Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
I thought loving someone would be a dream. Easy, passionate, beautiful… my family sure makes it look that way.
So with my arm wrapped around this tiny, vulnerable woman I wonder why it’s not like that for me. It’s terrifying, controlling and delicate. It’s not her fault, it’s mine…
My life is in shambles. My father has been kidnapped. My mental health is slipping.
Her life is in shambles. Her safety has been threatened… by my father’s kidnapper.
Can I save everyone I love?
Can I stay true to myself?
Can I fall in love?
I want to say I can. But our enemies say otherwise. Especially my greatest enemy… myself.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2020

9 people are currently reading
15 people want to read

About the author

Bry Ann

32 books210 followers
HUNTER: Texas Country Criminals Book #2 is LIVE!
JAY: Texas Country Criminals Book #3 coming July 2020 :)

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
17 (89%)
4 stars
0 (0%)
3 stars
2 (10%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Karen.
1,507 reviews15 followers
July 23, 2020
So much heart and all the feels.

Jay doesn’t feel as if he fits into the mold of the Texas grown boy. He loves his family and doesn’t want to leave them, but he just doesn’t feel complete living in small town Texas, and he has never been the Texan wearing cowboy boots and hat. He’s part of the family business but that really isn’t even what he wants in life. The loss of Carson hit the family hard and he can’t bring himself to leave the family to move away, but how can he feel complete and have the life he wants if he stays in Texas? A happenstance meeting in a diner a town away could be his escape and his future. The trouble is that the tiny girl that doesn’t look like most of the other women in this town is shy and timid. Jay’s kindness and gentle nature could draw her out though.

Kailee is not your typical Texan. With her dark skin and head full of braids, she doesn’t look like most of the women in the small town she is hiding in. She’s a shy girl that is in hiding and it seems as though trouble follows her. She is hiding from a man that she thought she could always trust, but after a visit from the police that told her to go on the run, she is confused and doesn’t know what to believe anymore. The handsome, gentle man that comes into the diner she works in draws her. She’s attracted to him, but she knows that if she gets involved, she may have to leave at any time. Her presence and draw to Jay could be the end for the Shelby family though, and she can’t allow that.

I love Bry Ann’s stories. They are always full of Alpha men, kindhearted men, and strong, beautiful women that bring these tough guys to their knees and Jay did not disappoint with these characteristics. Jay is tough just like his brothers, but he has a softer heart and his relationship with Iris is testament to that softness. All of the Shelby boys adore Iris, their little sister and protect her vehemently, but Jay and Iris are closer in age and he gave her the nickname Nemo. Jay’s kind heart shows when he first sees Kailee and notices her timid personality and shyness. He’s gentle, kind, and soft with her and the chemistry between these two is off the charts, just like Kingston and Blythe, and Hunter and Taylor.

Bry Ann always leaves me wanting more of her stories and I love all of her characters. Her books are full of action, suspense, danger, great characters, and so many feels it’s hard to get through her books without shedding tears. I give this story a 5-star review and want to tell you that you need to one-click this book today. I have read all of her books and she is one of my authors that I can’t wait to read.
Profile Image for M Will.
964 reviews15 followers
July 20, 2020
The Shelby brothers are probably some of the most complex loan sharks in Texas. Who knew loan sharks had a soft heart? From the first story, Jay's character was different. Quieter, softer, kinder, Jay is fiercely loyal to his family, sacrificing his own hopes and dreams in the name of family.
Kailee is a young woman on the run, hiding from a terrible past and hoping to one day follow her own dreams.
Both lost in unsatisfying roles, the two are simply drawn to one another.
I adore Jay. His kindhearted nature simply tugs on your heart strings. Bry Ann once again doesn't hold back and starts this story off with a bang. Mysterious secrets bring forth painful truths that neither Jay nor Kailee are ready to face alone. I can't say what happened, as you must read and experience this family yourself.

I love the Shelby's and I hate that the series is at an end (or is it?). These characters are amazing as always, as Bry Ann has a gift at making characters that are endearing and relatable, even when they aren't typical "good" guys. I have yet to be unhappy with one of Bry Ann's books.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Erin.
3,531 reviews79 followers
July 24, 2020
Beautiful Sweet Story!

I absolutely loved Jay and Kailee’s story. It’s suspenseful, intense and so very sweet. It definitely tugged at my heart strings and made me laugh and cry.

Jay has found exactly what he has been looking for in Kailee. She’s shy, quiet, sweet and kind but has a darker past that she is running from. Jay is tough like the rest of his family, but he has a softer, kinder heart that calls out to Kailee wanting to help her. The chemistry between them is mind-blowing and very explosive. They are the perfect match!

I loved this story and this whole series. The characters are all phenomenal and their stories are all unique and intense. You can’t help falling in love with each and every Shelby brother.

I can’t wait to see where this amazing author takes us next.
Profile Image for Janet Villareal.
202 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2020
All the feels with this one. I knew Jay wouldn’t disappoint me.

