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The Forever Marked #1
Fortunate Son
Ry Archer and Bowe Keller are as different as night and day. But that doesn’t stop the childhood frenemies from reconnecting whenever one of them needs some help tackling any of life’s major puzzles, like figuring out why getting what you always thought you wanted isn’t living up to all the hype. They might constantly rub each other the wrong way (except for the times when they rub each other the really-really right way), but there is no denying they’ve always made one hell of a great team. They manage to balance each other out… when they aren’t driving each other crazy.
For Ry, he thought he had the perfect girl, the one who was going to run headfirst into a methodically planned future. He was going to marry young and have the same kind of legendary, life-long romance his parents did… or so he believed. His girl was going to stand by his side as he chased his dream of being a professional football player all the way to the NFL.
He was wrong.
Now, Ry’s gotta figure out the difference between a bruised heart and a broken one, and the only person who can teach him the difference is Bowe.
Bowe always felt like she had to run before she learned to walk to keep up with her father’s musical legacy. He’s her hero, and she wants nothing more than to make him proud. Bowe’s about to figure out that maybe she wasn’t meant to be in a rock and roll band, and that it is entirely possible she let her father’s success cloud her idea of what making music should be. Bowe needs to find her own path to fame, and there’s a good chance she wouldn’t be brave enough or bold enough to start over if Ry Archer hadn’t pushed his way back into her life when she least expected it.
Some days they’re enemies. Other days they’re lovers. For a while, they were strangers. But now, it feels more like they might’ve always been soulmates.
Eventually, Ry and Bowe realize that letting go of an old dream and creating a new one is much easier to do with the right person by your side.
For Ry, he thought he had the perfect girl, the one who was going to run headfirst into a methodically planned future. He was going to marry young and have the same kind of legendary, life-long romance his parents did… or so he believed. His girl was going to stand by his side as he chased his dream of being a professional football player all the way to the NFL.
He was wrong.
Now, Ry’s gotta figure out the difference between a bruised heart and a broken one, and the only person who can teach him the difference is Bowe.
Bowe always felt like she had to run before she learned to walk to keep up with her father’s musical legacy. He’s her hero, and she wants nothing more than to make him proud. Bowe’s about to figure out that maybe she wasn’t meant to be in a rock and roll band, and that it is entirely possible she let her father’s success cloud her idea of what making music should be. Bowe needs to find her own path to fame, and there’s a good chance she wouldn’t be brave enough or bold enough to start over if Ry Archer hadn’t pushed his way back into her life when she least expected it.
Some days they’re enemies. Other days they’re lovers. For a while, they were strangers. But now, it feels more like they might’ve always been soulmates.
Eventually, Ry and Bowe realize that letting go of an old dream and creating a new one is much easier to do with the right person by your side.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2021
278 people are currently reading
3714 people want to read
About the author
Jay Crownover
129 books14.6k followersJay Crownover is the International and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point and Breaking Point Series, and the Loveless, Texas series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.
GUYS!!! I finally have a newsletter, so if you want to sign up for exclusive content and monthly giveaways you can do that right here:
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You can email me at: JayCrownover@gmail.com
GUYS!!! I finally have a newsletter, so if you want to sign up for exclusive content and monthly giveaways you can do that right here:
https://www.jaycrownover.com/subscribe
You can email me at: JayCrownover@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
July 11, 2021
3.5 stars
Fortunate Son is the start of a spin-off series of Jay Crownover's 'Marked Men' series which I love so much. When I heard the book was about Rule's son and Jet's daughter I was so excited. I loved the last half of the book, but the first half was hard to follow and really difficult for me to get into. I felt so disconnected with trying to figure out who all these people were and who their parents were and how they were all connected. I almost wish there would have been more of a focus on just Ry and Bowe and not all the extra characters. Once I got into the book, I ended up enjoying it a good bit so I'll for sure try the next one in the series!
Fortunate Son is the start of a spin-off series of Jay Crownover's 'Marked Men' series which I love so much. When I heard the book was about Rule's son and Jet's daughter I was so excited. I loved the last half of the book, but the first half was hard to follow and really difficult for me to get into. I felt so disconnected with trying to figure out who all these people were and who their parents were and how they were all connected. I almost wish there would have been more of a focus on just Ry and Bowe and not all the extra characters. Once I got into the book, I ended up enjoying it a good bit so I'll for sure try the next one in the series!
January 11, 2022
Jay Crownover launches her second gen New Adult romance series with this tale of fierce aspiring rock star Bowe Keller and the boy who’s always owned her heart even if he didn’t even know it.
When Ry Archer gets dumped by the girl he thought he’d marry his perfectly planned life goes awry. He goes straight to the one person who’s always seen past his faultless façade, even when he knows she’ll probably send him packing because theirs has always been a complicated relationship.
Bowe and Ry have known each other their entire lives. They are complete opposites, they’re combative, and when they were younger, they were also each other’s firsts. Hence the complicated nature of their frenemies status. But they also know each other inside and out and they balance one another.
After Ry helps Bowe realize why she’s not 100% happy with her rock band, they open up to the possibility of new dreams, together.
Jay offers a coming of age romance with a second chance feel because Ry and Bowe had been more than friends before, but they had also been too young to explore the lifelong kind of love their parents have. Now that they’re older, the two must find to find their way as individuals and as a couple.
Jay excels in poignant and heartfelt stories and Ry and Bowe’s is a perfect example of a well-developed angsty and intense, sweet and sexy yarn.
The novel organically brings back characters from both the Marked Men and Saints of Denver series giving the young couple a guiding hand. The very sage advice resonated very much with what I would like advise my own kids and I’m grateful for the family tree Jay included at the beginning of the story so I could keep the kids straight.
Fortunate Son is a NA contemporary romance by Jay Crownover. It is a standalone second chance, friends to lovers romance that is sweet, sexy, heartwarming and so full of all the feels. Told from two points of view with a happy ending.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author InkSlinger. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3pL0tsV
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"You've always been my first love. I'm pretty sure you're also going to be my last, Ry."
When Ry Archer gets dumped by the girl he thought he’d marry his perfectly planned life goes awry. He goes straight to the one person who’s always seen past his faultless façade, even when he knows she’ll probably send him packing because theirs has always been a complicated relationship.
Bowe and Ry have known each other their entire lives. They are complete opposites, they’re combative, and when they were younger, they were also each other’s firsts. Hence the complicated nature of their frenemies status. But they also know each other inside and out and they balance one another.
After Ry helps Bowe realize why she’s not 100% happy with her rock band, they open up to the possibility of new dreams, together.
Jay offers a coming of age romance with a second chance feel because Ry and Bowe had been more than friends before, but they had also been too young to explore the lifelong kind of love their parents have. Now that they’re older, the two must find to find their way as individuals and as a couple.
Jay excels in poignant and heartfelt stories and Ry and Bowe’s is a perfect example of a well-developed angsty and intense, sweet and sexy yarn.
