4.5 Smooches
Synopsis
After losing his best friend to another guy, the notoriously too-confident Max Emory suddenly feels lost. He may have devastatingly good looks, an abundance of charm, and a claim to one of the biggest hotel empires around, but he has no ambition anymore. So when his fed-up friends decide they’ve had enough of his moping, they sign him up to be the next bachelor on the reality series Love Island. And between his pride and his forged signature on an ironclad contract, Max just can’t say no.
Now he’s stranded in paradise with twenty-four women, one terrifying goat, and Becca, the breathtaking barista who already turned him down back home. The closer Max gets to Becca, the more determined he becomes to win her over. As she gets to know him better, things start heating up. But is Becca really after Max’s heart—or is she after the cash prize she could claim once the cameras stop rolling?
Review
“Well, well, well. New barista. Have I mentioned I have a weakness for a girl in an apron? No? Well/ Now you know. Smiling, I placed my hands onto the cool countertop and leaned forward, ‘Hey, girl.’ The barista’s eyebrows shot up and then a scowl I assume she reserved for rapists, terrorists, and people named Max appeared, rendering my balls a little shaky and my confidence a bit stunned.”
Of course Rachel Van Dyken has done it again (not that we ever doubted her. I don’t think she could write something that wasn’t near flawless if she tried.) The Consequence of Revenge is book two in the series but it could very easily be read as a stand alone. Told in first person with dual point of views this was a fun and silly romantic read that hit all my happy spots inside. Having had read the first book in this series, The Consequence Of Loving Colton, I enjoyed the chance to catch up with all the characters I had grown to love and also to fall in love with a few new ones as well.
“I like you, You fight fire with fire. I think if we ever got off this island and the world gets taken over by zombies, I want you as my second in-command.” “Aw. Sweetest thing a guy’s ever said to me.”
Max is floating through life aimlessly, unsure of where to go now that he is done with school he is trapped in a cycle of living off his daddy’s money and being the fun loving playboy we all know. What his life is lacking is some sort of purpose, drive and maybe a touch of love. On a joke (and maybe with a bit of intention of kick starting Max into figuring out what to do with his life now) the team enlist Max to star in a reality show that is a bit of a cross between The Bachelor and Survivor. Reluctantly (and after a VERY awkward physical) Max agrees and soon he is off to the island to meet the lovely ladies that will be his contestants.
“Three days and he was already making me second-guess all my preconceived notions about the type of guy he was. I’d though that because he was funny he was harmless, but I’d had no idea funny could be dangerous because it was too easy to let him in and once he was in he stayed there – refusing to budge. He wasn’t just funny; he was sexy and had a personality that was electric. Besides, he kissed like a dream. An actual dream.”
Becca is a local barista and student struggling to make ends meet and sees the show as a way to make money so that she can continue her education and not have to count every penny she earned. Having already shot Max down in real life she sees no problem making it through the taping of this show with her heart and emotions in check. That is until she actually gets to know Max and quickly figures out that not only are both of them very attracted to each other but that share a wacky sense of humor. Staying detached is becoming harder and harder as the taping continues not to mention watching countless girls also vie for his attention brings out a new side to her as well.
“Sorry, can you repeat the questions? Your boobs were talking to me.” “They were not.” “Um, they moved, and I’m pretty sure the right one said hi. Swear it was even ready to pop out and say hi.” “Max! Stop being . . .you!”
Funny, smart and sexy too. Rachel writes witty banter and report like no one else. While a relationship between these two happens quickly it is definitely not a case of insta-love. Max and Becca develop a camaraderie and friendship first by helping to look out for each other on the island. Before Max is even capable of love he has to grow a bit as a person and man. Hiding behind humor and sex it is easy to be the fun one but as he gets older the future is scaring him. His friendship with Becca teaches him that he can be both fun and responsible.
“Missing those fingertips would have been such a crime. Missing those lips? I shuddered at the thought. I would never. Ever. Miss her, because she would be by my side together.”
With an insane cast of characters, dialogue that leaves your sides hurting and a steam level that makes you pant, The Consequence of Revenge has something everybody will enjoy. Rachel is a talented writer who can switch from angst, to action to humor without batting an eye and I will happily read anything she puts out.
~miranda
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