BEA'S BOOK NOOK "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C. S. Lewis “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ― Oscar Wilde

Friday, July 17, 2015

Bea Reviews All For You by Christi Barth

Publisher: Carina Press
Series: Shore Secrets #2
Source: the author in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: February 9, 2015
Challenges: Finishing the Series | May 2015 Clean Sweep ARC Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Kobo | ARe* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Small-town park ranger Casey Hobbes has spent her life under the radar, carefully guarding a secret. "The forest flirt," as her best friend calls her, keeps things casual with men. That way she'll never care enough to be tempted to share the truth about her past. But when she spots a half-naked stranger on the lake's edge, Casey can't resist his muscles or his charm and she's all-in for enjoying both, while keeping emotion out of it. What could be the danger of one summer fling?

Professor Zane Buchanan has built his entire career on exposing the dark realities of cults, but one—the Sunshine Seekers—remains infuriatingly impossible to crack. Zane's shocked to discover its sole anonymous survivor is hiding in his new hometown. It's nearly impossible to concentrate on work, however, when he's derailed by his attraction to the beautiful blonde in khaki uniform shorts.

As things between Casey and Zane heat up, she struggles with keeping her past from him. And Zane's on a quest to expose the truth, no matter the consequences. Will their growing emotions finally unseal Casey's big secret? Or will she turn her back on love to keep the past safely buried?

Bea's Thoughts:

I read the first book and I enjoyed it so I was happy to read this one too and I have book three sitting on my Kindle. :)

We met park ranger Casey in the first book. She's a good friend of that book's heroine, who also appears in this book. Our hero Zane is introduced to us in this story when he steals some scuba gear and does an illegal night dive. It's lust at first sight. :)

Casey had a traumatic childhood that improved when she went to live with her stepmother. But it left her commitment shy and protective of her stepmother. As for romance, she's much more into flings or one night stands. But the sexy, geeky professor is too much to resist and before long they're dating, and getting closer. But she's keeping a whopper of a secret from him and you know how well that always turns out. Actually, almost the entire town was in on it, which was...not quite believable. Realistically, how could so many people keep such a secret for so many years? But the town is a close-knit one and closes ranks to take care of it's own.

Zane is open, honest, and doesn't believe in secrets. Ruh roh!

He'd find a way to get her to spill the goods. Eventually, Zane got everyone to spill. That was his superpower, and he loved it.

 He firmly believes in bringing all knowledge and information into the light, regardless of consequences. It's his major flaw and a huge stumbling block for he and Casey. Casey's secret did feel a bit contrived, and I don't know the real-life legal consequences but I agreed with Casey's friends that it was time to relax and take a chance. On the plus side, Zane is romantic and treats Casey like a princess while respecting her abilities and her work. He's an enthusiastic learner, he delights in learning new things. And he's a good kisser. :)

Being kissed by Zane wasn't just a nice way to pass a summer night. His mouth claiming hers wasn't just fun. It was freaking fantastic. It was a three-scoop sundae with hot fudge and butterscotch on top fantastic. 

LOL That's a serious kiss!

Despite the secret, and the resulting big misunderstanding, the story was a lot of fun. Casey and Zane both enjoy sex, no guilt, and there's lot of witty banter and small town antics. I do love how the town pulls together but at the same time, it's not a perfect town. Casey has close girl friends and one close guy friend and their interactions made me smile and laugh. I love when the main characters in a romance have friends and interests outside of the romance; it's more believable and more enjoyable.

"All for You" was frothy fun with a serious undertone and a couple that was just adorable together. I want a Zane of my own! On to book three, to see how that romance progresses. :)

12 comments:

  1. This just sounds like a fun romance, and I love that it has a small town theme to the story.

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  2. This sounds good. I'm trying to get more into romances again. I'm going to add this to my list.

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    1. I hope you like it. Barth's books are fun, frothy, but with an undertone of seriousness.

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  3. Thanks to everyone for swinging by to learn about my book! (Psst - there is waterfall sex in this one!)

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  4. Despite the misunderstandings, and weakness of the issues I am glad that ultimately this was a fun read. I love the nature setting.

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    1. It was good and the nature setting is done well. You should read it if only for the waterfall sex. :D

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