Author: Jay Crownover
Genre: New Adult
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.
Synopsis
Cora Lewis is a whole lot of fun, and she knows how to keep her tattooed bad boy friends in line. But all that flash and sass hide the fact that she’s never gotten over the way her first love broke her heart. Now she has a plan to make sure that never happens again: She’s only going to fall in love with someone perfect.
Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He’s stubborn and rigid, he’s bossy and has come back from his final tour of duty fundamentally broken. Rome’s used to filling a role: big brother, doting son, super soldier; and now none of these fit anymore. Now he’s just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes the only color on his bleak horizon.
Perfect isn’t in the cards for these two, but imperfect might just last forever . . .
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon CA | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Indie Bound | Amazon UK
Our Review:
Gosh I love Cora...and Rome! I love the way they push each other's buttons and clash and yet they work so well together. Yes, I think the Captain No-Fun moniker she gives him is one of my favorite nicknames of the year. She didn't care what was going on with him...she wanted to help him deal but to realize that he needed to try too. Definitely pulled no punches!
You'd think they wouldn't work together, on the surface, because she's all pixie, tattoo, mouthy chick and he's Mr. all-American, military, alpha male..but they do. It's interesting, too, because they are more alike than they are different and it seems like opposites attract in NA novels...but these two break the traditional NA mold. Yes they do. Cora is such a huge part of this group of friends, and I feel like we sort of knew her in the other two books because she's very in your face, but I loved finding out more intimate things about her. What her hopes and dreams were, and inside her head to find out her motivations. It was a great part of the journey even though we were looking forward to Rome...I was in awe of Cora just as much.
Rome is unerringly honest about his flaws and struggles. Sure, he's a jack ass and has a knack for pissing his family and friends off--but he's an honest one. After Cora gives him a little taste of her brand of 'telling it like it is', he slowly begins to come to terms about his life post-military...which very early on comes to include Cora in a very personal and intimate way.
Oh yeah, Rome is one complicated fellow. But I enjoyed all of the nuances that Jay Crownover brought to the story that were completely unexpected. I thought the pace of the story was amazing, as was the divulging of information. It was given to me a morsel at a time but I wasn't frustrated...I was never ever able to guess what was about to happen next...and the occasional comedy was refreshingly funny. I have honestly no complaints with how Rome was portrayed as a struggling soldier trying to not only find his footing in the civilian world but also his place in his family. He struggles a lot with how he fits in there with the pre-war/loss Rome and this Rome that he can't handle being today. It was nice to have the hero of the story have to figure out a lot about himself just as much as the heroine. Very balanced.
Oh yeah, Rome is one complicated fellow. But I enjoyed all of the nuances that Jay Crownover brought to the story that were completely unexpected. I thought the pace of the story was amazing, as was the divulging of information. It was given to me a morsel at a time but I wasn't frustrated...I was never ever able to guess what was about to happen next...and the occasional comedy was refreshingly funny. I have honestly no complaints with how Rome was portrayed as a struggling soldier trying to not only find his footing in the civilian world but also his place in his family. He struggles a lot with how he fits in there with the pre-war/loss Rome and this Rome that he can't handle being today. It was nice to have the hero of the story have to figure out a lot about himself just as much as the heroine. Very balanced.
Cora, our little spitfire, has her own issues to come to terms with--mainly this idea of finding Mr. Perfect. She's been burned and in an effort to protect her heart she's create a nearly impossible idea of what her perfect guy would be. Gosh, could any guy meet the requirements on her list?!! Even when she let's Rome in just a little, she's very very hesitant to give up much of herself. Ugh, no. No person ever can compete with a list titled "perfection"...which is another reason why I was super excited to start this because you know that there will be some interesting times with her not finding those requirements met. Rome knocks her socks off, as well as mine...and it is a seriously fun journey to find out if they work out or not.
Luckily we have two characters who are more honest than not. They are not interested in playing games and so the angst is low and the reward is high...but not without a few MOMENTS that make you work for that reward. I was about to say the same thing! For this series, it was relatively low angst, but never ever boring. Ever. (And when I say low angst, I am comparing this to all of the tattooed/pierced-ness that is Rule.)
We get to catch up on our favorite Marked Men and see hints of what's to come. Another great read in this series! I LOVE how we get fantastic teases to the other characters as they are all best friends, so it wasn't just one line and we never saw them again. Nor was those characters taking over the story. I also loved how much we got of Nash, Asa, and Rowdy as those are the next Marked Men to get their story and I cannot wait to read everything that Jay writes! It was effortless for me to read, and IMO that is one of the highest compliments I can give.
Shelley: 4 Stars
Courtney: 5 Stars
Courtney: 5 Stars
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