Review: Slow start, decent read...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 29, 2013
The beginning of this story wasn't as passionate as the synopsis led on.  Half of what makes stories like these good is the yearning passion that culminates in the hero and heroine finally getting together.  There should have been more about how Luciano convinced Samara to take the plunge into bed with him at long last.  How did he get her away from her friends at the party?  Did they dance?  Does Luciano know how to dance?  What exactly did he say?  Did they have a long drive to his house?  How excited was Samara?  The answers to these questions can't be found in "The Beauty and the Brawler (Blooming)."The story's real appeal was the hero.  Luciano was a magnificent, multi-faceted character.  I don't want to talk about him too much because I don't want to give away what an amazing, lush character he is.  If, as a reader, you're into really teased out, interesting heroes, this is a read you'll enjoy.It's a shame that Luciano had so much more personality than Samara!  As I write this review, I keep getting the heroine's name mixed up with her best friend's name.  Both characters are flat and nearly interchangeable.  There's a point when the heroine asks Luciano why he likes her so much and, as a reader, I couldn't help but ask why as well.