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Ash
Ash:
I married Summer to save her life, and then I was forced to break her heart.
I'm back in town, and I'm never letting her go again.
She's the woman who changed me.
She's my wife, and she's going to have my baby.
Summer:
He told me he’d always protect me. Then he disappeared without a trace.
Jonathan Ash is not the kind of man you marry.
He’s a fierce, hard-bodied, tattooed, womanizing mafia soldier.
Me and Ash? We were done three years ago.
But Ash is waving around a marriage certificate that proves otherwise.
He says he deserves a chance.
He says he wants me to have our baby.
And he’s not signing any f*cking divorce papers.
I married Summer to save her life, and then I was forced to break her heart.
I'm back in town, and I'm never letting her go again.
She's the woman who changed me.
She's my wife, and she's going to have my baby.
Summer:
He told me he’d always protect me. Then he disappeared without a trace.
Jonathan Ash is not the kind of man you marry.
He’s a fierce, hard-bodied, tattooed, womanizing mafia soldier.
Me and Ash? We were done three years ago.
But Ash is waving around a marriage certificate that proves otherwise.
He says he deserves a chance.
He says he wants me to have our baby.
And he’s not signing any f*cking divorce papers.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2016
199 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Whitlow
22 books231 followersLexi Whitlow is a small-town girl with big dreams. She spent her early years growing up between Virginia and North Carolina, playing in the dark rich dirt of Eastern North Carolina at her granddaddy's farm. She's a Southern as can be, and she spends her days chasing her five-year-old and her puggle (that's a pug-beagle hybrid, folks) and writing her ass off.
She holds a master's degree in English literature, and her mom is so proud she's "using her degree."
Lexi harbors a not-so-secret love for bad boys. She loves fighters, tough-as-nails cowboys, bikers, and criminals. Her husband is a scientist... but he has the heart of a bad boy for sure. She spends what little free time she has crocheting, painting, and going on long walks with her family.
She holds a master's degree in English literature, and her mom is so proud she's "using her degree."
Lexi harbors a not-so-secret love for bad boys. She loves fighters, tough-as-nails cowboys, bikers, and criminals. Her husband is a scientist... but he has the heart of a bad boy for sure. She spends what little free time she has crocheting, painting, and going on long walks with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
June 8, 2017
This was a bonus book after Royal Beast, and just like Royal Beast, it would have been a cute little read full of sexy good times if not for the discrepancies.
Ash is a bad boy turned good for love, and Summer is a doctor. They have an on again off again relationship for reasons that we are left in the dark about for longer than we should be. There are a couple of times in the story that the reader is put off...
"But I don't know if I can bring myself to tell her the whole story, not yet."
or
"'It's a long story. And you can't tell Summer. Not a word.' I lean in, and she tells me."
And every time it happened I got annoyed. I don't mind a little suspense, but to leave me in the dark just for the sake of prolonging the story is stupid.
As I said, there are a ton of discrepancies, and I'm not one of those people who can overlook them. (God how I wish I could!) Every time it happens, I find myself going back in the story, searching out that initial scene--maybe I was wrong, maybe I misunderstood--but no, the facts don't line up, and this is such an easy fix that I find I can't forgive it.
Ash is a bad boy turned good for love, and Summer is a doctor. They have an on again off again relationship for reasons that we are left in the dark about for longer than we should be. There are a couple of times in the story that the reader is put off...
"But I don't know if I can bring myself to tell her the whole story, not yet."
or
"'It's a long story. And you can't tell Summer. Not a word.' I lean in, and she tells me."
And every time it happened I got annoyed. I don't mind a little suspense, but to leave me in the dark just for the sake of prolonging the story is stupid.
As I said, there are a ton of discrepancies, and I'm not one of those people who can overlook them. (God how I wish I could!) Every time it happens, I find myself going back in the story, searching out that initial scene--maybe I was wrong, maybe I misunderstood--but no, the facts don't line up, and this is such an easy fix that I find I can't forgive it.
May 3, 2016
3 Solid Stars Good for me just not Great
OK, I just finished this book, which by the way, was my first read by this author! I thought it was a good read, I just wasn't "wow'd" by it if that makes sense.
The writing was good BUT the constant going back n forth between the past and present didn't really help with the flow of the story for me. I felt like a ping pong ball and although I get what she was doing, I guess for me it disrupted the smoothness or rather the seamless flow of the story.
With that being said, I liked both characters but just couldn't fully connect with them either. Maybe, just maybe, if the storyline had flowed differently, it may have helped me to relate and connect better with the both of them.
I thought the premise of the story was great, it was the execution of it that fell short of my expectations.
Will I read another book by this author in the future, yes. I always like to state to my fellow readers that just because I may not have been in love with a book doesn't mean another reader won't absolutely love it!
Author Lexi Whitlow, congrats and keep up the good work. I can see that you have the potential and with time and growth, I think you could really blossom into an author whom I may certainly come to truly love and enjoy!
OK, I just finished this book, which by the way, was my first read by this author! I thought it was a good read, I just wasn't "wow'd" by it if that makes sense.
The writing was good BUT the constant going back n forth between the past and present didn't really help with the flow of the story for me. I felt like a ping pong ball and although I get what she was doing, I guess for me it disrupted the smoothness or rather the seamless flow of the story.
With that being said, I liked both characters but just couldn't fully connect with them either. Maybe, just maybe, if the storyline had flowed differently, it may have helped me to relate and connect better with the both of them.
I thought the premise of the story was great, it was the execution of it that fell short of my expectations.
Will I read another book by this author in the future, yes. I always like to state to my fellow readers that just because I may not have been in love with a book doesn't mean another reader won't absolutely love it!
