It's not easy to listen to your heart, when your head is sending you mixed signals. Her head is telling her, he's bad news. Her heart is drawn to his tormented soul. His head is telling him to stay away. His heart is begging for him to take a chance. Church and Dixie are wrapped up in a ball of confusion. From mutual attraction to dangerous secrets and heartbreaking betrayals this duo is hard to keep up with. Riveted is the first novel that I have read and it is electrifying to the senses how fast paced it is. Like a mini movie with a large impact.

bring it on!....


finished this one late so I'm now catching up on reviewing it.

woweee. this one had me all kinds of hot and bothered.

I can totally appreciate just how much time and efforts goes in to writing theses stories. the story itself is seamlessly written in such a descriptive well informed way you feel as if you're apart of they're world. the storyline flowed great and everything felt well rounded. Nothing stuck out and made me think that shouldn't of been there. all the pieces of the puzzles came together perfectly resulting in a well written really enjoyable story.

Dixie is my new favourite person. She's looking for her forever man and she's positive she knows who that person is. Problem being he definitely isn't looking for his. Giving up on something that seems like a dead end she tries the online dating route....
girllllllll. Holy shit she had some rough rides there. No matter the turnout though she always had this infectious positive energy about her that made you want to think positive yourself. Don't mistake that for thinking she was like a walking glitter ball because she isn't. she just had a good mind set even though she has dealt with her own problems. I appreciate just how strong her character is. It takes more energy to be happy even when your not feeling in than it does to be miserable.

Church is definitely the perfect secretly sweet brooding alpha. Having spend the last decade running away from his feeling and not wanting the face his past he has become used to his solitude. His stand of don't mess with me demeanour is still very much an ingrained part of his personality but it also hides the fact that deep down he's a very scarred lonely man who doesn't know how to deal with a decade of guild and despair that's slowly creeped up over the years. The best part about him though is than when it all comes down to it he didn't deny this. he knows exactly why what and where an he isn't so much afraid to admit the problems as he is more afraid of facing them.
under all of it deep down he's a sweetheart though. his honestly had my heart melting for him and his horrible tragedies had my heart crying for the young man who lost more in his short life than anyone should in their whole life.

There journey of love and happiness wasn't easy. They both had a lot to overcome before the would find peace.. especially Church. like I said it was a pretty rough road but nonetheless beautiful. You get to see Dixie learn to be happy without trying to fix everyone else's problems and you get to witness Church's road to redemption, A second chance for him and also some real lessons in learning that no matter how much you fight it love always wins regardless of how much you will it not to.

I loved these pair together. Dixie is definitely the light to Church's dark. The chemistry between the pair is palpable. they're relationship went through a bucket load of emotions but in the end it love one out and it was sweet to read.
the side characters are always entertaining and this story is no different.

the story has a little of everything that you'd want in a story. It took me through a mini rollercoaster of emotions with a happy ending to boot. I cant wait for what's next.

Wheeler and poppy next maybe? that's sure to be a heartbreaker.

I've not gone into much detail because it would ruin the story for you however what I will say is that the standards of this books are still that same great quality Jay is known and loved for. Also that this books has emotional ties that blow way beyond fiction. this booked meant something and you could most definitely feel that through the writing.

my only one complaint would be I wanted an epilogue of them i'd of loved that however even still it was great without and it left you pinning for what's next.

<b>I kindly received this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review</b>

Riveted is the third book in the series, Saints of Denver, by Jay Crownover. We have met Church and Dixie in past books and who wouldn’t be captivated but the spunky bartender and surly ex-solider bouncer.

Dash Churchill has lost more people he loved than one person should. To escape he turned to the armed forces and has never returned to the home that holds memories too painful to think about. But when someone at home needs him he turns to the one girl that had held him in place longer than he had expected – Dixie the girl who is there to help anyone who needs it.

Dash asks Dixie to go home with him and she jumps at the chance. But along the way weird and dangerous things begin to happen and as Dash and Dixie’s attraction to each other cannot be contained they must deal with the danger that is escalating and threating not just them but everyone that they love.

Riveted was a great addition to this series. While we don’t see to many characters from the previous series, Marked Men, there are some references to some beloved couples. I can’t wait to see how Wheeler and Poppy (the next couple to get a story) get their happily ever after.

If you’re looking for a girl with a heart of gold, a guy who needs some help getting out of his shell, and love sexual chemistry and a heartwarming story, you will like this book.

I received a copy of this book through Net Galley but my opinion is genuine.

Another addictive read.
Book 3 in The Saints of Denver saga follows Dixie Carmichael, cute, lovable waitress, and Dash Churchill, handsome, grumpy bouncer. Two complete opposites that really do attract. Dixie knows immediately that Church is her soulmate and one true love, unfortunately for her, Church has a lot of issues, and is unwilling to let Dixie anywhere near his heart, or his body for that matter. Fate has other plans though, and Church and Dixie end up taking a road trip back to Church's hometown in Mississippi and it doesn't take long for Church to renege on his vow to keep his hands to himself.
As ever, Jay's writing is impeccable, the story is compelling with a few twists and turns that I did not see coming, it definitely kept me on my toes. I'm loving this series which is a must for all fans of Jay Crownover.
I was provided with an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars. I absolutely LOVED this one. This series has been consistently strong - and this is the best book yet. I have to say, the Kristen Ashley feel of this book was very strong (and I am KA's biggest fan). I have read other books that are a clear ripoff of Ms. Ashley's work. In Ms. Crownover's work - you can tell that she is influenced by KA but isn't blatantly copying her writing style. Bravo. I devoured this one.

"...this is going to be the biggest battle you've ever fought and you'll never have been so happy to lose when you finally surrender."

Finally! Full of sagely advice, guilt over the past, fear of the future, and the search for love, Riveted brings us back to the astounding quality and overall level of captivating brilliance that I haven't felt since the glory days of the Marked Men series. Of course, I still like the early installments of Saints of Denver, but I often found myself feeling like they were just missing something. This was not the case with Riveted.

I absolutely loved it! Dixie was so lovable and Church-- HOT DAMN! Also, all the little extra parts with Poppy and Wheeler have made me even more excited to read Salvaged. Hold on tight people, and clear your schedules, because this one is packed with just the right amount of love, humor, and close calls that's bound to leave you Riveted.

First off I would like to say thank you HarperCollins for the opportunity to review this book because Jay Crownover is one of my favorite authors and this series is one of my favorites. I must say Church's story was one that I was anticipating reading because I knew there was more to his story. The things from his past will give us a lot of clarity as why is the way that is and all you would want to do his just love on him. Then we Dixie, so loveable and caring all I wanted was for her to end up Church because boy oh boy did he need someone like her in his life. I started this book and couldn't put it down, I believe I lost a lot of sleep because as usual Jay's words just catch a hold of you and never let go. I really don't want this series to end I have fallen so deeply in love with these characters, now I must wait for Poppy and Wheeler's story.

If you have not read the first books of the Saints of Denver or the Marked Men series, you will still like this book. However, since I've read both of the series, I was (again) swept into the lives and loves of all my beloved characters. I must admit, I'm not a fan of tattoos, but ever since I met Remy and Rule in the first part of the Marked Men series, I can appreciate the artists behind the tattoos.

And in this book we meet Church. Broody, dark and sinister, we already met Church in Asa's book. He is an army buddy of Rome (yes, the big brother of Remy and Rule) and he has some issues. Of course, there are dark secrets looming, but happy-go-lucky-Dixie does not care. She wants the big bad guy all for herself. But Church doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with her.

So, she turns to her friendly neighbour Poppy (yes, Salem's sister from Rowdy, Marked Men #5). But Poppy doesn't want to do much with men, because of her crappy history with men. Even Wheeler, Dixie's ex-brother-in-law, scares the hell out of her. (Or maybe not, if I read the blurb of Salvaged, Saints of Denver #4). So, Dixie tries to go out with other guys, through some kind of dating app. But what a bunch of weirdos where that?!

And then, Church asks her to come along to his home. To pretend to be his girlfriend for his family and friends. So she agrees, because she thinks this is the ultimate chance to prove Church that he is Mr. Right for her and not Mr. Wrong. But what if their pasts creeps up at them? Will they still have a future? Or was Church right in being Mr. Wrong?

Jay Crownover keeps you on edge from start to finish. Absolute wonderful story, with a smile and a tear. I'm waiting for Wheeler's and Poppy's story. Five out of five stars from me and a thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

**ARC received from the author for an honest review**

There are stories that make you cry and there are stories that make you ugly cry. Then there are stories that get deep in your gut, stir up the butterflies and the demons, and have them come out in hiccuping sobs of happiness. THAT is the level of emotion I got down to when I finally got my hands on Riveted and dove in to the story of Church and Dixie. This is not only a literal adventure tale; but a journey in learning, soul-deep, in to what makes Church the man he is.

Dixie is your down home girl with a heart of gold and smile to knock the sun off its axis. I love that Crownover got right down to her truth. She's seen some nasty in her life but nothing can bring this girl down to doubts and pessimism. She believes in a HEA down to her bones. And seeing Church, knowing what kind of man he is, she knows he's the right kind of man.

