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Ex-Special Forces operative Jake Thorne has never backed down from a fight…not until the day that a momentary lapse of judgment led to tragedy. Since then he’s been hiding at the bottom of a bottle, far away from the pity of those closest to him. But all that changes the night a beautiful stranger crashes his lonely roadhouse booth pleading for his help. Art historian Verity Green is a woman on a mission—one she knows she can’t take on alone. Her brother has stolen a cache of priceless antiquities, and, judging from the way the rugged bruiser can throw a punch, Jake Thorne is just the man to help her retrieve the ancient treasures…if only she can convince him to take the job. But no man can outrun his past, and it doesn’t take long for Verity’s simple plan to turn complicated. Once the bullets start flying, Verity and Jake are thrown a little too close together, leaving Verity to wonder if she’s taken on the right man for the job, or more trouble than her heart can handle. *** Part romantic comedy, part thriller, and filled with plenty of intrigue, JAKE is the third novel in the Sinner Saints contemporary romance series. ***

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2015

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Adrienne Bell

50 books214 followers

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Melody Cox.
1,502 reviews180 followers
September 7, 2019
***4.5 Stars***

I really liked this book. Jake is living at the bottom of a bottle these days because he blames himself for Charlie getting shot twice and Tessa Rosenthal's kidnapping while he was on watch. He was also shot in the chest three times.

He has been hiding out in some small town that has a bar, which his where he spends most of his time. He has no desire for women whatsoever and feels he doesn't deserve pleasure.

Art historian Verity Green is a woman on a mission. Her brother is ex military and he has helped bring drugs into the country and aided in stealing historical art. She wants to find it and send it back where it belongs so bro dear won't be in trouble. Her brother left her a message to find Jake to help her stay safe.

Jake was as cold as ice and so angry he was called in off his leave of absense to protect this woman. He had no idea he would be so attracted to her. She has been convinced she is nothing to look at and is a bit too heavy. She is shocked when she realizes Jake is attracted to her. She can't understand it!

I also sturggled near the end when they are all back home and as much as Bowie loves Charlie he begins dating another woman...right in front of her. She could hardly breathe when it happened and I am not so sure that I want to read Bowie's story because from what I gather he coninues dating other women while the heroine suffers trying to be just his friend.

Safety:
There were a couple of months between the shooting and when this book begins that hero was celibate.
No O/W or O/M drama
No cheating or thought of cheating
Couple celibate until they meet.

Recommend this book and series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,116 reviews23 followers
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February 22, 2016
Jake Thorne's last job ended badly, with him taking three bullets to the chest. As if that wasn't bad enough, a female co-worker was wounded as well. Something Jake blames himself for. So he takes some time off and attempts to drown his guilt in a bottle. It isn't working well but it's all he's got - until Verity Green walks into the bar and asks for his help. Seems her brother is involved in smuggling valuable artifacts out of Afghanistan to sell on the black market. She intends to stop him with a little help from Jake.

Jake is in no mood to take on another job, even if it is for someone as beautiful as Verity. He'd messed up big time and his friend and co-worker paid the price. Not to mention the fact his best friend's girl had been kidnapped as well. It didn't matter that Charlie had recovered nicely from her wounds and that Rhys's girl had been rescued and was safe and sound. Jake just couldn't get over the fact he didn't do a good enough job in the first place. What he doesn't count on, however is Verity's refusal to give up in spite of his surly attitude and best attempts to run her off. Pretty soon, the two of them are dodging bullets while doing their best to stay alive. It turns out precious artifacts aren't the only thing involved. The bad guys are also smuggling heroin and Verity's brother is a willing participant.

This story had plenty of action and suspense mixed in with a nice love story between Jake and Verity. I really like the author's writing style and all her heroes are the stuff dreams are made of. The series is set around a security firm run by Jake's boss, Carter MacMillan. Each book could be read as a stand alone but there are appearances by previous characters. I am looking forward to the next story and the continuation of the series.
Profile Image for Anita.
2,646 reviews218 followers
March 2, 2016
I absolutely love The Sinner Saints series. These short novels are packed with action, suspense and hot romance.

