Contemporary Romance published by Kaylee Ryan 14 Nov 23
This is my first book by Ms. Ryan, and while there are certain things I like about the story, there are other issues that made it difficult to hold my attention.
Roman Bailey and his four best friends – actually, more brothers than friends – since kindergarten are the owner-operators of a well-established and popular tattoo parlor in Ashby, Tennessee.
Emerson is the younger sister of one of the friends, Forrest. She is 10 years younger, and because she is a little sister, she’s off-limits as far as a relationship with any of the guys is concerned. However, she has had a crush on Roman most of her life, and suddenly things between them change after one intimate moment when she is home from college. Roman tries his best to distance himself from her, but Emerson, young as she is, decides to live a bit on the wild side and figure out how to get the man to reciprocate her feelings.
That particular part of the story is my first nitpick. It goes on much too long, Roman lamenting the fact Emerson is his best friend’s younger sister, he needs to stay away from her, he tries to stay away from her, but he ends up right where he shouldn’t be. It got to the point that I began skipping pages at a time to get past his over-and-over-again oscillation.
I also have a problem with the dialogue throughout the story. I found myself thinking numerous times, “Who talks like that?!” It’s not a consistent thing throughout, but enough that I was pulled out of the story, irritated. Once Roman gets past all of his hangups and their relationship takes on new life, the story flows a bit better and I didn’t skip pages any longer. That’s where things begin to look up, and I like the “Does he know” aspect that followed.
What I do enjoy is the rapport and joking between the five best friends. I also like their protectiveness for Emerson and her best friend, Morgan. I realize this may conflict a bit with my earlier comment about Roman’s back-and-forth behavior, but that is just because it went on much too long. I also like that though Forrest is not happy when he finds out about their relationship, that doesn’t drag on forever, there’s no punches thrown, and friends are still friends.
So while I am not completely happy with the entire book, there’s enough going for it that I will read the second in the series. It’s the friendship between the guys that is keeping me interested at this point.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Emerson
It’s not like I planned to fall for my older brother’s best friend.
It just happened. With a perfect body covered in tattoos, and a dirty mouth, Roman is the kind of guy women notice—and believe me, I noticed. Even when I tried not to.
When he finally gives in to temptation, there’s no going back. At least for me. Too bad Roman doesn’t see it that way.
He thinks he needs to protect me and my relationship with my brother, but I don’t need him to fight my battles. I just need him.
Roman
My name whispered from Emerson’s perfect pink lips is all it takes for me to betray my best friend.
Before that night, I kept the green-eyed beauty at arm’s length. Watched her from afar and told myself that the chemistry between us was one-sided.
I pretended that I didn’t want her more than my next breath. Which is what’s on the line if her brother ever finds out we’ve been sneaking around behind his back.
But I can’t stay away. Especially after knowing what it’s like to have her and lose her.
Now, I’m given a second chance, and I have every intention of making her mine—consequences be damned.
Other books in this series:
