Their love was ancient history...until their paths crossed again.
Samantha Bennett put Dean Malloy out of her mind five years ago, when he broke her heart after a summer fling. But now he's back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career--if he doesn't steal her heart first. Samantha's vowed to hate him, but it's more than anger heating the competition between them.
With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again; anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate both their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything. For a shot at love...is it worth the risk?
USA Today bestselling author Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her awesome family and her very cute dog, Harry. She writes fun, flirty romantic fiction with one goal in mind: to leave you with a smile on your face. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, and frequent coffee shops with friends. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch on social! xoxo
I’m beyond confused as to how the book that should get a 4-star rating from me could turn out to be a subpar read at best. The story started off very well and I was hooked instantly. But as I read further into the book, I found that there was too much filler and not enough actual substance to the story for me. Despite the fact that this is a novella, it's still overly long.
A weak plot was not my major problem, but what upset me the most was that there was no groveling! Where was this part when, in fact, it was needed? Totally unacceptable!
I was dissatisfied with the ending. Nope, not what I expected.
Robin Bielman has given us a contemporary romance novel, this is what I call my Sunday afternoon reading, and it was a romance novel with a happy ending. I enjoyed Robin Bielman writing, her characters felt real, the plot was good and if you’re a fan of romance this is a book for you to read.
We meet Samantha Bennett who is trying to follow her dream and if she doesn’t win this contract she knows she may be out of a job. Her father has pretty much disowned her, she is lonely and still in love with a man who broke her heart 5 years ago and today she just wants to secure the job. On her way to the interview she sees him in the elevator Dean Malloy the one who broke her heart. All she can do at this moment is pray he doesn’t see her. But of course like any great romance novel they are destined to bump into each other and to make matters worse they both are trying to secure the same contract.
They talk….they agree to meet for a drink………can she do this? What if she loses the contract and end’s up jobless…? Will he break her heart again? Will she lose everything?
The answers to these questions can only be found by going out and picking up this book. Worth the Risk is a fantastic romance novel, it is well written and I enjoyed it immensely. Robin Bielman made the characters come to life and I loved the romance, she add a bit of suspense and I didn’t put the book down praying I was going to get my happy ever after ending. If you love a good romance novel this is the one to read!
I have rated it 4 stars and would recommend it to any of my friends who love a great romance story.
Cover: Okay Rating: NC-17 Steaminess: Steamy Thumbs Up: 4.5 Overall: Well written romance Characters: Solid Plot: Romance in the air and I could feel it. Page Turner: Yes. Series Cont.? N/A Recommend: Yes Book Boyfriend: Dean
SUMMARY (50 words or less) The title is worth the risk. And you ask is it worth a read, and I say yes. This was a solidly written contemporary romance. Very believable with an interesting plot line to move the story along. I really liked Sam a lot and her attitude towards things.
To see my REVIEW, my Book Boyfriend pic, AN INTERVIEW with the author and GIVEAWAY, a chance to win a copy, check out my link below.
Yay! I have another go-to contemporary romance author to add to my list of automatic buys. :)
Robin Bielman excels at plot, prose, dialogue, sexual tension and characters--the entire package. There is no part of this story that is cliche or predictable.
After five years apart, Dean and Sam are reunited when they compete for an historic preservation job. I love that the hero and heroine connect on so many levels. While there's definitely chemistry in the bedroom, there's a real connection in their work ethic and environmental philosphies, as well.
This book is a definite win for me. It's originial and interesting with the perfect amount of heat, conflict and unpredictability to satisfy the most discerning of contemporary romance readers.
I highly recommend "Worth the Risk" and am looking forward to reading more from Bielman.
This was perfect Sunday morning romantic reading and I lay prone on the sofa from the moment I picked it up until I flicked the final page. Robin Bielman never fails to bring a feel-good romance, with wonderful loveable characters and a lose-yourself storyline, to life.
Samantha and Dean had a meaningful holiday romance and parted on a misunderstanding five years previously. When they discover they are pitched against each for the same business contract their feelings are instantly reignited. And I'm all for mixing business with pleasure when it's as sexy and romantic as this...
I simply loved the romance. I like my angst but I also love my books where I can completely lose myself in a sweet sexy romantic journey with intimacy and passion. I adored Dean and Sam and with a five minute kiss that was just exquisite, Worth the Risk is exactly all this; many shorter reads have a habit of falling a little short for me, but this has left me a happy satisfied girl.
I received a copy of this courtesy of Entangled Publishing for an honest and unbiased opinion
HOLY BATMAN CHRISTIAN GREY YOU HAVE MET YOUR MATCH WITH DEAN MALLOY!!!!!!
First a HUGE THANK YOU to Danielle over at Entangled for allowing me to read this book. Lord the cover does not do it any justice at all. Sam and Dean met five years ago and had a whirlwind summer. You know those summer romances never last but sometimes they leave a very strong impression on the couple. This is what happens to Dean and Sam.
So when they see each other five years later they are taken by surprise because they still have feelings for one another. The only problem is is that they are vying for the same job bid and well old lovers can't become new lovers can they? In Worth The Risk Sam and Dean will have to overcome their fears and have a crash course in love in order to be together. Will Sam open up to Dean and give her heart back to him? Will Dean finally realize that Samantha is all he has ever wanted? Will Dean take down his walls?
Will it be worth the risk to open up their hearts again and really learn to love one another? Come along on a ride of a lifetime and see what happens with Samantha and Dean. Dean Malloy is totally SWOON WORTHY!
Worth the Risk by Robin Bielman was such an adorable read! I simply devoured this one and I just fell in love with both the story and the characters.
Dean and Samantha had such chemistry, and Robin Bielman builds this up right away. The sparks were definitely flying between the two of them. The other elements of the plot beyond just Dean and Samantha's relationship were great as well.
I just didn't want this one to end. Robin Bielman stole my heart on page one with this one, and it was just so much fun to read! The characters just made this one that much better - all of them were awesome.
For someone who wants a fun, adorable romance, this is the one for you! I read nearly straight through this one, only stopping to go to class, and even then I was reading through it. A must read for fans of contemporary romance.
When Samantha Bennett and Dean Malloy both show up at the same job interview, they discover that they're competing for the same coveted partnership. Before the jobs interview and, later, while they spend the weekend waiting to find out which one of them earns the position, they also rekindle a hot romance that ended in heartache several years before. But when the winner of the job position is announced, will it end their growing love?
I loved this novella! It was fun and funny and sexy. I loved the chemistry between Sam and Dean. The question of who would win the job - and what it would do to their newly rekindled relationship - made the book nearly impossible to put down. Robin Bielman is definitely an author to watch!
"Happy feelings drugged her body, so much that she thought she might lose consciousness."
Worth The Risk is another short romance title from the incredible Entangled Publishing so when I got the chance to review this book I couldn't turn it down. There is not one Entangled title that I have read and not completely and utterly loved. This was no exception and I loved every moment of it.
Samantha has done everything she can to make it on her own. After falling head-over-heels in love with Dean Malloy and having her heart broken by him five years ago she still couldn't get over him and the impression he made had an impact on her career. Seeing his passion for the environment all those years ago left her wanting to work in that area too. So when she gets the chance to secure a contract she jumps at it and is confident she can make this work. She has to, or her job in on the line. But when she runs into Dean again, this time as her competition, sparks fly and past feelings arise once again. Can she really compete against Dean while keeping a level head and protecting her heart or are some things worth the risk?
I loved this book. It was amazing. These Entangled romance shorts become some of my all-time favourite books and I just fall in love with them. This wasn't an exception and I loved every minute of it. Samantha is such an awesome character and I love her. I love the indecision we see in her and we feel as if we go on a journey with her. She is so dedicated to her work and wants to protect her heart at all costs but she can't get over her love and attraction to Dean and who would? He's a total swoon-worthy lead male. I swooned so many times throughout the book and it definitely made me want to find my own Dean because he is just perfect. I loved both characters they were great leads and I just couldn't stop reading about their incredible relationship.
As with romance novels all the time I get a little annoyed. Every one I read the girl is in love with the guy, the guy is in love with the girl, but nothing happens and they don't admit it until the end. I know this is the point in romance books but come on, a little communication people and this could have been resolved chapters ago. Still, I love these kinds of books. I find them predictable and always know how it's going to end up, with them professing their undying love for each other and living happily ever after. We all know how it goes and we can guess that before we've read a whole chapter. BUT, I love every moment of it and I love experiencing that journey with the characters until we get to that part.
If you love books with a smart, head-strong heroine and I totally hot, swoon-worthy guy this is the book for you. I loved it. Amazing.
"I plan on loving you all over this great big world."
I've officially changed my mind about novellas/short stories. They can be pretty amazing and this book proved that because it had me smiling and swooning in such a short time. I started reading Worth The Risk late last night and I picked it up because I knew I didn't want to stay up all night reading again. I wanted a quick, happy read and Worth The Risk was perfect for that.
Dean and Samantha share a past together, they're each other's first and only love but as it's expected from most men in their early twenties, Dean's priorities rested somewhere else and he left Sam heartbroken. Years later, they meet again as competitors trying to land the same account but their professional rivalry just ends up bringing memories/emotions from the past but will Sam's not sure if she trusts Dean enough not to break her heart again.
It's really hard for me to believe that this is Robin Bielman's debut because it's one of the most well written romances I've come across, especially for a book that's less than 200 pages! The chapters transitioned smoothly and the story had a good, solid pace through out. The chemistry between Dean and Sam is awesome and Robin Bielman may have just written one of the hottest kisses to exist in the romance genre - really, it's one hell of a kiss!
Romance lovers will thoroughly enjoy this story, it doesn't fall short in anyway. I loved every moment of this book, right from start to finish. The story was clearly written after a lot of research as Sam and Dean's character background isn't one that can be pulled out of thin air,. Robin Bielman is definitely a romance author to watch out for and I can't wait to read more books by her! Robin's writing style and story has the feel of a Julie James novel and if you like her books, you'll love Worth The Risk!
Five years ago Dean Malloy broke Samantha Bennetts heart, after a summer fling he just left leaving her broken and she's struggled to get over him ever since and she's done it or she thinks until she sees him again and everything comes rushing back. Fate must truly be against her when it becomes apparent that they're up against each other for the same contract. Despite the fact that Dean walked away and left her broken hearted he's not immune to her and just seeing Samantha again brings back memories and feelings and since they're both in the same place for the weekend why not make the most of it. This is a beautiful story it has some lovely characters and it's easy to lose yourself in this sweet romance.
Loved the story of Dean and Samantha. Lovers reconnecting. I couldn't put it down. Beautifully written with emotion and tension with hot sex scenes and the 'will they, won't they' had be enthralled to the end. I'm looking forward to Robin's next release.
ADULT BOOK = ADULT REVIEW **You have been warned**
Worth the Risk by Robin Bielman Blurb: Their love was ancient history...until their paths crossed again.
Samantha Bennett put Dean Malloy out of her mind five years ago, when he broke her heart after a summer fling. But now he's back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career--if he doesn't steal her heart first. Samantha's vowed to hate him, but it's more than anger heating the competition between them.
With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again; anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate both their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything. For a shot at love...is it worth the risk?
Edition Info: eBook Published April 25th 2012 by Ever After (Entangled Publishing)
Source: Review copy given to PBD by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
In a nut shell: Yeah-uh! I loved it! I am so not ready to be finished with this story! How can you ignore feelings that show in both Sam and Dean? Dean shaped Sam so much she made a career out of what she learned from him… Sam helped Dean find the courage to do what he loves and believe in himself! Seriously – smooshy, gooshy book and I LOVED IT! <3
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Details: I think my GR updates say most of my thoughts on this book:
Yep… specifically I’d like to call attention to the update at 82%. As you can tell this book brought out my ladylike side and put it on show – LOL. I really did love this story – I am a sucker for romantic stories in general but this one, well I really really liked it – as you can see I finished it in one day! See after an amazing summer fling together Dean never calls. And while most of the time this is a screw you and write him off point, I feel horrible for Dean! The call never came because of an accident… not his own choice. Sooooo….. once they meet up unexpectedly while both trying to win a partnership for their respective companies, shit explodes! And I mean – lust, chemistry, & WOW – all of it hits the fan and almost knocked me out of my chair. I really enjoyed this story – and although this review is short and sweet – please don’t pass this book by! It is great & also only $2.99!! Yep – that’s right only 3 bucks! Go get your copy and come back and tell me what you think of Worth the Risk!
Debut author Robin Bielman has a brilliantly entertaining read on her hands.
After stepping away from her father’s law firm, Samantha Bennett must prove to herself, and her controlling father, that she can make it on her own, doing what she loves. When a remarkable opportunity to work with one of the largest historic preservation companies comes open, Sam jumps at the bit. This is just the job to prove she has what it takes to make it.
Dean Malloy stepped away from his father’s company, World Heritage, over a year ago to form his own preservation company. Having not spoken to his father in over a year, Dean sees the job opening with his father’s company as a way to further his own company’s renown as well as mend fences with his father.
