Title: Off the Record
Author: Sawyer Bennett
Release date: June 11, 2013
Publisher: Big Dog Books
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporay Romance
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17852664-off-record
Book Description:
The sparks of dislike burn hot, but the sparks of mutual attraction burn even hotter.
Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away. These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word.
Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He’s gorgeous and carefree—the ultimate charmer. Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it.
When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athelete’s fury. Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution. Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell.
And she just might find that she has misjudged him.
Review
Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett
4 Stars
This book was such a heart melting, tug-at-your-heart read. Lincoln Caldwell is the goalie for the NY Rangers hockey team. He’s ubber attractive in the looks department. He enjoys his single life with no commitments or long term relationships. Why should he, when he can have any woman he wants. You could have added me to standing in line to be with him.
Everett (Ever) Montgomery is a journalist for a NY newspaper and gets the opportunity to write a piece on this well-known hockey player. She’s just ended her engagement with Marc, the guy she thought she would spend forever with, but she caught him in a compromising position with another woman. The men in her life have given Ever reason not to trust them. Her father left her & her mom when she was just 16 years old and she hasn’t recovered from the heartache she felt then.
“I’m not stupid enough to look at Linc as a potential love interest. My walls are still firmly in place and I don’t expect I’ll be getting them down any time again. Twice burned, and all that. But the young & sexually curious part of me is looking at Linc differently.”
She feels attracted to Linc, but knows that knows he’s a player, not only on the ice but with women. After she sees Linc in action with another woman, shortly after she had her interview, and she turned him down for a date, she writes a damaging piece on him. Linc is angry and not very happy with the picture she’s painted of him in the public eye. Actually, he’s pissed. She doesn’t really know him so how could she write what she did? So what does he do? He demands a meeting with Ever & her editor wanting a retraction to the article immediately. During this meeting, he tells her & her boss that she needs to spend a full six weeks with him, get to know the real Lincoln Caldwell and write a different piece.
Can Linc change Ever’s mind on what she thinks he’s really like?? Can these two fight the sizzling attraction they have with each other?? Will Ever begin to learn let those walls down that she’s built around her heart and learn to trust again??
“…when things happen that we don’t expect, and when situations seem crazy and out of control, sometimes you need to just sit back and enjoy the experience. Some of life’s greatest lessons will come from those times.”
I loved the sexual chemistry between these two. And I loved getting both of their POVs in this book.
There is no telling why I have this sudden and deep interest with Ever. My feelings toward her have gone from an instant attraction, to anger, to vengance, to amusement, to attraction and now fascination. In any other circumstance, if I was this attracted to a woman, I would be putting some moves on her.
The scene where these two are watching a movie together at Linc’s home, had me smirking. And how Sawyer wrote this out, as well as other scenes in the book, just made me love these two a little more. Linc has told Ever that she could sit by him and he would protect her while they are watching the second movie, which is The Walking Dead and is scary.
“This isn’t going to work.”
Releasing her hair, I ask, “What’s not going to work?” My voice comes out raspy and I think it’s because my throat is dry.
“Sitting so close together.”
I cautiously remove my arm from around her shoulders. She looks up to me and fuck me silly, I see desire in her eyes. I am so unprepared for that look to be coming from her, I have no words.
I’m practically struck stupid when she says, “I want to kiss you, Linc.”
This author knows how to throw a little bit of funny in with the storyline & it really was worked in well. I enjoyed watching, because that’s what this story felt like to me, these two learn a little bit more about each other while trying to keep things simple.
Just when I think I’ve got him figured out, he spins me around to another side. And when he takes Ever to Oklahoma to volunteer in the relief effort after a tornado struck, she is starting to change her mind about him.
“I am exposed before him and vulnerable. He stares at me for the longest time. His tongue darts out and licks his lower lip, and I feel like he’s just walked up to an all-you-can-eat buffet, staring at it in wonder. He leans over and places his fingertips in the curls between my legs , softly moving them back and forth. I think I might have a heart attack from the thrill of what he is doing.”
Linc just melted my heart among other things with his efforts in dealing with Ever. Whether they were to keep things simple & not get involved with her, or he’d just love to see her naked, or when he takes her away to his vacation spot in Wyoming. He also begins to see that Ever isn’t the hateful person he thought in the beginning.
“She turns her head to me and I don’t know what is reflected on my face, but it causes her lips to part slightly and her eyes to shine. Does she see in my gaze how beautiful I think she is?
Whether it’s the magic of the setting sun, or because it’s been way too long, my hands go to Ever’s face to hold her before me. I don’t waste any time before I bring my mouth down to hers. She wastes no time either and steps right into my body, pressing herself against me. The contact is electric and I am overwhelmed with desire for her.”
Linc just knows what to say to Ever’s mom, too, when they visit her for her birthday in North Carolina.
“Sam……if Ever had not written that article about me, I would have never had this opportunity to get to know your daughter. I’d say that was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time.”
Ever & Linc discover a lot about themselves and each other during this story. And maybe.....if you give it a chance.....you can find love. They both bring out the best in each other. I highly recommend this book to read. I think you will find it as enjoyable as I did.
Copy provided for my honest review - Jessie L.
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About the Author
Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for 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 weakness but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Author Social Media Links:
www.sawyerbennett.com
www.facebook.com/bennettbooks
www.twitter.com/bennettbooks
I am obsessed with this series and this one sounds just as great as the other ones. And who doesn't love a good athlete story? Let's be honest lol
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