REVIEW: NASH by Jay Crownover

NASH by Jay Crownover (Marked Men #4)
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication Date: April 29, 2014
Source: Edelweiss
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Will their past determine their future?

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?

My Review


Jay Crownover’s NASH has done wonders to my heart and to be quite honest, it totally tickled my fancy. She totally did a number on me because of Nash’s story and she continued to solidify my absolute knows no bounds type of love for the Marked Men series. 


I’ve been waiting for Nash’s story since that moment he showed up in RULE and now that I have gotten to know him, I have to say that I’m in awe. Nash was even more spectacular than I thought he was. Out of all the Marked Men, he seemed to be the most mellow and chill. Diving into NASH, I realized that he was wounded and a little bit broken because of the rejection he felt by his mother picking her husband over him. It sucked to see how much she regarded Nash, how she couldn’t see that he was an amazing person altogether. 

I loved Nash’s story because in his darkest hour, Nash finds love in Saint and finds out a shocking truth that was hidden from him for years. I really got to see how Nash connected with Saint, how he built something stronger with Phil, and saw just how much support he got from his friends. His story was beautiful and touching because of all he went through and the love he poured to Saint and most especially to Phil. I got to see a sensitive, vulnerable and more open side of Nash. The best thing was how Nash never gave up on the things he cared about, but he also knew when enough was enough. He realized that he was good enough and that he deserved the best. 

Nash’s relationship with Saint was probably my least favorite so far in the whole series. Not because I didn’t love them together or because I didn’t like Saint, I did. It was just so hard to read Saint being so down on herself because she lacked confidence and self-esteem. I always struggle with characters like that because I’m still trying to do what Saint ended up doing at the end of this book. But what I really enjoyed about these two was their chemistry and the ease at which they were around each other. I also loved how Nash continued to shower Saint with truthful compliments. He allowed her to realize that she needed to see what he saw in her. Even though Saint was awkward and timid, she had a strong sense of familial love, she was loyal to the core, and she cared about Nash despite the misunderstanding all those years ago. I loved watching her blossom out of her shell. 

NASH comes within half an inch of topping RULE for me. The fact that this book had me tearing up in heart break for Nash was a testament that showed how terrific it/he was. Crownover gave me exactly what I was looking for while still keeping everything familiar, warm and loving. NASH was stunning.

*Thanks to William Morrow for sending a copy in exchange for an honest review

Favorite Quotes

"I had a sinking suspicion if I was ever lucky enough to get her naked, I would never let her put on clothes around me again."

"'Saint, you can attack me with any part of you at any given moment of any day. I will not complain...ever.'"

"I was trying to be coherent and reasonable, but my dick was starting to pay way closer attention to what she was doing than my brain was."

"'I hated him, but you...this Nash...all I do is want him.'"

"Jesus.' No, not quite, just Saint"

"'You are the greatest thing I ever created. Don't doubt it.'"

"'Why is your penis wearing a ring?'"

REVIEW: ROME by Jay Crownover

ROME by Jay Crownover (Marked Men #3)
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Sometimes the wrong choice can be just right . . .

Fun and fearless, Cora Lewis knows how to keep her tattooed "bad boy" friends at the Marked in line. But beneath all that flash and sass is a broken heart. Cora won't let herself get burned again. She's waiting to fall in love with the perfect man—a baggage-free, drama-free guy ready for commitment. Then she meets Rome Archer.

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He's stubborn, rigid, and bossy. And he's returned from his final tour of duty more than a little broken. Rome's used to filling many roles: big brother, doting son, supersoldier—but none of those fit anymore. Now he's just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the dark demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer through it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes a blinding flash of color in a sea of gray.Perfect may not be in the cards, but perfectly imperfect could just last forever . . .

My Review

Oh my freaking god, Jay Crownover just knows how to write a romance and one that completely rocks you to the very core. ROME was the best out of the Marked Men series thus far. It totally skyrocketed my love for this series and Crownover’s writing 10 fold. 



I have to start with Cora because that girl was so kick ass. I always wanted to know her story since she was first mentioned and now I really got to know the loud mouth fireball of a girl who took care of all her boys. And I must say that I loved her to death. She was just so fierce and loyal, I really admired her for never backing down without a fight. I understood her fear of giving her heart to another after being burned and her quest to find Mr. Perfect, I was glad she finally opened up herself to someone. She did her best to be there for Rome, to keep his demons at bay by helping him make things easier. She meddled and got her nose into everything but she surprised me by being straightforward and pushing through. She was match for match when it came to Rome. 



When I thought I couldn’t have loved Rome more.. boy was I wrong. While Rome wasn’t the warm, fun, carefree older Archer he was before, he was not with his loving, protective nature and sexy as hell self. He was really lost and frustrated and all his hardships and brokeness really made me feel for him. Rome definitely struggled with the aftermath of Remy’s lies, how he felt like no one really needed him anymore and mostly the survival’s guilt that continued to haunt him. Despite all these setbacks, Rome was an honorable, dependable, and completely selfish when it came to those he loved. He tried his hardest to be the best he could be for Cora. He loved her as she was and took her as she was. She was the balm that soothed Rome’s wounds. And no matter what, I thought Rome was an amazing guy who needed to realize that he didn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and had to accept the help and love from others just as he gave them.



Out of all the books in this series, I thought that ROME just had more depth, seriousness, and maturity in the relationships and in the issues the characters faced whether it dealt with family, friends or love. I really liked seeing both Rome and Cora go through ups and downs together and individually. Cora worked on loving Rome, while Rome worked on trying to keep his nightmares in check. I also thought that this book was exceptionally emotional and intense, especially with certain parts that nearly had me in tears. I can definitely say that Crownover really moved me with Rome and Cora’s story. I also appreciated how ROME skipped all the small bullshit fights that I tend to roll my eyes at in other novels. The characters in this book made mistakes, but they own up to them rather than make halfhearted excuses. I also have to mention Crownover’s ability to write descriptive yet sensual sex scenes that leave much to the imagination. She always gives the perfect amount of tension, seduction, and heat that I’m always looking for. 



Crownover didn’t just give me an impeccable and exquisite story that deals with grief, guilt, loss, and love. She gave me a book that had meaning, that reminded me that perfection can be found in most imperfect people and that there are always people there to love, help and support you. And fans of RULE and JET will also appreciate the appearance of many beloved characters that stole our hearts from the very beginning. The whole gang was this in one and we get a glimpse of what they are doing now, what their future may entail and Crownover leaves a shocking revelation that will certainly have you (especially me) squirming for NASH’s book.

*Thanks to William Morrow for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion. 

Read my review for JET (Marked Med #2)

Read my review for RULE (Marked Men #1)

Favorite Quotes

"I bet if he ever bothered to smile, panties across the nation would melt."

"Captain No-Fun better get with the program real fast or it was going to get ugly."

"Love isn't perfect. It's hard work and sometimes it's more effort to be in love than it is to just run away. If you keep looking for perfect, the real thing is going to pass right by you."

"I don't know, Half-Pint, something tells me reining you in is probably a pretty good time."

"My perfect guy has got to come already together and be good enough no assembly required by me."

"You suck."

"Only when asked nicely."

"That's okay, little brother has enough down there for you and everybody else in the room."

"I've been there and done that and seriously I wish I could give the T-shirt back."

"Oh, old friend, how I missed you."

"You talking to me or my dick?"

"Thanks, Half-Pint."

"Anytime, Captain No-Fun."

REVIEW: Rule by Jay Crownover

Rule  by Jay Crownover (Marked Men #1)
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Format: Kindle ebook, 400 pages
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon / B&N

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters 

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want--and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions

Holy wow! This book blew me the freak away! It had the perfect combination of humor, steamy intense romance, angst, and real love that I could not help but lovelovelove to death. I got a little bit of everything in this book. It was the perfect package of awesome I devoured in so little time with no sleep at all and it was worth every word, page, chapter, and tattoo inked on beloved, Rule Archer. 



And speaking of Rule Archer, I will admit right here and right now that this boy holds my heart in the palm of his snake inked hand. Rule was the type of guy who lived his life to the fullest with no regrets, no second thoughts on how others thought or cared. He was determined to be his own person and to do whatever he wanted with or without consequence. He may have been overconfident, a jerk most of the time, and a player all around, but Rule Archer had a big heart that was crowded by his own personal demons. Here, we get to see his walls slowly come down as he realizes his true worth. I loved everything about Rule, from his rude and bad attitude, to his unwavering loyalty to his friends. He wasn’t perfect that was for sure, but was full of life and personality and someone so willing to make up for past mistakes. He may have been sure of himself from the start, but he still wanted approval and acceptance. When Rule enters a room, you cannot help but stare. Rule Archer consumed me from the inside out. 



Shaw was rich and beautiful on the outside, but has always been lonely and felt like she couldn’t fit in anywhere until she was swept into the Archer household and became one of them. I loved Shaw for many reasons. She was independent, strong, didn’t take shit, she was extremely caring, sexy in a subtle way, but mostly because she saw Rule like no one else did. She knew his value, worth and the greatness within him and accepted him through and through. While Rule helped Shaw step out of her parents shadow, Shaw helped Rule know what love was and how to accept love. I loved how these two started off as barely friend-enemies, always tip-toeing around each other in hostility until they dive into this sexual, tense, all consuming relationship that took my breath away and made my heart explode. They had so much to learn about each other, and not only did I get to read all about their blossoming relationship, I got to feel it. 



This book wasn’t just about love and romance. There was so many aspects that made this book stand out and give it the oomph I’ve been looking for. There was some serious family problems that weren’t outrageous, but very realistic. My favorite was the friendships in this book. The bonds were strong and loyal and refreshing to read after many books about backstabbing friends. This book definitely highlighted what true friendship really is. There was also a part in this book that totally took me by surprise and it was a really great twist because it had my heart beating so fast! 



Jay Crownover really knows how to set a delicious pace and tell one amazing story with Rule and Shaw at the front and center. It was such a thrill to see how intertwined these two were despite their differences and disagreements and I loved how everything unfolded. Crownover definitely knew how to bring in the wit, the conflict and drama at the perfect parts and all the steamy sexy scenes that made me ache in all the right places. I enjoyed her writing and the overall story so much. The whole book was one big explosive addiction I could not get enough of! Whatever Crownover has next, I’m definitely picking it up without a second thought!

Favorite Quotes

“You have me Shaw, any way you need me, any way you want me, you have me.” 

“This is what I have to offer you Shaw and just like you let me be your first, I'm letting you be mine.” 

“I adore Rule. I think it’s genetically impossible not to be kind of in love with him when you come equipped with a vagina.”

“Guys, Rule's girl is here and she's like an actual girl with an actual brain. Un-freaking-believable.” 

"You're like good whiskey, Shaw. You go to a guy's head quick and smooth."

"You are special;  you were special then, too. I was just too stupid to stupid to see it."