The First Taste by Jessica Hawkins
Series: Slip of the Tongue #2
Release Date: August 4th, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book Description:
Andrew Beckwith has already devoted his life to one girl—and as far as he’s concerned, she’s all he needs. The rough-around-the-edges bad boy left his reckless ways behind six years ago when his daughter Bell was born. To the female population’s dismay, he’s unapologetically single. When Bell’s mother walked out on them years ago, he vowed never to let another woman close enough to hurt them again.
Amelia Van Ecken isn’t just another woman. She’s an independent, smart, and savvy businesswoman who doesn’t have time for sex, much less love. In the midst of a drawn-out, bitter divorce, all she wants is to bury herself in work. But when sharp-tongued Amelia and stubborn Andrew cross paths, sparks fly—and burn. Two things are obvious in an instant: they want each other, and they’re from different worlds. It’s the perfect formula for an off-the-charts one-night stand. After all, it’s not as if opposites ever attract.
The First Taste, a standalone spin-off of the Slip of the Tongue.
Buy Links:
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2axxkuL
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2aWHFQb
Our Review:
Reviewed by Donna ~ 4.5 stars
***ARC received for an honest review***
“There’s bravery in facing fear
when it’s easier to bury it.”
There is something about a single dad that puts his daughter
first before life itself that has every woman’s heart melting into a mushy
puddle of goo and Jessica Hawkins delivered one such man in the form of Andrew
Beckwith. There was nothing I disliked about this man AT ALL. He was
perfection. He was the epitome of what every father should strive to be, he
made the best out of a bad situation, he didn’t give up, he fought, he changed,
he was selfless, his daughter was his life and he was hers, it was stunningly
beautiful.
For those that have read A Slip of the Tongue, Andrew is
Sadie’s brother and this is his story. Sadie and Nathan do appear throughout so
you get to catch up with them too. While this can be read as a standalone, I
highly recommend you read A Slip of the Tongue, because it was another great
book and we all love a great book!
“My sister says you’re
disturbingly hot, but I’m just disturbing.”
Andrew had been burned badly, he and his girlfriend became
parents at a young age, it was unplanned. He threw himself into being the
breadwinner, to provide a home for his family which meant that his girlfriend
was left to bring up the baby alone a lot of the time, she couldn’t cope, she
walked. Andrew stepped up to the plate and hasn’t looked back since. Andrew had
a great support network, friends, colleagues and of course Sadie and Nathan had
all played their part and it was stunning to see everyone pull together to make
a life for Andrew and his Bell. Bell was his world, his reason for everything
and she knew it. She was a daddy’s girl through and through and had him wrapped
around her little finger. She dictated his life, had done for years, he hadn’t
been celibate, he had his moments but no-one had made him want to change, but
he hadn’t met his game changer…yet.
“Doesn’t anyone ever say no to
you?”
“And get away with it? Just Bell.”
Andrew was Sadie’s brother, Amelia was Sadie’s boss, Andrew
visits his sister at work, his path crosses with Sadie, it wasn’t the best of
introductions, but alas, their paths would cross again and so the love story begins.
“It actually does mean something.
Maybe it means a lot.”
Amelia was a business woman first and foremost but
underneath that no nonsense, frosty attitude was a woman that had been burned
badly. Currently going through an acrimonious divorce she was at her wits end
with her ex and all his dirty handed shenanigans. She was tied to him and she
wanted it severed but he wasn’t going to give her up without a fight despite
the fact he deserved nothing, not even an ounce of respect.
“You can’t be bought, Amelia.
Teach him a lesson.”
Andrew and Amelia were definitely opposites, but opposites
do attract. Amelia, rich business woman, thousand dollar clothes…Andrew, owner
of a garage, tattoos, greasy, motorbike and the father to a beautiful child.
But these two sought a night of solace in each other but gradually realised
that one night would never be enough. These two were each other’s confidantes,
opening up to each other which neither deemed possible. They stabilised one and
other and gave each other something they never knew they wanted. Yes, it has
its ups and downs, yes it has its teething troubles, but underneath were two
people that slowly fell in love, no matter whether they wanted to or not. The
heart wants who the heart wants, we just left waiting for the brain to catch up.
“I’m a man, Amelia. I treat women
like treasure. I treat my girlfriend like the love of my fucking life. And I
treat an asshole like an asshole.”
This was such a beautiful story on so many levels. From
Andrew’s love for Bell and then for Amelia and from Amelia’s love for Andrew
and then for Bell. This ticked so many boxes, was so emotional and totally
unputdownable. I just loved every single bit.
“It’s fine if you don’t need me…but
I need you.”
About the Author:
Jessica Hawkins grew up between the purple mountains and under the endless sun of Palm Springs, California. She studied international business at Arizona State University and has also lived in Costa Rica and New York City. To her, the most intriguing fiction is forbidden, and that’s what you’ll find in her stories. Currently, she resides wherever her head lands, which is often the unexpected (but warm) keyboard of her trusty MacBook.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jess_hawk
Website: http://www.jessicahawkins.net
Thank you! Great review.
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