Review: LOVE THIS BOOK
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 20, 2013
I reviewed this book at MustReadBooksOrDie with my friend Shelley.Court: We have a great love of books about bands, strong groups of friends, commandos, love and Kate McCarthy. Book one of this series Give Me Love was I think the second book we reviewed here together, and the first book that Shelley recommended to me...and it was fantastic. I can't rank one over the other, but Give Me Strength comes in at a tie/close second/maybe first...okay I can't make up my mind, it was just soooo good!! This series and this group of characters are funny, loud, perfectly balanced with all their personalities and they made my day seriously wonderful today.Shel: Yes, Courtney, we do love the adorable and brilliant Kate McCarthy. She could write the back of a shampoo bottle and make it so sexy, funny, and smart that I'd buy a case for everyone I know...that's how much I look forward to reading ANYTHING she writes!!! Give Me Strength by Kate McCarthy is a fantastic companion to Give Me Love. I could not put this book down; I finished it the same day I started it. All of the things I loved about Give Me Love are present in Give Me Strength: the humor, the twists and turns, and the love story.Court: This story begins with Quinn going through some seriously hard stuff. We don't get the gist of what her home life was like growing up and the horror that happens to her when she tries to venture out on her own after even more tragedy and it is some hard to deal with stuff. I felt a connection with her right off the bat with her strength then, and when we pick back up with her 3 1/2 years later. Quinn meets Travis in a make me proud awkward moment at a bar when her friend Lucy drags her out to dust off the cobwebs, and we get our first introduction to everything that is the sexy Chris Hemsworth looking Travis Valentine...major swoon.Shel: The beginning part with Quinn and the tragedy that befalls her is horrific and heart-wrenching. When we fast forward a few years we see that while she's not completely crippled by her past, she's definitely been damaged. Thank god for Lucy, her best friend, and enforcer of good times. In Quinn's first night out in forever, her life begin to change for the better--but not before some laugh out loud moments take place. Enter Travis Valentine, one of the hot boys in what has humorously been termed The (Bad Booty, isn't really what they're called, but for Amazon you feel me) Brigade, and you have a connection between him and Quinn that is pure chemistry. Neither of them can seem to avoid the magnetic pull that tugs them together and, thankfully, they don't struggle too much against it. Travis is not tortured or damaged or anti-relationship; he is strong and clever and intuitive to Quinn's needs. While he's definitely got alpha-like tendencies he does not trample all over her and his relatively normal-ish existence is a much needed counterbalance to the issues she's been forced to grapple with.Court: Quinn is hard pressed to get back into another relationship, so Travis has his work cut out for him. I loved how he didn't put too much pressure on her, but always went in when she was least expecting it and knocked her socks off. And I don't mean that in a derogatory way..because trust me the tension builds for an excruciatingly long time after their first tryst..but I mean that he is always there to support and go all commando on anybody who tries to hurt her. He has a serious way with words..and puts it all out there for Quinn to comprehend. Like I said..socks knocked off with his putting it out there of how much he wanted to be with her.Court: While Kate McCarthy can write some seriously good slow burn/build up, she can also write some seriously good commando mystery and thrills with guns and bad guys. This story is no different, since well Travis and Casey (Casey is amazing, cannot wait until his book up next!!), Jared and Mitch are all involved in some sort of consulting that leads to them making rescues and taking bullets or getting stabbed. This is The Hot Bunch-Australia and I LOVE THEM! I NEED A BOOK FOR EVERY COMMANDO + BAND MEMBER! Shel: (ME TOO, COURT!!! ME TOO!) Okay. Sorry. Lost it there for a sec.Shel: Add in the always entertaining Mac and Evie (and the band!), the bad booty brigade--with extended mentions of Casey, Mr. Fashionista himself, Tim, and a few really bad criminals and you have the makings of some hilarious scenes, a series of twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy ending. I absolutely cannot wait for Give Me Grace and to read more about my favorite Australians and what trouble they'll get into next!Court: So in essence, Kate is quickly becoming one of those authors that I really could care less what the book is about. I will buy it just because she wrote it. Her writing is that good. And the story is so good. Hmpf, I wish we could take a vacay to Australia, Shelley! We will find a way; we must!Shel: This is a definite MUST read!Shelley: 5 StarsCourtney: 5 Stars