Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase

Grade: C
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, m/m, police, nerd
Series: Why I Love... #1

Published: 3/6/11

Reviewed by Anne

140 ebook pages

I'm a sucker for nerd books, and the blurb for this one really sucked me in!  You've got Chuck, a homicide detective and technophobe who meets Herb, a talkative and super-smart scientist.  There's instant attraction but not much in common - that's a recipe for a good story as far as I'm concerned!  

Because I love the nerd trope so much, I'm willing to suspend a lot of disbelief.  Unfortunately, this story just pushed too far for me.  The set up was really awesome and I really enjoyed about the first half of the book.  Then it just got to be too much.  Little inconsistencies pulled me out of the story.  In one interaction Herb doesn't know what a prostate is, but in the next he's thinking about how much better that felt than what he'd read.  Another time he's not sure what the lab normally looks like, and a few pages later he's musing that the lab is kept compulsively clean.  Neither of those things is huge, but it was this kind of thing that kept pulling me out of the story - even though I didn't want it to!  So, while in the beginning I could roll my eyes and accept what was being worked on in the lab, by the end I was just frustrated by the concept.

Herb is funny, and his verbal diarrhea made me smile.  Chuck was a character I loved, too.  A tough guy with a sweet side.  Chuck's family was awesome!  I really wish I could have liked this one more.

Staking His Claim by Tessa Bailey

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Line of Duty #5
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay

Matt Donovan is a sniper with the ESU (police department). He's a very solitary soul despite his friends constantly luring him to be more social. He keeps to himself because he feels if his friends find out what really goes on in his kind, they would think he's a freak. He gets roped into transporting his best friend, Brent's little sister and her friend to New York for a visit. He does it to be a nice guy beacuse Brent is busy with wedding plans.

Lily Mason is a little bit of a free spirit. Or atleast she used to be. She's a college graduate with several job offers. Job offers she plans to put to good use to help her brother out financially. Her best friend decides to spend the weekend with her boyfriend instead of accompanying Lucy to New York. When she sees Matt Donovan she's overwhelmed by him and extremely attracted. Matt has never seen a picture of her and she knows he would never make a play on his best friend's little sister, so she introduces herself by her friend's name.

Matt likes what he sees in Brent's sister's friend. A lot. She also sending the vibes he wants to explore with her. He's hesitant because of his darker needs (his thoughts not mine). They have a scorching hot few hours together on their way to New York. But lies always come to the surface and Lucy's blows up in her face. This leaves her wondering if they have a chance at being more than a fling.

To say I was disappointed to find out Matt had Dom tendencies would be an understatement. I've been waiting for his book. I didn't hate the book but I didn't love it. Let me say that it was easy to read which I have come to expect from Tessa Bailey. I'm not sorry I bought or read this book, it just wasn't my favorite being that any BDSM storyline leaves me a little bit skeeved out. Still good characters, great humor, tremendous foul mouthed dialogue and scorching sex scenes. I can't wait to see what she gives us next but please Tessa no more Dom related stuff.

Tempting Trouble by Savannah Stuart

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
94 pages

This book had two short stories in it. The first one is the longer of the two.

First story: Tempting the Witness

Madison Dubois is a witness to an attempted murder and after going to the police, she goes to the house of her brother's best friend, Rafe Jackson. Rafe is a police officer and the object of her desires.

Finding madison hiding at his house is unnerving for him but he's really just grateful she's safe. He arranges for her to stay with him until the case was solved.

This was a cute and hot little story. It had all the elements: attraction, suspense, hot sex and love.


Second story: Better Late Than Never

Randall Phillips is an architect in his father's firm and he's been waiting anfd wanting for Lindsay Taylor. Lindsay is a secretary at the same firm. She was recently injured and finally back at work.

Whe she got hurt, he took her to the hospital and waited for someone to come for her. During that wait, they share a hot kiss, a kiss Randall can't forget. Neither can Lidsay but she knows it was a mistake because they work together. Randall gives her a ride home on her first day back because he wants more. More kisses surely but more everything also.

This story was super short but okay. The sex was hot but due to the story length it was hard to get invested in the characters. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I really liked the author's voice. I would definately read more by her. This book was classified as erotica but it was more erotic romance to me.

Throwback Thursday-Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #6
Genre-Romantic Suspense, Futuristic
Reviewed by Kay

Eve and Roark were at it again. They were tracking a sadistic killer that had ties to Roark in his youth. The bad guy was a total whack job complete with a God complex. Or maybe he thought he was a messenger of God. Either way, he was a major creeper. Eve had her hands full skirting the lines of legality in this one. She had to trust McNabb who was covering for Feeney when he was on vacation. Trying herself to cover Somerset to protect Roark. Uncovering more of Roark's checkered past and attempts on her life.

I really enjoyed this story because it was fast paced and they even went to Ireland. I enjoyed all the accents when they were in Roark's homeland. I like that maybe in the future there will be some sort of a truce between Eve and Somerset.

 As usual, I enjoyed the on going love story of Eve and Roark, Peabody and the rest of the gang. Still a good series and I will continue on after a short break.

Asking For Trouble by Tessa Bailey

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Line of Duty #4
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
250 pages

Brent Mason is an explosives expert with the police department. He's crude, rude and adorable. Hayden Winstead is a wealthy, beautiful woman with a whole lot of sass. These two have been circling each other since their best friends fell in love not too long ago. They have snipey comments and insults to hurl at each other all the time.

One night they banter back and forth, neither willing to back down. When the bantering goes to far, they have an encounter. This encounter has them seeing one another in a different light and it changes everything.

I so enjoyed this book. I always enjoy her foul mouthed heroes. I really enjoy them. I enjoyed her first book a lot. Then the next two stories were just okay for me. This one redeemed the series for me. Scorching hot sex packed with emotion, this was a homerun. The following quotes were my favorites:

"Be warned, though. If you take away the use of my hands, I'll only make up for it with my mouth."-Brent

"You think you know what I need? Enlighten me."-Hayden
"You need a good tongue-fucking."-Brent

"When I take them off, you're not going to...I mean..."-Hayden
"What? Throw you down on the floor and see if you fuck as hot as you kiss?"-Brent

Brent talking about Hayden bitching about his shoulders-"You didn't mind them last night when you were kneeling on them."

I just love her heroes' quotes!

Britton by Abby Niles

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Awakening #3
Genre-Paranormal
Reviewed by Kay
200 pages

I was very unsure of this book when I started reading it. The blurb sounded good but with paranormal being my least favorite genre, I was cautious.

In Carnal Ridge, yes that's the name of the town, they have a shifter police department. Val is a half-shifter, meaning she can't shift. That power is only for the males of the species. She inherited the position of being in charge after the leader at that time was demoted. His name is Britton and he is a full shifter. Oh, and they hate each other. While he flirts with every woman in the department, he saves his hatefulness for Val. That's okay with Val because she can't stand him but wonders what she has done to make him hate her. I know hate is a strong word but his reactions to seeing her are described with words like cringing and revulsion.

These two are assigned a case together when things are needed that go beyond what Val's abilities are. This is where it gets interesting. See, Britton has had his beast forced into dormancy because of a decision he made that allowed him to be seen as a shifter in front of humans. A twenty year sentence without his beast. But for this case he will get a serum injection that allows his beast to come forth so he can track a child shifter that has been kidnapped by a possible extremist group. With his full capabilities, he is able to track down leads to this case. He also notices that Val isn't as bad as he thought. She's even attractive he notices as he checks out her ass one day.

This was an interesting read after the reason he was repulsed by her was explained. The kidnapping plot made sense but was overall kind of weak in my opinion. I may catch up on this series later but not right now. Abby Niles has a good voice and I would like to read her again but preferably in a non-paranormal genre.

                      

Tie Me Down by Tracy Wolff

Grade-DNF
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
296 pages

This book should've been so good. It is erotic romantic suspense, two of my favorite things.

Genevieve is a New Orleans homicide detective who knows there's a serial killer loose in her city. The problem is that her superior doesn't believe her. She knows its just a matter of time until he kills again. She picks up a stranger in a bar and they have a no holds barred night of sex. She finds out the next day that he has old articles about her life and these open sex cases. She was looking for a shirt of his to wear since he tore hers to shreds the night before. Needless to say, she gets the hell out of there while he out getting breakfast.

Cole is an award winning documentary director. His sister was murdered years ago when she moved to New Orleans. He comes to town to do a movie and to see Genevieve. He wants to help in her investigation in hopes he finds his sister's killer. He is her one night stand from the bar.

It sounds fantastic doesn't it? I just never worked for me and tried to read it not once but twice. I love romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. I love hot sex in my books and lots of it. This book was pretty much all sex. Wait, at least the part  that I read. This was a DNF for me, which is rare, and never in the romantic suspense category. I wouldn't say this is a bad book for everybody but it just wasn't for me.

Throwback Thursday- Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #5
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
327 pages

It amazes me that this series hasn't lost any luster for me yet. The build up of all the characters is slow but steady. I always enjoy these books and anticipate what will come next. Honestly, when I started this I was apprehensive and even had to call one of my blog partners to make sure there wouldn't be demonic happenings in this story.

Eve's latest case involves witchcraft and of course, murder. Ritualistic killings that are chilling in detail. Eve has to clear a deceased colleague which puts her at odds with Feeney, her mentor. Their big blow up scene left me in tears. Pain and anger are horrible feelings that evoke even more horrible responses. Guilt eats at Eve, to her very soul. She has to investigate a colleague, murders and fear for her very life. People are falsely accused and reputations left in tatters. The bad guys in this story are very bad and crazed. With the help of her usual cohorts she cracks this case where nothing is as it seems.

As usual, J.D Robb spins a great mystery and the ever growing love of Roarke for Eve. He is a great romantic lead male. I've already started the next book and look forward to the latest mystery unfolding before me.

Throwback Thursday-Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #4
Genre-Contemporary/Futuristic
Reviewed by Kay

Eve and Roarke's latest adventure has to do with virtual reality machines and subliminal messaging. They find themselves in the thick of it when a worker at Roarke's resort supposedly commits suicide. His autopsy shows an abnormality and Eve wants to discover its cause. When more suicides start happening, they don't set well with Eve any more than the first one did. Meanwhile, Mavis has her career start to take off with the help of a well known musician/musicologist. Eve enlists the help of Roarke, Pheeney, Peabody and Dr. Mira to crack the case.

I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the first three in the series. It was just a little too far fetched for me. I always enjoy the cast of characters. Roarke is as dreamy and perfect as ever. His love for Eve never fails to astonish or disappoint me. I will definitely read more in this series even though this wasn't my favorite.

Officer Off Limits by Tessa Bailey

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Line of Duty #3
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
250 pages

Story Brooks is a teacher in California. She's engaged to a doctor she doesn't really love. Said doctor breaks up with her and right after that she learns that her father has had a heart attack in New York. She goes there to see her dad and meets Daniel Chase. Daniel is a hostage negotiator like her father. Daniel and her father have a special relationship since her dad mentored Daniel. Jack (the dad) tells Daniel to stay away from Story because he's a man whore. He really really is. Daniel tries to honor Jack's order, for about five minutes.

I'll be honest, the last two books put together aren't as good as the first one. This book was okay but it didn't make me flush or blush. I love a dirty talking man and Daniel didn't talk dirty very much. There are a few things I've come to expect from Tessa Bailey and a filthy mouthed hero is one of them. Don't get me wrong, I will still read Tessa Bailey! I just wish the last two books were as good as the first.

Throwback Thursday- Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #3
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
322 pages

Eve Dallas' latest case hits a little too close to home. Her best friend, Mavis is accused of murdering a top fashion model who used to date Mavis' current boyfriend, Leonardo. Mavis had a few physical altercations with Pandora (the model), so when Pandora ends up dead, naturally Mavis is in trouble. Eve has to prove Mavis is innocent, she has to. So she enlists the help of Feeney (spell), Peabody, a illegals cop named Casto and Roark of course.

She goes into the most seedy clubs and meets sketchy characters all in her quest to prove Mavis' innocence. And all the while getting ready for upcoming wedding to Roark. What she doesn't realize is that proving her friend's innocence is just the beginning of this mystery.

I really do like this series more and more as I go on. I love the characters and the relationships that take place here. Eve is a tough bitch, Peabody, a straight laced, no nonsense cop, Feeney, comic relief and Roark is sigh worthy, as always. I have already started book four and look forward to the next mystery to be solved.

Throw Back Thursday-Glory in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #2
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
296 pages

Wow! So much went on in this book for me. Roarke and Eve's relationship evolving, I got to meet Peabody, more Pheeney (spelling?), a new commissioner of police, a good whodunnit and a little Mavis thrown in for fun.

I really am enjoying this series and am still grateful for Anne, Doris, Anna and Holy's suggestions to read this series. I really liked the mystery, wondering who the killer was. Was the elder Angelini or the younger one? Or possibly the future son- in- law? This world that Robb has created is very interesting and entertaining. It got me heart pumping with the suspense and is surprisingly at times, terrifying with it's scene descriptions.

It ended with a marriage proposal and I'm very interested to see how Eve handles this. I have the third audio book on reserve at the library and hoping it comes in today so I can get it and start it!

             

Mine To Keep by Cynthia Eden

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Mine #2
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
280 pages

Where to start, where to start? I read the first book in this series and thought it was just okay. Let me say that I love Cynthia Eden whether it's her paranormal books or her Deadly series. So, I was kind of disappointed with the first book. But this one was fantastic! I loved it in a BIG way.

Trace Weston is a former black-ops soldier, foster child and now a billionaire security specialist. Don't let the billionaire thing turn you off. It totally worked in this book. He met Skye Sullivan in one of his foster homes and he saved her from an attempted rape. The two of them fell in love then. Then Trace disappeared for ten years. Skye went looking for him when she was being stalked and Trace helped her.

In this book it's someone from Trace's past in the military that is stalking them both. This book continues their love story and their struggles to overcome their pasts. Secrets are everywhere here. Skye wants Trace to open up about his past and he doesn't want to for fear that she can't handle the darkness that lives inside him if he tells her.

A lot went on in this story. Love, action, plot twists, new character introductions, heart pounding suspense and tons of hot sex. Really hot sex. Cynthia Eden has really hit her stride with this book. I simply can not wait until the next book comes out!

Throw Back Thursday- Naked In Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #1
Genre-Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Reviewed by Kay
294 pages

Eve Dallas is police officer in the year 2058 and also a childhood sexual abuse survivor. She has a couple of good friends and rarely dates. Her work is her life pretty much. She is fresh off of a case that has scarred her emotionally when she inherits a mess of a case. It involves the death of a Senator's granddaughter, who was a licensed companion. In this future you can be a prostitute as long as you're licensed to do so. What makes the case more interesting is that the victim was shot with a gun from our current time period. Guns are outlawed in the future. Only serious collectors have them, which leads her to Roarke as a suspect.

Roarke is a very wealthy man with a collection of 20th century guns and he is friends with family of the deceased. But the death of the prostitute is only the first victim and the beginning of this mystery. As Eve gets sexually involved with Roarke, she endangers not only her career but her life as they work together to find this killer that has scared the community.

This was an audio read for me and the first In Death book for me. I enjoyed it and am headed to the library for the second one in audio form. Anyone who likes romantic suspense and a good whodunnit, this is a good start to what I hope is an exciting series. My only complaint as a romance reader is that it could've been hotter. Thank you to Anne and my friend Wendy for suggesting this series to me.

Protecting What's His by Tessa Bailey

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink-Level-No Kink
Series-Line of Duty #1
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
273 pages

Quote of the book for me- "Let me clear. I want you underneath me in my bed. I want to be buried inside you so deep I have to remind you of your own name. And I want those motherfuckers leering at you from the other side of the bar to smell me on you for a week afterward."

Derek is a lieutenant in the Chicago P.D. who is a bit of a control freak. Ginger comes from a very troubled background. They end up being neighbors after Ginger and her sister flee Nashville looking for a better life. Their initial interaction with each other isn't very good because Derek is being a douche. From that point on, this becomes a hotter than fire love story. I loved both people even with their faults and learning about their pasts was both intriguing and heart breaking.

This was my first Tessa Bailey book but not my last. I love a streetwise heroine and a dirty talking hero. Throw in a little suspense with the hot sex and I've found myself a new author! If you haven't read her yet, you should get started.

The Cop And The Girl From The Coffee Shop by Terry Towers

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Coffee Shop Girls #1
Genre-Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
62 pages


Jade works as a barista and her favorite customer is Alex, who's a police officer. During his nightly visits to the drive thru they flirt shamelessly with each other. Finally, he asks her out and they then start to date. This is a very short story so I don't want to give too much away. I really liked this story. It had everything I love in it: an HEA, suspense and hot sex! More sex than story but it worked for me here. I'm gonna read this whole series. Just an FYI, I think it's free on Kindle.

Short Rides by Lorelei James

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate
Series-Rough Riders #14.5
Reviewed by Kay

Let me start by saying that this will be a joint review between Kate and I. We have each done a review with Anne but not one together. I'm super excited about it! We'll each give our reviews, a list of our faves of the series and our not so much faves. I hope you enjoy the review as much as we enjoyed the book and writing it.

This novel has three separate parts-

The King Of Hearts is about Cam McKay who is the deputy of this hometown since his discharge from the armed services. He was badly wounded and ended up with part of one leg and hand amputated. On Valentine's Day there is a murder suicide committed and he is on the scene. It was very disturbing because of the nature and brutality of the crime. It also talked about PTSD and getting treatment for it. It was okay for me but a little preachy about gun control. I did enjoy his scenes with the kiddos.

Rough Road was about Trevor, Edgard and Chassie Glazner. They are a committed triad. If you are unfamiliar with that, it means they are all lovers in a committed relationship. They all have children together and raise them together. This story deals with prejudice against their lifestyle involving their son. He's bullied by a child at school and he questions his parents about what the "F" words means.
I do want to point out that the parents of the bully were worst case opinion people. Not every one who disagrees with someone's lifestyle is a jerk about it. I loved the support they got from their extended family and the lovely vacation they got to take.

All Knocked Up is about Jack and Keely Donohue who are awaiting the arrival of baby number one. Between work schedules and pregnancy hormones it's a wild ride. The bonus to this story is that we get multiple babies!

I enjoyed all three stories and can't wait for the next installment in this wonderful series.

My personal favorites in order are (I didn't rate the novellas):
Raising Kane
All Jacked Up
Cowgirls Don't Cry
Chasin' Eight
Rough, Raw and Ready
Kissin' Tell
Branded As Trouble
Cowgirl Up And Ride
Tied Up, Tied Down
Long Hard Ride
Shoulda Been A Cowboy
Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
Cowboy Casanova
Gone Country

Don't get me wrong, I liked them all but some more than others. Now, on to Kate.

What does a series that already has 14 full length books (#15 is slated to be released on 6/18) and 2 novellas need? *waiving hand in the air* OOH, ooh, pick me. I know. An anthology containing a short story and two novellas!

King of Hearts featuring  Cam and Domini left me feeling a bit flat. It gives a glimpse of their home life, but it was lacking the heat that I've come to expect from a Rough Riders book.   D, blaze

Rough Roads revisits Chassie, Trevor and Edgard as they celebrate their anniversary and deal with issues their oldest son is having at school. I loved this one.  B+, inferno

All Knocked Up follows Jack and Keely through the end of her first pregnancy. This one made me laugh out loud. B, inferno.

For those of us waiting for the next installment in the Rough Riders series these stories will help fill the void and pass the time. I'm curious to find out how many of you are riding the Rough Riders train? What was your favorite book so far?

Kate's favorites in order:

I've not listed them before and it was funny because some of them I actually felt my lip curl just reading the title. And Kissin' Tell would have been a few spots lower on the list except for Lorelei James' masterful use of a trampoline :) Makes me smile every time I think about it. I'm curious to know what your favorites are.

1. Rough, Raw and Ready
2. Raising Kane
3. Tied Up, Tied Down
4. Branded As Trouble
5. Cowgirl Up and Ride
6. Strong, Silent Type
7. Cowboy Casanova
8. Kissin' Tell
9. Should Been A Cowboy
10. Cowgirls Don't Cry
11. Gone Country
12. All Jacked Up
13. Long Hard Ride
14. Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
15. Chasin' Eight

Bare It All by Lori Foster

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Love Undercover #2
Reviewed by Kay

Alice Appleton has fallen in love. With Cash. Cash is a dog she dog sits for. She has real feelings for his owner and undercover cop, Reese Bareden. Reese stays with Alice at her apartment after his is a crime scene at the end of the first book in the series. Alice has a secret and it's a pretty big one. Reese finds himself not only wanting to know the secret but wanting to get to know Alice better. Combine his and her feelings with the suspense of the human trafficking angle and what more could you want?

Well, a better story that didn't drag near as much. At least, that's what I wanted. It started off so good and stream rolled right up until about 65% of the way through and then it was like it hit a brick wall for me. It seemed to drag on and on. I wanted to scream out loud with frustration. This really upsets me because I like to read Lori Foster and I liked the characters in this novel. It was just too long and got lost in the middle. This novel is not indicative Lori Foster's usual work. I have been a fan of hers for years and will continue to be. This one just didn't do it for me though.

It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis - A Duel Review

Grade: C+/B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Lucky Harbor #7

Reviewed by Anne and Kate

266 pages

Anne and Kate had differing views on this book, so we decided to present their reviews together.  Dueling reviews!

Anne:
Ali works at a flower shop in Lucky Harbor.  She's a fairly new resident of the small town, but very much loved by all, especially due to her work with the senior citizens of the community.  Luke grew up in Lucky Harbor, but has been gone for years - since his grandmother passed away.  Since her death, and because of a time when he feels he let his sister down, Luke has decided to focus on his career and stay away from relationships.  After a rough spell at work (he's a policeman) he takes a two week vacation and returns to Lucky Harbor to get away from an investigation gone wrong.  When Ali is accused of stealing money for the town's new Senior Center, Luke is the only one who believes she couldn't possibly have done it. And their adventure begins...

 

I'm a Lucky Harbor fan and I've read the six books that come before this one.  I liked them, and I liked this one, too, but it wasn't my favorite of the bunch.  I love that with each new trilogy Shalvis starts in Lucky Harbor she sets the books apart from the trilogy before.  So in this case we hear about other characters, and even have scenes with Sawyer, but we don't have a cameo from every character we've ever met.  I thought that was very well handled.  I love the people of Lucky Harbor. The Senior Center folks are fun.  The fact that Lucille has a Pinterest page made my day.  (In my opinion, Lucille is the one Lucky Harbor resident who MUST appear in every book.  She's awesome!)  I really liked Luke and Ali, too, but I thought their relationship was weak.

A low conflict romance is one of my favorite reads, and this one IS a low conflict romance.  There is a story line where Ali is accused of stealing some money, but that doesn't really color their relationship, other than providing a practical reason for them to be together.  Luke never thinks even for a moment that Ali took the money.  So, despite the mystery, this was a low conflict romance for me.  The thing that I missed was the relationship development.  They seemed to magically get to know one another.  I don't know if it happened off page or what, but every once in a while I'd come across a line like this:  (Luke is thinking about Ali)

 

"He knew damn well that being with a man meant something to her. Lots of things meant something to her." p.132

And such thoughts would leave me thinking "How does he know this?  He seems so sure she wouldn't just have casual sex.  Why is he so sure?"  This kind of thing happened a few times and it bothered me.  

 

The book was still enjoyable, though, and sequel bait for the next book has me sure I'll keep reading.  

Kate:
See, I didn't come away with the same feeling. I really liked this one a lot. Probably my second favorite (after Tara and Ford's story). And while there wasn't a lot of struggle in Ali and Luke getting together, I got it. He was very up front about what he wanted and didn't want in their relationship (read: nothing long term). She is definitely a wear-your-heart-in-your-sleeve kind of gal. So it didn't bother me that he knew what she was thinking, because I think she was telegraphing it.
 
 
There are some authors' books that I don't hesitate to shell out money for. I feel I'm almost guaranteed a good read. Jill Shalvis is one of those authors. At the same time there are some series that grow tiresome after a while. It seems like the characters are simply given different names in each installment. Lucky Harbor is not one of those series. Since the first book, I have looked forward to the next book, and the next, and the next...but I was skeptical that this seventh book would be able to his my interest the way the last six have. I was proven wrong.

Things I liked:

• I liked that Ali seemed so sure if her path in life. Even when things weren't going her way, she was a keep on keeping on kind of gal.
• I liked that Luke was the one who was more unsure in their relationship, Ali was the stronger on the two in that aspect.
• I liked Luke's grandpa Edward and how he became a sounding board for Luke.
• I liked that the characters we've come to know through the other books didn't begin to overshadow the relationship of Ali and Luke.
• I liked that I wasn't able to guess who-dunnit. In fact I was way off base (I thought it was Ali's boss Russell) but it was still believable.
• I liked that Ali was the glue that held her sister and mother together.

Things I didn't like:

• Why didn't anyone tell Ali to keep her nose out of police business? Seriously. And Sawyer seemed a little too willing to share info with Luke.
• I didn't like that Luke felt responsible for everything in his past (couldn't someone just smack him upside the head already?).
• The beginning went kind of slow for me. Although I think a lot of that had to do with being re-introduced to Lucky Harbor and its inhabitants. Kind of like the old Baby-Sitters Club books, I just wanted to skip the intro part and get right to the story.

Anne:
Of course you've worked a BSC reference in.  I remember those books well!  It's interesting that we had pretty opposite experiences reading this book. Honestly, when I look at your list of what you liked, I totally agree.  When I look at what you didn't like, I totally agree.  But my overall experience was just meh, and it was one of your favs of the series.  Go figure.