A review by allingoodtime
Too Hot to Handle by Tessa Bailey

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

With the way this book started, I wasn’t expecting it to give me all the feels that it did. Once Rita and Jasper were on the page together I was all warm-fuzzy feelings. Don’t worry, it doesn’t take long for them to meet.

Rita is taking a road trip across the country with her three siblings. None of them other than her want to take this road trip; they are estranged, they all have their own personal problems, they have busy lives, etc. Yet they band together to do this one thing for their deceased mom, all with their caveats which I am sure will play into their individual books. The interplay between these siblings is fascinating. They are all so different yet seem to have the same deep anguish. I loved how their relationships grew throughout this story.

Jasper lives in a small town and was, until recently, the town lothario. He owns the local dive bar and is in the process of opening a restaurant attached to the bar, partly to prove he can be a respectable citizen. There is an instant connection between Jasper and Rita when he comes across the Clarksons on the side of the road with car trouble. Rita and Jasper may only have a few days together, but it’s enough time for them to share things they never shared with anyone else. Their walls come down yet they both know this thing between them cannot last.

As I said, warm fuzzies all around. Jasper makes a huge misstep at one point but he eventually realizes his error. Rita retaliates for Jasper’s misstep and comes to regret her actions. My heart breaks for them both, but over and over they learn to talk things out and apologize.

I am most eager for Belmont’s story but it’s the last in the series! I have a feeling he will be tearing out my heart by the time his turn comes around. 

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