Not His to Keep

High Lonesome #2

by Kate Campfield

In the small town of High Lonesome, gossip spreads like wildfire… and it's about to send our relationship up in flames.

A second chance with Rory Kelley should have been the ultimate win. Ten years after she stomped on my heart and handed me my “freedom,” we were finally back on track... but thanks to the local rumor mill, now she thinks I’ve been keeping secrets.

And okay, fine, I have—but it’s complicated. Like, “drag out my messy past, risk losing the love of my life, and maybe burn down my future” complicated. And while I'm over here trying to work up the nerve to spill my guts, her family lobs their own grenade of a family secret into the middle of this circus.

Now, Rory’s drowning in drama while I’m stuck wondering if telling her the truth will bring us closer…

…or blow everything up like the finale of a bad reality show.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance

368 pages, Unknown Binding

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Kate crafts fast-paced, spicy contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Growing up as one of five kids, she mastered the art of escaping into fictional worlds, often by "borrowing" her mom’s Nora Roberts books. These days, when she's not busy creating her own swoon-worthy tales, she's devouring Meghan Quinn and Elsie Silver novels like they're the hottest gossip at a family reunion.

When she's not embroiling her characters in yet another laugh-out-loud disaster, you can usually find her surrounded by animals or with her nose buried in a spicy read. Her pets behave as if they're the real brains behind her stories, but Kate remains unconvinced—though she admits they do have a knack for comedic timing.

Follow Kate on social media and sign up for her newsletter to hear Ollie’s life advice and book reviews. Disclaimer: Ollie is a German Shepherd. His judgment is questionable. Kate strongly advises against following his advice—unless you’re a dog, in which case, bark away.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟, 3🌶️

Few things pull me in faster than a messy second-chance romance, and this one definitely did.

Rory and Nate’s relationship is complicated, emotional, and far from perfect, which made it easy to become invested in their journey. I found myself constantly hoping they could find their way back to each other despite all the hurt, misunderstandings, and outside noise threatening to pull them apart.

Nate was easily the standout for me. His patience, loyalty, and determination to keep fighting for Rory made him impossible not to root for. While some parts felt a little repetitive and Rory occasionally tested my patience, I still appreciated the emotional weight behind her choices and the vulnerability woven throughout their story.

The small-town atmosphere added so much charm, and the family dynamics brought an extra layer of heart to the book. And of course, Spam completely stole every scene he appeared in.

This story left me emotional, hopeful, and curious about what’s coming next.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Kate Campfield and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Oh Kate, Kate, Kate!!! Why do you do this to me????? 😭 ugh this story I love it so much. Thank you for letting me read it early! There better be another one coming damnit! 😆

Ugh Nate and Rory are my absolute favorite. So glad we got closure from book one but now I’m gonna need closure from book 3!!!! I loved loved this story and I loved getting Spams perspective this time!!! A solid 5 stars girl keep them coming!!!

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this after the cliffhanger in book 1, I loved Nate and Rory and couldn’t wait for more of their story. But unfortunately I didn’t love this book.

For me it was a little drawn out and the drama was anticlimactic. I didn’t like how stubborn Rory was, if she’d just listened to Nate and let him explain it would have been so much better. Also Nate’s other secret was hinted at being something major but it really wasn’t.

It’s still a cute emotional story but somethings could have been better, I’m interested to see what happens in book 3.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, and this is Rory and Nate’s story.
These two were each other’s first everything, until Rory hears a rumour, and shatters Nate’s heart in the process. Now 10-years later Nate is back and determined to get Rory to listen to him and forgive him.
This is a well written easy to read, emotional roller coaster, with drama, gossiping, miscommunication, snarky pets, engaging and realistic characters, secrets, second chances, challenges, trust, revelations, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[The Rampant Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the gifted e-copy.

“The way I feel like I can trust him. Not just with my body, but with my soul.”

This was a quick read with quite a bit of drama and secrets mixed in. I love a small, meddling, and gossipy town partially because it usually adds some humor and partially because it gives an additional outside influence to the relationship. High Lonesome, Colorado definitely fits the bill.

Vibes: complex second chance

Tropes:
Small Town
Colorado
He Falls First
Second Chance
Cinnamon Roll
Dog Named Spam

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Not His To Keep we reunite with Rory and Nate to see how things are going not so well following some comments made towards Rory that made her question everything possible. It seems everything possible just goes wrong in this book for Rory, she loses her trust in Nate which he has to earn back, and family issues that once started small but now feel like the whole world is collapsing around her.

This book will put you through the emotional rollercoaster that comes with books. All I wanted was for Rory and Nate to have their happy ever after but it was as if they had to start from scratch again, and it did not go smoothly at all for them.

I enjoyed Nate's attempts to win back Rory and share his truth of the matter that caused all the issues. There were some funny but painful moments, especially for Nate but his love for Rory always stood strong against anything that could come his way.

The book may end in sadness but I think that although that feeling will linger, some positive feelings will start to come out when Rory or her dog Spam share the most unexpected news with the family and Nate.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
This is book 2 in Campfield's High Lonesome series and a great addition to the series. Book 1 left on a cliffy and so did this one to an extent. While I found this book to be overall well written, I did find it repetitive, and I had a hard time connecting with Rory this go around. She came thru spoiled and selfish, and I appreciated that she had a support group but even that group knew Nate was worthy. Nate for his part was beyond patient and worked so hard to get her back. I loved the small town feel and characters, I loved Nate's dedication, and I especially loved Spam's point of view - that for me was really the best. Looking forward to seeing if Rory is going to be honest with herself and Nate about the cliffy we're left with or if she'll self-sabotage the love and happiness she's found with Nate...

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This book completely wrecked me!! So much emotion in this book it had me crying and laughing!! We continue with Rory and Nates story as there go through difficult life situations. This book hit me hard as I go through some of whats in this story!! I absolutely loved this story it was well written and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next in book 3!!

“In the small town of High Lonesome, gossip spreads like wildfire… and it's about to send our relationship up in flames.

A second chance with Rory Kelley should have been the ultimate win. Ten years after she stomped on my heart and handed me my “freedom,” we were finally back on track... but thanks to the local rumor mill, now she thinks I’ve been keeping secrets”

[Larisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

This is the second book in the high lonesome series and it’s one of my favorite romance series yet. So honored to be an ARC reviewer for Kate.

This book has a cancer trigger warning however it’s still so heartfelt and watching Nate and Rory’s relationship get better and sweet together it’s hard to put down! Kate really out did herself with the spam (the dog) chapters and just making you feel each characters so much! I loved this one! Highly recommend a good heartfelt read with a tad bit of spice!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nate + Rory

AND we're back in HiLo.. & things have developed.. Last Nate and Rory was trying to get Rory to talk to her... and honestly, BABY.. stop being so stubborn. Here we are... you have a man doing ALL OF THE THINGS and yet you're still hesitant?

& Nate's actual secret was very anti-climatic as here I am thinking he slept with one of the mean girls and it was not that. Nate & Rory finally have their talk and all the while Rory finds out some pretty serious news about her mom. I feel like Rory just keeps getting it piled on her. Will she get a break anytime soon?

I received this book and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Gretchen Wavra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better! There is nothing better than a book that can make you feel every emotion as you’re reading it. I laughed out loud so many times with this book and cried. I cannot wait to see where this series goes and am not so patiently waiting for the next one to come out!! If you loved the first one, you’ll love this one just as much.

[Rachelle LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

No surprise but I absolutely loved Not His to Keep by Kate Campfield. I have read all of her books and rated them each 4 or 5 stars. I just love her writing and story telling.

Nate and Rory were just so good together. Their chemistry is so strong that it broke my heart when they split. They do find themselves back together, but I think the break was needed. They both were able to grow and work through somethings that were holding them back. The chapters in Spams (Rory's dog) POV were so funny.

I really enjoyed Not His to Keep.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rory and Nate . . .

Rory stomped down High Street, furious and ready to confront Nate Patterson. Guys have never wanted to date her and she blamed herself. But for the past 10 years, it has been Nate controlling this scenario! At least that’s what Yvonne says. She probably should ask Nate first, but she’s too angry. She storms into his house and yells his name. He had just come out of the shower and wore only sweatpants… not a fair way to fight and it made her even angrier. She asked him what he did, and his face told her what Yvonne had said was true. Apparently he meddled in her life since they broke up, made sure she stayed single for the past 10 years! Why? His look of innocence didn’t work, and she drowned him out when he tried to say anything in his defense. Finally he said none of those guys she dated was right for her. It was always supposed to be him and her, and he kissed her -- but she swiped her lips and started yelling again. How can she ever trust him now? So she packs a duffel bag and leaves to go to her mother.

The past 3 months with him had evidently been a lie. (And lack of effective communication can end a relationship faster than a punch in the nose… give the guy a chance to defend himself against accusations from a busy-body you don’t even trust! Over-reaction for sure, Rory!) Is it too late to restore the trust in each other that they will need to put this behind them? Tearing apart love and letting gossip win is not a sensible course of action. But they need to be willing to talk it out honestly and learn to open up to each other, both now and going forward if they are willing to try again. A fresh start seems definitely in order so they can move on together. Is it too late to put the past behind them? Or is their love worth fighting for?

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon



Nate and Rory's second chance story continues in Not His to Keep, and things are going along happily. Until they aren't. Now Nate has to figure out what just happened, and how to convince Rory to listen to him, and forgive him, all for something he isn't even sure he knows what is.



I was really rooting for these two to get together, then stay together. There were a lot of obstacles in this second part, the main one being Rory's absolute stubbornness and refusal to just hear Nate out. Communication, or I guess, miscommunication, can be a tool to move a storyline along, but here, it just halted it, to my frustration. And then came the cliffhanger, another source of frustration. So, in a nutshell, things were going well (with some adorable animals!), then they weren't, then they got on track, then the cliffhanger. Sigh...but I am very impatient now to find out how, if, they figure things out in Not Yours to Carry.



ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.

Review Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub | Linktree

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

💔❤️ Love Worth Fighting For ❤️💔
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️

Returning to High Lonesome felt like coming home, but Not His To Keep quickly reminded me that second chances aren't always smooth sailing. After everything Rory and Nate fought through in the first book, I wanted nothing more than to see them finally settle into their happily ever after. Instead, Kate Campfield throws them right back into the fire, delivering an emotional rollercoaster filled with gossip, family secrets, heartbreak, and plenty of miscommunication.

When a rumor causes Rory to question everything she thought she knew about Nate, old fears and insecurities resurface before he even has the chance to explain himself. It honestly felt like they were starting from scratch all over again, and watching them struggle to rebuild the trust they had fought so hard to regain was heartbreaking. Their journey isn't easy, but that's exactly what kept me emotionally invested.

Nate was, without question, the standout character for me. His patience, loyalty, and determination to fight for Rory never wavered, even when she struggled to trust him. Some of his attempts to win her back were equal parts funny and heartbreaking, but what stood out most was his unwavering belief that their love was worth fighting for. He never stopped showing up, never stopped trying, and that made him impossible not to root for.

Rory challenged me a little more in this installment. While I understood the fear, hurt, and insecurities driving many of her decisions, there were moments when her stubbornness and reluctance to hear Nate out tested my patience. The repeated communication issues occasionally slowed the pacing for me, but I also appreciated that Kate Campfield didn't take the easy route. Rebuilding trust after years of pain isn't simple, and Rory's emotional journey reflected that reality.

One thing this series continues to do exceptionally well is bring High Lonesome to life. The small-town charm, meddling neighbors, family drama, and close-knit community create the perfect backdrop for Rory and Nate's story. The family dynamics added another layer of heart, reminding readers that healing isn't limited to romantic relationships alone.

And then there's Spam.

Once again, Spam completely stole every scene. The dog POV chapters brought humor, warmth, and a fresh perspective whenever the story became especially emotional. Honestly, I'd happily read an entire novel told from Spam's point of view.

Although the repeated misunderstandings occasionally slowed the story for me, I never stopped rooting for Rory and Nate. Nate completely stole this book, Spam was once again the MVP, and High Lonesome remains one of those fictional towns I never want to leave. That cliffhanger has me eagerly counting down until I can return and see where Kate Campfield takes these characters next.

Thank you to Kate Campfield and The Author Agency for the gifted copy. I'm already looking forward to returning to High Lonesome for the next chapter of Rory and Nate's journey. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in Kate Campfield's High Lonesome series, and while it delivers plenty of emotion and character development, it was a bit of a mixed experience for me. The pacing is slower and than the first book, allowing readers to spend more time with Rory and Nate as they navigate the fallout from everything that happened previously. However, I did find parts of the story repetitive. Several conflicts and internal struggles seemed to circle back on themselves, which occasionally made it feel like the story wasn't moving forward as quickly as I wanted.

