Heat Level – Blaze

Making It Last by Ruthie Knox

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Grade: A+
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Camelot #4
Reviewed by Anne
104 pages
I have always dreamed of reading a story like this! One that looks into a marriage and shows the work and the romance of it. This story brought tears to my eyes and I LOVED it. I hate crying while reading, yet I loved this book. It was so incredibly good and incredibly painful, yet sweet and romantic.

This is the fourth story in the Camelot series, and it’s a continuation of Tony and Amber, whose “how they met” story was told in the first Camelot book, How to Misbehave.  I really enjoyed that one, too, but I don’t think you’d have to read it to appreciate this one.  Making It Last takes place 13 or so years after How to Misbehave.

Tony and Amber have 3 rambunctious boys, a big mortgage, and a general busy-ness that leaves them with very little time alone.  Tony works long, long hours to make ends meet.  Amber has just seen her youngest child off to school and is feeling a little lost.  There are so many things pulling them apart, and they aren’t even sure what’s wrong or how to fix it. That doesn’t sound like much, but it’s gripping.  I was never bored, and even though I knew it had to be an HEA, I found myself wondering how in the world they’d work things out.  Yet when they did – it was believable.

The reality of the story makes it shine.  And then there’s humor that relieves some of the tension and makes me grin through watery eyes.  Amber and Tony are great flirts when they get the chance to finally be alone together!

Ruthie Knox is a rising star. I haven’t read all her books yet, but now I’m determined to! I so appreciate that she wrote a story like this one. It hit so close to home for me. It’s so real, and I’m so grateful I got to read it. It’s going on my best of the year list.

So, how about you?  Do you like reading a romance within an established marriage story?  Do you have any good ones to recommend?

 

Marooned with the Maverick by Christine Rimmer

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne


 Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
219 pages

When the flood waters rise in the small town of Rust Creek Falls, kindergarten teacher Willa is trapped in her car. Collin, a childhood neighbor and troublemaker, rescues her. The pair takes shelter in a barn for the night. Willa quickly comes to realize that everything she thought she knew about Collin was wrong. Collin has always believed that he was no better than his reputation, but Willa insists he’s so much more. He’s someone she wants.

I enjoyed Christine Rimmer’s pacing in this book. While mostly about Willa and Collin battling his opinions of himself, the backdrop if the flood clean-up keeps the story moving at a quick clip. This was the first book I’ve read by Christine Rimmer, but it definitely won’t be my last.

M/M Monday – Never a Hero by Marie Sexton

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Never a Hero (Tucker Springs, #5)

Grade: A-
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, m/m
Series: Tucker Springs #5
Reviewed by Anne
174 pages


What a wonderful book!  I’m really enjoying this whole series.  This book is no exception.  In fact, it’s one of my favorites.

Owen was born with just one full arm.  His mom has always been embarrassed by him and critical of him.  He’s on his own now, and has even overcome (for the most part) the stutter that further shamed him in his mother’s eyes.  (No kidding, this is a real Mommy Dearest!)

When Owen’s neighbor moves out, Nick moves in downstairs.  Owen is surprised by how comfortable Nick is with him.  It turns out that Nick’s sister, June was born with one arm, too.  Together June and Nick help Owen come out of his shell and out from under the damage his mother has done.  Along the way, Owen and Nick start to fall for each other.  There really shouldn’t be any problem, but Nick keeps holding back, and Owen can’t understand why.

This was such a sweet story.  I actually have several notes and highlights up until a twist in the story about half way through the book.  After that I just was reading as fast as I could to figure out how things would work out!

I loved Owen and Nick, but I liked June even more!  She was a bit of a whirlwind.  I have a couple friends like her – they light up the room when they come in and sweep you along with their plans.  She was a great addition to the story.

As I mentioned, there’s a pretty big twist in the story, and mentioning it would be a big spoiler. So I’ll just say, it was believable to me, and the resolution was believable to me, too.

I highly recommend this series.  Every book is a keeper!  Even though there are different authors involved, each story has been wonderful.  I want more!