Justified was an alright read. The animosity between Aspen and Case mixed in with Case helping Aspen, throw in the suspense and romance brewing and it was intriguing for sure. Seeing how it would all play out was fascinating. Both the characters of Aspen and Case had their perfection and their flaws. The push-and-pull between the two did keep the story going for me. I also liked the family aspect when it came to Case and his siblings. Though I wasn’t completely in love with the story, it was still an okay read for me. I am intrigued by another possible couple and the mystery revealed at the end. Overall, a book mixed with romance and suspense that will keep you reading.

The Lawton family is known for being crooked and Case is breaking that cycle by taking his fathers place as Sheriff and really taking care of things the right way. Then he's called in for a break in at Aspen Barlow's law office. He would like nothing to do with her after she took part in having his son taken away in a custody battle a while ago. After a couple mishaps its clear someone is trying to take her out and now Aspen is under the care of Case they can find out who is behind everything and why.

If you like a good mystery then you'll like this book. I loved that there was so much going on with this book to keep me hooked. I loved seeing how everything in this book played out. I loved seeing that attraction that was forming between the two and there was plenty of steam going on between those two! I loved seeing how they worked on solving the case, and just seeing everything play out. Plus that ending! With how it turned out I need to start keeping my eye out for this author. Also it wasn't until I read the authors note apparently this is apart of a whole larger thing along with being the start of a branch off. Going to have to do some research and see what I can get ahold of because I'm curious enough after reading this. Overall great book I really enjoyed it!

First time reading a story by JC and I am hooked. I want more...more Loveless, more of these characters and more of JC’s writing. I found the story, community, emotions and dialogue engaging and loved being on the journey from start to end. The introduction and buildup of the sister and Texas Ranger has me excited for the future of this series as well...and that ending phewww I can’t wait to see what it brings!

Thank you NetGalley, Forever and Jay Crownover for the chance to read this book and share my opinion!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Author Jay Crownover.
Justified was good at making my emotions be all over the place. I enjoy books that pull you in.
Case and Aspen will take you from love, to hate, to angst to crying, and to being happy that they finally get there lives pulled together within themselves as well as with each other.
I liked the setup of this series and the strong emotions it gave me as I read.
Pick up this book!
4.5 🍒🍒🍒🍒popped!

Loveless Texas #1, The first full length story, if you haven't read the prequel novella that's fine it's not required. Case Lawton was the golden boy in high school, but then his mother died, he got injured, lost his scholarship, and his girlfriend got pregnant. He joined the military and when he came back he became a Sheriff's Deputy and everyone just assumed he would follow in his father's footsteps. But everyone was wrong working under his abusive, prejudice, I-going-to-use-the-law-in-my-favor father gave Case the ammunition he needed to get his father out of the Sheriff's office and get elected himself and then he cleaned house.

Aspen Barlow always felt like she was the outsider, not having been born in Loveless and being different made her even more of an outcast. Only one person made her feel special in school, Case, he made a point to welcome her and include her in events she ended up falling in love with him. She watched as his life derailed but she never lost faith that he was a better man than his father. In order to protect Case and his son she made an enemy out of the man she once love and represented his wife in the divorce. Eight years later he is still holding a grudge but when he gets called to a break in at her office everything changes.

I loved this book! Being so new to Jay Crownover I haven't read any of the other books in which Case ties into but that's fine I really wasn't missing anything, except now I want to go and read more of her books. Told in duel first person POV you get both sides of the story and that really makes you want to smack Case at different points in the book because he basically made Aspen his scapegoat and when she finally calls him on it you want to pump your fist in the air and cheer her on. I got very attached to the characters, they felt so real and I am really looking forward to Kody's book!! I loved the pacing of the book and it was well balanced of emotional and suspense with just a smidge of humor, usually Kody. Overall, this book has definitely won me over, I am now a fan of Jay Crownover and I can't wait for my next fix.

