Finally, Mike's story. This was a little kinkier with the sexy times, but also deeper emotionally than the other 3 books. The break through comes near the end of the book, needless to say. Mike is still mourning his wife, who died in childbirth 6 years prior. Del breaks through his barriers, but he still can't let go. She has had bad luck with past relationships & goes into this one assuming it will crash and burn at some point. Colin, Mike's son, plays a major part in bringing them together, as well as providing comic relief! Again, I would recommend reading all 4 books in this series in order, as the characters and story lines carry through all books. Loved this story!
Cynthia F. (frazerc) reviewed What to Do with a Bad Boy (McCauley Brothers, Bk 4) on + 672 more book reviews
Synopsis:
WHAT IS WITH MIKE McCAULEY?
Every time Delilah Webster runs into Mike McCauley, he practically bites her head off. The rough-and-tumble contractor clearly has baggage. Del has her own emotional scars and knows shes better off keeping her distance, but Mikes temptation in jeans and a T-shirt and shes always been good with her hands
Theres something about the strong-willed mechanic that sets Mikes motor runningand scares the hell out of him. Mike has loved and lost and will never hurt like that again, even if that means walking away from a woman who makes him feel alive for the first time in years.
When a simple kiss turns hot and heavy, Mike discovers he cant stay away, no matter how certain he is theyre destined to crash and burn
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author MARIE HARTE is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, shes constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit www.marieharte.com and fall in love.
Review:
First off, Im a fan. Im a writers favorite kind of fan, I own everything shes put out some in multiple formats or versions. Shes that good. I personally prefer her science fiction and paranormal stuff but her contemporaries are also excellently written. That said, lets move on to the review.
Although this could be read as a standalone, it works much better as part of the series. Mike and Del, the hero and heroine, have been dancing for several books now so a lot of anticipation of their story has built up. Mike is a still grief-stricken widower with a small son and a streak of neatness that borders on obsession. [Thats a comment from a totally non-neat person so may be over-reaction on my part.] Del is his blue-collar, tattoo-wearing nemesis with piercings and attitude. He doesnt approve of her, doesnt like her, and DEFINITELY doesnt want her around his son who does like her. He keeps telling himself that. Del is on-board with that she is totally not interested. Totally. But then theres Colin, a six-year-old Machiavelli who wants a puppy, a mom and a little brother and is willing to do what he must to get them.
If youre looking for a sweet and delicate romance, dont go here. Del brings out the inner bad boy that Mike struggles to keep hidden, even from himself. Family and friends his, hers, and Colins tumble and meddle around the major players and everybody swears. The sex is hot, graphic and occasionally kinky. But with a story named What to Do with a Bad Boy that shouldnt be a surprise.
The characters are wonderful. One of Ms. Hartes strengths is her characterizations. Her people live and breathe. Whether they are major or minor players each character is fleshed out and has his or her own voice. She creates people you would like to meet [or in the case of some of her bad guys, run away from.] As for the hero and heroine? Yes, Ms. Harte does sexual chemistry very well and she does love even better. You are left knowing the hero and heroine are together, forever, and forever is going to be a very hot place
McCauley Brothers series
#1 The Troublemaker Next Door
#2 How to Handle a Heartbreaker
#3 Ruining Mr. Perfect
#4 What to Do with a Bad Boy
Author:
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author MARIE HARTE is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, shes constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit www.marieharte.com and fall in love.
An Excerpt
He leaned down, so that his nose was all but touching hers. Sweetheart, you couldnt handle what Im really made of.
Stupid Del wanted to drag his stubborn mouth closer for the kiss she could all but taste. >From the look in his eyes, he wanted the same. Mike might not like her much, but the man wanted her. She could feel the chemistry between them, and it burned.
Self-preservation reared its head, and she ducked under him and hustled to the door leading to the hall. She opened it and waited. Dont let it hit you in the ass, Mike.
He chuckled as he sauntered to join her. Youll watch what you say around Colin?
Yep. When I see him Wednesday night, I promise to call you a buttwipe instead of an asshole. Fair?
He sighed. Guess itll have to do. For now. To her shock, he dragged a rough finger down her exposed neck. Nice hair, by the way. I like the braids pulled back. Shows off your pretty neck. No tats here, sweetness?
She didnt know what to say, frozen by the combustible lust and confusion drowning her system.
He stared into her eyes again, gave a satisfied smile, then left.
