Millie Turner is a master at compartmentalizing. She’s put her past in a box and she doesn’t talk, or even think about it. She’s managed to avoid her cheating, lying, manipulative ex-boyfriend for months. Unfortunately, avoidance is no longer an option. Her brother is getting married and his Best Man is none other than the ex that nearly destroyed her.She doesn’t trust herself to spend an entire … an entire weekend in his presence. Not on her own. She needs a date, a distraction, a buffer, someone to keep him away from her… but she never expected her savior to come in the form of a saint.
Hunter St. James has been fascinated by the mysterious Millie since the moment they met. Despite his efforts to get her to open up, she’s kept their relationship strictly professional though. When their boss asks him to act as Millie’s date for a big family event, it seems like the perfect chance to get to know the girl that’s been keeping him at arms-length.
He thought a weekend of playing lovers would be all fun and games but he soon finds out Millie’s more than just mysterious. She has secrets and her picture-perfect façade is just as fake as their relationship is supposed to be. Only the more he learns, the more he wants to know and the less their relationship feels like a lie.
Can Hunter convince Millie to trust him with the truth? And if Millie comes clean about her past, will Hunter still want a future with her? Neither of them is perfect but maybe that’s exactly what makes them perfect for each other.
*Warning – This book contains scenes that could be triggering to some, including discussion of domestic violence situations, and on and off page violence. If you are sensitive to story-lines that involve abusive relationships, please take care when deciding to read this novel. It is important also to note that these scenes do NOT involve the main hero and that our heroine finds her HEA and a healthy relationship with our hero after confronting her past. Still, caution is recommended to avoid triggers for some readers. *
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This is such a great start to a new series. Millie is strong, independent and honestly an amazing woman who is so resilient. Millie is a business owner and famed singer Lemon Kelly’s PA. Lemon, while Millie’s client, is also Millie’s friend and Lemon cares for Millie. Millie’s brother’s wedding is coming up and Millie wants to attend but there is an issue. Millie’s ex is a terrible man but also Millie’s brother’s best man. Unfortunately it was a bad breakup, with a lot of bad stuff that Millie hasn’t shared with her brother or Father; Millie’s ex and Millie’s family have close ties both personal and business and her family would like Millie and her ex to get back together. Millie has reasons to feel uncomfortable returning home for the wedding. Hunter agrees, via Lemon, to attend the wedding to protect Millie from her ex.
I loved this novel. There are some sad topics, but the beauty in resilience and a fresh start shines through in this story; I really can’t express how much I admire Millie’s positive attitude and ability to make her life, even after trying and failing multiple times before. Hunter is solid a book boyfriend in a million way; he gives Millie space, he’s supportive and gives her what she needs.
This was a very emotional book for me. I’ve never experienced physical abuse, but I definitely have verbal and emotional. The isolation of it. My favorite thing about this book was that Millie was able to trust Hunter and give him a chance fairly early on. I hate when books stretch it out simply for drama purposes. She was an intelligent woman that was capable of understanding that Hunter was nothing like her ex. Hunter and Millie fit together perfectly. Hunter was exactly what she needed to help her put herself back together. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
This one will be a Top Read of 2019 for me. It’s the kind of story you read with a smile on your face & an occasional tear in your eye.
I found myself a new book husband – Hunter is EVERYTHING I want in a romance hero. I have loads of book boyfriends as everyone knows, but Hunter will join a VERY small list of book husbands. He is the kind of alpha, swoon worthy hero I adore and boy does he reinforce how sexy consent can be…. wipes drool from my chin.
Millie – well she’s the kind of character that I feel protective of from page one. Her quiet fierceness, her history, her bravery and her ability to learn to love again – all of it made me want to invite her over for a glass of wine and a hug.
This isn’t an easy story to read but it’s an important one and it’s told in such a beautifully honest way. I adored it!
This is a story that has it all. This is my first book by this author. It will not be my last.
If you’re looking for a story that will capture your heart, bring all the emotion you can handle, has intrigue, a very current issue in our society, a hero you can’t help but fall in love with and a heroine who doesn’t know her own strength, then this is the book for you!
This book is unputdownable. I read straight through. I was mesmerized by the story and found myself captured by both Hunter and Millie. Hunter is the book boyfriend you are looking for. Millie, watching her struggles and growth was empowering.
This story brought many questions to mind like, can you really get beyond your insecurities, how much power do people have over you, how much of yourself are you willing to give up, how do you know what true love is, how do get beyond what you were and see yourself for what you can be, how do you realize that certain things are not your fault and learn to forgive yourself? These are just some of the issues faced in this important story. The situations are startling and should not be ignored.
Don’t get me wrong there are serious issues in this story but it also filled with smiles, warmth, romance, passion and heat. I don’t do spoilers because it’s not fair to the author. Let me assure you this book is packed with everything to feed your emotions.
The secondary characters are as important to the story as are the main characters. I just want to meet most of them. I already love them.
Watching the natural evolution of both Hunter and Millie melted my heart.
Although, this was my first book by this author it will definitely NOT be my last. I’m invested in All Saints Security and Protection Services. They can watch over me any day because I’ll certainly be looking out for them.
I know I won’t do this book justice but I will try.
This book had me feeling everything. I was happy, sad, scared, excited, nervous and… hopeful. It truly is a book of hope. This book made me feel like you can be damaged and still find your person. You can love someone and be willing to wait until they are ready to love you back. You can be strong when you don’t think you are. Everyone deserves love and everyone deserves happiness. I would give this book 10 stars if I could.
“If you’re broken, I’ll be the glue that helps fix you, Millie. All you have to do is let me.”
From Imperfect Saint by Jess Bryant.
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review a wonderful sweet and moving romance!
with the invitation to Colins wedding, Millie isn’t sure she is ready for that walk down memory lane of her bust of love life with her bother’s best friend Joshua. Can Lemon’s little prep talk help, because WOW I love that woman!
Hunter was Lemon’s security but when the pushy woman asked for a favor..exclusive for Millie there wasn’t a chance in the world he would turn it down. Once he watches the way Mallie acts at the wedding, he knows deep down that is so much more then what the feisty little brunette is letting on. Will Millie give the gentle giant a chance or will her past in the Bell Turner home front interfere with her future. The whole shame on you for asking stare when Hunter first met Millie, should have been her clue.
This book has some triggers that may be difficult for some because of what they represent. Millie and Hunter will have you on the edge of your seat in this emotionally charged story. Millie finally called it quits with her abusive ex but she failed to tell her family why she had. He physically and mentally abused her every chance he got not to mention his cheating on her and to top it all off, he is her brother’s best friend. Now it is the weekend of her brothers wedding and she has to spend time with him. Hunter is called in to pose as her fake boyfriend but in reality he wants it to be so much more because he really has feelings for her. Everything is set into play but Joshua has his own plans. Will he finally get the picture that love doesn’t live in Milly’s heart for him or will he take on his abusive persona and reek havoc again?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Okay, it’s offical we need a Hunter St. James fan club because he was without doubt absolutely gorgeous in every way. As Millie described Hunter “… he was smart, funny, protective and he also happened to be sexy as hell.” So very true but with adorable dimples to boot. I really liked Hunter’s character, as you can tell, and of course every time Joshua was around was delighted when Hunter bested him. Millie is an intelligent, hardworking woman who doesn’t rely on her family’s fortune or name. She is extremely capable of standing on her own two feet except wobbles slightly, well okay a lot but understandably so, around her ex, Joshua.
Lemon is a wonderful character and although sneaky she is very clever too. I thoroughly approved of her cunning nature.
Joshua is a character you instantly dislike but then again his description is not flattering in the least. The author very clearly paints a picture of this douche canoe. She also does a wonderful job describing Colin and Reed who are terrific, especially Reed.
There are some darker elements to the story that are handled well. Some hard issues about familial ties that are very real and how hard it is trying to live your life by other people’s standards and expectations. Emotions run rampant and you find yourself experiencing them along with the characters.
Add some intense drama and a sweet romance to the mix and you have one great story. I am already looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Imperfect Saint is one hell of a way to start this series in absolute heaven. Their story will at times shred your heart to pieces but both Millie and Hunter will be the strength and force that will build it back together piece by piece. A book that felt like you were living Millie’s pain and growth as if you were experiencing it first hand. Hunter was not only noble, sweet and protective but this man was all that and so much more. I was mesmerized, enamoured and just plain old in love with Millie, Hunter and their path to happiness. This first book in the All Saints Security series left me breathless and at times anxious. My heart ached, the tears overflowed but the genuine smiles that the words from this story brought to my face overshadowed all the hurt and pain. Jess Bryant brought the story and these two characters to life in a way that was powerful and touching and will leave a lasting effect on my heart and soul.
This book is heart rendering and beautiful at the same time! I love the way Jess Bryant keeps it so real. For me, it is relatable and true to life as it is for many.
I absolutely love Hunter and his understanding and compassionate nature. Despite his own dealings with how he dealt with situations and his past experiences he came through with flying colors! Stalwart and supportive.
I could identify with Millie and her reluctance to share and express her self in the beginning. It really struck me how we can feel as though we’re keeping things from being discovered and yet there are those around us that can detect when something is off… Anyway , I will just leave it at that. Millie’s evolution is remarkable and I love the way she kept her tenacity no matter what.
I loved this story and main characters!
Mille & Hunter were EVERYTHING! This story sucked me from the beginning. Took me a lot longer to finish than I wanted (life has kept me running in circles), but even when I wasn’t able to sit down and read, my mind wandered back to their story, desperately wondering what would happen next.
•Sweet, tender love
•hot, sexy chemistry
•quirky,engaging secondary characters
•add to that family drama, and an abusive ex-boyfriend, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect read!
I have gone too long without getting my Jess Bryant fix, but I won’t make that mistake again. Thanks to Enticing Journey Book Promotions for this advance copy, which I requested. My review is honest and left voluntarily.
I LOVED this book. Millie and Hunter Jake you on a journey of their love in this beautiful romance with a devastating twist. These wonderful characters make the perfect couple and team. The storyline is an absolute page-turner and very well written.
Hunter is PERFECT! Sexy? Protective? Alpha Male? Loving? Caring? Romantic? Supportive? Hero?
He is everything any girl would dream to have in a man and Millie is the lucky one who caught his eye from day one. But she has secrets and a past this is about to crash into her present in a way she never would have believed had she not lived through the nightmare herself. Hunter will do anything to maker her happy and to keep her safe and she will not give up without a fight.