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Blood Ties #1
The Last Goodnight
A cold case is heating up, and with another body turning up, one woman is hot on the trail of a killer…with the help of the rancher who hired her to deliver justice.
When Kade Logan said goodbye to his estranged wife eight years ago, he never thought it would be the last time he saw her alive. Now her car has been hauled out of a nearby lake and Kade is determined to track down the man who murdered her. Enter Eleanor Bowman, a talented private investigator who’s about to stir up a hornet’s nest on his Colorado ranch.
With old scandals still buzzing about his late wife’s many affairs and new violence erupting, Kade is faced with the discovery of another beautiful woman’s body. Are the two killings linked? Who is the man who seduced, then murdered both victims? Ellie believes they are dangerously close to the truth.
From corporate Denver high-rises to posh Vail mansions, Kade and Ellie sense the killer is closing in again, and this time Ellie is the target. Kade must risk everything to save the woman he’s coming to love—before she becomes the next one to die . . .
When Kade Logan said goodbye to his estranged wife eight years ago, he never thought it would be the last time he saw her alive. Now her car has been hauled out of a nearby lake and Kade is determined to track down the man who murdered her. Enter Eleanor Bowman, a talented private investigator who’s about to stir up a hornet’s nest on his Colorado ranch.
With old scandals still buzzing about his late wife’s many affairs and new violence erupting, Kade is faced with the discovery of another beautiful woman’s body. Are the two killings linked? Who is the man who seduced, then murdered both victims? Ellie believes they are dangerously close to the truth.
From corporate Denver high-rises to posh Vail mansions, Kade and Ellie sense the killer is closing in again, and this time Ellie is the target. Kade must risk everything to save the woman he’s coming to love—before she becomes the next one to die . . .
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2021
3992 people are currently reading
14926 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
188 books3,169 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,040 reviews
November 5, 2023
Note: I received a free copy of this book. In exchange here is my honest review:
This thriller checks quite a few boxes. 👍 Flirty banter turned more. 🤗 Steamy good spots 🔥🔥 Mysterious ‘who done it’. My only complaint would be the ending felt a bit rushed. 🤷🏼♀️ Otherwise, totally worth the read!!
Thank you @goodreads @katmartinauthor and @kensingtonbooks #goodreadsgiveaway
This thriller checks quite a few boxes. 👍 Flirty banter turned more. 🤗 Steamy good spots 🔥🔥 Mysterious ‘who done it’. My only complaint would be the ending felt a bit rushed. 🤷🏼♀️ Otherwise, totally worth the read!!
Thank you @goodreads @katmartinauthor and @kensingtonbooks #goodreadsgiveaway
November 22, 2021
Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC in return for my review.
If I'm being honest I had no idea what this book was about when I received the email saying I won the giveaway and was too lazy to look it up on here. I figured that I would just wait until I received it and then read it then lol. Anyway, as you can see by my rating I didn't really enjoyed it. For one, the author's name is twice as big as the title and maybe it's just on the arc but the title is slightly cut off which makes the author's name seem even bigger. The thing that bothered me the most though is the romance. I hated it 😠
I hated Kade and found him a possessive, overly jealous, and somewhat controlling alpha male and none of that screamed good guy to me. I get that his first wife cheated on him and that cheating is bad but honestly, I don't entirely fault her for it. Now I know that she should have broken up with him instead but he wasn't the best husband. Of course he didn't deserve to be cheated on but it is more important the quality of time you spend together than the quantity in a relationship. He might have been with her every night but he wasn't really with her. The ranch was more important and it only seemed like he married her because that was the expected next step (and for some reason he needed a wife 🙄). I mean they were high school sweethearts and marriage was the next step and everyone expected it. He was the high school quarterback, wealthy, and the heir to his family ranch and lands while she was the popular and beautiful cheerleader. The only thing he could say about his first wife was that she was beautiful. I mean seriously, the guy had nothing else to say about why he "loved" her so much and so I honestly don't think he was actually hurt by her cheating but that his pride and ego were wounded. I mean they obviously should never have gotten married as their wants and needs were never the same so even if she didn't get killed or cheated their marriage was doom was the beginning. I mean she gave up going to a four year college she wanted to to stay in town and attend the local community college. She got married right after high school because he couldn't wait and was then "allowed" to attend the local community college afterward as a compromise. Apparently no job much less career came out of that and since he has a cook I'm guessing there wasn't much for her to be but a bored and lonely, but rich housewife (not all people are suited to life on the ranch and I'm sure more attention from him would have made it somewhat more bearable for her). So basically they got married and she did nothing but spend his money and later on sleeping around. He ignored it at first until he couldn't and then he served her divorce paper. Unfortunately she had poor taste in men as the last guy she slept with was crazy and killed her. After he found out that she possibly died around the time she left or shortly thereafter, he becomes obsessed with killing the guy who murdered her and believing all women are untrustworthy until Ellie comes into his life where it was lust at first sight. Every time they were together he always mention her boobs, butt, his hard-on and how much he want to fuck her. In return she would always mention how good-looking he is, how he gives her "feelings" and how much she wants him to make love to her. It got annoying really fast 😒 Then after the first time they slept together he got super jealous to the point of wanting to beat up any guy showing interest in her while saying how he's really not a jealous guy 🙄 That and how he now doesn't want her sleeping apart from him because despite them both saying it would only be a casual no-strings attached relationship she's "special". She's different from Heather in every way besides the fact that they're both beautiful. He got mad and offended when she introduced him as just a friend which they were at the times or at least friends with benefits.
Ellie on the other hand has also been cheated on and apparently kept dating cheaters. He is the first guy who cared enough about her to be possessive and jealous and that is apparently a good thing(?) until it got to be too much and she broke it off. Which was a smart move and I wished she stayed away from him afterward. I mean here is a woman who is independent, can take care of herself, and can stand up to him but since their sexual chemistry is the best thing she ever experienced (because obviously he is a sex God and is more experienced than her) all the red flags can be ignored. I mean obviously all he needed was the love of a good woman like her and all his red flags instantly disappeared x.x She kept talking about how much she valued her independent and loved her job and life but apparently all she needed was his love. After he confessed his feelings she seem to have quit her job or at the very least is taking a huge step back to help him manage the ranch and maybe if she has the time to spare to be a PI in their small town. Oh and of course they're deciding to start a family right away because they both want kids. I honestly expected her to already be pregnant but it seems the author wasn't going to be that obvious. I lost all respect for Ellie for that ending and for crying after breaking up with Kade.
Another relationship I wanted to mention was Maria and Alejandro. I didn't really have a problem with the age gap which was 10 years as he was 31 to her 21. The problem I did have was that Maria seemed too innocent. Alejandro liked to sleep around and there's nothing wrong about that as he's single and hot. She however came off as never dating anyone despite also being beautiful and a "catch" as it seems like she had a crush on him for a while and she's been working there since she was in high school. Then there is Kade punching Alejandro because he dared to sleep with Maria (after she came on to him and pushed for it btw) and then leaving and apologizing because she apparently deserved better. Like why? She's a nice girl I guess but I didn't really see anything wrong with Alejandro sleeping around and his behavior afterward as she wanted it too. She's an adult and responsible for her own actions though how she wanted to run away afterwards only cemented the fact that she wasn't adult enough to be with anyone. That the author wrote Alejandro really does love her and want to marry her did not make me happy. None of the relationships in this book was written well not were they ones I would root for.
Lastly, I realize now that this is billed as a romantic thriller but for some reason I completely missed that when I entered the giveaway and thought it was a mystery/crime book. I mean I guess it kind of was a little but I never found it thrilling. The "romance" greatly overshadowed everything and while it wasn't instalove it was instalust. They fell for each other like a few days to a week or so after they first slept together. I would not recommend this book unless you like books like this and relationships like this. It is a fast read though so something you can easily read if those things don't really bother you.
If I'm being honest I had no idea what this book was about when I received the email saying I won the giveaway and was too lazy to look it up on here. I figured that I would just wait until I received it and then read it then lol. Anyway, as you can see by my rating I didn't really enjoyed it. For one, the author's name is twice as big as the title and maybe it's just on the arc but the title is slightly cut off which makes the author's name seem even bigger. The thing that bothered me the most though is the romance. I hated it 😠
I hated Kade and found him a possessive, overly jealous, and somewhat controlling alpha male and none of that screamed good guy to me. I get that his first wife cheated on him and that cheating is bad but honestly, I don't entirely fault her for it. Now I know that she should have broken up with him instead but he wasn't the best husband. Of course he didn't deserve to be cheated on but it is more important the quality of time you spend together than the quantity in a relationship. He might have been with her every night but he wasn't really with her. The ranch was more important and it only seemed like he married her because that was the expected next step (and for some reason he needed a wife 🙄). I mean they were high school sweethearts and marriage was the next step and everyone expected it. He was the high school quarterback, wealthy, and the heir to his family ranch and lands while she was the popular and beautiful cheerleader. The only thing he could say about his first wife was that she was beautiful. I mean seriously, the guy had nothing else to say about why he "loved" her so much and so I honestly don't think he was actually hurt by her cheating but that his pride and ego were wounded. I mean they obviously should never have gotten married as their wants and needs were never the same so even if she didn't get killed or cheated their marriage was doom was the beginning. I mean she gave up going to a four year college she wanted to to stay in town and attend the local community college. She got married right after high school because he couldn't wait and was then "allowed" to attend the local community college afterward as a compromise. Apparently no job much less career came out of that and since he has a cook I'm guessing there wasn't much for her to be but a bored and lonely, but rich housewife (not all people are suited to life on the ranch and I'm sure more attention from him would have made it somewhat more bearable for her). So basically they got married and she did nothing but spend his money and later on sleeping around. He ignored it at first until he couldn't and then he served her divorce paper. Unfortunately she had poor taste in men as the last guy she slept with was crazy and killed her. After he found out that she possibly died around the time she left or shortly thereafter, he becomes obsessed with killing the guy who murdered her and believing all women are untrustworthy until Ellie comes into his life where it was lust at first sight. Every time they were together he always mention her boobs, butt, his hard-on and how much he want to fuck her. In return she would always mention how good-looking he is, how he gives her "feelings" and how much she wants him to make love to her. It got annoying really fast 😒 Then after the first time they slept together he got super jealous to the point of wanting to beat up any guy showing interest in her while saying how he's really not a jealous guy 🙄 That and how he now doesn't want her sleeping apart from him because despite them both saying it would only be a casual no-strings attached relationship she's "special". She's different from Heather in every way besides the fact that they're both beautiful. He got mad and offended when she introduced him as just a friend which they were at the times or at least friends with benefits.
Ellie on the other hand has also been cheated on and apparently kept dating cheaters. He is the first guy who cared enough about her to be possessive and jealous and that is apparently a good thing(?) until it got to be too much and she broke it off. Which was a smart move and I wished she stayed away from him afterward. I mean here is a woman who is independent, can take care of herself, and can stand up to him but since their sexual chemistry is the best thing she ever experienced (because obviously he is a sex God and is more experienced than her) all the red flags can be ignored. I mean obviously all he needed was the love of a good woman like her and all his red flags instantly disappeared x.x She kept talking about how much she valued her independent and loved her job and life but apparently all she needed was his love. After he confessed his feelings she seem to have quit her job or at the very least is taking a huge step back to help him manage the ranch and maybe if she has the time to spare to be a PI in their small town. Oh and of course they're deciding to start a family right away because they both want kids. I honestly expected her to already be pregnant but it seems the author wasn't going to be that obvious. I lost all respect for Ellie for that ending and for crying after breaking up with Kade.
Another relationship I wanted to mention was Maria and Alejandro. I didn't really have a problem with the age gap which was 10 years as he was 31 to her 21. The problem I did have was that Maria seemed too innocent. Alejandro liked to sleep around and there's nothing wrong about that as he's single and hot. She however came off as never dating anyone despite also being beautiful and a "catch" as it seems like she had a crush on him for a while and she's been working there since she was in high school. Then there is Kade punching Alejandro because he dared to sleep with Maria (after she came on to him and pushed for it btw) and then leaving and apologizing because she apparently deserved better. Like why? She's a nice girl I guess but I didn't really see anything wrong with Alejandro sleeping around and his behavior afterward as she wanted it too. She's an adult and responsible for her own actions though how she wanted to run away afterwards only cemented the fact that she wasn't adult enough to be with anyone. That the author wrote Alejandro really does love her and want to marry her did not make me happy. None of the relationships in this book was written well not were they ones I would root for.
Lastly, I realize now that this is billed as a romantic thriller but for some reason I completely missed that when I entered the giveaway and thought it was a mystery/crime book. I mean I guess it kind of was a little but I never found it thrilling. The "romance" greatly overshadowed everything and while it wasn't instalove it was instalust. They fell for each other like a few days to a week or so after they first slept together. I would not recommend this book unless you like books like this and relationships like this. It is a fast read though so something you can easily read if those things don't really bother you.
January 24, 2025
When I first picked this book up on Libby I did not know that this was a mystery romance between two main characters which I am not really int, it started of well but just didn’t grab me at all by half way, Kat Martin had been in my face for a while at least I know now what she is all about.
November 2, 2021
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Maybe this isn't a fair review since I honestly didn't realize it was a romantic suspense/thriller when I entered the giveaway. Obviously, with me saying that, romance isn't usually my wheelhouse but since I won the book, I wanted to give it a fair shot. Needless to say, it wasn't my kind of book and I did more eye rolling, then anything else, with how many times guys were labeled as "hot" and the women as "sexy". Not sure why the endless reminder was necessary, I think I got the gist of it by page five. Anyways, it was a pass for me but I'm sure someone who is a fan of the genre and/or the author would find this more interesting then I did.
Maybe this isn't a fair review since I honestly didn't realize it was a romantic suspense/thriller when I entered the giveaway. Obviously, with me saying that, romance isn't usually my wheelhouse but since I won the book, I wanted to give it a fair shot. Needless to say, it wasn't my kind of book and I did more eye rolling, then anything else, with how many times guys were labeled as "hot" and the women as "sexy". Not sure why the endless reminder was necessary, I think I got the gist of it by page five. Anyways, it was a pass for me but I'm sure someone who is a fan of the genre and/or the author would find this more interesting then I did.
August 9, 2021
Honestly, it was a struggle to find anything that wasn't horrifically misogynistic, a bad attempt at representation, or just plain boring in this book. I nearly DNF'd this book many times. There is little reason for them not to be together - except the hero's possessiveness that literally involves him punching people and more than once being aggressive with her... the female lead had the potential to be interesting but by the end, they all just ended up... together without any growth or compromise or reason honestly. The heroine is lowkey badass but I enjoyed her badassery and critical thinking.... except where the hero was concern. And the hero really was the worst though.... wildly misogynistic, needed therapy, and was extremely toxic.
CW: dubious consent, violence, mentions/ threats of rape (by the villain), multiple mentions of cheating
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
CW: dubious consent, violence, mentions/ threats of rape (by the villain), multiple mentions of cheating
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 27, 2022
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I started it at least 4 times and would not have finished it if I didn’t feel like I should leave a review since it was a giveaway book, and I really appreciated receiving it. I had thought from the description that it was a suspense novel—what I did not anticipate was the “romance” part of the novel. I have never been a fan of romance novels, and found the constant referencing of sexual tension and the sex scenes themselves juvenile and cringe-worthy. This book seems to have good reviews from romance fans, so I’m going to pass it along to a friend of mine who appreciates the genre more than I do. I do appreciate receiving this book, and hopefully I will learn to be more discerning in signing up for giveaways,
October 26, 2021
Kade Logan wants to know why someone has started shooting he cattle on his Colorado ranch. And now those shootings have escalated. A crew member and the ranch dog have been shot, although not fatally. An explosion at the mine wounded even more.
Eight years ago, Kade's wife walked out and was never seen again. Two years ago her body was found ... she had been beaten and strangled. No one was ever charged with the crime.
With old scandals still buzzing about his late wife’s many affairs and new violence erupting, Kade is faced with the discovery of another beautiful woman’s body. Are the two killings linked? And why is someone trying to create problems at the ranch? Personal vendetta?
Kade has hired private investigator Eleanor Bowman to look into the death of his wife. Kade's not sure about Ellie ... but she's known for getting terrific results after going undercover. Not too sure how she will fit in, he makes her the cook's helper. It gives her access to people close to the Logan's ... maybe someone who has targeted him specifically.
As Kade and Ellie get closer to finding a killer, Ellie becomes the next target. Kade must risk everything to save the woman he’s coming to love—before she becomes the next one to die . . .
Well written with an intriguing plot and a story line filled with twists and turns and suspects who all seem to have kind of grudge against Logan. There's plenty of action and thrown in some relationship sizzle it's a riveting read. The ending is explosive!
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here ar unbiased and entirely my own.
Eight years ago, Kade's wife walked out and was never seen again. Two years ago her body was found ... she had been beaten and strangled. No one was ever charged with the crime.
With old scandals still buzzing about his late wife’s many affairs and new violence erupting, Kade is faced with the discovery of another beautiful woman’s body. Are the two killings linked? And why is someone trying to create problems at the ranch? Personal vendetta?
Kade has hired private investigator Eleanor Bowman to look into the death of his wife. Kade's not sure about Ellie ... but she's known for getting terrific results after going undercover. Not too sure how she will fit in, he makes her the cook's helper. It gives her access to people close to the Logan's ... maybe someone who has targeted him specifically.
As Kade and Ellie get closer to finding a killer, Ellie becomes the next target. Kade must risk everything to save the woman he’s coming to love—before she becomes the next one to die . . .
Well written with an intriguing plot and a story line filled with twists and turns and suspects who all seem to have kind of grudge against Logan. There's plenty of action and thrown in some relationship sizzle it's a riveting read. The ending is explosive!
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here ar unbiased and entirely my own.
October 30, 2021
The Last Goodnight by Kat Martin
1st in the Blood Ties series. Romantic suspense.
Kade hires a private investigator to search again for any information that may be found on his years ago murdered wife. Ellie has ranch experience so goes undercover as the ranch cook. When trouble starts, Kade and Ellie investigate.
There is a strong and immediate attraction between Kade and Ellie. And without spoiling, there are a lot of hot and sexy times with this couple.
Ellie is methodical in talking to people from the past for the investigation. She is friendly and gets people to open up and share.
One of the first scenes for Kade really turned me off of the hero.
There is a very minor secondary romance in this story that was very sweet and had one of those awwwww moments. Loved that.
Excerpt:
“I haven’t cooked for a while,” she said. “But it’s kind of like riding a horse. Once you’re back in the saddle, you remember how to do it.”
He clamped down on the heat those words generated and the stirring in his loins beneath the table. He’d like to give Ms. Ellie Bowman a ride—the kind neither of them would soon forget.”
Excerpt from The Last Goodnight by Kat Martin
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
1st in the Blood Ties series. Romantic suspense.
Kade hires a private investigator to search again for any information that may be found on his years ago murdered wife. Ellie has ranch experience so goes undercover as the ranch cook. When trouble starts, Kade and Ellie investigate.
There is a strong and immediate attraction between Kade and Ellie. And without spoiling, there are a lot of hot and sexy times with this couple.
Ellie is methodical in talking to people from the past for the investigation. She is friendly and gets people to open up and share.
One of the first scenes for Kade really turned me off of the hero.
There is a very minor secondary romance in this story that was very sweet and had one of those awwwww moments. Loved that.
Excerpt:
“I haven’t cooked for a while,” she said. “But it’s kind of like riding a horse. Once you’re back in the saddle, you remember how to do it.”
He clamped down on the heat those words generated and the stirring in his loins beneath the table. He’d like to give Ms. Ellie Bowman a ride—the kind neither of them would soon forget.”
Excerpt from The Last Goodnight by Kat Martin
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
March 28, 2022
I had such good luck last week randomly picking up a book off the new reshelving cart at work (plus I am just feeling the Romantic Suspense subgenre right now), I thought I would try it again, and oh boy was it a mistake.
Let's start with the hero. Kade. 8 years ago, his wife was murdered. They were in the middle of a divorce because she was cheating. Her murderer was never found. Recently her car was located. And he decided to hire a PI to go undercover on his ranch and find out what happened eight years ago.
The heroine, Ellie, is the PI. When he meets her for the first time, his reaction is something along the lines of, "A girl?! Girls can't work on ranches. Girls can't solve crimes. I need a man." He voices his sexism out loud. And somehow she still agrees to work for him. He never apologizes.
As they become involved, he frequently acts jealous (he was never jealous of his cheatin' ex-wife, 'cause he guesses he just didn't love her that much) and treats Ellie like crap because of it. He never apologizes. Every other woman they meet ("females" as both he and the narrator call them), is someone he has had sex with in the past eight years. This is apparently to give Ellie a chance to prove that she is jealous, because they deserve each other? Anyway, apparently he's just so hot and irresistible to all the "females". It's seriously that "any woman would want to fuck him" bullshit, because I guess lesbians don't exist? Like, you can admit that you want to fuck him without claiming that wanting to fuck him is universal and imperative. And frankly, given his sexism and never apologizing, and high-handedness, and general alpha-holery, why does she even want to fuck him? I don't buy it.
At one point near the end, some jerkhole who's been harassing Ellie corners her and kisses her (against her will) and Kade walks in, punches the dude and drags Ellis out. When she justifiably calls him out on his behavior and explains, that hey, I didn't want that, Kade turns it around on her and instead of saying, "Hey, I'm sorry; I have trouble regulating my feelings, and when I saw him sexually assaulting you, I saw red. Do you want to press charges? How can I help you?" He instead says, and I am paraphrasing, "my ex cheated, and I hate cheaters. You pissed me off by kissing that guy." Kade does not deserve love.
Apart from the above, I would like to talk about the character of Maria. Maria is a young "Latina, possibly Native American," assistant to the cook on Kade's ranch. You know she's Latina because she never says "Yes," She only says "Sí." And Kade is always "Señor Kade." But otherwise she speaks only English. Anyway, Maria has a crush on a ranch hand, Alejandro. Maria is 21, and Alejandro is 31(?). Alejandro is portrayed as a bit of a player and also has pants feelings for Maria. They spend the whole book mooning over each other. Eventually, they hook up. Maria admits to "seducing" him. Nowhere is her consent in question. Alejandro basically doesn't call afterward. He feels like he took advantage of her. And instead of facing his feelings like a grown-ass adult, he just does nothing. And instead of talking about his feelings with the woman he has feelings for, he does nothing. She is, yes, young, and takes this as rejection. She has sad feelings about it. But hey, she's an adult, and can deal with her own feelings. She will eventually get over it.
Enter Kade. Instead of allowing these two adults to work this out like the adults that they literally are, he forces Alejandro to propose to Maria. Because apparently it's the 1950's? She says no, because she thinks he was forced into it, which he was. Good. Also, why can't they just date and get to know each other better? Why does it have to go straight to marriage? Why is Maria allowed no agency? Does this mean you have to marry Ellie because you two have definitely banged by now. How many women did you fuck in the last 8 years that you did not propose to? Why is Maria treated like not her own human? Eventually, Alejandro stages a huge public proposal, which is a horrible thing to do to Maria, because now she basically has to say yes.
After this they like solve the crime or whatever; there's danger. They get married. Maria and Alejandro will get married. Whatever.
I'm just really disappointed. It is 2022. Why are we still doing this with the stereotyped infantilizing treatment of Maria? Why are we still doing this caveman hero thing? I'm tired of this. I expected better.
Let's start with the hero. Kade. 8 years ago, his wife was murdered. They were in the middle of a divorce because she was cheating. Her murderer was never found. Recently her car was located. And he decided to hire a PI to go undercover on his ranch and find out what happened eight years ago.
The heroine, Ellie, is the PI. When he meets her for the first time, his reaction is something along the lines of, "A girl?! Girls can't work on ranches. Girls can't solve crimes. I need a man." He voices his sexism out loud. And somehow she still agrees to work for him. He never apologizes.
As they become involved, he frequently acts jealous (he was never jealous of his cheatin' ex-wife, 'cause he guesses he just didn't love her that much) and treats Ellie like crap because of it. He never apologizes. Every other woman they meet ("females" as both he and the narrator call them), is someone he has had sex with in the past eight years. This is apparently to give Ellie a chance to prove that she is jealous, because they deserve each other? Anyway, apparently he's just so hot and irresistible to all the "females". It's seriously that "any woman would want to fuck him" bullshit, because I guess lesbians don't exist? Like, you can admit that you want to fuck him without claiming that wanting to fuck him is universal and imperative. And frankly, given his sexism and never apologizing, and high-handedness, and general alpha-holery, why does she even want to fuck him? I don't buy it.
At one point near the end, some jerkhole who's been harassing Ellie corners her and kisses her (against her will) and Kade walks in, punches the dude and drags Ellis out. When she justifiably calls him out on his behavior and explains, that hey, I didn't want that, Kade turns it around on her and instead of saying, "Hey, I'm sorry; I have trouble regulating my feelings, and when I saw him sexually assaulting you, I saw red. Do you want to press charges? How can I help you?" He instead says, and I am paraphrasing, "my ex cheated, and I hate cheaters. You pissed me off by kissing that guy." Kade does not deserve love.
Apart from the above, I would like to talk about the character of Maria. Maria is a young "Latina, possibly Native American," assistant to the cook on Kade's ranch. You know she's Latina because she never says "Yes," She only says "Sí." And Kade is always "Señor Kade." But otherwise she speaks only English. Anyway, Maria has a crush on a ranch hand, Alejandro. Maria is 21, and Alejandro is 31(?). Alejandro is portrayed as a bit of a player and also has pants feelings for Maria. They spend the whole book mooning over each other. Eventually, they hook up. Maria admits to "seducing" him. Nowhere is her consent in question. Alejandro basically doesn't call afterward. He feels like he took advantage of her. And instead of facing his feelings like a grown-ass adult, he just does nothing. And instead of talking about his feelings with the woman he has feelings for, he does nothing. She is, yes, young, and takes this as rejection. She has sad feelings about it. But hey, she's an adult, and can deal with her own feelings. She will eventually get over it.
Enter Kade. Instead of allowing these two adults to work this out like the adults that they literally are, he forces Alejandro to propose to Maria. Because apparently it's the 1950's? She says no, because she thinks he was forced into it, which he was. Good. Also, why can't they just date and get to know each other better? Why does it have to go straight to marriage? Why is Maria allowed no agency? Does this mean you have to marry Ellie because you two have definitely banged by now. How many women did you fuck in the last 8 years that you did not propose to? Why is Maria treated like not her own human? Eventually, Alejandro stages a huge public proposal, which is a horrible thing to do to Maria, because now she basically has to say yes.
After this they like solve the crime or whatever; there's danger. They get married. Maria and Alejandro will get married. Whatever.
I'm just really disappointed. It is 2022. Why are we still doing this with the stereotyped infantilizing treatment of Maria? Why are we still doing this caveman hero thing? I'm tired of this. I expected better.
October 27, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Kat Martin never fails to deliver a wonderful Romantic-Suspense and "The Last Goodnight" is no different. I always expect a great plot and a sweet romance and she always delivers. Both the main characters this time have been burned by past relationships and have trouble seeing beyond the right now to the future. Throw in an eight year old cold cast and a very real threat in the here and now and you have a plot that ticks all my boxes.
Kade Logan's wife disappeared one night eight years ago after he told her he had filed for divorce. She wasn't seen alive again. Her body was found two years later. She had been murdered. When her car is hauled out of a nearby lake and all the anger Kade had locked away came roaring back and he is determined to find her killer. He hires private investigator Eleanor Bowman and gets a whole lot more than he bargained for.
Reopening Heather Logan's case has stirred up a whole lot of old scandals and someone is out to take a pound of revenge from Kade's flesh. As Ellie settles into the Kade's ranch as the cook, she is also asking a whole lot of questions and making things uncomfortable for Kade, who can't seem to think of Ellie as his employee and wants nothing else but to take her to his bed and not let her out. With problems increasing on the ranch, the discovery of another woman's body begs the question, Are the two deaths related?
As Ellie and Kade dig deep into the lives of the two women they discover some surprising similarities and Ellie and Kade are right in the middle of a killer's cross-hairs.
Kat Martin never fails to deliver a wonderful Romantic-Suspense and "The Last Goodnight" is no different. I always expect a great plot and a sweet romance and she always delivers. Both the main characters this time have been burned by past relationships and have trouble seeing beyond the right now to the future. Throw in an eight year old cold cast and a very real threat in the here and now and you have a plot that ticks all my boxes.
Kade Logan's wife disappeared one night eight years ago after he told her he had filed for divorce. She wasn't seen alive again. Her body was found two years later. She had been murdered. When her car is hauled out of a nearby lake and all the anger Kade had locked away came roaring back and he is determined to find her killer. He hires private investigator Eleanor Bowman and gets a whole lot more than he bargained for.
Reopening Heather Logan's case has stirred up a whole lot of old scandals and someone is out to take a pound of revenge from Kade's flesh. As Ellie settles into the Kade's ranch as the cook, she is also asking a whole lot of questions and making things uncomfortable for Kade, who can't seem to think of Ellie as his employee and wants nothing else but to take her to his bed and not let her out. With problems increasing on the ranch, the discovery of another woman's body begs the question, Are the two deaths related?
As Ellie and Kade dig deep into the lives of the two women they discover some surprising similarities and Ellie and Kade are right in the middle of a killer's cross-hairs.
March 2, 2022
Well, this was a lot like a B porn movie, lots of sex, not much story. The detecting did pick up some towards the end. Everybody was beautiful, everybody was promiscuous. Luckily, the detailed physical action was limited to one couple. I worked on speed reading, but kept finding reasons to put the book down.
