breakup, more a silent freak out which he get over with as soon as Alice says im not tolerating this and closes the door behind him.
The appearances of my favourites Elena & Lachlan put a smile on my face and the teaser for the last book’s FMC genuinely made me scream out loud.
November 6, 2025
unpopular opinion I guess but the mmc is awful
November 6, 2025
Caleb is an idiot 💀. Every interaction after he cancelled their date I was like:
November 8, 2025
3.5 Stars
Very low angst, I wished the h hadn’t waited so long for the H. Overall, not a bad read just wished there would’ve been “more” plot.
Very low angst, I wished the h hadn’t waited so long for the H. Overall, not a bad read just wished there would’ve been “more” plot.
November 18, 2025
3.5/5 rounded to 4
This was a warm and sweet romance between two ordinary people in a small town. There’s a charm to that, which I enjoyed.
Caleb is a well-meaning, oblivious man who never picked up on the fact that Alice has liked him for a few years now. When she shoots her shot, he likes it but he also hesitates which makes you want to shake him a bit! It’s a bit of a story of how he almost loses his chance and how Alice longs for a change in life. Caleb becomes more and more aware of Alice and a sweet, steady love starts to bloom.
I really enjoy Julia’s books, I’ve read almost all of them, and this one was nice. However, it just didn’t hit as much for me as a lot of her other books. I do always really appreciate the down-to-earth characters and romance she writes, it always seems genuine and organic, and this one is too but it was just missing a bit of something special, an “oomph”, a something “more” to it for me.
I really liked the slow growth of their love and how they also interacted related to Caleb’s teenage son Jesse and the whole cast of characters in the story overall. I also really appreciated that Alice was an ‘older’ virgin in this and it was handled really maturely and well. It reflects reality for a lot of people and I liked the presence of it in this book.
A good/solid romance that I can recommend if you like a sweeter (but still has open-door spice), slower, true-to-life read.
I received an advance copy of the book and have left my honest, influence-free review
This was a warm and sweet romance between two ordinary people in a small town. There’s a charm to that, which I enjoyed.
Caleb is a well-meaning, oblivious man who never picked up on the fact that Alice has liked him for a few years now. When she shoots her shot, he likes it but he also hesitates which makes you want to shake him a bit! It’s a bit of a story of how he almost loses his chance and how Alice longs for a change in life. Caleb becomes more and more aware of Alice and a sweet, steady love starts to bloom.
I really enjoy Julia’s books, I’ve read almost all of them, and this one was nice. However, it just didn’t hit as much for me as a lot of her other books. I do always really appreciate the down-to-earth characters and romance she writes, it always seems genuine and organic, and this one is too but it was just missing a bit of something special, an “oomph”, a something “more” to it for me.
I really liked the slow growth of their love and how they also interacted related to Caleb’s teenage son Jesse and the whole cast of characters in the story overall. I also really appreciated that Alice was an ‘older’ virgin in this and it was handled really maturely and well. It reflects reality for a lot of people and I liked the presence of it in this book.
A good/solid romance that I can recommend if you like a sweeter (but still has open-door spice), slower, true-to-life read.
I received an advance copy of the book and have left my honest, influence-free review
November 6, 2025
4.75⭐️ | 2.5🌶
No, because I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK OKAY?!? I'm in love with this world and never want it to end. Caleb and Alice are soooo perfect together. Add in Jesse and the rest of the Kellys and their story is a fantasy I never want to leave. And getting of Hannah and Phoebe and their lives after their books is just so beautiful. And Jesse! I love that boy, he is the sweetest! I'm so excited for this book to be
out in the world. Thank you to Juila and team for the arc.
No, because I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK OKAY?!? I'm in love with this world and never want it to end. Caleb and Alice are soooo perfect together. Add in Jesse and the rest of the Kellys and their story is a fantasy I never want to leave. And getting of Hannah and Phoebe and their lives after their books is just so beautiful. And Jesse! I love that boy, he is the sweetest! I'm so excited for this book to be
out in the world. Thank you to Juila and team for the arc.
November 12, 2025
welp, that was cute, but way too long.
I felt like we lived their entire lives, it bordered on mundane. They became a couple 40-50% into the book (but didn’t do the thing dang thing until 70% and it went on for PAGES). Then they spent the rest of the time talking about their feelings. Excessively.
I was BEGGING for a second act breakup, just so something exciting would happen.
Instead we get a rough-neck cowboy who eloquently talks about his feelings, apologizes right away (and sincerely), and gives her gifts/love notes. He was definitely a fantasy man written by a woman, cuz you can’t find these guys on the apps.
Not sure about this one.
I felt like we lived their entire lives, it bordered on mundane. They became a couple 40-50% into the book (but didn’t do the thing dang thing until 70% and it went on for PAGES). Then they spent the rest of the time talking about their feelings. Excessively.
I was BEGGING for a second act breakup, just so something exciting would happen.
Instead we get a rough-neck cowboy who eloquently talks about his feelings, apologizes right away (and sincerely), and gives her gifts/love notes. He was definitely a fantasy man written by a woman, cuz you can’t find these guys on the apps.
Not sure about this one.
November 7, 2025
4.5 ⭐️. I really love this series by Julia Wolf and this was a great addition. I kind of low key love the fact that it started sideways and they had to work their way back together.
Alice is a librarian who also works as a waitress at Joys bar at night. She is a quiet woman who keeps to herself and feels largely unseen. She’s been pining for Caleb for 4 years and he’s never noticed her. Caleb is a single dad to a 13 yr old boy, and head of the family ranch. He doesn’t really notice anyone, however, and is completely absorbed in his own world. She kisses him one night, they agree to a date and then he panics and breaks the date w her.
Honestly, I thought this was a clever way to start the story. It all happens quickly at the beginning. The rest of the book is her getting a back bone, learning to put herself out there, and standing up for herself… all while she and Caleb are growing closer. She’s kind to him, but not a doormat. He believes that she’s “over him”. Lol. I loved her!
I agree with other reviewers who indicated this was primarily Alice’s story and the story of her growth.
It is, also, however, the story of Caleb learning to allow someone else into his very small world and to share his worries and life with another. He grows, equally, but differently, and his growth would not have occurred without her strength and her holding him accountable.
It’s the story of two mature people growing together.
Spoilers Below:
❤️Momentary third act problem - something difficult happens w his son and he basically has a crisis of confidence and tries to push her away. She speaks to him plainly and sets her boundaries and expectations. He doesn’t let her down. It’s resolved quickly.
🗣️Communication- So much good honest communication, even when it’s not easy. Even in the beginning, when he breaks their date, he’s honest w her.
📕Small moments - So many small moments together and little inside phrases and humor that make their connection and relationship believable.
🧍♂️Son, Jesse - he’s a great character and pivotal part of the story.
✅Ex-wife, Shelby - this is handled well. They clearly don’t have any feelings and haven’t for a while, but she is portrayed as a good person and mom. She has a terrible boyfriend who causes some trouble.
🫣No OW drama. She’s a virgin which is unnecessary. He’s not, but he hasn’t been w anyone in a long time. OM: She does go on other dates after their kiss, and after he pushes her away. She just has dinner, no kissing. He is immediately jealous lol and then slowly realizes the magnitude of his mistake.
⚠️TW:
Assault: One of the dates does drug her drink and assaults her. She is not raped; but she is injured and needs to go to the hospital.
Grief: The death of her ill sister, off page. She deals w the grief on page w Caleb.
Kidnapping: brief. Calebs, son, Jesse, is briefly kidnapped and put in trunk. He’s unharmed and is resolved quickly.
🌶️Spice - the first kiss happens early and then we see them work their way back together. There’s one detailed scene and then a few smaller ones. Their chemistry is lovely and affectionate tho. Lots of cuddles and hugs.
-👥Dual POV; HEA. 1 yr later marriage and pregnancy in epilogue
Spoilers and favorite bits:‼️‼️
🐴📕Quiet kind librarian w painful past/big broody closed off rancher w heart of gold. Loved how neither character is portrayed as overly beautiful but instead perfect for each other. She loved how strong he is but that he also has a belly to lean on. He thought she was beautiful and gave him the best kiss of his life…. before her makeover.
