What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last White Knight
With her frayed jeans and cascade of tousled dark hair, Lynn Shaw looks more like one of the teenage residents of Horizon House than their counselor. So it’s no wonder State Senator Erik Gunther mistakes her for one. Not that he exactly fits the description of a politician, with his movie-star looks and athletic build. Even Lynn, cynical, stubborn, and decidedly not looking for a relationship, can’t ignore her body’s response to the man.
Allegedly, he’s come to defend Lynn from angry locals who don’t want her home for delinquent girls in their neighborhood. But as far as Lynn is concerned, he’s looking for a photo op, a chance to play the hero–the last thing either she or her troubled girls need.
What they need is understanding. Lynn knows teenage rebellion all too well. And she knows firsthand its heartbreaking price. She won’t touch the good senator with a ten-foot pole only to watch him disappear once he gets what he wants. Unfortunately, Erik refuses to go away.
The moment Erik looks into her emerald eyes, his interest in work falls into serious competition with his interest in Lynn Shaw. Her rejection of his assistance only intrigues him further. He is determined to know her–and to help her. If that means practically moving into Horizon House, so be it.
But as the two engage in a battle of hearts, it becomes clear that Lynn is waging a private war of her own, against demons of the past–and against her overwhelming desire for the one man who may be worth fighting for.
Allegedly, he’s come to defend Lynn from angry locals who don’t want her home for delinquent girls in their neighborhood. But as far as Lynn is concerned, he’s looking for a photo op, a chance to play the hero–the last thing either she or her troubled girls need.
What they need is understanding. Lynn knows teenage rebellion all too well. And she knows firsthand its heartbreaking price. She won’t touch the good senator with a ten-foot pole only to watch him disappear once he gets what he wants. Unfortunately, Erik refuses to go away.
The moment Erik looks into her emerald eyes, his interest in work falls into serious competition with his interest in Lynn Shaw. Her rejection of his assistance only intrigues him further. He is determined to know her–and to help her. If that means practically moving into Horizon House, so be it.
But as the two engage in a battle of hearts, it becomes clear that Lynn is waging a private war of her own, against demons of the past–and against her overwhelming desire for the one man who may be worth fighting for.
201 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1992
117 people are currently reading
863 people want to read
About the author
Tami Hoag
100 books6,139 followersTami Hoag is the #1 internationally bestselling author of more than thirty books published in more than thirty languages worldwide, including her latest thrillers—BITTER SEASON, COLD COLD HEART and THE 9TH GIRL. Renowned for combining thrilling plots with character-driven suspense, Hoag first hit the New York Times Bestseller list with NIGHT SINS, and each of her books since has been a bestseller.
She leads a double life in Palm Beach County, Florida where she is also known as a top competitive equestrian in the Olympic discipline of dressage. Other interests include the study of psychology, and mixed martial arts fighting.
Visit her at www.tamihoag.com, Facebook.com/TamiHoag and on Twitter @TamiHoag
She leads a double life in Palm Beach County, Florida where she is also known as a top competitive equestrian in the Olympic discipline of dressage. Other interests include the study of psychology, and mixed martial arts fighting.
Visit her at www.tamihoag.com, Facebook.com/TamiHoag and on Twitter @TamiHoag
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
July 19, 2014
3 STARS
Lynn Shaw has been working to atone for her messy past. She's a successful counselor for a group home for runaway teenage girls. Girls that have problems that she could relate to. But difficulties arise when she and the homes' caretakers make a move into a new neighborhood. The residents, particularly one man with a mission, are against the safehouse's relocation. That's until state senator, Erik Gunther makes it his mission to stand behind the safehouse and it's occupants. He's intrigued by Lynn, drawn to her, but she's refusing to let him in. Over a course of a few weeks Erik and Lynn work closely together and she soon realizes that her feelings for Erik threaten to undermine her determination to never let him in. But he's persistent and knows what he wants, now if only to convince Lynn of the same.
This was sweet, easy to read and had a very fairytale-ish vibe going on. 3 stars for me means I liked the book, nothing extraordinary but I still thought it was good. Erik was a very determined man, never giving up on a hard as nails Lynn. He defined for her what it meant to want something. But her fear held her back, at times ridiculously so. Her reasons for trying to stay away from him were understandable, but eventually I became tired of her stubbornness. Thank goodness Erik didn't! It really paid off for them in more ways than one. There was a thread of suspense weaved through the book and I was shocked to see how it played out and who the culprit was.
This was also a fast read, about 200 pages or so. It flowed well but lacked what I would imagine would make a book a 4 or 5 star read. Still, enjoyable and sweet with a touching HEA.
Lynn Shaw has been working to atone for her messy past. She's a successful counselor for a group home for runaway teenage girls. Girls that have problems that she could relate to. But difficulties arise when she and the homes' caretakers make a move into a new neighborhood. The residents, particularly one man with a mission, are against the safehouse's relocation. That's until state senator, Erik Gunther makes it his mission to stand behind the safehouse and it's occupants. He's intrigued by Lynn, drawn to her, but she's refusing to let him in. Over a course of a few weeks Erik and Lynn work closely together and she soon realizes that her feelings for Erik threaten to undermine her determination to never let him in. But he's persistent and knows what he wants, now if only to convince Lynn of the same.
This was sweet, easy to read and had a very fairytale-ish vibe going on. 3 stars for me means I liked the book, nothing extraordinary but I still thought it was good. Erik was a very determined man, never giving up on a hard as nails Lynn. He defined for her what it meant to want something. But her fear held her back, at times ridiculously so. Her reasons for trying to stay away from him were understandable, but eventually I became tired of her stubbornness. Thank goodness Erik didn't! It really paid off for them in more ways than one. There was a thread of suspense weaved through the book and I was shocked to see how it played out and who the culprit was.
This was also a fast read, about 200 pages or so. It flowed well but lacked what I would imagine would make a book a 4 or 5 star read. Still, enjoyable and sweet with a touching HEA.
March 8, 2018
No thank you. My final say? Skip this one. Lol. Way better cheesy romance books out there.
November 23, 2017
Maybe 3 1/2 Stars, can't quite decide. There are some thing I really liked about this oldie and some things I didn't. Loved Erik, our Last White Knight hero. Loved the touch of mystery too. I found Lynn, the heroine, abrasive, closed up, a martyr and a coward. She did show a lot of growth in a short book, but I didn't really like her.
Lynn Shaw is a counselor for runaway girls at a home for them that is in upheaval due to a forced move. Their new neighborhood in upscale and not at all happy with their new neighbors and are very vocal about it. In steps State Senator Erik Gunther and their White Knight. He is instantly drawn to Lynn, once he finds out she isn't one of the teens. She has a similar response to him, but tries her very best to shut it down. She has had a troubled past and has devoted her life to making up for it. She just doesn't see how a rising politician could possibly be interested in her. Erik is really to good to be true.
Lynn Shaw is a counselor for runaway girls at a home for them that is in upheaval due to a forced move. Their new neighborhood in upscale and not at all happy with their new neighbors and are very vocal about it. In steps State Senator Erik Gunther and their White Knight. He is instantly drawn to Lynn, once he finds out she isn't one of the teens. She has a similar response to him, but tries her very best to shut it down. She has had a troubled past and has devoted her life to making up for it. She just doesn't see how a rising politician could possibly be interested in her. Erik is really to good to be true.
October 5, 2010
3.5 stars
Before becoming a #1 New York Times Bestselling author with her thrillers and suspense novels, Hoag was an author with Bantam's Loveswept line of romance books.
The Last White Knight is a reprint of a Loveswept romance originally published in 1992. If you are looking for a thriller, you won't find it here. There are a couple of reviews rating this poorly because it is *gasp* a romance novel *double gasp*. Really, I would have thought the title and synopsis might have provided a clue.
Kudos to the author for embracing her romance roots (no pun intended!) in her letter to readers at the start of The Last White Knight:
"All these years later I'm in a very different place in my career, writing full-on bestselling (thank goodness!) suspense novels. I am often asked by people who look down their noses at the romance genre if I am somehow embarrassed by my Loveswept past. I always tell them the same thing - that I worked and worried every bit as hard writing those small books and that I am every bit as proud of them as I am of the books that have landed me on the bestseller lists."
Anyway, I digress....
Lynn Shaw is a counselor for Horizon House, a home for troubled teenage girls. Lynn knows what it's like to be a troubled teenager - she used to be one herself.
When Horizon House relocates to a residence in Rochester, Minnesota, the neighborhood is whipped into a frenzy of protest by the self-appointed leader of 'Citizens for Family Neighborhoods'.
Enter Senator Erik Gunther, Golden Boy of the Democrats, to provide his support.
