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The Last Chance Cafe
New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller captures the passionate heart of America in this powerful contemporary novel set in a small Western town. Seeking shelter from the storms of life, a woman who is down on her luck finds an unexpected refuge at
THE LAST CHANCE CAFÉ
With acres of land and a house that have been in his family for generations, rancher Chance Qualtrough has deep roots in Primrose Creek. Now, at the local diner, he is about to encounter his futureŠ.Perhaps it was fate that brought Hallie O'Rourke and her two young daughters to the Last Chance Café. More likely, it was the blinding Nevada snowstorm and a broken-down truck that forced the desperate single mother inside. Hallie couldn't know that she would find not just a hot meal and a few hours' rest, but the start of a new life. And Chance doesn't know that Hallie is fleeing a danger so threatening she dares not ask anyone for help. Even his kind offer of his aunt's house as lodging seems like too great a risk for Hallie.
But her fierce protection of her children wins out, and she knows she has no choice but to accept Chance's invitation. Slowly, as Chance and Hallie break down barriers of fear and doubt, trust takes hold. Hope replaces despair. And a fragile attraction grows into an undeniable passion. From the moment she took a chance with a handsome stranger in a country diner, everything Hallie has ever believed about home and family is seen through new eyes. But Hallie can never forget that just one careless word could bring back the past with full force, and could destroy all that she has made her own.
With a richly emotional storytelling style that has enchanted readers worldwide, Linda Lael Miller explores the secrets and wishes that push a woman's heart to new tomorrows and -- forever and always -- to lasting love..
THE LAST CHANCE CAFÉ
With acres of land and a house that have been in his family for generations, rancher Chance Qualtrough has deep roots in Primrose Creek. Now, at the local diner, he is about to encounter his futureŠ.Perhaps it was fate that brought Hallie O'Rourke and her two young daughters to the Last Chance Café. More likely, it was the blinding Nevada snowstorm and a broken-down truck that forced the desperate single mother inside. Hallie couldn't know that she would find not just a hot meal and a few hours' rest, but the start of a new life. And Chance doesn't know that Hallie is fleeing a danger so threatening she dares not ask anyone for help. Even his kind offer of his aunt's house as lodging seems like too great a risk for Hallie.
But her fierce protection of her children wins out, and she knows she has no choice but to accept Chance's invitation. Slowly, as Chance and Hallie break down barriers of fear and doubt, trust takes hold. Hope replaces despair. And a fragile attraction grows into an undeniable passion. From the moment she took a chance with a handsome stranger in a country diner, everything Hallie has ever believed about home and family is seen through new eyes. But Hallie can never forget that just one careless word could bring back the past with full force, and could destroy all that she has made her own.
With a richly emotional storytelling style that has enchanted readers worldwide, Linda Lael Miller explores the secrets and wishes that push a woman's heart to new tomorrows and -- forever and always -- to lasting love..
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
104 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
546 books3,251 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
January 28, 2023
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Introduction
The Last Chance Cafe is a standalone by Linda Lael Miller. This was part of my Romanceopoly reading challenge and the prompt for this one is "Burger Joint". I have had this book on my TBR for years probably close to a decade, and I am not sure why it has taken me so long to read this one, but I am so thrilled that I finally picked this one up. It was just adorable and such a solid western contemporary romance that had me in my feels. I have always enjoyed Linda Lael Miller, but especially her backlisted books are just the best to read. And basically it just delivers in a suspenseful western romance to curl your toes.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Chance
-Loner
-Cowboy/Rancher
-Helps heal horses
The Heroine: Hallie
-Single Mother
-On the Run
-Doesn't stay in one place
Summary
When Hallie's father passed away, she discovered that he was murdered, as he was doing a secret investigation and one of those men happened to be her ex husband. But when it became apparent, that he was murdered and that her ex husband was behind the conspiracy and that her life was in danger. She grabbed the evidence, her daughters and fled the only home she had ever known. She found herself in a remote small town, when her truck breaks down and they find a small town cafe "Last Chance Cafe" that drew them in and there they found refuge and a safe haven, and a group of people willing to show them kindness and safety. Hallie is mistrustful, but Chance proves to her with his sweet actions that they are worth fighting for and taking a stand against evil is the only way to live. But as Hallie dares to believe in love with Chance, she will have to fight for what matter most in life...
My Outlook
The Last Chance Cafe was such an adorable read and I had such a blast in reading of this one. I just couldn't seem to get enough of it here. I was so drawn into this story, and wow its been so long since I was so captivated by a Linda Lael Miller read. This was the perfect standalone, everything got tied up like a bow in the end. I truly appreciated the way in which this author wrote this one and the manner in which she delivered this story. I was utterly charmed by the hero and this small town that just were so delightful. The setting of the cafe was so fun and super atmospheric. I truly was endeared by all the aspects of the story. My only misgiving was revolving around the heroine, and I wanted her to trust in the hero more and I wasn't a fan with the conflict at the end. It just didn't make sense why she just ups and leaves after the danger aspect is resolved. But everything about the story was just right and definitely left me wanting more. I definitely need to read more of this author's backlist.
Overall View
The Last Chance Cafe is a endearing, heartfelt romance that has the most atmospheric setting, delivers on the western charm!
Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover: 4
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending: 4
Overall View: 4
December 12, 2011
I'm a big fan of Linda Lael Miller. She writes great cowboy romances with likable characters and a good storyline.
This particular book sees Hallie fleeing with her two twin daughters after she realizes her ex-husband is a bad man and out to see her dead. She ends up in Primrose Creek and at the Last Chance Cafe where the friendly people there find her a place to stay and even a job while she gets on her feet and decides what to do. She is attracted to handsome rancher Chance but is constantly fearful for her and her daughters lives. She's not sure who she can trust and knows that she may have to flee again.
Hallie does the best she can in this book. She is flighty, but its too be expected since she's on the run. I do have to say that I didn't like her daughters at all. I thought they were kind of little brats instead of being cute. Not appealing at all. Chase was a good character though. He was strong and stoic but had trouble expressing himself and seemed real enough. The bad guys, weren't really that menacing even though they had the potential to be. I wasn't quite sure what to make of that considering they were the danger throughout the book.
Since this was a "on the run" type novel I was surprised to see it mainly took place in Primrose Creek. Since it wasn't that far from where she was fleeing it just seemed weird she would stop there and consider herself safe. Not very realistic I guess. But the writing was exciting and I liked the romance between Hallie and Chance. And since there was romance I should warn that there are sex scenes. But its a nice read, very good for a cold day spent inside.
I'll continue to read Miller's work as I'm always pleased with the way they turn out. She offers a good romance with some compelling characters.
The Last Chance Cafe
Copyright 2002
292 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
This particular book sees Hallie fleeing with her two twin daughters after she realizes her ex-husband is a bad man and out to see her dead. She ends up in Primrose Creek and at the Last Chance Cafe where the friendly people there find her a place to stay and even a job while she gets on her feet and decides what to do. She is attracted to handsome rancher Chance but is constantly fearful for her and her daughters lives. She's not sure who she can trust and knows that she may have to flee again.
Hallie does the best she can in this book. She is flighty, but its too be expected since she's on the run. I do have to say that I didn't like her daughters at all. I thought they were kind of little brats instead of being cute. Not appealing at all. Chase was a good character though. He was strong and stoic but had trouble expressing himself and seemed real enough. The bad guys, weren't really that menacing even though they had the potential to be. I wasn't quite sure what to make of that considering they were the danger throughout the book.
Since this was a "on the run" type novel I was surprised to see it mainly took place in Primrose Creek. Since it wasn't that far from where she was fleeing it just seemed weird she would stop there and consider herself safe. Not very realistic I guess. But the writing was exciting and I liked the romance between Hallie and Chance. And since there was romance I should warn that there are sex scenes. But its a nice read, very good for a cold day spent inside.
I'll continue to read Miller's work as I'm always pleased with the way they turn out. She offers a good romance with some compelling characters.
