James O’Malley is hot.Built like a lumberjack with a beard to match, I can’t take my eyes off him.I really should be able to, considering we had the very worst sex of my life six months ago. But he won’t stop looking at me with his broody, soulful gaze every time I take a seat at his bar and I’m quickly becoming addicted to it.When he looks at me like that, I think maybe I should throw out all my … maybe I should throw out all my rules and give him a second chance to become the very best.
James doesn’t just want a second chance; he wants all of me, and he won’t settle for any less.
I have to decide if I can open myself up to a man whose code I can’t quite crack. Because he might want all of me, but I’m not sure he’s willing to give me the same.
The Very Worst is a sexy and funny second chance romance with a broody, introverted hero who goes from the worst to the best and a sassy, dancer heroine. It can be read as a standalone!
(The Very Worst was originally titled Cut Loose. Now with new content for 2020!)
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“Cut Loose” by Julia Wolf was such a sweet emotive read.
I bloody adored James like so much; he was just so god damn adorable in his whole un-surety and inexperience.
I felt almost like we had reversed the roles here; with Frannie taking the part of the take what you want man with the fucking and chucking and James being just that much younger; Twenty-three to her twenty-nine and lacking the social skills and life lessons to maybe quite keep up with Frannie’s matter a fact attitude to all things romantic.
Now It was really nice to see James emerge from his shell and find his confidence and voice.
He was so eager to absorb everything Frannie had to teach him a ready and willing student.
And in my opinion, his masculinity was only enhanced by his inexperience; he was such a fast learner and it wasn’t long before he was taking the lead reins with Frannie which she really digged.
It was also quite ironic to see Frannie flounder in confusion as she realises she’s in deep for the first time in her life and watching her running scared and in self-sabotage mode was like observing everything to not do if you want to succeed in the matters of the heart.
Frannie was her own worst enemy; take about shitty logic this girl had it in spades.
To be on the other side of those pesky feelings is something she was ultimately struggling with.
I thought James seemed more than a match for his girl; his overall personality made him seem much more mature than his actual age and at times he definitely had more logic and wisdom than she had in her entire little finger.
I read so many alpha male books that this was such a lovely refreshing change to just kick back and appreciate the sweet simplicity offered up here.
And I especially loved the contrast between James manly size and his gentleness; a real-life gentle giant.
What else can I tell you about this great read; erm Frannie is a former dancer and now hair stylist.
James is a bit of a computer nerd slash bartender; he also had an especially well-conditioned beard; that Frannie really likes to sniff a lot; well I didn’t say she was quite normal now did I folks.
This was dual POV fiction which is my favourite; there was a fantastic cast of great supporting characters and though “Cut Loose was part of a series this can definitely be read as a standalone; which I did fine.
My only slight criticism here was that I thought Frannie was a bit OTT when it came to her deciding James had lied to her; come on now; pfft they were slight omissions at best; hardly the crime of the century; get a grip girl.
I think its more likely she was just creating reasons to condone her own unreasonable and unlogical behaviour.
So with “Cut loose” Frannie may have started things initially but its safe to say James definitely caught up and then some, and though there are no great shocks in the narrative here I still enjoyed this ever so much.
“Cut Loose” at its heart was a fantastically easy read that pulled you into its warm gooey centre; a truly positive. fun and at times humorous experience.
And on a final note; just go to say; my heart went pitter patter every instance these two uttered the repetitive words of Hi Frannie; hi James; it wasn’t what was said it was the way it was delivered.
I was like Aww; how awkwardly cute; and that is where I’m going to leave it.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of “Cut Loose (The Sublime Book 3) ” of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I love having a story for Frannie and James (beardo). Although a stand alone you have met and know a little if these characters from others in the series, by no means do you need to read them to know what is going on they are just well worth it and just as enjoyable. Frannie is wild loves sex but does not due relationships. She has always been taught that love is used against you and held over your head, so she never has known what it truly can be. She has a one night stand with bartender James the quintessential introvert, give him a computer and its on, but he is the bartender at the local hangout bar. The sex is horrible so Frannie moves on but contantantly can’t stop thinking of him. This is a feel-good romance that is steamy hot under the sheets, with dancing, a mix of humor and a little bit of sorrow and hurt. Its about finding love and letting go of deep seated fear of rejection and hurt, lies and miscoceptions leaving to wonder can they be overcome. There were all kinds of tenderness, romance and lots of down and dirty sex that kept this story lively. A definite read that wont leave you dissappointed. I voluntarily reviewed this standalone ARC.
