Four Stars
I have been so pleasantly surprised by the Loveless, Texas series! I know that Jay Crownover has a large fanbase, but I was new to her books before reading the prequel, UNBROKEN (which I loved). I just knew I needed JUSTIFIED in my life after that first taste of her writing. A childhood friends and enemies to lovers novel following Aspen, the “weird girl” who grew up to be a kick-butt lawyer in a small town and Case, the popular guy with lots of promise who didn’t quite live up to the high expectations.
What I enjoyed most is that Aspen and Case’s enemies to lovers premise was incredibly believable. Aspen represented Case’s ex-wife in a contentious divorce. Their subsequent reunion, while crazy and adventure-filled, was also believable. I loved Aspen. She was strong and fierce when she had to be and really became an extraordinary woman without help from anyone.
The adventure and mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. There were many times I literally gasped out loud. The characters were all endearing and multilayered. There is something about those Lawtons that makes you root for them, no matter how flawed they are.
I did want a little bit more sizzle between Case and Aspen. The steam was there during the love scenes, but I really only felt sexual tension on Aspen’s side. I wasn’t entirely convinced Case was attracted to Aspen. It might have been because Aspen was so injured most of the book.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced romantic suspense, small town, cowboy romance novel I truly enjoyed. I can’t wait to read the next book! I hope the MC president is getting a book too…
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Romance Reader 