I always take longer to write a review on Amy Harmon’s work because I feel she pours her heart into her words, and what kind of review of my words can do that any justice? So this time, my review is a hokku. Why? For the characters, of course. When you read The Outlaw Noble Salt, you’ll understand. I’ll also simply say, preorder this book. Pick up any Harmon book. You’ll fall in love.

Spoiler free review:
An American Legend
gets a second chance.

Gorgeous, lyrical.
Beautiful storytelling.
Noble characters.

How does she do it?
Another Harmon classic.
Never stop writing.

Reasons to read:
-incredibly written characters
- Complex themes
- Lyrical writing
- Romance with Depth
- heartbreaking and hopeful plot

My Thoughts:

Amy Harmon captures the tragic but thrilling spirit of the Wild West in her latest novel, The Outlaw Nobel Salt.

Famed outlaw, Butch Cassidy was a genuine historical figure. A legend born during a turbulent time in American history. I so loved the way that Amy Harmon chose to portray him in Noble Salt, as I will refer to him from this point on. He embodied the name he adopted in this story, a character that, while famous for his crimes, held high morals and abided by a set of principles he carried close. I thoroughly enjoyed the many uses of poetry, or haiku, throughout the story as it added insight into Noble’s character, expressing the emotions and revealing a complex story underneath the calm and collected personality he portrayed.

The side characters, and female lead, Jane, were memorable and influential on the plot. They were pinnacle to the growth of Noble, and wonderfully complex - done to the distable villain. I was invested in the outcomes of each character's life and was not disappointed. The romance between Noble Salt, and Jane developed quickly, yet held an intensity unique to them. They felt things deeply, yet hardened by life. I enjoyed the patience shown by Noble and the strong connection he developed with Jane and her young son, Gus.

There is no denying the quality of the writing found in Noble Salt. Harmon has a gift for weaving emotion into every word. Nothing is forgotten in the plot, and no scene is without meaning. I love finding the small connections she creates throughout the story, slowly lighting your mind, moment by moment for a breathtaking conclusion. I found myself loving and pitying characters who, in real life would be considered criminals and loathing others who were deemed “ good” based on their class. It was a brilliant reading experience and a reminder that not everyone is who they seem. I fell in love with those labeled as villains in history, yet loathed the others traditionally held in high esteem in society.

The Outlaw Noble Salt, for me, was more than the thrilling grit you come to expect from a Western, it was a novel with incredible depth, a love story between wounded souls, and the liberating tale of a man on the run who came to be known as Noble.

I recommend it.

****The following content guide may contain potential spoilers***

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 :
Romance: Vague open door
Trigger warnings: Murder, death, strong language, rape, torture, miscarriage

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thank you to netgalley and Lake Union Publishers for providing me a copy of The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon. I have enjoyed reading Amy Harmons book and this one does not disappoint she it basically is a retelling of Butch Cassidy but with a romance twist.
I did not know anything about Butch Cassidy but the author explains about a character who wants to help others, even though he is an outlaw.

Amy Harmon always and consistently delivers fantastic stories that wrench at the heart. Her style is so captivating and she always manages to write multifaceted characters. Her writing is so good, and she's amazing at doing research. The Outlaw Noble Salt is no exception, and it leaves you wanting more stories that are so we'll-written. Highly recommend for all Amy Harmon fans, as well as anyone wanting to dig deeper into the wild west.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC and for the opportunity to review this book. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

From the publisher: a sweepingly romantic tale of risk, redemption, and what happens when America’s most famous outlaw falls in love.

Where does one begin when reviewing an Amy Harmon novel? I always feel incredibly inadequate to put into words my feelings about her beautiful books, but I’ll do my best.

I’ll start by saying that these incredibly complex and well formed characters grabbed me and held on more than probably any other Harmon novel. They dug deep into my heart (even Van!!) with their struggles and striving for second chances.

