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Redemption Hills #1
Give Me a Reason
From NYT and USA Today bestselling author A.L. Jackson comes a single-dad, enemies-to-lovers stand-alone romance about a jaded club owner and his son’s teacher…
Eden Murphy came into my club looking to make some extra cash.
A girl like her didn't belong in a place like this.
She'd get ripped to shreds.
Most likely by me.
There's nothing but sweetness dripping from her sexy little body, and I'm the monster who's salivating to get a taste.
Trent Lawson is the last man I should want.
Dark.
Dangerous.
So wickedly gorgeous he makes my knees weak.
He's also an arrogant jerk who happens to be my new boss.
When I discover his adorable son is also in my kindergarten class, I know I have to keep my distance.
But neither of us can ignore the attraction that flames.
One glance, and our hearts race.
One touch, and we’re aching for what we can’t have.
One night, and we’re falling fast.
Dragging her into my sordid world is wrong.
It doesn’t matter.
Eden Murphy is mine.
Eden Murphy came into my club looking to make some extra cash.
A girl like her didn't belong in a place like this.
She'd get ripped to shreds.
Most likely by me.
There's nothing but sweetness dripping from her sexy little body, and I'm the monster who's salivating to get a taste.
Trent Lawson is the last man I should want.
Dark.
Dangerous.
So wickedly gorgeous he makes my knees weak.
He's also an arrogant jerk who happens to be my new boss.
When I discover his adorable son is also in my kindergarten class, I know I have to keep my distance.
But neither of us can ignore the attraction that flames.
One glance, and our hearts race.
One touch, and we’re aching for what we can’t have.
One night, and we’re falling fast.
Dragging her into my sordid world is wrong.
It doesn’t matter.
Eden Murphy is mine.
473 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2021
About the author
A.L. Jackson
86 books13.4k followersA.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, REDEMPTION HILLS, and TIME RIVER novels.Get her latest single mom, neighbors-to-lovers, small town romance HOLD ME UNTIL MORNING, out now!
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
GET TO KNOW ME EVERYWHERE
Website: www.aljacksonauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aljacksonauthor
Twitter: @aljacksonauthor
Instagram: @aljacksonauthor
Snapchat: aljacksonauthor
Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson
Reader Group: http://smarturl.it/AmysAngelsRock
Text "aljackson" to 33222 for special updates!
Want to know what music inspires my books?
I have book specific playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/1255231879
Represent by Brower Literary & Management
subrights@browerliterary.com
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, REDEMPTION HILLS, and TIME RIVER novels.Get her latest single mom, neighbors-to-lovers, small town romance HOLD ME UNTIL MORNING, out now!
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
GET TO KNOW ME EVERYWHERE
Website: www.aljacksonauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aljacksonauthor
Twitter: @aljacksonauthor
Instagram: @aljacksonauthor
Snapchat: aljacksonauthor
Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson
Reader Group: http://smarturl.it/AmysAngelsRock
Text "aljackson" to 33222 for special updates!
Want to know what music inspires my books?
I have book specific playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/1255231879
Represent by Brower Literary & Management
subrights@browerliterary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,137 reviews
August 28, 2021
⭐️ 5 "Little Temptress" Stars ⭐️
Give Me A Reason was another highly poetic and emotional read from A.L. Jackson! It started in such a great way the Redemption Hills Series, introducing an interesting new set of characters and a gripping intrigue. Right from the start, I was hooked by this magnetic world of good and bad blending together.
"𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝑬𝒅𝒆𝒏. 𝑼𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒆. 𝑳𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒑 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅."
Eden Murphy is this sweet and resilient kindergarten teacher trying to find a job in a darker setting to make fast money. With a past that left her a little broken and she lived for her job and is afraid to open up her heart again. Trent Lawson is the bad boy trying to change his violent past in a good way to raise his son who's his only reason. These two really opposite people come crashing together in the most magnificent way! They share a sizzling chemistry from their first encounter and it keeps growing the more they deny these feelings.
The plot was so riveting and kept me guessing at all the secrets from Eden and Trent's past. There's an omnipresent menacing atmosphere planning over their small city. I truly adored the development of their relationship, with all the doubts and the ever growing attraction! Trent wants to be the good guy and keeps fighting to resist Eden. He sees himself as wrong for her, but he's such a protector and selfless when it comes to his loved ones. He had me entirely charmed! When they let the sparks ignite between them, this couple is simply fire. Gage, Trent's little boy, is such a sweetie with his pure heart and joy of life! He had me smiling a lot from all the cuteness he brings to the story.
"𝑰'𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕.𝑻𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓. 𝑻𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅."
Give Me A Reason was a total winner for me! The usual lyrical prose from the author had me enraptured and the protagonists were incredibly alluring. This romance with a side of suspense was utterly addictive! I'm really curious about the other two Lawson brothers's books coming next!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
February 12, 2022
DNF @ 42%
I really loved the idea of this book. I’m a sucker for a good single dad story, especially when said single dad is also a badass biker. So I went into this thinking that I would LOVE it! I thought it would be one of my top favourite books of this year. So imagine my disappointment when I struggled to get through it and had to finally throw in the towel at 42%.
My biggest issue with this book was the writing style. There was a lot of internal monologue, which I found to be overly dramatic. I ended up skimming through the majority of it.
I’m also a bit of a grammar Nazi, so the sentence and paragraph structures really irked me. There were A LOT of incomplete sentences (honestly I think there were more incomplete sentences than complete ones). A lot of sentences were just one word. A lot of paragraphs were just one sentence. For me, it made the story disjointed and hard to get into.
Overall I found Eden to be unlikeable. She was a shy church mouse, who was constantly gasping at everything. Maybe she gets better in the latter half of the book, but I couldn’t connect with her in the first half. Every time Trent would touch her hand, she would gasp. Like, girl! Get a grip!
Despite Eden’s constant gasping at Trent’s slightest touch, I just didn’t feel a connection between her and Trent. I thought there was a lot of insta-love/lust without any real substance. They had two interactions at work and two at Gage’s school, before Trent was all of a sudden baring his deep, dark secrets to her. It made zero sense, especially considering he was confessing some illegal shit to someone who was basically a stranger to him; not a very smart outlaw move if you ask me! It made even less sense considering how Trent went on and on about how he didn’t trust anyone except for his brothers. Like… you just met this girl two weeks ago, you’ve never been on a date, have only had like four conversations with her, never kissed her, but all of a sudden you’re telling her all your crimes like you’re at a confessional?! I didn’t get it! I think the author did this to try to build the relationship between Eden and Trent, but it would have felt more authentic if they had had more interactions and dialogue, and then bared their souls to each other. As it was, I thought their relationship felt forced.
Maybe this gets better, but I just couldn’t bring myself to continue!
I really loved the idea of this book. I’m a sucker for a good single dad story, especially when said single dad is also a badass biker. So I went into this thinking that I would LOVE it! I thought it would be one of my top favourite books of this year. So imagine my disappointment when I struggled to get through it and had to finally throw in the towel at 42%.
My biggest issue with this book was the writing style. There was a lot of internal monologue, which I found to be overly dramatic. I ended up skimming through the majority of it.
I’m also a bit of a grammar Nazi, so the sentence and paragraph structures really irked me. There were A LOT of incomplete sentences (honestly I think there were more incomplete sentences than complete ones). A lot of sentences were just one word. A lot of paragraphs were just one sentence. For me, it made the story disjointed and hard to get into.
Overall I found Eden to be unlikeable. She was a shy church mouse, who was constantly gasping at everything. Maybe she gets better in the latter half of the book, but I couldn’t connect with her in the first half. Every time Trent would touch her hand, she would gasp. Like, girl! Get a grip!
Despite Eden’s constant gasping at Trent’s slightest touch, I just didn’t feel a connection between her and Trent. I thought there was a lot of insta-love/lust without any real substance. They had two interactions at work and two at Gage’s school, before Trent was all of a sudden baring his deep, dark secrets to her. It made zero sense, especially considering he was confessing some illegal shit to someone who was basically a stranger to him; not a very smart outlaw move if you ask me! It made even less sense considering how Trent went on and on about how he didn’t trust anyone except for his brothers. Like… you just met this girl two weeks ago, you’ve never been on a date, have only had like four conversations with her, never kissed her, but all of a sudden you’re telling her all your crimes like you’re at a confessional?! I didn’t get it! I think the author did this to try to build the relationship between Eden and Trent, but it would have felt more authentic if they had had more interactions and dialogue, and then bared their souls to each other. As it was, I thought their relationship felt forced.
Maybe this gets better, but I just couldn’t bring myself to continue!
November 23, 2021
5 "One Reason" stars!!
She's pure. He is tainted.
She from Heaven. And he was created from Hell.
Trent Lawson, was a devil, a monster, a killer, a ghost. He has been abused, betrayed, broken, had watched his twin die. He lost all his reasons live. Expect one.
His little boy, his angel, the only good thing in his life. He might be a killer to the world but he's also the best dad and hero to his little one. His boy's sweet dimpled smile is the only thing that helps him move on. His only reason to live.
Eden Murphy, a innocent woman whose sister betrayed her family, her husband,her best friend dead, her dreams falling apart. Her father is a her rock, his hero. And she'll do anything carry and protect his legacy, his pride, his school, his children.
For years, Trent had only one reason to live. His boy. But when a sweet, feisty girl named Eden come crashing into his life asking for a job in his bar, he find himself finding another reason to live.
Eden does not belong to his world. She's far too pure and innocent to be tainted by the darkness of his world. But none of them can deny the growing attraction between them. Even Trent's little boy is already half in love with her, his kindergarten teacher.
Can they face all the darkness in the past for a brighter future? Or will Trent have to let go of Eden so he could both protect her and his family? Can Eden risk her heart again, when she already knows in the end it will shattered all over again?
" Don’t fight the flow, just follow my lead. Let me do the work and you follow me through it. That’s all you’ve got to do.”
ABSOLUTE-FREAKING-DUTELY LOVED THIS!!!!!!!
From the start I was hooked in this story. I loved the blend of good and bad in this story. It was so raw, poetic, beautiful and heartbreaking that I couldn't handle the tornado of emotions it made me feel. The flashbacks were heart-wrenching!
Eden is a sweet kindergarten teacher, also a widow trying to protect her father's pride, his kindergarten by trying to find some job. But she knows if she want easy money she has to go against all her good morals of life and join the dark side.
I loved Eden's feistiness, understanding, strength and kindness. She was one of the best heroines I have ever met.
While on the other side Trent is trying to move on from his dark cruel past for his son, Gage. He is a cold man but when it comes to his son, I swear I melted into puddles. Trent is the best dad any boy could have. I loved Trent's characteristics. He was such a caring and sweet man under his cold exterior. Yes he does have his own demons and was often called the ghost but I loved how he tried his best to go the brighter side so he could be a perfect idol for his son.
"And I didn’t care if I fell into his darkness. Just as long as he met me there."
I loved their relationship development. With burning passion, to getting past doubts, trusting each other and finally in love. I loved how Trent try to deny his attraction so he wouldn't taint Eden's life. They were a wonderful couple. Their love was so raw and beautiful I swear with every passing second I fell for them more and more.
Connection between characters were amazing. I love how easily they accept each other and stood for each other. Family bondation of both characters were beautiful. Everything was imperfectly perfect.
And our little guy Gage only made it better. He was one of the cutest kid I've come across. All those dimples and non-stop chatter had me melting at the adorableness. I'm literally cry because Trent and Gage were so cute!!
A beautiful story on love, pain, grief, understanding, learning to letting go, trust, overcoming obstacles, finding your true selves and hope.
If you love growly, possessive, alpha, tattooed single dads with cute little boys, this is the book for you!
"I've been hiding in the darkness for all this time, Eden. Until you came and shed your light on me. Lit up something that's never existed....."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! MUST READ!! ENJOY!!!
Read
August 30, 2021A SINGLE DAD, ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS ROMANCE AVAILABLE NOW!
My loves!! It is here - GIVE ME A REASON IS LIVE!!! This is my absolute favorite book I've written, and I can't even handle how excited I am to share it with YOU!! This book is dark and gritty and sexy and somehow soooo sweet!!!
✔️ Enemies-to-lovers
✔️ Single-dad
✔️ Forbidden boss
✔️ Swoony, intense feels with laugh out loud sweetness
AMAZON & KINDLE UNLIMITED
AUDIO NARRATED BY CONNOR CRAIS & DESIREE KETCHUM
SIGNED PAPERBACK
RELEASE GIVEAWAY
My loves!! It is here - GIVE ME A REASON IS LIVE!!! This is my absolute favorite book I've written, and I can't even handle how excited I am to share it with YOU!! This book is dark and gritty and sexy and somehow soooo sweet!!!
✔️ Enemies-to-lovers
✔️ Single-dad
✔️ Forbidden boss
✔️ Swoony, intense feels with laugh out loud sweetness
AMAZON & KINDLE UNLIMITED
AUDIO NARRATED BY CONNOR CRAIS & DESIREE KETCHUM
SIGNED PAPERBACK
RELEASE GIVEAWAY
September 11, 2021
"Because loving someone was worth the risk. We didn’t know our days and we couldn’t control our histories. But we had here. We had now."
This was a 10/5 for me. I literally just finished the book and I’m feeling all the things, so I wanted to write this now. Some books can’t be mulled over. Some books can only be felt. This book was exactly that for me, so much that it’s hard to describe it.
I love AL Jackson’s writing style. I love that it’s almost as if you’re reading someone’s diary, or seeing someone’s thoughts on paper. There’s nothing quite like it. It pulled me in from the first paragraph.
"I’d known after Trent Lawson I would never be the same. What I hadn’t expected was for him to write himself on my soul. For him to become the beat of my heart and the blood in my veins."
Trent is freaking EVERYTHING! I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved him as a character, as a man, as a father. Yes, he has his demons, and yes, his past is full of heart-wrenching moments. And yes, of course, the man is hotter than hell, and he’s guarded and growly, which makes him even more perfect. But what’s really perfect about him is his heart, and how big and wonderful it really is.
"A woman who is a treasure. So kind strangers can’t help but smile when she walks into a room, so gorgeous she still nearly drops me to my knees every time I see her. A woman who steals every single one of my breaths."
Eden is so sweet, so gracious, so perfect. So good you’d think she and Trent could never, would never, fit in. But there’s this strength about her, the kind of strength you get when you’ve been through your own personal hell. And that strength shines the brightest in this story, and brings everything together.
Let me say that I loved the way Ms. Jackson described her eyes, autumn eyes, like the colors of autumn blended into one. So poetic, and yet so detailed.
"He deserves someone who will see him for who he really is, Eden. Not for what he’s done."
A family situation leads Eden to Trent’s bar to ask for a job. Then and there, you can see the chemistry between them. And you can see them running away from it, like it’s a fire that can really incinerate them both. When it turns out Eden is his son’s kindergarten teacher, it’s almost like there’s something pushing them together. Like it’s meant to be.
You want them to be together. You can see it, clear as day, that they're not opposites, light and day, but perfect for each other.
"And I didn’t care if I fell into his darkness. Just as long as he met me there."
It was hard to see the flashbacks of Trent’s past, but necessary to fully understand who he is. It was heartbreaking to see him think he’s undeserving of anything good or forgiveness, and seeing that he deserves the world. Or at least a shot of happiness, of some light seeping through the cracks.
"I think he would burn the world to the ground for me."
