Justified by Jay Crownover

The New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series delivers a romance about a rugged Texas sheriff who must protect the woman who was once his sworn enemy...

Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he's determined to do everything by the book—until he's called to Aspen Barlow's office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn't the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge...

Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she'll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there's a thin line between love and hate... because there's nothing Case wouldn't do to keep her safe.

Includes It's All About That Cowboy, a bonus novella by Carly Bloom!

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
This is an excellent enemies-to-lovers romance. The feelings of animosity Case feels are completely understandable. Aspen was the lawyer representing Case's ex-wife in their divorce and custody case that saw Case lose access to his son. Fast forward 10 years to the present day – Case is Sheriff and it is now is job to protect Aspen because someone is trying to kill her, which has them spending more time together than Case would like.

I have to say there was way more action and danger in this story than I was expecting and I loved it. The story moves at a really good pace. When there is action and danger, I felt like things were moving quickly but when Case and Aspen are dealing with their confusing and changing emotions, things slowed down a little to allow us to really feel what Case and Aspen are going through.

At our very first introduction to her, I thought I was going to hate Aspen but I changed my tune very quickly. It doesn't take long to realise she is a good woman and a very strong woman too. Case, on the other hand, is more complicated. A bitter divorce and an abusive father who was also a corrupt cop has left Case with plenty of issues that at times made him a frustrating hero. I still loved him though. There is something satisfying about stories with imperfect heroes, they feel more real.

The action, the difficult road to romance, and the drama all combine well to make Justified a fabulous story. I loved reading it. This is the first series I've read by this author but I'm going to have to make the time to check out more of her work because it is really good.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
It took me forever to get into this book. The characters were good and the storyline plausible, but it just didn't click for me.

Aspen and Case were friends in high school but later faced each other across the courtroom when Aspen represented Case's ex in divorce and custody proceedings. Case blamed Aspen for everything that happened and has never let her forget it.

Now, as sheriff, Case is tasked with keeping Aspen safe from an unknown person trying to kill her. What he doesn't realize is that it’s going to make both him and Aspen acknowledge the spark between them.

The rock on Case's shoulder is as big as a boulder and the guilt weighing on Aspen's heart is just as big. There was little to no interaction between Case and his son or Aspen and Case's son but what there was proved interesting.

The end was a twist that I didn't see coming.

Also Available in the Loveless, Texas Series

Book 0.5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Unbroken post.

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, the Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books have been translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy-haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Justified (Loveless, Texas #1) by Jay Crownover to read and review.