UNRAVELED (WHISKEY SHARP #1)

The sharpest ache comes from wanting what you think you can't have

Maybe Dolan has lived independent, free-spirited and unattached since leaving home at sixteen. Whiskey Sharp, Seattle's sexy vintage-styled barbershop and whiskey bar, gave her a job and a reason to put down roots. Cutting hair by day, losing herself drumming in a punk rock band by night, she's got it good.

But a longtime crush that turns into a hot, edgy night with brooding and bearded Alexsei Petrov makes it a hell of a lot better.

Maybe's blunt attitude and carnal smile hooked Alexsei from the start. Protecting people is part of his nature and Maybe is meant to be his even if she doesn't know it. Yet. He can't help himself from wanting to protect and care for her.

But Maybe's fiery independent spirit means pushing back when Alexsei goes too far. Still, he's not afraid to do a little pushing of his own to get what he wants her in his life, and his bed, for good. Maybe's more intoxicating than all the liquor on his shelf and he's not afraid to ride the blade's edge to bind her to him.

Release Date: January 30, 2018

Harlequin Books

Contemporary Romance

Whiskey Sharp #1

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

Lauren Dane is an auto-read for me. Always! I can truly got lost in whatever world she has created for her book. Exciting is an understatement!

Maybe Dolan (yes, that's her name, and there's an explanation for it in the book) is a firecracker. I really liked her character. She rambles, but it's not annoying. It's more enchanting, I think. She knows what she wants. She's independent, but under her "go get em' " exterior, there's a lot of vulnerability. Her father is a real jerk. He's emotionally abusive. Maybe puts up with it for a few reasons, but it was hard reading sometimes. 

Alexsei Petrov is a sinfully sexy Russian! He owns the barbershop, Whiskey Sharp. He's Maybe's boss and friend. Over the course of time that friendship morphs into hot nights and filthy whispered sweet nothings! Yum!

I adored these two as a couple. Alexsei wants to protect and coddle her, but Maybe is too independent to let him take over. There's a few funny disagreements between them. However, said funny disagreements usually turn into sweaty monkey sex...yay!

There's lots of family moments in this book. Alexsei has a fairly large and boisterous Russian family who love to interfere in a good-natured way. Maybe is not use to this. Her family is dysfunctional at best. I love books that have quirky families with lots of banter! The family have decided that Maybe is one of them, so she has little choice but to join in on all their loud gatherings. 

This book, like all other Lauren Dane titles has stellar writing. But the one thing that felt a little off for me was the lack of conflict or a climax where their relationship is either going to make it or not. It just all felt too easy. I love those dark moments when I'm holding my breath to see what happens to the hero and heroine. That didn't happen here. There was a ton of conflict with Maybe and her parents. Perhaps, Ms. Dane thought that was enough for poor Maybe to deal with. I still loved the book though!

This was a great start to what promises to be a phenomenal series!

Rating: 4 Stars (A)