Burning Love
Sweet Briar Book 1
Ashley James
Ashley James
August 27 2026
One year. Two ranches. A secret neither of them can outrun.
Chesney Jennings is the last person Jasper Smith ever expected to see back in Sweet Briar, Wyoming. So when Jasper’s grandfather dies and leaves half of Wind River Ranch to him and the other half to Chesney, heir to the family they’ve been feuding with for generations, he’s blindsided.
But the will comes with one non-negotiable condition:
To claim the inheritance, they must run the ranch together for one full year.
Jasper has spent his whole life holding Wind River together with grit, loyalty, and stubborn determination. The ranch is struggling, and his family is running out of options. The last thing he needs is help from a Jennings—especially one who disappeared years ago and left a hole in Jasper’s chest that never quite healed.
Chesney never planned to return to Sweet Briar. Not after spending years trying to outrun the town, the feud, and the devastating memories he left behind. But refusing the inheritance isn’t an option, and neither is avoiding the man who once meant more to him than anyone else.
Forced into long days, sleepless nights, and a partnership neither of them wants, the tension between Jasper and Chesney sparks fast—and burns hotter than either man is prepared for.
Secrets come out, lines blur, and somewhere between shared burdens and stolen moments, resentment turns into something far more tumultuous.
But in a town where everyone remembers everything—and families don’t forgive easily—loving each other might cost them more than the ranch.
It might cost them everything.
Some Graphics from Author's FB page
The Jennings and the Smiths have been feuding farm families for a long time, even if the younger generation doesn’t know what it is about.
After a tragic event, Chesney Jennings left his hometown of Brier Creek because he just couldn't be there anymore. Almost twenty years later, obligations at home are pulling him back, even if it is against his will. He’s never really faced his past and still carries guilt and grief.
Jasper Smith was his childhood/teenage secret best friend and first secret crush. Jasper stayed and worked on his family‘s farm. And now, after his grandfather‘s death and the will reading, an unexpected situation arises that also demands Chesney’s attention. It would involve them working in close proximity on a shared goal. At first, Chesney’s trying to avoid it, fight it, but then realizes he has to at least be home for his own family as well.
But as Jasper and Chesney are in each other's proximity again, those tentacles of friendship, past bond, secret attraction and crushes start to come back. Jasper‘s always been the steadfast, hard-working, loyal guy who is patient and takes care of everything, but Chesney broke his heart when he left. And Chesney felt like he had no choice because he was literally broken at the time and is not sure where home is anymore.
There is a definite hurt/comfort aspect to this story, as they have both been through so much pain in the past and currently. I loved seeing these guys start to find their way back to friendship and feelings. They both have a lot going on in their lives, so there are challenges and small victories. But I loved seeing them begin to find companionship, passion, support, and partnership. And especially seeing Chesney begin to heal and find self-forgiveness, and learn to live and love again. These two were just so good together, and they had such history, both good and bad.
I liked the ranch and small-town feel and the side characters in this one. I am hoping that we will see books for Jensen's brother, Truett and some of their friends.
Jasper Smith was his childhood/teenage secret best friend and first secret crush. Jasper stayed and worked on his family‘s farm. And now, after his grandfather‘s death and the will reading, an unexpected situation arises that also demands Chesney’s attention. It would involve them working in close proximity on a shared goal. At first, Chesney’s trying to avoid it, fight it, but then realizes he has to at least be home for his own family as well.
But as Jasper and Chesney are in each other's proximity again, those tentacles of friendship, past bond, secret attraction and crushes start to come back. Jasper‘s always been the steadfast, hard-working, loyal guy who is patient and takes care of everything, but Chesney broke his heart when he left. And Chesney felt like he had no choice because he was literally broken at the time and is not sure where home is anymore.
There is a definite hurt/comfort aspect to this story, as they have both been through so much pain in the past and currently. I loved seeing these guys start to find their way back to friendship and feelings. They both have a lot going on in their lives, so there are challenges and small victories. But I loved seeing them begin to find companionship, passion, support, and partnership. And especially seeing Chesney begin to heal and find self-forgiveness, and learn to live and love again. These two were just so good together, and they had such history, both good and bad.
I liked the ranch and small-town feel and the side characters in this one. I am hoping that we will see books for Jensen's brother, Truett and some of their friends.
Ashley James
Connect with Ashley James:
Ashley James is a romance author who enjoys writing (and reading) LGBTQIA+ books. She is from Washington State—and no, not Seattle—and currently resides in South Carolina with her two kids and hairless kitties, Goose, Maverick, and Houston. Ashley is introverted and slightly (okay, majorly) awkward. She refuses to make this section sound like a tacky dating app profile, so she won't be telling you how much she enjoys music, how she thoroughly enjoys dancing and singing in her kitchen, despite not being able to carry a tune, and she won't be telling you about her love of toxic and broken fictional men.
