I have a soft spot in my heart for Jay Crownover's books. She always has the best romances and I was desperate to read about Kody's and Hill's romance after finishing the Justified.

I have to admit I struggled with this one a lot more than I generally do with her stories. I enjoyed the story a lot and it had a great and unique plot that I really enjoy in her stories, but I had some issues with Kody that made reading this one more of a struggle.

Kody is now facing down the loss of her father and having to cope with seeing Hill around more asking questions about the last time she'd seen him and so on. Everyone in town knows that her father was a bad man and now with his mysterious death that's been ruled a murder she doesn't know how to feel. I think I would have liked Kody more if she had been more like the character I felt like she was in previous books. Instead, she was more like an immature child acting like she's the only person who has every suffered ever. It was a bit of a pain, but eventually, she grew and realized her actions were hurting her more than helping.

Hill was very enjoyable to read about. He does his best to take care of Kody and figure out who's behind Kody's fathers' death. I enjoyed reading about him and his growth and how gentle and understanding and patient he was with Kody. He definitely balanced her out.

Unforgiven was an enjoyable story for the most part. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Usually like to but a brief description about a book but it was too hard keeping from putting too much out there. But trust me when I say that this really is a great book, I'm not a fan of the cover with the ridiculous six pack showing cowboy dude. If that is a deterent to you don't let it be because it really is a great book, I kinda stalled with the book I will admit because I thought that this book would be cheesy and its not at all. There was so much going on this book that it'll keep any reader hooked and theres that mystery of who was behind his fathers death and why. Then theres the second chance at romance between Kody and Hill and with that came plenty of steamy scenes if thats what your into reading. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.

An intense story at times that has Hill dealing with the death of his brother and the bride he left behind. The woman Kody who Hill feel in love with but said nothing. He did though leave and now years later he is back in town to investigate Kody's father’s murder.
The one person who Kody does not want to see or deal with is Texas Ranger Hill Gamble for she has to deal with the death of his brother her husband all over again. Besides Hill is the person she blames; she does not know that He blames himself as well.
A very good story that will take you through the past and then deal will the present as well as Hill dealing with the case, an FBI agent and his standing as a Ranger. He also is still dealing with his feelings for Kody also. Read this very good book to find out what happens. All of the characters are very good and this book will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

A scintillating and seductive contemporary romance that blends incendiary passion with nail-biting suspense and compelling emotional drama, Unforgiven is a gritty and gripping enemies to lovers romance that is brilliantly written, captivating and absolutely impossible to put down.

Growing up in Loveless, Texas had not exactly been a bed of roses for the Gamble brothers. Hill always looked out for his little brother, Aaron, as their parents were too busy lurching from crisis to another to worry about their sons’ welfare. Hill thought that nothing and nobody could sever the strong bond he had with his brother – until they had both fallen head over heels in love with the same woman, Kody Lawton. Unable to see the person he loved most in the world and the woman he absolutely worshipped together, Hill vowed to keep his brother at arms’ length, put relationships on the back burner and to invest all of his time, efforts and energies into his job. Tough Texas Ranger Hill had been well aware that Aaron and Kody had their problems and that his brother had his fair share of demons, but interfering in their relationship would only make things a hundred times worse so Hill had stayed away from Loveless and from his brother and his wife – until a cruel twist of fate had made him realize that his stubbornness and unwillingness to face his feelings had forced him to lose everything which he had held dear to his heart. An incensed and devastated Kody had told him never to set foot in Loveless ever again, a promise he had fully intended to keep until duty compels him to come back home and face the music.

