Review: Smart & sexy debut novel!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 11, 2013
4 - 4  stars"But even if you have the best laid plans, life has a way of taking new turns. Those sturdy walls I had built, in order to raise my brother Luke and protect myself weren't impenetrable. I guess my heart wasn't satisfied with living safely. But it wasn't until I connected with him, emotionally, mentally, sexually, that I wanted to tear down those walls, open my heart, and dare myself to really live."The above is taken from part of the prologue. Immediately I was excited, I felt like this set up for an intense ride. "Emotionally, mentally, sexually" whoo! Sounds like my kind of story.Amy has had a rough several years. When she was a teen, her dad unexpectedly died, her mom ran off, and she was left to care for her younger brother. Fast-forward to present day and Amy is twenty-three, after six years of being a pseudo guardian, her brother has gone off to college and she can finally focus on herself. She has opened her dream shop, a stationary/gift store and is excited to move forward. Then Hunter, her high school ex who broke her heart comes back to town. Amy agrees to go to a big BBQ that Hunter's parents are throwing at their house. There she meets, Ryan, an intriguing Brit who works with Hunter and his father.This book is technically told in dual POV - Amy and Ryan, but it is really mostly Amy with a few sporadically from Ryan. I would definitely have loved even more of his though! He is definitely used to getting what he wants, he's confident, accomplished, sexy and his attraction toward Amy is immediate. As is hers toward him."Maybe it was just lust, but I'd never felt this kind of physical attraction before, and this was much more than that. I could just tell."But then there is Hunter and they have history, there's an old connection there and Amy likes to feel that again. I won't go further into the story or tell you what exactly happens, but I will tell you that there are plot twists and some drama. It isn't all laid out in front of you perfectly and not everything is as it seems. The issues are handled with finesse though and the flow of the story was pretty effortless.I really liked Amy, she was strong and although she struggled a bit with her new and intense feelings for Ryan, she was pretty decisive. She was an awesome blend of smart and sensible, but with a little spunkiness. Amy is overtly outspoken, but she says what's on her mind when needed and I appreciated that about her.Even though there is mention of two love interests, it is completely clear where Amy's heart lies. I absolutely loved the sexual tension and there are a few really nice steamy scenes. Let me just say that Ryan is pretty naughty in public and I had a big stupid grin on my face on more than a few occasions. There's also quite a bit of swoon worthy-ness going on too!"Amy you are so gorgeous, I could stare at your body for a thousand years, and never get tired of what I see."No one had ever said anything like that to me. I covered my face with my hands."Take your hands off your face. Don't be embarrassed. You're beautiful."I enjoyed this book a lot! This is a fairly quick one and I read it in one sitting, so it definitely kept my attention the whole time. This is a promising debut novel for Paige Edward. I felt like it had many really strong elements and the writing was great. I look forward to what she releases in the future! :)