Holly‘s review of Love Me (Take Me, Book 2) by Bella Andre
It’s been five years since Lily and Travis fell in love in TAKE ME….now it’s finally time for Janica and Luke to get their very own happy ending.
If there’s one thing that Janica Ellis is absolutely certain of, it’s that she and Luke Carson are totally wrong for each other. She’s a wild, artistic and outspoken fashion designer. He’s a type A, workaholic trauma surgeon (who just happens to be sizzling hot and her brother-in-law!). But Janica is about to be proven wrong when opposites attract…in the sexiest possible way.
After a life-changing night in the ER, Luke is desperate for escape – and relief from his personal demons. For five years he has fought his attraction to his sister-in-law, but when he’s pushed too far, he can’t fight it another second. He needs her. Desperately. He’s spent his whole life doing the right thing. For one night, he’s going to follow desire instead. Straight into Janica’s arms.
Janica can’t believe Luke is finally at her front door…and that he’s kissing her like he’s been waiting his whole life for her. But even as their sensual connection deepens with every touch of skin on skin – and the man she always thought was such a good boy turns out to be sinfully, toe-curlingly bad between the sheets – Janica soon realizes she wants more than Luke’s body. She wants his heart too. But what will Luke do when one night of extreme passion turns into an all or nothing proposition?
This is an angsty story. I think I expected something lighter based on the blurb and cover. I didn’t read the first book and don’t feel like I missed much. I do plan to go back and read it though.
Luke is a doctor who puts everything he is into his work. Lately he’s starting to feel burned out. After a particularly bad night in surgery, he doesn’t want to be alone and heads to Janica’s house, where he finds her entertaining the idea of a threesome with two guys she picked up at a club. He kicks them out and takes her to bed himself in short order. The first couple chapters really set the tone of the novel. Janica has always wanted Luke and vise verse. Because they’re so different they never acted on it. Janica thinks Luke is uptight, but he has more depth than she gives him credit for. Similarly, Luke things Janica is flighty and irresponsible. It doesn’t take long for him to realize that isn’t the case.
After their night together Janica realizes she loves Luke. She wants more with him than just a night. Unfortunately for her, he freaks out at the idea and takes off. Only there’s more going on with him than Janica first realized. When she finds out he’s taken off to a cabin, she follows him. She wants to see if there’s a possibility of more with them, and she figures being trapped in a cabin is as good a time as any.
I liked that Janica knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it. Yes, she’s kind of wild and crazy at times, but there’s more to her than her party girl persona. Luke is a dark and brooding kind of guy. He wants nothing more than to save lives, but he’s close to burnout. Jancia realizes Luke needs her and does her best to be there for him. She wasn’t pushy about it, however, which made it work. She didn’t cling or demand, she just quietly supported him and let him know she was there.
As I said, this was an angsty story. I expected something much lighter. I think it worked as is, but don’t be surprised like I was.
4 out of 5
This book is available from Bella Andre. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Ooh! I do love some angst. I can always find room for another series in my TBR list.