Review: !!!! Buy this!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 27, 2013
I reviewed this book at MustReadBooksOrDie with my friend Shelley.Shel: So..Courtney and I began reading Off Course around 3 pm on a Wednesday night and finished it by 9 pm that same night. I don't think either of us moved much in those 6 hours (I believe Court was actually stuck on a boat for most of her reading). So where to begin???? Court: Yes, that probably qualifies me as the worst wife ever...reading while I'm supposed to be fishing with my husband...but I suppose that is our thing since he doesn't mind!Shel: Let's start with Cillian. Goodness gracious this guy pushes all of the right buttons. He looks the part (hot rocker), he sounds the part (did I mention HOT ROCKER!!), and he most definitely speaks the part (Irish accent, filthy, dirty, sex mouth). Jesus H., Court!!!, does Sawyer Bennett know us or what? So not only is he this total alpha hot rocker guy, he is also swoonerifically (yep, totally made up that word) sweet. He's such a good and loyal friend to those he's close to and he's protective of those that he cares about and while these are normally great characteristics, it turns out this might be one of his greatest weaknesses as well. Hold that thought....Let's get to the good stuff. Cillian and Renner--our beautiful heroine. They had this searingly hot kiss on her vacation to see her cousin in Ireland...she leaves to go back to the states and college..fast forward 5 years and she's back in Ireland. The minute he sees her again he knows he absolutely has to pursue her. And pursue her he does. He's unrelenting. Driven. The sexual tension...GAH.Court: Being out of the comfort zone that is Ryan, Nix and Linc was a new one for me...but since this is a hot Irish musician...I didn't have to try too hard to like him. He's all sexy and confident and all alpha in her face, and we love to love stories with guys like him. Swoon.Shel: Now let's move on the Renner. I really like this girl. I like that she is a little lost...that she went to college because it was expected but not really what she wanted to do. She's not driven and ambitious and career crazy; she's actually really normal and sweet. The only thing she thinks she wants is a stable, career driven husband to have the perfect house and kids and dog with. MWAHAHAHA. Fate (also known as our writer Sawyer Bennett) has other plans for her. You see, Ren really never forgot about that delicious kiss with Cillian and while she didn't necessarily think she'd ever see him again in Ireland, the minute she does the sparks fly. Right off the bat she tries to deny and hide from the chemistry she feels with Cillain but his raw sexuality completely overwhelms her and she is quickly worn down.Court: Renner. I liked her from the teeny tiny glimpse we got in Off the Record of Renner when she visited with Linc. They had an awesome relationship, so I love a heroine who has a great relationship with her family. We definitely have that here...which we get to see more of with her family in Ireland. She had her confidence knocked down a few notches but can't fight all of the hot and heavy pursuit that is Cillian. And we don't want her too.Shel: Together they find that they more than enjoy each other's company, that they are completely hot for each other, and they end up trusting each other with wounds from their past. They actually communicate and are honest with each other...what a nice contrast to many other book couples! But of course stupid Maeve has to go and mess things up. You see, his band mate, business partner, and one time lover Maeve, does her damnedest to manipulate Cillian's loyalty and protectiveness. I hate her. HATE.HER. And because he cannot seem to see her playing him, I almost had to not like him. Almost. He's too dang good to really dislike. But he does make some foolish choices that end up pushing Ren way far away.Court: His loyalty to his friend and past cause us some really, really, really heart wrenchingly insane angst. I seriously wanted to shake him and say "wake up, and smell the roses dude!" I was completely and utterly impressed with Renner though because through everything that happens she handles everything much more maturely and without jealously than I would have. She gives Maeve the benefit of the doubt and does a great job to be supportive until she just can't anymore. Cue me crying.Shel: The epilogue in this novel took a different turn than we've seen in the rest of the series. Sawyer uses it to introduce us, a little more, to Ren's brother Flynn. She promises that we'll see more from our favorite couples in her final installment in this series and while I cannot wait...it's a little bittersweet. I'm not sure if I'm ready to see them go. Court: I am so not ready to see them go! I want more. Don't we always? I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us, because truly as each book has came out her writing has gotten better and better. Not that I am an expert, but that is just my humble opinion. :)Shel: What a fantastic read!Shelley: 4 1/2 StarsCourtney: 5 Stars