The first time I heard his cheesy pick-up line, he made me laugh. The next night, I fell madly in love. Then he shattered my world without speaking a word, leaving me with an empty heart and a hollow soul. Still, I tried to fix what was broken, only to be humiliated beyond repair. I couldn’t believe the same man who promised me heaven so ruthlessly put me through hell with lips that once … that once worshipped me.
I thought that was the end of us, but then a life-altering discovery threatened more than just me, and the least likely man to stand at my side was the one who refused to leave it.
What readers are saying about Justifying Jamie:
It’s not often that the chemistry between the main characters is a firehouse from the jump, but that happened with this book, and I love it. What they have is messy and gritty, but it’s also one of the most intense loves I’ve seen in a book. ~ Ebonie
Gripping story line. Real, honest and intense emotions.Amazing writing. Unforgettable and imperfect characters. Justifying Jamie by Anna Brooks is a sexy, swoony and gritty rockstar romance! ~ PP’s Bookshelf
Justifying Jamie was an emotional roller coaster of feelings that had me on the brink of wanting to hug Jamie or throw a left hook and knock his but out for being so cruel. Holy Alpha. Anna Brooks wrote a heart-wrenching story with a beautiful ending and characters that are so relatable. ~Lori T.
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Being a first timer to Anna Brooks stories, I was not sure what to expect. I am not sure I could have started with a better first book than Justifying Jamie. Such a great experience and one heck of an adventure.
Jamie is a superstar not wanting to be noticed as the superstar he is. Strong and wild, he is free to enjoy life and appreciate the experiences learned. Yet he is as much alone as he is a family member…even if the family is nothing more than his bandmates and their families.
Mercy is that smart female with a heart of gold, even if she does have a wild streak. But while everyone admires and loves her, she battles demons many of her friends and coworkers know nothing of. As strong as she is to those around her, there is a crushing pain felt deep down inside that she battles.
A one night meeting many years before complete with heat and passion cannot be dulled by time. And, of course, life always gets in the way, when you allow time to carry on. But with heat like these two shared, even I was wrapped in their ups and downs and turmoil.
Anna Brooks mentioned that this is the first book in her series Reason to Ruin, but she also tells of the original story that introduces all the cast. So now I need to step back and catch up on all the band before the next story comes out, cause I definitely will be waiting in that line. Great job Anna and I happily give this story five stars.
Emotional Roller Coaster Ride!
This story is one intense roller coaster ride of emotions. The author does not hold back. My emotions were all over the place. I was happy, sad, angry, furious, frustrated, then back to being happy again – whew, that was intense! The main characters were fantastic but Jamie really had me going crazy. I really didn’t know whether I loved him or hated him. There many times when I just wanted to scream at him – WTF DUDE! But as the story progressed I understood him more.
I enjoyed everything about this book. It was fantastic and the writing was amazing. It definitely gripped me right from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down until the end.
OMG Anna delivers this book!!! I have been stuck on this Author since I stumbled on the Royal Ace Security series and devoured everything I could find by her! THIS BOOK does not disappoint. Such an emotional rollercoaster that is well worth the wait. I love how you see and feel what the characters do, you understand why things happen the way they do, and when it all comes together…its magical. I LOVE this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s been awhile since a book has taken me on a journey like this one did! The chemistry is so explosive between Jamie and Mercy, you will want to keep reading to find out what is next in their angst filled romance rollercoaster ride. These two characters are so well developed that you cann’t help but feel for them, like they are one of your closest friends. I highly recommend this book, it is definitely one of my favorites for 2019.
You’re a ROCK STAR. Women love you, men want to be you. You want a happily ever after, maybe not now, but at some point. Your family is there for you, but it’s just not enough anymore, and then you find THE ONE.
You’re tired of being the kid your mother doesn’t love. You’re happy with your job, even if your mom isn’t. You try all the time for her, even going out with men you KNOW you won’t be attracted to, and then you find THE ONE.
Jamie and Mercy, although they don’t even mention it to anyone, are both looking for love. A random one night hookup leads both of them to fall for the other. A midnight emergency takes Mercy away from Jamie and her inattentiveness causes years of heartache and anger.
Can they get over the years that have separated them? Can either of them forgive, or have there been too many misunderstandings?
This is the first book I’ve read by Anna Brooks and it won’t be the last. Good characterizations and dialogue. Although the story line covers 3 years in their lives, it was easy to follow the progression.
This book is close to a second chance romance, or back and forth romance.
We have Jamie – who is in not just a band, but, The Band, Ruin. The concerts sell out, booking a full stadium/ area at every show. He’s been with his band since high school, and they hit it big time and now travel he world playing music.
Mercy is a nurse working in the OBGYN section. She loves what she does. She has always been a Daddy’s girl. Her mom is a Dr but, they don’t have the best relationship. Mercy also has a sister, who is usually always in her business.
One day after working a long night shift, she is waiting in line at the coffee cart. She is behind a couple who make googly eyes and looks at each other and talk crazy sweet nothings to each other. Mercy is about to gag on what they are saying. Of course the guy notices her rolling her eyes and her facial expressions are off the chart. Mercy see’s that same guy again after she went on a blind date set up by her mom. The guy is the same one from the coffee cart. After making flirty small talk, he follows Mercy out to her car, but, then kisses her. Mercy has never had a kiss like that. And of course they go to a local hotel and continue to be with each other until the next morning.
Mercy leaves him for an emergency. She writes down her number thinking he will call, but, weeks turn into months turn into 3 years and still no sexy mystery guy. She can’t believe she’s never heard from him until one fateful one night stand with his roommate / band mate.
Will Mercy & Jamie be able to move on from their past mistakes with each other to work on the now that they have with each other? Or will their past keep them from one another?
I did receive a free ARC copy of this book. I am freely leaving an honest review.
A very good start to a new series! I enjoyed Mercy and Jamie’s story even though at times I wanted to knock their heads together and shout COMMUNICATE!!!!! But then we wouldn’t have had the angst for this story! LOL This had a good storyline with sizzle, heart, misunderstandings, drama, angst and man! That twist!!! I was like WHAT!!! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
NO SPOILER REVIEW Anna had me hooked on the book after the first chapter.. the characters are complex the story line definitively has all the depth to it with lots of twist and turn and eventually a HEA. I loved meeting Jamie and Mercy is this book and all the friends and family that came along. Must read book and cant wait to read another one by Anna
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sooo good! This was one crazy, intense, sexy and sweet book. Something for everyone. We met the band improve Me Right, I’m so glad Anna is writing the guys stories.
Jamie’s book is totally killer. Who woulda have thought his life would be so complicated.
Mercy is amazing. Her character brings out so many wonderful parts to this story. Of course it’s not all sugary sweet. Which makes me love this book even more.
I love a good rockstar romance. This one does not disappoint. Looking forward to reading more from the band.
5/5
Gah!!! I have missed Anna Brooks’ books so much, and I’m so glad we are getting this series!!
Jamie and Mercy definitely had some speed bumps along the way in this story, but their love for each other was front and center. There were moments where I wanted to reach in and smack Jamie, but in the end he became the man we knew he could be. I loved the banter between these two when they were “on”, and I had tears running down my face from laughing so hard at some of their pickup lines lol.
An amazing start to this series that I would highly recommend!!
A great read. It’s intense and gripping story that will hook you in with its twists as it takes you through an emotional ride. I loved the connection and chemistry is sizzling as the sparks fly off the pages. You will love the characters. It’s an entertaining read and need to be one clicker.
Holy Rockstar Batman!!
Wow!! I know I’ve said it before, but it has to be repeated… Anna Brooks is an amazing author. This story had me everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I was talking (well yelling might be more like it) at my phone, I cried, I was angry and I was happy. Sweet Baby Jesus, it had me coming and going!
Jamie and Mercy’s journey was such a struggle…. They give second chance romance a whole new meaning. The love they had for each other was so strong, it just jumped off the pages at you. Yet, the hurt they caused each other was so brutal that it made your heart physically ache. This was truly one of those books you just can’t put down. It’s gonna stay with me for a while and I a’int complaining about it lol
The best part is it’s only book one in the series so we got a whole lot more coming from this cast of characters and I just cannot wait for it!!!!!
