Member Reviews
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The Last Good Cowboy
By: Kate Pearce
Publisher: Kensington Books
Pub Date: 4/25/17
Who doesn’t love a good Cowboy romance?!?
Ry Morgan has returned to the family ranch, leaving his twin brother in the city.
Avery is living with her parents, healing from an accident. Having thought once upon a time she had shared a kiss with Ry only to find out years later it was his twin HW. That caused some hurt feelings that she needs to work through.
It was a great read third in a series but could definitely be read independently of the rest.
This was a very enjoyable second chance romance read. The main characters were likable and believable, with enough 'sidekicks' from family members to keep it entertaining. Ry and Avery were each working on their issues, both separately and together, but at times seemed to have a distinct lack of understanding of the other person given their shared past through both a relationship and rodeo experiences. Although part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone story. I received a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Enjoyable, and well written book with realistic characters. This is a good, modern romance where the cowboys are all handsome and the women are well developed professionals instead of the bimbos that are often seen in this genre. If you're looking for some light romance reading and good cowboys, I'd highly recommend this story.
Ry Morgan has always had a thing for Avery Hayes—one more hope his twin wrecked for him, pretending to be Ry to kiss her at the high school prom. Eight years later, Ry has had enough: he’s quitting the pro rodeo circuit, moving home to California to mend fences, and letting his brother clean up his own messes for a change. Reclaiming Avery’s stolen kiss is at the top of his agenda.
This was a pretty good book. I’m not sure I’d really term it a second-chance romance though. It’s more a first chance at a long-ago crush. I felt this was kind of a gender-swap on the injured cowboy storyline, since it’s usually a man that’s an injured from a rodeo. This worked just fine for me. There is a storyline that runs throughout the series that I was unfamiliar with, but it didn’t bother me that I hadn’t read the others. Overall, I enjoyed it and I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
This book is about Ry and Avery helping each other overcome their demons and falling in love. I liked them together. Even when they butt heads, there were enough cool heads around them to help them work through the problem.
The back story about the mystery of the brothers mom was almost as prominent as Ry and Avery's story. As I said before, this can be read as a standalone, but I think you will enjoy it more if you read the books in order. Only because the mystery is interwoven into each brother's storyline and it gives you a solid foundation for this book. If you read this book first, I believe you will want to backtrack and read the first two.
Avery had wrapped herself in her own comfort zone and was making no moves to move forward. Ry had left his twin on the rodeo circuit to forge a new path for himself, while shoving down his demons. They provided each other with enough strength to heal their wounds.
I liked the sense of family, strength, and renewed loyalty in this book. There was also an interesting twist to the storyline. This was a truly enjoyable read. Recommending this book is no problem.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy.
I received this ARC for my honest review.
This is the first time I've read a book from this author and the first time reading a western romance that wasn't paranormal. Now just because it's not a paranormal story, doesn't mean I wouldn't like it. With that said, I had a very hard time getting into the book. The story premise was interesting, so it wasn't necessarily about that. It just wasn't holding my attention enough. Not to mention the story just seemed to be missing a lot of backstory. (Like I'm missing a book or three from the series.). I was getting confused with a few things being said, so, I did a little research and found that there are a few books in this series. So, I stopped reading this one to get the other book(s). Again, unfortunately, I just couldn't get into the story so it took me a very long time to get started.
In this book, the main character, Ry, has come back home from the rodeo, where he ruled the spotlight. However, Ry is thinking on just leaving it behind. Besides, there's new and young blood that showed up doing a bang up job of beating Ry out of the spotlight. So quitting now seems like good timing. But what about his family. Will they understand? Have they forgiven the past interviews he'd done where he didn't hold his tongue? And let's not forget the woman he cares about is now with one of his brothers. Will everything work out okay, or will everything just crash down on and around him?
However, and unfortunately, this book was very difficult for me to stay in it. My mind kept drifting. Is that because of the book or just me having too much on my mind? I'll be honest and say both! All in all I just couldn't stay in the story and therefore, couldn't finish all the books in a timely matter for a review.
In all honesty, whether recommending this book or not, I would highly suggest you read the other books first to get a full feel of the family dynamics. But, if you haven't read the other books first, and you can overlook this issue, I'd say go for this series. It's a decent read. But, if you can't overlook this issue and you really don't want to need to get The other books in this series, then I suggest you skip this one.
Ry Morgan after years on the rodeo circuit with his twin decides to return home. His brother has been an irksome presence in his life. Avery Hayes is the one who "almost got away", but his brother ruined that for him. The years have passed but Ry hopes to woo Avery. The years have wrought profound to Avery's existence, leaving her changed from the girl he once knew.
This was the first time I've read a book set within a contemporary western setting. It was interesting, but not my particular cup of tea. I would read this authors book within different sub-genres.
I've been following this series from its inception and been drawn into the lives of the Morgan family, their problems, their relationships with one another, their childhoods, their love lives, and the workings of the family ranch slowly becoming a travel getaway for tourists, and I expected the same from this third installment in the series, but sadly, this novel just didn't involve me in way the previous two novels in the series did, and I can only give it a 3-star rating, since I liked it but didn't love it.
I'm a fan of second-chance romances, but when Ry Morgan finally has had enough and leaves his self-centered, self-indulgent, rodeo bronco riding twin brother, HW, with whom he's been traveling the rodeo circuit and looking after for years, and returns home to Morgan Ranch, I was excited to learn who was waiting back home for him. That person was Avery, his sort-of high school girlfriend--sort-of because as the novel slowly progresses, we come to realize that it wasn't much of a high school romance at all, especially after Ry took Avery to the senior prom and found her kissing H.W., who was pretending to be Ry.
After high school, Avery, who loved to ride, also involved herself in the rodeo circuit as a barrel racer, until a terrible accident left her body and spirit broken, her racing career over. Many surgeries followed for the next four years, and although she can manage to get around she's not too steady on her feet, she's now terrified of horses, scarred, and simply existing as she works at the family B&B in Morgantown, at least until Ry is back in town.
Ry is the epitome of every good, honest and true cowboy I've ever encountered in a novel or a film. The strong, silent type. He's happy to be back at the ranch, doing what he loves, without having to chase after his brother, whom he both loves and somewhat resents, since his mother, who disappeared 20 years ago, made him promise to always look after her favorite twin, H.W..
The relationship between Ry and Avery takes a long time to develop, and although there are sex scenes in the novel, they don't seem to generate much heat, nor does their person-to-person contact. Much of the novel centers around Chase (Ry's brother) and January's upcoming wedding plans (previous novel), Avery's job at the B&B and as event coordinator for the wedding, and Avery's sister, who just graduated college and wants to replace Avery at Morgan Ranch. Then, there's H.W., who pops up regularly and who would happily guilt Ry into returning to the rodeo circuit. There's also Avery's fear of horses, and Chase's search for their long-absent mother, and there are lots of complications on the rocky road to a romance, which slowed the pace of this novel to a crawl, and which didn't ever seem to really grab me and draw me in. Ry is far too closed-off emotionally and reluctant to talk about his feelings, and, when he does, it was the least romantic scene I've read in years. Avery's own admission was equally lacking emotion and depth.
Of the three novels in this series so far, this was my least favorite and I'm hoping that Ms. Pearce's subsequent Morgan Ranch novels are more emotionally satisfying and offer more depth than The Last Good Cowboy. Ms. Pearce is an excellent and skilled writer, and has created a family and a town that are memorable and which have the potential for real drama, and have so many possibilities for future novels, especially with the surprise twist at the end of this one, but sadly, this novel wasn't all that deep, all that involving, or all that memorable. Finally, while this novel works as a standalone, I'd advise readers to start this series at the beginning because the complicated relationships in this family, it's history, and it's characters will otherwise be very confusing.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel and received no compensation for doing so. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is the third in the series but my first. And while I got a great feel for Ry and Avery’s romance I do wonder about what I missed. I know that there is some history with Ry’s mother, as it comes into play here and is obviously not new, but I’m not sure if the twin’s relationship was developed any in the other stories. There are definitely all sorts of undercurrents and issues that come up. Plus there are some obvious bits of drama with the dad and something happened with one of the brother’s having a daughter, but they aren’t truly critical to this story.
Ry is done following his brother around and he’s ready to return home because the life that they’ve been leading isn’t making him happy. There’s an even bigger positive side to it – being home puts him back in the sphere with his high school crush.
Avery’s life has changed since Ry went away. An accident took away her rodeo career but she didn’t let it keep her down. Unfortunately those around her still tend to baby her and she’s tired of it. A chance to plan a wedding at the Morgan ranch gives her that chance to get out on her own … but it also puts her near Ry. And while she had a crush on him too, she’s not that confident girl anymore. I loved seeing Ry work at proving to Avery that she’s even stronger than she thinks she is. He’s got such understanding of what she needs and how to support her. If she’ll let him :)
The Morgan family drama is a pretty big piece of the story and provides motivation for a lot of what Ry does. Once we get all of the details it is pretty heartbreaking but definitely something that the boys all need to face. There is a tiny bit of a cliffhanger at the end, setting up to where the next book will go, but there is a happy ending for Ry and Avery.
Another great book in the Morgan Ranch series! I read the first book but somehow missed the second book in the series, however it did not take away from this book.
