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Review

“Opposites don’t just attract they freaking catch fire and burn the entire city down”

This book reminded me of Rock Me by Cherrie Lynn. Straight-laced, upper class, seemingly perfect little rich girl harbors a long-time crush on a heavily tattooed and pierced, man-whore, bad boy, tattoo artist (and yes, like Brian, he has that piercing, and then some – Google ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ piercing – go do it. OUCH!)

The problem in this story is that bad boy, Rule, barely tolerates good girl, Shaw. Having known her since they were both teenagers, he sees her as a spoiled princess who belonged to his now-deceased brother and he has never looked at her in that way. Shaw knows this, and has never spoken to him of her feelings, instead watching him live his nasty, man-whorish life and getting her heart trampled on in the process. But when Rule finally takes notice of what has been in front of him for years, all it takes is Shaw finally making her move one hot drunken night for things to change between them forever.

I was a little unsure about the characters to begin with, everybody seemed to be just a little bit too cliched. But it didn’t take me long to get into it. And as soon as Rule and Shaw actually admitted to each other that they wanted to attempt a relationship, I was sucked in. Not only did the chemistry kick up a notch, but they were refreshingly honest about what they were feeling and the expectations that they had, and they communicated really well. And I love that!

“There are probably a million and one regrets I have and if they are going to be between us here or in bed then let’s just stop it now because I’m not going to do combat over my past when my future is finally starting to be something I want to invest in.”

Having been in love with Rule since she was 13, Shaw knows him well, and I loved the dynamic in the relationship where she already knows all his moods, his behaviours, and just how to handle him, while Rule is not only trying out a relationship for the first time, but is also getting to really know the girl he has dismissed for the last few years, but is now totally rocking his world.

With the chapters written in alternating POVs, we get to see exactly what is going on, and being inside of Rule’s head while he is trying to come to terms with what he is feeling is absolutely gorgeous! Similarly, we get to witness Shaw’s struggle to discover who she is. Her parents are incredibly controlling, and she has lived her life trying to please other people. Part of what she loves about Rule is his ability to throw off expectations and just do his own thing, and I loved watching her find the strength and confidence to do the same.

Both characters have some MAJOR family issues that cause problems, and there is also the added drama of a freaky psycho-stalker ex-boyfriend. Their relationship has a lot of ups and downs as they try to deal with these external pressures, as well as the major differences between them, but there are some very hot scenes, and a lot of swoony moments as Rule and Shaw struggle their way to their HEA.

“You have me Shaw, any way you need me, any way you want me, you have me.”

“It’s always been you even when I didn’t want it to be, even when it broke my heart over and over again. It’s just always been you.”

The side characters are great, with the author introducing a very tight circle of friends, and Rule’s gorgeous older brother, Rome. I am looking forward to continuing on with this series, and seeing them have their stories told.

4 stars.