Ajax is a Short Romance Story by Kelsie Calloway, one of the five stand-alone books in The Men of Devil’s Peak Series. Everly and Ajax were childhood sweethearts, but four years after their breakup, and due to her older brother’s inconsiderate behaviour, Ajax is the only person she can turn to for help. A big snowstorm is about to hit; her cars are in the shop, and her parents need supplies to make it through the winter atop the mountain. Is risking being trapped in the snow with an ex-boyfriend tempting fate, or is it simply a temptation too hard to pass up?
Everly is a strong, stubborn, overthinking, and family-oriented woman. I connected with her very quickly and I immediately hated her older brother. I understood why she claimed to hate Ajax because hating is a lot easier than admitting you are still very much in love with them. The fact that no one matches that connection you had with that person, which seems to be something they can both agree on, makes it that much harder. Ajax is very clear in his desire to have her back, but Everly is determined to avoid him in order not to have her feelings that she shoved down resurface. I felt for her because relying on the one person you want to avoid to help your family is a hard choice to make. But in saying that, is being trapped in the home of a sexy mountain man for at least three weeks that bad? I am surprised she made it as long as she did without combusting.
I usually really love when a romance book is written with a dual POV, as it allows you, as the reader, to connect with both main characters and see how they are feeling and how they are interpreting the other main characters’ behaviour. However, I did not connect at all with Ajax; he felt a little flat for me, which was a shame as I really connected with Everly. It was very clear that he was still in love with Everly and always will be, that he was strong, not only physically but strong-willed and that he knew Everly, her every behaviour, and how to calm or raise her heart rate, but other than that, his personality as I said was just a little bit flat. Although one of his bold lines made me squeal at a very late hour, there was one line that, even though he was not wrong about how quickly he could get Everly into bed, was just a little gross to me. And that did not help how I was feeling towards him, to begin with.
I will no doubt be reading the other books in The Men of Devil’s Peak Series by Kelsie Calloway, as I loved how short and sweet this book was, but due to the aforementioned dislikes of not being able to connect with Ajax in any way despite the dual POV, it is very unlikely I will reread it. Therefore, my rating for Ajax is Three out of Five Stars.
I have been struggling with a book slump, so this novella definitely helped me get back into reading again. I would recommend Ajax to anyone that loves a second-chance romance, childhood sweethearts, possessive mountain men, stubborn plus-size women, soulmates finding their way back home, and anyone that needs a little steamy read. The sexual scene in Ajax is not, in my opinion, overly graphic, but I would still recommend this book to an adult audience. I look forward to seeing what the other mountain men of Devil’s Peak are up to in the future.
Favourite Quotes
““We can barely stand to look at one another. And I don’t know if that’s because it’s painful or because we know we still belong to one another.””
Loc 91
“Who am I kidding? Ajax Campbell is the storm. The snow might be dropping several feet outside, but he’s packing several inches inside and he’s not afraid to use them.”
Loc 300
“”Honey, Everly,” his voice deepens an octave, “I have some more cream cheese for these cinnamon rolls in the kitchen. If you’ll let me strip you down, I’ll glaze you like a pastry and happily lick it off of you.””
Loc 392
“I wouldn’t say sex is the cure-all to every woman’s mood, but it is for mine.”
Loc 474
Finer Details:
Title: Ajax (The Men of Devil’s Peak Series)
Author: Kelsie Calloway
Pages: 43
Publisher: Kelsie Calloway
Publication: 2021
Language: English
Rating: 3/5