SYNOPSIS:
After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned.
Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister.
Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.
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MEL's REVIEW:
*was generously given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review
ROWDY by Jay Crownover is the 5th book in the Marked Men Series but is a standalone complete with a HEA. I like to think of them as companion novels because once you sink your teeth into Jay’s men, you will want to know everything about every one of her characters and never want any of her books to end. I am going to say right now that I LOVE EVERYTHING Jay has ever written and ROWDY is no exception. All the Marked Men, RULE, JET, ROME and NASH, are must have books and always on my list of highly recommended.
ROWDY is a story of first and lasts and how what may be your first, and at the time you think only chance to really love, is really just a beginning of a whole bunch of firsts in a lifetime. It is also a story about finding the one that you want all your lasts with, which is such a romantic concept that I just wanted to cry. I was so excited when I learned that Rowdy would get his own book. I always liked him. Rowland St. James, could he have a better name? I think not, plus he is from Texas. He is Jet’s best buddy and I loved all of his conversations with Cora in ROME. Rowdy is just such a likeable guy plus in my mind’s eye, was the blue-eyed, slicked- backed blonde hair hunk that looked like he stepped right out of a James Dean movie…swoon. He really is the boy next door but, just what I call JAYafied.
Salem Cruz knows who she is and what she wants and has her eyes and her heart set on Rowdy. I love Salem. She is beautiful, strong, and confident but she really rounds the group of girls, which we have all come to know, out. Salem fits and Rowdy has to wrap his head around that idea and get over so much loss in his life. Salem and Rowdy’s history has to all be sorted out in order for them to move forward.
Rowdy and Salem are just the couple that makes it all better. They, together, make the whole series come almost full circle. I found their story the one that brings all the unanswered questions, answers. I loved every moment of ROWDY.
ROWDY receives 5 (I wish I had a higher rating) Platypires!!!
Texas Hugs and Happy Reading!!!!
RENEE's REVIEW:
Crownover has this lovely talent that really makes you love her “boys”. They all have their little quirks but doesn’t everyone have some kind of little quirk? The characters in this book are not any different, they are layered with quirks and personality, and all the extra little things that Crownover puts in that makes them like a full bodied wine. They are strong and full of flavor. The two main characters are Rowdy and Salem, they go way back to being childhood friends. This book is mainly about them but has the guest appearance of all of our favorites. We also are introduced to a few new “family” members. Salem is a strong , brave woman that isn’t scared to go for what she wants - Not to mention she looks like a pin-up girl from the 50’s. I love the way Crownover was so detailed on Salem’s clothes and make-up, she really gave me an image. I can really picture these two together, but he still might like me, haha!
There are some big twist in this book, and surprises that you defiantly do not want to miss. I don’t want to give anything away because I hate spoilers. Let’s say you will get a peek at other lives too, not just Rowdy and Salem. Rowdy and Salem’s story is one of fate. Old friends, He looked up to her as a kid, but had a thing for her little sister Poppy. Salem was the one to always offer him comfort and support, and that was something Rowdy never forgot. After Poppy broke his heart, he refused to ever let another woman in his heart again. This is where fate has a funny way of doing it’s own thing in your life. You can’t control fate no matter how hard you may try. This is one fun ride of a book. It will have you swooning, fanning yourself, throwing your kindle, it may even make you gasp. There is one thing I know for sure for me this was a five star read.
Rowdy by Jay Crownover receives 5 platypires
Bama Love! Roll Tide!! And Keep Reading Y’al
TEASER and EXCERPT:
“I’m trying to get on a plane out of Boston to get back to Denver but there’s fog and nothing is getting off the fucking ground.” He growled something I couldn’t make out and told me, “I need you to take care of my girl for me. Asa got arrested last night and I know she’s about to lose it.”
“What!” I was so shocked the car swerved a little and Salem shouted my name. I apologized to her and pulled over onto the shoulder so I could focus on what Jet was telling me. “What happened?”
“I don’t know for sure. Ayden didn’t even find out from him. Royal called her.” He sighed and I could just picture him pacing and shoving his hands through is messy, black hair. “She’s the one that took him in.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I wish I was. All I know is my wife is there and I’m here and it’s a bunch of bullshit. I need you to make sure she’s okay.”
“Of course. We’ll be back in the city in just a few. She’ll be my first stop.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. For what it’s worth I think Asa is a good dude. I really think he’s turned it around.”
Jet swore again. “I thought so too, but I’m not surprised by anything that guy does anymore. I gotta go. I gotta figure out a way home. Thanks man.”
I hung up and just stared at my phone for a second. I looked at Salem and shook my head. “Royal arrested Asa last night.”
She bit her lip. “For what?”
“Jet didn’t know. He’s worried Ayden is freaking out over it.”
She nodded. “I bet. Hold on a sec. I’m gonna text Saint. She and Royal are attached at the hip. She probably has the insider info.”
I lifted an eyebrow at her. “You don’t think Ayden would have tried that already.”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
I pulled back into traffic after sending Ayden a text saying I was headed her way. It was a solid ten minutes before Salem’s phone pinged and then pinged again.
“Assault. Some kids came into the police station and lodged a complaint against him. She says one was pretty busted up and claimed that he went back to the bar to apologize for some ruckus he and his buddies caused and Asa jumped him in the parking lot.” She frowned and looked up at me. “Aren’t there cameras at the Bar?”
“Not outside. Shit. I bet I know exactly who those kids are.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. There was this group of punks in the bar the other day while I was there and they were giving Asa a really hard time. He let it go but kicked them out and the one kid told him he would regret it. It wouldn’t be hard to find out Asa has a record and claiming something like assault means the cops would have to pick him up.” I tightened my hands on the steering wheel. “Son of a bitch.”
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