Church...gods where do I begin with Church! This is a man who's seen and FELT war. I cannot put into words the way my heart breaks for him. He isn't a good man gone bad, no. He's a good man who thinks he deserves the bad; and couldn't be more wrong. I pulled so hard for Dixie to drag him out to the sunshine and let him see how he belongs in the light with her.

I love that Crownover when a bit of anew route this time with the suspense of danger that happens with Church and Dixie on their journey home to the South. I loved trying to figure out who was after them and was completely surprised by who it was! I'm also so proud of her for taken on a touchy subject of race and Church's life having to deal with the differences he had to go through compared to someone like Dixie. It was nice to see it in a realistic light; that it is a subject that people have to live with.

This was one crazy ride with a girl with knew her worth and a man who found himself worthy of it. Every new tale from Crownover surpasses the last and pushes the bar higher for the next. I'm DYING for my man Wheeler's story. The glimpse of them in this was NOT ENOUGH. No matter what anyone says I will always love that man. I can't explain the way he jumps off the page to me! Can't wait for Salvaged but for now order your copy of Riveted AND HOLD ON TIGHT FOR THE RIDE!

Jay has done it again. Pure gold!

Saints of Denver (3), Riveted,  Crownover, Jay

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  romance,

I’ve read quite a few of Jay’s novels now, some I love, some are still good but not quite such a hit with me. Riveted falls into that category, and its really difficult to pinpoint why.

I love the characters, the settings, the realism of it all. There is irrational bigotry around, those who see skin colour and not the person, and when that happens to Dash and his brother  it felt so very genuine. I’m naturally fairly dark-skinned/tanned looking, though English through and through, and used to get bullied at school back in the sixties for my appearance, so I understand that affects people though I only had a small taster.
Its sad but a fact of life, people that are in any way different get picked on by ignorant bullies.

Poor Dash, what a tragic background and I kind of understood why he joined the Army as a teen, and how the awful things he’s seen since affected him. I still wasn’t quite convinced though of his reasons for a) not going home and b) feeling he wasn’t good enough for Dixie, that something would happen to her. Thank goodness that girl has some real sticking power!

Dixie – well, we need more like her in the world. she’s everyone’s friend, works hard, always has something nice to say, and always there ready to help.
She’s like a Pollyanna type but without the cringing sweetness, there’s something real about Dixie, something that makes her beautiful in spirit without feeling sickly sweet.

The sexual tension between those two – off the wall, and wow when Dixie finally wore him down – or maybe it was just that he stopped telling himself he wasn’t good enough, sparks flew.
They’re perfect together, but that HEA has a few barriers on the way.

There's some terrific secondary characters here too, who really caught my eye. Its a lovely story, a beautiful romance, with genuine feeling people and places. I could feel the sunshine, and here on a murky February morning in the UK just remembering that feel cheers me up.
Given all that why haven't I gone for five stars? Well, its hard to say, I did enjoy it but...sometimes I found myself drifting, not concentrating on the story, and other times I just had to put it aside for a while, and that doesn’t happen with five star reads. I just can’t work out exactly why though.
It’s clear its a five star read for many and that’s great to see. I just wish it had been that for me, but it fell marginally short.

Stars: Four and a half, just short of the magic five, maybe if I’d read all the former stories it would have hit that? Who knows?  

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Dixie and Church have been working together now for some time and she hasn't heard him speak hardly anything and she never sees him smile. The former soldier is resistant to their efforts to make him feel welcome and part of the family and she cannot figure out why. That doesn't stop her from being nice though.

Dixie also is looking for the one and contrary to the pattern of her family, she has not met that person yet. She is tired of waiting and has decided she is going to actively pursue finding her one. This includes dating online. Or she will accept that it just isn't in the cards for her. She is the person always ready with a smile, a hug, an ear to bend, or a shoulder to lean on, but no ones seems to see that she needs the same sometimes. That is until one night when some drunk customers are being a little too loud and Church comes and asks her if she's good. That is the moment she found the one. Only problem is, he isn't at all interested, it seems and life continues on as it is.

Church is going to have to face up to the music soon enough about lying to his family about the reasons he couldn't come home as soon as he was discharged, but he keeps putting it off. That is until his father calls to let him know the one woman he loves so much he has spent since he was eighteen trying to make sure she and the rest of his family is safe, has fallen and been badly hurt now he has to go home. And since one of those lies was because he had met a girl his father asks him to bring her too. The one person he knows will say yes is Dixie. She just can't help helping her friends out. So now he must ask her to go home with him. He just isn't prepared for her response.

