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Ranching isn’t easy, especially not in Fork River. The days are long, the competition is ruthless, and there’s always someone out there waiting to take what’s yours.

For my family to survive things have to go back to the way they were.

The Carsons used to run the town, we were feared, but my father changed that legacy by thinking he could run things legitimately.

He lost our power, he lost our control and he lost our respect.

Now I’m taking it back…

None of us want my father to remarry, and when his new wife moves out here from L.A. she brings her feisty brat of a daughter with her.

Maisie couldn’t make it any clearer that she doesn’t want to be here.

She’s rude, obnoxious and far too privileged for life on the ranch. But it doesn’t matter how hard I try, I can’t get her out of my head.

It’s selfish of me to want her. I’m too old, too short-tempered and the darkness inside me would be destroying.

When it comes to her I’ve only got one option.

It doesn’t matter how much it hurts, I need to make the girl off limits…


*Join these dark, dirty, and corrupt cowboys on the Carson’s ranch. Where boundaries are pushed, laws are broken and limits get tested….

This is a Corrupt Cowboys series novella. Due to the nature of the series you should expect to come across subject matter that some readers may find disturbing

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2023

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About the author

Emma Creed

37 books559 followers
Emma Creed lives in England and enjoys behaving like the perfect princess to her extremely tolerable husband all whilst raising 3 boys and a mini princess in the making.
When she isn’t entertaining the voices in her head, she spends her free time with a glass of white wine and a good book. Emma has been an avid reader since she was a little girl and with a little encouragement to take the leap into writing, she discovered that she loved it.
When she isn’t locked in her writing cave making up stories she can be found chatting on social media and wasting hours scrolling through Tik Toc.

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5 stars
565 (33%)
4 stars
568 (33%)
3 stars
423 (24%)
2 stars
127 (7%)
1 star
23 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
Profile Image for Pauline Cassie.
1,018 reviews38 followers
January 1, 2023
Holy Hotness! It's no secret that I love cowboys but Emma Creed has just opened a whole new world for me!

As the start of a new series, Off Limits will leave you panting for more of the cowboys of Coppers Ridge Ranch, there is no doubt.

She effortlessly links this with her Dirty Souls series which makes this romance reader very happy indeed.
Profile Image for Grisette.
391 reviews53 followers
May 5, 2024

3.2 stars

It was an interesting read. I could feel that something big will happen around the corner but that so far Book 1 only set the scene. It was quite slowish but at least it was atmospheric.

The romance was there, hinted and lightly explored (with some well done teasing steam) and I do hope that Book 2, the conclusion, will be full blown on it. Age-gaps do not bother me in general but in this one, with the h acting true to her age (18), I had a hard time to see why he would be attracted to an immature girl. However, I found it realistic that he would want her to live her life, get broader perspectives, and so, pushed her to college. I hope the time gap will have matured her up and also have her decide as a seasoned adult what/who she wants in life.

The suspense parts were also intriguing but still so much opaque at this stage. The ranch setting was quite convincing with some real feels to it (I haven't watched that show, but I am guessing that Yellowstone must have that kind of family and cowboy drama?).

Overall, I found the writing, the plotting and the storytelling quite good. There were some punctuation typos that could have been easily solved by an edit team but it did not detract from the solid storytelling. I am crossing fingers that Book 2 will deliver.

My review for Part Two (duet conclusion): here
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Justadele.
880 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2023
Sadly this wasn’t for me it felt like a Yellowstone TV series rip off
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2,069 reviews78 followers
January 12, 2023
It doesn’t matter whether this author writes about bikers, mafia men or cowboys because she can develop fantastic storylines using any characters, as proven once again, by this first book in her latest series, The Corrupted Cowboys.

Off Limits is a fast-paced, no-nonsense, darkish story that has terrific drama and action to excite and entertain readers. Each page is a delight where we learn more about each character and what happens on the Carson family ranch at Copper Ridge, Montana. Generations of Carsons have run an extremely prosperous business; however, Garrett’s father changed things considerably. Garrett is determined to return to how his grandfather, and great grandfathers before him, ran the ranch.

I will say, having read ‘Bound Soul’ first truly helped with background knowledge. The tie in with the Dirty Souls MC becomes crystal clear and is really brilliant. I am in awe of this author’s creative ability to intricately weave two series together.

The two lead characters, Garrett and Maisie, couldn’t be more opposite if they tried. The chemistry between them is almost explosive and the tension is unbelievable, I just wanted to push them together and sanction their relationship. 😄 This is going to be huge in the second book, No Limits! I am already saying in my head, “I need it now!”
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
1,411 reviews70 followers
January 10, 2023
4.5 stars

Where do I start? New to me author, new series, a little out of my comfort zone, and I can not wait for the next book. I am not a fan of MCs, but I plan to read the Dirty Souls series soon.

This story brings it all, hooks you in, and is over much too quickly. One sexy cowboy, stepbrother, working outside the law, searching for answers. Bringing back the Carson name is Garrett’s priority.

Maisie has no desire to be in Copper Ridge; she is a city girl. Her mama, the gold digger, is marrying her next mark, and Maisie must join her for the summer. Garrett and Maisie dance around their attraction. Will he let her return to LA? His darkness and her light make for an interesting summer.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Cristina.
1,126 reviews216 followers
February 22, 2023
As far as plot goes, we definitely got one. A pretty good one, tons of action, bad ass H, some nice second characters. Loved the brothers, especially Wade.

However, there is so much going on that it sucks that we get so little romance. One kiss throughout this first half. And then she leaves for 3 years. The second part is not out yet so I don’t know how the second book will go. But, I’m slightly disappointed that we didn’t get more of them. Hence the 3 star review. I feel like we were teased with something between them just for her to leave in the end.
I get it, there’s a second book but who knows? Maybe I’ll love that one. But this one was blah in terms of romance.

Ps- it’s been 3 years since she’s left, I’m slightly worried about other man/woman in the picture. I know Garrett says he’s not letting her go this time. But, can you blame me to be worried?
Guess we shall see.
Profile Image for SaucyBishReads.
145 reviews9 followers
January 5, 2023
Family. Legacy. Honor. Respect. Loyalty.

These values used to be the values the Carsons relied on for the men who they trusted to help run their ranch. Sadly, with years passing and the head of the family changing, so did the take on the old ways, which were replaced with new and safer ones. Ones that while safe, make you easy targets. With this family split apart by different opinions, tragedy and heartbreak, will they ever be able to gain back everything that was lost and what they’re on the verge of losing?

Garrett prides himself on loyalty, the name his grandfather built for their family and their reputation. He wants nothing more than to get back the Carson family’s honor and earn back the respect and fear the name struck. He is determined to see his family, his ranch and their legacy thrive fully once more. What he doesn’t expect however, is Maisie. Blonde hair, blue eyes and innocent, she has him tempted beyond his wits. He wants her just as badly as he wants to bring back honor to his family. What do you do when you’re torn between honor, duty and what your heart wants?

Can he resist his desires or will this stubborn and strong-willed woman lasso this Cowboy and handle the reins of this family with him?

Maisie never saw herself living on a ranch but here she is. She never expected to be living with a man like Garrett Carson either. He may seem closed-off and distant but the moments they share show her a different side of him. A side she desperately wants him to explore with her. She may be young but she knows what she wants and what she wants is him. The tension between these two will leave you on the edge of your saddle!

Garrett is willing to get his hands dirty, does whatever his family needs him to do and is HOT!!!!! New book boyfriend alert!

Emma’s Corrupt Cowboys are EVERYTHING!!!

I can’t wait to see how the Carson legacy unfolds, especially after how this book ends!!! I NEED more of these Cowboys!

This just became my new FAVORITE Emma Creed book!

When pain and heartbreak shake the foundation of this ranch, can these Cowboys round up everything it takes to fix it? Hold on tight Captive Readers and remember: “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy.”

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for katie.
25 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2023
got this for free on stuff your kindle day and devoured it. i love me a small town romance. cannot wait to read the next book now.
Profile Image for Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth).
1,888 reviews1,133 followers
January 17, 2023
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: taboo: stepbrother, cowboy
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥

I can't even express into words how super excited I am for this new series by Emma Creed! Maisie can't believe her gold digging mother is dragging her from LA and from everywhere familiar the summer before she's supposed to leave for college. And to a ranch. In the middle of nowhere. Maisie slowly comes around to ranch living, but nothing is going to get her used to the way her new step-brother, Garrett, makes her feel. Super broody, weighed down by the responsibility of running the family ranch while his father plays new husband and political games. Garrett is ill-prepared for the feelings that his new, much younger, step-sister pulls out of him.

Off Limits is a super high tension ride from beginning to end and I did NOT want it to end. The world building is fantastic and I'm super excited for the stories to come as well as to see what type of interaction there will be with the Dirty Souls MC. The storyline is awesome and it is super fast paced with tons of action and suspense. Drama is lurking everywhere around these Jimmer brothers and this beginning half of Garrett's story didn't disappoint when it came to setting the stage for the series. The story does end on a cliffy and while it's technically a clean read, the tension and "almosts" have me still giving it a 2 on my spicy scale, lol, and I can assure you, you won't even feel like you missed out. Emma Creed is truly a gifted story weaver, her Dirty Souls series being in the top two MC reads of all time. This Corrupt Cowboy series is going to be fracking fantastic if Off Limits is any indication and I'm totally frothing at the mouth to get my hands on the conclusion to Maisie and Garrett's story!

⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
Profile Image for Shannon.
265 reviews11 followers
December 29, 2023
"You should be careful, little girl. Keep fucking teasing, and I might just bite."

📚The Blurb: 

Ranching isn’t easy, especially on the border of Yellowstone.
The days are long, the competition is ruthless, and there’s always someone out there waiting to take what’s yours.

For my family to survive things have to go back to the way they were.

The Carson's used to run Fork River. We were feared but respected. My father changed that legacy by thinking he could run things legitimately.

He lost our power, he lost our control and he lost our respect.

Now I’m taking it back…

None of us want my father to remarry, and when his new wife moves out here from L.A. she brings her feisty brat of a daughter with her.

Maisie couldn’t make it any clearer that she doesn’t want to be here.

She’s rude, obnoxious and far too privileged for life on the ranch. But it doesn’t matter how hard I try, I can’t get her out of my head.

It’s selfish of me to want her. I’m too old, too short-tempered and the darkness inside me would be destroying.

When it comes to her I’ve only got one option.

It doesn’t matter how much it hurts, I need to make the girl off limits…

✨The Review: 

Off Limits is the first book in the Corrupt Cowboys series by Emma Creed. This book is full of dark, dirty, and corrupt cowboys on the Carson’s ranch. These boys love to push boundaries, break laws and test limits. This is the first book in the duology of Garret and Maisie's story.

I loved the spin on the classic small town cowboy romance! Give me a grumpy morally grey cowboy any day especially if they are called Garret Carson 😍 the tension between him and Maisie is *chefs kiss*, though the slow burn and cliffhanger is a mega tease, it kept me reading and I managed to read all the books in this series in two days 😂 So much was packed into such this short story but it wasn't rushed and the storyline really set up the rest of the series! 

🤠 Age gap 
🤠 Morally grey cowboy
🤠 Grumpy/sunshine 
🤠 Protective alpha male 

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️/5
Profile Image for dais.
750 reviews80 followers
September 23, 2023
I frickin love Emma and her stories… I always get so wrapped up in her words that I completely lose track of time and this time was no different.
I was hooked from the get go, the story of Maisie and Garrett is filled with emotional twists and turns. The tears were streaming down my face at full force. This may be a slow burn but fuck me, the sexual tension pours off of the pages… like me, you’ll be yelling at Garrett to just give in! When they finally kissed I screamed into my pillow, high pitch squealed and kicked my legs like a lil kid 🤣
I can’t put into words how much I already love this series.
I’m jumping straight into book 2 as I’m soooo ready for Garrett to finally make Maisie his girl 🥺
Profile Image for Emma Howard.
56 reviews9 followers
January 9, 2023

Wow well that’s a start to a series!!
I’ve not read many cowboy books but this one definitely has a story line and is laying out a whole host of hot, dark, dirty and ruthless characters with the Carson brothers and their ranch hands aiming to take back domination at Fork River.
This book sets out the dynamics of the family, friends and enemies being told from Garret’s point of view (eldest son) and Maisie who is forced to the ranch with her Mother who is marrying Garrets father. Definitely a chemistry that develops and can’t wait to see where it goes!
First book I’ve read of Emma Creed’s and I enjoyed her style and looking forward to the next book and the series ahead!
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
4,615 reviews61 followers
January 20, 2023
Copper Ridge is the last place Maisie wants to spend her summer but when her gold digger of her mother finds her next victim and marries she has to go. Garrett isn’t thrilled when his father remarries, but he is even less thrilled when she brings her spoiled brat with her. He is just a cowboy trying to get the family ranch back to the way it used to be which doesn’t necessarily mean doing everything on the right side of the law always. He is having very inappropriate thoughts about his stepsister Maisie and to top it all off there is a 14 year age gap between the two. She is a distraction he can’t have and doesn’t need.
53 reviews
December 1, 2023
This book really wasn’t for me. The pacing was very slow and with as short as it was I expected a fast pace romance. In addition, this in my opinion is marketed as a romance; there’s no real romancing happening in this book, and quite honestly I don’t wanna read the second book. Then on top of all of that this book was so hard to get into some of the descriptions were very oddly written making the relationship sound taboo.
January 9, 2023
I can't tell you how excited I was to get my hands on this book, this series is going to be absolutely brilliant, if this is how it starts we're in for a right treat. As the saying goes, Save a horse, ride a cowboy. Garrett is all kinds of hot *swoooon*
As the story progressed I fell deeper and deeper until it completely consumed me, I could not put it down, everything that happened I felt to my very core.
This is the first in the new series and it's left me eager for more, I cant wait!!
Profile Image for Taylor Raymer.
120 reviews
February 27, 2024
If you want a sexy cowboy with age gap trope, look no further! This was so good. The plot, the teasing between the fmc and mmc and everything that was happening in between! Absolutely Loved! Can’t wait to continue reading the series!
February 8, 2023
Never thought I was a fan of cowboys, but I AM a fan of Emma Creed and after getting a taste of Jimmer Carson’s past in Bound Soul, I needed more for sure. And let me just say, these are not your run of the mill cowboys! The Carson brothers are smoking hot and super lethal and I am here for it! I loved everything about this book. Garrett and Maisie still have a rough road ahead, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
Profile Image for Jess Driver.
78 reviews
July 4, 2023
2.75 ⭐️
Will I ever read this book again? No.
Was it written well? No.
Am I invested? Yes. 🤦🏼‍♀️
Profile Image for Bethany Campi.
58 reviews
July 11, 2023
I already know this would have been better if it was just 1 book instead of 3. Hate a cliff hanger.
Profile Image for Hasina.
69 reviews
January 1, 2024
hate that i have to read all three…cannot believe it but i’m gonna!!
Profile Image for Karen Kerr.
100 reviews
January 16, 2023
Fantastic book and you don't need to read the dirty souls books to enjoy this series! I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Brittany.
94 reviews
July 13, 2023
This book took me by surprise! Originally when I started it I thought it was a standalone and a quick read but was SO happy to see the story continue with two additional books. The plot, the spice, the characters, was beyond captivating! Garrett & Wade ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 I cannot wait for the 4th book to come out next month!
Profile Image for Clayr Catherall.
1,400 reviews90 followers
January 10, 2023
I was so excited to read this spin off from the Dirty Souls MC. I haven’t read a lot of Cowboy Romance, but the Corrupt Cowboys have me dying to read more.

Garret and Maisie are polar opposites, but the chemistry between them is melt your kindle hot. Will they give into the attraction?

I loved all these new characters, and can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Sophie Ruthven.
2,001 reviews137 followers
December 23, 2022
So I found this author early on in her in her Dirty Soul series and haven't looked back since.
I was hesitant going into this one as I knew they'd be hard to beat.
Let me just say that I'm not quite as sure now.
This book is an introduction to this intersected world and there was just something about them that made me unable to put it down once starting.
Knowing the authors work like I do, do not let this story lull you into a false sense of security.
I can already tell the best is yet to come.
I truly enjoyed immersing myself amongst the cowboys and can't wait to see where this journey takes us.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
285 reviews51 followers
February 16, 2023
This is a new-to-me author that I just stumbled upon one night while going down the rabbit hole that is browsing kindle unlimited. I literally saw the cover and average star rating and didn't even bother reading the synopsis because it gave me Knotted vibes (by Pam Godwin), which is a favorite dark romance series of mine-also with cowboys. While this is not nearly the level of darkness as that series, it is still a suspenseful and forbidden good time..plus cowboys? I mean, it's a recipe for success if you ask me.

I have found that this little sub-genre of cowboy romantic-suspense, you just don't see enough of, so I am always on the hunt for more. I already pre-ordered the second book and I'm sure I'll be salivating for the third soon after.

If you are a forbidden romance fan and love elements of suspense and family saga within your reads, I'd highly suggest giving this a shot. It's a quick read--but it packs a punch! I think we didn't even get real steam until the second half of the book, which I'd consider to be a slow burn for a novella. Read it! Enjoy it! and buckle up!
Profile Image for KitKat821.
645 reviews6 followers
July 3, 2023
I’m slightly obsessed with this author’s MC series. I wasn’t sure if I’d like a cowboy spinoff series as much. I shouldn’t have worried. This book, and it’s characters, are just as dirty, complex, and fun as those in the MC series!! The cowboys are the nephews of Jimmer Carson and they are running the ranch that Jimmer left to go found his MC. Garrett is the oldest brother and is having inappropriate thoughts about his soon to be step-sister Maisie. There’s action, intrigue, and tons of heat. It’s another fast paced and awesome read. Just a heads up that this does end on a cliffhanger. The second book will be out in March!
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