Asa by Jay Crownover

Jay Crownover’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with the much anticipated story of southern charmer and certified criminal Asa Cross.

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make. -Asa summary on Goodreads

ITS OVER! MARKED MEN IS OVER! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

In all seriousness, I am legitimately sad that this series is over! Oh! My sweet, tattooed, messy, and sexy as hell, tattoo artists, rockstars, ex military, bartenders... I will miss you all and the badass women who stole you're hearts.

*small cry fest while holding onto my paper backs for dear life*

Enough of that. Okay.

Asa and Royal had a great story, and although it was probably one of the more tame books, as far as it's drama, it was still amazing. The hurtle that needed to be overcome was believable, and it didn't leave me feeling like either character was overreacting, or that it was just there to hold page space between the characters falling in love and their HEA.

Asa, the sexy former (former?) bad boy . He was a real piece of crap in Jet, and even though he was trying to be a better man/ brother, I was super surprised when I found out he was getting his own book. Yeah, he wasn't the best guy in the world before, he was pretty freakin horrible honestly, but I liked his message about second chances, and learning from your mistakes.

Plus like I said, yummy! and who wouldn't forgive the handsome bad boy with a southern accent and wicked smile?

(This would be my Asa if he was a tad blonde, Parker Gregory. Thanks google.)

Royal! I was truly excited for her. I LOVED her in Nash, and I identified with her a lot in this book. I liked that she was the one doing the chasing, and I liked how she was all in no matter what. Sometimes its nice to see a female lead who is the strong and steady one, and the guy being the character that needs to get over an emotional impasse.

So overall I give this book 5 keos, what an AWESOME END to one of my ALL TIME favorite romance series. Thanks Jay Crownover, for first being so kick ass and starting these books in the first place, but also for ending it in the best way. LOVED all the warm fuzzy moments, and how it ended on such a high note.

I will be re-reading the crap out of these books, I will also try to calm my soul with Jay's The Point series, and wait (on the edge of my seat) for The Saints of Denver series coming out hopefully soon.

XOXO -E

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Freefall, Clutch and Dray by Tess Oliver

 

After leaving high school, with a hard won diploma and the title of most likely to break hearts, Alexander "Nix" Pierce has left his wild, out of control years mostly behind him. A small inheritance from his grandfather has given him the funds to open up his tattoo shop, Freefall, and he has started to pull his life together. Aside from trying to keep his best friend, Dray, from killing himself in the fight ring, and his slight obsession with a pin-up model he's never met, Nix's life is going smoothly . . . until Scotlyn James, the object of his obsession, walks into his shop.
Ever since a tragic accident killed her family and left her alone in the world, Scotlyn James hasn't spoken one word. Up until now she didn't care that she had no way of talking to people. Her awful aunt would never have listened, and Lincoln Hammond the arrogant, selfish man who pulled her from the streets of Los Angeles wouldn't hear her words if she could speak. But when Lincoln insists she get a tattoo to cover up a scar on her side, Scotlyn meets the artist, Nix Pierce. And now she longs for her voice. Now she has found someone who will hear her. -Freefall summary on Goodreads

Book #2 

When Taylor Flinn’s parents shipped her off to an aunt for her last year of high school, James “Clutch” Mason had convinced himself it was for the best. Taylor, the wild, impulsive and far-too-appealing seventeen-year-old had been driving him nuts. Her school girl crush on him had been the last thing he needed. Now he had time to concentrate on his booming classic car part business, his new found love-- drag racing, and keeping his twenty-year-old brother Barrett out of trouble.
But when Taylor returns from her aunt’s more grown up, utterly seductive, and attached to another guy, Clutch realizes that the only thing he ever needed or wanted was Taylor Flinn. - Clutch summary on Goodreads

Book #3
When Cassie, the woman he loves, leaves him for a job in New York, Dray Warner finds his life falling apart. With nothing else to lose he takes up his friend, Barrett Mason’s, offer to head down to Mexico for some surfing and good times. But Dray’s conscience, hot temper and extreme fighting skills hurl him into a world of danger . . . a danger that could cost him his life.

Cassie Carlton was sure she was making the right decision accepting her dream job in New York. She and Dray had parted ways and while she remains heartbroken by the break up, she needs to move on with her life. But when Cassie learns that Dray is in trouble, she realizes she will sacrifice anything to save him. -Dray summary on Goodreads

This was a cute series. I was instantly attracted to the books and devoured them over two days.

There was definitely character building that needed to be done, but the stories we're small quick reads. Also since it wasn't a YA series, I was kind of put off that the Romantic side of the stories were basically cut out just as they got good. (lets be real here I want to see them actually get together dangit!) That also got better throughout the series. However a bunch of really important scenes seemed to be missing. Once I got through all the fighting and turmoil from the hurtle that the couples overcame, the books would just end, or not really give the me the closer that I needed from dealing with all the drama.

So overall the series so far is cute, and i liked it enough, but its not one of my favorites.

Rhett the next book in the series is out now but I'll probably read that later. 

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Beautiful Redemption by Jaime Mcguire (some what spoiler review)

If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first? 

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case. 

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI. 

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all. 

In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last. - Beautiful Redemtion summary on Goodreads.

I was so excited for Thomas, in the previous books he really captured my attention and the summary on good reads made me interested in meeting Liis, but honestly end of the book, I didn't feel a strong connection to their relationship. It still felt like for me anyway, that Thomas only wanted to get with her because he wanted to forget his ex Cami. 

There was no getting to know you phase (huge pet peeve for me) and their relationship read like it was instant love. I met you in a bar, we said five words to each other, then we boned (ps the love scene was written like they had some deep connection which irked me), and Wham! True love, but no real character building to make it seem real. Especially with his STRONG feelings for Cami, it just makes it seem like (sorry to be crude)  Liis has a magic vagina that changed him after a roll in the bed. 

There was NO flirty banter shared before they left the bar, it honestly didn't even sound like she was interested in him before she agreed to do the deed. BUT hey what does that matter, right?

 If this was real life, Thomas would have finally just picked a random girl to end his dry spell, and sure the sex would have been great but it wouldn't have been like he finally got with the girl of his dreams after waiting so long. In the book however, he had finally found his match, even though he had talked to her for two minutes prior.  Yes it was good but since there was NO chemistry between the two before they hopped in bed, really any chic could have cut it. Lets get real here it was just physical and thats an okay place to start they don't have to have this fated feel to them right off the bat, this isn't a YA novel. 

It also bugged me that this was supposed to be about Liis and Thomas but at every turn he was saying how much he loved Cami, and even at the end of the book it doesnt say that he wasnt any more, just that he loved Liis more. (Yeah sure, doesnt sound like it) 

Man I was really looking forward to this book and I thought for sure Thomas was going to be my favorite. I was really disappointed.

I gave this book 3 Keos, because it did have a lot of promise, the story concept and the plot to save Travis was really interesting, and as much as I had an issue with their love story, the background storyline was pretty excellent. I hate to harp this again but maybe if some of this story was in Thomas's POV I would have understood him more.

I'm not too sure if I will continue on with the series after this, mostly because Ive never been absolutely blown away with any of the books so far, but I might. 

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Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

The Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster phenomenon continues in the first heart-pounding new adult romance in The Maddox Brothers series.

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.

Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt. 

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red. 

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.

In the first installment of the Maddox Brothers books, readers can experience the rush of reading Beautiful Disaster for the first time, all over again. - Beautiful Oblivion summary on Goodreads

I liked Cami thought she would did everything I would in her situation. Even though it was a messy love triangle kind of story (normally I hate that), There really wasn't anything that was  binding her to TJ for me. I was tream Trent from the start. Trent was really similar to Travis to me. I obviously liked him.

I would as much as i liked this book, I would have LOVED it in alt POVS. I liked Trent , but I would have connected to him ALOT more if i could have taken a sneak peak into his head.

The twist at the end with who TJ was defiantly threw me. I have to say that i didn't see that coming but it did make a lot of things much more clear, I still think it's a weird situation for Cami, and I'm sure that it will make for tons of drama in books to come.

What in the hell was that little tid bit that totally tripped me up from the Abby and Travis story?! Seriously?! 

I overall liked Beautiful Oblivion but i really need the alt POVs to LOVE it.

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A Beautiful Wedding by Jamie Mcguire

You know that Abby Abernathy unexpectedly became Mrs. Maddox. But what do you really know?

Why did Abby pop the question?
What secrets were shared before the ceremony?
Where did they spend their wedding night?
Who else knew about it . . . and didn’t tell?

Everything about Abby and Travis’s elopement was top-secret . . . until now. Fans of Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster will get all of their questions answered in this whirlwind tale of the wedding day (and night!)—and as with all good stories, this one will definitely have been worth the wait. - A Beautiful Wedding summary on Goodreads


This was a cute novella, let me tell you though that I was not planning on reading this right now. This is all Beautiful Oblivions fault. It was fun to watch Travis and Abby get married, but the reason behind Abby asking him freaked me the hell out. I felt better about it after this but it really threw me and I was angry as hell at first. I wished that travis would have found out and it rubbed me the wrong way that he didn't, but it all worked itself out in the end.

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Bad For Me by Codi Gary

Callie Jacobsen isn't about to open her heart to just anyone. Not so very long ago, trusting someone changed her life forever—and not in a fun way. Now she's better off focusing on her career, her friends, and her dog. So when former Marine Everett Silverton takes an interest in her, Callie's more than a little wary. No matter how charming he is, men are a bad idea. In fact, she's got the scars to prove it.

But Everett isn't convinced Callie should shut everyone out—especially not him. He may be a hero to the people of Rock Canyon, but he's got his own demons, and he bets they're not that different from Callie's. Still, he knows it's going to take more than chemistry to get her to let her guard down. Everett will do whatever it takes to show her she's safe with him. All she has to do is take a chance, take a step … and take his hand. - Bad For Me summary on Goodreads

MAN OH MAN, I loved the characters. Rhett melted my heart. I thought I liked him well enough from his brothers book, but DAMN.  He was sexy and strong, and sometimes pig headed but he learns from his mistakes and apologizes when he's wrong. I would rather have that than some guy who always got it right. 
Now Callie, she was so damn realistic, and messy and perrrfeeccttt. I think again it was all her flaws that I related to. She experienced so much and even though it had an obvious impact and she slid down hill, she managed to catch herself and climb back up. I appreciated her anger, and her passion and I liked watching her learn from that and grow.

I really have nothing bad to say for this book except I wanted more. This book is a contender for book of the month for SURE.

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Fall With Me by J Lynn (sorry the font is all messed up! i can't fix it.)

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.
Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.
But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself. -Fall With Me summary on Goodreads



I was so excited for this book and jumped right into it instead of following my TBR list, THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WITH A JENNIFER ARMENTROUT NOVEL!! 
I liked the characters well enough, but they just didn't affect me like the other characters in the series. There was so much misunderstanding going on between them from the very beginning, that it was hard for me to feel the connection between the two. It's written that they have known each other since forever but I would have liked to see more proof of that, maybe some flash back chapters to help build their relationship. Their chemistry however was delicious, and Reece was just as strong and alpha as I pictured from Stay With Me. Roxy was a cute spit fire who I really related to. Even though I wish I could have seen more of their relationship pre huge misunderstanding, I did think they complemented each other.
I liked the story but it took a while to really get going. This could have been also because  the turmoil between Roxy and Reece, its a constant the whole book so nothing really changes as far as story line wise, almost to the end. BUT DAMN WHAT AN ENDING, so that pretty much made up for it.
I also would have liked more about charlie. He was this integral part of Roxy's world, but aside from a small flash back from when he was attacked, we don't really see their relationship. As much as I felt for him, it could have been a lot more.





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Stay With Me by J Lynn

At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom. - Stay With Me summary on Goodreads

I loved these two! Holy hot damn, I think Jax might be my new favorite. (Sorry Cam) First off, i spent the WHOLE damn book trying to figure out his connection to Calla. I would like to say that I normally can guess a twist from far away, but this was so simple and perfect that it threw me. (not afraid to admit that even though there was proof the the contrary,  my guess was that he was some friend from her childhood past that she didn't remember. WAY OFF.) Calla was pretty perfect too, I didn't feel like she was some damsel in distress who needed saving. She was honest and straight up about needing help instead of being the dumb character that tries to handle a ridiculous situation on her own, making it worse. She was a really strong female character and I loved her.

OH MAN, if ever I've been spoiled with alternating POV's it was reading this book. As much as I enjoyed reading Calla's story I need something in Jax POV.  FYI This is me begging JLA to give us a Stay with Me novella.

This got five Keos because we also got to keep up with our favorites from books past. Stay with Me wasn't set in the same location, and we were introduced to all these new characters to love, but Jase, Cam, Avery and Teresa still had a huge part in the story.

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