Review: Just as steamy as Bailey's Brazen books but with the angst of the NA genre
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 14, 2014
Unfixable is the first New Adult Romance from Tessa Bailey, and though I am embarrassingly obsessed with her Line of Duty series from Entangled Brazen, I am (lovingly) shoving those books and their uniform-wearing heroes aside to make room for a new favorite book with a certain accented race-car driver protagonist. Generally, I prefer narratives with alternating points-of-view because I'd rather know upfront what everyone is thinking and feeling, but not knowing what was going on in Shane’s head enhanced the mystery and allure surrounding his character. I'm accustomed to Bailey's use of dual perspective narratives, which means getting to delve inside the minds of both the hero and the heroine, but I enjoyed reading Unfixable through Willa's perspective because this story is first and foremost about her journey to find herself.For those familiar with Tessa Bailey’s books, Willa Peeta was previously introduced as Ginger’s younger sister in Protecting What’s His. Although it seemed as though her life was taking a turn for the better, Unfixable reveals the extent of Willa’s emotional issues, which cause her to construct an invisible barrier around herself. Willa is blunt, sarcastic, and standoffish – qualities she shares with Shane Claymore a.k.a. the owner of the inn where she’s staying while in Ireland. For Willa and Shane, it was an unwelcome case of lust at first sight, but Willa is determined not to act on her attraction to the (inexplicably) broody Irishman. I’m always a fan of enemies-to-lovers romance stories, especially when the author perfectly captures the simmering tension between the two lead characters. Tessa Bailey had me laughing at their heated arguments one minute and impatiently waiting for them to give in to their obvious desire for each other the next.Unfixable may not have quite the same level of heat as Bailey’s previous books but she pushes the boundaries of the New Adult genre with unbelievably steamy encounters between Willa and Shane. Tessa Bailey is capable of setting your pulse racing and making your cheeks flush simply with almost kisses and fleeting touches, so imagine the intensity of a first kiss… a first everything. Willa and Shane are two characters with chemistry so potent that their every exchange is potentially combustible, and the anticipation leading to their first intimate moment is further heightened by the slow buildup. When the moment finally comes, it’s well worth the wait.Tessa Bailey continues to prove that she is particularly adept at creating deep romantic connections between two protagonists, but Unfixable is about more than the physical aspects of Willa and Shane’s relationship. These characters are flawed and broken, and their imperfections helped to enrich the narrative. I wasn’t expecting to be so emotionally affected by this book but it was impossible not to sympathize with both Willa and Shane’s internal struggles, and hope that together, they could overcome these struggles. Unfixable may be Tessa Bailey's first venture into New Adult but I sincerely wish she would continue to explore the genre (in addition to her Line of Duty series, of course), especially if she has more stories like this up her sleeve with characters as memorable and likable as Willa and Shane.*Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review