Built

Publisher's Summary

From the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series, Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to hear about.

Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn't be more different. She's country club and fine dining, he's cell block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She's French silk, he's all denim and flannel.

Zeb's wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest - either that or she doesn't return it.

Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.

But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life-altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer's professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can't risk what's at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.

©2016 Jennifer M. Voorhees (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Average story with competent writing

This is one in a series of stories about ordinary young people living in Denver. Zeb is a carpenter who spent some time in prison, but for somewhat forgivable reasons. He meets Sayer, the sister of Rowdy. Sayer is a lawyer, new in town, and consequently hires Zeb to remodel her home. The two are opposites - at least on the surface - in cliched ways.

Crownover is a competent enough writer, particularly in comparison to many writers in the romance genre. Although the plot, in fact the entire series, offers little originality, characters have enough depth to keep readers interested. There is graphic sex, but it is not the focus of the story line.

Overall, closer to 3 1/2 stars due to above average character development compared to much of the hurried-to-publication and self-published romance books continuously churned out - it's getting more and more difficult to weed out the chaff.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

So glad the tattoo'd boys are back

Jeb and Sayer's story was phenomenal! I keep thinking that Jay will run out of stories for these characters that are unique from the rest but she doesn't. Each one ties in so seamlessly but is so different from the others. I was also happy to hear updates about some of the Marked Men characters.

The performances by the narrators was amazing as well. The voices are exactly what I would have picked.

Definitely worth the credit.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Excellent.

Jay Crownover does it again. Perfect story with fascinating characters. Can't wait for the rest of this series.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

OMG I LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK

Any additional comments?

To all my followers this book was so well written and not a bunch of fluff!!! I could listen to it over and over again. And I will . This is the type of book I love. Hot guy, hot girl cute kid and just Oh My one of my favorite. GET IT!! GET IT NOW.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

emotional and sexy

Zeb was HOT!! Sexy, strong, and was way more level headed than Sayer. There was a little too much internal dialogue, ESPECIALLY in Sayer's brain. But overall, it was a very realistic story, good character development, and the narration was amazing.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

I really enjoy Jay Crownover books. She has a fantastic writing style and she brings the characters to life. I loved Sayer and Zeb, although Sayer did get on my nerves at times with her wishy-washiness.
I loved both of the narrators, they did a great job bringing Sayer and Zeb to life. I hope to see more from them in the future

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Heroine needs a therapist.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would eliminate about 50% of the repetitive introspection. We get it: the heroine's an ice queen because her dad was an emotionally withholding jerk and the hero regrets his criminal past. We don't need it repeated every single chapter. Also, honey: you realize you're emotionally screwed up. Get therapy.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Progress. I'm about halfway through (and about to return it), and neither character seems capable of growth. They do something that indicates they may begin to see their way towards working through their issues, and then, boom. Next chapter is almost entirely introspection about how they are or have screwed up.

Which character – as performed by Nicki D. Noir and Jay Crow – was your favorite?

Really, really didn't like the female narrator. She pauses in odd...places and makes very jarring character decisions (one thankfully minor character sounds like Annie Potts in the original Ghostbusters...because why does a paralegal in Colorado need to sound like they're from Brooklyn? Reasons, apparently).

The male narrator had a great, deep, sexy voice and a lot of range. I liked his pieces very well and will seek him out.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe? Because we probably wouldn't have all of the "back to square 1" introspection in a movie format.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My fav. one yet!! I couldn't put it down!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Built to be better than the print version?

Yes! I love listening to her books better than reading them in print because the people reading them become the characters for me and I love how they just have them come to life in my head!

What other book might you compare Built to and why?

I don't think there is another book that I could compare this one too. There is so much heart to this story!

What does Nicki D. Noir and Jay Crow bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I just loved them reading it so much. They showed the emotions in their voices as if it was happening in real life right in front of me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YESSSS!!! Sadly I had to sleep and other things otherwise I could have listened in one sitting!!!!

Any additional comments?

I have finished all the Marked Men series and love them. But personally, I loved Zeb's story so much more for some reason. It was an amazing book and I would love to see more from him but its unlikely!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

wonderful read!

All of Jay's books are amazing, and this certainly reached my expectations. Sayer is a character I can completely relate to. she is a strong hard working woman that had everything in life and can't seem to find the courage to go after what she really wants until Zeb comes along. Their street is one that's keeps you turning on the pages and willing to see what is happening in the next chapter. A aviso must read for new adult readers that enjoy a real live story .

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Jay Crownover writes beautiful stories

I have enjoyed exploring all of the books Jay Crownover has written. She tells wonderful stories about good people and leaves me feeling happy after finishing them.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved loved loved

Holy Moly. Another winner from Jay Crownover. Built is the first book in Jay's new 'Saints of Denver' series and follows Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller (introduced to us in 'The Marked Men' series), two complete opposites in looks, and character. We all know the saying........opposites attract, well hell yeh! A wonderfully written story that had me rooting for the leading characters from the get go. Sayer who has issues with her past that she is will not share, is unwilling to open her heart up to Zeb. Zeb has lived his life like an open book and holds nothing back, he wants all of Sayer and is unwilling to accept the morsels that Sayer is willing to give, even if the sexual chemistry is off the charts. Love all the characters in the storyline and I'm already looking forward to more from The Saints of Denver. You don't have to have read 'The Marked Men' series prior to reading this new series, but my question to you would be, "why have you not read 'The Marked Men?" Highly recommend.