Beckett: Scars and Saddles Series Book 1

by Jessica Whaley, Pat Norton (Editor)

Lacey Taylor

Grief is an odd thing. It shows up at the oddest times. The morning sunrise, the smell of hay and sweat, or a certain song. The smell or memory of a homemade meal. It sneaks in, and takes over.



My mother passed the torch too soon. Now I am the one who is left to continue keeping Scars Creek Ranch afloat while my whole world stopped turning.



My anxiety is getting harder and harder to control. The waves come out of no where recently since Beckett has been back.



My brother’s ex-best friend, who was always at my house when I was growing up, has suddenly returned, leaving me speechless and confused; in more ways than one.



From what the lawyer says, he will be around for good, giving my brother more reason to hate him.





Beckett King

My career is finally taking off and big sponsors are wanting to sign me. I haven’t been back home to Honeysuckle, Georgia in over a decade, but finding out the news Jane Taylor, the woman who loved me like her own, passed away, I knew I had to find my way back to say my goodbyes.



I don’t know what I am going to do about Carson Taylor until I get there. Honestly, I can only assume he hates me because I ran off and left that town without looking back.



I had nothing left for me in Honeysuckle other than people who only cared for me because they felt bad for me. Jane Taylor though, she deserves my respects.



And her daughter? Lacey? She’s not the little girl I remember annoying Carson and me. No…she is all woman now.



Age gap
cowboy x city girl
brother's ex bestfriend
redemption arc
small town/dark western

This book contains triggers you can find on authors website and within the interior of this book.

Genres: Westerns

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC Book Review✨

This book was an interesting read!

I don’t entirely know how I feel about Beckett’s character. I thought he was very immature at times, but even Lacey acknowledges that in the book. He had a very bad childhood, so it makes sense that he might not have the healthiest coping mechanisms. At other times, he was extremely sensitive and caring with Lacey.

Beckett used to be best friends with Carson, who is Lacey’s brother. They have history, but all these relationships are strained. I loved the awkward navigating from “you’re like a brother to me” to “I’m not your brother” 😈

I really liked Lacey! She’s kind and empathetic. Her relationship with Beckett felt natural, and their slow burn romance was everything. I liked how it progressed, and when they finally crossed the line, I literally had my jaw on the floor.

I loved the drama in the book. With the men being slightly immature, the conflicts were entertaining. At the same time, heavy topics were handled with compassion. The emotional moments were quite touching.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟, 3🌶️

This book felt like a beautiful, emotional tug-of-war.

I was deeply moved by the way it handles heavy themes like grief and childhood trauma, especially through the eyes of Lacey and Beckett as they try to pick up the pieces after devastating losses. The foundation of the story, centered on found family and the messy process of returning home to face old demons, was incredibly tender and held so much promise.

The romance itself had some lovely moments of vulnerability, and I really enjoyed the slow-burn dynamic that brought them together. That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, and I found myself wishing for a bit more emotional depth to truly ground their connection. While their journey is filled with heart, the transition from their past history to their present spark sometimes felt a little rushed, which kept me from being completely swept away.

Ultimately, I truly appreciated the sincere focus on healing and the way these characters fight to find their way back to one another. It captures the raw, human side of forgiveness in a way that is easy to root for, even if some parts of the execution didn't quite hit the mark for me.

It is a thoughtful, character-driven read that I am glad I experienced, and it left me feeling reflective about the power of second chances.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Jessica Whaley and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[i_want_ all_the_spoilers]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity.
Unfortunately I am not vibing with the MMC. He's a man whore and an ass, and while I understand the backstory and reasoning, it's jut not for me at the moment. Not giving me the "I want to see how he improves". Also, him knowing the FMC when she was a child makes the age gap.... not for me, even if he was barely an adult himself.

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

"Beckett" by Jessica Whaley has all the elements of a good book, but for some reason, they just don't come together cohesively, in my opinion. The writing is often robotic, almost detached from the emotions this story should evoke. It felt like reading some sort of plug-and-play "how to write a romance novel" manual, like there was a distinct lack of heart at times. There are a few things I liked about this book. Beckett's backstory is horrible, but emotionally moving at the start. As a reader, you really feel for him and the awful things he's gone through at such a young age. Laney is ten years younger than Beckett and her older brother, Carter, who was Beckett's best friend when they were growing up. *~Something happened*~ though, and they grew apart shortly after high school graduation. When he comes back to town, he's a man whore and a huge d1ckhead. STOP DATING PEOPLE WHO TREAT YOU BADLY!!!!!!!!! After he comes back and they reconnect, things start going downhill fast. Despite knowing each other since they were kids, their reconnection was *very* insta-lust-y, which I didn't love. The way he talks about her also rubbed me the wrong way. Like, I get you're attracted to her, but the things he says about her body come off as sexIST and not sexY. There's also a distinct lack of timing when they reconnect. I thought things had gone on a lot longer than they did. Right before they *~do it*~ for the first time, Beckett says to Lacey something to the effect of, "do you know how long I have wanted you? Since I first saw you at that church" (at her mom's funeral). So..... like............. a week? There is no feeling between the two of them, no pining, no yearning, no want, no nothing. Heck, I don't even feel the utter carnal urges between them before or after they get together! There's hardly any emotional connection between them. The ending also happens so quickly! I had no clue the book was going to end, I thought there was a lot more, but nope, it's just bing, bang, boom, over. Ah well. This one was not for me, but I think others may enjoy it.

Thank you to Jessica Whaley and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a heartbreaking death rocks his hometown, Beckett, now a successful bull rider in Vegas, drops everything to get back to Scars Creek ranch. Even if it means facing demons he’s not ready to face. Past and present.

Tropes:
Age gap
Cowboy romance
Best friend 2nd chance
Redemption
Grief bonds
Slow burn
Hurt / Comfort
Found family
Tension

Lacey, just lost her mum. The heart and soul of everything she’s ever known, and she’s lost without her guidance. When a will reading throws a spanner in the works, her and her brother Carson struggle to come to terms with their mums last wishes.

Beckett, Carson & Lacey grew up together. Beckett was the Taylor’s son, or at least as much as he could be without his deadbeat parents who riddled his childhood with abuse and trauma. Coming back to his hometown after a decade away, brings up a lot of bad memories and triggers his panic attacks.

Lacey & Beckett have a slow burn, reintroduction to each other that builds from trust and vulnerability. Being there for each other in dark times, constantly showing up, their attraction grows and when the tension snaps it blazes!

Lacey is fierce, level headed and the heart of the ranch. Beckett sees that she falls hard.
Carson, her brother, stubborn and stuck in his ways takes a while to find his feet, but when all is revealed, it was sweet to see him step up and be the brother he needed to be for Lacey.

Overall a sweet, coming home cowboy romance with age gap, redemption and found family vibes!

Thank you to Luna Literary & Jessica Whaley for this ARC!

Happy Reading
😊💋🐂

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Beckett immediately. He didn’t have the best childhood until Lacey’s mom took him and raised him. So when he came back home to pay his respects that was all there was to it. When he saw Lacey all grown up, things shifted really quickly. I loved that he was a bull rider with a dirty mouth. Him and Lacey connected so fast. And boy were they spicy. This book made me giggle, swoon, made my heart hurt, but it was such an amazing read. Absolutely loved this one.

[Cindy Caballero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grief has a weird way of bringing people together. Beckett, Lacey, and Carson knew each other from the beginning and now must navigate death through a tumultuous relationship, but when that brings two of them way closer than they expected things change. Beckett and Lacey are two beings made for each other. This story showed the real side to struggles, upcomings, family and friend relationships, and of course love too.

[Jo Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

BECKETT by JESSICA WHALEY ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beckett is the first (#1) book in the SCARS AND SADDLES series.

A decade after leaving Honeysuckle, Georgia, Beckett King returns to Scars Creek Ranch after learning of the death of the woman who all but raised him. He’s spent many years trying to recover from the horrors of his youth and the anxiety it left him with and coming home is sure to bring the trauma to the surface.

Lacey Taylor is struggling to run the family ranch after the death of her beloved mother, plagued by self doubt and anxiety. The last person she expects to run into is Beckett King, her brother’s ex best friend. The last time she saw him she was a gangly teenager with acne & braces and he was in his early twenties with a bright future.

The reading of Lacey’s mother’s will raises lots of anxiety, anger and confusion, and Lacey is left dealing with the fallout…..

———————————
** This book contains topics that could be triggering. The author is very open about this. You can find a complete list on the author’s website - www.authorjdwhaley.com. It is highly recommended that you check out the list before starting this book **

Let’s start by saying that I really like this story, so much so that I immediately went and purchased the entire ‘Maple Small Town’ series.

Yes, it contains some potentially triggering subjects such as child a*use, de*th of an animal/ people, grief anxiety, but it is written extremely sensitively and thoughtfully. In fact I wish that the author had actually covered the anxiety experienced by the two MCs more.

There are open door spicy scenes in keeping with the progression of the MCs relationship.

At the very beginning I didn’t much like the character of Beckett but as the story progresses and you learn more about the cause of his behaviour, I grew to understand and really like him.

Lacey is an awesome, string willed, forthright character and I really appreciated it.

The descriptions of the area and the ranch are first notch and helped me picture the scenes.

There are plenty of interesting side characters such as Lexie, Cade, Briggs and Carson, which are set up for possible future books and I’m here for it.


I do have to say that this book would have definitely been a five star in my opinion but I found the lack of contractions really frustrating. For me, it made the characters sound a bit robotic and it was distracting, hence the four star rating.


I read an ebook copy of this book, with around 250 pages, a (🔥🔥🔥) male model cover and good editing. This book releases on June 23rd and I highly recommend you give it a shot!

With thanks to Jessica Whaley and Luna Literacy for an early read of this emotional but delightful book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.


🤠 Age Gap
🤠 Spicy Open Door scenes 🔥🔥🔥
🤠 Cowboy Romance
🤠 Brothers Ex Best Friend
🤠 Redemption
🤠 Small Town Romance
🤠 *Possible Triggers*

[Nikki Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the biggest love stories aren’t just about romance—they’re about healing.

Before diving in, definitely check the trigger warnings. This story tackles grief, childhood trauma, abandonment, and loss, and it doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of those topics.

As a person who lost her own mom to cancer, I knew the triggers going in and I was good.

What stood out to me most was how much this book focused on family, forgiveness, and finding your way back to the people who feel like home. Beckett returning to town after years away brings old wounds, buried feelings, and plenty of tension to the surface. Watching him confront his past while Lacey struggles to hold everything together after losing her mother made for an emotional and heartfelt journey.

Beckett completely stole my heart. Beneath his rough edges was a man carrying years of hurt and believing he was less loved than he truly was. Lacey was equally easy to root for—strong, caring, and determined to keep moving forward even when life kept knocking her down.

I also loved the small-town ranch setting and the found-family vibes. The side characters added so much depth to the story, and I’m already excited to see where the series goes next.

For me, the romance took a bit of a backseat to the emotional family storyline. While I enjoyed Beckett and Lacey together, I wanted a little more development and emotional depth in their relationship. The slow burn kept me invested, but once things finally took off, the ending felt a little rushed compared to the pace of the rest of the book.

Overall, this was an emotional, character-driven read filled with heartbreak, healing, and second chances. If you enjoy small-town romances with cowboys, complicated family dynamics, redemption arcs, and a slow-burn romance, this one is definitely worth picking up.

💕 Read if you love:
🌾 Small-town romance
🤠 Cowboys & ranch life
❤️ Slow burn romance
🏡 Found family vibes
✨ Redemption arcs
😭 Emotional healing journeys

Thank you for the ARC. All thoughts are my own. I will say, I did cry several times during this book, so have tissue ready!

[Melissa Block · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read from this author, and while I did finish the book, I am not sure I will go on with the series. This is only my opinion, so this book may be right up someone else's alley.
Beckett is a professional bull rider and a womanizer. The opening segment of the book had me feeling for the young boy going through way more than any kid should. But with the next scene he literally finishes sleeping with one woman, propositions the airline ticket agent, then after she turns him down, tries to sleep with the woman sitting next to him on the plane. It really put me off from his character and I never came back around after that. Most of what we get with him is him thinking with his other head and nowhere near the real depth like we got from the start of the book. Though he did have his moments.
Lacey just lost her mother and is trying to hold the ranch together while grieving her loss when Beckett hits on her...at the funeral. He has no idea who she is at first, but she definitely knows who he is. She knows her brother hates him, but has never found out why after all the years that have passed, and starts to fall for him anyway. The insta love felt off, almost forced, and not organic as I would have liked. Lacey is such a strong and capable woman, running the business side of the ranch and handling the horses like a pro. She wears her heart on her sleeve, she cares for everyone around her without thought for herself, and does it all with a smile. Which was what made the connection with Beckett feel off, despite wanting to be a cheerleader for them.
The flashback scenes give more perspective on why Beckett is the way he is, but they were small pieces that lacked depth and emotion that I so desperately wanted. The falling out of Carson and Beckett was danced around almost the entire book so the reconciliation felt like an afterthought that was rushed into the end.
There were plenty of things I liked about this book, but unfortunately the other things outweighed the good making it hard to stay engaged.
Thank you to Luna Literary and Jessica Whaley for the advanced copy to read and review.

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Age gap
*Cowboy
*Slow burn
*Brother's ex best friend
*Grief
*Hurt/comfort
*Small town

Please check the trigger warnings before reading as there are some sensitive subjects in it.
Heroine, Lacey, and her brother Carson lost their mother and they grieve both in their own way. Hero, Beckett, comes back in town after a decade for their mother's funeral. Beckett was essentially being raised by them in his teens since his addictive parents didn't and he loved them as they were the parental figures he missed in his childhood. Being back in town feelings and memories surface while Carson his ex best friend hates him and don't want to see him.
But fate has other plans since the ranch is now inherited to the three of them according to the will. Carson don't want to hear it, Beckett believes it's a charity case and Lacey tries to maintain some peace while grieving.
This book isn't so much as romantic but more like family dynamics and moving forward in life while facing fears and mistakes. I feel that this was the reason that I didn't feel the connection between the Lacey and Beckett in its depth as I believe it should have more expansion. But since I'm a sucker for slow burn I liked it.
The side characters made the story even more interesting and I can't wait to read the next couple.
The story was really emotional and I couldn't not sympathize with Beckett even though in the beginning he seems reckless and aloof. The trauma and the neglect he endured in his childhood made him take some decisions that weren't the best but how can someone blame him?
Lacey is a sweetheart but firm when she has to. She loves her people and tries everything she can to take care of them even when they tend to act like toddlers.
Overall I liked the story but I would have liked some more emotional depth in Lacey's and Beckett's relationship. Also I feel like the end was a bit rushed and everything happened quick even though it was a slow burn till maybe 80% of the story.
I received this arc and this is my honest opinion.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Beckett by Jessica Whaley is an emotional small-town romance that beautifully explores grief, healing, and second chances. Set against the backdrop of a struggling family ranch in Honeysuckle, Georgia, this story delivers heartfelt moments, strong family dynamics, and
a slow-burn romance that kept me invested from beginning to end.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is Lacey. Her grief over losing her mother feels authentic and raw, and I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from showing the messy reality of loss. The way grief surfaces in everyday moments—the smell of hay, a favorite meal, or a simple sunrise—made her emotions relatable and believable. Watching her navigate overwhelming responsibility while trying to keep Scars Creek Ranch running added depth to her character and made it easy to root for her.

Beckett was also a compelling hero. His return to Honeysuckle after more than a decade away brings plenty of emotional baggage, particularly where Carson and the Taylor family are concerned. I enjoyed uncovering the history between Beckett and the Taylors and seeing him reconnect with a place he once desperately wanted to leave behind. His relationship with Lacey developed naturally, and their chemistry was strong without overshadowing the emotional themes of the story.

The small-town setting was another highlight. The ranch atmosphere, close-knit community, and family connections gave the story warmth and charm. The emotional weight of the plot balanced well with the romance, making the characters’ journey toward healing feel meaningful.

My main reason for rating this 4 stars instead of 5 is that some parts of the story felt a little predictable, and there were moments where the pacing slowed, particularly in the middle. I also would have liked a deeper exploration of certain conflicts, especially surrounding Beckett’s long absence and the tension with Carson.

Overall, Beckett is a touching and heartfelt romance about loss, forgiveness, family, and finding love when you least expect it. Fans of emotional small-town romances with strong character growth, family-centered storylines, and a satisfying slow-burn relationship will likely enjoy this one. I’m definitely interested in reading more from Jessica Whaley and returning to Honeysuckle in future books.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 10 years away from the only place he could call home, Beckett King is headed back to Scars Creek Ranch for the funeral of the only person he ever thought of as a mom. Lacey Taylor is dealing with the loss of that same mother, holding the ranch together, and dealing with her brother’s unexplained hatred of his ex best friend, Beckett. When Beckett arrives at the cowboy church to pay his respect, Lacey is all grown up and knocks his boots right off, but the hatred courses off of her brother, Carson. When an unexpected turn of events forces them all together on the same ranch, Carson and Beckett have to work through their problems the cowboy way, while Lacey has to try to figure out how to deal with her feelings for Beckett.

I really loved Beckett’s character. He comes from not just a broken home, but from a broken trailer with his two junkie parents who treated him like dirt. I’m sure there is no perfect way to deal with that trauma, but I felt like it was incredibly appropriate for the writer to make him not have dealt with it but rather pushed it down and pushed himself into work. I do feel like because this was a shorter book, the rush from broken to mended came unseasonably fast.

I’m not really sure how I feel about Lacey. One minute I’m thinking hell yea cowgirl, show those boys whose boss, and the next I kind of got the ick. Again, I think because of the length of the book and the plot throughline being about Beckett and Carson’s issues with each other, we just didn’t get enough of Lacey being Lacey. I do like that the author showed her putting her foot down about the note and her relationship.

I am stoked that it seems like the next book in the series will either be Briggs and Lexie or Carson and Amber. While this wasn’t my favorite book of the year, I’d definitely give this author another chance!

Thank you to Jessica Whaley and Luna Literary for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This review and opinions are my own and I was not compensated to give them.

[Anna Christodoulou-Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review -Beckett by Jessica Whaley

Omg... where do I even begin with this book? Jessica Whaley has officially become one of my favorite authors. 🤠❤️

Beckett had EVERYTHING I love in a story grief, healing, found family, addiction, anxiety representation, ranch life, bull riding, redemption, and a romance that completely stole my heart. 🐂🌾🏡

The storytelling in this book was absolutely beautiful. Jessica has a way of making you feel every emotion right alongside her characters. The bond within this family shook me to my core in the best possible way. Their love, loyalty, heartbreak, and determination felt so real that I couldn't stop thinking about them long after I finished reading.

Lacey and Beckett's story is filled with so much heart. Watching them navigate loss, healing, and second chances was incredibly emotional. And Beckett... whew. This man carried so much pain and yet so much love. ❤️

I won't give any spoilers because this is a book that deserves to be experienced firsthand, but let me tell you this: it was already a five-star read for me... and then I got to Carson's letter. 😭😭😭

That letter absolutely wrecked me.

Grief is such a huge theme throughout this story, and Jessica captured it perfectly. The way grief sneaks up on you through memories, smells, songs, and everyday moments felt heartbreakingly authentic.

If you love:
🤠 Cowboys
🐂 Bull riders
❤️ Brother's ex-best friend
🏡 Small-town romance
🌾 Ranch life
✨ Found family
😭 Emotional healing journeys
❤️ Redemption arcs
🌅 Western romance vibes
💔 Grief and healing
🔥 Slow-burning chemistry

Then you NEED to pick up Beckett.

This book reminded me why I love reading so much. It made me laugh, cry, swoon, and feel every single emotion in between.

Jessica Whaley, you absolutely own a piece of my heart after this one. ❤️🤠📚

[LuLu Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am just a sucker for a cowboy romance!! I can't help myself.

Lacey Taylor is still dealing with the death of her mother when her brother's former best friend, Beckett, returns to town. She doesn't really know what happened between Beckett and her brother, Carson, to make him leave town and the only home he truly ever knew but, now he's back.

Beckett King lived a rough life but, luckily, he had the Taylor family to take him in when he was in school. Carson Taylor was basically the brother he never had and his parents, took him in when he had no one. So, when Beckett takes off, shortly after high school graduation, it's a shock to the Taylor family and feels like a slap in the face to his "brother", Carson.

When Beckett hears that the matriarch of the Taylor family has passed, he returns to his hometown to pay his respect and leave. But, things don't turn out to be quite that easy. Things keep Beckett in town and realizing that Carson's little sister, Lacey, is not a little girl anymore. Their attraction is instant but, her brother's anger at his former best friend might get in the way.

More and more I'm being pulled in by these "imperfect" characters... I've seen a few people mentioning not liking Beckett when he first comes to town and, I totally get it. He is dealing with a lot of past trauma and regrets. It is easy to look at him and say he isn't dealing with it in the best way but, we don't all start out with the best coping skills and we do what we can to get by... and then we learn and change. I think that is the most important thing... what we do at the "fork in the road" and how we move on from that point.

This was such a great book about grief, trauma and regrets... and how we can move on from these things and become stronger and better people!! Really enjoyed this one.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beckett gives you all the essentials of a good cowboy romance; you’ve got a rugged bull rider with a hardened past, a ranch full of old ghosts, and a forbidden pull toward the one woman he shouldn’t want. Beckett (33) returns to the ranch he walked away from years ago, only to be forced back into daily proximity with Carson, the ex‑best friend who now can’t stand him. Their tension should’ve added grit to the story, but for me the drama between them often felt immature rather than meaningful, which made some of their conflict hard to buy into.

Lacey (23) is grieving the recent loss of her mother, and she is the emotional core of the story. She’s resilient, brave, and extremely hard working. Grown up in more ways than Beckett even realizes from the last time he saw her. Her vulnerability is real, and the slow‑burn spice between her and Beckett is easily one of the book’s best elements; it’s steady, simmering, and inevitable. From their first encounter, you’re ticking down the seconds waiting for things to implode between the two and when it does it’s spicy!!

I really liked the flashbacks that we get to see from both Lacey and Beckett’s POV. They are these little pockets of perspective, especially for Beckett. They allow the reader to glean how heavily the past influenced the present. I most definitely got emotional over the letters that Mama Jane wrote for each of her children, Becket included.

But even with all that potential, I struggled to fully connect with the characters. Beckett let the doubt outweigh the love he had from a wonderful family. The third‑act breakup didn’t feel true to who they were or what they’d built, and the ending wrapped up so quickly it left the emotional arc feeling unfinished.

A huge thank you Jessica Whaley & Luna Literary for the early copy! I am excited to continue the series and read Cade, Carson, and Briggs’ stories!

[turnthedamnpage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up entirely too late trying to finish this book. I knew I couldn’t but, dxmn, if I didn’t try. I started reading as soon as we turned the lights off and fought my sleepy eyes through 33%. Yeah, it’s /that/ gripping from the get.

“𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯; 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘥𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵.”

I want to hug 15 year old Beckett so tightly. As a mother who mothers other children the way Jane did Beckett, this story touched my heart in so many ways. He was just a boy and he deserved so much love. 😭 The flashbacks were so perfectly placed, drawing emotion where they were meant to and answering questions we wouldn’t know otherwise.

Lacey and Carson behave exactly like I picture a brother and sister. They’re close but they still fight like siblings do. At the end of the day, they’re the best of friends — even if they’re both too damn stubborn.

“𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘬, 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴.”

You know when you hit that spot in metal music and your mouth kinda turns into a frown? Ya know, the “stank face…” Anyway, that was my face through chapter 17 but not because the drop was sick. Because people are.

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴.”
“𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵? 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥-𝘸𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯.”

Mrs. Mabel at the dinner table had me cackling right out loud. She’s a hoot and a half!

“𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩. 𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮…”

The bonus chapter was good but the QR code at the back gave me exactly what I wanted.

>>> 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸𝘀.
•••••
Thank you, Jessica Whaley for the opportunity to read and review Beckett!

[Angela Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett is definitely a five star read for me. I could not stop reading this book and was so intrigued by all of these characters and all of the unspoken things between them. I have always had a thing for the brother’s best friend trope, but honestly, the brother‘s ex best friend trope is even better and more forbidden and way more spicy.🥵🔥🥵. I loved every moment of it!

I truly loved the tension and slow burn angst between Beckett and Lacey. From their first encounter you definitely wanted more between them. I really love Beckett’s inner monologue, especially all the naughty things he had running through his head. The yearning and the build up to their first kiss was soo good! The way this man wanted to take care of her and worship her was chefs kiss. And that barn scene on top of the hay, iykyk🔥🔥🔥

Despite all the slow burn tension and the spice, this book had a lot of heavy moments and showed how we all handle grief differently. I really loved that she showed a strong cowboy can have an emotional side and also showed him dealing with trauma and also working through the trauma. I feel that mental health always has a stigma, but especially men’s mental health gets looked down on as if a man is weak if he has emotions or cries. I praise her for showcasing that everyone is allowed to have emotions and cry , but still can be strong and a badass.

