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Wild Men #6
No Saint
Meet the infamous Ross, black sheep of the family and bully extraordinaire.
I drink too much, smoke too much, screw around. I've hurt people, been in and out of prison. I'm a bastard, a beast. I'm a bundle of joy.
I mean, my own dad tried to kill me, what does that tell you?
Then again, my dad did kill my mom, so maybe it isn't just me. Who the hell knows. The world sucks and I'm giving it the finger in every damn way, except…
Except there's a girl. Pretty. Hot. Clever. She didn't get the memo—that she should hate me, shun me, kick me when I'm down. That the world screwed us all over. She believes in the future—and sometimes she seems to even believe in me.
Big mistake. I'm bad news. I made her suffer in the past, and nothing has changed. I'm not an angel, not a saint. No good.
But for some reason I don't get, I can't let her go down with me. I find myself trying to be better for her, pretending to be someone I'm not.
And if that doesn't ring some damn big alarm bells regarding my sanity, well… then I'm done already.
*This is a standalone full-length novel in the Wild Men universe that began with Caveman.*
I drink too much, smoke too much, screw around. I've hurt people, been in and out of prison. I'm a bastard, a beast. I'm a bundle of joy.
I mean, my own dad tried to kill me, what does that tell you?
Then again, my dad did kill my mom, so maybe it isn't just me. Who the hell knows. The world sucks and I'm giving it the finger in every damn way, except…
Except there's a girl. Pretty. Hot. Clever. She didn't get the memo—that she should hate me, shun me, kick me when I'm down. That the world screwed us all over. She believes in the future—and sometimes she seems to even believe in me.
Big mistake. I'm bad news. I made her suffer in the past, and nothing has changed. I'm not an angel, not a saint. No good.
But for some reason I don't get, I can't let her go down with me. I find myself trying to be better for her, pretending to be someone I'm not.
And if that doesn't ring some damn big alarm bells regarding my sanity, well… then I'm done already.
*This is a standalone full-length novel in the Wild Men universe that began with Caveman.*
441 pages, ebook
First published November 25, 2019
About the author
Jo Raven
49 books2,779 followersBe the first to get your hands on Jo Raven’s new releases & offers, giveaways, previews, and more by signing up here ▶ http://bit.ly/1CTNTHM
Jo Raven is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for her series Inked Brotherhood and Damage Control. She writes edgy, contemporary New Adult romance with sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines. She writes about MME fighters and tattoo artists, dark pasts that bleed into the present, loyalty and raw emotion. Add to that breathtaking suspense, super-hot sex scenes and a happy ending, and you have a Jo Raven® story.
Meet Jo Raven online – on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoRaven), chat with her on Twitter (@AuthorJoRaven) and join her readers group for sneak previews of her covers and stories (http://on.fb.me/1K2LvzO).
Jo Raven is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for her series Inked Brotherhood and Damage Control. She writes edgy, contemporary New Adult romance with sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines. She writes about MME fighters and tattoo artists, dark pasts that bleed into the present, loyalty and raw emotion. Add to that breathtaking suspense, super-hot sex scenes and a happy ending, and you have a Jo Raven® story.
Meet Jo Raven online – on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoRaven), chat with her on Twitter (@AuthorJoRaven) and join her readers group for sneak previews of her covers and stories (http://on.fb.me/1K2LvzO).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 28, 2021
This was my first Jo Raven book and I will most certainly read more from her 😊
As far as I know, this is a stand-alone book but this book’s hero was mentioned about in Wild Men series, as he is the half-brother of the two heroes in that series. I didn’t read that series and I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything but now that I like Ms. Raven’s writing, I may try that series 😊
Ok, so let’s talk about this book: NO SAINT.
Ross was a bully at school and Luna was one of his targets. He didn’t do anything physically to hurt her but he made fun of her or made nasty comments about how she looked etc. Also the guys he was hanging out with those days bullied her, too, sometimes messing with her things, tearing her books etc.
Luna was weak then and she also had a crush on Ross. She couldn’t take his cruelty any longer and went out of town to stay with her aunt and was away for 3 years.
Now, she is back.
I know, it is a very hard task to turn a bully into a likable character and make readers accept him as a hero in a romance novel but if you ask me, Ms. Jo Raven did a very good job and I loved Ross.
She showed us what made him a bully. What kind of a father he had and how he was tortured in the hands of a monster he called dad. How he killed his mother and also tried to kill his own son. And he was in fact a serial killer…
Ross knew only pain in his life. He was given pain and he just transferred it to others. His reaction to everything good was inflicting some kind of pain to them with the resentment of knowing that he would never have anything good – as his father would never allow him to have anything good.
Ross liked Luna back then and wanted her but he acted as if he felt the opposite.
Now, at present, everything is changed. Ross’s father is in prison for murder and Ross is lost in his own mind’s darkness. He cannot go into his house which is full of terror and horrible memories. He sleeps around, works, drinks, and just lives like a homeless person. He lets other people in town bully him. They beat him nearly every day and he takes it as his penance. He believes that no one wants to give him a second chance so he thinks it is too late for a good life for him.
When Luna comes back, his old friends from the gang start to bully her again and now Ross saves her… more than once. He gets beaten just to save Luna.
Luna cannot believe that once her bully is now her savior. She wants to believe that he has changed but she is cautious.
This new Ross is like an enigma to Luna and it takes more than a few savings to make her believe that Ross is a guy she wants to give a second chance to.
Gradually, we see how deep Ross’s scars are, how deeply tormented his soul is…
Ross and Luna slowly start to get closer. He saves her, she saves him. And it goes on like that for a while until they become inseparable lovers. Still, neither trusts the other 100%. They are always scared that it is just a dream or a temporary thing. Luna is scared that it is all a big scam sometimes and he will hurt her more badly this time and Ross thinks he wronged her in the past and she shouldn’t forgive him so he thinks she will see it any time and will leave him.
It takes a long time for them to trust each other and the process is damn good, although it is sometimes sad and heart-breaking. Their story is both emotional and hot. I believed in Ross’s change and I thought he was redeemable. Of course, it is my personal opinion and you may not agree but I thought he was the victim of his father and he never would be a bad guy with normal parents. It was nearly impossible to be normal when your father likes to beat you with his belt and tortures you both emotionally and physically. It is impossible to be a normal person when your father is a serial killer and also tries to kill you.
So, yes, I thought Ross was redeemable. If he had raped girls or did physical abuse to them, I would never ever say that he was redeemable but he never did such things. His bullying was being cruel with his words etc and I was able to forgive him although he never believed Luna should forgive him.
As the writer says at the end of the book, Ross certainly is no angel, or saint! He’s very human, and like every human he has both a bright and a dark side. She also says that Ross is kind of a fallen angel, fallen all the way to hell, turned into a demon, until Luna reminds him of his true nature. I completely agree...
I loved this book most of the time. I loved the stray dog, Buddy. I loved Ross, I loved Luna. But of course the book had its problems, albeit minor.
Here are the few problems I had while reading it.
They kiss or have sex even when he has been beaten, hurt and there is blood everywhere. The boy cannot go into his house, dreads being there and therefore he goes to the river to have a bath and he uses the woods for toilet. He sleeps in the garage or sometimes on the porch out of his house. And later, when he is with Luna, he starts to go into the house and sleeps there but it is a DIRTY house. There is dust everywhere. There is no electricity, no water in the house.
I have OCD on a mild level and I am kinda obsessed about hygiene and it drove me crazy knowing that they were sleeping and having sex in a dirty dusty bed. It also made me feel uncomfortable when they kissed while his lips were bleeding after a fight. All these things are kinda cringeworthy to me. Maybe some other people won’t mind but I did.
Yet…
Yet, all these scenes were written so well, with deep emotions and in such a steamy manner that, I finally gave in and tried to ignore their surroundings and I was able to focus on the couple only. Still, I would prefer I didn’t have to…
One more thing… Luna was a virgin when she first had sex with Ross but she didn’t tell him. He didn’t understand it as she didn’t flinch with pain or something. He assumed she was with other guys. He mentioned about it and she never said she didn’t. But still, I thought he would later understand when he saw the blood but it was never mentioned. Were the sheets so dirty that he was unable to see the blood on them or what?
Oh God, that book was a test on my OCD!!!
Well, so up until the end Ross never knew he was her first and only and it somehow bothered me but whatever… The rest of the book was so good that I will only take 1 point off for these things that bothered me.
Writing & safety:
It is written in dual point of view. The writing is really good. It makes you feel. I was captivated by the whole story and couldn’t stop reading.
The book is 350 pages.
As far as safety goes, Ross f*cked around and most probably slept with half of the girls in town.
After Luna came back to town and Ross saw her, he never touched any other girl again. He was always with Luna.
As I said before, Luna was a virgin. Well, I would prefer otherwise.
Recommendation:
If you were never bullied or abused in life, I would recommend this book to you as it is a good example of a bully romance. Believe me I don’t easily forgive people and I was able to forgive Ross.
But if you were bullied and/or abused in real life, I can’t say the same and recommend you to read a bully romance book – then I would say... maybe think twice…
Maybe these quotes will help you. I tried to choose the ones that will show you the many facets of these characters.
You don’t get off that lightly. You don’t get to escape. You did bad shit. You have to pay.
Fucking hell.
Now, I’ve never been religious. Never gave penance much thought as I grew up. Never thought much beyond getting through the day, staying out of dad’s clutches even for a few hours, numbing the anger and pain with booze and drugs, when I could get my hands on them. Making others hurt, transferring the pain to them, that was my way. Why should they be okay when I wasn’t, right?
It made sense at the time. Still does sometimes. When the anger gets the better of me. Gets fucking hold of me, sinking claws into my chest and shaking me. Making me into what I am. Nothing can save me anymore.
Yeah, I’m the monster in your closet, under your bed. Run away while you can.
***
If I don’t think anyone can change, then how am I so convinced that I myself can change? Because let’s be honest: he was a bully, and I was a coward. Sure, I was teased and I was hurt, but I have to believe that now I have grown stronger, tougher.
What if Ross has grown kinder? What if he’s grown a heart to match his good looks? What if he had a heart all along but kept it hidden?
***
I rub at the long scar marking my chest and left shoulder, where dad stabbed me. Going for the heart. I could have told him he never stood a chance. My heart’s black and rotten, dead for a fucking long time. Too late to restart it. Too late to kill it, too.
***
I know I picked on her years back, I know I was an asshole and it hadn’t been her fault except that I... That I had wanted her so badly.
Fuck. Fuck!
Cursing, I slow down, a stitch in my side, wincing at the memory of her. The hurt in her eyes when I called her names. The momentary rush of satisfaction for making her hurt like I was hurting, in my body and in my fucking soul. Because I wanted her, and she was a good girl, and I could never have her in my goddamn life.
***
And she kisses me.
It’s like an out of body experience. I’m not here, my body a mere outline, a shape in the dark. All I can do is feel. I’m fucking lost in that kiss. I lose track of time, of the hard ground biting into my knees, of the world.
Her lips are soft like fresh petals, her taste sweet but also salty as if she’s tasted tears. It’s delicious. Gut-wrenchingly good. Agonizingly fucking perfect.
Suddenly I’m back in my body, really back, feeling the pull of the earth, feeling the curves of the girl pressed against my side. The ice in my veins starts to melt in degrees, some warmth seeping back into my chest, easing the vise wrapped around my ribs. The kiss goes on and on, and it’s as if she’s breathing for me, breathing fucking life into me, heating me up from the inside with every movement of her lips, every little sound she makes.
***
I haul her closer, bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in, feel her against me, warm and real.
She wants to sleep beside me, and I want it, too. It’s a pleasure I never imagined I’d be gifted with. Because I wasn’t meant to grow old, or to find peace, sleep blissfully in a bed with my girl. I wasn’t made for it, wasn’t prepared for it.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t take it and let myself go for this one night. After looking death in the face, the feel of her pressed against me is all that’s keeping me sane tonight.
***
I swear to God, I’ll break through that faulty mold, smash right through it, and find the man within.
**
Not so long ago, when I couldn’t get a reprieve from the dark, I’d take others down with me. Make them hurt, like I hurt. Their pain mirroring mine, mimicking mine. Taking mine away. Like my dad did with my mom, and with me, and with all his children. But it didn’t work then, and it doesn’t fucking work now. Why the hell doesn’t it ever work? Why does her smile feel so damn right?
***
His eyes close again and I stroke his brows, his eyes, his nose, his mouth, then lean in and kiss the same spots, making him shiver.
I love making him feel good. He always seems so shocked when he feels pleasure, when a touch connects and doesn’t bring pain or discomfort.
Sometimes it feels as if that little boy he talked to me about is still in there, trapped in the back of his mind, pounding on the door and trying to get out. And sometimes it feels as though, when I’m around, he’s allowed out to play, and laugh, and not be so alone.
***
“Don’t let go, Lu,” he says quietly, as if hearing my unasked question and silent doubts. “You asked if I wanted to fall, and I know I told you to let go, but don’t. Please, fuck, don’t.”
“I won’t,” I promise him, my heart in my throat. “You know I won’t.”
***
“I’ve never met anyone like you,” he whispers. “I’m not easy to be with. I ask myself sometimes, why you’re still here.”
“Because I want to be.”
Pulling him back down, I wrap my arms around him. Happy. He makes me happy. Every reluctant step he takes to meet me halfway, every quiet compliment, every hesitant apology makes my heart soar.
Maybe it’s because I know it’s hard for him to give ground, to show his feelings, after the harsh conditioning his Dad put him through. Because I know he’s more used to spewing nasty stuff and that he has to dig deep to reach his real self. The nice boy buried underneath, taught to keep silent and to let the anger take over when the pain gets to be too much.
***
Too much, it’s too damn much, the weight of this moment, the pleasure of it, still undefined but still reeling me in so fast my head is spinning. What is she trying to tell me, to show me? How can I trust it?
She’s sweet. I don’t trust... sweet, and kind. Makes me suspicious. I always thought kindness is a trap, a snare, until she came. My gut tells me to keep poking at it, testing it, fighting it to see if it’s real—and then I have to fight to make myself stop and believe it. It’s damn exhausting.
***
She looks at me like I’m the one she wants, like I can be the guy she’d like to have beside her.
***
He’s shedding his savage, nasty armor day by day, and it’s killing him, but it’s also bringing him closer to me. To who he really is. He’s struggling so hard to get there, he’s won me over so completely that my infatuation with him seems like a faint distant dream. What I’m feeling for him now... it’s so much more, so much bigger that I wonder how my heart can contain it.
*****************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
As far as I know, this is a stand-alone book but this book’s hero was mentioned about in Wild Men series, as he is the half-brother of the two heroes in that series. I didn’t read that series and I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything but now that I like Ms. Raven’s writing, I may try that series 😊
Ok, so let’s talk about this book: NO SAINT.
Ross was a bully at school and Luna was one of his targets. He didn’t do anything physically to hurt her but he made fun of her or made nasty comments about how she looked etc. Also the guys he was hanging out with those days bullied her, too, sometimes messing with her things, tearing her books etc.
Luna was weak then and she also had a crush on Ross. She couldn’t take his cruelty any longer and went out of town to stay with her aunt and was away for 3 years.
Now, she is back.
I know, it is a very hard task to turn a bully into a likable character and make readers accept him as a hero in a romance novel but if you ask me, Ms. Jo Raven did a very good job and I loved Ross.
She showed us what made him a bully. What kind of a father he had and how he was tortured in the hands of a monster he called dad. How he killed his mother and also tried to kill his own son. And he was in fact a serial killer…
Ross knew only pain in his life. He was given pain and he just transferred it to others. His reaction to everything good was inflicting some kind of pain to them with the resentment of knowing that he would never have anything good – as his father would never allow him to have anything good.
Ross liked Luna back then and wanted her but he acted as if he felt the opposite.
Now, at present, everything is changed. Ross’s father is in prison for murder and Ross is lost in his own mind’s darkness. He cannot go into his house which is full of terror and horrible memories. He sleeps around, works, drinks, and just lives like a homeless person. He lets other people in town bully him. They beat him nearly every day and he takes it as his penance. He believes that no one wants to give him a second chance so he thinks it is too late for a good life for him.
When Luna comes back, his old friends from the gang start to bully her again and now Ross saves her… more than once. He gets beaten just to save Luna.
Luna cannot believe that once her bully is now her savior. She wants to believe that he has changed but she is cautious.
This new Ross is like an enigma to Luna and it takes more than a few savings to make her believe that Ross is a guy she wants to give a second chance to.
Gradually, we see how deep Ross’s scars are, how deeply tormented his soul is…
Ross and Luna slowly start to get closer. He saves her, she saves him. And it goes on like that for a while until they become inseparable lovers. Still, neither trusts the other 100%. They are always scared that it is just a dream or a temporary thing. Luna is scared that it is all a big scam sometimes and he will hurt her more badly this time and Ross thinks he wronged her in the past and she shouldn’t forgive him so he thinks she will see it any time and will leave him.
It takes a long time for them to trust each other and the process is damn good, although it is sometimes sad and heart-breaking. Their story is both emotional and hot. I believed in Ross’s change and I thought he was redeemable. Of course, it is my personal opinion and you may not agree but I thought he was the victim of his father and he never would be a bad guy with normal parents. It was nearly impossible to be normal when your father likes to beat you with his belt and tortures you both emotionally and physically. It is impossible to be a normal person when your father is a serial killer and also tries to kill you.
So, yes, I thought Ross was redeemable. If he had raped girls or did physical abuse to them, I would never ever say that he was redeemable but he never did such things. His bullying was being cruel with his words etc and I was able to forgive him although he never believed Luna should forgive him.
As the writer says at the end of the book, Ross certainly is no angel, or saint! He’s very human, and like every human he has both a bright and a dark side. She also says that Ross is kind of a fallen angel, fallen all the way to hell, turned into a demon, until Luna reminds him of his true nature. I completely agree...
I loved this book most of the time. I loved the stray dog, Buddy. I loved Ross, I loved Luna. But of course the book had its problems, albeit minor.
Here are the few problems I had while reading it.
They kiss or have sex even when he has been beaten, hurt and there is blood everywhere. The boy cannot go into his house, dreads being there and therefore he goes to the river to have a bath and he uses the woods for toilet. He sleeps in the garage or sometimes on the porch out of his house. And later, when he is with Luna, he starts to go into the house and sleeps there but it is a DIRTY house. There is dust everywhere. There is no electricity, no water in the house.
I have OCD on a mild level and I am kinda obsessed about hygiene and it drove me crazy knowing that they were sleeping and having sex in a dirty dusty bed. It also made me feel uncomfortable when they kissed while his lips were bleeding after a fight. All these things are kinda cringeworthy to me. Maybe some other people won’t mind but I did.
Yet…
Yet, all these scenes were written so well, with deep emotions and in such a steamy manner that, I finally gave in and tried to ignore their surroundings and I was able to focus on the couple only. Still, I would prefer I didn’t have to…
One more thing… Luna was a virgin when she first had sex with Ross but she didn’t tell him. He didn’t understand it as she didn’t flinch with pain or something. He assumed she was with other guys. He mentioned about it and she never said she didn’t. But still, I thought he would later understand when he saw the blood but it was never mentioned. Were the sheets so dirty that he was unable to see the blood on them or what?