Nate was 100% the standout character for me. His patience, loyalty, and determination to fight for Rory, even when she continued to push him away, made him incredibly easy to root for. Rory was a bit harder for me to connect with. At moments she came across as spoiled, selfish, and frustratingly self-sabotaging. Even her support system seemed to recognize how much Nate was willing to give for her. Still, her fears and insecurities were understandable.

The High Lonesome setting remains one of the strongest aspects of the series. The town feels authentic, filled with family drama, meddling neighbors, and a community that is both supportive and chaotic. The family storyline added layers of grief, healing, and resilience that gave the romance additional depth.

But the true MVP of this book? Spam. I absolutely adored the dog POV chapters and personally think that every book should have at least one. Every time Spam appeared on the page, I found myself smiling. Those chapters brought much-needed humor, heart, and perspective to the story and quickly became my favorite part of the entire book. Honestly, I would happily read an entire novel told from Spam's point of view.

Overall, while the repetitive nature of the story occasionally pulled me out of the experience and I struggled with Rory's decisions, but, Nate's devotion, the charm of the town, and especially Spam's delightful chapters kept me invested until the very end. And, of course, Kate Campfield leaves us hanging once again with a cliffhanger that has me eager to see what happens next.

[donutqueenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rory and Nate navigate relationship issues as small town gossip takes its toll on Rory and Nate hides a secret. (TW: cancer, alcohol, death of a parent)

“Love is like darts, probably.”

🏔️ Small town
🐴 Miscommunication
👮 Cute dogs
🏔️ Cop MMC
🐴 Second chance
👮 Multiple POV

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The pacing was a little slow in the beginning but I think it actually worked well because it allowed more depth and emotion to develop in the story. There were some suspense elements to the plot which added complexity to the miscommunication trope. I think the miscommunication trope worked here because it felt organic and plausible.

This book was heavier than I was expecting but I loved the ending. I liked the character development of Rory. Rory was a bit stubborn but I understand that she’s guarded and afraid of her own judgment. That’s so relatable.

I loved how willing Nate was to do anything to get her back. The chapters from Spam were the best!

Overall I liked the writing in this book so much. I can’t put my finger on what it is but it’s different than the Betting on Love series and I personally think it’s better. The story or story and Nate is so sweet that you can’t help but root for them and I loved the first book so much.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Can’t wait to read book 3!!!

Gray sweatpants ✨

“When you see the bees around, you know the flowers are blooming, that things are happy in the world.” 🐝

🚨 mild (but vague) spoilers below
What kept this book from 5 stars?
-The big plot twist Nate was hiding felt a little anticlimactic.
-The health challenges in the second half had no trigger warning and took up a large part of the book. I was not emotionally prepared and had to slow my reading pace.
-The pacing in the first half was slow and the start of some chapters were confusing.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Love is like darts, probably. You can think you’re on track, and then just be so far off the goddamn mark that you never have a chance. And when they hit you, it’s a sharp pain, deep inside.”

⭐️ 4/5
📖 Romance
💓Book two in High Lonesome!
💬 You thought Rory and Nate were getting their HEA but ….😬

💓 Read if you like💓:
🪩Small Town
🪩Second-Chance
🪩High School Sweethearts
🪩Slow Burn
🪩It’s Always Been You
🪩Miscommunication Trope

Fun Fact: Book one was my first arc read!🥹

Time to return to High Lonesome to see what is going on with Rory and Nate after Kate left us on a big cliffhanger in book one. Book two has an explosive start and the hits keep coming. Rory can’t catch a break, and Nate is once again on the outside looking in (poor Nate!!).
there is definitely a miscommunication trope running rampant here because Rory chooses to believe some small-town gossip, and straight up refuses to give Nate a chance to explain.

At this point, everyone in her life encourages her to give him a chance to explain, but when she is hit with some devastating family news, she finds it impossible to focus on anything but her family.

This was an emotional read with some spice and some humor mixed in. Our favorite dogs Ollie and Spam return and you know
Spam brings the thunder with his antics!

I enjoyed book two a lot, but I did want to scream at Rory a few times for letting things implode the way she did- she did not even try to give our man Nate the benefit of the doubt. 😩

She owes him imo because this man is dedicated!!!!!

🪩Not His to Keep🪩

Available September 30!

You can also pre-order the paperback now.

Thank you to Kate Campfield for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Not His to Keep!! Kate Camperfield delivered everything I love in a second chance romance and then some. I laughed, I swooned, I wanted to shake these characters, and I loved every dramatic second of it.

Rory and her man getting another shot after ten years apart had me completely invested. You could feel the history between them, the hurt, the lingering love, and all that delicious tension that comes from two people who never truly got over each other. I was rooting for them so hard!

And High Lonesome? That town gossip was practically its own character. 😂 Seriously, nobody minds their business and I was living for every bit of chaos. Just when I thought things couldn’t get messier, another secret would explode and I was turning pages like a madwoman because I HAD to know how they were going to survive it all.

The emotions in this book hit so well. There was angst, family drama, misunderstandings, heartfelt moments, and plenty of swoony scenes that made my heart melt. I loved that these characters felt real, messy, and imperfect. Their journey back to each other wasn’t easy, but that just made the payoff so much sweeter.

And can we appreciate a hero willing to fight for the woman he loves? Even when everything seemed ready to blow up around them, I never doubted how much he loved Rory. That man had me in my feelings more than once.

This book was warm, emotional, funny, and packed with small-town charm and enough drama to keep me glued to the pages. I devoured it in one sitting and finished with the biggest smile on my face. Kate Camperfield absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one, and I already can’t wait for my next trip back to High Lonesome!

[Page Escapes by J · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Not Mine to Take broke your heart, Not His to Keep comes back to finish the job.

This second installment drops us right back into Rory and Nate’s story, and wow… Kate Campfield really said, “You thought these two had suffered enough? Think again.”

The pacing is slower and more emotional than the first book, allowing the story to dig deeper into Rory and Nate’s relationship after everything comes crashing down. While the conflict is fueled by miscommunication and small-town gossip, it never felt like drama for drama’s sake. Instead, it highlighted how fragile trust can be when old wounds and insecurities are involved.

Nate absolutely stole this book for me. His patience, loyalty, and determination to fight for Rory—even when she keeps pushing him away—made him impossible not to root for. He gives peak “golden retriever hero with hidden depths” energy. Rory frustrated me at times, but her reactions felt rooted in years of self-doubt and fear, which made her character arc feel authentic.

The High Lonesome setting continues to shine. The town feels lived-in and real, complete with nosy neighbors, family drama, and a community that somehow manages to be both comforting and chaotic. And can we please talk about Spam? The dog POV chapters remain one of the most unexpectedly delightful parts of this series and provide the perfect comic relief when things get heavy.

Speaking of heavy—this book packs an emotional punch. The family storyline added layers of grief, love, and resilience that elevated the romance beyond a simple second-chance love story.

Overall, this was an emotional roller coaster full of heartbreak, humor, healing, and a hero worth swooning over. And that ending? Kate Campfield clearly enjoys watching her readers suffer.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Campfield's spicy romance series, "High Lonesome" continues with "Not His to Keep". It picks up where the first book Not Mine to Take left readers hanging. After ten years apart, Rory and Nate were finally back together. But secrets and misunderstandings break them apart and Nate has to win back Rory's heart all over again. The novel weaves together the misunderstandings romance trope and a more serious plot. In one chapter, I was laughing so hard was crying, and in the next the drama of the story left me in tears.

The strength in Campfield's writing lies in her characters. The stories are written in four points of view, the two main characters and their two dogs. The main female character, Rory, suffers from a lack of self confidence and jumps to a wrong conclusion. I found her unwillingness to hear out Nate frustrating and if she were real, I would shake some sense into her. But when she is rocked by serious family issues, I wanted to give her a hug and hand her the tissues. Nate is steadfast, and the dogs are adorable. Ollie, Nate's the police dog, is sensible and the tiny mutt Spam adds all the comedy relief.

If you are in the mood for an spicy romance that will have you laughing, crying and revved up with explicit love scenes, than this book is what you have been waiting for.

Content Warning: several explicit scenes.
Trigger Warning: fatal illness (cancer) and death of a parent

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review -

I was excited to dive back into this series after the cliffhanger in the last book, and Kate Campfield did not disappoint.

