Trust Me (Rivers Edge Book 1)

Trust Me is the debut novel of Lacey Black, which I felt was well written for a first time author. I felt she put her heart into writing this wonderful story. This is a story of starting over, learning to leave the past behind why reaching out to find love again, going through the down falls to learn to live life to its fullest why staying ahead of the game and the family who is over protective. As we all know this can be a trying and very hard time as it was for Avery and Maddox. It is even harder when you are best friends with the girl’s brother who has told you she is off limits. I found this to be a wonderful cute, humorous read.Avery has had no luck with men, each one lets her down. The only ones she can trust are her father and brothers. She does have a crush on her brothers best friend, has had it for years. Maddox doesn’t even notice her or so she thinks. She knows she is off limits but the attraction is still there. For the time being she is putting all she energy into raising her young daughter. The time has come that she must decide if she is going to throw it all to the wind to follow her heart and take the fall out which will come.Maddox is a playboy, a man of many one night stands, no women will pin him down. Lords knows there has been many who have tired. There is this one lady who stays in his mind but she is off limits he knows there will be hell to pay if he even tries. So he fights his feeling but just can’t help his self fall for the beautiful lady and you beautiful young daughter.Avery and Maddox just can’t find the feelings they have. Bean (her daughters nick name) lets the cat out of the bag and it is so cute and funny. Avery and Maddox now have to face her older brother and fight to stay together or part. If that isn’t enough the old girlfriend is causing trouble, not many are happy for this couple. There are trying times ahead which will either make them or break them.I did enjoy the author’s style of writing, I did however feel that the author had a few things to long winded adding to but was not necessary. In no way did it take away from the story. For an author first time release I felt she did an outstanding job. There were a few type Os but I never take away from that. These few can be over looked easily. I felt the title fit this story to a T since it is about trusting in those you love.I did love the characters, the few you would hate did not appear at all or not that much so you don’t really hate them you just dislike them. Bean was a sweetie that I fell in love with, her innocents was to die for. I adored Jake and can’t wait to read his story, for a tough alpha man I think he will have a hard road to follow.It was a pleasure to read how Avery and Maddox fell in love and all the down falls they have to go through to try to make a relationship work. I found this to be a believe story of today and could be anyone of our stories. I do truly look forward to seeing more from this author and to watch her grow in her writing. I give this book a 4.5 an am rounding it up to 5 stars. Congratulation on your debut novel I feel you will go far in the writing world with many more wonderful stories.

This is the first book by in the Rivers Edge series by the talented Lacey Black. This is her debut novel, and I was very impressed with the quality of Ms. Black's writing. She has a natural story teller's ability, and she was able to weave a very believable romance with likable characters that the readers easily become invested in. I am a total sucker for small town romances and for the older brother's best friend/best friend's little sister storyline, so Ms. Black hit two of my favorites in one swing with this opening story to what promises to be a great series.Avery Stevens is a 22 year old single mom to 4 year old, Brooklyn, and the youngest sibling to four over protective older brothers. Brooklyn's father is not in the picture, wanting no part of being a dad or a partner to Avery. She hasn't had much luck in love, and she's got some issues with trusting men. She's had an unrequited crush on her brother, Jake's, best friend for years."I don't want to do this alone forever."Maddox Jackson is Jake Stevens' childhood best friend. They were in the Marines together, and they are now partners on Rivers Edge's police department. He isn't looking to settle down, he's happy playing the field with no commitments to any woman and can't imagine his life any other way. He may admit to himself that he is very attracted to Avery, but he lives by the "bro code" that she is off limits."Avery Stevens is the most stunning woman I've ever seen."Avery and Maddox have a few run-ins and strike up a friendship, which, of course, blossoms into more than either was looking for or expected. Their attraction to one another is strong, and it isn't long before they can no longer fight that pull. Maddox is having feelings he's never felt before about Avery and about Brooklyn. He's surprised to find that he doesn't want to fight those feelings either."Do you want this? This life with me?"Avery has always been attracted to Maddox but never believed that she had any chance with him. When they start spending time together, she realizes that she's not just attracted to him, she has feelings for him. Of course, she has to find a way to get past her trust issues, and that doesn't come easily for her. Added to all of this is the fact that they're hiding their relationship from everyone, including Jake.This is a great story about two people so obviously meant for each other, finding their way towards a life together they never expected. There is nasty drama from outside forces, interference from well meaning big brothers, and distrust and doubt for them to navigate. Will Avery let go of her distrust to embrace a future with Maddox? Will Maddox realize that everything he never knew he wanted is right there for the taking? How will Jake react to their relationship?Ms. Black has penned an absolute winner with this impressively well written, romantic and steamy small town tale. She's laid the groundwork for a great series with characters that you cannot help but want to know more about, and she has painted a wonderful backdrop of family, friendship and small town goodness. I'm glad to have discovered this author, and with this book alone, she's easily become a favorite. I loved this story so much! I'm very excited for the next book in this series, and all the others that will follow. Congratulations on a fantastic debut, Lacey Black!

Sorta clean bit Avery’s daughter makes the story better.

When it comes to the 'brother's best friend falling for the little sister' storyline I sometimes find a lot of authors can't quite get a good grasp on the whole concept and execute it to my high and pernickety standards but holy moly Lacey Black hit it right out of the park with this one.Lacey has managed to beautifully orchestrate a realistic yet sexy and incredibly addicting story that hosts an array of equally lovable and diverse characters that all reside in the small town of River's Edge, Missouri. This particular book however circles around frisky, commitment-phobe with a soft heart cop Maddox -the aforementioned brother's best friend and Avery, sweet, sassy and independent single mum and little sister to Maddox's BFF. (side note: Brooklyn has to be one of the cutest kids ever written!)What was utterly refreshing about this tale was the progression of feelings and certain situations, there isn't a sudden awareness of the other person or an instantaneous attraction between our two main protagonists nor was it a book laden with repetitive and gratuitous sex scenes (though there are some particularly awesome lovin' scenes written). It's a story written expertly from dual P.O.V's that shows the reader the developing attraction, the certain hurdles and obstacles and self-induced fears and doubts they have to overcome, it's a story about how people can change for the better when there is something or someone there that makes you want to change for.Trust Me is just such a great find for me, wonderfully written, well edited with superb in-depth characterisation and a stunning love story that ultimately left me salivating for Big Brother Jake's tale.Five stars plus.

A perfect romance story of two people's journey to find love. With all the books out there that have shocking/highly erotic/suspense ect- I think it's hard sometimes for a straight forward love story to keep you gripped (just my opinion of recent book reads) but I have to say this book was a compelling read that I genuinely couldn't/didn't want to put down. I became pretty anti-social and things like sleeping and household chores went out the window.This is the first book in the series which takes us on Avery and Maddox's journey of falling in love.This book has amazing characters, a great story line and a perfect HEA- and Maddox with Brooklyn is just so sweetly perfect. There are more books in the series (equally as good) that focus on Avery's other siblings- although we catch up plenty with Avery and Maddox in future books. A highly recommended series.

I received a complimenty copy of this book through Crazy Cajun Book Addicts for an honest review.Trust Me is book 1 in the Rivers Edge Series and it's a fabulous read. Avery hasn't had much luck with relationships over the last few year's she has a 3 year old daughter Brooklyn, who's father cheated on her and left her when she was pregnant but Avery loves her little girl more than anything. For many years Avery has secretly crushed on her eldest brothers best friend Maddox. Maddox feels the same about Avery but they are both worried about the repercussions a relationship between them will cause. This is a lovely story of finding your one true love the, person you can spend your whole life with. Brooklyn is such a sweet little girl too and some of the scenes with her and Maddox are just heart melting.This book is definitely a five star read and I can't wait to read Jake's story next.

Good story- first in a series about a family that live in a small town, Rivers Edge. This is Maddox and Avery's story. Avery is the youngest sister to 4 older brothers and Maddox is her eldest brother's best friend.Enjoyable story, perhaps a bit predictable but I didn't mind that. Having just read quite a heavy book I was in need of some lighter literary gorgeousness!!! I love stories about families and I always enjoy the whole little sister/ older brothers best bud scenarios. Lots of potential for more all American loving.....

This was a recommendation from A friend, I haven't red anything by this author before and I loved this book! I loved avery! Bean!! And Maddox! What a guy! And holly all of averys family! This book didn't have anything that I didn't like! I loved it all! I'm so looking forward to payday as il be buying the rest of the series to get my fix! I can't wait to see what happens with fight me! ( Jake & Erin's story!)