REVIEW: MAKE IT A DOUBLE (LAST CALL #2) by SAWYER BENNETT

Series: Last Call Series #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Big Dog Books

Publication Date: 4/21/14
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Rating: 4 stars

 

Brody Markham has endured a nightmare, spending the last five years in prison and losing everything that was dear to him. Now he’s back home, trying to survive in a world he doesn’t recognize anymore. While his family and friends desperately try to reach through to him, he shelters himself further and further away from their love.

Alyssa Myers has worked her entire life to distance herself from the luxurious and privileged lifestyle in which she was raised. Running her non-profit agency, The Haven, she is content to spend her days helping abused animals find sanctuary, which fulfills her in a way that money just can’t buy.

Maybe it’s that she recognizes in Brody some of the same characteristics she sees in her homeless wards, but Alyssa is powerless to stop her personal quest to make Brody whole again.

While Brody struggles to surface from the darkness, Alyssa tries to protect her heart in case he’s not willing to accept the light that she offers him.

 

 

I adored the first book in the Last Call series, On the Rocks. Gabby Ward was funny and badass; Hunter Markham was a sexy and charismatic leading man. When I finished, the first thing I said to author Sawyer Bennett was something along the lines of "On the Rocks was great! When will I get Brody's book?" You see, while Hunter was the golden boy surfer god, his twin Brody was newly released from prison and extreeeeeemely broody. I mean, he's obviously got some baggage, but it was obvious there was more going on with Brody. So needless to say, I was very excited to read Make It a Double. I wanted to know what was going on with Broody Brody (besides the obvious). I hoped his book would deliver.

Make It a Double was a sexy book that made my heart beat hard and left it happy. I'm not going to analyze every detail of Brody's story, but I will say that the subject of his past was delved into even deeper than I expected. There were some great insights into Brody's anger and withdrawal. There were a couple of big surprises, and while I liked Brody as a character to begin with, I loved him even more after. He was a self-aware man who shoulder every bit of his responsibility for what sent him to prison. No one could punish him more than he punished himself. His journey back into the outside world was difficult and very thought-provoking. I really admire Bennett's dedication into not glossing this over at all.

It's often said that behind every good man is a good woman. I'd like to think that beside every good man is a good woman, and vice versa. In the best of cases, two people in love balance and complement one another. The woman who would be beside Brody, if he'll let her, is Alyssa Myers. Alyssa was an exceedingly likeable character. A good friend, a thoughtful person, and generous with her time and money, she is nearly the perfect heroine. While she came from a rich yet cold family, Alyssa had the warmest of hearts.

I'm going to take a moment to praise the beard. As in, Brody has one. Beards are kinda my weakness, and let's just say Brody makes good use of his. And to that turn, Make It a Double was a sexy book, guys. Sawyer Bennett always brings the heat, but it means even more to me when you find two leading characters who deserve the love so much. They take care of each other, in any and every way possible. Nurturing is what Brody and Alyssa are all about.

Make It a Double was such a good follow-up to On the Rocks. I enjoyed it even more, actually. I went into this book with high expectations. Happily, all those expectations were met. I really enjoy the Last Call series. I cannot wait to see whose book is next!

Favorite Quotes
  The snotty, rich bitch heiress comment tells me where he's coming from, but not why he feels that adequately describes me. I mean...he got the rich heiress part right, but I am not snotty, nor a bitch. Unless you cross me, then I can be a bitch. But in an understated, classy way.


  And here I stand...inches away from a woman so beautiful she makes her eyes hurt sometimes, and so kind she makes my heart hurt. I know that I had, without a doubt, the best kiss of my life with her the other night, and it will be even better if I kiss her again. I should run. Push her away, bark at her...something to stop this train wreck from happening. Because if we kiss...I know there won't be any stopping.

  I am going to take care of this man. I'm going to guard his secret, I'm going to make him feel unbelievable pleasure, and then I'm going to make sure he knows that he's worthy of the best life has to offer.

 

The Last Call Series

  

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Purchase Links

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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.

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