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The Hatley Family #3
The Last Dance You Saved
RAFE
I swore I’d never go back to the ranch that brought me nothing but pain and heartbreak. But when my brother dies in a mysterious accident, what choice do I have?
Once I’m there, it isn’t just seeing how my daughter flourishes that cracks open old wounds. It’s the woman with bluebell-colored eyes who shows me just how empty my life has become.
SADIE
When the jewels in my grandmother’s attic lead me on an adventure to find our family’s roots, I never expect it to cost me my heart. And now that a tormented cowboy and his lonely daughter have claimed it, a little danger won’t scare me off.
If Rafe thinks he can send me away to keep me safe, he’s got a few things to learn about the Hatley family. We don’t disappear when the worst hits. We double down and fight for the win.
And with love at stake, I’m willing to bet it all.
Inspired by Nate Smith’s “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” this grumpy-cowboy, single-dad, small-town romantic suspense will tug at your soul and leave you with a smile on your face.
Interconnected standalone series
Can be read in any order
I swore I’d never go back to the ranch that brought me nothing but pain and heartbreak. But when my brother dies in a mysterious accident, what choice do I have?
Once I’m there, it isn’t just seeing how my daughter flourishes that cracks open old wounds. It’s the woman with bluebell-colored eyes who shows me just how empty my life has become.
SADIE
When the jewels in my grandmother’s attic lead me on an adventure to find our family’s roots, I never expect it to cost me my heart. And now that a tormented cowboy and his lonely daughter have claimed it, a little danger won’t scare me off.
If Rafe thinks he can send me away to keep me safe, he’s got a few things to learn about the Hatley family. We don’t disappear when the worst hits. We double down and fight for the win.
And with love at stake, I’m willing to bet it all.
Inspired by Nate Smith’s “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” this grumpy-cowboy, single-dad, small-town romantic suspense will tug at your soul and leave you with a smile on your face.
Interconnected standalone series
Can be read in any order
452 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2025
About the author
L.J. Evans
34 books1,358 followersAward-winning author LJ Evans lives in Northern California with her husband, child, and the three terrors called cats. She's written compulsively since she was a little girl, often getting derailed from what she should be doing by a song lyric that sends her scrambling to jot a scene down.
A former first-grade teacher, she now spends her days deep in the pages of romance and mystery with a bit of the otherworldly thrown in. Her favorite characters are those who live resiliently—stubbornly and triumphantly getting through this wild ride called life with hope, love, and found families guiding the way.
Her novels have won multiple industry awards, including CHARMING AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM which was Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published E-book Romance of the Year.
Find out more about LJ and her books at www.ljevansbooks.com
A former first-grade teacher, she now spends her days deep in the pages of romance and mystery with a bit of the otherworldly thrown in. Her favorite characters are those who live resiliently—stubbornly and triumphantly getting through this wild ride called life with hope, love, and found families guiding the way.
Her novels have won multiple industry awards, including CHARMING AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM which was Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published E-book Romance of the Year.
Find out more about LJ and her books at www.ljevansbooks.com
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January 28, 2025
The Last Dance You Saved is the third and final book in The Hatley Family series by L.J. Evans. Once again L.J. has captivated me with her words. She starts right off in the first chapter weaving an intricate web of romance and mystery revolving around long lost jewels and a complicated family feud. This book can easily be read as a stand alone. But the Hatley siblings from the previous two books are present and an experience Sadie had in the first book, The Last One You Loved, has influenced her greatly in the adult she is now.
Sadie Hatley is twenty three years old and is the youngest of the Hatley siblings. Sadie may be young in age but not in experiences in the years she’s lived. It might not have been Sadie’s dream as a career but she inherited her Uncle Phil’s bar in Willow Creek so running and managing it fills her time. While rooting around in her Grandmother’s attic, Sadie discovers a set of priceless jewels with a complicated history thought long lost. The search for the true owner of the jewels and the family history to go with them first takes her to Las Vegas to investigate a possible family tie with someone perhaps a bit unsavory. And it is also where she crosses paths with the hotel’s owner, a beautiful man with what seems to be a permanent scowl who with one touch, turns her world upside down.
Rafe Marquess is thirty five years old and is the owner of the casino, The Fortress, in Las Vegas. When he first encounters the beautiful Sadie, he is determined to ignore the sparks zipping between them. But his resolve can only last so long. But when he sees her talking with his biggest enemy, he’s sure she is working with him to conspire against him.
When Rafe is forced to return to his family’s ranch in California, a place he has not set foot since his brother’s deadly accident, he is shocked to once again encounter the tempting Sadie. She most definitely must be conspiring against him to turn up at his family’s home. But Rafe soon learns that there is only goodness in Sadie’s heart as she throws herself into the ranch work and puts herself between he, his sister and his daughter and all the past and present pain between them. At the same time, all of their safety is threatened when a series of events occur. Rafe is determined to keep Sadie and his daughter, Fallon safe in any way possible, even sending them back to Sadie’s home. But she won’t hear of it. She wants to remain by his side, keeping him safe in return. Because that’s what you do for the person you love.
“Every breath I took belonged to her.”
This is an edge of your seat romantic suspense. The love between Sadie and Rafe had my heart melting for them and when danger found them, I had to force my fingers to loosen on my e-reader. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. L.J. builds and builds to a heart stopping finale that will keep your pulse pounding. I adore the Hatley Family and the love between them all. In this book most of all, I love their parents and the influence they have on all of their children. What a beautiful example of what love really looks like. There is a bonus epilogue you can download at the end. Make sure you do so because it’s perfect! This is a wonderful book and I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Sadie Hatley is twenty three years old and is the youngest of the Hatley siblings. Sadie may be young in age but not in experiences in the years she’s lived. It might not have been Sadie’s dream as a career but she inherited her Uncle Phil’s bar in Willow Creek so running and managing it fills her time. While rooting around in her Grandmother’s attic, Sadie discovers a set of priceless jewels with a complicated history thought long lost. The search for the true owner of the jewels and the family history to go with them first takes her to Las Vegas to investigate a possible family tie with someone perhaps a bit unsavory. And it is also where she crosses paths with the hotel’s owner, a beautiful man with what seems to be a permanent scowl who with one touch, turns her world upside down.
Rafe Marquess is thirty five years old and is the owner of the casino, The Fortress, in Las Vegas. When he first encounters the beautiful Sadie, he is determined to ignore the sparks zipping between them. But his resolve can only last so long. But when he sees her talking with his biggest enemy, he’s sure she is working with him to conspire against him.
When Rafe is forced to return to his family’s ranch in California, a place he has not set foot since his brother’s deadly accident, he is shocked to once again encounter the tempting Sadie. She most definitely must be conspiring against him to turn up at his family’s home. But Rafe soon learns that there is only goodness in Sadie’s heart as she throws herself into the ranch work and puts herself between he, his sister and his daughter and all the past and present pain between them. At the same time, all of their safety is threatened when a series of events occur. Rafe is determined to keep Sadie and his daughter, Fallon safe in any way possible, even sending them back to Sadie’s home. But she won’t hear of it. She wants to remain by his side, keeping him safe in return. Because that’s what you do for the person you love.
“Every breath I took belonged to her.”