The attraction between Erik and Lynn is instant, but Lynn will not accept it's inevitability, convinced that she would cause damage to Erik's reputation because of the mistakes of her past.
Erik must fight to win Lynn's acceptance while together they defend against those who would force 'her girls' out of the only home they have.
The politician as hero is unusual and unlikely, but Hoag manages this with ease (although Erik is still no match for Reece from Extreme Exposure. Erik is a great character who fights to get what he wants, even while succumbing to anger, annoyance and frustration. And gee, Lynn could ring those out of a saint.
Lynn is determined to continue paying penance for what she considers the sins of her past. It consumes her every action to the point of martyrdom. When her past is finally revealed, it is not enough to justify her attitude towards the inability of having a future with Erik, particularly in the face of Erik's strength and tenderness.
Apart from desperately needing another chapter to flesh out the HEA (or an epilogue at the very least), The Last White Knight is a nice, quick and easy read.
Before becoming a #1 New York Times Bestselling author with her thrillers and suspense novels, Hoag was an author with Bantam's Loveswept line of romance books.
The Last White Knight is a reprint of a Loveswept romance originally published in 1992. If you are looking for a thriller, you won't find it here. There are a couple of reviews rating this poorly because it is *gasp* a romance novel *double gasp*. Really, I would have thought the title and synopsis might have provided a clue.
Kudos to the author for embracing her romance roots (no pun intended!) in her letter to readers at the start of The Last White Knight:
"All these years later I'm in a very different place in my career, writing full-on bestselling (thank goodness!) suspense novels. I am often asked by people who look down their noses at the romance genre if I am somehow embarrassed by my Loveswept past. I always tell them the same thing - that I worked and worried every bit as hard writing those small books and that I am every bit as proud of them as I am of the books that have landed me on the bestseller lists."
Anyway, I digress....
Lynn Shaw is a counselor for Horizon House, a home for troubled teenage girls. Lynn knows what it's like to be a troubled teenager - she used to be one herself.
When Horizon House relocates to a residence in Rochester, Minnesota, the neighborhood is whipped into a frenzy of protest by the self-appointed leader of 'Citizens for Family Neighborhoods'.
Enter Senator Erik Gunther, Golden Boy of the Democrats, to provide his support.
The attraction between Erik and Lynn is instant, but Lynn will not accept it's inevitability, convinced that she would cause damage to Erik's reputation because of the mistakes of her past.
Erik must fight to win Lynn's acceptance while together they defend against those who would force 'her girls' out of the only home they have.
The politician as hero is unusual and unlikely, but Hoag manages this with ease (although Erik is still no match for Reece from Extreme Exposure. Erik is a great character who fights to get what he wants, even while succumbing to anger, annoyance and frustration. And gee, Lynn could ring those out of a saint.
Lynn is determined to continue paying penance for what she considers the sins of her past. It consumes her every action to the point of martyrdom. When her past is finally revealed, it is not enough to justify her attitude towards the inability of having a future with Erik, particularly in the face of Erik's strength and tenderness.
Apart from desperately needing another chapter to flesh out the HEA (or an epilogue at the very least), The Last White Knight is a nice, quick and easy read.
January 3, 2024
I've really grappled with this rating. I would mark it 3.5 if that was possible; to be clear, I liked this book. I cried at the end, if that is any indication (though I cry at the drop of a hat, so that comes with a grain of salt).
Though Tami Haog is probably my top author by sheer number alone, this one had a lot of questionable work in it. The characters are interesting and have a backstory, yet they still fall a little flat. I like the overarching plot, but it is resolved too quickly and rather tenuously from my perspective: I nearly started sweating as the pages on my right thinned and at least four big ticket items weren't resolved. The plotline is rushed for the sake of romance in this one, and it unfortunately feels rather tacky. I think perhaps there were too many ideas, and it made it feel like there were a lot of loose ends. It was certainly not a terrible book, and I would probably reread it, but it really and truly is missing something.
Though Tami Haog is probably my top author by sheer number alone, this one had a lot of questionable work in it. The characters are interesting and have a backstory, yet they still fall a little flat. I like the overarching plot, but it is resolved too quickly and rather tenuously from my perspective: I nearly started sweating as the pages on my right thinned and at least four big ticket items weren't resolved. The plotline is rushed for the sake of romance in this one, and it unfortunately feels rather tacky. I think perhaps there were too many ideas, and it made it feel like there were a lot of loose ends. It was certainly not a terrible book, and I would probably reread it, but it really and truly is missing something.
June 19, 2020
Cheesy at best. Stereotypical stud with "smoldering eyes", the hard-to-get girl with Green eyes, and "sexual tension" at the get go. BLAHHHH. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. I called it a day by page 43...
September 3, 2012
I wouldn't have normally picked this up, but I did after I learned that Ivan is distantly related to Tami Hoag back when we first started dating. As I'm systematically clearing out the audiobooks on my Rhapsody, I finally arrived at this one, over two years later.
As romances go, this one had some elements that I could relate to. The female protagonist worked with teenagers (and was often mistaken for a teenager herself), suffered migraines, and threw herself into her work so that she wouldn't have to deal with larger emotional issues. The way she was described even made me think she sounded quite attractive.
I couldn't really get behind her romance with Senator Eric Gunther, though, maybe because I'm just totally turned off by the idea of dating a politician, or maybe because he was pretty two dimensional. There was nothing too spectacular about this book; the relationships and central conflict were pretty simplistic, and it was a little hard for me to swallow the sweeping declarations of love when the whole book took place within the space of a week. There was one unexpected twist at the end, but the book was weakened by the fact that it went on much longer than it needed to, and I got REALLY tired of the pity party the MC kept throwing for herself, convinced that she didn't "deserve" Eric because she'd been a troubled teen who'd made some mistakes, blah, blah, gag me why-is-lack-of-self-esteem supposed to be sexy?
But, it was a romance, and it followed the tropes of romance, and I don't really like romances, so it gets three stars despite its shortcomings because it was nice to have a short, light read after "The Informant," and because it won't stick in my head for being awful, either.
As romances go, this one had some elements that I could relate to. The female protagonist worked with teenagers (and was often mistaken for a teenager herself), suffered migraines, and threw herself into her work so that she wouldn't have to deal with larger emotional issues. The way she was described even made me think she sounded quite attractive.
I couldn't really get behind her romance with Senator Eric Gunther, though, maybe because I'm just totally turned off by the idea of dating a politician, or maybe because he was pretty two dimensional. There was nothing too spectacular about this book; the relationships and central conflict were pretty simplistic, and it was a little hard for me to swallow the sweeping declarations of love when the whole book took place within the space of a week. There was one unexpected twist at the end, but the book was weakened by the fact that it went on much longer than it needed to, and I got REALLY tired of the pity party the MC kept throwing for herself, convinced that she didn't "deserve" Eric because she'd been a troubled teen who'd made some mistakes, blah, blah, gag me why-is-lack-of-self-esteem supposed to be sexy?
But, it was a romance, and it followed the tropes of romance, and I don't really like romances, so it gets three stars despite its shortcomings because it was nice to have a short, light read after "The Informant," and because it won't stick in my head for being awful, either.
September 3, 2012
My first book my Tami Hoag. It was pretty good.
The premise of Lynn & Erik meeting, and the banter between them was really enjoyable. A bit of a love/hate attitude.
In my oppinion Lynn beats herself up a bit much, about her past, and the whole "I'm not worthy", about having a happy ending with the guy made me roll my eyes. But over all a quick read with a romantic, happy ending. I liked it.
The premise of Lynn & Erik meeting, and the banter between them was really enjoyable. A bit of a love/hate attitude.
In my oppinion Lynn beats herself up a bit much, about her past, and the whole "I'm not worthy", about having a happy ending with the guy made me roll my eyes. But over all a quick read with a romantic, happy ending. I liked it.
August 6, 2014
I must be a total romantic but I loved that the Senator did not give up on his belief that they would make a great pair. I couldn't put this book down. She didn't get good reviews on this book. Sometime about her writing mystery I think but I must just love a happy ending. Great book!!!! Take a chance and read this book.
September 4, 2009
I picked this up from a give-away bin thinking Tami Hoag wrote suspense. Although there is a minor mystery, the book is mostly a romance - very cheesy and unrealistic.
September 3, 2018
This was a sweet romance. I liked the progression of the relationship between Lynn and Erik. I liked the "turmoil" of the Horizon House that they were fighting. I thought Hoag did a good job of showing the growth for Erik and his acceptance that Lynn was more important than anything else. I accept that Lynn had more to deal with and therefore it would take longer, but I thought it took too long for someone to point out that she was avoiding facing her past in just the way that she would never let her girls do. I both appreciate and regret that Hoag showed us Lynn was ready to face her past and make peace with it and yet didn't actually include that process as part of the story. I'd like to have seen how it was resolved but also understand that it would have been too much (if done realistically) and would have detracted from Lynn & Erik's story. All in all, a charming story and a quick read.
