#Review: Asa by Jay Crownover - 4 Wine Glasses

Title: Asa 
Series: Marked Men #6
Author: Jay Crownover 
Format: eBook/Paperback, 416 pages
Published: April 21st 2015 by Harper Collins
ISBN: 0007579098
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Crystal
Source: Edelweiss
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Jay Crownover’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with the much anticipated story of southern charmer and certified criminal Asa Cross.

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make. 

Crystal's Thoughts:
From the start, the Marked Men series has been an addictive ride - and Asa's story continued in that vein. Like a well tuned muscle car, the story powered through full throttle, engine growling, only slowing down for the cutting turns enough to process the avalanche of emotions. 

We first met Asa Cross in Jet, where his sister Ayden found love. Since then Asa has gone from a despised criminal to a loyal friend and brother, trying to atone for his past sins. And though his friends see the changes that he has made, Asa is reluctant to see himself as anything but a failure and a waste who still straddles the edge of right and wrong. When Royal Hastings walks into his bar though, looking for trouble, Asa suppresses the urge to give in to his desires and hers. Asa knows that he isn't good enough for the gorgeous cop and he will only cause her trouble down the road but Asa is exactly what Royal needs. He understands the darkness threatening to drown her after her partner and best friend's near death. And he is the only one that can pull her out of it. 

Asa is a story of two unlikely hearts colliding. What can be more conflicting the a criminal and a cop falling in love? As you would imagine, the author wove a captivating story of passion, heartache, ire, and acceptance. We've seen throughout the series Asa struggle with his past actions and slowly redeeming himself over them. Readers never knew if we could fully trust him though or if he would revert back to past behaviors, but we hoped. And all of that hope was finally rewarded with this book. The journey Asa traveled of finally accepting himself and the changes he has made, while recognizing that yes, he is good enough for a love like Royal's was filled with twists and turns. Royal doesn't run away from Asa's past though and firmly plants him in the present. These two balances each-other out so well and the dialogue was brimming with raw wit. 

Series characters play a big part in Asa, and as the end of the series each couple receives a fuller happily-ever-after. The ending is sure to leave readers smiling. While other characters have more threads weaved into the story preparing them for the upcoming spin-off series, Saints of Denver, which I am so looking forward to! Bottom line; Asa kept me turning the pages and I enjoyed his and Royal's story immensely. I dare you not to love a Jay Crownover book!

About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She will also be introducing the dark and sexy world of The Point in a new series this summer starting with Better When He’s Bad. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs. http://www.jaycrownover.com/