OK, so I read Beverly Havlir’s latest book, Irresistible.
I couldn’t be arsed writing my own blurb, so here’s the official one that’s on EC’s website.
Madison Cahill is devastated when she catches Gavin with another woman. She’s determined to sever all ties with her cheating husband.
Gavin promised to love and cherish his wife forever—but he can’t be with a woman who doesn’t know how to trust.
A surprise blizzard leaves Gavin and Maddie snowbound in a secluded cabin. Quickly, the sizzling desire they thought was long gone explodes to the surface. Hunger and need overshadow lingering fury and resentment over the past. Inside the cabin, they generate a sexual storm that rivals the one raging outside.
But unless they can find a way to overcome their painful past, an erotic interlude is all they will ever have…
My Verdict
I liked this story. I really did.
Irresistible was remarkably easy to read, and I liked Havlir’s way of guiding the reader through the story, without overworking every scene. I’m sure you all know what I mean by this… if you don’t… well… never mind.
I warmed to Maddie from the very first paragraph, and because I knew what was coming, I really worried about how she would react to seeing her hubby in a clinch with another woman.
I loved how Havlir was able to get me to empathise with Madison, even though as the reader, I was aware that Gavin hadn’t actually cheated on her. I was able to understand why she reacted as strongly as she did to seeing Gavin in the arms of another woman. If I’d been in her shoes, I’d have done much worse than just walk away. I’m thinking that blood would have been shed, and it certainly wouldn’t have been mine.
I liked Gavin too. I could feel his frustrations and his helplessness at the situation. I love books, where the author is able to portray strong emotion, without the reader feeling as if they’ve been violated or manipulated. Gavin’s reaction to losing Madison was real to me, I totally felt his pain, even whilst I empathised with Maddie’s heartbreak.
It’s been a while since I came across a “big misunderstanding” plot device, where the misunderstanding was actually believable, but the situation that Maddie and Gavin found themselves in, wasn’t one that one conversation would have been able to fix.
Maddie’s trust issues, stemmed from having walked in on her father rolling on top of a woman who wasn’t her mother. This was followed by years of infidelity on her father’s part, and stupidity on her mother’s.
Maddie’s mother eventually became an embittered old woman, who taught her daughter that no man could be trusted to keep it in his pants, so her reaction was totally understandable.
As you would expect in an erotic romance, the sex scenes were sizzling. Maddie and Gavin had the type of chemistry that leaves the reader feeling breathless. I’m a sucker for books where the hero finds it hard to control himself whenever the heroine’s around, in this area, Irresistible didn’t disappoint.
Overall, Havlir managed to deliver an emotionally intense book, that although was fairly short in length, was certainly not lacking in the quality department, and I’m pleased to say that she has managed to keep her 100% record, as far as this customer’s satisfaction is concerned.
You can check out Havlir’s other e-books here, and buy Irresistible here.
OK Beverly, you can release the breath you were holding now, the torture is over. *g*
sybil
May 7
8:08 pm
Great review… never read her. I will have to add her to the list.
thanks!
Anne
May 7
8:13 pm
Excellent. I wanted the book just because the cover was fab but now that I know the story is great too, I’ll be sure to pick this one up. We’ve got almost identical tastes in books, Karen, so I’m sure to enjoy this one. Thanks for the review, as always it was great. : )
Beverly Havlir
May 7
9:06 pm
Yesssssss! *doing the happy dance*
I’m a bit hung over from the party we had at my house last night and I had to get up at an ungodly hour to take my daughter to softball practice. As a result, I’m bleary eyed and tired. I perked up (a lot) when I read your review. Of course, I’ve been checking every few hours to see if you’ve posted it. LOL. I’m insane and obsessed, I know.
Thank you for the wonderful review. I always love it when somebody totally gets what I wanted to portray and also enjoy the hot sex. Yayyyyy!
*big sigh* And yes, I can breathe easy now. 🙂
Eve Vaughn
May 7
10:14 pm
Yeah Bev! Congrats on a great review. And you know Karen shoots straight from the hip, so you go girl!!
Rosie
May 7
11:02 pm
I have a couple of Beverly’s others. I’ll have to go get this one too! Thanks K!
Annalee Blysse
May 8
1:56 am
Sounds interesting. Haven’t read the author yet. I should pick it up. 🙂
Lori
May 8
2:25 am
I love Beverly Havlir’s books! I can’t wait to read this one, too! Thanks Karen!
Desiree Erotique
May 8
5:17 am
Sounds like a very good book. I like stories where the heroine overcomes the prejudices of a man-hating Mom.
Dawn
May 8
9:22 am
Yet another dip in Dawn’s finances because she can’t resist a recommendation from Karen. 😉 Thank goodness it’s an e-book, so it won’t cost quite so much.
I’ll admit that I saw the blurb on it and was a bit leary of the story, but I think that I’ll check it out now.
BTW, K. Have you been watching The Apprentice? If you have, I’m surprised that Michelle made it to the final 2, but I know exactly why Sir Alan chose her – that family thing. I really wanted Ancell to get through. Glad Syed (punch him in the throat) and Paul are out. I don’t like Ruth, either.
Anne
May 8
11:40 am
Yeah, what Dawn said. The blurb doesn’t do the book justice, it made me leery of buying the book.. I prefer your version much more. : )
Jennifer B.
May 8
2:04 pm
Excellent, excellent review Karen! Adding this one to my TBB list. No question.
Karen Scott
May 8
5:24 pm
Sybil, I think you’d probably like her book called The Bodyguard.
Anne, I definitely think you’ll like it, and if you don’t, well know that I bought 3 of Cindy Gerard’s Bodyguard series on your say-so!
Lol, Beverly! Your my kinda writer!
Eve, you know, I wasn’t even worried because I knew she wouldn’t disappoint me!
Rosie, methinks you’ll like it. I already re-read it!
Hi Annalee, it was a good book!
Hey Lori! I think I enjoyed this book because the feelings felt real to me, and that’s not always the case!
Des the mother was a bitch, and did the whole I tod you so thing!
Dawn, you’ll like it I promise! As for the Apprentice, I was shocked as hell to see Paul go. I fully expected The Badger and him to be the final two. I agree that Sir Alan chose Michelle because of her background. Syed was an arse wasn’t he? But so entertaining! I want Ruth to win, but I think Michelle will, because Ruth rubs too many people the wrong way!
ReneeW
May 8
6:03 pm
Ooo, this sounds good. I like a big mis plot if it’s done right. And I like cabin romances where h/h are stranded together. (oh, yeah, and I like them hot too). Must put on my list.
Solaine
May 9
9:46 am
Hi Karen,
I totally didn’t agree with I find surprising enough to come out of lurker status, because I usually agree with your reviews!
However your write up was so good, it almost made me re-think my own opinion regarding this story. Thanks for the read!
Dawn
May 10
11:11 am
Bought it, read it and enjoyed it. My 1st Beverly Havlir book – now I’ll have to go and get the back list.
Karen Scott
May 10
11:26 am
I thought you would! I recommend The Bodyguard next!