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Saints of Denver #2
Charged
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes the second installment in the Saints of Denver series featuring a bad girl and a by the book attorney who could be her salvation...or her ruin.
Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson’s worlds have no reason to collide. Ever. Quaid is a high powered criminal attorney as slick as he is handsome. Avett is a pink-haired troublemaker with a bad attitude and a history of picking the wrong men.
When Avett lands in a sea of hot water because of one terrible mistake, the only person who can get her out of it is the insanely sexy lawyer. The last thing on earth she wants to do is rely on the no-nonsense attorney who thinks of her as nothing more than a nuisance. He literally has her fate in his hands. Yet there is something about him that makes her want to convince him to loosen his tie and have a little fun…with her.
Quaid never takes on clients like the impulsive young woman with a Technicolor dye job. She could stand to learn a hard lesson or two, but something about her guileless hazel eyes intrigues him. Still, he’s determined to keep their relationship strictly business. But doing so is becoming more impossible with each day he spends with her.
As they work side-by-side, they’ll have to figure out a way to get along and keep their hands off each other—because the chemistry between them is beyond charged.
Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson’s worlds have no reason to collide. Ever. Quaid is a high powered criminal attorney as slick as he is handsome. Avett is a pink-haired troublemaker with a bad attitude and a history of picking the wrong men.
When Avett lands in a sea of hot water because of one terrible mistake, the only person who can get her out of it is the insanely sexy lawyer. The last thing on earth she wants to do is rely on the no-nonsense attorney who thinks of her as nothing more than a nuisance. He literally has her fate in his hands. Yet there is something about him that makes her want to convince him to loosen his tie and have a little fun…with her.
Quaid never takes on clients like the impulsive young woman with a Technicolor dye job. She could stand to learn a hard lesson or two, but something about her guileless hazel eyes intrigues him. Still, he’s determined to keep their relationship strictly business. But doing so is becoming more impossible with each day he spends with her.
As they work side-by-side, they’ll have to figure out a way to get along and keep their hands off each other—because the chemistry between them is beyond charged.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2016
253 people are currently reading
6800 people want to read
About the author
Jay Crownover
129 books14.6k followersJay Crownover is the International and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point and Breaking Point Series, and the Loveless, Texas series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.
GUYS!!! I finally have a newsletter, so if you want to sign up for exclusive content and monthly giveaways you can do that right here:
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You can email me at: JayCrownover@gmail.com
GUYS!!! I finally have a newsletter, so if you want to sign up for exclusive content and monthly giveaways you can do that right here:
https://www.jaycrownover.com/subscribe
You can email me at: JayCrownover@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 830 reviews
May 24, 2016
Charged is a powerful and pulse-pounding page turner that hits the heart like a hurricane—fast, feverishly, and full of life. This tale takes you hostage, a deep immersion where fiction bleeds into reality. Charged…this story…this experience…is so raw it feels real. All-consuming. Angst-ridden. Achingly addictive.
Before I even started Charged I knew that if it stayed true to Jay Crownover’s style, it would be a rough rollercoaster of a ride to a happy ending. The best kind of romance: a messy story of hard fought love with characters who are flawed but fierce and fabulous. A tale of trial and tribulation where the players have black hearts on the outside but hearts of gold buried underneath the surface, which is uncovered, piece-by-powerful piece.
I want to devour Charged. I want to savor it, Avett and Quaid. I want to rush. I want to take my time. Charged stormed its way into my heart and soul. A bolt of lightning, striking me hard. Feelings flowing. Pulse pounding. Soul spinning. From the very first page; I was all in. Happy tears. Nostalgic tears. Weary tears. Sad tears. So many tears. So many emotions that cut through me like a knife.
Just two pages into the Introduction and Jay is speaking to me, loud and clear. I didn’t have to dive deeply to uncover the emotions that quickly bubbled up to the surface. Those words…I felt them deep down inside, so profound that they sent me on a trip down memory lane. I saw myself as that teen who had a few dates with trouble, taking risks that reeked of danger.
“So go out there and screw up. Have experiences so that you have stories to tell, and do it without apology.”
Mistakes sometimes make the best memories. Like Jay Crownover. Like me. Like so many of us, Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson have a story to tell and it’s a disaster but oh so devastatingly beautiful.
Avett Walker, the burly and big-hearted Brite’s little girl, has always dangled with danger, attracted to it like a magnet, pulling her in and dragging her down. Trouble finds her, and the innocent-looking pretty young lady with the cotton candy-colored hair has a rap sheet a mile long. Jail serves as a much-needed wake-up call to try to dig herself out of danger that has been her partner in crime for so many years.
"I had needed rescuing for a very long time.”
I want to hug Avett and give her the 'mom talk' about self-sabotage and learning from her past mistakes. I want to hug Brite for being an amazing father who has stood by his baby girl through thick and thin. Unconditional love is the most beautiful gift a parent can give a child.
Quaid Jackson is the beautiful, blond, and blue-eyed attorney who wears expensive suits like they were built for him. Cut-throat in the courtroom, he defends criminals---many of whom are from innocent. Quaid is so skilled and sharp that he makes even the monsters look like Mother Theresa in the end. He is running from a painful past that has plagued him for years.
"I was trying to screw wasted years, wasted money, and a broken heart out of my system.”
Her hope rests on the regal-looking but ruthless Quaid, the skillful attorney who can save Avett from prison due to one terrible mistake.
"The man was a predator, a civilized beast in a designer suit.”
I love that under Quaid's beautiful wrapper may be a hidden beast, perhaps some bad ass under there too, and someone not as calm and collected as he appears.
Quaid is Avett’s only chance of digging herself out of this dirty mess she created. Avett is not used to following anyone’s advice, yet alone the direction of the sexiest and most sophisticated man she’s ever seen. She can’t help but want to ignite the fire in this bold and beautiful beast. Poke the lion and see if he growls.
"Getting him to react to me had become a personal challenge, and I was well aware I was pulling on a big, golden lion’s tail.”
This golden lion is chasing his tail as Avett is making his head spin. With Quaid’s new client being the small and sinfully sexy spitfire, personalities clash while sparks ignite. The gorgeous no-nonsense attorney and the colorful and reckless young beauty. Polished meets punk. Cautious meets impulsive. Desire meets desire.
Quaid is having trouble keeping his foreign feelings towards Avett on lock-down.
"I shouldn’t be noticing her curves. It was my job to help her, to keep her out of jail. With this client I wanted to touch my mouth to hers and see if she tasted as wild and rebellious as she seemed.”
Fireworks flare as Quaid tries to focus on remaining professional though it’s hard when Quaid wants to take and mark the woman who is slowly breaking down the wall around his heart, brick by brick, leaving him open and vulnerable. He must remember that a relationship between client and attorney is forbidden. If only fate would get the message as it keeps trying to intervene.
Forbidden love is one of the biggest messes, and I love a story with many loose ends. A book that is as bad as it is good.
"This little slip of a woman could demolish me, waste me, annihilate me, and if I allowed her to do it, I knew that it would feel better than anything in a very long time.”
Lines blur, boundaries break, and chemistry burns brighter. For Avett, Quaid is heat, heart, and hope wrapped up in one beautiful and bold package.
"I knew kissing Quaid Jackson was going to lead to all kinds of sorry and sorrow. I knew it as much as I knew I didn’t care and that I was going to kiss him and chase this bad idea until it crashed and burned, like they always did.”
Quaid and Avett are visual opposites but inner kindred spirits. Both are plagued by painful pasts holding them prisoner where they may be the only ones who can free each other. After all, like knows like, and inside, Quaid and Avett are one.
The pink-haired hurricane stormed into Quaid’s life and whirled around his emotions. However, with Quaid’s high-profile job on the line and Avett’s past constantly crawling up to the surface, the damage may not be worth the risk. It may be time to cash out before the game gets dicey.
"I don’t know what you thought was happening here, but it was just a job. You are a client, like any other client I represent, Avett. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Avett has always dangled with danger, but who knew her biggest danger could be her heart left in the ashes and possibly burned.
"I was pretty sure when Quaid Jackson was done with me, there would be nothing on earth that could feel as bad or be as painful.”
My soul is spinning as I just finished Charged, and I'm sorry that the story is over. Charged is a bumpy but brilliant and beautiful ride, a ride I did not want to end with twists and turns where tears of sappiness collide with tears of sorrow. You can’t help but love Jay Crownover’s badass boys and gals with big ass hearts. The unlikely and unexpected characters paired together make for a messy but so devastatingly beautiful and brilliant book. Hypnotizing. Heroic. Heartfelt.
Charged stormed it way into my heart and soul, sparking an emotional charge with words that tore at every piece of me, daring my emotions to tangle in this web of wonder. Its messages melted my mind, causing me to step inside my head and heart: Learn from your past mistakes. By finding and forgiving yourself as you learn from the past and let it heal you, only then will your present and future be brighter.
There are a few amazing authors that I can count on my hands whose powerful and poignant words paint a vivid picture, immersing me full throttle where my heart and soul feel everything. I know before even reading that their stories will tear me up, transporting me so deep that I don't ever want to leave. Their beautiful books are those that remain with me forever. Jay Crownover is one of these heart-hitting authors.
Jay Crownover is a master of the pen, wielding words like swords that pierce straight to the heart. They hit me hard, gutting me every time. There are not enough stars for Jay Crownover’s words. If you haven't met her raw and real work, JUST DO IT. Like a queen with the Midas touch, everything Jay Crownover creates is pure gold. Crownover Crack.
5 ‘but worth more’ sensational and soul-spinning stars
Before I even started Charged I knew that if it stayed true to Jay Crownover’s style, it would be a rough rollercoaster of a ride to a happy ending. The best kind of romance: a messy story of hard fought love with characters who are flawed but fierce and fabulous. A tale of trial and tribulation where the players have black hearts on the outside but hearts of gold buried underneath the surface, which is uncovered, piece-by-powerful piece.
I want to devour Charged. I want to savor it, Avett and Quaid. I want to rush. I want to take my time. Charged stormed its way into my heart and soul. A bolt of lightning, striking me hard. Feelings flowing. Pulse pounding. Soul spinning. From the very first page; I was all in. Happy tears. Nostalgic tears. Weary tears. Sad tears. So many tears. So many emotions that cut through me like a knife.
Just two pages into the Introduction and Jay is speaking to me, loud and clear. I didn’t have to dive deeply to uncover the emotions that quickly bubbled up to the surface. Those words…I felt them deep down inside, so profound that they sent me on a trip down memory lane. I saw myself as that teen who had a few dates with trouble, taking risks that reeked of danger.
“So go out there and screw up. Have experiences so that you have stories to tell, and do it without apology.”
Mistakes sometimes make the best memories. Like Jay Crownover. Like me. Like so many of us, Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson have a story to tell and it’s a disaster but oh so devastatingly beautiful.
Avett Walker, the burly and big-hearted Brite’s little girl, has always dangled with danger, attracted to it like a magnet, pulling her in and dragging her down. Trouble finds her, and the innocent-looking pretty young lady with the cotton candy-colored hair has a rap sheet a mile long. Jail serves as a much-needed wake-up call to try to dig herself out of danger that has been her partner in crime for so many years.
"I had needed rescuing for a very long time.”
I want to hug Avett and give her the 'mom talk' about self-sabotage and learning from her past mistakes. I want to hug Brite for being an amazing father who has stood by his baby girl through thick and thin. Unconditional love is the most beautiful gift a parent can give a child.
Quaid Jackson is the beautiful, blond, and blue-eyed attorney who wears expensive suits like they were built for him. Cut-throat in the courtroom, he defends criminals---many of whom are from innocent. Quaid is so skilled and sharp that he makes even the monsters look like Mother Theresa in the end. He is running from a painful past that has plagued him for years.
"I was trying to screw wasted years, wasted money, and a broken heart out of my system.”
Her hope rests on the regal-looking but ruthless Quaid, the skillful attorney who can save Avett from prison due to one terrible mistake.
"The man was a predator, a civilized beast in a designer suit.”
I love that under Quaid's beautiful wrapper may be a hidden beast, perhaps some bad ass under there too, and someone not as calm and collected as he appears.
Quaid is Avett’s only chance of digging herself out of this dirty mess she created. Avett is not used to following anyone’s advice, yet alone the direction of the sexiest and most sophisticated man she’s ever seen. She can’t help but want to ignite the fire in this bold and beautiful beast. Poke the lion and see if he growls.
"Getting him to react to me had become a personal challenge, and I was well aware I was pulling on a big, golden lion’s tail.”
This golden lion is chasing his tail as Avett is making his head spin. With Quaid’s new client being the small and sinfully sexy spitfire, personalities clash while sparks ignite. The gorgeous no-nonsense attorney and the colorful and reckless young beauty. Polished meets punk. Cautious meets impulsive. Desire meets desire.
Quaid is having trouble keeping his foreign feelings towards Avett on lock-down.
"I shouldn’t be noticing her curves. It was my job to help her, to keep her out of jail. With this client I wanted to touch my mouth to hers and see if she tasted as wild and rebellious as she seemed.”
Fireworks flare as Quaid tries to focus on remaining professional though it’s hard when Quaid wants to take and mark the woman who is slowly breaking down the wall around his heart, brick by brick, leaving him open and vulnerable. He must remember that a relationship between client and attorney is forbidden. If only fate would get the message as it keeps trying to intervene.
Forbidden love is one of the biggest messes, and I love a story with many loose ends. A book that is as bad as it is good.
"This little slip of a woman could demolish me, waste me, annihilate me, and if I allowed her to do it, I knew that it would feel better than anything in a very long time.”
Lines blur, boundaries break, and chemistry burns brighter. For Avett, Quaid is heat, heart, and hope wrapped up in one beautiful and bold package.
"I knew kissing Quaid Jackson was going to lead to all kinds of sorry and sorrow. I knew it as much as I knew I didn’t care and that I was going to kiss him and chase this bad idea until it crashed and burned, like they always did.”
Quaid and Avett are visual opposites but inner kindred spirits. Both are plagued by painful pasts holding them prisoner where they may be the only ones who can free each other. After all, like knows like, and inside, Quaid and Avett are one.
The pink-haired hurricane stormed into Quaid’s life and whirled around his emotions. However, with Quaid’s high-profile job on the line and Avett’s past constantly crawling up to the surface, the damage may not be worth the risk. It may be time to cash out before the game gets dicey.
"I don’t know what you thought was happening here, but it was just a job. You are a client, like any other client I represent, Avett. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Avett has always dangled with danger, but who knew her biggest danger could be her heart left in the ashes and possibly burned.
"I was pretty sure when Quaid Jackson was done with me, there would be nothing on earth that could feel as bad or be as painful.”
My soul is spinning as I just finished Charged, and I'm sorry that the story is over. Charged is a bumpy but brilliant and beautiful ride, a ride I did not want to end with twists and turns where tears of sappiness collide with tears of sorrow. You can’t help but love Jay Crownover’s badass boys and gals with big ass hearts. The unlikely and unexpected characters paired together make for a messy but so devastatingly beautiful and brilliant book. Hypnotizing. Heroic. Heartfelt.
Charged stormed it way into my heart and soul, sparking an emotional charge with words that tore at every piece of me, daring my emotions to tangle in this web of wonder. Its messages melted my mind, causing me to step inside my head and heart: Learn from your past mistakes. By finding and forgiving yourself as you learn from the past and let it heal you, only then will your present and future be brighter.
There are a few amazing authors that I can count on my hands whose powerful and poignant words paint a vivid picture, immersing me full throttle where my heart and soul feel everything. I know before even reading that their stories will tear me up, transporting me so deep that I don't ever want to leave. Their beautiful books are those that remain with me forever. Jay Crownover is one of these heart-hitting authors.
Jay Crownover is a master of the pen, wielding words like swords that pierce straight to the heart. They hit me hard, gutting me every time. There are not enough stars for Jay Crownover’s words. If you haven't met her raw and real work, JUST DO IT. Like a queen with the Midas touch, everything Jay Crownover creates is pure gold. Crownover Crack.
5 ‘but worth more’ sensational and soul-spinning stars
May 24, 2016
NOW LIVE!!!
*Amazon US*Amazon UK*Barnes & Noble*
5 'Wild and Sweet' Stars
Okay, so if you saw my previous thoughts on this book from before I read it then you know that I was beyond nervous about liking Avett. She was just such a brat in the other books that I was pretty positive I wouldn't like her. Which would kill me because this author is one of my favorites so I want to like everything she writes, and I didn't want a unlikable heroine to ruin the book. Well I never should have doubted Jay because of course she wrote a kick ass book with a heroine that I ended up loving.
Avett Walker has many issues from her past, and the way she deals with them is to be as self destructive as possible. But when one of her many bad decisions leads her to be sitting in a jail cell, needing to be helped out yet again, she wakes up and realizes she's doing more damage to those around her than to herself. Now she just needs to figure out how to turn her life around without causing those she loves anymore heartache.
Quaid Jackson, aka legal eagle, is used to sitting across from criminals in orange jumpsuits and an I-don't-care attitude, so meeting his next client in lock up is nothing new. Until he see's the pink-haired girl he'll be representing and feels an overwhelming need to help her in any way possible. And when danger from her past shows up he wants to be the one there for her, even if it means putting himself in the crossfire.
Even though she doesn't want to lean anyone for help, Avett accepts Quaids offer to get her back on her feet. She doesn't want another person in her life to hurt because of her so she tries to stop herself from getting too close to him. But Quaid is almost impossible for her to resist, especially since he's decided she's what he wants.
I can't lie and say that Avett wasn't a very screwed up heroine. But her flaws are what made me like her since she owned up to them. I was very nervous about her character because it never goes well when an author tries to redeem someone I already don't like. And that's the perfect part of this story - Jay Crownover never once tried to redeem Avett or make her character likable. Avett was who she was without remorse, she didn't give excuses for her behavior, she just accepted them and tried to become a better person. I really liked that she took her past and moved on from it by learning from her mistakes.
And Quaid, well just be prepared to need a change of panties...or better yet, don't wear them. This man, I swear Jay somehow got into my naughty file of fantasies and built this character around everything in there. Once he started to open up and become more of the man perfect for Avett he went wild with the hotness, and I almost couldn't keep up. I went into this thinking that he would be the sweet part to the story, but then the real Quiad was revealed once he loosened up a bit and I just wanted to rip that suit right off of him. His character didn't really "change" per se, but he became more himself and I liked how his character developed.
Bottom line, this story isn't just a romance, it's a story of growing up and how your past doesn't define you, it's what you do with your past that does. Previous characters made appearances which I, of course, loved but they didn't take over the book and there wasn't an overabundance of information about them, which I liked. There are also new characters that have me on the edge of my seat to get their story, but I don't know who will be next. So if you can't find me in the near future I'm most likely stalking Jay to see who is going to get a book next.
ARC kindly provided via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
*Amazon US*Amazon UK*Barnes & Noble*
5 'Wild and Sweet' Stars
Okay, so if you saw my previous thoughts on this book from before I read it then you know that I was beyond nervous about liking Avett. She was just such a brat in the other books that I was pretty positive I wouldn't like her. Which would kill me because this author is one of my favorites so I want to like everything she writes, and I didn't want a unlikable heroine to ruin the book. Well I never should have doubted Jay because of course she wrote a kick ass book with a heroine that I ended up loving.
"Don't worry, Sprite, bad decisions make for good stories."
Avett Walker has many issues from her past, and the way she deals with them is to be as self destructive as possible. But when one of her many bad decisions leads her to be sitting in a jail cell, needing to be helped out yet again, she wakes up and realizes she's doing more damage to those around her than to herself. Now she just needs to figure out how to turn her life around without causing those she loves anymore heartache.
Quaid Jackson, aka legal eagle, is used to sitting across from criminals in orange jumpsuits and an I-don't-care attitude, so meeting his next client in lock up is nothing new. Until he see's the pink-haired girl he'll be representing and feels an overwhelming need to help her in any way possible. And when danger from her past shows up he wants to be the one there for her, even if it means putting himself in the crossfire.
Even though she doesn't want to lean anyone for help, Avett accepts Quaids offer to get her back on her feet. She doesn't want another person in her life to hurt because of her so she tries to stop herself from getting too close to him. But Quaid is almost impossible for her to resist, especially since he's decided she's what he wants.
"You're the best bad decision I ever made, and you are, by far, my favorite story to tell."
I can't lie and say that Avett wasn't a very screwed up heroine. But her flaws are what made me like her since she owned up to them. I was very nervous about her character because it never goes well when an author tries to redeem someone I already don't like. And that's the perfect part of this story - Jay Crownover never once tried to redeem Avett or make her character likable. Avett was who she was without remorse, she didn't give excuses for her behavior, she just accepted them and tried to become a better person. I really liked that she took her past and moved on from it by learning from her mistakes.
And Quaid, well just be prepared to need a change of panties...or better yet, don't wear them. This man, I swear Jay somehow got into my naughty file of fantasies and built this character around everything in there. Once he started to open up and become more of the man perfect for Avett he went wild with the hotness, and I almost couldn't keep up. I went into this thinking that he would be the sweet part to the story, but then the real Quiad was revealed once he loosened up a bit and I just wanted to rip that suit right off of him. His character didn't really "change" per se, but he became more himself and I liked how his character developed.
Bottom line, this story isn't just a romance, it's a story of growing up and how your past doesn't define you, it's what you do with your past that does. Previous characters made appearances which I, of course, loved but they didn't take over the book and there wasn't an overabundance of information about them, which I liked. There are also new characters that have me on the edge of my seat to get their story, but I don't know who will be next. So if you can't find me in the near future I'm most likely stalking Jay to see who is going to get a book next.
ARC kindly provided via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2017
4 stars!
Quaid and Avett seem like the typical ‘opposites attract’ couple from the start, but they’re actually more alike in some ways than you would think. This is a couple you would never see together in your head, but they worked. The chemistry and attraction was there in spades. I liked the two of them together. I loved the age gap that they had.
Although this *can* be read as a stand-alone, I loved all the Marked Men tie-ins. I love revisiting some of my favorite Jay characters! Charged is a steamy, action packed read. I enjoyed this one!
"I’m always going to jump and think the risk is worth it. That’s part of who I am.”It’s been a while since I’ve read a Jay Crownover book. I remembered reading the first book in this series last year, so when I stumbled upon the audio book recently I decided to jump in. I remember Avett and Quaid very clearly from the first book. Quaid, the hot-shot attorney, and Avett, the younger wild child daughter of the owner of the bar Rome bought…
Quaid and Avett seem like the typical ‘opposites attract’ couple from the start, but they’re actually more alike in some ways than you would think. This is a couple you would never see together in your head, but they worked. The chemistry and attraction was there in spades. I liked the two of them together. I loved the age gap that they had.
Although this *can* be read as a stand-alone, I loved all the Marked Men tie-ins. I love revisiting some of my favorite Jay characters! Charged is a steamy, action packed read. I enjoyed this one!
May 7, 2016
An absolutely indisputable winner. I LOVED this book. It was extremely well written. The characterization is amazing with a flawed yet genuine cast. Avett is a girl that takes chances and accepts risks sometimes to severe consequences. Most times this is because she feels she deserves the punishment. Quaid thinks he knows what he wants out of his orderly life as a successful attorney. Then, their paths cross and a reluctant attraction builds followed by something that is sweetly more. A certain pink-haired hurricane turns his life and heart upside down and inside out. I laughed out loud. I teared up. I inhaled profoundly and let it out in a sigh. The story was deep. It was emotional. You can't help but feel vested in the characters. The plot was interesting. I love it when a book moves me. It's a magical feeling that doesn't come often ;) I've been totally missing out. This is my first JC book but trust that I've gone fan girl on her pretty hardcore lol Safety: No OW/OM/Sharing though the H starts off interested in another attorney and the h was set up by her then boyfriend. No rape, though an attempt is mentioned re: the h. The H suffered physical abuse as a child. Neither are Vs. They use condoms. h pushes H away once.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2016
4 stars!
“It’s better to have nothing with the right person than to have everything with the wrong person, isn’t it?”
Charged is the story of Avett and Quaid, a couple no one expected but one that was explosive. Avett is a pink haired rebellious daughter of Brite, the man Rome bought his bar from in the previous series. Avett has had her low moments but while she was never the good child she never ended up behind bars. Until now that is when her ex-boyfriend drags her into a situation that gets way out of hand. Quaid is the attractive and ruthless lawyer hired to represent Avett.
On the outside Quaid and Avett don’t make any sense; she has a rocker chick look, and he’s the man in the expensive suits. Avett doesn’t want to depend on the lawyer, but as time goes by she begins to realize she needs to accept help in her life and not just from Quaid. Together they embark on a journey of self-realization and discover the person they want to be in their own lives. But that doesn’t necessarily mean reality won’t set it.
“Nothing is guaranteed, especially love, but only a coward doesn’t roll the dice and take a chance on it when it’s right there in front of them.”
First off I gotta say Jay Crownover writes some of the best introductions in her books. Almost every time I read one of her intros I either tear up a bit or am inspired. Sometimes both! Second, I love the way Jay writes her characters. This is the twelfth book I’ve read by her (and I’ve been hooked to her books since Rule came out) and I can honestly say none of her characters ever feel repetitive or the same. On top of that I feel Jay writes some of the best female characters out there, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and showing how those things combined can create a beautiful person. Many of these women in her books I wish were my friends.
This book comes across as an opposites attract story, but I feel it was more than that. This book was more about how we all have so much in common despite what we appear to be to other people on the outside. Avett’s personal journey was one that was tough to go through because for every failure, she brought herself down more than anyone else could. It was a long journey to the point where she felt she deserved to be forgiven for her past wrongs, but it’s one worth reading.
“The fact that when you were a bad person, bad things happened to you and I knew I deserved them all. Every lesson I learned, I held close and let prick at me with sharp barbs over and over again.”
Avett and Quaid had explosive chemistry and the two of them just worked. I normally am not a huge fan of large age gaps but the nine to ten years between them worked fairly well. Avett at this point was done with her crazy years and not acting immaturely in the timeline in the book. Quaid had reached a point in his life and career where he knew what was worth fighting for. He knew when to appreciate a laid back woman and he didn’t place a bunch of expectations on Avett, her just supported her.
The only thing that I didn’t love in this book was there was a bit of instalove and very little angst. I was kind of hoping for more verbal dialogue between the characters but there seemed to be a lot of internal dialogue from both characters instead. And a lot of the time the characters were a bit too insightful than real people would be, saying all the right things at exactly the right time. But it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
I think many people would enjoy this book and would enjoy Avett and Quaid. While this book can be read as a standalone I recommend reading the Marked Men series first as well as the two other books in this series as it enhances the experience for the reader.
“I’m glad you finally found you.”
