Review: Save Me - Cecy Robson

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O'Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson "has the hottest brothers ever!" And in SAVE ME, it's time for Seamus, the family's most notorious bachelor, to find true love.

Three weddings. No date. What's a hot stud to do when all the women on his speed dial are either serving dinner to their families or serving time?

Out of all the O'Briens, Seamus is the best-looking, most creative, and, did I mention, best-looking? Single at almost forty wasn't a big deal until every sibling in his large and loud Irish family found "the one." Now, he's desperate for a wedding date, one he doesn't have to worry will make out with the limo driver or rob the bride and groom blind.

Allie Mendes is the good daughter, who's spent her life living in her perfect sister's shadow. But when her sister steals the man Allie was supposed to marry, that shadow she's lived in threatens to swallow her whole. Allie wants to believe a bright future awaits. But when she begs God to save her from this disastrous twist of fate, the last person she expects Him to send her is Seamus O'Brien.

Allie needs a stand-in boyfriend to avoid appearing as lonely as she feels. Seamus needs a decent woman without an ankle bracelet or a rap sheet as long as his muscular arms. The two make a deal to pose as each other's perfect date. But weddings mean romance and a chance at forever neither had planned.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
Save Me is the final book in Cecy Robson's O'Brien Family series and it was a fitting ending that gave us a chance to catch up with the previous couples as well as see Seamus finally get his own happily ever after. I have to admit Seamus took a while to grow on me, he has a very high opinion of himself and that makes him come across as rather cocky and arrogant in the beginning of the story but luckily there is more to him than that and he can actually be really sweet when you get to know him.

Seamus always wanted to get married and have a family but the women he's usually attracted to are more likely to steal from him than settle down. With a whole bunch of family wedding's coming up he's sick of his family meddling in his love life so he needs a fake girlfriend to keep them all off his back. Allie is the perfect woman for the job, a successful business woman who takes time out of her life to volunteer at church and help others she's nothing like the normal girls he's brought home to meet his family. She's also in her own sticky situation having to watch her sister marry her own ex-fiance so she could use some back up herself.

Allie was the sweetest girl, she spends all her time and energy helping others but has very little confidence in herself so it was wonderful to see her come out of her shell with Seamus' help. They got on really well and made a perfect couple but he was worried about not being good enough for her so was worried about telling her how he really felt. I love the whole O'Brien family and how welcoming they were towards Allie, the banter has been amusing throughout the whole series and the three family weddings we got to witness were all very heartwarming and fitting for the different couples. Allie's family on the other hand were absolutely awful and I was so glad to see her finally stand up to them. I'm kind of sad that we're not getting a book about the oldest brother Angus, he obviously put a lot of his life on hold to care for his mother and younger siblings and I'd have loved to see him get a happy ending with his finance of 20 years Molly. It did seem like the two of them were happier now but I still feel like that's a bit of an unfinished thread in the series.

I've still enjoyed all of these stories though and I'm looking forward to seeing what Cecy Robson comes up with next.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Feel Me - Cecy Robson

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in FEEL ME, Declan, the sexy, driven powerhouse meets the one woman immune to his charm . . .

Declan O’Brien was always driven to take his place among Philly’s elite, working hard for everything he’s earned, including the title of Assistant District Attorney. He’s won seemingly impossible cases, so he’s furious when he’s assigned to lead the one unit he doesn’t want.

Melissa Fenske was born hearing impaired to a neglectful mother, finding solace when she was adopted by a young attorney, now Declan’s boss. As the current Director of Victim Services, Melissa’s livid when Declan is placed in the main unit she oversees. She can’t forget their disastrous first encounter. Or shake how he makes her feel.

Declan considers the assignment another step toward his political aspirations, despite that he can’t get Melissa out of his mind. Melissa sees Declan as egotistical and self-serving, kicking herself for how fast she’s falling for him. Someone as hot, smooth, and perfect as Declan isn’t supposed to want her.

