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Devil's Rock #4
Beautiful Lawman
From the wrong side of the tracks and with most of her family in jail or dead, Piper Walsh is used to everyone in town thinking the worst about her. It doesn’t seem to matter that she’s worked hard to build a good life for herself. So she isn’t surprised that when she comes into contact with Sweet Hill’s wildly irresistible, arrogant sheriff, Hale Walters, they’re instant adversaries. Piper has nothing in common with the town golden-boy-turned-lawman—and she refuses to be a notch on his bedpost.
Despite rumors, Hale avoids fooling around with the women of Sweet Hill, many of whom are hoping to get him to the altar. But staying out of Piper’s path is proving near impossible. The infuriating troublemaker clearly has no respect for his badge. As she continues to push his buttons, it becomes clear to Hale that he must either arrest Piper—or claim her as his own.
Despite rumors, Hale avoids fooling around with the women of Sweet Hill, many of whom are hoping to get him to the altar. But staying out of Piper’s path is proving near impossible. The infuriating troublemaker clearly has no respect for his badge. As she continues to push his buttons, it becomes clear to Hale that he must either arrest Piper—or claim her as his own.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 26, 2017
278 people are currently reading
1411 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Jordan
83 books8,990 followersPseudonym:
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
December 23, 2017
4.5 STARS
Why has it taken me this long to read this series? Why? I read Jordan's historicalThe Scandal of It All and became an instant fan. I've been eyeing this series for months, and I honestly don't know why it took me this long to finally get to it. After finishing this book, I immediately went to amazon to one-click the rest of this series. I'm in love with this story and these characters. Simply in love!
Girl from the wrong side of the tracks falls for the sexy sheriff of the town that has never really accepted seems delicious enough. Add to that story a dash of enemies to lovers trope, plenty of angst and sizzling steam and if that doesn't get you salivating, I don't know what will!
Piper Walsh was a heroine I clicked with right away. Here's a woman that's lived anything but an easy life. Her family is the social pariah of the small town she's grown up in. Her parents were addicts that are now dead, her brother is in jail, and she's left on her own to raise her younger sister. Scrambling to make ends meet, unable to get an acceptable job anywhere else in a town that hates her, she's forced to sling drinks at a strip club. Unfortunately her job does nothing to add to her already tarnished rep, especially for one particularly antagonistic sheriff that seems to think the worst of her along with the rest of the town.
But looks can be deceiving...
Hale Walters has always been on the right side of the law. The last thing he needs is to give into the sizzling chemistry that seems to blaze between him and Piper. But that chemistry soon proves to be too much temptation to resist, especially when he begins to see the woman beneath the reputation of her family's last name.
Beautiful Lawman was a delicious slow burn that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I loved the angsty hate/lust thing that Piper and Hale had going between the two of them in the beginning. Though it certainly wasn't as satisfying as seeing them unwittingly fall deeper and harder for each other. Talk about your opposites attracting. It just worked so well with these two characters. I couldn't get enough of them.
My heart broke for Piper and everything that she's gone through. I just wanted her to finally catch a break. I loved that she never lost her spark or sass. This is a woman that gives as hard as she gets and doesn't let anything get her down. She has a spine of steel to her and I simply loved that about her.
Hale was just delicious. He was this mix of protective yet slightly reserved. He wants Piper but he also wants to shelter his heart. The man was all alpha though and when he finally decides to pursue Piper? Holy fireworks, batman!
There's an added element of mystery about Piper's past and why her brother is in jail that I absolutely devoured. Beautiful Lawman was a sizzling, entertaining, and unputdownable read from beginning to finish.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
He wasn’t for her. She didn’t get nice things. Men like him went for the good girls of the world who went to college and took yoga classes and were raised by loving parents. Not girls who woke in the middle of the night from nightmares because the past could never release its grip.
Why has it taken me this long to read this series? Why? I read Jordan's historicalThe Scandal of It All and became an instant fan. I've been eyeing this series for months, and I honestly don't know why it took me this long to finally get to it. After finishing this book, I immediately went to amazon to one-click the rest of this series. I'm in love with this story and these characters. Simply in love!
Girl from the wrong side of the tracks falls for the sexy sheriff of the town that has never really accepted seems delicious enough. Add to that story a dash of enemies to lovers trope, plenty of angst and sizzling steam and if that doesn't get you salivating, I don't know what will!
Piper Walsh was a heroine I clicked with right away. Here's a woman that's lived anything but an easy life. Her family is the social pariah of the small town she's grown up in. Her parents were addicts that are now dead, her brother is in jail, and she's left on her own to raise her younger sister. Scrambling to make ends meet, unable to get an acceptable job anywhere else in a town that hates her, she's forced to sling drinks at a strip club. Unfortunately her job does nothing to add to her already tarnished rep, especially for one particularly antagonistic sheriff that seems to think the worst of her along with the rest of the town.
But looks can be deceiving...
Hale Walters has always been on the right side of the law. The last thing he needs is to give into the sizzling chemistry that seems to blaze between him and Piper. But that chemistry soon proves to be too much temptation to resist, especially when he begins to see the woman beneath the reputation of her family's last name.
Beautiful Lawman was a delicious slow burn that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I loved the angsty hate/lust thing that Piper and Hale had going between the two of them in the beginning. Though it certainly wasn't as satisfying as seeing them unwittingly fall deeper and harder for each other. Talk about your opposites attracting. It just worked so well with these two characters. I couldn't get enough of them.
My heart broke for Piper and everything that she's gone through. I just wanted her to finally catch a break. I loved that she never lost her spark or sass. This is a woman that gives as hard as she gets and doesn't let anything get her down. She has a spine of steel to her and I simply loved that about her.
Hale was just delicious. He was this mix of protective yet slightly reserved. He wants Piper but he also wants to shelter his heart. The man was all alpha though and when he finally decides to pursue Piper? Holy fireworks, batman!
There's an added element of mystery about Piper's past and why her brother is in jail that I absolutely devoured. Beautiful Lawman was a sizzling, entertaining, and unputdownable read from beginning to finish.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
December 21, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved the premise, nothing out of the ordinary there but the romance, the opposites attract trope, and the flowing writing made it such a page turner I finished it in one afternoon. Great execution!
The chemistry between Hale and Piper was blazing and intense to read about! A damsell in distress with a hell of a backbone and a spitfire attitude against a self-righteous town Sheriff in charge in more ways than one, yeah sparkles are to be expected!
Only Sheriff Hale isn't going to play jerk heroes long (too bad! We like asshole heroes, right?), once he realizes there is more to Piper than what the town gossips say about her family. His complete turnaround was even hotter than his prickly attitude. Watching him fall for Piper and trying his damnest to clear her name was everything.
Sophie Jordan hit all the spots for me with her Beautiful Lawman, it felt so good reading I just didn't want it to end.
Full review to come soon!
I received an Advanced review copy from the publisher.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
Loved the premise, nothing out of the ordinary there but the romance, the opposites attract trope, and the flowing writing made it such a page turner I finished it in one afternoon. Great execution!
The chemistry between Hale and Piper was blazing and intense to read about! A damsell in distress with a hell of a backbone and a spitfire attitude against a self-righteous town Sheriff in charge in more ways than one, yeah sparkles are to be expected!
Only Sheriff Hale isn't going to play jerk heroes long (too bad! We like asshole heroes, right?), once he realizes there is more to Piper than what the town gossips say about her family. His complete turnaround was even hotter than his prickly attitude. Watching him fall for Piper and trying his damnest to clear her name was everything.
Sophie Jordan hit all the spots for me with her Beautiful Lawman, it felt so good reading I just didn't want it to end.
Full review to come soon!
I received an Advanced review copy from the publisher.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
January 13, 2018
This book was wonderful! Probably my favorite of the series. The Hale/Piper dynamic is PERFECT!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Beautiful Lawman by Sophie Jordan
Book Four of the Devil's Rock series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: December 26, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
Source: ARC sent by publicist
Summary (from Goodreads):
From the wrong side of the tracks and with most of her family in jail or dead, Piper Walsh is used to everyone in town thinking the worst about her. It doesn’t seem to matter that she’s worked hard to build a good life for herself. So she isn’t surprised that when she comes into contact with Sweet Hill’s wildly irresistible, arrogant sheriff, Hale Walters, they’re instant adversaries. Piper has nothing in common with the town golden-boy-turned-lawman—and she refuses to be a notch on his bedpost.
Despite rumors, Hale avoids fooling around with the women of Sweet Hill, many of whom are hoping to get him to the altar. But staying out of Piper’s path is proving near impossible. The infuriating troublemaker clearly has no respect for his badge. As she continues to push his buttons, it becomes clear to Hale that he must either arrest Piper—or claim her as his own.
What I Liked:
I've been extremely excited about this book ever since I'd heard that Jordan was contracted to write more books in the series. I'd read the first three books and absolutely loved them, especially the third one, which introduced us to Piper. There is one single interaction between Piper and Hale in Fury on Fire, and it's hilarious because Piper dumps ice water all over Hale's lap at the club she works at. Beautiful Lawman is Hale and Piper's story and it does not disappoint.
Piper Walsh is used to having a certain reputation, thanks to other members of her family. No one will hire her, so she's stuck working the bar at a club - which she hates. She has never had to do anything other than serve drinks, but she needs more money if she is going to continue to support her fifteen-year-old sister and herself. Hale Walters is the town sheriff who seems to have it in for Piper. To him, Piper is a troublemaker who keeps popping up on his radar. Neither of them want to admit it at first, but there is a simmering attraction between. They might dance around each other and infuriate each other, but there's no denying their need for each other.
Friends, this was such a good romance story. Some tropes: enemies to lovers, damsel in distress (kind of?). I personally don't mind the damsel in distress trope at all - sometimes, a girl needs saving and a guy is perfect for the job. We can't always save ourselves, and even if we can, it's nice that someone else is there to do so.
And the enemies to lovers trope - definitely one of my favorites! There's something about the animosity and the bickering and the tension that is so fun to read. All of that negative passion becoming positively charged passion can be exciting. Jordan pulls that off perfectly, in this book!
