The Last Loyalist: A Steamy Time Travel Romance

by Kathryn K. Murphy

A lost soldier from the past. A modern woman with everything to lose. A love powerful enough to defy the centuries.

Public defender Melanie Reyes never expected her newest client to look like he’d stepped out of a Revolutionary War portrait. But Nathaniel Harrington isn’t just old-fashioned, he’s the very same British Redcoat who vanished without a trace in 1776.

He shouldn’t exist. Yet his haunted honor, razor-sharp wit, and unshakable loyalty pull Mel closer with every heartbeat. Nathaniel is a man out of time, and she’s the only one who can help him survive this new world.

But passion comes at a cost. To love him means risking her career, her reputation, and the life she’s fought so hard to build. And for Nathaniel, torn between the duty he left behind and the woman who’s captured his heart, it means proving he can be the kind of partner she deserves in a century not his own.

The Last Loyalist is a steamy, standalone time travel romance brimming with longing, found family, and the kind of love that can rewrite history.

Genres: Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2026

About the author

Kathryn K. Murphy is the author of over five contemporary romance novels, including her Firemark and Sisters in Sirens Series.

A lifelong storyteller, Kathryn was a National Board Certified Teacher for twelve years before becoming a contemporary romance author. Writing has always been her passion, and her idea of heaven includes sitting on the porch, working in the garden, and writing a love story at night. She lives in Virginia with her incredibly supportive husband and son.

Reviews

[Traci Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well researched and written fun romance because we could see the modern world through the eyes of the hero. The main characters were immediately lovable, and I rooted for them from the beginning. Loved the historical tidbits. Recommend!

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise is classic fish out of water … a British Redcoat from 1776 suddenly appearing in the present day, defended by a dedicated public defender, Melanie Reyes.

The contrast between Nathaniel’s rigid 18th century honor, loyalty, and wit against Mel’s contemporary life (career pressures, reputation risks) sets up delicious tension.

I love how the blurb emphasises the internal conflict, Nathaniel grappling with duty to a lost cause versus building a life (and love) in a new era, while Mel risks everything she’s built. It’s that push/pull, that I love, combined with steamy passion, and the romance. 😜

I loved the author’s other stories, (like the Firemark series with its immortal twists or the Sisters in Sirens small-town magic), and this one has to be one of my favourites, with its steamy contemporary romance and light fantasy/paranormal elements.
The time travel element adds that “touch of magic” with the found family vibes, and a satisfying HEA where love truly rewrites history. “Sigh” 🥰

I loved Nathaniel, how he took to this new world with all of its wonders. Always the gentleman, except when he wasn’t 😜
It took me a few pages to warm up to Mel, but I grew to love her. And Abuelita, she was such a character 💜

The standalone makes it a perfect read. And I couldn’t put it down.

If you’re into books like Outlander (for the historical/modern clash of course 😜)but want something shorter, steamier, and more focused on a single couple’s journey, then this book should hit that spot.

The Revolutionary War setting brings a fresh angle (British loyalist perspective rather than the usual Scottish Highlander) and although not a big historical fan, I do love a good historical romance 🥰 this made a nice change.

Overall, it promised to be an engrossing, sexy escape with strong characters and high emotional payoff. And it gave that to me and more.

So if you’re looking for a read with romance, intense chemistry, historical flavor, and a century spanning love story, then look no further.

🦋

[Sheila M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was an interesting twist on the usual time traveler. Instead of one traveler, there were three travelers from 1776. British Army soldiers Captain Nathaniel Harrington, Ensign Benny Coldwell with a gunshot wound from the war, and Lieutenant Elias disappeared during a skirmish against the American Colonial Army during a storm and ended up in a public park in New York City in the year 2026. The soldiers flipped out and the NYPD were called. One soldier survived and was jailed for criminal trespass and possession of a weapon. Nathaniel was assigned a public defender named Melanie “Mel” Reyes. The book followed their relationship and how Mel defended him and helped him adjust to his new reality.

