I’ve never made a secret of Kristen Ashley fandom. This author has had a profound effect on me as a reader. Her books had such a tremendous impact on me and are the ones that began a voracious, insatiable love of romantic fiction. That love, and the need I felt to satiate it, started me on a journey that, several years ago, I had no idea was even possible. Yet here I am, and I can trace it all back to that day in 2012 when I picked up my first Kristen Ashley book.
So, fast forward five years, and I’ve read the vast majority of her books, and many of those books, I’ve read more than once. At any given time, you can look at the first page of my Kindle, and there will be a KA book on that page in process of being read. It seems that most days I find myself reading at least a few of her words. I may only be able to sneak in a favorite scene, maybe just a chapter or two, or if I’ve got the time, I’ll allow myself to get lost in the story and reread the whole book. So, I consider myself a devout fan, I hesitate to use the word authority, but well, five plus years of reading and rereading these books over and over again has given me a solid understanding of her writing style, her characters and her stories.
I preorded The Hookup, but I’d been saving this book for a time that I could luxuriate in it, take my time with it and enjoy it. Read it purely for the pleasure of a new KA book and of reading. That time came for me this weekend. From the first page, I was hooked. Drawn right into this new KA world of Matlock, Kentucky, I was riveted in place and forcing myself to slow down and enjoy the story, not devour it like the starved fan that I was. It was a struggle, but I did it, and I’m so glad that I did. This book was…. everything I went into it hoping it would be.
If you’ve read KA’s previous works, specifically her Colorado Mountain, The Burg, Dream Man and Chaos series, you know she’s got a vibe. There is something special about the way she pours all that alpha-male goodness onto the page and mixes it with just the right heroine into a story that is pure magic. So, it thrills me, it thrills me, to say that this series has kicked off with a book just like that. Swooning in my seat, firmly rooted in place, I took in the awesomeness that was this book with a happy, racing heart.
Johnny Gamble was a perfect KA hero. Loyal, sweet, sexy, decisive and as alpha as they come, this man was all man, and the kind of man who when he loves, does it hard. Eliza Forrester, Izzy to her friends, may not have had the easiest life, but her optimistic spirit gave her the natural ability to make the best of any situation. These two sizzled from the start, and their chemistry leapt from the page. Even though the attraction was strong and there from the beginning, this was no whirlwind romance, and I absolutely love, love, loved every minute of the build-up of their relationship. A dash of suspense, an in-your-business small town and a cast of side characters I loved, The Hookup was the full package of KA stories with a compelling love story, an interesting plot, characters I was invested in and a setting I can’t wait to visit again.
The Hookup was a fantastic start to a series that felt familiar and comforting, while still managing to pull off being new and exciting. I cannot wait for more, and I hope that KA will give it to us soon in the form of Toby and Addie’s book. The Hookup by Kristen Ashley gets five smooches from me!
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Popular Highlights in this book
“You never know what’s deep inside a soul. You just never know. And since you don’t know, you’re never, not ever, in the position to judge.”Highlighted by 416 Kindle readers- “She was iron,” I whispered. “Iron and steel and granite and everything strong packaged up in feathers and goose down and kitten fur and everything soft. She was the most precious gift I’ve ever received and will be until I have my own babies.”Highlighted by 348 Kindle readers
- “She shouldn’t have looked for the dreamers. She should have found a man who knows all the different types of motor oil.”Highlighted by 258 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
Adorable sweet loving romance in classic KA formula
3.75 stars 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘂𝗽 by Kristen Ashley is the first book in the 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 which only has two books. Meet the town resident “perfect guy” Johnny Gamble and town newcomer Eliza “Izzy” Forrester. Johnny’s character was much softer than KA’s other alpha heroes in the best ways. I’m not a fan of bossy alpha without the sexy parts. While being much of the same formula Kristen Ashley uses in her plots, I did enjoy this book a lot. So much so that I purchased 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻, the second book, even before I finished this one.𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘂𝗽 is told in dual POV with Izzy’s being first person and Johnny’s being in third. I like when a man’s perspective is in third so that was a plus for me. As Izzy’s first ever hookup, she wakes up in stranger Johnny Gamble’s bedroom.After spending some time with him, she really likes him but gets the feeling that this guy, Johnny Gamble is only in it for casual hookups. To me it seemed right off the bat that he liked her but he did have this cold vibe. We later find out the drama that comes with that and why he is the way he is.Johnny is the sweetest and most loving guy once he actually decides to go for it with Izzy. That takes its sweet time but it’s angsty and adorable. This is definitely one of the sweetest KA books I’ve read and I love Johnny. The way he treats Izzy is protective and loving.There were times where I felt bored because as I said, it did follow the classic KA formula where someone gets kidnapped, someone needs to be rescued, a man leaves his no good of a woman ex but we see all sides. In a way, I respect KA for always writing what she feels to be true. Still, I did wish sometimes she could switch up her plots.I was absolutely loving this at times yet bored at others. Still, I wouldn’t have been bored if I never read a KA book. There are adorable moments and lines that make your heart stop. There are relatable family aspects especially if you grew up poor.I’m moving onto Slow Burn so clearly, I loved it enough to not be able to not finish.
Top reviews from other countries
Lu Bielefeld
Recomendo muito! Highly recommend!
Reviewed in Brazil on December 22, 2017
Chrissy’s Book Shelf
If you like Kristen Ashley, you will LOVE this. If you just like romance books you’ll love this.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2017