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SWAT Generation 2.0 #4
Ask Me If I Care
Ares saw him for the first time at a Kilgore Police Department benefit dinner. She’d gone with her dad as his plus one. Hayes Greer had gone by himself and brooded silently across the same table as her, drinking whiskey and not saying a word.
It only took that one time for her to become interested.
The next time she saw him, he was doing another benefit—but this one requiring a whole lot fewer clothes. And that was when she knew. She wanted him. Badly. But the morose Hayes was too busy thinking about his sins to see what was right in front of his face—Ares.
***
Hayes Greer knew the moment that he saw the feisty Ares Downy again that he should’ve stayed away. Maybe if he hadn’t done the stupid calendar, he wouldn’t be questioning every single woman’s intentions.
Maybe if he’d listened to that niggling feeling telling him to stay away, he would’ve been able to do his job a little better. But seeing her with a knife to her throat, in the middle of a building set to blow, made his usually well-wired brain start to malfunction.
Because nobody was allowed to touch her like that—only him. Nobody was allowed to scare her, either. Not and live to tell the tale.
It only took that one time for her to become interested.
The next time she saw him, he was doing another benefit—but this one requiring a whole lot fewer clothes. And that was when she knew. She wanted him. Badly. But the morose Hayes was too busy thinking about his sins to see what was right in front of his face—Ares.
***
Hayes Greer knew the moment that he saw the feisty Ares Downy again that he should’ve stayed away. Maybe if he hadn’t done the stupid calendar, he wouldn’t be questioning every single woman’s intentions.
Maybe if he’d listened to that niggling feeling telling him to stay away, he would’ve been able to do his job a little better. But seeing her with a knife to her throat, in the middle of a building set to blow, made his usually well-wired brain start to malfunction.
Because nobody was allowed to touch her like that—only him. Nobody was allowed to scare her, either. Not and live to tell the tale.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2020
347 people are currently reading
927 people want to read
About the author
Lani Lynn Vale
162 books7,264 followersLani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
April 14, 2020
I've found another extraordinary hero to add to my harem!
Hayes and Ares met at a police charity event that neither of them wanted to be at. They were seated across from each other with her ex, who also happened to be Hayes' step-brother, seated at the same table with his new fiancée. They couldn't keep their eyes off of each other and didn't stay far from the other's mind in the months that followed.
While Hayes couldn't get enough of Ares and realized that she was everything he could ever want, he knew he had issues and that maybe he wasn't enough for her. Did that stop them from pursuing each other? Could they really resist such scrumptious temptation? No and nope. It was easy to see how happy they made each other and neither wanted that to end. Their journey was sexy and cute and funny with a bit of danger to spice things up.
What gave this story that extra push to five stars was the ending. Holy guacamole! LLV gave me an ending that left me swoooooning! If I wasn't already in love with Hayes and Ares, that epilogue would have sealed the deal. A sweet alpha, sassy heroine, check-ins with other characters, intriguing (and hopefully they'll get their own book) side characters, and heartwarming romance with an edge made Ask Me If I Care a must-read!!
Find the full review HERE
Hayes and Ares met at a police charity event that neither of them wanted to be at. They were seated across from each other with her ex, who also happened to be Hayes' step-brother, seated at the same table with his new fiancée. They couldn't keep their eyes off of each other and didn't stay far from the other's mind in the months that followed.
Background info:
★ Hayes, along with Luca and Malachi, was a prisoner of war and suffers from PTSD
★ His father is a renowned profiler and his step-brother is Ares' ex and a famous (arrogant) baseball player
★ Ares is a Downy, sister to Locke
★ she's a guidance counselor who actually cares about the students she sees
★ the serial killer subpot that was introduced is still very present in this story. Remember, the killer targets and kills teenage girls.
While Hayes couldn't get enough of Ares and realized that she was everything he could ever want, he knew he had issues and that maybe he wasn't enough for her. Did that stop them from pursuing each other? Could they really resist such scrumptious temptation? No and nope. It was easy to see how happy they made each other and neither wanted that to end. Their journey was sexy and cute and funny with a bit of danger to spice things up.
What gave this story that extra push to five stars was the ending. Holy guacamole! LLV gave me an ending that left me swoooooning! If I wasn't already in love with Hayes and Ares, that epilogue would have sealed the deal. A sweet alpha, sassy heroine, check-ins with other characters, intriguing (and hopefully they'll get their own book) side characters, and heartwarming romance with an edge made Ask Me If I Care a must-read!!
Find the full review HERE
April 19, 2020
Ares and Hayes are my favorite couple of this series so far. Their story was engaging and I was captivated from the start. Though Hayes is the sexy, strong, silent type he was definitely more tempered with Ares. They had good chemistry that flowed naturally throughout the story. They complemented one another well by virtue of their contrast.
The developments were interesting and wrapped up an overarching serial plot. The secondary characters were used well and there is definitely setup for future characters that peaked my interest. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more.
The developments were interesting and wrapped up an overarching serial plot. The secondary characters were used well and there is definitely setup for future characters that peaked my interest. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more.
June 26, 2021
*** 3. 75 stars ***
This series has the kind of books which gives me break from the extremely emotional long novels which I normally read.
The characters in the whole series are fiesty, independent and smart. The 'whose who' thing goes around the whole town and everyone feels like a big extended family.
This author has a very sweet way of expressing things which you get comfortable with.
This series has the kind of books which gives me break from the extremely emotional long novels which I normally read.
The characters in the whole series are fiesty, independent and smart. The 'whose who' thing goes around the whole town and everyone feels like a big extended family.
This author has a very sweet way of expressing things which you get comfortable with.
April 14, 2020
That book was the perfect escape from the world's current situation. I honestly didn't want to put it down for a second from the minute I picked it up. It was so warm and squishy, I really enjoyed every second of it. And even though there was a bit of suspense and drama it just kept me even more stuck to the pages.
Ares and Hayes could not have been more perfect together. Ares was such a sweetheart. She made me appreciate how low drama she was from the start. From the second she tripped over her own feet seeing Hayes I was praying that he was as captivated as she was.
Thankfully this was told predominantly in dual points of view, with a few randoms to give a good perspective of the drama that was unfolding. So we got to see exactly what Hayes was thinking. And damn I love these big, tough, bad arse swat guys going all soft and sweet for their women. And I also loved that Hayes wasn't perfect, he had a serious issue and it wasn't made a big deal of it was just something that was part of him, he was working on it and Ares accepted it and tried to find ways to help.
It made them both all the more human and relatable. I was really glad to have the serial killer aspect resolved in this book. Even if it did break my heart a little the way it was resolved. But now I have the next book in the series to obsess over and I have a feeling it's going to be a little more angsty and I can't wait.
Ares and Hayes could not have been more perfect together. Ares was such a sweetheart. She made me appreciate how low drama she was from the start. From the second she tripped over her own feet seeing Hayes I was praying that he was as captivated as she was.
Thankfully this was told predominantly in dual points of view, with a few randoms to give a good perspective of the drama that was unfolding. So we got to see exactly what Hayes was thinking. And damn I love these big, tough, bad arse swat guys going all soft and sweet for their women. And I also loved that Hayes wasn't perfect, he had a serious issue and it wasn't made a big deal of it was just something that was part of him, he was working on it and Ares accepted it and tried to find ways to help.
It made them both all the more human and relatable. I was really glad to have the serial killer aspect resolved in this book. Even if it did break my heart a little the way it was resolved. But now I have the next book in the series to obsess over and I have a feeling it's going to be a little more angsty and I can't wait.
April 14, 2020
Mr. April is here! Stoic, sexy, broken Hayes Greer is here to steal Ares’ (and your) heart!
Ares is the daughter of Dowdy (Bang Switch) she is a perfect fit for her job as a guidance counselor at the local high school. Ares is sweet, lovable and cares about those in her life, but don’t mistake her sweetness for being a pushover, she will stand up for those she cares about and she is not scared to be brutally honest when called for. Hayes is a newcomer to town and the force, he is standoffish, quiet and brooding. Many consider him rude but it’s just his way of protecting himself, he suffers from a severe case of PTSD as a result of being a POW.
When Ares and Hayes first meet there is instant animosity and lust. When the two finally get over the animosity between the sparks fly and their hearts cannot resist each other. Their story is entertaining, sweet, sad, fantastic with a little bit of mystery and intrigue added in.
I loved the relationship between Dowdy and Ares, seeing past characters from Lani Lynn Vale books never gets old. There is one character in this book that is pretty much a tool but I think there is more to him than just being a self-absorbed jerk and I hope we get to see more about him and his unexpected surprise.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Ares is the daughter of Dowdy (Bang Switch) she is a perfect fit for her job as a guidance counselor at the local high school. Ares is sweet, lovable and cares about those in her life, but don’t mistake her sweetness for being a pushover, she will stand up for those she cares about and she is not scared to be brutally honest when called for. Hayes is a newcomer to town and the force, he is standoffish, quiet and brooding. Many consider him rude but it’s just his way of protecting himself, he suffers from a severe case of PTSD as a result of being a POW.
When Ares and Hayes first meet there is instant animosity and lust. When the two finally get over the animosity between the sparks fly and their hearts cannot resist each other. Their story is entertaining, sweet, sad, fantastic with a little bit of mystery and intrigue added in.
I loved the relationship between Dowdy and Ares, seeing past characters from Lani Lynn Vale books never gets old. There is one character in this book that is pretty much a tool but I think there is more to him than just being a self-absorbed jerk and I hope we get to see more about him and his unexpected surprise.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
April 15, 2020
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Liked it!
==================
It surprised me positively. I liked the heroes and the villains had a satisfactory punishment.
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It surprised me positively. I liked the heroes and the villains had a satisfactory punishment.
April 13, 2020
5 Stars
Lani Lynn Vale never writes a bad book and this book confirms my statement.
I love Hayes from the beginning. There is just something about a grumpy hero who screams tortured hero. He is everything I look for in a bookboyfriend. Alpha man with a big heart, Tortured past, humor when needed, is never sweet unless to the heroine. I mean do you need more? He was so sweet and made me swoon but still in a macho manly way.
Pair him up with Ares who is fun, outgoing, has no filter, do whatever pops into her head and fights with everything she is for what she believes in. Now imaging her meeting the grumpy man who ain't really welcoming her... Yes, you guessed it she forgot her filter and ruined it. BUT Then imagine her fighting for him even when he doesn't want it. Their love story is one of the best I have read from Lani Lynn Vale so far and they fit so well together.
As always with Lani Lynn Vale's books, you get some humor, some fun people, moments, comments that will make you smile and laugh. Also, her little headlines before every new chapter make me laugh so hard I will read any book she writes as long as she keeps giving me that! (If you are a new reader then you will know what I mean when you have read a chapter or two.)
Lani Lynn Vale never writes a bad book and this book confirms my statement.
