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Colorado Cowboys #5

The Last Chance Cowboy

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As a midwife, Catherine Remington is successful in bringing new life into the world, but she's failed one too many times in finding true love. When she's accused of a murder she didn't commit, she's forced to flee and decides to run away to Colorado to honor a patient's dying wish to deliver a newborn infant to his father.

The repentant prodigal Dylan McQuaid is finally back in Fairplay. Elected as sheriff, he's doing his best to prove to the town he's a changed man and worthy of their trust. When a woman shows up with an infant son he didn't know he had, Dylan is left with only complicated choices on what to do next.

Having grown attached to Dylan's son, Catherine doesn't want to part ways with the infant, but what she doesn't bargain for is how easily she'll fall for the charming rogue, or how quickly her past will catch up with her and put their love and lives in danger.

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund brings her Colorado Cowboys series to an adventuresome close with this page-turning Western romance.

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2023

101 people are currently reading
3339 people want to read

About the author

Jody Hedlund

100 books4,690 followers
Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.




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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
2,406 reviews119 followers
February 17, 2023
This is one author that I absolutely cannot pass up her books. She has such talent that she writes in several genres as well. Each equally good.
This is the last book in the Colorado Cowboys series, and I have loved each book in this series. Please, don't ask me to pick a favorite in this series because I simply couldn't do it. Each story is different than the others but yet has some of the same threads running through it.
In this one there is deception, death, running from the law, being framed, an unexpected baby, and the past not staying there, in the past.
I loved midwife, Catherine Remington's character, she is an upstanding woman given some bad breaks and who goes through a mistaken identity.
I also enjoyed Dylan McQuaid's character, despite him being the prodigal son he is now back in the family fold trying to make things right. He hopes to prove his new and trustworthy self by becoming the sheriff of Fairplay. Furthering the showing of how mature he's become when he is presented with the proof of something in his past that has caught up with him, he admits to his past and willingly makes things right.
Though most of the story focused on Catherine and Dylan we also are treated to Dylans brothers, sister and nieces and nephews in the book. I love the characters in this big happy family, and you better believe they have each other's backs, but they also expect each other to play fair as well and to do their part.
I can't wait to read more by this author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Staci.
2,295 reviews664 followers
March 7, 2023
1871 Chicago and Colorado

Great conclusion to the series!

After years of reckless living, Dylan is back in Colorado and serving as sheriff. He knows his ability to stay on track is dependent on the Lord.

Midwife Catherine is the daughter of a Chicago politician. She's on the run after witnessing a murder.

I loved Catherine's heart for others and desire to help women of all stations with childbirth. Dylan's flirty humor was a great part of their romance.

Loved connecting with the McQuaid family one last time. And what a great family!

My gratitude to publisher Bethany House for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Paula Shreckhise.
1,529 reviews137 followers
February 4, 2023
It has been a wild ride through the lives of the McQuaids and the Colorado Cowboys series.
Take one reformed bad boy, a baby he did not know about and a compassionate midwife and Dylan is determined to do the right thing: Marry Catherine, whom he thinks is the girl he left in Chicago. Catherine accepts because she is running from false accusations.
Dylan is repentant and wants to follow the will of God. As sheriff, he has a wise and godly deputy, Stu: “When we do what is right, then we can trust the good Lord for the outcome.”
Catherine is an experienced but young midwife and proves herself worthy in this marriage of convenience story. But love naturally follows as does danger. Cue the McQuaid brothers to help with villains and cattle rustlers.
“When a McQuaid man loves a woman, there is no going back. It’s fast, furious, and forever.”
Ms. Hedlund has penned an exciting and adventurous tale with relatable characters and moral lessons in a winsome story.
A fitting conclusion to a fantastic series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Lindsay Lemus.
443 reviews52 followers
July 1, 2023
Did I fly through this whole 5 book series in a few days??? Yes, yes, I did, LOL. This series does have some cheesy moments, BUT it wasn't too much, in my opinion. It just showed the sweetness of the characters and their relationships. Anyone in a relationship would know those moments. What I loved about these books were the serious struggles these characters had to face and work through and how their faith walked them through it as we should all do. Our Lord and Savior is our redeemer, our counselor, our comfortor, our forgiver, etc. These books showed all of that. Whew! Is there more??? 🤣
If you enjoy southern references, especially historical southern, don't mind some cheesy love at times, and love faith woven in, then this is for you!
Profile Image for Suzan.
1,163 reviews
February 19, 2023
The Last Chance Cowboy was the perfect ending to this fabulous series!

Jody Hedlund has created a lovely, engaging story with characters that you genuinely care about and want to cheer for. The plot moves at a good pace with enough action to keep things exciting, while also including some deep reflection and soul-searching that keep Dylan and Catherine developing throughout the story.

The romance was swoon-worthy, and the bonds between a loving, supportive family was beautiful.

Faith is an important aspect throughout the book, and I especially loved the themes of second chances, forgiveness of self, and God’s unconditional love for His children. “It’s amazing when He begins to fit all the shattered pieces back together and makes something better than we could have imagined.”

This is one of favorite series and I am sad to say goodbye to the McQuaid Family. It’s been a lovely
journey!

Many thanks to the author and Bethany House Publishing for a gifted copy. All opinions are completely my own.
Profile Image for Elly.
138 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2023
Catherine has got to be one of my favorite heroines of this series! (Although, how can I even say that when I’ve loved ALL of them so much?!)
I was enthralled by all of the characters in this story. From charming, determined and regretful Dylan, to innocent, caring and insecure Catherine, to sweet little baby Austin. Even the stoic and faithful Stu and his helpful and motherly wife, Trudy! Add in all the rest of the McQuaid relatives and this cast of characters was phenomenal!
But don’t let this stellar lineup of personalities fool you into thinking that they are the only thing worth picking up this book for. No! The storyline, too, was heartrending, hopeful, angsty and just plain awesome! No sooner would I put my book down to do “life”, than I found my eyes drifting back to that enticing cover and wishing I could hop right back into it! I had a seriously hard time putting this book down. No question about it, The Last Chance Cowboy was a five-star read and has solidified Author Jody Hedlund as a must-read author for me for future releases!
Profile Image for Lauren (thebookscript).
927 reviews665 followers
February 16, 2023
This is the final book in the Colorado cowboys series and it was a lot of fun. I always find these books highly bingeable and easy to read. This one in particular examines what it means to be given a second chance and the right way to use it! I loved that we got to see the tail end of Dylans changes but that he was still grappling with temptation and how to be a good man. I also really enjoyed Katherine's arc too. She finds such purpose in unexpected places and all the found family feels were tucked in with care inside this book!

Midwifery played a big roll in the plot and I liked that aspect to it. I'm so glad I didn't have babies during this time because it was such an unknown chance of survival.

I just heard that Jody is doing more cowboy books and the people are excited! If you like cowboys and a faith filled redemption story then this one might be for you!

Thank you @bethanyhousefiction for my advanced reading copy! This one is out now!
Profile Image for Ashlee (bookswithnopictures).
1,464 reviews116 followers
March 1, 2023
3.5 stars
This newest and last release in the Colorado Cowboys series is my least favorite. Don't get me wrong? It's still worth the read. I enjoyed the themes of overcoming a tainted past, mistaken identify, and the setting. However, I found the back and forth mildly repetitive and it simply didn't hit me in the feels like the first couple of books.
Dylan is the black sheep brother newly returned to his family. He's cleaned up his life and wants to be the local sheriff. Katherine's sudden appearance with a claim of having his baby puts his future in jeopardy. There's nothing for it but a quick marriage of convenience.
This series as a whole is a sweet foray into western romance. With five books, there's sure to be one that will hit your favorite tropes. Thanks to @bethanyhousefiction for the #gifted copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
February 14, 2023
Jody Hedlund brings her wonderful series to a close and I loved every minute of it. She is such a good author and equally at home in many genres. I am a huge fan and her very first book sits on my shelves. We get Dylan McQuaid’s story here, and see all the other family members in cameos. The story grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go till the end. Recommended.

