THE MISBEHAVED by JESSICA JAYNE RELEASE BLITZ includes REVIEW

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The Misbehaved

By: Jessica Jayne

Releasing May 10, 2016
Totally Bound

In The Misbehaved by Jessica Jayne, the only person in her family Natalea Jones has been able to rely on is herself. Her mother is a hopeless case that only turns to her when she's desperate for money. Really, if it wasn't for her best friend Drake Harte and his family, there's no telling where she would have ended up. Having been an unruly girl growing up, getting into trouble that she was lucky to get out of. Not wanting to lose her friendship with Drake, she hasn't acted on the strong feelings she has for him. But that's all about to change, because Drake wants her and he's not going to give up until he wins her heart.

The best friends to lovers trope is not one I read a lot of, but Ms. Jayne surprised me with this book. Right from the beginning, this story gripped my attention, as Natalea is very independent and certainly done well for herself. The heroine alone made me want to keep reading, because she hasn't had an easy life, but somehow she's managed to turn it all around. What has she gone through that has made her so close with Drake?

Both characters were engaging, and I loved the close friendship they had. The way they tease and flirt with each other made me smile, and had me cheering along with the secondary characters that believe they belong together. However, the dialogue was also intense due to the main characters back stories, especially the heroine's, which brings a dash of suspense to the story. Her mother is trouble with a capital T, and yet, Natalea can't help but come to her rescue. Yet, I liked that she finally said enough was enough. She couldn't keep enabling her mother's addiction, even if it brought trouble to her door. Trouble that Natalea might not be able to get herself out of.

Natalea is strong, brave, independent, and I could understand why she didn't want to give into her feelings for Drake. Because if they didn't work as a couple, then it was possible that she could lose him forever, and she couldn't allow that to happen. However, I liked that she took a chance on Drake. She deserved happiness after everything she's been through, and Drake was the perfect choice, as no-one knew her better than he did. While Drake, he's confident, smooth, and would do anything for Natalea. His love for her comes through loud and clear in the dialogue, and I liked that he stood up to her mother to make the woman see that she could not keep doing what she kept doing to her daughter. It wasn't fair to Natalea, not when she's worked so hard for everything she has.

Scorching, fan-your-face sex scenes heated up the story, and prove how much Drake and Natalea love each other, even if the heroine couldn't admit it to herself when she first took a chance on taking their friendship to the next level. Yet, Drake is very convincing and will do anything to prove she's the one for him. That she's the only woman he'll ever want.

Overall, Ms. Jayne has penned a wonderful best friends to lovers story with warm and inviting characters that have made me eager to read more of this author's work. The story was wrapped up nicely with Drake convincing Natalea about what he wants to happen next with their relationship. Who wouldn't say yes with what he was bribing her with? I would recommend The Misbehaved by Jessica Jayne, if you enjoy the best friends to lovers trope, or a story that combines a dash of suspense with a hot romance.

OVERALL RATING:

BLURB:

Natalea Jones has had a rough life. An absentee father. A gambling addicted mother, who seems to show up only when she needs something—preferably money. Natalea survives her childhood and teenage years because of her best friend, Drake Harte, and his family. Even though she’s been in love with Drake for years, she refuses to let her lust come in the way of their friendship. Life without Drake is not possible and sex would certainly complicate things.

Drake Harte is not only known as the most eligible bachelor and firefighter in Gamble Park, Florida, but he’s also known for sexing the ladies and leaving them. Only he knows the reason he can’t make a commitment to the women throwing themselves at him—he’s in love with his best friend. It’s time he either goes for it or moves on.

After Natalea and Drake share a night of passion, an unexpected event occurs that proves to both of them that life—and love—are too precious.

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Or what? Was his firecracker of a best friend challenging him? He may have gotten off his twenty-four-hour shift at the firehouse mere minutes ago, but he was always ready to rumble with Natalea. Her honey-colored eyes gleamed with the familiar twinkle she had every single time they provoked each other. She loved it as much as he did.

Damn!

He loved everything about her. She was a whole lot wrapped up in a five-foot-three package. She was beautiful—beautiful in a way that wasn’t cover model, but real. Sweet. Caring. Honest. Strong. Stronger than anyone he knew. Her life hadn’t been easy.

He exhaled a laugh before dropping the towel and placing his hands on the bar top. Having spent as much time as he had in The Misbehaved, he knew exactly how much space he had to clear before he’d be on the ground on the other side. He pushed off with his feet on the stool rungs and slammed it to the ground with a bang as he propelled himself over. He landed with a thud on the black rubber floor mat. Heads swiveled in their direction.

Natalea yelped and dropped the towel. She spun on her heels and dashed to get away from him. He swung his arm around her waist and jerked her flush against him. The feel of her softness against the rigid planes of his body made a groan bubble up in his chest. He bit it off.

He hoisted her over his shoulder and wandered out onto the floor. Her lush breasts pressed against him and made his cock twitch to life in his jeans. Her legs flailed in the air, her black work boots thudding against his abdomen. She may have been small, but she was mighty. He’d give her that. As the thought entered his mind, her teeth sank into his lower back muscles through his T-shirt.

“Ow,” he cried, surprised by her bite. “Watch it, baby girl. You know better than to walk this tough-girl path with me. It never ends well for you.”

She grunted and groaned at his words. Several of the male patrons hooted and hollered.

“Nice legs,” one of the guys standing by the pool table shouted. A few whistles followed and Drake realized what the fuss was about. Her already scant jean shorts had ridden up her legs, exposing all of her thighs, maybe more. Despite the crowd being predominantly female, the few males made themselves quite vocal.

A wave of possessiveness flowed over him. He didn’t like that the guys were gawking at her ass poised in the air, and at her tan, muscular legs draped over his shoulder. Legs he’d fantasized about encircling his hips as he buried himself inside her. That fantasy had recurred on numerous occasions over the last decade.

Yes, he pined after his best friend. Had for years. Whenever she was around, he popped a perpetual boner. He also needed to protect her, which pretty much ruined any chance she had for a relationship with anyone else. No one—and he meant no one—was good enough for her.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica Jayne is a born and raised small-town Ohio girl who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. What college major could possibly be better than one that makes you read novels and write about them! Now she is thrilled to be able to share all the hot stories floating around in her head.

Jessica loves to travel and travel often! She shares her love of travel with her husband and children. She’s a huge sports fan, especially football. She loves the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ohio State Buckeyes! She’s a wine-making (and wine-tasting) aficionado. She loves all music. And nothing is better than sunset at the beach!

In the journey of life, she also married a wonderful man and had three beautiful (and sometimes crazy) children. Life is always an adventure!