Half suspense and half romance, this book pairs a steady lawman with an impulsive bar owner who's been breaking a few rules. Though this is a little less romance-centric and a little more understated than the novels I typically read, I've got to admit that I've enjoyed the series quite a bit. Crownover's writing is solid, her characters are flawed but still likable, and the relationships have plenty of depth even though so much time is spent on the action. This one took a little longer to win me over because I haven't been the biggest fan of our heroine, but it hooked me in along the way.

The story follows Kody in the aftermath of her father's death. She's got a strong personality and a complicated relationship with the lawman sent to investigate. Hill has been a part of her life for years, the golden boy she crushed on, then the brother of her fiancé, then her support as that relationship fell apart, and finally the scapegoat for her guilt after her fiancé took his own life. To Hill, Kody has only ever really been one thing - the woman he wants to call his. He knows that's something he shouldn't want, but that doesn't change reality, and now that they're in town together, it's impossible to ignore.

Having read the other books in the series (not required to enjoy this), I'd already been introduced to both of these characters and wasn't sure what to expect from Kody. While she never completely won me over, Hill more than made up for that - he is such a rock solid, genuine, and loving guy. His feelings for Kody don't waiver and that was really refreshing to read. Yes, there were times when the book moved too slowly for me, but I did love the connection. It's a slow burn that gets downright steamy towards the end. I'm definitely intrigued by the direction Crownover is taking things in the next book, because there's a story that needs to told there. I'd recommend this for those who like their romance to have that laidback, western feel and don't mind a heavy serving of drama/suspense. I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this romance.

I knew there was a lot of history with Kody Lawton and Hill Gamble based upon their interactions in the last book, but I was not prepared for the depth of their pain.

Kody Lawton is the fiery, impulsive little sister of Case and Crew. She is now a bar owner and keeps some questionable company. But her past is filled with pain, abandonment, and chaos. She once was really close both to Hill and his younger brother, Aaron. Hill was the more untouchable, reserved, good guy that was going places. Aaron was more wild and free like herself so they gravitated towards each other. But there is a lot more to that story that has left lasting effects on both Hill and Kody.

Hill always had a soft spot for Kody, but eventually felt he needed to distance himself. But he now lives with regret. He got out of Loveless and is now a Texas Ranger, but he has always had unresolved feelings for her.

Now in the midst of a murder investigation, they are spending time together. And things are heating up and old feelings are being stirred. They have strong reactions to each other and make each other feel whether it be good or bad. But Kody has such fear of being hurt or left again and froze up her heart years ago. And Hill is supposed to be impartial and do his job without distractions. And there might be a stigma of them even trying to be together based on the past.

These two have survived so much throughout their lives, is it finally their chance to find a bit of happiness?

This is a slow burn, yet sometimes volatile and steamy, second-chance love story built on a mystery and murder. But it is also about healing and moving on from emotionally challenging pasts and pain. I have to admit some parts seemed to drag a bit for me, and some things seemed a bit over the top. But I liked how Hill and Kody balanced each other.

Her brothers and their significant others return as well as one local outlaw. And there is a new character that brings some more drama. We get some closure, but not all of it. I am looking forward to more in this series and concluding part of the story arc in the next book.

I loved this book!! It was a great contribution to the series and I can't wait to see what Jay Crownover has for us next!! Kody & Hill are the couple I've been waiting for and she did not disappoint!! This is one of my favorite by one of my favorite authors!! Hill deserves his place in my harem!

Must read series!!

I adored the first installment in Jay Crownover’s Loveless, Texas series (Justified) so I jumped at the chance to read the follow-up book Unforgiven! In all honesty, it took me only about 5 pages to be completely hooked -from that point I strapped on my seatbelt because I knew Jay Crownover was about to take me on one heck of a ride!

Unforgiven is a swoon-worthy romance that’s packed with depth! The characters are realistic at the same time endearing and that combine with the great storyline makes this novel a complete 5 star read! Of course, I now am excitedly awaiting the next installment in this fantastic series!

3 stars — Well…this one didn’t work as well for me as Crew and Case’s romances. I honestly found myself skimming the sex scenes for the last half of the book. I think it really could have been edited down a bit and then the pacing would have worked better.

I also had a hard time connecting with Kody. I kind of knew that might be the case going in — I wasn’t that intrigued by her in the first 2 books. She’s very volatile, makes crazy decisions, and she takes out her anger on the ones she loves. I know some people like that, and it’s something that really annoys me about those people, so I was never going to be on Kody’s side for that. I’m also a super good girl, so I’m never going to be excited about all the illegal type decisions that Kody was making…the reasons didn’t seem good enough for me.

