High school friends turned enemies are forced into close quarters in this romance of opposites attracting that has fireworks going off when the past collides with the presence. Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of Casanova by Emma Hart, along with my impressions of it, then add it to your bookshelf!
I loved him more than life.
He broke me and he didn't even know it.
I ran from him.
He didn't chase me.
He never needed to, because he knew I'd come back.
He was right.
Death brought me home to him.
Brett Walker.
Drop dead gorgeous and filthy-mouthed with a smile that turns saints to sinners.
A casanova to his core.
My ex-best friend.
And the bad boy whose reputation precedes him—the same reputation I'm tasked with turning to gold... Or so they think.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a fan of second chance romances I was giddy by the premise of this book. From its witty and rapid-fire dialogue to its unrelenting sexual tension this book created a sexually-charged atmosphere that kept me entertained and rooting for these two former best friends to get their HEA.
Lani and Brett were once the best of friends in high school despite their differences. Though they straddled the line of becoming more than friends, the feelings they had for each other clearly went deeper until careless words sent Lani running after graduation. In the years since, Lani's traveled the world and gained fame for her journalistic work. She's back home now though, after the death of her grandmother, and is guilted into staying for another six months by her slightly annoying pregnant sister. Though she sees the coming months as full of boredom it's not long until her path crosses with Brett and the fireworks explode. Paid by his father to improve his reputation through her words has them spending even more time together and has her discovering a different side to him that reminds her of why she fell for him long ago. With so many years of misunderstandings between them though will she be able to put the past behind her to embrace a future full of love? In high school Lani was a bit of a nerd, quiet and unassuming while buried in her books. Her only friends were Brett and his sister who kept her from being bullied and had her seeing Brett as her white knight. A moment of harsh words from him though broke her heart and had her running without a word to him. She's still hurting though and it shows in some of their interactions where her words are biting and she's assuming the worst of him. While I admired Lani for her hard working nature and loyalty to her family I was frustrated by her juvenile attitude in regards to forgiving and forgetting. The issues between her and Brett could've been resolved by talking but she made them much bigger than they were.
Brett's always had a soft spot for Lani as seen by the sweet and subtle acts directed towards her in high school. She was a large part of his family, spending hours at their house, which is why her leaving left an even bigger hole in his heart. In the years since he responded to the loss through womanizing and partying, while hiding the good deeds he was doing as they were for him alone. With Lani back though he'll do everything he can to claim her once and for all and prove himself worthy of her. Brett's attitude at the start was a bit frat boyish with his crass and uncensored talk. He purposely pushed Lani's buttons through his unrelenting sexual banter that had her responding in kind which made for an erotic tug-of-war. Between the lines though were also moments of sweetness, moments where he wore his heart on his sleeve. When readers find out where he vanishes to during the month, we and Lani discover the heart that's been hidden behind the gossip and it endeared him to me. Even in his snarkiness I still found myself drawn to him. Like Lani though I wish he'd talked out their past problems much sooner as it unnecessarily drew the story out.
On a whole I found this a story full of promise and in some ways it succeeded. I enjoyed the sexual tension between Lani and Brett along with their erotically-charged banter. Their verbal foreplay put a smile on my face while making my heart pound in anticipation. Where the story fell a bit flat though is in regards to the little things. Having a grown adult hold a teenage grudge did a disservice to Lani, and the strength she projected, as did the juvenile banter seen between her and her sister. Brett's interactions with his family also felt childish as he should've stuck up for himself in a much louder manner. The secret revolving around "the thing" and his family's part in it was much ado about nothing. It too was built up and then fell flat upon its reveal. Despite these quibbles this was still a good read with a sexy hero who had me drooling at times, steamy encounters with a woman who's his perfect match, and I look forward to Ms. Hart's next book.
Lani and Brett were once the best of friends in high school despite their differences. Though they straddled the line of becoming more than friends, the feelings they had for each other clearly went deeper until careless words sent Lani running after graduation. In the years since, Lani's traveled the world and gained fame for her journalistic work. She's back home now though, after the death of her grandmother, and is guilted into staying for another six months by her slightly annoying pregnant sister. Though she sees the coming months as full of boredom it's not long until her path crosses with Brett and the fireworks explode. Paid by his father to improve his reputation through her words has them spending even more time together and has her discovering a different side to him that reminds her of why she fell for him long ago. With so many years of misunderstandings between them though will she be able to put the past behind her to embrace a future full of love? In high school Lani was a bit of a nerd, quiet and unassuming while buried in her books. Her only friends were Brett and his sister who kept her from being bullied and had her seeing Brett as her white knight. A moment of harsh words from him though broke her heart and had her running without a word to him. She's still hurting though and it shows in some of their interactions where her words are biting and she's assuming the worst of him. While I admired Lani for her hard working nature and loyalty to her family I was frustrated by her juvenile attitude in regards to forgiving and forgetting. The issues between her and Brett could've been resolved by talking but she made them much bigger than they were.
Brett's always had a soft spot for Lani as seen by the sweet and subtle acts directed towards her in high school. She was a large part of his family, spending hours at their house, which is why her leaving left an even bigger hole in his heart. In the years since he responded to the loss through womanizing and partying, while hiding the good deeds he was doing as they were for him alone. With Lani back though he'll do everything he can to claim her once and for all and prove himself worthy of her. Brett's attitude at the start was a bit frat boyish with his crass and uncensored talk. He purposely pushed Lani's buttons through his unrelenting sexual banter that had her responding in kind which made for an erotic tug-of-war. Between the lines though were also moments of sweetness, moments where he wore his heart on his sleeve. When readers find out where he vanishes to during the month, we and Lani discover the heart that's been hidden behind the gossip and it endeared him to me. Even in his snarkiness I still found myself drawn to him. Like Lani though I wish he'd talked out their past problems much sooner as it unnecessarily drew the story out.
On a whole I found this a story full of promise and in some ways it succeeded. I enjoyed the sexual tension between Lani and Brett along with their erotically-charged banter. Their verbal foreplay put a smile on my face while making my heart pound in anticipation. Where the story fell a bit flat though is in regards to the little things. Having a grown adult hold a teenage grudge did a disservice to Lani, and the strength she projected, as did the juvenile banter seen between her and her sister. Brett's interactions with his family also felt childish as he should've stuck up for himself in a much louder manner. The secret revolving around "the thing" and his family's part in it was much ado about nothing. It too was built up and then fell flat upon its reveal. Despite these quibbles this was still a good read with a sexy hero who had me drooling at times, steamy encounters with a woman who's his perfect match, and I look forward to Ms. Hart's next book.
My rating for this is a C+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies - usually wine - and writes books.
Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.
She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.
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