Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #2)
by Katie Lane
Blurb:
THE BEST NEW YEAR'S EVE . . . EVER
Psychologist
Ellie Simpson is about to get a healthy dose of sex therapy. Leaving her
cheating boyfriend behind, she has everything she needs for a quick rebound:
Vegas, plenty of champagne, and a proposition from the sexiest man she's ever
seen. As her handsome stranger helps her ring in the New Year-over and over
again-Ellie finds herself blissfully losing all of her inhibitions.
Attorney
Matthew McPherson is good at making women lose things, like their minds and
underwear. With his athletic build and soulful eyes, he doesn't need to use his
powers of persuasion or famous last name to get a woman into bed. But when
morning comes, Matthew finds Ellie is the only woman he can't bear to
leave-ever. It's enough to make him wonder if what happens in Vegas really has
to stay there.
Rating: 4.25 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
The
Holiday season has officially arrived with the return of the McPherson clan and
their holiday and relationship angst fueling this romantic, sweet and
surprisingly sad, at times, story. While I
find I prefer seasonal stories to be short and sexy, leaning more towards the
erotic side of romance, this full-length novel by Katie Lane is definitely an
exception to that, as was the first one in the "series" that I read
last season starring Matt's sister Cassie.
This story revolves around two individuals with very definite ideas on
the opposite sex and the facts and myths of love, but they soon realize that all
the past mistakes and hurts are nothing compared to the rightness you can feel
when you meet your true mate. There were even several small side plots in the story that are a nice
reminder that even people that have been together forever can find themselves
at loose ends and in need of reminding that love is not just the most important
part of a relationship, truly the reason to have a relationship. Lane shows us that love is the true reason
for the season and letting love in is the only way to live life. Really can't wait for next year to see if
Patrick gets his very own holiday love.
Ellie's
relationship was shattered when she discovered her long time fiancée has been
cheating on her for years and it calls in to question all her personal and
professional beliefs about love and relationships. Which for a therapist whose practice
revolves around those two things is a not inconsiderable issue. When a handsome stranger lures her into a
night of passion, her life changes forever, but when faced with the truth in
the daylight she runs for it, no matter how much she wishes things were
different. Matt has spent the past year
obsessing about the mysterious and passionate woman that rocked his world on New
Year’s Eve, but when a series of coincidences puts her directly in his path
again, he will force her to admit that the passion between them was more than a
fluke. Ellie is determined to keep Matt
away, as much as he turns her inside out and makes her wish that she could
believe in the strength and safety he makes her feel. When she begins spending more time with him,
safely in the friends' zone, she begins to think that maybe he's different and
is the kind of person she can truly believe in.
When the passion becomes undeniable and explodes with one passionate
embrace, these two friends becomes lovers again and soon realize that their
friendship with benefits is much deeper than either of them might be prepared
for. In the end the question comes down
to whether Ellie can let her past go to allow Matt to love her?
Ring in the Holidays
was just the type of story that makes the romance genre great. These two people are both badly damaged, but
the love they find together is one that will last, even with misunderstandings,
fears, and insecurities sometimes getting in the way, as evidenced by the minor
plot arcs with Matt's loved ones. Matt
has never met a woman like Ellie and though she is obviously passionate, she
hides it behind her intellect and tries to fit everyone into a mold, but Matt
will not be categorized. His strength
and sweetness run right alongside his fierceness and passion, making him a
truly dynamic character and a perfect match for Ellie. Ellie obviously has some serious issues, ones
that will not be repaired overnight, but her wit and intelligence finally kick
in and she learns the ultimate lesson, you cannot judge one man by the actions
of others. When Ellie finally allows
herself to love Matt and believe that, they have a chance she is quick to repair
her mistakes and find a way to show Matt that she is willing to work for their
future. Matt's feelings for Ellie truly
seem to slap him across the face in an ah-ha moment that was funny, sweet, and
heartwarming. The passion between Ellie
and Matt from the very first moment they meet was palpable and even with a long
cooling off period, the minute they are back together the sparks fly again and
maybe even more intensely. Lane is the one author I’ve read that can take a holiday story, which of course usually revolves around the same holiday themes, just updated, and turn the story on its ear; Ring in the Holidays truly is a unique
and surprisingly sweet Holiday Romance, that instead revolves around the
relationship of two people that are learning the ultimate reason for the season
is love. Please, Katie, write Patrick's story ASAP so that we are ready to find
out just which woman will grab his heart next year.
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest
and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.
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