In another situation with any other woman, Declan wouldn’t hesitate to take Melissa to bed. But she is the boss’s daughter, and for once, Declan finds himself wanting more than just a one night stand.

Neither counted on each other. Both just met their match.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
Feel Me is the latest release in Cecy Robson's O'Brien Family series and I've been I've been looking forward to Declan and Melissa's book ever since we saw their first meeting. I love the way confident Declan, the man who can charm any woman he comes into contact with, constantly puts his foot in his mouth around Melissa. He's the kind of guy that has women falling all over him but when it comes to Melissa he gets so flustered and makes all the wrong moves and it was just so funny to see him wrong footed all the time.

Declan is one of the oldest O'Briens and after the death of his father he was determined to do whatever he could to look after his mother and younger siblings. He has put everything into his career to achieve that goal and is now one of the youngest Assistant District Attorneys in Philly, his goals don't end there though and he continues to focus on his goal of eventually becoming mayor. Declan doesn't believe in love, he saw the way his father treated his mother and is convinced that relationships aren't worth the effort so he's very careful never to get involved with anyone who wants more than a couple of nights of fun. The latest step in his career ladder puts him in charge of the department Melissa works for, the attraction he feels for her is intense but there is no way he'd ever get involved with anyone he works with, especially not his boss's daughter.

Melissa is the head of Victim Services, it's her job to give a voice to people who need it most and her background means she is uniquely qualified for the role. Born hearing impaired to a drug addicted mother Melissa didn't get the best start in life but everything changed for her when she was adopted by Miles Fenske, the current District Attorney and Declan's boss. Her previous interactions with Declan haven't left a good impression and she has concerns about his ability to interact with vulnerable women and children she works with every day. Declan may not have made a good first impression but it doesn't take long for Melissa to realise that she was wrong about him and to discover how well they work together. Close proximity increases the attraction between them but Melissa would be crazy to risk a relationship with a man who doesn't believe in love. Wouldn't she?

I loved both of these characters and Melissa was fantastic, she's confident in her abilities and doesn't let her hearing impairment hamper her in any way. She has fears and insecurities like any woman but overall she sees what she wants and she goes after it. It was great to read about a heroine with a disability where her hearing impairment is just a part of her character and not something she was defined by, of course it effected her day to day life but it was never made into a big deal or a source of conflict in the story. Declan was the right mix of cocky alpha male with a vulnerable side. The way he kept getting things wrong around Melissa made him easier to relate to and stopped him from being too full of himself. I enjoyed the banter between him and his siblings and the way they all teased him about his growing feelings for Melissa, it was fun to catch up with the others and see how they're all getting on with their lives.

Feel Me is another brilliant instalment to the series and I'm looking forward to seeing the remaining brothers get their own happily ever after.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Crave Me - Cecy Robson

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Crave Me, it’s time for the sole sister in the family to discover love.

Wren O’Brien isn’t your typical female. As the only girl from a loud Irish family with seven siblings, she prefers fast cars to lip gloss and bad boys to good men. It’s the reason she’s nursing a wounded soul and keeping her distance from a dangerous ex.

Evan Jonah is running an empire and just moved from the lavish thoroughfares of London to the gritty streets of Philadelphia. When he walks into the nearest dealership, he’s expecting to find a reliable vehicle to handle the brutal winters, not a sexy female car rep with killer legs.

Wren doesn’t know why “Hotness in a Suit” asked her out. She doesn’t expect a great time or a night of passion that knocks her on her ass. But that’s exactly what Evan shows her.

She also never counted on how hard and fast she’d fall. But men like Evan—good men with even better hearts—don’t desire tough-talking Philly girls for long.

Evan has never met a woman like Wren. But he’s up for the challenge and ready to prove her wrong.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
I've been looking forward to reading Wren's story ever since we were introduced to the O'Brien family and Crave Me didn't disappoint. As the only girl growing up amongst six brothers Wren learned to stand up for herself from a young age, her brothers are all incredibly protective of her but she has grown up fierce and ready to fight her own battles. She has a loud personality and knows exactly what she wants from life but she also has a really sweet, generous and loving side and she cares a lot about the people in her circle.