It was great to see Ry come into his own and come out of his brother's shadow. While him and Avery have a past, I was pleased that the author did not rely too much on this given the number of years that had passed.
Just like with Ry, it was great to read Avery becoming her own person. After a heartbreaking injury ended her career and changed her life forever, she's surrounded by people who treat her with kid gloves. Everything changes when Ry challenges her beliefs and what she can and can't do.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
Ry Morgan has always had a thing for Avery Hayes—one more hope his twin wrecked for him, pretending to be Ry to kiss her at the high school prom. Eight years later, Ry has had enough: he’s quitting the pro rodeo circuit, moving home to California to mend fences, and letting his brother clean up his own messes for a change. Reclaiming Avery’s stolen kiss is at the top of his agenda…
But Avery has changed. Her rodeo career ended with a fall that left her lucky to be alive, let alone walking. She hasn’t been on a horse since, and between surgeries and fighting off everybody’s pity she hasn’t done much else either. Ry is strong, confident, and sexy as hell—exactly what she thought she wanted at seventeen. Now, she’ll have to protect the safe space she’s made for herself—or risk it all for a dream she thought would never come again…
I really enjoyed the continuation of the story of the Morgan family. This is the third book in this series that I have read. My only criticism of the book is the descriptive sex scenes. I realize that is a personal preference but I don't enjoy reading the details.
Ry Morgan and Avery Hayes had grown up together in their small town. Ry had recently returned when his twin brother, HW, was shooting for the national title of bronc riding and Ry was no longer feeling that he needed to be a part of it. He had come home to the family ranch to help out.
Avery's family owned the hotel in town and Avery had liked Ry for as long as she could remember. Then in high school, at Ry and HW's senior prom, HW had stolen a kiss from Avery letting her believe he was Ry. She was humiliated and angry. Now that Ry was back in town, though, he seemed to be interested in her again. Avery had come home after a devastating barrel racing accident that left her with the need to learn to walk all over again and lucky to be alive. She hadn't been near a horse since the accident and had no interest in doing so again. Ry wanted to help her get over her fear of horses and of him. Was that possible?
You'll love the Morgan family as much as I do.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We spent a lot of time hung up on a mistaken identity thing that happened in high school, but that aside, this was a fun western romance. Ry and Avery were well-matched and had their chemistry on low and slow and I liked it.
Wow, another great addition to the Morgan Ranch series. The Morgan brothers are all definitely hot & definitely troubled. Ry & Avery were once really good friends but an act of stupidity by Ry's twin & distance changed all that. Now Ry is back on the ranch, trying to get his head on straight & start a new life. Avery is still slowly recovering from a life threatening barrel racing accident, she's slowly getting back to life even though she's being smothered by her overprotective family. Ry & Avery start a friendship that slowly turns into a relationship. With a wedding coming up & the Welcome Centre for their soon to open Dude ranch, the ranch is bustling & offering Avery a new challenge. With a part of Ry's family past coming to a close with many unanswered questions & one question still out there, we see the brothers slowly coming back together & their family being put back together one piece at a time. We also see Avery standing on her own two feet & taking back her life & love for Ry. It was good seeing the continuation of Chase & January as well as Blue & Jenna, Billy & grandma Ruth & Roy. Looking forward to the next book, I'm just not as sure who it's going to be now because of a surprise at the very end as I was at the beginning. Definitely recommend this book.
Absolitely love it. Great story and loved the characters
Ms. Pearce is a new-to-me author, but after finishing this story I'm determined to go back and read the previous books of this series. The Morgan brothers are an interesting bunch of sexy men that love their women dearly, but they're also dealing with a situation that has them at odds with how to proceed. Ry doesn't know whether he wants to pursue the course of action that the rest of his brothers do, because of the things his mother did to him. Yet, at the same time, he needs closure. Will he get the answers he's looking for?
As for the main characters, both were compelling and I loved their growing relationship, as the hero isn't afraid to push the heroine when it comes to closing herself off and not seeing the positive to her accident. Seriously, it could have been a lot worse for her. Moreover, I liked how the heroine blooms throughout this story with Ry's help. She proves how strong and brave she is by overcoming her fear of how she got hurt and I liked her determination to reach for something other than working at her parents hotel, as her parents are too over-protective and worry about her too much. Really, her parents concern felt a little stifling from the heroine's point of view.
While the hero, he goes through a lot in this story too. Being at odds with his twin is something that's never happened, and I could understand why he needed to escape his twin's world and the rodeo life. His twin seemed a bit self-absorbed, needy and I liked that Ry started standing up for what he wants instead of continuing to always be there for his twin. Furthermore, I felt sorry for him when he was torn between wanting answers about the past and not wanting to confront it. How could his mother treat Ry the way she did? He and his twin were equals.
