Also in this series: The Closer You Come, Can't Hardly Breathe, Can't Let Go
Series: The Original Heartbreakers #2
Published by HQN Books on July 28th 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 396
Format: Audiobook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0373779690
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers story featuring a troubled playboy and the woman he can’t resist…
Beck O'ckley is ruthless in the boardroom...and the bedroom. He's never been with the same woman twice, and vows he never will. With a past as twisted as his, meaningless sex keeps the demons at bay. His motto: One and done. No harm, no foul.
Harlow Glass is the most hated girl in town. The beautiful artist is penniless, jobless and homeless. When she sneaks into Beck's home—her ancestral estate—for food, she's shocked by his early return...and her immediate, sizzling and intense attraction to him.
For the first time in Beck's life, he can't get a woman out of his mind. All too soon, friendship blooms into obsession and he'll have to break her heart...or surrender his own
Summary
Harlow Glass, is a outcast from Strawberry Valley. She is considered to be the most hated and despised of anyone living there. Harlow lives in a tent, looking for scraps of food where she can find them. She breaks into the home of Beck O’ckley and his friends, to take what little food she can, knowing that they won’t miss it. Upon entering the kitchen, she spies a beautiful berry pie. She takes it and will defend it with her life. Just as she is about to leave, Beck arrives with his latest “conquest”. When he sees her she flees and he chases after her and catches her. Thus begins the dawn of a beautiful friendship and seduction. Beck O’ckley is a bad boy…he loves women, and brings home a different female every night. He loves sex and the female body and isn’t ashamed. But upon meeting Harlow…he is fascinated by this secretive woman he wants to know more of. At first when it becomes apparent that Harlow isn’t going to be easy to seduce, he has her work for him in payment of trespassing and thievery. Chemistry rises between the two, and as they get closer to each other….so do their emotions. But due to his past, Beck refuses to let love get in the way, but Harlow refuses to accept anything less than full commitment from him or no sex. And here begins the battle of wills and true love.
Plot and Story Line
oh my goodness, I loved this one way more than I was expecting. We get a teaser about Harlow in the first book, but not much all I knew was that she was a bit of a bully in school and likes to play tricks on the other students. She has definitely developed a certain reputation. Harlow was a character of facets but we see how sometimes it can be near impossible to overcome the mistakes of the past. But Harlow tries her hardest to succeed. I grew to really like Harlow and her character cracked me up in every way. She was so different, but was quite charming at times. I loved how honest with herself she is. She knows what she wants and is willing to fight for it. She wants to be in love, get married and have some kids. She wants her own happily ever after and wants to live in Strawberry Valley. The man she wants doesn’t do relationships, or commitment or marriage in any sense. Beck hasn’t had a easy upringing. He grew up in foster care and everyone he has cared about has left him except his closest friends.
There was so much fun moments that develop between these two and I fell in love with Beck and Harlow together. We see how they work through personal issues to find a common ground. There is some painful heartbreaking moments, as they discover what they have together. Gena Showalter has done wonders with this story, and won my heart little by little. It was also great to see certain friendships develop between Harlow and the other women in the series.
Narration
Savannah Burns is brilliant, and I just loved the way she portrayed this story. She made this come alive with the various array of emotions and moments that make you want more of her. And I loved her voice, it was engaging and likable.
The Cover
What a gorgeous cover, first off I love the pose here. Its sexy and romantic and the colors are so vibrant and cheerful.
Overall View
The Hotter You Burn is a stimulating and emotionally driven romance that will keep you entranced from beginning to end. Full of bad boys and high spirited women….and a rough road to true love!! A SMART AND SEXY ROMANCE!
I read the first novella and forgot about the series. Need to grab book one. I love the sound of Beck and Harlow’s relationship 😀
I should read these
I like a character who knows what she wants and willing to fight for it. I also like the sound of the romance and how Harlow develops friendschip with the other women as well, it’s always fun to see the previous main characetrs play a role in later books as well. This sounds like a great series!
Wow she just writes every genre, I struggled with a few of her paranormal…it looks like I need to try this series. Will this one work as standalone..I may just dive in and try this one.
I had book one on kindle so i upgraded to audio!!
I need to read this. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series but have fallen behind. You make me want get back to this series.
I eventually want to get to this series. I love several of her other books.
Oh I still need to read the first one! I’ve had it on my Kindle for forever!
Karen @For What It’s Worth
The summary of this really doesn’t appeal to me. I read the novella in this series and wasn’t impressed. I don’t know why ANYONE would have to live in Strawberry Valley. I also get tired of the hero that has a different woman every night. BUT I am so glad you really liked this one, Renee.
This sounds pretty interesting. It’s been a while since I read a Showalter book. I might have to pick this one up.
Oh that sounds like the type of relationship I love. What pretty covers for the series.
I have wanted to try a Gena Showalter book and this sound really good. I may check to see if my library has the audio. Great review!