Source: Received a finished copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Darcy Stone is game for anything — except sexy Navy veteran and physical therapist A.J. Colten, the guy who'd rejected her when she'd needed him most. Now the shoe is on the other foot and he needs her to play nice and help him secure grants for his patients. Unfortunately, Darcy can't refuse. She needs the money to fund her passion project: rescuing S&R dogs and placing them with emotionally wounded soldiers.
A.J. admits it — Darcy is irresistible. But he's already been battle-scarred by a strong-willed, vivacious, adventurous woman like Darcy, and he's not making the same mistake twice—until he and Darcy are forced to fake a relationship. Growing closer than they'd ever imagined possible, Darcy and AJ have to ask themselves: how much between them is pretend? What's the real thing? And where does it go from here.
Review...
The hook for me? The reason I picked it up? That little bit in the blurb that says something about faking a relationship. I adore those kinds of stories. Two people that are pretending to be together and who realize they should be. Love that. And this little bit of pretending was a little different than most pretending stories. Definitely different.
I adore these characters. Darcy is quirky and amusing. She has a unique way of seeing the world. Her parents all but abandoned her growing up. She's used to be a throw-away. It hurts her so much that she avoids letting people in. And her mouthy defense takes over to protect herself. But AJ has helped her through the pain of an accident like no one else. His healing hands are her sandman and the only thing that gives her relief. But he has issues too and he's not sure if he can risk is heart again.
AJ is just about perfect. He loves Darcy but doesn't know it quite yet. Her spunk and determination appeal to him and he finds himself falling without his permission. I love how he never gives up on her. He comes back time and time again after she pushes him away. I love his healing hands, his determination to be her sandman, and his cluelessness sometimes. They are perfect for each other and after they get over resisting it, I adore them together.
This is one of those reads that sucks you in and holds you tight. I found myself hurrying through chores to get to my reward reading time just because this book was waiting for me.
If you love a couple that fight it but are meant to be, then this is the perfect read for you. Don't miss it.
Excerpt...
AJ held the door open for Darcy, doing his best to keep his tongue in his mouth, but he wasn’t sure he quite managed.
“Thanks,” she said, brushing up against his arm and shoulder as she stepped into the elevator.
His free hand came out to stabilize her, a purely instinctual move. He didn’t give a thought to the fact that she hated to be helped because he couldn’t give a thought to anything.
Holy. Shit. Hotness.
Her little black dress—emphasis on little—just about killed him.. The bodice was short, snug, and, at first glance, modest.
Second glance, not so much.
She bent over and fiddled with her heels, which had a strap around her ankle and screamed SEX. So did the way the hem of her dress rose up on her thighs, high enough that his eyes nearly popped right out of his head. “What are you doing?” he managed.
“Nothing.” Still bent at the waist, she shifted to her other heel, during which time he pressed his fingers into his eye sockets to keep his eyes in his head.
She was all leg and silken skin and crazy gorgeous hair, and he attempted to steel himself against her but he failed. He’d been wrong, oh so very wrong when he said he’d be able to handle her. He couldn’t, not in her yoga pants, not in a sexy little black dress, not at work, not in his truck, not in an elevator, not in anything anywhere—he couldn’t do it, Sam I Am.
She straightened and sent him a searching look. She’d piled all that long curly hair on top of her head but several silky strands had escaped, brushing her temples and shoulders, giving her a just-got-laid look. Her lips were siren red and he knew it made him a pig, but all he could think about was her mouth and how her lips would looked stretched around his—
“We’re on time still, right?” she asked.
He had to clear his throat to answer. “Yeah.” Jesus.
The door slid shut and silence filled the elevator while they stared at each other. To keep his hands to himself, he backed to the wall.
“So,” she said, looking like she was mentally cracking her knuckles. “What are the rules here? Kiss ass? Sit, shake, and roll over on command? Tell everyone how you saved my life? Obey your every order?”
Her sarcasm helped him roll his tongue back into his mouth. “I will ask you to kiss someone’s ass never,” he said. “Same for sit and shake and roll over. And you know damn well I didn’t save your life. But as for the obeying me? That. Lots of that would be great.”
About the Author...
Jill Shalvis is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. She has written more than four dozen romance novels and lives in Nevada with her family.
Ahh you sold me at the fake relationship part! Love those as well. I've heard good things about this author. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis is on my reading list, for sure! Jill does write those perfect heroes! Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteExcellent Review Val! I love the pretend relationship that grows in to love theme as well. A.J. and Darcy sound like great characters. I love that A.J. is Darcy's sandman and never gives up on her. This story sounds so sweet! I have it in the line-up of books to read and review this week, and you have me looking forward to it!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Darcy had a hard time. These characters are pretty amusing!!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Sounds Good! Love Darcy's character
ReplyDelete