I really loved Amy Harmon's early novels. They were such simple, pure love stories and I read them all quickly. But I love her foray into historical fiction even more. The direction she's taken on her last several books has been fantastic. Her research is deep and her writing continues to be phenomenal.

While I enjoy Amy Harmon’s stories, this was my least favorite thus far.
It exceeded the level of romance I feel comfortable with. I also found the overall plot less compelling.
I appreciated the historical context and love that Amy writes about so many different time frames.
I will continue to read her books. Others may have enjoyed this more than myself.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the chance to preview this book.

This is one of Amy Harmon’s best works. I am truly blown away, I felt so deeply for these characters. I felt their pain & anguish, they came alive on the page. Amy Harmon has a gift for writing. I find myself hi-lighting so many quotes, going back and rereading pages because it’s just so good. This story touched me so much, I can’t describe it. One of those books where you know you’ll never forget how you felt reading it. A new favorite!

4.5 Stars

Butch Cassidy was done with his life as a wanted outlaw. Determined to change his fate, he adopted a new identity as Noble Salt. But an encounter with famed singer Jane Toussaint could change the course of their lives.

Before starting this book, I didn’t know anything about Butch Cassidy except for his name. And I’m glad the author’s note provided an insight into what’s fact and what’s fiction. The first half of the story was quite slow for me. Thankfully, I was invested from the second half until the end.

I loved how unassuming and honorable Butch was. Jane being haughty and prickly suited her situation. But my favorites were Gus and Van who were endearing.

Outlaw Noble Salt is a story of sacrifices and new beginnings. It would appeal to readers who enjoy Historical Romance.

Amy Harmon, the master storyteller, does it yet again! No matter what she writes - I will read it! Again and again! I never anticipated falling for this MMC but I loved him. Always so much depth in her stories. Definitely recommend

An interesting take on Butch Cassidy and what his life might have been. I love the way Amy Harmon weaves real people in her books and The Outlaw Noble Salt was no different. Loved!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

How does Amy Harmon do this? She continues to gift us with beautifully written books that touch the heart and soul. Who would have thought that a fictionalized book about Butch Cassidy would grab my heart so tightly, but it did.

When Butch decides he wants peace from his outlaw ways, he knows he'll need to vanish because he's too well know. So, he does just that. But what he doesn't count on is running into a woman he'd met once before. A singer with a voice like an angel and a face that matched - - Jane Touissant. She seems to have it all, but she actually has her own heavy burdens that she carries privately. When the two of them meet up again, she needs his help. To help her may put him in harm's way again, but he can't turn her down. And helping her gives him the chance to go home again. And he really wants a chance to go home.

The research that Ms. Harmon did for this book is evident. I love the bits of history blended in with the fictional aspects to create a fantastical tale of adventure and romance. This book really was something and I loved each and every word.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Like all Amy Harmon books the writing was spectacular, the prose beautiful. Jane and Gus were truly amazing characters with such depth and dimension, but unfortunately I didn't care for Butch maybe as much as I should've. I appreciated the idea that all people are gray, not merely good or merely bad; that there is the capability and willingness for both in everyone, but for some reason I just had a hard time getting into this story, unlike with the author's other books. Still an amazing work, the historical aspects were clearly well researched, and I did enjoy the story even still despite whatever else I might not have liked as much.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy has had enough of the outlaw life and wants to make a clean break and live a peaceful life. The problem is he is too well known at this point to go unrecognized. Ironically, on the evening he is about to leave the country to hide for a while, he is mistaken for a doctor and introduces himself as Noble Salt helping the child of a famous singer, Jane Toussaint. When they run into each other in Paris many years later it feels like fate. Jane asks Noble (although she admits to knowing his real identity by now) to accompany her and her son, Augustus, on her singing tour in the US and be their bodyguard. Butch reluctantly agrees as he feels a strong connection to Jane and Augustus, but he is concerned about what is waiting for him when he finally returns home.

I was totally not expecting this to be a romance, but it was beautiful!! Lots of familiar tropes for romance book readers, but with a historical twist on them (e.g., bodyguard romance, cowboy romance, one bed, he falls first, slow burn, and more!). I loved learning more about Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and the Wild Bunch. Jane and Butch/Noble had a lot of emotional baggage, but Butch Cassidy was so patient and gentle you couldn't help but fall in love with him, even if he made some not so great choices in the past! Augustus was such a sweet addition to the story, too (and had some nice representation for the time period--he has a birthmark that caused significant disfiguration to his face--and how they dealt with that. Love a mama bear!). The writing was absolutely stunning, though I did trip over the switching of POVs at times. It is written in third person, which doesn't bother me, but it would often focus on one person for a little while and then switch within the same chapter and sometimes I would miss where it switched and realize a sentence or two in it was a different person was being referred to. This did not deter from the overall story though! Still highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Known as an outlaw to many but also as fair and kind to others, Butch Cassidy was a man who made certain choices and was ready to take responsibility for them. Yet, when Butch assumes a new identity during an unexpected encounter, he is willing to sacrifice and protect two people extremely dear to him.

“You can never leave it all. Not something you’re raised on. It’s part of you. You don’t ever get rid of it. Most things aren’t all good or all bad.”

In starting this story, I had known about the legend of Butch Cassidy and was intrigued to read the author’s narrative interpretation. Butch did not disappoint, as he had a certain quiet and steady magnetism. Of course, Sundance was his opposite and together they made me laugh. As for Jane Toussaint, she also brings complex layers into her relationship with Butch, and this highlights the actions of these characters. Lastly, Augustus is such a little treasure.

Overall, the journey these characters take is one with highs and lows, but ultimately are true to themselves. Though the pacing was a bit measured in the beginning, it all comes together nicely.

Famed outlaw Butch Cassidy on the run…. Will he be running forever? Does he meet his end? Does he find happiness? I didn’t have much detailed knowledge of Butch Cassidy going into this read, aside from name recognition and outlaw status. Amy Harmon has always ensured that within her fictional tales, there is historical fact, her research is thorough and I’m always ready for it!

This was an adventure!! I found myself rooting for the outlaw, who perhaps isn’t all that bad! It was a little different from what I was expecting as it had a quicker pace compared to previous Harmon tales but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride! I was engaged throughout rooting for the all characters!!! Love shown in different ways, the Noble way.…the writing was fabulous as expected, certain parts had me tearing up!

This is not a wild west novel but a tale full of adventure, mischief, realization and love….if you are up for an adventure, it’s a must read!

DNF

I never thought the day would come that I would DNF an Amy Harmon book but here we are.

I just could not get into this one. I tried, I really did, but nothing was drawing me into the story or characters like previous books that I have read and loved by her.

The Outlaw Noble Salt is story of love and second chances, and it's one of Harmon's best yet!

The infamous Butch Cassidy is tired of living the life of an outlaw, and despite the fact that he's never actually hurt anyone, the authorities are determined to make an example of him. When he crosses paths with singer Jane Touissant and her young son, it just might be the chance at redemption he's longed for.

This sweeping love story was absolutely EPIC!!!! I loved every second of it! Harmon's writing is gorgeous and packs such an emotional punch. The characters are compelling and three dimensional, the pacing was spot on, and she brings the reader right into the story and these characters' lives. She's truly one of the best and I eagerly await whatever gift she delivers next. 10/10! Wonderful.

Thank you brilliance publishing for my gifted eARC. 💕

I absolutely loved this book - another masterpiece by Amy Harmon!
In this tale, Butch falls in love with famous singer Jane Touissant, a woman with her own demons. Together they learn to heal, to hope for a brighter future, and to experience love. Caught off-guard when he is introduced to her, Butch introduces himself as Noble Salt, the first name he comes up with. Their journey is an emotional one and I was totally invested in their story from the very first page and didn’t want it to end. The characters are well developed and relatable, and their experiences believable. As well as the history lesson, this story gives the reader a lot to think about and I found it very insightful.
While a work of fiction, this book is based on fact, and I loved the alternative ending that Amy created for Butch Cassidy. I don't know much about Butch Cassidy other than he was a notorious American outlaw, and I was compelled to find out as much as I could about him after reading this book.
I highly recommend this book and would have given it more stars if I could. Amy Harmon is a must-read author for me - I don’t even need to read the cover blurb, I know I’ll love whatever story she tells.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for a complimentary digital ARC for review. All opinions are my own and are unbiased.