This trip is enlightening in many ways to both of them and it is full of action and angst and grief. It's also the opportunity for Dixie to be with Church. But will she want him after she finds out his secrets? Is he strong enough to be able to stand up for the people who love him? Can he keep the bad away?

This is a great book! I have loved everything that I have read by this author. While I need to catch up on some of the reviews (books I read before I found Goodreads), this book is a winner in every way.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Personally, I’m an avid reader of all books Jay Crownover because I’m never failed to be amazed by her heroes & heroines. Riveted is the third book in the spin-off Saints of Denver series, so if you’ve read either the Marked Men or Saints of Denver series than you may have met Church or Dixie already. Church is the definition of the strong and silent type. His past is as mysterious are he is. Dixie knew from the moment the big broody man entered her orbit that he is her happily ever after. Only problem is Church didn’t get the memo or at least refuses to acknowledge it. Not one to hold out for a man that obviously doesn’t want her the same way, she makes a go of the dating scene in the hopes of finding Mr. Right. It is finally time for Church to face the past and to do so he asked Dixie to go with him back home. Dixie is always there for a friend in need so if Church is asking for help, she is more than willing to be there in his time of need. Up close and personal with each other causes a whole lot of complications especially because the chemistry is nuclear between these two. Church feels like he attracts all things bad in the world and really doesn’t want his bad luck to extend to kind hearted Dixie. I loved Church and Dixie’s HEA because it was intense and it was nice to finally learn the mystery of both main characters. Next up is Wheeler and Poppy’s HEA and with the little snips from Riveted I can’t wait for their HEA! Riveted is another mind-blowing novel with heart-warming characters! 5 stars!

I received an ARC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I willingly read and reviewed this book.

I have read every book by Jay, and this book is one of my favorites of all time. The angst, desperation, sadness and overall hope in this book is overwhelming, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Church is a tortured soul. He is hiding from his hometown because of all the sadness and heartbreak he has suffered. He ran away, into the army, when he didn't know how to deal with the heartbreak of losing someone important in his life. After getting out of the army, he ran to a friend (Rome Archer from the Marked Men Series), who was in the army with him. He doesn't want to go home, the reason why will break your heart. When he first met Dixie, he wanted her, but stayed away because he was afraid that he would bring heartache and hurtful things to her life.
Dixie is a ray of sunshine in everyone's life. She always wears a smile and helps her friends. She is loyal and is always expecting to find her "one" person to complete her. Church is that man. It doesn't hurt that he is sinfully sexy and protective. She realizes that they will never be more than what they are: she just isn't sure what they are to each other.
Church gets that call that a woman that he cares for deeply fell, is in the hospital and that he needs to come home. The only problem is that he told his family he wasn't coming home because he met a girl. Enter Dixie. He asks her to accompany him on the trip home and she accepts. They leave that day.
The tortured soul of Church wants to let Dixie in but doesn't want to hurt her at the same time. He keeps pushing her away until he realizes that she has deeper feelings than he realized when they left town.
Although they are together, he keeps telling her nothing can happen, but when one scary thing after another happens, he feels they are being targeted and he fears it's because they are together (he is biracial, so they are a biracial couple).
Once he makes it to his hometown, his dad accepts him back with open arms: the conversation they have late in the book mended my heart and opened Church's eyes to his feelings), his younger brother loves him but doesn't trust him, and the lady that fell is extremely happy to have him home and also very protective of him. Dixie is welcomed by the dad, but the lady makes her prove that she is in this for the long haul.
With more threats once they reach his hometown, he promises to protect her and his walls start to come down. Just when he decides to be all in, something life-changing happens and how he deals with it will determine his future. Can he follow his heart or will he continue to follow his head? Will he open his eyes enough to realize that Dixie has always been there for him and will support him in his life? Will Dixie guard her heart or will she fall? These are just some of the questions that arise while reading Riveted. This book gave me all of the feels that a great book is supposed to. I can't wait for the next Jay Crownover masterpiece.

Jay's books are amazing and very well written. This books is no exception A Must Read. This book is a series or can be read as a stand alone. I first read about (Church) Dash Churchill in Rome: The Marked Men series.
He comes to Denver straight out of the service Rome gives him a job at the bar where he meets Dixie. She is a ray of sunshine to his dark brooding persona trying to be everyone's friend. She believes in love and Church believes everything he loves dies so he pushes everyone away including his own family. When a family member gets hurt and he is forced to go home to Mississippi he asks Dixie to go with him and she does because she loves him. Can Dixie ever get Church to love her back or is she just setting herself up for a broken heart? Can Church ever let love in or will he always be stuck in the dark?
To read this book or any of her books:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jay-Crownover/e/B00AVA6S8C/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Jay%20Crownover%22?

