Special Interests by Emma Barry
Released: April 7, 2014
Contemporary Romance
Carina Press

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: “You’re so damn adorable, Millie Frank, I can’t believe I’ve kept my hands off you this entire meal,” he said, reaching over the table and pulling her hand towards him.

I have so many good things to say about this book that I don’t even know where to start. Millie Frank works for the construction worker’s union in Washington, D.C. She is pretty passionate about her job, but likes to keep to herself. Unfortunately, she was the victim in a hostage situation at her local drug store, ending with her safe, but also has put her face into every newspaper and website around. Although held up by a man wearing a chicken suit and what she comes to learn was only a toy gun, the entire ordeal has rattled her greatly. When the book starts, she is struggling to find a ‘normal’ life again.

Parker Beckett is a senior aide for the Senate Majority Leader. The current upheaval over the budget is draining on him. He is working 24/7, doing his part to try to make sure the government doesn’t shut down. He meets Millie at a bar one night, and they have sparkling chemistry. But, neither are in a great place to commit to anything serious.

“I care about work. Work is all that I care about. I think about it every hour I’m awake. I go to the office early in the morning and I come home late night. I have no friends who don’t understand the minutiae of budget negotiations or who wouldn’t know which member I was talking about if I used a last name only. Not just know their names, but who challenged him in the last election and whether or not he had good GOTV. I can’t even remember the last conversation that I had that wasn’t about politics or policy or politicians or the history of politics. I don’t have time for a relationship.”

Now don’t fret! Parker does have time for a relationship. He is actually the one that pursues and is quite adorable. What the author excels at in this book is the courtship between Millie and Parker. They have all of this chemistry and yet they are mature enough to realize their current job and life situations aren’t ideal for anything serious. Yet, they know and respect each other enough to not just have a one night stand. They share a passion for the government. Even though their job is so stressful at the moment, they live and breathe it. While Millie is very outspoken for worker’s rights, Parker isn’t necessarily against it, he just wants a balanced budget. He would go to either side, and call in any favor just to get the votes. He feels this blackens his soul, and this weighs heavy on him throughout the book. The author allows these two to test each other – debate, poke, and be stubborn with their issues. Wait for it – these two fall in love not just because of hard abs and hot sex (don’t worry – both of those are in this book *wink*) but because they share a passion for politics and debating. Their arguing over issues gets them all hot and bothered.

Another thing I loved – Parker is very close with his mother and grandparents. His grandfather has advanced Alzheimer’s and is in a nursing home. He goes every week to visit and chat, even though it is one-sided. These scenes had such an impact on me. It really showed me his character and it’s a man I wanted to respect.

And yes, this book is so very sexy. The kissing – oh the kissing. The anticipation from Millie when Parker calls and asks her out to dinner. Parker’s pure terror that he will screw something up and she will leave. Their uncertainty over this brand new love that is building – I had all the feels. Millie is also dealing with some nightmares and lingering stress over her hostage ordeal, that Parker helps with a lot.

And then the epilogue just made me smile so hard.

I will say – it took me a chapter or two to really get into this one. There is a lot of political detail in it, which I enjoyed, but it’s a bit heavy in the beginning. But stick with it, and I think you guys will really like this one.

Rating: B+

Goodreads l Author Website

Kindle l Nook