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Bro Code #3
Won't Back Down
Thou shalt not fall for the girl thy cousin wants . . .
James Watson is at a breaking point. The last year has put him on rocky grounds with his friends, and now he just bombed the bar exam. He pins the blame on one Tori Brown. She's not only his sister's best friend, but an undeniably sexy goddess who chaos seems to follow.
Tori is tired of men seeing her as nothing more than a conquest. She's particularly tired of James Watson, her friend's hot older brother and the man who can't give her a break. Now that Tori's finally landed the human resources job she's been working toward, she knows she won't have time to think about him anymore. Until it becomes clear that the up-and-coming lawyer at her new workplace is none other than James.
Beyond working at the same firm, James's desire is kept in check by the bro code Don't date the girl your cousin likes--especially when he's the attorney who invited you to join the firm. With the lines between lust and hate getting blurry, can they help but be crossed?
Contains mature themes.
James Watson is at a breaking point. The last year has put him on rocky grounds with his friends, and now he just bombed the bar exam. He pins the blame on one Tori Brown. She's not only his sister's best friend, but an undeniably sexy goddess who chaos seems to follow.
Tori is tired of men seeing her as nothing more than a conquest. She's particularly tired of James Watson, her friend's hot older brother and the man who can't give her a break. Now that Tori's finally landed the human resources job she's been working toward, she knows she won't have time to think about him anymore. Until it becomes clear that the up-and-coming lawyer at her new workplace is none other than James.
Beyond working at the same firm, James's desire is kept in check by the bro code Don't date the girl your cousin likes--especially when he's the attorney who invited you to join the firm. With the lines between lust and hate getting blurry, can they help but be crossed?
Contains mature themes.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published November 15, 2022
100 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Shelli Stevens
71 books735 followersShelli is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who read her first romance novel when she snatched it off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of eleven. She is a true pluviophile (lover of rain) who currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. She loves Disney, taking sunset pics (follow her on Instagram), baking, nature walking, and spontaneously bursting into song. She’s written various genres of romance, but is most known for her contemporary series such as The McLaughlins, The Bro Code, Marshall Ranch, and A is for Alpha.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 2, 2022
Won’t Back Down is the third in Shelli Stevens’s fantastic Bro Code series, and is about James Watson and Victoria Brown. Tori is James’s sister Kristen’s best friend, and while they had a couple of unscripted instances where their lips literally collided with heated results, they’re telling themselves they don’t even like each other, much less more.
And so it begins, right?
Shelli Stevens does a stellar job with James and Tori and their prickly, antagonistic relationship to an unexpected, delightful day together and the slow thaw and build to a genuine friendship and much, much more.
As always, Ms Stevens’s characters are full of life and heart, from James and Tori’s all too realistic experiences at the law firm that employs them to the entertaining banter they share with friends.
Once I started, I basically devoured Won’t Back Down in one sitting and am crossing my fingers for more in this stellar contemporary series. In the meantime, there’s always rereading!
And so it begins, right?
Shelli Stevens does a stellar job with James and Tori and their prickly, antagonistic relationship to an unexpected, delightful day together and the slow thaw and build to a genuine friendship and much, much more.
As always, Ms Stevens’s characters are full of life and heart, from James and Tori’s all too realistic experiences at the law firm that employs them to the entertaining banter they share with friends.
Once I started, I basically devoured Won’t Back Down in one sitting and am crossing my fingers for more in this stellar contemporary series. In the meantime, there’s always rereading!
August 14, 2022
I’m finding this author to be confusing. This series is the first I’ve read from her so I’m going strictly by these three (so far) books. They are all quick reads and did keep me engaged. Yet there are things that don’t make sense knowing she is not a new author, just new-to-me. Characters who should know one another seeming to barely be acquaintances. I cannot get over that. It’s odd. Yet the stories move and, for the most part, the chemistry is there.
