Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
She has complete control…and he’s determined to take it away
A librarian in the small town of Hood River, Natalie Clayton’s world is very nearly perfect. After a turbulent childhood and her once-wild ways, life is now under control. But trouble has a way of turning up unexpectedly—especially in the tall, charismatically sexy form of Paddy Hurley….
And Paddy is the kind of trouble that Natalie has a taste for.
Even after years of the rock and roll lifestyle, Paddy never forgot the two wickedly hot weeks he once shared with Natalie. Now he wants more…even if it means tempting Natalie and her iron-grip control. But there’s a fine line between well-behaved and misbehaved—and the only compromise is between the sheets!
This blurb came from the author’s http://www.laurendane.com website.
E: I am a huge Dane fane, so when I spot something with her name on it I am reading it. When it happens to be the start of a new series featuring supporting characters whose current life and past made me quite curious during their on-screen moments I end up counting down the days until I can get my hands on a copy. As always Dane didn’t let me down. I laughed, cried, gasped, smiled and thoroughly enjoyed Natalie and Paddy’s journey together through their emotional ups and downs.
MinnChica: I loved the introduction to the Hurley brothers, and like E I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. I have a huge love of rock star romances, and I know that Dane is one who won’t let me down. While the name Paddy annoys me for some reason, I was excited to read all about his romance with Natalie, and I have to say I loved it!!
E: The Best Kind of Trouble was a second chance at love with a twist. When Paddy and Natalie first met it was under very different circumstances with each being a very different person. They knew it was just for fun no-strings attached for as long as they were in the same location but never meant to become something serious. Then life happened, Paddy became famous, Natalie found her calling, and life happened during the intervening years. Then Paddy spotted Natalie, remembered those two weeks many years ago and really wanted to find out if he liked her for more than some fond memories. Natalie had fond memories of her time with Paddy but they were also linked to the same self-destructive behavior she finally managed to escape. As a result, with her new life under her control she was extremely wary of reliving or even starting new memories with Paddy. It took a whole lot of effort, some bad moments, groveling, determination to make their relationship work, and a willingness to apologize on both sides.
Paddy was used to working hard when it came to music but otherwise his charm carried him smoothly through life. He lived life up as a rock star until he realized drugs were destroying his voice and they were destroying his oldest brother. Then he limited his wildness to a certain extent. As much as his charm provided, it also meant he was considered the “light” one of the family, great for a good time but outside of music never really depended on for anything emotionally serious. Natalie was the first person he had to work for and actually figure out how to deal with things when his charm didn’t work or worse blinded him from seeing the real issue. I loved watching him reach, stumble, deal with his complex feelings when he realized how his past actions could appear to Natalie, and grow throughout this series. There were a few moments when I wondered how he was going to manage to recover but because he wanted what could be and was willing to work for it he redeemed himself, after some necessary suffering.
MinnChica: Like I said earlier, the name Paddy just bugs me, so I frequently found myself referring to him as Patrick, his given name. I loved the fact that Patrick had to work damn hard to get Natalie to agree to go out with him again. I liked watching him struggle with being shot down, and what to do to win back the girl. I thought he did a wonderful job of romancing Natalie, and I enjoyed watching Patrick have to be the aggressor in a relationship for the first time in…ever. 🙂
E: I really enjoyed Natalie as well. Learning what and where she came from to what and where she was during this story was very impressive. I liked even better that she was aware she had triggers, owned them, and tried to work through them instead of getting stuck in the same vicious cycle. She created a family by choice and it was great to see her closeness to her friends and tentative opening up to Paddy’s mother. I loved how she was willing to call Paddy on his ‘ish so that he knew what he was doing to upset her and why. I think some of my favorite scenes were when she explained what was an apology and what wasn’t. She had so many strong moments and yet others when she desperately needed the support or butt-kicking of her friends and they were there for her.
MinnChica: I really liked Natalie as well. I thought she was so strong to see the way her life was going, and make such a huge change. However, when it came to dating, I think she was so scared that she never really allowed herself to break out of the extreme mold she made for herself in being a “good girl.” When she finally allowed Patrick in, I loved the way she started to let her barriers down, and really gave herself the freedom to be the woman she wanted to be. She didn’t worry as much about how she was being seen, and what kind of stereotype she fit into. Instead, she let herself get lost in her relationship and feelings and let herself get carried away by her emotions instead of logic.
E: Paddy and Natalie had such emotional and sexual tension. Neither had forgotten about their two heated weeks so watching them try to work around that while building a friendship and then more was great. It was sweet to see how each was uncertain about their relationship even with their mutual attraction and had to separately decide to go for it. I think the way Dane showed how hard Natalie and Paddy had to work really gave me a sense they could make it as a couple. It also added an air of realism to the story showing a HEA takes work along with attraction.
In addition to enjoying their romance, I loved finding the Easter Eggs, or references to and characters from previous stories and series showing up. Most didn’t play a prominent role but it added to the continuity of Dane’s world and showed how in certain industries the world is actually quite small. I thought this first installment of the Hurley Brothers trilogy was a great way to start. The hints of life happening to Paddy’s brothers and the emotional secrets they are holding close made me even more excited to read their stories and see how such emotionally wounded people are going to find happiness. How much longer do I have to wait for Ezra’s story?
I give The Best Kind of Trouble an A
MinnChica: All in all, I really enjoyed the first book in the new Hurley series from Dane. I thought the relationship between the Hurley brothers was explored in ways that have me super excited to pick up the next book in the series. I thought the romance between Patrick and Natalie was fabulous, and I can’t wait to see more from them as the series continues.
I give The Best Kind of Trouble a B+
This sounds like another great Dane book, I really enjoy how she writes families. I’m with you MinnChica about the name Paddy. I can see myself going the Patrick route as well. 😀