I love Hayes from the beginning. There is just something about a grumpy hero who screams tortured hero. He is everything I look for in a bookboyfriend. Alpha man with a big heart, Tortured past, humor when needed, is never sweet unless to the heroine. I mean do you need more? He was so sweet and made me swoon but still in a macho manly way.
Pair him up with Ares who is fun, outgoing, has no filter, do whatever pops into her head and fights with everything she is for what she believes in. Now imaging her meeting the grumpy man who ain't really welcoming her... Yes, you guessed it she forgot her filter and ruined it. BUT Then imagine her fighting for him even when he doesn't want it. Their love story is one of the best I have read from Lani Lynn Vale so far and they fit so well together.
If he wants the real Ares, give her to him. I liked the way that sounded. Too many times, on too many dates, I’d tried to be who I wasn’t. Maybe Calloway was right. Maybe it was time to be who I was.
As always with Lani Lynn Vale's books, you get some humor, some fun people, moments, comments that will make you smile and laugh. Also, her little headlines before every new chapter make me laugh so hard I will read any book she writes as long as she keeps giving me that! (If you are a new reader then you will know what I mean when you have read a chapter or two.)
April 15, 2020
4.25 ‘Why Bother Asking When Knowing The Answer‘ Stars
AWWWW… I just KNEW that Hayes would steal my heart! And stole he did! The quiet ones always are the ones making me fall harder and his and Ares match was romance PERFECTION!
These two… From their very first meetings to their very first true ‘conversation’, I was sooooo invested! The build up, the chemistry, and omg, the SILENT moment that even in a BOOK said a million words were BRILLIANT! I adored them all and I ADORED these two!
I wanted her in my bed every night.
I wanted to wake up to her every morning.
I wanted to get home from my late-night shifts and find her there waiting for me.
I just wanted her.
Simple as that.
Yep, Lani Lynn Vale gave yet another hit, and I’m so here for every single one of these! The story telling is just as addictive as can be, from emotional to funny, and so down to earth it’s impossible not to identify with some of the characters and the situations.
The focus of the romance is spot on, and I just loved how Hayes and Ares were there for one another from the get go even if not yet together, the slow burn totally, with crazy attraction worked big time. One of my favorite couples of the new Generation no doubt. after all the revelations of unrequited loves that left me, tbh quite scared, lol, can’t wait to see what kind of trouble comes next… ;) <3 <3 <3 <3
“We’re gonna live happily ever after.”
I blinked and turned, staring straight into Hayes’ gaze.
“I think that was the single most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.”
ARC kindly provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review
For full review with Release Blitz, check out my Blog post,
http://gisspotreviews.com/index.php/2...
AWWWW… I just KNEW that Hayes would steal my heart! And stole he did! The quiet ones always are the ones making me fall harder and his and Ares match was romance PERFECTION!
These two… From their very first meetings to their very first true ‘conversation’, I was sooooo invested! The build up, the chemistry, and omg, the SILENT moment that even in a BOOK said a million words were BRILLIANT! I adored them all and I ADORED these two!
I wanted her in my bed every night.
I wanted to wake up to her every morning.
I wanted to get home from my late-night shifts and find her there waiting for me.
I just wanted her.
Simple as that.
Yep, Lani Lynn Vale gave yet another hit, and I’m so here for every single one of these! The story telling is just as addictive as can be, from emotional to funny, and so down to earth it’s impossible not to identify with some of the characters and the situations.
The focus of the romance is spot on, and I just loved how Hayes and Ares were there for one another from the get go even if not yet together, the slow burn totally, with crazy attraction worked big time. One of my favorite couples of the new Generation no doubt. after all the revelations of unrequited loves that left me, tbh quite scared, lol, can’t wait to see what kind of trouble comes next… ;) <3 <3 <3 <3
“We’re gonna live happily ever after.”
I blinked and turned, staring straight into Hayes’ gaze.
“I think that was the single most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.”
ARC kindly provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review
For full review with Release Blitz, check out my Blog post,
http://gisspotreviews.com/index.php/2...
April 4, 2020
The author does it again! She pulled at my heart, had me fanning my face and loving all the characters in their own way. This one had some hard scenes to read. A few times I had to stop and just breath and then continue reading.
Oh Hayes. My heart goes out to him. I have family that was military and have dealt with/seen some of things that he goes though in real life. It made me love that man so much more. Ares was amazing for him. When it came to PTSD, she did what she felt was right for him and it showed me that she was perfect for him. Ares was funny and quarky and it made her real to me.
We got to meet some new characters and I loved them. They were a great support to Hayes and I would love to see each of them get a book. I mean, we don’t see that much of them but I really felt drawn to them. So hint hint to the author (Lol).
I really can’t wait to get more of this series. I love seeing all the past characters in a way that only this author can seem to do. She has an amazing writing style, perfect banter and story’s that pull at you heart and don’t let go. It’s been 2 years since I found this author and I honestly hope that she never stops writing. 5 stars #2OCCJD
Oh Hayes. My heart goes out to him. I have family that was military and have dealt with/seen some of things that he goes though in real life. It made me love that man so much more. Ares was amazing for him. When it came to PTSD, she did what she felt was right for him and it showed me that she was perfect for him. Ares was funny and quarky and it made her real to me.
We got to meet some new characters and I loved them. They were a great support to Hayes and I would love to see each of them get a book. I mean, we don’t see that much of them but I really felt drawn to them. So hint hint to the author (Lol).
