3.5 STARS

*crawls out from under rock*
*clears throat*

This is my first Jay Crownover book and I thoroughly enjoyed Unbroken, a novella in this author's new Loveless, Texas series.
We learn about rodeo star Crew's downfall and his gambling and betting habit that gets him into trouble with his bookie and how he is bound by contract to become the face of an upscale male skincare line. This is also the story about Della Deveaux, the CEO's daughter, who has been craving her dad's attention since the passing of her mom. Rough, rugged and ridiculously handsome Crew doesn't quite fit the theme Della had in mind for a luxury product but since her dad hired him, she grudgingly works with him.

My older brother wanted to save the world; I was the one who set it on fire.

Crew really fights his addiction but he is painfully aware that he is far from out of the woods. He doesn't have the best opinion about himself which plays into his demons hands but I respected him for trying to overcome his compulsion.

"I want to do the right thing so badly I can taste it, but I know there’s a really good chance I’m going to do the wrong thing anyway.”

"Ms. Priss" Della helps him along the way, spending time together makes them both realize that preconceived notions sometimes stand in your way of getting to know a person and finding that, while they are the exact opposite of you, they are exactly what you need. Sure, they were butting heads for a while but Della learned that Crew wasn't the untrustworthy, flakey, impulsive guy she thought him to be. Likewise, after a while Crew didn't see the judgmental, prissy business woman any longer either.

She was, without a doubt, the most fragile and delicate thing I’d ever put my hands on, and I was terrified I was going to break her.

Look, I know that this is a novella and for the most part this really worked for me, however, some of the chapters felt a little disjointed, as if something between was missing. The material for a full length novel definitely was there with Crew's addiction and Della's daddy issues, so I would have liked for Unbroken to have a little more meat to it.
Still, I enjoyed this bitsized story with a little suspense and steam and can't wait to start Justified!

Unbroken by Jay Crownover is a prequel novella in the contemporary romance Loveless, Texas series. The first book of the series will actually be a full length novel that will change the main characters so as with most romance you can read them in any order or simply by themselves as each are standalone stories.

In Unbroken rodeo star Crew Lawton finds himself deep in debt to the wrong people and needs to do whatever he can to pay off his debts. The last thing this cowboy thought he’d find himself doing is becoming a model but soon he’s posing for Della Deveaux and her male skincare line. The two couldn’t be any more different but as they say, opposites attract.

Being novella length this is a fairly quick read that some may think moves a bit too quickly but I actually enjoyed the story and characters. Of course one can always argue it would be better with more depth but in this case I got to know everything well enough it was a actually a fun read that one can easily do in one sitting.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Mmmmmmm... there is always something irresistible about a sexy, wild, UNBROKEN cowboy! Even if you don't agree with me, Della sure did! Della and Crew are the definition of opposites attract. They couldn't be more different. They couldn't come from more different worlds. Yet the sparks that fly off of them... woooo be careful you don't get burned. And as they talk they find out they have more in common than first appears.
This was a delightful quick read that gives us a peek into Loveless, Texas. I know I am definitely looking forward to a return trip!

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
I usually love Jay’s books. They are always gritty. However, this novella was rushed from the beginning. I didn’t like Crew and I didn’t really like Della. There wasn’t enough time to care about either of them. Even though there were big obstacles, I don’t feel like they fought for one another.
This was not my favorite and I’m not sure I will read the rest of the series.

I’m gonna do my best to come through for you, Della. Not only because I have to for reasons I don’t want to get into with you while we’re having a nice night, but because I really want to provide I can be the guy someone relies on.
Crew Lawton has made one bad decision after another and has managed to let down everyone who loves him. When he unknowingly is contracted to become the face of the men’s line for Deveaux beauty empire he’s thrown together with Della Deveaux. For the first time in his life he has the desire to do right by someone other than his family.
I can’t seem to quit trying to find affection and acceptance from people wo don’t know the first thing about caring for someone other than themselves.
Della Deveaux has spent her entire life trying to prove herself to her father. She constantly attracts men who are just like her father and who continuously let her down. When she learns that her father has hired a pretty much washed up rodeo star to be the face of her latest campaign it’s just one more challenge to overcome.
There couldn’t be two people more different than Della and Crew but the more time these two spend together the more they realize how much they have in common. In the beginning I wasn’t sure that I liked Della or Crew. Neither seemed to appeal to me but as the story moved along I began to connect with them and before I knew it, I was rooting for them.
This novella was a fast paced, easy read that introduces us to not only Crew and Della, but Crew’s younger sister Kody and reintroduces us to his older brother Case. It brings us back to Loveless, Texas that was first visited in The Getaway series. It sets us up for what looks to be some very interesting characters, storylines and adventures.
Definitely worth adding to your summer beach reading list.

I haven't read anything by Crownover that I haven't loved. Unbroken was different from what I have come to expect, and a great introduction to a new series. Crew has lost everything due to losing a bet and not being able to pay the debt. Della has worked hard to be where she is and doesn't want Crew making a mess of things. Della and Crew definitely didn't hit it off from the beginning which was so fun to watch, but once they did I was swooning.

The only thing I didn't enjoy was that Crew's mistakes we're brought up a lot and felt like maybe too much. Overall the story was fantastic and I can't wait to see what happens next in Loveless.

This was a fast paced ,short story which is a sweet and suspenseful .This one introduces us to the youngest Lawton sibling, Crew.Crew is a sweetheart. I enjoyed Unbroken and I'm intrigued to read the next book. Unbroken was so much fun to read , I liked the characters and the concept a lot!

❝ We were so different. We hardly knew each other. We lived very different lives, but I couldn't deny that if there was a way to make it work, I wanted it all with him too.❞

Really enjoyed this book as a quick introduction to the Lawtons. . I would have liked it to have been a full novel as the plot seemed to jump and it felt rushed.

Crew as a character was hot and likeable and the book left me wanting to read more about him and his family. I could not understand his attraction to Della. I do not think there was anything to like about her.


On the whole I would like to read more and felt in a way that this Novella cheated Crew out of his own book he deserved more

In “Unbroken (Loveless, Texas 0.5)” by Jay Crownover we meet rodeo star Crew Lawton and beauty mogul Della Deveaux. They could not be more polar opposites but Crew needs the money Della’s dad offered him to be a face of their new campaign more than they know and Della needs Crew to make her dad proud. What neither expects is how drawn they are to each other. But will Crew’s past and Della’s drive keep them apart?

I am a huge Jay Crownover fan – from Rule (Marked Men) to Salvaged (Saints of Denver) she does not disappoint.
A definite read with more to come in this series.

I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley and this is my honest review.

UNBROKEN launches the Loveless, Texas series with a quick novella that packs a very powerful reading punch with characters I wanted more of from the very start. I’m frankly hoping that we get more of Crew and Della throughout the series because this couple deserves more time in the spotlight.

Crew and Della are just about as opposites as you can possibly get, yet each has a drive, goals, and determination to be the best at their chosen professions. Now Crew has recently experienced a fall from grace, his gambling addiction has gotten him in some boiling hot water and now he’s doing anything he can to raise the money he owes to keep his family out of the crosshairs of a dangerous man. He’s so desperate he’ll become “the face” of a new men’s products line, something this cowboy could never have imagined he would agree to do, but desperate situations call for even more desperate actions – especially if those actions bring in a large paycheck. Della has the talent, the smarts, the touch to make her new men’s line successful but she didn’t count on the man her father would produce as “the face” for that new line. One handsome cowboy is about to turn her world upside down in so many ways. She’s determined to prove to her father that she can handle the job, the stress and the work – now she has to prove to herself that she can and will handle Crew in her life, hopefully for a very, very long time.

Sometimes characters will grab hold of me from their introduction and never let go – that was the case with Crew and Della. I loved their banter, the chemistry that sizzled between them and the way they interacted with each other. I frankly would have loved a longer story with them at the center, but I’m very glad I got to know them in UNBROKEN. Hopefully, they’ll make appearances in the Loveless, Texas series as well. This is a fast, action-packed novella that will have you begging for more, or at the very least impatient for the series to begin. I had a blast with this introduction to the new series and I can’t wait to get started with the rest of the Lawton family.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

If you are into tough, top model handsome, too sexy for their own good, bronco riding cowboy heroes, Crew Lawton may fit the bill for you in this new release by Jay Crownover. Fans of this author know she is well-known for her mafia, speaks with their fists, type leading men. You get a touch of that in the backdrop of this book, as well.

Crew has been cruising along living life on the edge until fate decides it is time for him to face the music and face down his own personal weaknesses. Now that his demons are coming after him and threatening those he cares about, he’s done playing around, making stupid decisions, and realizes it is time to man up and get his act together.

Della dealt with Crew in a way that pretty much swept him off his rugged, manly cowboy boots. It was instant attraction here, my fellow romance book loving friends. She’s also got an issue that is weighing her down and filling her with insecurities she needs to overcome, too.

I must admit I’m not used to a hero with this type of issue. Some may think it makes him look weak, while others will credit him for ultimately coming out stronger on the other side. That ball of decision making is in your court, folks.

