Book Review
The Girl He Needs by Kristi Rose
Book 2: A No Strings Attached Novel Series
Publisher: Lyrical Shine
Publication Date: July 5, 2016
Format: Paperback - 224 pages
Kindle - 1185 KB
Nook - 1 MB
ISBN: 978-1601839725
ASIN: B0180SKCPGBNID: 978-1601839701
Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction
Buy The Book:
Buy The Series: A No Strings Attached Novel Series
Book 1: The Girl He Knows
Book 2: The Girl He Needs
Book 3: The Girl He Wants (Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2017)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Jen Halligan PR Tours & Events.
Book Description:
The safe choice
can be the riskiest of all…
Ever since her beloved older brother disappeared after an
accident, Josie Woodmere’s been on a mission to find him—and maybe
herself—along the way. That’s meant leaving her pampered, parent-approved life
behind. Two years, four moves, and a body piercing later, she’s finally got a
lead on her brother’s whereabouts, and she’s headed to Florida. She didn’t plan
to ditch her sputtering car and accept a ride from Brinn McRae. But she didn’t
plan to be attracted to a straight-laced guy like him either, much less land in
his hometown, Daytona Beach…
A self-made man with a tough past, Brinn is a workaholic who
allows very little room for pleasure—until he meets Josie. Their powerful
chemistry is a distraction neither wants, yet neither can resist. Hoping they
can burn it off, Brinn agrees to a no-strings arrangement. But they can only
hide their deepening feelings for so long—until a disaster strikes, exposing
truths that threaten to ruin everything…
Now, not only will Josie have to contend with the troubling
secret her brother has finally revealed—she’ll have to convince Brinn she’s
more than a rich girl playing at being free. This time, she’s playing for keeps.
I lock up the bike with clumsy fingers then scoop out my bag
of stuff from the basket. When I pass him the energy around us crackles.
I find a spot on the beach, kick off my flip-flops, and drop
my bag on top of them. After laying out my towel, I shimmy out of my shorts and
pull off my T-shirt, leaving me standing before McRae in nothing but a skimpy
red and white polka dot bikini.
He stares at the art across my belly; his gaze travels along
the path then dips below the top of my bikini bottom and holds.
“OK, I’m ready,” I say and his pupils dilate.
If there weren’t a smattering of families around us, I’d
jump him right here and now. There’s little doubt he’d stop me.
“I beg your pardon?” he asks, his eyes jerking back up to mine.
“For your stuff.” I sweep my eyes across his finer-than-fine
form. “I’ll put it with mine. In my bag.”
“Right,” he says and gives a small shake of his head. “My
stuff like my phone and watch.”
I nod and step back to my towel, where I lower myself down
and stretch out.
He kicks off his shoes, drops his phone on my bag, and jogs
to the water, diving in when he hits the spot where the waves break. Knowing
his attention is on his swim, I fan myself. Embarrassed that such a simple
exchange of words combined with his presence could make me weak in the knees.
After the third buzzing from his phone, I turn it off.
By the time he’s done with his swim and coming out of the
water like some Adonis kissed by the sun gods, I’ve moved on to a paperback,
but I’ve read the same paragraph three times. My attention was focused on him.
I slam it shut and clutch it tight, using it to steady me.
“Have a good swim?” I ask as he reaches for his things.
“I did. That a good book?” Beads of water evaporate off him.
Others rest in the hills and valleys of his defined chest, occasionally
breaking free to streak downward and drip onto me. My body is already past
inflamed, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the drops began to sizzle.
Is this a stupid conversation? Yes, it is. We should stop
tiptoeing around what we really want to say and get down to business. But I don’t
suggest that; he’ll need some priming to abandon control. Instead, I answer his
question.
“It is a good book. I’ve read it before. Several times
actually. It’s my favorite.”
He leans in to look at the cover before he bends to put on
his shoes. “Science Fiction. Looks heavy. I wouldn’t have figured you for the
sci-fi type.”
I shrug and go for broke. “Maybe if we run into each other
again we can get to know each other better.”
“Maybe. Chances look good, seeing as how we’re neighbors
now.” His eyes drift to my henna.
“I imagine I’ll be spending most weekends here if I’m not at
the bar,” I hint.