The romance in this story is so tender, beautiful, and redemptive. It’s been a long time since I wanted two characters to get their happy ending as much as I wanted Noble and Jane (and Gus) to live happily ever after.

Harmon puts your heart through the wringer with this one, but… I wouldn’t want it any other way!

And in honor of these characters, here’s my haiku for this book (I hope I did it right):

Could not put it down,
a new five star Harmon book…
No one is surprised

I’m not even sure how to start this review. Harmon has a way of writing characters where they start unassuming and then they just weasel their way into your heart. You don’t even realize how much you love them until the end when your heart is breaking and you’re crying! Noble Salt, Augustus, and Jane wormed their way so deep into my heart that I think I want to stay with them forever!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Probably a 3.75 rounded up. As much as I loved the surrounding history I just didn't feel connected to the characters.

“Love means you stay.”

When I sit down to read an Amy Harmon book, I immediately know 3 things:
1-the writing will be stellar
2-the story will be fascinating
3-I will have trouble putting it down.
The Outlaw Noble Salt proved all of these to be true.

“Fate settles the score, and karma catches up.”

This book is a tall tale based on Butch Cassidy, the famous outlaw of the Wild West. It takes place at a time in his life when he is trying to walk the straight and narrow and leave his outlaw life behind.

He takes a job working as “security” for Jane Toussaint, a famous Paris opera singer. Butch had met Jane years earlier in New York where he introduced himself using the alias Noble Salt. She is set to tour America with her young son Augustus and is anxious to leave her skeletons behind. Jane has not had an easy life and as a result has built very strong walls and kept heartbreaking secrets.

Butch and Jane build a strong trust. When trouble arises and the past invades the present, Noble Salt will do whatever it takes to keep Jane and Augustus safe. Decisions will be made out of love but ironically cause heartbreak.

“Running doesn’t work. Life is faster than we are.”

This is another unique and fascinating story from Amy Harmon. Her ability to reach into the past and create stories that are sweeping and brilliant and make us fall in love with characters like Butch Cassidy is a true talent and remarkable gift. I dare you not to fall for the remorseful and kindhearted outlaw who desperately wants to live the remainder of his life as a good man with love in his heart.

Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Before I picked up The Outlaw Noble Salt, I just finished a book that made me realize I don't enjoy historical fiction that leans heavily on the side of fiction but with a real, well-known person. Unfortunately, this was my next book in the queue: a sweeping historical romance that takes the character of Butch Cassidy and gives him a completely fabricated romance later in life. Fair enough, why not? This is not exactly uncommon in novel writing. Except I would have easily given in to the (admittedly) excellent writing and epic, star-crossed love story had it not been between one very real person and one very fictional person, an opera mother with a young son. This will be a great book for a lot of people; judging by the reviews, it already is. And that's great, as the writing, plotting, and characters are all excellent in this novel. I also have now realized that I don't really like heavy, serious romances - I'm more appreciative of rom-coms. So, again, I'm just the wrong audience for this book and I urge you to give it a try if you like intense, well-written, closed-door romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital review copy.

I feel like I am becoming a broken record when I talk about an Amy Harmon book, but that is because she consistently blows me away with each story. And she has truly found a niche in writing historical fiction. The way she weaves a fictional story around a true-life character is simply stunning.

Robert LeRoy Parker, otherwise, famously known as Butch Cassidy, has been a person I have been fascinated with for most of my life. Mostly because there has always been an air of mystery around whether he and The Sundance Kid were truly killed in that hideout in Bolivia. And Amy expertly weaves a story that gives readers closure, albeit fictional, on what truly happened to them. I admit, when I finished the story, with tears running down my face, I was hook, line and sinker convinced that is really what happened. It took me reading the final closing notes from the author to come back to reality and reel myself in that she took fictional liberties. But that is Amy’s magic. She draws you so completely into the story that you believe you’re reading a true-life account.

