ARC Review: Stand (Bleeding Stars, #6) by A.L. Jackson

 

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Synopsis

Zachary Kennedy has never been known as a fighter, but he’ll never regret fighting for her…

I’m Zee Kennedy.
Quiet. Reserved. Predictable.
When my brother died, everyone thought I was just the good guy who stepped up to take his place in the band.

No one knew what I was hiding. The one thing I’ve been fighting for.

For seven years, I’ve never lost focus.

Not until one chance encounter with Alexis Kensington.

Now she’s become my greatest temptation.
I knew better than to touch her, but now that I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.
Her kiss becomes my air. Her body my salvation.

She needed a savior and somehow she became mine.

Taking her was a betrayal. But keeping her means risking everything.
One look at Alexis Kensington, and I know she’s worth the fight.
Will my past continue to keep me down or will I finally find the strength to pull myself up and Stand

From NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson comes the next seductive, unforgettable Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel…

 

 


Review

“No fear. Just life.”

4 beautiful, emotional stars!

The final book of the Bleeding Stars series is finally here and I’m so sad that it’s over! But this is a beautiful end to the series with the story of Sunder drummer, Zee. Heartfelt, emotional and sweetly, passionately romantic, I loved his story. Zachary ‘Zee’ Kennedy has existed in the background of the series so far, always a part of the story, but quiet and reserved and never really a focus, and I loved finally getting to know him. There is so much to this complex, deeply feeling character than I anticipated, and I completely fell for him.

Zee stepped in to join Sunder following the tragic death of his brother, a founding member of the band, and the original drummer. Mark’s death impacted all of the members of the band, but the devastating loss of his brother and best friend changed everything for Zee and left him completely broken. The full story of the past is slowly revealed in flashbacks throughout the story and that and it’s continued impact Zee’s life are heartbreaking. Zee is a man who is lost to his guilt and grief, intentionally living his life without making a connection outside of his band, and trapped in the promises he has made to try and atone for the past.

And then along comes Alexis. Zee rescues Alexis from an attack in an alley in the bad part of town, and from that moment on there is an undeniable connection between them. He can’t stay away, and she doesn’t want him to. And as much as Zee tries to resist the irresistible pull between them, they find themselves drawn back to each other again and again.

I felt bound to him in an unfathomable way.
As if when he’d been holding those splintering pieces together, the man had managed to chip away a small piece of my soul. A piece that would permanently belong to him.

“I want things that will only ruin me, Alexis. But you…you make me want to wish for them anyway. Make me believe there’s a chance that maybe they could belong to me.”

This is a really intense love story. It’s a slow burn as Zee does his best to stay away from Alexis, but there is a bond between them that neither of them can explain, and the chemistry is absolutely electric! They have an almost palpable connection that sizzles every time they are together until it reaches the point where neither of them can hold back any longer, and every moment between them is full of passion and emotion as give in to the inevitable.

“Fuck…Alexis…Lex. I need you…God, I need you so bad I can’t fucking see.”
“I think I want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted. Not in all my life.”

But as perfect as they may be for each other, Zee’s past has a hold on him and he is not ready for everything that Alexis could possibly be to him. My heart ached for him, but I loved watching the shift in him as he opened his heart to her. But as he does, it leads to consequences that he has lived his life trying to avoid, and I loved exploring all of the twists and turns as Zee struggles to find the strength to finally move on from the past and take a stand for what is important.

“Fall with me,” I whispered.
He leaned down, lips just brushing mine, and Zachary Kennedy murmured his truth.
“I already jumped.”

And Alexis! Wow, she pretty much rocked my world. She has some family issues of her own that affect her deeply, but it’s her huge heart, her strength and her bravery to take chances and live the life she wants that made me really admire her. She has a wonderfully positive outlook, and she holds nothing back from Zee, even knowing that she is risking her heart, and her unquestionable support and unwavering love for Zee is beautiful.

“I lose my head when I’m with you.”
… “And I find myself when I’m with you.”

The rest of the Sunder boys are a big part of Zee’s journey and I loved catching up with them all, and the story continuation for them is gorgeous to see. And while you can technically read this book as a standalone, you will definitely get more out of it if you have followed the boys through their stories and can enjoy this finale.

The story ends in a great place, and provides closure not only for Zee and Alexis, but also for the rest of the characters and (apart for one moment of epic cheese) it ends beautifully and left me with a huge grin on my face.

I loved it! 4 stars.

Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Bleeding Stars series

          

A Stone in the Sea (#1) (Sebastian & Shea)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback

Drowning to Breathe (#2) (Sebastian & Shea)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback

Where Lightning Strikes (#3) (Lyrik & Tamar)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  Paperback

Wait (#4) (Austin & Edie)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback

Stay (#5) (Ash & Willow)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback

Stand (#6) (Zee & Alexis)
Review
Buy:  Kindle Ebook Paperback

 


About the Author

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, as well as the newest BLEEDING STARS novels. Watch for the next installment STAND, coming Spring 2017.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson or text “aljackson” to 24587 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

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Twitter: @aljacksonauthor  |  Instagram: @aljacksonauthor  |  Snapchat: @aljacksonauthor

 

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