Title: Some Like It Hot by Susan Andersen
Razor Bay Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
“Wrong for each other” never felt more right…
Even a lifelong traveler like Harper Summerville has to admire the scenery in Razor Bay, Washington. There’s the mountains. The evergreens. The water. And Max Bradshaw, the incredibly sexy deputy sheriff. Still, Harper’s here only for the summer, working covertly for her family’s foundation. And getting involved with this rugged, intense former marine would be a definite conflict of interest—professionally and personally.
Max’s scarred childhood left him determined to put down roots in Razor Bay, yet one look at Harper—a woman who happily lives out of a suitcase—leaves him speechless with desire for things he’s never had. He might not be big on talking, but Max’s toe-curling kisses are getting the message across loud and clear. Harper belongs here, with him, because things are only beginning to heat up….
The Review:
A heartwarming romance that will keep you smiling from ear to ear, Some Like It Hot is an absolutely delightful addition to Susan Andersen’s Razor Bay series. Harper Summerville loves traveling and meeting new people. Max Bradshaw has strong family ties to Razor Bay and has no intentions of ever leaving. Their electrifying sexual attraction brings them together but will Harper’s secrets and her wandering feet tear them apart?
Introduced in That Thing Called Love, Max and Harper are very appealing protagonists. Max is a multi-layered character with a surprising amount of depth. In the beginning, he is pretty serious and reserved but once he begins to come out of his shell, he is quite charming. Max still carries the emotional baggage from his childhood, but he uses his experiences to connect with the troubled teenagers at the boys club in town. Max and his half-brother Jake’s attempts to overcome their troubled past have successfully mended the rift between them and some of their scenes are the best ones in the novel.
Harper is a breath of fresh air and I found her an easy character to relate to. She has an enthusiastic and bubbly personality and her energy leaps off the pages. Harper is at odds with her mother over her vagabond lifestyle, and their relationship is loving but contentious. She has easily settled in to her (temporary) life in Razor Bay and she is quickly forming close friendships with her boss Jenny and another local Tasha. Although she is quickly growing to love her new life, Harper panics at the thought of settling in one place permanently.
Max and Harper initially harbor misconceptions about one another, and the slow buildup of their relationship allows them to get know each other. Underlying their growing friendship is a delicious sexual tension and in a refreshing change of pace, Max is the one who is hesitant to take their relationship to the next level. When they finally do give into their passion, their sex scenes are sensual yet full of emotion.
While their relationship is progressing relatively smoothly, Harper’s departure is drawing ever closer. Max is beginning to become suspicious of her seemingly furtive behavior and when he uncovers the real reason Harper is in Razor Bay, his insecurities cause him to lash out at her. Given his past, Max’s reactions are realistic and once his initial shock has passed, he is able to look at their situation more objectively. When Max proposes a compromise to Harper, will her fears keep them from reconciling?
While Some Like It Hot is well-written, some of the dialogue and phrases are a little outdated. I was fully immersed in the story and while it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the novel, it occurs often enough that I kept thinking there was no way someone that age would use that particular saying. It is an minor distraction but one worth mentioning.
A sweet, yet sexy, novel, Some Like It Hot is a perfect blend of family, friendship and romance. The cast of characters is diverse, beautifully developed and immensely likable. The plot is compelling and the conflict that arises between Max and Harper is believable and it is resolved fairly quickly. Late in the novel, the introduction of a surprise character with unexpected (and intriguing) ties to Razor Bay leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in Susan Andersen’s fabulous Razor Bay series.
Read my reviews of the other books in the series HERE.