I enjoyed this story because I liked how the author craftily melded history with the present. I enjoyed reading about Nathaniel’s surprise/feelings/perspective about modern life. “…the glowing frame he had heard others call a TV was telling him what should have been in a newspaper.” In turn, I enjoyed reading about Mel’s reaction of skepticism and disbelief upon hearing Nathaniel’s story, and her subsequent research about him. I also felt, through the author’s prolific writing, Nathaniel’s struggle between wanting to return to his time and staying with the woman he came to love. I shared his anxiety and uncertainty of not knowing if and when he might be sucked back in time again. Overall, the author did a wonderful job of creating an interesting plot and characters, and great world building. It was fun to read how the relationship between the MCs evolved. The story kept my interest, and I couldn’t stop reading it until I finished because I had to know what would happen next. This may be an enjoyable book for those readers that enjoy spicy, emotional, historical military, time traveler, and found family romance stories.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Loyalist is my first book by Kathryn K. Murphy. While I can’t compare it to her others, on its own merits I can say that I like this time travel-focused story. Ever since Outlander entered our lives, time travel books with romance at their heart have been “a dime a dozen.” So it may seem impossible to say that there’s something different about this one, but there is a little something. Maybe it is that it’s the MMC who time travels not the FMC, maybe it’s the presence of abuelita who I adore just as much as either main character, or perhaps it’s that I used to live in New York and I like the idea of a time travel story set there. Whatever the reason is, I liked it. There’s a lot more story here than there is romance, or time travel specifically. It’s a plot device not a guide for would be time travelers. But the romance and the spicy times that we do get feel earned and rewarding. I would’ve liked to see a longer happily ever after for the couple. Like probably 95% of the romances that I read, I felt that it happened so close to the ending that I was left wanting more. But as most authors do that, I can’t fault Murphy for this particular letdown that’s a personal preference rather than something to solidly critique. If you like a strong FMC and a more traditional male hero [aka he needs to be a provider] who still respects the strength and independence of the woman he falls in love with, you should like this story. You might also feel a connection to the book if you come from the social justice or law worlds and want a romance featuring both. It’s easy to read in one day or won’t take very many more than that. A few chapters are even short. While this was my first book by Murphy, I don’t think it will be my last. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ames Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A live beyond time, that’s an understatement! ❤️

The Last Loyalist surprised me in the best way! This is my first time reading something by Kathryn, but it will definitely not be my last.

This passionate story has an explosive start quite literally. I’ll let you discover that for yourself…and you should.

When passionate public defender, Melanie Reyes, meets her new client, dedicated British revolutionary army captain, Nathaniel Harrington, she doesn’t know what to believe. Nathaniel was arrested in the park with no ID or documentation at all. He was dressed in a full British army uniform with “vintage” weapons and claims to be from 1776. How is she supposed to defend him? The bigger question, why does she believe him?

Throwing all common sense out the window, she dives head first into not only defending him in court, but seeing the man beneath the red coat and falling for him.

The first paragraph had my rapt attention. My fingers turning page after page as Kathryn wove an enthralling and beautiful story of love and desire beyond time. Two beautifully unique people from two different parts of history drawn together so perfectly.

Grab this book! Devour this book! This is one I’ll definitely be reading again!!’

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written, full of duty, steam, confusion, emotions, action, love, loss, chemistry, history and time travel. This storyline is fantastic as so many people like to read or even think if only they could time travel. Has a slight feel of Outlander but just a little bit of a reverse with the male traveling. Nathaniel is a soldier who is transported to the present due to a thunderstorm with two others. He is found on private park property, arrested and put in jail. It's there he meets Melanie, his lawyer, who helps him with the court actions then with what is happening to him. Together they have to figure out if and how he can go back to his own time or even he if wants too. The changes he sees and has to experience is mind boggling to him. Loved the way past meets present and how they learn to help each other. Good chemistry between them while they find their way to their happily ever after. The characters are on their way to react with every reaction, an emotional and personal growth. Would recommend to everyone .

I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.

[Cindy Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific story that was not of the ordinary type. Nathaniel is somehow thrown forward to this century from Revolutionary times and is arrested for trespassing on private park land and for having a gun (a flintlock) and a knife (sounded like a Bowie). His public defender, Melanie, gets his case and has to gain Nathaniel's freedom. Although Mel, as everyone calls her, doesn't believe Nathaniel is from the past, a time traveler as it were, she eventually is forced to admit he is telling the truth. From there, Mel and her feisty Abuelita, both come to know Nathaniel and love him, but the journey to Nathaniel's learning how to handle himself in the 21st century alone is worth the read. I'd give this novel 4 1/2 stars as I'd like a clearer idea of how Nathaniel manages to stay in this century and not be thrown back to the 1700s. Although I received a complimentary review copy, my opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

[Cathy O'c · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Loyalist by Kathryn K. Murphy was a fun and fast read. I enjoy the technique of time travel in novels, but it is tricky to employ without bogging down with background. Ms. Murphy crafted a novel that was believable and enjoyable. When Nathaniel and Mel meet, he is a displaced British soldier from the revolutionary war and she is a public defender representing him. It is entertaining to read as this rough soldier adapts to the comforts of modern day, even his jail time is viewed as luxurious to him. Their courtship is lovely, I most enjoyed the way Nathaniel adapted to modern women. I appreciate a novel that is well thought out and moves at a steady pace. Any reader who enjoys a clever romance will devour The Last Loyalist.

I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher, my review is voluntary.

[Frances Anderson]

I received an ARC and am happy to share this honest review. "The Last Loyalist" is a beautiful start to what I hope is another great series by Kathryn K. Murphy. Murphy has such a warm touch, blending the fantastic and everyday magic of love with badass and vulnerable characters who wrap themselves around your heart. Add to that some Revolutionary War time travel and completely lovable MCs, who genuinely want to make the world a better place, makes this a very satisfying and fast read. The steamy parts are written with heart and love.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of a soldier from the American Revolution waking up in 2026 is fascinating. I enjoyed watching Nathan try fit into the present with Mel’s help. It is hard to even imagine anything close to what soldiers in that time period endured. With so much to discover, I found Nathan extremely adaptable and level headed despite all he went through. It was satisfying so see that caring for someone and building a lasting relationship can happen despite many differences.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julie Ambrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A soldier lost in time and a dependent woman who has to defend him when he is discovered with weapons and sent to jail.

He is awestruck with modern life everything is so different from his time .

Finally finding something to look forward to than work and loneliness she takes him under her wing and they find a mutual attraction and a steamy romance starts .

An emotional story of past and present with interesting characters, an enjoyable and worthy read.

[Diane Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful time travel romance, between a modern day public defender and an American soldier of 1776. I loved the humour of him trying to adapt such things as electrical appliances or traveling by car at speed, but his determination of being self sufficient while trying to show his true feelings for the woman who would give up everything to help him.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man time travels to the future. In a battle in1776 he disappeared during a thunder storm and wakes up in2026.He shouldn't be here. A modern woman who is an attorney takes on his case when he is found in a park armed with a flint lock pistol and a sword.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suze82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

touching and gripping

I just love stories about time travel and Melanie and Nathaniel´s story touched me deeply: both struggle to choose between the ties they have to their individual pasts and the new connection that is forming between them, I couldn´t stop reading for wanting to find out how it all ends.

[Isis Ray-sisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this time travel romance. It was interesting and I enjoyed the characters. I would definitely pick up another book by this author. I hope to read more from them

In the future.

[Marcia Schilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked reading about time travel.

[Laura Cozicar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet twist to the time travel story. Love the details and the way the characters interact. Very well researched and informative. The way our traveller learns to assimilate to his new time was thoughtful and realistic.