Zee + Annmarie and Tan + Jubilee.Forever. No exceptions.They were to have the picture-perfect life together. Everything was all planned out.Jubilee was to marry Eitan and Ezekiel was to marry Annmarie. That’s how it was always supposed to be from the moment that they met. Textbook, right?Wrong.Eitan and Annmarie die in a freak accident that never should have happened, leaving the two survivors … have happened, leaving the two survivors reeling.
Sixteen years later, Jubilee and Zee can’t even be in the same room with each other before things begin to deteriorate. Too many memories. Too much pain. Not enough forgiveness.
They’re like hellfire and holy water, and neither one of them is willing to admit that they’re wrong.
Then one day things change, and all of a sudden, they’re looking at each other like maybe they aren’t each other’s enemies after all.
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Enemies to Lovers as only Lani Lynn Vale can write it…
Family, shared history and a heart-warning need to protect are the foundation for the latest book in the series. Witty banter and humor from alpha male with a creative soul, Zee, and sassy yet introverted female, Jubilee, had me laughing out loud and rooting for their happily ever after. The chemistry between Zee and Jubilee was of the charts explosive from the beginning and the Enemies to Lovers dynamic had me absolutely enthralled through the entire book. I also enjoyed the twists and turns the story took that were unexpected and ultimately made for a fast paced, great read and a terrific addition to series.
Zee and Jubilee had a different take on their story. They both belonged to the others sibling when they were younger, and the siblings were alive. Then when the years have passed them by, they both were present somewhat in each others lives, but only just tolerated each other. One drunken night is all that it takes for their lives to be flipped upside down.
There hasn’t been a book yet of LLV that I haven’t loved and devoured in one sitting. And this one was no different.
It Happens is the sixth book in the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series by Lani Lynn Vale, a series that has landed on my all-time favorites list. While this series is rooted in another series, or two actually, it is not a spin-off of the Heroes of the Dixie Wardens or the Freebirds series. It does, however, expand on them. Favorite characters from those series either appear in these stories or Vale introduces new heroes and heroines who are the offspring of those characters. What makes Lani’s work so unique is how with each new book she releases, she builds upon those original worlds, developing further not just the next generation of characters, but also the original characters as well. For her readers, this is an unparalleled reading experience that plays out almost like the literary equivalent of a long-running television drama series. Remarkably, though, Vale has somehow managed to write her stories in such a way that a new reader can pick a book up at any point and easily slide right into her inter-connected world from that point on.
It Happens delivered a solid punch of feels with an enemies-to-lovers romance between a hero and heroine who had a long, painful history. Vale did a great job of capturing the animosity, the history and the chemistry between Zee and Jubilee on the page and channeling that emotion into a hard-fought, heart-tugging and sexy romance between a couple that readers will be rooting for from the first page. Vale clearly has a vivid imagination, and it’s on full display here. She built an intriguing suspense plot into the love story that kept me as invested as the romance did. Lani effortlessly blends love with laughter in all of her books, and there was plenty of both in this book. Always entertaining and amusing, Vale’s writing pulls me right in and keeps me riveted to the page the whole way through. Another winner in a series full of them, I finished this book already wanting the next one. Five smooches from me for It Happens by Lani Lynn Vale!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
4.5 lightening stars
Each time I read one of LLV’s Bear Bottom Guardian books I say this ones my favourite then that gets surpassed by the next one, just goes to show that she raises her game with this series with each book.
Having met Zee in the other book in the series, again he was a character that intrigued me (well to be honest they all do :-)) and his story really pulled at my heartstrings but yet made me laugh.
Zee and Jubilee grew up together but they never got on. They fought constantly and did whatever they could to wind the other up. What made it harder was that their relationships were intertwined as Jubilee was with Zee’s twin brother Eitan and her twin sister AnnMarie was with Zee. Tragedy strikes and Eitan and AnnMarie died leaving a lot of heartbreak and pain in their wake.
Even though they carried on hating each other they still had this need to look out for the other person. Its a thin line between love and hate, the more they resist the more the chemistry between them becomes ready to explode.
I loved reading this in dual POV as it was great to see how they were both feeling and thinking at certain points.
LLV did an amazing job with this book. She poured everything into it so that you felt it all as you read. The banter, the hate mixed with the sexual chemistry was so hot. Once you start this book, like me you will be unable to put it down.
I am super excited to see what Lani brings us next with Keep It Classy and Castiel and Turner’s story <3
“It wouldn’t do for him to know he didn’t annoy me as much as he used to.”
Zee & Jubilee grew up together, and even back then they fought incessantly. They might have just avoided each other if their siblings weren’t dating each other. And then, after the accident, seeing each other only brought up painful memories. But the hate remained and they continued to hurl insults at each other. The strange thing is that only applies to each other, if someone else tried it, they’d get their ass handed to them. Hmmm…am I the only one that wonders if that means this is one of those cases where the hate might cross that fine line into love? Methinks they do protest too much and the sparks flying between them aren’t just anger but passion. How fun it was to find out.
One — because there are many —of the things that I love about this author’s writing is the witty banter between characters that makes me laugh. No matter how serious the topic she’s tackling in a story she manages to integrate positive things. There are always amazing support characters and loving family, even if it’s not their own. She always touches on things that bring awareness to her readers and makes us appreciate those that protect and keep us safe. I always know going in I’m gonna learn something that I will take away with me when it’s over.
I really enjoyed Zee & Jubilee’s parents in this story as well. They are supportive but also entertaining. It’s like they can see between the lines when their kids are still clueless. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were making bets on the outcome. They are also very badass themselves and not someone you would want to land on the wrong side of.
The author tells the story in dual POV and let me tell you, being inside Jubilee’s head is something else. “You know how on the fast food commercials that the burgers always look way better than when you get them in real life? That’s what I always thought would happen when it came to seeing Ezekiel McGrew without his clothes on. I thought for sure he couldn’t look as good out of them as he did in them. I was wrong. He looked better. So, so much better.”
In case you couldn’t tell, I floved It Happens. I think this is my favorite of her series so far, but don’t hold me to it, because I’ll probably think that about the next one too.
So glad I finally circled my wagons & went back to the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series!
Zee & Jubilee’s story had a little bit of everything. A solid enemies-to-lovers trope, tomato sauce baths, a haunted house, bangin’ sex scenes, an axe murderer (quite literally), dead bodies galore… There truly was never a dull moment!
*****SLIGHT SPOILERS*****
The mystery baddie came COMPLETELY out of the blue. I mean, never in a bajillion years would I have guessed the squatter was blankety-blank & that he/she was a stalker for that long. I only wished it was true that he/she axed EVERYONE who pissed off Jubilee because then there’d be no having to deal with Zee’s b*tchy exes!
On to the next book in the series, Keep it Classy, featuring Castiel & Turner. I already love what I know about Turner Hooch, her flaming arrows fantasy & her ‘Chinese food fat nights’ with Jubilee, so bring it on!
Side Note: I would LOVE to give Zee’s grandma a pop in the boob after reading the epilogue. Never would I ever let my husband name my daughter after his grandma after what she said. Grr…
Another amazing book!!! From the very beginning you just get sucked in and can not stop reading. It started off a little sad but then throughout the whole book I just couldn’t stop laughing. These two are great and from the beginning you could tell there was some underlying feelings going on between them that they didn’t want to admit to.
Lani’s books are one of my favorites to read and do not disappoint. You have to go read them!
A tragic accident turns into a positive situation for all. there’s a lot of hurts but those two put it aside to coexist with each other for once. I teared up a little bit, but I also smiled at the end of it all, phenomenal read author Lani Lynn Vale
4 STARS
It Happens is Lani Lynn Vale’s 6th book in the Bear Bottom Guardian MC Series. This book is the story of Jubilee and Zee. This was a second chance/enemies to lover story that is well written, includes secondary characters from previous books in the series and has some seriously steamy moments and emotional ones! I loved it. This is a unique story line because Zee & Jubilee grew up together. Their parents were best friends. Zee & Jubilee didn’t get along most their years growing up. Tragedy struck them when both of their siblings were struck by lighting and killed. Years have pasted and neither have recovered from that tragedy and being in the same room as one another is too dfficult as it it drudges up the painful memories. That is until they get drunk one night and end up waking up in the same bed together. There were a few issues with the storyline after this point that I found to be problematic, and there was also some OW drama that took away from their love story but once they was all behind them the love, the steam, the heat and chemistry was off the charts. I look forward to the next book in the series!
Audio Review
This author is a relatively new author to me as are the narrators Aiden Snow and Kendall Taylor but after listening to It Happens I will certainly be checking out their other works as not only was this a great story but it was bought to live by the narration which ran at the perfect pace.
Love and Hate is a very fine line …….
Zeke and Jubilee have known each other most of their lives, as a kid he drove her mad by the teasing and pulling her pigtails as a man he is still the tease but this time on a much naughtier level. A night of passion leads to a lot more than teasing as this couple realise true love happens when we least expect it and quite often a case of one door opening as one door closes.
This story is not only about finding love it’s about finding yourself, it’s a book with all the feels and it has the perfect mix of love, passion and humour. The witty banter flows naturally between the narrators and at times I found myself laughing out loud. Enjoyable listen that held my attention throughout the book. Looking forward to more from this author and the narrators.
Jubilee, Eitan and Annmarie and Zee were fated for each other but when Annmarie and Eitan are killed in an accident it starts a years long feud between Jubilee and Zee. Then something between them changes and when danger surrounds them, Zee will do anything to keep her safe. I loved the battles between Jubilee and Zee, their chemistry is off the charts hot. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Loved this story, as usual with LLV, a great read.
While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt like Zee and Jubilee’s relationship was off. I’m not sure what exactly was off but I felt it throughout the book. This really impacted my enjoyment of the book.
Also I felt like the multiple epilogues were a little much. I would have been happy with just the first part where they find out they can have children.
Another fabulous story by this author who always creates brilliantly crafted characters that either delight or anger you. In this there is one more type…the character that places a little fear in you too. It’s a bit uncanny how accurate these characterisations are build up through out the book.
Opposites attract or enemies to lovers is a great trope and this is one example of an excellent story using it. I really enjoyed the career choice for Jubilee and the women in her family too, very original and a clever touch.
A fast paced, easy to read story that you don’t want to end it’s so good!
Let’s start off by saying we are a a fan of this author’s books and we are always looking forward to read the next book that is out in their current series and I have to say that this was one of the funniest books yet to date.
We really enjoyed the story as it really had a great cast of characters, was funny although the plot itself did not have a lot going on in it but, it did surround a couple who have always had a love/hate relationship since been teenagers and a family tragedy that both of them were never able to move past.One drunken night and things changed forever….
The story was about forgiveness and healing but, it also made this couple realize that in truth they were the perfect mix for one another.
The story had many funny moments because the couple never stopped bickering with one another and were playing for a long time a cat and mouse game even if the weren’t ready to admit the chemistry and the attraction they had for one another.”We loved their so called courtship.”Jubilee took matter’s into her own hands and I have to say their first non bed sexual encounter was down right hilarious!
Jubilee-I loved her as she had a bubbly personality,was smart,sexy,had a mouth on her,cursed like a sailor,was very independent,cautious and prickly as a pear but, oh so love-able.
A favorite quote from Jubilee-” I couldn’t tell her that I’d had sex with the one man I’d never thought I’d have sex with the night before that had a dick like a donkey.”
Life is like a dick. Sometimes it’s up. Sometimes it’s down. Also, it won’t be hard forever. -Text from Jubilee to Turner
You’re not allowed to play the lottery. You hit the jackpot when you found me. -Jubilee’s secret thoughts
Beards make me hungry…and horny. -Text from Jubilee to Zee
Zee- We loved him from the start he was sexy as sin,protective,possessive,funny,talented when it came to his art but, what we loved most about him was that no matter his love/hate relationship thing he had going on with Jubilee he always had her back and was very protective of her even if it was from a distant.
Sex in a deer stand isn’t advisable. -Things Zee never thought he’d have to say
Jubilee and Zee made an awesome couple she was more of the mellow type and he more structured when it came to life and eating but, Jubilee loved to indulge in the sinful like waffle and hamburgers LOL.
The couple were super hot together had great chemistry and had so much fun in and out of bed.
“We loved it! It was the perfect romance read for us that was light and fun even though the story had a serious undertone but, after reading a really Dark Romance Read previously to this current story it was the perfect book to lighten things up as they say and give us some major laughs while doing it.
We recommend this current story if your looking for a not so perfect romance that was quite funny from beginning to end.
“You can never go wrong with one of Lani Lynn Vale’s books!”
Zee was the high school sweetheart to Annmarie, the sweetheart in her family. Eitan and Jubilee were dating as well. Zee’s brother was Eitan, and Jubilee’s sister was Annmarie. They all should have all gotten along but Zee and Jubilee have been fighting with one another since the day they met. When Eitan and Annmarie die in a freak accident that leaves Jubilee and Zee injured, they go their separate ways. However, sixteen years later they are still looking out for one another in a roundabout way that has everyone but them wondering when they ill realize their feelings for one another.
This was wonderful, I was not sure what to expect but it surpasses what you think will happen. I was pulled into the story right away and love these characters. I also love the dads in this one, they are hilarious. Terrific addition to the Bear Bottom Guardians series. A must read.
Love this series! The characters are just perfect in this one. Enemies to lovers, life long ‘friends’, having a guilty cross to bear, what more could you ask for. Oh and the HOT times are great too! This one has it all, even a phycho stalker! LOVE LOVE LOVE the way these two fight like cats and dogs, then they are making up in the best way possible.
When will LLV ever write a bad book… NEVER!! I’m so happy about that! Quick fun read to get you through the day.
What I love about this author is that her books have drama and suspense, but in a light-hearted manner. Her characters are good people, but quirky and different. There’s a lot of family and friends atmosphere, since this series is an off-shoot from other MC series by this author. This Bottom Bear MC series feels like a second generation of bikers, since all the characters in the series have parents who are or have been bikers, have been in other MC clubs, they all know each other, some are best friends, and they all jump together to help any of their brethren.
This one story starts a little sad, because we have twins Jubilee and Annmarie, who are dating brothers Zee and Eitan. In one sad accident, they lose two of them, and the two left behind hate each other. Since little children they have been holy terrors to each other and ten years after their sad loss, this still holds true.
Since this author writes about different kind of people, Jubilee is a mortician. As in, she prepares dead bodies for funerals. It’s a little mind-boggling that such a young woman handles the gruesome task of embalming dead bodies but she makes it sound nice when she says she’s making them pretty again for the grieving families.
I loved both characters. In spite of the bickering and pranks between these two, there’s a deeper sense of protection that makes them watch over the other. And once they connected, oh boy, the fun starts hot and heavy.
This was a delightful and entertaining read, very heartwarming, with family and friends to make it even more heartfelt.
Zee and Jubilee were fun, flirtatious and equally crazy! A sworn enemies with heartbreaking past. LANI’s book had always drawn me right into so easily. The story was easy to read.. relateable…sexy..funny as hell.
I honestly didn’t know if I would enjoy this since I don’t like “enemy to lover” very much. I really enjoyed it.
The little mystery amped it up, good pacing and wonderful characters.