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Saints of Denver #3
Riveted
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes the next installment in the Saints of Denver series.
Everyone else in Dixie Carmichael's life has made falling in love look easy, and now she is ready for her own chance at some of that happily ever after. Which means she’s done pining for the moody, silent former soldier who works with her at the bar that's become her home away from home. Nope. No more chasing the hot as heck thundercloud of a man and no more waiting for Mr. Right to find her; she's going hunting for him...even if she knows her heart is stuck on its stupid infatuation with Dash Churchill.
Denver has always been just a pit stop for Church on his way back to rural Mississippi. It was supposed to be simple, uneventful, but nothing could have prepared him for the bubbly, bouncy redhead with doe eyes and endless curves. Now he knows it's time to get out of Denver, fast. For a man used to living in the shadows, the idea of spending his days in the sun is nothing short of terrifying.
When Dixie and Church find themselves caught up in a homecoming overshadowed with lies and danger, Dixie realizes that while falling in love is easy, loving takes a whole lot more work…especially when Mr. Right thinks he's all wrong for you.
Everyone else in Dixie Carmichael's life has made falling in love look easy, and now she is ready for her own chance at some of that happily ever after. Which means she’s done pining for the moody, silent former soldier who works with her at the bar that's become her home away from home. Nope. No more chasing the hot as heck thundercloud of a man and no more waiting for Mr. Right to find her; she's going hunting for him...even if she knows her heart is stuck on its stupid infatuation with Dash Churchill.
Denver has always been just a pit stop for Church on his way back to rural Mississippi. It was supposed to be simple, uneventful, but nothing could have prepared him for the bubbly, bouncy redhead with doe eyes and endless curves. Now he knows it's time to get out of Denver, fast. For a man used to living in the shadows, the idea of spending his days in the sun is nothing short of terrifying.
When Dixie and Church find themselves caught up in a homecoming overshadowed with lies and danger, Dixie realizes that while falling in love is easy, loving takes a whole lot more work…especially when Mr. Right thinks he's all wrong for you.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2017
316 people are currently reading
5180 people want to read
About the author
Jay Crownover
128 books14.5k followersJay 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 and Breaking Point 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.
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GUYS!!! I finally have a newsletter, so if you want to sign up for exclusive content and monthly giveaways you can do that right here:
https://www.jaycrownover.com/subscribe
You can email me at: JayCrownover@gmail.com
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April 12, 2020
"Show me the most damaged parts of your soul, and I will show you how it shines like gold." ~Nikita Gill
When you begin and end a book in tears, you know it’s a game changer of a story that’s ruled not only your head but your heart.
Riveted by Jay Crownover slammed into my soul with a force I never saw coming, but one I felt with every word from beginning to end. I had no choice but to fall into the words that bled into me – becoming me – because each word that Jay Crownover pens shines like gold, as powerful and as penetrating as the sun.
TRUE STORY: I typically start and end a Jay Crownover story in tears.
Riveted was both my sun and rain, the perfect storm and rainbow. Riveted was my light and dark, shades of grey that mix the gloom with the great. Riveted was my happiness and my sorrow. Riveted was so many things. Riveted was everything…MY EVERYTHING.
TRUE STORY: Jay Crownover’s introductions and dedications to her books engage my emotions—feelings in full force—as much as the stories themselves.
The introductions and dedications Jay Crownover writes are as moving as the stories themselves, relaying the reasons for and the background behind the books but so much MORE. These introductions and dedications are pieces of this author poured into the books, glimpses into what makes Jay…‘Jay’…and what hits her heart and surfaces in her soul. Life lessons are poured into these pre-book pieces, ones that make you really ponder your life. With each of Jay’s beautiful and brilliant books that I’m inspired before I even start the story.
You don’t believe me?!? Here is a quote from Jay’s Introduction, which resonated with me:
“No matter what kind of armor we wear, all of it has a chunk, a dent that speaks to a battle we fought and lost.”
This quote is LIFE!!!
TRUE STORY: Jay’s words are not just emotions but inspiration. I can’t help but ponder the meaning of life with the lessons Jay teaches in her words.
Dixie Carmichael is the red-haired beautiful bartender at Rome’s bar who has had her eye on the bar’s gorgeous and gruff bouncer, Dash ‘Church’ Churchill for many months. An eternal optimist and forever romantic, Dixie sees life as sunshine and rainbows while the muscular, former soldier, Church sees more darkness and storms.
“She shone as bright as the sun every single day but I was a man that knew all too well that too much time in the sun could lead to some serious burns.”
TRUE STORY: As a military wife whose husband has gone to war a few times, I could relate to the former soldier, Church, as some of those battle scars truly never heal. Those kinks are still in that armor, as even the brave battle a few internal wars too.
“She kissed me. Her lips touched mine and she destroyed me.”
This book?!? Riveted DESTROYED ME, decimating every piece. This story hit my heart like a hurricane. Riveted SATURATED AND SHRED MY SOUL. I felt Riveted’s light shine through me while reading. I felt the dark too that DECIMATED MY EMOTIONS, a dark cloud over my soul threatening to storm.
“I knew the sun could burn when you let it shine on your unprotected skin for too long.”
Riveted is an ALL-CONSUMING and AWE-INSPIRING roller coaster of a romance that dances between dark and light, shredding the soul and hypnotizing the heart. Oh is Riveted SPECIAL!!! This perfectly imperfect story scorched and saturated my soul, teetering between storms and rainbows. This former soldier and bartender were magical together, a bold fusion of dark and light, two heroes whose story I'm glad Jay Crownover told!
Riveted is over, but I’m still riding the high from this moving and memorable story. Tears are still etched in my eyes, this brilliant and beautiful book fresh in my head. Jay Crownover’s wondrous words wrap themselves around me each time, daring me not to feel…EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
“Sometimes all people can see is what’s different, but those differences are what make us who we are.”
I don’t see life as black and white; I see varying hues of gray. Jay Crownover’s books are gray: not black…not white…not quite dark…not quite light…but sooooo bold and beautiful. Since I met first met Rule years ago, I coined a few Jay-isms that apply to each since story of hers. Jay Crownover is the master of writing fierce and flawed heroes, heroes that since Rule I’ve called ‘bad ass boys with big ass hearts.’ I know these boys, all of her heroes, own my heart for life as do her beautiful and brave heroines.
Riveted was my ADDICTION…my ACHE...MY ALL. This heartwarming and soul-searing story will fall in a long line of Jay masterpieces with all of The Marked Men, The Point, and Saints of Denver. All of these stories hold a special place in my heart and most are signed beauties on my shelf.
TRUE STORY: Jay’s books are my drugs. I call this addiction, which began with Rule and hasn’t stopped, ‘Crownover Crack.’ The Crownover Crack gets me every time.
Jay Crownover’s books have marked me for life, each story an intense imprint on my soul. Riveted left its mark, a mark that has lifted this story to a top February 2017 read and a best book of 2017. I just can’t turn the feels left in the wake of Hurricane Jay off and I don’t want to; I want to keep living through her wondrous words that are LOVE AND LIFE.
TRUE STORY: There were tears in my eyes as I wrote this review, the story still moving me though it’s been over for many hours.
A must #oneclick ---> http://amzn.to/2kCnjlE
★★★★★★ raw and riveting stars
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June 6, 2017
NOW LIVE!
*Amazon*B&N*Kobo*
I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but holy wow Jay Crownover is one amazing author. She has a unique ability to take a simple storyline and turn it into something spectacular. She somehow subtly entwines real life issues into her stories and I am in love with how she does that.
Riveted follows Dixie Carmichael as she tries to find her forever person. She's sure that the one she's supposed to be with is the big and brooding Church, but he doesn't seem to want her back. Not one to chase after a man, she gives up and enters the crazy, and sometimes too ridiculous to believe, dating game.
But Church needs her help with his long overdue family reunion and Dixie can't deny him. The two head to Church's hometown of Lowry Mississippi where Church hasn't stepped foot for over a decade. He prepared himself for all the obstacles he thought he would face back in his hometown, but what he didn't prepare himself for were the feelings Dixie invokes in him.
Church is a character that has really intrigued me in the past because of his quiet intensity. I'm a sucker for a Hero like him and he was exactly what I wanted him to be. He kept his issues bottled up and wouldn't let people in until Dixie came around and forced him to face his past. I found them perfect together because she had the ability to make him smile when nothing else could.
Dixie was a very interesting character to read about. She wasn't overly happy to where it got annoying but it was easy to always be smiling because of her. I have no clue how Jay pulled off writing the complexity of her character because I can barely even describe her while also making sense. She was happy and cheerful so much of the time but there was also the underlying emotions of her wanting someone to be there for her. I really liked that she had so much going on and it made her very intriguing.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book and this author if you haven't read her before. Riveted can easily be read as a standalone but I hope you'll read the other books in the series since they're just as good. And fans of the Saints of Denver series will be very happy to know (if you didn't already) that Poppy's story will be next!
ARC won in giveaway and kindly provided by author.
*Amazon*B&N*Kobo*
I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but holy wow Jay Crownover is one amazing author. She has a unique ability to take a simple storyline and turn it into something spectacular. She somehow subtly entwines real life issues into her stories and I am in love with how she does that.
