Review: Romantic and  fun, with a really hottie Aussie
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 2, 2013
After spending her first year in college at the University of Las Vegas, Jess Harper is still the good girl who doesn't do anything wrong and is still a virgin.  She's spent most of her time studying instead of going to parties, so when she decides to go to an end of the semester party at the last minute and meets up with her study buddy Dave there, she isn't too concerned, that is until things get out of hand.  Afterwards, desperate to get away from Dave and not have to spend the summer with her mother, her brother Reid saves the day by inviting her to go to Australia with him on a business trip, all expenses paid, and spend a month in the Australian Outback.  Jess couldn't be happier, especially when she lays eyes on one of the hottest guys she's ever seen, Jack McVeigh.  Jack is the 20-year-old cook at Cooweer Homestead Cattle Station and fits the bad boy image perfectly.  In fact, Jess can't take her eyes off him, and the feeling is mutual, but Jack knows this is one girl he needs to stay away from."Jack defines bad boy and then some.  He's big, buffed, bronzed, and hotter than any guy I've ever met.  His sexy Aussie accent makes me melt.  And the guy can cook."The chemistry between Jack and Jess is electrifying and after an interesting encounter the first night there, it is multiplied tenfold.  Jess, normally shy, is anything but with Jack, and the banter between them is filled with sass, sexual innuendos, and promises of fun.".....but it seemed like some great, screwed up cosmic sign.  That the first time I'd ever felt like jumping a guy, he was an outback cook with a bad attitude.....Jack did look like Chris Hemsworth.  A lot.  Dark hair.  Startling green-blue eyes.  Requisite stubble.  Tall.  Tanned.  Broad-shouldered.  Bad boy to the bone.  Damn.  Bad analogy.  I couldn't think about bone and Jack in the same sentence without squirming.  When he'd spoken in that deep, gravely voice and touched my hand?  I'd felt like...like...stripping off and climbing all over him."Despite the innuendos, chemistry, and obviously mutual attraction, Jack is determined not to cross the line with Jess, thinking she deserves better, and better is definitely not him - an attitude that is the remnant of a scarred and painful childhood.  Not to mention he's become friends with her brother Reid, who is helping him out with his future career. Nevertheless, Jess is determined to get him to notice her and do more than just look.  Besides, he brought out a side of her she'd never experienced before."There was something about that cocky, insufferable Aussie that rubbed me up the wrong way.  He brought out something in me I'd never thought I possessed.  My inner smartass."As the story progresses, Nicola Marsh provides a very interesting and entertaining story for her readers with the ensuing relationship and things that transpire between Jack and Jess over the next four weeks.  Jack's determined to stick to his guns and Jess is determined to pull that gun out of its holster and turn the safety off."I'm going to miss you,"  I blurted, instantly regretting my impulsive declaration when his smile faded....."You don't even know me," he said, his tone devoid of emotion...."I  know you well enough," I said...I went for broke.  "I know what you look like naked."  Heat flared in his expressive eyes as the backpack slipped from his hands to land at his feet.  "Don't go there." ....."Why not?"  I tapped my bottom lip pretending to think.  "Though I do seem to have an unfair advantage.  Because I've seen you naked and you haven't seen me."  He groaned.  "You don't play fair."....."And you don't play at all."As the book comes to an end, Jess lays it all on the line, but Jack has to decide what he's going to do with the feelings he's had brewing underneath the surface over the last four weeks.  Will he be honest with her, or will he let Jess go?  Before is a really good short read, 160 pages, that is packed with fun, romance that sizzles, a hot Aussie, and a great story.  I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to read the conclusion of Jess and Jack's story in Brash, which is available now....Yeah!!!  I love not having to wait.  The third book in the series, Blush, is also available and is Reid's story, Jess' brother.  I really enjoyed Before, the first book in the Burlesque Bombshells series and I can't wait to read more from this author.