Hale was kind of a jerk in Fury on Fire, but not in an unforgivable way. He was clearly looking out for his sister Faith, and I can't fault him for that. In this book, he still has his golden-boy, commanding demeanor, but we see a lot more to him than his looks and his authoritative figure. He's a genuinely good guy, even if he completely misjudged Piper.
Piper is a sweetheart! She seems prickly on the outside, but she has a soft, good heart. She would do anything for her little sister, and didn't hesitate to raise her, even though she's almost as young as her sister. Piper hates her job and hates what she might have to do eventually, but she is a hard worker and a tough girl. Slowly, Hale sees the rose behind the thorns.
These two together are incredibly satisfying to watch! They butt heads every time and it seems like they don't get along. What is it about Piper that frustrates Hale? What is it about Hale that Piper can't seem to shake? I love this kind of slow-burn, antagonistic romance. The chemistry is seriously scorching, and this is probably one of the hottest books in the series. Great tension, great build-up.
But I also liked watching them fall for each other. It was sweet, seeing Hale "rescue" Piper time and again. To me it was lovely because Piper was so used to doing everything by herself, and doing everything for her sister. She needed someone to look out for and care for her, and Hale was there. Hale needed someone to push his buttons and rattle him, and that was Piper.
There is very little drama to this book, even at the climax. I was so happy about this because drama can ruin a book. No love triangles, no past boyfriend/girlfriend issues, no cheating, no surprise pregnancies. Definitely my kind of romance novel!
The ending was excellent! Endings of romance novels usually are, but this one was especially so. It kind of hints at the fifth book? Which I'm excited about. I hope the fifth book will be about Cruz, Piper's older brother!
What I Did Not Like:
I guess I only wish that the book was longer! I loved Hale and Piper's dynamic.
Would I Recommend It:
I really REALLY recommend this book, of all of the books in the series. This one is probably my favorite. It was steamy hot and so sweet and I have reread it several times already. I also recommend the other books in the series, especially Fury on Fire, but if you read any book from the series, try this one! Super hot contemporary romance, friends.
Rating:
5 stars. A rare 5 stars from me. Jordan's contemporary romance stories keep getting better and better. She really digs into her characters and brings out their flaws and their good qualities, and she masterfully pieces together the romance between the characters. I am so hoping there will be a fifth book about Cruz and some lucky lady!
Pre-read squees:
OMGGGGGGG I NEED IT!!!!!!! I am so excited about Hale and Piper's story! Eeeeep! 😍😍😍
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Beautiful Lawman by Sophie Jordan
Book Four of the Devil's Rock series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: December 26, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
Source: ARC sent by publicist
Summary (from Goodreads):
From the wrong side of the tracks and with most of her family in jail or dead, Piper Walsh is used to everyone in town thinking the worst about her. It doesn’t seem to matter that she’s worked hard to build a good life for herself. So she isn’t surprised that when she comes into contact with Sweet Hill’s wildly irresistible, arrogant sheriff, Hale Walters, they’re instant adversaries. Piper has nothing in common with the town golden-boy-turned-lawman—and she refuses to be a notch on his bedpost.
Despite rumors, Hale avoids fooling around with the women of Sweet Hill, many of whom are hoping to get him to the altar. But staying out of Piper’s path is proving near impossible. The infuriating troublemaker clearly has no respect for his badge. As she continues to push his buttons, it becomes clear to Hale that he must either arrest Piper—or claim her as his own.
What I Liked:
I've been extremely excited about this book ever since I'd heard that Jordan was contracted to write more books in the series. I'd read the first three books and absolutely loved them, especially the third one, which introduced us to Piper. There is one single interaction between Piper and Hale in Fury on Fire, and it's hilarious because Piper dumps ice water all over Hale's lap at the club she works at. Beautiful Lawman is Hale and Piper's story and it does not disappoint.
Piper Walsh is used to having a certain reputation, thanks to other members of her family. No one will hire her, so she's stuck working the bar at a club - which she hates. She has never had to do anything other than serve drinks, but she needs more money if she is going to continue to support her fifteen-year-old sister and herself. Hale Walters is the town sheriff who seems to have it in for Piper. To him, Piper is a troublemaker who keeps popping up on his radar. Neither of them want to admit it at first, but there is a simmering attraction between. They might dance around each other and infuriate each other, but there's no denying their need for each other.
Friends, this was such a good romance story. Some tropes: enemies to lovers, damsel in distress (kind of?). I personally don't mind the damsel in distress trope at all - sometimes, a girl needs saving and a guy is perfect for the job. We can't always save ourselves, and even if we can, it's nice that someone else is there to do so.
And the enemies to lovers trope - definitely one of my favorites! There's something about the animosity and the bickering and the tension that is so fun to read. All of that negative passion becoming positively charged passion can be exciting. Jordan pulls that off perfectly, in this book!
Hale was kind of a jerk in Fury on Fire, but not in an unforgivable way. He was clearly looking out for his sister Faith, and I can't fault him for that. In this book, he still has his golden-boy, commanding demeanor, but we see a lot more to him than his looks and his authoritative figure. He's a genuinely good guy, even if he completely misjudged Piper.
Piper is a sweetheart! She seems prickly on the outside, but she has a soft, good heart. She would do anything for her little sister, and didn't hesitate to raise her, even though she's almost as young as her sister. Piper hates her job and hates what she might have to do eventually, but she is a hard worker and a tough girl. Slowly, Hale sees the rose behind the thorns.
These two together are incredibly satisfying to watch! They butt heads every time and it seems like they don't get along. What is it about Piper that frustrates Hale? What is it about Hale that Piper can't seem to shake? I love this kind of slow-burn, antagonistic romance. The chemistry is seriously scorching, and this is probably one of the hottest books in the series. Great tension, great build-up.
But I also liked watching them fall for each other. It was sweet, seeing Hale "rescue" Piper time and again. To me it was lovely because Piper was so used to doing everything by herself, and doing everything for her sister. She needed someone to look out for and care for her, and Hale was there. Hale needed someone to push his buttons and rattle him, and that was Piper.
There is very little drama to this book, even at the climax. I was so happy about this because drama can ruin a book. No love triangles, no past boyfriend/girlfriend issues, no cheating, no surprise pregnancies. Definitely my kind of romance novel!
The ending was excellent! Endings of romance novels usually are, but this one was especially so. It kind of hints at the fifth book? Which I'm excited about. I hope the fifth book will be about Cruz, Piper's older brother!
What I Did Not Like:
I guess I only wish that the book was longer! I loved Hale and Piper's dynamic.
Would I Recommend It:
I really REALLY recommend this book, of all of the books in the series. This one is probably my favorite. It was steamy hot and so sweet and I have reread it several times already. I also recommend the other books in the series, especially Fury on Fire, but if you read any book from the series, try this one! Super hot contemporary romance, friends.
Rating:
5 stars. A rare 5 stars from me. Jordan's contemporary romance stories keep getting better and better. She really digs into her characters and brings out their flaws and their good qualities, and she masterfully pieces together the romance between the characters. I am so hoping there will be a fifth book about Cruz and some lucky lady!
Pre-read squees:
OMGGGGGGG I NEED IT!!!!!!! I am so excited about Hale and Piper's story! Eeeeep! 😍😍😍
April 17, 2025
1.5 stars, the half star because Hale did a proper proposal on one knee, which was nice to see in a contemporary romance
This was a really, really bad, bad soap opera. Every chapter dragged it farther and farther into irredeemable territory until I found myself averting my eyes from the print disaster in front of me.
Seriously. I kept trying to block my eyes from seeing what they were reading.
***spoilers***
Cheesy dialogue. Look away.
Immature, unmotivated hostility. Look away.
More immature, unmotivated hostility. Look away and sigh.
A virgin heroine giving her first lap dance like a seasoned pro. Look away hard.
A virgin heroine aggressively initiating sex while giving her first lap dance. 👀
A virgin heroine getting physically attacked by a man’s wife screaming “whore, whore, whore” during second lap dance. Impossible to look away.
A hero who talks dirty exactly like a woman would write dirty talk. Look away and cringe.
A creepy landlord who breaks into her apartment and fondles her underwear. Can’t unsee that.
A creepy stalker from high school who actually killed the girl who drugged the heroine so that the stalker could rape her that the heroine thought she had killed that her brother had been sent to prison for killing. Look again in disbelief. Did my eyes actually read that? Yep. Yep, they did.
Book blindness. It’s a thing.
This was a really, really bad, bad soap opera. Every chapter dragged it farther and farther into irredeemable territory until I found myself averting my eyes from the print disaster in front of me.
Seriously. I kept trying to block my eyes from seeing what they were reading.
***spoilers***
Cheesy dialogue. Look away.
Immature, unmotivated hostility. Look away.
More immature, unmotivated hostility. Look away and sigh.
A virgin heroine giving her first lap dance like a seasoned pro. Look away hard.
A virgin heroine aggressively initiating sex while giving her first lap dance. 👀
A virgin heroine getting physically attacked by a man’s wife screaming “whore, whore, whore” during second lap dance. Impossible to look away.
A hero who talks dirty exactly like a woman would write dirty talk. Look away and cringe.
A creepy landlord who breaks into her apartment and fondles her underwear. Can’t unsee that.
A creepy stalker from high school who actually killed the girl who drugged the heroine so that the stalker could rape her that the heroine thought she had killed that her brother had been sent to prison for killing. Look again in disbelief. Did my eyes actually read that? Yep. Yep, they did.
Book blindness. It’s a thing.
April 12, 2024
4.5☆ Holy hotness in a West Texan handbasket
Pretty sure there are some things I was supposed to get done this weekend. They all flew out of my head the minute I picked up this series. *Update now that I've finished*: I recommend Book 1 and this one, not so much the others.
❦➳ He wasn’t for her. She didn’t get nice things. Men like him went for the good girls of the world who went to college and took yoga classes and were raised by loving parents. Not girls who woke in the middle of the night from nightmares because the past could never release its grip.
I loved both MCs, and their oppositional chemistry was super entertaining. Piper is one of my favorite heroines; she's a fiercely loyal, determined, hilarious, endearing little spitfire of a survivor and I was delighted to root for her. She reminded me a little of Fiona from Shameless (U.S.), and I wanted to punch every asshole who tried to take her down.
