Nash (Marked Men #4)
by Jay Crownover
Publisher – Harper
Release Date – April 24th 2014
Buy – Amazon | Book DepositoryWill their past determine their future?
Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down… and now he’s trying to do it again.
Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.
When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?
Previously only reading Rome in the Marked Men series, I was completely hooked and addicted. It really doesn’t matter where you start because each man and woman is defined by their tattoos and their past and together bring an epic tale, of love, lust, loss and undeniable passion.
Each Marked Man is defined by their tattoo tied to their own history. Abandoned by his father, treated badly by his step-father and worthless towards his mother, Nash is thrown into the deep end to the beginning of his novel. Phil, his mentor, his role model, his manager and finally his biological father, is diagnosed with cancer. Nash’s whole world collapses when he finally realises that the man who brought him up his whole life is in fact his father.This sort of reminds me of Star Wars “Luke, I am your Father”. Whilst Nash is perceived as the bad ass with the ink and muscles, he is the opposite, the best way I can describe him is that he wears his heart on his sleeve and only a handful of people can see it. Whilst the pain of death and loss robs at Nash’s mind, Saint becomes the stormy-eyed focus of Nash’s distraction.
On the other end of the hospital, you have Saint, a stormy, red-headed, shy woman with a passion to help people, and a huge passion or crush on a certain visitor of her patient. Whilst on the end of the needle and medication she is faced with her first crush and her first broken heart. Nash was the person, who saw her, smiled at her and then crushed her when talking about her behind her back. Saint, is a workaholic, she has not time for herself or social life, but why does she seem to connect with him so much? Amongst her own life, she is stuck between the divorce and emotional impact of her mother and father’s divorces alongside her pregnant sister. At first I couldn’t quite get to grips with Saint’s character, she was a very complicated and closed person to really get connected too, but as we progressed throughout the novel we really saw a different side to her, a happy Saint when she was with Nash.
Between the two of them they really are ‘opposites attract’. But they really do suit each other to a tea. Jay Crownover, creates the beauty of art and realism in life and of love. She doesn’t want people to judge them by their looks which is proven by Nash’s kind and true nature and Saint’s feisty persona. What I enjoyed about this novel, was the quirkiness of the character’s names, namely the female ones. We have Saint our main character, that certainly lives up to it. Royal, Nash’s neighbour and cop and finally Salem, the new artist on the block and the focus of the Marked Men’s next adventure, Rowdy. Although, I enjoyed it overall, I felt that in the beginning I was going backwards, there was no real meet and greet, or flirtiness towards each other, it was rather abrupt which slowed my pace a bit and the pace of the relationship. It was quite a interrupted and disjointed flow to their relationship especially between their perspectives.
Despite having a rather slow and average start to the book, I really enjoyed Nash’s character and story toward the Marked Men series, but I think for me out of the ones I have read, their really isn’t anything on Rome so far.. If you enjoy the works of Jessica Sorenson and Cora Carmack then this series is for you…
Rating – 3.5-4
Ahhhh!!! How did I miss this book? I LOVE this series so much and I completely spaced on Nash! I need to fix that immediately:) Despite a rocky start with Saint and the book overall, I'm glad you ended up enjoying this one Emma, and I definitely love all the unusual names too. Makes them memorable:) Can't wait to get my hands on Nash! 😉
You have to get this one soon, Jenny. Despite some of my misgivings on the book at first, once I started the series (in the middle) I still want to find out more about the other Marked Men. I really want to read about Rule and Jet yet! I hope you get to read this one soon, Jenny! 🙂
I haven't read this series but I've heard great things about the first two books. The characters' names are definitely different – I read the name Saint Ford and then had to re-read it again, just to make sure that I got it right – LOL! I'll keep in mind that the story has a slow start. Lovely review, Emma!
I NEED to read the first two book, I think Jet and Rule and real characters so I'll look forward to meeting them. Haha. Yeah, I had to do that a couple of times when I first met Saint and Royal. I hope you get to read these soon. Thank you, Henrietta!
I've loved this series but Rome and Rule were my favorites. I've heard Saint is a little much to take with her constant pushing but I still want to give this a go. Wonderful review, Emma! 🙂
I think Rome will always be my favourite from what I have recently read of the series. Yes, she can be at time, quite a hectic character, I think. I hope you get to read this one soon, Rachel. Thank you. 🙂
This is the second review I've seen for this, and the second positive one, so I should probably check this series out 🙂 The romance in these books always sound so well developed and unique 🙂
Oh that's good, all the more reason to read it *wink wink* The romance is wonderful. I hope you get to check out this series soon, Eileen. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I still haven't started with this series but I really want to as I have heard nothing but amazing things about it. Also who can resist tattooed guys! 🙂 I'm so happy you enjoyed this one despite its slow start. Great review, Emma 🙂
Totally, I love reading about tattooed guys *wink wink* I really hope you get to read this one really soon, Tanja! I really recommend them! 🙂 Thank you, Tanja! 🙂
I have to admit, I don't know if this series would really be for me, but I have heard a lot of great things and I do have a copy of the first book. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall, Emma, despite the slow start. Great review, my dear! 🙂
Not all books are for everyone but I would recommend this series though, Sam! It reminds me of Crash Into You slightly… Thank you. I can't wait to continue this series. Thank you Sam! 🙂
Wonderful review, Emma!! I found your blog through Goodreads, and thought I'd stop by! My blog is http://sweetandsassyreviewz.blogspot.com if you'd like to check it out. I followed you as well. 🙂
Thank you Natasha, I will be sure to stop by and thanks for following as well! 🙂
WAIT… This is already out?? Man, I've really lost touch. I blame exams. Anyways,you're right this series is super addictive. I need to get my hands on this 🙂
YES! You must read it!!! Its very addictive, though Rome is still my favourite. Yes, I hated when I had to do my exams and stopped me from reading it was rather annoying. Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
I'm glad that despite the slow start you were able to enjoy this series overall Emma, I hadn't really considered giving this series a go before, but there seems to be a lot of readers who have been enjoying this! Thanks for another lovely review!
Yes, I think aside from the negative I may have with beginning the character development really progressed and made it very additive and enjoyable. I really hope you get to start this series soon, Jaspirt! 🙂