The novel organically brings back characters from both the Marked Men and Saints of Denver series giving the young couple a guiding hand. The very sage advice resonated very much with what I would like advise my own kids and I’m grateful for the family tree Jay included at the beginning of the story so I could keep the kids straight.
Fortunate Son is a NA contemporary romance by Jay Crownover. It is a standalone second chance, friends to lovers romance that is sweet, sexy, heartwarming and so full of all the feels. Told from two points of view with a happy ending.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author InkSlinger. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3pL0tsV
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
June 29, 2021
***AVAILABLE NOW***
4 STARS
I did really enjoy this one.
I loved the premise about the road you planned not being the road you are destined for.
I loved the idea of your person not being the easy choice, but someone who pushes you.
I loved the couple’s journey to their HEA, and the fact that the conflict/issue was outside of the couple as the book started with their conflict.
What I didn’t love was that it felt like there was a lot of time explaining who people were from the first generation and conflicts. It almost took away from fully developing Ry and Bowe, who I loved from what I knew about them and how they interacted together.
This is always a concern of a second generation series, but I’m hoping the next book is better. The set up she left for them sounded great!
ARC review
4 STARS
I did really enjoy this one.
I loved the premise about the road you planned not being the road you are destined for.
I loved the idea of your person not being the easy choice, but someone who pushes you.
I loved the couple’s journey to their HEA, and the fact that the conflict/issue was outside of the couple as the book started with their conflict.
What I didn’t love was that it felt like there was a lot of time explaining who people were from the first generation and conflicts. It almost took away from fully developing Ry and Bowe, who I loved from what I knew about them and how they interacted together.
This is always a concern of a second generation series, but I’m hoping the next book is better. The set up she left for them sounded great!
ARC review
Want to read
January 1, 2022🎈free 1 Jan 22🎈
Yassss!
The second generation of the Marked Men novel, featuring Rule and Shaw's son and Jet and Ayden's daughter.
Yassss!
The second generation of the Marked Men novel, featuring Rule and Shaw's son and Jet and Ayden's daughter.
July 28, 2021
Le dio directo a mi nostalgia por eso las 4 estrellas.
El libro de Rule es a uno de los que más cariño le tengo de la serie Marked Men y leer la historia de su hijo me emocionó mucho.
Su pareja es con la hija de Jet que por cierto me cayó infinitamente mejor que su mamá.
Este es un frenemies to lovers, ellos por obvias razones se conocen desde niños, crecieron juntos pero nunca se llevaron bien siempre discutiendo pero por una extraña razón también tenían una conexión y confiaban el uno del otro.
No era algo tan extraño porque se querían pero al ser tan diferentes y polos opuestos siempre se alejaban.
Lo único que no me gustó de este libro es que al ser tantos personajes y futuros protagonistas de libros nos daban como un background/preview de su historia, misterios que ocultaban, amores prohibidos, temas de conducta que ser perdía el hilo de la historia de los protagonistas.
En general me gustó pero más por saber de Rule y Shaw.
Obviamente voy a leer el siguiente porque quiero saber más de la historia de Remy y Hyde.
El libro de Rule es a uno de los que más cariño le tengo de la serie Marked Men y leer la historia de su hijo me emocionó mucho.
Su pareja es con la hija de Jet que por cierto me cayó infinitamente mejor que su mamá.
Este es un frenemies to lovers, ellos por obvias razones se conocen desde niños, crecieron juntos pero nunca se llevaron bien siempre discutiendo pero por una extraña razón también tenían una conexión y confiaban el uno del otro.
No era algo tan extraño porque se querían pero al ser tan diferentes y polos opuestos siempre se alejaban.
Lo único que no me gustó de este libro es que al ser tantos personajes y futuros protagonistas de libros nos daban como un background/preview de su historia, misterios que ocultaban, amores prohibidos, temas de conducta que ser perdía el hilo de la historia de los protagonistas.
En general me gustó pero más por saber de Rule y Shaw.
Obviamente voy a leer el siguiente porque quiero saber más de la historia de Remy y Hyde.
June 22, 2021
I could not have been more over the moon when I saw that Jay Crownover was writing second generation stories to two of my favorite series of all time- series that I frequently revisit. Rome and Rule are permanently on my device- and I’ve often daydreamed about what Shaw and Rule are up to, if tink-Cora is still taming the beastly Rome, and if everyone is still the best of friends. So coming back here was a dream- and who better to kick off the story than the two children of the two couples that began this journey-the feisty Bowe and the fortunate son of the man that made me fall in love with this world, Ry.
To be honest, the story did start a bit slow for me after an engaging “in the middle of it” first chapter- and I think a lot of this can be chalked up to second generation syndrome- which is quite a pickle for authors, so I have a lot of empathy for Jay. The story is technically a new series and standalone, but builds heavily on the worlds of the deeply loved Marked Men and the Saints of Denver series. Fans want to see their favorites, and they are an integral part of the lives of our main characters, but the story also has to be accessible to new readers- the result is often an imbalance of context building, here it just felt like too much. A lot of explication of this wide array of secondary characters with TONS of history-which kept the story from really capturing me right away and also resulted in us getting less of the history I really wanted- more development on Rye and Bowe’s past, what has made them “enemies”/more detail on just how their relationship evolved from childhood friends. But, the fan service here will be exciting to many fans- we get updates on many of our favorites.
But, halfway through the story picked up more for me, and I really enjoyed getting to know Bowe and Ry. Jay doesn’t shy away from letting them be complicated- in fact, at times I feel like we don’t really know them, and I wish we had delved a bit deeper into their emotional connection, but them feeling incomplete is also part of their journey- they don’t know themselves. Or at least part of themselves- both are denying pieces of who they are to be the person they think they SHOULD be- to please their parents and families. I really appreciated that thematic element- and I also loved the parallelism to Rule’s story in particular- both Rule and Rye have to discover that it’s okay to lean into connections, even if unexpected, and that life is too short to live anything but as your fullest self- even if you aren’t sure of your true self just yet. And, like both of their parents, Jay highlights yet again how love isn’t easy or obvious-sometimes the person that requires the most work, that challenges you the most, is the exact person you’re destined to be with. This thematic throughline felt just like coming home to my Marked Men favorites- and I loved watching their parents support their kiddos in not making the same mistakes they made.
Like all Jay stories, the conflict and resolution ended up being nothing like I expected, plenty dramatic, and an engaging way for these characters’ love and maturity. The angst is dished out early, and then we get to watch these two grow together. Their alone scenes thrived the most- because, to be honest, whenever they were in a scene with one of our OG characters, I couldn’t help but feel like their parents outshone them a bit- but truly, I think this comes down to how deeply I have invested in their parents, Rule in particular, and it’s hard not to still be drawn to them. Jay does beautifully age them- and it was fun to see the relationship dynamics of our favorite OGs as adults and parents.
I really hope Jay continues the series- she laid a TON of exciting groundwork for other characters, and while this didn’t capture me quite as much as some of my most favorites in the original series, it was an enjoyable read and made me even more excited to be back in this world.
To be honest, the story did start a bit slow for me after an engaging “in the middle of it” first chapter- and I think a lot of this can be chalked up to second generation syndrome- which is quite a pickle for authors, so I have a lot of empathy for Jay. The story is technically a new series and standalone, but builds heavily on the worlds of the deeply loved Marked Men and the Saints of Denver series. Fans want to see their favorites, and they are an integral part of the lives of our main characters, but the story also has to be accessible to new readers- the result is often an imbalance of context building, here it just felt like too much. A lot of explication of this wide array of secondary characters with TONS of history-which kept the story from really capturing me right away and also resulted in us getting less of the history I really wanted- more development on Rye and Bowe’s past, what has made them “enemies”/more detail on just how their relationship evolved from childhood friends. But, the fan service here will be exciting to many fans- we get updates on many of our favorites.
But, halfway through the story picked up more for me, and I really enjoyed getting to know Bowe and Ry. Jay doesn’t shy away from letting them be complicated- in fact, at times I feel like we don’t really know them, and I wish we had delved a bit deeper into their emotional connection, but them feeling incomplete is also part of their journey- they don’t know themselves. Or at least part of themselves- both are denying pieces of who they are to be the person they think they SHOULD be- to please their parents and families. I really appreciated that thematic element- and I also loved the parallelism to Rule’s story in particular- both Rule and Rye have to discover that it’s okay to lean into connections, even if unexpected, and that life is too short to live anything but as your fullest self- even if you aren’t sure of your true self just yet. And, like both of their parents, Jay highlights yet again how love isn’t easy or obvious-sometimes the person that requires the most work, that challenges you the most, is the exact person you’re destined to be with. This thematic throughline felt just like coming home to my Marked Men favorites- and I loved watching their parents support their kiddos in not making the same mistakes they made.
Like all Jay stories, the conflict and resolution ended up being nothing like I expected, plenty dramatic, and an engaging way for these characters’ love and maturity. The angst is dished out early, and then we get to watch these two grow together. Their alone scenes thrived the most- because, to be honest, whenever they were in a scene with one of our OG characters, I couldn’t help but feel like their parents outshone them a bit- but truly, I think this comes down to how deeply I have invested in their parents, Rule in particular, and it’s hard not to still be drawn to them. Jay does beautifully age them- and it was fun to see the relationship dynamics of our favorite OGs as adults and parents.
I really hope Jay continues the series- she laid a TON of exciting groundwork for other characters, and while this didn’t capture me quite as much as some of my most favorites in the original series, it was an enjoyable read and made me even more excited to be back in this world.
January 27, 2025
It has been a while since I read Miss Crownover's book. I love Fortunate Son. It is so good to see my favorite characters from the first generation comes to live.
The plot and the babter could ve better, but it is good enough for me as it is.
4 stars
The plot and the babter could ve better, but it is good enough for me as it is.
4 stars
June 21, 2021
“I like you a little bit more each time you prove to me just how flawed you are.”
Long-time readers like me have been begging for more Marked Men, and Jay Crownover has granted us with second generation of her first book family. What a gift! How special to know that one of your favorite authors of one of your favorite series has brought beloved characters back to life with a new generation that’s just as poignant and powerful as that of their parents.
Told through a stunning musician and her sports star muse, Fortunate Son is a tangled and hard-fought hero and heroine romance anchored by strength, second chances, and serendipity. Its prose is powerful and passionate, a journey of love, lyrics, and life. I slipped into these characters’ souls, became their voices, and felt every feel they had to give. There is so much intrigue and angst, complexity, and moving parts, and I loved watching Ry and Bowe battle every bit, growing stronger as one in this spectacular and stunning story. You can feel the heat and heart radiating from Ry and Bowe … the chemistry and deep connection just penetrate through the pages.
Wholly original and heartfelt, written with spirit and soul, Fortunate Son is an irresistible tale of love, friendship, family, and self acceptance. It was so easy to fall in love with every word, every character, and everything. Through her spellbinding and heartfelt writing, Crownover shows the beauty among the broken, the flaws that make the human, and the courage to chase your dreams or make new dreams.
Fortunate Son brought that same heady, hit my heart, lost-in-this book feeling from when I met my first Jay Crownover book, Rule!! It’s the perfect fit to the Marked Men series: uniquely-told, wholly felt tales that stand on their pedestal. With its powerful and passionate prose, I could only surrender to the spell and song of Fortunate Son. Another epically inked story that marked my heart and soul. That Crownover crack strikes again!
“Whenever any one of us from back in the day feels like we’re about to fall, there are a whole lot of hands ready to catch us.”
A top 2021 romance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ fortunate stars
Long-time readers like me have been begging for more Marked Men, and Jay Crownover has granted us with second generation of her first book family. What a gift! How special to know that one of your favorite authors of one of your favorite series has brought beloved characters back to life with a new generation that’s just as poignant and powerful as that of their parents.
Told through a stunning musician and her sports star muse, Fortunate Son is a tangled and hard-fought hero and heroine romance anchored by strength, second chances, and serendipity. Its prose is powerful and passionate, a journey of love, lyrics, and life. I slipped into these characters’ souls, became their voices, and felt every feel they had to give. There is so much intrigue and angst, complexity, and moving parts, and I loved watching Ry and Bowe battle every bit, growing stronger as one in this spectacular and stunning story. You can feel the heat and heart radiating from Ry and Bowe … the chemistry and deep connection just penetrate through the pages.
Wholly original and heartfelt, written with spirit and soul, Fortunate Son is an irresistible tale of love, friendship, family, and self acceptance. It was so easy to fall in love with every word, every character, and everything. Through her spellbinding and heartfelt writing, Crownover shows the beauty among the broken, the flaws that make the human, and the courage to chase your dreams or make new dreams.
Fortunate Son brought that same heady, hit my heart, lost-in-this book feeling from when I met my first Jay Crownover book, Rule!! It’s the perfect fit to the Marked Men series: uniquely-told, wholly felt tales that stand on their pedestal. With its powerful and passionate prose, I could only surrender to the spell and song of Fortunate Son. Another epically inked story that marked my heart and soul. That Crownover crack strikes again!
“Whenever any one of us from back in the day feels like we’re about to fall, there are a whole lot of hands ready to catch us.”
A top 2021 romance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ fortunate stars
June 18, 2021
You guys!! Fortunate Son is so freaking good. I honestly have no words for how great this book was except you should take my word and read it.
September 30, 2021
3.5
Real, realmente quería amar este libro y, una vez más, me culpo a mi y a mis altas expectativas.
¿El libro me gustó? Claro que sí, es entretenido pero sé que no volveré a releerlo en algún momento cercano.
La química entre Bowe y Ry no la sentí, les hizo falta chispa y un mejor desarrollo ¿Y el final? Esa es la parte que más me frustra, sé que es muy real pero, al menos a mí, me gusta saber que los protagonistas vivieron felices para siempre, muchas gracias, ¿Y qué fue lo que obtuve aquí? Una relación que todavía se está construyendo porque aún tienen muchos obstáculos que enfrentar.
En cuanto a los personajes secundarios lo hizo muy bien, hay algunos que me intrigan más que otros pero definitivamente estoy muy interesada en conocer sus historias, ojalá sí continúe con esta segunda generación porque Fortunate Son fue un buen comienzo.
Y por último pero no por eso menos importante: los Marked Men, fue muy bonito volver a regresar a ese mundo y ver cómo van sus vidas, puede que ahora sean padres pero en mi mente siempre serán esos jóvenes que leí.
Real, realmente quería amar este libro y, una vez más, me culpo a mi y a mis altas expectativas.
¿El libro me gustó? Claro que sí, es entretenido pero sé que no volveré a releerlo en algún momento cercano.
La química entre Bowe y Ry no la sentí, les hizo falta chispa y un mejor desarrollo ¿Y el final? Esa es la parte que más me frustra, sé que es muy real pero, al menos a mí, me gusta saber que los protagonistas vivieron felices para siempre, muchas gracias, ¿Y qué fue lo que obtuve aquí? Una relación que todavía se está construyendo porque aún tienen muchos obstáculos que enfrentar.
En cuanto a los personajes secundarios lo hizo muy bien, hay algunos que me intrigan más que otros pero definitivamente estoy muy interesada en conocer sus historias, ojalá sí continúe con esta segunda generación porque Fortunate Son fue un buen comienzo.
Y por último pero no por eso menos importante: los Marked Men, fue muy bonito volver a regresar a ese mundo y ver cómo van sus vidas, puede que ahora sean padres pero en mi mente siempre serán esos jóvenes que leí.
January 17, 2022
3.5 stars
September 14, 2021
I love 2nd generation stories but I absolutely died for Fortunate Son! Rule and Shaw's perfect son and Jet and Ayden's quirky daughter! I adored this for so many reasons, but the biggest is that Crownover wrote this for her fans. She gave us this and I am so thankful.
Ry Archer is the perfect son-well behaved, good at everything, and has his whole life planned. Bowe Keller doesn't have any of that. Fortunate Son sees both having a classic new adult wake up of suddenly realizing they don't have the answers. Bowe was sure she wanted to be in a band just like her dad. Her first sort of major gig is a wake up for her that it isn't at all what she wants. Ry's breakup with Aston leads him to realize maybe he doesn't WANT all the things he thought he did. Honestly, I cried through like the middle half of this book because I FELT everything they went through. It was like reliving all the tough memories of my 20's.
Crownover has always been gifted with making readers feel everything and Fortunate Son delivers in spades. Her writing is emotional, raw, and sometimes heartbreaking. Her stories always make me feel wrung out (in a good way) because they hit close to home. While I have no idea what its like to be in a band or play college football, I know what its like to have your heart bruised or realize your plan is no longer something you want. I loved that Ry is much more like Shaw than Rule. Hearing his thoughts about his struggles to connect with his dad at times was so brilliant. Of course he struggles with his relationship with Rule-everyone does! He has his mom kind, compassionate heart. It made me melt.
Fortunate Son will be a delight to readers who are new to Crownover's stories because it is brilliant in its new adult perfection. Fans of the Marked Men will fall in love all over again, and perhaps even deeper this time with the stories of the kids of the men and women we loved years ago.
POV: dual 1st
Tears: yes
Trope: second chance, friends to lovers, opposites attract
Triggers: none
Series/Standalone: standalone
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
authors like Penelope Douglas, Monica Murphy, Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen, Abbi Glines...then you will probably like Fortunate Son!
Fortunate Son
September 27, 2021
I loved Marked Man series especially Rule & Jet which I read yeaaars ago... and reread a lot...
but THIS YEAR I learned something about my reading and it is that:
1. some side characters are meant to be JUST that side characters because they are awesome to be that and no matter how much I want their story told, it is better just to leave it
2. next generation's books of beloved characters sounds amazing but sometimes is okay not to read them and leave them be..
So, in this case, thing number two is at play. I just couldn't care about these characters and the story. I was so bored. Even my fond memory of their parents' story couldn't save me.
And then we get to the ending which is happy for now...and I feel nothing...
Probably won't read the rest of the series...
but THIS YEAR I learned something about my reading and it is that:
1. some side characters are meant to be JUST that side characters because they are awesome to be that and no matter how much I want their story told, it is better just to leave it
2. next generation's books of beloved characters sounds amazing but sometimes is okay not to read them and leave them be..
So, in this case, thing number two is at play. I just couldn't care about these characters and the story. I was so bored. Even my fond memory of their parents' story couldn't save me.
And then we get to the ending which is happy for now...and I feel nothing...
Probably won't read the rest of the series...
June 22, 2021
Original review: A Novel Glimpse
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
4.5 Stars
It's been a while since I read Marked Men and Saints of Denver, but I knew I had to read Fortune Son the minute I heard it was being released. Then, I read the preview for it in Goldilocks and was hooked on Ry and Bowe. The wait became even more intense. Finally getting to read this book was both excitement and relief for me.
I loved Ry and Bowe's story. These two had a tumultuous past, but that didn't stop them for being there for each other. They had an innate connection that allowed them to look beyond what the other was portraying and see the truth. Ry was a character I loved because he was abandoning perfection and searching out his own truths. Bowe was just as special. I liked how Ry's decisions affected Bowe and the direction it took her life in. They both had a lot to figure out on their own and it surprised me that it made them better together and not worse.
Sometimes Crownover's books can feel more tell than show. This one headed towards that place, but ended up finding a nice balance between both show and tell. I think the tell worked because Fortune Son felt like it could be the first book in a series and spent some time reintroducing me to important players and explaining new relationships. There is such a rich history between both the first and second generations, so it helped to have reminders and new information. It was also fun to get some cameos and updates on favorite past characters. I loved that they didn't overshadowed the main characters in this book, but propped them up. I would hope if there are more books release in this series there wouldn't be as much need for the explanations.
I really want this book to do well. I need it to do well so that Crownover will release Prodigal Son. I have SO MANY QUESTIONS about Remy and Hyde. It's not even funny. I also need a book for Aston and another for Daire. I need this new (but also kind of old) world to continue. I truly enjoyed every minute I spent with Ry and Bowe in Fortune Son. I'm delighted Jay Crownover decided to write this book.
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
4.5 Stars
It's been a while since I read Marked Men and Saints of Denver, but I knew I had to read Fortune Son the minute I heard it was being released. Then, I read the preview for it in Goldilocks and was hooked on Ry and Bowe. The wait became even more intense. Finally getting to read this book was both excitement and relief for me.
I loved Ry and Bowe's story. These two had a tumultuous past, but that didn't stop them for being there for each other. They had an innate connection that allowed them to look beyond what the other was portraying and see the truth. Ry was a character I loved because he was abandoning perfection and searching out his own truths. Bowe was just as special. I liked how Ry's decisions affected Bowe and the direction it took her life in. They both had a lot to figure out on their own and it surprised me that it made them better together and not worse.
Sometimes Crownover's books can feel more tell than show. This one headed towards that place, but ended up finding a nice balance between both show and tell. I think the tell worked because Fortune Son felt like it could be the first book in a series and spent some time reintroducing me to important players and explaining new relationships. There is such a rich history between both the first and second generations, so it helped to have reminders and new information. It was also fun to get some cameos and updates on favorite past characters. I loved that they didn't overshadowed the main characters in this book, but propped them up. I would hope if there are more books release in this series there wouldn't be as much need for the explanations.
I really want this book to do well. I need it to do well so that Crownover will release Prodigal Son. I have SO MANY QUESTIONS about Remy and Hyde. It's not even funny. I also need a book for Aston and another for Daire. I need this new (but also kind of old) world to continue. I truly enjoyed every minute I spent with Ry and Bowe in Fortune Son. I'm delighted Jay Crownover decided to write this book.
June 26, 2021
Fortunate son is a Next Generation book in the Marked Men/Saints of Denver world. This book is about Rule/Shaw's son Ry (Ryer) and Jet/Ayden's daughter Bowe.
Jay Crownover wrote the Marked Men series first. Then, she wrote the spin off series Saints of Denver. Storylines do overlap in different books.
Here is a list of the books in reading order:
Marked Men series:
1. Rule (Rule/Shaw) Ryer's parents
2. Jet (Jet/Adyen) Bowe's parents
3. Rome (Rome/Cora)
4. Nash (Nash/Saint)
5. Rowdy (Rowdy/Salem)
6. Asa (Asa/Royal)
Saints of Denver series:(Marked Men spin off series)
0.5 Leveled (Orlando/Dominic m/m) novella
1. Built (Zeb/Sayer)
1.5 Avenged (Echo-Saints of Denver/)novella can be read as a standalone. It has some spoilers from Built.
2. Charged (Quaid/Avett)
3. Riveted (Dash/Dixie)
4. Salvaged (Wheeler/Poppy)
The Forever Marked Men series: A Marked Men 2nd Generation novel
Fortunate Son (Ryer- Rule/Shaw's son/Bowe-Jet/Ayden's daughter)
The author said she doesn't know if she will write more 2nd generation books. It depends how Fortunate Son does.
Jay Crownover posted a family tree on her facebook page. She said she didn't put all of the kids on there yet.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
Jay Crownover wrote the Marked Men series first. Then, she wrote the spin off series Saints of Denver. Storylines do overlap in different books.
Here is a list of the books in reading order:
Marked Men series:
1. Rule (Rule/Shaw) Ryer's parents
2. Jet (Jet/Adyen) Bowe's parents
3. Rome (Rome/Cora)
4. Nash (Nash/Saint)
5. Rowdy (Rowdy/Salem)
6. Asa (Asa/Royal)
Saints of Denver series:(Marked Men spin off series)
0.5 Leveled (Orlando/Dominic m/m) novella
1. Built (Zeb/Sayer)
1.5 Avenged (Echo-Saints of Denver/)novella can be read as a standalone. It has some spoilers from Built.
2. Charged (Quaid/Avett)
3. Riveted (Dash/Dixie)
4. Salvaged (Wheeler/Poppy)
The Forever Marked Men series: A Marked Men 2nd Generation novel
Fortunate Son (Ryer- Rule/Shaw's son/Bowe-Jet/Ayden's daughter)
The author said she doesn't know if she will write more 2nd generation books. It depends how Fortunate Son does.
Jay Crownover posted a family tree on her facebook page. She said she didn't put all of the kids on there yet.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
June 19, 2021
In this first book Jay brings us back to the world of the Marked Men with their children. We will follow Ryier, Rule and Shaw's son and his story with Bowe, Jet and Ayden's daughter.
It was a real pleasure to see all this little world and to discover their children.
Ry is much more like his mother than his father, he is athletic, has very few tattoos, is a serious boy and is there for all his friends when they have problems. Unfortunately, he has just been dumped by Aston, his long-time girlfriend and Wheeler and Poppy's daughter. So he flees to Denver to see Bowe. The relationship between them became conflicted at some point in their lives.
Bowe has taken more from her father than her mother on some issues, she loves music, she lives for music, she wants to follow in her father's footsteps. Ry's arrival in Denver and her home brings back memories she could have done without. Still, she appreciates Ry's honesty even though it forces her to realize some things about herself.
I really liked these two characters, you can feel that there is a special relationship between them, something that never ended. They are different but at the same time they complement each other perfectly. I liked the fact that they both make efforts, that they try to take control of their lives.
I had a great time with all of these characters and I must admit that I am looking forward to reading Remy and Hyde's story as well as Daire's because I feel that this little one is going down a bad path, as far as she is concerned she has inherited more of her father's traits. (Rule Archer).
It was a real pleasure to see all this little world and to discover their children.
Ry is much more like his mother than his father, he is athletic, has very few tattoos, is a serious boy and is there for all his friends when they have problems. Unfortunately, he has just been dumped by Aston, his long-time girlfriend and Wheeler and Poppy's daughter. So he flees to Denver to see Bowe. The relationship between them became conflicted at some point in their lives.
Bowe has taken more from her father than her mother on some issues, she loves music, she lives for music, she wants to follow in her father's footsteps. Ry's arrival in Denver and her home brings back memories she could have done without. Still, she appreciates Ry's honesty even though it forces her to realize some things about herself.
I really liked these two characters, you can feel that there is a special relationship between them, something that never ended. They are different but at the same time they complement each other perfectly. I liked the fact that they both make efforts, that they try to take control of their lives.
I had a great time with all of these characters and I must admit that I am looking forward to reading Remy and Hyde's story as well as Daire's because I feel that this little one is going down a bad path, as far as she is concerned she has inherited more of her father's traits. (Rule Archer).
pass-nfm
June 25, 2021i hate second chances romance or if a couple boned in the past and then they separate even if it was casual sex. In this case i also hate that he just got out of a relationship devastated, mind you , with a girl he ended up with right after he and the H were intimate, also, she was a v back then. Just pass,not for me. Which sucks, i remember most of all the books of the ink series, was one of the reasons i start reading in english because i couldn't wait no longer to have the books in italian.
December 11, 2022
2.5 stars. This is very unfortunate because I loved the Marked Men series so much and I was excited to dive into its new offspring's series once JC announced it. So this book starts off with college football star Ry Archer being dumped and then running away to his "it's complicated" childhood friendnemy Bowe for comfort. It was nice getting to know everyone and seeing Rule & Sawyer as the successful adult parentals, but IMO JC overcomplicated this book by adding way too much unnecessary info and history about all of the other characters that were in the last series and about the youngins that will obviously be involved in future books. It was just info dump after info dump, when she should of concentrated on a solid storyline and chemistry between her MCs.
October 16, 2021
*3.5 Stars!*
MY GRANDBABIES!
MY GRANDBABIES!
