I like reading contemporary romance when I fall into reading slumps. It helps me kind of "reset" in a way. A nice, somewhat fluffy, read.

I was expecting more of a "cut and dry" romance book, strangers meet, lust after each other for a while, then "fall in love".
These people weren't strangers, they've known each other for nearly a decade. And where already mostly in love with each other at the start of the book. It just took a tragedy for them to realize it, and this book made me cry. Something that hasn't happened in a while. It was actually kind of nice being emotionally affected by a book.

copy received through Netgalley for honest review
I was a little slow to get into this story. It took me a minute to warm up to Ava. She was kind of judgmental with Dax. When he was mourning, she was very hard. When he expressed his feelings, she doubted him. I can understand her doubts, but her thinking he couldn' change didn't sit well with me. After all, she changed. I didn't really like her until about midway through the book.She and her daughter, Olivia have settled in and are part of Dax's family. Dax was the bad boy, womanizer with a aversion to committing. He and Ava have been dancing around their mutual attraction for years. when things change, he is all in and Ava is hesitant. He romances her, pulls her outside her comfort zone and bulldozes his way to her heart. I liked the characters. Olivia is the winner for me. She was adorable. The story was a little slow in some places. But you do get a range of emotions and excitement throughout. Good start to the series.

I have to admit at first I wasn't sure I was going to like the book. Dax was more of an ass and player than a bad boy at the start. I didn't really connect with Ava at first either. Mainly it was Olivia and her love of the firehouse and working on Charlie with Rowdy. I kept reading and Dax evened out. The book moved at a steady pace. Stone has me wondering about his story. I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

There's something about books that I can read in one sitting that always leaves me feeling great, like I accomplished a feat. Dax is what I'd term your contemporary romance. Dax is a mechanic and volunteer firefighter. He's always wanted Ava, but she's got him at arms length and when tragedy strikes, the two find that they only have each other to lean on. The chemistry between the two did not stand out as such, but this was compensated by Olivia, Ava's daughter who is adorable and you cannot help but love how she knows so much about cars.
I received a copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
I'd recommend this to those who love contemporary romance and a good story flow.

Really good romance with characters that could make you cry or scream at them.
Dax is a man that has a lot of secrets and opinion of a womanizer. He is a son of Rowdy that took care of Ava and her daughter Olivia. When something happens he feels devastated. And what will happen when he started seeing Ava in other light. Will he manage to prove himself to her?
Ava young mother of Olivia. She was taken by Rawdy he was like family to both of them. She has a past that she doesn't want to think about, but will she manage to start trusting Dax? What will happen when her walls will fall and she would decide to trust Dax in the end?
Really good book with great characters that kept me on the edge all the time!

I really enjoyed this story, the characters were real and relatable rather than perfect and the storyline was engaging and hooks you right from the start. This was my first book by Shannyn Leah but it won’t be my last thats for sure!

*I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Not the greatest romance out there.

Dax starts off as a total asshole. He really is. It makes it difficult to like him even when he changes later on in the book. I feel like the beginning is just a bit disconnected from the rest of the book. Once a major event happens he turns into a different person. It was strange, but since his original personality had me wanting to put down the book, I could handle it.

My favorite character is Olivia, the little girl. She isn't into princesses, but cars and still wears pink! It is nice to see this.

The romance was okay. There are obstacles and different feelings in between the characters, but these challenges seem to disappear with little struggle or mention. So.... I don't understand how the characters' thinking changed or why since things just.... happened.

The ending conflict was, I don't want to say anticlimatic, but I feel much the same way about it as I do the romance. Things happen and there is a lot of initial distress, but then... * shrugs *

But, I'm a sucker for children in books, so those scenes were some of the best. The sweetness offset some of the lackluster scenes for me. This is a nice light read, but I probably won't return to the series.

ARC Provided by NetGalley.

5 amazing stars!!

First off I absolutely LOVED this book. I won’t lie I had some issues with it. Not anything bad. Just some things hit VERY close to home. I loved Dax. I want MORE so much more. All the characters in this book were so like and loveable. This was my first book from this author and I have to admit I won’t be my last. I’ve even connected with her and she is the sweetest lady. Love when an author likes to get to know and is amaze balls with her readers. Check this book out ASAP!!!

DAX is my first read by Shannyn Leah and a great introduction to her new series Bad Boys of Willow Valley.

Dax is a character that you have to get to know before you pass judgement. He starts off as an annoying, opinionated jerk, but the reasons for his resistance to any sort of relationship soon become apparent.

Ava has her own issues and insecurities, but manages to still be likable and her daughter Olivia is a breath of fresh air. Struggling to fight their undeniable attraction becomes the norm for Ava and Dax and the storyline that creates is engaging and enjoyable.

I look forward to the next instalment and more from Ms Leah’s dysfunctional characters.

4.5 Stars Dax is my first read by author Shannyn Leah and wow what an introduction. I really enjoyed Dax, He and Ava were well suited characters in a well-developed storyline. I will definitely be reading more by this author and recommending this book to readers

Unfortunately I just could not connect with this book. It felt like we were thrown in the the middle of a plot, at the beginning of the book and expected to understand their attraction to one another. Maybe if we got more details on their first interactions it would have come across better. It seemed like we were supposed to know Dax and Ava before hand. I really didn't feel the chemistry between the two, at times it just felt flat.

What a fantastic way to start a new series. This will pull all your heartstrings and make you fall in love with both Ava and Dax. And when tragedy hits it becomes a will they won’t they be there for each other? To find out what happens you will have to pick up your copy and I recommend doing that straight away as this book will pull you in and won’t let go till the very last word. Just a heads up to have a box of tissues on standby as you will tear up a bit at times. Shannyn Leah really deserves more than the 5 stars will can give her as this story is phenomenal and boy does she know how to write such a story it will have all your emotions on the go. Just epic!!!