The award-winning author who “writes real cowboys with heart and soul” (Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author) welcomes you to Unforgiven, New Mexico, a small western town filled with love and second chances! This cowboy’s got one last chance to prove himself. Carly Beauchamp has loved cowboy Austin Davis since first grade. Ask anyone in their dusty, backwater New Mexico town of … their dusty, backwater New Mexico town of Unforgiven, and they’ll say “Carly and Austin” the way some say “big trucks and country boys.” But after years of waiting for a wedding ring, Carly’s done with being a rodeo widow . . .
Austin never meant to put his career on the circuit before Carly. She’s always been his future, his one and only. But now that she’s moved on, he’s beginning to see where he went wrong, and he’ll do anything to win her back. The only thing is, Carly’s suddenly acting differently, and she’s definitely hiding a secret-one that will test the depth of their love and open up a whole new world of possibilities.
Praise for Laura Drake and The Last True Cowboy:
“Brilliant writing, just brilliant!” — Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author
“Laura Drake writes real cowboys with heart and soul.” — Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author
“Drake (Sweet on You) takes readers on a beautifully imperfect journey with two people who can no longer have their ideal future, but learn that the real one might be even better.” — Publishers Weekly
“This is a romance with grit, heart and just the right amount of sizzle.” — BookPage
bilities.
Praise for Laura Drake and The Last True Cowboy:
“Brilliant writing, just brilliant!” — Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author
“Laura Drake writes real cowboys with heart and soul.” — Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author
“Drake (Sweet on You) takes readers on a beautifully imperfect journey with two people who can no longer have their ideal future, but learn that the real one might be even better.” — Publishers Weekly
“This is a romance with grit, heart and just the right amount of sizzle.” — BookPagebilities.
Praise for Laura Drake and The Last True Cowboy:
“Brilliant writing, just brilliant!” — Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author
“Laura Drake writes real cowboys with heart and soul.” — Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author
“Drake (Sweet on You) takes readers on a beautifully imperfect journey with two people who can no longer have their ideal future, but learn that the real one might be even better.” — Publishers Weekly
“This is a romance with grit, heart and just the right amount of sizzle.” — BookPagebilities.
Praise for Laura Drake and The Last True Cowboy:
“Brilliant writing, just brilliant!” — Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author
“Laura Drake writes real cowboys with heart and soul.” — Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author
“Drake (Sweet on You) takes readers on a beautifully imperfect journey with two people who can no longer have their ideal future, but learn that the real one might be even better.” — Publishers Weekly
“This is a romance with grit, heart and just the right amount of sizzle.” — BookPageer have their ideal future, but learn that the real one might be even better.” — Publishers Weekly
“This is a romance with grit, heart and just the right amount of sizzle.” — BookPagemore
Laura Drake writes real cowboys with heart and soul.
Brilliant writing, just brilliant!
The Last True Cowboy is a story of childhood sweethearts who grow apart, make mistakes and find their way back together again. This is not a frilly, sappy love story but an emotionally intense drama that will have the reader totally enthralled until the very last page. The characters are wonderfully portrayed and engaging. Carly is the town sweetheart, good girl who has been in love with Austin forever but his rodeo career is always taking first place in his life. Austin has been telling Carly that he will come off the rode next year for the past several years but she has decided that isn’t good enough and breaks up with him. No one believes it will last but after a single mistake on Carly’s part, everything changes. Now they must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome the obstacles of the present and live for the future. A great story.
The Last True Cowboy by Laura Drake is the First book in the Chestnut Creek Series. This is the story of Austin Davis and Carly Beauchamp.
Austin and Carly have always had feeling for each other and have always been a thing. Austin has dreams of the Redo and each years goes off to the Redo Circuit. Each year Austin says this will be it but each year he leaves. Carly decided it was time to move on and broke things off with him although not everyone is convinced. Austin starts to realize that he has messed up big time and wants to work to get her back but it seems Carly has a secret. Carly has made a grave mistake that she knows will hurt Austin when it is found out.