She watched his fine ass leave the building, heard a few choice remarks from the guys in the garage who also watched him leave, and yelled at them to get back to work. Then she slammed into her office and plopped her butt in her chair, staring without seeing at the mess on her desk.
She rubbed her neck over the spot hed touched and tried to be madder about what hed done. What hed called her.
Sweetness?
Copy received from Netgalley and publisher for an honest review.
WHAT IS WITH MIKE McCAULEY?
Every time Delilah Webster runs into Mike McCauley, he practically bites her head off. The rough-and-tumble contractor clearly has baggage. Del has her own emotional scars and knows shes better off keeping her distance, but Mikes temptation in jeans and a T-shirt and shes always been good with her hands
Theres something about the strong-willed mechanic that sets Mikes motor runningand scares the hell out of him. Mike has loved and lost and will never hurt like that again, even if that means walking away from a woman who makes him feel alive for the first time in years.
When a simple kiss turns hot and heavy, Mike discovers he cant stay away, no matter how certain he is theyre destined to crash and burn
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author MARIE HARTE is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, shes constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit www.marieharte.com and fall in love.
Review:
First off, Im a fan. Im a writers favorite kind of fan, I own everything shes put out some in multiple formats or versions. Shes that good. I personally prefer her science fiction and paranormal stuff but her contemporaries are also excellently written. That said, lets move on to the review.
Although this could be read as a standalone, it works much better as part of the series. Mike and Del, the hero and heroine, have been dancing for several books now so a lot of anticipation of their story has built up. Mike is a still grief-stricken widower with a small son and a streak of neatness that borders on obsession. [Thats a comment from a totally non-neat person so may be over-reaction on my part.] Del is his blue-collar, tattoo-wearing nemesis with piercings and attitude. He doesnt approve of her, doesnt like her, and DEFINITELY doesnt want her around his son who does like her. He keeps telling himself that. Del is on-board with that she is totally not interested. Totally. But then theres Colin, a six-year-old Machiavelli who wants a puppy, a mom and a little brother and is willing to do what he must to get them.
If youre looking for a sweet and delicate romance, dont go here. Del brings out the inner bad boy that Mike struggles to keep hidden, even from himself. Family and friends his, hers, and Colins tumble and meddle around the major players and everybody swears. The sex is hot, graphic and occasionally kinky. But with a story named What to Do with a Bad Boy that shouldnt be a surprise.
The characters are wonderful. One of Ms. Hartes strengths is her characterizations. Her people live and breathe. Whether they are major or minor players each character is fleshed out and has his or her own voice. She creates people you would like to meet [or in the case of some of her bad guys, run away from.] As for the hero and heroine? Yes, Ms. Harte does sexual chemistry very well and she does love even better. You are left knowing the hero and heroine are together, forever, and forever is going to be a very hot place
McCauley Brothers series
#1 The Troublemaker Next Door
#2 How to Handle a Heartbreaker
#3 Ruining Mr. Perfect
#4 What to Do with a Bad Boy
Author:
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author MARIE HARTE is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, shes constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit www.marieharte.com and fall in love.
An Excerpt
He leaned down, so that his nose was all but touching hers. Sweetheart, you couldnt handle what Im really made of.
Stupid Del wanted to drag his stubborn mouth closer for the kiss she could all but taste. >From the look in his eyes, he wanted the same. Mike might not like her much, but the man wanted her. She could feel the chemistry between them, and it burned.
Self-preservation reared its head, and she ducked under him and hustled to the door leading to the hall. She opened it and waited. Dont let it hit you in the ass, Mike.
He chuckled as he sauntered to join her. Youll watch what you say around Colin?
Yep. When I see him Wednesday night, I promise to call you a buttwipe instead of an asshole. Fair?
He sighed. Guess itll have to do. For now. To her shock, he dragged a rough finger down her exposed neck. Nice hair, by the way. I like the braids pulled back. Shows off your pretty neck. No tats here, sweetness?
She didnt know what to say, frozen by the combustible lust and confusion drowning her system.
He stared into her eyes again, gave a satisfied smile, then left.
She watched his fine ass leave the building, heard a few choice remarks from the guys in the garage who also watched him leave, and yelled at them to get back to work. Then she slammed into her office and plopped her butt in her chair, staring without seeing at the mess on her desk.
She rubbed her neck over the spot hed touched and tried to be madder about what hed done. What hed called her.
Sweetness?
Copy received from Netgalley and publisher for an honest review.
