Review: Boiling Point by Tessa Bailey and Emergency Engagement by Samanthe Beck

Boiling Point by Tessa Bailey

Book Three of the Crossing the Line series

Publisher: Entangled: Select

Publication Date: January 25, 2016

Rating: 3 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

Falling for a con man is the most dangerous game of all…

Con artist Austin Shaw’s been in disguise so long he’s not sure where his fake identities end and he begins. Now that he’s been strong-armed into working for a specialized undercover unit working with the Chicago police—criminals with unique “skills”—the last thing he needs is to risk his iron control. Especially when it comes to a certain stunningly sexy hacker who tempts him with every look of disdain.

Polly Banks will never, ever trust a con man. On the trail of a ruthless crook who destroyed the only family she’s ever known, Polly is unnerved by the shadow who follows her every move. The one who makes her pulse pound and breath short with lust. Austin. He’s infuriating, enigmatic, and pure sex appeal, and she’s determined to resist him.

But an untrustworthy man of disguise can become anyone he wants…including a man that Polly must trust if she’s to escape their dangerous game alive.

What I Liked:

I've had a lot of success with Bailey's books, and this one wasn't a disappointment, despite the three-star rating. There were little things that bothered me, and overall, the book felt like a three-star novel to me. I've not read any of the books in this series, but I think I would be interested in reading the next book (the male protagonist is newly introduced in this novel, and he is intriguing!).

Austin Shaw is one of the best con artists in the business. He can slip from one identity to another, trying to forget who he is and where he came from. He's been working with a crew of fellow criminals, including Polly Banks, who has haunted his dreams and consciousness for six months. Polly has been attracted to Austin - and vice versa - since day one, but she knows better than to tangle with the likes of him. She has an ulterior motive, but Austin seems to figure out her plans faster than she can make them. One steamy encounter leads to more... but can she trust him to help her?

I liked Polly, which surprised me just a bit because I've been struggling with female protagonists in romance novels recently - especially the ones who are trying to run from the male protagonist. Polly is tough as nails and somewhat commanding, but she's also a little uncertain and vulnerable. I like both of her sides, and I like seeing her expose her whole self to Austin.

I liked Austin just as much or more than I liked Polly. He's a complicated man, and a clever, intelligent one, at that. He's more than an attractive, mysterious Brit - he's scarred where none can see, and he is very emotionally detached. He thinks Polly is too good for him and hates himself for wanting her so much, but he never stops wanting her.

The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Bailey always writes REALLY hot books, but this one is probably one of her hotter ones. Austin gives all the reins to Polly, which is new for her. She's never been the "dominant" one before, but Austin gives her that control. I'm not really a fan of books in which the male is more submissive, but I commend Bailey for writing the chemistry and sexual tension (and sex) as well as she did, given the huge reversal of roles.

Did I mention this book was all kinds of hot? Mmm.

This book had a great ending, which surprised me just a little, because this is a suspense-ish novel. I expected there to be some high stakes and heartbreaking points, but this book was low on the drama. I liked this! And the ending was really great. I loved seeing the changes in both Polly and Austin, to make the ending lovely. 

What I Did Not Like:

My biggest thing was how much this book dragged, initially. It took me a while to really dig in. The hook came when the sexual tension practically exploded, which is fine, but it made me a little sad because I wanted the suspense part of the story to hook me too!

My other thing was that I'm not into books with the male being the submissive one. This is more of a preference thing! Austin isn't a "practicing" sub - like, he doesn't walk into this story a sub. He's every inch a dominant, alpha male, but he hands over the reins to Polly because he sees that it's something she wants. And he ends up liking it - but it's more that he wants her to punish him. I'm not into that sort of thing. I think Austin could have been so much hotter of a character if his alpha-male nature could have run free. Towards the three-quarters point of the book, Polly gives back the control. But I wish Austin had it from the start!

The story dragged in the very beginning, and then it hit some other boring-ish points in the middle of the book too. I LOVED the hotter parts of this story, but the suspense/crime part didn't really hook me, sadly.

Would I Recommend It:

I'm a huge Tessa Bailey fan and I would recommend this book if you're a Bailey fan as well. It's a really hot romance novel, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're not into male subs. I loved how Polly was assertive, but I wanted Austin to be the alpha male beast that he so clearly was. 

Rating:

3 stars. Definitely a good romance novel, a hot one, but maybe not one entirely for me. Still, I want to read Henrik's book, which is next!

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Emergency Engagement by Samanthe Beck

Book One of the Love Emergency series

Publisher: Entangled: Brazen

Publication Date: February 15, 2016

Rating: 3 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

He needs the kind of rescue only she can provide…

Glass artist Savannah Smith expected a marriage proposal for Thanksgiving—just not from her strong, silent, super-hot neighbor. But when misplaced mail and a wayward can of paint lands them in a compromising position right as her family arrives for dinner, they assume he’s “The One” she’s been talking about.

Then his family shows up.

Fate dealt a crippling blow to paramedic Beau Montgomery’s heart, and he isn’t about to put it at risk again. Except, with his mother crying tears of joy over his surprise engagement to the sexy little blonde next door, he can’t bring himself to ruin her “Christmas miracle.”

Somewhere between the paint can to the head and the chaotic family trip to the ER, Beau manages to talk Savannah into being his fake fiancée long enough to survive the holidays.

If, of course, they don’t fall in love first…

What I Liked:

I think this book lacked the Beck flair! There was something missing - a lot of things - and I kept waiting for the sparks that usually fill Beck's books. I LOVED her latest Brazen novel, Compromising Her Position, but I wasn't as taken with this new book. It was good, but not amazing, though I would recommend it to Beck and Brazen fans.

Savannah was expecting a proposal from her boyfriend of six months, as something to celebrate over Thanksgiving with her family. But instead, they break up. But her sexy neighbor shows up with her mail, and then her family shows up, and everyone thinks she and Beau are engaged. Beau isn't trying to be with anyone, let alone engaged, but his parents are in tears over the "engagement". They have wanted to see him happy for so long, so he and Savannah keep up the charade, and they plan to "break up" at New Year's. But what happens when they want the charade to become reality...

First, let me say that this book is hilarious. The tone of this book is so well-written, and downright hilarious. There is Southern charm woven into the book, and some great humor.

Oh Beau. Beau had my heart from the start. I've never read about a male protagonist in a romance novel with his past. I'm usually one to rolls my eyes at the overused "tragic past" trope, but THIS tragic past is something I'd yet to see in a romance novel. My heart broke for him so many times in this novel! The man has shut down emotionally for three years, and his parents have worried about him. Hence why they're super happy to find out that - surprise! - he's engaged. Beau is so rigid and strict and uptight, and the hot glass artist next door seems to be what he needs.

And something else that endeared Beau to me - he isn't one of the dirty-talking Brazen heroes that we're used to. He's an extremely straight-laced paramedic, noble and selfless and your modern day knight slaying dragons. I LOVED this change of pace! I want a Beau in my life. *winks*

Savannah is a vibrant, bubbly person, and she is exactly what Beau needed. She is caring and loyal and takes care of Beau, even if he thought he didn't need someone to take care of him. I also love her unique occupation! Glass-blowing isn't typically something you hear about in any novel. 

There is a lot of chemistry between these two, but this is definitely one of Beck's more tame novels. This was a bit disappointing (more on this below), but the scenes that were present were pretty hot. Still, they lacked Beck's usual steaminess.

I won't say too much on the story itself because it heavily involves Beau's past, which I don't want to spoil, but I will say that the ending was happy. I wanted something of an epilogue, but I suppose we'll get cameos from this pair in the next novel (hopefully!).

What I Did Not Like:

The biggest thing for me was the serious lack of heat in this book. There was like, two sex scenes? Come on, that isn't nearly enough for a Brazen novel, and certainly not a Samanthe Beck novel. The first one was pretty steamy but the rest were kind of mediocre.

Can I just say how annoyed I got, with Savannah's parents and Beau's parents? Believe me, I totally understand wanting to please your parents and make them happy. But there is a line! Beau and Savannah go too far in this lie, and let their parents go way to crazy with wedding planning and shopping for wedding dresses, etc. It kind of drove me CRAZY! You wouldn't spend a bazillion dollars on a wedding when you know you engagement is fake, right? 

I did not like The Big Twist at the climax. It felt like a cop-out, especially given Beau's past and how it relates to The Big Twist. I didn't like how The Big Twist kind of forces Beau and Savannah together. It didn't make the happy ending feel as nicely happy - it made it feel a little rushed and forced. I can't say too much without spoiling The Big Twist, but trust me, the ending didn't feel authentic. 

I also didn't like how Beau was the one who had to throw in all the effort, and Savannah does nothing... after all the groveling the man did, he literally changes certain things for her too, and she's just over there not even apologizing for being somewhat selfish?! Not okay.

Something was missing in this book. I usually love Beck's novels, but this one wasn't all there.

Would I Recommend It:

You know, despite me giving this book three stars, I'd probably still recommend it. It's a decently good romance novel, and it was never boring to me. But being the Beck fan that I am, I expected more, and better, I suppose. Especially in the heat department! But also in terms of the ending. While it is happy, I didn't like how it came about.

Rating:

2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars. Mostly because I had little trouble reading this book - it was the ending that really made me irritated. It sucks to leave a book with that kind of feeling, especially when the ending in general is a happy one. But still, this book wasn't all bad, and I'll probably look into reading the sequel(s) to this one.

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