The Valentine’s Arrangement
(Hard Feelings #1)
by Kelsie Leverich
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: Jan. 1, 2013
Genre: Romance
Rating:
Tattoo artist Ronnie Clark is counting the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore. Love leads to heartbreak, and she’s vowed never to let herself get hurt again.
Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his mid-tour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his soldiers to finish leading their mission. He’s dedicated to his men and to his country, and he’s not interested in getting wrapped up in a distracting relationship…but casual sex, that’s a different story. From the moment he sees Ronnie, he wants her. And he agrees to her terms—no romance, no fluff—just passion.
But as their sexual chemistry ignites, the lines of their arrangement get blurry, and Ronnie starts to push Kale away. And when Kale realizes he’s found his match in this razor-tongued, gorgeous woman who is hell bent against love, winning her heart could be the toughest battle he has ever fought.
This was a cute read between a tattoo artist and a military member. I loved that Ronnie was this cynical person who didn’t get heart emoji eyes over being wooed. She didn’t seem to hold onto things. So when her long term boyfriend cheats on her, she kicks him to the curb. She didn’t like Kale coming up in her business trying to sweet talk her. However, he eventually got under her skin and she found herself softening towards him.
One thing that I found rather interesting about this story was that this book takes place in a short span of time. Like in a few days. You see, Kale is on leave for a short break and decides to get a remembrance tattoo for the brothers he’s lost in combat. When he’s referred to Ronnie, he is expecting some big burly guy, not some hot chick. I could see that there would be instant attraction there, but the instant infatuation/love kind of threw me. I honestly thought maybe I had missed something and this book takes place over a longer span, but upon reading other reviews, it really does only take place in a matter of a few days.
I think this was a cute romance and I loved the combo between a rough around the edges chick and a military guy. I will say that there wasn’t anything overly memorable about this book. I hate to say it, but it’s true. I finished this book yesterday and I’m honestly having a hard time remembering the points I did and didn’t like in order to write this review. Like I said, it was an enjoyable read, but it isn’t something that I will see myself reading over and over again.
So it was good but not great.
I like a story with a man in uniform, but lately with my memory, a book has to have lots of memorable moments for it to stick in my mind and keep me talking about it. Glad you enjoyed it for the most part. Hugs, RO