Series Review: Saints of Denver by Jay Crownover


Back in 2016 I was browsing my library's OverDrive app looking for an audiobook to keep me entertained on my daily commute. I randomly downloaded Rule by Jay Crownover, the first book in the Marked Men series. To be honest, I didn't expect much but figured it would be some mindless brain candy. Here we are three years later, with multiple re-listens of each book in the series, feeling like the characters are my close, personal friends (LOL), and considering Marked Men among my favorite contemporary romance series. And now I've spent the last several weeks binge-listening to the spin-off series, Saints of Denver. These books consist largely of side-characters from the original series who now get their own stories. Having finished the series I'm positive that I'll be returning to these characters and their stories again and again, just like I've done with the Marked Men series


LEVELED #0.5
Pub: November 2, 2015
My rating: 3.5/5 stars

I've seen Crownover refer to Leveled as a sort of bridge between the Marked Men series and the Saints of Denver series. It tells the story of Orlando (Lando) and Dominic (Dom), two men who are totally dedicated to their careers but both crave something more in their life. They could not have been more different - Dom's rough-edged cop to Lando's polished exterior - but they couldn't have been better matched. I loved that Dom was so open with his feelings for Lando, even in the face of Lando’s hesitancy. Having experienced a great loss, and living with guilt, Lando was understandably gun-shy about opening himself up to a new relationship. And the danger involved in Dom’s job became a major factor in their story. Both guys were totally endearing in their own way and it warmed my heart to watch as they drew closer together.

To be honest, it's not really necessary to read this novella before starting the rest of the series. I don't recall Dom or Lando appearing in any of the Saints of Denver books until the epilogue of the final book. But even so, I enjoyed their story and would recommend it. 


BUILT #1
Pub: January 5, 2016
My rating: 4/5 stars

There was definitely a hint in the Marked Men series that there was more to come with Sayer and Zeb. These two were the unlikeliest couple - the bearded ex-con and the reserved and refined lawyer - but you know what they say about opposites attracting. There was serious attraction between Sayer and Zeb but it took them a while to act on it, and even when they did Sayer was determined to keep Zeb at a distance. I gotta say, Sayer really started to annoy me as the story progressed. She was so hung up on her deceased father's expectations and it guided her every decision. Get over it already, Sayer! He's gone and you can do what you want! I was totally frustrated on Zeb's behalf. 

As much as I was annoyed by Sayer, I loved Zeb. He had such character and integrity. And when dealt with a surprise from his past he immediately regrouped and showed such amazing compassion and love and a willingness to do the right thing. It went a long way in demonstrating the kind of man he was. (Confession: I was actually moved to tears by one scene.) 


CHARGED #2
Pub: May 24, 2016
My rating: 3.5/5 stars

I admit, when I realized Charged was pairing Quaid and Avett I was more than a little skeptical. Avett, who appeared in the later Marked Men books, was a hot mess and I couldn't imagine there being a shred of compatibility or chemistry between she and Quaid. I did come around (mostly) because they did seem to bring out the best in one another but I still can't say I was ever 100% sold on the pairing. There was a common thread between them in that they were both living their lives based on their pasts. Avett was constantly atoning for a past mistake and Quaid had spent years building a persona to prove he was more than his past. Avett seemed slow to learn from her mistakes, which got a little tiresome, but I had to admire her big heart and her selflessness. Quaid was actually a good man who took a long, hard look at the life he'd created and realized it wasn't at all who he wanted to be. And then made drastic changes to become a person he could be proud of. Go Quaid!

I loved having so much of Brite, Avett's father, in this one. He's long been a favorite side character. And the inclusion of Asa and Rome (from the Marked Men series) was a great bonus. Love those guys!


RIVETED #3
Pub: February 14, 2017
My rating: 4/5 stars

I was so excited to Church and Dixie's story. The bubbly cocktail waitress who always had a smile on her face and the enigmatic ex-soldier whose whole demeanor screamed total badass. Dixie's been carrying a torch for Dash Churchill (Church) for a long time and when he asks her to go home to Mississippi with him as a favor she doesn't hesitate. It's there where Church's past comes to light and he has to confront it head-on. Dixie is there encouraging him all the way, while he's also there for her - letting her know it's okay to not be everyone's cheerleader all the time and put herself first. I wanted to shake Church every time he tried to convince himself that he wasn't what Dixie needed or deserved (gah!) but I still loved his sense of duty, his protective nature, his willingness to man up and admit his past mistakes and ask for forgiveness from those he loved and had let down. 

