Review: The Last Cowboy in Texas by Katie Lane

Title: The Last Cowboy in Texas by Katie Lane
Deep in the Heart of Texas Series Book Seven
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

No Sad Songs Here, Darlin’

Country music princess Starlet Brubaker has a sweet tooth for moon pies and cowboys: both are yummy-and you can never have just one. Now Beckett Cates may not be a cowboy, but he certainly has the heart, soul-and body-to whet her appetite. He’s a sexy ex-Marine with a touch hotter than the scorching Texas sun and arms strong enough to catch her when she lands into trouble.

Playing bodyguard to America’s sweetheart isn’t easy for Beckett. But falling for her sure is. Unfortunately, Starlet has a reputation for keeping a guy or two wrapped around her finger and Beckett refuses to be anybody’s backup. So now it’s up to Starlet to prove that she’s put her cowboy-crazy days behind her. Otherwise, she’ll be singing solo instead of living in harmony with the man who’s loved her even before her fame and fortune.

The Review:

The Last Cowboy in Texas is a sweet, funny and heartfelt novel and it is the perfect ending to Katie Lane’s entertaining and heartwarming Deep in the Heart of Texas series.   In this outing, Starlet Brubaker and Beckett Cates are shocked when their previously antagonistic relationship unexpectedly turns romantic.

Starlet’s dream of becoming a successful country singer has come true, but her life has spiraled out of control. Between her controlling manager, uncle, cousin and alcoholic mother, Starlet cannot seem to find a moment of peace nor does she have a minute to call her own. After her latest tour ends, Starlet returns to Bramble where her much needed break is soon complicated by kidnapping attempts, writer’s block and a surprising romance with the now grownup and deliciously sexy Beckett.

Beckett is the youngest of the Cates’ siblings and he has never fit in with his rough and tumble older brothers. Feeling the need to prove himself, he joined the Marines and he is no longer the skinny, nerdy Cates everyone remembers. However, the changes in Beckett go deeper than his outward appearance. After a tour in Afghanistan, he is struggling with some residual PTSD and guilt from his last mission. He is not planning on staying in Bramble, but when Starlet needs a bodyguard, Beckett agrees to protect her until she is no longer in danger.

Starlet and Beckett’s relationship is a wonderful blend of scorching hot love scenes and sweetly romantic moments that occur as they get to know one another. They also begin to understand that their previous animosity was fueled by misunderstandings but most importantly, they discover their feelings for one another run deeper than either realized. Just as they begin to look toward a possible future together, their blossoming romance is complicated by Starlet’s past.

In addition to Starlet and Beckett’s romance, there are numerous subplots featuring some of Bramble’s colorful residents. These secondary story arcs help wrap up minor storylines that were not completely resolved in previous novels. There is also a hint of mystery that adds some drama to the overall story.

The Last Cowboy in Texas is a fast paced and engaging novel with a somewhat zany cast of characters and a delightfully unique (and slightly outrageous) storyline. It is a touching and emotional romance and Katie Lane’s moving epilogue wraps up all of the loose ends and makes it just a little bit easier to say good-bye to the wonderful town of Bramble and all of its crazy but lovable inhabitants.