New Blue
Blue #5
Jules Barnard
Publication Date: March 28, 2016
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
The survivor of a high school sabotage that made her flee her hometown at sixteen, Hayden Tate is no stranger to bullying. Now she has returned to Lake Tahoe to take on her dream job with a degree and a backbone. But her newfound strength is pushed to the limit as she fights to hold her own against the old boys club of Blue Casino.
Adam Cade is the prince of Lake Tahoe, born into one of the wealthiest families in the area. He’s used to doing what he wants when he wants. So when his powerful father threatens to cut him off without a dime unless he uses his Ivy League degree for a job his father got him at Blue Casino, Adam capitulates. Hayden, the head of HR, hates Adam on the spot, finding every way possible to put him in his place—and suddenly the lackey job his father found him gets interesting. Adam’s life of leisure lacks substance, and even though he’s not willing to give it up, he wouldn’t mind the distraction Hayden presents.
But when the casino’s sinister inner workings begin to reveal themselves and Adam is caught between the powerful executives he works for and the lovely Hayden, his loyalties are divided. Blue Casino offers Adam a lucrative career where he wouldn’t need his father’s money for the lifestyle he’s accustomed to, but at what cost? Hayden’s silly side shines through when Adam least expects it, charming his jaded heart, and forcing him to face a morality he never knew he had. For the first time in Adam’s life he finds himself yearning for something real, but will he risk losing everything to have it?
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New Blue is the latest in Jules Barnard’s Blue series and it fits right in with all the rest. Jules deals with some harsh realities that are rampant in our society, taking humanities flaws and approaching them in a way that is both real and admirable. New Blue picks right up in the series and features Hayden and Adam. Hayden has been a figure in the series so far and getting to watch her story unfold was great. She is a headstrong woman, determined to change the casino and bring light to the lurking darkness. Her tenacity and strength is admirable. Adam is the frustratingly attractive man who seems to stand in her way. He oozes charisma, something that Hayden is not immune to. I loved their tension and banter. It creates an environment for things to escalate one way or another. These two main characters are full of personality and equally matched. Their interactions are brilliant!
This book deals with heavy issues, something that is hard to swallow and eye opening for readers. I am proud of Jules for taking a risk and bringing cultural issues into this book. We see the reality of what it means for a young woman to be bullied and the vicious rumors that feed lies and the ugliness school children are capable of. We see drugs and trafficking taken to a whole new extreme in this part of the series, something that has been hinted at in books before. The overarching storylines come out in greater force and steer the story. It adds adrenaline and a level of serious reflection for Hayden and Adam. Watching this story unfold in dual POVs allows us to understand how they both fight individually and the budding relationship they cannot deny.
The secondary characters in this book enhance this story so well. I loved getting to see everyone who has been featured in the Blue Series. Watching these friends interact and take Hayden into the fold was sweet. I loved how friendships are redefined and relationships are strengthened. Adam’s family is a big part of this series and I enjoyed meeting his brothers. I am so excited that they will have their own spin off series!
Jules Barnard does a great job of adding a new story to the series and giving some closure to a few of the overarching themes that have been growing throughout the series. I loved getting to understand Hayden and her desire to see justice. Adam was a perfect counterpart and these two made for a fun and engaging story.
Before turning to storytelling, Jules earned a master’s degree in public health and spent many an hour running statistical analysis–until she realized her favorite part of the job was writing reports. She decided to cut out the math and add in some hot guys, and so began her career as a novelist.
Jules is a Northern California native living on the coast with her husband and two children. She has no impulse control around cupcakes and credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.
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