I've tried several times to read this book as the premise strongly appeals to me. But each time I've had difficulty getting into the book. For this reason, I won't review it. My apologies.

This is my first by Wolfe, and I wish I could finish it, but unfortunately, I had to DNF. I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters. Like I said my first time reading Wolfe's work, so I will try again.

Although I liked this book I was hoping for a bit more. It was the first book I've read in this series, but it didn't leave me overly impressed, I'm afraid.

I really enjoyed Imogene and Cooper's love story, it was different from what I have been reading lately, and it had a sweet ending of course. I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to my friends and/or colleagues.

DNF. Unfortunately I won’t be finishing this book. I tried getting into the story but I had a difficult time. I couldn’t connect to the characters and I found our female lead to be slightly annoying and I just did not like her all that much. She made it difficult for me to want to continue on. I also felt that although the writing style was ok, I just hadn’t a hard time staying focused as enjoying it.

This is the first time reading a book by this author. Halfway through I checked her other books and added them to my to read pile. I thought that Imogene was a funny heroine, introspective, a supportive friend and someone who trying her best to succeed. Cooper was a sweetheart, a bit flawed and although self aware I think he was too rigid. The story had a lot of elements, comedy, romance, sexual chemistry, thoughtful and heartbreaking moments.

I had a really hard time getting into this story and relating to these characters. I really felt Imogene was too immature and this turned me off from this story. I did enjoy the ending and felt the epilogs were a nice touch to the ending of this story.
This is my first book by this author. This is the third (and I believe final) story in this series. It is possible I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the previous books first. But maybe not because it was easy to know what happened within the previous stories.

I received an e-arc of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Imogene is a single girl in New York city when she attends her friend's impromptu wedding and kisses the guy who she likes but doesn't want to make a move on. Imogene hasn't had the best luck with guys and when Cooper, her sexy blonde Viking who is friends with her jewelry business partner Lauren, kisses her at the same wedding the two start to see each other.

But Imogene and Cooper face challenges along the way and how it ends well you will just have to read this book to find.

I really enjoyed reading this story although it did take me a lot time to get through it. I found it interesting that Imogene and Cooper faced realistic challenges not like best friends who want to be more than friends or a enemies to lovers story. This story had real problems like Imogene not wanting to get her heart broken, and thinking all men are wankers. I also really related to Imogene standing up for herself when she found out that Cooper didn't see himself getting married. Honestly when a guy says that he doesn't see himself getting married and you do, it's a red flag, deal breaker, flag on the play.

Cooper!! What is there not to love? Oh, and Imogene!! I loved her and how she is outspoken! I can honestly say these two really will keep you turning the pages. I love how Cooper does not let her push him away and is not phased by her mouth! Great read and I can't wait to read more!

This is the third book in the Fearsome series and to me it is the best one yet. I thought that the chemistry between Cooper and Imogene was magnetic, fun, and romantic. The snarky words out of Imogen's mouth every time Cooper came into the picture made me laugh and wonder what was gong to happen next. I loved the way that their relationship evolved and became what it was; it shows the reader the importance of not giving up. Thank you NetGalley and S.A. Wolfe for allowing me to read and give an honest review of this book.

Faithful is kcuffing amazing! It's not epically romantic or over the top sexy, no, it's the perfect blend of steam and heart with two highly likable, make that lovable, characters and an excellent secondary cast to round everything out.

Imogene lives in small town, Hera, NY. Works as a waitress at her family's diner, and on the side sells one-of-a-kind, vintage, re-purposed jewelry that she and her friend/business partner, Lauren create. Cooper is a gorgeous former FBI agent who has been on Imogene's W*nker Radar since the day he rode his Harley into town. Not because he IS a w*nker, no, but because she's suspicious that he's too perfect and that he can see through her defenses. He's a tall, muscular, blonde long-haired hottie who's actually nice. But, Imogene is still suspicious, so she avoids him as much as possible. That is, until the wedding of their mutual friends, where she proceeds to drink too much and ends up kissing him.

From then on, Cooper's persistence in getting her to date him ramps up and Imogene's defenses are no match for his sweet charm. He manages to get past her suspicious, downright rude demeanor and get her to open up, and man is it electric when the two finally get together! Cooper is just so damn sweet, and swoony and adorable, that I honestly do not know how Imogene resisted him for so long. I mean, come on, how could she resist a man that gives her lines like this? "After you had your tongue down my throat and before you licked my ear, you asked if I had a tattoo on my a**." "The answer is no," he reiterates as he straps on his helmet. "And, Imogene," he says. "I enjoyed it." But then, the drama happens, and I was afraid Imogene would pull a mean girl act, but no, she went and acted all mature and responsible and I loved her even more for how she handled the whole thing, how she handled Cooper. She started off as a grouchy, rude woman and developed into someone downright mature and kind. Talk about character development!

