Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I loved the story and the characters and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the book. All the Corps Security boys sound SO sexy and I am dying to know their stories and who their possible love interests are. From what I can tell, Greg’s story is next and I want it now!
Axel was a super alpha hot which started his character in the right path (this girl loves her some alpha men) but it was hard for me to really love him because the character Isabelle scratched the chalkboard in the back of my head. I wanted her to be his minus her moments of telling everyone that she was strong and could handle everything but then would crumble over the weight of it all. If you have a super hot alpha male then you need a super hot (somewhat) alpha woman to be his companion. That is honestly the only problem I had with this book. It has a long, lost love that is reunited, a good amount of drama, great side characters, and some steamy scenes.
Axel was a super alpha hot which started his character in the right path (this girl loves her some alpha men) but it was hard for me to really love him because the character Isabelle scratched the chalkboard in the back of my head. I wanted her to be his minus her moments of telling everyone that she was strong and could handle everything but then would crumble over the weight of it all. If you have a super hot alpha male then you need a super hot (somewhat) alpha woman to be his companion. That is honestly the only problem I had with this book. It has a long, lost love that is reunited, a good amount of drama, great side characters, and some steamy scenes.
Really liked this one! good beginning to the series and got me ready to read more about the rest of the group!
Isabelle West (izzy) had the perfect childhood with loving parents who supported her and loved her more than anything. In her last year of high school she said good bye to the love of her life Axel. Shortly after Axel left for the Marines her parents died and she was forced to move away and to her grandparents. Shortly after being told Axel had died Izzy shut down and decided to try and just survive.
How will I make it without him? This boy I love more than anything.
Izzy finally opened the tiny sliver of heart she had left to Brandon and after 6 years of marriage and being controlled Brandon finally went to far and caused Izzy to run. 2 Years later Brandon still wont Accept divorce and now threatens Izzy's life.
Every day is a struggle for Izzy she is broken and scared for her life. After finally being convinced to get help her long lost love Axel is thrown in to the picture and this can either break izzy or save her.
Axel shut his heart down when he came back and found the only person in the world he loved gone without a word or a hint as to where she had gone. Axel knew Izzy was the only girl for him and no one will ever compare so why even try. One day he is thrown in to the path of the girl who broke his heart only she isn't the same girl anymore and he can't believe what he finds.
The Izzy I knew would never let a person break her spirit. Hell, in the three years she was my girl even I had a hard time keeping that spirit from overtaking me.
Izzy and Axel are forced to spend time together and it is no longer love at first site. Axel wants answers and Izzy just wants to run from him. This causes them to fight and the results are quite comical.
"One more time, and I sweat to God. Get in the Fucking truck"
"You idiot, what do you think I am doing? standing here for shits and fucking giggles? No definitely not. I can't get into your stupid truck."
The relationship between Izzy and Axel that slowly forms is so cute and so filled with sexual tension holly hottness. Axel is adorable and sexy all wrapped in one.
"Missed you... so fucking much, Princess."
Fuck, baby but the love I have for you is so fucking strong sometimes, I wonder if it will crush me
"I love you, Axel Reid. I have loved you forever and I will never stop.
I really liked this book it was funny, hot, loving and had many secondary characters who I have a feeling will get great books I can't wait to read.
How will I make it without him? This boy I love more than anything.
Izzy finally opened the tiny sliver of heart she had left to Brandon and after 6 years of marriage and being controlled Brandon finally went to far and caused Izzy to run. 2 Years later Brandon still wont Accept divorce and now threatens Izzy's life.
Every day is a struggle for Izzy she is broken and scared for her life. After finally being convinced to get help her long lost love Axel is thrown in to the picture and this can either break izzy or save her.
Axel shut his heart down when he came back and found the only person in the world he loved gone without a word or a hint as to where she had gone. Axel knew Izzy was the only girl for him and no one will ever compare so why even try. One day he is thrown in to the path of the girl who broke his heart only she isn't the same girl anymore and he can't believe what he finds.
The Izzy I knew would never let a person break her spirit. Hell, in the three years she was my girl even I had a hard time keeping that spirit from overtaking me.
Izzy and Axel are forced to spend time together and it is no longer love at first site. Axel wants answers and Izzy just wants to run from him. This causes them to fight and the results are quite comical.