❦➳ Why, she wondered, did she always feel like she was surrounded by predators? Did poverty make victims out of people or was she just special? She knew how to fight. Backed into a corner, she would come out swinging. History had shown her that.
Piper isn’t all loud, empty bluster or impulsive TSTL pinball moves like many other ‘strong’ heroines I’ve come across. Sophie Jordan writes her as an amazing sister/legal guardian with a huge heart who will do anything to protect her siblings, despite being dealt a pretty terrible hand with zero resources. She's doing her damndest to raise her sister in a small, largely judgmental rural town where people treat her like the trashy spawn of Satan.
❦➳ Why did the sound of him addressing her as Miz Walsh make her want to sock him in the mouth? She wasn’t a violent person. Really. He brought it out in her.
And then she crosses paths with the Beautiful Lawman himself, Sheriff Hale Walters, over the welfare of her little sister. God, did I love watching that brawny, rational, heroic Golden Boy going head-to-head (and losing that head) with this irresistibly spirited woman who challenged his assumptions. You could FEEL the sparks coming off of these two anytime they faced each other, and it was so very satisfying, so to speak. Because, my smut-loving friends, the steam in this book does 🔥not🔥 disappoint. And when they both get vulnerable, holy gods they are just...sooo GOOD together. The author made it very easy to buy into their love story.
❦➳ "You don’t get to put yourself in danger. You’re mine,” he rasped.
She whirled around. “Is that what this is? You didn’t get to save me? I wounded your ego.” “No!” he exploded. “I fucking love you and you tried to take yourself away from me. How could you have done that?"
Doris was amazing. She was the perfect scheming, hilarious grandmotherly figure and I loved her dynamic with both MCs.
❦➳ "But who doesn’t want a little bit of trouble in their life now and then? Makes for an interesting time.” Doris paused a beat and then added, “That Piper sure is a pretty thing.” “I hadn’t noticed,” he lied. Doris tossed back her silvery-haired head and laughed. “Oh, that’s funny.” “What’s so funny?” She inched away from her desk. “You thinking I can’t tell when you’re fibbing. You forget I changed your diapers.”
There was some hard stuff to read about that Piper and her siblings went through, but they were mostly ‘close-call’ or off-page situations. I’ll definitely be reading about Cruz (Piper’s wrongfully-imprisoned brother) in Book 5 and hoping for plenty of Piper&Hale cameos.💞🧨
Pretty sure there are some things I was supposed to get done this weekend. They all flew out of my head the minute I picked up this series. *Update now that I've finished*: I recommend Book 1 and this one, not so much the others.
❦➳ He wasn’t for her. She didn’t get nice things. Men like him went for the good girls of the world who went to college and took yoga classes and were raised by loving parents. Not girls who woke in the middle of the night from nightmares because the past could never release its grip.
I loved both MCs, and their oppositional chemistry was super entertaining. Piper is one of my favorite heroines; she's a fiercely loyal, determined, hilarious, endearing little spitfire of a survivor and I was delighted to root for her. She reminded me a little of Fiona from Shameless (U.S.), and I wanted to punch every asshole who tried to take her down.
❦➳ Why, she wondered, did she always feel like she was surrounded by predators? Did poverty make victims out of people or was she just special? She knew how to fight. Backed into a corner, she would come out swinging. History had shown her that.
Piper isn’t all loud, empty bluster or impulsive TSTL pinball moves like many other ‘strong’ heroines I’ve come across. Sophie Jordan writes her as an amazing sister/legal guardian with a huge heart who will do anything to protect her siblings, despite being dealt a pretty terrible hand with zero resources. She's doing her damndest to raise her sister in a small, largely judgmental rural town where people treat her like the trashy spawn of Satan.
❦➳ Why did the sound of him addressing her as Miz Walsh make her want to sock him in the mouth? She wasn’t a violent person. Really. He brought it out in her.
And then she crosses paths with the Beautiful Lawman himself, Sheriff Hale Walters, over the welfare of her little sister. God, did I love watching that brawny, rational, heroic Golden Boy going head-to-head (and losing that head) with this irresistibly spirited woman who challenged his assumptions. You could FEEL the sparks coming off of these two anytime they faced each other, and it was so very satisfying, so to speak. Because, my smut-loving friends, the steam in this book does 🔥not🔥 disappoint. And when they both get vulnerable, holy gods they are just...sooo GOOD together. The author made it very easy to buy into their love story.
❦➳ "You don’t get to put yourself in danger. You’re mine,” he rasped.
She whirled around. “Is that what this is? You didn’t get to save me? I wounded your ego.” “No!” he exploded. “I fucking love you and you tried to take yourself away from me. How could you have done that?"
Doris was amazing. She was the perfect scheming, hilarious grandmotherly figure and I loved her dynamic with both MCs.
❦➳ "But who doesn’t want a little bit of trouble in their life now and then? Makes for an interesting time.” Doris paused a beat and then added, “That Piper sure is a pretty thing.” “I hadn’t noticed,” he lied. Doris tossed back her silvery-haired head and laughed. “Oh, that’s funny.” “What’s so funny?” She inched away from her desk. “You thinking I can’t tell when you’re fibbing. You forget I changed your diapers.”
There was some hard stuff to read about that Piper and her siblings went through, but they were mostly ‘close-call’ or off-page situations. I’ll definitely be reading about Cruz (Piper’s wrongfully-imprisoned brother) in Book 5 and hoping for plenty of Piper&Hale cameos.💞🧨
February 26, 2018
3.5 stars. Enjoyed this one and didn’t have to read the others in the series to understand it. Although it had me till the end, the MC’s chemistry wasn’t as good as I’d hoped
August 15, 2017
ARC provided by Edelweiss and publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 3.75 -4.00
I liked these two intense characters and their chemistry was fantastic.
But what I found somewhat lacking was the development of the plot. The mystery was thrown in three quarter into the book and then it became a rushed and condensed resolution at the end.
The romance development was a fairly good in pacing but lagged at certain points and then at the end (again about three quarters into the book) it was to fast and rush for the ILY. In my humble opinion.
But in the end I have to say I was engrossed in the story and really liked both characters and how they developed as individuals and as a couple.
Complete review closer to publication.
Rating 3.75 -4.00
I liked these two intense characters and their chemistry was fantastic.
But what I found somewhat lacking was the development of the plot. The mystery was thrown in three quarter into the book and then it became a rushed and condensed resolution at the end.
The romance development was a fairly good in pacing but lagged at certain points and then at the end (again about three quarters into the book) it was to fast and rush for the ILY. In my humble opinion.
But in the end I have to say I was engrossed in the story and really liked both characters and how they developed as individuals and as a couple.
Complete review closer to publication.
April 11, 2021
I recently discover Miss Jordan books. I read few of her works and I have to admit she is a great writer. Beautiful Lawman is a good book.
I was expexting much nore enemy to lover romance. But because the length of thr book is short, therefore I am not fully satisfied.
I want to see more that hate to love relationship. Hale is also too brooding to get into his head. Hence his chemistry is more cold.
3 stars
I was expexting much nore enemy to lover romance. But because the length of thr book is short, therefore I am not fully satisfied.
I want to see more that hate to love relationship. Hale is also too brooding to get into his head. Hence his chemistry is more cold.
3 stars
September 9, 2018
I've read some of Sophie Jordan's historical romances but this is the first contemporary book I've tried and it was hot. Hale and Piper have over the top chemistry that jumped right out of the pages of the book.
Piper seems to suffer one hard knock after another with no rest in sight. Her family name has worked to blacken her reputation since she was a child. First with her criminal father than with her drunken mother, but things only worsened for her with her older brother was convicted of murdering a young girl. Now her only concern is keeping a roof over her younger sister's head and staying in town to be close to her brother. Her sudden and inexplicable attraction to golden boy turned Sheriff makes her life just a bit more complicated.
This was angstier than I thought it would be but I think it was just the right amount of angst. Piper was a resilient character who loved her family and was determined to support them no matter what. The things she had to live through and the choices she had to make were hard on her and definitely made me feel for her. I liked that she never backed down from anyone not even Hale.
Hale was a bit judgey and arrogant at first but once he realized that he had made a mistake and misjudged Piper, he was quick to admit it and try to make amends. Things between them are always so intense and he definitely knows just how to push Piper's buttons to get a reaction out of her. This was a nicely done opposites attract love story and the series seems promising, expecially with such colorful characters. Cruz is someone I want to know more of.
Memorable Moments: Piper projects a hardened persona but is actually a really gentle and vulnerable person. Watching her soften towards Hale and start to see things on the bright side made me a bit teary eyed.
Would I recommend? I haven't read any of the others in the series but I didn't feel like I missed anything. It can be read as a standalone and would recommend.
SAFETY INFO:
Piper seems to suffer one hard knock after another with no rest in sight. Her family name has worked to blacken her reputation since she was a child. First with her criminal father than with her drunken mother, but things only worsened for her with her older brother was convicted of murdering a young girl. Now her only concern is keeping a roof over her younger sister's head and staying in town to be close to her brother. Her sudden and inexplicable attraction to golden boy turned Sheriff makes her life just a bit more complicated.
This was angstier than I thought it would be but I think it was just the right amount of angst. Piper was a resilient character who loved her family and was determined to support them no matter what. The things she had to live through and the choices she had to make were hard on her and definitely made me feel for her. I liked that she never backed down from anyone not even Hale.
Hale was a bit judgey and arrogant at first but once he realized that he had made a mistake and misjudged Piper, he was quick to admit it and try to make amends. Things between them are always so intense and he definitely knows just how to push Piper's buttons to get a reaction out of her. This was a nicely done opposites attract love story and the series seems promising, expecially with such colorful characters. Cruz is someone I want to know more of.
Memorable Moments: Piper projects a hardened persona but is actually a really gentle and vulnerable person. Watching her soften towards Hale and start to see things on the bright side made me a bit teary eyed.
Would I recommend? I haven't read any of the others in the series but I didn't feel like I missed anything. It can be read as a standalone and would recommend.
SAFETY INFO:
November 21, 2017
2.5 stars
Hate to love + Sophie Jordan = something I had to read. Sadly I was pretty disappointed.
