Ali Dean

Jordan Slattery is a college freshmen who moved from the east coast to California to follow not only her college dreams but her skateboarding passion. When she isn't studying she's all about the peace and connection she feels while skateboarding and hoping to connect with other female skateboarders. Normally a loner she finds herself adopted by her roommate and her circle of friends as well as meeting skateboard superstars.

Beckett Steele is a professional skateboarder who has returned to show more finish his degree this semester and doesn't have time for a girlfriend but when he sees Jordan skate and meets her he can't seem to keep away. Jordan is so talented, his friends can't seem to stay away from her either.

I know next to nothing about skateboarding but the author draws you into the skateboarding world and the passion behind the sport, as well as some of it's struggles with female skate boarders. I enjoyed learning about this world as well as these characters and their friends.

Their story is not cut and dried. Beckett is worried that Jordan is too young and his obligations and life are not something he wants to expose Jordan to but his feelings keep trying to over-ride his head. He tries to keep her in the friend zone but ends up sending mixed signals as his desires keep slipping past his guard.

I normally hate it when a character sends mixed signals throughout an entire book but this time it allowed me to see this character mature as he realizes how the past has been influencing his life and I came to appreciate it. I also appreciated how Jordan's circle of friendship helped and supported her and her decisions.

By the end of this book Beckett and Jordan's story is left unfinished so you will want 'Brazen Steele' on hand to know what happens next. I'm not sure why the author decided to end the book with their story unfinished, maybe it will become clear after I read the next book, 'Brazen Steel.'

I received a free copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/ show less

Genre; YA
Heat: 1
What I liked: Pepper was a well written character who had a lot of things I look for in YA books. She was smart, focused, determined, goal driven. I loved the character of Ryan as well. He is what I want all my students to be like! Pepper's grandma is funny too, providing the book with some great funny moments.
What I didn't like: For all the wonderful things about Pepper, I am really upset about Jace. He is a drug dealer who openly hurts her emotionally. Pepper is determined show more to continue to chase after him and change him and I hate when YA books go that route. Do I want to see Jace stop dealing? Of course, I think its a great lesson for a YA book. Do I want him to do it because Pepper gets him to? NO!!!!

Overall, this book is well written and I think a lot of YA readers would enjoy it because they won't be as annoyed with the things I am as an adult! I think my HS students would like it! show less

The story is starting to heat up! Roxie is crushing it in her personal and athletic lives right now. Ryker decided to become a decent human being toward her and they are figuring out how to manage everything together. Of course, the petty Patty who used to run around with him isn't having it and things got real at the end of the book. I'm interested to see what's left to cover in the third book.

Thank you to Ali Dean for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. My opinions show more are my own. show less

3.5 of 5 stars

This is Jordan and Beckett's story continued from 'Brazen Rush.' The story picks up right where Brazen Rush' ended with Beckett deciding once and for all that he wants Jordan in his life. They can't be out in the open about their relationship due to a reality TV show clause. This in between book is mostly about how they navigate their hidden relationship and the social media when pictures link not only Beckett with Jordan but Griff with Jordan.

The author highlights many of the show more good and bad issues sports celebrities must face with the public and social media and their followers and how it affects their family and relationships.

Like the previous book I didn't really understand why this story is being broken up the way it is, it felt unnecessary, although the cliffhanger on this one will definitely grab you.

I like these characters and their stories, I didn't feel like this was a complete book, even knowing from the start of the book that it would end on a cliffhanger I expected some sort of partial story arc closure, that wasn't realized.

I received a free copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/ show less