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Lost Boys #1
Daring Devlin
I make my own luck. Abandoned as a child, I was raised by bookies and gamblers, but now I run a profitable restaurant and live in a high-rise. My life may be subsidized by the mob, but it’s a damn good life for an orphan like me. Or it was until I trusted the wrong people…
Bloody and beaten, I stagger to the nearest house and fall into the arms of waitress-slash-good girl, Rena Lewis. I recognize her from work. She’s quiet, alert, but I bring out her wild side. In fact, I’m beginning to suspect she’s not such a good girl after all.Never one to be tied down, no one’s more surprised than me when Rena awakens my protective side.
While she’s sharing my bed and I’m planning our future, I realize that protecting her from the “bad guys” could include me. Love, as it turns out, doesn’t always mean saying you’re sorry. Sometimes it means saying goodbye.
*Daring Devlin (formerly Fighting for Devlin) has been completely reedited and features a fresh, swoonworthy ending!
Bloody and beaten, I stagger to the nearest house and fall into the arms of waitress-slash-good girl, Rena Lewis. I recognize her from work. She’s quiet, alert, but I bring out her wild side. In fact, I’m beginning to suspect she’s not such a good girl after all.Never one to be tied down, no one’s more surprised than me when Rena awakens my protective side.
While she’s sharing my bed and I’m planning our future, I realize that protecting her from the “bad guys” could include me. Love, as it turns out, doesn’t always mean saying you’re sorry. Sometimes it means saying goodbye.
*Daring Devlin (formerly Fighting for Devlin) has been completely reedited and features a fresh, swoonworthy ending!
242 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2015
30 people are currently reading
1211 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lemmon
205 books1,916 followersJessica Lemmon is a former job-hopper who resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dogs. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing emotionally-charged stories, she spends her time drawing, drinking coffee, and laughing with friends. Her motto is Read for fun, and she believes we should all do more of what makes us happy.
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October 8, 2015
Fighting for Devlin is book one in the Lost Boys series by Jessica Lemmon. This book was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley, Random House and by Jessica Lemmon.
Devlin Calvary’s mom left when he was very small and he was raised by his dad. But at age eighteen, he lost him as well. In the midst of his grief, Devlin was taken in by his dad’s friend Paul. His dad’s bookie, Sonny, to which his dad owed a considerable amount of money, also took him under his wing, helping him to take over running his father’s restaurant, Oak & Sage. In return, Devlin acted as delivery boy for payments back and forth of Sonny’s dealings. Both Sonny and Paul and been like father figures to Devlin and he feels obligated to the both of them. Business is good at Oak & Sage and he has just hired a pretty new waitress, Rena Lewis. Devlin knows that it is important to stay away from the hired help. But he can’t help but feel pulled to Rena for some reason.
Rena is struggling trying to learn her new job as a server at Oak & Sage. And she can’t help but to notice her sexy new boss. But he is clearly out of her league. Four years ago, Rena might have thought of herself as a wild child. But something tragic happened, something she feels completely responsible for. So she has spent the years since trying to be the good girl, trying to make amends. Still, she can tell under that suit and tie, her new boss is anything but the good guy. There is definitely a bad boy there. But then, her new boss showed up on her door step, beaten and bloody, needing her help. Rena didn’t hesitate to open the door and let him in.
That night changed everything between Rena and Devlin. The attraction between them is so strong and it is only a matter of time until they can’t fight it anymore. And let me tell you, they have some sizzling hot chemistry. Devlin is most definitely a bad boy and he brings something out in Rena that has long since been buried, reawakening her in so many ways.
“I’m not what you’re used to. But, I’m what you like.”
Devlin’s life becomes more complicated as he is betrayed by one of the people he trusted the most. This in turn forces Devlin to make some important decisions, trying to remain loyal to the people that helped him in his time of need. But then there is Rena. He knows he should stay away from her. But he can’t. He knows he’ll end up hurting her, but he needs her.
“I thought of Rena, and the way she fit against me like a missing puzzle piece. Like she’d been cut and sanded to lock into my chest. Like she’d been created to be mine.”
As Rena falls more and more for Devlin, she has to decide if this is a life she can fit into. But since Devlin came in to her life, she can’t imagine it without him.
“I could have had safe, I reminded myself as I tasted him. I could’ve had nice. I could’ve had a guy on the right side of the law."
This was my first Jessica Lemmon book and I have to say that it won’t be my last. Devlin is most definitely a bad boy but his situation is one that he inherited. I have to admit there are quite a few times I didn’t like him very much or the choices he made. But when the right woman comes in to his life, he sees something different for himself. He sees a future that could happen. Can he get out of his dealings with Sonny? Could he be happy with a good girl? Would she be happy with him?
This book was full of sizzling hot sexy times and plenty of sweet moments as well. I definitely will be watching for the next book to come out in this series.
Devlin Calvary’s mom left when he was very small and he was raised by his dad. But at age eighteen, he lost him as well. In the midst of his grief, Devlin was taken in by his dad’s friend Paul. His dad’s bookie, Sonny, to which his dad owed a considerable amount of money, also took him under his wing, helping him to take over running his father’s restaurant, Oak & Sage. In return, Devlin acted as delivery boy for payments back and forth of Sonny’s dealings. Both Sonny and Paul and been like father figures to Devlin and he feels obligated to the both of them. Business is good at Oak & Sage and he has just hired a pretty new waitress, Rena Lewis. Devlin knows that it is important to stay away from the hired help. But he can’t help but feel pulled to Rena for some reason.
Rena is struggling trying to learn her new job as a server at Oak & Sage. And she can’t help but to notice her sexy new boss. But he is clearly out of her league. Four years ago, Rena might have thought of herself as a wild child. But something tragic happened, something she feels completely responsible for. So she has spent the years since trying to be the good girl, trying to make amends. Still, she can tell under that suit and tie, her new boss is anything but the good guy. There is definitely a bad boy there. But then, her new boss showed up on her door step, beaten and bloody, needing her help. Rena didn’t hesitate to open the door and let him in.
That night changed everything between Rena and Devlin. The attraction between them is so strong and it is only a matter of time until they can’t fight it anymore. And let me tell you, they have some sizzling hot chemistry. Devlin is most definitely a bad boy and he brings something out in Rena that has long since been buried, reawakening her in so many ways.
“I’m not what you’re used to. But, I’m what you like.”
Devlin’s life becomes more complicated as he is betrayed by one of the people he trusted the most. This in turn forces Devlin to make some important decisions, trying to remain loyal to the people that helped him in his time of need. But then there is Rena. He knows he should stay away from her. But he can’t. He knows he’ll end up hurting her, but he needs her.
“I thought of Rena, and the way she fit against me like a missing puzzle piece. Like she’d been cut and sanded to lock into my chest. Like she’d been created to be mine.”
As Rena falls more and more for Devlin, she has to decide if this is a life she can fit into. But since Devlin came in to her life, she can’t imagine it without him.
“I could have had safe, I reminded myself as I tasted him. I could’ve had nice. I could’ve had a guy on the right side of the law."
This was my first Jessica Lemmon book and I have to say that it won’t be my last. Devlin is most definitely a bad boy but his situation is one that he inherited. I have to admit there are quite a few times I didn’t like him very much or the choices he made. But when the right woman comes in to his life, he sees something different for himself. He sees a future that could happen. Can he get out of his dealings with Sonny? Could he be happy with a good girl? Would she be happy with him?
This book was full of sizzling hot sexy times and plenty of sweet moments as well. I definitely will be watching for the next book to come out in this series.
October 3, 2020
"And life's too short to hold back how you feel. No matter the consequences."
I haven't read the old book before Jessica had her second crack at it, so I have no idea of what changed. This was my first time meeting Devlin and Rena.
I took my time with this one. It felt right, taking my time, even though I sometimes wanted to skip sleeping and just read through it.
The bottom line is - there’s a depth to this story that made me feel quite emotional at times.
Devlin... It didn't take me long to like Devlin. Yes, he was kind of rude, mean and broody, but you feel for him later on and you understand why he needed to be like that. People who have been left behind as much as he has will most likely find it hard to be the sharing, caring type.
Rena comes off as the good girl, the one who went through trauma and who is alone and filled with guilt. More than alone, she is deeply lonely. She is so far from what Devlin is that she shouldn't want him, but she does. Because she's not that much of a good girl and honestly... it’s oh so easy to step into her shoes at times.
When they come together, yes, sparks fly. It's not about taming him, or changing her - ir's about who they are, together.
Jessica Lemmon writes the best bad boys, because her bad boys have a lot more going on beneath the surface, if you're willing to look. Devlin is just that kind of bad boy.
The guy who had it hard since he was a kid and just rolled with the punches, and the girl who just wanted to be seen for who she really is both needed love, hope, and redemption.
Jessica Lemmon tells us a story about redemption. And the redemption these two people needed could only be found in each other.
I highly recommend this book.
I haven't read the old book before Jessica had her second crack at it, so I have no idea of what changed. This was my first time meeting Devlin and Rena.
I took my time with this one. It felt right, taking my time, even though I sometimes wanted to skip sleeping and just read through it.
The bottom line is - there’s a depth to this story that made me feel quite emotional at times.
Devlin... It didn't take me long to like Devlin. Yes, he was kind of rude, mean and broody, but you feel for him later on and you understand why he needed to be like that. People who have been left behind as much as he has will most likely find it hard to be the sharing, caring type.
Rena comes off as the good girl, the one who went through trauma and who is alone and filled with guilt. More than alone, she is deeply lonely. She is so far from what Devlin is that she shouldn't want him, but she does. Because she's not that much of a good girl and honestly... it’s oh so easy to step into her shoes at times.
When they come together, yes, sparks fly. It's not about taming him, or changing her - ir's about who they are, together.
Jessica Lemmon writes the best bad boys, because her bad boys have a lot more going on beneath the surface, if you're willing to look. Devlin is just that kind of bad boy.
The guy who had it hard since he was a kid and just rolled with the punches, and the girl who just wanted to be seen for who she really is both needed love, hope, and redemption.
Jessica Lemmon tells us a story about redemption. And the redemption these two people needed could only be found in each other.
I highly recommend this book.
October 2, 2015
One thing i hate is when an author tries to set the scene for a future book in the current book i'm reading... It seems like a cheap marketing scheme and i don't like it at all. If you would just focus on your current book then maybe you'd be able to write a whole, emotional story. I'm pretty sure we'll be hearing from this author for Cade's and Tasha's story soon.
I didn't know whether to rate this book 2 or 3 stars, it's more like a 2.5 to be honest... The story was OK, but the main characters, Devlin and Rena, were kinda blunt. There was no depth to their characters and i couldn't connect with them. The first 20% of the book was kinda repetitive especially with Rena's inner monologue about how hot Devlin is and how fucked up she is after
Overall, a superficial read that i wouldn't recommend. Not bad, just not my cuppa.
PS. Sorry about the short, plain review but i just can't...!!!
I didn't know whether to rate this book 2 or 3 stars, it's more like a 2.5 to be honest... The story was OK, but the main characters, Devlin and Rena, were kinda blunt. There was no depth to their characters and i couldn't connect with them. The first 20% of the book was kinda repetitive especially with Rena's inner monologue about how hot Devlin is and how fucked up she is after
Overall, a superficial read that i wouldn't recommend. Not bad, just not my cuppa.
PS. Sorry about the short, plain review but i just can't...!!!
November 18, 2015
2.5 - On the fence… Stars.
I have not had the pleasure of reading anything by Jessica Lemmon, prior to starting Fighting for Devlin but I had heard good things from my other Goodreads friends, so had expectations of getting a good story from the first book in her new Lost Boys series.
It started out ok, I like a romance which is built around a unique setting and illegal gambling is certainly something that I don’t come across with any regularity, I think my issue is that everything else all felt a little too ’teen angst’ for me. Rena, is dealing with the usual tropes and background issues, which isn’t a problem for me, but I need it to be well written and engaging, this just didn’t pull me in, I should have been feeling empathy for the things she had been through, but it just got annoying after a while which is explained in my next paragraph.
There is a HUGE amount of repetition of certain thoughts and plot points through this story. A lot of the time it felt like Rena mentioned she hadn’t had a date or been with a guy in four years in almost every other paragraph, add that to the fact her internal monologue read a lot of time like a young girl writing in her journal, and it was a struggle to really put her in a specific age bracket. Her best friend also didn’t offer anything likeable or act very rational, in the mature adult stakes which didn’t help either. The whole representation of the female race in the book wasn't very positive, or mature for the most-part.
Devlin was ok, your A-typical bad boy, darkly brooding with a past and a bit of an attitude. Circumstances are not going in his favour for a lot of the book, and I liked that part of it. But I struggled to really feel or see much of a connection between him and Rena, they maturity levels were just too skewed to work together that well as a cohesive couple.
I have mixed feelings about this book, there were glimmers of things I liked, but all-in-all it didn’t really offer anything new or different to books in this genre that are already out there. The unusual trope wasn’t really explored that much, and the relationship between them was just all a little bland. I would consider reading more from this author, I am not sure whether this series is for me though.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
I have not had the pleasure of reading anything by Jessica Lemmon, prior to starting Fighting for Devlin but I had heard good things from my other Goodreads friends, so had expectations of getting a good story from the first book in her new Lost Boys series.
It started out ok, I like a romance which is built around a unique setting and illegal gambling is certainly something that I don’t come across with any regularity, I think my issue is that everything else all felt a little too ’teen angst’ for me. Rena, is dealing with the usual tropes and background issues, which isn’t a problem for me, but I need it to be well written and engaging, this just didn’t pull me in, I should have been feeling empathy for the things she had been through, but it just got annoying after a while which is explained in my next paragraph.
There is a HUGE amount of repetition of certain thoughts and plot points through this story. A lot of the time it felt like Rena mentioned she hadn’t had a date or been with a guy in four years in almost every other paragraph, add that to the fact her internal monologue read a lot of time like a young girl writing in her journal, and it was a struggle to really put her in a specific age bracket. Her best friend also didn’t offer anything likeable or act very rational, in the mature adult stakes which didn’t help either. The whole representation of the female race in the book wasn't very positive, or mature for the most-part.
Devlin was ok, your A-typical bad boy, darkly brooding with a past and a bit of an attitude. Circumstances are not going in his favour for a lot of the book, and I liked that part of it. But I struggled to really feel or see much of a connection between him and Rena, they maturity levels were just too skewed to work together that well as a cohesive couple.
I have mixed feelings about this book, there were glimmers of things I liked, but all-in-all it didn’t really offer anything new or different to books in this genre that are already out there. The unusual trope wasn’t really explored that much, and the relationship between them was just all a little bland. I would consider reading more from this author, I am not sure whether this series is for me though.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
November 20, 2015
What I liked about this book:
- Interesting story line involving illegal gambling. Devlin helps run an illegal gambling operation through his restaurant. He's kind of the enforcer when people don't pay and he has to collect.
-The sexy scenes were smoking hot!
-Interesting side characters - I can't wait for Cade's book!
What I didn't like about this book:
-It took until about 60% for me to actually like Devlin at all. He was a huge jerk to Rena for a lot of the book.
-I didn't like that Rena put up with so much from Devlin in the beginning. I felt like she was weak and let Devlin use her in the beginning.
Overall, there were things I liked and things I didn't like about this book but it was an interesting story with some good steamy scenes. I think I would've enjoyed this one so much more if Devlin wasn't such an ass at the beginning. I get that he's a bad boy but I really didn't like how he treated Rena at first. I did really like the resolution at the end and the way Devlin transformed by the end of the book. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
- Interesting story line involving illegal gambling. Devlin helps run an illegal gambling operation through his restaurant. He's kind of the enforcer when people don't pay and he has to collect.
