Ares saw him for the first time at a Kilgore Police Department benefit dinner. She’d gone with her dad as his plus one. Hayes Romine had gone by himself and brooded silently across the same table as her, drinking whiskey and not saying a word.
It only took that one time for her to become interested.
The next time she saw him, he was doing another benefit—but this one requiring a whole lot fewer … a whole lot fewer clothes. And that was when she knew. She wanted him. Badly. But the morose Hayes was too busy thinking about his sins to see what was right in front of his face—Ares.
Hayes Romine knew the moment that he saw the feisty Ares Downy again that he should’ve stayed away. Maybe if he hadn’t done the stupid calendar, he wouldn’t be questioning every single woman’s intentions.
Maybe if he’d listened to that niggling feeling telling him to stay away, he would’ve been able to do his job a little better. But seeing her with a knife to her throat, in the middle of a building set to blow, made his usually well-wired brain start to malfunction.
Because nobody was allowed to touch her like that—only him. Nobody was allowed to scare her, either. Not and live to tell the tale.
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There’s something about the feisty redhead Ares that sets Hayes off. He’s usually so reserved and stoic, but there’s something about her…And when she keeps showing up around him, they can’t help but consummate their raging attraction.
Ares is so attracted to Hayes, the broody and gorgeous SWAT officer, but he’s so closed off. She knows he’s got pain behind that seemingly calm facade, and she wants to be the one to help him. If only he’d let her in. Not with his body, but with his heart and his soul.
Hayes and Ares are a seriously hot couple. Seemingly so opposite, and yet they fit into each other seamlessly, perfectly. I have been really liking this SWAT Generation 2.0 series, but with this one, I think Lani has upped the bar. Hayes is so substantial and so damaged, suffering from PTSD, and Ares (who’s the best part of this story) is the perfect partner for him because she sees beyond his outer layer and into the real Hayes. Simply perfect!
5 It’s More than a Love Story Stars!!!
I’ve really come to love all the men in this series so much and the women they love too. This book took me on quite a wild ride with the attraction between Ares and Hayes which seems to be there from the very first time they meet, but for a variety of reasons they don’t act on it…and let me tell you, their family dynamics could stress any relationship!
Hayes is a man that is pretty much a loner and has suffered some great losses in his life and thinks that he’s not good enough or worthy of love, but with Ares as much as he wants her, he needs to stay away from her…until he just can’t!!
I loved these two together so much. Ares is a woman that is strong and independent and loves with her whole heart. She cares about the kids at her school too and she won’t let anyone get away with anything that might hurt one these kids.
There’s an element of suspense in this book that I wasn’t really expecting. I mean I knew there’d be a little bit, but wow, this book takes a turn that had my mouth falling open. And Hayes is going to make sure that nothing touches his woman! And let’s be clear, Ares is definitely his woman and she’s just fine with that. And holy moly they’re on fire together!!
I don’t want to give anything away with this review because this book is a definite must read because the characters are fabulous and the love story is grand in its own way pair this this with the suspense and this book is a perfect read!
The more I read from this author, the more I really like her. This story is part of a series of books but can be read as a standalone, you won’t miss out, but you may not pick up on some of the little things that tie them together. Either way, it’s a good book and well worth the time.
I love Hayes. Alpha tendencies to the core, but there’s a vulnerability to him that most just pass off as a bad attitude. Ares sees past it and what has worked for him in the past to keep people away, doesn’t work with her at all. They are very much the other half of each other, though it takes them time to get there.
Along with the romance brewing between Hayes and Ares, the supporting characters play a part in the depth of the story. The mystery that is laced in brings in other people and keeps the wheels turning until it all clicks. I like that we put it together the same time Hayes does, and where it goes from there, another little twist that I didn’t see coming but in hindsight, it was there.
Ares Downy is a guidance counselor at Kilgore High School, she meets Hayes Romine at a charity function. He was a prisoner of war and now on the Kilgore SWAT team. They both initially liked what they saw in each other but there were no fairytale bluebirds and butterflies, this was real life.
I really enjoyed Ares’ character, her blunt honesty might not be everyone’s cup of tea, however, I found it refreshing. I also liked how caring she was as well as understanding yet wouldn’t take any rubbish either. Hayes’ character is portrayed really well. As a returned soldier suffering severe PTSD from his time being held as a prisoner he has huge issues. He knows them and owns them but together with Ares they slowly make a difference. His take no-nonsense approach was a touch of fun at times too.
Some fantastic sayings once again to add great humor throughout the story. I particularly liked the way the characters talked to themselves, some of their comments were not only spot on but delivered in a very humorous manner, too. There is the ongoing serial killer that was introduced in the last book to make things especially interesting. Of course, I started to get ideas with a particular character or two just because I didn’t like them. You can but hope these nasty creatures go down in a big way.
I have to admit there were some more emotional moments in this story but very fitting and definitely not overdone at all, both in sadness as well as joy. I thoroughly enjoyed this very entertaining story.
Reviewer: Robyn
5 AHH-MAZING Stars
I know with every release I always say this is my favorite, but seriously…Hayes and Ares are, hands down, one of my favorite of all LLV’s couples. I’m talking top five, and she’s had LOTS of couples. They are the PBandJ of each other’s hearts and souls. Hayes Greer has some major demons in his life and I absolutely loved how Ares knew just what her man needed and how to take care of him. These two are just perfect together. Their chemistry is off the charts.
Ask Me If I Care is a sweet and funny love story that put me through a gamut of emotions. This one had me laughing out loud and swooning one minute, then gasping and hanging on the edge of my seat the next. This is classic LLV and I enjoyed every single minute of it.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
These books get better and better!! I loved this couple! I read the book in one sitting, it was simply perfection!
Loved Hayes and Ares. Their cute flirtation but Hayes being that strong but silent type. Definitely a good bit of mystery and action. A tiny twist thrown in and some humor that always make the SWAT books fun to read. I always smile during these stories and they never lack the steaminess either. Great strong female characters as well.
A slow burn romance that revolves around some very current, sensitive topics. Lani does a wonderful job of writing not just about the wounded military, but how to go about the healing process. There is an inner strength that glows from within her characters and that really shines through her writing.
Hayes Greer is a current member of SWAT dealing with his own PTSD. He believes he is too messed up to ever have a real relationship, but something about Ares Downey continues to pull him back to her. It becomes harder to keep the beautiful guidance counselor away especially when she looks behind his issues to the man underneath.
Ares is smitten, yes that seems delicate for the strong, brooding man, but she is surely taken with the quiet man from the moment she meets him. Her fascination thankfully isn’t one sided since she can’t stop thinking about him. When the case Hayes has been working on lands on her doorstep she is even more grateful that he pursued her for lots of reasons.
Ask Me If I Care is a perfect combination of catching up with SWAT characters, suspense, smexy times, and everything that makes reading Vale’s books fun.
Ares and Hayes!
Honestly I’m living for these second generation books.
Ares was hilarious, some of things she was saying had me cracking up and the tampon scene had me in stitches.
Hayes i bloody loved him so hard.
He was so stand-off-ish and aloof he was kind of a mystery that i wanted to solve. The guy didn’t have it easy at all.
The more these books go on the more i fall in love, like I’m already pretty deep but damn everytime a new one comes out i lose my heart just that tiny bit more.
Soon the letter LLV are just going to be written for all the world to see.
So amazing.
Hayes….I think I’m in love! He was so stoic & damaged that you just wanted to hug him! I loved how he & Ares just fit. They were both so willing to do whatever it took to make the other happy. Also, I’m so glad that we got to see who the serial killer was from Ashe’s book!
I’m loving this series so much! I can’t wait for Calloway & Louis’ book
This book had it all. Hot swat team members, a tough as nails chick, hilarious moments that made me snort and even a little serial killer mystery thrown in. This is the 4th book in the KPD Swat Generation 2 series, while it is a standalone it is really easier to follow along with all the characters if he has read all the books. This books is Ares, Lachlan and Memphis’ daughter. Ares is fantastic, she is tough and hilarious and has a giant heart and she meets Hayes, who is suffering from PTSD at a function with her father. The two definitely have and insta love connection but unfortunately Ares seems to have pissed of a pretty nasty person, don’t worry there is an awesome HEA for these two!
*** I did receive a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review ***