Release Blitz - IN PURSUIT by Olivia Luck

IN PURSUIT

by Olivia Luck

Publication date: February 11th 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Eddie Neff needs space. Not the type that country stars croon about, but physical distance from her emotionally distant father and the tatters of a broken relationship. So when the opportunity to relocate her life and interior design business arises, the answer comes easily.

Adjusting to life with Claire, her gregarious new roommate, is more than simply testing comfort limits. With just one meeting, Eddie finds herself unable to resist the draw of Harris Grant, Claire’s brooding and overprotective older brother.

Harris doesn’t fit her idea of a safe relationship. He pushes Eddie to face her deepest insecurities and fears of abandonment. And Harris holds on to his own painful loss, unable to overcome personal demons.

Eddie and Harris must learn to conquer their internal struggles. But as they navigate their new love, outside forces fight to drive them apart.

IN PURSUIT

by Olivia Luck

ARC review

Published: February 11, 2014

My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️

Interior designer, Eddie Neff is excited to start a new chapter in her life when she arrives in Chicago, ready to meet her new roommate and find new clients. Her new digs in Claire's apartment are above and beyond expectations, as is Claire herself, vivacious and rather intimidating. After life with her solemn and disengaged father, Claire's lack of boundaries would take some getting used to.

It isn't long before Eddie comes face to face with Claire's older brother Harris and although the circumstances were not the best, he made quite the impression on her. Moody and irritated with his sister's antics most of the time, Harris may look like every woman's dream, but he sure didn't behave like it. It doesn't stop Eddie's body from responding to his proximity every time he comes around. 

But Harris isn't immune to Eddie's looks or her alluring innocence and although his inflated sense of responsibility for his sister should keep him at a distance, he can't stay away from her. Finally giving in he carefully explores the sadness he has sensed around her and finds her opening up to him, both emotionally and physically. But when Eddie probes a little too close to his own demons, he can't help but shut her down.

And before they have a chance to find some solid footing, both become even more unsettled when family decides to meddle.....

****

I was warned it was a cliffhanger!!!! And now you are too! 

There is going to be a second book in conclusion, aptly named: OF HAPPINESS, and I for one, will be frothing at the mouth until I can get my grubby hands on it...... BECAUSE there are some characters in this book who need their butts kicked!!!

Oh yeah..... nasty meddling so and so's..... you'll see!

I'm very impressed with a few things in particular about this book...... although it is not a suspense novel, there is a sense of 'foreboding' that Olivia Luck has been able to build into the relationship between Eddie and her roommate that was tangible from the start. Funny thing is, in the beginning, I thought I was imagining something, but as it turns out my sense was correct........something was off. Reading back, there was nothing specific that was said, or done.......just an atmosphere that Olivia was able to set up, that created a tension that was actually palpable. 

And there were more moments like that in the book, where without using elaborate explanations or description, the author could set a tone or convey an emotion quite clearly. How? I'm not quite sure, I just know it surprised and impressed me.

I like Eddie. She may appear innocent, but she is not stupid. I like how she responds when she finds herself in an awkward situation. She makes rational decisions.....uses common sense, and above all, thinks of her own emotional well being first. She needs to, if no one else will. Yay for Eddie!

Harris is a good man, with massive baggage and some effed  up family dynamics. I know we want him to step up and be the knight in shining armour, but reality dictates that sometimes people take a while before they can wriggle themselves out of a set pattern into an appropriate response.

Interesting storyline with family dynamics (or should I say dysfunction) being the dark horse in this tale. A smooth reading experience, an interesting and diverse cast of characters and a bit of piquante heat for the willing taste buds!! 

But I still prefer a complete story!!!! ;)

✨An insightful, provocative and slightly disturbing division of alliances ✨

**ARC provided in return for an honest review.**

The next week begins uneventfully. Claire and I go about our normal work routines, and things are peaceful. I know that this won’t be a long term living situation for me, but this existence works for the time being. Of course, the absence of Harris probably has made her more relaxed. I haven’t seen or heard from him since Saturday evening. Now, Wednesday night, I’m antsy for another encounter. Sarah’s right, I need to get his number and make things happen.I’m working on dinner when the front door opens and closes more softly than usual. I’m in the middle of singing to myself, On my Own from Les Miserables, when he starts making his way into the condo. I do not hide my voice from him, instead I work through the words of the song, emoting the loneliness held in the lyrics.Before I see him, I feel him. The way my heart starts galloping in my chest, the knife becoming slippery in my damp palm. My skin starts to tingle, still humming in appreciation from his earlier touches. I sing softly to myself, the words slipping out. I don’t feel the usual rush of shyness. He should see this side of me.When our eyes connect as he enters the kitchen, I know he’s feeling something, too, by the way that his eyes soften at the sight of me and his lips flicker upward for a half second. I cut the song short, ending before the singer professes her love.Neither of us speaks as he crosses the galley kitchen. I avert my eyes back to the task in front of me as he moves behind me. He places one palm on either side of countertop, caging me in.I concentrate on my breathing, but it doesn’t help the racing of my heart or the butterflies of excitement fluttering in my stomach. We’re not physically touching, but every pore of my body hums with energy.“Do you feel that?” he asks huskily.“Yes,” I breathe.His cheek brushes against my hair in an achingly tender gesture.“Good.”His arms drop and he puts distance between us, his features oddly calm.
Wow.

Olivia Luck lives in the middle of America with her loving husband and her obsession with writing. She wrote her first romance novel at age eight. When she’s not reading, editing, or writing, you can find her in the kitchen learning to cook. Olivia loves to travel and spend time with her family.