ARC Review: Even the Score by Beth Ehemann

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Review

4 stars!

I loved it!

This book can be read as a standalone, but technically it follows on from the Cranberry Inn and Viper’s Heart series, and is the story of sports agent, Andy Shaw. Andy has appeared in each book of the previous series, and I loved seeing him finally get his happy ending.

Andy has worked hard to build his career and not only is he an agent to a range of successful athletes (Brody and Viper included), but he runs his own very successful company. He is also a single father to two adorable children, aged 6 and 9. His ex-wife is a bitch-troll from hell, and since their divorce he has been struggling to find a balance between work and family.

My kids were growing up, and I was so busy trying to provide a nice life for them, I hadn’t bothered to actually be a part of their lives.

To lighten his workload he decides brings on a partner, and he is thrilled when hot-shot agent Danicka Douglas applies for the position, knowing that she has the success and drive to help steer his company where he wants it to go – even if it means working every day with a woman who appeals to him like no other.

Dani is a strong, confident woman. She has worked hard to make a name for herself in a mostly-male industry, and she’s desperate to move on from her last firm where she was subjected to all kinds of inappropriate behaviour, and make a fresh start. She soon realises that working with Andy is a dream come true, except for the added complication that she’s madly attracted to her gorgeous boss.

From the very start, Andy and Dani have great chemistry. It’s clear that they’re attracted to each other, but Andy being the boss, and Dani’s need to prove herself in her job means that they don’t act on those feelings – even if their shy smiles, surreptitious glances and sweet interactions are fooling nobody.

“Oh my God.” A smile rolled slowly across Ellie’s lips as she looked back and forth between the two of us. “I feel like I’m watching the most adorable conversation on the playground right now. Are you two going steady now?”

The sexual tension builds beautifully as Andy and Dani dance around each other, and the sense of anticipation as we wait for the inevitable is fantastic! But before they can act on it, a dangerous threat is revealed when they learn that Dani has a stalker, and he has violent intentions. Not knowing where the danger is coming from and with each threat becoming more personal, Dani is understandably terrified, and Andy steps in to protect her.

“Why are you so good to me?”
… I leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently. “Because whether or not you’re ready to admit it, you’re my girl.”

OMG I love this man! He is absolute perfection! Dedicated to his family and the people he cares about, he is strong and protective, kind and big-hearted, sweet, funny, so freaking sexy, and not afraid of his feelings or scared to put himself out there. He wants Dani, and he fights for her, and the poor girl is powerless to resist. There is no insta-love here, their relationship takes time to develop, and I revelled in each and every moment. It’s realistic, natural, passionate and swoony, and it’s absolutely beautiful

“I know you’re a runner and this freaks you out, but you’re going to have to get over it, because in these last couple of months – long before you let me – I fell in love with you. And I’m not falling out anytime soon.”

I could feel everything right alongside them as they fell for each other, and I loved seeing them together as Dani becomes a part of Andy’s life. And I especially loved the moments which included his children, they are so freaking cute and if seeing Andy with them wasn’t gorgeous enough, seeing them embrace Dani and watching them together as their relationships develop was beautifully done. Beth Ehemann does the family thing so well, and she rocked it with this one.

But Dani is still in danger, and things are going to get much worse before they get better. It’s an exciting read and the mystery/danger storyline is woven in really nicely with the romance to give this book a really intense feel. I was completely wrapped up in the story and loved every moment of it, right up to the epilogue which was absolutely perfect and left me with a big grin on my face.

Of course Brody and Viper are a part of the story, and I loved catching up with them. Seeing the guys together was a real treat, and I loved their teasing, banter and total inappropriateness, and I love seeing them happy with their girls. I also loved the introduction of the fourth member of the group, NBL player, Justin. We get a glimpse of his backstory in this one, and I hope he’ll be getting his own book soon!

I really enjoyed this book. Sweet, sexy and romantic with a touch of suspense and excitement, it was a great read. I loved Andy and Dani together, and though it wasn’t always easy, their story played out perfectly for them, and I loved it.

4 shining stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

This book is a standalone, but it follows on from the Cranberry Inn and Viper’s Heart series.

Cranberry Inn

  Room for More  Room for Just a Little Bit More 

Room for You (#1)
Review
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Room for More (#2)
Review
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Room for Just a Little Bit More (#2.5)
Review
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A Cranberry Inn Christmas (#2.75)
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Viper’s Heart Duet

Follows on from the Cranberry Inn series featuring side character, Viper

 

Cement Heart (#1)
Review
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Wild Heart (#2)
Review
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Even the ScoreEven the Score

(Standalone – Andy’s book)
Review
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