Review: Wanted so much to love this...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 15, 2013
I've read the first two books in this series, and actually reread them prior to reading Raising the Bar. I was primed to love Dylan's story, especially as it was a ménage. I truly love a well written ménage story. So I started this book with an expectant air. But I didn't love it. I liked it, don't get me wrong. I loved getting the insight into Dylan's relationship with his mom, and Derrick and Gage time is always a treat. But the dynamic between Harper, Freddie and Dylan just felt off kilter. Sometimes that happens, you know, in the beginning of a book. The chemistry just doesn't seem to flow. Then there is a defining moment, and like a rainbow after the storm, you see it clearly. I kept waiting for that moment, but it didn't happen for me.Very Brief Synopsis - After losing a bet with his brother Derrick, Dylan agrees to switch places with his twin for an important meeting. Harper, assistant to the city planner with whom Dylan has the meeting, isn't fooled. Harper uses his knowledge to pressure Dylan into having dinner with him. Harper takes Dylan to an exclusive, members only sex club, where we meet Freddie. She is a bartender at the club, and part owner. Sexy times ensue. In the meantime, Dylan's mom, Barbara, tells Dylan she is dating James, her business partner. Dylan freaks out.What worked for me - Love the Warren brothers, and their partners, and their mom. Lots of insight, good advice is given and the brothers fight like little boys, not grown men. Barbara's uncanny knack of catching Dylan saying something inappropriate is always funny. Dylan is so tightly clenched, and we get some insight into that inner turmoil. Derrick and Gage are maturing, though they are still funny. I've liked Brian, Freddie's brother, since Closing the Deal, and hope his story with Faith is coming soon. Overall, there were lots of good moments to propel the story. And Lawd, the sexy times were so hawt!What didn't work for me - Freddie and Harper with Dylan. I don't know if it didn't work for me because it happened too quickly, or because Freddie and Harper seemed much more of a couple...Harper was such a macho male caricature, all bossiness, and stupid nicknames, and kept calling Dylan Doc. And yes, I know that is not a solid reason for not liking a book. Here, let's try this: The interaction between Harper and Dylan felt forced and just downright weird at times. I didn't feel any kind of connection between the characters. In the other two Warren brothers books, the partners met the family, there was more overall interaction. Dylan worked hard at keeping his relationships separate, and the whole thing never meshed for me. And Freddie, well, I felt like she was okay with Harper, but again, no chemistry with Dylan. Harper and Freddie were just so different, personality wise, from Dylan, I just couldn't make the three of them fit together in my mind.Bottom line - Raising the Bar didn't work for me as well as the first two books in the series. I enjoyed the parts where Dylan was not with Freddie and Harper quite a bit. And if you take the sex without considering the personalities, wow, it was very ...yeah. Very. But the romance portion of the book didn't work for me. None of which will stop me from reading Brian's story. I still like Marie Harte's style very much, and will continue to read her work.