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!
3.5 stars
This was a really emotional second chance-ish, forced proximity, unrequited love story. After meeting Kody and Hill in Justified, I couldn’t wait to find out more about their history. I knew that it would involve difficult truths, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the depth of the pain these two experienced. There’s also some mystery and suspense to keep the action going. You don’t need to read the previous books to enjoy this one, but characters from those books do appear.
Hill’s love for Kody broke my heart. He suffered in silence for so long and accepted any drama and any scrap from her over the years. They have such a tangled past, filled with sorrow and hurt. I know that some readers will not like Kody’s history with the Gamble brothers and may be triggered by some of the issues discussed. I was frustrated by both Hill and Kody for the majority of the book over their inability to speak openly and honestly to each other. Kody especially made rash decisions and I didn’t enjoy her hot and cold behavior. I didn’t feel the connection between them until late in the book, and the build up between them ended abruptly and felt somewhat awkward. I wanted them to get their HEA so badly though, and was glad that increased communication and complete honesty was a key point in them moving forward.
There’s action in this one as they search for the murderer, but it felt a little disjointed and over the top. A good portion of the story was spent setting up the next book in the series and the book actually ends on a cliffhanger for that opposites attract couple. This was an entertaining read, but it didn’t hook me in as much as I had hoped.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Hill Gamble and Kody Lawton have a turbulent history. Kody was engaged to Hill’s brother, Aaron, who had some depression issues and some other mental challenges. Hill fell in love with Kody years earlier, but Aaron had already claimed her, and she seemed to have claimed Aaron as well. As a result, Hill slowly disengaged himself from Aaron and Kody’s lives and went on his way, believing he would never have a chance with Kody. Aaron’s challenges were bigger than Kody knew how to handle, and he ended up killing himself, with both Kody and Hill blaming themselves. Years later, Hill is back in town to catch a murderer. Someone killed Kody’s father, and her brothers Case and Crew, as well as Kody all want answers. Their father wasn’t a good man, but they still want to know why he was gunned down in Austin.
Spending time together gives Hill and Kody a chance to talk and let go of some of their past hurts. It also gives them the chance to understand how each of their words and behaviors affected the other one. They slowly begin to appreciate the gift of each other. The switch from frenemies to lovers seems to happen rather suddenly, but the story is still worthwhile, The tension ramps up in places, and this keeps the reader engaged. This is a stand-alone story, that is part of a series. Each of Kody’s brothers has their own story.
The main characters in this book are richly portrayed. Their motivations and frustrations are clearly defined. The relationship between the close-knit Lawton siblings is one of the best things about this book. They interact beautifully, but realistically. There is one scene that involves a fire that is extremely well-done and comes across as authentic and heartfelt.
The killer is identified in this book, but at the end of the story, is still at-large. This small cliffhanger is slightly off-putting to a reader who likes loose ends tied up at the end of a book, but it is also a useful hook to encourage readers to continue with the series.
Let just say Jay did another great job! The character from the first book and novella continue in this one, but let’s throw I. A few more just for fun! Hill and Kody are a dream. I love Hill and have since the first book. But in his own book and with Kody he’s the perfect specimen.
This is another suspenseful read, I was one the edge of my seat and I still don’t have answers, but I’m sure the next book will wrap all that up! There is a HEA with our characters, but it is a cliffhanger. And I want to know more about Shot.
I received this for an honest review!
Unforgiven by Jay Crownover is book two in her Loveless Texas Series. Unforgiven can easily be read as a stand alone. The previous books are Unbroken and Justified.
And this book cantains the bonus novella Cowboy to the Rescue by AJ Pine.
Meet Hill Gamble, he’s in law enforcement and left his hometown years ago. But now he’s back to co-investigate a case. He left but still has unfinished business in Loveless.
Kody Lawton is a strong heroine. She’s already through a lot. Her fiancé died, her friend left her and her homelife wasn’t to write home to either. But she pulled through and made a living with her bar. She loves her brothers and their families. But now that Hill is back, everything is about to change, again.
I started reading and after page one I knew, this’ll be a sleepless night for me. I read the whole book, cover to cover, in one sitting, hanging on the edge of my seat – it was that unputdownable and captivating.
The storyline and the writing are excellent and I loved to connect with the characters.
I recommend the book and the series, 5 stars.
This is another good book in this series. I look forward to the next book in this series. I recommend this book, this series, and this author.
Another great book in this series! It was a great fast paced read. You get a great love story and suspense and action! You do get closure on Hill and Kody’s story but you will definitely want to read Shot’s book. Which I am so excited to read!!
This book was full of drama and filled with mystery. Kody and Hill’s story started out with sadness and sorrow. Kody’s father had just been murdered and Hill was assigned to investigate his death while also dealing with the fact that he had been in love with Kody since his youth while she had been with his brother who was mentally ill and had subsequently committed suicide. During the course of the investigation, an unknown half sister of the Lawton’s makes an appearance and brings a crazy person into their lives just to shake things up a bit while Kody and Hill admit their feelings for each other and start a relationship together. The story moved along but I felt that the issue if the crazy friend just died away and became forgotten at the end but at the very end of Kody and Hill’s story, we get a jolt of new drama and the set up for another book in this series. I enjoyed this as well as this series and I look forward to more in the future.
I loved it! Kody and Hill’s love story is better than I could have imagined. They had such a tough road to one another, and a big past to overcome. Luckily, their reconnection part was easy, because there was a lot goin on otherwise in Unforgiven.
Okay, so character-wise, here are my thoughts. Kody is the independent baby sister of Crew and Case. You meet those two in previous books, but this could be read on it’s own, for now. She’s sassy, close with the leader of an MC, runs a bar, tough. But she doesn’t think she’s good enough for Hill. Hill is the perfect cop cowboy. He’s the good guy, the hero, steadfast and strong.
Lots of action in this story. Someone has killed Kody’s dad. So a mystery needs to be unravelled and while the good news it that her and Hill are happily together by the end of the story, the bad news is that some things are unresolved. Not a cliffhanger but definitely more to come, which is still good news!
Solid 3.5
This is the first book I have read by this author and therefore the first in the series I have read.
The story centers around Hill Gamble and Kody Lawton. Kody, Hill, and his brother Aaron were friends in their youth. For Hill, it was love at first sight, but she chose his brother so he never professed his love.
Kody did all she could to help Aaron, and felt betrayed by Hill for not helping his brother when he was at his lowest. Never knowing there was more to the story.
Years later, she is a bar owner and he a Texas Ranger. When Kody’s father is killed and Hill is back in town to help investigate the murder, Kody and Hill are forced to faced their past.
I have to confess that it wasn’t until I had read 50% of the book that I finally became engaged in the story. I felt that the dual POV in which the characters were constantly having an internal dialogue, was part of the problem.
That said, aside from the mystery of who had committed the crime it was also a story about family. How the actions of those that are suppose to love a child, will affect that individual when they reach adulthood.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.