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Lucas Brothers #8
Cowboy Up
They say old wounds will heal with time—but that's a damn lie.
Blue Lucas knew the moment Meadow moved back to Mason she was going to rip him apart.
Seeing her every single day is hell on earth, but he survives it--probably because losing her destroyed the most important parts of him years ago.
Meadow has spent her life running away from Blue because who she is will never be enough for what he is.
She accepted that long ago, mostly because she didn't have a choice.
Then, she proceeded to make every bad decision a woman could make in retaliation.
She paid for that in spades.
Moving back to Mason wasn't her first choice, but when her mom fell ill, she did it without question.
She tries her best to avoid Blue but he's always there, staring at her with hate in his eyes.
It's not fair.
If anyone should hate the other in this scenario, she should hate him.
Except, she doesn't hate him at all.
That makes avoiding him her only option.
It's a perfect plan.
Now if his mother would just cooperate…
*Book 8 in the series but can be read as a standalone*
Blue Lucas has long been the quiet one in this crazy family. That's about to change. Meadow is about to slip through his fingers again and he's not about to let that happen. He's so desperate that he might even call his mom in to help.
Blue Lucas knew the moment Meadow moved back to Mason she was going to rip him apart.
Seeing her every single day is hell on earth, but he survives it--probably because losing her destroyed the most important parts of him years ago.
Meadow has spent her life running away from Blue because who she is will never be enough for what he is.
She accepted that long ago, mostly because she didn't have a choice.
Then, she proceeded to make every bad decision a woman could make in retaliation.
She paid for that in spades.
Moving back to Mason wasn't her first choice, but when her mom fell ill, she did it without question.
She tries her best to avoid Blue but he's always there, staring at her with hate in his eyes.
It's not fair.
If anyone should hate the other in this scenario, she should hate him.
Except, she doesn't hate him at all.
That makes avoiding him her only option.
It's a perfect plan.
Now if his mother would just cooperate…
*Book 8 in the series but can be read as a standalone*
Blue Lucas has long been the quiet one in this crazy family. That's about to change. Meadow is about to slip through his fingers again and he's not about to let that happen. He's so desperate that he might even call his mom in to help.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2022
183 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Marie
114 books4,748 followersI'm just a simple small town country girl, haunted by Alpha Men who talk in my head 24 hours a day.
I knew I wanted to write when it became clear I couldn't be happy with just viewing other people's stories. I always wanted to rewrite them.
Like why did Jack have to die? Why couldn't Rose move her butt over? Because that was a huge piece of wood she was on, people.
Happy Endings should be fought for, but they should always happen. Mine might take some curves and twists, but they eventually get there.
Having published over fifty stories, it always feels surreal that this is my life. Hitting USA Today had me crying for days, but nothing is more special than hearing from readers that they loved one of my books.
Want to keep up with me? You can here:
Newsletter Sign Up- https://www.jordanmarieromance.com/ne...
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/JordanMarieA...
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/jordan_mari...
Amazon- https://amzn.to/3ftdTS0
I knew I wanted to write when it became clear I couldn't be happy with just viewing other people's stories. I always wanted to rewrite them.
Like why did Jack have to die? Why couldn't Rose move her butt over? Because that was a huge piece of wood she was on, people.
Happy Endings should be fought for, but they should always happen. Mine might take some curves and twists, but they eventually get there.
Having published over fifty stories, it always feels surreal that this is my life. Hitting USA Today had me crying for days, but nothing is more special than hearing from readers that they loved one of my books.
Want to keep up with me? You can here:
Newsletter Sign Up- https://www.jordanmarieromance.com/ne...
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/JordanMarieA...
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/jordan_mari...
Amazon- https://amzn.to/3ftdTS0
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
July 21, 2022
I don't know why I read this one.
The only thing I have to say is that if american women like these kind of men and think it's ok to be treated this way and this man is good husband material, I'm strongly disappointed by their low expectations.
And please, don't tell me this is what men are like in real life.
No, by god, no!
This is not true.
This is a very poor example of a man and I think women should be appalled by his behavior.
Please, girls, stay away from this kind of men!
Don't settle, there are plenty of men and some of them are really wonderful!
Let's go back to the book.
Just after few pages I noticed several inconsistencies.
-The timeline. In the prologue the heroine is married to om and has a child, and the hero meets her and thinks he's been celibate for 6 years. Then there's the first chapter that says 9 years later.
From what I understand the heroine left the hero and after 1 year she married om. So I suppose the prologue was 6 years later they were apart + 9 years in the first chapter, that would be 15 years apart?
And the heroine's son should be 15.
Ok?
Nope, because the boy is about 9 so I suppose they were apart for 9 years and not 15 and the first chapter didn't begin 9 years after the prologue.
I don't understand...
Inconsistency.
-The whole book is wrong. I'm so very tired of this kind of stories. This is the 21 century. Stop creating depressing pictures of men who are allowed to do every kind of s**t to their women and women are forced to forgive them because they are men while the heroines, because they are women, are not allowed anything!
This is wrong! Wrong! Wrong! It is not real and it is humiliating for women to accept this kind of treatment.
Basically the title should be how low can a woman stoop to keep a loser?
-The thing that H/h were together too young and the hero felt he has to experiment so he dumped the heroine for some time it's wrong, wrong, wrong. Teenagers of all times could tell you that. A break is the end of a story, even when both agree. And in this one only the hero agreed. The fact that men have to experiment and women don't is disrespectful and demeaning. This is the equivalent of weak and selfish and not in love enough with the heroine. If you're in love with your partner you shouldn't think that you are losing something because you don't f**k around. And this shows also a very little knowledge of teenagers because teenagers are often much more passionate about their love stories than adults are, because they are innocent and they don't have experience so no, it's not believable that the hero suddenly wanted to be sure of his feelings to the heroine and asked for a break. He was tired of her and not in love enough. Do you remember the movie: The truth is, he doesn't like you enough? yeah, that's the fact.
- So the hero moved on, but the author would like to persuade us that this was not his intention and he always thought she was the one for him and he never meant to leave her. Yeah, right, and that is why he had a threesome two weeks after their break.
Really???
No, please, no!
Author, do you think that we readers are dumb? do you think that we are completely dense and are not able to understand what's under our nose??
He. Was. So. Over. Her.
Oh, no matter if he didn't actually do anything in the threesome but only watched, he watched because he was excited by the idea of a threesome.
Aaaaand, no, sorry I don't think that all teenagers have to do threesomes to have some good experience.
This is from my professional experience.
This is all so wrong.
- So, the girl and the boy of the threesome tell the heroine what the hero did, and she decides that she has had enough. Thank god for that. And she finds a man who she thinks he's a better choice.
But the author wouldn't give us that.
Because she hates women.
Loving Violet by Terri Ann Browning, is an example of how, even if for a brief time, the heroine can find a good man, better than the hero, fall in love again, really, and have a good- if brief - marriage and a child with om, while the hero suffers like a dog for his sins and he really understand his mistakes, that in my language means: R.E.T.R.I.B.U.T.I.O.N.
(this heroine should be entitled to have some, no?)
In this book the heroine marries a man that after some time becomes an alcholic and an abuser, so she is unhappy and battered.
Why? Why can't she have some peace and happiness after the hero treated her like dirt?
-Eventually om dies and the heroine is back to town again, living with her son and her mother. The hero hates her because since she is a woman and so not deserving of respect, she had to endure and let him do his dirty things and afterwards, when he was satisfied and ridden with STDs, she had to take him back and shut the hell up.
So he has angry sex with her- unprotected angry sex and gets her pregnant.
- The heroine was a mess. She suffers from TBS and sadly she takes everything the hero gives her.
-The hero then has a conversation with his mother, one of the only good character of the book besides the animals, chickens, roosters, dogs and cows, and she tells him he has to woo her.
The author, thinking we are dense and not very smart, would make us believe that the hero has been in love with the heroine forever, even when he asked her for a break and had a threesome, and suffered awfully when she found another man.
I think he behaves like an idiot, a weak and selfish idiot. There's no mention of his regret for what he did to her. He never apologized because he broke up with her hurting. He never recognizes his responsibility in what happened afterwards, because it was only his fault that the heroine found another man and he was an abusive jerk.
I hate men who don't own their responsibilities.
I couldn't stand this hero, he doesn't love the heroine, he never loved her, I think it's more a matter of selfish pride, he was angry with her while everything happened because of him and his stupid choices, he never apologized for what he did and never recognized his past mistakes.
Where's his growth?
- So no redemption here, and eventually when the heroine doesn't immediately gives in and is still not sure about their relationship- after all she did have a decade of hate and mistakes from his part, so she isn't supposed to trust his sudden change at once, actually she has learned from her past experience - the loser gets drunk for days because he can't face a problem. This should have been a sign for the heroine that he wasn't the right man for her. Because the right man doesn't give up at the first issue and doesn't leave- ever. Here's where I understood that he hasn't changed. He remained the same weak selfish loser as he was before.