I loved this all-encompassing love, like they can’t live without each other, even when they’re still fighting it. It’s so obvious, so present, so... just there. The love between Trent and his brothers, and his son. The love between Eden and her father. It felt like everything that was added to this story had a purpose.
The suspense only adds to it all, and takes nothing away from the love story going on.
"I want to be right."
"You’re everything."
He exhaled. "You and me?"
"Forever," I answered.
Trent’s heart was dead. Eden’s heart was numb. Turns out they both needed to be given a reason to live, to love, to exist. That reason was each other.
Perfect.
This was a 10/5 for me. I literally just finished the book and I’m feeling all the things, so I wanted to write this now. Some books can’t be mulled over. Some books can only be felt. This book was exactly that for me, so much that it’s hard to describe it.
I love AL Jackson’s writing style. I love that it’s almost as if you’re reading someone’s diary, or seeing someone’s thoughts on paper. There’s nothing quite like it. It pulled me in from the first paragraph.
"I’d known after Trent Lawson I would never be the same. What I hadn’t expected was for him to write himself on my soul. For him to become the beat of my heart and the blood in my veins."
Trent is freaking EVERYTHING! I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved him as a character, as a man, as a father. Yes, he has his demons, and yes, his past is full of heart-wrenching moments. And yes, of course, the man is hotter than hell, and he’s guarded and growly, which makes him even more perfect. But what’s really perfect about him is his heart, and how big and wonderful it really is.
"A woman who is a treasure. So kind strangers can’t help but smile when she walks into a room, so gorgeous she still nearly drops me to my knees every time I see her. A woman who steals every single one of my breaths."
Eden is so sweet, so gracious, so perfect. So good you’d think she and Trent could never, would never, fit in. But there’s this strength about her, the kind of strength you get when you’ve been through your own personal hell. And that strength shines the brightest in this story, and brings everything together.
Let me say that I loved the way Ms. Jackson described her eyes, autumn eyes, like the colors of autumn blended into one. So poetic, and yet so detailed.
"He deserves someone who will see him for who he really is, Eden. Not for what he’s done."
A family situation leads Eden to Trent’s bar to ask for a job. Then and there, you can see the chemistry between them. And you can see them running away from it, like it’s a fire that can really incinerate them both. When it turns out Eden is his son’s kindergarten teacher, it’s almost like there’s something pushing them together. Like it’s meant to be.
You want them to be together. You can see it, clear as day, that they're not opposites, light and day, but perfect for each other.
"And I didn’t care if I fell into his darkness. Just as long as he met me there."
It was hard to see the flashbacks of Trent’s past, but necessary to fully understand who he is. It was heartbreaking to see him think he’s undeserving of anything good or forgiveness, and seeing that he deserves the world. Or at least a shot of happiness, of some light seeping through the cracks.
"I think he would burn the world to the ground for me."
I loved this all-encompassing love, like they can’t live without each other, even when they’re still fighting it. It’s so obvious, so present, so... just there. The love between Trent and his brothers, and his son. The love between Eden and her father. It felt like everything that was added to this story had a purpose.
The suspense only adds to it all, and takes nothing away from the love story going on.
"I want to be right."
"You’re everything."
He exhaled. "You and me?"
"Forever," I answered.
Trent’s heart was dead. Eden’s heart was numb. Turns out they both needed to be given a reason to live, to love, to exist. That reason was each other.
Perfect.
August 28, 2021
4 STARS
If you've read this author before, then you already know her lyrical writing style. I'm not a reader that enjoys prose, yet somehow when A.L. Jackson writes it, I can't seem to get enough of it.
I've been salivating for this book ever since she announced it. The premise for the series sounded amazing, and now that I've been introduced to the Lawson brothers, I'm completely hooked. I'm so here for this gritty and emotional series.
Now as for this book, well it had me at enemies to lovers. And then sealed the deal with single daddy and son's teacher. Trent is a MC that's impossible not to fall for. Trent first meets Eden when she comes to his club for an interview. But he can smell her innocence a mile away and refuses to give her the chance, even when there's an underlying attraction that simmers beneath the surface. Eden may look sweet as sunshine, but this is also a woman with a backbone. She's not afraid to stand up for herself, even if it's with the tatted and jaded club owner who refuses to give her the time of day. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and she needs the money to help her father.
I loved the dynamic between these two. Eden is sweet and wholesome, but she's also a woman with a past. I loved the relationship she develops with Trent's sweet son. And his son! Oh man. He may have been my favorite secondary character with his burst of sunshine, chatty demeanor, and sweet nature and open heart.
Trent is the definition of tortured. This is a man who is still running from his past and feels that it continues to taint him. He's the son of a ruthless MC president and a man with blood on his hands who had to do what he needed to ensure his brothers' safety and his own. Right now, all he cares about his protecting his son, and he can't let any woman distract him. He doesn't have anything left to give. Especially to a woman like Eden.
The enemies element of this book didn't last long, though I wish it was a bit longer. It went from one to the other fairly quick, though I didn't mind too much. I loved their chemistry and connection. I suppose I just wanted a bit more burn. Having said that, their relationship development was so organic and felt so right. I loved the way that Trent couldn't stay away from her and the way that Eden sees past his dark and broody exterior to the tortured soul beneath.
There's also a suspense element that I lived for and a twist at the end that I never saw coming. I'm completely hooked and desperate for more. I cannot wait till the next book!!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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You are everything I didn’t know I needed.” Her words were panted into the thick air. That connection a glimmer in the room. Throbbing. Consuming. Binding us whole. I burrowed my face under her chin. My confession was pressed to her skin. “And you are everything I will never deserve.”
If you've read this author before, then you already know her lyrical writing style. I'm not a reader that enjoys prose, yet somehow when A.L. Jackson writes it, I can't seem to get enough of it.
I've been salivating for this book ever since she announced it. The premise for the series sounded amazing, and now that I've been introduced to the Lawson brothers, I'm completely hooked. I'm so here for this gritty and emotional series.
Now as for this book, well it had me at enemies to lovers. And then sealed the deal with single daddy and son's teacher. Trent is a MC that's impossible not to fall for. Trent first meets Eden when she comes to his club for an interview. But he can smell her innocence a mile away and refuses to give her the chance, even when there's an underlying attraction that simmers beneath the surface. Eden may look sweet as sunshine, but this is also a woman with a backbone. She's not afraid to stand up for herself, even if it's with the tatted and jaded club owner who refuses to give her the time of day. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and she needs the money to help her father.
I loved the dynamic between these two. Eden is sweet and wholesome, but she's also a woman with a past. I loved the relationship she develops with Trent's sweet son. And his son! Oh man. He may have been my favorite secondary character with his burst of sunshine, chatty demeanor, and sweet nature and open heart.
Trent is the definition of tortured. This is a man who is still running from his past and feels that it continues to taint him. He's the son of a ruthless MC president and a man with blood on his hands who had to do what he needed to ensure his brothers' safety and his own. Right now, all he cares about his protecting his son, and he can't let any woman distract him. He doesn't have anything left to give. Especially to a woman like Eden.
The enemies element of this book didn't last long, though I wish it was a bit longer. It went from one to the other fairly quick, though I didn't mind too much. I loved their chemistry and connection. I suppose I just wanted a bit more burn. Having said that, their relationship development was so organic and felt so right. I loved the way that Trent couldn't stay away from her and the way that Eden sees past his dark and broody exterior to the tortured soul beneath.
There's also a suspense element that I lived for and a twist at the end that I never saw coming. I'm completely hooked and desperate for more. I cannot wait till the next book!!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
September 1, 2021DNF 21%
So cringe and exhausting to read bye.
It’s the writing, I can’t stand how dramatic it is.
So cringe and exhausting to read bye.
It’s the writing, I can’t stand how dramatic it is.
