Deviant: A dark MM cowboy romance

by K.T. Maddan, Ainsley Vale

The line between love and hate has always been thin.

Rhett Thornwood has always known exactly who he is. He knows how to work hard, be the son his parents are proud of, and be the golden child the town of Cedarbrook knows him to be. He knows exactly what to do.
Except when it comes to Colton Dawson.
Colt came back to Cedarbrook with three simple goals: work hard, keep his head down, and leave before anything—or anyone—can make him cross the line into trouble again.
But Rhett Thornwood has always been his favorite line to cross.
The problem is, Rhett has secrets, and Colt has never been good at pretending not to see them. What starts as a regular summer turns heated fast, and into something neither one of them can walk away from.

Deviant is a MM dark cowboy romance with a gay awakening and dark themes. Please read triggers before saddling up.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark Romance, Romance, Forced Proximity, Westerns, Enemies To Lovers, Cowboy Romance

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

Katie has always possessed a talent for crafting captivating stories. She loves crafting characters with profound depth and is passionate about narrating their stories. When she's not busy creating your next literary delight, she enjoys indulging in PC gaming sessions with her partner or showering affection on her beloved fur babies.

Reviews

[Taylor Priem]

Dnf’d

I personally was so excited for this book and I was so happy but then it’s advertise as dark mm cowboy romance however the elements of the dark romance part weren’t there it’s more enemies to lovers tension type and idk it just felt flat to me.


The beginning was hard to get though might’ve been a me issue but it really didn’t grab my attention and I only made it to 21% and barely anything happened and idk there’s no instant oh I wanna continue reading to see what’s next I was pushing myself to even get where I was


Idkk love the cover though but this wasn’t it for me and it might be for you but I’m just not having it. Really disappointed.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review “Deviant” 🐎

Rating: 3.5✨

Firstly, I want to thank the authors for giving me the chance to read this book as an ARC. When I heard about “a dark cowboy mm romance” without no doubt I said “sign me up”. But sadly for me it isn’t dark. 🫣 Yes, it’s a good small town cowboy romance between two cocky boys, but it didn’t feel dark at all. Just because it appeared some mysterious messages? Well, no…

Besides that, I loved how Rhett and Colton became closer with each other, how the teasing of Colton infuriated Rhett and the love between them formed. Colton is the teasing guy and the confident to the world, but behind this mask he hides a lot of past scars and insecure thoughts.

I loved how Rhett is fighting with his skeletons in the closet and with Colt’s help he release himself to his family and embrace his true nature, leaving behind his “standard and perfect” principles about a perfect life on the ranch.

Their love story felt rushed and short to me, I really loved the community and the characters from this book, but the evolution of their relationship felt really rushed and, in my opinion, not developed more.

The final thoughts: I really recommend this book, it was my first time reading a MM cowboy romance and it didn’t disappoint. 🤠❤️

Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYMT3mRDP...

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so I was very excited about this book bc it was advertised as “dark MM cowboy” and sadly it wasn’t dark (for me personally) there could have been more dark elements in my opinion but overall it was a quick little book. Colt and Rhett were fine enough I just wish there was more of a dark element to it but overall I enjoyed it!

[Faye Pallatina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors for an early copy of this book!

I was really looking forward to this ARC but I really struggled to get into the story, it felt like I was missing part of their history, or just missing something in general.

I didn’t connect with the characters, or understand why Colt was so adamant on pursuing Rhett as it felt quite superficial, rather than a deeper ‘coming to terms with accepting who you are’ feel.

I wouldn’t consider this a dark romance, and it was fairly obvious for me who the stalker was, so that aspect fell flat.

Overall, just not for me 🥲

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC from the authors, for which I am grateful

I admit, this is my first time dabbling in the genre. While it wasn't for me, none of my review is based off that fact.

It was fine. I thought the ending was sweet, and it was honestly not as dark as I would have expected (which I did not mind at all).

As I was reading, I admit I rolled my eyes a few times because the dialogue just wasn't great, which is rather unfortunate for a dialogue heavy novel. It felt like the characters were reading a bland script for a generic story in the same setting rather than natural conversation between characters, which led to everyone feeling rather stiff. I also didn't understand Colton's eagerness at all - they had no history and no specific interactions that would make him so obsessed? It felt like he was that way because Rhett just happened to be there. The speed at which their relationship moved was also rather unconvincing considering the fact that they barely had any emotional development with each other.

As for the plot outside of the romance... it somewhat had potential, but it was mostly ignored for the entirety of the story, and the conclusion was very neat and easy once it finally did have a focus. I understand the romance is by far the main purpose of the novel, but it almost feels like it would have been better to remove any of the half-cooked drama to focus more on the development of their relationship or the characters themselves.

