Muscle

Winter is a photographer. Her current project is to make a calendar with photos of SEALs. Gates is one of those SEALs. Gates asks Winter out on a date. Winter hesitantly accepts, but she has an amazing night with Gates. They spend the night together. The next day, they both have things to do and they don’t expect to ever see each other again. Several years go by before they see each other again. Their lives have drastically changed, but the attraction is still as strong as the first time.

Gates is an incredible man. He’s passionate, strong, caring, determined, protective and loving. Gates always wanted more time with Winter and he has never forgotten her. He’s so happy to see her again and he wants another chance with her. Gates wants a relationship with Winter. He would do anything for his woman. Gates’ life hasn’t been easy during the years after meeting Winter, but he never gave up. He has just gotten a new job and he will give it his all.

Winter is talented, passionate, kind, caring and a little insecure. She loves her job as photographer and she’s amazing at it. Winter doesn’t have a perfect home situation and she hates to disappoint her dad. Her dad decides a lot about her life. Winter becomes stronger and more confident after being in a relationship with Gates. Gates is the most important man in her life and she really loves him.

Muscle is one of my favorite novels by Lexi Whitlow. The writing and the progress are great. There were some great twists and turns. I loved Gates. I just wished I loved Winter as much as I loved Gates and then this novel would have been a 5 star. I sometimes really liked Winter, but other times I didn’t. I liked Gates and Winter together. Gates is so good for her.

-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --

Melissa

1,676 reviews110 followers

Good

This was a good read. I enjoyed both Gates and Winter, they were both good, well developed characters. Gates was a really good, stand up guy. He was not a manwhore in the slightest. I felt awful for the situation Winter was in with her father, he was an awful, awful man. They are separated for three years in which she remained celibate. Gates is shocked by that news but never discloses whether he was or not. I am guessing he wasn't because as I said he was shocked that she stayed celibate. I wasn't to thrilled with that prospect because at one point he claimed he knew he already loved her before their separation so it is pretty crummy to sleep with others if you love someone else. This didn't factor into my rating but it is something I thought I would mention. Gates was a really good hero though. The moment he reconnected with Winter her spent almost all of his time trying to show her how much she meant to him. Romances need more heroes like him. This was a good, steamy, sweet romance with a pretty satisfactory ending! I really enjoyed it.
I voluntarily read an arc copy for my honest review!

Coco.V

50k reviews130 followers

Want to read

April 28, 2018

💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/28/2018)!💝

Blurb:
There's only one girl in this town that's off limits, and I just crossed the line.

I was a SEAL. Now I'm a star.
The hottest director in Hollywood wants me.
All I want is his daughter.
Hourglass figure. Legs that don't quit.
She'll take my commands, then I'll take her to bed.
Too bad her daddy hates me, because Winter's pregnant.
If the tabloids get hold of this, I'm done.
If her daddy finds out, I'm dead.
But Winter's mine. And SEALS don't quit.
Screw the fame and fortune.
I'm about to show my muscle, and this display ain't for the cameras.

Can I convince Winter's dad I'm all she needs... or will this be our last take?

freebie

Karina

2,310 reviews13 followers

March 22, 2018

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. This is such a great book. I have to say it has become my favorite of the books I have read by Lexi Whitlow. I absolutely love Winter and Gates. Winter is a photographer who is doing a photo shoot for a calendar and Gates is one of the men being photographed. Gated finds Winter beautiful and flirts with her and asks her out to dinner during the shoot. Winter also finds Gates attractive but is hesitant to go out with him. She has a very controlling father and does not want o expose Gates to her family drama. Gates continues to ask her to go out and says he is being deployed in a few days and just wants to spend time with her. She agrees since he is leaving and they may never see one another again. They not go out to dinner but they spend the night together. In the morning Gates mentions spending the day together. Winter however leaves when he is in the shower and leaves a note thanking him for a wonderful night. Three years later things have changed for both. Drew is now starting an acting career and Winter is now dealing with working for her father since he has interfered in her life and she is not been able to peruse her job as a photographer. Luck has stepped in and the two meet again when Gates lands a role in a movie Winter's father is making. The two reconnect and this time Gates is not letting Winter get away. This is a well written story with a great hero in Gates. He will do everything to prove his love for Winter. He will stand up to her father who has mistreated her and is out to ruin anyone who gets in his way. Her father is such an evil man who deserves all he has coming to him. I really liked how Gates went about getting justice and protecting Winter. Because of that she became a confident and stronger woman. This couple had such great chemistry and I loved how they were open and honest with one another. Great HEA!

MJM

1,576 reviews10 followers

March 23, 2018

The SEAL Gets His Woman!!

What an incredible story by Lexi Whitlow! I shouldn't be surprised that it's brilliant as Lexi consistently writes romantic stories that make me swoon. In this one we meet gates who is in the SEALs and has been asked to do a photoshoot for a calendar and the photographer is Winter. She is stunningly beautiful with curves in all the right places and the attraction is mutual so he persuades her to go to dinner with him as he is shipping out the next day. Winter agrees as she has difficulty with her awful father who is a Hollywood movie producer who keeps a very short leash on her. They have an amazing time and can't believe how well suited they are and they end up spending a night full of red hot, passionate sex and love making. he wants her to spend the day with him but she leaves him and a note. Three years later he is out of the SEALs and is now a movie star in one of her father's films. When they have a chance encounter Gates knows that this time he won't let her slip away and he is going to make her HIS!!! Will her father make trouble for Gates? Will Winter have moved on from when she last saw him? has the sizzling passion between them kept burning? I loved gates and Winter and thought they were so good together :) As for her father!! he is a vile tyrant that I just didn't like at all. Lexi knows exactly how to draw us into her stories which are fast paced and I usually read them right through in one go as I can't bear to put them down till I read the wonderful conclusion. This book was no different except I think it's my favourite of her books that I've read [and I have read all of her books available via Amazon.co.uk]. I'm now looking forward to reading her next romantic adventure and thoroughly recommend that you get yourself a copy too and enjoy! I received a reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Definitely Recommended

Jasmine

662 reviews7 followers

April 10, 2018

Winter is a photographer and trying to find her own way and make a name for herself. But when she is shooting a Seals calendar, her father gets wind of this and immediately uses his influence over everything and then she has no other choice but to move back home with her father and work for his company. But before that happens, she gets to live, if just for a night, when she meets Gates. He has muscles in all the right places and they spend a wonderful night together before he leaves for another mission. The next day, she rushes out of there to hurry home before her father catches her. Will this be the last time she sees Gates?

Gates wants nothing more than to make Winter laugh and smile, even if it is for one night. But the next day he realizes that he wants more from her, but when she vanishes, he has no choice but to remember her lovely memory for as long as possible. An explosion forces him to get out of the military and finding work is difficult, so he starts modeling and soon tries his hand at acting. When he lands the lead role of a "family" film, he quickly leans that Winter is on set and he wants her back in his life. But will her father, the director, of his film approve? Will Gates break his contract or hide their relationship from everyone? But before Gates will leave Winter alone, he needs to know she is secure and making her own money, he has some leads that aren't afraid of her father, will that be enough?

This is a great story about a second encounter for two people when everything is against them, but can love conquer over all of that. This is full of a controlling father, emotional insecurities, drama, twists and turns, love, lust, romance and a HEA. I received an ARC of this book from the author.

arc

Raecharmed

9,295 reviews70 followers

Winter is a photographer trying to make it on her own when she meets Gates at a shoot where Navy Seals are being used for a calendar. Gates has wanted Winter from the moment he met her but it wasn't until the end of the shoot that he could make his move. When she finally gives in to him they have an incredible night but Gates can tell that she's terrified of her father when she speaks of him. Hoping to get her number the next morning before he deploys again he is disappointed to wake alone. Years later they meet up again only this time Gates is up for a movie role in her father production company. Winter tries to avoid him but Gates is persistent and gets his way. Things start back up with them and Winter is terrified about her father finding out so Gates agrees to keep thing quiet about them until the film ends. However things happen beyond their control and everything spirals into a tailspin and Gates just wants to be honest about everything. Gates hates how controlling and power hungry Winter's dad is and tries to find a way to expose him for the evil man he truly is but at what cost? Can Gates keep Winter safe from her father?