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
“It’s better to have nothing with the right person than to have everything with the wrong person, isn’t it?”
Charged is the story of Avett and Quaid, a couple no one expected but one that was explosive. Avett is a pink haired rebellious daughter of Brite, the man Rome bought his bar from in the previous series. Avett has had her low moments but while she was never the good child she never ended up behind bars. Until now that is when her ex-boyfriend drags her into a situation that gets way out of hand. Quaid is the attractive and ruthless lawyer hired to represent Avett.
On the outside Quaid and Avett don’t make any sense; she has a rocker chick look, and he’s the man in the expensive suits. Avett doesn’t want to depend on the lawyer, but as time goes by she begins to realize she needs to accept help in her life and not just from Quaid. Together they embark on a journey of self-realization and discover the person they want to be in their own lives. But that doesn’t necessarily mean reality won’t set it.
“Nothing is guaranteed, especially love, but only a coward doesn’t roll the dice and take a chance on it when it’s right there in front of them.”
First off I gotta say Jay Crownover writes some of the best introductions in her books. Almost every time I read one of her intros I either tear up a bit or am inspired. Sometimes both! Second, I love the way Jay writes her characters. This is the twelfth book I’ve read by her (and I’ve been hooked to her books since Rule came out) and I can honestly say none of her characters ever feel repetitive or the same. On top of that I feel Jay writes some of the best female characters out there, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and showing how those things combined can create a beautiful person. Many of these women in her books I wish were my friends.
This book comes across as an opposites attract story, but I feel it was more than that. This book was more about how we all have so much in common despite what we appear to be to other people on the outside. Avett’s personal journey was one that was tough to go through because for every failure, she brought herself down more than anyone else could. It was a long journey to the point where she felt she deserved to be forgiven for her past wrongs, but it’s one worth reading.
“The fact that when you were a bad person, bad things happened to you and I knew I deserved them all. Every lesson I learned, I held close and let prick at me with sharp barbs over and over again.”
Avett and Quaid had explosive chemistry and the two of them just worked. I normally am not a huge fan of large age gaps but the nine to ten years between them worked fairly well. Avett at this point was done with her crazy years and not acting immaturely in the timeline in the book. Quaid had reached a point in his life and career where he knew what was worth fighting for. He knew when to appreciate a laid back woman and he didn’t place a bunch of expectations on Avett, her just supported her.
The only thing that I didn’t love in this book was there was a bit of instalove and very little angst. I was kind of hoping for more verbal dialogue between the characters but there seemed to be a lot of internal dialogue from both characters instead. And a lot of the time the characters were a bit too insightful than real people would be, saying all the right things at exactly the right time. But it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
I think many people would enjoy this book and would enjoy Avett and Quaid. While this book can be read as a standalone I recommend reading the Marked Men series first as well as the two other books in this series as it enhances the experience for the reader.
“I’m glad you finally found you.”
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
May 6, 2016
"I’m always going to jump and think the risk is worth it. That’s part of who I am.”
I am seriously loving this series! I was so sad when Marked Men ended, but having this series and the worlds intertwining is just perfect! It took me a minute to remember who Avett was, but it all came back pretty quickly. Avett is Brite’s daughter, Brite is the older man who has become like a father to some of the Marked Men.
Avett is act first, think second type of girl and she is always finding herself in trouble. Quaid is a successful attorney, we saw a glimpse of him in Built, he is thoughtful and careful. These two are complete opposites and their story is a flip on the damaged guy changing his ways due to the love of a good woman.
In the beginning of the book Jay mentions she hopes we can understand Avett when it’s all said and done. I was immediately worried, I don’t forgive so easily. However, it actually didn’t take too long for me to understand her. Avett isn’t perfect, but the fact that she doesn’t pretend to be and completely owns up to her mistakes made her redeemable to me. When we first meet Avett again she is in jail since she was with her boyfriend when he robbed the bar.
Quaid is looking for perfect though, not even for a long term commitment, just an easy girl who will look the part and fit into his life. However, when he is hired to represent Avett he is drawn to her. She isn’t like his usual clients, she doesn’t pretend to be someone else and hide her true self. She also isn’t afraid to accept the consequences for her actions if it means doing the right thing. Her desire to finally make the right choices even at the risk to her own gain makes him really start to see her as more.
I really enjoyed the direction their story took. I liked the gender role reversal and how they took the best from each other and grew throughout the story. Charged was also more suspenseful and action packed than I expected. I think this is best described as Marked Men meets The Point series.
As I said this series is shaping up to be a win and it makes me smile so big with all the possible stories that will come next! I feel that same excitement I felt reading the Marked Men, waiting to see who will be next.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for a honest review.
May 24, 2016
4,5 ❤❤❤❤
"You're the best bad decision I ever made, and you are, by far, my favorite story to tell."
I love this series and so far this is my favorite!From the first pages I was intrigued! I loved the plot and how the story developed and I freaking love the characters!!Both the hero and the heroine were amazing!Charged is an entertaining,lovely and hot story.
Avett is such a lovable character!What I loved most about her apart that she was strong,funny young and wild is the fact that even though she made so many terrible choices she tried to make everything better. Quaid is older than Avett and he is her lawyer.He is very mature,super hot and he knows exactly what he wants! When you meet Quaid and Avett you will think that they are so different, but once you take a much deeper look, you will see how they're actually very similar!
In my opinion Jay Crownover did an amazing job!She has a unique way telling her stories and you can see it in her books!I'm so excited for the next book!
*ARC provided by the publisher Via Edelweiss in exchange for honest review*
"You're the best bad decision I ever made, and you are, by far, my favorite story to tell."
I love this series and so far this is my favorite!From the first pages I was intrigued! I loved the plot and how the story developed and I freaking love the characters!!Both the hero and the heroine were amazing!Charged is an entertaining,lovely and hot story.
Avett is such a lovable character!What I loved most about her apart that she was strong,funny young and wild is the fact that even though she made so many terrible choices she tried to make everything better. Quaid is older than Avett and he is her lawyer.He is very mature,super hot and he knows exactly what he wants! When you meet Quaid and Avett you will think that they are so different, but once you take a much deeper look, you will see how they're actually very similar!
In my opinion Jay Crownover did an amazing job!She has a unique way telling her stories and you can see it in her books!I'm so excited for the next book!
*ARC provided by the publisher Via Edelweiss in exchange for honest review*
May 14, 2016
5 All The Answers You Need Stars
* * * * *
All of us bring something Valuable to "The Table of Life". We may be Stay at Home Moms, Professionals, Blue Collar Workers... Whatever... It doesn't matter what we do....It is who we are and how we live our lives that matter...and Jay Crownover is a perfect example of this.
It is through her writing about her characters and their stories which has opened minds and relationships for many of her readers, I think. She took a different approach in her book Rule, Marked Men. She brought the focus to young people who maybe were the ones others would look at disapprovingly only because they looked different or didn't understand their spirit and the freedoms they chose. By telling these stories with characters who had complex backgrounds which many have lived through themselves or by family and friends...she has enlightened generations to see more clearly the importance of acceptance and loving from the heart.
In all of her books, the characters each have a burden everyone of us can relate to...and it is through the journey of these characters, they grow and so do we.
In Charged (Saints of Denver #2) we catch up with Avett and Quaid, characters from the first entry, Built. These two seem to be from two different universes.
One is a powerful defense attorney, working to be the best in his field. Image, accumulation of all the trappings is important to him. He wears what is the uniform of success, lives in a sterile Ivory Loft Tower looking out over all of Denver decorated with art he could care less about. Quaid has fought to be where he is and being in control of his image, success and how everyone perceives him is everything. It is the part he has been playing for quite a long time and until he crosses path with Avett, he looks to be on track to be partner at his firm.
On the other hand, we have Avett. She has been on her own personal track....one of self destruction...What had been a sweet free spirited child, curious to experiment and go against the easy safe way...turned into a woman determined to make punishing choices... ones destined to hurt her but unfortunately have ramifications on those she loves the most, her family and friends. What was just a wild child... testing her wings turned into a moth...looking to see where the flame was the brightest and if the burn was going to be too much...so much the better.
Avett is in the biggest trouble of her young life. We know of her relationship with her past boyfriend, an abusive one. She was under the spell of thinking she loved him and when the dye was cast... it was revealed to her he was into hard drugs and selling... He made it difficult for her to see clearly... she thought this was the life she deserved...She did things that she hadn't before under his influence...stole from the cash register at the bar her dad sold to Rome. She became entrenched in his dirty dealings and was hurt/almost raped by the drug dealers looking for a stash he had used himself instead of selling. He took her with him when he was running from the dealers. Saying they just had to stop at the bar for a sec caused her to protest, resulting in him smashing her head into the dashboard. He went in, tried to hold up the bar with a gun and all of it did not end well. Asa and Royal were hurt but recovered...and charges were filed.
Avett is being held as an accessory and this is not something her dad can make better with a few hugs and kisses on a hurt boo boo. Avett has always been a daddy's girl and Brite has been this rock for all around him. He is the quintessential badass man. He served in Vietnam, came back to a world which had no clue as to what these guys had experienced. He found brothers in a motorcycle club and a mentor who saw what type of man he could be..The mentor handed down to Brite the bar he had...and the rest is Denver history. Brite ran The Bar and all of the Marked Men and others have been touched by him. He is like a father figure to many and those that listen...turn a lot of what is personally torturing them around. He has looked out for his girl, loved her up through all the bad judgements and told her, "bad decisions make for good stories, Sprite."
We are in the room were prisoners meet with their lawyers. Avett, with her fading pink hair is sitting at the metal table we have all seen on TV and the movies with her hands and feet locked in cuffs. This isn't playtime... this is real and she is scared out of her mind. She thinks she has finally done it... hit the bottom she has been aiming for since that night so long ago.
Ouaid is sitting there with his thousand dollar suit fitting just so, adjusting his cuff over the top of the line Rolex on his wrist and is looking at her 3 inch thick file. There every infraction she has every had with the law is printed and organized. Quaid starts his standard first meeting speech with all of his clients stating he doesn't want to hear her story... and she is to do exactly everything he says... period if things are to go the way she wants.
Well, nothing goes standard where Avett is concerned... and Quaid's first encounter with her is a telling one...He has handle the slim of the slime and gotten them cleared of charges he was sure they did. But that wasn't his job... his job was to represent and do his best...Yet with this woman... he actually senses she had nothing to do with the robbery or anything the ex boyfriend is saying.
Her pleading to not call the father for bail has him shocked when she says she will fire him if he does...
Quaid does reach out to Brite and Avett is stunned yet relieved to see her father and mother are both there for her arraignment. The process happens and it is the start of what is to come for all of them. While awaiting trial, it is a way for Avett to work through all the pain and hurt inflicted to her mom over the years; a way to look at her life and why doing nothing was her go to action...and trying to learn what all of these feelings she has for Quaid mean if anything...for anything to do with her is destined to destroy him...
Ouaid goes through his own reckoning; the past childhood and scars he has worked so hard to hide sneak into his exchanges with Avett. She is so real, nothing like the women he had experience with....it is refreshing, exciting and stimulating. She is a spitfire and he is drawn to her even when she is everything his career path does not need.
This tale is so much more than the moving parts. It takes family, parental love and lays it out there for all to see. Children need unconditional love... they need to know you will always be there for them even at the lowest of times...It is during those lowest moments when the security of their place in your heart might be the only thing which brings them back from the brink of self destruction...However, tough choices also may be needed too...
We have characters talking to Avett about her need to punish herself... to always take the wrong choice and why...with one of the strongest lessons told...Of letting go and forgiving yourself of the past is the only way to go forward. It is not to say the past actions will disappear... they will always have happened... but in order to live the life you were meant to ... you must forgive yourself...stop looking for punishment because you think you don't deserve good.
And with Quaid...he learns as much from Avett as she does from him. He realizes he is who he is...and there is absolutely nothing wrong in being the person he is... he starts to see things very differently through Avett's open honest way and it feels good.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't tell you of the chemistry between these two is off the charts...But then again, it is a Crownover book.
What I loved most about this book was the revealing dedication to Crownover's mother and her introduction. In the dedication, she gave extraordinary props to mom and my heart turned to goo. In the intro she talked about times in her personal life which gave her a sense of Déjà vu while writing this character Avett. She also addressed the need to write the character as she comes, not worrying if she is totally likable... for it is the need of her to be true to the character.
There are powerful lessons in this book... and lucky for us they are wrapped around characters we want to know more about...we care and become involved from the first page. Take the lessons; enjoy the story. There is more to come and I cannot wait.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Can I Be Anymore Excited...
I Don't Know....
Just know I am going back to the peeps I love...
Anyone created by Jay Crownover!
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * *
All of us bring something Valuable to "The Table of Life". We may be Stay at Home Moms, Professionals, Blue Collar Workers... Whatever... It doesn't matter what we do....It is who we are and how we live our lives that matter...and Jay Crownover is a perfect example of this.
It is through her writing about her characters and their stories which has opened minds and relationships for many of her readers, I think. She took a different approach in her book Rule, Marked Men. She brought the focus to young people who maybe were the ones others would look at disapprovingly only because they looked different or didn't understand their spirit and the freedoms they chose. By telling these stories with characters who had complex backgrounds which many have lived through themselves or by family and friends...she has enlightened generations to see more clearly the importance of acceptance and loving from the heart.
In all of her books, the characters each have a burden everyone of us can relate to...and it is through the journey of these characters, they grow and so do we.
In Charged (Saints of Denver #2) we catch up with Avett and Quaid, characters from the first entry, Built. These two seem to be from two different universes.