All that being said, I couldn't rate this too low since I did have enough fun with this to be able to finish this within a day. Besides that, I know that realistically, readers would be here for the romance and the more smutty aspects anyway (which I would then say that this book is for you).

If you're looking for strongly developed characters and plot, this might not be for you, but if you just want to have fun with a romance and witness hot cowboys get at it then you'll have a fun time.

[Justina Bascombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

First huge thank you to authors KT Maddan and Ainsley Vale for a copy oft the ebook.

Now, this was a really good read. It’s short and has all the elements of a good steamy romance. The MMCs are practically enemies but that stems from some interactions when they were younger that never really got resolved. They basically get a second chance almost when Colton comes back for the summer to work on their family’s ranch. They begrudgingly work together but some of that tension bleeds back into the present. There’s gay awakening, dub con, and it’s spicy. Plus they’re both hot cowboys so you can’t go wrong with that either. lol

Definitely a good read if you’re looking for something quick and steamy.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love getting my hands on a good Cowboy romance, but two Cowboys? Perfection lol

I really enjoyed this read, I loved the banter and chemistry between Colton and Rhett. Watching Rhett, finally learn to love and accept himself definitely pulls at the heart strings, he's such a cutie and I'm glad he finally realizes his life is his own and not what people expected of him just because he's from a small town <3 I am excited to see where this series goes and I'm looking forward to book 2 with Cash and Halle <3

If you love quick steamy MM reads, that you can devour in one sitting with main and side characters that you will fall in love with, then I would definitely recommend adding this to your TBR.

[Britney Jean | JeanInTheHeatOfBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to much for letting me be apart of this beautiful ARC team! I love MM romance so getting an advance readers copy is such a treat.

Honestly, two cowboys was all I needed to know before picking this up. While this didn’t necessarily hit “dark” by my personal standards, I still really enjoyed the push and pull between the characters. The switch dynamic was an added bonus, and the pacing kept me engaged the entire time. The mystery element added just enough intrigue to elevate the story even more, and the ending tied everything together perfectly.

- Mystery stalker
- Gay awakening
- Forced proximity
- Pierced MMC
- Switch dynamics

[Elisia Falcon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This is my first book of either author and it DID NOT disappoint. When I saw arcs were open for a dark cowboy MM romance, I immediately said sign me up. To say this book ruined me in the best way possible is not an exaggeration. The early tension, angst, confusion, was just written to perfection. By the time spice started happening (it is a slow burn but again, you get all the tension and angst!), I was screaming for these two boys to finally get together. It is a wild ride of emotions along with some mystery and I loved every minute of it. I hope you also give it a read. This will go on the shelf of one of my favorite MM romances!

[Kristy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

I love a good hate to love trope and Deviant does it amazingly. Rhett and Colton have history. While Colton is the town black sheep, Rhett is the town’s golden boy. They might not like each other but their chemistry is off the charts. What’s that saying? “it’s a thin line between love and hate”. The more time they spend together the harder it is to stay away from one another, and Colton is not letting go any time soon. Rhett’s inner war with how his life is supposed to be may get in the way of how he truly feels. When a mysterious number starts to unravel his secrets all bets are off.

**Tropes**
🔥 MM Romance
🔥 Hate to Love
🔥 Dub-Con
🔥 Gay-awakening
🔥 Good Boy x Bad boy

[Lauren Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shattered my heart and stitched it back together in the most beautiful way. KT and Ainsley captured the fear, pain, and courage that come with coming out and learning to accept yourself in a small town where everything feels suffocatingly close. Rhett and Colt’s chemistry burns off the page with a raw, emotional intensity that’s impossible to ignore. And Cash and Halle? They completely stole my attention, leaving me desperate for more of their story in the next book.

[Elijah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC

as a big cowboy romance reader I was super excited for a MM one. I loved the two MCs banter and tension, and all of the teasing. I had a great time and would recommend this to anyone that likes the cowboy genre.

HOWEVER this is marketed as a "dark romance" and it is most definitely not that. there is a bit of a "enemies to lovers" type vibe and there may be some darker 'themes' but i would never think this would be considered a dark romance.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come 🖤

[Onyx Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨вєтα / αя¢ яєνιєω✨

This book absolutely tugged at my heart strings in so many different directions. Coming from a young queer person, coming out is hard. And KT and Ainsley depicted the struggles of coming out and accepting yourself, coming from a small town.
Rhett and Colt's connection is raw, intense, and hot! And don't even get me started on Cash and Halle, who we will get the pleasure of having more of in the next book 👀

