The extended family here is really delightful -- didn't expect that but liked the richness and depth that provided

Beautiful! Grab your tissues because you are going to need them for this one (later on). This is a super funny, witty, beautiful, and sad story that you will not want to put down!

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher*

I loved the story. Abi has is traveling to Austrila for what she hopes will not be her last time on earth. She has been fighting for her life against a brain tumor that has already taken so much of her dreams away. She is facing brain sugery in 5 short weeks, when she broads the plane. Little doe she know that she will meet the love of her life. The reader is taken an an emotional journey with Abi, as she falls more in loved the her big Aussie hero, and his family of misfits. The reader cheers for Abi as she fights for her life and the love of her likfe.

Abigail Williams is in for the fight of her life, so embarking on a trip to Australia is the perfect idea before she undergoes surgery. However, she never imagined she'd meet the love of her life on the flight from LA to Australia. Spending time with Sergeant Ryder Harper is a dream come true, but when the time comes for her to leave, will Ryder be able to stick to the promise he makes her or will he do everything he can to fight for their chance at forever after?

This is the first book I've read by this author, but I've got to say that it won't be my last, especially when it comes to this series since Ryder's family are an absolute delight and I'd love to read more about them, as his siblings each deserve their happy ever after too. Right from the beginning, this story was extremely riveting, as the heroine is a total survivor and doing everything she can to enjoy life to the fullest in case she doesn't survive what she's going through. However, the moment that the hero and heroine met was one of the best moments, as both have been through so much and after the sweet thing she witnesses Ryder do, it's hard for her not to be fascinated by him.

As for the dialogue, it took me on an emotional rollercoaster, as the hero and heroine have been through difficult times in their lives and it was hard not to be affected by everything that's happened to them. Truly, Abigail isn't the only one that's a total trooper; someone that's had to fight for their life. However, in saying that, the dialogue wasn't all intense and made me laugh or smile due to the heroine's sassiness and her desire to make her adventure the trip of a lifetime. Will Abigail experience everything on her bucket list?

Both the main characters were enthralling and their back stories certainly made them the engaging and fascinating characters they are. The heroine has been through so much, and yet, she continues to fight for her life with everything in her, even though she may die because of what she has. Really, she's resilient, courageous and I liked how determined she was to have fun and enjoy the adventure she was on. I also liked the bond she shared with her sister and how the pair would do anything for each other, especially since Abigail did so much for her sister growing up and now it seems her sister is determined to return the favor.

While the hero, he's had it tough due to his time in the military and what happened to him that had him leaving the elite military unit he was a part of. Yet, he's confident, strong, brave and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine over, even though she has a condition that when it's time for her to leave that he needs to let her go without a fight. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is the bond he shares with his family and how their warmth and love for each other extends to Abigail, even before they get to know her fully.

Overall, this author has penned a well-written and highly entertaining read in this story where the chemistry between this couple was off-the-charts and had me reading quickly, determined to discover how things would work out for this couple. Will Abigail survive what's happening to her for the pair to have their happy ever after? However, in saying that, I was stunned by what happens to the heroine that tears this couple's relationship apart at the critical moment in the story, but I absolutely loved how things worked out for this couple, as no one is more deserving of happy ever after than Ryder and Abigail. Yet, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up wonderfully, because of what the heroine's sister did for her to make sure Abigail lived her life for her. I would recommend Against all Odds by Jezz De Silva, if you enjoy books with ex-military heroes or sassy heroines; or if you enjoy books by authors Tif Marcelo, Mia Sosa, Olivia Dade and Amy Andrews.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I don't even know where to start to describe the roller coaster of emotions that this book evokes! I was so involved in the book, that I think I read it all in one day, as I could not put the book down. It took me a few chapters to figure out that Abi refers to her brain tumor as Doris, but it finally made sense to me. When she meets Ryder on the plane, you can just see the sparks flying and that they were made for each other.

You understand that Abi is reluctant to get involved with anyone when she knows that she is scheduled for yet another surgery to kick her cancer. She is very strong and has had a hard life and this is just another hard knock on that hard life. I love how her bucket list played such a great role in this story, and how she found the things she thought were important changed when she met Ryder.

Ryder also had a rough start in life but found a wonderful adoptive family that is he still close to and loves, but then he joined Australia's special forces and was injured. He is a returning war hero who does not want all the attention that is showered on him!