This is an edge of your seat romantic suspense. The love between Sadie and Rafe had my heart melting for them and when danger found them, I had to force my fingers to loosen on my e-reader. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. L.J. builds and builds to a heart stopping finale that will keep your pulse pounding. I adore the Hatley Family and the love between them all. In this book most of all, I love their parents and the influence they have on all of their children. What a beautiful example of what love really looks like. There is a bonus epilogue you can download at the end. Make sure you do so because it’s perfect! This is a wonderful book and I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
February 12, 2025
Another well-written romantic suspense from LJ Evans!! It’s so easy to fall in love with her words, her stories, her characters. *full review to come*
February 21, 2025
The Last Dance You Saved
LJ Evans have become my go to when I’m on the mood for romantic suspense. Every single one of her books is amazing and keeps me engaged from start to finish. This story was layered with mysteries in the present and going back a few generations. Plus Rafe and Sadie had amazing chemistry with just the right amount of spice thrown into the storyline. It was perfect. It’s my favorite Hayley Family book yet.
LJ Evans have become my go to when I’m on the mood for romantic suspense. Every single one of her books is amazing and keeps me engaged from start to finish. This story was layered with mysteries in the present and going back a few generations. Plus Rafe and Sadie had amazing chemistry with just the right amount of spice thrown into the storyline. It was perfect. It’s my favorite Hayley Family book yet.
April 6, 2025
Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy.
This book is the third book in LJ Evans’ Hatley Series, but I read it as a standalone.
This book feels like such a classic romance novel - it’s romantic, passionate, and has some suspense and mystery. Most of the book is set on a ranch in California, which gives it a western/cowboy feel. This book is also an age gap romance (MMC is 12 years older), which isn’t my favorite trope but I can let it pass when the characters have a lot of depth like they do in this book.
Sadie (FMC) is a professional dart player 🎯and Tennessee bar owner. Her competitive dart playing brings her to a fancy Vegas hotel owned by Rafe, the MMC. They have an instant connection, but their first night together is interrupted when Rafe’s young daughter shows up at his penthouse suite in Vegas after stealing the family Cessna at her California ranch.
Rafe and Sadie both coincidently end up at the California ranch where Rafe’s daughter lives. The time spent on the ranch has both our MCs falling for each other while also dealing with their own family drama, the mystery of Rafe’s brother’s death, and their past traumas.
This book was a well crafted family mafia mystery as well as a beautiful romance (dual POV, which I love) and I could not wait to see what happened next!
The author also has a fun Spotify playlist based on this book 🎵🎤
This book is the third book in LJ Evans’ Hatley Series, but I read it as a standalone.
This book feels like such a classic romance novel - it’s romantic, passionate, and has some suspense and mystery. Most of the book is set on a ranch in California, which gives it a western/cowboy feel. This book is also an age gap romance (MMC is 12 years older), which isn’t my favorite trope but I can let it pass when the characters have a lot of depth like they do in this book.
Sadie (FMC) is a professional dart player 🎯and Tennessee bar owner. Her competitive dart playing brings her to a fancy Vegas hotel owned by Rafe, the MMC. They have an instant connection, but their first night together is interrupted when Rafe’s young daughter shows up at his penthouse suite in Vegas after stealing the family Cessna at her California ranch.
Rafe and Sadie both coincidently end up at the California ranch where Rafe’s daughter lives. The time spent on the ranch has both our MCs falling for each other while also dealing with their own family drama, the mystery of Rafe’s brother’s death, and their past traumas.
This book was a well crafted family mafia mystery as well as a beautiful romance (dual POV, which I love) and I could not wait to see what happened next!
The author also has a fun Spotify playlist based on this book 🎵🎤
February 4, 2025
Sadie Hatley aka Sads, Sassy, Sassypants and Tennessee… gosh I love her! She’s trying to put the pieces of her life back together but is struggling to find meaning and purpose. Rafe aka Slick seemingly has it all but in reality his life is empty with a lot of hard feelings rooted in his past. Fallon, Rafe’s teenage daughter, is such a great side character and I loved her role in this book (and fingers crossed we will see her again). This is one of those books that I can see made into a movie…the suspense, the twists and turns, the characters…I can see this playing on the big screen. My love of the characters and their story kept me up way too late but gosh I didn’t want to put it down. That bonus epilogue was the icing on the cake!! Perfect just perfect. Another fantastic Hatley family book!! 5 stars!
February 8, 2025
I didn’t even start to like Rafe at all until about 35% into the book. He finishes really well though. Sadie starts to find her own path in this one. She wants to figure out what gives her life meaning other than her family. Then she has to figure out how to be in two places at once. Once Rafe is in, he’s in.
January 22, 2025
Rafe Marquess owns the Marquis Club in Vegas but returns home to the ranch after the passing of his brother to reconnect with his daughter, Fallon, and help find out what truly happened to him. Sadie Hatley was a professional dart player but misses her southern routes. When she heads home to Tennessee to search for something she never expected to find the handsome Club owner staying there too. They had a spark in Vegas but will it become something more with them both in close quarters? She is wrapped up in something that may cause a problem to those close to her but she may not be the only one. Misunderstandings, suspense and strangers needing the same hope, mesh together in this heartfelt slow burn romance. Told in first person and dual POV.
February 5, 2025
I literally could not put this book down, I don't know what LJ Evans puts in her books but they are like crack, and I'm addicted. I get so excited for a new book release and then cannot put the book down once I start reading and these books are usually 450+ pages so you can tell how much I love them. LJ Evans writes suspense romance so well and it keeps you addicted to what will happen next for the entire book!
Rafe and Sadie hit it off chemistry wise when they meet, but after that it's a quick downfall as there is some major misunderstanding and outside events happening that keep them from being rational, but it's all justified. However, all of the outside events eventually push them to start connecting and trusting each other, and those moments are so sweet between them. They are friends first but also really down with their friends with benefits set up, and well they make use of those benefits. The spice was off the charts from the moment Rafe pulls her dress off in the first few chapters and never dies down between them.
I loved the different view point of a love triangle with Rafe, his brother, and his brother's wife, who also is the mother of his child. I love that we got the side of it from an outsider and someone who truly chooses Rafe for who he is not who he is related to Spencer. Fallon is a handful from the start but both Sadie and Rafe see her and what she is doing and it allows them all to connect as well and start repairing some broken family ties.
If you haven't read any LJ Evans book yet, this book or this series is a great place to start as they are interconnected but also standalones! Go check them out!
Rafe and Sadie hit it off chemistry wise when they meet, but after that it's a quick downfall as there is some major misunderstanding and outside events happening that keep them from being rational, but it's all justified. However, all of the outside events eventually push them to start connecting and trusting each other, and those moments are so sweet between them. They are friends first but also really down with their friends with benefits set up, and well they make use of those benefits. The spice was off the charts from the moment Rafe pulls her dress off in the first few chapters and never dies down between them.
I loved the different view point of a love triangle with Rafe, his brother, and his brother's wife, who also is the mother of his child. I love that we got the side of it from an outsider and someone who truly chooses Rafe for who he is not who he is related to Spencer. Fallon is a handful from the start but both Sadie and Rafe see her and what she is doing and it allows them all to connect as well and start repairing some broken family ties.