This was an amazing story about two people finding love even when things seem to be against them. The heat between Gates and Winter just about melted my kindle.OMG! I loved this book. I think its my new favorite must read story. The characters in this story are great and this is a well written story. A very entertaining read you'll keep turning pages to find out what is going to happen next. I would recommend this to any book lover.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. I enjoyed it so much I bought my own copy.

S Paschal

549 reviews3 followers

Gates meets Winter when she is the photographer for a photo shoot for a calendar so he can make a few bucks to help pay off some debts. After a steaming hot one night stand, Winter disappears. Years later, they reconnect when Gates walks into her father's film production company to audition for a role. He's parlayed his strength, looks and personality into a fledgling acting career.

Controlled and emotionally abused by her father, Winter is drawn to Gates, but continues to push him away as her father won't accept a relationship between the two of them. Against her better judgment, she can't stay away and the two reconnect.

Gates is a wonderful, tender and loving man. He wants to see Winter filled with the cheer and fire that she had when he first met her. He is supportive, kind, loving and knows that he wants Winter. He does everything in his power to break her away from her controlling father and build something strong and lasting.

I loved Gates' determination and good heart. Winter, while she turns into something of a doormat when exposed to her father's continued emotional abuse, regains her inner strength and grows into a woman worthy of respect. A wonderful transformation to watch as she becomes more confident in her own intelligence and talent.

I loved this story and would recommend it to anyone wanting to lose themselves in an inspiring and uplifting love story for a few hours. This is a voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

214 reviews

Let me start out by saying Lexi Whitlow never disappoints, and "Muscle" is a no exception. I fell in love with Gates Vaughn, aka "Muscle," at the beginning of the story and that never changed throughout the book. He is a wonderful character - all alpha male, well defined, but in a smooth, powerful way. Gates has agreed to sit for a photo shoot featuring SEAL's. The photographer is doing her best to ignore his flirting but it's difficult and let's face it...the man is hot. She refers to him as the "muscle" of the calendar...hence the nickname.

The photographer is Winter Addison. After graduating high school, Winter's father, allowed her to attended a private art school in New York City to study photography. With high hopes, she returned to LA to pursue her career but despite the fact she is really good, success is eluding her. Shortly after the shoot ends life changes drastically for both Addison and Gates.

The story is filled with surprises, wonderful characters, heartache, drama, and the possibility of a second chance. The writing is smooth, elegant, engaging...and you will probably never see what is coming. Do yourself a favor and grab this one...I can just about guarantee you will not want to put it down. Once again Lexi Whitlow has earned her five stars and plenty of gratitude for this outstanding read.

Theresa

870 reviews15 followers

April 3, 2018

From Navy SEAL to Hollywood Heartthrob!!

Steamy and sexy story with the right amount of angst and frustration. Set in Southern California, for the most part, with crazy paparazzi and some warped ideals. Quick paced, some humor and a little outrage fill the time. Winter is a confident, silver spoon photographer with a control freak father. Gates is a sexy, humorous, and kind Navy SEAL. And now a bit about the story...

Winter and Gates have a chance meeting during a photo shoot. Winter is creating a Navy SEAL calendar, of course totally unidentifiable models, and Gates has decided to take the risk and join in the fun. This chance meeting leads to a one night stand, but when Winter runs out, Gates has no way to contact her. Years later after his Navy days he still can't get her out of his head, but he can't find her. Luckily another chance meeting pulls them into each other's orbit. Now can they move from one night to more?

