Cutter

The Core Four #3

by Stacy Borel

Did somebody say baby?

Macie Rosewood was a firecracker, in and out of the bedroom. She lived her life according to her own rules and high standards. When she caught the attention from one of the most eligible Brooks brothers two years ago, Macie had found real love.

Dodger Brooks was the sensible brother that played hard and loved even harder. When Macie walked into his life, he found what he'd been looking for. After fear drove her away, Dodger wasn't one to give up so easily.

But what happens when sexual tension was too hard to resist, and Macie is left with more than just a hangover after her best friend's wedding?

What lengths are Dodger and Macie willing to go through in order to make a relationship work?

And what happens when another woman is hell-bent on splitting them apart?

Genres: Sports, New Adult, Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2017

About the author

Stacy is a mother of three, lover of food, and self-proclaimed coffee addict. She is a world traveler and started her crazy adventures at the ripe young age of five. Her father was an officer in the Air Force, and it allowed for her to see places from the Azores, Portugal to Honolulu, Hawaii. Stacy went to eight different schools before she graduated high school. After having her first two children, Stacy decided to expand on her love of reading and tried her hand at writing in 2012. She released her first novel mid-2013 and thus began her writing career. At the moment you can find Stacy in northern Alabama typing away on her next book, and enjoying life. Contact Stacy at stacy.borel@yahoo.com

Reviews

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG lets hope its a Macie and Dodger story or ill dieeee i reallyyy need this and i personally belive i needed this yesterday

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please tell me this will be out this year

[Megan Paterson]

When is this book being released? I'm dying to read it. I hope it is SOON...

[Bwmurf · Rating 2 out of 5]

What happened to my review? I spent more time on it than I usually do and it just disappeared. Well anyway I did not enjoy reading this book. Basically it comes down to one thing "was hero celibate during separation"? This is the kind of info I need in all books I read for it to be good but even more so with this book. Why? Because Dodger is all about Macie from the first he sees her, wants something serious with her and knows they are going to end up together, so whether or not he is celibate during their separation seems important as to know how strong those feelings were. I mean Macie ( who was always the reluctant one about something serious ) is celibate during separation so why is it important to know she was but not if the one professing all this great love was celibate. I agree with some other reviews that heroine was annoying but eventually she came around and if not for lack of info this would have been a good read to me. I don't believe I will read Wrigley's book, it seems I don't agree with what author thinks is pertinent to a story.

[Tpagirl Loves Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cutter was the third book in the Core Four series by Stacy Borel.

We met Dodger Brooks and Macie Rosewood in book one. I loved Dodger from day one. He was gorgeous, funny, confident, strong and all male. Macie was beautiful, sassy, funny, independent and strong willed. They flirted around each other in book one and two, but didn't stick. Up to this point, I liked Macie but didn't get to know her until now. Unfortunately, once we dove into all things Macie, I wasn't a fan. She was too standoffish and selfish for my taste. I struggled with finding a connection.

It was told from a single POV, Macie's. Since I really wasn't a fan of Macie's, I really wanted to hear Dodger's POV. I was craving more character development and depth that may have been provided with his perspective.

Borel took us through the journey of finding out about pregnancy, telling friends and family, and determining the appropriate direction for the future. She also explored the evolution of second chances between Dodger and Macie.

Although I liked the original premise of the story, my dislike of Macie and the abundant editing errors (numerous missing and extra words) got in the way of my full enjoyment. I just felt it wasn't executed well. My rating was a 2.5, which rounds to 3.

I enjoyed the series previously, and I'm a huge fan of the brothers so I'm not throwing in the towel yet. I have high hopes for the final brother, Wrigley.

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was just awful!

Macie, the heroine, was a terrible excuse for a human being: she was selfish, viciously sarcastic, mean, dropped the F-bomb practically every five seconds, thought nothing of almost physically assaulting her boyfriend (her "baby daddy") in front of his family, would rather be demeaning and spiteful instead of supportive, is a jealous, insecure woman who connives to get a woman fired because she believes she has the hots for her boyfriend (that was such a TERRIBLE plot line!), she actually thinks Maury Povich is great reality tv (anyone who gets off on other people's misery and dirty laundry being aired in public really needs to take remedial lessons on empathy and the value of human dignity) ... the list just goes on. What did Dodger even see in Macie? She was a brutish horror. Swearing does not really bother me, but it is childish to think that constant swearing and endless demeaning dialogue is funny. At one point, Macie even jokes about drugging her newborn baby so that she could get some sleep. NOT. FUNNY.

Want some more examples of this "epic fail"? In this story, Macie is a nurse: she is supposed to be an educated woman from a wealthy family. She works in a maternity ward but knows precious little about babies and gestation. Missed a few classes, did we? Her father is a doctor, and her mother is equally educated, but Macie seems to have no hesitation in saying the following to her boyfriend at a cafe - right in front of her parents - regarding her unplanned pregnancy:

"Christ on a cracker, Dodger. Don't go playing the martyr. Pretty sure I didn't slip and fall on your dick and this is how we got here."
Charming, right?!

Then, once the baby is born, Dodger's brother Wrigley takes one look at the baby and - I just cringed here - says, in front of his own mother, who is admiring the baby next to him:

"You certainly didn't get this one from a good ol' donkeypunch now did ya?" This term is seriously degrading to all human beings. What were the author and her editors even thinking?!!!!!

I'd give this story LESS than one star, but I don't think you can give MINUS one million points on Goodreads. I confess that I started skimming over large sections of the book after the first five chapters and as I did so I realized that things were only getting worse. Imagine, I didn't read every word of this book and I still found those terrible examples of human indignity: there could have been even worse examples of human degradation and disgraceful behaviour that I (gladly) missed.

Also, what's with the title? Cutter? I understand that "cutter" is a type of fastball in the game of baseball, but I don't get the link to this story.
Whatever!

I wish I'd given this sloppy, offensive, derogatory mess a miss.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has captivated me from the start and Cutter is no exception. Dodger and Macie’s story has been a long time coming. As these two fight for control, understanding and realization a curve ball gets thrown their way that will result in a put up or shut up situation. These two characters will frustrate you, make you laugh and have you all riled up in one. A love story about give and take and finally admitting to yourself that your forever has been staring you in the face.

[Katarzyna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jeśli ktoś lubi czytać o perypetiach kobiety w ciąży to śmiało polecam.
Oceniłam tak bo mnie to mało interesuje, bohaterki nie polubiłam, za bardzo się na niej wszystko skupiało, po prostu pępek świata ale uważam że każdy może inaczej odebrać tą książkę więc nie chce zniechęcać.

[Judy Karsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this series but was disappointed with Cutter. I found the story of Macie and Dodger to be rushed and it took awhile for Macie to be redeemed (she was a real bitch to Dodger in the beginning)in my eyes, it's not realistic to be angry and indifferent at the begining of an argument, to then go to love and wanting to spend your life together...in the space of about 5 minutes it seems. This book needs a second round with the editor because of all the grammatical errors and the double words or missing words in a sentence. This was not Ms. Borel's best work but I'm hoping she can redeem herself with Wrigleys' story.

[Silvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shitty characters, shitty conflict, shitty writing, shitty plot, shitty everything. I'm a sucker for pregnancy books so I enjoyed that part, but aside from that, this was a waste of my time.

[Teryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t stand Macie, which caused me to skip a lot of this book.

[Jola · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,0-3,25

[Sarah Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

I've been waiting for dodger & macies story since book 1. And it was worth the wait. Great story for these two Loved it.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I've been really enjoying this series; I think the author is a talented writer and a good story teller. That being said, although I liked the story for Cutter, I could not stand the heroine in this book!! Macie drove me crazy!There were multiple times I wanted to leave this book a dnf just because of her, but I was hoping she'd become more tolerable so I stuck it out. She's a spoiled, annoying, bratty bitch! I hated the games she played with Dodger, I hated her shitty attitude that never really improved and multiple times I wanted to bitch slap her! I don't remember disliking her so much in the previous books of this series. She got slightly better (or I got used to her awfulness) as the book went on. Dodger was great, loved him!! He had the patience of a saint to deal with Macie.
So if you like a good story and don't mind a spoiled bitch, you'll probably enjoy this!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment you meet Dodger and Macie during the first book, you know that when you get their story it is going to be good and Stacey did not disappoint. Dodger and Macie's story was less about finding love and more about knowing what love is and accepting that it can be in your life and not destroy the person that you think you are but instead make you that much better. Macie needed Dodger but wasn't ready to accept it instead she hid behind wall upon wall and came across as a spoiled and ungrateful brat when she really was scared. Her character is definitely a love it or hate it kind for me she was more relateable than I expected. Dodger was amazing but he has been from day one of this series. He isn't the comedian of the family or the over the top hard head but somewhere in the middle and he gives to Macie as good as she gives back which is why they were perfect from day one... my only wish is that we got to see inside his head like we did Turner's cause I think I would have died laughing at some points! Can't wait for Weigleys book...

[Anne-Geneviève · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving it 5 stars because, at the end I was happy for them. But here's the deal... Dodger was my favorite brother... And well in his book, he wasn't at all like what I was expecting.

But if you're in a the mood for the Alpha male goodness. If you're in the mood for some borderline neanderthal guy and a sassy not gonna take your shit heroine. Then grab this book and enjoy the ride!