I really can’t wait to get more of this series. I love seeing all the past characters in a way that only this author can seem to do. She has an amazing writing style, perfect banter and story’s that pull at you heart and don’t let go. It’s been 2 years since I found this author and I honestly hope that she never stops writing. 5 stars #2OCCJD
April 17, 2020
Ummm I don't really care about this book the story did not make sense to me at all.
- the hero's stepbrother is the heroine ex-boyfriend!
- Ares is TSTL
- Hayes is an asshole
- the story about the serial killer did not make sense and no explanation on why they are targeting teenage single mother like WTH is the reason??
-the cop claiming having relationships with the murder victim did not make sense and he just shoot himself to death again with no explanation.
- the hero's stepbrother is the heroine ex-boyfriend!
- Ares is TSTL
- Hayes is an asshole
- the story about the serial killer did not make sense and no explanation on why they are targeting teenage single mother like WTH is the reason??
-the cop claiming having relationships with the murder victim did not make sense and he just shoot himself to death again with no explanation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2020
Sweet, funny, steamy plus all the feels…
I think I say that about every book I read by this author but it’s true. Never more so than with Hayes and Ares story…
Hayes has a boatload of history and things to deal with, things he didn’t want to share or explain. When Ares and he exchanged glances he knew there could be more but he didn’t want it. He didn’t want to want it. And so it was… Until circumstances changed and one small thing turned into another. And another. Whether it was laughter (mostly with each other) or coming together to solve a problem, they fit together. They just worked as Ares refused to be anything but supportive. Silently, loudly – it didn’t matter. She had his back whether he wanted her there or not. And it turned out, he really did…
This second generation isn’t taking a secondary seat to the first one, not at all. Instead they are paving the way with them. And each story, each couple, grows this already loved world into something even more…
If you haven’t read this author you are missing out!
April 14, 2020
Ask Me If I Care is another hit from one of my go to authors, Lani Lynn Vale! In this edition, we get Hayes, a former military man who now works on the SWAT team, and Ares, a school counselor whose brother is also on the SWAT team. Hayes has that sullen, brooding thing down (you see it in the last book) and Ares spends her whole day talking!
These two are very different, but they certainly have chemistry. Ares' high school boyfriend was Hayes step-brother. Weird? Normally. But Ryan is such a douche and its been over 6 years that it was really kind of a non-issue. This book continues the serial killer hunt that begun in the previous book, Maybe Swearing Will Help. Hayes' dad is the famous psychologist who profiled the killer. We do learn the identity of the killer in Ask Me If I Care and its a very interesting plot!
Hayes and Ares' are a great couple and their romance will give you plenty of swooning! Ask Me If I Care will give you steamy romance, some laughs, and one crazy killer! What more could you want in a binge read?
POV: dual 1st
Tears: no
Trope: police
Triggers:
Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
authors like Amy Daws, Sara Ney, Aurora Rose Reynolds, Harper Sloan...then you will probably like Ask Me If I Care!
Ask Me If I Care
See full review on The Book Disciple
April 14, 2020
Ares and Hayes story was sweet, suspenseful and the back and forth humorous banter was just perfect. These two are opposite but also like a moth to a flame when they first meet and try to avoid each other but find it’s nearing impossible. He has severe PTSD and prefers to be alone and has never wanted someone to be around until her and she was so brutally honest it was funny.
April 13, 2020
There's something about the feisty redhead Ares that sets Hayes off. He's usually so reserved and stoic, but there's something about her...And when she keeps showing up around him, they can't help but consummate their raging attraction.
Ares is so attracted to Hayes, the broody and gorgeous SWAT officer, but he's so closed off. She knows he's got pain behind that seemingly calm facade, and she wants to be the one to help him. If only he'd let her in. Not with his body, but with his heart and his soul.
Hayes and Ares are a seriously hot couple. Seemingly so opposite, and yet they fit into each other seamlessly, perfectly. I have been really liking this SWAT Generation 2.0 series, but with this one, I think Lani has upped the bar. Hayes is so substantial and so damaged, suffering from PTSD, and Ares (who's the best part of this story) is the perfect partner for him because she sees beyond his outer layer and into the real Hayes. Simply perfect!
ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
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April 14, 2020
I've come to accept that Lani's books are no longer a want for me. They are a need. You know when you just find an author that can give you absolutely everything you love in a book and then some?. That's her for me. I've been reading this author's books for a long damn time!. And I'm yet to dislike any of them!. Every book is preordered without a second thought because I know no matter what it is I'm gunna love it.
Ask Me If I Care brings us Ares who is Memphis and Downy's daughter and Hayes who's Ares ex Ryan's brother and also the man who was a POW with Malachi and Luca.
It's fair to say I didn't know what to except because this author has a way of throwing us for a loop with her books but the sneak peaks I seen showed me enough to know It would be pulling at the heartstrings.
Ares is a wacky delicious combination of her fathers steady ready nature and her mothers witty spunk and sensitivity.
Hayes has this unapproachable stay the fuck away vibe that pulses around him. He's a broken man holding on to the pieces of himself from the aftermath of his brutal past.
Their story isn't conventional in the least. It's slow to build but impactful and filled with precious moments of raw vulnerability that overwhelmed my senses. Ares ignited a fire within Hayes that she herself didn't expect nor he himself quite knew how to deal with. She was a quiet support system for him. Holding him accountable for his actions whilst giving him the space he needed to catch up with his reality. Her light and his dark made for a harmonious pairing that I was all for.
You're tapping into a man who's wounds aren't all physical and therefore are not always visible. Ares handled every hurdle of their journey with grace and compassion without loosing herself in the process. Despite his many scars, Hayes could not have been a better support system for Ares and her wild ways. From the very beginning he was there protecting and defending her honour and in a way healing a little himself.
Their story had the perfect balance of sweet, heartbreaking and unexpected surprises. Their journey wasn't all cute fluff because their story isn't all sweet. There is a lot of emotion to sort through and past issues that effected them both physically and emotionally. Both characters have this raw sincere vulnerability to them that bleeds through the pages and invokes every kind of emotion in you as a reader. At times It's almost overwhelming to feel all those emotions at once but I also think that's a good testament to how real these characters and their story felt.
Lani as always not only provides us with a seamless story... she is the best and giving us the most amazing side characters both old and new that bring so much life to a already great story. I feel like these books are so character driven that it makes it easy to relate to them and tap into their emotions
like you're apart of their journey in some bizarre out of world way.
She does it always. I was laughing, swooning, hanging onto my seat in anticipation and shook at certain revelations. I was sad, angry and heartbroken. I was living and loving this book the entire way for many different reasons but mainly because it pulled me in and made me feel all those feelings in a few short hours.
Also I must confess I didn't see the oh shit moment coming. I was positively shookith and equally seething at what happened.
I just can't even. This book is fucking great.
Ask Me If I Care brings us Ares who is Memphis and Downy's daughter and Hayes who's Ares ex Ryan's brother and also the man who was a POW with Malachi and Luca.
It's fair to say I didn't know what to except because this author has a way of throwing us for a loop with her books but the sneak peaks I seen showed me enough to know It would be pulling at the heartstrings.
Ares is a wacky delicious combination of her fathers steady ready nature and her mothers witty spunk and sensitivity.
Hayes has this unapproachable stay the fuck away vibe that pulses around him. He's a broken man holding on to the pieces of himself from the aftermath of his brutal past.
Their story isn't conventional in the least. It's slow to build but impactful and filled with precious moments of raw vulnerability that overwhelmed my senses. Ares ignited a fire within Hayes that she herself didn't expect nor he himself quite knew how to deal with. She was a quiet support system for him. Holding him accountable for his actions whilst giving him the space he needed to catch up with his reality. Her light and his dark made for a harmonious pairing that I was all for.
You're tapping into a man who's wounds aren't all physical and therefore are not always visible. Ares handled every hurdle of their journey with grace and compassion without loosing herself in the process. Despite his many scars, Hayes could not have been a better support system for Ares and her wild ways. From the very beginning he was there protecting and defending her honour and in a way healing a little himself.
Their story had the perfect balance of sweet, heartbreaking and unexpected surprises. Their journey wasn't all cute fluff because their story isn't all sweet. There is a lot of emotion to sort through and past issues that effected them both physically and emotionally. Both characters have this raw sincere vulnerability to them that bleeds through the pages and invokes every kind of emotion in you as a reader. At times It's almost overwhelming to feel all those emotions at once but I also think that's a good testament to how real these characters and their story felt.
Lani as always not only provides us with a seamless story... she is the best and giving us the most amazing side characters both old and new that bring so much life to a already great story. I feel like these books are so character driven that it makes it easy to relate to them and tap into their emotions
like you're apart of their journey in some bizarre out of world way.
She does it always. I was laughing, swooning, hanging onto my seat in anticipation and shook at certain revelations. I was sad, angry and heartbroken. I was living and loving this book the entire way for many different reasons but mainly because it pulled me in and made me feel all those feelings in a few short hours.
Also I must confess I didn't see the oh shit moment coming. I was positively shookith and equally seething at what happened.
I just can't even. This book is fucking great.
April 14, 2020
Another great read from Lani Lynn Vale! I know I gush every time she has a new book come out, but I seriously LOVE this author! How she can tie in so many different characters blows my mind, I expect she has a big ole bulletin board in her house with every character from her books and how they connect with others!🤣
Anywho, Ask Me If I Care has the trademark steam, action, and mystery that you come to love in other books by the author that makes you fall in love with the characters and root for them!
I have been curious about Hayes for a while and freaking loved that his book was SO FREAKING GOOD. Ares is freaking amazing and goes after what she wants, these two truly are perfect for each other, but not without their trials.
All in all if you are looking for a book full of heart and suspense with so much heat, you need to read this right away! I give this 5 stars and 100% recommend you checking it out.
PS: I would like to thank Lani Lynn Vale and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for allowing me an advanced copy of this book to read and review honestly!
Anywho, Ask Me If I Care has the trademark steam, action, and mystery that you come to love in other books by the author that makes you fall in love with the characters and root for them!
I have been curious about Hayes for a while and freaking loved that his book was SO FREAKING GOOD. Ares is freaking amazing and goes after what she wants, these two truly are perfect for each other, but not without their trials.
All in all if you are looking for a book full of heart and suspense with so much heat, you need to read this right away! I give this 5 stars and 100% recommend you checking it out.
PS: I would like to thank Lani Lynn Vale and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for allowing me an advanced copy of this book to read and review honestly!
April 15, 2020
Ares & Hayes are funny, sweet and oh so sexy!
I love a big old grumpy, stoic alpha and then add some sexiness and a protective nature ..I am so in !
Hayes is a member of Swat but he is an enigma . He does his job and stays to himself. When he is seated at a police benefit with Ares he can help but notice her. It is fate that their paths continue to cross but soon Hayes begins to place himself in Ares life.
Ares is the guidance counselor at the local high school and she has been dealing with bullying with in the student body . She soon learns that their is so much more going on than bullying and that may put her in a bit of jeopardy . When they say opposites attract this is certainly the case with these two. They seem to be able to bring out the best in one another. Loved their story and their great supporting cast !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
I love a big old grumpy, stoic alpha and then add some sexiness and a protective nature ..I am so in !
Hayes is a member of Swat but he is an enigma . He does his job and stays to himself. When he is seated at a police benefit with Ares he can help but notice her. It is fate that their paths continue to cross but soon Hayes begins to place himself in Ares life.
Ares is the guidance counselor at the local high school and she has been dealing with bullying with in the student body . She soon learns that their is so much more going on than bullying and that may put her in a bit of jeopardy . When they say opposites attract this is certainly the case with these two. They seem to be able to bring out the best in one another. Loved their story and their great supporting cast !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
April 25, 2020
Ares has an ex who likes to point out how great he has done since he broke her heart. Having to go to a banquet and sit at the same table is enough to have her want to pull her eyelashes out but she finds herself intrigued by the broody man sitting at her table instead. Hayes Greer is a man who is still haunted by his time in the military. His interest is peaked when he meets Ares, but he knows he needs to work on himself before he can move forward with Ares. Ares though has other ideas...will she be the one that Hayes lets in?
I loved this, made me teary eyed in a few places. Ares is fantastic, I knew I liked her from the previous book but she exceeded all expectations. Hayes is intense, one of the best characters in the series thus far. Excellent reading for a warm sunny day.
I loved this, made me teary eyed in a few places. Ares is fantastic, I knew I liked her from the previous book but she exceeded all expectations. Hayes is intense, one of the best characters in the series thus far. Excellent reading for a warm sunny day.
May 4, 2020
I’ve read an entire library of LLV and admire how quirky her characters can be. They are all fleshed out in weird and wonderful ways. Here we have 5e hero Hayes who has suffered years of capture during his stint in the armed forces. He isn’t a chatty man. He hardly smiles and is part of a complicated storyline that involved Luke and Malachi. It was tragic and sad.
The heroine in this story is part of the network of swat, policing, EMS etc that is this world that LLV has built. She is outspoken, honest, loyal and intelligent. Go girl. She also is a reliable guidance counselor for her kids in a somewhat horrible school. It all unravels as she pushes for answers as to why the faculty let bullying happen, don’t take care of 5e kids and have devolved into uncaring adults.
I liked the school drama, the serial killer on the loose and the romance. I couldn’t put this down and after reading the cowboy series which is running around the same time as this series, I really do prefer this series. I found the alpha guys, intelligent heroines and drama running in the background a great distraction from real life which is crashing all around us! Stay well and read this book it will be worth the time!🙃
The heroine in this story is part of the network of swat, policing, EMS etc that is this world that LLV has built. She is outspoken, honest, loyal and intelligent. Go girl. She also is a reliable guidance counselor for her kids in a somewhat horrible school. It all unravels as she pushes for answers as to why the faculty let bullying happen, don’t take care of 5e kids and have devolved into uncaring adults.
I liked the school drama, the serial killer on the loose and the romance. I couldn’t put this down and after reading the cowboy series which is running around the same time as this series, I really do prefer this series. I found the alpha guys, intelligent heroines and drama running in the background a great distraction from real life which is crashing all around us! Stay well and read this book it will be worth the time!🙃
April 21, 2020
I disliked a few things.
So they see each other at the banquet but neither one pursues the other in which six months later they are on dates at the same restaurant with other people. Plus you read that he was with the store cashier right before meeting Ares. That part I can let go but with the way he was all in her business after that date why not go after her before. Plus not a fan of her dating Hayes brother Ryan.
I'll be honest and say I'm not looking forward to Booth, Bourne, Delanie, and Dillian either.
So they see each other at the banquet but neither one pursues the other in which six months later they are on dates at the same restaurant with other people. Plus you read that he was with the store cashier right before meeting Ares. That part I can let go but with the way he was all in her business after that date why not go after her before. Plus not a fan of her dating Hayes brother Ryan.
I'll be honest and say I'm not looking forward to Booth, Bourne, Delanie, and Dillian either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2020
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Loved it! Ares and Hayes are so different but definitely a great fit together. Was glad the serial killer was finally revealed.
Loved it! Ares and Hayes are so different but definitely a great fit together. Was glad the serial killer was finally revealed.
March 28, 2020
Hayes isnt one for asking permission, “cool,” I said. “I’ll pick you up around six.” She blinked. “Wear your hair down… curly.” I liked this book, I really loved Hayes.
Read
April 28, 2020DNF because ASK ME IF I CARE!!!!
April 14, 2020
Oh Wow. This book was so good.
Hayes is an ex-military now on the KPD Swat Team. But he also has a lot of demons. He was a prisoner of war and suffers from PTSD. Getting to know Ares was not part of his plan, but the moment he met her at the police dinner he was hooked.
Ares was a funny, sweet, clumsy and so much more, and she was the daughter of Downey (whoop whoop). When she met Hayes she was smitten, but he was also the step brother of her ex. But she couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards him, and then one day they were just together. But its not just happily ever after. Hayes has some demons in his past, but there is so many things going on, and as the guidance councillor she wanted to solve every ones problems. And on top of it there is serial killer on the loose.
Hayes was the quiet one of the team. He was everything I thought he would be. He was the hero that didn't know he needed someone like Ares in his life. This book was like the others, funny, sweet, romantic. But it also had angst and some suspense and we finally get some answers we wanted from the previous books. It was also a bit sad for me, but all in all it was an awesome ride.
