Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon Romance #3) by Codi Gary

Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon Romance #3)
by Codi Gary

Publisher: Avon Impulse
Release Date: May 20th 2014

Rate: Enjoyed it (3,5 stars)

Synopsis:

The bad girl who stole his heart … 

Valerie Willis has done it all: tattoos, one-night stands, even strip poker. And now she can add getting a messy public divorce to that list. Back in her hometown of Rock Canyon, Val just wants to bury her head and wait for the scandal to pass. But when she suddenly finds herself at a singles' weekend face-to-face with former flame Justin Silverton, hiding from her heart—and the sexy Marine—won't be that simple.

Is just too good to let go … 

It's been ten years since Justin kissed Val, but he still remembers the way they just seemed to … fit. Since then he's served his country and helped his father keep their ranch intact, but he's never forgotten Val or her wild ways. So when a twist of fate brings him the chance to chase her across state lines and spend a weekend winning her heart, Justin's all in. Because when he sees something he wants, he fights for it. And he's ready to fight for the right to call this bad girl his one and only.

This book is one of those romances about second chances and rediscovering a teenage love that you thought it was lost.

In this Rock Canyon story, we meet Valerie Willis, one of those Willis girls, meaning trouble. She's done it all: tattoos, one-night stands... So she's known as a bad girl, following the example of her older sister and the little one, too. 

But that was before. Now back at Rock Canyon and being free of a marriage of convenience (her father's convenience), she wants to stop being the top trending topic of town and lay low. But when she finds face to face with the one boy who might have steal her hear back when she was a teen, things can get pretty... gossipy. 

Justin Silverton, sexy Marine and the boy Val fall for when she was a teenage girl, thought he had a special thing going on with Valerie, until she left Rock Canyon. Now that she's back, he might be willing to show her how well they fit together. Even if that means going to a singles' weekend trip. 

However, their relationship might not happen, not only because of their past, but the family feud that seems to haunt both families.

I knew from the very first page I'd connect with the characters. Codi Gary writes her characters perfectly, giving them problems, emotions and personalities that reach the reader on full force. You find yourself wanting to know how the story ends, loving the main characters and hating the "bad guys" (aka Valerie's father, for example. What a je*k).

What I liked about this third book in the Rock Canyon series is that Valerie's described as one of those wild girls that wants to change for a while. She's had some problems and a douchebag ex-husband. So end up feeling for her, trying to make things right and also trying to change her's sisters behavior so she is not part of "one of those Willis girls" disdain. And Justin... Well, he's the perfect book boyfriend. I'm completely speechless when I try to think of something to say about him. He makes the reading pretty interesting, if you know what I mean.

One character I hated a lot was Valerie's father (not a surprise here, right?). He's ruthless, a horrendous father who only seems to care about his status and probably some kind of twisted misogynist. I wanted to scream to my poor iPad's screen every time he was in a chapter. It was beyond infuriating.

As for the plot, is something completely different from the other Rock Canyon's books. If I'm not wrong, the only thing that the novels have in common is the town and that, kind of out of the blue, some of the characters in the other books are mentioned in this story. For my taste, the mention of Gemma Carlson from book two, felt kind of random. Despite this little nuance, the plot was perfectly written: fluid and not repetitive.

I had a great time reading Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines and I am definitely waiting for more Rock Canyon's books. I don't know what this place has, but it does have some pretty hot, sexy, cute and sweet romances worth reading them. 

My dream cast:

Marie Avgeropoulos as Valerie

Jensen Ackles as Justin

Read my review for Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars

From the time I could put a Disney Book cassette into my little stereo,and read along, books have held a fantastic distraction. When I was eleven, I decided I wanted to be one of those magical people that brought stories to life. Devouring a book a day sometimes, my first romance novel stuck with me. I've always been a sucker for a happy ending (and the great romantic gesture)and that's what I try to put into my stories. I am so honored to be a part of Avon, and am so excited to have my own dreams coming true.

Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon Romance #2) by Codi Gary

Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon Romance #2)
by Codi Gary
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Release Date: April 22nd 2014
Genre: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Rate: Enjoyed it (3,5 stars)

Synopsis:

Gemma Carlson didn't plan on waking up married.

She also didn't count on running into her old flame—and her son's father-turned-country rock star—Travis Bowers, followed by a night of drunken dares. Apparently one of those involved a ring on her finger and a vow … neither of which she intends to keep. Now with a hangover from hell, this good-girl-gone-bad knows there's just one thing to do: run.

Travis has been all over the world, but Gemma has never been far from his thoughts. So when they had the chance to catch up over a few drinks, he didn't hesitate. Of course, he didn't expect it would lead to marriage, or a runaway bride! Travis finally has a second chance and doesn't plan on losing Gemma again—or the son he didn't know he had. He proposes, albeit belatedly, a date. Or rather, a few. If they can make this marriage work by starting over, he stays. If not …

Gemma's not interested; she's got a son to protect and a heart to heal. But having Travis around could make both a little easier. Still, good girls don't date rock stars . . . right?

Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars is the perfect romance book about second chances at love. It reminded me a lot to the first book in the Beaumont series by Heidi McLaughlin, with a slightly more mature touch, since I would definitely categorize this book into the Adult section and Heidi's into the New Adult section, with the waking up married scene from the What Happens in Vegas movie.

Gemma Carlson's in Vegas for a book conference when she runs into her old lover, her first love, and her son's father, Travis Bowers. He's a rock star and Gemma finds herself into a lot of trouble when with just one look from Travis all her feelings for him come back like ten years hasn't gone by.

Getting married in Vegas, was not into her plans and definitely not with Travis. She tries to forget that her marriage ever happened, but Travis has other things in mind. He's not willing to let the love of his love go once again and he's determined to fight for her this time.

However, their so dreamy reconciliation might be broken even before it starts due to the lies and mistrust between the two characters.

I loved the two main characters. They are good people and you can only see it by reading the first chapter. I love that Travis didn't mind Gemma's weight when they were back in high school, that means that he was way more mature than other boys his age, and that he fell in love with Gemma for who she was. I love it! I haven't read a single romance story that mentioned this and it made me fall even more for the male character.

You can easily relate to Gemma since she's a bookworm like us and, after all, she was in Vegas for books. What more can I say? She's a good person, kind and forgiving, but she also stresses about the consequences a bit too much. So I can tell you she's also a little bit temperamental. 

Their story is a sweet one and it makes completely sense that one of the two main characters wanted to have it back. They start amazingly great, but when reality comes crashing back, they find themselves really trying to have a second chance. Travis gets to meet his son and he and Gemma heal from their mutual past.

This story is full of sweetness, romance and drama, but it's also a funny read and one of those reads that romance lovers need to read. I had a great time getting to know Gemma and Travis, their story and their son. And if you want to know if these two end up together and heal from their past lies and mistrust, you'll have to read Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars. You'll definitely enjoy it!

From the time I could put a Disney Book cassette into my little stereo,and read along, books have held a fantastic distraction. When I was eleven, I decided I wanted to be one of those magical people that brought stories to life. Devouring a book a day sometimes, my first romance novel stuck with me. I've always been a sucker for a happy ending (and the great romantic gesture)and that's what I try to put into my stories. I am so honored to be a part of Avon, and am so excited to have my own dreams coming true.