What do you think?
Rate this book
Alexander Twins #1
Now or Never
Twenty-one year old Grayson Alexander finally breaks away from an abusive relationship and finds herself free for the first time in three years.
Determined to enjoy her new-found freedom, Grayson is intent on sticking with 'no strings attached' relationships—one-night stands, and steamy sex.
But she didn't plan on Derrick.
Her attraction to the sexy man in uniform quickly turns into an unhealthy relationship. They both try to resist the pull, but neither can stay away.
When tragedy strikes, Grayson realizes it's now or never—walk away or make it work.
Determined to enjoy her new-found freedom, Grayson is intent on sticking with 'no strings attached' relationships—one-night stands, and steamy sex.
But she didn't plan on Derrick.
Her attraction to the sexy man in uniform quickly turns into an unhealthy relationship. They both try to resist the pull, but neither can stay away.
When tragedy strikes, Grayson realizes it's now or never—walk away or make it work.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2013
113 people are currently reading
2074 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Bennett
17 books399 followersA.J. Bennett lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and bulldog. She's addicted to coffee, popcorn and books. Becoming an author has been a lifelong dream, and she's extremely excited about her debut novel Now or Never.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
July 18, 2013
Seriously? What the flipping hell did I just read? I know that phrase has been overdone, but if ever there was a time to use it, it would be now. Right now...I'm like...wha-??...this is...ummmmmm...
I have never had this reaction to a book before.
Reasons why I am not a fan of this book:
1) I hated the heroine
2) I hated the hero
3)I hated them as a couple (if you could even call them that. They labeled themselves "friends with benefits")
4)They slept with other people but got jealous and angry when the other did it.
5)The next morning after she sleeps with one of the random guys from a bar, he tells her that he is married but wants to keep seeing her when he comes to town. Is she angry? NO! She's like, oh, ok, maybe I'll give you a call.
6)She slept with him AND other guys UNPROTECTED
7)They played mind games through the whole book and then at the end they basically tell each other that they love each other against their will....they tried to fight it, but they can't stop thinking about them...(how touching)
8)When she tells him she loves him at the end, his reaction is kind of like, "Do you really?" (Can you blame him?)
9) I had no interest in knowing whether or not they would stay together. No hope either. They were a trainwreck. With a capital T.
10)The story made absolutely no sense to me. Except to highlight that some people have really screwed up relationships and make REALLY, REALLY bad choices.
I really wish I could get the last few hours of my life back.
And lastly, I think the title should be NEVER OR NEVER. No. Just.....No.
I have never had this reaction to a book before.
Reasons why I am not a fan of this book:
1) I hated the heroine
2) I hated the hero
3)I hated them as a couple (if you could even call them that. They labeled themselves "friends with benefits")
4)They slept with other people but got jealous and angry when the other did it.
5)The next morning after she sleeps with one of the random guys from a bar, he tells her that he is married but wants to keep seeing her when he comes to town. Is she angry? NO! She's like, oh, ok, maybe I'll give you a call.
6)She slept with him AND other guys UNPROTECTED
7)They played mind games through the whole book and then at the end they basically tell each other that they love each other against their will....they tried to fight it, but they can't stop thinking about them...(how touching)
8)When she tells him she loves him at the end, his reaction is kind of like, "Do you really?" (Can you blame him?)
9) I had no interest in knowing whether or not they would stay together. No hope either. They were a trainwreck. With a capital T.
10)The story made absolutely no sense to me. Except to highlight that some people have really screwed up relationships and make REALLY, REALLY bad choices.
I really wish I could get the last few hours of my life back.
And lastly, I think the title should be NEVER OR NEVER. No. Just.....No.
June 12, 2014
When Grayson escaped her abusive boyfriend, I cheered for her.
And then she starts having one night stands right out of the gate, and I was like...
Then she met Derrick and that's when shit just went downhill for me.
First of all, Derrick is a cheating, lying, asshole. There was nothing cool or edgy about him. He's just a douche. It's that simple.
But still Gray throws herself at him over and over again while sexing up the whole town. I mean, hey, let's make this situation even more ridiculous, let's have indiscriminate sex with other people!
Somewhere along this clusterfuck, I wised up and started skimming until the end. The ending is pretty much a load of crap since we're supposed to believe that these two characters are in love. Frankly, I didn't see it.
Conclusion?
And then she starts having one night stands right out of the gate, and I was like...
Then she met Derrick and that's when shit just went downhill for me.
First of all, Derrick is a cheating, lying, asshole. There was nothing cool or edgy about him. He's just a douche. It's that simple.
But still Gray throws herself at him over and over again while sexing up the whole town. I mean, hey, let's make this situation even more ridiculous, let's have indiscriminate sex with other people!
Somewhere along this clusterfuck, I wised up and started skimming until the end. The ending is pretty much a load of crap since we're supposed to believe that these two characters are in love. Frankly, I didn't see it.
Conclusion?
June 30, 2013
What. The. Fuck. Did I just read??
Two fucking gingers. Shoulda been my first clue NOT to read this train-wreck!
I mean Christ on a cracker, this book was so horrible that I don't even hate it. I'm just... Impervious. It's so bad that I can laugh at it.
In a nutshell:
Girl ginger has zero redeeming qualities or self-worth. She's a slut and a proud home-wrecker who has unprotected sex with... I honestly lost count how many people she slept with throughout the book. She leaves one physically abusive asshole just to "fall in love with" (although most would call it chase after to point of being pathetic and desperate) another cheating, lying asshole.
Guy ginger... We learn absolutely nothing about him other than he's a Marine and an asshole that lies more than not, so much so that he believes the shit spewing from his mouth.