-I felt sad after reading this mess. I felt debased and not respected as a woman because I hoped that it was high time we stopped this chauvinist attitude that sees the women punished for Original Sin. I'm not a teenager and I've not been for long, but I can assure you I'm ashamed that women- young women that is- keep writing this kind of stories as if they were reality. As if we have to settle for these kind of losers. Too many readers are ecstatic about this story and they view it as if it was the love story of the millenium.
It's not like that.
I hope it's not.
The only thing I have to say is that if american women like these kind of men and think it's ok to be treated this way and this man is good husband material, I'm strongly disappointed by their low expectations.
And please, don't tell me this is what men are like in real life.
No, by god, no!
This is not true.
This is a very poor example of a man and I think women should be appalled by his behavior.
Please, girls, stay away from this kind of men!
Don't settle, there are plenty of men and some of them are really wonderful!
Let's go back to the book.
Just after few pages I noticed several inconsistencies.
-The timeline. In the prologue the heroine is married to om and has a child, and the hero meets her and thinks he's been celibate for 6 years. Then there's the first chapter that says 9 years later.
From what I understand the heroine left the hero and after 1 year she married om. So I suppose the prologue was 6 years later they were apart + 9 years in the first chapter, that would be 15 years apart?
And the heroine's son should be 15.
Ok?
Nope, because the boy is about 9 so I suppose they were apart for 9 years and not 15 and the first chapter didn't begin 9 years after the prologue.
I don't understand...
Inconsistency.
-The whole book is wrong. I'm so very tired of this kind of stories. This is the 21 century. Stop creating depressing pictures of men who are allowed to do every kind of s**t to their women and women are forced to forgive them because they are men while the heroines, because they are women, are not allowed anything!
This is wrong! Wrong! Wrong! It is not real and it is humiliating for women to accept this kind of treatment.
Basically the title should be how low can a woman stoop to keep a loser?
-The thing that H/h were together too young and the hero felt he has to experiment so he dumped the heroine for some time it's wrong, wrong, wrong. Teenagers of all times could tell you that. A break is the end of a story, even when both agree. And in this one only the hero agreed. The fact that men have to experiment and women don't is disrespectful and demeaning. This is the equivalent of weak and selfish and not in love enough with the heroine. If you're in love with your partner you shouldn't think that you are losing something because you don't f**k around. And this shows also a very little knowledge of teenagers because teenagers are often much more passionate about their love stories than adults are, because they are innocent and they don't have experience so no, it's not believable that the hero suddenly wanted to be sure of his feelings to the heroine and asked for a break. He was tired of her and not in love enough. Do you remember the movie: The truth is, he doesn't like you enough? yeah, that's the fact.
- So the hero moved on, but the author would like to persuade us that this was not his intention and he always thought she was the one for him and he never meant to leave her. Yeah, right, and that is why he had a threesome two weeks after their break.
Really???
No, please, no!
Author, do you think that we readers are dumb? do you think that we are completely dense and are not able to understand what's under our nose??
He. Was. So. Over. Her.
Oh, no matter if he didn't actually do anything in the threesome but only watched, he watched because he was excited by the idea of a threesome.
Aaaaand, no, sorry I don't think that all teenagers have to do threesomes to have some good experience.
This is from my professional experience.
This is all so wrong.
- So, the girl and the boy of the threesome tell the heroine what the hero did, and she decides that she has had enough. Thank god for that. And she finds a man who she thinks he's a better choice.
But the author wouldn't give us that.
Because she hates women.
Loving Violet by Terri Ann Browning, is an example of how, even if for a brief time, the heroine can find a good man, better than the hero, fall in love again, really, and have a good- if brief - marriage and a child with om, while the hero suffers like a dog for his sins and he really understand his mistakes, that in my language means: R.E.T.R.I.B.U.T.I.O.N.
(this heroine should be entitled to have some, no?)
In this book the heroine marries a man that after some time becomes an alcholic and an abuser, so she is unhappy and battered.
Why? Why can't she have some peace and happiness after the hero treated her like dirt?
-Eventually om dies and the heroine is back to town again, living with her son and her mother. The hero hates her because since she is a woman and so not deserving of respect, she had to endure and let him do his dirty things and afterwards, when he was satisfied and ridden with STDs, she had to take him back and shut the hell up.
So he has angry sex with her- unprotected angry sex and gets her pregnant.
- The heroine was a mess. She suffers from TBS and sadly she takes everything the hero gives her.
-The hero then has a conversation with his mother, one of the only good character of the book besides the animals, chickens, roosters, dogs and cows, and she tells him he has to woo her.
The author, thinking we are dense and not very smart, would make us believe that the hero has been in love with the heroine forever, even when he asked her for a break and had a threesome, and suffered awfully when she found another man.
I think he behaves like an idiot, a weak and selfish idiot. There's no mention of his regret for what he did to her. He never apologized because he broke up with her hurting. He never recognizes his responsibility in what happened afterwards, because it was only his fault that the heroine found another man and he was an abusive jerk.
I hate men who don't own their responsibilities.
I couldn't stand this hero, he doesn't love the heroine, he never loved her, I think it's more a matter of selfish pride, he was angry with her while everything happened because of him and his stupid choices, he never apologized for what he did and never recognized his past mistakes.
Where's his growth?
- So no redemption here, and eventually when the heroine doesn't immediately gives in and is still not sure about their relationship- after all she did have a decade of hate and mistakes from his part, so she isn't supposed to trust his sudden change at once, actually she has learned from her past experience - the loser gets drunk for days because he can't face a problem. This should have been a sign for the heroine that he wasn't the right man for her. Because the right man doesn't give up at the first issue and doesn't leave- ever. Here's where I understood that he hasn't changed. He remained the same weak selfish loser as he was before.
-I felt sad after reading this mess. I felt debased and not respected as a woman because I hoped that it was high time we stopped this chauvinist attitude that sees the women punished for Original Sin. I'm not a teenager and I've not been for long, but I can assure you I'm ashamed that women- young women that is- keep writing this kind of stories as if they were reality. As if we have to settle for these kind of losers. Too many readers are ecstatic about this story and they view it as if it was the love story of the millenium.
It's not like that.
I hope it's not.
February 15, 2022
As this series has gone on the worse it’s got…unfortunately
So Blue made the decision that he needed to “experience more” and two weeks after breaking up went to a hotel to participate in a threesome (he went but didn’t end up participating) BUT he’s pissed and hates Meadow because a YEAR (!!) after the breakup she moves on and gets married??!! WTF? She ruined him?? Are you joking with me?? Then when she brings it up with you AND how YOU destroyed her with your actions you go on the defensive?
Nah, babe YTA and you got what you deserved but sure, take that anger out on a single mother who’s taking care of her sick mom.
The “event” was pretty much glossed over and all forgiven ( without being further discussed) after he goes on a bender for a few days? Nope…hard pass and while Meadow was strong in some aspects she was extremely weak when it come to allowing people to treat her like shit.
So Blue made the decision that he needed to “experience more” and two weeks after breaking up went to a hotel to participate in a threesome (he went but didn’t end up participating) BUT he’s pissed and hates Meadow because a YEAR (!!) after the breakup she moves on and gets married??!! WTF? She ruined him?? Are you joking with me?? Then when she brings it up with you AND how YOU destroyed her with your actions you go on the defensive?
Nah, babe YTA and you got what you deserved but sure, take that anger out on a single mother who’s taking care of her sick mom.
The “event” was pretty much glossed over and all forgiven ( without being further discussed) after he goes on a bender for a few days? Nope…hard pass and while Meadow was strong in some aspects she was extremely weak when it come to allowing people to treat her like shit.
February 10, 2022
I really, really, REALLY needed this book!!! I desperately needed some Ida Sue in my life.
As one can always expect from a Lucas Brothers book, there was tons of laughter along with some pain, angst, and some kind of mix-up somewhere along the line. And I, as well as other readers, I'm sure, was not disappointed.
This is Blue and Meadow's book. And Blue is a lot quieter than all the other Lucas kids. Though he's been in love with Meadow almost his whole life he made a mistake towards the end of high school and lost Meadow. He has finally pulled his head out of somewhere and decided to try to win the love of his life back. But, as with this whole family, it isn't an easy road to travel. But he is a Lucas and they are stubborn, so maybe he will prevail.
Meadow has had a lot of heartbreak in her life, much of it due to Blue. But she has never stopped loving him. She just knows having him in her life isn't healthy. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, an unplanned hook-up leads to another unplanned situation and things get really complicated.
Grab some tissues and prepare to laugh, cry, and maybe even yell at your favorite reading device because Jordan Marie really knows how to weave a story that gets her readers fully involved!!!
As one can always expect from a Lucas Brothers book, there was tons of laughter along with some pain, angst, and some kind of mix-up somewhere along the line. And I, as well as other readers, I'm sure, was not disappointed.
This is Blue and Meadow's book. And Blue is a lot quieter than all the other Lucas kids. Though he's been in love with Meadow almost his whole life he made a mistake towards the end of high school and lost Meadow. He has finally pulled his head out of somewhere and decided to try to win the love of his life back. But, as with this whole family, it isn't an easy road to travel. But he is a Lucas and they are stubborn, so maybe he will prevail.
