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
With a red-hot hero and emotional, unforgettable storyline, Crownover delivers the goods.
Jay Crownover is a favorite. Her stories aren’t so predictable and keep you thoroughly engaged.
Let me start by saying this series has a lot of things I tend to stay away from in reading. Browsing through the Kindle store I would skip right past it based on the cover, but don’t do that! Stop and read this one! I promise you’ll thank me afterwards. Jay Crownover is an instant read for me, for the most part I could care less what she writes, I would read it. One thing I expect from reading one of Jay’s books is to have my heart ripped out and to feel all the pain the characters are feeling, only to have it put back together in the end, I was not at all disappointed in the heartache I felt throughout this story.
Aspen and Case met back when Aspen was new to town in high school. Aspen fell for Case back then and time didn’t stop her crush at all. The next time these two are thrown together, Aspen plays a pretty big role in ruining Case’s life. Fast forward a few years later, Aspen needs help and Case is the one that is forced to help her. There is so much anger and resentment between these two I know it was going to be explosive. The anticipation in this story for these two to figure their stuff out had me in the edge of my seat. Overall this book was fantastic and I am so glad I took a chance on this series, I cannot wait for the next one!
~ Jessica
This book was purchased because of all the 5 and 4 star ratings on Amazon, as well as for the premise given. I don’t know what those commenters read, but it can’t have been this book! It could have been a great story, but instead was a waste of my time and money. There is nothing appealing about Aspen that would warrant the attention of Case, much less have him fall for her. Full of corny cliches. Instead of actions and interesting dialog, we get paragraph after paragraph of repetitive – repetitive – repetitive explanations and background – even during intimacies!!! Really wish I could get my money back!
Justified is awesome!
I absolutely loved everything about this book. Case and Aspen first met in high school. Aspen had a crush on Case for many years…but their lives went different ways and they both ended up married to different people. When they both end up back in Loveless years later can they find their way back to each other? Pick up this book and find out. Once you start reading you won’t be able to stop. I highly recommend it.
Several years ago I went to a book event for one author and Jay Crownover won me over so fast I walked away with three of her books. I have no regrets. Justified is a bit different from her other books, but it’s still the same Crownover writing I’ve come to love.
Case and Aspen hate each other for things said/done in the past. I loved watching them work through all those feelings and start to come together, while other atrocities were unfolding around them. It’s hard to come to terms with your past beliefs, when someone is out to kill you.
There is a lot going on in Justified. Case is the sheriff, but he’s still trying to rectify all the mess his dad created as sheriff. Someone is trying to kill Aspen. Case’s ex wife is being super demanding over their son. And a tad more. Crownover did a great job of weaving all these things together without the reader feeling overwhelmed by all the things. At no point did I feel like there was just too much happening to keep track of.
Case was easy to like from the get go, he had a crap life and made some bad choices, but you could tell that he was trying to fix things. He was also an amazing dad. I don’t want to spoil things, but there were some tears shed over how things went down with this in the past.
Aspen is getting divorced and desperate to separate herself from her jerk husband. But then things start to get scary when her life is threatened. All things considered she handled this well, I would have been a crying mess.
I highly recommend Justified. It’s fast paced and lots of feels!
Another winner by Jay Crownover. I couldn’t put it down. Perfect blend of sweet, sexy and suspenseful moments. Loved the chemistry between Aspen and Case. Can’t wait for another trip to Loveless for Kody’s story.
Carly Bloom’s novella was a sweet treat the left me wanting more.
Holy wow! I was in a slight book funk and I think I started about. 5 books before I opened this one. Thank goodness I did because holy crap was I sucked in from the top! So much action, I almost felt like I was in an action-packed movie and yet I could feel the sizzle between these two characters! I hadn’t read the first one yet but boy do I feel the need to scoop that up immediately and start it NOW! Amazing chemistry with all the characters, whether it was good or bad and it was a story that I adored!
In Unbroken, Crew Lawton’s story, readers were introduced to Case Lawton, Crew’s older brother and the Sheriff of Loveless, Texas, as well as the small country town where the Lawton siblings grew up and seemed determined to leave behind. And I have to be honest, my initial reaction to Case was not a positive one. It seemed like Case was trying too hard to compensate for his father’s corrupt acts as sheriff, making him overly rigid, and in some ways, a bit too self-righteous, especially when it comes to those closest to him.
But I’m happy to say, once I gained a bit more perspective on Case and the reason behind his high strung and glacial demeanor, I understood his need to toe the line as well as his inability to let go of a past that forced his hand in a number of life altering ways. Did I still think he was a bit close-minded and directed his anger and torment at the wrong person, absolutely, but, once again, there’s a reason for his mistreatment, and while it doesn’t mean what he does and how he acts is right, I can’t say that I fault him given how little control he had over the outcome.
I absolutely adored Aspen. She epitomizes the idea ‘she may be little, but she is mighty.’ It’s clear that she spent much of her life feeling like an outsider, never truly fitting in, and then when she finally did, it wasn’t for the reasons she had wanted to be known for, which is why she’s working on reclaiming who she was as Aspen Keating and not a part of the Barlow family she married into when Justified begins. Aspen is an extremely likable and relatable heroine and I loved watching her go toe to toe with the ornery Case, even when she seemed to be crumbling on the inside. And her need to protect the unprotected, doing what’s right by them, even if it costs her personally, made her stand out as one of my favorite Jay Crownover heroines.
The danger that Aspen finds herself in throughout the course of the story is definitely responsible for Case and Aspen confronting their past, giving them a opportunity to clear the air and figure out exactly how they feel about each other outside of their complicated history, and this part of the plot line worked well, but where I struggled a bit with this aspect of the story was with who ultimately was responsible for the shitstorm that became Aspen’s life. Obviously, there needed to be a catalyst for everything that goes down, I guess I just didn’t understand why the story’s main villain was who it was and why/how everything played out the way it did.
Even though I had a bit of an issue with the mechanics of the plot, I really enjoyed Case and Aspen’s story, and I’m more than eager to read Cody’s story. With everything readers have seen and heard about her and her antics, I’m excited to see what Jay has in store for her and who’s going to be the hot alpha male to tame her wild.
4.5 Poison Apples
I love this book , one of her best . Case and Aspen were great characters . Loved that Jay give us a back story to the characters. The book is very relatable to people.
Fabulous! This story about the Sheriff and the Counselor in the terrific Loveless, Texas series is a must read. I love this author’s spectacular writing that takes us on a journey with intrigue, danger, romance and wonderful characters. There’s nothing sexier than a hot-as-hell cowboy sheriff with a hero complex that he always delivers on. Case Lawton is just that man. He overcomes his past to become the man that takes care of his family and his county. His troubled past includes a like/hate relationship with lawyer, Aspen, that goes back to high school when he befriends the new “weird girl” from Chicago. And Aspen has no chance when it comes to the local hero. She carries her teen crush into adulthood and manages to protect Case in the only way she can even if he doesn’t know. He thinks she’s out to destroy him. There are tons of emotion and heartbreak and raw feelings in this one with the sheriff, his young son, the evil ex and the lawyer on the wrong side. When Aspen becomes a target, suddenly the lines blurred as the Sheriff does his job and protects her from further harm while looking for the culprits. As Case and Aspen are forced together their contentious relationship takes a turn and old hurts are let go. What develops is a sweet and sexy romance between two strong, capable adults with long time ties. There’s a few twists and a killer epilogue with all the awesome family members. I love all the Lawton siblings especially the badass Kody. I can’t wait for her story and I hope it includes a sexy Texas Ranger! Plus (I’m so excited) a new MC, Sons of Sorrow, is an irresistible presence in this story. I’m all in with this author and her masterful storytelling with swoon-worthy characters. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
4.5 Stars
Boy was this book gooood! I was hooked right from the beginning and I hardly could put it down. Though I will admit Case not a big fan in the beginning, but we get to know the true guy behind the hurt. This book took so many twists and turns that had me gasping along with the characters. Jay Crownover did an amazing job writing this one. I was on the edge of my seat practically the whole book and I needed to know what happened next. The characters were great. I really liked Aspen. To see her stand up for herself and be the woman she always wanted to be was beautiful. I liked watching Case fall for this little spitfire. She keeps him on his toes and makes he reevaluate himself, to look deeper. If you want a book that delivers on feels and emotion, but also action and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat look no further. It’s one you don’t want to miss.
Justified was a captivating enemies to lovers romance.
