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Checkmate #7
Winner Takes All
To win, is to win it all. But to lose, means you're all alone. Spencer Serrano is seven feet of f*cked up.He’s crude, flirtatious, and far more dangerous than his stupid jokes imply.Abigail Rosa lives her life inside a bubble, placed there by those who love her, kept there by the respect she has for them.She knows they mean well, but the day Spence visits her shop with his filthy mouth and lack of manners, is the day her world is flipped upside down.Abigail isn’t inclined to give the giant jerk a minute of her time, but he’s determined to conquer her in every way.Just as he’s beginning to make progress, Checkmate alarms are raised.#JerichoSpence only plays games he knows he’ll win, but this one might be unwinnable. Together, they must fight for life—for a future.The loser will end up alone.But the Winner Takes All.This is a Checkmate Series standalone with laugh out loud funnies, fan your face chemistry, ugly cry emotions, all of the side cast we’ve grown to crave, and of course, the danger that we love to hate.Jump back into the rich and colorful world that Emilia creates, and fall in love all over again.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Spence! That dirty mouthed giant with a heart of gold. Who’d have thunk this bad boy, military guy could fall for the sweet, innocent Abigail the florist, who has a secret.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Winner Takes All is so good.. Finn brings to life real struggles and strengths women, families and friends deal with every day.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Emilia has done it again! I could not put this book down and it was definitely not what I was expecting. She took a big, crude, rude, gruff man and made me fall in love. When she paints the picture from his mind set WOW, just WOW that is all I can say. Abigail is also a woman that sets an example of strength, truth, power, sacrifice, and love. Winner Takes All is true love at its most needed moments. It is full of all emotion so grab a Kleenex and get ready to laugh, get mad, cry, and just fall in love.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This book. THIS BOOK. I feel like I've waited so long to get to meet Mr. Spencer Serrano, and the introduction was worth the wait! Spence isn't Romeo (hehehe, yall see what I did there?! Calm down, you will!). He's crass, rude, perverted and the poster boy for hit it and quit it. Until he meets Miss Priss and she flips his world. This book is hawt, emotionally deep and one of my favorites in the Checkmate series. We get a couple of weddings, a birth and catch up with old faces. Get your blanket and comfy place because you will eat this one up.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2019
1177 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
About the author
Emilia Finn
113 books1,611 followersEmilia Finn is an Amazon Top 20 bestselling, Australia-based author with more than 55 books written and published to date.
She's a mom, a coffee addict, a collector of quirky coffee mugs, and before she had kids, she was a real-life full-contact fighter.
Her experience on the fight circuits helped her pen her first ever book—Finding Home—featuring a world champion MMA fighter Bobby Kincaid, and his leading lady and equal in every way, Kit Reilly. What was only supposed to be a once off experience instead turned into a career for Emilia, a thriving empire, and a daily grind she never wants to be rescued from.
Join Emilia's mailing list for exclusive material and new release alerts.
Website➜ https://www.emiliafinn.com
She's a mom, a coffee addict, a collector of quirky coffee mugs, and before she had kids, she was a real-life full-contact fighter.
Her experience on the fight circuits helped her pen her first ever book—Finding Home—featuring a world champion MMA fighter Bobby Kincaid, and his leading lady and equal in every way, Kit Reilly. What was only supposed to be a once off experience instead turned into a career for Emilia, a thriving empire, and a daily grind she never wants to be rescued from.
Join Emilia's mailing list for exclusive material and new release alerts.
Website➜ https://www.emiliafinn.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
February 3, 2022
This “hero” was trash and the h deserved so much better. I found him to be nasty and he never redeemed himself for me. If he had been different, I would probably rate this higher, but I just can’t bc if how much h hates the “H”. Constantly thinking about other women, how sexy they are and getting hard for them, and not just any old women, his best friends wives and girlfriends. He was just utterly nasty to me to the very end bc I couldn’t get over the things he said and did.
Even his moments that were supposed to be sweet, I didn’t find sweet. And maybe I shouldn’t be mad about his leaving for months to help track down whatever they were doing, but I was. He could’ve stayed with the h and made good on his promises to Marcie. He didn’t grovel about the mean ass things he said about the h, when he really needed to.
The ending was very unsatisfying to me. We get a bomb dropped and we don’t even get to experience how it plays out, we’re just told? Then the epilogue wasn’t even about the h and H it was one of the characters the H found so sexy’s wedding. I didn’t read her book I don’t care about her, why would the epilogue of the current h and H need to be focused on previous characters?? They had their book, and this isn’t it.
Even his moments that were supposed to be sweet, I didn’t find sweet. And maybe I shouldn’t be mad about his leaving for months to help track down whatever they were doing, but I was. He could’ve stayed with the h and made good on his promises to Marcie. He didn’t grovel about the mean ass things he said about the h, when he really needed to.
The ending was very unsatisfying to me. We get a bomb dropped and we don’t even get to experience how it plays out, we’re just told? Then the epilogue wasn’t even about the h and H it was one of the characters the H found so sexy’s wedding. I didn’t read her book I don’t care about her, why would the epilogue of the current h and H need to be focused on previous characters?? They had their book, and this isn’t it.
March 15, 2026
3.75/5 stars
I honestly enjoyed this book a lot more than I anticipated - after meeting Spencer in previous books and hearing the way he spoke about women, I was honestly ready to not like him AT ALL... He did redeem himself quite a lot in this book though (which im so glad about... this guy had a LOT to make up for in my mind)
I ended up absolutely loving both Abigail and Spencer as individuals AND together and I hope we get to see more of them in the final book!
This book had a strong focus on illnesses such as cancer throughout which is something that hits me particularly close to home. I'm happy to say that it was handled with grace but also with the heart-breaking realities that cancer and potentially terminal illnesses can cause in people's lives.
I was a little scared that the narrators wouldn't match up to Spencer and Abigail as theyre the same people that narrated previous Checkmate titles and I was scared they would sound exactly the same but this audiobook felt like a breath of fresh air! They both conveyed the emotions necessary at all times throughout the book and actively made me want to keep listening to the book
I honestly enjoyed this book a lot more than I anticipated - after meeting Spencer in previous books and hearing the way he spoke about women, I was honestly ready to not like him AT ALL... He did redeem himself quite a lot in this book though (which im so glad about... this guy had a LOT to make up for in my mind)
I ended up absolutely loving both Abigail and Spencer as individuals AND together and I hope we get to see more of them in the final book!
This book had a strong focus on illnesses such as cancer throughout which is something that hits me particularly close to home. I'm happy to say that it was handled with grace but also with the heart-breaking realities that cancer and potentially terminal illnesses can cause in people's lives.
I was a little scared that the narrators wouldn't match up to Spencer and Abigail as theyre the same people that narrated previous Checkmate titles and I was scared they would sound exactly the same but this audiobook felt like a breath of fresh air! They both conveyed the emotions necessary at all times throughout the book and actively made me want to keep listening to the book
December 27, 2019
Enjoyed this book even with the heavy subject matter.
On another note. I don’t normally read the afterwords in a book but this time I did and oh my word what this author describes with cancer and her warm words for all fellow women suffering from it nearly made me cry. Her warm compassionate words were truly beautiful. She sounds like a truly beautiful human being!
On another note. I don’t normally read the afterwords in a book but this time I did and oh my word what this author describes with cancer and her warm words for all fellow women suffering from it nearly made me cry. Her warm compassionate words were truly beautiful. She sounds like a truly beautiful human being!
October 16, 2022
😵😵I AM ABOUT TO TELL YOU THINGS NONE OF THE REVIEWS SAY. Why is that I wonder?🤔🤔
❎For those who said sweetly 'can't wait for your review on this book'. I dnfed it baby. ON 4th CHAPTER I Dnfed it.
⛔IF YOU CAN'T TAKE NO ELECTRONS I THROW YOUR WAY, YOU BETTER BECOME A NEUTRON BEFORE YOU READ THIS REVIEW.(science joke)
❗Me when I started this book-
❗Me when I got to the horrible part-
🔪This review is gonna skin this book alive. I'm telling you. SPOILERS AHEAD.
😡 SPENCE-JERK OF THE YEAR 2022-
No , NO! , Don't you DARE salivate to this pretty face. You do NOT!!!
🌼ABIGAIL-25-Florist-
👉Brief summary, the h is a virgin and flower shop owner and youngest of 5 siblings. The H....well....... he's from the same cult that Travis Maddox goes to.
❎Let's just...... let-let's talk about these people for a minute.
😡 SPENCE-
❎Man.... you are a REAL scumbag, aren't you Spence?
