Maverick Outlaw knows his own mind. He knew from the beginning that a fling with friend Sapphire Bordella would be more than just sex. That is, until Phire says they should go back to being just friends, and then announces that she’s pregnant with Maverick’s child and her father expects her to marry someone else! Maverick may not be ready to give his heart, but nothing will stop him from claiming what’s his.
This was a fantastic western romance filled with memorable characters, a page-turning plot, and a happily ever after. There were some hot sex scenes, but it was tastefully written and seemed a part of the plot. I definitely want to read more of this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Brenda Jackson is always going to give you a great romance along with some drama, lols and I'm here for it. This is Maverick's book and when I tell you sparks was flying between him and Sapphire...listen. IMO, the friends with benefits trope worked well here and the characters had good energy on page even though at times they frustrated me to no end.... Still this is another great addition to the series and highly recommend it.

Overall, it's a solid, well-written book, This book had multiple layers to it. It was entirely captivating. There was so much to unpack that I am certainly willing to invest the time it takes to learn more about the brothers, the cousins, and the father of the Outlaw clan.

Good friends with benefits story. Maverick and Phire met when he was on a business trip to Paris. Their attraction was immediate and intense, and they had a successful arrangement for two years. Neither one was interested in anything serious. Maverick enjoys his freedom too much to settle down, and Phire was burned by love and doesn't want to risk her heart again.

Then Phire told Maverick she wanted to end their arrangement. She said she was ready to look for love and settle down. In truth, she had fallen in love with Maverick and needed to get out while she still could. I liked that Maverick respected her wishes but wanted to shake him for not recognizing his feelings. Instead, he spent the following months missing her.

When Maverick gets a call from Phire asking to meet with him, he drops everything to do so. He's stunned to hear that her father has forced her to return to Texas from Paris and is trying to force her to marry the man of his choice. Simon uses a ruthless method of blackmail to ensure Phire's cooperation. Phire informs Maverick that she will not be able to talk to him any longer, but they indulge in one more passionate night together. They believe that is the end until Phire ends up pregnant.

Once Maverick learns of Phire's pregnancy, he becomes determined to claim Phire for himself. Phire resists because she loves him and believes he does not return her love. Maverick frequently frustrated me with his oblivious attitude and focus on the baby when he should have been concentrating on Phire. I understood her resistance to his marriage demands - she wanted to be desired for herself, not the baby she carried. I was happy when he finally had that "aha" moment. Unfortunately, he and Phire make their problems last longer by not talking about their feelings. The week they spent together on his cousins' ranch was wonderful and heartbreaking because of it.

Phire's father, Simon, is a piece of work. Controlling and abusive, he uses Phire's love for her aunt against her. I could feel Phire's fear for her aunt's welfare every time Simon made one of his threats. His choice of groom intrigued me as Jaxon appeared to be too nice a man to go along with Simon's plans. As the book continued, Simon became more desperate to force her hand. He finally went too far, and I loved seeing what happened to him. I especially enjoyed the intricate plan hatched by Maverick and the others.

The question of Outlaw patriarch Bart's vehement opposition to admitting their connection to the Westmorelands has run through the series. None of the family could understand why he refused to acknowledge something so obviously true. A stunning revelation from an unexpected source puts an end to the mystery. I laughed out loud at the significant effect this had on Maverick.

I loved the ending and seeing Maverick and Phire finally get the future they wanted. The ending was terrific, with a couple of teasers for future books. I can't wait to see what is in store for the Outlaw sister, Charm.

Maverick Outlaw had a long-standing friends with benefit arrangement with Sapphire Bordella until she suggested that they go back to friends only.

It's been a while since Maverick has seen Phire when he suddenly gets a call from her while attending a family wedding. He immediately goes to see her. They pick up where they left off. But this time will change everything. Phire tells Maverick that she is pregnant with his child but her father expects her to marry someone else. Maverick learns what the real reason was for her ending things between them before was because of an agreement she made with her father.

Maverick has no intention of allowing some other man to raise his child and marry the woman he loves.

Some very really truths will come to life that changes Phire's life forever and also solves the Outlaw mystery regarding Bart!

This is a Cowboy Romance, and this is the 5th book in the Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws Series. I have read and reviewed the other books in this series before picking up this book. I think this book can be read as a standalone without any problems. I really loved the storyline, and the characters in this book. This is a friends with benefits relationship becomes more, and there is a lot of drama and some suspense mixed into it. I loved every second I spent reading this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Desire) or author (Brenda Jackson) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Quick Summary: A FWB, lust-to-love-at-first-sight romance

My Review:
The Outlaw's Claim by Brenda Jackson was a runaway hit with this reader. With a friends to lovers approach, this hot and bothered romance sizzled from beginning to end.

