Hiding behind her wigs and heavy makeup, Jinx Howell masks her insecurities—which even she doesn’t understand—with bravado, slashing through life with reckless abandon. Lonely, but unwilling to get close to anyone, she finds the ideal solution: a hook-up with the campus’s most notorious heartbreaker.In similar fashion, Mark “Two-Time” MacGregor protects his heart and keeps himself unencumbered … unencumbered through a string of one-night stands. A chance meeting with the edgy Jinx in a dark alley seems like destiny. She claims to want sex with no ties, making her perfect. Like attracts like. But this girl with a switchblade has more hang-ups than he does, which is a hell of a lot.
When tragedy strikes, Mark’s hit-and-run lifestyle takes a backseat to his need to protect the broken girl whose secrets are unraveling. Along the way, both of them will find their truths unmasked. Can they forge a real relationship, or will they give up on their romance as jinxed?
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This book! Jinx and Mark will rip your heart out, stomp on it a bit, then put it back together to do the whole thing all over. This story is raw, emotional, and heart wrenching, but it’s also sexy, laugh out loud funny, and hopeful, and I felt every single bit of that as I consumed Jinx and Mark’s love story. And make no mistake, for all their ups and downs on this emotional roller coaster, this is a love story of epic proportions. As she’s so often done with this series, Nancee Cain hits on some dark subject matter, and as I’ve come to expect, it’s handled with respect and care without glossing over the harsh realities. With each new Pine Bluff novel, I’m sure I’ve found a favorite, and I may be going out on a limb once again, but I’m pretty sure this is the best one yet. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be anxiously awaiting whatever’s next for this town and its wonderful characters. So, I said all of that to say this – with Jinx and Mark’s story, we have another great in a series of greats.
Loved the story of Jinx and Mark! I swear they could be frustrating at times, but it wouldn’t be a good story if there weren’t some obstacles. They’ve both suffered in their lives, and they’ve both built walls to keep a handle on the personas they’ve set up for themselves. They’re a match right from the start.
I love reading Nancee Cain’s books. The stories in Pine Bluff keep getting better and better. All of the characters feel like family. Get into this series, if you haven’t already.
An amazing, emotional addition to the phenomenal Pine Bluff series. The characters in this series are realistic and so well written that their emotions jump off the page. Book 5 focuses on “Mardi Gras” people Mark and Jinx who both hide behind masks to deal with their problems. This creates a relationship with complex,difficult issues which had me laughing one minute and crying the next. If you haven’t read this series I cannot recommend it enough.
Okay, I am a newbie in the romance novel field. I was a bit overwhelmed by the start of the book. I just wasn’t sure. Then typical Nancee Cain, I was in. This entire series will blow you away. There is always some theme that cries out to be noticed. Nancee takes the time to give her readers resources for all of those issues. The character Jinx, I loved her. What an emotional page-turner this one is. This is a five-star green bean. (Now you have to read it, Dontcha?)
At first I wasn’t too sure about this series or the author’s style. It’s not that there’s anything wrong, far from it, I just find myself wanting less descriptive sex in my reads these days. The thing that kept me coming back is that even though there’s sex it doesn’t govern the story. Even in this read where sex was used as a tool by both of the main characters it still didn’t take over the story. Hiding from years of secrets and lost time Jinx has built up walls so thick it’s going to be a miracle if anyone can break thru it. When those secrets and the reason for her lost time are revealed she spirals. Mark just wanted someone to choose him, just once, with no strings. They always left him and he has taken an emotional beating because of it. This is a story of addiction and loss. This author wrote this story and I tell you it just had me bouncing off the walls from one emotion to another. She doesn’t overdo the angst and the characters are clearly adults who have missed their chance at healing until now.
This is the fifth book in this phenomenal series and is Jinx and Mark’s turn. This story is an emotional rollercoaster journey from beginning to end. This talented author has the unique ability to draw the reader’s right into the heart of the story, and she writes with such sensitivity regarding subjects of abuse and addiction. This is a well written flawless story, which is heartbreaking, humorous, gritty, raw, and with secrets, which all lead to me being totally captivated throughout this powerful and addictive page turner. In my opinion, this is the best novel in this series, and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author, whose work I highly recommend for all.
This book was one of my favorites by Nancce Cain to date!!! It is a ride and a half, get in, hold on and DON’t let go!! LOL
Jinx and Mark are both broken(they both have big issues, but I loved all the feels and how it all come together!!)….and the chemistry between these two, is NOT to be denied! While it doesn’t come easy for Jinx and Mark you know this couple need each other & you will be rooting for them all the way!
This stand alone book, does not let you down, in fact I have to say I have REALLY enjoyed this whole Pine Bluff series.
OMG , this was epic. The feels .
Just when you think you know a character they turn around and surprise you.
5 stars
Recommending not only this story but the entire series .
This one was a great read. This one is book 5 in the Pine Bluff series but it can be read as a standalone. It’s has some heavy topics. Both Jinx and Mark are complex characters that have many layers. My first impression of Jinx was that she was a funny loving carefree girl but she’s not. Jinx has a pass that haunts her but she’s not even sure what and why causes her stress. Jinx doesn’t do a lot of connections. Mark is sexy and has a rep to be a player. Jinx goes to him for no string night. One night becomes more. Mark has a pass too. This one has a lot of ups and down. Lots of times when I thought things were finally going to be good for Mark and Jinx something would happen. I was hooked on the story and honestly I wasn’t sure how their story would end.
Sigh!
Damage souls trying to find meaning for life, for love…
Artist & Bartender/Accountant
Jinx & Mark
Misconnections, addiction and recovery.
Suppressed memories, emotions return
You laugh, you cry
Your issues, your baggage.
Entire series is amazing!
I do recommend.
I think this book is one of my all time favorites!
So well written! So incredibly real!
I laughed, I cried, I was angry and oh so happy! All the feels!
Nancee Cain has this wonderful talent for bringing her readers right to the heart of her stories, which equals an incredible page turner from beginning to end!
I totally recommend this novel and the entire Pine Bluff series!
5 plus stars all the way!
#Lovey #Thurston #kilts #greenbean
I am a huge fan of Nancee Cain and the Pine Bluff series! This book didn’t disappoint at all. I loved Jinx and Mark. We got to meet both of these Characters in the last book so I was definetly looking forward to learning about their story. Again Nancee really deals with some heavy stuff in this book so their could be some triggers for some people but truthfully this book was raw and real. I cannot imagine dealing with what Markbor Jinx had to deal with but in this story their lives werent fairy tales there was so much struggle and masking the pain that it made them seem so real to me. The time frame of this book is over multiple years and which also makes the love these two jad even more believable….of coarse they had a connection from the beginning but only a true connection can survive all the turmoil they had to endure so being over a long period of time just made the book right. I laughed, I cried, and I was a nervous reck through out this book! It was all worth it to read such a beautiful story of survival, love, and beating the odds. This is a must read and you dont have to read any,of the book prior but thw Sinclair brothers are in this book so you might want to read those first (which I also highly recommend because they were amazing as well!) I cannot wait for the next book in this series
Pine Bluff Series has been a ride and a half of excitement , love, pain, lies, honesty, hurt , anger, fears and so much more. So many people touched by others and their stories are all the above and more. I rode the roller coaster that Nancee Cain brought us with this series and what a ride it was. I can’t say it enough, this is a MUST READ SERIES!!!
This one has to be my absolute favorite so far of the series. Jinx is very insecure and scared to be hurt so she doesn’t get close to anyone. I haven’t read anything like this series before and I’m so happy that I read it because the characters are very relatable and they conquer some major issues that alot of people deal with on a daily basis. They can be read as a series or stand alones so pick these books up and give them a try.
Jinx and Mark’s story is written so that the reader understands Jinx’s point of view. She was so lucky to find Mark. I love this author’s way with words.
Another emotionally story full of struggle, courage and romance. I enjoyed the growth each of the characters went through and how they overcame their obstacles to become a better stronger version of themselves.
This was a great book I couldn’t put it down. Jinx and Mark’s story is an emotional rollercoaster ride. There are lots of snarkiness humor. But I found myself ugly crying when tragedy struck Jinx after reading the rest of the series I guess I got invested in the characters and their lives.
At first glance, Jinx Howell seems to be a carefree girl looking for a good time. However, masks aren’t only worn on Marde Gras in this New Orleans city. Jinx hides her true pain and insecurities behind her wild lifestyle.
Mark MacGregor (if you’ve read Damien’s story) you know a bit about his history and how it ties in with Harley and the pain they have gone through. He’s set a “two-time” rule when it comes to women to protect himself from ever becoming attached. However, there’s just something different about Jinx and he’s seen first hand the vulnerability she seems to try and cover up.
For both Jinx and Mark, relationships aren’t something either one is experienced at. But both of them have to must overcome their pasts, especially Jinx, when tragedy hits.
This story broke my heart to see how Jinx handled her issues by turning to alcohol to numb her pain. Even when Mark tries to be there for her, since she’s never had a healthy relationship and refuses to reveal her secrets she lashes out to the one person who could help her. But for Mark, Jinx seems to hit on all his insecurities when she’s constantly running away from him. He’ll have to decide if she’s worth trying to work through both their problems or if it’s just too much for him.