Undeniable

The Dalton Gang #1

by Alison Kent

There was a time when Crow Hill, Texas’s notorious Dalton Gang ran wild. Now, as owners of the Dalton Ranch, their partnership in the rundown operation leaves little time for raising hell—except for the right women who can turn on the heat…

It’s been sixteen years since Dax Campbell set foot in Crow Hill—and sixteen years since Arwen Poole had a crush on him in high school. Unfortunately, setting her sights on this irresistible man again has stirred up a lot of unfulfilled desires in Arwen. A few nights in bed with Dax should get him out of her system once and for all. That’s all she wants. And for now, that’s all she needs.

But Dax is looking for something deeper in a woman. So they agree to an unconventional affair: for every no-strings sexual encounter Arwen craves, Dax gets to take her out for a night of romance. While both manage to hold up their end of the bargain, they’re growing closer than either of them can afford. Because Dax has a family secret that could drive him out of Crow Hill for good, and Arwen’s not letting him go without a fight…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Erotic Romance, Ebooks

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

I often read of or hear about authors who knew they were meant to tell stories from the time they left the crib. Me? I didn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was thirty years old - and then sold my first book at thirty-four. Still, it was obvious that I always knew I was going places.

Like so many other authors, I was a voracious reader from day one, devouring everything from Nancy Drew to My Friend Flicka, which I remember sitting hovered over the heater vent in the kitchen floor to read while my father made his coffee.

I moved on to my mother's Phyllis Whitney, Dorothy Eden, and Mary Stewart gothics before discovering my first true romances written by Lucy Walker and set in the Australian Outback. And then, at last, when I was 18 I found 'The Flame and the Flower'. (My son almost spent his life as Brandon because of that, but I spared him and named him Casey instead!)

Why write romance? Because love stories have always been a major part of the books I've loved. Father Ralph and Meggie Cleary. (I did name my daughter Megan after reading The Thorn Birds! Do you see a trend here?) The aforementioned Brandon Birmingham and Heather Simmons. Wolf Mackenzie and Mary Potter.

Even more so, it's because I love writing romance heroes. The men who sweep both heroines and readers off their feet - not to mention their authors, too!

I've spent several years happily writing action adventure romance for Kensington Brava along with hot and sexy series romances for Harlequin Blaze. Now I'm thrilled to be a launch author for Vows.

Reviews

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again – I’m a cover slut, no two ways about it. It’s a fact that if this book didn’t have that delicious man on its cover with his highly lickable chest, I’d probably never have read it. I’ve never read an Alison Kent book before, although I was aware of her books, and I don’t read a huge amount of small town romance but I am delighted that I did because I LOVED it. It’s snarky, sassy, sexy and a compelling and highly entertaining read. That cover is book marketing at its finest because I’ve now discovered a new author that I will definitely read again and all because I want to lick that man’s chest!

So, to actually talk about the story!! The Dalton Gang, Dax, Casper and Boone are back in town to take over the running of the ranch left to them by the Daltons. They’ve been gone for a while and all three of them have hell-raising reputations as love ‘em and leave ‘em ladies men. Arwen, who runs the local Coyote Ugly style bar, has had a crush on Dax forever although he’s always looked straight through her as if she’s not even there and has never noticed her.

Dax and Arwen hook up – Dax decides he just needs some no-strings sex to tide him over and Arwen decides to get Dax out of her system once and for all by having him and leaving him. They embark on a smokin’ hot affair with some real down and dirty cowboy loving going on but both of them are starting to develop unwilling feelings for the other. Both of them are products of extremely dysfunctional families with alcoholic fathers and neither of them have any faith in relationships but their feelings for one another are growing despite their obvious reluctance.

I have to say that I found Dax and Arwen very raw and carnal – there’s a strong attempt to remove all emotions from their relationship to make it just about the physical side and they do have some ferociously good, almost angry sex that most definitely lit up my Kindle and I was prepared to begin to dislike them for it but it never happened, in fact I loved them and wanted them to wake up and see what was between them before it was too late.

There’s also a very sweet secondary romance going down between Dax’s sister Darcy and Josh Lasko and this is where you can find some real tenderness in the novel. Darcy doesn’t have it easy in this novel and Josh is a port in a storm for her when she most needed one as he waits patiently for the right moment to make his move.

