Asa (Marked Men #6) by Jay Crownover

Title: Asa
Series: Marked Men #6
Author: Jay Crownover
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: April 21st 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

Review

This is a sad review to write, as it signifies the end of a great series. I actually listened to the audio book versions of the entire series.  Let me tell you, that is the way to go; the variety in narrators and multiple narrators in each story really got me into the book.  Plus if you are a fan of a Southern accent, Asa has a wonderful one.

Asa grew on me, his troubled past and previous lack of care for others did not sit well with me.  It did give him plenty of room to grow though and that he did.  He eventually grew on me as a character and as a part of the crew's family.

The hurdle/issue Asa and Royal had to overcome was a difficult issue and kind of intense and hard to wrap my head around.  I could not really imagine being in that situation ; the whole thing made me rather uncomfortable.  Aside from that aspect of the plot, Asa was a great read and ended the series in a wonderful way.  I loved not only hearing Royal and Asa's story but also hearing all the other happy endings.

Rowdy (Marked Men #5) by Jay Crownover

Title: Rowdy
Series: Marked Men #5
Author: Jay Crownover
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: October 21st 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister.

Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.

Review

Goodness, what to say about Rowdy's story.  Rowdy has a lot going on and I liked it.  The rest of the Marked Men's story's continue, much to my enjoyment.  Similar to Nash, Rowdy was not a main focus character for me yet I still really enjoyed learning more about him.

Rowdy is a tough guy but also a sweetheart and I loved that trait.  I really really liked the dates he took Salem on and how it was a perfect blend of cute romance with steamy romance. While their romance is fiery it also grows throughout making it feel more real.

Between Salem's sister's drama and Rowdy's family surprises, I was flying through this book.  The plot never lets up. While some of the sister drama was a bit of a turn off, in the end I felt like it really came together.   I am definitely glad to have learned and understood more about Rowdy's character. This was another great addition to the series!

Rule (Marked Men #1) by Jay Crownover

Title: Rule
Author: Jay Crownover
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: May 7th 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want--and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

Review

Rule is my first Jay Crownover book, I am now a fan! Rule was the perfect new adult palette cleanser I was looking for. It was funny, steamy, and emotional yet still an easy read. I was easily transported right into Rule and Shaw’s world.

Rule is a bad boy; he sleeps around a lot, is full of tattoos and has some personal struggles. Shaw on the other hand, is his opposite. The good girl wanting the bad boy worked for me. Even though it was clear at times what was coming, the writing was just fantastic and had be overlooking any predictable plot points. Nothing felt forced, the drama fit wonderfully with each character and the overall story line. My only wish was that the ending was a bit longer, it felt a tad rushed.

Rule was a well done dual narrated audiobook. The steamy scenes perfectly complimented the emotional roller coaster Shaw and Rule were facing. Rule was my first but definitely not my last Crownover book; looking forward to the next one!

All Broke Down & All Played Out by Cora Carmack

Title: All Broke Down
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: October 28th 2014
Source: Bought

Summary from Goodreads:
In this second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can't only fight for what you believe in... sometimes you have to fight for what you love.

Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.

Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians you name it, she's probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He's in for a different kind of fighting. And though he's arrogant and infuriating, she can't help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause.

Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it's trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He's met girls like her before fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn't think he's broken, and he definitely doesn't need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about: his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help.

Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

Review

It is no surprise that I loved this book after really enjoying All Lined Up.  Holy steamy book, All Broke Down is by far the steamiest of Carmack's book. Similiar to book one, football plays a role in the story but in such a way that it truly adds to the character's backstory.  I am by no means a huge football fan but I thoroughly enjoyed the team dynamics between the guys. The blend of friendship, competition, and romance makes for a perfect sexy summer read.  Those sexy scenes took me by surprise but I was all for the kicking it up notch.

This story focuses on Silas, who was not a favorite in book one but this bad boy for sure forced me to have a change of heart.  The chemistry and raw emotions between Dylan and Silas felt honest.  Dylan carries some family issues with her while Silas has almost the complete opposite upbringing; they face struggles but are still able to communicate and make it work.  This book is just as strong, if not stronger than book one.  Even though the story standalone, the previously introduced characters play smaller but great supporting roles.

Title: All Played Out
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: Source:

Bought

Summary from Goodreads:
First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.
Straight A’s? CHECK.
On track to graduate early? CHECK.
Social life? …..yeah, about that….

With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience).

So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities.

Item #1? Hook up with a jock.

Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it.

Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game.

Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.

Review

"The future is never just one choice.  It's a thousand.  And they never stop.  You will choose your future every day of your life.  And should you wake up one day to find that you regret the choice you made the day before, then you make a new one."

All Played Out hands down is my favorite book in the series so far.  This one is not quite as steamy as All Broke Down but I felt more of a connection with Nell.  Nell is a smart, nerdy, goal driven individual that would rather dive face first into her school work than get distracted by other things. Nell decides she needs to change her ways and makes a to-do list to really 'experience' college. Lucky her, a super attractive football player has taken it upon him to help her complete her college bucket list.  Torres reminded me of a large teddy bear; he is sweet but also a protector.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is that the secondary characters continue to play roles throughout the entire series.  Nell becomes friends with the other girls and starts to expand her horizons and truly feel like she is growing and living.  I believe college is not only a educational experience but also a social experience.  It is not the easier to open up and try new things, I find it awesome that Nell decide to take on new challenges.

If I were to recommend one new adult series, hands down it would be this series.  The romance is a perfect amount of steamy, the characters have different histories and are well developed, and the plot is fast paced, not too heavy, and fun!

Finding it & Seeking Her by Cora Carmack

Title:Finding it
Series:  Losing It #3
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Release Date:October 15th 2013
Pages: Paperback, 304 pages,
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find where you truly belong...

Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life . . . or that's what she keeps telling herself.

It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.

Review

Kelsey never really captured my attention in the beginning of the series so starting was a bit rough for me.  Kelsey seemed to be on a path of self destruction, sleeping with different guys every night and drinking her days away. It was a bit predictable to guess that she had something else going on.  The story picked up after she started getting to know the tough guy who seems to be on a mission to get to know her. Jackson was her knight in shining armor and the romance is powerful, strong, and fast yet.  I enjoyed their chemistry, dynamic, and tension; the writing did an excellent job of blending the romance with some unease.

One of the big secrets, while not predictable, did seem to be a bit unoriginal.  Finding It was simply a middle of the road, average read.  I felt like I could not connect with the characters and they were not the most like-able people.  The overall tone was serious, full of deeper issues, personal growth and no humor.  The humor is what I feel in love with in the first book and the second book but seemed to be missing in this one.  Finding It just fell flat for me.  It was not bad by any means, I just had such high expectations after really enjoying Losing It.

Title:Seeking Her
Series:  Losing It #3.5
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Release Date:January 28th 2014
Pages: Kindle 160 Pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he’s going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal.

Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn’t exactly what he’d been looking for, but it’s a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren’t for the fact that Kelsey’s father doesn’t want Kelsey to know she’s being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She’s vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns that he suffered years ago, he decides it’s time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her, the more he wants her.

Review

Seeking Her is a novella that allows the reader to see the story from Jackson's point of view.  I wish the novella was like Keeping Her in that its focus is about the ever after, instead it is the same story just from a different view.  While others may like the change in POV, I feel like the story is too similar and I have a tendency to lose interest in reading the same story line just slightly different.

As mentioned before, I had a hard time connecting with both Kelsey and Jackson making the story hard to get into.  I would not recommend this one unless you loved Jackson and just want more from his perspective.  And you have to be okay with him being a bit stalker-ish.  Even with all that said, the writing is fast paced and an easy read.  I cannot wait to start Carmack's next series!

Faking it by Cora Carmack

Title:Faking It
Series:  Losing It #2
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Release Date:June 4th 2013
Pages: Paperback, 304 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.

Review

I absolutely devoured Losing It, so I was so excited to start Faking It and hear more about Cade since he got the short end of the stick in the first book.  I will first start off by saying I love how the books are a series yet since each book is about a different character, they can be read as a stand alone. Reading them in order gives the reader a bit more background and back story but the overall plot is quite stand alone with no cliff hangers.  I enjoyed the feeling of completeness after finishing this one!

Cade and Max have a whole different kind of relationship, one that started as pretend and turned into something real.  The biggest reservation I had, which is not really to the writing or story telling of the book but more a personal preference thing was that I was not a huge fan of the fact that Max was in a relationship for a bit while in the fake but real relationship with Cade.  Besides that aspect, I loved their chemistry and banter.  Both characters carried a past with them and needed help overcoming it; they were well developed and thought out characters, they never fell flat.

The whole situation was a comical one, while I thought the story had a bit more serious tone to it compared to Losing It, it was still quite enjoyable!  I loved Cade, he was a sweet, loving, and overall just good guy. Max had a lot going on, she had a lot of hurt and sadness in her past yet a strong personality and facade.  Together they made a great couple and a fun book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one, it did not quite have the light-hearted nature I fell in love with in book one yet it had a different rough but strong story line.  I recommend it if you enjoyed Losing It just keep in mind there is hardly any awkward, clumsy Bliss (who I thought was fantastic).

Keeping Her by Cora Carmack

Title: Keeping Her
Series: Losing It #1.5
Author: Cora Carmack
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date:August 13th 2013
Pages: ebook, 176 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.

Review

Thank goodness Cora Carmack wrote this novella; I needed more Garrick and Bliss!  Keeping Her is a cute, sweet glimpse into their happily-ever-after; warming your heart, leaving you grinning and feeling complete when you get to that final page. 

While this book would be generally considered a novella do not let that sway you from reading it, it felt more like a really short book :) Keeping Her is a perfect example of a novella done right; it adds to the story line and has character development without being redundant or without focus and purpose.  The romance/relationship between the two is a bit more serious yet still full of awkward and cute moments.

'That kid better watch it.  I'm totally a Slytherin.' I shook my head smiling.  

'Love, I'm going to need you to pull back on the crazy a bit.'

'You're right.  Realistically, I'm a Ravenclaw.'

Bliss continues to be unique and quirky, all while facing her soon-to-be in-laws for the first time!  The situation is of course a sticky and tense one.  Carmack captured the feelings and emotions between the couple and the parents; the real stress and tension was offset by their love for each other making it a great read!

"When I saw her name on the caller ID, it was like seeing the Dark Mark hovering above my apartment."

"My odds were looking about as good as a main character in Game of Thrones."

I highly recommend reading Losing It and following it up with Keeping Her! They are relate-able, believable and just fun books  I cannot wait to start Faking it :)