Series: Love Undercover #3
Published by Harlequin on 24 September 2013
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 448
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Buy on Amazon | |
An alpha hero's attraction to the one woman he can't have could draw him into a killer's snare in the sizzling new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster
Charismatic bar owner Rowdy Yates isn't the kind of man women say no to. So when he approaches waitress Avery Mullins, he fully expects to get her number. However, the elusive beauty has her reasons for keeping her distanceincluding a past that might come back to haunt them both.
Avery spends her nights working for tips and trying to forget the secret Rowdy is determined to unearth. But when history threatens to repeat itself, Avery grows to rely on Rowdy's protective presence. As the sparks between them ignite, she will be forced to choose between the security she's finally found and the passion she's always wanted.
*I received a free ARC of Getting Rowdy from Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.*
Getting Rowdy is a sinfully delicious romantic mystery/suspense that I devoured in one day! Avery is a really good female character and Rowdy is smoking hot, kind of a womanizer but so protective of the people he cares about it’s impossible not to love him. At the beginning, I really didn’t think there was going to be much of a future for Avery and Rowdy, because they are so different. For Rowdy, a good night means trying to bed Avery, and when she refuses, he finds a replacement – for one night only. For Avery, a good night means having enough work, and trying not to ogle Rowdy too much while he is flirting with the female patrons of his bar.
Very soon, it is clear to the readers, and to Rowdy as well, that there just may be more to Avery than what meets the eye. When she gets a strange phone call at Getting Rowdy, she acts scared, and even if things are a little bit iffy between them, Rowdy manages to convince her to let him drive her home, and he is stunned to see that she lives in a pretty bad part of town, and that she usually takes the bus to get there. This is also when we all see Rowdy fight for the first time, even if it’s over very fast, and he meets a young guy who is acting as neighbourhood watch.
The cast of characters in Getting Rowdy is really great, and the characters are all more than just card-board, even the characters who only say a few lines seem very real, and it truly is a pleasure to read about them all. I fell in love with both Rowdy and Avery, they are strong for different reasons, and both have pretty thick walls around themselves to avoid ever getting hurt. Only, neither realize that those walls might also keep love at bay, not only hurt. As the story progresses, the sexual tension grows so much it’s possible to touch it – yes, really! – and the way Avery and Rowdy tease each other is so well done. I was smirking and fanning myself at the same time in several places while reading.
Both the relationships and the suspense were expertly done, I could feel how Avery became more afraid, and how she didn’t really want Rowdy to worry about her. At the same time, she was always worrying about him, and didn’t want him to get hurt because of her. Rowdy’s big heart got to me in such a way he’s among my all-time favorite alpha male characters now. The way he was able to deal with a terrified little boy, how he treated his sister, and his relationship with Avery all portrayed a man who would do anything to make sure the people around him were doing well.
If you want to read a romance that is not all about the fluff – but that definitely has some scorching fluff anyway – you need to get your hands on Getting Rowdy! I know the rest of the Love Undercover series has moved way up on my TBR shelf thanks to the writing, the showing, the suspense, the characters and the romance.
She couldn’t play with him without getting burned. She couldn’t indulge him without risking a broken heart.
He studied her, his attention far too intuitive. “You know I have a younger sister.” And that explained his need to fight? On day, Avery would love to meet Pepper.
He stepped out, and there she stood beside the turned-down bed, her hair freshly brushed, her clothes gone in place of his soft cotton T-shirt. He’d known it would swim on her, but he hadn’t counted on the enticing way it draped over her every curve, or how the wide neck exposed one shoulder. Or how possessive he felt seeing her in it.
“Okay.” She pressed back. “I need to wash up anyway.” “Make yourself at home.” The words left his mouth, and he froze. Jesus, he couldn’t believe he’d just said that, or that he really wanted her to be at ease. Her mouth twitched. “You look like that hurt more than the knife wound.”
Instead of using that as an excuse to become a creep himself, he’d gone the opposite direction and was a true hero, a remarkable, caring man.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
Sounds like a good one! Might have to add it to the TBR pile. 🙂
Oh man, Stormi, you definitely should! It’s pretty good, and I just had to buy the two prior books in the series too.
Twitter: talksupeblog
I love romantic suspense and this author and this series comes highly recommended.
Braine, if you haven’t tried this series yet, I strongly recommend it to you as well 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
If Rowdy is now one of your all-time favorite alpha males, I MUST meet him! 😉 I really like the sound of Getting Rowdy, Lexxie. You know I haven’t read a lot of romantic suspense, but I DO like the genre. I’m thinking I’m going to have to give this series a go. Smirking and fanning yourself, at the same time?!? LOL Avery seems like the kind of heroine I like and I love that you said Rowdy has a big heart. AND that the secondary characters are nicely developed is a bonus. Yep, adding Rowdy to my TBR. Thanks for sharing a great review, Lexxie!
Miss you! *hugs*
Yes, can you imagine? I truly was both smirking and feeling pretty hot at the same time, too! Romantic suspense is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres, and I think you’ll really enjoy this one, Brandee.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Awesome review Lexxie!! Rowdy is just amazing, isn’t he?? I really enjoyed his story, he is just a great guy… sigh… And I agree, it’s not all about the fluff… but the fluff is scorching! lol
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Yes, Naomi, Rowdy is awesome. And I really need to get to know the other characters from this series. LOL scorching fluff is my favorite kind.
Thanks for stopping by Naomi 🙂
WOW! Rowdy’s a real macho man. Womanizer but his true nature is being compassionate. That’s really awesome. Like he’s the bad boy who is already redeemed because of the other side of his personality.
Although stories like these are already cliche nowadays, I still think that I have to give this a go. Based on your review, the plot was executed well. I understand that the romance and the suspense are all in the exact amount and never overshadowing the other, right?
And yay to the other characters! What a perfect book this is. Perfect romance, perfect suspense, perfect characters. Going to include this book in my Want to Read list now.
It has a 4.22 rating in GR. 😀
Thanks for the great review, Lexxie!
Yes, he is both a womanizer and a compassionate man at the same time – and he’s afraid of commitment!! But he is really great 🙂
The plot is really well done, and yes, the romance and the suspense are quite equal, which made the story very interesting! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, Charlotte 😀
Thanks for stopping by.