Flirting With Intent

The Wests #1

by Kelly Hunter

Ruby's Relationship Rules…

Ruby Maguire is done with being jerked around by men. Now she just needs to know three things about a potential bedmate: his name, where he'll be in a week's time and what it is he wants from her.

Damon West knows plenty about subterfuge and secrets, and nothing about being truthful with women. But Ruby demands honesty between them so Damon gives her as much as he can: I'm Damon West. I'll be leaving Singapore in a week. And I want you to touch me.

At least, that was the intent…but something's telling normally bulletproof Damon that one week with Ruby might not be so easy to recover from.…

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Presents, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Category Romance, Harlequin, Adhd

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Australian born Kelly Hunter is a three time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist, a USA Today Bestselling author and loves writing to the demands of the short category romance form.

Reviews

[Verity · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to give this a mediocre rating, but otha than the limo nookie, there wasn't much I could write home about. The conflict was almost non-existent, the H/h murmured a lot, the hacker genius hero (think Mark Zuckerberg from The Social Network but w/ a lickalicious hawt bod & traffic-stopping mug) has ADHD & keeps peeps @ arm's length just 'cuz that's how he's wired. Overprivileged Heroine works as executive PA for hero's dad, likes to wear hair bands, has a routine of having a one-sided convo w/ her cat, grew up w/ an off-screen dad who leads a double life & is MIA under the clouds of embezzlement (couldn't care much for the espionage aspect) & turns out daddy's not a shady merchant after all. The silly plot was flickering on empty. Heroine goes off the deep end when she finds out hero keeps her in the dark but he's known bout her daddy's shenanigans since Sydney getaway 'cuz hacking is his bread & buttah. I smell somefink funky here & it ain't my socks. The hero's sistas & missing bro will most likely get their own stories. Flirtatious tone couldn't boost up the rating anotha' notch 'cuz I guess I've been spoiled by her previous brilliant works & expected so much more.

Setting : Hongkong & Sydney

[Sam I AMNreader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book and remember insta-everything. There wasn't time for emotional connection and tension. It was, as a result, very boring.

[Ridley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having a bad day with my hands today, so I'm just gonna type some quick notes then write a review later.

- Hunter writes such amusing dialog, I smile almost non-stop while reading her books.

- Anyone who likes flirtation and courtship should definitely read this one. Lots of that, and it's funny, cute, heartbreaking, angsty and hot.

- Could've done without all the spy woo-woo. I've never met a spy plot or character I've liked, though.

- The back blurb makes the hero look like an emotionally closed off player and the heroine seem like she's sworn off men after a bitter break up. Neither case applies to the story at all. Not even a little.

- Hooray for romance set in Asia! Wish more also featured Asian protagonists, but I'm getting greedy.

[Bruny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3. 5 stelle

[Maria Laura Runchina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 un libro poco impegnativo e tanto carino!!

[Cinzia Stabile · Rating 3 out of 5]

carinissimo 3.5🌟

[Estara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I get the feeling that shorter Kelly Hunter is actually better Kelly Hunter. These 120 or so pages novellas in this series are really good fun and concentrate totally on the interaction of the characters, while including a bit of a fun plot.

Ruby was given a job out of kindness by a rich businessman acquaintance of her father's, even though her father fled Hong Kong with multi-millions of illegal dollars - or so everyone thinks. Now it's Christmas and social secretary Ruby wants the West family to have everything just perfect during their family meeting in Hong Kong.

The first and not yet expected one to arrive is the youngest son, Damon West, of whom his father is proud but who he is also worried about. Sparks fly very soon between the accomplished and emotionally hurt Ruby and a tired Damon who wants to help out the more he finds out about her.

The trouble is that he could, but if he did, he would be handing secrets to Ruby that are of international importance and could put him in danger, too. He's a UK-government sanction hacker genius. Interestingly enough he'll be breaking all rules anyway, because the oldest son of the West family is missing, and he is the only one who has a chance to find out what has happened - this story will obviously run through the whole series of books.

The drama and glitz and the repartee and sex are beautifully balanced, so I should probably concentrate more on Riva romances by Hunter, than on the Harlequin ones.

ETA: The cover heroine looks nothing like the description of Ruby.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relationship negotiation! This might be my favorite part of Kelly Hunter's books, I think, in that while there usually is some obstacle that keeps the hero/heroine from being able to commit to each other completely, it's not one party or the other making some sacrifice to be together. It's both of them, together, trying to work out a way that can work.

And Ruby and Damon were just a super delightful example of that. Hacking and headbands and all.

[Joanne Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kelly's books and really enjoyed this one. Great conflict between H&H which had me wondering how on earth they were going to resolve things between them.

With the hero having a brother and 2 sisters, I'm hoping Kelly will write stories for these interesting characters and give them each their own HEA :)

[Dalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!
KH is a fav author to me. I love her books & this one is no exception.
I love the original trope ( Damon is a genius computer hacker ) the well drawn characters, , the fresh & flirty writing style, the witty banter and the flying sparks. The book is funny, cute & breezy but full of depth & emotions.