If you haven't read any LJ Evans book yet, this book or this series is a great place to start as they are interconnected but also standalones! Go check them out!
February 5, 2025
The Last Dance You Saved by LJ Evans 💛
The Hatley Family, Book 3
Interconnected Standalone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
ARC Review
525 pages
🗓️ February 5
💛small town romance
🥃romantic suspense
💛age gap
🥃single dad
💛one (almost) night to more
🥃slow burn
💛close proximity
📍”The certainty she was mine was an absolute truth. She’d stormed into my life right when I’d needed her.”
I had a not so great week and this book was a lifeline. My unlucky week was, perhaps, luckier than I realized because any other book and I would’ve drown. I would’ve been going to sleep earlier than any person should’ve just to escape. But no. I didn’t have to run. Instead I got lost in the pages of this brilliant romantic suspense.
The action was superb, the plot flawless. But the best? The best of the best were these characters. I love them three so fiercely, with my whole chest and in full color. They had me holding my breath, offering smiles and wanting to cry. They were these living creatures made of words on paper that I’m going to carry with me for a long time.
Thank you LJ Evans not only for this ARC but for sharing the Hatleys with me (us). 🥹😭🩷
The Hatley Family, Book 3
Interconnected Standalone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
ARC Review
525 pages
🗓️ February 5
💛small town romance
🥃romantic suspense
💛age gap
🥃single dad
💛one (almost) night to more
🥃slow burn
💛close proximity
📍”The certainty she was mine was an absolute truth. She’d stormed into my life right when I’d needed her.”
I had a not so great week and this book was a lifeline. My unlucky week was, perhaps, luckier than I realized because any other book and I would’ve drown. I would’ve been going to sleep earlier than any person should’ve just to escape. But no. I didn’t have to run. Instead I got lost in the pages of this brilliant romantic suspense.
The action was superb, the plot flawless. But the best? The best of the best were these characters. I love them three so fiercely, with my whole chest and in full color. They had me holding my breath, offering smiles and wanting to cry. They were these living creatures made of words on paper that I’m going to carry with me for a long time.
Thank you LJ Evans not only for this ARC but for sharing the Hatleys with me (us). 🥹😭🩷
February 5, 2025
My favorite LJ Evans book to date, from the storytelling to the mystery, I am hooked on this author.
The characters are layered, and as we peel them back, we get tangled in the web, and it gets harder to put the book down. There is miscommunication, danger, suspense, family drama, and twists. Then, there is the slow burn romance between Rafe and Sadie. In addition, I love the role Fallon plays.
Sadie is the third of the Hatley siblings. Her book can stand alone, but this reader recommends the entire series!
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
The characters are layered, and as we peel them back, we get tangled in the web, and it gets harder to put the book down. There is miscommunication, danger, suspense, family drama, and twists. Then, there is the slow burn romance between Rafe and Sadie. In addition, I love the role Fallon plays.
Sadie is the third of the Hatley siblings. Her book can stand alone, but this reader recommends the entire series!
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
January 27, 2025
This was my first book by LJ Evans and it definitely won’t be my last! If you love a good romantic suspense this book is perfect for you. It had me on the edge of my seat speed reading through it.
Sadie and Rafe were perfect together. I loved seeing Rafe go from a complete grump to absolutely melting for both Sadie and his daughter.
I didn’t realise when starting it, it was an interconnected standalone and after loving this book i will 100% be going back and reading the others in the series.
February 5, 2025
Must read!!!
Book three in the Hatley Family series is all about Sadie Hatley, and LJ Evans did an incredible job crafting the perfect match for her in Rafe. He’s strong, not a pushover, and their journey to a happily ever after is anything but easy—which makes it all the more rewarding. I loved the suspense woven throughout the story, keeping me on the edge of my seat. A standout side character is Fallon, Rafe’s 14-year-old daughter, who adds even more depth and heart to the story. This book is absolutely amazing, and I couldn’t put it down!💜💙
Book three in the Hatley Family series is all about Sadie Hatley, and LJ Evans did an incredible job crafting the perfect match for her in Rafe. He’s strong, not a pushover, and their journey to a happily ever after is anything but easy—which makes it all the more rewarding. I loved the suspense woven throughout the story, keeping me on the edge of my seat. A standout side character is Fallon, Rafe’s 14-year-old daughter, who adds even more depth and heart to the story. This book is absolutely amazing, and I couldn’t put it down!💜💙
February 3, 2025
This book was enjoyable. I enjoyed the plot, which was well written and was full of moments that I absolutely loved and moments that had me anxious. Sadie was such a determined strong character who went through a lot to get her happy ending. Rafe was a character who was willing to help Sadie and those he loved, even if the outcomes weren't so positive. This book was full of suspense, and I enjoyed the development of Sadie and how she grew throughout the book.
Thank you to L.J. for the ARC.
Thank you to L.J. for the ARC.
February 5, 2025
Give me all your todays and tomorrows and I’ll give you mine.
The Last Dance You Saved is a grumpy-cowboy, single-dad, small-town romance with thrilling suspense and real and relatable characters. This is well written with an intriguing premise that kept me thoroughly entertained. I was all in with the suspense in this one from the beginning and enjoyed unraveling the mystery along with Rafe and Sadie. And Sadie? Dear sweet Sadie is a dart throwing, sassy, fierce, loyal, and ridiculously loving and kind FMC that I absolutely LOVED getting to know within these pages. Rafe is a damaged and grumpy MMC but uses the grump to cover his hurt and scars and you can’t help but root for him to get his happily ever after too. When he finally lets himself love, Rafe loves so hard that it will make you swoon. As far as secondary characters go, it is fun catching up with the Hatleys and getting to know Fallon. This one has so much going for it but I absolutely detest Lauren and the totally messed up triangle and family dynamic that she created. This coupled with the Rafe’s hot and cold and almost cruel behavior in the beginning has me giving this story 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. While the pacing in this seems balanced enough while reading, there is an insta-love vibe here and the relationship between Sadie and Rafe goes from zero to love and marriage in the span of a week. I don’t mind insta-love but it just seems a bit too unrealistic in the confines of this story. Still… I do like Sadie and Rafe together and they do have great chemistry. In the end this story is filled with an air of mystery, plenty of heart and heat and has an emotional and satisfying HEA that makes for a most enjoyable read.
#TheLastDanceYouSaved #NetGalley
The Last Dance You Saved is a grumpy-cowboy, single-dad, small-town romance with thrilling suspense and real and relatable characters. This is well written with an intriguing premise that kept me thoroughly entertained. I was all in with the suspense in this one from the beginning and enjoyed unraveling the mystery along with Rafe and Sadie. And Sadie? Dear sweet Sadie is a dart throwing, sassy, fierce, loyal, and ridiculously loving and kind FMC that I absolutely LOVED getting to know within these pages. Rafe is a damaged and grumpy MMC but uses the grump to cover his hurt and scars and you can’t help but root for him to get his happily ever after too. When he finally lets himself love, Rafe loves so hard that it will make you swoon. As far as secondary characters go, it is fun catching up with the Hatleys and getting to know Fallon. This one has so much going for it but I absolutely detest Lauren and the totally messed up triangle and family dynamic that she created. This coupled with the Rafe’s hot and cold and almost cruel behavior in the beginning has me giving this story 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. While the pacing in this seems balanced enough while reading, there is an insta-love vibe here and the relationship between Sadie and Rafe goes from zero to love and marriage in the span of a week. I don’t mind insta-love but it just seems a bit too unrealistic in the confines of this story. Still… I do like Sadie and Rafe together and they do have great chemistry. In the end this story is filled with an air of mystery, plenty of heart and heat and has an emotional and satisfying HEA that makes for a most enjoyable read.