Unlike this short novella, the next book is a full length version and will star Case, Crew’s deputy sheriff bro, and Aspen, a family law lawyer. The opening teaser chapter was included at the end of my ARC edition of Unbroken. Since I’ve got a thing for sheriff heroes, it seems highly likely it will be right up my romantic alley.

Well, that’s enough for now. Here’s to hoping my review has helped you in some way to decide if you want to take a literary trip to Loveless, Texas.

Title: Unbroken, Series: Loveless, Texas (Book: 0.5), Author: Jay Crownover, Pages: 160, stand-alone but part of a series, very graphic smexy scenes, some violence, mob undertone, no cheating, no love triangle, no OW/OM drama, former manho.

Book .5 - Unbroken (Crew & Della), Pages: 160, 5/14/19
Book 1 - Justified (Case & Aspen), Pages: 384, 6/25/29

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I would like to thank Netgalley and Forever Yours for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the start to a new series by Jay Crownover. It starts out with Crew who is a rodeo cowboy star who is nose diving into disaster in his life. He has a gambling addiction which he is debt to the mob that he can't get out of. Until he meets Della, the head of a corporation that has hired Crew to be the face of her new line of product. She becomes his answer to getting out from under the mob and back to his life. Along the way they find an attraction to each other and then love.

This is a very short read (Novella). It has some pretty steamy scenes and a great opposites attract story.

Some times opposites do attract and when they do, even in the imagings of an author, it makes for great reading. Cowboy bad boy, who has pushed his luck way to far and a woman who runs her NYC/Paris corporate cosmetic family empire. Great romance with almost a novella length making for enjoyable, quick and easy reading.

I received this ARC copy of Unbroken from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) - Forever Yours. This is my honest and voluntary review. Unbroken is set for publication May 14, 2019.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Jay Crownover
ISBN-13: 9781538732014
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: 05/14/2019
Series: Loveless, Texas
Sold by: Hachette Digital, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary Rural Romance

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-Novel...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unbr...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/unbr...
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Good start to the series and I really do love me a cowboy (although I've never had one.....LOL)!!

Crew is an up and coming star in bronc riding, but is letting a lot of people down with his latest defeats and antics. There had to be a reason he was spiraling so quickly.

And then there's Della......walking into a rodeo in her expensive high heels and high end clothing. This was not her typical scenario, and the allergies didn't help, which left her snotty and teary-eyed. Ha! But she's there for a reason, and it wasn't by choice. You see, Della's father has chosen Crew to be their new face for new facial and hair products. And you guessed it, this was not a typical scenario for Crew either.

I loved the two of them together, but could see things going very wrong quickly.

This was a quick, sweet read, and I did really like it. I am a lover of Jay Crownover's work. What has me most intrigued is the next book.....Justified. It will be about Case, Crew's brother who is the local sheriff in town and apparently only worries about taking care of everyone else, and not himself. I liked his badassness and am so looking forward to his story and seeing who will bring him to his knees!

Unbroken is an interesting introduction to the Lawton family. From the life of hard knock, Crew really hasn't made it easy on himself with a gambling addiction. The promo deal with Deveaux is his saving grace.

Though Della Deveaux isn't necessarily convinced. Rugged rodeo star, for her brand new men's beauty products, she has her work cut out.

A short, intense and sexy novella, Unbroken was fun to read. I do have to say that the chapter for the next book at the end, has me craving for even more Lawton brothers. It's going to be a crazy ride, that's for sure.

*I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Unbroken is a short novella that serves as an introduction to the Loveless, Texas series by Jay Crownover. The story is short and things are a little rushed. Honestly, this is full-length book material. Della and Crew come from two different worlds and Crew has messed up badly and is trying to fix everything. There is a lot of character development on his part that was rushed because he went from a gambling addiction to being someone who can be in a healthy relationship and not endanger the other party. Della has things figured out, so her role is mostly to help Crew get his life back. The reason why I didn't give 5 stars to the book is the way too fast pace. Usually, I am the one who defends the quicker and more insta pace novellas have, but in this case, as I mentioned above, I felt like this could have easily have been a full-length novel that wouldn't tire the reader. Crew's brother is next and he seems to have a very interesting story to tell if I judge just from the preview of the first chapter of his book we got at the end of this story. Crew's sister already has won me over since she is a tough lady who has her hands in many different pies.

Overall, I will say that I liked the main characters and their romance. Crew is a man who was on the top then got to the bottom and now is trying to repair everything. Della is focused on her work and in this book she gained a better relationship with her father (whom I loved) and something to fight for. I really liked this short story and I would recommend it.