Jay doesn’t fall into your typical “Texan loan shark” category. He has a gentleness to him that just melts your heart. He’s loyal and protective when it comes to his family. To a fault. Even if it means not following his dreams.

Kailee is a girl on the run from her past. An encounter with Jay at the diner she works at leads to a friendship and turns into love.

These two together are beyond perfect for one another. And they are my far my favorite couple Bry Ann has written.

Bry Ann knows how to write characters you fall in love with. She writes them in such a way you can feel their connection. I have loved every book I have read by her and Jay is no exception!

Profile Image for Flo₂₂.
1,613 reviews131 followers
dnf-nope
September 17, 2020
i really tried this one but ... being at 60% i still hardly liked this story, she is tooo damn innocent and so naive and he is to sweet,extremely sweet...and her story just was MEH, i mean, i though was something more serious you know? i just couldn't care about them, i felt nothing between them :( yeah it was nice how he treated her with ''gloves'' but that instantly attraction and involvement wasn't enough for me, i needed more from it.
Sadly this read wasn't good enough for me to keep my interest, i even skipped a little after the 60% and i still didn't care to finish it and find out the end of it. 🤷‍♂️😥
155 reviews
July 19, 2020
The last Shelby brother and sadly the end of another outstanding series!
Every book of Bry Anns' draws you in and you can't help but fall in love with each and every character.
I can't wait to see what comes next but know it will be just as fantastic.
Not going to write spoilers. I will just say,
Jay and Kailee click as they are so alike both have a dream that they are scared to fulfil but with each others love and support they get there in the end.
It would be great to have an Xavier spin off too!
613 reviews11 followers
July 25, 2020
An Emotional Love Story...
I have read every one of Bry Ann's books and loved them all. She creates the most extraordinary characters and this book does not disappoint. Jay is this good-looking, tough guy with a loving family and lots of good-looking brothers with their own stories of love. Kailee, is a tiny beautiful woman in hiding and working in a diner. Jay has lived near his family his entire life, but feels the desire to leave this small town and see what else is out there. This is a wonderful love story with twists and turns. So many emotions, how do you say good-bye. Read this today.
Profile Image for Elysian Fields.
2,193 reviews37 followers
July 25, 2020
This author has a way with writing. She constructs beautiful characters, heartwrenching and heartwarming emotional stories and interesting plots. This book is an excellent example of this. The story of Jay and Kailee had everything. A wonderful mix of emotions, suspense, action and heart. The story and the romance is intense and it is a must read for those looking for more out of their books. It is a standalone but I suggest reading in order. I received an ARC and I'm leaving an honest review. 4.5 stars.

Profile Image for KSwear79.
114 reviews
July 23, 2020
Who knew meeting a waitress at a diner would bring Jay to his knees?
Kailee was lost, broken, and beyond shy - but she has a whimsical secret that unlocks a side of her that brings out a whole new person and a heart of gold.

Bry Ann keeps me hooked with these amazing one-click worthy stories that have me coming back for more!
Profile Image for Tammy.
1,847 reviews12 followers
July 26, 2020
I loved Jay's story! I fell for him in the other books, he was such a sweet guy, I knew the girl he fell for would be just as sweet as him. And Kailee was exactly that, she had her own troubles to get past. These two were so perfect for each other.
Profile Image for C. Gray.
1,565 reviews16 followers
December 4, 2020
Ok I am a total happy mess of tears right now after that beautiful ending to this series. Damn you Bry Ann, I need more of these characters!! This definitely has somethings I wasn’t expecting at all and I couldn’t help it, I fell in-love with all of these characters from Ma and Pop Shelby to little Carson but my favorite will always be Conner. He grabbed my heart in Kingston and still has it, I don’t think I’ll be getting it back anytime soon either.

Bry, you’ve had me since Graveyard Girl and I will be a forever fan of your work. You are an amazing author who loves to keep us guessing and laughing at all of your characters. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next. Thank you babe!! 🖤🖤
324 reviews7 followers
August 3, 2020
Another amazing story!
How does Bry Ann keep doing it? Another amazing, hot, gorgeous man with an amazing caring, soft, loving personality for the ones he loves. Kailee is adorable beyond words.
Another fabulous backstory, of which I did have concerns about the way it would go. I won't spoil it, but I will say that I balled like a baby at the end.
Love this series!
Profile Image for Liana Vanoyan.
153 reviews6 followers
February 2, 2021
What can I say? I love Shelby brothers and Jay is awesome character,as all Shelby brothers. Jay is not your typical loan shark,he is kinder and softer,but don't be deceived, fierce and loyal to his family. He is fierce and loyal towards his feelings to Kailee. Kailee is the girl who hides from her past and she is perfect match to our Jay. Loved the story as usual 🥰🥰🥰
Profile Image for Bry Ann.
Author 32 books210 followers
July 13, 2020
I hope you love them like I do. I hope the series ended the way you hoped. <3
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.