Book Review – Hold On by Kristen Ashley

Hold On (The ‘Burg Series #6) by Kristen Ashley

Contemporary Romance. Can Stand alone, but way better if read as part of the series.

What a perfect end to what I would say is my favorite series ever. The ‘Burg series has mature heroes and heroines. Ones who aren’t just starting out in life, but who have lived full lives (mostly shitty) and know what they want, and are finally getting their chance at happiness. While each story in the series is about a different couple, they are so interconnected and intertwined, that I HIGHLY recommend you read the series in order.

I began my love affair with this series of standalones in 2011, so I will say that my only issue with Hold On was not remembering some of the details of the many past events that were brought up in this book. Most of the events referred to took place in For You, the first in the ‘Burg series which I haven’t read in 4 years. But that didn’t take away my absolute LOVE for this book from page one. What a perfect escape from the shittiest month I have ever had.

We meet the characters often throughout the series Lieutenant Garrett Merrick (“Merry”) who was pining away for his ex wife, and Cher Rivers, the single mom, ex stripper and tough bartender at the town’s tavern, and the woman who was unknowingly married to a serial killer.

Cher has had a crush on Garrett for years, but Merry was too caught up in his ex to notice. Cher made him laugh every time he came in, she was “one of the guys”. They were very close friends. Until one fateful night they sleep together, and it all changes.

I wanna fuck wild and I wanna laugh hard, and while we’re doin’ that, I’m gonna look out for you.”

First of all, I freaking LOVED Cher, and I loved her son Ethan. From the other books I expected her to be a little brash and maybe a little on the skanky side. So not the case. She was awesome, and a great mom. She has had a really rough life. Deserted by her addict ex when she had a baby, having to strip to make ends meet, then marrying a serial killer, Cher thought she would never find happiness. She was a classic rock loving hippie, and Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and Hendrix were mentioned. Cher and I are soulmates. Her son Ethan is my kid! Seriously, same age, same wise-ass, smarter-than-he-should-be attitude. Kristen writes amazing kids, and Ethan is one of my favorites.

See why they wanna come here?” he asked me. “Because you dress cool and act cool and you don’t make us put our pop cans on coasters and stuff.” … “I mean, what kinda guy, kid or grown-up, wouldn’t wanna be with a lady who’s cool like you?”

Merry was way better than I expected. Through the series, you always expect Merry’s book to be with Mia, his ex, because their love was supposed to be once-in-a-lifetime. But when he finally saw the light, I loved him with Cher. And let me tell you, he is dirty, dominant and delicious in bed! He is like the perfect sex partner.

His hand landed on my bare ass and the sound of the smack rent through the room as it scored straight from my ass right to my clit.
Oh yeah. I liked it like that.
“Gonna be good?” he asked.
“No,” I whispered.
He gave me what I wanted and spanked me again…
“My brown-eyed girl likes to be bad.”

Not only was he great in bed, but he was there for her, all the way, the way nobody had ever been.

You don’t look after yourself. That’s not your job anymore, Cher. You leave that to me.”

Ultimately, they were just perfect for each other. And the way Merry fell for Ethan, maybe even before he fell for Cher was one of my favorite parts.

It happens. For people like us, baby. It happens, eventually. Just as long as we hold on.”

Best of all, Hold On had the best epilogue I have ever read. It was the epilogue to end the series…fast forwarding years in the future of all of our favorite ‘Burg characters and their kids. I read it twice with tears rolling down my face, and I’m now ready to re-read the whole series.

Likes:

• Long and filled with all of the Kristen Ashley detail I love.
• I absolutely loved Cher, she was a kick-ass heroine.
• Merry was deliciously dominant and dirty, but also sweet and protective.
• Ethan, her son, was a mini KA badass.
• Visits with all of the ‘Burg characters.
• The epilogue to end all epilogues.

Dislikes:

• Had a little trouble remembering some of the details of previous events from other books, though it wasn’t really necessary, I think it would have made it even better.

Rating: 5 stars. 4.25 Heat

The Down and Dirty:

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See the Kristen Ashley reading guide with series orders, quotes, and links to all of my reviews.