My name is Lee Jacks and I’ve lived a life that few could imagine. When you grow up as the son of a crack whore with little more than the clothes on your back most days being accepted by your peers is the last thing you expect. I was always an outcast which was fine by me. It’s what kept my brother and me alive. Survival is something that isn’t taught in public schools, but it damn well should be. Especially the one that I attended for a while. But I’m no longer a gutter rat to be kicked aside like yesterday’s trash. I’m a sought-after member of the Asheville, North Carolina elite and invited to parties given by the mayor, governor and the upper crust of society.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, money and power will turn many an eye blind and even more ears deaf. Rumors about my past and the fact that I’ve long operated in the grey areas of the law abound, but the good people in this city could give a f***. What they do care about is that I donate to whatever charity their guilty conscience prods them to support.
Even as a kid I instinctively knew that I needed to be the alpha. That’s the same ingrained knowledge that animals are born with. You assert your dominance early on and reinforce it as needed. It wasn’t that I enjoyed fighting as some did. Hell, I’d never considered myself a violent man by nature. But if it comes down to the him or me scenario, then it’s gonna be him every time. I’ve killed to protect myself and those I love and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
The one thing I never counted on was falling in love with my assistant Liza. In one of my few selfless acts, I refused to bring her into my corrupt world. When she quits her job, and walks away from me, I soon discover that I never really knew her at all. For she has secrets of her own and one of them could very well be the need to destroy me.
Lee, the one we have been patiently pining for, doesn't disappoint. With his colorful past and tough exterior, Lee Jacks has seen and done many things in his 45 years that has earned respect, as well as enemies. While he has worked hard to bring Falco into the light, it doesn't erase the things he did and help do to make the company what it is. There are few people in his life he lets his guard down for - his brother and his family, his daughter Lia and her family, and Liza whom has found her way into his heart. To keep Liza shielded from the darkness he carries, he keeps her at arm’s length, but it seems that she has finally had enough of that. Liza leaving sets off a chain of events that will make Lee question everything he though he knew.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book.
This was a yummy read. I was so excited to read Lee's story. We didn't get the personal side of him until now. This is has surpises, love, manipuation, betrayal, dirty, hot sex and twists. OH yes and a...
Liza has been love with her boss ever since she started working for him, two years ago. He never indicated that he ever felt anything for her and then she quits. Now she is miserable. She afraid... Lee is beside himself. His office is chaos. She created ease. He's run off every temp sent to him. Kara has been helping out but it's not the same without her. She made his life balanced. He has to find out why she suddenly left, something was not right. So he now has to ask for help from the family...
It's not CUERO mio, it's CUORE! Cuero means leather in Spanish. It's a minor thing, but it bugs the hell out of me when authors use another language and they use it wrong.
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. *
~ 5 Little Bird Stars ~
I was so excited when Sydney Landon announced that she was going to write a story for Lia's dad Lee. I knew it would be fantastic and I wasn't wrong at all. I have loved every books in this series and I thought Lee was the perfect ending to this series.
I loved that we got to see the inner workings of Lee Jacks. His backstory was so heart wrenching. But I was glad to see that Liza was able to bring out the man we all knew was hiding under that tough exterior. I thought Liza and Lee made a perfect couple....their puzzles pieces fit perfectly together.
This is a fairly quick read and is told in Dual POV. I thought the flow and pace of the story was perfect and I loved the mystery and suspense to the storyline. Kept me intrigued and turning the pages until the very end. Sydney was able to surprise me many times while reading this book. I didn't expect a lot of the stuff that is revealed.
Lee is a standalone novel, but I wouldn't recommend reading it that way. I truly believe that at least Lucian and Lia's 3 books need to be read before reading Lee to get the full effect of Lee and who he is. I just think the character dynamic works better if read in order. Plus you will want to meet Lucian and Lia as well as Lee and Liza.
I would 100% recommend this book to all of Sydney's fan but also to anyone who likes a great love story with a little mystery and suspense mixed in. This is definitely one of my all time favorite series and I will be reading these books again in the future.
