Sandy M’s review of The Virgin’s Revenge by Dee Tenorio
Contemporary Romance ebook published by Samhain 3 Jul 12
This little gem of a book slipped through the cracks due to the upheaval that has been my life lately. While it’s unfortunate I didn’t get to tell all of you about it back in July, I do get to let you know about it now. As usual, Dee Tenorio has penned a fun story with characters you’d love to have living next door to you. Well, in this case, you’d love to have Amanda Jackman as your best friend. As for her brothers, their role in the house next door would be up for debate. In a good way.
Ever since their parents died, Locke Jackman has raised his five brothers and sister. Amanda has cooked and cleaned up after them all for a while now, not having a life of her own because Locke calls all the shots. She’s ready to move out and start living. Meanwhile, Locke is pulling out all the stops to coerce best friend Cole to court and marry Amanda. She needs someone to look after her, the girl can’t seem to do anything on her own. If Cole won’t man up for the job, Locke will keep looking until he finds someone who will.
So Cole agrees. He’s known Amanda for years, she’s like a little sister to him. Or at least that’s what he tells himself. And since he’s also against marriage, after his parents’ disastrous union, he’s been able to keep his sights off her. Even after she’s now grown up and something to look at. But Cole has his doubts this idea of Locke’s is going to work. Amanda’s too smart to just take at face value that he’s changed his mind and now whats to date her. As he and Locke argue about the situation, Amanda overhears them.
She’s crushed that both men would do this to her. Then she’s pissed. Revenge is now the name of the game. Her plan? Seduce Cole, get some experience between the sheets, then leave him in the dust as she moves on to find someone who will truly love her and not treat her like a child, something her brother has become very good at. So Amanda tries seduction, and though she’s not that well versed in the art, it doesn’t take much to lose herself in Cole, but it’s Cole who always puts on the brakes before things go too far.
That’s because he values his friendship with Amanda and her brothers. And he overhears Amanda telling a friend that she’s on to Locke’s plan, so Cole realizes the import of her sudden seduction. Sometimes he can’t help himself, though. He doesn’t want to be seen alone with her in the local restaurant because he knows the gossip would go flying, but the next thing he knows, he has her in his arms, kissing her for all they’re worth in front of everyone. Cole is definitely a man who’s tortured when it comes to the love of his life, even though he’s not acknowledging that just yet. He needs his epiphany just as Amanda does, so all the fun in between is what keeps the reader turning the pages.
Before you starting thinking Locke should just back off and leave his sister alone, there’s a scene later in the book when Cole confronts him once again about the validity of his idea concerning Amanda and her life where Locke gives a heart-felt explanation. It’s one of the best scenes in the book. I wish Amanda had been in on that conversation. But as brothers and sisters do, they work things out in the long run.
This book is full of very likable characters, loads of fun, including some great lovemaking, and the usual Dee Tenorio storytelling. Pick this one up when you can.
Grade:
Summary:
If you can’t beat ’em…seduce ’em
Amanda Jackman’s love life is the stuff dreams are made of…which is fitting, because it’s all in her head. Thanks to six oversized, overbearing brothers who treat her like the family jewel, she’s lived in a padded little box.
Determined to get a life before she needs a padded little cell, she sets out to throw off the yoke and live on her own terms. Except she seriously underestimates the lengths to which her brothers will go to keep her safe and sound…
Read an excerpt.