I’ll admit that I’m not a huge fan of relationships where the people are mean to one another and fall into bed. One or two times, I get it; I get the passion and emotions. When it happens over and over I will inevitably start having hard feelings about one or both of the characters. Already, from previous books, I was not crazy about James and how he wanted to blame Tori for all that went wrong in his long-term relationship. It takes two to tango and all that. Yet somehow James casts Tori as not only the villain, but also an immoral temptress. It wasn’t until over halfway through this book that James got over himself and finally started treating Tori with the respect and decency she deserved. That’s a hard pill to swallow for me. I know plenty of people who enjoy the love to hate trope. It’s just not for me.
As much as that bothered me, I love how Tori and James finally connected on that deeper level. Discovering their shared interests and finding joy in that discovery was a lot of fun to read. There is also an icky coworker who is also James’ cousin that I was worried about but ended up liking that James never felt comfortable with his words or actions and finally spoke up, even before he actually realized he liked Tori and she wasn’t what he assumed.
There was an underlying “secret” Tori had about her past that is easy enough for a reader to guess. Or so I thought. While I’m not a fan of the big secret trope, this didn’t seem like it was one of those huge black clouds that hung over the couple. It only got attention when the creepy coworker made veiled threats. I am not kidding when I say that the reveal of this secret took my rating down a half a notch. It was really silly that the author made what Tori did in the past something Tori was ashamed and embarrassed of when she was so sex-positive in other ways. It was confusing and didn’t line up with this character’s personality.
Again, a mixed back for me. Things that really work and have me enjoying the story overall along with things that take me out of the story because they just don’t make sense.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
I’ll admit that I’m not a huge fan of relationships where the people are mean to one another and fall into bed. One or two times, I get it; I get the passion and emotions. When it happens over and over I will inevitably start having hard feelings about one or both of the characters. Already, from previous books, I was not crazy about James and how he wanted to blame Tori for all that went wrong in his long-term relationship. It takes two to tango and all that. Yet somehow James casts Tori as not only the villain, but also an immoral temptress. It wasn’t until over halfway through this book that James got over himself and finally started treating Tori with the respect and decency she deserved. That’s a hard pill to swallow for me. I know plenty of people who enjoy the love to hate trope. It’s just not for me.
As much as that bothered me, I love how Tori and James finally connected on that deeper level. Discovering their shared interests and finding joy in that discovery was a lot of fun to read. There is also an icky coworker who is also James’ cousin that I was worried about but ended up liking that James never felt comfortable with his words or actions and finally spoke up, even before he actually realized he liked Tori and she wasn’t what he assumed.
There was an underlying “secret” Tori had about her past that is easy enough for a reader to guess. Or so I thought. While I’m not a fan of the big secret trope, this didn’t seem like it was one of those huge black clouds that hung over the couple. It only got attention when the creepy coworker made veiled threats. I am not kidding when I say that the reveal of this secret took my rating down a half a notch. It was really silly that the author made what Tori did in the past something Tori was ashamed and embarrassed of when she was so sex-positive in other ways. It was confusing and didn’t line up with this character’s personality.
Again, a mixed back for me. Things that really work and have me enjoying the story overall along with things that take me out of the story because they just don’t make sense.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
August 16, 2022
I received this arc of Won’t Back Down in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in the Bro Code series by Shelli Stevens. I’ve read all the books in the series and this was my favorite. We had met the main characters in the prior two books so I was glad they were getting their own story. The book features James Watson, one of the group of friends from college who are back in his home town. His longtime girlfriend Hannah had broken up with him a while back after he admitted to kissing his sister’s friend Tori Brown. He also had another intimate moment with her at his sister’s wedding. When James took the bar exam he failed it due to all the stress in his life. He is working at a law firm with the promise of moving up once he passes the bar.
Much to James’ surprise, he learns that Tori has been recently hired in the HR department for his firm. Other than sharing the kisses, the two normally do not get along. His cousin Ryan, who is a partner at the same firm has called dibs on Tori. He asked if James was interested and he declined the chance. So according to the bro code, James has no claim on Tori. Unfortunately for Tori, Ryan is a bit sleazy in his pursuit of her. She is not interested in Ryan but is afraid to stand up for her opinion for fear it will hurt her at work. The three seem to be at family gatherings, work related activities and around the office often. She and James have a sticky relationship as he blames her for his break up with Hannah, even when it is agreed that they were more like friends.