August 31, 2021
DNF at 57%. I liked the characters and the story. However, I absolutely disliked the author's writing style. This book was way too long for my liking, particularly given the overuse of repeated phrases. Trent consistently talks about wanting to "dip my dirty fingers in the pure", or some other equally disgusting very similar phrase, "dip my fingers into the warmth of it", "dipping my fingers into forbidden waters", etc.
This book is also descriptive without saying anything, for example: "Our hearts were a thunder in the quiet, sleeping space. Drum, drum, drumming against the walls. Shadows that crawled. Intensity that whispered. A building storm in the night." I found myself skipping pages of this type of stuff just to get to the next dialogue section. I can handle this type of stuff in a fantasy type book where you need to do world building. However, in a contemporary romance it just seems like filler with no purpose. It doesn't further my understanding of the characters, their past, or the connection they have to each other.
This book is also descriptive without saying anything, for example: "Our hearts were a thunder in the quiet, sleeping space. Drum, drum, drumming against the walls. Shadows that crawled. Intensity that whispered. A building storm in the night." I found myself skipping pages of this type of stuff just to get to the next dialogue section. I can handle this type of stuff in a fantasy type book where you need to do world building. However, in a contemporary romance it just seems like filler with no purpose. It doesn't further my understanding of the characters, their past, or the connection they have to each other.
April 7, 2022
My thoughts when reading this book:
Shoot me now. Put me out of my misery.
Now that I’ve finished this thing, I can breathe again, but what a nightmare the writing style was!!!
Funny thing is that I loved the characters and the plot was so good. But OH MY VOKKING GAWD the writing.
When I say it dragged, you can’t phantom how much it did. Their inner ramblings is what you get with this book, in between the dialogues you get three pages of:
How torn they are.
How wrong it is.
How they shouldn’t want to.
But they want it so bad.
How dangerous it might be.
But he feels right.
How difficult the situation is.
How dark.
But so much light.
How hard.
But the easiest thing to do.
How this feels right, but at the same time feels wrong.
How she should run the other way, but she’s actually stuck in place.
I hate to skim books but with this book it had to be done 😭 Maybe some of you could read it so I can share my misery with someone? Thanks.
All in all, I hated this one. SORRY. 💔
Shoot me now. Put me out of my misery.
Now that I’ve finished this thing, I can breathe again, but what a nightmare the writing style was!!!
Funny thing is that I loved the characters and the plot was so good. But OH MY VOKKING GAWD the writing.
When I say it dragged, you can’t phantom how much it did. Their inner ramblings is what you get with this book, in between the dialogues you get three pages of:
How torn they are.
How wrong it is.
How they shouldn’t want to.
But they want it so bad.
How dangerous it might be.
But he feels right.
How difficult the situation is.
How dark.
But so much light.
How hard.
But the easiest thing to do.
How this feels right, but at the same time feels wrong.
How she should run the other way, but she’s actually stuck in place.
I hate to skim books but with this book it had to be done 😭 Maybe some of you could read it so I can share my misery with someone? Thanks.
All in all, I hated this one. SORRY. 💔
June 5, 2022
Oh my heart....I can't even begin to explain what this story did to me, the emotions it evoked from me and when I say this is a book that needs to be read..... YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!!!
“He’s your wild card. The one you didn’t expect. The one you couldn’t have anticipated. The one you could love so much, you’re afraid to try. The ace. The winning number.”
I don't know how to explain the poetic words, the masterful storytelling that A.L. Jackson creates, but her stories are INCREDIBLE, NEED to be read and this one is absolutely no exception; in fact, I can easily say this is without a doubt her best work to date!
"Heaven. It'd be Heaven, gettin' you for one minute while on my way to Hell."
Trent and Eden's story was E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!!! It was such an emotional, heart-pounding, edge of your seat read that I had chills all while holding my breath waiting for the mind-blowing twists and turns that blew me away! I was stunned to a point that I was like, "no way A.L. would do that" but she did, she 100% did and I didn't see it coming. The truths that were unveiled, the reality of it all was heart-stopping and literally had me in tears which I do now just thinking about the hurt, anguish and betrayal these two faced.
"I'm in love with you. I love you in a way I didn't know existed. In a way I didn't know was possible for me to love someone. And I'm standing here, begging you to love me back because I don't know how to go on like this."
If there is one book you read this year, this is that book. This book was UNPUTDOWNABLE and definitely a TOP READ that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
“He’s your wild card. The one you didn’t expect. The one you couldn’t have anticipated. The one you could love so much, you’re afraid to try. The ace. The winning number.”
I don't know how to explain the poetic words, the masterful storytelling that A.L. Jackson creates, but her stories are INCREDIBLE, NEED to be read and this one is absolutely no exception; in fact, I can easily say this is without a doubt her best work to date!
"Heaven. It'd be Heaven, gettin' you for one minute while on my way to Hell."
Trent and Eden's story was E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!!! It was such an emotional, heart-pounding, edge of your seat read that I had chills all while holding my breath waiting for the mind-blowing twists and turns that blew me away! I was stunned to a point that I was like, "no way A.L. would do that" but she did, she 100% did and I didn't see it coming. The truths that were unveiled, the reality of it all was heart-stopping and literally had me in tears which I do now just thinking about the hurt, anguish and betrayal these two faced.
"I'm in love with you. I love you in a way I didn't know existed. In a way I didn't know was possible for me to love someone. And I'm standing here, begging you to love me back because I don't know how to go on like this."
If there is one book you read this year, this is that book. This book was UNPUTDOWNABLE and definitely a TOP READ that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Read
September 3, 2021DNF at 30% I couldn’t get into the writing style or the inner monologues they were too long I found myself skimming and losing interest. I also couldn’t help myself and read a spoiler that revealed the secret or mystery in the book and I didn’t like that either. 😑
September 17, 2021
I have a headache from all the eye rolling
I think my eyes don't work right anymore from the number of "eye rolls" this book caused me. Whatever possessed me to pick this book up... what a freaky Wednesday! I saw a glowing review and thought well, this sounds right up my alley... yeah, no!
The book tells the story of Trent and Eden. But we should just go ahead and call her The Girl or This Girl cause that's what Trent calls her... 81 times!
I got this weird Arya Stark deja vu every time Trent was referring to Eden by "the/this girl". And that was a whole lot! 81 times to be specific! 81 freacking times!
First of all, this book is ginormous and unnecessarily so. 12 hours on audio cause I also got the audio and boy was it a good idea. It really helped me get through this ordeal.
Second of all, this book packs the mother of all clichés. It's a story as old as time between :
- Trent, a broody, tattooed ex-biker, now reformed single dad and bar owner but with an oh, so angsty past and
- "The Girl", sweet, feisty Eden, a kindergarten teacher by day, wanting to moonlight as a cocktail waitress by night in his bar, called Absolution
This story could have worked, I actually saw some glimpses of potential, especially with Gage, Trent's 5 year old son who is actually cute.
Why didn't it work you ask?
- the insta-lust... man, is the insta-lust strong in this book. Hit me like a slap right around page 4. I'm not a big fan of this particular trope but I've seen it work.
Not here though: "And there I was. Hit with an urge that had me itching to take a closer look. A feeling I hadn’t felt in a long, long time. To dip my dirty fingers into something pure. Like maybe it could offer a second’s reprieve from who I was."
- the writing style... overly flowery, with a lot of 1 word / 2 words or 3 words sentences cause as a reader you really, really need to get the point! So if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
"He stole forward. A dark, dark storm that gathered from the corners of the room. Encroaching. Invading. Overtaking."
- the unnecessary angst... oh, boy, is our Trent a tortured soul! This guy is constantly bringing himself down to the point that I wanted to slap him and myself for not dnf-ing the shit out of this book! But I stuck around cause I had bought the audio and I was sensing a twist coming (which I called at 20% so yay me!). Had the angst been cut down to a third, this would have been a decent read.
- the past flashbacks in 3rd person POV... ok, this actually threw me cause the book is mainly 1st person POV. But for some mysterious reason, Trent's flashbacks were in 3rd person. So strange!
- the gushy love statements and boring epilogue... you can make things romantic without a cheese fest, sheesh!
If you still want to read this book, please get the audio. The narrators are great!
I think my eyes don't work right anymore from the number of "eye rolls" this book caused me. Whatever possessed me to pick this book up... what a freaky Wednesday! I saw a glowing review and thought well, this sounds right up my alley... yeah, no!
The book tells the story of Trent and Eden. But we should just go ahead and call her The Girl or This Girl cause that's what Trent calls her... 81 times!
I got this weird Arya Stark deja vu every time Trent was referring to Eden by "the/this girl". And that was a whole lot! 81 times to be specific! 81 freacking times!
First of all, this book is ginormous and unnecessarily so. 12 hours on audio cause I also got the audio and boy was it a good idea. It really helped me get through this ordeal.
Second of all, this book packs the mother of all clichés. It's a story as old as time between :
- Trent, a broody, tattooed ex-biker, now reformed single dad and bar owner but with an oh, so angsty past and
- "The Girl", sweet, feisty Eden, a kindergarten teacher by day, wanting to moonlight as a cocktail waitress by night in his bar, called Absolution
This story could have worked, I actually saw some glimpses of potential, especially with Gage, Trent's 5 year old son who is actually cute.
Why didn't it work you ask?
- the insta-lust... man, is the insta-lust strong in this book. Hit me like a slap right around page 4. I'm not a big fan of this particular trope but I've seen it work.
Not here though: "And there I was. Hit with an urge that had me itching to take a closer look. A feeling I hadn’t felt in a long, long time. To dip my dirty fingers into something pure. Like maybe it could offer a second’s reprieve from who I was."
- the writing style... overly flowery, with a lot of 1 word / 2 words or 3 words sentences cause as a reader you really, really need to get the point! So if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
"He stole forward. A dark, dark storm that gathered from the corners of the room. Encroaching. Invading. Overtaking."
- the unnecessary angst... oh, boy, is our Trent a tortured soul! This guy is constantly bringing himself down to the point that I wanted to slap him and myself for not dnf-ing the shit out of this book! But I stuck around cause I had bought the audio and I was sensing a twist coming (which I called at 20% so yay me!). Had the angst been cut down to a third, this would have been a decent read.
- the past flashbacks in 3rd person POV... ok, this actually threw me cause the book is mainly 1st person POV. But for some mysterious reason, Trent's flashbacks were in 3rd person. So strange!
- the gushy love statements and boring epilogue... you can make things romantic without a cheese fest, sheesh!
If you still want to read this book, please get the audio. The narrators are great!
October 19, 2021
5 'One reason' Stars!
I just finished one of my top favorite reads of 2021. Yep, you read that right. My first full length novel from A.L. Jackson and I absolutely ADORED EVERY SECOND OF READING IT. I literally could not have chosen a better way to start reading this author because after Give Me a Reason I am completely addicted to Jackson's writing and the beautiful love stories she develops. And these characters! OMG. OMG so good! Trent and Eden (and Gage!!) blew my mind. They are such wonderful characters, two opposites who are unable to fight a whole lot of chemistry and a freaking cutie who will steal everybody's hearts with his cuteness!
This book has everything I love about romance: family, burning chemistry, an array of emotions, a mix of drama and dark elements and all around amazingness! I seriously loved this book and these characters and I cannot wait to read the next installment in the Redemption Hills series. A.L. Jackson, you have gained a new dedicated fan! lol
I just finished one of my top favorite reads of 2021. Yep, you read that right. My first full length novel from A.L. Jackson and I absolutely ADORED EVERY SECOND OF READING IT. I literally could not have chosen a better way to start reading this author because after Give Me a Reason I am completely addicted to Jackson's writing and the beautiful love stories she develops. And these characters! OMG. OMG so good! Trent and Eden (and Gage!!) blew my mind. They are such wonderful characters, two opposites who are unable to fight a whole lot of chemistry and a freaking cutie who will steal everybody's hearts with his cuteness!
This book has everything I love about romance: family, burning chemistry, an array of emotions, a mix of drama and dark elements and all around amazingness! I seriously loved this book and these characters and I cannot wait to read the next installment in the Redemption Hills series. A.L. Jackson, you have gained a new dedicated fan! lol
April 7, 2022
My first read after a very long time. (A week or two, for me, can be a very long time!)
And what a story it was! I was so into it that I didn't see the plot twist coming. This time, I just read and didn't think about anything else.
Eden and Trent. Light and Dark. Grace and Sin. The perfect opposites.
Trent had one reason to live. His son. But when a fiesty Eden comes to his bar looking for a job... Where in she clearly didn't belong... And when they seem to have a instant electrifying connection they both can't seem to shake off... The lines always blur.
Would his darkness taint Eden's pure lightness? Can Eden look past Trent's actions, demons and darkness and see him for who he really is? Can Trent have another reason to live? And what happens when Eden's and Trent's reasons to live are under danger??
The story was a wicked beauty. Full of love and loss. And I truly got engrossed reading the book. And Gage. The best character in the whole wide world!! Honestly, I liked him more than Eden and Trent combined.
But somewhere I felt the writing style got too... much. That was the only drawback I could think of. The writing definitely could use some (read - a lot) of work.
Overall, a good book containing a pinch of dark with a hot af, protective, alpha male single dad and his very cute, adoring and sweet child and a pure soul of an heroine, this could be your book.
And what a story it was! I was so into it that I didn't see the plot twist coming. This time, I just read and didn't think about anything else.
Eden and Trent. Light and Dark. Grace and Sin. The perfect opposites.
Trent had one reason to live. His son. But when a fiesty Eden comes to his bar looking for a job... Where in she clearly didn't belong... And when they seem to have a instant electrifying connection they both can't seem to shake off... The lines always blur.
Would his darkness taint Eden's pure lightness? Can Eden look past Trent's actions, demons and darkness and see him for who he really is? Can Trent have another reason to live? And what happens when Eden's and Trent's reasons to live are under danger??
The story was a wicked beauty. Full of love and loss. And I truly got engrossed reading the book. And Gage. The best character in the whole wide world!! Honestly, I liked him more than Eden and Trent combined.
But somewhere I felt the writing style got too... much. That was the only drawback I could think of. The writing definitely could use some (read - a lot) of work.
Overall, a good book containing a pinch of dark with a hot af, protective, alpha male single dad and his very cute, adoring and sweet child and a pure soul of an heroine, this could be your book.
August 30, 2021
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Give Me a Reason gives me all the reasons why A.L Jackson is one of my favorite authors. This book was emotional, and sweet, and also shocking. Through every page we got to know more about these characters and with each sentence it pulled me deeper into their lives and had me loving them harder. And through all of that there were these little parts of Trent's and Eden's past that had me captivated and dying to learn more. It was a brilliant mix of that intense need for each other that they shared, and the mysterious parts of what exactly Trent was running from.
There were parts that went back in time to Trent's past and if you know me you know I'm not a big fan of that back and forth in times but in this book it worked really well. It felt right for the story and just helped me become more intrigued with the characters.
Overall, this is a must read and I can already tell that this series will be one of the best from Ms. Jackson.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Give Me a Reason gives me all the reasons why A.L Jackson is one of my favorite authors. This book was emotional, and sweet, and also shocking. Through every page we got to know more about these characters and with each sentence it pulled me deeper into their lives and had me loving them harder. And through all of that there were these little parts of Trent's and Eden's past that had me captivated and dying to learn more. It was a brilliant mix of that intense need for each other that they shared, and the mysterious parts of what exactly Trent was running from.
