Sky's the Limit - Elle Aycart I received this book as a gift. Normally, I enter giveaways for authors 'new to me'. To be honest, I've read and enjoyed Elle's books before- its's been a loonnnng while. Her stories are sexy and funny and always have some underlying issues dealt in realism. However, Elle is my 'Before BookFriends' author, so following her and clicking got buried under the avalanche of recommendations.

Fast forward: I won Sky's the Limit book and made it my 10hr plane ride read. It is everything I wanted. It was funny and slightly out there at times. It's two people who believe they are not meant for each other but somehow are the right fit. And figure that out that they belong together. The secondary characters are hilarious and you can't help but actually learn to love their brand of craziness. She made me remember why I LOVED Heavy Issues amongst others in the Bowen Boys.
But... most importantly she tackled an issue with grace and perfection.

My 'hard limit' on books that tackle mental health issues. Its been my world for so long I feel the need to escape. And then I start to analyze how the author addresses the issue. So, yes, Sky's touches on depression but does so without using the topic unnecessarily.

So this gift brought me a return to an author who's writing I love.
5 out of 5 stars.

 

 

Meet Jack & Elle in Jacked Up by Elle Aycart!

 

NOW LIVE!  

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SEZFiM

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1UKDoRb

 

 

 

Title: Jacked Up
Series: Bowen Boys 4
Author: Elle Aycart
Publisher: Loose Id LLC
Cover artist: Valerie Tibbs
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense
Length: Novel

Release date: 3/8/2016
Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/bowen-boys-4-jacked-up.html
ISBN: 978-1-68252-081-9

 

 

 

Blurb:

 

Since James Bowen married Elle Cooper’s sister, tall dark and handsome Jack Copeland has become a permanent fixture in Elle’s life. A silent, rather annoying fixture, with his arrogant aloofness and my-way-or-the-highway attitude rubbing her the wrong way. So she does what any self-respecting woman would: aggravate the wits out of him.

 

Party girl Elle Cooper is everything covert operative Jack Copeland doesn’t want in a woman. Outspoken, sassy. A smartass. Too bad when he closes his eyes, all his mind conjures up is her. To everyone else, he comes off as intimidating and unapproachable. Everyone except Elle. So he does what any self-respecting man would: stay the hell away from her. But when Elle gets herself in deep trouble, all of Jack’s protective instincts kick in, and keeping his distance is no longer an option.

 

Elle’s already complicated life takes a downturn, and she’s given two choices: go to jail or stick with Jack.

 

With Jack and Elle in such close proximity, sparks are flying all over the damn place and it’s only a matter of time before they ignite. The only question is, who will kill Elle first? The vicious drug cartel hunting her or Jack?

 

 

*******

Prologue & Chapter One: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ke2IMehTTc4VllWWZDvQrf3xDKD-fV3wJOqAEsAhmc0/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

Bowen Series Reading Order

 

More than Meets the Ink (Bowen, #1)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Tzeogn

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AddDA2

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1DjeSLD

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1BLgSg5

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1yVS0xC

 

Heavy Issues (Bowen #2)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TzesMU

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1yZFYrN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1vn91q6

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1tN4oEo

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1DjiFbW

 

Inked Ever After (Bowen, #2.5)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QQYQP6

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AddNYq

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1DshXJJ

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1HB27mj

Kobo: http://bit.ly/16duB52

To The Max (Bowen, #3)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QQYTuu

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AgchDW

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1QDtWtD

iBooks: http://apple.co/1QvkJ8K

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QA4zw3

All Romance ebooks: http://bit.ly/1KMsQZp

 

 

About the Author:

 

After a colorful array of jobs all over Europe ranging from translator to chocolatier to travel agent to sushi chef to  flight dispatcher, Elle Aycart is certain of one thing and one thing only: aside from writing romances, she has abso-frigging-lutely no clue what she wants to do  when she grows up. Not that it stops her from trying all sorts of crazy stuff.

 

While she is probably now thinking of a new profession, her head never stops churning new plots for her romances. She lives currently in Barcelona, Spain, with her husband and two daughters, although who knows, in no time she could be living at the Arctic Circle in Finland, breeding reindeer.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

This is book # 4 in the Bowen Boys series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  The reader will get more understanding and enjoyment if this series is read in order.  There are many spoilers in the book, if this story is read first.

 

Jack and Elle meet when her sister marries his closes friend.  After that, they just annoy the hell out of each other because it is fun.  In denial of all the sparks flying all around them, the onlookers are wondering who will get burned.

 

When she is in danger, Jack runs to help her.  He berates himself for not being able to stay away, but he cannot stop himself.  Elle is just as guilty.  She relies on Jack without realizing that is what she is suddenly doing.  All the while, things heat up between them, and the kisses take on a life of their own.

 

Such an amazing well though story!  I cannot believe how often I laughed in a book I thought would be so serious.  The characters are so good together and the heat is so HOT, it literally burns the pages.  I give this story a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

 

 

***This ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Add to your TBR at: http://bit.ly/20WofRu

 

Release Date: February 23rd

 

Since James Bowen married Elle Cooper’s sister, tall dark and handsome Jack Copeland has become a permanent fixture in Elle’s life. A silent, rather annoying fixture, with his arrogant aloofness and my-way-or-the-highway attitude rubbing her the wrong way. So she does what any self-respecting woman would: aggravate the wits out of him for fun.

 

Party girl Elle Cooper is everything covert operative Jack Copeland doesn’t want in a woman. Outspoken, sassy. A smartass. Too bad when he closes his eyes, all his mind conjures is her. To everyone else, he comes off as intimidating and unapproachable. Everyone except Elle. So he does what any self-respecting man would: stay the hell away from her. But when Elle gets herself in deep trouble, all of Jack’s protective instincts kick in and keeping his distance is no longer an option.

With Jack and Elle in such close proximity, sparks are flying all over and it’s only a matter of time before they ignite. The only question is, who will kill Elle first, the vicious drug cartel hunting her or Jack?

 

Bowen Series Reading Order

 

More than Meets the Ink (Bowen, #1)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1BHLGvQ

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AddDA2

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1DjeSLD

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1BLgSg5

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1yVS0xC

 

Heavy Issues (Bowen #2)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1ymbIUo

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1yZFYrN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1vn91q6

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1tN4oEo

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1DjiFbW

 

Inked Ever After (Bowen, #2.5)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1yVIYkq

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AddNYq

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1DshXJJ

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1HB27mj

Kobo: http://bit.ly/16duB52

 

To The Max (Bowen, #3)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1zSQoJ6

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AgchDW

All Romance ebooks: http://bit.ly/1KMsQZp

 

 

 

About the Author:

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

 

After a colorful array of jobs all over Europe ranging from translator to chocolatier to travel agent to sushi chef to  flight dispatcher, Elle Aycart is certain of one thing and one thing only: aside from writing romances, she has abso-frigging-lutely no clue what she wants to do  when she grows up. Not that it stops her from trying all sorts of crazy stuff.

 

While she is probably now thinking of a new profession, her head never stops churning new plots for her romances. She lives currently in Barcelona, Spain, with her husband and two daughters, although who knows, in no time she could be living at the Arctic Circle in Finland, breeding reindeer.

 

 

"You telling me you moonlight as a porn stuntman?"
He cocked an eyebrow. "You mean a stunt dick, right?"[...]
"Ace?"
"Yes?"
"Just for the record. I would never be a stunt dick. I would be the main dick."

4 Stars--Operation Kindle Klean-Up Kommencing! (Another one I had on there for some time.)

The Bowen Boys series is one I've followed for years. James Bowen, from "More Than Meets the Ink" has made an impression in book #1 nearly four years ago with his sexy blonde self. Possessive with a brain and not annoying, he's one of my fave heroes. And boy was I happy he had brothers. I preferred Christy in book #2 as a heroine because who wouldn't love a geek with body issues who finally gets a great guy in the super damaged oldest brother Cole?

But Max, the youngest blonde Bowen (with a nipple piercing), the stuntman and renowned ladies' man, his book was the one I was really looking forward. And I waited and waited. (And found books to keep me occupied in the interim if my shelves are anything to go by) But when I learned it'd be Christy's good friend, Annie - the recently knocked from a one night stand and older Annie as Max's love interest, I really could wait to read. (Age gaps are my kink.)

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. Far from perfect, it was entertaining and filled with Ayecart snark, one liners, Bowen men (*growls*), surprises and hot fucking!

"Good thing you're not a sympathetic puker."
"We need to stop meeting like this. I'm not used to making girls ill. This is very bad for my self-confidence. They tend to be doing something else when they're on their knees."

It was beautiful reading them go from somewhat friends to roommates to lovers. I love reading playboys falling in love! Max was totally clueless and it was great reading his reactions to the baby's father trying to get back in Annie's life or other men around the woman he just can't stop thinking about. Love the

rich

(spoiler show)

woman plot twist.

Max was courting her and didn't even know. And him being a modern day Viking (for a job) was a nice touch. Annie's friends and reading group was fun. Nothing wrong with reading "Cliterature". Sometimes the girlfriend bonding was a little grating but I think the author was trying to set up the other friends for future books.

As with a couple of other side people...with so much time in between it was a little hard to remember who was who.

Also, though I was happy with the couple and learning about both of their families and the way they fell for each other. It might be quick but because of the book length and since it spanned the pregnancy, it didn't read like it. There was some issues with formal speaking in the dialogue at times. Didn't read as natural. Also repetitiveness, more so in the first third, and some typos here and there. Plus, I know the Bowens are dream guys, but damn...everyone was on their dicks. Like everyone in the town. So some reality stretching will be needed.

One part that stuck in my craw slightly is after the art gallery opening between the main couple. It was bordering closer to something dark and ugly, Emotions be damned and it wasn't anything violent. But something about that scene...I wasn't too keen on.

But it didn't change my feelings on either character.

I like Max a lot. I like Annie a lot too. I still think Christy is my fave of the Bowen women but Annie is definitely a close second. She was smart (except for when it came to piece together the threats against her life but what was up with all of that? Wow!) There was a suspense plot added in, the entire escort baby daddy plot thing going on, Annie's entire family history (I learned about preppers - Thanksgiving was a hoot!!) and Max falling in love. It was a lot. But it worked. Can't give a 5 though.

The epilogue on one hand was indulgent (super long) BUT...

I got to catch up the future for the Bowen brothers.

I. Fucking. Ate. It. Up.

That was a step in the right direction for the mega long wait in between books.

I love the Bowen brothers and their women. I'm so happy how it worked out for them. Some parts cheesy, some parts a little predictable...and sadly no more brothers to carrying their arc. But they have friends. And the women have friends. And of course, the Elle and Jack mystery couple flirting this going on through the entire series.

I'm not sure if I'll come back for more years later. But I was so satisfied with "To The Max".

I'd recommend reading the books in order.

Great choice for my first book of 2016!