Odalie has a future singing in Opera in front of thousands of people because her voice is just that good. But she has a secret that not many people know, she has horrible stage fright so this might be harder than she thought. She's had a crush on Tony for a while but he's not interested.

Tony has a troubled past and there are people who are out to get him so for that reason and others, he keeps Odalie at arms length away from him even though he can see she is enamored with him whenever they are around each other. The more he finds out about her though, the more she surprises him and the more he has a hard time staying away from her.

Odalie has never had a boyfriend and Tony is older than she is but his questionable past is what really bothers him and why he wants to keep her away from him. He wants her to have a normal future and go on to be the opera singer she wants to be without mobsters coming out of the woodwork coming after her because they found out that he cares for her.

But they can only stay away from each other for so long before they give in to the passion they feel for one another. They are happy for a while but Tony's past creeps up and puts Odalie in danger. I knew Tony would be a totally alpha hero though and he was. He knows how to handle business. I'm surprised anyone was dumb enough to come after anyone he cares about really. This has such a good ending too. I'm such a fan of Diana Palmer's books, she never fails to give us a great story.

Disclosure: I was given a free e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I kind of have a love/hate relationship with Tony. I loved Odalie. Tony and Odalie put me through the wringer. These two had quite the journey to not only be together,but to find their happily ever after. They were both from two different worlds, but had many things in common, and their love for one another had to cross those differences. Lawbreaker gave me some feels. This was an enjoyable read.

This book takes off right after the previous book "The Loner" ends, so it might be beneficial to read that one first. Both books main leads are the children of Cole and Heather Everett from Heather's Song. After finishing Lawbreaker, I actually kind of liked this better than Ms. Palmer's most recent books. The main characters weren't as hard to like as previous books. While Odalie was still the typical innocent naïve girl Ms. Palmer loves to write about, she had a bit more gumption than her normal female leads.

The male lead - Tony, was your typical Palmer male - arrogant, rich, older, likes to sleep around, etc. The most unusual thing about Tony was that he is a crime boss, and that does not change throughout the book. While he was cruel to Odalie several times throughout the story, he was not as vicious as so many of her male leads usually are.

Ms. Palmer writes in the same style that she has written in for over 40 years. While this is comforting to a point, I wish she would allow her female leads to grow and become more realistic. It is very hard to like a lead character who you can not find any commonality with.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canary Street Press for the ARC

I was given an ARC of this book for a review.

I enjoyed this addition to the Long, Tall Texans series. This time we focus on Tony Garza (former New Jersey crime boss) and Odalie Everett (professional singer). While the two are attracted to each other, Tony feels like, due to his past, he should not have a relationship with Odalie and that a relationship with her would prevent her from achieving her dream of singing at the Met. Odalie however is willing to give up performing at the Met to have a relationship with Tony. Read this one to see what it ultimately takes to convince Tony he can't live without Odalie.

If you're a fan of age-gap, frenemies to lovers, opposites attract, mafia type romance then Ms. Palmer's Lawbreaker is for you! I am not a huge fan of age gap romances especially when the guy is constantly stating the gap and such can be annoying BUT outside of that, the story was enjoyable.

Tony, 37 years of age, a young widow, and former crime boss turned honest art dealer, has lived a rough life. He was not always on the right side of the law in his early years but he had been one to learn from his ways and wanted to do better BUT he still keeps his reputation and tactics at hand. No one messes with him that doesn't want to end up where they don't want to be. He is a man of MANY connections and uses wisely and very strategic. I give him that.....he is very street smart and has many cards in his hand to play -- and makes sure of that too! He is truly an alpha male, protector persona that makes him attractive and desirable in addition to his physical description. Odalie is his "adopted" daughter's best friend, who from the moment she laid eyes on Tony was very sweet on him. Odalie is incredibly sweet, beautiful (inside and out) as well as a very talented singer of the opera but suffers from extreme stage fright. I have admire that she didn't give up or wear down easily when it came to Tony no matter how many times he would try to "push" her away. I know deep down she could see glimpses of his resolve melting away each time they were together. Odalie comes from country life and working on a ranch, which has an awesome and supportive family. Besides the journey of her romance, Odalie also learns more about herself and what she truly desires and wants in her life may not be what others told her she should do.

There is plenty of chemistry between these two -- even in the times Tony is fighting it thus creating a slow burn in their relationship. Not a clean romance as far as intimacy but scenes were not overly graphic and much was implied so tastefully written. The plot and characters flowed smoothly and well written in the sense where there is no profanity or crude language which I am grateful for. There are bits of intrigue and suspense elements that intertwined that added to the overall enjoyment of the story. The story setting jumps from New York and Texas so you get both cowboy setting and city life all throughout. While it is a standalone novel, it will probably be helpful to read the book before it that gives a little more background to the additional plot, besides the romance, and each of the characters. But seeing as I did not read the beforehand, I was still able to follow along with ease.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press. All my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

I received an electronic ARC from Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley.
Palmer's Long Tall Texan series has been ongoing for decades. She writes in a romantic formula that works for her readers. This book tips toward a darker side as Tony is part of a crime organization. Most of what he does is legitimate but the ties remain. Odalie wants to sing opera and comes from a Texas ranching family. Long time readers know her parents story as well as one of her brother's. Palmer is terrific at interweaving stories so readers feel connected to characters they've known. The pattern works - man finally gives in to his feelings for the woman; then loses her through his own foolishness; they work it out and begin their lives together. I appreciate this format and enjoy reading her work.

