Review: Jacked Up by Elle Aycart

Since James Bowen married Elle Cooper’s sister, tall dark and handsome Jack Copeland has become a permanent fixture in Elle’s life. A silent, rather annoying fixture, with his arrogant aloofness and my-way-or-the-highway attitude rubbing her the wrong way. So she does what any self-respecting woman would: aggravate the wits out of him.

Party girl Elle Cooper is everything covert operative Jack Copeland doesn’t want in a woman. Outspoken, sassy. A smartass. Too bad when he closes his eyes, all his mind conjures up is her. To everyone else, he comes off as intimidating and unapproachable. Everyone except Elle. So he does what any self-respecting man would: stay the hell away from her. But when Elle gets herself in deep trouble, all of Jack’s protective instincts kick in, and keeping his distance is no longer an option.

Elle’s already complicated life takes a downturn, and she’s given two choices: go to jail or stick with Jack.

With Jack and Elle in such close proximity, sparks are flying all over the damn place and it’s only a matter of time before they ignite. The only question is, who will kill Elle first? The vicious drug cartel hunting her or Jack? 



4 Stars

Review by Lisa Kane

This is the 4th installment in the Bowen Boys series. Elle Cooper is Tate's sister, who is married to James Bowen. Jack Copeland is one of James' best friends so they are part of each other's lives. Elle is more than a little hyperactive and thinks Jack could use more spontaneity  and calls him "Borg" to get under his skin. What she doesn't realize is the Pet (his nickname for her) is already ingrained in his life. But he is on the move all the time as a private security contractor and he is far from the type to stay in one place. 

But when Elle does something stupid she puts herself on the radar of some bad guys. Bad guys who eat up little girls like her and leave no evidence. Jack has been undercover for months tracking these same guys so he steps in. No one is going to protect him better than her. Being forced together just lights the wick that ties these two together. Dear lord these two can set the sheets on fire, or the back of a truck, or a boxing ring or just about any other hard surface they utilize. 

But Jack is dead set on this being a temporary thing. Will he admit that Elle is perfect for him or will he let her get away?

"That I enjoyed fucking you, but this is as far as I'm willing to go? Is that what you want to hear?"

It hurt my heart when Jack took the coward's way out. Elle has been running from her past for the last two years but when she let herself love she gets trampled. 

"You taught me something very important, that it doesn't pay to love someone. You let them in, they break your heart."

The intrigue with the guys after her took up a little too much of this story. There were too many players with complicated stories and I found myself skimming to get to more of Jack and Elle's story. But there was a part in there about exotic fruits and I have to admit that was pretty interesting. I ended up googling them to learn more. Who knew?

There's lots of drama and steam and a little heartbreak in this one, but just like the Bowen men, the right woman will bring Jack to his knees. 

"I've been in love with you since the very first moment I laid eyes on you."