Author: Rachel Van Dyken (Page 3 of 4)

Synopsis:

Isla made one teeny little mistake. Now she and her PI company, Dirty Exes, are being targeted by one seriously angry and furiously sexy ex-quarterback. Jessie freakin’ Beckett. But there’s no way some NFL superhunk is going to take her business away. If only he didn’t make her so hot—and bothered.

Jessie wants payback for a ruined reputation. His plan? Top secret. His hard-to-hide arousal for Isla? Not so much. Especially when they let down their guards and sneak a kiss. Like any juicy scandal, it goes so viral, so fast, that only a good lie can combat the bad press. Mortal enemies in a fling? No way. Um…this is love!

Actually…could it be?

Isla’s not faking it. Jessie can’t. As the game of let’s pretend gets real, Jessie forgets all about revenge. That’s the problem. His plan is already out of his control. Now it could undo everything they’ve been trying to build. Coming clean may be the only thing that can save it.

Review:

Dangerous Exes was a ton of fun, hilariously addicting and oh so sexy!  I have been excited for this book since I finished reading the last page of Dirty Exes!  I’m happy to say that I loved this book just as much as the first! Revenge, lust, friendship and romance filled this story along with my favorite thing of all, enemies to lovers.  So if you’re a fan of romance stories that have love to hate in the pages, then you definitely have to pick this one up.

“You’re a good kisser, Isla.” He tilted my chin toward him. “But it’s not enough— I will shut you down, that I promise.”
He walked off leaving me hot, breathless, and pissed.
I opened my car door and tossed my purse in the opposite seat, then pressed my fingertips against my lips and cursed the universe for doing the impossible. Making me feel alive again— by way of my enemy.

If you haven’t read Dirty Exes yet, I highly recommend you do (here’s my review).  Everything started in that book and it continued to play out in this one.  So going into this story, I already liked Isla Turner and Jessie Beckett.  Towards the end of Dirty Exes they were slowly becoming friends and there was even chemistry between them, but that all changed.  Jessie’s life went up in smoke and he set his sights to destroy Isla’s PI business. Just like she destroyed his life.

I hated his smirk more than I hated his body.
Because it made me react.
Hell, everything he did made me react and want to seek vengeance with a fiery purpose on his damned soul.

I couldn’t help but laugh when Jessie showed up wherever Isla was.  He infiltrated her life and it started to drive her crazy. But when a kiss happened between them and it became public, because of Jessie’s high profile life, things shifted.  Jessie was still trying to accomplish his goal, Isla was fighting back, yet now there were kisses and touches between them.  I loved how they toyed with each.  I loved the games they played. But I loved the passion between them the most.  It was crazy addicting and created so many explosive scenes bursting with sexual tension.  

She grinned excitedly, then took a deep sip and moaned as she closed her eyes. “You know me well.”
I’m sure she didn’t mean to say it.
Just like my heart didn’t mean to react to the words.
My body felt warm all over as her eyes met mine.
I cleared my throat and looked away while she returned her attention to the game.

No matter how hard Jessie wanted to hate Isla, he couldn’t ignore what was between them.  And Isla couldn’t deny that she was attracted to Jessie and that he made her feel things. Oh I loved the both of them so much!  Jessie was seductive and controlling, yet he showed us more  sides of him. We learned his deepest, darkest secrets and it made me fall for him that much harder.  Isla was also controlling but she had this energy to her that was addictive. She probably got it from her great aunt, Goo-Pah.  That woman was hilarious and she made me laugh so hard I cried.

Maybe my view of perfection was wrong— had been wrong all along.
It wasn’t the perfect house.
The perfect wife.
It wasn’t the perfect life or career.
It was moments like this, with a woman I would never understand or deserve, lying on my lap asleep, and me wishing I could hold on to the seconds a little bit longer.

Desire and lust swirled between Jessie and Isla anytime they were near each other.  With emotions and feelings mixing into the moments too, I was obsessed. And you couldn’t tear me away from this book!  If it’s not completely obvious, I absolutely loved this book and that ending! I’ve realized that every single time I pick up a book by Rachel Van Dyken my spirits are always lifted.  Her stories are feel good, heartfelt and continually make me smile and laugh. So I can’t wait to read whatever Rachel Van Dyken publishes next!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher, Skyscape. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Synopsis:

Blaire has never quite gotten over Jessie Beckett, the ex–NFL star whose kisses were hot enough to ignite the entire Eastern Seaboard. When he chose work over her, Blaire was left brokenhearted. Why else would she have married a skeezy two-timer, just to divorce him less than a year later?

Now Blaire is getting even by becoming one half of Dirty Exes, a PI firm fully committed to humiliating cheating jerks. If only the new jerk she’s been hired to uncover wasn’t Jessie Beckett himself.

Exposing Jessie isn’t going to be easy, especially when she still daydreams about his sexy smile. Further complicating matters is Colin, Jessie’s best friend. He’s gorgeous, a little bit cunning, and willing to help Blaire get the inside scoop on Jessie—for a price.

Now caught between two men—one totally right and the other totally wrong—Blaire will need to decide just how much she’s willing to risk…and whom she’s willing to risk it for.

Review:

Dirty Exes caught my attention from the first page and from there I was a goner.  This book was so much fun, laugh out loud funny and had my emotions in a huge, disastrous mess.  I loved every minute of it and highly recommended Dirty Exes to all of those out there that love romance!

What. If.
Two very dangerous words.
Two horrible words.
Words that should never be put together in any way, shape, or form. – Blaire

Blaire had been screwed over in her past.  She was ditched by a boyfriend who was drafted into the NFL and then years down the road she caught her husband cheating on her.  While she was jaded, she ended up making a new best friend, Isla. And they opened up a business together where they were hired to catch high profile partners cheating.  But Blaire’s latest target made her pause.  It was her NFL ex.

He put a hand on my shoulder then faced Colin, his body completely blocking mine as his fingers slid down my shoulder, hooked in the strap of my bra, and gave a little snap before caressing my skin with his knuckles the way he used to.
I jerked in response.
My body heated.
Bastard.
I closed my eyes.
Hate him, hate him, hate him.
I just needed to chant it about a dozen more times.

From the moment Blaire ran into her ex, Jessie Beckett, there was no denying that something was still there.  There was chemistry, attraction and a whole lot of what ifs running around. Their first time meeting up had me smiling while also fanning my face!  As if I wasn’t intrigued enough, we got some chapters from Jessie’s pov. As we learned about his life, my heart broke for him and he pulled me in even further.  Then we met Colin, Jessie’s best friend, and I was completely confused over what was going to happen next.

And there I was, on my birthday, in a shitty bar, with a girl who stole sideways looks at my best friend, while all I wanted was for her eyes to be on me. – Colin

The way Colin and Blaire met was hilarious.  And while she tried her hardest to think of Colin in not the best of lights, it was impossible.  He was also hot, sexy and had a past that broke my heart. Just like Jessie, she had chemistry with him too.  To complicate matters, if Jessie and Blaire were around each other, Colin always seemed to be there. I was strongly on the Jessie team, but then we got chapters in Colin’s pov.  And from here began the moments where my heart was pulled every which way.  I fell for them both.  This has NEVER happened to me before.  I have always had no problem just picking one boy.  But here?!  I had NO clue who I wanted Blaire to be with.  To say I was an emotional wreck is a huge understatement lol.  

“Damn, this is some messed-up shit,” Isla said under her breath. “I’m witnessing a sordid love triangle, like an HBO drama I can’t get out of.”

As the story progressed, I eventually found myself rooting and cheering for only one of them.  And I hoped, prayed and wished with all of my heart and soul that Blaire and I were on the same page.  It was so hard to tell how it was going to pan out. Just so you know, I’m usually not the hugest fan of love triangles.  But this one was done absolutely perfect.  If all love triangles were written like this, I could handle them all.

Suddenly he was there. His scent wrapped around me, his fingers gripped mine, and I felt at home. Safe.
I felt everything in his touch.
His promises, his kisses.
Him.

Dirty Exes was so much fun and I found myself laughing so hard that I was shaking and had tears in my eyes.  If you haven’t read one of Rachel Van Dyken’s books before, you have to know that her characters are always unique, stand out and are so easy to connect with.  Also, her stories play out like I’m watching a movie.  I highly recommend Dirty Exes to everyone who adores romance, friendship and who can handle some love triangle vibes.  The next book is about Blaire’s best friend, Isla, and I can’t wait to read her story next!