Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 stars isn't even enough – I loved this book! Ry and Celia's story had me sucked in from the very first chapter and now that I've finished, I'm left wanting more!

Celia grew up in a super-small town, always having had a crush on the Brody brothers. At her 21st birthday celebration, Cel gets drunk and grabs the butt of one of the eldest brothers, Ry. Ry embarrasses Cel and after the incident, no males in their town will so much as look at Celia, having her believe she’s a complete pariah. When Ry finds out Celia is planning to move out of their small town to get away from the dirty looks being thrown her way, he decides to hire her... and claim her as his.

I'm not sure bossy is a strong enough word to describe Ryland. He pretty much dictates his and Celia’s life from their very first encounter. Though I really did love this book, there were a few parts that I was so frustrated with. It seems like every time Ry was trying to explain something he'd keep telling Celia "you're not hearing me" and it made me want to jump into the book and punch him. Plus, he's overwhelmingly bossy at times, it's hot most of the time but others it was just... a bit much. Other than that though, the author does such a great job not only keeping this book steamy, but it has a terrific and interesting storyline as well. It left me definitely wanting more of the Brody brothers.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Not your typical romance. Both Celia and Brody have trust issues and they have to learn to trust each other in order for any relationship between them to work.

Ry is high handed and tends to order instead of ask. Celia is wanting to get out of their little town because she's tired of being the town pariah. Celia doesn't take orders very well so they each must learn to compromise.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, and it sets the scene for the future books, but maybe not quite quickly enough for me to really appreciate this one. I do now understand why Ry is such an idiot with Celia, but I was close to giving up a few times in anger. I still have my reservations, but at least more understanding. So, if you feel the same, just give him a chance, and then another, and possibly a third!

I like strident, take charge men in stories, and the cowboy category regularly fits the bill, but the line is clearly one which can be crossed into arrogance and offence, and this fell over the line at times. Even when Ryland was given Celia's viewpoint, he gave a reason which excused him, rather than really vowed to change to support her.

Although I had a mainly negative reaction to his character, I am really glad I read this book, because it did make me conscious of just where my push points are. Interestingly, Celia managed to maintain a strong personality even when he was being an idiot, and for one so young she did stand up for herself. I would have been in Dallas in a flash!

Celia/Cel grew up in a small town had been a cheerleader and had a crush on the “brody brothers.” At her twenty first birthday party Cel got drunk and grabbed Ry - a elder brody brother- by the butt. Ry totally embarrassed Cel and now all the men in town won’t even look at Cel.has a small group of friends who look out for her. All Cel wants to do is get out of town- Butterhorn and is get her portfolio together trying to make a life for herself. Cel is applying for jobs in Dallas and Houston to get away from Butterhorn. Cel is doing her best to avoid Ry but keeps on bumping into him.Cel went to Lucy’s Cafe as it had better wIFI then home but Ry corners her there and has a business proposition for her concerning his new business plans but he also lets Cel know he is into her. As Ry and Cel get to know each other she finds out he has reasons for being the way he is and they stem from family life that hadn’t been to good for the brody brothers.
I liked this book and really enjoyed the pace and plot. What I didn’t like what Ry did to Cel after all she only grabbed his butt. That annoyed me also he is too bossy and controlling although at least Cel does stand up for herself. I almost stopped reading this but figured there was a reason why RY acted like such a butt. I did like Cel and Ry together and I also liked she could be as stubborn as Ry in my opinion. But they both needed to learn to compromise. I do wish this had been longer. This book had heartache, passion, misunderstandings, insta lust- pretty much-, anyst, betrayal. emotion, cowboys, small town life, and a lot more. I liked the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

Celia is working hard to make something of her life and get out of her small town. After an embarrassing birthday party incident with her crush Ryland, she tries to avoid him. Everywhere she goes she runs into him. Ryland and his brothers had a tough childhood. He is an alpha male to the max bordering on arrogant. He does redeem himself. A great start to the series. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

Wow. That's about what sums up my thoughts on this passionate perfect ride. Branded has made a 13 hr car ride bearable. I simply would not have been able to put it down so being trapped in this car was perfect timing. Ry was the epitome of what I love about an alpha. Bossy , possessive and loyal. Being so much older than Celia she was a cute fantasy in a guilty way until that drunken birthday and all bets were off. Ry took aim and he battled every outward force till he claimed or branded her heart.

Loved this one so much.

Branded by Stacy Gail is the first book in the Brody Brothers series. This is a spin-off series from Ms Gail’s Bitterthorn, Texas series. I thoroughly enjoyed this first of the series, packed with everything needed to make a great romance. The character interaction was full of emotion and angst, the storyline was engaging and the secondary characters refreshing. I can’t wait to read more about the remaining Brody boys.

Sexy, smart western romance

Branded is the first book in Stacy Gail's Brady Brothers series and the first book I've read by her. I'm glad I've discovered her writing as I found the main character Celis and Ry very likable and their banter fun. The storyline moved smoothly to their HEA and I loved the Epilogue that showed us what happened after "I do". I look forward to reading the other brothers' stories.
I received an advance reader copy from
Netgalley.

An enjoyable quick read. I really liked Celia, and Ry took a bit to grow to on me, as the line between bossy and domineering is fine, and I wasn't sure what side he would fall on. The plot moved along well, and the characters did not spend lots of time in their heads, which I appreciated. I look forward to reading about the other brothers. Overall, a good book. *I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Carina Press for letting me read Branded by Stacy Gail for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

My first time reading this author, I liked it! I was attracted by the cover.

Lust, passion, connection, chemistry, for adults! You will enjoy that book!

Branded by Stacy Gail is the first story in her new Brody Brothers series so more will follow!

Review shared online on NetGalley, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon when published.

I'll start by saying this should be an interesting series if this book is any indicator. It's a fun read and you can't take the story too seriously. Especially Ry Brody. Took me a while to warm up to Ryland and his bossy pants self and what he did to Celia. That you have to read the book for. Celia I liked, talented and really trying to make a life for herself and get the hell out of Dodge, she's had more than enough of small town life. Since her last birthday and one too many drinks which she did something to embarrass herself. But no one should have to put up the the repercussions this poor gal did. Nonsense and it yanked my chain something fierce. So Celia is building her portfolio and applying for jobs in Dallas and Houston to get away from town and hopes for a better and more interesting future. She's got her act together. Too bad every time she turns around now she runs into Ryland. The man responsible for her needing to leave town. She's avoiding him like the plague. She's still got her small group of friends that look out for her and lives in a great little place helping Pauline with her garden, Celia loves digging in the dirt. I can relate. Celia lives on their property in a renovated barn. She can work from home but goes to Lucy's cafe because the wifi is better. That's where Ry corners her with a business proposition and as much as she tries to wiggle out of this dinner invite, she can't out maneuver Ry because he's the master manipulator. Is he ever. Still burns my can when I think about it. There's a difference between being alpha and being a dick and this man treaded that line, leaning real heavy on the dick side. When you hear Ry's backstory, you can kind of understand where he's coming from, the things he shared with Celia were pretty foul, family life was not a pretty picture for the he and his 3 brothers. I'm looking forward to reading the next one which we get a peek at the end of this one. These Brody men spell trouble in the best kind of way.

**arc from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review**

Branded by Stacy Gail is the first exciting story in her brand new Brody Brothers series; and while I was a little disappointed to find this is a spin-off series from Ms Gail’s Bitterthorn, Texas series (which I haven’t read) it didn’t impede my enjoyment of this book, and only made me more determined to go back and read the first series, with all it’s wonderful characters.

I was torn early on by Ry’s arrogant and obnoxious ways, as he mostly came across as being an A-Grade asshole, who was self absorbed and overbearing to the max. But as the story unfolded, you came to understand Ry’s determined and exceedingly high-handed ways, and his genuine love for the girl who became the woman he desired.

Celia spent a lot of time self-flagellating over a drunken, yet innocent mistake that she believed had branded her a leper in her once beloved town. As time progresses Celia comes to learn that her months of being ostracised had nothing to do with her birthday blunder, but were deliberately orchestrated by those she respects. Feelings of betrayal, and months of heartache are destined to tear apart what promised to a dream come true; but pain runs deep and Celia may never overcome her dismay at learning the man she loves is equally responsible for all her despair.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first of the series; it was packed with emotion, angst, heartache and passion. The characters portrayed were interesting and well developed, and the story plot was attention grabbing. I can’t wait to read what Ms Gail has in store for the remaining Brody boys.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. For me it lingers between a 4 and 5 star.

Celia has always been the popular ex-cheerleader with a crush on the rich Brody brothers. When she is celebrating her graduation and belated birthday she embarrasses herself by groping Ry Brody’s behind, after which he retaliates. In the eight months after that party Celia has felt shunned by all the eligible men in town and considers leaving for the city.

But Ry shows up and asks her for a job concerning his new business plans on the Brody ranch. He makes it clear he is into her. Will Celia stick to her plans?

I enjoyed the interactions between very bossy Ry and Celia and I look forward to the next book.

I simply loved this book. Stacy is one of my "go to authors" and she hasn't disappointed me yet! The book was fast paced, the chemistry was through the roof and I laughed quite a few times. I adored both main characters and especially Ryland. He was my kind of an alpha men! Well done Stacy. I wish you can write quicker, like one book per week :)

Excellent introduction to a new series. The passions run high, chemistry is off the charts, with enough emotional turmoil and misunderstandings to keep you turning the pages. It takes reading nearly the entire story for you to understand Ryland and what drives him when it comes to Celia. One may automatically assume he’s overbearing and inconsiderate, but that is the furthest thing from the truth one could get. The author has created endearing characters, whom you get to know as you peel away their layers throughout the story. I can’t wait for Finn and Lilah’s story as the next story in the series.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Okay. Ry is OVER THE TOP and if Celia wasn't such a feisty firecracker, she wouldn't be able to handle him. Heck, as feisty as she is, she still nearly caved under the emotional shunning she received after her and Ry's initial run-in.

For the record, while what Ry did was harsh, the good people of Bitterthorn hurt her far more by turning on her. And if that entire situation wasn't a pickle of enormous proportions, I don't know what is.

But enough about pickles, let's talk about Ry and Celia. He's hardheaded and used to getting his way. While I understand (to an extent) where he was coming from when he did what he did AND how things sort of got out of hand after (which will remain intentionally vague, thankyouverymuch), I still harbor this tiny ember of want in my heart that certain people will be made to feel the sting of Celia's wrath for many years to come. I guess I'm just vindictive like that.

Hold up, I think I got off track somewhere. Ry is hardheaded. Celia's also hardheaded. They're going to have A LOT of sexy make-up times in their future, methinks. Because Ry is very, VERY used to seeing the path he needs to take and just barreling in and taking it, without worrying about whose toes he might be stepping on. Guess what? Celia's not one to stand for that. She wants (and deserves) to have a say in her life and she's not afraid to let Ry know that.

While I didn't always agree with Ry's methods, I really did like these two together. If this book is any indication, the rest of the Brody brothers are going to have their work cut out for them when it comes to finding and corralling their special someone. (I can't say I'm disappointed at that IN THE LEAST!)

I'm not really sure. I didn't want to put it down but the main characters bothered me for a bit. Ry seemed a little too obnoxious. Once he toned that down towards the end of the book it was fine but I really didn't like him at first. Other than that, the story was really engaging and made you look forward to the rest of the series.