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Review

“You look like the rest of my life.”

3.5 predictably sweet, sexy and romantic stars

The third book of the Boudreaux series brings us the story of Declan and Callie, and it’s trademark
Kristen Proby all the way. Sweet, sexy, funny, and gorgeously romantic with fantastic family and friend dynamics, it’s comfort food in book form, and I really enjoyed it.

Callie grew up in New Orleans but left town to escape a family tragedy and give herself a fresh start. She has made a life for herself in Denver managing a bar, but the death of her father sees her returning home for the first time in years to take over her her father’s bar in the middle of the French Quarter. It’s a bit worn down, but Callie is a master renovator so she sets about fixing the place up and making it something really special.

Declan Boudreaux is the artist of his family, a talented musician who makes his living by playing in bars. One of his gigs is at The Odyssey, and when he turns up for his first show in the newly renovated bar, he is impressed with the new venue, and even more impressed by the spunky new owner.

All I have to do is take one look at Callie and know that there’s a God. And I hope to make her call out his name in thanks in the very near future.

No great surprises where the story is going. There’s great banter and flirting, things quickly progress to smoking hot sexy time and an easy and realistic emotional connection. There is a little bit of drama in this one though – there are some mixed messages and Declan hasn’t really been in a relationship before and has no idea how to handle women – so it takes a little while for them to find their groove. But it becomes the basis for a gorgeous friendship to form between them, with lots of sweet and fun moments as well as some great romantic development, and it’s all handled really well (I especially enjoyed Declan’s sisters getting on his case about how clueless he is).

Both Declan and Callie have a bit of growing to as they sort themselves out and figure out what they want, and even with the little bit of back and forth (and issues that could be SO easily resolved with a quick conversation) this is an easy, natural, mostly functional relationship that is fun, sweet and seriously hot (like, SERIOUSLY hot!!! Piano scene anybody? Phew!).

“What do you need?”
He sighs and rubs his fingers over his mouth
“I need you to talk to me too,” he replies softly. “I need your brutal honesty, always. I need your body against me every day, and I need to be inside you more than I need my next breath.”
“That sounds good to me,” I whisper.
… “I just need you, baby.”

And the swoon is gorgeous!

“I’m lost to her, forever.
She doesn’t just own my heart, she is my heart.”

There’s a lot of interaction with Declan’s family and I enjoyed catching up with them. Drunken girls night is always a highlight of Kristen Proby books, and this one is no different, and I love these fabulous women and their antics. There’s continuation for the other couples we’ve already met and continued set up for future stories (the next book will be Charley’s, but damn I want Ben and Savannah’s book!!!), and as a bonus there’s a fantastic tie-in to the Seattle series and I loved the opportunity to catch up with Will, Meg, Sam and Leo and see some story progression for them.

I enjoyed this book. It’s nothing too intense or surprising, but it’s an easy, enjoyable read and just what I was in the mood for. I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.

3.5 stars.