Advanced Readers Copy Courtesy of Netgalley...:)

I am a huge fan of this author!!! I remember when she fist released Rule and even though it was her first book, I just knew she was something special......and like a fine wine, she just gets better and better as time goes on.....:)

This is the 3rd book in this series and I can honestly say I was ecstatic it was going to be Church's book. He has intrigued me since his character was first introduced and I wanted to get to know more about the quite handsome bouncer...

Dixie is a waitress at the "Bar" and she enjoys what she does. She has had a crush on Church since the moment she laid eyes in him. She has been waiting her whole life for her HEA and she believes that he is the one who is going to give it to her. After a year of pining for him and not getting anywhere she decides to try some online dating....Her dates end up being disastrous and when Church comes to her and asks her to do him a favor and come home with him to the place that he left 10 years ago, she agrees even though she knows he will probably end up breaking her heart.

Church left home 10 years ago when he enlisted in the Army. Her left to get away from the demons that tormented him there. Someone who means the world to him, is in the hospital and he now needs to go home and face all that he left behind.

This is a great read from start to finish and Church is one sexy beast of a man. The hotness factor was simply divine and I loved both characters in this book heaps.... Dixie is sassy, smart and one feisty little redhead. Church is all manly, growly and a huge big teddy bear at heart

Another great book from this fine author and I cant wait to read Wheelers book next!!!

I am a Dixie! I urge those reading this book to make sure you read the Author's Note at the end. The story was complete and perfect the way Jay Crownover wrote it, but the Author's Note is the cherry on top.
I identified with Dixie immediately. The one in the family who everyone looks to, whether the realize it or not, to be the fixer, the mediator, the glue that holds the thing together. The ray of sunshine that sees the good when everyone else is wading- or barely keeping their head afloat-in the bad. It's good to feel needed, but it's exhausting waiting for someone to realize that maybe, just maybe, you could use a shoulder to lean on every once in awhile. Dixie was all of that plus the chipper waitress with her sights set on love for a guy who dared break free on the eternal grimace plastered to his face. Church had suffered so much loss that he bore the weight of guilt that was smothering his chance at any type of normal feelings. Hiding in Colorado rather than going home after leaving the military, Church didn't want to face his real life. However, when that life knocks on your door needing you to answer and come home- you go. Church had been in the service 10 years and hadn't returned once he was out telling his family he was in Colorado with a girl. Needing to take that "girl" back home with him, Church enlists the help of the sweet Dixie that offered up her friendship to Church at the start, but a friendship he never returned preferring to stay cut off and to himself. Church knows Dixie's personality would never allow her to say no to a "friend" in need so he asks her to go home with him. Boy- are they in for a ride!
Dixie fell for Church the moment she saw him. Not just looks, but Dixie saw something deep down inside him, plus when he touched her she lit up like the 4th of July. However, Church made it clear he was not looking for any type of relationship with Dixie. Trying to get her love and desire put to rest for Church that he declares he would never return, Dixie decides she needs to try to find the elusive love match she longs for and embarks on a dating frenzy with one disastrous date after another thanks to a love app. After an atrocious night with a momma's boy who has a momma from the crazy bin Dixie thinks maybe this dating thing is a bad idea. The next morning is when Church shows up asking her to go home with him and Dixie reluctantly agrees.
So many things are going on in this story that create the perfect balance of crazy, sexy, tragedy and healing.
The drive is on the back of his motorcycle and while Dixie has a past which should scare her off the machine- she gives in to her tendency to please everyone else despite herself. - and to ride across country with a man you love who really doesn't want you. (Or at least he thinks he doesn't). Dixie and Church find themselves opening up about their past to one another, fighting their attraction for one another- ok Church is the one who thinks he can't give himself to Dixie because that girl is all in! When a few questionable events happen that threaten the lives and safety of not only Church and Dixie, but the loved ones that he is going home for, these two are coming together (pun intended) to protect themselves and family.
When Church is able to deal with demons in his life, he might just see that the flip side of looking at things can bring a lot more happiness.

These two were sweet, sexy and took you on an awesome ride in this story. I love the Saints of Denver story and loved the branching out with these characters and with the possibility of a new series - please!!

The weaving a Wheeler, Kallie and Poppy story through this one leaves me excited and anxious for the next book in the series!!