Sidecar Crush (Bootleg Springs, #2)

by Claire Kingsley

[stacey_is_sassy]

I much preferred Leah Mae to famous Leah...

It's Boxing Day here in Australia and I feel like I have Christmas Hangover. The best remedy for a Christmas hangover is reading and coffee, in my opinion. Unfortunately, this means that reviewing is not my highest priority today. I finished Sidecar Crush, wanted to share my enjoyment, so decided that my review would be short and sweet. Here goes...

I do not see the appeal of being famous. This could be because I'm not one for being observed or scrutinised. I hate the idea that people could be assessing my every word or clothing choice. I'm also not a fan of "putting on a face" for the public. So, considering all this, I found it hard to connect with Leah Mae in the beginning. I found it even harder to understand how a quiet, extremely private and shy person like Jameson would or could be a perfect match for Leah Mae. But, as time went on, Leah Mae's shell cracked and we saw the real instead of the reality "Leah".

At times Leah Mae's blind commitment to her career seemed stupid. How could she be so easily manipulated? How on earth could she love let alone like Kevin...I mean Kelvin? The guy was an absolute DOUCHEWAFFLE. Even the two seconds worth of contemplation Leah Mae did when faced with taking on a new contract had me confused.

I guess what made this story so enjoyable is that we get to see both Leah Mae and Jameson work through their problems (real life and relationship) using their brains. This does not mean each problem was faced in the same way. Sometimes it was a group effort where talking it out gets the result. Another time it was standing up for yourself with support at the ready. There were even times when it was just a matter of sitting down and contemplating the situation. It was just so realistic and quite refreshing.

Four stars instead of five because the big "L" came out a wee bit too quickly when I think it should have been the little "l" for lust instead. I know that they had known each other since they were kids and hadn't acted on their initial attraction, but jeez, it was together...then straight to love. I may have eye-rolled a smidgen.

I love the Bodine's and I probably haven't given Jameson a big enough dedication to all his goodness. Let's just say there isn't a lot I could find fault in. I don't mind that he's the quiet one in the bunch. Quiet doesn't mean he won't hand out a dose of "Bootleg Justice" when it's called for. He also won't hesitate to get up to a wee bit of shenanigans with the Bodine's. Jameson is a HOTTIE a sweetheart and a sensitive gentleman. Very swoon-worthy.

More words than I thought I was capable of, to be honest. I'm about to go and have my afternoon kip. To sum up...Laura Mae eventually works out where her priorities are and being famous is not as good as holding your head up with pride. Jameson realises that being invisible is no longer the way he wants to live his life and now that his career has taken off, there will be no chance of being forgotten.

I love the way each instalment comes to its conclusion. I get the happy buzz of a contemporary romance finishing on a high and a love story I believe can go the distance.

I'm sure I said short and sweet in the beginning...OOPS!!