REVIEW: TAKE MY BREATH AWAY by CHRISTIE RIDGWAY

Series: Cabin Fever #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: 5/27/14
Format: ARC
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars


GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N  |  iBooks

From USA TODAY bestselling author Christie Ridgway comes a sparkling new series set in the California mountains, where Hollywood glamour meets rustic charm, and the sparks fly among the unlikeliest of couples…

Poppy Walker has a plan to restore the family resort, and she's sticking to it. So when a good-looking guy with plenty of cash rents one of her half-repaired vacation cabins, she figures he's just what the handyman ordered. But when a late-winter storm blows through, it takes down some trees, her roof and then…her self-control. Even though she's been burned before by a wealthy passer-through, she can't stay away from the brooding but gorgeous stranger in the bungalow next door.

Former teen idol turned Hollywood exec Ryan Hamilton wants a private place in which to endure his very personal heartbreak. Finally, at this rustic mountain cabin, he has all the seclusion one man could want—until sparks begin to fly with his sexy, formerly chilly landlady. By the time the weather dies down, they're both hot, bothered and certain they're still wrong for each other. But there's no telling how they'll face the new storm brewing on the horizon…

 

Take My Breath Away is a cabin (or luxurious home) romance between a single mom and a disgraced Hollywood celeb. This one started out as a fun read that didn't totally blow me away, but I liked it. Somewhere along the way, though, Take Me Breath Away totally won me over, and I truly enjoyed it!

Poppy (that name just makes me smile, btw) has spent her life believing in her family's California mountain resort. Her family fell on hard times several years back, and the resort is in disrepair. Now a single mom, Poppy wants to bring the place back to life, knowing it will be a uphill climb. The area is a known attraction for rich vacationers who are there for temporary fun, with Poppy's son being the result of her time with one such man. The abandonment has left her with a large amount of distrust for the men who come there, and her new tenant is no exception.

Ryan Hamilton needs a break from his life. It's March again, and that means disaster for him. But why? Is it the Ides of March? It's not immediately clear why Ryan and March do not mix, but needless to say, I was very curious. The answer was a bit different from what I expected. It was very powerful and very sad. The author did a really good job of depicting the overwhelming emotions and lasting pain of Ryan's tragedy. Seeking privacy, Ryan takes off from Hollywood.  Luckily for Ryan, he finds a cabin to rent from probably the one woman in California who doesn't know who he is. When the news gets out, Ryan and Poppy's time together is extended, furthering the opportunity for the troubled Ryan and hesitant Poppy to fall for each other.

Of course, we have the initially tense first meeting. The (internal) promises on both sides to stay away from each other, and the incident that forces them into close proximity. Then...it is on, y'all! Ryan and Poppy have an attraction to each other that won't be stopped. Take My Breath Away has a lot of push-and-pull going on between Ryan and Poppy. There's also a secondary romance between Ryan's brother Linus and Poppy's cousin Charlie. The way this one was told partially through screenplays (I don't even know, either) was disjointing, but I liked them, overall.

I never questioned where the story was headed and how the two end up. There were some funny moments along the way, some sweet moments, sad moments, and definitely sexy ones too. It was a fast-paced, enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend Take My Breath Away, and look forward to continuing the Cabin Fever series with Shay's (Poppy's sister) story, Make Me Lose Control.

 

Favorite Quotes

  But Poppy was Poppy, and accepting that, she looked on him with pity and felt it for herself, as well. "Yeah. Me. "I'm pretty certain you don't want me to be honest about my feelings. But I've fallen in love with you, Ryan. And I'm pretty certain you don't want me to ask for what I want from you...Which would be and April, by the way. And a May. Maybe a whole summer and another season after that. For me, and for you, and for Mason I might even want a forever."


  One hot tear rolled from her lashes toward her temple as she realized what he was asking for. He wasn't looking for another confession. It was absolution he wanted.
  Poppy hesitated, and then...then she realized how much of a giver she could be. Because in this moment she wanted to shower him with all he needed, no matter what the cost to herself. Closing her eyes, she pictured herself tossing handfuls of love at him as if they were bunches of dandelion fluff.  She saw little white parachutes drifting down around him.
  And then she told him exactly what he wanted to hear.
  "Come April, I won't love you anymore."
   The gratitude in his gaze made the lie worth it. The man lived with enough pain.

About the author

Christie Ridgway is a California native and author of over forty contemporary romances.  A five-time RITA finalist and USA Today bestselling author, she writes sexy, emotional reads starring determined heroines and the men who can’t help but love them.  Married to her college sweetheart, Christie lives in Southern California in a house filled with boys and pets.  She writes as an escape from sports equipment, football on TV, and dog hair.

 

 

 

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads