Bennett James was out of my league. Beautiful. Charismatic. Addictive. He was the type of man that women fawn over, that could have anyone his heart (or his insatiable libido) desired. He was never supposed to notice me and he sure as hell was never meant to pursue me. Darci Walker is an enigma. Guarded but wild, if she lets you close enough, and therein lies my problem. My sweet, untamed … untamed addiction liked to play timid. That was her first lapse in judgment. Turned me to fire, kick-started a game of cat and mouse I couldn’t get enough of. Me, the Big Bad Wolf. Darci, my sinfully, sexy Riding Hood.
One night led to an addiction neither one of us wanted to overcome. Two nights led to something a little… more. Whether we were ready or not, our connection solidified itself in forever. I was ready, I was willing. Now, if only I could get her to stay the night….
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Now..I love LOVED me some Archer and Jake…*swoon* so I wasn’t sure what I thought about Bennett…he couldn’t possibly steal my heart like the others??
But y’all I was wrong…I loved Bennet so freaking much. I JUST CAN’T TELL Y’ALL HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS SERIES!! Each book has been amazing and different from the other I’m so happy Rosa Sharon told me I needed to read this series and I finally did!!
I will say Bennett’s love interest sure did make me “stabby” at times lol. She made me want to throw my Kindle more than once lol
Sure do love you’re books Haley Jenner!! Another 5 star book for sure!! XOXO thank y’all for writing!!
“Totally. Fucking. Ruined.”
I’ve been really looking forward to being inside the heads of ‘The Big Bad Wolf’ and his ‘Riding Hood’. I’ve known for a long time that they were in lust with each other and hoped that it would develop into more. However, I had my doubts due to Darci’s painful shyness. I knew she wanted him, I just wasn’t sure if she was brave enough to let him in.
I adore Bennett. He’s funny and sweet and sexy and he’s got dirty talkin’ down pat. Imagine his surprise when he found out it turned her on too. “It’s mind-blowing that my sweet, innocent, blush-at-a-simple-hello, bookshop owner responds so intensely to dirty talk.”
I have to say, he’s a saint for having so much patience with Darci. I confess I got frustrated with her wishy-washy behavior going from hot to cold and back again repeatedly. But he adores all the sides of her and once he had a taste of her he was addicted and unable to forget her. Which makes me like him even more…sigh.
Darci is a brilliant businesswoman and an awesome best friend. She sometimes gets so worked up she’ll stand up for herself or those she cares about. But when it comes to her crush, she blushes and stammers and loses all confidence. “It’s cliché but true, Bennett James stole my heart at fourteen with a smile and I’ve never known how to claim it back.” I kept telling her that she already had everything she wanted if she would just accept it, but she didn’t listen to me. Did I mention that she’s hardheaded?
I really really really love the characters in this amazing series. Each installment gives me more of all of them and takes me to my happy place. They are such an entertaining group that love and support each other even when they don’t agree with each other. The authors tackle some really touchy subjects that will make you look at things differently once your eyes are opened. Archer is still my favorite, but I’m really looking forward to Luca who might be another alpha that will push my buttons. The line forms here…
I was so happy to finally get back into the leave of maple series and i couldn’t have been more happier to get Darcy and Bennett’s story.
Bennett was sweet and always had his heart on his sleeve and was just a great day and i love that it’s was Darci who was the one that kept pushing back and fourth. She really didn’t know what she wanted and what to trust and it did frustrate me throughout the book but i love that cause that meant i was getting right into the story.
This book was hot and steamy with quite a few surprises along the way some bad and some good and some so freaking funny.
I loved that we got all the gang Anabelle, Archer, Toby, Williow, Aubrey and Jake and to continue their love stories through this book as well and we get to meet Frankie who was Darci’s sister absolutely loved her as a character and everyone needs a Frankie in their life.
Loved every single moment of Bennett & Darci’s story! Riding Hood & The Big Bad Wolf! What a fairy tale! Still swooning over Bennett! Another amazing read by the talented author duo Haley and Jenner! If you haven’t read Leaves of a Maple! This is a must!
Another great book by Haley Jenner! 3rd book in the series and I know I wanna live in Carnation.
Bennett and Darci’s story was beautiful. Hot, dirty talking hero and his shy Riding Hood were perfect together. Darci fought her insecurities. She believed that Bennett deserved someone better than her. What she didn’t know was that he loved her as she was. HJ know how to write a romance with all the feels.
Holy hell.
My favourite book of the series so far for sure.
Couldn’t put it down from start to finish and my face hurts from grinning.
Not normally a fan of sweet stories without suspense, HJ might just convert me yet!
I finished Bennett several days ago and I can’t stop thinking about it. The authors have done this to me with every book of theirs that I have read so far. This series is one of the best I have ever read and with each book they manage to create a completely new original story line with new (although we’ve met them previously!) outstanding characters with brilliant unique personalities! Bennett James is effing perfection. Done. He is sweet, caring, 100% charming and he takes patience to a level never before seen. Oh, and he is an all powerful deity during sexy times. My my MY the sex scenes and dirty talk in this book were some of the hottest I have read in a long time!
Bennett is ALL IN from the very beginning and I just love that! He’s clear with what he wants but he’s not pushy about it, just confident. Darci Walker is his match. Man I love her because it’s easy to understand her insecurities and hesitations and desire to do the right thing, but she had me wringing my hands with frustration like no other. LOL! I actually did kind of want to slap her around a bit and tell her to run into Bennett’s arms immediately! Le sigh.
Bennett and Darci go round and round and though their story did not break me like Archer (read it!), I’m quite grateful for that. These ladies have brought a different suite of emotions to each story in this series. They know how to write characters with substance like no one’s business. Darci and Bennett’s story brings laughter and the warm and tinglies right along side real life sadness and worries. READ THIS BOOK. READ THIS SERIES. 5 BIG BAD WOLF STARS FOR BENNETT. RUINED!
I can describe Bennett with two words Lady Killer and I’ve been smitten since I was a young teen. Although I saw him standing out in the crowd I’ve always blended into the background. I’m the owner of the local coffee shop and Annabelle’s friend Darcy. I tend to be socially awkward, shy and a hopeless romantic. Not sure how or why but one night Bennett followed me into the storage closet. My inner minx came out to play and we had the best sex of my life. Bennett was blown away by my extreme personality change, he loved it and couldn’t get enough. Meanwhile I was ashamed of myself, OMG I can’t belive I behaved like that! When in a panic there’s only one thing you can do, run and run I did. Bennett tried to give me space so I could get accustomed to the change in our relationship. He was the hunter and I was the catch. I thought he was playing with me and would get bored, surely he’s not really interested in me?
Bennett and Darci have chemistry in spades, but Darci is a little skittish, having been burned before. I really love Bennett – he’s sexy, all alpha, so steadfast in his feelings. This big bad wolf needed to capture his Red Riding Hood girl, and it was an amazing story, down to the end. The highs and lows, the love and laughter, and the angst, all made this a wonderful read. I love how Frankie also supports Darci, and she becomes more prominent in this book, making me think she’s about to get her story too! Can’t wait!
Bennett James is Mr. Popular and yet there is something about him that is drawn to Darci Walker, the owner of the coffee shop and one night they can’t deny their chemistry.
12 months later Bennett and Darci find themselves together once again and Darci pulls away from Bennett. Yet when circumstances bring them together again will Darci open herself up to Bennett completely or will she pull away and shut down?
Will Darci learn to trust Bennett or will she lose him completely thru her own insecurities?
This is such a great series and I love the continuing stories through the books.
I really liked Bennett and knew his reputation of a bit of a player, but I saw none of that at all in this book. Bennett cared so much about Darci and wanted a relationship with her but every time he thought he was getting closer to her she would pull away from him. Bennett was a super hard worker and I loved that this showed a side of him that was dedicated and reliable.
I liked Darci a lot but then when she kept pulling away from Bennett I was so confused. He treated her so well and I couldn’t understand why she kept pulling away from him time after time.
I was surprised at the first reveal and I really thought it would help Darci when she saw how Bennett stood by her but se kept pushing him away. I actually really enjoyed Bennett’s blow up at Darci regarding her “whiplash” attitude towards him.
I was definitely freaking out a little when Bennett got hurt and I wondered what was going to happen with him!
The incident at the Coffee House was so depressing and I wondered how Darci was going to recover but I had faith in Bennett and Archer!
The end was great and I was so happy with Darci and Bennett!!
I loved meeting Frankie and I can’t wait to see what happens next with her! – By Rebecca
I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this book. I laughed, cried (ugly tears) and wanted to throw my kindle (in the best kind of way). Bennett and Darcy, Little Red Ridinghood and the Big Bad Wolf. Oh my word what a love story. Such a great story and an awesome series. Cannot wait until the next instalment
Darci doesn’t realise how captivating she is or how much Bennett is attracted to her. They seem an unlikely pair, he’s charismatic and addictive, she’s a mystery. I loved these two together.
Haley Jenner has done it once again. Bennett was an amazing read! I cannot get enough of the Leaves of Maple crew and these ladies blew this one out of the water!
Bennett is caring, sexy, sweet, and considerate… Perfect recipe for a man right?? In comes Darci.. shy, awkward, not confident at all, but in the bedroom she is the epitome of confidence and eager to please and be pleased. She is the definition of a naughty librarian (without the library lol). When these two come together (when Darci isn’t hiding) they come together in explosive sexual tension that you can feel from outside of the book. Bennett’s task? Convincing his woman that they are a perfect match.
This is a story that you do not want to miss! I’m sure that me even saying that is pointless because if you’ve read Archer and Jake you’re probably dying to dive into Bennett. If you haven’t started this amazing series what’s stopping you???