Unbroken by Jay Crownover is the first book in a new series. We get the story of Crew Lawton and Della Deveaux. Crew is a rodeo star, but when he finds himself on the wrong side of a bad bet, he needs to find a way to pay off the debt he incurred. Which is how he finds himself the new face of an upscale skincare for men. The last thing he wants to do. Della would not have picked Crew for her campaign, but now they are stuck working together.

Della and Crew do not get along, which is un understatement. They could not be more different, but you know what they say about opposites. Crew has never done anything like this before. Even so, he was confident, strong and determined. Della wants to prove to her father she can do this. Somehow they still seem to have strong chemistry that jumps off the pages . Unbroken by Jay Crownover was a quick read that was sexy and steamy.

Happy reading!

Jay Crownover launches her Loveless, Texas series with Unbroken, a sexy and appealing novella about a rough and rugged cowboy who needs to pay off his debts and protect his family at all cost.

Rodeo Star Crew Lawton owes a lot of money to a dangerous criminal and he’ll do just about anything to pay them back and keep his family safe. That means he’ll have to trade in his cowboy hat and boots for expensive designer wear while posing for photo shoots while being bossed around by the beautiful Della Deveaux.

Della has spent a lifetime trying to prove to her father that she’s capable of taking the reins of his beauty empire and the new product campaign is the key. Crew may be drop dead gorgeous but is totally wrong for her sophisticated brand, yet the contract has been signed and her father insists. However, as Crew and Della get to know each other they realize they have more in common than their sizzling attraction. But can their fledgling relationship survive Crew’s past mistakes?

Even though Crew and Della are completely different, they’re also amazing character types proving that opposites do attract. Their strong personalities nourish their careers as a rodeo star and business woman respectively and make them captivating couple who perfectly balanced each other. He’s a confident and charismatic rule breaker, she was focused, always wanting to be better than everyone else.

This was a very satisfying, fast-paced and sexy introduction to the series. The novella length did not hinder its hooking and suspenseful plot development and the changing backdrops from rodeo to big city provided an attractive additional layer. I can’t wait to read more of this series.

Unbroken is novella #0.5 of the Loveless, Texas series by Jay Crownover. It’s a short, standalone, cowboy romance, told from both points of view with a happy ending.

Unbroken was a perfect introduction to the Loveless, Texas series. If you've read Jay Crownover's Getaway series then you know how good she does a cowboy book and Unbroken was no different!

Unbroken was the story of a down on his luck cowboy who had gotten himself too deep into a world he shouldn't have and a successful business woman who had no interest in anything to do with cowboys. Written in dual POV through Crew Lawton and Della Deveaux's eyes, it was a perfect opposites attract novella.

It's been a good year since I've read a Jay Crownover book and I truly missed her writing style! I fell in love with her writing in Rule and with each book I've read, I've only enjoyed her words more and more. I also love seeing how her writing has developed and how with every book her writing gets stronger and stronger. Jay Crownover will always be one of my favourite authors. She writes the type of characters and storylines that are believable and so easy too relate to.

Crew Lawton is Trouble with a capital T. His addictive personality has got him in deep with the wrong people and to climb his way out he needs to sacrifice his career and possibly his soul to get himself out.

Enter Della.

Della has her own demons that she's battling. She knows what she wants and she knows what she likes and Crew Lawton is not it. Working for her dad's cosmetics company, she wants nothing more then to be recognised for her hard work and dedication and to gain acceptance from her father.

Della and Crew are thrown together at a tough time in there lives when they have to learn to rely on themselves and each other to overcome there demons. Unbroken was a short yet satisfying look at how they built there relationship and also fixed relationships with there families. Della wants acceptance and Crew wants to protect the ones he loves, forming an unlikely bond, they bring the best out in each other at a time when there best is needed.

I loved this introduction to the Loveless, Texas world and I can't wait to see where this series takes us! I loved this novella and would have loved for it to be a full length novel. I'm craving some Jay Crownover angst and this opposites attract story could've had even more crazy good angst to go along with the crazy good sexual tension. I highly recommend reading this novella before diving into Justified when it releases in June!

This was my first novella by this author. I read so many of her full length novels years ago. I remembered immediately how much I loved her storytelling. The flow is simply so smooth. The dialogue is engaging and deeply emotional. I love cowboys and always loved the rodeo. Crew and Della really caught my attention.
These characters were so vibrant and just flawed enough to make me root for them the entire time.

Crew knew Della was different, special. He rugged nature found balance in her classy and clean personality.


She was so out of my league, so above the dirt and dust I always seemed to find myself rolling around in. I knew if I put my hands on her I was going to get her dirty in a way that wouldn’t simply wash off.



I so glad to have found myself back in this authors orbit. I can't wait to see where she'll take us from here