Through it all S.A. gives us this backbone of friends and family who are rooting for Cooper and Imogene, and they are just honestly such a delight. From Lauren and Leo, to Dylan and Emma, to Archie, Imogene's parents and grandma, every single side character adds their own contribution to Faithful and keeps it from centering too much on our main characters, as amazing as they are.

If you like your sexy romances with heart, Faithful is seriously the story for you. You'll fall in love with Cooper and Imogene and their friends and family, too.

*Thanks to NetGalley for a free digital copy of this book!*

I don't feel strongly about this book one way or another - didn't hate it, didn't love it. Parts were funny, I liked aspects of the characters, but didn't feel connected to any of them. Some parts dragged, and I found myself watching the % read on my Kindle.
This is a standalone novel. There are hints of the other books, but not enough to spoil them. But it seems like there are a whole lot of issues thrown into these stories : drug abuse, mental illness, OCD, the mob. Seems a lot for one small group of friends!
Imogene's character developed unreasonable fast toward the end of the book, from her wanker-list of men to marriage being absolutely necessary. She went from fairly aimless waitress, business-woman to successful business woman. But she was tough and independent and I like that seen in the story from her perspective.
Cooper could be very controlling and there were places that I was really bothered by his character. He was upset with Imogene and she had "ruined his night" because she didn't want to have sex with him.
So overall, it was a quick few hours of entertainment. But even though I usually get sucked into series, I don't plan to read any more of these.

I used to read romances really regularly (especially in my younger days like when I was in high school). I've tapered off the genre quite a bit with the exception of a few authors I like a lot (basically Nora Roberts haha but I do toss in the occasional Sandra Brown, etc.). So I guess I'm prefacing this by saying I'm not sure if I'm just not into pure romance novels anymore and the standard tropes they go through or if it was especially this book that didn't connect with me. But this really did not connect with me. I was on the verge of just giving up on finishing this book 2 or 3 times.

I found the main character, Imogene, annoying. I know she was supposed to be considered sassy, and while I do like sass in my female protagonists, she came off less as sassy and more as bitchy. Like come on, the terrible service she purposefully gives customers in the family diner she works at? Sure she may hate being a waitress bc she wants to focus on her jewelry business and sure maybe she's stressed about things in her life, but sheesh do your job properly. And all her misgivings about her love interest, Cooper, when he's demonstrated repeatedly that he's a good guy? Oh but then Cooper himself gets annoying later on in the book with his family issues that actually don't even seem like big issues bc come on a bunch of people have divorced parents out there and his parents actually had what looks like an amicable breakup. Get over it. Oh and don't even get me started over what went on at her best friend's wedding.

I actually feel a little guilty about not liking this book at all since I got it at as an ARC. Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and S.A. Wolfe for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. :o)

The book first introduces us to Imogene, the heroine. (I hate that name and if you don't already hate it you will by the end of the book.). Imogene and her best friend Lauren, started a jewelry business a couple of years ago but business is slow to pick up so Imogene works at her family's diner waitressing. In the beginning of the book she's portrayed as being a moody bitch and a lazy/lousy waitress.
Lauren is the positive one of the two and looking through her eyes we do some okay things about Imogene. We at least see some of why the way she is and we can see how she hides many of her feelings and insecurities behind her sarcasm.
Meanwhile, Cooper, the hero, seems like a great guy. He's laid back and happy to pursue Imogene from a distance for over 7 months before a drunken encounter leads to a first kiss with Imogene.
There are several friends that have obviously had their stories told in previous books but the author brings their characters in through the conversation so that you'll feel as if you know them. So this can definitely be a standalone.
We slowly learn more about Imogene and Cooper although Cooper clams up when it comes to his former life as an undercover FBI agent and about his family. Imogene is more of an open book. She's from the small town of Hera and her family is there so it's much easier for Cooper and the reader to get a handle on Imogene.
As Cooper and Imogene begin falling for each other and spending more time together (although Imogene denies they are dating and they don't do things out in public.) something seems to be bothering Cooper. He gets a strange phone call and has to leave town for a few days but he won't talk about it. I got excited thinking something interesting was going to happen with the plot. But when we're finally let in on the secret it's a let down as far as the storyline goes. While the mystery calls and trips are happening Cooper and Imogene have a blast, are in love and then break up. Then Cooper explains something he could have explained from the beginning to avoid the breakup and they're back together again.
There is some unknown drama that we learn about but it was anticlimactic to me because over half of the people I know including myself lived through similar circumstances but didn't let it dictate their whole life.
I also thought that the author's writing was a little formal. It wasn't always as conversational as it could have been. Especially in the beginning.
There is also a comedy aspect to this story but honestly what was supposed to be funny would have been funny one or two times but not throughout the entire book.
This is a book that I personally would not recommend to my friends but maybe there are those out there with a similar sense of humor as the author that would enjoy this book.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Maybe it's my fault for requesting a book I wasn't too sure about because it seemed kind of erotic which I am not into at all but this one sounded interesting. Unfortunately, I don't have much to say on this book because that's it nothing really happened. I enjoyed the writing style but other than that everything fell flat for me. The characters were one dimensional, there was insta-love and the plot was too dragged out if there was even a plot in the first place. I did like the hero of the story, Cooper he was actually a very nice guy with the bad boy vibe. All in all I give the book a solid 2 star rating.

I was honestly hooked from the very first chapter; Imogene and Lauren's friendship was to die for. Actually, every relationship in that town was so beautifully portrayed. Familial love, friendship, and marriage... It was all very engaging to read about. I rooted for the seniors; everyone was hilarious. Jess and Carson were hilarious; especially at the end. Dylan was so funny he made me cry. Leo and Lauren were so friggin adorable. The scene where the high school girls were being lectured by Imogene was kcuffing hilarious.
Imogene is one of the very few protagonists that I adored. What with her 'kcuff it' attitude and the way she treats her customers when she's in a bad mood (but really, mostly always):
After I serve decaf coffee to everyone who asked for regular and regular to all those who asked for decaf and gave away free ice cream to all the kids whose parents said 'no sugar!'...

Yes, she had an attitude and was downright rude. But she honestly surprised me when I was halfway into the book, with her mature decisions and then when she latched on to her dream of getting married and making a family. She wasn't blinded by her love for Cooper, and for that I respected her endlessly. That is the kind of picture that should be portrayed in romance novels. Responsibility and maturity to go along with passionate love and adoration.
Cooper was so sweet and considerate. The way he pined after Imogene was so damn hot and just downright swoony. I couldn't with all his smart remarks and his gifts. I can't believe what he did to help with Lauren and Imogene's business. It was all so thoughtful and so friggin sweet. I can't even.
And I didn't let myself imagine how he looks like with glasses on, but that scene had me cracking up:
"When are we getting married?"
"I haven't planned past today."
"Fine. You're forcing me to bring out the big guns." Cooper removes his glasses from the inside of his T-shirt collar and slides them on.
"Yep. That'll do it."

I loved it when Imogene drove all the way to Brooklyn to see him and his mother. That scene with Fiona made me tear up really bad. I was on the verge of sobbing when she asked her to take that photo album.
Overall, this was an incredibly well-written novel that doesn't only deal with how Imogene found her one true love, but also herself. I personally saw this novel as a coming-of-age, so that was a really pleasant surprise. I loved the whole squad, the parents, the grandparents, the seniors, the young couples, Cooper's fam, and the babies. Will definitely have to check out the previous books if they're anywhere near as good as this one.

Finally a lead girl with attitude! That is what made me appreciate this book more. I'm glad the author didn't cross the line of making her just hateful.
Our lead guy was just amazing he was patient and adorable.
This is the type of books I love no instant love, the build up romance gives me chills.
Overall I love the writing style of the author and the feelings it brought when I read the book.

I had a hard time getting "really into" this one. While the writing was on point, the character's just didn't grab me.

Imogene is one of my favorite book characters; witty, prickly, and sarcastic, but gooey once you've melted the ice! A perfect NA romance for fans of laughing out loud and happily ever afters.

I absolutely adored Imogene!!!! She was the perfect blend of snarky, witty, blunt and she was hilarious as waitress.

That girl made me laugh out loud.

Apparently Imogene Walsh had been on Cooper MacKenzie's radar for a while. But dear Imogene was everything else than nice to him. Which didn't bother Cooper at all - he had the patience of a saint.

Imogene was an expert in dating, and had enough experience to know that finding the right one, and making it last is not something she thought she'll ever have. The bright burn and an equally fast crash had been more her experience so far.

But Cooper kept pestering and chasing her until she relented.

Cooper had his doubts about a Happily Ever After. His parents' divorce and remarriages made him very disheartened about marriage and family. But he still believed that Imogene was the right one for him, she was the ONLY one he was interested in and he was willing to see where it lead.

He just had to convince Imogene.

Like I said I adored Imogene. Her sarcasm and witty comebacks made me laugh out loud. Her time as a waitress was the funniest scene in the entire book, I couldn't believe half of what she said and did, and multiple times I shook my head saying - NO, you didn't!!!

I did think she sabotaged herself a bit and made it harder on herself and Cooper than it had to be, because Cooper was all in, and the hesitation was all on her part. Her pulling back all the time got a bit old and made me want to shake her multiple times.

I would have understood it if Cooper and Imogene didn't fit so well together. They completed each other and it was sad to see her hesitate and doubt herself.
Since Faithful was book #3 - I can't wait to read Carson and Dylan's books.


3.5 stars

review is posted on February 20, 2017, at that point I will update the links