ARC Review: One Last Kiss by Kat Martin

About the Book:

Title: One Last Kiss

Author: Kat Martin

Series: Blood Ties # 0.5

Page Length: 101

Publication Date: Aug. 31, 2021

Publisher: Kensington Books

Synopsis: Colorado rancher Sam Bridger will do anything for a friend, even if it means babysitting a rich city girl who knows more about high fashion than horses. Blond, beautiful Liberty Hale looks like a model—and acts like a spoiled brat—but Sam senses another side to the young woman who has lost so much of her family, and he can’t deny the heat just one look at her ignites.

Libby is determined to get through her time on the ranch—her inheritance depends on her putting in a solid month’s work. She hadn’t imagined her boss would be a sexy, straightforward cowboy—and she’s surprised to discover just how much she wants him. As life in the Colorado sunshine begins to burn away her grief, Libby and Sam’s attraction to each other starts to sizzle.

A three-day pack trip into the mountains will test them both—especially when one of the ranch’s guests takes a sinister interest in Libby. Suddenly their unexpected chance at love is overshadowed by the terrifying possibility that their very lives are at risk . . .

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Liberty Hale is a model in New York, and in order to receive her inheritance, she must work for one month on a ranch in Colorado. Being at the ranch brings back a ton of happy memories of her childhood, and it forces Liberty to face her grief over the loss of her parents. She also begins to fall for the ranch owner, Sam. However, there are some suspicious people staying at the ranch who seem to take an interest in Liberty, much to her dismay. Can Liberty and Sam’s budding relationship survive a dangerous and possibly deadly situation?

Liberty is so much more than the superficial socialite that people mistake her for. Constantly judged for her looks, Liberty keeps men at a distance until she meets Sam. He’s the first man who has treated her as more than just a pretty face and hasn’t made her feel objectified. Liberty is so drawn to the smart, sure, and hard-working man she gets to know at the ranch, and Sam is also drawn to Liberty. He sees past the makeup and fancy clothes and finds a kind, caring, and grief-torn woman. I like their instant connection and how that connection grows throughout the novella. They seem to really understand each other, and their chemistry is fantastic.

The secondary characters are also really interesting, and I’m eager to learn more about them as they weren’t super developed in this story. The ranch hands, Sam’s aunt, and Sam’s best friend are all compelling characters who help Sam and Liberty. They are dependable and capable, and they clearly care for Sam. I think this says a lot about them and a lot about the kind of man Sam is – a man who inspires loyalty and admiration.

This is a quick novella, and there are parts of the story that I wish were developed a bit more, especially in relation to the intrigue. However, the romance is great, and Liberty and Sam are well-developed. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.