I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Stray Narrator: Sean Masters, Maxine Mitchell Series: Rowe Ranch #1
Source: Blue Nose Audio
on November 11, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
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A Steamy Small-Town Romance with a Grumpy Cowboy, Found Family, and Heartbreak
“She’s a firestorm in scrubs, and I’m about to get burned.”
Ozzy
Taking a job as a private nurse on a family ranch in Virginia was supposed to be a temporary fix—a way to disappear, lay low, and keep my past where it belongs. My patient? A grumpy old man with one foot in the grave and a foul mouth to match my own. Easy enough. His family? A whole different story. Jackson Rowe is a problem I don’t need. A rugged cowboy with a sharp stare, a sharper tongue, and a body carved by hard work and bad decisions. He’s watching me too closely, peeling back my layers with nothing but silence and those storm-cloud eyes. He wants to know my secrets. But trust isn’t something I give, and getting close to me comes with consequences.Jackson
My father is dying, and my family is barely holding it together. The last thing we need is a sarcastic, guarded-as-hell nurse stirring up trouble. But Ozzy Davenport isn’t just trouble—she’s a goddamn hurricane in eight inch heels. She pushes, I push back, and somehow, that friction turns into something neither of us saw coming. She acts like she’s untouchable, like she’s already halfway out the door. But I see her. I see the fight in her, the fire. And I know one thing for sure—whatever she’s running from is catching up. And this time, I won’t let her run alone.
Stray by DJ Krimmer is a contemporary romance centered on two people who must learn how to love and be loved. The story explores the complexities of falling in love and the equally difficult task of allowing oneself to be loved.
Ozzy, a former trauma nurse turned hospice caregiver, is hired to assist Morris Rowe at his ranch in rural Virginia. Haunted by a brutal past, she is guarded and emotionally closed off. Enter Jackson, one of Rowe’s sons, who becomes increasingly drawn to Ozzy. His growing affection is genuine, but he soon discovers that forming a relationship with someone carrying deep trauma comes with its own challenges.
The story is heavy. The depictions of Ozzy’s past trauma are harrowing, and certain scenes are a little hard to read. Krimmer’s writing is consistently compelling, striking a balance between emotional gravity and narrative momentum. The novel begins with a gripping prologue and maintains its pace through a series of well-calibrated emotional and plot-driven beats. While the story occasionally slows for introspective moments, each chapter propels the characters forward.
Though rooted in romance, Stray resists formulaic genre conventions. Familiar tropes such as the age gap and the cowboy setting are present but never dominate. Instead, Krimmer prioritizes character development, allowing Ozzy and Jackson’s connection to unfold with authenticity and nuance. Their relationship evolves gradually and organically, supported by realistic dialogue and emotionally resonant exchanges.
The strength of the audiobook lies not only in the writing but in its stellar narration. Sean Masters, known for lighter fare in Lauren Biel’s Slaycation series, proves equally capable in a serious role, embodying Jackson with warmth and emotional subtlety. Maxine Mitchell delivers a standout performance as Ozzy, capturing her pain, strength, and emotional complexity. Mitchell’s ability to give each character a distinct voice enhances the clarity and immersive quality of the listening experience.
With Stray, Krimmer delivers a mature, emotionally grounded romance that transcends surface-level tropes in favor of deeper psychological and emotional exploration. If this is the beginning of a series, it promises to be one worth following.
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