Guy ginger plays girl ginger like a fucking YoYo and she's ping-ponging between beds with Marines, Navy SEALS, and Soldiers.
By the end they both say they love each other and are going to try and work it out and get over their trust issues.. Blah blah blah. The whole time I'm skimming through the ending so I can wash my hands of this mess, I'm thinking in the back on my mind "what the fuck ever, whoooo cares?!"
So yeah. I just wasted more time writing this rant, but I figured I at least owe an explanation for my shitty rating of such a shitty book.
My apologies for profuse profanity. So much being impervious Lol This book brought out the sailor in me. :D
Two fucking gingers. Shoulda been my first clue NOT to read this train-wreck!
I mean Christ on a cracker, this book was so horrible that I don't even hate it. I'm just... Impervious. It's so bad that I can laugh at it.
In a nutshell:
Girl ginger has zero redeeming qualities or self-worth. She's a slut and a proud home-wrecker who has unprotected sex with... I honestly lost count how many people she slept with throughout the book. She leaves one physically abusive asshole just to "fall in love with" (although most would call it chase after to point of being pathetic and desperate) another cheating, lying asshole.
Guy ginger... We learn absolutely nothing about him other than he's a Marine and an asshole that lies more than not, so much so that he believes the shit spewing from his mouth.
Guy ginger plays girl ginger like a fucking YoYo and she's ping-ponging between beds with Marines, Navy SEALS, and Soldiers.
By the end they both say they love each other and are going to try and work it out and get over their trust issues.. Blah blah blah. The whole time I'm skimming through the ending so I can wash my hands of this mess, I'm thinking in the back on my mind "what the fuck ever, whoooo cares?!"
So yeah. I just wasted more time writing this rant, but I figured I at least owe an explanation for my shitty rating of such a shitty book.
My apologies for profuse profanity. So much being impervious Lol This book brought out the sailor in me. :D
Want to read
March 26, 2014FREE today on Amazon US (3/25/2014).
http://www.amazon.com/Now-Never-J-Ben...
http://www.amazon.com/Now-Never-J-Ben...
June 20, 2013
Grayson I feel for ya hun, your abusive boyfriend is an a**hat and if I were you I'd punch or kick or perhaps both him in the baby maker. "I don't want anyone else looking at you or talking to you. If I had it my way, I'd keep you locked in the house all to myself." Normally I'd think that's a sweet possessive but when you read what's in front of it you'd be like 'say what?' It's great Grayson has a sister that really cares for her, "did he hurt you? Because I swear I will string him up by his testicles if he did." Grayson is if not nothing but honest, "I'm serious. I'll just hurt you. I can't do a real relationship right now or maybe ever. No dating. No romance. Just sex and friendship." I applaud her for being straight up honest with Derrick, but I did have my issues with her, and this statement, after all I'm a romance kind of girl. Derrick is also an honest boy, "Derrick sighed, pulling into a parking spot. "I don't have a girlfriend. I'm staying with a guy on the team, and they have a kid. I don't think it's appropriate to have sex in their house, and Ethan told me you were living with you mom." It's great to see some guy with morals. He's also quite the looker ladies (winks) "he tossed off his shirt exposing his broad muscular chest. She ran her hands over his rippled stomach and unbuttoned his pants." When their 'non-relationship' starts to go further we see different sides of both Derrick and Grayson, Derrick starts to get more possessive (this one is a good possessive.) "Maybe I changed my mind. I don't like seeing you with someone else. It sorta pisses me off." Derrick can be so real, that it's sweet, "I want to sleep with you, wake up with you. I want to make you smile, and hear your laugh. I want to know everything about you that makes you tick. I want to go in search of rocks with you, and get to know your crazy family better. I want to make you happy, Gray." I really liked this book and I can't wait to see what the author has to offer.
August 5, 2016
"Now or Never" is basically about Grayson breaking free of her abusive relationship and where she then decides to go on a f*cking spree. Sorry but I can't make it prettier than it is, meanwhile she meets Derrick who she's falling for. But she doesn't want to commit to him just yet and he isn't really ready for it either, so they both decide to a friends with benefits relationship while continuing hooking up with other random people. And that goes on for the majority of the book….
I am not sure what to make of this read but I'm happy I read "Truth or Dare" first cause that one was way better than this. Had I read this first I would have passed on the companion novel that much is sure. There's little plot and the chemistry was nowhere to be found between the main characters. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't find myself liking either of them. They are lying, selfish people who deserve to be miserable together. But what put me off the most was Grayson sleeping with a married man. Her whatshisname abusive ex was also a cheater and she didn't tolerate it from him, talk about double standards. Alright she found out about the married part after the deed was done but after the guy told her she just shrugged it away.
And the ending where everything was all magically okay and forgiven….their 'love' was expressed..
I'd loved to give a more positive review but I just can't, sorry.
I am not sure what to make of this read but I'm happy I read "Truth or Dare" first cause that one was way better than this. Had I read this first I would have passed on the companion novel that much is sure. There's little plot and the chemistry was nowhere to be found between the main characters. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't find myself liking either of them. They are lying, selfish people who deserve to be miserable together. But what put me off the most was Grayson sleeping with a married man. Her whatshisname abusive ex was also a cheater and she didn't tolerate it from him, talk about double standards. Alright she found out about the married part after the deed was done but after the guy told her she just shrugged it away.
And the ending where everything was all magically okay and forgiven….their 'love' was expressed..
I'd loved to give a more positive review but I just can't, sorry.
April 22, 2018
I've been trying to read books I that have been on my TBR for a lot if time and that own, but I can honestly say I should have passed this one.