I really liked Piper and Hale. She’s strong and has a great work ethic and desperately wants to provide a safe life for her sister. Hale is loyal and has a lot of good intentions. Together there is chemistry, but there needed to be some actual conversation.
Plot wise is where I struggled. I didn’t see the relationship between Piper and Hale progress to love, it just seemed like a whole lot of lust. And there was an entire thread of plot about Piper’s brother that felt clunky. I get the need for conflict, but it was rushed and underdeveloped.
Overall, it had something that kept me reading, but I wish there would have been more. I doubt I’ll be reading any other books in the series.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
Hate to love + Sophie Jordan = something I had to read. Sadly I was pretty disappointed.
I really liked Piper and Hale. She’s strong and has a great work ethic and desperately wants to provide a safe life for her sister. Hale is loyal and has a lot of good intentions. Together there is chemistry, but there needed to be some actual conversation.
Plot wise is where I struggled. I didn’t see the relationship between Piper and Hale progress to love, it just seemed like a whole lot of lust. And there was an entire thread of plot about Piper’s brother that felt clunky. I get the need for conflict, but it was rushed and underdeveloped.
Overall, it had something that kept me reading, but I wish there would have been more. I doubt I’ll be reading any other books in the series.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
December 4, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Beautiful Lawman is a story that brings two souls that are from opposite sides of the tracks...will these two strong personalities be able to find a balance in co-exist in a world that says otherwise?
Beautiful Lawman was such a beautifully written story and I have to say that other than book one, this book is one of the most well-written books of the series and I fell head over heels in love with it. There was just nothing better than this book and I never wanted their story to end. It brings some interesting elements that you wouldn't really expect and they just fit so well into this story.
This marvelous book has some key players that you are destined to fall in love with.....
Hale Walters, the current sheriff and lawman, he is driven, hardworking and sees in black and white and from a respected family
Piper Walsh, our courageous heroine, is hardworking, protective of her family and will do anything for those she loves
I would like to say that out of all the books in this Devil Rock series, I would say that Beautiful Lawman made the biggest impression on me. I honestly just couldn't get enough of this one and just wanted more and more of Hale and Piper because when it ended, even though it had me in tears and smiles I just fell in love with these characters so much I just didn't want the book to end. However, the story doesn't begin with smiles that is for sure.
Our tale begins when Piper is desperate to keep her current job which is waitressing at a strip club and bar. She refuses to dance, but being a waitress where she can just wear her jeans she is more than okay with. She is barely keeping it together with supporting her teenage sister and having to provide for both of them since their parents made horrible errors in judgment and now their older brother is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Piper bears a ton of guilt on her shoulds, and in the later part of the story, we learn just how big of a loud she has been emotionally and mentally carrying. However, she is hardworking and will do anything for her sister. But when her sister gets arrested for being out with friends late, Piper ends up having to quit her job to pick her up from the station where she has a little run-in with Hale. Hale and Piper tangle in words but there is a sizzling bond between them even though they don't think very highly of each other. Soon though, Hale starts to see a different side of things and Piper begins to realize how dedicated and good-hearted Hale really is. But will their love be strong enough to stand the tide of secrets and a forbidden love...
What a whopper of a story and boy this just had me on tenterhooks and I never wanted to put it down!! I read this book easily in one sitting and considering I struggled with the past couple of books, that is saying something. I was very nervous to read this book, but after reading some positive reviews I knew I needed to pick it up and so glad that I did because it was AMAZING!! One of the best contemporary romances I have had the pleasure to read this year. What impressed me the most was the way this author handled "opposite side of the tracks" issue here. Because they really are on opposite side of the tracks. Our hero is from a community respected family, a lawman and women are always chasing after him. Then we have our heroine, who comes from a family that most spit on. Her family always has the tendency to be on the wrong side of the law. Her mother and brother have been in prison, although her brother is innocent, in the eyes of the town they live in, no one looks highly on their family. Piper has to resort to a strip bar for work because no one respectable will take her on. I really admired Piper's courage and tenacity. She has this inner strength most people would die for to have. She definitely doesn't have it easy, and doesn't complain. She does what she can to make sure her sister will succeed in life and I love how dedicated she is. She also isn't afraid to speak her mind to the Sherriff who is drop-dead gorgeous. It was pretty awe-inspiring to see Hale learn more about Piper and realize she isn't like her family, and when he learns the truth about her situation I just wanted to cheer him on because he becomes so worthy of her. He truly stands by her even if she doesn't accept it always.
Beautiful Lawman is a true delight to read and will spin you here and there and sideways in all manner of good ways, A MUST READ FOR ROMANCE LOVERS.....TRULY REMARKABLE!!
[foogallery id="24074"]
Beautiful Lawman is a story that brings two souls that are from opposite sides of the tracks...will these two strong personalities be able to find a balance in co-exist in a world that says otherwise?
Beautiful Lawman was such a beautifully written story and I have to say that other than book one, this book is one of the most well-written books of the series and I fell head over heels in love with it. There was just nothing better than this book and I never wanted their story to end. It brings some interesting elements that you wouldn't really expect and they just fit so well into this story.
This marvelous book has some key players that you are destined to fall in love with.....
Hale Walters, the current sheriff and lawman, he is driven, hardworking and sees in black and white and from a respected family
Piper Walsh, our courageous heroine, is hardworking, protective of her family and will do anything for those she loves
I would like to say that out of all the books in this Devil Rock series, I would say that Beautiful Lawman made the biggest impression on me. I honestly just couldn't get enough of this one and just wanted more and more of Hale and Piper because when it ended, even though it had me in tears and smiles I just fell in love with these characters so much I just didn't want the book to end. However, the story doesn't begin with smiles that is for sure.
Our tale begins when Piper is desperate to keep her current job which is waitressing at a strip club and bar. She refuses to dance, but being a waitress where she can just wear her jeans she is more than okay with. She is barely keeping it together with supporting her teenage sister and having to provide for both of them since their parents made horrible errors in judgment and now their older brother is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Piper bears a ton of guilt on her shoulds, and in the later part of the story, we learn just how big of a loud she has been emotionally and mentally carrying. However, she is hardworking and will do anything for her sister. But when her sister gets arrested for being out with friends late, Piper ends up having to quit her job to pick her up from the station where she has a little run-in with Hale. Hale and Piper tangle in words but there is a sizzling bond between them even though they don't think very highly of each other. Soon though, Hale starts to see a different side of things and Piper begins to realize how dedicated and good-hearted Hale really is. But will their love be strong enough to stand the tide of secrets and a forbidden love...
What a whopper of a story and boy this just had me on tenterhooks and I never wanted to put it down!! I read this book easily in one sitting and considering I struggled with the past couple of books, that is saying something. I was very nervous to read this book, but after reading some positive reviews I knew I needed to pick it up and so glad that I did because it was AMAZING!! One of the best contemporary romances I have had the pleasure to read this year. What impressed me the most was the way this author handled "opposite side of the tracks" issue here. Because they really are on opposite side of the tracks. Our hero is from a community respected family, a lawman and women are always chasing after him. Then we have our heroine, who comes from a family that most spit on. Her family always has the tendency to be on the wrong side of the law. Her mother and brother have been in prison, although her brother is innocent, in the eyes of the town they live in, no one looks highly on their family. Piper has to resort to a strip bar for work because no one respectable will take her on. I really admired Piper's courage and tenacity. She has this inner strength most people would die for to have. She definitely doesn't have it easy, and doesn't complain. She does what she can to make sure her sister will succeed in life and I love how dedicated she is. She also isn't afraid to speak her mind to the Sherriff who is drop-dead gorgeous. It was pretty awe-inspiring to see Hale learn more about Piper and realize she isn't like her family, and when he learns the truth about her situation I just wanted to cheer him on because he becomes so worthy of her. He truly stands by her even if she doesn't accept it always.
Beautiful Lawman is a true delight to read and will spin you here and there and sideways in all manner of good ways, A MUST READ FOR ROMANCE LOVERS.....TRULY REMARKABLE!!
[foogallery id="24074"]
April 3, 2018
I love this whole series, and this was probably my favorite book in it so far. So emotional and sexy. I'm seriously considering starting at book one again and reading them straight through. I'm still swooning over Hale, who was so thoughtful and protective while still having that edge that made him delicious as heck. And Piper, with all her baggage and hopes, was so easy to root for that I raced through the pages, wanting to see how everything would work out for her.
April 28, 2018
2.5/5. Let me just start by praising the narrator, Christian Fox, for elevating the book experience with his spine-tingling, oh so smooth baritone voice. He had me hot and bothered even after just the first few lines.
*fans self* I can't get any information about him apart from the fact that he voices other erotic/romantic fiction. Just as well his identity remains elusive, because noone can possibly live up to that voice and if he does, God help him against groupies!
Of course, I don't count myself as a crazed stalker, seeing how I'm a pillar of propriety and respectablity... Just give me a moment to wipe the drool off my chin and I'll move on to the book itself.
Well, the story is not a bad one. The trope has been done before - poor girl from the wrong side of the track falls for good guy from noble family stock. Piper works in a strip club, strictly waitressing only and determined to keep her clothes on and her dignity intact. She's a Walsh, and they have a bit of a reputation in town for being somewhat disreputable - lacking in morals, ethics and money generally. Her father was not reliable. Her mother was a drunkard and promiscuity was Momma's middle name while she was alive. Both parents are now dead and there is only Piper, her brother who is currently serving time for murder and her little sister whom Piper is the guardian of. Piper and her sister live a hand to mouth existence on the meagre pay she earns at the club. It goes from bad to worse when this paltry earning is under threat after Piper rebukes the physical advances of a male customer. To top up her day, her 15 year old sister gets arrested and Piper has to pick her up from the station coming face to face with Sheriff Hale Walters, the same man she dumped an icy drink over some weeks ago after he insulted her with his insinuations that she was a cheap flirt. She gets defensive with him, he makes some further assumptions about her and her family and yet both cannot help their physical attraction for one another. This is where it goes downhill.
There really was little in the way of romantic development and tenderness. What there was was a whole lot of raw, grunting, disinhibited sex in completely inappropriate situations.
1. Piper was insulted and hurt that he painted her with the same brush that the rest of the town did, labelled her her mother's daughter, when Piper herself had done nothing to earn this reputation and was in fact still a virgin. So, what did she do to prove him wrong? She gave him a dirty private striptease at the club and threw in some unrequested extras like giving him a hand job and grinding her nude private bits on his private bits to orgasm. They were barely acquainted at the time apart from a few hostile encounters, so not the most classy nor convincing demonstration of her virtue.
2. Next, her virginity was subsequently disposed of in his office with his deputies and staff and various detained citizens right outside the door. This came after he pledged not to touch her and to keep a professional distance once she started working as his dispatcher. Yep, so professional and discrete to be humping, grunting and screaming for the entertainment of the whole sheriff building!
3. He invaded her room and started to fondle her and more in her sleep even though they had not reached any understanding between them at this stage, only casual sex born of lust but no emotions were discussed or agreement to continue with the same. This man was supposed to be representative of the law and all that's decent. Lucky for him, she's perpetually in the mood, because the consent was truly quite questionable.
4. She confessed to the event which had been plaguing her conscience in all these years. She cried, she's distressed. He responded by getting a boner and giving it to her and she received it with great enthusiasm! WTH???
Sophie Jordan has written some very good HRs, including a rare 5 stars (or 4.5 rather) from me One Night With You. This is my first CR by her. It really feels more like an erotic fiction, given the lack of romance and character development. But that voice though...sigh...
*fans self* I can't get any information about him apart from the fact that he voices other erotic/romantic fiction. Just as well his identity remains elusive, because noone can possibly live up to that voice and if he does, God help him against groupies!
Of course, I don't count myself as a crazed stalker, seeing how I'm a pillar of propriety and respectablity... Just give me a moment to wipe the drool off my chin and I'll move on to the book itself.
Well, the story is not a bad one. The trope has been done before - poor girl from the wrong side of the track falls for good guy from noble family stock. Piper works in a strip club, strictly waitressing only and determined to keep her clothes on and her dignity intact. She's a Walsh, and they have a bit of a reputation in town for being somewhat disreputable - lacking in morals, ethics and money generally. Her father was not reliable. Her mother was a drunkard and promiscuity was Momma's middle name while she was alive. Both parents are now dead and there is only Piper, her brother who is currently serving time for murder and her little sister whom Piper is the guardian of. Piper and her sister live a hand to mouth existence on the meagre pay she earns at the club. It goes from bad to worse when this paltry earning is under threat after Piper rebukes the physical advances of a male customer. To top up her day, her 15 year old sister gets arrested and Piper has to pick her up from the station coming face to face with Sheriff Hale Walters, the same man she dumped an icy drink over some weeks ago after he insulted her with his insinuations that she was a cheap flirt. She gets defensive with him, he makes some further assumptions about her and her family and yet both cannot help their physical attraction for one another. This is where it goes downhill.
There really was little in the way of romantic development and tenderness. What there was was a whole lot of raw, grunting, disinhibited sex in completely inappropriate situations.
1. Piper was insulted and hurt that he painted her with the same brush that the rest of the town did, labelled her her mother's daughter, when Piper herself had done nothing to earn this reputation and was in fact still a virgin. So, what did she do to prove him wrong? She gave him a dirty private striptease at the club and threw in some unrequested extras like giving him a hand job and grinding her nude private bits on his private bits to orgasm. They were barely acquainted at the time apart from a few hostile encounters, so not the most classy nor convincing demonstration of her virtue.
2. Next, her virginity was subsequently disposed of in his office with his deputies and staff and various detained citizens right outside the door. This came after he pledged not to touch her and to keep a professional distance once she started working as his dispatcher. Yep, so professional and discrete to be humping, grunting and screaming for the entertainment of the whole sheriff building!
3. He invaded her room and started to fondle her and more in her sleep even though they had not reached any understanding between them at this stage, only casual sex born of lust but no emotions were discussed or agreement to continue with the same. This man was supposed to be representative of the law and all that's decent. Lucky for him, she's perpetually in the mood, because the consent was truly quite questionable.
4. She confessed to the event which had been plaguing her conscience in all these years. She cried, she's distressed. He responded by getting a boner and giving it to her and she received it with great enthusiasm! WTH???
Sophie Jordan has written some very good HRs, including a rare 5 stars (or 4.5 rather) from me One Night With You. This is my first CR by her. It really feels more like an erotic fiction, given the lack of romance and character development. But that voice though...sigh...
December 28, 2017
Possibly the best of the series so far,the chemistry between these two was off the charts hot! Is Cruz's book next I hope :)
August 26, 2020
This is an excellent addition to Ms. Jordan's outstanding Devil's Rock series!
November 25, 2017
Whatever it is—jobs or money or security—that most people take for granted, Piper Walsh hasn’t had an easy time of it.
It isn’t often that I feel a huge affinity for a protagonist, but Piper certainly made my chest ache big time. There was so much I loved about her: her work ethic, her willingness to sacrifice so much for her family, as she silently took the barbs in about being the town’s loser family (with the often run-in with law enforcement and several family members in jail) that can do nothing right. But that desperation hasn’t eliminated her pride and her thick-skinned, desperate search for a way out in a town dripping with nothing but disdain for her was just so admirable.
In steps Sheriff Hale Walters at the strip club where she works and that very thing changes the course of small town history so to speak, because he’s absolutely the worst person—considering the Walshes’ history with the police and the town—that Piper can ever get into bed with. The cop and the perceived delinquent…it’s a toxic mix, at least on paper.
This antagonistic sniping doesn’t last long though, and the shift to full-blown desire and fumbling still caught me by surprise because I didn’t quite feel that they’d gone past their dislike of each other to give lust its full reign, just as I was more convinced that their relationship at the end still had more to do with lust than love. I was definitely sold by their sexual compatibility but not by their falling for each other, because there just didn’t seem to be enough persuasive scenes of Hale or Piper reaffirming each other’s qualities beyond how explosive they were physically together—the criterion of not being able to imagine being with another person in bed seemed to be a good enough argument why they should stay together, in fact.
Overall, ‘Beautiful Lawman’ became more of Piper’s story for me than Hale/Piper together, despite the pairing being the primary part of the romance bit of the book. Sophie Jordan’s ‘Devil Rock’ series has been a standout for its unusual premise to begin with and even though it sounds like I’m nitpicking in this review, it’s a series that I do like and want more of.
*ARC by the Publisher via Edelweiss
It isn’t often that I feel a huge affinity for a protagonist, but Piper certainly made my chest ache big time. There was so much I loved about her: her work ethic, her willingness to sacrifice so much for her family, as she silently took the barbs in about being the town’s loser family (with the often run-in with law enforcement and several family members in jail) that can do nothing right. But that desperation hasn’t eliminated her pride and her thick-skinned, desperate search for a way out in a town dripping with nothing but disdain for her was just so admirable.
In steps Sheriff Hale Walters at the strip club where she works and that very thing changes the course of small town history so to speak, because he’s absolutely the worst person—considering the Walshes’ history with the police and the town—that Piper can ever get into bed with. The cop and the perceived delinquent…it’s a toxic mix, at least on paper.
This antagonistic sniping doesn’t last long though, and the shift to full-blown desire and fumbling still caught me by surprise because I didn’t quite feel that they’d gone past their dislike of each other to give lust its full reign, just as I was more convinced that their relationship at the end still had more to do with lust than love. I was definitely sold by their sexual compatibility but not by their falling for each other, because there just didn’t seem to be enough persuasive scenes of Hale or Piper reaffirming each other’s qualities beyond how explosive they were physically together—the criterion of not being able to imagine being with another person in bed seemed to be a good enough argument why they should stay together, in fact.
Overall, ‘Beautiful Lawman’ became more of Piper’s story for me than Hale/Piper together, despite the pairing being the primary part of the romance bit of the book. Sophie Jordan’s ‘Devil Rock’ series has been a standout for its unusual premise to begin with and even though it sounds like I’m nitpicking in this review, it’s a series that I do like and want more of.
*ARC by the Publisher via Edelweiss
January 3, 2018
Me ha enganchado mucho, tanto como para no parar, la química entre ellos es genial, y las escenas de sexo muy bien llevadas, de hecho creo que voy a releer los que me he dejado atrás mientras espero la historia de Cruz, porque ESPERO historia suya, y soy de las que huye de las series, muy entretenido, a favoritos.
November 7, 2020
3.5 stars
January 2, 2018
I'm struggling to rate my first book of 2018. There were so many things I loved about this but so many things I LOATHED ENTIRELY.
I hate that I love this book but I also love to hate it <-- thats the best way to describe how I feel.
Hate to Love trope with an asshole hero is definitely one of my favorites when its written correctly- and this book was written very well. The characters were fleshed out, the plot was fresh and exciting and the characters had a lot of chemistry- I read the whole thing in one sitting and thats how I know a book has truly captivated me.
BUT BUT BUT
*wait for it*
*heavy sigh*
THE HEROINE WAS A 25 YEAR OLD VIRGIN.
WHY.
I've read a ton of virgin heroines before, but this one truly pissed me off to no end. The author had her working in a strip club as a waitress and the hero was under the impression the heroine fucked her "clients." So of course the author had to make the h extra sexually innocent for her to be worthy of the hero. It made me so angry and pissed off- the hero didn't go after the heroine initially because he thought she was slutty. Because a heroine with sexual experience doesn't deserve to be a love interest right? No, she only deserves love if she's an innocent virgin who's a poor damsel in distress. I'm still seething over this.
So I'm rating it 4 stars but tagged it as "favorite 5-stars" because I absolutely enjoyed it, and I might even read it again in the future.
Some other things to note:
Safe with exception
- Hero has a fuck buddy that he would go to once a month for a quick hookup. He's celibate once he meets the heroine BUT he does go to his fuck buddies house to try and forget about the h and lets the OW kiss him. He leaves when he comes to the realization that he only wants the h. -- Another thing that made me super angry.
- As much as I loved the hero and how much he loved the heroine, it truly bothered me how privileged he was. He proved over and over again how great his life was while putting down the heroine for her life choices, even thought she had no control over most of it.
