This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published by Forever
Released on October 27, 2020
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
Ever since Justified, I have been curious about a certain lawless biker side character. I was more than intrigued to get my hands on his book especially when he was paired with a woman who couldn’t be more opposite. This made for a fabulous culmination to a strong series.
Review
Blacklisted is the fourth entry, counting the novella, and the third book in the Loveless, Texas series. It doesn’t make a good place to jump in as the ongoing suspense thread and the build of the circle of characters was introduced earlier in the series.
Dr. Presley Baskin’s clinical, ordered world is now in upheaval. Her very life is at stake with her psycho former best friend out to take everything she has in life and then kill her. Her new-found family, the Lawton siblings, want to protect her and keep her close, but she’s used to being alone and holds them at arms’ length afraid to let them inside her high walls that keep her from getting hurt. But, there is one person who won’t stay firmly placed outside her walls. She saved Shot Caldwell’s life and now the motorcycle club president plans to stick around until he returns the favor. If only the man didn’t rouse her libido along with all her emotions. And, then he has the gall to see right into her soul and call her on the way she’s been hiding from life and not just from the crazy woman trying to get at her.
Shot has no idea what to do with the interest he feels in the cool, collected medical examiner who saved his life. She doesn’t fit into his world nor he into hers. She works for the law that he tends to break on a fairly frequent basis. But, there is something about Presley that sets her apart and draws her to him. Shot is the first to realize that, in their own ways, they don’t fit in with those around them. And, then the danger comes close and Shot realizes he isn’t planning on going anywhere and he will teach this fellow loaner that it’s okay to accept help and let other people get close- it’s okay to live and love…
I’m not sure that I formed any expectations about where Shot and Presley’s story would go. First of all, I didn’t know either of them well enough since they were minor characters in the earlier books and secondly, the focus was more on the suspense and the shocking reveals about how Presley comes to be related to the Lawtons. I did get that they came from two very different walks of life with MC president and crime lab ME not a match up I’ve ever seen. For those wondering, this is not a biker romance nor is it a full-blown romantic suspense. It touches the edges of both genres, but is at heart, a small town contemporary romance.
I found their romance different in tone from the earlier ones for Presley’s siblings. All those were stormy, dramatic romances with the pairs wrestling against issues between them and particularly Kody’s. I was expecting something of the same even if the way they came together is different. But, instead, this pair were meeting as adults in their prime and carrying some maturity on them after what they’d been through in their pasts. They communicated and hashed things out. Oh, there were vulnerabilities and differences of opinion to be worked through including how people like them could work. The drama came from outside them and that offered plenty of conflict to keep this story pacing along. Pres and Shot were slowburn and then combustible. I loved the way they brought out the best in each other and saw the best in each other, too.
Blacklisted wrapped everything up for the series and brought everything to a fabulous close. I look forward to seeing what comes next from the author, but in the meantime, I will turn my eye back to her older series that I’ve heard mentioned before. Those who enjoy spicy contemporary romance with a large dollop of suspense and family should give this series a go.
I rec’d this book from Forever via Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #177
About the Book
BLACKLISTED BY JAY CROWNOVER
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and suspenseful romance between a doctor who plays by the rules and the outlaw who breaks them in order to protect her.
Dr. Presley Baskin has always lived a quiet, calm life. Unfortunately, nothing about her life in Loveless, Texas — especially not the wild, rowdy, and impossibly close-knit Lawton family who’ve claimed her — is quiet or calm. Which is how loner Presley finds herself roped into patching up local bad boy Shot Caldwell against her better judgment. Presley wants nothing to do with the dangerous, brooding leader of the local outlaw motorcycle club. But when someone starts stalking her, Shot is the only person she trusts to help. Plus he owes her one . . .
Palmer ‘Shot’ Caldwell has always known his life isn’t made for relationships. At least until shy, secretive, Presley reluctantly pulled a bullet out of him. He’s oddly protective of the pretty doctor, so when she comes to him for help, hard-hearted Shot suddenly realizes there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.
Preview
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I strongly considered reading this series. I dithered which meant I didn’t do them as ARCs as I already had a full schedule. Someday.
Yeah, I get it. I’ve had to make those type of decisions. 🙂
I have not read Crownover yet! I was really tempted to jump in with this series but just haven’t got around to it yet. This does sound like a series that I would enjoy.
I loved my first plunge into her books and this series was perfect because it was only the commitment of a trilogy and a prequel.
I enjoyed that the conflict was mostly from outside sources in this romance, which like you said was a bit different from the previous books. Glad to see you enjoyed this one, too, Sophia! 🙂
LOL, I breathed easier when I realized the tone of the romance was different. I wanted the story and was curious, but have a low tolerance for blown-up drama right now. Fun to share love for a book, Rachel!
I’ve never read this author thanks for your thoughts
There are so many good ones out there and I was glad to stumble across this series with it’s combo of smalltown with romantic suspense. 🙂
You make it sound so good. I am trying my best not to yield to the temptation of getting this series. My huge TBR cannot handle it.
Glad to tempt you, Nadene! Hehe! You are responsible for a few on my TBR pile, too. 🙂
I only tried a book by this author but I should try more
I loved this series and I want to try her older ones. Definitely you should try another. 🙂
Oo this sounds like a good one!
Oh yes!!!! One of my best series finds last fall. 🙂