[Martina Spinaci · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sinceramente? Non mi è piaciuto, i personaggi sono troppo lontani dalla realtà, entrambi ricchi da far schifo, parlano di cose incomprensibili ai più, sembrano Barbie e Ken: di plastica. Peccato, una lettura natalizia sprecata

[Gabriella Zuccarello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diciamo senza infamia e senza lode. Libro piccolo senza troppe pretese. Non so se allungandolo si sarebbe riusciti a renderlo più accattivante. Sicuramente ho sentito la grossa mancanza del prologo finale!
Va benissimo x passare del tempo svagandosi un po’ in leggerezza.

[Mona · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book

Characters sluggish and uninteresting. Keep waiting for something to happen. Thought it would get better, it didn't. Wouldn't waste my time or money.

[Susan (susayq ~) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to say about this one. Some of the phrasing was a little funky to me and had me going back rereading.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!!

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The other books in the series are better than this. It’s still good.

[Ophelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

recensione completa su: http://mypageslapage.blogspot.it/2016...
Ruby Maguire si appresta a organizzare il Natale in casa West, quando la sua perfetta macchina organizzativa subisce una battuta di arresto. Con un giorno di anticipo, si presenta il figlio maggiore di Russell West, Damon e lei è completamente impreparata. Ma per una pianificatrice nata come lei, correre ai ripari è cosa da poco e in meno di un’ora il figlio maggiore del suo capo ha a sua disposizione tutto ciò di cui ha bisogno per il breve soggiorno, regali compresi. Strano lavoro quello di Ruby, che si accontenta di fare da “assistente personale” a un magnate finanziario, quando ha una laurea in giurisprudenza nel cassetto. Il motivo di questa sua scelta è in parte voluto e in parte uno spiacevole effetto collaterale del cognome che porta. Ruby è infatti la figlia di Harry Maguire, uomo ricercato da mezzo mondo, scomparso quando lei era solo una bambina e che ha portato con sé 872 milioni di dollari. Da quel giorno la sua vita è perennemente sotto “indagine”, da parte di tutto e tutti.
Ruby è un personaggio verso cui si prova facilmente empatia. Forte nonostante tutto, dotata di un gran carattere, sa essere al tempo stesso dolce e passionale. Il suo più grande limite è sicuramente l’inflessibilità che la caratterizza. Damon è quella ventata di aria fresca che smuove quella grande macchina organizzativa che è la protagonista. Con le sue mille incognite, riesce ad attrarla e a coinvolgerla, dimostrando nei suoi confronti un forte istinto di protezione. Tra i due sembrerebbe la figura più forte ma in realtà è quello più bisognoso di conferme.
Il filo narrativo è ben strutturato, la storia valida e sicuramente la consiglio soprattutto per vedere come – anche in amore – sia possibile ritrovarsi seduti al tavolo delle contrattazioni in nome di un sentimento che riesce a far scendere a compromessi anche la più inflessibile delle “assistenti personali”.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read my first ever Kelly Hunter book Her Singapore Fling, loved it to bits and immediately added her to my author auto-buy list.

Kelly Hunter gives good story. She has a distinctive voice with an Aussie charm and flair.

I really liked what a strong character Ruby Maguire was. No simpering female here and the perfect match for the sober and closed off Damon West. I loved them together.

Ruby's a confident, self-assured independent woman from a privileged upbringing but she’s trying to put the past behind her since her wealthy investment banking father “took the money...big money and ran”. She’s been trying to come to terms with his betrayal ever since.

Damon's home to visit his family for the holidays and he's instantly intrigued by his father’s super composed and competent social assistant Ruby. Their cute and flirty banter was supposed to remain innocent, but for these 2 whose chemistry is off the charts it doesn’t take long until the gloves come off and their flirting becomes full of intent. Ruby is determined to keep Damon at arms length more than just because she works for his father. Damon is pretty close-mouthed about his life in general and when Ruby tries to get him to open up and he resists, she knows he’s bad news. Against her better judgement Ruby agrees to take advantage of a no strings, mutual sexually satisfying relationship with Damon.

Both Damon and Ruby have some serious soul searching to do as they navigate their relationship and I really enjoyed seeing Damon come out of his self-imposed shelf and realize just how good Ruby was for him. I loved watching their relationship grow and develop as they over came their individual insecurities to find true love.

There are several other West siblings which I checked and it looks like they will be getting their own stories. Looks like Poppy’s story is up next.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Kelly Hunter book and I really enjoy her stories. I find her characters realistic and adult. The angst isn't overpowering and the characters manage to talk to one another as opposed to letting misunderstandings separate them.

This was the best Christmas book I read this Christmas because no small town, no snow, no baking grandmas, no sweet little tykes and no heavy handed Christmas message. It's also not really a Christmas book although the action starts out a couple of days before Christmas.

It's a couple of days before Christmas and Ruby, social organiser to a wealthy banker whose name escapes me - we'll call him Mr. West, is preparing the highrise apartment for the season and trying to decide what gifts to buy for West's grown up children. Damon (the youngest West) arrives and there's instant banter and attraction between the two.

The conflict arises because Damon is very secretive about his life and job while Ruby, whose dad disappeared in the previous year and has never contacted her since, refuses to fall for a man who might conceivably be as secretive as her dad was.

There is some sequel bait here because Damon has a missing older brother and 2 sisters but in full disclosure I bought all three because I'm ocd like that and have to read things in order although the one that I really wanted to read was the third - Lena's story. It was an added bonus that I enjoyed Damon and Ruby so much.

[Romy Sommer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a Kelly Hunter fan since I read 'Misbehaving with the Magnate' a few years ago, and each book of hers I read just gets better.

It's hard to pin-point what I love most about her books - the almost poetic writing style, the emotional and sexual intensity, the clever dialogue (why can I never come up with brilliant dialogue like that?!), but I've finally decided that the reason I love this author is that every book is different. It's almost as if in each book she sets out to challenge herself (and her readers!) by trying something new and breaking down barriers.

In 'Untameable Rogue' the heroine is way wealthier than the hero. Perhaps not so uncommon now but ground-breaking when the book first came out. In 'Red Hot Renegade' she wrote the first non-European heroine I'd ever read. In 'With This Fling' she gave us humour and a most unusual take on the fake engagement trope.

In 'Flirting with Intent' Ms Hunter breaks another sterotype. [Spoiler alert!] She gives us a hero who works on the wrong side of the law. And clearly my morals are way more compromised than Ruby Maguire's, because Damon was just so gorgeous a hero that I didn't mind one bit what he did for a living. In fact, if Ruby ever decides she doesn't want him, she can send Damon West in my direction.

If you love romance with an edge to it, read this one!

[Kat at Book Thingo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Click here to read my full review at Book Thingo.

Up until Hunter fleshes out the internal conflicts for these characters, she had me entranced. Ruby and Damon are quick, funny and their dialogue is filled with innuendo and layers of meaning. I love that.

The story starts off beautifully, but sizzling chemistry can’t save a couple that feels like they won’t last six months, let alone a lifetime.

Who might enjoy it: People who enjoyed Swordfish

Who might not enjoy it: Ethical hackers

One last thing: the story is set in Hong Kong and Sydney. Never mind that the protagonists are both Westerners—I love that Hunter explores these cities in her stories and gives them a bit of their own character.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intelligent and witty. The book made me smile frequently at least for the first half, as the growing relationship between the protagonists was quite delightful. As things became more serious, I smiled less often, but was still fully engaged in what was developing. I missed the easy charm, but found the characters more interesting and believable. There is a bit of a spy thing going on in the background, but even though this is the kind of thing I detest, it was integrated well. It's not like there's ridiculous action sequences involving the protagonists, or corny threats, or anything like that. Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest in the series. (It stands alone well, but there were definite signs of a story arc involving the hero's brother.)

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Major spoiler alert - I loved the book until the last chapter so much I was planning on giving it a 5 stars but I hated the ending enough to gobble up 2 stars. If you read between the lines and have read lots of spy/espionage books, you know what the author is alluding to is that h's dad dies due to H's hacking into something he should have left alone.

[KarenF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, flirty & adorable. Both Ruby & Damon are likeable characters, apart and together. Loved Ruby's headbands and how a fun fashion accessory can have a deeper or sentimental meaning to the person wearing it. The spy stuff didn't work as well for me but after seeing the true story that was Argo I find I can't work up much disbelief for anything in that realm. But in the end, it was really about Ruby & Damon's relationship and I enjoyed that part very much.

[Lenore Kosinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one...such an interesting and refreshing play between Damon and Ruby. They were each such interesting characters, and their relationship was unusual from what I'm used to reading in Harlequin Presents. So much witty banter...Ruby just made me want to cheer her. She was so different, and went through so much in life, but she was strong too. Looking forward to the rest of the West books now....

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this during my Kelly Hunter glom, when I made my way through her entire backlist during a couple of weeks (okay, I exaggerate, but only slightly).

I liked the Hong Kong setting in this one and as always, the chemistry between the hero/heroine worked perfectly. I also liked how she played around with redemption/acceptance themes in this book.

[Melissa Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book so much. Ruby used to be open and trusting but when her father is on the lamb with millions it affects her trust of people. Damon has always pushed people away blaming one issue or the next. They will only see each other for a week so what's a little harmless flirting. But when real emotions get involved who will jump ship first.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I meant to write a better review, but time is too short right now. Suffice to say this was an enjoyable book. I like the Hunter writes, especially her dialogues. the characters are a little over-the-top, but still enjoyable. It was good!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Very cute category romance, but the blurb is a bit misleading. I enjoyed the book but felt it was missing the spark that some of Ms. Hunter's other books have had. Still, Ruby and Damon are memorable characters, and their romance is a lot of fun to read.

[Vanessa Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful start to a new series. I love Kelly Hunter's cosmopolitan settings, and I loved the fact that the hero is a hacker. Her writing is always fresh and the characters and the emotional turning points are genuinely felt and often surprising. I'm a HUGE fan!