For example:
Hero makes a big breakfast for the heroine and her little sister.
Heroines little sister tells the heroine how great it is and compares it to all the cereal and pop tarts they're used to eating.
Hero says he grew up with big breakfasts and passively tells the heroine she should make better food.
Heroine thinks to herself that she didn't have money to buy groceries for her and her sister, but never corrects the hero on his assumption that she's a bad cook.
Stuff like this happened a couple times and it just made me angry!!!!
Ok enough of my rambling. As much as I'm bitching about it I did really love it.
I hate that I love this book but I also love to hate it <-- thats the best way to describe how I feel.
Hate to Love trope with an asshole hero is definitely one of my favorites when its written correctly- and this book was written very well. The characters were fleshed out, the plot was fresh and exciting and the characters had a lot of chemistry- I read the whole thing in one sitting and thats how I know a book has truly captivated me.
BUT BUT BUT
*wait for it*
*heavy sigh*
THE HEROINE WAS A 25 YEAR OLD VIRGIN.
WHY.
I've read a ton of virgin heroines before, but this one truly pissed me off to no end. The author had her working in a strip club as a waitress and the hero was under the impression the heroine fucked her "clients." So of course the author had to make the h extra sexually innocent for her to be worthy of the hero. It made me so angry and pissed off- the hero didn't go after the heroine initially because he thought she was slutty. Because a heroine with sexual experience doesn't deserve to be a love interest right? No, she only deserves love if she's an innocent virgin who's a poor damsel in distress. I'm still seething over this.
So I'm rating it 4 stars but tagged it as "favorite 5-stars" because I absolutely enjoyed it, and I might even read it again in the future.
Some other things to note:
Safe with exception
- Hero has a fuck buddy that he would go to once a month for a quick hookup. He's celibate once he meets the heroine BUT he does go to his fuck buddies house to try and forget about the h and lets the OW kiss him. He leaves when he comes to the realization that he only wants the h. -- Another thing that made me super angry.
- As much as I loved the hero and how much he loved the heroine, it truly bothered me how privileged he was. He proved over and over again how great his life was while putting down the heroine for her life choices, even thought she had no control over most of it.
For example:
Hero makes a big breakfast for the heroine and her little sister.
Heroines little sister tells the heroine how great it is and compares it to all the cereal and pop tarts they're used to eating.
Hero says he grew up with big breakfasts and passively tells the heroine she should make better food.
Heroine thinks to herself that she didn't have money to buy groceries for her and her sister, but never corrects the hero on his assumption that she's a bad cook.
Stuff like this happened a couple times and it just made me angry!!!!
Ok enough of my rambling. As much as I'm bitching about it I did really love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2017
Rating: 4.5/5
Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise
The fourth book in the Devil’s Rock series involves Piper Walsh and Hale Walters and at first glance, it looks like a case of opposite attracts.
Piper is stuck in a town where everyone seemed to judge her by her family’s last name which is leading her to live a hard life, but she does it for her sister Malia. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind though and no one would think of her as a fragile girl. She gives as much as she gets especially around Hale who seems to know how to push her buttons anytime they meet. When the fear of losing the guardianship of her sister if she can’t provide for her, she takes on a job that she never anticipated she would ever do which put the story of the book in motion and bringing her more and more often in the presence of Hale which she can’t help but argue with.
Hale is the definition of the righteous man; always going by the law. The town seems to worship him because of his upbringing and how he followed his father’s footsteps. He’s living the opposite life of Piper and he tends to judge her like the rest of the town. But while Hale steers clear of any relationship of any kind, he is drawn to Piper and he can’t get her out of his head. He is determined to understand her even if she isn’t making the job easy.
Piper and Hale are both outspoken people and whenever they interact; neither of them wants to step down. Neither of them is afraid of confrontation which often leads them into situation that gets out of hand, but you can’t deny the attraction between the two of them which makes this relationship even more explosive.
Throughout this book, these two will learn that there always something deeper to someone’s personality than their first impression. The expression “don’t judge a book by its cover” applies perfectly not only to this book but to the whole series.
I could tell you more, but I’m trying not to spoil anything. Let’s just say you will be hooked from the first chapter.
All in all, this book was probably my favourite in this series. As much as I loved the others, this one just got me hooked on the people because they made this book so interesting.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise
The fourth book in the Devil’s Rock series involves Piper Walsh and Hale Walters and at first glance, it looks like a case of opposite attracts.
Piper is stuck in a town where everyone seemed to judge her by her family’s last name which is leading her to live a hard life, but she does it for her sister Malia. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind though and no one would think of her as a fragile girl. She gives as much as she gets especially around Hale who seems to know how to push her buttons anytime they meet. When the fear of losing the guardianship of her sister if she can’t provide for her, she takes on a job that she never anticipated she would ever do which put the story of the book in motion and bringing her more and more often in the presence of Hale which she can’t help but argue with.
Hale is the definition of the righteous man; always going by the law. The town seems to worship him because of his upbringing and how he followed his father’s footsteps. He’s living the opposite life of Piper and he tends to judge her like the rest of the town. But while Hale steers clear of any relationship of any kind, he is drawn to Piper and he can’t get her out of his head. He is determined to understand her even if she isn’t making the job easy.
Piper and Hale are both outspoken people and whenever they interact; neither of them wants to step down. Neither of them is afraid of confrontation which often leads them into situation that gets out of hand, but you can’t deny the attraction between the two of them which makes this relationship even more explosive.
Throughout this book, these two will learn that there always something deeper to someone’s personality than their first impression. The expression “don’t judge a book by its cover” applies perfectly not only to this book but to the whole series.
I could tell you more, but I’m trying not to spoil anything. Let’s just say you will be hooked from the first chapter.
All in all, this book was probably my favourite in this series. As much as I loved the others, this one just got me hooked on the people because they made this book so interesting.
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
December 13, 2017
Beautiful Lawman is the 4th book in Sophie Jordan’s Devil’s Rock series and it was one I was highly anticipating! I’ve loved every book in this series and this one is no exception.
What happens when the town sheriff, Hale Walters crosses paths with Piper Walsh, a woman whose family members have been on the wrong side of the law, including her brother who is currently in prison? Sparks fly! They both infuriate each other at times, but there’s no denying the chemistry between them. Pretty soon it becomes a lost cause to keep their hands off each other.
But Piper also has her sister to think about and care for. She’s been her legal guardian ever since her brother went to prison. Piper’s doing everything she can to make a better life for them. When circumstances happen that take her from her home and job, Hale steps in to help. He doesn’t want her leaving town, even if they can’t be together. The more time they’re around each other, the harder it is to remain apart. Piper’s past is coming back to haunt her though. Will secrets from her past tear them apart or bring them closer together?
Another entertaining, hot, sexy read in the Devil’s Rock series!
**I received an ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review**
What happens when the town sheriff, Hale Walters crosses paths with Piper Walsh, a woman whose family members have been on the wrong side of the law, including her brother who is currently in prison? Sparks fly! They both infuriate each other at times, but there’s no denying the chemistry between them. Pretty soon it becomes a lost cause to keep their hands off each other.
But Piper also has her sister to think about and care for. She’s been her legal guardian ever since her brother went to prison. Piper’s doing everything she can to make a better life for them. When circumstances happen that take her from her home and job, Hale steps in to help. He doesn’t want her leaving town, even if they can’t be together. The more time they’re around each other, the harder it is to remain apart. Piper’s past is coming back to haunt her though. Will secrets from her past tear them apart or bring them closer together?
Another entertaining, hot, sexy read in the Devil’s Rock series!
**I received an ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review**
December 31, 2017
I liked Piper (h) but Hale (H) was a judgmental dick for far too long and their interaction was so limited prior to his about-face that it’s not believable. They were just so in-lust with each other. The book lacked more romance building.
November 16, 2020
I’m going through this series so fast because there just so entertaining. This wasn’t my favorite but as I said very entertaining.
February 14, 2019
Hale is the town golden boy and now sheriff. Piper is from the bad family, struggling to support herself and her sister with the rest of her family in jail. Sparks fly when Hale and Piper face off at the local strip club...
This book was one problem after another. The first and biggest problem was that Hale definitely did not understand consent. Let me list the ways that he fucks up:
1) The first time they get hot and heavy it's at the strip club when she gives him a lap dance. They go way further than usual, although not quite past the point of illegality. Still, definitely a huge power imbalance especially considering this is her first lap dance (More on this later).
2) The second time is after he has hired her (more on that later) and they have sex on his couch in his office. This man is her boss. (Remember, employees can't give unfettered consent when their boss holds the keys to their career). Not okay.
3) The third time is when Hale has moved Piper into his house because she has no where else to go (more on this later, too). Hale decides to go into Piper's room while she is sleeping and starts getting physical before she wakes up. This is straight up assault (reminder- sleeping people can't give consent) AND Piper is literally homeless. She relies on him to provide a basic need, and therefore, I would argue that the power imbalance also makes consent impossible.
Are you still with me? Want to hear more about how Hale abuses his power? Good, because I am about to tell you. Remember how Hale hired Piper? That's because after his *magical* lap dance, he tells Piper's boss to fire her. Yes, you heard that right. He denied Piper her job because he didn't want other men to touch her or see her. Hmm... sounds patronizing, messed up, and not a little creepy. When he realizes that she can't get work elsewhere, he hires her on the spot (despite there not being an open position at the police station, and him using public funds to clean up his lust-driven mistake). The aforementioned homelessness is also (sorta) due to Hale's paternalism. When he sees the gross place that Piper and her sister are living, he makes them move without giving them a choice.
I hope by now I have convinced you that Hale is shit incarnate. Now, let me tell you what else is wrong with the book. It has a serious whore-madonna complex. Remember how Hale is Piper's first (and only) lap dance? That's because she said she would *never* be a sex worker, barely scraping by on her waitressing instead. Eventually, in desperation she changes her mind, but don't worry!, she only takes her clothes off for one man! The message is clear - sex work is not a valid choice and women should only ever have sex with one man. Did I mention that she is also a virgin. Hale has had a vigorous sex life, but that's okay. Men can have sex with whomever they want.