Reviewed on behalf of
Fay's Corner
Hayes is an ex-military now on the KPD Swat Team. But he also has a lot of demons. He was a prisoner of war and suffers from PTSD. Getting to know Ares was not part of his plan, but the moment he met her at the police dinner he was hooked.
Ares was a funny, sweet, clumsy and so much more, and she was the daughter of Downey (whoop whoop). When she met Hayes she was smitten, but he was also the step brother of her ex. But she couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards him, and then one day they were just together. But its not just happily ever after. Hayes has some demons in his past, but there is so many things going on, and as the guidance councillor she wanted to solve every ones problems. And on top of it there is serial killer on the loose.
Hayes was the quiet one of the team. He was everything I thought he would be. He was the hero that didn't know he needed someone like Ares in his life. This book was like the others, funny, sweet, romantic. But it also had angst and some suspense and we finally get some answers we wanted from the previous books. It was also a bit sad for me, but all in all it was an awesome ride.
Reviewed on behalf of
Fay's Corner
April 18, 2020
Sweet...cute....mushy....COMFORT
April 17, 2020
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Wildfire Marketing Solutions and the Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
Another wonderful addition to a favourite series by a favourite author and now, she has given a wonderfully relatable couple to root for!
Ares and Hayes cross paths with each other at a police gala neither of them had any interest in being at. Add in the factor of Ares’s ex who also turns out to be Hayes’s step – brother adds on to the awkwardness of the night.
Both Ares & Hayes are intrigued with each other; but Hayes, a POW suffering from PTSD doesn’t believe that he is in anyway good enough for a woman like Ares who is as good as they come, a guidance counsellor who adores and actually cares about her students.
It was amazing to see them collide with each other and accept the inevitable between them *fans herself*. Add in the bit of danger & the mystery of a serial killer (that has been an ongoing plotline for the last couple of books) on the lose – had me invested in the plot as well as Ares & Hayes’s relationship right from the start.
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April 14, 2020
Hayes was one of the guys that I really wanted to know more about. He is a new character in that he isn't really related to any of the previous main characters in other books. Unlike Ares who is Downy and Memphis' daughter. Hayes has this beautifully broken quality to him. He is someone who has seen and experience far too much pain. Yet, there is a strength that can only come from those experiences.
Ares sees the good in everyone but not to a fault. She has no problem seeing when there is no good in someone. She cares deeply and while that could be a fault I think it is perfect for her. She's a guidance counselor at the high school so her caring nature helps in her career.
A lot happens in this book! We learn more about the serial killer murders from the last book. That was something I looked forward to since we know that Ashe got Hayes interested in them. We also learn more about Hayes past and what happened to him. It is something else that I wanted to know.
Hayes and Ares together were more than just hot! They melted the pages of my kindle. Ares takes Hayes' issues and deals with them in a way that blew his mind. There was no denying her feelings after that and while there are some moments that had me weeping this book left my heart pounding.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Wickedly Romance
April 21, 2020
Boy oh Boy, ever so often you come across a book that it's almost soo bad it's soo good. Meet " Ask Me if I Care". It's a first read for me with the author Lani Lynn Vale. Her characters are quite eccentric in my opinion and she deals with some serious heavy content with a light hand (which I don't mind at all).
The Heroine
Here is Ares, a walking kluts, an adorable red head with no filter who genuinely cares for her kids that she interacts with as the High School's Guidance Counsellor.
The Hero
Mr. April AKA Hayes , a member of the SWAT team at Kilgore Police Station, a POW that suffers from PTSD and (spoiler) the step- brother of Ares ex.
The Plot
Ares meets Hayes for the first time at a charity function she attended with her dad in aid of raising money for the police department. They sat at the same table with a bunch of people including her ex and his fiancee, and her brother and his wife. Awkward is an understatement.
The next time she meets him is at the calendar shoot and they hit if off in a spectacular fashion as you would expect. Other chance encounters have them something to build on and add in a little suspense, the gang, a few sex scenes and a serial killer which makes the book entertaining.
What I Loved
****OMG THE CHAPTER HEADINGS****
I loved that Ares was not a cookie cut version of the heroines that are always portrayed.
She has no hand eye coordination.
She acts like the rough lil sis that has too many big brothers.
She shares a little too much information when she is nervous but balance that with her caring and compassionate nature.
*Hayes could only do one wrong*
The epilogue
What I Hated
Plot seemed a little too trival at points and some of the serious notes were pushed aside.
That period arc and the final love scene...
Hayes running hot and cold with Ares, I mean dude Man Up. Don't pull disappearing acts on a girl not once but twice.
That Toomey arc... It was confusing to me and irrelevant.
Overall I enjoyed the book and will read the rest of the books in the series.
The Heroine
Here is Ares, a walking kluts, an adorable red head with no filter who genuinely cares for her kids that she interacts with as the High School's Guidance Counsellor.
The Hero
Mr. April AKA Hayes , a member of the SWAT team at Kilgore Police Station, a POW that suffers from PTSD and (spoiler) the step- brother of Ares ex.
The Plot
Ares meets Hayes for the first time at a charity function she attended with her dad in aid of raising money for the police department. They sat at the same table with a bunch of people including her ex and his fiancee, and her brother and his wife. Awkward is an understatement.
The next time she meets him is at the calendar shoot and they hit if off in a spectacular fashion as you would expect. Other chance encounters have them something to build on and add in a little suspense, the gang, a few sex scenes and a serial killer which makes the book entertaining.