May 18, 2022
Thank you to Between the Chapters for ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Kade Logan has suffered for 8 long years. His wife disappeared and because of her adulterous ways, it was assumed she ran off with another man. However, a few years after her disappearance, her body was found buried in a shallow grave. Kade has tried to heal but the wounds have opened back up because they have found her car in a watery grave. Her car was disposed of in a lake not too far from where her body was buried. This discovery ignites Kade's need for answers as to how she died and who killed her. He approaches a private investigation firm to try and find answers. Eleanor Bowman is sent undercover to work as his "cook" on his ranch while she investigates his wife's cold-case murder. More violence erupts on his very successful ranch in the Colorado mountains. It seems someone is not happy with Kade. When another beautiful woman's body is found, Ellie believes they are connected. This is a love story and mystery filled with suspense, intrigue and an intense plot. You have everything you need in this book - scandal, affairs, mystery, greed and covetousness. I do think the sexual tension between the two main characters was a little overblown. I know they were drawn to each other, but considering this is marketed as a thriller, you did not have to know he was "turned on" every time she came into the room. I am not a prude, but I think that part of the story was a little overwritten considering this was a suspenseful thriller. We can get the picture without it being on every page where these two characters interact. Other than the over sexualization, the story itself was good and the mystery was awesome.
July 29, 2021
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, romantic suspense novel. It is a real page turner with likable, engaging characters, murder, intrigue, and mystery. The female protagonist is strong, intelligent, and brave. The male protagonist is a wealthy rancher. The settings are vividly described, the chemistry sizzles, and the ending is happy. I am looking forward to reading the next entry in Ms. Martin's outstanding, new "Blood Ties" series with great anticipation. She never disappoints her readers!
NetGalley and Kensington Books kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
NetGalley and Kensington Books kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
September 28, 2022
A great mystery/romance story that kept you guessing.
February 28, 2022
2.75 stars.
This one was just okay for me, and I'm pretty sure it was a solid case of "it's not you, it's me." I'm currently partaking in a pretty solid book slump.
I did the audio, which was just okay as well. I found myself not paying attention and caring. Then at about 70% I just wanted to know who did it. I didn't feel much of a connection to the characters or the story.
Actually, I'm not sure I quite understood the whole story in general.....
Okay so Ellie is a PI, and Kade hires her firm to help figure out who murdered his soon to be ex-wife 8 years earlier. Ellie goes under cover to be the cook at his ranch, so that she can poke around and see what everyone knows. All that made sense.
But then bad things start happening at the ranch, and Ellie comes along to help figure out what happens and no one seems to question it. Yes, she is a PI, but all these Ranch Hands think she is there to cook for them. Why are they not questioning why their boss is bring the cook along to investigate everything happening, especially when there is possibly someone out looking to kill people?
Also I'm wondering why no one questioned the fact that she was out of the kitchen more than in the kitchen.
In all, this book sadly just didn't do it for me. I ended up skipping around to get to the end and see how it all ended. Maybe the plot, maybe the characters, maybe it is above said book slump I'm currently partaking in....we will never know.
But on to the next I go....hopefully something will pull me out of my slump.
This one was just okay for me, and I'm pretty sure it was a solid case of "it's not you, it's me." I'm currently partaking in a pretty solid book slump.
I did the audio, which was just okay as well. I found myself not paying attention and caring. Then at about 70% I just wanted to know who did it. I didn't feel much of a connection to the characters or the story.
Actually, I'm not sure I quite understood the whole story in general.....
Okay so Ellie is a PI, and Kade hires her firm to help figure out who murdered his soon to be ex-wife 8 years earlier. Ellie goes under cover to be the cook at his ranch, so that she can poke around and see what everyone knows. All that made sense.
But then bad things start happening at the ranch, and Ellie comes along to help figure out what happens and no one seems to question it. Yes, she is a PI, but all these Ranch Hands think she is there to cook for them. Why are they not questioning why their boss is bring the cook along to investigate everything happening, especially when there is possibly someone out looking to kill people?
Also I'm wondering why no one questioned the fact that she was out of the kitchen more than in the kitchen.
In all, this book sadly just didn't do it for me. I ended up skipping around to get to the end and see how it all ended. Maybe the plot, maybe the characters, maybe it is above said book slump I'm currently partaking in....we will never know.
But on to the next I go....hopefully something will pull me out of my slump.
August 14, 2023
My first review ever because this was just not good.
I know I am not a literary author by any means but what in the world. As far as the writing goes- that sucked, so repetitive going back and forth about ellie's "sexy behind" or "fiery red hair" or the "things he wanted to do to her" how many times can you repeat that? WE GET IT SHES HOT, the cowboy has never seen a woman like that before, yada yada. And she loses ALL her resolve? she absolutely has no professional boundaries, what a waste of a PI. and then after deciding she is in love with him she decides to leave OUT OF NO WHERE. The love story makes no sense whatsoever.
The mystery part was actually pretty good, I had a hard time figuring out where the mystery part was going to take me, and the twist at the end was decent enough.
It really fell short of the yellowstone mystery romance I was hoping to get.
I know I am not a literary author by any means but what in the world. As far as the writing goes- that sucked, so repetitive going back and forth about ellie's "sexy behind" or "fiery red hair" or the "things he wanted to do to her" how many times can you repeat that? WE GET IT SHES HOT, the cowboy has never seen a woman like that before, yada yada. And she loses ALL her resolve? she absolutely has no professional boundaries, what a waste of a PI. and then after deciding she is in love with him she decides to leave OUT OF NO WHERE. The love story makes no sense whatsoever.
The mystery part was actually pretty good, I had a hard time figuring out where the mystery part was going to take me, and the twist at the end was decent enough.
It really fell short of the yellowstone mystery romance I was hoping to get.
October 29, 2021
Ok let me start this review by saying if you aren't for vivid descriptions of sex and sec organs I would advise you avoid like the plague ha.
Kade is a prominent man in his town, his wife was killed 8 years prior and the trail has run cold. With her car being found recently Kade hires Eleanor to work undercover and investigate to find the truth.
I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. I liked that we went from Kade's to Eleanor's point of view throughout the book. Other than the fact both were sex obsessed it helped break up the intensity of the main storyline the murder. We also have them investigating other crimes that are happening currently the question is what like do they have to the murder, if any?
Both characters are interesting in their own way ir would of been nice to have a bit more strength behind each one. At pints they were a bit dense and it would of been nice to have a bit more to them. However I still liked both of our protagonist and I found myself routing for them both in different ways. Along with some of the side characters Maria the other cook I loved her especially in the latter part of the book.
I wanted to know mire about how Eleanor became an investigator espically ad they refer to her ad a detective and that confused me at points.
All in all the storyline was good and I found myself ad the book progresses hoping there would be more to follow, which there are Eleanor was differently my preferred protagonist but she did at points seem to be a hopeless woman yet she was so fiercely independent. The prose is written well and flows in a way that makes sense there was good description allowing you to paint a picture as you read .
I rate the book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks to netgalley, the author and publishers for the advanced digital copy of the last goodnight in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
Kade is a prominent man in his town, his wife was killed 8 years prior and the trail has run cold. With her car being found recently Kade hires Eleanor to work undercover and investigate to find the truth.
I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. I liked that we went from Kade's to Eleanor's point of view throughout the book. Other than the fact both were sex obsessed it helped break up the intensity of the main storyline the murder. We also have them investigating other crimes that are happening currently the question is what like do they have to the murder, if any?
Both characters are interesting in their own way ir would of been nice to have a bit more strength behind each one. At pints they were a bit dense and it would of been nice to have a bit more to them. However I still liked both of our protagonist and I found myself routing for them both in different ways. Along with some of the side characters Maria the other cook I loved her especially in the latter part of the book.
