U.S. Marine Jason Reed survived wounds that should have ended him. Instead, he’s stepping into the streets of Last Chance, Texas, to honor a battlefield promise to his fallen comrade. Haunted by war and torn between duty and the cowboy life calling him home, Jason plans to check on widowed Natalie Luna and move on. But Natalie’s fragile beauty and fierce resilience kindle a hunger he can’t outrun. When a dangerous suitor threatens her, Jason’s protective instincts surge, compelling him to stay awhile.

Natalie is barely holding on, juggling two jobs and a spirited son who tests her every day. She has no time for a charming stranger, even one trading handyman skills for a place to rest his head. Yet Jason’s disruptive presence stirs a longing she can’t ignore. She wants him in her bed, and if he proves worthy, maybe more. But Jason is a man of secrets—dare she trust him?

Can Jason protect Natalie from danger and win her heart? Or will the truth he hides destroy their shot at love?

Titles in the His to Protect series include: Cowboy’s Last Stand ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Cowboy’s Last Stand
Series:  His to Protect
Author:  Jill Sorenson
Published:  September 3, 2025
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Cowboy’s Last Stand begins the His to Protect series as Jason travels, in his own unique way, to Last Chance, Texas, to fulfill a self-made promise to a friend and a fallen soldier.  When he meets Natalie, he hesitates, he delays delivering his message as the draw to his friend’s widow overpowers the mission he’s given himself to complete.  Also, there’s the unwanted attention Natalie is receiving from the town bully, who just won’t take no for an answer.  Jason’s protective nature and military training take over as he steps into the path of trouble.  He can’t walk away, but he’s also sure that Natalie won’t let him stay once she learns his truth.

I don’t think it’s possible to relay the emotional impact that Cowboy’s Last Stand delivers, and I’m not sure that I want to spoil that discovery for other readers either.  My heart broke for both Natalie and Jason in different ways, but their journey is full of the mingling of the past, the present, and perhaps the future if either will take the risks of speaking their own truths.

As the opening book in a new series, we’ll meet several characters who I hope will get their stories told as we continue in Last Chance.  If you love a well-written romance that will break your heart and heal it up by the story’s ending, if all the feels you could possibly want from a couple is what makes you turn to romance… then you’re going to love Cowboy’s Last Stand by Jill Sorenson.  I can’t wait to see what comes next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)