Lowlife: A Bottom Feeder Novel

Bottom Feeder #2

by Maria G. Cope

Maddy and Jackson's lives continue in this story of trust, betrayal, love, and loss.

Maddy

It’s been almost a year since I escaped Cordell’s attempt to end my life. The past few months I’ve been sitting hidden and comfortable in my role as a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division. Life is good. For now, anyway. I know my days of comfort are numbered. Because what Cordell Carrington doesn’t realize is I am no longer the sweet, obedient little girl he raised. This time I am ready for him.

I’m mad as hell and I want revenge.

Jackson

I’m not broken. True, the doctors can’t fix me. I can’t fix me. Maybe I’m not trying hard enough. Or maybe, just maybe, I can’t handle the guilt that comes with healing. None of this means I am broken.

All I want out of life is a clear mind and the girl I love more than my own existence to not hate me. But now the army wants to send me back overseas, and the girl? Well, she loves someone else.

Okay, yeah, so maybe I’m a little broken.

Author's Note: Lowlife is not a stand-alone novel; this book is a continuation of Maddy and Jackson's story.

**Lowlife is a New Adult Contemporary that contains mature language, mild violence, and mild sexual content. Discretion is advised**

Genres: Military Fiction

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

I am the daughter of hard working Southerners, the wife of a United States Soldier, and a self-proclaimed nerd fighter. When I'm not writing, I'm working in mental health or allowing nursing school to slowly steal pieces of my soul. In anything I do, I'm observing my surroundings for what or who to write about next. So yeah, I'm basically a weirdo. I write New Adult and Adult novels; the stories in my head sometimes come out as Contemporary Romance and sometimes they come out as a mess. I let my readers be the judge of the genre.

Lowlife is the second book and conclusion of the Bottom Feeder novels, though not the last you will see of its characters. The first book in the new series, yet to be titled, is scheduled to be released in late Winter 2015 or early Winter 2016.

You can find me, ask me questions, talk to me about your day, or stalk me on Facebook at facebook.com/mariagcopebooks, Twitter @pardonmynaivete, and Instagram @maria_g_copeauthor

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series took a complete nose dive half way into the second book. It felt rushed, and over edited to the point where the story no longer made sense. It was like the author just wanted it done, threw up her hands, and gave up on the really strong characters she painstakingly created in the beginning of the series. I had high hopes for the second installment, the first book was so very well done, but sadly this finale fell flat.

She did such a nice job depicting the horrors of PTSD, and how it effects our military. I kind of wish she used that as the foundation for the second book. Navigating relationships while one character is under mental duress (Jackson) and the other plagued by a horrid her past (Maddy).

I also think the way she handled Beraz in the second book was a complete 180 from the type of person I read him to be, loyal to a fault, and completely type A. Meaning he would have never put himself in situation where he didn't have control. It left me scratching my head....because it sort of came out of left field.

Ack!!!! I am so disappointed.

[Rebecca]

I hope this comes out soon I need to know!! Is this the last book or will there be more???

[Cassie Caskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Ride

Ohhhh THE FEELS! What an incredible ride! This is a continuation of Bottom Feeder and is an absolute must read! Lowlife managed to touch on so many different emotions. I am drained after reading this but it was completely worth it. I was also impressed by the build up of suspense and the pieces of the puzzle coming together. PLUS, the author is also planning to release a spin off MC series!

[Isadora Moraes · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!

So, Maria G. Cope just crushed my soul. I have been waiting on this book for a really long time and I will say it was worth the wait. I just wish she hadn't destroyed me.

Maddy couldn't catch a break and every time she lost, I felt like I lost too. I just really wanted her to have something. She's such a good person. Though she does let people walk all over her (even when she thinks she's being strong). I cried even when she didn't. Why can't she catch a break?!?

I can't say I'm 100% pleased with the results of the love triangle, though I was completely expecting the outcome. I knew Jackson would win but I still held out hope for Dom because he was such a better man. That whole deal with the cheating didn't at all seem like Dom and I suspect it was just a way for us to go to team Jackson. I didn't fall for it though because I felt like Jackson was a massive a-hole consistently and treated Maddy like crap consistently. In the end, it should have been Dom or nobody (even though I kind of like Jackson. I know, I'm a mess and contradictory). And don't even get me started on what happened to Dom! *tears* Like I said, I always knew the way this love triangle had to end, I just wish we could have gotten there a different way. *deep sigh*

My only real issue (in the sense of taking away half a star in the rating) was the ending seemed super rushed. We were jumping through time and only spending a paragraph or two there before moving on and quickly wrapping up a major plot point. I will say that I was more invested in the relationships and friendships that Maddy formed than in what happened with Cordell, but it was a big part of the story and could have been given a little bit more detail.

No matter though, Maria G. Cope has a fan for life now!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two things:

1: I'm now on a quest for the perfect fried okra.

2: How in the H E Double L is this author not more popular?

The woman can tell a story, and tell it in a way that feels like your heart is going to rip out of your chest if you don't finish in one sitting. There were so many unanswered questions in Bottom Feeder that when I heard Lowlife would be the last book in the series, I wondered how in the world everything would be answeredMs. Cope delivered and did it in a way it took me a while to recover.
THEN when I get to the end she says Jackson's and Maddy's ending is "Just the beginning" and is coming out with a new series? **Stands and begins slow clap**

[Barbara Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lowlife: A Bottom Feeder Novel Review

Omg, intriguing, intense, edge of your seat action, and deep love and hate made this one Hell of a great read! I couldn't put this book down it is just that engaging! I have found my new favorite couple in Maddy and Jackson! Strong and loyal characters that make you believe in love and good people in the world today! I really hope that this is not the end of this series! I will be adding this book and this author to my favorite list and sharing with my reading circle! I'm a fan for life! A really Damn well written book!❤️❤️❤️

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG???

I've just finished this novel and until I exhaled deeply, I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I still have tears in my eyes over what Maddie suffered through. Thanks, Ms. Cope, for an EXCELLENT read, would rate it ten stars if I could!

[Dany]

Normally things like editing don't usually bother me. But damn it man I was super confused at times. Everything was all over the place. And this sucks because I have been waiting for the sequel for a while. I shall try again one day.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

I waited so long for part 2 of this story. Totally worth the wait for this sequel! Can't wait to read more from this author!

[Sarah Blackburn]

Must Read

This was a 5 star read for me..I loved the characters,romance,suspense and plot. I cannot wait for the next book from this author!

[Genie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I enjoyed the first book more Lowlife was still great. The end confused me though:(