Too Hot to Handle
by Tessa Bailey
Release Date: May 17, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Book #1 in the Romancing the Clarksons series
Number of Pages: 302
Contemporary Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: death of parent, abandonment
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The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted-ass car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn’t seen in years. When rescue shows up—six-feet-plus of charming hotness on a motorcycle—Rita’s pretty certain she’s gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .
Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he’s about to be sorely tempted. There’s something real between them. Something raw . And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn’t just for tonight—he’s forever.
With the way this book started, I wasn’t expecting it to give me all the feels that it did. Once Rita and Jasper were on the page together I was all warm-fuzzy feelings. Don’t worry, it doesn’t take long for them to meet.
Rita is taking a road trip across the country with her three siblings. None of them other than her want to take this road trip; they are estranged, they all have their own personal problems, they have busy lives, etc. Yet they band together to do this one thing for their deceased mom, all with their caveats which I am sure will play into their individual books. The interplay between these siblings is fascinating. They are all so different yet seem to have the same deep anguish. I loved how their relationships grew throughout this story.
Jasper lives in a small town and was, until recently, the town lothario. He owns the local dive bar and is in the process of opening a restaurant attached to the bar, partly to prove he can be a respectable citizen. There is an instant connection between Jasper and Rita when he comes across the Clarksons on the side of the road with car trouble. Rita and Jasper may only have a few days together, but it’s enough time for them to share things they never shared with anyone else. Their walls come down yet they both know this thing between them cannot last.
As I said, warm fuzzies all around. Jasper makes a huge misstep at one point but he eventually realizes his error. Rita retaliates for Jasper’s misstep and comes to regret her actions. My heart breaks for them both, but over and over they learn to talk things out and apologize.
I am most eager for Belmont’s story but it’s the last in the series! I have a feeling he will be tearing out my heart by the time his turn comes around.
4 stars
All In Good Time 