Sandy M’s review of Wrapped and Strapped (Blacktop Cowboys, Book 7) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Erotic Romance published by Signet 3 Nov 15
Sigh. I’m always very unhappy when I finish reading the newest Lorelei James book. I read too fast and it’s all over in a flash. And then I have to wait so long for the next one. But while I’m visiting with her characters, especially her cowboys, I have one rip-roarin’ time. There’s never a dull moment and plenty of sizzlin’, sexy moments that keep me turnin’ the pages well into the night.
One of the best things I like about this story is the flashbacks we get when Harlow is back in Wyoming to care for her ailing father and finds she has to deal with her grumpy cowboy, Hugh, as soon as she’s off the plane. It’s been three years since their one smokin’ night together. But as good as the sex was, it wasn’t enough for Hugh to commit, and he ended up saying some mighty ugly things he now regrets. The build-up in those flashbacks to the present gives the reader an intimate look at what’s happened to these two during their time apart, as well as that last night before Harlow left Hugh far behind her.
I also really like that Hugh knows what he let go when he backed off before. And he knows he has a bit of groveling to do, so he mans up and does just that. He also goes a step further to reassure Harlow he’s sticking around this time, thus leading him to the further knowledge he has a lot of work to do to make her believe that. For the gruff and grumpy and always-saying-what’s-on-his-mind – even if it’s the wrong thing – cowboy, he does pretty darned good with the words in these instances. He had me wishin’ I could melt into the pages right into his arms for some smooth southern lovin’.
Harlow is at first determined to avoid Hugh. She’s not signing up for more heartbreak where he’s concerned. Only problem is, she’s still attracted to the man, and his pretty words, sexy mouth, and wandering hands have her in his bed before she can blink too many times. They both have pasts that have shaped them and their beliefs in the love and romance department, but I really enjoy how they talk through the ugliness to help them move forward together. One thing I always like in Ms. James’ characters is how they work through their issues – even if it’s after a blowup or two – and they never lose sight of what’s most important.
However, the blowup in this case is a doozy, and each of these characters reverts to what they do best when faced with something this difficult. Then it’s a wait-and-see situation to see who will be the one to figure out what needs to be done for their HEA. Harlow has her life waiting for her back in California, and Hugh hasn’t been happy with the direction of his job for a long time, so it’s time to make some changes for each of them. For these two so-very-opposite characters, the ending is the perfect solution, one making the most and best change for all involved.
We get to catch up with Renner and Tierney and their growing family, along with other secondary characters we’ve loved throughout the series. With more time spent with Ike, Riss, and Tobin in this book, I’m going out on a branch to say it’s probably Ike and Riss up next, but I sure hope Tobin gets his turn too. I really feel for the guy as he bears his soul late in the book.
Larger-than-life characters, along with the intensity as well as the fun we’ve come to expect from Ms. James are still ever present and fresh. I would wait forever for her next book if that’s what it ever came down to.
Grade: A
Summary:
Flower child, vegetarian and humanitarian Harlow Pratt and gruff and strapping cattle ranch foreman Hugh Pritchett have been taunting each other for years. Hugh thinks she’s nothing but a spoiled rich girl, and he’s had enough of that life with his ex-wife. Harlow thinks Hugh is an ill-mannered trouble-maker who wouldn’t know fun if it bit him on his tight denim-clad butt.
When they’re forced together at the Split Rock Ranch and Resort, everything changes. They might be polar opposites, but working out their differences skin to skin, in the dark, seems to help their incompatibility a lot. But when trouble from both their pasts comes calling, Harlow and Hugh have no one else to lean on. Can they trust one another enough to make it through the hard times together… or will their tentative truce fall apart?
No excerpt available.
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