Author Lexi Whitlow, congrats and keep up the good work. I can see that you have the potential and with time and growth, I think you could really blossom into an author whom I may certainly come to truly love and enjoy!
April 30, 2016
This is my first book to read by Lexie Whitow and I have to say it is a very good read. She has an amazing plot and the characters are AWESOME. Only complaint that I have about the book is the constant back and forth from the past to the present day. It got confusing to me. But as long as I could keep up with what was going on I found the book really enjoyable. I am a fan of the Mafia/Fighting/Mob type books. The Irish Mafia story line and the protection of leading female character by the leading male character Ash was very life like. You could actually take yourself back to the time of the mobs and mafia fighting over Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. The characters and the story line molded into one very good book. I recommend this book to mature readers 18 years or older who love lots of sex, murder, and may ham, oh and let us not forget a Gorgeous Hunk for the hero.
Jonathan Ash preferred to called Ash because he didn’t like the name Jonathan. The reason he didn’t like the name Jonathan was because it was his father’s name and his father lost him in a bet to the Irish Mafia leader Cullen Flood when he was just a small child. Ash grew up with Cullen’s nephews since he didn’t have any kids of own so Ash was actually considered “blood” family now. This means that his protected by Cullen and Cullen protects his family. Jonathan met Summer Colington in a bar and found that he wanted her. So he was bound to protect her from Cullen because of an ongoing feud between Cullen and Summer’s Aunt Bianca. Bianca had a bar in Hell’s Kitchen and Cullen wanted it. So when Summer came to visit her Aunt before she did her Residency to become a doctor it threw her right in the middle of the feud between Aunt Bianca and Cullen.
Ash comes up with the plan to marry Summer because Cullen would then consider her family and therefore that would protect her, Aunt Bianca and Summer’s mother from anything that Cullen was planning on doing to them in order to get Aunt Bianca’s bar. He has sworn to protect Summer and her family and then he is forced to break her heart and send her away so she could grow to be the woman he knew she could be. Ash eventually leaves Cullen and the family and moves to Summer’s hometown in North Carolina where he digs himself out of the gutter and waits just over three years for her Summer to return home form Doctors without Borders so he can convince her to give him another chance.
After Summer returns home to North Carolina not expecting Ash to be there, she runs into him in the hospital and old feeling start surfacing but Summer just cannot let Ash in to break her heart all over again. But Ash is doing everything in his power to win Summer over because he wants her back and he wants a family with her. Ash and Summer both are harboring secrets from each other. Can Ash and Summer work things out and get their happily ever after? Or will the past and all the secrets tear them apart?
No Spoilers. A definite must read. ARC free book given for an honest review.
Jonathan Ash preferred to called Ash because he didn’t like the name Jonathan. The reason he didn’t like the name Jonathan was because it was his father’s name and his father lost him in a bet to the Irish Mafia leader Cullen Flood when he was just a small child. Ash grew up with Cullen’s nephews since he didn’t have any kids of own so Ash was actually considered “blood” family now. This means that his protected by Cullen and Cullen protects his family. Jonathan met Summer Colington in a bar and found that he wanted her. So he was bound to protect her from Cullen because of an ongoing feud between Cullen and Summer’s Aunt Bianca. Bianca had a bar in Hell’s Kitchen and Cullen wanted it. So when Summer came to visit her Aunt before she did her Residency to become a doctor it threw her right in the middle of the feud between Aunt Bianca and Cullen.
Ash comes up with the plan to marry Summer because Cullen would then consider her family and therefore that would protect her, Aunt Bianca and Summer’s mother from anything that Cullen was planning on doing to them in order to get Aunt Bianca’s bar. He has sworn to protect Summer and her family and then he is forced to break her heart and send her away so she could grow to be the woman he knew she could be. Ash eventually leaves Cullen and the family and moves to Summer’s hometown in North Carolina where he digs himself out of the gutter and waits just over three years for her Summer to return home form Doctors without Borders so he can convince her to give him another chance.
After Summer returns home to North Carolina not expecting Ash to be there, she runs into him in the hospital and old feeling start surfacing but Summer just cannot let Ash in to break her heart all over again. But Ash is doing everything in his power to win Summer over because he wants her back and he wants a family with her. Ash and Summer both are harboring secrets from each other. Can Ash and Summer work things out and get their happily ever after? Or will the past and all the secrets tear them apart?
No Spoilers. A definite must read. ARC free book given for an honest review.
November 12, 2017
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone
Ages of H and h: in their 20s
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: summer had an ectopic pregnancy
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
Enjoyable book but the constant flashbacks distracted me from the story.
Ages of H and h: in their 20s
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: summer had an ectopic pregnancy
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
Enjoyable book but the constant flashbacks distracted me from the story.
May 26, 2016
Before I launch full-steam into the review, it’s worth noting that the story concept and follow-through could bump the rating to 4.5 stars, but the proofreading-type errors proved to be a bit more distracting than I liked. The book also started out a bit slower than I typically like, part of which I blamed on trying to get accustomed to the presentation of the material (i.e. first half of the chapter referred back three years and then the second half took place in the present; each chapter switched character point-of-view, as well, between Ash and Summer). This compelled me to rate it four stars.
Once I got into the rhythm of the book about quarter of the way in and started following the histories of the two main characters, Ash and Summer, and then the relationship between the Irish Mafia and Summer’s Aunt Bianca, I found the story moved along at a steady pace, though every once in a while the story would jump several weeks or months into the future. History is, however, the foundation of this story and a clear understanding of it was necessary for the evolution of Ash and Summer’s relationship.
Summer’s character seemed to be a haunted one – she was tormented by how she and Ash were separated when she left for a three-year stint with Doctors without Borders in Syria and the Ukraine, troubled by both her aunt’s and mother’s financial woes, grief-stricken after suffering an ectopic pregnancy, the surgical removal of her left ovary and subsequent supposed infertility, and then heartbroken over losing Ash – and she replays these scenarios over in-depth and at length. I had a difficult time connecting and identifying with Summer, though, in the beginning because frankly, Ash seemed to have changed and really wanted to be with her and she continued to be hung up on stuff that she shouldn’t have been hung up on if she cared for him as much as she claimed. As the story evolves, I found myself coming to terms with Summer as it became clear what her motivations were for acting the way she did towards Ash when she returned back to the States. Ash appears to be cold and non-emotional as the book starts, but as we learn about him and accept that he’s still a bad*ss, it becomes evident that he has always loved Summer and wanted to protect her. He is now willing to do anything – even be patient and bide his time, at least a little bit, to get Summer back. He has changed his ways, quit numerous vices and is trying to be on the straight and up, and he hasn’t even cast an eye at another woman since Summer left. Ash truly loves her. Oh, and the sex scenes? Hot damn.
Whitlow does a good job of developing characters, and the plot is solid and compelling. Though I did guess what was going to happen with the Summer/Biana/Cullen storyline, the twist on family ties was handled expertly and the long-term results (the will) added a satisfying karma-type element when all was said and done. Certain parts of the story seemed rushed or brushed over and, as mentioned earlier, it’s important for the reader to take note of the time sequence noted at the start of each chapter.
Favorite part?
Ash really, truly loved Summer and as his softer side came forth, you can’t help but like him. And a puppy? And wanting to do all he can to prolong the divorce proceedings so he can win Summer back, not to mention bailing out her mom’s bed and breakfast, stating he wants to have a family with her and walking her home from the hospital? And that he didn’t sleep with another woman for the three years she was gone? Wow. I’ll take him if she doesn’t want him!
Once I got into the rhythm of the book about quarter of the way in and started following the histories of the two main characters, Ash and Summer, and then the relationship between the Irish Mafia and Summer’s Aunt Bianca, I found the story moved along at a steady pace, though every once in a while the story would jump several weeks or months into the future. History is, however, the foundation of this story and a clear understanding of it was necessary for the evolution of Ash and Summer’s relationship.
Summer’s character seemed to be a haunted one – she was tormented by how she and Ash were separated when she left for a three-year stint with Doctors without Borders in Syria and the Ukraine, troubled by both her aunt’s and mother’s financial woes, grief-stricken after suffering an ectopic pregnancy, the surgical removal of her left ovary and subsequent supposed infertility, and then heartbroken over losing Ash – and she replays these scenarios over in-depth and at length. I had a difficult time connecting and identifying with Summer, though, in the beginning because frankly, Ash seemed to have changed and really wanted to be with her and she continued to be hung up on stuff that she shouldn’t have been hung up on if she cared for him as much as she claimed. As the story evolves, I found myself coming to terms with Summer as it became clear what her motivations were for acting the way she did towards Ash when she returned back to the States. Ash appears to be cold and non-emotional as the book starts, but as we learn about him and accept that he’s still a bad*ss, it becomes evident that he has always loved Summer and wanted to protect her. He is now willing to do anything – even be patient and bide his time, at least a little bit, to get Summer back. He has changed his ways, quit numerous vices and is trying to be on the straight and up, and he hasn’t even cast an eye at another woman since Summer left. Ash truly loves her. Oh, and the sex scenes? Hot damn.
Whitlow does a good job of developing characters, and the plot is solid and compelling. Though I did guess what was going to happen with the Summer/Biana/Cullen storyline, the twist on family ties was handled expertly and the long-term results (the will) added a satisfying karma-type element when all was said and done. Certain parts of the story seemed rushed or brushed over and, as mentioned earlier, it’s important for the reader to take note of the time sequence noted at the start of each chapter.
Favorite part?
Ash really, truly loved Summer and as his softer side came forth, you can’t help but like him. And a puppy? And wanting to do all he can to prolong the divorce proceedings so he can win Summer back, not to mention bailing out her mom’s bed and breakfast, stating he wants to have a family with her and walking her home from the hospital? And that he didn’t sleep with another woman for the three years she was gone? Wow. I’ll take him if she doesn’t want him!
April 27, 2016
Summer and Ash are estranged lovers. Their history is filled with pain, sorrow, but so much love. For three years, these two have lived their lives apart. Now, Summer's back from her stint with Doctors Without Borders completing her residency back home. What she didn't expect was to find Ash there waiting for her, even more wanting her forgiveness and to give them another chance. Summer's been through more than Ash could imagine and doesn't want to have her heart broken again. Ash was a bad boy, but when he loved, he loved hard and there wasn't a soul in the world he loved more than Summer. I loved how we got flashbacks into their past leading up to the present day. Lexi Whitlow wrote a story that spoke to your emotions. She had you so invested in their story, eager to know the full story and to see if they got their hea they more than deserved. I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2016
3.5 stars
This is what I would call a second chance romance with a bad boy.
What I liked - dual POV we get to understand both characters. I think I liked Ash more by knowing his thoughts. The past/present - this keep me page turning, I needed to know what happened to get them where they are now.
What I didn't care for - Summer. I just could not connect with her. I mean this guy was giving her everything he had and I felt she kept holding back on him.
Over all a good read.
This is what I would call a second chance romance with a bad boy.
What I liked - dual POV we get to understand both characters. I think I liked Ash more by knowing his thoughts. The past/present - this keep me page turning, I needed to know what happened to get them where they are now.
What I didn't care for - Summer. I just could not connect with her. I mean this guy was giving her everything he had and I felt she kept holding back on him.
Over all a good read.
April 6, 2017
Annoying
I wanted to like this book but halfway I just couldn't take it anymore.
The constant back and forth timeline got tedious real fast.
Also, the storyline was slow and the progress was slow too.
I wanted to like this book but halfway I just couldn't take it anymore.
The constant back and forth timeline got tedious real fast.
Also, the storyline was slow and the progress was slow too.
September 28, 2016
DNF 39%. This book is just awfully boring, can't get into the plot.
May 6, 2016
4.5 -- Marriage -- stars
Summer and Ash meet each other at a bar and have a wild one night stand. After that night, they think about each other but don’t expect to ever see each other again. They do meet again, but that meeting isn’t as nice as their first one. The attraction is still there, but Summer doesn’t like Ash’s job. When Summers life is in danger, Ash will do everything he can to protect her, even marrying her. Ash and Summer want to make their marriage work, but Ash will have to leave her to protect her. They are both heartbroken, but eventually move on.
Summer returns home three years later. Ash never signed the divorce papers, but Summer is determined to make him sign them. On her first day back at the hospital, Ash is her patient. She realizes the feelings are still there, but she doesn’t want to get hurt again so she pushes him away. Ash doesn’t give up easily. He also is determined to not sign the divorce papers and to make sure she gives him a second chance.
This book was real and emotional. They aren’t rich and they are struggling. They are struggling financially and that affects the realization of their dreams. They are also struggling with their pasts. Ash and Summer have secrets. Summer doesn’t know how to move from an horrible experience and this affects her relationship with Ash.
They may be struggling, but they are fighters, Ash especially. He’s determined to fight for Summer and never gives up. He would do anything for her. He supports her and will always be there for her. Everything he did in the past was to protect her, even if he didn’t want to do it. Summer has never forgotten Ash and still loves him. She realized that he was different than she thought. In the present, she finds calm and peace when Ash is around. She needs him. They are perfect for each other, in the past and in the present. Their love is very strong and it can survive everything.
I’m not a huge fan of flashbacks. In this book, it didn’t bother me too much, because knowing their history was necessary to understand their issues in the present. Also, the present scene was longer than the flashback each chapter and the flashback sometimes had a link to the present scene. The prologue was a flash back and I wanted to know everything about it.
-- ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! --
Summer and Ash meet each other at a bar and have a wild one night stand. After that night, they think about each other but don’t expect to ever see each other again. They do meet again, but that meeting isn’t as nice as their first one. The attraction is still there, but Summer doesn’t like Ash’s job. When Summers life is in danger, Ash will do everything he can to protect her, even marrying her. Ash and Summer want to make their marriage work, but Ash will have to leave her to protect her. They are both heartbroken, but eventually move on.
Summer returns home three years later. Ash never signed the divorce papers, but Summer is determined to make him sign them. On her first day back at the hospital, Ash is her patient. She realizes the feelings are still there, but she doesn’t want to get hurt again so she pushes him away. Ash doesn’t give up easily. He also is determined to not sign the divorce papers and to make sure she gives him a second chance.
This book was real and emotional. They aren’t rich and they are struggling. They are struggling financially and that affects the realization of their dreams. They are also struggling with their pasts. Ash and Summer have secrets. Summer doesn’t know how to move from an horrible experience and this affects her relationship with Ash.
They may be struggling, but they are fighters, Ash especially. He’s determined to fight for Summer and never gives up. He would do anything for her. He supports her and will always be there for her. Everything he did in the past was to protect her, even if he didn’t want to do it. Summer has never forgotten Ash and still loves him. She realized that he was different than she thought. In the present, she finds calm and peace when Ash is around. She needs him. They are perfect for each other, in the past and in the present. Their love is very strong and it can survive everything.
I’m not a huge fan of flashbacks. In this book, it didn’t bother me too much, because knowing their history was necessary to understand their issues in the present. Also, the present scene was longer than the flashback each chapter and the flashback sometimes had a link to the present scene. The prologue was a flash back and I wanted to know everything about it.
-- ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! --
April 28, 2016
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review and here it is: 3.5 stars.
This novel is a standalone second chance romance about two people, Ash and Summer, who have a one-night stand that becomes so much more.
Jonathan Ash was an MMA fighter, who, after an injury became a trainer. He's also a deeply entrenched member of the Irish mob in NYC, and looking for a way out when Summer walks into the bar he's sitting at and sits down next to him. Of course, they have sex. Flash forward 3 years and Summer has just returned home to North Carolina after 3 years in Syria and the Ukraine, working with Doctors Without Borders. On her first day of work in a hospital ER she's surprised when her next patient turns out to be Ash, the last person she wants to see. The same Ash who'd married her 3 years earlier to protect her from the Irish mob, who'd never showed up to go with her when she left the U.S., the same man who broke her heart, and who she's been trying to divorce unsuccessfully, since he won't cooperate and since the paperwork.
This is a complicated story about love, lies, family loyalty, betrayals, heartbreak and hope. It's also extremely erotic and definitely for the 18 and over reader--Ash and Summer connect best in bed. While Ash did grow on this reader eventually, I found some of the things he said to Summer, supposedly the love of his life, rather smarmy and distasteful.
While this story is complicated to begin with, and filled with many secondary characters and subplots, I found the constant jumping back and forth from the past to the present and back again every other chapter extremely disconcerting and disjointed. This is a novel that could easily have been told in a linear fashion and have been just as interesting and a far more enjoyable experience for the reader.
This novel is a standalone second chance romance about two people, Ash and Summer, who have a one-night stand that becomes so much more.
Jonathan Ash was an MMA fighter, who, after an injury became a trainer. He's also a deeply entrenched member of the Irish mob in NYC, and looking for a way out when Summer walks into the bar he's sitting at and sits down next to him. Of course, they have sex. Flash forward 3 years and Summer has just returned home to North Carolina after 3 years in Syria and the Ukraine, working with Doctors Without Borders. On her first day of work in a hospital ER she's surprised when her next patient turns out to be Ash, the last person she wants to see. The same Ash who'd married her 3 years earlier to protect her from the Irish mob, who'd never showed up to go with her when she left the U.S., the same man who broke her heart, and who she's been trying to divorce unsuccessfully, since he won't cooperate and since the paperwork.
This is a complicated story about love, lies, family loyalty, betrayals, heartbreak and hope. It's also extremely erotic and definitely for the 18 and over reader--Ash and Summer connect best in bed. While Ash did grow on this reader eventually, I found some of the things he said to Summer, supposedly the love of his life, rather smarmy and distasteful.
While this story is complicated to begin with, and filled with many secondary characters and subplots, I found the constant jumping back and forth from the past to the present and back again every other chapter extremely disconcerting and disjointed. This is a novel that could easily have been told in a linear fashion and have been just as interesting and a far more enjoyable experience for the reader.
April 21, 2016
I received this for a honest review. Lexi Whitlow has done a wonderful job. This makes the second book I have read from this author and she did not disappoint.
Summer Colington had dreams. She wanted to go to school and be a doctor. She was helping her aunt out in her aunt’s bar. Her aunt was in some serious trouble with the mafia. Summer’s aunt Bianca does not have the money and is way behind on what she owes Cullen the Don of the mafia.
Summer could not believe that one of the hottest men she had ever sleep with was part of the mafia. Ash could not understand these feeling he was having for Summer. All he knew is he had to have her one more time. One more time always seemed to turn into another. It was soon that Ash knew he would do what ever it took to protect Summer.
I found it funny that he talked Summer into marrying him to keep her safe. He knew that Cullen would never hurt what he called family and those in the mafia was were consider family. I truly did not like Summer’s aunt Bianca in this book. She did not find Ash worthy enough to be with Summer, even if they were married.
After a few years apart Summer finds herself back home. She was surprised to see Ash had waited for her. She is having issues forgiving him. Summer has some secrets. These secrets carry a lot of her for her. She worries how Ash will take the news. Summer is not the only one with secrets.
Though Ash appears changed she wonders how much he has truly changed. Summer will come to a cross road were she will have to decide if she is going to give their marriage a second chance. Ash on the other have will do whatever it takes to win her heart once more.
Summer Colington had dreams. She wanted to go to school and be a doctor. She was helping her aunt out in her aunt’s bar. Her aunt was in some serious trouble with the mafia. Summer’s aunt Bianca does not have the money and is way behind on what she owes Cullen the Don of the mafia.
Summer could not believe that one of the hottest men she had ever sleep with was part of the mafia. Ash could not understand these feeling he was having for Summer. All he knew is he had to have her one more time. One more time always seemed to turn into another. It was soon that Ash knew he would do what ever it took to protect Summer.
I found it funny that he talked Summer into marrying him to keep her safe. He knew that Cullen would never hurt what he called family and those in the mafia was were consider family. I truly did not like Summer’s aunt Bianca in this book. She did not find Ash worthy enough to be with Summer, even if they were married.
After a few years apart Summer finds herself back home. She was surprised to see Ash had waited for her. She is having issues forgiving him. Summer has some secrets. These secrets carry a lot of her for her. She worries how Ash will take the news. Summer is not the only one with secrets.
Though Ash appears changed she wonders how much he has truly changed. Summer will come to a cross road were she will have to decide if she is going to give their marriage a second chance. Ash on the other have will do whatever it takes to win her heart once more.
May 17, 2017
Well, read up to 60%. It just seemed to take too long to get to anything worth reading between the back and forth in time and the characters really showing no reason to love each other, because sorry, sex is not a foundation for love in my way of thinking. It had the regular read of a romance with they love each other, drama and by 60% they are going to be together, whether hat means they are going to have some big thing happen and they break it off right before they finish up the book together or hey are going to work to help each other with their separate dramas together and stay strong as a couple that way.
Being a romance I expect the outcome, but what truly makes a great romance is some twists and turns along the way and for me personally, something a little more concrete than sex,
Being a romance I expect the outcome, but what truly makes a great romance is some twists and turns along the way and for me personally, something a little more concrete than sex,
April 21, 2016
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summer left North Carolina three years ago to join Doctors Without Borders. Now home again, she runs into an unwelcome complication, Ash. Ash is a fighter and a soldier with the Irish Mafia, as well as her soon to be ex husband. Ash has worked hard to leave his past behind. He's coaching now and has dreams of opening his own business. Ash and Summer have a shared past, one Ash would like to get back to as soon as possible. Summer, not so much. She's still reeling from the hurt she sustained during that period in her life. Ash let her go believing it was in her best interest. Now he needs to fight, like never before, to win her back. He's keeping a lot of secrets that just might make that impossible. Their relationship may be unconventional, but Ash wants "forever after" and he's determined to get it. Three years ago, he did whatever it took to keep Summer safe. Now all bets are off. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK ! VERY ORIGINAL STORYLINE AND CHARACTERS ! I couldn't wait for Ash and Summer to get together-I knew it would be hot ! Lexi did not disappoint ! SCORCHING HOT SEX SCENES - mixed with "I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING" MOMENTS, MAKES THIS BOOK AN AWESOME READ ! ! A TRUE LOVE STORY WITH LOTS OF TWISTS AND TURNS MAKES THIS A DEFINITE ONE-CLICK ! ! !