Hill was pretty sweet…but he was also kind of a doormat when it came to Kody. There were times I kept wondering what it was about Kody that he fell in love with, and then I’d have to remember that they had all these deep conversations in the past that the reader wasn’t privy to. That really didn’t help me feel the connection between them. And other than the way he was with Kody, I’m not sure I really knew a whole lot else about him.

And I guess you can tell since I skimmed that I wasn’t really feeling the chemistry between the two of them. The emotional connection felt a bit forced, and I need that to get into the steamy scenes. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the two of them together.

The suspense/mystery was interesting — though I was hella surprised when it wasn’t resolved. Didn’t see the next book coming. I’m more interested in those characters, but I’m not sure enough to keep going in this series. I enjoyed the previous books, but not enough to be blown away and clamouring for more, you know?

So yeah. Characters are my bread and butter, and I just couldn’t connect with these two (though mostly Kody). Ah well.

I loved this story! Incredible book. In her acknowledgements Jay said, “In romance there are few things I love more than the longing and ache associated with unrequited love. It is hands down one of my most favorite tropes.” Same here Jay, SAME. And you nailed it. I was invested in Hill and Kody’s story from page one. Hill quickly went up the ranks on my list of favorite book boyfriends and Kody was a force. Make sure you add this book to your TBR list! Do. Not. Miss. This. Book.

I had issues from the start but the final straw was the spin that the hero and heroine fell for each other the first time they met and she chose the other brother only because she didn't think she was good enough for this one.
And that final chapter, no other purpose than as a set up for the next book in the series.
Overall, I hate read most of this book just for the murder mystery plot (which was pretty unbelievable in the end).

4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this story and after having met these characters in the previous book I was so happy to finally get all the details on Kody and Hill and their unrequited love history. Luckily it does not stay unrequited, not really a spoiler alert or there would be no story. I guess this could be considered a second chance in a way at least for Kody, but for Hill, she is all he has ever wanted. I really like their characters and the journey to get to where they are at the end of the book. The story itself is amazingly written by the fabulous Jay Crownover. That ending though. Looking forward to Shot's book up next!!

It's been a while since I read Jay Crownover. A few of her Charged and Getaway books are languishing in my TBR limbo so it was a surprise to receive this ARC. The good: I am very, very intrigued by the next book featuring the biker gang president and the shy doctor who save him from his gunshot wounds. The bad: I really wished Unforgiven had come with content warnings that might have saved me from a stressful reading experience.

Kody and Hill's younger brother Aaron were childhood sweethearts so Hill hid his crush on Kody, never thinking that Aaron's bipolar disorder and depression would destroy their relationship when Aaron committed suicide. And the ghost of Aaron just haunted poor Hill, not literally or figuratively, but that it was impossible to forget that Kody was his brother's love first.

Tragic sibling issues aside, Jay Crownover knows how to bring the drama. One of the final scenes has Kody's one time fling, Shot, riddled with bullets and barely alive. Sign me up.

Oh I just love Jay Crownover and this story is no exception. Heart breaking back story for Kody and Gamble. Now I'm DYING to for SHOT.

Jay sure knows how to build up this series!!!!! I'm glad we got some insight on Kody and Hill's background. It sure brings more understanding of their relationship. Also, like how many books are there going to be because I'll be dropping whatever book I'm reading for the Loveless, Texas series?!?! I'm so excited for Presley's and Shot's story! I love how its going to swing into the biker world and actually finish what is going on with Presley's story from Unforgiven and move straight into Blacklisted. GAHHHHH I can't wait till Oct. 27th. I highly recommend this series in order. Such good suspense added to them as well.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This book is part of a series. You can read it as a standalone but know the previous characters appear in this one as well. Hill and Kody have always been close when they were kids until he became distant. Little did they knew they both have loved eachother from afar. The loss of Hills brother has always been between them since Kody was engaged to him. Poor Aaron he just didn't know how to help his depression.

The first half of this book dragged a bit. Just keep reading it will get better. After you reach the epilogue you wished there was more to read. Jay left us wondering will they ever catch the person who killed Kody's dad. Kody has never been loved by her dad which has affected her adult life. She always felt not good enough for Hill so she settled for less in the past. Now Jay didn't drag the sex scenes my lord did it get hot almost hot enough to burn you. Thankful Kody was finally able to see that Hill had always loved her.

