When I first read about Hill and Kody in Justified, my first thought was “Umhmm, there’s a story there and it’s gonna be good!” Well, I wasn’t wrong and you won’t be either picking up Unforgiven by Jay Crownover. So many different aspects to this couple and their story it will intrigue you and you’ll be craving more.

Ms. Crownover has woven a suspenseful tale of murder that has elements of small town, family loyalty and second chance love. Hill Gamble and Kody Lawton have been each other’s lives for a long time and their story is one of love missed, lost and forgiven.

While this book is truly a love story for Hill and Kody, the murder of Kody’s father is what brings these characters back together. The twist and turns that this event brings to their lives will captivate you with Ms. Crownover’s brilliant storytelling.

These Loveless, Texas men are scorching up my kindle. Holy heat and fire. I need to plan a trip to Texas, real soon.

About Unforgiven:

Unforgiven is the second full length novel in the Loveless, Texas series by Jay Crownover. If you love western romances with a bit of suspense, you are in for a treat.

Kody Lawton is the youngest of the Lawton clan. Kody's life hasn't been easy. She lost the love of her life due to suicide and in the same moment she lost another love she didn't realize she had until he was gone. Now after another loss, Kody is bound and determined to find the person responsible for her father's murder.

Hill Gamble swore he'd never come back to Loveless, Texas. He'd never again set eyes on his heart's desire. His late brother's girlfriend, Kody. But throughout the years Kody Lawton's memory has been on his mind and in his dreams.

Now Hill Gamble is back in Loveless, Texas with a murder to solve and a heart to win. He's not backing down this time, even though the risks are greater. He's in it for life.

My Thoughts:

When I first started reading romance novels, at the ripe old age of eleven years old, my niche was western/cowboy romances. Being a country girl, I wanted to read what I knew. Little did I know, these Texas cowboys are way different and much more appealing than these Michigan country boys. Imagine a young girl's disappointment when I realized I'd have to go to Texas or the deep south to meet one of these men. And that is why I continue to read western romance. I live vicariously through the author's words.

Unforgiven is a slightly suspenseful tale of a slightly second chance romance. To be honest, I have no idea what trope this novel falls under all I know is I loved the hell out of Hill and Kody's romance. These two are fire and gasoline. When together emotions run high and temptation is thick.

I loved the forbidden vibes throughout this novel. Kody once dated and loved Hill's younger brother, Aaron. But Aaron had a few mental issues that he never seeked help for and he was soon lost in the abyss of his mind and his feelings which ended tragically for him and his loved ones. But throughout this novel, feelings from long ago start to unravel and history begins to get uncovered. Hill's first love was Kody, and he saw her first. But Aaron soon fell for her too and Hill decided to step aside and distance himself from the both of them, to make his brother happy. I honestly felt my heart break for Hill but I also felt a sense of respect for the man. This man put his heart aside to make his brother happy even if it meant he was miserable. This moment made me fall for Hill even more.

Kody is a wildfire. I loved her vibe throughout this whole novel. There was so much more to her than what meets the eye. On the outside she wore a shield made of steel and iron. She wore this shield to protect the little girl that lived inside of her. the little girl who watched her father neglect and abuse his children on a daily basis. The deeper in the novel I got, the more I started to really appreciate Kody and Hill's relationship.

Now for the reason why I dropped a star. Throughout the novel, there is a huge suspense filled vibe in the air. A *Who Did It* approach. I felt like I was in a game of clue, trying to uncover the case and figure out who the murderer was. I was a tad bit disappointed by the lack of mystery. As soon as _____ came on the page.... I KNEW! And that is all I'm going to say about that in order to avoid spoilers. It should come to me as no surprise. It's hard to pull the wool over my eyes when it comes to suspense in novels, more than eighty percent of the time when reading suspense novels, I know the outcome. Call it intuition, but I call it an annoyance on my end. For once, I want to be surprised. I want my jaw to hit the floor. I want to feel flabbergasted...

Overall, I loved Hill and Kody's story. I loved their chemistry from start to finish. I just needed a bit more from the mystery aspect, either that or, less mystery and more Hill and Kody moments. I loved them. I can't wait to see what Jay Crownover has planned next! I'm in need of more cowboys please!

~Alecia @ The Staircase Reader

Ms. Crownover is absolutely one of my go-to authors – I have cried, anguished, sat on the edge of my seat and loved all her series from the Marked Men, Saints, The Point to the Getaway series. I must admit that I was a little anxious moving on to her “Cowboy/Western” theme (the Getaway series melted me in somewhat). BOY was I pleasantly surprised! This Loveless, Texas series is classic Jay Crownover – hot men and feisty women with romance and suspense throwing them together so beautifully. Call me a Cowboy Convert for sure!

Hill Gamble is a soulful Texas Ranger with an unrequited love for his deceased brother’s fiancée. Talk about family drama – am I right? Kody is a wild firecracker with trouble following her in spades – skating on the illegal edge. I was constantly trying to figure out how Crownover was going to clean up Kody’s shady side in order to keep Hill’s model good cop conscious satisfied. Jay masterfully weaved that needle without landing Kody in jail or on the wrong side of her shady sidekick – Shot. (OMG! Now that biker world will be a wild ride in Jay’s next book in the series – which can’t come SOON ENOUGH!)

When we finally get Hill and Kody together – after Kody’s stubbornness towards him melts away – we get some hot sexy times and then the drama kicks our butt. I appreciate that once Hill and Kody connect -- they are thoroughly all in with each other and we are not getting an on and off, dump and run exhausting relationship. Kody’s deceased Dad was a POS and continued to pull the Lawton family (Kody and her brothers Case and Crew) into turmoil even after he’s gone. There are some revealing surprises after Dad’s death that really kick the drama into high octane with typical Crownover finesse.

I would like to say the drama was tied up in a nice little bow at the end – but NO – the crazy wild ending has left us bereft until our next story. Which is a perfect ending in my mind – I am not a fan of wrapping up all the drama in a few pages and moving on. I loved this book, recommend you read it, and I am eagerly awaiting what comes next with our Hot Shot and his Cool Doctor in Blacklisted!

Thank you to Forever and to Inkslinger PR for this ARC for review thru Netgalley. This is my honest opinion.

This was a winner, once again with Jay Crownover. It had the forbidden desire for the brother's wife...and how it all played out. Excellent series

4 1/2 Stars!

Oh how I would love to visit Loveless, Texas and meet the Lawtons! Things are definitely never dull around them...

Unforgiven was a great continuation of this family's story. Truly I have enjoyed each and every one of these books! This one primarily focused on Kody and Hill - - can I just say FINALLY! I've been waiting for the real scoop on these two for a while and loved getting to know them a little better in this book. Of course, there were some side issues to deal with too that kept keeping them apart....like Hill trying to figure out who murdered Kody's father and so on. But, eventually those two took time to figure out their extensive "history" and come to peace with their issues so they could move forward...

There were some surprise situations that popped up in this book that I don't want to give away. There is a new character. They are tracking down an unknown murderer. Hill and Kody's slow progression into a relationship was awesome. It really was a wonderful read - I just love this series.

As the book wound up, there were still several unresolved issues that I'm sure will be addressed in the next one....along with Shot and his motorcycle club, the Sons of Sorrow getting more of their story explained. In addition, I believe the new character that was introduced in Unforgiven will be heavily involved with Shot....I wouldn't want to give anything away...but that's my suspicion. I CANNOT wait!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Jay Crownover for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am officially a fan of the Loveless, Texas series. I've read all 3 books so far, and I am in for the long haul.

Kody and Hill suffered a mutual loss when Hill's brother Aaron took his own life. Kody was engaged to Aaron at the time, even though she had feelings for Hill. Hill likewise had feelings for Kody, but wanted his brother's happiness over his own.
They become reaquainted after years of not speaking when Conrad Lawton, Kody's father, turns up murdered in Austin, TX. Hill is on the case to find the killer, and is therefore in close proximity to Kody for the duration of the investigation. The longer they are in close proximity to each other, the less they can deny their long time feelings for one another.
Watching Kody and Hill come together was a beautiful journey. You seem them not only experience grief, but guilt for having feelings for one another after everything that happened to Aaron. I felt like that really made me feel like these characters were real people. Their reactions were very realistic to me in those situations, and the plot with Aaron's suicide was handled in a way that I felt was appropriate. They tried to get Aaron help, but he continued to push them away, as can happen with those with sever depression and bi-polar disorder. I put this in the review, because some may find it triggering.
This novel does a great job of balancing the plot and the romance. Both are given a good amount of attention throughout, and I was invested in both plots. As I have come to experience with Crownover's writing, the on page chemistry of the couple was fantastic, and their sex scenes were steamy, but also had a touch of realism to them.
We meet some new characters in this book that will be tied directly to the next, and I am SO EXCITED to see how that one goes down. Check out this series!

Unforgiven is the second book in the Loveless, Texas series by Jay Crownover. A western romance about first loves, unrequited love and family.

"If she gave me the green light, I was going all in with no regrets and no looking back."

Hill has loved Kody since they were kids but his younger brother's heart had already claimed her. He tried to stay supportive but it was too much for him to be so close to Kody and not have her be his. After his brother's death he feels responsible and Kody lashes out which causes him to keep Loveless Texas in his rear view mirror. Now he's back to help solve Kody's fathers murder and his feelings are as strong as ever. Hill was the first brother to catch her eye but Kody didn't think she would ever be worthy of the straight and narrow boy, so she built a bond with the younger brother. When she lost him , she felt like she lost Hill just as much. He was her support and friend, and she feels like he let her down. In order to be together they need to let go of old pain and be honest with their feelings for once.

This cowboy romance has a great story line. It's filled with suspense, family drama, grief, angst, love and forgiveness. The perfect combination of all the emotions and strong characters that keep the story moving and strong.

3.5 Stars

Kody Lawton has spent most of her adult life angry at Hill Gamble. But since he is her former fiancé's brother, and the best friend of her own brother, avoiding him has not always been an easy task. And when Hill arrives back in Loveless bearing bad news, Kody finds herself spending more time with Hill than she ever has... which is a big problem... especially if she wants to continue to hide the overwhelming attraction she has for him...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unforgiven is a complicated love story about an unrequited infatuation that has been simmering since Kody and Hill were young and inexperienced in life. With her animosity concealing her true feelings, Kody has successfully kept Hill from being a bigger part of her life since the mistakes of their youth. But with a murderer at large and her father's unsolved death in the balance, if they want to get to the bottom of the case, these two will have to learn to keep the peace... and their hands to themselves...

After the loss of her fiancé, Kody shifted the blame to his brother Hill for abandoning her and his brother when they needed him most. But underneath all of her blame, Kody hides the fact that she always had a soft spot for Hill, even when she was engaged to his younger brother. After successfully avoiding him in the years since their loss, this time when Hill arrives back in town, Kody finds that staying away from him isn't quite as easy as it used to be. 

Once Hill escaped from the drudgery of life in Loveless, he vowed to move on and never look back. But in doing so, he lost two of the most important people in his life. Kody Lawton was the woman he always wanted, but could never have, and he made the decision to keep his distance, which seemed like the best solution for everyone involved. But when the Lawton family needs him, the Texas Ranger returns to the last place he ever wanted to be, and right into the arms of the woman who means everything to him...

This was a really good read! Kody and Hill's story was an emotional and sexy second chance romance, which seemed like it had no chance of progressing past the hurts of their past. But in dealing with the complicated reality of their forever unspoken feelings, the love that Kody and Hill have been harboring may finally find a way to break free.

I have really enjoyed the Loveless Texas series and its complex characters that have made it so enriching. Blacklisted is the next book in the series, and if what the next couple has encountered so far in Unforgiven is any indication, they are in for one wild ride...