Loveless, Texas may be small but it sees its fair share of drama! Way back in high school Case befriended Aspen when she moved to town. She came from the city and didn’t exactly fit in here in Loveless. Then life happened and their lives went in very separate directions. But it all led back to Loveless! Now, the two don’t have a civil word to say to one another… but you know that is going to have to change as someone comes after Aspen. The sheriff (Case) can’t just turn his head. Now that the two are thrown together they are going to have to overcome their pasts and learn to trust each other.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Case and Aspen together they had so much chemistry. I also enjoyed watching Aspen come out of her shell — she was always a strong woman but not always comfortable in her own shoes. I just love when we really see characters grow in a story!
I couldn’t put this book down, especially because of the suspense. I needed to know who was after Aspen! Spoiler… I had no idea until the very end!
I can’t wait to read more books in Loveless!
I’m a sucker for a good ole enemies turned lovers’ story, and this one had the best twists in it.
Aspen Barlow moves to a town called Loveless while she is in high school and meets a boy named Case. Now Case and Aspen aren’t what you would call friends, but he does make Aspen feel more welcome, and because of this she comes to care for him greatly.
Fast forward years later, and Aspen is in court, but her client is non other than Case’s hateful ex-wife. Aspen does all she can to help Case while keeping her client happy, but the outcome has Case hating the very air she breathes. The one person she has always looked up to and admired has come to hate her, now what is she to do?
Time goes on and while overcoming a divorce, Aspen is thrust into a dangerous situation and must call on the new sheriff. That’s right, Sheriff Case Lawless.
Case is now the sheriff, it is his job to keep the citizens of Loveless safe, and unfortunately for him that also includes Aspen Barlow. The woman that ruined his life, that took his son from him.
When Aspen is targeted Case must put his feelings for her aside and find out who is causing her trouble.
While things unfold Case starts learning things about Aspen that skews his hateful few of her.
Could she not be the person he thinks she is?
What happens when all is revealed?
This was such a great start to a new series, and I can not wait for the next to come out. This book has all the dram and suspense, but the has injections of the best steamy moments you could ask for. I have read Ms. Jay before and knew the kind of work she does, this is no exception.
Welcome to Loveless, Texas where after years of bad protection it takes a hot, up to the law man like Case Lawton to go for protection. Then we have a beautiful, sexy and smart lawyer go up against the new sheriff. This is actually the first time I have read of Jay Crownover and boy I am hooked. What got me was seeing Aspen still inside be the same shy stranger she was as a teenager waiting for her hero crush to really look at her. Now Case, man when he’s made a mistake he shows he can man up and find fault. The love might not be there right away but Jay Crownover sure makes it brew hot and passionate. This is one series you don’t want to pass right now, loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Loveless Texas #1, The first full length story, if you haven’t read the prequel novella that’s fine it’s not required. Case Lawton was the golden boy in high school, but then his mother died, he got injured, lost his scholarship, and his girlfriend got pregnant. He joined the military and when he came back he became a Sheriff’s Deputy and everyone just assumed he would follow in his father’s footsteps. But everyone was wrong working under his abusive, prejudice, I-going-to-use-the-law-in-my-favor father gave Case the ammunition he needed to get his father out of the Sheriff’s office and get elected himself and then he cleaned house.
Aspen Barlow always felt like she was the outsider, not having been born in Loveless and being different made her even more of an outcast. Only one person made her feel special in school, Case, he made a point to welcome her and include her in events she ended up falling in love with him. She watched as his life derailed but she never lost faith that he was a better man than his father. In order to protect Case and his son she made an enemy out of the man she once love and represented his wife in the divorce. Eight years later he is still holding a grudge but when he gets called to a break in at her office everything changes.
I loved this book! Being so new to Jay Crownover I haven’t read any of the other books in which Case ties into but that’s fine I really wasn’t missing anything, except now I want to go and read more of her books. Told in duel first person POV you get both sides of the story and that really makes you want to smack Case at different points in the book because he basically made Aspen his scapegoat and when she finally calls him on it you want to pump your fist in the air and cheer her on. I got very attached to the characters, they felt so real and I am really looking forward to Kody’s book!! I loved the pacing of the book and it was well balanced of emotional and suspense with just a smidge of humor, usually Kody. Overall, this book has definitely won me over, I am now a fan of Jay Crownover and I can’t wait for my next fix.
Justified is the first book in the Loveless, Texas series. Unbroken was a novella that takes place before and you should definitely read that if you haven’t. You don’t need to have read it to completely enjoy Justified, but you will want to! I’m a very big fan of Jay Crownover and I used to read a lot of cowboy romances years ago, so I was intrigued to read one written by Jay. She’s a fantastic writer and I always know when I pick up one of her books I’m going to be entertained by the characters and the story. If you’ve read Jay’s other series’ you should recognize Case Lawton. The broody sheriff who’s trying to clean up and protect his entire town. He has a history with Aspen and although it started out good, she was new in town and there was something about her that drew her to him, now, years later he hates her something fierce. He blames her for losing custody of his kid years ago. Now she’s in trouble and he doesn’t want to protect her, but she’s part of his town and that’s just what he does. When things escalate and they realize she is in more danger than they thought, they end up spending more time together than either one of them likes. Aspen always had a crush on Case. He was only person to talk to her when she was new in town. Those feelings never really went away, but when she was the lawyer for his wife and he lost his son he hated her immediately. He didn’t know the sacrifices she made for him. The secret she’s kept all these years to protect him. What will Case think when he hears the truth? Will he be able to protect Aspen and realize there’s more than just hate between them? I really loved this story. Case has so many things weighing on his shoulders. He’s a good, law abiding man, but his father was not. The town doesn’t want him changing the way things were done. But he needs to change his family’s reputation. He also feels responsible for his brother, sister, his son and the entire town. Aspen was the blacksheep when she was younger, but now she’s a successful lawyer and everyone in town loves her. She did everything she could to help Case see his son, but it didn’t matter to him. There is a lot of history between them and it’s not all bad. He just needed to be reminded of what there was and what there could be between them. They just needed to talk and really share their feelings. Their chemistry was off the charts and their feelings real. It moved a little faster than I thought it would, but it didn’t deter me from loving the story. Overall, I laughed, teared up, got very angry and felt hopeful! I’m hoping there’s more in the series! I need Kody’s story!
I am a fairly new fan of Jay Crownover and this was a brilliant start to a new series. She has weaved a tale that gripped me from the very beginning until the very end.
Aspen and Case have known each other since high school. They meet again in court when Aspen represents Case’s ex-wife in their divorce settlement. Aspen is good at her job as a lawyer but she feels guilty getting her client full custody of her son, taking him away from his devoted dad. Now years on and thing shave changed with Case having full custody of his son and Aspen is going through her own divorce.
When Aspen’s life seems to be in danger she has to turn to the man who still harbours animosity towards her, Sheriff Case. Finding out who is doing this forces them together. They will have to deal with their past, pain and anger.
What i loved about this book was the slow build of their relationship. Jay Crownover really developed their backhistory and relationship brilliantly. The secondary characters were equally intriguing and i can’t wait to read some of their stories. The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat. i couldn’t put this book down and i didn’t want it to end. I am excited to see what happens next in this series
Justified by Jay Crownover
This book was incredible. It consumed me until I finished it- “I couldn’t put it down.” No one writes a complex Alpha man like Jay Crownover. I loved that the book is told from dual point of view of both Case and Aspen and I love their names. Jay Crownover is an amazing writer I loved all the details of Loveless, Texas. This book is mystery and steamy. The story unfolds and will have you guessing as to who is after Aspen and even though Case Hayes Aspen he has to protect as the Sheriff of Loveless. I have said too much already. You will not regret reading this awesome book.
Jay Crownover has done it again taking us readers on a ride that we are glad that we took, it has all the feels.
I’m a huge Jay Crownover fan and was so excited to start Justified. I read the prequel, Unbroken, and saw a glimpse of Case’s backstory and was even more excited to read his story. Justified was sexy and emotional and the chemistry between both leads was fantastic. Aspen gave as good as she got and wasn’t hesitant to handle Case, the Sheriff of Lawless, if needed. She was a great match for Case!
Aspen Barlow and Case Lawton have a long and acrimonious history. But it is now nine years later and these enemies are forced to deal with one another as Aspen is now being targeted and victimized by an unknown threat. Overall, I really liked this story. It had great back and forth banter, sass and showed an emotional depth in both characters from years ago to the present. I also loved that it was filled to the brim with good old fashioned suspense. It was an added zing to an already awesome story.
Overall, I loved seeing how Case and his feelings for Aspen slowly thawed as the tension between them heated up. All in all, this was a fast paced story that was another Jay Crownover win! 4 stars! ~Ratula