My thanks to Bethany House for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,493 reviews206 followers
April 5, 2023
How is it that I have never read Jody Hedlund before? After reading THE LAST CHANCE COWBOY, I know I will now find all of her previous books and enjoy them all! What a wonderful story! A book filled with surprises, and not all that I loved, but a story that will keep you up late reading, and you won’t be disappointed. Many of the reasons I enjoyed THE LAST CHANCE COWBOY will be spoilers…so you will just have to read it yourself.

Catherine Remington is a very successful midwife. Her father is a Chicago politician. In THE LAST CHANCE COWBOY Catherine just happens to be on the run after witnessing a murder. She can’t believe the direction her life is heading! How did this happen? She just wants to help women in anyway with their pregnancies. To say her life is upside down, is a huge understatement. Well, then she meets Dylan McQuaid. Catherine is forced to leave and runs away to Colorado to deliver A baby, Austin, she has just delivered to a mother who died during childbirth. Dylan just happens to be the father of the baby! Hang on tight readers! You are going to love this crazy ride that Ms. Hedlund is going to put you on.

LAST CHANCE COWBOY is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read in 2023 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. My heart broke for Dylan and Catherine and for all they were dealing with but Catherine really shredded my heart. How is she supposed to leave this precious baby behind and just walk away? Jody Hedlund really knows how to write about heartbreak and forgiveness. I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author. I now have all of her older books to read and that brings me so much joy and happiness to know they are waiting for me!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Laura Miller.
Author 3 books46 followers
January 30, 2023

I loved this book so much! Jody Hedlund always knocks it out of the park and this book was no exception. Last Chance Cowboy is the 5th and final book of the Colorado Cowboys series and what an amazing ending it was!

I thoroughly enjoyed Dylan and Catherine's story! Dylan has made a lot of past mistakes but after having some debt cleared and being able to return to Colorado he decides to change. He has worked to put his past behind him, but then Catherine shows up with the son he didn’t know he had. This time he is going to make things right. In a case of mistaken identity he does the honorable thing and marries Catherine and becomes a father to little Austin.

I really liked getting to know more about Dylan in this book. His charming personality won me over and everytime he said darling I swooned. I felt for him each time he struggled with his past and forgiving himself. Then there is Catherine. She is so sweet and brave. You couldn’t ask for a better heroine in a book! I especially enjoyed the scenes when she gets to use her midwife skills and show how passionate she was to help the women who needed her.

I loved pretty much everything about this book! The engaging characters. The beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances. Faith was such an important part of this story and I loved how Dylan leaned on his time and time again.

Honestly the book was unputdownable! It is one of those books you want to keep reading but at the same time you want to slow down because you never want it to end. I still need to backtrack and read the first two books in the series. I have enjoyed each book I have read in this series but I think this is my favorite so far!

I may have only found Jody Hedlund a few months ago but I have read a dozen of her books since then and she is definitely an auto read author for me now.