-The sexy scenes were smoking hot!
-Interesting side characters - I can't wait for Cade's book!
What I didn't like about this book:
-It took until about 60% for me to actually like Devlin at all. He was a huge jerk to Rena for a lot of the book.
-I didn't like that Rena put up with so much from Devlin in the beginning. I felt like she was weak and let Devlin use her in the beginning.
Overall, there were things I liked and things I didn't like about this book but it was an interesting story with some good steamy scenes. I think I would've enjoyed this one so much more if Devlin wasn't such an ass at the beginning. I get that he's a bad boy but I really didn't like how he treated Rena at first. I did really like the resolution at the end and the way Devlin transformed by the end of the book. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
November 27, 2015
I'm going to keep this short because I'm trying to catch up on some reviews and I don't really have a lot to say about this book.
This was my first book by Jessica Lemmon and the first in her new Lost Boys series. I liked the writing style and I'll definitely be reading more from her but not sure about this particular series. I enjoyed the book but overall it left me a little bored and I'm not too sure how I felt about Devlin. It just didn't seem like we got to really no him and he was pretty one dimensional for me so I was left wanting more from him.
Honestly I can't really say how I truly felt about this book since I'm on the fence about it. Sometimes I found myself enjoying it a lot but then I would get bored and even annoyed when the angst level got way too high and seemed a little too high school for me.
Overall it was an okay story and I still recommend the book because through my issues I did enjoy a good bit of the story. I think I may give this authors Second Chance series a try and I hope it's more my thing.
This was my first book by Jessica Lemmon and the first in her new Lost Boys series. I liked the writing style and I'll definitely be reading more from her but not sure about this particular series. I enjoyed the book but overall it left me a little bored and I'm not too sure how I felt about Devlin. It just didn't seem like we got to really no him and he was pretty one dimensional for me so I was left wanting more from him.
Honestly I can't really say how I truly felt about this book since I'm on the fence about it. Sometimes I found myself enjoying it a lot but then I would get bored and even annoyed when the angst level got way too high and seemed a little too high school for me.
Overall it was an okay story and I still recommend the book because through my issues I did enjoy a good bit of the story. I think I may give this authors Second Chance series a try and I hope it's more my thing.
November 1, 2015
The Good : What do you do when your life seems to be going one way and then one incident - you get your butt kicked by two bookie’s goons, for example - changes your perspective? Devlin is busy running his successful restaurant while collecting bets for his “uncle” Sonny. It’s not the usual college setting like alot of new adult romance, so kudos for that. This story is told from dual POV, though I still felt like i knew Devlin better than I did Rena by the end of it. I enjoyed the idea of the gambling angle, and how Devlin’s torn between the life he’s known and the possibility of just running his restaurant without this illegal activity hanging over his head. The sexual chemistry certainly works and the sex scenes generated good heat. However...
The Bad : I just didn’t think there was much of an emotional connection between Devlin and Rena that isn’t explained by hormones. Rena has some time spent on her sad history, but mostly, it’s her obsession with Devlin’s looks and bad boy charm, which made the first quarter of the book feel a little repetitious. They barely speak to each other, except when Devlin is using Rena (though he feels a bit of guilt about it) to collect bets from customers. Had there been some time spent in letting them get to know one another beyond their sexual connection, perhaps I would have liked it more. As it is, I was just bored.
Everything in Between : Devlin and Rena are nice enough characters, and while they have their moments, alot of it could be attributed to their age and inexperience. If there is one overriding issue with the story, it’s that it’s drawn in shallow strokes. The gambling is part of it, but it never felt very dangerous. The romance never goes very deep and the big obstacle fell flat for me. There is a setup for another book, but unfortunately I was completely turned off by her friend Tasha and Cade did nothing for me.
It was ok. The sex was good, the plot was alright, but I didn't connect with the romance and that's the heart of it all. I'm not sure I would continue with the series.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
October 29, 2020
"And life's too short to hold back how you feel. No matter the consequences."
I haven't read the old book before Jessica had her second crack at it, so I have no idea of what changed. This was my first time meeting Devlin and Rena.
I took my time with this one. It felt right, taking my time, even though I sometimes wanted to skip sleeping and just read through it.
The bottom line is - there’s a depth to this story that made me feel quite emotional at times.
Devlin... It didn't take me long to like Devlin. Yes, he was kind of rude, mean and broody, but you feel for him later on and you understand why he needed to be like that. People who have been left behind as much as he has will most likely find it hard to be the sharing, caring type.
Rena comes off as the good girl, the one who went through trauma and who is alone and filled with guilt. More than alone, she is deeply lonely. She is so far from what Devlin is that she shouldn't want him, but she does. Because she's not that much of a good girl and honestly... it’s oh so easy to step into her shoes at times.
When they come together, yes, sparks fly. It's not about taming him, or changing her - ir's about who they are, together.
Jessica Lemmon writes the best bad boys, because her bad boys have a lot more going on beneath the surface, if you're willing to look. Devlin is just that kind of bad boy.
The guy who had it hard since he was a kid and just rolled with the punches, and the girl who just wanted to be seen for who she really is both needed love, hope, and redemption.
Jessica Lemmon tells us a story about redemption. And the redemption these two people needed could only be found in each other.
I highly recommend this book.
I haven't read the old book before Jessica had her second crack at it, so I have no idea of what changed. This was my first time meeting Devlin and Rena.
I took my time with this one. It felt right, taking my time, even though I sometimes wanted to skip sleeping and just read through it.
The bottom line is - there’s a depth to this story that made me feel quite emotional at times.
Devlin... It didn't take me long to like Devlin. Yes, he was kind of rude, mean and broody, but you feel for him later on and you understand why he needed to be like that. People who have been left behind as much as he has will most likely find it hard to be the sharing, caring type.
Rena comes off as the good girl, the one who went through trauma and who is alone and filled with guilt. More than alone, she is deeply lonely. She is so far from what Devlin is that she shouldn't want him, but she does. Because she's not that much of a good girl and honestly... it’s oh so easy to step into her shoes at times.
When they come together, yes, sparks fly. It's not about taming him, or changing her - ir's about who they are, together.
Jessica Lemmon writes the best bad boys, because her bad boys have a lot more going on beneath the surface, if you're willing to look. Devlin is just that kind of bad boy.
The guy who had it hard since he was a kid and just rolled with the punches, and the girl who just wanted to be seen for who she really is both needed love, hope, and redemption.
Jessica Lemmon tells us a story about redemption. And the redemption these two people needed could only be found in each other.
I highly recommend this book.
June 13, 2018
I was expecting much more than what I got with this one, that's why when I recommend books I hold my breath they like it, we all have different ways of reading a book [if you know what I mean] so my expectations were higher than what was delivered, now, that is not the books fault, its entirely mine.
October 2, 2015
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review closer to release date.
Review closer to release date.
September 24, 2015
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS!
Rena Lewis is a waitress at a bistro called Oak & Sage. She's not the only one who enjoys the sight of sexy Devlin Calvary, the General manager. With his medium length dark hair and intense blue eyes, he's a sight to behold. One who was completely out of reach for the likes of Rena. At least that's what she thought.
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Devlin is no stranger to trouble. He's the in between of collecting/receiving money on bets. He is betrayed one night by someone he thought of as family resulting in a good beating. That puts him on Rena's doorstep one cold night. She allows him in and provides him what ever she can. This is the beginning of a "friendly" relationship. This thing they have together is not long term where he's concerned. Just a helping hand for his illegal line of work. We know how that goes sometimes, the plan fails and they feel more for each other.
Where Devlin feels he's a bad guy and she's a good girl who deserves better. Rena carries a burden, the death of her first and only love Joshua. She hasn't had any type of relationship since that tragic night 4 years earlier. Devlin makes her feel again. Thoughts cross his mind about what it would be like to have a normal life. Someone who loves him, more than that, someone who will stay. He sees that no matter what Rena learns about him, she never leaves. Maybe there is reason to put an end to the wrong doings and live life the way he should. But, will Sonny, his boss allow him to get out without any problems. will Devlin push Rena away for her own safety, or will Rena become his permanent partner in crime? This is a very easy going crime book if you need a piece of sexy "trouble" but light violence and sex. This would be it. It's a terrific read.
**ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group via Net Galley**
Thank you.
Rena Lewis is a waitress at a bistro called Oak & Sage. She's not the only one who enjoys the sight of sexy Devlin Calvary, the General manager. With his medium length dark hair and intense blue eyes, he's a sight to behold. One who was completely out of reach for the likes of Rena. At least that's what she thought.
[image error]
Devlin is no stranger to trouble. He's the in between of collecting/receiving money on bets. He is betrayed one night by someone he thought of as family resulting in a good beating. That puts him on Rena's doorstep one cold night. She allows him in and provides him what ever she can. This is the beginning of a "friendly" relationship. This thing they have together is not long term where he's concerned. Just a helping hand for his illegal line of work. We know how that goes sometimes, the plan fails and they feel more for each other.
Where Devlin feels he's a bad guy and she's a good girl who deserves better. Rena carries a burden, the death of her first and only love Joshua. She hasn't had any type of relationship since that tragic night 4 years earlier. Devlin makes her feel again. Thoughts cross his mind about what it would be like to have a normal life. Someone who loves him, more than that, someone who will stay. He sees that no matter what Rena learns about him, she never leaves. Maybe there is reason to put an end to the wrong doings and live life the way he should. But, will Sonny, his boss allow him to get out without any problems. will Devlin push Rena away for her own safety, or will Rena become his permanent partner in crime? This is a very easy going crime book if you need a piece of sexy "trouble" but light violence and sex. This would be it. It's a terrific read.
**ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group via Net Galley**
Thank you.
August 21, 2015
I swear Lemmon writes the best bad boys.. They make me want to jump into every book.
This is the first book in a new series and I have to say it was a little different. We meet Devlin whose raised by around bookies and gamblers. He runs a restaurant where he meets a waitress Rena. Rena has gone through her own troubles but both these characters call to each other and the pull is strong.
I thought the plot was different and exciting with the whole bookie and thugs. I can say right now I don't remember reading a book with a plot like this. It wasn't boring and I was dying to see what would happen with Devlin and how Rena could save him.
Rena and Devlin balanced each other out well. What I think started was mutual attraction that turned into maybe just sex but as the story progresses you can see Devlin wants to be a better man for Rena. These two have some steamy scenes.
Lately I have been reading a lot of book with both characters pov and yup this one has it. It's always great to read what each character is thinking and feeling when so many things are going on.
This is a new series I am really looking forward to reading and I can't wait to see what happens along the way. This book doesn't end in a cliffhanger but the ending does set up for Caden's book which will be next. Yippee!
This is the first book in a new series and I have to say it was a little different. We meet Devlin whose raised by around bookies and gamblers. He runs a restaurant where he meets a waitress Rena. Rena has gone through her own troubles but both these characters call to each other and the pull is strong.
I thought the plot was different and exciting with the whole bookie and thugs. I can say right now I don't remember reading a book with a plot like this. It wasn't boring and I was dying to see what would happen with Devlin and how Rena could save him.
Rena and Devlin balanced each other out well. What I think started was mutual attraction that turned into maybe just sex but as the story progresses you can see Devlin wants to be a better man for Rena. These two have some steamy scenes.
Lately I have been reading a lot of book with both characters pov and yup this one has it. It's always great to read what each character is thinking and feeling when so many things are going on.
This is a new series I am really looking forward to reading and I can't wait to see what happens along the way. This book doesn't end in a cliffhanger but the ending does set up for Caden's book which will be next. Yippee!
November 18, 2015
I must admit I had high hopes and was let down quite a bit. Devlin and Rena's story had such potential but it fell a bit flat for me. There was a bit too much not making sense which I couldn't ignore. Overall, the read was enjoyable which is why it gets 3.75 stars from me.
Devlin's a young business owner but also has his hands some less than legal stuff. He notices Rena, his new waitress, but never intends for anything outside of noticing to happen until he ends up on her doorsteps bloody and beaten. He takes interest in her and she's more than aware of him.
Rena takes the waitress position since her crafts place she use to work at went out of business. It's impossible for her to not notice Devlin for several reasons including the fact that he's eye candy. She begins an odd sort of relationship with him that turns to love, bettering him in the process.
I found it relatively easy to read so the writing was horrible but maybe the overall layout of the story couple with the writing style is what annoyed me. I'm unable to pinpoint exactly what it was that made me struggle to love the story. I also felt that it pushed towards the end which I'm finding I feel a lot these days when reading and I need authors to knock it off!
Devlin's a young business owner but also has his hands some less than legal stuff. He notices Rena, his new waitress, but never intends for anything outside of noticing to happen until he ends up on her doorsteps bloody and beaten. He takes interest in her and she's more than aware of him.
Rena takes the waitress position since her crafts place she use to work at went out of business. It's impossible for her to not notice Devlin for several reasons including the fact that he's eye candy. She begins an odd sort of relationship with him that turns to love, bettering him in the process.
I found it relatively easy to read so the writing was horrible but maybe the overall layout of the story couple with the writing style is what annoyed me. I'm unable to pinpoint exactly what it was that made me struggle to love the story. I also felt that it pushed towards the end which I'm finding I feel a lot these days when reading and I need authors to knock it off!
December 9, 2015
DNF.
These character's reminded me of my friend's dating in high school. No thanks.
These character's reminded me of my friend's dating in high school. No thanks.
November 20, 2015
Coffee dates with Fighting for Devlin
First date: We meet Rena and Devlin at his restaurant the Oak & Sage. Rena lost the love of her life when she was eighteen and has not date seriously since. Devlin had a rough childhood, but now owns the restaurant left to him by his father. By all appearance Devlin seems to be living the good life with fancy suits, car and high-rise apartment. He can have any woman he wants, but looks are deceiving. Rena seems like a whole some good girl, and she is certainly trying to be..but is that really living? Lemmon drew me in and has me interested in both characters and discovering what is really going on in Devlin’s life. I am all in. Rena is attracted to Devlin and her awkwardness around him is adorkable.
Second date: Flirting has begun and we are finally getting the deets on Devlin. While some of his actions have me wanting to slap him in the back of the head, I have gone soft for him. Especially after seeing the way, he deals with the man who helped him when his father died. He has a code and I appreciate that. Something goes terribly wrong and he ends up on Rena’s doorstep beaten and needing to borrow a phone. The chemistry between them sizzles and Devlin awakens the bad girl within Rena. Their relationship is interesting, both have closed themselves off from the world and slowly we see the other seeping into those carefully constructed walls. I want all the barriers down, so I am gearing up for date three. Secondary characters added to the story and I am looking forward to their stories. Lemmon delivers heat and oh-la-la is it is smokin' hot.
Third date: Devlin wants Rena, in fact, I think both of them realize what they are feeling but hold back and keep their emotions in check. I like that Rena does not push but neither does she cling. Things get complicated when Delvin’s secrets and family matters enter the picture. Both characters spend time evaluating themselves and I love that this was not a “you fix me” type romance. Lemmon added depth, and the events felt realistic. Of course, she put us all through the ringer a little in search of our HEA, but I was delighted with the way this date wrapped up.
Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
First date: We meet Rena and Devlin at his restaurant the Oak & Sage. Rena lost the love of her life when she was eighteen and has not date seriously since. Devlin had a rough childhood, but now owns the restaurant left to him by his father. By all appearance Devlin seems to be living the good life with fancy suits, car and high-rise apartment. He can have any woman he wants, but looks are deceiving. Rena seems like a whole some good girl, and she is certainly trying to be..but is that really living? Lemmon drew me in and has me interested in both characters and discovering what is really going on in Devlin’s life. I am all in. Rena is attracted to Devlin and her awkwardness around him is adorkable.
Second date: Flirting has begun and we are finally getting the deets on Devlin. While some of his actions have me wanting to slap him in the back of the head, I have gone soft for him. Especially after seeing the way, he deals with the man who helped him when his father died. He has a code and I appreciate that. Something goes terribly wrong and he ends up on Rena’s doorstep beaten and needing to borrow a phone. The chemistry between them sizzles and Devlin awakens the bad girl within Rena. Their relationship is interesting, both have closed themselves off from the world and slowly we see the other seeping into those carefully constructed walls. I want all the barriers down, so I am gearing up for date three. Secondary characters added to the story and I am looking forward to their stories. Lemmon delivers heat and oh-la-la is it is smokin' hot.
Third date: Devlin wants Rena, in fact, I think both of them realize what they are feeling but hold back and keep their emotions in check. I like that Rena does not push but neither does she cling. Things get complicated when Delvin’s secrets and family matters enter the picture. Both characters spend time evaluating themselves and I love that this was not a “you fix me” type romance. Lemmon added depth, and the events felt realistic. Of course, she put us all through the ringer a little in search of our HEA, but I was delighted with the way this date wrapped up.
Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
January 27, 2021
I absolutely LOVED this one! With one of my favorite authors venturing into the NA world I wasn't sure what to expect but I must say she did an amazing job. It's not the typical college campus NA story, it's so much more with one very yummy bad boy and a good girl with a wild side she keeps hidden. My one negative critique would be that while Devlin and Rena definitely had chemistry, I would have liked to see a bit more about their emotional relationship rather than just the physical. With that said, it was still a book I couldn't put down and would definitely recommend to others.
Can't wait for Cade's story!
Can't wait for Cade's story!
November 13, 2015
4.5 stars
Jessica Lemmon is an author I have been trying to make time to read ever since I saw all the great reviews for her Second Chance series. She lives in Ohio so of course she's awesome... and probably an awesome writer, too ;) So when I saw my two favorite bloggers grab the first book in her new Lost Boys series, Fighting for Devlin, I knew what my next step was... copy what they did and request the book.
One rainy Saturday afternoon later and I'm swooning and fangirling all over Jessica Lemmon. If all her books are written this well, her and I are going to be best book buddies.
I loved the balance of romance, turmoil, and perpetual questioning about how these two perfectly paired souls will get to their HEA despite all the obstacles in the way.
Devlin grew up with nothing but obstacles in his way. Raised by his gambling father most of his life, his father died when Devlin was 18 years old, leaving him with a restaurant to run and lots of debt on it. Giving Devlin a home was his father's best friend. Helping Devlin run the restaurant was his father's bookie. Because illegal activity was around his restaurant, Devlin made it a policy not to sleep with the "help". Better safe than sorry later when he ended up in jail after a mad ex turned him in to the cops.
Rena just started working at Devlin's restaurant and she is most certainly NOT looking for a date or a boyfriend. Okay, maybe she could be talked into a hookup because Devlin is looking so fiiine. But he is very broody, scary, and generally only grunts commands at people. It doesn't really matter though; Rena is just fine going home to her apartment and being by herself. She's been doing it for the last four years since she messed up big time. She is still having trouble getting over the consequences of her past choices. She secretly longs to go back to the "old Rena" but she's afraid to give it a shot.
I love a story that has me looking at the world through another set of eyes or from a completely different perspective. This "Not-Really-a-Spoiler" idea makes perfect sense but I never would have thought about it before. Awesome idea, Ms. Lemmon!
Overall I loved this couple and how they worked through their differences to be together. It was a complex story straight to the end and I thoroughly enjoyed every sneaky page of it! I really wish I could talk more about some of the awesome characters in the story but I'm afraid in doing so, I might accidentally give away some of the mystery to the story, or at the very least, you'd figure out who the good guys and bad guys are.
Devlin a bad guy... pish...
Review appears on
Jessica Lemmon is an author I have been trying to make time to read ever since I saw all the great reviews for her Second Chance series. She lives in Ohio so of course she's awesome... and probably an awesome writer, too ;) So when I saw my two favorite bloggers grab the first book in her new Lost Boys series, Fighting for Devlin, I knew what my next step was... copy what they did and request the book.
One rainy Saturday afternoon later and I'm swooning and fangirling all over Jessica Lemmon. If all her books are written this well, her and I are going to be best book buddies.
I loved the balance of romance, turmoil, and perpetual questioning about how these two perfectly paired souls will get to their HEA despite all the obstacles in the way.
Devlin grew up with nothing but obstacles in his way. Raised by his gambling father most of his life, his father died when Devlin was 18 years old, leaving him with a restaurant to run and lots of debt on it. Giving Devlin a home was his father's best friend. Helping Devlin run the restaurant was his father's bookie. Because illegal activity was around his restaurant, Devlin made it a policy not to sleep with the "help". Better safe than sorry later when he ended up in jail after a mad ex turned him in to the cops.
Rena just started working at Devlin's restaurant and she is most certainly NOT looking for a date or a boyfriend. Okay, maybe she could be talked into a hookup because Devlin is looking so fiiine. But he is very broody, scary, and generally only grunts commands at people. It doesn't really matter though; Rena is just fine going home to her apartment and being by herself. She's been doing it for the last four years since she messed up big time. She is still having trouble getting over the consequences of her past choices. She secretly longs to go back to the "old Rena" but she's afraid to give it a shot.
I love a story that has me looking at the world through another set of eyes or from a completely different perspective. This "Not-Really-a-Spoiler" idea makes perfect sense but I never would have thought about it before. Awesome idea, Ms. Lemmon!
Overall I loved this couple and how they worked through their differences to be together. It was a complex story straight to the end and I thoroughly enjoyed every sneaky page of it! I really wish I could talk more about some of the awesome characters in the story but I'm afraid in doing so, I might accidentally give away some of the mystery to the story, or at the very least, you'd figure out who the good guys and bad guys are.
Devlin a bad guy... pish...
Review appears on
January 6, 2016
"Fighting for Devlin" , was graciously provided by Loveswept via Netgalley for an honest review.
Devlin Calvary the owner of the Oak and Sage is a hot, good looking, bad boy and a distraction that Rena Lewis nows she should stay away from, especially since he is her boss.
Rena, recently started working at Oak and Sage , she may find Devlin attractive. And he has helped her when least expected but; Rena is a good girl these days. Gone are the days of being the bad girl. That only leads to heartache and nightmares far easier to just keep her head down and do her job and not get involved.
Devlin is trying to keep his distance from the new girl, sure he finds her attractive , but he has to keep his distance for two reasons, she is his employee and second just to good for him.
Devlin Calvary , is young and doing well financially running the restaurant his parents started, sure it is not all on the up and up, after his father passed away having already lost his mother earlier he was taken in by a friends family , his farther unfortunately died leaving a large amount of debt to his bookie, who took Devlin under his wing, supplied him with a penthouse and vehicle and oddly helped him learn to run the restaurant that his father left him. Devlin collects and pays out the winnings and losses of the bookies customers while they dine , never really having to get his hands to dirty doing the collecting. Until he has to collect from the man who took him in as a kid , Paul not wanting to set the collection guys on him, what he does not expect is being jumped and beat down by guys hired by Paul to avoid paying.
Bloody and beaten he finds himself on his new employees doorstep,he remembered headdress from the application and new he was close by; Rena can not believe the man on her doorstep is her boss but she lets him in and tends to his wounds while he waits for a ride.
That night changes everything, it reawakens the wild child hiding in Rena and Devlin 's bad boy can not resist drawing it out.
To spite Devlin's best intentions of not drawing Rena into his lifestyle his injuries prevent him from collecting and he coaxes Rena into doing it for him, he wants to keep his distance from her but the mutual attraction is too much to resist, as time passes he finds himself wanting to change to be better for her and In turn Rena is allowing herself to live a little again, be a little of the wild child she was before tragedy struck her life. These two sizzle when they are together and turn out to be good for one another, a driving force for change in each other's lives .
Well worth the read!
Devlin Calvary the owner of the Oak and Sage is a hot, good looking, bad boy and a distraction that Rena Lewis nows she should stay away from, especially since he is her boss.
Rena, recently started working at Oak and Sage , she may find Devlin attractive. And he has helped her when least expected but; Rena is a good girl these days. Gone are the days of being the bad girl. That only leads to heartache and nightmares far easier to just keep her head down and do her job and not get involved.
Devlin is trying to keep his distance from the new girl, sure he finds her attractive , but he has to keep his distance for two reasons, she is his employee and second just to good for him.
Devlin Calvary , is young and doing well financially running the restaurant his parents started, sure it is not all on the up and up, after his father passed away having already lost his mother earlier he was taken in by a friends family , his farther unfortunately died leaving a large amount of debt to his bookie, who took Devlin under his wing, supplied him with a penthouse and vehicle and oddly helped him learn to run the restaurant that his father left him. Devlin collects and pays out the winnings and losses of the bookies customers while they dine , never really having to get his hands to dirty doing the collecting. Until he has to collect from the man who took him in as a kid , Paul not wanting to set the collection guys on him, what he does not expect is being jumped and beat down by guys hired by Paul to avoid paying.
Bloody and beaten he finds himself on his new employees doorstep,he remembered headdress from the application and new he was close by; Rena can not believe the man on her doorstep is her boss but she lets him in and tends to his wounds while he waits for a ride.
That night changes everything, it reawakens the wild child hiding in Rena and Devlin 's bad boy can not resist drawing it out.
To spite Devlin's best intentions of not drawing Rena into his lifestyle his injuries prevent him from collecting and he coaxes Rena into doing it for him, he wants to keep his distance from her but the mutual attraction is too much to resist, as time passes he finds himself wanting to change to be better for her and In turn Rena is allowing herself to live a little again, be a little of the wild child she was before tragedy struck her life. These two sizzle when they are together and turn out to be good for one another, a driving force for change in each other's lives .
Well worth the read!
December 6, 2015
ARC provided in exchange of an honest review
Original post:
http://collectorofbookboyfriends.com/...
book review: 4 stars!!
A book about an amazing and incredibly sweet love that makes you feel so much. Every page is more wonderful than the other. Devlin and Rena captivated me completely from the very start and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Women were one of the things I was really good at. The other was what I did to them to make them howl.”
Well, with this quote I introduce you Devlin Calvary!! A male who made me swoon on the floor and feel my heart expand in my chest. And that sentence above? I swear I died! The first conclusion that I came to after I read it was that whoa, it’s going to get pretty hot and intense here! And I was right!
But I’m not going to forget Rena. A woman who went through a very tough and traumatic situation and tries to re-establish herself. She’s determined and strong although she has lost her way for awhile. And that changes when Devlin comes in.
And since this kind of impact is not one-sided, both find themselves through each other and the result is stunning.
Each being a part on other’s life, makes them better and replan their life and rethink what they want from it!
Jessica Lemmon created a love that is cherished and warming. Her characters are soo good that you want to know more about them and see more aspects of their personality and their interaction between them. And she, without a doubt, knows damn well how to write a love story!
Which means I’ll be sitting on needles until I get to read the second book, Caden’s story…..
Original post:
http://collectorofbookboyfriends.com/...
book review: 4 stars!!
A book about an amazing and incredibly sweet love that makes you feel so much. Every page is more wonderful than the other. Devlin and Rena captivated me completely from the very start and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Women were one of the things I was really good at. The other was what I did to them to make them howl.”
Well, with this quote I introduce you Devlin Calvary!! A male who made me swoon on the floor and feel my heart expand in my chest. And that sentence above? I swear I died! The first conclusion that I came to after I read it was that whoa, it’s going to get pretty hot and intense here! And I was right!
His scrutiny held the promise of rough kisses and strong hands tightening around my upper arms. Of being pushed against a piece of furniture and ravished.
But I’m not going to forget Rena. A woman who went through a very tough and traumatic situation and tries to re-establish herself. She’s determined and strong although she has lost her way for awhile. And that changes when Devlin comes in.
And since this kind of impact is not one-sided, both find themselves through each other and the result is stunning.
“If you think I’d ever tell you not to do something to me, you’re crazier than I am.”
Each being a part on other’s life, makes them better and replan their life and rethink what they want from it!
Jessica Lemmon created a love that is cherished and warming. Her characters are soo good that you want to know more about them and see more aspects of their personality and their interaction between them. And she, without a doubt, knows damn well how to write a love story!
Which means I’ll be sitting on needles until I get to read the second book, Caden’s story…..
June 3, 2016
I definitely appreciate a devilish hero that is just a bit on the wrong side of the law. Devlin is the handsome owner of the Oak &Sage and a local bookie’s apprentice/enforcer/money collector-exchanger. Though the bookie angle was interesting and I was expecting to see an extra dominate/alpha type of male from Devlin. Don't get me wrong, he was cocky, arrogant and self assured of his skills but Devlin as an the alpha male type .... I can honestly say that he's almost there. Always like the idea of the bad boy or pseudo bad boy growing a heart, doing the right thing but Devlin wasn't a true ‘bad boy’ who had to redeem himself of anything. He was just a lost hero who was paying for his father’s sins. As for the heroine (Rena), she was a good girl going bad or bad girl pretending to be good? The answer ... Rena is a bit of both. Her history is there with all the reasons for her current behavior and I must say that guilt is one hell of a motivator. I'm disappointed in her character because she had talent that she wasn't doing anything with. Her character just lacked something. What propels the story forward is Devlin’s character and the anticipation of what other little naughty thing he will do. Sorry to say it, I am a sucker for emotionally wounded, lost and untrusting heroes. As for the other characters (Cade in particular), I am looking forward to reading more about them.
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
~ARC was graciously provided by the author and publisher via Netgalley.~
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
~ARC was graciously provided by the author and publisher via Netgalley.~
November 26, 2015
S-l-o-w start to a new series. Couldn't get into this one enough to really care about the characters. As much as I've liked several of this authors bks, this one just didn't do it for me.
December 19, 2015
Thanks for not making this "tear my hair out" angsty.
October 9, 2020
It’s a rewrite/re-release, but I never read the original, so the story was new to me, and I liked it very much! I was thinking recently that I was getting tired of the bad boy/good girl trope, especially the bad boy’s redemption because of love, but this book puts a twist on it and I enjoyed it.
I loved the characters. They were both passionate and strong-willed–no doormat here, thank you very much. And are they good together in intimate scenes! A very hot couple indeed. And the secondary characters were all fun and interesting.
Some of the issues are resolved a bit quickly and mentioned in passing, but they’re very unimportant so it didn’t bother me much. Also the ending felt a bit rushed.
It’s not the author’s best, but it’s still an enjoyable read, and it’s hot hot hot!
Quickie
- Series: Lost boys #1 (can be read a standalone)
- Hashtags: #office romance #bad boy #good girl
- Triggers: mention of past cheating, car accident, some violence
- Main couple: Rena Lewis & Devlin Calvary
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + a good twist in the bad boy/good girl trope
- – that’s one hell of a U-turn, Devlin
I loved the characters. They were both passionate and strong-willed–no doormat here, thank you very much. And are they good together in intimate scenes! A very hot couple indeed. And the secondary characters were all fun and interesting.
Some of the issues are resolved a bit quickly and mentioned in passing, but they’re very unimportant so it didn’t bother me much. Also the ending felt a bit rushed.
