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ruth_beckingham's review against another edition
3.0
This might possibly be the slowest I’ve read a TB book. Wasn’t feeling it tbh. Chemistry was a bit lacking and I found Austin quite cringeworthy with the things he’d say
jackie_of_all_books's review against another edition
4.0
Austin(servant) and Polly (mistress) she smells like lemonade.
We know Austin is the con artist and Polly is the hacker. He’s been following her to this bar in disguise and wants to claim her as his. And we know he was brought to Chicago by Gemma and we also know Polly is frequenting these bars for Charles Reitman. A slim man comes in she believes to be an associate with Charles and she leaves with him and Austin knows it is Darren Burnbaum. We know the reason that Polly is after Charles is he took all the money from her fathers and left them bankrupt and struggling and now she wants to take him down. Austin follows them to a diner and when Darren goes into the bathroom, Austin smacks him with the door and then calls Erin and asks her to fake a fire. When Polly gets the call she knows it’s fake but when she sees her date on the bathroom floor she decides it’s for the best that she leave. They have a meeting with their team and there’s a newcomer there, everyone is judging him when captain Derek Tyler shows up and announces him as Henrik and that he was a good homicide cop who made some bad choices and this is how he’s staying out of trouble and Erin welcomes him into the family. Polly’s back at a different bar she’s seen Charlie’s card used at when a Russian man is insisting that she dance with him. She decides it might make her less suspicious so she dances and the last time she remembers having this attraction was to Austin, she knows she shouldn’t be tempted by him, he’s a con man like who screwed her family. But she hasn’t had sex in over a year and when he pins her against the wall she feels it. Her and the Russian man end up in the corner and she’s touching him but Austin loses his cool around her and loses his Russian accent and she realizes it’s Austin. But what she doesn’t know is Austin knows charlie and that he’s dangerous and can’t be around Polly. He can’t quit protecting her. And she finds the tea packet in his pocket from this morning he had tried to lure her with. And he carried her home because he had drugged her. The next morning Erin finds Polly at dennys and tells her she knows it was Austin who brought her home even in disguise because of the way he looks at her. Erin compares the way Austin looks at Polly to when you watch prisoners who got paroled on their way to freedom. Austin looks at you like maybe you are the freedom and he’s still stuck in the prison yard. She also confessed Austin had her start the fire so she’s come home. Then Connor comes to get Erin and is upset she didn’t leave a note but she likes the game. I love the glimpses of them we’re getting. Austin gets home and is jacking one off to the thought of Polly and then she’s in his bathroom pointing a gun at him. He disarms her and then they end up pressed against eachother where she tells him she wants him to tell her how to kill the man from the bar since they were associated with each other. He tells her her safety and her pleasure have become important to him so he can’t stand back and watch her in danger but he’ll help. He’ll help her with intel in exchange they give in to their sexual charge and have a strictly bodies relationship. She tells him she’ll think about it but wants to see what’s behind the locked door and it’s his costumes room. He also tells her she can have full control in the bedroom and she realizes she really wants to explore that. She says in her head that he’s right. Knowing she’s decide when and how they explored the attraction boiling over between them would make up for the pride she’d lose in accepting help from a con. So this is when we start to hear mention of their boiling point. After he shows her his room she tells him she knows the man as Charles reitman and her fathers adopted her and they were happy with their clothing design business but wanted to take it to the next level for her and Charles left with their life savings. Leaving them with nothing. Kevin was the stronger one or so they though and he took his life by his own hand and now Drake is in Fort Wayne waiting for her but she can’t go back until she can hand him what reitman took away and tell him kevin didn’t die in vain. Austin tells her she has his word that they’ll see this through. At one point we know Austin went to see Gemma, who is his daughter and the reason he got himself back into Chicago. They arrange to meet at a hotel bar. He comes as himself but in a suit and she tells him she has a room upstairs. They go and she sees the marks on his back he says are from woman and she almost doesn’t want to use the belt on him but he tells her to do it if it brings her pleasure. She gave him a hand job until he almost cums and then rubs the belt along his erection and then she whipped him with it until she was tired of thinking and let him take control. Afterward she was upset that she made him bleed with her nails like those other women had. She soothed him and they ended up falling asleep beside eachother but she woke up alone and feeling neglected. He arrived late to their squad meeting so she had henrik sit beside her. We know he lost his badge for messing with evidence and we believe it has to do with a women. But she likes henrik. Austin is upset when he sees her sitting beside him. And then Derek gives their task and they’re both in shock. They’re supposed to dig up dirt on Charles reitman and they believe he’s trying to swindle this women and Austin recognizes her as the women who had his child. Polly communicates to not tell the squad what he knows and she meets them back in their hotel room. He confesses to her that that women was his biggest con. She was married into money and him and Charles were working on the deal but when she transferred the money she confessed to being pregnant so he transferred it back only for Charles to take it and run. Leaving Austin as the bad guy and not allowed around his child. Now Charles is trying to con her by bonding with her over their problems with Austin. Polly realized her and Austin are in this together but she can’t sleep with him anymore now knowing how involved he was with Charles for all those years after what he did to her dads. He shows her he got her a gift, rope. She ends up staying. They end up having sex in the bathroom and then he walks out and when she comes out he realizes he should have held her. They get to work and she prints out info. He goes and meets with Henrik and tells him they know where his girl is but they need his help and he needs involved in a boxing match. They then have Sera and bowen come over and tell them Bowen will be Henriks manager and sera will just be dressed hot and cleavage out. They end up agreeing after Polly confesses she had set up safety precautions on everyone and had set up fake bank accounts for them in la. Her and Austin end up having sex again. He gives her the control but then he takes it at the end and he finds her spots every time. She finally sucks his dick and he ate her out. This scene was
We know Austin is the con artist and Polly is the hacker. He’s been following her to this bar in disguise and wants to claim her as his. And we know he was brought to Chicago by Gemma and we also know Polly is frequenting these bars for Charles Reitman. A slim man comes in she believes to be an associate with Charles and she leaves with him and Austin knows it is Darren Burnbaum. We know the reason that Polly is after Charles is he took all the money from her fathers and left them bankrupt and struggling and now she wants to take him down. Austin follows them to a diner and when Darren goes into the bathroom, Austin smacks him with the door and then calls Erin and asks her to fake a fire. When Polly gets the call she knows it’s fake but when she sees her date on the bathroom floor she decides it’s for the best that she leave. They have a meeting with their team and there’s a newcomer there, everyone is judging him when captain Derek Tyler shows up and announces him as Henrik and that he was a good homicide cop who made some bad choices and this is how he’s staying out of trouble and Erin welcomes him into the family. Polly’s back at a different bar she’s seen Charlie’s card used at when a Russian man is insisting that she dance with him. She decides it might make her less suspicious so she dances and the last time she remembers having this attraction was to Austin, she knows she shouldn’t be tempted by him, he’s a con man like who screwed her family. But she hasn’t had sex in over a year and when he pins her against the wall she feels it. Her and the Russian man end up in the corner and she’s touching him but Austin loses his cool around her and loses his Russian accent and she realizes it’s Austin. But what she doesn’t know is Austin knows charlie and that he’s dangerous and can’t be around Polly. He can’t quit protecting her. And she finds the tea packet in his pocket from this morning he had tried to lure her with. And he carried her home because he had drugged her. The next morning Erin finds Polly at dennys and tells her she knows it was Austin who brought her home even in disguise because of the way he looks at her. Erin compares the way Austin looks at Polly to when you watch prisoners who got paroled on their way to freedom. Austin looks at you like maybe you are the freedom and he’s still stuck in the prison yard. She also confessed Austin had her start the fire so she’s come home. Then Connor comes to get Erin and is upset she didn’t leave a note but she likes the game. I love the