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kazen's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book in spite of myself. Contemporary (ick) with basically no kink (boo), our heroine has a stalker-esque father (grah) and lots of issues to deal with (ugh). She (re)meets rock star Paddy, sparks fly, etc.
What I liked most about this book is that our heroine acts rationally and sanely throughout. She knows she has issues, she deals with them. Her best friend offers guidance. She learns from her mistakes and works to make things right. While there is a Big Misunderstanding it didn't piss me off as much as usual because of the way the hero fixed things afterwards.
Another like - best friend Tuesday is a person of color but it's not hounded on, or even said in so many words. It's revealed in pieces, and some people may even get through the book without realizing it (though I have a hard time imagining that). Throughout the book the characters are people before they're a collection of features and that's awesome.
If I were into contemporaries I would probably give this four stars - a great read for my looong flight.
What I liked most about this book is that our heroine acts rationally and sanely throughout. She knows she has issues, she deals with them. Her best friend offers guidance. She learns from her mistakes and works to make things right. While there is a Big Misunderstanding it didn't piss me off as much as usual because of the way the hero fixed things afterwards.
Another like - best friend Tuesday is a person of color but it's not hounded on, or even said in so many words. It's revealed in pieces, and some people may even get through the book without realizing it (though I have a hard time imagining that). Throughout the book the characters are people before they're a collection of features and that's awesome.
If I were into contemporaries I would probably give this four stars - a great read for my looong flight.
anacoqui's review against another edition
5.0
Natalie had a wild wild youth, but she has put all of that behind her, and settled in to a happy and fun life in Hood River. She has the tattoos and the memories but nowadays she is happier to forget just how out of control her life used to be, so much so that when she runs into Paddy Hurley she tries very hard to pretend she doesn’t remember him. Even if Paddy is the absolutely delectable lead singer for Sweet Hollow Ranch, and once her former lover. Paddy has very good memories about Natalie and the couple of weeks they spent together as teenagers right before his band made it big. He doesn’t understand why she would brush him off the way she did, and can’t stop thinking about her.
This books made me so happy. I was gleeful at poor Natalie’s dismay when she realizes that Paddy has taken her brushoff as a challenge. I loved the good natured ribbing Paddy gets from his brothers and family for sudden focus on catching Natalie’s attention. But most of all I love their banter and chemistry.
But Natalie has very personal reasons for not wanting to be involved with a Rock God, beyond keeping her past in her past and most of them have nothing to do with Paddy. I really liked the internal conflict this provided for Natalie. Natalie is passionate and successful in her career (Public Librarian), she is active in her community, and has a close and loving circle of friends. She is also an incredibly private person, and she knows inviting Paddy into her life is not something she would be able to contain. Paddy has big personality, fame and she knows she won’t be able to compartmentalize her feelings and just enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Paddy, a serial dater and hedonist is attracted to Natalie beyond the challenge of bedding her again. He finds himself wanting to understand her and is sure quite quickly he wants her in his life beyond a quick fling. In her he recognizes the potential for something beyond the moment.
I really liked how Dane built up Natalie and Paddy’s relationship, and the various challenges they faced, particularly Natalie’s need for control and Paddy’s well camouflaged insecurity. The sex was hot, emotional and incredibly sexy.
While the books starts out with fun chase plot, it really becomes about what it takes to stay together, to take on major challenges, and to trust and reassure each other. The misunderstanding and failures in communication were heart-rending and believable. I never felt jerked around, instead I could see how both Natalie and Paddy could be trying their best and still fail to understand each other. And when Paddy screws up he grovels just the way he needs to.
I can’t wait to for the next book in this series, because Tuesday and Ezra’s story is going to be epic.
A copy of Best Kind of Trouble was provided by Harlequin HQN via NetGalley for review purposes.
This books made me so happy. I was gleeful at poor Natalie’s dismay when she realizes that Paddy has taken her brushoff as a challenge. I loved the good natured ribbing Paddy gets from his brothers and family for sudden focus on catching Natalie’s attention. But most of all I love their banter and chemistry.
