Format read: ebook provided through netgalley
Release Date: 30 August 2011
Publisher: HQN Books
Formats available: ebook, paperback
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon
, Book Depository (US), Book Depository (UK)
Book Blurb:
Too much of a good thing…
With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.
Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is—and neither is she.
My Thoughts:
Good Girls Don’t is the first novel in Dahl’s new series- The Donovan Brothers Brewery. After loving her Tumble Creek novels I was thrilled to hear about her new contemporary series. Dahl’s writing always makes me giggle and laugh- and she definitely knows how to turn the pages on fire. As you can see I had really high expectations and well, I wasn’t disappointed.
Good Girls Don’t is focused on Tessa Donavan, so to say the baby sister in the Donovan clan. She and her two big brothers run the brewery after the tragic death of their parents and as you can imagine family and business is good to stress even the tightest siblings out at times. Tessa is a little Ms Sunshine. She’s a happy person and tries to focus on the good things in life. She loves her brothers and would do anything to keep her little family together. She’s also a fixer- one of those who can’t ever stop to fix something that went wrong- on her own. I really liked Tessa even though sometimes she really was a bit too much the “fixer” for me. She is funny, witty and made me snort with laughter. But on the other hand she keeps secrets and lies when she thinks it’s for the best. I didn’t much care for that but it really keeps the story on the edge. I was waiting for the moment when she would realize what she had done.
On the other hand we have Detective Luke Asher- the sexy and brooding officer who actually fell into her life by another family business crisis. Luke has a past full of heartbreak and failure- at least in his eyes. He’s one of those nice guys who still succeed in looking all mysterious and dark even though their hearts are bigger than Mother Teresa’s. He has a reputation in town though. The gossip runs hot and dirty around his life but he usually doesn’t care. Luke is one of those guys who would take anything on himself just to protect some else. I adored him. He was so cute and sexy at the same time. I loved to see how Tessa got to him and actually made his engine roar to life. He’s definitely book boyfriend material.
Tessa and Luke have a hard case of chemistry in the mix with a lot of gossiped tales and misunderstandings. Everything is tangled up in a big mess of untrue facts and unmentioned tidbits. When some of those come out throughout the book I really had to control myself to not start laughing out loud in the tram. But I couldn’t keep the giggles inside. Their love is sweet and still burns hot. I love it when a relationship is not only about mutual attraction but also about things like laughing together.
The plot around the brewery break in actually played a smaller role- at least for me. My focus was more on Tessa’s plot to save her family and Luke’s efforts to reveal the secret around his police partner’s pregnancy. Those two plots really kept me glued to the pages. Tessa and her so called fixing made me shake my head and yes, I waited for her big “oh my god what did I do moment”. Luke and his search for answers made my heart melt- he really is such a caring and loving character. Truely a Susi soft spot.
As you can see I loved Good Girls Don’t – the story is entertaining, kept me reading nearly non stop, the love was sweet and still sizzled hotter than hot. I love Dahl’s humor and wit, this makes her books one of the most treasured in my shelf. A great start to a new series- I can already imagine how much fun the other 2 books will be. Highly recommended read- if you love funny contemporary romances you shouldn’t miss this one.
I give Good Girls Don’t 4 out 5 bookies.
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
About Susi
Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.
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Nice review, time I picked up a Victoria Dahl book again!
I love Victoria Dahl and Start Me Up was one of my all time favorite books. I can't wait to read this.
I just read one of her historical romances and loved it too. "A Little Bit Wild" Should be reviewing it this week.
I sadly never clicked :/
I can't wait to read this one!
I haven't read anything by Victoria Dahl yet, but I have this one on my TBR list, so it seems I'll have to bump it up 😉
Nice review Susi, enjoyed getting a feel of the novel! 🙂
@Aurian You should give her a try.
@Karen I need to get that one. Heard so many good things about it.
@Blodeuedd Damn, hate when that happens. ((Hugs))
@Blanche Enjoy!
@Stella You really should- her books are hilarious Hope you'll like this one too
great! I'm looking for a book to complete my Weekend Fab4 and this must be it! lol 🙂 FYI, I try to read 4 books every weekend hence Weekend Fab4. lol 🙂 thanks for your great review 🙂
@gie WOW about Fab4. God, I need more time to read LOL Hope your plan works out.