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He’s a dark, dangerous MMA champion.
She’s a single mom on the run.
One wrong move could destroy them both.
Josh North—UFC’s Light Heavyweight Champion, risk-it-all bad boy, and unapologetic dirty talker—is about to meet his match.
Sophie Garner has spent years hiding from her abusive ex, protecting her daughter and keeping their location secret. When she’s offered the job of a lifetime as Josh “The Jackhammer” North’s exclusive massage therapist, she can’t say no--to the money, or the heat that sparks the moment they meet.
But Josh doesn’t play fair. He wants Sophie, and he’ll fight to keep her safe... even if it costs him everything.
He’s her temptation.
She’s his redemption.
Tropes and things to know about DARE:
Dual POV
Single Mom in Danger / On the Run
Tattooed MMA Fighter / Firefighter
Protective / Possessive Hero (“Touch Her and Die”)
Adorable Three-Year-Old Daughter
Found Family / Huge Family
Hurt/Comfort / Emotional Scars
Millionaire / Celebrity
Romantic Suspense
Family Christmas Scene
Shared Bedroom
About the Series:
DARE is Book One in the Brothers of Ink and Steel series and acts as a bridge to the interconnected True North series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but characters appear across both.
Content Warning:
Protective hero, explicit sexual content, profanity. Potential triggers. No cheating. Recommended for mature readers.
(Previously written under the pen name Allie Juliette Mousseau)
She’s a single mom on the run.
One wrong move could destroy them both.
Josh North—UFC’s Light Heavyweight Champion, risk-it-all bad boy, and unapologetic dirty talker—is about to meet his match.
Sophie Garner has spent years hiding from her abusive ex, protecting her daughter and keeping their location secret. When she’s offered the job of a lifetime as Josh “The Jackhammer” North’s exclusive massage therapist, she can’t say no--to the money, or the heat that sparks the moment they meet.
But Josh doesn’t play fair. He wants Sophie, and he’ll fight to keep her safe... even if it costs him everything.
He’s her temptation.
She’s his redemption.
Tropes and things to know about DARE:
Dual POV
Single Mom in Danger / On the Run
Tattooed MMA Fighter / Firefighter
Protective / Possessive Hero (“Touch Her and Die”)
Adorable Three-Year-Old Daughter
Found Family / Huge Family
Hurt/Comfort / Emotional Scars
Millionaire / Celebrity
Romantic Suspense
Family Christmas Scene
Shared Bedroom
About the Series:
DARE is Book One in the Brothers of Ink and Steel series and acts as a bridge to the interconnected True North series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but characters appear across both.
Content Warning:
Protective hero, explicit sexual content, profanity. Potential triggers. No cheating. Recommended for mature readers.
(Previously written under the pen name Allie Juliette Mousseau)
Unknown Binding
First published January 11, 2015
372 people are currently reading
3251 people want to read
About the author
Allie Juliette Mousseau
26 books1,160 followersUSA Today Best Selling Author Allie Juliette Mousseau writes swoon-worthy, heart-racing, angsty New Adult romance with a Happily-Ever-After and a LOT of heat. She can usually be found with a pink ink pen in her hand, daydreaming and writing about heroic alpha males and strong willed, intelligent, alpha females, and plotting all the ways for them to fall in love!
True North Series:
True North Bk 1 Finding Home - Livie and Jake
True North Book 2 Finding Us - Jules and Nate
True North Book 3 Finding Now - Kate and Sam
Brothers of Ink and Steel Series:
Dare (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 1)
Burn (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 2)
Dare You Forever (Brothers of Ink and Steel Novella 2.5)
Defy (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 3)
Risk (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 4)
Standalones:
Stripped (A Romantic Comedy)
Orion (A Constellations Novel) Military Romance
Multi Author (FOR A LIMITED TIME!)
STROKE (Stroke is a unique collaboration of 24 bestselling authors and a full-length novel with each chapter written by a different author following the same plot and story)
Enemies to Lovers, Office Romance
STROKE proudly supports humanitarian and animal charities, including Best Friends Animal Society.
Amazon Author Page:
http://smarturl.it/AllieJulietteAmazon
https://www.amazon.com/author/allieju...
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alliejuliet...
Goodreads: Become a fan and friend:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook page
http://smarturl.it/AllieJulietteFBPage
Friend me on FB <3
https://www.facebook.com/allie.mousseau
Join the conversation of everything Allie Juliette!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/truen...
Raeah/Allie can usually be found day-dreaming and writing about sexy, heroic, alpha males and strong-willed, intelligent women and plotting ways to make them fall in love!
http://raeahwildingauthor.weebly.com
True North Series:
True North Bk 1 Finding Home - Livie and Jake
True North Book 2 Finding Us - Jules and Nate
True North Book 3 Finding Now - Kate and Sam
Brothers of Ink and Steel Series:
Dare (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 1)
Burn (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 2)
Dare You Forever (Brothers of Ink and Steel Novella 2.5)
Defy (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 3)
Risk (Brothers of Ink and Steel Book 4)
Standalones:
Stripped (A Romantic Comedy)
Orion (A Constellations Novel) Military Romance
Multi Author (FOR A LIMITED TIME!)
STROKE (Stroke is a unique collaboration of 24 bestselling authors and a full-length novel with each chapter written by a different author following the same plot and story)
Enemies to Lovers, Office Romance
STROKE proudly supports humanitarian and animal charities, including Best Friends Animal Society.
Amazon Author Page:
http://smarturl.it/AllieJulietteAmazon
https://www.amazon.com/author/allieju...
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alliejuliet...
Goodreads: Become a fan and friend:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook page
http://smarturl.it/AllieJulietteFBPage
Friend me on FB <3
https://www.facebook.com/allie.mousseau
Join the conversation of everything Allie Juliette!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/truen...