So, this is my first Alison Kent novel and why did no one tell me there was so much hotness to be found in her books?? I’m definitely going to be following this series as we have another two highly lickable cowboys just waiting to find their forever girls.

4 stars contemporary romance

For more of my reviews, please visit my Sinfully Sexy Book Blog

[Lisa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

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★★★★½ So, I went to the bookstore to seek solace the other day and what I found was a new author I love! I’ve been buying a lot of books for my Kindle, and I know I really need to read them; however, when I’m like that, only holding up in my bed with a paperback will work.

I was grabbing books off the shelf and actually saw Unbreakable, the second in the series, first. I was justifying the purchase because I needed the letter “U” to spell February. That, and I love a guy in a hat, and I needed a cowboy book read before the end of the month… Oh, alright, yes, and because I’m a bookcover ho, too.

Wanting to start the series at the beginning, and being in the “Retail Therapy Will Cure Anything” mood I was, I had to get Undeniable, too. Right? I went home, cracked it open and gobbled it down in one bite.

I don’t read a lot of erotica anymore, but…I loved it! Why?

• The flawed, but undeniably hunky hero,
    Dex Campbell: he lives up to his cover pic.
• The heroine, Arwen Poole: she’s independent,
    knows what she wants, and goes after it. I also
    like that she was “invisible” in high school,
    but now she’s H.O.T.
• The H/h together – the sex (and eventually love)
    scenes sizzle.
• The storyline - sort of a “prodigal son returns”
    with a twist - flows. While there was a ton
    of sex, the scenes out of the bedroom
    (or kitchen…or the truck…or…well, you get the
    picture) held my interest.
• The dialogue is well written and believable.
    While I didn’t have any LOL moments, I did
    a lot of smiling, which was really the right
    mood for the book.
• I like the way these two respond to each other,
    and help each other deal with issues in their
    past - and present.
• Right before I wanted to knock these two
    people’s heads together and say, “Get a clue.
    You’re in love!” they started wising up.
• I enjoyed the secondary love story, too.
• It wasn’t blatant, but there is a nice bit of a
    mystery here, too.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy Hot Cowboy Batman!

Ok so the blurb for this sounded good. What it doesn't tell you is how freaking hot and sexy this book is! I mean wow! While we have an actual plot goin on, there's so much sexin here I got distracted a little.... *sigh* I decided to find a pic to convey the hotness that is Dax Campbell


Anywho..... What I liked: The writing was great and the characters and plot were really well developed! There was a more emotional side to this than I expected there to be and I really felt what they felt. I cheered at the happy times and booed at the bad. I wanted them to be together and I literally felt my ♥ constrict when I thought he was leaving.

Dax Campbell always wanted to be a cowboy. Unfortunately that wasn't what his father, the wealthy town lawyer, wanted. So at the tender age of 18 he leaves town and doesn't look back. Sixteen years later he returns home to claim the ranch he inherited, along with his two best friends, after the death of what should have been his parents. Arwen Poole (what a name for a chic!) has harbored a major crush on Dax since high school and has a plan to sex him out of her system for good.

More of what I liked: The side story of Darcy and Josh. Darcy is Dax's sister who tried to make up for his leaving with her parents. She went to law school, puts in all the long hours, gives up her free time to basically cater to her dad all in the hopes to make partner in the family firm. Sorry kid but your dad is a Grade A ASS and it ain't gonna happen! It takes her a few years but she finally gets it. Josh is there for her when she needs him most, and they come to realize there is more than friendship there. The sweetest side story ever! I almost couldn't decide who I liked better b/w Josh and Dax. Dax is more of an A hole and Josh is the sweet silent type.

"He was just as intense, just as passionate, but he was the definition of still waters."

And even though he is definitely a silent alpha male, he is so sweet.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for you?”... “I want you for the rest of my days. I want to go to sleep wrapped around you. I want to wake up the same. I want to talk about what’s for supper over breakfast, and talk about our days curled up on the couch. I love you, Darcy Campbell. I want you to be my wife. But right now what I want is to get you out of your clothes.”

SWOON!

But this story isn't about him its about Dax. He is not the strong silent type. He is the epitome of in your face, take no shit, leave when and if I wanna leave alpha man. But underneath all his hardness is a soft heart. He didn't expect to fall in love and didn't know what to do with those feelings. But the thing I liked was that he never denied it. He owned it.

"Dax had admitted to her [Darcy] that he loved Arwen, but he’d never in his life loved anyone, and he didn’t know what to do with that love."

Arwen has her own issues stemming from a broken (ish) childhood. She doesn't do relationships. All she wants is the yummy goodness Dax can giver in bed. And in the bath. And truck. And kitchen table. I think you see where this is going... And even though there is a lot of sex in this book, it doesn't really detract from the story. We see them start as just a sex fling; then start to go on dates, then the feelings creep in. There's no love at first sight or after a week type of thing. It grows as the story grows.

“Do you love me?” The grin that broke over his face was all teeth and dimples and happy happy joy. “Yeah. Oh yeah. Hell yeah. Shit yeah.”


There's a bunch of supporting characters that were a great addition to the book. I believe there is going to be at least two more in the series; Dax's two buddies Casper and Boone will have books as well. I really enjoyed this. Its my first from this author and I like her style. I will definitely be checking out her other works!

[Kelly| Just Another Horror Reader]

Cover lust? Yes! Paying $9.99? Doubtful!

[Kellie Maddox-Ward]

drooling over this cover! I know I'm shallow leave me alone alright? LOL

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at http://www.fictionvixen.com/review-un...

I admit it. I’ve become a little obsessed with cowboys. I’m a diehard Dallas fan from the 80′s and when TNT launched the new Dallas this season with some of the original actors from the past I was squealing with joy. Move over J.R. Ewing, John Ross is the cowboy to be reckoned with now. He’s sexy, devious like his daddy and fills out a fine set of Wranglers. With that being said, I have also found a new love for hot cowboy romance books and when I saw the cover of Undeniable and read the blurb I immediately knew I had to give Alison Kent’s new series a try.

“Sometimes we need the distance to see things clearly.”

Dax Campbell, Boone Mitchell and Casper Jayne are Crow Hill’s notorious misfits known as “The Dalton Gang”. Estranged from his parents, Dax left sixteen years ago, determined to live a vagabond life of a cowboy instead of honoring his father’s insistent wish of becoming a lawyer like all the Campbell men. Now, Dax, Boone and Casper have returned home to claim the ranch left to them by Dave and Tess Dalton. The Dalton’s opened their hearts and home to the three men as teenagers to give them structure and a sense of belonging that they did not receive from their own parents. The men have close bond and are loyal to each other despite their reputation as being wild and untamable. Their inheritance is both a blessing and a curse given the current drought in Crow Hill and the lack of financial income. But all three men have a strong commitment to the Dalton’s legacy and are determined to try and save what’s left of the failing ranch.

Sexy, self-sufficient, Arwen Poole was born and raised in Crow Hill. She learned to take care of herself at a young age after her mother’s death resulted in her father’s debilitating grief and eventually the town drunk. Arwen is now the owner of the Hellcat Saloon which is the hottest spot in town for great food and dancing on the bar entertainment. (Coyote Ugly style.) Arwen attended high school with the Dalton Gang back in the day and always had a secret crush on Dax even though he never looked twice at her. Now that Dax is back, her crush has evolved to lust and Arwen is determine to scratch the itch and get him out of her system once and for all.

“The man she’d swore to work out of her system was taking her apart.”

I’m a sucker for the emotionally tortured hero and not all readers are. Although Dax portrays a cocky, somewhat arrogant attitude on the outside, inside he struggles greatly with his own self worth battling the demons that come with his family name. He has a short fuse when it comes to his family and at times comes across as a real ass. What Dax finds with Arwen is pleasure, no pressure and common ground with no expectations. What he has yet to realize is how Arwen grounds him emotionally. There is one pivotal scene in the story where Dax is literally stripped raw over news regarding his father and in turn takes it out on Arwen. His torment is palpable and so is Arwen’s witnessing him literally breakdown as a result of hurt and pain he has buried for years. Realizing he could only find relief physically with her, she submits to his anger and desperate need. In the aftermath of emotional and volatile sex, she is glad and has no regrets. For me, the scene was authentic to Dax’s character and took the relationship to a level beyond the physical in the aftermath. It further proved that Arwen is the backbone of their relationship and had me questioning if Dax could ever rise to an equal level in order to be what Arwen needed in the end.