I wanted to know mire about how Eleanor became an investigator espically ad they refer to her ad a detective and that confused me at points.
All in all the storyline was good and I found myself ad the book progresses hoping there would be more to follow, which there are Eleanor was differently my preferred protagonist but she did at points seem to be a hopeless woman yet she was so fiercely independent. The prose is written well and flows in a way that makes sense there was good description allowing you to paint a picture as you read .
I rate the book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks to netgalley, the author and publishers for the advanced digital copy of the last goodnight in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
August 25, 2021
This is a great introduction to a new series by Kat Martin. This is the first book I have read by this author and I was really impressed by it.
At the heart of this story is the great characters that Martin has created. They are all so well fleshed out and more than believable. The mystery is also well crafted and the sense for foreboding and tension palpable at time.
This is an author I plan to read more of.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for a chance to read and review this novel.
At the heart of this story is the great characters that Martin has created. They are all so well fleshed out and more than believable. The mystery is also well crafted and the sense for foreboding and tension palpable at time.
This is an author I plan to read more of.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for a chance to read and review this novel.
August 3, 2021
Let me start off by saying that I love Kat Martin. I have been reading her books for years, and have read I think all of her books even her historical books, can't say that I have loved all of her books, probably most of her books, but I did love this one. Elle was a strong heroine who knew what she wanted and wasn't going to settle for less, what I appreciated from her was that she didn't have to be bitchy about it and I liked that. She had been burned before so she knew how it felt and had told herself she would not be put in that predicament again, she would not give another man control over her. Kade, needed someone to find out who had murdered his wife 8 years ago, he was on the verge of divorcing her since she was always cheating on him, so he thought she had left with one of her lovers, but come to find out that she was murdered and they had just found out when they found her vehicle so he want to find out so he can dispense his own brand of justice. The minute he sees Elle he has an attraction and but he could never trust another woman again, Elle will help him find out who this person was, and who is now causing all this conflict on Kade's farm and on his employees and on his land. While there, things are heating up heating up between up, but Kade is going apeshit anytime some guy shows any type of interest in Elle, do to his past, but he has to realize she is not his ex- oh I know I can't tell you more, but grab it, you will Enjoy!
revision...oops remembered that I did not read the last series, so I guess I did not read all of her books, need to remedy that..
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author...(Netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and reviews.
revision...oops remembered that I did not read the last series, so I guess I did not read all of her books, need to remedy that..
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author...(Netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and reviews.
November 21, 2021
If this book is any indication as to the extent of her writing talent, I find it hard to believe that Ms. Martin is a NY Times bestselling author. It must have taken her about as long to write it as it took me to read (I shortly realized it would take skimming to get me through it), and it seemed that half the time spent reading was taken up with wincing at something one of the one-dimensional character said or did. For supposedly intelligent people they were all beyond stupid. This was my first Kat Martin book and it will undoubtedly be my last.
October 11, 2021
This is basic, satisfying romantic suspense.
Hot guy has a mystery to be solved and reluctantly hires hot woman to solve mystery. Sparks (and bullets) fly and in the midst of murder and mayhem, romantic sexy times ensue. Yeah, I know…every romantic suspense novel never?
However, our duo is really likable, lightly flawed, but the kinds of people you’d want to be besties with.
Our mystery is intriguing and everyone has hidden depths. There’s also another romance that’s so hearts-and-flowers you just get moon eyed over it.
It’s a fast read and a very enjoyable one!
*ARC via Net Galley
Hot guy has a mystery to be solved and reluctantly hires hot woman to solve mystery. Sparks (and bullets) fly and in the midst of murder and mayhem, romantic sexy times ensue. Yeah, I know…every romantic suspense novel never?
However, our duo is really likable, lightly flawed, but the kinds of people you’d want to be besties with.
Our mystery is intriguing and everyone has hidden depths. There’s also another romance that’s so hearts-and-flowers you just get moon eyed over it.
It’s a fast read and a very enjoyable one!
*ARC via Net Galley
May 7, 2022
There were quite a few red flags when it came to the Hero and you’d think that the writer would be up to date on this kind of thing. The lad was a wee bit misogynistic. He underestimated the heroine at every turn. And don’t even get me started on his jealousy.
I liked the writing and the heroine and the plot was solid. I think there could have been less romnce and more suspense as this is classified as romantic suspense.
I liked the writing and the heroine and the plot was solid. I think there could have been less romnce and more suspense as this is classified as romantic suspense.
April 26, 2023
So I thought this was more of the thriller/suspense novel I usually read. I missed that it’s thriller/suspense + romance. I guess if romance novels are your thing this book may be for you. Just not my cup of tea.
The most basic of writing. And I don’t know any men, even cowboys, that use the word “darlin’” as much (or at all) as the main male character, Kade, does. Lots of eye rolls with this one but a quick, easy read to add to my challenge this year.
The most basic of writing. And I don’t know any men, even cowboys, that use the word “darlin’” as much (or at all) as the main male character, Kade, does. Lots of eye rolls with this one but a quick, easy read to add to my challenge this year.
June 14, 2023
THE LAST GOODNIGHT
Kat Martin
A rancher needs some help when someone starts shooting his cows, then his dog, then some employees. He hires a private investigator, Eleanor Bowman, who he is immediately attracted to. The book is pretty well done. I enjoyed the ranch setting and the action but sometimes the characters were a bit overdone. Kade was often a bit too much of a rancher and male, what with his immediate "darlin'" and such. The handlebar mustache and the deep v of muscle that slides off into his well-worn but oh-so-soft blue jeans.
3.6 rounded up
Happy Reading!
Kat Martin
A rancher needs some help when someone starts shooting his cows, then his dog, then some employees. He hires a private investigator, Eleanor Bowman, who he is immediately attracted to. The book is pretty well done. I enjoyed the ranch setting and the action but sometimes the characters were a bit overdone. Kade was often a bit too much of a rancher and male, what with his immediate "darlin'" and such. The handlebar mustache and the deep v of muscle that slides off into his well-worn but oh-so-soft blue jeans.
3.6 rounded up
Happy Reading!
October 26, 2021
The Last Goodnight follows Kade Logan and Ellie Bowman as they try to unravel several mysteries, including who murdered his wife and who is harming his ranch. We briefly met Kade in One Last Kiss, the prequel to this series. A strong, hard-working man, Kade had a small role in the prequel, but he made a big impact. He continues to do so in this book as he searches for his wife’s killer and falls in love with the investigator. Kade is hunky and bossy and a bit old-fashioned in his opinions, but his sometimes overbearing qualities usually come from a place of love and protectiveness.
Ellie is smart and skilled, and she blends in well, which helps in her investigation. Posing as a cook at the ranch, Ellie uses all of her skills and resources to help Kade. I like her resourcefulness and her unwillingness to change. She is a strong woman who knows what she wants in life and love, and she won’t settle for less. I also like that she is an understanding person. Ellie becomes friendly with several people on Kade’s ranch, including Kade, and her innate ability to read people and offer support is fantastic.
The romance between Ellie and Kade is an instant attraction that leads to more. Both have experienced bad relationships in the past and are hesitant to commit to a relationship, which isn’t shocking since they’ve both been cheated on and betrayed. Kade and Ellie have tremendous chemistry, and they make a really good team. I liked watching them grow closer to each other and learn to trust in their feelings.
The intrigue in the story is suspenseful and has a few surprising twists and turns. I had fun trying to figure out what really happened to Kade’s wife, who was tampering with his ranch, and whether the collective incidents were related. When another person turns up dead, the stakes grow even higher. Kade fears for Ellie’s safety and will do anything to protect her, but he doesn’t know who to protect her from. The mystery is interesting and complicated, and as old secrets are revealed, new problems continually arise. It makes for a suspenseful and intense read!
