Synopsis
Will their past determine their future?
Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of 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?
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18655937-nash
Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1he9Zrw
Review
Jay Crownover’s Marked Men Series is one of my favorite series of ALL times. Jay is one fantastic storyteller. Her tatted up badass heroes and her tough as nails heroines are some of the best and most complex characters I’ve read. Rule will always be my favorite marked man; perhaps it’s because it all started with his story or that I’ve been able to witness his life with Shaw evolve, but he’s been it for me even though Jet and Rome are also at the top of my list of book boyfriends. But Nash gives Rule a run for his money. In the first three books, readers are given small glimpses into who Nash is and what makes him tick, but it isn’t until his world begins to crumble at the end of Rome that we see there’s so much more behind Nash’s tatted up body.
Nash and Saint’s story will resonate with readers on so many levels. Both are dealing with insecurities because of their pasts and unconditional love is a term that neither can grasp – one due to parental neglect and the other because of a small number of men who have let her down and destroyed her self esteem and self perception. Nash and Saint share a past; they went to the same high school, and at that time, Nash was an angry guy who did nothing but smart off and get laid; he never felt good enough due to an absentee father and a mother who chose her new life over her son. Saint remained in the shadows, never feeling like she fit in because the “cool kids” made fun of her, and the one time she actually put herself out there, her dreams are crushed by the one person she thought saw her differently – Nash. Saint thought their story ended there, but it was only the beginning.
Fast forward a few years and Saint is now a registered nurse and on duty the night Nash’s uncle is rushed to the ER. Seeing Nash’s face again brings back all of Saint’s old wounds, but despite the pain she felt/feels, she is still drawn to Nash, and she wants him desperately. Nash remembers Saint from high school, but he doesn’t understand her coolness towards him. He’s attracted to her and feels a connection to her that he’s never felt for any woman he’s been with, but how does he break through her walls and get her to see what he sees? How does Saint let go of a past that has tormented her psyche for so long? With all of the turmoil that’s happening in both of their lives, can they count on one another to help get through it all or will Saint’s insecurities drive them apart for good?
Saint Ford
I can definitely see why some readers have a love/hate relationship with her. At first, she doesn’t seem like a strong heroine. She allows her insecurities, low self-esteem, and self doubt to dictate every action she takes. Nash needs a woman who will not back down when faced with difficult situations, and, at times, Saint doesn’t seem to be that person. She sends mixed signals, allows her mind to overwhelm her, and runs before thinking things through. But the best female leads are those who readers can witness evolve and transform into who they truly are, and Jay gives us that by the end of Nash.
Nash Donovan
He’s not your typical tattooed bad boy; in fact, he’s an honorable and moralistic man who cares deeply and protects who he loves. He’s strong, passionate, and artistic and lives his life for himself and those around him. He was always the brooding laid back friend in the previous three books; the one who his friends turned to when they needed an ear or a shoulder. Nash is a complicated man, and Jay Crownover does a fantastic job of showing her readers who he truly is.
Nash and Saint’s storyline is my absolute favorite because it covers many social issues that our society struggles with on a regular basis. Feelings of inadequacy run rampant in today’s world – self doubt and misperceptions are not easy to overcome, but if readers can learn anything from Nash and Saint, it’s that the love of someone who truly sees you can be the most freeing thing there is.
Another kick ass aspect of the Marked Men series is that readers are able to keep in touch with the main characters from the previous books. You can’t help but fall in love with Jay’s Marked Men, so the fact that she keeps us up to date with all of their lives is what makes this series one of the bests, and what Rule says and does in this story solidifies his top spot in my list of book boyfriends.
If you haven’t read this series yet, you need to head over to Amazon and one-click all four books because they are fantastic stories that have the right mix of sex, angst, and romance. With complicated plotlines and extremely dynamic characters, this series will have you from the first book and make you have to impatiently wait for the next one.
A complimentary copy of the text was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
5+ poison apples!
About the Author
I’m supposed to share interesting details about myself so that my readers get to know me so here we go in no particular order: I’m an natural redhead even though I haven’t seen my real hair color in years, I’m a big fan of tattoos and have a half sleeve on either arm and various other pieces all over the place, I’ve been in the bar industry since I was in college and it has always offered interesting insight into how men and women interact with each other, I have 3 dogs that are all crazy, I live in Colorado and love the snow, I love music and in all reality wish I could be a rock star not a writer or a bartender but I have zero talent so there is that.
I love to write, love to read and all I’m interested in is a good story with interesting characters that make the reader feel something.
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