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

Well, there was an unexpected element in this new addition to the Loveless, Texas, series I didn’t see coming, folks. You see, the synopsis gave no hint to the complicated, sad, hot mess past between the main couple and someone else very important to both of them, who is no longer in the picture. I must say I have mixed feelings about it, because that’s a trio I personally usually shy away from in my romantic reads. I had to move on just like Hill, the hero, did in order to proceed with what turned out to be a mostly “who did it” murder mystery romantic tale.

Hill couldn’t seem to catch a break when it came to Kody. She came across like a grieving, at times neurotic, loose cannon, spitfire and blamed him in the past for someone else’s destructive actions/behavior. You’ll have to be the final judge and jury whether you accept her line of rationale.

Kody struggled to keep things together after her abusive father was murdered. Honestly, her family’s remorse felt misplaced considering how horribly he treated all of them for decades. Again, I just had to roll with it. Hill was the strong, stand up guy who tended to show up and be a tower of strength now just when she needed it. That was my favorite part of this book.

Having really enjoyed the previous books, the bar was set pretty high. I must admit this was my least favorite. Because of their past history and other man drama/issue, I didn’t feel their connection as a couple as strongly as the previous main couples. Kody’s tendency to get into people’s faces with the slightest provocation didn’t necessarily endear me to her. The writing at times also wasn’t as engaging. Therefore, I found myself skimming here and there just to see how it all turned out, especially towards the end. I was quite surprised the murderer was who it was. It seemed a rather very remote, highly unlikely choice to me.

I am already looking forward to a certain motorcycle prez, who was more than just a little infatuated with Kody, finding his own love match after getting patched up by an unexpected character who shows up in town. It will likely be a nearly eighth month wait though before Blacklisted puts that couple, this town, and this posse of characters back into action.

Title: Unforgiven, Series: Loveless, Texas, Author: Jay Crownover, Pages: 432, stand-alone but part of a series, alpha former military now Texas Ranger hero, bartender owner heroine, complicated past with hero and his brother, graphic smex scenes, murder mystery, OM drama. Rating: 3.5 stars

Book .5 - Unbroken
Book 1 - Unjustified
Book 2 - Unforgiven
Book 3 - Blacklisted - releases October 2020.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Ugh, this book had so much potential and started out great, but the last half was just a big letdown. I wouldn't even classify this as a romantic suspense, more a thriller/suspense with some sex thrown in on occasion and a few I love you's to make it seem romantic.

If you haven't read Book 1, make sure you do that first, else you may be lost. I am glad I went and read that one before starting this one since it made a world of difference in explaining family dynamics and their history.

Kody is the 'act first, think later' younger sister of Crew & Case. She's a spitfire who goes off half-cocked and wasn't my favorite person thanks to her rash decisions. She still does that a lot in this book, but eventually she does grow up and settle down a bit. I loved Hill - he was such a teddy bear underneath those cowboy boots and built exterior.

Going into this book, we knew that Kody & Hill shared a past, we just didn't know what exactly happened in the past. It is a truly sad past and one I wish hadn't ended in heartbreak and anger. We learn in the beginning of this book that Kody was engaged to Hill's brother, but she was secretly in love with Hill and felt he was too good for her troubled self, so she stuck with Aaron. Aaron was mentally unstable and things didn't end well for him. This left Kody and Hill devestated and Kody blamed Hill for abandoning the both of them when they needed him most. Hill just left them alone because he was also secretly in love with Kody, but wanted to give his brother the chance at love. I had no faults for him, but I also too wish he would have answered the calls or checked in more with his brother. It may not have made a difference, but who knows?

Fast forward to present day and Kody's father has been murdered and the hunt is now on to find the killer. Hill is a Texas Ranger and Case's best friend, so he helps in the investigation, but is not the lead since he's a friend of the family. That means he's gone half the book, not even close to Loveless, TX and is not there to really allow us to make a connection with Kody & Hill outside of what we perceive them as individuals. Sure, they'll meet up a few times and profess their love, but it felt shallow since we never really got to see them grieve and discuss things the way they should have. Most of the chapters involved them being apart, so I wasn't really feeling them as a couple. And just when the author could have changed that in just a chapter or two at the end, they are still apart on the final page. Sure, they're a couple and say they're going to stick together, but no real life plans have been made, they still live in two different cities and I'm not sure what's going on in their heads at this point. It just felt incomplete.

Instead of the last few chapters being about this couple, they are instead focused on catching a killer who has disappeared and the epilogue is setting up for the next book (Shot & the doctor). I found myself flipping back to make sure I didn't miss a chapter since it went from the final chapter to the epilogue and 6 months having past. What happened in those 6 months besides her bar makeover? What went on with Hill/Kody? It just seemed too weird to have the couple apart so much when this book should have been about them and not 70% about the catching of a killer.

Regardless, the last book is one I'm definitely looking forward to because I loved Shot and the doctor is certainly an interesting character.

Content/Trigger warnings: Mentions of self-harm and suicide (bipolar disorder implied).

Texas Ranger Hill Gamble and bartender Kody Lawton have a dark history (just like everyone else in Loveless, TX). Kody fell in love and married Hill's younger brother Aaron who struggled with mental illness. Both urged Aaron to seek help, but to no avail. Even after Hill left Loveless, Kody confided in Hill whenever Aaron was uncontrollable. But Hill, who has harbored feelings for Kody for years, pulled away which led Kody to resent him, especially after Aaron takes his own life. Years later, someone has murdered Kody's father (who had a reputation for being a dirty cop) and Hill is officially part of the team investigating.

SHEEEEESH. If readers thought "Justified" was dramatic, watch out for "Unforgiven." The prologue is so heavy, readers may wonder how they're going to get through the rest of the book.

I love broody male heroes as much as I love the grumpy ones. Hill, despite the melodrama of this entire book, is extremely realistic. His guilt (despite not being at fault) over his brother's detrimental mental illness and later death is very honest. Why he ever fell in love with Kody? I'm not entirely sure.

Kody is a hot and cold character which makes it hard to love and hate her. She is tough--she runs her own bar and she's buddy-buddy with a biker gang. I don't like her "act now, apologize later" attitude. I feel like she gets whatever she wants and she rarely truly apologizes for her rash actions. She's the kind of person who, when upset with you, just bursts in and starts yelling--no build-up or escalation. She doesn't understand why Hill would ever love someone like her and I agree. But Hill's patience with her, even when she's throwing a tantrum (I don't appreciate her smacking Hill in the face in the beginning of the book...something she still never really apologizes for later), is endearing.

Kody is the kind of person who needs to be issued ultimatums to get on the right path and I appreciate that Hill works out his relationship with her accordingly.

With regards to the suspense elements, Crownover's culprits are somewhat removed from the story, so readers wouldn't necessarily be able to figure out whodunit themselves. But the ending of this book is open-ended enough to not only lead into the next installment, but leave some questions of this book unanswered.

My Thoughts:

Unforgiven is the first book that I've read in the Loveless Texas Series. It has a heartbreaking and spellbinding prologue that reels you in to Hill Gamble and Kody Lawton's story.

These two have quite the past! Kody's first love was Hill's younger brother, Aaron, who was a troubled soul with severe mental health problems. Kody had been drawn to Hill first, but she dismissed the idea of them together, because Kody and Aaron, who started out as best friends, were a lot more alike.

Hill moved to get away from his dysfunctional family, but as he found himself getting closer to, and falling in love with Kody, he completely removed himself from her and his brother. When tragedy struck, Kody never forgave Hill for what she construed as his abandonment of her and Aaron.

