The past is hot on her heels…
On the run and out of options, a desperate Ali Ross knows two things for sure…
Her ugly past will eventually catch up to her. And when it does, she’ll need a strong and loyal man to help her face the danger head on or risk losing everything.
The girl is hard on his heart…
Looking for love and having no luck, former Army Ranger Sam Gleeson knows two things … Ranger Sam Gleeson knows two things for sure…
His beautiful new neighbor is under his skin. And no matter what secrets she’s keeping, her seductive sweetness is wreaking havoc on his hardened heart.
Hiding from a violent ex-husband, Ali knows the law can’t help her. She also knows someone like Sam can. Fearing her freedom, she hatches a shamelessly impulsive plan that’s as old as time. She’s willing to do anything to ensure her safety, and that includes doing the sexy soldier next door. But when their searing chemistry unexpectedly bonds them together, Ali’s hidden agenda seals an unimaginable fate.
more
A woman on the run seeks out a security professional to keep her safe. Well edited.
Ali is a woman on the run. She has finally been able to divorce her controlling and abusive husband. In a bid to win her complete freedom, she has moved completely across the US. As she looks for security and safety, she reaches out to Scorpio Security. Unfortunately, she finds that a bodyguard would be available for short term assignments only. She has no idea how long she will need help – could be a day, a week, months, or even years. What to do? Well, when your realtor mentions her brother lives next to the house she is showing and that he owns Scorpio, you begin to formulate a plan. That plan involves buying the house, meeting said neighbor, and hoping to develop a relationship so that he will want to offer protection free of charge. Which means Sam has no idea the really beautiful, but guarded, neighbor isn’t really interested in him as a person. Until she is. But, by then, the plan has been implemented and lies have been told, and Sam really, really doesn’t like a liar. What will happen if it blows up in Ali’s face before she tells the truth? Oh wait, it does. Will Sam ever forgive Ali for her lies and omissions?
This was really an enjoyable story. Sam and all of his friends/employess are really great guys to have on your side. Looking forward to seeing all of these men fall for the girl of their dreams. Enjoy.
Just..wow…Sam and Ali together are like fireworks, and soft breezes, and rushing, pounding surf that catches you by surprise and pulls you under…they are hot, sexy, sweet, rough, tender, magic…and one of them is a big old fibber, a liar, who plotted, planned and schemed her way right next door…and into the bed, of the VERY sexy, very brave, very protective, VERY HONEST and one of the co-owners of Scorpio Security Sam Gleeson. Sam can tolerate many, many things, but a liar??? No, that is his deal breaker…but Ali, Ali tried the right way, on the run, in hiding from a very scary, very dangerous ex…she TRIED to hire them fulltime, but figured, sex him up, and then walk away when they arrest the ex…next best thing.
What Ali didn’t plan on, falling in love with Sam, that Sam would be a good, decent, NICE man (she forgot they existed) Ali didn’t plan on finding a friend in Grady, who works for Sam…or feeling worse, cheap and dirty every time she looked at Sam and felt herself falling more and more in love with him, knowing she was going to end up hurting him in the end.
And Sam, Sam broke all his rules for Ali, he KNEW she was hiding something, but this time it was different, he felt it, he wanted MORE…so Sam waited for Ali to open up….but when the truth showed up at her door…all H*LL broke loose….and Sam and Ali were left broken, devastated, angry, hurt, confused, but still ass over teakettle in love but not sure what to do.
Could Sam forgive Ali for her lies, for setting him up to use him as her own personal bodyguard without his knowledge…when all she would have had to do was ASK???
Can Ali forgive herself….for hurting Sam, for not coming clean before her past caught up with her future??
Sam and Ali were so, so great together, the way they loved, the way they hurt…I love them so much… understood both of them, Ali’s fear, mistrust and her pain, and Sam’s sense of betrayal and loss, but beneath it all, all of it, even the angry words, pushing each other way, I could feel their love, strong and true…and it was perfect!!
