From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and suspenseful romance between a tough Texas Ranger and his first love–a woman in danger who insists she doesn’t need his protection. Hill Gamble is a model lawman: cool and collected, with a confident swagger to boot. Too bad all that Texas charm hasn’t gotten him anywhere in his personal life, … hasn’t gotten him anywhere in his personal life, especially since the only girl he ever loved has always been off-limits. But then Hill is assigned to investigate her father’s mysterious death, and he’s forced back to the town–and the woman–he left behind.
When Hill left Loveless, he broke Kody Lawton’s already battered heart. And now that he’s working on her father’s case, avoiding him is impossible. She can handle Hill and her unwanted feelings–until he puts his life on the line to protect her. Suddenly, Kody realizes that Hill could be taken away from her…for good.
“Crownover delivers the goods.”-Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author
“Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!” -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author
Includes the bonus novella Cowboy to the Rescue by A.J. Pine!
4.5 STARS!
Unforgiven by Jay Crownover is the second installment in the Loveless Texas novels, bringing us a story of unrequited love… Hill Gamble and Kody Lawton.
The appearance of Hill in Justified was such a sweet treat and discovering his connection with Kody filled me with a longing for their book. Let me just say, Jay did not disappoint.
Hill is investigating Conrad Lawton’s death which brings him closer to Kody. She is struggling with letting her father go and her feelings towards Hill.
Hill has been in love with Kody since they were teenagers. They grew up together but Hill wasn’t the only one to have fallen for her… His brother, Aaron also loved Kody.
Hill and Aaron had a troubled childhood. Aaron lived for Hill and when Hill left Loveless, Aaron had Kody but his dark moods became more and more present. Kody and Aaron were best friends and kindred spirits in the sense that they both didn’t have the best upbringing. The hardest and most tragic moment both Kody and Hill faced was losing Aaron. Kody felt abandonment and resentment towards Hill for not being there.
At times, Hill and Kody’s story is so turbulent, yet at the same time, sparks fly. There is so much angst and so many things that need to be forgiven. Though this book is a slow burn romance, the reunion between the main characters was short which ultimately affected my rating. I would have loved more moments between Hill and Kody, especially in the epilogue.
Overall, Unforgiven was a suspenseful filled ride. There are plenty of twists and turns and a great introduction to new characters. Just when I think Kody and Hill’s book may be the last, Jay gives us Shot’s story coming soon in the fall. I cannot wait!!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Fantastic! I love this series. Hill believes his love for Kody will never be returned. There’s too much history and blame keeping them apart. Or so he thinks. Kody is the kind of strong, tough talking, hiding a big heart heroine I love. Jay writes tough, vulnerable characters so well their story will hit you in the gut and heart and stay with you. Unforgiven is romance at its best.
“It was amazing how he managed to be both the calm and the storm in my life.”
Kody is my hero, she’s a badass who doesn’t sugarcoat her sass. I had a girl-crush on her while reading Justified and was very excited to get to know her better in Unforgiven. I was not disappointed.
As the author let me see into her past, introducing me to her demons, I fell even harder for Kody. She’s had a rough life and had to fight for everything she has, and she’s still fighting to keep her bar, the Barn. When the man that left and took her heart with him comes back to town to investigate her father’s death all those feelings she managed to bury deep resurfaced. “From the start I never knew what to do with the heat Hill brought with him when he crept into my thoughts.”
I loved the sexual tension that built as these two came face-to-face with their feelings for one another. I was afraid my Kindle might burst into flames while I waited for them to get past their…past. Before, she’d been off-limits, but now…game on. Let’s just say all that waiting and wanting builds up over time and when it finally gets released…you might need to stick your head in the freezer, just sayin’.
I can’t express how excited I am about where this story is going. I was totally surprised and now I’m bouncing in my seat thrilled at the direction it’s headed. I want to tell you so bad, but just wait, you’ll be as excited as I am. Squeeee! The line forms here…
I have had a bit of a girl crush on Kody for awhile now. She is so strong and self assured yet we can all see the spider web cracks running all over her surface. But she didn’t want to be coddled and treated like she was fragile and she fought tooth and nail to be treated like an equal. And she proved how strong she is over and over again.
Kody has had such a hard life and even though she was close with her brothers she still felt kind of like her own island. After losing her first love so devastatingly she picked herself up from the ashes and started again. But she was so closed off and trying so hard to prove she didn’t need anyone she came across as a bit of a bitch.
Hill saw not just her softness but also all the surface cracks and all he wanted was to love her and help her heal them all. I loved that although he saw all her broken parts he also saw all of her strength and he may have wanted to slay all her dragons and burn the world to the ground to protect her but he was also happy to stand at her back and cheer her on while she did it for herself. I adored him. There wasn’t a single part of Kody he didn’t love and even things he wanted her to change he never threw down the gauntlet. He told her what he wasn’t happy with and then said that regardless of what she did about it he was always going to be standing right there with her. And it just made him all the swoonier.
The story took an interesting twist and I honestly wouldn’t have ever predicted that was where it was going but I loved it. I especially love that the next book is Shot’s because I have loved him so much since I first met him. I really can’t wait to get my grabby hands on that book and I love from the authors acknowledgements at the back of the book that he took on a life of his own for her and we are reaping the rewards. Can’t wait!!!
I’ve been a long-time reader of Jay Crownover’s, and her innate ability to write complex, complicated bad-boy heroes, and in some cases antiheroes, has always fascinated me. I wasn’t sure exactly what Jay would do with cowboys, but she’s nailed it, completely sweeping me off my feet with the Loveless, Texas series in the process. She’s brought all those interesting qualities of her usual heroes and delivered them in a whole new, exciting way. I’ve positively devoured each book in this series so far, and I’m ecstatic that she’s announced another book in the series, because frankly, I’m just not ready to let the Lawton clan and Loveless, Texas go.
Unforgiven, Kody Lawton’s story, is the book I’ve been anticipating the most. Crownover’s two-pronged plot that drew me in from page one by pairing an angsty, steamy frenemies-to-lovers romance with a twisting, turning suspenseful arc. Unforgiven was an engrossing, unputdownable love story between two people with a long, complicated history. Hill Gamble, a Texas Ranger, is an all-around good guy and a kind, honorable man. Kody Lawton is the daughter of the corrupt former Loveless sheriff, and she’s wild in every sense of the word. Wildly angry, wildly reckless and wildly filterless. She takes all her emotions and reactions to the extreme, and she’s Hill’s opposite in all ways.
Hill fell for Kody as she was falling in love with his younger brother. Unbeknownst to him, though, she was falling for both brothers, but chose the one she thought she deserved. She put Hill up on a pedestal and settled upon the younger Gamble, becoming swept up in and consumed by his mental health issues. Hill was always the calm and steady presence in Kody’s life, though, and he was the person she relied on when Aaron’s issues became too heavy to bear on her own. As much as Hill wanted to be there for Kody, it became a struggle for him to conceal his feelings, so he began to push her away.
The sweet friendship they once shared is scorched by the implosion of Aaron’s issues and, therefore, Kody’s, and she holds a mean grudge for years as she believes hill callously turned his back on them when they needed him most. This story was so passionate in absolutely every sense of the word. Heart-breaking tragedy, gut-churning angst, Kody’s anger simmering between them, the longing of unrequited love and all the guilt that goes with it, and finally, the lust. Emotions run high and the passion runs hot in Loveless, that’s for sure.
Thick with emotion, smolderingly sexy with a heart-pounding suspense story that kept me glued to my Kindle, Unforgiven was quintessential Jay Crownover, but with a fresh twist, and I positively inhaled it. This is Jay Crownover doing what she does best: telling the tale of two opposites attracting in a difficult, hard-earned, emotion-filled and sexy love story. Five smooches from me for Unforgiven by Jay Crownover!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
What?? Jay, I need more! Where’s the rest? Unforgiving is the second book in the Loveless series. I do recommend reading them in order. Plus the Novella, Unbroken. We’ve had Crew and Case’s books; this is Kody’s. This book grabs you from page one and keeps a hold of you until the end; and it leaves us hanging to boot!!! There is so much heartache between Hill and Kody. They have a devastating past! Because of that, Hill has stayed away. But some news brings him back to Loveless that he personally needs to deliver. Kody can’t believe he’s back and is angrier than ever! But why does seeing Hill make her feel safe and gooey? Can these two find peace from their past and have a future together? Amongst all the drama, a lot happens in the Little town. But you’ll have to read it to find out what’s going on. I don’t want to ruin the ride you’ll be on while reading this book!! Go grab it today!
Wow! Incredibly fast paced read with a lot of action, mystery and drama following the Lawton’s in Loveless, TX. This is a stand alone with it’s own HEA, but part of a series that still has a loose end or canon or two, and I can’t wait to find out what.
Kody and Hill finally get their time together. So good, so sweet, so overdue and so Hot! Too bad he still gets called out of town too much. I have a feeling this will change in the near future.
All the surprises that come out surrounding the Lawton patriarch will definitely keep your interest, and flipping pages waiting for more.
The Sons of Sorrow, P. comes into play in a totally unexpected twist making me wish Shot’s
book was already released.
An excellent read that pulls you in!
I’ve really enjoyed the series. After reading Blacklisted I had to find in my to be read piles the other 2 titles. Within 4 days I’ve finished them and need more.
This is a must read series!!!!
This second book in the Loveless, Texas series was a fantastic continuation of the Lawton family drama. (This is where I totally recommend reading book 1, Justified, first!) Kody, the only Lawton sister, and fiancé of Hill Gamble’s deceased brother. Kody and Hill were great friends growing up, but when Aaron Gamble made his move, Hill backed off…and moved out of town.
I loved a lot about UNFORGIVEN. I loved the murder mystery, the twists, the characters (not just the main characters, but the supporting ones!), the heat and the romance! I just really, really enjoyed this and cannot wait for the next book in the series to release! Author Jay Crownover writes a wonderful series based on a small Texas town, with cowboys, sheriffs, bikers, and bars! I am really looking forward to Shot’s story! 4.5 stars, rounding to 5 shooting stars!
Any book of jays is a must read. The loveless series is action packed and swoon worthy all at once!
This series just gets better and better!!! Hill and Kody are favorite!!!
I could not adore Jay Crownover more, so her books are always a 1 click for me, no description needed. This isn’t really my typical type of book, probably wouldn’t buy it from any other author, but in a testament to how amazing Jay is I was in love by the end. Plus it is a part of a truly spectacular, must read series, so if you haven’t already you should really get to reading!
I adore Jay’s female lead characters & Kody is a favorite. Truly loved her story!!
It’s love, love, love in Loveless! The broody, sexy Texas Ranger, Hill Gamble finally gets his girl. And what a catch she is…not! She’s the rebellious hellion and little sister to the town sheriff with the nickname Trouble. I fell in love with Kody from the start of this series featuring her deliciously hunky older brothers, Crew and Case. She won my heart with her ballsy attitude and protective behavior for her brothers. She won my heart with her ballsy attitude and protective behavior for her brothers. The tough Lawton sister can hold her own against the rough heathens that frequent her bar but she turns to mush in the hands of her childhood crush and oldest brother’s best friend, Hill. I was waiting with bated breath to see if Kody and Hill could overcome their shared tragic past and finally succumb to their obvious desire for each other. All the Lawtons are firecracker hot and along with their sexy partners burn up the pages. This author is a master at creating characters that are such opposites like the stoic, broody Hill and the reckless, wild child Kody and throwing them into a romance that sizzles and pops. I love this series with the sensual romances and edge-of-your-seat suspense as someone is always in danger. The mystery in this story is a carryover from the last one and like the last one, this one ends with a tease for the next book. It’s wonderful to see all the old characters in this story and a few new faces. One in particular is quite a surprise and adds to the fabulous Lawton family. I can’t wait for my next visit to Loveless with the hot cowboys and the fierce women. Although, it looks like the next one will feature an outlaw biker. Yoo-hoo!
Hill is a lawman back in his hometown to investigate a death. Kody is running a bar and bitter about all her losses of the people she loves in her life. Hill always had feelings for Kody but he stepped aside thinking she needed someone else. Now Hill is back to investigate Kody’s father’s death and he won’t let the woman he loves go again. A good romantic suspense read.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.
Hit every emotional high note…
“She was my dream girl. My first love. My only love. The one I couldn’t forget or move on from.”
I’ve loved this series from the beginning and each story ramped up the emotion and heat one delicious chapter at a time! I couldn’t wait to dive into Kody’s story and wow, was it a heart changer…
“Time does help, but I don’t think it’s enough to heal some wounds. Some we just have to accept as being part of us forever.”
The Lawton family was reeling from the latest in a lifetime of hits and Kody was having a hard time hiding how much she hurt. Even though Hill was back in a professional capacity her long suppressed feelings couldn’t be denied any longer. How their friendship, their connection ended, haunted them both. With maturity, high emotion and a whole lot of love and alcohol, their second chance (first chance really) was beautiful, heart-wrenching, steamy and riveting…
“It literally took nothing for Kody to bring me to my knees.”
I couldn’t read nearly slow enough. I wanted to savour every nuance, each high and low but I couldn’t do it. Hill, his devotion, his steadfastness. His hotness. Kody, tortured, guilt-ridden, filled with a love she never dared to admit. Neither could admit. How it all came together, in the midst of unexpected family drama twists and turns, was what reading is all about – characters that felt so deeply and made me do the same.
If you are afraid to get completely lost in another world, do not pick up this book. If you aren’t, buckle up and enjoy this – one of my top reads of the year.
“I’d convinced myself I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, strong enough…”
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
This book was so hard to put down. Kody is one strong women who has been threw hell and back who keeps losing the people she loves. Hill is a man who loves and women who he thinks he shouldn’t love. The past keeps them apart. But the future brings them together. They learn to love and trust so they can live there lives loving each other!! Amazing read !!!
That man deserves a medal. Hill gives a new meaning to the word dedication. Plus he is always willing to sacrifice himself so that others are happy. And even when Kody is a complete mess, there is no denying that underneath she is a nurturer and deeply cares about him. She is fierce and loyal. And they have a long painful history but they also level each other… The running and avoidance needs to stop and this time Hill is determined. This story has action, mystery, rage, hurt, love and more to come. I’m very intrigued with how trust and a strong connection will develop with the next characters in line.
After finishing Justified and seeing the sparks that flew with Hill’s appearance I was looking forward to reading Hill and Kody’s story. I knew it was going to be emotional and oh so hot and Jay Crownover didn’t let me down.
This book was filled with suspense, intrigue, serious heat and great characters that had me hooked form beginning to end whilst I was everything play out. I was never 100% what was going to happen next so I liked that little bit of suspense. The plot line was well paced and the characters were ones that peaked your interest.
Hill has been in love with his best friends Sister Kody since he was a teenager, unfortunately she ended up engaged to his brother so his love has been unrequited or so he thought. After the death of his brother there have been lots of strained feelings between them and now they are at a point were they have to face what is between them.
I absolutely loved Hill, this guy made me swoon so much and I am honestly tempted to move to Texas to see if there are more sexy Rangers I can have for myself! He is so self-less always putting everyone ahead of him, especially Kody.
Kody, I loved this girl, she was raw and brutally honest and never hide her emotions, well except her feelings for Hill. She’s struggling with so many feelings at the moment, she has no idea which way is up and I think without Hill being there she would have seriously spiralled. He ground her, gave her strength even when she didn’t realise it.
I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in the next book as its going to be very interesting and the meeting of two complete opposites!