Summer left North Carolina three years ago to join Doctors Without Borders. Now home again, she runs into an unwelcome complication, Ash. Ash is a fighter and a soldier with the Irish Mafia, as well as her soon to be ex husband. Ash has worked hard to leave his past behind. He's coaching now and has dreams of opening his own business. Ash and Summer have a shared past, one Ash would like to get back to as soon as possible. Summer, not so much. She's still reeling from the hurt she sustained during that period in her life. Ash let her go believing it was in her best interest. Now he needs to fight, like never before, to win her back. He's keeping a lot of secrets that just might make that impossible. Their relationship may be unconventional, but Ash wants "forever after" and he's determined to get it. Three years ago, he did whatever it took to keep Summer safe. Now all bets are off. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK ! VERY ORIGINAL STORYLINE AND CHARACTERS ! I couldn't wait for Ash and Summer to get together-I knew it would be hot ! Lexi did not disappoint ! SCORCHING HOT SEX SCENES - mixed with "I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING" MOMENTS, MAKES THIS BOOK AN AWESOME READ ! ! A TRUE LOVE STORY WITH LOTS OF TWISTS AND TURNS MAKES THIS A DEFINITE ONE-CLICK ! ! !
April 27, 2016
>Book Review – Ash
>This book is a standalone with an HEA. Ash is forced to work for the Irish mob in New York to pay off his father’s gambling debts. Ash eventually becomes the enforcer. He meets Summer after a one night stand and becomes infatuated with her. When Summer and her aunt become entangled in the mob, Ash does the only thing he can think of to save her. He marries her.
> The conflict in this story relies on miscommunication between Ash and Summer that lasts for 3 years. Ash is able to get free from the Irish mob boss and turns up in Summer’s home town in the Carolinas. I wondered at the ease with which Ash was able to leave the mob. Why couldn’t that have been an option earlier?
>The love story is a second chance love story, a little bit predictable. The lengths Ash goes through to prove his devotion to Summer is swoon worthy. Ash makes a grand gesture towards Summer’s mom, but the results are never revealed. Was the B&B successful or did the money only delay the inevitable?
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am a reviewer for Romance Author’s that Rock. I am giving this story 4 hearts. The story makes you feel good, even if the genre doesn’t carry the danger most mob books usually have.
>This book is a standalone with an HEA. Ash is forced to work for the Irish mob in New York to pay off his father’s gambling debts. Ash eventually becomes the enforcer. He meets Summer after a one night stand and becomes infatuated with her. When Summer and her aunt become entangled in the mob, Ash does the only thing he can think of to save her. He marries her.
> The conflict in this story relies on miscommunication between Ash and Summer that lasts for 3 years. Ash is able to get free from the Irish mob boss and turns up in Summer’s home town in the Carolinas. I wondered at the ease with which Ash was able to leave the mob. Why couldn’t that have been an option earlier?
>The love story is a second chance love story, a little bit predictable. The lengths Ash goes through to prove his devotion to Summer is swoon worthy. Ash makes a grand gesture towards Summer’s mom, but the results are never revealed. Was the B&B successful or did the money only delay the inevitable?
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am a reviewer for Romance Author’s that Rock. I am giving this story 4 hearts. The story makes you feel good, even if the genre doesn’t carry the danger most mob books usually have.
April 21, 2016
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This is about two people who come together as a one night stand that develops into a complex relationship. Ash falls for a girl named Summer who is on the right track with her life until her family goes and screws it up for her. Ash wants to be a man Summer can look up to, and he saves her life when he marries her. A lot of secrets and time later Summer comes back to the US and Ash begins to his quest to win his wife back. This book is well written and I like the dual point of view. The author does takes us back and to the present which I think helps with the story. A very well thought out book.with a lot of twists that you may or may not see coming, but worth the read anyway.
This is about two people who come together as a one night stand that develops into a complex relationship. Ash falls for a girl named Summer who is on the right track with her life until her family goes and screws it up for her. Ash wants to be a man Summer can look up to, and he saves her life when he marries her. A lot of secrets and time later Summer comes back to the US and Ash begins to his quest to win his wife back. This book is well written and I like the dual point of view. The author does takes us back and to the present which I think helps with the story. A very well thought out book.with a lot of twists that you may or may not see coming, but worth the read anyway.
May 5, 2016
3.5 stars.
Ash was a quick enjoyable read, I liked it, but it didn't wow me.
There wasn't anything that really stood out or made me want to keep reading. I think my main problem with this book is that nothing really happened and as far as bad boy romances go, there wasn't anything bad about Ash. He was actually very sweet and he tried his best. That being said, I did like him and I'm glad he got a HEA.
If you enjoy second chance romances you might enjoy this. It was a quick, easy read.
*I received a review copy of this book*
Ash was a quick enjoyable read, I liked it, but it didn't wow me.
There wasn't anything that really stood out or made me want to keep reading. I think my main problem with this book is that nothing really happened and as far as bad boy romances go, there wasn't anything bad about Ash. He was actually very sweet and he tried his best. That being said, I did like him and I'm glad he got a HEA.
If you enjoy second chance romances you might enjoy this. It was a quick, easy read.
*I received a review copy of this book*
May 21, 2016
I loved the story. The only thing that drove me crazy was the back and forth from the present back to the past. I would start to really get into the story, and it would jump backward in time. I thought it was too much, which is why I gave it a four instead of a five. Other than that, I really liked it, and do recommend it. There are some twists and turns that you might not expect. I received this book from the author in return for an honest review.