"One more time, and I sweat to God. Get in the Fucking truck"
"You idiot, what do you think I am doing? standing here for shits and fucking giggles? No definitely not. I can't get into your stupid truck."
The relationship between Izzy and Axel that slowly forms is so cute and so filled with sexual tension holly hottness. Axel is adorable and sexy all wrapped in one.
"Missed you... so fucking much, Princess."
Fuck, baby but the love I have for you is so fucking strong sometimes, I wonder if it will crush me
"I love you, Axel Reid. I have loved you forever and I will never stop.
I really liked this book it was funny, hot, loving and had many secondary characters who I have a feeling will get great books I can't wait to read.
Axel (Corps Security Series #1) by Harper Sloan
Adult Contemporary
I knew right when I saw Axel by Harper Sloan last year that it was right up my alley. But for some reason I just never got to it. When it went on sale for 99¢ I went to grab it up but realized I had it. (What else is new?) Since Harper Sloan will be at Wicked Book Weekend, I knew I wanted to read Axel before. Then, one of my most loyal readers (I think it was Megan, but could be Scheva) said it was very Kristen Ashley-like, I moved it right up to the top. I was craving some badass alpha male.
WHY THE FUCK DID I WAIT SO LONG?????????????
Axel is everything I love in a book. Everything. A badass alpha, a couple with a history, great friends, laughter, heartbreak, tons of love, great sex, an awesome heroine, some action with a bad guy, and a cast of characters that I adore. Seriously like it was written for me.
The prologue had me hooked and already on the edge of my seat. Isabelle's husband is a total abusive dick. When she sneaks out to meet her best friend Denise, he catches her and beats her within an inch of her life.
"Cut off from those I loved and so terrified of his wrath; I wasn't going anywhere. Those were the years I prayed and prayed for Axel to find his way back to me… but I eventually had to face the facts… my hero was gone."
She was so in love as a teen. Axel, her high school sweetheart, was her future. They were everything to each other and would have been married after basic training.
"It will be over before you know it and I'll be back to get my girl...
"You promise to come back to me?"…
"Just try and keep me away."
Izzy never healed after Axel went into the Marines and never returned. Two weeks after he shipped out, Izzy's parents died, and she had to move away to live with her grandparents, but never stopped writing to her love, Axel. Until one day, a letter was returned from his foster mom saying he was dead. Broken and alone, after a few years, Brandon the asshole was there for her, gradually cutting her off from everyone, marrying her, then eventually abusing her.
Flash Forward 2 years after that last beating, 12 years after Axel's 'death'. Izzy is healing, but still completely broken. She's waiting for the asshole to sign divorce papers, while hiding from him with her best friend and huge support Dee (Denise), and the hot-as-hell badass who is a big brother and BFF rolled into one, Greg Cage.
They are as much of a family as you could be without a blood relationship, but even better because they are best friends. Greg and Dee look out for Isabelle who is basically shattered to pieces. Greg...sigh...wow, he is so amazing with her. I love how he called her 'baby girl' despite the overuse. And Dee is always there for her with a big, bright cheerful presence, she up and moved her whole business to take care of her BFF. I loved her character.
"Hey you sexy bitch, I see you decided to rock the birthday suit today. Nice choice, although, we might have some issues getting into the mall like that. I think there might be some laws against this. But, hey, more power to you!" She smacks my ass on the way over to park it on my bed.
Brandon fighting the divorce for so long concerns Greg, part of a very successful security company. So he brings in the rest of his Marine buddies to help out his girl. All of them are huge and gorgeous, and as Izzy meets and drools on them all, she finally gets to the last of the bunch.
"I look back up and meet the most stunning green eyes I have ever seen. Eyes I have seen before. Eyes I have spent hours gazing into. Loving and planning. Eyes I have been mourning for the last twelve years."
"This girl ripped my heart to fucking shreds and I never knew why. It would have been quicker if she had stuck around and shot me in the fucking chest. At least I would have died instantly, instead of bleeding out slowly for the last twelve years. "
Then she fucking avoids him! GRRRRRRR this drove me crazy. And even when they do get together, it takes forever to finally actually talk about what really happened. But when they do get together again....WOW. They REALLY get together!
“You really think that once I bury myself deep within your pussy and feel your tight walls squeezing the come right out of my dick, that I will ever want to let you go again? You must be out of your fucking mind, Princess. I won’t even be able to let you out of my fucking bed until we make up for every single day we have lost.”
And he did. Honestly, for most of the book, this was a 4.5 star read. I loved it, but there was enough that I didn't love. But then the epilogue. And the tears that rolled down my face....I hugged my kindle at the end. Literally hugged it.
Likes:
- •A new hot bunch! Yay! All the guys are great.
- •Dee was a great character, I loved her.
- •Greg. He is amazing, I can't wait to read his book, I'm already in love with him.
- •Axel. What a perfect guy...sigh....
- •Sway, the gay hairdresser was a riot!
- •Hot sexy sexing and dirty talk. Yum.
Dislikes:
- •Izzy was a little too whiney and crying and fragile in the beginning. I had a similar (but way later) loss than her, and didn't let it break me....it was 12 years already!
- •The way Izzy treated Greg. That guy was amazing, and he did not deserve her treatment.
- •I bought this a while back, with the old cover, so it may have been updated, but there were too many errors in my version.
Not sure if it's a like or dislike:
- •It's almost too similar to a Kristen Ashley book. A hot bunch of alphas in security, a second chance at love, a pushy alpha, and they even use yeah? at the end of a sentence. Since I love Kristen Ashley, it's great, but the yeahs made the similarities a little too much.
Rating: 5 Stars 4.5 Heat (Really runs between a 4.5-5, but I'm going with my immediate thought when I finished the book.)
I'm hesitant to give this 5 stars, because I have a feeling the rest of the series will be even better. This was a debut book! I have both Cage and Beck on my Kindle ready to go, and I can't wait to read them, because if Axel was so great, the next two must be phenomenal. Harper did an amazing job with this book. Any author that brings me to happy tears, deserves 5 stars in my book.
Purchase Axel by Harper Sloan
Amazon | BN.com
Series Order (Click covers to purchase):
Please visit my blog Ana's Attic Book Blog and join my page on Facebook
Harper Sloan has written some very sexy men. I mean I think I fancy them all actually.
It's best to check the trigger warnings in Axel because it starts off straight in the thick of it with a scene from Izzy's relationship with her ex partner, who does reappear throughout the book and difficult scenes do transpire.
Izzy can probably come across as marmite because she sometimes goes off the rails when it's uncalled for or overreacts, but I really came around to liking her and her over the top moments when she was enraged. Harper has written some very strong female characters and Izzy's character arc from being the abused house wife to this fiesty, independent woman is amazing to read.
Axel had me swooning from the moment they reconnected in the club. He's the perfect combination of protective alpha and sweet boy next door - now with a lot more muscle. I love how their story reconnects and the drama that occurs from their past. The conflict which split them apart is something that I very rarely read and it was intriguing to see where it went.
Highly recommend!
It's best to check the trigger warnings in Axel because it starts off straight in the thick of it with a scene from Izzy's relationship with her ex partner, who does reappear throughout the book and difficult scenes do transpire.
Izzy can probably come across as marmite because she sometimes goes off the rails when it's uncalled for or overreacts, but I really came around to liking her and her over the top moments when she was enraged. Harper has written some very strong female characters and Izzy's character arc from being the abused house wife to this fiesty, independent woman is amazing to read.
Axel had me swooning from the moment they reconnected in the club. He's the perfect combination of protective alpha and sweet boy next door - now with a lot more muscle. I love how their story reconnects and the drama that occurs from their past. The conflict which split them apart is something that I very rarely read and it was intriguing to see where it went.
Highly recommend!
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
Axel was a fun read. It was one of those books that I should have hated, that the main character should have annoyed the heck out of me, but I didn't. It is just the difference that is the author. She made me care about the characters even though I would normally find them annoying. It was great.
Isabelle and Axel were in love. From the moment they met it was just right between them. Yes, they were young, but they planned a future together. Only Axel went off and joined the military, which Isabelle supported 100%, but he never returned for her. She was devastated, thinking he was gone for good and she would never be able to see him again.
Axel missed Isabelle so much, but when he returned for her she wasn't there. Some other things had happened and she had to move, but no one could tell him where to. He spent years searching for her only to find her married. He thought she had moved on, that she was happy, so he tried to let it be. Tried to let her live her life. He still loves her even if he is very angry with her for leaving him without a word. It was really just a big case of wires getting crossed and people keeping information from them. It was one of those if they would just talk they would figure everything out and they could try again. Only Isabelle refuses to talk to him. She is one of those people that just hides from what is happening instead of facing it.
