Review: Great addition to the series.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 6, 2014
4.5 StarsAuthor Cherrie Lynn had some big shoes to fill and they were her own. From the beginning of this series, Unleashed, to the best one of the bunch, Leave Me Breathless, I’ve been caught up in the lives of the Ross siblings and their friends. I’ll admit that I’ve always thought of Gabriella Ross as the uptight, judgmental princess and I really didn’t like the way she treated Brian, her youngest brother. So, I went into this story wondering if Cherrie would be able to soften her and show me a different side, one I could care about. Not only did she do that, she brought in a hotter than hell YOUNGER hero, Ian Rhodes, who proves that age has nothing to do with experience. There are a lot of changes for them and the rest of the Ross family; so hold on to your hats and buckle up because Take Me On is one hell of a thrill ride!Gabriella was just one of those characters that I went from not really liking, to feeling sorry for, to understanding, to thinking she jumped on the crazy train, to admiring, and finally to liking a whole hell of a lot. I won’t say I love her, but I get her now. She’s really a complex woman but at 36 I found her to be a little immature and expecting a lot from her parents for someone her age. That being said, we find out a lot about Gabby’s life, her feelings, her dreams, and the expectations she has for herself. But, best laid plans and then life throws you a curveball and you end up having to take a swing and see what happens.Damn Ian Rhodes is one sexy guy but, it doesn’t just stem from his looks. He’s smart, he’s friendly, he’s funny, and he doesn’t scare easily even when his boss and the boss’s best friend tell him he’s crazy for volunteering to give Gabby her first tattoo. He sees something in her, something he recognizes and something he’d love to get to know better but she’s off limits. After making some major changes in his life he’s feeling settled and fairly happy in his new town and his new job, the last thing he needs is a relationship gone wrong with the boss’s sister.The want and longing these two had for one another from the start was evident. They both tried to brush it aside and say it was because of the circumstances but in reality they needed each other. Gabby needed someone who made her feel cherished, important, and willing to mess up her hair during a wild moment. Ian needed to feel useful, to feel a connection, and to know he mattered to someone. For once, I loved that there wasn’t a HUGE deal made about the older woman/younger man age difference in a book. It shouldn’t matter and to these two and really everyone in the book, it didn’t matter.Gabby and Ian go through some pretty amazing changes in their lives over the course of this book and it wasn’t always neat and pretty but for the most part they handled it well. They each had a moment where I was getting out my WTF paddle to hit them over the head, but they figured it out quickly and moved forward.I hate to say it but this book made me feel like we were saying good-bye forever to the Ross family and for that I am very sad. It’s my hope that the author will continue to explore the lives of the Dermamania staff so we’ll at least catch glimpses of them as time goes on. A fantastic, unforgettable cast of characters, heartfelt writing, an entertaining plot, and of course, smokin’ hot love scenes makes Take Me On a must read book. If you haven’t experienced Cherrie Lynn yet, you are missing out!Review copy provided for an honest review.