Too much of a good thing…
With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.
Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is—and neither is she.
Tessa likes being in control of what happens with the men she dates. She’ll come on strong then pull back or vise versa…it keeps the men she dates on their toes, that’s for sure. But when she meets Luck Asher things start to change a bit.
First of all there are her two older brothers who still think of her like a 16 year old girl instead of the 28 year old woman that she is. They are over protective and they know it – but they’re just looking out for her. Luke knew Tessa’s brother Jaime in college and this has skewed Jaime’s view of the man that Luke is now. He warns Tessa away from Luke and tells Luke in no uncertain terms to stay away from his sister but neither one of them take his advice. When Tessa calls Luke up and asks for a dinner date neither one of them think that it will get more involved than that but they like each other and continue to see each other much to Tessa’s brothers chagrin.
Both Tessa and Luke are having their own issues in their lives and it starts to take a toll on their relationship. Tessa is trying to keep her oldest brother happy and that comes in the form of trying to save a contract deal that Eric had going with an airline. But Jaime slept with the president of the airline’s daughter and now the deal is a no go. But Tessa decides that Eric doesn’t need to know this info and lies to keep it from him – with the thought that she is protecting him. The whole deal starts to blow up and Tessa isn’t quite sure how to make everything right in her world.
Luke was in a horrible divorce and there are rumors about what happened in that relationship – even though it was in Los Angeles and he’s currently in Colorado. Then there’s his pregnant partner, Simone, and the entire police department thinks that he’s the father.
This was a fun contemporary and, I think, a great kick-off to the Donovan Brewery series – the next books being about Tessa’s brothers Jaime and Eric. We got a good taste of the Eric and Jaime’s characters in this book so that it made me really interested in reading their stores. Their volatile relationship – which broke my heart – really made for some interesting dialogue in this book. I can’t wait to see them work it all out…at least I hope they work it all out.
Tessa and Luke were a great couple. They each had their issues and neither were too terribly interested in sharing their thoughts and feelings. Though the sex was easy and they got along great when they were together they soon realized that they couldn’t move forward until they did.
Overall a good book that had me laughing, almost crying and rooting for the main pair to work out their differences. Definitely worth the read.
Rating: 4 out of 5
I'm really drawn to the characters and humor of this author but have yet to try a book from her hand. I think I need to lock myself up in a room with a no disturb sign and definitely no access to internet for some uninterupted reading time.
So many books out there which perk my interest *sigh*
I really liked Talk Me Down but I know some people had issues with it that I didn't.
I know what you mean about locking yourself up for reading time – I think about doing that all the time. lol
Personally, I think the way her brothers treated her was brought on by Tessa. Yes, they treat her like a 16 years old, but that's the way she acts around them. She doesn't affirm herself, doesn't let them see the woman.
That was my two cents. I don't know, I liked Luke in this book. He was a great hero I think and what he went through really sucks 🙁 But Tessa? Meh, she kind of ruined it for me.
I liked Talk Me Down too, but…I'm not sure. I think I prefer the angst more than the fun 🙂
I liked both Tessa & Luke, they were fun together.
I'm not crazy about Eric so I'm looking forward to seeing how/if he changes in his story. I did like what we saw of Beth (Eric's heroine) in the novella.
Nath – I didn't think they treated her badly – just like she was young. Yes, she acted 16 sometimes but really? Telling someone she's a virgin? Funny, but ridiculous. lol
Orannia – There was definitely angst AND fun in this one. 🙂
Leslie – I really liked Luke and Tessa together…more than I liked them separately. 🙂
Oh Eric has such issues. I know part of his rudeness is because he's dealing with the whole Beth thing from the novella but I HATED the way he treated Jaime. AND I certainly didn't care for how he didn't treat his siblings as partners even though they were. I hope he improves! lol
Well It seems Jaime really thought she was a virgin… and seriously, if your sister was a 20-something old virgin, she's waited this long, wouldn't you want her to wait for the perfect guy then? The one? and to Jaime, Luke definitively couldn't be the one. I think it's understandable given the circumstances and yes, it was funny.
And I didn't think the brothers treated her badly either 🙂