[Stephanie Oldeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was blessed to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Deviant. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Rhett Thornwood has spent his whole life trying to live up to his parents’ expectations and be the perfect son: Date the right girl, do the hard work, become a rancher just like his dad. And he’s succeeded at it, too. That is until bad boy Colton Dawson shows back up in Cedarbrook, with his tattoos and his motorbike. Rhett and Colt haven’t gotten along since they were children, and it’s no different now. In fact, it’s even worse because Colt is interning on the ranch for the summer, and his dad has put Rhett in charge of showing Colt the ropes. And Colt comes in hot. He’s a hard worker, Rhett can’t ignore that, but Colt knows something about Rhett that he doesn’t even know himself, and Colt’s too forward attitude puts Rhett immediately on guard. Despite Rhett’s insistence that he isn’t attracted to Colt, Colt has no problem sprinting across every boundary Rhett puts in place. And someone has been spying on Rhett, them, sending texts threatening to out him to the town. Colt swears it isn’t him, but Rhett doesn’t trust easily, certainly not with this. As time passes, Rhett can’t help but give into Colt. But giving in and acknowledging that Rhett wants more are two different things, and Colt isn’t sure he can take Rhett blowing hot and cold much longer. Rhett might just have his work cut out for him to keep Colt on the hook. All Rhett knows is that the day Colt Dawson stops chasing him is the day the world ends. And he’ll do anything to keep that from happening.

Deviant was a pretty good book. The tension between Rhett and Colt was so tangible you could chew it. I liked how they danced around each other, how Colt got under Rhett's buttons. I really liked how they were in the last quarter of the book. Their positions seemed to flip, where Colt was the vulnerable one and Rhett was the pursuer. It seemed to teach them both perspective. I also really liked how Colt was every temptation to Rhett and that Rhett secretly really wanted to give in the whole time.

I enjoyed the plotline, especially when it came to the anonymous texts. I definitely thought it was someone else than who it was! I kind of wish it had made the boys team up sooner, but it worked out the way it was written.

I really loved how accepting Rhett's parents were and that he finally stopped resisting Colt when he realized his parents would still love him. It was a really emotional scene.

As much as I liked this book, I felt that it was missing some things. Colt was a little too aggressive in the beginning. His pushing of Rhett in the beginning was less romantic or sexy than it was of dubious consent. I didn't like that Colt ignored some of the boundaries that Rhett put in place. I also felt like this would have been a better book if it was longer. We hit all of the major scenes, but the timeline just doesn't work. There needed to be more in between to convince me of Rhett's acceptance of his sexuality and them being in love by the end. There weren't enough scenes that convinced me that Rhett would be in love. Colt was very rough around the edges and aggressively pushed Rhett even when he said no. There were not enough soft moments to make being in love by the end make sense. I also disliked that the first time they have sex Rhett bottomed without being even a little nervous or reluctant. That didn't make sense for his character at all. Like I said, it seemed like we hit all the major points but skipped over how we got there. It made the book seem incomplete and the relationship a bit unrealistic.

That being said, I really enjoyed the writing. I liked the premise, and I felt like Colt and Rhett had good foundations as characters. The spice was pretty steamy, and I wanted them to be together. It just seemed like there wasn't enough there to make me truly satisfied with the book.

Overall I give this one 3.75/5 🌟. It has good bones but needed a bit more substance for my taste.

[paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ - 5/5

*𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰*

⊹ | 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩 by K.T. Madden and Ainsley Vale is a dark M/M cowboy romance. It is book one in the 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 series and follows Colton Dawson and Rhett Thornwood. This story does contain themes that readers may find triggering, so be sure to check out the trigger warnings.

Before we dive into my review, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to both of the amazing authors of this book for the opportunity to be an ARC reader. I'm truly so grateful and I can't wait to read future works by y'all 🩷!

Now it's review time, so grip your cowboy hats tight, saddle up, and enjoy the ride. Not only does this book have one sexy cowboy, but it has TWO, and the tension between them is insanely hot. I don't know about the rest of y'all, but personally, I devoured this book in one sitting, and let's just say y'all should definitely expect more M/M cowboy romance reads from me in the near future 🤭.

Rhett is known as the town's golden boy. He follows the rules, does what he thinks people expect of him, and knows what he wants. But it all feels like an act. A part in a performance that seems to be never-ending. Little does the small town of Cedarbrook know, their golden boy is hiding a huge secret, one he hasn't even let himself accept. When the one person who gets under his skin the most shows up to work on his family ranch for the summer, the lines between love and hate start to blur, and things get messy.

Colton hates small towns, especially the one that has made him feel unwelcome since he was fourteen. When he finds himself back in Cedarbrook and working on the Thornwood Ranch for the summer, it's the last thing he wants, but he's determined to keep his head down and move on from the past. Upon arriving back in town, all the old feelings for Rhett he thought he had pushed down come rushing to the surface with a powerful force. Rhett has secrets, and Colton has always been the best at noticing them, so when things heat up, the two find it hard to walk away from one another.