The Last Chance Cafe
Copyright 2002
292 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
November 18, 2018
DNF -- This is one of those stories where the romance was pushed way, way too fast to accommodate the publisher's formulaic diktat, and messed up the story's natural progression.
what-to-read-next
February 15, 2026 J
April 11, 2016
Author: Linda Lael Miller
First published: 2002
Length: 6006 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Primrose Creek.
Sex: Explicit. Infrequent.
Hero: Rancher.
Heroine: Divorced with children. Chef and business owner. On the run from ex.
I kept thinking it was awfully similar to Running Wild by Linda Howard and Linda Jones. And I think I liked Running Wild better…
Some references to finding a diary of “Bridget Qualtrough”. Lists suggest The Last Chance Cafe is a standalone… but Bridget has her story told in the first book of Women in Primrose Creek:Bridget.
Good characters. Sweet sex. Some plot holes. Colourful secondary characters. Slightly TSTL heroine. We go from zero to bed very quickly.
But it was still an enjoyable read.
Related books The Women in Primrose Creek:
Book 1 Bridget - Bridget McQuarry and Trace Qualtrough
Book 2 Christy - Christy McQuarry and Zachary Shaw
Book 3 Skye - Skye McQuarry and Jake Vigil
Book 4 Megan - Megan McQuarry and Webb Stratton
References:
Author's website: http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/books/...
(ISBN …)
-CR-
First published: 2002
Length: 6006 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Primrose Creek.
Sex: Explicit. Infrequent.
Hero: Rancher.
Heroine: Divorced with children. Chef and business owner. On the run from ex.
I kept thinking it was awfully similar to Running Wild by Linda Howard and Linda Jones. And I think I liked Running Wild better…
Some references to finding a diary of “Bridget Qualtrough”. Lists suggest The Last Chance Cafe is a standalone… but Bridget has her story told in the first book of Women in Primrose Creek:Bridget.
Good characters. Sweet sex. Some plot holes. Colourful secondary characters. Slightly TSTL heroine. We go from zero to bed very quickly.
But it was still an enjoyable read.
Related books The Women in Primrose Creek:
Book 1 Bridget - Bridget McQuarry and Trace Qualtrough
Book 2 Christy - Christy McQuarry and Zachary Shaw
Book 3 Skye - Skye McQuarry and Jake Vigil
Book 4 Megan - Megan McQuarry and Webb Stratton
References:
Author's website: http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/books/...
(ISBN …)
-CR-
August 14, 2011
This was a light, sweet and predictable little story. I gave this book 4,5 stars some years back when I read it for the first time, and now I find it very average, even below average indeed. It's pretty remarkable that the more you read, the more you explore various genres, with time I guess expectations and preferences can change, "literary" choices can change. It’s true that nowadays I prefer more authentic, more original stories. I look for authors with a true original voice, and I always look for more depth in characters, which was lacking here, and even though this is a cute little romance, I couldn’t finish it soon enough, so that I could get my teeth into something a little more substantial next. I will always be a romance novel fan, but these days they are just harder to find.
October 17, 2008
It was ok. It wasn't what I expected from the author having read her Deadly Deceptions series first and then the Look series. It was all right. I couldn't really get a hook into Hallie- she really didn't make me feel for her. I loved Chance and while I agree watching them get together was fun, it was a bit fast. In fact, the whole book just moved really really fast. Too fast. The end of the book was rushed and I felt no real relief at the outcome.
It reminded me at times of Nora Roberts' "Montana Sky", which, though I like Linda Lael Miller - "Montana Sky" is the superior book.
It reminded me at times of Nora Roberts' "Montana Sky", which, though I like Linda Lael Miller - "Montana Sky" is the superior book.
July 9, 2013
When I recently saw that this was a Lifetime Movie starring Kevin Sorbo, I was immediately interested in reading the book..I always think the books are much better then the movie.
I loved the book. I can definitely see Kevin Sorbo playing the character Chance..
Hallie flees her home with her twin daughters and breaks down
in the town of Primrose Creek..What amazing characters in this one.
She immediate meets Chance at the Last Chance Café. He gives her a place to stay and his heart along with it!
I loved this story and can't wait to catch the movie.
I loved the book. I can definitely see Kevin Sorbo playing the character Chance..
Hallie flees her home with her twin daughters and breaks down
in the town of Primrose Creek..What amazing characters in this one.
She immediate meets Chance at the Last Chance Café. He gives her a place to stay and his heart along with it!
I loved this story and can't wait to catch the movie.
February 23, 2009
This is a sweet book, but there's a little too much fate/destiny/magic in a novel that is ostensibly a straight-up contemporary to make it feel really believable (Chance and Hallie fall in love because they were meant to... that's the main thing we're given), and the pacing is really wacky. There's some suspense, but a lot of it is artificial tension created by the characters not communicating with each other, and that's a contrivance pet peeve of mine.
January 29, 2016
I like the Hallie being independent but to leave Chance after being seriously hurt to attend to her loose ends seemed cold.
October 4, 2020
I'm all for a plot with a woman running away from a bad guy where there's a mystery and a big take down for an ending. The problem with this version of said plot is that it wasn't believable.
Click the spoiler to see why. Sigh.
Click the spoiler to see why. Sigh.
February 19, 2023
4.5 stars.
***Read for the Burger Joint(character works in the food industry)prompt for Romanceopoly).***
You know those books you savor? The ones where you just want to wrap yourself in the setting and spend time with the characters and not rush your way through? This was one of those books for me. There was suspense as Hallie and her twins were on the run from her ex-husband and his crimes, but this small town with all its kind inhabitants, and a strong, protective, just plain good guy in Chance, the hero, just made this book comfortable. There was action near the end, and lots of internal conflict where Hallie was concerned, since she was falling in love with Chance while having a life back in Phoenix, but this still managed to be a really fun and comfortable(can't think of a good synonym at the moment, sorry!)read. I loved Chance with his ability to help suffering horses, how good he was his Hallies's twins Kiera and Kiley, and how steady he was with Hallie. He was pretty much all in right from the beginning. I felt bad for him near the end, but it all eventually came right. This was just a very enjoyable read. When there was action, it kept me riveted. When there were cafe scenes, I could visualize everything. I just loved this little town and how kind everyone was. I loved Chance, and I'm glad Hallie got her happy ending. Oh, and I found it very refreshing that not everyone had a phone in their hand, as this is an older book. It just gave this a sense of a slower pace, a simpler time and place.
***Read for the Burger Joint(character works in the food industry)prompt for Romanceopoly).***
You know those books you savor? The ones where you just want to wrap yourself in the setting and spend time with the characters and not rush your way through? This was one of those books for me. There was suspense as Hallie and her twins were on the run from her ex-husband and his crimes, but this small town with all its kind inhabitants, and a strong, protective, just plain good guy in Chance, the hero, just made this book comfortable. There was action near the end, and lots of internal conflict where Hallie was concerned, since she was falling in love with Chance while having a life back in Phoenix, but this still managed to be a really fun and comfortable(can't think of a good synonym at the moment, sorry!)read. I loved Chance with his ability to help suffering horses, how good he was his Hallies's twins Kiera and Kiley, and how steady he was with Hallie. He was pretty much all in right from the beginning. I felt bad for him near the end, but it all eventually came right. This was just a very enjoyable read. When there was action, it kept me riveted. When there were cafe scenes, I could visualize everything. I just loved this little town and how kind everyone was. I loved Chance, and I'm glad Hallie got her happy ending. Oh, and I found it very refreshing that not everyone had a phone in their hand, as this is an older book. It just gave this a sense of a slower pace, a simpler time and place.
April 17, 2023
What would you do if you learned the man who was once your husband and fathered your children, was partially to blame for the murder of the man who became your dad?
Hallie knew Lou had been murdered, but had no idea where to start looking for the answers until an envelope was given to her, with the clue "Virgin Mary". Taking her twin girls with her to his home to look, she discovered far more than she was prepared for. When her ex-husband shows up, she knows only one thing for certain; she has to run with the girls. Now!
Finding her way, with the girls, to The Last Chance Cafe during a snow storm, she never realized how their lives were about to change.
