
Pages: 433


Series: Loveless Texas #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Setting: Loveless, TX
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Unbroken, Justified, Blacklisted
Also by this author: Asa, Built, Charged, Honor, Retreat, Riveted, Salvaged, Shelter, Unbroken, Justified, Blacklisted, Fortunate Son, Prodigal Son, Son of a Gun



Goodreads
From the New York Times best-selling 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.
Unforgiven is the story of Hill Gamble, badass cop, and his brother’s widow, Kody Lawton. He’s loved Kody since they were young. Kody has a chip on her shoulder the size of Alaska (bigger than Texas) and hasn’t been very nice to Hill. She, unfairly, blames Hill for a lot and now she is dealing with her father’s death as well. I understood Kody’s struggle with her father’s death. When you have someone in your life who is toxic and terrible, their death is confusing. You hate them, but part of you loved them no matter what because they were family. Combine that with the grief of losing a husband as well and you get Kody Lawton. Oh, and having feelings for Hill is only confusing her further.
If you love a beta hero, Hill is your man. He is just a strong, steady presence and its super hot. The plot of Unforgiven has a lot of suspense which gave Hill more time to shine. I love a good romantic suspense; I think some people wanted more focus on the romance, but I really appreciated that the push/pull wasn’t drug out between the couple. I get annoyed with manufactured angst.
Despite loving Hill, Unforgiven felt like a bridge instead of a full story. The book was long, but it felt more like a long set up for the next book. The mystery surrounding Mr. Lawton’s death is interesting, but perhaps a bit drawn out. I still loved the story, but there was something missing for me. Having said that, I am SO excited for Shot and Presley’s book!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: widow, police
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: series (you need to read these in order)
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Retreat by Jay Crownover, Cowboy SEAL Homecoming by Nicole Helm, Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle…then you will probably like Unforgiven!

Beta heroes are my jam, I love them so much and this author writes them so well. Great review and glad you had a good time with this one
This sounds good, I usually love Jay’s heroes. Great review, Sam.
I’m so behind on my ARC schedule that I haven’t been able to get to this title yet. When I read the synopsis for this title I couldn’t wait to request it. It’s been a minute since I’ve read a Jay Crownover story (I think the last was Rome), but I”m excited to get back into her writing.