Kate Campfield returns with Not His to Keep, the second installment in her High Lonesome series, continuing the heartfelt journey of Rory and Nate as they navigate the complexities of rekindled love. Following the events of Not Mine to Take, this sequel delves deeper into the challenges that arise when past wounds resurface, testing the resilience of their relationship.

Set against the charming backdrop of a small town, Campfield masterfully portrays the nuances of a couple striving to rebuild their connection amidst lingering doubts and external pressures. The narrative is enriched by the presence of their loyal canine companions, whose perspectives add warmth and humor to the unfolding drama.

While the first book introduced readers to the sparks of second-chance romance, Not His to Keep offers a more introspective look at the work required to sustain love beyond the initial reunion. Campfield’s storytelling shines as she balances moments of levity with the emotional depth of Rory and Nate’s journey, making for a compelling and relatable read.

For fans of contemporary romance that doesn’t shy away from the realities of maintaining a relationship, Not His to Keep delivers a satisfying blend of heartache and hope. Campfield’s authentic characters and engaging prose ensure that readers will be eager to follow Rory and Nate’s story to its heartfelt conclusion.

[Vilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rory Kelley and Nate Patterson have a complicated history of being friends, more than friends, and then just ‘friends’ again. But when Rory returned to High Lonesome for her reunion after years away and was forced to stay with Nate, they rebuilt on their friendship. Nate’s biggest concern was if Rory was going to stay in town this time. When a secret (of omission) is alluded to, it destroys Rory and Nate. And Rory leaves without a backward glance.

This story breeds so many strong emotions in the reader. As someone who hates surprises and secrets, I can relate to Rory’s ‘I’m done with YOU attitude’. Yet, once she allows herself to hear the details, she’s already in an emotional roller coaster and needs Nate’s support while watching her mom slowly deteriorate and die.

But you know who’s there for her, her girls (Allie and Stacey), her parents, her brother (Dylan), Mandy and the horses, and most importantly, Nate. Nate’s strength and quiet support hold her together during her period of grief.

I truly wanted to shake Rory a few times, but man what life threw at her in this story were a bunch of tough pills to swallow. And with the patience, kindness, and support of a good and loving man, Nate, she was able to navigate her feelings.

Loved, loved, loved this emotion packed romance. And trust me, there some humor in there… remember Spam and Ollie, dogs always bring out humor in people.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3/5
💧 Emotional: 4.5/5

Thank you to The Author Agency and Kate Campfield for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please note: This is the second book in a duet, so I highly recommend reading Book 1 first to fully appreciate Rory and Nate’s journey.

I was completely invested in Rory and Nate’s story from the first book, and that investment only grew while reading Not His to Keep. Their relationship is messy, emotional, and beautifully written, making it impossible not to root for them.

Rory is a heroine who has been through so much, and watching her navigate everything while trying to protect her heart made her incredibly easy to connect with.

Nate completely won me over. He’s patient, loyal, and never gives up on fighting for the woman he loves. His determination to earn Rory’s trust again instead of expecting forgiveness made me love his character even more.

Set in a charming small town, this second-chance romance delivers plenty of emotion while showing that love is worth fighting for, even when the road back isn’t easy.

If you love emotional second-chance romances with complicated relationships, memorable characters, and a couple you’ll be cheering for until the very end, I definitely recommend this duet.

[Danielle Renno · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off - this cannot be read as a standalone so if you haven't read Not Mine to Take, put it in reverse and go read that first.

Now that we have that out of the way...I loved the first book in the High Lonesome series. It left us on a cliffhanger and I was dying to get to the second book. However, Not His to Keep let me down a bit. These are supposed to be 2 nearly thirty year olds that combusted over miscommunication. And its almost solely on her part. I got so frustrated that she just would not listen to him. And then his big secret from her? Felt...underwhelming. I wanted to love this book, I really did. But its a 3.5 rounded to 4 for me.

Once we get away from those two situations - the book is both hilarious and emotional. It really is a good rollercoaster to be on! I loved getting Spam's point of view in this book. Its such a unique aspect that Kate brings into the mix! I also was still entertained and had a hard time putting this one down!

Overall - I'd recommend this one for anyone who has read the first in the series and needs answers. But also people who enjoy small town gossip :), second chance romances, and the sweetest alpha male who knows is starting to learn exactly what to do...and when.

[CJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc- So this was the 2nd book in he High Lonesome series (HiLo for us bookie locals lol). Really excited to have the opportunity. Super cute book, touched on the grief feels hard but glad it worked out in the end. However, I did not love this book. I felt Rory was a bit childish in this knowing what she knows of Yvette yet instead of talking to Nate, you decide to cut him out completely. Even despite what everyone says when you tell them what (sort of maybe possibly you think happened). Yes, be mad, be hurt then (hell even angrily) talk and hear him out. I felt the secret (while understandable) was not as big as it was made out but it did catch me off guard because of that. I loved the small town effect of just being there for each other. However, sometime I felt like I had reread the same part but it was just covering the same thing again a page later. Still a really cute in the feels story. (Wish we knew more about what maybe Mandy was hiding in her past) Excited to see what’s next in this series (hopefully its not done) and what happens now that new things have presented themselves. Also more Spam is always great!
Thanks again for this opportunity

[Jessica Roose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book in the series and continues the story of Nate and Rory. I loved the first book and was excited to read this one, but I didn’t end up loving it quite as much as the first. I was annoyed with Rory for much of the book and thought the drama with her and Nate was just not worth it. All of that because she wouldn’t listen and let him explain. They could have had a conversation right when it all happened and been fine. I thought the book got much better in the second half with the storyline with her mother and everything she was going through. I loved how Nate stepped up to help the whole family. But I thought the ending felt a bit rushed. I was expecting more with her mom but instead we didn’t really get to see what happened and when and get to be with Rory through that.
The epilogue left more to come so i am expecting a book three and I hope it’s more of them coming together and less drama over nothing.

There was some spice in this book and it was done very well. But it definitely didn’t overtake the book or feel forced.

I was given this book as an ARC but this is my honest review.

[Andrea Mehalco · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Not His to Keep, we’re back in High Lonesome with Rory and Nate—and possibly some trouble in paradise. Rory is thrown off after an old classmate shares some gossip about her and Nate, and instead of letting Nate explain, she makes the big decision to walk away. Things only spiral from there when she’s hit with the shocking news of a cancer diagnosis in her family.

I really felt for Rory. She went through so much in the first book, and it seems like she still can’t catch a break. She ends up pushing away most of the people in her life, until a heartfelt moment with a family member who tells her they can die happy knowing she’s happy and taken care of—with Nate. Sounds simple enough, but with Rory, nothing ever is.

Nate decides to take matters into his own hands and slowly works his way back into her life—as a friend. The big secret he was keeping wasn’t the most dramatic reveal, but it made sense why he thought she might react badly, given everything they’ve been through and all the gossip going around.

Overall, I thought it was a great book! We even get Spam’s perspective this time, and he had some truly funny moments. As usual, it ends on a cliffhanger, but this one feels like it’s setting up something exciting for Rory… maybe.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG. I love that this book carried on the story of Nate and Rory (standalone is awesome, but like I want more involved storyline for my characters, please!). I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, especially in Nate and Rorys story because they had the 2nd chance, they know each other and they're gonna split up because they won't talk to each other?? Come on! if Rory just let Nate explain his situation, they never would have split up. That is the reason for the 4⭐️ rating. I did not see the twist with Rorys mom and that had me bawling at times (especially the letter at the end 😭) Rory tackling her moms diagnosis and finding out about Nates secret wealth could have been the entire conflict and I would have rated this book 5 ⭐️.

THE EPILOGUE!! PLEASE tell me book 3 is going to continue Rory and Nates' story!!! I can't wait to see how Spam and Ollie handle the news!! speaking of which, Spam and Ollie's chapters are so cute, and I love the playfulness of adding dialogue from the dogs' perspectives.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not His to Keep by Kate Campfield delivers another emotional, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud installment in the High Lonesome series. Picking up after the events of Not Mine to Take, this small-town romantic comedy continues the FMC Rory and MMC Nate's second-chance love story with plenty of angst, humor, and heartfelt moments. One the things I felt made this novel interesting to me was its characters. Nate remains an incredibly devoted hero, determined to fight for the woman he's always loved despite misunderstandings, town gossip, and the secrets threatening to tear them apart. While Rory's journey is more complicated as she struggles with trust, family challenges, and the emotional weight of her past decisions. Overall, Not His to Keep was a charming and emotionally entertaining small-town romance filled with lovable side characters, family drama, and a healthy dose of humor.

I received an ARC copy from The Author Agency. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!