Verity is an art history professor with a former Special Forces brother who ended up in a unit not known for it's scruples. He contacts her about doing a verification of stolen Afghanistan art objects. He also points her in Jakes direction. Jake has nothing good to say about Verity's brother or his captain, stolen art is right up their alley. But, Jake reluctantly agrees to help her get the art and return it to Afghanistan.

Along the way, both Jake and Verity confront some truths about each other and themselves. In addition, they confront rogue former Special Forces soldiers, a drug gang and a real nasty baddie.
Profile Image for Speed.
994 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2016
Loved it! I've literally read all 3 books and am now on my way to the 4th! Jake and Verity happened to be the sweetest couple so far. Loved their romance and of course, non-stop action! These Sinner Saints are amazing! Next up is Mason! Excited!
Profile Image for Chanel.
1,833 reviews
March 6, 2021
4.5 Stars. So far this story is my favorite in the series. The plot pattern is similar to the previous books - - a woman involves one of the Macmillan Security agents into a dangerous situation. In the middle of the action, they lust after each other, and love follows.
What set this story apart is Jake. He is drowning his sorrows in alcohol. He hasn’t returned to work since the incident, and he is hiding out in a small down. It takes a spunky, courageous art history professor to recuse Jake. Verity is a great heroine. At first she appears meek, but this lady is brave and loyal. I am totally on team Jake/Verity. The readers are also given a glimpse into the crushing going on between Bowie and Charlie.
1,161 reviews26 followers
January 30, 2022
Third book in this series and just as good as the first two. If you love ex military suspense/romance then you will love this series. Jake has disappeared from MacMillan Security because he blames himself for Charlie getting shot and Tessa being kidnapped. Verity has come looking for him to help her find her brother. When she locates Jake, Verity tries to convince him to help her. When he is ordered to help by Carter, his boss, Jake fights to keep her safe and his growing attraction to her. What starts as Jake helping her with her problem turns into a lot bigger mess when he realizes that not only are stolen artifacts are involved but drugs are behind everything. Can Jake keep Verity and himself safe or will an old enemy get to them both?
Profile Image for iDreem2.
679 reviews
January 17, 2020
4.0 overall stars

Couple 3.75 🌟🌟🌟⭐️
Plot 4.0 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story 4.0 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Sex 3.75 🌟🌟🌟⭐️
Series 4.0 🌟🌟🌟🌟
39 reviews
April 15, 2021
Third book in series, a couple of mannerisms in book 2 repeated in book 3.
Profile Image for TJ.
1,761 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2022
Jake certainly was in a funk and blaming himself for what happened to Tessa and Charlie. Verity was certainly able to get him to see sense and loved their story.
2,497 reviews
books-boxed-sets
April 18, 2024
In boxed set - "The Complete Sinner Saints Box Set"
1,021 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2016
I got sucked into this series when I read the first book, Carter. This has been my least favorite, and if I wasn't holding out to read about Bowie and Charlie, I would probably give up now. Hopefully the next book, Mason's story will be better, and I'm hoping against all hope that Bowie's story will be all that I hope.

As for this book. Jake and Verity. Her name bothered me. She goes to try and extricate her brother from some illegal dealings he's involved in. I found the whole thing implausible. As for the sexual aspect, she acted like a virgin with Jake, shy and unsure of herself. But then the author writes, "Sure, she'd had her share of lovers..." Maybe my inner puritan is showing, but saying that she's had multiple lovers just diminished her in my eyes. I feel that making love (for a woman at least) should have some degree of caring. If she has had multiple partners, I'm not sure how she'd know she's in love with the hero. Just my personal opinion.

