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MinnChica

MinnChica from The Book Pushers

I'm MinnChica, from The Book Pushers. I love reading all things romance. Come chat books with me!
Stay with Me - Elyssa Patrick Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/09/02/review-stay-with-me-by-elyssa-patrick/

The last NA book I read left a really bad taste in my mouth, but I like the genre more than I disliked that book. When I saw the cover and blurb for this book, I was intrigued enough to ask around, and decided to take a chance.

Hailey was a star before she could walk or talk. She sings, dances, acts, and absolutely hates being famous. She leaves it all behind for the chance to go to college. She is alienated by her best friend, and cursed by her money-grubbing mother. But college is the place she wants to be, so she finally takes a chance on doing something for herself.

Caleb never treats Hailey like the superstar she is, instead takes a chance to get to know the girl she wants to be. He supports her, brings her into his trustworthy group of friends, and helps her discover exactly who she is in this brand new world. But Hailey is keeping secrets, and she worries that she may not be able to keep Caleb once he hears it all.

I really liked Hailey’s character. I’ve been a fan of famous heroes and heroines for a long time, and I thought Patrick’s portrayal of Hailey was wonderful. She was a reluctant star, pushed into Hollywood by her crazy, overbearing bitch of a mother. I liked watching Hailey have to deal with the backlash of being famous. Watching her hide from young, cocky college jerks try and “bag THE Hailey Bloom.” I liked that once she finally was taken under Caleb’s wing, that she had the chance to make some real and genuine friends. Friends who wanted to get to know the girl behind the persona.

I really liked Caleb, I thought he was the perfect hero for Hailey. He knew what he wanted and he wasn’t afraid to fight for it. I liked that he didn’t pressure anything from Hailey, and instead gave her the chance to take the reins completely. It really showed a level of maturity that I expect to see in my NA books. The relationship that Caleb had with his friends and his sister also showcased what a great guy he was, and I loved all the different dynamics between everyone in the book.

Another key point to this book, for me at least, was the lack of overly drawn out angst. Yes, Hailey had a secret that was pretty shameful to her, and she feared it would implode her life. She was shocked to see that the people who mattered to her most didn’t really react to it as expected. Caleb and Daphne stood behind her, and kept the drama to a minimum. I thought it was an amazing way of showcasing just how much growth Hailey’s character was allowed to go through in order to really claim the life she wanted so desperately.

One of the things that I wish Patrick would have explored more was the relationship between Hailey and her mother. It was clear as day the woman was bat-shit crazy, but we never got to see any kind of confrontation between the two. I would have liked to see Hailey stand up to her mother and really claim her own life as part of her maturity. Hopefully we can see that in future books to come.

All in all I really enjoyed my first Patrick read. I thought the relationship between Hailey and Caleb was so well done. The romance was a combination of sweet and innocent and sexy and hot. While the supporting cast of characters is pretty large, I’m excited by the prospect of many books to come with this group of friends. I’m anxious to read more!
I give Stay With Me a B+
Sanctuary Island - Lily Everett I didn't like it as much as her stories under the Louisa Edwards books, but it was a cute small-town romance.
Slammed - Kelly Jamieson Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/09/03/review-slammed-by-kelly-jamieson/

I’m a big fan of sports romance books, but I think this might be the first surfer book I’ve ever read. And I have to say, I’m pretty impressed.

Brooke loves her job as a PR rep for a large surfwear company, but her push to hire Dylan is starting to put her in hot water. Between his injury, okay performances, and numerous drug, alcohol and sex addictions, Dylan has become more of a PR nightmare than the spokesperson they hired. When Brooke gets sent to retrieve Dylan and keep him out of trouble, she will have her hands full with way more than she expected.

Dylan is at a decent spot in his career, but his personal life is unraveling faster than he imagined. Now that his number one sponsor is after him to clean up his act, Dylan is going to have to head home and face the two people he doesn’t want to see: best friend Matt and his fiance Corey. But with Brooke at his side, Dylan figures that he might just be able to pull off a fake smile and keep everyone in the dark to what is really wrong with him. The last thing he expects is the desire to keep Brooke firmly at his side, forever.

One of the things I really liked about this story was the relationship between Dylan and Brooke. When they end up getting stuck together on a tropical island in the middle of a hurricane, of course they end up between the sheets. And boy oh boy, is their time together fun and sexy. Add in the fact that Dylan is the epitome of laid-back surfer boy, while Brooke is little miss prim and proper, these two go together so perfectly.

Since I hadn’t read any other books in this series, I did feel a little lost when it came to the dynamics between Dylan, Matt and Corey. I didn’t feel as if Jamieson went into a lot of detail about their history together, and instead glossed things over a bit. I was a little confused about what happened, and although I figured it out in time, it did leave me a little hesitant as to where Dylan stood with both his best friend and his fiance, and Brooke.

I also thought that the PTSD that Dylan had after his accident could have been better explored, especially since it seemed as if he still had some lingering problems. I liked that Brooke was there for him when he needed her, and that she was able to help him move past it. I just wish we could have seen that play out a little more on the page.

I was so glad that one of the supporting characters really got what was coming to him. I loved the way Dylan helped to save Brooke’s job and work sanity, all while doing his “big gesture” and proving to her just how much he valued her in his life. It was super sweet and heroic and I loved it.

All in all I thought this was a wonderful read. I loved the surfer culture, and although we didn’t get to see much surfing in action, it was still a neat take on the sports romance genre. I thought Dylan and Brooke were super sexy together, and I loved the juxtaposition between her buttoned up ways, and his relaxed attitude toward everything. They were a wonderful fit and so fun to read.
I give Slammed a B
Risk and Reward (Bedroom Games, #2) - Alisha Rai Joint review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/27/review-risk-and-reward-bedroom-games-2-by-alisha-rai/

E: After reading and enjoying Rai’s first installment in Bedroom Games, Play With Me, I was super curious about how she was going to move the relationship between Tatiana and Wyatt forward. When the last installment ended they decided to see each other as often as they could based on the demands of their individuals businesses. Determined not to repeat the mistakes that drove them apart years earlier they spent a lot of energy towards keeping their relationship harmonious and free from any discord. When it was just Tatiana and Wyatt in an isolated bubble achieving harmony was relatively easy however, the outside world and their past had a way of interfering, in this case both were embodied by a visit from Tatiana’s parents.

MinnChica: As someone who absolutely can’t stand reading serials, I was a little skeptical as to whether or not I’d continue to like Tatiana and Wyatt’s story. Thankfully, Rai leaves each installment with a happy-for-now end to these lovers stories. I liked that this installment went back into their past and made them face all the things that went wrong, and what they needed to do to fix it. While I’m not still sold on the idea of serials, I do continue to enjoy Tatiana and Wyatt’s journey.

E: In Risk and Reward Rai insisted that her characters take a hard look at their past patterns and what they wanted for the future. It took the shock of a disastrous dinner followed by a fight, and angry sex for Wyatt and Tatiana to realize they were starting to repeat the same patterns of their previous relationship. I really admired how Tatiana’s parents were not left in the role as the villain but ended up helping the relationship along. In a separate conversation with her mother, Tatiana learned that something not fighting or arguing could be just as bad for a relationship as fighting but never resolving anything. Wyatt, initially hurt and furious when her father accused him of separating Tatiana from her family, had to do some serious introspection about his behavior regarding her family in general. I found it refreshing to see both the hero and heroine admit they needed to work on their relationship in an adult manner. That gave me hope that this second chance at love would succeed. While Rai could end the story here and I would be satisfied, I do want to see what comes next.

I give Risk and Reward a B

MinnChica: There were quite a few things I really enjoyed about this story, but I think the big thing was the way that Tatiana and Wyatt both came to realize how destructive they were being with their relationship. Because neither one wanted to “rock the boat” they were glossing over their concerns and frustrations, and letting things fester instead of discussing them. Tatiana’s revelation from her mom and Wyatt’s quiet contemplation were the perfect way for each character to really get it. I loved getting to meet Tatiana’s parents, and hope we see more of them in the future.

