Item: Slashed
Rating: 4.00
Author: ellesea

by Tracy Wolff

Do nice guys always finish last? In the new Extreme Risk novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tracy Wolff, a burnt-out underdog and a vulnerable tomboy defy the pressure to be perfect and go after what they really want.

Bighearted and easygoing, Luc Jennings is falling behind in a family of serious overachievers. While he may be decent enough at snowboarding to turn pro and rack up some sponsors, he’s never topped any podiums—unlike his friends Z, Ash, and Cam. Luc’s always been head over heels for Cam Bradley, but she’s never seen him as anything more than a friend. Now, after years of coming in second, Luc can’t take it anymore—especially if it means watching Cam chase another guy.

Cam hangs out almost exclusively with dudes, and that’s fine by her. She’d much rather be shredding at the Olympics than primping in the mirror. Cam’s wildest dreams have a way of coming true—except when it comes to getting her longtime crush and best friend, Z Michaels, to notice her. Then her mother suddenly shows up after being gone for, like, ever, and Cam’s whole world comes crashing down. Desperate for a place to lay low, she turns to the one person who’s always had her back.

Try as he might to move on, Luc could never leave Cam hanging. He lets her crash at his place—and it isn’t long before she winds up in his bed. With Cam running scared and her icy facade starting to melt at last, Luc’s determined to finally win the only prize that matters.

I really enjoy the friends to lovers trope and this is no exception. Against the backdrop of the professional world of competitive snowboarding, this the first book I have read in the Extreme Risk series.

What happens when two people who have know each other since they were four years old end up having a one-night stand?

Luc Jennings and Cameron “Cam” Bradley's reactions are at the opposite end of the spectrum from one another after a one night stand! Cam is horrified because Luc is her best friend. Luc is left shattered after the best night of his life with the woman he's secretly in love with turns into a nightmare.

The author creates palpable sexual tension between the protagonists as they try to rebuild some sort of mutual relationship again. Luc's feelings of inadequacy leave him believing he can't compete with Cam's unrequited love for Z. Both are dealing with abandonment issues having been rejected by their respective mothers. They have so much in common but seem to have totally forgotten how to communicate on even the most basic level.

I found the settling for the story insightful but didn't really care much for the sub-plot surrounding Cam's Mom. It just seemed a bit too far fetched and didn't really bring anything worthwhile to the main story.

Many times I've read a standalone within a series only to feel as though I really needed to have read the earlier books; to get a better understanding of the dynamics between the characters. Not so with this book, which was a huge bonus, although I am intrigued to know more about Z and Ash.

The book ended with a few unanswered questions but I'm okay with that. I'm guessing we'll get a chance to see how Luc and Cam are doing in the next Extreme Risk book? If not, I'm more than happy for my mind to fill in the gaps. This is the first book I've read by Tracy Wolff and will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.

3.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Loveswept Publishing via NetGalley***

Slashed (Extreme Risk, #3)

by Tracy Wolff

Reviewed by Lynn on Sep 8, 2015

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