Ghosts are real.Well, technically speaking, maybe not. But the ones that haunt a man’s soul? Those are very real. So real, in fact, that there are times when Castiel would rather silence them forever in the worst way possible than to go on living with them haunting his every step.All it took was one single second in time for his attention to drift, and everything changed.Life as he once knew it, … changed.
Life as he once knew it, is over.
Now he’s struggling to make sense of the pieces that are left, and he’s fairly sure at least half of them are missing.
He’s living for three things now.
His club—the Bear Bottom Guardians.
His work as a police officer for Bear Bottom Police Department.
And the occasional glimpse of a girl that makes his spirit feel free.
Despite the ghosts that haunt him, he’s not willing to present them with another target. Which is why he has to stay away from her. He can’t touch her. He can’t talk to her. He can’t get anywhere near her.
Not and live with himself afterward.
The only problem is, Turner doesn’t care what Castiel wants. She also has a solution for his ghosts.
You may call her Ms. Ghostbuster.
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Emotional and Enthralling
What happens when the daughter of a NASCAR legend and a police detective come together? Sparks ignite and you have latest addition to the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series! This story has a little bit of everything – humor, angst, grief, suspense, chemistry…. Turner and Castiel’s story is rooted in heartache as the couple struggles to overcome insecurities, family drama and soul-deep loss on the way to their HEA. Their story also contains witty banter and explosive chemistry that will have you laughing out loud one moment and fanning yourself the next. Keep It Classy is a fantastic addition to the series!
Castiel is a stud.
No, seriously.
They don’t call him ‘Hot Cop’ for nothing.
But he’s been burned. He was married to a rich woman with high expectations and after their divorce, he’s enjoying his newfound freedom.
He’s not interested in being weighed down by another rich woman.
So why can’t he get Turner Hooch off his mind?
Turner was once a big girl.
After a successful surgery, she still hasn’t come to terms with her newfound hotness.
She’s never had a boyfriend. She’s never been wanted. She keeps people at a distance so they can’t hurt her.
So why does she want to bring Castiel ever closer?
I loved these people. LOVED THEM!! Once they found themselves out of the enemy phase, they meshed together like peanut butter and jelly. When tragedy struck Turner’s life, Castiel was there for her every step of the way and I loved how no one even had to ask. No one even questioned the rightness of it. It just was and that’s that.
Lani Lynn Vale seems to always create stories that warm my heart. Characters, both male and female, that make me swoon. Plots that dribble a bit of suspense and that are always unique. Themes that will never get old. These are stories that can be read again and again and again. For an enemies-to-lovers tale, Keep It Classy was low on angst, high on feels, and a guaranteed good time.
Each book in this series just keeps getting better and better. And it seems that Vale is in the mood to make her readers emotional with this series as well. I know that Castiel and Turner’s story had parts that hit really close to home for me, and had me needing to pause reading for a bit before I got emotional.
These two characters were definitely not friends. But, there was this chemistry between them. Turner has always had issues when it came to men, in the fact that she doesn’t have any real experience with them. And Castiel had been ruined emotionally by the woman that he was suppose to love him. So there was no way that these two even thought that they were ever going to be anything more than acquaintances. Boy were they wrong. It took a tragic event to bring them together. And it was the bond that was formed during the grieving process on Turner’s part that solidified that there was actually attraction and then love below the surface.
I don’t want you to think that this story is only one of sadness, because its not. There is also moments of humor to help your heart from completely shattering.
I read the author’s dedication in the beginning of the book, and my heart was in my throat. I just knew that Lani was going to channel that pain into this story. I was right—she did. Vale has written other gut-wrenching, devastating stories, like Mess Me Up for example, but this one was very different. Keep It Classy had a distinctly personal feel to it, and this is one of the things about this author’s writing that makes her work so special. She shares pieces of her life, her observations, and little things that happen in it and to her, her family and her friends. These parts of her stories are what I love most about Lani’s books. Those real-feeling conversations and incidents that happen to everyday people, written with Vale’s spin, are what make her stories so relatable and addictive. In Keep It Classy, it just so happens that it was an emotionally painful experience that Lani drew upon to form the backbone of this plot.
But in true Lani style, she balances all the heavy emotion with some well-timed, appropriately placed humor, a sexy romance and an interesting, suspenseful plot. Witty banter and explosive chemistry pulled me into Turner and Castiel’s romance, but it was the sweet, swoon-worthy way their initially antagonistic relationship morphed into a tender and sexy love that kept me tapping that pages of my Kindle. Vale nailed it in this story, proving she can pack in all the feels and still turn out an amusing, entertaining story. Five smooches from me for Keep It Classy by Lani Lynn Vale!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
“What drew me to you wasn’t your need for me, but your need for speed.”
I’ve been looking forward to getting to know the #HotCop better. I met Castiel earlier in the series and I knew he had some issues and I couldn’t wait to be inside his head to find out what was going on in there.
Turner is Jubilee’s bestie, so they are together a lot. For some reason though, when they run into Castiel, he always seems to be nicer to Jubilee. What’s his problem with Turner? If she would only turn around she would see that his eyes are always on her. If they paid attention they’d notice that everyone is taking bets on how long it will take for the tension between them to combust. Those sparks flying between them might feel like dislike, but it’s really so much more.
Castiel avoids her until he can’t. When she actually needs his help he can’t turn his back on her. When life gets real they must decide if they are going to let their past steal their future or if they will bury it where it belongs and take a chance on each other. As usual, there are plenty of laughs along the way and some suspense to make it interesting.
I know I sound like a broken record but I’m so happy I went back to this series & read Turner & Castiel’s story!
This one was filled with WTF tears, cheesy subtitles, a Creepy McCreeperson, a b*tchy-but-absent ex-wife, an orgasmic motion-in-the-ocean scene & so much more.
Turner… My heart felt so heavy for this girl. The battle with her weight & the humiliation she suffered when she was younger was terrible & then the loss of someone so important to her later on… Why, why, WHY did that have to happen?! I loved the many sides of her; doing hair on dead bodies, writing for the porn industry, racing cars… I only wish Castiel got to experience the rush of racing 130+ mph with her! That would’ve been epic.
Castiel… His judgey self got on my nerves in the beginning. I get that he was wary of Turner because of his past but it was clear as day that Turner was NOT his ex-wife. I loved when the tides changed & he recognized Turner for who she really was. He got pretty swoon-worthy at times & that led to some memorable steamy encounters.
I do wish that there was more resolution where Castiel’s ex-wife & her nephew were concerned though. Those things were kinda just brushed to the side at the end & I’m not a fan of loose ends.
Excited to continue on with the series but I’m not super-psyched to read about Tara’s twin…
Another amazing book from an amazing author!
It made me laugh and cry. I just love Casteils and Turners relationship. They are so cute with their antics!
You definitely need to go read this book and/or series if you have not already. You won’t be disappointed
tears, sadness, love, laughter, happiness? You get it all in this book, amazingly well done Author Lani Lynn Vale, keep it classy indeed.
4 STARS
Keep it Classy is the 7th book in Lani Lynn Vale’s Bear Bottom Guardian MC Series. It follows the love story of Turner and Castiel. Turner has had a difficult childhood and past. She hasn’t had as many experiences as most. She is quirky, fun and I adored her strength.
Castiel is a sexy, broody cop. He lets very few into his heart. There are immediate sparks between he and Turner but he spends far too much time trying to fight those sparks. He has pre-conceived notions about Turner thinking she is another woman of privledge right from the get go. His ex was as well. He has just been burned by her and he has a chip on his shoulder about it.
What I love about Lani Lynn Vale’s writing is her ability to write gut wrenching powerful, emotional reads one moment and a book full of humor the next. Her writing is diverse and unique and I know that everything single book will be different every time I pick one up and this one was all of that.