Amber, if you are seeing this, do not read this one first! I'm warning you!! Read them in ORDER! ;)

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cutter is book 3 in the #CoreFour Series and follows Dodger and Macie. I really enjoyed the story and liked we got a little bit more of Camden and Keegan's life as well. Plus there is a little of Turner and some insight into book four with regard to Wrigley's story. Dodger is just a cocky sweetheart who has what it takes to deal with Macie. I love that Dodger is the way he is with Macie but at times I can see where Macie is coming from in wanting independence. He is not perfect but he is honest. Macie, that girl will make you mad a lot!!!! I think she was written well because any story that can pull such a strong emotion from a reader means something, rather you like them or not it gave you the feels. She is a spoiled girl who is an only child of good parents but not lovey dovey parents and her attitude and how she carries herself makes sense. While Dodger goes with the flow most of the time he does have his moments where he isn't able to deal and you can see that glimpse of what Macie worries about. I think both character grew in this story. Everything takes place within a months to year timeframe and that was really a good flow. Totally recommend, you should read books 1 and 2 first.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 stars

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Macie was a real piece of work. Immature, judgemental, nasty, insecure, self obsessed and one of the worst female leads ever. I was really looking forward to this book but it was a complete fail for me. There wasn't much of a story there. Hardly any character development and it lacked any real depth. I fail to see what it was about Macie that Dodger was so attracted to?! Certainly not her wonderful personality! 🙄 The whole Dana part was just weak. I didn't think it was possible at that point but it made Macie look worse! Ugh.
I loved Bender but this series seems to be on a downward spiral so I'm done. ✌🏻
Oh and the editing/proof reading?! So many errors! It made this one even harder to read.

[Candace Tidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I love reading about the Brooks family. The four. brothers crack me up with all of their alpha caveman antics.
But...I'm slightly disappointed with the third installment. It was lacking something the prior books had. Dont get me wrong I enjoyed Cutter but just not as much. I'm going to stop there because I still have one more book to read. I think I'll just sum everything up in my next review.

[Antonella · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a line between being sassy independent woman and just plain old mean b... Macie crossed it and for most of book was immature and anoying. Ruined whole thing for me... Not my cup of tea....

[Sam Larks · Rating 2 out of 5]

2:5 stars! Not my favourite from this series but still an easy quick read!

[Quincy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was soooo looking forward to this book because Dodger seemed like... a very swoonworthy hero.
But damn... so many things borderline pissed me off. Maybe it's because I have an awful cold and I'm not really the most patient and understanding person right now but...
OK. Spoiler alert, at some point, h and H get into a big fight about one of H's employees, Dana or something can't bother to remember her name. Keep in mind that h is like eight months pregnant when it happens (it actually happens throughout the book but this particular fight really, really pissed me off and I need to vent a little). Long story short, h is being slightly... irrational in her anger. I get that. But h is also, hello eight months pregnant so... I can understand her emotions can get the best of her sometimes. Anyway, she gets really, really upset/mad and tells H that if he picks up the phone, she leaves. Is it rational? No. Is it over the top? Yeah. But that's beside the point to me. The fact is, H sees his baby mama, eight month pregnant, is obviously very, very upset and not in a good mental/emotional state and threatens to take the car and leave... and does nothing to stop that, quite the contrary, does the one thing that guarantees she is going to get to her car and drive away, while I repeat she is eight month pregnant and not in an emotional state where I would feel comfortable having an eight month pregnant woman driving, personally.

Am I really, really the only one who, if I had been in Dodger's situation, no matter how cray cray I thought she was acting, would have STILL made sure she 1. calmed down, 2. didn't take the car in her condition and 3. sit down, calm the situation, talk things through? Because, again, no matter how irrational h seems... shouldn't your first concern and priority be to make sure she, and your baby, are safe???

And then h goes to H's brother, Camden and Camden sees her in that same emotional state and has the understandable reaction to say that that Dana chick will be fired (also know that Dana had been warned not to call DOdger because of her past behavior) because of how clearly upset and nervous and angry and everything h is and it's not worth having her like that in her condition? SHouldn't it have been the father's reaction?? (whether firing Dana or not is right. Doesn't matter. The fact is that Camden's first priority is to calm h down because he knows it's not good for her or the baby to get this worked up. While the baby daddy apparently thinks Dana *is* the priority since he decided to pick up the phone.)

I also didn't like how Dodger went behind Macie's back to buy the house *she* had made an offer on and she just forgave him. I didn't see it as a romantic gesture but as manipulative. She loved that house at first sight, while he needed her to make him see it through her eyes to feel the same, she wanted to have it for her and her child, and also had decided to take things super slow with him, and he does that behind her back? Super manipulative way to get his way instead of respecting her wish and dreams. Didn't like that at all.

There were also a bunch of other things that really made me a little rage-y so I think this book just wasn't for me unfortunately. Still giving two stars because I liked Macie, yes, even with her bitchy crazy attitude.

[Ligitux · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to write bad review but this book was boring and annoying. I mean it's hard to read book about immature 25 years woman who acts like 15 years teenager with tantrums and all.
But to start from begining. I was waiting for this book because Macie and Dodger interactions started in first book and I liked Dodger. He was fun and smart. I didn't understand why they constantly broke up and fight ( it didn't get more clear even in this book) and was curious. So back to why I didn't liked this book (some spoilers might be ahead, but honestly-not much to reveal).
I started to hate Macie from the start. Her behaviour was something teenager could do but not pretty mature woman:
*she's 25 and still living with her parents
*she's hell bent not to let baby daddy to step in, because she's so self-sufficent (irony is not lost on me).
*And tell me what sane woman would reject guy who knocked you up, declares that loves you and wants to take care of you, to have family with you. Guy you actually like and crave. Yep, this woman does. And I don't trully understand why. If she wanted to be independent she could do that long time ago. And time to saw wild oats now is down the toilet with morning sickness.
Dodger is pretty decent guy and I liked him. I loved how calm he reacted to all Macies tantrums and declarations and done whatever needed to be done.
Despice all that there wasn't much to read about. A lot of surrounding descriptions, Macies thoughts (hated to be in her head) and day by day live. I started to doze off at the end what never happens to me.
Two stars all for Dodger.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Third book in the series and second book of 2018. I feel like I need to treat myself for this! I'm actually sticking to a yearly plan so far!

Anyway, Dodger is the original and first Brooks brother we meet in the series and I expected the book to be more... something, just like Bender and Camden. That being said it had more something than Turner and Slider.

Dodger and Macie have a history and they're constantly fighting over their love I guess. Macie wanting it to not be real and Dodger wanting it to be. I guess that's the only reason for it. Until Dana flashes her ugly head.

So I never knew up until that book that Macie and Dodger had been sleeping together in fact, the impression I got from previous was that Dodger was holding out and the wedding was the first and fateful time.

Secondly. When did Macie become a nurse? I don't remember it being part of the books. Nor Macie, Anabelle and Keegen working near each other. I knew Anabelle and Keegen did but never Macie.


Apart from that, I really enjoyed the book- honestly. I liked Dodger from the start and I'm really hoping that in Shutout we get to see the boys all together because I missed them being together in this book...

I'm hoping that Shutout doesn't let me down now so I can see the Brooks brothers all getting their s**t together with women.

[NK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Nice to see Dodger and Macy's love story however because it was short it felt like things were moving really fast but i'm putting this down to the fact that they have a long history and we've seen snippets in previous books. I had to knock a star of simply because of 'Dana'. Her role in the book seemed a bit forced and almost like her character was constructed just to create adversity and invoke some sort of drama so that you can see how Macy and Dodger overcome this obstacle and their relationship is stronger because of it blah blah blah. Granted this is common in a lot of books but because of the lack of character development and misconstrued domestic violence plot it didn't flow that well. If you want to have Dana play a psychotic bitch then you really need to emphasise that and not just randomly place it near the end of the book when we've seen no inclination in the build up. i would of liked to see Dana doing certain things that maybe only Macy could see to illustrate how 'deranged' she is. Because Dana was harmless for the most part her story line was just lost on me.

[Brandi Poage · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a let down for me, I loved the first book and the second one was okay. Honestly, this one makes me unsure if I want to continue with the last one as they have seemed to go downhill. I feel like there was such good character development in the first book that it was just ignored in the second and third books. Macie and Dodger were my favorites in the first book and they were just plain boring in this book. And, so many of the things she did and ate were SO wrong for someone who is pregnant, being a L&D nurse she should know that, so it did not make a lot of sense. These books also need a good edit, the spelling and grammar errors are excessive.

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacy is one of my favorite authors. There are days I want to drive to her house and cuff her to her computer to get her books faster (don't be afraid, I am kidding...kind of)
Macie is a strong, opinionated woman and Dodger is the supportive persistent man who pushes her buttons. Great chemistry!
This whole series is just amazing and this book did not disappoint at all. Can't wait for the next one!

[lynette desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutter

I have been waiting on this book! Of all of the Brooks brothers, I've always had a soft spot for Dodger. Macie has always been the firecracker and it was refreshing to see she was never changing. Attitude-wise, at least. Her outlook on life and relationships forced her to consider that Dodger was her forever. And I have to admit even I thought she was overreacting with The Whole Dana fiasco. I absolutely loved this book.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the book and story line - wish I would have re read the other books as it's been ages !! A couple things peed me off - she was so needy and bitchy. Not just with dodger but with his mum I think she seemed a little spoilt/ but it didn't stop me from really liking the book and it's the first book since the new year that I've had an interest in reading. Finished about 2am this morning lol