As a former foster care kid, I was no stranger to the whispers. Or the ways the world outcasted its loneliest members of society. So I packed everything I owned into a backpack the day I turned eighteen, walked into a recruiting office, and promised myself that it was the start of a new life.
Fast forward nine years, and I’d found a home and a career I loved. But in a headquarters full of tactical pants and shoulder holsters, I was still the girl with hip length pigtails, who sucked blue raspberry lollipops. The one who wore dresses seven days a week, most of them some variation of pink. So, when the founder and CEO of FieldX handed me a document and told me to take it upstairs to linguistics, I froze.
Former Gunnery Sergeant and resident linguist, Abraham Lawton, was known for unspeakable things. Let the operators tell it, he’d killed more than some of the most prolific serial murderers known to man. But as an assistant, I knew even more than they did. And he was capable of so much worse.
This wasn’t a man you spoke to. He was one you avoided at all costs if you valued your life.
This is one of those stories that just makes you feel all the things and so you enjoy it more than you can put into words but I’ll try. This book is age gap, dramatic size difference, grumpy sunshine, between Abraham a wounded disfigured disabled Marine veteran. And Nineah a child size Air Force veteran, neurodivergent power puff girl computer genius. They are two sweet souls who just want to be seen and loved, and though at times I wanted to choke Abe for being harsh with my sweet pink golden retriever puppy I do love them, both of them. Ashee does a wonderful job of building up the tension between these two as she walks you through getting to know them. The hilarious and sassy banter, the hotness of the size difference and kinky even for me sexy time was melt your panties good. Seriously Abe’s dirty talk, his thoughts, the damage that man was capable of, can be classified as a religious experience. The way I would let that man fold me up like fresh laundry 😮💨 Then the emotions, the push and pull of two people fighting the inevitable love between them, makes for an amazing story. With professes of feelings so beautiful they make your heart skip a beat. Sucker is a perfect title for this story, it’s a little sweet, a little sticky, and hard not to love. Ashee is a new to me author that I’m glad the book goddesses lead me to cause she’s writing things fresh and different and I’m captivated.
I have no words. this is the best book I’ve read in 2024
…possibly 2023. Possibly in longer than that. When I tell you how I LOVED this book.
I don’t even know where to start. It was completely unexpected. I won’t lie. The cover was giving spicier than habanero novella - maybe about someone with a sucker sketish? I went in blind not having read more than the blurb which said something like interpreter blah blah something.
I had no idea what lied in wait. NO IDEA WHATSOEVER.
Who knew that I would stumble upon a new to me author who may be one of the most original, detailed, thought provoking, intelligent and just downright romantic writers I’ve come across in years???? NOT I SAID THE FLY.
I highlighted more passages out of this book than I have ever highlighted before. I want every single person who loves intelligent thoughtful writing, wonderfully rich and 3 dimensional characters, powerful romance and an unusual contemporary style format that blows all of the traditional third act breakup predictable meet cutes and frankly boring sexual build ups seen in a lot of the most popular contemporary romances I read out of the water.
This book had everything this reader needs. Slow burn magical fiery goodness with the couple actually together by the end not just in the last three pages while still able to maintain tension up to the finale???
Hats off to this author. I am thoroughly hooked and will devour anything else she chooses to release.
I want to start by thanking Natalie Ashee for "Sucker," even though my boss would disagree because I was late to work by a full thirty-seven minutes because I made the mistake of reading while I had my morning coffee.
A good plot is nothing without the characters to make it interesting, and, baby, did I enjoy these characters. Nineah is a bit unhinged, just like I like my FMCs. Her point of view made me laugh. Cry. Wince. At one point, I buried my face into my pillow and cried, "Nineah, NO" at her antics. At another, I turned my iPad off, pressed it against my chest and did the grin-kick-giggle-sigh movement. And Abraham? I adored him right along with Nineah. Especially during the smutty scenes. I loved their dynamic, and I loved how their relationship worked.
As far as rom com vibes go, "Sucker" did it for me. I turned each page with excitement ready to see where Nineah would take them and where Abraham would try and fail to stop them. I smiled. Laughed. Cried. Yelled in frustration. Shook my fist like a grumpy old man. The only thing I didn't do was put it down until I was done.
There were so many things about this book that I truly appreciated. I loved the story between the main leads characters. You felt with them and you got to see them grow as the story evolved.
I love the relationship dynamic between the main female lead and her best friend because that’s not something you find a lot in books. I also loved how smooth this story felt when reading.
This was an awkward yet fulfilling read. I normally run from age gaps but this one was so understandable. Two outcasts kinda looking for love and somehow find it with each other. They were opposites in every way on paper but, the heart and s3x! The progression of their relationship was fun to read! I also loved the author's writing style, intentional and cheeky. I would recommend and read this author again.
This was a great read, I couldn’t put it down! Nineah was perfection, I loved her whole vibe so much. All the characters were great, and the story was well paced with lots of fun spicy scenes!
Page turner for sure! This was a good book with SPICY scenes that were on POINT! Could not put this book down . The character development and romance were great! Def a MUST read! Ready for what this author has next !!
I was scrolling through IG one day, as you do, and watched author Elizabeth Stephens gush about this book. So, I picked it up immediately.
She was right. This book was sooo good.
Nineah was my favorite type of character, socially awkward genius who word vomits. For years she has been curious about Abraham Lawson but has kept away after a not so cute meet cute.
But when she finds herself in his office, alone, her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers something interesting about the mysterious man.
I feel this is best to go in blind. It was amazing! I highlighted so many quotes that I could've add 10 more slides. I also have the urge to read it again.
Read this if you like: close proximity/work together, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, quirky fmc's, preferred the Beast, size/height difference, tickle k¡NK, neurodivergent rep
CW/TWs: military veterans (both MC's), chronic pain due to injuries (lots of wounds disfigurement, foster care background
I loved this book! I found the characters to be so different and captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Nineah and Abraham and diving into their complex relationship.
Nineah was so relatable to me and I love how Natalie depicted her ADHD and her insecurities. She had a wild spirit and had somewhat gotten used to shrinking herself or making herself more digestible for other people. However, with Abraham she just got to be herself. Homegirl couldn't help but get herself into situation but I found it so endearing and also hilarious lol.
Abraham is disfigured and wounded from his time in the Marines, he's also significantly older than Nineah, so you know he's been through some ish. He's been molded by all these different experiences in his time of service and by the end of it he thinks the bar has been set very low for him. I LOVE that he found he was worth more and that he had this support system including Nineah to prove it to him. Abraham clearly found her irresistible and Nineah couldn't help but crack that hard shell of his.
Natalie gave us EMOTION but she made sure to give us plenty of SPICE too! My imagination is too great lol I was fanning myself half the time.
It's safe to say this book had it all and I'm so happy I discovered a new author. Thank you Natalie Ashee for this ARC!
This is my first read by this author. I started it because Elizabeth Stephens gave it such a good review and I was intrigued. I didn't know how much I needed to read a book like this until I was halfway through. I loved it. Absolutely devoured it. Who wouldn't want an Abraham? What is it about these older men? I would give him anything he wanted. And Nineah... I, too, am an awkward biracial girl and felt a kinship with her. The story was so unique and I went in blind, which is something I never do but I'm manic right now so why the hell not but oh my God. I don't typically read books re the military because hello *gestures at the world* but I'm glad I made an exception because I would have missed out on what I now consider one of my favorite books.
This book is so fun and hot!! I really enjoyed getting to watch these two characters grow and find what they deserved/needed in their lives. (Their happily every after, duh!! lol)
Both characters have their own deep-rooted wounds that have made romance a bit of a challenge but somehow, who they are as people made them perfect for each other. This is book one in a series (Rare is book 2) but can be read as a complete standalone. I had read the second book first which had some suspense/action in it but this one does not have that aspect. BUT the romance had me in a chokehold and I couldn’t stop reading whenever I had the time. There are some moments I laughed out loud and other moments where I was needing a cold drink and a fan because the spice 🔥🔥
So much research and thought must have went in for the character’s histories and it had me so intrigued about both of them and their time in the service. I love Natalie’s writing! She puts so much care into her stories and characters. I can’t wait for her next book!
If you love a spicy romance, size difference, kinks 😉, grumpy/sunshine, veteran/military themes, Neurospicy characters, and a FMC who you really want to be best friends with, you’ll like this one!!
For more thoughts on the characters, continue reading! Otherwise, I highly recommend this book and the second one!!
Now! I absolutely ADORED Nineah. I loved Abraham (for reasons I’ll mention below) but Nineah is hands down my fave! She’s a neurospicy woman who’s unapologetically herself and I found myself really connecting with her. Especially when it came to her being ADHD. While she’s unapologetically herself, she also has the biggest heart that no one has ever given the time of day to hold. It broke my heart but it also had me relating to her in so many ways. But she’s incredibly strong and to see her growth and acknowledgment of needing to be seen and loved but still standing firm that she won’t tolerate being treated badly, had made me so proud of her. She’s incredibly smart and creative. She’s also badass and I want to punch anyone who ever underestimates her. She’s the best book girlfriend anyone could ask for 🙂↕️
Now Abraham. Omg, this man. My heart ached for him and I wish he could have seen sooner how much he deserved to be loved. How understanding he was and patient with Nineah though is what made me love him. He never once judged her for the things she likes and never hesitated to give her what she wanted or needed. He may be quiet and not a man of words, but he’ll have you swooning 😭 He’s also attentive and has the biggest heart. He may be broody (very understandable) but he really is such a softy for his woman. 🥹 You can add another book boyfriend to your list, friends!
This was my first time reading a book by this author and also some concepts discussed in the book.
The story was an opposites attract, grumpy/ sunshine, broken/ disfigured big bodied MMC and a petite sunshine FMC with a bunch of hobbies due to ADHD. He is an army vet that has seen more than his share of pain and in the same way she was also in the army.
They are both individuals who have to deal with physical and mental health situations. In the beginning the way Nineah spoke about Abraham I wasn't really sure what to expect about how she felt about him.
As the story progressed we see that they work together and the tension slowly built from there. They were both in some way pining for the other in secret but they both had their individual reasons why they never acted on their feelings. She thought he hated her and he didn't think it was wise to pursue her if their visions didn't align.
My heart broke for Abraham everytime he was judged because of how he looked because he had been through a lot but he had a big heart. In the same way Nineah also had a rough time navigating life but she showed up as her best eclectic self hoping someone would stay and love her like she deserved.
I liked the banter between the two, the dark humor and the push and pull. Their differences in size took some getting used to because he seemed like a giant compared to her child like state. It reminded me of beauty and beast. This factor didn't hinder the spicy scenes as these two really went to work lol.
Overall the story was interesting and kept my attention.
This book was just what I needed to get me out of a rough reading slump. I had never heard of this author until one day someone mentioned this book on TikTok and after reading the premise I was hooked. The writing was well researched and well executed and I loved the push and pull of the couple. There were a couple things that were a bit annoying to me like the heavy focus on the FMC’s age. Yes there was an age gap however 27 and 39 really aren’t as horrible as this book was making it seem. The amount of times it was harped on you’d think the girl was in high school and the MMC was 39. It was a bit irksome. That and there was like 0 mention of how Abe looked after that first chapter describing his injuries. He mentioned many times different characteristics of Nay but Nay only talked about how big he was. I wish we had a little more. But these issues were definitely not enough for me to take off any stars because I ate this book up. Oh one more thing, I thought With their kinks the book would have been a bit more spicy but I’d give it probably about two 🌶️🌶️ the steam was there. But once they were together it was over pretty quickly. Would have liked a bit more but that is definitely a personal gripe than anything else. It was still a beautiful story and I’m so happy they both got their happy ending.
Sucker by Natalie Ashee gives a gentle nod to Beauty and the Beast with a dark romance between two intriguing personalities in a workplace setting. Nineah is a product of the foster care system and brings the residual trauma of abandonment and the feeling of being unloved/unwanted to the few relationships she has had. Linguist expert Abraham, a former marine, was severely injured in the military. Between his scars, his security clearance and his grumpy attitude, the entire office gives him a wide berth. Nineah and Abraham could not be more different, she is a tiny, flighty gregarious young woman, while he is a hulking figure, older, steady and almost silent. And he seems to detest Nineah! What will happen when Nineah realizes that his apparent dislike is covering a feeling more akin to obsessive love? Ms. Ashee has crafted a book with a rare range of emotions and heated passions. In addition, the dialogue is both poignant and funny. Impulsive and inquisitive Nineah was slightly heartbreaking but Abraham, with his quiet capacity for great love, was just the person she needed. https://theretiredreader.com/f/sucker...
A spicy yet wholesome, grumpy-sunshine spy romance?! Okay, I know Nineah and Abraham aren’t exactly spies, but they felt like spies, so I’m going with it.
I loved their dynamic, and the ways they balanced each other out even as they worked hard to overcome their fears and traumas. They both lean so hard into their tropes while still feeling fresh and fun and vibrant as characters.
I am such a Nineah stan. Send me more quirky, unapologetic, vulnerable, confident women in STEM. Then send me more gruff, crotchety giants with hearts of gold. We can top it off with Abraham’s adorable family, which wasn’t perfect but did steal my heart. Like yes. All around yes.
I would have liked to see some stronger side characters beyond Abraham’s family and more flushing out of some details about their jobs, for example, because I’m still picturing spies, but spies who are all veterans in security? We’re still so close to a full 5 stars that I had to round up for the warm, mushy ooze of love in my heart for these MCs and their happiness. You’re welcome for that somewhat gross mental image, but the heart vibes as it does.
Nineah is suuuuch a likeable character. All her quirks are cute and amusing. I love how she goes after what she wants. I also like how the author touches on the harsh realities Abraham faces being a veteran; how its hard for him to find jobs with his conditions & how they will impact him as a partner in the long run. I will say it did make me uncomfortable at times how the author continuously refers to Nineah as a little girl or her age in comparison to Abraham. You honestly would’ve thought she was in high school and not a 27-year-old woman who has served in the military herself. This book was a great slow burner & I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
Sucker by Natalie Ashee was a decent enough read. However, there were certain aspects of the story that left me feeling confused.
The dialogue and follow-up interactions between the characters were often disjointed and lacked coherence. The characters themselves were not fully developed, which made it difficult to connect with them on a deeper level.
Additionally, the conflicts that arose in the story felt forced and contrived, failing to create any significant tension or depth.
Overall, it was meh, and while I enjoyed the book to a certain degree, there were certain aspects that could have been improved upon.
This book needs more attention. It was the complete package as far as originality, heart, and spice. The writing was brilliant and the amount of research and care that went into the military details was amazing. My heart broke for the h so many times in this book. The H def left me feeling cold through some of this. Don't get me wrong he was a great character but he should have groveled when he messed up. It didn't feel like he did that. It seemed to be the cliche use of sex to get her to forgive him. That really bothered me tbh which is why I wanted to deduct a star. I changed my mind though because it was just that good of a story. The h was the star of this story for sure.
This is the perfect book for taking a break from reality and indulging in a good romance. I fell in love with Nineah, Abraham, and all their friends and family, and I was legitimately sad when the book ended!
The he said / she said structure kept revealing and obscuring information, and I couldn't help but root for them to make it through all those plot twists. The sexy scenes were steamy and exciting, especially given how different those two are.
You'll laugh, you'll gasp, you'll want to throw things, and you'll get hot under the collar more than once. Super recommended.
Definite 4.5 ⭐️ and I love that I don’t remember seeing any grammatical errors. Abraham and Nineahs story is cute, well written and is about two people finding love and accepting themselves and each other. Abe was secretly obsessed with Nineah before they had any kind of interaction but thought he could never get her, so he stayed away. Nineah was a loner who liked to form strong relationships, and had great curiosity, and that’s what led her straight to him. Read it you won’t be disappointed.
Every time I pick up a Natalie Ashee book I get “suckered” in. This book was no exception. She is always inclusive and diverse. I love the depth you get to learn her characters and the way she weaves the journey and romantic comedy of the the main characters - it keeps the pages turning. Abraham and Nineah are very different people but yet extremely relatable and lovable. A must read for those who love romantic comedy, good sex, and have some trauma.
This was my first book by this author and it definitely won't be my last!!!! I loved the writing and the characters so much. Plus I found myself laughing so much during this book. Reading a book that had AAVE was refreshing and heartwarming. Also can I just say I really wish Abe would have went back and punched Gene in his face because why tf you starting unnecessary bs? Also Miss Hattie was funny af.
His throat moved as he swallowed. “I will keep you on task.”
Daddy Abraham has officially been added to my list of book boyfriends. Dear God was I ready to get on my knees for this man!!
Sucker is the debut novel by Natalie. What an amazing writer and storyteller! Nineah and Abraham absolutely kill it on the spice, the drama, and the tension.
* Great ADHD rep * Ex-military FMC/MMC * Tickle play * Age gap 🔥 * Size difference * Lots of spice and great plot
When I tell you I am a Natalie Ashee superfan now, all you’re going to have do is read this book to understand why. But first you need to understand that Abraham is mine. Cool? Cool.
This book is so good. The writing. The characters. The spice. The humor! (I can't remember the last time I laughed this much reading a book.)
Nineah is a legend. I love when authors give us also little extra details about an FMC that makes them real. We get all them with Nineah.
Halfway through this book I was looking around wondering who might be reading this book too because it was giving me feelings and I wanted to talk about it. This book just hits a little different than your typical KU romance. Abe and Nineah aren’t perfect, but they sure aren’t typical either. (Spoiler alert: it was refreshing to read a book where the characters choose not to have children. Not everyone wants kids and that’s okay.)
Chaos meets steady control, which is one of my favorite combos but the cat and mouse made these 2 such a treat to read. The journey of peeling back the layers to be vulnerable but also know you're worthy of love no matter your past was chef's kiss.
CN: PTSD, injury sustained from military service, asthma attacks on page, panic attacks, impact play (inferred negotiation), abandonment issues, foster care flashbacks, ADHD, sexism
I had been captivated by “Careful” so couldn’t wait to read another book from the Author and boy, “Sucker” is a page-turner! So satisfying to witness how the characters tame life and find love despite their vulnerabilities. Love that the neurodivergent community is finally represented! This truly is a Good Read.