Review: The Best Kind of Trouble by Lauren Dane

Title: The Best Kind of Trouble by Lauren Dane
The Hurley Boys Book One
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She has complete control… and he’s determined to take it away

A librarian in the small town of Hood River, Natalie Clayton’s world is very nearly perfect. After a turbulent childhood and her once-wild ways, life is now under control. But trouble has a way of turning up unexpectedly—especially in the tall, charismatically sexy form of Paddy Hurley….

And Paddy is the kind of trouble that Natalie has a taste for.

Even after years of the rock and roll lifestyle, Paddy never forgot the two wickedly hot weeks he once shared with Natalie. Now he wants more… even if it means tempting Natalie and her iron-grip control. But there’s a fine line between well-behaved and misbehaved—and the only compromise is between the sheets!

The Review:

The Best Kind of Trouble is the first steamy installment in Lauren Dane’s spin-off rocker series, The Hurley Boys. Although characters from the Delicious and Brown series make guest appearances, The Best Kind of Trouble can be read as a standalone novel.

Paddy Hurley and Natalie Clayton spent a wild couple of weeks together back when Paddy’s band, Sweet Hollow Ranch, was just beginning. Fast forward twelve years and both of them are in very different places in their lives. Sweet Hollow Ranch hit it big soon after their fling and Paddy is a well-known rock star who enjoys the perks that go along with fame and fortune. Natalie is now a librarian who values her safe, calm and controlled life. When a serendipitous meeting in a local coffee shop brings the two of them face to face, they are still attracted to one another but Natalie wants nothing to do with Paddy or his rock and roll lifestyle. Paddy has done a lot of maturing too but convincing Natalie that he has changed his wild ways is next to impossible.

Natalie and Paddy’s relationship is a minefield due to Natalie’s tumultuous past. She has finally found a way to leave the chaos of her childhood behind and she has firm boundaries where her family is concerned, but unfortunately, they continue to try to manipulate her. Letting Paddy into her life is not easy for her, but he slowly but steadily gains her trust. After a few missteps in the beginning, they have an open and honest relationship where they actually talk to one another about their problems and they work together to find solutions that work for both of them. The conflict that arises between them occurs fairly late in the story and wow! Total shocker that pretty much left me reeling and wondering what in the heck sparked that very out of character reaction.

Natalie and Paddy’s sex scenes are well-detailed, scorching hot and plentiful. Paddy excels at dirty talking and Natalie is stunned by how much it turns her on. For the most part, Paddy is fairly laid back and easygoing, but in the bedroom? He is in complete control which gives their encounters a bit of a dominant/submissive vibe. Nothing too over the top, but when Paddy tells Natalie what to do, she is quick to obey and she enjoys every second of it.

The Best Kind of Trouble is a truly lovely romance that is sweet yet very sexy. The cast of characters is beautifully developed, down to earth and immensely appealing. The storyline is well-executed and very realistic. Natalie and Paddy’s relationship is believable and it is such a joy watching them fall in love. It is a strong beginning to Lauren Dane’s Hurley Boys series that will leave readers very impatient for the next installment.