📕Sweet gestures - She refused the flowers he tried to give her at the first aborted date. He then kept wanting to bring her flowers and found ways to give them to her in different ways including the flower bookmark, little plants, flowered gardening gloves, etc. The way she asked him to write “I love you” on paper for her and he kept doing it for her over and over.
📕 the way she tells him “I just can’t shake you” and his “boom” every time he falls for her. Lol
📕nicknames - honey, Allie, Allie-girl, love, darlin’, Cay
📕assault/caretaking - he takes care of her after she gets drugged and assaulted while on a date. She stays at his house for a couple of days to recover. She overcomes her fear of hospitals at the end to comfort Caleb when he has an accident on the ranch. She wouldn’t let him wake up alone the way she had so many times as a child.
📕son, Jesse - the way that Alice supported Jesse and advocated for him going to camp and has a deep and genuine interest in his life. And he genuinely likes her in return. The way that Caleb loves him so much he can’t bear to be without him.
📕books - she loves books and reading and he starts reading to her at night while she stays w him; it continues after she leaves, over the phone.
I dropped 1/2 a star bc she’s a virgin; I mean, why? Also, was all the drama w Shelby’s boyfriend necessary?
Anyway, I really loved these two and their story. The humor, cute moments and inside jokes made it real and believable. The way she feels seen by him at the end is everything. ❤️
Alice is a librarian who also works as a waitress at Joys bar at night. She is a quiet woman who keeps to herself and feels largely unseen. She’s been pining for Caleb for 4 years and he’s never noticed her. Caleb is a single dad to a 13 yr old boy, and head of the family ranch. He doesn’t really notice anyone, however, and is completely absorbed in his own world. She kisses him one night, they agree to a date and then he panics and breaks the date w her.
Honestly, I thought this was a clever way to start the story. It all happens quickly at the beginning. The rest of the book is her getting a back bone, learning to put herself out there, and standing up for herself… all while she and Caleb are growing closer. She’s kind to him, but not a doormat. He believes that she’s “over him”. Lol. I loved her!
I agree with other reviewers who indicated this was primarily Alice’s story and the story of her growth.
It is, also, however, the story of Caleb learning to allow someone else into his very small world and to share his worries and life with another. He grows, equally, but differently, and his growth would not have occurred without her strength and her holding him accountable.
It’s the story of two mature people growing together.
Spoilers Below:
❤️Momentary third act problem - something difficult happens w his son and he basically has a crisis of confidence and tries to push her away. She speaks to him plainly and sets her boundaries and expectations. He doesn’t let her down. It’s resolved quickly.
🗣️Communication- So much good honest communication, even when it’s not easy. Even in the beginning, when he breaks their date, he’s honest w her.
📕Small moments - So many small moments together and little inside phrases and humor that make their connection and relationship believable.
🧍♂️Son, Jesse - he’s a great character and pivotal part of the story.
✅Ex-wife, Shelby - this is handled well. They clearly don’t have any feelings and haven’t for a while, but she is portrayed as a good person and mom. She has a terrible boyfriend who causes some trouble.
🫣No OW drama. She’s a virgin which is unnecessary. He’s not, but he hasn’t been w anyone in a long time. OM: She does go on other dates after their kiss, and after he pushes her away. She just has dinner, no kissing. He is immediately jealous lol and then slowly realizes the magnitude of his mistake.
⚠️TW:
Assault: One of the dates does drug her drink and assaults her. She is not raped; but she is injured and needs to go to the hospital.
Grief: The death of her ill sister, off page. She deals w the grief on page w Caleb.
Kidnapping: brief. Calebs, son, Jesse, is briefly kidnapped and put in trunk. He’s unharmed and is resolved quickly.
🌶️Spice - the first kiss happens early and then we see them work their way back together. There’s one detailed scene and then a few smaller ones. Their chemistry is lovely and affectionate tho. Lots of cuddles and hugs.
