Series: For Her #3
Publisher: Carina Press
York Times bestselling author Alexa Riley, a friends-to-lovers romance
that will bring you the happily-ever-after you’ve been waiting forJordan Chen is the man behind the screen. As part of the elite security team
for Osbourne Corporation, he has an iron grip on protection, all without having
to make close connections with people. Until he meets the beautiful Jay, and
suddenly his quiet life doesn’t seem so perfect anymore. He needs more. He
needs her.
A workaholic to her core, Jay Rose doesn’t have a lot of men in her life.
Smiling in the face of her enemies gets her the results she wants at work, but
doesn’t exactly project a warm, welcoming vibe. So she’s surprised when the
enigmatic security expert strikes up a friendship with her—surprised but
flattered, and maybe a little bit turned on.
A company as powerful as Osbourne Corporation has powerful enemies, and when
Jay becomes a target, Jordan realizes there’s nothing he won’t do to bring her
home safe.
My Review:
Claimed is my first time reading Alexa Riley, and this novel is about Jordan and Jay. Jordan handles security and IT issues for the company where Jay is the ultra-organized assistant to the boss. Although Jay is beautiful and outgoing, she has struggled making friends at her job until Jordan comes along. They start having lunch together and both secretly they are stuck in “the friend zone,” until Jordan finally gets the courage to test the waters. Then comes romance, suspense, and a roller coaster of events between this new couple.
So, here’s what I liked about this novel. I liked the realistic insecurities of both Jay and Jordan when they were wondering if the other was interested in them. They showed a fantastic vulnerability that initially made them very likeable and relatable. I also liked the crime portion of the novel and suspense that it provided, prompting me to be on the edge of my seat wondering who was responsible, what would happen next, and so on. I also loved Jordan’s dad, Pop. He seemed like such a sweet, intelligent, loving man that had experienced loss but still lived life to the fullest and loved with all of his heart.
However, I had some issues with Claimed that I struggled with. First of all, am I the only reader out there that found Jordan somewhat stalkerish?? He hacked into Jay’s emails and work schedule so he could conveniently be in the same place at the same time as her. He watched on her surveillance cameras for extended periods of time and basically appeared to be obsessed with her, although he was always awkwardly shy in her presence. Which brings me to the next issue of his shyness being flipped off like a switch to this cocky, alpha overload. Did he have a lobotomy or shock therapy or something? The man completely changed and took over Jay’s life.Even more troubling is that Jay went from being successful, driven, and independent to a mushy, clingy mess.
Claimed has a good plot and is full of action, but I struggled with the main characters and their weird changes. I would have enjoyed this more if Jay would have remained stronger and Jordan wouldn’t have been such a controlling freak. Despite my issues with that, I have to admit that their romance and chemistry was very powerful and moving at times. I liked the novel, but it wasn’t great for me personally.
Best Selling author. Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and
wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football,
donuts, and obsessed book heroes. They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top,
sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want
something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley
is for you!
Dandelions Inspired 