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jenrich26's review against another edition
4.0
This was the final book in the Bleeding Stars series and it was a story I was looking forward to. Zee, the drummer for Sunder. Zee and Alexis did not disappoint, this story was emotional and filled with angst and secrets and romance. The one thing that has bothered me about this series is all the lies, every one of the members of this band had a secret but didn't tell him "brothers" "family" at all which I find weird, I would have liked reading more brotherhood within the band than there was in each book. But it was a good read and I'm excited to see where Amy goes with her next book.
chroniclesofabookreader's review
4.0
Jackson takes readers into the heart of Sunder with Zee’s story in Stand, the final book in the Bleeding Stars series. Zee and his story really do encompass the entire band and their history because of his joining into the group due to a very instrumental and sad moment. Told in both flashback and present viewpoints, Zee’s story is carefully laid out for the reader to experience and see everything from the beginning of the band to the pivotal moments in Zee’s life. And while Zee has been a background character in the prior books, his presence has always felt larger than life so one couldn’t imagine the excitement of this reader when it came to getting his story.
Two characters both embroiled in their own personal conflict, Alexis and Zee seek comfort and escapism with one another. Zee is a man not fully living while Alexis’ mantra (“No fear. Just life.”) gives her the drive she needs to continue forward. What they teach one another is something you can’t help but take away from this novel. The romanticism and sweetness standout brightly, giving it a warm, comforting feel. Sexual tension is always something that Jackson writes so well, and it really shines here in giving them resistance, a forbidden-like magnetism.
It’s truly sad to say goodbye to these men who’ve shown us their love stories, but it has been such a great ride. Zee is the literal icing on top of the cake, the glue that has always been holding things together. To see him find the kind of woman that Alexis embodies gives this reader a happy heart. His big, brooding self against her small, gentle softness created a brilliant base for Jackson to build on. It’s easy to experience the instinctual basis for their connection and it explodes from there. Stand was wonderfully sweet and full of delicious sexual tension, but most of all it gave justice to a character we’ve been waiting for and the best happy beginnings to a great cast of characters.
**Received an early copy & voluntarily reviewed | This had no influence on my opinions of this book**
Two characters both embroiled in their own personal conflict, Alexis and Zee seek comfort and escapism with one another. Zee is a man not fully living while Alexis’ mantra (“No fear. Just life.”) gives her the drive she needs to continue forward. What they teach one another is something you can’t help but take away from this novel. The romanticism and sweetness standout brightly, giving it a warm, comforting feel. Sexual tension is always something that Jackson writes so well, and it really shines here in giving them resistance, a forbidden-like magnetism.
It’s truly sad to say goodbye to these men who’ve shown us their love stories, but it has been such a great ride. Zee is the literal icing on top of the cake, the glue that has always been holding things together. To see him find the kind of woman that Alexis embodies gives this reader a happy heart. His big, brooding self against her small, gentle softness created a brilliant base for Jackson to build on. It’s easy to experience the instinctual basis for their connection and it explodes from there. Stand was wonderfully sweet and full of delicious sexual tension, but most of all it gave justice to a character we’ve been waiting for and the best happy beginnings to a great cast of characters.
**Received an early copy & voluntarily reviewed | This had no influence on my opinions of this book**
syndi3's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Oh wow! Finally I am done with this book. I read Stay before I read Stand. I remember I was bit frustrated with Stay due to how the author construct the story. See in Bleeding Stars series, Miss Jackson put all the explanation toward the end of this book. Around 80% toward the end of the book. While the beginning of the book all is full of angst.
Plus with Miss Jackson's signature wording, it is bit too much for me. Its bit dragging. I wish it can be shorten by 2 hours. I usually do like a story where the explanation is at the end. Its very frustrating listening to the story about angst but I do not know the reason behind the angst.
Overall, I do enjoy this book OK. I managed to finish it even though it takes me a while.
Plus with Miss Jackson's signature wording, it is bit too much for me. Its bit dragging. I wish it can be shorten by 2 hours. I usually do like a story where the explanation is at the end. Its very frustrating listening to the story about angst but I do not know the reason behind the angst.
