Title: What’s It Gonna Take Series: Burgers and Brew Crüe #5 Author: Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: August 9, 2022
BLURB
Garreth
From the first moment I saw Reagan Turner at the bar and restaurant I help manage, I was drawn like never before. She was dating someone at the time, which meant she was off-limits, until the jerk broke up with her. I can’t get her out of my head, can’t stop wanting to kiss those perfectly lush lips. Fighting this attraction has been my kryptonite.
So, I give in to temptation.
Now, all bets are off. One touch, one kiss, one night will never be enough. Of course, I wasn’t factoring in us working together, which means I have to keep my desire—and my hands—to myself.
Should be easy enough.
Reagan
There’s something about the charismatic, flirty bar manager that pulls me in. When my boyfriend breaks up with me via text message, I suddenly see Garreth Taylor in a whole new light. He’s gorgeous, fun, caring, and everything a single woman could ever want. And for some reason, he seems to have his sights set on me, even if he doesn’t say it outright.
So, I make the first move.
The result is both explosive and dynamic, and before I know it, one night turns to two. He has a hang-up, however, about being professional while at work, and draws a line in the sand.
Looks like I’ll have to show him how fun it can be to cross it.
My blood is boiling. What kind of douche canoe sends a text to break up with a woman, and then shows up at the same place said woman you just broke up with is eating dinner? Justin fucking Morales, that’s who. I want to punch him in his smug, dirtbag face, but I won’t because my employers frown upon it. Well, maybe not Jameson as much as the others, especially when he hears what happened to his wife’s cousin. He’d probably jump to the head of the line to knock out a few teeth. I remember growing up with Jameson and Walker. They definitely weren’t afraid to get into parking lot scuffles. We didn’t hang in the same circles, but I never had any issues with them. I was just more focused on getting good grades, playing baseball, and getting into college. Reagan approaches where I stand, eavesdropping on her confrontation and not ashamed in the least. Her eyes are cast down at first, and when they finally meet mine, I can see her embarrassment and anger swirling together like a tornado. Part of me wants to reach out and pull her against my chest, vowing to kick his ass for hurting her, but I know she won’t appreciate that right now. Instead, I go to the one place I know will get a reaction out of her. “I’m so turned on right now,” I mutter, throwing her a wink and a smile. And just like that, the shock and rage reflecting in her stunning eyes falls away and is replaced by laughter. “Oh my God,” she sputters through her giggle fit. “What is wrong with you?” See? This right here. I’d rather see her happy and laughing instead of what that asshole made her feel like. When she smiles, there’s this light that surrounds her. It’s vibrant and makes me feel like I won a million dollars or something equally as badass. “You wound me, love.” I place a hand over my heart and sigh dramatically. Reagan rolls her eyes, much as I’d expect her to. “You’re nuts.” I sober and step closer, greedily breathing in her sweet scent. “Do you want me to drop a drink in his lap? Or maybe step on his patty before I serve it? I’d do it in a heartbeat, for you,” I tell her, only half-joking. Reagan gives me a sad smile, and Jesus, I don’t like it. “I do appreciate the offer, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Please don’t make any health code violations on my behalf,” she replies with the faintest grin on her pretty lips. “If you change your mind, send me a signal, okay? Maybe blow me a kiss from across the room or twerk. Twerking’s always good.” Her face completely relaxes as she laughs and shakes her head. “You’re terrible. I’m going to head back to my friends,” she says, reaching out and squeezing my arm. Little bolts of lightning streak through my veins and land firmly in my balls. It’s hard to just stand here and watch her walk away. “Oh, Garreth?” Glancing up, I meet her gaze. “Yes?” “Thank you. For making me smile.” She rewards me with another small smile. My throat is tight with emotion. “Anytime.” Reagan rejoins her party, immediately jumping into an animated telling of what happened over with Justin. As much as I’d love to go over there, I can’t. I have a job to do, which right now, is serving the ex. Even if I’d rather kick his ass out or just flat out refuse to serve him, that’s not my job, and I always strive to do the best job I can. Dammit.
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
What’s It Gonna Take is one of my favourite books in the series. The gods, I thought Walker and Jameson were pretty awesome but Garrett is up there with them.
I loved that there wasn’t a lot of angst in the read, it was an easy, fun filled book that was packed with heat and passion. This pair bring out the best in each other and their flirting and banter was so much fun.
One of the best things about this series is being able to keep up with the other guys in the crew and their ladies. I love their chat when they’re all together, they’re funny and love to get a rise out of each other but they’ve always got each other’s backs.
I was soooo happy when I discovered that Lacey Black is not yet finished with this series and I cannot wait for the next couple.
USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.
Waiting on Forever, an all-new angst-filled must-read standalone romance in The Walker Brothers Series from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor is live now!
Dallas Walker is haunted. He won’t ever forget the horrors he witnessed while working undercover to bust a human trafficking ring, but he has a plan to start a new life. Coming home to his family is step one. Getting to know his alluring new neighbor could be step two. If only she’d give him a chance…
Maggie Ellis just wants to be left alone. She’d rather spend her days spinning clay into art and feel nothing than open herself up to another devastating loss. But her sexy new neighbor with a lonely look in his eyes isn’t giving up. And he makes her question everything…
Together, Dallas and Maggie might have a shot at happily ever after. But only if they can let go of the past and hold on to each other when it matters most.
Claudia Connor is an award winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance, including the beloved McKinney Brothers series. Claudia writes, warm, heartfelt romances with a bit of steam, a lot of family and always a happily ever after.
Claudia attended Auburn University, where she received her undergraduate and masters degrees in early childhood education, and completed her studies in Sawbridgeworth, England. When she’s not writing, she enjoys movies, reading, and travel, with a heavy dose of daydreaming during all three. Claudia lives near Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and three daughters.
Not much has gone according to plan for mechanic, Pippa Freling, recently. With lots of bridges burned behind her, she decides to stick close to her sister and give Montana a try.
Things are looking up when she joins a local group of animal activists, buys an auto shop for a steal, and even tries her luck with the opposite sex. But it doesn’t take long before her hopeful new future is derailed once again.
This time permanently.
Maintaining tight control is the stronghold in Sully Eckhart’s life. It served him well during his years in special forces and has kept him out of trouble since. But his self-restraint stretches only so far whenever he finds himself faced with the one woman who has the ability to shake his determination. A woman he’s tried to avoid for months—since the first time she shook his resolve—but who now finds herself in the middle of a serial murder case.
However, when she not only ends up a person of interest to the FBI, but firmly in the crosshairs of a killer, he has no other option but to stick close.
We got the vibe that Sully was interested in Pippa from how he was with her in the previous book but I wasn’t expecting to enjoy them together as much as I did.
They didn’t start off quite the way they should have, I got why Sully felt the way he did but I wanted him to get his head together and see that it could be a great thing and maybe exactly what he needed. Pippa had reservations about relationships too, again, there were valid reasons that I totally understood but anyone could see that this pair would be great together….
Getting together the way they did wasn’t ideal but there was a definite spark and attraction between them so you knew that things would be ok….. well, between them anyway!!!
I loved that once he wrapped his head round everything Sully was all in. Yeah, he put his foot in it more than a few times, was a tad overbearing at times which drove Pippa crazy but his heart and intentions were in the right place and that endeared him even more to me…
Pippa had had a helluva experience in High Stakes but unfortunately her luck didn’t get much better for a while in High Ground, the hits just kept coming but thankfully she was such a stubborn, determined and strong-willed woman that she got there…. She did show her vulnerability at times but that was ok as she had a load of people who were there to support her and keep her going.
The supporting cast of characters are so different but they’ve all got each other back and once you become a part of the High Mountain ranch family – whether you realise you have or not – they’re all there for you too, which Pippa found out time and again. We met Ira, the new guy at Pippa’ garage and while I wasn’t sure about him at first he turned out to be another great addition.
Freya Barker is a definite favourite author of mine and as I’ve said before I love that her characters are a little older, have got flaws and a tendency to mess things up a bit, but they all deserve a happy life with someone by their side.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series but I’ve got to say Bo is gonna have a challenge and a half on his hands with Lucy….
USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories. With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy. Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We’ve Read All Year Award for “Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
Get book 1 High Meadow for $2.49 with a Kindle Deal
An emergency call to pick up an injured stallion on the side of the road sends Alexandra Hart, the new owner of Hart’s Horse Rescue, into action. A recent addition to the area, she is not impressed when the animal’s taciturn owner shows up. With his less-than-stellar disposition, he’s the kind of man she normally avoids at all costs, unfortunately, he owns the ranch just down the road.
However, when the manhunt for a pair of escaped prisoners gets a little too close for comfort, Jonas turns out to be a better neighbor than she expected.
The Alex who shows up at his ranch to help with his prize stud’s recovery is not exactly who Jonas Harvey expected. This is the same bleeding heart he met on the side of the road. Worried she’s not up for the job, he’d prefer to keep a close eye on her but his High Mountain Trackers team gets called in to track down a group of domestic terrorists.
But the slip of a woman proves him wrong. On all fronts. Alex not only charms his horses but him as well, and when trouble comes calling she proves to be a worthy ally to boot.
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