Sandy M’s review of Intense Pleasure (Bound Hearts, Book 14) by Lora Leigh
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by St. Martin’s Griffin 3 Jan 17
I put off reading this book for quite some time. Mostly because the last few Lora Leigh books have not worked for me. That’s a bit baffling, because she used to be a favorite of mine. The last two books I read, one in 2018 and then back in 2016, I graded a C and B, respectively. This book didn’t fare nearly as well.
The biggest issue in this story is the repetitiveness. Too much is said over and over again in hopes of either filling space or trying to keep the reader updated on info the author seems to think can’t be remembered. Either way, it’s a huge problem for me. This has happened to several long-time favorites of mine over the last few years, almost like ideas for story lines are getting really scarce after so many books have been written by them.
Another thing that rubbed me the wrong way is the overdramatization of the three main characters. Summer constantly has to remind her two lovers she’s not the same dangerous woman they worked with now that she’s home with her family, tired of living life on the edge. Falcon and Raeg, whom she’s known since childhood as well as lived that risky edge with, are constantly in a state of smirking and calming the choppy waters (Falcon) or continually pissed off because he can’t have what he wants because of his past (Raeg). The sex scenes in between, or even sometimes during one of three tirades from these people, doesn’t make any of it better.
The only thing that does work for me is the mystery of the assassin who is after Summer, though that was brought down rather quickly when things finally came to a head, the mystery of Summer and her father’s past, which was strung out a bit too long, and lastly the turnaround when it comes to the men’s parents. Other than that? This book just doesn’t have much going for it.
Grade: D
Summary:
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Her name is Summer, as beautiful and occasionally fierce as her name suggests. Her past has just come back to haunt her, and suddenly she’s not sure who she can trust. Her longtime confidantes Falcone and Raeg seem to have Summer’s best interests at heart. . .but it’s clear that their desire for her still burns between them. Can they find a way to keep Summer safe—or will a bitter rivalry stand in their way?Falcone and Raeg need to work together, now more than ever, if they intend to protect Summer from an old enemy who knows her dangerous secret. When Summer’s identity as a sweet, Southern socialite gets out, the two men must find a way to draw out the ruthless assassin on her trail. . .and keep their illicit romance with her under wraps. But some passions are so intense they can’t remain hidden. What are Falcone and Raeg willing to risk for the woman they both crave like no other.
No excerpt available.
