Bad Boys After Dark: Carson (Bad Billionaires After Dark)

by Melissa Foster

[Lynn]

I've thoroughly enjoyed the previous novels in this series and eagerly anticipated Carson's story. Verdict? It doesn't disappoint.

Ten years ago, Tawny Bishop made a decision which she instantly regretted. Now, she's back, clinging to hope that the man she rejected all those years ago is still free. On a whim she turns up at a fund-raiser he's attending and devastated because she's arrived too late. Fortunately, the man she seeks is stood chatting in the hotel foyer. Their eyes meet. Giving renewed hope of a reconciliation.

Carson Bad was left reeling after his college best friend and secret lover left and married someone else straight after graduation. Since then, he's concentrated on building up his security business as well as keeping his heart safely intact from further heartache. When the woman he has always loved makes a surprising appearance, Carson instinctively seeks her out. Only he needs to know the reasons for her departure ten years ago before he can think about moving on with the woman he still loves.

The pace and feel of this novel very much reflect the quiet personalities and calm characters of the protagonists. Like his brothers; Mick and Dylan, Carson, is a sexy, alpha male. Unlike his brothers, he prefers to live his life more discreetly, keeping his private life under the radar. Tawny, after years of regret and the death of her father, has a sense of determination she's never had before with no idea if her courage will be enough.

The time-line for this novel is short, yet a lot is packed into the pages as Carson and Tawny begin to unravel the past. They must satisfy their need for closure for old, emotional wounds before moving forward. These are two people with a second chance, who already love each other, and thankfully, the narrative doesn't deliver an insta-love vibe. I appreciated Carson's cautious manner and his sense of honour as he tries to make sense of Tawny's return into his life before his physical desires take over. The sparks between them are combustible, igniting urges Tawny has subdued since she walked out of Carson's life. Only now she's frustrated until neither can resist temptation.

Part of the joy of reading a Melissa Foster novel is getting re-acquainted with familiar faces and getting introduced to new ones. The camaraderie and playful banter add a fun contrast to the hot and steamy romance between relatable and likeable protagonists. Carson can be read as a standalone, but with equally sexy brothers, why stick with just one!

4.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher World Literary Press***