This is a great new series for romantic suspense readers, and I look forward to continuing the series. I would definitely recommend it to people who like hunky cowboy alpha makes, smart and independent women, and sexy romances. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kat Martin for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Ellie is smart and skilled, and she blends in well, which helps in her investigation. Posing as a cook at the ranch, Ellie uses all of her skills and resources to help Kade. I like her resourcefulness and her unwillingness to change. She is a strong woman who knows what she wants in life and love, and she won’t settle for less. I also like that she is an understanding person. Ellie becomes friendly with several people on Kade’s ranch, including Kade, and her innate ability to read people and offer support is fantastic.
The romance between Ellie and Kade is an instant attraction that leads to more. Both have experienced bad relationships in the past and are hesitant to commit to a relationship, which isn’t shocking since they’ve both been cheated on and betrayed. Kade and Ellie have tremendous chemistry, and they make a really good team. I liked watching them grow closer to each other and learn to trust in their feelings.
The intrigue in the story is suspenseful and has a few surprising twists and turns. I had fun trying to figure out what really happened to Kade’s wife, who was tampering with his ranch, and whether the collective incidents were related. When another person turns up dead, the stakes grow even higher. Kade fears for Ellie’s safety and will do anything to protect her, but he doesn’t know who to protect her from. The mystery is interesting and complicated, and as old secrets are revealed, new problems continually arise. It makes for a suspenseful and intense read!
This is a great new series for romantic suspense readers, and I look forward to continuing the series. I would definitely recommend it to people who like hunky cowboy alpha makes, smart and independent women, and sexy romances. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kat Martin for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
October 10, 2023
I am embarrassed that I continued to read this book past the second chapter, when our hero’s loins were already making his jeans tight.
I hoped for redemption, but there was nothing redeeming.
The entire thriller plot could have been taken care of in 20 pages. The summary? Big ego man is controlled by jealousy. Oh, that’s also the plot to the hundreds of pages of middle school romantic drivel.
Our strong smart badass private investigator heroine gets a couple helpful tidbits - mostly that literally everyone has had sex with literally everyone else - and then spends the rest of the book having full boobs in cashmere sweaters and a good looking ass in denim jeans.
Big ick.
I hoped for redemption, but there was nothing redeeming.
The entire thriller plot could have been taken care of in 20 pages. The summary? Big ego man is controlled by jealousy. Oh, that’s also the plot to the hundreds of pages of middle school romantic drivel.
Our strong smart badass private investigator heroine gets a couple helpful tidbits - mostly that literally everyone has had sex with literally everyone else - and then spends the rest of the book having full boobs in cashmere sweaters and a good looking ass in denim jeans.
Big ick.
October 31, 2021
4.5 Stars
Action, suspense, a Private Investigator, and a Rancher stir it together in a captivating story and out comes book one in Blood Ties by the fabulous Kat Martin. The Last Goodnight is a riveting romantic suspense. Kade reaches out to a Private Investigation service and is soon assigned Ellie, what follows is an intriguing story of twists and turns as they try to unravel several mysteries and a murder.
For lovers of romantic suspense this one is a must and I will definitely be awaiting what comes next.
Action, suspense, a Private Investigator, and a Rancher stir it together in a captivating story and out comes book one in Blood Ties by the fabulous Kat Martin. The Last Goodnight is a riveting romantic suspense. Kade reaches out to a Private Investigation service and is soon assigned Ellie, what follows is an intriguing story of twists and turns as they try to unravel several mysteries and a murder.
For lovers of romantic suspense this one is a must and I will definitely be awaiting what comes next.
November 3, 2022
This is a first in a series, and a murder mystery featuring a private detection agency helping Kade Logan track down who killed his ex wife. It was slow to pick up and I didn't feel connected with the story at all, and it felt a little like an off episode of CSI maybe. A woman at the private detective agency, Ellie, goes undercover and tries to figure out who did the murder of his ex wife. Overall the writing wasn't bad, but I just wasn't interested. I'm granting this a solid 3 stars.
August 19, 2024
”He didn’t know what was going on between them, but whatever it was, that was the moment Kade decided it was worth finding out.”
It’s been eight years since Kade Logan’s wife, Heather, was found brutally murdered and strangled to death. With no leads and the ever suspicious townsfolk of Coffee Springs, Colorado eyeing him as the suspect. Kade is determined to find out who murdered his wife. Enter Eleanor “Ellie” Bowman, a top-notch private investigator with a knack for going undercover and finding the truth. Ellie accepts the job, but it isn’t long after she arrived that things start going completely wrong, from explosions to poisoning of cattle to downright murder. Even worse, business is starting to mix with pleasure as Ellie finds herself falling for the sexy rancher. With two mysteries being rolled into one, can Ellie and Kade crack the case.
I am in a complete state of confusion right now, and that doesn’t happen too often when it comes to writing reviews, ladies and gentlemen. On the one hand, this book did indeed have me hooked. I was actually looking forward to the times when I would have the opportunity to pick up this beauty. Sneaking in passages here and there when I was supposed to be doing chores or working at my job. On the other hand… this book had so many issues that it made me want to seek out a therapist for it.
This book is sooo repatative. It repeats the same statements about a million different ways, as if it wants to make sure that you as the reader heard it loud and clear. Here they are for your benefit:
1) Kade Logan isn’t normally a jealous man at all, no sirree bobcat. But when it comes to Ellie, he just can’t help himself. She incites a jealously that rivals that of the biggest green-eyed monster.
2) Ellie has nice tits. The nicest tits this side of the Rocky Mountains. They’re white and full and luscious and oh, so juicy. What this has to do with the plot, I have no idea. But the author really needs you to know that.
3) She also has a particularly big butt. Again, who knows what it has to do with the actual plot.
4) The male hormones are working overtime. Majorly overtime. Everybody wants to have sex and they wanna have sex RIGHT NOW.
Ellie Bowman is first introduced to us as this strong, independent woman who is a no-nonsense private investigator who’s good at her job, but not necessarily with relationships. After two failed marriages, Ellie has sworn off men completely. No more men for her! She’s working for a top-notch Denver security firm after all. Who has time for men? All they do is cause heartbreak. As readers, we go from Ellie being a strong, independent, kick-ass PI assigned to this dangerous case… to a constantly aroused damsel in distress who has sex so mind-blowing it makes her sob and scream.
WAT?!!!
There seems to be only one type of man this author is able to write, and that’s a horndog. Literally every single male specimen in this book (with the exception of Billy, whom we need to protect at all costs), is a horndog. A straight horndog, to be more clear. Every male has slept with every female in this town no questions asked. The men of Coffee Springs, Colorado apparently just have to get a whiff that there’s a woman within the nearest 100 miles and he’s running, not walking, in her direction. Which leads to the next inevitable point.
All that lusting after women leads to… a lot of erections. SO. MANY. ERECTIONS. I simply don’t know how anybody got any work done because they were seemingly turned on all the damn time. So much lusting and loving was going on I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a second Baby Boom. And we can trace it all back to the virility of the Diamond Back ranch YEEHAW!!
Which brings me to the main male character of them all: Kade Logan. He reminds me a lot of how I thought about Ryle Kincaid from It Ends with Us. Both are characterized as sexy men with hearts of gold, lovable and likable at the same time. And everyone seems to agree with that… except me. Because in my humble opinion, Kade Logan is a jealous, possessive asshole who deserves his butt to be kicked to the curb. He’s insanely jealous, wildly possessive (even going so far to calling men who even look at Ellie “poaching on his territory”), and eternally erect. I couldn’t stand him. He was more of an anti-hero than anything else.
