Review: My Dual review with Karla
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 17, 2014
What workedKathleen says:I REALLY loved all the characters; they were all done exceeding well, even the dog Sparky gets a 5 star rating.The location added a lot to the overall story.This story made me REALLY feel the emotions that took place during the read.I LOVED that the same characters from book one, In Too Deep, were in this book too.The way Ben learned with the help of Kezia how to be a father and to always put his daughter Jade's needs before his own.The chemistry between Ben and Kezia was very believable. I loved how Ben was not going to let Kezia go once he finally figure out how much she meant to him and that he loved her.Karla says: The whole family and close-knit community feel, and the familiarity that comes with it.The setting and the language makes this a unique read. Tracey Alvarez is a native New Zealander, so you know you're getting the real deal, she gets the slang right and the lifestyle, because she lives it!Kezia and Ben are both single parents, something a little different, I liked that.Getting inside Ben's head was so much fun, he's a real hoot!What didn't workKathleen says: I felt the story ended just a bit abruptly, I’d have liked just a little more added to it. NO EPILOGUE!Karla says: I thought Jade's acceptance of Ben was too easy. She seemed to settle in with him so quickly and I would have liked to have him work harder for her love and trust, although he was awfully cute at times, did some un-Ben like things to make her feel at ease with him. Plus, he's so easy to love, and he did really put himself out there for her. Okay, I'm contradicting myself here.I also wanted more of a reaction from Ben's family when they found out about Jade. I loved that they were so accepting, and loving, but I wanted inside their heads. Maybe I just expect too much.Favorite characterKathleen says: Ben, he stole my heart, but I have to add Jade, Kezia and Zoe too, I LOVED them all!Karla says: Ben - Hands down he made this book for me. He was a guy that I wasn't fond of in In Too Deep, but he won me over here! He turned out to be a rather scrumptious pleasant surprise!Zoe - That girl is a real character...she holds nothing back!Favorite scene(s)Kathleen says: I LOVED when Ben entered the Due South’s Manliest Man contest. The scenes where the contest took place had me laughing hard, but the icing on the cake was when Ben heard Jade scream "Go, Dad, go!"When Ben realized that he really wanted to keep his daughter Jade with him.The Mother’s Day breakfast in bed scene was WONDERFUL.When Ben sang Baby Come Back to Kezia in front of everyone in the bar, SO ROMANTIC!The way Ben finally tells Kezia that he loves her. It was priceless; you will just have to read Melting Into You for yourself to see exactly what I mean.Karla says: Ben walking Jade to her first day of school. Everyone calling out their well wishes, so sweet, just really brought home that small town/island feel! I also felt like it was a defining moment in their relationship.The dyslexia discussion. Ben really showed his vulnerable side, a father who would do anything to help his daughter.The Manliest Man contest! Wish I could have been there and grabbed one of those hotties for myself.The sexy times between Kezia and Ben...loads of chemistry and Ben is such a giver!! YOWZA!Overall thoughtsKathleen says: I give this book a BIG 4.5 Stars!This was a WONDERFUL romance. It made me happy, sad and mad at times, drawing on all my emotions as I read. The characters were all FANTASTIC and the story line was too. There was a lot of sexual tension and heat that made this book an even better read for me. I have totally enjoyed both of Tracey Alvarez’s books in this series. I would HIGHLY recommend this book/series to ALL my romance reading friends.Karla says: 4.5 Stars!! Ben MELTED my heart! It's official...I'm hooked on this series!I want to jump on a plane and fly to this island, because apparently they grow them big and HOT in New Zealand...men that is!!! They also like to roll around in the mud and I want to help hose them off!I chuckled a lot. Ben was a funny guy. Tracey Alvarez has such a humorous witty side that I enjoy very much. She also didn't flower up Ben's voice, his thoughts were all macho man in real man speak...I liked that, because he is a REAL man. I also love the "man talk" with the guys!If I had one issue it would be that Kezia needed to loosen up a bit and accept Ben for the charming adorable man he is, he worked so hard to prove himself. She did the "runaway woman" one too many times for my taste, but boy oh boy, did Shaye let her have it...go Shaye!The story was engaging, funny, heart-warming, sensual, passionate, and brought me back to people and a place I'm growing to love. The ending was sugary sweet, but oh so good!!Tracey Alvarez has proven herself twice over, she's more than a one-hit wonder!! Her second book had a different plot than In Too Deep, but she has a definite recognizable writing style. She gets the hometown feel down pat, and because she is a native New Zealander, you know that the lingo, traditions and way of life depicted in her books are authentic. I love when a story takes me someplace where I can learn something about the people from a different country and the way they live. She's skilled writer who weaves a captivating amusing tale, with charming relatable characters. Her future is as bright and shiny as the stories she tells!