Release and Review Tour: Moody: Penelope Ward
Moody
Penelope Ward
ADD TO GOODREADS
Release Date: August 22, 2022
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
The day I showed up to Dax Moody’s sprawling home, I had no idea what was coming.
As a traveling massage therapist, I was used to entering the houses of strangers.
But this assignment was different from any before it.
From the outside, I’d correctly assumed the owner was rich. What I didn’t realize was that he would be younger than I’d imagined, single, stunningly gorgeous, and mysterious.
Despite the fact that Dax had booked a massage, it never actually happened, since our first appointment was unexpectedly cut short by a comedy of errors.
Certain I’d never see him again after that day, I’d done nothing but think about the captivating man.
To my surprise, he called a second time. That appointment, we talked a lot, developing a stronger connection. But once again, there was no actual massage.
The man I now affectionately called “Moody” kept calling me to come back.
It took three times before I finally gave him the massage he’d ordered. Let’s just say it was challenging to keep things professional. I was extremely attracted to Dax, and by that time, I was falling hard.
Eventually, I’d find out why he’d been so aloof, the reason why he and I could never be together.
Our story was supposed to end there, but it didn’t.
Instead, I was left perpetually longing for a forbidden man.
If I had to pick one word to describe this book it would be LONGING. The longing is so intense. So much guilt, denial, avoidance, and conflict. Their story is not an easy one and they are affected by their pasts and circumstances. They have challenges and internal struggles to overcome, along with personal healing and self-discovery. They are often not on the same page at the same time.
Spoiler-free review
Dax Moody: He is wound tight, guarded, and usually in control. He is successful in business, but overwhelmed with situations in his personal life and haunted by guilt and self-worth issues.
Wren McAllister: A mobile massage therapist who is working towards her future dreams. She is mature, witty, outgoing, intuitive, and has a positive attitude.
He is stuck in the past and so afraid of the future that he is not really living in the present.
She is happy living life in the now but also is aspiring to more plans in the future.
She brings chaos to his control.
But they make an unexpected connection despite not exactly meet-cute scenarios.
They get under each other's skin and distract each other.
They get under each other's skin and distract each other.
But the situation is just complicated.
If I had to pick one word to describe this book it would be LONGING. The longing is so intense. So much guilt, denial, avoidance, and conflict. Their story is not an easy one and they are affected by their pasts and circumstances. They have challenges and internal struggles to overcome, along with personal healing and self-discovery. They are often not on the same page at the same time.
This is about life getting the way of love. It is an angsty, frustrating, heartbreaking, emotional, secret romance with a few surprises and twists. I seriously wanted to shake sense into them at times, but I liked them together. I was hoping all along that they could finally get out of their own way and get it together.
I felt that the side story with his son was interesting, dynamic, and added depth. Even the dog had personality.
This is about fate, family, living life, true love, and second chances. It felt like they were meant to be, but they were in a difficult situation and had some major communication issues.
This is about fate, family, living life, true love, and second chances. It felt like they were meant to be, but they were in a difficult situation and had some major communication issues.
Wren McCallister is trained as a musician, but studied massage therapy to pay the bills. When she showed up to give a massage to Dax Moody, she had surprises waiting around every turn. She didn’t even massage him the first time they met, and left his home figuring she would never hear from him again (it was a comedy of errors). But he booked another massage and with each visit the chemistry between them built. Though sparks were flying between them, there is more than just the professionalism Wren has as a massage therapist keeping them apart.
Dax is doing the best he can in the situation he has found himself. He is protective, determined, and careful with those in his care. He has a very small circle of people around him, but those he lets in are dear to him.
Wren felt a little lost at the beginning, or if not lost then more like in limbo. She was working in a field that gave her joy, but secretly wanted to work with music, her passion. She has a kind heart though, and enjoys taking care of people.
These two built a sweet friendship with a heat kindling in the background. They hold off on pursuing anything beyond friendship, but they recognize a spark they haven’t felt for anyone else. The forbidden aspect between them added a good deal of tension between them and served to spark the slow burn even further.
They had a lot of mis-communication and under-communication in their relationship for as mature as their ages would imply. But despite a few moments where I wanted to shake them, this was a lot of fun to read and I felt like I flew through the book.
I enjoyed the overall premise of the story, as well as the side characters that made up Wren and Dax’s immediate families. There was a lot of angst that at times felt unnecessary, but it didn’t take me out of the story too much and overall it was a smooth read. The slow burn between them kept me tied to the story, racing to see what happened when they finally caved.
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
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