Dirty Martini

Crow Bar Brute Squad #2

by Abby Knox

One of the most ruthless CEOs in Newcastle, Katie has made all of her dreams come true. Except one. She's fantasized about having a secret, "kept" man at her beck and call, but so far, nobody fits the bill. After conducting a tense business meeting, she dips into a dive bar for her favorite drink, and ends up making her ultimate wish come true. Holden doesn't believe in true love, but he does believe taking advantage of an opportunity when one comes along. That opportunity appears in the form of a gorgeous older woman writing a check with more zeroes in it than he's ever seen in his life. When the wrong people find out his dirty little secret -- and his judgment gets clouded by obsession -- it puts everything and everyone they both love in danger. Series Crow Bar is the rowdiest bar in the city's toughest neighborhood, and it's owner is known for employing the kinds of bouncers nobody wants to mess with. Dubbed the Crow Bar Brute Squad, these hardened heroes may have zero bandwidth for anyone's B.S., but they have nothing but time and intense devotion when it comes to the queens that they love. The oceanside city of Newcastle has glittering skyscrapers, gritty warehouses and everything in between. It's also full of characters that fall fast and hard -- into love, into bad decisions and into Tough, blue-collar guys and even tougher, mouthy broads. When irresistible forces crash into immoveable objects, the resulting tales of love, friendship, and adventure will make you want to pack up and catch the next train to Newcastle. Bring a beach chair! (And maybe a helmet.)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2021

Reviews

[Sarandah chrysalis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, some titty-fucking! I feel like that erotic act is sadly lacking in the romance genre, or at least the ones I read.

Anyhow, Holden absolutely worships Katie, and her glorious boobs. Yes, please.

This book had so many things to adore: adopted kittens, insta-love, danger, mystery, hilarious banter (Billy is my favorite idiot) a kickass confident plus size heroine, and just pure affection right alongside the generous steam. And you know what else it had? Adults having a goddamn adult conversation instead of a weird misunderstanding!

What it didn’t have, however, was an editor or a proofreader. I’m usually not terribly annoyed by most typos in indie publishing, but this had so many errors that it sort of distracted me. But I can’t bring myself to ding it a star because kittens.

Oh and that sexy quick little lactation kink scene at the end- love and need more.

[Sue Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a huge fan of Abby Knox so when this book arrived in my in-box I couldn't wait to download it and start reading.
I wasn't disappointed. I loved the characters. I loved the plot and I'm not even going to put down any blurbs here, because you need to read this book without any hints on the story or any suggestions on how much you will enjoy it. This is the first time I have recommended a book without giving some of the story away but I'm doing it here.

[Contina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woo, Pick Me Off The Floor

This was so good! It had everything. Super rich, older woman with a therapist in love with a younger, cat loving gentle man who was a boxer. This a trope I never knew I needed and Abby Knox brought it to me. I was so invested in Holden and Katie's story. It was so over the top and hilarious at times. The Brute Squad were quite a bunch of characters. I actually LOL a few times.
The sex scene were straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥 for me.

[Lynn Thinking out loud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Holden. This man made me fall head over hills in love with him. He might not be the brightest bulb in the fixture but he is all heart.
I love this couple. They do not let the age gap stand in the way.

I can't wait to see who we get next.

[Shyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read by Abby Knox. I love it when I am so consumed by a book. Dirty Martini is hot and a little bit dirty. A definite must read.

[Book Snob Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Katie aka Cupcake’s older, independently wealthy, and used to men not really appreciating a curvy woman. And, don’t we all want to feel sexy and comfortable in our own skin. She goes into the Crow Bar, and that is where our sweet Holden sees her, and here is his description of her, “a vision of curvaceous heaven”, and he is instantly appreciative of all her curves. They have a little afternoon delight, I think we all knew I couldn’t resist that wording, which neither of them normally does. I felt like that should have been their sign. These two part without exchanging numbers, until Katie comes back to see if he would want to be her “kept” man.

I freaking adored these two, and the whole storyline. And not only did they connect on a physical level, but they were very much in sync on a mental level as well. I loved this trope being done, because it’s not done often. Older wealthy woman, younger man. And he just couldn’t keep his hands off her, which I thought was adorable. He was so sweet, and had the biggest heart, I’m glad that he found someone that appreciated him for who he is. Oh, and he had amazing negotiating tactics *winks*. We get to see more of the Brute Squad, these guys cracked me up with all their clusterf*ck shenanigans. Two epilogues, I know, you are welcome, and a hea.

[Me_myself_and_romance_ Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series which I was excited to read. This is an age gap romance with insta connection between Katie and Holden. I couldn’t put this book down and completely got lost in the pages, devouring it quickly. Katie being a ceo of her business but missing the companionship until she meets Holden a younger but attractive bouncer at a bar she visits for a martini. When the two have a wild night together they both cannot forget each other but have no way to contact one another.

What starts off as a proposition by Katie and Holden, turns into a beautiful and sweet relationship that you feel while reading, which keeps growing and growing so quickly.

I swooned, laughed, fanned myself wow those scenes and was left smiling because these two are too gorgeous not to want to read about. I look forward to the rest of the series.

I received an arc to give an honest opinion.

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holden and Katie, on the surface, don't seem like a perfect match. She is a captain in the business world, in charge of a huge corporation. She has worked hard to get where she is but has no emotional or physical connection to make it all worthwhile. When she meets Holden, she quickly realizes that he is unique and amazing. He sees her, wants her just as she is with no ulterior motives. That is something she sorely needs and desperately wants. Holden is just absolutely wonderful. He is so into Katie, so sweet and caring. I can't help but adore him. What really made this was that they really focused on how the other person made them feel. How being together was all that mattered. They didn't get bogged down in their age difference, with her being older or social status. It was all about the love, I give Dirty Martini 4.5 stars!

[Elizabeth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie is wealthy and lonely trying to overhaul the local city that was drug and crime infested. One of her male colleagues told her that he kept a very young woman just as a companion and now she was considering the possibilities. Holden was a young bartender that also did some local boxing on the the side to make extra money to help pay his bills. When Katie walked into the downtown bar where Holden was a bouncer and they saw each other, sparks flew. Their fun and fast relationship began as Katie thought that Holden would become a kept boy toy. Then their relationship became exciting as danger, jealousy, government, mobsters, betrayal, secret plans and a fast love begins. Exciting read with fun characters

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer Katie finds her match

Dirty Martini is the second book in the Crow Bar Brute Squad and the only book of this series that I have read. I have read other books by Abby Knox but they have been novellas so I was not sure what to expect when I picked up this novel. The story is about Katie Moss and Holden Murphy. She is a successful and wealthy woman and he is a bouncer at the dive bar, aka Crow Bar and a boxer. She is also an older woman which he does not bat an eye at. They meet when she comes into the bar one afternoon and end up having some fun together.
This story is a nice turn about on a pretty regular trope. I liked both Katie and Holden and their story-line was entertaining, with some laughs along with the hot and sexy parts, and even some emotion.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun to read and had a unique plot. Katie is a rich woman who wants a companion without worrying about dating. She asks Holden to be her kept man but he really likes her. Maybe Katie forgot what a real relationship is because that’s what they have for sure. They make a cute couple and I liked reading the progression of their relationship. Life doesn’t make it easy on them though. They both end up with problems thrown their way that are unexpected but add a nice extra layer to the story. I enjoyed this story and the characters, especially Holden, he’s adorable with his love of fostering cats and his adoration of Katie.
I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie is a tough as nails CEO and she wants a kept man. Men just do not appreciate her figure. She goes to a dive bar and meets Holden. Holden does appreciate her figure and they have a romp, no phone numbers no names. Katie goes back for more and makes Holden an offer he cannot refuse. This is just a wonderful read. Katie and Holden are great together and the story has other elements also. There is danger she is trying to clean up the town. This is just a great story in the series. The really enjoy the interaction between Holden and Katie.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoking hot

I really enjoyed Holden and Katie’s story. Older woman and younger man tropes are few and far between, I really liked how the author walked the line and kept it fresh, fun, sexy and kept it from being angsty and super dark. Holden was adorable with the cats and it kept his soft side front and center as a contrast to the jobs he held. Katie was every woman who is not a size 2 and she was super relatable. It was great to see her find her romantic confidence with Holden. I read this book in two settings I could not put it down,

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny romance that is opposite of most romances in many ways. We have an older executive, wealthy woman with wonderful curves falling for a sexy, sweet boxer who loves kittens and a woman's fabulous curves. Holden and Katie are attracted to each other immediately and she is shocked to find a man who wants nothing from her but her. Holden and his friends are hilarious and get into all kinds of trouble which keep the story rolling along nicely. Very nice story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie and Holden were great together. I really enjoyed the connection and chemistry between Holden and Katie. I thought that this was sweet yet steamy and dirty, all in one go. To me, these two are opposites yet perfect for each. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it and Ms. Abby as a great author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Saramarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Read!

Holden and Katie are the absolute cutest couple.

Holden the boxer meets his match in the confident businesswoman, Katie.

What I love so much about this story is Katie is the older, rich businessperson and Holden is the younger sensitive soul. A definite five star read! Characters and storyline are fabulous, can’t wait for more from the Brute Squad.

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. I liked the relationship between the characters. I also liked the balance of romance, humour and drama. This is also the first novel I have read that is set slightly in the future (e.g., post-Covid), which I thought was interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story it was great, the story was written well and the characters were interesting. Holden is a boxer and went to a bar for a drink. Katie is a ruthless older business and desperately needed a drink after a business deal. Katie and Holden had instant attraction, Holden is an old soul.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaanďfffcving a review.

[Andrea Wimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sexy and sweet!

This was such a fun, sweet and OMG super sexy read. I’m currently obsessing over reverse age gaps and this one did not disappoint at all. I enjoyed Katie and Holden very much, especially those two epilogues that made my heart flutter. It was the perfect ending!!!

[Sarah Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great story from abby and i loved reading it , the only issue i had is it took me a while to realise it was not set in the uk as the place newcastle was mentioned quite a lot and this confused me because i live about 10 miles from a place called newcastle and i live in the uk

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was some dirty martini. Who knew going to a dive bar could change someone’s life. It was a great story and I can’t wait to see who else from the brute squad family will find love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Holden & Katie's book. Good characters. It was nice to read about an older woman/ younger man. This was a new author for me. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. It was beautifully written and fast paced. The chemistry between the characters was sizzling hot. This book has everything you need to keep you turning pages hot sexy men, steamy scenes and some conflict thrown in. I cannot wait for what this author writes next.

[Rach H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Holden and Katie's story.
It was a lovely story with great characters and fantastic chemistry.
Abby is a new author to me and I will definitely be reading more from her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holden and Kate's story was everything you could want in an age gap romance. I don't want to give the plot away so I will just say go in blind. A great read.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review.

[Pria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gah! I'm not sure if I like it or not. I picked it for the premise, but that part didn't last for long, and that's kinda disappointing. Well, you've got to love it for the smut, I guess. Could've been better.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Loved this continuation of the series. Characters were wonderful.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exciting age gap romance with a fantastic connection between Katie and Holden. This is a fun and sexy romance with good humor and drama. This is a cute read.

[Shannon Vogel Lien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a GoodReads giveaway. It was okay. 50 Shades meets post pandemic life.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book