Cowboy's Last Stand by Jill Sorenson

Category: Small town romantic suspense

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I'm sadly WAY behind on reviews (as anyone can see by glancing at this site). I've been doing the best I can and mostly don't feel bad about it, but in this case, I dropped the ball TERRIBLY. Because I had an ARC of this delightful little gem sitting on my Kindle FOREVER and I only now got around it reading it. So, apologies to the author and apologies to all of you for taking so long to make this recommendation! Here's my full review: 

Overall opinion:

This is the kind of tightly written, emotionally satisfying, low-angst romantic suspense that many other romantic suspense reads aspire to be when they grow up. The tone hits the sweet spot between heartfelt and tense and never steamrolls the romance by turning into trauma porn. (I freakin' hate trauma porn.) It's, quite frankly, *chef's kiss*.  

Plot overview: 

A hot, rugged Marine veteran who is also a hot, rugged cowboy, protects the widow of one of his fallen comrades and her son while battling his own personal demons--AND while providing A LOT of competence porn (seriously, the guy can fix anything, it would seem).   

What works:  

Jason, the hero, is everything you'd expect from a small-town cowboy. He's steady, grounded, lethal when he needs to be, tender when the moment calls for it, and vulnerable enough to keep him from reading like a walking Stetson stereotype. 

Natalie, the heroine, is never TSTL. She makes good choices under pressure because she HAS to. Single moms (good ones, anyway) don't get a choice in the matter. And when she's with Jason, they're partners, not babysitter and charge. She actively participates in her own protection rather than waiting around to be rescued, and I DIG that about her. 

The romance builds on shared danger, respect, hot attraction, and forced proximity. So, when things turn physical (and emotional), it feels earned instead of instalove-y. 

The pacing is, again, what a lot of romantic suspense tries to do and misses. The story never lags and the tension is constant, but there's still somehow room for quiet, emotional beats. I give the author tons of props for that.      

Tropes you'll find in Cowboy's Last Stand: 

Forced proximity, protector/bodyguard, cowboy (of course), competence porn, "touch her and die", small town vibes, single mom

Who should read this book: 

Since it's too cliche to say "everyone", I'll just say this one will appeal to readers who love romantic suspense reads where the villains aren't cartoon-y mustache twirlers, heroines aren't passive, and heroes are as gentle as they are potentially lethal. Fans of Pamela Clare, Brittany Sahin, and Kaylea Cross should definitely give Jill Sorenson a chance.  

Sidenote: Check out Aftershock, another Jill Sorenson classic, too. It's AMAZING.