Review: Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl

Filed in 4 Stars , Review , The Geeky Lover , Victoria Dahl Posted on October 25, 2011 @ 10:00 am 4 comments

Format read: ebook provided through netgalley
Release Date: 25 October 2011
Publisher: HQN Books
Length: 336 pages
Formats available: ebook, paperback
Series: Donovan Brothers Brewery #2 (Book 1: Good Girls Don’t, Book 2: Bad Boys Do)
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon, Book Depository (US), Book Depository (UK)


Book Blurb:

It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one. 

But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.

My Thoughts:

This is the third book in Dahl’s Donovan Brother’s Brewery series and I was really curious to see how she would turn the serious and sometimes a bit too controlling Eric into an irresistible hero. He didn’t have an easy start with us as the reader. In the previous novels he didn’t often agree with our leading characters and as we sided with the heroes he got a bit of an opposing role. And now here he is in all his glory and well, he definitely won my heart over.
I have to shamefully admit that I didn’t read the novella that precedes Real Men Will and I really regret this. I will have to remedy it ASAP. The novella in The Guy Next Door tells the story of how Beth and Eric met for the first time and from what I learned in Real Men Will I need to read that. But I still I could follow the storyline without having any problems at all.
There is more to Eric and his behavior than the author tried to make us believe in the previous installments. He has a reason for being so stubborn and set in his way. He doesn’t want to be the spoilsport all the time but his consciense forces him to act the way he does. His thoughts and worries aren’t what I expected. The backstory really puts his character into a different light. I loved how strong he was at some times but at others he was as vulnerable as we all can be from time to time. His fights with Jamie nearly broke my heart now that I knew why both sides acted the way they did. I just wanted to grab them and bang their stubborn heads together.
Beth is as much a deceiving character as Eric. Everyone believes that the owner of the local sex store must be an experienced and openminded lover. Well, I don’t want to say that she isn’t but she isn’t what everyone wants her to be. She is just an ordinary woman with her own fears and worries. She is a strong and successful businesswoman but deep inside she sometimes still feels like the unsure and angsty teen again. This made her very like able for me. She was unsure with other dates but with Eric she was someone else. He made her feel like she could just be herself. I loved that the most – to see her bloom and find a way to be who she is. That is the way it should be in a relationship- you shouldn’t be afraid to say what you want- ever.
The plot itself didn’t grab me as much as the previous ones, though. The whole connection between Beth and the Kendalls felt a bit staged. I loved to see the other Donovans again though- always makes me smile to see those all in love and happy.
Real Men Will delivers a heartwarming ending for a wonderful contemporary series. We learn to look beneath what people seem to be- to question their real motives and how deceiving it can be to not know all the facts. The Donovan Brother’s Brewery series is a wonderful ride that will make you smile, laugh and cry. Highly recommended read!

I give Real Men will 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 revie

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4 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • Karen October 25, 2011 at 10:12 am

    I really need to read this series. I love Victoria Dahl's books!

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  • Aurian October 25, 2011 at 11:11 am

    Nice review, glad you liked the book. Someday, I will read it…

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  • Pat L. October 26, 2011 at 6:56 am

    I am waiting to read all the books in this series.
    patoct@yahoo.com

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  • Alisha (MyNeedToRead) October 26, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    I've been looking forward to this book ever since reading the novella Just One Taste from the anthology. Dahl's characters are always so magnetic….

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