Marked (The Boys of Bishop Mountain, Book 1) by Lexxi James

Marked (The Boys of Bishop Mountain, Book 1) Reviews

• 
  Rain

  Wow, but not in a good way.
  
  Plot holes, and a disjointed narrative made me feel like I was missing important chapters. My review will be as meandering as the pacing in this story.
  
  Second chance M/F romance
  Grew up together
  BFF with brother
  Former military hero
  He is a millionaire, master chef and flies a helicopter
  Drama drama drama
  Insert random bad guy
  OTT dumb ow
  Miscommunication trope on fire
  
  Three older brothers who want her to sell their family land. She is working multiple jobs to pay all the bills herself on a house that is literally falling down around her. How does she have time plan an extravagant fundraiser for a new charity she wants to start? Why does nothing happened with the fundraiser after all that work?
  
  She is keeping a “giant secret” the entire book, and while it is heartbreaking, it is silly that she doesn’t just come out and be honest about it.
  
  There is unnecessary drama, including a kidnapping and attempted murder.
  
  The female narrator of the story was really annoying to listen to. She spoke everything like an over caffeinated squirrel. Everything had multiple exclamation points!!!! Calm down, the story isn’t that exciting.
  
  Why did these characters never talk about the initial miscommunication at the hospital?
  
  Disappointing.
• 
  Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads)

  Someone once said that giving love a second chance is like giving them an extra bullet because they missed the first time.
  
  What would you do if you were given a second chance at love? Would you take it? Even though the guy you had loved since you were kids handed you his dog tags and finally kissed you like you had dreamed about before for being deployed only to return home injured and not wanting to see you ever again. Eight years later Jess has moved on and is running a non profit for military vets when Mark Donavon returns to Bishop Mountain to drum up some publicity for his company which is going public and it isn't long before him and Jess meet up and the fireworks start but both have changed. Mark carries the memories and scars of almost losing his life as a sharpshooter for the military and ending up in a hospital all alone. But when he sees Jess again after so many years of feeling hurt and angry because he thought they shared something special on that night long ago. The attraction and chemistry is still their so when sparks start flying they decide to throw caution to the wind and be come lovers enjoying what time they have together. But just as things are getting serious and the lovemaking turns into falling in love Jess is faced with telling Mark a secret that could change how he feels about her and their future. Between the major pressure of taking his company public and feeling Jess pulling away Mark is ready to implode and while he's been caught up in Jess someone close to him has plans to take major control of his company. And when he has a close call and almost loses Jess to a gunman this sharpshooter has her in his sights and he's never letting go!
  
  Boys of Bishop Mountain is Lexxie James new series and it promises to be another great series with amazing characters and fabulous dialogue and steamy hot sex scenes and bust a gut one liners and humor. Theirs angst and suspense and beautiful deep family and friendship interactions that are full of love and the usually ball busting that leave you smiling and wanting more. Lexxi James is a fabulous writer and storyteller who writes with heart and soul and I'll be damned if she didn't hook me on the all the boys of Bishop Mountain! Each has a story to tell and I'm all ears! Can't wait for more! This is a standalone with a HEA ending.
  Until next time Luv's💗💋
• 
  Jennifer B. (jenn.reads)

  I honestly can’t remember how i found this book. It was an ad from insta or FB. 😂 sooo... are we just going to ignore a few items in the book? Like what?! No explanations whatsoever?
  •the hospital mix up?
  •the fair?
  •but did he ever become a billionaire??
  
  Ugh. I really liked Zac though so I guess I’ll try the second book? We’ll see.
• 
  Christine B

  Jess Bishop sister of three brothers Brian, Rex and Cade at the age of six announces she was going to marry her brother Brian best friend Marcus Donovan, a childhood crush. Mark doubled over on the floor laughing uncontrollably, well the double over was from a shift jab square in his balls.
  
  Mark and Brian are best friends and they both enlisted and served together on each tour except one, when Brian stayed home on an emergency leave. Jess and Zac are best friends who made a pack when they turn 30 if they are not married they would married each other. The only issue is that Jess still had that childhood crush and had been saving herself for the one true love with Mark, they shared a secret.
  
  Marcus Even Donovan, 24, middle son; Tyler, the older brother, owns a bar/restaurant; and Zac, the youngest, is a student at NYU. Mark was a solider a "sharpshooter", and sniper after an injury, he returned home and is now CEO of Centurion Group with the opportunity to turn his millions into billions when his company goes public but get distracted after he returns home around Christmas.
  
