Scan barcode
lifeand100books's review against another edition
3.0
I don't have super strong feelings for this Once Upon A Marine book. It was good but read more like a suspenseful mystery/crime romance. I wasn't expecting that going in, so I think it just threw me off.
That aside, I did enjoy the characters and their story, just not as much as Adam and Logan's stories!
That aside, I did enjoy the characters and their story, just not as much as Adam and Logan's stories!
mariannehdonley's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed reading the whole Once a Marine series. Her Temporary Hero (book 2) was a Rita finalist, and I wouldn't be surprised if Exposing the Heiress is a finalist as well. This book is a good read with a great heroine, a yummy hero and an intriguing twist at the end.
pebblespenguin1's review against another edition
5.0
Alyssa immediately stuck out to me as a character. She had experienced great loss and pain and after that she had pretty much shut down. She lived for everyone else. She had the weight of the world on her shoulders; only living to please other people.
Then something happens and she realized her whole life is based on a lies and now her life is in severe danger. So she does the only thing she can think of, which is seeking protection from an old marine friend.
Hunt is dedicated to protecting Alyssa, but he is convinced he cannot function as a normal human being after years spent being a sniper. They were childhood friends, so after all these years’ feelings begin to bubble to the surface.
I thought Alyssa and Hunt were both dynamic characters that grew and overcame so many obstacles throughout the story. It was an endearing, heart wrenching, and beautiful tale of deception, growth, and overwhelming loves. The plot was strong and intriguing. I finished, ‘Exposing the Heiress’ in one night, I just couldn’t put it down. I had to find out what happened.
Another great read from Jennifer that pulls at the heart strings.
Then something happens and she realized her whole life is based on a lies and now her life is in severe danger. So she does the only thing she can think of, which is seeking protection from an old marine friend.
Hunt is dedicated to protecting Alyssa, but he is convinced he cannot function as a normal human being after years spent being a sniper. They were childhood friends, so after all these years’ feelings begin to bubble to the surface.
I thought Alyssa and Hunt were both dynamic characters that grew and overcame so many obstacles throughout the story. It was an endearing, heart wrenching, and beautiful tale of deception, growth, and overwhelming loves. The plot was strong and intriguing. I finished, ‘Exposing the Heiress’ in one night, I just couldn’t put it down. I had to find out what happened.
Another great read from Jennifer that pulls at the heart strings.
storieswithsoul's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed reading this romantic mystery. Alyssa is a celebrity, whose life is constantly dissected by media. She has been a different person since her mother died. She gave up a lot, now its time that she gets her life back. She thought her fiance was the person she could build a life with but finds out that he isn't what he seems to be. He has been hiding many things from her and now that she knows he is willing to go to any length to ensure that she goes through with the wedding. Alyssa maybe many things but a coward isn't one of them. Instead of letting her ex-fiance blackmail her she finds herself a bodyguard.
Hunt had known Alyssa when they were kids. They grew up together and his little sister was her best friend. Now that she needs his help he is going to protect her no matter what. What he doesn't count on is having feelings for her. They are both attracted to each other. But before they can have any sort of relationship, there are many things that needs to be sorted out. They have both been scared as life hasn't been easy but they must slay their demons and move forward. In the end it turns out that it might be possible for them to slay each others' demons and built a life together.
Two people who fall in love and complete each other, this is most definitely kind of book I love and recommend to fellow readers.
P.S. I got a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hunt had known Alyssa when they were kids. They grew up together and his little sister was her best friend. Now that she needs his help he is going to protect her no matter what. What he doesn't count on is having feelings for her. They are both attracted to each other. But before they can have any sort of relationship, there are many things that needs to be sorted out. They have both been scared as life hasn't been easy but they must slay their demons and move forward. In the end it turns out that it might be possible for them to slay each others' demons and built a life together.
Two people who fall in love and complete each other, this is most definitely kind of book I love and recommend to fellow readers.
P.S. I got a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
enchantressofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Though this is the third book in the "Once A Marine" series, it can be read as a standalone. Always a good thing in the event this one catches your eye first! However, you will not want to miss out on the previous installments as they are awesome!
There are several tropes in this one story.... the "girl having a crush on the friend's older brother" or the other way around "Hero has crush on little sister's BFF", "child given up for adoption", "ex blackmailing Heroine", and "the man set to protect the heroine falls for her" are just a few of them. There are one ore two more, but don't want to give you any spoilers. These tropes make the story a tad predictable. A bit of a shame because I've eagerly awaiting the next installment for what seemed like forever!
With that said, this is where Jennifer's writing style shines through.... Hunter is man still working through the darkness that was his past job. The job that saved countless lives is now costing him a life of his own. He uses his art as a way to cope with the darkness but doesn't let anyone see this side of himself. Alyssa has blamed herself for the death of her mother years ago and in an effort to make amens, continues to work for the company her mother built even if that isn't what she wants to do. As the blurb says she finds out that her stepfather has paid her fiancé to marry her, she breaks off the engagement and the ex is now blackmailing her, but there is more to that story you find out towards the end of the book. As the story continues, you find out more about Alyssa's past and what her true passions are (work wise). In between all this, Hunter and Alyssa are fighting the attraction they obviously feel for each other. However, you know how that is going to turn out, this is a romance novel after all. I really did enjoy them opening up to each other and the parts where they are becoming friends and learning more about one another.