June 28, 2013
Ok, so there is a part of me that is seriously thinking how can I rate this 5 stars when they were both so messed up? I think it is because they were sooo f*cked up. Unbelievably or maybe very believable. I know, I know. I'm seriously questioning my sanity here. First, I do agree with some others who rated this about:
1) If you hate the idea of cheating, then you will have issues with this.
2) If you tag someone who has sex with more than one person in a week a slut/whore then you probably won't want to read this. Without context, I would probably agree that the term may fit.
3) Unprotected sex with a stranger? Um, yeah, that crap happens so reality check, although I cringe at the thought, it is just one more thing that is very believable about the path Gray takes after her abusive relationship ends.
4) It is hard to believe people could be this messed up about relationships or lack thereof, but then again, I've seen it so I guess I can't be too hard on this book with the "WTFs that is just not possible".
I'm still shaking my head on the things Gray does and Derrick's response and reactions as well. Gray gets the courage to walk away from her fiance, only to walk into even crazier situations thanks to her sister. And people, yes, some women are as "free" spirited as Luna. It is definitely easier to imagine men sleeping around with no emotional entanglement, but not women. I say, wrong! Women can be that way too and honestly, if men can be man-whores, then I'm a fair is fair kinda woman myself and say, let her be.
All in all, Gray does not sleep with a slew of men, it is just that her choices to have one night stands with unprotected sex, married men, and no strings attached are really stupid choices. However, I would not stone the woman for making those choices. She is 21 and well, we have all done things we cringe about in hindsight. And let's face it, Derrick definitely had me imagining all the crap he was hiding. She did so many things out of anger and jealousy that that in itself is what had me cringing even more, but also honestly thinking, crap, I can definitely see me doing something just as stupid at 21.
I don't know how they will get past all of it to be honest. How do you forget the indiscretions regardless if you made a lot of mistakes too? Maybe two messed up people can see past those mistakes since it wasn't all one-sided. Uh, I don't know. I'm just not sure how you could love someone and make those mistakes.
At the end, it was a very interesting book and I definitely got caught up in the drama. And because I can definitely see people making these mistakes or having made them, I'm going to say that I loved the book for how "real" it was to me.
1) If you hate the idea of cheating, then you will have issues with this.
2) If you tag someone who has sex with more than one person in a week a slut/whore then you probably won't want to read this. Without context, I would probably agree that the term may fit.
3) Unprotected sex with a stranger? Um, yeah, that crap happens so reality check, although I cringe at the thought, it is just one more thing that is very believable about the path Gray takes after her abusive relationship ends.
4) It is hard to believe people could be this messed up about relationships or lack thereof, but then again, I've seen it so I guess I can't be too hard on this book with the "WTFs that is just not possible".
I'm still shaking my head on the things Gray does and Derrick's response and reactions as well. Gray gets the courage to walk away from her fiance, only to walk into even crazier situations thanks to her sister. And people, yes, some women are as "free" spirited as Luna. It is definitely easier to imagine men sleeping around with no emotional entanglement, but not women. I say, wrong! Women can be that way too and honestly, if men can be man-whores, then I'm a fair is fair kinda woman myself and say, let her be.
All in all, Gray does not sleep with a slew of men, it is just that her choices to have one night stands with unprotected sex, married men, and no strings attached are really stupid choices. However, I would not stone the woman for making those choices. She is 21 and well, we have all done things we cringe about in hindsight. And let's face it, Derrick definitely had me imagining all the crap he was hiding. She did so many things out of anger and jealousy that that in itself is what had me cringing even more, but also honestly thinking, crap, I can definitely see me doing something just as stupid at 21.
I don't know how they will get past all of it to be honest. How do you forget the indiscretions regardless if you made a lot of mistakes too? Maybe two messed up people can see past those mistakes since it wasn't all one-sided. Uh, I don't know. I'm just not sure how you could love someone and make those mistakes.
At the end, it was a very interesting book and I definitely got caught up in the drama. And because I can definitely see people making these mistakes or having made them, I'm going to say that I loved the book for how "real" it was to me.
July 7, 2013
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can not tell you how much I absolutely loved reading this book. I am normally a quick reader especially if I like what I am reading but I cannot believe how quickly I went through this book. Now or Never is fantastic, amazing, somewhat gritty read, that you absolutely will not be able to put down. I don't even know where to start with my review because there are just so many things to say.
Grayson is engaged to Josh a total absolute slimy douchebag, and I mean that very literally. My heart broke and raced for Grayson because she has been living a lie and suffering untold amount of pain all because of one man. When that final stars is broken my spirits lifted for her and I found myself cheering her on, even though she was beyond scared she did what she must. Grayson has no solid plan but get away and start fresh, she ends up heading home to her family. That is where she meets Derrick (swoon), at cafe and she cannot understand the cocky man in front of her. She brushes him off and finish the trek home so that she can enjoy the peace and quiet she has been dying for. Her peace does not last long because her kooky fun loving twin sister Luna comes over and drags her out of the house telling her she must have a one night stand and move on from douchebag Josh.
Grayson is the shy sister but finds that it is somewhat freeing to be able to act carefree like Luna. She begins to enjoy herself and then bam at her brothers cookout there is Derrick. Her brother is in the military and Derrick is part of his team and he tells the guys his sisters are off limits. That doesn't stop Grayson from eyeballing Derick all night long, nor does it stop her from pursuing a no strings attached relationship. However as we all know some plans don't work out the way you plan. For one Josh is still out there looking for Grayson, for two Josh and Grayson have huge trust issues and three Josh is keeping a whopper of a secret.
