Take Me Under

Dangerous Tides #1

by Rhyannon Byrd

Ben Hudson had a thing for shy, sexy Reese Monroe from the moment he first saw her three years ago. Back then, she was married and living in Boston—two very good reasons for the Miami detective with a bad boy reputation to stay away.

But that was then…

Now Reese is divorced and moving to Florida, where her mother has rented her a small beach house—one that happens to be owned by Ben. Living right next door, he can’t get Reese’s soft curves out of his mind. He’s waited three long years to touch her in all the ways he’s been dreaming about, and this time he won’t let anything get in his way.

For Reese, Ben’s sudden advances are thrilling, but leave her stunned. With her limited experience in the bedroom, she never expects a man with such a wicked reputation to go after her. She knows she should be on guard, but he’s a temptation she can’t resist. And when trouble follows her down from Boston, threatening her life, Ben may be the only one who can help her.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, Contemporary, Suspense, Erotic Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2013

About the author

Rhyannon Byrd is the national bestselling author of more than forty contemporary and paranormal romance titles, including the romantic thrillers LONDON AFFAIR and NEW YORK SCANDAL, and her books have been translated into ten languages. After years of enjoying the California sunshine, Rhyannon now lives in the beautiful Malvern Hills in England with her family and their ever-growing collection of concert T-shirts and coffee mugs.

Reviews

[Auntee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty hawt little number here...

Dark, sexy hunk Ben Hudson (34), former Miami detective and now sheriff of a small Florida Gulf coast town, has an obsession. It's pretty, shy, Boston schoolteacher Reese Monroe (28). Ever since he saw the blue-eyed beauty 3 years ago at his cousin's party, he knew he had to have her. But she was married, and the one thing sex machine Ben doesn't do is married women.

Ben...




But now Reese is divorced from her dirtbag husband, and looking to make a new start and hoping to put distance from her ex, and from a person who has been stalking her in Boston. Maybe a move to Florida (where her mom and sister live) would be ideal. And renting a cute little beach house from super-stud Ben Hudson? Maybe not so good. Ben sure seems interested, but why would sex-on-a-stick Ben be interested in boring, inexperienced Reese? Is Reese up for just a fling with commitment-phobe Ben? Can she risk getting her heart broken for a chance to be with a guy with a wild rep who's never been in a serious relationship, but who is great for her low self-esteem?

Reese...



What defines this book from all the other erotic romantic suspense stories out there is not the suspense, but the e-r-o-t-i-c. Specifically, the blunt, bold, dirty-talkin' from our hero, Ben. He lays it all out there for Reese. He wants her, and her wants her badly. And he works on her until he gets her. And oh boy,
once he gets her...

So yeah, this book certainly delivers in the steam department--in spades. Ben is a delicious, sexy hunk of dirty-talkin alpha, and a little confused about his intense, possessive feelings for Reese. And Reese, well, she just got out of a bad marriage, and she has to protect her heart a bit, especially from a guy who never had a committed relationship, and never wanted one. But the intensity of their desire for each other, the chemistry they have together...is it possible that something permanent could come from it?

If you're looking for a fast-paced, intensely erotic read that has a touch of suspense (really, it's part of the plot but mainly to show Ben how much Reese means to him), that stars two likable leads and introduces a bunch of characters who you'd love to see get stories of their own (Ben has brothers!), you're going to want to get your hands on this one. There were a few moments when I wished I knew just a bit more about Ben and Reeses's backgrounds (a little more details would've been appreciated), and the whole suspense plot took kind of a strange twist that caught me off guard and was a bit unbelievable...but these were just minor things that didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story. The biggest thing for me is--I can't wait to read the next stories in the series (Wicked and Dangerous and Keep Me Closer. 4 1/2 stars

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeaaaaaaaa...

So...

This book had a lot of hot sex.

What else did it have?


I'm drawing a blank on that right now.

If you're at all familiar with this author's writing, you know she has a penchant for writing super Alpha, super possessive and domineering heroes, who love their talking dirty and their sex, rough. Sounds hot, right? Weeeell...not so much.

The set up is this:

Three years ago, Ben saw Reese at a party. He's insanely attracted to her, but can't do anything because she is married. Of course the husband turns out to be a giant jackass, and Reese eventually leaves him. (Shocking, I know)

Now Reese moves back to Florida after her divorce to put her old life behind her. She gets the surprise of a lifetime when she finds out that the landlord of the house she's renting just so happens to be the sexy detective, Ben.

Now this book had all the ingredients I like to make for one sexy read. Unfortunately, it just fell flat.

Basically we have Ben, who is lusting after Reese, but is terrified of commitment and love due to seeing his father and brother go through hell because of it. Reese is extremely attracted to Ben, but doesn't understand what he sees in her. You see, she's suffering from poor self esteem due to her bad marriage, and constantly looks down on herself, doubts Ben, doubts their relationship and bla bla bla.

So how do they deal with all of these problems? Do they talk about it? NOPE! They fuck like rabbits, of course. Now I'm all about the sexy times. Really! Bring it on, I say. But the thing is, in this book, it was like


It just got repetitive and annoying. I had to skim through most of it eventually (The horror, I know!!)

Not to mention I got so sick of the back and forth angst between Reese and Ben. They have a 'sex only' arrangement. Ben isn't about commitments. Yet he gets pissed every time Reese tries to keep it in those parameters. Reese is constantly thinking what he sees in her and doubting everything.
I mean, really!


Also, not to be nitpicking here, but here's the thing. I'm all for the raw terminology, P*ssy and Cock do just fine. BUT...and this may just be me here, but I felt like the word c*nt was EXCESSIVELY overused in this book. Once or twice, I can deal with it. But it was just excessive here.I'm just not a fan of this word. I don't know what it is about it that just doesn't sound sexy to me. Why you ask?

Now back to what I was saying about cocks...

Ben was super hot and domineering and loved his dirty talk. But I swear, there were some lines that were just funny, and not in a sexy way.

""God, Reese I love you. Now ask me again if I want to fuck you in the ass."
"Do you?" She whispered.
"Say the words, Reese. You know how much I love it when you talk dirty."
"All right," she murmured, "Sheriff Hudson, sir, would you like to fuck me in the ass this morning?"

Well, I think I'm done with my rant here. I'll just leave you with my final thoughts.
The suspense part of the book was very weak. It really didn't interest me too much.
The book actually would have been great as a novella. Most of the middle part of the book, sex included, felt like a filler. It was like the author needed to stretch it out to be a novel, so she filled it with sex and unnecessary back and forth drama between Reese and Ben.

I will be reading the next book in the series, because I am extremely curious about Ben's jaded by love brother, Alex. And the glimpse we get into Scott Ryder at the end of the book sounded really good too. That's going to be a novella, so I'll definitely be reading that one.











3.5 stars

[Julia's Book Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lets start my review with this, I freaking love Ben! He is mine, and no one else can have him!

I want Ben to be real! Why isn't he real? :(

Ok I guess I should talk about other stuff in the book...sigh but all I want to do is talk about Ben, and his sexy talk, and his hottness and how much I love him...ok getting a little weird now...I'll take it down a notch.
So lets talk about Reese. At first I wasn't a big fan of her since she kept resisting Ben, why the hell would anyone do that? And she kept hurting his feelings by trying to keep distance between them so she didn't get hurt. But eventually she smartened up and fell hard for Ben (Who wouldn't though, am I right? :P) And she was actually pretty cute. I loved how she was so inexperienced, but Ben made her just forget about that and she would unleash her inner sex goddess.
I loved the sex scenes in this book, some books have too much, some too little, but this was just right! They were so freaking hot!
Other enojoyable things:
-The added bonus of a mystery to keep you on your feet.
-Micheal razzing Ben about his feelings for Reese.
-Brit using her shrink powers on Ben and annoying the hell out of him.
-Reeses sister Connie.
-Whenever Reese would make a smart ass remark to Ben or say something dirty to him while blushing
-And the possibility for more amazing books in this series!

[Jacqueline J · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 erotic stars. We're not talking classic literature here but as an erotic romance it was pretty darn perfect for my tastes. First off these two knew each other so no issues with super fast development of feelings and trust. We don't know a whole lot of backstory for the characters, particularly the heroine. The hero we know a bit more about. Speaking of the hero, he was HOT. I might laugh if my husband talked dirty to me like Ben did to Reese but I love it in erotic romances. Ben is the master of dirty talk.

This book talks straight to a woman's fantasies. This is a man who is obsessed with his woman's lady bits. I mean obsessed. And he doesn't seem to care if he ever gets a bj. Plus he was ripped and huge everywhere.

The suspense element was there but really only to drive the plot a bit. This was definitely an erotic romance first and foremost. The suspense did make sense thought and all connected pretty well. Ben was a sheriff but there was very little of him doing his job. This book took place mostly after hours.

So a quick easy read. Well written and super hot.

[Raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

The story was very well thought out. I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense aspect of this very hot and sexy romance. And of course the sex scenes as only Ms. Byrd can write was extremely smouldering. Whew!

[Talltree]

H is a huge manwhore while also lusting after h and as usual h has a pathetic sex life...lame double standards!

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars

Miami detective Ben Hudson first saw Reese Monroe three years ago,and wanted her desperately. but Reese was married at the time and living in Boston,so Ben forced himself to stay away (though she haunts his every fantasy) So now years later and Reese is divorced and looking for a fresh start in Florida,Ben is more than ready to make all those dreams of hers come true. For Reese,living next door to Ben is temptation itself!
Reese is shocked to realize that Ben wants her in all the ways that she wants him. Their chemistry is explosive but neither one is prepared for the depth of their connection until serious trouble catches up with Reese,and Ben realizes he will do anything to keep her safe. Ok...those who know me here at Goodreads know that erotica romance is not my usual "cuppa-tea" of a read and I didn't know this book was when I picked it up at a Walmart sale. *Whew!* (fanning ones-self) The overwhelming lust that sparks between the determined "alpha" male and the charming wounded Heroine was gripping and their emotional rocky love story is an unforgettable one that changes both characters fundamentally and for the best. What can I say? Raw..addictive..and OMG blisteringly HOT!
With lots of dirty talk *fanning ones-self again* but the author expertly weaved every detail (and I mean detail)
together to make a thoroughly satisfying story that will whet a readers appetite for the next book in the series. Will it for me? Just might have done that for this "non-erotica-romance reader. Huh...who knew? :D

Steam factor: Holy-hot..hot..hot explicit sex with a traditional HEA.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

5 STARS

I so enjoy reading Ryhannon Byrd. She always grabbed me, held my interest and had me wanting more, more, more. She didn’t fail me with the first book in her new erotic series, Take Me Under and I cannot wait for Make Me Yours to release in October. Ms. Byrd was one of the first authors I turned to when I was tired of YA reads. I still wanted something paranormal and she brought me in hook, line and sinker with The Primal Instinct Series. So, now she got me hooked again. Her paranormal series had me breathing heavy – her new erotic series, Dangerous Tides, has me hyperventilating. So, hang on tight, ladies – put your feet up, relax and enjoy her latest scorching, hot read.

OK, I’m a sucker for a hot detective, police officers, military men, cowboys (yea, the list goes on and on). But, Ben Hudson was something else. A definite “Alpha” male, dominant both in and out of the bedroom and sexy as hell. He was drawn to Reese when he first laid eyes on her but she was definitely off-limits in his book. His one rule – never a married woman. Lots of woman but never married. But, things change. Divorce happens and his luck starts turning around. He imagined what it would be like to take Reese to bed, even when he was with other women. A sworn bachelor (don’t they all start out that way) and player. He honestly thought that getting her to bed, getting his fill, moving on was the way it was all going to play out. He didn’t count on his libido to not want to get his fill of her. Then, when all the truth comes out, he can’t help but be there for her, protect her, love her the way she deserves.

Reese is not sure about spending any time with Ben Hudson. Man-whore, player, all-around ladies man. Hot, sexy, funny, dominant – not what she needs after her years of being married to a cheater. She would never be able to trust a man like Ben. But, what is she supposed to do? He’s her next door neighbor, a friend of her family and refusing to take no for an answer. When all hell breaks loose in her life again, she’s the only man she can turn to. She feels guilty putting him in harms way when her stalker follows her from Boston to Miami, but what is she to do? He takes over, starts looking further into things and gives her orgasms like she never had before. Everyone warns her that he’s not the settling kind but there’s nothing that she can do about falling in love with him.

When Reese is kidnapped and Ben takes a bullet for her, both of them realize just how empty their lives would be without the other in it. It’s time to put the past in the past and move forward. It’s time for Ben to face his fears of commitment. It’s time for Reese to finally follow her heart. It’s time to start their lives together. She realized that she never really loved Drew and that her marriage was nothing but a sham. She was Drew’s trophy bride and his secretary was his sex-kitten. Ben realized that his parent’s marriage shouldn’t define the man that he wanted to be or keep him away from having the woman that he fell in love with.

So, I’m a former police officer. So, yea, I love reading books that are hot, steamy and have some suspense to them. But, for god’s sake, why didn’t the guys that I worked with look and act like Ben Hudson? I guess I worked in the wrong town. Ben had me from Page 1 sitting in the bar and I fell more and more in love with him as I turned the pages. And, I understood where Reese was coming from. He was her sister’s brother-in-law and heard, for years, how many woman Ben went through. Reese had self-esteem issues about her looks, her body, her performance in bed, thanks to her Ex. But, Ben made her feel beautiful, loved, cherished and showed her what making love was really about – every chance he got.

So, enjoy ladies. When you do put your feet up and relax to read Take Me Under, make sure you have a cold drink and a towel to wipe yourself off with. Ben Hudson will curl your toes and make you sweat, take your breath away and have you looking for your own hot detective.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't hate it, didn't love it. An erotic novel that includes one gorgeous, sexy male specimen with a gigantic cock. Oh yeah, there's also a story of a stalker.

