Taking the Heat by Victoria Dahl (Jackson: Girls’ Night Out #3)
Release: July 28, 2015
Contemporary Romance
Harlequin

Reviewed by Mandi

Veronica had big dreams and ambitions and moved from Jackson Hole, Wyoming to New York city to pursue her dreams of writing. But the city was not what she expected. She feels isolated, disconnected from her job and just overall beaten. When she moves back home to Jackson Hole, she feels defeated. Her dad lets her live in an apartment building he owns and he gets her a small job at the local newspaper writing an advice column. Called, Dear Veronica, she answers anonymous letters and helps people with their problems. But her problem is, she feels like a fraud. The biggest thing weighing her down is that she gives love and sex advice, but she is still a virgin.

Gabe is from New York city, but he loves rock climbing and nature in general. Having his masters in Library Science, he takes a one-year contract to work at the Jackson Hole library. Not only can he help them with technical advancements,  he can spend a year climbing and hiking in this wonderland. Gabe’s co-worker Lauren, is good friends with Veronica, which is how they first meet. Veronica is starting a series of live “Dear Veronica” shows at a local bar, where she answers questions on stage. While this absolutely terrifies her, no one in the audience notices. She shines, and the shows become very popular. Gabe goes along one night with Lauren and co-workers and realizes Veronica is a complicated, beautiful, intriguing woman and he wants to get to know her better.

Gabe is one of the  most decent, good guy heroes I have read in a long time. He is kind, he listens, he is funny. He has a beard! He is respectful. AND – he is a master at going down on a woman.

Need we discuss anything else?

I also really liked Veronica. Her mom died when she was young and her father is very, very distant and into himself. She had trouble with a step-sibling in her teen years, which has stuck with her now as an adult. She doesn’t have confidence – partly due to her step-sibling and partly due to her feeling of failure while living in New York city. She decides she wants to change her life. She wants to take chances, be brave and explore herself more. I loved this about her. I love that she has insecurities about her appearance and her “muscular legs.” I love that she thinks she is weird, but feels totally comfortable being weird around Gabe. That is something that Gabe finds endearing.  She falls in love with Gabe, but she also falls in love with herself.

Gabe has family drama of his own. He has a lot of pressure to return to New York after his one-year contract is up to help his family with their restaurants. He doesn’t want to move back to New York, but he is very close with his family and knows his aging father needs help.

Gabe and Veronica are so cute together. Between drunken escapades, rock climbing lessons, and the big – taking of the virginity – their relationship is super cute and very, very sexy.

I’ve really enjoyed this series and I think this is the strongest addition yet. If I had any quibbles it would be I think Veronica was a little hard on Gabe at the end. He keeps a few things from her and she makes it known her trust issues have been broken a little bit. I thought she went a little hard.

A sexy, fun, adorable contemporary romance. Can’t wait for more.

Grade: B

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