The New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series delivers an “emotional, unforgettable” (Lori Wilde) romance about a rugged Texas sheriff who must protect the woman who was once his sworn enemy… Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he’’s determined to do everything by the book–until he’’s called to Aspen Barlow’’s office after a … book–until he’’s called to Aspen Barlow’’s office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn’‘t the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge…
Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she’‘ll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there’’s a thin line between love and hate… because there’’s nothing Case wouldn’‘t do to keep her safe.
“Off the charts attraction, dramatic suspense, heartbreaking betrayal, deep emotion, and unforgettable romance will keep you turning the pages to the climactic end.” -Jennifer Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
“Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!” -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“Five big huge stars for Justified! Don’‘t miss this page turner!” -Harper Sloan, New York Times bestselling author
Includes It’’s All About That Cowboy, a bonus novella by Carly Bloom!
and hate… because there’’s nothing Case wouldn’‘t do to keep her safe.
“Off the charts attraction, dramatic suspense, heartbreaking betrayal, deep emotion, and unforgettable romance will keep you turning the pages to the climactic end.” -Jennifer Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
“Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!” -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“Five big huge stars for Justified! Don’‘t miss this page turner!” -Harper Sloan, New York Times bestselling author
Includes It’’s All About That Cowboy, a bonus novella by Carly Bloom!
and hate… because there’’s nothing Case wouldn’‘t do to keep her safe.
“Off the charts attraction, dramatic suspense, heartbreaking betrayal, deep emotion, and unforgettable romance will keep you turning the pages to the climactic end.” -Jennifer Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
“Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!” -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“Five big huge stars for Justified! Don’‘t miss this page turner!” -Harper Sloan, New York Times bestselling author
Includes It’’s All About That Cowboy, a bonus novella by Carly Bloom!
and hate… because there’’s nothing Case wouldn’‘t do to keep her safe.
“Off the charts attraction, dramatic suspense, heartbreaking betrayal, deep emotion, and unforgettable romance will keep you turning the pages to the climactic end.” -Jennifer Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
“Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!” -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“Five big huge stars for Justified! Don’‘t miss this page turner!” -Harper Sloan, New York Times bestselling author
Includes It’’s All About That Cowboy, a bonus novella by Carly Bloom!
ep emotion, and unforgettable romance will keep you turning the pages to the climactic end.” -Jennifer Ryan, New York Times bestselling author
“Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!” -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“Five big huge stars for Justified! Don’‘t miss this page turner!” -Harper Sloan, New York Times bestselling author
Includes It’’s All About That Cowboy, a bonus novella by Carly Bloom!
more
A small quiet town, devastated by gunshots, vandalism, high speed chases, and fire. Aspen is the target and the killer doesn’t care about collateral damage. Who’s out to get her? Why do they so desperately want her dead? And why is it the only person she can turn to, the only one she can trust, is the man who hates her guts?
At one point, Aspen was the new girl in town. She was from the city and she was different and ended up being an outcase. Case was the only person who saw her and went out of his way to include her. It was easy for her to fall a bit in love with him and treat him with hero worship. But life goes on and they grew apart. Nine years ago, Case’s marriage disintegrated and he lost the one person who meant the most to him – his son. Unfortunately for Aspen, she was his ex-wife’s attorney, robbing Case of time with his son. Right then, right there, she became his nemesis and he treated her to his anger from that day forth. When Aspen’s office is vandalized, she calls the Sheriff, who happens to be Case. Forced circumstances and close quarters lead these two to unravelling the tension between them, discovering what they could mean to each other, and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Crownover novel and it was like slipping into comfy clothes. The plot was intense, fast-moving, and entertaining. The characters were endearing and even the side characters were a delight. How can I resist loving a story with a whodunit plot and charming people? If you like your romance suspenseful, your characters to work hard for their happy ending, and brilliant writing that will have you enchanted right to the end, you won’t want to miss out on this one!
Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch! Alpha and broody, they hit all the right buttons.
New Cowboys from my bestie Jay! <3
We’re back in Loveless, Texas and this time we have the pleasure of reading Case Lawton’s book. When I first met him in Unbroken I knew he would be trouble, and trouble he was!
Justified is a full length novel in Jay Crownover’s brand-new Loveless, Texas series. The Lawton siblings bring so much angst to their small little town that I cannot get enough of them!
Aspen Barlow has crushed on Case Lawton since her formidable teen years. He was the only one to show her any kindness and offer her friendship. As adults, Aspen is a pitbull in the courtroom and she is assigned to be Becca Lawton’s lawyer in a custody battle for Hayes, Case’s nine-year old son. When Case loses Hayes, his entire world implodes and he could never forgive Aspen. Eight years later, there is still bad blood between Case and Aspen. The animosity and tension between the pair is so strong you could cut it with a knife.
“It seemed like with everything else we did, it was all or nothing. We either loved or hated. We were either in or out. There was no middle ground.”
Case is now the new sheriff after overruling his father’s corruptive reign. With someone in the little town of Loveless wanting Aspen dead, Case must work with her to figure out who is behind it all.
Justified had everything you love about a small town. Bonus was the plethora of secondary characters which I need books from ASAP, especially Hill Gamble and a feisty someone I will not name… Also, let’s not forget about a certain MC president #drama.
Suspenseful and action-packed, Justified is the perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers with a second chance feel. Beyond intriguing and completely captivating, I started and finished this novel in one day. Hands down, it’s a must read!
I can’t say enough about this book, it’s so good!!! Off the charts attraction, dramatic suspense, heartbreaking betrayal, deep emotion, and unforgettable romance will keep you turning the page to the climactic end. Fans and new readers will devour this fantastic story. I couldn’t put it down!
“He’d always been a bit of a heartbreaker, but now he was something beyond that. A heart destroyer, or maybe even a heart annihilator.”
I fell in love with the author’s Marked Men series years ago so I knew before I started reading Justified that she was gonna bring some #Love to Loveless, Texas and I didn’t want to miss out. Um…did I mention there’s a #SexySheriff? Even his name is sexy…Case…sigh.
Well, all that was before I met Case. I have to confess he did not make a good first impression with me. He was an #AlphaAsshole and did not treat my girl Aspen so good, at least not when they saw each other again as adults. But, being inside her head during her teenage crush over said asshole kinda gave him some brownie points for being nice to the new girl at school. When everyone else was being mean, he was kind. Which I’m sure is the only reason his later deplorable behavior didn’t totally ruin her #CaseCrush. However, I had some colorful words for the rude asshole and was determined to make him earn my favor.
The more time I spent with Aspen the more I liked her. She’s a tiny spitfire who is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. Too bad Case didn’t hire her to represent him, because going against her did not bode well for his case. And once she proved that to him, she became his enemy, which did not bode well for her crush. Their animosity went on for years and they avoided each other as much as possible. Until he had to respond to a break-in and act his age. He was very professional as he handled the crime scene, his skill showing, with a side of asshole. His grudge against her was evident, but it was his job to protect her, right?
Yeah, that’s when I stop to grab some popcorn and wine. He can’t avoid her now. While I’m waiting for the sparks to fly between them, in anger and chemistry, the suspense is building too. That’s when I stop to turn my fan up to a higher setting. Did I mention that she’s keeping a secret? So, not only am I waiting for them to fall in love, I’m trying to figure out who the bad guy(s) is, and I’m worried about the secret that I know…and he doesn’t. Whew! I’m exhausted now.
I really enjoyed Justified and I’m so excited to go back to Loveless, Texas. There are some very colorful and sexy characters that need more of my attention and I can’t wait to give it to them! The line forms here…
***5 Stars***
I really enjoyed Unbreakable (Loveless, Texas #0.5), and it most certainly had me wanting the next book in the series ASAP, but I LOVED Justified. I mean seriously LOVED it. I was hooked from the first page and between the intense chemistry between Case and Aspen and trying figure who was after Aspen, I couldn’t put it down and wasn’t all that happy to say good bye for now when there were no more words to read.
Ok, so I adored Case. I did. He’s a really good man, father and person. He has a big heart and honor is etched on his soul…BUT…even though I totally empathized with what happened to him in regards to his son, he has the asshattery thing down pat. The man could get vicious and, as horrible as this is to say, I LOVED it when that lightbulb moment hit him and how it affected him. Aspen was amazing. She has a huge heart and regardless of the situation she finds herself in, she finds a way to pick herself up and make it work. I loved her strength and how, even when her insecurities came out to mess with her head, she didn’t let them overtake her for long.
I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Aspen get under Case’s skin. He does get under hers, but watching Case struggle to maintain his distance from Aspen was a lot of fun. Their snipping and bantering had me chuckling and the chemistry between them was undeniable. The situation they found themselves in with someone going after Aspen kept the angstyness between them low ~ or at least as low as it could ~ but I loved watching them fall and where they were at when the book ended.
While I haven’t read all of the books the author has written, I have dived into a hand full and I have to say this one is my favorite by far. The writing was engaging, the pacing good and the dual first person POV was done well. The whole mystery/suspense aspect was well thought out and executed ~ I didn’t figure it out until it was revealed. And then there are the supporting cast of characters. It was fun catching up a bit with Crew and Della, but I adored Hayes, Kody and Hill and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, because if it’s who I think it’ll be about…then it promises to be quite intense!
~ Copy provided by the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~
Once again, Jay Crownover proves why her words are so addictive! Her characters bleed life so tangibly, you feel like you’re drowning in the emotions: in the best way possible. Five big huge stars for Justified! Don’t miss this page turner!
Justified by Jay Crownover is a friends to lovers book, and one you don’t want to miss. Aspen and Case were friends in high school. That was then. They are brought back together due to events and that like has turned to hate, however, they are thrown together and they will have to find a way past their feelings.
This book had great characters and plot. You wanted to see what would happen next. Not only for the romance, but for the mystery as well. This isn’t some sweet romance, but this will keep you turning the page and wanting more. 4 stars and I recommend you one click this book today!
I’ve been a long-time reader of Jay Crownover’s, and I’ve loved all of her rough-around-the-edges, tattooed bad boys and their complex, hard-fought happily-ever-afters. I wasn’t sure exactly what Jay would do with cowboys, but boy, did I love it. She has completely swept me off my feet with her Loveless, Texas series. The prequel novella, Unbroken, absolutely whetted my appetite for these cowboys, and Justified has blown me away!
Crownover comes out swinging with a two-pronged plot that drew me in from page one. Pairing an angsty, steamy enemies-to-lovers romance with a twisty, turny suspense arc, Justified was a riveting love story between two people with a long and complicated history. A Stetson on his head and a badge on his belt, Case Lawton is formidable, commanding and heart-flutteringly handsome. Dark-haired, porcelain-skinned and a pint-sized powerhouse in the courtroom, Aspen Barlow, is Case’s opposite in all ways. She was that weird goth girl in high school who never felt like she truly belonged in Loveless until she was welcomed and befriended by the younger, gentler, high school heartthrob version of Case.
The sweet friendship they once shared is scorched by the explosion of Case’s life, and he holds a mean grudge for eight years as he believes Aspen, a divorce attorney in town, is partially to blame for his woes. As the elected sheriff of Loveless, though, he can’t exactly pick and choose who he protects and serves, and Aspen, though loathe to accept Case’s protection, needs it. They say that love and hate are the opposite sides of the same coin, and Jay tests that theory out in Justified with spectacular results. This story was so passionate in absolutely every sense of the word. The gut-churning angst, the anger simmering between them, and finally, the lust. Oh yes, the sparks were flying in Loveless, right along with the bullets.
Bursting with authentic emotion, sizzlingly sexy with a suspense story that kept me tapping my Kindle as furiously as the relationship build-up did, Justified was a quintessential Jay Crownover story, but with a fresh, new spin. I positively devoured this story, and I’m hungry for more. Justified is Jay Crownover at the top of her game, doing what she does best, and giving her readers a difficult, hard-earned, heart-tugging love story between two seemingly ill-matched people. Five smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
Justified by Jay Crownover is book One in the Loveless, Texas Series. This is the story of Case Lawton and Aspen Barlow.
When Aspen first moved to Loveless, Texas she was young, the unpopular kid that was picked on, the Case would standup for her and protect her. But when they left school, she left to pursue a Law Degree and Case ended up staying tied to Loveless when several bad things happened at once. One of those was being tided to a women who snagged him with a pregnancy, but Case loves his son so there was a happy part of that too. Aspen came back to town with her law degree and married a someone else too. Case and Aspen ended up meeting again but on opposite sides of a court room where she was representing his ex-wife and he trying to get custody of his son from her. Of course Aspen won the case which set the tone for hard feelings towards her for Case. Now in their present time, Aspen is in trouble which leads her back to Case to protect and help her.
Really good second chance and enemies to lovers story.
5 Stars
A love story full of heartache, forgiveness, danger and most of all love! Case and Aspen have a long history that ended in an ugly way. When Aspen is in danger Case has to put aside his feelings and do what is right. This book is full of mystery, excitement, lust (be prepared for some serious heat!), and many lessons learned. I love the people of Loveless, Texas and cannot wait for more!!
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Way more than a romance
Completely hooked me from the start. Hate is a kin to love, so true for Case. Aspen has always known she loved Case, but just knew she never stood a chance.
As present day life threatening events bring them together, so much gets sorted out between the two and I went thru a ton of emotions at all the injustices that had been heaped on both of them. So yeah, I was immersed while reading, always in anticipation of what’s coming next. There was so much intrigue, twisty plot, nerve shredding action happening that I couldn’t get it out of my head even when real life intruded. The angsty times made the lovin all the sweeter when it finally came.
