Hadley Jacobs is over Machlan Gibson. Sure, she’ll always be a little weak to the dimple in his right cheek and the way his five o’clock shadow makes him ruggedly handsome. But that’s not enough to cover every other thing about him because they all drive her nuts. Like how he won’t admit he’s wrong even when he knows it and how he drives his stupid car a million miles an hour on wet asphalt. As … asphalt. As she rolls back into town and takes a seat at Crave, she won’t take the bait. She’s over him. Mostly.
Machlan isn’t over her.
It’s not because he hasn’t tried. He reminds himself over and over that she’s not the girl for him. After all, she drives him insane with her sassy attitude and the way she calls him out on everything. She beats him at poker, even though she doesn’t know the difference between a straight and a flush, and when she looks at him with her bright, blue eyes, it’s unnerving. When she climbs onto that bar stool and orders a drink, he puts it in front of her and ignores the sparkle in her eyes. He’s not over her, but she won’t know that.
But she does know that. And he knows she’s not as over him as she’s pretending to be. When life forces their hand this time, there’s more on the line than a pile of poker chips. It’s their forever.
Crave is a second chance standalone romance in a new small town, blue-collar series from USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke. Join readers everywhere as they fall in love with the delicious Gibson Boys.
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A second chance romance that really stuck with me!!! I loved how Machlan was pretty much every boy I knew growing up. Young love that never died, no matter how much they wanted to move on and forget the past. Machlan tried to push her away, but Handley never gave up. In good times and in bad, true love at it’s best!!!
Never can go wrong with Adriana’s books!
Locke is always a one-click author for me. Loved Crave and the emotions I felt while reading.
I adore Adriana Locke so much! And have you seen this cover? She found the perfect image – it’s both pretty and hot!
Love, love, love me some Adriana Locke! This book is no different. Buy it now!
I don’t know how in the ham sandwich Adriana Locke manages to make me love each book more than the last but she does. Case in point. Crave. It was every. Single. Thing. This book came out of nowhere and sucker punched me right in the feels. I got weepy, I laughed, I swooned, I fanned myself, I cringed, I hoped and I healed.
Yes healed. My heart was torn to bits by Hadley and Machlan’s journey. Two people so different yet so perfect for the other. Two sides of the same coin. Both fighters. Both lovers. Both giving. Both forgiving. Both haunted by the choices they made in their youth. Both going about it a different way while trying to protect the other.
I loved Mach. LOVED him. For all his brood and jerkiness he was such a good guy. A family guy. Don’t even get me started on his relationship with Nana (cue the swoon- it was so sweet). But it was how he was with and without Hadley that melted me. He loved her so fully, so deeply that he couldn’t see past how much he had let her down. Even though he truly hadn’t.
And Hadley. That firecracker with a tender heart. A heart that beat and bled for Machlan. I loved her kindness and grace. How she was unafraid to admit her feelings, even if she didn’t want to. When she put her foot down I let out a little sigh of resignation. It had to happen. I didn’t like it but it was what was right for her.
I’m not going to say much else, it feels like I said a lot but there is so much goodness in this book. Crave gave me more Gibson’s complete with a good handful of Peck. AND there was Landry sighting. From family and forgiveness and friendship to that FINALLY moment Crave had me hanging on every word. Machlan and Hadley’s journey almost broke me but that ending- gave me a belly full of butterflies and all the heart eyes- it was perfection.
Hadley and Machlan have grown up together and been with each other through many ups and downs. They were torn apart about a year ago, and now Hadley is back in town to get over Machlan once and for all.
Hadley was such a strong heroine. She knew what she wanted and never gave up. She put her heart on the line over and over again even though the results always ended up the same.
Machlan was so hard on himself. He didn’t think he deserved the good in life and had very low self esteem. He was constantly overthinking things and putting himself down when others only saw the best.
These two had such an emotional childhood. They needed each other and used each other to get through some unimaginable events, but immaturity always played a part in their break ups.
I loved their story, but I felt like I was on a roller coaster with Machlan. He was so hot and cold with his decisions. I just wanted him to get his act together.
OH Peck!!! I just hope that his dreams of Molly do not come true. I cannot get my hands on his book fast enough because I need to know who the heroine is going to be!
-An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
I love it every time Adriana releases a new book, so I was SO EXCITED about “CRAVE” — and its FINALLY live!!!! #AnticipatedReads #OneClick
“I’m bound to this woman by scars etched on both our hearts; scars we share with only each other. ”
I can always count on Adriana Locke to deliver a romance that is raw and real — to the point where I end up banging my head on the wall in frustration when they can’t see what is right in front of them but I think that is the beauty of her books, what drew me to her books in the beginning and continue to do so.
