Worked Up

I enjoy reading characters like Duke. A tough guy with a tender heart is my secret fantasy brought to life. The way he took care of family and looked after a woman that he just met. Grudgingly, of course was what made me fall for him more and more. Adorably clueless, yet so sweetly insecure Samantha was a heartbreaker that could capture the heart with her innocent bravado. Worked Up is sex on a stick with a charming sense of wit.

This book was absolute perfection!!! Hook, NJ is like many small towns in America. Everyone knows everyone and the livelihood of the town depends upon the factory where a lot of town residents are employed. Samantha is a Manhattan girl in town to see her brother, the owner of the factory. Samantha is an artist determined to achieve her dream of having art reach children everywhere. Her first night in town, she meets Duke at the Third Shift, the town bar. Off the bat, he’s possessive and intense. Duke is a mechanic at the factory and all he wanted to do was watch the game in peace at the Third Shift. Except Sam is there and he takes it upon himself to make sure that she doesn’t run into any trouble. Duke… WOW!! He is the perfect main character. He is a fantastic guy. He doesn’t get around. He’s there for his family and is willing to make any sacrifice necessary to make sure that his four divorced sisters are happy. Sam was hilarious!! The bad jokes, the banter. She definitely holds her own against Duke. The connection between these two was immediate. I haven't read the first two books in this series so this can definitely be read as a standalone. I’m looking forward to Renner’s story! *I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

LOVED!!! I can't say enough good things about this book - it was wonderful! From the rich girl throw away Samantha to the gentile giant Duke, I just fell in love with the characters. One of the things I enjoy about this author's books is how real she makes the characters feel, right down to their flaws and shortcomings. In this novel, Samantha is backed into a corner by her "sort of" brother Renner. She sees no way to meet her lifelong goal without giving in to his demand.....then she wanders into a bar and sees Duke. Duke is the consummate protector and steps in to keep the barflies away, but all Samantha can see is how hot he is. One thing I really liked is how the author created a sexy leading man that doesn't meet any of the stereotypical characteristics of the usual leading man. Duke doesn't see himself as attractive or worthy, but that doesn't matter. If you enjoy sexy contemporary romance, you will love this book. This is a must read for fans of the genre. The author is on my must read authors' list.