Contemporary Erotic Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 28 Sep 21
I’m not sure what’s happened between me and Lora Leigh. I read a lot of her Breeds stories, as well as her Men of August series, and loved all of those books. The last few years, however, I’ve been disappointed in her work. I keep wondering, is it me? Or is it her?
On the one hand, I can say it’s probably me – my reading tastes have certainly had to change over so many years. But then again, the reason I gave up on this book is because I got tired of the repetition. An author shouldn’t have to remind a reader over and over again about a character’s past or deeds they’ve done and the like. Twice, to me, is the max for that. Not half a dozen or more in a few short chapters. So I guess I have to say we’ve both changed in the way we look at romance.
Lily has been deeply hurt by a man in her past. We know it was a terrible incident, in that she is now terrified to date again and to perhaps allow herself to fall for another man, and also because that’s one of those things Ms. Leigh repeats several times – too many for my liking. Lily waffles over her interest in the new cowboy her cousin Jacob has hired on the ranch. She doesn’t want to like his arrogant ass, but he’s one of those men women just can’t help but be attracted to.
Levi is one man Lily can trust, if she’d let herself. He’s good at reading people, and because he wants Lily, he’s very attuned to her to know something is amiss. He tries to make her feel at ease in his presence to both help her with her dilemma, whatever it is, and get closer to her. But he’s taking it slow so he doesn’t spook her further and to make sure Jacob doesn’t clock him a good one for going after his cousin. That’s another concept thrown at the reader over and over and over.
Another issue I have with this story is the way these two move toward Lily’s eventual capitulation. It seems like time is missing, especially because they haven’t known each other that long, but endearments and lust, among other things, happen much too soon. That chaffed a bit, because the rest of the story. of the little I read. is super slow to get going. I like backstory as much as the next reader, but getting to Levi’s dominant nature and Lily’s past rearing its ugly head takes too much time.
So I gave up. It’s unfortunate because I always enjoyed Ms. Leigh in the past and wanted to give this book a fair shake. Sometimes I guess we have to allow our favorites to go free and just remember the good times.
Grade: DNF
Summary:
He will risk his life…
The oh-so-proper school teacher, Lily Donovan has learned, the hard way, that men are not to be trusted. Period. Until Levi Roberts, the new cowboy working at her cousin’s ranch, tempts her carefully-built resolve and awakens an all-consuming passion she thought lay dormant. But when she discovers his deadly secret, and her own secrets come to light, Lily unwittingly joins the lethal cat and mouse race between Levi and the man he’s been hunting for weeks.
To save her heart…
Former Ranger Levi Roberts has seen his fair share of deadly trouble during his years as a tough-as-nails operative. The ultimate expert in undercover investigations, he’s been tasked to find a man with a dangerous agenda in town. Routine work has been boring…until he runs into Lily, the prickly school teacher who tempts him like no other. Getting under her skin has been deliciously satisfying for his red-hot desire, but when Lily lands in the hands of the very man he’s been investigating, Levi will have to fight with every ounce of his heart and soul to save her—and to heal the heart he broke.
No excerpt available.
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