I loved everything about this story. Sweet, wonderful goodness! She’s a bit older, but debatable as to wiser. He’s just so right for her.
James and Frannie are a real couple. You can expect to find the in real life. Frannie is really abrasive though. She’d be that out spoken friend who has no limits, lol. James has so much for you to learn. Wow is all I can say. He is the she boy who really doesn’t know what to do with himself in life. I cant really get into to much more. This book as a tiny bit of drama which made it a great quick afternoon read for me. Julia writes great quick summer read. Enjoy this on a afternoon relaxing, I did. Enjoy!
I have to say I was really wondering where this Author was going with this story at the beginning but then when I kept reading I was like wow there was a lot to the main couple then I thought. It was very powerful how the author wrote this book. There are many people out here that can relate to these people and go wow I’m not alone. I had to finish it in one sitting because I needed to find out how it ended. I wanted more but I loved what I read.
This is quickly becoming one of my new favorite series! So cute and fun and sweet with some really HOT parts as well. I LOVE James! Poor sweet virgin James (well, not anymore, but yeah)! I really got Frannie, such a good person deep down, same insecurities so many of us share. Facing her flaws, owning them, is a big part of this story. I think this new to me author is quickly becoming a one-click and I absolutely can’t wait for Eliza’s story! I might wish I was Frannie, but I’m a realist and I know deep down I’m an Eliza, so I can’t wait for her much deserved HEA.
I really loved this story!
It was Frannie and James’ story.
Frannie is a woman that doesn’t do relationships. James is a shy, quiet bearded bartender. Their attraction was instant which ended in a one night stand that didn’t go so well! After some time they decided to try again. Will they be able to work through their problems?
The story had me from the first and I couldn’t stop until the end! There were some ups and downs on the road to their relationship. It was a joy to read!
Julia has written a beautifully wonderful story!
I can’t wait to read more from Julia!
Frannie and James the most unlikely couple
Frannie was a dancer but left to be a hairstylist and she loves her job, her Independence and bed hopping ways. She doesn’t do relationships..
Frannie sees this hot bearded bartender James at her regular dive bar, she flirts, see watches him. She sleeps with him, but it was horrible aex so she moves on to the next guy. The problem is that no matter who she is with or how much time passes she can’t seem to stop thinking about James.
James seems to be captivated by her but never talks to her first. Frannie has to approach him and always leaves flustered and confused.
Their paths cross and they decide to have lunch, and they hit it off. They very start to see each other but lies of omission nearly taers them apart.. Frannie hates being lied to, she uses that and her fear to push James away. It nearly destroyed them both.
You must read to see all the omissions and how they paint a romantic picture of love, loyalty and happy ever after.
Oh, how I loved James in this book. Reading how he found his confidence and always held Frannie as his ideal for so long made me enjoy him so much. He was shy from the start and want sure how to get the girl, but he learned and never gave up on what or who he truly wanted. Frannie was a little harder to love, but she learned to let go of (or at least work through) her childhood and her hard lessons that all love comes with conditions or strings and redeemed herself in the end.
This is part of a series, and while you could read it alone, I’d recommend reading the first book to get a better idea of the closeness of this group of friends. In fact, Frannie’s loyalty and love for her friends made her oh-so-human to me. She doesn’t think she she deserves love or that she knows how to show it, but her constant support of others proves that she just doesn’t realize how much she’s got to give.
Overall, this was a fun, fast read that still managed to make me feel Frannie’s confusion and pain. I’d definitely read the next book in this series.
I fell in love with these characters and their story. What I love most about this entire series is the characters are all very relatable. Julia Wolf has a way of not just writing, but allowing you to easily visualize what is going…she draws you in to the story. I want to go to Bar Royal and hangout with everyone!