{ARC Review} On The Rocks by Sawyer Bennett
Labels:
5 Stars,
ARC,
Book Review,
Contemporary Romance,
New Adult,
Sawyer Bennett
·
Title: On The Rocks
Series: Last Call #1
Author: Sawyer Bennett
Published: 17th Feb 2014
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: eARC provided by author for fair & honest review
Rating: 4.5/5
BLURB:
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.
A Fun & Flirty Beach Romance!
REVIEW:
The story:
Gabby and Hunter have know each other since they where kids with Gabby being best friends with his little sister Casey. Gabby harboured a major crush on Hunter for years, and who wouldn't have one on the hot surfer boy?! But it's not until the night of her graduation that she plucks up the courage to make a move on him. At first it's just like she's always dreamed - the perfect passion filled kiss, but then is all spirals out on control, as Hunter pushes her away saying it was a mistake and breaking her tender young heart in the process.
Five years later, they've both moved forward in their lives; Hunter becoming a world famous surfer and Gabby taking over the construction business after her father's passing. But Gabby's heart never fully recovered and neither did their childhood friendship. Now with Hunter moving back to town, Gabby can no longer just ignore him, especially when she gets the contract to work on the new extensions to Hunter's bar. They both agree to put the past behind them, but that's easier said then done. The sexual tension between them is stronger than ever, and spending so much time together just makes it all the more powerful. It's only a matter of time before they surrender to overwhelming attraction.
The characters:
I absolutely LOVED Gabby! She's a confident, and headstrong woman who is trying to make it in a man's world. She's struggled to gain respect with her construction business, purely because of her gender, but she doesn't let it get her down, instead using it as motivation to work harder to prove her worth. Despite her resilient personality, she does have a softer side, making her a complex and relatable character.
Hunter is a very compassionate and selfless man. He leaves his amazing surfing career behind to come back and watch over his brother after getting out of jail, and does everything in his power to help him rejoin the world outside of his cell. He's such a loyal guy and is committed to being there for all of his family and friends. I also loved the cheeky streak that comes out around Gabby, he likes teasing her is a flirty way, which was fun to read.
Brody, Hunter's twin brother is a very mysterious man. He's been in jail for the past 5 years and now that he's out, he's struggling to adjust to the world around him. He's tormented by his time in jail and I can't wait to see he's character develop further in his book, Make It A Double.
The romance:
I love a good Best-Friend's-Older-Brother romance, plus we also have the whole 2nd chance at a childhood crush thing going on, making this an awesomely angst filled romance. Hunter had always tried to deny his feelings, and now it's Gabby who's trying to fool herself that they're just friends. The connection between them is something that hasn't faded despite the time and distance, if anything it's stronger. And there are some seriously yummy scenes between these two, in the office, the pool table, the beach…yes Sawyer sure knows how to be creative in the sexy department!
The writing:
Sawyer's writing is always very emotive, you feel everything the characters are going through and can really identify with them. She uses the dual POV effectively, giving each character a unique voice. I also applaud Sawyer for always including and epilogue! They are so important in giving the reader closure to the story and by having this one told from Brody's POV is not only gives us a new perspective on Hunter & Gabby's relationship, but it also leads us into Brody's story perfectly!
FINAL WORD:
This was a perfect start to an exciting new series by Sawyer. The beach setting made for a vibrant and refreshing backdrop for this fun and flirty romance!
CONTENT:
Sexuality: medium-strong / several descriptive sex scenes
Violence: mild
Language: medium / frequent f words
Drugs & alcohol: medium / story set in bar
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So many people are loving this book and that makes me excited. I really love the sound of it and Hunter just sounds yumm! Great review!
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
Hunter is VERY yummy indeed ;)
DeleteGabby sounds great, I love strong MCs!
ReplyDeletep.s Now following you via GFC & Bloglovin' :)
Me too, a strong MC always makes a story so much more enjoyable! Thanks so much for following, following you back :)
DeleteI sadly have not read anything by her yet, but her books look very endearing and enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteI need to read this story! It sounds amazing! I love the best friend with the little sister & second chance at love tropes! I love a headstrong, independent female that demands respect, and can tell that I would love Gabby! Hunter sounds like such a sexy character! I love that he is a loyal, and caring man, and imagine that his teasing Gabby, adds a fun quality to the story. Those yummy scenes have me anxious to read this one asap! Excellent Review Amy!!!
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
Innteresting thoughts
ReplyDelete