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laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Talk Me Down
3.5 Stars
Molly Jennings is a writer of erotic romance, but she keeps her profession secret from her family and friends. After a difficult break-up, Molly returns home to Tumble Creek to escape her manipulative ex and becomes involved with her childhood crush turned Chief of Police, Ben Lawson. No stranger to scandal, Ben is wary of falling for the secretive Molly, but must put his reservations aside when someone starts stalking her...
Molly is an endearing mix of witty sarcasm and ditzy silliness. Despite her often good intentions, she is constantly getting into trouble and calling Ben to come to the rescue. For most of the book, Ben is an incredible hero, sexy, honorable and loving. Unfortunately, toward the end, he turns into a petulant, sanctimonious jerk whose humungous ego almost gets Molly killed.
The plot is comprised of two main threads, Molly’s secret profession and her creepy stalker. While the keeping secrets trope is usually a no-no for me, in this particular case it isn’t too bad perhaps because Ben is aware of the secret from the get go.
The suspense plot seems obvious and straightforward at first but the twist at the end caught me completely by surprise, so kudos to Dahl in this respect.
All in all, a mostly light and entertaining read with a heart-pounding climax. Will read more by this author.
3.5 Stars
Molly Jennings is a writer of erotic romance, but she keeps her profession secret from her family and friends. After a difficult break-up, Molly returns home to Tumble Creek to escape her manipulative ex and becomes involved with her childhood crush turned Chief of Police, Ben Lawson. No stranger to scandal, Ben is wary of falling for the secretive Molly, but must put his reservations aside when someone starts stalking her...
Molly is an endearing mix of witty sarcasm and ditzy silliness. Despite her often good intentions, she is constantly getting into trouble and calling Ben to come to the rescue. For most of the book, Ben is an incredible hero, sexy, honorable and loving. Unfortunately, toward the end, he turns into a petulant, sanctimonious jerk whose humungous ego almost gets Molly killed.
The plot is comprised of two main threads, Molly’s secret profession and her creepy stalker. While the keeping secrets trope is usually a no-no for me, in this particular case it isn’t too bad perhaps because Ben is aware of the secret from the get go.
The suspense plot seems obvious and straightforward at first but the twist at the end caught me completely by surprise, so kudos to Dahl in this respect.
All in all, a mostly light and entertaining read with a heart-pounding climax. Will read more by this author.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
5.0
I still can't quite put my finger on, after reading three of Ms. Dahl's books, how she can write so that when I read I feel drawn in and comfortable. Reason number one why I love her work. This book (and this series) have a the great feeling of comfort reads, books you want to relax into after a long hard day or take with you to the bathtub with bubbles.
The characters in all of Ms. Dahl's book are what make the book worth reading. She unfurls each and every one of them slowly and lets you get to know them at your own pace. They are all strong and yet each of them has a flaw that makes them equally human. I love Molly in this book because she is fun and she is the comic relief, everyone else is so serious, her humor is her strength and her flaw. I also equally love our hero Ben; he is sexy, dreamy, and oh-so-naughty in all the best ways...and that cowboy hat, yes, sir!
The plot in this story is equally complex and simple. Boy meets girl, girl has problem, boy helps with problem, happily every after, yet there is so much more going on. I love the twists and turns Ms. Dahl throws in the book that make the plot just as enjoyable as the sensual side of the story.
I already covered the comfort the author brings through her writing and she also has a smooth writing style, easy to understand and follow. She also writes some of the hottest sensual scenes around...the only author I can match her in heat with is Kresley Cole, and she is the hottest in my book. Definitely give this book a try, you won't regret it!
The characters in all of Ms. Dahl's book are what make the book worth reading. She unfurls each and every one of them slowly and lets you get to know them at your own pace. They are all strong and yet each of them has a flaw that makes them equally human. I love Molly in this book because she is fun and she is the comic relief, everyone else is so serious, her humor is her strength and her flaw. I also equally love our hero Ben; he is sexy, dreamy, and oh-so-naughty in all the best ways...and that cowboy hat, yes, sir!
The plot in this story is equally complex and simple. Boy meets girl, girl has problem, boy helps with problem, happily every after, yet there is so much more going on. I love the twists and turns Ms. Dahl throws in the book that make the plot just as enjoyable as the sensual side of the story.
I already covered the comfort the author brings through her writing and she also has a smooth writing style, easy to understand and follow. She also writes some of the hottest sensual scenes around...the only author I can match her in heat with is Kresley Cole, and she is the hottest in my book. Definitely give this book a try, you won't regret it!
elliefufu's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. I liked the plot twists and how as soon as I thought I had everything figured out a nice little surprise happened. I really liked Molly and loved her sense of humor. Lots of funny moments in this book and lots of snarky dialogue.
goaskalix's review against another edition
4.0
Cute, smutty, and just the right amount of "idiot-man" angst.
ginnikin's review against another edition
Could've done without the woman in danger bullshit, but I liked the ship. TW: attempted rape.
perfectlymisaligned's review against another edition
5.0
Read more of my reviews at BookGasmic.
4 1/2 - 5 stars
Contemp romance is usually not my thing. But, surprisingly i was immediately won over by this one.
After 10 years, Molly Jennings is moving back home to Tumble Creek, Co. Back to small town life, and if she has her way, into the bed of schoolgirl crush, and her brother's best friend, Chief of police Ben Lawson. But, Molly has a secret and Chief Lawson is bound and determined to find out what it is.
Victoria Dahl has a wonderful writing style. I love when a romance doesn't take itself too seriously, and this one sure doesn't. There are scenes and dialogue that are truly laugh out loud funny, and the love scenes??? Uber hot and steamy (thanks in large part to an excellent tough but sweet hero in Ben). I have seen several reviews that mention people not liking Molly, and while I found her determination to hide her occupation from Ben (though in some ways it makes sense given his past) silly....i loved her character. She was tough, and spunky and a perfect match for Ben's serious police Chief.
I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series.
4 1/2 - 5 stars
Contemp romance is usually not my thing. But, surprisingly i was immediately won over by this one.
After 10 years, Molly Jennings is moving back home to Tumble Creek, Co. Back to small town life, and if she has her way, into the bed of schoolgirl crush, and her brother's best friend, Chief of police Ben Lawson. But, Molly has a secret and Chief Lawson is bound and determined to find out what it is.
Victoria Dahl has a wonderful writing style. I love when a romance doesn't take itself too seriously, and this one sure doesn't. There are scenes and dialogue that are truly laugh out loud funny, and the love scenes??? Uber hot and steamy (thanks in large part to an excellent tough but sweet hero in Ben). I have seen several reviews that mention people not liking Molly, and while I found her determination to hide her occupation from Ben (though in some ways it makes sense given his past) silly....i loved her character. She was tough, and spunky and a perfect match for Ben's serious police Chief.
I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series.
sadie_rae's review against another edition
4.0
After moving back to Tumble Creek Molly Jennings becomes a hot topic in the gossip column of the towns newspaper. Though it's really her own fault, with it being a small town and and all, how can it not be noticed that sparks are flying between her and Ben Lawson the local police chief? Ben doesn't date in town, he doesn't even hook up in town, he has rules and so far he's been able to follow them. Though when it comes to Molly he just can't seem to stay away. Unfortunately while Molly has been attracted to Ben for years and vice versa she has secrets and likes to keep em close to her chest. Secret number one, her job; she has been writing erotic romance for over ten years but has managed to keep it from not only her friends but her family as well. Then there is a not (ex)boyfriend who keeps calling and the person who seems intent on forcing Molly to leave Tumble Creek.
A nice easy read, the author gives you plenty of suspense as a build up to the final chapter. All in all 4 stars.
A nice easy read, the author gives you plenty of suspense as a build up to the final chapter. All in all 4 stars.
andimontgomery's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a bit too ridiculous for my taste. Is the book trying to be a mystery or a romance? Neither component was done very well, in my opinion. Molly was incredibly annoying, and Ben's character just couldn't save the story.
anzuk's review
1.0
When he put his hands on his hips, she could see his big gun, and not the big gun she was interested in, either.
And so starts my most wonderful adventure into Hornyland. That’s right folks. Don’t miss this chance for nothing in the world! This book is a must-read!
*sarcasm ends here*
.
.
.
What. The. F*ck.
.
.
.
Seriously.
Another book involving a horny city girl and a pansy village guy. Nothing new to see here. No humor, no story, no character development. Only stupidity thrown around in order to fill in 200-whatever pages. Oh the joy!
I was actually planning to enjoy this, you know. Maybe even compare it to Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books. Laugh a bit, wipe a tear from my eye, that sort of thing. What did I get? Anger and a bad case of bleeding eyes!
The conclusion? Everyone in this book is an idiot!
My dear book how I wish you were this plastic cup
So I could crush you!
allingoodtime's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After reading this author’s Taking the Heat, I wanted to read more. I tend to go back to the very beginning when I find an author I like, so here I am. I’m not sure if this was her debut, but from what I can tell it was toward the beginning of her career as a published author. I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this story and had a hard time putting it down.
Molly is unapologetic for keeping her secrets and is open and forthright when talking about sex. I love her. Granted, there were times I did hope she’d share more with Ben. Times I felt she was digging in her heels and being stubborn, but there were reasons she didn’t trust easily. Even when it was someone she’s known most of her life, her brother’s best friend.
I was pleasantly surprised by Ben. He ended up having more depth than I thought he’d be given. While he is very by the book as the small-town chief of police, there are even more reasons he doesn’t like even the hint of scandal in his life. So much so that he never dates anyone from town, even when they are often cut off from surrounding areas in the winter due to their location. But when Molly comes back to town, they have a hard time keeping their distance.
Obviously, someone who dislikes scandal as much as Ben has a hard time with Molly keeping secrets. I love that, although Ben loves Molly’s brother and parents, he wasn’t blind to the preferential treatment the brother received. In fact, in hindsight, Molly realizes how caring Ben was even back when she was a kid. Those are the things that had me falling in love with Ben right along with Molly.
This story has chemistry, laughs, witty banter, suspense, and intrigue. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, and Sexual assault