glimpses of them we’re getting. Austin gets home and is jacking one off to the thought of Polly and then she’s in his bathroom pointing a gun at him. He disarms her and then they end up pressed against eachother where she tells him she wants him to tell her how to kill the man from the bar since they were associated with each other. He tells her her safety and her pleasure have become important to him so he can’t stand back and watch her in danger but he’ll help. He’ll help her with intel in exchange they give in to their sexual charge and have a strictly bodies relationship. She tells him she’ll think about it but wants to see what’s behind the locked door and it’s his costumes room. He also tells her she can have full control in the bedroom and she realizes she really wants to explore that. She says in her head that he’s right. Knowing she’s decide when and how they explored the attraction boiling over between them would make up for the pride she’d lose in accepting help from a con. So this is when we start to hear mention of their boiling point. After he shows her his room she tells him she knows the man as Charles reitman and her fathers adopted her and they were happy with their clothing design business but wanted to take it to the next level for her and Charles left with their life savings. Leaving them with nothing. Kevin was the stronger one or so they though and he took his life by his own hand and now Drake is in Fort Wayne waiting for her but she can’t go back until she can hand him what reitman took away and tell him kevin didn’t die in vain. Austin tells her she has his word that they’ll see this through. At one point we know Austin went to see Gemma, who is his daughter and the reason he got himself back into Chicago. They arrange to meet at a hotel bar. He comes as himself but in a suit and she tells him she has a room upstairs. They go and she sees the marks on his back he says are from woman and she almost doesn’t want to use the belt on him but he tells her to do it if it brings her pleasure. She gave him a hand job until he almost cums and then rubs the belt along his erection and then she whipped him with it until she was tired of thinking and let him take control. Afterward she was upset that she made him bleed with her nails like those other women had. She soothed him and they ended up falling asleep beside eachother but she woke up alone and feeling neglected. He arrived late to their squad meeting so she had henrik sit beside her. We know he lost his badge for messing with evidence and we believe it has to do with a women. But she likes henrik. Austin is upset when he sees her sitting beside him. And then Derek gives their task and they’re both in shock. They’re supposed to dig up dirt on Charles reitman and they believe he’s trying to swindle this women and Austin recognizes her as the women who had his child. Polly communicates to not tell the squad what he knows and she meets them back in their hotel room. He confesses to her that that women was his biggest con. She was married into money and him and Charles were working on the deal but when she transferred the money she confessed to being pregnant so he transferred it back only for Charles to take it and run. Leaving Austin as the bad guy and not allowed around his child. Now Charles is trying to con her by bonding with her over their problems with Austin. Polly realized her and Austin are in this together but she can’t sleep with him anymore now knowing how involved he was with Charles for all those years after what he did to her dads. He shows her he got her a gift, rope. She ends up staying. They end up having sex in the bathroom and then he walks out and when she comes out he realizes he should have held her. They get to work and she prints out info. He goes and meets with Henrik and tells him they know where his girl is but they need his help and he needs involved in a boxing match. They then have Sera and bowen come over and tell them Bowen will be Henriks manager and sera will just be dressed hot and cleavage out. They end up agreeing after Polly confesses she had set up safety precautions on everyone and had set up fake bank accounts for them in la. Her and Austin end up having sex again. He gives her the control but then he takes it at the end and he finds her spots every time. She finally sucks his dick and he ate her out. This scene was
mccorbin's review against another edition
5.0
*Happy dance*
Yeah, I have waited for this for a while…a long, long while. I have wanted nothing more than to know the background stories of Austin and Polly, which let me say is pretty crazy. I have also waited for the day in which Austin and Polly will finally realize that there is no one else on this earth that is better suited for them than each other. Dear me, it happened and it was so glorious. This book right here is why I love Tessa Bailey. Everything about it was magnificent.
I can’t say what I loved the most because I basically loved all of it. I loved Austin and his sexy and adorable ways. Seeing as he can’t fathom Polly ever being in danger, he starts to follow her around and realizes that whom she is seeking is the same man that is seeking him. This leads to a Pandora’s box of discover on Polly and Austin’s past. It also leads to a start of certain (very dirty talking and naughty all the way around) encounters between two of my favorite characters. What I loved about this is that Austin, being the extreme alpha male that he is, realizes that Polly needs control in these situations so he hands over the reins and these certain encounters turn out to be so hot! It is kinda what I lived for in this book. I craved their next encounter.
But there is also more to this story than just the beginning of a relationship. Reading how time amongst each other slowly tears down their walls and allows both Austin and Polly the ability to confess needing each other was beautiful. Two strong-headed individuals finally realizing that they could be more with the other’s help made me cheer.
And there is also the fact that something shady is going down in the town of Chicago and both Polly and Austin (and the rest of the crew) are on the case. This includes a new member, who so far has a very intriguing past and I hope he is the next book in this series.
On a side note: let’s talk about the tea. One of the cutest thing that Austin could ever do and it made me love him 100 times more.
Yeah, I have waited for this for a while…a long, long while. I have wanted nothing more than to know the background stories of Austin and Polly, which let me say is pretty crazy. I have also waited for the day in which Austin and Polly will finally realize that there is no one else on this earth that is better suited for them than each other. Dear me, it happened and it was so glorious. This book right here is why I love Tessa Bailey. Everything about it was magnificent.
I can’t say what I loved the most because I basically loved all of it. I loved Austin and his sexy and adorable ways. Seeing as he can’t fathom Polly ever being in danger, he starts to follow her around and realizes that whom she is seeking is the same man that is seeking him. This leads to a Pandora’s box of discover on Polly and Austin’s past. It also leads to a start of certain (very dirty talking and naughty all the way around) encounters between two of my favorite characters. What I loved about this is that Austin, being the extreme alpha male that he is, realizes that Polly needs control in these situations so he hands over the reins and these certain encounters turn out to be so hot! It is kinda what I lived for in this book. I craved their next encounter.
But there is also more to this story than just the beginning of a relationship. Reading how time amongst each other slowly tears down their walls and allows both Austin and Polly the ability to confess needing each other was beautiful. Two strong-headed individuals finally realizing that they could be more with the other’s help made me cheer.
And there is also the fact that something shady is going down in the town of Chicago and both Polly and Austin (and the rest of the crew) are on the case. This includes a new member, who so far has a very intriguing past and I hope he is the next book in this series.
On a side note: let’s talk about the tea. One of the cutest thing that Austin could ever do and it made me love him 100 times more.
erinnicole28's review against another edition
4.0
Seriously, this series is amazing. I have only read one Tessa Bailey book outside this series, so I can't speak for all her work, but she does such an amazing job writing these insta-lust/love couples that are so needy for each other. I love neediness, especially when the character is only needy for their other half. Like the other person is the only person who can make them vulnerable; otherwise they are a rock, strong and steady. Bailey does this to perfection with this series. Can't wait for the next!
bandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Polly Banks, hacker, is out to destroy the confidence-man who stole her fathers' money and ruined her family's life. Problem is, now that she is semi-legitimate and working on Lt. Derek's squad of "ex" convicts, Polly has to keep her search for the man on the down low.
What Polly also doesn't know is that her teammate and frenemy (who she secretly wants to bang) Austin Shaw is connected to the man she wants to take down. Austin is also watching her every move, determined to keep Polly safe from the man who got Austin into the "business" of stealing money.
Austin is also struggling with his massive attraction to the tiny, raven haired beauty, but doesn't think he will ever be worthy of her. Their chemistry finally explodes and they agree to explore their connection AND bring down their mark.
Super sexy, with that Tessa Bailey flair, I loved that Austin was a switch, and willing to submit to Polly who also didn't know she was a switch. There is light spanking, some bondage, and so much dirty talk. The narrator did an excellent job with Austin's British accent *fans self*
Loving this series, and I'm intrigued to see Henrik and Aelish's story in the next book!
What Polly also doesn't know is that her teammate and frenemy (who she secretly wants to bang) Austin Shaw is connected to the man she wants to take down. Austin is also watching her every move, determined to keep Polly safe from the man who got Austin into the "business" of stealing money.