Favorite passages:
- She’d be a shitty poker player. Her tells are as pronounced as Dolly Parton’s tits.
- After they schooled us on the full range of hardware and physical force, they taught us the most important weapon we possessed was our brain. The best way to win a fight is to convince your opponent he’s outmaneuvered before the fight even begins.

Note: I was given a free copy and voluntarily chose to review this book.

Sherill

1,296 reviews38 followers

May 2, 2018

FAMILY DRAMA & FIERY PASSIONATE ROMANCE

MUSCLE - BURNS WITH FIERY PASSION - Once I started reading I was hooked with the witty dialogue and dynamic vivid scene descriptions. Inside; family drama, suspense, action, true friendship, secrets unfold, heart-rendering moments, fun times and sensuous intense romance.

Gates a Navy Seal is being deployed but before he goes he decides to model for Winter's Navy Seal calendar for some extra money. Winter is stunning - intelligent and a creative photographer. She captures the attention of the much sought after hot gorgeous Navy Seal. They have one night together and then she leaves him alone in her hotel room with a good-bye safety note. Now a retired Seal Gates lands an acting job with Winter's dad who runs her life with an iron fist. Gates has one priority; make Winter his forever. Their story is wild with ups and downs and getting to their happily ever after is quite the challenge.

FANTASTIC - I adored Gates and Winter together - he is quite the Hero and their romance is definitely genuine. Though Gates is a tough ex-Seal he is so tender and kind to Winter who has to get out from underneath her dad's thumb. Loved the backstories which give insight into the characters personas and the epilogue was fabulous. Loved this story and found it to be a most gratifying read. Without reservations, I recommend this read.

Viper Spaulding

3,147 reviews25 followers

This wonderful book is a lot better than the blurb would have you believe, with more depth and intelligence than most romances. Winter is a strong, confident young woman when she first meets Gates, but she quickly ghosts him rather than risking her father's wrath. Years later when their paths cross again, she's been so beaten down by her controlling father that there's not much of a spark left inside.

Gates sees that spark and challenges her to fight for the life she wants. And boy, what a fight it is! Gates is a strong alpha leader, cocky enough but not the least bit arrogant. He is the only man who's ever had the guts to stand up to her father, and he makes it his mission to expose the tyrant and all his secrets, not just for Winter, but because it's the right thing to do. This part of the story was clearly inspired by recent Hollywood scandals, but the brilliant writing elevates the tabloid fodder to a triumphant story of good vs. evil.

It's a fantastic romance, full of sass and steam, with plenty of humor and surprising insight. I enjoyed every paragraph, every page. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

BP34

6,278 reviews46 followers

What a beautiful love story that will take you on an emotional roller coaster. Two people who are destined to be together. Winter has a very controlling father and she constantly tries to please him. Her latest venture was a Navy Seal calendar and she thought it would impress her father. This calendar leads her to Seal, Gates (Muscle) . Their attraction is immediate and strong. They have one night together before he is shipped out of the country on an assignment. Three years later he is back in the country and an up and coming movie star who happens to be working for Winter's father, Addison. They begin their relationship in private not wanting to enrage her father. This story has so many twists and surprises that will keep you page turning and wanting more. It was wonderful to watch Winter become strong under Gates love and guidance and learn to stand up to her father. A beautiful second chance for both of them. I read a reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.

Cathy

739 reviews1 follower

After being injured Gates Vaughn leaves the military and falls into a new career of modeling and acting which brings him back in touch with Winter, a women he had a one night stand with 3 years before. He goes to work on a film by Winter’s controlling, self-centered father.

Winter Addison is so afraid of her father that she tries to stay away from Gates because she is afraid her father will destroy Gates’ career even though Gates says it doesn’t matter to him. After many secrets come out Winter and Gates finally have a chance.

This is a good story with an interesting plot. I connected with Gates and Winter right away. I loved both of them and felt so sorry for Winter because she was so bound by her hateful father. Gates is a strong hero and didn’t let anything get in his way of what he wanted.

Jackie D

1,845 reviews26 followers

Gates Largest Muscle??... his HEART! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A heart clenching, twisted tale of a SEAL ( Gates ) whose loved in front of and behind the camera and the only women with a wide angled lens he cares to let click away at his life Winter- his new favorite season!
Tangled webs of lies, control, sex trafficking, blackmail, abuse in Hollywood.Woo!
Amongst a hot, heart melting swoon-worthy romance that makes you want to believe that this kind hero could be real... and the all the emotional ups and downs these two will go through * SIGH* I was glued to my Kindle! Oohing and aahing, even threw a fist pump in there!
How could I not love this intricately detailed storyline with all its crazy twists and emotional upsets, well-developed characters and all around sexiness?
This one made my day!

Kristen Lewendon

8,429 reviews63 followers

In a setting pulled from some of today’s darkest headlines in Hollywood, this story takes us deep into the making of a scandal. Gates, while initially behaving like the worst kind of player, quickly turns out to be a very different breed of man. A wounded warrior, he embodies all the courage and nobility we imagine when someone says the magic word “SEAL”. Winter comes from a world I don’t even want to imagine: a world with a beautiful, glittering surface that hides a rotting core. This book pulled me deep into the story. I could feel Winter’s fear and hopelessness, Gates’ desperation to free her from her cage. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down. I was desperate to see how Gates and Winter would outsmart their foe and if they’d get the justice they deserved.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

Caroline Doig

5,452 reviews49 followers

Wow another hit by Lexi Whitlow this is Gate’s and Winter’s story. Navy seal Gate meets Winter at a photo shoot they have an instant attraction and they spend the night together then Gate is called back into service. They meet again 3 years later on a movie set and the chemistry between them is still there but they want to keep it a secret because of Winter’s father. Winter’s father Bill has abused and bullied Winter all of her life and once he finds out about their relationship he is going to ruin Gate’s life. Gate wants Winter and he’s not going to let anyone get in his way especially Winter’s father Bill. Boy oh boy Lexi Whitlow knows how to write a fantastic book that grabs you and keeps a hold of you right up until the end, there’s action, drama, romance and some hot steamy scenes. I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

Carol 27

1,093 reviews

Lexi Whitlow has a knack for giving us a story that’s reflective of what’s current in our society. This one is no different, tackling the mistreatment of actor/actresses by dominant, powerful Hollywood producers. It’s a fabulous, well written, emotionally charged story. Our hero, Gage is a former navy SEAL who is the next hottest thing in Hollywood. He’s charming, flirtatious, and heroic and goes after what he wants – and he wants Winter. Winter is a talented photographer, who has been controlled by her overbearing father for most of her life. She’s both lacking in confidence and the ability to see her father for the manipulator he is. Can she step out of the long shadow cast by her father to take a chance on a future with Gage? I voluntarily reviewed and Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Sandra

447 reviews1 follower

March 22, 2018

I love this book, great story and even funny parts that cracked me up. Winter is a photographer who works on a SEALs calendar where she meets Gates. They're having a ONS but she ghosted him the morning after and he left for a mission. While they never forgot one another, their lifes took different turns. Gates got shot and needed new knees and therapy to learn to walk again. Winter was forced to work for her father since she couldn't gather any other job. After some years Gates appears to a casting for a movie in the studio of Winter's father so they meet again. He tries to convince her he'll never let her go now that he found her again but her father will give them trouble. You really grow to hate Bill Addison and I wanted him to face consequences for what he'd done. Go grab yourself a copy and find out what Gates is capable of besides looking good all muscles!

Dawn Myers

1,299 reviews2 followers

March 25, 2018

I loved this book. It could have been very predictable, but in my opinion Lexi Whitlow did a great job of keeping you on your toes. Winter has no self confidence which I could relate to and could feel it. I could feel how terrified of her father she was. I loved Gates he was a little arrogant, but very likable in my opinion. Bring Winter and Gates together and you see a whole other side to Gates. He is very supportive and does all he can to build Winter up. In my opinion Lexi Whitlow did a good job of bringing me into the store and keep my attention from bringing to end. I enjoyed reading the deleted scene and felt what made it into the book was the best. There was a little suspense that kept me turning the pages. In my opinion if you are a Lexi Whitlow fan she did not disappoint. I would recommend. I received an ARC edition for my honest and voluntary review.