After she thought Axel was gone for good Isabelle tried to move on. She thought she had found someone who she could be happy with. Not like Axel, but since he is no more someone she could spend her life with. Only her happily ever after turned into a nightmare when her soon to be ex started hitting her. She put up with it for a long time until things finally went too far and he left her passed out on the floor. She finally was able to escape with her bestie, but it has been hard putting the pieces of her life back together again. Thankfully she has great friends who are there for her no matter what.
When her soon to be ex starts getting a bit creepy, when they realize he knows where she is, Isabelle's friends make her agree to try and do something about it. To get more security and whatever needs to happen to keep her safe. Her one friend, Greg, especially is determined to keep her safe. Greg who knows/works with Axel, but doesn't know he does since he doesn't go by that name anymore. Greg who won't let Izzy just crawl inside herself again. Greg who will do anything to help her.
Izzy is why I was so surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I normally hate girls who are so stupid and just run. She refused to even talk to Axel about anything but her ex situation for so long! It was very frustrating. She wouldn't listen to anyone and just was aggravating. She would just be a little brat all the time. She would throw temper tantrums and it was just a lot of things I usually hate, but I didn't. Yes I would yell at her at times, but I still liked reading her story. I was still rooting for her even though she was the one standing in the way of her own happiness for so long. Still a great read and I can't wait to read everyone else's story!
Axel was a fun read. It was one of those books that I should have hated, that the main character should have annoyed the heck out of me, but I didn't. It is just the difference that is the author. She made me care about the characters even though I would normally find them annoying. It was great.
Isabelle and Axel were in love. From the moment they met it was just right between them. Yes, they were young, but they planned a future together. Only Axel went off and joined the military, which Isabelle supported 100%, but he never returned for her. She was devastated, thinking he was gone for good and she would never be able to see him again.
Axel missed Isabelle so much, but when he returned for her she wasn't there. Some other things had happened and she had to move, but no one could tell him where to. He spent years searching for her only to find her married. He thought she had moved on, that she was happy, so he tried to let it be. Tried to let her live her life. He still loves her even if he is very angry with her for leaving him without a word. It was really just a big case of wires getting crossed and people keeping information from them. It was one of those if they would just talk they would figure everything out and they could try again. Only Isabelle refuses to talk to him. She is one of those people that just hides from what is happening instead of facing it.
After she thought Axel was gone for good Isabelle tried to move on. She thought she had found someone who she could be happy with. Not like Axel, but since he is no more someone she could spend her life with. Only her happily ever after turned into a nightmare when her soon to be ex started hitting her. She put up with it for a long time until things finally went too far and he left her passed out on the floor. She finally was able to escape with her bestie, but it has been hard putting the pieces of her life back together again. Thankfully she has great friends who are there for her no matter what.
When her soon to be ex starts getting a bit creepy, when they realize he knows where she is, Isabelle's friends make her agree to try and do something about it. To get more security and whatever needs to happen to keep her safe. Her one friend, Greg, especially is determined to keep her safe. Greg who knows/works with Axel, but doesn't know he does since he doesn't go by that name anymore. Greg who won't let Izzy just crawl inside herself again. Greg who will do anything to help her.
Izzy is why I was so surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I normally hate girls who are so stupid and just run. She refused to even talk to Axel about anything but her ex situation for so long! It was very frustrating. She wouldn't listen to anyone and just was aggravating. She would just be a little brat all the time. She would throw temper tantrums and it was just a lot of things I usually hate, but I didn't. Yes I would yell at her at times, but I still liked reading her story. I was still rooting for her even though she was the one standing in the way of her own happiness for so long. Still a great read and I can't wait to read everyone else's story!
I really wanted to like this story but I couldn't get over how annoying I found the MC Izzy. I get it she's been through every horrible thing ever, but I can't stand whiny people IRL I don't want to read about them in a book. With in the 1st few chapters I was over her and it only got worse. I admit I skipped through some/most of the middle where she was treating people like crap, especially one friend in particular. And seriously could this chick cry more? I mean come on. Stop crying.
I am an erotica fan, but there were moments in this book that even I was like, is that necessary? That's not good cause it takes a lot to turn me off but it was over the top and at times down right uncomfortable (and I'm not talking about the abuse).
The editing left a lot to be desired which constantly pulls you out of the story. Tense kept changing and small details here and there didn't work for me.
