Test Drive

Johnny first met Lara four years and eight months ago, he was attracted to her from the day she started at Ray's as a bartender. He has asked her out twelve times and each time she turned him down, the night he asked her for the 13th time, she finally said yes. He saved her from her jerk of a soon to be ex-brother in law who was attempting to force himself on her.

Johnny grew up watching the women his father dated come and go. The women his father dated were typically from the strip club he owns, and just as commitment phobic as him, but in the end it made Johnny afraid to really put himself out there. He thinks of the women at the strip club, he sometimes helps out in, as family and is like a mother hen when it comes to protecting them. He is a natural with children always willing to help Lara with her nieces.

Johnny is a man of many colors, he may be a mechanic, but he's smart, he loves to read, and has a geeky side. Since Lara is a nursing student she is always busy, but Johnny is willing to wait until she has free time to see her. He is an all around great guy that is willing to do whatever it takes for the people he cares about.

Johnny thinks he is good enough to date but not good enough to love and it takes Lara and his friends some time to make him see that he is worth loving. Johnny is a guy that any woman would be lucky to have. So he screws up, and pushes Lara away. With the help of Del, the shops manager, he gets the courage up to go talk to her to fix things. It just so happens on the night he decides to give it another try, he walks up to the door and hears Lara yelling at someone. When he busts open the door he finds her sister's ex laying on the ground with his *^%$ hanging out of his pants. After Lara beat the crap out of him, they drag him out of her apartment. They luck out because an officer is there visiting family, who takes pictures and drags the jerk to jail.

The characters of Test Drive were complex from Sam and Foley to Lara's best friend Rena. They're all so different but they fit together. I enjoyed seeing Johnny with his friends and watching him be himself, even when he zones out. Although I enjoyed the story, it did take me a little time to really get into it. The Body Shop Bad Boys is a spin off from the McCauley Brother's, which is phenomenal and if you haven't read it you should. Del is engaged to one of the brothers we luck out and get to see him and his son, Liam. But Johnny was front and center, he is a man that has a lot of charisma and draws the attention from other characters. I was surprised how much I enjoyed getting to know such a dynamic character, who is also lovable. Can he be my new book boyfriend? I can't wait to read the next book in the series about Foley.

Received ARC as a giveaway winner from Marie Harte

Squealing and I don’t mean tires, Marie Harte has a new series. It is based in the garage of Delilah Webster from her McCauley Brothers series, we get everything we’ve come to expect from Harte and more…strong ties that go deeper than blood, explosive chemistry and swoon worthy characters that make you want to get a little greasy. That also comes with well-developed characters with heart felt emotional ties.

Since this was the first in a new series, it a had somewhat slow start but I soon found myself pulled into the individuals that make up Harte’s Body Shop Bad Boys world.

I received this ARC copy of Test Drive from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca in exchange for a honest review.

Marie Harte is one of my new favorite writers. I loved the McCauley Brothers series and it looks like this series will be another go to read.

Johnny and Lara have chemistry and sexy times. They also have some personal issues that need to be sorted out. At first, you think Lara can't put Johnny ahead of her family who needs attention and help and nursing school that needs her commitment. Then, you worry that Johnny is just like his father, who after Johnny mother dies has an affinity towards a revolving door of women who don't stay around.

They are both strong people who are fiercely loyal to family and friends, now they get to be that for themselves...forever.