Blog Archives
Audio Review: Safe Haven by Kristen Proby
Safe Haven
Kristen Proby
Triple Creek Ranch Series, Book 1
281 pages, Kindle Edition
February 17, 2026 by Montlake
Narrated by:
Connor Crais
Savannah Peachwood
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes an emotional romance where two best friends reunite at Triple Creek Ranch, proving that home is where love finds its way.
Fifteen years ago, my best friend found salvation at the Triple Creek Ranch, transforming from an angry foster kid into a hockey legend. Now, with his adoptive father’s death forcing him home, Ryker’s trading his hockey stick for ranch life—and I’m not sure my heart can handle having him this close again.
I’ve spent the past decade raising my troubled nephew alone while building my career as an audiobook narrator. When my boy needs a fresh start, Ryker offers us sanctuary at the ranch. But living under the same roof with the man who’s always owned my heart ignites feelings I’ve tried hard to bury.
Between helping manage a struggling ranch, watching my nephew find his way, and dealing with the shadows of Ryker’s fame, we discover our connection is stronger than ever. But when threats from his past surface, we’ll have to decide if our second chance is worth fighting for.
5 Stars
Safe Haven is a small town, friends to lovers, make you swoon over and over again. Willow and Ryker are pure perfection.
Willow is absolutely amazing. She is an audiobook narrator. What an amazing job! She is the guardian of a teenage boy, who has been through quite a bit and she gives him her heart 100%. She’s genuinely sweet, caring and very relatable in so many aspects. Her chosen family means the world to her. Extremely loyal and would do anything in the world for those she loves.
Ryker, the hockey star. Spending 15 years on the ice was absolutely amazing for him but his mind and body say it’s time to put up the skates. Ryker has had a tough life. When two people were willing to take a chance on him. He found a family. He never thought he would have. He may come across brash and intimidating, but he truly is one of a kind. He’s understanding and caring. He’s giving and willing to teach and understands when comfort and caring are needed. He’s like the perfect man.
I absolutely adored Safe Haven. Willow and Ryker met when they were teenagers. And over the years developed a deep bond that’s hard to explain. Watching their relationship going from friends to lovers was beautiful. This one definitely checks off all the boxes.
This was a very emotional rate for me hearing I had to grab the tissues almost from the beginning. Aiden is also a very big part of the story. To see Aidan ‘s growth while Ryker and Willow are evolving their relationship to something more makes the story hit the heart even more. Kristen Proby delivers another winner with Safe Haven.
I had the pleasure of listening to this story as an audiobook. Narrators Savannah Peachwood and Connor Crais truly made the story come alive. Delivering every emotion expertly and pulling you into the story so deeply.
Review: Where You Belong by Kristen Proby
Where You Belong
Kristen Proby
The Blackwells of Montana Series, Book 5
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 11, 2025
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the final installment of the Blackwells of Montana series, Where You Belong, a small-town, second-chance romance set in Bitterroot Valley!
Brooks
Fifteen years ago, I’d planned a romantic proposal, but that was the day Juliet walked out of my life and never looked back. I never wanted to see her again and decided that love wasn’t for me. But now, Juliet has returned to Bitterroot Valley and opened a restaurant. Catching glimpses of her around town makes my heart ache. I want to hate her. I wish she’d do what she does best and go away.
Instead, I find myself wanting to be near her. Helping her. Touching her perfect skin. I don’t want to love her. I don’t want to need her.
Juliet
Coming home to Bitterroot Valley might have been a mistake. Just because I grew up here doesn’t mean I belong here. Honestly, I’ve never felt like I belong anywhere. But once I was finally free from the man who lied and controlled me, I knew I needed to be in Montana. My new restaurant, Sage & Citrus, is a big hit, and I’m making friends. But more importantly, Brooks is here.
I know he doesn’t want me, but having him nearby is a balm to my jagged heart. The more I see him, the more I’m reminded that Brooks Blackwell is my soulmate. But has too much time passed? Or will we finally get our happily ever after?
5 Stars
Where You Belong is the wonderful conclusion to the Blackwells of Montana series. This is one of those bittersweet stories. Bitter because our time in Bitterroot Valley is coming to an end but yet it’s the story that I personally have been waiting for. Kristen Proby did absolutely amazing with Juliet and Brooks’s story.
Brooks is that gruff and brooding guy. 15 years ago, his world was shaking upside down. He thought he had it all figured out. He had the love of his life, a plan and a lot of dreams. Unfortunately, all of that came to an abrupt stop when the woman he thought he was going to share his life with decided to help a friend instead of staying. Present day, Brooks owns a garage. He has an amazing soft spot for his niece and nephew, and his an extremely loyal brother. The person who has haunted his dreams for over a decade has returned to town. Once again, Brooks has had his world shaken. Living in a small town is impossible for them to avoid one another, which has emotions all over the place. Brooks being the man that he is can only take so much and once he opened the door there was no turning back.
Juliet made a decision that changed her life 15 years ago. She walked away from the man she loved to go and help a friend who was on the edge. Little did she know that that decision would truly change her world. Over the course of 15 years, Juliet got married, was lied to and manipulated and had to deal with the fallout of her husband dying. Her ex uses trauma from her past as manipulation that he knew would hold her in place. She decided to start over at home. Returning to Bitterroot Valley was not an easy decision. Knowing what she walked away from all those years ago, the feelings that still lingered and it being a small town there is no avoiding the man that she loved. Still loves. Brooks made it very clear that he wanted nothing to do with her, yeah, begins to make subtle changes that maybe he doesn’t hate her quite so much.
Where You Belong is five star plus fantastic. I absolutely devoured this story. Kristen Proby gives us an emotional, passionate, and oh my goodness grab a fan hotter than hot story. That is a fantastic conclusion to the Blackwells of Montana series. I love the fact that Brooks and Juliet never stopped, loving each other. Brooks, swoon! The things this man does and has done, would have any woman melting into a puddle. He had every right to be hurt, but in the end, he knew she was the one for him. I love how Jules’ heart would pound whenever focus was around. The two never fell out of love with one another. It took time. There were challenges and a whole family of people rooting for the two of them. Kristen Proby created something extremely special with the Blackwells of Montana series. I absolutely loved living in this small town for a while.
Coffee Books Life 