Don’t miss this! If you love cowboy romances or even if you aren’t sure yet, grab a copy of this one. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Beth | Faithfully Bookish .
932 reviews247 followers
February 7, 2023
Heartwarming conclusion to a wonderfully redemptive family saga. In true McQuaid fashion, loyalty, passion, and faith intersect in a captivating storyline weaving flawed characters into a perfectly imperfect and authentic journey.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. As an owner of JustRead Publicity Tours, I received compensation from the publisher and/or author to coordinate a promotional tour for this title. The opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Sabrina Trejo.
248 reviews24 followers
January 17, 2023
What a great ending to one of my favorite series of all time! This was a perfect “cherry on top” last book and I’m glad we got to see beloved characters from previous books. And while reading this book I realized, one of the reasons I love this series so much is because every (main) character has a purpose, or a job,and they’re so good at it. It just makes me happy when characters are more than “just there” and actually serve a purpose and do something well (more on that later).
Being swept away to late 19th century Colorado territory is always a joy when you’re reading a Colorado Cowboys book. Jody Hedlund does a fantastic job of transporting the reader back to a time and place with descriptions so perfect and vivid it feels like you’re there.
One of my favorite parts of the story, aside from the swoony romance, was the insights into midwifery. It was so cool to go along with Catherine and see that side of this time of history. While Catherine sees herself as full of weaknesses, it takes the right people and mindset for her to truly see herself as useful and wonderful at what she does.
It was really sweet to see Dylan and Catherine strengthening each other and providing that incredible boost from the one you love. They each had their challenges and learned how to be stronger and face their insecurities. Both have great character growth!
While I did really love and enjoy Dylan and Catherine’s story, this wasn’t my favorite book of the series. Without giving much away I thought the miscommunication bit lasted too long and, for me, took away from the overall story. It was also a bit disappointing to have things resolve so quickly at the end.
But nevertheless, I still really loved this book and how it is a great addition to one fantastic series.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I highly encourage any reader to start at the beginning of the series. The Last Chance Cowboy is the perfect historical, clean romance, western story to get lost in.







I received an ARC of this book. A positive review was not required but happily given.
Profile Image for Tina .
780 reviews
June 17, 2023
The Last Chance Cowboy #5 Colorado Cowboys by Jody Hedlund

Fairplay, Colorado 1871
Midwife Catherine Remington secretly flees Chicago, Illinois after witnessing a shooting, taking a dying patient’s newborn infant with her to deliver to his father. Sheriff Dylan McQuaid is a changed man and never dreamed his past would follow him home when Catherine shows up with his son. He misunderstands who Catherine is and marries her. Catherine soon realizes what happened but her heart doesn’t want to leave the baby-- or his father. Danger follows her to Fairplay and puts not only her in danger but her husband and his son as well. I enjoyed reading Catherine, Dylan and precious Austin’s story. A sweet story full of cowboys, conflicts and misunderstandings, sorrows, heartbreak, danger, forgiveness and redemption, second chances, surprises, family love and faith, learning to trust others and God. I loved the spiritual elements in the story. A great ending to Colorado Cowboys series.

~I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher and an e-book copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
Profile Image for Faith.
2,196 reviews
February 2, 2023
An engaging western marriage of convenience romance, that pulled me in from the very beginning.

Catherine is a midwife with a big heart, who has always dreamed of a family of her own, but a birthing takes a turn for the worst when the mother dies and Catherine is framed for murder. She promises to deliver the baby safely to his father in Colorado.

Dylan McQuaid has made a lot of mistakes in his life, but everything is finally starting into fall into place now that his debt is paid off, and he is serving as the Sheriff of Fairplay. But that all threatens to come tumbling down when a woman he doesn't recognize shows up with his child in tow.

A terrific addition to this entertaining series and perhaps my favorite of the series. I loved how Catherine was willing to go the extra mile to help others, no matter the hour or situation. She has a big heart, and is an amazing mother. I loved seeing her and Dylan get to know each other, as well as the chemistry between them. Dylan has come a long way, and it was nice to see the man he is becoming.

It was also fun to see other members of the McQuaid family and see their love for one another. Overall, this was an amazing conclusion to the series, with instantly likable protagonists, and a quick hook. I very much enjoyed the humor of the situation, and the growing chemistry between them. Plus, Stu and Trudy were a hoot! An amazing read from beginning to end!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Beauty in the Binding.
626 reviews54 followers
January 15, 2023
The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund did not disappoint. This easy-to-read story flowed well and held my attention throughout. The swoony romance rated as my favorite aspect of the story. While Dylan actively fights against lust and respects Catherine, there’s strong physical attraction and romantic tension between the two as they engage in a marriage-of-convenience after a case of mistaken identity. Watching them fall for each other while raising a baby delighted my romance-loving heart. I also liked that Catherine and Dylan eventually face their issues and find satisfying resolutions.

