Genres: Historical Romance, Western Romance
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Released on September 5, 2017
Pages: 480
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The Delight
A hard-hitting emotional read, gritty action, and above all, a decades long love affair that stands so many tests. The Outlaw Hearts series holds a solid place on my best of the best list and this latest, The Last Outlaw, was no exception.
Review
While some of the books would work alright out of order, this one has the feeling of a culmination of all that came before it and references events from the previous book, Love’s Sweet Revenge. In fact, I’ll need to reference what happened in that one so there will be some mild series spoilers.
The Last Outlaw picks up several months after the dramatic finish of Love’s Sweet Revenge. Jake’s still on tenderhooks with the local law as civilization is taming the Wild West and shootouts are becoming rarer. Lloyd is healing from being shot and stepping up as son and partner on the ranch as in family affairs. Jake and the family are very worried because Randy isn’t recovering from her ordeal.
I thought the author handled her attack well. Randy is a quietly courageous woman and it was tough to see her struggling so badly with her fears and the dark feelings that come from being abused, but the struggle had to happen after the dark, horrific things that happened to her. She and Jake take turns being the strong one for each other. Jake was such a steadfast husband and lover. This pair may be in their autumn-winter years, but they are deeply in love and strongly passionate.
There was a big opening scene and then I loved how the story focused on the family and catching the reader up with them. Three generations of Harkners live on the ranch and its never dull for them. The characters in this series are engaging and I love them individually and together.
There are a few plot threads introduced- trouble with a disgruntled neighboring rancher, a missing girl taken in a human traffiking scheme, and past issues that build into a tempest later. Jake is really struggling with getting beyond his horrid earlier years and the peace he has now. Guilt and feelings of not deserving his new life threaten to overwhelm him. The internal struggles in this one were as compelling as the external ones. And yes, like other books by this author, this one did require tissues. These really grab my emotions with the humor, heartwarming, passion, and gritty battles.
The story flowed well and was a good blend of action and character plotting. It may be the end, but I am crossing my fingers that the author comes back to write more about new generations in the family and give peek-ins with Jake. I loved this historical western romance and can easily recommend it to others who love gripping family sagas, engaging characters, and passionate romance.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #238 HR
New Release #126
COYER #71
Bad Boys #20
Books N Tunes #28
The Highwayman’s Mamas Don’t Let Your Baby’s Grow Up to Be Cowboys
Recommendations
Preview
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Is this series a companion series or a continuous series? Different protagonists every book? Have I already asked you that? I got one of the books in this series for free on Amazon during Sourcebooks Casablanca’s sale, so I will start the series at some point. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the books!
Have a great day, Sophia. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Hey, Alyssa! It’s a continuous series. Outlaw Hearts is the first. The main characters are Jake and Randy, but the series includes their children and grandchildren, too.
I’ve heard very good things about this book and this series as a whole. I’m not super into western romances, but I am curious. The cover is pretty, too! Glad you enjoyed it.
Glad we’ve got you curious, Quinne. 🙂 They’re a great sweeping family saga. Love the covers, too.
bah I am going to have to back track. I picked this one up but if you feel like it needs to be read in order I’ll look for the other
Oh, yep, this series is definitely best read in order, Lily. Worth it! 😉
Lovely review. I am so thrilled that you loved this one too!! Such a great finale right? Although the last part there, really tore me up. I did have to re read the whole series again because I just wanted more of Jake and Randy.
Oh man, I was sobbing there at the end, Renee. Say, did you see that there is an antho coming out this fall called Christmas in a Cowboy’s Arms? Bittner’s story is an Outlaw Hearts novella. 🙂
I might have to read this one, it does sound good.
Definitely a great series, Mary. 🙂
I’ve only read a few western romances and none were historical.
This sounds like a good one for me to read.
For What It’s Worth
This is great epic family saga. Definitely start with the first one, Karen, if you go for it. 🙂
I really liked the first book in this series and hope to read the rest of them very soon. I am so glad that you enjoyed this one as much as you did. I am really looking forward to it!
Each book in this series packs a punch and I loved them, Carole. That first one really set the bar high, but she met it with each one after. 🙂