Rosewood River #5
Axel & Wren
Laura Pavlov delivers another swoony, heartfelt, small‑town romance that hits every emotional beat—from betrayal and heartbreak to healing, humor, and the kind of devotion that feels like destiny.
Wren and Axel have been best friends forever—the kind of childhood bond built on inside jokes, shared dreams, and a horse named Wrax whose name literally unites theirs. He calls her Horse Girl. She calls him Cowboy. And for years, that was enough.
Until it wasn’t.
A devastating fallout tore them apart, leaving Wren blocking his number and Axel wondering what he did wrong. In the two years they spent apart, life didn’t slow down for either of them. Wren became a World Champion in eventing, only to spiral into a slump and suffer a brutal accident. Axel built a booming business designing high‑end horse trailers. Both were succeeding, but both were missing the one person who had always understood them best.
And then comes the betrayal that shatters Wren: her father and coach secretly sell Wrax—her partner, her heart, her family—because they think he’s “too old” for their Olympic ambitions. The cruelty of it is staggering.
Desperate to get Wrax back, Wren takes a temp job… only to discover she’ll be working for Axel. He doesn’t want to hire her—too much hurt, too many unanswered questions—but the moment he learns what happened, he steps in the way he always has: in a heartbeat.
What follows is a beautifully layered journey of reconnection. Axel tracks down Wrax, buys him back, and brings him home in one of the most emotional reunion scenes I’ve ever read. Even the horse cries. And honestly? Same.
As Wren and Axel rebuild their friendship, the truth finally surfaces: Collin—Wren’s brother and resident chaos generator—lied about Axel the night everything fell apart. His deception cost them two years of love they didn’t know they were already living. Wren’s fury is righteous, and her refusal to let her father or brother control her career anymore is a moment of pure empowerment.
From there, the romance blooms effortlessly. Their devotion is absolute. Their trust is hard‑won. Their matching “in a heartbeat” tattoos? Perfection. They are soulmates who were separated by lies but reunited by choice.
The competitions in North Carolina and New York bring adrenaline, triumph, and the sweetest moments of support—Axel flying overnight just to be there for her cross‑country run is peak book‑boyfriend behavior. Wren proves Wrax is still a champion, proves she’s stronger than her past, and ultimately realizes she’s ready to retire on her own terms.
Her new dream? A riding academy for kids, mornings waking up beside Axel, and long rides with Wrax and Honey just for the joy of it.
Meanwhile, the family subplots deliver drama, growth, and surprising tenderness. Collin starts therapy. Wren’s mother rebuilds her life. Her father tries—awkwardly—to make amends. It’s messy, but it’s real.
And because this Rosewood River, we also get:
• The Taylor Tea stirring up small‑town chaos
• A full‑on B&E mission involving vodka, stockings, and rose bushes
• The Chadwick men’s group chat (always iconic)
• The ladies’ “book club,” which is 10% books and 90% wine and oversharing
It’s romance, humor, family, friendship, and small‑town charm all braided together into a story that feels warm, funny, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
A perfect blend of heart and hilarity—Laura Pavlov at her best.
Purchase links
FREE with #kindleunlimited
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4iGiano
Hardcover: Coming soon!
Audible: https://geni.us/IAHAUDIO
Narrated by: Alex Knox and Samantha Brentmoor
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/477mR5w
About the author
Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!
Connect with Laura
Website: https://www.laurapavlov.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6569734.Laura_Pavlov
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3c1xKZX
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Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3ii8Vdp
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