FALLING UNDER is Book 2 in the Ink & Chrome series by
Lauren Dane. Set at a custom motorcycle shop, Twisted
Steel, Book 2 focuses on co-owner Duke Bradshaw. Duke has
had his eye on his sexy redheaded neighbor Carmella Rossi
for the last two years. When his office manager retires,
Duke asks Carmella to step into her managerial shoes
working at his shop. Carmella and Duke quickly start a
relationship with some smoking sexy times that showcase
Dane's skills at writing electric encounters with sexually
empowered adults. Dane's signature brand of emotionally
competent people with strong ties to friends is also is
evidence here.
Duke is a fighter, car racer, and a restoration mechanic
who lives and works hard and enjoys his time with the bevy
of ladies that buzz around his orbit. He's not looking for
a long-term love interest until Carmella falls into his
sphere. He quickly figures out that Carmella is the one
for him, but astutely doesn't push her, because she's much
more chary of love. Carmella comes from a horrific family,
and this leaves her emotionally closed off. Carmella
understandably has a lot of personal issues. She is
surprisingly insightful about them, especially for someone
who's not been in therapy.
While I normally love Dane's books, this story did not
capture me as her tales normally do. The romance feels
abruptly initiated to me. I never buy in completely to the
idea of Carmella and Mark. As is typical for Dane books,
there are family issues and ex-lover issues that crop up
and provide the main tension in the story. The couple's
disagreements seem too easily resolved, however. Given
their backstories, I would expect their arguments and hurt
feelings to not be as quickly smoothed over as they are.
I absolutely despise Carmella's heinous family. I dislike
Carmella's continual enabling of her mom, and do not see it
as a positive thing that she continues to support her mom
despite her toxic choices. There is a strong theme
throughout the book of loyalty and support, which I usually
find a wonderful thing in Dane's books. This time,
however, I wanted Duke to tell Carmella to suck it up and
walk away from her family instead of telling her he
disagreed with her choices but would support her no matter
what.
I really enjoyed OPENING UP, Book 1 in this series. While
FALLING UNDER does not work nearly as well for me, I do
plan on picking up COMING BACK, the upcoming Book 3 in
Dane's series, as soon as it is released later this year.
Dane normally writes a complex storyline of emotionally
competent people with strong friends and family ties that I
love.
The men of Twisted Steel are great with their hands.
And they're not afraid to get dirty.
Duke Bradshaw, co-owner of the Twisted Steel custom
motorcycle and hot rod shop, may devote his days to chrome
and leather, but his nights belong to Carmella. His sultry
redheaded neighbor has a smile like an angel and a body
built for sin, and for the past year both have dominated
Duke's dreams. When a problem at Twisted Steel requires a
fast fix, Duke sees his chance to finally make his fantasy a
reality.
Ever since she first heard the low rumble of his engine,
Carmella Rossi has wondered if Duke Bradshaw handles his
women as expertly as he handles his bike. When he shows up
at her door offering her a much-needed job at his shop, she
gets her chance to find out. Beneath Duke's masterful touch,
Carmella soon submits to a world of unimaginable pleasure.
But history has taught Carmella how bad a boy boy can be. If
she doesn't put on the brakes fast, her hard-bodied
heartbreaker could drive her right over the edge . . .
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