New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gibson returns to Truly, Idaho, and to the fate of sexy SEAL Blake Junger
GIMMEE A B-R-E-A-K!
Ex-high school cheerleader Natalie Cooper could once shake her pom-poms with the best of them. But she’s paid for all that popularity—her husband’s run off with what’s left of their money and a twenty-year-old bimbo named Tiffany. Leaving Natalie to manage a photo store and having to see some pictures she, well, really shouldn’t.
GIMMEE A S-H-O-T!
Then she comes toe-to-manly chest with Blake Junger. Exiled to a remote cabin in Truly, Idaho, Blake wants nothing to do with anyone. Instead, he’s determined to struggle with his demons and win—all on his own. But the last thing he needs is Natalie distracting him with her luscious curves and breaking down the barriers of his heart.
GIMMEE YOUR H-E-A-R-T!
First book in the Military Men series:
What I Love About You is the second full-length book in Rachel Gibson’s Military Men series. Of the two, so far this is my favorite, although I much prefer her Chinook Hockey Team series and some of her older books. Truthfully, this series has been slow to reel me in.
Natalie Cooper and eerily identical twin to Beau Junger (hero in Run to You) Blake Junger don’t have the most auspicious of beginnings. It all starts with his meeting with her five-year-old daughter, Charlotte. Things to keep in mind: Blake is a recovering alcoholic just coming out of two months in rehab, he’s cranky as hell, and Charlotte is “trespassing” in his yard.
“Go home, little girl.”
She pointed at the cat on the front of her T-shirt. “I’m a big girl.”
Another day, another time, he might have admired the kid’s guts. He leaned forward and towered over her like his father used to do to him and Beau.” I shit bigger than you,” he said, just like his old man.
Yeah, Blake starts out as a big jerk. And when Natalie overhears him using curse words in front of her daughter, she thinks he’s an asshole too. So there’s antagonism between them from the beginning.
“Please don’t swear at my child.”
“Please keep your child out of my yard.”
This all changes after Blake is puppy bombed. What does that mean? Someone left a puppy in the back of his pickup. So what does he do, he gives the puppy to Charlotte. The next thing Natalie knows, she’s sharing a puppy with her gorgeous, next-door neighbor and sworn enemy.
From there it’s a matter of them alternating between wanting each other and trying to resist their growing attraction. The sexual tension is good and the love scenes are hot, as they usually are in Rachel Gibson novels. I’m not sure why I didn’t absolutely love this one. I do love her portrayal of children, which feels authentic and usually has me chuckling. That was the case here. I liked both Natalie and Blake and thought the chemistry between them was good. But I will admit, I didn’t particularly like one of Blake’s euphemisms.
“Or I can start at the inside of your knees and eat my way up your thighs to your honey pot.”
Honey pot? Nope, this didn’t work for me. But that’s a small nitpick. Bu then there’s the introduction of the ex-husband who’s an ex-con. I’m still trying to figure out how he fits into the story. When he was introduced, I expected something to happen—I guess more than what did happen. And at the end, I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about him. I still don’t know how I do feel about him, which is weird for me. At the end of a book, I usually know exactly how I feel about all the characters, good and bad.
Anyway, all in all, this was a decent read. Not as memorable as many of Ms. Gibson’s older books, but it definitely kept me interested while I was reading it. If you’re a Rachel Gibson fan, you’ll probably want to give this one a read. If you’ve never read her before, I’d suggest you start with one of her older books and work your way forward.
Reviewed by Beverley
Heat Level: Hot
I liked this one. My favorite is Rescue Me! I think that is one of the military men, but ties in with the hockey books. Run to You was really good, too! I think the ex-husband’s role is to give Blake a little push toward commitment, due to jealousy. Also, I think he was truly reformed, but you were supposed to be kept guessing as to whether he was good or bad.
The last one of hers I really loved was ANY MAN OF MINE. I know there’s a novella coming out soon titled I DO.
Rescue Me came out right after that one. The hero, Vince, is the brother of the heroine in Any Man of Mine. Love him! And Sam LeClare isn’t too shabby, either!