The Arrogant Bastard by Jennifer Dawson a feisty four-star read. This is number two in the series, but they can be read as stand-alone, I didn’t feel lost at all when reading this one, but I can guess who the first novel was about. I honestly don’t know if I would go out of my way to read the first one, but I may pick it up at some point, as I like the writing its just not what I am feeling at the moment. It has great ideas and plot lines, but I feel like I read so many similar stories a couple of months ago that I got bogged down, I should have read the description and cover closer so I hold my hands up to that. It had some lovely characters in the family and even some of the visitors, and I enjoyed one visitor in particular as it added something extra to the story. Overall I enjoyed getting to know Caden and Cat.

4 - "I don’t think I like your attitude…" Stars!

We return to the Mckay family and farm & distillery, with book two of the Bastard’s series giving us Cat’s story, short a farm manager and already running at full steam with her own responsibilities hiring Arrogant Bastard; Caden Landry to do the job is more for necessity of the situation, than because she wants to work with him.

The man is dangerous… He makes me stupid. And reckless…

Chemistry oozes between them from the get-go, but working and sleeping together is a big no-no for Caden, doesn’t stop him from wanting it though, and Cat’s prickly demeanour and open dislike for him makes her even more tempting in his eyes, and its not long before all bets are off, but secrets and lies always have a habit of catching up with you in the end...

He’s the only thing in too many years to count to make me wild…

Easy reading, with a huge side of sexy, and low level drama. Dirty talking Caden ticked most of my boxes, but I found some of what came out of his mouth when they were doing the naked tango a little on the cheesy/cringey side, still a really enjoyable read in general though, and I am looking forward to the next book Relentless Bastard, due for release later on this year, the author gave a few indications as to who would be the main players in this one and I am intrigued!

I loved this book - until I didn't. It was super sexy and I adored Cat's spark and Caden's intensity. But the last third of the book made me angry and frustrated. It might just be me tho! I really dislike conflict between the leads where one person takes all the blame, where the blame is really shared. Particularly, when one party never owns up to their own actions.

Cat plays a major role in her family's business, but doesn't feel like she is important or that the business is her passion. She is so busy that she doesn't really take time to evaluate whether what she is doing is what she wants - it is just what is needed. And she is damn good at getting things done.

Caden is smart and passionate about growing things - what he isn't great at is facing emotional problems and issues head on. He shows up when Cat and her family are desperately in need of a farm manager after their's quit right before the launch of their new venue. Caden has all the experience they need - but doesn't want to share any of his past. He just wants a fresh start no questions asked.

He and Cat spark big time - but both of them try to resist it. Cat, in particular, pushes herself to leave the attraction behind. But that fails miserably and the two get closer and closer. Caden recognizes that Cat needs someone to put her first - but he also gives us a true testimony in consent and respecting Cat's wishes. Cat continually tells Caden no. And he listens. Any interactions they have are really led by her approaching him. The problem is, Cat feels like because he is respects her wishes that he doesn't really want her. This is where things started to go not so great for me.

Cat really plays games - I am not even sure she or the author were aware of it. She says no - but she really means, fight for me. She says I don't want you, but really means I want you to want me more than I want you. What really really bugged me though was <spoiler> that she was so angry with Caden for not telling her his background that she immediately refused to talk to him, left for her uncle's house, and said she couldn't be with him anymore - all because she couldn't trust him to stay. Um. Cat - you just freaking left him because he was scared to talk to you about an issue because you react instead of listen. You also LEFT him before he could leave you. It just came across as so spoiled and more game playing. I also was annoyed with her family for not calling her out on it. Her uncle was right - she wanted to be right more than happy. BUt I think it went further in that she wanted to punish Caden for everyone else in her life that left her and didn't value her highly enough. I'm not saying she didn't have a right to be mad - because she did - but she owed Caden an apology for not listening to him and working through things. She also had no right to be angry at him for not talking to her for a while after SHE ASKED HIM NOT TO. Ugh. Overall - I just felt like her behavior was more of the same for her - while Caden was actively working to make positive changes. Cat was like - oh I bought a horse. Really? How about taking steps to be more open and honest emotionally. Caden may not have told her about his prior job and relationship - but she lied to him about what she wanted continually. </spoiler>

Overall - I loved so much about it - but the ending ruined it for me.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

If Caden is an arrogant bastard then Cat comes off as a horny hussy to me. Funny thing is, I think that's a good thing. I like this about her, she owns it. What I did not like about Cat was more than what I liked about her though. She says one thing but wants something completely different. And then gets mad when Caden and her family can't read her mind. Half the time Caden is able to read her mind but also wants to do what she asked of him. To me this is the way that a teenager acts not a grown woman. Other than those things about Cat I did enjoy reading, Arrogant Bastard.

Okay first half of the book, I didn't really enjoy it. The whole 'I'm a bastard' 'you're a bastard' always seems over the top to me it's not common for bastards to constantly think to themselves that they are. However, I got sucked it and ended up loving the book the characters grew up a bit and actually worked on themselves and the romance had more layers to it.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Good book! Definitely worth reading!This book had intrigue it was funny well written and really really hot 🔥🔥🔥!! It had some heartache and heartbreak to it also! All and all it was a decent read! I definitely recommend reading this one! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!