Book Review | Take My Name – Brooke Montgomery (Willow Branch Mountain Series, Book One)

Take My Name
By: Brooke Montgomery

Series: Willow Branch Mountain
Book # In Series: 1 of 2
Genre: Small Town, Second Chance Romance
Publisher: Brooke Writes Romance, LLC
Publication Date: June 18th, 2025
My Rating: ✮✮✮✮½
My Reading Format: I received a copy to review honestly

Synopsis:

A second chance stand-alone from small-town romance author Brooke Montgomery about a literary agent from NYC who returns to her Southern hometown and the cowboy high school sweetheart she left behind…

I fell in love with him when I was only fifteen—tall, handsome, and so damn charming—it was impossible not to.

Years later, we got married, and I thought we’d have our perfect happily-ever-after.

But I wanted more than being his wife in a small mountain town, so I chased my dream job seven hundred miles away. I begged him to come with me, but he wouldn’t leave his family’s ranch.

Walking away and letting him go was the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever experienced.

But then I meet someone new and he’s everything I need—stability, mutual respect, and ambition. He’s my second chance at love. When he proposes, it’s a no-brainer to tell him yes.

There’s just one little problem…

I’m still married to my high school sweetheart, who refuses to sign the divorce papers.

Even worse? I never told my fiancé.

Now I have to return to Willow Branch Mountain, find my ex, and demand he sign them.

When I show up at his door and he slams it in my face, I know he’s not going to make it easy—especially when those old feelings resurface and I’m left making the hardest decision of my life.

Take My Name is book #1 in the Willow Branch Mountain interconnected series. Each one ends in a happily-ever-after with a hook into the next one and although you don’t have to read them in order, you’ll get a better reading experience if you do.

honey-script.light

Take My Name is the first book in Brooke Montgomery’s Willow Branch Mountain Series. If you love second-chance romances with cowboys, small-town vibes, and meddling families…. Chances are positive you will love Maisie and Warren’s story!

Warren had it all in the palm of his hands until his wife decided to chase her dreams in New York City and leave the small town of Willow Branch Mountain behind. She begged him to go with her, but at the end of the day, his heart resided on his family’s ranch. Now, seven years later, Maisie is back in Willow Branch wanting the only thing Warren refuses to give her, a divorce.

Maisie left the small-town life behind to chase her dreams of becoming a literary agent. Seven years later, she’s looking at marrying a man who she feels is perfect for her career. The only hitch, her husband in Willow Branch refuses to sign the divorce papers. After ambushing him, he makes her a deal. He’ll give her a quiet divorce if she gives him a week to prove to her that they were meant to be.

My Thoughts:

I just finished reading Take My Name by Brooke Montgomery!! This book was amazing in every single way! Maisie and Warren were high school sweethearts and married young. Now, Seven years separated Maisie is back in her small hometown of Willow Branch seeking the one thing her husband will not give her, a divorce! Let me just say, one of my favorite romance movies is Sweet Home Alabama. I’ve read my fair share of romance novels and nothing ever compared to my favorite movie… until Take My Name by Brooke Montgomery! I loved the ‘he has a week to prove they were made for each other’ vibes! There’s a sense of vulnerability dripping from each page! I was on the edge of my seat throughout this whole novel wondering what the hell the ending would bring! I was not disappointed!

Let’s dive into the characters, starting with Maisie. I loved Maisie’s sense of desperation to create something on her own. She lived the silver spoon life having rich parents and was never able to make decisions for herself without worrying if it’ll put the family name to shame. When she set out to make a name for herself, she did just that! I loved her independence where her career was concerned and her determination to see to it that she built this amazing venture on her own. I loved seeing her grow and fly from the nest. I do have to say, I wish she had a stronger backbone where her mother was concerned. I hated the way her mother talked to her and I hated the fact that Maisie let her mother walk all over her. And that is why I dropped a ½ star rating.

And then we have Warren! Warren is the perfect example of what I envision a book-boyfriend being. This man is calm and sweet, but he’s not afraid to put himself in the line of fire to protect and stand up for his loved ones. I loved the devotion and dedication this man brought to the story. When Maisie left seven years ago, he was a shell but he made a vow and he stuck to his words and his promises hoping one day she’d come back to continue out there happily ever after. He built her freaking dream house for crying out loud! If that doesn’t scream book boyfriend, I don’t know what does! I also loved the fact that he remained faithful to her for those seven years apart. He wasn’t out chasing women and it showed that he truly loved her with everything he had.

I loved the premise of this novel. Warren has a week to prove to Maisie that he’s her happily ever after. My heart swooned during their one-on-one dates and their conversations. It was clear as day who the right choice was. My heart loved all the moments between them.

Let me warn you, this novel is a slight slow burn at the beginning and then heats up exponentially towards the end. So if you like sexy time scenes and feel you’re not getting them…. Hang on, I promise they are there and they are scorching!

Overall, I loved Warren and Maisie’s second-chance romance! My heart loves the little moments just as much as the big moments. It was wonderful watching first love bloom for the second time! My heart is filled with joy! I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Willow Branch Mountain Series by Brooke Montgomery! Bring on all the feels! I’m ready for more!!

The section below contains amazon affiliate links. This is a way for my site to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and services.