The Outlaw Noble Salt-a standalone

By Amy Harmon- an auto-buy author for me

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📃 Page Count: 364

Setting: starts in Utah

Publication 4-9-24, Read 4-19-24

🙏🏾 Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC🩷! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect:
✅Historical Romance/Historical Fic
✅The American West/Wild West
✅Family
✅Redemption
✅Secret identities
✅slow burn romance

⚠️SA, robbery, miscarriage, suicide(not H/h)

Summary: This is the tale of Butch Cassidy, a famous outlaw robbing banks and trains. He has a conscience, and as he attempts to change his ways he meets Jane Toussaint, a singer and her young son Augustus. It's their love story filled with secrets and adventure.

🎭The characters:

Butch Cassidy "Noble Salt"- an outlaw who robs trains and banks. He has 12 siblings, started the Wild Bunch-his gang of criminals

Jane Toussaint- a singer, orphaned and raised by her husband Oliver's family.

Augustus Toussaint-Jane's son, too smart for his own good. Loves and admires Noble. He has a purple mark on his face that people stare at.

Harry Longabaugh "The Sundance Kid"- a thief and robber, Butch's partner in crime

Oliver-Jane's manager and husband, was mean and controlling.

Van-Butch's brother, wanted to be like Butch. but was jealous and vengeful.

🤔 My Thoughts: Harmon never misses to make me feel a connection to the characters. Having read all her books, TONS is a story I knew vaguely. I haven't watched any of the movies about Butch Cassidy. He is a criminal who believes he isn't hurting anyone robbing from the rich. The Pinkerson Detective Agency wants his capture, but Butch becomes Noble Salt. I'm glad some poetic license was taken to give Butch a HEA. Jane was a complicated woman- cold and standoffish. She had her own secrets but Butch showed her kindness and protection.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A love story, set in the early 1900s featuring a widowed French singer and one of the most famed American outlaws- Butch Cassidy.


I am a big fan of Amy Harmon but this wasn't one of my favorites. It took a long time for me to feel invested in the story but I give props for a nicely written slow-burn romance. However, I appreciated the very personal author's note which conveyed what a special story this was for the author. After all, the stories of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid have always been fascinating and I can see why Harmon wanted her latest novel to focus on that aspect of American history. Of course, the romance at the centre of the story is 100% fictional but I don't see that necessarily as a bad thing.

Overall, nothing made me dislike this novel but I just didn't feel as if it would stay with me.



Publication Date 09/04/24
Goodreads Review 18/04/24

#TheOutlawNobleSalt #NetGalley

This is a harder review for me to write. I adore Amy Harmon, and this book definitely had some of her signature poetic prose and swoony love scenes… but the story was SLOW and the relationship felt very “insta love” to me. I didn’t feel myself invested in the story until about 70%. Much of the story about Butch Cassidy was all tell and no show. It just fell flat for me

I like to rate books based on how they made me feel. And wow, did this one make me feel all the things, especially at the end! Amy Harmon is a master storyteller and knows how to create an incredible book!

I fell in love with Noble Salt! I could feel his conflicted emotions as he looked back on the life he wished he hadn't chosen. I loved following his life as he fell in love and worked to make things right.

I was up late finishing it and in tears as the book concluded. That's how you know it's a good book when it makes you cry for these characters you've come to love!

Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced copy!

This was so good, I enjoyed every minute of it. I got caught up in this wonderful historical romance, which is also a re-imagining of the life of Butch Cassidy the infamous outlaw of the Wild West.
The writing was so beautiful and the characters so real, especially Butch Cassidy and Gus, Jane Touissant’s young son. I must admit I wasn’t so keen on Jane, but I warmed to her as the story progressed, and I understood why she was the way she was.
I love the Butch Cassidy film with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, so of course I made comparisons whilst listening, but it didn’t detract at all from this wonderful novel.
The narration by Rob Shapiro, a new-to-me narrator was superb. He really brought all the characters to life for me with his fantastic voice talents, making it a very enjoyable listening experience.
Highly recommended if you enjoy historical romance.

Amy Harmon writes the best books! Always creative and interesting! This one is no exception and I loved it! This is the story of Butch Cassidy when he takes on the name of Noble Salt and how he falls in love. So good!