I LOVED this book so freaking much. The story was one I found myself struggling to put down once I started. I was literally eating up the constant digs at each other and the constant banter between Rhett and Colton like I was starved. While Rhett may seem all sweet and innocent, don't let that man fool you. He's got his own particular dark side, just like Colton. Even though he doesn't show that side until towards the end of the book, I swear it's definitely worth the wait.

The struggle Rhett had with his sexuality was intense, but I absolutely loved the little moments where he gave into his desires, just a little bit, before pulling back or running away. Although Colton pushed Rhett about his sexuality, he never forced him to come out, but wanted him to stop lying to himself. That was a tough pill for Rhett to swallow at first, but that was the push he needed in order to stop hiding an important part of himself.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, spicy M/M cowboy romance with two possessive MCs and some slight emotional damage, then I definitely recommend you check this book out once released!


— 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒚 𝑷.𝑹.

[Crystal Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖

TWO sexy cowboys… SAY LESS BABE. The cherryahz on top was the tension we get between them which was soooo insanely hot. I don't know about the rest of y'all, but, I devoured this book in one sitting, and let's just say give me more M/M cowboy romances STAT.

☞ＴＲＯＰＥＳ
✧ Rancher/Vet-Student
✧ Small Town Romance
✧ Gay Awakening
✧ Switch dynamic
✧ Dub-C0n
✧ Mystery Stalker
✧"on your knees, Cowboy"
✧ Hate-to-want-you
✧ Golden Boy vs Black Sheep
✧ Forced Proximity

Rhett has always been Cedarbrook’s golden boy. He follows the rules, plays the part everyone expects, and carries himself like he has his future perfectly planned out. But beneath the charm and small-town perfection, he feels trapped in a life that no longer fits. The people of Cedarbrook may think they know him, but Rhett is hiding a secret he can barely admit to himself. When Colton returns to town to work at the Thornwood Ranch for the summer, the tension between them quickly becomes impossible to ignore, blurring the line between hatred and something far more dangerous.

Colton has spent years trying to forget Cedarbrook and the way the town made him feel like an outsider. Coming back is the last thing he wants, but he’s determined to survive the summer, keep his head down, and leave the past where it belongs. The problem is Rhett Thornwood. The feelings Colton buried years ago come rushing back the second he sees him again, stronger than ever. Rhett may be good at hiding behind the image everyone expects, but Colton has always been able to see through him. And once the sparks between them start flying, neither of them can seem to walk away.

I loved this book so much. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and had such a hard time putting it down. The chemistry between Rhett and Colton was absolutely addictive, and I ate up every sarcastic comment, argument, and bit of tension between them like my life depended on it.

Rhett might come across as sweet, polished, and innocent at first, but there’s a darker, more complicated side to him simmering underneath the surface. And when that side finally starts to come out later in the book? Completely worth the wait. His internal struggle with his sexuality felt raw and emotional, especially during those small moments where he would let himself give in before panicking and pulling away again.

What I appreciated most was the way Colton handled Rhett’s journey. While he challenged Rhett to stop hiding from himself, he never tried to force him out before he was ready. More than anything, Colton wanted Rhett to be honest with himself, and even though that was hard for Rhett to accept at first, it became exactly the push he needed.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, spicy M/M cowboy romance filled with tension, possessive characters, emotional baggage, and incredible banter, I absolutely recommend picking this one up.

I received an advanced copy of this book, it did not impact my review. My opinions are my own.

[&#x1f5a4; alyssa &#x1fa76; · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deviant was a short, spicy, and emotional read that I enjoyed! 💛 The plot pulled me in with the small-town setting, messy history and unresolved feelings, and the emotional push and pull. Even though it’s a shorter read, it still had so much tension and emotional depth! Rhett and Colt’s banter, frustration, longing, and emotional moments made their story feel intense, heated, and worth it 💛 I also really liked the pacing and how their relationship developed within all the emotional struggles and small-town pressures.

Rhett absolutely broke my heart at times 🥺 He carries a lot of pressure on his shoulders and spends so much time trying to be the version of himself that everyone else expects, while quietly struggling underneath it all. Watching him navigate his fears, confusion, and internal battles felt emotional and genuine, and I found myself rooting for him so hard 💛 His journey toward learning to accept himself and allowing those walls to slowly come down was one of my favorite parts of the story; Seeing him soften with Colt and slowly stop fighting the connection between them was both heartbreaking and heartwarming 🥹 Even when he pushed back, the emotional pull between them was impossible to ignore, and I loved watching Rhett slowly begin to trust both himself and Colt more!