When Abi is worried about no hair and the scars from her previous brain surgeries, Ryder shows her his prosthetic leg. From that point, you know they just fit!

Things don't quite go according to plans when Doris throws a fit and Abi is rushed to the hospital. This part is just gut wrenching and hard to read. I don't want to give anything away here but they both are gutted by their feelings and go their separate ways until Ryder changes things.

I sure hope that there are more books to this series as a few things that are brought up in the book as side issues, sound very interesting and were left unresolved. It would be great if there were more books about each of Ryder's siblings, and of course keep us updated on Ryder and Abi's life!

The bomb ticking inside Abigail Williams has shadowed every moment of her adult life. With the timer counting down, Abi embarks on one final adventure into the Australian outback before returning to L.A. to fight for her life.

Sergeant Ryder Harper survived over a decade in Australia’s most elite military unit. He’s ready to hang up his assault rifle and drag what’s left of his broken body back home. He dreads the long flight back to Brisbane, until he collides with the stubborn, maddening seductress sitting beside him.

Abi ignites a need deep inside Ryder, leaving him desperate for more time with this woman with mesmerizing eyes and an even more intoxicating spirit. But when Abi finally relents to Ryder’s offer to be her outback guide, she has one condition: When it’s time, he’ll have to let her go.


Review:

These two sure have had their share of ups and downs, and the downs are pretty big but they are fighters. The journey of this couple is a whirlwind of emotions, romance, sexiness and some fun too. I think the Author did a great job of not making this book too heavy. One of the ways she did that was keeping Abi snarky, witty and stubborn. I love that she has a name for her tumor, Doris. Ryder is the ultimate good guy. He is a war hero, his moral compass points true north, caring and just so sexy. I loved Abi's sister and Ryder's whole family, they are some fun characters and really add to the story. I am assuming by the series title that maybe some of the siblings will get a story too.

A story to make your heart feel happy.

4Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

One of my 2017 reading resolution goals is to pick up more books by new to me authors. Not knowing anything about their writing style means it can be a hit or miss venture. In this case, it's a hit as I found Against All Odds by Jezz de Silva definitely worth the read!

Abigail Williams has five weeks before she goes under the knife for a brain tumor operation that could spell a new lease on life, or just the opposite. She's taken a leave of absence from her teaching job and is on her way to Australia to mark off things from her notebook bucket list (including her sister Olivia's addition to 'Have Sex!' complete with stick figure position ideas). While her bright pink headscarf likely gives away more than she'd like about her personal situation, the wig she brought with her sits crushed in her suitcase (to her chagrin) when her seatmate turns out to be a weary but very handsome soldier.

Sergeant Ryder Harper is on his way home after receiving medals of honor for a joint US/Australia military mission in which he lost not only his teammates, but a leg too. An amputee with a state of the art prosthesis, he recognizes in Abigail a kindred spirit. Plus, she's damn cute with her spirited attitude and a life saver when she pretends to be his girlfriend so he can avoid a first class seat and the fawning recognition of the crew over his hero status. Tucked in the back of the plane, the two share confidences, a bonding experience that makes Ryder unable to let Abby go off into the Australian wilderness alone. One night together becomes more when he convinces her to let him show her the real Australia and give her an experience to remember. But Abby's time is ticking and she knows that the time is fast approaching for a reckoning not of her own making. She's determined to keep things simple between them. When the time comes, will Ryder be able to let her go home alone, to face an uncertain future?

The summary above makes clear that this is a story that doesn't sugarcoat the reality of cancer, but don't be worried, there is a very satisfying happy ending for this couple, even if there's a lot of drama and emotional scenes on the way to it! I loved both characters in this romance. Abby and Ryder's banter is fun and flirty, but they also recognize that they've both gone through hard times and their connection is swift. Abby is a virgin heroine due to a number of circumstances in her life, cancer notwithstanding, and Ryder is a caring and considerate lover who makes her first experience memorable – so memorable in fact that he's able to persuade her to come home with him to his family in the Outback.