Lastly, Piper's background seemed a bit overdone. Her life is one sexual harrassment after another, which, sure, fine. What really tipped me over is the circumstances of her secret high-school shame. I won't say what it is here, in case I haven't convinced you not to read it, but it is really ridiculous.
This was a really bad book.
This book was one problem after another. The first and biggest problem was that Hale definitely did not understand consent. Let me list the ways that he fucks up:
1) The first time they get hot and heavy it's at the strip club when she gives him a lap dance. They go way further than usual, although not quite past the point of illegality. Still, definitely a huge power imbalance especially considering this is her first lap dance (More on this later).
2) The second time is after he has hired her (more on that later) and they have sex on his couch in his office. This man is her boss. (Remember, employees can't give unfettered consent when their boss holds the keys to their career). Not okay.
3) The third time is when Hale has moved Piper into his house because she has no where else to go (more on this later, too). Hale decides to go into Piper's room while she is sleeping and starts getting physical before she wakes up. This is straight up assault (reminder- sleeping people can't give consent) AND Piper is literally homeless. She relies on him to provide a basic need, and therefore, I would argue that the power imbalance also makes consent impossible.
Are you still with me? Want to hear more about how Hale abuses his power? Good, because I am about to tell you. Remember how Hale hired Piper? That's because after his *magical* lap dance, he tells Piper's boss to fire her. Yes, you heard that right. He denied Piper her job because he didn't want other men to touch her or see her. Hmm... sounds patronizing, messed up, and not a little creepy. When he realizes that she can't get work elsewhere, he hires her on the spot (despite there not being an open position at the police station, and him using public funds to clean up his lust-driven mistake). The aforementioned homelessness is also (sorta) due to Hale's paternalism. When he sees the gross place that Piper and her sister are living, he makes them move without giving them a choice.
I hope by now I have convinced you that Hale is shit incarnate. Now, let me tell you what else is wrong with the book. It has a serious whore-madonna complex. Remember how Hale is Piper's first (and only) lap dance? That's because she said she would *never* be a sex worker, barely scraping by on her waitressing instead. Eventually, in desperation she changes her mind, but don't worry!, she only takes her clothes off for one man! The message is clear - sex work is not a valid choice and women should only ever have sex with one man. Did I mention that she is also a virgin. Hale has had a vigorous sex life, but that's okay. Men can have sex with whomever they want.
Lastly, Piper's background seemed a bit overdone. Her life is one sexual harrassment after another, which, sure, fine. What really tipped me over is the circumstances of her secret high-school shame. I won't say what it is here, in case I haven't convinced you not to read it, but it is really ridiculous.
This was a really bad book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2023
Rating increased after reread.
I listened to the audiobook on my second reread and ughhhh I still love it so much!!! Christian Fox is such a good narrator!!! He did a fabulous job bringing Hale and his dirty AF mouth to life 🔥🔥🔥
----------------------------------------------------
Wow! I think this may be the best one in the Devil's Rock series! I'm actually a little surprised. I didn't think this could top All Chained Up.
I was a little uncomfortable at first with how helpless and vulnerable Piper was. Things got worse, before they got better for her. If anyone is deserving of a strong hero, it's Piper. And she got her strong hero in Hale, the Sheriff of Sweet Hill.
This is an enemies to lovers romance. I was really excited to read it because Piper and Hale left a strong impression on me in Fury on Fire. The power dynamic between the two felt uncomfortable at first, but it was great to see Piper own her sexuality. Piper and Hale obviously got off on the wrong foot, and I was so annoyed by how judgemental they were towards each other. I still relished their fights because I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers. Plus, they had so much chemistry together. Everything was all worth it in the end. I loved how they surprised each other - Piper was the opposite of what Hale was expecting and Hale was the opposite of what Piper was expecting. I love that Piper got the HEA that she deserves.
Another thing that surprised me in this book was the emotional depth of Piper and Hale's relationship. On top of being super sexy (and kinky), Beautiful Lawman hit the right emotional depth for me. I also think this book might be the most romantic and emotional one in the series. There were some serious topics that Jordan wrote about, especially in regards to Piper. I think the open communication between Piper and Hale was what heightened the emotional depth. Yea, they sniped at each other at first, but they were always frank with each other. The last two chapters were especially fantastic. Hale's reaction to Piper's confession was just amazing. If I were to go back to Fury on Fire and the beginning of Beautiful Lawman, I would barely recognize Hale because his character development was done so well.
I also loved the epilogue, although I wonder why the importance of the Ruiz Family was not highlighted before, especially since they're one of the few people who actually like the Walshes. Anyway, I'm excited for Cruz's book! I hope it's a good one!
I listened to the audiobook on my second reread and ughhhh I still love it so much!!! Christian Fox is such a good narrator!!! He did a fabulous job bringing Hale and his dirty AF mouth to life 🔥🔥🔥
----------------------------------------------------
Wow! I think this may be the best one in the Devil's Rock series! I'm actually a little surprised. I didn't think this could top All Chained Up.
I was a little uncomfortable at first with how helpless and vulnerable Piper was. Things got worse, before they got better for her. If anyone is deserving of a strong hero, it's Piper. And she got her strong hero in Hale, the Sheriff of Sweet Hill.
This is an enemies to lovers romance. I was really excited to read it because Piper and Hale left a strong impression on me in Fury on Fire. The power dynamic between the two felt uncomfortable at first, but it was great to see Piper own her sexuality. Piper and Hale obviously got off on the wrong foot, and I was so annoyed by how judgemental they were towards each other. I still relished their fights because I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers. Plus, they had so much chemistry together. Everything was all worth it in the end. I loved how they surprised each other - Piper was the opposite of what Hale was expecting and Hale was the opposite of what Piper was expecting. I love that Piper got the HEA that she deserves.
Another thing that surprised me in this book was the emotional depth of Piper and Hale's relationship. On top of being super sexy (and kinky), Beautiful Lawman hit the right emotional depth for me. I also think this book might be the most romantic and emotional one in the series. There were some serious topics that Jordan wrote about, especially in regards to Piper. I think the open communication between Piper and Hale was what heightened the emotional depth. Yea, they sniped at each other at first, but they were always frank with each other. The last two chapters were especially fantastic. Hale's reaction to Piper's confession was just amazing. If I were to go back to Fury on Fire and the beginning of Beautiful Lawman, I would barely recognize Hale because his character development was done so well.
I also loved the epilogue, although I wonder why the importance of the Ruiz Family was not highlighted before, especially since they're one of the few people who actually like the Walshes. Anyway, I'm excited for Cruz's book! I hope it's a good one!
August 18, 2017
4.5 beautiful stars. The title of the book, Beautiful Lawman, refers to Sheriff Hale Walters and I love him even though he started all judgmental and tight-assed. He ended up so in love I forgive him for his early behavior. That he's yummy and so heroic wasn't too bad, either.
But, the star of the book for me is Piper. Sophie gutted me with Piper's struggles to be a parent to her sister Malia and her determination to rise above the desperate situation she was in when no one was willing to help because of her family history. I got emotional reading this book because I felt so much for what Piper had to go through, what she has to overcome. She was shunned, looked down upon, but she remained strong and resolute. In the end, she truly deserved her victorious happy-ever-after.
Another thing I loved about this book is the hot sexytimes. Sophie Jordan's latest works have become increasingly sensual and I'm loving the extra heat and sizzle of her stories.
Some of my favorite lines are:
"Her body didn't belong to her anymore. It was his. Whether he knew it or not. Whether he wanted it or not."
"You're something good, Piper Walsh. Beautiful and strong and frustrating as hell, and when we're together it's so fucking hot. You want me as much as I want you."
If I have a minor complaint, it is that everything was wrapped up in a neat little bow. It was a total 180 from when Piper was downtrodden in the beginning to almost having it all in the end. Yeah, and the proposal might be a little cheesy. I still love it anyway. Read it in one sitting. Looking forward to the next book. Is Cruz next?
Note: I requested this book from Edelweiss and Avon gave it to me in exchange for an honest, advanced review.
But, the star of the book for me is Piper. Sophie gutted me with Piper's struggles to be a parent to her sister Malia and her determination to rise above the desperate situation she was in when no one was willing to help because of her family history. I got emotional reading this book because I felt so much for what Piper had to go through, what she has to overcome. She was shunned, looked down upon, but she remained strong and resolute. In the end, she truly deserved her victorious happy-ever-after.
Another thing I loved about this book is the hot sexytimes. Sophie Jordan's latest works have become increasingly sensual and I'm loving the extra heat and sizzle of her stories.
Some of my favorite lines are:
"Her body didn't belong to her anymore. It was his. Whether he knew it or not. Whether he wanted it or not."
"You're something good, Piper Walsh. Beautiful and strong and frustrating as hell, and when we're together it's so fucking hot. You want me as much as I want you."
If I have a minor complaint, it is that everything was wrapped up in a neat little bow. It was a total 180 from when Piper was downtrodden in the beginning to almost having it all in the end. Yeah, and the proposal might be a little cheesy. I still love it anyway. Read it in one sitting. Looking forward to the next book. Is Cruz next?
Note: I requested this book from Edelweiss and Avon gave it to me in exchange for an honest, advanced review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2018
Beautiful Lawman by Sophie Jordan
(Devil’s Rock #4)
Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: December 26, 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of Beautiful Lawman for an honest review.
Beautiful Lawman is a book that deals with prejudices, has passion and heart! Not judging someone on outward appearances and thinking you know their story is something Sophie dealt with seamlessly. This book had me hook-line and sinker right from the first page. I have loved this series but this one exceeded my expectations. The chemistry is amazing and this book had so many high points. Sophie nailed it!!!
FULL REVIEW GO TO: https://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/20...
(Devil’s Rock #4)
Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: December 26, 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of Beautiful Lawman for an honest review.
Beautiful Lawman is a book that deals with prejudices, has passion and heart! Not judging someone on outward appearances and thinking you know their story is something Sophie dealt with seamlessly. This book had me hook-line and sinker right from the first page. I have loved this series but this one exceeded my expectations. The chemistry is amazing and this book had so many high points. Sophie nailed it!!!
FULL REVIEW GO TO: https://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/20...
