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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I absolutely love a good second chance romance and Crave, the latest story from the Gibson Boys, was right up my street! Machlan and Hadley’s story is an emotional journey.
A story packed full of ups and downs, highs and lows. There was a huge amount of back and forth between the characters, both pushing and pulling against their feelings, against their emotions.
It’s a love story about moving on and overcoming the past. I just wish that Mach had got over his feelings and his self-doubt a little bit sooner in the story so we could have enjoyed more of them as a couple!!
I did enjoy this story, and the characters were great. Loved how we saw some of the other characters from the series’ and I absolutely cannot wait to see what the author has in sore for us in the next book.
Things have been set up nicely and I am so intrigued to see what happens next with Peck!!!
4 Stars
This is the third book in The Gibson Boys series. It is a complete stand alone, but the other books are great also.
I absolutely love these Gibson boys and Nana. Especially Nana.
You will have some tears with this read. I didn’t ugly cry, but there were a few tears that leaked out a few times while reading this.
The first time, was when we finally found out what happened between Machlan and Hadley, and the tough decision that they had to make. I absolutely love the choice they made. They are both love so much. You thisjust proves it.
The other time was because of Nana, you’ll see when you read this.
Machlan is a great guy, but he carries so much guilt for his past and choices that he has made. But he takes care of everyone and he loves hard.
Hadley has always loved Machlan. But it’s time for her to find out if he loves her, or to move on with her life.
They have a lot, and I mean a lot of ups and downs.
I do wish that they would have told Cross about the past, and that there would have been an update(many many years later of course).
I love this story and the characters.
Oh, Machlan… God, this book was just everything I hoped it would be and SO. MUCH. MORE. I’m stunned, rocked to the freaking core. I can’t even tell you how many times this book left me choked up, teary and breathless. Crave not only set my heart ablaze, but it also damn well sent all my emotions haywire.
“You can’t help who you love. But you can help how much you let them hurt you.”
With all the teasing, little peeks and build up we got from the previous books in the Gibson Boys series, Machlan’s story was without a doubt one I was absolutely looking forward to. And now that I’ve finished devouring every single moment of Crave, I don’t know what to do with myself. Hell, I don’t even know where to begin. All I know is that this book left me raw and emotional, and a heart bursting at the seams with love. I was expecting a whirlwind of a second chance romance here, but what I got was something that gutted me and turned me inside out—a tale that has made its mark deep within my soul. A tale filled with scars, insecurities and vulnerabilities, and some of the hardest decisions a person shouldn’t ever have to make.
“I’m bound to this woman by scars etched on both our hearts; scars we share with only each other.”
Machlan and Hadley’s story made me cry. It made me mad. It made me laugh. It made me swoon and fall in love. The love and connection between these two were so profound and palpable, you’ll feel the spark and zing down to the marrow of your bones. Their story wasn’t perfect, nor was it pretty all throughout. They had more spats and disagreements than a married couple has, but it all boils down to one thing—the love was always there.
“If God asked me to design a woman for myself, I’d just point at Hadley and say, ‘Yeah, you already did.’”
Crave isn’t just your average second chance romance—it filled me up completely with every emotion known to man and knocked me sideways with how deep and potent their history was. A history so tough and rocky, yet so beautiful and intense—one I never expected, yet explained so much about the dynamic Machlan and Hadley has fallen into since the beginning of this book.
“Something in my genetic makeup makes it impossible for me to ignore Hadley Jacobs. It’s like God created me with a chink in my armor, then He created her to fit that weakness, and I can’t get around it to save my fucking life.”
We all know Adriana Locke can write one helluva kickass novel, but the depth and level of emotion we got here in Crave is almost incomparable. It hit me square in the chest and shook me up more than I thought it would. Ms. Locke has definitely more than delivered Machlan Gibson’s story—she slayed it and served it on a silver platter for us to gobble up, devour and carry in our souls forever. With this author, it’s already a given that every book just gets better, more passionate and heartrending than the last. And Crave is yet another sheer proof of that—it will have you so twisted up inside and hanging on to every moment and every page you turn. Needless to say, it was totally worth every single second of the wait.
“This place brings people together in a way most don’t understand, and being a part of it makes me feel as if I’m doing something worthwhile.”
The Gibson Boys series isn’t your typical small town, blue collar romance with awe-inspiring characters who will pull you in and have you addicted in no time. This series won’t only give you an overwhelming rush of love and pain and angst after reading every book, but it’ll also give you that incredible sense of family that you’ll long to have and only wish to be a part of. It’s a series you will keep close to your heart and ultimately never get enough of.
5 “Epic Love” Stars
Crave is book three in the Gibson Boy’s series and buckle up, because it’s one emotional ride. This book has all the feels. Seriously, it hit every single emotion I had and I not only felt drained after reading it, but also rejuvenated. Weird, I know, but trust me! You’ll feel that way too. Machlan and Hadley have been in love with each other since they were teenagers, but have been apart for a while now. I loved getting the down and dirty as to why they always fight and love each other so deeply, but can’t seem to be together. Adriana ripped my heart out, stomped on it, then put it back together piece by piece. Crave is one of the most epic love stories I’ve read. It’s full of passion no matter which emotion is playing out for the characters, and as always, Peck slides in and steals the show. I know his book is next and I am giddy with anticipation. Hands down, one of my favorite Adriana Locke books to date <3
Angela - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
I’m super bummed that I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. I’ve been looking forward for Machlan’s book since he was introduced. It took me 5 days to finish the book. I almost gave up but I wanted to push through to see how it would end. Machlan and Hadley are exhausting. Yeah they’ve got history but there is so much back and forth, it just got on my dang nerves. It’s pretty much throughout the whole book. It’s like they’re two children fighting over every little thing. I don’t want you, but no one else can have you. She’s chasing him around but he keeps pushing her away. Ugh enough you two! I wanted to put them both in a time out. I hate that it was just meh to me. I’m just going to brush this one off and hope Peck’s book is a better one for me.
5++++++ STARS…
Ok I didn’t know this book was going to give me so many emotions. As I have read the other Gibson boy’s books I felt like Machlan’s story was going to be personal, oh it was personal and deep. Deep with love for this beautiful woman Hadley Jacobs, their past is finally making them a future. Hadley and Mach have a relationship that is built of love and then it was broken. Each one has to heal but at who’s expense?
I enjoy a good cry in a book and this author’s books in past have a light heartiness to them. This one has the humor the family and how each one gets under each other’s skin. BUT it is the way that Hadley and Machlan fight for their love that has me in such a blubbering mess and I LOVE IT. It takes both of them to see what is needed and what is wanted; it also takes one very wise woman, Nana to open his eyes. She knows the look of love and knows that Mach has that same look when he sees Hadley, he just too afraid of not being enough.
“I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up with curled up against me, making me too hot. I want to fix you grilled cheese when I come home from the bar and hold you when you have a bad day”
This book will be a top read for me in 2018. Each chapter made me love Mach then I wanted to smack the back of his head. Each chapter also made me want to hold Haldey’s hand and let know that it is worth the fight each day, don’t give up. This whole series is so relatability, we see each character in our hometowns, and we see each family loving their Nana just as much as I do. So I will leave and hope for you to see more of my review on A Day With Ethel.
https://youtu.be/bAolYWlYgYo
Adriana Locke has written an emotional and passionate romance with Crave and I was swooning the entire time! I loved the complex relationship between Hadley and Machlan and I felt their undeniable chemistry throughout the story. While I was no expecting the emotional impact this book would have on me, I really loved it. Sometimes, the unexpected is exactly what you need, just as it is shown in this book.
