Review & Giveaway: Rome (Marked Men #3) by Jay Crownover

Rome (Marked Men #3) by Jay Crownover

Publication Date: January 7th 2014 by William Morrow

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the Book:

Cora Lewis is a whole lot of fun, and she knows how to keep her tattooed bad boy friends in line. But all that flash and sass hide the fact that she’s never gotten over the way her first love broke her heart. Now she has a plan to make sure that never happens again: She’s only going to fall in love with someone perfect. 

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He’s stubborn and rigid, he’s bossy and has come back from his final tour of duty fundamentally broken. Rome’s used to filling a role: big brother, doting son, super soldier; and now none of these fit anymore. Now he’s just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes the only color on his bleak horizon. 

Perfect isn’t in the cards for these two, but imperfect might just last forever . . .

My Thoughts:

I loved Rome! I thought Rule was my favorite in this series, but Rome is right up there with Rule. Cora and Rome are very much opposites on the outside, but matched perfectly in their beautiful hearts and souls!  I adored this couple!

Cora is the spunky little friend with a sassy mouth, who works at the tattoo shop with Rule and his boys.  She’s a fiercely protective and loyal friend, but she’s been burned in the romance department making her weary of future connections.  Cora is holding out for “Mr. Perfect” after being shattered by a man she thought would be her whole future. With her expectations, Shaw and Ayden worry she’ll pass up something good waiting that elusive “perfect man.”

Rome, Rule’s older brother, is back home, out of the military for good after suffering an injury that results in deaths on his team, and survivor guilt. The normal, loving and protective guy his family and friends are used to is MIA.  Rome is grumpy, bad tempered and basically an asshole to all around which leads to a confrontation with Cora after he lashes out at Shaw and Rule.  Rome is furious at first, but on thinking about it Cora’s spunk amazes him.  He likes her straight talk and her vibrant personality. Cora seems like a handful, but one Rome may not mind taking on:

“I don’t know, Half-Pint, something tells me reining you in is probably a pretty good time.”*

Cora didn’t know Rome before he went into the service so she doesn’t know the Rome everyone talks about, therefore doesn’t have as much patience with his bad temper. She thinks he’s hot but definitely a stinker, or as she calls him “Captain-No-Fun” (made me giggle, every time).

He just emanated a sense of “take care of business” that was heady, and I shouldn’t have found it attractive, but I totally did. He was gorgeous as he was annoying.*

Still, after their blow-up, Cora has a big enough heart to give him the benefit of the doubt, and this is where she starts to see that Rome is just as gorgeous on the inside as he is on the outside.  And this is where things get interesting. 

These two were like total opposites physically: he was big, with not a mark on his gorgeous body and she’s little with tattoos and metal embellishments, yet, on the inside they had similar values. Both loved their family and friends fiercely and would do anything for them.  I loved that these two “opposites” were so attracted to each other, while not technically being each other’s normal type they didn’t judge because of that. Instead they appreciated the beauty of each other’s individuality.

I was only human and there was something about all that plain, old-fashioned beefcake that was hard to ignore. But I was surprised that he seemed to return the sentiment. I didn’t for one think I was any more his type than he was mine.*

There were problems, like Rome dealing with the after affects of war, and Cora dealing with her fear of being hurt, but thankfully they handled things like adults for the most part.  When they didn’t it wasn’t overly frustrating or drawn out.  As a reader you could totally relate to their feelings even when they were in the wrong.  I have to say Rome reminded me a little of some of Kristen Ashley’s alpha men.  He’s definitely a no-nonsense man’s man!  Yes, please! 

I have so much love for Rule and Shaw’s story, the first in this series.  I enjoyed Jet and Ayden’s story, but Ayden’s behavior kind of took some of the fun away.  Rome was a close tie with Rule for me.  It was nice catching up with these couples, Rule and Shaw in particular!  It was also lovely to see Rule and Rome working things out as brothers and with the family, for which both Cora and Shaw deserve credit.  I was surprised how much my feelings turned around for Ayden’s brother, Asa. He was a trouble maker and up to no good in the last book, so it was nice to see his changes. I feel a story brewing for him but I think Nash will be up next.  There were a few scenes between him and a pretty nurse that have you wondering at their history.  My interest is definitely piqued, and I can’t wait to find out what their story is!

I love the Marked Men series.  Jay Crownover writes compelling characters that immediately sneak into your heart, and romances full of chemistry and heat! I can’t wait for the next one!

5 Suns

A copy was provided by William Morrow through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.

About Jay Crownover:

I’m a native Coloradoan and if you live here you know why that is a source of pride. I love all the things Colorado has to offer and that is why I choose to set my books in this familiar setting. I try to write about things I know and am familiar with which is why my stories feature plenty of rock and roll and body modification.

I’ve been in the bar industry since I was in college and I spend over forty hours a week watching the interaction between men and women in a unique way. I think my 9 to 5 job offers me valuable insights into how relationships start and evolve in a social setting. I love it.

I like to write New Adult novels because I remember being in my early twenties and thinking I had it all figured out only to be proven wrong time and time again. When I look back those were the years that defined who I am today, and good or bad those decisions untimely set me on my current path, so that’s what I like to explore in my writing.

Connect with Jay Crownover:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

I enjoyed Rome so much I’m giving away a copy to one lucky reader.  Winner has their choice of an e-Copy through US Amazon or US Barnes & Noble or a Paperback copy through The Book Depository as long as The Book Depository ships to your country. The Giveaway will end on the release day, January 7th 2014.  Good luck, and thanks for visiting Waves of Fiction!

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