And then Colt… Colt is confident, unapologetically himself, and deeply devoted in a way that completely won me over 💛 He sees straight through Rhett in ways no one else can, and I loved how persistent he was while still caring so deeply underneath all the heated tension and button-pushing! Colt knows who he is and what he wants, and there was something so refreshing about how secure he was in himself despite everything. He challenged Rhett, pushed him when he needed it, and also showed up for him in quieter, softer moments that made me melt 💛 Their chemistry was absolutely undeniable, and the emotional and physical tension between them had me hooked on them!

This was a really good read that balanced angst, yearning, character growth, spice, and small-town tension well 💛 I loved how messy, emotional, and intense Rhett and Colt’s story felt, while still focusing on healing, trust, and learning to embrace who you are. Between the chemistry, banter, emotional moments, red hot spice, and all the longing, I thought it was easy to get invested, and I especially loved how character driven the story felt 🤩

[TheBookishGothGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A DARK MM ROMANCE, READ THE CONTENT WARNING AND THE BLURB FIRST!!

Maddan and Vale have written a dynamite piece of erotic fiction with this book and I thank them both for letting me read it as an ARC.

The way these boys are written had me feeling all the feels. This book was beautiful from start to finish. The whole dynamic, forced proximity, gay awakening and then the mysterious messages from someone trying to break them apart was the best mix of emotion, love, lust and drama.

Rhett is the golden boy, he has a plan for his life and nothing will make him stray from that... or will it? It is clear from the beginning that he's a square peg trying to fit in a round hole and doesn't want to hurt or disappoint anyone but at what cost? I loved the way he tries to fight against his own thoughts and the scene with his mom had me in tears because my heart broke for him.
I also thought the dynamic with his brothers was well written, they are all very different but have that brotherly bond that goes beyond blood.

Colt is the perfect mix of bad boy and reformed bad boy. He wants to just do his job and leave before trouble follows him. However, Rhett is the kind of trouble he craves and when his feelings turn deeper, he just wants the secrets and lies to stop. Who could blame him after what happened in High School but he is not his past and I loved every minute of him pushing Rhett's buttons. Colt's family dynamic isn't perfect with his parents but his Aunt and Uncle seem more like mom and dad and that support he gets from them is priceless. Also, his connection with the Thornwood family is really well done too, I love it when families spread into each other and sometimes the one you weren't born into is the one that gets you the most.

The spice in this book is tremendous and definitely had me all hot and bothered. These men are absolutely obsessed with each other, even if one struggles to admit it more than the other and I am living for it. Oh and a pierced and tattooed cowboy... what is not to love about that?!

I laughed, cried, got angry and even screamed at my kindle a few times with this one. I want more from these boys and the entire supporting cast of this book and I cant wait to get it :)

[Aleja · Rating 3 out of 5]

MM romance | Cowboy romance | Gay awakening | Forced proximity | Pierced MMC | Switch dynamics | Opposites Attract | Small Town | Hate to Love | Good Boy x Bad boy | Praise kink


Okay, la verdad es que no sé qué pensar. Estuvo bueno? Sí, pero hasta ahí.

Sentí que todo pasó muy rápido y, aunque el ritmo era agradable, admito que no me terminó de convencer del todo. Es una lectura rápida y ágil que recomiendo muchísimo para cuando necesitas leer algo ligero y sin tanto drama. En cambio, si estás buscando una historia con más detalles o un desarrollo más profundo, no creo que este sea el libro correcto.

Tengo que decir que Rhett me gustó mucho y me sentí muy identificada con él. Eso de suponer que debes encajar en un molde, no permitirte ser tú mismo ni descubrir quién eres realmente, tocó una fibra muy sensible en mí jaja. Colt también fue un personaje que disfruté, pero el hecho de que pusiera tanta presión sobre Rhett hizo que lo odiara un poquito a veces jaja.

Lo recomiendo bastante si solo buscan algo entretenido para pasar el rato.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

Okay, to be honest, I’m not really sure what to think. It was good, but that’s about it.

Everything felt a bit rushed, and while the pacing was pleasant, I have to admit it didn’t fully win me over. It’s a quick, breezy read that I highly recommend if you’re looking for something light without too much drama. However, if you’re searching for a story with more depth or character development, I don't think this is the right pick.

I have to say I really liked Rhett, and I felt so seen through his character. The whole struggle of feeling like you have to fit into a certain mold, not allowing yourself to just be who you are or discover your true self—that definitely hit close to home haha. I also enjoyed Colt’s character, but the way he put so much pressure on Rhett made me hate him just a little bit haha.

I definitely recommend it if you're just looking for a fun read to pass the time.

[MorallyDarkReadz · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book completely pulled me in from the start. The tension between these two men was so well done and I swear every interaction felt loaded with something deeper underneath it. You can feel the history, the resentment, the wanting, and the way they keep trying to fight what’s happening between them just made it even better.

Rhett honestly broke my heart a little. The struggle he has with himself, with expectations, with trying to be who everyone needs him to be felt very real and emotional. Watching him slowly crack under the pressure of hiding pieces of himself had me rooting for him the entire time. And Colt? He is exactly the kind of tattooed, rough-around-the-edges man I always end up obsessed with. He pushes, he notices too much, and even when he acts like he wants distance, it’s obvious Rhett owns space in his head.

I loved the small town ranch setting mixed with the darker emotional themes. The family dynamics were also done really well. The Thornwoods felt messy, loving, complicated, and real. I especially loved how the story explored found family and the idea that sometimes the people who understand you most are the ones you choose.

The spice was HOT. Definitely a 4/5 for me. The chemistry carried every scene and the build up made everything hit harder. The tension, the possessiveness, the emotional vulnerability mixed with the physical connection? Absolutely ate that up.

My only reason for not giving this a full 5 stars is that I wanted even more depth in certain emotional moments and honestly just wanted more time with these characters overall because I got attached fast.

Overall this was emotional, addictive, spicy, and full of longing in the best way possible. If you love messy feelings, small town tension, emotionally constipated cowboys, and men who are obsessed with each other while pretending they aren’t… definitely pick this one up.

[Ashes And Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5
This is my first dip into the cowboy romance genre. It is a genre that never particularly jumped out to me, and I was not sure I would enjoy…and with Deviant I have been proven very wrong in my previous assumptions. This book is something I had no idea I needed, and I am so happy that I jumped in with Rhett and Colton. This dark, cowboy romance is one I did not willingly put down, and I am still left in shock as to how much I enjoyed this quick read.

This is a shorter book and focuses more on the characters than a plot heavy story. The characters in this book immediately sucked me in. What is better than a small town with a handsome cowboy…two handsome cowboys! One who was forced to accept who he is and one who is still struggling with trying to be who he thinks he is supposed to be. The chemistry between Colt and Rhett is undeniable, though Rhett may try everything to do just that. There is a magnetism between the two that radiates off the page.

The journey of our golden boy, Rhett, and our town “outcast” Colton making their way to each other is a ride I would gladly saddle up for again. Even for a short, quick book, the tension and yearning are ever present (and oh so frustrating), but the wait is worth it in the end. This story keeps a good, steady pace and flows smoothly. I did not find myself being pulled away from the story at any time. I always go into shorter books knowing there will be parts of the story not told and enjoy the snapshot into a specific moment in the lives of these characters, even if it leaves me wanting more.

While this is a dark romance, do not go in expecting a dark and unhinged story. There are darker aspects of this story and not every dark romance is pitch black. There is a bit of mystery, some top-notch banter and yearning that make me so happy to call this my first cowboy romance. I recommend this for those looking for a quick read with a small-town feel and two men who are hard to forget.

[Kate Gar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always love a dark MM romance featuring a man in denial and a fierce, openly gay MC who is completely unapologetic about who he is.

Colt was the epitome of perfection. The way he confidently owned his desires was one of my favorite parts of the book. He recognized his connection with Rhett down to his very soul and fought fiercely for what he wanted.

Then there’s our denial baby, Rhett. He is so terrified to be himself because he's afraid of losing his family and the ranch that mean everything to him. His struggle felt so raw and important.

We also can't forget the incredible side characters! Halle, Cash, and Miranda brought top-notch banter, charisma, and attitude. Cash is a mischievous little nugget, Halle is the open-minded, relatable sister still figuring life out, and Miranda is a fun little nerd, I loved them all. And a special shoutout to Dawson for being a cute little animal whisperer!

This book completely sucked me in. It beautifully intertwines the worlds of two very different small-town guys while tapping into a dark stalker/blackmail plot line. That constant, anxiety-ridden terror elevated the story to a whole new level. It was amazing to read a book that functions as a high-stakes thriller while focusing heavily on acceptance and a strong country family bond.

At its core, this story is about trust, healing, and embracing exactly who you are. It shows how much brighter the world gets when you live authentically and let the right people into your corner. Once you realize your fears aren't needed because your people have your back, you can finally find peace. Finding your person just takes it to the next level.

