Review and Excerpt Tour: Downfall: Jay Crownover
Solomon Sanders doesn’t have time to fall in love. Until a stunning, skittish, single mother forces him to pause and recognize just how empty and hollow his busy life has become.
From the start, it’s been ingrained in Solo’s DNA to fight.
Fight for what he believes is right.
Fight for the people he loves.
Fight for the traces of good in a place which tends to be filled with a variety of bad.
Fight for survival, so at some point, his life will quiet down and find a normal pace.
He wasn’t ready for the impact his secretive, shy, obviously out of place new neighbor was going to have on him. And never in a million years was he prepared to fall head over heels for her and her young daughter.
Now, he’s facing the most important, and the hardest fight he’s ever fought… the battle to win Orley’s damaged heart.
Orley Vincent’s heart is full of fear, leaving no space for love. Until a big, brash, brawler of a man forces his way in and makes her realize facing her fears is the only way she can ever be free.
From the start, Orley was groomed to believe she wasn’t good enough.
She wasn’t the perfect daughter. Or student. Or girlfriend.
But, she has always been the best mother she could be to her daughter, Noble.
Keeping Noble safe has always been the one thing she was determined to do, which ironically, is how she ended up on the wrong side of the tracks, living next door to an unlikely hero. Orley’s a woman on the run. She had no idea her frantic sprint was going to land her in the tattooed arms of a man ready to teach her how to fight for herself… and for love.
I love the fact that people can jump right in and read this one without having read the Point books, but that fans can figure out who all the players are making the story more fun.
Orley is the new girl in a run down apartment complex in the Point. It is obvious she does not belong there and is running from something. She just cannot seem to catch a break until Solomon Sanders comes to her rescue...literally. And he just seems to keep showing up for her.
Solo does not think he has time for anything else in his already crazy, busy life, but somehow he ends up being there when Orley needs him. And soon he starts wanting to be there more and more. On the one hand Orley is timid and fearful, but she is also a protective, mama bear ready to do whatever she has to in order to protect her child. And Solo starts adding an extra layer of protection over both of them. I loved Solo. He is big, intimidating, loyal, and has a good heart. They have great chemistry and a connection that just sparks.
Orley is the new girl in a run down apartment complex in the Point. It is obvious she does not belong there and is running from something. She just cannot seem to catch a break until Solomon Sanders comes to her rescue...literally. And he just seems to keep showing up for her.
Solo does not think he has time for anything else in his already crazy, busy life, but somehow he ends up being there when Orley needs him. And soon he starts wanting to be there more and more. On the one hand Orley is timid and fearful, but she is also a protective, mama bear ready to do whatever she has to in order to protect her child. And Solo starts adding an extra layer of protection over both of them. I loved Solo. He is big, intimidating, loyal, and has a good heart. They have great chemistry and a connection that just sparks.
They come from different worlds, but are living in the same one now. She had no idea she could find good in such a dark place or dark time. But the Point is a scary and unpredictable place and she can't hide forever. And what happens if her past catches up to her?
This is a sexy, heartfelt, suspenseful read about finding hope and love when least expected. It's about fate, home, and fighting for a future. At first they have to fight for time together, but then trust, and eventually he will have to fight to be able to keep her as well as keep her safe. They never saw the other coming, but really saved each other in ways. His life was full of obligations, but no joy until she came along. And he really is her and her daughter's hero and protector, and at least has some connections in the Point. It never hurts to have a hero who has some villains on his side. I loved being back in this gritty world again.
This is a sexy, heartfelt, suspenseful read about finding hope and love when least expected. It's about fate, home, and fighting for a future. At first they have to fight for time together, but then trust, and eventually he will have to fight to be able to keep her as well as keep her safe. They never saw the other coming, but really saved each other in ways. His life was full of obligations, but no joy until she came along. And he really is her and her daughter's hero and protector, and at least has some connections in the Point. It never hurts to have a hero who has some villains on his side. I loved being back in this gritty world again.
