thathannah's review
3.0
Title: Can't Shake You
Author: Molly McLain
Release Date: February 21, 2014
Rating: 3.5
HEA:
This was a cute read that I got on Amazon, I think for free or discounted. It is about Carissa Brandt who started a renovation project during the summer and when she finds out what a cheat the contractor she hired is in comes Josh. Josh is also a contracted but because of their past Carissa didn't want to hire him. Now she is in desperate need of a contractor so they decide to put aside their attraction so Josh can help her out with the renovation.
When they start working together their attraction grows and they can't stay away from each other anymore. The only problem is that Carissa used to date Josh's best friend and they have an agreement to stay away from each other's ex-girlfriends to avoid problems. They decide to have an affair to burn through their lust but end up growing closer. Now they don't know how to come clean to their friends without hurting their friends or their relationship.
I really liked Carissa. She was a really strong character but still vulnerable in a natural way and not the 'I'm such a weak girl' way. She did cry a few too many times for my taste but those times were during reasonable times to cry. Sometimes the book alluded to Carissa not following her dreams and wasn't assertive with what she wanted and that she was growing into that during the book. for me she was never like that and was pretty good at getting what she wanted and not backing down.
Josh was a really good character also. He was strong without being overbearing. He was a little stupid when he got jealous but not as bad as some other characters I've read. My issue with him was his way of thinking that Carissa would be better without him. It was really the wishy washy I want to be with her but I'm no good for her, but I want to be with her. Other that than he was a real good guy and he cared about Carissa and what she wanted and needed.
There were some flash backs to when Carissa and Josh first met and their night together. However, the flash backs stopped and were mainly in the first half. It would have been better to have them continue throughout the book. We didn't even see all we could have like when they said goodbye that morning. Some of those things would have given a more complete look at their relationship and brought it full circle. Carissa also had some back story with her dad and brother but it seemed like an afterthought and just a plot device. And while a plot device is fine to get the characters to move in a certain direction but if those devices are not fully explored it doesn't help. What ends up happening is you wonder why is this here and why should I care about it. That was kind of how some of the secondary characters felt like as well. Also Carissa's friend got really annoying with trying to get Carissa to hook up with people. Especially since it was obvious that Carissa didn't want to hook up with them. He friend just was a little intense about it sometimes and not being a very good friend.
Those problems were not bad enough to out way the good stuff about the books. Josh and Carissa were great together and I just couldn't stop reading to find out how the book ended.
Author: Molly McLain
Release Date: February 21, 2014
Rating: 3.5
HEA:
Spoiler
YesThis was a cute read that I got on Amazon, I think for free or discounted. It is about Carissa Brandt who started a renovation project during the summer and when she finds out what a cheat the contractor she hired is in comes Josh. Josh is also a contracted but because of their past Carissa didn't want to hire him. Now she is in desperate need of a contractor so they decide to put aside their attraction so Josh can help her out with the renovation.
When they start working together their attraction grows and they can't stay away from each other anymore. The only problem is that Carissa used to date Josh's best friend and they have an agreement to stay away from each other's ex-girlfriends to avoid problems. They decide to have an affair to burn through their lust but end up growing closer. Now they don't know how to come clean to their friends without hurting their friends or their relationship.
I really liked Carissa. She was a really strong character but still vulnerable in a natural way and not the 'I'm such a weak girl' way. She did cry a few too many times for my taste but those times were during reasonable times to cry. Sometimes the book alluded to Carissa not following her dreams and wasn't assertive with what she wanted and that she was growing into that during the book. for me she was never like that and was pretty good at getting what she wanted and not backing down.
Josh was a really good character also. He was strong without being overbearing. He was a little stupid when he got jealous but not as bad as some other characters I've read. My issue with him was his way of thinking that Carissa would be better without him. It was really the wishy washy I want to be with her but I'm no good for her, but I want to be with her. Other that than he was a real good guy and he cared about Carissa and what she wanted and needed.
There were some flash backs to when Carissa and Josh first met and their night together. However, the flash backs stopped and were mainly in the first half. It would have been better to have them continue throughout the book. We didn't even see all we could have like when they said goodbye that morning. Some of those things would have given a more complete look at their relationship and brought it full circle. Carissa also had some back story with her dad and brother but it seemed like an afterthought and just a plot device. And while a plot device is fine to get the characters to move in a certain direction but if those devices are not fully explored it doesn't help. What ends up happening is you wonder why is this here and why should I care about it. That was kind of how some of the secondary characters felt like as well. Also Carissa's friend got really annoying with trying to get Carissa to hook up with people. Especially since it was obvious that Carissa didn't want to hook up with them. He friend just was a little intense about it sometimes and not being a very good friend.
Those problems were not bad enough to out way the good stuff about the books. Josh and Carissa were great together and I just couldn't stop reading to find out how the book ended.
totalsassreads's review
4.0
A solid romance read!
I swooned, laughed, teared up, and at one point yelled at my kindle. I will definitely be reading more of River Bend!
I swooned, laughed, teared up, and at one point yelled at my kindle. I will definitely be reading more of River Bend!
mamabookwyrm's review
3.0
This book has some scorching hot scenes. It was a easy breezy book to read, lots of sexy times no hard core angst. Josh and Carissa meet through her best friend and his brother right before he deploys overseas. They hook up and each feels a connection but neither speaks up. In the intervening period, Carissa ends up dating Josh's best friend and now, the pact comes out. Josh won't go near her, he won't cross that line. Or so he says until their connection gets the best of him.
There is some great banter in this book. And I love friends to lover stories and this is a good one. There's a little bit of mystery mixed in to keep you on your toes. Just a few things bothered me. Maddie's distaste for Josh was seriously strong. She said it was because he was a player, but she didn't have the same response for his best friend who was supposedly worse. Secondly, the switching between the first and last names for his best friend. At times he was Reed and others he was Fletcher. It almost made it seem like there were two different characters. Lastly, too much conflict that wasn't fleshed out. The conflict with her family, the one with Alex and then the whole situation with Reed. I would have preferred stronger focus on just one.
All in all though, I enjoyed it and I'll probably check out her other books.
There is some great banter in this book. And I love friends to lover stories and this is a good one. There's a little bit of mystery mixed in to keep you on your toes. Just a few things bothered me. Maddie's distaste for Josh was seriously strong. She said it was because he was a player, but she didn't have the same response for his best friend who was supposedly worse. Secondly, the switching between the first and last names for his best friend. At times he was Reed and others he was Fletcher. It almost made it seem like there were two different characters. Lastly, too much conflict that wasn't fleshed out. The conflict with her family, the one with Alex and then the whole situation with Reed. I would have preferred stronger focus on just one.
All in all though, I enjoyed it and I'll probably check out her other books.
missnorma81's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
brewtifulfiction's review
4.0
This was a nice easy read. A sweet second chance romance that had plenty of 'hot' scenes ;)
bookclubbitches's review
4.0
Wowza! That was a great steamy romance! I really enjoyed the multiple POV. I loved how deeply Carrissa and Josh felt, and how their feelings were important to act on. I'm really excited to get my hands on the next book in the series!
*Not for the prude people of the world. This book was full of capital S. M. U. T.
*Not for the prude people of the world. This book was full of capital S. M. U. T.