October 29, 2018
Set in Minnesota in the 1990's, a group home for troubled girls relocates to a neighborhood where the neighbors are less than welcoming. One neighbor in particular really wants them gone. It's a vaguely suspenseful story wrapped around a romance between the counselor at the group home and a local politician who takes up their cause for publicity but finds a more personal interest as he falls hard for the counselor. The story was interesting but I didn't feel the urgency and anticipation of a strong suspense plot, annoying neighbors are kind of 'meh'. The romance struggled along with the male main character really having to work for every inch of progress. The insta-love on his part was believable-ish but the author resorted to bedroom scenes to overwhelm the resistance of the female main character, it just made it seem like he wasn't man enough to win the lady over with his clothes on.
Violence, sex, mild swearing
Violence, sex, mild swearing
May 17, 2020
Tw: there’s a transphobic remark
Honestly, I really liked this book. This cover had me going into this like it was a joke but I found the story very powerful. Lynn is a counselor for a halfway home for troubled girls. Erik is a senator who gets involved in her cause. Their chemistry is great. He’s a little pushy, but her defensiveness seemed to explain that. I loved Lynn’s journey to accepting herself.
Honestly, I really liked this book. This cover had me going into this like it was a joke but I found the story very powerful. Lynn is a counselor for a halfway home for troubled girls. Erik is a senator who gets involved in her cause. Their chemistry is great. He’s a little pushy, but her defensiveness seemed to explain that. I loved Lynn’s journey to accepting herself.
December 30, 2024
Not the book I was expecting when I picked up this Tami Hoag book. I thought she wrote thrillers but she also writes romance novels, not my favorite genre. In this story, the counselor for a home for wayward girls who also has a checkered past, falls in love with a handsome rising political star. Afraid she will ruin his political future, she pushes him away but true love will not be denied. Typical romance novel.
February 5, 2021
Well I struggled through it, only to realize when I went to add it to my goodreads list I read it 8 years ago. I didn't even remember it....which tells you something right there. To be fair, romance really isn't my genre. Like my rating indicates, it was okay, but nothing special.
December 29, 2022
I like Tami Hoag as an author and her writing style is engaging, I just have learned that romance novels aren’t really for me. My recommendation would be to skip this one and head straight for her thrillers.
October 21, 2024
Set in Minnesota, Lynn Shaw moves the Horizon House, a place to live for girls in trouble. The neighborhood does not want these girls nearby. State Senator Erik Gunther gets involved.. He tries to help Lynn but she thinks he is only in it for the publicity. Easy, quick read!
May 11, 2018
This is a cute romance. I became angry with Lynn many times in this book. I am glad Erik didn't give up.
October 10, 2018
Unfortunate;y, not one of my favourites of hers. I struggled to get through it
July 23, 2019
Quick and trashy book. Perfect for a vacation read, which it was.
July 31, 2019
Good story about second chances, understanding you don't have to pay for your mistakes forever and that you can't judge a book by its cover.
September 8, 2019
This touted "a classic love story" written in Tami Hoag's early days of writing. Fast, fun read with good input on leaving the past behind and moving forward.
October 13, 2019
I enjoyed this book because it was a quick easy read. It was not hard ot figure out the mystery element. This book was a nice to read because I was able to simply enjoy the book without wondering throughout most of the book who did what.
January 9, 2020
I loved everything about this book. First impressions, 2nd chances, hard work, and determination. A lovely read!
February 16, 2020
A quick read, with a sweet, straightforward love story, this was what I needed to help me calm down, deal with a migraine aftermath, and re-energize.
April 23, 2020
Loved it!!! Love everything Tami Hoag does!!! Highly recommend!!
August 30, 2021
Predicable
The story line was Very predictable . I have read many of her books. This one was hard to get into.
The story line was Very predictable . I have read many of her books. This one was hard to get into.
October 19, 2021
Honestly not my favorite. Super boring love story that had the potential to be interesting
January 22, 2022
I would say that it's a cliché at best, there was so much premise but the book did not deliver. Sorry to say this but it's not worth it. Two stars for the sake of the romance.
February 1, 2022
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews