Review: Great start to a new series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 21, 2012
The first book in Mari Carr's new series- Cocktales- delivers all around. I didn't put the Kindle down until I was finished. I fell in love with the premise of the series immediately. Four girlfriends from college with different degrees decide to open a book store/bar rightly named Books and Brew. It has a coffee shop feel that looks more like a living room with plenty of couches and over-sized chairs to lounge around in and get comfy. Book clubs or the everyday person off the street coming in to unwind, read, or drink would feel welcome. Mari--I so want to steal this idea, or better yet, let's go into business together! I know, I live in a dream world.Steph is having the worst day of her life and she thinks it can't get any worse until sexy as sin off-duty cop/detective Jarod Nolan gives her a ticket for double parking. The night before his girlfriend breaks up with him and he's having an awful day too and takes it out on Steph after she blocks him in making him late for work. Fate brings them back together when his job causes him to stake out a possible suspect in her store. After an apology and several hours of getting to know each other the chemistry is obvious and they can't wait until its closing time. Stephanie is ALL about partying naked and is game for whatever Jarod has in store for her as long as it ends with them parting ways. One night stands are her status quo, but the next morning Jarod has already decided he wants more. Steph has serious issues with relationships and happy ever after--she doesn't believe in them.Sexy Jarod can give me a ticket any day of the week with NO complaints as long as I get to stare at his tight butt while he writes it. Jarod is a true romantic and his character is so lovable, AND he is not too nice dammit (read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about). I think he played Steph just right too which cracked me up because she's the one with a psychology degree. She's always in control, but Jarod shows her how to let go, and by giving up some or all of the control she's able to look past her relationship issues to trust him with her heart. Part of his plan to prove there's more than "lust" between them , he reads a romance novel and attends one of the store's book club meetings with the condition she do the same. He went up a notch or two in my book when he not only read the book but actually discussed it with the group. It was fun reading the male POV dialog. All in all, Jarod was the perfect match for Steph, in and out of the bedroom. Whenever they're together the dialog is sarcastic, but really comical, a definite fun couple!This was a fast, fun, with plenty of hot lovin' read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a short, feel-good, entertaining, sexy book with an Alpha hero and a stubborn heroine. It's also a must read for all Mari Carr fans. I can't wait for the other books in the series to release (the 2nd book Screwdriver released March 20th).