SYNOPSIS: Dr. Presley Baskin has always lived a quiet, calm life. Unfortunately, nothing about her life in Loveless, Texas — especially not the wild, rowdy, and impossibly close-knit Lawton family who’ve claimed her — is quiet or calm. Which is how loner Presley finds herself roped into patching up local bad boy Shot Caldwell against her better judgment. Presley wants nothing to do with the dangerous, brooding leader of the local outlaw motorcycle club. But when someone starts stalking her, Shot is the only person she trusts to help. Plus he owes her one . . . Palmer ‘Shot’ Caldwell has always known his life isn’t made for relationships. At least until shy, secretive, Presley reluctantly pulled a bullet out of him. He’s oddly protective of the pretty doctor, so when she comes to him for help, hard-hearted Shot suddenly realizes there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.
Review: I cannot believe Jay Crownover’s Loveless, Texas series has come to an end! I have to say Justified (book 1) was so damn good and got me completely invested in this world. It has been an awesome journey seeing what happens to the Lawton family. When I met Shot and Presley in Unforgiven, I was pretty intrigued by them and was extremely excited for their story! Shot’s attraction to Presely was also fun to experience. I think their story was a little different than I was expecting. And I’m usually okay with the whole sibling’s ex thing, but the way a couple of things happened in this story just didn’t work for me. Obviously, these are very personal preferences and might not be an issue for you at all. It was still great to see more of the overarching story and figure out what happened. I enjoyed the series as a whole and I’m so glad I found it. Do yourself a favor and dive into Loveless, Texas for some romantic suspense with sexy cowboys and sassy heroines!
Thank you to Forever Publishing for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!
Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.
SYNOPSIS: There’s not much that could rattle a cowboy like Reese St. James. But when his twin brother dies in a car accident, Reese is stunned to discover he has a six-month old niece, Sawyer. Wanting to make up for lost time, Reese heads down to Unforgiven, New Mexico, to bring her home. He doesn’t plan on Sawyer’s guardian giving him any trouble, but the intriguing, independent woman is turning out to be more than he bargained for.
Lorelei West had given up hope of having a family of her own until her sister’s tragic death brought little Sawyer into her life. And now there’s no way she’s going to let Reese take her away. Lorelei knows hotshot, good-looking cowboys like him — she’s dated enough of them — and she intends to stand her ground. Yet the more time Reese and Lorelei spend together, the harder it is to deny the attraction building between them. But opening their hearts to a baby is one thing — can they also open their hearts to the possibility of a happily-ever-after?
REVIEW: New book boyfriend alert! Reese’s insecurities gave him a soft side that pulled me right in. His interactions with his niece, Sawyer, tugged at all my heartstrings! And then there is the way that Reese pursues Lorelei. Swoon. Seriously, I loved all the moments of their interactions. Lorelei’s insecurities definitely rule her life, to a point I wanted to yell at her at times. Because of this, I enjoyed seeing her growth throughout the story. I think both of their love for Sawyer despite the complicated relationships they had with their siblings, was just so wonderful. This is just a heartwarming story and I would definitely recommend it!!
Thank you to Forever Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
SYNOPSIS: Who’s afraid of the big, bad cowboy? After one too many heartbreaks, Travis Blake hung up his cowboy hat and put Big Verde, Texas, behind him. But when he gets the call that his young nephew needs him, he knows he has to return home. His plan is to sell the family ranch and hightail it back to Austin, but there’s a small problem: the one person who stands in his way is the one person he can’t resist.
Maggie is pretty sure she hates Travis Blake. He’s irritating, he’s destroying her business, and . . . and he’s just so frickin’ attractive. But when they’re forced to work together, Maggie discovers that the Most Annoying Man in the World is more than he seems. He’s sweet with his nephew, he helps out in the community, and he makes her heart flutter. Maggie doesn’t want to risk everything on a man who wants to leave, but what if she can convince this wayward cowboy to stay?
REVIEW: Between the enemies-to-lovers vibe and Travis heading home to take care of his nephew, I knew I had to pick this one up. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but I was wrong! This book was way more than I thought it would be and I loved it! Seriously, the whole situation in the beginning is steamy and ridiculous in the best way. I loved seeing how the story progressed. Travis and Henry’s relationship had so much growth and was damn adorable. Plus, I kind of loved the way him and Maggie interacted. I just love every little part of this book and would definitely recommend it!
SYNOPSIS: 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, 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.
REVIEW: THIS DAMN SERIES. I love the Lawton’s and all the damn drama. The characters are messy and dark. The reason Hill sees Kody as off-limits is a trope I’ve found myself really liking. It is a back story that makes their growing connection throughout the story so much more satisfying. You just know they deserve to be together. Hill is the ultimate book boyfriend–he is hot, kind, and logical. Seriously, he is PERFECT even when he makes mistakes. And let’s just say the ending is setting us up for the next book, AND DAMN IT JAY CROWNOVER I NEED IT NOW! Haha. But seriously, this series is AMAZING and I CANNOT WAIT for the next book. I just know it is going to be so good!
Thank you so much to Forever Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.
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, 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.
★✩★✩★✩★✩★
★✩★✩★✩★✩★
SNEAK PEEK
★✩★✩★✩★✩★
As I stood in the doorway, I took in the bar. It had a decent-size crowd considering it was a Tuesday night. The mix of patrons was as eclectic as the decor. It was all very Kody. The building was an old barn, so the interior had a lot of western elements, including old whiskey barrels for tables. But there were also brightly colored artwork and neon signs brightening up the space. Instead of the big lighting fixture in the middle of the bar being made out of antlers or wrought iron, it was an intricate mix of colorful glass beads. The whole thing was very country and western meets boho chic. The people filling up the seats were mostly Loveless residents. They included the guys gathered near the bar dressed in leather, covered in tattoos, and rocking club colors. The Sons of Sorrow motorcycle club had moved into the hill country on the outskirts of Loveless years after I’d left town. Now their flashy bikes and intimidating presence were as commonplace as pickup trucks and horse trailers. It made sense they liked Kody’s bar since it was between town and their clubhouse, but I didn’t have to like it. I really didn’t like the way the large, dark-haired man leaning across the bar looked at Kody. I knew from Case that Palmer “Shot” Caldwell was the current president of the Texas branch of the club. I’d taken it upon myself to learn more about the man when he ended up in the middle of the last case that brought me home. Shot was a former marine, a decorated sniper, the son of the founder of the club, and someone Kody was inexplicably close to. Everything about her relationship with the biker set my teeth on edge and had me wanting to make a claim I had no right to stake. As I stepped forward, the heavy wooden door shut with a bang behind me and drew the eyes of the people sitting closest to me. I saw a couple of looks of recognition, and some people purposely looking away. I nodded and touched the tip of my finger to the brim of my hat in a fairly
polite greeting. These people weren’t my friends. No one in this town had tried to help my brother when he needed it the most, and I would never forget that. Unlike the Lawton kids, I’d left Loveless in the rearview mirror and planned on never looking back. All of my worst memories were here. So was the one person I wanted more than anything but knew I could never have. Under the dim bar lights, I met Kody’s gaze across the room. She looked pale. Her wild mane of multicolored blond hair was messier than usual, and she appeared to be swaying slightly every time she let go of her hold on the bar. Her eyes narrowed, and at first, I thought she was giving me a dirty look, but the next instant her entire body lurched and she toppled over, listing to the side and disappearing behind the wide, long bar. My heart stopped for a split second and I had to bite my tongue to stop from screaming her name. I found myself in dangerous, deadly situations due to my job, but I couldn’t recall a single instance when I had been as terrified as I was in that moment Kody went down. I heard the biker shout her name and was vaguely aware of him kicking back his bar stool as he jumped to his feet. I was moving before I had time to weigh whether it was a good idea. Kody didn’t like it when I was in her space. She’d told me she hated me and ordered me to leave her alone on more than one occasion, but none of that stopped me from reaching the bar in record time. It didn’t slow me down when I planted a hand near the biker’s empty drink and vaulted over the top of the bar. I landed on the floor in front of Kody, ignoring the shouts and commotion coming from all directions. I waved off the bartender hovering uncertainly behind Kody and quietly asked, “Are you okay, Kody?”
The answer was obvious when, instead of biting my head off, her big, bright-green eyes flooded with tears and her shoulders started to shake with silent sobs. Having people burst into tears as I was talking to them, was a pretty common occurrence considering my line of work. I’d developed a natural immunity to tears of all kinds. But not to Kody’s. Hearing her breath catch and watching her eyelashes get spiky and damp as she struggled to hold the tears back made my heart twist painfully in my chest.
Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.
His Wranglers fit him like a glove. A really tight, leaving nothing to the imagination, glove. Codie wants nothing more than to shove that Wrangler-covered butt straight into the mud. Ace Valentine has a smart mouth, a devil-may-care attitude, and those wicked eyes aimed directly at her. She doesn’t know what to do with that kind of attention. Especially not from the sweet-talking man that has no problem charming every woman that enters his orbit—everyone but her, at least.
Ace isn’t sure why Codie Spears had her panties in a twist when it comes to him, but every snub and insult she hurls his way brings him closer and closer to falling for her. He’s not sure what it is about the town’s bad girl that draws his attention, but every encounter they have leaves him wanting her until there’s nothing else left to do but have her.
The only thing is, she’s been convinced by everyone around her that she’s not good enough. Tell a person that she’s a piece of trash enough times, and eventually she’ll start to believe it. It’s going to take a lot of smooth-talking and gentling on his part to get her to see that she’s worth it.
And once he has her where he wants her? Well, she’ll make a mighty fine rancher’s wife.
REVIEW
First of all, the covers on this whole series are amazing! I honestly saw the series cover reveal and knew I had to find out all about The Valentine Boys. Their family back story has so much potential for dynamic, dark, and messy characters. Plus, the female lead’s back story of being the wild child growing up and the lasting impact that has left on her is a perfect way to get readers thoroughly invested in her! Unfortunately, I had trouble getting through it, which makes it really hard for me to rate this book. The writing just wasn’t for me, and I didn’t feel the story met the potential I thought it had. While this all made it not for me, I think that readers that enjoy this author’s style, will absolutely love this book though. Plus, I think each of The Valentine Boy’s story is going to be intriguing because of the back story. Which means I may have to give this author another change for book 2.
Lani Lynn Vale is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading. Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.
Gold Valley’s wildest cowboy has finally met his match…
Jamie Dodge is confident she knows everything there is to know about cowboys. She grew up surrounded by them, after all. But somehow her new boss, champion saddle bronc rider Gabe Dalton’s brand of cowboy charm has her interested in all kinds of things she never has been before.
There are a million reasons Gabe should ignore his attraction to Jamie. He needs her horse-training skills on his family’s ranch…and the Dodge brothers would happily hurt him for touching her. Forget kissing her. He’d be a dead man. But Jamie’s tough-talking attitude masks an innocence that tempts him past the breaking point…and soothes the restlessness that’s dogged Gabe his whole life. Has this cowboy finally found a place he wants to call home?
REVIEW
What I love about Maisey Yates books, is I know what I’m getting myself into, specifically sexy and multilayered cowboys!! I’m also here for the female leads that read as tomboys.I love that Jamie has that type of personality, and I love her independent nature. Although at times, it also makes me frustrated with her. I’d say one of the nice things about this book is that its an easy read, but can still stir up some emotions in the reader! If you love Maisey Yates, this book is for you!
When rodeo star Crew Lawton loses everything in a bad bet, he has no choice but to take a new job to pay off his debts – even if it means becoming the face of an expensive male skincare line. Crew is used to getting sweaty and rustling in the dirt, not posing for photo shoots. And he’s certainly not used to being bossed around by a woman who doesn’t even know the difference between bulls and broncs. But Crew owes money to dangerous criminals, and he’ll do anything Della says in order to pay them back and keep them far away from his family in Loveless, Texas…
The launch of her new men’s line for her family’s company means everything to Della Deveaux, and she’s not willing to let some rugged, arrogant cowboy ruin her campaign. Crew Lawton is the last man she would have chosen to represent her chic, sophisticated brand. Unfortunately, her father already invested millions in Crew’s stupidly handsome face. Yet the more time they spend together, Della and Crew realize that opposites do attract. But when the time comes for Crew to face his past mistakes, will he be able to protect his family…and the woman he’s come to love?
REVIEW
This was a novella, and I would have LOVED a full length. Crew and Della are such interesting characters, and while Jay Crownover does a good job introducing enough about both to get readers invested, I would have loved to learn more about them. I want more Crew, I want more Della, I want the past that made them who they are, and I want their budding relationship. I just really enjoyed this book, and it made the Loveless, Texas series that much better! I’d definitely recommend reading this one, and then Justified!
The New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series delivers a romance about a rugged Texas sheriff who must protect the woman who was once his sworn enemy…
Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he’s determined to do everything by the book–until he’s called to Aspen Barlow’s office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn’t the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge…
Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she’ll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there’s a thin line between love and hate… because there’s nothing Case wouldn’t do to keep her safe.
REVIEW
While I figured I would like this book, I was pleasantly surprised at just was a great romantic suspense this really was. It also made me mad that I hadn’t read the prequel novella, Unbroken–which is now on my TBR! This story really showcased the why behind the character’s actions that often go unseen. As human beings, I believe that many of us assume the reasoning behind others’ actions, and often time incorrectly. Justified showed the real and lasting impact of problematic assumptions, which I deeply appreciated.
I also found all of the characters to be very enjoyable. Aspen is just so sweet and strong. I just felt that when she did stand up for what she wanted, she came across as not only powerful, but so caring. She was dealt a crap hand, and yet she perseveres. Case is a stubborn man with a heart of gold. He is so blinded by his own hardships he fails to see the bigger picture. You may think that would make him less endearing, but you’d be wrong! He is fighting his demons, caring for his town, and finding the truth–which makes for a great growth arc. Not to mention his relationship with his son Hayes pulls at all the heart strings. I loved Hayes so much, and I hope we eventually get his story (possibly with a girl that doesn’t really fit in in Loveless, Texas). Lastly, let’s not forget that Case has some awesome siblings! His brother Crew’s story is the novella I mentioned earlier, and I’m really hoping we get Kody’s story in the next book. I’m assuming there will be lots of Hill (the hot lawman) and Shot (the hot motorcycle gang leader), which should make for one hell of a story!
Thank you so much to Forever Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This cowboy’s handsome, sexy, and definitely off limits . . .
Walker Everett spends his days at the Crossroads Ranch wrangling cattle-and steering clear of anything that would complicate his already too-complicated life. Until Violet Chastain, the ranch’s newest employee, asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for her parents’ anniversary party. She’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever met and needs his help. How can he refuse?
Violet isn’t about to fall for a brooding bad-boy cowboy, no matter how sizzling their chemistry. But she also never expected Walker to go along with the charade. Before long, he’s charming her parents at their weekly dinners and kissing her way more than necessary. Spending so much time together tests the limits of their “just friends” relationship, but what happens when their game of pretend becomes all too real?
Includes the bonus story Rocky Mountain Cowboy by Sara Richardson!
REVIEW
When I read the synopsis I knew I was in! If it has a Broody Cowboy sign me up. A fake relationship, even better. What I didn’t know was why Walker was trying to not complicate his life, and this added an element I’m usually not too big a fan of. That being said, I think A.J. Pine did a wonderful job of portraying a difficult issue many people struggle. There were ups, downs, and in-betweens that made the story realistic. Plus, it all just had you rooting for Walker and Violet the whole way through!
Walker is really held back by dysfunctional family stuff from his youth and his own mistakes in early adulthood, but his brothers and aunt are a good support system. I loved seeing the small and caring interactions they shared. Plus, his and Jenna and her chicken Lucy are too funny!
Violet is just a caring little ball of awesomeness! I like how there is a point in the story where they bring up that she is a person of color and it’s just real, and not this dramatic thing. She’s smart, successful, and loyal to her family! She goes after what she wants, and I admire that about her.
Overall, this was a fun cowboy romance. I really need to read the first books in the series now. I want to learn how the brothers’ childhood affect them in different ways. I love characters with a past that get their well-deserved happy ending.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
