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Compromising

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The exciting conclusion to Alex and Cassie's story!

Sgt. Alex Cruz took the risk of his life when he pursued and established a relationship with Pfc. Cassie Bennett. Their secret was blown wide-open by one life altering event, leaving their futures in jeopardy.

Escaping the shadows of Marine Corps orders should have been a sigh of relief, but quickly turns into their biggest challenge yet. Alex and Cassie must learn to navigate the road blocks thrown their way, while also figuring out how to function as a couple.

They know what they want, but not always how to attain it. Life will test their love and their resolve, proving that their only option is to learn the art of COMPROMISING!

**Contains violence, vulgarity and strong sexual content. Recommended for readers 18+.**

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2014

16 people are currently reading
1308 people want to read

About the author

C.C. Brown

7 books601 followers
Just a book reading, writing loving, mommy and USMC wife! :)

I love to write, even if it isn't what is conventional and makes everyone feel giddy inside. I usually pull from dreams, or ideas that just thrust themselves into my head. I have what some would describe as a dry sense of humor, and I think its conveyed in my writing. I like to think I am a kick ass chick, but I can also be sensitive. I'm learning to grow thick skin, and in this field, it is definitely needed!
I won't put anything out that I am not absolutely proud of, but like E.L. James said, "I can't own people's reactions to it." Thanks for reading my work... I do appreciate it!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for C V.
117 reviews15 followers
March 23, 2014
I need Compromising now, please. I've read Fraternizing over a week ago and I cannot stop thinking about Alex & Cassie. Please, please, I need more Sgt. Cruz.
Profile Image for Erika.
375 reviews47 followers
April 13, 2014
Spoilers, yo!







2.5 Stars

Meh.

Sometimes my need to finish a series ends up being a massive pain in my ass. Especially when I didn't really care for the first book in the series in the first place. But you know, sometimes that second book can make up for a first book. It's happened to me before, so I usually try to get at least two books into a series before I call it a wash unless I completely despised the first book.

Anyway, Compromising.

Well, it WAS better than the first book. That doesn't really mean that it was good though. My biggest issue with Fraternizing was that it was just too much. So much so that it was just overwhelming to the nth degree. Compromising, thankfully wasn't that bad. It was still too much though.

This series is based around the fact that an NCO/instructor (Alex) banged one of his students (Cassie). Yeah, they eventually fall in love, blah blah, but at the end of the day he he lusted after her and broke the rules. A pretty major one at that, since it was in school AND she ended up in the top of her class. Even if it was by her own merit (which it was) it still looks shady as hell. And after mucho drama, they get caught and he gets his one way trip to the brig. End scene.

This is where Compromising picks up. And it gets it's sugar coated happy ending to the fraternization charge a third of the way in. They both got off completely scot free because of a due process issue. What bothered me in this entire thing is the fact that we never found out why the person who was so dead set determined to get Alex some serious brig time. That is where this should have focused on. The fraternization case and the reasons behind it. Not a wee bit of that, case closed, and then the rest around Alex's anger issues and his subsequent deployment. If the author would have cut out one of the kajillion sex scenes in the first book, she could have actually wrapped everything with the actual fraternization case up in one book and called it a day.

I would have probably really liked it then.
Profile Image for Justadele.
925 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2014
I'm gutted loved the first book & was really looking forward to the conclusion to Alex & Cassie's story but something just didn't work for me & I'm not sure why. I couldn't connect with Alex at all & found him over bearing & selfish they spent the majority of the book arguing & breaking up I didn't feel any love between them :(
Profile Image for Annmarie.
1,245 reviews51 followers
January 18, 2018
Really long book. No cheating in this book by MCs. Dalton kind of made me mad with the Johnson and Ben situation. Great ending.
Profile Image for *Marsha,Marsha,Marsha* It's always Marsha.
388 reviews4 followers
April 27, 2014
I really liked book one. The set up for the story of Alex and Cassie was exciting and sexy and ended with both of their careers in jeopardy. I anxiously awaited book 2. Although I did want to see where they ended, this book was filled with so much angst and drama and at times, Alex literally came across as violent and out of control. In the real world, I would have found him to be a scary boyfriend, with a few red flags. But this is the world of Fiction!

