This romance novel delivers all the feels you'd hope for—tender moments, emotional depth, and just the right amount of tension. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey from strangers (or friends, or enemies!) to something deeper feels both believable and heartfelt. The writing is engaging, with just enough detail to pull you into their world without slowing the pace. Whether you're a die-hard romance fan or just dipping your toes into the genre, this book offers a charming escape filled with love, growth, and a satisfying happily-ever-after.

4 stars – A sweet and swoony YA romance set under the Wyoming stars

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel is a charming, feel-good young adult romance that blends small-town ranch life with the glitz of Hollywood. It follows Cassidy, a grounded ranch girl with her eyes on the stars (literally—she’s taking an online astronomy class), and Wilder, a teen heartthrob actor determined to land a cowboy role in a new mini-series.

I loved how Cassidy and Wilder helped each other grow—facing their fears and discovering new dreams in the process. Their connection felt genuine, and I appreciated the way they each built confidence not only in themselves, but also in each other. It’s a wholesome, uplifting dynamic that YA readers will really connect with.

I also loved that I felt like I had an inside look at a typical day in the life of a ranch hand. I have a newfound appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to keep a ranch running smoothly. The details felt authentic, and I especially enjoyed how the animals were treated with so much love and care—they even had the cutest names!

The writing style made it super easy to read, with a steady pace that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The rural setting and ranch lifestyle gave the story a cozy, down-to-earth vibe, which contrasted nicely with Wilder’s Hollywood background.

This is a great pick for fans of sweet, clean young adult romance—especially those who love small-town charm, horses, and opposites-attract storylines. I’d definitely recommend it to readers looking for a light, heartwarming escape.

Thank you “Random House Children’s Books” for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was so stinking cute! I love how it mixed young love with an inner strength to find the med big of life within ourselves and the big dreams we have! It was swony and thought provoking which is a dynamic combo!

All for the cowboy/cowgirl love story books! My daughter and I both thought this book was adorable! We’ve been reading it together at night, and she loves horseback riding lessons, so this was super sweet to share together.

This sweet story has all the makings of a great YA book. It's a little stereotypical, and doesn't really have any surprises, but has lots of relatable moments. The author lightly tackles a lot of issues - generational pressure, tradition, country vs city, on-going family squabbles, etc, but mainly focuses on the two MCs. I thought they were pretty well written; both deal with insecurity, wondering what the future will be, are they making the right decisions, balancing expectations, etc. I just wish the author had dug in a little deeper all-around.

I did love all the animal names and quirky personalities. To this city girl, the author does a great job of describing country day-to-day life without being overbearing on the details.

The only thing that caught me off guard was Wilder didn't mention anything about how quiet it is in the countryside...or the farm smell.

Famous guy/regular girl is one of my absolute favorite tropes. Throw in horses, and I was chomping at the bit (lol) for this one.

That said, while it's not the worst written horsey book I've ever read, it's not the best. It's horse lite. Most mistakes are pretty minor, and the characters were likable, so I'll give it a pass.

Cute, quick read.

Trail Rides and Eyes is the perfect blend of heartfelt moments, slow-burn romance, and charming small-town vibes. It’s cozy, genuine, and leaves you smiling like you’ve just watched the stars with your favorite person.

I think someone who likes a more character driven book and the plot is more played out on the table would like this book!

I am a more plot driven reader and like when I have to figure it out .

The book was overall pretty descriptive about the atmosphere which I can appreciate and the animals names made me giggle!