Tagged

Blue Collar Bad Boys #6

by Brill Harper

My name is Sergeant Charlie Warner.

Or it was.

I’m a retiring soldier, just got out, with no family of my own, and I reluctantly agreed to spend the holidays in picturesque Maple Grove to transition to life after the Army. I’m a drifter now and have no business getting involved with my buddy’s family—especially with his sweet little sister who pretends she’s frumpy and boring to ward off attention from men.

Men like me.

I have no plans for Emily other than being an extra brother for a week. That’s what I tell myself. I really should let her be, but the harder she tries to hide, the more determined I am to seek. Under those baggy clothes and plain, simple looks is a woman who deserves to know how desirable she is. She thinks I can have any woman I want.

And I want her.

Author's Confession: You must know by now that I love my tropes, right? Military romance, older man/younger woman, opposites attracting like whoa, small town, older brother's best friend, ugly duckling who's really a swan (though an introverted swan), holiday romance complete with snow, Santa suits, and caroling during a fight scene. Oh, and pudding. Let's get figgy with it.

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Novella, Christmas

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2017

About the author

Brill Harper is a pseudonym. Like…a secret identity. By day she’s Clark Kent, writing romance books for young adults and grownups. By night, she’s Brill Harper writing unfailingly filthy, yet super sweet books, that would make her alter ego blush.

She especially likes to writes book about quirky, awkward heroines and alpha bad boys. Well, except that they are really alphamallows once they fall in love. Seriously--these heroes only have one weakness, and it's sticky, sweet love. They don't let anything stand in the way of taking what belongs to them. Ooey-gooey marshmallow hearts in big, burly dominating dudes. What's not to love about that?

Brill's books are filthy/sweet for when you're in the mood for something a little over the top. Okay, a lot over the top. Sorry, not sorry.



Brill Harper is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency.

Reviews

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

3.5 stars

I love a Christmas good Christmas story. This was a cute little story with likable characters. I did feel that the pushing away went on a bit too long. They didn't get together intimately until the 70%-ish mark and as a legit couple until the very end. Even though you knew it was coming, I wanted the story to be more about them together.

-no cheating
-no ow drama whatsoever
-om drama- her ex taunted her but caused no relationship drama for this couple
-passive aggressive pushing away- I want you but I can't have you sort of thing
-cute but short epilogue 5 years out

[May Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Safe read

-Older man younger women
-Celibate H
-Celibate h
-Insta connection >Love
-no Ow Drama
-mild OM Drama
-some pushing away, doesn’t last long
-HEA with epilogue

[Robin is it summer yet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took me longer than her other books. I like the characters but wish he had been more Alpha like her other books. He was a little too sweet for this series I thought.

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This novella featuring an introverted FMC (Emily) and her twin brother’s retired military sergeant (Charlie), who joins their family Christmas week, was pretty sweet. Less steamy as others in the series, but I enjoyed the holiday vibes and also Emily’s matchmaking family.

[Elizabeth Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5 Stars**

Emily has perfected the art of hiding in plain sight, and has realized yes, you can be lonely in a room full of people. She loves her family, and they her, but she's the opposite of them, quiet to their loud, shy to their outgoing, one-on-one to groups, etc. But today, as Christmas nears, she's expecting the only present she truly wants, the family member that just gets her. Her twin, Carter, is on leave and will be home for the holiday, and it's been years since that last happened. However, he isn't coming alone, he's bringing his now retiring sergeant, the man who literally saved Carter's life.

Charlie has lived and breathed the military for years, and as such, now that he's retiring, has no home or family of his own, and is used to feeling alone even when surrounded by others. But, Carter, one of the men he served with, insisted he spend the holiday with his family. Since Carter got him a great deal on his dream car due to the family business with the visit a stipulation, some may call that blackmail... When he sees the woman obviously Carter's twin, he also notices how she camouflages almost everything about herself, except her joy at seeing her brother.

"That smile. God. It’s like looking into the sun." - Charlie

When Emily, needing to escape her childhood bedroom and sudden insomnia, bumps into Charlie in the kitchen, they both admit their awkwardness and decide to start over. As their playful banter becomes charged with attraction, the need calls to both of them, but Charlie, knowing his friend's sister is a no-no, retreats, and Emily can't help but feel the pain of his rejection. As Charlie realizes his mistake, he tries to verbally rectify it, wanting her to know he feels it too, but when that doesn't work, his mouth does the communicating in a different way.

The next day, when paired together with Carter on an errand, the two talk comfortably, and though the attraction is still there, Charlie knows she deserves the opposite of him. But when someone from Emily's past insults her, obviously bringing up painful memories, he reacts instantly, ready to protect her from everything.

As these two draw closer, their connection strengthening, there's obstacles in their way. Charlie believes he isn't good enough for her, nor made to be a family man as he's never experienced it himself, but he's fallen for her regardless. As for Emily, she's starting to realize she's let her past, and a small minded man's words, change her into someone she's not, and it took the man she's growing to love to help her see it's okay to be her.

Will Charlie still leave, even after all he and Emily shared? Will he come back? Will Emily take back her life and maintain faith in what she and Charlie shared? Will Emily's brother, Carter, get a story too? Will their cousin, Shelia? Is a HEA possible for Carter and Emily?

One-click now and follow along as two people cross paths and discover the perfect person for them.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so different from the others I loved Charlie so much. For such a big guy he is so vulnerable.

Emily is the quiet one in her family and she likes to blend in. But she has some serious hang-ups to get over and Charlie is the right man to help her.

4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so different from the others I loved Charlie so much. For such a big guy he is so vulnerable.

Emily is the quiet one in her family and she likes to blend in. But she has some serious hang-ups to get over and Charlie is the right man to help her.

4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! After the last three or four novellas by Brill Harper being about virginal, 19-year-olds, she finally wrote a story about an 25-year-old, non-virgin.

The story did follow a similar layout as the others, even though the heroine was 25, her hero was still 13 years older than her and she'd only had sex one time before sleeping with the hero.

I liked this story much better than the last one. The heroine, Emily, suffered from low self esteem due to things that happened in her past. The hero, Charlie, was the sergeant to the heroine's twin brother in the military. The brother convinced Charlie to spend christmas with his family.

Charlie helps Emily see her true self and helped her learn how to value herself as a woman.

I liked that they didn't just jump into bed right after they met (like Ms. Harper has had her characters do in the past). I loved that they got to know each other on an emotional level first and that they both had romantic feelings for each other before they had sex. I like a little dirty talk, but I felt like the sex scenes were at a whole new level once she added that more emotional layer in addition to the dirty talk.

And the sex scenes were, as usual, HOTTTTTT!!!

I look forward to her next novella and hope it's on the same level as this one.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the author's confession at the bottom of the blurb doesn't get you to want to read this book, nothing will! Yes, this book is just as much fun as her note indicates, and it has a lot more heart and emotional depth than we usually find in short and steamy novellas. Each one of these Blue Collar Bad Boys stories is absolutely perfect, but I think this one is my favorite of them all.

Charlie is just spending Christmas with Jonesy's family because he honestly has no place else to go. He has no plans at all, so he's in no position to make promises to anyone. Emily has been hurt and wears her insecurities like protective armor, and she has no idea what to do with a guy like Charlie who sees right through her disguise. These two really do complete each other, in all the best ways. It was a joy to get to know the entire Jones family and to spend Christmas with this wonderful group.

The author never lets the physical aspect of the budding romance overshadow the deep emotional connection being forged, so that when the sexy times happen they're not just physically satisfying, they're heartfelt and heartwarming as well. The writing is as brilliant as ever, as the author seamlessly weaves a beautiful story from traumatic childhood memories, a pushy yet threatening brother, a hilarious fight scene, and a jail cell made for two. Every little story thread works together to make a perfect holiday love story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Armenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving this series...5 stars!

I can’t say enough great things about the Blue Collar series. Brill Harper is such a talented writer packing emotional depth and great characterization in her stories you feel they could be your next door neighbors.

At 25, Emily Jones does “hiding in plain sight” real well. She finds being in groups overwhelming and awkward. It’s the “event” that happened almost three years ago that eventually ended her engagement. Since then, she’s reverted into herself from the humiliation. But when her twin brother, Carter, brings his sarge home from the army, Emily feels a familiar soul.

Feeling adrift now that’s he’s ex-army, Charlie Warner decides to spend Christmas with Carter’s large rambunctious family. He notices Emily and the “tricks” she uses to make herself unnoticed in a crowd, and he knows there’s a beautiful woman inside those baggy clothes. He’s outraged over the insensitive jerk of an ex-fiance who broke her heart and is still calling her names. I love how Charlie helps Emily come to terms with her guilt and turning the self-inflicted pain over a broken engagement.

I love Tagged, it’s well written with great characters, humor, and emotion. It’s a slow boil, but boy is there plenty of sexy goodness. I love the witty dialogue between Emily and Charlie and what a great epilogue to find how these two lovers find their HEA down the road.

I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Book Nook Kitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, despite the fact that I prefer my big dominant Alpha bikers, who curse and brood. I don't even remember reading a single swear word in this. But it was still very enjoyable and if you like cute sweet short novellas with a quick HEA, then this is for you. Or even if you are in a book slump.

This is only my second book by this author, the first was slightly better, called Wrong Number. This feels a little less detailed than it did. It also seemed like the author was rushing to get to the first kissing scene. I would have liked to have read the dinner and family hanging out scene, instead of the author just telling us that's what happened then skipping to the midnight meet.

I also would have preferred much less back and fourth about 'what was best for her, he wanted her but he wasn't what was right for her, him wanted to punch a guy that was better for her, etc' stuff in his inner monologues. That got a bit annoying to me.

But this is still a nice story. It's reminds me of a book version of a hallmark channel Christmas movie, a short wholesome story about a returning solider going to his buddy's family's home for the Christmas holidays and falling for the sister and a quick happy ending. It also didn't have enough heated scenes. So I wouldn't call this a hot read, just a sweet one. Definitely recommend it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

My name is Sergeant Charlie Warner.
Or it was.
I’m a retiring soldier, just got out, with no family of my own, and I reluctantly agreed to spend the holidays in picturesque Maple Grove to transition to life after the Army. I’m a drifter now and have no business getting involved with my buddy’s family—especially with his sweet little sister who pretends she’s frumpy and boring to ward off attention from men.
Men like me.
I have no plans for Emily other than being an extra brother for a week. That’s what I tell myself. I really should let her be, but the harder she tries to hide, the more determined I am to seek. Under those baggy clothes and plain, simple looks is a woman who deserves to know how desirable she is. She thinks I can have any woman I want.
And I want her.

Heather's Notes
Cute and short. I am really liking these little stories. The make no apologizes for being cheesy and tropey. They are fun to read. In fact, if they were longer, they probably would not be as good. Too much trope and cheese is not good for you.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brill Harper keeps getting better and better, the short stories with little to no drama and the drama is in perfect doses and not over the top, a read where no one trying to break them up, a read about two people who belong together, they just have to realize it for themselves. This one about Charlie who is an ex sergeant and joins one of his men for Christmas. There he meets his twin sister, Emily, who is dealing with a past that has left her withdrawn. Charlie’s past is not great either but put them together they can have an amazing present and future together if they can just let go of their pasts and start living in the world.
What an amazing story filled with family, hope, forgiveness, acceptance, love and sensual steamy scenes. I LOVED these two and for a short story it flowed beautifully, not skipping a beat and packed quite a punch that I had to buy it even though I received an ARC. KUDOS to the author as this one is my favorite so far and I can’t wait for the next one.

[Malini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real connection by MeemsAngel82

This was a whole story that happens around Christmas time. It centers on a close family that welcomes a friend for this special time of year. The man is from the military and is the former boss of her brother. She is strong and so is he but both have things on them that make them feel less than. The writing is great and the closeness this family shares is wonderful.

He finally found his home for the holidays and she finally found herself with him guiding her.

They each feel uneasy about things in their lives and both realize they really are whole, it just took the right person to nudge that along. Both are good people and him having no one to finding so much with them was heartwarming. She got her moment and him interrupting was fantastic! I love how people around her accepted him and I love that they had their HEA. A sweet story that is emotional and makes you think about life.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first book of Brill Harper’s that I have read. Because of that, I wasn’t sure on what to expect when starting this book. I found the writing style easy to follow and the characters likeable. I read this book in one sitting and wasn’t once bored.
This story has a Christmas feel to it. The story is set at Christmas time. I liked Emily and Charlie. I will admit that I wanted to bang their heads together. They were both to stubborn. I wanted to shout at them to get over their pasts and get together. I liked Emily but I hated how she let Alan dictate to her life. Charlie hit the nail on the head, Alan was a hypocrite. He judged Emily for doing something yet he had a subscription to watch video’s like that. I wanted Emily to stop hiding behind dull clothes. I wanted her to go after what she wanted.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and a nice read.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looks like this book is being overlooked for reading as I am only the 5th to shelve as read on Goodreads. Shame because it is not a bad short book. I thought it had the potential to actually be expanded and perhaps have the relationship between Charlie and Emily more drawn out. Then I did chose this story because of it being a novella, a quick fix before bedtime with a storyline that looked promising. I have it shelved to read again but it will be more of a skim to find some of the nice lines Brill Harper wrote. (..her smile gave me the feeling you get when being wrapped in a warm sheet from the dryer...Not a quote verbatim but it made me remember laundry day as a kid, my mother ironed everything so warm PJs and sheets that smelled air fresh.) That memory is over 50 years old.

Cheers

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had quite a bit more plot than I'd grown to expect from Brill Harper. It is not insta smut, so colour me impressed that Harper is just as good with a more conventionally paced romance as she is with the hot shorts that make up a lot of this series. This has some heavy moments and should come with a content warning about an experience in the hero's early life. Also, I couldn’t love the mentions of the hero's supposedly noble reasons for fighting a war, but these were thankfully brief. Aside from these two things that particularly struck a difficult chord for me, it was a captivating, satisfying read with sweetness as well as sizzle. Oh, also I should mention I sort of mentally handwaved away the thirteen year age difference. At 25, at least the heroine isn't as painfully young to me as some of the others in this series.

[Ciru · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, officially, I have read all Brill Harper books. Finished this one over the course of two days. I love that this one was a bit longer than the others and a tad more detailed than the others. It also centered on family...and the ever delighful Christmas trope.

My favourite scene has to be when Santa unexpectedly appears. It was just too funny. And for this one, apart from the extra good smut, there were also some very touching aww scenes between Emily+Charlie that I absolutely loved.

Did I mention, the smut is gooooooood?!? Yes I did. Especially the post Santa appearance scene and the epilogue.

I am looking forward to reading more from Brill Harper and also finally finding out who she really is and her other books. If anyone knows...PM me!

[Melinda Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A very merry Christmas!

Emily is waiting on her twin to come home for Christmas. She's a bit reserved and hangs back, not for good reason.

Charlie is fresh out of the military and going home with one of his men. He's feeling a bit lost and unsure. Then he spots Emily and she's a beacon but one he should avoid.

It seems their attraction is supplemented by Emily's family. But what happens when Charlie realizes she's not a good girl or Emily realizes Charlie is a lost cause?

[Kimkbries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas at Emily’s parents is filled with family and great times. When her twin brother brings home a retired Sargent from his unit Christmas just got a little more interesting. Charlie had no where to go so when he agrees to go to his buddy’s family for Christmas he never dreams what he will find there. Two people both looking for their way to happiness. Will they find it in each other? I enjoyed their story as they both dig deep and discovered exactly what they wanted. Plenty of steamy chemistry

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brill Harper's Alphamallows are my world. Her Blue Collar Bad Boys series is like your favourite treat. There is no angst, no complications and always a happy ever after. Sometimes we all need some insta-love, manly men who fall head over heels immediately and aren't scared to admit it, and dirty af fun. I will use this review for all her Blue Collar Bad Boys books because it remains the same. I have read them all, and I reread them on super stressful or bad days because it's an instant smile on my face. Support Brill and her lovely smutty books and take that mini-vacay for an hour.

[Sil Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie and Emily made a wonderful couple. He was recently retired and she is his military buddy’s twin. When he gets invited home for the holidays, they meet and sparks fly instantly. He thinks they can’t have more. Emily proves him wrong and becomes his everything. One Santa costume later and we get to see just how far their love goes. I highly recommend.

I rcvd a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story. It was a surprising, emotion-driven story of two damaged people afraid to let love in rather than the Hallmark Channel-sweet Christmas stories I usually see. There's nothing wrong with sweetness but sometimes a girl wants a little substance with her fluff, a crunchy peppermint instead of cotton-candy. In "Tagged", Brill Harper delivered the hard stuff in addition to a wonderful, clap-your-hands-together surprise near the end. Great Christmas time story!

[Never Stop Reading or Dreaming · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This one so far is my favorite in the series. We get more in depth with the characters here and it’s around Christmas. How can you not fall in love. I do have a few questions but none that will keep me up at night. Instead, I’ll be dreaming about Charlie and how he also gets his HEA after such a hard life. These are the stories that melt your heart and stay with you forever.

[Granger McGringot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great smexyless romance novel. I mean all those feelings, those warm feelings was good, very good. I liked the plot not only center the turmoils on the MCs but also on the family. How it centered on the emotional development of the main characters but still be able to steer our attention to family; warm protective family. One heck of a good reading for christmas, or off christmas. This one made me weak on my knees with so much love and warm feelings.

[Fatimama · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this as much as the others. This was kinda blah, I didn’t like the conflict where the heroine is insecure coz she flashed her tits in Girls Gone Wild and the vid was seen by her entire fam during her hen party. She only had sex once and her ex-fiance was a hypocrite who called her names. I wouldn’t have forgiven the douchenozzle. The H/h romance was boring.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Absolutely loved this book. Charlie and Emily both have trouble being around people and being in the spotlight. Loved them together. Charlie is broken growing up too fast in foster care and going into the Army. Coming home for Christmas with Emily's brother may have been the best thing that happened to them both.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love military H stories. I thought this was cute, and sweet, and sexy. Not as dirty as some of the others in the series but I loved how the H saw who she was underneath and was not only careful with her heart but told her he couldn’t fix her she had to do that herself. Very different from the normal alpha hero who steam-rolls over the h. It was a nice change of pace and I really enjoyed it.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that it featured a military hero (well newly retired military hero), this might be my favorite of the series. He’s a former foster kid and doesn’t know how to accept love, she had her own trauma that led her to believe she doesn’t deserve to be loved, this one was really really good.