Katie Ruggle’s The Scenic Route is a fast-paced, sizzling romance that takes readers on a thrilling ride through the Rocky Mountains, complete with witty banter, steamy tension, and a hearty dose of adventure. Felicity Pax, a bold and fearless bounty hunter, and Bennett Green, a stubborn but irresistibly charming private investigator, make for an electric duo whose chemistry jumps off the page from their very first encounter.

Felicity is the kind of heroine readers will love rooting for: she’s fiercely independent, adrenaline-seeking, and driven by her job, which constantly pushes her into the kind of danger she thrives on. Her latest mission, however, is more personal than usual—her estranged mother has disappeared with a large sum of money, and Felicity is determined to track her down like any other skip. Enter Bennett Green, the PI assigned to shadow her, and things quickly get complicated.

Ruggle does a fantastic job at building the tension between Felicity and Bennett. Their banter is sharp and laced with humor, which makes their enemies-to-lovers dynamic incredibly fun to watch. Felicity’s frustration with Bennett is palpable, especially as she tries to shake him off her tail while navigating through quirky mountain towns and wild, breathtaking landscapes. Bennett, for his part, is a perfect foil—patient, grounded, and more than capable of matching Felicity’s energy, even when she’s leading him on what he assumes is a wild goose chase.

The plot is fast-paced, blending action with romance in a way that keeps the story moving. While the book focuses on the steamy tension between the two leads, there’s also a solid mystery woven throughout. Felicity’s chase to find her mother takes unexpected turns, and as she uncovers deeper layers to the situation, she finds herself relying more and more on Bennett. Their partnership—initially begrudging—evolves organically as they tackle obstacles and threats together, and it’s satisfying to watch their mutual respect and affection grow.

One of the standout aspects of The Scenic Route is the vivid, rugged backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Ruggle uses the wild, unpredictable terrain to heighten the sense of adventure and create the perfect setting for Felicity and Bennett’s unconventional romance. The descriptions of mountain towns, trails, and remote locations add depth to the story and make the characters’ journey feel real and immersive.

The romance itself is a slow burn, which works well given the antagonistic dynamic between Felicity and Bennett in the beginning. Ruggle skillfully teases out their attraction, allowing their relationship to build naturally as they face challenges together. When things do heat up, the chemistry between them is undeniable, and the tension that’s been simmering finally reaches a satisfying boil.

If there’s a slight downside, it’s that some of the plot points—particularly around Felicity’s personal mission—can feel a bit predictable, and the resolution of the mystery isn’t quite as surprising as it could be. However, this is easily forgiven thanks to the strength of the characters and the fun, light-hearted nature of the story.

Final Thoughts:
The Scenic Route is a delightful romantic adventure that delivers both excitement and heart. With its strong-willed heroine, charismatic hero, and captivating setting, Katie Ruggle has crafted a story that’s as fun as it is steamy. Fans of action-packed romances with a good dose of humor will find themselves thoroughly entertained. Whether it’s Felicity’s determination to stay ahead of Bennett or the undeniable chemistry between them, this is a romance that’s well worth the ride. Four stars for a breathless, fun-filled journey through the Rockies!

I liked the premise of a stalker and I was in desperate need of a rom com to break up the heavier books I have been reading, but this was a little less com than I expected. But to make up for that, I guess, it was quite adorable. Not quite closed door, but not really spicy either.

Felicity being a bounty hunter gave me vibes of Stephanie Plum, but she is so much more competent. Felicity and Bennett, who I kept thinking Austen, are a matched pair.

I absolutely loved the scene where they laughed and laughed together. It really sold me on them as a couple. A little bit of danger, a little bit of overprotective love interest and many cute situations to get themselves out of. Come on how many times can you get kicked out of your lodging in one town.

A quick fun read.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

loved this romance and interesting that she meet him at the hotel . She ends up working with him with the airline. she is fighting her feelings for him. He is trying to not become attached to her too. They are slowly having a good working relationship and figuring out themselves and their heat.

I enjoyed the authors previous books in the series but the tone in this one seemed different. The cover made it seem cutesy and the language came across as a lark and not a book involving murder. The main characters were nice enough and the book moved along at a good clip but not sure it hooked me enough to be interested in the other sisters

Such a wonderful love story full of hope, adventure, and a great plot! Felicity and Bennett were such a fun pairing and I loved their banter and connection!

The hooks for these books are hilarious and they draw me right in. Katie Ruggle has quickly become an auto read author, she writes with so much humor, spice and the story lines are great. This book was no different and I ate up every word.

The Pax sisters are back & I am so excited! I love these bounty hunting sisters, they are a hoot! This story does not disappoint. Felicity & Bennett’s chemistry is wonderful. They are funny, spicy, and focused on their prey. This story is full of all the good stuff, humor, romance, suspense, and action. Not only that, but we get to back to Simpson and catch up with that group! Just an FYI: this is actually book 3 of the Bounty Hunter books. I know it says book 1, but the first two books are a different series, but it is still the same Pax sisters. I cannot wait for the next one!

personally, i found this book not as interesting as i hoped. plot was engaging and interesting, especially mystery and murder club meetings. but, everything else wasn’t as great. both characters were sweet but had weird personalities. i didn’t notice when stalking was turned into help? it happed so fast. she was irritated by him and then next page they were together. i think it was just me but i was so confused with their relationships.

i definitely think third pov fit this storyline. and even though this book didn’t have me hooked, writing was relatively easy and enjoyable to read.

Felicity Pax is a thrill-seeker, a bounty hunter who lives for the adrenaline rush. So, when her estranged mother disappears with a small fortune, Felicity doesn’t hesitate to take on the case herself. But she’s not the only one on the hunt. Bennett Green, a private investigator hired by an insurance company, is hot on her mother’s trail, looking to recover a valuable necklace allegedly stolen by her. What starts as a high-stakes game of cat and mouse through the rugged Rockies soon becomes something more as Felicity and Bennett realize they’re uncovering a much bigger mystery. Forced to work together, they form an uneasy alliance, and Felicity finds herself torn between staying ahead of the game or embracing this unexpected adventure with Bennett by her side.

Katie Ruggle’s new series offers a thrilling escape with plenty of action, quirky humor, and rugged heroes to keep you hooked. Felicity is a strong, likable character, surrounded by a colorful and entertaining supporting cast. There’s a nice balance of humor and mystery throughout, making it an enjoyable read. The romance is definitely in the spotlight, with familiar tropes like insta-love and the classic “just-one-bed” scenario making an appearance. Most of the story is told from Felicity’s perspective, but it does leave Bennett feeling a bit underdeveloped, especially in the first half of the book where his dialogue is pretty sparse.

This is the first book in a new series, but it’s also part of a larger universe Ruggle has created, with a handy reference section at the beginning to help new readers get their bearings. Fans of her previous works will likely enjoy the return of familiar faces, but as someone new to Ruggle’s world, I found it a bit challenging to fully engage. The story assumes a lot of prior knowledge and dives right into the action, which made it feel a bit disjointed for me, almost like I was stepping into a side quest of a larger adventure. It’s a quick and fun read, but it didn’t fully capture my attention. I imagine it will be more enjoyable for those already familiar with Ruggle’s universe, but as a newcomer, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m afraid this book couldn’t hold my attention. I tried many times but just had to give up and DNF.

This is a fast paced story about a bounty hunter named Felecia, who ends up being partnered with the handsome mountain man, enigmatic bounty hunter Bennett, searching for their quarry in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Felecia and Bennett are separately after the same guy, so they team up. They don’t expect to have exciting adventures or start falling for each other!
This is a well written romance that really takes you away, 4 stars.

The Scenic Route by Katie Ruggle is a wild ride through the Rockies, packed with heart-pounding adventure, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of quirky humour and banter. Why settle for a boring date when you could be scaling the heights of a mountain man? Don’t judge… we all want this.

Felicity Pax is not your average bounty hunter! She's a thrill-seeker who lives for the chase. But when her estranged mother pulls a disappearing act with a bag full of cash, Felicity takes on the most personal case of her career. Enter Bennett Green, a grumpy but irresistibly hot PI who’s been assigned to shadow her every move. Bennett might be 99% sure Felicity’s leading him on a wild goose chase, but that other 1%? It's pure, unadulterated curiosity—and maybe a touch of attraction.

As Felicity drags her reluctant partner through quirky mountain towns and breathtaking landscapes, it becomes clear that there’s more to this case than meets the eye. And while Felicity is determined to stay one step ahead of the annoyingly attractive PI, she soon realises that Bennett might just be the unexpected ally she never knew she needed.

A story with a mix of action, mystery, and romance that had me engaged. Felicity and Bennett’s dynamic is electric—full of banter, tension, and undeniable chemistry that turns up the heat in more ways than one. And the quirky humour sprinkled throughout adds a delightful twist to this high-stakes adventure.

The Scenic Route is your perfect escape. Between the rugged mountain settings, the scruffy heroes, and the irresistible romance, this book will have you hooked from the first page to the last.

Thank you to the publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca, The author Katie Ruggle and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is published as the first book in a series, but it’s important to note that it’s a spinoff series. The book starts off with an overview of all the previous characters that a reader would have known. I read this book as a standalone, and while that’s possible, almost every side character already had their story - so I would recommend going back and starting with all the previous books.

This was a quick fun read. It has very small town vibes, and we see the MCs fall in with a group of locals (from the previous series) while they stake out and try to bring in a criminal for a bounty. There’s lots of hijinks, mishaps, and funny happenings - anyone who enjoys reading heist romances would probably love this story.

I did love how independent and self sufficient the FMC was, and that the MC believed in her and trusted her to do her thing, rather than being over protective.

*The Scenic Route* by Katie Ruggle is a super fun, lighthearted read that hits all the right notes if you're into quirky rom-coms with a bit of action. Felicity, a bounty hunter, and Bennett, a PI, both chasing after her mom, end up as unlikely partners. Their banter is great, and the whole "rivals to lovers" vibe works really well.

I really enjoyed the small-town feel, and the random "murder club" that Felicity stumbles upon was a hilarious addition. Bennett’s protective, strong-but-silent vibe was just right, though I do wish we got more from his perspective. There’s not as much of him narrating as I expected, but the moments we get are solid.

The story itself is fast-paced, with a bit of mystery mixed in, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. My only small gripe is that the romance felt a bit rushed, but honestly, the chemistry made it work. If you like rom-coms with action and a little spice, this one’s definitely worth checking out. It’s the perfect escape read!

This book was so fun! It was a light and easy read and felt like a total escape for me. I really enjoyed Felicity and Bennet and their relationship. I'm not really a fan of insta-love, but it didn't really bother me too much to be honest. Yes it was crazy that they were supposedly in love after knowing each other for less than a week, but I think that was part of what made the book so funny and endearing.
There were however a few things that stopped this from scoring higher for me. Firsty, the blurb didn't really match up with the actual story in the book. I know blurbs are often pretty general, but I feel in this case it was too different to how the book read.
I really liked Felicity and Bennet and their relationship but I really wanted to get to know them a bit better and see more of them together. A lot of the time they spend together in the book involved other characters as well, or always getting interrupted by other characters etc. I think a few more scenes of them alone together would have probably made their relationship a bit more believable for any readers who struggled with the insta-love aspect. There were also a huge amount of side characters, most of which I really enjoyed, but I did feel they that played a slightly bigger part in the book than was needed. Again, this took away from the main characters a bit.
Overall this was a super light and fun rom-com and I would definitely be keen to read more of this author's work.

so i really enjoyed katie ruggle's first book because thriller romance hasn't been a first pick for me and the first one was amazing, but this kinda fell flat. again, instant love is not my favorite trope but i loved the writing and characters. it just felt forced and there wasn't much chemistry at first and then they just fell instantly? confusing

DNF @ 44%.
I wanted to love this book but it was just falling flat for me. The MMC practically doesn't speak and mostly grunts which worked well in one of Katie's previous books that I really enjoyed but in this book it doesn't. It's possible I may pick this up again in the future but for now I'm putting it down. I appreciate the opportunity to read this.

This was a good read, different to anything I’ve read in a while. It gave me Stephanie Plum vibes which worked for me. This is written in the third person but still from one character’s POV - so their specific feelings/thoughts. The description made me think there would be more from Bennett’s POV (him guessing he should’ve followed Charlie) but there were (I think) only two chapters, one at the start and one at the end, neither of which were about what he thought was happening with which one to follow. I think I would have enjoyed the story even more getting to see a bit more from Bennett and not just from Felicity but there is a chance that I didn’t realise a chapter was Bennett and not Felicity. The group in Simpson and the “murder club” make me want to find out what else has happened in this little town before a Pax sister comes through.

Picture this: you’re browsing through romance books, skimming titles and glancing at covers. You find a couple of books that look interesting, but nothing stands out… Until a splashy book cover with orange skies, pink mountains, and two intrepid hikers crosses your view. The blurb promises a bounty hunter heroine leading a private investigator “on a wild goose chase through the Rockies” where she passes through “endless quirky mountain towns in order to shake him.” It sounds good, right? 

The blurb is a lie. 

Our crime-fighting duo visits ONE quirky mountain town, and they stay there for the entire book. There’s no camping, no bears, and certainly no scenic routes (which seems ironic given this book’s title). In fact, the only scenic route is the one the plot takes. It meanders from scene to scene without offering any resolution for Felicity’s missing mother. Did the person who wrote the blurb even read this book? 

And then there’s the romance. It’s very insta-lust/insta-obsession (especially on his end), which I’m not really into. There’s one scene in particular where Felicity and Bennett are in Vegas, and their drinks get spiked. Felicity agrees (while extremely high) to marry him. She awakes with no memory of their impromptu wedding, and nothing gets addressed beyond that. I was HORRIFIED by her lack of consent, especially since Bennett was mostly unaffected by the drugs and remembered everything. If someone took advantage of me when I was in a vulnerable state, I don’t know how I could continue trusting them. 

And I know what you’re going to say… “but Camille, it’s all part of their relationship arc. The end justifies the means.” To that, I would say I LOVE relationships with rocky starts. “Beauty and the Beast” is one of my all-time favorite stories. But there’s a difference between that setup and what happens in this book. In the classic fairytale, Belle and the Beast spend months building an emotional connection. And Belle doesn’t realize she loves him until after she’s been reunited with her father and is in a safe place. In this book, Felicity marries her stalker, whom she’s known for less than a week. This happens after she’d been drugged and shot in the hour leading up to the ceremony. She obviously can’t give her full consent, and I hate how this is never addressed.

If you can get past that, I think there are several things you might like about this story. I love the witty banter and dialogue between the characters. Some of their lines made me laugh out loud! I also like how this book is a relatively quick read. It’s only 352 pages, and a fast reader can finish it in a day. While this isn’t a book I’ll be racing to reread, I can see people who like fast-paced romances and small-town settings enjoying this. Overall, I’m rating it 2.5/5 stars. 

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley; all opinions are my own.