The Will

I have read & re-read and listened to this book so many times that I have lost track.of how many times. This is a story of family and friendship and love. There are a few references to dark times in the past that may be triggers for some; but overall is positive story about what's really important in life. Jake Spear is a just a guy who wants the best for his family. He is blunt, & a little rough around the edges, but he is also loyal and so driven to provide and protect. There are a couple ancillary characters introduced here that get their own story told later in the series; but this one is my favorite of the series and features one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. So thats probably why I travel to Magdalene Maine often to "visit".

Okay, this is review number 787 or something, so...I am essentially writing this for myself. Mainly as a reminder not to give up. What do I mean? Well, I started The Will not once, not twice, but 3 times before it finally clicked with me. Once I clicked with the book, though, it clicked in a big way.Josie, or Josephine - Having lost her beloved grandmother, she comes to the tiny, coastal town of Magdalene, Maine to settle up the estate. We get hints about Josie's past history of abuse - from her father, from an ex...But even before those hints, we know that Josie is buttoned up tight, all about control and holding herself distant from everyone and everything. Then she meets Jake, and Jake's kids, and finds all that distance melting away.Jake is a classic KA Hero. Yes, that capital "H" is on purpose. Jake fully believes in taking complete care of those who are in his life, regardless of the cost to himself. Jake runs a strip club to pay the bills, and a gym to fulfil his passion. He moves slowly with Josie, so slowly that she doesn't even see it. Loved the fact she thought she was dreaming, then realized her dreams had come true.The kids - Awesome. Ethan is adorable, Con is a young Hero in training, and watching Amber grow to recognize her worth was wonderful. Loved The Taylors, too.There is the usual baby mama drama, but Josie sorts that out. There is young love drama, and Josie sorts that out. There is other, more spoilery stuff that I don't want to give away...I can't put my finger on why I love KA's work so much. I think it is realism with just a touch of the fairy tale. And the sexy times are ever so sexy...and real. No props needed (not that there is anything wrong with kink), but yeah, you can put yourself in the middle of the scene and feel like it could, or has, happened to you. And the scenes are heartfelt and delicious.What didn't work quite as well - Josie wasn't really perfect, so I can't pin a Mary Sue on her, but she was fixing everyone, left and right. Her interference was global and non-discriminatory. And in a way, it made sense. Josie was so closed off herself, and unable to fix her issues, so she concentrated on everyone else's issues. She was very honest, let's put it that way. Classic avoidance of interpersonal relationships, she crushes for 20+ years on her boss, yet never acts on her feelings.Bottom line - I freakin' loved every little thing about this story, good and bad. I laughed until I snorted, and I cried ugly tears, sometimes within the same page. No, it isn't perfect. Yeah, you could argue that the MC's share traits with other KA MC's. I do not care. Not even a little bit. I stayed up until 3am to finish The Will. Can't even remember the last time I did that. Probably for a Rock Chick or 'Burg book. No question, I will be reading it again.

What a pleasant surprise from Author Kristen Ashley. While still being true to her writing style, she completely mixed things up with The Will and left me excited for more……….This is a standalone romance with the second book having recently released. The second book moves onto different characters introduced in The Will as is typical of KA. I know I have said it before but this is one of the things I LOVE most about her. The intertwining of characters allows me to revisit places and people I fell in love with…….it’s like reconnecting with an old friend. So when I say my next read is without a DOUBT Soaring…..it most definitely is.Magdalene, quaint town that holds “The Lavender House”- once home of Josie Malone’s beloved grandmother. Upon her death, Josie returns to the town for her funeral and the reading of “The Will”. Accustomed to the fast life working for a world renowned photographer, Josie is used to rubbing elbows with the elite. However, her grandmother and Lavender House is the only home she has ever truly known. Where she has always felt the safest from her brutal upbringing.During the reading of her grandmothers will, Josie finds that her grandmother has an unusual and unique request that brings Jake into her life and forces her onto a path she would have not otherwise chosen for herself.“I don’t understand what Gran wanted for you and me.”'“Maybe she wanted us to be friends? Maybe she wanted to know you got someone who cares, who’ll look out for you, listen to you, take your back when you need it and give a s*** not just when you need it but all the time.”Living small town life with his 3 children, Jake is anything but a simple man. A man who was very close with Josie’s grandmother Lydia and a man determined to take care of his family. He is giving, caring, compassionate and SEXY…..wow is this man SEXY. With many obstacles to come, Josie and Jake eventually find their way, like a slow burning candle their love builds over time and it one that is breathtaking.I cannot even begin to write all that I want to expound upon. I would quote the ENTIRE book if it were up to me. Kristen Ashley writes in a very distinct way that is very noticeable to her fans. I cannot recommend her enough- because I want everyone to experience the feelings she invokes into her writing.

I loved this book! If I could I'd have given it 10+🌟.I particularly enjoyed the fact that Jake and Josie were older than the 20something characters usually found in romance novels.Josie is a joy: her obsession with looking good (while not realising she's stunning), her quirky way of speaking, her kindness etc. all make her seem real. Jake is the perfect match for her: he just 'gets' her.And Amber, Connor and Ethan - aaahEthan! - are the best kids ever.Kristen has a wonderfully unique writing style, which dragged me in from.page one.I read the paperback, which, at almost 600 pages is huge, but I wouldn't have missed a word. And even though The Will is that length, I didn't want it to end.For anyone looking for an involving, rewarding, emotional read, packed with wonderful characters, and written by an incredibly talented author, I highly recommend The Will.

Spending her time as an assistant to an in demand photographer Josie was rarely by her self, however she was always alone. Living her life behind a mask that did not allow anyone to get close kept her safe. The only person that got beyond her barrier to her heart was her beloved gran. After she passes Josie is again alone, sitting at the graveside with silent tears streaming down her face and no one to pass her a tissue, hold her hand or give her a shoulder to cry on. Feeling eyes soon her as she weeps she sees him for the first time.Third time was not a charm for Jake Spear. The only good thing about his 3rd marriage was he got his son Ethan from it. Having two older kids, a gym and a club his life is busy and at times chaotic but he still knows what he feels the first time he saw Josie.Life is not always plain sailing and from their biggest loss comes an even brighter future as the fabrics of their lives twist, turn, mesh and tighten creating a family and a beautiful bond so unbreakable its magnificent.

KA is well up there as one of my favourite authors. Her style. Her way of pulling you into a story and loving the characters. I have to say with The Will - i started it, got a quarter of the way through and left it for a while. I wasn’t truly feeling it. The feelings it invoked at the start I was feeling like they wouldn’t be overcome. But alas (as Josie would say) I should have believed. Literally the next chapter turned it around. And I couldn’t put it down. The remaining ¾ was an amazing story. One I will reread eventually to see if I got it wrong the first time. Josie and her klutzy ways - I loved her. This was a great story!

I bought this when it came out and for some reason it didn't click with me. I always give books a second chance and I'm so glad I did because I really liked it this time around.Josie is a fabulous character , very different and unintentionally funny. She's guarded though, especially because she's returned to Magdalene for her grandmother's funeral. There she sees Jake and his family and wonders who they are.The next day she goes to the reading of the will, Jake is there too and they are thrown together in an unusual way.Kristen, lately, tends to write in short sentences with not many longer paragraphs, not in this story though. This has lots of paragraphs and it flows well. As usual her attention to detail is second to none. I love the way she's written Josie.Great plot, characterization and a good read.Four and a half stars.

I am a huge KA fan and love all her work, but this one is my absolute favourite. I purchased this book again as a gift for my friend, who I know will love it just as much as me.The characters are so real, the story has wonderful highs and lows and at times is super steamy! I thoroughly recommend this to all booklovers.