Review: Hot and sweet, a great start to this series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 10, 2014
Yeah, I know, I'm being lazy because I'm reposting my Goodreads review. One of these days, I'll remember to write reviews in both places at the same time.I picked up this book free on Amazon, but I loved it so much that I immediately bought book 2. This was a sweet 'what was old is new again' story. Emma has had a huge crush on former neighbor Cole since she met him at the tender age of 12, when he was 15 and trying desperately to endure high school and his family's secret. Em's older sister, Layla, also had a crush on Cole, but how deep it ran is a matter of perspective. At times, it seems that Layla genuinely liked Cole in high school and wants a real shot with him as an adult. Then there are moments when you can't fault Emma for thinking that Layla just wants Cole because he's a challenge or because he looks good on paper (and okay, in a suit and naked - not that Layla knows the last part).Emma and Cole literally run into each other one day, and from that point forward, Cole can't get Em out of his mind. He pursues her, despite her hesitance to get involved romantically because of Layla. You can't fight chemistry, however, and these two have it in spades. There were some fun, sweet, lighthearted moments between them and there were some steamy moments. Okay, a lot of steamy moments.I can't point out a single thing I didn't like about this book, so it gets 5 stars from me. This is the kind of book that's worthy of such a rating. It's well-written, well-edited (though not perfect, but after publishing my second novel and spending months on the editing process, I can say that it's nearly impossible to get it perfect), and thoroughly enjoyable. I devoured books 1 and 2 in a single day, and let me tell you, after reading a horribly written, horribly edited, not-even-remotely-steamy (though supposedly fans say it is) novella the night before, it was a huge gust of fresh air to encounter a new-to-me author who can actually write. Brava, Brenda Rothert! You have a new fan.