I so loved Jane and Augustus Toussaint. They became larger than life for me, but at the same time the most down to earth, real people I could imagine. As did Van, and Harry and especially Noble Salt, a.k.a. Butch Cassidy. The cards in life that Jane were dealt were a losing hand, and poor Augustus being born with a facial disfigurement stacked the deck against him. But he truly was a child like no other, whose inquisitiveness and devotion to his mother endeared him forever in my heart.

On paper, Noble and Jane made no sense, but they were drawn to each other in a way they’d never been with anyone else in their lives. It made both of them rethink everything about their futures. Butch had long given up on ever finding love or steadiness, referring to himself as a tumbleweed, always blowing somewhere with the wind. And Jane, has always been the caged bird, under the thumb of men who controlled every aspect of her life and her body. Could Butch help her fly free?

There is just so much I could say about this story. I really feel like this is one of Amy’s best to date. The emotions I felt while reading, the way I could envision everything I was reading. Even though there is romance entwined in the story, it is not easy or soft and Jane and Butch have to fight for every bit of it. But that’s real life, isn’t it? The best things never come easy.

“Love means you come back.” This line resonated with me so much. I hoped and prayed that Jane and Butch would be able to find a way to be together, but knowing the real-life story of Butch Cassidy there was no way, right? All I can say is, I was raw and hurting by the end, but at the same time my heart was so full and the tears streaming down my face were both happy and sad. Only Amy could make me do that!

As with every Amy story I read, I will be thinking about this one for many years to come. And as I always do, on any random day I’ll pick this book up and revisit these characters and sit in my feels all over again.

I will gladly read anything by Amy Harmon but when I saw she was writing a book about the outlaw Butch Cassidy, I didn't just want to read it, I NEEDED TO. This book was full of heart from the first pages to the last. Filled with characters I wasn't sure about at first, but gradually learned to love just like our heart-wrenching outlaw.
Noble is by far the best character in this book and why shouldn't he be? Its about him right? BUT MY WORD I was not prepared to fall so helplessly in love with him. He was so wise, though he didn't have much of an education. Every word that came out of his mouth, words written by Amy hands, was absolutely stunning.
There were a few things I wished we could've had a little bit more of, the outlaw side of living, BUT in reality this book wasn't about that. It took an outlaw, a legend of a man from the last of the Wild West and gave him a story I feel he so rightly deserved.
The romance, the characters, EVERY INCH OF THIS BOOK was a beautiful tale and I highly recommend if you love those morally grey characters that steal your heart.

“He had the flavor of places she couldn’t even imagine in his voice. A land of long stretches, tall mountains, and blazing suns.”

Harmon writes male love interests that are strong, a bit old fashioned, and the ultimate protectors - which I love. I haven’t seen many people post a trigger warning for this story, which I think is important in this case. There are recurrent scenes and themes with rape, abuse, and miscarriage. These dark themes slowed me down at times but because it was Amy Harmon, the goddess of story writing, I pushed through and I’d encourage others to as well. As with all hard subjects, Harmon handles them with deep care and overarching deeper perspectives.

In this recent book, Harmon seamlessly weaves between multiple POVs. I liked this new style of weaving through different characters in the same chapter without first announcing the POV. Only in the hands of a master novelist could this be done so seamlessly.

I loved this imaginative retelling of Butch Cassidy and was impressed with how Harmon rewrote the ending in a way that made you wondering, “what if?”

I've always been fascinated with the story of Butch Cassidy. I grew up not too far from where he was from. And I watched the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid several times when it came out. Of course we can never 100% know the full story of his life and childhood and what made him make decisions he did. But I really liked the tale that Amy Harmon wove throughout this book. And it had me as a reader really wishing and hoping that this was maybe—hopefully—more along the lines of what happened.

There's so much within these pages. Wow! I'm always drawn to this author's writing style. And this book was just as captivating with her prose and creation of characters and storyline. The way she delved into Butch Cassidy's character and creating hopes and dreams, regrets and sorrows, pulled me as a reader to connect with him emotionally. Yes, he's fictional, but there's so much about his story that you see in many people. The struggles of their upbringing, their decisions made that they wish they could change, their hope and trying for something better but not being forgiven or allowed the chance to change in some people's eyes. It was a powerful look at humans and human nature.

Not only for his character but also for the heroine's character, Jane. Her story is heartbreaking but wonderful! I loved her tenacity! Her desire to better her life for her son's sake. There's a lot going on there that I'm not going to say anymore about it because you have to discover it all on the journey of reading their story.

When Butch and Jane's lives cross it is so sweet to watch. There's a lot of trust to be earned and kept and protection and fear and hope and yes, even love. Be warned, you might feel a lot of emotions and might even cry over this one. You have been warned!

***There will be some TRIGGER WARNINGS/SPOILERS below my initial content section, within the asterisk so read at your own discretion***

Content: Definitely more of a high end PG-13 rating for this one. It pushes what I'm comfortable reading. And probably is not what most of my clean reads friends would want to read. There are moments of peril, gun fights, talk of stealing and attacks. There are curse words throughout the book. Innuendos scattered throughout the book as well as talk of prostitution. Some on page scenes of a married couple talking about intimacy as well as a couple of scenes that aren't closed door intimacy between a married couple.
********There is talk of sexual assault and long-term abuse. A character has a miscarriage that is talked about in some detail. There is also a brief mention of suicide.****************

I received a copy from the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

The Outlaw Noble Salt
by Amy Harmon
Pub Date: 09 Apr 2024

If you haven't already discovered Amy Harmon, I implore you...read her books! She is a creative genius who fleshes out her characters and all their imperfections perfectly! She has crossed several genres, but her most recent works are historical fiction with a special twist. She takes a well-known name(s) from the past and breathes so much life to her characters that it is hard to remember it is fiction created only from her mind.

The outlaw Noble Salt is in fact Butch Cassidy. He is not a good man, but he has a good heart and does good things. Talk about an oxymoron made flesh...He crosses paths with Jane, the Parisian songbird and her son, Augustus. While Jane's talent and beauty is revered, Augustus is repulsed due to a birthmark marring half of his face. Their initial meeting is one of a chance encounter when Butch is mistaken for a doctor to take care of a severely ill Augustus. And Noble Salt comes to be...one of many aliases Robert LeRoy Parker will have in life, but none a truer name to be called nor longed to be earned.

The relationships and character building in this book are epic! The writing is lyrical and at times so heartbreaking. I think I cried as much as my heart sored. Noble, while he should probably be viewed as an anti-hero was actually one of the most heroic characters I have ever read. He was always putting others first, willing to sacrifice everything for those he loved. The family Noble, Jane and Gus created first out of necessity, but then one of choice was just so pure of heart. Even the side characters who were flawed and unbelievably selfish managed to capture me by the end. Harry and Van, how dare you make me invest any emotions in you!

This book made me feel all the feels! And the moment I read the final words, I wanted to immediately start back at the beginning...as soon as my emotionally exhausted heart recovers.

Noble, Jane and Gus
Broken, but healed together
Family forever

5 stars

I am now in love with Butch Cassidy. I didn’t know that would be possible but Amy Harmon has done it again. This book was incredible.

" some people are just ours"

As I read through the book, I found myself drawn into the author's narrative with curiosity. The characters' struggles and triumphs painted a vivid picture of their challenging life experiences and encounters with adversity.

Their journey through difficult times, encountering obstacles and facing adversity, showcased the harsh realities they had to overcome before finding resilience and strength.

" mom always said second chances were easy to give but it was hard deciding who to give them to"

The bond between the main character and the love of his life was portrayed authentically, showcasing his unwavering dedication to protect her and her child, enriched by the backdrop of their difficult pasts.

Throughout the story, the characters' courage in facing adversity served as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, inspiring admiration.

" Running doesnt work. Life is faster then we are. Always"

The collective decisions made by the characters highlighted the importance of unity and support, emphasizing the strength found in community. The book's exploration of human connections and resilience left a lasting impression on me, evoking a sense of reverence for the human experience.

As I turned the final page, I couldn't help but be deeply moved by the author's skillful storytelling and the profound emotions it stirred within me. With each chapter, I felt a deeper connection to the characters and their journey, eagerly anticipating what the author will craft next in their upcoming book.

.

This historical fiction by Amy Harmon features the infamous Butch Cassidy (under the alias Noble Salt) and a fictional leading lady, an opera singer named Jane and her lovable son Gus. Butch meets her by chance and falls in love with her, and attempts to stay out of trouble while he escorts her across the ocean for a tour in America.

Plenty of intrigue keeps the story moving along. Butch is on the run from the authorities, so there is suspense around every corner as you wait for the other shoe to drop. Ultimately this is a story about love, and overcoming the trauma that prevents us from loving fully. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and was engaged from the very first page until the very last.

I was rooting so hard for Butch, Jane, and Gus, that I was disappointed to get to the author’s note and learn that they were completely fictional. If you go in eyes wide open knowing this, I think you’ll still thoroughly enjoy the book. I still got the exposure to a time and character with which I’m not familiar, which is what I love so much about historical fiction, so it was time well spent.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy. 4 stars, recommend!

4.5 stars:

There is so much emotion in this book! It’s impossible not to fall in love with these characters. There is adventure, love, and found family, and you couldn’t help but root for a happy ending. I enjoyed the haiku poems at the start of every chapter and the way the poetry became a theme within the story itself. Definitely add this to your TBR and read it when you need an epic story to fill you with hope.

“He was Noble Salt, the very epitome of those two words, good to his bones, honest to his core—impossibly so—and such a godsend that she’d had to reconsider her limp and often lifeless belief in the Almighty.”

The story of Noble Salt is a story of love and redemption. It is based on the character of Noble Salt also known as Butch Cassidy who, in spite of his criminal history, has a heart of gold. A chance meeting with a beautiful singer, leads him to the love of his life which he finds not only in a beautiful but broken woman but in her young son. Other characters from Butch’s past continue to intrude as he attempts to make a new life for himself with tragic results. This story examines family relationships and how the need to protect those we love, can require difficult sacrifices. As always, Amy Harmon weaves an exciting plot with a tender love story. This book had me turning the next page to find out if these two wounded people could find the peace & happiness they both deserved. Amy Harmon continues to be a must read author for me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read & review and ARC of this book. The options expressed are my

I think this book was written just for me.

Growing up, I never forgot that I lived in what used to be the Wild West, thanks to my cowboy grandpa and his love for Mormon history, wild west stories, Butch Cassidy, and Native Americans. He told endless stories and wrote scores of fiction books about the wild frontier, so I like to think these stories are somehow imprinted in me too.

The Outlaw Noble Salt combines my ancestral history, my ceaseless love and fascination with the wild west, and my current love for romances and books that make me cry. I was enthralled with every chapter, and I have a deep love for each character in this book. I feel so grateful to have spent time with these characters and to never forget them.

The plot, though not full of train and bank robberies, holds its own heart-stopping tension. I was so stressed through this book, wondering how everything would work out. Amy Harmon isn't afraid of addressing difficult subjects and creating a torrent of emotions for the reader. But true to her style, I trust her endings. And this book had the perfect ending I think it could have had. But that didn't stop me from sobbing.

This is without a doubt my favorite Amy Harmon book so far. It touched me in a deeply personal way, and reminded me of hiding in my grandpa's barn with the horses, reading his wild west stories and wondering what it would be like to have nothing but a horse, a saddlebag, a dream, and wide open space. I love this book with my whole heart.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Amy Harmon, for the arc!
Releases April 9, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: fighting violence and death, swearing, miscarriage, sexual abuse recounted, two vague open door scenes