Review: Holy Hotness! This is one good book!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 16, 2014
This is the second time I've read this book and I liked it just as much as the first time, if not more. The author asked me if I'd like to read the sequel in exchange for an honest review. I accepted but wanted to refresh my memory by reading, Surrendering, again first.I think the thing I like about this book the most, is the cast of characters. They're two tight groups of friends and family that are are very loyal and take care of each other. When the hero and heroine get together, both groups intermingle, leaving all kinds of great plot possibilities. Each character has his, or her, own distinct personality and you feel as if you know each of them intimately.The heroine, Raven, is surrounded by exceptionally hot guys. Her older brother has close friends that have known Raven since she was a little girl. They're all like one big family and are very familiar with each other. The book starts with Raven moving to a college closer to home to get her MBA and, when she first gets there, she stays with a bunch of her brother's best friends. All of them want to take care of her but she let's them know that she can take care of herself. She wants her independence but old habits die hard.Searching for another place to live, she meets two sisters who are looking for a roommate and the girls hit it off instantly. When Raven tells them about a guy who literally ran over her in the park, they don't know that the guy is their brother. Raven dubs him, Holy Hotness and, when he shows up, she's mortified. He, on the other hand, is thrilled to find her again and uses his advantage as their brother to get to know her better.The brother, Declan, is a tattooed rocker and, when Raven's hot guy posse find out about him, there's all kinds of testosterone being flung around. Hilariousness entails with the over-protective, older brother thing they've all got going on. Once they accept that Declan is a good guy, though, they relax a bit and the romance takes off.Declan's group of friends and family are just as endearing as Raven's. His band mates, sisters and dad, are all great characters and you can't help but love them. They take to Raven, and her brother's friends, as though they've known them forever. Add to this group all of Raven's best girl friends and the romantic possibilities sky rocket.I really loved the romance between Raven and Declan. He comes off as this bad boy rocker but he's so sweet with Raven. They sleep together every night but don't have sex until Raven is ready. For a one-night stand kind of guy like Declan, that says a lot about his feelings for her. He does have a jealousy problem, though, and isn't happy with how close Raven is with her brother's best friend, Finn. This causes some problems for them, as do some of the girls who follow the band. Declan's had his share of groupies, as well as his sisters' previous roommate, and Raven has a hard time dealing with these girls constantly throwing themselves at Declan.One of these women take things way too far and puts Raven's life in danger. Declan is horrified that he couldn't protect Raven and that it was his selfish past that hurt her. There's a lot of drama at this point and, though they obviously love each other, they have a hard time getting past it.The ending is a major surprise that I didn't see coming so, if you decide to read, Surrendering, it's a good idea to have the sequel, Surviving, handy. It starts right where, Surrendering, leaves off. Don't let this deter you, though. Both books are too good to pass up.