Silvia

1,236 reviews9 followers

March 28, 2018

Wow! As I was reading this book, I could picture everything in my mind as if I was watching a movie or tv show. Cable of course, because it gets way to hot for network tv!
Winter is a photographer who’s father is a major player in the Hollywood movie scene. He’s a tyrant when it comes to Winter and he expects her to follow his rules.
Gates is a Navy Seal who happens to be the subject of one of Winter’s photo shoots. Their chemistry is insanely hot! Unfortunately, Gates has to head out on another deployment.
Years later, the two come face-to-face, and that white hot chemistry is brighter than ever.
If you are looking for scandal, dirty secrets, a delicious romance, and a hero who is willing to loose everything for the woman he loves, you will not be disappointed!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Zelda

1,456 reviews

Second chance romance between former SEAL turned actor Gates Vaughan (Muscle) and his photographer Winter. I loved the chemistry between these two. It was hot, hot, HOT. After dreaming about Winter for three years, Gates finds her & will never let her go again. He will do whatever it takes-and he needs to-to help Willow escape her zealot father's restrictive clutches. Under Gates' love, Winter becomes a stronger woman; you see glimmers of it with Gates but then she totally blossoms. I love how Ms Whitlow showed this strength, and the spin off effect this had on the storyline. Great characters, engaging storyline, loved it!

I received an arc of this book and have voluntarily reviewed it.

Linda Lagrue

843 reviews6 followers

The first chapter caught my attention and I had to keep reading until the book was done. Gate (Muscle) a seal and Winter a photographer meet on a photo shoot. The attraction between them is red hot and they end up spending the night together. They meet again 3 years later when Gate is an up and coming movie star. Winter is working for her father on the same movie that Gate is starring in. The chemistry between Gate and Winter has not waned but their jobs are in jeopardy if they act on their desire. Can Winter finally stand up to her father? Will they choose love over career?
“Muscle” is a beautifully written story and well worth reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Emma

2,864 reviews37 followers

I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is an excellent story that touches on bullying, intimidation, rage outbursts, threats, physical abuse, etc. Winter's father was all that and more. She grew up without her mother completely controlled by her father. A photographer by trade, Winter meets Gage on a shoot. Sparks fly and poof she is gone. Three years later after Gage's career as a seal is sadly over, they run into each other again. The story becomes exciting romantic but there looms the darkness of Winter's father. She is terrified of him. Slowly Gage and her best friend give her the courage she needs to know herself, value herself and stand up for herself. This is truly a must read story.

Magali

4,143 reviews25 followers

Great love story about Winter and Gates. I loved that the characters meet when they aren’t available (he’s a seal and need to go back to his base, and she a new photographer). But they don’t forget each other. Then Gates is hurted during war. He became a model, and now is a new actor. That’s when he meets Winter again and he understands that she’s submitted to her father who is a producer. The story is constructed around this bad relation of her manipulative father and the construction of Winter and Gates’ s life together, with some paparazzi too, fake news…
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Kaye

7,177 reviews69 followers

ADRENALINE RUSH!!!
Man! Talk about a sucker punch from left field. A smooth flowing, wonderfully written, easy paced read with twists, turns and surprises around every corner. I love the two main characters and I enjoyed their personalities coming alive as the tale unfolds. Unpredictable hurdles they had to overcome as their feelings for one another grew stronger. The scenes, the characters and locations are realistic and down to earth. With a full range of emotions that kept me frozen to my seat and eyes totally focused on the pages. Excitement abounds and the effects are explosive. I love the way Lexi brings out the love and hardships the couple face head on. Excellent job Lexi.

Misty Goan

2,809 reviews13 followers