ARC REVIEW Unforgiven by Jay Crownover

Loveless Texas #2, I'm listing this as more contemporary then suspense because while there is a mystery and some action it falls secondary to the emotional romance between Hill and Kody. I was so excited for Kody and Hill and it did not disappoint. Hill has loved Kody from the very start of their friendship but as they got older Kody fell for his brother. Hill while happy for them was heartbroken and as soon as he could he left. Kody was torn between the two brothers, Aaron was her age and the most like her he was quick to react, moody, and so sweet. Aaron and Hill Gamble were Kody's first real friends and even after Hill left Kody would call on him for advice. But Hill could only take so much loving Kody from afar and seeing how Aaron was falling apart and sometime horrible to Hill so Hill started to back off. It wasn't fair that Aaron killed himself before the wedding and it wasn't fair that Kody spewed all her anger at Hill and Hill took it because he thought she was right it was all his fault. Now he's ready to take the brunt of her anger and hatred again because her father was murdered and he was the one who told her.

Kody starts to remember that her feelings for Hill go way back and even as mean as she has been to him since Aaron's death Hill still stands by her, he still worries about her and he still in little ways shows her he cares. Little by little Kody starts to realize her anger was misplaced and that his abandonment all those years ago is what fed her anger. But Hill his here now and although the timing might not be ideal Kody and Hill are finally getting their chance to clear the air and as long as the psycho killer doesn't get to her first they are willing to try for their HEA.

The small suspense part deals with who murdered Conrad Lawton and why. Hill while not technically on the case is helping out because the Tx Rangers believe have a local will help loosen lips and as hated as Conrad was the suspect list is endless. Now the ending is a little open ended all the major question get answered but one little detail is left which is what leads us to the next book. Overall, outstanding book. It's an emotion book about unrequited love finally coming to fruition. The suspense part was good, I enjoyed it and I kind of figured it was going to leave off the way it did.

ARC REVIEW Forever Strong by Piper J Drake

True Heroes #6, Ever since Zu walked into the room with Buck in book 4, Total Bravery, I knew that this strong, silent, intimidating man would be my next book boyfriend. It was worth the wait because this book was fantastic. Piper J. Drake is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, top ten easily, she's already an autobuy author, as in if I see the book on the shelf and I don't have it I buy it. I love her diverse characters, especially the ones in the latter part of the series. This was an action-packed edge of my seat story I didn't want to put down. It is definitely one of my favorites in the series.

Jang Ying Yue was one of the people that Zu rescued from a cargo container in the last book, for this story arc I would recommend reading at least from book 4 although it can be read as a standalone. Ying Yue was kidnapped in Singapore and brought to Hawaii for ransom and to manipulate her father into doing something bad with his international, has government contracts, corporation. Zu feels a pull toward Ying Yue, he feels more protective over her than anybody else. She questions him about the decisions he makes so that she understands what he's doing and voices her concerns and her wants and needs and it just makes Zu like her even more. Even after rescuing her from the initial kidnapping they realize she's still not safe and Zu won't have anyone but himself and Buck protecting her. When the shit hits the fan, as it always seems to do, friends old and new come to lend a helping hand, and dog.

Overall, I'm gonna cry I think this is the last book of the series...Say it Ain't So! I really loved this series and Forever Strong (if it is the last book) is a strong finish to the series. I loved that she brought in all True Heroes and their people from the previous books. It is a well paced action with plenty of emotion and romance, loveable dogs and one pig. Definitely great reads. 

ACR REVIEW Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday

Matchmaker Bay #1, An adorable, heartwarming, and sexy small town romance. Eve Abbott use to spend her summers in Moonflower Bay, she even fell in love there but the last time she was there the love of her life, Sawyer Collins, broke her heart in such a horrible way she didn't return for ten years. The only reason she did return was because her great-aunt left her the Mermaid Inn with the stipulation she had to stay there a year before she could sell the place. The Inn was in serious need of some TLC and Eve's parent convinced her to use the year remodeling the place so she could get more money when she sold.

