My family’s scandal is my fall from grace. The night of my seventeenth birthday leads to the final event that catapults my future in a different direction. One call for help turns into my only chance of survival.Now, the only way to stay safe is to keep hidden.Hidden in a small town in the middle of “No-where”, Minnesota, away from my friends, my prestigious school, and my family, I have to mesh … family, I have to mesh with the other hidden children in order to survive.
Though, it’s not just the Bogeyman that keeps me up at night…
Ciaran Jakobe, with his frosty blue eyes and instant dislike for me sets my nerves on end. There is no escaping his sharp words and constant torment. Every push from him sparks a fire of fight inside me. Every smirk from his full, pink lips makes me want to punch him in the face. He’s my nemesis and my dark hero.
I may be paying for my parent’s mistakes but I won’t let a Midwest Boy get the best of me.
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5+ stars
I’m left speechless. I have a sense of fulfilment for this angsty, action packed and absolutely loveable novel. I don’t care what anyone else says, this has made the top of my 2020 reads so far! #MNGirl by A.M. Brooks is absolutely addictive!
They thought a family scandal was enough to crumble their lives however they were not prepared for what came next. One phone call was all it took for their paths to be changed forever.
Being hidden away and starting fresh become impossible to master when the eyes of Ciaran Jakobe are watching your every move. Saylor wants to hate him but can’t help the pull he’s having on her.
Can she move past all the hate of her parents’ mistakes or will she crumble under his stare?
My heart is still pumping and my mind wonderstruck. From the very beginning right to the very end I was consumed by this read – even after. This has so much thought and structure that when reading, it never misses a beat. I’m so excited for the next instalment and there after.
This comes highly recommend.
New to me author, A.M Brooks managed to surprise me in the best way, with this thrilling and suspenseful story. The situations presented were relatable and I enjoyed the writing style, it was easy to follow and engaging. The action was fast-paced and there wasn’t a dull moment throughout the whole story. It had the right amount of angst, drama, hot moments, and sexy banter.
Saylor’s life turns upside down, the day she turns seventeen. Her family is in danger and she’s forced to go into hiding. With the help of one of her mother’s childhood friends, she arrives in a small town in Minnesota. She has to stay under the radar and lay low, but the moment she meets Ciaran, Saylor realizes that she’s in for a lot of trouble and heartache.
I loved the protagonists. Saylor is a tough cookie, she can fend for herself and will go head to head with anyone who tries to bully her, and that includes Ciaran, who has it out for her from the first time they see each other. Ciaran tries hard to keep his distance from Saylor but it’s near impossible.
The chemistry between the two of them was off the charts, the build-up and anticipation were amplified by their constant bickering, and when they finally got together they were explosive. Also, the secondary characters were interesting. Kai was a delight, always flirting, and making jokes and I was intrigued by Silas who was always moody and angry.
Twists and turns, hot steamy moments, throw in some romance, and this book ticked all of my boxes. Book two can’t come quick enough, I’m really eager to know what happens next.
Saylor’s life changes in horrible ways in one night when she’s forced to leave town and relocate to a small town with a family friend, for protection. What could be a new start at a new school, albeit one without her family, is hampered because her new protector’s nephew dislikes her on sight, and he and his friends make it their mission to tear her down. Saylor’s strong, though, and eventually it’s this strength that gets under Ciaran’s skin and one of those teenage loves, those intense, epic loves, is born. But the danger that forced Saylor to leave in the first place, is still out there, waiting for her. Will it come for Saylor again? Will her new protectors be able to save her?
Damn! This was a crazy high school bully romance. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Siobhan Davis’ Rydeville Elite series, same bullying tone, same alpha males being brought to their knees, but it’s still very intriguing and suspenseful and I’m dying with anticipation now after that cliffhanger. Yep, I said cliffhanger. Hopefully the second installment is coming soon!