The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund concludes her Colorado Cowboys series and stands as my favorite of all five books. The story felt less formulaic and blatantly lusty than some prior novels did. Although characters from prior books show up, this novel works fine as a standalone read. Recommended for romance lovers who want a light read with plenty of romantic tension and an entertaining story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Melissa’s Bookshelf.
2,537 reviews176 followers
February 11, 2023
What a fantastic end to a beloved series! Jody Hedlund weaves a powerful story of redemption, second chances, and faith in this romantic, stirring conclusion to the Colorado Cowboys series. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and she really delivers with not only this trope but mistaken identity, false accusation, and a sweet little baby. I’ve loved that with each story in the McQuaid family saga we see this family come together, support each other, and forgive even when circumstances prove most difficult. Throughout the series, Dylan seemed most affected by the losses in his life and instead of turning to his family and faith, he turns to vice. In this story, we see him get his second chance.

Dylan, now the Sheriff of the small town he once called home, has an election coming up with strong competition. He’s determined to rid the town of a group of cattle rustlers and prove to the community that he’s a changed, capable man. He’s completely surprised when a woman shows up with a baby in tow who looks just like him. Wanting to do the right thing, he offers her marriage on the spot and determines to be as good a father as his pa. He doesn’t remember Catherine, but he’s determined to take things slow and win her trust and admiration.

Catherine is running for her life. She witnessed a terrible murder in Chicago after the tragic death of one of her patients and now stands falsely accused of both deaths. Catherine promised the dying mother to deliver her baby to his father in Colorado and sees this as a way to flee from the forces conspiring against her. When she meets Dylan and he offers her marriage right away, she can’t help but think it’s an answer to not only her problems, but her lonely heart. She’s grown to love little baby Austin and can’t help but be enamored by his handsome father. But, when the past comes back to haunt them, will they stay together or be torn apart?

I loved the slow burn romance between Dylan and Catherine. They both grow throughout the story as they learn to love each other. There’s nothing more attractive than a big, strong man caring for a baby and there were so many swoony moments with Dylan and his little son. I loved his small acts of kindness and service to Catherine, and when he calls her “darlin,” it made my heart melt. Dylan continues to struggle with his past and I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from showing him really being tempted by his former vices. I loved the way his faith helped him be strong and turn away.

Catherine is sweet, caring, and good at what she does. Because of past disappointments in love, she doesn’t think she’s exciting or attractive enough to win Dylan’s heart. I loved the way she grew in confidence as the story progressed. She’s a talented midwife and I enjoyed seeing this aspect of the story. Catherine’s the perfect match for Dylan and they really brought out the best in each other, encouraging each other in their pursuits. With the McQuaids though, danger is never far behind and there’s plenty of action along with the sizzling, heartfelt romance that kept me up late into the night reading.

I’m truly sorry to see this series come to an end and am hoping somewhere along the line we get Astrid’s story. These characters and their struggles are so well written and have become so endearing that it’s going to be hard to let them go. Though this story could definitely be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the entire series. It’ll be that much more enjoyable. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,887 reviews240 followers
January 31, 2023
What a wonderful ending to the Colorado Cowboys series! I loved it so much! I wish there was more for this family of cowboys. They're wonderful!!! I might be a bit gushing in this review but I can't help myself with how much I have enjoyed this whole series. But this book about Dylan and the previous book about his sister Ivy are my favorite of the series.

These characters have had some serious ups and downs and struggles in their lives. But I have loved so much watching how they have learned and had to grow to come through and overcome them! The faith and trust in God and each other plays a big part in how they each were able to find joy and peace in their lives. Especially finding forgiveness of not only others, but of themselves. Yes, they've made mistakes. Some of them bigger mistakes than others. But as they (especially Dylan) comes to understand the need to forgive himself and to continue to be better and progress forward, he finds clarity and peace and joy and love in his life. Such a beautiful story!

