BUILT
Saints of Denver #1
Jay Crownover
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 5, 2016
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series,Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.
Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.
Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn’t matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn’t return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.
But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller are as different as two people can be. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and kill it and grill it. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk while he’s denim and flannel.
The differences between the two of them don’t stop Zeb from dropping every hint he can think of that he would like to get to know her on a more personal level, but Sayer seems oblivious to his interest or is just too nice to tell him to take a hike. To Sayer, a guy like Zeb could never be interested in someone as reserved and boring as she is. She’s never been with anyone that was hot enough to melt the icy exterior she’s had wrapped around hera since her awful childhood. But what if Zeb is the one who might finally thaw her out…?
In my opinion, Jay Crownover can do no wrong. Her stories have it all. There is romance, grit, passion, emotion, and depth. Her characters are flawed and beautiful. Her stories are heartfelt and real. Built, the first in the new Saints of Denver series, embodies everything I have come to expect and more. This might be my most favorite of all the books Jay has ever written. There was an underlying emotion and powerful reality that connects the story to readers more so than any before.
Built is the story of Zeb and Sayer, two secondary characters we meet in the Marked Men series. I was always intrigued by these two and I could not wait to read their story. Jay does a fantastic job of connecting the readers with the characters in this book. They are flawed in such a way that you understand where they are coming from and what they feel. Zeb is a fixer and life throws challenges at his face that he wants to take control of, things he cannot control. Sayer is a woman who shut down her heart and emotions long ago and the tantalizing temptation of feeling again and opening her heart is almost too much for her. When these two get together, it is an explosion of messy emotions and opportunity for life change.
This whole book is focused on Zeb and Sayer’s life. It weaves in and out of their strong connection, highlighting how good they could be together and how tragic it could all go. This story is not only a love story but it focuses on two individuals who transform from all throughout the book. That is what set the bar so high for me. Both of these main characters go through such transformational process that shows two very different people in the end. They may have sparked the change in one another, but they have to take ownership of what is happening to see it come to completion. Watching Sayer break through her past pain and abuse to learn to live and love is a powerful story to see unfold. It is encouraging and beautiful.
Another bonus of this story is that we see cameos of our favorites from the Marked Men Series! I loved getting to see a glimpse of Rowdy and Salem in the midst of their happily ever after. We see Rome and Cora and baby Remy. There are glimpses of all those we met in the previous series and I was ravenous to see what Jay would offer to her fans. This bonus adds something more to the series and endears the story to people who have been there since the beginning of Jay’s career in such a sweet way.
To say I am excited for the rest of this series would be an understatement. I am beyond thrilled to see where Jay takes the Saints of Denver series. This series has everything fans have come to expect from her writing with a healthy dose of heart and soul thrown in. Built is a story of trust, life, and love. These characters learn to break down walls till there is seemingly nothing left except the perfect foundation to start over again and build something meant to withstand the harsh reality of life. The process is hard but the end result is worth every painful and beautiful moment.