Evan is a wealthy businessman who is working hard to turn his company into something successful after the previous managers nearly ran it into the ground. He's is a bit of a geek, definitely a tech expert and he's totally different to the kind of guys that Wren usually dates but there is no denying the attraction between them. They are opposites in many ways but their differences compliment each other and when it comes to important values they're definitely on the same page.

I absolutely loved the way their romance develops, their attraction may be instant but the friendship and respect that builds between them takes time in a totally natural and very believable way. They have great chemistry but they fit together outside of the bedroom too and I really enjoyed watching them work together to achieve their goals. There are some issues that they have to deal with, mainly thanks to Wren's stalker of an ex but I though they handled their problems brilliantly and I liked the way they talked things through with each other and came up with solutions together.

We get the chance to catch up with all of Wren's brothers which is always fun and it's just made me more eager than ever to get to know the ones who haven't had stories yet. I'm not sure who I hope comes next but I have a feeling it might be Declan, I want to read all of their stories eventually though so I don't really mind what order we get them in. This series is definitely a must read for me, the sex is hot, the romances are sweet and well developed, the banter is amusing and the sibling rivalry always makes me smile. The O'Brien's are a close knit family, they may drive each other nuts but they are always there for each other and I love the way they're so protective of each other, you just know that if any of them has a problem the others would drop everything to help them.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Let Me - Cecy Robson

Once he was broken beyond repair. Now this MMA contender is fighting to be a better man—for her. RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Let Me, it is Finn’s turn to discover how love can heal the deepest wounds.

A mixed martial arts star on the rise, Finn O’Brien dismantles his opponents with brutal precision. And yet beneath his fierce persona, Finn is raw from a trauma he’s buried for years . . . until the day his deep-rooted rage erupts and lands him in court-mandated therapy. Finn’s not one to bare his soul, but if talking it out means meeting beautiful women like Sol Marieles, he’ll give it a shot.

Sol is working toward her master’s degree in psychology, and already she feels like she’s in over her head. With an important internship on the line and a scary family situation demanding her attention, the last thing Sol needs is Finn around to distract her. The man is ripped and seriously sexy yet it’s his troubled side that warns her to keep her distance. But their attraction is intense, and he clearly has the heat to see how far and fast their passion takes them.

Alone, Finn and Sol have been fighting to find happiness in their lives. Together, there’s no stopping them as they face their greatest challenges—not in the ring, but in their hearts.


Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
I'm just going to come right out and say it: I love the O'Brien family! From the minute we met Killian's siblings in Once Pure I was hoping they'd all get books and then when Cecy Robson announced the O'Brien series and gave us Curran's story in Once Kissed I wanted to cheer. If you've read those previous books you'll already have met the youngest O'Brien, Finn, and you'll probably already know what happened to him as a child. Because of that his older siblings are all very protective of him but he is holding a lot of anger deep inside and none of the others are quite sure how to deal with it. Finn's anger fuels him in the cage and it's helping him build a name for himself as a top MMA fighter but his siblings are worried that he's bottling up his emotions and that it's going to end in disaster if he doesn't find a way to release it safely.

When Finn gets into trouble for fighting outside the cage he is forced into court mandated therapy and it is there that he bumps into long term family friend Sol. Sol is working as an intern while she qualifies for her masters in psychology and she has more than enough on her plate dealing with her mentally unstable mother so the last thing she needs is a boyfriend no matter how hot she's always found Finn. She knows that it isn't a good idea for two damaged people to get involved with each other but Finn isn't easy to resist and she finds herself desperately wanting to help him.

Cecy Robson isn't afraid to tackle difficult issues in her novels, we've already seen her deal with domestic violence sensitively and here she gives us a glimpse into the long lasting effects of child abuse and mental illness. These aren't easy subjects to talk about and are often things that are brushed under the carpet but Cecy gives a brutally honest portrayal of how badly they can affect the people involved. Finn has always suppressed what happened to him, he refuses to talk about it and tries so hard to be strong but it has a massive impact on every area of his life and he's going to have to face up to it if he wants any chance of moving forward and finding happiness. Sol's issues are very different but they affect her just as badly and she's not in a great place either but they both find comfort in each others arms. It's not enough to love each other though, they have to be brave enough to tackle things that they've spent years trying to hide and that's not going to be easy for either of them.

I love this couple, they fit together brilliantly and the banter between them was great, the attraction between them is also intense but beyond that they are able to open up to each other in ways that they've never been able to do with anyone else in the past. Finn in particular broke my heart, no child should have to suffer through what he did but I was so incredibly proud of the way he dealt with things in the long term. It took a lot of work to get there but thanks to the support that both Sol and his family gave him he was finally able to face up to what had happened to him. Sol's story was also heart wrenching, the relationship she had with her mother was painful to watch and Sol put a lot of pressure on herself to try and fix something that was basically unfixable. These two don't have it easy to start with but that just makes their happy ending even more perfect and I had such a huge smile on my face when they finally figured out how to deal with their issues.

Of course we also get to see plenty of the other O'Brien siblings too, both the ones who have already found their HEA and the ones who are still happily single. There is definitely something going on with Wren that has me a little worried about her so I'm really hoping that we get to read her story next but no matter which sibling steps up to the plate this series is a must buy for me.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Once Kissed - Cecy Robson

Once they shared a night of passion. Now a chance encounter forces them back together. In Cecy Robson’s O’Brien Family series debut—perfect for readers of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—two total opposites find that the flames of desire are still smoldering.

Tough-as-steel cop Curran O’Brien is quickly rising through the ranks of the Philadelphia police department. But when his rookie partner is almost killed under his watch, Curran just wants to prove he still has what it takes to walk among Philly’s finest. So he’s pissed to be stuck on a cushy security assignment for the DA’s office . . . until he gets a good look at the sweet, straitlaced intern he’s supposed to protect—but not touch.

Tess Newart recognizes Curran instantly. How could she not? Back in college she tied this former frat boy to the bed with her argyle socks! That sizzling one-night stand was the only indiscretion Tess ever allowed herself. She has survived law school so far, despite being pushed to succeed by her overbearing father. Now that she’s interning on a major case against a ruthless crime boss, she won’t jeopardize her career by giving in to temptation again. She just never expected temptation to look so damn hot in uniform.

Tess knows her father has other plans for her, and they don’t include Curran. But soon she’s falling for him all over again. And when danger emerges, Curran will prove just how good a bad-boy cop can be.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
From the minute we met the O'Brien clan in Once Pure I knew I was going to love them, I guess it could be because I have such a small family but I've always loved reading about sibling relationships and since Killian has five brothers and one sister who all have very large personalities I couldn't wait to start this series. Obviously if you've read Killian's book (and I'd highly recommend it if you haven't because it was fantastic!) you'll already be familiar with the family but this story completely stands alone so you won't be lost if you're new to Cecy Robson's writing.

Curran and Tess shared one scorching hot night together back in college but haven't seen each other since, there's no bad blood between them though, it's just the way life panned out. Tess has been focused on her law degree and has her hard work has paid off landing her the much sought after position of intern to the Assistant District Attorney, Declan O'Brien. Declan is working on the case of a lifetime and is close to bringing down a major crime family but that means he, along with everyone he works with, is at high risk of retaliation and in need of police protection. Curran has dedicated his life to his job and loves being a Detective but after a major incident that left his rookie seriously injured he has been suffering from PTSD and has lost the confidence of his fellow officers. When Curran is assigned to protect Tess the last person he is expecting to see is the woman he has been fantasising about since college but the buttoned up young woman is very different to the sexy, uninhibited girl he remembers. Tess has put everything into her career in the hope of escaping her overbearing father so the last thing she needs is the distraction Curran causes her but his charms aren't easy to resist.