I've been reading Jay's work for several years now. It's been amazing to watch her grow as a writer. When she announced that she was publishing a Western novel, I was over the moon. I don't usually read western romance novels. However, when she published The Getaway series, I WAS IN LOVE! She did such an amazing job on that series!! It was soooo good y'all! So I gave this western a shot and was NOT disappointed at all.

This book has a duel POV. Aspen is a super likeable character. At the beginning of the book we really get to see how much of a soft spot she has for Case Lawton. Case is a big time football star with huge dreams after high school. When Aspen was the new girl in town, Case takes the time to be kind to her.

Well, high school is over now and the real world problems have set in. I love the tension between Case and Aspen. You can just feel the heat ready to boil over. Aspen has been holding in all these feelings for Case since they were younger. She has been trying to secretly help him keep the thing that is most important to him. Plus, she has to save face for the sake of her job. She's trying to get through a nasty divorce, deal with starting her own firm and try to deal with someone literally stalking her and trying to end her life.
Case is trying not to follow in the footsteps of his father and hold what little of his life he has left together. He's trying to raise his son and be the sheriff at the same time. His broody and kinda moody too. Also, he's trying to keep Aspen (his nemesis) safe from harm. The chemistry between this is so hot! Ahh, I loved it so much!! I absolutely love Case's sister Kody too. She's hilarious and protective at the same time. I feel like she's an important part of this book. I'm rooting for her to be in the new Loveless book *fingers crossed*.

The plot of this book is fresh and totally believable. Seriously, Hallmark should pick this up for a movie deal. I could totally see this being made into some soft of movie or a kick ass TV show. I loved the enemies to lovers vibe this book has going on. It wasn't as "western" as I thought it would be. It was more western/mystery/suspense/romance. The story flowed so well and everything wraps up nicely. It leaves us with an open ending leading into another book, which I cannot wait to see who's in it! All in all, I give this book a solid five stars *****. This book gave me everything I wanted and more. Like I said, Jay has grown so much in her writing. Super proud of her and I can't wait to recommend this book to my customers at the store!!

I was hooked on this book from the first page! Case and Aspen had one action packed roller coaster ride of a story that had more than a few twists that I did not expect to see. The enemies to lovers story for this pair comes with a long history for them that they work through as the chemistry between them goes off the charts. I enjoyed that the story was told from dual POV as well as the return of the characters from the previous book in this series. I also can't wait to see where this series will go next as we get a glimpse of the possibilities at the end of Case and Aspen's story. I recommend this book to others as well as this series.

for some reason, i just couldn't click with this one. i don't know if it was the characters or the story, or the writing. i liked it well enough, i liked the trope, though i felt like it went from enemies to lovers a bit too quickly/easily. i understood why aspen felt the way she did but i do feel like case's feelings came out of nowhere. also, he could have grovelled a bit more... but other than that, it was entertaining and i am curious about the next book.

I loved this book so much. I actually read it fairly quickly because I just couldn't (didn't want to) put it down.



This book is an enemy to a romance story that is suspense and passion that will keep you hooked. It is very well written and will make you want more.



I am giving this 5 out of 5.

I have no clue where to start with Justified, Jay has completely thrown me by jamming so much into one story-line there is just no way on earth to do the plot justice.

Case and Aspen have a long and tumultuous history which has maintained he distance between them and clouded their perceptions. However, when Aspen’s life is placed in danger, they are given the opportunity to bridge the gap between them and lay the skeletons in their closet to rest.

Case and Aspen are very similar in their desire to help others and make a difference in their community. Unfortunately, the ghosts of the past keep them shackled to their regrets for far too long. Although the situation between them is precarious at best, the opportunity to become the people they dreamed of being is a silver lining among the black clouds rolling over them.

It is almost as if Case and Aspen had to travel the rough path in order to reach their destination – each other 💕 Being together fills all the missing spaces they have inside, they are definitely stronger together and provide a respite from the storm around them.