When Hill Gamble walks back into Kody Lawton’s bar and brings news that her father has been murdered, Kody experiences a plethora of different emotions. When she had told Hill to never return to Loveless, Kody had tried to forget about the man who had made her feel things she had never experienced before, however, forgetting a man like Hill Gamble had been easier said than done. His return to Loveless brings forth a mix of feelings which she had thought long-buried, but Kody vows to give Hill a long berth and not let their past interfere with their present, but that proves to be easier said than done. Now investigating the murder of the father she hated, Kody finds herself thrust into close proximity to Hill and soon resisting temptation proves absolutely impossible…

When Hill puts his life on the line to protect Kody and to find out the truth about her father’s mysterious death, he soon realizes that now that he has found her again, a future without her doesn’t bear thinking about. But with danger lurking round every corner, will it be second time lucky for the two of them? Or are there simply too many obstacles standing in their way?

A top-notch tale of love lost and found, healing from the past and second chances, Unforgiven is a terrific contemporary romance that grabs you from the first page and keeps you engrossed and entertained throughout. Unforgiven is an emotional rollercoaster ride where the stakes are high, the romance poignant, intense and touching and the characters brilliantly nuanced and wonderfully drawn. Hill and Kody are complex and complicated characters who come alive on the page and whom it is absolutely impossible not to care about.

Written straight from the heart, Unforgiven is a first class romantic page-turner from Jay Crownover’s immensely talented and gifted pen.

Hill Gamble puts his heart and life on the line for a woman who loved his deceased brother and now has a dead father, whom everyone hated.

Kody doesn't want anything to do with Hill but when he comes to town to investigate her father's death, she has to put her bitterness behind her to find his killer.

Twists and turns abound in this wonderful story. Highly recommended.

Crownover does an excellent job fleshing out her characters, flaws and all, but despite Kody’s Daddy issues and trust issues, the girl had some serious maturity issues. I have a feeling she may rub some folks the wrong way.

If you like small-town romances with a touch of suspense, character growth, humor and heat, you’ll want to settle in with Unforgiven. While each book works as standalone, it would be a shame to miss Case Lawton’s story in Justified. There is a prequel too with brother, Crew Lawton’s story and it’s calling my name!

Full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer on March 20, 2020

Sandy M’s review of Unforgiven (Loveless, Texas, Book 2) by Jay Crownoever
Contemporary Romance published by Forever 25 Feb 20

I’ve been waiting for Kody and Hill’s story ever since Hill was introduced in the series and we discovered there’s a lot of stirred-up emotion simmering between the Lawton sister and this Texas Ranger. He’s back in the hometown he had to get out of, having to deal with everything wild about Kody. And, believe me, she takes wild to a whole new level.


Hill is half of the team investigating the murder of the Lawton siblings’ father, the former unscrupulous and dirty sheriff. He’s taken the backseat since he knows the family, but it’s hoped the folks of Loveless will open up to him where they probably won’t talk much to a stranger. As the story moves forward we learn that Hill has always loved Kody, but he took the backseat again when she chose his younger brother, Aaron.

Though Kody had feelings for both brothers, her choice was the one she thought she deserved, and she mightily relied on Hill as Aaron’s mental illness became more and more to deal with. But when it became clear to Hill he wasn’t able to conceal his feelings for Kody, he had to step back, and that’s something Kody has never forgiven him for, especially after Aaron’s world, along with hers, imploded.

Now they have to face each other to get to the truth of her father’s death, and Kody doesn’t hold anything back as her anger beats at Hill at every turn. Her wildness swipes at everyone the more her emotions get closer to the surface, and those are pretty darned close after all the interaction with Hill, making her relive the past and take part blame in the tragedy she always blamed Hill for. These two are exact opposites, with Hill being the cool and collected one against all that wild. That includes their passion, something that eventually pushes Hill beyond his placid exterior. Talk about burning up the sheets and the pages when they finally come together.

It’s when Kody realizes the lengths Hill will go to to keep her safe, when the danger is ramped up in the investigation, that she has to face her own truth when it comes to this man. She has to clean up not only herself but her life and everything she’s taken on to make her world work. That brings us to Shot, the motorcycle club top dog who has a history with her and is a loyal friend. I have to say that I’m as intrigued with him as I was with Hill when he showed up in Loveless. So to say I’m looking forward to his story next is a huge understatement.

This series has kept me riveted since the first book, and I hope there are plenty more books to come as we meet new characters with each story. Ms. Crownover has sexy cowboys down pat, and I plan to visit Lawless, Texas as much as possible.

Grade: A

I am a sucker for second-chance love stories - which is what I thought I was getting here. Not exactly so (by my definition, anyway - I should have read the synopsis a little more closely). Regardless, I decided to keep reading Unforgiven because I’ve read - and enjoyed - Jay Crownover before. But I spent a lot of time wishing I would just quit.

Kody Lawton runs a bar in her small hometown in Texas. When her father is murdered, it brings back home Texas Ranger Hill Gamble, older brother of her former fiancé (who was bipolar and died by suicide about 10 years prior) and best friend to one of her older brothers. As Hill investigates the murder, secrets about Kody’s father are revealed which in turn put everyone in the Lawton family in danger.

Things started off great with a prologue that gives the reader all the background you need for the present-day story. No holding things back for the sake of creating extra suspense, no artificially constructed mystery...it was so much appreciated by this reader!

But things went downhill after that, mostly because I just couldn’t get into the story. I think the reason why is because of the dual point of view storytelling technique utilized, which in general lends itself to a lot of internal thoughts and monologues. And it was really the case here. Thankfully it wasn’t necessarily ridiculous or repetitive, but I didn’t find myself engaged with either the hero or heroine’s internal musings. It got to be too much inside their heads for me, with too much description about things that didn't need that much describing - like a kiss that went on for paragraph after paragraph after paragraph. I'm all for detail, but that was too much!

Then we have some continuity errors - like how could Kody have followed Hill to his out-of-town meeting with a witness if she left at the same time to meet with her father’s estate lawyer, which is where she learned the information that sent her into a rage and attacking the witness?

And the thing that made me most cranky...much of the mystery about the bad guy is solved off page and revealed through dialogue - which isn’t a good thing if you’re supposed to be a suspense story. And to add insult to injury...the suspense storyline isn’t even completed in this book. The bad guy is still on the loose, presumably to be dealt with in the next book. Sadly, this book was so unappealing to me I won’t be reading the next one.

This book wasn’t without another redeeming quality, though (in addition to the prologue). For once, an older brother is okay with his best friend being involved with his younger sister - encourages it even! What a novel idea. The older brother’s friend/younger sister trope isn’t one I enjoy because it’s usually fraught with dramatic laments about how “my friend will kill me if he finds out I’m with his sister” and that makes no sense to me. If a guy is such an ass, why are you friends with him? Or, if you’re such good friends, why not actually talk to your friend? I could keep ranting but I won’t. I’ll just end on a high note to say it was refreshing the way the situation was dealt with here!

Bottom line though, this book did not seem like the Jay Crownover I enjoyed in the past. The writing didn’t pull me in and dragged and dragged and dragged. I’m seriously not even sure how I managed to finish it. I think it was because I was wanting to find out what the motive was for the bad guys actions. But as I said...the reader is left hanging, so you'll have to read the next story in the series. I'm feeling so cranky about this book, at this point I don't even care and will thus live the rest of my life not knowing. And I'm okay with that.

* thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Complicated is a big understatement when it comes to Hill and Kody’s relationship, past or present. While Hill was a true hero in Unforgiven and I pretty much fell in love with the guy from the start of this romance, Kody was much slower for me to warm up to but eventually, as these two deal with their issues, Kody proved she was well worth the effort and, at times, the frustration of discovering who she really is at the core.

Hill is back in Loveless, at least temporarily, as he works a case that hits very close to home and heart. He’d left this town after his brother’s death, and even if he’d left his heart behind Hill couldn’t face coming back until this case demanded it of him. Now he needs to face his past, try to solve the mystery surrounding one slimy, no-good jerk’s death, and come face to face with the only woman he’s ever loved. Kody’s not going to make this easy, but then, she never did so why start now?

