When old friends become new lovers...anything can happen.
Sexy, gifted, and loyal, PI Jacob Decker is a tall, cool drink of perfection who had Emmanuelle Holmes at "hello." His relationship with Emme's best friend kept them apart for years, but things have changed. Now that a case has brought him to Gnaw Bone, Colorado, the road is wide open for Emme and Deck to explore something hotter and deeper than Emme dreamed possible. So why is she sabotaging the best thing that's ever happened to her?
It isn't easy to catch Deck off guard, but Emme does just that when she walks back into his life after nine long years. The curvy brunette had her charms back in the day, but now she's a bona fide knockout . . . and she wants to rekindle their friendship. Deck, however, wants more. Emme's always been the one; she excites Deck's body and mind like no other woman can. But a dark chapter from Emme's past overshadows their future together. Now only Deck can help her turn the page-if she'll let him . . .
It's with pain in my heart that I have to say that this series is slowly going downhill. While I freaking loved the first four book in the series, these last two just weren't up to par with the rest. We still get strong alpha Colorado Mountain men and the lovely small town feeling, but the mystery and tension is missing and the female leads are not as sassy as I'm used to by now.
I was very hopeful, because this book featured Deck and I was quite intrigued by him after reading Breathe. He had a certain air of mystery around him, almost as if he was untouchable. So the man we get to know in this books turns out to be not quite what I had in mind. Since it's pretty unclear, though dark, what he does for a living, I was expecting to go on another wild ride. Unfortunately we do not learn anything more about his work and the focus very much stays on the blooming relationship with Emme and her problems.
Now for the most part I liked Emme. There were definitely some mental issues, which was clear from the beginning, though I was surprised how deep we got into this. The thing is that the suspension and big drama happened in the past, and Emme is still dealing, or rather not dealing, with the aftermath. I'm not saying she's crazy or anything like that, but there are some unresolved issues that have effect on her general state.
Deck knows about this, because here's how they met each other. Emme was the best best friend of Deck's ex. During the relationship they got along great, but when things ended, Deck never looked back and therefor also stayed away from Emme. Now by coincidence they run into each other, and Deck kind of has an epiphany. He suddenly realized that he should have stayed in touch with her and made a play for her. So it's like he's making up for lost time and just dives in. It of course helps that Emme feels the same, though there is always a certain distance between them that they need to come over.
I still very much enjoyed reading this book, I just wasn't enamored by it. Deck did feel a bit lacking for me, simply because I expected more from him. Emme was definitely interesting, and what she's been through blew my socks off. To me the focus was just to much on her, not even the relationship between her and Deck. Since this is my first series by Kristen Ashley, I'm definitely not yet giving up on her. It seems there is a lot of difference between her self published work and her later, so I'll be going back to the beginning. I certainly still recommend the Colorado Mountain series and to give it a chance all the way to the end.
I was very hopeful, because this book featured Deck and I was quite intrigued by him after reading Breathe. He had a certain air of mystery around him, almost as if he was untouchable. So the man we get to know in this books turns out to be not quite what I had in mind. Since it's pretty unclear, though dark, what he does for a living, I was expecting to go on another wild ride. Unfortunately we do not learn anything more about his work and the focus very much stays on the blooming relationship with Emme and her problems.
Now for the most part I liked Emme. There were definitely some mental issues, which was clear from the beginning, though I was surprised how deep we got into this. The thing is that the suspension and big drama happened in the past, and Emme is still dealing, or rather not dealing, with the aftermath. I'm not saying she's crazy or anything like that, but there are some unresolved issues that have effect on her general state.
Deck knows about this, because here's how they met each other. Emme was the best best friend of Deck's ex. During the relationship they got along great, but when things ended, Deck never looked back and therefor also stayed away from Emme. Now by coincidence they run into each other, and Deck kind of has an epiphany. He suddenly realized that he should have stayed in touch with her and made a play for her. So it's like he's making up for lost time and just dives in. It of course helps that Emme feels the same, though there is always a certain distance between them that they need to come over.
I still very much enjoyed reading this book, I just wasn't enamored by it. Deck did feel a bit lacking for me, simply because I expected more from him. Emme was definitely interesting, and what she's been through blew my socks off. To me the focus was just to much on her, not even the relationship between her and Deck. Since this is my first series by Kristen Ashley, I'm definitely not yet giving up on her. It seems there is a lot of difference between her self published work and her later, so I'll be going back to the beginning. I certainly still recommend the Colorado Mountain series and to give it a chance all the way to the end.
3.5
Colorado Mountain - Reading order and purchase links
The Author
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
