Justified

I really liked this one! I thoroughly enjoyed the suspenseful storyline and it made me realize it has been awhile since I’ve read a good romantic suspense. This filled that void very nicely! The love story was also well fleshed out and I was totally invested. Of course, now I need to read the next one in the series! 4.5 stars from me.

This is an enemies-to-lovers romance at its finest! I was hanging by the edge of my seat from the get-go! I have read quite a few books by Jay Crownover but I have a feeling this book (and series) is going to be a new favorite of mine. Not only is the relationship between these two very angsty, but the suspense is excellent! I highly recommend it!

Jay Crownover can seriously write epic romance novels! I’ve been a huge fan for years so I was very much looking forward to diving into Justified! Not only is it a brand new novel from Ms. Crownover, but Justified also kicks off the Loveless, Texas series!

Justified centers around Aspen Barlow and Case Lawton, who were friends from high school and then eventually became enemies after Aspen was the lawyer representing Case’s ex-wife in an ugly divorce. Now 9 years later, Aspen herself is in the middle of a divorce, but the real problem is that it seems someone is out to do some serious harm to her! Not taking any chances, Aspen calls the police and the sheriff comes to help who happens to be none other than Case Lawton! Case still harbors ill feeling toward Aspen, but he takes his job in law enforcement very seriously so he does everything he can to aide in apprehending Aspen’s mystery enemy. It was literally at that point of this novel that I just knew this was going to be a book I would thoroughly enjoy!

I am so stinking excited about this series! I can already promise that I will be 1-clicking every single installment that comes out in the future! There are several characters cross-overs from previous series and I loved it! The romance was sweet, sassy and steamy and the mystery/suspense aspect had me glued to my kindle! I loved the cast of characters and cannot wait until some of them eventually get their own books! If you’re looking for a great romance novel to add to your summer reading list than Justified is a must!

Jay Crownover has done it again! I’m normally not one for second chance romances or enemies to lovers, but I took a chance on this one because I love Jay Crownover. Plus, the boom is set in Texas and I love anything to do with Texas. I also love a good romantic suspense. I loved Case and Aspen together. They were able to overcome their past together and develop a loving relationship. From the description of this book I was expecting something totally different that what I read. I will say the ending felt a little rushed, but I can’t wait to read more in this series.

This was a new author for me and you can bet I'll be reading more of her work. It has romance, suspense and a bit of a mystery wrapped in the first book in a new series. I can't wait to read other books in the series and hope Kody's story is next.

Someone's targeting Aspen, an attorney in Loveless, TX. The sheriff is there to help her out, but their past gets in the way until they both learn that things aren't always as they appear.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher for my honest review.

Justified was one of those solid romantic reads. Aspen and Case were enemies at the start and their dramatic interactions were perfect. I loved how Case hated her while Aspen wished he didn't. They way their walls came down when they were forced to share space and trust each other was fun to read. Things went quickly between them, but it felt natural with all that was going on.

And there was a ton going on! I'm not normally into romantic suspense, but Justified had just the right kind and amount of it. I was very curious to know who had it out for Aspen and why. I have to admit I was shocked who was behind everything. I didn't see it coming at all!

One of my favorite things about this book was Case's relationship with his son, Hayes. It really showed what a great man Case was. I liked how he supported his son when it came to his mother and relationships with girls. I also liked how Aspen fit into that relationship.

Justified was another great romance by Jay Crownover. There wasn't one thing I didn't like about it. I truly enjoyed every minute I spent with it. I can't wait to read what's next in this series!

Well, let me just say this is the first book with this author. The way she spins a story is masterful. She had me right away. The characters were very alluring.

The two smallest in stature were larger than life. They were able to wittingly get the men in their lives to see the logical side to their illogical thinking. Standoffs not unheard of but never a setback. They could be loud, stubborn, calculating, and quiet to get their message across. Be careful of that last one gentleman because that’s when the real, wheels are turning, and they are waiting for your misstep to jump in when you're giving, "You know"…

"We can’t right now because"…Just know you have just walked into your consequences. If you don’t believe me ask Case Lawton. You see for years he has been blaming Aspen Barlow for doing her job. Yet, at the time Aspen had given Case the opening to hire her since she is a family law attorney. But he was living in so much anger from the choices he had already made in his life. The person who she considered a friend/hero in high school was now a man turning on her.

In front of her eyes, he went from the senior football star player who was welcoming the freshman new girl to the school. To the guy who called her the very name, he used to guard her against from all the mean kids back in the day. “Weird girl” a name, given by none other than the mother of his child, soon to be his ex-wife. Oh yes, this mean girl just hired her firm to, and they assigned Aspen to the case. She wasn’t happy but Case had his chance.

This book is filled with twist and turns of these two. But also, the dark family life that Case and his siblings, Crew, and Kody came from. The father the former sheriff was a monster. See how a town riddled with fear were also victims and how his son vowed to clean up the town and help them heal from his father’s past wrongs.

But can he forgive the young girl he at one time befriend and see the truth as his own son does? You will not want to put this down. I sure didn’t. I can’t wait for the Kody book now she is a character. I give this: 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

Several years ago I went to a book event for one author and Jay Crownover won me over so fast I walked away with three of her books. I have no regrets. Justified is a bit different from her other books, but it's still the same Crownover writing I've come to love.

Case and Aspen hate each other for things said/done in the past. I loved watching them work through all those feelings and start to come together, while other atrocities were unfolding around them. It's hard to come to terms with your past beliefs, when someone is out to kill you.

There is a lot going on in Justified. Case is the sheriff, but he's still trying to rectify all the mess his dad created as sheriff. Someone is trying to kill Aspen. Case's ex wife is being super demanding over their son. And a tad more. Crownover did a great job of weaving all these things together without the reader feeling overwhelmed by all the things. At no point did I feel like there was just too much happening to keep track of.

Case was easy to like from the get go, he had a crap life and made some bad choices, but you could tell that he was trying to fix things. He was also an amazing dad. I don't want to spoil things, but there were some tears shed over how things went down with this in the past.

Aspen is getting divorced and desperate to separate herself from her jerk husband. But then things start to get scary when her life is threatened. All things considered she handled this well, I would have been a crying mess.

I highly recommend Justified. It's fast paced and lots of feels!

I love a good "enemies to lovers" story and this one definitely hit the right spot. It has been a long time since I have read anything by this author, I believe "Charged" was the last book. I don't have a specific reason as to why, but I do know that I will be checking out every book in this series ;)

I also really liked the side-characters in this book, and since some play a part in a previous series, I will have to check those out as well. So looks like I'm gonna be busy.

Aspen and Case have known each other since high school. He was de sweet, yet popular jock and she was the new kid...the weird girl. Despite their differences Case was always kind to her and she never forgot.

But people grow up and life doesn't always turn out as expected and when Case's wife wants a divorce and custody of their child...Aspen is the lawyer that represents her...and wins the case. This pretty much cements the future (hateful) relationship between Case and Aspen...

Things aren't always as they seem though and these two are about to find out....especially Case.

When Aspen is the victim of vandalism and violence, Case has no choice but to get up close and personal with his nemesis. He is the town sheriff after all, and not wanting to be like his corrupt dad...he will have to do his job, even if he hates the victim.

But nobody probably told him that love and hate are only separated by a very fine line...

....Don't worry, he is about to find out himself.

I really enjoyed reading this story but I have to admit that the ending threw me a bit. I have read other reviews of people who feel the same way, so I know it isn't just me. This book is already pretty heavy on the drama and I think that last bit was just a bit too much, at least for me. That said, it was still very good.

I'm really looking forward to the next story...I hope it will be Kody's ;)

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This is the first book by Crownover that I have read. It's the start to a series that takes place in Loveless, TX.

Case Lawton replaced his corrupt father as sheriff and is determined to do a better job. Aspen Barlow moved to Loveless in high school and had had a crush on Case since then. She was the 'weird girl' and Case befriended her in high school. She left town, got her law degree and came back. Unfortunately she ended up representing Case's wife in a custody battle and won, keeping Case and his son apart. She and Case have been bitter rivals ever since (9 years ago). Until now... Aspen has just left her hisabnd and his family law practice. She has set up her own office, and is settling in. Unfortunately, her office was vandalized, so she called the police. Case was the officer who responded. It turns out the vandalization was just the start. It seems as though someone is out to kill Aspen and Case, as the sheriff has to keep her safe. This is the beginning of their transition from enemies to lovers. There's a mystery to be solved, lots of relationship angst/bad blood to reconcile, and Aspen needs to stay one step ahead of whomever is trying to kill her.

I thought this was a good romantic suspense novel and I am interested in reading the next book in the series. It was intense and there was a little too much drama and angst for me. That said, I think the intensity and angst did suit the characters. I think it's probably a great addition to the romantic suspense genre. It made me realize I lean more towards romantic comedies; it's been awhile since I've read a romantic suspense novel with life and death situations.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.