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Solomon is at home in the Point, but spends his time fighting for everything. He is a protector at heart, making sure those around him have what they need and that the evils of the Point don’t touch them. Raised in the Point, he is comfortable with the rhythm and the players there. He isn’t looking to add to his responsibilities when he steps in to help Orley, but soon finds himself drawn to the pretty outsider and her precocious daughter.
This is a sexy, fun read. There is a part of their love story that feels out of place in the grit of the Point. These are two people who are so focused on their own challenges that they find love and support difficult to see. But the backdrop of everything going on with his fights and her hiding that bring the darkness of the setting back to attention. The innocence of their early interactions are quickly overshadowed by the Point’s refusal to allow quiet for long.
This is a great introduction to the Point for those unfamiliar with the series. For fans of the Point, it is a fun return to the edges of the city. There are cameos by some favorite characters, but none of their names are used, only the nicknames they have earned by reputation. The main focus is on Orley and Solo as they face their struggles. I loved returning to this tough city and learning the story of 2 more of its residents. This also brought in a whole new set of characters, as the established characters only play minor roles. The day to day interactions are with an entirely new crew.
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
~ORLEY~
The nearly naked man in front of me stretched his arms over his head and I couldn’t look away from the ripple and flex of his clearly defined abs. His body was ridiculous in all the right ways. I’d never seen a man in person who looked like he did. He was like one of those irrationally, unrealistically hot Instagram guys, but one who was standing in front of me in all his muscly, sweaty glory. I knew somewhere in the back of my head he was dangerous, and I shouldn’t be so nonchalant about chatting him up, but I figured I owed him the common courtesy I bypassed the night before. One thing I had left was flawless manners.
He cocked his head to the side and asked, “If yesterday was the second worst day, how did you survive the first one?”
That wasn’t a day I ever talked about. It was the day that changed everything. The only reason I survived the day was because I had to for the little girl clutching my hand and watching the stranger with wide, curious eyes. I blew out a breath and changed the subject as quickly as possible.
“You ever have one of those days where it’s one thing after another and it feels like the universe is trying to tell you something? Trying to tell you to give up?” I shrugged before he could answer me. “My car broke down. My babysitter quit. My job cut my hours. The icing on the cake was getting attacked on the way home. Like I said, it was a bad day, but that doesn’t excuse me running off without thanking you properly. I owe you more than I can every repay.” I couldn’t think about what might have happened if he hadn’t shown up. My mind wouldn’t allow it.
He dipped his chin again. “No worries. I happened to be in the right place at the right time.” He moved to put the earbuds back in and I considered myself dismissed, but before he could block out the sound, the homeless man on the stoop roused himself into a sitting position and pointed a finger at the man looming in front of me.
“Go help the girl with her car, Solo.” His finger wavered but his voice was surprisingly clear as he issued the order.
Noble bounded up on her toes and tilted her head to the side. “Solo?” My kid was obsessed with Star Wars so there was no way she was going to miss the unusual name.
The man looked down at my daughter, and finally, a grin cracked the stern expression chiseled on his ruggedly handsome face. “Solomon. Solo is my nickname.”
Before I could stop her, she stuck out her hand for the big man to shake. I gulped when her tiny hand disappeared in his much larger one. “I’m Noble.”
He nodded at her. “That’s a pretty name.”
His head moved in my direction and I bit back a sigh. “Orley.” I tossed out my own name reluctantly. “And don’t worry about the car. We’ll figure it out. Seriously.” I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend any more time in his company. He made me feel weird and unsteady. There was a low vibration I could feel humming throughout my body standing this close to him, and I had no time for any kind of distraction.
Jay Crownover:
Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series, the Saints of Denver series, the Point series, the Breaking Point series, the Getaway series, and the Loveless, Texas series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.For more on Jay and her books, visit www.jaycrownover.com.
1 comments
Thank you so much for sharing! ~Jessica, InkSlinger PR
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