Review: Steamy read has a good story!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2012
Let Me In is an enjoyable novella with a hero who has more than sex appeal. Liam Brodie, former Marine and military contractor, has an ideal combination of qualities to satiate contemporary erotic romance fans.The StoryMarine Lieutenant Talia Barnett arrives home for Thanksgiving, which should be a happy occasion, but Talia's home has issues attached. Fortunately, she has become an unofficial member of her best friend's family. The Brodie family is happy, stable, and everything she has ever wanted. Her attraction to Liam Brodie is an unwanted complication. She will not risk losing this family for a relationship that will surely break like all her others. In Talia's experience, deployments and a mentally ill mother are too much for boyfriends to accept.Liam Brodie has been attracted to Talia since the first day he met her. He appreciates her inner strength and independence. She keeps her distance, but he catches her longing glances. Now, he's going to push for more and hope she lets him into her life.My ThoughtsTalia has a mother with suffering from major depression expressed in a severe case of hoarding , which is a first I've seen in a romance. Talia feels helpless, ashamed, angry, and enjoys the escape military life provides. I felt sympathy for her character as her secret spills out for Liam to see. Eventually, my sympathy waned as her character repeatedly hit the same roadblock.It was Liam Brodie who really shined in this short story. He's capable of putting his need and wants aside to comfort Talia. He displays a chivalry that is not always common in BDSM alpha heroes. I really loved that! He tries to solve their relationship issues with meaningful dialogue rather than hot steamy sex.Let Me In is the first book I have read by Callie Croix and I will be reading her work again. There is a book that precedes this novella, but this book can stand alone. (The previous book's hero and heroine from No Holds Barred is referred to once.) This story is tight and the hero engaging. The heroine was the weakest link, which may depend on the reader. The BDSM is light and may appeal to contemporary romance fans who appreciate explicit love scenes.Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 starsRelease date: May 21, 2012ARC generously provided by Carina Press via Netgalley