A country boy and a veterinarian love story wrapped in a dark thriller structure? Pure perfection. I’ve been waiting for this release, and it completely exceeded my expectations. I can't wait to see what comes next!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

💛 ARC REVIEW 🤎

Deviant by K.T. Maddan & Ainsley Vale
Colton & Rhett

AVAILABLE NOW

My Rating: 3☆
Thornwood Brothers Book One
Dark MM Cowboy Romance
Gay Awakening
Childhood Crush Turned Into Hate to Want You
Opposites Attract
Mystery Stalker
Workplace Romance
Rancher/Vet Student
Small Town
Forced Proximity
Pierced MMC
My Spicy Rating: 3/5🌶

I signed up for this ARC because I fell in love with the cover and I kept seeing it everywhere and I love a good MM cowboy romance. But... unfortunately it wasn't my favorite. It just wasn't for me. The plot and storyline are good but I feel like it had so much potential. It felt too fast paced. The timeline was a bit confusing to me. Some scenes needed to be described better because otherwise, I have a hard time imagining the whole scene. I feel like alot of things weren't explained. Like who was who and what they were to the main characters. And I think that is what my biggest problem was, that this book is basically a spin-off/second generation from another series and I didn't know. Either way, when the author says you can read it as a standalone, characters and settings have to be described better where you can actually read it where it makes sense without reading the other series.
I am very disappointing in that part because I would have loved to know that when I signed up. Makes sense why I was confused with some names and characters and such. I'm also a big character art lover. And the cover is confusing to me because Colton is the one with the tattoos while Rhett is the one who wears the cowboy hat. And I don't think it was ever mentioned that Colton wore a hat.

This is my second book by K.T. Maddan. I think her writing is just not for me. But who knows, if I'm intrigued enough, I might continue the series because those hints of Cash and Halle sound really good.

[Monzerrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧

I absolutely loved this story so much. 💗 From the very beginning, I could already tell Colt & Rhett were gonna consume my entire life for a little while 😭 Their chemistry was INSANE and every interaction between them had me either blushing, stressing, or kicking my feet.

This book truly had everything I love in a cowboy romance. The tension, the yearning, the banter, the small town, and the dirty talk?? Yeah... Absolutely obsessed. 🤌🏻

Colt honestly had me smiling so much because the way he wanted Rhett so badly while still trying to act unbothered was everything to me. His summer at Thornwood Ranch was supposed to just help with his vet degree, but we all know that man had another goal in mind the second Rhett was standing in front of him again 😭

And Rhett my heart hurt for him so many times throughout this book. Watching him try so hard to be his perfect golden boy everyone expected him to be while clearly struggling with himself made me emotional. You could feel how terrified he was of disappointing everyone around him, and all I wanted was for him to finally realize he deserved to be loved exactly as he was.

The tension between them was honestly addicting I would say. Every stare, every argument, every moment between them felt so charged and intense. I genuinely could not stop reading because I needed to know when they were finally gonna give in to each other.

If you love MM romance with a small town, gay awakening, cowboys with too many issues, dark cowboy, mystery Stalker, this one definitely delivers.

I can't wait for the next book and of course to be back on Thornwood Ranch.

[Diatee Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
Whew this was a ride!
We have Rhett , the Golden boy who feels as if he's just existing and performing for others. He's doing everything that ticks the checkbox not because he wants to but because he feels that it's expected of him. He's having an identity crisis however he keeps filing this away in the back of his head. That is until he meets with Colt again.

Colt is gay. Everyone in town knows this. And in a small town like Cedarbrook, homosexually isn't well received. However, he has to work on Rhett's family ranch for a short while and he plans on keeping his head down until he finishes his term. He's more adamant on doing so especially since he'll be working with Rhett , whom he has a somewhat complicated history with. Do things work out as he envisioned? Hell no.

The push and pull dynamic between this two was electric. I loved everything about this book. How Colton was OBSESSED (*barks*). The struggle Rhett had with coming to terms of his own sexuality ( Plenty of tears were shed). Oh and when Rhett finally accepts his sexuality ... The switch in his character made me SQUEAL!!The spice had me fanning myself 🤭.
However, I'm very glad that they both had a great support system. The side characters were fun. The epilogue was super sweet and I was super reluctant to part with my babies. However I'm stoked for book 2 ( Cash and Halle's story, hallelujah!).

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these two sexy OBSESSED and possessive cowboys falling in love. Absolutely DELICIOUS!

Many thanks to KT Maddan and Ainsley Vale for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Sarahreadsallthebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love an MM romance, I don’t need asking twice to read one, so I was eager to give this a go.

Deviant is book one in a new series, The Thornwood Brothers, it’s set in the small town of Cedarbrook which you’ll recognise if you’ve read The Whispers of Cedarbrook Series by K.T Maddan. Deviant is a small town, cowboy, childhood enemies, gay awakening romance. It’s also got a bit of stalking in if thats your vibe.

Rhett Thornbrook, eldest reliable son, set to inherit the family ranch lives to please, even if that means never truly being himself.
Colton Dawson, ungrad vet, the town black sheep, unapologetically himself.
When Colton returns home to the small town he grew up in, working alongside Rhett at Thornbrook Ranch is not what he had in mind, but being closer to Rhett isn’t the problem. Rhett has everything, his family, the ranch and a beautiful girlfriend, but none of it makes him really happy, until Colton comes home.