Even though the woman-in-danger element became kind of over the top and veered into Lifetime Movie territory, I was still completely into it and pulling hard for a happy ending for all. 


SALVAGED #4
Pub: June 20, 2017
My rating: 4/5 stars

Poppy's story was a long time coming and I loved that it was one that would intersect with Wheeler's story. Poppy was a character who had been through hell and was understandably skittish and distrustful. Wheeler had a rocky start in life and was convinced he would always be on his own, a feeling that was compounded when his longtime girlfriend/fianceé cheats on him and he ends their relationship. Watching these two come together gave me all the feels. I loved Poppy and Wheeler together. Wheeler was so patient with Poppy and gave her the space she needed to feel safe and secure. And with Poppy, Wheeler was able to finally have that person who put him first and stayed by his side no matter what. 

The drama started to slip into over the top territory near the end but it also felt necessary so that Poppy could fully put the past behind her. Wheeler now holds the place of my favorite guy from any Crownover novel (sorry, Nash, but you just got bumped). This guy was nothing but sweetness and kindness wrapped up in a hot package. Salvaged was definitely my favorite of the Saints of Denver series.


HAVE YOU READ THE SAINTS OF DENVER SERIES? 

26 comments

  1. Haven't read any of these, but might look into them.

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  2. I have these on my Goodreads list but I really hate all of the covers. The Marked Men covers were great and these feel cheesy, like the publisher is just trying to push these out as quickly as possible to keep her momentum going. I want to read them but I probably not going to rush to it.

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    1. What's funny is that I'm the exact opposite - I feel the the Marked Men covers are just meh and the Saints of Denver covers are so much better. LOL I was iffy about starting SoD because I loved the Marked gang so much, but I really got into the spin-off series and characters.

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  3. I commented on another blog about how I love being able to binge through a series. I read through Elin Hildebrand's Winter series in a few days time. It was great!

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    1. Same here, Ethan! Its fun to discover a series when all the books are already released so you can binge the whole thing. :)

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  4. I've read most of her Marked Men series and Welcome to the Point series. I think I have a book or two left in each? See a common thread there, lol? I haven't yet picked up this series but I do love her writing so I'll have to check it out. Glad you enjoyed it, Tanya! :)

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    1. I was the total opposite with these series, Rachel - I couldn't help but binge them! LOL Soon I'll need to move on to the Welcome to the Point series.

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  5. I have yet to read a book by this author. It's just the covers of the books aren't that appealing so I just push them off 😂 I'll have to try to give them a chance since you liked them a lot.
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. Yeah, the covers may not be the best but I'm so glad I gave them a try! I came to totally love these characters. :)

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  6. I read all but the novella, and I enjoyed the series. I was happy we got to stay in that world a little longer, and I do miss the Marked gang.

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    1. The novella was good but not really necessary so you didn't miss much. I miss all the Marked people, too. When the epilogue of Salvaged mentioned every single one of them I got a little teary!

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  7. I haven't heard of this series, but it does look pretty promising! The characters sound mostly awesome! Thanks for sharing :D

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    1. I started with Jay Crownover on a whim and now I just love the characters she creates. I definitely recommend this series.

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  8. I just re-listened to Rule a couple of weeks ago! I initially didn't like it but a few months after listening to it, I listened to the rest of the Marked Men series and I basically had to stop and relisten to Rule and FELL IN LOVE!

    I also love the spin-off series, and my favorite is Built and I have relistened to that multiple times as well!

    Have you read Recovered? It's a new adult standalone by JC but It's absolutely amazing!

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    1. That's awesome that you gave a Rule a second chance and loved it! I just loved Zeb from Built. Such a good man! I haven't read Recovered yet but I'm about to go check it out right now. Thanks for the rec! :)

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  9. Sounds a good story. I would love to read.

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  10. That's great that this series has turned out to be such a hit for you. I hadn't heard of it before but characters sound fantastic.

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    1. I really love the way Jay Crownover has of making the characters come to life. I feel like I know those people. LOL

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  11. I have so any of this series on my Kindle to be read and you're making me think I should start reading them and you've rated so many of them so highly. I'm glad I own a few of these now.

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    1. That's great that you already own some of these! I hope you'll enjoy them when you get around to them!

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  12. I've only read Built in this series (I seriously love Zeb!) but I own Riveted and Charged so I should probably get caught up...

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    1. Wasn't Zeb just wonderful? Loved him! I hope you get a chance to read the others in the series soon.

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  13. I love the sound of these series and think this might be a good fit for me. Thank you for introducing it to me.

    Mary

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    1. It's a wonderful series and I thoroughly enjoyed all 4 books!

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