What I Loved
****OMG THE CHAPTER HEADINGS****
I loved that Ares was not a cookie cut version of the heroines that are always portrayed.
She has no hand eye coordination.
She acts like the rough lil sis that has too many big brothers.
She shares a little too much information when she is nervous but balance that with her caring and compassionate nature.
*Hayes could only do one wrong*
The epilogue
What I Hated
Plot seemed a little too trival at points and some of the serious notes were pushed aside.
That period arc and the final love scene...
Hayes running hot and cold with Ares, I mean dude Man Up. Don't pull disappearing acts on a girl not once but twice.
That Toomey arc... It was confusing to me and irrelevant.
Overall I enjoyed the book and will read the rest of the books in the series.
April 19, 2020
Lots of mystery, swoon & A-HA! moments in this book. Loved all the cameos from my familiar favorites & all of the angst brewing for their offspring!
*****SLIGHTLY SPOILER-ISH*****
Ares & Hayes made for a great couple.
Ares... She was fun, relatable & determined. The passion she had for her students' well-being, the way she comforted Hayes during the fireworks show, her setting him up with Trigger... Man, it's easy to have a #girlcrush on this woman. The interactions with her family were awesome & I loved that her bff was Calloway.
Hayes... Seeing him struggle with his PTSD on an almost daily basis... My heart went out to this guy. Loved the fact that he didn't really do the pushing-away thing with Ares. He welcomed her into his inner circle & accepted her support when she offered it. Him gifting her that jacket was super cute & when he slid that ring on her finger... Be still my heart. **SIDE NOTE** Might be considered greedy here but I wanted to know even more about him. Definitely felt like we only touched the surface where his character was concerned.
Happy to see the serial killer get taken down. What an a**hat. But that untimely death of a young student... the whole situation that the student was involved in... so sad.
I'm already beyond fascinated with how the whole Booth/Delanie/Bourne/Dillan thing is gonna play out. I can't even imagine... #awkward
Very much looking forward to the next book in the series, May Contain Wine, featuring Calloway & Louis. Can't wait to how their second chance with one another plays out!
*****SLIGHTLY SPOILER-ISH*****
Ares & Hayes made for a great couple.
Ares... She was fun, relatable & determined. The passion she had for her students' well-being, the way she comforted Hayes during the fireworks show, her setting him up with Trigger... Man, it's easy to have a #girlcrush on this woman. The interactions with her family were awesome & I loved that her bff was Calloway.
Hayes... Seeing him struggle with his PTSD on an almost daily basis... My heart went out to this guy. Loved the fact that he didn't really do the pushing-away thing with Ares. He welcomed her into his inner circle & accepted her support when she offered it. Him gifting her that jacket was super cute & when he slid that ring on her finger... Be still my heart. **SIDE NOTE** Might be considered greedy here but I wanted to know even more about him. Definitely felt like we only touched the surface where his character was concerned.
Happy to see the serial killer get taken down. What an a**hat. But that untimely death of a young student... the whole situation that the student was involved in... so sad.
I'm already beyond fascinated with how the whole Booth/Delanie/Bourne/Dillan thing is gonna play out. I can't even imagine... #awkward
Very much looking forward to the next book in the series, May Contain Wine, featuring Calloway & Louis. Can't wait to how their second chance with one another plays out!
March 29, 2020
Ask Me If I Care by Lani Lynn Vale had my little heart all over the place. It went from swoony to panicking in an instant. I loved this book so much!
Hayes Greer and Ares Downy are hands down one of my favorite couples Lani has written. They were the perfect yin to the others yang. I loved that Ares and Hayes knew what the other needed even when the other may not know at that moment what they might need. Neither one of them ever let the other one push the other away. they knew what they wanted and fought for it.
This book had some great mystery and suspense moments to it as well, if you have been following the series you know about the mystery that has been tying the books together. My little suspense heart was giddy. I was rooting Hayes along from the very beginning of the book.
Ares is also a go-getter in this book. She knows how to take care of her man. She does some research for him to help him and my heart just melted. I know he did too at that moment.
If you are new to the series, it is okay because Lani will not have you feeling left out. She loops so many characters in so that you will feel right at home in this book with what is going on with the mystery and suspense.
That is one thing I love about Lani Lynn Vale's books if you read them as a series you get a glimpse at the other characters constantly to see how things are going. If you have missed a book somehow, you would never feel left out because she always has her stories intertwined yet each is standalone and you would not realize you missed anything.
Hayes Greer and Ares Downy are hands down one of my favorite couples Lani has written. They were the perfect yin to the others yang. I loved that Ares and Hayes knew what the other needed even when the other may not know at that moment what they might need. Neither one of them ever let the other one push the other away. they knew what they wanted and fought for it.
This book had some great mystery and suspense moments to it as well, if you have been following the series you know about the mystery that has been tying the books together. My little suspense heart was giddy. I was rooting Hayes along from the very beginning of the book.
Ares is also a go-getter in this book. She knows how to take care of her man. She does some research for him to help him and my heart just melted. I know he did too at that moment.
If you are new to the series, it is okay because Lani will not have you feeling left out. She loops so many characters in so that you will feel right at home in this book with what is going on with the mystery and suspense.
That is one thing I love about Lani Lynn Vale's books if you read them as a series you get a glimpse at the other characters constantly to see how things are going. If you have missed a book somehow, you would never feel left out because she always has her stories intertwined yet each is standalone and you would not realize you missed anything.
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