I was very impressed by this debut from Landyn! I am giving it a solid 4.5 stars. I literally read the whole thing last night. I wanted to get to a part where Stetson and Gus were involved in the current time and just got sucked in. I read another review claim there are Lights Out vibes in this one- which I totally agree. I appreciated how Landyn addressed the TWs for this book. There are a LOT of heavy topics, but I thought she did a great job navigating her characters through them. The only reason I didn't give this one full star was that I felt like it took a little too long for me to connect with Stetson. She was at war with herself for what she wanted vs what was considered normal. And she was a tad bit too hot and cold for my liking. HOWEVER I will say that reading the twist with her at the end helped give SOME clarity on why she had been acting so withdrawn towards the end. This woman was a fighter. She didn't give up. She swallowed her pride and asked for help KIND OF. And she liked things a little different than would be considered normal in the bedroom. Enter Augustus. The man who has been stalking her from a far for YEARS. The man who I somehow found romantic while also unhinged. The man who knew what he wanted and how his life was going to be for years. I enjoyed watching these two around each other. I had a hard time with Gus's gruffness at the beginning but got a better understanding when he was like how am I supposed to talk to the girl like I don't know her when I know EVERYTHING about her. These two had been through so much, and I really enjoyed watching them be unhinged together. 

Stetson has somehow found herself in the one place she said she would never return. Her childhood home. The ranch that Gibson (her stepdad of sorts) ruined. The ranch that is somehow now hers. The one that is in shambles. But Stetson is determined to make this work. She is determined to be strong and survive. She enjoys reconnecting with her BF from high school. She didn't stay in touch after she ran away. She is not used to asking for help. But realizes she needs it when even Dale (her BF) says she does. And then Gus enters her life. He seems familiar to her but she can't quite place him. He offers to work for her in exchange for room and board. She can pay him at the end of the year. They get off on the wrong foot. All Stetson can think about is making moves with him. Showing him her monster. But she is his boss. They can't cross that line. So she distracts herself or tries. But he is just so hot and always there. He seems to be closing in on her like she is his prey. And she finally realizes she doesn't want to run from this thing within her anymore. She wants it to come out and play. And play they do. And it is explosive. Gus's brother tried to put a wedge between them but what he didn't know was what Stetson knew. She knew that Gus also had a monster. And now their monsters can play together. But then their bubble bursts when someone tries to take Stetson due to things from her past. Will Gus be able to save her in time? Will she be able to tell him how she really feels? 

Augustus has known for 10 years who he is going to marry. He has followed her through thick and thin. He has watched her soar and recover and get strong. And he is in awe of her. He thinks she is ready for him now. So he worms his way onto her land as a ranch hand. The problem is- he doesn't know how to talk to her. She gets him all flustered. He is in this for the long haul but the closer he is to her the harder it is to restrain what he wants- HER. So he tries different tactics. Tries to find one that will stick. Tries to draw out her inner monster to play with his. And eventually he wears her down and she is EVERYTHING he remembers her to be. She is everything he still wants. And now they will have a future together. He just can't wait! But then tragedy strikes. And Gus will do everything in his power to protect Stetson and prove to everyone else what happens when they mess with her. 

This was truly a great read! I just found myself wanting MORE and MORE. I wanted to see their monsters play together- and that was everything I wanted it to be. I liked watching Stetson finally recognize who she really was. I liked the added mystery and kind of suspense in this one too. I just felt like I was on the edge of my seat for more than one reason. I am wondering how many books will be in this series? I am thinking book 2 will be about Dale and Mateo and MAYBE we will get one about McCrae?? 

Thank you to Luna Literary and Landyn for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!