When Samantha sees Dean again for the first time in five years, her mind is flooded with memories of their summer together in Yosemite. Her feelings are so natural: a mixture of fear and dread mixed with the desire to relive past events. But Dean left Sam with a broken heart and not so much as a look back when he left those years ago. Now he is after the same job…the job she needs. Can Sam forget the past long enough to land this job?
However, Sam is not the only one still nursing a broken heart. Dean’s heart was broken by her betrayal just as much as he broke hers. Dean must keep his focus to secure this job, but can he ignore the temptation Sam is providing as his mind is swimming with sweet memories? What harm can one weekend together do, and what better way to get Sam out of his system for good than one last fling. Is it worth the risk?
Bielman provides readers with a novella that is a quick, sexy, and enjoyable read. If you are looking for a book that you can devour in an afternoon or while on the beach, may I recommend Worth the Risk?
This is a nice short story to pass the time but it isn't one that I would go back and read over again. The fact that I read it yesterday and couldn't recall the names of the main characters today to write the review is telling.
Dean and Samantha spent one month trekking through the wildness five years ago and both fell in love, but neither was willing to admit it out loud and so returned to their normal lives. Both are now bidding on a large environmental restoration project on a Friday afternoon and thrown into each other's path. Their attraction hasn't died in the least and Dean convinces Sam to spend the weekend with him while they wait for a decision on the contact which will be announced on Monday.
Dean and Samantha are both likable characters and I enjoyed their story for the most part but I get tired of reading over and over again about their angst in trusting each other in such a short story. Please. If you're going to let you inhibitions go and commit to a weekend fling...then just do it and stop whining the whole time that maybe you're making a mistake. In addition, I would have enjoyed the story even better if the ending had been different.
*SPOILER*
I hated the fact that both characters admit to themselves that they love each other near the end but despite that let the other walk away - AGAIN. It's stupid. And shows absolutely no growth in character. And the way they end back up together felt contrived. The story would have made a lot more impact on me if the two had acted like adults - which they are supposed to be - and owned up to their feelings.
My Review: I really enjoyed this book. Sam and Dean were an item for a summer filled with adventure and love five years ago. Both were devastated when it ended and never expected to see each other again. Since then, things have changed a lot for both of them. Sam left her law practice. Dean started his own company. Now they are both competing for a contract to work on revitalizing Route 66 and they both want this contract really badly. For Sam, it's a chance at financial security with a full-time job. For Dean, it's a chance to reconnect with his father.
What neither one of them ever expected was to run into each other in the lobby. Now they have to wait the entire weekend to find out who got the contract, which gives them a chance for some time together. For both of them, this weekend is a time to reconnect for old times' sake, but soon they find that leaving their relationship at only a weekend may be harder than they thought.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Sam and Dean are both passionate about revitalizing and environmental issues. For Sam, that is entirely from Dean's influence for that incredible summer, which I thought was an interesting twist. Everything she does now is because of the influence he had that one summer. He's left an indelible mark on her heart and her entire life.
I liked the part that Dean's family played in the story and the contrast between them and Sam's family.
These are both fun characters who enjoy adventure and each other. It makes the book really fun to read and highly entertaining.
Author: Robin Bielman Published By: Entangled Publishing Age Recommend: Adult Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Raven Rating: 5 Blog Review For: Great Minds Think Aloud
Review:
"Worth The Risk" by Robin Bielman was a wonderful romantic read. The author did a wonderful job presenting these two people. Wow, is all I can say for a well written romance. Certainly, Ms. Bielman knows how to bring out the plot, good dialogue, sex, and the adding other good characters.. to only present a good contemporary romance and we get a wonderful sweet read. This is definitely a page turner that was well written dialogue. These two people... Samantha and Dean had been apart for five years, but after a rush for a historic preservation job they are now back together again. Will the sexual tension and chemistry be the same as it had been before? What will come of this? ... Will they get back together? Now, this is where I say you must pick up "Worth The Risk" to find out will the guy get the girl?
All I can say is get ready for 'steamy scenes and the dramatic tension that comes from these two hard working, passionate people who are competing for the same job.' Just who would get this job...again you will have to get this read to find out!
If you are a romance lover you will simply enjoy this quick short read. I like this novel because it was fun and sexy and I would recommend "Worth The Risk" to you as a good adorable read.
I'm a sucker for reunited love stories, and that's what this one was. At first, I couldn't figure out why they'd let five years go by. I understood why Sam didn't track Dean down, but I didn't get why he didn't track her down.
