Scan barcode
A review by loverofromance
Hold Me Until Morning by A.L. Jackson
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
You want to know what I feel like right now, Hailey? I feel like a king whoβs just been offered the greatest treasure.β
First Impressions
Hold Me Until Morning was a book that completely BLEW MY HEART AND SOUL away! In fact, this is the best book of the series and I will die on this hill. I haven't read this author's other work but I do think its some of her best work. It worked in every way for me and I couldn't put it down (both the kindle and Audio editions) This author really knocked this book out of the park. I had some issues with some of the other books in the series, but Hold Me Until Morning was just perfection for me. I honestly didn't have issues with any part of this book, it just worked all the way and I read it right when I needed to.
First Line
My eyes devoured the outline of his perfect shape.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Cody
The Heroine: Hailey
My stupid heart smashed. But in that moment, I didnβt care. I wanted it. I wanted it all. I wanted to be selfish and take and take. I wanted to feel something brighter than Iβd felt in years. In so long. In ever.
Summary
Hold Me Until Morning begins with Hailey who has a young daughter, and is on the run from a dangerous ex. She is determined to create a life with her daughter which is safe and full of happiness and not the nightmare that they came from. Her next door neighbor, is none other than the boy who broke her heart and hurt her in the worst of ways and he doesn't even recognize her at first. She is focused on her daughter and not creating anything with this cocky man. But there are secrets that he keeps hidden beneath the cocky playboy act. As Hailey and Cody learn to let go of their tough barriers, they rediscover their love that was always there just needed air to breathe. But they have enemies, enemies that they least expect....will they survive the coming turmoil about to enter their lives?
βI hate him, Hailey. Hate that that bastard could ever make you feel that way. I want to destroy him just for the fact that he would ever try to tamp or trap the beauty that you are. I would never fucking do that. Would never hurt you. Would never use you. Would never think of you as any less than the fiery, sassy, strong, unforgettable woman that you are.β
What I Loved
What was it about this book that just worked for me in every way? It was like catnip to my inner feline. I gobbled it up like candy. The conflict in the relationship gets resolved earlier, and the focus is outer conflict of the story which I was really fascinated by. The author really built the suspense side of the plot just right and we really see how that is delicately built throughout the story. The romance that is developed is beyond entertaining. I love a good cocky playboy hero and Cody ENTERTAINED the hell out of the story for me. They are my weakness I swear. I know some readers don't care for this type of hero, but I feel like he just worked right for Hailey. I think she needed someone more playful and pushing her to take some risk but she is so focused on her daughter and being safe, that he teaches her how to truly live every moment. We also see some flashbacks that really add depth to their relationship and what both Cody and Hailey had to go through when they were younger. My heart just bled for Cody especially, with everything he had to give up for a while because he was protecting his mother and sisters and took on the "man of the house" role with his father dying at such a young age. I just wanted to hug this young Cody who was so responsible and sacrificed so much for those he loved.
βHold me until morning,β I whispered there, to that clock frozen at eight-seventeen. He brushed his lips across my forehead and held me tighter. βDonβt worry, darlinβ. Iβm not going to let go.β
What I Struggled With
Honestly.....nothing lol I don't understand readers issue with this book, maybe it wasn't inner angsty enough but it knocked my feet off the ground!
βYou donβt get it, Hailey. Getting to be in your space is enough reward for me. Getting to stand for you is a prize. A fucking honor.β
Narration
Like with the other books in the series, the narrator really handled this book just right. This author has very lyrical writing and it really comes out beautifully in narration form. In fact, if you like audiobooks, I can't recommend the narration enough.
βYou want to run, Hailey? Then Iβll run with you. You want to fight? Then Iβll fight for you. But what Iβm not willing to do is let you go. Not when youβre doing it out of fear.β
Overall View
Hold Me Until Morning is a romantic small town thriller that will curl your toes with delicious swoons and keep you on edge with the plot twists and characters that will endear to your heart for a long time.
βIβve made a million mistakes in my life, but standing here, with you? For you? Thatβs not one of them. Because when you love someone the way I love you? You donβt bail when things get rough. You stand closer to them in their battles. You pick them up when they fall. You carry them when they canβt run. You love them with all youβve got because they are the very meaning of time. Because you and Maddie are the reason Iβm living it. You are the sun setting and the sun rising. Every minute. Every second. Every fucking beat.β
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Playboy/Manwhore, Tortured Hero, Single Mom
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Kids/Teens, Danger/Suspense, Heart/Touching
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Second Chance Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Blend but more plot than relationship
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Jennifer Ryan
Catherine Cowles
Corinne Michaels
Song This Book Inspires
The Scientist by Corinne Bailey Rae
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Narrators:
Stephen Dexter
Erin Mallon
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
You want to know what I feel like right now, Hailey? I feel like a king whoβs just been offered the greatest treasure.β
First Impressions
Hold Me Until Morning was a book that completely BLEW MY HEART AND SOUL away! In fact, this is the best book of the series and I will die on this hill. I haven't read this author's other work but I do think its some of her best work. It worked in every way for me and I couldn't put it down (both the kindle and Audio editions) This author really knocked this book out of the park. I had some issues with some of the other books in the series, but Hold Me Until Morning was just perfection for me. I honestly didn't have issues with any part of this book, it just worked all the way and I read it right when I needed to.
First Line
My eyes devoured the outline of his perfect shape.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Cody
The Heroine: Hailey
My stupid heart smashed. But in that moment, I didnβt care. I wanted it. I wanted it all. I wanted to be selfish and take and take. I wanted to feel something brighter than Iβd felt in years. In so long. In ever.
Summary
Hold Me Until Morning begins with Hailey who has a young daughter, and is on the run from a dangerous ex. She is determined to create a life with her daughter which is safe and full of happiness and not the nightmare that they came from. Her next door neighbor, is none other than the boy who broke her heart and hurt her in the worst of ways and he doesn't even recognize her at first. She is focused on her daughter and not creating anything with this cocky man. But there are secrets that he keeps hidden beneath the cocky playboy act. As Hailey and Cody learn to let go of their tough barriers, they rediscover their love that was always there just needed air to breathe. But they have enemies, enemies that they least expect....will they survive the coming turmoil about to enter their lives?
βI hate him, Hailey. Hate that that bastard could ever make you feel that way. I want to destroy him just for the fact that he would ever try to tamp or trap the beauty that you are. I would never fucking do that. Would never hurt you. Would never use you. Would never think of you as any less than the fiery, sassy, strong, unforgettable woman that you are.β
What I Loved
What was it about this book that just worked for me in every way? It was like catnip to my inner feline. I gobbled it up like candy. The conflict in the relationship gets resolved earlier, and the focus is outer conflict of the story which I was really fascinated by. The author really built the suspense side of the plot just right and we really see how that is delicately built throughout the story. The romance that is developed is beyond entertaining. I love a good cocky playboy hero and Cody ENTERTAINED the hell out of the story for me. They are my weakness I swear. I know some readers don't care for this type of hero, but I feel like he just worked right for Hailey. I think she needed someone more playful and pushing her to take some risk but she is so focused on her daughter and being safe, that he teaches her how to truly live every moment. We also see some flashbacks that really add depth to their relationship and what both Cody and Hailey had to go through when they were younger. My heart just bled for Cody especially, with everything he had to give up for a while because he was protecting his mother and sisters and took on the "man of the house" role with his father dying at such a young age. I just wanted to hug this young Cody who was so responsible and sacrificed so much for those he loved.
βHold me until morning,β I whispered there, to that clock frozen at eight-seventeen. He brushed his lips across my forehead and held me tighter. βDonβt worry, darlinβ. Iβm not going to let go.β
What I Struggled With
Honestly.....nothing lol I don't understand readers issue with this book, maybe it wasn't inner angsty enough but it knocked my feet off the ground!
βYou donβt get it, Hailey. Getting to be in your space is enough reward for me. Getting to stand for you is a prize. A fucking honor.β
Narration
Like with the other books in the series, the narrator really handled this book just right. This author has very lyrical writing and it really comes out beautifully in narration form. In fact, if you like audiobooks, I can't recommend the narration enough.
βYou want to run, Hailey? Then Iβll run with you. You want to fight? Then Iβll fight for you. But what Iβm not willing to do is let you go. Not when youβre doing it out of fear.β
Overall View
Hold Me Until Morning is a romantic small town thriller that will curl your toes with delicious swoons and keep you on edge with the plot twists and characters that will endear to your heart for a long time.
βIβve made a million mistakes in my life, but standing here, with you? For you? Thatβs not one of them. Because when you love someone the way I love you? You donβt bail when things get rough. You stand closer to them in their battles. You pick them up when they fall. You carry them when they canβt run. You love them with all youβve got because they are the very meaning of time. Because you and Maddie are the reason Iβm living it. You are the sun setting and the sun rising. Every minute. Every second. Every fucking beat.β
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Playboy/Manwhore, Tortured Hero, Single Mom
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Kids/Teens, Danger/Suspense, Heart/Touching
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Second Chance Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Blend but more plot than relationship
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Jennifer Ryan
Catherine Cowles
Corinne Michaels
Song This Book Inspires
The Scientist by Corinne Bailey Rae
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Narrators:
Stephen Dexter
Erin Mallon