This is the third standalone in the Gibson Boys series. Each book features a different brother/couple so it can easily be read in any order you like. I personally enjoy watching a series grow and prefer reading the books in order but it is not necessary here.
If you enjoy emotional romances with a kick, this is a must read for you! I loved this book with all of my heart and soul.
Crave is the third title in The Gibson Boys series, and features Hadley Jacobs and Machlan Gibson. This title is a poignant, emotional, passionate and angsty second chance romance full of twists and turns. It’s very well written and strong themes of family and friendship and love flow throughout.
Machlan is an enigmatic character. His brooding, quiet, reserved and moody exterior hides a loyal and sweet heart. Machlan is a very complex alpha, and relatable with his flaws. His reactions and to Hadley were quite confusing and frustrating at times, but at the story develops we begin to understand more of his reasoning.
Hadley is Machlan’s best friend Cross’ younger sister. She’s fierce, feisty, stubborn, strong, loving and fun.
This pair are inexplicably drawn to each other and have an incredibly complex and unresolved past that is slowly revealed over the course of this title, and you being to full understand the push/pull relationship that they share. They are both incredibly strong, resilient and selfless and the chemistry is palpable and oozes off the page every time they are in a shared space.
The banter is witty and fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed the moments of levity and humour that were provided by Peck and Grandma Gibson.
I loved that so many familiar characters from not only this series, but the Landry series make an appearance within this title.
I will be eagerly anticipating Puck’s story and cannot wait to discover which lady will bring him to his knees.
CRAVE is book three in The Gibson Boys series. Of course, several of the characters are interconnected since the series is based off of one family but no worries…it’s easy to pick this one up without having to read the others. (Though, the entire Gibson family is awesome!)
Hadley Jacobs returns home for an extended visit before beginning a new job. She needs to put her on again, off again boyfriend completely behind her before she starts this new part of her life. Unfortunately, Machlan Gibson is also the only man she’s ever loved and it won’t be easy to get over him. Mach is the youngest of the Gibson siblings. He’s a bar owner and a good one but he’s never felt good enough for Hadley. Can they move on from their pasts to find their future?
Ever heard that expression: if you love something, let it go? That’s what Mach was constantly trying to do with Hadley. Letting her go for her own “good”. But the other half of that saying: if it comes back to you, it was meant to be? Yeah, that was Hadley. There was this constant push and pull between them that went on for years. They hurt each other with their actions and words but Hadley and Mach were continuously drawn back together. As the past unfolds, the reasons for this back and forth become evident. It was heartbreaking and yes, I may have shed a tear or two! That being said, my gosh, I NEEDED these two to find their HEA.
Mach is at first kind of portrayed as the typical bad boy. A bar owner, a manwhore with attitude. But as we get to know him, it’s apparent that he’s considerably more. He loved Hadley completely and totally, the kind of love that makes your heart pound. But he couldn’t trust that love, he couldn’t find his way back from the past. Hadley loved Mach with her entire soul but she just couldn’t get past the wall he put between them. It tore my heart apart watching these two stubborn characters fight for what they thought was right (and Mach was totally wrong, just sayin’).
Not gonna lie, Adriana Locke is one of my go to authors for a reason. The words flowed so well, I found myself finishing the book at 4 o’clock in the morning! It’s an angsty, emotional second chance romance with a touch of humor to keep it from getting too heavy. Mach and Hadley will draw you into their world and keep you captivated until the end. I just wish that Mach got MORE in his HEA, I wanted to see his OTHER dream come true (no spoilers). Told from dual POVs with a sweet but too short ending! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
5 ++ STARS!
“Somewhere out there is Machlan. And with him is a piece of my heart I’ll never get back. I don’t even want it back. I gave it to him willingly. It belongs with him. I just have to figure out how to live without a full heart.”
Everything starts with a plan and Hadley Jacobs had one. Get over Machlan Gibson and move on with her life. Only sometimes even the best laid plans, aren’t meant to be.
When Hadley comes back to Linton and walks into Crave, Machlan’s world immediately comes to a stop the minute he locks eyes with the girl that got away and took his heart with her. That moment… was EPIC! I could feel the spark between them. The intense sexual tension. That connection that is only shared between soulmates. It took my breath away!
Just when I thought Walker was my favorite, Machlan stole my heart. He was such an alphahole and I loved it! Machlan is volatile and fierce. I have to say… there is just something so incredibly sexy about a man who is willing and ready to throw down for the woman he loves. His intensity had me all hot and bothered!
“It’s like God created me with a chink in my armor, then He created her to fit that weakness, and I can’t get around it to save my f*$%king life”
I was consumed by Machlan and Hadley’s story. It pulled at ALL my emotions. I cried, I laughed, and then I cried some more. Machlan repeatedly broke my heart and left my stomach in knots. So broken and guilt ridden, he couldn’t see redemption standing right in front of him. Hadley’s love for him was unwavering. Despite her own grief, she remained true to herself. I admired her strength and self respect. Adriana Locke created two characters and a love story that reminded me why I love reading romance novels.
Crave is one of the BEST books I’ve read this year! A second chance romance filled with raw emotion, a heartbreaking storyline, and the kind of love that makes your heart feel full. No one writes family drama quite like Adriana Locke! First her Landry Family Series, and now The Gibson Boys, she continues to write stories that will stay with me long after I read, The End. Adriana Locke remains a #1-Click author for me. At this point, I don’t even read the synopsis.
If you are looking for a phenomenal read, I highly recommend Crave… this series… her books. Every Single One Of Them!
Review by Lys
Well, alack and alas, but I am not a fan of CRAVE. Locke’s writing is good and the story flows but the plot mechanism used is one that I find quite frustrating.
From the start, it’s clear that Machlan and Hadley have feelings for one another. They have a history which is not revealed until the latter half of the book. This I could accept. What is exasperating is that Machlan spends the vast majority of the book pushing Hadley away because he feels unworthy of her. At the same time, he acts like a beast every time another man approaches her and marks “his” territory. Even worse, Hadley is incapable of letting go of her feelings and is forever returning for another round of rejection. It’s disheartening and there is a part of me that thinks both of them would have been better off permanently cutting ties years ago.
I did enjoy catching up with the secondary characters, including Peck who will be the hero in the next The Gibson Boys book.
In Crave we finally find out what the animosity between Machlan and Hadley is. And boy will it break your heart. The secret in their past has firmly put a wall up between them. One that Hadley desperately wants to break down and Machlan wants to build higher because he doesn’t feel worthy. Their journey is not an easy one but it is definitely worth it. Another winner from Adriana Locke!
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Oh, Machlan, you hunka hunka burning love, you.
You think you can control your heart? You think you can force yourself to set Hadley aside and let her fall in love with someone else? You think you can ignore your feelings?
It’s a good thing that Hadley wants to get over you. When she comes back to town with the goal of hating you, I know she will fail miserably, but watching you feel all tortured and regretful? It’s glorious.
My only complaint is that there is not enough hot headboard rocking because Adriana Locke writes some pretty fabulous sexy times. And I want more. MORE MORE MORE, Machlan. I have a feeling you know all about that.
I loved getting to know you better, even though I spent a good two-thirds of this book wishing I could shout some sense into you. The good news is that your brothers are champing at the bit to do more than shout, and I so love reading your interactions with each other.
As for Peck, I’m excited for his book. I just hope he wises up and kicks Molly to the curb.
Back to you, though, Machlan. I have a bit of a crush on you. Adriana Locke makes it impossible for me not to do so. Which leads me to that whole “I want more sex scenes” thing. You’re too hot, Machlan. You are TOO HOT and I want more of the sexy times.
I loved this book so much, even when Adriana Locke made me cry.
Second chance romances is one of my absolute favorite tropes; there’s just something about two people who have a shared history…who have attempted and failed miserably to move on from one another because their feelings own them in a way that they will never let this once happy couple truly be free of each other. And even though this kind of story puts my emotional state on tilt, the journey these two characters take as their love guides them back to one another, offering hope amidst the heartache as well as love despite the pain.
Machlan Gibson and Hadley Jacobs once shared a love that they thought was everlasting, but it was also one with a long history of love and hate, pleasure and pain, and it’s those tenuous times that now make every interaction between them grueling. They drive each other crazy; they’re too volatile when they’re around each other, and their stubbornness is legendary, which means that sass, arrogance, and rudeness are what drive them. But despite their supposed hatred for one another, there’s still love, and regardless of what comes out of their mouths, what actions they take, or what their internal musings indicate, they’re the love of each other’s lives.
Crave is definitely a story that has readers’ emotions on overload. Because of how Adriana Locke illustrates their past struggles and their present concerns, there’s just so much to FEEL in Machlan and Hadley’s story, and there’s not a reader who will come away unscathed from the details of these characters’ lives.
Machlan and Hadley are extremely flawed characters who make mistakes, pay for them, and then feel they don’t deserve anything good because of them, but that’s only because these two can’t seem to let go of the past…let go of the heartbreak…let go of the feeling that they’re undeserving, and without that progress, there’s no way they can try again, which, in my opinion, is exactly what these two deserve after everything they’ve faced together and separately.
In order to understand just what went wrong and how everything came to a less than stellar conclusion, it’s important that Locke provides readers with the reasons behind Machlan’s present attitude and behavior and what it will actually take for these two to get things right, because unless they can find a way to move forward, together, nothing for Machlan and Hadley will ever be completely resolved, which means they’ll be in a perpetual state of limbo until everything gets figured out and a final decision is made one way or another.
Crave is definitely more angst driven than I anticipated, but with how the story played out and the details that Locke provided readers with, it’s beyond clear that the emotional toll from their past is still wreaking havoc in the present, which means that the love that they still have each other will either finally sizzle out or gain momentum and give Machlan and Hadley a second chance to make things right and not lose the love of their life.
Happily ever afters must be fought for and Machlan and Hadley have more than earned theirs, what matters now is if these two can get their raw feelings under control enough to dow hat needs to be done for both of their sakes.
4.5 Poison Apples
These Gibson boys never cease to amaze me. Oh Machlan, one minute I love your swoony, thoughtful, sexy self and the next minute I’m screaming at you. LOL
Adriana has won my heart once again. This time she has blessed us with Machlan Gibson, the broody, cranky owner of the bar Crave. Based on past mistakes, Mach is convinced he’s damaged goods. He doesn’t think he’s relationship material, least of all to his past love Hadley. No matter how hard he tries to forget her, she’s always in his thoughts. Once Hadley comes back town to rid herself of all things Mach, he realizes she’s one mistake he’d make over and over again. Their connection is all consuming, their passion is like no other either have experienced.
Hadley returns to Linton to put her feelings for Mach to rest. She wants to move on from their past, but mistakes they made have bound them together in the most intimate of ways. It’s hard for her to be around him, but she needs to rid herself of this connection, so she can concentrate on her future.
This was a more emotional story than I anticipated. A few sniffles here and there, coupled with some schmexy times and fun banter make this a win in my book. Even though I found him frustrating at times, I loved Mach. It was so easy to see the good in him, it was a shame he couldn’t see it in himself. I loved Hadley and I simply can’t get enough of this family. There is laughter, drama and small-town goodness.
The great family dynamic Adriana creates does not in any way detract from the story of Machlan and Hadley. The banter, the laughs, the guy talk between this family of rowdy brothers is part of the Gibson Brothers experience. They are sassy, inappropriate and all-around fun to be with. I think that’s what I love the most about this series. It’s equal parts hot and steamy, honest and real with plenty of laugh out loud humor. Don’t miss out on this fun-loving band of brothers! Rest assured they’ll make you feel like part of the family.
