A review by laurenjodi
Rising Assets by Rebecca Zanetti
4.0
Rising Assets
4 Stars
Colton Freeze returns home to learn that his childhood friend, Melanie Jacoby, is working herself to the bone. Hurt that she did not confide in him or ask for help, Colt is determined to fix her problems - even if it means pushing the boundaries of their friendship and turning it into something deeper.
Series note:This is book #3 in the series. While the plot is standalone, there is ongoing character development for the entire Lodge/Freeze clan.
Friends-to-lovers romances are tricky. It is often difficult to portray the shift in dynamics and translate the closeness of friendship into sexual attraction and emotional intimacy. Despite a rocky start, Zanetti manages to pull it off by the end.
Melanie and Colt are both strong and independent people, and the change in their relationship is awkward at first. That said, they are always open and honest with one another, so there are no silly misunderstandings or issues resulting from a lack of communication. Their chemistry is solid if not as intense as Jake and Sophie in book #1.
Mel is an appealing mix of strength and vulnerability, but her tendency to give into Colt's domineering personality is annoying at times. One smile as he turns on the charm, and she forgets her legitimate gripes.
As with the first two books, the small-town antics and the relationship between the Lodge/Freeze family members are wonderful. Colt and Hawk's shenanigans are a riot and Colt's conversation with his father, Tom, provides some excellent background regarding his parent's relationship - it would have been even better if more information was provided.
Overall, a fun read if a bit too saccharine, and I have high expectations for the final installment focusing on the youngest sibling and only daughter, Dawn, and the third member of Colt and Mel's posse, Hawk.
4 Stars
Colton Freeze returns home to learn that his childhood friend, Melanie Jacoby, is working herself to the bone. Hurt that she did not confide in him or ask for help, Colt is determined to fix her problems - even if it means pushing the boundaries of their friendship and turning it into something deeper.
Series note:This is book #3 in the series. While the plot is standalone, there is ongoing character development for the entire Lodge/Freeze clan.
Friends-to-lovers romances are tricky. It is often difficult to portray the shift in dynamics and translate the closeness of friendship into sexual attraction and emotional intimacy. Despite a rocky start, Zanetti manages to pull it off by the end.
Melanie and Colt are both strong and independent people, and the change in their relationship is awkward at first. That said, they are always open and honest with one another, so there are no silly misunderstandings or issues resulting from a lack of communication. Their chemistry is solid if not as intense as Jake and Sophie in book #1.
Mel is an appealing mix of strength and vulnerability, but her tendency to give into Colt's domineering personality is annoying at times. One smile as he turns on the charm, and she forgets her legitimate gripes.
As with the first two books, the small-town antics and the relationship between the Lodge/Freeze family members are wonderful. Colt and Hawk's shenanigans are a riot and Colt's conversation with his father, Tom, provides some excellent background regarding his parent's relationship - it would have been even better if more information was provided.
Overall, a fun read if a bit too saccharine, and I have high expectations for the final installment focusing on the youngest sibling and only daughter, Dawn, and the third member of Colt and Mel's posse, Hawk.