Cecy Robson always writes such brilliant characters and that is definitely the case again in Once Kissed. It was very easy to like both Tess and Curran and I was rooting for their relationship from the get go. What I love about this book is that there is very little in the way of pointless drama between the main couple, I'm so bored of reading about couples who push each other away for stupid reasons or who are fighting against the idea of a relationship so it makes a change to read about a couple who genuinely want to make a life together. That isn't to say everything is plain sailing for them, there are plenty of external influences that cause problems for the pair, but neither of them is trying to deny their feelings or the connection that they have.

Throw in the funny banter between the O'Brien siblings and you're definitely on to a winner with this one! I'm excited to get to know the rest of the family better and I'm sure I'm going to love this series just as much as the Shattered Past one.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Review: Once Pure - Cecy Robson

She bears the scars of the past. He blames himself for things he can’t control. Their defenses are up, but in Cecy Robson’s latest Shattered Past novel—perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—true love lands a knockout punch.

Sofia Tres Santos remembers a time before her life went sour, before her innocence was ripped away, before she began punishing herself with risky behaviors and unworthy men. Now, at twenty, she just hopes she’s ready to rebuild some of what she lost. One way or another, it always comes back to her childhood friend and longtime crush, Killian O’Brien.

As strong as Killian is, Sofia has always been his one weakness. He knows Sofia has suffered and wants to ensure she’s never hurt again—not like before, and definitely not under his watch. When Sofia agrees to work at his mixed martial arts gym, Killian seizes the opportunity to help and protect the sweet girl he’s always cared for. And yet, as he trains Sofia to defend herself using his hard-hitting MMA techniques, he’s drawn to the vulnerable beauty in ways he never expected.

As Sofia grows stronger, she also grows brave enough to open herself up to love. And along the way, she challenges everything Killian believes to be true, showing him that no matter how much he dominates in the ring, the real battle is fought in the heart.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
I have been dying to read Sofia and Killian's story ever since they were introduced in the first book of the Shattered Past series. Sofia is the youngest of the Tres Santos family and her siblings Mateo and Lety have always been very protective of her, something that only increased when she went through a horrible traumatic experience a few years ago. Sofia's experience broke something inside of her and the previously shy and quiet girl went completely off the rails making poor choices when it came to men. It's taken a long time but Sofia has finally put her life back together, she is studying hard and knows what she wants from the future but she is still very timid and her experience has made her very wary of new people, men in particular.

Killian has always had a special place in his heart for Lety, they were childhood friends and he cares deeply for her but she is his best friend's little sister and therefore should be off limits. That hasn't put a damper on the attraction he feels for her though and he would do anything to erase the past and give her back her confidence. When Sofia agrees to help Killian update the website for his MMA gym it means working in close proximity and Killian sets out to help Sofia regain her confidence. He starts with self defence training but the more time they spend together the more he realises that he wants so much more. It's not going to be easy to convince Sofia to give him a chance but she is definitely worth fighting for.

I absolutely loved this story, we've already seen how much Sofia has been through and I was desperate to see her find happiness and start putting the past behind her. More than anything Sofia is a survivor and I loved seeing her slowly grow more confident as Killian and his family encouraged her to stand up for herself. Killian was fantastic, unlike so many new adult heroes he's not a player, sure he's no innocent virgin but he's not someone with a different woman on his arm every night who has no intention of settling down. In fact, for a long time the only person he has been able to think about is Sofia. He is incredibly patient with her and I loved the way he helped to build her up, when he looks at her he sees a strong and independent woman and he wants her to see herself in the same way. They do have issues to work through but I never doubted that they'd be able to make it in the long term.

