Review: Fun, flirty and simply scalding
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 13, 2014
Reviewed by Bridgetfor TheRomanceReviews.comFun, flirty and simply scalding, Tessa Bailey's fourth Line of Duty book is a blazing, brazen success from start to finish. This enemies-to-lovers trope is sure to delight fans of her series and win over a wealth of new readers with the ease of her writing and irresistible chemistry between her two fascinating main characters.Ever since they met, Hayden Winstead and Brent Mason haven't been able to stand the sight of each other. Hayden is wealthy, stylish and used to making her way through her parents' high society world, while Brent is a huge, tough, rough and ready cop who works with explosives and beat-up cars. What could they possibly have in common? Unfortunately, their two best friends are head-over-heels in love with each other, so Hayden and Brent have little choice but to grin and keep their bickering as quiet as possible.But one night, the quarreling takes a turn for the steamy, and these two combatants find themselves in the midst of a night of explosive, unforgettable sex that makes them both question if the person they really knew might be...more. Brent is certainly determined to find out and begins edging his way beneath Hayden's privileged facade, unwittingly letting her beneath his. What Brent can never know, however, is that Hayden's father's company, and her family's financial well-being, is dependent on her marrying the son of a wealthy CEO investor. If she's going to save her family, it means walking away from the one man she never dreamed she could possibly love...What I adored about this book was its unpredictability. From the main couple's fiery connection to the twists and turns of the spirited plot, this book kept me hooked from the steamy opening to the final, explosive conclusion. Hayden may be the paragon of style and poise, but the effort it takes her to keep up that image, and the toll it has taken on her, is considerable. Brent may look lowbrow and muscle-bound, but his strength really comes from his dedication to his family and the work that keeps a roof over their heads and food on the table. With each revelation that he and Hayden share with each other (however unwittingly), it becomes clear that, for all their differences, their hearts are in very similar places, and it helps them find their way to each other.The pressure of maintaining their secret relationship, of hiding their growing connection from their respective families, and denying their own budding attraction, adds a brilliant tension to an already scalding connection, making each encounter between these two even hotter and more intense. Tessa Bailey genuinely understands how to develop her characters' relationship through physical intimacy, and uses each scene to show just how unexpectedly perfect Hayden and Brent truly are for each other. Their bickering and squabbling may expose the other's weaknesses, but also gives them the strength to overcome them, transforming them for the better over the course of the story.The ending of this book was a pure joy. The over-the-top drama, the last minute, perfectly-worded declarations and the beautiful sincerity in each word makes this a stunning conclusion to a fun and ultimately moving tale. I was delighted with this story, so much so that I've started this whole series from the beginning in order to meet all the other vibrant characters featured here. Tessa Bailey's ability to craft sizzling, multi-faceted characters and bring them together with explosive results is not to be missed, and I can't wait for more!