It’s not the author’s best, but it’s still an enjoyable read, and it’s hot hot hot!
Quickie
- Series: Lost boys #1 (can be read a standalone)
- Hashtags: #office romance #bad boy #good girl
- Triggers: mention of past cheating, car accident, some violence
- Main couple: Rena Lewis & Devlin Calvary
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + a good twist in the bad boy/good girl trope
- – that’s one hell of a U-turn, Devlin
November 20, 2015
2.5/5
Umm I honestly didn't like the characters very much and felt little to no real connection to their relationship.
I've read a lot of books recently because they have been promoted as being similar to some of my favourite authors, with that in mind I don't know if I have been overly critical in my judgement of the stories because I have a pre-conceived notion of the writing style expected based on my favourite authors (you understand what I'm trying to stay right??) Well lesson well and truly learned LOL
Fighting for Devlin has intriguing characters where events have shaped them and placed them behind self-imposed barriers. However, I have to say I didn't fully connect with the characters and therefore, it is this aspect that affected my overall enjoyment of the story. Jessica does build an incredible plot that is both fast paced and thought-provoking so it was just my personal connection to the characters that was the main problem :)
Told in dual first person narrative with alternating chapters from Rena, the 'good girl' waitress and Devlin, the 'bad boy' restaurant owner. However, I did feel it was Devlin's character development that was the heart of the story.
Incidents on both sides are hinted at through the narrative allowing the reader to jump to conclusion and therefore, fear the worse. So when the revelations happen they do feel a little anti-climatic following the dramatic build-up. Especially with the way Rena is filled with misplaced guilt and regret. Personally, I found Rena a little immature and naive, While Devlin seems to be caught in a life to pay for his fathers follies. With links to organised crime and gambling addiction being woven into the plot. The narrative takes into consideration the addiction gambling can cause - the continual quest for the next big win dominating all rational thought. While I have no experience with gambling it was easily to relate it to the personal experience I have had with other forms of addiction, seeing it control a person's life to the exclusion of everything else.
For me, Fighting for Devlin focuses on how events in your life can freeze you into being a shell of who you actually are. It took being together for Devlin and Rena to melt the ice holding them in place so they are able to move forward together.
Umm I honestly didn't like the characters very much and felt little to no real connection to their relationship.
I've read a lot of books recently because they have been promoted as being similar to some of my favourite authors, with that in mind I don't know if I have been overly critical in my judgement of the stories because I have a pre-conceived notion of the writing style expected based on my favourite authors (you understand what I'm trying to stay right??) Well lesson well and truly learned LOL
Fighting for Devlin has intriguing characters where events have shaped them and placed them behind self-imposed barriers. However, I have to say I didn't fully connect with the characters and therefore, it is this aspect that affected my overall enjoyment of the story. Jessica does build an incredible plot that is both fast paced and thought-provoking so it was just my personal connection to the characters that was the main problem :)
Told in dual first person narrative with alternating chapters from Rena, the 'good girl' waitress and Devlin, the 'bad boy' restaurant owner. However, I did feel it was Devlin's character development that was the heart of the story.
Incidents on both sides are hinted at through the narrative allowing the reader to jump to conclusion and therefore, fear the worse. So when the revelations happen they do feel a little anti-climatic following the dramatic build-up. Especially with the way Rena is filled with misplaced guilt and regret. Personally, I found Rena a little immature and naive, While Devlin seems to be caught in a life to pay for his fathers follies. With links to organised crime and gambling addiction being woven into the plot. The narrative takes into consideration the addiction gambling can cause - the continual quest for the next big win dominating all rational thought. While I have no experience with gambling it was easily to relate it to the personal experience I have had with other forms of addiction, seeing it control a person's life to the exclusion of everything else.
For me, Fighting for Devlin focuses on how events in your life can freeze you into being a shell of who you actually are. It took being together for Devlin and Rena to melt the ice holding them in place so they are able to move forward together.
March 13, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
“Oh the lies she told. I rolled my eyes as she turned and walked to the hostess station. I knew damn well that Melinda, or any of the other females in this restaurant, would trade an ovary to be under Devlin's intense blue-eyed stare for fifteen minutes. To be under him, period.”
“He'd be less successful at getting money for Sonny given that he looked about as trustworthy as a used car salesman. I blamed the pencil-slim suit pants. Never trust a man whose junk you could see at a glance.”
“That's why I no longer did 'bad' things. Bad things led to worse things. A wave of regret licked at my insides like fire. Nothing new there.”
“Every mom had her own version of 'the look,' and when a daughter sees it, she knows, without words, what it means. Hers always said the same thing: You've been single too long.”
“The idea of someone so good wanting someone like me jolted my heart into a new rhythm. Like Frankenstein's monster, alive after being cold and dead – stray, unfeeling limbs brought together for renewed purpose.”
“Something about the way she reacted to me hinted that we were kindred spirits. Impossible. She was Red Riding Hood to my Big Bad Wolf.”
“I want you, Rena. I haven't stopped wanting you. Want is flowing through me like lava.”
My Review:
Jessica Lemmon has mad skills. This is my second time reading her and am already grieving the idea of having to move on to the next on my list as I am grooving on her style. Her characters are original and unique, while also flawed and real, and not ones you would expect to be heroic, but they are. Their halos may be tarnished and sideways - due to the small set of horns - but the glow is there, if you look for it. I didn't expect to love the player, or for the good girl to be a reformed party-girl who had self-inflected goodness on herself out of guilt and grief. I was entertained and intrigued by this story from beginning to end, and the steamy bits had me positively gasping. Mad skills!
“Oh the lies she told. I rolled my eyes as she turned and walked to the hostess station. I knew damn well that Melinda, or any of the other females in this restaurant, would trade an ovary to be under Devlin's intense blue-eyed stare for fifteen minutes. To be under him, period.”
“He'd be less successful at getting money for Sonny given that he looked about as trustworthy as a used car salesman. I blamed the pencil-slim suit pants. Never trust a man whose junk you could see at a glance.”
“That's why I no longer did 'bad' things. Bad things led to worse things. A wave of regret licked at my insides like fire. Nothing new there.”
“Every mom had her own version of 'the look,' and when a daughter sees it, she knows, without words, what it means. Hers always said the same thing: You've been single too long.”
“The idea of someone so good wanting someone like me jolted my heart into a new rhythm. Like Frankenstein's monster, alive after being cold and dead – stray, unfeeling limbs brought together for renewed purpose.”
“Something about the way she reacted to me hinted that we were kindred spirits. Impossible. She was Red Riding Hood to my Big Bad Wolf.”
“I want you, Rena. I haven't stopped wanting you. Want is flowing through me like lava.”
My Review:
Jessica Lemmon has mad skills. This is my second time reading her and am already grieving the idea of having to move on to the next on my list as I am grooving on her style. Her characters are original and unique, while also flawed and real, and not ones you would expect to be heroic, but they are. Their halos may be tarnished and sideways - due to the small set of horns - but the glow is there, if you look for it. I didn't expect to love the player, or for the good girl to be a reformed party-girl who had self-inflected goodness on herself out of guilt and grief. I was entertained and intrigued by this story from beginning to end, and the steamy bits had me positively gasping. Mad skills!
October 24, 2015
4 Stars – 3 Flames
I’m addicted. Just like the bettors in this book, I’m completely addicted to this Lost Boys series. Yes. You heard me correctly, series, because although this was only the first installment, I know who’s next and I’m already trying to figure out how to get my hands on it NOW!
Rena Lewis has spent the last four years trying to be the “good girl” after a tragic accident has her carrying the burden of the label. That is until she starts a new job, where her boss is hands down the one thing she’s been trying NOT to become. With temptation too high, she finally lets herself “feel” again and the train ride of her life starts.
Devlin Calvary isn’t your typical young twenty-something. He’s been orphaned and left to run a business and a hobby that his Father was so kind in leaving him. The only issue is that he doesn’t start to question what he’s doing until he actually starts to “get to know” Rena. She throws him completely off his game and he ends up having to make a life changing decision.
This story flows, seamlessly. It actually pained me when I had to put it down to be a person in the real world. Were there twists and turns? Yes. Were there hot steamy scenes? Of yeah. There was even some light BDSM, which was just the perfect amount for a young couple.
Have I mentioned how much I’m REALLY looking forward to the next installment? There’s a nice little twist in this read that will have you dropping your jaw. I’ll admit that I didn’t even see it coming.
*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from The JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
I’m addicted. Just like the bettors in this book, I’m completely addicted to this Lost Boys series. Yes. You heard me correctly, series, because although this was only the first installment, I know who’s next and I’m already trying to figure out how to get my hands on it NOW!
Rena Lewis has spent the last four years trying to be the “good girl” after a tragic accident has her carrying the burden of the label. That is until she starts a new job, where her boss is hands down the one thing she’s been trying NOT to become. With temptation too high, she finally lets herself “feel” again and the train ride of her life starts.
Devlin Calvary isn’t your typical young twenty-something. He’s been orphaned and left to run a business and a hobby that his Father was so kind in leaving him. The only issue is that he doesn’t start to question what he’s doing until he actually starts to “get to know” Rena. She throws him completely off his game and he ends up having to make a life changing decision.
This story flows, seamlessly. It actually pained me when I had to put it down to be a person in the real world. Were there twists and turns? Yes. Were there hot steamy scenes? Of yeah. There was even some light BDSM, which was just the perfect amount for a young couple.
Have I mentioned how much I’m REALLY looking forward to the next installment? There’s a nice little twist in this read that will have you dropping your jaw. I’ll admit that I didn’t even see it coming.
*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from The JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2015
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
** I received an advanced readers copy from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
This book is typical of the genre and is filled with angst, smoking hot scenes and complete and utter denial and misunderstandings. It covers all of the bases that fans have come to expect. Two people who are complete opposites find themselves attracted to each other but have a million reasons why they can't be together.
This is the first book in the Lost Boys series and it is safe to say that Devlin is a little lost and a whole lot bad. Sometimes I find myself really getting behind this kind of character but there was something about Devlin that was holding me back. I didn't love him as much as I would have liked and I found that a little disappointing. It is hard to pinpoint what exactly was off but it was definitely something. Perhaps it was some of his questionable moves. I'm not sure. He just didn't seem as sincere in regards to Rena as I would have liked. Rena was also a little on the weak side for my liking as well. Their relationship lacked the depth that I was craving.
Although I did find the characters a tiny bit weak it was still an entertaining and easy book to read. I think there is promise for future instalments of this series.
** I received an advanced readers copy from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
This book is typical of the genre and is filled with angst, smoking hot scenes and complete and utter denial and misunderstandings. It covers all of the bases that fans have come to expect. Two people who are complete opposites find themselves attracted to each other but have a million reasons why they can't be together.
This is the first book in the Lost Boys series and it is safe to say that Devlin is a little lost and a whole lot bad. Sometimes I find myself really getting behind this kind of character but there was something about Devlin that was holding me back. I didn't love him as much as I would have liked and I found that a little disappointing. It is hard to pinpoint what exactly was off but it was definitely something. Perhaps it was some of his questionable moves. I'm not sure. He just didn't seem as sincere in regards to Rena as I would have liked. Rena was also a little on the weak side for my liking as well. Their relationship lacked the depth that I was craving.
Although I did find the characters a tiny bit weak it was still an entertaining and easy book to read. I think there is promise for future instalments of this series.
August 30, 2015
ARC kindly provided through Netgalley for an honest review.
Publisher: Random House Publishing - Loveswept
Release date: November 24, 2015
After reading the synopsis of this book, I was very excited to see that I had received an ARC for an honest opinion. This is the first book that I have read by Jessica Lemmon and I can honestly say it will not be my last.
This was a BAD BOY that never thought he would want a GOOD GIRL but that changed once he met Rena. At first I wasn't sure if I really liked Devlin or if this "BAD BOY" was worth fighting for but as I continued to read, I found that he had built up so many walls of protection that as each one came tumbling down because of Rena that YES he was most definitely worth fighting for.
Rena had put her BAD GIRL persona and any male relationships in a self imposed exile due to a tragic event in her past. She had concentrated on being the "GOOD GIRL" and walking the straight & narrow until she met Devlin and her BAD GIRL wanted to come out and play.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend reading.
I am looking forward to reading what Jessica has in store for the next
book in this series with Cade and Tasha.
Publisher: Random House Publishing - Loveswept
Release date: November 24, 2015
After reading the synopsis of this book, I was very excited to see that I had received an ARC for an honest opinion. This is the first book that I have read by Jessica Lemmon and I can honestly say it will not be my last.
This was a BAD BOY that never thought he would want a GOOD GIRL but that changed once he met Rena. At first I wasn't sure if I really liked Devlin or if this "BAD BOY" was worth fighting for but as I continued to read, I found that he had built up so many walls of protection that as each one came tumbling down because of Rena that YES he was most definitely worth fighting for.
Rena had put her BAD GIRL persona and any male relationships in a self imposed exile due to a tragic event in her past. She had concentrated on being the "GOOD GIRL" and walking the straight & narrow until she met Devlin and her BAD GIRL wanted to come out and play.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend reading.
I am looking forward to reading what Jessica has in store for the next
book in this series with Cade and Tasha.
September 7, 2015
This was a book that kept me interested from beginning to end. The characters are well defined and easy to like. Devlin Calvary is the front of house Manager of the Oak and Sage restaurant. He is a love em' and leave em' type of guy. He doesn't return for the second time and he certainly doesn't do relationships. That is until Rena starts working at the restaurant and he finds she is so much more than the other women he hooks up with. But that is not all he is.
Rena can't get Devlin out of her head, she knows he is not her type, he is a bad boy who will flirt with anything on legs, but when he turns up on her doorstep beaten and bloody one night she takes him in and her life changes completely.
It seems that the seedier side of Devlin has caught up to him and he has to do everything he can to make sure Rena is not caught up in this side of his life, even if it means leaving her.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, would definitely recommend it, and will be reading more of Ms Lemmon's books. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Rena can't get Devlin out of her head, she knows he is not her type, he is a bad boy who will flirt with anything on legs, but when he turns up on her doorstep beaten and bloody one night she takes him in and her life changes completely.
It seems that the seedier side of Devlin has caught up to him and he has to do everything he can to make sure Rena is not caught up in this side of his life, even if it means leaving her.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, would definitely recommend it, and will be reading more of Ms Lemmon's books. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 27, 2015
***ARC provided through NetGalley for an honest review***
Devlin and Rena. What a pair. Was Rena a bad girl gone good or just a plain ol good girl? Who was Devlin? Would he change for Rena. Did she want him to?
This was a pretty good read. I enjoyed both characters and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. They both had their stories to tell and things to overcome. At not one point of the story was I truly annoyed with either character. And that was a good thing for me. This story definitely had some drama, sexual tension, hot sexy scene and likable characters to root for. Even the "bad" guy tried to do good in the end. To find out what I mean you'll have to read the book. Quick and easy read. A sweet and hot romance. 3.5 stars for me!
Devlin and Rena. What a pair. Was Rena a bad girl gone good or just a plain ol good girl? Who was Devlin? Would he change for Rena. Did she want him to?
This was a pretty good read. I enjoyed both characters and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. They both had their stories to tell and things to overcome. At not one point of the story was I truly annoyed with either character. And that was a good thing for me. This story definitely had some drama, sexual tension, hot sexy scene and likable characters to root for. Even the "bad" guy tried to do good in the end. To find out what I mean you'll have to read the book. Quick and easy read. A sweet and hot romance. 3.5 stars for me!
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