June 25, 2021
5 SMOOCHES!
I’m a huge Jay Crownover fan, and her Marked Men series is where that adoration began. I love Jay’s writing style, I love her characters and their stories, and I really love how she makes me feel and think. She never fails to draw me into her stories with her characters’ struggles and their edgy, gritty, deeply emotional tales entwined in steamy, hard-fought romances. Her stories consume me, her characters stay with me, and I look forward to a new story from Crownover with night before Christmas levels of anticipation. Jay Crownover wrecks me in the best possible ways, and while I may not walk away from the experience unscathed, I am always satisfied and sated and starving for more.
Fortunate Son kicks off a second generation of stories rooted in Crownover’s iconic Marked Men and Saints of Denver series. She launches the Forever Marked series with the love story of the children of two of her most beloved couples – Shaw & Rule’s son, Ry, and Ayden & Jet’s daughter, Bowe. This group of friends is more like an extended family, tight-knight and close, and Ry and Bowe grew up within that dynamic. Two vastly different personalities, they’ve often been confused by the overwhelmingly big emotions they drew from each other. Unsurprisingly, they have been dancing around each other for years. As it often goes, that angsty teenage emotion overtakes them, and they wind up acting on those feelings. Instead of being the start of something beautiful, though, it's a teenage crash and burn of epic proportions that results in years of estrangement between these frenemies.
Ry is a very emotionally mature young man. Outwardly, he’s got his act together, and he’s the solid one, the guy all the other kids in their big extended family look up to and lean on, but inwardly, it's another story. Ry is struggling, and he's not exactly sure why—something is missing and isn't quite right with his life. He was settled in a comfortable but bland relationship, but when it suddenly ended, he was sent reeling. The next thing he knows, he's 13 hours away from home, at Bowe’s in the middle of the night. Bowe isn’t exactly thrilled to find a heartbroken Ry on her doorstep given that's she's severely limited contact with him over years after she was left devastated the last time she entrusted her heart to him. She was just as surprised as Ry that he chose to turn to her after having his heartbroken, but she didn’t turn him away. A talented musician, Bowe was plugging along, chasing her dream of being a rockstar and following in her rockstar father’s footsteps. One of the most unnerving things that they both admit about the other was their uncanny abilities to see through whatever façade they presented to everyone else. There is a lot of self-discovery and realization going on during Ry’s post-breakup stay with Bowe, on both of their parts, and the personal growth they both experienced served to shore up their previously shaky foundation.
A story about learning to recognize what you have, what you truly need and finding the courage to take those big, scary risks when it really matters, Fortunate Son was a fresh take on a classic, fan-favorite Crownover series. Jay did an incredible job catching readers up on some of the OG Marked Men characters while introducing them to this next generation. I love a good opposites attract connection, and no one writes them quite like Jay Crownover. On the surface Ry and Bowe were an unlikely pairing, but as their story evolves, it’s easy to see just how and why they fit together so well. Rich with chemistry and angsty emotion, this story about two childhood friends navigating major life changes and the beginning of an important relationship. A contradiction in every way, I reveled in both the emerging new world and the nostalgic roots from which it was born. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I devoured this addictive, unputdownable story in a day. Five stars from me for Fortunate Son by Jay Crownover.
~Danielle Palumbo
I’m a huge Jay Crownover fan, and her Marked Men series is where that adoration began. I love Jay’s writing style, I love her characters and their stories, and I really love how she makes me feel and think. She never fails to draw me into her stories with her characters’ struggles and their edgy, gritty, deeply emotional tales entwined in steamy, hard-fought romances. Her stories consume me, her characters stay with me, and I look forward to a new story from Crownover with night before Christmas levels of anticipation. Jay Crownover wrecks me in the best possible ways, and while I may not walk away from the experience unscathed, I am always satisfied and sated and starving for more.
Fortunate Son kicks off a second generation of stories rooted in Crownover’s iconic Marked Men and Saints of Denver series. She launches the Forever Marked series with the love story of the children of two of her most beloved couples – Shaw & Rule’s son, Ry, and Ayden & Jet’s daughter, Bowe. This group of friends is more like an extended family, tight-knight and close, and Ry and Bowe grew up within that dynamic. Two vastly different personalities, they’ve often been confused by the overwhelmingly big emotions they drew from each other. Unsurprisingly, they have been dancing around each other for years. As it often goes, that angsty teenage emotion overtakes them, and they wind up acting on those feelings. Instead of being the start of something beautiful, though, it's a teenage crash and burn of epic proportions that results in years of estrangement between these frenemies.
Ry is a very emotionally mature young man. Outwardly, he’s got his act together, and he’s the solid one, the guy all the other kids in their big extended family look up to and lean on, but inwardly, it's another story. Ry is struggling, and he's not exactly sure why—something is missing and isn't quite right with his life. He was settled in a comfortable but bland relationship, but when it suddenly ended, he was sent reeling. The next thing he knows, he's 13 hours away from home, at Bowe’s in the middle of the night. Bowe isn’t exactly thrilled to find a heartbroken Ry on her doorstep given that's she's severely limited contact with him over years after she was left devastated the last time she entrusted her heart to him. She was just as surprised as Ry that he chose to turn to her after having his heartbroken, but she didn’t turn him away. A talented musician, Bowe was plugging along, chasing her dream of being a rockstar and following in her rockstar father’s footsteps. One of the most unnerving things that they both admit about the other was their uncanny abilities to see through whatever façade they presented to everyone else. There is a lot of self-discovery and realization going on during Ry’s post-breakup stay with Bowe, on both of their parts, and the personal growth they both experienced served to shore up their previously shaky foundation.
A story about learning to recognize what you have, what you truly need and finding the courage to take those big, scary risks when it really matters, Fortunate Son was a fresh take on a classic, fan-favorite Crownover series. Jay did an incredible job catching readers up on some of the OG Marked Men characters while introducing them to this next generation. I love a good opposites attract connection, and no one writes them quite like Jay Crownover. On the surface Ry and Bowe were an unlikely pairing, but as their story evolves, it’s easy to see just how and why they fit together so well. Rich with chemistry and angsty emotion, this story about two childhood friends navigating major life changes and the beginning of an important relationship. A contradiction in every way, I reveled in both the emerging new world and the nostalgic roots from which it was born. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I devoured this addictive, unputdownable story in a day. Five stars from me for Fortunate Son by Jay Crownover.
~Danielle Palumbo
May 27, 2022
J’ai bien aimé les personnages nouveaux et anciens des Marked Men devenus parents. Le drama n’était peut-être pas nécessaire.
January 4, 2022
Rule is one of my all time favorite NA romances. I’ve read it multiple times and was so excited for this story when I saw, very late to the publication game, it had come to life.
What I loved about it:
- the angsty romance(though I wish there were more of it)
- the parent/child relationships
- Ry Archer and Bowe Keller
What I didn’t quite love:
- the looseness of the story and the incongruity
- the over demonstrating of every single persons qualities rather than a tighter focus on the mains
- the above point made it hard to fully development the main relationship but the characters were strong enough to carry the story
It was good and entertaining for sure. But I think if you weren’t a fan of the prior series you would be bored with the loads of superfluous details.