The reason I gave this 4 stars is that the plot jumped all over the place. Turner’s second job was creating subtitles for porn while watching them. She also has a crazy stalker out to get her and mixed with the drama of the push and pull between Turner and Castiel it was a choppy read.
I do think this entire series is excellent and regardless am glad I read it and would still recommend it.
This story had me on an emotional roller coaster ride. Lani Lynn Vale never disappoints, she’s a fantastic storyteller. One minute you could be crying, then with her perfect comedic timing you are laughing. Castiel and Turner are amazing together, they started out on the wrong foot, but when tragedy strikes they find themselves leaning on each other. I loved how Castiel treated her. He was patient, kind, understanding, and compassionate. I adored this book.
As always with LLV, the story drags you in. i read in one-sitting.
Castiel no longer does relationships after his failed marriage to a woman who thought money and appearances were more important than anything. His time is spent on his MC Club and his job as a police detective . . . and maybe catching a few glances of Turner even though he’ll never act on his attraction to her.
Turner may have the hots for Castiel, but she also knows he’s never acted as anything but a jerk to her. While she’s happy with her life now, she’s had a hard childhood and still suffers from extreme self esteem issues when it comes to men and her appearance due to being extremely overweight in her youth.
They’ve danced around each other plenty, but neither is willing to make the first move. But when Turner’s life is tragically upended, Castiel is there for her when she needs him most . . . and the more he gets to know the real Turner, the more he realizes just what he was missing out on by trying to keep his distance and he’s not going to continue making that mistake.
Independent by nature, Turner isn’t sure how Castiel became her rock so quickly, but he has and she’s not willing to let him walk back out of her life without a fight. And, while personal tragedy is just about all Turner can handle, there’s something even more sinister stalking her that may just be deadly.
Keep It Classy brought out all the feels. First, let me tell you to make sure you have a box of tissues handy, as this book is heartbreaking at times in a way that feels all too real as you read. Don’t worry, there is a HEA coming, but it’s not an easy one to get too . . .
Lani Lynn Vale’s characters are always fantastic. I loved Turner’s strength and how she handles everything that was thrown at her, even when she was at her worst and feeling totally broken. I also adored Castiel. He is kind of my hero. Castiel steps in and becomes Turner’s rock and helps her pick up the pieces of her life when she can’t do it for herself. He just slips into her life seamlessly and it’s perfect.
The suspense was thrilling and it also brought the addition of a new character to the series – Easton, a special investigator brought in to help catch a serial killer that has Bear Bottom in his sights. I absolutely loved him and hope he makes it into a future book, because he was awesome!
Castiel and Turner were an amazing couple and Keep It Classy was another amazing read in the Bear Bottom Guardians series. Emotional, funny, hot and steamy and a serial killer on the loose . . .what more can you ask for? 5 stars!
Absolutely love this series. Cant wait for more
WONDERFUL!!! Love this series of lovable MC guys. They are the good, the naughty and the sexy that all men should be!!! Castiel and Turner are just so much fun to read. They hate, love, hate and love some more of each other. When they end up in a situation that forces them together, they turn all that hate to LOVE.
Another awesome book in this series. Castiel and Turner start out not liking each other very much and the back and forth between them is hilarious. When tragedy strikes Castiel is there for Turner and things go from cold to hot between them. I loved the little mystery that is always thrown in with Lani’s books, it keeps you on your toes just wanting to know what is going to happen. I can’t wait for the next book.
With a little more sadness and not as much humor as previous books, this one gives us two sweet characters with a little hurt in their hearts. We’ve seen a lot of Castiel in previous books, but apart from his good looks, I hadn’t been able to get a measure on him, until his story. Now I know he’s serious, kind, a god in bed, and well endowed. A great friend, and an even better lover.
Turner Hooch is the daughter of a celebrity and a legend herself, in NASCAR circles. She lives in a huge and luxurious RV that her father receives as gifts from his sponsors. She also has two new cars, gifts from her father, also gifts from sponsors. And yet, she’s a normal, friendly woman who works fixing the hair of the corpses that Jubilee handles in her funeral home, and writes close caption for porn films as a second job. And yet, when Castiel met her, he was attracted to her but rejected her because he perceived she was a rich woman, therefore she must be a bitch.