Unforgiven is another tense, suspenseful romance that kept me on my toes throughout and has me anticipating the next story to come, Blacklisted, with impatience. It’s a rocky, pothole-filled road to happy ever after for Hill and Kody, and I wouldn’t have missed a minute of it. They definitely had issues but they always fit, and eventually, they’ll get beyond their past and enjoy the present. Watching them deal with each other, accept their flaws, and finally acknowledge what’s always been obvious was an engaging, emotional journey. If you like your romance served with a bit of sass, banter, suspense, and secondary characters that slid easily into place in this story then you’ll want to pick up Unforgiven now. You “could” read it on its own, but the background of the earlier books make it all that much better, plus they’re good stories, too.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Thank you to Jay Crownover, Forever, and InkSlinger PR for the advance reader copy of Unforgiven, the second standalone in the Loveless, Texas series.

Characters: Kody and Hill are the main characters. Kody is the type of woman I would never recommend messing with. In the face of all the trauma, she has faced in the previous books it was wonderful to finally be in her head and to see the world how he sees it. Hill is that big softie, he has the type of career and type of background that requires a hard exterior. Throughout his point of view, we see moments of his dynamic multi-dimensional character.
Setting: Loveless, Texas is the small-town setting of Jay’s latest series. The town lends itself as a character of the story, as gossip and rumours fly through the town quickly it adds drama to the story.
Romance: Kody and Hill’s background is something I do not want to spoil, you have to go read it for yourself. Their history made it so much more worth it when they finally admitted to their feelings. These two are the type of people who are so reluctant to allow someone else to care of them, so watching them give in and let it happen was so amazing.

We met them in Justified and their chemistry was off the charts caliente in spite of the fire of Kody's anger and the dreariness of Hill's guilt, but with her dad's death, Kody's rules for holding her hatred and anger against Hill are about to be broken by both of them. I was excited to keep going with a series and author I only just discovered for myself and she delivered on a rather tough unrequited love second chances romance.

Unforgiven is the second in the Loveless, TX series and flows right on out of the first book even though there is a new main couple. So, not the best place to jump into the series, but the reader could get by with it in a pinch.

Conrad Lawson has been murdered and his three surviving children have a tumult of feelings over his death. He was never a good man and never toward his kids, but even wildly emotional Kody wants his murderer found. But that means sharing a town with the man she has flung hate and vitriolic anger on for years because it was easier to hate Hill and blame him for his brother's death and abandoning her than admit that she wanted him even before she noticed his brother, Aaron. She couldn't bring herself to even try for Hill out of misplaced feelings that she didn't deserve a good guy after the regular abuse she had in the Lawless family and knowing her dad was a crooked cop. Instead, she put all her messed up love into his brother who was just as broken and messed up as she was. Hill was the solid foundation that she and Aaron both leaned on for years even after Hill left and got his place in the Texas Rangers until inexplicably Hill slowly shut her out. He felt badly for having his own life and not being there for her and Aaron and she knew it was unfair to blame him, but it was better than letting her other feelings surface. If only that were the only troubles going on, but she was the wild Lawson and impetuous bad decisions were her forte. What would Hill think if he knew how she kept her bar afloat or that she wanted him even more than she hated him?

My review is going to seem contrary and maybe confusing. I felt the need to warn readers up front. Fasten your seat belts and prepare for a bumpy ride.

I warily hitched up my belt to wade into Kody and Hill's story. I was well aware she was a hot mess times ten and it was never so evident as getting her point of view in this book. I thought I was prepared and would be able to handle it to get the story. I really wanted to see her heal and get over what was separating her from a man worthy to be trusted and her family who stayed loyal and understanding through her life and had even grown more so with her brother's new loving relationships with their womenfolk.

The truth is without Hill's narration and Hill's strong presence, her family, and the ongoing series arc plot, I probably would have set this book aside. The author's writing and the way she wrote her characters, relationships, and the surrounding story were just as fab as the first book.