3.5-4 Finally a HEA Stars

This story picks up where book 1 stopped. Cassie is in the hospital after her attack and near rape. Their fraternizing is out in the open now and Alex is glad. He's willing to take whatever they throw at him as long as Cassie is safe and in his life. The beginning of the story moved along as expected. Alex has been taken into custody by his out of control commander. First Sergeant O'Hara was an utter ass and was no more a role model for a Marine leader than he assumed Alex was.

Alex and Cassie are both beyond worried about how things will play out and Alex is determined even more and wants to get married, before the trial. We're talking like in 4 days. Cassie agrees, but is still worried about how things will play out. Alex thinks their being married will prevent them from being separated. Their Marine atty feels differently. But Alex is determined to do what he wants. He takes Cassie to meet his family and it just about turns into a war. His grandmother is absolutely awful to Cassie. Beyond awful. She is a true Hispanic matriarch. After a horrible scene, Alex pulls Cassie out of there and is determined to go ahead and get married. At this point Cassie has reservations because she doesn't want to come between him and his family. After some major miscommunication between them and harsh words, Cassie feels that Alex has broken up with her while Alex believes Cassie doesn't want him enough to fight for him. They had into their trial at odds and both hurting. Whenever Alex tries to apologize Cassie won't listen or doesn't believe him. He tries to tell her how much he loves her but go off the top at the drop of a hat.

During all of this drama, there are the issues of those "friends" who have worked to take down Cassie and Alex. More comes out about who has done what and what is awaiting him with his new orders. He and Cassie long for each other but cannot seem to find the means to communicate. Alex's new orders take him Afghanistan and somehow before he takes off, they somehow find the words and he leaves knowing she has always been his. So much was included in this book. The trial. The family drama. Lack of communication, the out of control anger at his so called friends, and his deployment as well as a personal tragedy. C.C. covered an awful lot and I felt that perhaps that might have been why I felt a bit on overload. This is a long story with my sub plots side conflicts.

At times I wanted to just smack Cassie but at the same time I wanted to slap Alex. They made everything SO hard for each other this time around. More so than it should have been.

There is a final reveal as Alex comes back from his tour for the personal tragedy. And I felt this last piece of drama was a bit predictable. However, there is a great HEA with a wonderful Epilogue. Would I suggest it? Yes, but be prepared for a great deal of conflict!
Profile Image for Maggie.
287 reviews18 followers
June 16, 2014
Alex was overbearing as ever and he and Cassie argued and fought from beginning to end! But I still really liked the story even though I found it a bit long and with some inconsistencies, but that might just be because I read the book too fast trying to see how everything ends with Cassie and Alex. And I loved the end!!!! The epilogue was perfect, sweet and exactly what I was hoping for. : )

I liked that Cassie stood up to Alex and would call him out when he was wrong and acting like an idiot. And I loved how Alex was so madly deeply in love with Cassie. These two overcame obstacle after obstacle and I'm glad that through compromising and working together they finally got their HEA!

I hear that Riley and Nat are getting their own book and so his Brandon and Adriana?? Sign me up! I've love to see more of the Cruz and their friends and family! : )
Profile Image for 🅙𝔲𝔩𝔷.
970 reviews62 followers
March 22, 2014
You can really feel Alex and Cassies love through all the trial and tribulations but even though very good I'm not sure I felt the chemistry as much
Profile Image for Books&Dreams.
575 reviews
March 20, 2014
 photo bookwormsreviewicon.jpg

I was gifted this book from the Author for an honest review.
I gave this book 5 stars.
This is book two in the Fraternizing Series and it is a continuation of Alex and Cassie's story.

You must read book one to read this book it is not a standalone.

CC Brown has done it again. This is a top favorite of mine.

Alex gave in to the way he was feeling for Cassie and now it is their time to pay. With so many against them how will their love survive. Alex is stubborn and pig headed and wants things his way. He sees it, he wants it, he takes it. Cassie is trying to show him that he needs to compromise in a relationship. It makes it hard on their love and she is not sure if they will be able to survive this. The ones that were in their corner they are not sure if they can trust. They are not sure that they can trust anyone. Will they be able to finally learn to compromise with each other and get past all the road blocks that everyone seems to be putting in front of them?

Once again CC had me wanting to turn the pages faster then I could read them. I was so captivated by what was going on with Alex and Cassie. I found myself up at 6 am reading. My eyes burning and my body yelling at me for sleep, but I trudged on. I mean why does my body need sleep anyway? So with my coffee in hand and my comfortable couch I didn't move until this story was finished! And let me tell you, read this book. I think you will love it. Alex is such an Alpha male but you gotta love him. He gives everything for his Cassie and more. And Cassie's heart is bigger then Texas! These two together light the pages up and will keep you swooning. Thank you CC for another great book!!! You rock!! <3
Profile Image for Sleepless Readmore.
163 reviews313 followers
March 27, 2014
3.75 COMPROMISED STARS

Sgt. Alex & Pfc. Cassie ♥♥

description

I was really looking forward to this one however, it was ...
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(compared to the first) perhaps because I felt it was kind of dragging or just nothing new really happening. But still 3.75 stars worthy because of those amazing characters and their love story.

The story is picked up where the last on is left off. Their secret is right there OUT IN THE OPEN and know they must deal. They were aware about what they were getting into but was it worth it? Because i'm a hopeless romantic I say HELLLL YEAAAH, what's more exciting than a forbidden love because that's when you know its REAL. There is a lot of Compromising they'll have to do but that's how life is! It wasn't as A-M-A-Z-I-N-G as the first but I'm glad there was an ending to their story.

- Sleepless, Readmore.

CompromisingC.C. Brown
Profile Image for Angie.
1,382 reviews121 followers
December 5, 2014
After Fraternizing's devastating ending with Cassie in the hospital and Alex "arrested", the couple is now experiencing the consequences of falling in love. O'Hara is dead set on making an example of Alex and Cassie and he's not afraid to try and use Alex's friends and family against them. This is making Alex mistrustful of everyone. Not to mention Alex is having trouble getting over Cassie's assault. All of these obstacles can't be good for the couple.

I was looking forward to reading this book to find out how Alex and Cassie were going to get out of their predicament. But everything that followed was just too much.

This book, jeez. Drama, drama, drama. Bad thing after bad thing kept happening to Alex and Cassie and Alex just couldn't handle it. He needed to attend an anger management course, all he did throughout the whole book was yell. I was worried for his health. Alex's attitude was so bad I was just ready for the book to end. Even Cassie had her moments. There were times that I was siding with their enemies because they weren't really saying anything that was untrue.

This story ended well. I don't know how but it did. I was disappointed.
Profile Image for Ilene.
1,140 reviews19 followers
January 29, 2015
This one was way better then the first...

Alex is still an asshole even if he does have a heart of gold. Cassie it stronger then she was in the first. This book is less filler and more story.

A lot goes on in this one. There is a bunch of sadness but Alex and Cassie find their way through it together.

Loved the epilogue!!
Profile Image for Linds.
61 reviews4 followers
April 27, 2014
Just finished the first book and had to search to see if there was a follow up. Soooo happy there is, can't wait until the 11th.
Profile Image for SHALAMAR.
805 reviews
March 25, 2014
3.5'er loved the first book more. Alex was too overbearing for me in this one... too hot headed.
Profile Image for R. Holmes.
Author 24 books1,155 followers
October 1, 2014
Love love loved this series! Alex is such a hunk. Couldn't have ended any better!
Profile Image for Rachel.
399 reviews7 followers
September 20, 2015
4.5 stars!! Loved this book and thought it was better than the first. Characters 4/5, setting/plot 5/5, steam 3/5, writing style 4/5 would definitely recommend :)
Profile Image for Debbie Loader.
1,035 reviews
April 15, 2018
Excellent read!
So Alex is in seclusion and Cassie has the bitch from hell at her bedside following the attempted rape.
They are both charged with fraternizing and are looking at a pre hearing for a court Marshall. The staff sergeant with the beady eyes seems to have a hidden a agenda but you never find out what it is!
Alexandria and Cassie have major issues to overcome following their case being dropped because beady eyed Sgt screwed up the investigation! They fight, words are said and Alex gets deployed to Iraq. He watches a good man die in his place, then flys home because his mum is dying. Here he find out cassie is pregnant!