“This was sex. Nothing else. Yet the look in his eyes told the truth of the tale. He’d come here looking for something he needed. Something he couldn’t find anywhere else, get from anyone else, and that responsibility weighed on her too heavily.”

First, let me confirm that Alison Kent’s story of the residents of Crow Hill is every bit as HOT as the smoking hot book cover. I’m talking sizzling, ride’ em cowboy hot goodness and by page 24 I wondered if I needed to drink or soak myself in ice water. Both Dax and Arwen are strong characters from dysfunctional families determined to push intimacy and vulnerability aside for raw, no strings sex. No matter what kind of sex you are looking for, they have it covered; angry sex, voyeuristic sex; selfish, starving, all consuming sex. Ms. Kent’s descriptive nature of Arwen and Dax’s uninhibited desire for each other was achingly exhilarating. Furthermore, I commend Ms. Kent for going against the norm and providing two memorable scenes where Dax took sexual pleasure and release before Arwen. The majority of writers focus on the woman being completely sated before the man lets go so it was refreshing to see the complete opposite with this couple. Arwen gave so much of herself not only physically but also emotionally in those scenes and it really revealed the essence of her character. Furthermore, it was just damn hot witnessing Dax lose control in the moment and validated how intense their connection was even beyond the physical.

"She liked this Dax. Helpless Dax. Dax surrendered. Dax unable to fight her or the demons possessing him. She wanted more of this Dax. She loved this Dax, and he would know exactly how much before leaving her bed. He needed to know. His knowing gave her the power to convince him this was where he belonged. With her. To her. Without her he would never be who he was meant to be."

The issues both Dax and Arwen faced with their families were not all resolved in the end and I appreciated that Ms. Kent did not feel the need to tie up all the secondary relationships to the main characters in a neat little bow. What she did provide was emotional healing and awakening for both Dax and Arwen that allowed them to take a chance on their feelings for each other.

The secondary story of Dax’s sister, Darcy and her budding relationship with longtime crush, Josh Lasko was just as engaging as the main couple. Josh was tender, commanding yet sweet and he was a great pairing to Darcy who has spent her entire life as a people pleaser to her family. I enjoyed their story as much as I did Dax and Arwen’s and desperately wanted them both to have a much deserved HEA.

“She wanted to stay here, to live here, to wake up and have this be her world. Josh and his mouth and his hands that made everything better. Even at the end of the day he smelled like sunshine and fresh air and he centered her, kept her from coming undone.”

This was my first novel by Alison Kent and I am excited by not only the erotic heat she ignites in her characters but her ability to tell an emotionally, riveting story of the character’s and their lives in the Texas town of Crow Hill. Undeniable is an excellent start to the Dalton Gang series and I look forward to Casper’s story, Unbreakable, releasing in 2013.

Favorite Quote:

“It’s a stiff rod with a knob on top. I think I can handle it.”

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

DiDi's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

The Dalton Gang, three teenage hell-raisers, boys the girls swooned over and fathers had shot guns ready for. A band of misfits that found comfort and family working the Dalton’s ranch. Dave and Tess Dalton have passed away and left Dax Campbell, Boone Mitchell and Casper Jayne their failing ranch. Can the small town and female population of Crow Hill, TX survive the return of the Dalton Gang?

Dax Campbell left Crow Hill TX sixteen years ago with no plans on coming back. The only thing that could bring him back has been called on, his loyalty to the Daltons, the two people who helped him get through his teenage years. Now that he is back and working his tail end off on the ranch, Dax has decided it’s time to sample all the ladies of Crow Hill, until he runs into the owner of the Hellcat Saloon, Arwen Poole, he knows then she is the only one he wants. Dax grabbed my heart from the beginning, a young man who left home because he didn’t want to give into his father and be a lawyer in the family business, a young man who didn’t want to be hurt any more by being rejected or emotionally neglected by people he cared about. One of those guys who is really a good guy, but because of circumstances and other’s judgments has turned into somewhat of a hard edged ass, someone who walks away instead of chancing being hurt.

Arwen Poole owns the hottest spot in town, the Hellcat Saloon (think Coyote Ugly, tamed down enough for family dining). Arwen is independent, determined to show the town she is not a drunk like her father. Arwen had a major crush on Dax back in high school. When Arwen finds out Dax is back in town she decides to once and for all “work him out of her system.”

