There’s no hiding from sizzling chemistry…
Artist Isabelle West has good reasons for preferring a solitary life. Tucked away in a cabin in the woods, she has everything she needs…except a red-hot love life. That is, until a hard-bodied US marshal threatens to unearth secrets she’s spent years protecting. But giving in to the sparks flying between them can only lead to one thing…disaster.
Tom Duncan lives by the letter of the law. But no one has tempted him—or confused him—more than free-spirited Isabelle, who arouses his suspicion and his desire. As their connection grows, and their nights get hotter, they find their wild attraction might shake everything he stands for—and expose everything she has to hide.
Bonus Girls’ Night Out novella, Fanning the Flames, included!
The first book in the Girls; Night Out series:
Dahl always impresses me with heroines who are take charge and own themselves. Isabelle in Flirting With Disaster is no exception. She’s unrepentant about who she is, what she wants in her life (that includes sex), and doesn’t hold back, except parts of her she doesn’t trust to anyone. Yep, those strong women can still be flawed, but this one doesn’t need a man to save her. If anything she needs a man to love her, unconditionally.
Thankfully, US Marshal Tom Duncan is on the job. Oh, my. *fans self* He’s hot to trot, too. I get the right to ogle all book heroes and this one is worth it. I’m a sucker for a guy who likes to rescue damsels in distress, and enjoys playing the bad boy. Isabelle easily makes Tom do things he normally wouldn’t do on the job. Like hot and heavy making out or a good bedroom romp where she tells him exactly how she wants it.
As for story, characters, and all the plot trimmings, Dahl dishes it up with a good dose of humor, internal conflict, sexual tension, and delicious jobs/hobbies. Isabelle is a medical artist, which I won’t go into the details, but let’s just say it’s a real interesting job. There’s also a secondary love story blossoming, and again Dahl pushes boundaries that I like to see pushed. Throw conventions out the door because you won’t find simpering misses or strict relationship lines here.
Pacing is perfect and spot on, and while the book has a suspense element it takes a back burner to the romance. Though there is a bit of insta-lust, if I was stuck in a small town and a house in the middle of nowhere I’d experience some of that myself if a hot guy started hanging out nearby.
Finally, all the conflict is driven by Isabelle’s secrets and a few fresh ones Tom keeps holding on to. What I loved is how Dahl pulled this off. Normally situations like this might be chalked up into a miscommunication problem, which I can’t stand. With Tom and Isabelle they each have their reasons for remaining silent, and in this case they are good ones.
Overall, I recommend this book to readers who are looking for contemporary romance that pushes against the walls of the genre. Also, if you like strong heroines and the even stronger heroes who fight for them. For people who enjoy Jaci Burton and Maisey Yates.
Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot
