Mason Fierce was the smart one. The quiet one. The least fierce of the Fierce Five. He’s a force to reckon with running his own brewery and doing what he wants...the way he wants it. He’s still the smart one, still the quiet one, but he’s out to prove that brute strength isn’t what makes you fierce, but accepting who you are and embracing it makes you the fiercest of them all.
Jessica Corning has always loved science. She’s what many would call nerdy. Geeky, even. Never had a boyfriend, never even wanted one. She just wanted to focus on school and her hobbies. Her new love. Beer. So a part-time job giving tours at Fierce Brewery is a dream come true for her. The last thing she expects is to find that maybe she wouldn’t mind having a guy in her life after all. If only her new boss would even notice her.
I liked the boutique brewer angle in this book but the style of writing wasn't for me. This novel is part of a series where each book focusses on a different member of the Fierce family and I didn't feel as though I needed to read the other books to read this one. Mason is the quiet, non-confrontational brother who was picked on a lot in his youth due to being reserved and different to the rest of his family. The book starts with a flashback where he's been beaten up. His mother gets him a membership to kickboxing (or something or rather). Fast forward and he's still an introvert, but a ripped one. That's about as interesting as Mason got for me, unfortunately, and he spent too much time worrying that others would see through his ruse and find out that he's pretending. Fair enough, but there was little else and this was a complete non-issue for me. Jessica was fairly young and in her last semester of college. She's a biology major like Mason and is shortlisted for the tour guide job at the brewery. She fan girls over him due to her extreme love of beer and brewing and gets the job. I guess she was enthusiastic, but she travelled well into annoying territory for me and took oversharing to the next level. Look, I love beer, but she was over the top and I find it hard to believe that she'd want to get more involved in the brewing process as a result. And some of the stuff she said? Geez. 'I didn't expect you to be so friendly' - she said this to her boss lol.
I wasn't really a fan of either of the main characters. I found both Jessica and Mason had the personality and social skills of a fork, particularly Jessica, who had no friends. The latter was unsurprising because she came across as juvenile and I spent quite a bit of the book wondering if she was actually a two year old in the body of a college student as silly and random thoughts and dialogue were dropped in. She spent most of the book either overthinking everything, gushing or asking if what she was saying was inappropriate while Mason condescendingly indulged her. I didn't find them sweet but I'm sure some other readers will.
I also didn't like that Mason's mother was the one to hand select Jessica and put her up against two other interviewees that were obviously ill-equipped to get the tour guide job, just so Mason would pick Jessica as they had a lot in common and therefore had dating potential. I found this weird, particularly due to the fact that she did it for the other siblings as well. You get the mother's point of view for a couple of chapters where she'd pat herself on the back for how amazing she was. The siblings were okay and there was an interesting story arc for the sister, but they mostly sounded like they leaned more towards being a-holes rather than affectionate. Random tidbits were dropped here and there implying backstories that didn't actually go anywhere or get explained. As for Jessica's family? Another annoying train wreck. The mother was horrible with issues a mile long and the father, who basically comes off as borderline neglectful due to remarrying because he wanted sons, is apparently this great dad by the end because he was just happy she had a boyfriend. Nope.
There's the story arc where Mason finally steps up to a bully. Once again there's heaps of focus on how he's never done this before, he shows his new and improved Adonis body and mad fight skillz and ninjas his way to confidence. While I think this was supposed to be pretty dramatic and a bit of a coming of age moment, it was a bit of a non-event and you could see it coming a mile off. And to boot, the reasons for him wanting to fight and stand up to others were so inconsequential and non-issues that if the author hadn't spent so much time repeating how non-confrontation he was, I would have assumed he had a mental issue. A guy says a mild line to your date so you stand up and go chest to chest with him? Okie dokie then, crazy pants.
The siblings all have a role in the family business which was cute. The trope is a familiar one so there were no surprises, no twists and no major plot arcs. The book's themes (mainly Mason's anti-social ways and Jessica being young and naive) were repeated a lot. So were some of the terms - there was a heap of smirking, for instance. There were lots of lines like 'Why was she noticing this when she never has before?' and a truck load of 'He'd never done that before and never even wanted to before Jessica' that was about as subtle as a sledgehammer and used way too much. Why did he notice this or that? He never did before? Why did he get confrontational towards another male? He never did that before. Why did he explain himself? He never did that before. He'd never laughed so much, nor teased so much and had never wanted to. I'm sure you get the picture. A personal dislike of mine is language that is demeaning or out-dated towards women. This book had a touch of that and it ticked me off. Saying he normally went for loose women that looked more like eye candy? Get out. Was this written in the 1800s? Then later he said he had a younger woman that made him feel like he could do whatever he wanted and she'd go right along with it. Ewww.
Overall I found the book's themes laid on too thick for me and it finished pretty abruptly. It was an easy read and some other readers will find it sweet because It was a nice enough story. The characters and style of writing just weren't for me.
Mason Fierce is the 3 born in a set of quintuplets born to Gavin and Jolene Fierce. Mason is the quietest one, the one who most liked is alone time, the one who does NOT like to fight. Mason is the one who got bullied in school and hides who he really is when around anyone but family. Mason is also the smartest. He just wants to make different kinds of beer and grow the Fierce brand. Jessica knows she awkward and geeky. Jessica is almost finished with college and has no idea what she wants to do, but she find she is interested in the process of how beer is made, the different flavors, what it pairs with, just so many things to do with beer, so when a job for your guide at the Fierce Brewery opened up, she had to apply. To bad Jessica didn't have such an overbearing mother. This is the 3rd book in this series and I have liked them all. Mason has always been my favorite character and his story is in no way a disappointment. Natalie Ann has given each of the quints such unique personalities, with a few similar traits. I have enjoyed reading about Mason coming out of his shell through this story. Jessica was just as insecure, although for different reasons, and it was a pleasure to read about her journey as well. It's always a hoot to read about my favorite "helicopter mom" too This book can be read as a stand alone, but why deprive yourself? Fierce series is best for adult readers due to sexual content.
Love Jolene Fierce! I cannot wait to read Cades story. Jolene Fierce is the mother of the Fierce 5, Brody, Aiden, Mason, Cade and Ella. Jolene knows what each one needs and is determined to make them see it. She has been able to get Brody engaged to Aimee, Aiden engaged to Nic and now she is working on Mason. Gavin is the dad in all this and is always the quiet obedient one who always knows Jolene is up to something. Although the book is about Mason and Jessica, the whole family has a part in it.
Mason is the science geek in the family and is in charge of the brewery. He is also the quiet one, shy, in his own shell (the one who was bullied and beaten). Of course that all changes when mom gets involve. If you have read both books one and two, you will know that mom helps with the interviewing/position for their areas and this was no exception. He selected the third candidate in which was more to his liking because she was not only a smart science geek but not as shy as he was. They hit it off but you need to read the rest to figure out how this ends.
This book, as the other two are standalone with a HEA, but it is best to get to know each character as you get to know their strengths, weaknesses, and Jolene’s antics for each of them. I do hope that once Natalie completes Ella’s book that she does the final one with all involved either during a celebration of some sort or rekindling the love of each couple.
In the continuing saga of Jolene Fierce's quest to marry off her quintuplets, she pushes her son, Mason to hire a tour guide for the family's brewery, knowing full well that quiet Mason will leave the preliminary interviews to her. When she narrows the selection to three, Mason does the final interviews of two totally unqualified young women and Jessica, an almost college graduate.
The author continues to provide her readers with totally original stories set in the same family business; a restaurant/bar/microbrewery. Each family member has their own identity and distinct job in the business their parents handed over to the kids so the parents can retire. Most of the books by this author are a part of a series (there are four series) which are all standalone books. This series is also five complete stories, but I think the reader will get more from each if they are read in order. I am enjoying the different personalities of the characters and the bit of mystery that keeps turning up. Very enjoyable
This is a wonderful story and a great introduction to the Fierce family collection penned by the talented author Natalie Ann.
Mason is an up and coming brew master with a name for himself up and down the east coast, a motivated guy who plans to extend his craft beer sales across the US soon. Personality wise, he's also the strong, silent type, a kid who'd been bullied in school, and a guy who simply needs the right type of woman to crack open his shell and climb inside.
When his mother Jolene sends him three women to chose between as a potential tour guide for his brewery, Mason decides to hire Jessica, and then the sparks begin to fly. Altho she's younger than he and about to graduate college, the two have much in common - including their maturity and the inability to verbalize their feelings.
I LOVED this story and how the author kept this reader in the loop regarding the other family members and their significant others. Five golden stars for a well written, captivating tale.
Mason is the third child to be scooped up into mama Jolene’s match-making schemes in The Fierce Five series by Natalie Ann.
When reading a series with at least three or more books to it, one of the main concerns for me is continuity. There’s always a chance that after the first book the quality will start to decline or reach a plateau, basically repeating the same arc continuously with different MCs starring. I’m blessedly relieved that was not the case in Natalie Ann’s third installment. There were many similarities between Brody and Aiden’s editions, and while some still held true this time around I felt she breathed new life into The Fierce Five’s world.
Mason and Jessica’s story contrasted so strongly, it was basically polar opposite to his siblings romantic entanglements. It was a nice break to see the almost obsessively sweet and introverted pairing discover what love was.
You’ll find yourself wishing you were a Fierce family member!
This is my third read in the Fierce series. Mason was always the brother in the background. A genius with beer but not so much with relationships! Jessica’s new found love is beer and what better place to begin learning than at Mason’s brewery. Two people whose focus is on anything but love…of course that’s when they find it! There’s also a side story (I don’t want to give it away) involving the brewery that keeps you turning pages to see what’s happening and why. I always enjoy the way Natalie Ann writes the dialogue between the Fierce family members—can’t wait for the remaining siblings to find romance of their own!
