{Review} Rowdy (Marked Men #5) by Jay Crownover

Posted by Donna
Release Date: October 23rd, 2014
Finished Date: October 1st, 2014

Publishers: Harper UK
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 416

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

After the only girl he ever loved told him he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and decided he was going to do everything in his power to live up to his nickname. Life was all about a good time, good friends and never taking much too seriously. Rowdy learned his lesson early on, when you care that much about anything it can destroy you, and he never wants to risk feeling like that again. Only now he has a new coworker, a ghost from the past who’s making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in a house with too many rules, too many regulations, and no fun allowed. That never worked for her so she left it all behind as soon as she could, but she never forgot the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been in love with her little sister. Fate and good intentions from an old friend have placed her right in Rowdy’s path and she’s determined to show him he picked the wrong sister all those years ago. A mission that is going along perfectly until the one person that ties them together shows up and could very well tear them back.

The Review: I’m always excited for another Marked Men story by author Jay Crownover and even more excited to finally get Rowdy’s story like I know many of you are. Well, look no further because the times finally here and what a great read it was.

Salem Cruz has always lived her life under strict rules handed out her Pastor father. She was never the daughter she was supposed to be and always a disappointment to her family. When she decided to leave town when she became of age, she didn’t look back but she always remembered the one person she could be herself around, Rowland. Now making a name for herself and doing well, Salem still doesn’t settle in one place, but when an opportunity comes knocking for her to reconnect herself with Rowland, now going by the name Rowdy, she decides it’s time to see if the connection they once has is still there.

Rowdy St James has had a life where everyone has left him. His mother, his ex-girlfriend and even the one girl he had a deep connection left their small hometown and didn’t look back. Refusing to get close to anyone else again, Rowdy has put up walls that no-one can break. That is until Salem Cruz storms back into his life openly admitting that he’s one of the reasons she’s now working at Marked. Can Salem and Rowdy overcome their issues before they destroy the own happiness?

What another great addition to the Marked Men series! Rowdy and Salem didn’t disappoint. I have to say, I was a little worried to start with because the first 20% of the story was very similar to Nash’s. I didn’t want to read the same story twice but with different characters, but thankfully the story changed in a good direction that wasn’t at all like Nash’s – panic over!

Anyway, Rowdy has always had a strong presence in the other guy’s stories but I’ve never felt as though I really got to know him. This is why I was so excited to read his story and I really liked what I saw. Deep down he’s a very loving and genuine person. He doesn’t do anything by halves and is really passionate about his work and the special people who are in his life – like the rest of the Marked Men gang. I was really compelled by his and Salem’s past because it was actually a pretty sad one, but it’s their connection to one another that keeps them going. It’s a beautiful relationship trying to overcome some hard times. And Salem was an awesome character to get to know.

What I enjoy about this series so much though is the friendships and how much the characters love on another. I love the progression with the other characters and the sneak peeks into their lives so we don’t forget about them. But most of all, I love the bond they have with each other. They’d do anything for each other and it’s really touching to read.

So in all Rowdy’s story was definitely a good one and I cannot wait for Asa’s and Royal’s story now – I have very high hope for them two! And I really enjoyed Buddy reading this with Emma from Never Judge a Book by it's Cover.

Thank you to Harper UK for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.