Review: short sexy romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 1, 2013
ARC supplied by Netgalley.This is Cate's first novella, and was an enjoyable steamy at times romance. The basic premise is outlined in the description and makes for a simple but effective plot. Its a short novel at just 100 pages and Cate has sensibly concentrated on the main subject rather than throw in a lot of drama - I love drama and angst in my romances but in a book of this size there simply isn't room to do it well and its best left out rather than put in badly.I liked Mac, she reminds me in a way of myself, with her always feeling she doesn't quite fit in, and the way she goes over potential conversations mentally ( yep - guilty of that!)  Jason too was very realistic, reminding me of a gentle giant, deep thinker type person rather than the in your face Alpha males we so often see. He's clearly that type but so much more to him that that. Mac describes him as a Panther - and that's exactly how he seems. This isn't your normal romance but one where the heroine has a plan, losing her virginity, whilst on a six week expedition into the rainforest. The barrier of any close association between her as a student and Jason as Staff though is forbidden but the attraction between them is palpable and the sexual tension sizzling. You don't need blatant sex scenes for them to be erotic, sometimes far more is done with touches and glances to build the eroticism than outright graphic sexual activity.Jason seemed the strong but silent type at first, for whom the job is all and everything else takes second place but then he sees Mac...and something in him stirs and he can't stop thinking about her. His team mates notice and he needs to take care nit to risk his career but he can't seem to stay away from her.Advice on writing books always seem to say "write about what you know" - well Cate must know a lot about this type of expedition as its so well described I felt I was there with them, trailing through mangrove swamps, scaling down mountain shale and rock jumping ( I think that was the term). It all felt so real so either Cate has done it or has done some really thorough research and the realism went along way to making what was a short novel really enjoyable for me - someone who likes longer books for preference.The sex scenes were there - not too many and not overly graphic, but well written and fitting within the framework of the novel really well. Ihate when author make there subjects act out of character for the sake of adding sex, Cate doesn't - she made the scenes work and it meant the novel was so much more entertaining. Its nothing complex, not a book you can't put down as its so full of action and drama but an easy enjoyable read and a great way to pass some time such as a train journey when you want to escape for a short while.Its priced at 2.64 for 100 pages on kindle, so quite expensive in comparison to others around, but really that depends on whether you're likely to re read the book. I won't - really enjoyed it as a one off but not one for my keepers file, but many people love these shorter, lighter romances and collect them eagerly. If that's you then this is one you will enjoy.Stars: I'm hovering over 3 and half to 4, as I said short novels aren't really my thing but this was so very different from the norm that it was a real treat to read so - four it is :)