Upon first seeing each other Dax and Arwen decide to start a sex only fling. This fling suits them perfectly because both come from less than stellar childhoods resulting in them both being emotionally damaged and not looking for relationships. Things heat up fast between Dax and Arwen, I was fanning myself and reaching for ice water by page 23 and the searing heat never lets up.

Insatiable, combustible, rough, raw, tender, passionate, caring and intense…that best describes Arwen and Dax. Arwen is adventurous in bed and proud of it, she is in no way a passive participant when it comes to sex. Dax compliments her well, he is possessive, sexy, and rough around the edges. Neither one of them can get enough of each other.

But….something unexpected is happening between them, feelings, their hearts are getting involved. Which isn’t good when one person is rooted in Crow Hill and the other has a habit of leaving. Arwen doesn’t want to give her heart to anyone because her father never recovered after losing her mother. Crow Hill has too many bad memories for Arwen to trust that Dax will stay around, the biggest being his father, who still lives there.

Arwen and Dax are like two halves of a whole, except the halves are jagged so they don’t quite fit together. UNDENIABLE is an “unputdownable” story of two jagged halves learning how to smooth the edges and becoming one beautiful whole. In addition to this emotional and blistering romance, there is an engaging and interesting secondary cast, including the staff of the Hellcat Saloon, Dax’s sister Darcy, Boone’s sister Faith and last but not least the rest of the Dalton Gang, Boone and Casper. I cannot wait for their stories, Casper’s story UNBREAKABLE comes out February 2013.

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Undeniable, Dalton Gang #1, by Alison Kent
Grade: D+

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for you?”

Arwen Poole grew up in Crow Hill, Texas known as the kid of the town drunk and was easily looked over by the popular kids in high school especially bad boy Dex Campbell. Arwen has turned her life around and has become the owner of the bar she grew up in and turned into the girl the men in town want to date. When Dax and his two best friends, known as the Dalton Gang, come back to town Arwen knows this is the perfect opportunity to get her high school crush out of her system once and for all.

Nothing could bring Dax Campbell back to Crow Hill except the death of Tess and Dave Dalton, the people who helped raise him when his family was off doing other stuff. Tess and Dave left their entire ranch to the Dalton Gang and all three men are back to try and save the ranch that meant so much to them. For Dex coming back means having to deal with the family that he ran away from sixteen years ago and stumbling on a nice surprise named Arwen Poole. Dex remembers hearing about her but he never expected her to grow up so nicely and she might be just the thing to keep him in Crow Hill.

Undeniable is the first in the Dalton gang series by Alison Kent and unfortunately it didn’t start off as well as I had hoped. There is one major problem with this book and that problem is named Dax Campbell. From page one to three hundred and twenty-seven the man is a jerk and people just let him get away with being like this. Even when Dax is trying to be nice he still comes off like a jerk and he ruined the book for me.

I really like Arwen but I thought she could do SO much better than Dax and the way he treats her. I never felt like these two had anything going for them besides ( a lot) of really good sex. I had a very big problem with the fact that the book starts out with Dax searching for a woman to bed, Arwen comes along and doesn’t even make him work for it and then they are into some moderate kinky sex at page twenty two. I’m all for not having to wait forever for the h/h to get it on but this was a little much even for me.

Dax came off very selfish and it was always about him and never about Arwen or anyone else. He treats his friends like garbage, his sister like crap and steps all over Arwen. I really wanted one of the Dalton Gang to finally get fed but and deck him. The only reason that I didn’t DNF this book was because of Darcy and Josh’s side story. Josh is the kind of man I want to read about and without them I wouldn’t have been able to finish this book.

I was really excited for this book and really disappointed with the outcome. I will read the next book with Casper and Faith because I’m hoping that not all of the Dalton Gang are as big of D-bags as Dax because I really like Alison Kent’s writing and storytelling style. Hopefully the next book can turn this series around.

[Beate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was on a fast track to my favorites shelf. Sadly, it wasn't to be.

First of all, I did love the characters. Arwen is a kick ass girl who takes no prisoners when it comes to getting what she wants. And Dax is a real bad boy cowboy. He's the kind that'll make any woman swoon. And I was right there. Swooning. Until I hit the 50% mark on my Kindle. Dax suddenly turns from bad boy, to creep.

I get that he's in shock and grieving. But that does not give him any excuses to rape his girlfriend. That's right. Rape. He forces himself on her, and we get to read how she feels how he's tearing her up inside and how she knows she's bleeding. All this shit is going on. And she just lays there. Taking it. Not protesting. Not fighting back. It's awful to read.

From there and on, it's more difficult for me to read the book, and for me to like Dax. Because I loved him, right up until he did this.

I just can't look beyond something like this and "forgive" the character because he was hurting. There just is no way.

It didn't help things when they have anal sex without any condoms or lube. Feces and bacteria just isn't sexy. No, there is no actual shitting going on here, but it's what I picture in my mind when characters have backdoor sex and don't use any protection.

The saving grace for this book, and thus getting a 3 star review from me, are the other characters, and the fact that I loved the first half of the book. If it wasn't for Dax's sister and her heartbreak and finding her man to love, I would have landed on a 1 star for this book.

[Storm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alison Kent, but I was skeptical when I started reading this book. I felt that Dax gave off serious douchebag vibes in the beginning, but I was rooting for Arwen all the way (off topic: Arwen is a pretty name, isn't it?). Anyway, I felt that whatever they had going on was definitely going to bore me at some point but the miracle was, it didn't.

I love how Alison does not spend pages on pages expressing how two characters feel for one another. It is obvious in their actions and the way the story progresses. A part of me feels like this kind of connection can actually happen in real life, with the amazing sex and all.

I can't say Dax is the favorite of my Alison Kent heroes, but I did enjoy reading about Arwen. And she really carried the book for me. She was flawed and traumatized, yet she possessed strength, wit and intelligence that is missing in so many romantic novel heroines (e.g. Anastazia from FSoG - urgh, that just pisses me off).

Anyway, I loved it. Alison Kent fans will love it as well, and even new readers will find something to like.

[Breezy *Lover of all things Alpha Male* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great story! I love Arwen (including her name) and I think Dax is pretty spiffy! I love her strength and conviction as well as her ability to be successful on her own. What a really empowering story of a strong female lead!

I can't wait to read Faith's and Casper's story!

My full review is at...

http://novelshigheels.tumblr.com/post...

B

[Alyson Mutch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terribly written. I think Alison Kent is trying to write like Lorelei James but she just does not have it. Uhrr I can't believe I paid good money for this book buying it new at B & N. I send this warning out to everyone else, save your money.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Full review to come closer to release date. Suffice to say for now that Alison Kent has written another deeply emotional, authentic, and hot as hell romance. Put it on your TBR list now.

[Tressa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters’ motivations in Undeniable felt hollow to me, which is why I stopped reading the book.

[Becky Wyrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arwen and Dalton are super hot. I love all the secondary characters. The family drama is amazing.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! This is an easy book to read it keeps you wanting more!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good thing I did start with book number three because if I had read this first, I don't think I would continued.

[LHC Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

First of her books I've read and I plan on reading the entire series. Story of three men who are as close as brothers but aren't really brothers. Great read.

[Angela]

0

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was ok but I felt the spice was written first and the story was added after. The steamy scenes were really good.

[Claudia Muafeca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot

I hoped Dex and Arwen were truly open about their feelings to prevent the 5 minutes break.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dax Campbell is one naughty cowboy! Phew! I needed a tall, cool drink after this one!

Sixteen years ago, Dax Campbell left Crow Hill, Texas and the family expectations that threatened to drown him. But when he discovers he and his two best friends have been left the ranch of a couple he thought of more as parents than his own, he comes back hoping he can turn the ranch around and steer clear of his parents.

Arwen Poole has a huge crush on Dax in high school. She figures now that he's back in town, she work him out of her system with some hot, no-commitment sex. But things aren't as straight forward or as easy as she thought it was going to be with Dax. Instead she finds herself falling for Dax, hoping he'll stay, and breaking one of her cardinal rules.

Dax and Arwen don't have an easy road. Both of them have been shaped by their alcoholic parents and the events of their youth. They're jaded and convinced they don't know how to do relationships or love. They both use sex as a release with each other any time conversations or events start going down a path they don't want. It's hard to read, at times, but demonstrates just how broken they both seem to be when it comes to dealing with their emotions and others.

I'll admit, Dax and Arwen were both a bit on the selfish side...especially when it came to their family. But Dax was the worst. Dax blows into town, hiding from his parents but doesn't reach out to his sister even though he's thinking about her. When their father was in the hospital, he knew his sister was upset, but still didn't do anything to comfort her, just thought about himself. And when Dax decided to leave, Arwen's feelings came secondary to what Dax wanted. That selfishness made it hard to like Dax at times, but his remorse and confusion about his feelings ended up being his saving grace time and again.

This was an incredibly hot book, considering Arwen and Dax wielded sex like a weapon, but it was also emotionally gritty. It wasn't the perfect romance, because neither Arwen or Dax was emotionally capable of having that kind of relationship. But they grew as characters and they were trying to build something out of everything that was broken around them...which endeared them to me.

I look forward to reading Dalton Gang member, Casper's book next.

[bookedrightmeow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. I hadn't read anything by Alison Kent before, but I'm definitely going to read the rest of this trilogy (because hello, super hot cowboys).

The characters, both main and supporting, are interesting without seeming unrealistic. There's some family drama, which prevents the book from being fluffy and light, but the conflicts are dealt with in a satisfying way.

The main characters, Dax and Arwen, hit the ground running with their physical relationship. Even though they had gone to high school together, there was never an established relationship, so I had trouble believing that they would just jump into bed together after not having seen each other for 16 years. But I just went with it. As the book progresses, their physical relationship becomes more credible.

I feel like I should put a warning label on this review, or something, because the sex scenes are crazy, crazy, CRAZY hot. In a good way, obviously. They're also plentiful. Sometimes it's confusing why a publisher categorizes a book as contemporary romance versus erotic romance, but they made no mistake in calling this erotic romance. It definitely is.

In addition to Arwen and Dax, there's a subplot romance involving Darcy (Dax's sister) and Josh. I LOVED their part of the story and could have read a book just about the two of them. Their romance is more sweet, but I found them such a cute couple.

I also loved the banter between the Dalton Gang boys (Dax, Boone, and Casper). Their scenes are filled with plenty of humor and I'm interested to read Boone's and Casper's stories later on.

I spent a good part of the book thinking that Dax is a huge jerkface, and truth be told, he really is for a large part of the book. He starts out very selfish and non-committal, which Arwen is aware of. However, when it becomes clear that she wants more from him in the relationship, he does some rather jerkish things. Everything works out in the end, and I like how Arwen doesn't chase after Dax to try to force him to commit to her. She tells him how she feels, but when he isn't ready to be on the same page with her, she accepts it. She retains her pride. And eventually he comes back to her, which is as it should be.

This book definitely has my recommendation and I'll be looking for other books by Kent.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for some dirty cowboy, contemporary erotic romance, this is going to be the series for you. Undeniable is the first in the new Dalton Gang Series from Alison Kent. This is also my first from Ms. Kent so it was exciting for me to discover a new author. In this first book we’re introduced to Crow Hill, TX and to the Dalton Gang, a trio of men who have come home after receiving an unexpected inheritance. Even though they had gone their own ways, Dax, Casper, and Boone formed a bond as teenagers and came together to try and make a go at their ranch. Dax walked away from his family sixteen years ago and now that he’s home, he really only wants to reconnect with his sister. He doesn’t expect to connect with Arwen, the girl who was raised in poverty but has made something of herself. She had a crush on Dax in high school and is hoping to get a chance to work him out of her system. Only one encounter isn’t enough for either but can they decide if they want a relationship or just a good time? Filled with lots of smexy times, lots of character growth for both Dax and Arwen, and a great introduction to Dalton Gang Series. I think there could have been a bit more in the emotional development but other than that, great read. Also, there was a fun secondary romance that I really loved, too.

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was legitimately sex in every chapter. The main characters meet up in chapter 1 and never stop boinking from there on out.

In a previous post, I discussed finding books on my tbr pile without knowing why. Not so with this book, I know exactly why I picked this. The cover, it's hotter than a possum makin' love in a wool sock.

I have a weakness, it's cowboys. This book had several and described them all in such splendid detail.

The storyline? Oh, hahahhahahahha!

If you like cowboys, plenty (read as the whole book) pretty hot sex scenes, and have a night to yourself, this would be the book for you.

*I kid, there was a storyline (I say that loosely, very, very loosely). 3 cowboys come back to their hometown they abandoned 16yrs ago. The main cowboy in this story has daddy issues. The chick he hooks up with also has daddy issues, oh and runs a saloon. The farm the 3 cowboys inherited is a money pit. Banging, banging, banging, more banging, really I could go on here... Main cowboy decides to live with daddy issues and decides to stay and make a go at the money pit and chick with newly resolved daddy issues.

There is a second love storyline involving main cowboy's sister. Daddy issues, runs into cowboy she has pined over, oh shock he has pined over her too!, comes to terms with daddy issues, and new life direction with pined over cowboy.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0…maybe 3.5 stars. Thought Dax the main H was immature and dysfunctional. Arwen the h (cool name, huh?) was a mix of dysfunctional, a loner and sex crazed for her long time crush Dax back in town. For an erotic romance I can't believe I'm saying this, but after awhile the sex scenes seemed to be redundant and I just got bored. Daz and Arwen's relationship is purely based on sexual encounters throughout about 85% of the bk. Even when Dax tries a few dates with Arwen it just made me cringe to read a 34 year old man uncomfortable and squirming since he’s never done dates while Arwen tries her best to sabotage the dates into just another sexual encounter rather than trying to delve a bit deeper into any kind of meaningful relationship. If you’re looking for endless sex scenes, I’m sure this one will do it for you. I was more engaged in the story of Dax's sister Darcy and her budding relationship with Josh who ran the town's feed store. Even though it didn’t get a lot of detail it was sweet. The last 1/4th of bk was the best part and where most of the drama plays out. There is a teaser for bk 2 and I'll probably read it just to see if I like it any better.

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that I would have liked this one better had Dax not been such an ass. I am surprised that his "boys" were able to forgive him as when he left 16 years ago he left them behind too. No one in his old life were worth thinking about and he didn't feel bad for it at all.

I did like Arwen, she was ballsy, brass, and knew what she wanted, Dax. I liked how she went after him, although I didn't think he was worth it. She wasn't shy and from the first meeting there was no doubt that sex was on the table.

I did find it interesting that as things went on, it was Dax that wanted more, while Arwen was all about sex. Both of them had daddy issues for different reasons. I didn't get why Arwen wanted Dax to see his father when she wouldn't or couldn't see her own.

I really liked the secondary romance with Darcy. I was glad that she finally stood up and did something. I was glad to see that she was rescued, because I think she was going to crack and go back.

I will keep reading this series as I did like the other boys and want to see what happens with them, especially when the sister rule goes out the window.

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed parts of story and the development of the Hero and Heroine and their admitting to falling in love, however there were major downsides to the story that had me squirming. Other reviewers have expressed underlying reasons for my mixed feelings.

Major red flags for me; drunk, exceedingly rough, rapey/was-it-consensual? sex (without foreplay as I recall). Backdoor sex without a condom - not my kink, but I was shocked there was no prep work done for anal sex, he just shoved it in??? Also concerned one of the reasons he loves her is because she never says No to the sexual stuff???

Relationship and Characters: 4 Stars Minus 2 stars for Red Flag Sexual OMG Nos!

Overall Rating 2.5 Stars

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of the series. Its Dax and Arwen's story. Dax is the son of one of the wealthiest families of Crow Hill. His father wanted a son to take over his legal firm and Dax wasn't it. His parents never gave him the love or affection that a child needs and he acted out with his Dalton gang friends. The 3 Dalton boys leave Crow Hill and 16 years later come back because the inherit Tess and Dave's ranch. Arwen finds out Dax is back in town. She has had a crush on him since she was a teen. Now that he back she thinks if she has sex with him she'll get him out of her system. Arwen gets more than she thought. Dax is attracted to her and wants a relationship. but she knew him as a player and doesn't want to get burned.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a love/hate relationship with Dax and Arwen. I thought Arwen was a preachy (she should have taken her own advice)wishy washy pain in the ass. Dax was really not much better. They both have Daddy issues and it became tiresome. The secondary love story was sweet and a breath of fresh air. The reveal of a certain character and the outcome between Arwen and her Father left me annoyed. I will pick up the next book because I did like the Author's voice and I didn't totally hate the book. The sex scenes were hot even if there were a few scenes that crossed some lines (violent because Dax was having a few mantrums).