Move forward five years for a satisfactory conclusion. I loved it!
Profile Image for The Book Hangover.
104 reviews52 followers
March 20, 2014
I absolutely fell in love with Alex and Cassie’s story in Fraternizing and just couldn’t wait for Compromising to be done because I just needed to know how their story continued!

Compromising is the continuation of the difficult times they have ahead. Their instant attraction and fraternizing led them to falling in love, trying to hide it and eventually, getting called out for it. Now both of their careers as Marines are on the line as consequences, and possibly so is their relationship.

In this amazing follow-up and ending to their story, they endure the fight and struggle to make it through the system and somehow keep their love intact. But what happens when you can’t trust anybody, people who you thought were friends and family call you out, and have one pissed off First Sergeant that seems to be gunning for you both? Welcome to Alex and Cassie’s world on base Twentynine!

The consequences to the fraternizing policy are dealt with but Alex and Cassie have to fight every step of the way. The Marines uphold important rules and value the importance of obiding them, maintaining proper procedures of consequences if such rules are broken. Both of them knew this prior to establishing their relationship. What they didn’t know was how everything would play out, testing their love and devotion to one another. It seemed like with every step, there was a barrier for them to struggle to break through and their road to happiness would not start off easy.

This is a beautiful struggle for them to learn the meaning of Compromising. Alex admits he will screw up but Cassie is just the one to give him shit when he deserves it. With everything going on with the legality of their fraternization, miscontrued friendships and family issues, can their love for one another overcome the road blocks and push on?

Compromising was a fantastic conclusion to Alex and Cassie’s story. They really went through so much that your emotions were just so up and down. Alex is a hard, alpha, military badass that when he is passionate and loves something, nothing and no one will penetrate that aura around him and that object of love. Cassie has a dedication to prove herself. Her mom knocked her ego down growing up so the joining the Marines was her escape to prove herself. On that journey to being her own badass, she saw the light in Alex’s dark and was able to show him that he doesn’t need to be all Alpha all the time, to see the logic in a situation. Cassie was his calming and voice of reason. Their love was definitely tested but in the end, they both realized love was winning out, they’re better together than they are apart.

Again, a GREAT story and GREAT ending! Absolutely LOVED the epilogue! This story does toy with your emotions and you may shed some tears with the events that go on but it’s real, this shit does happen whether we like it or not. Alex and Cassie get their happily ever after and then some but again, it’s not an easy road to get through. Riley and Nat were great, as was Dalton! Alex’s sister Adriana was funny and I loved her so the great supporting characters continued on as did the slimey backstabbers creating drama!

I really enjoyed Fraternizing and Compromising so definitely put them on your to-be-read list!

Release Day Blitz: http://wp.me/p3vwIF-17D
Profile Image for Megaen MacDonald.
115 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2014
I absolutely fell in love with Alex and Cassie’s story in Fraternizing and just couldn’t wait for Compromising to be done because I just needed to know how their story continued!

Compromising is the continuation of the difficult times they have ahead. Their instant attraction and fraternizing led them to falling in love, trying to hide it and eventually, getting called out for it. Now both of their careers as Marines are on the line as consequences, and possibly so is their relationship.

In this amazing follow-up and ending to their story, they endure the fight and struggle to make it through the system and somehow keep their love intact. But what happens when you can’t trust anybody, people who you thought were friends and family call you out, and have one pissed off First Sergeant that seems to be gunning for you both? Welcome to Alex and Cassie’s world on base Twentynine!

The consequences to the fraternizing policy are dealt with but Alex and Cassie have to fight every step of the way. The Marines uphold important rules and value the importance of obiding them, maintaining proper procedures of consequences if such rules are broken. Both of them knew this prior to establishing their relationship. What they didn’t know was how everything would play out, testing their love and devotion to one another. It seemed like with every step, there was a barrier for them to struggle to break through and their road to happiness would not start off easy.

This is a beautiful struggle for them to learn the meaning of Compromising. Alex admits he will screw up but Cassie is just the one to give him shit when he deserves it. With everything going on with the legality of their fraternization, miscontrued friendships and family issues, can their love for one another overcome the road blocks and push on?

Compromising was a fantastic conclusion to Alex and Cassie’s story. They really went through so much that your emotions were just so up and down. Alex is a hard, alpha, military badass that when he is passionate and loves something, nothing and no one will penetrate that aura around him and that object of love. Cassie has a dedication to prove herself. Her mom knocked her ego down growing up so the joining the Marines was her escape to prove herself. On that journey to being her own badass, she saw the light in Alex’s dark and was able to show him that he doesn’t need to be all Alpha all the time, to see the logic in a situation. Cassie was his calming and voice of reason. Their love was definitely tested but in the end, they both realized love was winning out, they’re better together than they are apart.

Again, a GREAT story and GREAT ending! Absolutely LOVED the epilogue! This story does toy with your emotions and you may shed some tears with the events that go on but it’s real, this shit does happen whether we like it or not. Alex and Cassie get their happily ever after and then some but again, it’s not an easy road to get through. Riley and Nat were great, as was Dalton! Alex’s sister Adriana was funny and I loved her so the great supporting characters continued on as did the slimey backstabbers creating drama!

I really enjoyed Fraternizing and Compromising so definitely put them on your to-be-read list!
Profile Image for Lesley.
186 reviews
April 7, 2014
Compromising…Wow ! I’m not sure I can articulate how good this book was. I could not find a single thing wrong with the story. I enjoyed every word of it. Maybe it’s because I can relate to some parts of this book. My husband was …I mean….IS a Marine. (You know that whole babble “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”, anyway.) I get military life. I, however, only had to live through one deployment and the tail end of his time in service. But even then I got a pretty good taste of the struggles. Alex and Cassie do not have a shortage of issues to overcome.
“I’ll call you on your bullshit.”
“Everytime, Blondie. Every f^*king time.”
Sigh…..
They have the Fraternizing charges to contend with. Which means that they could be separated, given orders to different parts of the world. Well, they aren’t married, so there is nothing holding them together by law. They quite possibly could lose rank and maybe even their careers period. They could spend time in the brig. Then add in the relationship that they are still building upon. I mean can you see the possible calamities just hiding in all the different shadows. Just the stress of normal everyday life sometimes eats at well-formed relationships. A new relationship comes with its own trials and tribulations. Learning to trust, compromise, communicate. Add the Corps regulations and well, Ugh. It’s only so much until someone snaps. The pressure. The Fear. The Frustrations.
“We could only hide our pain in the other, becoming co-dependent and causing an even bigger problem down the road.”
It is just them against the world.
“I felt as if I had lost a piece of me. I felt like everything we had worked for had been for nothing. I felt empty.”
OY! I was stressed out just reading through it. Just when you think “okay this is feasible”, I can breathe a little better. BAM! I mean these two are put through the ringer. I’m not going to lie it was tough at times but I was right there the whole time. Every step of the way. Frustrated, Angry, sad. I was scared for Alex and Cassie but I rooted for them. Even if I wanted to smack them around.
“I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you. You’ve become a part of me. A part that sometimes hurts to love.”
I just absolutely love these two to pieces.
Honestly, I didn’t know how this was all going to play out. I was not prepared for what C.C. threw at us. Surprise!! Buckle up, this rollercoaster is packed with emotions the whole way through. There was not a moment of lull. I feel like I just devoured it. But, I didn’t feel like anything was left unsaid. I felt like the story closed out beautifully and completely. I was able to walk away with a smile on my face knowing all was well in Alex and Cassie’s crazy world. I rate this one 5 fantastic stars. Add this to your TBR or go get it now. ;)
1,557 reviews38 followers
March 24, 2014
C.CBrown fait partie de ces auteures qui adorent les relations explosives et pleine de passion entre ses personnages. Elle avait publié un premier tome à ce roman, sur deux Marines qui « fraternisent » c’est à dire qui vont commencer une relation amoureuse, ce qui est évidemment complètement interdit surtout quand l’un est l’élève de l’autre. Alex Cruz a en effet été le formateur de cassie jusqu’à ce que le scandale de leur relation éclate. Ce second tome porte sur les conséquences de cette révélation ainsi que de nombreux évènements qui se sont produits lors du premier tome.

CC Brown a une énergie folle dans son écriture, et parfois un peu trop. Ce deuxième tome regorge d’évènements qui se bousculent parfois mais elle a une passion pour son histoire et ses personnages assez irrésistible et nous avons surtout envie de voir Alex et Cassie enfin amoureux et tranquilles car tout le monde et beaucoup de choses se dressent entre eux. Ce second tome reprend exactement où le premier s’est arrêté et il est indispensable de l’avoir lu.

Cassie et Alex sont fidèles à eux-mêmes. Leur relation a commencé sur une intense attirance sexuelle, elle est là mais si vous vous attendez, comme dans le premier opus à une entrée en matières très sensuelle, vous en serez pour vos frais. Alex et Cassie sont enfouis dans les ennuis et leur amour va devoir résister à beaucoup de coups du sort. Ce roman est bien plus centré sur la relation que sur le sexe même si l’auteure nous réserve quelques scènes dont elle a le secret. Elles sont bien moins nombreuses et moins au centre du livre.

Mais on ne s’ennuie pas une minute car il y a de nombreuses pistes à suivre et à terminer. Tant de personnes se sont mêlées de la vie des héros qu’ils doivent tous être suivis. Nous en profitons aussi pour découvrir d’autres couples qui auront droit à leur histoire. Elle commence visiblement dans ce tome mais nous ne savons pas grand chose sinon que certains la sœur d’Alex et son ami le plus proche commencent chacun leur propre histoire ce qui laisse supposer au moins deux prochains romans. C’est une bonne nouvelle car si C.C Brown reprend des péripéties assez classiques de la romance, elle sait parfaitement mettre en scène des héros dont on sent la profonde attraction. De plus, tout se déroule dans un contexte militaire qui ne manque pas d’intérêt. Les rigueurs, les règles des Marines sont un des ressorts de l’intrigue.

Un bon second tome donc et nous attendrons les prochains romans avec impatience.
Profile Image for Dannica Alcantara.
481 reviews42 followers
April 20, 2014
He held me tight and gently kissed my neck as I cried on his shoulder. As troublesome as our hidden and forbidden relationship was it seemed the real trouble was brewing in the aftermath, and it was going to take every ounce of love for us to wade through these rocky waters. I
Right after the cliffhanger in Fraternizing, their story continues as they struggle with the aftermath of their decision to pursue each other despite the rules. As problems arise and more people intervening and wanting them to pay for what they broke, their relationship turned into a catastrophe, testing how strong they could be and how they will deal with all the problems.

Perhaps I was a bad choice. If Alex hadn’t met me, he’d still be that straight and narrow Marine that everyone admired. He wouldn’t have lost his friendships, his instructorship, and now the respect of his family. I was the reason for all of this, and it was breaking me.
Everything were at stake, their status in Marine Corps, their friends, their family and mostly their love for each other. It was slowly crumbling into pieces. I can't help feeling helpless as well, thinking that if I was in their place I would go crazy. Decisions are hard to consider, balancing what is right and true. There are moments that are really frustrating, both of them. Sometimes their decisions and reactions aren't mature to handle. Both were dominant in making decisions that's why most of the time they weren't able to deal with it well.

I love the involvement of friends leaning to each other, family's forgiveness and camaraderie. The story was a real learning lesson in different aspects; love, friends and family. Their story was unique and admiring.

I needed him like an addict needed her drug. I knew that if we crashed and burned it would be the end of me, but I wouldn’t allow myself to go there. We were on good terms, us against the world, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Profile Image for Dia.
85 reviews8 followers
November 14, 2014
OMG!! I am in love! With Alex! ....and of course the book!

This book took me on a roller-coaster ride! Pass me through so many emotions that the longer I spend time reading this book, my heart was going to explode! I had to take lots of breaks; which is rare for me because, once I pick up a book, it's hard for me to lay it down. But because this book tugged onto my heart hard... causing love, pain, and anger.... then love, pain, and anger all over again that I couldn't breathe anymore. I had to take breaks to survive.

