I want be completely honest – I don’t know how I feel about this book but I believe it is because I have never read a cliffhanger so I have yet to find the resolve I need to create an opinion. I will say I was caught up enough that I want to see what happens so that is a positive in terms of the overall story and quality. For me, the ending makes or breaks a book. Right now, I am at a literary crossroad. If the second book wraps up the story beautifully, it elevates the opinion of the first book (making all of it worth it). If the second book doesn’t live up to expectations (which I doubt but hear me out), it demolishes any feelings towards the first book, making the entire experience feel like a complete waste of time. So…crossroads…
Trudie Gonzalez has one mission this summer – to gain the tools she needs to finally move past the traumas she has carried since her childhood. Well that and find someone to make her body sing in a way Sam never could! First things first, overcoming her deep seated daddy issues and taking the tools she has learned to help the children she teaches. With each step she takes towards her goals, she finds the powers that be are in her favor. First she is hit on by a gorgeous man on a plane. Second, she wins the suite of her dreams. Third, she somehow lands not two but three lectures by the prestigious Dr. Alexander Pierce – the one person guaranteed to help her finally rid herself of her pain so she can grow and thrive. Life is good! Well it was until she crashed chest first into a “brick wall” when she should have been paying attention to where she was going. Apparently the brick wall didn’t appreciate her distraction or having his phone cracked because of it. As quickly as the heavens shined upon her, the storm clouds moved in as the temper-tantrum was coming from none other than Dr. Pierce himself. Having dealt with unruly behavior as a middle school teacher, Trudie quickly shuts him down and walks away. Problem: she has THREE lectures with this man and can only image how he is going to react.
Dr. Pierce has his own issues to deal with. Using this conference to get out of yet another “we are a united family” parade by his parents, Alex is not in the mood to deal with anything or anyone, let along a mouthy yet gorgeous woman that pushes his buttons. When he sees her walk into his first lecture, he decides to use it to get even for her walking away from him. Learning very quick she is more than a pretty face, Alex finds a worthy adversary in his new found firecracker that doesn’t want anything to do with him. After a number of chance run-ins and off the chart chemistry that neither of them can ignore – they finally give in to temptation only for the best night of his life to end with a door slammed in his face. Fast forward a month later, after searching high and low, Alex is shocked when his new consultation job lands him in the good graces of one Trudie Gonzalez. Trudie can’t figure out what she did wrong in life to have Alex reappear after the way he made her feel. Having promised the principal to help bring the school to exemplary status with Alex’s help, Trudie is trapped with working side by side with the only man who has ever made her body come to life. No matter what, they must keep it professional but can she make it to the end of the school year when her body (and his intentions) seem to speak their own language?
This book is hard to describe. I wouldn’t say it is a slow burn because of how quickly we shift from enemies to lovers while they are still in California. It was a slow build up initially but once the passion ignited between the characters, it was like a run away train for the rest of the book. I would definitely say this book, while funny at times, wouldn’t be considered a romantic comedy. I would categorize it as a contemporary romance with the possibility of a chic-lit feel (think coming of age, personal growth of a Sophia Kinsella novel), if it didn’t end on a cliffhanger. The problem with categorizing this book is we don’t have a chance in this first half to see the real growth of the characters. Mix in the programs at the school, the tie in of psychology, the elaboration of troubled youth and how they can be helped, and you can almost understand why this was too much to be in one book. The author wanted to take her time to delve into not just the characters, but their passions. She wanted to show the impact of childhood traumas when we are children as well as when we are adults and how, with programs and mentors who care, the smallest impacts can make the biggest differences.
While I have quickly learned this is not my preferred type of steam, for those who enjoy the Alpha Male, Dominating/Submissive roles with a hint of “Daddy/Little Girl” play, this book is right up your alley! The scenes are hot and some of the moments are insane and wild but again, if you are not a fan of the submissive female role – this may not be for you as that is what takes place is the majority of intimate scenes between these two characters. With that being said, Beth does know how to bring the spice and even if this spicy style trope is not your thing, you can appreciate her talent in writing it!
Again, without knowing how the story will end, I can’t honestly say how I feel about the book. The ending is going to make or break it for me. Was all of this for something or for nothing? Do we see growth or do they remain stagnant, constantly making excuses for their roadblocks. Do they reach an HEA and is it justified or settling. So many questions! Thank goodness part two is scheduled to release August 25!