December 22, 2017
Originally posted at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2017/12/review-...
Favorite Quote: “Hold that thought, I’ll be right back to tell you why you’re wrong.”
Piper Walsh has spent her entire life trying to live down her family’s bad reputation. With her older brother currently serving time at Devil’s Rock, raising her younger sister, and being forced to work in a strip club doesn’t help. A chance meeting with the local sheriff only reinforces her opinion that people like her can’t ever win.
Sheriff Hale Walters has a bad habit of judging people, hence why he ended up with a lap full of ice water when he first met Piper. When he picks up her sister for loitering, it only reinforces his bad opinion of Piper and her family.
Piper and Hale continue to butt heads as their antagonism slowly turns to attraction but Hale doesn’t do relationships and Piper has no intention of becoming another notch on the sexy sheriff’s bedpost.
When Piper finds herself in need of a hero, Hale swoops in to rescue her but once he has her in his arms, he suddenly finds himself unable to let go. Now he just needs to convince her that they belong together.
Beautiful Lawman is the fourth book in Sophie Jordan’s romantic suspense series that revolves around the inmates of the prison-Devil’s Rock-and their journey towards redemption, forgiveness, and love. This is the first book in the series where the focus is not on one of the inmates. In here, the lead in the sister of an inmate and follows her on her own path toward growth and acceptance. Each book works as a standalone through they are loosely linked.
SPOILERS FROM BOOK 3!! We first met Piper Walsh in Fury on Fire. When North Callahan is released from prison, Piper’s brother, Cruz, asks him to check in on her. Those who read North’s story knows that North ends up with Faith Walters whose father sent North to prison and whose brother is the current Sheriff, Hale Walters. Intent on breaking Faith and North up, Hale follows North to a strip club and insults Piper by insinuating she is a whore. Piper retaliates by dumping ice water in his lap and telling him to go to hell. When Hale runs a background check on her, he learns about her family’s checked past and assumes she is cut from the same cloth.
The story picks up a few months after book three. We learn that 25-year-old Piper has a lot on sole guardianship over her younger sister, their parents are dead, and their name is mud in town. Piper can’t get a job anywhere decent and the only reason they haven’t moved is that Piper wants to stay close to their brother. She is fired from her job when the sheriff’s dept calls to tell her she needs to come pick up her sister. She runs into Hale who makes some judgemental comments
The story starts out strong and amusing-nothing beats antagonistic enemies to lovers romance. While this is a romance with a hint of mystery, this is primarily Piper’s story as she overcomes adversity, hardship, and a prejudicial town to emerge triumphantly. Jordan characterization of Piper is spot on as she is the perfect blend of defiance and vulnerability. She doesn’t allow anyone to make her feel bad or unworthy-not even local law enforcement.
“…this was Hale Walters. A rude, arrogant cop quick to judge. He was everything she despised.”
I’m not really sure how I felt about Hale. In the beginning, he is quite unlikable with his better than thou attitude towards Piper. The local golden boy whose family has upheld the law in town for years. Rather black and white in his worldviews, he judges without all the facts and makes all kinds of assumptions though in his favor, he readily admits when he’s wrong.
“She didn’t project the slightest deference as someone in her position might do…as someone should do.”
Jordan uses Piper and Hale’s relationship to discuss sexual harassment, assault, profiling, and misogyny as she divulges deeper into Piper’s family history. We gradually learn that her brother’s incarceration is suspect and has something to do with Piper.
The romance is slow to build; their attraction is the building block that helps to bridge the difference between them. Hot and spicy, Jordan has no problems writing intense chemically sizzling love scenes between their two different personalities. Office sex FTW!! It works to an extent though I never felt they ever graduated past the physical aspects to love. Even at the end, it felt more like lust than love though I liked that Piper never dropped her convictions to be with Hale. She wasn’t going to be his fling and that was that. He had to change and he does…rather easily for someone who for years refused to have anything more than a hit it and quick it attitude. I also found myself becoming distinctly put out with Piper’s gratitude towards Hale for his actions -when he was the cause of most of her issues.
The minor mystery plot was weak and unfulfilling. Jordan clears up everything with a simple explanation that could have been addressed years ago.
Though I enjoyed the first two books, I have felt the last two struggled to deliver. I enjoyed Piper and watching her evolution though I wish it hadn’t taken finding a man to make it happen.
Grade: C-
Favorite Quote: “Hold that thought, I’ll be right back to tell you why you’re wrong.”
Piper Walsh has spent her entire life trying to live down her family’s bad reputation. With her older brother currently serving time at Devil’s Rock, raising her younger sister, and being forced to work in a strip club doesn’t help. A chance meeting with the local sheriff only reinforces her opinion that people like her can’t ever win.
Sheriff Hale Walters has a bad habit of judging people, hence why he ended up with a lap full of ice water when he first met Piper. When he picks up her sister for loitering, it only reinforces his bad opinion of Piper and her family.
Piper and Hale continue to butt heads as their antagonism slowly turns to attraction but Hale doesn’t do relationships and Piper has no intention of becoming another notch on the sexy sheriff’s bedpost.
When Piper finds herself in need of a hero, Hale swoops in to rescue her but once he has her in his arms, he suddenly finds himself unable to let go. Now he just needs to convince her that they belong together.
Beautiful Lawman is the fourth book in Sophie Jordan’s romantic suspense series that revolves around the inmates of the prison-Devil’s Rock-and their journey towards redemption, forgiveness, and love. This is the first book in the series where the focus is not on one of the inmates. In here, the lead in the sister of an inmate and follows her on her own path toward growth and acceptance. Each book works as a standalone through they are loosely linked.
SPOILERS FROM BOOK 3!! We first met Piper Walsh in Fury on Fire. When North Callahan is released from prison, Piper’s brother, Cruz, asks him to check in on her. Those who read North’s story knows that North ends up with Faith Walters whose father sent North to prison and whose brother is the current Sheriff, Hale Walters. Intent on breaking Faith and North up, Hale follows North to a strip club and insults Piper by insinuating she is a whore. Piper retaliates by dumping ice water in his lap and telling him to go to hell. When Hale runs a background check on her, he learns about her family’s checked past and assumes she is cut from the same cloth.
The story picks up a few months after book three. We learn that 25-year-old Piper has a lot on sole guardianship over her younger sister, their parents are dead, and their name is mud in town. Piper can’t get a job anywhere decent and the only reason they haven’t moved is that Piper wants to stay close to their brother. She is fired from her job when the sheriff’s dept calls to tell her she needs to come pick up her sister. She runs into Hale who makes some judgemental comments
The story starts out strong and amusing-nothing beats antagonistic enemies to lovers romance. While this is a romance with a hint of mystery, this is primarily Piper’s story as she overcomes adversity, hardship, and a prejudicial town to emerge triumphantly. Jordan characterization of Piper is spot on as she is the perfect blend of defiance and vulnerability. She doesn’t allow anyone to make her feel bad or unworthy-not even local law enforcement.
“…this was Hale Walters. A rude, arrogant cop quick to judge. He was everything she despised.”
I’m not really sure how I felt about Hale. In the beginning, he is quite unlikable with his better than thou attitude towards Piper. The local golden boy whose family has upheld the law in town for years. Rather black and white in his worldviews, he judges without all the facts and makes all kinds of assumptions though in his favor, he readily admits when he’s wrong.
“She didn’t project the slightest deference as someone in her position might do…as someone should do.”
Jordan uses Piper and Hale’s relationship to discuss sexual harassment, assault, profiling, and misogyny as she divulges deeper into Piper’s family history. We gradually learn that her brother’s incarceration is suspect and has something to do with Piper.
The romance is slow to build; their attraction is the building block that helps to bridge the difference between them. Hot and spicy, Jordan has no problems writing intense chemically sizzling love scenes between their two different personalities. Office sex FTW!! It works to an extent though I never felt they ever graduated past the physical aspects to love. Even at the end, it felt more like lust than love though I liked that Piper never dropped her convictions to be with Hale. She wasn’t going to be his fling and that was that. He had to change and he does…rather easily for someone who for years refused to have anything more than a hit it and quick it attitude. I also found myself becoming distinctly put out with Piper’s gratitude towards Hale for his actions -when he was the cause of most of her issues.
The minor mystery plot was weak and unfulfilling. Jordan clears up everything with a simple explanation that could have been addressed years ago.
Though I enjoyed the first two books, I have felt the last two struggled to deliver. I enjoyed Piper and watching her evolution though I wish it hadn’t taken finding a man to make it happen.
Grade: C-
January 4, 2018
I’m not head over heels in love with this series, but I’ve been keeping up with it. If I’m being honest, the first book was the only I actually liked. The thing with Sophie Jordan’s book is that she’s absolutely amazing at writing white-hot chemistry and tension between her couples, but when it comes to the romantic elements, she falters quite a bit, mostly because her books are too short, which doesn’t allow much room for emotional development. For me personally, lust is simply not enough to satisfy the romance reader in me. I like to see the emotional aspects more than the sex.
The same thing happens here with Beautiful Lawman. It had the ingredients to make for a really good romance novel between two broken characters, but so much of the book is focused on the hate-to-lust. I’ll admit that I liked the characters for the most part. Piper, especially, is great. She has lot on her plate, and has had to basically raise her teenage sister, but she does everything she can to make sure that she and her sister have food in their belly and a roof above their heads. You’ve got to admire her resilience, especially when you realize that she faces numerous obstacles as a result of her family’s notoriety in town. I liked Hale too in this book. He was so staunch and rigid in the previous book, so it was nice to get inside his head. He could be incredibly stubborn and irritating with his alpha-male ways at times, but it was clear that this was a decent guy.
The romance, like I said is not particularly well-developed. The chemistry is absolutely delicious though, and Jordan knows how to write a steamy scene or two, for sure. Like I said, I wanted to see Piper and Hale bond emotionally too as well. I just didn’t see how the lust so suddenly progressed to love for the two of them. There’s also weird plot twist that shows up towards the end of the book that left me quite baffled since I didn’t get what the point of it all was. Regardless of all that, I still was able to read through this one fairly quickly because I really do enjoy Sophie Jordan’s writing. I only wish she’d take her time with her romances.
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