Lee is the much anticipated next book in the Lycian & Lia series! We found out earlier in the series that Lee is Lia’s father. Anyway, this story focuses on Lee and his attraction to his assistant Liza, who leaves suddenly when Lee is insistent that they can’t be together as he has too much darkness in him which would destroy her innocence! However, Liza carries a secret which could destroy them both and their relationship that is still in its infancy!
What an amazing read! Loved both Lee and Liza’s characters, had me in stitches at some of their interactions with each other:) Already looking forward to Anthony’s story and finding out more about the Morettis!
I am so glad Lee finally got his story told. I also the fact that we get to see out past characters in this story and see how their lives are moving forward . Poor Jade to go through that with your own family has to be so hard so when she finally finds love with Lee and is readily accepted by his family and friends you are so happy for her. I give Lee ally of credit for listening yo her side of the story before making assumptions that really could have been bad for their relationship. Looking so forward to Tony and Jacey's story next.
I have enjoyed several of the books in this series. Sydney creates characters you fall in love with. The stories are well written. I have loved this series.
There isn’t a word written by Sydney Landon that I haven’t absolutely loved! I was a huge fan of her Danvers series and found that the Lucian and Lia series is even better! The element of suspense in Lee is the most intense of the series! Lee Jacks has been a wildcard since we started hearing about him early in the series. His colorful past was often mentioned. But, now we find out just how colorful it really was. I really understand his fierce desire to protect his family now. I didn’t expect he would ever make it as a book boyfriend. But he certainly is a swoon-worthy hero. One thing I really enjoy in Sydney’s novels is how her hero’s are often overcome with the need to protect their women, much to their own surprise. It’s nice to find that these uber-sexy alpha males are really teddy bears behind the scenes. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t be more thrilled to find out there is another upcoming book in this series, Anthony! Can’t wait!!
When I first heard that Lee was getting a book I wasn't sure if it was enough for an entire book. Boy was I wrong! This book shed so much onto the childhood of Lee and his brother which molded them into who they were as adults. I was shocked when it was revealed about Liza and her back story. Not only did this book tie up the past but it also sealed the future. Of course, I loved how we got updates on the characters from the other books in the series. This book is definitely full of drama and uncertainty and Lee struggles to figure out himself and Liza discovers who she is and what she wants. I look forward to the spin off involving Liza's sister Jacey. This book is part of the series and should not be read without the others first as most will not make sense. I will say you will not be disappointed in reading the series.
Miss Landon did it again; Lee was absolutely brilliant! I love the Lucian & Lia series SO much but I honestly wasn’t sure how I would feel about this one. I was more than pleasantly surprised! Lee is basically just an older version of Lucian and it is so easy to love him! And oh, how I love “Liza”! She is sweet and feisty and loyal to a fault! She certainly hasn’t had an easy life with her father and sister constantly tearing her down. Thankfully, that doesn’t stop her from loving Lee and accepting his love in return! And the twists and turns in this one had me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails on more than one occasion!! If you love the L & L series then this is a MUST READ! If you haven’t read this series then what are you waiting for?! You’re missing out on a Love Story of Epic proportions!!
I loved, loved, loved this book, everything about it. I was pulled in right from the get go and was there until I had read the last word. There is a lot goes on within the pages of this book, but that being said you never lose the story. There is an air of mystery where Lee is concerned, which makes you want to know more, questions do get answered that I have had from previous books in this series but not all and I don't think they ever will be which is fine. Sydney Landon has written her another brilliant book to add to the others in this series. This is one of my favourite series and I have read and listened to the other books more than once. Highly recommend this book and the series, so worth the 5 stars I had rated it.
Like Lee Jacks himself, this is a slightly dark and thrilling read. So worth it though.
After somewhat causing his secretary (and the woman he loves) to flee his employment, Lee Jacks doesn’t know what to do with himself or without her. Upon receiving info that she could possibly be tangled up with an old enemy he decides to find out what she’s been up to since leaving him.
Leaving Lee was the hardest thing Liza has ever done. Refusing to let herself be used by her father any longer, Liza decides to come clean to Lee about her true identity.
