Review: Fire in You by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Wait For You Book #6
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 378
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Gift for Christmas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self-Published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Jillian Lima’s whole world was destroyed in a span of a few hours. The same night her childhood love, Brock ‘the Beast’ Mitchell, broke her heart, her life was irrevocably altered by the hand of a stranger with a gun. It takes six years to slowly glue together the shattered pieces of her life, but Jillian is finally ready to stop existing in a past full of pain and regret. She takes a job at her father’s martial arts Academy and she’s going out on her first date since a failed relationship that was more yuck than yum. Jillian is determined to start living.

She just never expected Brock to be a part of her life again. But he’s firmly back in her life before she knows it, and not only is he older, he’s impossibly more handsome, more teasing and more everything. And when he sees Jillian, he’s no longer capable of thinking of her as the little girl who was his shadow growing up or the daughter of the man who gave him a second chance at life. He sees the woman who’d always been there for him, the one person who believed in him no matter what.

Brock knows she’s the one he should’ve made his, and what begins as a tentative friendship quickly turns to red-hot chemistry that sparks a flame that burns brighter than lust. Falling for Brock again risks more than her heart, because when the past sorrow-filled and guilt-ridden past resurfaces, and a web of lies threatens to rip them apart, the fallout could lay waste to everything they’ve fought to build together, and destroy the dreams of those they care most about.

Review

Starting reviews is like the hardest thing in the world for me. But you gotta start somewhere.

After I started reading this, I realized I never read the synopsis. Going in I knew this was about Brock and Jillian, but that's it. And I'm kind of happy about that. I think that made me enjoy it more.

Now, at it's core, this is an unrequited love story which I'm not a fan of. Overall, I enjoyed their story, but I still don't fully buy it. I don't believe in these kinds of lover stories so it doens't really have to do with the writing. It probably doesn't help that Brock is her boss. He never pressured her, but the potential power-dynamic issues are always in the back of my  mind.

Jillian was a good character and narrator. She's a pretty typically JLA heroine-loves to read, pop culture references, etc. That doesn't bother me at all. And she has a great support-system of family and friends.

Speaking of friends, it was great to see all the couples from the earlier books. A lot of time has passed so things have changed. And Katie. I still want more about her, but after this one I feel like I never will get that.

The first book in this weries is still my favorite, but the rest are enjoyable. This felt a lot like a closing of the series, but I don't know if it is. If you do let me know.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Stay With Me by J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Series: Wait for You (Book 3)

Format: Paperback
Pages: 448
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

               

                This book is big for New Adult/contemporary book. But, of course, Ms. Armentrout delivers. I don’t remember Calla from the previous book, but I liked reading from her POV. Jax was also an interesting character. I gave this 4 Stars which I think I gave Be With Me. However, I like this more than that book.

                First, I’ll talk about some things I didn’t like. There was some repetition of dialogue. Jax and Calla would have some of the same conversations on the same word choice would be used. I’m sure the fact that I read this in one day didn’t help this. Also Calla would be childish sometimes. Her past partially explains her behavior, but it’s still a personality trait that bothers me.

                This didn’t bother me, but it might upset some people: there’s a lot of swearing. I grew up in a family that swears so it’s fairly normal for me. Honestly I get more upset when a character doesn’t swear and it feels like the dialogue seems to demand than swearing. And Ms. Armentrout doesn’t use it too much. The characters swear in a natural way, but I felt like I should mention it since that kind of language turns some people off.

                Now onto thins I enjoyed.

                Like I said earlier I liked Calla’s voice. Since the book is in first person her voice sets the tone. Because of her dramatic  past she could be moody and dark, but she’s actually funny and keeps the story from being super angsty.

                Jax and Calla’s relationship also developed well. Romance is always going to be faster in a book than real life because that’s the nature of the medium, however the pacing her is great. So many New Adult books (I’m looking at you Foreplay), escalate crazy fast.

                And Jax is a great guy. He definitely reminds me of Cam from Wait For You, but is his own character. He’s strong and will fight like an alpha male but can be super sweet and kind.  Plus, a sexy bartender always make a good male hero.

                Then, there’s the fact that Calla has a lot of scars. I think I’ve mentioned this a lot lately, but I love reading about characters with physical and mental deformities/disabilities. There are millions of people like that in the world and they should have stories, too. And I definitely like reading about women like that. Having a scar or scars doesn’t mean you aren’t beautiful or can’t be loved.

                If you’ve read the other books in the series you’ll also love seeing the couples. Considering this book doesn’t take place primarily on the college campus they show up a lot.

                And I can’t wait for the next book. It’s about two characters introduced in this book and I’m dying to know more about them and their story. 

~Thanks for reading!

Holly