She’s an extrovert. He’s an introvert. Can polar opposites find happiness together?As a teenager, Rose Rogers couldn’t wait to get out of Frazier Falls. She took the first chance she got and left for New York, where she made a name for herself at Flair Magazine. Until now, she’s never looked back. But when her heart is crushed by the man she thought she’d grow old with, she heads home to lick her … to lick her wounds. The last thing she expects is to find Paxton Cooper—the boy she teased relentlessly—all grown up and gorgeous.
After surviving the bullies of high school, quiet and intelligent Paxton Cooper has made a good life for himself as a partner in Cooper Construction. He’s his own man and confident that he’s left the past where it belongs. When Rose Rogers shows up in town, it all comes flooding back—the hate, the hurt, the attraction.
Will Rose be able to mend the fences she tore down in her youth? Will Paxton send her back to New York empty-hearted?
Find out in Defend Me.
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You’ll fall in love with the characters and their story. The story line captivates you and pulls you in from the first page. Rose and Paxton knew each other when they were kids growing up. As they face mistakes and actions of their past, they work on healing and moving forward to a HEA. Another great story from Kelly!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book three in the A Frazier Falls Small Town Novel series a well written story with a very good storyline the story flows smoothly from page to page. This is Rose Rogers and Paxton Cooper two people who have to learn to talk to each other and let the past go and maybe apologize. I was not putting this book down until I had finished it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Our actions have consequences. Rose learned this the hard way when she realized that her incessant teasing of Paxton Cooper back when they were both in high school and a hurtful careless statement had had a detrimental impact on Paxton in a way that she did not know it did since she left town right after graduation and had not returned until now for the wedding of a friend. Both Paxton and Rose have to come to terms with how they were as individuals back when they were teenagers and if how they were then will keep them from finding a future together as adults. I like how Rose was able to accept responsibility for her actions back then and how Paxton was willing to look below the surface and see the person Rose had become and how with forgiveness they were able to then discover that a HEA was theirs for the taking. I am sad to see that this is the final book in this wonderful series. Kelly Collins created a magical place with her lovely couples and we were privileged to be able to get to know them and to visit there while they each found their happy-ever-afters!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this charming story. The characters were so likable and had great chemistry. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Paxton was bullied by Rose in grammar school because he was always the quiet guy never talking but more listening. Rose went off to New York where she works at a popular magazine so when she catches her boyfriend of one year kissing another she heads home early for her friends wedding in Frazier Falls. She never knew how much she hurt Paxton until she gets to talking to not only him but others in town so she apologies and soon after they sleep together which shocks them both but they enjoyed it. When they have a misunderstanding that hurts them both she is ready to go back to New York and he is ready to ignore her until she does. Can Rose and Paxton work through this and just maybe have the relationship they always wanted?
In this release, we are viewing the relationship of Rose and Paxton. Rose is back home for a friend’s wedding. She just found out that her alleged significant other in New York wasn’t considering faithfulness as part of their agreement. Paxton is becoming a rarity in his family. Others have found significant others, but he’s ok with waiting. Then his arch nemesis, Rose, blows back in town for the wedding. All Paxton can remember is how badly he was treated by Rose’s bullying in elementary school. He wants nothing to do with her. Rose only remembers her name calling of Paxton as simple teasing. She finds out that what she considered teasing, was truly bullying. Rose finds that old scars run deep, but will Paxton forgive her enough to be in the same room with her?
4.5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another excellent story from Kelly Collins. The mistakes big our youth impact our future in ways we never to think. The two main characters face the past and strive to move forward towards their HEA.
This was such a good book! An enemies to lovers, small town romance. Paxton is the quiet one of the Cooper brothers. He is my favorite of the Cooper brothers. I loved the storyline, Rose comes home for Owen’s wedding and faces the one she bullied. Rehashing the past and trying to move forward and finding love. I loved this book!
I couldn’t wait for Paxton’s book-and it was not what I expected at all-in a good way! I never would have imagined his past, but it made for such an interesting storyline. I liked the spin on enemies to lovers. There were some really fun moments that kept me flipping the pages
This book will most likely cause a great deal of introspection as people read about the devastating effects of bullying that last into adulthood. The painful words carelessly or intentionally hurled at someone who is insecure or sensitive can cripple them if they cannot get over it, and many can’t.
Paxton Cooper was a quiet person, which seems to invite the bullies. He had to learn to ignore Rose Rogers’ teasing that progressed into bullying by the time they attended high school. Now he was a partner with his brothers in Cooper Construction and has much more confidence, helping others and standing up for himself.
Rose had left town years ago and achieved a successful career in New York. But she found that the guy she cared for cheated, she returned to Frazier Falls to attend a wedding. She sees a much different Paxton this time, handsome, grown up, and projecting a confidence he didn’t have before. She also realizes how much her bullying hurt him. She finally apologizes for her past treatment of him. Is it too late for Rose to fix their relationship she damaged in the past? Is there a chance for Rose and Paxton to perhaps start fresh and see what is possible in their future?
This book was good, giving the reader thoughtful insights. I personally was always the one watching out to protect the “underdog” in bully situations. But it still helps to understand the dynamics of what such bullying can do to a person’s self-esteem. It’s never too late to learn that lesson and to try a little kindness.
So, it looks like this is another block of time where I’m reading books that hit my hot buttons. I’ve walked a road similar to Paxton’s. It was very easy for me to connect with the victim of bullying. In some ways my experience has been similar to Rose’s too. Striving for validation through other people’s approval. Insecurities cleverly disguised behind biting sarcasm. I loved watching this pair peel back all the layers of protection and hurt to find the sensitive vulnerable people underneath. And, squee! we get a subplot for Rich too. I kind of hate that this is over already. I’m not in the least bit prepared to let these characters go yet.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
A good book in the Frazier Falls series. I liked the characters and the enemies byline. I appreciated the bullying theme and the nuggets of truth and wisdom buried in the pages.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
What an amazing and final book in the Frazier Falls series. Paxton Cooper, as a young boy, ignored the teasing from Rose Rogers and endured the bullying during high school. Now as a partner in Cooper Construction, Paxton is aware of his self-worth and his place in his family and town. Rose left town years ago for a successful career in New York as a senior editor at Flair Magazine. When she realizes that the man who she thought loved her is cheating, she leaves early for Frazier Falls to attend her friend’s wedding. Upon seeing Paxton, she is confused by her feelings between the shy Paxton of the past to this gorgeous Paxton the man. After apologizing for teasing him so many years ago they embrace this new friendship and attraction. What will happen when Rose learns of the bullying that he endured? A beautiful romance between two people who have faced the past with strength, determination and love . I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author. (by paytonpuppy)
I enjoyed this story. I really liked Pax and I loved seeing so much of Eli and Rich. Rose was a little harder to warm up to but she does evolve during the story and I did end up liking her.
A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. Paxton and Rose have a history they both end up dealing with as adults. Revenge can be a good thing for a bully who doesn’t play by other rules and is sweet when dealt with without hurting only the bully. It isn’t always a good deal but you sometimes have to deal with a bully in only one way.
Defend Me takes on a very different tone than the other books in the Frazier Falls series. It is very reflective on past hurts and how does one move past them to enjoy the future? Paxton had a pretty rough childhood due to teasing then later bullying. Rose on the other hand was popular and dished out barbs without thought as to how they felt. Now here we are as 30+ year old adults still harboring hidden hurts and questions. Defend Me is a tough book to review without giving away the story and even though Paxton’s story stands alone I do recommend reading the other books in the series so that you get to know the supporting characters. It is told from dual POV and is loaded with angst but will give you the HEA that you’re hoping for!
Now we read about Paxton who has been a quiet man among brothers; has been there for his older siblings; and, is the kindest man in town. If any senior needs help, he is there; if a widow needs her lawn mowed, he does it; and, if anyone needs an ear to listen, he’s the man. I love Paxton but then so does Rose and may of the women around Frazier Falls. As a youth, Paxton Cooper suffered humiliations known to some teenagers but how he handled those situations made him the man he was. I enjoyed this book and thank the author for the ARC.
In many ways, this novel speaks to most people, as we have all made youthful mistakes. Some haunt us for years as Rose discovers when she returns to Frazier Falls. At a time when she was too immature to handle the threat facing her, Rose makes a declaration that impacts Paxton’s life negatively. Having returned home after a disastrous discovery in New York, Rose finds that the taciturn Paxton is even more devastatingly handsome than he was in high school, but her past behaviour gets in the way of her future. This novel is painful in so many ways as the past comes back to torment both Paxton and Rose. Whilst Rose comes across as a spoilt princess, she is beginning to understand the impact of her foolish words and even though it may be too late, she nevertheless realises that she needs to take responsibility for her past actions and to put matters right. Paxton has allowed others to speak for him for far too long, and when he is faced with the truth he has to choose between allowing the past to intrude on the magic that he has found with Rose or to continue wallowing in his misery. The plot is well written and emotional with characters we have met in previous books in this series, but it is nevertheless a standalone and comes to an interesting close. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
When Rose Rogers discovers her boyfriend’s betrayal, she decides to advance her trip to Frazier Falls. And what a surprise when she arrives at her mother’s house and finds Paxton Cooper.
Paxton didn’t expect to see Rose before his brother’s wedding, and he doesn’t want to have anything to do with her, as the memories of his childhood, when she tirelessly tormented him for not talking so much, are still fresh in his memory.
But as time goes by, they realize that they have some things in common and decide to give a chance to the feelings that arise. However, when a secret from the past that affected Paxton so much is revealed, will they be able to get over it and move on, or will it be too much and drive them away forever?
This is another great story and the characters are incredible. I highly recommend the reading.
This is my first time reading one of Ms. Collins’ novels and I enjoyed it very much.
This is a charming love story that touches on redemption, healing, and second chances. This story shows how words can have consequences and long lasting effects. Paxton and Rose both feel and deal with the consequences of what happened long ago. It’s a well written book with realistic characters that deal with emotions and real-life problems. The characters are wonderful and well defined with depth and personalities that give them an authentic quality. The storyline flows very nicely and pulls you in right from the start. Not a lot of fluff, just real and believable characters and plot. Great book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.