Can't Fight the Feeling

Nashville Dreams #3

by Sandy James

In Nashville the men are strong, the women are bold, and love comes to those willing to fight for it.

Russ Green is an expert at keeping people out - physically and emotionally. After a career-ending injury, the former quarterback was lucky to find a place as a bouncer at Words & Music. All he wants to do now is stay out of the limelight - alone. With his background, he's nobody's Prince Charming. His life is routine, and he likes it that way. Gym, work, home. No surprises. Until a bar brawl lands him in the emergency room, and in some very capable hands...

Nurse Joslynn Wright found her calling during a childhood bout of leukemia. While the fast-paced ER keeps her adrenaline pumping, it's nothing compared to being with Russ. Her illness made her cautious, though, and Russ's closed-off nature certainly doesn't make things any easier. But she can't help being intrigued by the contradiction of a burly bouncer who can gently strum a guitar. If she's learned anything in Nashville, it's that love may take work, but the rewards can be well worth the effort...

The Nashville Dreams series:
Can't Walk Away
Can't Let Her Go
Can't Fight the Feeling

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Music, Adult, Medical

320 pages, Paperback

Published May 8, 2018

About the author

Sandy lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis and is a high school psychology teacher. She is published through Grand Central Forever Yours and Carina Press as well as indie-published. An Amazon #1 Bestseller many times, she has won numerous awards, including two HOLT Medallions.

Please visit her website at http://sandyjames.com for more information or find her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandyjamesbooks)

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t Fight the Feeling is book three in the Nashville Dreams series by Sandy James. In this book you are going to meet the third partner of the three men that own Words and Music, a Nashville bar that features up and coming artists.

Russ Green owns Words and Music along with his partners and best friends, Brad and Ethan. He has watched his friends fall in love recently with two wonderful women. Even though Russ’s own parents and grandparents had that same kind of forever love, he knows it can’t be him. He is watching his Dad who is only in his late fifties, go down hill every day with early onset Alzheimer’s. His mom insists on taking care of him herself and the stress it has put on her is overpowering. Russ has always had anger issues. In his days as a football player, it was easy to take out his frustrations on the field. Now it is just bottling up inside of him. He is going into work, even on his days off, and helping the bouncers. He can take his frustrations out on the rowdy drunks that need to get thrown out. Such is how Russ ended up in the emergency room on that night. He got hit in the head with a beer bottle and needed stitches. Much to his surprise, Josie, whom he had met at Brad’s wedding, was his Nurse Practioner. There was something about her that made him want to forget about what he might inherit from his father, the ticking time bomb that might be inside of him.



Joslynn Wright prides herself on being an independent woman. Jos or Josie as Russ calls her, had cancer as a child. Her father abandoned them, not wanting a sick child. Her mother, busy constantly with trying to make a living, left her pretty much on her own. So an eleven year old little girl had to face cancer and chemo all on her own. Jos doesn’t believe in love. How could she? So she has casual hook ups. She only gave her heart once only to have it broken. Never again. She works hard at being healthy, she eats right, runs and does yoga. And she works long shifts at the Hospital. She definitely remembers meeting Russ previously and can’t deny being pleased that their paths crossed again. She feels a strong attraction to him, stronger than anyone else previously. And maybe she can help him with his anger issues, controlling his stress.

“I don’t belong to anyone.”
“Can I ask you something? Would it really be so bad to belong to Russ? I mean…you like the guy. He obviously likes you. You’re dating. Doesn’t that mean you belong to each other?”



Jos and Russ begin to date more or less. Even the word dating sends Jos into a panic. Russ has decided that Jos is worth the risk, even with the genes he might be carrying. But he knows that he will have to be very patient with this woman. Jos becomes involved with Russ’s parents, helping them to deal with their issues as well. She also gets Russ running with her. They slowly become closer and trust begins to build. But right when Jos just might be ready to take down those final walls she has kept around her heart, everything falls apart.



Okay, first, I love that this book dealt with not one but two serious illnesses. Russs’s parents broke my heart with what they were going through and Ioved that Jos jumped right in to help them. Of the three books in this series, though, I have to admit that this couple was my least favorite. I just didn’t feel it the way I did in the other books. Jos was so over the top independent, with good cause, but I just had trouble warming up to her. I think it was just an issue of my own.

Russ got on my nerves a bit too but what I loved about him was first, that when he started to fall for Jos, he had no problem admitting it. He was so patient with her. And Russ was this rough alpha man but do you know what he loved to do more than anything? Dance! Especially line dancing. I love it!!



We got plenty of updates on Brad and Savannah and Ethan and Chelsea which was wonderful. And this book had the sweetest ending. So even though it wasn’t my favorite of the three books, I still enjoyed it.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to revisiting Words & Music and the wonderful men who own this little gin joint in Nashville. Sandy James, in her third book in this series, gave us two amazing people with problems that only love can fix. Russ and Joslynn had a bumpy ride ahead of them but, with a little understanding, were able to ride out the storm of their life and find happiness.

