Synopsis:
Cassie Wilson has traveled to Brazil for her brother’s wedding; yet she’s the one with cold feet. She’s all set to begin seminary, but she’s sick and tired of being treated like a saint, especially by the best man. What she really needs is one sexy night with him to ease her jitters and give her a taste of normal life.
Adam Forrester crashed and burned at his dream job, screwing up all his hopes for a better life. Now he’s moved home to start over, but first he must confront the irresistible Cass, apologize for whatever happened on that drunken night he can’t remember, and make damn sure it doesn’t happen again. Only she has other plans.
He has typecast her as the good girl in his heart. Can she force him to see her as a real woman, desires and all?
My review:
I have been a fan of Amber Belldene for quite some time. I adore her paranormal work and was so excited to see she dove into the contemporary romance world. I was even more excited when I started reading and realized I would adore this contemporary story as much as Ms. Belldene’s paranormal work. This story was hot, sexy, sweet, and enjoyable from start to finish!
Cassie Wilson would honestly rather be anywhere but here. Sure, Brazil was amazing and beautiful and she was here for her brother’s wedding, another plus, but she would be stuck spending time with him….Adam. Her brother’s best friend. The guy she had had a crush on for as long as she could remember. The guy who treated her like Miss Goodie Two-Shoes. The guy she came so close to spending a dream night with years earlier. A dream night that never happened. She would never forget the crushing hurt she felt when he put the brakes on after they started to get hot and heavy. The embarrassment and the anger she felt really hadn’t dissipated but neither had the attraction she felt when she was around him. Adding the stress of her upcoming journey into seminary, and it was all adding up to too much. Maybe she could let loose and enjoy herself? Maybe she could enjoy Adam and his company? Maybe she convince him to give her one more chance at that dream night?
Adam Forrester was lost. The dream life he thought he wanted, and he had built, was crumbling around him and he didn’t have a clue what he wanted to do next. All he knew was that things in his life were going to change. After he came back from his best friend’s wedding in Brazil, things were going to get better. They had to. He would enjoy this time in this amazing place, enjoy his friend, and maybe even enjoy seeing Cassie. Of course that is if she had forgiven him for a disastrous night years earlier. He wasn’t good enough for her back then. Hell, he wasn’t good enough for her now either. It didn’t take away that he was so drawn to her. She was unlike anyone he’s ever known. Bright, calming, smart, funny, beautiful. He knew he screwed things up with her and he was willing to do what he needed to do to make things right. Could he make it through this trip and be able to keep his hands to himself? Act like the gentleman she deserved to be friends with?
With so much going on in both of their lives, so many emotions and new plans on their horizons, will Cassie and Adam be able to push it all aside and for one night enjoy the attraction that has been between them for years…but never amounted to anything?
From start to finish, this book was fabulous. Not only did author Belldene write a sexy story full of emotion, but it also educated me a bit in the life Cassie would be leading when she joined seminary. That aspect really brought an extra layer to the storyline and I really enjoyed it. It was different, fresh, and interesting. Another reason this story was so great was the back story between Cassie and Adam was so relatable. I mean how many of us had a crush on the older boy when we were in high school? *raises hand* I know I have! I loved that they were given a second chance in taking things to the next level. Even if it was supposed to be for only one night. Both characters were pretty amazing as well. Cassie is strong and determined with an amazing outlook on things. Even though Adam is a bit lost at the moment, he is also a great character. He’s loyal and caring with a soft side to him that had me swooning.
Ms. Belldene wrote some amazingly beautiful moments into this story that touched me immensely. I can’t spoil anything for you but there were a few moments between Adam and Cassie that touched my heart. My favorite part, however, was when Cassie visited with Father Ricardo that had me crying…truly a beautiful moment.
All in all this book was fantastic and I highly recommend. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Belldene has in store for us next!
Four Loves
Book links:
About the author:
Amber Belldene grew up on the Florida panhandle, swimming with alligators, climbing oak trees and diving for scallops…when she could pull herself away from a book. As a child, she hid her Nancy Drew novels inside the church bulletin and read mysteries during sermons—an irony that is not lost on her when she preaches these days.
Amber is an Episcopal Priest and student of religion. She believes stories are the best way to explore human truths. Some people think it is strange for a minister to write romance, but it is perfectly natural to her, because the human desire for love is at the heart of every romance novel and God made people with that desire. She lives with her husband and two children in San Francisco.