One is a powerful defense attorney, working to be the best in his field. Image, accumulation of all the trappings is important to him. He wears what is the uniform of success, lives in a sterile Ivory Loft Tower looking out over all of Denver decorated with art he could care less about. Quaid has fought to be where he is and being in control of his image, success and how everyone perceives him is everything. It is the part he has been playing for quite a long time and until he crosses path with Avett, he looks to be on track to be partner at his firm.
On the other hand, we have Avett. She has been on her own personal track....one of self destruction...What had been a sweet free spirited child, curious to experiment and go against the easy safe way...turned into a woman determined to make punishing choices... ones destined to hurt her but unfortunately have ramifications on those she loves the most, her family and friends. What was just a wild child... testing her wings turned into a moth...looking to see where the flame was the brightest and if the burn was going to be too much...so much the better.
Avett is in the biggest trouble of her young life. We know of her relationship with her past boyfriend, an abusive one. She was under the spell of thinking she loved him and when the dye was cast... it was revealed to her he was into hard drugs and selling... He made it difficult for her to see clearly... she thought this was the life she deserved...She did things that she hadn't before under his influence...stole from the cash register at the bar her dad sold to Rome. She became entrenched in his dirty dealings and was hurt/almost raped by the drug dealers looking for a stash he had used himself instead of selling. He took her with him when he was running from the dealers. Saying they just had to stop at the bar for a sec caused her to protest, resulting in him smashing her head into the dashboard. He went in, tried to hold up the bar with a gun and all of it did not end well. Asa and Royal were hurt but recovered...and charges were filed.
Avett is being held as an accessory and this is not something her dad can make better with a few hugs and kisses on a hurt boo boo. Avett has always been a daddy's girl and Brite has been this rock for all around him. He is the quintessential badass man. He served in Vietnam, came back to a world which had no clue as to what these guys had experienced. He found brothers in a motorcycle club and a mentor who saw what type of man he could be..The mentor handed down to Brite the bar he had...and the rest is Denver history. Brite ran The Bar and all of the Marked Men and others have been touched by him. He is like a father figure to many and those that listen...turn a lot of what is personally torturing them around. He has looked out for his girl, loved her up through all the bad judgements and told her, "bad decisions make for good stories, Sprite."
We are in the room were prisoners meet with their lawyers. Avett, with her fading pink hair is sitting at the metal table we have all seen on TV and the movies with her hands and feet locked in cuffs. This isn't playtime... this is real and she is scared out of her mind. She thinks she has finally done it... hit the bottom she has been aiming for since that night so long ago.
Ouaid is sitting there with his thousand dollar suit fitting just so, adjusting his cuff over the top of the line Rolex on his wrist and is looking at her 3 inch thick file. There every infraction she has every had with the law is printed and organized. Quaid starts his standard first meeting speech with all of his clients stating he doesn't want to hear her story... and she is to do exactly everything he says... period if things are to go the way she wants.
Well, nothing goes standard where Avett is concerned... and Quaid's first encounter with her is a telling one...He has handle the slim of the slime and gotten them cleared of charges he was sure they did. But that wasn't his job... his job was to represent and do his best...Yet with this woman... he actually senses she had nothing to do with the robbery or anything the ex boyfriend is saying.
Her pleading to not call the father for bail has him shocked when she says she will fire him if he does...
Quaid does reach out to Brite and Avett is stunned yet relieved to see her father and mother are both there for her arraignment. The process happens and it is the start of what is to come for all of them. While awaiting trial, it is a way for Avett to work through all the pain and hurt inflicted to her mom over the years; a way to look at her life and why doing nothing was her go to action...and trying to learn what all of these feelings she has for Quaid mean if anything...for anything to do with her is destined to destroy him...
Ouaid goes through his own reckoning; the past childhood and scars he has worked so hard to hide sneak into his exchanges with Avett. She is so real, nothing like the women he had experience with....it is refreshing, exciting and stimulating. She is a spitfire and he is drawn to her even when she is everything his career path does not need.
This tale is so much more than the moving parts. It takes family, parental love and lays it out there for all to see. Children need unconditional love... they need to know you will always be there for them even at the lowest of times...It is during those lowest moments when the security of their place in your heart might be the only thing which brings them back from the brink of self destruction...However, tough choices also may be needed too...
We have characters talking to Avett about her need to punish herself... to always take the wrong choice and why...with one of the strongest lessons told...Of letting go and forgiving yourself of the past is the only way to go forward. It is not to say the past actions will disappear... they will always have happened... but in order to live the life you were meant to ... you must forgive yourself...stop looking for punishment because you think you don't deserve good.
And with Quaid...he learns as much from Avett as she does from him. He realizes he is who he is...and there is absolutely nothing wrong in being the person he is... he starts to see things very differently through Avett's open honest way and it feels good.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't tell you of the chemistry between these two is off the charts...But then again, it is a Crownover book.
What I loved most about this book was the revealing dedication to Crownover's mother and her introduction. In the dedication, she gave extraordinary props to mom and my heart turned to goo. In the intro she talked about times in her personal life which gave her a sense of Déjà vu while writing this character Avett. She also addressed the need to write the character as she comes, not worrying if she is totally likable... for it is the need of her to be true to the character.
There are powerful lessons in this book... and lucky for us they are wrapped around characters we want to know more about...we care and become involved from the first page. Take the lessons; enjoy the story. There is more to come and I cannot wait.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Can I Be Anymore Excited...
I Don't Know....
Just know I am going back to the peeps I love...
Anyone created by Jay Crownover!
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
June 9, 2016
An irresistibly sexy and heartwarming story about forgiveness, love and self-discovery where the hero and heroine blaze the pages with their delectably charged dynamics.
Avett has spent a good deal of her life toeing the line, making wrong decisions, starting with her taste in men. The last of which took her down with him and now the only man who can get her out of spending time behind bars is the super-hot, high polished attorney who “looked like temptation and ruin, not salvation and redemption.”
Quaid’s usual suspects don’t usually include pink haired hurricanes, but after meeting the open and honest, yet feisty woman face to face he’s determined to help her and not even she can fire him. But can he stay on his side of the attorney-client line when the attraction between them increases with each passing day?
On the surface, they are completely different, but it’s a natural fact that opposites attract and when Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson’s lives cross paths they not only draw each other in, they explode in an array of sensual vibrancy and tenderness.
Jay writes the kind of books you crave to have and love to read. Every book has the right mix of drama, sharpness, romance, and sexiness with layered characters that feel completely different each time, even when I’ve read almost all her books.
Despite the loving parents and upbringing, Avett’s went off the rails and she doesn’t have an easy road ahead. She knows the exact turning point when her life started going downhill until she hit rock bottom. Getting up will be difficult, but she’s not alone and with Quaid and her father as her most formidable supporters she’ll surely succeed. Something I’ve very glad for because despite her feeling unworthy, I liked her very much. She’s lively and kind and the perfect counter point to Quaid’s void life.
Groing up, Quaid had nothing but was resolute in having everything, but after his wife cheats and leaves him, he realizes that a life filled with high priced suites and baubles is worth nothing if you don’t have someone who truly loves you to share it with. Despite his confidence and even arrogance, I really liked that he wasn’t afraid to open up to Avett.
I loved the age gap between them because it helped with their cohesiveness. She’s young but put her crazy behind her and Quaid has experienced enough to know a good thing when he sees it. These to burned up my eReader and had me highlighting good stuff in every other page. But there was more…
The relationship between Avett and her father was absolutely lovely. The all-encompassing love of a parent towards their child, no matter how old, deserves a special shout out. I loved that we got the side story of Avett’s parents which felt like a special bonus. I actually loved everything about this book, from its wonderful introduction, to the soothing narrative with its steady and Charged flow, to Quaid’s decisiveness to fight and keep the woman he loved, and finally Avett who fought to set her past behind and find herself in order to take hold of the perfect man for her.
Charged is the second book in the Saints of Denver series by Jay Crownover. This is a spin-off of her Marked Men series. It is a standalone, contemporary romance filled with scorching hot sexiness as well as incredibly sweet tenderness. Told from both points of view with a happy ending.
4.5 pink haired stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via InkSlinger. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
“Memories and mistakes are both beautiful and important in their own ways. Love and Ink, Jay”
Avett has spent a good deal of her life toeing the line, making wrong decisions, starting with her taste in men. The last of which took her down with him and now the only man who can get her out of spending time behind bars is the super-hot, high polished attorney who “looked like temptation and ruin, not salvation and redemption.”
Quaid’s usual suspects don’t usually include pink haired hurricanes, but after meeting the open and honest, yet feisty woman face to face he’s determined to help her and not even she can fire him. But can he stay on his side of the attorney-client line when the attraction between them increases with each passing day?
On the surface, they are completely different, but it’s a natural fact that opposites attract and when Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson’s lives cross paths they not only draw each other in, they explode in an array of sensual vibrancy and tenderness.
Jay writes the kind of books you crave to have and love to read. Every book has the right mix of drama, sharpness, romance, and sexiness with layered characters that feel completely different each time, even when I’ve read almost all her books.
“There was a pulse in the air, a vibration I couldn’t name, but it felt electric and more alive than anything that had crossed my path in decades.”
Despite the loving parents and upbringing, Avett’s went off the rails and she doesn’t have an easy road ahead. She knows the exact turning point when her life started going downhill until she hit rock bottom. Getting up will be difficult, but she’s not alone and with Quaid and her father as her most formidable supporters she’ll surely succeed. Something I’ve very glad for because despite her feeling unworthy, I liked her very much. She’s lively and kind and the perfect counter point to Quaid’s void life.
“This little slip of a woman could demolish me, waste me, annihilate me, and if I allowed her to do it, I knew it would feel better than anything had in a very long time.”
Groing up, Quaid had nothing but was resolute in having everything, but after his wife cheats and leaves him, he realizes that a life filled with high priced suites and baubles is worth nothing if you don’t have someone who truly loves you to share it with. Despite his confidence and even arrogance, I really liked that he wasn’t afraid to open up to Avett.
“I wanted to eat her up. I wanted her wild to consume, to burn and purge all the things that had long since turned sour and stale inside of me. I ached for her sweet to soothe me after we scorched through each other and were left in a heap in our own wreckage, covered in ash and satisfaction.”
I loved the age gap between them because it helped with their cohesiveness. She’s young but put her crazy behind her and Quaid has experienced enough to know a good thing when he sees it. These to burned up my eReader and had me highlighting good stuff in every other page. But there was more…
The relationship between Avett and her father was absolutely lovely. The all-encompassing love of a parent towards their child, no matter how old, deserves a special shout out. I loved that we got the side story of Avett’s parents which felt like a special bonus. I actually loved everything about this book, from its wonderful introduction, to the soothing narrative with its steady and Charged flow, to Quaid’s decisiveness to fight and keep the woman he loved, and finally Avett who fought to set her past behind and find herself in order to take hold of the perfect man for her.
“I’m taking your wild and sweet, Avett. I’m going to know what it feels like against me. I’m going to remember how it tastes and how it moves so that when I’m inside of it, I won’t get swept away by it all.”
Charged is the second book in the Saints of Denver series by Jay Crownover. This is a spin-off of her Marked Men series. It is a standalone, contemporary romance filled with scorching hot sexiness as well as incredibly sweet tenderness. Told from both points of view with a happy ending.
4.5 pink haired stars
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via InkSlinger. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
May 14, 2016
4.5 Stars
I didn't expect to love Avett and Quaid as much as I do. Well done Jay Crownover! Full review will be on The Book Disciple
I didn't expect to love Avett and Quaid as much as I do. Well done Jay Crownover! Full review will be on The Book Disciple
June 4, 2016
4.5 Wild and Sweet stars
Avett
Quaid
Review later, maybe..
Avett
Quaid
Review later, maybe..
May 24, 2016
I truly love Jay Crownover’s writing. She’s as adept at writing about tortured heroes trying to remain on the right side of good as she is about tortured anti-heroes who don’t. Her writing is so layered and dimensional, it paints a picture of life in Colorado and dives deeply into the character’s lives, making them seem real.
I was riveted to the story from the very first page, and by that I mean the dedication. The story hadn’t even started yet, and I was already invested. Both the dedication and introduction set the tone for the book. They make you feel like it is drawing you into the author’s personal memories and experiences, at times feeling like an auto-biography of sorts.
Avett Walker is described as wild and sweet and that exactly what she is. She’s a force to be reckoned with and is set on making bad decisions in her life. One of those decisions leads her to Quaid Jackson. Quaid is a man who is tired of putting on appearances, living behind an armor, and doing the right thing. Avett barrels her way into his life and his thoughts and he can’t get enough. They were like oil and water, but they mixed together in such an explosive way. I couldn’t get enough of them.
As much as I loved Avett and Quaid, my favorite part of Charged had to be Avett’s relationship with her dad. He loves her so fiercely, it brought tears to my eyes at one point. Like Brite, my dad is taciturn, but you know when he is disappointed and you also know when he is going to fight for you. Avett’s relationship with her dad is similar to my own, so I felt an immediate connection to her. Brite may be big and gruff, but he’s so loving and supportive, I couldn’t help but love him.
I’ve read and loved many of Jay Crownover’s books, but I honestly believe this is her best yet. Charged feels like it’s deeply personal to the author--like she just opened her heart and poured it out onto the page. I highly recommend this book. And the series. Ok, just read all of her books, she’s that good!
▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Order: Kindle | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook | Audible
▸ For more reviews, visit
I was riveted to the story from the very first page, and by that I mean the dedication. The story hadn’t even started yet, and I was already invested. Both the dedication and introduction set the tone for the book. They make you feel like it is drawing you into the author’s personal memories and experiences, at times feeling like an auto-biography of sorts.
Avett Walker is described as wild and sweet and that exactly what she is. She’s a force to be reckoned with and is set on making bad decisions in her life. One of those decisions leads her to Quaid Jackson. Quaid is a man who is tired of putting on appearances, living behind an armor, and doing the right thing. Avett barrels her way into his life and his thoughts and he can’t get enough. They were like oil and water, but they mixed together in such an explosive way. I couldn’t get enough of them.
As much as I loved Avett and Quaid, my favorite part of Charged had to be Avett’s relationship with her dad. He loves her so fiercely, it brought tears to my eyes at one point. Like Brite, my dad is taciturn, but you know when he is disappointed and you also know when he is going to fight for you. Avett’s relationship with her dad is similar to my own, so I felt an immediate connection to her. Brite may be big and gruff, but he’s so loving and supportive, I couldn’t help but love him.
I’ve read and loved many of Jay Crownover’s books, but I honestly believe this is her best yet. Charged feels like it’s deeply personal to the author--like she just opened her heart and poured it out onto the page. I highly recommend this book. And the series. Ok, just read all of her books, she’s that good!
▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Order: Kindle | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook | Audible
▸ For more reviews, visit
June 16, 2017
4 Charged Stars
Wow, I am enjoying this series so much. I forgot how much I like Jay Crownover’s work. It’s effortless to listen to.
Avett finds herself in some deep water and Quaid is hired to help her out.
I enjoyed the push and pull of the characters they really have the back and forth going for them. I liked how Avett was insecure with herself but she never once made excuses for her actions. She was always truthful even when it was hard to be.
Quaid never really added up for me. I think because he didn't feel like the big suite type of fellow. So I was like YES and fist pumped when he realized he would be happier as himself.
I also loved the connection between Avett and her father that just gives me all the feels. And even thought it was hard for her and her mother to get back to something of a relationship I like how they were both willing to work for it.
Loved the narration and I can’t wait to dive into the new one!
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Wow, I am enjoying this series so much. I forgot how much I like Jay Crownover’s work. It’s effortless to listen to.
Avett finds herself in some deep water and Quaid is hired to help her out.
I enjoyed the push and pull of the characters they really have the back and forth going for them. I liked how Avett was insecure with herself but she never once made excuses for her actions. She was always truthful even when it was hard to be.
Quaid never really added up for me. I think because he didn't feel like the big suite type of fellow. So I was like YES and fist pumped when he realized he would be happier as himself.
I also loved the connection between Avett and her father that just gives me all the feels. And even thought it was hard for her and her mother to get back to something of a relationship I like how they were both willing to work for it.
Loved the narration and I can’t wait to dive into the new one!
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
December 31, 2016
I liked this book but I wanted to LOVE it based on the synopsis. I couldn't help rolling my eyes at some of the writing and phrases used. For example "she tasted like dreams and promises." REALLY??!! Even the dude "curled his toes" when their lips touched. This book was full of romantic clichés thus making me laugh out loud a great number of times. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
June 8, 2017
Charged es el segundo libro de la serie Saints Of Denver creada por Jay Crownover y narra la historia de Avett y Quaid, personajes secundarios en los libros anteriores.
Los ultimos dias estaba pasando por un mal momento como lectora, nada conseguia emocionarme y mis ultimas lecturas fueron bastante penosas, por eso cuando comence esta novela pense que acabaria con mi mala racha, que seria un libro entretenido, atrapante y con un buen desarrollo.
Soy una fiel creyente de que si lees una novela y los protagonistas no te convencen del todo, hara que no puedas disfrutar 100% del momento, eso justamente fue lo que me sucedio a mi con este libro.
Hay varias razones para que esta historia no me convenciera del todo :
1• La pareja protagonista estaba ok, no eran insoportables o horribles pero tampoco me parecieron impresionantes, Avett en muchas ocasiones me harto con su actitud y su forma de ser, no me parecio un personaje memorable o entrañable sino todo lo contrario, Quaid era un poco mejor pero me falto llegar a conocerlo mas y que destacara como protagonista.
2• La trama me parecio muy floja, sobretodo si la comparamos con la de alguna de las otras novelas de la autora, ademas decayo bastante en la parte central de la historia y aunque al final volvio a coger un poco mas de fuerza, no me senti del todo satisfecha.
A parte de esas razones tambien admito que estaba mas interesada en leer sobre Dixie y Churchill o Poppy y Wheeler que sobre esta pareja, quizas en parte porque la protagonista femenina no me gusto en los anteriores libros, desgraciadamente leer su historia no mejoro mi opinion sobre ella.
Algo que me encanta de Jay Crownover es que siempre recuerda a sus personajes anteriores, algunas de mis partes favoritas de esta lectura fueron las escenas en las que aparecian o nombraban a los protagonistas de las historias anteriores, ademas me gusta que deje pistas de los proximos libros de esa forma tan sutil que tiene, hace que me vuelva aun mas impaciente por leerlos.
En fin, fue una novela entretenida pero que no consiguio cumplir todas mis expectativas, espero ansiosa conocer mas a Churchill y Dixie.
3 Estrellas!
May 11, 2016
My kindle bleeds blue highlight every time I read a Crownover book. Charged is no different. It’s the story of Avett, who some say is one of the more hated characters from the previous series. I, however, strongly disagree. I’ve always had an affinity for the young, flawed, and confused girl. Show me a person who has the possibility for change and growth all the while keeping their soul intact, and I am in ‘til the end.
Avett has hit rock bottom. In jail and scared beyond anything she has faced before, she has no further to fall. Reality has slapped her in the face and put handcuffs on her wrists. She feels as if she deserves this reward for bad choices in men and past misdeeds.
“I deserved to sit in jail and so much worse than that. Self-pity was good company down here at rock bottom and I wasn’t ready to let go of the warmth it provided just yet”
Someone else believes Avett deserves a chance at change and he has sent her a savior. Lawyer Quaid Jackson is being paid to get her free. He has a reputation for winning and a no nonsense attitude. Avett takes notice from the get go.
“He looked like temptation and ruin, not salvation and redemption.”
Quaid isn’t prepared for the pink haired girl sitting across from him in prison orange to have such an effect on him. He usually doesn’t care about guilt or innocence. He’s just in it for the win and the steps he needs to make partner. But once he begins to understand, see, and “get” Avett? Well…
“Recklessness, thy name is Avett Walker”
The dichotomy between these two is riveting. He wants to keep her from falling and she wants to hold his hand while they jump. The combination of older and wiser paired with young and fearless brings about one seriously sexy and thrillingly dynamic couple.
The chemistry is palpable as they breath each other in. This is more than a romance and coming of age kind of read, though. Drug dealers are after Avett and they will do whatever it takes to get what they need from her; they’ll hurt the people she loves, destroy what they hold dear, and bring terror to her door step.
Growing up isn’t easy. Being responsible for your own actions can sometimes be even harder. But most of all, being able to forgive yourself as you ask others to forgive you too is a serious undertaking. It’s all a part of growing as a person and freeing yourself from past pains.
It’s a fabulous read and one I will be re-reading again and again.
[image error]
*ARC provided by Edelweiss in conjunction with blog tour
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Avett has hit rock bottom. In jail and scared beyond anything she has faced before, she has no further to fall. Reality has slapped her in the face and put handcuffs on her wrists. She feels as if she deserves this reward for bad choices in men and past misdeeds.
“I deserved to sit in jail and so much worse than that. Self-pity was good company down here at rock bottom and I wasn’t ready to let go of the warmth it provided just yet”
Someone else believes Avett deserves a chance at change and he has sent her a savior. Lawyer Quaid Jackson is being paid to get her free. He has a reputation for winning and a no nonsense attitude. Avett takes notice from the get go.
“He looked like temptation and ruin, not salvation and redemption.”
Quaid isn’t prepared for the pink haired girl sitting across from him in prison orange to have such an effect on him. He usually doesn’t care about guilt or innocence. He’s just in it for the win and the steps he needs to make partner. But once he begins to understand, see, and “get” Avett? Well…
“Recklessness, thy name is Avett Walker”
The dichotomy between these two is riveting. He wants to keep her from falling and she wants to hold his hand while they jump. The combination of older and wiser paired with young and fearless brings about one seriously sexy and thrillingly dynamic couple.
The chemistry is palpable as they breath each other in. This is more than a romance and coming of age kind of read, though. Drug dealers are after Avett and they will do whatever it takes to get what they need from her; they’ll hurt the people she loves, destroy what they hold dear, and bring terror to her door step.
Growing up isn’t easy. Being responsible for your own actions can sometimes be even harder. But most of all, being able to forgive yourself as you ask others to forgive you too is a serious undertaking. It’s all a part of growing as a person and freeing yourself from past pains.
It’s a fabulous read and one I will be re-reading again and again.
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*ARC provided by Edelweiss in conjunction with blog tour
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March 29, 2017
Rating: 4.5/5
****UPDATE MAY 10, 2016****
Taking it the review I had put for the moment. Re-putting it closer to the release date :)
****UPDATE MAY 18, 2016****
Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise
So I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book and since I also take part of the Review & Excerpt Tour this month for this release, so therefore, I'm glad that I got the chance to read the book. I was really excited about Avett's book because like any characters in this series, you know she deserves to be heard; she deserves that we get the time to see who she truly is.
Since she first appeared in the Marked Men series, she is portrayed in a way that made us annoyed with her. I wouldn't go towards the word hate because I never hated her; I was just annoyed with all the poor choices she made, but she wouldn't have fit with the whole bunch if she happened to be perfect either.
I never knew if we would get her story, but Jay, like a fairy godmother, made our wish come true with this spin-off and added Avett's book to it.
This book starts after the events that occurred in Asa's book. If you haven't read that book, I suggest you stop reading this now and go read it like right now. Spoilers might be said in this book though maybe nothing to stop you from reading Asa's book, but let's not take any chances.
Avett is in big trouble due to her role in the armed robbery at Rome's bar and she is facing jail time. Avett acted out a lot and we saw her dad having a lot of problems with her though he never gave up on her. Her relationship with her mother is rocky at best and her latest actions are not helping much to reconnect with her.
Enter Quaid Jackson, who we met briefly in Built (which you should also totally read if you haven't), to save the day. On the outside, Quaid looked like the picture perfect of what an attorney must look like. Suits and ties, confidence and a lot of charisma. But if you have read Jay's books, you know her men are anything but perfect.
From the moment they both meet, something is definitely building. Some attraction for sure, but a connection neither seem to understand. On the outside, they are the definition of day and night, but once you start reading about their thoughts and feelings, they are the definition of never judge a book by its cover.
Throughout this book, you learn a lot about these two characters. Avett’s confessions will bring forth other confessions from her entourage, mending some broken links with her family while Quaid’s priorities will change as he rediscovers who he is really.
A lot happens in this book and I’m really trying to make a general review without giving too much away, but if you fell in love with Jay’s other characters, you will love them too. You will cheer their triumphs, cry with them and let’s admit it, you will scream at them for their stupid choices too hahaha
Forgiveness is a strong subject in this book and it’s beautifully used in it; especially the forgiveness for oneself.
Jay has a way to write that makes you addicted from the first few sentences. Each new chapter begs for the next one and each ending makes you want the next instalment in the series. Once again, Jay has proven why she is in my top 5 favourite authors.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO JAY CROWNOVER, HARPERCOLLINS AND EDELWEISS for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
****UPDATE MAY 10, 2016****
Taking it the review I had put for the moment. Re-putting it closer to the release date :)
****UPDATE MAY 18, 2016****
Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise
So I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book and since I also take part of the Review & Excerpt Tour this month for this release, so therefore, I'm glad that I got the chance to read the book. I was really excited about Avett's book because like any characters in this series, you know she deserves to be heard; she deserves that we get the time to see who she truly is.
Since she first appeared in the Marked Men series, she is portrayed in a way that made us annoyed with her. I wouldn't go towards the word hate because I never hated her; I was just annoyed with all the poor choices she made, but she wouldn't have fit with the whole bunch if she happened to be perfect either.
I never knew if we would get her story, but Jay, like a fairy godmother, made our wish come true with this spin-off and added Avett's book to it.
This book starts after the events that occurred in Asa's book. If you haven't read that book, I suggest you stop reading this now and go read it like right now. Spoilers might be said in this book though maybe nothing to stop you from reading Asa's book, but let's not take any chances.
Avett is in big trouble due to her role in the armed robbery at Rome's bar and she is facing jail time. Avett acted out a lot and we saw her dad having a lot of problems with her though he never gave up on her. Her relationship with her mother is rocky at best and her latest actions are not helping much to reconnect with her.
Enter Quaid Jackson, who we met briefly in Built (which you should also totally read if you haven't), to save the day. On the outside, Quaid looked like the picture perfect of what an attorney must look like. Suits and ties, confidence and a lot of charisma. But if you have read Jay's books, you know her men are anything but perfect.
From the moment they both meet, something is definitely building. Some attraction for sure, but a connection neither seem to understand. On the outside, they are the definition of day and night, but once you start reading about their thoughts and feelings, they are the definition of never judge a book by its cover.
Throughout this book, you learn a lot about these two characters. Avett’s confessions will bring forth other confessions from her entourage, mending some broken links with her family while Quaid’s priorities will change as he rediscovers who he is really.
A lot happens in this book and I’m really trying to make a general review without giving too much away, but if you fell in love with Jay’s other characters, you will love them too. You will cheer their triumphs, cry with them and let’s admit it, you will scream at them for their stupid choices too hahaha
Forgiveness is a strong subject in this book and it’s beautifully used in it; especially the forgiveness for oneself.
Jay has a way to write that makes you addicted from the first few sentences. Each new chapter begs for the next one and each ending makes you want the next instalment in the series. Once again, Jay has proven why she is in my top 5 favourite authors.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO JAY CROWNOVER, HARPERCOLLINS AND EDELWEISS for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 4, 2020
NO ME GUSTÓ!!
Le iba a dar 3 estrellas pero la parte final me aburrió a montones y que las últimas 30 páginas junto con el epílogo fuera puro sexo PUAJ( y eso que a mí me gustan las escenas picantes eh) pero TOO MUCH!!
Tenía algo de expectativas acerca de esta historia y personajes ya que los dos eran polos opuesto ella un desastre andante con problemas legales y él uno de los abogados con más prestigio y estirados de Denver y más o menos se vislumbraba su historia en el libro anterior.
PERO QUE DECEPCIÓN!!
Ella no me gustó nada o sea nunca me gustó anteriormente tomó malas decisiones pero aparte era grosera y tenía una mala actitud y yo pensé que sería un personaje redimible que tendría una justificación para su comportamiento y sólo fue que la chica era idiota y sólo le gustaba la mala vida porque sí.
Y él protagonista muy desabrido.
Ellos tenían cero química.
Hace algunos años que leí la serie de Marked Men que disfruté mucho por lo que saber de algunos de sus protagonistas me dio mucho gusto sobre todo Asa.
Veremos si los siguientes libros mejoran, ojalá que no me haya demorado tanto en leerlos.
Le iba a dar 3 estrellas pero la parte final me aburrió a montones y que las últimas 30 páginas junto con el epílogo fuera puro sexo PUAJ
Tenía algo de expectativas acerca de esta historia y personajes ya que los dos eran polos opuesto ella un desastre andante con problemas legales y él uno de los abogados con más prestigio y estirados de Denver y más o menos se vislumbraba su historia en el libro anterior.
PERO QUE DECEPCIÓN!!
Ella no me gustó nada o sea nunca me gustó anteriormente tomó malas decisiones pero aparte era grosera y tenía una mala actitud y yo pensé que sería un personaje redimible que tendría una justificación para su comportamiento y sólo fue que la chica era idiota y sólo le gustaba la mala vida porque sí.
Y él protagonista muy desabrido.
Ellos tenían cero química.
Hace algunos años que leí la serie de Marked Men que disfruté mucho por lo que saber de algunos de sus protagonistas me dio mucho gusto sobre todo Asa.
Veremos si los siguientes libros mejoran, ojalá que no me haya demorado tanto en leerlos.
December 24, 2025
This one was a bit different, pairing wise, and it didn't always work for me, but I liked the book as a whole.
The main issue here is that Avett is a mess, but she's not a very interesting one, despite Quaid's best efforts to convince me otherwise. I didn't feel very connected to her while reading, though I did like her storyline.
All the legal stuff weighed the story down, but I can appreciate the new angle Crownover tried to cover anyway. I just wish there was more of a balance between that, the smut, and everything else, because for the most part, it felt like it was either one or the other.
I liked Quaid as a character, but my favourite, by far, was Church. I absolutely cannot wait to read his book!! It already seems like it's going to be among my faves in the Marked Men universe.
The main issue here is that Avett is a mess, but she's not a very interesting one, despite Quaid's best efforts to convince me otherwise. I didn't feel very connected to her while reading, though I did like her storyline.
All the legal stuff weighed the story down, but I can appreciate the new angle Crownover tried to cover anyway. I just wish there was more of a balance between that, the smut, and everything else, because for the most part, it felt like it was either one or the other.
I liked Quaid as a character, but my favourite, by far, was Church. I absolutely cannot wait to read his book!! It already seems like it's going to be among my faves in the Marked Men universe.
June 27, 2017
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Charged had a lot of suspense and heartache mixed in with the scorching hot sexytimes! Crownover really does know how to bring on the hotness!
Charged had a deeper sense of danger, but also some more fun than Built included. I really enjoyed getting to know Avett better, as I had thought she was simply a spoiled princess, but she was so much more. And she completely brought out the humanity Quaid had tried to get rid of by becoming the most successful defence lawyer in Denver.
Because it started with Avett in prison, because she was charged with having done a hold-up she had no idea was going to happen, the tension between her and Quaid was palpable from the beginning. At first, it was more irritation than chemistry, but that changed rather quickly. Both Quaid and Avett needed someone who could show them that a different way of living might be much more satisfying than what they had been doing up until that point.
The suspense was really well done, and I enjoyed how smart Avett was in Charged - she showed that she was a grown-up who was capable of making tough decisions and sticking with them. Written in dual point of view as the rest of the Saints of Denver series, I loved the banter between Avett and Quaid, as they had strong personalities and both wanted to be right.
Charged had a lot of suspense and heartache mixed in with the scorching hot sexytimes! Crownover really does know how to bring on the hotness!
Charged had a deeper sense of danger, but also some more fun than Built included. I really enjoyed getting to know Avett better, as I had thought she was simply a spoiled princess, but she was so much more. And she completely brought out the humanity Quaid had tried to get rid of by becoming the most successful defence lawyer in Denver.
Because it started with Avett in prison, because she was charged with having done a hold-up she had no idea was going to happen, the tension between her and Quaid was palpable from the beginning. At first, it was more irritation than chemistry, but that changed rather quickly. Both Quaid and Avett needed someone who could show them that a different way of living might be much more satisfying than what they had been doing up until that point.
The suspense was really well done, and I enjoyed how smart Avett was in Charged - she showed that she was a grown-up who was capable of making tough decisions and sticking with them. Written in dual point of view as the rest of the Saints of Denver series, I loved the banter between Avett and Quaid, as they had strong personalities and both wanted to be right.
May 28, 2016
The writing in this book was more tantalizing than the prior installment. Jay Crownover didn’t give a recycled story. Instead, she took characters previously introduced and weaved a captivating tale complete with love and rebirth of associations.
Avett Walker was young lady who was constantly finding herself in dreadful predicaments not because she didn’t know better, but because she believed she had earned them. It was her penance. Avett is the daughter of Brite, the man Rome bought the bar from in the Marked Men Series. Avett stole money from Rome’s cash register and ran off with a loser boyfriend and Brite has been looking for her since.
In this book, Quaid Jackson is the attorney hired to represent Avett as she is being held in her local jail. There is a bit of insta-attraction even though they are in such different places in their respective lives. As Quaid works with Avett, his own past surfaces forcing Quaid to try to lessen Avett’s pain.
Avett is feisty and strong, Quaid seems like the opposite of Avett because he is more reserved and contemplative in his actions. These two had instantaneous chemistry despite their differences (age, station in life etc.). I enjoyed this book even more than book one because on the surface, this relationship shouldn’t work but it truly works well.
What I loved about Charged was the characters growth and development. Charged wasn’t full of cheesy one-liners or flowers and candy. It was a book with two complicated main characters that through the course of the book mature and began making sensible decisions for their lives. In addition to the romantic love, there is a repair of familial relationships as that was the driving force in both main characters’ current predicaments. Without giving any spoilers, it was refreshing to see the characters repairing old connections and making them stronger.
*Special Thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss for the reading copy given in exchange for an honest review
Avett Walker was young lady who was constantly finding herself in dreadful predicaments not because she didn’t know better, but because she believed she had earned them. It was her penance. Avett is the daughter of Brite, the man Rome bought the bar from in the Marked Men Series. Avett stole money from Rome’s cash register and ran off with a loser boyfriend and Brite has been looking for her since.
In this book, Quaid Jackson is the attorney hired to represent Avett as she is being held in her local jail. There is a bit of insta-attraction even though they are in such different places in their respective lives. As Quaid works with Avett, his own past surfaces forcing Quaid to try to lessen Avett’s pain.
Avett is feisty and strong, Quaid seems like the opposite of Avett because he is more reserved and contemplative in his actions. These two had instantaneous chemistry despite their differences (age, station in life etc.). I enjoyed this book even more than book one because on the surface, this relationship shouldn’t work but it truly works well.
What I loved about Charged was the characters growth and development. Charged wasn’t full of cheesy one-liners or flowers and candy. It was a book with two complicated main characters that through the course of the book mature and began making sensible decisions for their lives. In addition to the romantic love, there is a repair of familial relationships as that was the driving force in both main characters’ current predicaments. Without giving any spoilers, it was refreshing to see the characters repairing old connections and making them stronger.
*Special Thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks via Edelweiss for the reading copy given in exchange for an honest review
May 20, 2016
I have a new book boyfriend, and his name is Quaid Jackson.
He's smart, sexy and swoony. He's thoughtful and a little unsure of himself at the same time as being a cocky, cocksure ass, and he's all the more lovable because of it.
He's many men—layers, which are uncovered piece by piece, show that he is all the things I want in a book boyfriend.
Basically, he's perfect. And officially my new favorite of all Jay Crownover’s fabulous men.
With that said, it should be pretty clear that I liked—no, loved—this second book in the Saints of Denver series. While it might have suffered just an iota from some repetitive phrasing, Charged was, in fact, fully charged; a fun, steamy, heart-racing redemption story, which took a previously unsympathetic character and made her more.
I'm talking, of course, about Avett Walker. If you go into this book with open eyes and an open heart, you'll find a troubled young girl with amazing depth. An imperfect soul who is determined to be better. And a soft, wild and sweet heart that exists underneath a tough exterior. Even better, you'll find her with a man who is her equal, her opposite, her match, and the epitome of perfection—at least, to me. (*Sigh* Quaid…)
You'll also find some stellar cameos from some of Ms. Crownover’s other characters—ones we know well, and ones whose story is yet to come. Skillfully, she worked these Marked Men and these Saints of Denver into Avett and Quaid’s story, seamlessly melding the old with the new and making me all the more anxious for MORE from this author.
I don't know what else to say, except that this book, my new book boyfriend, and this author…well, they have me Riveted. ~ Beth, 4.5 stars
Pls note: Avett Walker HAS appeared in Ms. Crownover’s previous works, but this book can easily be read standalone. Having said that, if you've not yet read the Marked Men books, or the earlier books in this series, you're missing out!
He's smart, sexy and swoony. He's thoughtful and a little unsure of himself at the same time as being a cocky, cocksure ass, and he's all the more lovable because of it.
He's many men—layers, which are uncovered piece by piece, show that he is all the things I want in a book boyfriend.
Basically, he's perfect. And officially my new favorite of all Jay Crownover’s fabulous men.
With that said, it should be pretty clear that I liked—no, loved—this second book in the Saints of Denver series. While it might have suffered just an iota from some repetitive phrasing, Charged was, in fact, fully charged; a fun, steamy, heart-racing redemption story, which took a previously unsympathetic character and made her more.
I'm talking, of course, about Avett Walker. If you go into this book with open eyes and an open heart, you'll find a troubled young girl with amazing depth. An imperfect soul who is determined to be better. And a soft, wild and sweet heart that exists underneath a tough exterior. Even better, you'll find her with a man who is her equal, her opposite, her match, and the epitome of perfection—at least, to me. (*Sigh* Quaid…)
You'll also find some stellar cameos from some of Ms. Crownover’s other characters—ones we know well, and ones whose story is yet to come. Skillfully, she worked these Marked Men and these Saints of Denver into Avett and Quaid’s story, seamlessly melding the old with the new and making me all the more anxious for MORE from this author.
I don't know what else to say, except that this book, my new book boyfriend, and this author…well, they have me Riveted. ~ Beth, 4.5 stars
Pls note: Avett Walker HAS appeared in Ms. Crownover’s previous works, but this book can easily be read standalone. Having said that, if you've not yet read the Marked Men books, or the earlier books in this series, you're missing out!
February 12, 2022
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Charged is the second book in the “Saints of Denver” series and I am finally back to reading this author and I am so thrilled about it. I have really neglected this author recently and I do love her writing style, she writes the best bad boys/girls in her stories and there is this gritty charm that sucks you right into the story and I wasn’t sure how I felt about the heroine being the bad girl in the story but Jay Crownover completely made this work so beautifully in this story. I was first drawn to this cover, and yes the pink hair did it for me because its so rare to see pink hair on a romance cover, and I was intrigued. The story definitely delivers in all its beauty in showcasing the value in finding love when and where you least expect it and how well opposites can complement each other so well. I was delighted to see how these two would find a balance together and it just works in such a lively way with some thrills along the way.
Summary
Avett Walker has always walked on the edge, just coming short of ever truly breaking the law seriously, running with the bad crowd and getting into all sorts of trouble and yet her father is always the one to come to her aid like a knight on a white horse, but now she is in deep trouble and not even her father will be able to save her because she got caught up with some people she never expected to betray her and now with a policeman hurt, she knows it will take a miracle to get out of this. But then walks into her jail cell….is none other than Quaid Jackson, who is one of the top defense lawyers in the city and he was hired by a friend of her father’s who should despise her but offers out a helping hand when she betrayed him. Sparks fly between Avett and Quaid and there is a hidden passion that bursts between them. Quaid has always kept the appearances of being the cold unfeeling lawyer he is supposed to be, but underneath it all he craves something soft and sweet and fiery as he finds with Avett. But their worlds collide, and he knows he can’t ever let her go no matter the cost to his career. But there is much more at stake, as Avett is in danger and Quaid might be her saving grace…
What I Loved
Charged was such a fiery hot read that kept me on my toes and I couldn’t help but be charmed by this story here. I was so in love with these characters from the beginning and I just wanted to see them come together and explore what they had together. Even though the “bad girl” heroines don’t always work for me, Jay Crownover worked for me and I really was charmed by Avett’s back story and why she has acted out over the years and seeing her inner growth in finding herself and learning to build her life back better than before was pure beauty. Quaid is a hero that every romance lover will come to love. I loved his solid strength and his steady faith in Avett and what she is capable of. He never loses faith in her, and only connects more deeply with her when her story is told to him. The level of trust that is built between them, in the beginning, was so heartfelt and these small intimate moments that really build the intimacy within the story and only grow the momentum of the plot that allows the reader to connect deeply with the characters. We get some side characters and I absolutely loved seeing some of my favorites from Built I definitely need to finish up the series because I had forgotten how much I had fallen in love with this author’s writing previously.
What I Struggled With
I did find how quickly these two jump into bed together a bit unreal, to be honest, it felt way too fast and I just didn’t feel that connection at first.
Overall View
Charged is a wild and fastly paced romance that will curl your toes and keep your energy spiked through its high focus of passion and exciting thrills which packs the story in such an utterly delightful way guaranteed to charm any reader willing to delve and take a chance on this pair.
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
“Even when someone doesn’t want our story, we are still compelled to tell it.”
First Impressions
Charged is the second book in the “Saints of Denver” series and I am finally back to reading this author and I am so thrilled about it. I have really neglected this author recently and I do love her writing style, she writes the best bad boys/girls in her stories and there is this gritty charm that sucks you right into the story and I wasn’t sure how I felt about the heroine being the bad girl in the story but Jay Crownover completely made this work so beautifully in this story. I was first drawn to this cover, and yes the pink hair did it for me because its so rare to see pink hair on a romance cover, and I was intrigued. The story definitely delivers in all its beauty in showcasing the value in finding love when and where you least expect it and how well opposites can complement each other so well. I was delighted to see how these two would find a balance together and it just works in such a lively way with some thrills along the way.
It was the first time in my life that a bad idea felt like the best idea I had ever had.
Summary
Avett Walker has always walked on the edge, just coming short of ever truly breaking the law seriously, running with the bad crowd and getting into all sorts of trouble and yet her father is always the one to come to her aid like a knight on a white horse, but now she is in deep trouble and not even her father will be able to save her because she got caught up with some people she never expected to betray her and now with a policeman hurt, she knows it will take a miracle to get out of this. But then walks into her jail cell….is none other than Quaid Jackson, who is one of the top defense lawyers in the city and he was hired by a friend of her father’s who should despise her but offers out a helping hand when she betrayed him. Sparks fly between Avett and Quaid and there is a hidden passion that bursts between them. Quaid has always kept the appearances of being the cold unfeeling lawyer he is supposed to be, but underneath it all he craves something soft and sweet and fiery as he finds with Avett. But their worlds collide, and he knows he can’t ever let her go no matter the cost to his career. But there is much more at stake, as Avett is in danger and Quaid might be her saving grace…
And I do want your story, if you want to give it to me. Tell me why you’re rushing after the wrong kinds of things, time and time again, when the right kinds of things would die for a shot at getting a taste of all that wild and sweet you have inside of you.
What I Loved
Charged was such a fiery hot read that kept me on my toes and I couldn’t help but be charmed by this story here. I was so in love with these characters from the beginning and I just wanted to see them come together and explore what they had together. Even though the “bad girl” heroines don’t always work for me, Jay Crownover worked for me and I really was charmed by Avett’s back story and why she has acted out over the years and seeing her inner growth in finding herself and learning to build her life back better than before was pure beauty. Quaid is a hero that every romance lover will come to love. I loved his solid strength and his steady faith in Avett and what she is capable of. He never loses faith in her, and only connects more deeply with her when her story is told to him. The level of trust that is built between them, in the beginning, was so heartfelt and these small intimate moments that really build the intimacy within the story and only grow the momentum of the plot that allows the reader to connect deeply with the characters. We get some side characters and I absolutely loved seeing some of my favorites from Built I definitely need to finish up the series because I had forgotten how much I had fallen in love with this author’s writing previously.
Some of us are born into the storm and some of us are born to chase after it
What I Struggled With
I did find how quickly these two jump into bed together a bit unreal, to be honest, it felt way too fast and I just didn’t feel that connection at first.
Overall View
Charged is a wild and fastly paced romance that will curl your toes and keep your energy spiked through its high focus of passion and exciting thrills which packs the story in such an utterly delightful way guaranteed to charm any reader willing to delve and take a chance on this pair.
The one he knew without a doubt he loved beyond measure and wanted to keep forever.
February 6, 2017
Wow what a story had to fight myself at times to put the book down. Every page was well written from the title this book is addicting.
Quaid is a sexy lawyer who has been used by his ex wife. He tries to forget about his past and his old wild self. When he meets Avett she awakens his wild side. So thankful for that because he can be a sexy beast. I love a man with a tattoo but one who rides a motorcycle is so much hotter.
Avett is a strong fierce woman who has lost herself. Love how she wouldn't change her pink hair for anyone.
Quaid is a sexy lawyer who has been used by his ex wife. He tries to forget about his past and his old wild self. When he meets Avett she awakens his wild side. So thankful for that because he can be a sexy beast. I love a man with a tattoo but one who rides a motorcycle is so much hotter.
Avett is a strong fierce woman who has lost herself. Love how she wouldn't change her pink hair for anyone.
May 26, 2016
4.5 stars
"She was everything i wanted and all that i never knew i needed"
I never liked Avett. In fact i never thought that she would get a book. But when it was announced that the swanky and gorgeous lawyer Quaid Jackson is going to be paired with Avett, the only thing going through my head was how will the author redeem her in our eyes.
Avett is a pink haired troublemaker with no respect for her dad or for herself. She hits rock bottom in this book after being arrested for a crime she gets unwillingly roped into. With the help of Quaid she pulls herself back from the edge. We learn about the reason behind her destructive behavior and it makes up for all the mayhem that she has caused till now.
The author delivers a heart felt story about two apparently different individuals finding their anchor in each other. Other than Avett, Quiad too has a rough history. He has immersed his life trying to run from his roots by hiding behind material things, which he thought increased his worth in the eyes of others but Avett makes him show that the only pricey commodity possessed by him is "HIMSELF". His parents, ex-wife all have wanted something from him but Avett is the only one who loves him for himself.
I loved this story very much. There was a great dose of family love which is Ms. Crownover's specialty. A new character is introduced here: Wheeler and i am almost sure that he is going to be paired with Poppy Cruz. Church's story is next and i have no doubt the series is going to be as awesome as the "Marked Men" series.
Out of all the books i have read of Ms. Crownover, this book has the most amount of sex scenes and they perfectly complimented Quaid and Avett's romance without being too much. Ardent readers of this series will be thrilled with this addition. I was and i will be waiting for the next book.
"She was everything i wanted and all that i never knew i needed"
I never liked Avett. In fact i never thought that she would get a book. But when it was announced that the swanky and gorgeous lawyer Quaid Jackson is going to be paired with Avett, the only thing going through my head was how will the author redeem her in our eyes.
Avett is a pink haired troublemaker with no respect for her dad or for herself. She hits rock bottom in this book after being arrested for a crime she gets unwillingly roped into. With the help of Quaid she pulls herself back from the edge. We learn about the reason behind her destructive behavior and it makes up for all the mayhem that she has caused till now.
The author delivers a heart felt story about two apparently different individuals finding their anchor in each other. Other than Avett, Quiad too has a rough history. He has immersed his life trying to run from his roots by hiding behind material things, which he thought increased his worth in the eyes of others but Avett makes him show that the only pricey commodity possessed by him is "HIMSELF". His parents, ex-wife all have wanted something from him but Avett is the only one who loves him for himself.
I loved this story very much. There was a great dose of family love which is Ms. Crownover's specialty. A new character is introduced here: Wheeler and i am almost sure that he is going to be paired with Poppy Cruz. Church's story is next and i have no doubt the series is going to be as awesome as the "Marked Men" series.
Out of all the books i have read of Ms. Crownover, this book has the most amount of sex scenes and they perfectly complimented Quaid and Avett's romance without being too much. Ardent readers of this series will be thrilled with this addition. I was and i will be waiting for the next book.
February 14, 2017
Picture Teaser:
Here is a link to an interview with Jay Crownover:
https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/...
I was hoping that Poppy and Quid would get a story together. I thought they would make a good match. I'm not thrilled that Avett and Quid will be getting a story together. I didn't like Avett that much in Asa. She seems immature and bratty. It's the first time not to excited for a story in the Marked Men world.
I guess maybe Poppy will get a story with Wheeler. I can get behind that one.
I really like the book cover! The pink hair is a nice touch.
Teaser: Chapter One :
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
Another Teaser
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
I thought it was really nice of Asa to get Avett a lawyer and pay all of her legal fees. She owes him a big thank you. I hope Asa is in some of the book.
Quid Teaser:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
Avett Teaser:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
Here is a link to an interview with Jay Crownover:
https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/...
I was hoping that Poppy and Quid would get a story together. I thought they would make a good match. I'm not thrilled that Avett and Quid will be getting a story together. I didn't like Avett that much in Asa. She seems immature and bratty. It's the first time not to excited for a story in the Marked Men world.
I guess maybe Poppy will get a story with Wheeler. I can get behind that one.
I really like the book cover! The pink hair is a nice touch.
Teaser: Chapter One :
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
Another Teaser
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
I thought it was really nice of Asa to get Avett a lawyer and pay all of her legal fees. She owes him a big thank you. I hope Asa is in some of the book.
Quid Teaser:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
Avett Teaser:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCro...
dnf
June 25, 2016DNF at 35%
I'm not saying the book is bad but I don't like Avett and honestly since Asa I've been kinda done with Jay's books. Her female heroines are just not likeable and in the two books of this new series I had to push myself to read and I didn't like it so this is the end of the road for me.
I'm not saying the book is bad but I don't like Avett and honestly since Asa I've been kinda done with Jay's books. Her female heroines are just not likeable and in the two books of this new series I had to push myself to read and I didn't like it so this is the end of the road for me.
June 14, 2016
Once again, it is abundantly clear that Charged is a Jay Crownover book. The writing, the story with it's recurring messages and themes, the characters lends itself to the type of book I've come to expect and love from Jay.
Avett isn't new to readers. We've seen her pop up, not in the most positive light, throughout The Marked Men Series. She's a troublemaker that is sure to give her dad, Brite, a heart attack. Avett has a special gift for falling in with the wrong crowd. This time around it lands her in jail and fearing that her actions have finally hit too close to home. Her boyfriend did try to rob her dad's bar. This is where Quaid comes in. We caught bits of this handsome lawyer in Built as he pursued Sayer. He came off as a conceited player. That probably plays into his persona as one the best criminal attorneys. This is where Avett and Quaid's worlds collide; they clearly don't get off on the right side of the law, but the attraction is quickly apparent. Which how could they not eventually act on it, even with heartbreak written in their future.
Avett is a tough, no-nonsense, I don't deserve forgiveness spark plug of a lady. Her colourful hair along with her attitude sets her apart and ultimately makes her unforgettable. Quaid clearly has a past that has sparked his driven force of nature personality. He's the type of lawyer that you would sell your house to have on your side in the courtroom. Both have pasts that aren't so much as in the past as they'd like. Avett was just a child that found trouble, and that trouble got worse as she got older until what she sees as her actions, thus her fault, caused the unthinkable. So as far as Avett is concerned there's no redemption out there for her. But finding herself in jail, seeing what that does to her parents, Avett isn't ready for it to be the end. Quaid grew up with nothing, but he never wanted to be nothing. A career that can buy him all the material things and a loving wife was all he wanted. At least that's what he thought. Neither of those things could keep his wife around. Quaid thought he was fine. But Avett might just be his salvation. He's lonely and has the means to keep her safe. Keeping her out of jail wasn't the end of Avett's problems. Pain, mess and disorder all seem to be rearing their ugly heads.
Because of who Avett is(Brite's daughter), I was excited by the appearances of a few of Jay's past men. The bar is a prominent character from The Marked Men series, and that hasn't changed in Charged. I mean it's the confrontation center for this book and Avett's woes. I also really liked getting to know Brite a bit more. He's this tough biker guy that seems to be full of all the wisdom. And how can you not like him? Avett is a tough cookie to like, unlike her dad. But Jay made it that way. You're hopefully able to warm up to her and finally come to understand her. I had troubles doing that. And it wasn't that Avett's past kept from forgiving her, it's that her journey in Charged felt a little wonky. Everyone and their sister are giving you their hand, take it without so much attitude. Gah. Quaid what a juxtaposition. This hard-ass lawyer is really just a confused lonely guy in the inside. Quaid, I liked. I understand wanting to be a better person, was his definition of better a little materialistic? Sure, but his childhood negates his understanding. I really just wanted to get him a few good friends to help him out. Avett and Quaid have an obvious attraction. Different worlds may be their mantra, but love doesn't care. But hey, it's always fun to watch the couple try and fight their love. I always know who's going to win that war.
The real rub, this was not my favourite of Jay's books. Avett was a piss off that I had a real hard time feeling sorry for. Redemption was not her middle name, ya get me? The relationship between Avett and Quaid was awkward and super forced. I don't think I had one awwww moment. Or even one I thought was hot. Unfortunately, Avett and Quaid are now dubbed my last favourite couple of Jay's. Lastly, the therapy like bullshit everyone was spitting out. And I mean everyone. No matter the situation. No matter the moment. It was like one very long therapy session. There wasn't one single joke or humorous moment. Avett would start to play around with Quaid and he would quickly cut it off with a serious conversation. Or vice versa. Really annoying.
Charged offered a bit more suspense than past books. Which I think Jay did really well. So not only are you getting this rocky road to a romance between two characters who deeply need a person to pull them out of their lives. And just jump into something new; with the added bonus of some thrilling moments. Like mentioned earlier, Charged has Jay's trademark style all over it. And that's never a bad thing. It's why I constantly need to pick up her new book right away; it's comforting, like coming home.
Avett isn't new to readers. We've seen her pop up, not in the most positive light, throughout The Marked Men Series. She's a troublemaker that is sure to give her dad, Brite, a heart attack. Avett has a special gift for falling in with the wrong crowd. This time around it lands her in jail and fearing that her actions have finally hit too close to home. Her boyfriend did try to rob her dad's bar. This is where Quaid comes in. We caught bits of this handsome lawyer in Built as he pursued Sayer. He came off as a conceited player. That probably plays into his persona as one the best criminal attorneys. This is where Avett and Quaid's worlds collide; they clearly don't get off on the right side of the law, but the attraction is quickly apparent. Which how could they not eventually act on it, even with heartbreak written in their future.
Avett is a tough, no-nonsense, I don't deserve forgiveness spark plug of a lady. Her colourful hair along with her attitude sets her apart and ultimately makes her unforgettable. Quaid clearly has a past that has sparked his driven force of nature personality. He's the type of lawyer that you would sell your house to have on your side in the courtroom. Both have pasts that aren't so much as in the past as they'd like. Avett was just a child that found trouble, and that trouble got worse as she got older until what she sees as her actions, thus her fault, caused the unthinkable. So as far as Avett is concerned there's no redemption out there for her. But finding herself in jail, seeing what that does to her parents, Avett isn't ready for it to be the end. Quaid grew up with nothing, but he never wanted to be nothing. A career that can buy him all the material things and a loving wife was all he wanted. At least that's what he thought. Neither of those things could keep his wife around. Quaid thought he was fine. But Avett might just be his salvation. He's lonely and has the means to keep her safe. Keeping her out of jail wasn't the end of Avett's problems. Pain, mess and disorder all seem to be rearing their ugly heads.
Because of who Avett is(Brite's daughter), I was excited by the appearances of a few of Jay's past men. The bar is a prominent character from The Marked Men series, and that hasn't changed in Charged. I mean it's the confrontation center for this book and Avett's woes. I also really liked getting to know Brite a bit more. He's this tough biker guy that seems to be full of all the wisdom. And how can you not like him? Avett is a tough cookie to like, unlike her dad. But Jay made it that way. You're hopefully able to warm up to her and finally come to understand her. I had troubles doing that. And it wasn't that Avett's past kept from forgiving her, it's that her journey in Charged felt a little wonky. Everyone and their sister are giving you their hand, take it without so much attitude. Gah. Quaid what a juxtaposition. This hard-ass lawyer is really just a confused lonely guy in the inside. Quaid, I liked. I understand wanting to be a better person, was his definition of better a little materialistic? Sure, but his childhood negates his understanding. I really just wanted to get him a few good friends to help him out. Avett and Quaid have an obvious attraction. Different worlds may be their mantra, but love doesn't care. But hey, it's always fun to watch the couple try and fight their love. I always know who's going to win that war.
The real rub, this was not my favourite of Jay's books. Avett was a piss off that I had a real hard time feeling sorry for. Redemption was not her middle name, ya get me? The relationship between Avett and Quaid was awkward and super forced. I don't think I had one awwww moment. Or even one I thought was hot. Unfortunately, Avett and Quaid are now dubbed my last favourite couple of Jay's. Lastly, the therapy like bullshit everyone was spitting out. And I mean everyone. No matter the situation. No matter the moment. It was like one very long therapy session. There wasn't one single joke or humorous moment. Avett would start to play around with Quaid and he would quickly cut it off with a serious conversation. Or vice versa. Really annoying.
Charged offered a bit more suspense than past books. Which I think Jay did really well. So not only are you getting this rocky road to a romance between two characters who deeply need a person to pull them out of their lives. And just jump into something new; with the added bonus of some thrilling moments. Like mentioned earlier, Charged has Jay's trademark style all over it. And that's never a bad thing. It's why I constantly need to pick up her new book right away; it's comforting, like coming home.
May 8, 2016
Review by Trinette Dungee
I’ll try not to be biased but because I love Jay Crownover, it’s extremely hard not to be.
When I or we were first introduced to Avett Walker, I wasn’t a fan. I thought she was bratty and entitled; and when I leaned that she was going to have her own book I just assumed I was going to read it because it was Jay but not really like it. My first introduction to Quaid Jackson wasn’t much better. I thought he was arrogant and full of him-self so these two coupled together, yeah…I wasn’t feeling it. When will I learn, never ever underestimate the power of Jay Crownover to take two very undesirable individuals and turn then into to two very loved characters.
Avett Walker has always pushed the envelope, toed the line, teetered on the wild side and it’s finally caught up with her. She’s found herself in jail and looking at some very serious jail time. She’s finally seen the error in her ways and hopefully it’s not too late. Her only hope is the high power attorney whose been hired by a friend. With his shiny shoes, thousand dollar suits, swanky apartment She and Quaid Jackson couldn’t be more different if they were from different planets. As different as they are Avett can’t help the attraction she feels towards Quaid Jackson. When he rides to her rescue on a tricked out motorcycle Avett soon learns that she and Quaid aren’t so different but she refuses to let her shady past take him off the perfect path Quaid has set for himself.
Quaid Jackson is on his way to the top. He’s comes from nothing and has experienced the shock of his life when his wife left him. Meeting Avett Walker has made him face demons he thought he slayed a long time ago. On paper he and Avett couldn’t be more different. She has no direction, no goals; the only thing she appears to be consistent in is finding her-self in bad situations. Quaid knew from an early age that he wanted more out of life; even if it meant going against his parents and distancing himself from his past life. But on a night when he finds himself rescuing Avett, he let’s down his guard and then there is no turning back. And as Avett’s life threatened he is front and center to protect her.
I think I started to fall in love with Quaid 10 percent into Charged when he gave his background about his marriage. It was then that I realized Quaid was vulnerable and he didn’t really have a problem showing his vulnerability when necessary. While I do believe Avett was something of a brat, she was good person. Right away, from her experience in jail you realize how vulnerable she is and my heart broke for her when she told her story to Quaid; totally made you understand every bad choice she ever made. One thing you understand from the beginning is how much she loves her dad. She loves both of her parents but she most definitely is a daddy’s girl. Although she might come off as flakey when it comes to other people she’s fiercely loyal to those in her circle.
Which brings me to something else I love about Jay Crownover, her peripheral characters are pivotal to her stories. I’ve been curious about Brite Walker since we first met him in Rome’s story and even though this isn’t his story, you get his background as well as Avett’s mom, Darcy’s story. I’m normally not a fan of age gaps with characters. I’m pretty good with a five year age gap, anything over that creeps me out a bit and ten years definitely is a “no-no” for me and it doesn’t matter who’s older, there’s just something about it that’s in the back of my mind that nags at me about it but in this case…it hardly registered with me.
This is book 2 in the Saints of Denver series, which is a spin-off of the Marked Men series, and as usual, there are peripheral characters that are brought to the forefront and of course you know they are going to have a story. The question now is will it be Church or Wheeler both have my mouth watering in anticipation.
I’ve read the majority of Ms. Crownover’s novels and I have yet to read one that I didn’t enjoy.
I’ll try not to be biased but because I love Jay Crownover, it’s extremely hard not to be.
When I or we were first introduced to Avett Walker, I wasn’t a fan. I thought she was bratty and entitled; and when I leaned that she was going to have her own book I just assumed I was going to read it because it was Jay but not really like it. My first introduction to Quaid Jackson wasn’t much better. I thought he was arrogant and full of him-self so these two coupled together, yeah…I wasn’t feeling it. When will I learn, never ever underestimate the power of Jay Crownover to take two very undesirable individuals and turn then into to two very loved characters.
Avett Walker has always pushed the envelope, toed the line, teetered on the wild side and it’s finally caught up with her. She’s found herself in jail and looking at some very serious jail time. She’s finally seen the error in her ways and hopefully it’s not too late. Her only hope is the high power attorney whose been hired by a friend. With his shiny shoes, thousand dollar suits, swanky apartment She and Quaid Jackson couldn’t be more different if they were from different planets. As different as they are Avett can’t help the attraction she feels towards Quaid Jackson. When he rides to her rescue on a tricked out motorcycle Avett soon learns that she and Quaid aren’t so different but she refuses to let her shady past take him off the perfect path Quaid has set for himself.
Quaid Jackson is on his way to the top. He’s comes from nothing and has experienced the shock of his life when his wife left him. Meeting Avett Walker has made him face demons he thought he slayed a long time ago. On paper he and Avett couldn’t be more different. She has no direction, no goals; the only thing she appears to be consistent in is finding her-self in bad situations. Quaid knew from an early age that he wanted more out of life; even if it meant going against his parents and distancing himself from his past life. But on a night when he finds himself rescuing Avett, he let’s down his guard and then there is no turning back. And as Avett’s life threatened he is front and center to protect her.
I think I started to fall in love with Quaid 10 percent into Charged when he gave his background about his marriage. It was then that I realized Quaid was vulnerable and he didn’t really have a problem showing his vulnerability when necessary. While I do believe Avett was something of a brat, she was good person. Right away, from her experience in jail you realize how vulnerable she is and my heart broke for her when she told her story to Quaid; totally made you understand every bad choice she ever made. One thing you understand from the beginning is how much she loves her dad. She loves both of her parents but she most definitely is a daddy’s girl. Although she might come off as flakey when it comes to other people she’s fiercely loyal to those in her circle.
Which brings me to something else I love about Jay Crownover, her peripheral characters are pivotal to her stories. I’ve been curious about Brite Walker since we first met him in Rome’s story and even though this isn’t his story, you get his background as well as Avett’s mom, Darcy’s story. I’m normally not a fan of age gaps with characters. I’m pretty good with a five year age gap, anything over that creeps me out a bit and ten years definitely is a “no-no” for me and it doesn’t matter who’s older, there’s just something about it that’s in the back of my mind that nags at me about it but in this case…it hardly registered with me.
This is book 2 in the Saints of Denver series, which is a spin-off of the Marked Men series, and as usual, there are peripheral characters that are brought to the forefront and of course you know they are going to have a story. The question now is will it be Church or Wheeler both have my mouth watering in anticipation.
I’ve read the majority of Ms. Crownover’s novels and I have yet to read one that I didn’t enjoy.
August 29, 2018
"When we touched, my blood felt charged, stimulated in a way I’d never felt before."
Muy linda historia!!!!
Adoré a Quaid en el libro anterior, si bien él no era la persona adecuada para Sayer siempre estuve intrigada por conocer más sobre su historia y los motivos que lo llevaban a ser como era, así que me zambullí en la historia ni bien tuve el libro en mis manos.
Quiad Jackson es un abogado, famoso por sus casos controvertidos y un por un muy público y desastroso divorcio. Él se siente completamente vacío después de toda esa experiencia; su vida es toda una apariencia, con sus trajes de diseñador, su costoso reloj y un estilo de vida que esconde al verdadero hombre en el fondo. Todo cambia cuando Quaid es contratado por Asa Cross para defender a Avett Walker, quien una vez más está en problemas, pero ésta vez es serio y acaba en prisión. Cuando Quiad conoce a Avett en prisión ve una mujer joven vestida de naranja con cabello rosado y el terror en sus ojos, pero a pasar de todo ve una mujer dispuesta a aceptar las consecuencias de la cadena de situaciones que la llevaron allí; y eso es algo que cautiva a Quaid.
Si bien parece que ambos personajes son los opuestos en todo sentido, tienen más en común de lo que ellos creen, siendo Quaid el abogado de Avett él conoce muchos de sus secretos pero Avett siempre es honesta con el, contándole el verdadero motivo de su misión de autodestrucción. Quaid también tiene sus secretos y una misión parecida pero la valentía de Avett lo lleva a abrir su corazón y su pasado a la mujer de la que, a pesar de las aparentes diferencias, se enamora perdidamente.
Con un poco de drama y la mezcla de un grupo de dealers bastante terroríficos hace que la mezcla de romance y acción sea totalmente adictiva. Lo que más adoro de los libros de Jay son sus personajes, siempre son complejos y extremos pero sus historias siempre van más allá de las apariencias y de los estándares de la sociedad llegando a la verdadera esencia de la persona y éste caso no es la excepción. Además tenemos aparición de Asa, Royal y Rome. Y una pequeña mirada de lo que será la historia de Church y Dixie en el próximo libro.
Descubrir como ésta serie se relaciona con los adorables Marked Men es otro bonus para las que adoramos esa serie. Muchas reflexiones sobre el amor, las relaciones, la familia, las decisiones que tomamos y quienes somos en realidad hace de éste libro una gran historia como Jay suele escribir.
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