My first book by this author and I loved every single page! I couldn’t put it down and stayed up way too late reading! Mercy and Jamie’s story was intense, steamy, funny, heart breaking, romantic and just a fantastic read! These two go through so much to get their HEA and I hated to see their story end. Highly recommend!
Having read this author once before and liked it when I seen this the urge was there to read her again. The one thing about this one though is it will be a bit dangerous to read because of the emotional upheaval it will do.
Jamie and Mercy will give you several sides of their relationship having the emotions run through you as if it was you getting it. One thing is for sure once you pick it up you do not put it down much at all until the last page.
Second chance will be just as much of a wringer as the first time but stronger so you are in for a good one. All the twists to the emotional part of a reader will leave you finding another one to read take a minute.
Jamie and Mercy only share one night together. But after that night, they know they are meant to be together. However, crossed wires and mistakes keep them apart for 3 years. Jamie”s band continues to make it big and tour. Mercy continues working as a nurse and making friends with the local neighborhood pub owner. Once they reconnect, sunshine and roses are not on the menu. After all the the fighting and hurtful words, can these star crossed lovers finally be together or will their pride keep them apart?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Justifying Jamie by Anna Brooks
Justifying Jamie (Reason to Ruin, #1)
by Anna Brooks (Goodreads Author)
Review:
This book, Justifying Jamie is author Anna Brooks’ first book in her new series, Reason to Ruin and it is not your typical Happy Ever After (HEA) romance book.
It is so much more.
I received an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) of this story and the storyline has stayed with me since I read it over a week ago.
This story, Anna’s words touched my heart in so many ways that I don’t know how to express my emotions I had felt to write a justified review afterwards.
Unfortunately, I still am not able to come up with the words to give this story it’s proper respect it deserves.
I will say this, Justifying Jamie is going to give you a tale that you don’t want to stop reading, it will give you so many different emotions, such as love, hate, angst (grab some tissues), sex, and mind-blowing twists you didn’t see coming, but more importantly, Justifying Jamie is a very well-written story that I feel will stay with you for a bit of time.
If I could give more than a 5-star rating I would! It is an amazing time just waiting to occur.
Anna!! Absolutely your Best story to date! I. Must. Have. Book 2….Soon!!
I will absolutely recommend this book to my family and friends! Anna Brooks
Justifying Jamie Arc Review
“Daisy? Really?” “Yeah. Isn’t it obvious?” “This ought to be good.” She crosses her arms, pushing her perfect breasts up higher in her black sweater. “Why?” “Because I picked you.”
Jamie is living the dream he has his band Ruin, groupies, alcohol but when looking at his brother Liam and the family he has built he feels like somethings missing. When he sees his niece Jamie feels like he’s ready to build a family of his own and Meara jokes telling him he will find that someone special that night at the bar she owns and she will even break her no-hookup-at-Kelly’s rule. Mercy is a nurse and after running late for work and getting coffee spilled on her scrubs thanks to some Don Juan she has had it but her mom insists on her going on a date. After her date Mercy heads to the Kelly’s bar where she ends up seeing Don Juan again. Jamie says his name is Donny and he calls her Daisy. After dropping funny pick up lines and laughing Mercy gets upset when he tells her to leave cause he’s not about to break the rule. Once outside of the bar Jamie takes Mercy to a hotel room. After a night of what seems like love, passion, and something that could last forever Jamie wakes up alone. Mercy leaves her number and rushes out the door leaving Jamie asleep to be by her moms side as she is in the hospital. So when Jamie never calls and Mercy left without saying a word and neither have a real name to go by this story heads into a world of misunderstandings, heartbreak, and a big twist but a happy ending.
I was so happy when I got this arc since I’m a big rock star romance reader. I loved this story from the beginning it was funny and I loved the characters chemistry. I also love that even within a few years they still felt the same about each other even with all the fighting and misunderstandings that occurred. At one point this story had me screaming in my pillow cause I wasn’t sure I could go on reading anymore though. I was just like whhyyyyyy!!! It was an emotional roller coaster.