Chance knew the moment Hallie and the twins stepped into the cafe his life would never be the same. Offering to help them was second nature, but being drawn to Hallie just felt right. Instinctively knowing Hallie was in trouble, Chance vowed to help her, hoping to make her and the girls his.
With trouble and plotting brewing, Hallie and Chance have a fight for their lives ahead of them. Can what they feel survive, or will it end once the dust settles?
The Last Chance Cafe is a gem waiting to be discovered. Linda Lael Miller knows how to envoke an old world western feel into life as we know it, and always leave you with an HEA that leaves a smile on your face and a happy sigh in your heart.
Hallie knew Lou had been murdered, but had no idea where to start looking for the answers until an envelope was given to her, with the clue "Virgin Mary". Taking her twin girls with her to his home to look, she discovered far more than she was prepared for. When her ex-husband shows up, she knows only one thing for certain; she has to run with the girls. Now!
Finding her way, with the girls, to The Last Chance Cafe during a snow storm, she never realized how their lives were about to change.
Chance knew the moment Hallie and the twins stepped into the cafe his life would never be the same. Offering to help them was second nature, but being drawn to Hallie just felt right. Instinctively knowing Hallie was in trouble, Chance vowed to help her, hoping to make her and the girls his.
With trouble and plotting brewing, Hallie and Chance have a fight for their lives ahead of them. Can what they feel survive, or will it end once the dust settles?
The Last Chance Cafe is a gem waiting to be discovered. Linda Lael Miller knows how to envoke an old world western feel into life as we know it, and always leave you with an HEA that leaves a smile on your face and a happy sigh in your heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2019
Hallie O'Rourke Waitlin Royer is devastated when her beloved step-father, a retire cop, is killed by five bullets in a home robbery... supposedly. At his wake, Hallie is given a key by one of his friends. When she goes to his house with her 7-year-old twin daughters and finds photos and evidence of a drug ring involving several cops and her ex-husband, an assistant DA, she realizes Lou's death was a murder. When her ex shows up and tries to get the box from her, Hallie flees in Lou's old truck with her daughters. Two days later, the truck dies near Primrose, NV, in a snow storm. The 3 hike to the Last Chance Cafe, where Hallie meets Chance Qualtrough - a descendent of the original settlers in the area. He helps her find a place to stay and she gets a job at the cafe. They come to feel at home in Primrose, but Joel and his cohorts are still after her. Scared, she tries to run, but Chance finds her, forces her to return and she admits her problems to him. The FBI is called in, but Joel also arrives and shoots Chance. He kills Joel, but Hallie feels responsible and unworthy and goes back to Phoenix to straighten everything out. Six months later she finally returns to Chance and Primrose. Happy ending, good story, several bedroom scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2023
I haven't read a Linda Lael Miller book in years, and I am sooooo glad that I chose this one. What a great book!
The starring character is Hallie O' Rourke, living in Arizona, and a divorced mother of 2 seven-year old twin daughters, Kiera and Kiley. She and her ex-husband, Joel, the assistant D.A., do not agree on just about everything.
Hallie's father has just been shot (murdered?) 5 times in the chest. He was a well-known and much loved cop. When Hallie saw his body she took the girls and ran to protect herself. She thought that her dad had been shot because of a case he was investigating. She took nothing with her when she ran, and eventually made it to Nevada, where her truck gave out in a blizzard. They had nowhere to go, so they began walking, and ended up walking into The Last Chance Cafe, frozen to the bone.She met Madge, the owner of the cafe, and Chance Qualtrough. Hallie is now the talk of the town in Primrose Creek.
What happens throughout the book is unbelievable. It's an excellent read.
The starring character is Hallie O' Rourke, living in Arizona, and a divorced mother of 2 seven-year old twin daughters, Kiera and Kiley. She and her ex-husband, Joel, the assistant D.A., do not agree on just about everything.
