Review: Unexpected gem!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 26, 2014
So, if you’re one of those “When life gives you lemons…” believers, that resolve will be tested by the face-slap that January Cooper is on the receiving end of by fate in this unexpectedly charming gem!  Sure, we’ve all had our bad days, even some truly trying times in our lives. But January had a hell of a long way to fall from her privileged and charmed lifestyle, and the trip down was full of some eye-opening and painful discoveries.  It wasn’t until she hit rock bottom that she realized just how lonely, fake, and miserable it was back up at the top.I will freely admit that I did not like January in the beginning of this book.  But let me clarify, that’s not an offensive comment in any way.  She’s meant to be bratty and rude, and really you can’t blame her.  Raised by two completely self-absorbed and money-obsessed parents who cared more about the bank account total than their own daughter, it’s a miracle she wasn’t just as bad as they were!  January lived a life of opulence, with everything she could ever want that money could buy.  People flocked around her because she was just untouchable, so high up on her pedestal.  Her love life consisted of boys who wanted to be around her, whether for attention or just to be able to say that they were.  None of them were for love, none of them knew the real January, and none of them were willing to be there when she needed them.  The more I got to know January as her life literally crumbled around her, she grew on me and I started to suffer right along with her as she took blow after blow.  It was truly painful to witness, and I wanted so badly for someone to finally be in her corner!!The last thing January needed when her family seemed to be collapsing into financial ruin was a smart-ass who would put her in her place.  Or so it would seem.  As she faced the thought of no money, no family to turn to, and no place to go, getting a job at Christian Cutlass’ bar was really a godsend.  She was finally distracted from the misery of her life, she was making money to survive, and she got to show off her mad drink-making skills while she was at it (which made for some funny moments between these two!).  I loved January’s feisty side, and Christian definitely brought it out of her in spades!!  They were like this yin and yang, constantly pushing and pulling but never getting anywhere because they were both so stubborn.  But Christian was fighting his own demons with the guilt he carried on his shoulders, and it automatically made him want to shove January away.  She burrowed under his skin, and he tried hard (and oh I wanted to slap him for it!) to get rid of the itch that was January Cooper before it drove him mad.The steam factor was pretty understated in this story, and while I normally would be disappointed, I actually thought it worked better here.  This isn’t some emotion-heavy sob story, that’s just not who January and Christian are, and it was a refreshing change.  I liked having a couple who completed each other so well but did so by both just having these calm and cool personalities. They have great chemistry and there’s enough sexy time to leave readers happy, and I think it was a perfect complement to their journey.Overall, this was a fun story that was a nice break from some really emotional reads that I’ve put my heart through lately, and I really enjoyed it! January’s evolution was a beautiful thing to watch, and she and Christian were a thoroughly entertaining couple to curl up to!