Hit The Ground

A Small Town Romance (The Kelly Ranch)

By: Julia Wolf

Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Sean Masters

Caleb Kelly has been my secret weakness since the day I moved to Sugar Brush, Wyoming.

I spend my days among the stacks as the town’s librarian and my nights serving drinks at Joy’s Elbow Room. It’s safe, predictable, and a little boring. The only thing that makes my pulse kick is when Caleb Kelly walks through the door and takes a seat at one of my tables.

Four years of stolen glances, watching him laugh with his family, listening to him talk about his son, and pretending he doesn’t unravel me just by saying my name. Alice.

Then one reckless night, I steal a kiss. And for one perfect, heart-stopping second, he kisses me back.

But the thing is, Caleb doesn’t date. He has his son, his ranch, and no room for anything—or anyone—else.

So I finally stop waiting, stop hoping, stop hiding. It’s way past time to begin living my life on my own terms.

Just as I start to move forward, trouble knocks me back. And when I need someone the most, Caleb is the one by my side again and again, standing between me and the worst of it. His steady, fierce presence is impossible to ignore.

I should know better than to keep falling for a man who told me he can’t give me more. I should walk away before I get hurt again.

It’s just that every time he shows up, every time he really sees me, every time he stays, my heart refuses to listen.

But letting him in might be the one thing I can’t come back from.

©2025 Julia Wolf (P)2026 Julia Wolf

Deserves more than 5 stars

I want to live on the Kelly Ranch. I want to hang out with them all. I would have drink drinks with joy. I want to go sit in the hot spring with the girls. This world is fantastic. It’s so in-depth. The characters are phenomenal. The stories are emotional and give me the warm and fuzzies there’s a little bit of drama. There’s a little bit of angst. And Caleb , Yum!!!! He is just yummy. I love how he was clueless and then she pretty much knocked him on his butt. So what does he do? He grovels . Oh, he groveled so well. The things that come out of Caleb’s mouth. Oh my heart. I think Caleb might be my favorite. He knocked Remington off his pedestal. If you haven’t read any of the Kelly Ranch books, you are missing out. They’re wonderful. They are so crave-able. I just can’t get enough.


The narrators did a phenomenal job bringing Caleb and Alice to life. Their performance was exceptional! I read this book previously and loved it but this is something else entirely. Emma Wilder did an absolutely amazing job bringing emotion to Alice. Her portrayal was better than I ever expected. Sean masters has a voice I could listen to all day and night long. Deep and growly. I will be listening to this one again and again. 10 stars

Two of my favorite narrators!

Is it just me or does every book Julia Wolf writes just get more adorable? Seriously, Caleb and Alice are just too sweet together. I wish there would have been a lot more angst between these two beautifully layered characters throughout the book, but overall, the addition of Alice to the Kelly family dynamic is perfect. Emma Wilder and Sean Masters are two of my all time favorite narrators and their amazing duet performance of this audiobook is definitely worth the listen.

Love this!

All the Kelly Ranch books are so good! Caleb and Alice are definitely some of my favorite characters, and I really enjoyed their story. Caleb thought he was living a good life, and he was, with his love for his son and the family ranch fulfilling him. But he didn’t see what was right in front of him, and that was Alice. Alice moved to the small town years ago, and she lives a quiet life with her job as a librarian and working as a server at the local bar. She’s lived a life where people have looked through her, but after she gets up the courage to kiss Caleb one night, it was the catalyst for all the changes to come.

I love how steady Caleb was, and how he worked to win back Alice. It took him a while to see what was in front of him, but he really worked through the fact that there was more to life than just the ranch and Jesse. He had all the good parts of life, but it was enhanced with Alice in it. Alice’s backstory is sad, and I’m glad she had a found family in Caleb and the Kellys. She deserves a family who would put her first and vocalizes it too. Alice’s relationship with Jesse is so endearing, and it’s sweet how it further develops throughout the book. The ending is full girl power with the way Shelby and Alice worked together, so I enjoyed this too. Looking forward to the last Kelly.

Emma Wilder and Sean Masters were perfect as Caleb and Alice! They brought so much life, vulnerability, love, and Kelly family fun to the story! Highly recommend this audio and the entire series.

Cay and Allie!!!

Great actors and an excellent performance! The end of this book kept me on the edge of my seat! No one does romantic suspense like Julia Wolf! She is one of my one-click authors. The story is always amazing, and the narrators of this duet have embedded the story in my brain in a vivid and colorful way.

Six stars ⭐️ such good writing.

Absolutely loved this book. The details and storyline were incredible. The narrators were perfect. I enjoy every second