BLOG TOUR: OFF COURSE by SAWYER BENNETT ~ REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

I am so excited to be hosting a stop on the Off Course Blog Tour.

The tour is hosted by AToMR; find the complete schedule here. My stop includes a review and the tour giveaway.

Series: Off Series #4

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Big Dog Books

Publication Date: 8/4/13
Format: eARC
Source: Received from author for review
Rating: 4.5 stars

Renner Caldwell has her life perfectly mapped out. She has the ideal relationship, the perfect job and all is right in her world. When a shameful turn of events happens, she boards the first plane bound for Ireland to lick her wounds and get her head back on straight.

Cillian O’Braidagh is the sexy, front man to the Irish rock band, Over The Edge. His rising fame and sultry voice make him every woman’s fantasy come true. Not to mention his single-minded determination. To put it simply: what Cillian wants, Cillian always gets. And he wants Renner, because there’s just something about the flame-haired beauty he has to possess.

If their relationship was just about sex and rock n’ roll, it would be easy for them to get lost in their desires. Only their relationship is anything but a hook-up. Will lies, deceit and hidden tragedy get in the way, making the path to true love uncertain? Or will the girl whose been knocked Off Course, find her footing with the man who is teaching her it’s okay to lose control?

Once again, Sawyer Bennett has delivered a ridiculously great story. And once again, she's delivered a story that helps solidify her Off Series as a favorite of mine. There is something different about this series, something I can't quite put my finger on, that simply makes me a happy reader. 

A large part of my love is simply Bennett's writing. Her writing has such a natural feel to it, and I never find myself needing to reread for clarification, something I truly appreciate. I also love that while her stories aren't completely breaking new ground, I don't feel as if I've read them before. Her style and her characters make each story feel totally unique to romance. Another big advantage this series has is that the stories are companions to one another. You could pick up and read any of them and not be lost. Plus, I love that past characters tend to pop up from time. Off Course provides a nice dose of Nix (though I could never really get enough), and trust me, his scene is fantastic. And, I know it's a little early to start in, but... Flynn Caldwell. I'm just going to sit here and not-so-patiently await this mysterious man.

Off Course centers around Renner Caldwell, Nix and Linc's cousin. Renner is introduced to the series in Off the Record, and it was clear then that she's in the middle of a difficult time. Fast forward a bit, and we have Renner picking up her life in Ireland. Of course, there's a guy...in this case, Cillian O’Braidagh. Black Irish. Singer. Tattoos and Piercings. Bossy. Fans know by now that Sawyer Bennett is more than a little fabulous at creating book guys. If only Weird Science technology were available to bring these men to life, huh?

Off Course is essentially Cillian and Renner not only finding one another, but about trust, and letting go of whatever may be tying them down. I'm not going to get into a full-blown character analysis about Renner and Cillian here. These two have some issues, internal ones like guilt, and external, like evil wenches who manage to yank their chain incessantly. (I'm looking at you, Maeve.) What I do want to say is, despite having issues, the issues that Cillian and Renner wrestle with are only one part of their multi-faceted personalities. I think what I'm trying to say is, in Off Course, you don't get a repetitive pattern in regards to the character's thoughts and actions. What you do get is two people with opposing lifestyles and personalities who despite all that, want to be together, and find the life they never knew they wanted. 

Off Course has a smart and strong female lead and a well-intentioned, sometimes clueless, but ultimately worthy leading man. Their story had dangerous chemistry, love, heat, pain, and hope. I had really high hopes for Off Course. It was everything I'd hoped it would be.

Favorite Quotes:

  "You are a conceited, egotistical, jackass and the only place my claws will be sunk will be in your balls if you try to touch me again."
  I give her a well-calculated smirk. "Now that thought just turns me on, Renner. You have a gift for words."    ~eARC, 12%

 

 

  As I scoot my chair in, he leans into me to murmur so only I can hear, "You look sinful tonight, Renner. Father O'Grady would have me stapled to the confessional if he knew the direction my thoughts were taking right now."  ~eARC, 16%

 

 

  "What are you really afraid of, Ren?"

  I shouldn't respond. I shouldn't turn back to look at him. I should march right into the kitchen and turn his order in.

  Instead, I turn around and walk up to him. "I'm afraid of getting lost."

  His hands reach out and take mine. He squeezes them gently and I never thought I'd think of the word comfort in relation to Cillian, but that's exactly what I feel.

  "I won't let you get lost."   ~eARC, 42%

The Off Series 

(Click on cover for GoodReads page)

My Reviews of Off Sides, Off Limits, and Off the Record

Purchase Off Course:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble 

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About the Author
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Connect with Sawyer:

Sawyer Bennett | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads