BUILT is a Contemporary Romance novel being published by HarperCollins, and it is the 1st full-length novel in The Saints of Denver Series, a spinoff of her New York Times bestselling Marked Men Series. This amazing book releases on January 5th!
Built by Jay Crownover
(Saints of Denver #1)
January 5, 2016
352 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+
Contains: strong language, explicit sex
Source: eARC for Honest review
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Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.
Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.
But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.
I have been looking forward to Zeb and Sayer's story since the moment we met them in Rowdy's book from the Marked Men series (which you do not have to read before reading this book). The reserved lady lawyer and the contractor with a criminal past intrugued me to no end, and their story coming to fruition did not disappoint.
I loved how layered Zeb and Sayer were. They had some really great nuances that made them special. Because let's be honest. There are tons of romance books out there, which can make it really difficult to find something unique. But that's why I like Jay's books. She brings her unique viewpoint into her stories and characters, as well as a ton of heart, and I have yet to read a book of hers I didn't like.
Zeb was this mountain of a man with a heart of gold. He wasn't afraid to go after what he wanted. He also wasn't afraid to own up to his mistakes or past. He worked hard, loved hard, and was completely real. I loved that he didn't give up on Sayer, but also wasn't a doormat. As for Sayer, this girl's childhood really screwed her up. Man did she have a lot to wade through in her psyche. She couldn't even recognize the genuine, kind heart she had. This is perhaps why she grew the most. And I loved Zeb and Sayer together. There was no way these two could avoid the chemistry, trust, and connection pouring off them. They brought out the best in each other, fortifying each other, inspiring each other.
I can't get into more specifics about the story, because I loved finding out the special circumstances on my own, and I would encourage you to do the same. But let's just say I loved the direction of the story. It took some great turns and sucked me right in. With the big story, I also loved the little things and the way Sayer and Zeb not only grew together, but particularly how they had to grow individually. Plus, we get to see a few characters from the Marked Men series, which was a super special bonus. But we are also introduced to new characters we will be seeing in this new series, and they are extra intriguing.
My only negative is that this story had a little more inner monologue than I prefer. I'm used to Jay's style, and like how well-fleshed-out and deep her characters are. This one just seemed a touch too much on the telling not showing side. I would have liked to have read some of the dialogue that was referred to. And perhaps more interaction outside of the bedroom. But honestly, I loved Zeb and Sayer and their whole story, so still a solid, wonderful read, and I'd read it all over again.
Overall, this was a fantastic start to a new series. Zeb and Sayer are a solid couple, and I fell in love with them. I'm looking forward to any and all upcoming couples in this series.
I loved how layered Zeb and Sayer were. They had some really great nuances that made them special. Because let's be honest. There are tons of romance books out there, which can make it really difficult to find something unique. But that's why I like Jay's books. She brings her unique viewpoint into her stories and characters, as well as a ton of heart, and I have yet to read a book of hers I didn't like.
Zeb was this mountain of a man with a heart of gold. He wasn't afraid to go after what he wanted. He also wasn't afraid to own up to his mistakes or past. He worked hard, loved hard, and was completely real. I loved that he didn't give up on Sayer, but also wasn't a doormat. As for Sayer, this girl's childhood really screwed her up. Man did she have a lot to wade through in her psyche. She couldn't even recognize the genuine, kind heart she had. This is perhaps why she grew the most. And I loved Zeb and Sayer together. There was no way these two could avoid the chemistry, trust, and connection pouring off them. They brought out the best in each other, fortifying each other, inspiring each other.
I can't get into more specifics about the story, because I loved finding out the special circumstances on my own, and I would encourage you to do the same. But let's just say I loved the direction of the story. It took some great turns and sucked me right in. With the big story, I also loved the little things and the way Sayer and Zeb not only grew together, but particularly how they had to grow individually. Plus, we get to see a few characters from the Marked Men series, which was a super special bonus. But we are also introduced to new characters we will be seeing in this new series, and they are extra intriguing.
My only negative is that this story had a little more inner monologue than I prefer. I'm used to Jay's style, and like how well-fleshed-out and deep her characters are. This one just seemed a touch too much on the telling not showing side. I would have liked to have read some of the dialogue that was referred to. And perhaps more interaction outside of the bedroom. But honestly, I loved Zeb and Sayer and their whole story, so still a solid, wonderful read, and I'd read it all over again.
Overall, this was a fantastic start to a new series. Zeb and Sayer are a solid couple, and I fell in love with them. I'm looking forward to any and all upcoming couples in this series.
He was quiet for a long moment, but I could hear him breathing and then finally he grunted a little bit and replied, “Well, then the battle I need to tackle right now is those g*d-awful walls. Thank you for talking me off the ledge. It’s impossible not to hope for the best when I talk to you.”
Maybe it was the overwhelming quiet of my house or it was the wistfulness in his voice. Or maybe it was really the fact that no matter how hard I tried to keep a clear divide between the two of us, I was always going to be too eager to cross over it when an opportunity presented itself. Like a g*dd**n fool.
Calling myself every kind of name there was in the book, I blurted out, “I’m not doing anything tonight, and Poppy went out with Rowdy, so if you need an extra set of hands to help with the paint I can swing by the house.” I wanted to groan. I was the least handy person in the whole world and I don’t think I had ever even held a paintbrush, but the idea of getting to spend some one-on-one time with him was just so tempting that I ignored all of that and secretly hoped he would ignore it, too.
He chuckled a little. “Are you serious?”
I shrugged even though he couldn’t see it. “Sure. Why not?”
“Well, I’m not going to turn down free labor, especially when that free labor looks like you. Do you even own anything that you won’t be pissed to get paint on, Say? What I do tends to get dirty.” His voiced dropped a little bit and there was a husky timbre to the words that made me shiver.
There was a double entendre there that was impossible to miss and it made all of my skin heat up from the inside out. Not to mention no one had ever shortened my name before. I wasn’t exactly the cutesy nickname type. My father wouldn’t have approved and as such I was always just “Sayer.” Zeb’s shortening my name felt intimate. It felt far more familiar than I should be allowing myself to get with him. Still I didn’t say anything other than “I’m sure I can find something.”
And don’t miss the previous novella in The Saints of Denver Series!
LEVELED
The Saints of Denver Series:
About Jay Crownover:
Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. 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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BUILT Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads
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Thank you so much! ~Jessica, InkSlinger PR
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