Author: Lexi BlakeSeries: Nights in Bliss, Colorado #7
Audience: +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment, LLC
Release Date: April 23rd 2019 (first published August 10th 2012)
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: Social Butterfly PR
Re-released in a second edition with new content.*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.
Gemma Wells came to Bliss, Colorado, after a scandal cost her everything. Utterly lost, the disgraced attorney built walls so high that she thinks no one can get through them. She’s given up on love, friendship, and all matters of the heart.
Jesse McCann and Cade Sinclair have floated through life, enjoying the world around them, but never allowing themselves to become a part of it. One look at the pretty attorney and Jesse realizes he’s finally found a reason to stay put. Cade isn’t so sure. He’s crazy about her, but he also knows he doesn’t deserve her.
As they begin to find their way together, a dark secret from Gemma’s past threatens to wreck their futures. Her ex-fiancé is back, bringing danger with him, and their time is running out. Jesse and Cade have to melt this Ice Queen’s heart, or she might not leave Bliss alive.
**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.
I finally got to read Gemma's story, guys!! I'm so happy! I truly feel like my month is complete, and this is not me exaggerating. I come back to the world of Bliss, Colorado with a giant smile on my face each and every time, and with each book I finish, my smile gets bigger. This series has become sort of like my "reset" series: whenever I need to read something I know I'll love, I go to Bliss. Gemma's story is no different. Let me tell you all about it!
Gemma is probably the one female character in Lexi Blake's world that I've identified with the most. I understood her on a deeper level, from her need to show the world a polished, successful, strong image, to her moments of complete lack of control and, yes, even her impulsive actions. I have had enough of those red-hazed induced moments to know how they feel, so for me Gemma felt familiar. I may not have known her history, but from the first moment I understood her. Reading about her childhood, as well as her relationship with her ex, made me like her even more. And her reaction to Cade? Totally the way I'd react. I do have to say that had I read this book even a month ago, I probably would have frowned at how she verbally sparred with Cade and how she acted with him, because I wouldn't have understood it. But once I had my realization during an episode of Bay Yanlış that maybe being so similar to a character is why I didn't like them so much, because I would act the same way, I've been more open to admitting to myself (and publicly, as you can tell) that yes, I am a total dork around certain people.
I liked Jesse. Jesse is the kind of guy that seems to be always up for fun, but then he surprises you with being pretty intense and very focused on certain aspects. There was this scene were he had a misunderstanding with Gemma, and I loved it. I loved the fact that the author wrote it, because sometimes when we witness a moment between people we don't actually know the entire scene, and we totally misunderstand what we see. It's what Jesse did, and I loved seeing that explored, because it made Jesse think outside of his rules. It was a small thing, not something huge, but it provided a good scene and it prompted a very good conversation once it happened.
Cade was the mystery man. While Jesse seems like the fun guy, Cade is the intense, mysterious, full of secrets guy that turns out to be a complete soft teddy bear. Cade was a guy that was holding on to a lot of guilt. Guilt for the crash that caused his parents and older sister to die, guilt for not knowing about his foster mom's situation. Then he felt guilt for not being what he thought Gemma wanted him to be, for loving her, and then for needing to stay away from her and Jesse. Basically he is a man that feels guilty for everything and it takes a while for him to reveal why. He guards his secrets very well, and even Jesse, his best friend, doesn't know the full story. But once you learn it? Prepare to want to give this man the biggest squishy hug on the planet.
I loved the pacing. The story flows really well, and we even get a glimpse into one of the characters living in Bliss being someone he is trying to hide. If you've read the story, you know who I'm talking about. Hint: make sure you read the next book in the series, Once Upon A Time In Bliss.
I loved this book. Am I a total Lexi Blake fangirl? Yes, yes I am. Is there any cure? NOPE. While I'm waiting for the next Nights in Bliss books to be announced officially, I found the best thing on the planet. So you know I adore my connected series and looooooong series, right? Well, Lexi Blake has a "series reading order" pdf on her website where she recommends the order in which all of her contemporaries should be read. Just head to her website, and under the "By Series" tab you'll find "Series Reading Order" and watch magic unfold. Spoiler alert: there are 70 books on that list. I know what I'm doing come fall.