Case’s son, Hayes, absolutely stole my heart. Wise beyond his years and one of lives pure souls, I want to adopt him.

There are a number of shocking plot twists within the narrative, adding to the tension and drama of the story as a whole.

Justified enables us to catch up with all of the Lawton siblings but it also adds to the desire to uncover all of their secrets. A few more tasty titbits are laid down where the lone Lawton female, Kody, is concerned. With a HUGE cliffhanger at the end of Justified promising, there is a lot left to be uncovered where Loveless, Texas is concerned.

Justified by Jay Crownover is the first full length novel in the contemporary romance Loveless, Texas series. The series opened with Unbroken, a prequel novella, which featured different characters so each could be read and understood as a standalone if choosing to do so although there will be mentions of previous characters. Justified is also being published with a bonus short story, It’s All About That Cowboy by Carly Bloom however my review/rating is strictly for Justified as the review copy did not include the bonus to read.

Aspen Barlow had always been an outsider in Loveless with Case Lawton being the only one to welcome her in school leading to a crush she’s never forgotten. As the two left high school they went their separate ways and began completely different lives. When Aspen and Case finally crossed paths again it wasn’t on good terms as Aspen was assigned to be Case’s wife’s divorce lawyer and won the case. Years have passed since then with Case holding a bit of a grudge but when Aspen’s life is threatened the two are forced together with Case currently acting sheriff.

Starting out reading Justified I was happy to know the characters shared a past so the romance wouldn’t be coming out of left field but learning their animosity I began to wonder. It soon became clear though that while these two were opposites in every way things should have been worked out sooner and I got behind their relationship. What really made me love this though and give it 4 1/2 stars was the author added a lot of suspense and threw in a twist or two that surprised me so two thumbs up on that one!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I loved this book! It was so immersive and action packed. It wasn’t completely romance packed.

The characters were so relatable and I couldn’t get out of the story. I completely forgot about this review because I was so into it.

Honestly, for me, Jay Crownover can do no wrong.

Aspen and Case have years of history, and it's well known in the small town of Loveless, Texas, that he absolutely despises her. He has his reasons, mostly based on interactions they had through the years, but he doesn't know all of her reasoning for how things played out. Then someone tries to kill her, and as sheriff, it's up to him to capture the suspect. Spending more time with Aspen and seeing her vulnerable side starts to crack Case. Takes up until the very end to know the entirety of why someone is out to get Aspen. Suspenseful and hot enemies to lovers book. Really looking forward to more of the series!

I really enjoyed this first book in the Loveless, Texas series. This friends to enemies to lovers story pretty much checked all of my favorites--small town (in my beloved Texas,) big broody hero (who is the sheriff, HELLO hotness,) damsel in distress, awful exes, and enough suspense to keep me guessing until the very end. Add to all of this a pretty good helping of heat and I was hooked from beginning to end and didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

Jay Crownover hits it out of the park with this sexy and suspenseful enemies-to-lovers romance. Justified is the first, standalone book in her Loveless, Texas series, but there is also a novella, Unbroken, out now that I wholeheartedly recommend. Case and Aspen were friendly acquaintances while they were in high school, but everything changed when she represented his ex-wife in his divorce, during which Case lost custody of his son. He blamed her for the outcome, and they’ve been trading well-placed barbs and seething looks since then. Although he is surly and claims to hate her, he doesn’t hesitate to do his duty as sheriff when Aspen is suddenly threatened by an unknown, dangerous source. She’s prickly and resists his help, but he doesn’t take no for an answer and surprises himself when he wants to go above and beyond what’s necessary to keep her safe. Their forced proximity allows them the opportunity to reexamine their falling out, look past old hurts and truly understand one another, and their burgeoning attraction heats their every interaction. You’ll be on the edge of your seat and thoroughly entertained while cheering for this sassy, feisty heroine and grumpy, swoon-worthy cowboy as they bicker their way to happily ever while unraveling the mystery of who wants to hurt Aspen.