There are points in the story like reall what the hell are you two thinking and like did she really do that or why the hell is she tolerating that. In the end all relationships take work and you are guessing if Grayson and Josh can get over their issues and make a true relationship form. The ending was fantastic because I wasn't 100% sure that is where it was gonna go. A.J. Did an amazing job with the secondary characters, so much so that I am totally craving another book for Luna hint hint wink wink if you read this A.J. I highly highly recommend this book to all readers that enjoy military men, some drama and some really HOT!!! Sex scenes. Do not pass this book up.
I can not tell you how much I absolutely loved reading this book. I am normally a quick reader especially if I like what I am reading but I cannot believe how quickly I went through this book. Now or Never is fantastic, amazing, somewhat gritty read, that you absolutely will not be able to put down. I don't even know where to start with my review because there are just so many things to say.
Grayson is engaged to Josh a total absolute slimy douchebag, and I mean that very literally. My heart broke and raced for Grayson because she has been living a lie and suffering untold amount of pain all because of one man. When that final stars is broken my spirits lifted for her and I found myself cheering her on, even though she was beyond scared she did what she must. Grayson has no solid plan but get away and start fresh, she ends up heading home to her family. That is where she meets Derrick (swoon), at cafe and she cannot understand the cocky man in front of her. She brushes him off and finish the trek home so that she can enjoy the peace and quiet she has been dying for. Her peace does not last long because her kooky fun loving twin sister Luna comes over and drags her out of the house telling her she must have a one night stand and move on from douchebag Josh.
Grayson is the shy sister but finds that it is somewhat freeing to be able to act carefree like Luna. She begins to enjoy herself and then bam at her brothers cookout there is Derrick. Her brother is in the military and Derrick is part of his team and he tells the guys his sisters are off limits. That doesn't stop Grayson from eyeballing Derick all night long, nor does it stop her from pursuing a no strings attached relationship. However as we all know some plans don't work out the way you plan. For one Josh is still out there looking for Grayson, for two Josh and Grayson have huge trust issues and three Josh is keeping a whopper of a secret.
There are points in the story like reall what the hell are you two thinking and like did she really do that or why the hell is she tolerating that. In the end all relationships take work and you are guessing if Grayson and Josh can get over their issues and make a true relationship form. The ending was fantastic because I wasn't 100% sure that is where it was gonna go. A.J. Did an amazing job with the secondary characters, so much so that I am totally craving another book for Luna hint hint wink wink if you read this A.J. I highly highly recommend this book to all readers that enjoy military men, some drama and some really HOT!!! Sex scenes. Do not pass this book up.
June 20, 2013
Review to come very soon!
July 22, 2013
This book was amazing! From the synopsis it isn't normally a book that I would pick up if the cover wasn't so eye-catching and it didn't sound a good book, but I'm really glad I signed up for the Blog Tour! This book really did blow me away! The plot of this book isn't something that I would normally read but I enjoyed it! I didn't like that the main character changed a lot from the beginning of the book to the end and that she slept around with a lot of guys! I can't stand girls that do that, but the main character of this book had just come out of a rough relationship so she was having some fun and I understood that! The plot kept getting better and better and I couldn't put it down until I had got to the end! It also had some twists in it that I didn't see coming! I like when a book surprises me and this one certainly did! The characters were also amazing! Grayson was the main character and at the beginning of this book she was in a relationship that she didn't want to be in! She was in a horrible predicament and she didn't know what to do until something happens that makes her make a final decision! I definitely think that Grayson made the right decision and I was so happy when she did! During this book Grayson changed quite a lot! It felt like she had become a stronger person and she was more independent! What I didn't like about her was that I think she took the sleeping with a bunch of guys thing a little bit too seriously! I know she was letting herself go, but I didn't understand why she kept sleeping with guys when the chemistry between her and Derrick was on fire! Derrick was hot! No doubt about it! He was the love interest of Grayson and even though he was hot, he was quite stubborn! He obviously messed around with some other girls as well and he didn't really tell Grayson about them, but I loved that he finally realised that Grayson was the girl for him! They were such an amazing couple and they both taught each other so much! I can completely understand why this book is a standalone as the ending was perfect! Everything was resolved and it was beautiful! I will definitely be reading more books from A.J. Bennett when she releases them as this book was a fantastic debut! The cover is also stunning! I helped reveal it and I didn't think that I would get the chance to be on the Blog Tour as well! The cover really is beautiful! Big thank you to A.J. for a copy of Now or Never and to Alison from Mrs Potter's Book Publicity Services for having me on the Blog Tour!
April 11, 2014
The book started out great, but as the book went on I felt as if Grayson didn't develop well at all. If you are looking for a story with growth and a character who is strong and heroic- this isn't the story for you. She makes this big decision to leave her abusive ex boyfriend, but her fears and trama from a physically and mentally abusive relationship are not show throughout the book. There is one scene where she has a flashback when a man's hand grazes her neck- but that is the extent. After volunteering and being around many women at a safe haven home for battered women- I didn't feel like the character portrayed this abuse well. Then the character kept embarrassing herself- I started to feel so bad for her. She was letting men walk all over her, not standing up for herself, and then basically becoming obsessed with the male love interest. It was quiet sad. Then she automatically accepts his apology for screwing her over and all we get is a little explanation at the end of the book on why he was such a jerk. I didn't feel like his character was well portrayed at all. Quiet jerk. That's what I would call him. THEN I kept waiting for the story to be about her abusive ex who was obsessed with her, but he never showed up. Those types of men don't give up. They stalk and beg and cry for forgiveness until someone is hurt or dead. What happened to him? He just disappeared mid way through the book. The writing style by the author was actually pretty well done- except for the fact that I may have enjoyed it better if it were in first person. There were a few instances where I had to keep rereading because I didn't know who was talking or who was saying what.For a free book, this book was satisfying and pretty sad. I wouldn't say I loved it or was blown away, and I may not read another book in the series unless it is free.
Wait...I forgot to add that Grayson has unprotected sex over and over again. The author would have done well to teach her a lesson. Give her herpes or something to make the story interesting....WTH???
Wait...I forgot to add that Grayson has unprotected sex over and over again. The author would have done well to teach her a lesson. Give her herpes or something to make the story interesting....WTH???
July 30, 2013
Omg omg omg omg! LOVED THIS BOOK! I basically read it in 5 hours. Im sure it couldve been shorter but kids!! AHH who needs them oh wait I do. Now or Never is an amazing read! Id been in a bit of a funk trying to find a book that would grab me and thats exactly what it did.
Greyson is in a shittay relationship with Josh. Hes an abusive prick face. And finally she leaves him. She runs to her family in TN. To her mother’s house actually. Her twin sister lives near by and her older brother is in the armed forces.. Is it horrible I dont exactly remember what branch.. Mainly because idc they are all panty droppers to me. Anyways. On her way she meets this super hot guy in a starbucks not far from her moms house. She doesnt give him a second thought.. PSYCHE she totally does. When she runs into him at her brothers house well she learns he may not be the best guy for her. So she sleep around with random guys and well she REALLY lets loose.
One day she grows some balls (not literally obviously) and Gives Derrick from Starbucks a call and an offer he cant refuse. Friends with benefits.. Ahh the life of a single fictional character. LMAO! Anyways things are fine for awhile they are adventerous and VERY EXTREMELY sexy. But like any good book there are obstacles. One in particular totally made me cry! I was not expecting that! But at the same time I was perhaps I live in the lovely land of denial idk.
So basically go out and buy this book. DEVOUR THIS THIS BOOK LIKE IT BELONGS TO YOU!! Seriously youll get that line when you read the book. Congrats on this CAPTIVATING Debut Bennett!!
Greyson is in a shittay relationship with Josh. Hes an abusive prick face. And finally she leaves him. She runs to her family in TN. To her mother’s house actually. Her twin sister lives near by and her older brother is in the armed forces.. Is it horrible I dont exactly remember what branch.. Mainly because idc they are all panty droppers to me. Anyways. On her way she meets this super hot guy in a starbucks not far from her moms house. She doesnt give him a second thought.. PSYCHE she totally does. When she runs into him at her brothers house well she learns he may not be the best guy for her. So she sleep around with random guys and well she REALLY lets loose.
One day she grows some balls (not literally obviously) and Gives Derrick from Starbucks a call and an offer he cant refuse. Friends with benefits.. Ahh the life of a single fictional character. LMAO! Anyways things are fine for awhile they are adventerous and VERY EXTREMELY sexy. But like any good book there are obstacles. One in particular totally made me cry! I was not expecting that! But at the same time I was perhaps I live in the lovely land of denial idk.
So basically go out and buy this book. DEVOUR THIS THIS BOOK LIKE IT BELONGS TO YOU!! Seriously youll get that line when you read the book. Congrats on this CAPTIVATING Debut Bennett!!
May 24, 2013
I was so excited to be lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book.
I couldn't wait to get started on it. I read it in one sitting and let me tell you this book was amazing.
Grayson is a girl that at the beginning is stuck in a bad relationship. She decides that it is time to get away and heads to her moms house. Once she gets there her twin sister Luna talks her into going out with her to bars and tries to get Grayson to have a one night stand.
"Then he moved his hands into prayer positions at his chest, looked to the ceiling and whispered, "Thank you."
Derrick is Army and in the same unit as Grayson's brother. These two originally met at a coffee shop before Grayson got to her moms house. She runs into him again at a BBQ at her brothers house. She gets warned to stay away from him but sometimes its hard to stay away from a man as hot and sexy as Derrick.. YUMMY.. Derrick ends up getting deployed. Things happen that you wont hear from me. Haha. So you will have to read this book to find out.
I cant go into to much details with these two without giving the book away and I really hate spoiling a book for someone. So basically all I can say is this book was amazing. I laughed and even shed a few tears. I love the characters in this book. They all fit perfectly into the story. This is A.J. Bennett's first book and she did an outstanding job with it. You should definitely grab this one when it comes out.
I couldn't wait to get started on it. I read it in one sitting and let me tell you this book was amazing.
Grayson is a girl that at the beginning is stuck in a bad relationship. She decides that it is time to get away and heads to her moms house. Once she gets there her twin sister Luna talks her into going out with her to bars and tries to get Grayson to have a one night stand.
"Then he moved his hands into prayer positions at his chest, looked to the ceiling and whispered, "Thank you."
Derrick is Army and in the same unit as Grayson's brother. These two originally met at a coffee shop before Grayson got to her moms house. She runs into him again at a BBQ at her brothers house. She gets warned to stay away from him but sometimes its hard to stay away from a man as hot and sexy as Derrick.. YUMMY.. Derrick ends up getting deployed. Things happen that you wont hear from me. Haha. So you will have to read this book to find out.
I cant go into to much details with these two without giving the book away and I really hate spoiling a book for someone. So basically all I can say is this book was amazing. I laughed and even shed a few tears. I love the characters in this book. They all fit perfectly into the story. This is A.J. Bennett's first book and she did an outstanding job with it. You should definitely grab this one when it comes out.
August 5, 2013
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I like how A.J Bennett writes this story.I really cannot say though that I like Grayson .This is the story of Grayson who is finally free from her abusive ex.She decides she doesnt want a relationship but a bunch of flings and lots of sex.First off let me say I personally don't like when female Main characters have sex with multiple people.So that was a bit hard for me to get past when reading it.BUT that is what Grayson wants.Then there is Derrick whom she chooses to have a open relationship with.Their relationship if you can call it that is a mess.I mean seriously.Im shaking my head here at Grayson and Derrick.What are you guys teenagers?This is an EXTREMELY unhealthy relationship.Very unhealthy.
