Meet the men of Manning Grove, three small-town cops and brothers, who meet the women who will change the rest of their lives. This is Max’s story…Big city party-girl Amanda Barber has been spoiled most of her life. But life for Amanda suddenly becomes a major challenge: adapting to small-town life, dealing with her special needs brother, and constantly butting heads with a frustrating local … a frustrating local cop.
As a police officer and former Marine, “responsibility” is Max Bryson’s middle name. Never having been in a serious relationship, he has no plans for one in the near future. He likes being his own man. And even if he were interested in a serious relationship, he certainly wouldn’t choose someone so immature and irresponsible as Amanda. But no matter how hard he tries, he can’t get sexy Amanda out of his head or his heart. Watching her mature in front of his eyes, his protectiveness towards her only strengthens.
Bossy and possessive aren’t the only words Amanda uses to describe this frustrating cop. She can’t deny just looking at the man makes her tremble. But she’s done with having anyone control her and this man isn’t going to be any different. Or is he?
Note: This is a full-length novel and can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers and it has an HEA.
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I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is so good!
This book is a bit different in that it deals with an older sister having to care for a special needs sibling with no training or experience. Amanda has been raised by her mother and never had the chance to get to know her father’s second family. That is until she suddenly becomes Greg’s only living relative. Going from a lavish lifestyle to a comfortable but focused one would be challenging enough but then you add in a responsibility as daunting as Greg is… well, life is bound to change you. Add in a cop, Max, who is watching every move you make and you’ve got a really good book.
It’s an interesting read to see how much Amanda adapts to her new life and how Max fits into it too. The heat between these two is scorching and I found myself crying and laughing along with them.
4 Brothers in Blue Stars
Max is the first book in the Brothers in Blue Series by Jeanne St. James. This is my first book by this author and I was looking forward to giving it a go.
Amanda drives into this small town not knowing what to expect. The only thing she knows for sure is that she has a half-brother with special needs she’s never meet but now has to take guardianship off as her stepmother has died suddenly. She is leaving behind her very glamorous exciting life in Miami to do the right thing.
Max is a third generation police officer in his hometown and the oldest of three Bryson boys. We a tour in the army under his belt he’s ready to get stuck into small town life.
Max and Amanda have a volatile start, they seem to rub each other the wrong way on every occasion. Max throughout that Amanda needed to grow up but really he was the one that needed to get over himself when it came to his relationship issues.
This was a really enjoyable read for my first Jeanne St. James book and I will definitely being getting into more of her books in the future.
I loved this opposites attract, small town romance! Amanda is young, and has a carefree, privileged, fun life in Miami. When she is asked to take care of her special needs, step-brother after her step mother passes away, she leaves Miami for the cold northern small town to meet him for the first time due to her parents bitter divorce. Her mother has controlled her life and now she is way out of her element trying to take care of her mentally challenged brother, Greg, and his dog, Chaos. She has a run in with the law, sexy, bossy, alpha officer and former Marine, Max Bryson. He loves his job and takes rules very seriously. Not like this sexy, stubborn, immature woman who blew into town, and makes him feel things he doesn’t want to feel. But Amanda and her brother have missteps as they figure out their new normal, and Max is always there to pick up the pieces, and lend a hand. Amanda is learning that she wants to make her own choices, mistakes, and learn to be responsible without everyone controlling her. Max doesn’t want to settle down, but Amanda continues to make him break all his rules. They always butt heads, challenging each other, making them perfect for each other and their chemistry leaps right off the page. I really loved the sweet bond and love that grew between Amanda and Greg. It helped her grow and realize she was worth so much more than her superficial life in Miami. I really enjoyed the addition of Amanda’s nosy neighbors, and Max’s nosy family who are also loving, supportive, and fun.
Narrators Jason Clarke, and Ava Lucas make this heartwarming and sexy, small town romance come to life so beautifully. I loved how they made each character come alive, being adept at voicing so many characters and making them all distinguishable. Lucas was so great at portraying all of Amanda’s misgivings, frustrations, and excitement, and Clarke made me swoon with his portrayal of possessive, bossy, sexy Max. This is a great start to the Brothers in Blue Series. I really enjoyed this captivating, entertaining, and sizzling romance, and can’t wait for Marc’s story next!
Max is the oldest of three brothers who live in small town America. They have all served in the Marines and then came home to serve on the small town police department. Max is definitely an alpha male with a possessive streak. He’s sexy and can make you want to fan yourself. Amanda is the big town rich party girl who reluctantly comes to Manning Grove to assume care of her mentally challenged half brother. You can tell Amanda has the right motivation but has a way to go to gain maturity after being the spoiled rich bitch. I wouldn’t say it’s insta-love but it’s definitely insta-lust. There are such heart warming instances of Max and his family treating the half brother, Greg, with love and respect. One thing for sure, Amanda may miss the big city but she becomes so protective of Greg and his dog, it will warm your heart.
