(The Hurley Boys #1)
by Lauren Dane
ARC Review
Release: August 26th, 2014, Harlequin HQN
My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️
A librarian in the small town of Hood River, Natalie Clayton's world is very nearly perfect. After a turbulent childhood and her once-wild ways, life is now under control. But trouble has a way of turning up unexpectedly—especially in the tall, charismatically sexy form of Paddy Hurley….
And Paddy is the kind of trouble that Natalie has a taste for.
Even after years of the rock and roll lifestyle, Paddy never forgot the two wickedly hot weeks he once shared with Natalie. Now he wants more… even if it means tempting Natalie and her iron-grip control. But there's a fine line between well-behaved and misbehaved—and the only compromise is between the sheets!
*****
A slightly different approach to your run of the mill romance story … And I liked it!
Lauren Dane doesn't necessarily focus on the development of the romantic connection in this novel. Instead, the bulk of the story circles around the so-called 'happily ever after'; the part of the story that often falls between the final chapter and the epilogue of a book. The period of adjustment needed in every relationship to see if the feelings, the good intentions and the chemistry are going to be enough to make it translate into a workable reality.
Both main characters come with baggage. Something that never came up in their brief fling twelve years prior or either of them had a desire to reveal at the time. But this time around, both are older, a bit more colored through experience and although the chemistry still burns hot and wild, their lives have long since found a more balanced groove.
Because of his profession and the lifestyle associated with it, Natalie is at first reluctant to reacquaint herself with Paddy. But when he spends a lot of time and energy showing her that just like her, he is not necessarily the same wildly irresponsible individual she once knew, she finally concedes.
Their relationship slowly moves from a somewhat casual affair into a more substantial connection. With Paddy the driving force and Natalie with her foot always slightly on the brakes. A big issue they find themselves circling around turns out to be one and the same; The one thing Paddy is constantly looking for is the same thing Natalie has trouble giving.
There is no real high arc in this novel, although toward the last quarter of the book there is a certain build up. It doesn't seem to suit the story either, and so it doesn't feel missed. However, if you like to sit at the edge of your seat in anticipation, this may not be the book for you. It is overall rather mellow. I quite enjoyed it.
Lauren's writing is of a consistent high quality and THE BEST KIND OF TROUBLE is no disappointment in that regard. It is the first of a new series about a group of brothers who form a well-known rockband and each story will feature 'one of the boys'.
Although this is a standalone novel, you might recognize some names, if you've read any of Lauren's work before, and you will likely see this cast of characters again. For sure in the next Hurley Boys' novel!
✨A heady blend of controlled and carnal....✨
**Copy provided in return for an honest review**
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