Athletic trainer Marianne Cook is ready to do whatever it takes to turn the men of the Marine Corps boxing team into fighting machines. After all, her ultimate goal is to land a job training professional athletes. But when she notices a certain hard-bodied marine trying to hide an injury, Marianne realizes that she’ll have to use covert tactics to get him talking.
.
First Lieutenant Brad Costa has waited years for the chance to fight for a spot on the Marine Corps boxing team, knowing he has to push twice as hard to get half as far as his younger counterparts. Brad tries to downplay his injuries to the attractive trainer who has his dreams in her hands, but Marianne isn’t buying it. Maybe it’s time to deploy some targeted flattery.
.
As Brad and Marianne’s attraction turns red-hot, there’s more than one person having a hard time keeping their eyes on the prize…
Is it wrong/bad that I found more enjoyment from the bromances/camaraderie formed during the Marine boxing try-outs than I did the relationship between Cook and Costa?
The soldiers were sarcastic, hilarious, dedicated……
It was a glimpse into the world of our military men and I thoroughly enjoyed it – especially the pamphlet wonderland the men created.
Cute, sweet, funny, and romantic.
With that being said, I did lower the score because I didn’t feel as connected to Brad and Marianne as much as I did the fellas (soldiers).
I’m sure JM wanted to show the teamwork of the men, but more importantly, her goal was for her readers to feel/see the chemistry between the two main stars. Since I didn’t, it lost a couple hearts. Sorry, JM.
James Patterson’s Worldwide Bestselling Series gets a Marvel makeover. Follow the soaring adventures of Max and her extraordinary ‘flock’–Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel–as they try to escape their creators and defend themselves from the diabolical Erasers. Along the way Max discovers her purpose – saving the world – but can she?
With such a fantastic, vibrant cover, I was prepared to be blown away by the graphics and was majorly let-down. For Marvel, I expected more. Based off the detail on the cover, I expected more. What a shame. The “Flock” looked drawn by an amateur. Sorry, Alex Sanchez (Artist) but I stand by my opinion of your work.
As for the storyline, you don’t need to read the books to follow this story. Bennett pretty much summed it all up. As a reader of the series, I found this boring. It ended too quickly and really didn’t leave me excited or thirsty for more. I think individuals who haven’t followed the series, like myself, will agree this was just BLAH.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤
I’m only giving it a 1 ❤ because of the cover work.
MacKenzie Knightley is the best criminal trial attorney in Damson County, but he has no defense against petite, peppery Sidonie Lindstrom, a foster mom who’s moved into the farmhouse where Mack and his brothers grew up.
Sid is grieving the loss of her brother, worried she’s about to lose her foster son, and in no mood for romantic nonsense when Mack drives up the lane. And yet, he’s good with her horses, good with her foster son, and just the sort of solid, trustworthy, guy she might fall for—until she learns that he’s not at all what he appears to be.
REVIEW
I didn’t read the first two books in the series but I don’t think that’s relevant to my thoughts on this story. It came across as a standalone book.
Now for my thoughts on this creation….
I didn’t particular love or hate this book. For me, it was just eh.
I didn’t feel a connection between Mac and Sid. There was no sparks whatsoever in my mind. All the characters lacked a human quality which a writer must convey if she or he wishes to entice the reader to keep reading and keep purchasing his/her story.
I did read the whole book but, unfortunately, I won’t be going back for seconds.
The only reason why I am not giving it a 1 ❤ was due to the fact Grace shed some light on the foster care world. It saddens me to see children “forgotten” in the system or foster parents who are doing a great job not get the recognition they rightfully deserve. Trust me, I know not all social workers drop the ball but when they do, it hurts not only the child but those who care for the child – foster families, friends, and their real family (in this case).
With You series HarperCollins (Avon) March 31, 2015
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.
Review
Let me set the stage for you and see if you can figure out how this story will end based on the information I provide you.
1.) Henry (an ex-con) wants to talk to Roxy and make amends for the terrible act he committed against her friend, Charlie. A thoughtless act of violence which made him basically a lifeless person.
2.) Roxy has acquired herself a stalker.
3. The stalker makes his move and cue the rescuer.
Come on…. I know you can figure it out. I concluded how this book was going to end from almost the beginning.
Since I like more mystery in a mystery novel, even though if it’s a romance/mystery novel, I’m knocking down the score.
This book was just okay. Not bad but definitely not worth a second read.
However, I did like two major characters in this novel – Nick and Katie.
High school math teacher Chelsea Gardner has the perfect plan. She’s tired of dating all the wrong men, and after years of frustration, she’s developed a foolproof list of requirements for finding “The One”.
Bar owner Sebastian “Bash” Palmer finds Chelsea beautiful, smart and fun, but he thinks her list is ridiculous and unnecessary. Intent on proving Chelsea is looking for love in all the wrong ways, he offers to help her find the “perfect” man.
Chelsea knows Bash isn’t the right guy for her—he barely meets one of her criteria—but there’s something about the charismatic man that has her yearning for things that are most definitely not list approved.
Because sometimes, a relationship that looks totally wrong on paper can turn out incredibly right…
Review
FWB (Friends with Benefits) minus feelings? Yeah, I never heard of it happening either. Usually it doesn’t work out but in the romance writing world, it sure does. 🙂
When you are firing off sparks brighter than a Fourth of July celebration, feelings are inevitable. Speaking of sparks, these two set the pages on fire. What an unforgettable duo. They have quickly became one of my top JB couples.
My only complaint (minor one) – I wish JB would’ve had Chelsea go on more dates so we could see more of Bash’s feelings for the spunky, sexy lass. Maybe have conversations where they discuss the blind dates. I think they would’ve added volumes to their building relationship.
