Review: 4  stars!  Quick and sexy novella with a memorable & commanding hero & a heroine in need of exploring the rougher side of sex.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2013
"I'm a selfish prick, and I want to be the greatest f~  k of your life and ruin you for every man who comes after me. But I'm not a mind reader, so I need some help."This novella starts off as a story about rough sex and role play between two consenting adults who met by chance. But story grows into following the friendship that ensues and sweet budding romance.Hero: Michael Flynn, "Flynn"/32 years/construction worker-underground fighter/dark hair/hazel-blue eyes/6'3"Heroine: Laurel White/29 years/unemployed engineer-waitress/colored red hairWhile the hero, Flynn has been in tune with this rougher side of himself since his mid-twenties, the heroine, Laurel has not. Their first encounter takes place when Flynn breaks up a domestic argument with Laurel sitting nearby.She is quite taken with him and boldly pursues him. I might have preferred the hero to pursue the heroine, but as the story unfolds we learn about Laurel's struggles both personal and professional in recent years.  She is in need of a change.  I'd like to think that it was her inner sub who felt a connection to Flynn. In addition to being impressed with his looks and his size she probably sensed his dominance and was drawn to him.  I found Laurel both genuine and endearing.  Nevertheless their first couple of encounters offers some good quotes much thanks to Flynn's sharp tongue:"Yes, I'm asking you out then." [Laurel]"Sorry, but I'll take a pass." [Flynn]***"Hey," she said."Hey yourself, sub shop girl. Took me a minute to remember why I recognized you."I really enjoyed Flynn. He also feels real and genuine, a regular guy with a regular job. Raised by his sister who describes him:"Sober, employed, no record."He works out at the gym every night after work and does underground fighting on the weekends. He engages in non-committal sex and role play. Though he can enjoy traditional sex he prefers rougher sex.His comes across as elusive and he is bossy with that sharp tongue of his. I hereby crown Flynn the King of come-backs!  He speaks his mind and doesn't hold back:"And I'll tell you now, I won't be calling you tomorrow or the next day or the day after that, so don't get in a stink when I don't. None of the normal dating rules apply to this."***"Well, draw yourself a pretty little blueprint and do me a favor and don't show it to me. I like fighting, and I like f~ ing. I don't care much for thinking."But he is also very caring and kind. He is very unassuming in his interactions and his approach to life in general.  An all-around great guy!Flynn is the attraction of the story.  Laurel was sweet and endearing the more I got to know her, but she did not leave as much of an impression. Part of that I attribute to her submissive personality and the story being a novella. But the biggest part for me is always - the larger the hero the more the heroine tends to fade into the background.The sex was hot and intense!, Flynn has quite a command and though the role play delivered I found myself really enjoying when the softer side of Flynn came out.I would highly recommend Flynn's and Laurel's story. I only wish for their story was longer. I look forward to more books from Cara McKenna.***Hero rating:4.5 starsHeroine rating: 3 starsSex scenes rating: 5 starsSex scenes frequency: 4.5 starsStoryline concept rating: 4 starsStorytelling skills rating: 4.5 starsStory ending rating: 4 starsBook editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 4.5 stars************************************************Overall rating: 4.5 starsWould I recommend this book: Yes.Would I re-read this book: Maybe later.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.