Im at a loss because on one hand I liked the book but on the other I did not.The Main characters really bugged me and I just wanted to slap them both.The writing is excellent and the storyline flows very well.Its a well written book.I just simply cannot get over how badly the characters acted in the story.Im rating this story 4 stars because of the writing and how well it flows.I however would rather read something less dramatic by AJ Bennett next time and better Main Characters.
I like how A.J Bennett writes this story.I really cannot say though that I like Grayson .This is the story of Grayson who is finally free from her abusive ex.She decides she doesnt want a relationship but a bunch of flings and lots of sex.First off let me say I personally don't like when female Main characters have sex with multiple people.So that was a bit hard for me to get past when reading it.BUT that is what Grayson wants.Then there is Derrick whom she chooses to have a open relationship with.Their relationship if you can call it that is a mess.I mean seriously.Im shaking my head here at Grayson and Derrick.What are you guys teenagers?This is an EXTREMELY unhealthy relationship.Very unhealthy.
Im at a loss because on one hand I liked the book but on the other I did not.The Main characters really bugged me and I just wanted to slap them both.The writing is excellent and the storyline flows very well.Its a well written book.I just simply cannot get over how badly the characters acted in the story.Im rating this story 4 stars because of the writing and how well it flows.I however would rather read something less dramatic by AJ Bennett next time and better Main Characters.
Read
August 1, 2013***DNF***
It's been awhile since I read a book that I could not finish. I was super excited to read Now or Never, because the synopsis sounded great. But I just couldn't get into the story.
Now or Never started off good, but after I finished the first chapter I knew that it was going to go downhill for me. The ONLY and MAJOR problem I had with Now or Never was there was A LOT OF DIALOGUE! I was only able to read up to chapter four.
It's been awhile since I read a book that I could not finish. I was super excited to read Now or Never, because the synopsis sounded great. But I just couldn't get into the story.
Now or Never started off good, but after I finished the first chapter I knew that it was going to go downhill for me. The ONLY and MAJOR problem I had with Now or Never was there was A LOT OF DIALOGUE! I was only able to read up to chapter four.
March 26, 2014
Now or Never is not a mind fuck. It's not a raging female boner fest either. And neither one of those are reasons why I gave this book 3 stars (if goodreads allowed it, the book would be 3.5 stars). No, I gave Now or Never 3 stars because it was a good book. A simple, lose myself for an afternoon good book.
October 5, 2014
If a woman is getting out of an abusive relationship, she should not be having one night stands. It is maladaptive. I wanted to see the positive in this book but I just couldn't. Derrick didn't even make me swoon. He was a bit of a jerk and a grade A liar. I'm sorry but I just can't love this book.
June 20, 2013
Review to come soon!
July 22, 2013
Gritty and raw.. The way people harm one another with emotions
Full review w tour
Full review w tour
June 24, 2013
If you don't like cheating you should stay away from this book. But its not really cheating if you make rules like Grayson and Derrick have. Good read.
June 14, 2015
This story had some unexpected moments. Enjoyed it & ready to resd the next book.
May 31, 2022
Grayson was SO needy and pathetic. She was like that psycho b*tch you warned your brother about! I hated her. The only thing that was good about her character was that she wasn’t some innocent virgin. Derrick was fine. But whatever. The author made him a red head. I’m sorry, but who gets turned on by red-headed males? I even tried googling them so I had someone to picture but I came up empty. There was one that was ok but he’s on a show where he’s a total douche, so it makes him very unattractive. I hate when I can’t picture the H/h. That’s all. I couldn’t get passed her crazy. Maybe others can. But I’m out.
May 29, 2017
Now or Never by A.J. Bennett is a fast, erotic read. Not much plot and even less character development, but really HOTT encounters. I bought this book when book 2 came up on my TBR and I had not read it yet. I am generally a fan of Bennett, so maybe book 2 will redeem the story line.
August 30, 2017
Love it
One of the best books I have ever read. I would totally recommend it to anyone else in the world
One of the best books I have ever read. I would totally recommend it to anyone else in the world
January 29, 2019
Great read
Most definitely a great read. Very difficult to put down. Realistic. Captivating. Looking forward to reading more books by AJ Bennett
Most definitely a great read. Very difficult to put down. Realistic. Captivating. Looking forward to reading more books by AJ Bennett
December 30, 2019
Great book , really enjoyed it.
December 9, 2024
Stephanie,Ranger and Morelli all connected to a mobster and a killer
July 7, 2014
There were a few things that affected my rating for this book. I thought the reader wasn't given enough insight into the abuse that Grayson dealt with. Not that I'm pro-abuse, of course, but what we see at the beginning is that her boyfriend attacks her and she leaves. I felt like at that point I didn't know enough about the relationship to believe that she would pack up and leave. For the most part, sadly it takes women a long time to leave an abusive relationship and I thought we didn't get to see that. Even a week's worth of abuse, and I might have believed more easily that she was leaving. But just one night's worth - it just didn't ring true to me.
Having said that, once she did leave, my heart was pounding - would Josh follow her? Would he find her? I was enthralled during her cross country road trip to see what the future would bring.
I liked how her relationship with Derrick spawned. The fact that he was also a friend of her brother's and she ran into him at a party and later at a bar, it somehow felt less creepy to me than just randomly going out with some guy from a coffee shop.
I liked her random one night flings. I think it was good for her to let loose and have some fun with her sister - none of that bothered me. However, the lack of protection and non-mention of possible STD's did not sit well with me.