Watching Beckett and Lacey be there for each other and be each others safe space was so beautiful and that’s definitely how love should be. I fell in love with them and their love for each other! I’m also so intrigued with the side characters and so ready to get their stories! I can’t wait to return to Scars Creek and all my Honeysuckle family🩷

[Reece Andriese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett
Lacy and Beckett
He’s her older brothers best friend but now his ex best friend! Lacey‘s mom passes away and there’s a three way inheritance that has everyone in an uproar.
Lacey is Beckett’s best friends’s little sister that he grew up with although he didn’t see her transform into the most beautiful woman he’s possibly ever laid his eyes on. He sure as heck can’t take his eyes off of her now.
Due to sad circumstances, Beckett comes back home to a town that loves him and he had never even knew. He’s a Big time rodeo star and left the small town behind that hounds him of a horrible childhood but on the ranch he partly inherited is also some of the best memories as a child. Beckett is smart, driven deep down, kind, sexy, and handsome.
Lacey is the glue that holds her family ranch together after her mama passes and leaves her partial owner in her families legacy. Lacey is beautiful, kind sweet, smart, and a selfless woman.
Beckett and Lacey have this attraction to one another that can’t be explained it’s magnetic and it just pulls them closer and closer although she is quite younger than him it doesn’t matter these two were it for one another. As they work together finding their way and personal path on the ranch they fall helplessly for one another although Carson Lacey‘s brother Beckett’s ex best friend can’t stand the thought of them together.
When Lacey and Beckett explore their relationship, these two are so hot together you’re gonna blush and giggle.
The things that are said oooooo weee… wink wink…
I’m hoping there’s gonna be another book because I’m curious to see what happens with Carson, but I would definitely recommend this book.
⭐️/5 stars
🌶️/ 2.5 or 3 depending on how you like your spice level.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scars and Saddles series is written by Jessica Whaley. Beckett is the first book in that series. I have never read anything from this author before, so it was a nice introduction. Thank you to Luna Literary for the ability to read this ARC. Full disclosure, I am fully in my cowboy era. So, this was an easy choice for me. Give me a dark cowboy, brother's ex-best friend, and an age gap and I am reading it! The book was on the shorter side, so it was an easy read for me. Please check the trigger warnings, especially if grief is a trigger for you.

Beckett started off as a stereotypical cocky bull rider. Everyone has a past and some are traumatic. It is very clear from the beginning of the story that both Lacey and Beckett were no different. Both of them were just trying to pick up the broken pieces of their lives. For me, books with grief always hit differently if you have experienced a similar loss. I felt the emotional moments rolling off of the pages. Lacey was a kind soul. The burn between these two was slow. Although, the path from "we can't" to "we can't stop" was a short one. Watching them both start to heal and move forward was enjoyable. Once the line was crossed, I was rooting for them all the way.

I will be going back through Jessica's backlog to see if I can connect to any of the other books she has written. Beckett was a good introduction to the series and the characters. If the remainder of the series is similar, then I would like to come back to Scars Creek Ranch. I am a lover of the found family element in books. There is just something special about choosing the people that you allow to love and support you. I am curious to see where this series will take us in the future, so I will be back soon.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Bad things happen, but we have to keep moving despite them.”

The first book in a new series by Jessica Whaley. The Scars and Saddles series opener is worth a trigger warning reminder. This story will hit hard, the author does not shy away from some heavy topics.

Scars Creek Ranch in Georgia has lost its matriarch, at least Beckett received the news in time. He is in Vegas and drops everything to get back there. Now he is a successful bull rider, but he needs to face his past and demons he might not be ready to face.

Beckett, Carson and Lacey grew up together. Beckett is not related by blood, but the Taylor’s made sure he felt like one of them. Beckett’s home life as a child was nonexistent, the abuse and trauma is what his mind remembers as he return to Scars Creek after ten years. His anxiety from these memories is dialed up to high.

Lacey and Beckett are our love interest, and I love their slow burn. The overall story is that of love, family and forgiveness. The second chances for Beckett and his Taylor siblings. The found family has set us up for future stories in the series.

What has stuck with me is the growth of Beckett. The author has done a great job writing his character. From when we met him to the end, my opinion changed, his parents did a number on his head, the hurt and the words never left, giving him a personality that served him well to cover his hurt.

This book surprised me in many ways; I am looking forward to more from Scars Creek Ranch.
Do not skip the bonus chapter and follow the QR code.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Isla 💚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This book was a wild ride. But you know: save a horse ride a cowboy. 🤠
First things first: thank you for letting me be part of your arc team.

When I started reading about Beckett, I never in a million years thought I would end up crying this much. This book is a true rollercoaster of emotions.

I really loved how it portrayed a loving family and explored the way children grieve their parents. At the same time, it also highlighted the heartbreaking reality that some children never get to experience that kind of love and support.

To be honest, I cried for Beckett, but I cried even more because of Nugget.

The way Beckett grew up was heartbreaking, and I could really empathize with the pain of having parents who simply don’t care for you. To quote the book:

“Have you ever grieved the death of someone, but they were still alive? That’s how it felt being raised by parents who were not a part of my life, nor did they want to be.”

