Down for the Count – The Book Hammock

The first two novels in the Dare Me series deal with Lacy and Galen in Down for the Count, and Cat and Shane in Down and Dirty. I loved both Galen and Shane equally, and was looking forward to a little more from both couples. Down the Aisle came as a bit of a surprise for me and I really loved it.

Blurb

Lacey Garrity is about to have the wedding she’s always dreamed of. She and Galen had planned on a big family, but now fertility issues are turning that dream to ashes. When another setback comes to light a week before their wedding day, she wonders how she can marry him knowing that being with her might mean he can never have the life he imagined…

Galen Thomas loves his woman, and whether they have a big family or it’s just the two of them forever, he can’t wait to spend his life with her. With the big day coming, he’ll pull out all the stops to remind her how good it can be between them and that, together, they can do anything…if he can just get her down the aisle.

My thoughts

I have to say something about the cover. Besides it being super sexy, his hand on her lower belly is just so sweet and emotional.

Now, for the story: Lacey and Galen are perfectly perfect for each other, and love each other immensely. Lacey wants nothing more than to give Galen a family, while Galen is doing all he can to prove to Lacey he would love a family, but she is all he needs.

The story takes place just before their wedding, and they’re dealing with fertility issues. They have undergone treatments and have accepted the possibility of adoption.

A week before the wedding they receive bad news. Lacey, feels like this would dampen the pre-nuptials bliss hides the news from Galen. Galen on the other hand is frustrated and very much affected by Lacey’s abnormal behavior, feeling a change in the dynamics of their relationship.

We also got a taste of the other characters – and very cleverly done – Christine Bell fed us a taste of Rafe and Courtney. And that little taste made my palate happy. <— that’s a hint, Christine.

Bell has created a beautiful equilibrium of angst, drama and sexy with a delicate touch of humor. And she has not forgotten to tie it all in a nice HEA bow.

My rating:

Down and Dirty by Christine Bell My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What a fun read. When I read Down for the Count, I absolutely loved Galen and how he healed Lacey.
With Down and Dirty, I felt pretty much the same way about Shane. He's almost the perfect man. He's good looking, fit, smart, sexy and unbelievably swoony. And that's all nothing compared to his oral skills. Holy smokes, some of those smutty moments had me taking a few minutes to do breathing exercises.
And he's got a way of having the last word in a way that leaves you speechless:
Flipping off the cap, he threw a lingering look over his shoulder, letting his gaze travel the length of her before he walked out. "By the way, you might want to turn the heat up in there. You look cold." 
IKR? 
Cat, who I adored in the first book, kind of pissed me off a little in this one. Which is why I docked a star off the review. She seemed almost weak, even with her focus of what she wants in life, from her career and seemingly her romantic relationships. She does, however, have the most bizarre sense of humor:
Lacey lifted her chin. "Nope. What you should do is make sure you're not throwing the baby out with the bathwater."
"That's the stupidest expression ever. Who throws out a baby Like, Oh, oops. Didn't see you there, li'l fella.' Not to mention, you'd think they'd cry when they landed and you'd catch your mistake in time to scoop it back into the bath."
And I need to mention Courtney. When you read the book you'll know who she is. And she has me intrigued. Christine clued me in and she'll be the next heroine, and due to her (hinted) abusive past, I'm wondering how that book will pan out. Very intrigued.
But, regardless of Cat's annoying moments, this was fun, fun, fun, hot, smutty, fun and a really fast and enjoyable read.

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