What I loved about it:
- the angsty romance(though I wish there were more of it)
- the parent/child relationships
- Ry Archer and Bowe Keller
What I didn’t quite love:
- the looseness of the story and the incongruity
- the over demonstrating of every single persons qualities rather than a tighter focus on the mains
- the above point made it hard to fully development the main relationship but the characters were strong enough to carry the story
It was good and entertaining for sure. But I think if you weren’t a fan of the prior series you would be bored with the loads of superfluous details.
June 15, 2021
Whelp. It's happened. This book came out of nowhere (not literally. I started stalking book news on the regular once the teaser chapter was dropped at the end of A Righteous Man) and gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.
Now don’t get me wrong. The story itself was amazing. Par for the course, Jay crafted engaging characters with beautiful flaws and brought them together to artfully face relatable life challenges.
But there’s something that I need anyone reading this review to understand.
I rebelled with Rule Archer.
I poured myself into music beside Jet Keller.
I struggled with PTSD on a barstool with Rome Archer.
Nash Donovan and I faced painful family secrets together.
I took a second chance at love with Rowdy St. James.
And I risked it all bartending with Asa Cross.
I grew up with these characters, and their dedication to one another moved me. And now? Not only did I get to see these characters years down the road, but I got to meet Rule and Jet’s kids and watch them tear each other apart so that they could learn to put each other back together again.
If you’re a long time fan of the Marked Men, this book is going to feel like coming home. If you’re new to these characters, buckle up, because you’re in for a wild ride. Also, go read the 1st generation Marked Men series. I PROMISE you aren’t going to regret it.
June 22, 2021
As a fan of the Marked Men and Saints of Denver series’, I was elated about this release which follows the offspring of some of our much loved characters. Here we have Ry Archer and Bowe Keller in a tale that tells of life not always leading you down the path you thought it would, and if you let go and trust, it can lead you somewhere pretty goddamn spectacular. I'd know Jay's writing anywhere; it's angsty, heartfelt, and real and she pulls no punches. It's never light and fluffy, it's love and life laid true and bare, it's definitely not all sunshine and rainbows. Ry and Bowe had a lot to learn about themselves and some hard truths to come to terms with, and how they navigate their journey as individuals, not just as a couple. This was a really emotional and earnest rollercoaster of a ride. What I love about this group of characters is their supreme individuality and that I'd love to hang out with these guys; they're uber cool, true to themselves and so damn loyal and accepting, just like their parents before them. Who wouldn't wanna be a part of this crowd?
Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.
Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.
June 17, 2021
4.5 Stars
This book packed a serious emotional punch. I don’t think I was quite ready to go back and visit some of my favorite characters again through this second generation book, but oh my heart is beyond happy I did.
This book set up a new series, so there is a lot of background that the reader has to gather in the 20ish years since we last saw Rule and Shaw get their HEA. While this book could be read as a standalone, I would highly suggest you start from the beginning, with Rule.
Ry and Bowe have this great friction between them, that you know they are going to toe that enemy to lovers line. Their chemistry flies off the pages.
The author did an amazing job setting up all these little tidbits and hints for future books in this series, and I’m already so invested in them! Can’t wait!
This book packed a serious emotional punch. I don’t think I was quite ready to go back and visit some of my favorite characters again through this second generation book, but oh my heart is beyond happy I did.
This book set up a new series, so there is a lot of background that the reader has to gather in the 20ish years since we last saw Rule and Shaw get their HEA. While this book could be read as a standalone, I would highly suggest you start from the beginning, with Rule.
Ry and Bowe have this great friction between them, that you know they are going to toe that enemy to lovers line. Their chemistry flies off the pages.
The author did an amazing job setting up all these little tidbits and hints for future books in this series, and I’m already so invested in them! Can’t wait!
November 9, 2022
RULE was one of my first favorite rereads when I started reading, well listening, to romance. I just loved Rule and Shaw. How opposite they were, but how they fit so perfect. Really the entire series was so freaking amazing.
I think reading the second generations can be really hard sometimes. Because we fall so hard for the parents in their books, it's hard to think that their kids are going to have any struggles. Like in real life, you can have the best parents, but still have struggles. They might not be the biggest struggles in the world, but they are still there.
Seeing Ry and Bowe take after Ry's parents being polar opposites and come back together after one night gone so right, and then so wrong was a really great story.
This story is not full of angst, it's about 2 people who grew up together in some pretty big shadows.
They have amazing parents who have a love story that we all fell for. They were kids who were scared of their feelings, who made what they thought were the right decision, but in the end where made for the wrong decision.
The beginning of the story is introducing all the kids, now as adults and late teens. This book definitely had the purpose of setting us an entire series and I can't wait to see some of these books play out.
My only complaint is that the story didn't feel finished for me, I'm sure she is going to keep tying up there story in the next ones, but once again ya'll know I need an epilogue... I need it to make me happy and feel complete (and for me to give something 5 stars). If I get enough in the next stories to make me that happiness, then I will upgrade my stars :)
I'm diving in to Remy and Hyde tomorrow, I know that one is going to give me some more angst than this one, I can just tell from reading Remy's character.
If you read this, Enjoy My Friends….
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I think reading the second generations can be really hard sometimes. Because we fall so hard for the parents in their books, it's hard to think that their kids are going to have any struggles. Like in real life, you can have the best parents, but still have struggles. They might not be the biggest struggles in the world, but they are still there.
Seeing Ry and Bowe take after Ry's parents being polar opposites and come back together after one night gone so right, and then so wrong was a really great story.
This story is not full of angst, it's about 2 people who grew up together in some pretty big shadows.
They have amazing parents who have a love story that we all fell for. They were kids who were scared of their feelings, who made what they thought were the right decision, but in the end where made for the wrong decision.
The beginning of the story is introducing all the kids, now as adults and late teens. This book definitely had the purpose of setting us an entire series and I can't wait to see some of these books play out.
My only complaint is that the story didn't feel finished for me, I'm sure she is going to keep tying up there story in the next ones, but once again ya'll know I need an epilogue... I need it to make me happy and feel complete (and for me to give something 5 stars). If I get enough in the next stories to make me that happiness, then I will upgrade my stars :)
I'm diving in to Remy and Hyde tomorrow, I know that one is going to give me some more angst than this one, I can just tell from reading Remy's character.
If you read this, Enjoy My Friends….
Instagram | My Blog | Facebook
June 21, 2021
„Fate is a really funny thing. You might think you know what it has in store for you, then BOOM, you get the surprise of your life.”
Okay, first and foremost- this book is like a dream come true. I’ve read Marked Men series like ages ago and loved every single book, so it's no wonder that the very thought of the second generation made me extremely excited (especially book about Rule's kid, because... Rule *insert heart-eyes*). And Fortunate Son is just as epic and unforgettable as the original series. Full of layers and emotions, this complex and poignant love story left me in awe!
Ry was a huge surprise for me as I was expecting a young copy of his father. I thought he would be a rebel, and he turned out to be such a wonderful guy that I was speechless. He's a kind, responsible and well-mannered guy, but he's also a bit lost.
