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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This book was by far one of my favorite reads!! Lani Lynn Vale is an amazing storyteller and I can’t tell you how much this book was truly was brilliant. Ares and Hayes story simply blew me away and the characters in this series are so complex and I love everyone even the ones I love to hate. I highly recommend this book and this is one author you never want to miss.
Ask Me If I Care by Lani Lynn Vale is the fourth book in one of her latest series, SWAT Generation 2.0 . Starting around the time the calendar photo shoot takes place for the SWAT Fundraiser, this is Ares Downy & Hayes Romine’s story.
Ares is the guidance counselor at the local high school and a “tell it like she sees it” person. When she attends a police banquet with her father and ends up at the same table as her ex and his ridiculously smoldering hot brother that she has never met before – things get weird. The ex is on a date, but cornering her near the ladies room, the hot brother is sullen and quiet and a member of the SWAT team, and the night is a total bust. Fast-forward a few months and with the incidents of bullying ramping up at the high school Ares finds herself in the stratosphere of Hayes once again. Having never forgotten his sinful good looks and sexy vibes, she manages to carry on an adult conversation with the stoic man.
Hayes has never been a man of many words, but with Ares he is at least comfortable enough to say what he feels and open up as best he can. But the closer he gets to her the more alpha he feels towards her. When her job puts her in a difficult spot between protecting her students and standing up to the a-hole principal Hayes finds it necessary to intervene and claim his reason for being on school property is because he and Ares are dating. Keeping the ruse going while also doing everything he can to make it real -this romance takes you on another Lani Coaster of feels, drama, danger, and sexy times! Enjoy!
Ares & Hayes are funny, sweet and oh so sexy!
I love a big old grumpy, stoic alpha and then add some sexiness and a protective nature ..I am so in !
Hayes is a member of Swat but he is an enigma . He does his job and stays to himself. When he is seated at a police benefit with Ares he can help but notice her. It is fate that their paths continue to cross but soon Hayes begins to place himself in Ares life.
Ares is the guidance counselor at the local high school and she has been dealing with bullying with in the student body . She soon learns that their is so much more going on than bullying and that may put her in a bit of jeopardy . When they say opposites attract this is certainly the case with these two. They seem to be able to bring out the best in one another. Loved their story and their great supporting cast !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Ask Me If I Care is Ares Downy and Hayes Greer’s story, and although they seem to not have much in common, the fit together so easily…once they both get out of their own ways. Ares and Hayes’ connection, their attraction, and their need for each other builds as their story continues, but that doesn’t mean that aren’t obstacles that they’ll face or doubts that will linger in their minds when it comes to their pasts and even their futures, but the way they come together, when it counts the most, which shows exactly who they’ve become to one another and what that means for their daily lives.
I love that Ares took the initiative and went after what she wanted, even when there are missteps along the way. And, Ares’ job as a school counselor helps shed light on bullying and what can be done to educate and prevent something that causes so much pain and suffering for young adults. Ares is atypical when it comes to the kind of woman she is and the fact that she is not about drama and owns who she is makes her quite an endearing heroine.
At the beginning of the story, Hayes had to come to terms with quite a few things in order to allow him to move forward and while it wasn’t something that happened overnight, the fact that he finally refuses to allow his sins to dictate his present and that’s when he finally gives into what he wants and that is Ares Downy.
There’s a whole lot happening around the hero and heroine and while that causes quite a bit of tension as well as some less than stellar reactions and actions, but, in the end, it comes back to Ares and Hayes and them fighting to be together despite the obstacles and complications that arise.
4 Poison Apples
If you have read Bang Switch or Sinner are Winners then you know the Downy family holds nothing back. Let’s just say I spend the first 25% of this book laughing-out-load with conversions Ares had with her father and brother. Ares and Hayes have an instant connection and they fit so well together that you wouldn’t believe how short of time they have known one another.
As with any book by Lani Lynn Vale can be read as a standalone, I would recommend that you read the other books in this series as some of this storyline has connections with the other books.
Another brilliant read from this author! I’m absolutely loving this world LLV has built, the fact that all the characters are interconnected is something I really adore, seeing all my favourites pop up.
Hayes is a former military man who is with the SWAT team and struggling to deal with his demons from his service, PTSD. He’s sexy and brooding, keeps himself to himself, the complete opposite of Ares’s. Shes vibrant, strong and doesn’t stop talking. She manages to bring Hayes back to life.