I first read this authors series, Dirty Angels MC, and enjoyed that series very much. I have now moved on to book two in this series about the brother Marc.
All available on KU. No cheating and a sweet romance with a strong sense of family.
Max is the first book in the Brothers in Blue series and this book has me hooked. These characters will all steal your heart and have your emotions riding high. Max will make you want to break the law, have him cuff you, throw you in the back of his cop car and take you home. Amanda and Max’s story is no easy ride and at times these two will confuse each other with mixed signals and not facing what is staring them in the face. Their tempers will flare, apologies will be made repeatedly but when it all comes down to it this man will protect her heart. A romance that will make you swoon, leave you breathless and have you falling in love.
Loved this story!
The characters are down to earth, Amanda Barber a big city girl thrown into a small town, Max Dyson small town Police officer both are stubborn, oil and water together actually but drawn to each other just the same. The storyline is touching, heart warming, but sexy too. In Jeanne’s signature style.
Jeanne St. James has a way of telling stories that just pull you in and hold you there. This one especially so.
Ava Lucas did a phenomenal job narrating along with Jason Clarke.
Can’t wait to hear Marks story.
5 star review of Max (Brothers in Blue #1) by Jeanne St James
Audio Review
I love small town stories, throw in a totally hot and alpha cop and I am in heaven. Having read/listened to several books from Jeanne St James I was excited to dive in to what for me is a new series.
I was not disappointed. The narration from Ava Lucas and Jason Clark was spot on for these characters. I really loved the premise of this story. Spoilt rich girl Amanda Barber arrives in the small town of Manning Grove to take responsibility for her younger half brother who has special needs. Initially I wasn’t sure I was going to like Amanda or Mandy as her brother Greg calls her but thankfully I came around very quickly.
I loved the relationship that not only Amanda but Max had with Greg, it was truly heart warming. The chemistry between Max and Amanda was intense and it was amusing to listen to the love/hate relationship as it built.
I am looking forward to reading/listening to the other brothers stories.
Brothers in Blue: Max
By: Jeanne St. James, Romance Author
Narrated by: Ava Lucas, Jason Clarke
After listening to the DAMC books, I could not wait to delve into this new series to me! And all I can say is WOW! This story had me from the very first chapter. Amanda moves to Manning Grove after the death of her stepmother. She is taking over the care of her disabled brother, and is staying in Manning Grove to get things settled. Staying out of trouble seems to be her biggest problem, and Max, a town cop, is the one that seems to be her nemesis every time something goes wrong. Now that their attraction is evident, will Max be enough to keep Amanda from going back to her old life? This book has a little of everything I love in it. Jeanne St. James creates Greg, Amanda’s stepbrother in such a way that I could feel the compassion she has for him. He is lovable from the first lines and is the standout for me. I love the small town feel of the story, with Max’s family being a cornerstone for Amanda. This story is not only steamy, but the messages of family and self worth make it one of the best I have heard this year.
Listening to the story, St. James could not have picked better narrators. Ava Lucas is absolutely incredible. Not only does she nail Amanda, but the way she brings Greg to life makes him so endearing, it’s impossible not to fall in love with him! The choice of Jason Clarke for Max is perfect. His voice holds that alpha feel but also has that honorable tone of military excellence. I loved the combination and can’t wait to hear the next in this series!
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I LOVED this book! I decided to read this after finishing the Down and Dirty series. And I was not disappointed! This book has such an original plot it made me fall in love with Amanda even more. And Max is just pure steamy male! He just kept pushing her way unintentionally. You will not be disappointed!
I was offered a free book from Jeanne St. James to read and give my honest opinion on. I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. This was the first book that I have had the chance to read by Jeanne and I absolutely loved this very well written book. The character chemistry between Max and Mandy is off the charts hot.
Mandy returns to this small town after the death of her stepmother. She is there to take care of her halfbrother Greg. She is up against quite a battle when it comes to taking care of Greg but no matter what she takes the reins and does what is needed. During her first couple of days there she runs into Max one of the many police officers in this small town. He is giving her a nonsense ticket for being parked in a free parking lot after the time limit. Sparks fly from that first moment. But Max has his own issues with relationships and Mandy. Things happen that threaten to not let this relationship happen. Things threaten to take Mandy away from this small town. But in the end will love get Mandy to stay?
I absolutely loved this story from the beginning to the end. Mandy “Amanda” was a hero to me. Her character was so very well written. Showing all the battles that she was dealing with and how by the end she did what was needed to change the way her life was going. Her strength alone makes you want to cheer for her and reach in at times and give her a hug and let her know that she was doing great. Max is a yummy police officer that seriously needs a kick in the butt about his mother but by the end you cheer for him too because he finally figures it out.
