FLASHED is the third book in Zoey Castile’s “Happy Endings”
series. Although it’s part of a series, I think FLASHED
works as a standalone novel. I love unconventional love
stories and FLASHED has a modern-day fairy-tale vibe with a
unique twist. Patrick Halloran was the epitome of strong
and sexy maleness back in his glory days. Patrick was a top
athlete, model, stripper and general hottie entertainer.
Wild excess led to him and his brother getting in a life-
altering accident. In true fairy-tale form, the golden boy
is now a scarred recluse. Lena Martel is an artist working
to pay her school bills by being Patrick’s new housekeeper.
This courtship is equally erotic, bizarre, and
fabulous.
The danger with these “beast”-like heroes
is that the
author sometimes lets that hero be incredibly cruel to the
heroine, using his fears and insecurities as an excuse. I
like the way Zoey Castile lets this relationship evolve.
Patrick is initially snappish with Lena at times, but Lena
is no shrinking violet and has no trouble standing up for
herself. Lena is exactly the kind of strong, beautiful, and
sensitive woman that helps reinvigorate Patrick and help
heal his soul. I like how these main characters are both
flawed people with strengths and weaknesses, as well as
complex family situations. Patrick struggles over the guilt
with his brother’s injuries, and Lena is often lost as to
how to deal with her beloved half-sister and her wicked
stepmother. For much of the first half of this book, Zoey
Castile tells a steamy story but gets very creative to do
it. The sexual tension is through the roof as Patrick and
Lena fantasize and tease each other before making actual
physical contact. Classic. Loved the inventive foreplay in
FLASHED. As much as the physicality in FLASHED is terrific,
the emotional depth that these characters reach is equally
as strong an element in this love story.
FLASHED is
a fierce modern fairy-tale with sighs and
sexiness galore. I enjoyed getting to know these
characters. This is a future re-read for me. I look forward
to Zoey Castile’s next book.
When a man makes his living by his looks, he can forget that love—and lust—are more than skin deep. But the right woman can remind him … A former soccer player, stripper, and model, legendary party boy Patrick Halloran finally gets his big break starring in the summer blockbuster. But when an accident leaves him changed forever, he hides away in his secluded Montana ranch. Only his new housekeeper is allowed inside—with one rule: she’s not allowed to see him. But Pat sees her, and she’s the most stunning woman he’s ever laid eyes on. Even her voice is beautiful. Still, Pat can’t allow himself to get close to anyone. Not without a fight at least …
Magdalena “Lena” Martel is a long way from Queens, New York. After a rough patch, the aspiring artist is working her way through college—even if it means keeping house for a man whose gruff voice she can only hear through a closed door. Still, Lena senses Pat’s got a good heart, maybe even a lovable one. She’s intrigued—until his anger sends her running into the freezing woods. Now Pat will have to find her—and when he does he may have found the one woman who can thaw his heart—not to mention the rest of him. But can their new bond survive the paparazzi—and their personal demons? …