Worth the Risk (St. James, 3)

It was difficult to keep reading this book. I liked the first one in the series the best. The second not as much and the third not at all. I had no empathy for Jackson at all. Also the ending for a three book series left the reader hanging.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy (via NetGalley) of this book.

Worth the Risk by Jamie Beck is the third installment of the St. James Series. Full of sweetness, heartbreak, and challenges, I left the series with a sense of closure. All the characters had their stories told, secrets came out and into the open, and true love finds all. Read the rest of my review below.

“How does one rebuild broken trust?”

Jackson was complex

He has demons...a lot of them. They come in the form of his family members and his ex. Yes, alcohol is probably his main problem, but let’s just say he almost became a shell of a man. But, he is getting treatment and honestly I can totally understand his motive for self medicating. Nobody is perfect and I loved that this story portrayed that.

It’s all about character growth

It all revolved on deep family issues on both Jackson's and Gabby’s end. David’s addiction and Gabby’s feelings about addiction. They couldn’t be more different, but yet so perfect for each other.

Trust also plays a major issue this time around. Both Jackson and Gabby go round and round with the trust merry-go-round. I loved that they both brought something different to the table. They both stood to lose something in the game of love.

It may sound sappy but they really needed each other to heal and to come to terms with their problems. Gabby’s mom plays a crucial role in hers and I couldn't be sadder at the eventual outcome of that storyline. I was really hoping...but I guess it was all meant to be.

Pulling on my heartstings

If anything, this was a major pulling of the heartstrings story. Gabby’s son couldn’t be any cuter and Jackson’s ability to make friends with him was so cute. Major hostility on my end towards Gabby’s baby daddy, I mean, that guy sucks. I was happy to know that even though he is still a class A jerk, he might have redeemed himself (a little!) towards the end.

I’m so glad everything turned out well for St.Jame’s. I can see why Jackson was left for last.

A little note...

It would help to read this series in order.

I received an advance copy of WORTH THE RISK in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of Jamie Beck's book, and Worth the Risk was equally as good as the rest. It might even be one of my favorites of hers so far. (Secretly Hers is my other favorite, check out that series as well!) I spent some time as a single mother myself, so I especially connected to this book. That theme was something that hadn't been really explored in any of Jamie's other books so far, so I enjoyed reading something a little different.

If you love romances with heart, and enjoy a good plot as well, you will love this book.

I absolutely LOVED this book. The last in the St. James books. I enjoyed reading about Jacksons struggles and the battle he fought with not just everyone in his family but the battle within himself. I loved how both Jacksons family and Gabby's family are not perfect. How every family has its struggles and defects and screw ups. I loved how no matter what Jackson stayed true and real to himself. It may have been hard to see the right way at times but you saw how focused he was and how he truly cared for everyone in his life. How he wanted so bad the tight closeness of a family bond to stay after his mother has passed. I also think having Gabby with a son help make the story line. You got to really see and feel Jacksons bond with him from the beginning and accept Gabby and her son and even Noah for who they are. I could really relate to that. Coming from my life that situation doesn't come easy and all the obscales that was thrown at Jackson I loved how he handled them calmly and like a real man. Well done! I can't wait to see what else Jamie Beck has in store next! I highly recommend all 3 St. James novels ☺

All too often these days people seem to think that they need to have life figured out or working perfectly before they take a chance on love. Hook-ups, it seems, are fine for people whose lives are messy, but not love. Jackson in counselled throughout this book not to get involved but in a lot of ways, having someone who is there for him, and for whom he can care, is healing for him. While Gabby had a lot to lose if things went way wrong with Jackson, she gained so much when they went right. Full review at [...]

Very happy with all 3 of these books in this group.

Oh Gabby, I love her dearly. She is such a strong character and deserves the love of Jackson.
Jackson struggles with his own private demons but has so much to offer.
Together, they can do anything. They were meant for each other.
Loved this entire series.

great diversion . . worth reading

I loved this series. Each book was better than the one before it, and this third book, Jackson's story, didn't disappoint. As a mom, I'm always more invested in a story when there are children involved. My days as a childless single person are long over, so the stories about people whose choices only affect them aren't really as interesting to me as those about people who have others to consider. Gabby had her son to think about, and had to figure out a way to get what she wanted without affecting Luke in a negative way. Jackson had to consider the child's feelings, as well, which is something that this single guy hadn't had to do much of up to this point in his life.

I really liked Jackson; in fact, this book made me want to go back and read the previous two books again so I could fully appreciate what he was going through as he gave himself a "time out" of sorts: time away from his job, his family and his responsibilities so he could figure his life out and find a way to move forward. I liked how the unresolved issues from the previous two books were brought into this story, and we were able to visit with the other members of Jackson's family again. Thanks, Jamie, for another great series. I'm looking forward to the third book in the Sterling Canyon series, as well.

I just love Jamie Beck's writing and I love me some Jackson :) I've enjoyed all the books in this series and this is no exception.