Her relationship with Derrick really made the book. And of course that's what the book was about, but you know how sometimes you read a book and you're more interested in the side story than the actual plot? I didn't have that with this book. I *wanted* to find out more about them. I was back and forth as much as she was. I wanted them to work out. I wanted her to walk away. I wanted them to stay together. I wanted her to find someone new. The interactions, the exchanges, the texts messages, they all seemed real to me. Even reflected very accurately exchanges I once had with a guy who I felt wasn't as interested in me as I was in him.
My main problem with the book was the spelling errors and grammatical errors. I don't care if you are self published or a best selling author - if you don't have editors, you beg your friends to read the book and you have three or four of them do it before you release the book. The errors are inexcusable. Commas were missing in nearly every single sentence throughout the ENTIRE book and it was so darn distracting. I would often have to re-read a sentence a few times to try to figure out where the comma should be, because a properly placed comma can change an entire sentence. If I was reading in print, the urge to correct the copy would have been overwhelming. I had to remind myself that picking up a pen and drawing in a comma would just leave me with marks on my Kindle. The other issue is that the author didn't understand the difference between "then" and "than". Drove me nuts. It is not "He is better looking then Derrick." It is 'than'. Huge distraction and it got quite annoying. And unfortunately, there were a lot of missing words too. Oh, and that reminds me that 'too' was used once when 'to' should have been. There were also quite a bit of spelling errors. I remember "faculty" was spelled "facutly" (or something similar - toward the end of the book). "Hoping" instead of "Hopping". "Raged" instead of "Ragged." These things matter!! Lots of distractions in the book in this regard. With all these mistakes, it was impossible to ignore and they need to be corrected.
[Potential spoilers ahead.]
I did not believe that Josh drove across the country and after one run in from Derrick, he just ups and leaves. Men like that - that aggressive, that abusive, they don't give up that easily. I doubt very much that he would have just turned around and drove back home. There would have been more run-ins, possibly stalking. He wouldn't give up that easily.
The one thing I did really like was the real way the book ended. I am so sick of people running off and getting married and having kids and living happily ever after. Real life doesn't work like that. The ending of this book was very real and it made me smile.
Overall, really, a good book that I enjoyed reading, but seriously, the errors just have to be addressed.
Having said that, once she did leave, my heart was pounding - would Josh follow her? Would he find her? I was enthralled during her cross country road trip to see what the future would bring.
I liked how her relationship with Derrick spawned. The fact that he was also a friend of her brother's and she ran into him at a party and later at a bar, it somehow felt less creepy to me than just randomly going out with some guy from a coffee shop.
I liked her random one night flings. I think it was good for her to let loose and have some fun with her sister - none of that bothered me. However, the lack of protection and non-mention of possible STD's did not sit well with me.
Her relationship with Derrick really made the book. And of course that's what the book was about, but you know how sometimes you read a book and you're more interested in the side story than the actual plot? I didn't have that with this book. I *wanted* to find out more about them. I was back and forth as much as she was. I wanted them to work out. I wanted her to walk away. I wanted them to stay together. I wanted her to find someone new. The interactions, the exchanges, the texts messages, they all seemed real to me. Even reflected very accurately exchanges I once had with a guy who I felt wasn't as interested in me as I was in him.
My main problem with the book was the spelling errors and grammatical errors. I don't care if you are self published or a best selling author - if you don't have editors, you beg your friends to read the book and you have three or four of them do it before you release the book. The errors are inexcusable. Commas were missing in nearly every single sentence throughout the ENTIRE book and it was so darn distracting. I would often have to re-read a sentence a few times to try to figure out where the comma should be, because a properly placed comma can change an entire sentence. If I was reading in print, the urge to correct the copy would have been overwhelming. I had to remind myself that picking up a pen and drawing in a comma would just leave me with marks on my Kindle. The other issue is that the author didn't understand the difference between "then" and "than". Drove me nuts. It is not "He is better looking then Derrick." It is 'than'. Huge distraction and it got quite annoying. And unfortunately, there were a lot of missing words too. Oh, and that reminds me that 'too' was used once when 'to' should have been. There were also quite a bit of spelling errors. I remember "faculty" was spelled "facutly" (or something similar - toward the end of the book). "Hoping" instead of "Hopping". "Raged" instead of "Ragged." These things matter!! Lots of distractions in the book in this regard. With all these mistakes, it was impossible to ignore and they need to be corrected.
[Potential spoilers ahead.]
I did not believe that Josh drove across the country and after one run in from Derrick, he just ups and leaves. Men like that - that aggressive, that abusive, they don't give up that easily. I doubt very much that he would have just turned around and drove back home. There would have been more run-ins, possibly stalking. He wouldn't give up that easily.
The one thing I did really like was the real way the book ended. I am so sick of people running off and getting married and having kids and living happily ever after. Real life doesn't work like that. The ending of this book was very real and it made me smile.
Overall, really, a good book that I enjoyed reading, but seriously, the errors just have to be addressed.
September 11, 2016
Find more reviews on What She Reads
-
A new New Adult novel that will keep you guessing and needing to turn the page. A.J. Bennet's Now or Never is a story of seeking freedom...
All Grayson ‘Grace / Gray’ Alexander wants is to finally get away from her jealous crazed fiancé. The question is, why did she even agree to marry him? He didn’t put the ring on her finger because he actually wanted to marry her, no; he only put it on to show other people that she is not available. So when Josh comes home one day going crazy calling her names and accusing her of cheating while at the Library she has had enough. Standing up to him seems like a good idea at the time but when he shoves her up against the wall with his hands around her neck it IS the last time.
Grayson decides to flee during the night while Josh is on his night shift and out of paranoia throws her mobile phone out of the window in fear of him having put in a tracking device and following her. After staying in a sleazy motel for one night she decides to head back home to her mother’s so she can get herself back on her feet. Even better yet her twin sister Luna has moved back from Florida.
On her way back into town she is intercepted by Derrick a guy after her attention after a minor encounter creating high chemistry in the local Starbucks. Grayson doesn’t want to get into anything serious and accepts Derrick’s number; unfortunately Derrick is on her brothers Special Forces Team to whom has put a “NO GO” zone on his little sisters.
Grayson as a character is very relatable; I’ve been in a smaller but quite similar situation to hers in regarding an obsessed love and understand her lifestyle of not really enjoying the club scene. It’s almost sad that she has spent three precious years of her life on someone who doesn’t really appreciate all she is and who has the need to hurt her mentally and physically scarring her so much it takes her a while to leave him. Although this was only a small area of the novel I thought it was put across just enough, enough for us to see Grayson and understand her a bit more.
What some people might dislike about the story is what I liked, for instance Grayson went from having an abusive relationship of 2-3 years to having an open relationship and gone from being with 1 partner to 4. With the persuasion from her twin sister Luna, she is almost pressured to go out and seek attention from the heavily populated military town, because the men won't be there tomorrow. So she does just that, she is only young after all.
Although some people may not believe that someone who has been physically abused would actually seek out sexual partners it would probably more common than if they didn't. For instance in Grayson's case she finds control while she has sex and actually uses that to her advantage at the beginning of the book with Josh and just like people who have depression or eating disorders when someone has gone through a trauma no matter how little or big it is that person on the receiving end just wants to find a release and gain back control in their life. This is exactly what she does.
When Grayson finally gives into her desires to be with Derrick things though they seem rather easy become more complicated. Grayson is determined not to get into a serious relationship so soon after breaking up with Josh and is just seeking a release and of course to get Derrick out of her system. So when she starts feeling more for Derrick will she be able to cope with the secrets he's kept from her?
I feel this story is about Grayson and less about the "relationship" she's carrying out which Derrick which we always see at the forefront on NA Novels. It's refreshing to not be bombarded with two POV's and to generally know about our main character.
THE COVER
I love this cover, it's is not the typical kissy face New Adult cover. In fact it doesn't even look like it should be for a New Adult novel, I see a more Dystopian / Sci-Fi feel to it even right down to the title font. Saying that even though it's not something we would see we can still see the vulnerability and raw delicacy of Grayson.
-
A new New Adult novel that will keep you guessing and needing to turn the page. A.J. Bennet's Now or Never is a story of seeking freedom...
All Grayson ‘Grace / Gray’ Alexander wants is to finally get away from her jealous crazed fiancé. The question is, why did she even agree to marry him? He didn’t put the ring on her finger because he actually wanted to marry her, no; he only put it on to show other people that she is not available. So when Josh comes home one day going crazy calling her names and accusing her of cheating while at the Library she has had enough. Standing up to him seems like a good idea at the time but when he shoves her up against the wall with his hands around her neck it IS the last time.
Grayson decides to flee during the night while Josh is on his night shift and out of paranoia throws her mobile phone out of the window in fear of him having put in a tracking device and following her. After staying in a sleazy motel for one night she decides to head back home to her mother’s so she can get herself back on her feet. Even better yet her twin sister Luna has moved back from Florida.
On her way back into town she is intercepted by Derrick a guy after her attention after a minor encounter creating high chemistry in the local Starbucks. Grayson doesn’t want to get into anything serious and accepts Derrick’s number; unfortunately Derrick is on her brothers Special Forces Team to whom has put a “NO GO” zone on his little sisters.
Grayson as a character is very relatable; I’ve been in a smaller but quite similar situation to hers in regarding an obsessed love and understand her lifestyle of not really enjoying the club scene. It’s almost sad that she has spent three precious years of her life on someone who doesn’t really appreciate all she is and who has the need to hurt her mentally and physically scarring her so much it takes her a while to leave him. Although this was only a small area of the novel I thought it was put across just enough, enough for us to see Grayson and understand her a bit more.
What some people might dislike about the story is what I liked, for instance Grayson went from having an abusive relationship of 2-3 years to having an open relationship and gone from being with 1 partner to 4. With the persuasion from her twin sister Luna, she is almost pressured to go out and seek attention from the heavily populated military town, because the men won't be there tomorrow. So she does just that, she is only young after all.
Although some people may not believe that someone who has been physically abused would actually seek out sexual partners it would probably more common than if they didn't. For instance in Grayson's case she finds control while she has sex and actually uses that to her advantage at the beginning of the book with Josh and just like people who have depression or eating disorders when someone has gone through a trauma no matter how little or big it is that person on the receiving end just wants to find a release and gain back control in their life. This is exactly what she does.
When Grayson finally gives into her desires to be with Derrick things though they seem rather easy become more complicated. Grayson is determined not to get into a serious relationship so soon after breaking up with Josh and is just seeking a release and of course to get Derrick out of her system. So when she starts feeling more for Derrick will she be able to cope with the secrets he's kept from her?
I feel this story is about Grayson and less about the "relationship" she's carrying out which Derrick which we always see at the forefront on NA Novels. It's refreshing to not be bombarded with two POV's and to generally know about our main character.
THE COVER
I love this cover, it's is not the typical kissy face New Adult cover. In fact it doesn't even look like it should be for a New Adult novel, I see a more Dystopian / Sci-Fi feel to it even right down to the title font. Saying that even though it's not something we would see we can still see the vulnerability and raw delicacy of Grayson.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews