Leigh LaValle

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author. (netgalley) I found this story ok, I didn't really agree with tall the five stars but to each his own. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. We also have an opposites attract situation or/and an enemies to lovers story. We have Ford who is a workaholic and trying to save his families empire and the last thing he needs his his attraction to Crystal a yoga hippie. Ford's sister is marrying Crystal's cousin Josh, and they are both asked to come early to deal with their crazy families. Josh's are uptight and Crystal's are a little crazy and hippies. While they both leave to deal with the families their is a storm and they can't fly out so they have to make a trip by car and every obstacle imaginable has come upon them but while they are doing that their chemistry is stronger than ever so they succumb to it and have a fling, only to happen while they are on this trip and then they will go back to normal, but you and I know that will not be the case.… (més)

Full review appeared on Reader's Edyn on 10/26/17

Hannah Roberts is one hot mess. She tends to get way too attached to guys way too soon and then they find out. Like the time she put money down on a wedding dress after just a couple of dates … yeah. So when a sexy ‘mountain man’ appears out of nowhere on a trail and rescues her, it’s no surprise when she continue to fantasize about him. Fantasy is all it will be though because she doesn’t know how to find him again and she shouldn’t anyway. She’s just starting to crawl back from losing everything and she won’t go there again. When she unexpectedly runs in to him, she’s decided to stay away from him. Bad news is all she can get up to with a guy around and that’s what he is. He even steals her news story as soon as they meet – meet for the second time, that is. But Jake has demons of his own and Hannah’s secret recipe of crazy and sexy is exactly the right combination for him.

Jake Marshall accidentally scares Hannah when he finds her injured on a trail. He immediately likes her, but he’s a one-night kind of guy. No future with him as damaged as he is anyway. He came back home a hero, but he doesn’t feel anything like it. Plagued by constant pain following several surgeries to repair his leg from an IED attack, he’s learned to push through it all and throw up his brilliant smile to the world. Walking in to Hannah’s yoga studio and having her temp him to distraction was not part of the plan. She keeps refusing him, but he’s going to make her say yes to a date – and more. Except when she finally relents and things progress – despite their temporary time frame – temporary might not be enough for her. Good luck convincing Jake of that.

This book was a pretty good read. I haven’t read Ms. LaValle before, but I was intrigued by the blurb of this book. I enjoyed the depth of the characters and that each was flawed in their own ways. I wouldn’t say they exactly complimented each other with those flaws, but nether minded the other’s issues and in some instances viewed them as cute or quirky, furthering their attraction. Hannah has a stubborn streak and it ended up being a huge asset both in charming Jake further and pulling him out of his own misery. And while Hannah may seem like a nut to some with her odd --- almost obsessive … stalker in some cases ---- behaviors, Jake just fell for her even harder. Ironically, in the end, their own problems are what help them find themselves and each other.

The secondary characters really didn’t connect in any way until later in the book. Hannah seems like more of a cast out than a business partner initially – and it ultimately ends up being her own fault for not being included. Once she starts to connect with her friends, then the reader does as well. And the situation was almost the same with Jake’s partner/cousin. I kind of didn’t care for him, but once he was explained a bit more, he was an OK guy. I can’t say that I have ever experienced such a 180 with secondary character like that before.

I don’t know crap about Yoga, so please don’t ask me about any of those accuracies. However, the tie between Jake’s injury/recovery and Hannah’s Yoga sessions were a nice way to bring them closer. This book is part of a series entitled Yoga in the City, which I assume involves the other 3 of Hannah’s friends. Having finally found a connection with them, I would likely read the rest of the series. Overall, you can’t help but root for Jake and Hannah. Poor Jake is so lost in his grief and guilt that he almost doesn’t realize what he is doing by taking so many risks, even though he does. Like, he gets why he does it, but he loses sight of what it is and what it could cost him. And Hannah in all her over-the-top, Yoga pants, green smoothie hating, soda pop loving, junk food addict – God love her, you can’t stop yourself from liking her. This is almost a second-chance love story with possibly one of the most opposite couples I have read about – but it is a love story above all. And if love can’t conquer all, then what can? If Hannah and Jake with an HEA sounds like your kind of read, then don’t hesitate. Get your own copy. You won’t regret it. If that isn’t enough, think hot army guy meets cute Yoga girl (who loves junk food) with undeniable sexual magnetism. You’re welcome.

Kindle version provided by XpressoBookTours/Author in exchange for an honest review.… (més)