It’s a suspenseful and heartbreaking journey to HEA for two people haunted by their pasts in this tale of acceptance and starting over. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Respect by Jay Crownover, along with my impressions of this gritty and sensual read set in a world of criminals and danger, then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this third installment in The Breaking Point series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC along with a signed set of the books in this series too!
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who called a corrupt kingdom home sweet home.
Protected and sheltered from the worst the world had to offer, she fell in love with the crumbling city that burned and blazed around her. Every dirty corner, every scary shadow, found a place within her heart. So did a man who was violent and dangerous, just like the streets she claimed as her own.
He was all business and brutality, except when it came to her. With her, he was calm, caring, and heartbreakingly patient.
He warned her over and over that he wasn't the man for her, but she refused to listen. She never expected either the streets or their enforcer to hurt her, since she'd given her heart so completely to both.
She should have known the streets in the Point were always going to be savage, and so was the man committed to keeping control of them in the hands of criminals and bloody kingpins.
Blindsided by a betrayal which cut so deeply she was sure the wounds would never heal, the princess fled the home she loved and the man who broke her heart. Throwing away her rusted, twisted crown was supposed to help her forget. All it did was make her long for everything she left behind. She told herself she would never go back, but in this tormented kingdom, family is everything. Eventually, she has no choice but to return.
While she was gone, the people who loved her worked hard to make the city safe, and the man who destroyed her sank deeper into the darkness. Going back shouldn't feel like surrender... but it does. As this pretty princess hovers on the edge of the unknown, the past attacks with a vengeance. It's a good reminder that puppy love eventually grows up and turns into something with sharp teeth and one hell of a bite.
She never asked for the keys to the kingdom. She'd much rather go out and build her own.
EXCERPT:
~Karsen~
Today I was finally old enough to have him.
Best. Birthday. Present. Ever.
It wasn’t uncommon for me to bop down to Booker’s place. He even left the door unlocked most days so I could get in. We lived in a fortress that had more eyes in the sky than a casino in Vegas, so he didn’t need to worry about simple things like locked doors. My crush on the behemoth of a man was pretty much common knowledge all around. Booker tended to treat me like I was an annoying kid sister. But there were times, when no one else was around, I could tell he was looking at me differently. He was hard to read, something that kept you alive in these parts. But I spent so much time watching him, I could see what no one else could. Those steely eyes softened, melted into a soft dove gray when he looked at me while no one else was paying any attention.
I glanced up at the camera that I knew was tracking my every move. I gave a little wave to whomever was monitoring the feed tonight. Race’s security guys were a part of my everyday life. Where I went, they followed. It was sort of like having an army of overprotective big brothers. Annoying yet necessary. It was a good thing I was obsessed with Booker. Having eyes only for him over the last few years meant I didn’t bring boys home to meet the family. I was pretty sure trying to date a guy my own age would have been impossible with those eagle-eyed brutes hanging around.
The butterflies in my stomach started sword fighting the closer I got to Booker’s door. I spent a lot of time making goo-goo eyes at the giant man and aimlessly trying to make conversation with him. He was too cold and reserved to attempt any harmless flirting, and I was always very aware of the line in the sand where Booker was concerned. He tolerated my infatuation and presence, but he always made it clear he was humoring me. He was the one who often reminded me there was a big, wide world out there, ripe for the picking. He told me I should never settle. However, when I tried to explain the only thing I was dying to experience was him, he diverted the conversation and pointedly told me that I was way too young for him. He also believed I was way too nice. He didn’t talk about his past, or his time in prison, but I had a feeling that wherever Noah Booker had been before made the Point look like Sesame Street.
When I was in front of the door, I took a second to make sure my white-blonde hair was smooth and sleek. I ran my tongue over the front of my teeth to make sure none of the plum-colored lip gloss was stuck to the surface. I wiped my hands down the front of my black skinny jeans, the ones that made my admittedly long legs look even longer and took a deep breath. It was now or never.
Today was the day.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
War continues to rage in The Point, but this time around it’s on a more personal level as one man’s obsession leads to danger for a young woman carrying the weight of her past on her shoulders. In need of a rescuer, the man she once loved and who has a painful past of his own, puts his life on the line to save her from other’s misguided intentions in this sensual and suspenseful story.