Russ always had a temper but, lately, the stress of his life is getting the better of him and he seems to be blowing up even more. That's what's landed him in the hospital and into the trusty hands of Joslynn. He's met her before and always thought of her as Josie. He can't understand why, even while she is stitching him up, she calms him and makes him feel whole. But, he'd never saddle a woman, especially one as beautiful, caring and loving as Josie with what could be a lifetime of worrying and caring for him … if he has the gene.

Joslynn has gone through her own heartache in her life. She's found that the easiest way to get through things is on her own. She doesn't depend on a man to make her happy … just to scratch her itch … they only walk away in the end anyway. She's healthy, happy and alone. Just the way she likes it. Until Hurricane Russ comes into her life. Not sure if she can ever let a man into her heart, she makes it clear to him that it's sex, just sex that she wants until he takes that off the table. Now she's left with getting to know him before there is fun bed time. She has no idea what love really is and can't figure out what is happening. She knows that she cares for Russ but keeps fighting the feeling. Once she finally gives in and lets the words out, Russ reached his first goal with her and the real relationship starts.

All it takes is one incident and Russ is shutting her out. Josie has to figure out if Russ is worth putting her whole heart on the line or just walk away from it all. But, Russ and Josie were two stubborn people. One who wouldn't give up and one who wouldn't give in. They each had problems they were facing and didn't realize that maybe, together, they could fight their demons and live long, happy lives.

Can't Fight This Feeling was an emotionally charged story. Combining Words & Music, Leukemia and Alzheimer's was a tricky story line and Sandy James pulled it off amazingly. I didn't know who to feel sorry for – Russ worrying about his family and if he had the gene … Josie worrying about not being able to get pregnant and the Leukemia coming back … or Ethan and Brad having to deal with Russ … or Chelsea and Savannah having to deal with Joslynn. They all had their hands full with both of them but, it's what brought this story together. Friendship, love, caring, being there for the other and trusting that your heart will lead you in the right direction – that was the moral of this story.

I loved how Sandy James wrote this story. She wrung every emotion out of me and didn't give me any down time to evaluate what emotion I was feeling when another one would hit. It was a book that I couldn't put down, didn't want to put down, because I didn't know where it as going to go next. Yes, I am loving the Nashville Dreams Series and hope that there is more to come.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are times Russ doesn't want to have a conversation, “a briefs kind of guy,” she said. “But I have to admit, I didn’t expect them to be baby blue.” He shrugged, having better things to focus on than his choice of underwear." There are times Russ's lady shocks him speechless, “I’m thinking about switching my shifts in the ER to days,” she said. His eyes widened in surprise. “You can close your mouth now,” she teased." I liked this book, I loved Russ.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

*No-spoiler review!*

Overall Rating: 2.75 out of 5 wine corks
Dude: umm did we just read about Johnny Manziel?
Heroine: Miss Independent
Steaminess: They sure were sweaty a lot
Emotional: I cried actual tears…

Can’t Fight the Feeling is a quick and easy romance novel that is moderately enjoyable. While we haven’t read the prior two books in the series we were able to fully immerse ourselves in this novel’s world and characters without being confused. From Can’t Fight the Feeling you get steamy romance scenes and a love that isn’t overly dramatic but involves real people with real problems. One of our favorite parts of of this book was its “realness.” James doesn’t dance around problems and isn’t afraid to make things emotionally brutal. It was refreshing to see the characters deal with real life problems in real life ways.

Our biggest complaint about this book was that we felt like we were getting whiplash with how fast the author swapped between Russ and Jos’ perspectives. Just as we were getting use to Jos’ stream of consciousness it would suddenly change to Russ and then back to Jos again. We didn’t feel like I got to really delve as deep into the characters as we normally would because we had to acclimate to so much switching.

This book hit us hard from the beginning. Jess lost her grandfather to Alzheimer's earlier this year, so she was a little nervous about reading this. She had to put it down after a few scenes and read something else for a while. She did appreciate the way that the disease was treated throughout the book and felt as though it was an accurate depiction for a lot of us dealing with this horrible disease.

We liked the main female character Jos overall because she’s an upfront and badass nurse who cares about her friends but we struggled with how far she took her fierce independent woman streak. Just because you’re independent doesn’t mean a man can’t open doors for you -- it’s a courtesy not a sign of weakness. Chill out, girlfriend.

We also struggled with the main male character Russ… At times he felt like two different characters. On one hand you have the teddy-bear like man who loves his family and Jos but then on the other hand he was an angry jock with some serious issues. We didn’t feel like we really got to delve into the positive relationship between Jos and Russ as we would’ve liked. What we did not like was how pushy Russ was and his lack of respect for Jos’ boundaries. We just wanted more from this male love interest.

Overall, we liked the book and would be willing to give other books by this author a chance!

You can read the full review on our Can't Fight the Feeling blog post or see more of our snarky reviews at www.FictionNoChaser.com.

[UnusualChild{beppy} · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Synopsis: Russ works with his partners at their restaurant and bar. Sometimes he moonlights as a bouncer there, and lately, he has been having increasingly vitriolic altercations with their patrons as a bouncer. When he ends up in emergency needing stitches, he runs in to Joslynn, the best friend of one of his partner's wives. Russ has met her, but doesn't want to do a relationship as he has some family issues.
Joslynn is a nurse practitioner, and when Russ makes a bad impression, by leaving after she puts in his stitches, she decides to track him down and call him out on his rudeness. When Joslynn catches up with Russ, he is about to get in another fight, and Joslynn decides to help him relieve his stress instead. She doesn't want to let him know that she was going to give him a dressing down, so she pretends that she wanted to ask him out on a date instead.
One thing leads to another, and they end up going running the next morning. The more they get to know one another, the more they realize that they just might be perfect for each other.

What I liked: although this relationship took place quite quickly, we actually get to see them learning about each other and beginning to lean on each other. There is a build in attraction between them, and it is built on them getting to know one another and all their foibles and interests and issues. Russ doesn't want to move to fast, because he wants something that has more than sexual tension as a base. He actually wants a relationship, and has to work to break down the walls that Joslynn has around her. Joslynn is strong and competent and caring. Even though she doesn't do relationships, she really cares for all her patients and tries to do the best that she can for them. When she realizes that Russ is hurting, she tries to figure out ways to help him, and find out his stressors so that she can help him deal with them. I liked the way that Joslynn slowly softened from "I don't need no man" to "hey, having someone around to share my excitement and woes with is pretty cool". Seeing Joslynn and Russ sort of flip and become the other person in terms of emotions when things were going on was interesting, too.

What I didn't like: nothing.

Overall impression: well written, with characters I would like to meet in real life. Imperfect, but perfect for each other. Told in 3rd person POV alternating between Joslynn and Russ. This is the second book that I have read by this author, and I really enjoy the writing style and the characters that she has created.

*I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's about love overcoming obstacles. Two people, two life threatening terminal illnesses and music. I requested to read this book off NetGalley (thank you for the eARC) yesterday because I was looking to read a romance novel this week. I loved the flow of writing, how different and stubborn the characters, Russ and Josie are, and even more so their friends who do not give up on them.
It's a short sweet romance but it's got a great pace and you cannot help but root for Russ and Josie.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell/Russ hated the smell of hospitals and yet here he was in the E R but the evening shift manager left right after in to go back to work at Words and Music. Russ had a gash in his forehead and needed stitches. He wanted to leave but he might as well get treatment now as he would be charged anyway. If only that bottle hadn’t cut his head Josie realized this was was a partner in Words and Music with her best friend Savannah’s husband Brad and Nathan. She had only met Russ twice before, once at the wedding rehearsal and once at Savannah and Brad’s actual wedding. Three times if you counted when he seen her finish a swim workout the day of the rehearsal. Josie was a nurse practitioner now she had been a nurse first. Josie had run into Savannah’s daughter and her goddaughter Caroline and Russ was brought up. Josie said he seemed unusual and Savannah said Russ was getting a little out of control as he was coming into Words and Music on his days off and in the last month or so to act as a bouncer. Russ had been getting a bit rough and handsy with troublemakers latey. They didn’t need him there as a bouncer they already had several. It was almost like Russ enjoyed getting rough with people, like he misses his quarterback days- he had played some pro football but then there was a shoulder injury. Russ was normally a sweetheart but lately he seemed stressed and they couldn’t figure out why. Something about Russ called to Josie, something she couldn’t put her finger on it. Brad and Russell had been friends just about forever and Savannah herself had spent a lot of time with Russ and they knew underneath he was a great person and someone you could rely on. Russ thought about patience which was a virtue he didn’t have as he surveyed the bar at Music and Words. Brad came up to Russ and mentioned he didn’t need to be there then Russ told Brad to go home to his wife and Brad said no. This had been the thirty fifth day in a row Russ had come to work . But Russ didn’t care the restaurant/bar was his life, all he really had. Then a drunken wannabe cowboy made some vulgar comments and Russ was ready to fight but Josie had intervened and told Rss she needed his help and they went to an office , probably Brads as there was an electronic keyboard that took up most of the desk and Brad was also a composer. Then Josie said she really didn’t need Russ’s help it was just an excuse to see him again. Josie wasn’t really lying she wanted to get to know him better. But Josie didn’t mention she originally came to see Russ to scold him and give him a lesson on what not to do when leaving an E R but she changed her mind. Then russ asked her out to dinner and she accepted. Russ was unexpectedly pulled to Josie Then Josie told Russ she was a runner had been all her life. She had been in two marathons and hoped to do another that year. There was definitely strong chemistry between the two of them. Russ admitted he played the guitar for fun. Russ knew what his problem was he was terrified his “normal “days were numbered. As his father had early onset Alzheimer's disease now and Russ feared he to would have it at some point in his life he just didn’t know when. His father was only fifty eight and already the disease was stealing the memories of his past and control of his father’s life. Every since his father’s diagnosis, everything in Russ’s life was different. Urgency seeped from every pore. While Russ might have always been a bit manic, now he felt out of control. Like he had to do everything at once, right now. Josie and Russ went for a run the next day and Russ realized how unfit he had gotten. Josie’s attraction to Russ was stronger then she had ever experienced. Everything about him appealed to her - from his looks to his masculine scent. Even his offbeat sense of humor. That appalled Josie as her whole life had been about independence. Josie had learned early that only she would see herself through any challenge. The lesson had come when her mother had always been too busy to be there when Joslynn/Josie needed her. Josie wanted to have sex with Russ yet he stopped them and said they could have more and that they had something between them and russ asked Josie to give it a chance and she decided to at least see Russ again and go from there.
I liked this story a lot. It was a quick easy romantic emotional read. I loved how close Chelsey, Savannah, and Josie were. Also Ethan, Brad, and russell. Although Russ didn't let them in on what was going on with him and why he was so stressed and it seems like he would with at least Brad. I did love how Russ believed in love and marriage, and the one instead of it being the women trying to make the man believe in these things. I also was very impressed with the way he cared about and took care of his parents at least as much as they would let him. It was great to watch both Russ and Josie grow. I loved the plot and pace. I loved how the author portrayed the Alzheimer's disease and how it affected everyone around the person with this awful disease. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received in exchange for a honest review.

