ARC received for review

3.5 stars

This is a start to a new series with the heroine who is from the Undone series (of which I have them and hadn't read any yet)

Wellllll, Jackson was an arse, a major arse, but him and Gwen sure did set off some serious fireworks, all over the place. I sure didn't figure out Jackson's reason for leaving Chicago. I loved seeing all her friends help him win the girl after his MAJOR a$$hole move.

Guess I'm going to go read the original series now.

This is the first book I have read from Jennifer Dawson and it won’t be the last. I loved both characters even though they were so different. Their chemistry was instant and even though Jackson seemed cold hearted I was rooting for him!

This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. Jackson was most certainly cold-hearted but the instant he and Gwen met there was a chemistry between them that was undeniable. Under his cold heart, there was a broken man that started to change the moment he met Gwen. This book pulled at my heartstrings, I will be checking out more titles by this author.

This was my first book the author so I was excited to jump into this book.

I really liked Gwen's confidence and take charge attitude. I liked the back and forth between Jackson and Gwen and the angsty lust filled tension between them. However, I felt like the book focused too much on sex and not enough on character and plot development from the beginning, which unfortunately I need, so I felt the book fell short of what I was hoping for.

The chemistry between Gwen and Jackson was definitely off the charts hot and steamy and explosive so if you are looking for that you won't be disappointed.

I did feel like once more of the story came out the book became more enjoyable and I became more invested but then I feel like it rushed toward the ending which came really too quickly. I struggled a lot with the pacing of the book.

I loved these two together! Gwen and Jackson were amazing together and a be favorite book couple. Driven, ambitious, sexy, they are mirror images of one another.

While hot and sexy, this story is tender and endearing. Great writing!

4 Steamy Stars!

Jackson is a famous chef that disappeared 5 years ago. Gwen tracks him down and he’s in his small hometown working at his uncle’s bar. Gwen wants Jackson to be the chef at a new restaurant she wants to open, but Jackson has a secret and this secret keeps him right where he is. But the chemistry between Gwen and Jackson is extremely strong ..l will Jackson leave his hometown and come work for Gwen or will he send her packing?

This book is very, very HOT! Ms Dawson paints a vivid picture for the steamy scenes ... and there are lots of them! Even though Jackson is a real a$$hole ... I couldn’t help but like him. I loved how Gwen spoke her mind and was able to draw Jackson into her orbit. I great start to the series!

I received a copy courtesy of Victory Editing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

SPOILER!

I actually enjoyed most of this. It was a little rushed at the end for me though and I wanted a little more insight to the future, especially for how much our main character rejected the situation so much to then be popping the question. It was the first by this author for me and it won’t be the last!
* 3.6/5 ⭐️

A big thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Wow I loved this book. The chemistry between the characters Gwen and Jackson was mind boggling!! they are both super strong individuals which makes it even more fun. Who will win? Jackson is admittedly a bastard and an ass but in the end totally worth the pain. 4.5 stars

Gwen has come to convince Jackson, a culinary genius to come work for her new restaurant. Jackson is a hot, broody, interested in only one night stands, and Gwen, sassy, knows what she wants and goes after it, has him tied up in knots from the minute he saw her.
This is my first book by the author and she had me hooked from the start. It is an addicting read that I just couldn’t put down. The banter and chemistry between Gwen and Jackson are fiery hot.
My heart went out to Jackson when I read about his secret, and it was just the push I needed to fall in love with him.
I loved reading Cold hearted bastard and I can’t wait to read more by the author.

“I’m Gwen Johnson. I usually introduce myself before orgasms are on the table.”

It's so hot when the hero and heroine are equals, in and out of bed. And **fans self**, Gwen and Jackson are two supremely, sexually charged Slytherins; both willing to do whatever it takes to win and neither's willing to give an inch. The first third of their Clash of the Titans was gorgeously charged with sexual battle, the middle was unnecessary drama, and the final third was a grand gesture that didn't quite hit its mark. Having met Gwen earlier in the Undone series, I think she should've done better than Jackson. While he wasn't completely a Cold Hearted Bastard, he was a Absolutely Selfish Nitwit.

Gwen, a successful Chicago restaurateur, finds herself in the backwaters of Louisiana searching for former star chef Jackson. Jackson mysteriously left the haute cuisine world years ago and has refused every invitation to return. Determined to have Jackson work for her, Gwen is stymied when she locks eyes with him across his uncle's bar.

Jackson is also lust-struck. But even in the throes of pants feelings, they both acknowledge they want totally opposite things: Gwen wants Jackson to work for her in Chicago and Jackson wants her to leave Louisiana as soon as her two week trip is over. And, Jackson makes clear, no woman will ever mean anything to him so there's no use in trying. Of course, they end up striking a combatants-with-benefits deal.

Unfortunately, Gwen and Jackson's epic sex fest is interrupted by a mysterious phone call in the night and Jackson pretty much boots Gwen out of bed and out of town without explanation as a cold hearted bastard is supposed to do. Luckily, his brother clues Gwen into Jackson's big secret: SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER he has a five-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy.

This is where things got repetitive and a bit illogical. Jackson and Gwen can't stay away from each other but both insist they can't give up their plans for each other. Jackson insists he knows best for his daughter who of course adores Gwen. Seriously, wouldn't it make sense for Jackson to move his daughter to a big city which would have more medical experts and therapists than his tiny town? After all, he is taking her to NYC for surgery in a year. But no, Jackson knows best.

One by one, Jackson's uncle, siblings, and even Gwen accuse him of being a coward and resenting his daughter for giving up cooking. And I completely agree. I found his attitude towards his daughter incredibly ableist and selfish.

Now I LOVE a grand gesture; the bigger, the better. Unfortunately, Jackson's, in my opinion, was too little, too late, and not enough. He made it clear that he hated making the grand gesture but was doing it only for Gwen's sake. I wanted Jackson to make more gesture and for Gwen to make him grovel more.

Thanks for NetGalley for generously providing an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Red hot romance from start to finish! Gwen wants Jackson to come work in her restaurant because he's the best but Jackson isn't planning on leaving his hometown for reasons he won't explain. Well matched in looks and personality they are instantly attracted to each other and each are determined to get what they want. I loved the snarky love hate relationship and their off the charts chemistry. I really enjoyed the relationship Gwen has with her best friend, Jillian too. Highly recommended.

5 - "Good thing I like you dirty..." Stars!

Jennifer Dawson starts her new Bastard series with a dirty talking, dirty minded hero you are going to absolutely adore. I personally don’t think that Jackson was much of a bastard, especially as the book and his relationship with Gwen progressed, you start to see him as more of a protector that guards his privacy by being all gruff and growly.

"I don’t feel about you the way I feel about other women…"

Gwen blows into town looking for one thing, but by the time she leaves, she actually wants something completely different. I loved this couple, but if you are looking for romantic fluff Cold Hearted Bastard definitely doesn’t fall into that bracket, but if you are looking for a book chock for of cock and a decent story line that runs alongside the sexual Olympics this pair get up to then I cannot recommend it more.

"You’ve had me tied me tied up in knots since the second I saw you."

Loved the dual POV, and the end left me smiling. Look forward to reading more from this series and this author in general.

4.5 STARS

HOLY CANOLI! I love when I am introduced to a new to me author that writes some amazing stuff, and Jennifer Dawson definitely meets that profile. I always get so nervous reading someone new because the author's writing sets the tone. With that said, I absolutely adored Dawson's writing. I was not expecting this author to be so seasoned. I was rooted to my seat from start to finish. I wasn't sure where this author was going to go with the story line considering the title and blurb, but Dawson made dang sure Cold Hearted Bastard was a compelling - captivating read. For the most part, I would not consider this book to weigh heavily on someone. It was rather witty, with amazing banter within the dialogue. Gwen and Jackson's story flowed wonderfully. The chemistry was spot on. I haven't read a book in quite a while that has held this kind of chemistry. To be blunt, it was euphoric. I could so easily feel the heat from Gwen and Jackson rolling off the pages. Gwen and Jackson are a force to be reckoned with. They were both so head strong and confident, and I found that even more appealing. The secondary characters were just a bonus. I loved that this author added their two sense through the entirety of Cold Hearted Bastard. Overall, this book was fantastic, and I look forward to more of this authors work..

Jackson is head strong and confident, and he makes no apologies for who he is. His womanizing arrogance is just the icing on the cake. Once hailed the best culinary master of this generation but things change.

Gwen has more confidence in herself than I have in my pinky. She is beautiful from the inside to the out. When she wants something she makes it happen, and nothing will stand in her way. This red haired goddess has a backbone and knows how to use it.

When Gwen crashes into Jackson's town everything changes. Does she get what she came for?

What a roller coaster of a story! This was one of the most intense couples I’ve ever read. They’re sizzling chemistry practically came off the page. Turning insta-lust into insta-love is very hard to achieve and for me to believe, but it was nailed in this book. Honestly, at the beginning I wasn’t too sure, but these characters definitely won me over. There were so many tender and heart warming moments that made this a well rounded story. And of course, I love a good grovel. This was one hard fight for love; I just wish there was an epilogue!

2.5 stars

In order to get the ball rolling I’ll start with what worked for me. I appreciate the fact there was some decent snark from both characters. I’m always up for the snark.The way the plot unfolded was so quickly, Jackson and Gwen relationship is more based on sex and I just couldn't connect with characters.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.