The author is Australian and this makes the setting come alive and feel very authentic. Ryder is very close to his adopted mother who is of indigenous descent, as well as his brothers and sisters. A close relationship means they can tease each other, and still show concern and they welcome Abby warmly to their home. It makes Abby's eventual departure that much harder to contemplate. There were times I wasn't sure that the HEA would happen for this couple but it does, and there is a sweet epilogue too. If I have a complaint, it's that there are times the author has a tendency to write with hyperbole, embellishing descriptions where a more simple phrasing would have conveyed the same point. It makes the first part of the story feel a bit clunky but is improved in the second half. I'm chalking this up to writing inexperience. It didn't detract from my love of the characters, setting, and overall story. Against All Odds is an emotional and heartfelt romance of two wounded souls who find healing in each other.

This review will be posted at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews and feedback updated with the link. It will be posted at sale sites during release week.

ryder harper gets on a plane back to australia expecting to only be down his leg. after all, he'd lost it years ago while on assignment in afghanistan. his experiences in war had him surviving death more than once. but when he meets his seat mate in against all odds, he's pretty sure that he's down his heart too.

the last thing abi expects is for a real life australian super hero to sit next to her. her luck hasn't been close to good recently, what with the rediscovery of her third brain tumor, a glioblastoma she's christened doris. this trip is kind of a last hurrah, a chance to see and experience the world while she still can.

but somewhere along the pacific, ryder and abi fall in love. not that they'll admit it. ryder knows it will scare her away. and abi doesn't want ryder loving her if it will only mean losing her. from then on this is the push-pull of the novel. abi's future, her health is something that hangs over the plot, sometimes it drags it down. in the end, the characters get a happy for now. but when you know enough about brain cancer, you know that at most abi has ten years. it's her third bout of the disease. it's hard to buy the happily ever after.

and there's nothing wrong with the "better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all" school of thought. it's just it's kind of a downer, and not what i'm looking for in my romance novels. to be honest, i prefer my romances to be cancer-free.

LOVED this book! I was immediately engrossed in the characters' story - so much that I felt invested in their tale and kept hoping for them to get a HEA. Both Abi and Ryder have lived lives that have shown them great pain, but somehow they forge an unlikely connection that makes it more bearable. Ryder is the oh so sexy special ops war hero who doesn't feel very heroic and only wants to return home to his family and never leave again. Abi is the teacher who sacrificed to raise her sister and then has had to deal with one health crisis after another. Somehow, their connection works - I'm surprised my kindle didn't ignite from all the sparks flying in their relationship.

This is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. This is a must read for fans of the genre. I've added the author to my must read authors' list.

What an incredibly emotional read! You're going to laugh and cry with this one so be prepared!

Abigail is on a trip of a lifetime...literally as this very well may be the last trip she ever takes. She's about to undergo a dangerous operation which could result in her death. Before undergoing the operation she decides to take one last vacation, complete with a bucket list. She's determined to see and do everything on her list...but everything changes when a stranger sits down next to her and she becomes his fake fiance for the trip.

Ryder...what is not to love about Ryder. First off he's gorgeous, second off he's a hero and third off he loves his family. He's taken by Abigail the moment he sees her and determined to make the most of their time together, refusing to let her run away and turn what they had into a one night stand.

An incredible story that will pull at your heart strings.

This was a very well written romance novel, I very much enjoyed the story and characters.

**I received a copy of Against all Odds from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Against all Odds by Jazz De Silva is the authors second book of what I hope will be a series about the Harper Family and their ranch in the Outback. After all if I count right, there is six adults left plus Abigail's sister Olivia who need their happily ever after.

Abigail Williams has a bucket list of things to do before she goes into surgery again to remove a brain tumor aka Doris. Little does she know that in her flight to Australia she'll meet ex special ops soldier Ryder Harper who will help her tackle the very first item on the list. You will fall in love with Ryder and he's siblings who were adopted like he was by a special parents who love each one of them no matter how they started their life in the world. But when Doris decides to make herself known Abi pushes Ryder away knowing that she may not be the same after surgery. But can he stay away or will he listen to the Wishing Tree when he realizes that she's worth fighting for.

Ryder Harper is finally returning home to his beloved Outback after being fitted for a new leg. His guilt has encompassed his soul because he survived an ambush but his unit didn't. But when he gives up his first class seat to a young mother and chikd. Little does he know that he'll fall for his seat mate and that his life will be changed forever.

I don't usually read romance stories written by a man but this book caught my interest immediately with its blurb. All I can say is hurry up and write the next book please?

Well-balanced romance with a solid plot. I really enjoyed it. Thanks!