Hallie's father has just been shot (murdered?) 5 times in the chest. He was a well-known and much loved cop. When Hallie saw his body she took the girls and ran to protect herself. She thought that her dad had been shot because of a case he was investigating. She took nothing with her when she ran, and eventually made it to Nevada, where her truck gave out in a blizzard. They had nowhere to go, so they began walking, and ended up walking into The Last Chance Cafe, frozen to the bone.She met Madge, the owner of the cafe, and Chance Qualtrough. Hallie is now the talk of the town in Primrose Creek.
What happens throughout the book is unbelievable. It's an excellent read.
July 7, 2024
3.5 stars
I would probably recommend reading the Primrose Creek books first. Those characters are mentioned in this book. I believe that Chance is the grandson to Bridget.
The best way to describe this book is bitter sweet. There are two side love stories that are bitter sweet and the conflict resolution for Chance and Hallie is bitter sweet. I didn't quite love it but it made sense and everything worked out great. Chance and Hallie were a cute couple. I thought Chance could have been a bit more on her team. She had major trust issues (understandably), so I wanted him to be a bit more understanding to that.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and kept me hooked to figure out how it was going to end. As always, it did have a very sweet ending.
I would probably recommend reading the Primrose Creek books first. Those characters are mentioned in this book. I believe that Chance is the grandson to Bridget.
The best way to describe this book is bitter sweet. There are two side love stories that are bitter sweet and the conflict resolution for Chance and Hallie is bitter sweet. I didn't quite love it but it made sense and everything worked out great. Chance and Hallie were a cute couple. I thought Chance could have been a bit more on her team. She had major trust issues (understandably), so I wanted him to be a bit more understanding to that.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and kept me hooked to figure out how it was going to end. As always, it did have a very sweet ending.
September 7, 2017
I think I ordered this book from my library by accident when I thought I was ordering the same title by another author.
This book confused me. Was it a cozy mystery? Was it a romance? The mystery was interesting, if a little too drawn out. The particular brand of romance was a bit too ... erotic for my taste. I just prefer something a little sweeter and more left to the imagination. The 'sweeter' was close - the 'left to imagination' was non-existent.
I don't regret the time I spent reading it, but I doubt I will search out more by this author, even given that this book was published 15 years ago and her writing may have evolved.
This book confused me. Was it a cozy mystery? Was it a romance? The mystery was interesting, if a little too drawn out. The particular brand of romance was a bit too ... erotic for my taste. I just prefer something a little sweeter and more left to the imagination. The 'sweeter' was close - the 'left to imagination' was non-existent.
I don't regret the time I spent reading it, but I doubt I will search out more by this author, even given that this book was published 15 years ago and her writing may have evolved.
June 21, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed Linda Lael Miller's novel, Last Chance Cafe. It held my attention throughout the book, it was very hard to put down. I haven't read one of her books in a while. She seems to write book series in three novels and reading the entire series, and the novels all have characters in them and they over lap some scenes, I don't find them as consistant. Last Chance Cafe was very refreshing. Something different about Linda's writing that hasn't been there in the last 50 novels I've read. I may choose to find another book without a sequel attached. Perhaps I will enjoy it just as much as Last Chance Cafe.
May 11, 2020
Another good read from Linda Lael Miller.
Hallie Waitlin has just lost her dad. The police and her ex, claim that he was killed by a burglar, but she's sure he was murdered. And when she's given a key at her dad's wake by an old friend of his, a key to a deadly secret, she is soon on the run with her two young daughters.
They end up stranded in Primrose Creek and taken in and accepted by the community, especially Chase Qualtrough.
Hallie fears that the secret will track them down and that for everyone's sake they'll need to move on.
But, when she tries, Chase tracks them down and brings them back. Now will she ever get the chance?
Hallie Waitlin has just lost her dad. The police and her ex, claim that he was killed by a burglar, but she's sure he was murdered. And when she's given a key at her dad's wake by an old friend of his, a key to a deadly secret, she is soon on the run with her two young daughters.
They end up stranded in Primrose Creek and taken in and accepted by the community, especially Chase Qualtrough.
Hallie fears that the secret will track them down and that for everyone's sake they'll need to move on.
But, when she tries, Chase tracks them down and brings them back. Now will she ever get the chance?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2020
I read this book as a “blind date” from the library. I definitely never would have chosen something this Danielle Steele-esque on my own. I jokingly asked the librarians if I was old enough to read this. (Note to self: always listen to your gut)
The book had a great hook at the end of the first chapter. The storyline progressed at a consistent rate and the conclusion neither left loose ends or felt compacted into too short a timeframe.
I’m just not much on sensuality outside of my own marriage so those parts detracted from the book IMO.
The book had a great hook at the end of the first chapter. The storyline progressed at a consistent rate and the conclusion neither left loose ends or felt compacted into too short a timeframe.
I’m just not much on sensuality outside of my own marriage so those parts detracted from the book IMO.
September 15, 2021
I gave this book 3 stars due to it being a very easy read which kept my attention. I enjoyed the characters. I thought the author did a good job of creating the atmosphere of a small town where everyone knows one another. My biggest beef is that the exact same story could have been told without the emphasis on sex. What was the purpose? It was not necessary to advance the love story aspect. A little imagination is always good. I watched the cheesy movie after I completed the read and the "love" scene displayed in it was precisely how it should have played out in the book.
March 27, 2024
O borrowed Last Chance Café fromt he library after seeing the film on the TV. I read the book and noted many differences in the plot, the first being that Halie had one daughter in the film and twins in the book. The plot in the film involved a broken car and in the book a break down in a snow strom.
The romance between Halie and Chance was sweet and he was a stand up guy willing to help her while she was reluctant to open up to him. I loved the happy ending and how they found happiness in the end of both the book and the film. it was fun to compare the two.
The romance between Halie and Chance was sweet and he was a stand up guy willing to help her while she was reluctant to open up to him. I loved the happy ending and how they found happiness in the end of both the book and the film. it was fun to compare the two.
September 17, 2024
Hallie is on the run from her ex-husband who was involved in the murder of her step-father and his friend. This was a good book but I found Hallie frustrating because she would not tell Chance, who she meets on the run, what is happening in her life, even after they become involved. Why? This is a recurring theme and I lost respect for Hallie as her decisions made less and less sense.
Her twins were adorable. Chance was an awesome hero.
I didn't particularly like the ending with the indecision and separation.
Her twins were adorable. Chance was an awesome hero.
I didn't particularly like the ending with the indecision and separation.
April 8, 2023
I really enjoyed the way Hallie dug in and took charge of her life, even to watering and feeding the horses and cleaning their stalls when she had never been around horses before. I wish she had done a bit more cooking at the cafe, however. The cougar made my hair stand on end, and the bad guys chasing Hallie and her twins made me anxious for most of the book. Great stuff!
August 10, 2017
I always like Linda Lael Miller books. They are just good stuff. Interesting and fast paced. I read the
the original book with the sisters--fun to see their ancestors come around and some of the traits carry on.
the original book with the sisters--fun to see their ancestors come around and some of the traits carry on.
September 5, 2017
Really enjoyed it! Yyyyyyyyyy yyyyy yyyyyyyy yyyy yyyy
Really enjoyed it!
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What are you insisting on , That I write a review before I can access my account? Keep that up and I won't be a customer again.
Really enjoyed it!
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What are you insisting on , That I write a review before I can access my account? Keep that up and I won't be a customer again.
July 21, 2018
Hallie recently lost her father and realizes his death might be tied to her ex-husband. She escapes and ends up in a tiny town in the mountains and meets Chance. Hallie finds refuge in the small town and Chance. A good read with a great ending.
December 17, 2018
OMG - Forgot what a awesome writer Linda is. A great (not wanting to put it down) tale. Had me on pins and needles. I had a pretty good idea how it would end but everything merged and was a - read and you decide.
November 19, 2022
Her life in danger, Hallie O'Rourke and her 2 young daughters make their way to Primrose Creek, where they find refuge in the Last Chance Cafe, and where Hallie meets a handsome rancher that she dare not fall in love with because it's only a matter of time before she, once again, has to flee.
November 1, 2024
This was a quick easy read. I went into it blind and at first thought it was a mystery… nope definitely a romance. It had a pretty decent plot and wasn’t too predictable. I liked the characters a lot.
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