Falling for the Enemy (Private Pleasures #3) by Samanthe Beck
Released: December 1, 2014
Contemporary Romance
Entangled Brazen
Salon owner Virginia Boca has declared herself celibate…at least until she wins the election for mayor of Bluelick, Kentucky. No hot men. No sex. And her plan to play the good girl might have worked—if the mysterious, hard-bodied stranger she’s seen around town hadn’t pulled her from the street and saved her life. The least Ginny can do is offer her savior a free haircut.
But when an innocent haircut turns into hours of wickedly hot sex, former Navy SEAL Shaun Buchanan knows his plan to keep a low profile is shot. Especially once Ginny finds out he’s the current mayor’s son. With her reputation and the election on the line, Ginny seems determined to keep their nightly sexcapades a secret, but Shaun’s not willing to stay in the shadows forever…
I am all for a mysterious man, but I draw the line at creepy-ish, stalkery behavior. Shaun “appeared” outside Ginny’s place of business and place of residence way too often to be cute and alluring. Shadow lurking is how I would describe his weird hanging around. But he is a hot Navy SEAL so she was turned on and went weak in the knees at his lurky behavior. S’okay, I was sufficiently creeped out on her behalf. Early on, Shaun felt socially awkward to me and I have a hard time getting all ooey and gushy for a hero who makes me want to flip on the motion sensor lights and lawn sprinklers…
Ginny the stylist cum-mayoral candidate was a little flimsy for my tastes. She was lovely of course and I am all about an ambitious and accomplished heroine, but there was a lack of depth of character that kept me at arm’s length. What I didn’t see coming was how sold I would be on the tempestuous familial relationships between Shaun’s relations that really gave some meat to an otherwise flat romance. Make no mistake, Shaun gets Ginny flat on her back and there is nothing, nada tame or mundane about their coupling but that was just steam. Steam is a dime a dozen in romance fiction and what sets these novels apart is how brave and willing the author is to take the story to the next level. Shaun’s back story was nothing shot of gripping. The early scenes with his wayward teenage brother Justin really got to me. The venomous retorts they hurl at one another were really eye-opening, because as a reader it gave you more insight as to why Shaun is so awkwardly watchful. He has a philandering father and a younger brother who is damn near off the rails. Half way through the novel I was ready to relegate the Ginny romance to footnote status and really dive into the family saga of sorts.
The loyalty Shaun has for his father was a direct obstacle for his allegiance to Ginny. Justin wreaks havoc throughout the story and it is clear that Ginny is the preferred winner of the election, however, he walks a fine line when it comes to neutrality. The sneaking around and hiding their love affair takes a toll and how they manage to find their HEA is genius if not a little hokey. Shaun was at his best when he was knee deep in family drama and the time spent navigating the budding romance with Ginny reflected just how torn he was. The guilt from coming from a shit family, and not wanting to cause Ginny, harm or embarrassment as endearing (and made up a little for his stalker impulses).
Falling for the Enemy would be an amazing family, generational drama. I can see the Lifetime movie now!! It packs a lighter punch as a romance, however, I am forgiving as I enjoyed the plot and ultimate resolution. Side note; The small time vibe was fine for this story, but if I were to read another Beck novel, I hope she forays her tale in a big city somewhere!
PS:
“[He] sent his fingers into the neatly groomed, gratifying damp strip of red curls between her thighs.
Until you scream my name, sweet Virginia….”
“Sugar…” She leaned into the workstation and raised her hips to give him more access. “I don’t even remember your name.”
Pow!!!! Atta girl!
Grade: B-
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