Of the three books in this series this is my favorite. Why? These two people were strong independent and focused. They both had stress in their life and trying to deal with it on their own. Both felt happy to be alone until they met one another in a chance moment in the ER.

Russ was a good guy who had a lot on his plate. He was also afraid. Afraid to love someone because of what was happening in his world. His anger was always on the surface and he didn’t know how to let it go without a fight. when he met Joselyn at the ER the second time and the first after their friends wedding he was not in the best of moods. She did put a smile on his face but he just has alot on his mind. He was attracted to her and she him and you could feel the chemistry crackle between them. But neither at that moment really thought anything of it. In fact he irritated Joselyn at the same time as putting a smile on her face.

Joselyn was always independent. Her family made her that way but also had her believing love was an illusion that destroyed things. She was kind and sweet but not one who wanted a relationship. In fact she ran from them. So when Russ stepped into her world and she didn’t want not to spend time with the man that got her skin all tingly she was scared.

Russ had to go slow and slow her down at times because he wanted to show it was more than physical for him.As they got to know one another, they let each other in. Doing this showed us the trust they had for each other. Did they screw up? Yup and Russ admitted when he did. Did they love each other? Oh heck yeah. You felt for Russ because he was so comfortable with his feelings and wanted to have a relationship but Joselyn was skittish and he had to go slow and navigate some choppy waters. He never really knew what her feelings were but hoped they were the same. He knew she had feelings but how deep was a mystery. when his world got some bad news, he didn’t deal well and did something doofy thinking it was to protect Joselyn and all it did was hurt her. Good thing she has a desire to confront or we may have been at a standstill.

There is some great banter in the book. Friendships that are special and have you smile and a romance that has you laugh and swoon. Russ is a great guy and so right for Joselyn. He knows what she needs before she does. When he screws up he learns quickly and realizes his mistake fast. Especially when his parents set him straight about what he did and the kind caring woman he was stupid in love with and did something nutty to. So glad that this ended with a happy ending.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Can’t Fight the Feeling is a romance with emotional punch and characters who, at times, may take actions that are difficult to really understand. I think it’s very much a walk in my shoes story in some aspects because I do not know how I would react to Josie’s life fighting and winning the battle against leukemia and still living in fear of it returning to wreck havoc on her life once again. I do, however, have a better understanding of Russ having taken care of a beloved family member up to their death who suffered with Alzheimer’s . To be frank, I lost my grandmother long before her actual physical death, and this dreadful disease that steals lives and memories is brutal beyond words. So, I “got” Russ, Josie took a little longer for me to warm up to due in part to her fierce independence streak. My reaction to her was quite honestly, if you aren’t going to let anyone in, let them get close then you’re wasting that second chance at life you’ve been given by living in fear. But we can’t talk to characters, they do what they will and learn their own lessons.

