Rowena’s review of Running Back (New York Leopards #2) by Allison Parr.
Natalie Sullivan is on the verge of a breakthrough most archaeology grad students only dream of: discovering a lost city. Her research points to a farm in Ireland, but to excavate she needs permission from the new owner: the Michael O’Connor, popular NFL running back.
On TV Mike seems so charming and good-natured that Natalie figures getting his cooperation will be a breeze. So she’s not prepared to deal with the arrogant – and adamantly opposed – man she meets in person. Or the way one look from him sends shivers down her spine.
Determined to kick-start her career, Natalie travels across the Atlantic and finds herself sharing an inn with Mike, who has come to Ireland in search of his roots. She tells herself her interest is strictly professional, but the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to deny her personal attraction to the sexy sports star. And when Mike confides why he refuses to allow the dig, Natalie must decide if she can follow her heart without losing sight of her dreams.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, Rush Me but I wasn’t exactly blown away. Rachael got on my nerves and truth be told, so did Ryan. But still, the book was good enough and the writing was entertaining enough that I wanted to read more from this author. When this book came up for review, I was in.
This story follows Natalie Sullivan, an archeological grad student who is trying to make a name for herself in the archeology field. She has reason to believe that a lost city is hidden underneath an old Irish farm and she was all ready to dig until the owner of the land dies and she has to get the new owners approval (and signature) in order to start digging. The new owner just so happens to be the star running back for her favorite football team, the New York Leopards. Mike O’Connor is really good at his job and everything that Natalie has seen of him in the media paints him to be an easy going guy so Natalie takes heart with that before her meeting with him.
But the guy in the media is not who greets her at their meeting. And his answer to her proposal surprises her because he flat out says no. There will be no digging and as quick as snap of his fingers, Natalie’s dreams of finding the lost city she believes is underneath his farm go down the drain.
Left with no choice, Natalie takes the trip to Ireland anyway with plans to research any legal way she can and when she runs into Mike who is staying in the room directly across from hers, nobody is more surprised than the two of them when they become close and a relationship blossoms between them.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I enjoyed the first one…and I really came to love Ryan. But Mike? I thought he was adorable. I thought that Natalie was a great heroine. I thought the story was interesting, the characters we meet were charming (yes, even Mike’s family charmed me) and the romance was steamy enough to make me happy.
This was a straight up romance, no complicated plot or dramatic issues. Just two people getting to know each other and falling in love. It was perfect for what I was in the mood for and I’m glad that I read it. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of New Adult contemporary romances and I cannot wait for the next book.
Grade: 4 out of 5
This book is available from Carina Press. You can purchase it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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