Do authors plan out all their books at one time? If so, you'd think they'd come up with different names for people so they don't all start with the same letter: Captain, Carter, Charlie, Cheryl. Just sayin...

That being said, the book is well-written. I love the friendship between the people at the agency.
1,112 reviews8 followers
September 22, 2015
Great addition to the series

I really liked the first two books in this series, so I expected to like this one as well. I wasn't disappointed at all. Jake was full of blame for himself over events he had no control of. He was drowning himself in a run down bar, and no-one was doing anything about it. When Verity seeks him out, he is surly and unfriendly. Verity is normally fairly inhibited, but her beloved brother is in trouble, and she will stop at nothing to save him. She pushes Jake to help her, but he refuses until his boss overrules his objections and assigns him the case. It doesn't take long for the couple to realize the case is much larger than they think, and Verity's brother is involved in more than she could have imagined. Both Verity and Jake make a lot of changes throughout the book and form deep connections. I loved them together. I also loved getting a little more Charlie and Bowie. I can't wait for them to get their own story!
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,513 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2017
Ah, Jake. Poor guy is so full of guilt for not protecting Charlie in an ambush. While he's isolated himself, Verity has found him because she needs his help to get some art stolen in Afghanistan back where it belongs.

Verity finds her inner strength as she realizes her brother has been involved in more than art smuggling. His boss, Silas, is a big heroin dealer, and this leaves Jake and Verity to try to catch him before he kills them.

Enter Bowie to lend them a hand, while also sorting out the anger between he and Jake about what happened with Charlie.

Great action, connection between Jake and Verity. I particularly love the scene about his tattoo of a beautifully designed armour from medieval times.

More more more. Mason next.
Profile Image for RLV.
1,096 reviews23 followers
February 7, 2017
Short and sweet, just like the first two of this series.
Profile Image for Danielle  Gypsy Soul.
3,171 reviews80 followers
August 16, 2016
I have really enjoyed the Sinner Saints. This series is well written, fast paced with lots of action and suspense and a nice romance to go along. Although I enjoyed the previous two installments a little more I still really enjoyed Jake's story. I like Adrienne's writing style and her characters. Verity took a little while to grow on me but I ended up really liking her and she was a good character to help pull Jake out of his guilt. He needed someone who needed him to save her. I enjoy the interaction with the other characters from the series and can't wait to read Bowen's story.
Profile Image for Valerie.
437 reviews21 followers
September 11, 2017
Another great book in the series! I loved the characters and the way they balanced each other out. At first Verity was starting to get on my nerves with her wimpy attitude but by the middle to end of book I really liked her a lot....So yeah on the ending with Bowie....hmmm so not cool....there better be a book out with him soon!!!
Profile Image for Eya.
476 reviews9 followers
December 18, 2020
This is by far my favorite in the series. It's a little trite, that's what the series does overall, but it also has the clearest, easiest-to-understand explanation of why art and culture suffer at the hands of invaders I've ever read. I honestly use that quote from this book in my classes when I need to explain the idea in a simple, concise but impassioned way.
Profile Image for EvilAntie Jan.
1,589 reviews13 followers
October 1, 2015
I love Jake

Adrienne Bell is a real San Francisco treat of a writer. The Sinner Saints is an alpha driven series that is just amazing. Jake's book is full of intrigue and sharp writer. I just love Jake!
Profile Image for Jessica N..
546 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2015
Nice sexy story

Jake is in a world of emotional pain and prefers to wallow in guilt. Verity has other plan for him, professionally and personally. Bowie needs his head slapped.
Profile Image for Larisa.
155 reviews
October 24, 2015
Not bad

So, I w was a bit surprised to find out how much I liked this series. Quick read, well written, and, honestly, I have a soft spot for military men.
Profile Image for Maria Yaqoob.
45 reviews
August 30, 2016
It gets better with every book and it grips you tights from the get go. the pairing is fun and sparks chemistry, no time wasted novels are good and fast
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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