Book Review of Caught Up In You by Roni Loren

The girl who has spent her life running is about to be caught . . . by love.

After a shaky past, Kelsey LeBreck’s future is looking good. She’s been saving money for culinary school with her earnings from The Ranch, a private BDSM resort. Even better, she’s landed a day job where she can practice baking and flirt with her favorite customer. However, having secret fantasies about Wyatt Austin is where it has to end. If there’s one thing Kelsey knows can derail her, it’s a relationship. But when a danger from her past threatens to steal her fresh start, the intense executive may be the only one who can help her.
Wyatt doesn’t have room on his agenda for dating, but something about the pretty young waitress stirs desires he thought were long buried. So when he needs someone to pose as his girlfriend at an important business retreat and finds out Kelsey needs to go off the grid for a while, he can’t resist making her an offer. Soon, Kelsey learns that Wyatt’s power in the boardroom is no match for his power in the bedroom, and she wonders if her heart will survive. Because Wyatt Austin is a man who gets what he wants, and now he wants her.

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Things are still steamy in this fourth installment of the Loving On the Edge series as the road to a HEA for the cool, calm, and collected Wyatt and troubled Kelsey is a rocky but satisfying one.  From start to finish the heat is on as Kelsey tries to fit into the rich and classy lifestyle from which Wyatt comes from.  It's difficult though for a girl from the poorer side of the tracks who's made bad decisions that led to drugs and stripping to feel as though she belongs which keeps a subtle barrier between them throughout most of the story and will require a grand gesture from Wyatt to break down that barrier.

We've seen glimpses of Wyatt throughout the series and he's a serious and staid man, the complete opposite of his carefree brother Jace, completely devoted to business as his cold father raised him to be.  It turns out though that he has a dark side that he's kept hidden out of shame and fear.  He was once a Dom who failed the Sub in his care and he's scared that might happen again when he starts a BDSM relationship with the fragile Kelsey.  He's kept those dark needs hidden from past partners but she brings out the masterful side in him as seen by their numerous scorching sexual interludes.  A business retreat with Kelsey as his companion leads to a glimpse of the happy and fun life Wyatt could have if he just allows it. Her past comes back to haunt the loving foundation they've slowly built though and it will take a big leap of faith from both of them to finish making the happy future they both ultimately want in a very romantic and heartwarming conclusion.  Wyatt is an admirable hero who sees only the good things in Kelsey.  He never judges her and only wants to make her happy after her sad and disappointing past.  He gives her strength which in turn gives him the strength to step out from behind his father's shadow and become the man he was truly meant to be.

Kelsey is an unexpected heroine, compelling and multifaceted as seen by her current sweet school girl persona and her stripper drug-fueled past.  She makes no excuses for her past which is refreshing and admirable.  She doesn't dwell on it but struggles to make sure that sadness doesn't drag her back to that dark time.  She's immensely attracted to Wyatt but knows he could be her downfall, so she fights to keep their relationship purely unemotional. That's hard to do though as his sweetly romantic gestures and uncompromising faith slowly win her over and have her thinking of the L-word which has her running once again with him in pursuit which leads to a tear-induced finale.  Kelsey is a likable heroine, outspoken and loyal to her sister.  She wants to better her life but wants to do it on her own which causes a few hiccups as Wyatt's answer to many problems is money.  Kelsey is the kind of heroine you don't see everyday and I found myself rooting for this realistic and strong-willed woman defending herself against the rich snob's judgments.

This was an enjoyable addition to Ms. Loren's series though the storyline felt a bit familiar at times.  At its heart this was a story about opposite's attracting, two people from different social statuses, that are drawn to each other through their sexual needs.  That premise has been in play from the first book and, with The Ranch playing a part in each story, will remain a part of the overall series until the end.  The sexual encounters are hot and varied in intensity.  The focus is mostly on the main couple but there's the occasional extra participant to add some extra spice.  With so many sex scenes you'd expect a story lacking in emotions but that's not the case as these two were put through the emotional wringer before reaching their richly rewarding HEA.  It was nice getting to see past characters as it added to that sense of family this series inspires.  The deepening brotherly bond between Jace and Wyatt was funny and sweet and showed a more playful side to Wyatt than ever before and showed the positive influence Kelsey had on his life.  We also got to see Kade and the hints and set-up to his story being told next that has me panting to get my hands on. The Loving On the Edge series continues to excite and I look forward to many more stories being told.  Those wanting a hot story with an entertaining storyline should definitely add Ms. Loren to their list!

My rating for this is a B+

*I bought this book with my own money for my personal bookshelf.