I love Adriana’s characters. Downright ADORE every single one of them, so I can say this absolute resolve that I’ve never, ever, wanted to hit two Locke character’s so much.
Machlan Gibson and Hadley Jacobs needed to be hit on their heads. With a chair, preferably. *shakes head*
Okay, now that that’s out of the way.
“Love was never our problem. It’s still present, still rumbling between us even now, even after all the shit we’ve been through. We may not have been able to get on the same page or work out our problems, but there’s a relief that the love, in whatever form, is there.”
Locke gives us a second chance small-town romance which is full of angst in Crave
Machlan met Hadley when he was 15 and she was 13 and it was a connection from the start. They grew up together and were each other’s first love and safe place, one they could talk to about anything and everything.
Since that day, there had been many ups and downs faced by the two of them that made a chink in their armour one incident at a time. Their love, at the time, wasn’t strong enough.
There was something that Grandma Gibson said that resonated with what Machlan and Hadley had experienced and faced as a couple. She said (and I am paraphrasing this) that sometimes when you are in a relationship with the right person, it just isn’t the right time. Sometimes the two people need to step back and grow and learn and experience things as individuals and if it meant to be you will come back together. Your roots will be stronger and come what you will withstand any situation that is thrown your way.
Mach and Had fell in love when they were broken and dealing with their insecurities. Things happened, life happened and they didn’t survive it.
They were never able to work out through their problems, through their insecurities but love was always present between them and what brought Hadley back to the small time of Linton.
“When I look at you, I don’t just see the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I see the next sixty years of my life.”
There are tons of push and pull between the two of them. The frustration was so prominent between Hadley and Machlan… and me. LOL! I was waiting for Machlan to pull his head out of his ass but this boy is stubborn as a mule.
The emotions are running at an all-time high where these two are concerned. I loved seeing more Machlan and how his brain worked. It was nice to see things from the broody bartender’s perspective
This is a book that I can and would recommend solely based on the raw intensity of the book. Tragedy, separation, loss, love, frustration and second-chances. This is as real as a romance can get for fiction.
4 Stars!
Adriana has done it again!!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!! I was waiting for the story for Mach, and it FINALLY came!!!
I loved everything about the book! The storyline, the characters (Not just Mach, but Hadley as well), just everything really!!
So many great highlighted sections or phrases for me too!
I really enjoyed the storyline of how they came back together, and OMG Peck, hilarious!!! I can’t wait to read his story.
My Fave Quotes
1. I can’t put roots down somewhere else and allow myself to fall in love or really start a life when my heart is still here. With Machlan. – Hadley knows she’s not ever Mach, and can’t move on without him.
2. “Can’t help I’m a good-looking motherfucker.” – Cracks me up!!
3. “Orgasms paint the world rosy. You’re in need of a good painting.” – OMG! I died laughing!!!
4. He doesn’t grin or smirk or give me some one-liner that makes me want to throat punch him. – Anything line with throat punch in it deserves a shoutout!
5. “I mean if I go, does that mean something?” “Yeah,” I deadpan. “It means you want to be fucked.” Mach talking to his sister. Cracks me up!
6. Another side of me wants to climb him like a damn tree. – Go right ahead Hadley!
7. “I see the way she looks at you like you’re the best thing since yoga pants. And you look at her like you want to eat her.” – Again their friends trying help them!
8. If I touch him with his six-pack abs looking all glorious, it would be the end of me. I’d have an orgasm holding a grilled cheese. – Hadley admiring Mach shirtless.
9. “Now can you go with me into the bar and see the guy I want to give me babies.” – OH Hadley, you had it bad!!
“Second-chance romance at its very best! Crave was everything we wanted and more. We laughed. We cried. We SWOONED. And now, we’re (im)patiently waiting for the next Adriana Locke book! Crave is a definite five-star read!”
Machlan and Hadley’s road to their forever has not been easy, obstacles are still in their way to their happy ending but sometimes with wise words, good friends and sudden realizations, people wise us, like in Machlan’s case when he finally realizes he can lose Hadley forever and he gets his head out of his rear and takes actions and grovels and FINALLY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF BACK AND FORTH, Machlan and Hadley get their well-deserved happily ever after <3 <3
Machlan and Hadley's story is told and what a story... Go ahead and check it out because it was gripping, emotional, steamy, twists and surprises you didn't imagine but above all, a love true enough to withstand it all, even the person you love, who pushes you away, it can withstand even that then you guys got yourself one hell of a story to be told.
Adriana is amazing. I can’t wait to read this one! <3
Well, it’s official. Machlan is my favorite Gibson.
This man… Geez, he’s a hot mess. He’s grumpy, moody, overbearing, demanding, and kind of a jerk. And I know what you’re thinking. Misty, how can this be your favorite? Easy. For all those (seemingly) negative qualities comes a plethora of amazing ones. Mach is determined and successful. His passion runs deep and his loyalty is fierce. He has the best heart and even better intentions, even if he doesn’t always show it.
Hadley…my heart breaks for this girl. In all other aspects of her life she’s strong, independent, and has it together. But when it comes to Machlan, she struggles. And who could blame her? Her life is so entwined with this man’s that it’s almost impossible for her to imagine a life that doesn’t include him.
This story was a beautiful kind of torture. The push and pull between Machlan and Hadley was intense but the love underneath it all is what love stories are made of. Be prepared to be pulled through ALL the feels with this one. Tears will be shed, but Peck will always be in the background ready to make you laugh again. And don’t forget Lance and Walker – we get more of them too.
So, yeah. Mach is definitely my favorite Gibson…and this is my favorite Gibson Boys story. This one gets ALL the stars!
Wow! I have been anxiously awaiting Machlan’s story, since I first read “Crank”. I absolutely love this book! It did not disappoint. I didn’t want Hadley & Machlan’s story to end. I read it at a slower pace than normal. I wanted to savor every word Adriana wrote about these two. We finally learn about their complex history. I understand now, why it took Adriana so long to write their second chance at love, story. It was definitely worth the wait. It was heartbreaking & frustrating at times, to see both Hadley & Machlan dismiss their true feelings for the other. However, it was also beautiful to see how unconditionally they loved the other. To see how Machlan saw himself and how deeply he did love Hadley. I also really enjoyed seeing the other members of the Gibson clan again. To be able to catch up with what’s going on in their lives. I absolutely loved seeing the Gibson boys’ amazing love (especially Machlan and Peck) for their Nana. And to see Cross’s love for his sister. I also really appreciated the humor woven throughout the book. This story is definitely for any fans of Adriana’s (especially of her Gibson Boys series). However, it can be read as a standalone. You won’t be disappointed. Peck’s story is next. I cannot wait to read it and for him to finally get his happily ever after.
OK. I am going to get real here: You cannot ever go wrong with an Adriana Locke romance. She’s one of my auto-buy authors, and I have been soaking up every word of The Gibson Boys series. I can’t pick which brother is my favorite, so please do not make me. Ever.
I love, love, love Crave. I’m a sucker for a second-chance romance, and this is a swoon-wothry one from Machlan and Hadley’s heartwarming young love to devastating heartbreak to bittersweet reconciliation and, finally, to sigh-worthy happy-every-after. These two will steal your heart, and you’ll be rooting for them every step of the way. Their love story is heartrending in some ways but the lighthearted world of The Gibsons and the abundance of sweet, steamy and funny moments ensure the reader feels everything and walks away with a smile on her (or his) face. Of course, the appearances by all of the beloved characters in the series (Nana!) is a lovely bonus to an already fabulous story. Go read this book!
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
SIMMERING WITH FEELS, WARMTH AND A LOVELY SENSE OF AWE, CRAVE FAST AND EASILY HAD ME FALLING AND I NEVER BEEN HAPPIER!
Adriana Locke brought to her readers a profound, beautiful and spectacular second chance romance that is giving her readers all the butterflies! The moment I started this I didn’t want to put it down. It was wonderfully sweet and compelling and brings one satisfying HEA. I want to so bad get into more detail because of how this book made me feel but I am afraid I would need to get into the story and would give away crucial spoilers so I won’t, but what I am willing to say is this book is a delight! Its so beautiful and lovely and if you buy this, it will change you in the BEST of ways.
Crave gets a SIMMERING WITH FEELS FIVE SHOOTING STARS!
I CRAVE anything written by Adriana Locke and this book was no different. MUST READ!
Omg I loved this book so hard. Machlan, ahhhhh! Hadley was awesome as well.
This story had some angst, lots of lol moments.
Perfect! Can’t wait for Peck’s book!
I’ve been waiting for Machlan and Hadley’s book. I knew it was going to be epic!
Their story is one you won’t forget. They’ve been together most their lives. Machlan is broody and rough around the edges but when he shows his softer since, it’s amazing! Hadley is so sweet and strong. I love her attitude and spunk!
They’re perfect for each other and this story shows that. This story will have you hooked from chapter one because “tequila and coke” 🙂
You will go from an emotional mess to laughing in two seconds. Great combination of all the feels!
Adriana never disappoints! One-Click this book. You know you want to!!!!