Karsen Carter’s childhood was a rough one full of blood and abuse where she had only her sister to count on. Years of struggle had her sister finding HEA but it put them in the middle of danger courtesy of a mysterious and protective man whose kingdom was built through nefarious means. She was coddled in luxury but kept in a gilded cage in the name of familial love. Though it was a restrictive life at times there was the bright spot of the sexy badass Noah Booker to protect her and young love had her wanting to claim him until fate forced them apart. His betrayal bruised her heart but she’s never forgotten him and when her best friend is hurt she’ll have to rely on him to make things right. When the danger soon encompasses her she’ll need his help even more during a cross country journey home that brings many painful truths to light. Karsen’s many years younger than Booker, but there’s a strong sense of maturity surrounding her. She’s strong-willed and determined to see the people of her hometown succeed. She’s full of sunshine too, loving, and quick to see the good in others. She’s drawn to Booker the moment she sees him and it’s clear he’s protective of her tender feelings early on. The act that drives them apart isn’t what it seems and once the truth about it is revealed it will give deeper insight into Booker and endear readers to him even more. Through all their emotional highs and lows Karsen stayed strong in her belief of Booker’s goodness. She saw past the obvious scars on his body to those inside and supported him wholeheartedly which made me like her all the more. Growing up the way she did never broke her, it empowered her to do more in life, and it had me cheering this book’s inspiring epilogue.
Noah Booker’s a compelling man carrying a heavy emotional weight on his shoulders. With a traumatic childhood full of abuse, where he was left to survive on his own, Booker captivated me from the start. As this book progressed readers learned more about the pain inflicted on him and it made for a heartbreaking childhood that turned him into a man who never wanted to appear weak. He wanted to be a man who exuded power and who no one challenged after years of feeling vulnerable. To get there though he had to sell bits of his soul, had to dirty his hands in the name of others. He became someone others admired, but someone he himself was disappointed by. He was drawn to Karsen the moment he was assigned to protect her, drawn to her goodness and to the light of acceptance that shown in her gaze. His scars didn’t push her away, but instead drew her to him even more in a sweet story of young love. He never felt good enough for her though, was never seen as worthy by her sister and fiancee, which ultimately drove a wedge between them. Without Karsen his life has less meaning and he’s just going through the motions and it’s left his future hanging by a thread. Before his time is up though he wants to make amends. His return to Karsen brings truths to light, reawakens their crackling connection, and has him once again putting his life on the line to protect her from an increasingly erratic villain. During their emotionally tumultuous journey home it becomes a cleansing one as both of them talk candidly about their pasts and their feelings. Booker’s reveal was especially heartbreaking and his reactions when Karsen’s in the middle of danger were a clear indication of how much he loves her. He may look like a badass, may look like he can handle anything, but his love for Karsen overwhelms him at times and it made me love him all the more. Though he feared losing her once again, he did what needed to be done to bring a villain to justice in an exciting conclusion. Booker’s an enticing dichotomy, a delicious hero, and is my latest addition to my book boyfriend list.
The Breaking Point series has been a gritty one from the very start. While there’s no clear-cut good/bad characters, there’s definitely lots of grey in a town struggling to survive against the backdrop of drugs and money. The people, and the town itself, called to me and had me fully invested in the outcome from the very first sentence to this satisfying series-ender. Booker and Karsen were an immensely appealing couple, their differences making them even stronger, in a romance that was sweet and sensual. They were supportive of each other, unconditionally accepting of one another, in a romance that had me rooting for them every step of the way. Surrounding this compelling main couple is a large cast of returning characters, an eclectic collection of secondary characters who readers get an update about. Their help in bringing the villain to justice added bits of action and suspense to this romance, showed that “bad” guys are very capable of doing good and exuded a sense of family by their protecting their own. This series on a whole has been full of imperfect characters, but it’s those imperfections that made these stories so real. The heroes were always a bit tarnished, but when it comes to the ones they love they showed true heroism. I’ve been captivated by this series from the start, and am sad to see it end, but greatly anticipate what Ms. Crownover has planned next after giving readers such a masterfully multi-layered read!
Karsen Carter’s childhood was a rough one full of blood and abuse where she had only her sister to count on. Years of struggle had her sister finding HEA but it put them in the middle of danger courtesy of a mysterious and protective man whose kingdom was built through nefarious means. She was coddled in luxury but kept in a gilded cage in the name of familial love. Though it was a restrictive life at times there was the bright spot of the sexy badass Noah Booker to protect her and young love had her wanting to claim him until fate forced them apart. His betrayal bruised her heart but she’s never forgotten him and when her best friend is hurt she’ll have to rely on him to make things right. When the danger soon encompasses her she’ll need his help even more during a cross country journey home that brings many painful truths to light. Karsen’s many years younger than Booker, but there’s a strong sense of maturity surrounding her. She’s strong-willed and determined to see the people of her hometown succeed. She’s full of sunshine too, loving, and quick to see the good in others. She’s drawn to Booker the moment she sees him and it’s clear he’s protective of her tender feelings early on. The act that drives them apart isn’t what it seems and once the truth about it is revealed it will give deeper insight into Booker and endear readers to him even more. Through all their emotional highs and lows Karsen stayed strong in her belief of Booker’s goodness. She saw past the obvious scars on his body to those inside and supported him wholeheartedly which made me like her all the more. Growing up the way she did never broke her, it empowered her to do more in life, and it had me cheering this book’s inspiring epilogue.