  Jessica Marie Bishop & her brothers lived on Bishop's mountain most of their lives, when their parents passed away...Jess kept the house, even though it's falling apart, she refuses to let go because of her memories of her parents. Jess is struggling because this is where her mom taught her to "Never underestimate the power of a wish". Then Jess would blow on a fluffy white dandelion. Jess was dedicated to her non-profit for ex-military vets, once her brother came back injuried she would make sure every vet would have a prostatic by any means necessary, beg, work ungodly jobs, the word around town is Jess would do just about anything for a paycheck.
  
  However when Mark returned home injuried, Jess nevered came and visited him, heart broken Mark poured all he had into his new company. Lexxi always know how to grab your attention so many twist, turns they will keep you spinning. Will Centurion Group go public? What will happen to the house on Bishop Mountain? I also loved Lexxi opening lines, Mark wanted to be Batman A. he was a good & righteous w/killer fighting moves B. Treasure trove of insane gadgets C. The Bat signal, so he enlisted to be a superhero and badass protector.
• 
  J.T. Kingsley

  Pick a lane and stay there.
  
  This book felt like two or three books smashed into one. The first 60% felt very consistent if not a little unbelievable. Mark was a world class sniper, had time to build a billion dollar business- mastering contract law and the corporate world, be a world class chef, a rock climber, and probably something else I’m forgetting, oh yeah a helicopter pilot. I’m not sure how old he was supposed to be, but honey there aren’t enough hours in the day. Even before the climax approached we lost Jess’s personal plot all together, she went from being a determined non-profit starter to basically a homeless woman living in the mountains. There were also several weird inconsistencies involving dandelions which definitely don’t grown in the mountains around Christmas and fireflies in the fall. Everything about the climax felt disjointed and rushed including the thing about snipers being able to get a shot at Russ while he was in the house. Also, I’m guessing he died? That was never really solidified. Don’t think I will try the next book when it comes out, I’m too discombobulated after this rollercoaster.
• 
  Donna

  Hit and Miss
  
  This was an average read for me. I liked Jess and Mark, friends to lovers. I found it childish at times and a bit far fetched. Nothing to hate about the story but not a lot to love either so a 3 star for me.
• 
  Lindsey

  Rating: ⭐
  
  Strap in folks. I read this hot mess of a billionaire, military, brother's best friend, second chance romance so you don't have to. If the sheer amount of tropes packed into this book doesn't scare you away, maybe this review might.
  
  Jess has been in love with her brother's best friend Mark since they were young. Though he's never treated her better than a bully, a brief kiss between them gives them a hint at what they could be, if Mark wasn't due to set off for a military mission. After a series of miscommunications, Jess is convinced Mark doesn't want to see her and he is convinced she deserted him when he needed her most.
  
  When Mark visits his hometown 8 years later, he doesn't immediately recognize her. Once he discovers who she is, he offers her an obscene amount of money for her new charity and propositions her for a weeks-long affair. Not only does it feel like he's bribing her for 'services', but he admits to himself he's in love with her but wants to work it out of his system. What a gentleman.
  
  "I'm still a red-headed mountain girl struggling to make my way in the world while he is the billionaire-in-the-making Marcus Evan Donovan." - Jess
  
  Jess is a firecracker, willing to put in the work to stand up for what she believes in. She is babied heavily by her older brothers but no one can tell her what to do or what she wants in life. They are set on selling their deceased parents' land and frame it as in her best interest since she refuses to move on. In reality, they come off as just wanting the proceeds of the sale.
  
  Their second chance romance is more of an extended one-night stand until Mark realizes he is willing to put in work to make it permanent. Even then, though the two have enough history to come between them, it's Mark's obsession with work and tendency to take things out on Jess that finally drives her away.
  
  Not only a combat military man but also a billionaire CEO and a great cook, Mark is wishy-washy and weak. He lets his emotions get the best of him and lashes out when things don't go according to his plans.
  
  After groveling over his latest emotional outburst and failed proposal, Jess pushes him away but only because she can't have kids. I absolutely hated how much of her self-worth for this more than less-than-perfect man is wrapped up in giving him biological children. Women are worth more than their ovaries and Jess' character deserved more than this warped thinking.
  
  Thankfully or not, Mark reveals he was adopted so he is okay with Jess not being able to have children. He knew all along about her secret, hence them never using condoms. He proposes a second time and they run off to have marathon sex while their families cook for them in the kitchen next door because they will need their strength. I wish I had made up that last sentence.
  
  The pacing of this book was off, in a big way. Mark and Jess spend more time apart than together, and as a result, there is little chemistry between them that isn't more tell than show. The story suffers from time jumps that just don't make sense and the climax of the story happens at the 60% mark, then there are still another 100 pages to go.
  
  Plot holes I couldn't overlook:
  
  1. Mark and Jess haven't seen each other in 8 years, even though he is still best friends with her brother and even employs him.
  
  2. Zac, Mark's brother, has lunch with Jess weekly in their small town despite working in the city which is 3-4 hours away
  
  3. It's mentioned Jess checks out Mark's third finger for a ring instead of the fourth finger.
  
  4. Mark was hit by a bullet during the shootout scene but it's only mentioned as an afterthought a chapter later, not in the moment.
  
  5. Mark only uses American cheese for grilled cheese, but then makes her one with tomatoes 
  
  6. It's winter, admittedly cold, but there is a scene where Mark is fishing in pajamas and sleeping outside
  
  This might have been one of the worst contemporary romance books I've read, it was truly that awful. My sole purpose in finishing this book was so I could write this book review with all the spoilers imaginable to warn others away. Someone else must have hated this as much as I did right!?
  
  More reviews at
  www.ratherbookish.com
• 
  Afolasade

  Boys of Bishop mountains is another series by the author. From this 1st book, it promises to be interesting, lovely and a good read. Marked, the 1st book in the series is about second chance/best friends sister and its amazing. Lexxi didn't disappoint as usual, it's steamy, intriguing and I just couldn't put it down. She took a minor character from the Alex Drake series and turned it to an incredible story. Can't wait to see what happens next. I received an ARC for my honest voluntary review
• 
  Donna reads Romance

  Right on the Mark!!
  
  This book was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down!!
  Mark and Jess’s story is highly engaging, deeply passionate and very inviting.
  
  The chemistry between Mark and Jess is burning hot and the love they have for one another is simply beautiful.
  Beyond the romantic aspects of this book I really enjoyed the family and friendships shared between these characters.
  Every moment was entertaining and sensual.
  Congratulations Lexxi🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻This book is REMARKABLE and the characters sharing it’s pages are enticing and endearing.
  Now I will be getting Cuffed to see who Zac falls for!!
• 
  Julie Booklover

  I loved this book from page one. Mark, Jess, and their families are an engaging bunch, and their introductions include great banter and tug at your emotions. Both characters are a little broken but are better together. While we wonder if Jess and Mark will get their second chance, the secondary characters add to the story. I am looking forward to more in this series.
  
  Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
  
• 
  Jennifer Bishop

  This is the first book in The Boys of Bishop Mountain Series. It is a fantastic Military, Second-Chance, Billionaire Romance. I could not have loved Mark and Jess and their page turning story more. The writing, characters, storyline, world building, and character development are superb. I simply cannot wait for more from this series!
• 
  Anne Young-Cronister

  I loved this book. Jess is a young girl who knows in her heart that HE is it for her. Mark Donovan is the only person she had ever truly wanted. He’s off to the Army and gives her his dog tags that she holds close to her heart every day . Now, he’s a business CEO for the family, about to go public. He’s home for Christmas but do these two need more than a gift from Santa Clause. He thinks of her as a Choir girl, the thoughts she has about him are anything but that. I liked all the Angst, Missteps and everyone throws the word Playboy at him. The steamy scenes are off the charts and an HEA is had by all even after the women chasing him for his money. I laughed a lot reading this. Also a healthy dose of danger and excitement.
  
  I reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
• 
  Fiona Fog

  Lexxi brings the feels with this story, investment factor is a given. Great characters and an engaging read.
  
  The dialogue is addictive, you’re swept up in their story, the chemistry is sizzling and Mark Donavan is right up there as your next book boyfriend. This man is perfection, his dirty mouth is a welcome surprise and that he can back it up seals the deal.
  
  Jess is relatable and likeable, she’s normal and there’s no artifice with her. What you see is real.
  
  In my top reads this year.
  
  It’s a yes from me.
• 
  Rachel Hager

  DNF @ 45% - clearly there is no solid plot here. Weak characters and no stakes. Didn’t work for me
• 
  Denise

  “Marked” is the first book in the ‘Boys of Bishop Mountain’ series by Lexxi James. I’ve been wrestling with how to write this review because a lot happens in the story, and I don’t want to ruin any of it for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. So, forgive me for being circumspect, but I think you’ll thank me later. This is a second chance romance, and a brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister romance. It also fits into the categories of being a military romance and a millionaire/billionaire romance.
  
  Jess grows up with a crush on her older brother’s best friend, and as a child she’s not shy about it. It gets awkward and embarrassing as those things do, until suddenly when Mark is getting ready to leave for deployment again, a significant few minutes they share lead them both to believe that upon his return things are going to be different. The deployment ends in a nightmare, and when Mark gets home a terrible miscommunication wrecks everything.
  
  Mark and Jess spend years on very separate paths in life. He moves away and becomes an extremely well-connected and successful businessman; she stays local and establishes a much- needed nonprofit organization to help military veterans. And they always remain aware of one another. Their families are close. Her brother is still his best friend, and one of his brothers is her best friend. The family relationships in this story are complicated, sweet, and sincere. They also feel very ‘real’. When Mark returns home for primarily business reasons, familiar sparks fly between him and Jess. They decide to see where it leads, which is straight into a scorching hot relationship.
  Unfortunately for them, (but fortunately for us), there is more drama waiting to happen and to be revealed.
  
  This book hooked me quick, reeled me in, and kept me engaged right to the very end. There were a couple of small threads that I wish would’ve been resolved in some way, but with so much going on, it’s very understandable for that to happen. I thought the main and secondary characters were all wonderfully vivid. There is a lot of serious stuff here, but there’s also a lot of humor and scenes that will make you laugh out loud. I enjoyed the author’s writing style so much that as soon as I finished this book, I bought two of her
  others.
  
  I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily sharing my thoughts and opinions.t
• 
  Anij

  “I’m hers, locked in a connection I can never escape.”
  
  Wow. Just wow. This book is absolutely amazing! I just loved Mark. I mean, who wouldn’t? Except for his habit of jumping to conclusions and his stubbornness in trying to fight/deny his feelings he’s just about perfect. He’s gorgeous, protective, loyal, honest, intelligent, strong, caring, patient, great in bed, has a good sense of humor, confident without being arrogant, wealthy, is close to his mother and family, handy around the house and even cooks like a dream. All I can say is Jess is one lucky woman!
  
  The blurb is very misleading but don’t try to find out any details of the book as it will spoil all the secrets and surprises. Just jump in and enjoy. There’s so much going on and the action is woven perfectly around Mark and Jess and their growing relationship. They are so perfect for each other. I can’t imagine them not being together although it sure was a long, hard journey getting there.
  
  I’ve never read any other books by Lexxi, a fact I’m mystified by and plan to change, starting with the Alex Drake series. I can’t wait for Zac’s book and am looking forward to all the Bishop Mountain boys each getting their own stories. I’ll be right there for each one.
  
  I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  ljamison

  In the book “Marked”, we meet Jessica who always had a crush on her brother's best friend Mark and as a child said she was going to marry him. I don’t think Mark was interested in her then but when she was eighteen he was definitely intrigued. However, I believe her brother Brian told Mark not to mess with his sister. That year Mark and Brian go off on a dangerous military mission and Mark gives her something special to keep.
  It’s now 8 years later and both Mark and her brother are back from the military injured and making new paths in their lives. Mark is very wealthy man and it looks like Brian is doing well too. Jessica is living is the decrepit house that they all lived in as children. She is taking any side job she can get. However, Jessica still has feelings for Mark but she is still angry at him because she believes he turned her away 8 years ago. Mark wants Jessica but thinks he can't be with her because of his friendship with her brother. Will they finally admit to how they feel for one another? When Jessica and Mark get together how will her brother Brian react? Great story. I Wish I had read the previous stories for some prior knowledge, but not knowing didn’t spoil the book. I always love a good angsty, forbidden romance.
• 
  AJ's Book ReMarks

  Marked: A Billionaire/Miltary Second-Chance Romance, Brothers Best-Friend. Lexxi James includes everything in this story!
  
  Marcus Even Donovan, 24, middle son; Tyler, the older brother, owns a bar/restaurant; and Zac, the youngest, is a student at NYU. Mark was a solider- sharpshooter, and sniper; after an injury, he returned home and is now CEO of Centurion Group with the opportunity to turn his millions into billions when his company goes public.
  
  Jessica Marie Bishop is the youngest of three brothers Brian, Rex, and Cade. They've lived on Bishop's mountain most of their lives; when their parents passed away, Jess kept the house, although it's falling apart, and a contentious matter between the siblings.
  