February 13, 2017
A good fast read with a decent plot. It kept me reading until the end and the tension was well placed. There's a fair bit of going back and forth in the timeline which can be very distracting. I'm not sure how it could've been done better. It was clearly marked though, so maybe the problem was me. I enjoyed it.
October 26, 2016
Did this book start to drag for anyone else. The story and both characters pov were great. I even got used to the past to present day. But for some reason half way thru i was bored.
April 29, 2017
ARC review For honest review. Summer and ash get married to save her family but things happened .ash trying to make them right . Very cute this has a past present chapters .
January 1, 2018
Je suis tombé sur cette romance contemporaine totalement par hasard parce qu’elle était gratuite sur Kindle. Jinxx était morte de rire quand elle a apprit que je le lisais et m’a demandé si c’était mon autobiographie… à moins que je ne sois un Irlandais de la pègre et tatoué, je ne pense pas que ce soit le cas ! Mais revenons-en à nos moutons, Ash était une lecture sympathique qui a parfaitement fait la transition entre deux autres romans plus complexes et puissants. Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard mais il a le mérité de nous faire passer un agréable moment.
Ash est un membre important de la mafia qui a monté les marches peu à peu et s’est fait un nom. C’est un véritable casanova, violent et autoritaire qui se croit tout permis jusqu’à ce qu’il rencontre une jeune femme dans un bar qui va tout changer. Il va devenir un meilleur homme, quelqu’un de plus normal qui rêve d’un avenir calme avec une femme et des enfants. Puis rapidement son passé revient à l’attaque et il doit faire un choix, celui de mentir à la femme qu’il aime. Quelques années plus tard, il retrouve Summer et tente de la reconquérir en lui prouvant qu’il est toujours celui qu’elle a rencontré, que ce n’était pas un mensonge. Ash est assez touchant à sa façon, c’est une brute qui est prêt à tout pour sa femme et on ne peut que fondre.
Summer elle est tout son opposé. C’est une étudiante en médecine douée qui a de grands rêves et qui prévoit de rejoindre Médecins Sans Frontières. Son mariage avec Ash n’y change rien, ils font des plans ensemble pour leur avenir, ils sont heureux ensemble au point d’oublier qu’il travaille pour la mafia qui menace sa famille. Puis vient le jour où il la trahit et elle part à l’autre bout du monde durant plusieurs années avant de revenir. Summer s’est endurcit et sa personnalité joyeuse et innocente a totalement volé en éclats. Elle est presque froide par instant et elle ne veut strictement plus rien à voir affaires avec son ex-mari. Mais elle va vite se rendre compte qu’elle ne fait que se mentir depuis tout ce temps.
On enchaîne les chapitres dans le présent et dans le passé, alternant toujours entre les deux points de vue afin d’avoir tous les aboutissants de l’histoire complexe qu’est la leur. Ils cachent tous deux des secrets à l’autre. Il y a plus d’une raison pour laquelle ils ne devraient pas se remettre ensemble, si ce n’est pour ne pas dire qu’ils n’auraient jamais dû se marier. Mais les choses se déroulent bien, on ne s’ennuie pas du tout et on en est même à être excité par ce qu’on va découvrir. Il y a bien entendu des scènes plus érotiques et même si elles sont nombreuses au début, j’ai apprécié que ce soit le côté émotionnel et ce qui les oppose tous les deux qui soit bien mis en avant.
Même s’il y a beaucoup de stéréotypes, sans parler de raccourcis assez flagrants pour résoudre certains problèmes, Ash est un roman bien construit et bien écrit aussi. L’auteure jongle bien entre l’action, la violence, le sexe et l’humour, sans oublier des larmes et des frissons. C’est assez complexe et condensé pour un oneshot, mais je trouve qu’il se suffit en soit, il n’y a pas besoin de plus.
Ash est un membre important de la mafia qui a monté les marches peu à peu et s’est fait un nom. C’est un véritable casanova, violent et autoritaire qui se croit tout permis jusqu’à ce qu’il rencontre une jeune femme dans un bar qui va tout changer. Il va devenir un meilleur homme, quelqu’un de plus normal qui rêve d’un avenir calme avec une femme et des enfants. Puis rapidement son passé revient à l’attaque et il doit faire un choix, celui de mentir à la femme qu’il aime. Quelques années plus tard, il retrouve Summer et tente de la reconquérir en lui prouvant qu’il est toujours celui qu’elle a rencontré, que ce n’était pas un mensonge. Ash est assez touchant à sa façon, c’est une brute qui est prêt à tout pour sa femme et on ne peut que fondre.
Summer elle est tout son opposé. C’est une étudiante en médecine douée qui a de grands rêves et qui prévoit de rejoindre Médecins Sans Frontières. Son mariage avec Ash n’y change rien, ils font des plans ensemble pour leur avenir, ils sont heureux ensemble au point d’oublier qu’il travaille pour la mafia qui menace sa famille. Puis vient le jour où il la trahit et elle part à l’autre bout du monde durant plusieurs années avant de revenir. Summer s’est endurcit et sa personnalité joyeuse et innocente a totalement volé en éclats. Elle est presque froide par instant et elle ne veut strictement plus rien à voir affaires avec son ex-mari. Mais elle va vite se rendre compte qu’elle ne fait que se mentir depuis tout ce temps.
On enchaîne les chapitres dans le présent et dans le passé, alternant toujours entre les deux points de vue afin d’avoir tous les aboutissants de l’histoire complexe qu’est la leur. Ils cachent tous deux des secrets à l’autre. Il y a plus d’une raison pour laquelle ils ne devraient pas se remettre ensemble, si ce n’est pour ne pas dire qu’ils n’auraient jamais dû se marier. Mais les choses se déroulent bien, on ne s’ennuie pas du tout et on en est même à être excité par ce qu’on va découvrir. Il y a bien entendu des scènes plus érotiques et même si elles sont nombreuses au début, j’ai apprécié que ce soit le côté émotionnel et ce qui les oppose tous les deux qui soit bien mis en avant.
Même s’il y a beaucoup de stéréotypes, sans parler de raccourcis assez flagrants pour résoudre certains problèmes, Ash est un roman bien construit et bien écrit aussi. L’auteure jongle bien entre l’action, la violence, le sexe et l’humour, sans oublier des larmes et des frissons. C’est assez complexe et condensé pour un oneshot, mais je trouve qu’il se suffit en soit, il n’y a pas besoin de plus.
June 5, 2017
Every chapter is written from the side of Ash or the side of Summer and starts with a flashback to their past.
(except the last chapters)
With this we hear both sides of the story and find out about their troubled past and present.
Ash is a bad boy who worked for the Irish mob when they meet. He saves her from danger by marrying her, but son after he has to break her heart to safe her again. But she doesn't know he did it because he wanted to safe her.
Now she is back in her home town after three years and he is there too.
She wants a divorce and he doesn't. He fights for her, showing he changed for the better. She is still attracted to him.Fireworks are flying and more drama is put in thanks to her mother being in debt and more.
Great raw story.
(except the last chapters)
With this we hear both sides of the story and find out about their troubled past and present.
Ash is a bad boy who worked for the Irish mob when they meet. He saves her from danger by marrying her, but son after he has to break her heart to safe her again. But she doesn't know he did it because he wanted to safe her.
Now she is back in her home town after three years and he is there too.
She wants a divorce and he doesn't. He fights for her, showing he changed for the better. She is still attracted to him.Fireworks are flying and more drama is put in thanks to her mother being in debt and more.
Great raw story.
May 8, 2018
Sooo..... I really wanted to like this book. I did for the most part. That being said I only gave it 3 stars because of three reasons.
1. The changes between the present and past got kind of annoying. I get that a back story needed to be told but the execution could have been better.
2. The story line confused me a little bet because I had previously read Longshot that tells the story of Josh and Natalie. But in Ash Natalie and Josh aren't together at this point.
3. There were a lot of errors with the editing. I found a few grammar mistakes.
I did push through the book. And I would read this book again. It really was a good story if you can get past some of the things that I mentioned.
1. The changes between the present and past got kind of annoying. I get that a back story needed to be told but the execution could have been better.
2. The story line confused me a little bet because I had previously read Longshot that tells the story of Josh and Natalie. But in Ash Natalie and Josh aren't together at this point.
3. There were a lot of errors with the editing. I found a few grammar mistakes.
I did push through the book. And I would read this book again. It really was a good story if you can get past some of the things that I mentioned.
September 5, 2017
It took me long to read because I put it aside a few times as the changing between the two main characters as well as between their past and present seemed confusing. Now that I'm on vacation, I had the time to concentrate and finished it. It takes a while until the story falls into place. Summer and Ash do have history and changed in the last 3 years. Will they overcome all secrets and problems to stay together instead of getting divorced as Summer wants? The part about her ectopic pregnancy was hard to read when you can relate to having lost a baby yourself but all in all, I liked this book in the end.
December 10, 2017
Ash is with the Irish mofia. He sees and does bad things. While at a club on his night off he runs into summer and things hit off great till her aunt B owes the mofia big bucks and the goon there to watch the place is none other than Ash. They work out a few differences and come to the agreement to marry so Cullen will stay off their backs. Until aunt B and Cullen make,arrangements for ash and summer to split apart. Three years,later summer is back and her first night on her new job she runs into ash. Can these two work out their differences. Or is this marriage done? Great read
February 5, 2019
This romance has a sweet med student getting involved with a mafia lackey. Ash falls for a girl in a bar and calls her sunshine, getting involved with her brings troubles from his Irish mafia family. He quickly marries her and let's her leave for doctors without borders, believing he never loved her. Three years later, she returns and all the hurt comes back,and Ash has to fight for her. Sunshine has not forgotten Ash's betrayal. Can the truth bring them together, or will she get her divorce and then leave?
November 12, 2018
Great read
Ash meets Summer in New York while he's working for Cullen, an Irish mob boss. Ash is a thug and Summer's an aspiring doctor. She falls hard but Ash is basically blackmailed into leaving her after they get married to save her life. There are a number of ups and downs, some big and some small, before they get back together, but they weather the storms for their happy ending.
Ash meets Summer in New York while he's working for Cullen, an Irish mob boss. Ash is a thug and Summer's an aspiring doctor. She falls hard but Ash is basically blackmailed into leaving her after they get married to save her life. There are a number of ups and downs, some big and some small, before they get back together, but they weather the storms for their happy ending.
July 11, 2017
Four stars. Could have been more if all the pages were there. This book kept skipping pages and chapters. Had to guess what was said before from where it started next
Would have been better if it didn't skip pages and chapters. Had to imagine what happened when it skipped a page or stared in the middle of a chapter
4
Would have been better if it didn't skip pages and chapters. Had to imagine what happened when it skipped a page or stared in the middle of a chapter
4
August 19, 2017
2.5 stars - I came very close to not finishing this book, but everytime I almost stopped something would happen to just barely keep me going.
Summer and Ash were an interesting couple, but I struggled to relate to either of them. I also struggled with the story line and the back and forth of it.
This just wasn't a book for me....
Summer and Ash were an interesting couple, but I struggled to relate to either of them. I also struggled with the story line and the back and forth of it.
This just wasn't a book for me....
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