Review: A fun romance with a darker side
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 29, 2013
This book was so different from what I was expecting.With complex characters that captured my heart, including many unsavory ones, I was enthralled from start to finish.I was a little appalled my Hunter's actions in the very beginning of the book. Very much a playboy, he seemed to take advantage of every situation that came his way for him to have sex with or to perform sexual favors for any willing partner. But as the story continued, I began to understand him more and realized that my first assessment of him was totally wrong. Yes, sex was a major part of his life, but he was very particular about who he had sex with; although for the life of me I couldn't understand what was up with him and Priscilla Heat. His choice of partner only really started to make sense toward the middle/latter half of the story, when more insight is given into his life, and his horrible past.He was hiding. Never allowing anyone close enough to know the truth about him and the past that haunted him. To make things worse, he was thrown into a tangled web of lies, deceit and mystery. Blackmailed and set-up, Hunter had the worst luck in the world.Elizabeth was a sweet, somewhat innocent woman, whose attraction for Hunter only led to more trouble. There was plenty of chemistry between the pair and they shared many steamy moments together, but things just never worked out for them. Elizabeth's life, although not as complex as Hunter's, was still messed up and because of if she had trust issues, which forced her to back away from him more than once. It was interesting though to see how their dynamic played out, and as the story developed so did a loyalty that kept these two character's lives intertwined.Elizabeth's lust for Hunter might have fueled her loyalty, as it did his, but she really seemed to get under his skin and the more she pushed, the more he opened up, showing the reader who he really was. She refused to believe he was anything but a misunderstood, and good man.I was a little surprised by Elizabeth's decision to sell her V-card, but again, it proved just how much of a loyal friend she was. And, damn, if I knew those things fetched such a hefty price, I might have considered selling mine as well! *Just kidding* Even though Elizabeth felt guilty for how things had ended that night with Cross, her dedication to her friend's well being was endearing. To go through something as awkward and embarrassing as that, she deserves an award for friend of the year. However, in the end she was the one who really won the grand prize, so I guess she was rewarded.I loved getting to know the girls of Love Inc. It just proved that no matter who we are, or what we do in life, we are still just human, with feelings and emotions. The girls were a great support system for Elizabeth when she really needed it. The devastating news about one of their own was crushing, and it broke my heart; for the Love Inc. family and for Hunter, but it also fueled my hatred from the people responsible, and I couldn't wait to see justice served to those deserving.This story was more than an adult contemporary romance. It had a real dark side, that delved into the horror of human-trafficking. It was filled with mystery and intrigue and I think it will appeal to a mass audience, because there is something between the pages of this book for every type of reader.