She’s no one’s second choice … 

Slater Highwater had his own reasons for coming home to Last Stand, Texas. And if anyone wants to know why a guy with a philosophy degree from an Ivy League school was now running the historic Last Stand Saloon, he has a stack of ready answers, none of which are completely true. 

But Joey Douglas never asked that question. Perhaps because she and Slater are always carrying on conversations no one else can follow. Or perhaps because she suspects she knows why he came home – her glamorous and calculating older sister broke his heart. 

Joey has longed for Slater since she first laid eyes on him, but her sister will always be an insurmountable barrier between them. Sure she and Slater click intellectually and sparks ignite whenever they’re in the same room, but Joey will never, ever settle for being Slater’s consolation prize no matter how much she loves him. 

Can Joey step out of her sister’s shadow? Can Slater convince Joey she’s his true soul mate?

Titles in the Texas Justice series include — The Lone Star Lawman – Lone Star Nights –

This series is part of the Last Stand, Texas group of connecting series.  (think Marietta, Montana– Tule Publishing’s other large set of series set in a fictional town).  For a look at the other series in the Last Stand connecting series please visit our Last Stand, Texas page.

Title:  Lone Star Nights
Series:  Texas Justice #2
Author:  Justine Davis
Genre:  Modern Western Romance
Published:  August 29, 2019
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

I fell in love with the Highwater family back in THE LONE STAR LAWMAN.  Brothers and sister, this family has been through rough times recently yet in spite of their occasional differences they’ve started the healing process to become closer than ever.  Slater is a good example.  He’s not saying why exactly he’s returned to Last Stand but there is plenty of speculation, especially since the breakup that saw his lady marrying someone else within weeks.  But, still, he’s not saying much, just running the bar and dealing with his father’s death, his brother’s disappearance and all the rumors that have started to crop up.  That’s about to change when his eyes are opened to reality as one woman steps back into his life with unexpected emotions attached.

Joey will not be second best to her sister, no, not happening.  It’s true that she’s loved Slater for years, unknown to him, fortunately, but her sister will always be there between them – in her mind at least – so it’s best to not let those feelings show or get out of hand.  Hard to do when the man rescues you from a sore loser, even harder when it seems the man is finally really seeing you.  It’s decision time for Joey.  Trust her heart and take the risk, or play it safe without Slater.

LONE STAR NIGHTS brings together two people who really do match up perfectly romantically yet have some obstacles in the way.  Joey’s stubbornness about competing with her sister over the man she loves is understandable in some ways, in other ways I simply wanted to tell her to get over it.  They are done, enjoy the fact that Slater really sees you now.  *grin*  But, of course, characters never listen to me.  I loved the growing relationship between the Highwater siblings.  Sage is a powerhouse and I can’t wait for her story to arrive.  The mystery remains, although there are clues to follow now that may bring answers finally to a family that’s hurting but surviving.

If you love small towns, a community of series that connect the residents of that small town in so many ways – or simply a darned good romance, then pick up LONE STAR NIGHTS.  I will always suggest starting at the beginning, and we’re only two stories in on this series so it wouldn’t be an impossible task, in my opinion, to go back to the start.  In any event, I’d not hesitate to recommend this story or these series to any reader who loves a good love story that draws you in and keeps you engaged until the end.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available for the Kindle