Sunday, June 28, 2009

YotC Review: She's Got It Bad

Title: She's Got It Bad
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 2009
Harlequin Blaze


Year of the Category Challenge

From the back cover ~

This has been a long time coming

Twelve years ago Zoe Ford let Liam Masters break her heart. But now? There's not a chance. Zoe is as tough and wild as they come. So when Liam shows up at her tattoo parlor, she's more than ready to take him on again. That's not going to be a hardship, since he's hotter than he ever was.

This time she's staying in charge. And she's not going to consider their score settled until he's hot, bothered and begging for more! Then she'll move on as callously as he left her. Unless all that deliciously bad sex is just too good to give up….

Another Sarah Mayberry and another splendid story. I was lucky enough to win this from the wonderful ladies at The Book Binge and I just ate this one up!

The cover: You know I have to say something about the cover, it's become a habit. :) Initially my gaze is drawn to their faces, that's good. But then it moves to her butt. IMO, not so good. Personally I would prefer ogling a man's rear. Sexiest, I know. The thing I do like about the cover is that it goes with the story. Doesn't it just bug you when the cover is so far off from what's inside? This one shows the heroine Zoe, giving the hero Liam a tattoo. That actually happens but I don't remember her being in quite that position. *grins*

The story actually begins when Zoe and Liam are teenagers. Something happens that causes Liam to hit the road and disappear from Zoe's life. When he eventually returns he's all grown up and has become a successful businessman. Zoe is grown up too but she's been through some difficult times and real success hasn't come to Zoe.

Zoe is a woman that I don't seem to have much in common with. She is single, 28 years old and works as a tattoo artist. By the time I was 28, I was married and working in an office, not a tattoo in sight. Zoe doesn't have much direction in her life, it's become a bit stagnate. Thanks to Mayberry's writing I still felt a connection to Zoe, an understanding of why she feels and does what she does. It doesn't have to do with what she wants but what she feels she deserves. Yeah, I liked Zoe and felt such sympathy for her and that says something about the writing because Zoe wasn't always the most likable character.

Liam thinks he knows what's best for Zoe, hence the leaving. So when he comes back he wants to make things up to her, show her that he can treat her right. The only thing Zoe wants from Liam is sex. No strings, no commitments. That's how she likes things and if Liam can't deal with that too bad. Liam, being the stubborn cuss is determined to change Zoe's mind. At first he tells himself that he just wants to help out an old friend but he gets to the point where he can't deny his feels for Zoe are more than just friendly. The sex is definitely a strong pull but they also have history. That history is something they can't ignore. It's something they have to discuss and deal with before they can create a future. Liam hopes to have a future with Zoe, she still wants only the sex.

Mayberry does a satisfying job of taking two distinctly different characters and showing the reader how they became a very believable couple while still maintain their distinct personalities. They each learn some things about the other that not only surprises them but gives them insight that they didn't have before. Both h/h do some more growing up and realise just how deep their feelings still are for each other. There is also some fun and games when Zoe tries to distance her self from Liam and dang if it doesn't seem like he keeps showing up everywhere she goes!

She's Got It Bad is an exciting, enjoyable read with anything but your run of the mill characters. A heroine who is a tattoo artist and a hero who builds custom bikes for a living are not the usual fair in romances. Mayberry gives us characters that are a bit off the beaten path and then makes them relatable. And that's what makes her stories so very good.

Check out Sarah Mayberry's site for her book list. The site doesn't look to be up-to-date so I would also suggest checking Harlequin's site for new releases.

Rating: A

9 comments:

  1. Hah! Mayberry. I'm following everyone's reviews, and hers are the ones I seem to be attracted to. Yeap!

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  2. Hils ~ Have you read Mayberry yet? KMont is the one that recommended her. I've read two so far - both very good.

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  3. This is still the only Mayberry I've read, but I was impressed with how unique the heroine was. Definitely a great read.

    I'm really glad you enjoyed it. ;0)

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  4. Yes, Leslie. I read "Anything for You" and I loved it! I was ranting and raving about not reading any more category romances to KMont. She recommended Anything for You and she was right, excellent!

    So, yeah! Mayberry is kinda saving Categories for me ATM. :-) I'm keeping track of reviews on her books, lol! THEN I'll go get the ones with interesting storylines. This is one of them. Thank you!

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  5. Doesn't it just bug you when the cover is so far off from what's inside?

    YUP :) Hmmm, maybe I need to see if my local library has any Mayberry books....

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  6. Holly ~ Zoe was an enjoyable change from the usual heroines. Even when I got irritated with her I still liked her. :)

    Hils ~ Your welcome. ;)

    orannia ~ Definitely check for Mayberry. I have yet to read one bad review for her.

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  7. I've been seeing this author name everywhere!! and I swear, 2 or 3 months ago, she was unknown... Now, I have to go hunt it down. Sigh :P

    Glad you loved it :D

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  8. *Mayberry gives us characters that are a bit off the beaten path and then makes them relatable. And that's what makes her stories so very good.*

    Could not agree more! When I read the story about the boxer heroine, I in no way could personally identify with her at first, but then Mayberry did her magic and I finally connected just enough to be drawn in.

    I've got this one in the TBR pile. Can't wait to get to it. :)

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  9. nath ~ Happy Hunting! :)

    KMont ~ I'll have to try Below the Belt. I also have Anything for You around here somewhere. Thanks for starting this challenge! :)

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