Catherine and Dylan have kind of a humorous start to their marriage. But unfortunately there are some sad and hard components as well. I loved having a front row seat as a reader, watching them learn to work together and support each other. But most importantly to trust each other.

They were just so wonderful together. I think that might be my chosen word for this review...wonderful! But it is very accurate. I just smile thinking about the scenes between Catherine and Dylan. Add in that darling baby and you'll be smitten with this sweet family. I know I was! And every time Dylan said "darlin'" in that cowboy drawl of his, Catherine wasn't the only one swooning. ;)

Catherine's character was so full of compassion and care and understanding towards others. I loved her. She didn't care what another's circumstances or what they were dealt through life, she offered her help and care. And she was amazing as a midwife. Those scenes of her delivering babies were so well written!

Overall, I can't recommend reading this whole series enough! You could read them as standalones but you'd probably enjoy getting to know each of these McQuaid siblings and their stories and families by reading all of the books!

Content: Clean. This is a marriage of convenience story but there are no explicit scenes, just some kissing. Some mild innuendos. This is a Christian fiction novel so the characters do think and talk and turn to God in thought and prayer. Some mild moments of peril. Some scenes of childbirth and some description of the birthing process.

I received a copy from the publisher, Bethany House. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
3,679 reviews326 followers
did-not-finish
February 26, 2023
DNF at 4%. After this setup and then reading reviews, here’s what it sounds like.

This dude led a young woman on, making her think they were engaged. He slept with her while super drunk, and then left. He never responded to her reaching out. And she becomes a prostitute while pregnant with his child. She dies after giving birth to his son.

Supposedly this guy has turned his life around. I’m not interested in self righteous “I no longer do anything bad” when he’s not taking care of a woman and child.

Reviews say he mistakes Catherine for the woman he left behind. That makes no sense. The mother of his child thought they were engaged and knew about him. How could he not know what her face looked like? This plot makes no sense.

If the reviews said something about him not doing it or having tried to find her, maybe. But this kind of stuff stinks. I don’t think so.
Profile Image for Hannah the book maiden.
288 reviews50 followers
March 9, 2023
4.5 stars ⭐️

A bittersweet ending to one of my all time favorite series. I’m so sad it’s over, but so grateful it happened!! And what a great cherry on top to our other cowboys. Dylan, he was our redemption story. He is the perfect example of the prodigal son who comes home after being gone. But this is the story of his time after he came home, the part where he needs to show everyone he has changed. And what better way than to fix the mistakes that follow you back home?
If you’ve loved the other 4 books in this series, I have zero doubt you will love this one too.
Profile Image for Ella Ferris.
89 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2023
I have mixed thoughts and feelings about this book. On one hand, the plot was mostly predictable and cookie-cutter, but on the other hand, I was still gripping the edge of my seat at points. The characters were okay. The writing was good as per usual for Jody Hedlund.

I think the main issue for me is that her books are just getting worse for the content. Yes, the characters had histories that were a bit more risqué than her other books, but still. The content, particularly the romance, in Hedlund's books are getting to be more than what should be appropriate for Christian Fiction. Of course, that is my opinion.

A minor thing, but I thought Trudy's controlling-ness was annoying.

Also, the almost stereotype or plot of a character making assumptions about what they think will happen if they tell the truth, and therefore not telling the truth, is so annoying to me. Yes, it always happens that the truth comes out and whatnot, always in a dramatic way. But I think there are better ways for a book's plot to be edge-of-your-seat besides lying.

Alrighty. This review is a bit of a mess. Oh well.
Not my favourite of the series.

2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.
Profile Image for Sarita.
1,508 reviews654 followers
March 4, 2024
The final story in the series includes a witnessed murder, a baby, a cowboy trying to step up and fix his past mistakes and a marriage of convenience.

I enjoyed the slow romance and obvious chemistry between Catherine and Dylan but also got a bit frustrated with their non-communication. I felt that Dylan’s reaction to a huge revelation was realistic, and Catherine’s arguments also hit on truths.

I loved how Dylan tried to be a better man, even though he struggled daily with making the better choices and Catherine’s heart to help others was motivating, though it also got her into trouble.

I loved seeing all the characters from the series also being part in this conclusion to an adventurous series.

*I listened to the audiobook on Everand.*
55 reviews12 followers
February 17, 2023
This series you can read as a stand alone but its more enjoyable to read in order so you do not get spoilers of the characters journeys. The series is about 5 siblings with each book about one of them.

I loved this book, read it in one day! Dinner was late and I was up till 2:30am. Your attention is grabbed from the beginning and there are enough plot twists to keep you worried about what will happen. The story has depth yet is still a smooth read. I liked the authors realistic take on addiction. Dylan was not magically cured of addiction just because he became a Christian. Its a lifelong struggle that he acknowledges he can only keep resisting with God's help, good friends and family. How those feelings affect Catharine I very much appreciated, I think this should be talked about more in general. She knows he is forgiven by God and forgives him also. She still struggles with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, is she as good as his past lovers? what if she, a virgin, can not measure up? It's a wonderful example of how even though we are completely forgiven our sins still affect our neighbors and our relationships. The baby Dylan unknowingly fathers being another prime example of this.

I have greatly enjoyed every Jody Hedlund book I have read. She is excellent at really flushing out her characters feelings, so you as the reader get attached and are sad when the book is over. My only critique is that I wish there had been some resolution with Catharine's family. It is a bit odd how she runs off unbeknownst to anyone, only mails two letters, yet there is no resolution between Catherine and her parents.

I received a ARC of this book, I would have given it a great review even if it was not free!
Profile Image for Cherokee Ford.
274 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2025
Jody’s books always come through with exactly what I need. The coffee in bed and flowers 🥹
Profile Image for Charity.
603 reviews81 followers
February 11, 2023
What is it about Jody Hedlund's writing that immediately sucks me into a story? Instantly, I was in the brothel, watching this baby being delivered. I was there with Catherine, watching a man get murdered. I could see Austin's little puckered mouth, with the milk dribbling out. I was in the midst of the action, the adventure, the chaos, and turmoil. Her writing just draws me.

I finished this 348 page book in one day. That was AFTER I finished a different one, and after I finished homeschooling my kiddos. I just couldn't put this down. This was the perfect ending to the Colorado Cowboys series, but it makes me sad to say goodbye to the McQuaid family.

Guess I'll just have to go back and visit them from time to time.
Profile Image for Angeline.
735 reviews23 followers
January 12, 2024
Oh my goodness, this was just an amazing ending! I have been eagerly waiting for the next books to release in this series each year and it did not disappoint. The Last Chance Cowboy is the fifth and final book in Jody Hedlund’s Colorado Cowboys series.
Dylan needed his own book and boy was it good! Poor Dylan, he had made a lot of mistakes and he had a lot that he needed to work on. Dylan had to learn from his past, amend his mistakes, and give everything to God. I adored getting to read about Dylan and learn more about him. He was learning. It was so sweet to read about him falling for Catherine and Austin. He wanted to be a good father and husband but he had to learn to trust that God was in control even when life felt crazy.
Catherine was another great character! She was so sweet and she fell for Austin at first glance, loving him as her own. Catherine was so interesting to read about and it was sweet to see her falling for Dylan. She didn’t have the best opinion of him but as she learned more about him, she saw past her prejudices. Catherine was running from her problems but she had to learn to face them. Catherine had to learn to trust Dylan and to rest in God’s plan.
I loved getting to read about Catherine and Dylan falling in love! They were so cute together! It was sweet to read about them interacting, Dylan was such a sweetheart. I also adored Austin and read about them coming together to care for him. The side characters were fun, I just loved Trudy and Stu, it was fun to have an older no nonsense couple. Seeing the family again was wonderful and I love how Hedlund is able to weave faith into her stories so well.
I would definitely recommend The Last Chance Cowboy! I am so sad to see this series end, but I believe Hedlund did a great job. The Last Chance Cowboy needs to be on your TBR. It is a clean historical christian romance, I would recommend it to those who are at least 13 years old.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Megan.
335 reviews
January 19, 2023
I could not put this book down. The McQuaid brothers just kept getting better and better with each book and this was a phenomenal ending to their family stories. The redemption/prodigal son story of Dylan was heart wrenching. Every time he came face to face with his temptations I was in the edge of my seat. And The Marriage of convenience with mistaken identity kept me reading to find out when all would be revealed, not to mention wanting to know when Catherine’s pay was going to catch up to her. This book is full of love and forgiveness, plenty of flirtatiousness and heart pounding kisses. Dylan is such a sweet talker, I can’t blame any woman for falling for him! I haven’t read many surprise baby books, but I really enjoyed this one. I loved how the baby was part of the story and the characters had to figure out how to care for the baby along with everything else they were dealing with. And as someone in the medical field I was fascinated with the midwifery aspect and delivering babies in the rural western territories. This book pulls on all the heartstrings and I will definitely be recommending this and all the books in the series! Now that it’s over I need to start at the beginning and read them all again and again!
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,877 reviews208 followers
February 16, 2023
What a fabulous and romantic wrap up to what has definitely been one of my favorite series to read! If you have read the other books in the series, you know that Dylan got off track in life. He made some bad decisions and was not living in a way that would honor God or even uphold the morals that he had been raised with. This book showed how he had turned his life around, yet he still carried guilt for the way he behaved and struggled to stay the course sometimes, as well. And even if you have not read the other books, you should be able to pick this one up and enjoy Dylan’s story on its own.

At the opening of the novel, Catherine found herself in a situation that was hopeless and she was forced to run for her life. Then, she found herself in a completely different and complicated situation once she was out west bringing Dylan the son he knew nothing about.

This novel had so many of the things that I love reading about. There was the surprise baby, the redemption arc for Dylan, a marriage of convenience, misunderstandings, great romantic chemistry, and a wonderful and supportive extended family. I honestly did not know how the author was realistically going to be able to wrap things up for these two in a way that cleared Catherine’s name. It added some great additional tension to the story. Couple that with the growing affection between Catherine and Dylan and you have a novel that I know I will be reading again and again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Hannah Elisabeth .
310 reviews27 followers
February 20, 2023
*Sigh* Where do I begin? This book was one of my most anticipated of the year as I’ve loved this series so far. When I heard it featured my absolute, all time favorite trope, marriage of convenience, I was even more excited! However, I did not know that it also had my absolute least favorite trope of all time, miscommunication. And this isn’t the usual third act conflict little miscommunication either. It’s beginning of the book, HUGE miscommunication that lasts for a long time. 😬🙄 This miscommunication also quickly becomes realized by Catherine, but instead of making it right, she goes along with it and keeps up what is now a lie. Which drove me up the wall!😡 I knew this would lead to a blow up and it did. But, girl, you get what you deserve! There was no valid excuse for her to keep lying, just her own insecurities which she should have known, based on the circumstances, would catch up to her. But whatever. Other than this, I did for the most part like the story. I liked Dylan. He’s had a rough life, but he’s repented and turned to God, which happens before this book begins. But we see a few times that he’s not immune to his past vices. There are parts where things are weighing on his mind and he feels like he needs just one drink, but he realizes that he’s wrong with the help of his family and friends and he repeatedly turns to God for help. He’s also just a very sweet guy and he did not deserve Catherine’s deception, but I did also appreciate how he quickly forgave her, because honestly, he wasn’t completely faultless himself. I did think they were cute together, if only it weren’t for the miscommunication and lying, it would have been great. 🤷🏼‍♀️
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