SERIES: Judge Me Not
SERIES PLACEMENT: #2
AUTHOR: S.R. Grey
AGE GROUP: New Adult
GENRE: Contemp. Romance
RELEASE DATE: April 27, 2014
PUBLISHED BY: S.R. Grey
FORMAT: eBook and Paperback
PAGES: Approx. 302
REVIEW TOUR COORDINATED BY:
AToMR Productions
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COPY PROVIDED BY: Author
MY GOODREADS REVIEW LINK
RATING: ★★★★★
CLIFFHANGER: Yes!
BOOK BLURB:
Can a tattooed, former bad boy leave his past behind? Can he find lasting happiness with the love of his life?
Gorgeous and sexy Chase Gartner hopes to do just that with Kay Stanton. But when Chase’s troubled-teen brother, Will, stays on in Harmony Creek, Ohio—-after an unexpected arrival-—Chase and Kay’s bonds of love and commitment are soon tested.
Chase finds himself caught up in secrets—-and revisiting a past he thought he’d left behind—-when Will makes a number of irresponsible decisions. Despite Chase’s attempts to keep his brother out of trouble, Will’s reckless behavior continues, affecting not only Chase and Kay, but other residents in town...one disastrously so.
But it’s the final, potentially deadly decision Will makes when his girlfriend runs into trouble back in Las Vegas that leads Chase to make a fateful decision of his own. A choice that threatens his relationship with Kay.
Never Doubt Me is a touching, poignant story of love, redemption, and coming to grips with the fact that escaping the past is never easy.
New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres. 2nd novel in the Judge Me Not series.
***mature content, recommended for 17+***
REVIEWERS NOTE: I was gifted this book from the author in exchange for an honest review to tour with AToMR Productions.
5 Habit Forming, Sexy Stars!
I heart you Chase Gartner!
The Review:
When the author asked me to read the continuing journey of Chase and Kay, I readily agreed because book one, though for me, had it’s flaws, really left me with a great feeling as the hero and heroine found their way to one another amidst hardships and personality clashes. Chase was a struggling hero just trying to find his way in the world again and Kay was buried so deep in self blame, it was hard for her to see any light at the end of the tunnel. They captured my heart and I couldn’t wait to see what their future held.
I wasn’t disappointed. Never Doubt Me picks up right where the first book leaves off and with the introduction of new characters, new challenges, new friendships from previous conflicts and old enemies, I couldn’t put this book down!
Characters/Story...
Chase has some tough moments in this book. He has finally steadied himself on that shadowy edge between being a good man and reverting back to his ruffian days. Drugs, fighting and being quick tempered are strong temptations for him. It’s a place he can find absolute oblivion and forget the troubles he’s facing. But the one thing that stops him is the challenge of being a better man for the woman he loves. His whole heart and soul are devoted to Kay so when he finds himself falling over that edge, which happens on more than one occasion during this read, he quickly pulls himself back, for her... and for himself. He’s not been on the safe track long before his younger brother, who he’s not really connected with in four years, comes barreling in with a whole slew of problems. And it seems Will is heading down the same dark path Chase has traveled.
Chase tries to play the big brother roll and you can tell Will would rather be the kid brother hanging with his older brother, but Will’s girlfriend finds herself in a terrible situation, causing Will to slide into protector roll which causes him to act out and do dangerous things.. which in turn, pulls a recovering Chase right along with him.
And poor Kay is caught right in the middle. But Kay is a wonderful heroine and she’s right there beside her man through it all. Chase and Kay’s story doesn't hold much relationship angst but they both have other people in their lives who are struggling and it was really nice to see them come together and tackle those hurdles as one loving couple!
I loved this read. The first book was a great story and the writing was well done and this book just continues that wonderful, heartfelt journey of these two admirable characters who are trying to overcome the pain of their pasts and make a happy present and a beautiful future.
I love how protective Chase is over Kay. So is Will when it comes to his girl. And though its romantic and all kinds of alpha hot, it’s also a bit sad because you understand Chase, as well as his brother, know loss. They know what it’s like to lose someone they love (like their father) and something that's precious (their security, their hope and their future). So they grab on and hold tight to that which they love and clutch it fiercely between their hands, hoping it never slips through.
I also really enjoyed the introduction of Will and Cassie, his girlfriend. Seeing Will and his struggle to come to terms with all the things life has thrown at him was like watching a younger Chase. I can only imagine Chase as the angry, hurt and scared boy that Will is. Their fathers suicide really turned their entire family upside down and has had a spiraling effect on all the Gartners. The mom has given up on her family. The sons are just trying to cope with everyday life. It’s harrowing and angsty and a lot of fun to read. Don't’ judge me! I love my angsts :)
And I cannot end this review without talking about the steamy chemistry between Chase and Kay which was full on smokin’ hot! Kay is one lucky girl! Yes, I have lust feelings for Chase Gartner and he is now my new book boyfriend :D
The Wrap Up:
This book leaves off, like the first one, with a significant cliffy and though I’m a hater of all things cliffy, I truly can’t wait to see what the third book holds. It’s going to be a long wait, but I consider my impatience proof positive of how much I enjoyed this read and these characters.
Quotes I Loved...
Quote Spotlight...
Chase smiles at me. It never fails to amaze me how unaware he is of how absolutely breathtaking he can be. Like now, tonight, in this moment. I take in his smooth chest, wide and strong, and how his biceps flex when he flips back the sheet to make room for me. I sigh. The man is just perfection.
Quote Spotlight...
”You’re so beautiful, Kay, standing before me like this, naked, vulnerable - mine.”
“I am yours,” I murmur.
Quote Spotlight...
Kay is better than any drug I’ve ever done; she overloads my senses in the best kind of way. So I keep on tasting our love as I move my hips slowly, making love to my girl.
Quote Spotlight...
When I dig deep, down into my soul, I know I want this, too. I long to create life with the woman who had shown me living is possible. And not just that it is possible, but that living can be good.
Quote Spotlight...
... I’d walk into the fires of hell for Chase. I love him that much.
BUY THE BOOK!
About the Author...
S.R. Grey is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble Top 100 bestselling author. Harbour Falls, Willow Point, and Wickingham Way are novels in the completed Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy. She is also the author of New Adult novels I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #1) and Never Doubt Me (Judge Me Not #2). Ms. Grey's novels have appeared on Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestseller lists in multiple categories.
New novels slated for publication in 2014 are Inevitable Detour, a New Adult novel with a Romantic Suspense edge, as well as Just Let Me Love You (Judge Me Not #3).
Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, as well as an MBA. Her background may be in business, but her true passion lies in writing. When not writing, Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams.
Contact the Author...
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Thank you, Hazel, for taking part in the tour, plus everything else, as well! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Susie! You're welcome here any time! Good luck on the tour. I can't wait for book three ;)
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