I thought the backstory was an interesting idea -- to rehabilitate and reinvigorate Route 66 as a national landmark -- though what they were competing against each other for was less interesting than their reigniting the spark from five years before. And once that spark was lit, I don't think an entire ocean could put it out. It was sweet to see that their attraction and love just grew stronger over time, even though they hadn't seen or talked to each other.
Very sweet ending even though I wish . Though I suppose it would have been a different ending to get them back together if that had been the case. Cute romance. Not much of a steam factor, but that's OK... it was cute.
This story is about Samantha finding that ONE person, Dean, that makes her heart beat just a little faster and then watching him walk away towards bigger and better things. Falling apart then pulling herself back together and five years later, seeing him again and all those feelings she thought she'd already dealt with come rushing back. After a weekend together, she has to watch him walk away AGAIN! How long will it take her to forget about the man she's fallen in love with? Does he feel the same way about her?
It's a story about love lost and found again. It's about family and forgiveness. I loved it! A few times I was very irritated with Dean but then he'd make up for it. He and Samantha had amazing chemistry in and out of bed. The joy they experienced together, especially when they went zero-g, was so contagious that I found myself smiling right along with them. This is book one in the fantastic series Take a Risk by Robin Bielman. I can't wait to read book two.
Worth the risk was a interesting and fresh take on what happens when we have to decide between letting go of the man we love or go flat out after the career we so desperately want. It was a quick, fun and easy read.
Dean and Samantha were each in their own right brilliant and entertaining characters but together they were pure romance and fun! I loved how the author let the the wheels turn and instead of Dean being the one to leave the relationship as in the past this time around it was Sam that had to make the hard decisions.
I was expecting as most short stories are a they meet again, get back together and she makes a few picks here and there and voila the end. But instead I discovered a story all though short had just enough emotion and depth to pack the same punch as a full lentght novel would.
As I said the book was short read but it made quite the delightful lasting impression on me.
This was a great weekend read! Dean and Samantha find themselves competing for the same contract for their companies. Five years has gone by since the two of them shared the best summer of their lives. The feelings they had for one another have come to the surface once again and only increase after spending the weekend together. I thought Robin did a wonderful job on this story. The characters had the right amount of chemistry and guarded emotions that you would expect and it was fun to see how they were going to handle this. She did a great job with the intimate scenes making them very romantic. I also wasn’t sure who was going to get the contract at the end and that was one of the reasons I kept reading! This was a very sweet book that reads very quickly with believable characters and a happy ever after.
Robin Bielman has written such a compelling, fun and sexy novella with WORTH THE RISK! I truly enjoyed every moment of this contemporary romance, from the earliest pages where Samantha Bennett and Dean Malloy cross paths again for the first time in five years...to the final chapter where we get to see the resolution of their love story.
The pages in between are packed with both steamy scenes and the dramatic tension that comes from two hardworking, passionate people who are competing for the same job. I really had no idea which of the two would earn the contract until it was revealed, so that mystery kept me turning pages until late into the night. Plus, the "hot sauce kissing scene" was fantastic! A highly recommended romantic read!!
A wonderful debut by Robin B. Solid writing. Sweet to spicy hot romance. Dean and Sam are believable and likeable and they deserved their happily ever after. I loved the field of business they were both in, too.
Fun, sexy, heartwarming read that I hated to see end. One summer five years ago Dean and Samantha had the summer of their life and neither one forgot the other. This is the story of when the meet again. It's a great quick read you don't want to miss. Highly recommended.
Just bought this-a former parent of mine when I taught 3rd grade! Can't wait to read it!!!! Robin is great! :-). Cute story! Robin-congrats! I really enjoyed this story!
I loved this debut by Robin Bielman. The sexual tension/chemistry between the h/h made the pages sizzle and the best part was the resolution. Love those happy endings! Can't wait for more from RB!
This is a much shorter read than the other books and doesn't quite have the depth and spark, but a good quick read nonetheless.
Samantha and Dean have history, a one time fling and now they are facing off over a contract that will make or break her career. Dean proposes they spend a weekend together to get each other out of their system. Right. .... I don't know. Dean made me nervous at times. But Dean saw this as a way to get it all out there in the open. When he thought this would put an end to his unresolved feelings does it happen? This was a great view from Dean's perspective, something not a lot of writers can do. So do they or don't they. And who gets the contract?