Overall, I do enjoy this book OK. I managed to finish it even though it takes me a while.
ksanders013's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kara_hildebrand's review
5.0
*6 Hearts*
I never stay up late reading except when it's an AL Jackson book. I can never put them down and it always takes me a few days to recover. Recover from the emotions. Recover from the outstanding writing. Recover from the beauty of it all. There's always something about AL Jackson's books that bring all of my emotions to the surface. I laugh, cry, swoon, get mad, get sad, smile and cry more. I believe Stand was one of the best conclusions to a series I've ever read. Yes, I'm sad it's over, but I’m so thankful I got to be a part of it. These men and their families burrowed into my heart to live forever. I have loved all of the books in the series, but I believe she saved the best for last. I knew that Zee's story was going to be special. He's always been the protector. The level headed drummer who made sure the band stayed together as a family. Now that we get to see how and why Zee is the way he is, it just makes me love him more. He's a tortured soul who lost his brother and made sacrifices no young man should ever have to make. He's big, tatted and sexy as hell, but he's a gentle soul with a heart of gold. He never imagined he would meet and fall for a blonde haired beauty. He doesn't deserve to be loved, but something about Alexis and how she just won't give up on him that brings Zee to his knees. Can he finally live for himself? Can he let the sadness of his past go and move forward? Zee Kennedy is perfect. He's my favorite Sunder. He's sexy, quiet, and intense. He fights for his family and for what's right. Alexis is the perfect match for him. She's strong, beautiful, and won't take no for an answer. Not when she knows they are meant to be. I'm going to miss these characters so much. They have been a part of my life and soul for so long that I'm not sure what to do with myself now. I just take comfort in their happy endings. And knowing Amy has more greatness in store for us!
An angel. The brightest light in the midst of my darkness.
Starshine.
"I want things that will only ruin me, Alexis. But you...you make me want to wish for them anyway. Make me believe there's a chance that maybe they could belong to me."
"Welcome to the freak show, darlin'. Admission is free, but you don't ever get to leave."
I never stay up late reading except when it's an AL Jackson book. I can never put them down and it always takes me a few days to recover. Recover from the emotions. Recover from the outstanding writing. Recover from the beauty of it all. There's always something about AL Jackson's books that bring all of my emotions to the surface. I laugh, cry, swoon, get mad, get sad, smile and cry more. I believe Stand was one of the best conclusions to a series I've ever read. Yes, I'm sad it's over, but I’m so thankful I got to be a part of it. These men and their families burrowed into my heart to live forever. I have loved all of the books in the series, but I believe she saved the best for last. I knew that Zee's story was going to be special. He's always been the protector. The level headed drummer who made sure the band stayed together as a family. Now that we get to see how and why Zee is the way he is, it just makes me love him more. He's a tortured soul who lost his brother and made sacrifices no young man should ever have to make. He's big, tatted and sexy as hell, but he's a gentle soul with a heart of gold. He never imagined he would meet and fall for a blonde haired beauty. He doesn't deserve to be loved, but something about Alexis and how she just won't give up on him that brings Zee to his knees. Can he finally live for himself? Can he let the sadness of his past go and move forward? Zee Kennedy is perfect. He's my favorite Sunder. He's sexy, quiet, and intense. He fights for his family and for what's right. Alexis is the perfect match for him. She's strong, beautiful, and won't take no for an answer. Not when she knows they are meant to be. I'm going to miss these characters so much. They have been a part of my life and soul for so long that I'm not sure what to do with myself now. I just take comfort in their happy endings. And knowing Amy has more greatness in store for us!
An angel. The brightest light in the midst of my darkness.
Starshine.
"I want things that will only ruin me, Alexis. But you...you make me want to wish for them anyway. Make me believe there's a chance that maybe they could belong to me."
"Welcome to the freak show, darlin'. Admission is free, but you don't ever get to leave."
jlwright04's review
4.0
This book was a little annoying with how drawn out his secrets were. There was a time I yelled at “him” to just tell her everything lol
However that means I was passionate about the characters right?
His love for her was beautiful and tortured but once he was able to finally let go and let her in 110 percent I just couldn’t stop smiling!!
And that epilogue was EPIC!!
However that means I was passionate about the characters right?
His love for her was beautiful and tortured but once he was able to finally let go and let her in 110 percent I just couldn’t stop smiling!!
And that epilogue was EPIC!!
emily0613's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this conclusion to the Bleeding Stars series, just amazing!
montanna88's review against another edition
5.0
looove
This was such a beautiful and heartfelt story. Zee and Alexis are so wonderful together! I loved see the rest of the band and their little families too
This was such a beautiful and heartfelt story. Zee and Alexis are so wonderful together! I loved see the rest of the band and their little families too