llamareads
Written on Jan 14, 2019
“You know what I mean,” Gideon says, annoyed. “She thought he was a perv, poured a beer on his head, flirted her ass off. Some quality meet-cute stuff there. Now she’s ready to get busy except they’ve got a Pride and Prejudice crossed with legal ethics thing going on.”
This is the second book I’ve read by Kate Meader, and I’m quickly becoming a fan. Ms. Meader writes incredibly deep characters, with lots of sharp edges and soft vulnerable spots, and it’s such a delight to watch the characters come together. There’s some P&P echoes here, as well – which one side character hilariously calls out – and that was just the cherry on top of this lovely book. While this is the second in the series (and I’d highly recommend the first book), this could easily be read as a stand-alone.
“Can’t we put aside who we are to each other and marinate in a bubble of mutual attraction for a while?”
Trinity is a whiskey sommelier – a black woman in a very white, very male field. Her younger sister, Emily, is going through a contentious divorce, and between her job and helping her sister with her kids, she has no time for anything else. Especially not a hot, eccentrically dressed lawyer with a British accent – who just happens to be representing Emily’s ex. Lucas, for his part, recognizes that their electric attraction is something special, and is willing to wait until the case is over – and the ethical issues resolved – before having some fun with Trinity. But Lucas can’t help thinking about her, and Trinity can’t stop thinking about the man who seems to see – and respect – all of her, too clearly.
“I know there are a million reasons not to do this. I can only think of the one reason why we must: I need Lucas Wright more than I’ve ever needed anything.
I need something for me. Someone who sees me, if only for a sparkling star-filled moment. I expect I’ll fall back into sanity, but hopefully, not too soon.”
I adored these characters. Trinity is so confidant, so desperately in need to be in control of life – and Emily’s. Trinity’s love for her sister – even in all its smothering, enabling glory – is such a key part of her character, and both Lucas’ and Trinity’s messed up family histories lend a depth to their interactions. Much like Trinity, Lucas is all happy-go-lucky crazy pants on the surface, and unbelievably sweet underneath, even when it comes to telling hard truths to his clients or his friends. Their relationship is a bit slow-burn, but once they decide to go for it, it all happens pretty quickly. I loved, absolutely loved, that Lucas found Trinity’s confidence and competence at her job such a turn on. I also loved their banter and how it went from silly and sweet to ridiculously hot.
“How do I tell him that I had no idea he was the one until I was so deep that I was drowning in him?”
The side characters were excellent, and we get a peek at the past couple as well as a preview from what I’m assuming is the next couple, divorced Grant and Aubrey. This felt like a heavier book than the first – there’s quite a bit of childhood trauma for both characters that has to be brought out and dealt with – though I don’t think it overdid the angst. I also thought Ms. Meader showed the micro-aggressions Trinity experienced – as a black female sommelier – with a deft hand, and I found Trinity’s reason for going into her field particularly touching. She does have a touch of the “strong black woman” archetype, but I thought how she came to terms with and accepted her vulnerability was well done.
Overall, if you’re looking for a steamy, witty read, I’d definitely recommend this book!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.