-👥Dual POV; HEA. 1 yr later marriage and pregnancy in epilogue
Spoilers and favorite bits:‼️‼️
🐴📕Quiet kind librarian w painful past/big broody closed off rancher w heart of gold. Loved how neither character is portrayed as overly beautiful but instead perfect for each other. She loved how strong he is but that he also has a belly to lean on. He thought she was beautiful and gave him the best kiss of his life…. before her makeover.
📕Sweet gestures - She refused the flowers he tried to give her at the first aborted date. He then kept wanting to bring her flowers and found ways to give them to her in different ways including the flower bookmark, little plants, flowered gardening gloves, etc. The way she asked him to write “I love you” on paper for her and he kept doing it for her over and over.
📕 the way she tells him “I just can’t shake you” and his “boom” every time he falls for her. Lol
📕nicknames - honey, Allie, Allie-girl, love, darlin’, Cay
📕assault/caretaking - he takes care of her after she gets drugged and assaulted while on a date. She stays at his house for a couple of days to recover. She overcomes her fear of hospitals at the end to comfort Caleb when he has an accident on the ranch. She wouldn’t let him wake up alone the way she had so many times as a child.
📕son, Jesse - the way that Alice supported Jesse and advocated for him going to camp and has a deep and genuine interest in his life. And he genuinely likes her in return. The way that Caleb loves him so much he can’t bear to be without him.
📕books - she loves books and reading and he starts reading to her at night while she stays w him; it continues after she leaves, over the phone.
I dropped 1/2 a star bc she’s a virgin; I mean, why? Also, was all the drama w Shelby’s boyfriend necessary?
Anyway, I really loved these two and their story. The humor, cute moments and inside jokes made it real and believable. The way she feels seen by him at the end is everything. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
Hit the Ground is the 3rd book in the Kelly Ranch series, and we are finally getting to Caleb Kelly's romance. There is just something about the Kelly family that makes me so happy. This is a second generation of one of my favorite Julia Wolf couples, Lock and Elena. Caleb reminds me so much of his dad Lock and I was excited to get to the single dad romance.
Caleb runs the Kelly ranch and is just 100% focused on raising his 13-year-old son, Jesse. He has been completely clueless to the fact that the shy waitress and librarian Alice has been pining after him for years. She finally makes a move on him which turns into a date, but Caleb backs out last minute when he freaks out over dating. This rejection actually leads Alice to finally make changes to her life, and she decides to finally get out there and date. She is determined to move on from Caleb and stop living in the shadows.
Caleb soon realizes how blind he has been and is ready to finally show her with his actions that he wants to pursue something serious with her. This was such a sweet, slow burn romance that felt very authentic. I loved how all in Caleb was once he realized what a clueless idiot he had been.
I really loved Alice's character because she had so much strength from everything she suffered from with her past. My heart broke for her, and I loved how she wouldn't let Caleb push her away when things got rough.
Julia Wolf always writes such heartfelt romances with relatable characters. I loved seeing all the side characters, especially Elena and Lock. There was even a surprise character from one of her other series at the end.
I love the Kelly series, the Wyoming setting, and I can't wait for Cormac's romance next.
Thank you to Valentine PR for providing the ARC.
🌶️🌶️.5
Hit the Ground is the 3rd book in the Kelly Ranch series, and we are finally getting to Caleb Kelly's romance. There is just something about the Kelly family that makes me so happy. This is a second generation of one of my favorite Julia Wolf couples, Lock and Elena. Caleb reminds me so much of his dad Lock and I was excited to get to the single dad romance.
Caleb runs the Kelly ranch and is just 100% focused on raising his 13-year-old son, Jesse. He has been completely clueless to the fact that the shy waitress and librarian Alice has been pining after him for years. She finally makes a move on him which turns into a date, but Caleb backs out last minute when he freaks out over dating. This rejection actually leads Alice to finally make changes to her life, and she decides to finally get out there and date. She is determined to move on from Caleb and stop living in the shadows.
Caleb soon realizes how blind he has been and is ready to finally show her with his actions that he wants to pursue something serious with her. This was such a sweet, slow burn romance that felt very authentic. I loved how all in Caleb was once he realized what a clueless idiot he had been.
I really loved Alice's character because she had so much strength from everything she suffered from with her past. My heart broke for her, and I loved how she wouldn't let Caleb push her away when things got rough.
Julia Wolf always writes such heartfelt romances with relatable characters. I loved seeing all the side characters, especially Elena and Lock. There was even a surprise character from one of her other series at the end.
I love the Kelly series, the Wyoming setting, and I can't wait for Cormac's romance next.
Thank you to Valentine PR for providing the ARC.
November 5, 2025
4.5 ⭐️/2 🌶️
Okay, this book was freaking cute! 🥹 Alice and Cay were the sweetest couple I’ve read from Julia, and I couldn’t stop smiling while reading their story.
I have to say, Alice completely made this book for me. She’s one of those heroines who seems soft at first, but when life throws challenges her way, she shows her strength in the best way possible. I love it when an FMC surprises me like that! 🙌🏼
And Caleb, let’s be real, I didn’t like him much in the beginning, but once he started showing his heart, I became his biggest fan.🙃
If you’re looking for a break from all the dark, angsty romances and just want something light, swoony and heartwarming, this book is it. Julia delivered such a charming, feel-good read that will leave you grinning by the end.💕
Trope: Small Town romance, she falls first
Okay, this book was freaking cute! 🥹 Alice and Cay were the sweetest couple I’ve read from Julia, and I couldn’t stop smiling while reading their story.
I have to say, Alice completely made this book for me. She’s one of those heroines who seems soft at first, but when life throws challenges her way, she shows her strength in the best way possible. I love it when an FMC surprises me like that! 🙌🏼
And Caleb, let’s be real, I didn’t like him much in the beginning, but once he started showing his heart, I became his biggest fan.🙃
If you’re looking for a break from all the dark, angsty romances and just want something light, swoony and heartwarming, this book is it. Julia delivered such a charming, feel-good read that will leave you grinning by the end.💕
Trope: Small Town romance, she falls first
November 8, 2025
ARC Review
Julia Wolf has a way with words that makes every book she writes both an easy ans enjoyable read that punches you in the feels and provides great spice.
Whilst this one sadly wasnt my fave due to the tropes and storyline, it did have the same charm and heart as her other books.
I will say that Alice is a boundary queen and I love her. Caleb is a bit of a dumbdumb but thankfully he gets his act together.
I dont love the whole "he doesnt see her until he rejects her, she gets a glowup and starts dating other people, does a lil bit of grovelling and then all is good" thing, and although Alice did set some great boundaries and did stand up for herself, I just dont love this whole set up.
Tropes found within the book that might be more your jam than mine:
💜 Unrequited love
💜 He Falls after she has a glowup
💜 plus size hero
💜 Single dad
💜 Small Town
💜 Slow Burn
💜 Found family
That said, I've read about 20 of Julia's books, and this is only the second one that didnt hit a homerun with me. So if the premise sounds at all like your thing, I definitely recommend giving it a try!
Thank you Julia Wolf for the ARC!
Julia Wolf has a way with words that makes every book she writes both an easy ans enjoyable read that punches you in the feels and provides great spice.
Whilst this one sadly wasnt my fave due to the tropes and storyline, it did have the same charm and heart as her other books.
I will say that Alice is a boundary queen and I love her. Caleb is a bit of a dumbdumb but thankfully he gets his act together.
I dont love the whole "he doesnt see her until he rejects her, she gets a glowup and starts dating other people, does a lil bit of grovelling and then all is good" thing, and although Alice did set some great boundaries and did stand up for herself, I just dont love this whole set up.
Tropes found within the book that might be more your jam than mine:
💜 Unrequited love
💜 He Falls after she has a glowup
💜 plus size hero
💜 Single dad
💜 Small Town
💜 Slow Burn
💜 Found family
That said, I've read about 20 of Julia's books, and this is only the second one that didnt hit a homerun with me. So if the premise sounds at all like your thing, I definitely recommend giving it a try!
Thank you Julia Wolf for the ARC!
November 5, 2025
“𝑻𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝑰’𝒎 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰’𝒎 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒐, 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆.”
The Kelly Ranch series just gets better and better.
I've been desperately waiting for Caleb's story since I first met him, and Hit The Ground certainly lived up to expectations!
How could I not love a sexy cowboy with a hot dad-bod?!
Caleb runs the Kelly Ranch and is a single dad to his brilliant son, Jesse. But he swears he's not a relationship guy and doesn't date, happily meandering through life oblivious to things happening around him.
Caleb might be slightly oblivious at times - especially to the fact that the town librarian by day, waitress by evening, Alice, has been in love with him for four years - but other than that, Caleb Kelly is pretty much perfect!
And Alice, what a great leading lady she is! Her story broke my heart. She definitely hasn't had the easiest life; and she deserved someone who truly saw her and loved her.
I love how, despite her feelings for Caleb, when he backed out of their date, she realised that she deserved better treatment. Alice is strong, and I adored her for it.
The relationship between Alice and Elena was so lovely. They shared some really heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments.
Of course, once Caleb realised the error of his ways, he was all-in. It was great to see how he was with Alice. This man is thoughtful, loving, and committed to his woman.
“𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔. 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍, 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝑰 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒗𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.”
Oh, how I loved the way he read to her, too. Swoon 🫠💚
The interconnected world Julia has created here is so special. It's wonderful to catch up with Elena and Lock, as well as their children and the couples in the first two books of this series. There are little nods to the past - the new version of the 'baseball bat' made me laugh 😆 and was thoroughly deserved!!
Hit The Ground is filled with a beautiful, romance that will sweep you off your feet, a stunning Wyoming backdrop, plenty of drama and action, and that typical Julia Wolf brand of spice that will leave you hot under the collar 😉🫠 But most of all, it gives us a gorgeous couple and an epic romance that you won't be able to put down. Caleb and Alice are another of Julia's truly unforgettable couples.
"𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒂𝒎, 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒔, 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝑰’𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰’𝒎 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒐, 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆.”
The Kelly Ranch series just gets better and better.
I've been desperately waiting for Caleb's story since I first met him, and Hit The Ground certainly lived up to expectations!
How could I not love a sexy cowboy with a hot dad-bod?!
Caleb runs the Kelly Ranch and is a single dad to his brilliant son, Jesse. But he swears he's not a relationship guy and doesn't date, happily meandering through life oblivious to things happening around him.
Caleb might be slightly oblivious at times - especially to the fact that the town librarian by day, waitress by evening, Alice, has been in love with him for four years - but other than that, Caleb Kelly is pretty much perfect!
And Alice, what a great leading lady she is! Her story broke my heart. She definitely hasn't had the easiest life; and she deserved someone who truly saw her and loved her.
I love how, despite her feelings for Caleb, when he backed out of their date, she realised that she deserved better treatment. Alice is strong, and I adored her for it.
The relationship between Alice and Elena was so lovely. They shared some really heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments.
Of course, once Caleb realised the error of his ways, he was all-in. It was great to see how he was with Alice. This man is thoughtful, loving, and committed to his woman.
“𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔. 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍, 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝑰 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒗𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.”
Oh, how I loved the way he read to her, too. Swoon 🫠💚
The interconnected world Julia has created here is so special. It's wonderful to catch up with Elena and Lock, as well as their children and the couples in the first two books of this series. There are little nods to the past - the new version of the 'baseball bat' made me laugh 😆 and was thoroughly deserved!!
Hit The Ground is filled with a beautiful, romance that will sweep you off your feet, a stunning Wyoming backdrop, plenty of drama and action, and that typical Julia Wolf brand of spice that will leave you hot under the collar 😉🫠 But most of all, it gives us a gorgeous couple and an epic romance that you won't be able to put down. Caleb and Alice are another of Julia's truly unforgettable couples.
"𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒂𝒎, 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒔, 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝑰’𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
November 9, 2025
Physically pains me to give Julia Wolf anything less than 4 stars, but unfortunately I didn't love this one.
I loved Alice. Probably one of my favorite fmc's in the Julia Wolf universe. That's why I ended up not loving the story. She deserved so much better than Caleb. Don't get me wrong, he had his moments, but overall he just was not the man I believed he would be based the first two books of the series.
Maybe my expectations were too high? But I didn't feel the connection between Alice and Caleb in this book that felt so palpable before, which made this one of my most anticipated reads of the last few months. There was a lot more telling than showing and after Caleb's first big screw up, I needed to see how much he cared about Alice and I never got that.
I did get to spend some time with the Kelly's, though and I will always be happy for that. I was so glad they got to be part of it and get a little glimpse into their futures.
I will definitely be returning for the next one and hopefully this was just a me thing!
Thank you to Valentine PR for the eARC.
I loved Alice. Probably one of my favorite fmc's in the Julia Wolf universe. That's why I ended up not loving the story. She deserved so much better than Caleb. Don't get me wrong, he had his moments, but overall he just was not the man I believed he would be based the first two books of the series.
Maybe my expectations were too high? But I didn't feel the connection between Alice and Caleb in this book that felt so palpable before, which made this one of my most anticipated reads of the last few months. There was a lot more telling than showing and after Caleb's first big screw up, I needed to see how much he cared about Alice and I never got that.
I did get to spend some time with the Kelly's, though and I will always be happy for that. I was so glad they got to be part of it and get a little glimpse into their futures.
I will definitely be returning for the next one and hopefully this was just a me thing!
Thank you to Valentine PR for the eARC.
October 28, 2025
3.5⭐️
2🌶
This wasn't my favorite thing Julia has written and it wasn't the worst either. I know for a fact that Caleb is going to get a lot of hate, but personally, I think he was just being honest and didn't wanna hurt her, which I can appreciate. There wasn't necessarily ONE thing in particular that I didn't like but I may have gotten just a TAD bit bored by them.
Is it a sweet story with honest and open communication? Yes. Their love grew organically and didn't rush it. The spice was meh. Despite the lil secret trope I usually love... it just didn't do it for me.
Alice was the real star of this book though. She was strong and resistilent while being true to herself. She did not like Caleb walk all over her, even though she was pining after him for years. She finally recognized her worth and didn't make it easy on him.
2🌶
This wasn't my favorite thing Julia has written and it wasn't the worst either. I know for a fact that Caleb is going to get a lot of hate, but personally, I think he was just being honest and didn't wanna hurt her, which I can appreciate. There wasn't necessarily ONE thing in particular that I didn't like but I may have gotten just a TAD bit bored by them.
Is it a sweet story with honest and open communication? Yes. Their love grew organically and didn't rush it. The spice was meh. Despite the lil secret trope I usually love... it just didn't do it for me.
Alice was the real star of this book though. She was strong and resistilent while being true to herself. She did not like Caleb walk all over her, even though she was pining after him for years. She finally recognized her worth and didn't make it easy on him.
November 11, 2025
Loved the family
I also.liked Caleb and Alice, but his son.and his Mom and grandparents clinched the deal for e. I.love small town romance and this one had a librarian and a rancher and very sweet romance. I skimmed over the sex scenes so i don't know what they were like but it was pretty romantic. I was more interested in the family dynamics and their story. It was worth it. The epilogue was cute too. When he fell, he fell.hard! I liked that.
I also.liked Caleb and Alice, but his son.and his Mom and grandparents clinched the deal for e. I.love small town romance and this one had a librarian and a rancher and very sweet romance. I skimmed over the sex scenes so i don't know what they were like but it was pretty romantic. I was more interested in the family dynamics and their story. It was worth it. The epilogue was cute too. When he fell, he fell.hard! I liked that.
December 17, 2025
Even though Caleb was a jerk in the beginning his and Alice's story was beautiful. We saw a glimpse of Caleb in the first two books but we got to truly see his obliviousness and stubbornness. The chemistry was good and it was well written.
November 13, 2025
3,5 stars
It was nice, i liked Alice but less Caleb. the story has a similar feel than a ARR books so yeah i wasn't totally into it but it passed the time.
It was nice, i liked Alice but less Caleb. the story has a similar feel than a ARR books so yeah i wasn't totally into it but it passed the time.
November 18, 2025
I like that Caleb was self aware. He knew when he was being a dumbass and he usually tried to correct his mistakes.
December 20, 2025
Sweet story, but lukewarm vibes the whole way through.
December 27, 2025
Oh Caleb! Love the boom!!
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