I would have enjoyed the story more if the last trope (not going to tell you) would not have been included. I don't think it was necessary. Also his reaction wasn't one that I thought he would have had, not after everything that had gone on between them.
This is definitely still a great series and on that I'm going to continue to read. Aside from the tropes that made the story predictable, Jennifer's writing of the character's struggle and their interactions makes you want to read this story!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Entangled Publishing, Entangled Ignite via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
This and other reviews available at Viviana, Enchantress of Books
There are several tropes in this one story.... the "girl having a crush on the friend's older brother" or the other way around "Hero has crush on little sister's BFF", "child given up for adoption", "ex blackmailing Heroine", and "the man set to protect the heroine falls for her" are just a few of them. There are one ore two more, but don't want to give you any spoilers. These tropes make the story a tad predictable. A bit of a shame because I've eagerly awaiting the next installment for what seemed like forever!
With that said, this is where Jennifer's writing style shines through.... Hunter is man still working through the darkness that was his past job. The job that saved countless lives is now costing him a life of his own. He uses his art as a way to cope with the darkness but doesn't let anyone see this side of himself. Alyssa has blamed herself for the death of her mother years ago and in an effort to make amens, continues to work for the company her mother built even if that isn't what she wants to do. As the blurb says she finds out that her stepfather has paid her fiancé to marry her, she breaks off the engagement and the ex is now blackmailing her, but there is more to that story you find out towards the end of the book. As the story continues, you find out more about Alyssa's past and what her true passions are (work wise). In between all this, Hunter and Alyssa are fighting the attraction they obviously feel for each other. However, you know how that is going to turn out, this is a romance novel after all. I really did enjoy them opening up to each other and the parts where they are becoming friends and learning more about one another.
I would have enjoyed the story more if the last trope (not going to tell you) would not have been included. I don't think it was necessary. Also his reaction wasn't one that I thought he would have had, not after everything that had gone on between them.
This is definitely still a great series and on that I'm going to continue to read. Aside from the tropes that made the story predictable, Jennifer's writing of the character's struggle and their interactions makes you want to read this story!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Entangled Publishing, Entangled Ignite via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
This and other reviews available at Viviana, Enchantress of Books
jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
Heiress Alyssa Brooks learns her fiancé, Nate, has ulterior motives in marrying her so she breaks the engagement. His reaction frightens her so badly that she runs to her childhood crush, Hunter Reece, for protection. He's a former Marine sniper, now an operative with Once a Marine Security.
This series has turned out to be one of my most pleasant reading surprises. Each book has featured women and men of substance who are making the best of troubling circumstances and this one is no different.
Hunter struggles with nightmares resulting from all of the kills in his career and turns to his sculpting for relief and release. Alyssa uses her photography as an outlet to express her true self, very different from her public image as a spoiled rich girl. I loved their relationship for its honesty and sincerity. They had deeply rooted feelings for each other stemming from their childhood and it was a great foundation for their developing romance. It was really well done, in spite of Hunter's fears that his past service made him unloveable.
The tension related to Nate's threats provided an element of suspense that made an already good story better. I loved and respected both characters as well as the romance. This series will continue to be an auto read for me.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
This series has turned out to be one of my most pleasant reading surprises. Each book has featured women and men of substance who are making the best of troubling circumstances and this one is no different.
Hunter struggles with nightmares resulting from all of the kills in his career and turns to his sculpting for relief and release. Alyssa uses her photography as an outlet to express her true self, very different from her public image as a spoiled rich girl. I loved their relationship for its honesty and sincerity. They had deeply rooted feelings for each other stemming from their childhood and it was a great foundation for their developing romance. It was really well done, in spite of Hunter's fears that his past service made him unloveable.
The tension related to Nate's threats provided an element of suspense that made an already good story better. I loved and respected both characters as well as the romance. This series will continue to be an auto read for me.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
beckymmoe's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked book two of this series--[b:Her Temporary Hero|22572532|Her Temporary Hero (Once a Marine, #2)|Jennifer Apodaca|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405330760s/22572532.jpg|42039058]--but had a hard time getting through this one. It wasn't a horrible story, it was just very...meh. I couldn't really feel the chemistry between Hunt and Alyssa--sure, they talked and thought about it all the time, but it didn't shine through in their actions and the story itself. Not At. All. (His nickname for her, Lyssa, totally rubbed me the wrong way, which didn't help. It felt like the nickname of a five-year-old, which it pretty much was...) The suspense plot was decent, but the eventual reason that the bad guy had for his elaborate plot of evil and revenge seemed a bit ridiculous.
So, over all, this one just didn't do it for me. Hopefully it's a one-off; I'm still looking forward to getting to book one ([b:The Baby Bargain|17561936|The Baby Bargain (Once a Marine, #1)|Jennifer Apodaca|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1373271955s/17561936.jpg|24493419]) and would still be willing to read more from this series if there are indeed more to come.
Rating: 2 1/2 stars / C-
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
So, over all, this one just didn't do it for me. Hopefully it's a one-off; I'm still looking forward to getting to book one ([b:The Baby Bargain|17561936|The Baby Bargain (Once a Marine, #1)|Jennifer Apodaca|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1373271955s/17561936.jpg|24493419]) and would still be willing to read more from this series if there are indeed more to come.
Rating: 2 1/2 stars / C-
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
More...