He left to travel the world for fame and glory, but only after spurning Gabby Ward and crushing her young heart. Now Hunter Markham has come back home to the sand and salty breeze of the North Carolina Outer Banks so he can open up Last Call, a beach bar nestled among the dunes of the Atlantic.

Gabby Ward is not happy that Hunter has returned. Bitter over his rebuff years before, she’s content to stay far away from him and his dangerously charming ways.

Gabby’s well-schemed plans to ignore Hunter go up in flames when he presents an offer to her that she simply can’t refuse, throwing them together in a common quest to each reach their goals. Working together day in and day out proves to be problematic for Gabby, who soon realizes that the feelings she had for him are still very much alive. Hunter struggles to reach through to Gabby’s cold heart, all while starting a new career away from his life as a top ranked, professional surfer.

What starts out as a mutual business arrangement soon turns into a passion that neither of them can continue to deny.

Hard choices lay ahead for both of them when Hunter is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to the pro surfing tour.

Choices that could destroy what they have built or take them further than they ever had dared to hope.

Hot, sweet, tender, hard – On the Rocks was just what I needed right now!

My On the Rocks review:

From the first few words of On the Rocks, I was completely hooked. The romance, just really got to me, and I loved both the main characters and the side characters. Hunter’s name also really spoke to me, because when he decided that he actually wanted Gabby, he was totally on the hunt… Gabby was a very strong female protagonist, a contracter who knew her business, and who was able and funny, both at work and in her private life. Hunter had stopped being a surfing pro when his brother Brody was released from jail after spending five years in prison for killing someone, and transforming a beach bar into a new and flourishing business was important to him, both to have a steady income himself, and to help his brother. When Hunter needed a contractor, Gabby was the best choice, both because she had a good eye and because her bid was cheaper than her competitors.

Of course, because Hunter had spurned Gabby in the past, she was doing her best not to fall for his charms this time around, On the Rocks had quite a bit of her playing hide and seek with her feelings, even if she knew, deep down, that Hunter continued to be the man of her dreams. Their funny banter and sexy innuendo made my heart happy, and my smile bright, and I just couldn’t get enough of them and their friends and family. And their sexual chemistry was completely off the charts, tender, strong and hot all at the same time – I was afraid my kindle needed a fan…

Of course, On the Rocks wouldn’t be a new adult romance if there wasn’t a little bit of drama, and for Hunter and Gabby, that came in the person of Sasha, Hunter’s ex, and Keith, his agent who wanted to make sure Gabby would stay far, far away from him. However, the main characters were very mature and had complete trust in each other, so the hurdles thrown their way were dealt with in a way that was very realistic, even as both of them tried to put the need of the other above their own. The first thing I did when I put down On the Rocks was to pick up the next book in the series, that’s how involved I became with these characters and their story.

Written in first person point of view, and in present tense, the perspectives shift, as we get both Hunter and Gabby showing us what’s happening. There are other characters that are very present as well, plus quite a bit of amazing dialogues. Yeah, I’m still hooked!

Some of my favorite On the Rocks quotes:

Now, it’s a desire that’s fueled by years of wondering, fantasizing, and maybe even a bit of regret. It’s also a flame that has recently been fanned by anger, and let’s face it… there’s nothing hotter than being in the middle of an argument and releasing that emotion through the sexual channels.

I stare at her intently, watching her eyes, which are clouded with lust and longing. Without the power of the kiss driving us, her gaze starts to clear, and I enjoy the myriad of emotion that filters through.

Glancing back at Gabby, I see her eyes lowered to the bar and a secret smile on her face. I love how all of this seemingly affects her.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge
• Bookish Resolutions Challenge 2015

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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