A hot firefighter who just wants to take care of her and her little boy? Sign her up.
Moving in with him and his little girl who already has a huge chunk of her heart? Very nice.
Roommates with benefits? Yes, please.
Convincing this take-charge alpha to let her take care of him too? That’s not going to be as easy.
EXCERPT:
Lexi could feel Caleb’s breath on her lips, and his bunched muscles under her palm were hot and hard. She stared at his mouth. He stared at hers. And she decided that if he wasn’t going to look at her breasts, looking at her mouth like he was starving and she was a grilled BLT—his favorite food in the world—was just fine with her.
Being compared, even in her own head, to a grilled BLT might not seem sexy, but in her mind, it so was. Caleb devoured those sandwiches. He’d do almost anything for one. He made sexy moaning sounds when he first tasted them. And he’d proclaimed that hers were the best he’d ever tasted. Yeah, put that way, along with the schnapps still coating her brain, it was strangely sexy.
“Caleb.”
She watched his pupils dilate and his jaw clench.
Her hand went to the front of his shirt and she bunched it in her fists, watching his eyes. He didn’t try to stop her. Then she tugged, urging him forward.
And he came, the hand next to her hip pressing into the mattress as she tipped her head to one side. Their lips touched. Softly. Briefly. But she felt it all the way to her bones. Heat, want, relief. She suddenly had to have more. She made a little almost-a-sob sound and licked her tongue along his lower lip.
“Lex.”
Her name was more of a groan than a word. It was the sexiest thing she’d ever heard.
“Caleb,”she breathed.
Then the next groan became the sexiest thing she’d ever heard. It was a combination of hunger and resignation, and she felt like he’d just set her nerve endings on fire.
Suddenly, Caleb’s hand came up to cup the back of her head, his fingers diving into her hair. And he took over.
His mouth opened over hers and his tongue stroked deep and hot. Every glide of his tongue felt as though he was running a finger over her clit. Some were firmer, some softer, some longer, some shorter, and her need ratcheted up with each one.
She ran her hands over his chest to his shoulders and up the sides of his neck, loving the hard muscles and the heat under her palms. Then she slid her hands down his sides to the bottom of his shirt. She slipped her hands underneath, moaning as she met hot, bare skin. He sucked in a quick breath and she smiled against his lips, loving having an effect on him.
And suddenly she was on her back and Caleb was moving over her. Her hands slid to his back, the muscles there bunching as he braced himself above her, still kissing her like it was his job. Instinctively, she slid her legs apart and he settled between them. The comforter was between them, but she felt him hard and hot and deliciously heavy against her. The feel of his cock pressed against her made her ache. She’d done that to him. She’d made him hard.
Hallelujah.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
The immensely likable characters inhabiting Ms. Nicholas’s Boys of the Big Easy series are back in another charming and sensual read. This time around friends become lovers in a romance that goes from easy and comfortable to become something more meaningful as their true feelings come out. By the turn of the final page readers will be left charmed and greatly anticipating a return visit to this unforgettable group of people.
Caleb Moreau is the cool, calm, and collected Lieutenant Chief with the fire department. He’s used to taking charge and giving orders, quick to protect those he sees as needing help. Sexy and single he’s finally getting the hang of being a single parent after getting custody of his young niece with the death of her parents. The changes to his life have gone much smoother thanks to a young woman he met in a single parent support group, a woman he’s growing closer to despite the fight he’s having with his heart and mind. Lexi makes everything better, seamlessly in his life and making his house a home while he carries on as any other red-blooded man. They’re a dynamic duo though, co-parenting to make a nice life for both their kids while balancing time for themselves. It’s a relationship that’s easy...almost too easy as it becomes clear that Caleb’s been taking Lexi for granted. She’s become so integral to his life that he can’t picture her not being there, which is why the attention she receives from other men awakens his jealous side and has him finally acting on his long-simmering feelings. As they go from roommates to lovers the sensuality intensifies and readers discover another side to Lexi that leads to some blush-worthy interludes. Through it all Caleb’s an immensely appealing hero, clearly an alpha but with a kind heart too. He’s sexy, yet endearing as he starts to accept his feelings and his failings when it comes to how he’s treated Lexi all along. His interactions with his niece and Lexi’s son were endearing too and made me like him even more in a romance that built slowly through heartfelt words and deeds.
Since the day Lexi Scott was born it was always just her and her mom, making ends meet all on their own. When her son was born Lexi was still able to count on her mother to help her make a life for her son. Meeting Caleb gave her someone else she could count on and her appreciation for all he does for her and her mom had them forming a well-balanced connection based on parenting. It’s a relationship that’s easy on many levels, but when her mother moves away Lexi finds herself becoming Caleb’s new roommate. Suddenly things take on a more complex turn as hidden feelings come rushing to the forefront, desires that can no longer be kept hidden lead to scorching encounters that bind them together even tighter. Moments of introspection and quiet talks help them learn more about each other which fuels their scorching encounters as they become a more real family. Lexi’s a very likable heroine, a bit young-acting at times, but hard working and genuine. She seamlessly fits in with Caleb and Shay, just as he’s easily found a place in her son Jack’s life, and it’s a charming family in the making. Lexi’s a truly nice person who finds joy in making others happy. When she looks at Caleb she knows he’s someone she can count on and she wants nothing more than to make life comfortable for him. Her adoration and attraction, an attraction that she finally sets free as this story progresses, has her sometimes letting him take advantage of her niceness but it finally leads to empowerment. A heroine seen as sweet and naive soon unleashes a naughty side that only Caleb could satisfy in scenes that were erotically-charged and showed that Lexi too could be commanding. On a whole they’re a delightful couple with a heartwarming journey to HEA that I felt privileged to witness.
Ms. Nicholas has once again crafted a story that beautifully balances eroticism with sweetness and charm. Caleb and Lexi are relatable and likable all on their own, but together they’re a formidable pairing with a crackling connection. Caleb’s strong-willed and protective and it’s clear how much he needs Lexi in his life which makes their relationship of friends to roommates to lovers so believable. Lexi has a big heart and a sweet nature which made her emerging sex kitten side all the more entertaining in a journey to HEA that held me captive. Surrounding this likable main couple were their children, mini adults that brought a smile to my face. I normally don’t care for kids in my romances but Shay and Jack utterly charmed me with their words and deeds. There’s plenty of other characters inhabiting this tale that made the story even richer. Friends and family, some we’ve seen previously and some just leaving their mark here, provided playful and heartwarming moments throughout the story to make me even more invested in this couple’s HEA. Readers will find this an immensely satisfying story, full of likable characters, that’s a perfect balance of sweet and sexy which will leave you clamoring for more from this well-crafted series.
Caleb Moreau is the cool, calm, and collected Lieutenant Chief with the fire department. He’s used to taking charge and giving orders, quick to protect those he sees as needing help. Sexy and single he’s finally getting the hang of being a single parent after getting custody of his young niece with the death of her parents. The changes to his life have gone much smoother thanks to a young woman he met in a single parent support group, a woman he’s growing closer to despite the fight he’s having with his heart and mind. Lexi makes everything better, seamlessly in his life and making his house a home while he carries on as any other red-blooded man. They’re a dynamic duo though, co-parenting to make a nice life for both their kids while balancing time for themselves. It’s a relationship that’s easy...almost too easy as it becomes clear that Caleb’s been taking Lexi for granted. She’s become so integral to his life that he can’t picture her not being there, which is why the attention she receives from other men awakens his jealous side and has him finally acting on his long-simmering feelings. As they go from roommates to lovers the sensuality intensifies and readers discover another side to Lexi that leads to some blush-worthy interludes. Through it all Caleb’s an immensely appealing hero, clearly an alpha but with a kind heart too. He’s sexy, yet endearing as he starts to accept his feelings and his failings when it comes to how he’s treated Lexi all along. His interactions with his niece and Lexi’s son were endearing too and made me like him even more in a romance that built slowly through heartfelt words and deeds.
Since the day Lexi Scott was born it was always just her and her mom, making ends meet all on their own. When her son was born Lexi was still able to count on her mother to help her make a life for her son. Meeting Caleb gave her someone else she could count on and her appreciation for all he does for her and her mom had them forming a well-balanced connection based on parenting. It’s a relationship that’s easy on many levels, but when her mother moves away Lexi finds herself becoming Caleb’s new roommate. Suddenly things take on a more complex turn as hidden feelings come rushing to the forefront, desires that can no longer be kept hidden lead to scorching encounters that bind them together even tighter. Moments of introspection and quiet talks help them learn more about each other which fuels their scorching encounters as they become a more real family. Lexi’s a very likable heroine, a bit young-acting at times, but hard working and genuine. She seamlessly fits in with Caleb and Shay, just as he’s easily found a place in her son Jack’s life, and it’s a charming family in the making. Lexi’s a truly nice person who finds joy in making others happy. When she looks at Caleb she knows he’s someone she can count on and she wants nothing more than to make life comfortable for him. Her adoration and attraction, an attraction that she finally sets free as this story progresses, has her sometimes letting him take advantage of her niceness but it finally leads to empowerment. A heroine seen as sweet and naive soon unleashes a naughty side that only Caleb could satisfy in scenes that were erotically-charged and showed that Lexi too could be commanding. On a whole they’re a delightful couple with a heartwarming journey to HEA that I felt privileged to witness.
Ms. Nicholas has once again crafted a story that beautifully balances eroticism with sweetness and charm. Caleb and Lexi are relatable and likable all on their own, but together they’re a formidable pairing with a crackling connection. Caleb’s strong-willed and protective and it’s clear how much he needs Lexi in his life which makes their relationship of friends to roommates to lovers so believable. Lexi has a big heart and a sweet nature which made her emerging sex kitten side all the more entertaining in a journey to HEA that held me captive. Surrounding this likable main couple were their children, mini adults that brought a smile to my face. I normally don’t care for kids in my romances but Shay and Jack utterly charmed me with their words and deeds. There’s plenty of other characters inhabiting this tale that made the story even richer. Friends and family, some we’ve seen previously and some just leaving their mark here, provided playful and heartwarming moments throughout the story to make me even more invested in this couple’s HEA. Readers will find this an immensely satisfying story, full of likable characters, that’s a perfect balance of sweet and sexy which will leave you clamoring for more from this well-crafted series.
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
***READ THE FIRST INSTALLMENT IN THE BOYS OF THE BIG EASY SERIES, EASY GOING, FOR FREE AT: AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (INT) | iBOOKS | BN | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY***
AUTHOR INFO:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).
I'm glad the characters on the book are so great.
ReplyDeleteNice review
Ruth @Reading...Dreaming
TY for stopping by and taking time to read my review. It was a very enjoyable read that I definitely recommend! Have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteThe Scarf Princess