Austin is also struggling with his massive attraction to the tiny, raven haired beauty, but doesn't think he will ever be worthy of her. Their chemistry finally explodes and they agree to explore their connection AND bring down their mark.
Super sexy, with that Tessa Bailey flair, I loved that Austin was a switch, and willing to submit to Polly who also didn't know she was a switch. There is light spanking, some bondage, and so much dirty talk. The narrator did an excellent job with Austin's British accent *fans self*
Loving this series, and I'm intrigued to see Henrik and Aelish's story in the next book!
timitra's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love it but just couldn't seem to connect with either of the main characters. With that being said I am looking forward to reading Henrik and Ailish's story.
faustin2nd's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I love Tessa Bailey.
Moving on, is this my favorite book in the series? No. The first book (Bowen and Sera) had really scorching chemistry that even these two couldn't match and my oh my did these two burn up the pages. I didn't know how to feel about Austin in the two earlier books but in this book, Tessa made him adorable. I just loved him. She has also gotten better at writing British characters and Austin Shaw is her best British gent so far (better than [b:Driven by Fate|24750216|Driven by Fate (Serve, #5)|Tessa Bailey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424224601s/24750216.jpg|44278245]). I loved that there was a clear distinction between his character and the other macho-men in his group, I loved that he was alpha and protective but still sort of vain and insecure. He was just...human, and imperfect. And I love my heroes imperfect. Kinda reminded me of the Duke in [b:Dangerous in Diamonds|9211153|Dangerous in Diamonds (The Rarest Blooms, #4)|Madeline Hunter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390193766s/9211153.jpg|14090868], but less...ducal?
Polly? Not my favorite heroine to read, and the whole book was mainly The Austin Show in my opinion, but she was perfect for him. She also had her moments. She was brilliant without coming off as too humble or too full of herself. She was dope. I didn't enjoy her storyline all that much, but when she and Austin came together...woooohhhh *fans self*
Now, I don't necessarily consider myself a fan of romances with submissive men. I didn't DNF [b:Branded Sanctuary|7694378|Branded Sanctuary (Nature of Desire, #7)|Joey W. Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355848522s/7694378.jpg|10370830] because I was really deep into Joey's series but I can safely say I didn't like the book. I like my heroes alpha and mostly dominant, but as a fan of the Vampire Queen series, I can also appreciate a submissive alpha who submits to an alpha heroine without losing the characters that made him alpha in the first place (take [b:Vampire Trinity|7874158|Vampire Trinity (Vampire Queen, #6)|Joey W. Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1276800349s/7874158.jpg|11057047], still one of my favorites BDSM/paranormal books to date). Tessa made Austin's masochism a part of his complex, loveable personality. And if there was a definition of "topping from the bottom", Austin would be it. He never really lost all of his control, I think, but just enough to match Polly's tastes. Theirs was a match made in heaven. *sighs dramatically* In summary: One may call Austin a "mouthy service sub", and that was fine by me. Because if there's something all Tessa heroes have in common is that they're all very mouthy :)
I'll definitely re-read it again, because the sex scenes are stuff of legend and the love story was really sweet. I liked the pacing. Even the thriller in this one was more interesting to read. And the dirty talk? *fans self until the fan breaks*
Moving on, is this my favorite book in the series? No. The first book (Bowen and Sera) had really scorching chemistry that even these two couldn't match and my oh my did these two burn up the pages. I didn't know how to feel about Austin in the two earlier books but in this book, Tessa made him adorable. I just loved him. She has also gotten better at writing British characters and Austin Shaw is her best British gent so far (better than [b:Driven by Fate|24750216|Driven by Fate (Serve, #5)|Tessa Bailey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424224601s/24750216.jpg|44278245]). I loved that there was a clear distinction between his character and the other macho-men in his group, I loved that he was alpha and protective but still sort of vain and insecure. He was just...human, and imperfect. And I love my heroes imperfect. Kinda reminded me of the Duke in [b:Dangerous in Diamonds|9211153|Dangerous in Diamonds (The Rarest Blooms, #4)|Madeline Hunter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390193766s/9211153.jpg|14090868], but less...ducal?
Polly? Not my favorite heroine to read, and the whole book was mainly The Austin Show in my opinion, but she was perfect for him. She also had her moments. She was brilliant without coming off as too humble or too full of herself. She was dope. I didn't enjoy her storyline all that much, but when she and Austin came together...woooohhhh *fans self*
Now, I don't necessarily consider myself a fan of romances with submissive men. I didn't DNF [b:Branded Sanctuary|7694378|Branded Sanctuary (Nature of Desire, #7)|Joey W. Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355848522s/7694378.jpg|10370830] because I was really deep into Joey's series but I can safely say I didn't like the book. I like my heroes alpha and mostly dominant, but as a fan of the Vampire Queen series, I can also appreciate a submissive alpha who submits to an alpha heroine without losing the characters that made him alpha in the first place (take [b:Vampire Trinity|7874158|Vampire Trinity (Vampire Queen, #6)|Joey W. Hill|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1276800349s/7874158.jpg|11057047], still one of my favorites BDSM/paranormal books to date). Tessa made Austin's masochism a part of his complex, loveable personality. And if there was a definition of "topping from the bottom", Austin would be it. He never really lost all of his control, I think, but just enough to match Polly's tastes. Theirs was a match made in heaven. *sighs dramatically* In summary: One may call Austin a "mouthy service sub", and that was fine by me. Because if there's something all Tessa heroes have in common is that they're all very mouthy :)
I'll definitely re-read it again, because the sex scenes are stuff of legend and the love story was really sweet. I liked the pacing. Even the thriller in this one was more interesting to read. And the dirty talk? *fans self until the fan breaks*
issycanread's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- Id probs read it again
- The sex was good
- Theyre both switches. But when he takes control its not in a "lol lil girl i had control the whole time and was just letting you play dom" kinda way. Hes really into being her good boy
- Tells her to call him her good boy
- He wants to be better for
- She claims him
chronicledbycait's review against another edition
4.0
Boiling Point
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
"You have no idea what I'd do to become even slightly worthy of you, Polly. Even if every failed attempt shaved five years off my life, I'd jump in headfirst every time."
Tessa Bailey is one of those authors that I have an auto-buy {meaning I will buy her books, no questions asked, every, single, time} and let me tell you: she never lets me down!
This book is the third book in the Crossing the Line series and while it can be read as a stand-alone I definitely recommend reading the first two before reading this one. They will help provide you with a better understanding of the other characters and relationships.
Not quite a four star read for me mainly because I struggled connecting to Austin and Polly as well as the main plot, but the story itself was cute, fast-paced and spicyyyyyyyy. I think most people that enjoy Tessa's books will enjoy this one! Definitely worth the read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
"You have no idea what I'd do to become even slightly worthy of you, Polly. Even if every failed attempt shaved five years off my life, I'd jump in headfirst every time."
Tessa Bailey is one of those authors that I have an auto-buy {meaning I will buy her books, no questions asked, every, single, time} and let me tell you: she never lets me down!
This book is the third book in the Crossing the Line series and while it can be read as a stand-alone I definitely recommend reading the first two before reading this one. They will help provide you with a better understanding of the other characters and relationships.
Not quite a four star read for me mainly because I struggled connecting to Austin and Polly as well as the main plot, but the story itself was cute, fast-paced and spicyyyyyyyy. I think most people that enjoy Tessa's books will enjoy this one! Definitely worth the read!
rockchick's review against another edition
4.0
Austin was such a revelation!
I loved his relationship with Polly, his confidence and willingness to embrace every aspect of himself.
He let Polly lead in the bedroom and trusted her completely.
I loved his relationship with Polly, his confidence and willingness to embrace every aspect of himself.
He let Polly lead in the bedroom and trusted her completely.