5 #MNGIRL STARS!! I was captivated all the way through this book!! Saylor’s life is on a emotional rollercoaster and Ciaran, Kai and Silas are their to help in anyway possible. Buckle yourself up and get ready for this crazy ride. I need the next book…..I am dying right now. You need to read this book.
***I received an ebook copy from the author at no cost***
I was immediately drawn to this book for 2 reasons: it takes place in MN and I’m MN born and raised, and the synopsis intrigued me. I’m so glad I got a copy of this because it’s one of the best books I’ve checked out in 2020 so far.
Saylor’s whole world gets turned upside down in the wake of a scandal caused by her father. After she, her mom, and her sister endure a horrific attack that literally leaves her mom bloodied and broken, the three are forced to flee their New York City home. Saylor’s mom has a connection named Matt, who does some protection for families who are in danger. Matt thinks the safest bet is to split the three women up, and Saylor heads to small-town MN with him. Despite the small town cliches, things get going for Saylor after she arrives and meets Matt’s nepher Ciaran.
This book is all kinds of amazing. I loved the enemies-to-lovers story line. There was so much tension between Saylor and Ciaran, and Ciaran’s friends didn’t help matters much either. Brooks did a fantastic job of creating this push and pull between the two characters and making me as a reader long for them to finally get together. I love when there’s a slow burn in a story and #MNGirl definitely had that. It’s hard to do this without spilling too many details but I will say that nothing happened overnight for Saylor and Ciaran.
This story was packed with so much action. It opened with a bang and the action kept going from there. I love the feeling of being on the edge of my seat with no idea what’s going to happen next or who will make it out in the end. I got so emotionally invested in this story and a large part of the reason for that was because of how well Brooks wrote the action and kept me on my toes.
This is the first book in a new series and not gonna lie, there’s a big ol cliffhanger at the end. I can’t wait for the next book to come. It’s going to be hard to wait patiently for it.
Five stars to this novel!
I sense him before he touches me. His chest brushes against my back. My eyes slam shut. My traitorous heart beats to life when he’s near. It’s unfair in an almost beautifully tragic way. Enemies to lovers usually is.
#MNGirl is my first read by A.M. Brooks and mark my words it will not be my last. Brooks managed to do create this whole other world that lives right under our noses that is full of secrets, danger, and teenage hormones. This was a wonderfully written, fast paced book. It is no surprise that when it comes to New Adult, I’m not the biggest fan. We have a love/hate relationship. I’m usually left wanting and not connecting with the characters or feeling like the characters were too immature. And that just wasn’t the case here. Because helping shelter and relocate kids/adults who are in danger and need new identities, well that comes with huge responsibilities and maturity which these seniors in high school have in spades. Do they all still act like kids sometimes? Yes, and I loved seeing them be teenagers. But they take their job (yes it is a job that they signed up for) very seriously and I appreciated that immensely.
The romance is a super slow burn, enemies to lovers, and it was a hot one guys. Ciaran was a total alpha asshole dude with the motto “bros before hoes”, but Saylor works her way into his head and eventually his heart. I won’t lie. Ci was an absolute douche canoe to our girl Saylor, and even when we learn the reason why it isn’t good enough to explain away the terrible bullying he put her through, and our girl Saylor knows this and calls him on it like I wanted. Saylor, for being so young, is unbelievably brave and strong. She handles what life gives her with way more grace than I would have. So I applaud her for that. And my heart shattered for her when that ending happened. I was feeling all warm and cozy and ready for a nicely wrapped ending, and then Brooks came out of left field with a bomb that left me running for Kleenex. It was a cruel ending, and I can’t wait for the next book. Seriously can I have it now please? There’s so much to cover. Will Saylor forgive Ciaran? Will she recover from that last blow? Will she ever be safe again?
Overall rating: 5 stars
Steaminess: 3 stars
ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and The Next Step for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
#MNGirl
By: A. M. Brooks
REVIEW
When I saw the cover for #MNGirl, I immediately wanted to read the book. I didn’t even read the synopsis, which is rare for me, so I went into this book blind. Looking back, I’m actually glad that I did that. This story went places I never would have guessed.
The story begins with Saylor, the heroine, anxiously awaiting guests for her seventeenth birthday party. When no one shows, Saylor reluctantly agrees to call it a day, and head home. I felt so sorry for Saylor and indignant about the no shows. From the first pages, Saylor elicits sympathy, and her authentic voice makes her easy to like and relatable. Why was her party a disaster? It turns out, Saylor’s father is involved in a ruinous money laundering scheme, and many people hate him with a vengeance, and by extension, his wife and two daughters. Worse, still, he absconded with the money, leaving his family to suffer the fallout of this scandal. Poor Saylor has, through no fault of her own, become a social pariah. So, she returns home and goes to bed. Later that night, Saylor is awakened by her younger sister, Mila, and crashing noises downstairs. Someone is in the house looking for their father, and in lieu of him, hurt their mother. The sisters hide until they can creep downstairs, and finding their mother nearly beaten to death, she tells them to contact someone named Matt, aka Rogue. Hours later, Matt arrives and takes them from their home to a safer location. While Matt tends to their mother, Saylor and Mila cut and dye their hair and get some rest. Saylor is exhausted, terrified and confused but comforts Mila as best she can. For these girls, life, as they knew it, no longer exists. For relocation, the split up for safety. Saylor goes with Matt, while her mother and Mila go elsewhere-a necessary, but no less heartbreaking, concession.
Saylor finds herself in a little nowhere Minnesota town. Matt has a nephew, Ci, also living in the house, who loathes Saylor on sight. Ci and his “bros” continually taunt and demean Saylor at school, and everywhere else, with any opportunity they get. The question is why? They hate her father, but that’s understandable. The tension and heat between Saylor and Ci is palpable. What will their relationship become living in the same house? Saylor senses something odd about this town. Everywhere she goes, people stare and whisper like she is an alien creature. Matt is Rogue, which seems to be some sort of protection agency, and he has a history with Saylor’s mother, thus, the reason why he helped them in the first place. What secrets lay dormant in this town? Why is Saylor disliked so vehemently? Will Ci and Saylor turn a spark into a blaze, or douse it with water? So many questions dangling from the cliff! Just read #MNGirls. It’s an unexpected, fast paced, amazing treat!
I jumped into this when I was feeling a bit poorly and it definitely picked me up for a few hours while I lost myself in the pages. I liked the push and pull between Saylor & Ciaran, I like that she gave him as good as she got, the chemistry was certainly there!
This book is a great starter to the Midwest Boys series which builds up the backstory, and it definitely gives you a feel for what’s to come in future books.
#MNGirl (Midwest Boys Series) is book one of A.M. Brooks’s new series, Midwest Boys! Where to even start with this one?!?! I have been looking forward to this one for so long now and now that I’ve read it, my mind is BLOWN!#MNGirl (Midwest Boys Series) has surpassed every single one of my expectations! Told in dual POV, the plot is intriguing, the suspense will keep you right on the very edge of your seat and the steam… my oh my, the steam will have you needing a change of panties ASAP! With that being said, I could not put this book down! A.M. Brooks quickly moved into one of my favorite authors after reading Hearts and Bruises (Hearts Series) and Hearts and Flowers (Hearts Series) from her Heart Series. I’ve been one-clicking ever since!
ℎ ’ ; , ℎ …
Saylor’s whole world has been turned upside down. With her family in danger, Saylor Torre is separated from her mother and little sister, Mila, and forced into hiding.
, .”
“ , .
With the help of her mother’s childhood friend Matt and a group called ‘Rogue’ Saylor ends up in a small middle of nowhere town in Minnesota. The only problem? Matt’s nephew Ciaran Jakobe, who also lives at Matt’s house along with Saylor, and his two best friends Silas and Kai are icing her out.
, ℎ . , , ℎ ℎ .
They seem to hate Saylor as soon as they meet her, for reasons that she isn’t even aware of. But it’s not long before Ciaran starts to warm towards Saylor but Silas is his best friend and he won’t betray him by falling for the enemy… only, it’s not as easy to resist her as he thinks… especially with them living together and Ciaran supposed to be watching her back for his Uncle Matt.
ℎ ’ . ’ ℎ . , ’ ℎ.
The mystery surrounding the town and Saylor’s family is intriguing enough that it will have you flipping those pages trying to find out WHAT IN THE WORLD is REALLY going on. I am sooo interested in getting to know about ‘Rogue’ and all their work and I am loving the secondary characters! Kai, the flirty playboy, and Silas the broody a**hole. I can already tell this is one of those series that I’ll want to binge read time and time again!
ℎ ℎ ℎ’ ℎ ℎ ℎ ’ .
#MNGirl (Midwest Boys Series) is only book one of this series and that cliffhanger… JAW DROPPING! I can’t wait to find out what happens next. The Midwest Boys series is off to an amazing start and I’m extremely excited to see what else A.M. Brooks has in store for us and these good ol’ midwest boys! Up next is My #MNGirl and I can’t wait to pick this story back up!
If you are looking for a contemporary, bully romance, with a whole lot of suspense and secrecy then #MNGirl (Midwest Boys Series) is most definitely a story you are going to want to check out! I HIGHLY recommend this one!
: There are difficult subjects that could be considered triggers. If you would like to know more about what those subjects are, feel free to DM me!
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Ok. So I’m completely floored by this authors ability to take such a a hard topic and tough people and make them into what this book was. It had emotion, hard times, and twists you don’t see coming.
The cover, for one, is eye catching. Throw the story in between the pages and you have na amazing story that will stay with you for a long time. The author writes with so much emotion and passion. Her storyline is hard and sweet at the same time. It definitely is a must read for all romance lovers.
Ciaran and Saylor are thrown together under tough circumstances. And you realize that what you think you know dosent always make it right to be mean or harsh. They must muddle through the past they are being blamed for and forge onto the present. Together, they figure things out and have quite the chemistry and steam. But wait for it – the cliffhanger!! It’ll be worth the wait for sure!!
#MNGirl might very well be one of my top reads this year!
I’ve been a follower of A.M. Brooks for a while now and when I found out she was releasing #MNGirl, I couldn’t wait to read it. From the cover to the blurb, I knew this was going to be a story I’d have a hard time putting down.
I’d like to start by saying that nothing about this story was what I was expecting. Not at all! Brooks chose her details carefully while she crafted this masterful story, and I’m still in awe at what I just finished reading. The first few chapters had me scratching my head, trying to figure out what was going on. I’m telling you, I was glued to my tablet as I absorbed each word because there was a huge storyline building. Lots of suspense and so many questions! But as the story progressed, I just couldn’t read the pages quickly enough. Saylor is such a unique character that I think most readers will latch onto. There’s just something about her you’ll find intriguing.
I’d like to add that I’m super proud of Brooks and how far she’s come as a writer. What she did with #MNGirl says so much about her and the effort she put into this story. If you like surprise endings and twists that you never saw coming, then this is one story you need to read! I promise you won’t be disappointed!
This book was a delicious addiction. I did not want to stop reading. I couldn’t stop. And when I got to the end… I was devastated!
Saylor having to leave her old life behind and begin someplace new alone, is a scary ordeal. Put that together with being in the same vicinity with someone who makes his contempt for her visible, makes it all the more difficult. Ciaran does not want Saylor to be in their town. She does not belong there but there is nothing he can do besides show her how much she doesn’t matter but… she does and he can’t stop her from constantly invading his thoughts. He tries to stay far away from her because them being together or him showing her any form of kindness and affection will cause a lot of problems. But Saylor has become his addiction. Either by tormenting her or being with her. She is his either way.
Gah! My heart broke for Saylor. That girl made me cry. Ciaran that a**hole made me cry. His treatment and harsh words made me cry. Gosh, I cried too much. I truly wantes to hate Ciaran but I just couldn’t. I loved how possesive he was of Saylor even before he realized his feelings for her. His jealousy made me happy but I wanted to scream and throw things at him so many times. Saylor was so strong. She took it all even though it was breaking her. She was attracted to a guy who used his words as weapons and she didn’t know why he hated her so much. I was happy that she gave him a taste of what he put her through when she found out his reasons for treating her so badly. I loved the side characters although I did want to punch Silas for most of the book.
I have so many questions that need answers and I need to knorlw more about Reed. He is such a mystery. I want more of him in the next book. #MNGirl was something new for me and I loved it.
This is my first book by A. M. Brooks and I am completely enamored by her writing. The cliffhanger left me at the edge of my seat, craving more. I am so ready for the next book.
#MNGirl (Midwest Boys Series Book 1) by A.M. Brooks
5 STARS
#marydbo #arc2020
#MNGIRL is the first book in Midwest Boys series by author A.M. Brooks. It is written in dual POV and it was my first read from this author.
I didn’t knew what to expect, but WOW!!
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!
Saylor life changes over night.
Her father is discovered that he had been laundering money through his company, and if that wasn’t enough, he destroyed others families lifes too. Families that invested in his father company, families that put their money and trust in him, including his own family. When he found out that he was discovered, he just took off. He had an off-shore account and run away, leaving his wife and his two daughters to pay for his sins.
Saylor’s mom had another life before she got married with her dad. And now, being in need, friends from her past, come to help her.
For them to be safe, they need to split up. Saylor gets on her own, without her mom and her sister.
New life, new school, new name, new hair, new home, new rules. Don’t stand out, stay under the radar. Under no circumstances contact anyone from your previous life.
All this seems so simple and easy.
But what do you do, when a boy, and his two bf make your life a living hell? What do you do when you live in the same house with that boy? What do you do when your heart beets so fast, and you get all in all the places, when you are near him and especially when he looks at you? What do you do when he feels the same about you?
What do you do, when boogeyman knoks on your door and he is coming for you or your mom & sister?
This story was so good, so well written and so good put together, that as a reader, I couldn’t figure it out, but in the end, everything made sense, everything was matching up.
Once I started, I couldn’t put it down, I couldn’t read it fast enough and in the same time, didn’t want it to end.
For me, this book had everything I want and search in a good book, and even more.
The ending was explosive, mindblowing, I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
I known that my review, maybe, doesn’t make sense, but I didn’t want to give anything away. Trust me, the book is very good. I was very fortunate to receive this arc. Bully, NA, drama, mystery, twists & turns, secrets, steam, everything you are looking for is here.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
4.5/5 Stars
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
Wow. This book has shaken me and I honestly don’t know up from down right now. I am kind of a mess at the moment. This story has thrown me for a loop.
A.M. Brooks is a great storyteller. She has a very immediate way of telling her stories. Her narration is very welcoming and it just pulls you right in. I was so impressed with the plot of this story. This is such a suspenseful story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There were so many plot twists that had my head spinning. I never knew what to expect. I found the plotting of the story clever and exciting. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I don’t know how I am going to be able to wait for the next book in this series after that ending.
These characters really get under your skin. I was immediately drawn to Saylor’s character. The reader gets to experience a traumatic event with her at the very start and it really warms the reader to her instantly. I loved how both Saylor and Ciaran’s characters were very distinct with clear personalities. There was some really great depth for Saylor’s character and Ciaran’s character had some great character growth in the story. I really loved this cast of secondary characters. They really come alive and give the story so much more depth.
While I liked the romance between Ciaran and Saylor, I felt that it progressed a little too quickly. It felt way too sudden and like it didn’t happen naturally. That aside, they both had amazing chemistry. I really loved Ciaran’s protective and possessive streak when he finally realized how he felt about Saylor.