What lowered my rating was the fact that the story included both a third-act breakup and a fourth-act breakup. While the conflicts were resolved, they were fixed far too quickly. I would have loved to see those issues explored in more depth. Realistically, most people wouldn’t move past something like that in such a short amount of time. The pacing felt a little too rushed for my liking.

But to end with one of my favorite quotes from the book:

“We all have scars, Lace. Saddle up anyways and ride through them.”

All in all, it was a lovely story. It had an effin’ hot cowboy 🤠, a fierce and strong FMC, and plenty of heartbreaking moments along the way.

[Kaightie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Luna Literary and Jessica Whaley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beckett absolutely wrecked me. Lacey is already struggling with the loss of her mom while trying to keep her family's ranch running with her brother. At the same time, Beckett comes home after the death of the woman who raised him, forcing him to face the people and memories he left behind years ago.

I read this book in one sitting and cried my eyes out. The grief woven throughout this story felt so real and heartbreaking. Beckett especially hit me hard. From growing up with addict parents to not having them there for important milestones, there were so many pieces of his story that resonated with me personally. Watching him reconnect with Lacey after all these years and step up to support her while navigating his own loss was incredibly sweet. Their connection felt natural, and I loved seeing them find comfort in each other when life was throwing so much at them.

"... none of us are promised tomorrow. We are all walking on borrowed time."

The only thing I really wanted was more. This was such an easy book to sink into that I would have happily read another hundred pages. The story, characters, and emotions were all there, and I just wasn't ready for it to end.

Overall, this was a quick, emotional read with great supporting characters and a whole lot of heart. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

Perfect for readers who love age gaps, brother's best friend, family tension, and stories that will absolutely make you cry.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely loved Beckett by Jessica Whaley! This book had me completely wrapped up in the world of Honeysuckle and I couldn’t put it down.

Beckett and Lacey owned my heart. Their story was full of so much emotion, longing, healing, and chemistry. I was obsessed with the brother’s ex-best friend dynamic and seeing Beckett come back home after so many years. The redemption arc was everything I wanted and more. Watching him reconnect with the Taylor family while dealing with all the hurt and regret from the past hit me right in the feelings.

Lacey’s grief and anxiety felt so real and my heart broke for everything she was carrying. I loved how Beckett showed up for her and how their relationship developed naturally. The tension, the sweet moments, and the undeniable attraction between them had me kicking my feet and smiling like an idiot.

Jessica Whaley did such a beautiful job bringing Scars Creek Ranch and the small-town atmosphere to life. There was heartbreak, family drama, healing, and plenty of swoony cowboy goodness. Beckett is protective, caring, and completely devoted once he lets himself love, and honestly I fell hard for him.

This book gave me all the feels and left me with the biggest smile. Beckett and Lacey were absolutely perfect together and I loved every single second of their journey. If you love emotional small-town romances, broken characters finding their way back to each other, and irresistible cowboys, this one is a must read. I devoured it and already miss these characters so much! ❤️🤠🐎

[Marci Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, let me start by saying this isn’t really a romance. While a relationship develops throughout the story, it isn’t the primary focus. At its core, this book is about grief, healing, and finding a way forward after loss. It’s an emotional and often heartbreaking read.

I flew through this book because I needed to know what was going to happen. There was a constant sense of dread for me that things might end tragically, and given the overall tone of the story, that feeling never really went away.

While I enjoyed the overarching story and the supporting characters, I struggled with Beckett. He wasn’t particularly likable and you only get a little about him as a character, and have to assume based on the flashes of his past. I understood that life had dealt him an incredibly difficult hand, but the writing style felt very straightforward, which made his redemption arc less impactful than I would have liked.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. This was my first time reading this author, and while I can see a lot of potential, I would have liked more depth in the character development. Rather than simply showing interactions and moving the plot forward, I wanted more insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions to strengthen the emotional connection.

That said, I’m interested enough to continue with Carson’s story when it’s released, and I’m curious to see how the author’s writing develops moving forward.

Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management for the advanced copy.

[NurseLadyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gratefully received this as an ARC. I’m leaving an honest review.

With all of the trigger warnings (which you should definitely read) and the potential for digging up trauma, I almost didn’t read this book. Which would have been a shame because it is beautifully written and the topics are handled with care. In fact, Whaley could have gone deeper with them. The story works as is though, and I’m glad I wasn’t triggered.

That said, this book is about grief. Yes, it is about two best friends and their little sister. It is about how they became friends and the ways people become family. It is about how we become who we are and how we choose to change. But mostly, it is about love.

The story takes place on Scars Ranch in Georgia, a place named to remind us that bad things happen, but we keep moving despite them. Beckett and Carson are best friends in middle and high school. Beckett quickly begins spending all his free time at the ranch, largely to avoid going home. It is on the ranch that he learns to ride bulls, his current occupation.

Beckett has come back to the ranch to pay his respects to the woman who raised him. He finds his (very pissed off) ex- best friend and his baby sister, Lacey, who is all grown up.

Lacey is trying her hardest to hold it together while she keeps the farm running and grieves her parents. She is definitely not expecting to find the stranger on her property so intriguing. When she realizes it is Beckett, the man who disappeared without a word a decade ago, there are feelings.

The feelings keep coming in this book. Whaley successfully uses flashbacks to build the story and help readers understand how things were and what was lost. The characters all experience growth, which is rare. Speaking of characters, Ms. Mabel… ma’am, way to make things awkward!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! This book is perfect for lovers of small town, age gap, redemption arcs, cowboys, and open door spice.

[Candace Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some triggering topics in this book, so please check those if you have any!

This was an intriguing story of how a boy was unloved by his parents, but wanted for only what he could do for them.....as a CHILD. The most disgusting parents a child can have. Unfortunately, this is a real situation for some kids in real life.

Beckett King found a family in his formative years in the Taylors. They took him in and love him for who he was and what they knew he could be and made sure he always knew he was safe when he was with them and always had a home to come to no matter what. By the time he graduates, tragedy strikes and he leave that town and everyone behind, running from his demons.

Tragedy brings him home with the mother he always wanted passed away. He finds out just how much his best friends parents loved him, but that doesn't make his EX-best friend happy. Meanwhile he runs in to this smoking hot girl, who turns out to be his ex best friend's little sister who isn't so little any more. You know where it goes from there!

This was a story that kind of hit close to home in some ways, so I maybe biased with overall story here. It was a great quick read that made you feel all the feels. Yes, Beckett was somewhat of a man-whore while he was gone, but no he isn't like that with Lacey. She is the strong woman who was taught by her parents to be everything they were together as parents in one person.

[Confessions of a Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're the girl who makes my heart skip a beat and my brain disconnect from my mouth when you're around."

As soon as Jessica announced Beckett I knew I needed his and Lacey's story. I loved her debut series and the way she writes a cowboy! Please make sure to read her warning in the beginning of the book because there are some touchy subjects with this one. She does not go easy on readers emotions!

Beckett, this sweet man who deserves all the love in the world and not experiencing it from his parents he didn't understand he had it with the Taylor family. His doubts always blocked him from seeing the love they felt for him. He thought fleeing town was the best for him until he comes home and is the truth basically smacks him upside the head.

Lacey deserves to have someone other than her brother and ranch hands to love her. Show her love only a partner can give her and the fact it is her brother's ex-best friend throws a bit of a wrench into things. She definitely was not looking for him in the midst of trying to put her life back together after losing her mama and yet he is there over and over again. He is the man to show her how she deserves to be loved and cherished.

I love these two as individuals but I also loved what they bring out in each other. Beckett shows his emotions and while he may try to hold it back at times Lacey seems to be witness to them a few times over and she is there to give him comfort he has never known. While she needs no man to protect her Lacey gets comfort from Beckett just as he does from her. They make an amazing team! The fall is fast and hard for these two and I was there for all of it!

Ms. Whaley has started off this new series setting the bar high. I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes!

[Kate Marreiros · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to take a trip this summer to Scars Creek Ranch and this cowboy romance, Beckett by Jessica Whaley will take you there!

I fell head over boots for this dual POV book about Lacey and the title's namesake, Beckett. The two have been friends forever through Lacey's brother Carson. As time passed, a major rift occurred between the boys that no one quite understands. Jessica wrote the past vs. present so well that the storyline was easy to follow as you learn why after all these years, the 3 friends are reunited by a death. You see, Beckett's parents were addicts forcing him to crave an entirely different lifestyle for himself. He found comfort in his friend's family and farm as the book opens. Lacey and Carson's parents all but adopted him and gave him so much love his family lacked. Unfortunately, when Beckett moved away to pursue bull riding, he missed the death of Holden Taylor, Lacey and Carson's father. Resentment builds between the trio as Beckett does show up when Holden's wife, Jane suddenly passes. Jane is a pivotal character as she wrote 3 letters as her last will and testament to each of her "children," leaving the ranch and property to all three to run in peace and harmony. Did they do it? Well, you'll have to find out and read book 1 of the series. This dark yet feel good romance will have you realizing that your scars will help you heal and grow while you repair the life that has shaped you into who you are.

[My Used Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you're lucky enough to receive a cowboy romance ARC that completely pulls you out of a reading slump, you know you've found something special. That's exactly what happened with Beckett by Jessica Whaley.

The first book in the Scars and Saddles series, Beckett is a fantastic introduction to the series. It follows Lacey, who is grieving the loss of her mother, and Beckett, a professional bull rider who returns home for the funeral of a woman who was like a second parent to him—Lacey's mother. What begins as a rocky reunion slowly grows into a romance that had me completely swooning.

Cowboy romances aren't usually my go-to, but this one had me hooked from the very beginning. The brother's ex-best friend trope added just the right amount of tension and mystery. I couldn't put the book down because I had to know what had destroyed the brotherhood between Beckett and Carson. The emotional depth, the chemistry, and the slow unraveling of the past kept me turning the pages.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars

This was an easy 4-star read for me, and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR.

If themes of parental death or parental neglect are triggering for you, I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in. As much as I loved this book, taking care of your mental health always comes first.

Thank you, Jessica Whaley and Luna Literary, for the opportunity to read this ARC. I already can't wait to get my hands on Cade's book!