Spin-off Saturdays: Saints of Denver by Jay Crownover

Spin-off Saturdays: On Saturdays, I will review a series that is a spin-off series. It is recommended that you read the original series first in order to get the most out of the spin-off series. Here is this week’s offering:

Saints of Denver Series is a spin-off of the Marked Men Series

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Favourite Author
Series: Saints of Denver

This is a spinoff of the Marked Men Series.

Author: Jay Crownover
# of Books: 4 (Built, Charged, Riveted, Salvaged)

There is a prequel novella called Leveled

Book Order: Connected
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: hot
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: November 2015 – June 2017
Source & Format: Public Library–eBook

WARNING: If you have not finished the original series, Marked Men, this review may have spoilers!

This was originally a review of the first 2 novels in the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications.

My Expectations?

To say I was excited for this series was an understatement. I had been anticipating Built before this spin-off series was even announced and I was dying to finally read this story.

Over the last year, Jay Crownover has become one of my favourite authors. Her books each have a unique flare to them but still evoke all the right feels when you read them. I simply devour any of her books and I always make exceptions to put her books on hold at the library despite my self-imposed limits.

So yah, I was just a little excited to finally read Built (and Leveled too!)

How does it compare to the original?

GAH! Built was absolutely fabulous! It evoked so many feels and was so hard to put down!

It had all the charms of the original series (complete with cameo appearances) plus a little something more that makes this series unique. You still get blazing hot passion between these characters and AMAZING character development but there is this little something that makes this series its own. It’s hard to put my finger on what that “little something” is (if you know, please tell me below!) but whatever it is, it sure works!

Anything I Didn’t Like?

That when it was finished it was over? And now I have to wait for the next one?

My Thoughts on Leveled:

I actually read Leveled after I read Built thanks to the way my holds worked at the library but it definitely doesn’t matter when you read it/if you read it at all. Leveled was a great way to wrap up the Marked Men Series and transition readers over to this one. It fills in some of the time gaps and gives you little hints about what to expect in Built.

This was my first Male-Male Romance and I don’t think it will be my last! It was super sweet and felt like a full story despite its novella size. It was a perfect way to bring closure to a certain character that I’ve wanted to know more about since Rule–and Jay Crownover did a great job with it!

My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:

I’m really excited to see what happens in Charged. There was just enough build-up in Built (pun intended) to make me super excited to see what is in store next! Is it May yet?

–July 31, 2016– Book #2: Charged

This book was sizzling!

Thanks to the little hints we got in Built, I was eager to start this one. It was just as much fun as it was serious and I really enjoyed that. The suspenseful plotline near the end was a welcomed surprise as well.

These two had a great connection that balanced their relationship in a fantastic way. I’m not sure what stopped me from totally loving them together (maybe it was the slight insta-connection they had?) but, regardless, I enjoyed their journey from start to end.

Can’t wait to start the next one!

–October 6, 2017– Books #3 & 4: Riveted & Salvaged

Both these books were focused on couples I’ve been dying to read about since the Marked Men days and they didn’t disappoint. It was just fantastic to see these scorned people finally get their happy endings.

For both books, I felt a little underwhelmed by the dramatic plot lines. In Riveted, it felt like a rehash of an early story at times. Which is fine, just not as refreshing as I wanted. For Salvaged, I think the drama felt a little rushed near the end but it still provided closure so no biggie.

I found the love scenes in both novels were a little dragged out more so than I remember in the previous novels. Not that they are filled with crude detail or anything but Crownover really gives you every thought that runs through their heads so it’s quite lengthy to read. I was reading these on the plane so it was a little awkward to read when someone could read over my shoulder.

Regardless, these were solid books and a great way to wrap up this entire world Crownover has created. As a fan, I can’t say I was disappointed.

Series Rating: 4.5/5

[Leveled] 5/5 | Built 5/5 | Charged 4/5 | Riveted 4/5 | Salvaged 4/5

Another great series by Jay Crownover. Fans of the original series will love this new cast of characters and new readers who love all the feels! Definitely worth a read!

Read if You Like: contemporary romance, character development
Avoid if You: dislike contemporary romance

• Rule by Jay Crownover (Marked Men Series #1)
• The Mad Tatter by J M Darhower
• Missing Dixie by Caisey Quinn (Neon Dreams Trilogy #1)

Synopsis for Built (from Goodreads):
Sometimes you have to tear everything down to build something new…

Sayer Cole is frozen inside. At least, that’s what it’s felt like for as long as she can remember. She’s yet to let anyone past her icy exterior – and the one guy she thinks might melt her heart couldn’t possibly be interested in someone so uptight.

Rough, hard and hot-as-hell, Zeb Fuller has rebuilt his life and his construction business since protecting his family sent him to jail all those years ago. His elegant client, Sayer, makes him feel like a Neanderthal in denim, but despite the many hints that he’s been dropping to get to know her better, she seems oblivious to his charms.

Just as things finally start to heat up, Zeb’s past comes back to haunt him and he needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. As these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, fire and ice collide in an unstoppable explosion of steam…