Oh God, that book was a test on my OCD!!!
Well, so up until the end Ross never knew he was her first and only and it somehow bothered me but whatever… The rest of the book was so good that I will only take 1 point off for these things that bothered me.
Writing & safety:
It is written in dual point of view. The writing is really good. It makes you feel. I was captivated by the whole story and couldn’t stop reading.
The book is 350 pages.
As far as safety goes, Ross f*cked around and most probably slept with half of the girls in town.
After Luna came back to town and Ross saw her, he never touched any other girl again. He was always with Luna.
As I said before, Luna was a virgin. Well, I would prefer otherwise.
Recommendation:
If you were never bullied or abused in life, I would recommend this book to you as it is a good example of a bully romance. Believe me I don’t easily forgive people and I was able to forgive Ross.
But if you were bullied and/or abused in real life, I can’t say the same and recommend you to read a bully romance book – then I would say... maybe think twice…
Maybe these quotes will help you. I tried to choose the ones that will show you the many facets of these characters.
You don’t get off that lightly. You don’t get to escape. You did bad shit. You have to pay.
Fucking hell.
Now, I’ve never been religious. Never gave penance much thought as I grew up. Never thought much beyond getting through the day, staying out of dad’s clutches even for a few hours, numbing the anger and pain with booze and drugs, when I could get my hands on them. Making others hurt, transferring the pain to them, that was my way. Why should they be okay when I wasn’t, right?
It made sense at the time. Still does sometimes. When the anger gets the better of me. Gets fucking hold of me, sinking claws into my chest and shaking me. Making me into what I am. Nothing can save me anymore.
Yeah, I’m the monster in your closet, under your bed. Run away while you can.
***
If I don’t think anyone can change, then how am I so convinced that I myself can change? Because let’s be honest: he was a bully, and I was a coward. Sure, I was teased and I was hurt, but I have to believe that now I have grown stronger, tougher.
What if Ross has grown kinder? What if he’s grown a heart to match his good looks? What if he had a heart all along but kept it hidden?
***
I rub at the long scar marking my chest and left shoulder, where dad stabbed me. Going for the heart. I could have told him he never stood a chance. My heart’s black and rotten, dead for a fucking long time. Too late to restart it. Too late to kill it, too.
***
I know I picked on her years back, I know I was an asshole and it hadn’t been her fault except that I... That I had wanted her so badly.
Fuck. Fuck!
Cursing, I slow down, a stitch in my side, wincing at the memory of her. The hurt in her eyes when I called her names. The momentary rush of satisfaction for making her hurt like I was hurting, in my body and in my fucking soul. Because I wanted her, and she was a good girl, and I could never have her in my goddamn life.
***
And she kisses me.
It’s like an out of body experience. I’m not here, my body a mere outline, a shape in the dark. All I can do is feel. I’m fucking lost in that kiss. I lose track of time, of the hard ground biting into my knees, of the world.
Her lips are soft like fresh petals, her taste sweet but also salty as if she’s tasted tears. It’s delicious. Gut-wrenchingly good. Agonizingly fucking perfect.
Suddenly I’m back in my body, really back, feeling the pull of the earth, feeling the curves of the girl pressed against my side. The ice in my veins starts to melt in degrees, some warmth seeping back into my chest, easing the vise wrapped around my ribs. The kiss goes on and on, and it’s as if she’s breathing for me, breathing fucking life into me, heating me up from the inside with every movement of her lips, every little sound she makes.
***
I haul her closer, bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in, feel her against me, warm and real.
She wants to sleep beside me, and I want it, too. It’s a pleasure I never imagined I’d be gifted with. Because I wasn’t meant to grow old, or to find peace, sleep blissfully in a bed with my girl. I wasn’t made for it, wasn’t prepared for it.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t take it and let myself go for this one night. After looking death in the face, the feel of her pressed against me is all that’s keeping me sane tonight.
***
I swear to God, I’ll break through that faulty mold, smash right through it, and find the man within.
**
Not so long ago, when I couldn’t get a reprieve from the dark, I’d take others down with me. Make them hurt, like I hurt. Their pain mirroring mine, mimicking mine. Taking mine away. Like my dad did with my mom, and with me, and with all his children. But it didn’t work then, and it doesn’t fucking work now. Why the hell doesn’t it ever work? Why does her smile feel so damn right?
***
His eyes close again and I stroke his brows, his eyes, his nose, his mouth, then lean in and kiss the same spots, making him shiver.
I love making him feel good. He always seems so shocked when he feels pleasure, when a touch connects and doesn’t bring pain or discomfort.
Sometimes it feels as if that little boy he talked to me about is still in there, trapped in the back of his mind, pounding on the door and trying to get out. And sometimes it feels as though, when I’m around, he’s allowed out to play, and laugh, and not be so alone.
***
“Don’t let go, Lu,” he says quietly, as if hearing my unasked question and silent doubts. “You asked if I wanted to fall, and I know I told you to let go, but don’t. Please, fuck, don’t.”
“I won’t,” I promise him, my heart in my throat. “You know I won’t.”
***
“I’ve never met anyone like you,” he whispers. “I’m not easy to be with. I ask myself sometimes, why you’re still here.”
“Because I want to be.”
Pulling him back down, I wrap my arms around him. Happy. He makes me happy. Every reluctant step he takes to meet me halfway, every quiet compliment, every hesitant apology makes my heart soar.
Maybe it’s because I know it’s hard for him to give ground, to show his feelings, after the harsh conditioning his Dad put him through. Because I know he’s more used to spewing nasty stuff and that he has to dig deep to reach his real self. The nice boy buried underneath, taught to keep silent and to let the anger take over when the pain gets to be too much.
***
Too much, it’s too damn much, the weight of this moment, the pleasure of it, still undefined but still reeling me in so fast my head is spinning. What is she trying to tell me, to show me? How can I trust it?
She’s sweet. I don’t trust... sweet, and kind. Makes me suspicious. I always thought kindness is a trap, a snare, until she came. My gut tells me to keep poking at it, testing it, fighting it to see if it’s real—and then I have to fight to make myself stop and believe it. It’s damn exhausting.
***
She looks at me like I’m the one she wants, like I can be the guy she’d like to have beside her.
***
He’s shedding his savage, nasty armor day by day, and it’s killing him, but it’s also bringing him closer to me. To who he really is. He’s struggling so hard to get there, he’s won me over so completely that my infatuation with him seems like a faint distant dream. What I’m feeling for him now... it’s so much more, so much bigger that I wonder how my heart can contain it.
*****************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
December 9, 2019
4,5 stars 🌟
A little tiring with all the drama, but it was very good story.
A little tiring with all the drama, but it was very good story.
December 10, 2019
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I'm not actually sure where to start with this one. I both liked it and didn't like it and talk about a confusing emotion for me.
First, this is my first Jo Raven book. Nifty, right?
You definitely can read this as a standalone and not have any idea what went on before. That gives this a huge mark in the pro column for me. That said, maybe it would be necessary so you have some sort of emotion about Ross before the book. I don't know. But keep that in mind.
So, at first, I couldn't get into the book. It wasn't BAD, but until Ross and Luna started actually started having GOOD interactions instead of screwed up ones, I was kind of scared about reading more. It just wasn't doing it for me at all.
This is probably because I like my books more... unrealistic. Not necessarily paranormal or fantasy, but real life pretty much is difficult enough without using my reading time dealing with MORE realistic stuff. Such as illogical thought processes, emotional explosive characters that make little to no sense at first, etc. For example, the first part of the book Luna comes back to Destiny as a 'New Me' she believes, right? She's changed, she's stronger. Then she spent the first few chapters pointing out that people DON'T CHANGE! (Regarding Ross). *Bangs head into desk*
It drove me NUTS!
It was a huge, epic hypocritical thought process that I wanted to just walk away from the book. Yes, real people are really blind about their behavior vs. other people's behavior. Yes, real people are judgy mcjudgy pants over what everyone else does. Yes, real people are hypocritical. I just don't want it in my books unless it's the villian or a mean girl or something. Also, Dena was a screaming... bad person that I absolutely hated. Seriously? She had all the makings of that annoying person you are stuck working with that you absolutely hate because she's actually a jerk to you. Yet, someone calls her a 'friend'? *bangs head into desk*
Don't even get me started on her little brother. Rocks, seriously? And Dad does NOTHING?! Just a 'talking to'. No grounding, no nothing. No wonder kids today run all over Walmart screaming and knocking things over and burning up an entire mountain in Montana (true story, btw) or bullying each other on Social Media. Hello, that could have KILLED Ross. *bangs head into desk*
However, with ARCs I give them more of a benefit of the doubt than books I'm buying or borrowing from the library for fun. So I stuck it out.
After the initial set up part of the book and it settled into Ross and Luna, the book actually got interesting and a LOT better, in my humble opinion. I was into it, I was involved, and I was rooting for them. The sex scenes were great!
So I finished the last half of the book in one read, now that I got into it. But then, I had NO idea what to rate it. 3 stars or 4 stars? Because the first half was crazy and all over the place, sometimes having Luna being hypocritical. It just didn't do it for me. But the second half DID do it for me.
I did have to remind myself that this is probably my personal taste. People are crazy, illogical, emotional messes and do a LOT of stuff that doesn't make a ton of sense to people. I know a guy who hates his father because of how they grew up when his father spend all the money drinking booze. Yet this same guy does the EXACT same thing and his kids really don't like HIM either. It's like, dude. Most people just are NOT self-aware. I don't get it, but it is the truth. So perhaps the first part of the book was just a tad too realistic in people's illogical thought processes and I didn't like it.
So I settled on 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars simply because the second half really did make up for the first half.
So if you're uncertain about continuing the book, I would definitely tough it out until the romance gets going. After that, it IS pretty dang great!
I'm not actually sure where to start with this one. I both liked it and didn't like it and talk about a confusing emotion for me.
First, this is my first Jo Raven book. Nifty, right?
You definitely can read this as a standalone and not have any idea what went on before. That gives this a huge mark in the pro column for me. That said, maybe it would be necessary so you have some sort of emotion about Ross before the book. I don't know. But keep that in mind.
So, at first, I couldn't get into the book. It wasn't BAD, but until Ross and Luna started actually started having GOOD interactions instead of screwed up ones, I was kind of scared about reading more. It just wasn't doing it for me at all.
This is probably because I like my books more... unrealistic. Not necessarily paranormal or fantasy, but real life pretty much is difficult enough without using my reading time dealing with MORE realistic stuff. Such as illogical thought processes, emotional explosive characters that make little to no sense at first, etc. For example, the first part of the book Luna comes back to Destiny as a 'New Me' she believes, right? She's changed, she's stronger. Then she spent the first few chapters pointing out that people DON'T CHANGE! (Regarding Ross). *Bangs head into desk*
It drove me NUTS!
It was a huge, epic hypocritical thought process that I wanted to just walk away from the book. Yes, real people are really blind about their behavior vs. other people's behavior. Yes, real people are judgy mcjudgy pants over what everyone else does. Yes, real people are hypocritical. I just don't want it in my books unless it's the villian or a mean girl or something. Also, Dena was a screaming... bad person that I absolutely hated. Seriously? She had all the makings of that annoying person you are stuck working with that you absolutely hate because she's actually a jerk to you. Yet, someone calls her a 'friend'? *bangs head into desk*
Don't even get me started on her little brother. Rocks, seriously? And Dad does NOTHING?! Just a 'talking to'. No grounding, no nothing. No wonder kids today run all over Walmart screaming and knocking things over and burning up an entire mountain in Montana (true story, btw) or bullying each other on Social Media. Hello, that could have KILLED Ross. *bangs head into desk*
However, with ARCs I give them more of a benefit of the doubt than books I'm buying or borrowing from the library for fun. So I stuck it out.
After the initial set up part of the book and it settled into Ross and Luna, the book actually got interesting and a LOT better, in my humble opinion. I was into it, I was involved, and I was rooting for them. The sex scenes were great!
So I finished the last half of the book in one read, now that I got into it. But then, I had NO idea what to rate it. 3 stars or 4 stars? Because the first half was crazy and all over the place, sometimes having Luna being hypocritical. It just didn't do it for me. But the second half DID do it for me.
I did have to remind myself that this is probably my personal taste. People are crazy, illogical, emotional messes and do a LOT of stuff that doesn't make a ton of sense to people. I know a guy who hates his father because of how they grew up when his father spend all the money drinking booze. Yet this same guy does the EXACT same thing and his kids really don't like HIM either. It's like, dude. Most people just are NOT self-aware. I don't get it, but it is the truth. So perhaps the first part of the book was just a tad too realistic in people's illogical thought processes and I didn't like it.
So I settled on 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars simply because the second half really did make up for the first half.
So if you're uncertain about continuing the book, I would definitely tough it out until the romance gets going. After that, it IS pretty dang great!
August 8, 2020
I loved loved loved this book. I was not expecting to love it so much
Apparently, although it is a standalone, Ross already made some appearances in previous books, and was an absolutely vile character (which the author testifies of herself). However, I did not read the other books of the series, so I was able to be objective (but since this is his book, I guess I'm rather subjective)
Anyways, my favourite part of the story was the relationship between the 2 MC's, which was absolutely undeniably real. Every single line reflected or at least hinted at their feelings for each other. This is one of my favourite couple ever. Amazing chemistry
The story itself, more like Ross's background, was very emotional, and heartbreaking. The author said she wanted to make him work hard for his redemption, and let me tell you she was not lying. Honestly bullying, in my opinion can never be justified or legitimate, but when reading Ross's story, one can only be sorry for him, and be nuanced.
I also loved the beautiful writing of the author. Not gonna lie, sometimes I was overwhelmed because there were too much inner monologue, but it was okay, I got used to it, and it was honestly very poetic without being over the top or pedantic.
Now for safety:
Unfortunately, it's not safe all the way. For one, the hero used to bully the heroine. However we do not witness such scenes because the h leaves her town for 3 years, and the story starts with her returning home, when she is 18 (hero is 21).
We are told many times that the hero slept with "half the school". However, they were not together, and thought they hated each other.
At the beginning of the story, the first chapter that has the hero's POV, a woman wants to have sex with him, but he pushes her away. That was before he found out the heroine came back. That is the only OW scene we are confronted to. From that point on, there is absolutely no OP drama or cheating. So what makes the book not safe is the fact that he was a manwhore, but we are only told of it, not shown.
Virgin Heroine
Triggers:
Spoilers
child abuse(violence), murder, bullying
Apparently, although it is a standalone, Ross already made some appearances in previous books, and was an absolutely vile character (which the author testifies of herself). However, I did not read the other books of the series, so I was able to be objective (but since this is his book, I guess I'm rather subjective)
Anyways, my favourite part of the story was the relationship between the 2 MC's, which was absolutely undeniably real. Every single line reflected or at least hinted at their feelings for each other. This is one of my favourite couple ever. Amazing chemistry
The story itself, more like Ross's background, was very emotional, and heartbreaking. The author said she wanted to make him work hard for his redemption, and let me tell you she was not lying. Honestly bullying, in my opinion can never be justified or legitimate, but when reading Ross's story, one can only be sorry for him, and be nuanced.
I also loved the beautiful writing of the author. Not gonna lie, sometimes I was overwhelmed because there were too much inner monologue, but it was okay, I got used to it, and it was honestly very poetic without being over the top or pedantic.
Now for safety:
Unfortunately, it's not safe all the way. For one, the hero used to bully the heroine. However we do not witness such scenes because the h leaves her town for 3 years, and the story starts with her returning home, when she is 18 (hero is 21).
We are told many times that the hero slept with "half the school". However, they were not together, and thought they hated each other.
At the beginning of the story, the first chapter that has the hero's POV, a woman wants to have sex with him, but he pushes her away. That was before he found out the heroine came back. That is the only OW scene we are confronted to. From that point on, there is absolutely no OP drama or cheating. So what makes the book not safe is the fact that he was a manwhore, but we are only told of it, not shown.
Virgin Heroine
Triggers:
Spoilers
child abuse(violence), murder, bullying
January 19, 2020
One of the few "bully romance" books I've read that didn't leave me horribly rage-filled in the end. I have really high standards for grovelling in these types of books, and I rarely if ever read one where I think the bully has earned forgiveness.
With Ross, the poor dude spends the entire book getting the shit kicked out of him. He's still in their small town, having alienated almost everyone. Because of that, he can't shop at the local drug store; the guy who runs it is the father of one of the kids he bullied in school. His old gang of bullies -- the ones who aren't settled down or in prison -- have turned on him, teaming up and leaving him constantly covered in bruises. They even pull a knife on him which leads to an infection (which he can't tend because of the aforementioned drug store ban). Ross doesn't really help things. The few people who are still willing to extend olive branches to him deal with the verbal barbs and caustic attitude that Ross defaults to. But he spends so long in the book being ostracized and beaten and pathetic that I didn't hate that he went without grovelling to the heroine. The only time I really wanted him to grovel was when .
The other thing I liked was that the climactic separation of the couple wasn't because of some stupid martyr-ish idea that one of the leads had, it was an external force that drove them apart. So often the separation is from some angst-y misunderstanding, but not in this case.
One major gripe I had, although I guess it's minor in its relevance to the plot, is the whole 'safe sex' -- or lack thereof -- discussion in the book. Ross has admitted to sleeping with "a lot of girls." Luna estimates that he's banged "half the town." (Of course, Luna's a virgin, although I don't think she ever tells Ross this.) He also says that he's spent the last couple years drunk, and has been arrested several times for drunk and disorderly conduct, which wouldn't put him in a frame of mind to make smart decisions. On top of that, he refuses to see a doctor.
And Luna lets this boy stick his nasty un-condomed penis inside her. Multiple times. Girl, you wild. And probably STD-riddled now, much like Ross. Never mind the fact that he also rarely bathes, only rinsing himself off in a stream every couple days because "it's summer." They use the pull-out method, which we all know is a one-way ticket to parenthood. Ross mentions going to get condoms twice (which he can't buy because of the aforementioned drug store ban), and Luna doesn't even think twice about how (UN)safe the sex is. It just really took me out of the moment, and I can't help but imagine they both have syphilis. But, there are no plot consequences for this incredibly reckless behavior.
For all my gripes about how nasty that boy is, Ross is one of the few bully characters I've found, if not redeemable, at least sympathetic. He had a horrific home life and he acted out throughout school. The whole town was making sure he paid the penance for that years before Luna came back.
With Ross, the poor dude spends the entire book getting the shit kicked out of him. He's still in their small town, having alienated almost everyone. Because of that, he can't shop at the local drug store; the guy who runs it is the father of one of the kids he bullied in school. His old gang of bullies -- the ones who aren't settled down or in prison -- have turned on him, teaming up and leaving him constantly covered in bruises. They even pull a knife on him which leads to an infection (which he can't tend because of the aforementioned drug store ban). Ross doesn't really help things. The few people who are still willing to extend olive branches to him deal with the verbal barbs and caustic attitude that Ross defaults to. But he spends so long in the book being ostracized and beaten and pathetic that I didn't hate that he went without grovelling to the heroine. The only time I really wanted him to grovel was when .
