Hot and Bothered by Crystal Green (Rough and Tumble #3)
Released: March 17, 2015
Contemporary Romance
Intermix
Reviewed by Mandi
This book starts with a hot punch of sexual tension – and Smexy approves. Back in their teenage years, Gideon and Rochelle had a hot thing going on, and one night they go all the way – but their sex ended up awkward and unsatisfying. Embarrassed, Rochelle fled and left for college the next day, ending all communication with Gideon. Their lives moved on – Gideon joined the army and in present day is a bodyguard. Rochelle is a well known author of historical fiction, who has just written a book. This book focuses on a woman named Cherry, who long ago frequented her town’s well-known saloon, Rough & Tumble. She was a bit of a local legend, kind of wannabe movie star who never quite made it. The town has fond memories of her. Rochelle’s book doesn’t paint Cherry in the best light, and some towns folk are upset over this. One in particular, has written Rochelle a creepy note, and is now referred to as “the creeper.” During Rochelle’s Las Vegas press tour, she decides she needs a bodyguard and asks her long ago flame Gideon if he will do the honors.
Gideon is a manwhore, or at least that is how he is presented in the first few pages, but once he sees Rochelle, “Little Gideon” only has eyes for her (or one eye for her?) He becomes her bodyguard and off they go as their lusty glances heat up and memories are remembered.
The one big thing that is brought up over and over (and over) again in this book is how awkward and weird their first sexual experience was long ago at the age of 18. This haunts Rochelle to this very day. She remarks how she has had lots of practice now having sex and is darn good at it. Rochelle and Gideon both know as soon as they see each other that they are headed to the bedroom before too long, and this worries Rochelle. Will she perform well enough this time? This worries her in every sex scene. Good lord girlfriend – Gideon is a hot one! Just enjoy yourself! She does, but the past is always on her mind. I didn’t mind it at first but it became redundant.
I’m not a huge fan of stalker storylines so that suspense didn’t quite do it for me. There are also very long excerpts of the book Rochelle wrote about Cherry spread throughout this book. To be honest, I kind of skimmed/fast forwarded through them. They didn’t interest me.
But not to keep complaining about this book because there are good things. Gideon and Rochelle have good chemistry. Gideon has that western, southern drawl and definitely came across as someone who could and would want to protect Rochelle. The author does a nice job in making their second chance romance believable. I could feel their previous lust take over. Gideon starts so…quiet and intense – I kind of wish he had kept that attitude a little more in the book, but overall he is a good hero. This was my first time reading this author and this book stood up well as a stand alone.
Grade: C+
Goodreads l Author Website l Series
Leave a Reply