Quick Reads and Quick Reviews 17

  

• Bodywork, Annette Fields
• Smolder: A Hot As Hell Prequel, Vivian Wood
• Earning It: Stolen Moments Book 1, Angela Quarles

This was quick and sweet, the steam was truly hot (pun intended), and the story moved fluidly.  While the drama was much bigger than I could have ever expected I didn't find it off-putting.  Cassie was defeated in so many ways and I was glad to watch her blossom with the attentions from someone who not only desired her but respected her.  Rylan was sweet and tender because he admired Cassie and her attitude.  He was also very protective.  Mark, the other guy in Cassie's life, started out as an uncaring jerk but quickly moved to unhinged when his comfortable life was threatened.  I liked that Cassie stood up for herself, even if she needed liquid courage to do it.

The danger she was in was unexpected and she was understandably afraid.  I don't think her panicking made her less of a strong character, but rather a realistic response.  She didn't completely lose her head, though, and that was admirable.  Her desire for Rylan was genuine and they both worked through the difficulties to find something real among the mess that her life had become.  They worked well together and I liked the feel of the story.  With strong characters and passion as well as the lighter, more affectionate side of things, this author stays true to her quality of work and has produced a genuinely good story.  4 stars.

Understanding that this is a prequel I went into it knowing I would either be excited to read the full novel or sorry that I didn't just jump into the story itself.  Smolder lived up to its name with fires of all kinds drawing you in to the relationship we're bound to angst over when we get to Hot As Hell.  I'm interested in the shy Lily crushing hard on Cade and even more interested in seeing if Cade's manwhore ways will turn me off or seek his redemption and settling with everything that Lily can offer him.  3 stars.

Funny, sexy, a little angsty, but such a joy to read!  I really liked the whole cast of characters and am looking forward to reading more from the Stolen Moments series.  There's so much to like about this particular book that kicks it all off.  We have Pepper who has just come out of a rather unfortunate situation, a break up and a suspension from work.  With a new job and a fresh start in her home town her life is looking up.  If it weren't for the blind date she's heading to her day would be great.  A misunderstanding puts her across the table from her high school nemesis, Luke Haas.

Luke can't believe his luck.  Struggling with the lack of life that penetrates his emotional walls he is floored by Pepper's presence not just in the cafe but at his table.  If only she weren't calling him by someone else's name.  He decides to let the misunderstanding slide and that one mistake takes them to his place where they share something incendiary.  Neither one wants to forget it but those were the rules...

Jobs, sports, and secrets take them from high to low and back again.  Watching them make mistakes, find forgiveness, shut each other out, let one another in, and ultimately devote themselves to a future with one another was highly entertaining.  Their banter is fun and their chemistry is absolutely hot.  The feels are also quite abundant as is the honesty that they finally share.  There wasn't enough time and too few pages to adequately work through Luke's history but they're well on their way and with what Pepper and Luke have a chance to build up to this point puts them into a really great place and I believe in their future.  I loved reading their story.  4.5 stars.