Thursday, February 5, 2015

Review + Giveaway: Better When He's Bold by Jay Crownover



About BETTER WHEN HE’S BOLD:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover, comes the second book in a combustible new series, Welcome to the Point, that is sexier, darker, and better than ever.

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who is bad. . . . Welcome to the Point.

In a dark and broken kingdom, a ruler has be fearless to control the streets and the ruthless people who run them. Race Hartman is just bold enough, just smart enough, and just lost enough to wear the crown. Places like The Point will always have bad things and bad people, but the man in control of all that badness can minimize the devastation. Race has a plan, but can he prevent total annihilation without destroying himself?

Brysen Carter has always seen the real Race—a guy too pretty, too smooth, and way too dangerous. Basking in his golden glow is very tempting, but Brysen knows she’ll eventually get burned. She has enough problems without the risky danger and mayhem that comes with a guy like Race. Too bad Brysen faces a threat close to home that might be more dangerous than anything The Point has ever produced.. And the only person interested in keeping her safe is the one man she can’t allow herself to have.

Sometimes being bold is the only way to stay alive. But can she let Race save her life . . . if it means losing herself to him?


Shel: I really liked the first book in this series, Better When He's Bad, for its gritty feel and the protagonist's unwillingness to "reform". He had reasons for doing what he did and while he'd bend a little, he wasn't going to break for anyone. Court: Yes! The first book set up this interesting, gritty, no holds bar world and I was ecstatic to be reuniting with characters that I love. The excitement for this book was over the top for certain. 

Shel: I LOVED Better When He's Bold for maintaining that gritty feel and for showing why people would love The Point or want to stay there. Book 1 was all about that seamy underbelly, that darkness; Book 2 was about opening your eyes to see beyond that. It's not that the setting was romanticized in any way but that Race and Bry both showed a willingness to think about who resided there and they wanted to make it the better. Court: Yes. It definitely looked into the long term. How do people survive when corruption and greed take over anything, and leave nothing left...well. I think people like Bry and Race are the types of people that are necessary to hold the world together. Race keeps 1 1/2 feet on the...darker, I guess...side of the law...and I definitely like him right where he is!

"It's more than the Point. This place is more than a warning to spoiled kids and one wrong turn away from the Hill. It doesn't matter how ugly it is, how vicious and hard it is to live here, it's still home. It's my home,it's your home, and when you see it getting torn apart, when you know the threat is real and coming from outside, it makes you want to fight for it.."


Shel: Race and Bry were not hard to love at all...at least they weren't once Brysen decided to be quit freezing Race out. I loved how Race was fiercely protective of Brysen. He was tender and observant and everything you'd want in a boyfriend (minus his criminal activity). Brysen was stubborn and caring and also protective of those she loved; they were good for each other and their chemistry was explosive. Court: They start out as fire and ice, and as they melt together...magic. I enjoyed their banter. Both of their desire to get what they want and need from each other, in addition to Brysen's understanding of Race and allowing him to do what he had to do...made the story have a great dynamic. Race is trying to make The Point be what he wants it to be...but has a struggle of not becoming his father, and becoming something he hates. He is looking for something to help him in this path, and Brysen doesn't know what hit her when he sets her in his sights to do just that. 

"Are we falling in love, Bry?...Definitely the Bonnie to my Clyde."

Shel: I was completely immersed in their story--watching their relationship grow and bloom despite the crazy shit that was bombarding them--and I had a hard time putting it down. Between their messed up families, a crazy stalker, and an even crazier person targeting the criminal underworld it's a small miracle that any relationship could begin much less survive.  Court: Me too. I think everyone can get something from each character's struggle...but most of all probably from Brysen's struggles with her family. Sure, not everyone has as extreme a struggle from their parents as she might...but it is definitely a relatable problem. Brysen definitely has her hands full with trying to keep her life afloat, but her strength as a character was inspiring.


Shel: This story worked for me in so many ways--the unrepentant protagonist, Race and Brysen's relationship, the setting, and the obvious love Jay Crownover has for this series has made me a huge fan of The Point and all its inhabitants. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series. Court: Me either. It is setting up to be a possible long, and fulfilling series, that we just can't get enough of. Or, at least that is my hope! And, the extra one-liners (because that is about all we can get him to say!) from Bax..y'all. Y'all, I hope you love it.





About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

Links:
Website ** Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter

GIVEAWAY:

1 comment

  1. I love almost anything in M/M - PNR, GFY, military and BDSM being high on the list

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