frootjoos's review
1.0
I really loved [b:Bare Essentials: Naughty But Nice\Naturally Naughty|18168629|Bare Essentials Naughty But Nice\Naturally Naughty|Jill Shalvis|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1384724117s/18168629.jpg|25535741] but I can't say the same for this one. It was just too flat and unbelieveable... I didn't care much for either main character.
witandsin's review
3.0
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2014/04/review-double-take-by-leslie-kelly.html
Double Take is a fast-paced, sexy read with two protagonists who meet when their lives are at a crossroads. Mike’s a cop who tired of constantly putting his life on the line while working for the Chicago P.D. He’s seeing if life in the slow lane as a small town chief of police is for him, and his plans don’t involve being fiercely attracted to Wild Boar Island’s newest substitute teacher. While Mike’s a hot, protective hero who’s easy to like, it’s the subject of his desire who really makes Double Take memorable. Lindsey Smith is a sex therapist who needs to lie low after the media turns her serious research into a meme-worthy joke. I not only adored Lindsey, my heart broke for her. She’s a hardworking, intelligent woman who doesn’t deserve the ridicule heaped on her.
Unfortunately, Wild Boar Island may not be the best place for Lindsey to get a fresh start. Though I’m sure there are plenty of lovely residents in the small town, the ones highlighted in the story made me cringe and overall made the tale slightly less enjoyable. But when the story isn’t focused on Lindsey and Mike avoiding slimy men or self-righteous harridans, it sparkles with humor and steams with sexual tension. Both in bed and out, Mike and Lindsey make a great couple and it was a joy to watch them overcome their internal barriers (most of them Lindsey’s) to get the happily ever after they deserve.
Double Take is erotic, emotional, and ultimately enjoyable. Fans of author Leslie Kelly’s Santori family will be delighted by the cameos some of her past heroes and heroines make. As for me, Double Take is my first Santori tale and I’m intrigued enough by these sexy Italians to take a peek into Ms. Kelly’s Santori backlist.
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Double Take is a fast-paced, sexy read with two protagonists who meet when their lives are at a crossroads. Mike’s a cop who tired of constantly putting his life on the line while working for the Chicago P.D. He’s seeing if life in the slow lane as a small town chief of police is for him, and his plans don’t involve being fiercely attracted to Wild Boar Island’s newest substitute teacher. While Mike’s a hot, protective hero who’s easy to like, it’s the subject of his desire who really makes Double Take memorable. Lindsey Smith is a sex therapist who needs to lie low after the media turns her serious research into a meme-worthy joke. I not only adored Lindsey, my heart broke for her. She’s a hardworking, intelligent woman who doesn’t deserve the ridicule heaped on her.
Unfortunately, Wild Boar Island may not be the best place for Lindsey to get a fresh start. Though I’m sure there are plenty of lovely residents in the small town, the ones highlighted in the story made me cringe and overall made the tale slightly less enjoyable. But when the story isn’t focused on Lindsey and Mike avoiding slimy men or self-righteous harridans, it sparkles with humor and steams with sexual tension. Both in bed and out, Mike and Lindsey make a great couple and it was a joy to watch them overcome their internal barriers (most of them Lindsey’s) to get the happily ever after they deserve.
Double Take is erotic, emotional, and ultimately enjoyable. Fans of author Leslie Kelly’s Santori family will be delighted by the cameos some of her past heroes and heroines make. As for me, Double Take is my first Santori tale and I’m intrigued enough by these sexy Italians to take a peek into Ms. Kelly’s Santori backlist.
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
amandacole's review
2.0
Couldn't get into this one for some reason. Wish I would have liked it more.
tokudama's review
2.0
This didn't do it for me, and that's too bad, because I was kind of looking forward to some very specific things that you don't usually find in romance novels (ahem, a toy collection). I got as far as the first actual sex scene (about halfway), and the main character's internal dialogue just made me want to chuck the book across the room. Up until that point, I'd rather liked her, even identified with her. I'd liked her area of research, and her open-mindedness regarding female sexuality, too. I bought that she recognized (thanks to a good friend and some self-reflection) she needed intimacy in her life and not just sex. The book was pretty well-written, too--nothing in the author's style annoyed or irritated me, it was easy to get into each character's viewpoint, etc.
The point where I gave up--and since I did not finish the book, you may want to take this with a grain of salt--was when it started to sound like the guy was going to be the impetus for the abrupt 180 in her mindset. Throughout the first half of the book she was 'strong' and 'independent' and knew what she wanted. Then, when they were about to get to the juicy stuff, she suddenly started thinking that she'd have to 'surrender' or he'd walk out the door. All the other guys she'd been with were happy to let her order them around as long as they got their rocks off, but not this one, and I just... can't. That's my instant turn-off. I'd much rather read about these other guys, the one-night-stands, who were happy to let a woman be in charge in bed. (I grew up on 80s romance novels, so I've had quite enough of that, thank you). (Actually, I think a bunch of the stuff I read as a kid was better in this respect than many of the contemporary romances I've read, despite their many other flaws???)
If this doesn't bother you, you'd probably get a lot more out of this book than I did. Heck, maybe that's not even where the book was going. I just have so many other books at home (working in a library will do that to you) that I didn't want to spend the time or energy to find out if this was a temporary thing or not.
The point where I gave up--and since I did not finish the book, you may want to take this with a grain of salt--was when it started to sound like the guy was going to be the impetus for the abrupt 180 in her mindset. Throughout the first half of the book she was 'strong' and 'independent' and knew what she wanted. Then, when they were about to get to the juicy stuff, she suddenly started thinking that she'd have to 'surrender' or he'd walk out the door. All the other guys she'd been with were happy to let her order them around as long as they got their rocks off, but not this one, and I just... can't. That's my instant turn-off. I'd much rather read about these other guys, the one-night-stands, who were happy to let a woman be in charge in bed. (I grew up on 80s romance novels, so I've had quite enough of that, thank you). (Actually, I think a bunch of the stuff I read as a kid was better in this respect than many of the contemporary romances I've read, despite their many other flaws???)
If this doesn't bother you, you'd probably get a lot more out of this book than I did. Heck, maybe that's not even where the book was going. I just have so many other books at home (working in a library will do that to you) that I didn't want to spend the time or energy to find out if this was a temporary thing or not.
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