Review – Good Girls Don’t by Victoria Dahl

Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: August 30th
How I got this book: NetGalley

Too much of a good thing…
With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is—and neither is she.
*Blurb from Goodreads*

Dahl is back again with another new fun and sexy contemporary series. Tessa and her two brothers own the family brewery and have been running it ever since their parents died. When there is a break in at the bar, Tessa has to deal with not only her brother screwing things up, but the sexy Detective Luke who brings about some of her desires.

When things start spiraling out of control, Tessa tries dealing with her brother’s problems, her own issues with her parents death, and a new relationship that is moving quickly into love, but dealing with a lot of bumps along the way. Luke isn’t looking to fall in love again, but he also isn’t completely opposed to it. He knows that Tessa is keeping things from him, but with the case taking turns left and right, will he be able to solve the case and keep the girl?

I really enjoyed this story. Dahl has such a wonderful sense of humor, and the sexy times are super sexy. I found myself chuckling throughout the entire story. Tessa has a great sense of humor, and although her character is seriously flawed, she is funny and snarky. I was a little annoyed with the way that Tessa’s lies continued to snowball out of control. I get the reasons why she kept stretching the truth, but hoped that she would have realized just how much damage it caused a little sooner than she did.

I loved Luke. Loved! He had this way about him. He was absolutely all male, but it was obvious that he felt everything so intensely. His relationship and concern for his partner Simone and her secrets around her pregnancy were a constant stress for him, and it was obvious he wanted to do everything in his power to fix it. Up to and including letting everyone think he was the bad guy to protect her reputation. Also, his history with his ex-wife was just another example of how far he was willing to go for someone he cared about. I liked seeing him as the more secure person in their relationship, especially toward the end.

Tessa’s brothers were also a favorite part of the story for me. Watching them react to Tessa’s new relationship was hilarious. Although I thought they both took the protective brother thing a little further than necessary, but it was cute at times. I can’t wait to see how Jamie comes into his own, grows up a little and proves himself. Eric also will have a great story to tell, being the oldest brother and the one who gave up so much to take care of his much younger brother and sister after the death of their parents. It’ll be good to see him step away from the drama and take time to live his own life.

For me, Dahl pulled on my heart strings with the relationship between Tessa and her brothers and their lives after their parents death. I think that one moment shaped them each so powerfully, and that came across strong in the story. I alternated between tears and laughter, and by the end of the book was absolutely in love with everything about this series.

The mystery surrounding the break-in and business arrangement was a nice twist as well. It wasn’t something I guessed right away, but was glad the way it all turned out, especially once it put such a strain on the family dynamic

All in all, the first book in the Donovan Brothers Brewery series was a great engaging read that moved quickly through the action and romance to deliver a fabulous contemporary read. The characters sense of humor and honor was real and pulled me that much further into the story. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the Donovan siblings next!

I give Good Girls Don’t a B+

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