Enjoyed their story.
No one does hardscrabble, kick-ass heroines and honorable heroes better than Laura Drake, and this might be my favorite of her novels to date. The characters, the writing, the plot…I consumed it all in one sitting. An excellent romance / small town story populated with gloriously quirky secondary characters.
A wonderful, gritty, earthy story of life and love in a small town. The characters Laura Drake has created make the story unforgettable. I love the life lessons that adorn the pages of lost loves and newfound courageous love.
I listened to the audible version and really enjoyed the narration.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I wish I had found her sooner. I will definitely be reading more of her books.
The Last True Cowboy is the first book in the Chestnut Creek series by Laura Drake, and the story is about Carly and Austin. Now in most stories, there are ups and downs, but in this book, it’s more like Mountains and Valleys, and if you like new age romance, then this is a book for you.
Carly Beauchamp and Austin Davis have been together since they were kids, and while Carly is running her grandparents their hometown diner, Austin is working the rodeo, and now at 28 years old, Carly has had enough and wants marriage. After a lot of back and forth in her own head, Carly breaks up with Austin, Carly heads to the city for a night out, but that one night will that change everything.
The Last True Cowboy is a good read, though I did struggle with Carly’s character, as although she is listed as 28, her immaturity makes her seem more high school-ish, and that didn’t change until the end of the book when she finally showed her age and backbone. And for that reason is why I feel it should be listed as a new age romance. All of the other characters as totally relate-able, which helped me to ignore the things about Carly that I found annoying.
With the first book in a brand new series from Laura Drake, we are introduced to the town of Unforgiven, New Mexico and settle in to the story of the “it” couple in town. She’s running her family cafe just waiting for him to marry her, and he’s having too much fun traveling from one rodeo town to another to realize that she’s tired of waiting. The fallout from her walking away might be more than this couple can recover from, no matter how much they have always loved each other! The story is comprised of really interesting characters who were quick to grab my attention, and other than a few timeline tidbits that didn’t seem to add up it was a solid read. Looking forward to another visit to Unforgiven soon!
Carly Beauchamp never expected to still be waiting on that promised “forever” at almost thirty. She’s been in love with one man for her entire life, but she’s getting really tired of playing second fiddle to the rodeo. How many times can she hear “just one more year” before she explodes? She never wanted to walk away from him, but she just couldn’t handle being pushed to the wayside one more time … now she’s in a place she never wanted or expected. She’s dug herself so far into a hole, she’s not sure she can manage the climb out.
Rodeo cowboy Austin Davis thought Carly would always be there. He’s always planned to settle down with her after the thrill of the rodeo is over and start their own dream business while they grow old raising a family … but too little, too late is what he offered her. He can’t believe this time she really means she’s walking away, but as days pass without her in them, he starts to open his eyes … he really did take her for granted! Now he’s got to do everything in his power to win her back … and hope he’s not too late!
Laura Drake is a new author to me, but this will definitely not be the last book of hers that I read. The Last True Cowboy is one of the best romances I have ever read. It combines grit with sensitivity, bravery with innocence, and rather than sap, there is strength in the characters, which are tough combinations in any book, much less a true romance. These combinations make this book appealing to readers of all genres. Laura Drake has done herself proud in this book, and I would highly recommend this to any and all readers of all different genres.
The Last True Cowboy by Laura Drake is A Chestnut Creek Novel. Laura Drake has done it again! Told a story that will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions! You will be turning the pages long after your lights should be out. When I first started this book, I wasn’t sure I liked Carly Beauchamp and Austin Davis very much! They had alot of growing up to do. Unfortunately for them the decisions they make are going to be long lasting. One decision can change the course of your life and Carly and Austin are going to find this out. They are both going to have deal with it, and learn and grow. Question is while they are learning the lessons the need to learn and growing up will they find their way back to each other or be on very different path that will take them away from each other? Laura Drake never fails to take her readers on a ride with twists and turns that has you rooting for a happy ending. Bravo Ms. Drake! Bravo!
Although the world in this book–rodeos and ranches–isn’t unusual or even a favorite with me, Laura Drake’s writing is beyond excellent. My only recommendation is that you stretch out the reading of it to make the pleasure last longer and let you inside the depth of her people.
The Last True Cowboy, by Laura Drake, is a curious blend of women’s fiction and cowboy romance. There is obviously an HEA at the end, but the journey is really about both Carly and Austin learning to stand on their own and figuring out who they are. The first person narration will throw off some readers, but it is definitely worth sticking with. The story is by turns funny and heart-warming and definitely one that landed on my keeper shelf. I am also very excited that Nevada is getting her own book next year.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
Wow! This is about growing up emotionally and while the title may indicate cowboy, it’s just as much if not more about the cowgirl. Written with a lot of heart I think, with ups and downs, actions, consequences. It will check your box of feelings. Not the most fast-paced read, but the end is sigh worthy for Carly and Austin.
A journey of finding your true self isn’t always pretty or easily accepted and I believe Laura Drake penned a very enlightening journey here.
I received an ARC thru Net galley and am giving my honest review
RATING 4.5 STARS
The Last True Cowboy is book one in the brand new series, Chestnut Creek, by Laura Drake. Laura is a new author to me. I’ve been wanting to read one of her books for so long and this new series was the perfect opportunity. I’m so glad I did.
Carly Beauchamp has lived in Unforgiven, New Mexico her entire life. She lost her parents as a child and was raised by her grandparents. She now runs the diner her grandparents owned but have now retired from. Carly is twenty nine years old and has been in love with Austin Davis since she was in Kindergarten. They have been each other’s other half almost all of their lives. Carly has never dreamed of anything more than marrying Austin and starting the rough stock business they planned to start together. But Austin is still competing in the rodeo. He gets home when he can but he’s not ready to give up the life yet. Carly has begun to wonder if he ever will be ready to settle down. She has heard the promise, “one more year” every year for the last ten years. She’s tired of being Austin’s second choice. She wants to be a man’s first choice. So she finally gives up and calls it quits.
Austin Davis is born to do two things, love Carly Beauchamp, and ride in the rodeo. Carly has really been after him to retire and come home to settle down. But he just isn’t ready. They go through this every year. He’s sure that Carly will get over it and they will be fine. Only this time is different. She isn’t getting over it. She is serious. He doesn’t know who he is without Carly. She’s his other half.
This really is a book about growing up, about self discovery, about second chances. Carly and Austin grew up together, were each other’s firsts for everything. But at twenty nine, they were suddenly faced with the adult versions of themselves. They didn’t really know each other, they didn’t really even know themselves. They had to figure out who they were before they could figure out who they could be together.
Carly buys herself a motorcycle, maybe to make a statement, maybe to find something she was looking for. Unforgiven is a tiny town. Everyone knows everything about each other. And the whole town watches and these two stumble and fumble their way through. But they also support one another, just as they support Carly and Austin.
I loved this book. I loved watching Carly and Austin find their way. Mistakes were made, big mistakes. But the underlying truth was that they loved each other and that love would find a way to bring these new, adult versions of themselves back together.
If you enjoy a sweet, sexy cowboy romance that is beautifully written, then you will enjoy this. It really did pull me in emotionally. I just loved these two. I’m so glad I read this book. I definitely look forward to more in this series. The next book will be about Carly’s new friend, Nevada, in Home at Chestnut Creek. I am most definitely going to be excited to see what this author has planned next!
BEAUTIFULLY EMOTIONAL…Laura Drake writes an incredible book in The Last True Cowboy! The story of Carly Sue Beauchamp and Austin Davis is one of young love, growing up – growing apart and finding each other. The twists in this book will leave a lump in your throat the size of the Grand Canyon, yet the humor is endearing. I’m always up for a good Cowboy book – this though is so much more.
The Last True Cowboy is a heartwarming, second chance story of two young people in love who grow apart and lose their way and the journey they each take separately to mature and find a new future together. This is the first book I have read by Drake and I do not believe it will be my last. This is a beautifully written love story that contains relatable, flawed characters and a believable storyline full of funny antics, family, friends, love, drama and romance. It is about soulmates, dreams, second chances, mistakes, growing up and self-discovery and includes plenty of laughs and tears as well as family drama along the way. Austin and Carley are great characters and I enjoyed watching them both grow and mature and their journey back to each other. It was a wonderful read.
*I received an ARC via NetGalley and am providing my honest review.
3.5 stars
Carly and Austin have been tied at the hips since kindergarten and it’s only a matter of time before they say “I do”. But as the years pass, Austin is still saying one more year on the rodeo circuit, and Carly loses hope for the ring, the family, and Austin. She seriously calls it quits this time (while everyone else thought ‘here we go again’) and when no one takes her seriously, she decides to take matters into her own hands, with painful consequences.
Carly and Austin were almost 30 years old, but their immaturity had me thinking they were written to be more like 18-20. Both were selfish and their expectations were ridiculous, but…that was the beauty of the story. Their second chance romance evolved from the immaturity and conceit of youth and morphed into the expectations of adulthood and responsibility. It wasn’t easy and required heavy, long term decisions, but I liked how Carly and Austin’s journey forced them to relearn one another with new insight.
This is the first time I’ve read Laura Drake and I was pleasantly surprised! I liked her writing style and characterization. The story had quite the colorful cast and though the story meandered a little, the end result was satisfying.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
GAH!!! I’m clearing off a massive space on my bookshelf for Laura Drake!
What a ride with Carly Beauchamp and Austin Davis! The Last True Cowboy was my first Laura Drake novel and I can’t express enough how it will NOT be my last!
Carly and Austin, as they say, go together like peas and carrots. You can’t say one name without saying the other. I began this novel swooning over each character and reading the words from a 1st person point of view really pulled me in.
Carly is the town of Unforgiven’s “good girl”, the Homecoming Queen, the Rodeo Princess. At 29, she returned home to run her family’s diner as Austin continued on the rodeo circuit for that “last” championship buckle. After 10 years of “lasts” from Austin, Carly Is. Done. She has finally realized that she comes second to Austin’s first true love, the rodeo. OUCH! She breaks up with him…again, and not a soul in town believes she won’t take Austin back. But she can’t. She can’t do this anymore. She has simple dreams and it’s apparent to her now she has to forge on in life without Austin being one of them. This fork in the road led Carly to make a hasty and poor choice, changing everything she thought she knew about herself. Following her journey through her eyes had me holding my book ever so tightly…I’m pretty sure my fingernails are forever engraved on the cover! I wanted to cheer for her, slap her, high five her, laugh with her, and yes, I did end up literally crying with her.
Oh Austin, delicious and stubborn Austin. That’s a cowboy for you right?! As he tries to understand what Carly was talking about and how he messed things up so badly he takes his own journey to growing up. Not that he ever thought he wasn’t. He was still riding the circuit for Carly, for their future, the one he wasn’t ready for but knew would be there after he won this “last” buckle. Crap on a cracker, what has he done? You won’t regret walking with Austin as he tries to get past the hurt, the anger, and the boy he once was to win back EVERYTHING that has meaning to him.
With a slew of heartwarming and hilarious characters, a truck named El Fartito, a hero and heroine we long for, I can’t recommend Laura Drake’s The Last True Cowboy more! ENJOY!
Loved this sweetly thrilling second chance romantic journey filled with love, laughter and growing pains that are very true to life….. could not get enough of this emotionally engaging and heartwarming small town adventure that has me loving Chestnut Creek and looking forward to revisiting this series and its awesome charters.