Raeah/Allie can usually be found day-dreaming and writing about sexy, heroic, alpha males and strong-willed, intelligent women and plotting ways to make them fall in love!
http://raeahwildingauthor.weebly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 516 reviews
February 19, 2015
Title: Dare
Series:Brothers of Ink and Steel
Author: Allie Juliette Mousseau
Release date: January 12, 2015
Rating: 2 stars
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
This is my first read from this author so I had no idea what to expect. I tried to think about what drew me in so much and made me so curious when I saw this book. To be honest, the premise is not something I haven't seen a thousand times. The damaged woman on the run meets the sexy hero who wants to take on all her demons and protect her from her abusive ex.
So why was I unable to resist picking this up? I'm going to have to go with that cover. Don't judge. Take a peek at those ripped arms and chest. He promises a tough alpha fighter who's up for the job of protecting the lucky heroine. I'm sorry, but that's just not what he was. This guy didn't have even a hint of alpha in him.
Supposedly, he's this major manwhore MMA/firefighter who she needs to be wary of. This is the warning she gets:
Apparently, he's a serious hottie with commitment issues, who has a rep for being a man-whore, but not a womanizer. Perfect weekend fling material, I've heard. He'll treat you very right, just remember it's not forever.
What in actuality we get is a hero who is like a love sick puppy from the first time he sees her. Not to mention, his thoughts were downright silly. They were like something that a teenager would think about his first crush. Which, fine. That can work sometimes. But not when I'm expecting a tough, alpha fighter. It was too sugary sweet. She managed to reform a "man-whore" from first glance.
And then there were the odd additions to the plot that I just couldn't fathom why in the hell they were there.
Exhibit A:
The whole firefighter angle was just weird. He's supposedly active in both firefighting and his MMA careers, but the only time the firefighter element was in the book was in the first chapter when he rescues a child from a burning building. *cue the chorus of awws* And then the rest of the book it wasn't to be seen again. What was even the point of that?? WHY?
Exhibit B:
The mugger incident. The author sprinkled this moment of action during the most bizarre time. It was so weird, I did a double take in confusion. Let me set the scene:
They're having a sweet heart to heart chat in the park at night.
Yada, yada, yada....
"I love you, Josh North!"
Strange voice in the darkness: "Alright nice and slow, back away from each other,"
Suddenly they're surrounded by men. The brave hero busts up all four guys displaying his manly protective powers. Police are called, scary men taken away.
Conversation resumes....Sophia, to finish our conversation-which was interrupted-I love you back."
That's literally how it went and it had zero signifigance to the plot whatsoever. The story continues on as if it never happened. Once again...
And there was the odd flashbacks to the 1990's bodice rippers that I thought had been banished to hell. Romance has come a long way since then and there are some things I never want to read again. I was actually enjoying a hot sexual moment between these two when she had to go and refer to the godzilla in his pants as a "swollen monster". It was also referred to as a "rod". A ROD, people.
What made it worse was that it was that the random WTF-ery was right smack in the middle of a decent scene. They blind-sided me. I was fully expecting a heaving bosom, pebbled buttons, or turgid manhood to appear at any moment. It was nervewracking. And then that last little metaphor appeared.
Oh my God, you're like velvet."
Praise all that is holy that at least he didn't utter the words velvet sheath. That old chestnut was so overused in vintage romance it's not funny. Let's move past that now!!
Sorry, but this book was just odd to me. I give it a 2 for the moments interspersed throughout that were actually decent, but they were too few to make a difference.
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April 18, 2015
Dare I say .. 5 STARS?
Sophie & Josh ♥
SERIOUSLY? I was NOT expecting this to blow my mind like it did. SPEECHLESS. It was the first time reading a novel by Allie Juliette Mousseau .. will it be the last? Most CERTAINLY not. I LOVED IT. It was truly beautiful. A tear-jerker (FORSURE) .. or maybe it was just me? Can youblame me though, the things that Josh does (SWOON). Josh can't even be my book boyfriend he's straight up hubby material (HELLO BOOK HUSBAND). Sophie was all momma bear on Charlie which was so sweet and she definitely had her reasons. It had some similarities to one of my favorite novels Remy by Katy Evans which is NOT the reason I fell in love with it. Sure you could call a similarity or two HOWEVER it was different in every other way. I loved the story line, the characters, and the writing! I KNOW this is the kind of book you can read over and over .. and OVER again and not get tired of it. Even speaking of re-reading it makes me want to go grab it and devour it AGAIN! I do recommend .. It's one of those books that impact you in a way you never thought they would have (INSERTING CLICHE QUOTE: DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER).
DareAllie Juliette Mousseau
- Sleepless, Readmore.
Twitter
Sophie & Josh ♥
I will never stop loving you, Sophie.
That would be like mebetrayingmy own life …
like forsaking my very own soul.."
SERIOUSLY? I was NOT expecting this to blow my mind like it did. SPEECHLESS. It was the first time reading a novel by Allie Juliette Mousseau .. will it be the last? Most CERTAINLY not. I LOVED IT. It was truly beautiful. A tear-jerker (FORSURE) .. or maybe it was just me? Can you
I’m going to make you forget
every man you ever knew
I’m going to heal your heart
from every brokenI love you
I’m going to take on your old demons,
chase the shadows until day;
I’ll cherish you forever
andnevergo away.
I’m going to love you,
like you’ve never seen Darlin’
I’m the only man that
you’re ever going to need.."
DareAllie Juliette Mousseau
- Sleepless, Readmore.
April 18, 2024
Not too crazy about this one sadly. I'm not a fan of push and pull and there was a fair bit in Dare. Add to that a heroine who martyrs herself and can't make up her damn mind to the point of driving me nuts, coupled with a rushed ending and ... yeah, it didn't really work for me.
2.75 stars
2.75 stars
March 30, 2019
3.5 stars for this book read.
Sophie ran from a bad husband. Now she finds herself as a massage therapist at a hospital in the Midwest. When she is offered the job of a lifetime, huge pay, benefits, etc to work exclusively for MMA star Josh North. A reformed bad boy in his youth, a known man whore now. Except he is drawn to her when he is injured and in the hospital when she works on him. She is drawn to him but knows she can't risk her freedom and safety with his high profile lifestyle.
I liked a lot of this book the worry over the ex. The slow build between the two, the cuteness of the daughter. What I didnt like, the ending, the conflict when her past comes back. I didnt think it was well done.
Sophie ran from a bad husband. Now she finds herself as a massage therapist at a hospital in the Midwest. When she is offered the job of a lifetime, huge pay, benefits, etc to work exclusively for MMA star Josh North. A reformed bad boy in his youth, a known man whore now. Except he is drawn to her when he is injured and in the hospital when she works on him. She is drawn to him but knows she can't risk her freedom and safety with his high profile lifestyle.
I liked a lot of this book the worry over the ex. The slow build between the two, the cuteness of the daughter. What I didnt like, the ending, the conflict when her past comes back. I didnt think it was well done.
September 25, 2018
I enjoyed this one.
I was a little annoyed with some of the drama toward the end that I felt was overkill.
But, it was a pretty solid read.
I was a little annoyed with some of the drama toward the end that I felt was overkill.
But, it was a pretty solid read.
March 14, 2015
Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews
Nichole's Sizzling Reviews
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Twitter:@Sizzlingpages
Email: sizzlingpages@gmail.com
I've always had a weakness for bad boy mma fighters. this was another winner in the greatness of Remy by Katy Evans and The Hurricane by R. J. Prescott. Josh "The Jackhammer" was just amazing, he was a true and breathtaking hero. But this story had a very strong and courageous heroine to stand beside this fighting machine. Running from a past layered in abuse and danger she was hiding and living one day at a time.
From the start they had sizzling chemistry but held strong as long as they could being in a precarious business arrangement. Josh wouldn't have minded but Sophie was trying to be strong and remain professional. Her thoughts..not so much.
When something this deep is born though, you can't fight for long.
One sexy bet and Sophie didn't stand against this bad boys charm.
One night ..surrendered to passion and oh how things got complicated. !!
Sophie tried to put the breaks on but even without the sexy times, Josh was romancing her and winning her heart like a true fighter can. Slow build..knocking down walls and really building something profound..Josh was wonderful.
I loved how they really grew into a beautiful friendship though and how much Josh helped Sophie gain empowerment and self confidence through training with him. they really got to know each other in all the ways they could with her history and secrets hanging over her head. There were so many emotional moments that I just found myself sighing over them so many times. The sweetest thing was Josh and her daughter Charlie.. nothing like a big strong man brought to his knees by a little girl. this book was sexy ...but it was a deep under the skin sexy ..that built up to love scenes that felt like they had been simmering slowly to a rolling boil.
Needless to say I loved this story with everything in me. I'm anxiously diving into Josh's brothers books in the True North series by this author, while i count the days till the next in this series comes out.
Nichole's Sizzling Reviews
Sizzling Pages @ Facebook
Sizling Pages on TSU
Twitter:@Sizzlingpages
Email: sizzlingpages@gmail.com
I've always had a weakness for bad boy mma fighters. this was another winner in the greatness of Remy by Katy Evans and The Hurricane by R. J. Prescott. Josh "The Jackhammer" was just amazing, he was a true and breathtaking hero. But this story had a very strong and courageous heroine to stand beside this fighting machine. Running from a past layered in abuse and danger she was hiding and living one day at a time.
From the start they had sizzling chemistry but held strong as long as they could being in a precarious business arrangement. Josh wouldn't have minded but Sophie was trying to be strong and remain professional. Her thoughts..not so much.
When something this deep is born though, you can't fight for long.
One sexy bet and Sophie didn't stand against this bad boys charm.
One night ..surrendered to passion and oh how things got complicated. !!
Sophie tried to put the breaks on but even without the sexy times, Josh was romancing her and winning her heart like a true fighter can. Slow build..knocking down walls and really building something profound..Josh was wonderful.
I loved how they really grew into a beautiful friendship though and how much Josh helped Sophie gain empowerment and self confidence through training with him. they really got to know each other in all the ways they could with her history and secrets hanging over her head. There were so many emotional moments that I just found myself sighing over them so many times. The sweetest thing was Josh and her daughter Charlie.. nothing like a big strong man brought to his knees by a little girl. this book was sexy ...but it was a deep under the skin sexy ..that built up to love scenes that felt like they had been simmering slowly to a rolling boil.
Needless to say I loved this story with everything in me. I'm anxiously diving into Josh's brothers books in the True North series by this author, while i count the days till the next in this series comes out.
October 19, 2018
Thanks for pointing out that he was a manwhore in the past! Many thanks for repeating it many times!!!
I'm not in my 20s anymore, I like such things to be said more than twice!!!
Overall not a bad book, and I support female survivors of domestic abuse, so I won't complain a lot.
Thanks again!!! 🔊
I'm not in my 20s anymore, I like such things to be said more than twice!!!
Overall not a bad book, and I support female survivors of domestic abuse, so I won't complain a lot.
Thanks again!!! 🔊
April 25, 2015
This was ssssssssooooooooooooooooo good. It was worth staying up to 2am and losing sleep over. Josh is seriously yummy and just amazing. Sophia had a past but she didn't it drag her down or keep her from Josh. I'm gonna have to go back and read his siblings books. I need to know what's going to happen with Piper. I can't wait to read the rest of the Brothers of Ink and Steel's HEA. Job well done Ms. Mousseau.
February 9, 2015
4 stars
This was a surprisingly sweet read. This is the first book I've read from this author, and I'd definitely read more from her.
This was a surprisingly sweet read. This is the first book I've read from this author, and I'd definitely read more from her.
January 20, 2015
I really liked this book. Need to read the North series!
March 10, 2021
2,5 stars
This is the 4th MMA fighter book I have read this week in my quest of a MMA book as good as HURRICANE (by R.J. Prescott). Again, I seem to have picked up a book that is not outstanding.
Too cliché – same old same old with mediocre writing
- the damaged woman running away from her abusive husband meets the sexy hero who is haunted by his own damaged past
- he is in insta lust with her but as she is scared, at first she pushes him away
- soon, she gives in to her attraction to him and they start a relationship (while she is still married on the paper – although he has no idea)
- with her miracle massage abilities and her beauty, she transforms the "previous man-whore" to a “lovesick puppy” in no time
- she has trust issues and with a child of 3 years old, she cannot let him in easily so she keeps her secrets hidden for a long while
- when he learns the danger she and her daughter are both in, he promises to protect them both and she feels safe for the first time in years
- and as in all books with an abusive ex, the hero fails to protect her, the ex comes and kidnaps them, tortures them blah bla bla ... before he finally comes to save them both in the last minute.
%F@*#?!!
Why is it always “the same order of events” in these books?
Always but always the abusive ex comes and kidnaps her towards the end when she feels safe with the hero, and again he hurts her etc before the hero finally comes and saves her.
And sorry, but I AM NOT HAPPY with the saving after they are hurt once again. This is not my type of “alpha protective guy” boook.
Come on! I dare you to write a good revenge book for the abusive exes!
Ideally, in a book like this where the abused heroine loves and is loved by a strong protective alpha guy, there should be no pain she has to endure any more and there should be a lot of pain inflicted on the as*hole ex!
Ideally, a protective alpha guy would never be careless - he would never let the psycho ex touch her ever again by taking the necessary precautions!
Therefore, I am not happy that things are only resolved after she has been unconscious in hospital for 3 days. Nope, my hands are still itching to beat the hell out of that as*hole ☹
More about the book:
As for safety, there is no OW after he meets her. There is her abusive husband in the picture, though.
The romance is weak, the steam is mediocre and the dialogues are generic and uninspiring.
The little kid is a cutie-pie, though, I loved her - especially the way she calls Josh “Joshy” was very sweet.
The writing is in dual point of view. It is OK but not memorable. The past-present chapters do not flow. They do not serve their purpose. I just felt like scanning and skipping them.
All in all, it is an OK read with potentially a good plot but a weak execution, nonetheless. I liked both characters but didn't love them. I am disappointed in the hero and how he can only save them in the last minute. Actually, I liked the heroine better and I am amazed by how she actually saves herself so many times and she also saves the hero's life in the end. She is my "real" hero!
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
This is the 4th MMA fighter book I have read this week in my quest of a MMA book as good as HURRICANE (by R.J. Prescott). Again, I seem to have picked up a book that is not outstanding.
Too cliché – same old same old with mediocre writing
- the damaged woman running away from her abusive husband meets the sexy hero who is haunted by his own damaged past
- he is in insta lust with her but as she is scared, at first she pushes him away
- soon, she gives in to her attraction to him and they start a relationship (while she is still married on the paper – although he has no idea)
- with her miracle massage abilities and her beauty, she transforms the "previous man-whore" to a “lovesick puppy” in no time
- she has trust issues and with a child of 3 years old, she cannot let him in easily so she keeps her secrets hidden for a long while
- when he learns the danger she and her daughter are both in, he promises to protect them both and she feels safe for the first time in years
- and as in all books with an abusive ex, the hero fails to protect her, the ex comes and kidnaps them, tortures them blah bla bla ... before he finally comes to save them both in the last minute.
%F@*#?!!
Why is it always “the same order of events” in these books?
Always but always the abusive ex comes and kidnaps her towards the end when she feels safe with the hero, and again he hurts her etc before the hero finally comes and saves her.
And sorry, but I AM NOT HAPPY with the saving after they are hurt once again. This is not my type of “alpha protective guy” boook.
Come on! I dare you to write a good revenge book for the abusive exes!
Ideally, in a book like this where the abused heroine loves and is loved by a strong protective alpha guy, there should be no pain she has to endure any more and there should be a lot of pain inflicted on the as*hole ex!
Ideally, a protective alpha guy would never be careless - he would never let the psycho ex touch her ever again by taking the necessary precautions!
Therefore, I am not happy that things are only resolved after she has been unconscious in hospital for 3 days. Nope, my hands are still itching to beat the hell out of that as*hole ☹
More about the book:
As for safety, there is no OW after he meets her. There is her abusive husband in the picture, though.
The romance is weak, the steam is mediocre and the dialogues are generic and uninspiring.
The little kid is a cutie-pie, though, I loved her - especially the way she calls Josh “Joshy” was very sweet.
The writing is in dual point of view. It is OK but not memorable. The past-present chapters do not flow. They do not serve their purpose. I just felt like scanning and skipping them.
All in all, it is an OK read with potentially a good plot but a weak execution, nonetheless. I liked both characters but didn't love them. I am disappointed in the hero and how he can only save them in the last minute. Actually, I liked the heroine better and I am amazed by how she actually saves herself so many times and she also saves the hero's life in the end. She is my "real" hero!
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
June 20, 2015
3.5 RATING- Definitely a guilty pleasure read but filled my need for an instant attraction romance and a "woman on the run" story. Lots of sweet one liners. The over the top drama seemed to really be amplified in the last quarter of the book and I admit to some eye rolling.
Final verdict? I'd read another book in this series but it wouldn't be at the top of my TBR list.
Final verdict? I'd read another book in this series but it wouldn't be at the top of my TBR list.
April 22, 2015
Overall rating: I felt the same way with this book as I did the last one I just read as well. I LIKED IT, but didn't love it. I will have to go with 3.5 stars, but round up to 4 stars. I chose to round up because this book didn't have any of my triggers present and it was a likable read. I just didn't LOVE IT.
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Past Intimacies:
OW drama:
HEA:
My review:
This is the story about two people who are running from their pasts meeting each other and deciding to take a chance on love. Josh North meets Sophie Garner and is completely 100% smitten. He begins chasing her from the very beginning and never thinks about or touches another woman after he meets her. He is willing to do anything and everything to get to spend more time with Sophie. All the while, Josh is holding on to some secrets that he fears make him unworthy of Sophie, But the more time he spends with her and her daughter make him want to be a better man for her. He actually says that his past "hookup" behavior makes him ashamed when he meets Sophie - he wishes he could wipe his slate completely clean for her. It never bothered him before, but now that he has a love interest, he wants to be better and he wants there to be no reason for Sophie to feel like she has to worry about him and other women.
Sophie is also running from her past - quite literally. She came from an abusive relationship/marriage and wants what's best for her daughter. She is very wary of starting any relationship, let alone one with someone rich, famous and in the spot light like Josh North. But as she spends more time with him, none of that stuff matters anymore.
This was definitely a cute story. Very low angst or drama. This hero knew what he wanted and kept fighting until he got it. I LOVED that!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Past Intimacies:
OW drama:
HEA:
My review:
This is the story about two people who are running from their pasts meeting each other and deciding to take a chance on love. Josh North meets Sophie Garner and is completely 100% smitten. He begins chasing her from the very beginning and never thinks about or touches another woman after he meets her. He is willing to do anything and everything to get to spend more time with Sophie. All the while, Josh is holding on to some secrets that he fears make him unworthy of Sophie, But the more time he spends with her and her daughter make him want to be a better man for her. He actually says that his past "hookup" behavior makes him ashamed when he meets Sophie - he wishes he could wipe his slate completely clean for her. It never bothered him before, but now that he has a love interest, he wants to be better and he wants there to be no reason for Sophie to feel like she has to worry about him and other women.
Sophie is also running from her past - quite literally. She came from an abusive relationship/marriage and wants what's best for her daughter. She is very wary of starting any relationship, let alone one with someone rich, famous and in the spot light like Josh North. But as she spends more time with him, none of that stuff matters anymore.
This was definitely a cute story. Very low angst or drama. This hero knew what he wanted and kept fighting until he got it. I LOVED that!
Want to read
January 12, 2015☆ I received an ARC via Enticing Journey Book PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆
September 17, 2015
More like 2.5 disappointed stars.
I wanted to like this story but I found myself rolling my eyes constantly. I just found it so unrealistic, fake and a bit cheesy.
I wanted to like this story but I found myself rolling my eyes constantly. I just found it so unrealistic, fake and a bit cheesy.
January 14, 2015
This book was such a huge surprise to me. I hadn't read anything from this author before, but I am glad I decided to delve into this one. What can I say about this book? It's simply amazing and beautiful. I love the way it was written. I loved the dual point of view while usually I am not a big fan of it.
The author really knows how to make her characters lovable, honest and realistic.
Our main protagonists, Sophie and Josh are the definition of what perfect characters must be. Perfect as in real, flawed people who can win you over in a matter of a few pages.
Sophie is running from her past and brings her little daughter with her. I simply loved her story. You could see how she evolved as a person and became this strong-willed, brave woman, fighting for the life of her little girl, Charlie. She is what a single mother should be. I loved her.
She is assigned as a massage therapist to Josh North, famous firefighter and MMA fighter/trainer. After being hurt at a fire, Josh requires assistance and meets Sophie at the hospital. Attraction blooms and Josh offers her a job in his team just so he can have her close.
Face to face with a financial/career offer she can't refuse, she agrees and our story kicks off as she becomes his private masseuse. Heat and passion bursts from the pages and our couple buckles on for a wild ride.
Sophie and Josh fight their own pasts and demons while they try to keep parts of their life hidden from each other out of fear. This book was an example of how love and trust can overcome human fears and conquer them. It is a book about how the right person can bring you a chance at happiness.It's a story about family values.
The writing was flawless and the characters some of the best I've read this year. The storyline kept you on your toes and the sensual scenes were beyond this world. Wow.
5 Stars from me.
The author really knows how to make her characters lovable, honest and realistic.
Our main protagonists, Sophie and Josh are the definition of what perfect characters must be. Perfect as in real, flawed people who can win you over in a matter of a few pages.
Sophie is running from her past and brings her little daughter with her. I simply loved her story. You could see how she evolved as a person and became this strong-willed, brave woman, fighting for the life of her little girl, Charlie. She is what a single mother should be. I loved her.
She is assigned as a massage therapist to Josh North, famous firefighter and MMA fighter/trainer. After being hurt at a fire, Josh requires assistance and meets Sophie at the hospital. Attraction blooms and Josh offers her a job in his team just so he can have her close.
Face to face with a financial/career offer she can't refuse, she agrees and our story kicks off as she becomes his private masseuse. Heat and passion bursts from the pages and our couple buckles on for a wild ride.
Sophie and Josh fight their own pasts and demons while they try to keep parts of their life hidden from each other out of fear. This book was an example of how love and trust can overcome human fears and conquer them. It is a book about how the right person can bring you a chance at happiness.It's a story about family values.
The writing was flawless and the characters some of the best I've read this year. The storyline kept you on your toes and the sensual scenes were beyond this world. Wow.
5 Stars from me.
January 23, 2015
4.5 Stars
Would you take a Dare if it that you may have to put your heart at risk for a man that you could possibly fall for. The Dare would make a better life for you and your child and possible a chance to stop running and having to hide.
This is what Sophie Garner must decide for herself and her daughter. Sophie a trained massage therapist and single mother is trying to make a better life for herself and daughter Charlie. While working in the hospital she is asked to go to work on a patient.....Ding!
That patient is non other than Josh “The Jackhammer” North who is a UFC Lightweight Champion fighter. It is not a fight that brings Josh to the hospital but the fight to help save a child from a house fire. Josh is also a firefighter of course! After Sophie starts to work on Josh to help him with his muscles to bring him back to contention form it's Josh and his team the offer Sophie a deal of a lifetime.
So this is where is story will really start to take flight because the more Sophie and Josh work together the more Josh starts to fall for Sophie and sweet Charlie too.
What both characters past hide what they have had to fight to move on with their lives. Sophie an abusive ex-husband that she is running and hiding from and Josh a fight from his path that brought him to where he is today. Can Sophie confide in Josh what she has been running from the last few years and trust him with this information along with her heart.
Would you take a Dare if it that you may have to put your heart at risk for a man that you could possibly fall for. The Dare would make a better life for you and your child and possible a chance to stop running and having to hide.
This is what Sophie Garner must decide for herself and her daughter. Sophie a trained massage therapist and single mother is trying to make a better life for herself and daughter Charlie. While working in the hospital she is asked to go to work on a patient.....Ding!
That patient is non other than Josh “The Jackhammer” North who is a UFC Lightweight Champion fighter. It is not a fight that brings Josh to the hospital but the fight to help save a child from a house fire. Josh is also a firefighter of course! After Sophie starts to work on Josh to help him with his muscles to bring him back to contention form it's Josh and his team the offer Sophie a deal of a lifetime.
So this is where is story will really start to take flight because the more Sophie and Josh work together the more Josh starts to fall for Sophie and sweet Charlie too.
What both characters past hide what they have had to fight to move on with their lives. Sophie an abusive ex-husband that she is running and hiding from and Josh a fight from his path that brought him to where he is today. Can Sophie confide in Josh what she has been running from the last few years and trust him with this information along with her heart.
January 19, 2015
I've not heard of this author before but when I saw the synopsis on a sign up form for a blog tour I was intrigued so I signed up. I'm so glad I did as this was a really great story.
Sophie is a mum on the run. She's a strong lovely character that I really liked. She's offered a job as a massage therapist to Josh who is a MMA fighter. Although this book had some gritty parts I really enjoyed it. I loved that both main characters came across as real. They had their own flaws yet very likeable.
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. Really enjoyed it.
Sophie is a mum on the run. She's a strong lovely character that I really liked. She's offered a job as a massage therapist to Josh who is a MMA fighter. Although this book had some gritty parts I really enjoyed it. I loved that both main characters came across as real. They had their own flaws yet very likeable.
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. Really enjoyed it.
November 25, 2015
3.5 stars
This was my first book by Allie Juliette Mousseau and it was good. I felt the start was a little rocky; the prose was a little awkward and cheesy, and the hero and heroine were all over the place. I would have expected this to be her first book, but I see now it isn't. Anyway, I still liked it and I'll read the next one.
This was my first book by Allie Juliette Mousseau and it was good. I felt the start was a little rocky; the prose was a little awkward and cheesy, and the hero and heroine were all over the place. I would have expected this to be her first book, but I see now it isn't. Anyway, I still liked it and I'll read the next one.
June 8, 2015
3.5 stars. Enjoyable read. Engaging MC's. Needs a bit of editing and I felt the jumping from past to present made it hard to 'stay in the moment' at times. Similarities to another book that was distracting at times but look forward to more work from this author.
January 27, 2015
I really liked this one!
August 20, 2015
Super sweet. I liked the story and the level of drama. Kid was not in it so much that it took away from the romance but the Hero was super sweet with little Charlie.
April 21, 2015
The characters were overly sweet and it made the story just feel unrealistic and boring.
November 10, 2025
Książka kupiona za dolara, więc teoretycznie nie powinnam się zbyt wiele spodziewać. Ale naszła mnie ochota na romans damsko-męski i pomyślałam "dlaczego nie?".
Jak ta książka była źle napisana. I wcale nie mam tu na myśli oklepanej fabuły. Czasami, jeśli historia mnie naprawdę porwie, to nawet klisza na kliszy, kliszą poganiana aż tak mnie nie drażni.
Co bolało mnie najbardziej to luki fabularne, zmiana zdania przez autorkę, która chyba nie została przez nikogo wyłapana (w kilku sytuacjach pisała o jednym, by później wymyślić coś innego) oraz główna bohaterka, której jedyną rolą było bycie mamą - zero zainteresowań, zero pasji, zero głębszej myśli. I zrozumiałabym, gdyby autorka napisała coś w stylu: przez obecną sytuację Sophie nie miała czasu na...
Do tego mnóstwo błędów słownikowych, gramatycznych i innych. No i zakończenie, którego praktycznie nie było. Tak głupiego rozwiązania sytuacji już dawno nie czytałam.
Jak ta książka była źle napisana. I wcale nie mam tu na myśli oklepanej fabuły. Czasami, jeśli historia mnie naprawdę porwie, to nawet klisza na kliszy, kliszą poganiana aż tak mnie nie drażni.
Co bolało mnie najbardziej to luki fabularne, zmiana zdania przez autorkę, która chyba nie została przez nikogo wyłapana (w kilku sytuacjach pisała o jednym, by później wymyślić coś innego) oraz główna bohaterka, której jedyną rolą było bycie mamą - zero zainteresowań, zero pasji, zero głębszej myśli. I zrozumiałabym, gdyby autorka napisała coś w stylu: przez obecną sytuację Sophie nie miała czasu na...
Do tego mnóstwo błędów słownikowych, gramatycznych i innych. No i zakończenie, którego praktycznie nie było. Tak głupiego rozwiązania sytuacji już dawno nie czytałam.
May 28, 2015
Above and Way Beyond 5 Stars!!!!! More like 100 Stars PERFECT!!!!!!
OK, now there are 5 Star reads and THERE ARE 5 Star reads that need their very own special place up on a pedestal so that they stand out from the rest and hell yes, this book is one of them!!!! This is a book that for me gets placed on my very own special and unique above and beyond 5 Stars shelf! Yep, it's that freaking super duper awesome!!!!!!!!
Wow, wow, wow, I just finished and I am stunned on what exact words to use to describe this outstanding story. This book took my breath away from the start and kept me glued on my seat and invested until the very last word was read.
First, I have to start by saying that I wished that I had read this sooner because hot damn this book for me was a truly beautiful, literary work of art, a masterpiece, sheer perfection in my eyes!!!!!! This story had me feeling every single emotion possible, the highs of beautiful pure love and the lows of utter heartbreak for our two beautiful in EVERY sense of the word the main characters, Josh and Sophie.... Oh god, I have a serious, serious love for those 2 and oh yeah add in a beautiful, absolutely perfect bundle of joy....yep, Charlie!!!!! I could literally cry thinking of these 3, beautiful, loving, caring, pure down to the depths of their souls characters..... I can only describe Josh and Sophie with one saying, they for me were the most beautiful and warmest of souls one could hope to read about and oh gosh, I simply can't get enough of them!!!!!!!!! Please, please I need even more of them in the future, lol, maybe a catch-up novella...wink, wink, hehehehe!!!!!
Their story touched my heart in every way, my heart broke into tiny little pieces with BOTH of their back stories but this author mended my heart whole again and in the very best way, slowly and carefully and oh so beautifully...with a story so beautiful yet so tragic, Author Allie Juliette Mousseau wove their story of coming together PERFECTLY, SEAMLESSLY and FLAWLESSLY!!!!!!!!
This is a MUST Read:) I am going to say that I have over 5,000 books in my kindle library and guess what, this book was so good and touched me in such a way that I just purchased the next book in this series because I NEED to dive straight back into this world of characters that I freaking LOVED.... I cannot wait to read about Liam and Quinn and I cannot wait to read about all of Josh's "brothers of ink".... And I hope that with every story in this series, I will be able to catch up with my favorite, beautiful, perfect couple....Josh and Sophie (and Charlie too) because I will never forget them nor do I want to:)
I now officially have a serious book hangover because this story will stay with my always...tucked away in a very special place in my heart:)
Congrats Author Allie Juliette Mousseau for this truly heartbreakingly beautiful and amazing book!!!! You my dear are a literary genius in my eyes and I am now a true fan of yours for life!!!!!
OK, now there are 5 Star reads and THERE ARE 5 Star reads that need their very own special place up on a pedestal so that they stand out from the rest and hell yes, this book is one of them!!!! This is a book that for me gets placed on my very own special and unique above and beyond 5 Stars shelf! Yep, it's that freaking super duper awesome!!!!!!!!
Wow, wow, wow, I just finished and I am stunned on what exact words to use to describe this outstanding story. This book took my breath away from the start and kept me glued on my seat and invested until the very last word was read.
First, I have to start by saying that I wished that I had read this sooner because hot damn this book for me was a truly beautiful, literary work of art, a masterpiece, sheer perfection in my eyes!!!!!! This story had me feeling every single emotion possible, the highs of beautiful pure love and the lows of utter heartbreak for our two beautiful in EVERY sense of the word the main characters, Josh and Sophie.... Oh god, I have a serious, serious love for those 2 and oh yeah add in a beautiful, absolutely perfect bundle of joy....yep, Charlie!!!!! I could literally cry thinking of these 3, beautiful, loving, caring, pure down to the depths of their souls characters..... I can only describe Josh and Sophie with one saying, they for me were the most beautiful and warmest of souls one could hope to read about and oh gosh, I simply can't get enough of them!!!!!!!!! Please, please I need even more of them in the future, lol, maybe a catch-up novella...wink, wink, hehehehe!!!!!
Their story touched my heart in every way, my heart broke into tiny little pieces with BOTH of their back stories but this author mended my heart whole again and in the very best way, slowly and carefully and oh so beautifully...with a story so beautiful yet so tragic, Author Allie Juliette Mousseau wove their story of coming together PERFECTLY, SEAMLESSLY and FLAWLESSLY!!!!!!!!
This is a MUST Read:) I am going to say that I have over 5,000 books in my kindle library and guess what, this book was so good and touched me in such a way that I just purchased the next book in this series because I NEED to dive straight back into this world of characters that I freaking LOVED.... I cannot wait to read about Liam and Quinn and I cannot wait to read about all of Josh's "brothers of ink".... And I hope that with every story in this series, I will be able to catch up with my favorite, beautiful, perfect couple....Josh and Sophie (and Charlie too) because I will never forget them nor do I want to:)
I now officially have a serious book hangover because this story will stay with my always...tucked away in a very special place in my heart:)
Congrats Author Allie Juliette Mousseau for this truly heartbreakingly beautiful and amazing book!!!! You my dear are a literary genius in my eyes and I am now a true fan of yours for life!!!!!
February 19, 2015
Josh is one of the North brothers from the True North series. A firefighter and an MMA fighter, sounds like a formula for a hot read.
And it was.
Josh was hurt from saving a kid during a fire, and Sohie was hired as his massage therapist. She was a single mother to an adorable three-year-old girl, Charlie. She was also hiding from the abusive father of Charlie and trying to move on with her life while maintaining an inconspicuous existence.
Josh was hot, enjoying female attention without committing to anyone, a typical manwhore, really. But he was an honest and honorable man. He was also thoughtful and sweet, esp to little Charlie. These were things that served as Sophie's kryptonite, add to that the sexual tension and attraction they clearly had for each other. But Sophie was adamant in keeping their relationship professional. She didn't need or want another man to complicate the life she was trying to build for her and her daughter. But did I mention Josh was hot? What's a girl got to do?
Despite being in Josh's world as MMA fighter meant being surrounded by violence, Sophie never felt more safe. He made her feel at ease, a feat in itself if you were constantly on the run. He had a keen sense of what she needed and made it his mission to provide it. Josh's team regarded her with respect and affection. She witnessed how good and accepting his family was. But more importantly, he did things for Charlie and interacted with her that no man had ever done, including her father. In other words, he made her feel at home. He provided a family atmosphere for her, something she and Charlie never had.
It was a journey towards what could potentially be a great love. Did they get their HEA? Did they learn to be brave enough to conquer their fears together? Read and find out :-)
But there was more to this book than a love story. The brothers of Ink and Steel were introduced here, each with very interesting story to tell. A friendship formed under tough and painful circumstances and vowed to be each other's keepers.
This was a story about redemption, finding your strength, finding the beauty in love amidst the ugliness of reality. It was a story of fighting for your happiness.
May 7, 2021
This is my first book by Allie Juliette Mousseau, and it’s the first in a series, though it’s a spin-off from the True North series.
Josh and Sophie have a serious case of insta-love, but they don’t get together right away. They both are guarded and have secrets that they’re afraid make them unlovable. The pasts for both characters are revealed with perfect timing to the storyline and the gradual progression of their relationship. That said, there are flashbacks to when Josh was fifteen and meeting the other “brothers of ink and steel”, and I found that timeline to be a tad boring. Fortunately, those scenes were short and few and far between.
This book has a good amount of suspense, as Sophie is in hiding from her abusive ex-husband and trying to keep her daughter, Charlie, safe from his clutches. Little Charlie is so freaking adorable, and the dynamic between her and Josh made me swoon more than once. Sophie is a realistically portrayed mother, which is something that I find not to always be the case in these types of books. She puts her daughter’s needs above her own, and just enough of her inner dialogue is dedicated to worrying about protecting her child. The author struck an impeccable balance between Sophie’s falling in love and keeping in mind her duty to keep her daughter safe.
There are a few times when the plot begins to lag a little bit, because the author is spending time developing secondary characters. We get to spend a lot of time with Josh’s siblings and their significant others, who I can only assume got together in the previous series. This would have been okay, but we also had to get to know all of the men in this series, getting hints at what’s to come with their romances. Since the book itself is only about 250 pages, this was far too much time spent on secondary characters for my liking, and they honestly weren’t that memorable.
All in all, the romance was cute, and the little girl Charlie and the dynamic between Josh and Sophie is what made me give this book four stars.
Josh and Sophie have a serious case of insta-love, but they don’t get together right away. They both are guarded and have secrets that they’re afraid make them unlovable. The pasts for both characters are revealed with perfect timing to the storyline and the gradual progression of their relationship. That said, there are flashbacks to when Josh was fifteen and meeting the other “brothers of ink and steel”, and I found that timeline to be a tad boring. Fortunately, those scenes were short and few and far between.
This book has a good amount of suspense, as Sophie is in hiding from her abusive ex-husband and trying to keep her daughter, Charlie, safe from his clutches. Little Charlie is so freaking adorable, and the dynamic between her and Josh made me swoon more than once. Sophie is a realistically portrayed mother, which is something that I find not to always be the case in these types of books. She puts her daughter’s needs above her own, and just enough of her inner dialogue is dedicated to worrying about protecting her child. The author struck an impeccable balance between Sophie’s falling in love and keeping in mind her duty to keep her daughter safe.
There are a few times when the plot begins to lag a little bit, because the author is spending time developing secondary characters. We get to spend a lot of time with Josh’s siblings and their significant others, who I can only assume got together in the previous series. This would have been okay, but we also had to get to know all of the men in this series, getting hints at what’s to come with their romances. Since the book itself is only about 250 pages, this was far too much time spent on secondary characters for my liking, and they honestly weren’t that memorable.
All in all, the romance was cute, and the little girl Charlie and the dynamic between Josh and Sophie is what made me give this book four stars.
May 6, 2015
This book has it all: yummy, sweaty men; firefighters; MMA fighters; an adorable little princess who helps her gunshy momma hook an OTT Alpha prince in shiny white gym shorts.
Josh and Sophie strike sparks and wheeewwwwyy this firefighter knows how to fan the flames. Sophie has troubles that makes her try (emphasis on TRY) to keep her distance from Josh "The Jackhammer". This is kinda hard to do, as she is his personal physical therapist.
Josh is paying an exorbitant amount of money to keep Sophie at his beck and call (wow, that sounds kinda call-girlish...it's not I swear). He's first drawn to her amazing voice and quick wit, then it's her amazing rack...luckily enough he's smartened up by the time that he meets her cutie pie daughter. By then he's panting after the whole package. Having mostly had women fall at his feet, poor Josh is flying blind and grasping any excuse that he can find to keep Sophie near him so he can win her over. Simultaneously hoping that his violent past will not send her screaming.
Josh and Sophie are HAWT! Little Charlie is too cute for words. There is absolutely NO cheating; a whole lotta insta-love; an evil villain that the damsel may or may not need help eradicating and an extreme (and it must be said, EXTREMELY HOT) alpha male who can't wait to start a life with this instant family. Super-awesome start to what looks to be a very interesting series! ***Fingers crossed**** Please, please PLEASE let Liam be next!
Josh and Sophie strike sparks and wheeewwwwyy this firefighter knows how to fan the flames. Sophie has troubles that makes her try (emphasis on TRY) to keep her distance from Josh "The Jackhammer". This is kinda hard to do, as she is his personal physical therapist.
Josh is paying an exorbitant amount of money to keep Sophie at his beck and call (wow, that sounds kinda call-girlish...it's not I swear). He's first drawn to her amazing voice and quick wit, then it's her amazing rack...luckily enough he's smartened up by the time that he meets her cutie pie daughter. By then he's panting after the whole package. Having mostly had women fall at his feet, poor Josh is flying blind and grasping any excuse that he can find to keep Sophie near him so he can win her over. Simultaneously hoping that his violent past will not send her screaming.
Josh and Sophie are HAWT! Little Charlie is too cute for words. There is absolutely NO cheating; a whole lotta insta-love; an evil villain that the damsel may or may not need help eradicating and an extreme (and it must be said, EXTREMELY HOT) alpha male who can't wait to start a life with this instant family. Super-awesome start to what looks to be a very interesting series! ***Fingers crossed**** Please, please PLEASE let Liam be next!
May 15, 2015
This read was very simple, short, and there was nothing unexpected. It was a good read and totally worth 4 stars for me because I love this kind of love story. The story starts out with Josh being in the hospital and meeting massage therapist Sophie. He is drawn to Sophie so much so he offers her a job on his MMA fighting team as his personal massage therapist. He offers her so much money that she can't refuse. The problem is that the sexual tension between the two is not deniable . He even dares her and offers her a huge hike in salary if he makes the first move. If she makes the first move then she owes him one night of unbridled passion. This was cute and fun but then came the serious part of the story which I loved. I don't want to give too much away but there is a kid involved and I love when kids are involved. To see this huge beef cake of a man fall in love with little Charlie just melted my heart. There was instant love, sappiness, and a lot of cuteness from the kid and as I stated it's very predictable but Sophie has some serious issues she's running from as well and that just added to the story. I read this book in one sitting and really enjoyed it. It's a little on the lighter side so if you are in the mood for something light with a serious edge this is a fast read.
March 9, 2018
What a great start in a new series by a new to me author. I really loved everything about the book. The writing was just so well developed that it was easy to releate to the characters.
The build up of the plotline was perfect and the characters more than likeable. Josh was just the almost perfect guy. And I really can not wait for the next part of that series ....
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