Overall, I really enjoyed this third book of Ms. Pearce's Morgan Ranch series where the chemistry between this couple was delightful, intense and illustrated how much these two needed each other in their lives to help the other overcome the hurts of their pasts. The way this story ended had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, because Ry and Avery deserved all the happiness in the world. However, it was right at the end of this book that has me looking forward to the next story of this series. Whose story will it be? I would recommend The Last Good Cowboy by Kate Pearce, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope, or books by authors Donna Michaels, Kathleen Bell or Anne McAllister.
"The Last Good Cowboy" is as good as I would expect from Kate Pearce. Although the next in the 'Morgan Ranch' series, each book stands on its own and is so darn good! Ry and Avery's story was such a warm hearted story with a H and h that we could really rally around. Ry was such a gentle kind caring man, that he will win you over in the first few pages. Watching both Ry and Avery beat their demons, with the help of family and each other, just enriches an already really great series. We also got to see the more of the backstory of Ry and his siblings progressing just a bit more, and see just what is behind some of their actions. There is a bit yet to be solved in the overall backstory of the 'Morgan Ranch', but each story will leave you with a warm feeling if you are looking for that HEA of the cowboy hottie! This may be my favorite of the series, but overall it would be hard to pick just one. I look forward to reading HW's story this winter in the next 'Morgan Ranch' book! I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington/Zebra books for gifting me "The Last Good Cowboy". My opinion is my own. This is mine 5 Stars!
RY Morgan has come home back to the ranch and has left his twin HW on the rodeo circuit. He is still working things out between his twin brother but he is glad to be back home on the ranch. Also he is looking forward to seeing Avery Hayes who he had a crush on through school, but does not know that she is working through her rodeo accident, that has left her with deep scars physically and emotionally. Fighting off people’s pity she has only a few friends and does not go out, and getting on a horse has not happen since the accident. RY is still dealing with HW and also dealing with the memories of being home and the night there mother took off. More so now since Chase, and Blue are looking for her through a private investigator. You also have the wedding that everyone has been looking forward to between Chase and January finally. But before you get there the family conflict between RY and HW and then Avery and her sister who has come home after graduating from college really throws them all for a loop. Between the two families there is plenty of drama. Then HW adds more drama to the mix which makes for the story to go to another level for the Morgan family and you really find out a lot about the mom and how RY was treated by the mother. The wedding finally does happen only takes three books. My biggest issue with this book is the ending. With the last book you knew where the two main characters stood Blue and Jenna, in this one at least for me it is you are not sure and RY leaves the ranch, and when you get to the last page it is a recipe for roast beef. I am all for a good roast beef, but what I really wanted was some type ending or nibble that makes me want to remember to look for the next book. Other than that it was good.
Avery, a retired barrel racer, is "stuck" in her life. Forced to alter her dreams due to an injury sustained while racing, Avery lives a quiet, safe life as the hotel coordinator of her family's hotel. Her parents coddle her and treat her as a fragile piece of china that may break at any moment. Without realizing it, Avery has accepted this as her life and doesn't EVER step out of her comfort zone.....until Ry comes into town.
Ry Morgan is the youngest of four boys. He and his indentical twin, HW, left the ranch at 18yrs old to pursue dreams of making it to the National Finals Rodeo. HW is driven, but reckless and allows people to use him. Although Ry no longer wants to continue with the rodeo, he feels as though he has to stay because he promised his mom to always look out for HW. After one too many parties, Ry decides he's had enough and returns home to help Chase turn their ranch into "the ultimate" dude ranch. Upon returning home, Ry runs into Avery. Ry has always liked Avery, but doesn't know if she'll give him a chance due to a stupid stunt HW played on her in high school.
This novel takes you on an emotional ride. The Morgan brothers find out the mom and sister they thought were dead, may actually be alive. Chase and BB decide to search for them, not knowing that Ry suffered their mother's abuse as a child. Ry struggles with his flashbacks, but finds solace with Avery. Ry also helps Avery "live" again. He gently challenges her to do things, like ride a horse again, that are way out of her comfort zone. Avery and Ry's road to happiness isn't without struggles, but it makes their bond that much stronger.
I truly enjoyed this novel. Kate Pearce is a new author to me, but I can't wait to go back and read the first two novels in this series. I'm also intrigued as to what Rachel's story will be as we catch a glimpse of her at the end of this novel!!! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
This was the first book that I read in this series. It's a very interesting family. I really enjoyed reading this one & wasn't lost because I didn't start with the first book. Now however, I will be going back to read the others.