Undertow by Cherry Adair (Cutter Cay Trilogy #1)
Romantic Suspense
December 28, 2010
Paperback, 337 Pages
St. Martin’s
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “I know I scare you.” His breath tickled her cheek as he whispered softly into her ear. “But, know what, Williams? You scare me a little bit, too.”
Zane Cutter is charming, witty, sexy, and great at his job treasure hunting shipwrecks in the Caribbean ocean – and he knows it. Maybe a little cocky, but also very friendly and warm to everyone he meets. So when he meets his new master marine mechanic, Teal Williams, he has a challenge. Teal is stubborn, in her oversized clothing with her bad hair cut. She doesn’t want to work for him, saying yes only because his brother and her dying father asked her to be here. She would much rather stay on dry land, where her severe seasickness won’t bother her and where she can stay far away from Zane.
She has known Zane for much of her life, even sharing a passionate night with him, although he was completely drunk and doesn’t remember. But she does. She has great affection for him, but she also has just come out of a verbally abusive marriage and she has zero self-confidence. That on top of extreme shyness, she uses sharp verbal comebacks as her only line of defense to keep others away.
But she may have met her match with Zane. She somehow finds herself on his rusty ship, The Decrepit, battling nausea while doing what she loves, fixing the engines. The ship may be rusty, but Zane is a pro at what he does and has finally after four years, found the Dutch shipwreck he has been searching for. He knows there are emeralds the size of his fist down below. It is not just the money but the thrill of the dive that drives Zane in life.
Zane has more than just the challenge of uncovering treasure in the ocean. He also must find a way to break through Teal’s hard exterior, as his attraction builds. Life isn’t all fun and games though – someone else is after his treasure.
Undertow is the start of a new series by Cherry Adair about the Cutter brothers and their quest to find sunken treasure. This book is really fun. Zane is so flirty and sexy – paired up with the very prickly Teal – the chemistry is really fun to watch play out. Teal gives it back to him so good – making him keep his distance for most of the first half of the book. But Zane slowly wears her down with his expert kisses, making for some really great sexual tension.
With an abusive marriage behind her, Teal has a lot to overcome. She also has a terminally ill father and she has a very rocky relationship with him. All of this paired with the fact that she wants Zane, but she doesn’t know how to act on her feelings makes her a very interesting character. I really like how her attitude and insecurities are not rushed. Cherry Adair explores Teal and doesn’t immediately throw her into Zane’s bed. Of course once they get there, it is very sexy times indeed.
There is also a lot of suspense in this book. I enjoyed the antics and the mystery and action surrounding this treasure. Towards the end, a new suspense part is introduced which did seem a bit of an overkill. I could have done without it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book being set out in the ocean, with sexy men and stubborn heroines, diving for treasure. I am really looking forward to the next book.
Rating: B
Recent Reviews:
Hanging With Bells – 4/5
Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind – 5/5
Goodreads
Purchase Links:
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Great review Mandi – thank you!
Hmmm. I read a Cherry Adair book ages ago and loved it (it's a keeper [the heroine had a cardiac condition, which was unusual]), but her other books haven't enticed me (because my perfect heroine issue raised its ugly head). However, I do like the sound of this. I wonder if my library has it…
I like stubborn heroines usually, as long as it's within reason. And I love suspense. Nice review, I may give this one a try.
Ohh I like that, sexy men and the ocean, I wanna go there at once
I just got my first Cherry Adair book the other day. It isn't this one, but I'm looking forward to her. Heard nothing but great things. Awesome review!
Enjoyed your review Mandi. I broke my “don’t read rom. susp. at bedtime” rule & was up till 3:00AM
reading it because I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
For a good-looking alpha I found Zane so likeable & down-to earth.
Your review piqued my interest (and not only because it has the word 'Dutch' in it ;)). I like the description of Zane and the suspense/treasure element. I'm gonna give this one a try. Fabulous review!
Hmm. I read one Adair awhile ago and thought it was a stinker. Maybe she's improving? I like the premise of this. I'll keep an eye out for a used copy. :-)
Orannia – I've read the first two in her T-Flac series…but this has a much different tone. I like :)
FV – you would like Teal..she doesn't cross a line.
Blodeuedd – THis will make you want to get on a boat and sail around :)
Nicole – cool…I haven't read many by her so I would love to hear your thoughts.
Mary – Zane was totally down to earth..love him…can't wait for his brothers!
Janna – thx!
Nicola – I've only read her first two T-Flac…this one reads differently…it is very engaging!
I seen her name around but haven't read any of her books. Even though it sounds like there's a ship involved I think I might give this one a try :)
Patti, I shared your concern about the setting – treasure hunters etc., but here's what I wrote to my book group about Undertow:
"Thought the technical dive stuff would be dry but it was so fascinating & so intertwined with a hot romance- just awesome. Hot hunky guy & a girl that just kicks butt."
I love all her books – she's one of my faves. I bought it on faith and I'm glad I did.
Yeah – I actually was going to skip this one based on the blurb – but then Bells from Hanging With Bells rec'd it to me so I thought I would give it a try…so glad I did!
I've always eye-balled Cherry Adair's books while crusing the romance asile – I'll have to try her out.