Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he's determined to do everything by the book--until he's called to Aspen Barlow's office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn't the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge...
Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she'll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there's a thin line between love and hate... because there's nothing Case wouldn't do to keep her safe.Series: Loveless, Texas #1 | Publisher: Forever | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4 CupsChallenges Read For: - Literary Pickers - Soup- 2019 Try Something New: New-to-me author
What’s a sheriff to do when his enemy needs protection?
When Aspen Barlow becomes the target of someone out to harm
her, Sheriff Case Lawton has no choice but to step up and take action. Although
protecting Aspen isn’t going to be easy considering she’s the one who lost him
custody of his son and he’s viewed her as the enemy since that day. Not wanting
to be like his father, Case is determined to sort out Aspen’s situation. As
more attacks are launched at Aspen and the investigation gets underway, Case
and Aspen find themselves growing closer. Now they have to figure out if
they’re ready to let go of the past and start again.
This was my first time reading Jay Crownover and she has
such an inviting writing style. I couldn’t put this book down.
Aspen’s a tough cookie. She’s used to being on her own from
a young age since her parents could really care less about what she was doing.
She was also used to being the outcast until she married a local guy from a
respectable family but now that she’s left him and is in the middle of a
divorce, she’s back to being viewed as the outsider. Aspen’s always been one to
stand on her own two feet so when she needs help from someone else, she’s not sure
how to accept it, especially since the help is coming from someone she’s always
looked up and had feelings for but Case has soundly put her in the enemies
category. I was a little worried when Aspen was described as a bleeding heart
liberal; I’m not one to like reading about character’s with causes but
thankfully nothing popped up.
Case’s story pulled on my heartstrings. He’s grown up with a
dirty sheriff for a father who was abusive to Case and his siblings so Case has
had to fight to prove he’s nothing like his father and he’s still proving that
to some of the town’s residents. He’s also firmly held a grudge against Aspen,
which was understandable. She cost him custody of his son and it’s not
something that he’s able to easily look past. Although Case is a man of integrity,
who respects the badge he wears so he knows it’s his job to make sure Aspen’s
looked after and her case is taken seriously.
The relationship between Case and Aspen was fraught with tension.
They both had been hurt before and they both had wounds that the other had
inflicted so there was a lot of healing and letting go that had to happen
before they could figure out what was happening between them. With all that
going on, there was still so much chemistry bouncing between the two of them
but I’m glad that they waited before jumping into something.
The suspense aspect was spot on. It had me on the edge of my
seat as events unfolded. While I had an inkling about who was behind the
threats, I wasn’t sure until the last few pages.
While I enjoyed this book—and nearly gave it a 5-cup
rating—the author used ‘marine’ instead of ‘Marine’. That capitalized ‘M’ makes
all the difference and I really wish that authors and editors would pay it more
heed.
FYI:
Marine: military
a soldier who serves at sea as well as in the air and on land, e.g. a member of
the U.S. Marine Corps.
marine: relating
to, found in, or living in the sea
Apparently Case has made an appearance in some of the
author’s other books—while I would eventually like to read those because I
really enjoyed Case—I don’t feel they were needed to get the full scope of
Case.
Overall, I
enjoyed this one. It had a nice combination of suspense, angst, and romance
without one overpowering the other. I’m eager to see what happens in the next
book since this book ended with the start of a new mystery that I’m sure will
carry over to the next one. I’m also eager to see what happens with Case’s
siblings.
Loveless, TX Series
0.5-Unbroken
1-Justified
2-Unforgiven
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