I really enjoyed the fast pace of this book, it’s just over 200 pages so a nice quick read. The flashbacks fill in the gaps in the characters history. Although it’s not necessarily I think reading the Whispers of Cedarbrook series would give the best reading experience and fill in any gaps.

I loved Rhett and Colton’s story, they had fab chemistry and tension and a great HEA.

Although this is listed as a ‘dark MM romance’ I didn’t find it dark at all really, minus the mild stalking. So definitely don’t be put off if you think it’ll be too dark, it’s an enjoyable cowboy mm romance and I’ll definitely be continuing with this series.

4/5⭐️
3.5/5 🌶️


Deviant is available May 19th

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, a huge thank you to K.T. Maddan and Ainsley Vale for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.

God, how I love cowboy romances especially when they are both cowboys!

I mean, can it get any better?

Deviant is the first book in a new interconnected series that delivers on it all: spicy, angst and the raw honesty of being queer in a small town.

This book delivered on the promise of a dark MM romance but it was the emotional journey that the two characters took that made me fall in love with this story and the two main characters.

Rhett and Colt couldn’t be more different; the golden boy with his future seemingly set in stone, and the boy who always feels like he is on the outside of a close-knit community. Watching their story play out from two completely different views and levels of acceptance was interesting and engaging to the point that I devoured this book. I also loved the supportiveness of their family and friends, with Colt’s sister, Halle, being his number one ally and Miranda having his back no matter what, to Rhett’s entire family being his own village of love and support.

The connection between the two characters is undeniable and gripping from page one. Colton knows what he wants and Rhett is learning to accept who he is.

If you are looking for a quick steamy MM read that you will devour in one sitting with main and side characters that you will fall in love with, this book is for you.

Up next, we have Cash and Halle who I just know are going to bring their own brand of mischief to Cedarbrook!

[Veronica Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deviant by K.T. Maddan & Ainsley Vale, Book 1 of the Thornwood Brothers Series. This is a Dark MM Cowboy Romance following Rhett Thornwood and Colton Dawson. 🚩This is for adult readers only (18+) as it has mature content and not suitable for underage readers. There are dark themes that can be triggering so please check out the content warning before you dive in 🚩

My thoughts 💭
I need to start this review by saying, I read this in a few hours. Does that mean it’s a novella? No. It does not. It simply means that IT WAS JUST THAT GOOD!!! I could not put it down, I put my kids to bed and thought to myself…. “Self, just a few chapters then bed…” I in fact did not go to bed until the last page. I don’t want to reveal too much because I don’t want to spoil anything but Colt…my guy 🔥🔥 He set his sights on Rhett the first night back in town and he was relentless in getting under Rhett’s skin. He is unapologetically himself and I can appreciate and respect that. Rhett, my heart broke for him. He has stepped up being the next in line for taking over the Thornwood Ranch but in stepping up he lost the ability to just be himself. The fact that it took Colt to come back and bring the walls down just made the whole HEA so much more beautiful. But once Rhett accepted himself for who he is…my guy 🔥🔥🫣 they made me blush quite a few times haha. This is such a great start to the 2nd generation series of the Thornwood Ranch.

✨I would like to thank Author’s K.T. Maddan & Ainsley Vale for the opportunity to read and review Deviant.

[Stephanie Chapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of Deviant Book 1 in the Thornwood Brothers Series by K.T Madden and Ainsley Vale. I loved this book it is a 5 star read for me. I loved the suspense, tension and angst. I was hooked from the first page. This is Rhett and Colton’s story. I loved all the tension and chemistry between them. I loved the push and pull between them. I love how Colt made Rhett see they belong together. I love how he continually pushed Rhett’s boundaries. This is a slow burn, spicy, MM, gay awakening, small town ranch, forced proximity, hate to love, secret stalker, dark cowboy summer romance. Set in the small town of Cedarbrook, Arkansas. Rhett Thornwood is 23 he is a cowboy and works on his family’s ranch. He is the golden boy of his family and the town and plans on taking over the ranch when the time comes. Colton aka Colt Dawson is 23 and is going to college to become a vet. He has just returned to Cedarbrook for the summer and is working on Thornwood Ranch for hands on experience with the animals. Rhett and Colt have a complicated history from highschool. Colt has always had a crush on Rhett but now seeing him again for the first time in years he has fallen hard and fast he is obsessed and will do anything to make him his. Colt is openly gay while Rhett is torn between how he feels and what he thinks is expected of him. Rhett tried to keep distance from Colt and tells him he doesn’t want him but Colt doesn’t let him hide he pushes him to make a choice about who he is and what he wants. I loved this book I definitely recommend it I can’t wait for the next Thornwood Brother.