Saturday, December 26, 2015

review || HEADED FOR TROUBLE { blog tour } by Shiloh Walker


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St. Martin's Paperbacks | December 29, 2015 | Romantic Suspense
McKays, book 1
★★★★★

SOURCE: PUBLISHER


SHE'S A SMALL-TOWN GIRL WITH BIG DREAMS.

Nine years ago, Neve McKay fled her small Southern town and disapproving family to seek a career in the big city. Now she's finally coming home - and hoping for a fresh start. But the relationship that shattered her world still haunts her. And even among her nearest and dearest, she doesn't feel safe.

CAN THIS BAD BOY BE THE ANSWER TO HER PRAYERS?

Ian Campbell is a pure Scottish muscle - as hard and handsome as they come. But when Neve walks into his bar, his heart melts . . . and he vows to have this gorgeous and somewhat vulnerable woman in his life - for better or for worse. What is Neve's tragic secret? And how can Neve expect Ian to protect her, when doing so could put his own life at risk? The only thing Ian knows for sure is that he will do whatever it takes to keep her out of harm's way - and in his loving arms.

{ review } .

While this book technically belongs to Neve and Ian, we get insight and thought processes from everyone. I found this to be an interesting way to write the story. It makes sense, sure, because all of this happens at the same time. I would have liked more Neve and Ian time, definitely (I really heart these two), but I did enjoy the thoughts of the other characters.

We get Neve's siblings and the people who they will undoubtedly end up with when it's time for their "technically belongs to" book. I loved that we felt Neve's nervousness in coming home, her fears at not being accepted -- after all, she left on bad terms and the returned letters were proof enough her family didn't want her back. I loved the anger Brannon had -- his need to protect both his older and baby sister were palpable and so damn lovely. I loved him, I really did. He was such a strong, solid person, but when it came to the ladies in his life... that was his breaking point. And then there's Moira, who had been given guardianship when she was barely out of childhood herself, and she certainly had her share of regrets of those last few years with Neve.

Neve's secrets and her family's reactions to them? My goodness gracious, I just wanted to hug all these people.

I loved that we got Brannon's thoughts, Moira's thoughts, Gideon and Hannah's thoughts. I loved watching as Brannon and Hannah circled one another, and Gideon and Moira fought the lingering attraction from a young romance gone bad -- as most young relationships do. The story sets up for their stories so extremely well, building that chemistry and their attractions, making the reader (at least this one) so excited for their stories to eventually come out.

I could have done without the 'bad guy' thoughts -- I like to be kept in the dark during those times, to be honest (...says the epilogue reader). Those are generally the parts I skip over. I'm not sure what it is about a psychotic person's mindset, but I'd rather not read it. I'd rather be jolted in surprise when the bad guy comes and does his thing.

When Neve returns home, she knows people are going to think of her as 'trouble' -- after all, she earned the nickname as a teenager, needing attention. However, she'd been forced to grow up in the time since she's left home, and now she wants to keep the moniker far behind her. Meeting the Scot in a bar named for Treasure Island had her attractions burning for the first time in a long time -- Ian, too, hadn't been as drawn to a woman before as he was to the redhead. Upon learning that she was his best friend's little sister, though, Ian has to take a step back and make decisions. Ian and Brannon's friendship was great to read -- especially once Ian and Neve started to 'officially' date. These two men were definitely like brothers, but both of their needs to protect, shield, and help Neve was lovely.

"So what's with you an Ian?"

[Neve] stopped dead in her tracks. "Me and Ian?"

"Yeah." [Brannon] stared at her hard. "You know, the big guy who had his hands all over you. In the middle of the street."

She narrowed her eyes. "We weren't in the middle of the street. We were in the car. But next time, we can try kissing in the middle of the street. For comparison."

I just loved these siblings. I really, really did. Neve still had her smart mouth, but I think that comes from being 'baby sister' more than anything else. And maybe a little bit heritage, too.

I'm hopeful that with the way Shiloh has written the story, we will have more first-person accounts from Ian and Neve -- I really love their thoughts and actions. Ian's sarcasm was a hoot and a half, too, and I'd love to continue watching them grow together.

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