Now many years later, Hill is a Texas Ranger, and must deliver horrible news to the Lawton's; their father has been murdered. Kody has always struggled with her emotions, and preferred to focus on her anger so that she can survive the tragedies that have occurred in her life. However, with Hill in close proximity, and danger escalating as her father's killer is on the loose, walls will come down, and feelings will be revealed. Will this be Kody and Hill's chance to have the love that they've secretly longed for from each other, or will the killer get to one of them first?

I loved Kody's sassy, spitfire, impulsive, and independent personality! She was tough on the outside, but had a tender heart. Hill was patient, kind, sexy, loyal, and gave everyone and everything his best. I enjoyed getting both characters points of view. I thought Kody was unfair to Hill at the beginning of the story, and it made me angry, but I understood it was a coping and defense mechanism.

The first half of the story was a bit slow, because both characters were in their heads a lot, and not a whole lot was happening. The second half of the story took off, as the suspense ramped up, and more began happening between Kody and Hill, as well as with the killer.

I enjoyed Kody's brothers Case and Crew, as well as their significant others, and would like to go back and read their stories. This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I would love to learn more about the secondary characters, as well as the Lawton's upbringing. The secondary character that shone through and really sparked my interest was MC Club President, "Shot," and I can't wait to get his story. He's my favorite type of alpha bad boy, and it would be nice to see him fall in love and get his happily ever after.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, with a sexy and swoon-worthy cowboy, a fun and sassy female lead, as well as a lovable cast of secondary characters, check out Unforgiven!

Kody Lawton, tough bar owner and sister to Case and Crew, is in a love crisis. Her fiancée’s brother has been a secret crush for years but she figured he was out of her league. The two are brought together when tragedy strikes again and secrets are revealed. I couldn’t put this down, great storytelling and very intense. While their story ends the overall “bad guy” is still around, definitely an opening for another book. Looks like Shot might get his chance at a doctor, speculation of course. I received an early copy through Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.

Jay Crownover is generally a dependable read and this novel was no different. I was sucked right into Hill and Kody's story and am so ready for the next one to see how it ends with the killer! She always writes characters who have flaws and at one point may hide behind them, but then they have to face those demons and win. I love that they aren't cookie cutter perfect people. It makes the story feel more real. I do wish there were bits and pieces more fleshed out in their respective pasts, but overall I enjoyed it and I hope that we get a story with Presley and Shot next!

4.5 stars - I loved Unforgiven! Case and Crew's little sister, Kody, is a total spitfire, but she has to be since she runs a bar on her own and is friends with the leader of the local motorcycle club. Hill is the epitome of the Texas Ranger, and Kody is his only weakness. This book was hot, unexpectedly very sweet, and also suspenseful. Kody and Hill don't really have a cliffhanger, but there are some unresolved parts of the book, so I'm eagerly waiting for Blacklisted. I think you could still enjoy this as a standalone, but the story is a lot richer if you've read Crew and Case's stories first.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the latest book in the Loveless, Texas series by Jay Crownover. Unfortunately not as much as I enjoyed the previous book or novella. Something about the relationship in this one felt a bit underwhelming and little forced at first. After about 45-50% mark I found it much more enjoyable and plausible. There were a few things that really threw me off but I loved the history of the couple and the obvious, smoking hot chemistry they exuded.

As with the previous books in the series, Crownover's plot was as dangerous as it was fun. The world tips a little askew in Loveless, Texas thanks to the Lawton crew and I wouldn't have it any other way. The danger is what keeps you on your toes as the romance unravels the characters. The family aspect of the characters allows you a more intimate look into their lives and who they are as characters as well. Where with the previous books I felt like I couldn't put them down, this one drug a little for me.

Unforgiven is entertaining and romantic. A second chance, a sort of frenemies-to-lovers with a complicated past. Crownover knows how to make an impact with her stories and leave you wanting more.

Unforgiven by Jay Crownover was a great book. This author has such a unique style of writing and blends both a romance story and a suspense story together. It is well written and held my attention until the end. The main characters are a Texas lawman, Hill Gamble, and an out of control and impulsive bar owner, Kody Lawton. Although Hill has always loved Kody, she will not open her heart to him due to past issues that she has left unresolved. These two are interesting to watch with all the ups and downs in their dealings with each other and in addition having to solve the murder of Kody’s father. There are many twists and turns, and surprises that I did not expect. Many of the characters from the previous book Justified, are involved in this story also. It is a wonderful and intriguing series, and I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Can you believe this is the first time I'm reading Jay Crownover? I must have been living under a rock or something.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review.

I will be the first one to admit that this is not normally the type of book I would pick up solely based on the cover. At first glance this looks like a steamy romance featuring a cowboy. I'm not into swoony cowboy types, but I do like a good romantic suspense. This book delivers on both. This does feature hot, swoon worthy Texas Ranger, boots and Stetson included, however there is a nice balance of criminal investigation to give the story a good plot as the romance takes time to develop between our main characters. Our main characters Hill and Kody have a lot of emotional baggage between them. They've had feelings for each other since they were teenagers, but Kody eventually fell hard for Hill's younger brother Aaron. Hill left the small town of Loveless out of respect for his brother and to try and make a living and eventually made his way into the Texas Rangers. Kody has never forgiven Hill for leaving town, not helping his brother more, and especially not being there for her when she needed him. She needs someone to blame for all of the bad things in her life some by her own choice and some through no fault of her own, and Hill is the easiest for her to blame. Hill reenter's Kody's life when her father is murdered and he's asked to help with the investigation. This brings up all kinds of memories for both of them and emotions and conversations neither of them are ready for. When the case takes a strange turn and Kody becomes a target of the suspect, they are forced to face their feelings for each other. At this point the investigation kind of takes a back seat. I wanted a bit more of the investigation and police procedural stuff, but that's because I'm a big mystery/thriller fan whereas this eventually leans more heavily on the romance.

I really liked the writing style of this. The pacing was good, and as I mentioned there was a nice balance of the crime element with the romance. If you are a romance reader this doesn't get overly procedural or detailed with the crime investigation and it definitely has a good amount of steamy scenes. I thought the character development was decent, but I also appreciated that neither character wanted to change the other one. I feel like I got a good sense of each character's personality as well as a good description of the side characters and how they fit into the storyline even if they didn't play a major role.

This is a standalone in the Loveless, Texas series. I didn't feel like I needed to have read the previous book to get a handle on what was going on. I do however want to read it as I want to know more about the Lawton family, and I need to find out what happens next in the series. While Hill and Kody's story does wrap up nicely, the final chapter leaves off on a bit of a cliffhanger setting you up for the next book in the series.

There was a lot of Unforgiven that was unexpected and came as a surprise to me. It was filled with twists and turns that kept you thinking. It was also packed with a lot of emotion, drama, and action. Hill is an amazing guy. He's a super hard worker who wants to help people. He has a big heart and is a man who will take the blame for others. I loved learning more about him and thoroughly enjoyed him. Kody is a tough, independent woman who loves her family. She has not had an easy past by any means, but she's a fighter and has gotten through it with the help of her brothers. I love her and Hill together. I think they're made for each other and they both deserve to finally have a HEA. The storyline was intriguing for sure, and I wasn't expecting everything to play out the way it did. I can't wait for Shot's book after that epilogue! *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

4 1/2 Stars!

Hill has been love with Kody since the day he met her ... only she fell in love with someone else. So Hill left their small Texas town and went on to become a Texas Ranger. Now he's back in town investigating the death of Kody's father and all those feelings he had for Kody that he thought were long gone, come right back to the surface the minute he sees her.

I just loved this story! And who wouldn't love Hill? ... no really ... who? He is handsome, protective, reliable and HOT! And Kody ... I love that she doesn`t let anyone dictate her life, she does what she wants, when she wants. I could just feel the chemistry between Hill and Kody steam off the pages ... speaking of steam ... WOW! Then there`s the mystery surrounding Kody`s father`s death. This is a great addition to the series and I can`t wait for the next book!

I received an early copy courtesy of Forever-Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.