Meadow has had a lot of heartbreak in her life, much of it due to Blue. But she has never stopped loving him. She just knows having him in her life isn't healthy. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, an unplanned hook-up leads to another unplanned situation and things get really complicated.
Grab some tissues and prepare to laugh, cry, and maybe even yell at your favorite reading device because Jordan Marie really knows how to weave a story that gets her readers fully involved!!!
February 9, 2022
Blue! The quietest Lucas brother who at one point some of the family members thought he was gay. Well that is far from the truth. Meadow is his one true love the only love he ever know, however when they were young Blue hurt Meadows deeply and she can’t get past that. 9 years have passed and Meadow is back to take care of her mother with her son Adam. This story is a heart squeeze anyone who loved and had trust broken can relate
April 26, 2022
3.5 Blue and Meadow Stars
This is a sweet second chance, childhood sweethearts , surprise baby romance that is the eighth book in the Lucas Brothers series. I think you need to have read the previous books to fully appreciate all that is Blue, Meadow and the Lucas Family.
Although I enjoyed it very much, I probably would not re read and I didn't love it as I have some of the other books , but hey, eight books in and I am still a HUGE fan of this series. It was lovely catching up with the other Lucas's, especially Ida Sue who featured strongly in this one.
Meadow is a very likeable heroine and I got why she was so hesitant to resume a relationship with Blue. I have to be honest and say that it took me a long time to warm up to this brooding cowboy but I did and I was rooting for him to win Meadow over.
HEA? More HFN
Cheating? No, not now they are reconnected. An incident happened when they were teenagers that caused them to split.
This is a sweet second chance, childhood sweethearts , surprise baby romance that is the eighth book in the Lucas Brothers series. I think you need to have read the previous books to fully appreciate all that is Blue, Meadow and the Lucas Family.
Although I enjoyed it very much, I probably would not re read and I didn't love it as I have some of the other books , but hey, eight books in and I am still a HUGE fan of this series. It was lovely catching up with the other Lucas's, especially Ida Sue who featured strongly in this one.
Meadow is a very likeable heroine and I got why she was so hesitant to resume a relationship with Blue. I have to be honest and say that it took me a long time to warm up to this brooding cowboy but I did and I was rooting for him to win Meadow over.
HEA? More HFN
Cheating? No, not now they are reconnected. An incident happened when they were teenagers that caused them to split.
Read
July 13, 2022Self note:
They been together since third grade. He broke up with her two days after telling her he loves her.
Two weeks later he “tries” to do a threesome. Well, technically he watches. He feels uncomfortable.
The ow and om (threesome) tell her about it in a party
She leaves or something. Whatever she met someone else and get pregnant and marry this om. Years later (more than 9) they are in the same village (hometown) She is divorce, om was abusive and an alcoholic. She has a kid (I would say 9 years or something like that)
H and h have sex and she gets pregnant. But doesn’t trust him after what he did, what the om did and what her dad did (abandoned her and her mom)
At one point he was celibate during sex years. I think it was on the prologue. She already had the kid and was married.
They been together since third grade. He broke up with her two days after telling her he loves her.
Two weeks later he “tries” to do a threesome. Well, technically he watches. He feels uncomfortable.
The ow and om (threesome) tell her about it in a party
She leaves or something. Whatever she met someone else and get pregnant and marry this om. Years later (more than 9) they are in the same village (hometown) She is divorce, om was abusive and an alcoholic. She has a kid (I would say 9 years or something like that)
H and h have sex and she gets pregnant. But doesn’t trust him after what he did, what the om did and what her dad did (abandoned her and her mom)
At one point he was celibate during sex years. I think it was on the prologue. She already had the kid and was married.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2022
Blue was worth the wait yall!!! Full review to come but I'll just say that the Lucas family are one of my most favorite of all time!
*Full Review*
This story had me in my feels. I laughed, I cried (at work no less), I freaking swooned! Nothing tickles my fancy better than a gruff and grumpy cowboy, especially one that takes a while to pull his head out of his you know what. That is where we find Blue Lucas. He did something years ago that changed the course of his love life. He thought he was doing the right thing, which I can understand, but he ended up hurting the one he loved the most. And what does a gruff and grumpy cowboy do when he messes up? He gets angry at himself but takes it out on the wrong person. Meadow has been in love with Blue for as long as she can remember, but after all of the men in her life had dropped the ball, she was left with the feeling of not being enough. So, she focuses on what she does best, taking care of her mom, her son and the animal shelter. Life is okay for her but after a strained encounter with Blue once again, Ida Sue shows up to do what Ida Sue does and man do the sparks start flying! I swear I wish Ida Sue would adopt me! She is the best and might have unconventional ways to handle things, but it always works out in the end. One of the greatest moments though goes to Jansen. He might not be their bio-dad, but he is the best they could have asked for and he loves those kids like they are his own. He doesn’t sugar coat anything either and since Blue is most like him, he comes to the rescue before he can lose the best thing that has ever happened to him. It won’t be easy because Doe has lost that trust in men but that’s fine because the chase is where the magic happens. I don’t want to give too much away, but just be prepared for the fall out, the angst and some unconventional Ida Sue-isms.
This family y’all. I love them dearly and physically miss them when I am done with their stories. I have re-read them so much, but it never gets old. This series is one of the best small-town romances I have ever read and I can only hope it keeps going for more generations.
*Full Review*
This story had me in my feels. I laughed, I cried (at work no less), I freaking swooned! Nothing tickles my fancy better than a gruff and grumpy cowboy, especially one that takes a while to pull his head out of his you know what. That is where we find Blue Lucas. He did something years ago that changed the course of his love life. He thought he was doing the right thing, which I can understand, but he ended up hurting the one he loved the most. And what does a gruff and grumpy cowboy do when he messes up? He gets angry at himself but takes it out on the wrong person. Meadow has been in love with Blue for as long as she can remember, but after all of the men in her life had dropped the ball, she was left with the feeling of not being enough. So, she focuses on what she does best, taking care of her mom, her son and the animal shelter. Life is okay for her but after a strained encounter with Blue once again, Ida Sue shows up to do what Ida Sue does and man do the sparks start flying! I swear I wish Ida Sue would adopt me! She is the best and might have unconventional ways to handle things, but it always works out in the end. One of the greatest moments though goes to Jansen. He might not be their bio-dad, but he is the best they could have asked for and he loves those kids like they are his own. He doesn’t sugar coat anything either and since Blue is most like him, he comes to the rescue before he can lose the best thing that has ever happened to him. It won’t be easy because Doe has lost that trust in men but that’s fine because the chase is where the magic happens. I don’t want to give too much away, but just be prepared for the fall out, the angst and some unconventional Ida Sue-isms.
This family y’all. I love them dearly and physically miss them when I am done with their stories. I have re-read them so much, but it never gets old. This series is one of the best small-town romances I have ever read and I can only hope it keeps going for more generations.
February 11, 2022
Oh Blue! I have been curious about Blue for so long and I was absolutely not disappointed. He's so broody and quiet, he was pushing my buttons in the beginning but that attitude grew on me. Blue and Meadow have a deep history that is filled with all kinds of emotions. I was taken on that ride, loved the ups and down, and of course, it is the Lucas family, so there are laughs as well! This is a great read in a much loved series!
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 21, 2022
This book is the 8th book in the Lucas Bbothers series. It can be read as a standalone but I highly suggest you read the entire series for all the feels. Blue and Doe are the main characters. They were High School sweathearts that got torn apart by life in general. When Doe moves back to town to help her ailing mother run the kennel Blue sees it as a second chance. This book will take on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Ida Sue and Jansen are in top form. You will laugh, cry, and be on the edge of your seat, sometimes butting your head agsinst the wall. You want this couple to have their happily ever after so much. But I guess you'll have to read this book 📖 to find out. Jordan Marie is a phenomenal writer and she is the best storyteller.
February 10, 2022
Holy smokes this is one ride you won’t want to miss. Blue and Meadow finally get their story, maybe not quite what every reader had hoped but a great story nonetheless.
Blue has always been the quieter, more reserved one of the twins but he sure does know how to stuff up as much as his brother, Black. 😄 His grumpiness hides a lot though but for poor Meadow all she can see is what’s on the surface and staring her in the face. Running from Blue hasn’t quite worked out for her though. I liked both characters but there were times when I wanted to smack them alongside their heads! Talk about ornery!
I think Adam is one character who almost stole the show with his sweetness. Then we have Ida Sue being Ida Sue and ‘nough said. 🤣 Jansen really steps up too and I have to admit every time he comes into these stories more often, I love his character more and more. He is absolutely perfect for Ida Sue and the whole family.
The sense of humour we are used to with the Lucas family is still there and has you chuckling out loud. But more importantly trust, maturity and immaturity, responsibility and respect are all key elements woven into this story extremely well.
Bring on Marigold and Slater’s story, I’m ready!
Blue has always been the quieter, more reserved one of the twins but he sure does know how to stuff up as much as his brother, Black. 😄 His grumpiness hides a lot though but for poor Meadow all she can see is what’s on the surface and staring her in the face. Running from Blue hasn’t quite worked out for her though. I liked both characters but there were times when I wanted to smack them alongside their heads! Talk about ornery!
I think Adam is one character who almost stole the show with his sweetness. Then we have Ida Sue being Ida Sue and ‘nough said. 🤣 Jansen really steps up too and I have to admit every time he comes into these stories more often, I love his character more and more. He is absolutely perfect for Ida Sue and the whole family.
The sense of humour we are used to with the Lucas family is still there and has you chuckling out loud. But more importantly trust, maturity and immaturity, responsibility and respect are all key elements woven into this story extremely well.
Bring on Marigold and Slater’s story, I’m ready!
February 14, 2022
Another amazing read!
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. First off, when I started, I didn’t take a break, it instantly had me enraptured until the very last page and then left me drunk on feelings.
I loved Meadow and Blue’s story. Their deep love for each other was always present, but like real life, a genuine touch Jordan always brings to her books, communication left some things unsaid which turned into pent up emotions and years passing. However this is their HEA, full of laughs, ups and downs and everything in between. We also got to finally see the elusive quiet brother and oh man was he delivered to us. Honestly he may be my next book boyfriend!
Of course we get our beloved Ida Sue too! More than ever in this book. Normally I’m not one for medaling, but I think we could all use a little Ida in our life.
If you want a book that has you swooning over a second chance romance, surprises, tears and laughter and a protective man that fights for his woman, this is it, this is the one!
I don’t even know where to begin with this book. First off, when I started, I didn’t take a break, it instantly had me enraptured until the very last page and then left me drunk on feelings.
I loved Meadow and Blue’s story. Their deep love for each other was always present, but like real life, a genuine touch Jordan always brings to her books, communication left some things unsaid which turned into pent up emotions and years passing. However this is their HEA, full of laughs, ups and downs and everything in between. We also got to finally see the elusive quiet brother and oh man was he delivered to us. Honestly he may be my next book boyfriend!
Of course we get our beloved Ida Sue too! More than ever in this book. Normally I’m not one for medaling, but I think we could all use a little Ida in our life.
If you want a book that has you swooning over a second chance romance, surprises, tears and laughter and a protective man that fights for his woman, this is it, this is the one!
February 11, 2022
Wow , I’m having a book hangover. I didn’t want this story to end. It was so awesome!! When I found out Blue and Meadow’s story was the next Lucas family book, I was ecstatic. I’ve been waiting patiently for it and I knew it would be epic. Of course Jordan Marie exceeded all of my expectations. It was raw and passionate, you will be rendered speechless at times. But in the end it was undeniably beautiful.
I love these characters so much!! Ida Sue was amazing as usual. I was laughing so hard. Jansen made me cry and cheer as well. The whole book was awesome.
This is another sensational must read by the brilliant Jordan Marie ❤️
I love these characters so much!! Ida Sue was amazing as usual. I was laughing so hard. Jansen made me cry and cheer as well. The whole book was awesome.
This is another sensational must read by the brilliant Jordan Marie ❤️
February 10, 2022
Blue and Meadow I've waited a long time for this book! It was so incredibly good!!!! These two have been in love for a very long time, fate had other plans for them. They reconnected 9 years later and......I'm not telling you anything else, you'll have to read it to find out. You will not be disappointed. You might want to tell at them a few times but that's what makes this book so incredible. You get the whole Lucas family even Hamburger makes an appearance. gotta love hamburger the cow🤣.
February 11, 2022
Ida Sue is back in full force, Blue and Meadow finally get their chance,
With Ida Sue influence, they both do not stand a chance.
Love this family, love seeing them together,
Blue steps up, makes a few mistakes on the way,
but the journey is part of the end goal.
Steamy, rocky, push and pull.
Serious, funny, and crayon gang is back!
With Ida Sue influence, they both do not stand a chance.
Love this family, love seeing them together,
Blue steps up, makes a few mistakes on the way,
but the journey is part of the end goal.
Steamy, rocky, push and pull.
Serious, funny, and crayon gang is back!
February 11, 2022
I knew Blues book would be amazing and I wasn’t wrong. His heart is everything. And sweet Doe was just that a sweet Doe. So many visits from my favorite people in this book it just made me all around happy. Ida sue is Queen and Jan stole my whole heart. This book will stick with you for days. Do yourself a favor and one click.
February 14, 2022
Such heartache between Blue and Meadow! Not going to lie, there were a few times that I got a little misty reading the struggles Blue and Meadow were going through. Thank goodness Ida Sue is a meddler because without her and Jensen I don’t think they would’ve seen past the hurdles. Very entertaining as always!
February 11, 2022
Beyond 5 stars.This is Blue and Meadows story in the Lucas Brothers series. Its an amazing read along with a storyline that is very well written and thought about.
February 10, 2022
Blue has been on of my fave out of the Crayon Gang(besides his mother). This book had me twisted up in knots one minute, and laughing hard the next. This couple truly is the best second chance love
February 9, 2022
I have been waiting on Blue and Meadow’s story and it does not disappoint. This story hits in all your feels and Jordan Marie nailed it. Loved seeing the Lucas gang together again
February 15, 2022
A beautiful second chance that is 9 years in the making for Blue and Meadow.
Blue Lucas is known as the quiet one, no one really knows what he is feeling but he knows deep in his soul that Meadow is the one that got away. Now she is back but her heart if filled with heartache.
Meadow knew she could never be what Blue wanted but is that true. Moving on was the hardest thing she ever did but now she is back in Mason. She is only trying to be a dutiful daughter and good mom to her son. She is not looking for love and she is certainly not looking in Blue's direction. Sometimes you can't fight fate or those meddling family members!
Blue is ready to be the man she needs and so much more but first he must show her that she is deserving of love, and he has more than enough to give! I so love this Lucas family they are certainly an interesting cast of characters!!
~~Michele McMullen~~
Blue Lucas is known as the quiet one, no one really knows what he is feeling but he knows deep in his soul that Meadow is the one that got away. Now she is back but her heart if filled with heartache.
Meadow knew she could never be what Blue wanted but is that true. Moving on was the hardest thing she ever did but now she is back in Mason. She is only trying to be a dutiful daughter and good mom to her son. She is not looking for love and she is certainly not looking in Blue's direction. Sometimes you can't fight fate or those meddling family members!
Blue is ready to be the man she needs and so much more but first he must show her that she is deserving of love, and he has more than enough to give! I so love this Lucas family they are certainly an interesting cast of characters!!
~~Michele McMullen~~
February 22, 2022
Jordan Marie has done it again. With another hit and a continuation of the Lucas brother series. I was was so excited to get Blues story. I loved Blue and Meadow. Honestly all of Jordan’s characters I fall in love with. Every one of them is unique. If you have never read a Jordan Marie book you don’t know what your missing. Definitely read one, read them all. Can’t wait fir your next book Jordan!.
February 15, 2022
This is the first book I read from this series and I believe this could be read as a stand-alone. But, I am guessing it’s best to read in order. Anyways, Blue Lucas is bitter with his ex-girlfriend Meadow. Who to him was the one he wanted to spend his life with. But. she chose another and created a life he wanted. As life goes on, Meadow must move back to her childhood hometown. There she can’t escape bumping into Blue. Yet, everytime they are around each other, Blue just wants to rile her up. Their attractions for each other is still there as well as the animosity. Until Blue decides once and for all to sever all ties with Meadow. Will it work? Or will his meddling mamma step in to force him to see what is truly there? To stop being bitter and show Meadow he as always loved her?
side note, why wasn’t it fully explained why Blue broke up with Meadow? How old were these two when they broke up? and hm, why don’t we hear more from Meadow’s mom or her son?
side note, why wasn’t it fully explained why Blue broke up with Meadow? How old were these two when they broke up? and hm, why don’t we hear more from Meadow’s mom or her son?
February 15, 2022
Loved this story about Blue and Meadow. They have a love that lasts forever. They both made a mistake of walking away from each other when they were young. Can they get it back? Jordan writes such real life characters. We see it in Blue and Meadow and the journey they have to take. Jordan writes in her characters that in order to let love in, we must accept who we are first. Blue and Meadow are my favorites!
February 22, 2022
Meadow has repeatedly been disappointed by those professing to love her, she’s been down that path and she’s not eager to risk her emotions, when it comes to Blue, she encased her heart in a vault. He had been her greatest heartbreak.
Blue Moon Lucas in contrast with the rest of his family, is a relatively quiet, reserved, broody cowboy, the strong, silent type. Many assume he’s a virgin, he’s simply particular. Blue and Meadow share a complex history, he lost his high school sweetheart, the only girl he’d ever loved over a decade ago because of his inability to navigate relationships, they had been too young, naïve and inexperienced to deal with it together.
Whatever they had, ended years ago. Wanting to sow his wild oats, explore his sexuality and experiment, he acted, changing the landscape of his life, and ended up hurting the one he loved the most.
Meadow loved Blue for as long as she can remember, but after all of the men in her life had failed her, she was left with feelings of inadequacy and instead laser-focuses on what she does best, taking care of her son, her mum and the animal shelter.
Ida Sue decides to put her matchmaking skills to good use:::
“I just came over to tell you that you have a date Saturday night.”
“Yep, around seven. I’d dress nice, honey.”
“Ida Sue, I don’t have a date—”
“You do. Parker is taking you out to that new steak house. I hear it’s really good, I’ve taken a silent role myself. I’m too old to be working every day. Besides, Jansen gets upset if I neglect him”.
“Ida Sue, why is Parker taking me out, and how do you know about it before me?”
“Well, because I called him, dear. I had to make sure that if Blue called him, he sounded sick”.
“Why is this whole conversation giving me a headache? Why would Parker need to sound sick?”
“Because I lied and told him Parker gave you a stomach bug when the two of you went out Saturday”.
“Parker and I are just friends. We haven’t even seen each other in almost two months.”
“I know, and that’s really disappointing. Parker’s a good catch, Meddie, dear.”
“He’s also in love with Faye. I’ve had enough of men who don’t see me as their first choice. It seems to have become the story of my life.”
“Of course, he is. You don’t think I’d fix you up with someone that might actually fall in love with you, do you?”
“You just said you were disappointed I hadn’t seen him in two months? Weren’t you trying to fix me up with him?”
Ida Sue laughs like I told the funniest joke ever. “Why would I do that when you’re in love with my son?”
“Blue and I are never going to be together. Whatever we had ended years ago.”
“Women are really good at twisting us up in knots, aren’t they, boy?”
“Doe’s not talking to me. She’s having my baby and doesn’t want to be in the same room with me. What in the hell am I supposed to do about that?”
“You could start by getting off your a*s and try talking to our girl instead of your damn dog.”
It shouldn’t surprise me that my mother is standing at the end of the hall, but it does just the same. I swear the woman is like a super ninja.
“She won’t talk to me, Mom. There’s not much I can do if she won’t let me.”
“I swear my boys have cotton balls between their ears instead of brains when it comes to women. Haven’t you learned anything from watching your brothers and sisters?” Mom asks, her hands on her hips—which incidentally is the universal warning sign that I should duck and cover.
I frown. “Well from Gray I learned not to make love in a sand trap where skunks might be lurking. Although, Mom, who really wants to make love in a sand trap? Some things are hard to shower out.”
“It got him his girl, didn’t it?”
“I’m not sure that’s exactly what made CC say I do.”
“Okay, what about White?”
“He knocked Kayla up. I think I achieved that. I’m pretty sure that’s why she’s avoiding me now, too.”
“God, you’re so dumb,” she huffs. “You make Gladys looks smart.”
“Gladys? You mean that horny chicken that was at Green’s—”
“I don’t remember much about the wedding,” I grumble.
“You don’t remember much about the wedding because you were in the playhouse with Meadow getting your monkey slapped”.
“Exactly. Now, try to use that sweet little brain of yours that I know the good Lord gave you and think again. What did your brothers do that you’re not doing?”
“Well, Gray and White are still mysteries to me.”
“Jesus, well, you have at least four more siblings. Keep going. Maybe it will hit you,” she mutters. “Over the head like a damn brick,” she adds, clearly not happy with me. At this point she needs to get in line.
“Well, Black locked Addie in the jail so she couldn’t get away. I mean, I’d be all for that, but not sure Luka would like me living there until I get Doe to listen to me.”
Mom doesn’t respond. She just frowns, indicating she’s annoyed with me. Message read loud and clear.
“Fine. So, Luka and Petal had sex in the squad car. Pretty sure handcuffs were involved, but I haven’t asked. I just know Luka’s penchant for using them. Bryant definitely used them on Maggie, but considering he was swinging his c*ck out for the world to see and chasing after Maggie, I’m pretty sure that backfired.”
“Hold on a minute,” Mom says, her voice tight. She pushes her coffee out of the way and drops her head down and hits it—although lightly—against the countertop. “God, help me. This stupidity had to come from his daddy’s side. That’s the only explanation I have,” she whines. Then, she goes back to hitting her head on the counter.
“Mom, stop before you give yourself a headache,” I chastise.
“Too late, Moonie. You’ve already done that, bucket head.”
“I think I prefer Moonie,” I answer with a sigh.
“I’d prefer a son who thinks with his brain instead of his wanger!”
“My what?”
“One of these days, your momma ain’t going to be around to clean out your ears and slap sense into you.”
“Mom—”
“But I’m going to spell it out for you one more time. A woman might want a man who knows how to handle business when it comes to sex, but there’s more to making a relationship work than that. Do you think Jan got me to marry him because he knows how to pull my hair and make me pray for mercy?”
“Christ, Mom!”
“Okay, that had a little to do with it, I’ll admit it.”
“Maybe we could have this conversation later—like a hundred years from now”.
“You pushed her away all those years ago, Blue.”
“I did not.”
“Horse feathers. You wanted to stick your nose where it didn’t belong.”
Blue confessed his love to her and two days later he said that they needed a break. His friends were exploring their sexuality, discussing things they’d done, rather than admit that he wanted to experiment, he made excuses and broke off their relationship.
“You just knew that if you told me you were dumping me to sleep with others—”
“I didn’t sleep with her! I was just there because Diana liked to be watched. Kevin wanted someone he could trust. I thought I could do it without betraying you”.
“You betrayed me when you made your choice about letting me go when you just volunteered to help Kevin”.
“We were apart before that, Doe. I didn’t do anything until then”.
“Yeah, two weeks. Two weeks where I cried my eyes out and you were volunteering for threesomes,” I snap.
“I never touched her.”
“I know, but the thing is… you might as well have”.
“I just don’t understand why I was public enemy number one, when I moved back, Blue. Why did you treat me like the bad guy? I mean, high school had been years ago.”
“Because I begged you to stay. Before you went through with the wedding, I begged you to stay with me”.
“There was more than me involved by then, besides, I didn’t trust you anymore. And after there was no Clark? Was there a reason I got nothing but your anger then?”
All these years, he’d thought he was been successful keeping his secrets hidden, not realising Diana would gloat about their bedroom games. Kevin had been worried about privacy, the last thing he’d expected was anyone to broadcast their business. He should have known Diana would relish Meadow finding out and lording it over her. He’d suspected it when Meadow brought up her name before, but he didn’t realise the full extent. Blue was delusional in expecting that he could simply keep his past buried from Meadow.
“Damn, is there a giant asteroid getting ready to pummel the earth and blow us to smithereens?” Mom asks over the phone.
“Mom—”
“Not it, hey? How about all your cows get tipped over and you can’t get them back on their feet?”
“Not funny, Mom.”
“You know what’s not funny? When you never call your poor mother, knowing she wants to hear your voice.”
“Mom, you see me almost every day,” I grumble.
“Sometimes a mother needs to hear her favorite son’s voice over the phone, Blue.”
“Then maybe you should tell Cyan that,” I respond with a smirk.
“That’s cold. Keep it up and Cyan will be my favorite. I’ll even borrow one of his play toys to hit you over the head.”
“And I’m not talking that fancy riding crop he has that I use for a fly swat.”
“Mom—”
“Silly boy thinks I don’t know what it is. Same thing when I took his ball gag and told him Hamburger wanted to use it to play fetch. He bought it hook, line, and sinker.”
“Mom—”
“I swear sometimes you boys have cow patties for brains. You can fall for anything. You didn’t get that from my side of the family—”
“Mom, you’re taking time from my date with Doe.”
“You’re on a date with my girl?” she asks sounding like she just won the lottery.
“It’s not a date,” Meadow interjects—loud enough so Mom can hear.
“Hmm… have you kissed her?”
“I’m not having this conversation with you, Mom.”
“I got to go, Mom.”
“Of course, the church might catch on fire.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too. Blue! Pull her hair! You can be gentle and still take care of business, son.”
I hang up, closing my eyes for a second, before looking back up at Meadow.
The Lucas Brothers books share a common thread connecting them all…Ida Sue Lucas, their matriarch, the most entertaining and inspiring female (I want to be her when I grow up); she possesses an ironclad persistence— she’s outlandish, relentless, scandalous and the voice of reason amongst chaos, chaos she’s usually instrumental in creating.
Ida Sue decided it would be fun to name all of her sons after the colours in a box of crayons and her daughters after flowers and link those back to things she noticed when each of us was conceived. Ida Sue is … special. “I’m just happy that I was apparently created under a Magnolia tree. It could have been much worse. Don’t believe me? My youngest brother’s name is Cyan Bird Lucas. Cyan has gotten in numerous fights over that name, but just with the family. None of us would breathe the name around others when we were in school. He asked Mom once why she would name him that and she told him it was because, one night while she was nude moon bathing, a small swallow the colour of Cyan flew down on her boob.
He didn’t ask anything else after that!
Black and Blue are twins. Blue has always been the quieter, more restrained of the twins. Black is a jokester, a riot at times that rarely takes himself seriously and Blue? He’s wound up tightly, it’s surprising he can move, let alone get on that horse he loves riding. He’s stoic and rarely smiles.
Ida Sue isn’t shy on voicing her opinion “the thing about Blue, baby, is he’s slow—well, all of my children have proven to be really—except for Gray and he still almost screwed the pooch.”
Jansen is the only person Ida Sue allows to see her vulnerable, mostly she does things to make them crazed. She doesn’t show them how much they worry her. Ida Sue draws strength from her cowboy, Jansen, he is mostly the quiet type, as is Blue.
We get multiple points of view, Blue, Meadow, Ida Sue and Jansen, readers are given insight to Jansen’s background. He was previously married before Ida Sue and his first wife wanted children, he was unable to give her what she wanted. He was willing to adopt but she didn’t feel the same. Having her walk away left him distraught, worthless.
“Sweetheart, keeping Blue away from Adam doesn’t only hurt Blue, it hurts your son. You don’t want that.”
“Adam’s been crying for Blue. He loves him.”
“What if you let me take Adam home for the night? There’s no school tomorrow. Blue can take him fishing tomorrow, soothe over some of the hurt.”
“He’d like that. I’ll go and get him to pack an overnight bag—”
“You stay with the animals. I’ll get Adam and bring him back to say bye before we leave.”
“You sure? He will need—”
“Darlin’, I once had to take care of a whole box of crayons and a small flower garden while Lovey was recovering from surgery. I think I’m good.” (Ida Sue’s boys, the crayon gang - all named after a colour, her girls, all named after flowers).
It takes a long minute of confusion before I realize what he’s saying, and when I do, I laugh.
Ida Sue is a highly entertaining character, adding levity and humour to the storyline.
Blue Moon Lucas in contrast with the rest of his family, is a relatively quiet, reserved, broody cowboy, the strong, silent type. Many assume he’s a virgin, he’s simply particular. Blue and Meadow share a complex history, he lost his high school sweetheart, the only girl he’d ever loved over a decade ago because of his inability to navigate relationships, they had been too young, naïve and inexperienced to deal with it together.
Whatever they had, ended years ago. Wanting to sow his wild oats, explore his sexuality and experiment, he acted, changing the landscape of his life, and ended up hurting the one he loved the most.
Meadow loved Blue for as long as she can remember, but after all of the men in her life had failed her, she was left with feelings of inadequacy and instead laser-focuses on what she does best, taking care of her son, her mum and the animal shelter.
Ida Sue decides to put her matchmaking skills to good use:::
“I just came over to tell you that you have a date Saturday night.”
“Yep, around seven. I’d dress nice, honey.”
“Ida Sue, I don’t have a date—”
“You do. Parker is taking you out to that new steak house. I hear it’s really good, I’ve taken a silent role myself. I’m too old to be working every day. Besides, Jansen gets upset if I neglect him”.
“Ida Sue, why is Parker taking me out, and how do you know about it before me?”
“Well, because I called him, dear. I had to make sure that if Blue called him, he sounded sick”.
“Why is this whole conversation giving me a headache? Why would Parker need to sound sick?”
“Because I lied and told him Parker gave you a stomach bug when the two of you went out Saturday”.
“Parker and I are just friends. We haven’t even seen each other in almost two months.”
“I know, and that’s really disappointing. Parker’s a good catch, Meddie, dear.”
“He’s also in love with Faye. I’ve had enough of men who don’t see me as their first choice. It seems to have become the story of my life.”
“Of course, he is. You don’t think I’d fix you up with someone that might actually fall in love with you, do you?”
“You just said you were disappointed I hadn’t seen him in two months? Weren’t you trying to fix me up with him?”
Ida Sue laughs like I told the funniest joke ever. “Why would I do that when you’re in love with my son?”
“Blue and I are never going to be together. Whatever we had ended years ago.”
“Women are really good at twisting us up in knots, aren’t they, boy?”
“Doe’s not talking to me. She’s having my baby and doesn’t want to be in the same room with me. What in the hell am I supposed to do about that?”
“You could start by getting off your a*s and try talking to our girl instead of your damn dog.”
It shouldn’t surprise me that my mother is standing at the end of the hall, but it does just the same. I swear the woman is like a super ninja.
“She won’t talk to me, Mom. There’s not much I can do if she won’t let me.”
“I swear my boys have cotton balls between their ears instead of brains when it comes to women. Haven’t you learned anything from watching your brothers and sisters?” Mom asks, her hands on her hips—which incidentally is the universal warning sign that I should duck and cover.
I frown. “Well from Gray I learned not to make love in a sand trap where skunks might be lurking. Although, Mom, who really wants to make love in a sand trap? Some things are hard to shower out.”
“It got him his girl, didn’t it?”
“I’m not sure that’s exactly what made CC say I do.”
“Okay, what about White?”
“He knocked Kayla up. I think I achieved that. I’m pretty sure that’s why she’s avoiding me now, too.”
“God, you’re so dumb,” she huffs. “You make Gladys looks smart.”
“Gladys? You mean that horny chicken that was at Green’s—”
“I don’t remember much about the wedding,” I grumble.
“You don’t remember much about the wedding because you were in the playhouse with Meadow getting your monkey slapped”.
“Exactly. Now, try to use that sweet little brain of yours that I know the good Lord gave you and think again. What did your brothers do that you’re not doing?”
“Well, Gray and White are still mysteries to me.”
“Jesus, well, you have at least four more siblings. Keep going. Maybe it will hit you,” she mutters. “Over the head like a damn brick,” she adds, clearly not happy with me. At this point she needs to get in line.
“Well, Black locked Addie in the jail so she couldn’t get away. I mean, I’d be all for that, but not sure Luka would like me living there until I get Doe to listen to me.”
Mom doesn’t respond. She just frowns, indicating she’s annoyed with me. Message read loud and clear.
“Fine. So, Luka and Petal had sex in the squad car. Pretty sure handcuffs were involved, but I haven’t asked. I just know Luka’s penchant for using them. Bryant definitely used them on Maggie, but considering he was swinging his c*ck out for the world to see and chasing after Maggie, I’m pretty sure that backfired.”
“Hold on a minute,” Mom says, her voice tight. She pushes her coffee out of the way and drops her head down and hits it—although lightly—against the countertop. “God, help me. This stupidity had to come from his daddy’s side. That’s the only explanation I have,” she whines. Then, she goes back to hitting her head on the counter.
“Mom, stop before you give yourself a headache,” I chastise.
“Too late, Moonie. You’ve already done that, bucket head.”
“I think I prefer Moonie,” I answer with a sigh.
“I’d prefer a son who thinks with his brain instead of his wanger!”
“My what?”
“One of these days, your momma ain’t going to be around to clean out your ears and slap sense into you.”
“Mom—”
“But I’m going to spell it out for you one more time. A woman might want a man who knows how to handle business when it comes to sex, but there’s more to making a relationship work than that. Do you think Jan got me to marry him because he knows how to pull my hair and make me pray for mercy?”
“Christ, Mom!”
“Okay, that had a little to do with it, I’ll admit it.”
“Maybe we could have this conversation later—like a hundred years from now”.
“You pushed her away all those years ago, Blue.”
“I did not.”
“Horse feathers. You wanted to stick your nose where it didn’t belong.”
Blue confessed his love to her and two days later he said that they needed a break. His friends were exploring their sexuality, discussing things they’d done, rather than admit that he wanted to experiment, he made excuses and broke off their relationship.
“You just knew that if you told me you were dumping me to sleep with others—”
“I didn’t sleep with her! I was just there because Diana liked to be watched. Kevin wanted someone he could trust. I thought I could do it without betraying you”.
“You betrayed me when you made your choice about letting me go when you just volunteered to help Kevin”.
“We were apart before that, Doe. I didn’t do anything until then”.
“Yeah, two weeks. Two weeks where I cried my eyes out and you were volunteering for threesomes,” I snap.
“I never touched her.”
“I know, but the thing is… you might as well have”.
“I just don’t understand why I was public enemy number one, when I moved back, Blue. Why did you treat me like the bad guy? I mean, high school had been years ago.”
“Because I begged you to stay. Before you went through with the wedding, I begged you to stay with me”.
“There was more than me involved by then, besides, I didn’t trust you anymore. And after there was no Clark? Was there a reason I got nothing but your anger then?”
All these years, he’d thought he was been successful keeping his secrets hidden, not realising Diana would gloat about their bedroom games. Kevin had been worried about privacy, the last thing he’d expected was anyone to broadcast their business. He should have known Diana would relish Meadow finding out and lording it over her. He’d suspected it when Meadow brought up her name before, but he didn’t realise the full extent. Blue was delusional in expecting that he could simply keep his past buried from Meadow.
“Damn, is there a giant asteroid getting ready to pummel the earth and blow us to smithereens?” Mom asks over the phone.
“Mom—”
“Not it, hey? How about all your cows get tipped over and you can’t get them back on their feet?”
“Not funny, Mom.”
“You know what’s not funny? When you never call your poor mother, knowing she wants to hear your voice.”
“Mom, you see me almost every day,” I grumble.
“Sometimes a mother needs to hear her favorite son’s voice over the phone, Blue.”
“Then maybe you should tell Cyan that,” I respond with a smirk.
“That’s cold. Keep it up and Cyan will be my favorite. I’ll even borrow one of his play toys to hit you over the head.”
“And I’m not talking that fancy riding crop he has that I use for a fly swat.”
“Mom—”
“Silly boy thinks I don’t know what it is. Same thing when I took his ball gag and told him Hamburger wanted to use it to play fetch. He bought it hook, line, and sinker.”
“Mom—”
“I swear sometimes you boys have cow patties for brains. You can fall for anything. You didn’t get that from my side of the family—”
“Mom, you’re taking time from my date with Doe.”
“You’re on a date with my girl?” she asks sounding like she just won the lottery.
“It’s not a date,” Meadow interjects—loud enough so Mom can hear.
“Hmm… have you kissed her?”
“I’m not having this conversation with you, Mom.”
“I got to go, Mom.”
“Of course, the church might catch on fire.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too. Blue! Pull her hair! You can be gentle and still take care of business, son.”
I hang up, closing my eyes for a second, before looking back up at Meadow.
The Lucas Brothers books share a common thread connecting them all…Ida Sue Lucas, their matriarch, the most entertaining and inspiring female (I want to be her when I grow up); she possesses an ironclad persistence— she’s outlandish, relentless, scandalous and the voice of reason amongst chaos, chaos she’s usually instrumental in creating.
Ida Sue decided it would be fun to name all of her sons after the colours in a box of crayons and her daughters after flowers and link those back to things she noticed when each of us was conceived. Ida Sue is … special. “I’m just happy that I was apparently created under a Magnolia tree. It could have been much worse. Don’t believe me? My youngest brother’s name is Cyan Bird Lucas. Cyan has gotten in numerous fights over that name, but just with the family. None of us would breathe the name around others when we were in school. He asked Mom once why she would name him that and she told him it was because, one night while she was nude moon bathing, a small swallow the colour of Cyan flew down on her boob.
He didn’t ask anything else after that!
Black and Blue are twins. Blue has always been the quieter, more restrained of the twins. Black is a jokester, a riot at times that rarely takes himself seriously and Blue? He’s wound up tightly, it’s surprising he can move, let alone get on that horse he loves riding. He’s stoic and rarely smiles.
Ida Sue isn’t shy on voicing her opinion “the thing about Blue, baby, is he’s slow—well, all of my children have proven to be really—except for Gray and he still almost screwed the pooch.”
Jansen is the only person Ida Sue allows to see her vulnerable, mostly she does things to make them crazed. She doesn’t show them how much they worry her. Ida Sue draws strength from her cowboy, Jansen, he is mostly the quiet type, as is Blue.
We get multiple points of view, Blue, Meadow, Ida Sue and Jansen, readers are given insight to Jansen’s background. He was previously married before Ida Sue and his first wife wanted children, he was unable to give her what she wanted. He was willing to adopt but she didn’t feel the same. Having her walk away left him distraught, worthless.
“Sweetheart, keeping Blue away from Adam doesn’t only hurt Blue, it hurts your son. You don’t want that.”
“Adam’s been crying for Blue. He loves him.”
“What if you let me take Adam home for the night? There’s no school tomorrow. Blue can take him fishing tomorrow, soothe over some of the hurt.”
“He’d like that. I’ll go and get him to pack an overnight bag—”
“You stay with the animals. I’ll get Adam and bring him back to say bye before we leave.”
“You sure? He will need—”
“Darlin’, I once had to take care of a whole box of crayons and a small flower garden while Lovey was recovering from surgery. I think I’m good.” (Ida Sue’s boys, the crayon gang - all named after a colour, her girls, all named after flowers).
It takes a long minute of confusion before I realize what he’s saying, and when I do, I laugh.
Ida Sue is a highly entertaining character, adding levity and humour to the storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2022
Wow!! Just wow. I feel like we have waited forever for Blue and Meadows book, and it was so, so worth it!!! This book is amazing, awesome, fantastic. So awesome.
February 17, 2022
There's nothing better than a Lucas Brother
Blue and Meadow have a complicated past. One where they were together and loved each other, but were also really young. They started their relationship in 3rd grade, of course it was innocent and sweet then. It evolved into more as they got into their teens and high school. But both made decisions that would haunt them for a decade.
When Meadow moves back to town to take care of her sick mother lots of feelings are stirred up. Her's and Blue's. The problem is the feelings on her part are resignation, regret, fear, and love. The feelings on his part appear to be hate, hate and more hate.
But things are rarely as they appear and one night after a wedding their decision to express feelings of love and loathing comes back to bite them both in the butt. How, you ask? Well, I can't tell you :) Ok, I COULD tell you ... but I'm not gonna ... you'll have to read the book to find out what happened, how it happened, how it changes both Blue and Meadow, and if they'll get their happy ending.
Jordan Marie, as with all the Lucas brothers books, has combined heat, humor and heart and come out with a winner. I really loved this book and the wait was SOOOOOOOO worth it. Seriously, I love this family so darn much I could easily stay in their world for ages and ages and not get bored. They are wonderfully flawed and human and loveable and sometimes you just wanna smack 'em and Ida Sue ... good grief that woman and her meddling. Sound like a fun family? OF COURSE THEY DO, because they're awesome.
The world and character building is fantastic and the characters especially come to life so much you'd swear they have to be real people walking around somewhere. Pick up this work and you won't regret it. You'll laugh, cry, be mad, and ultimately end up with a happy heart. Enjoy.
Blue and Meadow have a complicated past. One where they were together and loved each other, but were also really young. They started their relationship in 3rd grade, of course it was innocent and sweet then. It evolved into more as they got into their teens and high school. But both made decisions that would haunt them for a decade.
When Meadow moves back to town to take care of her sick mother lots of feelings are stirred up. Her's and Blue's. The problem is the feelings on her part are resignation, regret, fear, and love. The feelings on his part appear to be hate, hate and more hate.
But things are rarely as they appear and one night after a wedding their decision to express feelings of love and loathing comes back to bite them both in the butt. How, you ask? Well, I can't tell you :) Ok, I COULD tell you ... but I'm not gonna ... you'll have to read the book to find out what happened, how it happened, how it changes both Blue and Meadow, and if they'll get their happy ending.
Jordan Marie, as with all the Lucas brothers books, has combined heat, humor and heart and come out with a winner. I really loved this book and the wait was SOOOOOOOO worth it. Seriously, I love this family so darn much I could easily stay in their world for ages and ages and not get bored. They are wonderfully flawed and human and loveable and sometimes you just wanna smack 'em and Ida Sue ... good grief that woman and her meddling. Sound like a fun family? OF COURSE THEY DO, because they're awesome.
The world and character building is fantastic and the characters especially come to life so much you'd swear they have to be real people walking around somewhere. Pick up this work and you won't regret it. You'll laugh, cry, be mad, and ultimately end up with a happy heart. Enjoy.
April 23, 2022
Well Feck that was a let down!
Lets start on the positives before we hit on the negatives shall we. Positive... The Lucas clan, Ida Sue especially. Revisit and catch up on OG couples. Finally Blue and Meadows story! Negatives and sadly they out weighed the positives imo only!....Blue and Meadows lack of communication, Blue being a mean, honery cowboy to Meadow since she moved back, Meadows walls and insecurities, Boy did she have a lot( justifiably but still not something that you want to read pretty much the whole book). This story didn't have the fun, sexy, light hearted feel like the other reads. It felt more somber and forced at times. Definitely not the sexy, fun loving Lucas books from the past! Also because Blue had been such an @$$ to Meadow for so long I wasn't even super stoked to read their story! Throw in this actual storyline and I'm just sad! I get excited when there's a new Jordan Marie book out and jump for joy if its the Lucas Brothers series. However I'm neither excited or jumping after reading this book. I actually finished this book a couple days ago but because I wanted to let what I read sink in, percolate around my emotions and brain as to why I didn't enjoy this book?!? Welp I'm writing my review and my thoughts and emotions on this book didn't change in the positive direction for doing it. I still love Jordan Marie, I think she's an amazing author! However this book won't make my re-read shelf! I implore you to read this series just maybe skip Blues!😢😳😭 what happened?!?
Bring me my fun, loving, crazy family and especially Ida sue back please! Free with k.u.
Lets start on the positives before we hit on the negatives shall we. Positive... The Lucas clan, Ida Sue especially. Revisit and catch up on OG couples. Finally Blue and Meadows story! Negatives and sadly they out weighed the positives imo only!....Blue and Meadows lack of communication, Blue being a mean, honery cowboy to Meadow since she moved back, Meadows walls and insecurities, Boy did she have a lot( justifiably but still not something that you want to read pretty much the whole book). This story didn't have the fun, sexy, light hearted feel like the other reads. It felt more somber and forced at times. Definitely not the sexy, fun loving Lucas books from the past! Also because Blue had been such an @$$ to Meadow for so long I wasn't even super stoked to read their story! Throw in this actual storyline and I'm just sad! I get excited when there's a new Jordan Marie book out and jump for joy if its the Lucas Brothers series. However I'm neither excited or jumping after reading this book. I actually finished this book a couple days ago but because I wanted to let what I read sink in, percolate around my emotions and brain as to why I didn't enjoy this book?!? Welp I'm writing my review and my thoughts and emotions on this book didn't change in the positive direction for doing it. I still love Jordan Marie, I think she's an amazing author! However this book won't make my re-read shelf! I implore you to read this series just maybe skip Blues!😢😳😭 what happened?!?
Bring me my fun, loving, crazy family and especially Ida sue back please! Free with k.u.
March 6, 2022
This is probably my least favorite Lucas brother book. I didn't like Blue 's personality and I certainly didn't like the first chapter it felt a bit too forceful the way he was with her I know it's just a story but it made me uncomfortable.
The saving grace was his change afterwards and Ida Sue, I love his mum she never fails to crack me up this by far is the best character created by this author. Her antics and her words are sure to make you laugh uncontrollably.
I love the Lucas family as a whole they are perfectly broken each in their own way but they're fighters like their mum.
I'm looking forward to Mary's book I wish the wait wasn't that long between the books.
The saving grace was his change afterwards and Ida Sue, I love his mum she never fails to crack me up this by far is the best character created by this author. Her antics and her words are sure to make you laugh uncontrollably.
I love the Lucas family as a whole they are perfectly broken each in their own way but they're fighters like their mum.
I'm looking forward to Mary's book I wish the wait wasn't that long between the books.
February 8, 2022
I’m at a complete loss on how to express my love for Blue and Meadow’s story. Not to sound cliché, but it was more than worth the wait.
As always, Marie weaves a story teeming with love and laughter, and interwoven throughout every page is heartbreak and healing.
Meadow had been let down time and again by people who claimed to love her, so she built a wall around her heart, but when it came to Blue, she encased her heart in cement. After all, he had been her greatest heartbreak. Meadow was a sassy and sweet nurturer who I adored.
Blue is quiet, which contrasts with the rest of the Lucas family. I fell madly in love with him because he was this quiet, broody cowboy, and holy swoon, right? Emotions poured out of him; he felt them deeply, and they flowed right out of him, searing your heart over and over.
Blue and Meadow's connection in the previous books was only a sliver of the fire that burns between them. The tension between them has the potential to ignite the world around them, but their past appears to be trying to extinguish it at every turn.
For years, I had invested my emotions in Blue and Meadow, but nothing could have prepared me for the tears that would flow while reading their story. The pain of the past weighed heavily on both of their hearts, and it was felt with every moment that it ate away at their chances of happiness. Not all of the tears were shed because of sadness; some were shed as a result of a parent's unconditional love.
With each book, Marie instills the love of this family in the hearts of her readers. When you first open it, you feel as if you're immersed in a world that you completely identify with, and with each page, your heart becomes lighter than it was at the start. Jansen has once again stolen a piece of the show, his love for Ida Sue and their children touching the deepest part of you. He was born to be their father; every time he speaks, his tone has a "dad vibe," and as someone who can no longer have that in real life, Jansen gave me a taste of what my soul craved.
Cowboy Up personified the adage "it's worth the wait." A riveting blend of explosive chemistry, a broody cowboy, and a sweet heroine, brimming with emotions, steam, and Ida Sue antics that will have you laughing out loud, all surrounded by a fictional family abounding in love.
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As always, Marie weaves a story teeming with love and laughter, and interwoven throughout every page is heartbreak and healing.
Meadow had been let down time and again by people who claimed to love her, so she built a wall around her heart, but when it came to Blue, she encased her heart in cement. After all, he had been her greatest heartbreak. Meadow was a sassy and sweet nurturer who I adored.
Blue is quiet, which contrasts with the rest of the Lucas family. I fell madly in love with him because he was this quiet, broody cowboy, and holy swoon, right? Emotions poured out of him; he felt them deeply, and they flowed right out of him, searing your heart over and over.
Blue and Meadow's connection in the previous books was only a sliver of the fire that burns between them. The tension between them has the potential to ignite the world around them, but their past appears to be trying to extinguish it at every turn.
For years, I had invested my emotions in Blue and Meadow, but nothing could have prepared me for the tears that would flow while reading their story. The pain of the past weighed heavily on both of their hearts, and it was felt with every moment that it ate away at their chances of happiness. Not all of the tears were shed because of sadness; some were shed as a result of a parent's unconditional love.
With each book, Marie instills the love of this family in the hearts of her readers. When you first open it, you feel as if you're immersed in a world that you completely identify with, and with each page, your heart becomes lighter than it was at the start. Jansen has once again stolen a piece of the show, his love for Ida Sue and their children touching the deepest part of you. He was born to be their father; every time he speaks, his tone has a "dad vibe," and as someone who can no longer have that in real life, Jansen gave me a taste of what my soul craved.
Cowboy Up personified the adage "it's worth the wait." A riveting blend of explosive chemistry, a broody cowboy, and a sweet heroine, brimming with emotions, steam, and Ida Sue antics that will have you laughing out loud, all surrounded by a fictional family abounding in love.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
February 14, 2022
Ooooh I have been waiting what seems like forever for Blue’s book. Every time I thought he was coming a different Lucas would invade the author’s head and so Blue just had to wait. But as the saying goes all good things comes to she who waits and this saying really does apply here. Blue’s story was awesome!! There is so much depth to Blue’s character and sometimes you just want to put your cow girl boot up his butt!!
Blue is the strong, silent, brooding Lucas brother and it would appear to be with good reason. While all his brothers are finding love, Blue is standing on the side silently cursing the woman that got away.
Meadow did not have an easy life. She was Blue’s high school sweetheart but apparently they don’t’ always work out and now Blue acts like he hates Meadow with a fiery passion. Now Meadow has been back I n Mason for a couple of years to look after her Mum’s poor health. She and her son are all Meadow has since she lost her husband. Blue has never left her head or her heart. Meadow is no a woman with crippling self-esteem issues and a sever lack of trust when it comes to the opposite sex.
A quickie with Blue at Ida Sue and Jansen’s wedding has left Meadow with a lot more than she bargained for. While Blue thought this would be the perfect way to finally clear his head of Meadow, it just makes things ten times worse. He wants her back, but there are things I his past that Blue wants to keep hidden. Has Blue done too much damage to Meadow that she won’t even consider to give him a second chance?
Both these character are living too much in their own heads and dredging up the past to hurt the other. They both need to Cowboy up (Jansen’s advice) and decide if what they could have is worth fighting for.
As with all the Lucas boys Ida Sue is there to give her 2 cents as well and light a fire under them. Some of her sayings and the way she carries on with them just simply have me on the floor laughing. The woman has literally no filter, it is comedic genius. We also get to see Jansen doing the Dad thing. With Blue being the younger side of the Lucas’ it is no surprise that he sees Jansen as his Dad. He is also the Lucas who is most like Jansen in character and Jansen has a special spot for Blue.
Can’t wait for the next book, always a pleasure to read the Lucas clan. Cowboy Up Y’all YEE HAW!!!💙
Blue is the strong, silent, brooding Lucas brother and it would appear to be with good reason. While all his brothers are finding love, Blue is standing on the side silently cursing the woman that got away.
Meadow did not have an easy life. She was Blue’s high school sweetheart but apparently they don’t’ always work out and now Blue acts like he hates Meadow with a fiery passion. Now Meadow has been back I n Mason for a couple of years to look after her Mum’s poor health. She and her son are all Meadow has since she lost her husband. Blue has never left her head or her heart. Meadow is no a woman with crippling self-esteem issues and a sever lack of trust when it comes to the opposite sex.
A quickie with Blue at Ida Sue and Jansen’s wedding has left Meadow with a lot more than she bargained for. While Blue thought this would be the perfect way to finally clear his head of Meadow, it just makes things ten times worse. He wants her back, but there are things I his past that Blue wants to keep hidden. Has Blue done too much damage to Meadow that she won’t even consider to give him a second chance?
Both these character are living too much in their own heads and dredging up the past to hurt the other. They both need to Cowboy up (Jansen’s advice) and decide if what they could have is worth fighting for.
As with all the Lucas boys Ida Sue is there to give her 2 cents as well and light a fire under them. Some of her sayings and the way she carries on with them just simply have me on the floor laughing. The woman has literally no filter, it is comedic genius. We also get to see Jansen doing the Dad thing. With Blue being the younger side of the Lucas’ it is no surprise that he sees Jansen as his Dad. He is also the Lucas who is most like Jansen in character and Jansen has a special spot for Blue.
Can’t wait for the next book, always a pleasure to read the Lucas clan. Cowboy Up Y’all YEE HAW!!!💙
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