I’ve done something stupid.And I’m not even all that mad about it.I’ve got a crush on my best friend’s sister.No, we’re not five.Though with the way we argue, it’s debatable.Half the time I don’t like her.She always says the wrong thing.But I’ve got a soft spot for her and her little boy.Yeah, me. One of the toughest defense attorneys in the city.I never lose.This might be a first.Because I can’t … lose.
This might be a first.
Because I can’t compete with a dead man.
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Another “knock it out the park” hit story for Author Grahame Claire! I loved the interactions between the characters. The way that Grahame Claire expertly and emotionally weaves us into the lives of each of them just grips my heart from the beginning until the last page.
Do yourselves a favor and grab this book fast!
Finally, (in a positive way!) I have finished reading the last book of this series. Love this family but need an emotional rest. All the stories in this series are compelling. Deep insight into the feelings and struggles for each character. I am so glad Marlowe has allowed love to heal her. Adore Mr. Dixon (Dad) and despise “She”. So glad Patrick found his peace.
I enjoyed the whole series of these books. The characters, plots and twists, the Dixon family. The trust, their eventual understandings, and their loyalty to each other. Heart wrenching and heartwarming. Thank you for some very good reading.
Marlow & Patrick
I was looking forward to the mystery friendship of these two. You always saw Patrick protective of Marlow in the other books but you really could not understand why. Especially since she seemed so cold-hearted.
Marlow has been suffering quietly for quite some time now, she’s become a shell of a person, and her attitude towards life and her family is just so unforgivable. Until you get to the core of who she is and there’s only one person who seems to understand her – Patrick.
Patrick is Marlow’s brother’s best friend. Everyone adores Patrick and are extremely grateful for his friendship with Marlow, they know deep down she needs someone who can keep an eye on her and her little boy. Until one false situation and everything comes crumbling down. The past comes to haunt Patrick and affects everything he’s been trying to build even the relationship with Marlow.
A story about friendship, love, family, and most importantly faith. Having faith in that special someone that will be by your side no matter the circumstances.
As much as I love Grahame Claire’s books, this one was a bit hard for me to rate. See I loved everything about this book, but the heroine. Even with my dislike of Marlow this book was still a good 4 star read for me. The plot was so good, the past couples and the Dixon family were amazing, and I was head over heels in love with the hero Patrick. He made the whole book for me.
I liked Patrick from book 1 as Andrew’s lawyer friend who was so charming. I was really excited to get his story. He was everything I wanted and more. Sexy, loyal, smart, protective and caring. He accepted Marlow just as she was. He saw the good and the bad in her, but loved her, and never did he try to change her. He was so yummy. I also knew from past books that Marlow was blunt to the point of rude and had a painful past suffering the loss of her husband. I didn’t much like her in the first two books in the series, and I really didn’t like her in this book. I didn’t hate her, just didn’t like her. I may have never warmed up to her but I did understand were she was coming from. I felt her pain, and I understood her guilt and why she lashed out.
Patrick and Marlow made a good couple. They had a playful bickering kind of way to them that was funny and cute. Blake was so adorable. I loved that the few words he spoke were cuss words as a mom of 2 I laughed hard because it reminded me of my own kids learning and saying bad words. There was some exciting twist in this book that I really didn’t see coming. Then the ending was so sweet. Overall it was a really good read and I can’t wait to find out what’s going on with Cricket………
This is so amazing! I am so in love! Grahame Claire is such an amazing author! Patrick and Marlowe’s story was everything I wanted it to be and more! FIVE STARS!!
The blurb hooked me in fast and hard. I enjoy brother best friend trope, attorneys, and wealthy men. Therefore, this book delivered on all accounts. Marlow was a difficult character to get into, but I find I like reading those the most. Grahame Claire didn’t hold back. The story has a bit of suspense that kept the story engaging. Patrick is a strong candidate for best book boyfriend with his hero status throughout the book. I highly recommend reading the first two books in this series.
HappyReading!
Nothing I say is going to do this book justice. Grahame Claire’s ability to take seriously flawed, pretty unlikeable characters, and make them loveable is “Wicked” good. I went in knowing I was going to hate Marlow. I didn’t. I loved her because Grahame Claire gave her burdens weight and her pain a voice that sometimes blurted out all the wrong things but it was real. Plus, she’s a Dixon. I love the Dixons. And I love me some Patrick Whitley. Did I mention that Patrick is AMAZING? He’s by far the star of this book and everyone should have their very own Patrick.
I couldn’t put this book down. There was the right amount of romance, wit, sass and suspense to keep me up long and late. Plus, hello, the Dixons. Everything I love about losing myself in a book is in Defend Me.
Amazing story!!
Ok so I’m really not sure where to start with Defend me… Wow!
This book was so beautiful and was nothing like what I thought it was going to be. I wasn’t expecting all the feels with this one… great characters, awesome chemistry…
Definitely one amazing book I couldn’t put down. Marlow and Patrick will make you fall in love with Their story!
If you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out, it’s one of the bests!
I’m kind of regretting why I haven’t read this series just yet. Because this is amazing! It was heartbreaking and beautiful, a real emotional roller coaster ride. Patrick was an amazing character. You can’t help but fell for him. Him and Marlow? They have amazing banter, it made me laugh. They were so perfect together. And the suspense just keeps you on the edge of your seat
This was a very enjoyable read.
In this book we get to see Marlow and her story, and I thought that I didn’t like her and wasn’t sure if she could redeem herself from her actions in the previous books. Marlow is brutally honest to the point that she comes off as if she doesn’t care and is a witch with a b. The thing about her is that she has been through a horribly tragic event that I know I wouldn’t be able to cope with, so this sends her brutal truth off in a bad way. I get why she acts this way because she thinks it is the only to be strong and not show others that inside, she is slowly dying. I felt so bad for the things she has endured but I did think she was too cruel to those around her that only wanted to see her happy. That being said I did feel as if her family were too caught up in their own happiness that they missed the sadness and hurt that Marlow was going through. I thought at times they were overly mean and didn’t try hard enough to be there for her, yes, she said some awful things, but did they honestly try to listen and be there for her? No, they didn’t in my opinion. The only person willing to listen and could see down to the true Marlow was Patrick. Patrick was this outstanding man that was loving, loyal, hardworking, and would do anything to help those he cared for. Patrick tried so hard to be there for Marlow and her son Blake, he was always listening and willing to try to help her. He also taught her that yes she was honest and she shouldn’t change who she is for anyone, but that she could change the tact in which she said things to make it easier for her family to tolerate her. These two go through a lot together and shouldn’t work at all but opposites do attract, and their chemistry is off the charts. Patrick falls hard not only for Marlow but Blake also, but can he compete with a dead person? Can Marlow let herself accept help and work things out with her family? At times I got so angry with the way she treated Patrick because he nothing short of amazing and treated her so well, but I have never lost someone like she did so I could sympathize that maybe I should give her a break. This book was so good and emotional, the twists and unexpected turns kept me glued to it. I can’t wait for more!
Hang in there with Marlow. She’s a tough nut, but once she lets her walls down a bit you see the woman trying to claw her way out. Patrick is the perfect person for her. Sometimes I felt bad for throughout the book, but it made me realize there no one more fitting for Marlow. She needs and deserves someone like him in her corner. I loved Patrick. He is definitely book boyfriend material. I love the scenes with Patrick and Marlow’s little guy. They are really heart melting. This book takes us on one heck a journey with ups and downs, but with plenty of heart. There are many surprises along the way especially for Marlow. Her life is never going to be the same, but for it made be the universe giving her a second chance.
I signed up for this book because I love things all brothers best friend — it will forever be my favorite trope, and although I haven’t read much by this author, I was excited for this book.
That being said, I felt like this book just jumped without giving much preamble. I haven’t read the first two books in the series, and I was lost for a bit because we don’t get much background of who the characters are or why they are acting the way they do. I gathered that Marlow is going through a horrendous amount of grief, and that truly changed her, as it would anyone. That being said though, I never fully connected with her. She wasn’t a bad person by any means, but she made so many bad/hurtful choices for those around her that I just wanted to shake her at times to get her to realize what she was doing. As the book goes on, I warmed up to her a bit more, especially when we got more insights as to why she was the way she was… but I just never fell in love with her.
I did however love Patrick with my entire being. He was absolutely FABULOUS and loved Marlow despite all her flaws (and in some cases because of it.) He took all of her insecurities and persevered every time she tried to push him away. This man deserves an award for standing his ground and loving her through all the ups and downs!
Overall this was a cute book, it just took me a while to get into.
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
Defend Me is a engaging story about love, lose, and finding love again. I got to say I went into Defend Me with mixed emotions, you see Marlow didn’t come across as the nicest person in the previous two Free Me books. I know some of you are going to say give her a break, she lost her husband, and yes I feel sad for her about that, but does that give her the right to take her nastiness out on people that love her. Only one person seemed to be able to make her open up, and see what was happening, and that was Patrick. He challenged her, he gave her a safe place, he loved her son, and most of all her. Their back and forth banter made me laugh. They were so perfect together. The suspense, that keeps you guessing.
I adore the Dixon family, and even with all the chaos they supported one another. But most of all Marlow, she redeemed herself by admitting her wrongs and trying to fix them. I liked that she let down her guards, and let her family in.
I loved reading this book! Because I haven’t read the first two in this series, I was a little lost at the beginning so I would recommend you read these in order if you have the opportunity. Once I got into the book, I could not put it down. I love that Patrick saw more in Marlow and helped her in her journey to reunite with her family. I will admit to pulling out my tissue box a couple of times during this book and I wouldn’t change a thing!
4.5 Stars for Defend Me ( Free #3)
This is the first book I have read by Grahame Claire but it certainly won’t be the last, I’m also prove that this book can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone, that being said I will be looking at playing catch up with the previous two books as soon as time permits.
This is Marlow and Patrick’s story and boy do they have a tale to tell….
Patrick is everything you could want in a book boyfriend and I fell hook, line and sinker for him, I loved how he handled Marlow who is struggling to come to terms with her husbands death, all the time knowing competing with a dead man is a competition he may never win.
Marlow is struggling with the grief she is feeling and it’s going to take a very special man to break down her walls….is Patrick that man or will he walk away. Guess you will need to read the book to find that out.
This isn’t just a love story it’s a journey and I was happy to be along for the ride, it’s an emotional read that’s full of love, hurt, hope and family relationships. One of the wonderful things that will stay with me long after I finished this book was Patrick’s relationship with Marlow’s son Blake and I’m sure if you give this book a chance you will feel the same. Looking forward to reading more from Grahame Claire.
5 Not Always Easy Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
This is a series that has addressed many different issues over the three books. Each entry took long hard looks at what life had dealt their characters and with determination, focus, bravery, and lots of love from many, growth and happy endings happened.
Defend Me looks seriously at how hard it is to have what you thought your life was going to be…taken away from you. It gives you a woman who has not figured out how to move forward and let go. She loves her son and he is the only one she can be the person she is comfortable with… Her family is trying to be there for her, a man she never expected has become her safe place and little by little she is learning to live again.
This is not an easy/peasy story…it makes the reader hang in there for a bit before everything gets where we can see what is happening. But that’s exactly like life…no road map…
This has all the love, sharp dialogue, sexy times, an adorable son, and family support system to wish was yours.
I wanted Marlow & Patrick’s story since reading Holt & Baker’s story. And it was worth the wait!
From the first page, I knew that Marlow’s journey was not going to be an easy one. There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. And oh how I loved Patrick beyond words. Patrick was the only one who could calm down Marlow and never gave up.
Patrick & Marlow had amazing chemistry and I loved their back and forth banter. Marlow was stubborn and was scared to let anyone into her and her son Blake’s lives. Patrick was not going to give up his new family for anyone. Patrick & Marlow were imperfectly perfect for each other.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
5++++ stars
One loses the love of her life and one at a young age is dead to his family and wrongly accused.
A favorite!! Fantastic book from Grahame Claire. It is a definite favorite of mine and I’ll be reading it again shortly. So much happens in this book that it makes you say Wow!
Marlow is tortured because she can’t accept the death of her husband that was in the Army. As she relives getting the notice it brings tears to your eyes. You can feel her suffering. The only thing that absolutely keeps her going is Blake her fourteen month old son. He is quite a character that everyone loves and that includes people that just meet him. His famous mode of communication is How! That is what he yells out. I love him to death. He is a favorite character.The Dixon family has Blake and Ella. Ella’s mode of communication is a shrieking scream. When Blake and Ella are together it’s How! and screams constantly. You can’t help but laugh when you read of their antics in the book.
The Dixon family finds it difficult to deal with Marlow with how cruel and cold she can be. Her father finds issues dealing with her but he tries in order to see his grandson. Along comes Patrick, Andrew’s best friend. Who the Dixon family has made him a part of their family. He is quite a special guy. He seems to be able to read Marlow and he’s grown to love Blake.
Blake soon starts learning single words that are hilarious. He also becomes Patrick’s partner at his law office.
Marlow is not an easy person to get through. Patrick has some secrets he’s hiding but things start happening when he decides to represent a man accused of killing someone. What starts happening will destroy Patrick. The Dixon family has their own nightmare with the constant appearance of the mother that abandoned the family.
Laughs, mystery, heartbreak, love, hot steamy scenes, punches, suspense, loyalty and so much more you’ll find in this book. A definite must read page-turner book. I recommend readers get this book to read as well the other Free Series books. Grahame Claire did not disappoint.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Emotional roller-coaster of an action packed adventure filled with engaging and witty banter, intriguing charters, heart racing twists and undeniable passion. Was a thrilling and highly entertaining read from beginning to end.