Jagged by Lauren Dane Series: Whiskey Sharp #2
Published by Harlequin Books on March 27, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Narrator: Tanya Eby
Length: 7 Hours and 25 Mins
Pages: 314
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
ISBN: 0373799403
Vicktor Orlov took one look at the wary gaze and slow-to-trust personality of the deliciously sexy and fascinating Rachel Dolan and knew he wanted more than just a casual friendship. But as a natural protector, he also knew bossiness and overprotective maneuvering would push her away rather than draw her close. He’ll use every tool in his easygoing arsenal to convince her to take a chance on them.
Rachel’s flourishing new career as a tattoo artist has brought color back into a life previously damaged by a series of bad choices and violence. She knows she can trust Vic—it’s herself she’s not sure of. She doesn’t want to be caged or controlled. Doesn’t want to be protected so much she has no ability to make her own choices.
And damn if the man doesn’t know it.
When Vic finally drops all pretenses of “just friends” and focuses all his careful affection and irresistible seduction on her, Rachel knows she’s falling hard for the laid-back pretty-boy Russian she discovers has a relentlessly steel spine when it comes to her.
And she can’t resist.
Jagged which is book two in Dane’s Whiskey Sharp series is a book I grabbed up from my library and since I hadn’t read much of this author I decided to go for book two in the series. I would like to mention that this book would probably be better read after reading book one. There was a big confusion that I had dealing with the heroine and her past that is a major factor in this romance. I catch on pretty quickly but I feel like the author could have done a better job of explaining previous events that happened to the heroine to make more sense for the reader but I am hoping everything will make more sense when I read book one “Unraveled”.
Jagged begins with our heroine and hero who are Vicktor Orlov and Rachel Dolan. Vicktor has Russian heritage, his parents having come from Russia and migrated to the states, hoping to make a better life and started their own bakery. Vicktor, took over the responsibility of the Bakery when his brother died from a drug overdose. Vicktor is close to his family but now he has finally decided to take a chance on Rachel, a woman he has wanted to be with for three years but knew she needed the time and space before he made any moves. Rachel, was an agent for the government and loved her work at the time. But then she was kidnapped, tortured by a crazy man, and mentally and emotionally she never fully recovered and still deals with the aftermath of those events. But Rachel has also dealt with emotionally abusive parents who are hassling Rachel and would prefer she be institutionalized and find themselves ashamed of their daughters. Vicktor and Rachel have always had great chemistry, but when Vicktor makes his move on the sexy Rachel, she is more than ready to start something special with Vicktor, a sexy Russian baker who gives her all the warm fuzzies and sees the real Rachel and values her and as they begin in their courtship and find a way to get to their happy ending and help each other find some peace from their tormented pasts.
Jagged, is a story that I found sweet and endearing. I really loved seeing these two characters come together. I did find what happened to Rachel a bit confusing, I was really lost about the events for most of the book so it really distracted me from enjoying this book like I really wanted to. However, the actual romance that develops between Victor and Rachel was enchanting. I loved how open they are to each other and to the romantic relationship they desire for each other.
We do see the fun interactions with Vicktor’s family though and I really loved seeing how much they love Rachel and her sister. They accept Rachel with open arms, they know of her past and how her father is tormenting her, but they just love Rachel from the get-go. There is some fun banter and they are such a charming and close-knit family who is hard working and so fun and loyal to each other. Then we see the drama between Rachel and her sister with their parents. And boy her father especially is a piece of work and you really see the strength of Rachel at her core, in how she handles her father and her past. Not everything is easy, but she has such inner strength and courage.
Overall I found Jagged to be a heartwarming romance that gives you plenty of Russian lovin’, a story of family ties, and a tale of redemption and healing. SUPERB!
About Lauren Dane
Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
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