Review: Hot and Strong
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 22, 2014
3.5 StarsAfraid to Love is a companion novel to Fire in his Eyes. But, being as I have yet to read the first one, this can be read as a standalone.Ana has a difficult past, due to those experiences short term, one night stands are her men of choice. She’s been burned before and would prefer not to relive those experiences again. But, a smoking hot ex-cop turned bartender stirs all sorts of things to life, making her hunger for things that may make her run.Teddy wouldn’t call himself dominant but when that smoking hot redhead whipped out those scarves, he was a goner. As the game progresses, the stakes get even higher. Sometimes, someone needs to break before they realize just how much they have.Afraid to Love has a strong set of characters and a great story-line. I fell in love with Teddy, Ana, Louisa and Monica because each of them have their own heart breaking back-stories that are all so very different. But, somehow, they managed to come together and heal each other. I think to bring this book into five-stars, it has serious potential, it needs a little TLC. I could follow to story easily but there were a few areas throughout the novel that were a little repetitive and monotonous, where I paused for a couple seconds thinking “Didn’t I just read this?” (it didn’t start until halfway through though). There were a few minor editing errors that didn’t halt my reading any so those are minor blimps and don’t affect my rating.Occasionally I had some issues connecting with the characters, especially when readers are being given their back stories, I just didn’t feel their pain. I could read it, get enough to imagine that scene but that was it. Maybe it’s because the novel is in a third person perspective?? Actually, that could be my issue! Being as this novel is emotionally driven (heart-wrenching and hot), I think it would benefit greatly from being in a first person perspective either Teddy or Ana’s. Now don’t come to maim me, I’m not finished. I mentioned hot right? MJ’s sex scenes are fan-holy-f**k-me-tastic. Teddy and Ana practically have their own solar flare going they’re that hot.While I did had some issues with the story, I still found it to be an engaging read. It’s emotional, you’ll love the characters even though at times you’ll want to strangle Ana. But, with a change of perspectives and a few more details this could solidly be a five-star book.