The Last Chance Cafe : A Novel

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
The Last Chance Cafe is a standalone by Linda Lael Miller. This was part of my Romanceopoly reading challenge and the prompt for this one is "Burger Joint". I have had this book on my TBR for years probably close to a decade, and I am not sure why it has taken me so long to read this one, but I am so thrilled that I finally picked this one up. It was just adorable and such a solid western contemporary romance that had me in my feels. I have always enjoyed Linda Lael Miller, but especially her backlisted books are just the best to read. And basically it just delivers in a suspenseful western romance to curl your toes.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: show more Chance
-Loner
-Cowboy/Rancher
-Helps heal horses

The Heroine: Hallie
-Single Mother
-On the Run
-Doesn't stay in one place

Summary
When Hallie's father passed away, she discovered that he was murdered, as he was doing a secret investigation and one of those men happened to be her ex husband. But when it became apparent, that he was murdered and that her ex husband was behind the conspiracy and that her life was in danger. She grabbed the evidence, her daughters and fled the only home she had ever known. She found herself in a remote small town, when her truck breaks down and they find a small town cafe "Last Chance Cafe" that drew them in and there they found refuge and a safe haven, and a group of people willing to show them kindness and safety. Hallie is mistrustful, but Chance proves to her with his sweet actions that they are worth fighting for and taking a stand against evil is the only way to live. But as Hallie dares to believe in love with Chance, she will have to fight for what matter most in life...

My Outlook
The Last Chance Cafe was such an adorable read and I had such a blast in reading of this one. I just couldn't seem to get enough of it here. I was so drawn into this story, and wow its been so long since I was so captivated by a Linda Lael Miller read. This was the perfect standalone, everything got tied up like a bow in the end. I truly appreciated the way in which this author wrote this one and the manner in which she delivered this story. I was utterly charmed by the hero and this small town that just were so delightful. The setting of the cafe was so fun and super atmospheric. I truly was endeared by all the aspects of the story. My only misgiving was revolving around the heroine, and I wanted her to trust in the hero more and I wasn't a fan with the conflict at the end. It just didn't make sense why she just ups and leaves after the danger aspect is resolved. But everything about the story was just right and definitely left me wanting more. I definitely need to read more of this author's backlist.

Overall View
The Last Chance Cafe is a endearing, heartfelt romance that has the most atmospheric setting, delivers on the western charm!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover: 4
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending: 4
Overall View: 4 show less

Set in Primrose Creek, Navada, in current day, the book is part romance and part mystery/thriller. After her stepfather's death, one of his friend's confirmed it wasn't a robbery and gives her a key. She finds the cashbox her stepfather had hidden, looks quickly through it and realizes her ex-husband is involved in something with the mob. Grabbing her two children, she flees in her stepfather's truck, which conks out in Primrose Creek. She finds it's a great place to hide, is hired at the local diner and falls in love with a cowboy. But all too soon, he ex and his cronies catch up with her.

Hallie O'Roarke found sanctuary in Primrose Creek after being forced to flee Phoenix in fear for the lives of her twin seven year old daughters and herself. When her stepfather is murdered in his home in what appeared to be an attempted robbery, Hallie is skeptical. Lou was a veteran police officer, to Hallie, it just didn't seem like something that would happen to him. When her cop ex-husband discovers her with the incriminating evidence Lou had gathered in an undercover investigation into corruption and drug dealing; Hallie knew that Lou had been murdered and that she would have to leave town.
While Hallie is long accustomed to independence, the danger threatening her and her children leaves her alone and vulnerable. When her truck show more breaks down in a snowstorm, misfortune leads her to a community where she will find love and acceptance, and a handsome man by the name of Chance Qualtrough.
Hallie doesn't want to leave Primrose Creek. She knows that good things don't last forever and soon her past will catch up with her. The only thing she knows, aside from her fierce desire to keep her daughters safe, is that she doesn't want to leave Chance and the new love that she has found. show less

It was an enjoyable read, but not anything unexpected or new. I know I have never read this book before, but the whole way through it felt very familiar. Right down to the characters doing what was expected of them. I guess that is what makes romances comfort reads though, right? I did find myself laughing when the twins were around, or when Evie came in the picture. And there were a couple moments when I could predict what was going to happen, so it wasn’t really suspenseful, but it was written well and the tension was there all the same. Made a good light Valentines read, and I’m happy I was able to get it in. =D

The Last Chance Cafe by Linda Lael Miller
Halli O'Rourke has just left her step dads funeral and gets a package and heads to his house where her ex husband shows up wanting the stocks and bonds and money.
She takes off with his truck and the blizzard stops them in NV with the twin girls. She's got a job being a waitress and a place to watch while Jessie is away.
Chance has a hand in all this....she has to tend to the horses also.
She gets the girls ready for school and has her work and things are going well, Chance takes them all to a movie...
Wild animals .... and hot steamy sex scenes. Lots of action and adventure towards the end to help solve the mystery.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio show more Reading Device). show less

Hallie O'Rourke married a criminal (unknown to her) from the DA's office. He was in a drug ring with several officers in the police department. They killed her stepdad and pursued her to get the information she had. Her twins were better behaved than one could imagine. She fell in love with Chance and when all was said and done, married him.

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