#TheLastDanceYouSaved #NetGalley
February 19, 2025
Twists and turns abound
I think this is my first LJ Evans book and was good.
Rafe and Sadie have great chemistry, but there is a lot going on in this book… for me, too much. I think it would have been better to read this series in order because there is so much overlap and hard to keep track of with two families and two ranches. Twisty and challenging, but ultimately worth reading.
I think this is my first LJ Evans book and was good.
Rafe and Sadie have great chemistry, but there is a lot going on in this book… for me, too much. I think it would have been better to read this series in order because there is so much overlap and hard to keep track of with two families and two ranches. Twisty and challenging, but ultimately worth reading.
Read
April 9, 2025dnf at 20%
February 5, 2025
4.5⭐️
I know I said this with the last book I read from this author, but this one!! This one is hands down my favourite LJ Evans book I have read!
While it was quite the slow burn and very very thick, I ate this one up! The way this story weaved together was absolutely fantastic! The suspense was so good and I loved this plot line so much!
The perfect ending to a great series!
I know I said this with the last book I read from this author, but this one!! This one is hands down my favourite LJ Evans book I have read!
While it was quite the slow burn and very very thick, I ate this one up! The way this story weaved together was absolutely fantastic! The suspense was so good and I loved this plot line so much!
The perfect ending to a great series!
January 31, 2025
The Last Dance You Saved by LJ Evans
-Hatley Family Book 3-
4.25⭐️
2/3🌶️ (spice)
2/3🦋 (swoon)
•My Thoughts•
I love the Hatley family! I loved getting to know Sadie after seeing part of her story in previous books. I loved her loyalty and tenacity and found her extremely relatable. I knew that the MMC, Rafe, was going to be special after reading that he has a beard AND a dimple…only the truly special have both 😉. He was super closed off and I loved seeing him soften for his estranged daughter and for Sadie. His family was so complicated and I was invested in their dynamics. The plot was a little far fetched but I happily suspended belief and the author’s nod to Irish lore was a charming take on fate. I love the way the author weaves the suspense throughout the whole story. It feels purposeful and always has me hurrying to flip the page. An LJ Evans story isn’t complete without her signature, modern day take on soul mates. I don’t usually love an instalove situation but while you can always feel the instant attraction between the characters and she does a great job of balancing it with some tension and angst for us slow burn girls. Definitely recommend this series!
Thank you to LJ Evans for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
-Hatley Family Book 3-
4.25⭐️
2/3🌶️ (spice)
2/3🦋 (swoon)
•My Thoughts•
I love the Hatley family! I loved getting to know Sadie after seeing part of her story in previous books. I loved her loyalty and tenacity and found her extremely relatable. I knew that the MMC, Rafe, was going to be special after reading that he has a beard AND a dimple…only the truly special have both 😉. He was super closed off and I loved seeing him soften for his estranged daughter and for Sadie. His family was so complicated and I was invested in their dynamics. The plot was a little far fetched but I happily suspended belief and the author’s nod to Irish lore was a charming take on fate. I love the way the author weaves the suspense throughout the whole story. It feels purposeful and always has me hurrying to flip the page. An LJ Evans story isn’t complete without her signature, modern day take on soul mates. I don’t usually love an instalove situation but while you can always feel the instant attraction between the characters and she does a great job of balancing it with some tension and angst for us slow burn girls. Definitely recommend this series!
Thank you to LJ Evans for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
October 27, 2025
Love/Hate
This is a bit of a spoiler. But it's something you find out in the first chapter. But there are more spoilers father on in my review.
While I like this author this book just.... yuck. I detest love triangles, especially between siblings. At one point the author writes, "A love triangle, then. Brothers who had battled over a woman. Romantic on the page and screen, painful to live with, especially if you were the loser." No, never is that romantic on the page or screen.
I hated the Lauren and Spencer characters. They were horrible human beings. While Rafe made poor chocies too they were heartless and selfish and pretty much blamed Rafe for everything. Also, Spencer and Rafe's deceased father was an abusive horrible human being as well.
Sadie and Fallon were grear characters.
Just yuck, is all I can say about this book. 🤢
This is a bit of a spoiler. But it's something you find out in the first chapter. But there are more spoilers father on in my review.
While I like this author this book just.... yuck. I detest love triangles, especially between siblings. At one point the author writes, "A love triangle, then. Brothers who had battled over a woman. Romantic on the page and screen, painful to live with, especially if you were the loser." No, never is that romantic on the page or screen.
I hated the Lauren and Spencer characters. They were horrible human beings. While Rafe made poor chocies too they were heartless and selfish and pretty much blamed Rafe for everything. Also, Spencer and Rafe's deceased father was an abusive horrible human being as well.
Sadie and Fallon were grear characters.
Just yuck, is all I can say about this book. 🤢
August 9, 2026
Exceptional Story & Narration🎧Riveting & Intense!
The Last Dance You Saved
The Hatley Family, Book 3
By: L.J. Evans
Narrated by: Emery Erickson, Alex Goodman
Wow, this book completely blew me away! L.J. Evans consistently impresses me with her fantastic writing and her exceptional talent for crafting profoundly impactful stories. Her narratives are deep and layered, featuring complex, intriguing characters who are equally multifaceted. This third book of “Hatley Family” series is Sadie and Rafe’s story, a story that is utterly engrossing, an unputdownable book because you need to know what happens next. Sadie Hatley, an owner of a bar in Tennessee and a champion dart player, though she hasn’t competed in a while, never lost her winning magic and proved she was in Vegas. She wasn’t in Vegas to play darts, but was on a mission to solve a mystery and look into her family roots and a possible mob connection. Rafe, the owner of a hotel casino in Vegas, and it is in one of his bars where he meets Sadie, a piano bar turned country her doing, his undoing. The two ignite right from the start, undeniable chemistry, but he will deny himself because she is too young at twenty-three to his thirty-five. Except he gives in, but thanks to his daughter, Fallon, their heated moments got cut off before it went too far. But that is not the last he’d see of her, and that is not including the next day when she is meeting with a known mobster. Sadie is off the California to talk to someone about the jewels that were in her grandmother’s possession and to speak to the ranch owner about business improvements. The same ranch that Rafe walked away from, his family’s ranch, that his daughter wants him to help save. What a complicated family: two brothers in love with the same woman, Lauren, who truly loved and wanted both, but that did not work out. So Rafe let them buy him out, and he left for Vegas to start his own empire. But the ranch is not doing well, and they will probably lose it unless something gives, possibly the family jewels, which Lauren’s brother is aiming for, though he seems more interested in making wrongs done in the past right, which were results of a family feud generations ago. When Rafe sees Sadie at his family’s ranch, he jumps to the wrong conclusion, just as he did when he saw her with his Vegas rival. I loved how kind-hearted Sadie was with Lauren and Fallen, and it did not take long for Rafe to figure out he was wrong about her, but she still gave him a run for his money. There is never a dull moment in this book, and it just flew by so quickly, so I hated having it to end, but sure loved that ending! This is a perfect example of a masterfully crafted romantic suspense, and I loved how it all played out, with plenty of drama, angst, mystery, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. L.J. Evans, thank you for the exceptional story and the wild and emotional rollercoaster ride, escapism at it best!
🎧📚🎧 Emery Erickson and Alex Goodman were the ideal cast to bring these characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took each role and made it their own, sounding believable and just as I imagined the character would sound. Erickson was a natural in Sadie’s role, showcasing every facet of her personality, from her sass and wit to her strength and determination, and all in between. Goodman did the same as Rafe and was just as amazing at showcasing his personality and demeanor, grumpy attitude and all. Both were fantastic voicing and performing the roles of the secondary/side characters, giving each their own distinct voice, making it easy to tell who was who. Their pacing and tone were just right for the story, and their expressive delivery conveyed all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one. These two make a great team, with voices and talent that complement each other and an engaging performance that has you hooked on the story throughout.
The Last Dance You Saved
The Hatley Family, Book 3
By: L.J. Evans
Narrated by: Emery Erickson, Alex Goodman
Wow, this book completely blew me away! L.J. Evans consistently impresses me with her fantastic writing and her exceptional talent for crafting profoundly impactful stories. Her narratives are deep and layered, featuring complex, intriguing characters who are equally multifaceted. This third book of “Hatley Family” series is Sadie and Rafe’s story, a story that is utterly engrossing, an unputdownable book because you need to know what happens next. Sadie Hatley, an owner of a bar in Tennessee and a champion dart player, though she hasn’t competed in a while, never lost her winning magic and proved she was in Vegas. She wasn’t in Vegas to play darts, but was on a mission to solve a mystery and look into her family roots and a possible mob connection. Rafe, the owner of a hotel casino in Vegas, and it is in one of his bars where he meets Sadie, a piano bar turned country her doing, his undoing. The two ignite right from the start, undeniable chemistry, but he will deny himself because she is too young at twenty-three to his thirty-five. Except he gives in, but thanks to his daughter, Fallon, their heated moments got cut off before it went too far. But that is not the last he’d see of her, and that is not including the next day when she is meeting with a known mobster. Sadie is off the California to talk to someone about the jewels that were in her grandmother’s possession and to speak to the ranch owner about business improvements. The same ranch that Rafe walked away from, his family’s ranch, that his daughter wants him to help save. What a complicated family: two brothers in love with the same woman, Lauren, who truly loved and wanted both, but that did not work out. So Rafe let them buy him out, and he left for Vegas to start his own empire. But the ranch is not doing well, and they will probably lose it unless something gives, possibly the family jewels, which Lauren’s brother is aiming for, though he seems more interested in making wrongs done in the past right, which were results of a family feud generations ago. When Rafe sees Sadie at his family’s ranch, he jumps to the wrong conclusion, just as he did when he saw her with his Vegas rival. I loved how kind-hearted Sadie was with Lauren and Fallen, and it did not take long for Rafe to figure out he was wrong about her, but she still gave him a run for his money. There is never a dull moment in this book, and it just flew by so quickly, so I hated having it to end, but sure loved that ending! This is a perfect example of a masterfully crafted romantic suspense, and I loved how it all played out, with plenty of drama, angst, mystery, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. L.J. Evans, thank you for the exceptional story and the wild and emotional rollercoaster ride, escapism at it best!
🎧📚🎧 Emery Erickson and Alex Goodman were the ideal cast to bring these characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took each role and made it their own, sounding believable and just as I imagined the character would sound. Erickson was a natural in Sadie’s role, showcasing every facet of her personality, from her sass and wit to her strength and determination, and all in between. Goodman did the same as Rafe and was just as amazing at showcasing his personality and demeanor, grumpy attitude and all. Both were fantastic voicing and performing the roles of the secondary/side characters, giving each their own distinct voice, making it easy to tell who was who. Their pacing and tone were just right for the story, and their expressive delivery conveyed all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one. These two make a great team, with voices and talent that complement each other and an engaging performance that has you hooked on the story throughout.
February 5, 2025
Instant attraction, a derailed hookup and a misunderstanding are part of the first twenty four hours after Rafe and Sadie’s first encounter, making it obvious that their story is going to be a wild ride. Rafe is the suave, sophisticated billionaire who thinks Sadie is too young and too much of a wild card for him. Unfortunately, he can’t stop thinking about her. After meeting her again, he gives into temptation, whisking her away to his penthouse at his Vegas hotel. The night goes downhill from there. When he sees her the next day with his enemy, he leaps to some nasty conclusions and pushes her away. Fate, however is not done with these two. Their families shared a rather inexplicable connection in the past that has bearing on the present, as well as a new business relationship.
Of course, when Rafe encounters her at his family’s ranch he assumes she is up to no good and working for his enemy. Not all the sparks between them are due to rage, no matter what they may tell themselves. They agree to a truce, for the sake of his family, but soon find it impossible to ignore and avoid each other. The forced proximity does show each of them another side of the other and heightens the tension between them. It soon becomes clear that something sinister is going on at the ranch and Rafe goes into protector mode, not only for his family, but for Sadie too. Their story twists and turns from here, expanding on their fierce connection, the mystery from the past and the trouble his family is now facing from an enemy who may be closer than they think. Who can be trusted? What is the enemy’s end goal? Can Rafe protect the people he loves? Do Rafe and Sadie have a chance at a future together?
Rafe and Sadie are characters that command your attention and make it impossible to put this book down. They have white hot chemistry, tumultuous pasts, a determination to succeed and keep moving forward, and a soul deep connection that becomes increasingly harder to deny. Rafe’s daughter, Fallon, is an intriguing character too. Fourteen going on thirty, independent, stubborn and yet yearning for attention from both Rafe and the mother who has gotten lost in her own grief. Her instincts tell her something is wrong at the ranch she loves too, and she is counting on Rafe to fix it.
This riveting book is keeper and one I won’t hesitate to recommend.
Of course, when Rafe encounters her at his family’s ranch he assumes she is up to no good and working for his enemy. Not all the sparks between them are due to rage, no matter what they may tell themselves. They agree to a truce, for the sake of his family, but soon find it impossible to ignore and avoid each other. The forced proximity does show each of them another side of the other and heightens the tension between them. It soon becomes clear that something sinister is going on at the ranch and Rafe goes into protector mode, not only for his family, but for Sadie too. Their story twists and turns from here, expanding on their fierce connection, the mystery from the past and the trouble his family is now facing from an enemy who may be closer than they think. Who can be trusted? What is the enemy’s end goal? Can Rafe protect the people he loves? Do Rafe and Sadie have a chance at a future together?
Rafe and Sadie are characters that command your attention and make it impossible to put this book down. They have white hot chemistry, tumultuous pasts, a determination to succeed and keep moving forward, and a soul deep connection that becomes increasingly harder to deny. Rafe’s daughter, Fallon, is an intriguing character too. Fourteen going on thirty, independent, stubborn and yet yearning for attention from both Rafe and the mother who has gotten lost in her own grief. Her instincts tell her something is wrong at the ranch she loves too, and she is counting on Rafe to fix it.
This riveting book is keeper and one I won’t hesitate to recommend.
August 13, 2026
The Last Dance You Saved (The Hatley Family Book 3) by L. J. Evans is about single dad Rafe Marquess, Vegas, and worldwide club owner, who meets Sadie Hatley at a dart-throwing championship in one of his clubs. Sadie Hatley is on a mission to discover information about her great-grandmother, whose diamond heirloom she recently found in her uncle’s things after he died. Rafe and Sadie feel an immediate attraction, but due to his 14-year-old daughter’s unexpected appearance, sparks fizzle out between them. Sadie meets the next day with a possible cousin who has a reputation for being a mob boss and a history with Rafe. Contention between Sadie and Rafe increases as she leaves Vegas for a ranch in California tied to the treasure she discovered. This ranch was the home Rafe grew up in before becoming involved with Lauren, his brother Spencer’s ex-girlfriend, who became pregnant with his child but ended up marrying Spencer instead of him.
Twisted family ties between four families, envy, a movie actress, borrowed jewels, and a ranch won in a card game set the stage for a story full of suspense and drama galore. Regardless of the passion between Rafe and Sadie, he is emotionally unavailable after shutting down after he leaves the ranch, that caused him only pain and resentment because his father made everything a stacked competition between his sons, who only declared his brother Spencer the winner.
While Sadie is trying to piece together the story of her great-grandmother’s heirloom, which is made of diamonds mined on Rafe’s family ranch, she finds herself falling for Rafe. However, danger looms as someone attempts to kill Rafe and Lauren. Complicating matters is Lauren’s brother, Adam, who despises Rafe and is resentful over the fact that his great-grandfather lost the ranch in a card game. Adam is the one Sadie reached out to for help identifying the true owner of her family heirloom. As the story unfolds, the tension builds until the culprit is revealed. Rafe and Sadie must determine whether their feelings for each other are genuine and capable of lasting love. This is the first book by L. J. Evans that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, which will feature Fallon, Rafe’s daughter when it is released.
Twisted family ties between four families, envy, a movie actress, borrowed jewels, and a ranch won in a card game set the stage for a story full of suspense and drama galore. Regardless of the passion between Rafe and Sadie, he is emotionally unavailable after shutting down after he leaves the ranch, that caused him only pain and resentment because his father made everything a stacked competition between his sons, who only declared his brother Spencer the winner.
While Sadie is trying to piece together the story of her great-grandmother’s heirloom, which is made of diamonds mined on Rafe’s family ranch, she finds herself falling for Rafe. However, danger looms as someone attempts to kill Rafe and Lauren. Complicating matters is Lauren’s brother, Adam, who despises Rafe and is resentful over the fact that his great-grandfather lost the ranch in a card game. Adam is the one Sadie reached out to for help identifying the true owner of her family heirloom. As the story unfolds, the tension builds until the culprit is revealed. Rafe and Sadie must determine whether their feelings for each other are genuine and capable of lasting love. This is the first book by L. J. Evans that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, which will feature Fallon, Rafe’s daughter when it is released.
January 28, 2025
It might be book hangover, but right now this is my favourite book in the Hatley family series.
While this book can be read as a standalone it helped reading the previous two, in order to understand her better. In the first book she is the “Tennessee Darling” a young girl in the dart circuit, full of life and laughter. After being shot, fearing for her and her niece’s life, almost loosing the use of her leg, she definitely changed. Taking over her uncle’s bar was something her siblings were against, but getting lost in work was her way of coping with the way her life changed. I like to say that everything happens for a reason and her living in her uncle’s place leads her to meet the love of her life.
After finding some jewels and photos of her great-grandmother she sets out to find out how she came into their possession and if they rightfully belong to her family. This takes her to Vegas where she first meets Rafe Marquess.
From here on starts the suspense.
It’s an intricate web of lies that date back to their great-grandparents, and some people just can’t let go of the past, and they pass down the grudge to their successors.
Sadie went to the ranch where the jewels came from trying to find out the truth about them, she found more than she bargained for.
Rafe is a complicated man, but the love for his daughter is undeniable. Being an outsider Sadie very quickly sees the dynamic between this family and being part of a big loving family she tries to help them seal the bond that was long broken.
I loved her loyalty to both father and daughter, she tried to guide them without being pushy and that made Rafe open his hearth to her, he felt attraction from the very first moment he laid eyes on her, but the says spent together made it possible so see her wonderful soul as well.
As I was saying, everything that happened to her led her to that ranch where they fell in love but it made her strong enough to fight with anyone who dared to threaten her family again.
While this book can be read as a standalone it helped reading the previous two, in order to understand her better. In the first book she is the “Tennessee Darling” a young girl in the dart circuit, full of life and laughter. After being shot, fearing for her and her niece’s life, almost loosing the use of her leg, she definitely changed. Taking over her uncle’s bar was something her siblings were against, but getting lost in work was her way of coping with the way her life changed. I like to say that everything happens for a reason and her living in her uncle’s place leads her to meet the love of her life.
After finding some jewels and photos of her great-grandmother she sets out to find out how she came into their possession and if they rightfully belong to her family. This takes her to Vegas where she first meets Rafe Marquess.
From here on starts the suspense.
It’s an intricate web of lies that date back to their great-grandparents, and some people just can’t let go of the past, and they pass down the grudge to their successors.
Sadie went to the ranch where the jewels came from trying to find out the truth about them, she found more than she bargained for.
Rafe is a complicated man, but the love for his daughter is undeniable. Being an outsider Sadie very quickly sees the dynamic between this family and being part of a big loving family she tries to help them seal the bond that was long broken.
I loved her loyalty to both father and daughter, she tried to guide them without being pushy and that made Rafe open his hearth to her, he felt attraction from the very first moment he laid eyes on her, but the says spent together made it possible so see her wonderful soul as well.
As I was saying, everything that happened to her led her to that ranch where they fell in love but it made her strong enough to fight with anyone who dared to threaten her family again.
September 22, 2025
Rafe & Sadie
3.5🌟
I found this book frustrating. If I had read it on my own and not part of a series, I would’ve liked it more. Even though it’s a standalone but in a interconnected series. The thing that I love about interconnected series, it’s often the supporting characters and their interactions and how they show up in multiple books. I love the supporting characters in this series in the previous book. Sadie’s family was missing from the majority of this story. A bit of text conversation at the beginning and then they were at the end, but the bulk of the story they were missing. And what I didn’t know when reading this book is that between the last book and this book somewhere there is Gemma‘s book that is not part of this series which I find extremely frustrating.
Sadie was a great FMC. I found that she was a very strong FMC however she made some stupid mistakes. Who finds jewels and then thinks their family has stolen those jewels from a different family and then goes and tells that family that she thinks they might have been stolen from them? She didn’t even run this by her family. And not only did she go to this family to tell him that, but of course she told the bad guy and told him where she’s keeping the jewels.