Lastly, I felt like the author was trying to hint at too much. Something with Greg. Something with Dee, but neither are resolved which I found frustrating on top of everything else.
Now all that said, I will give the next book a try because authors grow and I would love to see a better novel but I am worried and have very low expectations going in.
I am an erotica fan, but there were moments in this book that even I was like, is that necessary? That's not good cause it takes a lot to turn me off but it was over the top and at times down right uncomfortable (and I'm not talking about the abuse).
The editing left a lot to be desired which constantly pulls you out of the story. Tense kept changing and small details here and there didn't work for me.
Lastly, I felt like the author was trying to hint at too much. Something with Greg. Something with Dee, but neither are resolved which I found frustrating on top of everything else.
Now all that said, I will give the next book a try because authors grow and I would love to see a better novel but I am worried and have very low expectations going in.
A fun(-ish), steamy read with a good dose of drama.
3.5 Stars
Took me about three sittings to read this. I didn't get too emotionally invested in it unfortunately but it was a good read. I'd recommend it if you love the hot alpha male type completely head over heels in love.
The Good
Marines. Need I say more?? I can't wait to read each of their stories because they all sounded hot as all hell in this when they were introduced.
It had great friendships which I love reading about it books. Dee and Izzy were great and Greg, Izzy and Dee together were fantastic. Those three were the highlight for me in the book.
In fact, part of me was rooting for Greg and Izzy instead of Axel and Izzy (I cannot wait for his book!).... I also loved the growing friendship between Maddox and Izzy. That was sweet!
Axel and Izzy had a hot as hell, sweeter than candy relationship which was fun and heartwarming to read.
SWAY! Oh LAWD! I adored him and his cute little obsession with Axel hehe
The Bad
Aside from everything Brandon, there wasn't anything too bad. I just wish I could have been more emotionally into it but I wasn't.
Cute Nicknames
from Axel to Izzy: Princess
from Greg to Izzy and/or Dee: Baby Girl
3.5 Stars
Took me about three sittings to read this. I didn't get too emotionally invested in it unfortunately but it was a good read. I'd recommend it if you love the hot alpha male type completely head over heels in love.
The Good
Marines. Need I say more?? I can't wait to read each of their stories because they all sounded hot as all hell in this when they were introduced.
It had great friendships which I love reading about it books. Dee and Izzy were great and Greg, Izzy and Dee together were fantastic. Those three were the highlight for me in the book.
In fact, part of me was rooting for Greg and Izzy instead of Axel and Izzy (I cannot wait for his book!).... I also loved the growing friendship between Maddox and Izzy. That was sweet!
Axel and Izzy had a hot as hell, sweeter than candy relationship which was fun and heartwarming to read.
Spoiler
the pregnancy was so beautiful! I cried!!!SWAY! Oh LAWD! I adored him and his cute little obsession with Axel hehe
The Bad
Aside from everything Brandon, there wasn't anything too bad. I just wish I could have been more emotionally into it but I wasn't.
Cute Nicknames
from Axel to Izzy: Princess
from Greg to Izzy and/or Dee: Baby Girl
Why have you not read this book yet!? Get it, now. One of the best books of the year for me.
A very under-average novel. The characters were bland, and lots of things were incredulous: how Izzy, the main female character, changed her personality so much, from the scared, mousy house wife, into a sex vixen, with the very expressive vocabulary to go along. Ah, and the petite woman can drink so much, a big-assed macho man would get alcohol poisoning, but not our heroine, she doesn't even get sick. The plot was drawn out and unrealistic. I didn't buy and will never buy that Greg, a young, healthy, testosterone filled male, who's not gay, will just hang around two young, beautiful women and be their guardian, without ever making a pass at either of them. Right!!!! As if that will ever happen! I didn't buy the drama about Izzy and Axel just losing track of each other. She didn't change her name, she went to University, she got married, there is no way he couldn't have tracked her down. Sure, when one reads this kind of books, one suspends their brain to a certain degree, but still... Ah, and I'm no prude but I didn't like Axel's sex talk, including his use of the C word. I just found it off-putting. And yeah, he's all cave man, overly possessive, but yet he's emotional and weepy blah blah blah.. Yeah right!
There are countless grammar mistakes, the punctuation lacks, and the editing is non-existing.
There are countless grammar mistakes, the punctuation lacks, and the editing is non-existing.