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Review

4.5 fun, sexy and banter-filled stars

The fourth and final book in the Ten Tiny Breaths series features Ben – formerly a bouncer at Penny’s strip club, he featured fairly heavily in the last book of the series and I love him! Yes, he’s a spirited, cocky, ex-football playing, arrogant manwhore – and slightly obnoxious when he wants to be – but he doesn’t seem like the same old cliché that we read about in so many NA novels. Yes, he’s completely unapologetic about his asshole ways, but there is something unique and instantly likeable about him, and he is totally freaking hilarious!

“You’re not my type.”
I’ve heard this before and I don’t believe her. Hell, I’m everyone’s type! Eventually.

Our heroine is Reese, and she is fantastic! She’s a badass – a tattooed, pierced, purple-haired, motorbike-riding badass with an attitude and somewhat violent tendencies. When we are introduced to her at the beginning of the book, she has just been dumped by her cheating husband and has hit rock bottom. When she is offered a helping hand by her estranged but deeply fabulous ex-step-father, she moves with him to Miami looking for a fresh start.

A few months later, she has created a new life for herself and is holidaying in Cancun with girlfriends when she runs into womaniser, Ben. After lots of margaritas, and some sensational banter, they share an unforgettable experience together but don’t stay in touch, only to run into each other months later when Ben starts working at the law firm where Reese works.

Horrified at being in such close proximity to the man who reminds her of a night she would rather forget, Reese immediately goes on the defensive, which does nothing but encourage Ben, and their awesome repartee picks straight back up again! And when circumstances force them to spend even more time together, they slowly start to become friends… friends who are totally hot for each other… working together at a law firm with a strict non-fraternisation policy. But neither of them want a relationship, so it should be easy… right?

I love this book! It’s so freaking funny! The dynamic between Ben and Reese is fantastic. They both have a great sarcastic wit and they tease each other constantly, but they are always brutally honest with each other, and the banter is gold!

“Have you always loved yourself this much?”
“I had an awkward year in ‘ninety-nine, but I got over it quick.”

“No way a guy who’s been in there wouldn’t be bothered watching someone else stick his tongue in your mouth.”
“I think you should send that straight to Hallmark.”

They have so much fun together – fake relationships, paintball, late night swimming and orange groves – but there is a serious side to them, with both of them dealing with painful pasts, and facing difficult times ahead. And as they start to open up to each other, they can’t help but grow close.

“If you have to fight over a guy, he’s not worth it. Go for the one who’s waiting for you.”

Their relationship is a realistic evolution which is perfectly paced and beautifully explored as they go from sort-of enemies, to accomplices to friends, and then more. And as much as I love my swoony romance, in this book it’s fairly restrained. Yes, there is some steamy sexy time, but there is no insta-love, and no immediate transformation of personalities once the hook up happens. The author keeps it real to the characters, and I absolutely love that!

This woman has turned me upside down. Ben Morris does not concern himself with this kind of shit. Ben Morris goes with the flow. Ben Morris is fucking Switzerland! He can get hot ass where and whenever he wants it, no strings attached.

“You know you’re a pig, right?”…
“Yeah, but I’m your pig tonight.” 

Although it forms part of the Ten Tiny Breaths series , it doesn’t tie in with the rest of the characters as much as other books in the series have. The main side characters are newly introduced, and are all incredible – Reese’s girlfriends, Ben’s family and Mason all play off each other brilliantly, and had me laughing constantly. Yes, we get to see some of the characters from the previous books, but their part in the story is minor, and with the timeframe in this book overlapping with the last one, there is no real story progression for them, which seems a strange way for the series to end, but I was satisfied with the way each of the storylines have ended, so although I’m sad that it’s all over, I am left a very happy little reader. And it does mean that this book could easily be read as a standalone.

This was a great, fun read. I absolutely loved it – 4.5 stars.

 

An advanced copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Ten Tiny Breaths series