Review: Runaway Girl by Tessa Bailey
SYNOPSIS:
It’s Naomi Clemons’s big day. Her dream wedding. And she’s outta here.
One moment. A chance meeting of gazes through the church window pane with someone familiar who radiates intrigue. Independence. It’s the final push Naomi needs to realize…she’s boring. A blonde, cookie cutter, well mannered trophy wife-to-be. How can she expect to lead a fulfilling married life when she’s never lived?
Special Forces diver Jason Bristow needs a beauty pageant coach. Not for himself—although the tattooed bruiser could definitely use some charm. For his little sister who he has returned to St. Augustine, Florida to raise. When a beautiful southern debutante lands on his doorstep, she awakens a hunger that won’t be ignored. If only she wasn’t planning on winning back the ex-fiancé she left at the altar…
Despite the potential for ruin, heat continues to build between Naomi and Jason beneath the sultry Florida sunshine, consuming them both. But they’re on borrowed time…and it’s about to run out.
REVIEW:
This book was drop dead sexy. A slow, torturous burn between two characters with heart, depth, and charisma. I was captivated by this story and dare I say…I liked as much, if not more, than Getaway Girl. But for real, this book was spicy hot!
First, I cannot get over Naomi. I wanted to hate her and dislike her but I couldn’t help loving her. I really connected to her in a way that I haven’t with a character before. I think her innocence and naivety drew me in because I found parts of myself in her mission to find adventure and live. I resonated with her and found her journey to self-discovery inspiring. Then walks in Jason, and what can I say, I am sucker for over-protective, alpha, military men. With his larger than life personality and presence, he stole the scene…every scene. These two going head to head had me laughing out loud on one page, and gasping and blushing the next.
In a delicious slow dance, the chemistry and tension between Naomi and Jason reaches boiling point and honestly, I thought I was going to combust before they kissed. They balance each other perfectly, as Naomi was all charm, smiles, and softness, Jason was a contrast of sharp lines, sharper edges, and blunt honesty. He was breath of fresh air. Their conversations and tender moments had my heart soaring and I couldn’t put the book down.
The story line, while predictable in some aspects, was the perfect balance to the love story. It didn’t take away from the romance but built it up. Parental drama, grief, and pageants added a layer of complexity and depth to the novel. It made me feel more for these characters, so much so that by the end of the book, I felt like my heart was going to burst from all the swooning I was doing. It was just Tessa Bailey at her absolute best, a must read.
LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
