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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A fun well written enjoyable story about family and forgiveness. This engaging story had grief, battles, fighting, struggles, forgiveness and a twist that kept me turning page after page. I feel I would of been less lost if I had read the other two in the series for better understanding of the back stories but can be considered a standalone. The characters are wonderful and interesting. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC.
“All of us are misunderstood , some of us just more than others.”
It feels like I’ve waited forever for Marlow and Patrick’s story. It feels like that because I’ve been anxiously awaiting finally being able to feast my eyes on their book.
Marlow has had to deal with a huge loss and the weight of her grief has changed her, hardened her towards even those she loves. No matter how much she’s changed Patrick will always be there for her and even make excuses for her and stand up for her when many just wouldn’t bother. No matter how hard she pushes him away, he works harder to draw her back in. He’ll do whatever it takes to help her deal with her grief and maybe finally see him. There will be many uphill battles and struggles but hopefully they will come out of it together and so much stronger.
This series of stand alones is a must read. If you haven’t started it yet make sure you start with the first book to understand the backstories better.
5 Wicked Stars!!
4 star review Defend Me by Grahame Claire
Grahame Clair is a new to me and I have no idea why I have not read this author before. Although book three in the ‘Free’ series I was able to read this without feeling lost, although I do feel you might get more enjoyment if you had read the previous two books first. This is Marlow and Patrick’s story which I enjoyed.
I had a bit of a hard time relating to Marlow, I can’t quite put my finger on why, but as a character I didn’t really connect with her. However Patrick, I fell for hard and fast, I really liked him and he was one of the few people who can handle Marlow. Marlow has had a hard time handling the her husband’s death and Patrick knows he cannot compete with a dead man.
This story is about grief, coming to terms with it and eventually moving on; it is a story full of hope, love and family. The journey for Marlow and Patrick is at times emotional and I loved the relationship that Patrick has with Marlow’s son, Blake, it was heartwarming.
Have you pre-ordered this book? Why is Marlow such a b*tch? Why do I feel bad for her? Why do I love Patrick? Why is Blake so stinking cute? Why am I so invested in Abraham’s story?
LOVE;) I love Marlow & Patrick’s weirdly perfect for each other’s relationship! I love how perfect Patrick is for Blake & Gummy. I love how the Dixon’s accept people in to family regardless of flaws. I loved Defend Me:)
This is the a great story featuring Patrick and Marlowe. Their journey is not an easy one and Marlowe can be unlovable at times but she will grow on you and soon you will see the light! Her tragic loo makes her almost unbearable and yet Patrick will coax the best out of her and bring her back from the abyss she was finding herself over. Their journey will leave you speechless but these amazing characters will leave you with a sentiment of hope and happiness. I volunteered to review this story.
Holy smokes I’m speechless. So I did not read the other books in this series and it kind of left me feeling like there were things I was missing ( so definitely read the first two books first) so after pausing to read those j came back to this book.
First let me say Marlow may appear to be the most unlikable character on the planet but stick with her because I promise you will love how authentically flawed and wonderful she is.
Patrick will make you swoon people. There is no doubt in my mind, he is amazing with Marlow and I love their relationship but his relationship with Blake is adorable and everything.
This book was original with a great story and great characters. I honestly didn’t think I would like it a first but I kept with it and am so glad I did because this is now one of my favorites from this year.
I need to start off by saying that Marlow and Patrick have, by far, become my two favorite people written by Grahame Claire! (Don’t forget Blake, because he’s definitely a favorite as well. Haha) This story is the full rollercoaster of ups and downs. It broke my heart a million times over and then put it all back together. There were some twists I was definitely not expecting and that’s why I just finished the book at 5pm on a Monday and my kids are wondering what happened to dinner..
Secondly, grief is a hard topic to write about and describe but I felt it in these words, and that made the happily ever after for Marlow that much sweeter. I’ll never regret being a part of the story on these pages, and I know you won’t either!
I enjoyed this book so much! This book gives a realistic look at devastating loss. The lows and the really lows along with feelings of guilt and betrayal. I have to say though, Marlow was so hard to like. I understand grief makes you behave differently and often forces you to go on the offensive, but wow she was something. She was using everything in her arsenal to cope and protect herself and her son. I’ve never experienced that kind of loss, so I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same thing. Patrick is wonderful and exactly what Marlow needs. This book is wonderfully written with an interesting plot! It is a testament to Grahame Claire’s writing that I enjoyed this book so much while really not liking a main character. She grew on me a little, but Blake was a star and I loved every interaction between him and Patrick! I was given the opportunity to read a copy of this book
Marlow has went through so much in her life ant that’s caused her to change. Her family and her don’t always like the new her. They ask Patrick to keep an eye on her. Patrick and her have history, is this a good idea? When something happens that will change them forever, what will they do?
Finally Marlow gets her story. If you read it the other books you knew there was a bit of back n forth with Marlow and Patrick. She’s rough around the edges, doesn’t ever bite her tongue, and it pisses her family off quite often. Patrick has been t/he only one to tolerate it.
There’s a real plot twist in this that I definitely didn’t see coming. There’s a lot of immature fighting amongst these two that can be a bit much at times. And oh so easily forgiven.
I still enjoyed it, as I’ve really liked the stories in this series.
I received an advanced copy, and leaving an honest review.
Defend Me is book 3 in the Free Series, and Grahame did not disappoint. After reading the first 2 books I couldn’t wait for Marlowe’s book. Grahame Claire has a way of writing that draws your attention into the story and leaves you speechless and begging for more.
Defend me is Patrick and Marlowe’s story. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I didn’t want to get off of. Every person or even family handles grief in different ways. The Dixon’s stay together no matter what life throws at them and helps each other. They lean on each other to help make it through the ups and downs. Patrick and Marlowe had such great chemistry together. Each one with a totally different personality but somehow clicked together to form an unbreakable bond.
I highly recommend reading this series you will not be disappointed. Grahame Claire will draw you in with her writing and you will be a fan for life.
Patrick and Marlow are two people who have had tragic lives. Marlow is raising her son Blake whose father died never meeting him while serving in the military. Patrick has no contact with his family (you learn why in the story). Marlow is a very bitter woman but Patrick is the only person to see through her. Patrick is Marlow’s brother ‘s best friend and hates that she in alienating herself from her family. Their story is wonderful full of excitement and intrigue. Graham Claire has another great book and it is beautifully written as always. These are my honest thoughts and I am voluntarily leaving my review for the arc copy that I received
Patrick’s always had a soft spot for his best friend’s sister. He’s really the only one in their circle that seems to get through to her, even a little bit. But he wants more, he wants it all from her. He just doesn’t think he’ll ever get it because Marlow has got some serious demons, and a deceased partner that he knows he can’t compete with.
First off, I have to say that the high point in this story, aside from the excellent writing, is Patrick. He is such a swoony guy – has a huge heart, is ever patient, and just wants Marlow’s heart. Now Marlow on the other hand…I don’t know that I liked her. I understood her a bit better by the end, and I can safely say she grew some over the course of the story, but I will say I never ended up liking her or thinking she was worthy of the sweetheart that is Patrick. That being said, the story is entertaining, sexy, and sweet and Patrick is perfect!
Defend Me is the third book in the Free series and the first one I read, prompting me to want to go back and read the other two books IMMEDIATELY! And although I wasn’t quite sure of some of the back story that was contained in the book, I was thoroughly entertained. Grahame Claire has composed a story with lots of wonderful characters, a twisty, turning timeline and emotion arousing ending.
Marlow wasn’t a character that you could like from the start. She had lots of baggage. Like a Jumbo 747’s worth! She was more than a hot mess and despite knowing this, she just couldn’t stop herself from effing it up all the time.
Patrick deserves all the kudos for his handling of Marlow. He earned her love the hard way. Because everything with Marlow had to be the hard way. I really did love him with Blake and Gummy.
Grahame Claire is two extraordinary writers that have collaborated to bring us a very worthy story and I recommend it highly.
This book was heartbreaking and beautiful, every time I read a book from this author it just sucks me in, I end up reading the story in one sitting, This couple was everything!
Intense and tormented romance
Excellent romance between Marlow, a single mother whose husband died in service. She is bitter and quite rude to her family who hate her for something she didn’t do. She can’t stand anyone anymore and only lives for her son. However, Patrick, a lawyer, a friend of her family, will try to reconcile her with herself and her family, while he himself is going through a crisis of conscience where he calls into question his work when he was defending criminals, files that he refuses now.
The story is very well written, complex, with characters who need to be saved from themselves and who are as intense as the narrative. Between the beginning and the end, the story is unpredictable.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I just finished Defend Me and my mind is blown! Grahame Claire always brings the feels to their books but this crazy, emotional, roller coaster went upside down, sideways and backwards. I knew going in that Marlow was going to be a tough one to love but they have thrown those at us before and managed to make me love them. Patrick, what’s not to love? He is kind, patient way beyond reason and wants to help those he loves. The sense of family in Grahame’s books are so deep whether blood or chosen. I love the fact that once they claim you they will have your back no matter what. The intensity in Defend Me ramps up the farther into the book you get so be prepared for a wild ride. Suspense and surprises that I didn’t see coming around every corner.
I have loved Patrick from the first time I met him. He won me over instantly. Marlow had a crazy uphill battle with winning me over. She was hard to love with her tough exterior but I did understand why she was the way she was. I’m so used to reading stories about the heroine taming the hero but in this instance I felt as if Patrick was the one to make Marlow a better person. He made this woman what you might even consider an anti-heroine someone more likeable. Grahame Claire did a wonderful job writing a story that captivated me. I love the family aspect to this series.
Another great book in the free series. Marlow is as prickly in this book as she has been in the others but we learn more about what has made her so harsh with her words. Patrick is the definition of patient and kind with her. There where some major twist in this book that involved not only Marlow but the whole Dixon family. This whole book was about family and forgiveness. Marlow also had to learn to let go of some difficult things life had thrown at her. The banter between Marlow and Patrick will often leave you shaking your head as you can’t help but laugh at them. This book is a fun and enjoyable read.
I have been rooting for Marlowe and Patrick since both of their characters were introduced, but the level of drama in this book is insane! Marlowe and Patrick just couldn’t seem to catch a break.
Marlowe Linsey, nee Dixon, is a single mom who is swimming upstream. Her life has imploded and she’s doing everything she can to keep her head above water and give her son a great life. Some decisions she makes aren’t the best, but they rarely are when someone is battling grief.
Patrick Whitely has been around Marlowe’s life for years since he’s her brother Andrew’s best friend. Patrick is so much a part of their family that he joins them for their Sunday dinners. He seems to be the only one who can get through to Marlowe, maybe because he understands her just a little bit. Patrick has had his own troubles and understands, just a little bit, what it’s like to feel isolated from your family.
Will Marlowe choose to do the work of overcoming her grief? Will she be able to resist Patrick’s charm and good looks along the way?