My Thoughts:
Unforgiven is the first book that I've read in the Loveless Texas Series. It has a heartbreaking and spellbinding prologue that reels you in to Hill Gamble and Kody Lawton's story.
These two have quite the past! Kody's first love was Hill's younger brother, Aaron, who was a troubled soul with severe mental health problems. Kody had been drawn to Hill first, but she dismissed the idea of them together, because Kody and Aaron, who started out as best friends, were a lot more alike.
Hill moved to get away from his dysfunctional family, but as he found himself getting closer to, and falling in love with Kody, he completely removed himself from her and his brother. When tragedy struck, Kody never forgave Hill for what she construed as his abandonment of her and Aaron.
Now many years later, Hill is a Texas Ranger, and must deliver horrible news to the Lawton's; their father has been murdered. Kody has always struggled with her emotions, and preferred to focus on her anger so that she can survive the tragedies that have occurred in her life. However, with Hill in close proximity, and danger escalating as her father's killer is on the loose, walls will come down, and feelings will be revealed. Will this be Kody and Hill's chance to have the love that they've secretly longed for from each other, or will the killer get to one of them first?
I loved Kody's sassy, spitfire, impulsive, and independent personality! She was tough on the outside, but had a tender heart. Hill was patient, kind, sexy, loyal, and gave everyone and everything his best. I enjoyed getting both characters points of view. I thought Kody was unfair to Hill at the beginning of the story, and it made me angry, but I understood it was a coping and defense mechanism.
The first half of the story was a bit slow, because both characters were in their heads a lot, and not a whole lot was happening. The second half of the story took off, as the suspense ramped up, and more began happening between Kody and Hill, as well as with the killer.
I enjoyed Kody's brothers Case and Crew, as well as their significant others, and would like to go back and read their stories. This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I would love to learn more about the secondary characters, as well as the Lawton's upbringing. The secondary character that shone through and really sparked my interest was MC Club President, "Shot," and I can't wait to get his story. He's my favorite type of alpha bad boy, and it would be nice to see him fall in love and get his happily ever after.
If you enjoy romantic suspense, with a sexy and swoon-worthy cowboy, a fun and sassy female lead, as well as a lovable cast of secondary characters, check out Unforgiven!