I loved every single word…this series is amazing!! I read it out of order, and each one, the couples were real, raw and felt like people I want to know!!
Ali Ross is a woman on the run from her dangerous past. She has escaped from her abusive husband and will do anything to stay out of his clutches and maintain her newfound freedom. . . even if that means taking advantage of her new neighbor’s ex-military status.
Sam Gleeson, former Army Ranger and co-owner of Scorpio Securities, finds himself ready for a serious relationship. When Sam and his puppy Pete run into their new neighbor on the beach, he finds himself immediately attracted to both her beauty and her mysterious personality. She’s sweet and seductive, but not very forthcoming with details about her life. Sam decides, however, that he is willing to wait for her to trust him enough to tell him what makes her so jumpy and pre-occupied with making sure her doors and windows are always closed and locked.
Ali’s plan seems to be coming together. Sam is falling for her and is protective enough to make her feel secure in case her violent ex tracks her down. What she didn’t count on however, was falling for the man she has lied to and tricked into keeping her safe without him even knowing it. Will their relationship be strong enough to withstand not only the lies it was built on, but the possible reappearance of Ali’s psycho ex-husband?
Jodi Watters knocked it out of the park with her debut novel. The characters have depth. They are shaped by their past’s, yet move towards a future . . . however, that future does not come easily. I love that things do not always go as planned, which mimics real life. People and relationships are messy, yet can be beautiful, and Next to Me does a great job of exemplifying that. It also shows that you can still love someone, and not like some of the things they have done.
The plot is fast paced and action packed. As a reader, you can feel Ali’s nervousness as she continually checks the locks on her doors and windows and anticipate just what may be coming her way. You also feel her heaviness as she struggles with the lies that keep building between her and Sam . . . having to choose between what she feels is a chance at safety ad freedom or coming clean with him and him walking away from her forever. You can also tell that Sam really is one of the truly good guys and root for him to get the girl!
Next to Me was truly a fantastic romantic suspense and would be a great summer read! 5 stars.
“Next To Me” is a charming, entertaining, solid but predictable love-story.
“Because you make me laugh, even when I want to cry.”
“So now we’re square, babe. And we’re gonna be horizontal too, in about three seconds.”
“I love you, Ali.”… “That’s good since I love you.” “So prove it, he said, his teasing words carrying in the breeze. “Scream it to the world.” … “…whispering hotly into his ear. “I love you, Sam Gleeson.” … “You were supposed to yell, Ali-cat. Why did you whisper it to me?” … “Because you are my world.”
This was my first book by Jodi Watters, and I am impressed. I picked this up because the blurb sounded different from the typical scenarios and I love hot military/ex-military heroes. Sam is Ah-mazing! I loved him. Ali is desperate and the author does a good job helping the reader understand the motivation behind her plan. I disliked how her lies contributed to the dark moments they had to get through, because open communication would have been better, but I understand the need to create drama within the story.
This story is a little emotional at times, but not so much that I became frustrated with it. There are steamy moments. The underlying theme of the violent ex and the danger Ali is in provides some suspense. The writers style reminds me of Kate Canterbary or Catherine Bybee- two of my favorite authors- because there is steam, mystery, honor, and love throughout the book. I found it hard to put down.
This book was an excellent introduction to the series and this author. After reading this book I continued to binge the next three as well. Jodi Watters has become a one-click author for me, and I cannot wait for her next book
4.5 Stars
This was an amazing story and my first from this author. The characters were well thought out and the story line was great. I love military stories and this was just sexy and riveting. I also love stories that have great supporting characters and this absolutely delivered and can’t wait to read the next book.
I started this series backwards but I have to say this first book was a stellar read. Ali’s past is heartbreaking and her need to protect herself with lies was understandable. Sam and his lovely pup, Pete, are like the unicorn of men!
This book has wonderful characters, action, entertainment and is a page turner.
Love Jodi’s writing style! It’s so engaging!