Rome (The Marked Men, #3)

by Jay Crownover

[Cocktails and Books]

Jay Crownover’s Rome tells the tale of imperfect relationship that may turn out to be just right. This is the third book in the series and features Cora, the pint sized math whiz who just happens to run the desk at the tattoo shop while providing piercings for all who want one. Because it is the third book in the series I would recommend that the other two books are read before you read this one. Reading the other two gives more details with regard to the back story and events that led the main characters to this point and I have found Jay Crownover to be a pretty solid writer, but you can read this one as a stand-alone. In this novel Cora’s search for Mr. Perfect gets interrupted by Mr. Right Here, her friend’s brother Rome. Rome is about as far as Mr. Perfect as you can get, having just come back from a war and dealing with more emotional baggage than any one person should be able to stand, but he and Cora try to filter through all the events that happen to them to make their relationship work.

Rome is really going through some issues, and Ms. Crownover is not afraid to show this beautifully broken man fighting his own battles and demons. I liked the manner in which he attempted to rebuild his life, and I really liked the end result. Cora is a take no prisoners kind of girl who is really just a romantic at heart. Her eagerness to find Mr. Perfect makes you want her to be successful, but her ongoing adventures with Rome make you root for them. Throw in some surprises, a couple pleasantly expected, others not so much and you have a great story with a wonderful cast of characters. Another solid book from Jay Crownover, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Lucy for Cocktails and Books