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Synopsis

He didn’t want to be bad. He just didn’t have a choice…

Shayla Perkins isn’t the kind of girl who makes the same mistake twice, especially when it comes to Sean “Stitch” Molina. So when he gives her the world’s biggest rejection, that’s it– she’s done. Until the sexy, silent, unavailable Sean makes Shay a very personal offer. Of course, it still doesn’t mean he’s interested in her. Or does it?

Sean has done things in life. Bad things. And he’s paid the price. All he wants now is to make up for his past by doing good in the present. And no one deserves more good than Shay. Beautiful on the inside and out, Shay is the kind of woman who should be cared for and protected– especially from a man like Sean. He’s tried to keep his feelings for her in check, but a single, reckless impulse pulls them closer than ever before.

Soon the two are sharing their biggest dreams and satisfying their deepest desires. But what will happen if the only way to truly give each other what they want most…is to let each other go?

 

 

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Review

4 stars!

The third book in the Dirty Deeds series, I have been really excited for this one, as we finally get to learn about the quiet, mysterious broody man in the kitchen at Whitecaps Restaurant, Sean ‘Stitch’ Molina. But I wasn’t expecting it to be such a dramatic, emotional journey. With a tortured hero, a strong heroine and a slow-burning, functional romance, this book is sweet and heartfelt, sexy, intense and beautifully written, and I loved it!

A broody, tortured alpha, we are given a glimpse into Sean’s past with the prologue, giving us a hint of his hellish childhood, and why he is so closed off to pretty much everything. There has been some chemistry between him and waitress, Shayla, in the past, and an almost-friendship where Shayla would chatter away about her life and Stitch would listen intensely; but he brutally blew her off when he realised that she deserved better and she has kept her distance from him for the past few months, leaving them both feeling bereft at their lack of contact. But when Sean sees Shayla in trouble, he can’t just stand by, so he jumps in to save her, bringing them back into each other’s lives in a big way, and once there, neither of them are able to let go again.

OMG, this is SUCH a gorgeous story! Sean is so incredibly tortured. He’s been through hell, and he accepts his role in the bad that he’s been through, but he’s working hard to turn his life around and create something good; and Shayla turns out to be his biggest champion. She’s perky and feisty, and incredibly driven, she’s going through her own stuff, but she’s on the path to fulfilling her dreams, and as the two of them grow close and Sean begins to open up to Shayla, she is determined to help him achieve his.

“I want you to have all the love in the world, Sean. You deserve that. And I won’t stop until you get it.”

Sean’s demons run deep, and his is continuously tormented by all he’s been through and by the harsh words of those who were supposed to love him. My heart ached for how deeply it all still impacted him, and his confusion over Shayla’s obvious dedication to him is gut-wrenching!

“You need to quit lookin’ at me like I’m worth lookin’ at. I’m not. I’m nobody. I’m nothin’ to nobody. A fuckin’ fuckup. Tell me to leave.”

But Shayla supports him 100%, and OMG, I wanted to cheer for her! Her strength in dealing with Sean and his issues was absolutely amazing, as was her commitment to helping him move forward with his life, and I just loved her! And while Sean comes to trust Shayla, truly letting his vulnerabilities show, we get to see just how damaged he is, making us love him even more, but it also allows Shayla to shine as she stands by her man, taking his back and determinedly being there for him and dragging him from darkness into the light.

“Babe, what the fuck?” I looked into Shayla’s eyes. “You automatically go into attack mode for me? Why?”
“I don’t know any other way to be. Not about you. I can’t help it.”
My chest expanded with a breath.
Fuck me.

The love story is a slow burn as there are lots of issues that need to be overcome before they can go there, but it’s right. The timing is perfect, the depth of emotion is beautiful, and I felt it as they worked their way to where they both wanted to be.

“I wanna be yours,” I panted, watching her eyes dilate and blink wider as she took in what I was saying.  “You at my back, stickin’ up for me, and there when I’m fuckin’ terrified…I wanna go to you and I want you tellin’ me I can.  I wanna be yours, Shayla.”

And the sexy time! Holy hell this book is so freaking hot. The passion between Sean and Shalya is absolutely combustible, their connection is undeniable and it creates even more intensity to their romance.

“You deserve love and kindness because you put out those things, Sean. You deserve to feel wanted. I want you. I want you so much. Let yourself feel that.”

I loved the inclusion of both of their families, and thought that they added SO much to the story. It allowed us to see a different side to the characters, which added a lot of depth, and provided an additional emotional aspect which I really loved.

And it’s all so functional! Yes, there are issues for them to go through and it would have been so easy for there to be stupid drama, and though they have ups and downs, it was all handled sensibly and functionally, and I loved the way it all played out.

“Am I yours?”
I nodded immediately.
“You love me?”
My shoulders dropped. “Oh, my God, you have no idea,” I cried.

“I am so fuckin’ insane for you, you know that?”

I really loved this book it was emotional, unexpected and beautifully swoony, and finishes in a great place. I can’t wait for Nate’s book up next!

4 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

Dirty Deeds series

 

 

 

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About the Author

J. Daniels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Sweet Addiction series and the Alabama Summer series.

She would rather bake than cook, she listens to music entirely too loud, and loves writing stories her children will never read. Her husband and children are her greatest loves, with cupcakes coming in at a close second.

J grew up in Baltimore and resides in Maryland with her family.

 

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