Riveted follows Dixie Carmichael as she tries to find her forever person. She's sure that the one she's supposed to be with is the big and brooding Church, but he doesn't seem to want her back. Not one to chase after a man, she gives up and enters the crazy, and sometimes too ridiculous to believe, dating game.
But Church needs her help with his long overdue family reunion and Dixie can't deny him. The two head to Church's hometown of Lowry Mississippi where Church hasn't stepped foot for over a decade. He prepared himself for all the obstacles he thought he would face back in his hometown, but what he didn't prepare himself for were the feelings Dixie invokes in him.
Church is a character that has really intrigued me in the past because of his quiet intensity. I'm a sucker for a Hero like him and he was exactly what I wanted him to be. He kept his issues bottled up and wouldn't let people in until Dixie came around and forced him to face his past. I found them perfect together because she had the ability to make him smile when nothing else could.
Dixie was a very interesting character to read about. She wasn't overly happy to where it got annoying but it was easy to always be smiling because of her. I have no clue how Jay pulled off writing the complexity of her character because I can barely even describe her while also making sense. She was happy and cheerful so much of the time but there was also the underlying emotions of her wanting someone to be there for her. I really liked that she had so much going on and it made her very intriguing.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book and this author if you haven't read her before. Riveted can easily be read as a standalone but I hope you'll read the other books in the series since they're just as good. And fans of the Saints of Denver series will be very happy to know (if you didn't already) that Poppy's story will be next!
ARC won in giveaway and kindly provided by author.
June 4, 2017
3.5 stars
“I was the girl that everyone always assumed was good... so they never asked... but he had and the world stopped.”
Riveted is the story of Church and Dixie. Dixie is that girl who is always sweet and happy, who never lets it show when life gets her down. Dixie knew early on that Church was the man for her, but he didn’t get the memo. Coworkers at a bar, Church is aware that Dixie is attracted to him and a nice person, so that’s why he asks her to come home with him to the South when there’s a family emergency.
Dixie goes with Church knowing she shouldn’t, that she’ll lose her heart even more than she already has. But maybe this trip will be the kick in the pants Church needs to see the good thing he has right in front of him.
“No matter what kind of armor we wear, all of it has a chunk, a dent that speaks to a battle we fought and lost.”
Jay Crownover is an author I always come back to if only for one thing: her characters. I love the dynamic, lovable people she brings to life in her books, you never get the same character twice. Her books are a much needed escape from reality, even when her characters have issues, I am always happy to peak into their lives for a little bit.
My favorite parts of this book were Dixie and Church themselves, I felt they were developed really well and neither one of them annoyed me at any point in the book. I understood their actions and what justified them.
I enjoyed this book, but mostly the second half of it. I’ve noticed something in this book, as well as in Honor and Charged: Crownover has been getting long winded with her writing and it’s been taking away from my enjoyment of the book. The first 100 pages of this book felt super long and almost nothing plot wise happened, and this went away the last ⅔’s of the book which picked up a lot for me. In the nicest way possible, I really hope this doesn’t continue, because I almost didn’t keep reading because of the long winded writing. It felt way too long and a lot could be edited out. That’s just my opinion.
Anyways I am excited for Salvaged and cannot wait for Poppy and Wheeler’s story!
“Sometimes all people can see is what’s different, but those differences are what make us who we are.”
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“I was the girl that everyone always assumed was good... so they never asked... but he had and the world stopped.”
Riveted is the story of Church and Dixie. Dixie is that girl who is always sweet and happy, who never lets it show when life gets her down. Dixie knew early on that Church was the man for her, but he didn’t get the memo. Coworkers at a bar, Church is aware that Dixie is attracted to him and a nice person, so that’s why he asks her to come home with him to the South when there’s a family emergency.
Dixie goes with Church knowing she shouldn’t, that she’ll lose her heart even more than she already has. But maybe this trip will be the kick in the pants Church needs to see the good thing he has right in front of him.
“No matter what kind of armor we wear, all of it has a chunk, a dent that speaks to a battle we fought and lost.”
Jay Crownover is an author I always come back to if only for one thing: her characters. I love the dynamic, lovable people she brings to life in her books, you never get the same character twice. Her books are a much needed escape from reality, even when her characters have issues, I am always happy to peak into their lives for a little bit.
My favorite parts of this book were Dixie and Church themselves, I felt they were developed really well and neither one of them annoyed me at any point in the book. I understood their actions and what justified them.
I enjoyed this book, but mostly the second half of it. I’ve noticed something in this book, as well as in Honor and Charged: Crownover has been getting long winded with her writing and it’s been taking away from my enjoyment of the book. The first 100 pages of this book felt super long and almost nothing plot wise happened, and this went away the last ⅔’s of the book which picked up a lot for me. In the nicest way possible, I really hope this doesn’t continue, because I almost didn’t keep reading because of the long winded writing. It felt way too long and a lot could be edited out. That’s just my opinion.
Anyways I am excited for Salvaged and cannot wait for Poppy and Wheeler’s story!
“Sometimes all people can see is what’s different, but those differences are what make us who we are.”
Follow me on ♥ Facebook ♥ Blog ♥ Instagram ♥ Twitter ♥
February 16, 2017
Jay Crownover has a way of sucking you into her stories that is quite remarkable. The webs she weaves, interlocking these great characters together, bring me a sense of nostalgia as I get to read about the previous couples in the Marked Men series.
Dixie and Church share a special connection that our hero is quite adamant about resisting. Dixie is the happy go lucky girl that wants someone to finally see her heart. She has this vulnerability to her that makes her all the more likeable as a heroine. Church has some shadows in his past but there's a depth to him that bleeds through the pages. I liked the contrast these two offered. The plot was interesting with great pacing and the writing was excellent as always. Definitely not one to be missed.
Safety: No cheating. No rape or abuse.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Dixie and Church share a special connection that our hero is quite adamant about resisting. Dixie is the happy go lucky girl that wants someone to finally see her heart. She has this vulnerability to her that makes her all the more likeable as a heroine. Church has some shadows in his past but there's a depth to him that bleeds through the pages. I liked the contrast these two offered. The plot was interesting with great pacing and the writing was excellent as always. Definitely not one to be missed.
Safety: No cheating. No rape or abuse.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2017
The author would not let up on Church's inner turmoil. Ugh. Too repetitive and nothing much going on. This one is my least favorite in the series.
February 14, 2017
Link to full review below! Dixie is the heroine I didn't realize I was looking for. She is perfect! This book was perfection! See full review on The Book Disciple
March 10, 2017
★★★½
Riveted was my first exposure to author Jay Crownover or this series: Saints of Denver. I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and the audiobook was available at my local library so I thought I would try out a new-to-me author. I was surprised how familiar Ms. Crownover's writing style felt. It reminded me very much of Kristen Ashley and I am not a reader who typically compares authors, but the familiarity was strong. Riveted features a strong but humble heroine and a flawed and complicated hero. The romance was the focus of this novel but it certainly wasn't the only element. Family dynamics, small-town living, culture, military service, unrequited love, and mystery/suspense were additional elements that made this story feel engaging and kept me invested throughout. I'm glad I have finally been properly exposed to this author, and although this was my first Jay Crownover book, it certainly won't be my last. Check it out!
Note: This book offers alternating perspectives between the female and male lead characters. Sean Bassett is the narrator for the male POV and OMG I wanted to listen to his voice for hours more. I will definitely be seeking out audiobooks that feature his narration.
My favorite quote:
“There is something to love about all women, no matter what form they take, so eat your salad and enjoy your chocolate doughnuts. If a man can’t appreciate what’s right in front of him then he isn’t a man that was raised right and he doesn’t deserve a taste of that sweet skin, no matter how much or how little of it there may be.”
Jay Crownover's Saints of Denver series includes the following installments as of March 2017:
#0.5-Leveled
#1-Built
#2-Charged
#3-Riveted
#4-Salvaged
Note: I read Riveted as a standalone and enjoyed it as such.
Riveted was my first exposure to author Jay Crownover or this series: Saints of Denver. I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and the audiobook was available at my local library so I thought I would try out a new-to-me author. I was surprised how familiar Ms. Crownover's writing style felt. It reminded me very much of Kristen Ashley and I am not a reader who typically compares authors, but the familiarity was strong. Riveted features a strong but humble heroine and a flawed and complicated hero. The romance was the focus of this novel but it certainly wasn't the only element. Family dynamics, small-town living, culture, military service, unrequited love, and mystery/suspense were additional elements that made this story feel engaging and kept me invested throughout. I'm glad I have finally been properly exposed to this author, and although this was my first Jay Crownover book, it certainly won't be my last. Check it out!
Note: This book offers alternating perspectives between the female and male lead characters. Sean Bassett is the narrator for the male POV and OMG I wanted to listen to his voice for hours more. I will definitely be seeking out audiobooks that feature his narration.
My favorite quote:
“There is something to love about all women, no matter what form they take, so eat your salad and enjoy your chocolate doughnuts. If a man can’t appreciate what’s right in front of him then he isn’t a man that was raised right and he doesn’t deserve a taste of that sweet skin, no matter how much or how little of it there may be.”
Jay Crownover's Saints of Denver series includes the following installments as of March 2017:
#0.5-Leveled
#1-Built
#2-Charged
#3-Riveted
#4-Salvaged
Note: I read Riveted as a standalone and enjoyed it as such.
June 16, 2018
5 Riveted Stars
I am LOVING this series, though I wanted Poppy’s story sooo badly I am kind of glad we have to wait a little bit longer.
Dixie and Church are phenomenal I loved their story so so much. I think I like that Dixie was a ray of sunshine. Maybe because I relate to that, sure life can be hard and get you down but there is always something to smile about. :)
And being able to make others have a smile because of something you did or just a kind word. Well, I feel like I try and do that every day. And Dixie does it too. Sunshines through her and I think that was one of the reasons Church found it so hard to step back and keep his distance from her.
He was always watching her even if he didn't want to admit it to himself he was already falling hard for the pretty girl with the crazy hair.
I feel for Wheeler, but I love that Dixie takes him in like a big brother, even if her sister is the one to have broken his heart. Dixie was there with a kind word and a couch to crash on.
I think I knew right then that Church was head over heels for Dixie because he was soo green with jealousy. ;)
LOVEEED the narration sooooo hard. I actually said to my husband this man’s voice is smooth, so smooth I want to rub it all over my body. Yes he looked at me like I was crazy but I am telling you listen and you will understand what I am saying! So I am going to be looking for more books by Sean. And Stephanie does a fabulous job with Dixie loved it.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I am LOVING this series, though I wanted Poppy’s story sooo badly I am kind of glad we have to wait a little bit longer.
Dixie and Church are phenomenal I loved their story so so much. I think I like that Dixie was a ray of sunshine. Maybe because I relate to that, sure life can be hard and get you down but there is always something to smile about. :)
And being able to make others have a smile because of something you did or just a kind word. Well, I feel like I try and do that every day. And Dixie does it too. Sunshines through her and I think that was one of the reasons Church found it so hard to step back and keep his distance from her.
He was always watching her even if he didn't want to admit it to himself he was already falling hard for the pretty girl with the crazy hair.
I feel for Wheeler, but I love that Dixie takes him in like a big brother, even if her sister is the one to have broken his heart. Dixie was there with a kind word and a couch to crash on.
I think I knew right then that Church was head over heels for Dixie because he was soo green with jealousy. ;)
LOVEEED the narration sooooo hard. I actually said to my husband this man’s voice is smooth, so smooth I want to rub it all over my body. Yes he looked at me like I was crazy but I am telling you listen and you will understand what I am saying! So I am going to be looking for more books by Sean. And Stephanie does a fabulous job with Dixie loved it.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
March 11, 2017
Soooo, who else is rooting for Wheeler and Poppy next?
February 14, 2017
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
A riveting, sexy, steamy romance that packs an emotional and heartwarming punch!!! Jay Crownover is no stranger when it comes to writing romance that has sass and steam but her stories and characters have a magical way of always leaving a lasting impression when it comes to the matters of the heart and in her newest release, Riveted, Jay lures readers to feel for her characters and see behind the facade. She allow them to see and understand everyone carries their own set of baggage but in the end, you just need to find the right kind of people who are willing to ease the load.
I might have now known he was it for me, but it was evident Church didn’t have a clue. No one had ever given me any idea how to handle it when the right one came along, but you weren’t the right one for him.”
Dixie Carmichael has witness everyone around her falling in love and settling down and all she wants is to find her missing piece as well. She is the kind of girl who sees rays of sunshine and hope. In other words, Dixie Carmichael is a good person who hasn’t much luck in the love department that is until Dash Churchill aka Church asked her to accompany him back home to visit his family.
Church has known love and loss. He experienced it firsthand after losing his mother and stepmother. These two women’s death affected him in such a way that he didn’t know how to cope and so Church thought it was best to leave and enlist in the military. Once Church left, he didn’t look back and left behind the man who raised him and his baby brother. Fast forward ten years later, Church finds himself traveling back home but this time he won’t be alone since Dixie Carmichael is the unexpected ray of light that will awaken and piece back together his heart, soul, and mind.
Dixie Carmichael was the nicest girl I had ever met. She didn’t have a mean bone in her perfectly curvy and petite body. She was always smiling, always laughing, and there wasn’t a moment spent in her company where it didn’t feel like the sun was shining directly on you. She embodied warmth and care.”
She kissed me like it was the only thing that mattered. She kissed me like it was important, like I was important. She kissed me like she loved me even though she knew there wasn’t any way possible for me to love her back.”
There was no denying it that there was a connection between Dixie and Church. These two fit each other like two jigsaw puzzles and so as Dixie and Church told each other about their past, their transition from friendship to something more was undeniable. It was like fate was leading them to each other and back home. With the help of Dixie and his family, Church finally found the peace he had been searching for.
He was constantly telling me that he was a liar . . . but with him over me, with him inside of me . . . I believed every word he said. The truth was in his hands, in his mouth, in the way his cock moved in and out of me like he couldn’t get enough of me . . . or of us together.”
With her sexy blend of heart, family, love, and steam, Jay Crownover will have readers saying take me to Church. Well not that kind of church, but the Dash Churchill kind. It was not that hard to fall for Jay’s characters as Dixie and Church easily demanded your attention as layers of their personalities began to be peeled off. You gotta love a story where readers could relate to both hero and heroine and that’s what I just did. I found myself being drawn to their vulnerability and honesty. So if you are looking for a story where family, love, second chances and new beginnings are the main backbone of this love story then I suggest you better one click and get Riveted.
Jay Crownover
A riveting, sexy, steamy romance that packs an emotional and heartwarming punch!!! Jay Crownover is no stranger when it comes to writing romance that has sass and steam but her stories and characters have a magical way of always leaving a lasting impression when it comes to the matters of the heart and in her newest release, Riveted, Jay lures readers to feel for her characters and see behind the facade. She allow them to see and understand everyone carries their own set of baggage but in the end, you just need to find the right kind of people who are willing to ease the load.
I might have now known he was it for me, but it was evident Church didn’t have a clue. No one had ever given me any idea how to handle it when the right one came along, but you weren’t the right one for him.”Dixie Carmichael has witness everyone around her falling in love and settling down and all she wants is to find her missing piece as well. She is the kind of girl who sees rays of sunshine and hope. In other words, Dixie Carmichael is a good person who hasn’t much luck in the love department that is until Dash Churchill aka Church asked her to accompany him back home to visit his family.
Church has known love and loss. He experienced it firsthand after losing his mother and stepmother. These two women’s death affected him in such a way that he didn’t know how to cope and so Church thought it was best to leave and enlist in the military. Once Church left, he didn’t look back and left behind the man who raised him and his baby brother. Fast forward ten years later, Church finds himself traveling back home but this time he won’t be alone since Dixie Carmichael is the unexpected ray of light that will awaken and piece back together his heart, soul, and mind.
Dixie Carmichael was the nicest girl I had ever met. She didn’t have a mean bone in her perfectly curvy and petite body. She was always smiling, always laughing, and there wasn’t a moment spent in her company where it didn’t feel like the sun was shining directly on you. She embodied warmth and care.”
She kissed me like it was the only thing that mattered. She kissed me like it was important, like I was important. She kissed me like she loved me even though she knew there wasn’t any way possible for me to love her back.”
There was no denying it that there was a connection between Dixie and Church. These two fit each other like two jigsaw puzzles and so as Dixie and Church told each other about their past, their transition from friendship to something more was undeniable. It was like fate was leading them to each other and back home. With the help of Dixie and his family, Church finally found the peace he had been searching for.
He was constantly telling me that he was a liar . . . but with him over me, with him inside of me . . . I believed every word he said. The truth was in his hands, in his mouth, in the way his cock moved in and out of me like he couldn’t get enough of me . . . or of us together.”With her sexy blend of heart, family, love, and steam, Jay Crownover will have readers saying take me to Church. Well not that kind of church, but the Dash Churchill kind. It was not that hard to fall for Jay’s characters as Dixie and Church easily demanded your attention as layers of their personalities began to be peeled off. You gotta love a story where readers could relate to both hero and heroine and that’s what I just did. I found myself being drawn to their vulnerability and honesty. So if you are looking for a story where family, love, second chances and new beginnings are the main backbone of this love story then I suggest you better one click and get Riveted.
Jay Crownover
March 29, 2017
rating: 4.75/5
Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise
If you have been on my blog for a while now, you know that Jay Crownover is one of my favourite authors. There isn't a book of hers that I don't love or a series that didn't catch my eye. When I received this ARC for Riveted, I was jumping up and down seriously because I was really excited to read it and I wasn't disappointed at all.
I'm trying to find where to start my review without is being too spoilerish and it's hard. So, let’s just type and see where it will take us, shall we?
Let's start with the characters...
Dixie is simply a good person; too good if you ask me. She has a golden heart and she will always be there for everyone she cares about whether its family, friends or the man she’s madly in love with. She has a zest for life that not a lot of people possess. But that doesn’t mean she had or has an easy life. Not everything was or is always beautiful in her life, but she prefers to not let those things bring her down. It's actually her need to help others that is the reason she agrees to follow Church back home and pretend to be his girlfriend for a few days. She knows it wasn’t a good idea, but she can’t seem to refuse him. I believe that this journey didn’t only teach Church a lot about himself, I think it taught Dixie to think about herself more; that she can be put first instead.
Church is a complex character that you just want to dig deep and see what happened to him to become the man he is now. He is not a bad person at all, but he doesn’t let others become close to him; he always keeps a distant between them and him. When he and Dixie leave on this trip to his hometown, you embark on a journey you didn’t expect. I won’t lie, I had imagine a past a lot more different than the one you discover as his past is unraveled. You can see the little boy he used to be, the one who lost so much so fast and how it affected him and others around him. Church grows a lot in this book and even if he still has a lot to make peace with, he is still willing to make things better for him and the people he cares about.
The relationship...
Dixie and Church have something together. It's just not an easy road for them to get there. Church has a lot of fear inside of him when it comes to letting people close and though Dixie would do anything for him, she isn't completely ready to be destroy by the man she loves. Both of them have a rocky road, but their story is so worth following. I'm not writing much because I might really let out spoilers, but believe me, you will follow their journey and want to see where it will all lead and what it will mean to the both of them.
Drama comes and go....
But romance is not only the main subject of this story, oh no, you will have some drama happening in this book. Some will come from Church's family and some will... well not hahaha Stopping this here again because spoilers might revealed if I continue.
So yes, this another book of Jay that I recommend you read like YESTERDAY. It was an amazing read and once again Jay created interesting characters and you will have your share of feels throughout this book.
I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise
If you have been on my blog for a while now, you know that Jay Crownover is one of my favourite authors. There isn't a book of hers that I don't love or a series that didn't catch my eye. When I received this ARC for Riveted, I was jumping up and down seriously because I was really excited to read it and I wasn't disappointed at all.
I'm trying to find where to start my review without is being too spoilerish and it's hard. So, let’s just type and see where it will take us, shall we?
Let's start with the characters...
Dixie is simply a good person; too good if you ask me. She has a golden heart and she will always be there for everyone she cares about whether its family, friends or the man she’s madly in love with. She has a zest for life that not a lot of people possess. But that doesn’t mean she had or has an easy life. Not everything was or is always beautiful in her life, but she prefers to not let those things bring her down. It's actually her need to help others that is the reason she agrees to follow Church back home and pretend to be his girlfriend for a few days. She knows it wasn’t a good idea, but she can’t seem to refuse him. I believe that this journey didn’t only teach Church a lot about himself, I think it taught Dixie to think about herself more; that she can be put first instead.
Church is a complex character that you just want to dig deep and see what happened to him to become the man he is now. He is not a bad person at all, but he doesn’t let others become close to him; he always keeps a distant between them and him. When he and Dixie leave on this trip to his hometown, you embark on a journey you didn’t expect. I won’t lie, I had imagine a past a lot more different than the one you discover as his past is unraveled. You can see the little boy he used to be, the one who lost so much so fast and how it affected him and others around him. Church grows a lot in this book and even if he still has a lot to make peace with, he is still willing to make things better for him and the people he cares about.
The relationship...
Dixie and Church have something together. It's just not an easy road for them to get there. Church has a lot of fear inside of him when it comes to letting people close and though Dixie would do anything for him, she isn't completely ready to be destroy by the man she loves. Both of them have a rocky road, but their story is so worth following. I'm not writing much because I might really let out spoilers, but believe me, you will follow their journey and want to see where it will all lead and what it will mean to the both of them.
Drama comes and go....
But romance is not only the main subject of this story, oh no, you will have some drama happening in this book. Some will come from Church's family and some will... well not hahaha Stopping this here again because spoilers might revealed if I continue.
So yes, this another book of Jay that I recommend you read like YESTERDAY. It was an amazing read and once again Jay created interesting characters and you will have your share of feels throughout this book.
I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
February 6, 2017
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I want to be Church's pretty girl.
This book was brilliant. I really enjoyed it. I was dying to know aghast was holding Church back from being with Dixie (I just luv that name). Dixie is such an amazing girl she sees the best in everyone and everything. Life hasn't been easy for her but things could always be worst. I really liked how she was so up beat even dealing with Church and his broody ways. I don't think I could of spent so long loving someone without getting even a lil bit back. But she would do anything for Church.
Like I said I was dying to know more about Church. I knew he was in the army with Rome and then Rome helped him with job. But there was something about this sexy strong man that had me wondering why he couldn't let go with Dixie. She was the woman that turned everything from dark to light. Church's past wasn't very really a happy one he lost a lot of people that he loved and this was his reasons for signing up and getting away from it al. It's also the reason he didn't go home as soon as he was back in America. But know he had to go home and deal with the people who had missed him so much at home and he had to turn to the person who he didn't want to get close to Dixie.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was really good. I wanted to know how things were going to go with these two very different people. I 've luvd this series so much. The characters are just brilliant. It was great to get a little but our Poppy and Wheeler. The end of epilogue had got me dyin for there book. I just know it's goin to amazing. I feel like I 've been waiting forever for it. Overall I really enjoyed everything about this book. I would highly recommend it.
I want to be Church's pretty girl.
This book was brilliant. I really enjoyed it. I was dying to know aghast was holding Church back from being with Dixie (I just luv that name). Dixie is such an amazing girl she sees the best in everyone and everything. Life hasn't been easy for her but things could always be worst. I really liked how she was so up beat even dealing with Church and his broody ways. I don't think I could of spent so long loving someone without getting even a lil bit back. But she would do anything for Church.
Like I said I was dying to know more about Church. I knew he was in the army with Rome and then Rome helped him with job. But there was something about this sexy strong man that had me wondering why he couldn't let go with Dixie. She was the woman that turned everything from dark to light. Church's past wasn't very really a happy one he lost a lot of people that he loved and this was his reasons for signing up and getting away from it al. It's also the reason he didn't go home as soon as he was back in America. But know he had to go home and deal with the people who had missed him so much at home and he had to turn to the person who he didn't want to get close to Dixie.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was really good. I wanted to know how things were going to go with these two very different people. I 've luvd this series so much. The characters are just brilliant. It was great to get a little but our Poppy and Wheeler. The end of epilogue had got me dyin for there book. I just know it's goin to amazing. I feel like I 've been waiting forever for it. Overall I really enjoyed everything about this book. I would highly recommend it.
February 19, 2017
Riveted is about a woman who waited so long to find the right one and when the right one came along she wasn’t sure if she would ever be the right one for him. Dixie Carmichael has always believed in love, she has this bubbly happy personality and she wants everyone around her to be happy. Dashiel ‘Church’ Churchill is trying to recover himself before heading to his hometown, he is the silent brooding type.
Church and Dixie work together at the bar owned by Asa and Rome, in the months that Church has been there, Dixie has really taken with him. When Church has to return to him hometown and needs a favour, he ofcourse thinks of Dixie, the warm kind hearted woman he has gotten to care for more than he would like to admit.
Church and Dixie have both been through a lot, Church has been through several tragedies (from his parents to being in the military) that make him want to run away as far as he can from the word love. While Dixie even through the hardships she faced never gave up on love. Dixie’s gentle and sweet nature makes Church slowly but surely realise that not all love given ends up badly.
I really liked them together, its Jay Crownover so ofcourse the couple had abundance of chemistry and connection but more than I really liked how they were with each other. It was just gentle kind and caring love. It has opposites attract trope which worked really well here. We get to see them grown closer and get to know each other and fall deeper in love. They were honest and understanding towards each other. It was a natural progression of their relationship and while Church didn’t think that a road trip and being this close to Dixie would make him open up to her, and just end up being really in love with her (which was what he had hoped to avoid).
The book has a road trip, a homecoming, suspense and a couple who didn’t think they would get a happily ever after. I really adore this series, the characters are multifaceted, their personalities vivid and the secondary characters are also very interesting. A fantastic edition the series and I’m really looking forward to Poppy and Wheeler’s story!
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Church and Dixie work together at the bar owned by Asa and Rome, in the months that Church has been there, Dixie has really taken with him. When Church has to return to him hometown and needs a favour, he ofcourse thinks of Dixie, the warm kind hearted woman he has gotten to care for more than he would like to admit.
Church and Dixie have both been through a lot, Church has been through several tragedies (from his parents to being in the military) that make him want to run away as far as he can from the word love. While Dixie even through the hardships she faced never gave up on love. Dixie’s gentle and sweet nature makes Church slowly but surely realise that not all love given ends up badly.
I really liked them together, its Jay Crownover so ofcourse the couple had abundance of chemistry and connection but more than I really liked how they were with each other. It was just gentle kind and caring love. It has opposites attract trope which worked really well here. We get to see them grown closer and get to know each other and fall deeper in love. They were honest and understanding towards each other. It was a natural progression of their relationship and while Church didn’t think that a road trip and being this close to Dixie would make him open up to her, and just end up being really in love with her (which was what he had hoped to avoid).
The book has a road trip, a homecoming, suspense and a couple who didn’t think they would get a happily ever after. I really adore this series, the characters are multifaceted, their personalities vivid and the secondary characters are also very interesting. A fantastic edition the series and I’m really looking forward to Poppy and Wheeler’s story!
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2017
I should start by saying a few things. First, I usually really like Jay Crownover. She is the only author I have ever taken the time to go meet, I’ve bought all of her books regardless of whether the premise actually sounded good to me, and, for the most part, I have enjoyed them all. Second, I am from the south; not the deep south of Mississippi, but from a place where confederate flags flying are not unusual (on trucks, in front yards, and on as many articles of clothing as you can think of).
Lastly, I am mixed. Half black and half white. My heritage will go a long way in explaining all the problems I have with this book. And I should state up front, that I obviously do not speak for all mixed people (there isn't even agreement in our community on what to call ourselves; many don't even like the word mixed. I like mixed because it includes those who are more than just biracial, although I see why people don't like the term), nor do I speak for all black people. I speak for myself and my frustrations are based on my experiences.
I’m not going to get much into the premise of this book, other than to say it involves a wounded soldier who thinks he’s a fault for all the hurt in the lives of those around him, and a girl who thinks she can fix everything and everyone.
So, I have not yet finished this book, and I am already reviewing it, because I am more frustrated than I thought would be possible reading a book. I am a huge proponent of included people of color (POCs) in books. I think this is so very important for some many different reasons, and I even believe that people who are not POCs should include them in their work. But I think two things need to happen if you are not part of a group and want to write from their perspective. One, you need to do research, and two, you need quite a few people to do a sensitivity reading. Let me use this book as an example as to why that needs to happen.
The main character of Riveted is named Dashel Churchill, and he goes by Church or Dash. The character complains about the issues of growing up in the south with an “unusual” name. Neither Dashel, Dash, or Church would be considered that strange of a name. Kids with “ordinary” names get picked on all the time. And in the south “unusual” names are a dime a dozen.
POCs don’t normally refer to themselves as such in their heads. I have met lots of them. I am one of them. As a group, we are POCs, but individually, we are what we are. It is weird that the main character would refer to himself as a person of color in his own head instead of thinking about his own heritage. Also, it’s weird for other people to say it, too. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with calling a character what he is instead of mentioning it once and then referring to him as a POC for the rest of the time.
What is going on with the stereotypes!? Church’s dad (the POC in an interracial relationship with a white woman) leaves before he’s even born? It may have worked for the storyline, but considering all the other points against this book, this one was still egregious. I think the author may have felt it was okay because the person who steps up to father Church is black, but I still think depending on the stereotype of black man leaving their children was a bad move.
Finally, how is the main character, Dixie, who is in love with this wonderful guy, the opposite of woke? I imagine, any minute, she’s going to say something idiotic along the lines of “I don’t see color.” How does she not understand that a black/middle eastern/white man will be afraid to go into a bar when there are a bunch of trucks outside flying confederate flags? And what was the point of mentioning it if nothing was going to happen in that bar? Was the point to say that just because someone flies a confederate flag, they aren’t going to start trouble with every POC they see? Was the point to say that flying a confederate flag doesn’t make you racist? Was the point to say that a POC should not be afraid of trouble just because they see a confederate flag? Because let me just say, I grew up around those flags, I grew up around plantations, and I grew up around reminders that my family members were, not too long ago, enslaved. Then, following that enslavement they were considered second class citizen. It some places, and in too many cases, we still are. Dixie is the epitome of white privilege. And what is even more concerning is the thought that, possibly, Jay Crownover believes these things as well. Sure, some may make the argument that the confederate flag is a reminder of states’ rights, but the right they wanted to hold on to was the right to keep people enslaved for free labor.
I am furious about how this book has portrayed not only the south, but also what it means to be a POC in America. If an author who is not part of a group wants to write about the experience of those in that group, then a lot of research needs to happen. This book is an example of why so many people ask that white authors not write about our experiences. If the book had stayed solely in Dixie’s perspective, I would have just thought the character was ignorant of those experiences, but adding Church’s POV really made it necessary that their was research done, and his perspective should have been handled with so much more sensitivity.
I'm not actually sure I'll finish this book. I know it will end with a happily ever after, as most romance novels do, but I imagine Dixie will remain unaware of what she has so far ignored other than on a very surface level.
I am extremely disappointed, and I'm not sure I will be reading another Jay Crownover book due to the lack of sensitivity with which she handled a very serious issue.
Lastly, I am mixed. Half black and half white. My heritage will go a long way in explaining all the problems I have with this book. And I should state up front, that I obviously do not speak for all mixed people (there isn't even agreement in our community on what to call ourselves; many don't even like the word mixed. I like mixed because it includes those who are more than just biracial, although I see why people don't like the term), nor do I speak for all black people. I speak for myself and my frustrations are based on my experiences.
I’m not going to get much into the premise of this book, other than to say it involves a wounded soldier who thinks he’s a fault for all the hurt in the lives of those around him, and a girl who thinks she can fix everything and everyone.
So, I have not yet finished this book, and I am already reviewing it, because I am more frustrated than I thought would be possible reading a book. I am a huge proponent of included people of color (POCs) in books. I think this is so very important for some many different reasons, and I even believe that people who are not POCs should include them in their work. But I think two things need to happen if you are not part of a group and want to write from their perspective. One, you need to do research, and two, you need quite a few people to do a sensitivity reading. Let me use this book as an example as to why that needs to happen.
The main character of Riveted is named Dashel Churchill, and he goes by Church or Dash. The character complains about the issues of growing up in the south with an “unusual” name. Neither Dashel, Dash, or Church would be considered that strange of a name. Kids with “ordinary” names get picked on all the time. And in the south “unusual” names are a dime a dozen.
POCs don’t normally refer to themselves as such in their heads. I have met lots of them. I am one of them. As a group, we are POCs, but individually, we are what we are. It is weird that the main character would refer to himself as a person of color in his own head instead of thinking about his own heritage. Also, it’s weird for other people to say it, too. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with calling a character what he is instead of mentioning it once and then referring to him as a POC for the rest of the time.
What is going on with the stereotypes!? Church’s dad (the POC in an interracial relationship with a white woman) leaves before he’s even born? It may have worked for the storyline, but considering all the other points against this book, this one was still egregious. I think the author may have felt it was okay because the person who steps up to father Church is black, but I still think depending on the stereotype of black man leaving their children was a bad move.
Finally, how is the main character, Dixie, who is in love with this wonderful guy, the opposite of woke? I imagine, any minute, she’s going to say something idiotic along the lines of “I don’t see color.” How does she not understand that a black/middle eastern/white man will be afraid to go into a bar when there are a bunch of trucks outside flying confederate flags? And what was the point of mentioning it if nothing was going to happen in that bar? Was the point to say that just because someone flies a confederate flag, they aren’t going to start trouble with every POC they see? Was the point to say that flying a confederate flag doesn’t make you racist? Was the point to say that a POC should not be afraid of trouble just because they see a confederate flag? Because let me just say, I grew up around those flags, I grew up around plantations, and I grew up around reminders that my family members were, not too long ago, enslaved. Then, following that enslavement they were considered second class citizen. It some places, and in too many cases, we still are. Dixie is the epitome of white privilege. And what is even more concerning is the thought that, possibly, Jay Crownover believes these things as well. Sure, some may make the argument that the confederate flag is a reminder of states’ rights, but the right they wanted to hold on to was the right to keep people enslaved for free labor.
I am furious about how this book has portrayed not only the south, but also what it means to be a POC in America. If an author who is not part of a group wants to write about the experience of those in that group, then a lot of research needs to happen. This book is an example of why so many people ask that white authors not write about our experiences. If the book had stayed solely in Dixie’s perspective, I would have just thought the character was ignorant of those experiences, but adding Church’s POV really made it necessary that their was research done, and his perspective should have been handled with so much more sensitivity.
I'm not actually sure I'll finish this book. I know it will end with a happily ever after, as most romance novels do, but I imagine Dixie will remain unaware of what she has so far ignored other than on a very surface level.
I am extremely disappointed, and I'm not sure I will be reading another Jay Crownover book due to the lack of sensitivity with which she handled a very serious issue.
February 14, 2017
I’m such a fan of Jay Crownover and her easy style of storytelling. I love her lovable yet broken men and her strong, redeeming heroines. I also like The Saints of Denver series because of it’s strong overarching theme of family bonds. Riveted is no different, and like Charged, it’s an ‘opposites attract’ love story (who aren’t as opposite as they first think).
Dixie and Church work together at Rome and Asa’s bar. He’s the strong silent type and she’s is an open book who wears her heart on her sleeve. They’ve been eyeing each other from afar for months and when Church needs a favor, Dixie is the first person he thinks of. They embark on a road trip to Church’s hometown in Mississippi, which he hasn’t returned to since his enlistment. Throw in some bad guys and you have the makings of a spectacular welcome home party.
I really enjoyed getting to know more about Church and Dixie. Church may be quiet, but he’s deep and has suffered several losses in his life. He feels like he doesn’t deserve love because everyone he gets close to dies. His time in the military helped him to become even quieter and more solitary. Dixie is a so giving, sweet, and selfless. She’ll do anything for anyone, especially Church. Her love sneaks up on him, even though he’s reluctant to let her in, and there is so much sweetness there that I wasn’t expecting. I think that’s the aspect I enjoyed most about Riveted.
I have loved each of the books in this series; seeing the characters grow and find their own happy endings has been fantastic. I think fans of Jay Crownover and this series will enjoy a departure from the Denver scene with these two–I know I did. Now, I just need to have Poppy’s HEA and I will be a happy camper.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
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Dixie and Church work together at Rome and Asa’s bar. He’s the strong silent type and she’s is an open book who wears her heart on her sleeve. They’ve been eyeing each other from afar for months and when Church needs a favor, Dixie is the first person he thinks of. They embark on a road trip to Church’s hometown in Mississippi, which he hasn’t returned to since his enlistment. Throw in some bad guys and you have the makings of a spectacular welcome home party.
I really enjoyed getting to know more about Church and Dixie. Church may be quiet, but he’s deep and has suffered several losses in his life. He feels like he doesn’t deserve love because everyone he gets close to dies. His time in the military helped him to become even quieter and more solitary. Dixie is a so giving, sweet, and selfless. She’ll do anything for anyone, especially Church. Her love sneaks up on him, even though he’s reluctant to let her in, and there is so much sweetness there that I wasn’t expecting. I think that’s the aspect I enjoyed most about Riveted.
I have loved each of the books in this series; seeing the characters grow and find their own happy endings has been fantastic. I think fans of Jay Crownover and this series will enjoy a departure from the Denver scene with these two–I know I did. Now, I just need to have Poppy’s HEA and I will be a happy camper.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Order: Kindle | Paperback | Kobo | Nook | Audible
▸ For more reviews, visit
February 20, 2017
"Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review"
This book didn’t work for me, but it might work for readers who like a story about a tormented biker hero with lots of explicit sex. I’ve requested it on NetGalley because of the blurb, the tortured hero and because I had “Rome” ("Marked Men”) in my wish list for a while and so I was curious about this author.
Overall, I liked the main characters and some of the secondary characters, namely the hero’s family, a very heartwarming group of people, not all blood related. I wasn’t moved, nevertheless, by the heroine’s sweetness and “sunny disposition” – emphasized over and over – and I must confess that even if I love a tortured hero I had a hard time understanding Church’s fatalism, which seemed a bit irrational. But I enjoyed his journey from darkness to light and the author creates a very attractive hero.
First of all, I didn’t like the writing style, too wordy and repetitive, with overworked metaphors and similes (“flames of rage”, “fire of jealousy”) and depending too much on telling. The dialogue was often over the top and stilted and somehow contradicting the hero’s character.
I also felt that sometimes the hero and the heroine’s voices were too similar and that the guarded and quiet hero, with all that introspection, was perhaps too eager to speak about his own emotions and feelings. I didn’t appreciate the tendency to auto-characterization and autoanalysis, sometimes in the midst of a blow job or in other unexpected moments.
I usually dislike the first-person POV with the character rendering information about himself/herself that would be improbable or/and impossible from a realistic perspective, something that happens here (“the corners of my lips turned down”, “my frown dug deeper into my face”, “my hands curled into fists at my sides without me being aware they were doing it” – I’m quoting only to illustrate my assessment, aware that it is an ARC).
All these features contribute sometimes to break the narrative flow and I struggled to read this book. I must say that I enjoyed much more the second part of the story with the hero’s extended family.
I'm grateful to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction, the author, Jay Crownover, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
This book didn’t work for me, but it might work for readers who like a story about a tormented biker hero with lots of explicit sex. I’ve requested it on NetGalley because of the blurb, the tortured hero and because I had “Rome” ("Marked Men”) in my wish list for a while and so I was curious about this author.
Overall, I liked the main characters and some of the secondary characters, namely the hero’s family, a very heartwarming group of people, not all blood related. I wasn’t moved, nevertheless, by the heroine’s sweetness and “sunny disposition” – emphasized over and over – and I must confess that even if I love a tortured hero I had a hard time understanding Church’s fatalism, which seemed a bit irrational. But I enjoyed his journey from darkness to light and the author creates a very attractive hero.
First of all, I didn’t like the writing style, too wordy and repetitive, with overworked metaphors and similes (“flames of rage”, “fire of jealousy”) and depending too much on telling. The dialogue was often over the top and stilted and somehow contradicting the hero’s character.
I also felt that sometimes the hero and the heroine’s voices were too similar and that the guarded and quiet hero, with all that introspection, was perhaps too eager to speak about his own emotions and feelings. I didn’t appreciate the tendency to auto-characterization and autoanalysis, sometimes in the midst of a blow job or in other unexpected moments.
I usually dislike the first-person POV with the character rendering information about himself/herself that would be improbable or/and impossible from a realistic perspective, something that happens here (“the corners of my lips turned down”, “my frown dug deeper into my face”, “my hands curled into fists at my sides without me being aware they were doing it” – I’m quoting only to illustrate my assessment, aware that it is an ARC).
All these features contribute sometimes to break the narrative flow and I struggled to read this book. I must say that I enjoyed much more the second part of the story with the hero’s extended family.
I'm grateful to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction, the author, Jay Crownover, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
August 30, 2017
Riveted es el tercer libro de los cuatro que componen la saga Saints Of Denver escrita por la autora Jay Crownover y tiene como protagonistas a Church y Dixie, personajes secundarios en los libros anteriores.
La historia de Dixie y Church me gusto, no es la mas romantica o inolvidable pero ambos fueron personajes agradables, sobretodo si los comparo con la pareja anterior ( la cual no me convencio del todo ).
Esta novela no es de las mejores de la autora, aunque tambien tengo que admitir que ya no inicio sus libros con las mismas ganas que hace años, no se si es porque mi gusto ha cambiado y ya no me emocionan las mismas cosas que antes o si es porque la autora ha ido creando libros cada vez mas simples y sosos pero llevo un par de lecturas de Jay Crownover que no me han dejado satisfecha al 100%.
Esta en concreto no es horrible, es entretenida y fluida pero no me engancho lo suficiente como para no poder parar de leer, principalmente por varios detalles :
1• La relacion de los protagonistas me parecio muy rapida e irreal, no hubo un desarrollo creible de su amor, de un momento a otro los dos se enamoran. Es cierto que se conocian desde hacia meses pero ellos mismos reconocen que no son cercanos, asi que me fue imposible creerme sus sentimientos.
2• La trama del libro me resulto muy sosa, no tiene nada que destaque o que se diferencie de los miles de libros que hay ya publicados, las primeras historias que lei de la autora eran distintas, originales y muy memorables pero estas ultimas lecturas suyas son del monton, no resaltan en nada.
3• Church y Dixie, como ya dije me cayeron bien pero no tienen nada de profundidad, empece el libro sin conocerlos y lo termine sin saber nada sustancial de ellos.
En fin, Riveted es una lectura que cumple su funcion pero que no se acerca ni de lejos al nivel de los mejores libros de Jay, espero que en el cuarto y ultimo libro vuelva a encontrar ese " algo " que encontre en Rule, Asa, Built .... en especial porque me muero de ganas de leer la historia de Poppy y Wheeler y si arruina la novela no la perdonare jamas ( sobretodo despues de esperarlo durante años ).
2.75 Estrellas!
March 4, 2017
When this series started, I really enjoyed BUILT. It’s a spin off of the Marked Men series so that attracted me to it in the chance of seeing some of those characters. And when I met the new set of characters here, I was hooked. As of late, I’ve been feeling a bit disconnected with this authors’ books. RIVETED was maybe another example of that. I didn’t connect with this story and characters as much as I wanted to.
Part of that is because I didn’t really like the fact that the hero had this perception of himself that I couldn’t fathom. He obviously thinks he’s broken and no good for the heroine from the start. But when we start seeing why he thinks that, I just wanted to shake him and scream “COME ON”! There were some things about his character that I was hoping would redeem him in my eyes, but honestly, in the end, I wasn’t connected to him at all. I felt bad for some of the things that he had to go through, but I couldn’t sympathize with how he thought about them and how he’s acted.
Dixie was cute and adorable. At times a bit too positive? But I liked her. I wanted to see her stand up for herself just a bit more, and her happiness depend less on a man. Any man.
All that being said, the sexual chemistry was great. Dixie and Church had no problems in that department. I also really enjoyed the small glimpses of Rome and how protective he was. The bar and Rome’s military men do feel like a family, and that sense of unity and friendship is one of the things that I’ve always loved about Ms. Crownover’s books. In this case, we also get that when they go back to Church’s hometown, and we meet his family. I loved the community and closeness of all of them.
We do get a tease about Dixie’s neighbor, Poppy. She’s definitely someone that needs to be put back together and I’m looking forward to seeing Wheeler do that.
March 12, 2017
✱3.5 STARS!✱
☾This was surprisingly a really good story. I didn't think much of the book when I read the summary because it didn't give me that "this book is going to be amazing!" Feeling, you know? It didn't really draw me in.
☾What I felt was most interesting about this story is that it was a romance but it was also kind of a thriller. When Dixie was trapped in the bathroom I instantly knew something was up but I didn't realize that was the plot of the book.
☾Dixie and Church's relationship was so adorable! I've read so many books where the guy doesn't think he deserves the girl, or doesn't think he can be "that" guy for the girl & let me tell you that gets old quick! I was happy with this book because it didn't take church as long as it usually takes the guy in these types of books.
☾In the end, the culprit was kind of predictable but I didn't mind. It was really interesting to the point where it didn't really matter if it was obvious or not.
☾This was surprisingly a really good story. I didn't think much of the book when I read the summary because it didn't give me that "this book is going to be amazing!" Feeling, you know? It didn't really draw me in.
☾What I felt was most interesting about this story is that it was a romance but it was also kind of a thriller. When Dixie was trapped in the bathroom I instantly knew something was up but I didn't realize that was the plot of the book.
☾Dixie and Church's relationship was so adorable! I've read so many books where the guy doesn't think he deserves the girl, or doesn't think he can be "that" guy for the girl & let me tell you that gets old quick! I was happy with this book because it didn't take church as long as it usually takes the guy in these types of books.
☾In the end, the culprit was kind of predictable but I didn't mind. It was really interesting to the point where it didn't really matter if it was obvious or not.
dnf
February 5, 2017DNF @17%
You know what? Fuck it. I'm not going to try and push through a book I am already finding exasperating just because the author is(was?) a favourite.
I had a lot of problems with Charged, but the point is that one random chapter from Church's POV in it told me something, I probably wasn't going to like nor connect with Church. And here we are now, having got a few chapters from Church's POV and yup, I don't like the guy. And Dixie is nothing special either. In fact, this is a typical Jay story just with different MC's. They're busy pining after each other. Church says he doesn't deserve Dixie and Dixie is loving this broken man. Obviously, they will fix each other. And I care nothing to stick around for what will be the exact story I've read 10 times from Jay. Even more so because I don't like either of these two.
The descriptions of other characters are still weird and not "different" anymore. The way these characters talk and think like they are all super experienced world-renowned therapists. Honestly, nope nope nope.
It's really sad to see how Jay went from an instant favourite when I first came across Rule years ago. I loved The Marked Men series. I love the start of this series; Built is amazing. But everything after has been a trudge to get through. I feel like a long break is in order. Don't want to be hasty with a full-blown breakup. But I don't think a bit of break could hurt.
You know what? Fuck it. I'm not going to try and push through a book I am already finding exasperating just because the author is(was?) a favourite.
I had a lot of problems with Charged, but the point is that one random chapter from Church's POV in it told me something, I probably wasn't going to like nor connect with Church. And here we are now, having got a few chapters from Church's POV and yup, I don't like the guy. And Dixie is nothing special either. In fact, this is a typical Jay story just with different MC's. They're busy pining after each other. Church says he doesn't deserve Dixie and Dixie is loving this broken man. Obviously, they will fix each other. And I care nothing to stick around for what will be the exact story I've read 10 times from Jay. Even more so because I don't like either of these two.
The descriptions of other characters are still weird and not "different" anymore. The way these characters talk and think like they are all super experienced world-renowned therapists. Honestly, nope nope nope.
It's really sad to see how Jay went from an instant favourite when I first came across Rule years ago. I loved The Marked Men series. I love the start of this series; Built is amazing. But everything after has been a trudge to get through. I feel like a long break is in order. Don't want to be hasty with a full-blown breakup. But I don't think a bit of break could hurt.
July 1, 2018
While this wasn't my favorite in the series, I really enjoyed what Crownover did here. Having read all of the Marked Men series and then followed the characters over to this series, a lot of these people weren't new to me. And let's be honest, Church has been a mystery since the beginning. And I never would have expected him to wind up with someone like Dixie.
Dash Churchill is a man of mystery and recluse. You can tell he's had a hard past but he won't talk about it. When an emergency calls him home, he's forced into a position to bring home the girl who's kept him in Denver for so long. Problem is, there's isn't a girl...well, sort of. There is Dixie Carmichael who's been in love with Church since she met him. When Church asks her to come home with him, she jumps at the opportunity to spend more time with him. But because this is a Jay Crownover book, there isn't just romance but something more on the side.
The parts that I really liked about this one centered around the banter between the two and also watching them come out of their shells. Dash was slowly learning to trust someone with his secrets while Dixie was learning to take care of herself more and really find out who she is. These two were really cute together even though they both were fighting it.
What I wasn't a huge fan was the added drama. Every Jay book has to have an extreme moment, it's just expected at this point, but the one in this seemed just a little too far fetched and out there that it really seemed to become a different book. I felt that Church and Dixie's story stood up by itself and didn't need the extra plot line.
But next up is Wheeler's story and I can't wait!!!!!!
Dash Churchill is a man of mystery and recluse. You can tell he's had a hard past but he won't talk about it. When an emergency calls him home, he's forced into a position to bring home the girl who's kept him in Denver for so long. Problem is, there's isn't a girl...well, sort of. There is Dixie Carmichael who's been in love with Church since she met him. When Church asks her to come home with him, she jumps at the opportunity to spend more time with him. But because this is a Jay Crownover book, there isn't just romance but something more on the side.
The parts that I really liked about this one centered around the banter between the two and also watching them come out of their shells. Dash was slowly learning to trust someone with his secrets while Dixie was learning to take care of herself more and really find out who she is. These two were really cute together even though they both were fighting it.
What I wasn't a huge fan was the added drama. Every Jay book has to have an extreme moment, it's just expected at this point, but the one in this seemed just a little too far fetched and out there that it really seemed to become a different book. I felt that Church and Dixie's story stood up by itself and didn't need the extra plot line.
But next up is Wheeler's story and I can't wait!!!!!!
February 18, 2017
Rating: 4.5/5
Review to come!
Review to come!
February 15, 2017
#YallNeedChurch. Definitely. Certainly. That hashtag now means so much more to me than just seeing it on every post about this book. Because it's nothing but the truth—y'all really do need to get to know this complicated soldier with a huge heart and has so much love to give, even if he doesn't realize it at first. He's captivated me right from the get-go and the long wait for his and Dixie's story is just more than worth it. It was raw, gritty and all too beautiful at the same time.
Jay Crownover has always managed to surprise me with every turn of the page in each and every one of her books and this was no different. You'd just never know where she'll take you. The twists and turns never fail to knock you sideways, that's for sure. If you've followed this series from the very beginning, you'd probably be like me. I was always curious and wondering about what Church's story would be. How Dixie would win the heart of this silent, broody man. How they'd impact the lives of each other. And let me tell you, it more than lived up to my expectations. It was so much more of EVERYTHING.
Dash Churchill is the bouncer at the bar where Dixie Carmichael works at as a waitress. He's a very quiet, yet attentive man who keeps to himself and a little more than rough around the edges. He does his job and watches out for those he cares for. And he does his job damn well. It gets and kicks his soldier instincts into high gear every time he works. But he wasn't really living. He was merely existing. He was existing, walking around, carrying the baggage of the entire world.
See, Church has a very complicated history—one he prolonged to avoid facing, but a blink of an eye can change everything. Now he has to face all those fears, all that he left behind in his hometown a lot sooner than he hoped for. And he's bringing Little Miss Sunshine along with him. The woman who would truly turn his world upside down.
I fell in love with Dixie, almost as much as I did with Church. I loved her warm, cheery, friendly and optimistic disposition; she really was all sunshine and rainbows day in and day out. She's the type of person you'd never see frown or be down. And she always sees the best in everybody. Because of this, on the outside, it would seem like she never experienced any problems or hardships in life. But she has. And that's something Church will eventually learn about her. That having big smiles everyday automatically means you don't know heartache right away. No, it was Dixie's choice to face life that way. She chose to never let anything break her down.
Another thing I adored about Dixie was that she just never gave up. Never lost faith in people. All she ever wanted was to have her own fairytale, just like what her parents had. Her very own happy ever after. But when she finally found the right guy for her, he didn't exactly want the same things as she does. And that's a straight shot to the heart. But Dixie being Dixie, she won't let that deter her. She's going to try her damnedest to try and win her Mr. Right's heart and make him see her.
Riveted touched on so many issues—real life issues—that you probably won't even see coming. It's all too refreshing and mesmerizing and yet another knockout for Ms. Crownover. If you're diving into any book written by this author, you should never expect any less. Because she just nails it every single time. All you have to do is hold on tight and go along for the ride. Like I said, #YallNeedChurch.
Jay Crownover has always managed to surprise me with every turn of the page in each and every one of her books and this was no different. You'd just never know where she'll take you. The twists and turns never fail to knock you sideways, that's for sure. If you've followed this series from the very beginning, you'd probably be like me. I was always curious and wondering about what Church's story would be. How Dixie would win the heart of this silent, broody man. How they'd impact the lives of each other. And let me tell you, it more than lived up to my expectations. It was so much more of EVERYTHING.
Dash Churchill is the bouncer at the bar where Dixie Carmichael works at as a waitress. He's a very quiet, yet attentive man who keeps to himself and a little more than rough around the edges. He does his job and watches out for those he cares for. And he does his job damn well. It gets and kicks his soldier instincts into high gear every time he works. But he wasn't really living. He was merely existing. He was existing, walking around, carrying the baggage of the entire world.
See, Church has a very complicated history—one he prolonged to avoid facing, but a blink of an eye can change everything. Now he has to face all those fears, all that he left behind in his hometown a lot sooner than he hoped for. And he's bringing Little Miss Sunshine along with him. The woman who would truly turn his world upside down.
I fell in love with Dixie, almost as much as I did with Church. I loved her warm, cheery, friendly and optimistic disposition; she really was all sunshine and rainbows day in and day out. She's the type of person you'd never see frown or be down. And she always sees the best in everybody. Because of this, on the outside, it would seem like she never experienced any problems or hardships in life. But she has. And that's something Church will eventually learn about her. That having big smiles everyday automatically means you don't know heartache right away. No, it was Dixie's choice to face life that way. She chose to never let anything break her down.
Another thing I adored about Dixie was that she just never gave up. Never lost faith in people. All she ever wanted was to have her own fairytale, just like what her parents had. Her very own happy ever after. But when she finally found the right guy for her, he didn't exactly want the same things as she does. And that's a straight shot to the heart. But Dixie being Dixie, she won't let that deter her. She's going to try her damnedest to try and win her Mr. Right's heart and make him see her.
Riveted touched on so many issues—real life issues—that you probably won't even see coming. It's all too refreshing and mesmerizing and yet another knockout for Ms. Crownover. If you're diving into any book written by this author, you should never expect any less. Because she just nails it every single time. All you have to do is hold on tight and go along for the ride. Like I said, #YallNeedChurch.
June 27, 2017
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Riveted took me on a trip away from danger, where danger was lurking in every dark corner, and it was impossible to know whether Dixie or Church was the target.
Riveted did exactly that to me while I was reading it - I was riveted from start to finish, especially because Dixie and Church had been dancing around each other in prior books in the Saints of Denver series, and I was eager to see what would happen if they finally gave into their attraction and went for it.
I was very happy with what happened once Church realized that Dixie just might be the one for him - even if he had decided he didn't deserve to be happy in any way, shape or form. The danger that followed them while they were biking from Denver to Mississippi heigthtened both their and my senses, and even while looking at their trouble from different angles, I was incapable of figuring out what was going on until it all came to light.
Fast paced, this story had excitement, romance, forgiveness, loyalty and family as main themes, and I couldn't get enough.
Riveted took me on a trip away from danger, where danger was lurking in every dark corner, and it was impossible to know whether Dixie or Church was the target.
Riveted did exactly that to me while I was reading it - I was riveted from start to finish, especially because Dixie and Church had been dancing around each other in prior books in the Saints of Denver series, and I was eager to see what would happen if they finally gave into their attraction and went for it.
I was very happy with what happened once Church realized that Dixie just might be the one for him - even if he had decided he didn't deserve to be happy in any way, shape or form. The danger that followed them while they were biking from Denver to Mississippi heigthtened both their and my senses, and even while looking at their trouble from different angles, I was incapable of figuring out what was going on until it all came to light.
Fast paced, this story had excitement, romance, forgiveness, loyalty and family as main themes, and I couldn't get enough.
April 11, 2017
Loved Church and Dixie especially with his southern drawl.
Can’t wait for Wheeler and Poppy’s story.
Can’t wait for Wheeler and Poppy’s story.
February 6, 2017
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher HarperCollins UK, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
I have already read some of Jay Crownover’s books and there are some more on my TBR. She can really create such hot, protective, loveable men ...
This book brings us the story of Church and Dixie. When both his mom’s get ripped from his life he runs. He doesn’t want to lose anyone else en thinks running helps. Will his fear be able to keep his heart closed?
Dixie wants her own Prince Charming. Her mom and sister both found theirs and now she wants her own. If only her prince would feel the same.
Even though it is a little bit to insta-love for me I loved this book! What I did miss is a larger epilogue. Let’s hope we’ll read more about them in the next book.
I’m already looking forward to read the next book in this series which will bring us the story of Wheeler and Poppy. Yay!!
I have already read some of Jay Crownover’s books and there are some more on my TBR. She can really create such hot, protective, loveable men ...
This book brings us the story of Church and Dixie. When both his mom’s get ripped from his life he runs. He doesn’t want to lose anyone else en thinks running helps. Will his fear be able to keep his heart closed?
Dixie wants her own Prince Charming. Her mom and sister both found theirs and now she wants her own. If only her prince would feel the same.
Even though it is a little bit to insta-love for me I loved this book! What I did miss is a larger epilogue. Let’s hope we’ll read more about them in the next book.
I’m already looking forward to read the next book in this series which will bring us the story of Wheeler and Poppy. Yay!!
February 7, 2017
I liked that when Church was in the zone, he was in the zone, "he let go of my hands and slid his palms around my waist so that his hands had ahold of either side of my ***. “I will gladly make you glisten all over.” I loved that Church was willing to go the distance for his girl, "I wanted to kick myself for not thinking ahead and grabbing her some of the unpronounceable flowers as well. I needed to up my romance game, needed to put some oomph in my wooing skills." I really loved this book.
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March 3, 2017
February 2017 --
At 21%, it just couldn't hold my interest. This author is hit or miss for me. When I like her, I really do. But, when I don't .. I didn't this time.
You may be just fine. Hope you are.
Happy Reading!
At 21%, it just couldn't hold my interest. This author is hit or miss for me. When I like her, I really do. But, when I don't .. I didn't this time.
You may be just fine. Hope you are.
Happy Reading!
February 15, 2017
Dixie dreams of being with her soul mate and wants nothing more than to have her own happily ever after. While everyone around her seems to have found true love she's still waiting. She is in love, but is certain Church, the man she's been smitten with for quite some time, doesn't feel the same way about her. That's why his request to visit his family with him comes as such a surprise. Dixie takes whatever he's able to give her and says yes to the trip.
Church has been damaged by all the losses he's suffered in his past and isn't capable of letting anyone in. He's never even let a woman come close, but that changes when he needs to go back home together with a woman. He's admired Dixie from afar ever since he first met her, but he thinks he isn't boyfriend material and won't be good for her. That's why he's trying to be careful with her heart, but is that really the safest and least hurtful option for both of them?
Riveted is an amazing emotional story. Dixie is all smiles. Everyone around her sees her as their ray of sunshine. She has a beautiful loving personality, but like everyone else she needs someone who cares about her from time to time as well. She's perfect for Church. The darkness he has inside him makes it difficult for him to find the good things in life. He's been through a lot and is still grieving. My heart often ached for him and for the little boy he once was. He's protective and kind, but he doesn't let himself get close to the people he loves. That was sad to read about, but being with Dixie slowly changes him and that was beautiful to see. They have more than just chemistry, their connection is intense and special.
Jay Crownover writes moving love stories about tough and brave people who deserve a chance at happiness more than anyone. She knows what she's writing about and the feelings of all of her characters are being described with honesty and depth. I love how she always gets to the core of the psyche of her main characters. She combines this with skillful and raw writing, which makes her stories unique and fantastic to read.
Church has been damaged by all the losses he's suffered in his past and isn't capable of letting anyone in. He's never even let a woman come close, but that changes when he needs to go back home together with a woman. He's admired Dixie from afar ever since he first met her, but he thinks he isn't boyfriend material and won't be good for her. That's why he's trying to be careful with her heart, but is that really the safest and least hurtful option for both of them?
Riveted is an amazing emotional story. Dixie is all smiles. Everyone around her sees her as their ray of sunshine. She has a beautiful loving personality, but like everyone else she needs someone who cares about her from time to time as well. She's perfect for Church. The darkness he has inside him makes it difficult for him to find the good things in life. He's been through a lot and is still grieving. My heart often ached for him and for the little boy he once was. He's protective and kind, but he doesn't let himself get close to the people he loves. That was sad to read about, but being with Dixie slowly changes him and that was beautiful to see. They have more than just chemistry, their connection is intense and special.
Jay Crownover writes moving love stories about tough and brave people who deserve a chance at happiness more than anyone. She knows what she's writing about and the feelings of all of her characters are being described with honesty and depth. I love how she always gets to the core of the psyche of her main characters. She combines this with skillful and raw writing, which makes her stories unique and fantastic to read.
February 9, 2017
RIVETED felt more like a Marked Men book than the previous Saints of Denver to me. The type of story and Church as a character, in particular, felt like Marked Men crew. I'm not complaining, it worked and fitted in well.
Church was a closed-off character, self-restrained and close to no-one. He was so elusive in the initial part of the book, it was a guessing game as to who he was and why he was this way. Dixie was the opposite, an open page, bright and genuine. They say opposites attract and this was the pull between these two. I felt they needed one another for balance.
The story engaged me immediately, but didn't always consistently keep me reading. I liked the side characters, in particular, all of Church's family enhanced the read. Yet, I found this a difficult one to rate because for me, the book had ebb and flow. I lost a bit of interest at times but felt totally engaged at others. I've set on 4 stars from an enjoyment overall kind of perspective.
I think I know where the next book is going and that set up really intrigues me. Jay Crownover always keeps me coming back for more.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Church was a closed-off character, self-restrained and close to no-one. He was so elusive in the initial part of the book, it was a guessing game as to who he was and why he was this way. Dixie was the opposite, an open page, bright and genuine. They say opposites attract and this was the pull between these two. I felt they needed one another for balance.
The story engaged me immediately, but didn't always consistently keep me reading. I liked the side characters, in particular, all of Church's family enhanced the read. Yet, I found this a difficult one to rate because for me, the book had ebb and flow. I lost a bit of interest at times but felt totally engaged at others. I've set on 4 stars from an enjoyment overall kind of perspective.
I think I know where the next book is going and that set up really intrigues me. Jay Crownover always keeps me coming back for more.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
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