Sandy M’s review of Justified (Loveless, Book 1) by Jay Crownover
Contemporary Romance published by Forever 25 Jun 19
Another new author for me, and I freely admit I checked out this book because of the cover. Who can resist a sexy cowboy sheriff, for heaven’s sake. I’m glad I took a look and then took the chance on Jay Crownover. And though this is the second book in the Loveless, Texas series, I’m looking forward to digging into her backlist soon.
Case, of course is the high point of this story for me. He and his siblings had a terrible childhood with an abusive and corrupt father who had a steel-hard grip on Loveless as sheriff. Wanting to get out of town as soon as he could, Case’s dreams are derailed when his high school girlfriend ends up pregnant. Being the good and honorable man he wanted to be, to spite his father, he married the girl and tried to make things right and be a good dad to his young son. As usual with such relationships, the marriage falls and apart and his wife wants to take him for everything he’s worth, including his boy.
Aspen was a transplant from California to Texas and Case was the one who made her feel welcome and not so weird. Her mother was a poor excuse for a parent, and when the time came, Aspen went to college, became a lawyer and is back in Loveless to help those who truly need it – but as plans always seem to go, she ends up working with a local law firm where she meets her husband, a man who wants status and Aspen on his arm just to look good. As luck would have it, she runs into Case, who doesn’t seem to remember her at all, the day he learns his life is about to fall apart. Ignoring Aspen’s advice, he loses custody of his son and blames it entirely on Aspen.
Now finding her way on her own, while trying to get her ex to sign the divorce papers, Aspen’s life suddenly turns a dangerous corner and she and Case are thrown together now that he’s taken over as sheriff. I thoroughly enjoyed the turnaround Case goes through as he gets to know the Aspen of today and not just recalling the girl of yesterday. He has to work through his animosity day by day as he investigates who wants to see Aspen dead. Aspen’s crush comes roaring back to life – if it ever really ended at all – when she stays in his home for protective cover. These two are hot and sizzling together, and their lovin’ gets steamier the more they’re together, and especially when Case learns the truth behind Aspen’s actions from years before.
While the villain is caught at the end, Ms. Crownover cleverly gives us a look ahead at the next book, which will feature a Texas Ranger and Case’s sister. And that book is going to be hot, hot, and hot, from the few scenes between them in this story. I’m definitely looking forward to that and the mystery that will continue from the ending here.
I’m glad I caught this series at just the second book. I will be reading Unbroken very, very soon to get caught up, so that will give me time to start on her other books too.
Grade: A
Summary:
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.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
