Sandy M’s review of Strong and Sexy (Sky High Air, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Brava 1 Jan 08

I am having a great love affair with these Sky High Air men. They’re handsome and know how to have fun. They’re, of course, sexy. That goes without saying. But when they’re going down for the count and falling in love, and they haven’t realized it, they love and protect their lady with a greedy fierceness; and when they finally realize they are in love, well, you’re a goner by that time.

I realize I’m a little behind the times in reading this book since the third in the series is already on the shelves. But because I was so intrigued with Noah and his partners in Smart and Sexy — especially Brody ‘cuz I have a feeling he’s going to fall the hardest — I kept my anal self under control to read these in order. It’s not totally necessary to do so, but I like getting huge doses of these guys in each book. And, as I mentioned before, it’s fun watching them fall all in a row.

Shayne is the playboy of the trio. He’s laid back, always in control, and has done things his own way to get where he is. No help from the rich family. So you’d expect he’d end up with one of those model types he usually dates. But when he gets a glimpse of a clumsy but sexy woman making her way, er, clumsily, through their huge, all-out thank-you-for-the-business party for a rich client, he’s intrigued and just can’t help himself when he finds himself talking to her. Then kissing her. In a closet. He’s puzzled at why he finds her captivating, but he decides to go for it and when he finds out who she is, he’s not sure he’s made the right decision.

Dani, it’s rumored, is crazy. Literally. Even her family thinks so. But she knows different. Just because she walked away from millions and wants to work with animals at the zoo doesn’t mean all her elevators don’t go to the top. But when she tries to please to her mother by showing up at her party hosted by Sky High Air, things just go from bad to worse the minute she steps through door, even though she told herself she can do it and do it with aplomb. The best was kissing Shayne Mahoney under the mistletoe in the closet. The worst? The dead body outside in the rain. That disappeared. Now even Shayne looks at her like she truly is crazy. But he takes a chance on her, makes it his job to protect her, and she knows her heart will eventually get broken when he’s had enough of her.

Shayne, however, doesn’t get tired of Dani and that’s one of the best things about this book. His belief in her strengthens her, makes her more confident. Their love is also strong once they stop denying it. It’s fun, though, to watch Noah and Brody tease him about it. The ensuing mystery after the Dani’s discovery of the body takes on a life of its own and even though I thought I had the culprit pegged, I was wrong each time.

We get more of Brody and Maddie and I’m really looking forward to Superb and Sexy. Brody is the biggest teaser when it comes to women and love, so his turn is coming. Actually, it already started in this book when Maddie ups the ante a little.

I’ll hate to see this series end, but it’s been one heck of a flight.

Grade: A

See all the related posts and reviews by clicking on the Sky High Air series tag.

Summary:

BLOWING IT ALL SKY HIGH

In a family of serious over-achievers, Shayne Mahoney has always been the laid-back, easy-going rebel. But running Sky High Air – a charter airline catering to the rich and famous – is a dream come true, in-flight specials included. Like kissing his client’s beautiful, brainy daughter in a coat closet. But before Shayne can say – Fasten Your Seatbelts, Dani claims to witness a murder, gets stalked in her own apartment, and as added bonus, gets them both shot at by a mystery sniper. Normally Shayne would be running from the obviously crazy woman, and yet he finds himself trying to help her, leaving him to doubt his own sanity…

There’s a reason Dani never attends her mother’s high society parties. The fake people, the shallow conversation – and the fact that she doesn’t fit in. She’s a zoologist, not a starlet, and happy about it, even if she wishes men like ruggedly handsome Shayne Mahoney would spare her a second glance. Of course, dodging bullets isn’t exactly what she’d call the perfect follow-up to their heated kiss, but Shayne makes it clear she can depend on him. All she has to do is hold on tight to his delicious hard body until the ride is over…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: