WhiskeyintheJar Romance

This book. I don't even know what to say. I started reading and "literally" could not stop. The beginning:

The forbidden aspect, or what have you, of Abby the volunteer teacher and Grayson the prisoner and their sexual tension had me going up in flames.

The middle:

Is, is this romance? I kept thinking this over and over. If you read the warning in the book blurb, it clearly states "dubious consent". Great warning but I still don't know how to deal with reading and liking a fictional incident that so clearly goes against my in the real world belief. Although, the authors never crossed a hard line for me, they definitely toed it. What kept me reading was the amazing writing of both Abby and Grayson's backgrounds, motivations, and reasonings.  Nothing feels forced here or purely for sensationalism, messed up people do messed up things. 

The ending:

Grayson's story and past is dark and it's easy to get lost on him but the little discussions of Abby's childhood reveal why these two ultimately work together.  Again, this depth of character explored by the authors is what makes this darker romance work.  In fact, Grayson and Abby turned out not to be the monster in the closet couple I thought they might be; there is real love there just not sung by Disney.  

I devoured the first half of this book and while the second half slowed a bit, got somewhat fantastical in regards to Grayson and his friends being a super crew, and then rushed Abby and Grayson's separation and rejoining, I'll recommend this book all day long.  I purposely made this review light on what actually happens in the story (I wasn't planning on writing a review but my big mouth wanted to alert people to this book if they haven't become aware of it) and more on my personal feels, I don't want to spoil anything that happens in the book. I want you all to have natural gut reactions to everything. The writing is top notch and if you want to go off the beaten path, buy this book.

P.S. I almost wept when I saw the next book in the series isn't out yet. I'm dying for Stone's book and I darkly want him to be paired up with the governor's daughter. Just imagine!