Wilde Hearts by Kelly Elliott
Love is a Cowboy #4
Contemporary Western Romance
August 18, 2026
♥️ Second Chance
♥️ Small Town
♥️ Forced Proximity
♥️ High School Sweethearts
♥️ Guarded Heart
♥️ “Always Been You”
Ensley
Ten years ago, my world shattered when I lost not only my best friend, but the man I loved. Colt’s brother was my best friend, and his death took two people from my life in a single moment. One I lost to tragedy, and one I lost to grief.
I waited for Colt to come home and grieve with the rest of us after his brother’s death, but after the first year passed, it became painfully clear he wasn’t coming back to River Falls.
I did what I had to do to keep moving forward. I pushed every thought of Colt out of my mind. If only my heart had known how to loosen its grip on him. Instead, I poured myself into building a career as a farrier, supported my family’s ranch, and watched one sibling after another find their happily ever after while I stood still, holding on to someone who wasn’t there.
Eventually, I realized that if I was ever going to find my own happiness, I had to stop waiting for it. I had to take control of my future.
And just when I finally believed I had everything figured out, Colt returned to River Falls, and my carefully built life fell apart all over again.
Colt
After ten years away, I’m back in River Falls, not entirely sure where I fit anymore.
I left after my brother took his own life, drowning in guilt and convinced I was responsible. I couldn’t face my family. I couldn’t face Ensley. So, I ran and stayed gone far longer than I ever intended.
I told myself time would make it easier. It didn’t.
The moment I see Ensley Wilde sitting in a chair beside my father’s hospital bed, everything I buried comes rushing back. Including the guilt I’ve never managed to outrun.
For years, we’ve all carried our own version of what happened to Grady, and the guilt that came with each version. But when the truth finally comes to light, will it be enough to heal what’s broken between us, or will it destroy what’s left entirely?
Can I earn my parents’ trust again?
And more importantly… is there still a chance to win back Ensley Wilde’s heart, and the life I left behind? Can I finally give her the future she’s always dreamed of?
Dear Reader,
Before you begin this story, I need to let you know that it deals with the sensitive subject of suicide.
If you need emotional support or have a loved one you think may need it, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
There is also an organization to help as well called, Reasons To Stay.
Please visit their website: https://reasonstostay.org
Purchase Link: https://kellyelliottauthor.com/books/wilde-hearts/
Available in Kindle Unlimited
Wilde Hearts by Kelly Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ensley and Colt have a complicated history. They were each others everything until a tragedy broke them apart. Now a decade later Colt is back and wants to clear the air. But Ensley is not having it. She has been on auto-pilot since he left her and just as she’s trying to peach her life together and finally move on, he’s back in the picture trying to win her over again.
And here is my problem with this story – while i appreciate the reasoning behind his leaving, he was young and didn’t know better, but his claim to love her when he could sleep with someone and then followed her and settle there for years but couldn’t find himself to call the love of his life???YEAAAAH Ensley is a better woman than me, that’s for sure. But she loved him and was suffering without him so i guess i can look pass it and let her have her HEA.
It pains me to say this but this one was not my favorite – but what I am looking forward to is seeing her brother falling for the woman of his dreams next. As for this one – it’s getting 3.5* rating.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
MEET THE AUTHOR: Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women, and beautiful surroundings.
Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Never Enough, Lost Love and Returning Home, to name a few.
Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012.
Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, their two pups, Gunner and Ellie, too many cats to name, and a plethora of wild animals. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with her family.
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