Reviewer: Holly Razed by Shiloh Walker
Series: Barnes Brothers #2
Also in this series: Wrecked
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: December 2nd 2014
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 320
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Series Rating:
Tattoo artist Keelie Jessup can handle that someone else has claimed the man of her dreams. She’s just not pleased with her remaining options… Keelie doesn’t believe in the “perfect man.” But the men who are worth the trouble are usually taken—like her business partner Zach Barnes. After a string of bad luck and the lost chance with Zach, Keelie decides that maybe flying solo—and living with suppressed desires—is the key to happiness. As a photographer, Zane Barnes has an eye for the human form, and his eyes can’t get enough of Keelie’s curves. Unfortunately, Keelie is like most women—always fawning over his little brother, Zach. Zane is about ready to give up, but then a few stolen moments at his brother's wedding have him thinking maybe there's a chance there after all. Now he just has to prove that the perfect man does exist...for her.
I did a re-read of Wrecked (book 1) before starting this book, and I’m glad for it. It picks up right where Wrecked left off, and I’m afraid I would have been a bit lost if I hadn’t had the refresher.
For years Zane has been playing it safe with his photography, but he’s finally ready to put it all on the line and pursue it as his only career. He quits his job as a bartender and starts scouting locations for a studio. For years he’s been playing it safe with Keelie, his brother’s business partner. He flirts and asks her out, but he hasn’t really pushed the issue.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Keelie, but I really enjoyed her. She’s tough and kind of prickly, but she had a good core. Her past made it hard for her to deal with certain things, like intimacy, but I really liked how she opened herself to Zane.
I like that Zane was all in for Keelie. He was ready to stop playing at being a photographer and make a go of it, but he wasn’t ashamed to admit he chose the location of his studio because that’s where Keelie was.
Between the two of them they had some dark secrets, but as they came to trust one another they really opened up. They healed together, relying on one another for strength and trust.
The story ended a bit sooner than I would have liked, but it was a solid, often intense read. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it.
4.25 out of 5
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