DNF at 10%

The writing style was simply too chunky and distracting; even in those three chapters, I spent more time going over sentences and revising them in my mind than actually enjoying the story. I can't tell you much of anything about the plot being set up or the two characters. It's just time to move on to something else.


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I will be talking about the book on my next Whatcha Reading? podcast which will go up on TBQ's Book Palace Saturday (9/9).

If you didn't have a hunger for a strong Australian man before this book, you most certainly will after reading it! Put down your books with vain rogues and arrogant millionaires. They are pansies compared to this rugged hunk of masculinity - I am quite serious, put those books down right now. You are also going to want to get out your credit card, buy a plane ticket to Australia, and get down on your knees and pray a guy like Ryder Harper sits down next to you. Just wait. You'll read this book and realize that Meghan is not nuts. Meghan is in love.

On a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Australia after getting devastating news from her doctors, Abi Williams is just trying to live her life before it might be taken away against her will. Suffering from a recurring brain tumor, Abi is determined to make the most of every moment. And that includes the moment when a stud of a cowboy sits down next to her on her plane. Sergeant Ryder Harper, a war hero with a prosthetic leg and arm muscles as big as her thigh, is exactly what she needs. After thirteen hours, she is dreaming of joining the mile-high club and accepts his offer to go home with him for the night. One night soon turns into weeks in the outback at his family's station, but Abi knows that this will never last. She eventually will have to go home and leave him behind. But not if Ryder can help it.

Have I mentioned I want a Ryder? I want one. Badly. He has great personality, charming humor, and gorgeous looks that we can only gaze upon when we look at pictures of cover models. So far out of my reach, it's bordering on pathetic, but hey - if Abi can get one, it gives me hope! Abi is a sweetheart, with a lot more gumption than I would expect from someone who has been through so much. Maybe that's why she's still alive and kicking. She refuses to be defeated, even when she knows that it's an uphill battle. Ryder doesn't even flinch when he sees Abi's bald, scarf-covered head, knowing that her heart is worth more than any head of hair. His affection towards her, even when she's fighting him, is so genuine and inspiring. If every partner could be like that when someone gets cancer, it would make it a bit more bearable. Instead of running away, he keeps running towards her, even when she does her best to create distance between them.

It was a beautiful love story! I hope that Ryder's siblings will be getting books soon. I am eager to read about them all.

3.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this one and some trouble classifying it. While I loved the characters, the different setting (the Australian Outback) and finding a new Australian author, I thought there was a lot of melodrama and the writing style showed a tendency toward hyperbole and overdramatizing, which aren’t really my favorite strategies.
So, the hero Ryder Harper, is a wounded hero (here in the most denotative sense), a former Australian Special Forces soldier, who is a larger than life character – a “battle-hardened Prince Charming”, a huge, gentle warrior with a “granite jaw”, “massive biceps”, a “mountainous torso”, a blending of male ruggedness, sexiness and gentleness.
He is “cocky, overbearing, overprotective, over-skilled”. He’s “just too much – too much muscle, too much charm, and too much alpha-male confidence and experience”.
His fierce devotion to the heroine is admirable.
The heroine, Abi… she’s really strong. I had my doubts about the feasibility of some of her actions and I had to suspend the disbelief what with her condition.
This is an insta-attraction and insta-love romance – I found it credible. Even though I liked the parts about Ryder’s family, giving an insight into life in the Australian Outback, I thought that could have been reduced.
So, this was intense but with lots of eye-rolling. And I’ve enjoyed it.

Jezz de Silva wrote a superb story about a woman and man falling into instalove...and by the way, she has a life-threatening brain tumor.

I liked the reality of some of the scenes- shaven head, scars from prior surgeries and biopsies, headaches..:the details that add the touch of reality. For Ryder, he also has something to overcome...he lost a leg in the service.

A rated this four stars, because even though there was reality and even though the reality is that Abi could face lifelong disability due to the tumor, there were still times that I felt like the emotion was missing from Abi ..I think I would have been scared in such a situation, and that if I were Ryder, there would be emotion tied to losing my leg.

DeSilva had a tough job. This isn't a book about cancer, it's a love story. And I'm sure she didn't want people to cry all the way through the book...but I never shed one tear and I think there would have been at least a few scenes sad enough to make that happen, given the context of the book.

But there is an HEA and I cheered for as I and Ryder to get that, so the story is satisfying.