COCKY BASTARD by PENELOPE WARD and VI KEELAND

‘They say if you let something go and it doesn’t come back to you, it was never really yours to begin with. But considering I was the one who initially left in this situation, all bets were off.’

With a title like this you never know what to expect and we were pleasantly surprised that- sure Chance was definitely cocky but a bastard? No; we have to disagree with the title. Chance is what kept us reading this story, he was gorgeous and funny – sweet and understanding. He went through so much, be it from his past or his present. Sure he should have tried honesty, but after eight days?! We fell in complete love with him and like we said he’s the reason we stuck with it. Well him and a lovable fainting goat.

“You want to sin with me, Princess?”

The writing was engaging and we were definitely enjoying the story of how Chance met Ahhbree. We had a few laughs and it felt quite seductive to begin with so we were eager to find out how their story was to pan out. Kudos to the Authors for throwing in a spanner that completely came as a surprise. We loved this part of the story and once again it showed Chance as a man with a big heart who protects those he loves. And when he woo’s bloody hell does he WOO!!!!!!

“I’m here. You have me. The question is, do you want to keep me, or will you throw me away?”

So, where we struggled was with the amount spent together versus the time spent apart. As in they spent more time apart than together. Eight days from meeting to parting being the only time spent together over more than two years. Is it possible to have a love so cemented and final? We just didn’t connect with this part of the story it just didn’t feel convincing at all.

“Without you, I see nothing. Nothing.”

Our other issue was Aubrey; whilst we really liked her for the first part of the story she began to annoy us and get on our reading nerves. Yes she’d been treated in an emotionally appalling way, however – carry a grudge much – after receiving a life changing and emotionally driven explanation she proceeded to drag it out leaving two men hanging on tenterhooks and giving their all for her existence? Granted, she was partially aware and we do understand her reluctance to an extent but it went on for the better part of the story and began to drag. We couldn’t believe how hard Chance had to work, he literally put the Rrrrrrr in romance! So sadly no, this part of the story just didn’t work for us which is why we only liked it and didn’t love it. Chance and the goat stole the show! We want to be on the back of that bike!

‘Sometimes, those who put up the biggest shields are those who are protecting the biggest heart.’

**Reviewed from an ARC copy provided by the authors, with thanks.**