  Mark and Brian are best friends; they both enlisted and served together on each tour. Jess and Zac are best friends who made a pack of about 30 and not being married; they will marry each other. The only issue is that Jess is in love with Mark; is it unrequited? Will Centurion Group go public? What will happen to the house on Bishop Mountain? So many questions; read more to find the answer to these questions and many others.
• 
  Donise

  For years Mark has had a thing for his best friend's baby sister but has never acted on it because it was just not done. Right before he leaves on a dangerous deployment with her brother, Brian, Mark gives Jess his dog tags for safe keeping. Fast forward a few years and Mark is now a billionaire but he is broken and alone. Jess has started a non-profit organization to help veterans obtain prosthetics. Jess is also working herself to death and struggling to hold onto her childhood home. Her brothers are threatening to sell it. Jess's future relies on her huge fundraiser, but someone starts threatening her and Mark comes to help. The sparks still fly between them, but now more than ever Mark is determined to not cross that line. Read this cool story to see if Jess can keep her family home, see if Mark can protect her and see if they can find a happy ending. This story was sad, funny, and a blast to read.
  I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
• 
  Marie

  This is the first book I have read by Lexxi James, a pseudonym if I've ever heard one. I have mixed feelings about this book. The premise was very good, and I even liked the main characters, Mark & Jess.
  
  There were a couple of reasons I couldn't give it more than three stars. One, I could not stand the way the female narrator read her part. It was like she spoke in exclamation marks. I honestly considered getting the e-book and reading it just so I wouldn't have to put up with the way she narrated. The second reason why I was disappointed in this book was that it seemed to drag on. I really liked the concept of the book, and had the author used some of the other characters more creatively, I probably would've enjoyed it more. But that didn't mean I didn't enjoy it. I liked certain parts of the story.
  
  So, I am going to move on to her second book in the series. If it's going to be the same narrator, I will probably get the e-book and I'll have a better idea if it's the writing or the narrating.
• 
  Madina

  Great-ish?
  
  Alright, I’m short on time so I’ll say this.
  
  This booked deserved every one of the 3 stars I gave it. The characters were fun, the story was great and the smut was…smutty.
  
  But there was quite a bit I didn’t like and I just realized, I want to share it all LOL
  
  - Brian goes from super protective to placing a bet on whether his sister is “shacking up” with his best friend…okay?
  - Jess has apparently loved Mark forever but then takes forever to say yes to a relationship with him? Again…huh?
  - That whole Russ/Lance nonsense - just weird
  - Mark is a total butt to Jess at the start but then the kiss and the subsequent get together is rather emotionally uneventful for both of them? There’s no “omg I’m with Mark” moment for Jess; who apparently has loved him forever
  - The entire premise of Brie’s character and that awkward bar interaction…okay?
  
  So yea…I didn’t hate the book but I wasn’t ever emotionally connected
  
  I will add this though, the humour and the inner dialogue of characters is REALLY FREAKING WITTY AND FUNNG!
• 
  Jennie Fortna

  A*R*C for honest review with no compensation Received from BookSprout 4.5 stars
  
  Marked is book 1 in the series Boys of Bishop Mountain by Lexie James, a new to me author and one I will be reading more!
  
  The story has a lot happening but it is very easy to follow what happens over the course of eight years with the Bishop and Donovan siblings.
  
  Up first is Marcus (Mark) Donovan and Jessica Bishop’s story. At 18 Jess Bishop knows her oldest brother, Brian and his best friend Mark are set to deploy and she has always felt a connection to Mark so she kisses him before he leaves knowing nothing will ever happen between them. Unbeknownst to Jess that kiss has left Mark spinning…life goes on, things evolve during the intervening years and now eight years later Mark and Jess come full circle but there is an enemy know one saw coming…
  
  This is the beginning of the Boys of Bishop Mountain that leads to the Alex Drake series by Ms. James.
• 
  Nerdy Norie

  I enjoyed this book but I felt like events happened in a whiplash manner. All of a sudden something is happening and there was no prelude to it. No "oh that makes sense" and more like "wait did I miss something?" This happened more than once and while I rolled with the punches I can't help but wonder if there was a better way to present the change or story buildup.
  
  If you like the inner struggle of letting go for love, this is your book. Jess has a secret and she allows it to put a strain on her happiness. And then we have our bad boy turned billionaire love interest who is just as complex. I definitely enjoyed his character a lot! And their inner monologues were great and quite funny! Solid read for sure!.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.