Review: 4 Sizzling, Romantic Stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 8, 2013
Fun, romantic, and with an undeniable and sizzling attraction between the two main characters, this book heated up and never cooled down. Taste the Heat was a light summer read that will have you wanting to pour ice down your back just to cool off from the scorching heat of New Orleans and the hot relationship between Colby and Jason.At first, I was just looking for a light, fluffy read that would take my mind off the very intense and emotional book I'd just read. What I got was so much more than just a light-hearted romance. It was wonderful to watch Jason and Colby's relationship grow from mutual attraction to shining love. And it was wonderful to see them both find love when neither of them had been looking for it.These two characters, Colby and Jason, are both scarred from past relationships and aren't looking for anything more than just a casual fling. But it only takes them a few weeks to realize that this could be something so much more, something that could prove to them both that love is worth all the doubts and heartache, all the tears and hurt. That love is worth a second chance.When Colby comes home for the summer to save her family's restaurant after the unexpected death of her father, she's counting down the days till she goes back to Vegas. But what she didn't count on was her childhood crush tempting her to stay. Tempting her to give her home and her roots a second chance. And as much as the healing helps the scars fade, she still can't let go of the heartache that sent her packing twelve years ago. She still can't let herself believe in "happily ever after" because, even if her and Jason can prove that all she's thought about love is wrong, it still doesn't squash the fears that still cling to her broken heart.As a single father, Jason has his hands full. Between being a captain for the fire department, owning a gym, and raising his almost twelve year old daughter, love is a just a fairytale. And after losing his wife in a horrible situation, he closed his heart off so he'd never have to feel that kind of pain again. But with Colby, he starts to wonder if finding a woman to step up to the roll of mother and enter into more of a convenience marriage would ever be enough for him or his daughter. Because as quickly as he's falling in love with the woman, Emma is too. And what will happen if the summer fling turns into so much more and ends up hurting the one person he cares the most about? Emma's lost one woman she cared about already. What will happen if she loses another?Both Colby and Jason are in for the ride of their life. Because we all know love never goes exactly as planned. And it's about to show them that their fears are nothing compared to the kind of life they could have together.Not only were these wonderful characters to read about, but so were their families. From Colby's overprotective big brother to Jason's sweet daughter, they all played a part in helping these two stubborn and guarded people realize that they're perfect for each other. And when Jason is injured from a fire, they ban together to help each other through the nightmare. It's the final push, besides letters from her parents, that make Colby realize that she almost gave up a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.I loved Rachel Harris' writing style, and her very amusing humor. I loved reading about the characters' struggles to opening up again, and seeing them find their HEA was such a treat! This book was the perfect blend of steam, romance, and witty banter. It had me laughing, crying, swooning, and kept me entertained until the very end. :)