ASA by Jay Crownover
(Marked Men #6)
April 21, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+
Contains: Explicit sex, strong language
Jay Crownover’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with the much anticipated story of southern charmer and certified criminal Asa Cross.
Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.
Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.
A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.
Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.
Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.
A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.
I have truly loved the Marked Men series, and look forward to all my future re-reads. Ending the series with Asa's story was really cool because, though he was not one of the original "marked men," for a country boy with a checkered past, he became just as integral to the group as all of the other boys. And watching him go from where he started to where he ended up - in life, in love, in friends, and in family - was a beautiful thing.
I definitely enjoyed Asa and Royal's story, which truly was a journey for both of them, Asa in particular. Having met Asa in Jet's book, and knowing his dark and crooked past, I was excited and nervous for his story. Excited because I love people getting a second chance at life; nervous because I feared the Southern charmer might make new mistakes he would regret. I didn't know where his journey would take him, except that it would intersect with Royal.
I liked that this story wasn't entirely predictable. I fully expected certain things to happen, and when they didn't and went a different direction, I was actually quite pleased. I don't mind certain predictabilities in romances. In fact, sometimes I want them. But I also love when an author keeps me on my toes. Asa and Royal's story was able to fulfill all my expectations and then some.
I wasn't expecting so much depth from Asa. Well, maybe I was expecting the depth, but not all the inner conflict. But it was so important. He had so much from his past to deal with and consider, reflect upon and repent of, forgive and learn from his mistakes. I admire all the consideration on Jay's part to display all of Asa's dimensions, and make his present and future legitimate considerations. I admired Asa's intentions, and even as he doubted himself, you could feel him becoming the man he was always meant to be. And the man Royal needed.
Royal had her own journey, and though perhaps it wasn't at the same magnitude as Asa's, it was just as important. I love that she held on to her integrity. Just because you fall for a boy with a criminal record, doesn't mean you both are going to go in that direction. Royal was so good, and yet knew how to let loose just the right amount. Then watching Royal and Asa together, how well they worked and helped each other. Even with their hang-ups, you could tell they would have a beautiful partnership at the end of all the struggle.
It's sad to see the end of the Marked Men series, but what a great way to end it. I agree with Asa when he said things came full circle -- full circle for Asa, full circle for the series. I leave the Marked Men with utter contentment, wistful of my time with them, grateful for the journey, and hoping for glimpses of them in the spin-off series.
I definitely enjoyed Asa and Royal's story, which truly was a journey for both of them, Asa in particular. Having met Asa in Jet's book, and knowing his dark and crooked past, I was excited and nervous for his story. Excited because I love people getting a second chance at life; nervous because I feared the Southern charmer might make new mistakes he would regret. I didn't know where his journey would take him, except that it would intersect with Royal.
I liked that this story wasn't entirely predictable. I fully expected certain things to happen, and when they didn't and went a different direction, I was actually quite pleased. I don't mind certain predictabilities in romances. In fact, sometimes I want them. But I also love when an author keeps me on my toes. Asa and Royal's story was able to fulfill all my expectations and then some.
I wasn't expecting so much depth from Asa. Well, maybe I was expecting the depth, but not all the inner conflict. But it was so important. He had so much from his past to deal with and consider, reflect upon and repent of, forgive and learn from his mistakes. I admire all the consideration on Jay's part to display all of Asa's dimensions, and make his present and future legitimate considerations. I admired Asa's intentions, and even as he doubted himself, you could feel him becoming the man he was always meant to be. And the man Royal needed.
Royal had her own journey, and though perhaps it wasn't at the same magnitude as Asa's, it was just as important. I love that she held on to her integrity. Just because you fall for a boy with a criminal record, doesn't mean you both are going to go in that direction. Royal was so good, and yet knew how to let loose just the right amount. Then watching Royal and Asa together, how well they worked and helped each other. Even with their hang-ups, you could tell they would have a beautiful partnership at the end of all the struggle.
It's sad to see the end of the Marked Men series, but what a great way to end it. I agree with Asa when he said things came full circle -- full circle for Asa, full circle for the series. I leave the Marked Men with utter contentment, wistful of my time with them, grateful for the journey, and hoping for glimpses of them in the spin-off series.
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And don’t miss the previous books in The Marked Men Series!
RULE ~ My Review
JET ~ My Review
ROME ~ My Review
NASH ~ My Review
ROWDY ~ My Review
About Jay Crownover: Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She also introduced the dark and sexy world of The Point that started with BETTER WHEN HE's BAD and is currently working on her newest series The Saints of Denver. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs. 
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