The Final Fight by JB Salsbury Review!!

"Wherever you are will always be home to me."-JB Salsbury, The Final Fight

Blurb:

When life brings you the perfect person at the worst possible time...

On a weekend visit to Las Vegas to visit his brother, Marine Braeden Daniels meets a woman who challenges him in ways he can't deny. The best part is she wants what he wants.

No strongs. No feelings. Just fun.

AJ is a Las Vegas performer who is finally living her dream. Growing up poor, she's determined to succeed at any cost. No one will stand in her way- not even a hot Marine who breezes into her life all confidence and a cocky smile. 

A few stolen weekends and neither can deny the feelings quickly growing between them. But the obstacles that keep them apart become more devastating when the Marine Corps calls Braeden away for a six-month deployment.

It's only six months.

What could possibly happen?

Review:

I'm incredibly grateful for receiving an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review. This won't be your typical review. It won't go through the development of the characters (though the characters are incredibly well-developed). It won't be a detailed summary of what happens in this story (though there will be parts of the story line). This review will be about the overwhelming feelings I had while reading this book and why I think you need to read it, but not just this book- the whole series. So, without further ado... 

You guys. <-- Channeling my inner Busy Phillips --> This is the LAST BOOK in The Fighting Series and I can't even tell you how devastated I am by this series ending.

JB is one of my absolute favorite authors and each book in this amazing series has been incredible. I'm seriously in mourning that it has come to an end. Luckily, I know that JB has a passion for her readers and knows how much her words have impacted them, so my guess is she'll remind us of our favorite rough around the edges, but incredibly lovable characters some time again in the (hopefully near) future. As you go through this series, it focuses on different fighters (hinted by the title of the series: The Fighting Series). Each fighter becomes my new favorite while I'm reading that book, their story is so impactful. JB has a way of truly making a reader feel that they are in her fictional world with the characters she's created and they are our friends, our family. While my favorite has bounced around and around, ultimately I have to make my claim on Rex (Fighting to Forget)- there's just something about him that breaks my heart and sews it back together all in one sitting. Tied very closely to Rex is Blake Daniels. My blog partner and I would have to come to blows with each other about Blake if my love for Rex wasn't so strong ;) However, we have both completely become smitten with the other Daniels brother, Braeden. <--- Yes, now comes the time that I wrap my endless love letter to JB back around to the current book I'm reviewing! ---> I have been waiting for Braeden Daniels' book ever since his character was first introduced early on in the series. JB gave us maybe a paragraph to introduce Braeden, but I was already intrigued and needed to know more. JB did not disappoint when she gave Braeden his turn. 

Braeden's story is one that touches close to home for me in multiple ways. I'm a family therapist so I like to read about and observe family dynamics. The Daniels family has plenty. More than that though, my personal life has been affected by the military and I have a huge interest and passion for our service members. There were so many parts in The Final Fight that I imagine are so relevant for many people/couples who've gone through deployments as well as everything leading up to their separation. As hinted at in the blurb, there are some real challenges that both Braeden and AJ have to face in their story. The battle that Braeden has to fight is a lot less physical than some of the other battles of the other characters in the series, but that doesn't mean it wasn't just as difficult to get through if not a heck of a lot worse. There was one particular scene in this book that got me, right in the feels, more than any other part of this story. The funny thing is, it wasn't between Braeden and AJ. It was between Braeden and his brother, Blake and it's good. JB, those words- keep writing words like this. 

"When I look in your eyes and no longer recognize my brother in there, I will not stand by and let you slip away."

My gaze drops back to the sink, and tears build behind my eyelashes. "I'm fucking lost, bro." 

"Nope. You're not." He puts both hands on my shoulders. "I will die before I let you go, you hear me? You'll be back. You'll be fighting for this shit too, but until you're there, until you get your fight back, I'm fighting for you." 

