Up to the Challenge by Terri Osburn

Up to the Challenge (Anchor Island)

by Terri Osburn

Opposites attract in a sexy tale of unexpected love

When the Dempsey patriarch suffers a heart attack, Lucas Dempsey steps up to keep the doors of the family restaurant open. The proverbial prodigal son returns home to Anchor Island—putting family first and his quest to make partner at his high-powered law firm on hold. Sporting a bruised ego after losing his fiancée to his older brother, Lucas would rather walk on glass than spend six weeks within spitting distance of the happy couple. But family duty calls. And that duty includes working side-by-side with a tantalizing spitfire intent on driving him mad.

Tough-as-nails boat mechanic Sid Navarro is happy to trade her tools for an apron to help the Dempseys in their time of need. That is, until she realizes she’ll be working alongside Lucas, the man she’s loved from afar since she first laid eyes on him in high school. Lucas could charm the paint off a schooner, but Sid knows she doesn’t fit his girl-next-door type. To show her true feelings would mean certain heartbreak, but the temptation of Lucas in her bed might be more than she can resist.

After a rocky start punctuated by verbal barbs and exasperating arguments, things heat up between them—big-time—but their steamy affair turns more than casual in a matter of weeks. Sid’s life has become the dream she’s always wanted, and Lucas has fallen hard for the last woman he ever expected to love.

But this affair has an end-date, as Lucas must return to his life and career in the big city, a place where Sid would never fit in. When the end comes earlier than expected, walking away turns out to be a challenge neither of them wants to win.

Up to the Challenge is a sexy, fast-paced, romantic story of family, island life, and finding love in unexpected places.

Reviewed by Lorelei's Lit Lair on

5 of 5 stars

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Sid tries to hide her inner and outer beauty from all by putting a -don't mess with me-attitude and potty mouth as a front. When in reality she's this great, loving, caring (don't tell her I said that, she might hit me!) heroine you'll discover as she takes the chance to get closer to her long time crush, Lucas. He's oblivious to Sid's attraction, but when he gets a peek of what she's been hiding from all, it's like being struck out of nowhere. BAM! He didn't see that coming! And boy is he in trouble, he didn't expect to fall for a girl like her.
This is such a sassy, fun, romantic read! Had me laughing, swooning and enjoying the whole Anchor Island clan. Words that describe this sexy read are Chemistry, banter ( lots of banter!), opposite's attract, friendships and community. My only problem is having to wait for book number three, hurry up author, Terri Osburn! The Anchor Island series is another favorite!

I received an advanced readers copy for my honest opinion and give this romantic tale a 4.5 rating.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 21 October, 2013: Finished reading
  • 21 October, 2013: Reviewed