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spiringvenus's review against another edition
4.0
I stayed awake until 2 am finishing this book! I really enjoyed Austin and Loree's relationship and the epilogue!
ashleyreadsanything's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
guiltlesspleasures's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What an opening: Sweet baby Austin, who is a little ray of sunshine in the first two books in this series, opens this story a hardened, skittish man after five years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit: the murder of a man who quite frankly didn’t deserve to live anyway.
There is a vivid scene where he’s jealously guarding his stew, used to having to do that in prison, and his family is all staring at him, not understanding that every day-to-day activity in prison was a struggle.
He sets out to learn who did kill Boyd McQueen, and in the first few chapters he comes across Loree, who lives alone with her dog, near the barn where she lost her family in a tragic way. They find comfort in each other, and the way Heath writes this is so tender: two wounded strangers recognizing the hurt in the other and making something good of it.
It started out so strong, so it was disappointing when the pace slowed, almost feeling indulgent in how it lingered with his extended family through events, Christmas, etc. — we do care about his family, having spent two books with them, but it dragged.
Loree’s constant self-flagellation wore thin, too. She’s carrying an incredible amount of trauma, but the way she kept saying/thinking that she didn’t deserve Austin felt tedious after a while.
They do get their HEA, and it’s a lovely one—but even though the first two books were five-star reads for me, this one just didn’t live up to them.
There is a vivid scene where he’s jealously guarding his stew, used to having to do that in prison, and his family is all staring at him, not understanding that every day-to-day activity in prison was a struggle.
He sets out to learn who did kill Boyd McQueen, and in the first few chapters he comes across Loree, who lives alone with her dog, near the barn where she lost her family in a tragic way. They find comfort in each other, and the way Heath writes this is so tender: two wounded strangers recognizing the hurt in the other and making something good of it.
It started out so strong, so it was disappointing when the pace slowed, almost feeling indulgent in how it lingered with his extended family through events, Christmas, etc. — we do care about his family, having spent two books with them, but it dragged.
Loree’s constant self-flagellation wore thin, too. She’s carrying an incredible amount of trauma, but the way she kept saying/thinking that she didn’t deserve Austin felt tedious after a while.
They do get their HEA, and it’s a lovely one—but even though the first two books were five-star reads for me, this one just didn’t live up to them.
hellodiana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mefrost's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aboutthatstory's review against another edition
5.0
Texas Splendor was an incredible read! I was thrilled to start Austin's story and couldn’t wait for him to get his HEA. This story is filled with so much heartbreak and healing, I couldn't read it fast enough!
This story had such an incredible build. I felt Austin’s pain and all the emotions he was going through after getting out of prison. I loved the longing he has in him for a new future even though he feels lost. I loved him meeting Loree and how they found solace in one another as she has her own painful past she's dealing with. I liked learning her history and felt for her. Austin was so incredibly sweet and I liked how his attraction to her grew. There was so much inner turmoil and loneliness between the two, I loved watching them come together and find a bit of peace, comfort, and love.
There was a fantastic build as the details unfolded and how hints of Austin and Loree’s lives evolved and intersected. The story kept getting more and more exciting to me because I loved seeing those dots connecting. There were so many emotional moments where I got choked up, but there were so many heartwarming ones as well. I loved the brothers and their wives, together they brought some lightheartedness that was needed in the midst of all the emotion. It was great getting updates on everyone and seeing how much certain characters have changed. I thought the ending was fantastic and the epilogue was perfect.
There was drama and tension that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the page. This series has been all-consuming. I loved the details and the depth and the author's ability to make me feel so invested like I am a part of these people's lives. I am so glad I was able to read them all back to back and watched the growth and evolution of the characters. I can’t say enough good things about this book and series!
This story had such an incredible build. I felt Austin’s pain and all the emotions he was going through after getting out of prison. I loved the longing he has in him for a new future even though he feels lost. I loved him meeting Loree and how they found solace in one another as she has her own painful past she's dealing with. I liked learning her history and felt for her. Austin was so incredibly sweet and I liked how his attraction to her grew. There was so much inner turmoil and loneliness between the two, I loved watching them come together and find a bit of peace, comfort, and love.
There was a fantastic build as the details unfolded and how hints of Austin and Loree’s lives evolved and intersected. The story kept getting more and more exciting to me because I loved seeing those dots connecting. There were so many emotional moments where I got choked up, but there were so many heartwarming ones as well. I loved the brothers and their wives, together they brought some lightheartedness that was needed in the midst of all the emotion. It was great getting updates on everyone and seeing how much certain characters have changed. I thought the ending was fantastic and the epilogue was perfect.
There was drama and tension that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the page. This series has been all-consuming. I loved the details and the depth and the author's ability to make me feel so invested like I am a part of these people's lives. I am so glad I was able to read them all back to back and watched the growth and evolution of the characters. I can’t say enough good things about this book and series!