That, my friends, is just one small example of how well JB writes love. This example is a brotherly love, familial love, but it's a love that can transcend any type of typical circumstance- it's that love for one another, that love where another person can see someone lost and struggling and reaches out to help, refuses to give up on them, even when they are ready to give up on themselves, that can show someone the true meaning of love. There are so many examples of love in this story. Braeden has so many who come around him in his time of struggle. 

AJ is one of them. Braeden and AJ knew from the beginning there was something special between them. A chemistry that neither of them had experienced before. Their story is long and hard and passionate and real. There are highs and lows, but throughout the entire story, you (as the reader) are pulling for them. There are times I want to reach through the book and shake AJ. There are also times I want to reach through the book and shake Braeden. There are multiple times I want to reach through the book and hug them both and tell them to keep going. Keep fighting. Keep loving. 

There are parts of this book that you'll love, parts that you'll hate, and parts that you hate that you love. You'll feel conflicted on multiple occasions. You'll feel the hurt and pain they feel beyond measure. You'll see the sparks fly when the passion is high. You'll feel hope and love beyond all measures. I hope you read this book. I hope you read this series. I hope it reminds you of all the feels. 

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2hWLNGe

UK: http://amzn.to/2wD7vlq

AUS: http://amzn.to/2xoxjGq

iBooks: http://apple.co/2fMnURI

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2uB5JV9

B&N: http://bit.ly/2i6EyLW

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2vvqkco

Fighting Fate by JB Salsbury Review!!

"You don't need to protect me, Kill." Her lips are at my ear. "I can handle a lot more than you give me credit for." "I know you can, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Fight me all you want, but you can't fight the inevitable." - JB Salsbury

I chose the above quote not because it's sweet, not because it's romantic, it's both those things. Most of all, I chose that quote because it PERFECTLY represents this book in its entirety. This singular quote tells you all you'd really need to know, especially about Killian. 

I was given an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. As always, I am so appreciative of that, Mrs. Salsbury and I thank you for the beautiful story I just read!! 😍

Killian is protective, gorgeous, dedicated, determined, loyal, strong, and faithful. Faithful not just to Axelle relationship-wise, but faithful in that he has stood by her. He has given and would give it all, give  everything for her; all she has to do is let him- she doesn't even have to ask! The star of this book for me is Killer, hands down. I'd been excited about this book for so long, ever since we were introduced to Axelle and Kill. I knew there story would be epic and JB didn't let me down. I'm not shocked by that, though-- there's nothing she's ever written that I didn't drool over!!

Axelle is fantastic, too. She's not your typical heroine. She can be pretty rough around the edges, but has a bright, shining diamond hiding deep inside. She's been hurt more in her young life than many will experience. She's been repeatedly let down by men who are supposed to love and care for you, even if no one else in the world did. She has a pretty low self-esteem because of it but she has a killer best friend who's always been there to support her and try to help build her back up. Though she's definitely had some horrible cards she's been dealt, she still ends up a pretty lucky girl!

Though hard to see it and feel it at times, Axelle has a support system that most people would love to have. She has a man who would give up himself for her happiness, she has a mother who's had a difficult life herself but always kept her daughter as her #1 priority, the most adorable little brother, and the most loving, protective Step-Father who stepped in to be the father he didn't have to be. That's not even all-- she's got a lovely family that's not blood, but runs even deeper. She's part of the UFC family and after reading this series, there seems like no other place that I'd rather be!

"For a moment, I just sit back and watch as this group of men argue who gets to exact retribution on the dickwad that put Axelle through hell, and it hits me that, although the two men who meant the most in her life left her, they've been replaced by this renegade team of fighters who would gladly get arrested for her. My heart swells at the show of support, and I wish I could capture it on video and show her just how loved she is."

I think that's what I love most about this whole series. This family. This renegade group of individuals who are so different, have all had so much struggle in their lives, but FIERCELY love those that are in their inner circle. They are so welcoming and selfless, when in most of their own stories, that urge to be so giving and caring has been beaten down, shattered, and suffocated. Fighting Fate was no different. I'm not going to go into too many details of their story. You can get that from reading the synopsis. I hope I've painted a good picture of the characters though, because in my mind, that's what this book is. These two characters and their story. I highly encourage you to read it- there's no way you'll be disappointed!

Until next time, much love and keep readin'!

Fighting the Fall by JB Salsbury Review!!

"I always want more. That's my problem. I want to be the girl that a man can't live without." - JB Salsbury, Fighting the Fall

We received an ARC for an honest review, generously provided by JB through Knock Your Boots Off! We are SO grateful to have the chance to read this book and share our thoughts on it... It is a definite DON'T MISS! 5 Star Book for us :) This review will be a little different as both Candace and I are working on it together, you'll get two times the opinion on this book because we both read it and both bow to Jamie and her awesome writing skills!


 




 Chelsea's thoughts:

 Seriously don't know where to begin with this one. JB is at the top of my list of favorite writers in the NA Genre. She never fails to create a storyline where it can break your heart, make you laugh, make you cry, and make you audibly gasp all at the same time. She is so good at character development and really making you feel what those characters feel. Once again, I love that we get the dual POV. I love the dynamic between Cameron and Eve, and hearing their own thoughts. I've loved Eve since Fighting for Flight, so I have been so anxious to finally read her story! It was totally worth the wait :) Wonderful.

 Ok, sorry- just had to get some of my excitement out! I loved this book. My favorite Fighting fella is still Rex, hands down, but Cameron definitely pulled at my heart strings. Ugh. I felt for him. My heart hurt for him and the guilt that he's carried with him for so many years. But the true star for me in this book is definitely Eve. I think I identify with her more than any of the other Fighting leading ladies so far. Her confidence has been rocked by the crappy guys she's had in her past, and Cameron doesn't really help that at the beginning of their 'relationship.' There were so many times where I was seriously shaking my head at her, or Cameron, or both!!

 

 While I was frustrated with both of them at times, I knew they belonged together. They were just good for each other. He could provide that love and support that she really needed, not to mention a family. She gave him something to hope for, something to live for, something to make him smile. Cameron knew once he fell for Eve, he could no longer fight the fall.

 

Candace's Review:

"Falling isn't always failure. Sometimes the biggest victories only happen when we're brave enough to let go and give in to the pull."

Hot DAMN JB Salsbury you've done it again!! I never thought anyone would win my heart over like Blake Daniels did but Cameron Kyle stole it like a thief in the night. My God that man had me panting one minute and wanting to bash his head in with a baseball the next. And Eve Dawson...oh Eve, Eve, Eve I've waited patiently for your story and now that I've had it I swear you are the younger version of myself. We share common likes with the f-bomb!

I love the give and take, the pull and release of this story. We get both characters POV so there's always a balance on Cameron and Eve's stories. Cameron's past is so breathtakingly real and it really tugs at your heart strings. I could not imagine enduring that type of pain...it makes me teary eyed just thinking about it. And Eve, my God that poor girl and the attempt at trying to find true love. I can't blame her or Cameron for "fighting the fall" for each other I mean my God they've both been through so much, who wouldn't be afraid to let someone love them.

There were so many frustrating, heart wrenching, sexy moments throughout this book. I literally could not get enough! I mean that back ally scene...HOLY SH&%$^^$# that was one of the hottest scenes I've ever read...no seriously it is!! And can I say that the song Animals by Maroon 5 just happened to be playing at that particular time and made that scene soooooo much f-ing hotter! WHEW!!

I'm keeping my review short because Chelsea really hits on the highlights of the book but I wanted to put my two cents in because I was head over hells in love with this book. It's my favorite so far in the Fighting Series! Thank you JB Salsbury for being such a badass writer!

My playlist (I know Chelsea does this but I had to add mine for this book!):
1. Chandelier by Sia
2. Animals by Maroon 5
3. Burnin It Down by Jason Aldean
4. Fighter by Christina Aguilera
5. Habits (Stay High) by Tove Lo
6. Centuries by Fall Out Boy