Breakups, hookups and brotherly drama – if you thought Jackie’s love life couldn’t get more complicated, think again.

(Spoilers ahead)

★★★☆☆

The second season of My Life with the Walter Boys premiered on Netflix at the end of August, bringing us back to Silver Falls, Colorado, into the world of cowboys, drama and teen romance. Picking up a couple of months after the cliffhanger ending to season one, the second season introduces new love triangles and messy storylines. The season is characterised by some slow and confusing plot points; however, the heart and soul of the family at its centre, spearheaded by Katherine Walter (played by Sarah Rafferty), friendship and teen drama, still made this an engrossing watch. 
 

At the centre of the show remains the Jackie–Cole–Alex triangle (played respectively by Nikki Rodriguez, Noah LaLonde and Ashby Gentry), but this time, the brothers feel swapped around. Gone is the nerdy Alex; in his place a cocky cowboy. Cole, meanwhile, is attempting to turn over a new leaf, repairing his academic record, quitting weed and toning down his playboy ways that Alex seems to have inherited. 

As for Jackie Howard, our leading lady edges closer to embracing small-town Colorado life, though her grief still looms large. The show deserves credit for exploring how grief shapes identity. Jackie questions whether she’s losing her “Howard-ness” as she becomes more of a Walter and seeks to balance the two. 

Her eventual confession of love for Cole in the finale is framed not just as a romantic choice but as part of her journey toward self-honesty and wanting to be vulnerable. Whereas with Alex, it takes him three times to get an “I love you” back, Cole gets it back in seconds. Alex seems to push Jackie further, and is probably the “safe” choice, but Cole is her true soulmate. 

The season wasn’t without some intriguing new plotlines. Kiley and Dylan’s (Mya Lowe and Kolton Stewart) budding relationship leaned heavily into their self-acknowledged ’90s rom-com trope of nerdy girl meets popular jock – predictable, yes, but perhaps exactly the stability both characters need. 

Cole’s transition from all-star athlete to assistant coach provided depth, even if the execution was uneven. His struggle to guide his peers and then growing into an inspiring and supportive coach was a refreshing twist, with plenty of room for further exploration in season three as he looks at coaching programs in college. This subplot quietly ties into one of the show’s larger themes: what happens when your identity is stripped away? For Cole, losing athletics means redefining himself beyond talent and charm, subtly mirroring Jackie redefining herself after the loss of her family. 

Jackie’s grief is dug deeper this season, grounding the story with emotional realism. Her moments of self-doubt offered some of the most authentic beats in the season. Jackie’s grief isn’t simply sadness; it’s displacement, she voices a universal fear of forgetting those we’ve lost when we move forward. The show shines when it lets grief linger in the quiet, instead of rushing into melodrama. It is strongest in these moments, where love and loss intersect.

Despite some enjoyable moments however, season two stumbled in major ways. The farm renovation plot was unnecessary and dull. Will’s (Johnny Link) character feels aimless, making him more and more unbearable, ungrateful and rude (which, after season one, seemed impossible). The slow burn between Jackie, Cole, and Alex is a classic YA trope, but this drags on far too long here, providing very little payoff. Viewers had to wait until the very last second for Jackie and Cole’s love confession, only for it to then be interrupted. This didn’t build anticipation; it drained it, making the finale feel frustrating. 

Alex and Blake’s (Natalie Sharp) bronc riding arc was easily one of the messiest plotlines. Alex’s cowboy storyline was compelling, but the dynamic with Blake raises eyebrows. Blake, though talented and the daughter of a rodeo legend, is still just 18. How realistic is she as a teacher? Paired with her constant flirting, the relationship blurred uncomfortable lines, especially given Alex is still a high schooler and is a few years younger.

The Zach-Nathan-Skylar (Carson McCormac, Corey Fogelmanis and Jaylan Evans) love triangle and cheating storyline could also be viewed as overdone and uninspired, adding drama for drama’s sake. While Zack is undeniably an interesting and attractive character, his potential is not achieved. Once Skylar and Nathan were ruined, Zach disappeared. Paired with Skylar’s melodramatic, wooden persona, this was a painful watch. 

The writers missed an opportunity here to develop Zach’s hinted coming-out struggle, which was briefly mentioned, only to be abandoned. Given the show’s small-town Western setting, this could have been a poignant and important storyline, a counterpoint to Jackie’s grief, dealing with belonging. Instead, the writers shy away from this, reducing it to a half-baked love triangle, a missed opportunity for inclusivity and depth.

As expected, the season ended on a frustrating cliffhanger, keeping viewers hooked just enough to tune in next time. Jackie’s confession, Alex overhearing it, and George’s (Marc Blucas) sudden collapse created a tense trifecta that will shape the next season. With season three already confirmed, it is to be hoped the show will tighten its focus, speed up its pacing, and finally give fans the payoff they’ve been waiting for.

YA love triangles often hinge on the tension between safety and passion. Alex represents stability and softness, while Cole embodies risk and emotional authenticity. This is arguably one of such triangles in which you can root for both men.

Season two had sparks of promise, from Jackie’s grief, to Cole’s growth, and Kiley and Dylan’s romance, but it was bogged down by slow pacing, questionable storylines, and wasted characters. It felt like a filler season, stalling rather than driving forward. Still, with its cliffhanger ending, season three has the potential to deliver the emotional intensity, romance, and clarity that fans are surely craving.

The Verdict

Season two of My Life with the Walter Boys is a must-watch as an easy, teen drama to put on in the background; however, its potential is lacking, and its pacing often frustrating. Here’s hoping season three delivers!

Words by Maicey Navarro Griffiths

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