But, back to the elephant in the book. From a technical perspective, Kody's character and her story are amazing. I was awed by the genuineness and vibrant woman who stormed into the first book and stayed larger than life in her own. She is fully fleshed out and her flaws blaze forth as bright as her, at first, few redeeming qualities. The author achieved the quintessential flawed heroine that comes straight out of real life and there is not a whiff of soft romantic gestures or swoon around her. The fact is Kody is one of those difficult people and isn't easy to get close to because she is prickly and closed off even while being a blustery loud mouth who struts her style and her stuff. Reckless about her own life and not giving a care about others half the time though she wasn't lacking in heart or generosity when she gave a couple downtrodden people jobs and rooted hard for her brothers' relationships.

I'm going to rant for a bit to explain why I had deep concerns about this heroine even though part of me aches for her and could appreciate her in the end so turn aside or skip down if you must.
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Kody needed to rein in her impulses, grow up, and stop using the excuses of her background to justify her behavior. Her emotional maturity was stunted and hadn't developed much beyond an angry teen.
For Hill's part, I could only think he a hero complex all his life. First, a brother who had major mental health issues that he had to raise and care for when their parents were too busy fighting and looking after their own interests to care that they had kids. Then, he nobly and silently, stands aside for his brother and backs away when he feels he might act on his feelings and thus betraying his brother's trust with the girl they both love. Hill takes all the fury and vitriol, Kody unfairly publichally flings at him while floundering behind her tough gal act.
Her thinking that Hill, and him thinking it, too, that he had to be her 24/7 support and security blanket even though she took on his brother knowing Aaron was messed up made me frustrated. She chose. Hill is not obligated to put his whole life on hold because his brother needed help especially when Hill tried to get him into professional help and Aaron refused. Aaron didn't want to get treatment or get better and he's an adult now with all his cognitive abilities intact. Aaron's fault not Hill's. She never laid all her problems at her older brothers' feet or blamed them for not jumping in when things got even worse for Aaron or even Aaron's parents who were as bad as her own dad so why just Hill? Duh, Kody! And that would have given her the answer to why Hill had to back off if just once over the years she had stopped to think instead of let her emotions rage.
Her jumping in bed with the outlaw bikers just so she can keep her bar afloat, but won't take legit loans from her brothers struck me again as immature and no ability to think through consequences. Forcing Case, her sheriff brother, to either arrest his own baby sister that he practically raised or turn a blind eye to her illegal activities knowing how hard Case has had to work for years to live down his dad's tarnished rep as the sheriff and prove he is a good cop (who can lose his job in a heartbeat b/c the position is voted in each term) is unconscionable in someone who claims to love her brother.
And, then there was her hot temper that led to physical violence including hitting the hero three times when he neither said nor did anything to bring it on. I don't care that she didn't do any permanent damage because he's a big guy. She's abusive and has anger management issues. These events that made up her storms of anger do not get followed by remorse or apology though she is self-aware that she is acting out. One of her moments came when she abused Hill's trust, stormed into the middle of his investigation, and assaulted his witness right in front of the lead investigating officer. Like with her brother, she's stomping on the man's career without a thought or apology and seems to expect him to look the other way and not arrest her for assault or hindering the case then and later when she confesses to the illegal stuff she has going with the bikers. Yes, the romance pair do settle their past, but this stuff? It was swept under the rug- well, that last example Hill did make her face her mistake and fix it or lose him.
Her actions and inner turmoil reminded me of children I worked with who were diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and the more severe Conduct Disorder which is part of why I was concerned just as much as frustrated by Kody. However, she does turn it around somewhat after the half-way point though I never did feel easy about her rapid about face.
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So, the romance itself. Naturally, it takes more than half the book before any signs of actual romance take place and whew boy do this pair steam things up when they finally do cut loose. I will say that Kody really impressed me a few times after I'd all but given up on her. When she stepped up to be honest with herself about her feelings for Hill, she was careful with him. She came clean and had a hard conversation before starting anything lasting with him because she knew that he was vulnerable when it came to his feelings for her. She was so great about letting him set things up to keep her safe and that he had to rush off to work the case. She ended up being as strong and independent as she pretended to be back at the beginning of the book, but this time it was real. I thought that was beautiful how the author brought out that nuance about Kody.

