I bought the first three Spindle Cove books when they were on sale for .99 cents each, and being a bit of historical fan, but not having swam in the f...moreI bought the first three Spindle Cove books when they were on sale for .99 cents each, and being a bit of historical fan, but not having swam in the famed Tessa Dare waters yet, I was ready to get to it.
I was a bit worried about the whole "Spinster" Cove bit of this, and how fun would these ladies be, but OF COURSE they would be amazing, because these are the odd ducks of the time. This book had so much unexpected humor that zinged and had a delicious, smooth flow to it. I loved the almost screwball comedy aspect of these military dudes showing up and blowing up some sheep right off the bat only to find themselves stuck with the responsibility of creating a militia in a town with about five men. In all. Our hero is Bram, The Military Hero With The Bum Leg Out To Rebuild His Reputation And Get Back To The Front Line, and he literally jumps on top of our lady, Susanna, Organizer Of Ladies Of Spindle Cove Doctoring Them Back to Health And Confidence. She's a military man's daughter herself, and no wilting spinster. She teaches all these girls everything from how to garden herbs and how to shoot guns. And this sets up for a delightful place packed with great characters.
"I've no idea why this place is called Spinster Cove. It ought to be Amazon Inlet. Or Valkyrie Bay."
These are two headstrong leads who both want conflicting things so OF COURSE they fall into a mad lust and shack up under trees and in coves all the while bantering delightfully.
"I even like it when you snipe at me." "You've seen me with a gun. If I were to snipe at you, I promise you'd feel it. And you wouldn't like it one bit."
And the bantering highlights the incredible amount of chemistry these two have. Because seriously, these two? These two gave good banter.
"I want you. I dream about you. I am desperate to be near you," he said, sending a fresh shiver down her spine. "To touch you. All over." His hands roamed over her arms and back. "What is this hideous thing you're wearing?"
This was a fantastic entry to a different sort of historical romance series. It felt a little Kleypas to me with all the zing and pop, and combined with the sexy and the cast of characters who all deserve their own story, I know it's a series I'll jump full steam ahead into. (less)
Loved it. This was everything I wanted it to be after reading the first book, and leaves me wanting MORE, MORE, MORE for the third. I just am so damn...moreLoved it. This was everything I wanted it to be after reading the first book, and leaves me wanting MORE, MORE, MORE for the third. I just am so damn deep into the Liv and Dean fan club that at this point they could just hang out watching TV and I'd be into it.
There's a lot going on in this one with the drama of having to return home to where Dean's family lives, and going in we know that there's tension between him and his family because of Liv. Because of other issues that are still murky but are slowly revealed through recollections, and it's all written so smoothly that the pacing again is perfect. This is a world you sink into. You melt into the pages with Liv and Dean. It's not crazy drama with crashes and booms, but rather genuine bullshit between family and recently discovered ex-wives and a pregnancy neither had planned. The evolution of Liv here is a thing of beauty, and I wanted so much for the woman writing her mantra in a notebook. For the woman who is Dean's sanctuary and that comes across again in such a delicious, visceral way. These two and their chemistry is something for the keeper shelves, guys. I just can't fully explain how good, and how hot things are for these two. It doesn't ever feel like "here is the hot professor and his hot wife and look how how it is when they bang it out." The way things are written for these two it feels just so authentically them that their problems and struggles tie you in knots. We know they love each other, but we don't know what curve balls they're gonna get thrown. That's the tension. That's the worry. And the relief comes when they finally get their hands on each other and you need to stop and take a breath, because holy hell.
This one had a lot of emotion. These two have been through the ringer, but it seems to come with the territory of leaving their safe little haven of sex and breakfast and letting other people in. Whether it's family, work or heartbreak. Everything ends on an interesting note with a new direction and I can not wait for the third. MORE DEAN AND LIV.(less)
I've come to a place in my reading that isn't bitter or burnt out yet, but it's a bit tired. I love so much about romance, and what I want to read cen...moreI've come to a place in my reading that isn't bitter or burnt out yet, but it's a bit tired. I love so much about romance, and what I want to read centers on it. In different degrees, but it's the touchstone I need to make me keep reading, keep caring. But I'm done with erotica. I'm done with the mindless, perfectly timed sex. I see it headed my way and I drop my head with a sigh, because as much as I love good sex in a good book, I can't even remember these people's names and I'm tired.
This is the story of Olivia and Dean West. I know their names, and so will you.
As a romance reader, this is the book I'm dying to find in the piles of bare-chested covers. Finding out that it was about a married couple, already seemingly past their HEA, forcing the question of what happens next made me immediately put it first in my TBR pile. I wanted to see it done, and from the reviews everyone seemed to be in agreement that here it's done memorably well. Hauntingly well.
This story is lush, simple and engaging. From the quiet setting that felt like falling into a dreamy oil painting of a college town to the lovely sense of pace of their current story stitched together with the story of how they met, and the breath stealing chemistry between these two characters who are desperately in love with the other. Quiet monsters have stolen into their tiny apartment; doubt, fear and regret. Questions and denials have taken root and watching this marriage come apart at the seems felt achingly authentic, and yet you never stop feeling their need for the other. They can barely talk, but they're grabbing and pulling and kissing and it's hopeless and desperate and so good. It's hot and gets you right in the chest, and no, it's not emotional crybaby Let Me Stretch Your Boundaries sex, and thank all that is sweaty for it. It's good, lusty sex between two people who are driving each other nuts, and as I was reading I was dying for them both, falling deeper with every revelation and stupid decision. I was banging doors down, too. I was standing in that coffee shop when they met. I was rooting for Liv and Dean and then I was throwing confetti, because there's a sequel.
These weren't characters I wasn't ready to leave yet, because I'm not one bit tired. (less)
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