Besides the characters, the other main problem I had with this book is that it almost seemed to be distracted by other plotlines other than the main one, which is finding out Heather Logan’s murder. It’s what Ellie was originally hired for, but it seems that as soon as she starts to work on the Heather Logan’s murder other things come up that she’s investigating. Poisoned cattle! Mine explosions! Somebody shot the resident ranch pooch! Someone took the last cookie from the cookie jar! Wait, is that a Bigfoot?!! You get the idea. The whole reason I was interested in this book was to figure out the Heather Logan mystery, and most of the book wasn’t even devoted to that.
How is it that I can be so invested in reading a book that has so many problems? That’s the greatest mystery of them all in this fast-paced but misogynistic, repetitive, all-over-the-place novel with an asshole main character and a female main character who is supposed to be strong but ends up nothing but a weak minded damsel in distress.
It’s been eight years since Kade Logan’s wife, Heather, was found brutally murdered and strangled to death. With no leads and the ever suspicious townsfolk of Coffee Springs, Colorado eyeing him as the suspect. Kade is determined to find out who murdered his wife. Enter Eleanor “Ellie” Bowman, a top-notch private investigator with a knack for going undercover and finding the truth. Ellie accepts the job, but it isn’t long after she arrived that things start going completely wrong, from explosions to poisoning of cattle to downright murder. Even worse, business is starting to mix with pleasure as Ellie finds herself falling for the sexy rancher. With two mysteries being rolled into one, can Ellie and Kade crack the case.
I am in a complete state of confusion right now, and that doesn’t happen too often when it comes to writing reviews, ladies and gentlemen. On the one hand, this book did indeed have me hooked. I was actually looking forward to the times when I would have the opportunity to pick up this beauty. Sneaking in passages here and there when I was supposed to be doing chores or working at my job. On the other hand… this book had so many issues that it made me want to seek out a therapist for it.
This book is sooo repatative. It repeats the same statements about a million different ways, as if it wants to make sure that you as the reader heard it loud and clear. Here they are for your benefit:
1) Kade Logan isn’t normally a jealous man at all, no sirree bobcat. But when it comes to Ellie, he just can’t help himself. She incites a jealously that rivals that of the biggest green-eyed monster.
”The notion of Ellie sleeping with another man sent a wash of fury into his blood. He didn’t understand it. He wasn’t a jealous man. Not until now.”
2) Ellie has nice tits. The nicest tits this side of the Rocky Mountains. They’re white and full and luscious and oh, so juicy. What this has to do with the plot, I have no idea. But the author really needs you to know that.
”With her plump, milk-white breasts and that round feminine behind, she was sexy as hell.”
3) She also has a particularly big butt. Again, who knows what it has to do with the actual plot.
”She had slender hips, but the kind of round, sexy behind that drew a man’s attention. He cursed the heat that slid into his groin as he followed her trail and walked up beside her.”
4) The male hormones are working overtime. Majorly overtime. Everybody wants to have sex and they wanna have sex RIGHT NOW.
”He wanted Heather’s killer even more than he wanted hot, erotic sex with Ellie Bowman. But not by much.At times, it felt like I was reading a bodice ripper romance from the 1970s or 1980s instead of the 2020s. The writing and the characters, while in a modern setting, had the values and characteristics of those often misogynistic and toxic bodice rippers our mothers and grandmothers used to read back in the day. You can’t deny the covers were a sight to behold, though. The males were all alpha and the females were all submissive. That especially surprised me when it came to Eleanor Bowman, the female main character.
Ellie Bowman is first introduced to us as this strong, independent woman who is a no-nonsense private investigator who’s good at her job, but not necessarily with relationships. After two failed marriages, Ellie has sworn off men completely. No more men for her! She’s working for a top-notch Denver security firm after all. Who has time for men? All they do is cause heartbreak. As readers, we go from Ellie being a strong, independent, kick-ass PI assigned to this dangerous case… to a constantly aroused damsel in distress who has sex so mind-blowing it makes her sob and scream.
WAT?!!!
There seems to be only one type of man this author is able to write, and that’s a horndog. Literally every single male specimen in this book (with the exception of Billy, whom we need to protect at all costs), is a horndog. A straight horndog, to be more clear. Every male has slept with every female in this town no questions asked. The men of Coffee Springs, Colorado apparently just have to get a whiff that there’s a woman within the nearest 100 miles and he’s running, not walking, in her direction. Which leads to the next inevitable point.
All that lusting after women leads to… a lot of erections. SO. MANY. ERECTIONS. I simply don’t know how anybody got any work done because they were seemingly turned on all the damn time. So much lusting and loving was going on I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a second Baby Boom. And we can trace it all back to the virility of the Diamond Back ranch YEEHAW!!
Which brings me to the main male character of them all: Kade Logan. He reminds me a lot of how I thought about Ryle Kincaid from It Ends with Us. Both are characterized as sexy men with hearts of gold, lovable and likable at the same time. And everyone seems to agree with that… except me. Because in my humble opinion, Kade Logan is a jealous, possessive asshole who deserves his butt to be kicked to the curb. He’s insanely jealous, wildly possessive (even going so far to calling men who even look at Ellie “poaching on his territory”), and eternally erect. I couldn’t stand him. He was more of an anti-hero than anything else.
Besides the characters, the other main problem I had with this book is that it almost seemed to be distracted by other plotlines other than the main one, which is finding out Heather Logan’s murder. It’s what Ellie was originally hired for, but it seems that as soon as she starts to work on the Heather Logan’s murder other things come up that she’s investigating. Poisoned cattle! Mine explosions! Somebody shot the resident ranch pooch! Someone took the last cookie from the cookie jar! Wait, is that a Bigfoot?!! You get the idea. The whole reason I was interested in this book was to figure out the Heather Logan mystery, and most of the book wasn’t even devoted to that.
How is it that I can be so invested in reading a book that has so many problems? That’s the greatest mystery of them all in this fast-paced but misogynistic, repetitive, all-over-the-place novel with an asshole main character and a female main character who is supposed to be strong but ends up nothing but a weak minded damsel in distress.
December 8, 2021
3.5 stars
This is the writer's 3rd or 4th series that has characters who work at a private investigator/security company so I was at first confused thinking I was already familiar with the characters.
The writer does a great job with suspense romances located in this world.
This is actually the 1st book in a new series. It easily sets up other characters that could feature in succeeding books. It's a good first book.
I liked the characters & the mystery was good. There was action & suspense as well.
My one negative is that I felt the "instant sexual attraction" was repetitive and overkill by the writer. The characters just kept harping on it, not incidentally that they were trying to find the bad guy yet couldn't stop thinking about sex. Ah well!
I'll continue with the series as I like the writer & I want to see what happens with the minor characters introduced in their own stories.
This is the writer's 3rd or 4th series that has characters who work at a private investigator/security company so I was at first confused thinking I was already familiar with the characters.
The writer does a great job with suspense romances located in this world.
This is actually the 1st book in a new series. It easily sets up other characters that could feature in succeeding books. It's a good first book.
I liked the characters & the mystery was good. There was action & suspense as well.
My one negative is that I felt the "instant sexual attraction" was repetitive and overkill by the writer. The characters just kept harping on it, not incidentally that they were trying to find the bad guy yet couldn't stop thinking about sex. Ah well!
I'll continue with the series as I like the writer & I want to see what happens with the minor characters introduced in their own stories.
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