SYNOPSIS
In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.
Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?
USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton delivers another delicious, frothy cocktail of a book, shaking up her characters, stirring in laugh-out-loud humor, and serving sizzling romance straight up!
REVIEW
Alice Clayton is my go to author for sexy and funny reads. Her Redheaded series is, hands down, my favorite set of romantic comedies out there. Clayton’s ability to weave steamy scenes, realistic storylines, and witty dialogue together into well written and highly entertaining books is what puts her at the top of the list for many readers, including myself.
It was soooo good to be back with Wallbanger and Nightie Girl in Rusty Nailed, book 2 of the Cocktail series. In book 1, readers were with Simon and Caroline when he gave up his harem for her and helped her to get back her O, and now we’re able to watch with an insider’s perspective as they adjust to their life as a couple and face the challenges of becoming an us with the added stress of their professional lives changing as well.
When readers meet up with Simon and Caroline again, about a year into their relationship, it’s pretty much business as usual. Simon’s still away more than he is at home due to his high profile career as a photographer, which, in Caroline’s point of view, provides them with the best of both worlds; she’s able to have her “me” time while her Wallbanger is away on assignment, and when he’s home, they make up for lost time with all of the baked goods Simon wants and all of the orgasms Caroline can feel;) But like anyone’s life and relationship, things start to change. Caroline takes on more responsibilities at work and is home a lot less while Simon starts turning down assignments, staying home with Clive and enjoying the leisure time he hasn’t had much of for years. With all that is occurring in their lives, Simon and Caroline learn how to adjust and become comfortable with the changing dynamics of their relationship, and even though Caroline finds herself having a list of pickles to work through, there’s never a doubt that they’ll work through it all with humor, hot sex, and a bit of drama and still be able to come out on the other side stronger and better than before.
Rusty Nailed focuses on relationships and the balancing act that occurs when real life circumstances threaten to overwhelm them. It also gives further insight into who Simon is. Learning more about his past and what happened to close him off and become the man with a harem and not an actual loving relationship was extremely insightful and added an aspect to Simon’s character that was both unexpected and endearing. Catching up with the secondary characters and all of their crazy antics and emotional outbursts made it feel like I was part of their group, experiencing all the highs and lows right along with them and reveling in the camaraderie that makes it all work. And then there’s Clive – his cat life is quite exciting in this one and the insights in his epilogue offer an alternative perspective into readers’ favorite couple that makes them even more charming.
Rusty Nailed is another fantastic Alice Clayton read. It’s extremely well written, character driven, and full of witty dialogue, humorous antics, and realistic plotlines focused on a group of friends who seem more like family. I can’t wait to see what’s up next in the Cocktail series, and I will be more than ready to catch up with Simon and Caroline when their novella releases in January.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 poison apples
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