After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man, Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is possible.
Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.
A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exert control. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?
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Carly Phillips continues to entertain in this third installment in her Dare to Love series. From its likable main couple, to its vividly depicted locations, to the pleasant narative flow that easily brings readers into the seductive world Ms. Phillips has crafted this is a delectable read from start to finish.
Isabelle's feeling adrift after dumping her cheating, dominant, and manipulative boyfriend. After going from her parent's home to her ex's home she's never been on her own and isn't sure how to be on her own. With no money, no home, and no phone ending up at the police department is the final straw. Luckily for her a man who runs in the same circles as her ex, and who's fascinated her each time she's seen him in the past, comes to her rescue by offering her a place to stay. Though she's attracted to him she doesn't want to jump right back in to a bad relationship. Theirs is a relationship that progresses slowly to allow her time to gain inner-strength and become her own person. From the uncertainty she displayed while in New York to the self-assuredness gained once she got to the exotic island of Eden to do a decorating job, hers was an inspirational journey to becoming her own woman. Though her wishy-washy nature when first with Gabe frustrated me there was still much to like about her.
Gabe is decadently delightful from the very start. While he too is a dominant man he tempers it with compassion and understanding. He's been drawn to Izi from the moment he first saw her but knows that to truly have her he'll have to let her be on her own for awhile. He's the kind of man who can't help but protect, so bringing her home was an easy decision but knowing he wants more and that he'll have to wait to get it frustrated him. All he wants though is what's best for Izi, to make her dreams come true is what propels him. It's not until they get to the erotic environs of Eden though that he finally gets to have her in the way he's always wanted and boy, does it lead to some scorching encounters! His dominance is finally on full display in their sexually-charged interludes as well as in his naughty talk that left me blushing. These scenes were well worth the wait and were nicely balanced with Izi's coming into her own and Gabe's dealing with his own painful past.
This book is actually part of two series but can be read on its own as there's only a bit of interaction with previously seen characters. Those brief glimpses though show the Dare family as supportive, caring, and not shy in maneuvering things to their best advantage. This story overall gives readers erotic encounters, vivid scenery to provide a romantic background, and a delectable hero and admirable heroine. It's another delightfully written and carefree read from Ms. Phillips and I look forward to meeting another member of the Dare family soon.
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
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