Jonquils for Jax (The Rousseaus, #1) [Jax & Gard] by Katy Regnery

What a sweet sweet story! Really enjoyed it! I really liked that though it IS an emotional story, very endearing from both Jax and Gard, I don't consider this one to be angsty at all. It's simply a touching story about two people who are lost, finding a way to each other as well as finding their place in this world. 

It's been a few months since I read "The Winslow Brothers" the second part of the "Blueberry Lane" series and so I really enjoyed getting back. Also meeting a few of the characters from the previous installments. It's not necessary to start at the beginning to enjoy this book though, "The Rousseaus" is a (sub)series standing on it's own. But I DO recommend ALL of them. Like this one, they are rather short sweet romance novels that leaves you with a smile on your face. 


We met the Rousseaus family briefly in "Kiss Me Kate" in which Etienne Rousseau finds his HEA with Kate English, also we got a glimpse of Jax in "Proposing to Preston" where Jax is producing the movie Elise Klassan (Preston Winslow's love interest) is the main actor. Yet what we have learnt about her as well as what is said about her - being feisty and full of self confidence is not really who we meet in the beginning of this story. I see her as quite innocent truth be told. Though I enjoyed her feistiness, the way she acted around Gard showed her vulnerable side in a most tender way. She expected him to be into her, as a lot of guys tend to be infatuated with her, yet she wasn't sure what to do when he rejected her. Well, it could be argued that she ins't really in her element at the moment, she is hiding at home, as far away from LA as she can, trying to figure out what to do with herself because the life of a hollywood celebrity just isn't for her. 

Gard is helping out the English's gardner - Felix Edwards - who is considering retirement. It's not what he saw himself doing (even though his name IS gardner ;)). He used to be a cop, up until a case went wrong and he was forced to retire. He has enough money from his family to basically do nothing, but that's not something a guy like Gard do - nothing.. So he does what he father taught him - gardening. At least he has this profession.. It's a relaxing job in which he can be on his quiet self hiding from the life he used to have in the city. In this regard, a little like Jax. 

I'm not saying more about Gard's situation not to spoiler but I will say that there was a moment sitting on the grand stairs in "Le Chateau" my heart was crushing for Gard, and Jax couldn't be more perfect at that moment. In general I loved the way Jax saw Gard for who he is truly and not the things he couldn't be (which he is constantly mourning). Gard is the same for her, he sees her as she is, and he encourages her perfectly to pursue her HEART desire and not what anyone else expects from her (especially her more than annoying mother..).

I really enjoyed seeing the both of them evolve together. It was so sweet and endearing. I also enjoyed the closeness of the Rousseaus' siblings - Jax, Mad, Etienne and J.C. I'm really interested in getting Mad and J.C.'s HEA in the next ones. 

I just realized how little I've written ABOUT this book, and I like it that way :) I usually write more about the plot but I really don't think it's needed because it's mostly a story about Jax and Gard, not about what happens around them. It's THEIR story. Gard might have saved Jax on the night they met, but she saved him just as much in the following days to come. 

Beautiful, sweet, tender. Just grab it and read it!

Additional Details: Kindle Ebook, 170 pages, 18 November 2016 / On GoodReads

ABOUT THIS SERIES

 

 "The Rousseaus" is Contemporary Romance series by Katy Regnery. It's a part of the "Blueberry Lane" universe where 4 VERY rich houses are located. Each "sub-series" centers around one family -  (1)  English -  (2)  Winslow - (3) Rousseaus - (4) Story.  

 

Generally speaking each book can be read as a standalone but I think that though it doesn't matter with each "sub-series" you start it makes sense that whichever you chose you start with the first book in that particular "sub-series". 

While most books are quite short and not complicated they are easy and fun reads. I really enjoyed them.

Books:
1. Jonquils for Jax [Jacqueline “Jax” Rousseau & Gardener "Gard" Pierre Thibodeaux] (Published 5 August 2016) ★★★★★
2. Marry Me Mad [Madeleine “Mad” Rousseau & Cortlandt “Cort” Ambler] (Published 21 September 2016) ★★★★★ 
3. J.C. and the Bijoux Jolis [Jean Christian “J.C.” Rousseau & Libitz Feingold] (Published 21 October 2016) ★★★★★