Diving In by Kristina Mathews
Released: September 19, 2017
Contemporary Romance
Lyrical
Reviewed by Mandi
Are adventure company romances the “in” thing right now? I’ve read several – including a m/m series from Lynda Aicher and a recent Nicole Helm series. I’m not a whitewater raft person by any means – give me a tube, a creek, and a cooler that floats. But I am drawn to this trope. But, not this book. This one did not work for me at all.
I did like the heroine – but that’s about it in the story. Fisher is a tall, strong, athletic woman who is a very good raft guide. She has been in love with her boss forever, but he is now very happily married with kids, so she knows she needs to move on – but her heart won’t let her. Out one night at a bar, a cute guy buys her a drink and they end up in his RV for a one night stand.
This guy is our hero, Kyle. Kyle has two reasons for signing up for Fisher’s rafting guide class. One, his boss has sent him to evaluate the company so they can buy it and take control. But even more so, the two men that own the company are his half-brothers – but the two guys don’t know they have a brother. Kyle’s dad impregnated his mom, and then left them – and Kyle looks at the two successful brothers and wants revenge. He wants to take their company. He didn’t plan on sleeping with and falling for his rafting guide – and that makes him second guess his revenge motives.
Guys. There is no chemistry in this book. Fisher and Kyle sleep together super quick, and then just keep doing it. Kyle gave me the creeps, more than the good shivers. He comes off as sleazy and selfish. I would never be friends with this guy in real life – and that’s not a good thing to ponder when you are reading the book. His feelings never come across as genuine and I think that is what got me. It felt like he was just coasting along and playing the “hey sweetheart” card with Fisher. I don’t picture their relationship lasting. She is definitely too good for him. Also, the fact that he has two secret half-brothers and trying to undermine their company is mostly forgotten until the end of the book.
Kyle felt so selfish – always thinking about only his future and how Fisher would fit in it, but not thinking about maybe what she would want for herself. I didn’t like the set-up with Kyle having two half brothers, and I didn’t like the secret of trying to buy the rafting business. And I really didn’t like Kyle.
Fisher – you can do better!
Grade: D
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