Josie and Russ felt right from their start. It’s going to be a rough road, and that road is full of potholes, before they work their way to their happy ending. Two stubborn, hurting, people who need each other. There will be mistakes made, There also will be hearts healed along the way. This is a very realistic romance that doesn’t hold back on the reality of diseases or our reactions to them. I was easily captured by this world, and even though I hadn’t read the first two books (yet) I still got a sense of the tight friendships and caring between all of these characters. If you’re looking for a story that digs deep into human emotions, if you want a couple that will fight just as hard against falling in love as they will to stay in love then you’ll enjoy Can’t Fight the Feeling. I’d recommend this story to any Romance reader who enjoys realistic romance, sometimes tough to like characters and finding that person who really “gets” you even when you push them away. I have the first two stories on my TBR pile now and it will be interesting to see how I view this story after learning the whole picture.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The future is a mystery as to how life will play out, but for Russ & Josie the future looks bleak. Russ is watching his father slowly lose his battle with Alzheimer’s & knows that he could most likely be headed on the same path if he has the gene. Josie has already gone through a life altering illness as a child that has hardened her toward the future & any recurrence of the disease she battled. Both know each other through mutual friends but it isn’t until a visit to Josie’s ER that things start to turn for both of them. The angst of relationships is put to the test when they decide to try to see if they have what it takes to make it as a couple. The past & the future close in on them & they must decide is it better to go it alone or is it better to have the one you love by your side for the time you have. What I truly loved about the authors telling of this story is the deep emotion she put into each character & how she made them grow as they fought the idea of the future they each saw. This book is 3rd in the series but you don’t have to read the other books first to follow the story, author Sandy James gives enough background info to be able to catch up on the other two stories. Definitely recommend to read, keep Kleenex handy though. I voluntarily read this book provided by the publisher & Net Galley for an honest review.

[Beth C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulling her into his arms, he couldn’t shake the feeling that holding her felt…different.
Right.
Perfect.

Going to keep this review short—I really, really enjoyed this book. It was sweet, with a little steaminess, and had a super fun ending. I read it quickly, invested easily in both Josie and Russ, and generally smiled through the entire thing.



Not that it didn’t have its sadder moments. I thought Sandy James, whose books I’ve often enjoyed, did a great job of dealing with the heavier topics of sickness and health.

My main complaint, and it’s less complaint and more something I want to note, is that I took time to warm up to Josie. She was strong and smart, but her independence was a little grating at first.

All in all, however, this one was a very good ending to an enjoyable series—with a deliciously swoony hero.

The way he touched her, kissed her, conquered her made her feel cherished.
Almost loved.

~ FOUR STARS ~

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nearly 4 stars, 3.75!
It was a first book from this author, and i’ll read more of her books.
It was refreshing: the H, was ex-NFL player, and he was a bit SHY (imagine my surprise), and he was gorgeous! He could dance! He played guitar and made a song for the heroine!
I loved the heroine, she was strong, she was independent, she had her fair share of bf/fb/....But she had such a strong walls around her heart, poor girl, from her childhood till she met the H she was only hurt by close family o bf. I understood the way she was. And thanks god, she could try more serious relationship with H.
This book is also has some triggers: Alzheimer’s disease, leukemia survivor... But i loved it very much.
Although, there were some parts of this books, which were a bit boring for me and i needed to skip some pages. It seemed too long o too boring...
Safety: no OP scenes, a bit OM drama, no cheating. The H pushing away

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly emotional story about two people dealing with devastating illnesses that affect every aspect of their lives. Russ is coming to terms with his father's diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's and wondering if this debilitating disease will affect him as well. Josie dealt with childhood leukemia and lives in constant fear of a re-occurrence of the disease. They both try to keep people at arms length to prevent causing anyone pain but sometimes the heart needs to feel regardless of what the mind is telling it. Perhaps that's what draws these two lost souls to each other. If they will only give love a chance they may have a shot at happiness.

I highly recommend this one but bring a tissue or two!

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, and although it was well-written, it took me too long to love the characters. I wasn't invested enough in them until half way through. The storyline was amazing, Josie and Russ both having medical "issues", working through both of them to come together in the end. I was irritated by Josie's stance on relationships, and Russ' reasoning behind letting her go. But, in the end, they were able to make up and try to build a life together.

[Donna Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindly provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.....
Oh I REALLY liked this read. This was different. Its Russ and Josie's tale.
Russ does a little of this and that and in that reportage he is a bouncer. One night he ends up needing some medical assistance and runs into Joslynn (Josie) a friend of a friend. As a side note when I read this scene I mentally decided Josie wanted to probably render Russ unconscious rather than sew him up and send him on his sweet way !!!!. Lets just say opposites attract and go from there........
Loved the banter, story line and the fact Sandy wrote in the 3rd person gifting us with insight from both Russ and Josie topped my happy meter !!!!
A defiant one to read !!!
Great job Sandy and many, many thanks for this opportunity x
Later peeps xxx

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really emotional read but it was so good, Russ is struggling with coming to terms with his father's illness as well as wondering if he will end up with it too and determined to stay on his own and not drag anyone into his mess. He meets Josie a nurse in the ER one night after an altercation at his restaurant. She has her own issues with relationships and never wanted anything long term.I loved watching these two try and get past their fears while also fighting their feelings for each other a super read I really enjoyed it

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review"
A truly engaging story with two strong individuals. Excellent writing style, fantastic dialogue and secondary characters and I found myself smiling while reading this story.
Both Russ and Joslynn are great people, each with their own issues, problems and flaws. Russ is deliciously flawed – he has a terrible temper – and it makes him quite human and attractive. He’s a man’s man who loves to dance, and isn’t that appealing and sexy… And, although reluctantly, he even tries yoga to release the stress.
I loved the honesty between them, their growing and changing as people and as a couple, and the fact that Josie is the one who doesn’t want a long-term commitment and has a more “liberal” attitude about sex and relationships. And she’s the fitness freak in the couple, and easily beats Russ, who is a bit out of shape. This shift in traditional gender roles and stereotypes was very interesting.
Yvonne and Baron’s issues are poignant – for them and for Russ, all the more because of how he feels about the “dismal future” he has in store. The way Sandy James handled the devastating effects of precocious Alzheimer’s is amazing!
I'm grateful to the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing)/Forever Yours, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 8, 2018


In Nashville the men are strong, the women are bold, and love comes to those willing to fight for it.

Russ Green is an expert at keeping people out - physically and emotionally. After a career-ending injury, the former quarterback was lucky to find a place as a bouncer at Words & Music. All he wants to do now is stay out of the limelight - alone. With his background, he's nobody's Prince Charming. His life is routine, and he likes it that way. Gym, work, home. No surprises. Until a bar brawl lands him in the emergency room, and in some very capable hands...

Nurse Joslynn Wright found her calling during a childhood bout of leukemia. While the fast-paced ER keeps her adrenaline pumping, it's nothing compared to being with Russ. Her illness made her cautious, though, and Russ's closed-off nature certainly doesn't make things any easier. But she can't help being intrigued by the contradiction of a burly bouncer who can gently strum a guitar. If she's learned anything in Nashville, it's that love may take work, but the rewards can be well worth the effort...


•••••••••••

REVIEW: 3.5 stars--CAN’T FIGHT THE FEELING is the third instalment in Sandy James’ contemporary, adult NASHVILLE DREAMS romance series focusing on three friends who own and operate Words and Music-a bar in Nashville, Tennessee: Brad Maxwell, Ethan Walker and Russell Green. This is co-owner/ former quarter back Russell “Russ” Green, and ER nurse Joslynn ‘Josie’ Wright’s story line. CAN’T FIGHT THE FEELING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Josie is best friends with Savannah Wolf (Can’t Walk Away).

Told from dual third person perspectives (Russ and Joslynn) CAN’T FIGHT THE FEELING follows the building relationship between Words and Music co-owner/ former quarterback Russell “Russ” Green, and ER nurse Joslynn ‘Josie’ Wright. Having met months earlier at Savannah and Brad’s wedding Joslyn wasn’t surprised when former quarterback turned bouncer landed in her hospital ER.

Struggling with his personal life, and the fall-out of his father’s rapidly, decreasing health, Russ believes he is in no position to pursue the woman that make his blood sing but pursue he does, only to be shot down on numerous occasions. Joslynn Wright has seen it all, and in the past has suffered her own share of childhood trauma and loss but Russ’ attraction to, and need for Josie, is met with our heroine’s ongoing reluctance to make a commitment, a commitment that pushes the boundaries between friendship and love. Never one to claim ownership or be in a relationship for very long, Josie’s developing friendship and romance with Russ is at odds with her attitude and the emotional fall-out of falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a fine line between fiercely independent and feminist b*tch, and Joslynn Wright crosses the line on more than one occasion. Unable to let go of the past Joslynn’s need to be self-reliant comes across as a negative component of her character development, and I was less than enthusiastic with my enjoyment of both the character and the story line premise.

We are reintroduced to Ethan’s business partners Russell Green, Brad Maxwell and Savannah Wolf (Can’t Walk Away #1), Ethan Walker and Chelsea Harris (Can’t Let Her Go #2), as well as the introduction of Ethan’s struggling parents Baron and Yvonne Green.

CAN’T FIGHT THE FEELING is a well written, character driven story of family and friendship; struggle and letting go of the past; realization and acceptance. The premise is engaging with some wonderful world building; the characters are colorful, dynamic, frustrating and flawed; the romance is seductive and hot.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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[Romance Rehab · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is another one of those technically well-written books that I just couldn’t bring myself to finish. Wanna know why? Sure you do! (Kind of like when you ask your significant other if the milk smells bad, then you shove it under their nose so they can take a big whiff, because that’s what people do. We smell the milk. So, smell the milk with me, people. And always remember that what I think stinks, lots of other people enjoy.)

