"I have a lot to offer
and I totally deserve the best kind of love.
I deserve your love."
and I totally deserve the best kind of love.
I deserve your love."
--Jay Crownover, Nash
Genre: NA Contemporary
Genre: NA Contemporary
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Pages: 427
Publication Date: April 29th, 2014
Source: Bought
Previous Books in Series: Rule & Jet & Rome
Goodreads Description
Will their past determine their future?
Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there's no room for love. She doesn't need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he's the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused, but he turned her world upside down . . . and now he's trying to do it again.
Saint has no idea that Nash isn't the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he's struggling to figure out his future. He can't be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can't ignore the sparks that fly between them—or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she's the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.
When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?
Will their past determine their future?
Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there's no room for love. She doesn't need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he's the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused, but he turned her world upside down . . . and now he's trying to do it again.
Saint has no idea that Nash isn't the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he's struggling to figure out his future. He can't be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can't ignore the sparks that fly between them—or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she's the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.
When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?
.JPG)
The Cover Thank you. My foot is firmly planted in my mouth and I will need surgery to remove it because I thought the Rome cover was hot (and it is) but this cover...HOLY HELL I CAN'T STOP STARING. I needed to have this book turned over when I wasn't reading it because all I wanted to do was stare...anyways, that it all, but I had to state the obvious.
The Story I lurrrrrved how this story unfolded. I thought the pacing was right on and the conflict of the growing relationship between Nash and Saint was perfect. I really felt like their romance happened naturally and organically grew from tenuous to full-blown passion. Love love loved. I loved how Saint did a give and take while trying to figure out her own issues (more on that below) and Nash was the perfect gentleman in understanding her hang-ups and being patient. Oh my gosh, I couldn't get enough of him! He was so tender and loving and let her set the pace. Treating her to high school activities just warmed my heart like no other. I was physically swooning over him and what he did to make Saint feel as amazing as he sees her...*sigh*...
Saint I know I joked before the book came out how excited I was that FINALLY we have a story where the sexy guy falls in love with the nurse but I found myself relating to Saint in so many more ways than just the fact that she was a nurse. I loved that she was passionate about her job and that she loved her family more than anything even when things got bad. I loved that she let herself even be a little bit open to the idea of Nash. She fought a long and hard road with him but even letting him in a little bit give what her previous experience with him was says a lot about her ability to be compassionate and understanding and open to people. I thought she was such a complex and well-developed character and I hope to see more of her in future books, even glimpses :)
And this is also where I need to let off steam a little bit. So after I finish a book, especially one I love, I like to go on Goodreads and see others who loved it and skim reviews of what they thought. And while there a ton of great reviews there was also a good amount of things like this, 'loved the book but Saint killed it for me' or 'I really liked it but Saint needed to get over her insecurities.' Now let me just break this down from my personal opinion and standpoint on this issue--this is also where I get a little personal and emo so bear with me. If you have never been bullied, if you have never had people make you feel like shit, if you have never had girls go out of their way to put you down or make you feel horrible then you have no right or idea what characters like Saint or people in real life have gone through. As somebody who has been bullied and put down by girls throughout my entire adolescence AND somebody who has never even had a boyfriend, I can tell you that Saint's personal demons and reactions to situations were completely spot on. While my background with men isn't identical to Saint's because she has had boyfriends whereas I have not (no I am not looking for pity or affirming commentary I'm simply stating a fact), I can tell you that from similar experiences I would be acting just like Saint. I think of future relationships and I can totally understand Saint's constant second guessing of herself. If you have lived with being put down by those around you and men not giving you respect or the time of day, you are constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. When your entire life is built on never feeling good enough or wondering what is wrong with you, questioning somebody's motives when they finally do make the effort is completely understandable. There is no easy road to 'getting over your insecurities.' That shit runs deep and it is not easy to overcome. I can tell you honestly that while reading, I pray for the future man who puts in the effort with me because he's gonna need to put up with bullshit like that from me as well. Apologies for the mini-rant but it really hurt my heart to read women putting her down like her self-esteem issues were something insignificant or superficial.
Shaw and Rule Read the book. You'll know what I mean :)
Girl Time I love love LOVED seeing Saint hanging out with our other Marked ladies. Their girl time gossip had me wishing for way more of these situations in future books. I want to see all the friendships happening because what is more fun than reading about all the ladies talk gossip about their sexy men? Not a whole lot.
The Set Up We have a sexy new neighbor in the hood named Royal who is such a kickass female I cannot WAIT to see where she ends up *coughAsacough*. Also, we get the dirty deets for the next book featuring Rowdy and his lady and dayum, it is gonna be good. I want way more of this James Dean-esque hottie with the fabulous hair. I'm sweating just thinking about it.
The Story I lurrrrrved how this story unfolded. I thought the pacing was right on and the conflict of the growing relationship between Nash and Saint was perfect. I really felt like their romance happened naturally and organically grew from tenuous to full-blown passion. Love love loved. I loved how Saint did a give and take while trying to figure out her own issues (more on that below) and Nash was the perfect gentleman in understanding her hang-ups and being patient. Oh my gosh, I couldn't get enough of him! He was so tender and loving and let her set the pace. Treating her to high school activities just warmed my heart like no other. I was physically swooning over him and what he did to make Saint feel as amazing as he sees her...*sigh*...
Saint I know I joked before the book came out how excited I was that FINALLY we have a story where the sexy guy falls in love with the nurse but I found myself relating to Saint in so many more ways than just the fact that she was a nurse. I loved that she was passionate about her job and that she loved her family more than anything even when things got bad. I loved that she let herself even be a little bit open to the idea of Nash. She fought a long and hard road with him but even letting him in a little bit give what her previous experience with him was says a lot about her ability to be compassionate and understanding and open to people. I thought she was such a complex and well-developed character and I hope to see more of her in future books, even glimpses :)
And this is also where I need to let off steam a little bit. So after I finish a book, especially one I love, I like to go on Goodreads and see others who loved it and skim reviews of what they thought. And while there a ton of great reviews there was also a good amount of things like this, 'loved the book but Saint killed it for me' or 'I really liked it but Saint needed to get over her insecurities.' Now let me just break this down from my personal opinion and standpoint on this issue--this is also where I get a little personal and emo so bear with me. If you have never been bullied, if you have never had people make you feel like shit, if you have never had girls go out of their way to put you down or make you feel horrible then you have no right or idea what characters like Saint or people in real life have gone through. As somebody who has been bullied and put down by girls throughout my entire adolescence AND somebody who has never even had a boyfriend, I can tell you that Saint's personal demons and reactions to situations were completely spot on. While my background with men isn't identical to Saint's because she has had boyfriends whereas I have not (no I am not looking for pity or affirming commentary I'm simply stating a fact), I can tell you that from similar experiences I would be acting just like Saint. I think of future relationships and I can totally understand Saint's constant second guessing of herself. If you have lived with being put down by those around you and men not giving you respect or the time of day, you are constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. When your entire life is built on never feeling good enough or wondering what is wrong with you, questioning somebody's motives when they finally do make the effort is completely understandable. There is no easy road to 'getting over your insecurities.' That shit runs deep and it is not easy to overcome. I can tell you honestly that while reading, I pray for the future man who puts in the effort with me because he's gonna need to put up with bullshit like that from me as well. Apologies for the mini-rant but it really hurt my heart to read women putting her down like her self-esteem issues were something insignificant or superficial.
Shaw and Rule Read the book. You'll know what I mean :)
Girl Time I love love LOVED seeing Saint hanging out with our other Marked ladies. Their girl time gossip had me wishing for way more of these situations in future books. I want to see all the friendships happening because what is more fun than reading about all the ladies talk gossip about their sexy men? Not a whole lot.
The Set Up We have a sexy new neighbor in the hood named Royal who is such a kickass female I cannot WAIT to see where she ends up *coughAsacough*. Also, we get the dirty deets for the next book featuring Rowdy and his lady and dayum, it is gonna be good. I want way more of this James Dean-esque hottie with the fabulous hair. I'm sweating just thinking about it.
Um...it ended. No really, I cannot think of one thing I disliked about this book. The characters, the plot, the evolution of the stories and their lives. All of it kicks ass. Boom. Slam dunk
VIP
I loved this installment in the Marked Men. This has seriously become one of my favorite series. The men are hot, the women are sassy, and the sex is amazing. If that little genre title of New Adult scares you off, don't stick this with the stereotype. These books break the mold, I've said it before, on 'typical NA.' These are the books to read if you're hesitant about this genre or looking to get into. If you're already into, then what in the hell are you waiting for? Get these books!
YESSSSSSSS. I agree the only bad part was that it ended.
ReplyDeletePretty much just nodding my head at all the things.
I think Nash is my favorite so far from the Marked Men series.
I vow to start this series this year! There I said it! You can hold me to that too :) I'm glad you vented your frustrations in this review. It's easy to judge when you can't relate. People should be kinder and more understanding. Also, virtual hugs. :)
ReplyDelete