Noah Booker’s a compelling man carrying a heavy emotional weight on his shoulders. With a traumatic childhood full of abuse, where he was left to survive on his own, Booker captivated me from the start. As this book progressed readers learned more about the pain inflicted on him and it made for a heartbreaking childhood that turned him into a man who never wanted to appear weak. He wanted to be a man who exuded power and who no one challenged after years of feeling vulnerable. To get there though he had to sell bits of his soul, had to dirty his hands in the name of others. He became someone others admired, but someone he himself was disappointed by. He was drawn to Karsen the moment he was assigned to protect her, drawn to her goodness and to the light of acceptance that shown in her gaze. His scars didn’t push her away, but instead drew her to him even more in a sweet story of young love. He never felt good enough for her though, was never seen as worthy by her sister and fiancee, which ultimately drove a wedge between them. Without Karsen his life has less meaning and he’s just going through the motions and it’s left his future hanging by a thread. Before his time is up though he wants to make amends. His return to Karsen brings truths to light, reawakens their crackling connection, and has him once again putting his life on the line to protect her from an increasingly erratic villain. During their emotionally tumultuous journey home it becomes a cleansing one as both of them talk candidly about their pasts and their feelings. Booker’s reveal was especially heartbreaking and his reactions when Karsen’s in the middle of danger were a clear indication of how much he loves her. He may look like a badass, may look like he can handle anything, but his love for Karsen overwhelms him at times and it made me love him all the more. Though he feared losing her once again, he did what needed to be done to bring a villain to justice in an exciting conclusion. Booker’s an enticing dichotomy, a delicious hero, and is my latest addition to my book boyfriend list.
The Breaking Point series has been a gritty one from the very start. While there’s no clear-cut good/bad characters, there’s definitely lots of grey in a town struggling to survive against the backdrop of drugs and money. The people, and the town itself, called to me and had me fully invested in the outcome from the very first sentence to this satisfying series-ender. Booker and Karsen were an immensely appealing couple, their differences making them even stronger, in a romance that was sweet and sensual. They were supportive of each other, unconditionally accepting of one another, in a romance that had me rooting for them every step of the way. Surrounding this compelling main couple is a large cast of returning characters, an eclectic collection of secondary characters who readers get an update about. Their help in bringing the villain to justice added bits of action and suspense to this romance, showed that “bad” guys are very capable of doing good and exuded a sense of family by their protecting their own. This series on a whole has been full of imperfect characters, but it’s those imperfections that made these stories so real. The heroes were always a bit tarnished, but when it comes to the ones they love they showed true heroism. I’ve been captivated by this series from the start, and am sad to see it end, but greatly anticipate what Ms. Crownover has planned next after giving readers such a masterfully multi-layered read!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
HERE ARE THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE BREAKING POINT SERIES:
HONOR (Book #1)
Don't be fooled.
Don't make excuses for me.
I am not a good man.
I've seen things no one should, done things no one should talk about. Honor and conscience have no place in my life. But I've fought and I've survived. I've had to.
The first time I saw her dancing on that seedy stage in that second rate club, I felt my heart pulse for the first time. Keelyn Foster was too young, too vibrant for this place, and I knew in an instant that I would make her mine. But first I had to climb my way to the top. I had to have something more to offer her.
I'm here now, money is no object and I have no equal. Except for her. She's disappeared. But don't worry, I will find her and claim her. She will be mine.
Like I said, don't be fooled. I am not the devil in disguise… I'm the one front and center.
Looks can be deceiving.
I knew that most people took one look at the ink and the impossibly big and strong body it covered and decided I was a brawler…a bruiser…a beast. However, I was hardwired to be a thinker, not a fighter—my mind being my greatest weapon and my biggest weakness.
I should have chosen to use my brain and talents to be one of the good guys, a hero, a man with dignity and worth.
I turned my back on dignity and sold my soul to the highest bidder, deciding to dance with the devil, instead.
I couldn’t figure out how to help myself, so there was zero chance I knew how to save someone else.
That someone else was Noe Lee. She was the unkempt, unruly thief who was just as smart as I was and twice as street savvy. She was annoyingly adorable beneath the dirt and grime and she was in trouble. In way over her head, I told myself it wasn’t my job to keep her from drowning. In the Point, it was sink or swim and I wasn’t the designated lifeguard on duty.
I had shut the door in her face, but now she’s gone…vanished…disappeared without a trace. It took less than a second for me to realize that I wanted her back.
When a woman comes along that melts all the frozen, hard things you’re made of, you’ll do anything you have to, to bring her home.
What you see is not always what you get…and with a man like me there is more than anyone ever bargained for.
AUTHOR INFO:
Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.
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