There were parts that went back in time to Trent's past and if you know me you know I'm not a big fan of that back and forth in times but in this book it worked really well. It felt right for the story and just helped me become more intrigued with the characters.
Overall, this is a must read and I can already tell that this series will be one of the best from Ms. Jackson.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2021
I am so dissapointed. Big time. It has been a while since I read a good story from Miss Jackson. So when I picked up Give Me a Reason, I was expecting to be swooned by her story telling.
Alas....
I ended up disappointed with it. The story/ plot is flat. Really flat. I can not feel the chemistry between the characters. The story, again, flat. In short, I do not feel any connection to every aspect of this book.
Very sad!
2 stars
Alas....
I ended up disappointed with it. The story/ plot is flat. Really flat. I can not feel the chemistry between the characters. The story, again, flat. In short, I do not feel any connection to every aspect of this book.
Very sad!
2 stars
August 30, 2021
*I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*
This book is about a private school teacher and the father of one of her students. He also becomes her boss when she needs a part-time job on top of teaching to help her father keep his business.
They have instant chemistry and a very sweeping love story. It was very romantic but also very back in forth with their feelings. The hero is a bad boy and she is a very good girl but they can't help but be drawn together.
I can see the beauty in this book for sure. But for me it was very slow and drawn out in a lot of places. I feel like the author over wrote some of the scenes. They had very purple prose and I would often be pulled out of the story by how flowery some descriptions were. However, I am aware that is a personal preference though. Objectively its a very beautiful story.
3.5/5 stars from me. Rounded to a 4.
This book is about a private school teacher and the father of one of her students. He also becomes her boss when she needs a part-time job on top of teaching to help her father keep his business.
They have instant chemistry and a very sweeping love story. It was very romantic but also very back in forth with their feelings. The hero is a bad boy and she is a very good girl but they can't help but be drawn together.
I can see the beauty in this book for sure. But for me it was very slow and drawn out in a lot of places. I feel like the author over wrote some of the scenes. They had very purple prose and I would often be pulled out of the story by how flowery some descriptions were. However, I am aware that is a personal preference though. Objectively its a very beautiful story.
3.5/5 stars from me. Rounded to a 4.
Read
August 22, 2021AL Jackson grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. Sexy and heart wrenching, with twists and turns that will have you gasping and begging for more. Give Me a Reason is an unputdownable rollercoaster ride of epic feels. Don’t miss this novel!
February 27, 2022
This needs a good editor. So much repetition of words and of thoughts, it felt laboured and painfully overwritten to me. Not for me.
August 30, 2021
“You made my heart beat for the first time.”
AL Jackson has penned another emotional masterpiece!!! Give Me a Reason is a heart-hitting mix of fire and feels with all the MC thrills and chills. A gravitational pull that lured me like a moth to a flame. This love story completely consumed me, weaving its way into my heart and soul as it touched me everywhere. I reveled in this romance’s signature AL Jackson passionately poetic prose. Absolutely phenomenal!
Set in the MC world, Give Me a Reason is a opposite attracts romance starring two broken souls who become whole together. I could not help but feel the handsome and hardened ex-biker with a hidden heart and the beautiful and kind teacher—a relationship forged by fate—who embark on a heartfelt journey that touches everywhere. The angel and the beast. This couple could not be any more opposite, but Eden and Trent are yin and yang ... made for each other. I fell head-over-heels in love with the hero and heroine, and their spellbinding story.
Give Me a Reason is a stunning tale of indestructible love. Salvation and sin. Hope and heart. An irresistible, unforgettable and emotionally-woven romance that makes you want to grab onto every opportunity, take risks, open your heart to love, and live life to the fullest. A beautifully broken love story that buried itself into my heart while reaching into my soul. I felt every word and everything this story has to give. An all-the-feels story that’s special ... sheer brilliance from beginning to end. I was utterly addicted ... so obsessed with this romance!
I could give all the stars and all the reasons for how much I loved this book that’s beautifully broken and brilliantly told; I treasured every page. I need the rest of the series now!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ace of heart stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/3iXw5Z7
AL Jackson has penned another emotional masterpiece!!! Give Me a Reason is a heart-hitting mix of fire and feels with all the MC thrills and chills. A gravitational pull that lured me like a moth to a flame. This love story completely consumed me, weaving its way into my heart and soul as it touched me everywhere. I reveled in this romance’s signature AL Jackson passionately poetic prose. Absolutely phenomenal!
Set in the MC world, Give Me a Reason is a opposite attracts romance starring two broken souls who become whole together. I could not help but feel the handsome and hardened ex-biker with a hidden heart and the beautiful and kind teacher—a relationship forged by fate—who embark on a heartfelt journey that touches everywhere. The angel and the beast. This couple could not be any more opposite, but Eden and Trent are yin and yang ... made for each other. I fell head-over-heels in love with the hero and heroine, and their spellbinding story.
Give Me a Reason is a stunning tale of indestructible love. Salvation and sin. Hope and heart. An irresistible, unforgettable and emotionally-woven romance that makes you want to grab onto every opportunity, take risks, open your heart to love, and live life to the fullest. A beautifully broken love story that buried itself into my heart while reaching into my soul. I felt every word and everything this story has to give. An all-the-feels story that’s special ... sheer brilliance from beginning to end. I was utterly addicted ... so obsessed with this romance!
I could give all the stars and all the reasons for how much I loved this book that’s beautifully broken and brilliantly told; I treasured every page. I need the rest of the series now!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ace of heart stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/3iXw5Z7
September 7, 2021
3 stars?
i swear.. everything was going great until the last few chapters. i didn't particularly enjoy the 'surprise'. spoilers ahead guys
anyways aside from that, i wouldn't deny the chemistry between Trent and Eden though! it's hot. 3 stars!
i swear.. everything was going great until the last few chapters. i didn't particularly enjoy the 'surprise'. spoilers ahead guys
anyways aside from that, i wouldn't deny the chemistry between Trent and Eden though! it's hot. 3 stars!
Read
September 19, 2021DNF
Really great characters. I loved this bad boy single dad hero. I just struggled with the overly descriptive writing.
Really great characters. I loved this bad boy single dad hero. I just struggled with the overly descriptive writing.
September 29, 2021
4 Stars!
What a ride! This was a heartwarming, emotional story of two total opposites who find love, passion, and healing within one another.
Once again, I am SOOOOO late to the party with this author. She might just be the author I have had on my TBR for the longest amount of time but had not gotten an opportunity to dive in yet. I'm so glad I finally did because I loved this story!
This author definitely has a poetic writing style, which I had heard about. I think it's something that takes a hot minute to get used to, but I really enjoyed it once I did. She has a beautiful way with words.
Eden is a good girl who loves her father and her job and is trying to help her dad out of a bad situation. So, she is trying to get a second job at the neighborhood nightclub which is juuust on the other side of the tracks.
Enter Trent Lawson, the ultimate bad boy who is still running from a past that he's convinced has ruined him forever. He feels undeserving of anything good except for his son who he has dedicated his life to protect.
These two begin with a tiny bit of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, though I would not call this an enemies-to-lovers trope for one second. It's more a vehement hesitance and resentment towards their building attraction. This attraction that they both feel is bigger than they are. More like a slow burn. They had great chemistry, and I loved watching the push and pull between them.
There is a romantic suspense element in this story too that I really enjoyed. Like, holy twist at the end!! Never ever saw THAT coming!
Overall, it did feel a bit overly long is some parts, particularly in the beginning. But once I got to just over the 20% mark, I was all in!
This is a gritty and meaty story that I loved getting lost in. The romance stole my heart and I cannot wait to read more from this series and the rest of the Lawson brothers soon.
e-ARC provided courtesy of Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.
"Wow, aren't you ever the knight in shining armor?"