I absolutely loved the steamy sex scenes and just the chemistry in general. I highly recommend this book by Jeanne and i honestly cannot wait to read more about these brothers.
This is the story of Max Bryson a former Marine and now Policeman, and Amanda Barber, a party girl who is spoiled by her controlling mother. Amanda moves to a small town to care for her 22 year old special needs half brother after the death of her step mother. Max and Amanda met when he gave her a ticket for parking in a free parking lot after hours. The chemistry between these two was instant but each having their own problems they fought how they felt for each other. This is a great story from the first page to the last. The characters were believable and well developed. I loved Max’s family, especially his brothers and I look forward to reading more about them. This is a sexy , fun emotional book with a great ending leaving you wanting more. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Amanda and Max had me hooked right from the start! Max is a sexy demanding Alpha cop, who has no need for some spoiled little city girl. Amanda has come to town to take care of her special needs brother, who she’s never met, and this is not something she’s prepared to do. Trying to figure out what to do, Amanda doesn’t need the sexy, demanding and annoyingly frustrating cop in her business, yet he’s always there. I loved the push and pull, the heat and tension! I can’t wait for the next Brother in Blue!!
Having read and LOVED all of this authors MC reads I was excited to read this story. It is much different from the MC world she has so wonderfully created but no less amazing. This story was so full of heart. It was realistic and brave. It was a truly amazing read.
Amanda (or ‘Manda) is a young woman who finds herself in a precarious position. She has never met her step brother and has only every thought about herself. Her step mother dies and leaves her brother in her care. Not knowing how to even begin to process this new development she finds herself the sole caregiver to her special needs brother. Everything in her life is now different and the change is overwhelming.
One day, out and about in town, she meets Max, a police officer and their introduction to each other is anything but positive. They butt heads and personalities but have one thing in common. They both want what is best for the brother. Max is trying to help out (in his way) and Amanda feels like she is failing. With both of these characters having to try and find a balance the story is filled with life lessons and growth.
I loved how realistic these characters were and the author did a great job at highlighting the “troubles” of dealing with a special needs person without making them seem negative. I loved this story and am excited to read the other brothers adventures in the future.
Amanda had an easy life, until she had to take care of Greg. Having to grow up and become a responsible adult in a hurry made me really grow to like her from the earlier self-serving person she was. Max was a great small-town cop, and I loved how he was so good with Greg too. Great build-up to an awesome finish in this steamy romance!
I loved this book, this is the story of Max and Amanda. Max the responsible one, the ex-marine now law enforcement officer, Amanda betrayed by those she loved thrown into a situation where she has to grow up. This book is full of family loyalty, family love and strength of family be it of blood or choice. There was times I wanted to hit Max on the back of his head and shout to him give her a chance, don’t be so judgemental. My heart was with Amanda, with the struggles of her new life, I was cheering her on. A very well written, heart warming story. Looking forward to reading more from this talented Author.
This is a very enjoyable and entertaining read. An opposites attract, hate/love romance. This book focuses on Amanda and Max. These two are about as different as night and day. Amanda’s a spoilt, rich, party loving, city girl. Max is a down to earth, controlled, dedicated, country boy, cop. The attraction between these two is strong but so is their dislike of each other. To me Amanda was a bit unlikable to start, but she grew on me as she was pushed out of her normal. It was inspiring and quite moving to see her grow and evolve as she struggled to adapt, made mistakes and learned from them. It was also very fun to watch as these two had to deal with their changing impressions of each other. A very good book and I look forward to reading future books in this series.
Jeanne St. James has created a world with very complex characters in Brothers in Blue. In the first installment of this series, we meet Max and Amanda. Max is all Alpha. How can he not be with a family motto of Protect and Serve? He’s the oldest of three brothers that come from a long, and distinguished line of Jarheads turned police officers. He’s bossy and controlling, but as we find out in Brothers in Blue, he comes by it naturally. Oh did I forget to mention how yummy Officer Max is? Oh yeah, that too!
Amanda, on the other hand, is almost the opposite. Oh, her mother is a controlling piece of work, but she comes to take custody of her younger half brother very immature and spoiled. She has no idea what she’s in store for between a her developmentally challenged brother and a local Alpha that wants to be control on a whole different level.
St. James packs enough heat for at least two books, and while it’s easy to say that Amanda’s character does all of the maturing through the story, you would be missing that Max has some growing up to himself. I fell in love with these characters immediately, and wanted to smack them both up side the head more than once. That’s the sign of a great book, when you are emotionally engaged with the characters the author has created. I can’t wait to see what the other brothers have in store for us!