Down for the Count (Dare Me, #1)

by Professor of Law Christine Bell

[inlibrisveritas]

Down for the Count is fun, sexy and quick little read that really helped me to kick off a new year of reading. Not to mention a much needed burst of summer in the middle of January.

After finding her brand new husband in the closet with her friend at the reception, Lacey is ready to tuck tail and disappear. Enter Galen, a boxer and the brother of her best friend, who steps in to help her save face and forget about the wedding…and ends up becoming much more than a distraction. I loved that this was a story about letting go and finding yourself! Lacey is a bit tightly wound in this, and really struggles to find herself in all of the rules and boundaries she has for herself…and I love that everything about Galen challenges that. What starts out as something to help her let go becomes something that they both find vital for their own happiness.

Lacey is such a sweet girl, who starts out as something rather meek and unhappy…but the transformation she undergoes is perfection. She begins to learn how to use her voice and stand up for herself, while learning to go with the flow and seek out her happiness instead of bending to the will of others. And her chemistry with Galen is off the charts, even before the actual vacation begins. I love his steady reassurance and the way he worked hard to make her feel as lovely as he knew her to be. And I really loved Cat! She’s full of energy and recklessness, and she tries her hardest to be there for Lacey…even when that means talking her down off a ledge or encouraging her take a leap of faith.

I went into this wanting something short and sweet but ended up enjoying the ride a whole lot more than anticipated!