This book is more than just a romantic novel... it's more like a romantic drama. There are a whole lot of drama in these two series. You can ask my husband, he saw every emotion I'd gone through while reading this book -- giggling, angry, sighing.... etc.

Phenomenal job, Brown, on the two books!

Cruz and Bennett reminds me of my husband and I. My husband is a hotheaded man but protective husband like Alex. And the only thing that would calm him down is my love for him. I think it is so cute to have characters that we can relate to.

I love how these two characters never want to step down but at the end, they make it work... this book is true to it's title: IT IS ALL ABOUT COMPROMISING!

"We'll butt heads all day long, Blondie, but at the end of the day, we both know we aren't strong enough to stay away from one another."

"You need to be taught a few things about how to survive in relationships because we are so damn far here that failure might kill us. It's time that you learn to --"

"Compromise! I know. I see now that I need to fix a whole lot of shit to make and keep you happy. I'm willing to do it. But like I said, I'm going to fuck up. It's in my nature."

"I'll catch you on your bullshit."

"Every time, Blondie. Every fucking time."

Words can't describe how I feel for this book! MUST READ!!
Profile Image for Sue.
1,945 reviews25 followers
April 17, 2014
After reading and really liking Fraternizing a lot, I was very excited to find out how their story would all play out. We were left with a big cliffhanger as book one ended with charges being filed and Alex and Cassie separated from each other. I was somewhat let down with the direction this book took and while I understand Alex was facing serious charges and consequences, his volatile and extremely out of control temper caused me to feel like I did not know this man at all. In the first book he was a passionate and yet dedicated Marine but showed a darker side when anyone threatened his and Cassie's relationship. I don't know how much of what goes down is accurate as far as military law goes, but at times I felt like everyone's behavior was so innapropriate and outlandish, I wonder if they would have ever gotten away with it in real life.
Villains were played like soap opera characters and the romance lost some of the original charm and instead came a huge battle of wills between Alex and his family as well as with Cassie herself.
I wish I had felt more of a spark, but as far as sequels go, it did address much of the first book and led to inevitable but devastating conclusions for some of the players.
We did get an HEA of sorts, although everything seemed to tie up too neatly at the end for me and there will be sequels with Alex's sister and his former adversary as well as Nat and Riley's story.
I wanted to give this one 3 stars because all of the over-the-top fighting and shouting matches just got to be too much at times, but settled on 4 stars because I really did love this couple's story!

~ Review has been done in conjunction with Platypire Reviews ~ www.platypire.com
Profile Image for Sarah.
595 reviews79 followers
July 17, 2014
We were completely left hanging at the end of Fraternizing. I was dying to know what happened with Alex and Cassie. I could not believe where things were left. I was ecstatic to get Compromising. I needed it.

Compromising starts off right where Fraternizing left us. I was so scared for Alex and Cassie, I really had no idea what was going to happen with the Fraternizing charges, which they were obviously guilty of, or who was vindictive enough to try to destroy their lives. We quickly learn just how bad things may get for them.

It killed me to see how awful First Sgt. O'Hara was to them. He really pulled out all of the stops in his efforts to take them down and make an example of them. It all seemed very personal and just plain mean. The lengths that he went to in trying to gain information on Alex and Cassie was just out of control and very slimy. That is the best way to describe him, his cohorts, and his actions. Slimy.

This book was a regular drama fest, from the charges to their friends and families, to their relationship itself. It seemed that at every page turn there was yet another obstacle, that Cassie and Alex had to overcome. They didn't always do it with the most grace but, for the most part, they did make it through.

I was quite pleased with the fates of the characters in this book. There was one character whose story line I wasn't happy with but in the end it was resolved in the manner I hoped it would be. It is very rare that I don't feel the need to know more about characters after the last book is finished, but I think that CC Brown has left the characters in a place where I am completely satisfied with everything in their lives.
Profile Image for Selene.
164 reviews23 followers
April 2, 2014
Compromising is the second book in the Fraternizing series and picks up right where book one ends. Alex and Cassie's secret is out and they are left to pick up the pieces.