Find out how these two end up with their own HEA and a “monster” cat named Rufus.
This is by far my favorite Sydney Landon book! I am absolutely with out a doubt in love with Lee!!!! OMG! He was not what I was expecting. I just love him so freaking much. I honestly didn't think anyone could ever take Lucian's place but Lee has him now in second place. This book had me laughing at spots and sad at spots! Not only did I love Lee but I love Liza, too! She appears to be sweet and innocent but boy is she packing one hell of a secret. She knows how to push all of Lee's buttons and get a reaction from him. I really wish there was more books from this couple. I need more Lee. OMG! Did I say already, that I LOVE him!!!! Because......I Do.....
I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series and this one was no exception but this one was better than I ever expected! It may actually be my favorite in this series. It’s was suspenseful and oh so funny at times! The banter between Lee & Lucian was hysterical! Liza/Jade & Lee also have some very funny scenes which I loved add the conversation & relationship Lee has with Rufus... haha! This story has a very interesting twist that I as expecting! Great job Sydney! I can’t wait for Anthony’s story.
Lee and Liza/Jade. She was his administrative assistant but also a planted spy for her father. Her father wanted his daughter to infiltrate Lee's business and dig up stuff that he could use to destroy him. Her dad (mob-ish) blames Lee for the death of his wife. Lee was tasked by his employer (20 years prior) to do a hostile takeover of the business that Jade's mother loved. After her business was taken from her she got depressed, started drinking, and died in a car crash. After 2 years working for Lee, Jade develops feelings for him and cannot go through with the plan and quits her job. Lee is having Jade followed (he has feels for her but won't bring her into his "dark" world) and she is tracked to her father's house. Not knowing the relationship, Lee has investigators look into her but find she's a ghost. They had a hard time figuring out who she was but once Lee found out, he confronted Jade. She admitted it and her reason for quitting. His crew cannot figure out what the reasoning is for her dad wanting to come after him after 20 years so he visits Anthony Moretti. Lee tells Jade's dad that he has Jade and she is his. He sends her sister and his goons to kidnap her. In the rescue we find out that Lee's boss Viktor was besties with Anthony's dad and leader of the Moretti crime syndicate. It seems that Jade's mother was having a long time affair with Moretti. He wanted her to leave her husband but she told him that her husband wouldn't let her take her kids with her so she called it off and returned to her husband. In retaliation for her choosing her husband Moretti initiated the hostile takeover of the company he knew she loved. Depressed at having lost her business and having to live with her husband, she began drinking. Her husband knew about the affair and hired some crack addict to murder Viktor and Moretti. Her husband then killed her and made it appear to be a car accident. Having all of the truth out and a tense confrontation between the Moretti's and Lee (while rescuing Jade), her sister Jacey shoots and kills her father. The Moretti's make the body disappear, protecting Jacey.
I loved the story of this book. However, I was kind of disappointed in Lee's sexual prowess. He was a lot of dirty talk but then we didn't get to read a ton of action. The sex scenes are nothing like Sydney Landon's other books. But either way, Lee was hot and I loved that Jade wasn't the stick figure but had some curves to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Lee Book 6 of the Lucian and Lia series. By Sydney Landon
5 Full Stars
We go into this book knowing that Lee is Lia’s father. Lia is the only child Lee has, and they only became aware of each other about two years prior.
Lee has a shady past which he distanced himself away from since his mentor and father figure was killed. Family is everything to Lee, and he keeps everyone else at arms length. Everyone, that is until his secretary, Eliza, goes batshit crazy one day and then leaves. After keeping tabs on her Lee finds that she isn’t who he thought she was.
As with the books so far in this series, there are secrets, surprises and skullduggery. This is a great read and very funny in parts. I loved it as much as I did with the first three books dealing with Lucian and Lia.
We’re also introduced to two new characters who are in the next series Jacey and Tony.
This may be read as a stand alone, as your given short backstories of past events when there is a need to know them, but why would you? The other books are a must read.
