Book Review and Giveaway for Straight Up Love by Lexi Ryan

STRAIGHT UP LOVE
by LEXI RYAN

For my 30th birthday, I’m giving myself the one thing I want most: a baby. Sure, this would be easier if I had a husband—or even a boyfriend—but I refuse to be thwarted by minor details.

When I drunkenly confess my plans to my friends, they convince me to ask Jake Jackson for help. Jake, the best friend who’s been there for me through thick and thin. Jake, who also happens to be smart, funny, ridiculously good looking, and the winner of all the genetic lotteries.

So when Jake takes me up on my request—with the stipulation that we get the job done the old-fashioned way—I’d be a fool to decline.

The only problem? I don’t know if I can separate sex from all the things I feel for this amazing man. If I can’t keep my heart under lock and key, I risk losing the relationship I need the most.

Jake has his own reasons for granting my baby wish. But when I discover his secrets, it could mean the end of us. I have to choose—run or stay and fight for love.

Fall for the boys of Jackson Harbor in Lexi Ryan’s sexy new contemporary romance series. These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!

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REVIEW: 4 Stars

"I want all the things I've spent years aching for and denied myself."

I am just so in love with this series. <sigh> I enjoy these brothers very much, and the love they give and the support they show for everyone is smile inducing. It really is!  With each book, I find myself falling deeper in love with another man from the Jackson family. So far, each book has been a journey, saturated with emotions and feelings I didn't see coming. Jake is the best friend of best friends...and you could see it. I loved their story, but I'm tellin' ya, I loved me some Jake something fierce!

I couldn't help but fall in love with Jake a lot more with this emotional addition to The Boys of Jackson Harbor Series, and I already knew I wanted to read his story after meeting him in The Wrong Kind of Love, but I just felt so sad for him while reading this one. Not bad....just, I didn't envy the position he was in. The pull he felt for Ava was so sweet, and I loved the way he made her feel safe and secure, but also sexy and desired. I mean, we all love a man that is so confident in himself that his sweet side is also confident and not so insecure. One thing I saw in him repeatedly and easily was the sincerity in his affections for Ava. Yes, they were best friends, but it would also seem a story about unrequited love. I loved seeing both sides of this one because feeling and seeing their pull towards one another was so real. Secrets and drama aside, their friendship was the foundation for an amazing love.

There seriously is not a selfish bone in Jake's body!!! There was not one thing about him I didn't love...mistakes and all! And knowing his sweetness, I have to say this story played out on Jake's every emotion!! Oh man, I felt his pain, his desperation, his need for Ava....and gosh, I felt so bad for him. His struggle is what I loved reading, but his conviction and character was strong! I know that sounds mean that I enjoyed his struggle and his pain, but it was just written so well. I felt his desire, I smiled through his small victories, and I reveled in their love. I love that Lexi can write a man's POV with conviction. She is able to make me believe and feel, while not making it sound so feminine. I love it!! And Jake's mouth....I could just feel his breath on my neck, and the chills on my skin as Lexi was telling me how he whispered naughties in her ears. Mmm mmmm, good.

"He nips at my neck and sucks. When I release a soft cry, he groans into my ear. "Christ. You're going to be my undoing, Ava."

Lexi added quite a bit of backstory and depth with this one. The weird part was, some of it didn't seem pertinent at the time I was reading it, but as I got deeper into the story, it was nice to see it all piece itself together and it made for some aha! moments. I never question Lexi's writing, so I knew there was a method to her madness with all the info she was giving us, but it always amazes me to be able to read it and see it come together. I loved that she was actually giving me some depth to the characters and the overall story. She's telling me Ava and Jake's love story, while filling in some more of the plot for more books to come, giving me insight on the other family members. All the while, adding another level to the base of this familial story and it made it more rich and enjoyable for me.

Lexi is such a solid writer with a penchant for sexy and sweet reads, yet they always pack some heat too. You know that ease and comfortability of sinking into an author's words? That's what Lexi's are. Comfortable. She endears you to her characters, like they are your best friends and you are along on their journey. It was no different for this story. I love these Jackson boys and once again I am looking forward to the next story -- Levi's story is coming in August! That boy is gonna be a heartbreaker, of course with something to hide! Add it to your TBR HERE. 

"I like the earth steady and solid beneath my feet, but Jake's offering the wind in my hair, the thrill of the fall."

~BEE

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MY REVIEW FOR WRONG KIND OF LOVE CAN BE FOUND HERE.

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~MEET LEXI RYAN~

Once a college English professor, I now write full time. I live in rural Indiana, where, when I’m not writing, I get to hang out with my husband and two kids--a six-year-old boy and a two-year-old hellion, er, girl. Not surprisingly, reading and writing remain my favorite activities, though both come in bits and pieces these days, not the big hunks of time I enjoyed before I had children. When I’m feeling virtuous, I like to go running (I use that word liberally. I’m really, really slow) or do yoga. Don’t worry, I’m always careful to balance out such activities with a hearty serving of ice cream or a chocolate martini.

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