Once Pure is quite an emotional story, it's utterly heart wrenching and in places brought tears to my eyes but there is also plenty of humour thanks to Killian's crazy siblings. Can I just say right now that I loved all of the O'Brien clan and I'm incredibly excited that Cecy Robson will be writing stories for each of them. I'm already particularly excited about Finn and Wren's books but I know I'll be devouring them all! Another thing I really enjoyed was getting the chance to catch up with both of the previous couples. Mateo is not happy when he finds out about Killian and Sofia but the guys work things out and I think even Mateo can see how good they are together. I love this series and can't wait to continue reading it.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Review: Once Loved - Cecy Robson

He’s the campus golden boy. She’s picking up the pieces of her broken past. But in Cecy Robson’s scorching novel of second chances—perfect for readers of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—their differences only make their connection more explosive.

Every memory Lety Tres Santos has from her childhood comes with a scar—some emotional, some physical. Her father is an abusive drug addict, and her mother enables his destructive behavior. College offers Lety a fresh start . . . until her father finds a way to ruin that, too. Now, after losing her scholarship to kick off junior year, Lety must somehow stay in school, pay tuition, and turn a deaf ear to the whispers that follow her. And she intends to do it all without Brody Quaid’s help.

Brody is a lacrosse star, a 4.0 student—and as a freshman, he fell hard for the beautiful and spirited Lety. But their relationship crashed and burned because he couldn’t break through the walls she’s put up around her heart. With Lety hurting more than ever, Brody strives to win her back and make her believe in real love and true partnership. That will mean opening up secrets locked away in his own past—and trusting someone more than he’s ever dared.

Lety knows how painful it can be to depend on the wrong man. She also knows how much Brody wants to do this the right way. But it takes more than sizzling desire to move on and build a future together.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
Once Loved is the second book in Cecy Robson's new adult Shattered Past series and it's a real emotional roller coaster of a story. The series is just getting better and better and I absolutely loved both of these characters, Lety and Brody have been through so much but they're survivors who refuse to let their pasts define them.

If you've read Once Perfect you'll already have met both characters, Lety is Mateo's sister so we've already seen some of her horrific family history. Her father is a drunk and a bully who regularly beats on his wife and his children. Lety has suffered verbal and physical abuse for the majority of her life and even though she's now moved out of the family home to go to college she still can't quite escape from her father's clutches. It's heartbreaking to see everything that Lety goes through but I was so proud of her for the way she copes with everything that happens. She is brave enough to make a stand even when her mother won't and I was cheering her along from the sidelines. Lety has worked hard to get her scholarship to study nursing but she also works as a carer to earn enough money to pay her bills. You have to admire her determination to make something of her life and the way she tries so hard to stand on her own two feet.

On the surface Brody's life looks perfect, he's the son of a wealthy family so he has plenty of money and the freedom to do whatever he wants and he's also one of the popular guys at the college. What most people don't see is that he is still damaged from a major event in his childhood. He keeps his emotional scars well hidden but they're definitely there and Lety is the only person who he feels understands him. I think what I loved most about Brody is that he's such a great guy, he's sweet, kind and doesn't have a mean bone in his body. I've started to get a little bored of the bad boys and players so coming across a guy like Brody makes a really nice change. Lety and Brody were a couple when we first met them but after an incident with her father Lety pushed Brody away to protect him. Brody cares deeply for Lety though, he knows they had something special and he is determined to win her back and show her that together they can survive anything.

I don't want to say too much more about the plot but I have to tell you what an adorable couple they are. I loved seeing the two of them together, they have a great relationship and they're both surrounded by supportive friends which was great. I liked how protective they are of each other and I was glad that their relationship is so solid with very little angst between the two of them. Both of their family situations were heartbreaking but there were some really sweet moments both with Brody's family and with Lety's siblings. We get to see some incredibly sweet moments between Mateo and Evelyn which made me smile and we are given a further glimpse at the next couple Sophia and Killian. Once Loved is a fantastic story and I'm already desperate to get my hands on the final book Once Pure, I've had a feeling from the beginning that Sophia and Killian will be my favourite couple but it's going to be hard for them to knock Lety and Brody off the top spot.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Review: Once Perfect - Cecy Robson

His life was never easy. Hers wasn’t supposed to be this hard. They come from different worlds, but fate lures them together in a way neither expected in Cecy Robson’s raw, steamy New Adult debut—perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn.