❎Read this -
I’m a hardened ranger, a career military man who left after too many years of doing too much that made it hard for me to sleep, but since my brothers brought these girls into the fold, I find myself smiling more and more. 🅾I would lead any one of them to my bed if the opportunity was there,🅾 because my brothers don’t settle for ordinary. They bagged extraordinary – brains and beauty – which 🅾turns me the fuck on.🅾
But I don’t say any of that out loud. There are lines a brother doesn’t cross, and imagining little Jessie in my bed would end with Kane Bishop’s nine-millimeter pressed to my temple while I say my goodbyes. And I’d have no one to blame but myself. So instead, 🅾I treat her like a sister – a sister I enjoy seeing in Daisy Dukes🅾 – and thank the universe that nobody can read my thoughts like I can read my targets’.
❎Now, I don't want to make this review long, so Imma tell you that throughout the book, UNTIL THE MCs get serious, key word being 'until', he finds his brother's wives 'HOT', and treats them like 'sisters', and he would TOTALLY fuck them if they were to ever seduce him.
❎I'm sorry , but did you just not call them your 'sisters'? The H has boundaries not because he is genuine. Its because he is afraid of a gun.
✅THE FIRST INTERACTIONB/W MCs-
*the H is in the flower shop with Jessie, one of his team-mates wife, and he sees, Abigail for the first time, this is what happens*
“Why’d you pick a nun for a florist? If I’m gonna be dragged around a flower shop, the least you could do is find a 1️⃣chick that doesn’t burn my retinas with her fuckin’ blouse and goodie-goodie ‘don’t swear around me’ behavior.” I meet Abby’s eyes. “Are you twelve? Do the big swears offend you?” “Are you a caveman whose vocabulary only consists of five words?” she shoots back. “I’m not here to look good for you, Mr. Serrano. It is not my job to impress you.” “Well, obviously! Even Jessie looks good enough to eat, but you…” 2️⃣I wave my hand along her body like a total douche. “You look like you missed church this morning.” “What the hell do you mean ‘even Jessie’?” Jess snaps. “I look good every day, jerk!” “And Miss Priss probably looks good only in the shower. Are you an amorphous blob when naked, too? Do you even have tits?” When her eyes widen like saucers, I take satisfaction in my victory. “I have six words in my vocabulary. Amorphous is kinda big too, huh? Bigger than your tits, anyway.” “Spencer!”
“Get out of my store!” Priss storms forward and tries to turn me the way she did with her brother. Her eyes aren’t glittering with regular anger anymore, but feral rage that says I hit my mark. “Get out of my store! How dare you speak about me that way? How dare you talk about my… my…” “Tits?” I volunteer. “My body!” “I wish I knew what kind of body you had, but all I see is Gumby with red hair. Do you ever go into the sun? Do you still live in Ireland, but
commute here for work?” “Do you have any manners at all?” she snaps. “Who the heck are you to
speak to me this way? We don’t know each other! You have no clue about my life.” “Maybe not, but hey, my name is Spencer Serrano, and I’m the only guy that’ll tell you the damn truth. You look like a fuckin’ nun, but not the hot kind where I might be tempted to lift your dress. You look like you’re twelve, so I feel like I’m gonna be arrested for looking at your ass. You say heck and dang too fuckin’ much, so I feel like I’m talking to a toddler. You have eyebrows, but they’re so light, I can’t even tell they’re there. And your eyes are freakish!” “My eyes?” She stops pushing and jerks back to cup her cheeks. “You’re picking on my eyes too?” “Spencer!” 3️⃣“Is that a birth defect, Abigail? One blue, one green. Did your dad jack off twice and create twins, then you ate the other while in the womb?
❎First of all, even if he was born to gorillas in the Amazon(does amazon have gorillas?), he would NEVER talk like this. Not to a women specially.
❎Did you even READ it? The nerve of the fucker. I was pissed pretty fast.
❎Who the FUCK gave you the right to body shame someone? Is he king of Arab? Should we all dress to impress him?
❎I have read about assholes a LOT, we all have, but I just....... Author tried to write a bad boy I guess, but turned him into a mess.
😨Probably the shittiest book character ever.
❌❌Tell me if you were in my place, would you feel like reading further?, that's exactly what I did. Read 2 chapters more, and then ended this.❌❌
✅The h? ABIGAIL. She is 25. Florist. And she has NEVER CURSED. While this IS weird, I have actually met people who have never even said a single abuse word in their 30 years on this planet, this is India, people here are either too spiritual, or too out-of-hand.
✅Anyways, so I guess I excused her when she got offended by 'titties'.
🤔And who the hell calls there parents 'mommy and daddy' when they are 25!?
✅I gotta tell ya, Abigail is....... 25 on Birth Certificate, and 5 in the brains.
✅When she hears his brother is out on a date, she starts writing vows for him and dreaming of HEA for him.
✅His brother tells her that that is not how the world works, coz she has been sleeping all these years right?
I turn away from Abby’s glittering eyes with a shake of my head. I rarely feel bad for my actions, and I’m not entirely sorry now. But Jess’ excitement for today, and the rage I saw in Abby’s eyes coalesce and make me feel…something.
Guilt is such a foreign feeling to me.
😩Yeah, well , that does sound selfish. Just because it made you feel something, you will shame others WITHOUT taking into consideration, THEIR feelings?
🔅🔅THE GOOD IN THIS BOOK BEFORE PAGE 43-🔅🔅
✅If I say that the h was a little too naiive, there was a HUGE positive side to this woman, which , I agree , not many authors can pull off in their books.
*a male married customer has just left after buying flowers for his wife to apologise for the trillionth time for cheating on her with his secretory. The h charged extra when he revealed this info.*
I smack the extra cash into a jar beneath the desk and take a little satisfaction; that’s my good deeds jar, and it’s for women like Mrs. Smythe. If I see a single woman having a crappy day, I’ll buy her a cup of coffee. If I see someone wander past my shop and sniff the flowers on display, onlyto walk away with a forlorn look, I’ll treat her to a free bunch, and accept her smile as payment. Men like the one that just came through here fund that jar, which provides double the satisfaction when I can make a woman’s day just a little brighter. I hope Mrs. Smythe’s new flowers make her smile, and then I kind of hope she whacks him in the head with her new vase on her way out to find a lawyer.
✅😂Since she deliberately charged him extra when she found out the truth behind the purpose on buying those flowers, we all can agree that she is not that stupid now is she? That was a totally gangsta 🔥💃 move on her part.
🤣🤣That was it folks, I couldn't read further coz I don't have money to buy a new Kindle if I break this one.
🌼Virgin h.
🅾Asshole man-whore who thinks about every woman he sees, and Ik many heroes have done this in the past, but the intensity here was so blinding that I dont think the H possessed any manners or good qualities. Oh, did I mention he will say things to people that they find most annoying? Like..... if I am afraid of water and get panick attacks which nearly cost me m life, he will push me in the pool deliberately and then get a kick out off it.
❌Triggers-Nope.
❎I couldn't tell you anything about the smut coz I didnt reach that far.
Safe completely, even though the H was very suspicious.
I am sorry If I was a bit explicit with my language. This is not me. Seriously, I am WAY worse than this. 😂😂
❎For those who said sweetly 'can't wait for your review on this book'. I dnfed it baby. ON 4th CHAPTER I Dnfed it.
⛔IF YOU CAN'T TAKE NO ELECTRONS I THROW YOUR WAY, YOU BETTER BECOME A NEUTRON BEFORE YOU READ THIS REVIEW.(science joke)
❗Me when I started this book-
❗Me when I got to the horrible part-
🔪This review is gonna skin this book alive. I'm telling you. SPOILERS AHEAD.
😡 SPENCE-JERK OF THE YEAR 2022-
No , NO! , Don't you DARE salivate to this pretty face. You do NOT!!!
🌼ABIGAIL-25-Florist-
👉Brief summary, the h is a virgin and flower shop owner and youngest of 5 siblings. The H....well....... he's from the same cult that Travis Maddox goes to.
❎Let's just...... let-let's talk about these people for a minute.
😡 SPENCE-
❎Man.... you are a REAL scumbag, aren't you Spence?
❎Read this -
I’m a hardened ranger, a career military man who left after too many years of doing too much that made it hard for me to sleep, but since my brothers brought these girls into the fold, I find myself smiling more and more. 🅾I would lead any one of them to my bed if the opportunity was there,🅾 because my brothers don’t settle for ordinary. They bagged extraordinary – brains and beauty – which 🅾turns me the fuck on.🅾
But I don’t say any of that out loud. There are lines a brother doesn’t cross, and imagining little Jessie in my bed would end with Kane Bishop’s nine-millimeter pressed to my temple while I say my goodbyes. And I’d have no one to blame but myself. So instead, 🅾I treat her like a sister – a sister I enjoy seeing in Daisy Dukes🅾 – and thank the universe that nobody can read my thoughts like I can read my targets’.
❎Now, I don't want to make this review long, so Imma tell you that throughout the book, UNTIL THE MCs get serious, key word being 'until', he finds his brother's wives 'HOT', and treats them like 'sisters', and he would TOTALLY fuck them if they were to ever seduce him.
❎I'm sorry , but did you just not call them your 'sisters'? The H has boundaries not because he is genuine. Its because he is afraid of a gun.
✅THE FIRST INTERACTIONB/W MCs-
*the H is in the flower shop with Jessie, one of his team-mates wife, and he sees, Abigail for the first time, this is what happens*
“Why’d you pick a nun for a florist? If I’m gonna be dragged around a flower shop, the least you could do is find a 1️⃣chick that doesn’t burn my retinas with her fuckin’ blouse and goodie-goodie ‘don’t swear around me’ behavior.” I meet Abby’s eyes. “Are you twelve? Do the big swears offend you?” “Are you a caveman whose vocabulary only consists of five words?” she shoots back. “I’m not here to look good for you, Mr. Serrano. It is not my job to impress you.” “Well, obviously! Even Jessie looks good enough to eat, but you…” 2️⃣I wave my hand along her body like a total douche. “You look like you missed church this morning.” “What the hell do you mean ‘even Jessie’?” Jess snaps. “I look good every day, jerk!” “And Miss Priss probably looks good only in the shower. Are you an amorphous blob when naked, too? Do you even have tits?” When her eyes widen like saucers, I take satisfaction in my victory. “I have six words in my vocabulary. Amorphous is kinda big too, huh? Bigger than your tits, anyway.” “Spencer!”
“Get out of my store!” Priss storms forward and tries to turn me the way she did with her brother. Her eyes aren’t glittering with regular anger anymore, but feral rage that says I hit my mark. “Get out of my store! How dare you speak about me that way? How dare you talk about my… my…” “Tits?” I volunteer. “My body!” “I wish I knew what kind of body you had, but all I see is Gumby with red hair. Do you ever go into the sun? Do you still live in Ireland, but
commute here for work?” “Do you have any manners at all?” she snaps. “Who the heck are you to
speak to me this way? We don’t know each other! You have no clue about my life.” “Maybe not, but hey, my name is Spencer Serrano, and I’m the only guy that’ll tell you the damn truth. You look like a fuckin’ nun, but not the hot kind where I might be tempted to lift your dress. You look like you’re twelve, so I feel like I’m gonna be arrested for looking at your ass. You say heck and dang too fuckin’ much, so I feel like I’m talking to a toddler. You have eyebrows, but they’re so light, I can’t even tell they’re there. And your eyes are freakish!” “My eyes?” She stops pushing and jerks back to cup her cheeks. “You’re picking on my eyes too?” “Spencer!” 3️⃣“Is that a birth defect, Abigail? One blue, one green. Did your dad jack off twice and create twins, then you ate the other while in the womb?
❎First of all, even if he was born to gorillas in the Amazon(does amazon have gorillas?), he would NEVER talk like this. Not to a women specially.
❎Did you even READ it? The nerve of the fucker. I was pissed pretty fast.
❎Who the FUCK gave you the right to body shame someone? Is he king of Arab? Should we all dress to impress him?
❎I have read about assholes a LOT, we all have, but I just....... Author tried to write a bad boy I guess, but turned him into a mess.
😨Probably the shittiest book character ever.
❌❌Tell me if you were in my place, would you feel like reading further?, that's exactly what I did. Read 2 chapters more, and then ended this.❌❌
✅The h? ABIGAIL. She is 25. Florist. And she has NEVER CURSED. While this IS weird, I have actually met people who have never even said a single abuse word in their 30 years on this planet, this is India, people here are either too spiritual, or too out-of-hand.
✅Anyways, so I guess I excused her when she got offended by 'titties'.
🤔And who the hell calls there parents 'mommy and daddy' when they are 25!?
✅I gotta tell ya, Abigail is....... 25 on Birth Certificate, and 5 in the brains.
✅When she hears his brother is out on a date, she starts writing vows for him and dreaming of HEA for him.
✅His brother tells her that that is not how the world works, coz she has been sleeping all these years right?
I turn away from Abby’s glittering eyes with a shake of my head. I rarely feel bad for my actions, and I’m not entirely sorry now. But Jess’ excitement for today, and the rage I saw in Abby’s eyes coalesce and make me feel…something.
Guilt is such a foreign feeling to me.
😩Yeah, well , that does sound selfish. Just because it made you feel something, you will shame others WITHOUT taking into consideration, THEIR feelings?
🔅🔅THE GOOD IN THIS BOOK BEFORE PAGE 43-🔅🔅
✅If I say that the h was a little too naiive, there was a HUGE positive side to this woman, which , I agree , not many authors can pull off in their books.
*a male married customer has just left after buying flowers for his wife to apologise for the trillionth time for cheating on her with his secretory. The h charged extra when he revealed this info.*
I smack the extra cash into a jar beneath the desk and take a little satisfaction; that’s my good deeds jar, and it’s for women like Mrs. Smythe. If I see a single woman having a crappy day, I’ll buy her a cup of coffee. If I see someone wander past my shop and sniff the flowers on display, onlyto walk away with a forlorn look, I’ll treat her to a free bunch, and accept her smile as payment. Men like the one that just came through here fund that jar, which provides double the satisfaction when I can make a woman’s day just a little brighter. I hope Mrs. Smythe’s new flowers make her smile, and then I kind of hope she whacks him in the head with her new vase on her way out to find a lawyer.
✅😂Since she deliberately charged him extra when she found out the truth behind the purpose on buying those flowers, we all can agree that she is not that stupid now is she? That was a totally gangsta 🔥💃 move on her part.
🤣🤣That was it folks, I couldn't read further coz I don't have money to buy a new Kindle if I break this one.
🌼Virgin h.
🅾Asshole man-whore who thinks about every woman he sees, and Ik many heroes have done this in the past, but the intensity here was so blinding that I dont think the H possessed any manners or good qualities. Oh, did I mention he will say things to people that they find most annoying? Like..... if I am afraid of water and get panick attacks which nearly cost me m life, he will push me in the pool deliberately and then get a kick out off it.
❌Triggers-Nope.
❎I couldn't tell you anything about the smut coz I didnt reach that far.
Safe completely, even though the H was very suspicious.
I am sorry If I was a bit explicit with my language. This is not me. Seriously, I am WAY worse than this. 😂😂
June 27, 2020
Spencer Serrano is a man who knows he doesn't plan to settle down. When he is sent out to watch over Jess as she picks out her flowers for her wedding, he meets Abigail Rosa and the friction between them has him saying some nasty things to her. He knows he has to fix things with Abigail but he doesn't expect her to seek him out to apologize. Spencer realizes that there are layers to Abigail and that he wants her, he knows he should leave her be but something about her has him never wanting to let her go.
Spencer has a huge chip on his shoulder when he meets Abigail, it took me sometime to soften to his character because he was such a jerk. Once he starts to pursue her though there is a shift that happens. Abigail story is intriguing, was not expecting where her story lead. Good read.
Spencer has a huge chip on his shoulder when he meets Abigail, it took me sometime to soften to his character because he was such a jerk. Once he starts to pursue her though there is a shift that happens. Abigail story is intriguing, was not expecting where her story lead. Good read.
avoid
October 20, 2022Self note avoid
H constantly thinks about ow, getting hard for them, etc. douche H.
Read Jamie’s review.
H constantly thinks about ow, getting hard for them, etc. douche H.
Read Jamie’s review.
December 26, 2019
Tears
Holy cow. This book!! I waited not so patiently for Spence’s story. I just sat all day today ( Christmas Day) and read from cover to cover. It is even better than I expected. I laughed. I cried. And if I’m being honest I sobbed ugly tears. But what a book. We all need a Spence in our lives. And seriously please please please write a series about Abigails brothers. Please!!!
Holy cow. This book!! I waited not so patiently for Spence’s story. I just sat all day today ( Christmas Day) and read from cover to cover. It is even better than I expected. I laughed. I cried. And if I’m being honest I sobbed ugly tears. But what a book. We all need a Spence in our lives. And seriously please please please write a series about Abigails brothers. Please!!!
January 14, 2023
3✯
°Virgin heroine
°Manwhore hero
°Switching POVs
°No insta love
°Heroine is 25, hero is 33
°Neither with others after meeting
°No OM drama
°No real OW drama
°Heroine: sweet, likeable, resilient
°Hero: jerk, possessive, sweet, obsessed, protective, loyal
°No cheating
°Lots of push/pull
°Intimate scenes only between hero and heroine
°Potential triggers
°Epilogue: 6 months later
*~*~*~*
**“Don’t cry, baby.” I lean in and collect the salty liquid with my tongue. “There’s nothing to be sad about.” “I’m romanticizing you.” Her breath hitches and makes me smile. “I was looking for a prince, but I think I got, like, a Jafar or something. You’re tattooed and scary, you cuss and push me around all the time, but you also lift me up, and I like your moods anyway.”**
**“I want to try this with you,” she whispers. “But you should know I fell in love with you. Which is really dumb, and I know you don’t do that. You don’t do clingers or relationships or whatever. But maybe just give me this?” Her voice breaks with insecurity. “Just one time. Just play pretend. And then I can always know the man I gave myself to was special. At least I loved.”**
**“It’s gonna be okay. I trust you.” She fucking slays me. She trusts me when she’s never been given reason to do so. She gives me her most precious gift, and does it selflessly, in the name of love, when I haven’t even reciprocated her words.**
**“We were two puzzle pieces cut from the same mold. We must fit. The universe says so.” A tear slides over the side of her face and into the hair at her temple. “What if we don’t?” “What if we do?” I lean forward and follow the trail from her eye to her ear. “I love you too, Abigail. And I’ve never said that to a woman before.”**
**“I have never loved a woman before, so I might mess it up. But I don’t mess up loyalty. I don’t mess up protection or honesty. I don’t mess up the important stuff. I promise. You’re my girl now.”**
**“Spencer? Are you okay?” “Are you?” I pull back and stare into her eyes. The times I teased her about her size. About her ill-fitting clothes. When I touched her in the bathroom at Kane’s wedding, and again in her bathroom, when she did all she could to cover up. “Jesus, Abigail. Are you okay?” “It was a long time ago. I’m okay.” “I’m sorry for all the times I teased you.” “It’s okay.” Her lips quiver with a smile. “You’re basically the only person in the world that didn’t treat me like a fragile child. I fought you on it, but inside, I liked that you treated me like an adult.”**
**“You broke me. You walked into my world and fucked everything up.” “Crappy speech.” I chuckle. “I’m saying that no one has ever walked in and changed the very fabric of my being before. It doesn’t matter to me what your body looks like, because I’m already in love with it. I’m in love with your brain, your heart, the fact you visit sick kids most days, and the fact you took those expensive ass flowers to Jess and said they were from me. I’m in love with the fact you’re so honest and unfiltered about who you truly are.”**
**Maybe Abigail controls me too, and though I’m certain I should be grieving this new revelation, I can’t move past grieving for her. It’s been less than twenty-four hours, and I’m officially her slave. I’m her army, her protector, her hopeless addict, and ten minutes from now when I’m in my room and have privacy so the rest of the world isn’t witness to my emasculation, I’m going to call her and beg for a hit only she can give me.**
**When her cheeks flame, I take a moment to fall in love all over again. I was already there, already invested, already willing to lay my life down and declare this forever. But now it doesn’t seem so scary. It doesn’t seem so hard to give into what my body and mind already want.**
**“You’re mine. I’ve already demanded that, and won’t accept anything less. But I’m yours too, okay? All yours.” “What if you’re gone too long?” I frown. “What about it?” “You’ll want… ya know. You’ll want to be with a woman. With any woman.” “No, baby. You’re not replaceable. You’re not something I can replicate for convenience. If I say I’m yours, I mean that. I could be gone a week, a month, a year, it doesn’t matter how long I’m gone, I won’t accept a cheap version when I know I have you at home.” Her voice quivers as her eyes flicker between mine. “Promise?” “Cross my heart.”**
**From eternal bachelor, to eternally devoted to one, I’m staying, I’m sticking, and it’d take the damn jaws of life for her to get rid of me now.**
**“You know my sister, Serrano?” “She’s mine,” Spencer growls. “She’s my responsibility. My heart. My diagnosis and prognosis. My fucking war to fight, and my girl to protect.”**
**“I love everything about you. If you want babies, we’ll make it happen with science. If you want new, non-deadly boobs, I’ll buy them for you. If you want a purple wig to wear while undergoing treatment, I’ll buy you one in every shade. But I don’t care about your hair. I don’t care about your boobs. I don’t care about your ovaries.” He presses his hand to my heart. “This is the only thing I can’t live without. Your heart, baby. It’s what I fell in love with. It’s what I felt while I was away. It’s what has me coming back to you time and time again. The rest is just aesthetics.”**
**When Spencer looks at me the way all of those other husbands I remember swooning for look at their wives, there’s no way I couldn’t be confident. There’s no way I can doubt myself when he reminds me a hundred times a day why he loves me. I got my prince. And maybe he looks like a criminal, maybe his tattoos cost more than most homes, and maybe he cusses a lot. But he’s a prince, that’s for certain. He’s exactly who I was put on this planet for, and he was placed here for me.**
**We’re opposites in every way, and yet, we fit. Like two pieces of a puzzle that were made to be together. We’re perfectly imperfect, but in our imperfections, we’re perfect for each other.**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
I was waiting to get to this one because I remembered all the twists and things that happened. Still so much happiness mixed with sadness and it's just as great and uplifting as well as heartbreaking as I remembered. I love this town and these characters even though some of them really get on my nerves! :)
November 14, 2024
The book was sad.
The heroine is sick and we don’t know how it will go. And the more depressing part is that she meets the her
Who body shames her like he is a difficult 12 yo.
I hate body shaming.
In Italy it would be unforgivable for an adult man to just use that kind of insults that this zero uses with the heroine, calling her names, telling her she’s a nun, she doesn’t have shapes, tits or ass, and we has weird eyes. The heroine has only one breast and scars from her surgeries and he’s awful. Oh and the author wants us to believe that the heroine found so refreshing that he wasn’t trying to shield her like he brothers did. Dude. Are you mentally sick?
When is verbal abuse good?
I couldn’t get past it.
The hero was nasty, a manwhore who only saw women as sexual objects, even his own sister in laws.
The heroine was sick and that was not good, but I found her unpleasant because she was unlikely. He behaved worse than a nun and being inexperienced doesn’t mean you don’t swear and you think that sex is bad. Maybe it is if you really are a nun.
So, in the end, even if the hero turned out to be patient and understanding and he helped the heroine through her recovery, I couldn’t really stomach this book. I’ll give this author another try, maybe it was the wrong book for me
The heroine is sick and we don’t know how it will go. And the more depressing part is that she meets the her
Who body shames her like he is a difficult 12 yo.
I hate body shaming.
In Italy it would be unforgivable for an adult man to just use that kind of insults that this zero uses with the heroine, calling her names, telling her she’s a nun, she doesn’t have shapes, tits or ass, and we has weird eyes. The heroine has only one breast and scars from her surgeries and he’s awful. Oh and the author wants us to believe that the heroine found so refreshing that he wasn’t trying to shield her like he brothers did. Dude. Are you mentally sick?
When is verbal abuse good?
I couldn’t get past it.
The hero was nasty, a manwhore who only saw women as sexual objects, even his own sister in laws.
The heroine was sick and that was not good, but I found her unpleasant because she was unlikely. He behaved worse than a nun and being inexperienced doesn’t mean you don’t swear and you think that sex is bad. Maybe it is if you really are a nun.
So, in the end, even if the hero turned out to be patient and understanding and he helped the heroine through her recovery, I couldn’t really stomach this book. I’ll give this author another try, maybe it was the wrong book for me
August 10, 2020
I'M FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF HOW AMAZING THEY ALL ARE
March 25, 2026
Listennnnn my entire soul was is this book. My heart omg! That being said
Rating: ♡5🎧♡5⭐♡1🌶️♡
(Same tropes as the last cause it’s book 7)
Tropes:
🩶Morally Grey MMC
💜Dangerous Protector
🩶Mafia
💜Organized Crime
Romance
🎧🎀Audrey Obeyn: ma’am… with each book - the emotions are raw and deep. Every FMC has been fantastic! BUT this.. this right shook me to my core. You continue to leave me in awe!
🎧🩷Dane Anderson: SIR! The way I cackled! I loved the MMC you have voiced in the books before but this right here!!! Your potrayal of Spence had me for the JUMP!
📚💕Emilia Finn: miss ma’am! Loving it! While these wonderful narrator continue to bring these characters to life, you wrote them! While they kept where their feelings, you kept me in my feels and broke my heart with this one - in the best way!
Rating: ♡5🎧♡5⭐♡1🌶️♡
(Same tropes as the last cause it’s book 7)
Tropes:
🩶Morally Grey MMC
💜Dangerous Protector
🩶Mafia
💜Organized Crime
Romance
🎧🎀Audrey Obeyn: ma’am… with each book - the emotions are raw and deep. Every FMC has been fantastic! BUT this.. this right shook me to my core. You continue to leave me in awe!