I am a HUGE fan of Fraternizing, the first book in the series. I absolutely LOVED the alpha a-hole that is Alex Cruz. I was pretty excited about Compromising and the continuation of Alex and Cassie's story. And the fact that I didn't find it to be all that and a bag of chips made me weep. *sigh*

Don't get me wrong, Compromising isn't a bad book, it's just not nearly as good as the first ... to me anyway. It's seemed longer than necessary and I got lost at times in the story itself. Fraternizing was hot and sexy, the forbidden romance between Alex and Cassie added so much OOMPH to the first book that the second sadly lacked. If Alex and Cassie weren't fighting (which they did a lot of) they still weren't knocking boots when they were together most of the time (much to both Cassie's and my dismay).

It breaks my heart to say these things about Compromising ... especially when I adore CC as much as I do. Maybe military romances aren't for me when they are more military and less romance which I feel is the case with this book.

I will say though, I LOVED the ending of the story. I loved where CC took Alex and Cassie .... I suppose I just wasn't a big fan of how she got them there. If you loved the first book, you definitely need read the conclusion of their story .... just go in knowing you might not have the same experience the second time around.
Profile Image for Lily Rose.
192 reviews69 followers
March 26, 2014
When I read Alex's thoughts I found them convincing and right but then I did the same with Cassie's and I think the title is really fitting.
I was sorry for Imelda and Vega, so sad. Honestly I don't think it was really necessary to make Alex's mother die. Vega died at war and reading about his death was as painful as about that of the boy who strapped himself with a suicide vest.
This second book is more introspective than the first one and I liked it even if I was not completely convinced by Alex's reasons to avoid sexual intimacy with Cassie for so long. I missed this part of the romance in the beginning of the book. Not the sex per se but the intimate connection Alex and Cassie have always had.
Riley and Nat are great together and I was happily surprised to know Adriana and Jensen end up together.
I find the epilogue Amazing. We know all the three couples get their happy endings but it'll be great to know how they arrive at that point.
Riley and Nat are great togetherand I was happily surprised to know Adriana and Jensen end up together.
I find the epilogue Amazing. We know all the three couples get their happy endings but it'll be great to know how they arrive at that point.
The author's writing style keeps improving and now I can't wait for Challenging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Taylor.
1,564 reviews56 followers
April 15, 2014
This book was really long so be prepared for that.

This would be so much easier with half star ratings. I'd give it a 3.5 almost but not quite 4 stars.

I will say that I loved how the story turned out and especially loved that epilogue.

However I felt like maybe 15 - 20% of the book could have been cut out or some issues could have been resolved a lot quicker.

Alex had a huge temper and ego that caused situations to escalate. At certain points it's very his way or no way. I can't say exactly what I am referring to so I don't give anything away but when you get to the part I'm talking about you'll just know.

Now Cassie on the other hand was always so defensive and she to was quick to retaliate with anger. I did feel terrible for her after the visit to his family. Poor Cass.

Maybe if the book was a little shorter and more, I don't know... happy? I would have rated it higher but I just felt the first 50-60% of the book was drama and worrying then it started to settle and I love it the rest of the way. I connected more, cried some and was happy for them.

It was tough for me to rate because I really did like the first book so much more. More forbidden, this book was more after the fact and what now.
Profile Image for Melanie.
121 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2015
This book was so much better than the first.Alex and Cassie were a good couple who had a genuine chemistry,they went though a lot at the end of Fraternising but together they came through it stronger.Cassie got a mind of her own and didn't let Alex boss her around.Alex did get on my nerves when he kept getting angry whenever she did anything independently.The beginning was fast moving and the court case into their charges for fraternising was interesting.Alex had two personalities and I found him much more sexy and attractive when he was in uniform and referred to as Sgt Cruz.He had authority and a domineering presence....mmmmm!
Alex got new orders which saw him going to Afghanistan, I wish more of the book was about their careers as marines as this was when their true depth of character came through and you could see a softer side to Alex when he had to lead others in combat.Some upsetting events happened to him while he was deployed and I would have liked to see how he coped back home with these but instead the ending felt rushed.The epilogue was good,nice to see Alex,Cassie,friends and family five years on.
I would recommend to others.
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