Evelyn Preston’s future once looked perfect—until her wealthy father was caught in an embezzlement scandal and took his own life. Alone and struggling to pay her college tuition and bills, Evelyn finds a job as a waitress at the ultra-hip nightclub Excess, where she used to have more in common with the privileged private-school clientele than her fellow staff members. But something attracts her to the sexy six-foot-four bouncer and underground MMA fighter Mateo Tres Santos. Although they’ve led different lives, their troubled pasts bonds them in both survival and love.

Mateo is ex-army who wound up in prison for assaulting the man who harmed his sister. Now he’s feeling the same protective impulse for this petite blond waitress. When Evelyn experiences a panic attack at the club, Mateo comes to her rescue. And when Mateo is wounded shielding her from a brawl, Evelyn returns the favor and comes to his aid.

As their attraction intensifies, Mateo is determined to find out what nightmares are lurking in Evelyn’s past—even if that means tackling his own to save her.

Shattered Past Series:
Once Perfect
Once Loved
Once Pure

O'Brien Family Series:
(Characters were introduced in the Shattered Past series but this series can be read separately)
Once Kissed
Let Me
Crave Me
Feel Me
Save Me

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
I love Cecy Robson's Weird Girls urban fantasy series so of course when I heard she was writing a new adult series I knew I had to read it. I had high hopes for Once Perfect and I wasn't at all disappointed, Evelyn and Mateo are both fantastic characters and I enjoyed every minute of their romance.

Evelyn is a bit of a loner, she struggles to make friends and apart from her room mate she doesn't really allow anyone to get close to her. Growing up Evelyn was treated like a princess by her wealthy family, until the day her father lost the family fortune and ended up committing suicide. That was when Evelyn realised who her real friends were and discovered that there weren't as many of them as she originally thought so it's not surprising that she's scared to trust anyone again. Evelyn has worked hard to rebuild her life, she is at college studying to become a nurse and she waitresses at a local club to earn the money she needs to survive. Life isn't easy but it's honest and she's relatively happy but the last thing she is looking for is the complication love would bring to the table.

Mateo is a bouncer at the club where Evelyn works, he's also ex-military, has been to prison and is now an MMA fighter. On paper he's the last kind of guy that Evelyn should be interested in but no matter how much he might look like a bad boy he's actually a really great guy. He is protective of his family, is the main provider for his younger sisters and he would never, ever raise his hand to a woman or child. In fact, he'd be the first person to jump to your defence, even if it meant taking a beating himself to protect you (although he's more likely to kick ass on your behalf!). Mateo is just an all round great guy, someone who is sweet, kind and funny but also sexy as hell and with a body to die for. As Evelyn and Mateo grow closer they start to discover that they have far more in common than they could ever have imagined but will their shared experiences bring them closer together or push them apart forever?

Once Perfect is a story that touches on some tough emotional issues, both of these characters are survivors who have plenty of emotional baggage to deal with but they don't use that as an excuse to push each other away. In fact, they open up to each other and then work together to find ways to deal with their problems. The romance between them is very sweet and tender, they build a real emotional connection which makes it easy to believe that they are building a lasting relationship that isn't just built on lust and sex. That's not to say there isn't any heat between them because there definitely is but that isn't all there is between them and that's something I really appreciate. Evelyn and Mateo were just a very easy couple to root for and I enjoyed spending time with them. We've already been introduced to the main character's in the next book, Once Loved, and I can't wait to get my hands on Lety and Brody's book! This is definitely a series I'm excited to continue and I think Cecy Robson has another hit on her hands.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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