🎧🩷Dane Anderson: SIR! The way I cackled! I loved the MMC you have voiced in the books before but this right here!!! Your potrayal of Spence had me for the JUMP!
📚💕Emilia Finn: miss ma’am! Loving it! While these wonderful narrator continue to bring these characters to life, you wrote them! While they kept where their feelings, you kept me in my feels and broke my heart with this one - in the best way!
February 6, 2020
My favorite of the series
Holy hell. How did Spencer just become the top dog!?!? I've loved him since he was first introduced but he just became THE MAN in this book. I loved the bantering with Abigail. I loved the cameos with the brothers and previous characters. I laughed out loud several times. I also found myself teary eyed.
The author covered a pretty awful thing. She showed the fear, the anger, the fighting spirit, and the triumph as well as gratitude of coming out of something that has no rhyme or reason. I felt everything and that is powerful.
Loved seeing two special moments for other characters and the long awaited births of two babies. Hands down my favorite of the series.
Ended on a series holy cow moment. Glad, but also sad, that the final book is out.
Holy hell. How did Spencer just become the top dog!?!? I've loved him since he was first introduced but he just became THE MAN in this book. I loved the bantering with Abigail. I loved the cameos with the brothers and previous characters. I laughed out loud several times. I also found myself teary eyed.
The author covered a pretty awful thing. She showed the fear, the anger, the fighting spirit, and the triumph as well as gratitude of coming out of something that has no rhyme or reason. I felt everything and that is powerful.
Loved seeing two special moments for other characters and the long awaited births of two babies. Hands down my favorite of the series.
Ended on a series holy cow moment. Glad, but also sad, that the final book is out.
January 11, 2020
Emilia does it again. Spence has completely surprised me. I have yet to figure out how she can draw you in and make you feel like your are a part of this town & you know all of these people personally. I laughed so hard straight out of the gates because of the goofy antics of some of her previous characters. The progression of the relationship between the two main characters here was absolutely beautiful. And the complete turn around and devotion they have for each other is beautifully heartwarming. Of course, there were several moment of tears shed, it wouldn’t be an Emilia Finn book now without it. But the tears were all kinds...happy, sad, & flat out hysterical tears.
The future potential books spinning off from here has me excited beyond words.
Excellent book & series & author. I can’t wait to read this one a second time.
The future potential books spinning off from here has me excited beyond words.
Excellent book & series & author. I can’t wait to read this one a second time.
March 31, 2026
Dual Narration - Dane and Audrey just get better and better!
Next to Lane's story, this was probably my least favorite of the series and was too unbelievable. I always love the MMCs but Abigail? Drove me nuts the ENTIRE book like girl. I ended this book thinking "Spence deserves SO MUCH more" and then got Criminal Minds flashbacks all over again.
If I had to hear her yell at someone for cussing ONE more time I was going to lose it - you are 25 and are fully capable of handling hearing those words, you just continue to sound condescending when you yell at people for something so incredibly irrelevant. And then the whole virgin FMC trope - I think I need to start avoiding those because her making SUCH a big deal over something like that over and over and over I'm just like WE GET IT! Knowing her backstory I can kinda understand but there's just a point where it just got way too repetitive and Spence was following her like a whipped dog.
This book felt kind of like a "redemption arc" type thing for Spencer when something like that so wasn't necessary. Always using women as one night stands and never getting more than that it seemed like him finding Abigail he had to "redeem" himself in her eyes to make himself worthy of her. Which I'm like... but why? He's an honorable ex-soldier that protects his family no matter what but because he didn't want to get emotionally attached to anyone, you have have to make him contemplate no sex for the rest of his life and make him feel guilty about being with women before you? Someone make it make sense.
And then we get to the end and again I'm like.... come on WHY? Spencer deserves so much more than that like DAMN man. I enjoyed the epilogue so that we get an HEA but this entire story I was just like "come on please pick someone else"
I cannot wait to read her brother's stories and go back to the beginning to read all about everyone else we come across throughout the series. I kinda wish I had started from the very beginning before this series just so I would've already had that attachment to everyone but I also didn't feel like I missed out by not reading them first.
Next to Lane's story, this was probably my least favorite of the series and was too unbelievable. I always love the MMCs but Abigail? Drove me nuts the ENTIRE book like girl. I ended this book thinking "Spence deserves SO MUCH more" and then got Criminal Minds flashbacks all over again.
If I had to hear her yell at someone for cussing ONE more time I was going to lose it - you are 25 and are fully capable of handling hearing those words, you just continue to sound condescending when you yell at people for something so incredibly irrelevant. And then the whole virgin FMC trope - I think I need to start avoiding those because her making SUCH a big deal over something like that over and over and over I'm just like WE GET IT! Knowing her backstory I can kinda understand but there's just a point where it just got way too repetitive and Spence was following her like a whipped dog.
This book felt kind of like a "redemption arc" type thing for Spencer when something like that so wasn't necessary. Always using women as one night stands and never getting more than that it seemed like him finding Abigail he had to "redeem" himself in her eyes to make himself worthy of her. Which I'm like... but why? He's an honorable ex-soldier that protects his family no matter what but because he didn't want to get emotionally attached to anyone, you have have to make him contemplate no sex for the rest of his life and make him feel guilty about being with women before you? Someone make it make sense.
And then we get to the end and again I'm like.... come on WHY? Spencer deserves so much more than that like DAMN man. I enjoyed the epilogue so that we get an HEA but this entire story I was just like "come on please pick someone else"
I cannot wait to read her brother's stories and go back to the beginning to read all about everyone else we come across throughout the series. I kinda wish I had started from the very beginning before this series just so I would've already had that attachment to everyone but I also didn't feel like I missed out by not reading them first.
December 27, 2019
Emilia did it again!
I wasn’t sure about this one. Of the series, Spence is not one of my favorite characters and I worried that his story wouldn’t be as entertaining or that I wouldn’t be as engaged. I was SO wrong! I laughed out loud, I’m sitting with tears in my eyes as I type this, and I still got my fill of the previous characters I love so much. I loved the previous books so much but I feel like I never have to say goodbye to them and I never have to miss them. And the Bishops? Oh my god, I didn’t think I could love them more but after this book they just lodged deeper into my heart. I love how Emilia created a “weak” female character who isn’t weak at all. She kept her true to herself and I love her for it. This was another really good one, another reread for me on this one!
I wasn’t sure about this one. Of the series, Spence is not one of my favorite characters and I worried that his story wouldn’t be as entertaining or that I wouldn’t be as engaged. I was SO wrong! I laughed out loud, I’m sitting with tears in my eyes as I type this, and I still got my fill of the previous characters I love so much. I loved the previous books so much but I feel like I never have to say goodbye to them and I never have to miss them. And the Bishops? Oh my god, I didn’t think I could love them more but after this book they just lodged deeper into my heart. I love how Emilia created a “weak” female character who isn’t weak at all. She kept her true to herself and I love her for it. This was another really good one, another reread for me on this one!
Read
March 7, 2026Y cant offend me and win
y cant sham my body and win
to tob mountin i hate nasty crime of word
even eyes wided my heart close more
shame my body more y force my sowrd to kill
who hate my jasmin color then go to hell
my heart went stone
sham my body more and i win my war over y
all flower gother for jasmin color
we win grow over grave nasty word
sham my body more and y will jail at yr soul
river of flower hate nasty sham of body word
no dig more
we gother against crule its our rule
y cant sham my body and win
to tob mountin i hate nasty crime of word
even eyes wided my heart close more
shame my body more y force my sowrd to kill
who hate my jasmin color then go to hell
my heart went stone
sham my body more and i win my war over y
all flower gother for jasmin color
we win grow over grave nasty word
sham my body more and y will jail at yr soul
river of flower hate nasty sham of body word
no dig more
we gother against crule its our rule
June 28, 2021
Beautifully written and lots of feels. Dramatic, slow burn - yet steamy - romance. It could be read as a stand alone re the H/h's relationship, but it's so much better to read this series in order, so all the characters come to life and the back story makes complete sense. 💘 Can't wait to read book 8 - which should wrap everything up. 🙂
June 20, 2025
This book made me ugly cry! Emilia is the Queen of an engrossing fabulous read. I just adore her books. Each book follows along in the series but it's always so unique. It must be because she's a fellow Aussie 😜🇦🇺🪃🦘
July 23, 2020
Emotion Overload
OMG! I laughed, cried, swooned, goodness I don't think there was an emotion I didn't experience.
Spence is a 7ft grouchy bad mouthed Dominant man. Abigail is a tiny red headed virginal priss. Thank goodness opposites attract. Their first meeting was crazy, and some moments were funny. You have Spence swearing and than you have Abby who doesn't swear, it just was crazy.
Poor Marie and then what happened towards the end of the book with Abby, I cried and cried.
Now I need to find out what will happen in the final book.
OMG! I laughed, cried, swooned, goodness I don't think there was an emotion I didn't experience.
Spence is a 7ft grouchy bad mouthed Dominant man. Abigail is a tiny red headed virginal priss. Thank goodness opposites attract. Their first meeting was crazy, and some moments were funny. You have Spence swearing and than you have Abby who doesn't swear, it just was crazy.
Poor Marie and then what happened towards the end of the book with Abby, I cried and cried.
Now I need to find out what will happen in the final book.
April 1, 2026
This installment in the Checkmate series leans hard into contrast, emotion, and growth, delivering a romance that is equal parts chaotic, heartfelt, and unexpectedly tender.
Spencer is exactly who you expect him to be at the start: loud, crude, unapologetic, and convinced he will never settle down. He is the kind of guy who says the wrong thing without hesitation and doubles down on it. Abigail, on the other hand, feels like his complete opposite. She is soft-spoken, sheltered, and tightly wound from a lifetime of being protected by her five overbearing brothers. When they first meet in her flower shop, the clash is immediate and sharp. It is the kind of tension that feels like it could go either way, but underneath it, there is an undeniable pull neither of them can ignore.
Their connection builds in a messy, back-and-forth way. Spencer starts off difficult to like, especially if you have followed him in earlier books. He has a lot to make up for, and the story does not shy away from that. But as he begins to really see Abigail, there is a noticeable shift. His rough edges do not disappear, but they soften in ways that feel earned. Watching him go from a man who resists attachment to someone who cannot let her go is one of the strongest parts.
Abigail can take a bit longer to connect with. At first, her worldview and expectations may feel overly idealistic, even frustrating. But as her story unfolds, more layers come into focus. Her growth is steady and meaningful, especially as she begins to push back against the suffocating control of her brothers and claim space for herself. She does not just change for Spencer. She changes because she finally starts choosing herself, which makes her arc feel more grounded and satisfying.
What works particularly well is that their relationship is not one-sided. They challenge each other constantly. Abigail pushes Spencer to reevaluate what actually matters in his life beyond loyalty to his crew, while Spencer encourages her to step outside the limits that have been placed on her for years. They meet in the middle, and that balance makes their dynamic feel real despite how different they are on the surface.
The emotional weight of the story hits hard. Themes of illness, especially cancer, are woven throughout in a way that feels both respectful and unflinchingly honest. It adds a layer of heaviness that contrasts with the humor and banter, making the emotional moments land even stronger. Some reveals hit like a punch to the chest, particularly those tied to family and shared experiences, and they shift the tone of the story in a meaningful way. There is also a strong thread of humor running through the book, largely thanks to the supporting cast. Spencer’s circle brings levity when the story gets heavy, and certain side characters nearly steal the spotlight with their timing and personality. That balance between light and dark keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
The romance itself evolves from friction to something deeply rooted. Spencer’s transition into a one-woman man is satisfying, especially given how firmly he resists that idea early on. Abigail, despite her softer nature, proves she has strength where it counts. Together, they fit in a way that feels unlikely but ultimately right, like two people who bring out the best and worst in each other and choose to stay anyway.
The audio is well done and I've really enjoyed getting to listen to the series in that format. The writing style works nicely with an audio format. Overall, this is a strong, emotional entry in the series that blends humor, heartbreak, and character growth. It may not be a perfect journey for every reader, especially when it comes to first impressions of the characters, but the payoff is worth it. It delivers a romance that feels earned, layered, and full of heart.
Spencer is exactly who you expect him to be at the start: loud, crude, unapologetic, and convinced he will never settle down. He is the kind of guy who says the wrong thing without hesitation and doubles down on it. Abigail, on the other hand, feels like his complete opposite. She is soft-spoken, sheltered, and tightly wound from a lifetime of being protected by her five overbearing brothers. When they first meet in her flower shop, the clash is immediate and sharp. It is the kind of tension that feels like it could go either way, but underneath it, there is an undeniable pull neither of them can ignore.
Their connection builds in a messy, back-and-forth way. Spencer starts off difficult to like, especially if you have followed him in earlier books. He has a lot to make up for, and the story does not shy away from that. But as he begins to really see Abigail, there is a noticeable shift. His rough edges do not disappear, but they soften in ways that feel earned. Watching him go from a man who resists attachment to someone who cannot let her go is one of the strongest parts.
Abigail can take a bit longer to connect with. At first, her worldview and expectations may feel overly idealistic, even frustrating. But as her story unfolds, more layers come into focus. Her growth is steady and meaningful, especially as she begins to push back against the suffocating control of her brothers and claim space for herself. She does not just change for Spencer. She changes because she finally starts choosing herself, which makes her arc feel more grounded and satisfying.
What works particularly well is that their relationship is not one-sided. They challenge each other constantly. Abigail pushes Spencer to reevaluate what actually matters in his life beyond loyalty to his crew, while Spencer encourages her to step outside the limits that have been placed on her for years. They meet in the middle, and that balance makes their dynamic feel real despite how different they are on the surface.
The emotional weight of the story hits hard. Themes of illness, especially cancer, are woven throughout in a way that feels both respectful and unflinchingly honest. It adds a layer of heaviness that contrasts with the humor and banter, making the emotional moments land even stronger. Some reveals hit like a punch to the chest, particularly those tied to family and shared experiences, and they shift the tone of the story in a meaningful way. There is also a strong thread of humor running through the book, largely thanks to the supporting cast. Spencer’s circle brings levity when the story gets heavy, and certain side characters nearly steal the spotlight with their timing and personality. That balance between light and dark keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
The romance itself evolves from friction to something deeply rooted. Spencer’s transition into a one-woman man is satisfying, especially given how firmly he resists that idea early on. Abigail, despite her softer nature, proves she has strength where it counts. Together, they fit in a way that feels unlikely but ultimately right, like two people who bring out the best and worst in each other and choose to stay anyway.
The audio is well done and I've really enjoyed getting to listen to the series in that format. The writing style works nicely with an audio format. Overall, this is a strong, emotional entry in the series that blends humor, heartbreak, and character growth. It may not be a perfect journey for every reader, especially when it comes to first impressions of the characters, but the payoff is worth it. It delivers a romance that feels earned, layered, and full of heart.
February 7, 2022
I read this book because it was recommended for a big hulking, strong H who is protective over a sweet, petite h.
Well, I nearly DNF at 30% because Spence honestly was such an ass to Abigail. She is shy and has dreams of romance, wanting to save herself for the man she'll fall in love with. But Spence mocks her for her beliefs, crowds her physically in a public bathroom and proceeds to touch her intimately despite her protests. He fingers her and brings her to orgasm just to prove that he can and to prove that she wants him. I considered that non-con, not even dubcon, because immediately after that, she runs out of the bathroom feeling ashamed and humiliated.
He spoke crudely to her, told her she was weak, and made disparaging comments about her appearance. Dirty talk is hot when there's an intimate scene and both parties are into it. It's not hot at all when it's used as a taunt because he's personally offended by her innocence and wants to destroy all her illusions. He broke into her house and accosted her while she was in the bath, which is a very scary thing for a woman; they had only met twice at that point, so he was practically a stranger. But of course he didn't care that she would be afraid or embarrassed, because all he cared about was himself. Spence didn't respect Abigail's boundaries at all and never once showed that what was important to her also mattered to him.
He did redeem himself by the end of the book, finally demonstrating some protective instincts and shoring up Abigail's self-esteem instead of being a self-centred douchebag. He grew and changed as a person, but honestly, I really hated how he was in the beginning and that's why this book is getting two stars.
Abigail was wishy-washy. She was offended and hurt by Spence, yet she never made a very strong effort to send him away or push him away. I'm sure her four hulking over-protective older brothers would have taught her self-defense moves to use against men like them, yet she never used any of those moves against Spence. She wanted to hold out for love and romance but in the end she compromised her beliefs, and I never understood why. It wasn't like Spence was such a gem that he was worth ditching those dreams for. And it wasn't like she was so enamoured of the physical pleasure that he gave her. In fact, she was half appalled by it and didn't know what to think of it. If she'd been overcome by the pleasure and eager for more, that would have been one thing, but that didn't seem to be the case.
I think the author wanted to portray Abigail as a sheltered girl who was coming out of her shell, but it was poorly done. Coming out of one's shell need not always be sexual in nature. In fact, Abigail isn't repressed sexually; she's just been treated as if she's extremely fragile. She said her brothers watch her so closely that even walking a few blocks by herself without telling them where she was going was a taste of freedom for her. Yet although she chafed at their smothering, she didn't seem rebellious or eager to act out, so to go off and do what she did with Spence really felt out of character.
In the end, Spence is what ruined the book for me the most, though. I want a hero I can root for and he was not it. I wanted someone who would respect her shyness and be gentle with her, coaxing her out of her shell and encouraging her to explore by doing things that she hadn't had the chance to do before. Spence trampled all over her dreams and I felt that she had to sacrifice them for him.
Well, I nearly DNF at 30% because Spence honestly was such an ass to Abigail. She is shy and has dreams of romance, wanting to save herself for the man she'll fall in love with. But Spence mocks her for her beliefs, crowds her physically in a public bathroom and proceeds to touch her intimately despite her protests. He fingers her and brings her to orgasm just to prove that he can and to prove that she wants him. I considered that non-con, not even dubcon, because immediately after that, she runs out of the bathroom feeling ashamed and humiliated.
He spoke crudely to her, told her she was weak, and made disparaging comments about her appearance. Dirty talk is hot when there's an intimate scene and both parties are into it. It's not hot at all when it's used as a taunt because he's personally offended by her innocence and wants to destroy all her illusions. He broke into her house and accosted her while she was in the bath, which is a very scary thing for a woman; they had only met twice at that point, so he was practically a stranger. But of course he didn't care that she would be afraid or embarrassed, because all he cared about was himself. Spence didn't respect Abigail's boundaries at all and never once showed that what was important to her also mattered to him.
He did redeem himself by the end of the book, finally demonstrating some protective instincts and shoring up Abigail's self-esteem instead of being a self-centred douchebag. He grew and changed as a person, but honestly, I really hated how he was in the beginning and that's why this book is getting two stars.
Abigail was wishy-washy. She was offended and hurt by Spence, yet she never made a very strong effort to send him away or push him away. I'm sure her four hulking over-protective older brothers would have taught her self-defense moves to use against men like them, yet she never used any of those moves against Spence. She wanted to hold out for love and romance but in the end she compromised her beliefs, and I never understood why. It wasn't like Spence was such a gem that he was worth ditching those dreams for. And it wasn't like she was so enamoured of the physical pleasure that he gave her. In fact, she was half appalled by it and didn't know what to think of it. If she'd been overcome by the pleasure and eager for more, that would have been one thing, but that didn't seem to be the case.
I think the author wanted to portray Abigail as a sheltered girl who was coming out of her shell, but it was poorly done. Coming out of one's shell need not always be sexual in nature. In fact, Abigail isn't repressed sexually; she's just been treated as if she's extremely fragile. She said her brothers watch her so closely that even walking a few blocks by herself without telling them where she was going was a taste of freedom for her. Yet although she chafed at their smothering, she didn't seem rebellious or eager to act out, so to go off and do what she did with Spence really felt out of character.
In the end, Spence is what ruined the book for me the most, though. I want a hero I can root for and he was not it. I wanted someone who would respect her shyness and be gentle with her, coaxing her out of her shell and encouraging her to explore by doing things that she hadn't had the chance to do before. Spence trampled all over her dreams and I felt that she had to sacrifice them for him.
April 28, 2022
Power Through It (3.5 stars)
3.5 Stars
The Negative: I had a hard time getting into this one. I get that it was supposed to be an opposites attract situation so the H and h are extreme opposites but it was a little too extreme in the beginning. Abby was extremely immature! Like she throws temper tantrums like a toddler kind of immature and her aversion to swearing was downright ridiculous. Spencer is extremely alpha and forward but because of Abby's over the top naivety and innocence he actual comes across as predatory and creepy. If I wasn't already so invested in Emilia Finn's series of books, and worried that I would miss something that could be important to future books in the series, I probably would have stopped reading around chapter 7.
The Positive: It gets better. You have to get through the rough beginning but once you do Spencer and Abby's personalities start to balance out. I'm still not convinced that I would ever ship these two characters but they do become much more likeable. Spencer's love and loyalty make him downright swoon worthy. Spencer and Abby's story was just ok for me BUT all the side stories happening in this book were really good and kept me interested.
Kane and Jay Bishop are two of my all time favorite Heros and their parts in this book made me love them that much more.
Abby's brothers are intriguing. I look forward to more from the Rosa Brothers.
The hints about the Checkmate/Theo character in this book seem pretty obvious, and I think I already have it figured out. That being said I'm anxious to get to the next book and hopefully confirm my assumption.
Note: This book can be read as a standalone BUT Emilia Finn does an amazing job of developing her characters throughout her stories and then they continue to be included in each book. I highly suggest getting to know them by starting with the Rollin On series and reading the books in order or at the very least start with book 1 of this series.
3.5 Stars
The Negative: I had a hard time getting into this one. I get that it was supposed to be an opposites attract situation so the H and h are extreme opposites but it was a little too extreme in the beginning. Abby was extremely immature! Like she throws temper tantrums like a toddler kind of immature and her aversion to swearing was downright ridiculous. Spencer is extremely alpha and forward but because of Abby's over the top naivety and innocence he actual comes across as predatory and creepy. If I wasn't already so invested in Emilia Finn's series of books, and worried that I would miss something that could be important to future books in the series, I probably would have stopped reading around chapter 7.
The Positive: It gets better. You have to get through the rough beginning but once you do Spencer and Abby's personalities start to balance out. I'm still not convinced that I would ever ship these two characters but they do become much more likeable. Spencer's love and loyalty make him downright swoon worthy. Spencer and Abby's story was just ok for me BUT all the side stories happening in this book were really good and kept me interested.
Kane and Jay Bishop are two of my all time favorite Heros and their parts in this book made me love them that much more.
Abby's brothers are intriguing. I look forward to more from the Rosa Brothers.
The hints about the Checkmate/Theo character in this book seem pretty obvious, and I think I already have it figured out. That being said I'm anxious to get to the next book and hopefully confirm my assumption.
Note: This book can be read as a standalone BUT Emilia Finn does an amazing job of developing her characters throughout her stories and then they continue to be included in each book. I highly suggest getting to know them by starting with the Rollin On series and reading the books in order or at the very least start with book 1 of this series.
December 30, 2019
Spencer the 7-foot-tall hilarious crude and crass member of Checkmate Security (although he continually will tell you he doesn’t work there) and Abby the petite almost doll like girl who grew up in a bubble with her 5 overbearing and protective brothers. They are complete opposites in everything. Abby owns the local florist shop and when Spencer comes into the store with a friend to finalize flowers for her up coming wedding the two of them clash epically. But neither one can stay away from the other and are inexplicably drawn to each other.
I had issues with Abby at first. I couldn’t relate to her and thought her views and hopes were unrealistic. I guess I am a bit like Spencer this case. Even as her story unfolded, I still felt that way. But I did love the way that she grew, how being around Spencer pushed her to stand up for herself and fight for what she wanted and needed – space from her brothers. She is still not my favorite checkmate girl, but she is exactly what Spencer needed and they are perfect together. I loved how they both pushed each other out of their comfort zones to become better people; that it wasn’t all one-sided. I loved how she opened his eyes and made him realize what is important in life besides his checkmate brothers. And then the fact that his mom and Abby had what they had in common (spoiler so that is all you will get from me) was a giant gut punch. I also loved how #5 stole the show. He is a damn riot and I am so glad we got more of him because with the heavy that was going on in this one we needed his comic relief.
Overall, this was another hit out of the park. Another one that had all the feels; crying, love, laughter and want to throw your Kindle because why did that have to happen. I love the Checkmate Series and I will be sad when it is over.
I had issues with Abby at first. I couldn’t relate to her and thought her views and hopes were unrealistic. I guess I am a bit like Spencer this case. Even as her story unfolded, I still felt that way. But I did love the way that she grew, how being around Spencer pushed her to stand up for herself and fight for what she wanted and needed – space from her brothers. She is still not my favorite checkmate girl, but she is exactly what Spencer needed and they are perfect together. I loved how they both pushed each other out of their comfort zones to become better people; that it wasn’t all one-sided. I loved how she opened his eyes and made him realize what is important in life besides his checkmate brothers. And then the fact that his mom and Abby had what they had in common (spoiler so that is all you will get from me) was a giant gut punch. I also loved how #5 stole the show. He is a damn riot and I am so glad we got more of him because with the heavy that was going on in this one we needed his comic relief.
Overall, this was another hit out of the park. Another one that had all the feels; crying, love, laughter and want to throw your Kindle because why did that have to happen. I love the Checkmate Series and I will be sad when it is over.
June 13, 2023
I freaking love Spencer Serrano. He has absolutely zero filter, is filthy, and has no respect for boundaries, but he is a total softy for his woman. He is the perfect depiction of a badass military operative that falls to his knees for the woman he loves. Spencer doesn’t even like Abigail when he meets her. He is a total ass to her but then something pulls him to her. He doesn’t know why and he can’t let it go but Spencer becomes totally enamored with the small woman he swore he didn’t even find attractive.
Abigail Rosa is the youngest of 6, with 5 protective alpha older brothers. She is arguably a prude who despises curse words, is a virgin and is treated like fragile glass by her family due to health issues when she was younger. Abigail is taken off guard by the massive mountain man with tattoos and scars. He’s everything she is not and doesn’t treat her like she’s incapable.
What starts as a mutual dislike and a hot encounter explodes into an affair and an instant love connection. When Abigail’s world comes crashing down around her, Spencer steps up to fight by her side. Will these two survive those wanting to tear them apart and the cancer ravaging her body?
I loved this story. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful all in one. Their love is pure and unbreakable. The writing is powerful with just enough spice. We also get introduced to a whole new world and set of characters while visiting old friends and solving another mystery.
Abigail Rosa is the youngest of 6, with 5 protective alpha older brothers. She is arguably a prude who despises curse words, is a virgin and is treated like fragile glass by her family due to health issues when she was younger. Abigail is taken off guard by the massive mountain man with tattoos and scars. He’s everything she is not and doesn’t treat her like she’s incapable.
What starts as a mutual dislike and a hot encounter explodes into an affair and an instant love connection. When Abigail’s world comes crashing down around her, Spencer steps up to fight by her side. Will these two survive those wanting to tear them apart and the cancer ravaging her body?
I loved this story. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful all in one. Their love is pure and unbreakable. The writing is powerful with just enough spice. We also get introduced to a whole new world and set of characters while visiting old friends and solving another mystery.
March 21, 2020
Honestly after reading #6 I didn't want to read Spencer's book. I actually totally hated the man. I know that is an unpopular opinion, but true. Maybe because I live in a mining town where the male population is JUST like he was portrayed I didn't like him, but whatever the reason he blew it out of the f×c*ing water. By chapter 5 of this book I was in love with Abigail and Spencer wasn't horrible. By the end of the book I was still in love with Abigail and Spencer became my favorite Hero of all time.
I knew who Romeo was going to be from the start. Abigail was a hoot and I loved being able to watch the 2 of them grow together. I loved how much all the Checkmate family was in this book. I'm almost hoping work is closed tomorrow so I can read the final book in the series...
Ms. Finn, Thank you for sharing your time and friends with us. Thank you for sharing your story in the afterward. It made you seem like a real person, I know that seems silly but I always think of Authors as mythical creatures that hold the world in their hands like the Greek Gods on Olympus. You are now a real person and even more amazing than I thought.
I knew who Romeo was going to be from the start. Abigail was a hoot and I loved being able to watch the 2 of them grow together. I loved how much all the Checkmate family was in this book. I'm almost hoping work is closed tomorrow so I can read the final book in the series...
Ms. Finn, Thank you for sharing your time and friends with us. Thank you for sharing your story in the afterward. It made you seem like a real person, I know that seems silly but I always think of Authors as mythical creatures that hold the world in their hands like the Greek Gods on Olympus. You are now a real person and even more amazing than I thought.
March 12, 2026
Winner Takes All by Emilia Finn absolutely delivered on audio. From the very first chapter, I was locked in like a chess piece on the final move of the board. The tension, the emotion, and the intensity of the characters come through so vividly in the audiobook that it felt like watching the story unfold in real time.
The narration added an entirely new layer to the story. Every growl, every quiet moment, every emotionally heavy scene hit harder because of how well the voices captured the characters. The MMC’s intensity and protectiveness were practically vibrating through my headphones, while the FMC’s strength and vulnerability made it impossible not to root for her.
This story is packed with high stakes, fierce loyalty, and the kind of romance that burns slow before exploding into something unforgettable. By the time the final chapters rolled around, I was completely invested and not ready to say goodbye to these characters.
If you love audiobooks that pull you in, keep your heart racing, and leave you thinking about the characters long after the last chapter, Winner Takes All is absolutely worth the listen. Checkmate never sounded so good. ♟️🎧📚
The narration added an entirely new layer to the story. Every growl, every quiet moment, every emotionally heavy scene hit harder because of how well the voices captured the characters. The MMC’s intensity and protectiveness were practically vibrating through my headphones, while the FMC’s strength and vulnerability made it impossible not to root for her.
This story is packed with high stakes, fierce loyalty, and the kind of romance that burns slow before exploding into something unforgettable. By the time the final chapters rolled around, I was completely invested and not ready to say goodbye to these characters.
If you love audiobooks that pull you in, keep your heart racing, and leave you thinking about the characters long after the last chapter, Winner Takes All is absolutely worth the listen. Checkmate never sounded so good. ♟️🎧📚
March 13, 2026
“Is that a birth defect, Abigail? One blue, one green. Did your dad jack off twice and create twins, then you ate the other while in the womb?”
“For the rest of my life, I can do without, so long as I get to keep you.”
“For the rest of my life, I can do without, so long as I get to keep you.”
Was unsure what to expect from this and probably shouldn't have started at book 7 but oh well.
Spencer was a bit of an asshole i won't lie it was a little unnecessary and he was to brash with her. but, he also made me laugh so much. He just kept fucking up so bad, time and time again. Poor Abigail was so vulnerable it hurt my heart a little. Spencer really needed to chill it out he was really her a bully with a crush he couldn't handle he wen't from one extreme to the other😢but when he fell he fell hard. But in my opinion he didn't redeem himself because the way he treated her to begin with regardless of my thoughts it was unnecessary as hell and the "priss" nickname he never dropped eve though it was so condescending.
All in all I enjoyed the book and the storyline but Spencer needed to work on his people skills very badly.
“For the rest of my life, I can do without, so long as I get to keep you.”
“For the rest of my life, I can do without, so long as I get to keep you.”
Was unsure what to expect from this and probably shouldn't have started at book 7 but oh well.
Spencer was a bit of an asshole i won't lie it was a little unnecessary and he was to brash with her. but, he also made me laugh so much. He just kept fucking up so bad, time and time again. Poor Abigail was so vulnerable it hurt my heart a little. Spencer really needed to chill it out he was really her a bully with a crush he couldn't handle he wen't from one extreme to the other😢but when he fell he fell hard. But in my opinion he didn't redeem himself because the way he treated her to begin with regardless of my thoughts it was unnecessary as hell and the "priss" nickname he never dropped eve though it was so condescending.
All in all I enjoyed the book and the storyline but Spencer needed to work on his people skills very badly.
April 21, 2021
They were the exact opposite of each other. Spencer was 7 feet, big, loud mouth while Abigail was tiny, red head, pale skin, virgin. But they fit perfectly like puzzle pieces. Spencer was too much for me at the beginning. He was too outspoken while she was a bit... fragile I guess or more like... easily overwhelmed and very... sentimental but that's not a bad thing, it just meant that she had a lot of feelings and love. But he changed quick as he began to fall in love with her. player to one woman man. Abigail's story was a bit shock for me but I should have seen it coming with all of the little hints and her overprotective brothers. I kind of predicted the ending and what happened to Marcie but I was praying that it wouldn't happen. I also had a feeling of who Romeo was and how/why Spencer knew him.
Kind of random but I wish there was more of story for Nadia, I felt like they kept talking about her since Eric's and Katrina's book and... nothing has really happened yet besides who she is seeing.
Kind of random but I wish there was more of story for Nadia, I felt like they kept talking about her since Eric's and Katrina's book and... nothing has really happened yet besides who she is seeing.
February 2, 2020
Another amazing book!
Truly a talented author with such an amazing talent to draw you into the characters and make you feel like you are part of their family (or make you want to be part of the family!) I have loved every book she has written, but I truly feel like the raw and astounding storylines in the Checkmate series are my favorites. The big and bad and sometimes scary alphas love fiercely and completely in their own style of commitment and protection, and this story of Spencer and Abigail delivers an emotional rollercoaster you don’t expect. Previous books give you a glimpse of who Spencer is, and in the beginning he lives up to your expectations. But true to form, Emilia gives you that unexpected and sassy heroine who steals his heart and yours, too, along the way. Would be good to have a tissue handy as well. I would give this book 10 stars if it were an option. It is so, so good!
Truly a talented author with such an amazing talent to draw you into the characters and make you feel like you are part of their family (or make you want to be part of the family!) I have loved every book she has written, but I truly feel like the raw and astounding storylines in the Checkmate series are my favorites. The big and bad and sometimes scary alphas love fiercely and completely in their own style of commitment and protection, and this story of Spencer and Abigail delivers an emotional rollercoaster you don’t expect. Previous books give you a glimpse of who Spencer is, and in the beginning he lives up to your expectations. But true to form, Emilia gives you that unexpected and sassy heroine who steals his heart and yours, too, along the way. Would be good to have a tissue handy as well. I would give this book 10 stars if it were an option. It is so, so good!
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