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thepaige_turner's review against another edition
1.0
Disclaimer: I did not finish this book!
Check out my review here: https://thepaigeturnerblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/the-best-kind-of-trouble-by-lauren-dane/
Check out my review here: https://thepaigeturnerblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/the-best-kind-of-trouble-by-lauren-dane/
car3war's review against another edition
3.0
the one who got away is back and not giving up this time
jackiehorne's review against another edition
2.0
It feels strange to knock a book for being TOO realistic, but that's how I've been feeling after reading Dane's contemporary erotic romance. The novel is told largely through dialogue, with little narrative; it feels as if we're sitting in, listening to and occasionally watching real people's lives. There isn't much of a story or plot, though, to give those lives shape or form or meaning. In real life, we don't expect romances to unfold in a shapely way, but in a book, I prefer some sense of logical progression, some sense of change and/or movement as a novel unfolds. Hence, the too realistic problem.
Former wild girl now cautious librarian Natalie runs into mega-star rock-n-roller Paddy Hurley, a man with whom she had a scalding, if short-lived affair back in the day. Paddy wants to take up where they left off (not sure why, except that the sex was smoking), but Natalie is more than a little reluctant, fearing the wild ways of the typical rock star. But Paddy woos her with some charm, some wine, and some pleasure-boat cruising, and the two begin dating. One relationship blow-up happens when Paddy gets drunk during a wine-tasting (Natalie's perpetually reforming but always falling off the wagon alcoholic father has been and continues to be the emotional bane of her existence); another when Paddy thinks Natalie is turning to his brother instead of him when tabloid trouble hits. But they manage to eventually talk through their troubles, accept each other's "baggage," recognize each other's "triggers," and take responsibility for their own shit (a phrase that is repeated so often that it feels like we're in therapy, rather than in a romance novel).
No real character arcs here (Natalie was in therapy before the book started, and worked out all her issues, while Paddy doesn't really seem to have any issues), or plot arc. Just a romance arc, and a fairly weak one at that. But yes, the sex scenes are steamy...
Former wild girl now cautious librarian Natalie runs into mega-star rock-n-roller Paddy Hurley, a man with whom she had a scalding, if short-lived affair back in the day. Paddy wants to take up where they left off (not sure why, except that the sex was smoking), but Natalie is more than a little reluctant, fearing the wild ways of the typical rock star. But Paddy woos her with some charm, some wine, and some pleasure-boat cruising, and the two begin dating. One relationship blow-up happens when Paddy gets drunk during a wine-tasting (Natalie's perpetually reforming but always falling off the wagon alcoholic father has been and continues to be the emotional bane of her existence); another when Paddy thinks Natalie is turning to his brother instead of him when tabloid trouble hits. But they manage to eventually talk through their troubles, accept each other's "baggage," recognize each other's "triggers," and take responsibility for their own shit (a phrase that is repeated so often that it feels like we're in therapy, rather than in a romance novel).
No real character arcs here (Natalie was in therapy before the book started, and worked out all her issues, while Paddy doesn't really seem to have any issues), or plot arc. Just a romance arc, and a fairly weak one at that. But yes, the sex scenes are steamy...
lmmountford's review against another edition
4.0
I'd gove it a 3.5 stars but no option for that, however i't is worth 4 stars more than it is 3. My only reall issues were with the long drawn out conversations about the characters isses and also the frawl of the stage. There also could have been some character descriptions, most of the characters are just names on the page, not much image is given to help us imagine them. Apart from that it is a soldi story and i enjoyed listening to it (I have the audio book).
kpbq81's review against another edition
2.0
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I don't ever read this genre, but I was looking to try something different, easy & summery. It's just not the type of story that I like, and that's simply a personal preference.
This book was better written than I expected it to be, and I think a lot of readers who enjoy this author and this genre will love the story. I didn't find it interesting or realistic. I think the story would have been better if Paddy & Natalie's major fight was over Paddy being unfaithful. But again, that's just my personal preference. I don't think I'll read any of the other related books.
I don't ever read this genre, but I was looking to try something different, easy & summery. It's just not the type of story that I like, and that's simply a personal preference.
This book was better written than I expected it to be, and I think a lot of readers who enjoy this author and this genre will love the story. I didn't find it interesting or realistic. I think the story would have been better if Paddy & Natalie's major fight was over Paddy being unfaithful. But again, that's just my personal preference. I don't think I'll read any of the other related books.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
A great story of the true struggles of two people with plenty of baggage and hangups trying to find their way to be together in a hard world. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
A great beginning to a new series by Lauren Dane with a spunky librarian and a sexy rock star. Years ago Natalie and Paddy had a hot two weeks together but life pulled them apart. When they run in to each other in small town Hood River, Paddy can’t believe that one of the women he remembers from his past can’t seem to remember him. But Natalie remembers Paddy well, she just wanted to move on from that time in her life and leave it behind her. Natalie can’t deny the sparks that Paddy still gives her so as they get to know each other they open up about their trouble pasts and share their dreams. Paddy is ready to jump in with both feet but Natalie is reluctant to enter in to the kind of commitment Paddy is hoping for when his lifestyle brings up so many bad memories. A great introduction to a fun, sexy new series. I’m very excited for what else The Hurley Boys can get up to.
ipomoea's review
4.0
I really enjoy Lauren Dane's books-- they're a little bit racier than the standard contemporary romance, which is all to the good, and she writes loving, complex families and friends for her characters.
Natalie is a librarian determined to live up to the stereotype of a small town librarian-- quiet, controlled, reliable, living in a Victorian house. But Hood River's local boys done good, rock band Sweet Hollow Ranch, know better, and their lead singer remembers her from a two-week sweaty fling they shared in Portland, before he made it big and she made it to Evergreen and a MLIS. When Paddy and Natalie meet over her usual Monday coffee, she doubles down on her control and self-reliance, and he doubles down on the charm and patience.
I love that Dane's characters have imperfections, address their imperfections, argue, and then acknowledge their problems and work through them together like adults, and Natalie and Paddy are no exception. While this isn't quite a genre intro title for me, it's one I'd eagerly suggest to people who've started to explore romance and want more.
Natalie is a librarian determined to live up to the stereotype of a small town librarian-- quiet, controlled, reliable, living in a Victorian house. But Hood River's local boys done good, rock band Sweet Hollow Ranch, know better, and their lead singer remembers her from a two-week sweaty fling they shared in Portland, before he made it big and she made it to Evergreen and a MLIS. When Paddy and Natalie meet over her usual Monday coffee, she doubles down on her control and self-reliance, and he doubles down on the charm and patience.
I love that Dane's characters have imperfections, address their imperfections, argue, and then acknowledge their problems and work through them together like adults, and Natalie and Paddy are no exception. While this isn't quite a genre intro title for me, it's one I'd eagerly suggest to people who've started to explore romance and want more.
jeannethinks's review
4.0
So excited for this series where we get to know the Hurley brothers better.