I found the ending very predictable. Rafe sent Sadie and his daughter away with one bodyguard who’s only there for a few days and who is only 19. What kind of protection was that? And no one thought that the bad guys would be going for the jewels when they kept focusing on the jewels. It’s stuff like that that drives me crazy.
Sadie has a sister-in-law whose former NSA and has a hacker BFF that she mentions she could reach out for help but that’s all that’s ever said about it. She should’ve gotten them involved and that would’ve solve a lot of problems.
I felt like this book was like a new “CLUE” movie where everyone was running around like a chicken with his head cut off.
3.5🌟
I found this book frustrating. If I had read it on my own and not part of a series, I would’ve liked it more. Even though it’s a standalone but in a interconnected series. The thing that I love about interconnected series, it’s often the supporting characters and their interactions and how they show up in multiple books. I love the supporting characters in this series in the previous book. Sadie’s family was missing from the majority of this story. A bit of text conversation at the beginning and then they were at the end, but the bulk of the story they were missing. And what I didn’t know when reading this book is that between the last book and this book somewhere there is Gemma‘s book that is not part of this series which I find extremely frustrating.
Sadie was a great FMC. I found that she was a very strong FMC however she made some stupid mistakes. Who finds jewels and then thinks their family has stolen those jewels from a different family and then goes and tells that family that she thinks they might have been stolen from them? She didn’t even run this by her family. And not only did she go to this family to tell him that, but of course she told the bad guy and told him where she’s keeping the jewels.
I found the ending very predictable. Rafe sent Sadie and his daughter away with one bodyguard who’s only there for a few days and who is only 19. What kind of protection was that? And no one thought that the bad guys would be going for the jewels when they kept focusing on the jewels. It’s stuff like that that drives me crazy.
Sadie has a sister-in-law whose former NSA and has a hacker BFF that she mentions she could reach out for help but that’s all that’s ever said about it. She should’ve gotten them involved and that would’ve solve a lot of problems.
I felt like this book was like a new “CLUE” movie where everyone was running around like a chicken with his head cut off.
February 8, 2025
Oh my heart! It stopped, it restarted, it broke, it healed, it ached, it swooned...I can go on and on! The Last Dance You Saved by LJ Evans is one of my top 2025 read. She has outdone herself here. The feels, the suspense, the passion..everything balanced so perfectly here.
🐎 romantic suspense
🐎 standalone
🐎 grumpy sunshine
🐎 age gap ( 12 years)
🐎 billionaire romance
🐎 small town romance
Sadie came to Vegas to participate in a dart tournament. For two reasons. To relive her old glory days as a champion before she got hurt. And to get the money. Here she meets the sponsor. Billionaire Rafe Marquees. Their chemistry sizzles from the first meeting. But before they could give into the temptation, they are thrown into full chaos. Sadi's family history being connected to Rafe's. His complicated family dynamics. Enemies trying to hurt him and his family. Will they find love?
I feel the plot was just fabulous and you have to experience it to get the full effect. Rafe is a complicated man. He has been through a lot. From his strained relationship with his father and his brother, the love triangle, losing his brother, almost losing his only daughter and now the family ranch troubles. It's a wonder that he managed to build his empire. But he was lonely and lost and grieving. Sadie just crashed through his walls. She has been through emotional hell too. But she instantly fell protective about Rafe. She has a golden heart. She never stops helping and caring and supporting even when it's costing her. It was a turbulent time. Rafe was being dragged to so many directions. His guilt and anger was eating him alive. Sadie was his lighthouse in this storm. Balm to his broken soul. Strength to his crumbling heart. But he is a protective Alpha hero and his way to control a mess to push the ones he loves the most. Sadie is an incredible character and I loved just how loyal and fierce she is despite dealing with her own trauma. Rafe helped her to find peace too. The plot is a masterpiece and you will be on the edge of your seat whole time. Fast paced. Suspenseful. Full of twists and secrets. The author brought big emotions here with her soulful words. This story will always own a part of my heart.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
🐎 romantic suspense
🐎 standalone
🐎 grumpy sunshine
🐎 age gap ( 12 years)
🐎 billionaire romance
🐎 small town romance
Sadie came to Vegas to participate in a dart tournament. For two reasons. To relive her old glory days as a champion before she got hurt. And to get the money. Here she meets the sponsor. Billionaire Rafe Marquees. Their chemistry sizzles from the first meeting. But before they could give into the temptation, they are thrown into full chaos. Sadi's family history being connected to Rafe's. His complicated family dynamics. Enemies trying to hurt him and his family. Will they find love?
I feel the plot was just fabulous and you have to experience it to get the full effect. Rafe is a complicated man. He has been through a lot. From his strained relationship with his father and his brother, the love triangle, losing his brother, almost losing his only daughter and now the family ranch troubles. It's a wonder that he managed to build his empire. But he was lonely and lost and grieving. Sadie just crashed through his walls. She has been through emotional hell too. But she instantly fell protective about Rafe. She has a golden heart. She never stops helping and caring and supporting even when it's costing her. It was a turbulent time. Rafe was being dragged to so many directions. His guilt and anger was eating him alive. Sadie was his lighthouse in this storm. Balm to his broken soul. Strength to his crumbling heart. But he is a protective Alpha hero and his way to control a mess to push the ones he loves the most. Sadie is an incredible character and I loved just how loyal and fierce she is despite dealing with her own trauma. Rafe helped her to find peace too. The plot is a masterpiece and you will be on the edge of your seat whole time. Fast paced. Suspenseful. Full of twists and secrets. The author brought big emotions here with her soulful words. This story will always own a part of my heart.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
February 5, 2025
Gripping, emotionally charged, exhilarating, and brilliantly written are just a few words to describe The Last Dance You Saved. Ms. Evans writes stories where you get so enthralled with the characters and storyline that you lose all track of time as well as it is impossible to put her books down.
We are given the story of Sadie Hatley or Sassypants as her family calls her, and Rafe Marquess, a Vegas casino owner who has had a checkered past and whose family has been dealt a hard hand. Sadie and Rafe meet at his casino where she is competing in a dart competition. There is an instant attraction but that is it. What they did not expect was to see one another again, especially at his family ranch. Danger and intrigue seemed to follow them but who was in danger, Sadie or Rafe? Was it her wanting to find out about some family jewelry, or she thinks it is? Or is it the checkered past of Rafe and the man who seems to hate him or he thinks wants revenge? Rafe's family dynamic is unusual and this could also be one aspect of the danger that seems to be following them.
I knew from the teasers Ms. Evans gave us, that The Last Dance You Saved would be filled with twists and turns that would see me sitting on the edge of my seat, my heart would be beating faster and my emotions would be all over the place. I loved the instant chemistry that they shared as well as the instant connection Sadie had with Fallon. Fallon has had her life turned completely upside down but with the love of her father, mother and Sadie she seemed to come out at the other end of everything in a better place.
The epilogues were fantastic and they also gave us a teaser into Fallon's story which I cannot wait to read.