About the Leads:
Maverick was a self-proclaimed playboy who knew what he wanted and what he didn't want. Marriage was not in the cards for him. While on a trip abroad, he met Phire. The two clicked right away. Neither wanted anything more than what they had in the moment. So, what changed?

Sapphire was determined to live her life the way she wanted. She didn't want any emotional entanglements, especially after what she had been through. She just wanted to have a good time, with no strings attached. Soon, however, a stranger walked into her bar and turned her into a wanton. She and her very own outlaw struck sparks together. So, what changed?

Will a FWB relationship be enough for these destined BFFs?

My Final Say:
This book had multiple layers to it. It was entirely captivating. There was so much to unpack that I am certainly willing to invest the time it takes to learn more about the brothers, the cousins, and the father of the Outlaw clan.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.

A must read! I swear Brenda Jackson and her characters that I can't help but fall in love with can do no wrong in my eyes! A spicy page turner!

Once again, Ms Jackson writes a steamy love story about the extended Outlaw/Westmoreland family. I enjoy the characters in the current story , but feel the book gets bogged down by time spent on the extended family and their relationships.

You know from having read any of her Outlaw family books that the father Bart is adamant about admitting to a relationship that ties his family to the Westmoreland family, so it's a bit hard to understand why he accepts it in this book.

All in all a quick and fun read about stubborn men who wake up to find love and marriage can enhance their life.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Netgalley and Harlequin. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

They've been friends with benefits for a long time, but can they be something more?
Maverick has made no secrets that he likes women and has enjoyed his share of them, that is until he meets Sapphire or Phire as she's known. He's content to settle down into a relationship when he flies into Paris where she's living and enjoy her company and jet off again that is until she calls off the benefits and turns it back into the friend zone.
Maverick can't forget her and can't seem to go back to his previous easy lifestyle with women. Then she announces she's pregnant and her father is forcing her to marry another man. Well now all bets are off and with his cousin's help Maverick frees his Phire and works to end her father's reign of terror.
There are lot of twists and turns and secrets that get revealed that make this story fun and interesting aside from the trope of woman pregnant but not sure she wants to marry the father without love.

The Outlaw's Claim is a great addition to the Westmoreland Legacy series. Maverick Outlaw and Sapphire (Phire) Bordella's story has lots of intrigue and unexpected twists and turns. Many of the characters in this story have very interesting back stories that we learn about as the story progresses. This book is another page turner from Brenda Jackson and I highly recommend it.

Brenda Jackson is always so great, another fun cowboy romance. Pick this up if you want a great romance with dynamic characters

Wow! So the Outlaw mystery is finally revealed in this book. The Empress of Romance, Brenda Jackson cleverly brings er’body together in one room, and we finally find out why Bart is so guarded about his family. I LOVED IT! You will too, if you’ve been following the Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaw Series..
Let me not forget the stars of this story, the FWB (Friends with Benefits) who set the tone for storyline., Maverick Outlaw and Sapphire Bordella. Their love journey will ultimately bring all that was secret to light. No tea! You got to read the story for yourself. Take notes, because it’s complicated.
I highly recommend this one, BJ fans.

An epic finish to a long standing mystery provides the backdrop for a romance unlike any other. From naughty to delicious, Maverick and Phire are a tempting inferno. Emotions run deep, secrets run wild and romance is unpredictable. Jackson ties up loose ends of an intriguing puzzle with a seductively tangled dance of love. The Outlaw's Claim sets out to capture a reader's heart and successfully does so.

The Outlaws Claim
3.5 Stars

Not going to lie, Brenda Jackson typically writes strong female leads with partners that match. So this book wasn't what I was expecting. This book gives me historical romance or arranged marriage vibes, which is a genre I don't care about.
Sapphire hasn't had the greatest of childhoods. Her dad is controlling and abusive. I found her insecurities and lack of backbone so flustering. Maverick is a rich playboy that acts like a man-child. Maverick and Sapphire both seemed immature to me. They play head games with each other 75% through the book. I wanted a typical HEA I'd come to love from a Jackson book, and this was dark and sad by comparison.

Overall, it's a solid, well-written book, but it's just OK. I'd recommend this book to readers that enjoy a historical romance with lots of conflict. This won't stop me from picking up her next book or re-reading Double Dare, my favorite Brenda Jackson book. Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Romance, for an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.