Experience Ireland—the dramatic beauty, the warm hospitality...and the smoking-hot local guys!Imagine nursing a pint in a cozy, authentic country pub, far from Cork City’s busy pulse. Getting here took you a plane, bus, taxi, and...erm, bicycle. But just as you’re resigning yourself to drinking beside gray-haired farmers, you see him—a man with the looks and charm to soothe any heartbroken girl.
He’s your bartender. Your really, really gorgeous bartender.
For American Jamie Webb—recently dumped and housesitting for two weeks—Connor Kelleher is like a six-course feast after a 23-year starvation diet. But it’s gotta be casual. She’s just begun re-routing her life after an extended, man-related detour. Still, a sexy romp (or twenty!) with Sexy McBartender?
But what about when Jamie's best-laid plans for no future plans with any man begin to change?
Goodreads | Author | Amazon
Source: E-ARC provided by Harlequin – Red Hot Reads via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Release date: April 15, 2014
Review:
Her Best Laid Plans is much lighter than the dark erotica that Cara McKenna typically writes but it's just as good. Fun, flirty, hot as hell - this title is perfect as part of the Cosmo's Red Hot Reads line.
Novellas are tricky. Especially when you're trying to push a HEA for characters that basically spend a week having hot sex and not too much more. This almost NEVER works for me but as usual McKenna makes it work without it seeming forced or cliché. I felt like I really got to know Connor and Jamie despite the short time spent with them.
The hero, an Irish bartender, is swoony & nice, the heroine, an American college student, intelligent and independent and they both have a very mature response to this unexpected affair and where it can lead.
I will read whatever Cara McKenna writes. She has pushed me out of my comfort zone on so many occasions. While this novella doesn't push boundaries, it is dirrrrty, it's also the perfect light and very romantic book to pass a few blissful hours reading.
I get that, force a HEA on people that do nothing else than...ok I get that but glad it works
ReplyDeleteIt really does work. The quick hook up makes sense. And she does a great job at showing why their relationship could work after. I'm always surprised/impressed when an author can pull that off in a novella.
DeleteNovellas are definitely tricky creatures, especially with romance (you'd think that'd be easy but no!). But I can get behind an Irish bartender who's nice. Definitely.
ReplyDeleteNovella's have come a long way. They used to leave you hanging but I've read so many good ones in the past year or so that feel like complete stories.
DeleteThis guy is SO nice & romantic.
I agree with Novella being tricky and trying to have a HEA :) oh this one sounds yummy
ReplyDeleteI really think you would love this one Julie. Plus it's a very quick read!
DeleteI agree, Cara McKenna really can write anything. Connor and Jamie were both so smart, and so likeable and I truly believed in their ending.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Sometimes you just need light. I will probably need that after the dystopian I'm reading. :)
ReplyDeleteFun, flirty and hot sounds great to me.
ReplyDeleteThat's good you felt the romance worked since the story was so short! always important.
ReplyDeleteI used to be disappointed with erotic novellas too but after some attitude adjustment, I've come to have a better appreciation for hook-up stories. They're great escapes LOL
ReplyDeleteSWOONY & NICE? i'm in!!
ReplyDelete