I can't wait to read the next book I love Shot and hope he cleans up his club.

Arc provided thru Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodness gracious what an absolutely awesome book. I enjoyed seeing Kody and Hill come to terms with things from the past. I love all the mystery and suspense, this book will definitely keep you on your toes and anxiously turning the pages to see what comes next. Can't wait for more!!

Tragedy and escalating threats drive together a couple who have a tumultuous history and old emotional wounds to resolve, in this latest installment of the Loveless series.

Kody Lawton has never had a simple life. To begin with, she is the daughter of the town's corrupt sheriff, Conrad. Then, she fell in love with the town's bad boy and wasn't enough to help him from a downward spiral. And finally, the man she thought had her back, "abandoned" her when she needed him most.

Hill Gamble never abandoned Kody, as she thought, but tried to keep his distance to quell his feelings for his brother's girlfriend. So, you can see this couple's history is complicated.

When Kody's father is found murdered, Hill comes back to the town to assist in the search for the killer and puts him in constant contact with the woman that wants nothing to do with him.

Personally, I thought Hill did the right thing in the past, but maybe keep his reasons for his distance caused more harm than good. And it takes a long time for Kody to forgive him. Her behavior was a bit childish, but I gave it a pass since she is dealing with loss once again, even if she didn't care for her father.

As the two spend more time together, it gives them a chance to heal old emotional wounds and reveals the connection between them that was there all along. I liked Hill's patience with Kody, letting her guide the pace of their new relationship. If he had pushed her too fast, things may not have led where they did.

"Why is it you - and only you - who makes me lose my damn head?"

Like the first book in this series, Justified, this story had a good amount of suspense in it has Hill and special agent, Johnny Hearst, searched for Conrad's killer. The end was a bit open ended in that search (not necessarily a cliffy). However, based on the author's comments at the end, more on that drama will follow in book three, which will feature the biker, Shot Caldwell. Really looking forward to his story!

This was an entertaining read and it was nice to see some good finally come Kody's way. Long overdue as far as she is concerned.

Hill Gamble did his best to separate himself from his rough childhood and the small town he grew up in, Loveless Texas. Working his way up to Texas Ranger, Hill's forced to return home to help investigate a murder case. Being back is stirring up feelings he had for Kody Lawton, the girl he's always loved who also happens to be his deceased brother's fiance. Full of resentment for the way Hill abandoned her Kody wants nothing to do with him, she especially doesn't want his help to solve her father's murder. Unfortunately for her, he's not going anywhere.

This book was a rollercoaster, the prologue alone was tough to get through. I didn't read the first in the series and I didn't feel very lost in this story (I do plan on going back to get all the details). Kody was so strong and stubborn and understandably struggled with massive amounts of guilt. I love a good unrequited love story but this was especially devastating with Aaron's death in the beginning. Hill and Kody were relatable on the level of loving someone with mental health issues, it's brutal at times and carries its own baggage. I wanted to be angry with Hill for pretty much abandoning Aaron and Kody, but at the same time understanding a need for space to hang on to your own mental health. There was a lot of set up for what I'm assuming will be a third in the series, and I'm assuming Unforgiven is all going to be important background information. While Kody and Hill had a sort of an hea for their relationship there are still several loose ends, we still don't have the murdered, and poor Shot, I'm a little concerned for his health. I'm interested to see where the story will go.

Feels 4
Steam 4
Storyline 4
Overall Rating 4
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley
Reviewed by Lindsey

Damn this book was good! I love love love these characters and their stories are unforgettable. This series is amazing! Hill Gamble...LAWD HAVE MERCY! Definitely not a series you want to miss out on!

"It was amazing how he managed to be both the calm and the storm in my life."

Kody is my hero, she's a badass who doesn't sugarcoat her sass. I had a girl-crush on her while reading Justified and was very excited to get to know her better in Unforgiven. I was not disappointed.

As the author let me see into her past, introducing me to her demons, I fell even harder for Kody. She's had a rough life and had to fight for everything she has, and she's still fighting to keep her bar, the Barn. When the man that left and took her heart with him comes back to town to investigate her father's death all those feelings she managed to bury deep resurfaced. "From the start I never knew what to do with the heat Hill brought with him when he crept into my thoughts."

I loved the sexual tension that built as these two came face-to-face with their feelings for one another. I was afraid my Kindle might burst into flames while I waited for them to get past their...past. Before, she'd been off-limits, but now...game on. Let's just say all that waiting and wanting builds up over time and when it finally gets released...you might need to stick your head in the freezer, just sayin'.

I can't express how excited I am about where this story is going. I was totally surprised and now I'm bouncing in my seat thrilled at the direction it's headed. I want to tell you so bad, but just wait, you'll be as excited as I am. Squeeee! The line forms here...

The next Lawton Sibling gets a chance at LOVE.
Let me run my disclaimer…. I have yet to read a Jay Crownover book that I haven’t inhaled, so I might seem a little biased, but I was not disappointed in this book.
Kody Lawton is the wild card in the Lawton siblings; everyone thinks it was Crew, but I’ve always had my money on Kody. She does what she pleases, and consequences be damned.
Losing her fiancé tragically cracked her heart, but what completely broke and shattered it was losing her fiancée’s brother, Hill as well. While Kody loved Aaron Gamble, secretly her heart truly belonged to Hill Gamble. After Aaron’s death Hill left town; now he’s back and helping the investigation of her father’s death. Kody is faced with dealing with feelings she’s never had to acknowledge before; how she truly felt about her father and how she truly feels for Hill.
Hill is carrying guilt the size of Texas on his shoulders. He managed to let his little brother down and he left Kody Lawton behind to deal with the loss of his brother on her own. Staying in Loveless, Texas after Aaron’s death wasn’t possible, and staying knowing his feelings for the one woman he couldn’t have was definitely not possible.
Brought back to town on a case, Hill had to prepare himself for coming face to face with Kody but now having to work on the investigation in the death of her father puts him closer to him than either of them can handle.
Kody and her brothers are each struggling with the death of their father in their own ways. While they know he was slimy and left a lot to be desired, he was still their dad. Now, not only are they each dealing with the death of their father, but they are now introduced to a long-lost sister. A sister that seems to have her own share of baggage following her which includes someone trying to kill her and how is this killer linked to the death of Conrad Lawton.
As mentioned, I was not disappointed with this book. There’s just something about the way Crownover puts a story together that sucks you in from page one. As with many other characters of her, there’s not a lot of angst in the lovers coming together. These two acknowledge the attraction early on but what becomes their issues are their getting in their own way and navigating their way around the issues.
I love the mystery and “who done it” aspect of this book, and enter a mysterious stranger, well now you have the perfect romantic-suspense book. Don’t get me wrong, I love my hearts and flowers, the wonderful HEAs of the world but sometimes you want a love story that has a little grit.

I am not a fan of cliffhangers…AT ALL, and I’m not saying this book is a cliffhanger, but the way this story ends you’ll definitely be eager for another book.

3.5 stars
I was immediately drawn into Kody and Hill's story from the very beginning. They had such an emotionally charged connection that drew them together as well as kept them apart. I loved their dynamic and how they found their way to each other.

Kody and Hill's romance almost felt like a side story compared to the romantic suspense plot of the story. So much was going on with the investigation into Kody's father's murder that it pretty much took over the entire book. I'm not really complaining about that. It was interesting.

What I am going to complain about it the ending. Was there really an ending? That was my question when the Epilogue suddenly began and then again when I closed Unforgiven for the final time. First, Kody basically just explained how things are working out for her with Hill. It wasn't really an HEA in my opinion and left me disappointed and wanting more. Second, the romantic suspense aspect of the story wasn't tied off. The Epilogue felt more like one big push toward the next book in that series. Granted, I am SUPER curious about that book now. So while I enjoyed reading Unforgiven, I just felt let down at the end.

𝘍𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝟻𝘵𝘩- 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘴. ⁣
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I won’t lie whenever I first received this book I chuckled at the cover. A shirtless cowboy? I wasn’t sure about it. But then I met Hill and 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. He instantly gave me Scott Eastwood vibes (hello The Longest Ride!!) this was my first by Jay but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of her books 😍⁣
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Years after the death of his brother, Hill returns to the one place he intentionally left behind. Loveless holds his biggest regrets and forbidden love and he is about to face both head on as he tries to solve the murder of Kody’s father. Kody has a wall built so high around her heart due to Hills absence and the death of Aaron, Hills brother. Will he be able to mend his relationship with Kody and find the killer or will he be blinded by the guilt?⁣
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Thank YOU @netgalley and @forever for an ARC of this book! ⁣
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𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟐/𝟏𝟖⁣
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𝘈𝘭𝘴𝘰, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘋𝘔 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳!!