Blog Tour: Make it a Double by Sawyer Bennett {Review}

Welcome to my stop on the Make it a Double blog tour hosted by AToMR Tours!

Today I am excited to share my review with you all!

You can view the full tour schedule HERE.

Make it a Double (Last Call #2)
    by: Sawyer Bennett

Publication Date: April 21, 2014
Publisher: Big Dog Books, LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by AToMR Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 398 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Brody Markham has endured a nightmare, spending the last five years in prison and losing everything that was dear to him. Now he’s back home, trying to survive in a world he doesn’t recognize anymore. While his family and friends desperately try to reach through to him, he shelters himself further and further away from their love.

Alyssa Myers has worked her entire life to distance herself from the luxurious and privileged lifestyle in which she was raised. Running her non-profit agency, The Haven, she is content to spend her days helping abused animals find sanctuary, which fulfills her in a way that money just can’t buy.

Maybe it’s that she recognizes in Brody some of the same characteristics she sees in her homeless wards, but Alyssa is powerless to stop her personal quest to make Brody whole again.

While Brody struggles to surface from the darkness, Alyssa tries to protect her heart in case he’s not willing to accept the light that she offers him.

 

 

Hands down this is my absolute favorite Sawyer Bennett novel. Which is really saying something because let's face it: I love ALL of her books! After finishing On the Rocks, I could not wait for Brody's story. He is so withdrawn and shuts the world out and I desperately wanted to see him happy. I knew it would not be an easy road, as serving time changes a person, but I had NO idea how much Brody sacrificed and did. He will go down as one of my favorite male heroes of all time after reading his story.

 

Pacing: I loved the pacing. I felt like everything fell into place exactly as it should. The romance wasn't rushed, we didn't reach the climax too quickly, and we had a good amount of build up to make for a really great story.

 

Storyline: We finally get inside Brody's head and it is a hard place to be! He is not the same man as he was before he went to prison. He is stoic, distant, and does not show emotion. He wears a mask of indifference, separating himself from others. His siblings, Hunter and Casey, are glad their brother is home but miss the way he used to be.

 

When he first interacts with Alyssa, one of Casey's best friends, it is not pleasant. He is rude and inconsiderate, passing judgment on her based on the fact she comes from money. It's obvious his disdain runs much deeper and has nothing to do with HER, but what he thinks she represents. Alyssa is hurt all the same. After seeking out Hunter for help, Alyssa ends up running into Brody instead, who reluctantly offers to help her. However, seeing Alyssa do manual labor and how much she does on her own for her non profit animal shelter he realizes maybe she's not the spoiled heiress he accused her of being. He decides to volunteer at her shelter to fulfill his community service after all and the more time they spend together, the more they realize they can't stop thinking about one another. Brody and Alyssa will have to decide if they can have a relationship together and if it can withstand their pasts trying to interfere with their future. Bennett will surprise you with some of the secrets revealed and will leave you with the hope that these two can find happiness together.

 

Characters: Watching Brody come out of his shell and learn to trust and love Alyssa makes this a beautiful romance. Underneath that hardened exterior lies a selfless, incredible man who really got the short end of the stick because he was young and naïve. He is a proud man and as much as he desires Alyssa, he doesn't think it would work between them because they come from different worlds.

 

Alyssa is such a sweet, gentle soul and there isn't anyone who is more perfectly suited for Brody. She is a determined woman filled with compassion. She is there for him after finding out about his secret. She allows him to remember what it's like to joke, tease, and just feel comfortable again. She sees the good in him and not only cherishes him, but believes in him- something he hasn't had anyone do in a long time.

 

Gabby, Hunter, and Casey are all back and I loved seeing them again. Gabby has really worked her way into Brody's heart and he is really protective of his 'little sister'. I also love Gabby and Casey's friendship with Alyssa too. We are introduced to Brody and Alyssa's exes and I could not stand them at all. One is plain crazy and the other is desperate to get back what was once lost.

 

Final Thoughts: I loved the direction Sawyer took this story. Finally we have a story where the MC's overcome their obstacles together and stand by each other no matter what. Bennett didn't add unnecessary angst and drama to keep you engaged- there was no need- the storyline she has created sells itself. If you are looking for an epic romance filled with compassion, tenderness, and all consuming love and understanding, this is the book for you. Brody and Alyssa's relationship is seriously hot and steamy, and made me long for a Brody of my own.

 

 

 

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

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