First of all, Can’t Fight the Feeling is not to be confused with the 80’s wuss-rock ballad Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, or the compulsively catchy Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake. (Great. Now I have a weird mash-up of those 2 songs stuck in my head. Yikes.) The book isn’t related to either song, even though I immediately thought of them when I read the title. ​

The book starts out with the hero, Russ, getting stitched up in the ER by nurse practitioner Joslynn, who happens to be a friend-of-a-friend that has been trying unsuccessfully to set Russ and Joslynn up on a date for a while. It isn’t much of a meet-cute, because Russ is kind of a jerk and skips out before filling out his discharge paperwork. Josie decides she’s going to hand-deliver his paperwork a few days later, along with some stern words to “teach him a lesson” in manners. If that had happened, if she would have marched up to him and put him in his place for his asshattery, I would’ve loved it. Instead, she wimps out and goes out on a date with him. It actually made me stop reading and say, “huh?” (Stopping a story to say “huh” is never a good thing, in my experience.)

Shortly thereafter, Russ steals a kiss from Joslynn. Now, I’m not normally opposed to the hero stealing a little kiss. But this particular kiss involves Russ “forcing his tongue” past her lips before she’s decided if she’s going to even open her mouth. Guys, it’s not cool to be the aggressive dude who shoves his tongue past a woman’s teeth. If she hasn’t opened her mouth, take a hint. Wait for her lips to part willingly, ok? That’s just a little friendly advice from Romance Rehab to all you men out there. You’re welcome.

I considered marking the book a DNF after the kiss, because honestly, at this point in the story, I don’t particularly care for either character, but I persevered. (Why? I dunno. I guess I wanted to be able to say I gave the book a fair shake. Or maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment. But I digress…)

So then, Joslynn and Russ go out on another date and things get sexy. But just as the clothes are starting to come off, Russ puts the brakes on and tells Joslynn that he wants a fairy tale ending with her, and banging her on their second date would be moving too fast. While I agree that second date banging is kinda quick, this doesn’t sound like the guy described in the blurb who isn’t looking for a relationship. Joslynn quite clearly tells Russ that she doesn’t want a HEA, she just wants some sex. Seems reasonable to me. But he fires back at her that she’s obviously scared to be in a relationship. OR, maybe, aggressive tongue thrusting dude, she just doesn’t WANT A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. Did you ever consider that?

Because, no, Russ never seemed able to consider the possibility that Joslynn wouldn’t be ready to marry him at the end of date two, I threw in the towel and quit reading. But if you don’t mind an aggressive tongue thrusting hero who thinks a heroine looking for sex is just too scared to commit on the second date, you’re a better reader than I am, and you might want to give this one a chance. Apparently there’s some life-threatening illness drama later in the story, so that sounds fun. (Not for me, but maybe for you. I don’t judge.)

Full disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fear has a lot to do with our lives than most of us like to admit. Most of us our anger strength, career, or fierce love to see the fear, we can beat it.

But what can happen is what seems to happen to Russ. His anger while at the business, he is a third owner in with his best buddies is showing the ramifications. You see they own “Words and Music” a restaurant and dance bar in Nashville.

After each of the men’s careers in other professions, Russ’s being the NFL. They all join in together in “Words and Music” with Brad, Ethan and himself as a business venture which is paying off. You see Brad and Ethan end up marrying and engaged to two of the hottest country artists in the music industry.

Which, didn’t hurt at all. So, they were doing good. Until Russ’s personalities started to take a hard edge that was now affecting how he interacted with customers. The whole two against one as far as Russ was concerned.

Hence when he is reintroduced to Joslynn (Josie to him, only.) He ends up in the ER after being hit in the head with a bottle, in a bar fight. After being checked, he gives a kiss to her on the cheek and he rushes out without signing out. Which pisses her off. (Not really, she just wants to make a point and see him again.) Unusual for her. Since her friends have been trying to get them together for a long time. Not to mention she likes being alone and single.

When she meets up with him she walks in when he is about to fight again and is able to move him away. His partner is glad, and Russ won’t admit it but he’s glad to see her too. Not to mention something about her calms him down. When they talk, he realizes he feels calmer in her company.

I enjoyed this story it’s about two people with trust issues. Both have been hurt before and don’t want to go back there again. At the same time realize that when they are not around each other even when debating issues, they are lonely and missing one another.

Yet, they both knew they had issues to resolve within themselves, obstacles, to overcome, and a relationship to decide on.

I give this: 4 stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 STARS!

Feisty attitude, kind souls and feel-good moments! With the third book in her Nashville Dreams series, Sandy James brings us the story of the tough guy of the bunch, Russ. We've enjoyed the stories of his partners Brad & Ethan previously, so we're already familiar with their bar Words and Music. It's fun to reconnect with the previous couples and see where they are now, and there's just something about Brad that made him my favorite one of all! Really enjoyed this story!

Bad boy Russell Green just might have met his match! Russ has been living the good life. Pro football for awhile, now rubbing elbows with Nashville's elite while flitting from one gorgeous woman to the next. He should be riding high, but lately it's been noticeable to his friends and business partners that something is going on with him. He might be holding it close to his chest right now, but eventually he's going to have to confide in someone!

Nurse Joslynn Wright isn't expecting to fall for a guy coming through her ER, but Russ is kind of hard to resist when he smiles and looks at her with those eyes. She's enjoying living the best life that she can now that she's past the pain and drama of her childhood fight with leukemia. These days she's living healthy and enjoying life for all it's worth ... and she sees a kindred spirit in Russ that could use some relaxation in his life!

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true opposites-attract romance with a strong emotional foundation.

Russ is a bit of an old soul, a man who still believes in a forever love even if he doesn’t believe it’s possible for him. Joslynn, on the other hand, knows for certain that love is a fool’s errand and the only one she can ever count on is herself. These two are constantly tossed together by mutual friends who believe they’d be great together, but neither is in a good place for a relationship until Josie is on duty in the ER when Russ shows up needing stitches.

Their chemistry is off-the-charts, but Josie is stunned when Russ puts the brakes on the physical aspect of their relationship in favor of cementing their emotional standing first. In addition to their differing relationship goals, they each have a medical history that complicates their future.

This is a highly-emotional story that delves deep into the characters’ psyches as they work separately and together to become better versions of themselves. The writing is sharp, the characters are well-developed, and the emotions are insightful. The secondary characters were terrific, especially Russ’s parents. It’s a love story that will stay with you long after the last page is read. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russ co-owns Words and Music with Brad and Ethan ... and lately he's been helping the bouncers at the club, looking for a fight with anyone. He can't contain his emotions because he's scared to death that he will end up like his father ... battling Alzheimers. Joslynn had leukemia when she was 10 and beat it! Now she's a Nurse Practitioner so she can help as many people as possible. Neither Russ or Joslynn are looking for a relationship, but that doesn't stop the chemistry between them.

This book deals with sensitive health issues and Ms. James does a really good job of explaining everything. My heart went out to Joslynn as a young girl battling leukemia on her own, with her father out of the picture and her mother letting her make her own decisions. She had to grow up strong ... she didn't have a choice. I loved how Russ just wanted to make his mother's life easier and helped look after his father as much as he could. This book will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. Make sure you have a box of tissue handy.

I received an ARC courtesy of Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book from the series and I didn't read the previous so all the characters were new to me but you could read it as a standalone. In this one nurse, Joslyn and bouncer Russ fell first in lust and also in love. Joslyn is from young age alone in everything and is hard for her to let control to another person. Russ is also struggling because his family is facing Alzheimer and he could have the gene and is freaking him out. So they both have a reason not to get deeply involved in each other but the heart wants what it wants and that is love despite the obstacles. Would love be strong enough? The story is emotionally, both Russ and Joslyn and is understandable that under that circumstances person develope a coping mechanism. Both Russ and Joslyn were a great developed person but I couldn't relate to them really, Joslyn was for me to sterile from the start love had made her soft toward the end. And Russ has also found a stupid way dealing his trouble and ignoring the big elephant in the room. Together they worked as a couple and chemistry was there.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly.

[julia ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC through Netgalley of this book. The beginning of Can't Fight The Feeling did not really manage to pull me in. I found that I had a hard time getting into the story, but that might just be because I haven't read the first two novels of this series, so I wasn't as invested as I could have been.

But, as I was reading, I found that I came to like both characters. Russ and Josie both have some issues they need to overcome, but manage to find their way back to one another every time. The book had enough emotional drama and angst (something that I enjoy reading!) and I liked Josie as a character because of her independence and strength.

Overall a nice quick NA read, and I might read more books by Sandy James. 3/5.

[Zetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story caught my eye and so I decided to give it a chance. I’m really glad I did, the story itself has depth to it. Russ ends up in the emergency room where Joss has to patch him up. Joss is an independent woman, who knows what she wants and also how to get what she wants, she doesn’t hold back in any way.

Joss is a strong passionate female who knows what she wants but Russ unnerves her in more than one capacity, it’s this unnerving element that keeps me reading. Her cancer battle has defined how she deals with life and people in general. I think that sometimes especially in the course of this book, they both have this blindness to what they want and it does get frustrating.

Their journey takes them both in opposite directions at times and so I did get confused about what the story was meant to be aiming for. That’s the beauty of this story, it’s not meant to be straightforward, it’s a complex story and I’m glad I read it!

4 stars

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the Nashville Dreams series. This time we have Russ's story. I liked him in the previous book, but in this story, he is having some serious anger management issues and loves his job as a bouncer a little too much. Josie is a nurse and good friends with the women in the previous stories. Brad is a typical guy and not a great communicator. Josie is a survivor and isn't interested in a long term relationship, so of course they are going to be attracted to each other. This is an emotional story and deals with illness and mental issues as well as a strong romance. The story is well written and relatable to me. I read Ethan's story previously and have to catch up with Brad's. I will definitely be reading more from Ms James.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Part of a series. Flawed characters make for an interesting romance.

[Heather]

This book just didn't work for me.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked:
The writing style
Part of a series: Nashville Dreams
Standalone
HEA

I had a hard time staying interested in this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.