Colin Sloan wants all of Elle Mariano, but she's not willing to give it to him. She's got her reasons, even though she longs for him too. He's everything she wants, but also has the potential to be her worst nightmare repeated. Colin has tried hard to leave his past behind him, but it just keeps coming back to affect his present.

But they both know that their sizzling chemistry and attraction is not going away. So they both have their own strategies on how to play it. He takes risks for a living and in his leisure time, and her life is about minimizing them. They both think they can explore the physical and leave out the emotions, but can they really just be friends with benefits?

She has more than just herself to worry about. And his family drama is ongoing. Their pasts affect who they are and what decisions they make at times. Some of the past causes more immediate threats in their present. There are secrets and surprises that are gradually also coming to light.

I adored Colin. He is such a good, likable guy who is intelligent, sweet, and protective. But he is also sexy, charismatic, and a panty-melter and dirty talker. He's a risk taker, an adventurer, and an adrenaline junkie. He has had a rough past, but faced it and now tries to rise above. He focuses on a healthy lifestyle and giving back. But the new surprises and stresses have the potential to send him for a tailspin and test his coping skills.

Elle is caring, devoted, responsible and fearful. She does not trust easily and is used to being let down.  She has to focus on her son's well being and the needs of the community center, as well as her own. She has made promises to herself and her son, but she also has needs, wants, and fantasies. It is hard for her to take risks or believe that she can have what she wants due to past issues.

Together they have a chemical reaction. They run scorching hot (if she is not running cold). They are compatible and good as friends, but they also burn up the sheets (or other locations) when they allow themselves. They challenge each other and push boundaries. But they both know the situation is tenuous at best and they can only live in denial so long.

But when life gets real, are they strong enough to push for more or will they crumble before they can really have a chance to begin?

Each book in this series has a stand alone romance with a  different Sloan sibling, but also a continuing mystery suspense story unraveling about their family's past that we gradually are getting more answers about. The surprises, secrets, and fall out just keeps coming in this intricate, suspenseful story line that has affected all of the siblings in various ways.

I adored Colin and Elle. I could understand their challenges, but was rooting for them. They were a truly fun, flirty, and sweet couple with hot chemistry and a strong magnetic pull, but also had significant challenges. This couple had personal demons and past problems that were triggers for the other and not easy to overcome. Their story builds on the background that has come before in the series. I love the fact that the past family history has had layers peeled back more and more each book. It brings all the stories together in a larger framework. I love the relationship between Colin and his siblings and how each of them is making discoveries about themselves, their shared past, and each other. I also enjoyed Colin and Elle's rapport with the kids at the center. 

This installment was sweet, hot, funny, and serious at the same time. It was full of longing, lust, love, and passion. It also centered around the importance family and friendship. It also had the suspense and danger component adding more stress and drama. It was about self discovery, pushing boundaries, and figuring out what limits can be dealt with. Sometimes changing strategies and taking risks can lead to the greatest rewards.

We got more answers about the underlying mystery in the back story, but the biggest surprising revelation also poses more questions. I am looking forward to more answers and their brother Michael finding his match in the fourth book Sinful Love. 

Elle is actively involved in the community center, working to keep kids safe and on the right track. Her own past shapes her decisions, and because of a bad experience, Colin’s past is a no go for her. But despite her reservations, he is determined to work through her hangups believing they can be good for each other.

The couple is hot. Beginning with a very physical, very steamy relationship it was clear that at least in the bedroom (or bathroom, dark hallway, or other semi-private location) they were more than compatible, if only they can work through Elle’s hangup about Colin’s past. It was so frustrating to watch Elle go hot and cold with Colin, especially since the youngest Sloan brother has long been one of my favorites of the brothers, but as her reasons come out my feelings settled and left me cheering them on instead of pulling my hair out.

There is so much going on, both between Colin and Elle and in the Sloan family, that this was a page turner from the beginning. Having watched the Sloan family drama slowly unfold since the very beginning of the series, I am fully invested in finding out exactly what is going on with Dora Prince, and who is behind the threats that seem to be hovering on the edge of each of these stories.

The bombshell dropped on the siblings at the end of Sinful Desire gets more attention here and readers see more of the lead up to that revelation as well as the aftermath. There are more discoveries in Dora’s case and the cluster that has become of that whole situation. I love that these siblings have rallied around each other, both in their romantic lives and with the drama with their mother. This particular revelation had the potential to split them completely and I love the way they handled everything about it.

This series is not over. Not only does Michael have his “what if” girl out there somewhere, but there is so much more to learn about their mother. I am on the edge of my seat, once again, waiting for the next installment of this series to come out.

ARC provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Upcoming:

Sinful Love - March 2016
Michael Sloan's book

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