"Harte was really able to hit the mark on all of what makes a good book great"
Reviewed by Annie Tegelan
Posted February 6, 2017
Romance Contemporary
ZERO TO SIXTY is high on my most anticipated book list.
After reading and
loving the last book in the Body Shop
Bad Boys series, I became instantly
hooked to Marie Harte's writing. It's a lethal combination
of sweet and
sexy and there's plenty of laugh out loud moments as well.
I feel like this
series continues to get better and I've become a convert to
Harte's writing. Sam and Ivy are an unlikely pairing. Sam is way rougher
around the edges,
but it's their love for animals that essentially brings
them together. When Ivy
wishes to bring a little puppy into her life, she turns to
Sam to help her and
although he knows she's too good for him, Sam finds ways to
weasel into
her heart. I really liked the development of the romance in this book.
There's been too
much instalove lately that it's refreshing to see
two characters who don't
know anything about the other and take their time getting to
know each
other. Harte doesn't jump forward and throws her characters
into bed
together, hoping that hot sex will forge a bond between
them. Instead, she
takes her time, building character in interesting dialogue
that not only helps
the romance, but also deepens the characterization as well.
She was really
able to hit the mark on all of what makes a good book great. This book can be read as a standalone. However, quite a few
characters
from the previous book and also from other series do make an
appearance in
here so just keep that in mind. I have no doubt that you'll
fall in love with
these quirky characters by the time you're finished with
the story. I know I
did and now I'm ready for more!
SUMMARY
BAD BOY SAM + GOOD GIRL IVY =
LEARNING TO LOVE AGAIN After her last disaster of a relationship, Ivy Stephens
is
content being single. She has her job, her apartment-and
the
cute little puppy she's seen hanging around. When he
escapes, she finds her search efforts aided by a big,
burly,
devastatingly handsome man. One who claims a prior claim
on
her dog. Sam Hamilton is at loose ends since his best friend fell
in
love. He finds a sense of purpose in rescuing strays. The
puppy who's stolen his heart just happens to run into
blond,
beautiful Ivy. And Sam can't help hoping she'll take in
one
more stray-him-for good.
ExcerptIvy sighed. Time to go puppy hunting again. She double-
checked to make sure she’d locked the front door, then
used the restroom. She left through the back hall and had
just opened the backdoor to leave when a large man
appeared from out of nowhere.She gasped and jumped back. He just stood there, looming like a giant, his hands
tucked into his jean pockets. He had to stand well over
six feet tall, and his frame looked massive. He wore a
zipped up, padded black jacket that only enhanced his
size. His short, dark-brown hair could use a cut, and his
eyes remained shadowed despite the overhead patio light.
She thought she saw a hint of ink along his neck but
couldn’t tell because of the play of darkness over his
features. “Ah, hello,” he said in a deep voice. A shivery voice. When he didn’t make any sudden movements, she started to
relax. He backed up a step to give her more space, and
she cleared her throat. “Hello. Can I help you with something?” “Sorry. I knocked on the front door, but no one answered.
So I came around back, like the sign said to.” A normal thing any client might do. But this man was no
athlete or nine-to-fiver with tight rhomboids. This man
screamed dangerous, in more ways than one. For some
reason, when the light hit his mouth, she couldn’t look
away, thinking how pretty his lips were in a face
chiseled from granite. “We’re closed. But if you’d like to schedule a massage, I
can give you my card.” “Um, okay.” He took another step back. “I can wait out
here while you get it.” She fished in her purse and found it, then took a leap of
faith and left the office, locking the door behind her.
Leaving her with this stranger, alone, in the confines of
the small back patio outside the office. The one fenced
in for privacy. Ivy got a grip on her runaway imagination, sensing no
real danger from the man, just overwhelmed by his
presence. She held out her card. “Here you go.” He took it, careful not to brush her fingers. But jeez,
he had big hands. “Ivy Stephens, LMT.” Licensed Massage
Therapist—since she’d put herself through school eight
long years ago. She nodded. “Bodyworks is closed now, but any of us here
can help you. My number’s on the card.” “Great. Thanks.” He shuffled his feet. “I’ve been
thinking about getting some work done.” “Yeah?” She walked cautiously around him and exited the
side gate. She continued along the side of the building,
back to the lit and populated main sidewalk. Ivy blew out
a breath, trying not to feel so relieved. “Yeah,” he said, walking next to her. “Name’s Sam.” He
stopped on the side of the walk, out of the way of foot
traffic, and held out a hand. She stopped and took it, to be courteous. The heat in his
humongous palm startled her. As did the calluses. She
glanced down, and his sleeve rose up his arm, revealing
tattoos. A look at his neck showed she’d been right
earlier. He had what looked like inked vines and barbed
wire creeping up his neck from under that jacket. Wow. He let go of her hand slowly, his gaze narrowed on her
face.
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