Tonk Jr. Novella (Cocker Brothers - The Cocky Series) (Volume 19)

Loved this book. So glad that Tonk Jr followed his heart and his instincts. I was so glad that his dad and sister showed up when they did. I had a feeling that Celia would show up because no matter how different he is from the rest of the Ciphers, he is part of them.

Tonk Jr. found his home. This book tackled some very serious issues, and I think Tonk Jr. was the perfect person to handle these situations. His sensitive nature and Cipher background was the perfect combination. Thank you Faleena for another great read!

Growing up on the plantation Tonk Jr never fit in, but found his calling and those that love him are willing to be a part of what he does, even if it doesn't look like them. I can't imagine Tonk Jr's story happening any other way (well done!) but I don't really like the format used here or with Honey Badgers story - it seems as if keeping a low word count was more important than telling the full story. Keep the holiday theme but let the story drive the word count.

I love a series that incorporates siblings, friends and offspring with their own books, and keeps me engaged enough to keep coming back, would have loved to see more interaction between Tonk Jr and his sister and father when they show up and what happens when they go home to the plantation for a visit. I understand the whole bonus scenes marketing thing but honestly, I wanna read everything at one go, don't make me have to rethink and reconnect.

Enjoyed the entire series, no, the writing isn't always the best, but that doesn't matter to me when the characters and story are engaging and each book offers the opportunity to hear more about characters I've met in the past, however not liking Hopkin's actions in the real world, #cockygate - I will continue to read and follow Hopkin's but will stick to KU vs purchasing.

I reviewed Cocky Roomie a month ago and that review has since disappeared from the Zon for no reason. Hopefully, this one doesn’t meet the same fate.

A couple of weeks ago the author made a point of showcasing the publication of this book amidst a certain amount of turmoil that has been going on for over a month now.

I figured I would give her another chance to win me over as a reader and thought that perhaps, after having written 19 books, the series would have improved.

It did and it didn’t.

Cocky Mother’s Day focuses on Tonk, another of the Cocker family who just doesn’t seem to fit in. He’s living in New York and going to college for a degree in psychology. While there, he meets a girl, Stacy, who is in an abusive relationship and takes an immediate protective liking to her and spends his time obsessing over her. At some point, he follows her back to her place, rescues her from her abusive husband, Vic, and takes her to his place to live happily ever after. It’s a fast story, but it isn’t worthy of high praise.

1. Characters still make you want to smack them.

Tonk goes on about how he’s different from his family, but in the end, he is just like them. When we first meet him, he is screwing his professor just so he can get an A in the class. He admits to seducing her and taking control, because she wanted him to, which is just like every other male member of his family.

Then, there is Stacy, the poor female who is stuck in an abusive relationship. She is scared, nervous, and constantly afraid, typical of abused women; but she is also annoying. Stacy goes on about how she is smart, was in college, and knows she’s in a bad relationship. She even worries that Vic might hurt the child. At no point does she consider leaving. Now, I know this seems to be a trait among abused women, but what it really comes down to is that they think they can change the person hurting them, that they deserve it, or it’s the “as long as it’s just me” mentality. But Stacy displays none of this. At no point does she say she deserves it, nor does she think that she can change Vic, and throughout the story she fears that he might hurt the infant. She acknowledges throughout the story that he is a terrible human being who has forced her to live in seclusion. She has ample opportunity to leave. He works during the day. She could just pack up and leave but never considers it.

2. Plot is full of conveniences

Every story is a series of conveniences, but normally those moments make sense or at least are few and far between. Hopkins prefers to just hit you upside the head every few minutes with such annoyances.

When Tonk meets Stacy, we all know that he is going to try and save her and that they will end up together, but all of it seems forced. He obsesses over seeing her again. When he sees the bruises on her arm, he automatically assumes that she is being abused? Why? She could have gotten them from anything. Was there something about the bruises that made him think that a person had hurt her? What if she plays sports? He assumes her wanting to get away from him is also a sign of her being mistreated, but at no point does he consider that she just might not have wanted to talk to him. It’s a lot of assumptions for someone you have just bumped into.

At some point, Tonk follows Stacy and rescues her from Vic. He shows up just in time to save her from a beating. They go back to his place and of course Vic shows up. But how did he figure out where Tonk lived? Vic was unconscious when Tonk and Stacy left. By the time he would have come to, they were gone. There is no logical way Vic could have known where Tonk and Stacy had gone. It is merely a matter of convenience created by the author to add drama to the climax. The reader knows that Vic will have a final showdown, but Hopkins should have had it make sense.

When Tonk is getting the daylights beaten out of him by Vic, with Stacy being the typical helpless female, his father and sister suddenly show up at the last second and give Vic the smackdown. Really? They never bothered to call and say that they will be down to help Tonk find his missing, abused lady. Tonk spent weeks waiting to see Stacy again so he could help her and somehow his family conveniently picks that day and that precise moment to show up? It really doesn’t make sense when Celia tells Tonk that she knew he would need help when he mentioned seeing a woman whom he was certain was being abused. Why didn’t she come down earlier? So, do they have psychic powers and just waited until the right time to make a dramatic entrance?

The story is full of contrived instances like this that have no logical thought behind them. It’s like the author just woke up and thought, “I need a heroic moment.”

I could have handled Tonk showing up at the last minute to save Stacy, since he followed her home after they left the park, but Vic appearing at Tonk’s place when there is no possible way he could have known where Tonk lived, or Tonk’s family showing up just in the nick of time was too much.

3. The writing is still juvenile

After 19 books, you’d think the author would be able to write a decent sentence, or at least edit her work. This is not the case. It is obvious that Hopkins typed this up in a day and just hit publish. The book could use a good editing to fix the fragmented sentences, changing tenses, inconsistent storytelling, missing punctuation, and poor grammar. The writing is short and choppy as sentences suffer from being the same beat and rhythm, a common trait in a lot of modern books. It is clear the author only published this to make a point about not letting things get her down, but the story suffers because of it, and it could have been a decent one.

This book would have been better served as a full fledge novel instead of a novella. Tonk sees Stacy, knows that she’s the one and he has to rescue her, and then they are living happily ever after. And Stacy moving in with Tonk is unrealistic. People who have been in an abusive relationships do not move on that quickly. She was with Vic for a couple of years and is suddenly emotionally healed enough for a committed relationship with Tonk after being with him for only three months? This is what I mean by the story being too rushed.

4. The switching POVs again.

I get that this is a trait of the series, but Hopkins still cannot pull it off. In all of her books, the characters sound exactly the same. They all have the same inner voice, the same manner of speaking, the same arrogance, the same mannerisms, and the same childish behavior. Hopkins is incapable of giving her characters any defining characteristics that are unique to them. To be honest, I feel as though I am in the same person’s head, and I am; I am in the author’s head because she in unable to bring her characters to life.

5. The philosophical nonsense was too much.

There are constant references about living in the light to the point of making me want tovomit. At one point, Stacy goes on about how she used to live in the light, but darkness has over taken her life because Vic is of the darkness, and she desires to be back in the light, and Tonk is of the light, so it must be meant to be. BARF!

Also, every time we meet Tonk, he goes on about how he has never fitted in with his family and how he has always just wanted his father’s approval. At the end of the book, he and his dad have a touching moment and Tonk gets his dad’s approval. A bit too in your face and another unnecessary convenience.

I do not recommend this book. It reads more like an incomplete homework assignment that the author rushed through, instead of a well-thought out and well-conceived story. I encourage passing on the entire series. I gave her another chance, but ultimately, she failed to win me over.

I love love love love love this series. The books come out as a best surprise when im itching for another book to read then."POOF" another cocker book is live. However, Tonk jr. Was my favorite character written in the previous books so im a little disappointed that he got a novella vs. A full book. But maybe because it does hit in hard real life issues i can see that might of been a harder write. Still going to read about the remainder of the cocker/cipher books when they release. #FANFORLIFE

This story excels in what the writer is notable for. It's got grit, reality, and a good story all in one hell of a package. However, the flow and cohesion was a bit lacking for me, as was the development. Typographical and grammatical errors further detracted from the enjoyment for me. All in all, still a good read.

I absolutely love Faleena. Another page turner and quick read. Read in a couple hours.
Tonk Jr the book worm has come out of his shell. He also found out he has a little more Cipher in him then he realized. Only way to find out what brings it out of him. Go on the journey with him while you read it. You will not be disappointed and in love with this series/families.

Faleena has written a sweet love story for Tonk Jr and captured what I think of as his essence as a person. He's thoughtful and, innocent, but not. Well written and, of course, another Cocky victory. Nicely done rising above the darkness. #livewithlight

I totally love this series & always ready for the next story. I was excited that Tonk Jr. got his happily ever after. I was concerned about him from the beginning since he was so different from the rest of the Ciphers but I know he would find his niche in life. While I wish it would have been longer & a little deeper, it was the perfect Mother’s Day novella.

This was a good novella, typical of Faleena Hopkins' writing style and quality. The story does contain some triggers and deals heavily with abuse and PTSD, so please be warned that it is not for everyone and it is not an easy, light read. But the topic is addressed well, with sensitivity.

OMG! This book was so unexpected. The one main subject of Domestic Violence and Abuse was brought to light. The brains, personality, and emotional support of Tonk Jr. was the right character in dealing with this issue. Very well written.

Another wonderful book! I love the family and was eagerly anticipating this book coming out. Thank you so much Felina for telling us Tonk Jr's story! Looking forward to the next story in the series! Keep up the good writing!

The characters are very one dimensional and too dramatic for my tastes. The dialog is kind of cheesy to the point of making me cringe.

I really wanted to like these books because of all of the drama around the author. I wanted to be able to throw in my support for the underdog. I still do want that, but it won't be through reading this series.

I have been patiently waiting for Tonk Jrs book and Faleena did not disappoint. Its challenging to combat a complex social issue such as domestic violence, but it was handled with great respectfulness. Great job! As a novella, stories develop quickly, but I would have liked to see the characters grow together a little more. The writing style fits nicely with the other books in the Cocker Bros. series.

This was an emotional roallercoaster. I wouldn't say it's my favorite but it's a story worth telling. Faleena is always providing stories that may not be your cup of tea but, at the end, leave you breathing easier and hoping and feeling there's still light and good out there. You just need to open your eyes and arm to get it.

Such a great read! Faleena's books always make me wanna cry happy tears. This is a must read. If you are just coming across this series i highly suggest going to the beginning and reading all 19. You wont regret it. ;)

A wonderful novella! I enjoyed Tonk Jr. and Stacy’s story! His personality, while very unique, was refreshing and Faleena did a really good job making him stand out to me as I read. I have met people like Tonk Jr. who make you wonder if they are for real. Tackling a serious and real situation many women face daily while inspiring hope is a daunting task. Great Mother’s Day gift to all her cocky fans!

Another great Cocker story. As expected, Tonk is a character with his own outlook on life. His career is to help per. He happens upon a young woman and baby and notices a large bruise on her arm. The story has a HEA. Must read!

The characters are very one dimensional and too dramatic for my tastes. The dialog is kind of cheesy to the point of making me cringe.

I really wanted to like these books because of all of the drama around the author. I wanted to be able to throw in my support for the underdog. I still do want that, but it won't be through reading this series.

I have been patiently waiting for Tonk Jrs book and Faleena did not disappoint. Its challenging to combat a complex social issue such as domestic violence, but it was handled with great respectfulness. Great job! As a novella, stories develop quickly, but I would have liked to see the characters grow together a little more. The writing style fits nicely with the other books in the Cocker Bros. series.

This was an emotional roallercoaster. I wouldn't say it's my favorite but it's a story worth telling. Faleena is always providing stories that may not be your cup of tea but, at the end, leave you breathing easier and hoping and feeling there's still light and good out there. You just need to open your eyes and arm to get it.

Such a great read! Faleena's books always make me wanna cry happy tears. This is a must read. If you are just coming across this series i highly suggest going to the beginning and reading all 19. You wont regret it. ;)

A wonderful novella! I enjoyed Tonk Jr. and Stacy’s story! His personality, while very unique, was refreshing and Faleena did a really good job making him stand out to me as I read. I have met people like Tonk Jr. who make you wonder if they are for real. Tackling a serious and real situation many women face daily while inspiring hope is a daunting task. Great Mother’s Day gift to all her cocky fans!