ISBN-10: 042526985X
ISBN-13: 978-0425269855
Publisher: Penguin Group
Line: Berkley Trade
Release Date: Aug 6, 2013
Pages: 304
Retail Price: 15.00
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Genre: New Adult
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating:
M. Leighton’s Down to You was just the beginning. “Up to Me has even more shockers in store!” (Examiner.com)
For Olivia, romantic bliss has never felt so right as it does with Cash. Unpredictable, except when it comes to satisfying her desires, Cash’s ‘bad boy’ reputation is well-earned, but he’s turning his life around with the one woman who accepts him for who he is.
Until strangers from the past turn Olivia and Cash’s world upside down. What they want is something only Cash can give them. And if he doesn’t deliver, then they’re taking the one thing that Cash values the most.
Olivia always knew that in falling for Cash she was likely to get burned. But this new threat is beyond anything she imagined. Now she has to trust Cash with her life—and for Olivia that’s much easier than letting go, and trusting him with her heart.
Includes a teaser from Everything for Us
Review
Olivia Townsend’s finally figured out Cash’s secret, his brother is dead. Cash is just Cash, but regardless of his secrets she’s still in love with him. The problem is trouble is headed their way.
Things heat up in the second Bad Boys Novel, with Cash now concerned about Olivia’s safety. Bad guys are pouring out the woodwork’s and to ensure Olivia is safe he’s going to do whatever he has to. There are plot twists, surprises, and new character additions that will make you go, yum.
This book isn’t so much about the further development of Olivia and Cash’s relationship but more about external threats. I found a lot of the build-up excessive and Olivia’s reactions to her boyfriend’s safety measures a bit silly. Not wanting to be controlled, our heroine can’t seem to grasp that her life is on the line. This for me was the biggest turn off of the book.
The plot was intriguing. From a digging into Cash’s past and discovering all the details of his family’s demise to his involvement with some really ‘bad’ dudes. But this isn’t a book that provides true character growth. The only growth comes from Cash willing to come clean about his act to someone. There is lots of action sequences and multiple fight scenes, plus a bit of sexy time.
I did enjoy the dual, first-person POV, which I don’t find that often in New Adult. For this book it worked and kept my attention engaged. My second-least favorite character was Olivia. Her reactions, non-serious reactions and just general attitude turned me off. My least favorite character was Olivia’s mother. This is the first book in this series I’ve read, so I’ve no clue if readers were introduced to this piece of work before. If I had a mother like Olivia’s, I’d be so much more screwed up. My favorite character is Gavin, Cash’s partner. He’s oh-so-delicious, and definitely a very bad boy. I’m looking forward to his story (if he gets one).
This book, to me, was a bridge that wasn’t needed; a book with too many excessive scenes that could’ve been shortened. The romance was already solidified. Up to Me could’ve been a novella and it wouldn’t have hurt anything.
Readers of the series can definitely expect answers to a lot of questions, but you’ll get just as many questions at the end because all is not resolved. Don’t worry though, the next book involves Marissa and her hero. So, the HEA does arrive for Cash and Olivia.
Reviewed by Landra