Worth the Risk (The McKinney Brothers, #2) in Turning Pages At Midnight

Aug 12, 2014 Victoria rated it really liked it

Shelves: abused-heroine, 4-5-star-reads, netgalley-arc

…he was a man who got what he wanted, and the longer he’d stood there beside her car, the more he’d wanted Hannah. Plus, she’d said no. That alone had sealed her fate.

4.25 RATING+ It wouldn't be fair to go into Worth the Risk thinking it was going to be fabulous just because Worth the Fall was one of my favorite reads of 2014. The type of book I sent to friends as gifts, turned into a fan girl with the author on twitter, and basically pimped all over Goodreads. Totally not fair. But I couldn't h …he was a man who got what he wanted, and the longer he’d stood there beside her car, the more he’d wanted Hannah. Plus, she’d said no. That alone had sealed her fate.

4.25 RATING+ It wouldn't be fair to go into Worth the Risk thinking it was going to be fabulous just because Worth the Fall was one of my favorite reads of 2014. The type of book I sent to friends as gifts, turned into a fan girl with the author on twitter, and basically pimped all over Goodreads. Totally not fair. But I couldn't help but go in with certain expectations. I'm only human, right? I did try to temper my expectations before starting Worth the Risk. I really, really did…

So, what’d I think? Overall, Worth the Risk did not disappoint!

“I want to see you again. Tomorrow.”

Her stomach flipped with a new kind of fear. “I didn’t think I was the kind of girl—”

“I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes for a second then opened them and pinned her with serious brown eyes. “I was wrong.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t think you were.”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

“Because I can’t.” But she wanted to touch him. Wanted to take his face in her hands and feel the rough shadow over his strong jaw. Wanted to stare into eyes so hot they melted her.

“Hannah . . .” His hand came down to lightly circle her throat.

“Don’t. Please.” She dropped her gaze from a man too used to getting what he wanted, too used to being wanted. “Don’t play with me.”

“I’m not.”

The writing in Worth the Risk is fabulous. Claudia Conner is an author whose writing style works for me. I love a vulnerable heroine and appreciate a strong, alpha hero. Hannah and Stephen filled both roles perfectly. While both characters suffer greatly from past events that were both violent and life altering, I thought the heroine worked hard to be strong and independent even with her many vulnerabilities. (Of course, I love a great damsel in distress story). I’m especially excited that so many potential future characters were introduced in this book. Hannah’s brothers seem like a dream team of possible heros! (Can readers expect a spin off series from this author focusing on these guys? I can only keep my fingers crossed!)

Readers expecting Worth the Risk to be a feel good romance like Worth the Fall was may be shocked. Worth the Risk is much darker. Both Hannah and Stephen’s characters are damaged. Both have serious issues with terrible pasts, both violent and heartbreaking. Because of their pasts, there was some back and forth between the two characters, some mistakes made along the way but no matter what...I was totally hooked.

One small complaint I have is, I wish the read would have been sexier. On one hand, I understand the storyline and factors that contributed to this having a lower steam level. On the other hand, Stephen seemed like such a dominating hero, such a sexual character, I felt there was more potential between these two characters for things to get much hotter than they did.

Overall, this was a great contemporary romance. Darker than I was expecting but very well done. Claudia Connor cemented her status as a must read author for me. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

**One note: I received an uncorrected copy of this book to review. The author did make changes to the story after I read the initial copy. I do plan to go back and read the revised version of Worth the Risk but did not read it when this review was written.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

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Jan 16, 2015 Anne OK rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-reads

And the second one moves me even more than the first. Both Hannah and Stephen are tortured souls -- and I so love watching a tortured soul find healing and love. And this book had it in spades. You can count on plenty of heat, but more importantly you'll find a beautiful love story that makes you feel. ...more

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Feb 14, 2015 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance

I received this book via NetGalley...

I started this book shortly after finishing Worth the Fall. I enjoyed this one more than the first, but probably because there was a mysterious element. I appreciated the struggles that both Hannah and Stephen dealt with prior to their relationship. The characters were good for each other and enjoyable to read. I'd definitely recommend this one! ...more

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Aug 29, 2015 Shan ~A~ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-humor, audio, in-series-or-trilogy, favorites

Absolutely loved this book. I love the McKinney family and not because it's my last name, lol. Now not only do they hold a place in my heart, but the Walker family does also.

This book dealt with some very brutal truths and subject matter, but it was also full of love in all its forms. Ms. Conner wrote it all beautifully.

These families stick by each other and I think that one particular love, family love, shone brighter than any other.

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