A new virgin-hero novella from USA TODAY bestselling author Jenika Snow The Ash Brothers–they know how to handle their wood They call me Big Johnny, and they’re not wrong. I’m big all over, and burly, too. But when it comes to her, I’m a freaking pussycat. Flora. There’s never been a time when she wasn’t on my mind, not even when she left Rockbridge for college. Those four years were the … college. Those four years were the hardest of my life. Literally.
Saving myself for her has never been the problem. It’s telling her how I feel.
She’s back now and it’s painfully obvious to even a lumberjack like me: Flora’s not a teenager anymore. She’s a woman who knows what she wants.
That’s me…and the wood I’m packing.
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Fated to be
How adorable is this book! I love that they both saved themselves for each other. The fact that they knew what they wanted and were willing to wait until the time was right for both of them. They just naturally fell into the relationship because they both have loved each other in secret. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Flora and Johnny are proving that oh so good things come to those who wait. Flora has been in love with Johnny since she was old enough to put a name to the emotion. She knows he’s never seen her as anything but a little kid, but she is in fact all woman and the time has more than come for her to let him know just how she feels once and for all. She has saved everything for him and it’s now or never. Johnny wanted to do the right thing by Flora. Loving her for years but letting her grow and experience life was the unselfish thing to do for her. He has waited for her while she been gone with every intention of claiming what’s his when the time is right and that time is now. No one will ever eclipse Flora in his heart or mind and now is the time to make his move.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book.
Knock on Wood is insta-love that spans back several years. Both Johnny and Flora have loved each other since she was eighteen but it’s always been from afar. Neither one has let their true emotions out and it’s been difficult on them. They both want each other but they were too scared to say it.
Once Flora gets back from college, Johnny wanted to make a move but he always wanted to give her time to settle back home. When the possibility of a threat happens, Johnny slowly makes his move. Watching these two finally get out there feelings instills a slow burn that is torture. I’m not going to lie, I wanted to scream at them and tell them to get it together and tell the other that they love them. I will admit that this is the reason why my rating isn’t a five star. I took me a long time to connect to them but I honestly think it was a “me” issue.
Now that their feelings are out, there’s no stopping these two. We get a sense of relief when they FINALLY admit their love to each other.
If you are looking for insta-love with a slow burn (sounds confusing, I know) and a desirable protectiveness from smooth talking alpha, then you want to read Knock on Wood.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader –
M/F Romance
Johnny has always been a big guy. He’s known as Big Johnny. He’s rugged and handsome and works with his hands. Despite women always throwing themselves at him, he has always carried a torch for Flora.
Flora is a few years younger than Johnny but knew right away that she wanted to be his. Even though she had aspirations of going to college, she didn’t date much and knew she wanted to come back and see if she and Johnny could have a relationship.
These two together have some great chemistry. It was also a sweet touch, despite not being incredibly realistic, that both were virgins when they finally get together. It gives the story a sentiment that is sweet and loving all wrapped together.
I hope more brothers are coming!
Ruthie –
This is the second book in the trilogy of Ash Brothers. If you have read Hard Wood, you will know a little about the pairing in this book – but you could enjoy it as a standalone too.
The story starts when Flora is just 18 and about to go away to college. We learn that both she and Johnny have eyes only for each other… but it takes a while for them to take the chance. Very endearingly, they have both waited for their first to be with each other.
Fast forward to now – which is a very wise plot device in a short story! – and we get to see them finally take the plunge (pun intended) and it is very sweet, hot, and meant to be. I like that we get a strong hint at how the next book is going to progress too.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Knock on Wood (The Ash Brothers #2) by Jenika Snow to read and review.
A super hot and fun short read. This is book #2 in this series and is every bit as fantastic as book #1. The chemistry between Johnny and Flora is intense and sizzling. A really cute story about two people that are scared to share their feelings for each other, but the feelings are strong enough that they are both willing to remain celibate because no one else will do. Sweet, steam, passionate, romantic and sometimes humorous, I loved this book and can not wait for book #3. I’m posting a voluntary, honest review after reading this book.
Johnny and Flora have loved each other for years and yet neither have expressed their feelings to the other. Johnny wanted Flora to go away to college and fulfill her dreams so he held back. Now that she’s returned home he’s so hungry for her he’s afraid he’s going to screw up his one chance. Flora is a bit shy when it comes to Johnny. She doesn’t want to ruin anything between them and so she’s remained silent regarding her emotions. After a serendipitous meeting and near miss, they finally have their moment.
This is a quick steamy read with absolutely no angst or drama. It’s a simple story of two people waiting for the opportunity to relay the depth of their feelings. There’s not a lot of plot here but it is sugary sweet and the perfect snack for in between longer reads. This is all insta-everything and a very enjoyable little story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Carina Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Knock on Wood by Jenika Snow
The Ash Brothers #2
Short quick romance between two people that have wanted to be together for years but were too shy to communicate their interest. I had a bit of trouble believing that the two were so enamored with one another that no other person caught their eye for five years – or longer – but the story based this sweet but also steamy story on that and the idea that the two had kept themselves pure until their time together happened…in this novella. One more brother to go – the hook for that story with who might end up with is implied in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – this is my honest review.
3 Stars
Here are two people who both have been in love with each other but yet stayed away for different reasons. Both of them were a little on the shy side. I am a avid reader and this was a nice concept for me. Books usually have this very outgoing alpha male or sassy woman but in this book, they both were a little shy and let some insecurities come into play. I felt like I could really relate to them. Don’t let this deter you, once the lines of communication started, it gets hot fast.
While I’m not a big fan of both leads being virgins for some reason it really worked in this book. The reason I’m not normally a fan is because in those books nothing embarrassing happens or the guy can last a ridiculous long time and gets the girl off multiple times. This book worked because while their first time was hot and sexy you get to hear from his point of view the agony that he had about wanting to last longer and making sure it was good for her. It just felt more real!
I can’t wait for book three in this series.
Knock on Wood by Jenika Snow is book Two in The Ash Brothers series. This is the story of Flora and Johnny. I have not yet read the previous book so for me this was a standalone book.
Flora is way younger than Johnny and always had a crush on him. When she tries to talk to him she can’t seem to get the words out when she wants to tell him how she feels before going off to college. But she doesn’t and leaves the area for school About 5 years later she sees Johnny again and her feelings are just as strong. Johnny always had a thing for Flora but he wanted her to go to school and experience life but now she is back and he won’t be able to stop his feelings for her.
This was a Hot Quick Read!