Mason and Jessica are both scientific nerds. He's found a way to turn his biology degree into a successful brewery. College student Jessica loves beer, especially the kind produced by Fierce Brewery and she can’t wait to start her part-time job giving tours there. She’s never been kissed, nor had a boyfriend and can’t believe that someone like Mason would ever be attracted to her. Mason was bullied growing up and he secretly learns how to box to able to defend himself. Their romance was sweet and as someone who was bullied to as a teen and who can be shy I was cheering for them both to find their happily ever after.
This series just keeps getting better and better. I absolutely love this family! The siblings are awesome together, their mother is a nosy busybody that wants them all to be happy and their dad is great too.
There are elements of suspense that add an extra element to the story that I love. I really enjoyed reading the interaction between Mason and Jessica. They complement each other and bring out the best in each other. They really were made for each other.
I loved this story and can't wait to read Cade's story next!
This is a lovely story about two people who have a lot of the same interests. Mason had hired Jessica to do the tours for his co. She researched the product, so she knew how it was made. So she could talk to people who took her tour. Their feelings grew from having the same interests. They both had degrees in science and loved the product. He was a stand-up guy. I loved that it was so refreshing. They were kind and honest with each other. The only thing I didn't like was when it ended. I loved the story.
Mason might be my favorite of the brothers, though I'm starting to love Ella the more we read about her. Mason has always been the quiet one, but he is probably the best one at the heart of it. He's sweet and tender yet stronger than anyone ever gave him credit for. Jessica is a bit nerdy and has never had a boyfriend, or even a kiss. Mason is her first everything and you couldn't ask for a better romance. Keep them coming!
Mason was a typical workaholic. So his mother takes it upon herself to hire a woman to do the tours at his brewery. Jessica loves all things beer and would live to bree it herself, do she is the perfect woman to work for Mason. Mason soon realizes that he has feelings for Jessica and hopes that she has feelings for him to. A great story with excellent characters and a happy ending guaranteed.
This series just gets better and better. You can never tell what Jolene is up to but she sure knows here kids and what they are looking for in a mate. Mason and Jessica were perfect for each other. This book made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me cheer for all the smart, shy bookworms out there!
I loved everything about this book. Mason's character was awesome and refreshing to see a big tough guy that was bullied for being smart and shy, tehn come into his own and not change the best parts of himself. Jessica and him had so much in common and yet were different in many ways. It was a match made in heaven, or in Jolene's eyes since she did such a good job finding Jessica for Mason.
Finally, the quiet one meets his match, thanks to his mom. Jessica brings out the very best in Mason and they are quite the paired match in intellect as well as their inability to be the center of attention. I’m so overjoyed with this book and I won’t give any spoilers but Jolene is one happy woman.
Mason is the middle of his quintuplet siblings. His mother has been plotting to pair them all up. She finds Jessica, a student that is 8 years younger but very compatible to Mason. They are instantly attracted to each other. A little angst, a little action and lots of sweetness. Very cute read.
I saved the best for last. I enjoyed reading Jason's story. He was always the quiet one in the other books.
Fav quotes: “What does he look like so I’ll know before he gets there?” She actually asked that straight-faced and he burst out laughing. “Like me.” “Duh. I’m such an idiot. I should have figured that out.”
He was the softest of the bunch, not as hard or ready to fight as his brothers. However, he learnt how to defend himself, and put an authoritative air about him, creating an illusion that others backed away from. She was smart, but had learned how to adapt in what social situations she found herself in. Together, they learn to bring the other out of their shells, and find happiness.
I loved Mason. I won’t preface that with anything else just that he is like the perfect book boyfriend. He’s rather quiet, but he’s brilliant, tender and very caring. Jessica is actually perfect for him and their little surprise there towards the end of this book was exciting, and I can’t wait to see where the future takes them.
I love a series that I can fall into and feel like these are people that would be friends in real life. I'm ready for the next in the series when it is released! This is another series of Natalie Ann's that you fall in love with just like all of her others!
I jumped right in the middle of this series and I loved it. I instantly fell in love with Mason and he made me want to get the whole series. The emotional barriers and personalities of these two main characters are so relatable.
I didn’t like this book as much as the others in the series. I felt like Jolene was too over the top. I also felt the parts with the crimes at the brewery was added in, but not really relevant to the story.
Story of Jessica a young college student looking for part time work as a tour guide in a brewery ran by the Fierce family. Mason is her boss and becomes infatuated and then loves her. She has always been top of her class and Mason is just the right men for her.
This series just gets better and better. I love Jolene and how she knows the perfect mate for her 5 children. I can't wait to see who she finds for Cade!