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Series: Loving on the Edge #5Genre: Erotic Romance
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publication Date: 3/4/14
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 stars
She’s making a wish list, and he wants to be on top.
From foster kid to trophy wife, Tessa McAllen is about to reinvent herself all over again—and defy every insult her cheating ex-husband ever used against her: Selfish? She’s championing a charity. Stupid? She’s getting her degree.
Boring in bed?
Kade Vandergriff can help her with that one. When they encounter each other at a singles event held at one of his restaurants, Tessa blurts out that kink is for girls who try too hard, and Kade instantly wants to show this sassy stranger how thrilling a night under his command can be…but when he learns her name, the game changes for both of them.
In high school, Tessa was the popular girl who stuttering, awkward Kade fell for. But she chose another. Now, as she eagerly learns lesson after lesson, he’s going to make sure she never forgets him again.
From foster kid to trophy wife, Tessa McAllen is about to reinvent herself all over again—and defy every insult her cheating ex-husband ever used against her: Selfish? She’s championing a charity. Stupid? She’s getting her degree.
Boring in bed?
Kade Vandergriff can help her with that one. When they encounter each other at a singles event held at one of his restaurants, Tessa blurts out that kink is for girls who try too hard, and Kade instantly wants to show this sassy stranger how thrilling a night under his command can be…but when he learns her name, the game changes for both of them.
In high school, Tessa was the popular girl who stuttering, awkward Kade fell for. But she chose another. Now, as she eagerly learns lesson after lesson, he’s going to make sure she never forgets him again.
Having previously read Caught Up in You, I am still a newbie to the Loving On the Edge series. I need to change that situation as soon as possible because with Need You Tonight, this is becoming a series I am heavily invested in. Yes, the stories are intensely erotic and wow, does Roni Loren know how to write some very descriptive and awe-inspiring sexy times, but what really pulled me under with this story was the characters.
Need You Tonight opens with Tessa McAllen walking in to find her husband deep-boning her best friend in the kitchen. After pelting them with oranges -which was hilarious despite the circumstances- Tessa walks away from it all to create a new life back in Dallas, her former home, Flash forward a year later, and Tessa is making a life of her own. Having lived off her husband's fortune as a televangelist, Tessa has struggled and learned to provide for herself. She's still haunted by her ex's verbal abuse -she's dumb and boring in bed- and is working to overcome those issues. Now attending college classes, Tessa wants to work on the boring part. Serendipity smiles on Tessa with Van, a sexy and intriguing man who provides her with a night of passion and the assurance she is most definitely not boring.
Soon thereafter, "Van", who is actually Kade Vandergriff, recognizes Tessa as the girl who broke his heart in high school. You would think the two would recognize each other, but Tessa has changed some over the years and Kade...he's virtually unrecognizable. In a series of flashbacks interspersed throughout, the horrific story is told. With a childhood weight problem and a wicked stutter, Kade's high school years were painful, except for the hidden friendship of Tess. Kade quickly fell for Tess, but a traumatic childhood left her looking for the stability that Kade cannot promise. Her asshole boyfriend can, though. When he discovers how close the two have become, Doug takes matters into hand. Fair warning, I thought I had a decent idea of what had taken place, but when the details all come to light, I so wasn't prepared. The events of one night changed Kade forever. He rebuilt himself as a stronger man, a successful man who won't lose Tess a second time.
With the present day story and that terrific backstory, I could not put Need You Tonight down. I loved the second chance love story. I appreciate that Loren gave us a heroine who works to change and grow into a better person. I especially admire her for creating a hero with significant vulnerabilities. Significant.
I also loved the erotic side of the story. Kade is a prominent member at The Ranch, a Dominant with an unyielding need for control. Luckily, Tessa is willing to take a chance, to explore her kinky submissive side. I knew from past experience that I enjoyed the sexy scenes Loren creates, but this book kind of blew my mind. It wasn't that this book is more scandalous that what I've read in the past, but the care and emotion Kade puts into the moment, the absolute trust Tessa gives him, and the heady descriptions all worked to create a tone that was quite the treat!
Need You Tonight worked for me. Absolutely worked for me. Tessa and Kade's shared backstory, the mistakes, pain, betrayal and brutality that tore them apart, the reconnection and the growth...it all blended together to create a truly powerful story that I know I won't soon forget. The sneak peek at book six, Not Until You, promises another wicked, emotional story that I will not miss.
Favorite Quotes:
Kade chuckled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Tess, meet my kinky friends. I could try to explain their relationship, but let's just leave it at they're shit-faced in love with each other and have unlimited access to a sex shop. So like I said, we're not going to shock them."
"I love this side of us. Because where else in life do we get to indulge in the darkest part of ourselves without fear of judgment or censure? You couldn't tell me one thing you want that would weird me out. Truly. Even if I'm not into that particular thing. This is a safe place to be exactly who you are--even the portions others would label wrong. You won't scare me away."
She would be Tessa for him. A woman who wasn't afraid to give in to her desires. A woman who would do things with him just because they were fun, because they felt good, because she loved him and he loved her. Because the ultimate trust was there. A woman who could stand on her own two feet but who could also get on her knees at night for her man and not feel wrong about it.
Kade chuckled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Tess, meet my kinky friends. I could try to explain their relationship, but let's just leave it at they're shit-faced in love with each other and have unlimited access to a sex shop. So like I said, we're not going to shock them."
"I love this side of us. Because where else in life do we get to indulge in the darkest part of ourselves without fear of judgment or censure? You couldn't tell me one thing you want that would weird me out. Truly. Even if I'm not into that particular thing. This is a safe place to be exactly who you are--even the portions others would label wrong. You won't scare me away."
She would be Tessa for him. A woman who wasn't afraid to give in to her desires. A woman who would do things with him just because they were fun, because they felt good, because she loved him and he loved her. Because the ultimate trust was there. A woman who could stand on her own two feet but who could also get on her knees at night for her man and not feel wrong about it.
Loving on the Edge Series
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