Things start to change between them and James notices the way Ryan pursues her. He tries to protect her, getting into it with his cousin. Their friends and his family suspect there’s something between James and Tori. In the previous books, I was not a fan of Tori, but after learning her background and seeing her interactions with her friends and at work, I became sympathetic to her. I liked James and Tori both very much. Shelli did a great job on this book and the series. The characters were well developed and other than Ryan, I found them genuine, nice and likable. This was a fun concept for a series, the bro code. Each book was a different example of one of the forbidden types of situations a guy should avoid. I gave this 5 stars and highly recommend this book.
Much to James’ surprise, he learns that Tori has been recently hired in the HR department for his firm. Other than sharing the kisses, the two normally do not get along. His cousin Ryan, who is a partner at the same firm has called dibs on Tori. He asked if James was interested and he declined the chance. So according to the bro code, James has no claim on Tori. Unfortunately for Tori, Ryan is a bit sleazy in his pursuit of her. She is not interested in Ryan but is afraid to stand up for her opinion for fear it will hurt her at work. The three seem to be at family gatherings, work related activities and around the office often. She and James have a sticky relationship as he blames her for his break up with Hannah, even when it is agreed that they were more like friends.
Things start to change between them and James notices the way Ryan pursues her. He tries to protect her, getting into it with his cousin. Their friends and his family suspect there’s something between James and Tori. In the previous books, I was not a fan of Tori, but after learning her background and seeing her interactions with her friends and at work, I became sympathetic to her. I liked James and Tori both very much. Shelli did a great job on this book and the series. The characters were well developed and other than Ryan, I found them genuine, nice and likable. This was a fun concept for a series, the bro code. Each book was a different example of one of the forbidden types of situations a guy should avoid. I gave this 5 stars and highly recommend this book.
August 17, 2022
Won’t Back Down by Shelli Stevens, book three in her Bro Code series, is about James Watson and Victoria Brown. Tori is James’s sister Kristen’s best friend, and who had a few occasions where their lips locked, with heated results, while telling themselves they don’t even like each other. Tori should be off-limits considering she’s James’ sister’s best friend, not that it will stop him. When Tori gets a job in HR at the law firm James is working at, his cousin calls “dibs” which is another reason Tori should be off-limits. The problem is James is still attracted to her. They might try to avoid each other, only that never works. As James and Tori work through their issues and become friends, okay, more than friends, they are there for each other. It was difficult for these two to be separated considering the strong, magnetic attraction pulling them together, the sparks and sizzling chemistry they shared, and their shared interests.
Ms Stevens wrote a wonderful story that should definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with friendship, magnetic attraction, sizzling chemistry, witty dialogue, raw emotions, family and friendships that will give you all the feels while helping James and Tori grow their love and receive the happiness they deserve. I highly recommend Won’t Back Down to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms Stevens wrote a wonderful story that should definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with friendship, magnetic attraction, sizzling chemistry, witty dialogue, raw emotions, family and friendships that will give you all the feels while helping James and Tori grow their love and receive the happiness they deserve. I highly recommend Won’t Back Down to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
August 11, 2022
Won't Back Down is the third book in the Bro Code Series by Shelli Stevens. This s a fun not too serious romance read that is escapism reading with a capital E. A sister’s best friend and cousin want to date story. So of course Tori Brown is off limits that puts James Watson in a bind since he’s also attracted to her. Fun read as these two try their best to avoid each other. That never works in books.
Will they or won’t they ever get together for their HEA, read to find out. Amusing banter as Tori and James maneuver working at the same business and being around family too.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Will they or won’t they ever get together for their HEA, read to find out. Amusing banter as Tori and James maneuver working at the same business and being around family too.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 6, 2022
I loved reading James and Tori’s story in Won’t Back Down, book 3 in author Shelli Stevens’ fantastic Bro Code series. I’ve been dying to read their story ever since their lip lock and his breakup with Hannah. These two did not have the best of starts and their relationship gets even more awkward when they both end up working at the same law firm. I really enjoyed seeing them work through their issues and actually become friends and have each other’s back. The author did a wonderful job with the storytelling filled with witty dialogue, raw emotions, family and friendships that will give you all the feels. I hope there’s more books in this series.
April 13, 2023
2.5 I liked Tori but wasn't loving this smart woman's career goal ending. And I thought James lashed out at her so much he actually hurt her more than Hannah. He kissed Tori and Hannah broke up with him after being together half their lives, he didn't hide it and told Hannah immediately. But he judged Tori and blamed her for almost a year. He told her to leave her job and implied she was receptive to his cousin. It wasn't a shock she thought she wasn't good enough. But he eventually does the right thing.
July 26, 2022
Shelli Stevens hits it out of the park with this one! The third installment in the Bro Code series is a fantastic enemies-to-lovers story. The banter between James & Tori is tension-filled and many times laugh-out-loud snarky. The heat between the main characters is explosive & their vulnerability delivers all the feels. I've enjoyed all the books in this series, but Won't Back Down is my favorite!
August 13, 2022
Third book in this fun series that is pure escapism which is what we all need at some time This is the perfect book to help you unwind and just enjoy with no major angst or drama
Victoria (Tori) Brown is the best friend of James Watson sister and the bane of his life they aggravate one another so much but secretly they also ant one another Will they give into the attraction Can they have a future You will have to read to see
Victoria (Tori) Brown is the best friend of James Watson sister and the bane of his life they aggravate one another so much but secretly they also ant one another Will they give into the attraction Can they have a future You will have to read to see
June 29, 2022
I voluntarily read an advanced reader's copy of this book for a honest opinion.
Another great story by Shelli Stevens. Won't Back Down which is book three in the Bro Code
series. I would read this series in order so you will know some of the back stories of different characters. I enjoyed past books I've read by author and this one didn't disappoint me.
Another great story by Shelli Stevens. Won't Back Down which is book three in the Bro Code
series. I would read this series in order so you will know some of the back stories of different characters. I enjoyed past books I've read by author and this one didn't disappoint me.
July 9, 2022
This one has chemistry off the charts between James and Tori, it also has some scary way tense moments which dropped my rating from 5 star, which probably isn’t fair cause it really means I was so involved with the character I was scared for her, which is good writing. Loved this series and glad I read them in order and suggest you do the same, you’ll be glad you did.
July 19, 2022
The bro code erupts on the scene when Tori and James start a red hot romance. James’ arrogant cousin is bound and determined to put out the flame on this romance and pick up Tori for his own purposes. Things get seriously blazing in this novel with all the spice it has.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 11, 2022
What a great addition to this series. It was a very entertaining read. I loved the story line and the chemistry between the main characters was hot! I have enjoyed all the books in this series. I look forward to reading more by this author. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2022
Tori and James are off limits to each other or are they? Kirsten is James's sister and Tori's best friend so they've stayed away in order not to hurt her feelings or get her involved in case it didn't work out.
August 11, 2022
What a fun book. You get a look into Cosplay and the comic world but also some struggles faced in the workplace.
I loved James and Tori and how once James is there to protect Yorinyet yearning for her.
When Tori tries to break free James shows her how much he cares..and jn the most unique way!
Perfect Fun Read!
I loved James and Tori and how once James is there to protect Yorinyet yearning for her.
When Tori tries to break free James shows her how much he cares..and jn the most unique way!
Perfect Fun Read!
September 2, 2022
James' life is a mess. In the past year he has lost his long term girlfriend and failed the bar exam. When his best friend's sister starts at his firm he is reminded how kissing her ended his relationship. They hate each other despite having locked lips on several occasions. When his cousin takes an interest in Tori the bro code takes affect. James becomes protective of her when his cousin's intention is just to bed Tori. Tori is too worried about her job to tell him off but she is not interested in him. Despite the strong two sided attraction Tori and James become friends. Can James break the bro code and find his own happiness? Good read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews