Tuesday 16 May 2017

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: TRYING IT ALL by CHRISTI BARTH


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Trying It All
Naked Men #4
By: Christi Barth
Releasing May 16, 2017
Loveswept
 
In Trying it All (Naked Men #4) by Christi Barth, Summer Sheridan is a woman that lives her life like every day is her last, which isn't surprising after what happened to her in college. She's everything Riley Ness isn't, and yet, he can't seem to resist her, especially when she's pushing him out of her comfort zone. But when they find themselves in a frightening situation that could make or break their relationship, because of Summer too busy living in the moment and Riley being unprepared for what happens, will Riley be able to continue to handle her recklessness or will he walk away from the woman he's coming to love?

Although I haven't read the other books of this series, this story can easily be read as a stand-alone, and it's a story I really enjoyed from the prologue. The way this story starts introduced me to the hero and what he went through years ago that's made him the man he is now. The sort of man desperate to plan for any contingency and can hopefully control a situation if the unexpected occurs. Will he make Summer realize that being prepared is a good thing? Will Summer realize that the way she lives her life is a tad selfish, because there's more people to think about than just herself? However, it was from the moment Riley and Summer came face-to-face for the first time in this story that made it very interesting, as their relationship is a mix between like and dislike. Since it seems they can get along for a few moments at a time without being at odds with each other.

Both the main characters had me completely hooked due to their back stories, as they've been through so much with having both survived a tragic situation that's made them take different courses of action in their lives. Summer is all about living each day as it comes and is up for trying anything, where as Riley is the complete opposite. He's cautious about any situation that might be dangerous, which is understandable, as he believes he could have prevented what happened to him and the friends in the past. Has he come to realize that there was nothing he could have done? Moreover, I liked how fearless the heroine was and that she managed to get Riley to let down his guard and see that being spontaneous isn't always a bad thing. However, I could understand why the hero was determined to play it safe. If his planning ahead could prevent a tragedy or help him save a life than everything he has sacrificed or done in his life is worth it.

Overall, Ms. Barth has penned a really good read in this book where the secondary characters entertained me just as much as the main ones did, because they have such a tight bond after what Riley and his friends survived; and where the romance was hot and illustrates how right these two are for each other, if they can overcome the obstacles they face on their journey to happy ever after. The way this story ended had me smiling, because both believed that they were in the wrong when it came to the moment when they went their separate ways. Yet, I loved how things worked out between Riley and Summer and the words they say to each other, as both realize that stepping out of their comfort zone can be good. I would recommend Trying it All by Christi Barth, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope or books by authors Audra North, Katee Robert or Avery Flynn.

 
BLURB
Order. Attention to detail. Never leaving anything to chance. These are the qualities that make Riley Ness such a terrific federal agent . . . and a pain in the ass to everyone else. The only time Riley lets loose is when he’s hanging out with his closest pals. So when he’s thrown together with gorgeous, flighty Summer Sheridan, Riley’s brain tells him she’s a ticking time bomb—but his body doesn’t want to play by the rules.
Riley has to be the most irritating man Summer has ever met. The brooding hunk thinks he needs to teach her a few lessons about real life, while she’d rather show him how to enjoy it. But her BFF’s all but engaged to Riley’s best friend, and besides, their intense physical chemistry is all too real. Summer just needs Riley to try to meet her halfway and take a chance with the one thing that matters: his heart.


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“Living forever’s only fun if you truly live.”
 
That jab stung. Because it was the same riff the guys threw at him, over and over again. “I live. I just follow the rules. Obey the speed limit. Turn off my phone before the plane starts to taxi.”
Summer tossed her cloud of hair back. Gave him a knowing look. No, a knowing smirk. “Oh, I get it now.”
“What?”
“You’re not uptight. You’re chicken.”
The woman had crossed a line. He’d gone through wilderness training and survival training. He’d climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Become a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He’d pushed himself to physical and mental limits most men wouldn’t be able to attain. Being sensible? In no fucking way was it comparable to being scared.
Riley’s long strides ate up the distance between them. Furious, he spat out, “You want me to try something risky?”
“Yes. Just once. But I don’t think you’ve got the balls,” she taunted.
Riley grabbed her face with both hands. Her lips parted in surprise. And he swooped right onto them.
Her lips were soft. So soft and pliable it almost deterred him. But then . . . they were so soft and pliable that he couldn’t possibly stop. Instead of holding her still, his hands curved to cup the back of her head, his thumbs caressing those impossibly high cheekbones that gave her the look of someone made to walk a runway.
Riley nipped at her wide bottom lip. Soothed it with a stroke of his tongue that savored the sweet, lingering tang of the orange cream cheese icing on the cinnamon rolls from brunch. He wanted to keep going. To nip and bite and lick down her neck, over the side of the breasts she flashed at him all day. To gobble down her sweetness and spice just like he had those rolls.
Her moan refocused him. This wasn’t just following through on a dare anymore. This was a real kiss. A real moment of pure, physical pleasure. So he dropped his hands to the small of her back and hauled Summer tight against him.
Thanks to her ridiculous—and ridiculously sexy—high heels, everything lined up right. The notch between her thighs ground right against his dick behind the suddenly too-tight fly of his shorts. Breasts plumped against his chest. Breasts he was pretty sure he could fit entirely into his mouth . . . since he might have pictured them a time or ten since meeting her in the spring. Tight nipples insistently poked at his pecs.
The kiss kept going. Ry slipped his tongue in as she let out a kittenish purr. God, it was the sexiest sound he’d ever heard. The soft, tiny mewl fired through his blood. Fired him up. His tongue tangled with hers. Like they were two swords, fencing for the win. Because there would damn sure be a winner. The way they were grappling at each other? It wasn’t just fun. It was about proving something.
Her mouth—made for kissing. And more. His tongue slid deep. Felt her wetness. And Riley couldn’t help imagining how all that warm wetness would feel locked around another part of his body. Summer’s hands came up to fist in his shirt. Shit—for a second, he worried she’d push him away. But then those fists pulled him even closer. One smooth calf twined around his. He wanted to walk her back ten steps to the nearest tree and just sink into her.
Which was crazy. Riley didn’t even like this woman. He’d kissed her to save his pride. To defend his honor. To get her off his back. And now he wanted to put Summer on hers, spread her thighs, and—
That was it. Riley let go. Let go of the sweet ass he didn’t even remember moving down to squeeze. Let go of those luscious lips. Yanked his head back and deliberately stepped out of the semicircle of her curved leg.
“You and I both know that was the riskiest damn thing I could possibly do today.” Riley looked at her still unfocused eyes, her kiss-swollen lips. Proof that she’d enjoyed it every bit as much as he had. “Oh, and you also know now that I’ve got the balls. I’ve got the whole package.”
 
 
 


 
USA Today bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series.

Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.

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