A review by justmevictoria
Alive and Wells by Bailey Hannah

4.5

Escaping the darkness to become the sunshine you were meant to be… 

 

Finally working up the courage to escape her abusive husband, Cecily Kennedy finds herself in Wells Canyon and on Wells Ranch, a million miles from her old life. After connecting with a domestic abuse survivor online, she offers Cecily a place to stay and a job, and while working on a ranch is far removed from her life in the city, it's a change she welcomes. Everyone on the ranch welcomes her with open arms, everyone except owner boss Austin Wells, who knows this city slicker will be hightailing it out of Wells Canyon in no time. Austin is sure Cecily will be a distraction to his team of cowboys, but it turns out she's a massive distraction for him the more he gets to know her. Austin has faced his fair-share of the people he loves leaving him and he knows he shouldn't get attached to Cecily since she'll just end up leaving too. But when her ex manages to finally track her down, he's willing to risk his heart again if it means keeping her safe. 

 

I've seen so many people talking about how much they love Austin and Cecily and now I totally see why! These two have certainly become one of my favourite small town romance couples - they had so much chemistry, heart and emotion, as well as so much personal growth that helped make their relationship be so much stronger. For a debut novel, Bailey absolutely smashed it with her world and character development - I'm totally tempted to buy a one-way ticket to British Columbia and find the IRL Wells Ranch filled with swoony cowboys and ranchers. 

 

Austin and Cecily had instant chemistry as they went from a mutual annoyance with one another to mutually pining for each other. The progression of their relationship, despite being a slow burn, moved at such a natural and realistic pace, especially when it came to Cecily having to learn to trust again and Austin being super patient about gaining her body's trust. They had so many cute, sweet and swoony moments, plus some very swoony and spicy moments. I just freaking loved everything about them! 

 

Trigger warning for on-page domestic violence (emotional and physical), which is seen predominantly at the beginning of the book. It's emotional and confronting, but Bailey handles the situation with care, showing Cecily working up the courage and strength to get out of that situation, even when it would be so easy for her to just continue to reconcile KJ's actions and stay. This abuse then has repercussions throughout the book as Cecily learns to trust the actions of men again, particularly when it comes to her developing relationship with Austin, who is understanding of her past trauma and is patient with earning her body's trust. 

 

The secondary cast of characters are all really fun and I'm excited to see where Bailey takes these characters as the series progress, as well as continuing to see Cecily and Austin in the background. If this is where Bailey has started her writing journey, it's only going to be amazing with each new book! 

 

Add another yeehaw romance to your TBR and fall in love with everyone at Wells Ranch!