Each of the characters were fantastic and so realistic, making ME feel a part of the Loveless community, right in the thick of things.
So well written with dual POVs, and no overlaps. This was a super fast exciting read.
I received an advance reader’s copy thru Netgalley and am giving my honest thoughts voluntarily
Well, let me just say that for a town called Loveless, Texas, there are certainly many lovable people there! (and some definitely unlovable people too) And Jay Crownover certainly gives us another amazing book and start to her brand new series! Case and Aspen went from sort of/kind of almost friends in high school, to bitter enemies for a decade after that, to lovers. Lovers definitely suits them best! They have great chemistry and are really good for each other’s hearts and souls. They had so much murky past to work through but they do it and it is wonderful to witness. The fact that they are able to do it amidst all the chaos surrounding Aspen is even better. Because Case is sheriff, he assigns himself to watch over Aspen despite how he feels about her when things start going south, and this allows them time to talk and heal and other things. I loved everything about this book from start to finish and can’t wait for more!
I was lucky to get an ARC from Netgalley of this amazing book!
Justified features a great enemies to lovers romance with some nicely done suspense elements.
In a family of criminals, Case Lawton is determined to walk a different path. As the sheriff of Loveless, Texas he does everything by the book unlike his crooked father. When Aspen Barlow’s office is broken into Case works the case to the best of his ability, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t enjoying the discomfort of the woman responsible for him losing custody of his son. But after Case learns the truth about what really happened in court all those years ago, he realizes Aspen isn’t the monster he thought her to be. And when Aspen’s life is threatened, Case and Aspen will need to learn to trust one another if they hope to make it out of the situation alive.
Case has always hated his relation to his father, the corrupt former sheriff of Loveless. Throughout his life, Case has worked hard to prove he’s nothing like his father and anyone who knows Case knows how honorable he is. Due to the situation with his father, Case has a hard time seeing any wiggle room when it comes to right and wrong. This did prove a bit frustrating at times but it was a completely understandable trait due to who is father is. Aspen moved to Loveless during high school and was considered the weird girl from the big city. The bullying Aspen went through as a teen drastically affected her self esteem and that’s something Aspen still struggles with as an adult, nearly twenty years later. After attending college, Aspen returned to town and began working as a lawyer who hoped to help those less fortunate. I admired Aspen’s work and it was clear she’s dedicated to what she does for a living.
Case and Aspen’s relationship starts out very antagonistic, Aspen was the lawyer who represented Case’s ex-wife in their divorce. Case has always blamed Aspen for his wife gaining custody of his son but what he didn’t know was the reasoning behind Aspen taking the case. I won’t reveal what that is but once revealed, Case finally stops blaming Aspen and sees her in a new light. The shift in their relationship was excellent and the chemistry between the pair was fantastic, even when they didn’t like each other. As Aspen is still married when the book begins, albeit trying to obtain a divorce, their relationship does move a bit slowly. When the pair’s relationship does finally turn physical, it is fantastically done with the steamy scenes being very well written. Overall I enjoyed their romance.
This book does have a suspense plotline regarding several attempts on Aspen’s life. Within the first couple chapters, Aspen’s office is broken into and someone sets fire to her home with her trapped inside. From there the situation only continues to escalate and I found the suspense aspects of the book to be very well done. Due to the nature of Aspen’s work and the fact she is seeking a divorce, there are quite a few suspects. Ultimately I was surprised by the direction the storyline went, but it was well done.
Overall I really enjoyed Justified and I will definitely be continuing on with the series and picking up Unforgiven soon.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
I did not see what was coming in the end. Great plot twist.
One of the best books I have read. Love it!!!!
I am a newbie to Author Jay Crownover…but I am an instant fan! Justified was a fantastic enemies-to-lovers story, with a cowboy-sheriff verses an attorney. This whole story was so good from start to finish!
This author has written into Justified, a fantastic blend of characters…the main characters Sheriff Case Lawton, and Counselor Aspen Barlow. Case’s son, Hayes and Case’s ex-wife, Becca, were important parts to the story as well as Case’s brother and sister Crew and Kody.
The storyline was easy to follow, even though there was kind of a lot going on in the book (Divorce, court, vandalism, sheriff, bitterness, family drama, mystery, shootings, reconciliation…), but in a good way. I am going to have to go back and read the other series by this author as some of the characters flow into this book and I definitely love this writer’s style! I am very much looking forward to book 2: Unforgiven releasing in 2020! I REALLY enjoyed and give it 5 stars!
Another amazing beyond words book from Jay Crownover! I am a die hard fan and always think there’s no way for her to top herself, and then she turns right around and proves me wrong. I love these characters, and the story will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Loved this book!!!!!