We are given the story of Sadie Hatley or Sassypants as her family calls her, and Rafe Marquess, a Vegas casino owner who has had a checkered past and whose family has been dealt a hard hand. Sadie and Rafe meet at his casino where she is competing in a dart competition. There is an instant attraction but that is it. What they did not expect was to see one another again, especially at his family ranch. Danger and intrigue seemed to follow them but who was in danger, Sadie or Rafe? Was it her wanting to find out about some family jewelry, or she thinks it is? Or is it the checkered past of Rafe and the man who seems to hate him or he thinks wants revenge? Rafe's family dynamic is unusual and this could also be one aspect of the danger that seems to be following them.
I knew from the teasers Ms. Evans gave us, that The Last Dance You Saved would be filled with twists and turns that would see me sitting on the edge of my seat, my heart would be beating faster and my emotions would be all over the place. I loved the instant chemistry that they shared as well as the instant connection Sadie had with Fallon. Fallon has had her life turned completely upside down but with the love of her father, mother and Sadie she seemed to come out at the other end of everything in a better place.
The epilogues were fantastic and they also gave us a teaser into Fallon's story which I cannot wait to read.
February 7, 2025
Every time I pick up an LJ Evans book, I'm amazed that she can put me through an emotional roller coaster again! The Last Dance You Saved was another angst filled, heart warming story that continues in the Hatley Family series. Ever since I started to read this series, I fell in love with Sadie Hatley in The Last One You Loved and I wasn't sure who would be good enough for this young woman. She's the kindest, most thoughtful and loving soul so when she meets casino owner Rafe Marquess at a dart tournament, I wasn't impressed. Rafe is egotistical, cold, calculating and has his eye on having an evening with Sadie after her tournament at his casino. When his daughter shows up unexpectedly, all the plans go out the window. Sadie decides that this wasn't meant to be and continues on her other reason for going to Las Vegas, finding a possible distant cousin. Now Sadie has really opened up a can of worms that leads her to a struggling California ranch and back to Rafe! Rafe is livid when Sadie shows up and doesn't hide his distrust in her reasons for showing up at his family ranch. Sadie knows that this is a coincidence, but she's determined to get her questions answered no matter how rude Rafe is. The reality is Rafe needs Sadie. He has lost sight of what is really important in life and Sadie being the loving soul that she is, is the perfect person to remind him of what's really important in life. Now if they can just find out what's been going on at the ranch and stay safe, they can truly have a beautiful future! The Last Dance You Saved was told from dual POV and stands alone in the series but after you read it, you're definitely going to want to read the rest of the Hatley Family books!
August 16, 2026
The Last Dance You Saved
Series: The Hatley Family , Book 3
By: LJ Evans
Narrated by: Emery Erickson, Alex Goodman
Where to start. There is so much put into an LJ Evans story, and this one is no exception. She is one author I know will be enjoying an amazing romance mixed in with solid side stories and characters with interesting histories. Introduce Rafe. A man who made a rash decision that effected not only his personality, but his relationship with his family. He sees Sadie, a woman impossible to resist who surprisingly is interconnected to his life. Rafe was never going back to the ranch he left, but when his life takes some turns, coming home to help his daughter seemed the right choice. Little did he know Sadie would be there. Now the confusion and attraction is strong, so things need to be worked through. Sadie holds a key to the problems at the ranch, Fallon is too smart for her age and it is to her benefit and Rafe is willing to do whatever it takes to keep them both safe and save the ranch he deserted. Who is behind it all? It will surprise you. Evans proves that life happens, and the results are how you handle it. People come into your life and how you react is how they fit in. And love is the glue that pulls it all together. I could not stop listening to this one, loving the song choices for each chapter and loved how it all came together. Fabulous listen, this series should not be missed.
Emery Erickson and Alex Goodman just enhance this story with voices perfectly set for each character. The many scenes, from the spunky teen to the mafia head all pulled in the feelings with the sound and nuances from this talented team. I loved how their voices complimented each other and made this listen one that I could not pull out of my ears. Grab in now!
Series: The Hatley Family , Book 3
By: LJ Evans
Narrated by: Emery Erickson, Alex Goodman
Where to start. There is so much put into an LJ Evans story, and this one is no exception. She is one author I know will be enjoying an amazing romance mixed in with solid side stories and characters with interesting histories. Introduce Rafe. A man who made a rash decision that effected not only his personality, but his relationship with his family. He sees Sadie, a woman impossible to resist who surprisingly is interconnected to his life. Rafe was never going back to the ranch he left, but when his life takes some turns, coming home to help his daughter seemed the right choice. Little did he know Sadie would be there. Now the confusion and attraction is strong, so things need to be worked through. Sadie holds a key to the problems at the ranch, Fallon is too smart for her age and it is to her benefit and Rafe is willing to do whatever it takes to keep them both safe and save the ranch he deserted. Who is behind it all? It will surprise you. Evans proves that life happens, and the results are how you handle it. People come into your life and how you react is how they fit in. And love is the glue that pulls it all together. I could not stop listening to this one, loving the song choices for each chapter and loved how it all came together. Fabulous listen, this series should not be missed.
Emery Erickson and Alex Goodman just enhance this story with voices perfectly set for each character. The many scenes, from the spunky teen to the mafia head all pulled in the feelings with the sound and nuances from this talented team. I loved how their voices complimented each other and made this listen one that I could not pull out of my ears. Grab in now!
February 6, 2025
Sadie "Sassypants" Hatley is on a mission to uncover pieces of her family's ancestry. She enters and wins a dart competition before she meets with who could be a long lost relative. Rafe Marquess owns a big slice of Vegas and the hotel where the dart competition was held and where Sadie stayed. They almost had a one night stand, but Rafe's 14-year-old daughter Fallon makes a surprise visit. When Rafe sees Sadie meeting with his ex-boss turned enemy Lorenzo Puzo, he sees nothing but red. The last person he expected to see at Harrington Ranch is Sadie. What is her connection to the ranch? Why is she there? He ran from the ranch, demanded his share of the inheritance from his brother Spencer and didn't look back. Now Fallon has suspicions about her mother's brother Adam and his connection to Spencer's death. Then there's the fact that Puzo is ingrained in their town. While Sadie is trying to figure out who owns the jewels she found and giving the Harringtons ideas for getting their ranch in the black, she's helping out Fallon's mother Lauren and trying to help Rafe make sense of their accounts. How did Spence really die? Why is the ranch failing so fast?
Oh, the suspense! Not only did the author keep me on pins and needles with who the perpetrator was, but also the slow burn between Rafe and Sadie. Sigh... Rafe went from hardened and closed off to gentle and open especially for Fallon. Both Rafe and Sadie experienced traumatic events in the past that made them a little prickly (okay, maybe a lot prickly) with people. They beat themselves up with guilt over things they couldn't control. As their story unfolded, the changes in the characters were heartwarming and emotional.
"If you have a love that sticks, it'll get you through anything."
I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.
Oh, the suspense! Not only did the author keep me on pins and needles with who the perpetrator was, but also the slow burn between Rafe and Sadie. Sigh... Rafe went from hardened and closed off to gentle and open especially for Fallon. Both Rafe and Sadie experienced traumatic events in the past that made them a little prickly (okay, maybe a lot prickly) with people. They beat themselves up with guilt over things they couldn't control. As their story unfolded, the changes in the characters were heartwarming and emotional.
"If you have a love that sticks, it'll get you through anything."
I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.
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