The connection between Hayes and Ares’s was off the charts hot but the slow build of their relationship made this so much more, so much more real. Once Haye’s gives in there is no going back.
This was flawless written, filled with drama and suspense mixed with love and healing. Once I started this I couldn’t put it down and I am counting the days down until the next book.
This is the fourth book in the KDP Swat 2.0 series. It is a standalone, but I highly suggest you at least read the previous book, Maybe Swearing Will Help. There were some unanswered questions from that book. They were answered in this one.
We know who the killer is!!
My first thought was wrong, but I was still right about him not being a good guy.
Ares is Downey and Memphis’s daughter. She’s the guidance counselor at the high school. She really cares about her students, and she shows it.
Hayes is on the Swat team. He is a newer character. He does have severe PTSD from being a POW with Malachai.
I love how Ares dealt with him having a breakdown. And what she did for him after. Especially when Trigger came into the picture.
I hope Slone ends up getting a book sometime. My heart hurts for him and Brily.
Lani has done it again with this book. I couldn’t put it down.
Since we’re all under house arrest right now, if you haven’t read her before, you have the time now!
“Guess who got a lot done today? Not me. But probably someone.”
Ask Me If I Care is Book 4 in Lani Lynn Vale’s KPD Swat Generation 2.0 series. This is Hayes and Ares’s story. Their love story will blow you outta the water! They are currently my favorite in the 2.0 series. The feels, steam, action, drama, suspense, family drama, angst, twists, turns, super chemistry and touching romance. The plot is fantastic, the characters are outstanding- Ares is sassy, sweet and and just a feisty one while Hayes is quiet, sexy, suffers from PTSD from his time in the military and doesn’t suffers fools. Hays and Ares click immediately. The chemistry/connection between them is intense and amazing. Without giving anything away, get ready for fireworks and emotional rollercoaster ride of a read. It’s a beautiful story that will have you rooting for Ares and Hayes to get that HEA. What a great addition to the KPD series.
My Rating: 4.8 stars **********
Absolutely loving the next generation! This installment focuses on Hayes and Ares. Ares works for the high school as the guidance counselor and loves her job but feels stunted by the principal and others involved in the school. Hayes is new to town and is starting the get to know and become friends with the guys on his team. When the two meet, sparks instantly fly, and after they find out who each other are, while they initially start to fight it they quickly realize the chemistry they have and take a chance. We see Ares and her ability to really care about someone and do things just because it would help or make things better, and we see Hayes become extremely protective (rightfully so) and right with his gut instincts. I was so excited for this book personally after the cliffhanger of a mystery we were left with in the last book, and I was extremely happy we didn’t have to wait long for the ending of it. It was the most epic ending and I was on the edge of my seat reading it! Per usual, I love this author, her style of writing, and the unique storylines she provides. Can’t wait for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This was a good book. I really liked Hayes and Ares. They had great chemistry and their banter is one of my favorite parts of the book. This book had me gasping in shock. I even got teary eyed at one point when it broke my heart. This book has a lot of emotion to it. It’s an intense ride, but the epilogue is the reward at the end.
Ask Me If I Care is another hit from one of my go to authors, Lani Lynn Vale! In this edition, we get Hayes, a former military man who now works on the SWAT team, and Ares, a school counselor whose brother is also on the SWAT team. Hayes has that sullen, brooding thing down (you see it in the last book) and Ares spends her whole day talking!
These two are very different, but they certainly have chemistry. Ares’ high school boyfriend was Hayes step-brother. Weird? Normally. But Ryan is such a douche and its been over 6 years that it was really kind of a non-issue. This book continues the serial killer hunt that begun in the previous book, Maybe Swearing Will Help. Hayes’ dad is the famous psychologist who profiled the killer. We do learn the identity of the killer in Ask Me If I Care and its a very interesting plot!
Hayes and Ares’ are a great couple and their romance will give you plenty of swooning! Ask Me If I Care will give you steamy romance, some laughs, and one crazy killer! What more could you want in a binge read?
Such a wonderful read! I was skeptical when part of the story is she used to date his brother, but just like LLV always does she weaves us a story to fall in love with. Ares is one of my favs, her attitude & lack of filter is exactly what I love!! Hayes, the quiet broody guy brings plenty of steam & his alpha attitude is written so well. I know I say it way too often, but LLV knows how to write her characters so that we fall in love with them & their story. In this story we get a side of crazy psychopath to mix with the overprotective alpha & I was hooked. I wasn’t ready for their story to end, yet another thing this woman does; makes us want to keep reading.
I highly recommend this book. Told in dual POV.
Ares and Hayes story was sweet, suspenseful and the back and forth humorous banter was just perfect. These two are opposite but also like a moth to a flame when they first meet and try to avoid each other but find it’s nearing impossible. He has severe PTSD and prefers to be alone and has never wanted someone to be around until her and she was so brutally honest it was funny.
This series has been awesome so far and this one was no exception!! I loved Hayes and Ares. Hayes was such a great hero in this story and he ticked all those boxes off for the makings of one…damaged- check, broody – check, handsome- check. He just had it in spades and then enter Ares who is such an understanding heroine and it just made for an awesome book. I can’t wait for the next one. Each book has a really good lesson to each one and this one isn’t any different. Read it and you won’t be disappointed!!
My goodness but I loved it. Every time Hayes said sweetness my heart melted; unique and to the point.
Loved the storyline and the flow and boy did those two connect on so many levels.
We get two bad guys instead of one a surprise mention of one of the best good bad guys out there.
When the secretive, sexy and handsome SWAT agent Hayes met the feisty, beautiful and funny Ares, it was already intense.
These two had such natural and smoking chemistry that made me root for them since the beginning.
Ares was struggling with life and love, a woman with such a big heart and caring for the kids at school and her family. Hayes wanted to be left alone, struggling as well from his past, not feeling worthy of anyone.
Still, these two were the perfect match! She was blunt, fighting in what she believed, and somehow seeing right through Hayes’ pain and suffering.
It was sweet, funny and more emotional than the previous one.
The main characters and their friends were easy to fall in love with, this loud bunch of friends who grew up together. I can’t wait to read more about them.
After 7 consecutive meh reads, Ask Me If I Care was the one that broke that streak. But let’s be real, LLV is always clutch with her books. I always looking forward to them and none of them have let me down. Plus, what’s not to like when you have a brooding yet sizzling hero that is Ares and the school counselor who will do anything in her power to stand up for her students.
I love that LLV’s books are all very different, she’s always adding some sort of no way factor into each and every one of them. Her books constantly draw me and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of them.
Ares and Hayes are very different in personality, but they’re constantly finding themselves running into each other one way or another. The sparks are definitely flying every time, but when will they finally give in. I think that’s always my favorite part, just the anticipation of what’s to come, but having zero idea until it pretty much just hits you in the face.
Yeah, Hayes has a dominating persona, but I love that he treats Ares as an equal. He’s not one to hold her back even if more than anything he would love to just keep her tucked safely at his side.
I really enjoyed the suspense side of this read, I would say it was pretty easy to figure out the who, but LLV was still able to surprise me on that front.
Absolutely loved this read and it’s a solid addition to this series! I am soooooo ready for the next one!
**AN ARC WAS PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW**
Lani Lynn Vale
I’M LOVING THIS SERIES SO MUCH! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Ares & Hayes story is filled with so much emotion, chemistry, love! This series keeps getting better and better… my excitement with each book grows and each story exceeds my expectations.
Lani Lynn Vale Lani Lynn Vale writes strong women that are real and raw. Women aren’t always skinny and poised and Lani Lynn Vale delivers them perfectly.
5 Stars Amazing!
Not my first read by the author, she is one of my favorites! She has a variety and plenty of books to entertain your soul, and this series is one of them. I have also read the previous books in this series!
Hayes is a different type of hero, broody yes, fighting daemons yes but something about him…dark. He doesn’t speak much and when he does it will never involve his past or problems. He is a great cop and when the little Ares is mixed up in dangerous situation, his outlook on her changes. There is a lot of laughter, banter, sweet and some sour. Area was my favorite in all this, I loved her because of her big heart and always wanting to help and be supportive. They make an opposite attract couple and when the sparks finally fly, boy do they fly in a alpha sexy and sweet heroine way! I can’t explain it without spoiling it but, this is a definite MUST READ!!
Rating:
Romance:
Steamy:
Type: Book #4 of Series
Recommended: HIGHLY
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦
I was so excited for Lani Lynn Vale to release Ask Me If I Care, I couldn’t wait for Ares & Hayes’ story. And now that I’ve read it, I was totally worth the wait, it was wonderful. They are awesome together and it also answered some questions!! Loved this book!