Marie Harte's Zero to Sixty is the third book in her Body Shop Bad Boys series and once again she delivers a steamy, s sexy romance!
This novel features massage therapist Ivy Stephens and mechanic Sam Hamilton. The couple bond over a stray dog that Ivy has named Cookie. Sam's friends have been fostering the same dog, who is constantly running away. The dog slipped his collar and is loose, so Ivy and Sam team up to search for him. The couple finds Cookie and Sam asks if Ivy wants to adopt him. The couple agrees to meet the next night after work to talk about Cookie.
I read Marie Harte's novels because of their unique characters, clever dialogue and fast-paced plots. I was a bit surprised when the author paired career-oriented Ivy with Sam, the tattooed car mechanic. Their first date is a disaster. A few days later, Sam helps Ivy when she has car trouble. The couple bonds over Cookie, Sci-fi movies, tea and an unexpected kiss.
The author creates excellent secondary characters. Foley and the crew at the car shop are Sam's family and the intricate relationships add authenticity to the story. Ivy and Sam's conversations were honest and heart breaking at times. Through the talks with Sam and his best friend Foley, the reader learns about Sam's childhood and his relationship with his mother. Sam and Ivy are surprised by their intense and powerful attraction. Kudos to Marie Harte for Sam's insistence for Ivy's consentโand the importance of sexual consentโbefore they consummate their relationship.
The couple faces several challenges during the novel and the ending was perfect. I enjoyed the passion in Ivy and Sam's story and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
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.
EXCERPT
Ivy sighed. Time to go puppy hunting again. She double-
checked to make sure sheโd 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
couldnโt tell because of the play of darkness over his
features.
โAh, hello,โ he said in a deep voice. A shivery voice.
When he didnโt make any sudden movements, she started to
relax. He backed up a step to give her more space, and
she cleared her throat.
โHello. Can I help you with something?โ
โSorry. I knocked on the front door, but no one answered.
So I came around back, like the sign said to.โ
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 couldnโt look
away, thinking how pretty his lips were in a face
chiseled from granite.
โWeโre closed. But if youโd like to schedule a massage, I
can give you my card.โ
โUm, okay.โ He took another step back. โI can wait out
here while you get it.โ
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. โHere you go.โ
He took it, careful not to brush her fingers. But jeez,
he had big hands. โIvy Stephens, LMT.โ Licensed Massage
Therapistโsince sheโd put herself through school eight
long years ago.
She nodded. โBodyworks is closed now, but any of us here
can help you. My numberโs on the card.โ
โGreat. Thanks.โ He shuffled his feet. โIโve been
thinking about getting some work done.โ
โYeah?โ 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.
โYeah,โ he said, walking next to her. โNameโs Sam.โ 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 sheโd 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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