All in all I enjoyed the second installment of this series, however I continue to be just a little bit disappointed at the end of the book. These stories are so short, that part of me wishes that Rai would bundle them together as one novel instead of going on with the serialized format. That being said, I love how sexy and smutty Tatiana and Wyatt are together, and can’t wait to see what they get into next.
I give Risk and Reward a B-
Diamond Dust - Vivian Arend Oh man, those bear shifters are damn sexy!
Must Love Fangs - Jessica Sims Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/23/review-must-love-fangs-by-jessica-sims/

I adore Sims humor in this paranormal dating agency series, and the third installment in the series had me cracking up!

Marie has a fatal illness that is slowly eating away at her life. Working at Midnight Liaisons has given her the perfect opportunity to find a potential supernatural match to turn her so that she can cheat death. Her first choice is a shifter, but with the recent uproar in the Alliance, she realizes she will have to turn to a vampire for help.

Josh has been crushing on Marie for a long time now, but watching her date vampire after vampire is starting to wear on him. Instead of letting her get hurt, Joshua steps in to help her vet her dates. The only problem is that Josh wants Marie for himself, and unless he is willing to turn his back on his family, turning Marie himself isn’t an option.

I have to start with how hilarious the blind dating situations are that Sims comes up with for this book. Between being stood up once, and then being told she doesn’t have enough “junk in her trunk,” poor Marie went through some pretty disastrous blind date scenarios before Josh stepped in to help her out.

One of the things I adored about this book was the very different fatal disease that Marie had. I’ve read books before where people have cancer, or liver failure, or something of the sort, but never before had I ever heard of fatal insomnia. Who would have ever thought such a thing existed? It was so unique and different, and affected Marie in ways I never even imagined. I thought it was an incredible twist on a standard trope that I thought Sims knocked out of the park!

The romance between Josh and Marie was, in my opinion, fun but nothing too special. Josh was constantly flirting with Marie, day in and day out, in obvious hopes that she would take him up on his offer. But poor Marie couldn’t see past the playboy and continued to put Josh in the “friend” zone. The obvious attraction between them wasn’t especially sizzling, like I expect from Sims, but it was almost a constant simmer. Both were aware of it, and even occasionally acknowledged it, but it never was a key factor.

Once they both finally gave into the attraction, I was a little bummed that Marie treated Josh more like a fling than anything else. At that point, I felt like Josh had deserved Marie’s trust and honesty. Instead she kinda treated him like a stud horse and used him for a good time. I was glad to see that Josh tried hard to push past her barriers time and time again, although it wasn’t until Josh had a life-threatening moment that Marie caved and really admitted her true feelings.

The relationship between Marie and the fellow ladies at the Midnight Liasions was wonderful. I’m so excited to see what Sims has in store for this series next, and can only hope that we get to see more of both Ryder (and her mysterious shifting ability) and newcomer Lily, who Marie met in the most unlikely situations. Both these ladies were so fun, and I hope we get to see more and more of them.

All in all I continue to fall in love with the Midnight Liasions books with each new installment. Sims has the perfect blend of humor and romance, both sexy and sweet. The cast of characters are always a hoot and the situations they find themselves in never disappoint.
I give Must Love Fangs a B
Seeing Red - Jill Shalvis Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/20/review-seeing-red-by-jill-shalvis/

I’m a huge fan of Jill Shalvis, so now that Forever Yours is going back and re-issuing some of her older titles, I’m all over getting the chance to read more of her backlist.

Summer and Joe were best friends as kids. When a warehouse fire kills her father, Summer escapes her hometown and runs as far and as fast as she can, not even bothering to say goodbye. Now that she is back to assist her mother with another string of fires, Summer and Joe are thrown back together, as victim and investigator.

Joe never got over Summer leaving, and now that she is back all those old feelings are resurfacing. He realizes that he wants more than she is able to give, but is willing to fight to show her just how great they can be together. But someone is burning down buildings connected to Summer’s family, and the future is, now more than ever, uncertain.

I really love Shalvis’ work, but it seems like I’m able to connect better with her more recent books. While I enjoyed this overall story, there was an element missing that usually pulls me in and connects me to Shalvis’ writing. Maybe it’s the lack of the outright humor that is common in the Lucky Harbor series. Who knows. But despite that missing umph, I still really enjoyed this book.

I adored Joe, and was a little mad that Summer put him through such crap in order to be with her. Despite the fact that Joe told her, loud and clear, that he couldn’t deal with her aloofness and inability to connect emotionally, Summer still steamrolled ahead and seduced Joe into a physical relationship. The anguish that Joe went through every time he tried to connect more than sexually with her was so real, and I wanted to beat Summer with a stick each and every time she denied him. I wanted Summer to have to make a big declaration of her feelings to Joe, but I never was satisfied in that area.

Although Summer was emotionally lacking, I did feel for her character. She had to endure so much with losing her father to the fire, and her mother emotionally. It was a blow that any high school aged girl would feel crushed by, and Summer was no exception. I could absolutely understand her inability to connect, and at times even could see where she was coming from. Still, I would have liked to see her open up a bit more to Joe.

The romance between these two was rocky. The strong bond they had as kids was crushed to pieces, so rebuilding that friendship was difficult to do while also dancing around their sexual tension. I liked that Joe was at times both so strong, and so weak when it came to Summer. He was so in love with her, even after all those years, that he had trouble saying no to her, to denying her anything. But like I said, I would have liked to see not only a little more effort on Summer’s part, but also a bigger gesture from her, instead of just her words of devotion.

All in all I enjoyed this early book from Shalvis. The secondary cast of characters were all wonderful, and I’m definitely going to have to go back and see if Shalvis wrote more about Summer’s eccentric family. I also loved the fire investigation plot, as it was a good suspense thread. Unfortunately, the romance was the one aspect that I felt feel a little short.
I give Seeing Red a C+
Untitled (Rock Chick, #8) - Kristen Ashley Not my favorite Rock Chick book, but it was good.
Just In Time - Addison Fox Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/19/review-just-in-time-by-addison-fox/

This was my first Fox read, and I have to say one of the only reasons I requested it was because of the hockey star hero. I’m definitely glad I took the chance.

Avery and Roman have a very long and complicated past. Friends since before they could walk, childhood sweethearts, and eventually high school lovers, when Roman left to pursue his dream, Avery was left behind to pick up the pieces. Now that Roman is back for a wedding, these two are thrown into each other’s path and realize that the connection they always felt is still alive and looking for more.

Roman knows his career is coming to an end, and isn’t sure what he wants to do with the next phase of his life. Either way, he knows that he wants Avery to be a part of it. But getting her to trust him again, fall for him again, is more work than Roman thought it would be. Being together is everything and more these two expected, but life has a way of throwing a wrench into the best laid plans.

I’m a huge fan of second chance love stories, and Roman and Avery needed that second chance. It seemed as if so much of their past was left unopened, unresolved. They both needed the chance to get over and move on from who they were as kids, and the fact that they both really wanted to move on together was so beautiful. For some reason, this second chance story really struck chords with me that no other story has. I’m not sure if it was because of all their past issues that went without resolution, or because they were both still so obviously in love, or if it was because they had to really learn to trust and become friends again. Either way, their romance had me laughing and crying.

The secondary characters were wonderful as well. I think I’m going to have to go back and read the previous two books so that I can see Avery’s two best friends have their journey to love. Both Sloan and Walker and Grier and Mick were so sweet and supportive and fun. I loved the relief their friendship provided both Avery and Roman throughout the intense romantic moments.

The small town in Alaska was an interesting backdrop for the small town romance. I have never been to Alaska (nor had the desire to. It’s too damn cold for my desert blood!) but I’ve heard of it’s beauty, and Fox did a wonderful job of portraying a cozy and different way of life for those making a life in town. I hope that Fox explores more with these characters and town in future books.

The sports aspect of the book, which was the original point to peak my interest, was almost moot. We didn’t get the chance to see Roman play in any professional setting, and although he worked hard coaching the high school hockey team, the sport itself didn’t really factor much into the story. I wasn’t disappointed though. I loved the fact that Fox took the time to really focus on the romance.

All in all I was impressed by my first Addison Fox read. I loved the different small town vibe that the tiny, secluded Alaska town provided. The characters were all so well developed and I’m anxious to go back and read more about them. But the romance was the key factor in making this book so good!
I give Just In Time a B+
Knowing the Score - Kat Latham Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/16/review-knowing-the-score-by-kat-latham/

I’m a huge sports romance fan, but I hadn’t read a book about a rugby player until now. I was a little worried since I know absolutely NOTHING about rugby, but I really enjoyed this debut novel from Latham.

Caitlyn is an American girl working in London for a relief organization. She loves her job and despite the pesky issue of being a virgin, she has never been happier. She never thought that when she saved an older man’s life on the street, that she would get the chance to meet a man who set all her buttons on fire! But Spencer isn’t what Caitlyn expected, and the closer they become as friends, the more important they become to one another.

Spencer never gets involved during the Rugby season, but Caitlyn comes along at the perfect time. He wants her, and is willing to help her overcome her insecurities and fears. But when Caitlyn gets sent on a mission overseas, will Spencer be able to let go of her during his season, and if not, will they be able to move past their histories and forge on, together?

I thought this debut novel from Latham was wonderful. I loved that the book really took its time developing the characters. Spencer and Caitlyn had an obvious attraction to each other from the very start, but because of Caitlyn’s past, she struggled with intimacy. I loved that the author gave these two a chance to become friends. And after they got to the point where they were great friends, then they tried to be lovers and more. It was a wonderful romance that built up with every page, and I thought it was absolutely perfect for these characters.

Like I said before, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t know what was going on with the rugby aspect, but I found that it didn’t really matter. Sure, there were some moments when I was more than a little confused, but Latham had a way of including so much emotion while Spencer played, that it didn’t really matter that I was completely lost.

I was a little disappointed in both Spencer and Caitlyn toward the end. They both were so desperate to keep their secrets that they let those secrets drive a huge wedge between them. Caitlyn also let her friend influence her in not trusting Spencer, and there were a few moments I wanted to bash both their heads together. They were so stubborn and hard-headed that they couldn’t open up, and then when it all blew up in their faces, they didn’t handle the situation well.

The secondary characters were all wonderful, especially Spencer’s grandfather. I loved him to pieces. All the other rugby players were such fun, and super sexy. I adored Caitlyn’s friend, up until the end. Despite that, I do hope we get to see more of ALL the secondary characters as they each get a chance to find their HEA.

All in all I really liked this debut novel from Latham. The slow building romance that went from friends to lovers was so beautiful. I loved that it really stretched across months, instead of days or weeks. I can’t wait to see what Latham comes up with next.
I give Knowing the Score a B.
Picture Perfect Wedding - Fiona Lowe Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/20/review-picture-perfect-wedding-by-fiona-lowe/

I love wedding themed romances, and Lowe has yet to disappoint me.

Erin is a photographer who has the ability to capture any bride in the exact moment of her greatest happiness. But building a wedding photography business is harder than she expected. A prestigious photography award would go a long way in helping her, and she needs Luke’s sunflower field for the perfect shot. Only, Luke doesn’t want people trampling through his field, and is determined to make Erin’s life difficult from the moment she sets foot into Whitetail.

Luke is a farmer, and although his town is dependent on the wedding business, he is reluctant to fall into the craze. But he folds, and working with Erin is hard enough without having to deal with his family’s uneasy truce. Thinking about what he wants for the future is near impossible with Erin confusing his every thought. But the bond between them is undeniable.

Ok, I have to start by saying the sexual tension between Luke and Erin is OFF THE CHARTS! These two dance around their attraction to each other for chapters upon chapters, and the heat continues to rise and rise and rise without taking a break. They torment and flirt and tease each other like I’ve never read before, and although it takes them awhile to actually get naked, but it is worth the wait! *fans self*

On top of it all, the romance between these two was so sweet. Both Erin and Luke are running away from their own insecurities and problems, and although they use each other for escape, they also grow closer. I love that Luke ends up being the pursuer of a real and full time relationship, leaving Erin floundering with her own feelings. I love reading about a strong alpha hero who is so sweet and caring and protective and smitten. Luke is all that and more!

The town of Whitetail took awhile to grow on me, but I’m loving the wedding fever that everyone seems to have. All the secondary characters are so fun, and I loved getting to see more of Luke’s family. Especially when his brother (the only gay man in town) finds a chance at love. Lowe took the time in this book to really develop a secondary relationship and romance with Nicole, the town wedding planner and war hero widow. I liked that Nicole got the second chance at love, but am a little disappointed with one of the aspects of it. It seems as if every romance book I’ve read with a war-hero widow, something negative is revealed about her dead husband. I absolutely hate this. Hate it, hate it. I was disappointed to see it happen once again, and it took away a little bit of the spark between Nicole and Tony.

But despite that, I still adore the town of Whitetail, and am anxious to see what Lowe has in store for us with the third book in the series, Runaway Groom.

All in all I thought Lowe did an incredible job with the sexual tension between Luke and Erin. It was some of the sexiest buildup I’ve ever read in a romance book, and I couldn’t be happier with the way Luke and Erin were able to resolve and find happiness together. Despite the problems I had with the secondary relationship, I was happy to see Nicole finally get her HEA.
I give Picture Perfect Wedding a B-
Enforcer - Lauren Dane I really like Dane's stuff, but I'm not a huge fan of the menage aspect in this book. Felt really unnecessary. :(
Single Wolf Female - Jessica Sims A great little novella set in the paranormal dating agency world. :)
Wrong Bed, Right Guy (Come Undone, #1) - Katee Robert I really liked this one, it was my first Robert book, but definitely won't be my last!
Caught Up In You (Loving on the Edge #4) - Roni Loren Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/07/review-caught-up-in-you-by-roni-loren/

I really like this BDSM series from Loren, and continue to get more and more excited as each book releases about the characters, past and present.

When we first met Kelsey, she was going through the most horrific ordeal imaginable. Now that she has had a chance to get some therapy and is working at living a healthier life, she is so close to achieving her goals. But when her past catches up with her, Kelsey finds herself on the receiving end of help from none other than Wyatt Austin, the sexy businessman who comes to sit in her section every morning.

Wyatt can’t seem to stay away from Kelsey, so when she gets into a bit of trouble, and he needs help schmoozing for his business, they kill two birds with one stone. Training Kelsey as a submissive is just icing on the cake. But as they become closer friends, Wyatt realizes that Kelsey is the one girl he wants to keep. Only problem is that Kelsey is more scared of commitment than he is, and is going to be hard to catch.

After reading all about Kelsey’s ordeal in book one, I was really worried that she wouldn’t be able to get her life together. But seeing her strong and happy was such a treat. I loved that she had taken control of her life in the only way that she knew how, and that she was trying so hard to control every aspect of her life. The fact that she went the opposite way and became a domme made me smile. And then seeing Wyatt’s reaction to that the first time was hilarious! Watching Kelsey give up that control while dealing with all the emotions from her past was such a special treat.

Although Wyatt goes into their agreement saying and thinking that he wants something temporary, I love the fact that he is the first to admit to himself that he wants to keep Kelsey for the long run. I love romance books where the hero is head over heels for the heroine, and does everything in his power to get her to fall for him as well. Seeing Wyatt use his entire kinky arsenal to get Kelsey to fall in love with him was steamy and oh-so fun!

Loren does such a wonderful job writing BDSM. I love that she balances out the romance with the kink, providing just enough eroticism with the perfect blend of sensual romance. I thought all the scenes between Kelsey and Wyatt were perfect. Wyatt did an amazing job of imprinting new memories for Kelsey to help dull the ones of her captivity. And Kelsey was the perfect fit for Wyatt, strong enough to handle their D/s dynamics and her submission all while retaining her strong sense of self.

I’m extremely anxious to read the next book in the series. Loren does a fabulous job of introducing secondary characters into her stories, and getting the reader excited about the prospect of their happily ever after. I’m anxious to see who Kade will be able to tame, especially since his ideal girl is one he’s struggled to find.

All in all I think Loren continues to be a shining star in the erotica romance genre. Her BDSM scenes are very sexy while remaining sensual and romantic. Her characters are easy to relate to and fall in love with. I love her Alpha heroes and strong women. I am anxious to continue reading more in this series.
I give Caught Up in You a B+
Beyond Pain (Beyond, #3) - Kit Rocha Joint review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/08/29/bookpushers-joint-review-beyond-pain-beyond-3-by-kit-rocha/

1. Thoughts on the Hero

MinnChica: Oh Bren… you are so sexy and stern and sexy. I love that he is the only one Six has been able to trust from the get-go. Because of that inherent trust she has in him, and only him, and the way he values and cares for that trust, makes Bren more sexy than the vast majority of heroes. I love a strong, silent hero who cares one hundred and ten percent for his heroine, and Bren does that for Six, day in and day out. He takes her feelings and fears into consideration before every decision he makes, and he never pushers her to do or give more. Plus, he’s super dirty like the rest of the O’Kanes, so what’s not to love?!

E: My poor tortured lonely Bren! I started falling for him when Six’s struggles to fight and get away didn’t phase him at all. He just made sure she couldn’t escape. Then when he gave her the opportunity to kill or hurt her primary tormentor I couldn’t wait to see what happened between them next. I absolutely loved how he was patient, truthful, and managed to let her make all the moves despite his intense attraction. He was so sexual that at times his slightest phrase or movement was weighted in layers but he also remained almost asexual until Six was ready. I loved how he paid so much attention to her and gave Six the freedom to find out what she enjoyed without making her feel stupid or ashamed. But he wasn’t perfect, his wild upbringing followed by the brutality of his treatment as an elite soldier for Eden left deep scars. His ability to read, understand and therefore manipulate people if he wasn’t careful could end up harming the very person he wanted to save. I will also say that the man can apologize! *grin*

Has: Oh I so agree! I loved Bren’s quiet intensity which was brimming full of sexual tension for Six but at the same time he was so sensitive towards her past. I also liked how he gave her the time to figure her place withing in the gang without pushing her even though he wanted her so very badly. The buildup in the beginning was just beautiful when they were dancing around with each other, and his yearning for her just made me melt.
I also loved the other glimpses of his own past and the reasons on how he joined the O’Kanes, and it definitely added a multi-dimensional element to his character on how he related to Six.

2. Thoughts on the Heroine

MinnChica: Poor Six…. That poor girl started life strong, when she never really had much to fall back on. Then when she thought she was going to get the chance to make a difference, she was preyed on and abused. The fact that she still has such a strong spirit makes me love her so much more. I adore the fact that her feelings on Bren are so conflicted, despite the level of trust she has for him. Given her past, I love that she is weary and hesitant to jump into bed with the O’Kanes (pun intended). Despite all that though, when she is asked to step up and help out, she throws herself back into the life she was ready to escape and is finally given the chance to make the difference she wanted to do so long ago.

E: Six, oh man – gritty, strong, abused, determined, and amazing. She was put through the wringer even before she ended up in Sector Three. There after her strength and ability to influence people became evident she was lured into what she thought would be a position to make things better only to find that she was considered a threat and therefore was to be broken. While she was beaten down Six never completely gave up and slowly began to trust Bren and some of what Sector Four and the O’Kanes had to offer. I really admired that after everything she went through in Sector Three she still wanted to make things better for her people, even if she no longer had their trust and confidence. I also just have to say “Fight Night!”

Has: I think I have to say Six is my favourite heroine yet in this series. While I liked the previous heroines, there is something really special about Six, who is tough but also vulnerable. I loved how she grew from being really distrustful and broken but slowly healing from her past and finally being part of a family which grounds her. Overall, I think her romance with Bren is the best yet in this series because of the growth she underwent and I loved that she became an integral part of the O’Kanes for her insights on Sector Three which proved invaluable. I also loved on how she wanted to pave her own identity and role with the gang which helped to heal from her painful past.

3. Favorite Scene

MinnChica: Well, because this is Kit Rocha, I think I’m gonna have to go with a dirty scene. *wink* I think my favorite was when Bren and Six were exploring their wild side, and had a very intimate moment while watching Dallas, Lex, and Rachel have their own intimate moment. It was the perfect combination of down-and-dirty sex, while cutting up the scene with quiet and intensely intimate and private moments for Bren and Six. It was something I’d never read before in any erotic book, and it made that scene so powerful.

E: I will admit that I really enjoyed the scene MinnChica selected but I am going to pick another dirty scene. This one involves Bren, Six, and Ace. Six decided she wanted to learn what pain could do with pleasure and what really worked for Bren. The entire scene from her arrival into the room, to the serious discussion before anything started, to seeing an entirely new side of Ace through Bren’s recover was just amazing. It was tender, raw, sweet, and harsh all at the same time and really captured the complexity of their relationship.

Has: Well, since both MinnChica and E have highlighted two of my favourite scenes in the book, and yes the sexy action was sizzling. I will have to highlight the Fight Night scene which has Six demanding to be involved in a cage fight which was unexpected. I adored the fact, that Dallas and Bren let have her that agency and choice to fight which helped to get over the demons she was battling inside but also to prove that she was a useful and wanted would-be member for the gang. It also highlighted that what made the O’Kanes a coherent and strong group is due to these reasons that they welcome and support their members in every way.

4. Dislike about book

MinnChica: The thing I dislike about every Kit Rocha book is that it ends.

E: Well my only complaint is that I want Dallas to grovel. I think he got away with doing something that he knew he shouldn’t have done and really didn’t make up for it. Yes, Lex gave him a hard time but in my opinion he damaged something fragile and I don’t think he has mended it.

Has: I am with E about the groveling especially on the reasons why he needed to do so. I also hate the fact I have to wait early next year for another installment, where is that Tardis when I need one!

5. Any other misc. thoughts

MinnChica: All in all I think this is probably my favorite of the Beyond Series books. I loved that Bren and Six were somewhat reserved with their kink, while their emotional connection was so strong and secure. I loved that we got to see more of what is happening in the new sector, and can’t wait to read more about Rachel, Ace and Cruz! This series continues to be one of my favorite erotic romance reads!
I give Beyond Pain an A-

E: I have been waiting for this installment since Bren and Six were first on the page together. It was well worth the wait. Seeing Bren work his magic and try to deal with his fear of losing Six because he didn’t deserve her was heart wrenching. I loved watching Six come into her own and the reveal of her name was so touching. I think as this series continues she will be a force for the O’Kanes, potentially even Lex’s second *crosses fingers*. Rocha included so many wonderful things in this story in addition to the connection between Bren and Six. I saw more of Eden’s not so pretty underbelly. I met a few new characters and started trying to match them up. I speculated wildly about the tangled web between an upcoming threesome and wondered what the O’Kanes would have to face as this series continues. I can’t wait to read the next installment.

I give Beyond Pain an A

Has: Beyond Pain is definitely the best book yet in the series for me, the romance which I think has knocked off Lex and Dallas off the top spot, was wonderful. I loved how Bren and Six slowly worked out their issues and their personal demons which damaged them both so deeply. And the love scenes, which was amazingly hot. The on-going arc with the political intrigue also ratchets up a notch and I really like how things are being played out on how Section Three, and the new twists on Eden and the affect it has on the other sections. The is a series which has all the crack elements that I love, and I think Beyond Pain has certainly cements this as one of the best erotic series that I’ve read!

I give Beyond Pain an A!