He scraped out a raw laugh. "Nah, not even close, but for you, I just might try."
What a ride! This was a heartwarming, emotional story of two total opposites who find love, passion, and healing within one another.
Once again, I am SOOOOO late to the party with this author. She might just be the author I have had on my TBR for the longest amount of time but had not gotten an opportunity to dive in yet. I'm so glad I finally did because I loved this story!
This author definitely has a poetic writing style, which I had heard about. I think it's something that takes a hot minute to get used to, but I really enjoyed it once I did. She has a beautiful way with words.
Eden is a good girl who loves her father and her job and is trying to help her dad out of a bad situation. So, she is trying to get a second job at the neighborhood nightclub which is juuust on the other side of the tracks.
Enter Trent Lawson, the ultimate bad boy who is still running from a past that he's convinced has ruined him forever. He feels undeserving of anything good except for his son who he has dedicated his life to protect.
"Heaven. It'd be Heaven, gettin' you for one minute while on my way to Hell."
These two begin with a tiny bit of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, though I would not call this an enemies-to-lovers trope for one second. It's more a vehement hesitance and resentment towards their building attraction. This attraction that they both feel is bigger than they are. More like a slow burn. They had great chemistry, and I loved watching the push and pull between them.
"What if I wanted it, Eden? What if I wanted it to work? What if I wanted it all? What if I don't want to let you go?"
There is a romantic suspense element in this story too that I really enjoyed. Like, holy twist at the end!! Never ever saw THAT coming!
Overall, it did feel a bit overly long is some parts, particularly in the beginning. But once I got to just over the 20% mark, I was all in!
This is a gritty and meaty story that I loved getting lost in. The romance stole my heart and I cannot wait to read more from this series and the rest of the Lawson brothers soon.
"You are everything I didn't know I needed."
e-ARC provided courtesy of Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2021
So freaking annoying.
Mountains of unnecessary words.
Kept reading to find the twists, but gave up half way through.
Here is an example for word vomit that happened on every goddamn page!!!
The words: one reason Over 50 times in one book! Come on!
Or this:
When she held on and buried her face in the back of my neck like she needed it.
Like she needed to get closer.
Mold herself to my fashion.
Sink inside and become one.
Invade.
Possess a piece of me the way she was possessing me.
Like she fit.
Stupid.
Couldn’t go there.
Neither of us could afford it, that was clear enough.
Opposites.
Goodness and greed.
Purity and depravity.
And it goes on.
And on.
Forever.
And ever.
For an eternity.
Every possible synonym in the dictionary used.
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
Mountains of unnecessary words.
Kept reading to find the twists, but gave up half way through.
Here is an example for word vomit that happened on every goddamn page!!!
The words: one reason Over 50 times in one book! Come on!
Or this:
When she held on and buried her face in the back of my neck like she needed it.
Like she needed to get closer.
Mold herself to my fashion.
Sink inside and become one.
Invade.
Possess a piece of me the way she was possessing me.
Like she fit.
Stupid.
Couldn’t go there.
Neither of us could afford it, that was clear enough.
Opposites.
Goodness and greed.
Purity and depravity.
And it goes on.
And on.
Forever.
And ever.
For an eternity.
Every possible synonym in the dictionary used.
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
August 27, 2021
4.5 stars!!!
This book will wreck you in all the right places!!! A.L. Jackson wrote and gifted us with this incredibly emotional and heart-wrenching love story. I am so awed with how many emotions this book evoked in me.
The book follows the story of Trent and Edie. Two seemingly different people, that nevertheless, had one great similarity: they loved hard for the ones they loved, to the point of sacrifice. They meet when Eden gets a job at his bar and then the next day when he brings his son to the kindergarten only to realise that Eden is also his son's teacher. Their journey is one that is filled with pain, fear, pleasure, betrayals, ups and downs, and most importantly devotion and love.
Hands down, this book will amaze you. First of all, the beauty of the cover. I am not usually one to like couples in the covers, but this one just did it for me. The cover is stunning!
Secondly, the love between them... The chemistry... The angst... They are out of this world. A gem! Amazing!!! The story and the many twists in the storyline will give you all the feels and they will stir in you emotions that are so contradictory to one another. Anxiousness to see how the story will unfold but also not wanting the story to end. Anger and feeling sorry. Despair and hope.
Finally, the writing... I cannot compliment the author enough!!! I have said it before and i will say it again... Each and everyone of her books feel like a love song! A love poem! It was the perfect lyrical writing! Felt like a fairytale! I wouldn't change it for the world, even though at times when reading the book, it felt like this lyrical, poetic style got slightly too much and i would have liked to see somewhat less of it in certain parts of the story.
A magnificent, romantic, emotional, all-consuming, heartbreaking love story!!!
This book will wreck you in all the right places!!! A.L. Jackson wrote and gifted us with this incredibly emotional and heart-wrenching love story. I am so awed with how many emotions this book evoked in me.
The book follows the story of Trent and Edie. Two seemingly different people, that nevertheless, had one great similarity: they loved hard for the ones they loved, to the point of sacrifice. They meet when Eden gets a job at his bar and then the next day when he brings his son to the kindergarten only to realise that Eden is also his son's teacher. Their journey is one that is filled with pain, fear, pleasure, betrayals, ups and downs, and most importantly devotion and love.
Hands down, this book will amaze you. First of all, the beauty of the cover. I am not usually one to like couples in the covers, but this one just did it for me. The cover is stunning!
Secondly, the love between them... The chemistry... The angst... They are out of this world. A gem! Amazing!!! The story and the many twists in the storyline will give you all the feels and they will stir in you emotions that are so contradictory to one another. Anxiousness to see how the story will unfold but also not wanting the story to end. Anger and feeling sorry. Despair and hope.
Finally, the writing... I cannot compliment the author enough!!! I have said it before and i will say it again... Each and everyone of her books feel like a love song! A love poem! It was the perfect lyrical writing! Felt like a fairytale! I wouldn't change it for the world, even though at times when reading the book, it felt like this lyrical, poetic style got slightly too much and i would have liked to see somewhat less of it in certain parts of the story.
A magnificent, romantic, emotional, all-consuming, heartbreaking love story!!!
August 24, 2021
AL Jackson left me speechless. This is 100% my new favorite read from her! I’ve read a lot of books by this author. This one, though….It took my breath away!
Okay, here's what you get:
Broody broken hero
A super sweet heroine
Alphas everywhere in the form of brothers and coworkers
Family secrets
A great plot twist!
Here's what I loved most of all. I was expecting a slowburn, not sure why. I didn't read the blurb or anything before diving in because see above re: I read all this authors books. lol But this sexy book sizzled right away. Trent is a man after my own heart.
I loved the relationship between Trent and his brother, between Eden and Trent, Eden and her dad...you get the point. Great interpersonal relationships.
The depth of love these families have for one another. I was so emosh! I literally stopped reading at one point to pull myself together.
This book is a little different from previous releases, but it totally worked for me.
Give this a try, the author definitely gives several reason why its a must read!
For more of my reviews:
My Blog: Book Twins Reviews
Facebook Blog Page
Subscribe to Blog
Okay, here's what you get:
Broody broken hero
A super sweet heroine
Alphas everywhere in the form of brothers and coworkers
Family secrets
A great plot twist!
Here's what I loved most of all. I was expecting a slowburn, not sure why. I didn't read the blurb or anything before diving in because see above re: I read all this authors books. lol But this sexy book sizzled right away. Trent is a man after my own heart.
I loved the relationship between Trent and his brother, between Eden and Trent, Eden and her dad...you get the point. Great interpersonal relationships.
The depth of love these families have for one another. I was so emosh! I literally stopped reading at one point to pull myself together.
This book is a little different from previous releases, but it totally worked for me.
Give this a try, the author definitely gives several reason why its a must read!
For more of my reviews:
My Blog: Book Twins Reviews
Facebook Blog Page
Subscribe to Blog
September 1, 2021
I wanted to find out the big secret. so I skimmed a lot. Turns out that the child was her sisters. I think I would have liked the story if it was written in a different way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 26, 2021DNF @ 4%
crinGEEEEEE cringe.
crinGEEEEEE cringe.
August 3, 2021
5 SINFULLY SEXY STARS!
Holy hotness, Batman! Trent Lawson is simply smok’n!! Oozing with wicked intensity, this ex-biker, small town transplant has a bad boy persona that brazenly sizzles with his searing heat!! Throw good girl, Eden Murphy, into the mix, and this couple is nothing short of combustible!! Trent and Eden’s chemistry isn’t just off the charts… their chemistry completely incinerates it!! Not since Lyrik & Tamar in “Where Lightning Strikes” have I felt such a powerful connection between a seemingly mismatched pair.
Exuding a dangerously sinful allure, Trent Lawson is every girl’s naughty fantasy. For Eden Murphy, he is also the very embodiment of “off limits.” Still, Eden finds herself inexplicably drawn, unable to extract herself from their feverish game of push and pull. Because despite the hard exterior that radiates off Trent like a coat of armor, hidden underneath, there is a caring heart that Trent is prudently shielding.
For Trent Lawson, Eden Murphy is a delicious fantasy that he knows better than to indulge. From the very moment Eden walked into his bar and into his life, Trent knew that she didn’t belong. She is the personification of goodness; an angel walking the earth that he’d no doubt drag into hell. Still, that doesn’t abate Trent’s lecherous desire to take what he knows she’d so freely offer.
Having traveled two distinctly different roads, Eden and Trent’s paths have suddenly converged into one… taking them on a journey that will either lead Eden to utter desolation, or maybe—just maybe—deliver Trent to the door of salvation and into the arms of the woman he loves. But the road to redemption isn’t an easy one, especially when the ghosts of their pasts threaten to keep this perfectly imperfect couple from reaching their HEA.
Straddling the line between dark and light, A.L. Jackson delivers an intensely fierce, deeply passionate story that taps into every emotion. Boasting characters that have blatantly walked a destructive path, “Give Me a Reason” is a complex, layered story that raises questions of nature vs. nurture; good vs. evil; right vs. wrong. Are some people victims of circumstance? Or are they merely casualties of their own bad choices? Sometimes good people do bad things and bad people will do good. Pushing aside all the wrongs of the past isn’t easy, but for this couple to truly have a future, Trent must choose to move forward into the light or to remain forever trapped in the dark.
Kudos to A.L. Jackson for surpassing my high expectations and really knocking this one out of the park! “Give Me a Reason” is just the latest example of why I love this author and every book she writes. With every word she puts to paper, she also pours out her heart and soul. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… A.L. Jackson truly has the Midas touch… because “Give Me a Reason” is absolute pure gold!!!
Holy hotness, Batman! Trent Lawson is simply smok’n!! Oozing with wicked intensity, this ex-biker, small town transplant has a bad boy persona that brazenly sizzles with his searing heat!! Throw good girl, Eden Murphy, into the mix, and this couple is nothing short of combustible!! Trent and Eden’s chemistry isn’t just off the charts… their chemistry completely incinerates it!! Not since Lyrik & Tamar in “Where Lightning Strikes” have I felt such a powerful connection between a seemingly mismatched pair.
Exuding a dangerously sinful allure, Trent Lawson is every girl’s naughty fantasy. For Eden Murphy, he is also the very embodiment of “off limits.” Still, Eden finds herself inexplicably drawn, unable to extract herself from their feverish game of push and pull. Because despite the hard exterior that radiates off Trent like a coat of armor, hidden underneath, there is a caring heart that Trent is prudently shielding.
For Trent Lawson, Eden Murphy is a delicious fantasy that he knows better than to indulge. From the very moment Eden walked into his bar and into his life, Trent knew that she didn’t belong. She is the personification of goodness; an angel walking the earth that he’d no doubt drag into hell. Still, that doesn’t abate Trent’s lecherous desire to take what he knows she’d so freely offer.
Having traveled two distinctly different roads, Eden and Trent’s paths have suddenly converged into one… taking them on a journey that will either lead Eden to utter desolation, or maybe—just maybe—deliver Trent to the door of salvation and into the arms of the woman he loves. But the road to redemption isn’t an easy one, especially when the ghosts of their pasts threaten to keep this perfectly imperfect couple from reaching their HEA.
Straddling the line between dark and light, A.L. Jackson delivers an intensely fierce, deeply passionate story that taps into every emotion. Boasting characters that have blatantly walked a destructive path, “Give Me a Reason” is a complex, layered story that raises questions of nature vs. nurture; good vs. evil; right vs. wrong. Are some people victims of circumstance? Or are they merely casualties of their own bad choices? Sometimes good people do bad things and bad people will do good. Pushing aside all the wrongs of the past isn’t easy, but for this couple to truly have a future, Trent must choose to move forward into the light or to remain forever trapped in the dark.
Kudos to A.L. Jackson for surpassing my high expectations and really knocking this one out of the park! “Give Me a Reason” is just the latest example of why I love this author and every book she writes. With every word she puts to paper, she also pours out her heart and soul. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… A.L. Jackson truly has the Midas touch… because “Give Me a Reason” is absolute pure gold!!!
August 15, 2021
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
"It's torment getting a peek at Heaven from the vantage of Hell. Maybe that's the real meaning of eternal punishment."
Give Me a Reason is the first book in the Redemption Hills series, and I thought it was a good introduction to the new characters and setting. The main characters in this book are Trent, who owns a bar and is a single father, and Eden a kindergarten teacher. They meet when Eden goes for an interview at Trent's bar to get hired as a cocktail server. It is quiet obvious these two are the complete opposite, but you know what they say about those. And that was the case because there was insta-lust between them right from the start. They are both dealing with some issues and it stops them from completely giving in to each other. However, it isn't easy for them to resist each other.
"You said I brought your heart back to life, but Eden, you made mine beat for the first time."
I thought Give Me a Reason was a great start to the series (it can be read as a stand-alone!). The writing was great like always, and I loved the growth in the characters. There was fortunately no unnecessary drama added to the story. I loved all the side characters and thought they added to the story. I especially loved Trent's five-year-old son, who was just the cutest. I am very excited for the next books in the series, because they will focus on Trent's brothers Jud and Logan. Overall this was a good contemporary romance with a bit of suspense/action sprinkled in. It was also pretty hot and steamy, the way I like my romance.
"It's torment getting a peek at Heaven from the vantage of Hell. Maybe that's the real meaning of eternal punishment."
Give Me a Reason is the first book in the Redemption Hills series, and I thought it was a good introduction to the new characters and setting. The main characters in this book are Trent, who owns a bar and is a single father, and Eden a kindergarten teacher. They meet when Eden goes for an interview at Trent's bar to get hired as a cocktail server. It is quiet obvious these two are the complete opposite, but you know what they say about those. And that was the case because there was insta-lust between them right from the start. They are both dealing with some issues and it stops them from completely giving in to each other. However, it isn't easy for them to resist each other.
"You said I brought your heart back to life, but Eden, you made mine beat for the first time."
I thought Give Me a Reason was a great start to the series (it can be read as a stand-alone!). The writing was great like always, and I loved the growth in the characters. There was fortunately no unnecessary drama added to the story. I loved all the side characters and thought they added to the story. I especially loved Trent's five-year-old son, who was just the cutest. I am very excited for the next books in the series, because they will focus on Trent's brothers Jud and Logan. Overall this was a good contemporary romance with a bit of suspense/action sprinkled in. It was also pretty hot and steamy, the way I like my romance.
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