I am always a fan of Jay Crownover's work, it seems. And this is no difference.

This new series is going to be one that I want to re-read, I can already tell. Her characters and plot twists had me staying up to finish the book. AGAIN.

There is no struggling to get through the first part of the book to get to the good stuff with her writing as it grabs you from the very beginning and keeps you. You cannot help but become invested in the characters because they are people you can envision knowing in real life.

The plot twists have you guessing and make you not want to stop reading - even in the early hours of morning.

I cannot wait until the next book comes out!

Suspense, drama, and heat, that's what Jay Crownovers brings her newest release Justified.
The story of Sheriff Chase Lawton and Counselor Aspen Barlow started way back in high school when Aspens family moved to the small town of Loveless, Texas. But the animosity between the two came years later when Aspen represents Chases then-wife in their divorce.
When ten years after the divorce Aspens life is threatened, long withheld secrets, along with wildly hot chemistry, have the once peaceful duo heating the pages.
Jay Crownover delivered with this enemy to lovers story. I loved that the characters were in their 30's and established. Chase and Aspen were wonderfully written characters that had the hate and lust igniting the pages. There was just the right amount of suspense to make the story exciting and keep you engaged without feeling like she was trying too hard. The secondary characters were great, and I am eager to see what Jay has in store for us next.

Feels 4
Steam 3
Storyline 5
Overall Rating 4.5
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley


Love love love this!! Great read. Perfect flow, tons of twists and turns, addicting chemistry with the characters. This book has everything you need to sit back and enjoy. So suspenseful. As each twist played out another one came up. It was amazing.

The characters are fierce in things they believe in. Both have a not so pretty past and that plays a huge part in where things go throughout the book. The tensions rising and the danger had me flipping the pages like a mad woman. I devoured this book!

The secondary characters were set up pretty darn well for their own books so I’m hoping with fingers crossed they happen. Love this series so far!

Absolutely fantastic!!

I went into this book completely blind, I didn’t even read the blurb, because I have complete trust that Jay Crownover is going to give me an excellent story with twists and turns and scorching hot chemistry! I was not disappointed, in fact she blew me away and I am anxiously awaiting the next book, I can’t wait to see what is coming next for Loveless Texas!

I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and second chances so reading Case and Aspen’s story is definitely one I plan to re read often!

Aspen Keating Barlow is a woman on a mission to start fresh. From her impending divorce to opening her own law practice, everything is finally starting to fall into place in her new and improved life. Until someone vandalizes her office, and her fresh start suddenly starts to look like someone is out to get her...

Sheriff Case Lawton despises Aspen Barlow. After all, she is the lawyer who worked hard to ruin his life. But, when someone in the Loveless community needs his help, Case will do his best to provide it... no matter how much he may hate being around her.

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Justified was a suspenseful, animosity filled treat of a read! There is no love lost in the relationship between Aspen and Case. With their past constantly getting in the way of their true feelings for each other, these two will only be able to keep their lust at bay for so long while they're forced to share their closest proximity yet...

Aspen may be the outcast of Loveless, but underneath her tough lawyer façade lies a woman who works hard to help the people who need her law expertise the most. With her former crush on Case turning into a mutual disdain, she is hesitant to ask him for help... until he steps in and refuses to take no for an answer. 

Case has hated Aspen since she represented his ex-wife in their divorce. But once he starts to remember the Aspen he knew in high school, all of Case's reasons for disliking her start to seem like less of a deal breaker than they once were. His job pushes him to do the right thing to protect her when she needs it most, but his heart might be pushing for something a whole lot bigger...

This was a great read! With it's suspenseful plot and fabulous characters, I fall more and more in love with everyone associated with the Lawton family. Aspen and Case's relationship was complicated and filled with past hurts and secrets that resulted in a rocky path towards understanding each other, but when they finally give in to that age old attraction, prepare yourself for the fireworks!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.