“I always run by here on the weekends.”
“This is a good time. Not too crowded.” I watch him over the
rim of my glasses.
“Yes, it is.” He lifts his delectable mouth and produces a
crooked smile. “Well, enjoy then. Thanks for keepin’ an eye on my stuff.”
“No sweat.” I lie down and adjust my top before wiggling
back into my spot.
His phone buzzes and a soft expletive escapes when he looks
at the screen.
“Work,” he says. “I gotta run. So, again?” He gestures to
the beach.
“Yes, please,” I say and meet his gaze.
With a curt nod of his head, he heads back to the boardwalk.
Lord, that man.
I fall back on my towel, a quivering mess.
Book Trailer:
My Book Review:
In The Girl He Knows, the second book in A No Strings Attached Novel Series, author Kristi Rose weaves a lighthearted and entertaining romance novel that easily draws the reader into Josie and Brinn's story. Set in Daytona Beach, Florida, the reader follows free-spirit Josie Woodmere on her quest to find her older brother Will, who suddenly left everyone and everything behind after being involved in an accident. When Josie receives an email from Will stating that he lives somewhere in Florida, she packs her bags and is ready to find him, only to have car trouble. Josie accepts a ride to Daytona Beach from Flight instructor Brinn McRae. Brinn is a workaholic and has little to no time for women, that is until he and Josie keep crossing paths. So with an irresistible mutual attraction building, can Josie and Brinn make a no-strings-attached arrangement work, or can it be worth the risk of taking a chance on true love?
The Girl He Needs is a sassy fun read, it has a great mixture of humor, drama, intrigue, and romance that makes it so easy for the reader to get drawn into Josie and Brinn's story. I really enjoyed this storyline, especially when it is about two people whose connection and attraction is so powerful that they can't resist each other, it simply made me smile. I loved how their banter and playfulness helped their unexpected romantic relationship blossom, especially when it is their personal quests and issues that brings them together, and shows them that there is so much more to life.
The Girl He Needs is a stand alone read, but do yourself a favor and read both books in A No Strings Attached Novel Series, you won't regret it!
The Girl He Needs is a delightful romance story that will leave you wanting more!
RATING: 4 STARS
About The Author
Kristi Rose was raised in central Florida on boiled peanuts
and iced tea. She’s lived by an active
volcano, almost fallen off a mountain, and was married in Arkansas by a J.O.P
in flip flops named Earl. Today, as a proud military wife and mother of two,
she’s been lucky enough to travel the world. No matter where she is, she enjoys
watching people and wondering what’s their story? That’s what Kristi likes to
write about: everyday people, the love that brings them together, and their
journey getting there. Kristi is a member of RWA. You can follow Kristi at www.kristirose.net, like her Facebook
page: Kristi Rose, or send her a tweet @krosewrites.
Contest Giveaway
This giveaway includes a beach bag with a Kindle Fire,
adult coloring book and pencils, and a large assortment books for the beach,
the bath, or red lights. :-) Also includes the first book in Kristi
Rose's No Strings Attached series!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Virtual Book Tour
Tour Schedule:
July
5th - With Love
for Books
July
7th - Archaeolibrarian
July
11th - Cafinated Reads
July
13th - The Recipe
Fairy
July
15th - Chick Lit Goddess
July
18th - Jersey Girl
Book Reviews
July
22nd - Chapter 5
by Love Koko
July 25th - Jeri's Book Attic
The cover alone catches my attention. I love the beach and what a great giveaway. I always wonder how much input an author has in the final cover. Do you have the final say?
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Hey Sherry,
ReplyDeleteI had no say in that actual design. My publisher sends us a form and we give our input. Things like what we'd like to see and what the characters look like.
Since this book is told from her point of view only- I felt a couple on the front was misleading and my publishers heard that. I LOVE this cover. It's better than I imagined.
If you dig through Kathy's reviews for book one n the series- The Girl He Knows, you'll see the original cover. When I submitted this book and we talked about covers, I begged to have the series rebranded. They did and this is what I got. I love it.
Thanks for being a part of my tour and for taking the time to read my book. I appreciate it :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kristi! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. I really enjoy reading the books in this series, can't wait to read book #3. :)
Delete