Machlan stormed in and took over my heart. He’s the alfa that will make you want to choke him and hug him at the same time. Hadley is one of the strongest women I’ve read about. Her love and devotion never wavered. Good on you for not settling.
This book made me cry, laugh and get angry. When a book pulls this many emotions out of you that is golden. I hope everyone reads this book and loves it as much as I did.
The Gibson boys just keep getting better with each book.
Machlan is a giver, a fixer and a man who shows both his love and his fears by sacrificing, by giving up in what he believes is doing the right thing. Let’s just say he’s a bit misguided.
Hadley gives her all in pretty much everything. For Machlan, for a future together she’s willing to give everything over and over, until it near breaks her.
Learning of their history as young adults broke my heart. More importantly, it broke them. They were forever changed, but for Machlan it seemed he saw it as reinforcement of all his character flaws. Flaws that overshadowed all of the good in him. Fight comes easy to him but fighting for what counts, when it counts? That’s a lesson to be learned. A forever lesson.
I loved seeing Graham and Linc! Nana is the heart of the family and keeps these boys in line. It’s Nana’s heart that keeps them together and brings them all home. Navie is a feisty, forward woman and a great addition to the story.
Peck? Peck is Peck and his story is next. Delicious!!
3.5 Stars
This is actually hard book for me to review.
On one hand, I loved Hadley and Mach and their second chance story. On the other, there were time I wanted to reach into the story and shake both of them.
I think this might be the most emotional of the Gibson boys books to date. Mach and Hadley have a complicated and multilayered history that Ms Locke takes a while to reveal. Once everything is out in the open some of the back and forth between them makes more sense.
All of the boys have been more vulnerable heros than one might expect, but I truly think Mach might be the most tortured and that carries over into his interactions with Hadley.
The secondary cast lends not only humor elements to the story, but also help Mach work through some of his more trying issues. This is an excellent world to visit and definitely one where reading the books in order helps. The brothers are in and out of each others lives so much that there is high spoiler potential if you are going out of order.
When I reached the end of the book, I was happy with where Mach and Hadley ended up, but the yo-yo effect of their relationship had left an over riding sense of frustration that colored my perception and that brought the rating down from the full four stars.
These books! They are so good. I love a good family series where we get an update on the others too. We even had a Landry sighting also! This book broke my heart. The history they have, and the insight into both their personalities. I loved that Nana got through to Mach. Mach going after Hadley, and not leaving til he made her see.
Holy cow, this book is everything! Adriana Locke has done it. Again!
Machlan is the youngest of the Gibson boys. He owns a bar and seems to have it all together. Hadley had a difficult childhood. Her mom died when she was younger and she had to go live with her dad and brother (Cross, who has his own book). Machlan and Hadley had dated for a while when they were younger, but life events (oh. my. god!), including Machlan owning a bar, pulled them apart.
Hadley came back to Linton with the intention of trying to finally find a (figurative) box that she could put Machlan in. One where they could be near each other and not end up arguing, which is typical for them. But it’s tough to put someone in a box when the chemistry is as hot as it is between Hadley and Machlan!
I know I tend to gravitate toward books that have a lot of emotion. Those tend to be the ones that stay with me for the long haul. I went into reading Crave not expecting the level of emotion that I got. And I craved it more than I realized!
Adriana Locke has hit the jackpot with Crave! It has all the typical elements of her small-town books- a large boisterous, crazy, and loving family; friends who are more like family; a lot of smack-talk and jesting between the characters; love and all the feels. But this one really resonated with me above and beyond those things. And that is what makes a book memorable for me. I laughed. I cried. I had to walk away at times to get myself together.
As with all of Adriana Locke’s books, this is another that I will reread. i and highly recommend it for others, as well!