Asa by Jay Crownover

Asa (The Marked Men, #6)

by Jay Crownover

The sixth book in the scorching hot NEW YORK TIMES bestselling MARKED MEN New Adult series

Royal Hastings has been a cop, first and foremost, for most of her adult life. So when a call-out goes wrong and her partner ends up in hospital, she finds herself suspended from the job, indefinitely. With too much time on her hands and a heavy load of guilt weighing her down, she seeks solace in oblivion – otherwise known as a golden-eyed bartender with a rap sheet as long as her arm.

Asa Cross has spent his live on the wrong side of the law, but a near death experience has left him rebuilding his life and relationships. But being good is tougher than it seems – especially when being bad looks as good as Royal does.

On paper, the cop and the con seemed doomed to heartbreak – but when love has stolen your heart, how can you walk away?

Reviewed by Cocktails and Books on

5 of 5 stars

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You don't expect anything but perfection from Jay Crownover and her Marked Men, and Asa doesn't disappoint.  Early on in this series, Asa was the character that you wanted to like but he always did something to screw it up.  He kept getting in my "I can't decide if I like you or not" category.

Over the series, he redeemed himself in small ways but in this book, he really stepped up.  He knew how to help Royal and was able to give her exactly what she needed. He didn't want her to end up in the dark places he has been or currently still inhabitated.  It was fantastic to see Asa realize that he could actually do positive and redeeming acts in his life for a selfless reason.  Because his past was full of selfish, destructive actions, he has a hard time believing he deserves any kind of happiness.

In comes Royal...she is exactly what Asa needs too.  She wants him to see that he is worthy of love and happiness.  She doesn't run away from his stories of past bad behavior and constantly reminds him to live in the present.  She is a perfect match for Asa but he doesn't want to believe it.

The bumps and bruises these two endure to get their HEA are heartbreaking but I expect no less from Jay.  She sucks us in and keeps us their even after the last page.  I am sad to see the Marked Men series coming to an end but so excited for Saints of Denver.  She skillfully weaves these new characters into the back story of Asa which leaves us wanting more.

Reviewed by Candace.

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books.

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  • 23 April, 2015: Reviewed