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Review

This series is fast becoming a favourite!

4.5 stars

Book 3 in The Walshes series features Samuel Walsh, third brother in the Walsh clan, and a total contradiction. Agreed among the family to be the sensitive one with all of the issues, he’s also a sarcastic, arrogant manwhore, and he totally owns it. His romantic life consists of high class bars, copious amounts of gin and a never-ending stream of nameless blondes who are all too willing to get on their knees for him before he moves on.

I didn’t kiss, I didn’t date, I didn’t touch under clothes, I didn’t let anyone touch me save for a particular appendage, I didn’t fuck in beds, and I didn’t undress.
Ever.

He sounds like a total ass, and maybe he is. But there’s just something about him that is so appealing, you can’t help but love him straight away.

The book starts with his unconventional first meeting with Tiel. Tiel is everything that Sam has never gone after in a woman – a “ballsy, boho chick”, she lives her life the way she wants, playing the music she’s so passionate about, doing her own thing and not answering to anybody.

It’s a real case of opposites attract – he’s a workaholic perfectionist, she’s spirited and passionate, but somehow they click and become friends-but-more-than-friends. They spend time together as Tiel introduces Sam into her world of grungy pubs and indie music, he comes over and snuggles on her couch with pizza and a movie, and before they know it they become a huge part of each other’s lives, and they flirt and banter constantly.

“Ah, Samuel? Eyes up here, please.”
I dragged my gaze from her breasts to her lips, and lifted my brows. “Yeah, you’re not my type, but you have an incredible rack, and I’d like having those lips on my dick.”
It sounded like my usual bullshit, but it was possibly the most honest, unfiltered thing I’d said all day.
She snorted, spraying vodka from her mouth and nose, and shook her head. “You need to shut that shit down. I’m not giving you a blowjob. Stop thinking about it.”

I love these characters! Sam is so flawed, and I loved that his issues are not purely emotional. Sure, he had the same damaged upbringing as his siblings (probably getting it a bit worse than the others), but he has physical issues that he has to deal with as well, and that plays a big part as to who he is and why he is the way he is. And Tiel is just perfect for him! She’s strong, spirited and “pure wild”. She comes as a complete surprise to Sam, and their time together is a true journey of discovery – he provides the stability that she doesn’t even realise she needs, and she teaches him to enjoy his life. They’re a great match, and all the while they are slowly falling for each other.

“You just keep crashing into my life, don’t you?” he murmured.
“Trying to get rid of me?” I asked, my hands braced on his chest.
“I don’t think I should,” he murmured.
“Then don’t,” I said.

The love story is a slow burn, with the UST at epic levels. They both think about hooking up constantly, they talk about it constantly, and there is the odd kiss or touch, but neither of them are brave enough to take the plunge and do something about it – until eventually, it all becomes too much.

“How much longer do you think we can do this?” he asked.
“I don’t think anyone else is coming up here, so…”
“No.” His lips passed over my cheek and temple, stopping there while his hand slipped under my dress. “How much longer can we pretend this is enough?”

It’s a fantastic mix of beautiful and romantic, and oh so hot and just a little bit dirty.

“The world makes sense when you let me hold you, and I can only imagine holding you naked would bear similar, if not better, results.”

Sam is a dirty boy, and Tiel is more than happy to go along with that and these two get hot and heavy at every opportunity, and it is sizzling! Their connection is passionate, intense and life changing for the both of them.

I was gutted – torn in two and split the fuck open – and I recognised my long-held fears decimated and discarded on the ground around us.

This is a gorgeous romance. They are best friends before anything happens between them, and for the first time are comfortable in opening up about their vulnerabilities to each other so their feelings for each other are already incredibly deep. They know they both have issues, but the bottom line is, they love each other and they want to be together. It takes them a while to get there, they are both scared, and there is pain and heartache along the way and a lot of stuff to be worked through, but it’s worth it, and I enjoyed every step of their journey.

“All I want to call you is mine … You’re mine and I’m yours.”

The rest of the Walsh clan all play a part in the story, butting their way into each other’s lives as usual. We get to learn a little bit more about controlling sister, Shannon, but it was Riley who really surprised me – the baby of the family who doesn’t quite have it all together seems to be growing up! He has quite the caring, protective streak, and I loved him in this one.

This book is a little on the long side, but I was happily absorbed. It allows Canterbary to give us an in depth story, where we learn all of the details about Sam and Tiel, and we get to see all of the fantastic moments in their relationship – the flirty texts, the inappropriate banter, and the sweet moments that warmed my heart. These books get better and better, and I can’t wait for the next instalment.

I loved it – 4.5 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Walsh series