Police Chief Sawyer Collins as much as it hurt he knows he did the right thing ten years ago and now she's back and he can't help but want her. Eve has every right to hate him but there's a fine line between love and hate. Sawyer has one year with her and he isn't sure he wants to risk is heart again only to have her leave again, but his Evie is hard to resist especially when all the little old biddies keep trying to put them together.

Eve's plan isn't just to fix the inn she going to finally get over her fear of water and learn to swim and she's finally going to get over Sawyer. She, at first, tries to hate Sawyer. That doesn't last long it's hard to hate him when he's such a good guy and then she finally gives in and thinks one last time get it out of their system but Sawyer is remarkable. Between raising his little sister protecting her from their erratic father, taking care of the townspeople, and not-so-covertly helping her renovate she slowly realizes she still loves him. Eve has a life back in Toronto a job and a promotion waiting for her she can't run the inn on her own, and this thing with Sawyer is supposed to be casual, right?

Overall, it was such a sweetly sexy read. I enjoyed all the characters especially the old matchmaking biddies. Jake's story is next and I do love a strong silent type. I also can't wait for Maya and Law they are going to combust! This is a well written well paced second chance romance and a great start to a new series.

ARC REVIEW Cowboy Courage by Carolyn Brown

Longhorn Canyon #6, Yay! It's Hud finally. A second chance romance. Rose, Hud's middle school crush, shows up in town to help her great aunt run her B&B and gift shop while she's on vacation with the Fab 5. Rose is at a crossroads in her life right now she can either re-up in the Army or do something else with her life as long as it's not going back to her family in the commune. One thing she knows for sure she's not going to make a decision based solely on a guy, not even a guy she's never stopped thinking about since she left without saying goodbye. Hud knows it's her choice whether to stay or not and seeing how there is not a opportunities for a multilingual language specialist he's worried he's going to lose her before they even get the chance.

In a funny Murphy's Law sort of way Rose and Hud are pushed to their limits. Both Rose and Hud have to face some truths before they can finally admit their feelings but when they do nothing will keep them apart not even a tornado in January. I really enjoyed this book. I loved Hud and Rose. I would love to see more of Great Aunt Luna she's my kind gal. Overall, this is a fun read Hud is a real sweetheart and Rose is a bright head strong woman  who picks her battles wisely. I am really looking forward to Pax's story next.

  

ARC REVIEW My One and Only Cowboy by A.J. Pine

Meadow Valley Ranch #1, A nice start to the series. A.J. Pine delivers yet another wonderful story. Sam Callahan his younger brother Ben and their friend Colt all chipped in and bought Meadow Valley Ranch a sort of B&B Ranch. Sam and Ben choose Meadow Valley, California because the close proximity to their Dad's care facility. After two years they are still trying to get into the black when Delaney Harper shows up saying her ex-husband forged her signature and sold the ranch without her permission. Delaney wasn't going to leave town until this got figured out but with the whole town being shut down for the festival she was stuck for over a week and then she crashed her car and ended up stranded at the ranch. Sam who was fascinated with her from the start offers that she stay at the ranch, not one to take advantage she offers to work in exchange. No stranger to hard work Delaney starts right in and she offers help with advertising at the festival she was able to give the guys ideas they hadn't thought of yet. Delaney is no stranger to the hospitality business either after growing up in her parents hotel in Las Vegas. Delaney had bigger dreams she went to school to be a vet tech and had originally bought the ranch to open up an animal rescue and saw that dream disappear when she found out the ranch had sold.

Sam and Delaney start off shaky but soon give into their sexual attraction. A steamy romance that also deals with Sam and Ben's relationship with their father and sets up what I hope is Ben's story. With a bit of action thrown into it at the end makes the whole story a nice read. Overall, well written with memorable characters and one very sweet dog.

ARC REVIEW Lethal Redemption by April Hunt

Steele Ops #2, Another stellar book from April Hunt. This can be read as a standalone the first book has no connection to this other than characters and a few mentions but you miss nothing by not reading it except skipping a really good book. After Grace's father died when she was five her mother moved them into a commune the older Grace got the more she realized it was a cult. When she was thirteen something drastic happened and she ended up with her aunt and three cousins. Cade Wright and his sister were part of the Steele family by choice, Cade was there when Grace showed up at their doorstep. Grace and Cade started as friends but soon became more they fell in love, they even had their future all planned out but then Cade changed the plan without a word and left Grace heartbroken. It's been almost a decade and not a day goes by that Cade regrets his decision but Grace still hurts they can't even be in the same room together without verbally sparring.

Steele Ops the private security firm run by her cousins get hired to do a job she gets pulled in for her expertise on the subject, the subject of the Order of the New Dawn, the cult where she spent her childhood. Unfortunately the only way in is to play the prodigal daughter and there is no way her cousins it Cade is letting her go in alone so Cade poses as her fiance. Now Grace has to face all the terrors of her past while dealing with this mission and her and Cade's relationship. What they find out about OND goes deep and gets very personal for Grace. But Grace has Cade he's always been there for her in the past and he wants to be there for her now he just has to convince her he's not going to run away this time. 

Overall, this was such a great book, the characters were so likeable Grace is smart quick with an insult, Cade is sexy, strong, and over protective but he knows Grace can handle herself; the plot is engaging and if life had let me I probably would have finished in one sitting, the romance was emotional and hot I love them together, it was all so good. I can't wait for the Steele brother's to get their stories.     

CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason

Christmas Colorado #5, Originally published in 2015 this reissue has a nice new cover. This is a great series from Debbie Mason, I've only read 3 out of the 7, not including the novellas, but each book I've read is so great. I love her writing, Christmas, Colorado seems so real in my head with all it's quirky residents and idyllic scenery.

Cat O'Connor loves her hometown she loves her family's ranch especially the people who go out of their way to help and then there is her sister Chloe, pampered and protected since she was an unhealthy baby who grew up into an entitled and selfish actress for a daytime soap. Cat became a police officer until she fell for the wrong man and it ruined her career. Needing to get out of Colorado she moves to LA to work as her sister's.... well everything. After some time Cat realized she was ready to go back home she already told Chloe she was leaving when an "accident" happened. Cat knew one thing for sure it was no accident someone just tried to kill her sister and she wasn't going to leave her sister alone until she found out who.

Grayson Alexander was on a well deserved vacation when his cousin recruited him for a job working undercover on a daytime soap to find out who is trying to kill the lead actress. Unfortunately his grandmother got kicked out of another nursing home and he was stuck with her posing as his manager; a great actress back in her day she fit right in with everyone. Gray himself posing as Lord Harry Halstead a new leading man, opposite Chloe. First off he assumes Cat is the primary suspect until he meets them and after talking to the crew his suspect list grows pushing Cat farther down the list. The more time he spends with them the more he likes Cat but Chloe is under the delusion that Lord Harry and her are a couple. Things don't any easier when they move the shooting to their hometown it just gives the would be killer more opportunity to go after Chloe.       

This is my favorite so far. Overall it was a great read it had several laugh out loud moments and the characters were so amusing. It was fun seeing the process of how Cat and Gray finally got together. Chloe, loved to hate her I so wanted to smack her upside the head. Ty is hysterical along with some of the other Christmas, Colorado residents. Such a fun Christmas Rom-Com I recommend to my book loving friends.