Now, I can't wait to get Shot's story after that big ending involving a certain stiff and stodgy doctor and the charismatic biker.

So, this was a book I have mixed feelings about, but no doubt that it was a book I am so glad I got the chance to read. The writing was abso-fab, the characters larger than life in all their complexities, the sexy romance was hotter than a firecracker and just as explosive, and the ongoing suspense has me hooked in. I can heartily recommend the book/series.

Hill Gamble and Kody Lawton have a complicated history in Loveless, Texas. Kody’s abusive sheriff of a father made her life hell, especially once her mother died. In her teens Kody fell hard for Aaron Gamble, Hill’s younger brother. Aaron had bipolar disorder, and parents who didn’t really invest much care into him. Hill cared for him, but Hill also coveted his loving relationship with Kody. As Kody began to call on Hill to help manage Aaron’s increasingly erratic behavior, Hill fell too hard for that girl–and he pulled back to shield himself and his brother from the growing passion Hill felt for Kody. And, Aaron’s mental issues climaxed in a tragedy that split both families. Kody never forgave Hill for not being there when Aaron was his most needy, and Hill never forgave himself for not being the brother Aaron needed.

Ten years have passed, and Kody’s still single and running an outlaw bar on the edge of Loveless. Hill rarely returns, even though his folks are still there. He’s a Ranger now, and investigates crimes all over the state. Kody’s no-good, totally-bad dad got gunned down outside of Austin and nobody knows why. Well, there’s lots of suspicions on account of the ex-sheriff being bad news, but Hill’s called in to investigate.

It means seeing Kody at her worst, and helping her when she most needs it. There’s a ton of push-pull happening here, with Hill being a gentleman and Kody being out of her head most of the time. Hill makes sure Kody’s assets are protected, doing good for her even when she’d rather he didn’t. The investigation leads to an unexpected Lawton half-sibling who is currently hiding out because of strange threats she’d been receiving. With Hill and Kody reconnecting, and the watchful Lawton clan on board, it wasn’t long before the found the trail of destruction. It’s also not long before Hill’s generosity thaws Kody’s frozen heart back to beating.

Fans of Crownover will appreciate the detail and angst of her characters. At times, the internal reflections slowed the pace for me. I would have loved if the action happened a little faster, and we were left wondering a bit more about the shadowy characters in the story. That said, it’s a solid reconnection romance, with a pair of lovers who’ve caused themselves far more heartache than they needed to endure. We still have some questions hanging from the resolution, so I’d expect another book (or two) in this series.

After finishing Justified and seeing the sparks that flew with Hill's appearance I was looking forward to reading Hill and Kody's story. I knew it was going to be emotional and oh so hot and Jay Crownover didn't let me down.

This book was filled with suspense, intrigue, serious heat and great characters that had me hooked form beginning to end whilst I was everything play out. I was never 100% what was going to happen next so I liked that little bit of suspense. The plot line was well paced and the characters were ones that peaked your interest.

Hill has been in love with his best friends Sister Kody since he was a teenager, unfortunately she ended up engaged to his brother so his love has been unrequited or so he thought. After the death of his brother there have been lots of strained feelings between them and now they are at a point were they have to face what is between them.

I absolutely loved Hill, this guy made me swoon so much and I am honestly tempted to move to Texas to see if there are more sexy Rangers I can have for myself! He is so self-less always putting everyone ahead of him, especially Kody.

Kody, I loved this girl, she was raw and brutally honest and never hide her emotions, well except her feelings for Hill. She's struggling with so many feelings at the moment, she has no idea which way is up and I think without Hill being there she would have seriously spiralled. He ground her, gave her strength even when she didn't realise it.

I can't wait to see what is going to happen in the next book as its going to be very interesting and the meeting of two complete opposites!

Unforgiven picks up just where we left off in Justified. This book centers on the Lawton's sister, Kody, and Texas Ranger Hill Gamble. Talk about a couple that just doesn't seem like a match on paper!
Hill is back in Loveless to investigate the death of Kody's father. Hill is best friend's with Kody's older brother, and the brother of Kody's deceased first love (that's a tough hurdle to get over!) Kody doesn't exactly walk the straight and narrow. She is wild and colorful, a bar owner, and she has questionable ties to the local biker club. How on earth will these two come together?
I enjoyed the almost forbidden aspect of their relationship. They both had spent years pining for the other and feeling guilty for their feelings. So when they came together, it was electric. I liked how genuine their feelings for each other were. How deeply they truly cared about each other. And how well they really fit together. I do wish that we got a little bit more of their relationship. That we could have seen them develop a bit more. I feel like the action and suspense in the book took a little bit away from their relationship. Now don't get me wrong... I still thoroughly enjoyed Hill and Kody. And the suspense in the book held me utterly captivated!
I definitely enjoyed this installment in the Loveless Texas world and can't wait to travel back there to see what happens next!

Unforgiven is the second book in the Loveless, TX series by the talented Jay Crownover. This series is not full of hearts and flowers. It's emotional and deals with serious issues, but centers around the Lawton's who are loyal and love each other fiercely because of what they've had to overcome together. As soon as I met Kody, I knew her story was going to be good. When she was young, she had an instant crush on her brother's best friend. But his younger brother seemed more her match since he was a little broken too. Hill Gamble has always loved Kody Lawton. But when she fell in love with his brother, he couldn't stay in town and watch them together. Even after Aaron died, Hill felt guilty having feelings for Kody that he stopped talking to her. Now he's back in town investigating her father's death. Kody can't stand to be in the room with Hill without throwing out barbs. She's rude and snarky, but he never walks away. She's always the one who can't handle what she's feeling. She feel guilty wanting Hill after losing Aaron, but it takes him saving her life to realize that she can't live without Hill anymore. Will she be able to admit her feelings before she loses the only man for her? Will Hill finally tell Kody she's the only woman he's ever loved? This story was so intense! The tension between Kody and Hill was so palpable and I loved it! I could feel the way he loved her when he spoke and when he protected her. She was a little slow to finally realize it, but once she did, it was on! This was a story about forgiving yourself and letting go of the past so you can be happy and move on. I love the ending and can't wait to see what happens next!

Review and blog tour can be found on *Milky Way of Books*

Hill and Kody have a complicated past where both have loved each other from afar. It was complicated as Kody was involved with Hill’s younger brother, Aaron who was also dealing with demons of his own. As tragedy struck both Hill Kody kept their distance.

But murder has shaken Loveless Texas and both will have to confront both their enemies but also their growing attraction.

While I liked the book, it didn't do much in the point of action. I love how Jay develops her characters but I still felt that this book was a tiny bit short of action. Overall I enjoyed it, especially with the cliffhanger I got in the end of the book!

Jay Crownover is a favourite author of mine and she has captured me again.
I've been waiting for Kody's story from when I met her in Unbroken. A bar owning, stubborn Texas woman. Daughter to a dirty Sheriff and sister to the current Sheriff. Widow. Friend of the local biker gang (club) President. Hater of Texas Ranger Hill Gamble.
Hill Gamble is back in Loveless, Texas to work on finding out who killed the old Sheriff. The father of the girl he's always loved but could never have.
I adored Hill. Sweet, tall, Texan. He would do anything to protect Kody even risking his own life. I felt for Kody and Hill right from the beginning. That prologue. Oh the tears. Yes, yes I cried reading the prologue. The guilt they both have over the death of Hill's brother, Kody's fiancee.
Kody struggled a great deal throughout the story. Her anger towards Hill but also her attraction. Her love/hate relationship with her terrible father. Working her way through those emotions was heartbreaking. Hill bring there for her and helping her as much as he could.
I loved their bickering and her speechlessness whenever she saw him without a shirt. So many different times during the story I had a smile on my face. Mainly when these characters were together.
I can't wait for Shot's book and hope I love it as much as the previous 3 in this series.

