Review: Crashed Out by Tessa Bailey (Made in Jersey #1)
Note: This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The way he said it suggested everything had changed. He knew it. He knew Jasmine knew it, too. Knew it deep in her gut that orange flickers had flamed into a fire. Instead of admitting the facts, though, self-preservation rose up and snatched the opportunity to protect her. "I was convenient for you, too." She whispered for his ears alone. "I went both ways."
"Convenient." The word came out sounding chocked. He took a step away from her, as if ending their conversation, but he came right back, eyes shooting sparks. She expected him to stop closing in, but he didn't. Just kept coming until his breath was pelting her forehead. "You know, I actually thought I could get you out of my blood with a few nights in bed. But was goddamn fool's mission. I'm the fool. I'll admit that. Nothing will ever work--because you're in me. And there's nothing convenient about it."
Sarge Purcell is taking advantage of his band going on hiatus to return to his hometown of Hook, New Jersey. He's looking forward to seeing his sister and finally meeting his niece. What he isn't sure about is how he's going to react when he comes face to face with Jasmine Taveras, the woman who's haunted his dreams for a decade and who was, and still is, his reason behind almost everything to do with his music. It was while listening to her sing that he was inspired to learn how to play the guitar and she's who he writes his naughty lyrics about. For years, she treated him like one would expect--like her best friend's little brother and the kid she babysat. But it's been four years since they last saw one another and Sarge is no longer the boy he once was. He's not sure if this is finally his chance to work her out of his system, but being around here yet again proves that getting over her may end up being an impossibility. As his long-held fantasies evolve into reality, Sarge must show Jasmine that what they share is no fling--it's for keeps.
If I could have quoted the entire book for this review, I would have. But then I'm pretty sure that would have been frowned upon. This excerpt I decided to go with is probably the longest I've quoted in any review ever. This Made in Jersey series starter was just that good of a read and I dare say that Crashed Out is the best Tessa Bailey book I've had the pleasure of reading. There's a rock star in the form of twenty-two-year-old Sarge Purcell, who's nursed a crush on his older sister's best friend friend, twenty-nine-year-old factory worker Jasmine Taveras, since he was a teenager, but it feels so much more than a rock romance and it proved to be way more than a teenage crush or itch that needed scratching. There's a lot of dirty talk and loads of dirtier sex, but there's also this effortless kind of sweetness that exists between them. All of that, combined with a story about one heck of a passionate mix of love and lust and two main characters who just seem so meant-to-be made for one of my absolute favorite reads this 2015.
Going into this book, you would think that the main issue that Sarge and Jasmine have to contend with is the seven-year age difference. While it is a sticking point at the beginning of their relationship, as well as the expected hesitance over becoming involved with a best friend's sibling, it's Jasmine's own feeling of inadequacy that gets to her and plagues them both. After all, Sarge left their hometown of Hook, New Jersey and made a name for himself in the music world, writing highly suggestive songs with his band, Old News. In the four years he's been gone, he's become increasingly successful professionally, but his roots still remain in Hook and he realizes the kind of life his older sister has been forced to lead because she's a single mother with a three-year-old daughter. But Jasmine's feeling of failure began even before he left, and her love for singing appears to have been snuffed out after facing disappointment after disappointment. She has no clue how she inspired Sarge to get into music or how she's been his only muse.
I'm not sure I can pinpoint which one thing I loved most about this book. The lighthearted banter, the serious exchanges, and the naughty promises and conversations are definitely part of why this book got to me. Then there's Sarge's introspection and how he just acted differently from how I would have expected a rock star to because public perception wasn't even something that he was worried about. One other thing had to be Sarge's relationship with his sister, River, and his niece, Marcy, and how River's story with her ex-boyfriend and Marcy's father, Vaughn De Matteo, was set up to be one heck of a must-read for next year. There's also the strong vibe going on between James Brandon, Sarge's best friend and the band's manager, and Lita Regina, Old News's drummer and resident bad girl. So, with a supporting cast of characters begging to for attention, main characters who steal your heart, and a story that made me squee more times than I ever thought possible, it's pretty safe to say I effing loved Crashed Out. Five-plus stars. ♥
Release Date: 07 December 2015
Date Read: 07 December 2015
Learn more about Tessa Bailey.
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