I did however love how things came together at the end. It was a fast read and worth all the times I put it down and picked it back up again to read some more.
Justifying Jamie is my first book by Anna Brooks. And it surprised me in a big way. Because how in the name of all the holy Romance gods and goddesses I have never read her before? I love her sharp, edgy and intense writing. She poured so much raw emotions in the characters. It was not safe. It was not sweet. It was an adrenaline fuelled reckless ride of passion and feelings.
This book was firework of emotions. I mean I expected drama and angst because it is a rockstar romance. But I did not expect Jamie and Mercy’s story hit me so hard. Jamie is the bad boy rockstar who meets Mercy while visiting his ex band mate Liam’s newborn baby. Mercy works as a nurse in the same hospital. A sassy sweet chance encounter in hospital’s cafeteria followed by a chance encounter in a bar followed by the most intense and earth shattering love making ever. They both thought they have something special but then comes a series of huge mistakes and misunderstandings. And you will get the epic, angsty and heartbreaking love story. The twists are too good and my jaw dropped to floor so many times.
The chemistry between Jamie and Mercy is complicated. Both of them are flawed characters who are not always doing the right thing. Rather the exact opposite. Damn I love Jamie with his brooding intensity and impulsivity and heartaching pain. I can feel his suffering because he was trying to be the nice guy. But the circumstances tore his heart apart and he became this rude, angry and vulnerable person. Mercy has all my empathy and love. Controlled by her parents, trying to make the right choice but making unknowing mistakes, getting her heart broken multiple times..but she still has so much love and strength in herself. Their chemistry really resonated with me and it was a delicious treat. Goose bump inducing, tear jerking, dreamy smiling kind of treat.
Gripping storyline. Real, honest and intense emotions. Amazing writing. Unforgettable and imperfect characters. Justifying Jamie by Anna Brooks is a sexy, swoony and gritty rockstar romance!
Received ARC for Honest review
What a crazy amazing read this was. I’m always intrigued by this author and what ticks away in her mind, this story of Mercy and Jamie was outstanding. Jamie’s in a band, no relationships, just booze, women and lots of sex, that is until he meets Mercy or otherwise known as Daisy and Donny. While in the hospital visiting his newly born niece, does he have his first encounter with Mercy and is intrigued by her. Mercy on the other hand thinks he’s a jerk and a player and she’s not that far off. Jamie sees what his brother has and doesn’t think he will ever find “the one” in his line of work, but one never knows. Mercy is strong willed and has a meddling mother and a judgmental sister and all Mercy wants is to make everyone happy, but that doesn’t always work out. A chance meeting between these two and the chemistry and connection they feel is nothing like they’ve ever felt before and neither wants to leave, but when a family emergency comes up, Mercy (Daisy) has to bolt, but leaves a note and a number. For three years, no call, nothing but memories for the two of them, a wrong number, heartbreak and misunderstandings lead these two down a path they weren’t ready for, but someone managed to lead them back to each other. A fiance, a broken engagement, hurtful words, lies, love, and denial. Their lives are more intertwined than they think, with forces working against them, will the time ever be right for Mercy and Jamie to finally make things right between them? I could go on, but I don’t want to spoil anything for you. The ride we are taken on is so emotional and you will want to smack Jamie upside his head and Mercy too, once they realize that they are the ones standing in the way of their own happiness will they get out of the way to have it? I can’t wait for more stories on the other guys in the band, it’s going to be freaking amazing!
Wow…just WOW!!
What an emotional roller coaster!! So many emotions while reading this book.
Mercy and Jamie’s story is not hearts and flowers. It has lots of angst and both of them made mistakes and my heart broke for both of them. The chemistry between them was off the charts. The story was sweet and sexy at the beginning and love the banter. But then mistakes happened and I wanted to throw my kindle against the wall.
The story spans over a few years and so glad they got their HEA.
Justifying Jamie is the first book in Anna Brooks new Rock Series, Reason To Ruin.
I can’t wait for the next book.
STARS!