I was really looking forward to Unforgiven because I LOVED the first book in this series, so naturally I was going to love this one too, right? Wrong. I liked Kody’s character in book one, but I wasn’t desperate for her story, and Hill seemed alright. I was expecting all of the emotion and how real and raw book one was to be present in Unforgiven. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope, so I was excited. Instead what I got was Kody is an immature brat who had the impulse control of a 13 year old, and Hill was just there. Not only did the characters have zero chemistry, and I mean zero, but it felt like a second chance trope. Kody was insufferable most of the time and Hill was incredibly boring.

Not even the mystery in the story could liven things up because I just didn’t care. The one and only true bright spot in this whole story was Shot. Now him I want to know more about. The epilogue was better than the entire book.

Unforgiven is the follow-up to Justified from the Loveless, Texas series. This is Kody and Hill's story. The last book ended on kind of a cliffhanger with some bad news for the Lawton siblings. Hill is the Texas Ranger in charge of solving their father's murder. Hill is a long time friend of the Lawton's. The problem is Kody and Hill have a rocky past.

I devoured this book. I was hooked right into Kody and Hill's story. I will warn you the prologue is so sad and gut wrenching. But it is necessary to give the reader a good background into what happened between Kody and Hill to bring them to this point. I loved them together. and was rooting for them to finally figure things out. The best part of this book, besides the romance, was the relationship between Kody and her brothers. There is a scene with the three of them toward the end that just gave me such warm feelings and a sense of hope for them.

The mystery was really good. Even though it wasn't completely resolved in the end, I still enjoyed it. There were a bunch of surprises and I can't wait to see how it all comes together. I will say that I need the next book very soon! That ending.....can you say cliffhanger? I highly recommend this one as well as the series.

Unforgiven is going to blow you away, there is so much happening within the pages it feels as if you are in a speeding car heading toward a cliff.

Kody has been a staple in the Loveless series from the beginning, we’ve come to know the independent, sassy Lawton female via her fierce devotion to her brothers. Also as the kickass bar-owner with ties to the local motorcycle club, especially their president, Shot. However, Kody’s personal background and the events that have shaped her have been skimmed over until now.

Unforgiven doesn’t pull any punches delivering the history between Hill and Kody in the form of Hill’s brother, Aaron, who also happened to be Kody’s boyfriend. Neither Kody or Hill had the best upbringing; whereas Kody rebelled in any way she could, Hill doggedly pursued his plan to escape the small town he was shackled to as a child. Although both Kody and Hill felt an undeniable pull to the other, they were too young and afraid of their emotions to do anything about them. In the end, Kody chose Aaron due to feelings of inadequacy where Hill was concerned but also as a way to save Aaron and in return save herself. Sadly, Aaron’s mental illness dragged them both under as well as creating a rift with Hill. In order to protect herself from further loss, Kody encased her heart in ice and let it remain that way until the day Hill returns to turn her world upside down in more ways than one.

The thriller elements of the plot are especially tense with a lot of tangents weaving together as the story progresses. There are a number of surprising revelations that add to the overall intensity of the narrative.

Being forced into close proximity sets the fire burning between Hill and Kody, but also makes them confront the errors of their past and the feelings they have kept locked up until this point.

I loved how everyone closest (those that matter) to Hill and Kody were more aware of the way the pair felt about each other than the couple themselves 🤣

Unforgiven is a compelling, compulsive read which draws you into Loveless and makes you forget everything else around you. There is an open plot thread which paves the way for Blacklisted giving the brooding biker, Shot, a turn in the spotlight, I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for him!!!!