Castiel was burned by a previous marriage and a tragic event that he keeps secret from Turner. As they share time together, they go from enemies (he gave Turner a ticket for speeding), to friends (he was her shoulder to cry on when she had a great loss), and on to a relation because he’s such a great guy and she’s a wonderful woman. Once they realized what a great person the other one is, they latched on and didn’t let go.
Turner has image problems that stem from her childhood, Castiel has problems opening his heart after the wreckage of his marriage. And yet, they found it so easy to talk about their issues and started to let go, aided by the other.
There’s a murder investigation going on, lots of family and friends, some sadness, a lot of sweetness and a very tender love story. As the book progressed, the humor increased and you end up having a good cry and a good laugh after. It was a great and entertaining story.
Review by: Jennifer
(5 stars)
So, this is part of a series, and for some things mentioned in this book, the previous books should be read. In the last book, we got to see how Castiel and Turner are with each other. Each has their own reasons for not liking and wanting to stay away from the other. When Castiel is the only one that is there when Turner gets a devastating phone call, he ends up seeing a different side to her and learning things about her that he never knew. But is this the right time to try and see if there is something more serious between them?
There is so much going on in this story, that I didn’t really know how to write it out without spoiling anything. Castiel… god I don’t even know how to say how amazing and strong he was, the perfect thing that Turner needed. Turner’s whole situation just killed me, from the childhood issues, to the situation that Castiel helped her through, had me sobbing, thankfully it wasn’t in the pick up line… again. Love the drama, danger, and the naughty times that LLV seems to always turn into a movie in my head. I give this 5 stars.
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Review by: Melanie
(5 stars)
This was quite a sweet enemies to lovers type romance. Turner and Castiel were attracted to each other for quite some time but for their own reasons they both didn’t like that fact. Both equally determined to avoid the other, their interactions usually consisted of scowls and biting comments or in Turners case being embarrassed and rushing away to stew on what Castiel said to her. All it took was one phone call for that to change though, Turner needed him and he was there for her, no questions asked.
This was yet again another great read from LLV. I lose myself in these books and don’t come back up for air until I’m done, I do it every time and I can’t see that changing any time soon. There’s a nice little titbit setting up Liner’s story so that should be coming soon I hope. For now though I give Keep It Classy 5 stars.
Castiel is a cop who has been there and done that when it comes to wealthy woman. When he first meets Turner Hooch, he thinks she could be something special. Turner is a spitfire with a need for speed, but when he realizes she has money he writes her off. That is until he realizes that there is more to Turner and the woman he is falling for is as independent as it comes. However, she has another admirer who is out for blood.
Loved this, I had my interest peaked when I read about Castiel and Turner in the last book. Turner is like an onion, there are some many intriguing layers to her. Loved the characters in this one and am anxious for what is next. Always a guaranteed work of perfection when reading Lani Lynn Vale’s books.
Super fun and sad at the same time… Turner Hooch was someone that I can relate to. The relationship between Turner and Castiel were special. I adored their closeness. LANI always have a way to made my heart swollen.. Its always different.. memorable… sexy hello!
First I have not met a LLV book I haven’t loved. But Keep It Classy will be one of my most favorites to date. The emotion in this book is like no other. The circumstances that bring these two characters together is beautiful and tragic. Their animosity in the beginning is legendary. But the way the author brings it around is truly heartfelt. Castile and Turner are one of her best couples yet because with their individual backgrounds and burdens they manage to step away from them and create a happily ever after that’s perfect for them. And the perfect amount of suspense mixes everything up perfectly.
Now we can’t forget about Lani’s amazing sense of humor and the situations she puts her characters in. She’s outdone herself with this book. I haven’t laughed so much. And I’ll never be able to prep and cook a turkey without laughing ever again.
Lani, your mother in law would definitely be so proud with how amazing this book is.