Genre: Contemporary Romance
You’ll like this if you like: Sizzling Romance, a Charming, Playboy Hero, or Assassination Attempts.
Cleanliness: The hero, Bo, contemplates taking the heroine up to his room. Eventually, there’s involvement with the slums of the city, so there are mentions of rape, drug use, etc.
Hero Type: Bad Boy
Favorite Profound Quote:
“You’re not lost, Alexis. You’re on a journey leading somewhere. I only hope it’s with me.”
Favorite Descriptive Quote:
“The sip of tea electrified her teeth, and she guessed she’d had enough sugar for a while.”
From Amazon
Alexis Murphy is done messing with the wrong kinds of men. She could not be happier planning a personalized Grace Evangeline wedding with her fiancé, Jeffrey, who is so right for her. Or is he?
Stage star and spokesmodel, Bo Corrigan, could be the ultimate disruption. Alexis—Exi—is caught by his talent and sexual magnetism. Yet under the glow, she senses trouble, not only danger from Bo’s past mistakes, but something inside tearing him apart.
From the moment Bo sees Exi, he knows she’s special, but not only that—she’s real. Unlike the theater scene he’s been immersed in, she sees the man he is and won’t stop until she’s reached inside and brought that person from despair to life … if only they have time.
With violent forces against them, can they get beyond the damage to love that heals and restores?
Typically, I don’t like contemporary romances, but this book had enough going on to keep it interesting. For one, there’s Bo. Even though Exi is engaged to someone else, Bo refuses to give up on her. She eventually breaks off the engagement, so Bo and her former fiancée can compete for her hand. And then there’s the Russian mafia, who are trying to murder Bo and hurt those closest to him.
The characters felt real and flawed, but all of them were still likable. Exi is fun and sweet, while Bo is dashing and debonair. His character arc takes him from a playboy to someone who’s devoted enough to not only win, but keep Exi’s hand. (I should’ve warned you that was a spoiler alert, but I think you probably saw it coming anyhow 😉 )
Sometimes, the romantic obsession felt like it was a bit much, but having it so intense definitely upped the angst. And it is a romance, after all 😉
Books from this series:
Books from this author:
The Rose Legacy and Sweet Boundless
Get a Free Sample of Told You Twice (also available on Kindle Unlimited)
What elements make for the best romances in stories? What about in real life? What works in romance novels that would never work in real life?
Hannah
November 14, 2016 - 5:13 pm ·It looks like the author really developed the plot well, bringing in great tension and drama. I always love it when the mafia gets involved, and anyone with dangerous connections in his past (like Bo) is bound to be interesting. 😉
I’m very picky about romance, so my opinion is skewed. That said, I believe every good romance, like every good friendship, must be built on truly valuing the other person as a person, and finding a balance that keeps the two both distinct but complementary.
I hate when romance is based on pure attraction and emotion. There has to be something of value in the other person. Not superficial (looks, charm, possessions, etc) or surface (he makes me laugh, he is smart, he can do X well). It has to be based on personality and character. (He is steadfast and loyal, he helps the less fortunate no matter what, he is on a relentless quest for truth, he always puts others before himself.).
It is even better if the attributes of the characters balance wash other out. I know for me, I want to marry someone who is pretty laid back, calm, and rational, because I am prone to being volatile, especially in the “anger at the stupidity of systems or people” category. Also, I have a bent toward procrastination, so I need to marry someone who works hard and can push me toward finishing what I need to finish on time and in a less stressful way. I like seeing relationships in fiction built on the same principle, with people finding a mate that can help them overcome their weaknesses, while their strengths can help their mate.
Elizabeth Newsom
November 17, 2016 - 11:55 pm ·I completely agree. It seems like there have to be enough similarities to connect and enough differences to grow.
Have you ever read Jane Eyre?
Hmmm. I like that too. Kind of like letting them hone you as you hone them. You bring up a lot of great points, Hannah!