The other thing I liked was that the climactic separation of the couple wasn't because of some stupid martyr-ish idea that one of the leads had, it was an external force that drove them apart. So often the separation is from some angst-y misunderstanding, but not in this case.
One major gripe I had, although I guess it's minor in its relevance to the plot, is the whole 'safe sex' -- or lack thereof -- discussion in the book. Ross has admitted to sleeping with "a lot of girls." Luna estimates that he's banged "half the town." (Of course, Luna's a virgin, although I don't think she ever tells Ross this.) He also says that he's spent the last couple years drunk, and has been arrested several times for drunk and disorderly conduct, which wouldn't put him in a frame of mind to make smart decisions. On top of that, he refuses to see a doctor.
And Luna lets this boy stick his nasty un-condomed penis inside her. Multiple times. Girl, you wild. And probably STD-riddled now, much like Ross. Never mind the fact that he also rarely bathes, only rinsing himself off in a stream every couple days because "it's summer." They use the pull-out method, which we all know is a one-way ticket to parenthood. Ross mentions going to get condoms twice (which he can't buy because of the aforementioned drug store ban), and Luna doesn't even think twice about how (UN)safe the sex is. It just really took me out of the moment, and I can't help but imagine they both have syphilis. But, there are no plot consequences for this incredibly reckless behavior.
For all my gripes about how nasty that boy is, Ross is one of the few bully characters I've found, if not redeemable, at least sympathetic. He had a horrific home life and he acted out throughout school. The whole town was making sure he paid the penance for that years before Luna came back.
January 13, 2020
DNF @ 55%
Yes, I'm rating 3 stars a book I DNFed. Just hear me out.
I was a bit hesitant going into this book, because I'm not a fan of bully romance AT ALL. In my opinion they usually glorify/romanticize abusive behaviour and I just don't understand the heroines panting after guys who were so horrible to them (see my reviews for Never Sweeter, Bully and Vicious).
However, this was not my problem with this book, as we're never actually shown the bullying the heroine suffered at hero's hands. And from what we are told, it isn't as bad as I've gotten used to from the books mentioned above. My problem was that I just didn't really feel the connection between the main character - I felt like there was only lust (and given how young the heroine is - only 18 - I was even more unable to take her quick feelings for him seriously).
Not much really happens in the first half of the book besides them lusting after each other and feeling bad about it. I was also getting tired of the hero's pity party. I get it, he had a tough childhood (that's putting it lightly ... to be honest, it was too dramatic for me), but I didn't have to be reminded of it all the freaking time. I usually have a hard time forgiving heroes, believing their redemption, but not here (like, not at all!), so I found the author's constant reminding of how hard he had it, and why he acts the way he is, unnecessary and redundant. Still, if I wasn't pressed for time and consequently even more picky about my books, I could have finished the book and would have probably rated it 2.5 stars. The writing is average.
Side note: The unsafe sex (and zero talk about it - beforehand or afterwards!!) also took me out of enjoying their first sex scenes. Authors, please don't do that - especially if your hero has admitted to sleeping with tons of girls and on top of it due to his personal circumstances doesn't really practice regular hygiene. *shudders*
Yes, I'm rating 3 stars a book I DNFed. Just hear me out.
I was a bit hesitant going into this book, because I'm not a fan of bully romance AT ALL. In my opinion they usually glorify/romanticize abusive behaviour and I just don't understand the heroines panting after guys who were so horrible to them (see my reviews for Never Sweeter, Bully and Vicious).
However, this was not my problem with this book, as we're never actually shown the bullying the heroine suffered at hero's hands. And from what we are told, it isn't as bad as I've gotten used to from the books mentioned above. My problem was that I just didn't really feel the connection between the main character - I felt like there was only lust (and given how young the heroine is - only 18 - I was even more unable to take her quick feelings for him seriously).
Not much really happens in the first half of the book besides them lusting after each other and feeling bad about it. I was also getting tired of the hero's pity party. I get it, he had a tough childhood (that's putting it lightly ... to be honest, it was too dramatic for me), but I didn't have to be reminded of it all the freaking time. I usually have a hard time forgiving heroes, believing their redemption, but not here (like, not at all!), so I found the author's constant reminding of how hard he had it, and why he acts the way he is, unnecessary and redundant. Still, if I wasn't pressed for time and consequently even more picky about my books, I could have finished the book and would have probably rated it 2.5 stars. The writing is average.
Side note: The unsafe sex (and zero talk about it - beforehand or afterwards!!) also took me out of enjoying their first sex scenes. Authors, please don't do that - especially if your hero has admitted to sleeping with tons of girls and on top of it due to his personal circumstances doesn't really practice regular hygiene. *shudders*
December 7, 2019
Oh man. I've been waiting what feels like forever for this book. I was so curious what kind of story Ross would have, and man he is rock bottom. Having the heroine as a former bully victim of his is surprising and not, considering he's kind to no one so who else could it be?
I was totally sucked into the writing and cried some. This was really good. Emotional and hot, with some surprises and a hard to redeem hero.
I was totally sucked into the writing and cried some. This was really good. Emotional and hot, with some surprises and a hard to redeem hero.
November 18, 2019
Between 4 & 4.5 Stars.
I have been a huge fan of this author for a very long time. It needs to be said because I might be a little biased. She hasn't written a book that I didn't love. Her heroes are so damaged and broken. Their pasts are some of the most horrific I’ve ever read. Jo Raven is not afraid to cross boundaries. Her books are not for you if you're looking for a sugary read. I guarantee your heart will break and you will be so angry. So, so angry for what her heroes have suffered. And in No Saint, that applies in excess. You have to wonder how these young men survive the lot life has dealt them. They survive because they are strong heroes with strong heroines who will support and love them unconditionally.
In No Saint,Ross Jones is just surviving his days and nights. This isn't easy to do when he is constantly tormented. The bully is being bullied. We met Ross early on in the Wild Men series when we were first introduced to Octavia. This book can be read as a standalone, however, I highly recommend you read the previous books. Ross has been an important and complex part of each and knowing about who he was will help you understand him. Maybe forgive him too.
Without giving you details, I found a few circumstances in this book to be unrealistic which is why I'm between 4 & 4.5 stars. But this is just my opinion so please take this lightly and decide for yourself. In addition, I wanted to see the antagonists in this book get what they deserved on the pages and not just an afterthought at the end.
Can bullies be forgiven? Can I forgive Ross for all the suffering he has caused? I wasn't sure that I could. Fortunately, the author painted the pictures of Ross's past which put me front and center at his own suffering. God, I wanted to hold him and hug him to me tightly. Fortunately, Ross had Luna and after she dealt with her own anger in regards to Ross's bullying, she helped him to heal. She became his support. Support which he desperately needed. One of the aspects I appreciated was how the author grew and developed Ross and Luna's characters. There was a lot of pain, a lot of history between them. It took a while before Luna could forgive Ross but not before she understood him.
This book is dark and intense. Very passionate, very sad and sometimes violent. But I promise, you will sigh with great relief and happiness in the end.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)
I have been a huge fan of this author for a very long time. It needs to be said because I might be a little biased. She hasn't written a book that I didn't love. Her heroes are so damaged and broken. Their pasts are some of the most horrific I’ve ever read. Jo Raven is not afraid to cross boundaries. Her books are not for you if you're looking for a sugary read. I guarantee your heart will break and you will be so angry. So, so angry for what her heroes have suffered. And in No Saint, that applies in excess. You have to wonder how these young men survive the lot life has dealt them. They survive because they are strong heroes with strong heroines who will support and love them unconditionally.
In No Saint,Ross Jones is just surviving his days and nights. This isn't easy to do when he is constantly tormented. The bully is being bullied. We met Ross early on in the Wild Men series when we were first introduced to Octavia. This book can be read as a standalone, however, I highly recommend you read the previous books. Ross has been an important and complex part of each and knowing about who he was will help you understand him. Maybe forgive him too.
Without giving you details, I found a few circumstances in this book to be unrealistic which is why I'm between 4 & 4.5 stars. But this is just my opinion so please take this lightly and decide for yourself. In addition, I wanted to see the antagonists in this book get what they deserved on the pages and not just an afterthought at the end.
Can bullies be forgiven? Can I forgive Ross for all the suffering he has caused? I wasn't sure that I could. Fortunately, the author painted the pictures of Ross's past which put me front and center at his own suffering. God, I wanted to hold him and hug him to me tightly. Fortunately, Ross had Luna and after she dealt with her own anger in regards to Ross's bullying, she helped him to heal. She became his support. Support which he desperately needed. One of the aspects I appreciated was how the author grew and developed Ross and Luna's characters. There was a lot of pain, a lot of history between them. It took a while before Luna could forgive Ross but not before she understood him.
This book is dark and intense. Very passionate, very sad and sometimes violent. But I promise, you will sigh with great relief and happiness in the end.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)
November 26, 2019
The story of Ross and Luna, totally took my heart and soul and ran with it. If you are easily broken this is not the book for you. If you do not like some triggers, this may not be the book for you. If you are looking for an author who is consistent with just taking you to another world and making you feel like you have never felt before. If you do not mind reading a story that is about real shit and can make you want to jump through the mf'ing book and f someone up... This is totally the book for you!
I laughed. I cried. I cursed. I mourned. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster and it refused to let me off the ride. The beginning of the story had me wondering, wtf Jo will do to me this time. Then it happened, and I had to isolate myself from the world until the ride was over. Ross is a broken, torn up, messed up man, with no clear sight off what his worth really is. Especially since his dumba$$ father tried to end him, literally. He was raised to not show no feelings and to always be the best at what his dad wanted him to do, not what he wanted. He had no clue on how to express himself since all he knew was hate and that is what he gave everyone, especially Luna at a young age. Luna moved away because of his Bullsh!ttery!
What follows is just unheard of and I swear, I wanted to run to Ross's defense every single time anything ill happened to him. This story isn't just a story, but it's life. That is what made this story phenomenal to me. That is what made me connect to the characters and every word.
One Click this bad baby now!
I laughed. I cried. I cursed. I mourned. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster and it refused to let me off the ride. The beginning of the story had me wondering, wtf Jo will do to me this time. Then it happened, and I had to isolate myself from the world until the ride was over. Ross is a broken, torn up, messed up man, with no clear sight off what his worth really is. Especially since his dumba$$ father tried to end him, literally. He was raised to not show no feelings and to always be the best at what his dad wanted him to do, not what he wanted. He had no clue on how to express himself since all he knew was hate and that is what he gave everyone, especially Luna at a young age. Luna moved away because of his Bullsh!ttery!
What follows is just unheard of and I swear, I wanted to run to Ross's defense every single time anything ill happened to him. This story isn't just a story, but it's life. That is what made this story phenomenal to me. That is what made me connect to the characters and every word.
One Click this bad baby now!
September 23, 2020
DNF @ 85%
There's a reason I don't read ya. Unfortunately, I realized my mistake when I had already started reading. Too many things that bugged me here.
The unprotected, dirty sex. And not dirty in a way that makes your toes curl while you're reading, but literally dirty. In a dirty house and dirty bed.
The density of Luna falsely portrayed as innocence and naivety. Ross bullied her when they were kids, encouraged her buddies to push her around and she still was attracted to him??? What's better, the bullying was so bad, she left town for quite a bit only to return and forgive him like nothing happened. Really?
Her friend from the diner that she worked with was a complete moron.
I waited a long time for Ross to grab a bucket of soapy water and clean the house but that didn't happen.
I waited a long time for Luna to finally stop hiding her relationship from her father and do everything to somehow make him accept Ross. That didn't happen, either.
But when I got to the scene where a bunch of Ross's former idiotic buddies attacked Luna and told her they would throw his ass into prison (don't remember exactly what they said). She knew they weren't kidding, she was scared of sth happening to Ross and yet decided to keep that info to herself? I'm sorry, if that's not plain stupid, I dunno what is.
I have around 5-6 chapters left. Maybe I'll finish this book one day. Not sure tbh.
There's a reason I don't read ya. Unfortunately, I realized my mistake when I had already started reading. Too many things that bugged me here.
The unprotected, dirty sex. And not dirty in a way that makes your toes curl while you're reading, but literally dirty. In a dirty house and dirty bed.
The density of Luna falsely portrayed as innocence and naivety. Ross bullied her when they were kids, encouraged her buddies to push her around and she still was attracted to him??? What's better, the bullying was so bad, she left town for quite a bit only to return and forgive him like nothing happened. Really?
Her friend from the diner that she worked with was a complete moron.
I waited a long time for Ross to grab a bucket of soapy water and clean the house but that didn't happen.
I waited a long time for Luna to finally stop hiding her relationship from her father and do everything to somehow make him accept Ross. That didn't happen, either.
But when I got to the scene where a bunch of Ross's former idiotic buddies attacked Luna and told her they would throw his ass into prison (don't remember exactly what they said). She knew they weren't kidding, she was scared of sth happening to Ross and yet decided to keep that info to herself? I'm sorry, if that's not plain stupid, I dunno what is.
I have around 5-6 chapters left. Maybe I'll finish this book one day. Not sure tbh.
November 26, 2019
Ross, Ross, Ross, Ross, ROSS. This man! Oh my goodness. I have followed Ross through Jo Raven’s stories since his first appearance and I didn’t like him. We kept following him, seeing him pop up from time to time and a little more was shown to his personality, I started to feel intrigued by him. By the end of Dark Child, I needed more. I am SO so happy Ross got to tell his story, and let me tell you, he broke my heart into a million tiny pieces. Oh this guy is so broken!! Like seriously, so broken. I cried for him, I wanted to hide him away and hug him. He needed the love of someone special and I am so so so happy he found that in Luna. The pain Ross felt, I felt in my soul. I felt it down to my bones. He has definitely been redeemed in my eyes. Luna is so special. I am so glad that she is who our broken man is with.
Ms Raven’s writing is captivating. I couldn’t get enough of this story! I read it in any spare time I had! I was biting my nails wondering what would happen next. The angst had me all over the place. I felt so many emotions while reading this book and I just loved it. I am so so so incredibly happy that Jo Raven is back and is back with a BANG!
I loved seeing past characters, and being back in the small town of Destiny. It’s only been a day since I finished this book and yet I want to go back and experience it all over again. I just loved this book so much, it is definitely in my top reads of 2019!
Beta read.
Ms Raven’s writing is captivating. I couldn’t get enough of this story! I read it in any spare time I had! I was biting my nails wondering what would happen next. The angst had me all over the place. I felt so many emotions while reading this book and I just loved it. I am so so so incredibly happy that Jo Raven is back and is back with a BANG!
I loved seeing past characters, and being back in the small town of Destiny. It’s only been a day since I finished this book and yet I want to go back and experience it all over again. I just loved this book so much, it is definitely in my top reads of 2019!
Beta read.
December 5, 2019
I'm not sure what to think about this. I hate enemies to lovers books, I hate bullying stories, I never understand how you can fall in love with someone who has hurt you so much. And I hate Jo Raven because I really loved this book! I was expecting something different, I thought I would find a Ross willing to change, meeting a new girl, I didn't expect one of his victims, and somehow, it actually works.
Luna is a strong character, she was hurt, but she is also a smart woman with a good head over her shoulders, and she sees what I couldn't see at first when I was first introduced to Ross' character. He was also a victim, he was hurt, he was broken. We get so deep into his mind, we see just how damaged he is by everything his father did to him, that I couldn't help but cheer for him, and hope things would get better for him. I went from wanting him to suffer for everything he did, to wanting to hug him and told him everything would be okay.
He is a good example of how even a good soul can be corrupted by an evil man. He never had a chance, but once he gets ones, when he finally allows himself to open up, we can see his light. He is certainly No Saint, but he is no demon either.
So, Jo Raven does it again, he gives us one of his broken boys, puts him in the path of healing, and makes us fall in love with him in the process.
Luna is a strong character, she was hurt, but she is also a smart woman with a good head over her shoulders, and she sees what I couldn't see at first when I was first introduced to Ross' character. He was also a victim, he was hurt, he was broken. We get so deep into his mind, we see just how damaged he is by everything his father did to him, that I couldn't help but cheer for him, and hope things would get better for him. I went from wanting him to suffer for everything he did, to wanting to hug him and told him everything would be okay.
He is a good example of how even a good soul can be corrupted by an evil man. He never had a chance, but once he gets ones, when he finally allows himself to open up, we can see his light. He is certainly No Saint, but he is no demon either.
So, Jo Raven does it again, he gives us one of his broken boys, puts him in the path of healing, and makes us fall in love with him in the process.
November 21, 2019
WOW what a story. The author gave us the perfect mix of emotions with this one. I am not a fan of books that Bully as I don’t condone it at all, which of course Ross is. As I read along, I learned his actions were a direct result of his upbring. But still I had little empathy for him. But when the one girl that he troubled the most, could see some good in him, I knew I was missing something. Boy was I right. This was not an easy story for me to read, as the main characters were so broken and troubled I worried if there was any light at the end of the tunnel. As Luna becomes Ross’s strength, she not only helped to carry his burden, she helped me see the light. This is an amazing read. Luna’s strength and love for Ross and his determination to be a better person touched me very deeply.
Kudos to the author for giving us an outstanding read. I highly recommend grabbing up No Saint, which by the way is so appropriately named because trust me Ross is No Saint, ASAP. It a heartwarming, heartbreaking, gut wrenching read, but So worth it. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars.
Kudos to the author for giving us an outstanding read. I highly recommend grabbing up No Saint, which by the way is so appropriately named because trust me Ross is No Saint, ASAP. It a heartwarming, heartbreaking, gut wrenching read, but So worth it. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars.
April 19, 2020
A waste of time literally, I could have read pretty awsome books instead!
She could have written it in 200 pages instead of 1200
UGH, I can't believe I read this
She could have written it in 200 pages instead of 1200
UGH, I can't believe I read this
December 8, 2019
I can't describe how I was feeling when I started reading this book. It was a mix of emotions all at once. On one hand, I was happy and delighted to have another book from this author but on the other hand, I was nervous. But don't negatively see this.
I was nervous because of the main character. If you had read The Wild Men series, the 5 books published until now you can imagine how I was feeling but if not I advise you to read them first. You won't regret it.
Jo Raven has given me some of the hottest books of all time, but she gave me some suspenseful ones as well. Just keep an open mind as well as an open heart.
No Saint is her latest release and it's the sixth book from the Wild Men series.
This new book explores the lives of Ross and Luna.
Ross has always been a jerk. He's mean, vicious and with no soul. His childhood and teenage years were spent terrorizing his half brother and sisters as well as binding his father's demands.
Luna returned after 3 years away. She needed to get away from the bullies who terrorized her through school. Now she's back in town and...
My heart was so full that I thought it might burst. This book was that good.
Sublime plot, very well written, super engaging here, intense and so dark. It was impossible to no be affected by the chain of events.
I won't lie and tell you that I wasn't nervous to read it. I really was and mainly because Ross was a bad person in the first books. How could I like him after that?
Well, let me just say that I had to bite my tongue... Several times actually.
It was a heavy and dark reading, and it will strike your heart and soul.
Through each chapter, you could witness their struggles, their nightmares, the fights they overcome.
There were parts of the book that I saw myself crying and wanting to hold them close and promising better days, but there were others that I wanted to slap someone.
This book will give you love, loyalty, trust, a second chance but it will give you heartache, loss, betrayal, violence, and drama.
It was the perfect story despite all the bad stuff it portraited.
And... Guys... We have some pretty hot stuff just like Jo has given us in the past.
Jo Raven... You my lady rock.
This book was what I wanted for so long and I was well worth the waiting.
Counting down the days to get the new one.I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I was nervous because of the main character. If you had read The Wild Men series, the 5 books published until now you can imagine how I was feeling but if not I advise you to read them first. You won't regret it.
Jo Raven has given me some of the hottest books of all time, but she gave me some suspenseful ones as well. Just keep an open mind as well as an open heart.
No Saint is her latest release and it's the sixth book from the Wild Men series.
This new book explores the lives of Ross and Luna.
Ross has always been a jerk. He's mean, vicious and with no soul. His childhood and teenage years were spent terrorizing his half brother and sisters as well as binding his father's demands.
Luna returned after 3 years away. She needed to get away from the bullies who terrorized her through school. Now she's back in town and...
My heart was so full that I thought it might burst. This book was that good.
Sublime plot, very well written, super engaging here, intense and so dark. It was impossible to no be affected by the chain of events.
I won't lie and tell you that I wasn't nervous to read it. I really was and mainly because Ross was a bad person in the first books. How could I like him after that?
Well, let me just say that I had to bite my tongue... Several times actually.
It was a heavy and dark reading, and it will strike your heart and soul.
Through each chapter, you could witness their struggles, their nightmares, the fights they overcome.
There were parts of the book that I saw myself crying and wanting to hold them close and promising better days, but there were others that I wanted to slap someone.
This book will give you love, loyalty, trust, a second chance but it will give you heartache, loss, betrayal, violence, and drama.
It was the perfect story despite all the bad stuff it portraited.
And... Guys... We have some pretty hot stuff just like Jo has given us in the past.
Jo Raven... You my lady rock.
This book was what I wanted for so long and I was well worth the waiting.
Counting down the days to get the new one.I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
November 15, 2019
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Blog
Getting a new Jo Raven book after what the author went through in the last year felt like an early Christmas present. I admit, my heart already beat for Ross ever since we learned about his past in Dark Child. Nevertheless this book can be read as standalone and I promise, you'll enjoy it.
This book ripped me a part in the very best way a book can rip someone apart. More than once did I shed real tears which is highly unusual for me while reading (I'm mostly crying on the inside), but this book forced the tears out. In myopinion this is Jo's best book ever and I rarely say that since my alltime favorite is Zane. But Ross and Luna were "it" for me. I loved everything about this book.
The character development for both characters was exceptional and I loved how in the end they were still not perfect. They still had edges they needed to work on and yet they were together. They were not polished, but real and I enjoyed reading about their journey to be a better person. To be the best possible person they can be and overcome the traumas of their pasts.
The side characters were really well developed as well and while we knew some like Merc, Josh and Luna's father were great as well. They brought a bit more spice into the story.
The plot was very well developed and the writing style sucked me right into the book and did not let me leave till the very last word.
I said it before, but I have to repeat myself: This is Jo's best book so far and I cannot wait what magic she's going to do in her next one. If there is only one book of Jo you want to read. Read this one. It's worth it.
Getting a new Jo Raven book after what the author went through in the last year felt like an early Christmas present. I admit, my heart already beat for Ross ever since we learned about his past in Dark Child. Nevertheless this book can be read as standalone and I promise, you'll enjoy it.
This book ripped me a part in the very best way a book can rip someone apart. More than once did I shed real tears which is highly unusual for me while reading (I'm mostly crying on the inside), but this book forced the tears out. In myopinion this is Jo's best book ever and I rarely say that since my alltime favorite is Zane. But Ross and Luna were "it" for me. I loved everything about this book.
The character development for both characters was exceptional and I loved how in the end they were still not perfect. They still had edges they needed to work on and yet they were together. They were not polished, but real and I enjoyed reading about their journey to be a better person. To be the best possible person they can be and overcome the traumas of their pasts.
The side characters were really well developed as well and while we knew some like Merc, Josh and Luna's father were great as well. They brought a bit more spice into the story.
The plot was very well developed and the writing style sucked me right into the book and did not let me leave till the very last word.
I said it before, but I have to repeat myself: This is Jo's best book so far and I cannot wait what magic she's going to do in her next one. If there is only one book of Jo you want to read. Read this one. It's worth it.
November 15, 2019
Amount of sex – 3.5 / 5
How explicit are the sex scenes – 4 / 5
Story – 5 / 5
Overall: – 5 / 5
WOW!
I am in complete awe right now, and I’m trying to figure out how No Saint is the first book that I’ve read from author Jo Raven. Seriously! This book rocked, and let me tell you, I ignored everything that I needed to do. I even stayed up way too late and finished it in a day, and it was worth every yawn the following day!
No Saint tells the story of Ross and Luna, and I loved every minute of it. I have read that Ross is the half brother of Merc, Octavia, and Gigi, who are from the author’s Wild Men series. I’m not sure if it’s a benefit or not that I had no prior knowledge of Ross. I didn’t have any negative emotions coming into the story, and I’m aware that those that have read her other stories may have. Ross definitely was damaged in many ways and I think the title was incredibly fitting for him. I also understood Luna and felt for her. I have been in her situation in more than one way, so I know how she felt.
The road to ‘happily ever after’ is not always paved in gold, and it’s sometimes not paved at all. This definitely was the case for Ross and Luna. Their road was, at times, painful, rough, and rocky, but it also was beautiful and definitely steamy!
No Saint is truly unforgettable, and one of my favorite books for 2019!
Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy!
How explicit are the sex scenes – 4 / 5
Story – 5 / 5
Overall: – 5 / 5
WOW!
I am in complete awe right now, and I’m trying to figure out how No Saint is the first book that I’ve read from author Jo Raven. Seriously! This book rocked, and let me tell you, I ignored everything that I needed to do. I even stayed up way too late and finished it in a day, and it was worth every yawn the following day!
No Saint tells the story of Ross and Luna, and I loved every minute of it. I have read that Ross is the half brother of Merc, Octavia, and Gigi, who are from the author’s Wild Men series. I’m not sure if it’s a benefit or not that I had no prior knowledge of Ross. I didn’t have any negative emotions coming into the story, and I’m aware that those that have read her other stories may have. Ross definitely was damaged in many ways and I think the title was incredibly fitting for him. I also understood Luna and felt for her. I have been in her situation in more than one way, so I know how she felt.
The road to ‘happily ever after’ is not always paved in gold, and it’s sometimes not paved at all. This definitely was the case for Ross and Luna. Their road was, at times, painful, rough, and rocky, but it also was beautiful and definitely steamy!
No Saint is truly unforgettable, and one of my favorite books for 2019!
Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy!
November 19, 2019
Jo has done it again with another Heartbreaking, Angst filled emotional Love story.
Wow, what a roller coaster of a ride NO SAINT took me on,
So Many emotions were felt during this read. My heart broke so many times but Jo mended it every time.
Ross was a someone I loved to hate in previous books, he was a bully that took pleasure in humiliating others. He wanted Luna but needed for anyone in his path to feel the mental or physical agony he lived with on a daily basis and it gave him Pleasure to see others suffer like he did.
Of course no one knew this while he was growing up but years down the track when school has ended and people’s lives went on he was alone in every sense of the word - in so many ways, both mentally and physically.
The one person who was continuously bullied by Ross and his cohorts was Luna she however after years away from the town she grew up in has moved back home and Ross immediately noticed her return.
Ross opens up to Luna
slowly and finds himself drawn to her, wanting to change and be a better person even when it seems the whole town wants to destroy him and Luna is there to help him, comfort him and help him
Heal when no one else has ever cared before.Ross doesn’t know how to react to this...
We learn about Ross’s history- growing up with a horrible Father, his daily torture his father put him
Through and I began to not only like Ross but understand where all his anger came from. Ross was a creation of his fathers doing, there was no option in order for him to survive but with his father locked away in Prison Ross begins to feel and his emotions thaw enough to realise he loves Luna and will do anything to have a future with her in it.
Luna is an incredible, strong, forgiving woman who never gives up on Ross. She chips away layer by layer finally revealing the “true Ross” that only she has seen. Questions are continually asked and even though Ross doesn’t want to answer she doesn’t give up. Doesn’t walk away. When Ross releases his defences I swear I whimpered. What a beautiful heartbreaking love story.
A Brilliant read , anyone that can make me love Ross should be given 5 stars!! Absolutely Loved this read. It has ALL the feels, if you love Angst and Emotion then you need to Read this book!
#BloodAndPain
Wow, what a roller coaster of a ride NO SAINT took me on,
So Many emotions were felt during this read. My heart broke so many times but Jo mended it every time.
Ross was a someone I loved to hate in previous books, he was a bully that took pleasure in humiliating others. He wanted Luna but needed for anyone in his path to feel the mental or physical agony he lived with on a daily basis and it gave him Pleasure to see others suffer like he did.
Of course no one knew this while he was growing up but years down the track when school has ended and people’s lives went on he was alone in every sense of the word - in so many ways, both mentally and physically.
The one person who was continuously bullied by Ross and his cohorts was Luna she however after years away from the town she grew up in has moved back home and Ross immediately noticed her return.
Ross opens up to Luna
slowly and finds himself drawn to her, wanting to change and be a better person even when it seems the whole town wants to destroy him and Luna is there to help him, comfort him and help him
Heal when no one else has ever cared before.Ross doesn’t know how to react to this...
We learn about Ross’s history- growing up with a horrible Father, his daily torture his father put him
Through and I began to not only like Ross but understand where all his anger came from. Ross was a creation of his fathers doing, there was no option in order for him to survive but with his father locked away in Prison Ross begins to feel and his emotions thaw enough to realise he loves Luna and will do anything to have a future with her in it.
Luna is an incredible, strong, forgiving woman who never gives up on Ross. She chips away layer by layer finally revealing the “true Ross” that only she has seen. Questions are continually asked and even though Ross doesn’t want to answer she doesn’t give up. Doesn’t walk away. When Ross releases his defences I swear I whimpered. What a beautiful heartbreaking love story.
A Brilliant read , anyone that can make me love Ross should be given 5 stars!! Absolutely Loved this read. It has ALL the feels, if you love Angst and Emotion then you need to Read this book!
#BloodAndPain
November 16, 2019
I haven't read a Jo Raven book for about a year and I had totally forgotten just how badly she can torment her boys. I have read a lot of books and I honestly think Jo torments like no other author.
I wasn't sure how she was going to sell me on Ross but she sure turned him from bully to break my heart in no time. Even knowing this is a work of fiction I still can't help but hurt for Ross and the life he endured and while I don't condone bullying at all you can kind of forgive him.
I really connected with Luna. I understand had words can cut you down and wear on your self esteem over time and initially I was dubious about her relationship with Ross and how that would work but Jo knows what she is doing and always wind me over with her bad boys.
I am so glad that Jo is back and look forward to reading many more tormented stories from her.
Spoiler: this is not a cute or sweet book. If you do not like your romance do then this is not for you.
I wasn't sure how she was going to sell me on Ross but she sure turned him from bully to break my heart in no time. Even knowing this is a work of fiction I still can't help but hurt for Ross and the life he endured and while I don't condone bullying at all you can kind of forgive him.
I really connected with Luna. I understand had words can cut you down and wear on your self esteem over time and initially I was dubious about her relationship with Ross and how that would work but Jo knows what she is doing and always wind me over with her bad boys.
I am so glad that Jo is back and look forward to reading many more tormented stories from her.
Spoiler: this is not a cute or sweet book. If you do not like your romance do then this is not for you.
November 1, 2019
4*
Luna has returned home after 3 years however she was not looking forward to it after the bullying that caused her to leave.
Ross was always the towns mean bully head of the gangs never knowing the childhood he had was the main cause of this.
He can’t believe it when Luna returned to town, he’s not the person he was before but people never forget.
I loved how Luna still had such a good heart & was quick to defend her own.
Ross was certainly not the person I expected and felt the story portrayed him very well.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
The title of this book certainly fits.
Luna has returned home after 3 years however she was not looking forward to it after the bullying that caused her to leave.
Ross was always the towns mean bully head of the gangs never knowing the childhood he had was the main cause of this.
He can’t believe it when Luna returned to town, he’s not the person he was before but people never forget.
I loved how Luna still had such a good heart & was quick to defend her own.
Ross was certainly not the person I expected and felt the story portrayed him very well.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
The title of this book certainly fits.
March 7, 2020
We’ve already met Ross in other Wild men books: he’s the villain, the bully who, together with his gang, rules the small town of Destiny.
That’s the situation Luna leaves behind when she flees town after the umpteenth cruelty directed her way.
Three years later she’s back and what awaits her is something she would have never believed: after serving some time in prison and his dad trying to kill him, Ross seems changed.
Luna is however determined not to be affected by this new Ross who hurt her so much in the past but now, underneath his cruel words and reckless behavior, she senses there’s more.
Because sometimes the monsters under the bed are not what they seem.
That’s the situation Luna leaves behind when she flees town after the umpteenth cruelty directed her way.
Three years later she’s back and what awaits her is something she would have never believed: after serving some time in prison and his dad trying to kill him, Ross seems changed.
Luna is however determined not to be affected by this new Ross who hurt her so much in the past but now, underneath his cruel words and reckless behavior, she senses there’s more.
Because sometimes the monsters under the bed are not what they seem.
December 23, 2019
I liked the book but did anyone else get skeeved out that he never got a shower? I mean yeah he cleaned himself in the river but idk. And then when he had that wad of cash toward the end...like why didn’t you use some of that to turn the water on. I GET he didn’t care for the house bc of his Dad...but at least pay the water bill to get cleaned...then sleep on the porch if you have to. Ughh idk I just was grossed out every time they had sex and knew he was dirty like 95% of the time.
December 4, 2019
No Saint grabs your heart and holds it tight, has all the feels through Ross and Luna's internal battles with themselves and each other. As they finally find their happiness you can't help but smile! Well written from beginning to end, Jo knocked it outta the park! And the prequel, King of Bullies, she'd some great light and perspective to the start of their journey!
August 28, 2020
I just can't seem to comprehend how the author made love this broken soul to the point of making him my favourite character of hers. My heart broke into a million pieces a thousand times during this book. So much so, that I wanted to just reach into the book pages andand give Ross a big hug. The story was a painful rollercoaster but one that is so worthy of reading.
March 16, 2020
Fabulous! I love me some Ross! But it bothered me that this author couldn’t keep the brothers age correct. One moment she says he’s ten then she says he’s a teenager! Come on pls have continuity in your story. That’s why I gave it a 3 and 1/2 instead of 4.
January 3, 2020
Why why do you do this to me?!? Love love love and I really hated Ross for sooo long!!!! Now Finn? And I have so many guesses who he is!! I can’t wait girly!!
November 26, 2019
It’s great to have Jo Raven back. Her writing is so raw and real and you can’t help but be drawn in. I’ve followed the story of Ross throughout all the previous books he’s been in and I have to admit that I never in my wildest dreams thought I could change my opinion of him and find myself rooting for him to get the girl and to make the change to improve himself. That is a total credit to Jo and her amazing writing. It’s also a really great life lesson to never judge someone solely on their actions, there is usually always more going on. Ross has his own dark, sad and tragic back story which resulted in how he allowed others to see him. Luna manages to see past his facade and try to get to know the real Ross and allows him to see that he can be more and he is worth more.
I loved watching both these characters grow, they both had issues they needed to work through and they both fought their feelings for each other but the pull was too much, little did they realise that they were each other’s light, the missing jigsaw piece. Together they make each other better.
I can’t wait to see what comes next in this story.
I loved watching both these characters grow, they both had issues they needed to work through and they both fought their feelings for each other but the pull was too much, little did they realise that they were each other’s light, the missing jigsaw piece. Together they make each other better.
I can’t wait to see what comes next in this story.
November 24, 2019
Wow! The author done a fabulous job with this one. The details and emotions she used were amazing. No Saint is a dark and heart wrenching story this will pull at every single one of your heartstrings.
He and his friends bullied Luna in high school. He had his reasons and even he knows they were stupid and not an excuse and didn’t make what he did right. She left town because of her bullies only to return three years later to find out so much has changed, the biggest one being that Ross is now the bullied and he has almost given up. When things take a turn for the worst she goes against her better judgement and decides to help him. One thing leads to another and trust and forgiveness aren’t as hard once he starts letting his walls down and opening up to her. Luna will not give up on the broken boy without reason and when something bad happens she proves herself to him by being the one that won’t give up on him without a fight.
A dark yet beautiful bully to lovers romance.
He and his friends bullied Luna in high school. He had his reasons and even he knows they were stupid and not an excuse and didn’t make what he did right. She left town because of her bullies only to return three years later to find out so much has changed, the biggest one being that Ross is now the bullied and he has almost given up. When things take a turn for the worst she goes against her better judgement and decides to help him. One thing leads to another and trust and forgiveness aren’t as hard once he starts letting his walls down and opening up to her. Luna will not give up on the broken boy without reason and when something bad happens she proves herself to him by being the one that won’t give up on him without a fight.
A dark yet beautiful bully to lovers romance.
November 26, 2019
"Once you've made up your mind about something, once you've believed it. Knowing the truth, can it change the past?"
It's been awhile since I've read a Jo Raven book (I know there is something wrong with me 🤷♀️) and I forgot how beautifully broken and honest her characters are; how she gets you right in all your feels every single time & No Saint was no different. From beginning to end you feel every single thing that these two go through. Every emotion (good or bad), the grief, the guilt, the self doubt and all the love, all the 🦋 butterflies. Ross & Luna will have you all in your feels as we go on this journey of Ross's road to redemption and Luna moving past her emotional traumas and forgiving. You will root for these two, laugh with them & cry with them...SO SO GOOD ❤️
I really enjoyed this book & I hope that you will too 💋
***ARC Provided in Exchange for an Honest Review/ Megan Scandalous Book Blog***
It's been awhile since I've read a Jo Raven book (I know there is something wrong with me 🤷♀️) and I forgot how beautifully broken and honest her characters are; how she gets you right in all your feels every single time & No Saint was no different. From beginning to end you feel every single thing that these two go through. Every emotion (good or bad), the grief, the guilt, the self doubt and all the love, all the 🦋 butterflies. Ross & Luna will have you all in your feels as we go on this journey of Ross's road to redemption and Luna moving past her emotional traumas and forgiving. You will root for these two, laugh with them & cry with them...SO SO GOOD ❤️
I really enjoyed this book & I hope that you will too 💋
***ARC Provided in Exchange for an Honest Review/ Megan Scandalous Book Blog***
November 27, 2019
Jo Raven always seems to know it out of the park for me and No Saint is No Exception. I was a bit jaded on Ross at first, he was a menacing man that bullied and didn't give a single care in the world to anything or anyone. HE even did the most damage to Luna and yet through it all she saw the best in him and pushed him to start seeing the better man inside himself. Luna is a super strong heroine in this book and I really appreciated that. She too has been broken and together her and Ross try and steer their way through all the blackness and into the light. Definitely an emotional story but dam steamy as well. You will get lost in the story and wont want to put the book down. Well done!! Excellent writing!! highly recommend!!
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