ARC REVIEW Forever and a Duke by Grace Burrowes

Rogues to Riches#3, Even though I really didn't care for the second book in the series I did enjoy a book from another series written by Grace Burrowes so I thought I'd give this one a try, unfortunately it wasn't as good as I hoped. I did like it a bit more than the previous book the synopsis sounded good but once again just fell short for me. I liked the idea that a woman could be the best auditor in all of London and that a competing bank would seek her help. Beauty and intelligence are not mutually inclusive so I had no problem that she happened to be both, Elenora puts no stock into her appearance with her family's background she's just trying to remain respectable enough to work for a living. The Duke of Elsmore, Wrexham has been so busy keeping up appearances and taking care of his mother and sisters and the Dukedom the bank that his family owns has fallen on to some issues and it turns out his family finances are also a bit mucked up. Elenora agrees reluctantly, with her family history she doesn't really like titled lords. The more time they spend together the more they realize there is more to each other than meets the eye. It not hard to see why Rex fell for Elenora but she needs a bit more, she likes him and sees that he's loyal to his family but she still doesn't know if she can trust him. Little by little she opens up and hopes he doesn't break her heart and ruin her reputation.

Overall, it was a nice read. The romance between Elenora and Rex just fell a little flat for me. 

ARC REVIEW Born to be a Cowboy by R.C. Ryan

Montana Strong #3, We are back one last time with the Monroes. It can be read as a standalone but I enjoyed the series as a whole. Finn Monroe a small town lawyer part time cowboy wasn't alway lucky to have this family, after the death of both parents the brothers were split up in foster care where they each had a hard time making each of the boys foulmouthed troublemakers. When they ran away they lucked out and found Mac Monroe's ranch. Mac knew how they felt he gave them a home and taught them what it was like to have a loving home environment. It was also the influence of Zachariah that Finn grew up to be a lawyer.

When Jessica walks into Finns office he knows better than to believe what she says right off the back. Her Aunt, the woman who raised her, is missing. The last she heard from her she had ran off and got married and was going on her honeymoon. That isn't like her Aunt at all for as long as she been with her Aunt she's has been married to her ranch. Then when the  PI she hired, a former FBI agent died in an accident right after calling her to tell he he found something she knew her suspicions were right but nobody believed her. Finn wants to believe her something about her story rings true but it isn't until after he does some checking on his own that he fully believes her especially after the motel she was staying at and her rental car catch on fire after talking to Finn. Finn brings her home to the ranch at least there there will be someone with her at all times. But this goes deeper than just Jessica's aunt and Finn stirs up a whole lot of trouble.

I loved the relationship between Fin and Jessica. Finn has a strong work ethic and initially didn't want to get involved with a client but something about Jessica wants him to bend his own rules for once. Jessica feels guilty over what happened to her aunt thinking it never would have happened if she had still been living on the ranch, and now she's willing to risk her own happiness to make sure her aunt is never vulnerable again. Overall, it was a great read. I love R.C. Ryan's attention to detail and her descriptions for me, someone who has never been to Montana, it makes me want to visit all the same time feel like I'm already there while I read it. I love the familial relationship this whole family is wonderful.

CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Christmas in Harmony Harbor by Debbie Mason

Harmony Harbor #9, I love this book. It's the last book of the series, or at least it plays out like it is the last. It works as a standalone but there is quite a bit of back story along with the Gallaghers and Greystone Manor. I enjoyed the entire series this one made me bawl at the end. It really is the perfect ending heartwarming and just a little bittersweet.

Evangeline Christmas left her NYC psychiatric practice behind to run the all year round Christmas store, Holiday House, in Harmony Harbor. A store that has been in her family for about a century and now it's being threatened by international real estate developer, Caine Elliot. Holiday House is Evie's haven and she will do anything to save it even make a deal with the devil. The devil being Caine and the deal more like a bet. Evie has an Angel Tree where people put up wishes that aren't easily done. She bets Caine that he can't do three Angel Wishes before Christmas, if she wins Caine takes his development of Wicklow Tower somewhere else and if she loses then she leaves no arguing, no more protests and convinces the rest of the town too. Evie plans it to where it's very much like a Christmas Carol and these acts of kindness will turn Caine from Scrooge at the beginning of the book to Scrooge at the end of the book.     

It wouldn't be so hard if Evie and Caine weren't also fighting their attraction to each other. The first wish brings Caine into close proximity to Evie daily which allows the both of them to get to know each other better. The more they find out about each other the more they like each other until they both give in to the attraction and fall in love. Caine's Grandmother is not an easy woman and she is dead set on ruining the Gallaghers and if she has to scare away Evie to move things along she will.

Overall, this was a great story this is one of my favorites. What am I going to do without this series?

via GIPHY

ARC REVIEW Don't Breathe A Word by Christie Craig

Texas Justice #2, The Cold Case Unit of Anniston PD has a new case when they look into a young stripper's disappearance, the murder of her boyfriend, and the connection they had to the gang leader/drug dealer who killed Juan Acosta's wife and unborn baby. Juan already killed him in the line of duty but the large scar on his face serves as a daily reminder that he failed his family. Finding the person responsible for this cold case and maybe even finding the stripper alive will help, or so he hopes. But then there is his new neighbor and her daughter something just doesn't feel right he knows they are running from something but he doesn't know what and he's determined to find out.

Vikki Holloway gained guardianship of her niece, Bell, after her sister died in a hit and run. Vikki always suspected her sister's abusive husband as the culprit but never had proof and it seemed pointless to prove it after he died but then Vikki swore she saw him leave her apartment after ransacking it and then he called her threatening her. Scared for her niece she ran and with the help of AWCO they got new identities. After almost being found in Arizona they moved to Texas where she became Nikki Hanson and Bell became her daughter.

Juan felt intrigued by Nikki and her daughter and oddly protective of them too. He knew they were hiding something but the more he got to know them the more he felt inclined to help them, not even the truth scared him off it just made all the more determined to keep them safe. All the while Juan and his team mates are working his cold case which has suddenly become hot again with the only witness disappearing only to reappear and get shot at and put into a coma. Vikki is hesitant to accept any help from anyone but Juan isn't easily put off, the sexual attraction is one thing but Vikki starts to actually trust Juan. 

Overall, I loved this book. It was an exciting read with great characters, Bell is adorable. I loved the descriptive foreplay and then leaving the sex up to the reader's imagination it was just enough to satisfy me. It is a nicely balanced romantic suspense and it can be read as a standalone. I look forward to Connor's book next.     

ARC REVIEW Down Too Deep by J. Daniels

Dirty Deeds #4, Well, I jumped on to this bandwagon a little late but better late than never. Never read J. Daniels before and I have to say she has a good narrative with the duel first person POVs, which is important to me because I'm picky about my first person POV. I loved the story I love second chance at love stories be it widow(er),  divorced, or just former significant other was a loser and in this case we have a widower and a one night stand that lead to twins and single parenthood. Nathan did not make a good first impression wallowing in his grief and guilt and left his parent to raise his infant daughter Marley. After two years his parents finally said enough was enough. Now on his own to take care of his two year old daughter that he doesn't know and manage his restaurant. Jenna, I Loved. Jenna is a great parent for the last eight years has raised her twins on her own, Oliver and Olivia. At first she hoped the father would come around but gave up hope when he signed away his parental rights. Now all Jenna wants to to find someone who will love her kids as much as she does.

Two weeks into having Marley all on his own and he's at his wits end, keeping her at the restaurant isn't working, thankfully Jenna comes into the picture and saves the day. Honestly she would take care of Marley for free but Nathan conscience won't let her. Thing are going swimmingly, Marley loves Oliver and Olivia and vise versa but the sexual tension between Nathan and Jenna is growing each day and not only that they have become friends and really enjoy each others company. By the time the inevitable happens, because it always does it's romance after all, Nate and Jenna are in deep and not just them but the kids two, and the feels are reals. I was smiling and then all the sudden the smile is gone, I'm crying along with everyone else in the book.

Overall, it was a great read. I loved the story and the kids really stole the show. The book works as a standalone I didn't feel like I needed to read the previous books in the series but I kinda want to now. I do hope to read more J. Daniels books in the future.

CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Snowfall on Cedar Trail by Annie Rains

Sweetwater Springs #3, Holona and Alex have been dancing around their attraction for years, since they were both young, but because Alex was best friends with her brother he never wanted to cross that line. Holona ended up getting married and having a son, her husband was a big football star who died in a skiing accident shortly after divorcing her. Holona loved her husband but their was a side of him she never wanted anyone to know about unfortunately Alex was witness to that once but Alex still only knows half the story.

Alex thinks that Holona doesn't want anything to do with him because that one time he arrested her husband, but fate keeps putting them together and finally when Alex gets picked to be her son's mentor

they finally give in to the attraction. Holona's son, Theo, stopped talking after his father died. Holona always doing what she thinks is best for her son she enters him the new mentor program hoping he can find a good male role model.

Alex is tormented by the unsolved murder of his father. Ever year he reopens the case and questions the witness again and tries to find who killed his father. This year is different this year he was given a clue, and now he's worried that going after this person might put Holona and Theo in jeopardy.

Overall, this was a really great read. It's just over 300 pages and it goes by so quickly. The cuteness factor is really high with both Theo and Officer Chew the foster puppy Alex takes in. The romantic build up between Alex and Holona doesn't take long and their chemistry is great. Even as book three this works as a stand alone but all three books and the novella are wonderful reads.

CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Christmas with a Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

I've started my Season's Readings, I'm going to try every Monday to post a New or Favorite Christmas read. 

Longhorn Canyon Ranch #5, Maverick Callahan hasn't been the same since he got back from his Ireland vacation with his Grammy Iris. Since then he has been helping his cousins set up their ranch but when Grammy falls out the pear tree and has to have her hip replaced and her foreman goes off to visit family she needs help around the ranch. She already has a housekeeper, the granddaughter of her best friend whom she invited over to spend the holidays.
Bridget O'Malley lost her best friend, gained guardianship of a new born baby, Laela, and lost her grandmother all in a couple months of each other. So when her grandmother's best friend, Iris, calls and offers her a place to stay and spend the holiday while making some money she jumps at the chance, even if that means leaving Ireland for a couple of months. 

Bridget and Maverick met in Ireland on his last night there and spent the night together, since that night neither has been able to stop thinking about he other but they didn't exchange number or even get each other's last names. When Bridget gets to Texas she never expected to find her cowboy is none other than Iris's grandson. But she's not he same girl she was a year ago she's a mother now and just can't fall into bed with a good looking cowboy. Maverick knows as soon as he sees Bridget again it was fate. He wants her to stay but he just a cowboy with nothing to his name, he has nothing to offer her except his love. Bridget is torn between her love for Maverick and her love of Ireland, she worried that things aren't going to last, that her homesickness will make her miserable, she worries about a lot of things but her love for Maverick isn't one.

Overall, it's a real sweet romance, things get hot and heavy between Mav and Bridget but in the typical Carolyn Brown fashion (she mainly leaves it up to your imagination). I loved Laela, and how quickly Mav bonded with her and Iris is a hoot. I love all the characters and it was such a nice easy read.   

ARC REVIEW The Paris Orphan by Natasha Lester

A beautifully told story that sweeps you away to a time of war, a place where women struggled for equality. Photojournalist Jessica May sets out to photograph the war from a woman perspective, but what she got was a bunch of men  who thought the war was no place for a woman, unless you were a nurse. It took a year of hassle but finally women journalist were finally allowed on the front line. Jess attached herself to Dan Hallworth's battalion over the previous year they became good friends and he more than once help get her out of trouble and always treated her as an equal. Along with Dan and his men Jess also befriended Dan's adopted niece, Victorine. Victorine was orphaned and taken in by Dan's brother who died shortly after leaving Dan to take care of her the best way he could in the middle of a war. 

2004: D'Arcy Hallworth comes to France to organize and oversee the transportation of a famous anonymous photographer's collection for its first ever showing in Australia or anywhere else. D'Arcy was hand picked to do the job what D'Arcy finds are the published and unpublished works of her idol, a war time photographer who disappeared after the war and her connection to D'Arcy's mother and father; a history she never knew.

I loved Jess's story, it was beautifully told and so realistic. The historical elements, the atrocities of WWII are hard to fathom at times and it takes the photos and the stories which aren't always pleasant to hear about to remind up this actually happened. Natasha Lester captures that time frame and those events on the front line and military politics concerning women so well and throwing in real people adds to that. Jess and Dan's friendship blossoms into something beautiful and I absolutely loved their story. D'Arcy on the other hand I thought it seemed rushed. I didn't quite feel the connection between D'Arcy and Josh as much as I did Jess and Dan and the ending seemed very abrupt and I was a little disappointed with that. Overall, it's a brilliant story.     

ARC REVIEW Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs by Annie Rains

Sweetwater Springs #2.5, Paris moved to Sweetwater Springs looking for a home, he once lived there as a child and was being bounced from different foster homes every couple of months. His foster parents were stern but welcoming and loving it was the only place that felt like home and Paris was looking for that again after his nasty divorce and maybe reconnect with his former foster parents. Lacy was born and raised in Sweetwater Springs and had the worst high school experience. Despite this she still loved her hometown and moved back after college and became the towns librarian. Lacy is determined not to go to her reunion she doesn't want to relive her past but between her family and friends she halfway to changing her mind and if she could claim she was dating someone like Paris then maybe her old classmates might see her differently now. Lacy makes Paris a deal be her date for her reunion and she'll help him connect to the cantankerous old man his foster father became.

Overall, a short and sweet story I very much enjoyed. Both Lacy and Paris deal with past hurts and learn to love each other. They really are good for each other; the tattooed bad boy image Paris puts off riding his motorcycle and the shy bookish Lacy bring out the best in each other. I am glad Paris got his HEA I fell in love with his character from the first book. This can be read as a stand alone told from a third person POV. Annie Rains packs a punch with this novella, humor and romance with plenty of heartfelt emotion. 

ARC REVIEW Justified by Jay Crownover

 Loveless Texas #1, The first full length story, if you haven't read the prequel novella that's fine it's not required. Case Lawton was the golden boy in high school, but then his mother died, he got injured, lost his scholarship, and his girlfriend got pregnant. He joined the military and when he came back he became a Sheriff's Deputy and everyone just assumed he would follow in his father's footsteps. But everyone was wrong working under his abusive, prejudice, I-going-to-use-the-law-in-my-favor father gave Case the ammunition he needed to get his father out of the Sheriff's office and get elected himself and then he cleaned house.

Aspen Barlow always felt like she was the outsider, not having been born in Loveless and being different made her even more of an outcast. Only one person made her feel special in school, Case, he made a point to welcome her and include her in events she ended up falling in love with him. She watched as his life derailed but she never lost faith that he was a better man than his father. In order to protect Case and his son she made an enemy out of the man she once love and represented his wife in the divorce. Eight years later he is still holding a grudge but when he gets called to a break in at her office everything changes.

I loved this book! Being so new to Jay Crownover I haven't read any of the other books in which Case ties into but that's fine I really wasn't missing anything, except now I want to go and read more of her books. Told in duel first person POV you get both sides of the story and that really makes you want to smack Case at different points in the book because he basically made Aspen his scapegoat and when she finally calls him on it you want to pump your fist in the air and cheer her on. I got very attached to the characters, they felt so real and I am really looking forward to Kody's book!! I loved the pacing of the book and it was well balanced of emotional and suspense with just a smidge of humor, usually Kody. Overall, this book has definitely won me over, I am now a fan of Jay Crownover and I can't wait for my next fix.