Lee Jacks has been intriguing from the moment he came onto the scene. In the previous books, he has an assistant named Liza who he clearly has feelings for and vice versa. Liza is a bit shy and is the only woman able to go toe to toe with Lee. After she stops working for him, Lee does some research on her and finds out that not all is what it seems with Liza. I liked how much chemistry they had and it was good that everything was out in the open and that we got to see who Liza truly was. Sins of the past came back to haunt Lee and he had to go to an old friend Anthony Moretti for help. I'm intrigued by Tony and I want to know more. Liza and Lee had a great relationship and once they got everything out in the open, they became better people. It was good to see the whole gang make an appearance of some sort especially Lia and Lucian. I cannot wait to read Anthony's story.
I love this series. But you have to read the series in order to understand the character involvement. Liza has been in love with her boss ever since she started working for him. She is smart woman who keeps his office running with ease. But she is keeping secrets and she ends up quitting. Lee grew up poor in in tough neighborhood. He is an alpha male who never forgets his roots. His past comes back to haunt him and sets the story of Liza and him. He can’t keep any of the temps because no one can replace her efficiency and intelligence. The story provides more background on both their characters that make you appreciate them even more. Liza is the only one who stands up to him and makes him laugh. This books also sets the stage for the next book in the series for Anthony and Jacey (Liza’s sister).
Once again Sydney hit it out of the park with this story. I was so wrapped up in the story i couldn't put it down unless I had to do something. The scene with Lee and the cat had me laughing so hard I about needed a litter box myself.
Then when you learn more about Jade and her life you cannot help but cry a little. You will love this story.
A Highly Anticipated new instalment of the Lucian & Lia series for me. This book had it all drama, thrills, sexy, hot and funny moments.
Lee didn’t disappoint, This is Book 6 of this series and Sydney does a great job with every single Book. A truly Sexy and Thrilling read. When Lee’s assistant Liza unexpectedly leaves it starts off a chain reaction of events that bring us murder, mystery, thrills drama and a whole lot of sexy.
Like the Pierced books that came before Lee, I loved this one. The writing is so phenomenal and the story never lags. We meet new characters as well as catching up with old favorites. I thought I had the story line all figured out and was very proud of myself. I. Was. Wrong! AND, just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, BAM!, blindsided again. It is 3:25 a.m., and I just finished one of the best books ever. Don't worry, it's also SMOKIN' HOT!!!
I borrowed this book from my library, using libby. I absolutely love the cover! Lee has been a great read as has the book be4 him. I love the authors writing style, she had me on the edge of my seat. This book has it all,hot sex,danger and love. She brings in all the other characters in from the other books. You will love this standalone in this series. The characters have an amazing story and hea.
Finally after going thru so much Lee has his HEA. It was not easy and it was a long time coming but it arrived. Liza/Jade was awesome her character strong as hell and OMG so funny. I can not tell you how many times i just busted out laughing it was great. Loved seeing all the other characters Luc and Lia amazing.
I loved Lee's story! This whole series is great!! It's refreshing to have a lead female character be so true to life. Not all women are a size 2 and have the willpower to walk away from a bag of M&M's..... This book is a great mix of funny moments, sexy moments and suspense. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Enjoyable and an easy read. It's not very dark, but with enough little edges to keep things interesting. I'd consider reading another in the series. I read it without reading any of the others and, while you can, I'd recommend reading the others first so you have a better understanding of who's who.
I found that this addition to the series about Lee and Liza/Jade was a little harder to get into because there was quite a lot of internal dialogue at the beginning so it took a while for the story to get going. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read and Lee and Liza/Jade were a great couple and the story was interesting.
This was so good. Love is a powerful emotion and I am so happy that Lee was able to find someone to love him, past and all. I am really eager for Anthony and Jacey's story.
Absolutely brilliant ,read it in one sitting couldn't put it down. Sexy gangsters , murder , mystery, mayhem it had it all plus some absolutely hysterically funny moments , I had tears from laughing so hard, Rufus the cat is the man . Plus love and all the yummy stuff. Definitely recommend this .
I loved Lee and Liza!! The story about Liza was fantastic and ultimately showed Lee to be a better man than he believes himself to be. So glad to get their story!!!