מארק

The Boys of Bishop Mountain #1

by Lexxi James, לקסי ג'יימס (Author's Hebrew Name), חנה בס (Translator)

ג'ס

תכירו את מארק דונובן. צלף לשעבר בצבא, מנכ"ל של אימפריה עולמית בשווי מיליארדי דולרים, חטוב ברמות הגבוהות ביותר, וגבר שאני לא רוצה שום קשר אליו.

אני מכירה את הטיפוס. מסוכן. סקסי. ילד רע שממלא חליפה של טום פורד או זוג תחתונים של קלווין קליין באותה דרך מגרה.

הוא מהסוג הגרוע ביותר של שוברי לבבות. מהסוג שאפילו לא מודע למה שהוא גורם לך להרגיש.

מארק

לפני שמונה שנים כמעט איבדתי את חיי. וזה לא שלא זכרתי אותה, לא זיהיתי אותה. יש הבדל.

היא הייתה ילדה ואני הייתי חייל... רגע לפני סבב הלחימה השלישי והאחרון שלי, עם אחיה. סבב שהחזרה שלי ממנו בחיים הייתה מוטלת בספק.

היא חושבת שאני לא זוכר. הנשיקה ההיא הייתה יפהפייה ותמימה. היא החזיקה אותי בחיים כשהפחד העמוק ביותר שלי היה שלא אשרוד.

אז איך אוכל לשכוח?

חזרתי שבור. נטול רגשות. אכזרי. התעשרתי מעבר לחלומות הכי פרועים שלי באמצעות הדחקת החלקים הכי טובים שבי. מי שהייתי. מה שעברתי. הרגתי כל חלק בי שהיה בעל ערך... הכול חוץ מהנשיקה ההיא.

אז תדחי אותי כמה שאת רוצה, נערת מקהלה, כי נכנסת לי לכוונת ואת עומדת להיות שלי.

מארק הוא הספר הראשון בסדרת הבחורים של הר בישופ. רומן על הזדמנות שנייה העומד בפני עצמו.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Fiction, Ebooks, Chick Lit, Drama, Young Adult Romance

312 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2022

About the author

Lexxi James | Author of Hot Romance & Happily Ever Afters ❤️

As a USA Today Bestselling author, Lexxi James has hit the top 50 bestseller lists on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble, with books sold in over 26 countries. Best known for seductive romantic suspense, she loves matching smoking hot heroes with their soul mates. Her signature style is witty banter, high heat, and a whole lot of heart.

She proudly calls the Midwest home where she lives with the man of her dreams and the sweetest daughter in the universe. Her pastimes include reading, loading up on unhealthy quantities of caffeine, and binging Netflix and reality TV. She’s a sucker for kids selling cookies and pretty much anything on Etsy.

To receive hot romances with happily ever afters, sign up for her newsletter by clicking here!
www.lexxijames.com/freebies

Website | https://www.lexxijames.com/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/LexxiJames/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lexxijamesb...
Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/author/lexxijames
Bookbub | https://www.lexxijames.com/bookbub
Goodreads | https://bit.ly/3rySBeH

Reviews

[Afolasade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boys of Bishop mountains is another series by the author. From this 1st book, it promises to be interesting, lovely and a good read. Marked, the 1st book in the series is about second chance/best friends sister and its amazing. Lexxi didn't disappoint as usual, it's steamy, intriguing and I just couldn't put it down. She took a minor character from the Alex Drake series and turned it to an incredible story. Can't wait to see what happens next. I received an ARC for my honest voluntary review

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right on the Mark!!

This book was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down!!
Mark and Jess’s story is highly engaging, deeply passionate and very inviting.

The chemistry between Mark and Jess is burning hot and the love they have for one another is simply beautiful.
Beyond the romantic aspects of this book I really enjoyed the family and friendships shared between these characters.
Every moment was entertaining and sensual.
Congratulations Lexxi🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻This book is REMARKABLE and the characters sharing it’s pages are enticing and endearing.
Now I will be getting Cuffed to see who Zac falls for!!

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone once said that giving love a second chance is like giving them an extra bullet because they missed the first time.

What would you do if you were given a second chance at love? Would you take it? Even though the guy you had loved since you were kids handed you his dog tags and finally kissed you like you had dreamed about before for being deployed only to return home injured and not wanting to see you ever again. Eight years later Jess has moved on and is running a non profit for military vets when Mark Donavon returns to Bishop Mountain to drum up some publicity for his company which is going public and it isn't long before him and Jess meet up and the fireworks start but both have changed. Mark carries the memories and scars of almost losing his life as a sharpshooter for the military and ending up in a hospital all alone. But when he sees Jess again after so many years of feeling hurt and angry because he thought they shared something special on that night long ago. The attraction and chemistry is still their so when sparks start flying they decide to throw caution to the wind and be come lovers enjoying what time they have together. But just as things are getting serious and the lovemaking turns into falling in love Jess is faced with telling Mark a secret that could change how he feels about her and their future. Between the major pressure of taking his company public and feeling Jess pulling away Mark is ready to implode and while he's been caught up in Jess someone close to him has plans to take major control of his company. And when he has a close call and almost loses Jess to a gunman this sharpshooter has her in his sights and he's never letting go!

Boys of Bishop Mountain is Lexxie James new series and it promises to be another great series with amazing characters and fabulous dialogue and steamy hot sex scenes and bust a gut one liners and humor. Theirs angst and suspense and beautiful deep family and friendship interactions that are full of love and the usually ball busting that leave you smiling and wanting more. Lexxi James is a fabulous writer and storyteller who writes with heart and soul and I'll be damned if she didn't hook me on the all the boys of Bishop Mountain! Each has a story to tell and I'm all ears! Can't wait for more! This is a standalone with a HEA ending.
Until next time Luv's💗💋

[Christine B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess Bishop sister of three brothers Brian, Rex and Cade at the age of six announces she was going to marry her brother Brian best friend Marcus Donovan, a childhood crush. Mark doubled over on the floor laughing uncontrollably, well the double over was from a shift jab square in his balls.

Mark and Brian are best friends and they both enlisted and served together on each tour except one, when Brian stayed home on an emergency leave. Jess and Zac are best friends who made a pack when they turn 30 if they are not married they would married each other. The only issue is that Jess still had that childhood crush and had been saving herself for the one true love with Mark, they shared a secret.

Marcus Even Donovan, 24, middle son; Tyler, the older brother, owns a bar/restaurant; and Zac, the youngest, is a student at NYU. Mark was a solider a "sharpshooter", and sniper after an injury, he returned home and is now CEO of Centurion Group with the opportunity to turn his millions into billions when his company goes public but get distracted after he returns home around Christmas.

Jessica Marie Bishop & her brothers lived on Bishop's mountain most of their lives, when their parents passed away...Jess kept the house, even though it's falling apart, she refuses to let go because of her memories of her parents. Jess is struggling because this is where her mom taught her to "Never underestimate the power of a wish". Then Jess would blow on a fluffy white dandelion. Jess was dedicated to her non-profit for ex-military vets, once her brother came back injuried she would make sure every vet would have a prostatic by any means necessary, beg, work ungodly jobs, the word around town is Jess would do just about anything for a paycheck.

However when Mark returned home injuried, Jess nevered came and visited him, heart broken Mark poured all he had into his new company. Lexxi always know how to grab your attention so many twist, turns they will keep you spinning. Will Centurion Group go public? What will happen to the house on Bishop Mountain? I also loved Lexxi opening lines, Mark wanted to be Batman A. he was a good & righteous w/killer fighting moves B. Treasure trove of insane gadgets C. The Bat signal, so he enlisted to be a superhero and badass protector.

[Rain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, but not in a good way.

Plot holes, and a disjointed narrative made me feel like I was missing important chapters. My review will be as meandering as the pacing in this story.

Second chance M/F romance
Grew up together
BFF with brother
Former military hero
He is a millionaire, master chef and flies a helicopter
Drama drama drama
Insert random bad guy
OTT dumb ow
Miscommunication trope on fire

Three older brothers who want her to sell their family land. She is working multiple jobs to pay all the bills herself on a house that is literally falling down around her. How does she have time plan an extravagant fundraiser for a new charity she wants to start? Why does nothing happened with the fundraiser after all that work?

She is keeping a “giant secret” the entire book, and while it is heartbreaking, it is silly that she doesn’t just come out and be honest about it.

There is unnecessary drama, including a kidnapping and attempted murder.

The female narrator of the story was really annoying to listen to. She spoke everything like an over caffeinated squirrel. Everything had multiple exclamation points!!!! Calm down, the story isn’t that exciting.

Why did these characters never talk about the initial miscommunication at the hospital?

Disappointing.

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐

Strap in folks. I read this hot mess of a billionaire, military, brother's best friend, second chance romance so you don't have to. If the sheer amount of tropes packed into this book doesn't scare you away, maybe this review might.

Jess has been in love with her brother's best friend Mark since they were young. Though he's never treated her better than a bully, a brief kiss between them gives them a hint at what they could be, if Mark wasn't due to set off for a military mission. After a series of miscommunications, Jess is convinced Mark doesn't want to see her and he is convinced she deserted him when he needed her most.

When Mark visits his hometown 8 years later, he doesn't immediately recognize her. Once he discovers who she is, he offers her an obscene amount of money for her new charity and propositions her for a weeks-long affair. Not only does it feel like he's bribing her for 'services', but he admits to himself he's in love with her but wants to work it out of his system. What a gentleman.

"I'm still a red-headed mountain girl struggling to make my way in the world while he is the billionaire-in-the-making Marcus Evan Donovan." - Jess

Jess is a firecracker, willing to put in the work to stand up for what she believes in. She is babied heavily by her older brothers but no one can tell her what to do or what she wants in life. They are set on selling their deceased parents' land and frame it as in her best interest since she refuses to move on. In reality, they come off as just wanting the proceeds of the sale.

Their second chance romance is more of an extended one-night stand until Mark realizes he is willing to put in work to make it permanent. Even then, though the two have enough history to come between them, it's Mark's obsession with work and tendency to take things out on Jess that finally drives her away.

Not only a combat military man but also a billionaire CEO and a great cook, Mark is wishy-washy and weak. He lets his emotions get the best of him and lashes out when things don't go according to his plans.

After groveling over his latest emotional outburst and failed proposal, Jess pushes him away but only because she can't have kids. I absolutely hated how much of her self-worth for this more than less-than-perfect man is wrapped up in giving him biological children. Women are worth more than their ovaries and Jess' character deserved more than this warped thinking.

Thankfully or not, Mark reveals he was adopted so he is okay with Jess not being able to have children. He knew all along about her secret, hence them never using condoms. He proposes a second time and they run off to have marathon sex while their families cook for them in the kitchen next door because they will need their strength. I wish I had made up that last sentence.

The pacing of this book was off, in a big way. Mark and Jess spend more time apart than together, and as a result, there is little chemistry between them that isn't more tell than show. The story suffers from time jumps that just don't make sense and the climax of the story happens at the 60% mark, then there are still another 100 pages to go.

Plot holes I couldn't overlook:

1. Mark and Jess haven't seen each other in 8 years, even though he is still best friends with her brother and even employs him.

2. Zac, Mark's brother, has lunch with Jess weekly in their small town despite working in the city which is 3-4 hours away

3. It's mentioned Jess checks out Mark's third finger for a ring instead of the fourth finger.

4. Mark was hit by a bullet during the shootout scene but it's only mentioned as an afterthought a chapter later, not in the moment.

5. Mark only uses American cheese for grilled cheese, but then makes her one with tomatoes 

6. It's winter, admittedly cold, but there is a scene where Mark is fishing in pajamas and sleeping outside

This might have been one of the worst contemporary romance books I've read, it was truly that awful. My sole purpose in finishing this book was so I could write this book review with all the spoilers imaginable to warn others away. Someone else must have hated this as much as I did right!?

More reviews at www.ratherbookish.com

[J.T. Kingsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pick a lane and stay there.

This book felt like two or three books smashed into one. The first 60% felt very consistent if not a little unbelievable. Mark was a world class sniper, had time to build a billion dollar business- mastering contract law and the corporate world, be a world class chef, a rock climber, and probably something else I’m forgetting, oh yeah a helicopter pilot. I’m not sure how old he was supposed to be, but honey there aren’t enough hours in the day. Even before the climax approached we lost Jess’s personal plot all together, she went from being a determined non-profit starter to basically a homeless woman living in the mountains. There were also several weird inconsistencies involving dandelions which definitely don’t grown in the mountains around Christmas and fireflies in the fall. Everything about the climax felt disjointed and rushed including the thing about snipers being able to get a shot at Russ while he was in the house. Also, I’m guessing he died? That was never really solidified. Don’t think I will try the next book when it comes out, I’m too discombobulated after this rollercoaster.

[Jennifer B. (jenn.reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly can’t remember how i found this book. It was an ad from insta or FB. 😂 sooo... are we just going to ignore a few items in the book? Like what?! No explanations whatsoever?
•the hospital mix up?
•the fair?
•but did he ever become a billionaire??

Ugh. I really liked Zac though so I guess I’ll try the second book? We’ll see.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

description didn’t match

The description didn’t really match the actual story. I feel like parts were skipped too. They refer to a conversation like we should have read it but we didn’t. Jess went from walking away to calling him casually like we missed a whole scene in between. Also there was no discussion about what an a$$ he was the first time he tried to propose or not apology for the comment on the check he sent her. Also, they never talked about how she did try to see him in the hospital and was sent away. That seemed like an important part of the story along with a discussion about how he didn’t recognize her at first even though that seemed to be important based on the description. It was just a bit of a mess. I’m also confused as to how everyone just became millionaires.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hit and Miss

This was an average read for me. I liked Jess and Mark, friends to lovers. I found it childish at times and a bit far fetched. Nothing to hate about the story but not a lot to love either so a 3 star for me.

[Claire ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marked by Lexxi James is the first book in The Boys of Bishop’s Mountain series, and it absolutely does not disappoint. As my first read from this author, I was completely hooked from the very beginning and found it nearly impossible to put down.

The story follows Jess and Mark, two characters whose connection runs deep, stretching back to their younger years. Their relationship is built on a mix of tension, denial, and unspoken feelings, which makes their journey all the more compelling. For years, they dance around what’s really between them, constantly getting under each other’s skin without ever fully acknowledging why. When they finally confront their emotions, it feels earned and incredibly satisfying.

Mark is a sniper in the army, serving alongside his best friend Brian—who also happens to be Jess’s brother. This dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the story, blending loyalty, friendship, and protective instincts. Jess, often referred to as the “choir girl,” is anything but soft. She’s a strong, determined, and fiercely loyal character who can hold her own, making her a standout heroine.

What really makes this book shine is the emotional tension and character development. The slow burn between Jess and Mark is filled with chemistry, frustration, and moments that keep you turning the pages. Their story is not just about romance, but also about growth, trust, and finally acknowledging what’s been there all along.

Overall, Marked is an engaging, emotional, and addictive read that sets a strong tone for the rest of the series. I’m excited to see where the story goes next and will definitely be picking up the following books.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a cast of strong characters centering on Jess and Mark. The author brings a fun banter along with a ton of emotions. She does a fantastic job building the story and pulled me in right from page one. She brings all the feels as these two battle their feelings and each other and had me glued to the pages reading their story. It moves fluidly with her descriptive scenes and is a terrific read. Loved and highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book from page one. Mark, Jess, and their families are an engaging bunch, and their introductions include great banter and tug at your emotions. Both characters are a little broken but are better together. While we wonder if Jess and Mark will get their second chance, the secondary characters add to the story. I am looking forward to more in this series.

Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t bother read. Really bad writing or needs a thorough edit. Scenes are never finished, and change so suddenly. This meant that the plot gets lost.

Sad really as the characters are good.

[Ashante Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark & Jess: triggers- military, stalking, blackmail, assault, kidnapping, grief, loss. I'm not sure what to say about this book. On the one hand I felt that parts of the story were good though predictable. On the other hand I felt that a lot of it was annoying and I spent most of the book yelling because, "why?"

The bickering in the beginning was unbelievable annoying. I'm still trying to figure out why both of them never discussed what happened at the hospital (the event which epically changed the course of their relationship) and no one ever confronted the nurse. 🤦🏾‍♀️.

The story is definitely spicy when we get to it but there's so much miscommunication throughout the book that I wondered how they would get their HEA. Jess was definitely an irritation in this book, she though basically being raised by her brothers, had no real backbone unless speaking to one of them. She couldn't stand up for herself with the dude that clearly wanted more from her. She let Mark get away with talking to get and kind of way.

And her big secret. I wish the author could've come up with something better than that because come on now are we really making this an issue in 2025 with all the other options.

I didn't enjoy the plot twists at the end. Though one was expected, the other I didn't think would be addressed and it was. So this book was really just okay.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed Marked ~ The Boys of Bishop Mountain ~ Book 1, by Lexxi James, author, from the Kindle Unlimited Program on Amazon.

The Sharpshooter, Mark Donovan and the Chior Girl, Jessia (Jess) Bishop have know each other all their lives and had a love hate relationship from age five that always kept things interesting for them. The Donovan boys and the three Bishop brothers and Jess's family had been friends for years.

The Bishop parents passed, Brian and Mark came home on leave and Mark gave Jess his dog tags when he promised to keep Brian her brother and his best friend safe. Jess wore the dog tags for eight years and felt them kept her safe.

I liked how Jess made wishes because her mother taught her to as a child. Starting a non-profit for the bendfit of vets, Jess works several part-time jobs, lived in her parents old home that needed a new roof, plumbing repaits on Bishop Mountain.

The Sharpshooter and the Chior Girl fought, borke up several times and couldn't stay away from each other and kept secrets from each other. An old saying 'giving love a second chance is like giving them an extra bullet because they missed the first time', which sounded like a sharpshoot saying that the guys could relate to made a difference for Jess and Mark.

Lots of problems with others working against them, an explosive relationship and input from they brothers gave the plot lots of twists and turns and a very interesting book.

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Boys of Bishop Mountain Series. It is a fantastic Military, Second-Chance, Billionaire Romance. I could not have loved Mark and Jess and their page turning story more. The writing, characters, storyline, world building, and character development are superb. I simply cannot wait for more from this series!

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mark fucking sssssuuuuuccccckkkkksssss.

Jesse and Mark's chapters were actually incredibly hard for me to follow. At some points I had to go back and check the POV header because they both had the same type of "voice" in their chapters. Which is odd since Mark is an actual pile of flaming dog shit with barely any other mode than be annoying.

Another thing that just boggled my mind is why her brothers seemed so okay with causing her such emotional turmoil. She's working 4 jobs and trying to get this nonprofit off the ground and each of them seem to have some side job with Mark that gives them an obscene amount of money. Why would they rip the only thing she has - a family home - away from her? They all seem pretty well off and Brian is an actual blood brother so... why the fuck aren't you helping repair the house your sister lives in??? She has a tarp for a roof for fucks sake.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - I found this a little bit hard to track and felt like the writing was choppy.

[AMG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billionaire-poor girl/Enemies to Lovers/Brother’s Best Friend

SYNOPSIS: Despite this saying it is part of a series it is a standalone story. The FC (Jess) and MC (Mark) have known each other all their lives and Mark is best friends with Jess’s brother and in the same regiment (both are military sharpshooters). When young, Mark and Jess rub each other the wrong way. However, just before going on his final deployment, Mark and Jess have a “moment”. The story then swings to 8 years later. Jess is struggling financially and trying to set up a charity for Vets and Mark is a multi millionaire. They reconnect and Mark wants Jess in his life but Jess has a big secret that won’t let her commit. There’s drama and break ups and a sub plot revolving around some nefarious going ons with Mark’s company which is due to go to an IPO. Ultimately there’s a HEA.

This is well written and enjoyable with a few typos. The story is decent if not unique and the characters are likeable. The heat level is average with some dirty talk and sexy times but these are not over done. There’s a decent enough sub plot that adds drama although it was a bit too simplistic for me. Supporting characters were likeable and added some depth and there was a decent enough back story and relationship build.

What I found frustrating was the lack of depth and explanation in certain parts of the story. You don’t really get to understand what happened to Brian and Mark on their last deployment, you don’t get a real explanation as to why Mark and Jess never reconnected when Mark returned and there’s no real clarity as to when or how Jess’s parents died just a brief side reference to a car accident. There’s a reference at one point to the watch Jess gave Brian playing some important part but this is then forgotten and never explained and a reference to Jess’s hospital bills which are also not the referenced again. The secret that Jess kept was easy to guess but she just seemed to drag it out. Why not just tell Mark what it was and see if he could handle it. What was the point of just breaking up with him because Jess decided he would not be able to accept it. The thought process did not make sense to me.

The sub-plot is full of holes and I found it frustrating how long it took Mark to figure things out and do something about it. It’s annoying when an author creates a seemingly unsolvable position for an MC and then, instead of coming up with a clever way out just glosses over everything with, in this case, a reference to “evidence being presented that clears the MC”. It’s weak and lazy and is a disservice to readers.

Whilst the story is not unique it could have been better but if you’re looking for a fun, sexy, quick read then give this a go.

[Serra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just so bad. I almost never review the quick romances I pick up for free on Amazon Prime. I know a lot of these authors self publish. And honestly, I don’t go into books like this with high expectations. They are usually palate cleansers for me.

But woof. Wayyyy too many tropes in one book. So many plot points that made no sense. She doesn’t recognize the love of her life or her brothers because they have on hard hats and sunglasses?? This girl apparently works four jobs but can just up and go to the city for a week on a whim? The veterans nonprofit was cool until it basically dropped right out of the book. Like she just doesn’t go to work anymore? Both the main characters have dark backstories of horrible medical emergencies. I think? But none of that is really ever explained. The “big secrets” have really no impact on their relationship. And they are solved so quickly that it is almost comical that the entire conflict was build on nothing. There is a really random kidnapping plot that lasts about 10 whole pages. This author really needs to work on suspense. The book is over 400 pages (can we please normalize NOT making every book so long unnecessarily) and is really just a series of problems that have no time to fester before they are prematurely fixed. There is no time at all to become invested in any storyline at all before we are on to the next. I was irrationally annoyed when the author forgot she had made a clear statement about the perfect grilled cheese and later completely contradicted it. It just highlighted how little planning or continuity went into the book.

Also, the main male character made me cringe. A lot.

[the escape artist · Rating 2 out of 5]

High 2.5 I liked this book right until the ending.

The fertility/adoption story line was not good. Infertile women are not less and adoption is not a solution for infertility. The fact that she was so deeply ashamed of it really turned me off. It was a very odd miscommunication and since that is always my most hated trope the ending fell flat.

I beg writers that want to include infertility and adoption to do even the slightest bit of research on the topic, talk to some adoptees and speak to women who can’t have children. You can easily cause harm by handling these topics badly, they aren’t topics to just throw in.

Also the weird story line with marrying the brother at 30 if no one else comes along. So Mark deserves kids but Zac doesn’t? 30 is a spinster? She doesn’t even bother dating seriously before Mark comes back cuz she is barren and needs a possible pity marriage. The ending fed into all the worst stereotypes of women’s value simply being their ability to bear children. It wrecked it.

And it’s fucking winter in the Adirondacks, there are no wildflowers or dandinions, no one is fishing and if they sleep outside naked they will die. If it was no longer winter, then the pacing and time lapse of the book was unclear and messed up.

I Will read more by this author to give her another chance because I liked some of the other characters. Zac seems fun so I want to read his love story.

[Anne Young-Cronister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Jess is a young girl who knows in her heart that HE is it for her. Mark Donovan is the only person she had ever truly wanted. He’s off to the Army and gives her his dog tags that she holds close to her heart every day . Now, he’s a business CEO for the family, about to go public. He’s home for Christmas but do these two need more than a gift from Santa Clause. He thinks of her as a Choir girl, the thoughts she has about him are anything but that. I liked all the Angst, Missteps and everyone throws the word Playboy at him. The steamy scenes are off the charts and an HEA is had by all even after the women chasing him for his money. I laughed a lot reading this. Also a healthy dose of danger and excitement.

I reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Britany | SouthernAsianReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a lot going on it this book and several hanging plots. Did they ever discuss what caused their 8 years apart? She thought he didn’t want her, he thought she abandoned him but nope they see each other and just jump back into it.

I saw the bad guy a mile away. How did Dean just accept that Mark would fire him like that when they were supposedly super close?

After the military they all became secret spies?

As someone with endometriosis, I understood that she was sad and conflicted but I couldn’t believe that was the big secret she held on to the entire book. Then the ending was so quick everything was resolved too quickly.

Also the summary hinted at more. Her kiss got him through it? He didn’t recognize her? These are very minor items that aren’t even discussed.

[Fiona Fog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexxi brings the feels with this story, investment factor is a given. Great characters and an engaging read.

The dialogue is addictive, you’re swept up in their story, the chemistry is sizzling and Mark Donavan is right up there as your next book boyfriend. This man is perfection, his dirty mouth is a welcome surprise and that he can back it up seals the deal.

Jess is relatable and likeable, she’s normal and there’s no artifice with her. What you see is real.

In my top reads this year.

It’s a yes from me.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

AWFUL!! 0 STARS!

This book is absolutely TERRIBLE. I have NO IDEA how it has such great ratings. There is no flow whatsoever. It's like someone took scenes from 9 different books and made them all into one. The main characters are predictable and immature. Mr. Perfect turns into a complete a-hole then an idiot then something else again and again. Good LORD this book was all over the place. DNF. Started skimming at 32%, then stopped reading at 70% and didn't even bother reading the end (and I ALWAYS read the end) because it was THAT BAD. Don't waste your time.

[Rachel Hager · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 45% - clearly there is no solid plot here. Weak characters and no stakes. Didn’t work for me

[MsRomanticReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was all over the place. I shouldn’t feel confused when I put the book down for a fay or two and when I pick it back up I feel like I missed a few chapters or the characters suddenly act very differently. And I really disliked the FMC more than the MMC. There was hardly any character growth because they were too busy hurting each other’s feelings or f*cking. They never just sat in a room and communicated.

And it was so unsatisfying that the whole hospital incident from the beginning was never talked about. Ugh. And that "big secret" that stopped her from being with him, I felt like it was built up to be so much more devastating.

It was also tiresome how their brothers knew what it was and whenever they brought it up, it just served to highlight how shitty Jess is at communicating. To circle everything back, her issues with dating him and believing his love for her was real could have so easily been resolved if she’d have let him get a word in instead of saying something hurtful then walking away and him letting her walk away. These two did not help themselves to be together, instead it took the help of her brother (Brian), Zac (his brother), and Matt’s mom.

And Jess's behavior during the kidnapping scene was so confusing: the kidnapper gives her an active phone so he can listen in to make sure she doesn't try to warn anyone.

This is what she does: (It's not really a spoiler, but I wanted to conceal the conversation anyway)

Jess bursts through the door, not bothering to knock. She slams the check down in front of me with a frantic demand. “Give me whatever money you can for this.”
I blink. “No.”
She checks her watch. Or rather, Brian’s watch. What’s she doing with Brian’s watch?
Jess loses her mind and tears open every drawer on my desk.
“Jess, what the fuc⁠—”
“Money. Goddammit, I need whatever money you have. Now!”
I spin her around, locking both my hands around her arms. “I would’ve given you the goddamned world, Jess, but you didn’t want it, remember?”
But she’s not listening. She’s patting me down like we’re in San Quinten, which I could almost get into, except she stops at my wallet and rips it from the pocket, emptying it of its cash. Openmouthed, I stare in shock.
The second she has it, roughly three thousand dollars in hundreds, she bolts for the door, and I give chase. “Jess!”
She slams a fist against the elevator door, pounding the button again and again.
I catch up to her, grateful for once that the elevator is taking its sweet fucking time. “Jess, wait⁠—”
I latch onto her arm. She tears it away, screaming as if burned by my touch.
“Jess—” I grab her again, this time harder. “No, no, no. You’re not going anywhere. Explain.” It’s then that I catch the bruising beneath the rim of her glasses.
She hands him Brian’s watch, tells him “No dancing tonight, Batman” —is that some type of code? And then she knees him in the balls and takes off with the three thousand dollars.

She couldn't have walked in there and found a pen and paper and quickly scribbled out a help message instead of acting that way and kneeing him in the groin?

Fast forward to the heroic rescue, Mark puts his life on the line and the first thing she does when she snaps out of her shock, waking up in his arms, she bolts straight for Zac and shows her concern for him first. Not Mark. The explanation from Zac on her actions was lame. And if he had to spell it out for Mark and the reader, then her actions really made zero sense.

It took me a week to finish 388 pages. My curiosity over what her big secret was wouldn't let me DNF it.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Marked” is the first book in the ‘Boys of Bishop Mountain’ series by Lexxi James. I’ve been wrestling with how to write this review because a lot happens in the story, and I don’t want to ruin any of it for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. So, forgive me for being circumspect, but I think you’ll thank me later. This is a second chance romance, and a brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister romance. It also fits into the categories of being a military romance and a millionaire/billionaire romance.

Jess grows up with a crush on her older brother’s best friend, and as a child she’s not shy about it. It gets awkward and embarrassing as those things do, until suddenly when Mark is getting ready to leave for deployment again, a significant few minutes they share lead them both to believe that upon his return things are going to be different. The deployment ends in a nightmare, and when Mark gets home a terrible miscommunication wrecks everything.

Mark and Jess spend years on very separate paths in life. He moves away and becomes an extremely well-connected and successful businessman; she stays local and establishes a much- needed nonprofit organization to help military veterans. And they always remain aware of one another. Their families are close. Her brother is still his best friend, and one of his brothers is her best friend. The family relationships in this story are complicated, sweet, and sincere. They also feel very ‘real’. When Mark returns home for primarily business reasons, familiar sparks fly between him and Jess. They decide to see where it leads, which is straight into a scorching hot relationship.
Unfortunately for them, (but fortunately for us), there is more drama waiting to happen and to be revealed.

This book hooked me quick, reeled me in, and kept me engaged right to the very end. There were a couple of small threads that I wish would’ve been resolved in some way, but with so much going on, it’s very understandable for that to happen. I thought the main and secondary characters were all wonderfully vivid. There is a lot of serious stuff here, but there’s also a lot of humor and scenes that will make you laugh out loud. I enjoyed the author’s writing style so much that as soon as I finished this book, I bought two of her
others.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily sharing my thoughts and opinions.t

[Chrissy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian bishop and mark donovan are sharp shooters in the military until one day someone gets the best of them. Brian loses a leg and mark gets popped in the chest but survives.
8 years later Brian is back in Saratoga but mark has become a millionaire in nyc. But he’s always held a candle for Brian’s little sister Jess. The day before he left, the last time he saw her, he gave her his dog tags and a promise to protect her brother, sealed with a kiss. And Jess has always held out of mark too, even though his younger brother Zac is her bestie.
Brian convinces mark to come home for a visit and the spark between mark and Jess comes back. She’s starting a nonprofit for Injured soldier. He has lots of money. And while he’s home, they start a whirlwind romance that has been in the making since she was six and he was twelve and she told him they would get married someday.
Scandals pop up with some weirdo girl who wants more likes on insta, and one of the dudes at his company. And she has this weirdo stalkerish guy who claims he also wants to start a nonprofit and wants tips.
Turns out the company guy, the dumb girl and the stalker guy are all in cahoots to take down mark and have all his money.
On top of it, Jess can’t have kids and it’s a big thing because she knows mark wants lots of kids. After many breaks ups and running away, mark gets his mother to go talk to Jess about “the Donovan secret” which is that one of Donovan boys was adopted. She didn’t share which one and that co versatile convinces Jess to give mark another chance.
Mark decides to build Jess a new house on her parents land where she has been living her whole life. In front of his family and her brothers, he proposes with his mothers ring. When he takes her inside to bang it out he co fesses the HE is the Donovan secret. HEA.