But Natalie has very personal reasons for not wanting to be involved with a Rock God, beyond keeping her past in her past and most of them have nothing to do with Paddy. I really liked the internal conflict this provided for Natalie. Natalie is passionate and successful in her career (Public Librarian), she is active in her community, and has a close and loving circle of friends. She is also an incredibly private person, and she knows inviting Paddy into her life is not something she would be able to contain. Paddy has big personality, fame and she knows she won’t be able to compartmentalize her feelings and just enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Paddy, a serial dater and hedonist is attracted to Natalie beyond the challenge of bedding her again. He finds himself wanting to understand her and is sure quite quickly he wants her in his life beyond a quick fling. In her he recognizes the potential for something beyond the moment.
I really liked how Dane built up Natalie and Paddy’s relationship, and the various challenges they faced, particularly Natalie’s need for control and Paddy’s well camouflaged insecurity. The sex was hot, emotional and incredibly sexy.
While the books starts out with fun chase plot, it really becomes about what it takes to stay together, to take on major challenges, and to trust and reassure each other. The misunderstanding and failures in communication were heart-rending and believable. I never felt jerked around, instead I could see how both Natalie and Paddy could be trying their best and still fail to understand each other. And when Paddy screws up he grovels just the way he needs to.
I can’t wait to for the next book in this series, because Tuesday and Ezra’s story is going to be epic.
A copy of Best Kind of Trouble was provided by Harlequin HQN via NetGalley for review purposes.
shell74's review against another edition
5.0
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
‘Her control was a way she made sense of the world filled with chaos. Her wildness in private was her guilty pleasure, only without the guilt.’
The Best Kind of Trouble is the lead novel in what promises to be a very steamy and extremely well written new series by Lauren Dane. She shows us what happens with you mix an uber sexy rock-star-slash-rancher with a kickass librarian. It’s nothing short of wonderful.
Although I love all types of romances, rock star stories and modern cowboy stories are two of my go-to categories, and lucky for me they were combined here. Plus…this was also a second chance romance, which is a trope I adore.
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‘Her control was a way she made sense of the world filled with chaos. Her wildness in private was her guilty pleasure, only without the guilt.’
The Best Kind of Trouble is the lead novel in what promises to be a very steamy and extremely well written new series by Lauren Dane. She shows us what happens with you mix an uber sexy rock-star-slash-rancher with a kickass librarian. It’s nothing short of wonderful.
Although I love all types of romances, rock star stories and modern cowboy stories are two of my go-to categories, and lucky for me they were combined here. Plus…this was also a second chance romance, which is a trope I adore.
Read More
emjayae149's review
2.0
I must admit I struggled with this book. When you hit the 40% mark and are constantly looking to see how much more there is it's not a good sign. Still, I did finish it...eventually.
So, what did I like? Well, the premise of a rock star, a librarian and a small town setting sounded good. Add a supportive and loving family (his) and you've got a good base to start. Or so I hoped.
What I didn't like was that this story seemed to go nowhere. Yes, they both had issues - the h more than the H - but the manner in which the book was written was frankly boring. All theses long discussions about her feelings and his feelings, her talking with friends, him talking with his family etc. I honestly felt these conversations sounded more like they were discussing them with a therapist. It all seemed so detached and clinical. It was passionless.
And the book may have been peppered with steamy scenes but I couldn't even get into those. I was so bored by what went on before that I tended to skip over the "good" bits because I was no longer interested.
Yes, they get the HEA but it was a loooong time coming.
Surprisingly, this is the first book by this author I have read, given her extensive backlist. If this was an earlier novel I might be inclined to read further books to see her development. If, however, this is characteristic of her developed writing, then it don't think this is the author for me.
So, what did I like? Well, the premise of a rock star, a librarian and a small town setting sounded good. Add a supportive and loving family (his) and you've got a good base to start. Or so I hoped.
What I didn't like was that this story seemed to go nowhere. Yes, they both had issues - the h more than the H - but the manner in which the book was written was frankly boring. All theses long discussions about her feelings and his feelings, her talking with friends, him talking with his family etc. I honestly felt these conversations sounded more like they were discussing them with a therapist. It all seemed so detached and clinical. It was passionless.
And the book may have been peppered with steamy scenes but I couldn't even get into those. I was so bored by what went on before that I tended to skip over the "good" bits because I was no longer interested.
Yes, they get the HEA but it was a loooong time coming.
Surprisingly, this is the first book by this author I have read, given her extensive backlist. If this was an earlier novel I might be inclined to read further books to see her development. If, however, this is characteristic of her developed writing, then it don't think this is the author for me.
readermonica's review
3.0
This was an enjoyable story that flowed well but it unfortunately didn't stand out too much for me. I am looking forward to book 2 though so I will continue with this series soon.
midnightbookgirl's review
3.0
Fun and sexy. As much as I enjoyed Natalie and Paddy having to work out their issues, which were real ones, at times it dragged the pace of the book down. However, I'm looking forward to the other Hurley brothers!
thepassionatereader's review
3.0
Lots of hot sex and strong writing but repetitive as hell and, ultimately, a Disney fantasy. And I like Disney fantasies but this one didn't work for me.
katekat's review
4.0
I really enjoy Lauren Dane's books and this was no exception. This book was racy but with a heart of gold just like its characters, a thoroughly enjoyable read. Side not she the phrase "push my buttons" was severely overused and "pushed my buttons" in all the wrong ways.
mslizalou's review
5.0
I loved this book so much!!!
I'm a pretty big fan of Lauren Dane, yet seem to have so many of her books in my to be read folder on my kindle. After reading The Best Kind of Trouble, I wanted to immediately read any of her books that I'd missed so far.
I'm a big fan of reunion stories, and have to say this one made me laugh so hard in the beginning. Natalie totally acts like she has never laid eyes on Paddy in her life, yet they spent 2 incredible weeks in bed together right before she started college. Paddy chasing after Natalie also made me laugh, as you really never think of a rock star having to work to get a date.
I really loved both Natalie and Paddy as individuals and as a couple. Paddy helps Natalie to loosen up just a bit, but still accepts that she needs to maintain control. Natalie makes Paddy work hard for something...he has never had to work to get women. I loved that he chased Natalie for weeks before she would agree to have dinner with him. The chemistry from before is still strong all these years later. While I loved how steamy they were together, I loved they could be tender with one another as well.
I did want Natalie to not compare her dad and his actions to Paddy and his quite as much. I almost felt like Paddy had a couple of strikes against him because of her dad. I wanted them to work so much and loved when Natalie finally got it about talking things out with Paddy. Not that Paddy was without faults. He acted like a total jerk a few times and I really wanted to smack him on the back of the head and tell him to get his head out of his butt...luckily he had brothers and parents to do it for me.
I really loved the story overall and am looking forward to Ezra's and Vaughn's stories.
I'm a pretty big fan of Lauren Dane, yet seem to have so many of her books in my to be read folder on my kindle. After reading The Best Kind of Trouble, I wanted to immediately read any of her books that I'd missed so far.
I'm a big fan of reunion stories, and have to say this one made me laugh so hard in the beginning. Natalie totally acts like she has never laid eyes on Paddy in her life, yet they spent 2 incredible weeks in bed together right before she started college. Paddy chasing after Natalie also made me laugh, as you really never think of a rock star having to work to get a date.
I really loved both Natalie and Paddy as individuals and as a couple. Paddy helps Natalie to loosen up just a bit, but still accepts that she needs to maintain control. Natalie makes Paddy work hard for something...he has never had to work to get women. I loved that he chased Natalie for weeks before she would agree to have dinner with him. The chemistry from before is still strong all these years later. While I loved how steamy they were together, I loved they could be tender with one another as well.
I did want Natalie to not compare her dad and his actions to Paddy and his quite as much. I almost felt like Paddy had a couple of strikes against him because of her dad. I wanted them to work so much and loved when Natalie finally got it about talking things out with Paddy. Not that Paddy was without faults. He acted like a total jerk a few times and I really wanted to smack him on the back of the head and tell him to get his head out of his butt...luckily he had brothers and parents to do it for me.
I really loved the story overall and am looking forward to Ezra's and Vaughn's stories.