Jay Crownover's Marked Men series continues with the newly released and emotionally engaging, Nash. Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this book, along with my impressions of it, and learn even more about this book by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour. If all that weren't enough, make sure to fill out the form below as there's a slew of great prizes to win such as a $100 Amazon GC, a $50 Amazon GC, a $25 Amazon GC, signed books, and swag!
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?
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a fan of the Marked Men series I greatly anticipated Nash's story and fell in love with him even more once the final page was turned. As a teen Nash's life was far from perfect with a mother and stepfather who let him know he was a disappointment in every way. Being told his father abandoned him made him feel even more alone which left him living on the edge where sex, smoking, and drinking were his only comfort. His only bright spot was the day he discovered the shy and quiet girl with gorgeous red hair and dreamy grey eyes occupying the locker next to his. He knew Saint was out of his league as she was a good and studious girl but he came to crave her rare smiles, he felt important in her eyes, and was crushed when she suddenly turned cold. Many years later they're reunited at another low point in his life but he's still drawn to her and slowly comes to rely on her quiet comfort. She's still angry though which confuses him and puts him on a mission to win her over wholeheartedly. Theirs isn't an easy journey to HEA as past hurts weigh on each of them, hers running most deep, but nothing worth having comes easily. Nash is a drool-worthy hero who's always felt inferior but never purposely hurt others in his anger, though he hurt himself plenty with his vices. Everything he thought he knew about himself goes up in flames once he discovers the truth about "Uncle" Phil, the man who supported him and cared for him unconditionally his whole life. He's tired of the lies he's been told, but with Phil's health declining he doesn't want to waste any more time as their interactions become more profound and heartbreaking and Nash finally starts to see himself as someone worthy of happiness. Throughout all this emotional upheaval he takes his time reconnecting with Saint and never rushes her as he wants to be the kind of man she needs and deserves. He was a true romantic in all his words and deeds and I wish Saint had been more deserving of his care and concern.
Saint is a woman full of emotional baggage as the negative body images she's had since her youth are still with her today even though she's completely transformed herself. She blames Nash, and all men, for an incident he has no recollection of and closed herself off to love and forming close ties with others because of it. She thinks all men are bad and this adds to the crippling fear and anxiety that she's constantly dealing with. It's even led to her being called frigid as her negative body image consumes even that part of her life. As if those problems aren't bad enough she has issues with her mother who eats away at her self-esteem. All in all she's an emotional mess but still finds herself drawn to Nash against her better judgment. When she's with him she becomes carefree and his sweet words and tender care help her see herself in a more positive light. He makes her a better person emotionally but for most of the story she's pushing him away even has she's jumping his bones. He wants her wholeheartedly but fear keeps her from totally committing until it's almost too late. It's painful to hear her reduced to a child by the negativity she's let overrule her life and it became depressing to hear it ad nauseam. Though she left me frustrated through most of the story by letting her past consume her future, I did admire the care and support she gave to those who were hurting. When Nash needed her most she was there which ultimately won me over.
It was wonderful seeing past characters rally around Phil and Nash when they were both suffering so badly. It reiterated how close knit these people are and that even though they're not all related by blood, they're a family nonetheless. Their appearances though almost overtook the romance rockily building between Nash and Saint as it felt like too much time was being spent on them instead of the main couple. Along with past characters we're introduced to some new ones who are just as colorful and memorable as those we've already come to know and love. All in all I found this a satisfying story almost completely because of the wonderfully sweet and sexy Nash who put up with a lot of emotional pain from others before finally achieving his HEA. While this heroine was my least favorite of the series she came through in the end and became deserving of the incredible Nash and will hopefully continue to evolve into a stronger woman in his presence. Ms. Crownover continues to keep me coming back for more as the Marked Men remain one of my favorite book boyfriends and I am greatly anticipating the next emotionally engaging installment.
My rating for this is a B-
*I received this book from Edelweiss for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
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 allover 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. Thanks for taking the time to check my stuff out...
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