Tony has lived a rough life and he is almost at the age of 40. He is determined to live his life lonely and he certainly isn’t going to go near Odalie. Odalie is a rancher girl who sings like an angel but she knew the moment she met Tony her life was going to be different. She started to develop feelings for him the more she was around him. Tony is willing to do just about anything to keep Odalie away from him and him end up tainting her life. Life happens and things start to happen that force them to be around each other more. Tony can only take so much before he caves in. Will Odalie be ready and willing to ignore his past and look at the man he is now? I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While I have been slowly taking a break from romance books, it's always a good read when I pick up a Diana Palmer. "Lawbreaker" is another great read!

An unlikely pair- Odalie and Tony- fall in love in this latest from Palmer who surely knows how to write a love story. She's an opera singer with paralyzing stage fright. He owns an art galley but has a shall we call it dark back story. It's the sort of novel you want after a long day. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For Palmer's fans.

Odalie Everett has been intrigued since she meet Tony Garza years earlier. Odalie has a wonderful singing voice and is destine for the Met Opera. She lives in NYC and Tony also does, but avoids her every chance he gets.
Odalie's SIL is great friends with Tony so when she is intown they spend time with Tony. Stasie is married to Tanner Odalie's brother in someone is out to get Tanner. Now they are looking for ways to get to Odalie and Stasie.
Tony takes Odalie to his apartment against is better judgement. As time comes for her to make her audition for the Met he pushes her out of his life again.

This was a great enemies (of sorts) to lovers story written in true Diana Palmer fashion. Reads smoothly from cover to cover.
Odalie is a talented opera singer, the problem is she cannot get over her stage fright to full fill her dream of singing at the Met. Tony is a businessman with a shady side to him. When the two are together, it is like oil and water, or is it? Sparks are always flying, but sometimes that isn't enough.
Loved the characters, the setting, and the plot which had just the right amount of romance, deception, friendship and secrets to make this a fantastic read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Odalie is just trying to live and find the courage to follow her dreams of singing at the Met. She has talent and voice, but the one thing she lacks is confidence. Tony has confidence. A former crime boss turned art gallery owner, he may be on the up and up now (well, mostly), but that doesn't mean he is a pushover. If there is one thing he can't stand, it's distractions, and Odalie is nothing but a distraction. She is the best friend of his adopted daughter, and she seems to be everywhere. Can these two work out their differences and realize that sometimes love is worth a shot?

It's a true Diana Palmer novel that won't disappoint. If you like age-gap romances, enemies to lovers with a bit of betrayal thrown in, this novel is for you. Diana Palmer's books are my comfort novels. While many follow the same storyline, I can always count on them to draw me into a world of lust, love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

When it comes to writing cowboy romance, Diana Palmer is the absolute best. I have read her books for years and when I want a good cowboy read, I go to her. I can reread her books and always pick up new things that I had missed with a previous read. This one is more focused in New York and Tony Garza is a crime boss. Odalie and Tony, have known each other for years and aren’t real friends. Well that is until they meet up unexpectedly and things happen. Tony has a rough past and when that threatens his ladies life, well things start to get even more interesting. Between Rexas and New York, will these two have a chance? This is definitely a one click buy.

Diana Palmer writes books that have a true Alpha male. They are usually older and set in their ways.
The females are usually young, innocent and inexperienced in life
Tony is attracted to Odalie from the moment he meets her. But she is too young for him, 24 to his 37. But the more he comes to know her, the more he realizes how much they have in common.
Odalie thinks Tony is the most handsome man she's ever met. But he won't even look at her. He thinks she is just a kid and treats her that way.
Will these two get together. My only criticism of the book is that the angst that goes on between these two continues a little too long.
But all in all, I loved both characters and I enjoyed the book.
You really should read "Loner" the previous book because this follows right on it's heels.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This is a very angsty book. Lots going on. Odalie is such a sweetheart. I loved how alpha Tony is. This book was a fun read and I enjoyed it very much. I loved the secondary characters. I spent a lot of time shaking my head at Tony. He really made a lot of decisions without talking them over with Odalie. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A hot cowboy and a lot of spicy chemistry. What's not to love? Diana Palmer is a pro at creating dynamic relationships, and Tony and Odalie are a perfect match. Lots of sensual tension, romance, and some danger and intrigue are thrown into the mix too. It's a wild ride that I highly recommend. Can't wait for Diana's next book!

I love the books that Diana Palmer writes. I love the books in this series. I have read a lot of them. I really enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, romantic, and had some suspense to it. The ending was better than I expected. I hope there will be more books like this one. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Diana Palmer brings us another Long, Tall Texans novel with Tony and Odalie. Sweet and innocent Odalie has dreams of singing opera at the Met while hardened Tony has too much in his past to corrupt her. As they get closer together, the past starts to get in the way. With each of them struggling inside, the past threatens to destroy any possibility of a future. Will they be able to trust in themselves and each other enough for more than just today? Or will the past be too much of a hurdle to get over?

Diana Palmer brings us another chapter in this series and we get to catch up with those we met before. We get to follow along with both Tony and Odalie as they figure out what they want and what is important enough to them to risk it all. We watch them dance around each other hoping for the happily ever after as they are trying to figure things out in their lives that impact all those around them.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for this privilege.

This book was just fantastic! Such a great book and the storyline was wonderful. I loved the characters and the plot. The setting was wonderful. Highly recommend.

It helps if the reader has read Loner, because this one jumps in right after and there is some character background for the female and male leads and some of their early relationship. The plot moved quickly, but it seemed like a copout for our main character to pursue her dream when she knew it was not going to be a reality. I have enjoyed Diana Palmer, but I do think the editors need to update some of her plot as it feels very 90s or 80s with the fashion choices and plot points. While some people in the world are innocent, it is a different innocence from when the author first started writing.