Overall, this is a gripping story that pulls you in and refuses to let go. This is a story that will keep you on your toes from start to finish. These characters will imprint on you so quickly and this story will get lodged in your heart effortlessly. I can’t even express my intense eagerness to read the next book in this series. The next book can’t come soon enough!
5 #MNGirl stars for this book. I loved it. This book has everything starting from suspense to drama to romance. I fell in love with Saylor’s sassy attitude and Ciaran’s hot and cold behavior. The chemistry between Saylor and Ciaran is just off-the-charts. There was so much angst. The end left me reeling, though. I can’t wait for the second book in the series to come out. I have so many unanswered questions.
“#MNGirl was such an intense and wonderful story. This is one of the books that from first page to the last has you on the edge. I devoured this story. The emotional rollercoaster ride was of epic proportions. It was thrilling, fantastic and so delightful to read. An enemies to lovers romance with mystery, angst and a chemistry off the charts. That ending! I can’t wait for the second book. I loved this book so much and I highly recommend it to you.”
This Minnesota girl right here totally adored every second of this story that A.M. Brooks so beautifully crafted. The moment I heard that she was writing a series titled The Midwest Boys, I just knew that it was going to become one of my favorite series and if the other books are ANYTHING like this one, I have no doubt that little fact is well on its way to being true.
#MNGirl is not your average enemies-to-lovers romance and that just adds to all the reasons as to why I loved this book so freaking much. This was a brilliantly engaging story that captivated every inch of my soul through all the secrets, lies, and betrayals that the author intertwined throughout the pages of this angsty romance with just the perfect amount of suspense. I was left speechless more times than I could remember while inhaling all the words of this incredible story that I never wanted to end. The imagery felt so real that it was almost as if I was there with Saylor, experiencing everything she was. Her and Ciaran were EVERYTHING and they had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
There is so much I want to say about this story, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers because my goodness this is the kind of read that you want to go into blind. You won’t know what hit you and the emotions that you will experience while reading…emotions you might not have felt before. I am so happy that I discovered this author at the beginning of her journey and I just know that I will be stalking…oops I mean following right alongside her throughout the remainder of her career. If you haven’t read her yet, I strongly encourage you to pick up this story or one of her backlist releases right now. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
#MNGIRL is the first book in A.M Brooks new series ( Midwest Boys ) I was completely captivated throughout this entire amazing story . It did not take me long to become completely invested in saylors character , all the characters are so intriguing but there was just something about Saylor that intrigued me . My heart just.broke for her , one girl going though so much in her life . But one of the reasons I loved her so much is because of how strong she was and determined not to let the emotional rollercoaster that her life is keep her down . If you are looking for a story full of intrigue and mystery , angst , amazing chemistry, tons of emotion, heartbreaking moments and sweet and sexy ones as well . Then look no further
What an ending!
I couldn’t breathe for the first few chapters, it was so intense! And then that ending OMG. It’s times like this that I wish I didn’t commit to reading on a timeline because I so wanted to jump into the next book in the series but due to commitments I wasn’t able to, but you bet your bottom dollar that I will be reading it the first free second I have!
#MNGirl pulled me in so quickly and this having been my first read from A.M. Brooks I wasn’t prepared for it all, the good, the bad, and the HOLY COW moments were like a sucker punch to the gut.
I never give spoilers so it’s hard to write this review because I just want to tell you everything! But I won’t, so here goes…..
Saylor’s father did something and now her family is in danger so she goes into hiding but she’s not with the Witness Protection Program run by the government she is in one that is privately run by a family in a small town in Minnesota…a big change from her upscale life in NYC.
This book is recommend for readers over 18 due to subject matter, please be warned that there are events that some consider triggers.
I would recommend this book to those that enjoys Romantic Suspense or Bully Romances.
Happy Reading!!!
This is a fantastic book, I loved it. I’m just beginning this series and I already love it. I love all of characters. They all play their parts so well. With this author you feel the angst and turmoil the characters are feeling. I’m so excited to read the next book in this series to see what happens next.