Bowe on the other hand is much like her father (remember the irreistible Jet Keller, right?) Dedicated to music, sassy and charismatic, this girl couldn't be more opposite from Ry.
These two brought so much more than a romance into this plot. I mean, their love story is incredible- angsty, emotional and heartfelt (plus scorching hot!), But I also loved to see how they growed as individuals. This book is not only about evolving from frenemies to lovers, it's also a story about maturing, self-acceptance and chasing dreams.
Jay Crownover delivered a truly stunning romance, a beautiful tale about soulmates who were written in metaphorical stars. If you loved Marked Men series, this book is definitely a must read. And if you're a newbie to this family, get on this train asap, because Fortunate Son will make you fall in love not only with its main characters, but also with the whole gang!
Okay, first and foremost- this book is like a dream come true. I’ve read Marked Men series like ages ago and loved every single book, so it's no wonder that the very thought of the second generation made me extremely excited (especially book about Rule's kid, because... Rule *insert heart-eyes*). And Fortunate Son is just as epic and unforgettable as the original series. Full of layers and emotions, this complex and poignant love story left me in awe!
Ry was a huge surprise for me as I was expecting a young copy of his father. I thought he would be a rebel, and he turned out to be such a wonderful guy that I was speechless. He's a kind, responsible and well-mannered guy, but he's also a bit lost.
Bowe on the other hand is much like her father (remember the irreistible Jet Keller, right?) Dedicated to music, sassy and charismatic, this girl couldn't be more opposite from Ry.
These two brought so much more than a romance into this plot. I mean, their love story is incredible- angsty, emotional and heartfelt (plus scorching hot!), But I also loved to see how they growed as individuals. This book is not only about evolving from frenemies to lovers, it's also a story about maturing, self-acceptance and chasing dreams.
Jay Crownover delivered a truly stunning romance, a beautiful tale about soulmates who were written in metaphorical stars. If you loved Marked Men series, this book is definitely a must read. And if you're a newbie to this family, get on this train asap, because Fortunate Son will make you fall in love not only with its main characters, but also with the whole gang!
June 23, 2021
Oh my heart! I did not realize just how much I missed the crew in Denver (and Austin)! This brings us the Marked Men that I fell in love with and their grown-up offspring. I will admit it took me a bit to keep the kids straight with who their parents were (and who were cousins and not), but I was quickly immersed back into this world and loved seeing old friends in the role of mature parents and seeing how their kids have grown into their own personalities. The next generation has a whole new dynamic that is all their own.
This one focuses on Ry Archer (Rule and Shaw's son) and Bowe Keller (Jet and Ayden's daughter).
Ry is the responsible, well-liked, rule follower, golden boy, football player, and perfectionist. He works hard to prove himself worthy and is used to winning. He has his life all planned, but when one thing in his life starts to crumble, it sends him spiraling. He is emotionally repressed so when something goes awry he becomes unpredictable and irrational. And in his haste to leave questioning family and friends behind, he takes off and ends up on a path he did not expect.
Bowe is a bit surprised when her frenemy Ry shows up at her door a long way from home. They had always circled around each other until things went too far and they went their separate ways. Bowe is a colorful, edgy, intimidating, observant, tough, non-conformist, and rule breaker. She is also brutally honest and can see right through Ry's constructed veneer, and that is just what he needs.
They have the whole opposites-attract thing going, but can see below the surface of the other. They are truthful and push and challenge each other. But they also scare each other as well. They are both at a point where they need to find out who they are and what they want to be without the pressure of parental expectations. She fires Ry up and makes him braver. He pushes her to realize what her own dreams are. But they have to deal with priorities, challenges, unsure futures, and unexpected situations. Timing is important and has not always been on their side.
This is about two people now trying to find their way, push boundaries, and figure out what they can and cannot live without. They thought their paths were set, but they are finding forks in the road that they did not see coming. It's angsty, dramatic, emotional, intense, and still has humor and sweetness too.
The characters are so well developed and have such emotional depth. All the connections are so layered and complex. Not only between all the younger characters and older characters, but also between the parents and their children. Relationships between them all are complicated and constantly evolving. I am so intrigued by the other stories developing under the surface for the other young adults. There are so many dynamics and secrets and I truly hope she ends up writing books for the other kids. I am all in! This was everything I did not realize I needed right now. A whole new group but back to a comfy place with characters I love and seeing the bonds and such progression. I finished late last night and I still keep thinking about them today.
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This one focuses on Ry Archer (Rule and Shaw's son) and Bowe Keller (Jet and Ayden's daughter).
Ry is the responsible, well-liked, rule follower, golden boy, football player, and perfectionist. He works hard to prove himself worthy and is used to winning. He has his life all planned, but when one thing in his life starts to crumble, it sends him spiraling. He is emotionally repressed so when something goes awry he becomes unpredictable and irrational. And in his haste to leave questioning family and friends behind, he takes off and ends up on a path he did not expect.
Bowe is a bit surprised when her frenemy Ry shows up at her door a long way from home. They had always circled around each other until things went too far and they went their separate ways. Bowe is a colorful, edgy, intimidating, observant, tough, non-conformist, and rule breaker. She is also brutally honest and can see right through Ry's constructed veneer, and that is just what he needs.
They have the whole opposites-attract thing going, but can see below the surface of the other. They are truthful and push and challenge each other. But they also scare each other as well. They are both at a point where they need to find out who they are and what they want to be without the pressure of parental expectations. She fires Ry up and makes him braver. He pushes her to realize what her own dreams are. But they have to deal with priorities, challenges, unsure futures, and unexpected situations. Timing is important and has not always been on their side.
This is about two people now trying to find their way, push boundaries, and figure out what they can and cannot live without. They thought their paths were set, but they are finding forks in the road that they did not see coming. It's angsty, dramatic, emotional, intense, and still has humor and sweetness too.
The characters are so well developed and have such emotional depth. All the connections are so layered and complex. Not only between all the younger characters and older characters, but also between the parents and their children. Relationships between them all are complicated and constantly evolving. I am so intrigued by the other stories developing under the surface for the other young adults. There are so many dynamics and secrets and I truly hope she ends up writing books for the other kids. I am all in! This was everything I did not realize I needed right now. A whole new group but back to a comfy place with characters I love and seeing the bonds and such progression. I finished late last night and I still keep thinking about them today.
May 21, 2022
4 stars
July 12, 2021
When I found out this book was coming out. The excitement I had can not be described. I have loved every book Jay Crownover have wrote. As I start this book it feels like Christmas. The first half of the book goes over a bit who's who which I liked. I just wished there was some kind of drama in the beginning. Like couldn't we have the scene when Aston tells him and how is heartbreak begins.
Now the 2nd half of this book i will rate it 5 stars. This is the Jay I know and love. Its hard starting a spin off series so I completely understand. I definitely will be reading the whole series.
Arc review
Now the 2nd half of this book i will rate it 5 stars. This is the Jay I know and love. Its hard starting a spin off series so I completely understand. I definitely will be reading the whole series.
Arc review
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