I would have to say that the hero of this story, Ben, is an alpha-male - not the kind who's way, way over-the-top. (Hmmmmm....I wonder how many levels of alpha-males there could possibly be?) It was his brutal honesty and the little demands he made that I actually liked - okay, that turned me on.

""Look at me. Look at me, Reese. Right this fucking second."

"Get your clothes off. I want to see every inch of you."

"When you're ready, I won't hold back on you, Reese. I'll have my mouth between your legs, giving this sweet pussy a deep, slow tongue-fuck every god-damn chance I get. I'll eat you out so often, you'll find yourself creaming every time I look at you."

"And sometimes, after I've spent hours buried in your juicy little cunt, I'll even fuck you here.""

Most definitely a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.

As for the heroine, Reese, what can I say except that she bugged the absolute crap out of me. Talk about a chick who doesn't know what the hell she wants. Why Ben was crazy about her made no sense. She was too good; everyone liked her; all the men thought she was beautiful and they all wanted her; and she didn't know the effect she had on men, etc. etc. It got old real quick.

"Take Me Under" is a quick romance-erotic read that would be great for the beach, when it rains, or if you just feel like getting really hot and bothered as Ben and Reese go at it like bunnies. In fact, the male bunny has the female bunny screaming so long and loud her neighbors down the street can hear her. Talk about being inconsiderate. Does she not know some of us need our sleep? ;)

"Finally, he was packed up deep inside her, only the top two inches of his cock, where he was the thickest, still visible. He'd already given her even more than he gave most of the women he slept with."

I know this is a work of fiction but holy shit! Problems like this I can handle. ;)

In the end a quick and easy (and hot) read.

[Joletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book packs some hella heat, and Sheriff Ben's gun isn't the only dangerous weapon on his person.

My thoughts:

Take Me Under is a sweet love story...in that awesome 'tie me to the bed' way. Whew! Some of the things that come outta Ben's mouth...I'd PAY someone to talk to me like that! There is little to no angst (outside of Ben's mind, that is), no huge drama to overwhelm the story line, just enough suspense to keep my interest but not so much as to pull the attention away from the main focus: Reese and Ben.

Ben was a manwhore, powering through as many women, in multiples if needed, as he wanted. Carefree and never an overnight guest. He came, he conquered, she came, he left...period.

Reese is mildly broken. Her divorce was not amicable, and her ex did his level best to work his way through the female population, while telling Reese that she was the one lacking. She is understandable gunshy.

Reese and Ben together steam up the pages. This novel is full of raw, gritty, dirty sex as well as raw, gritty, stunning emotions...I LOVED it.

There were times that Ben's waffling (do I/don't I) emotionally upheaval seemed to warrant a smack upside the head, and Reese's skittish 'poor me's' made me want to yell at her but...it works. Take Me Under is a definite re-read, although I have to admit there are a few pages that I've had to review (purely for scholarly purposes...HONEST) just to make sure that my eyes didn't deceive me, that Ben really IS a HAWT sex machine.

[Kirstie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take me under is a romantic thriller. Ben an alpha male, law enforcer who is determined to maintain the distance between himself and feelings for a woman. Hot erotic encounters he most definitely can do...but do not ask for any more than that cause Ben just is not offering that!

At a close friend's 30th Birthday Ben sets his sights on the timid beauty Reese. Something about her grabs Ben and he just cannot put his finger own it...but he knows which part of his anatomy he wants to use on her though...only problem is Reese is married and lives in Boston.

Three years later, Reese moves back to Florida to be closer to family after divorcing her cheating husband. To Reese's surprise her new landlord and neighbour is none other than the smouldering Ben. Now that Ben knows Reese is single he makes it no secret that he wants her any which way he can have her. Reese on the other hand is less believing and in no position to have a fling with anyone.

What starts off as a bit of cat and mouse chase between Ben and Reese soon becomes a hot and steamy affair in which they agree to enjoy each other no strings.

However trouble from Reese's past has followed her from Boston, and Ben soon becomes very aware of the danger Reese is in. Can Ben keep Reese safe? At the same time can Ben keep his heart safe?

A fantastic story with a little action along side some raunchy sex scenes. I loved it and am looking forward to the next book Ms Byrd has coming in this series!

[Stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it okay. Didn't love it. Especially for the price. It was one of the better law enforcement contemporaries I have read within the erotica realm. The story telling was good, and even though the language was bit rough, it fit the characters. The plot was okay but predictable and loose. It started off strong and Ben, the county sheriff, comes on full force. He's rough, blunt and the author pulls him off quite well. But a few of the scenes felt rushed and put in for the sake of it. If you read it, you'll understand get what I am saying. I like the dialogue for the most part, and again it fit him well. Reese just wasn't solid enough for me. She was easily lead and with all the things that happened, and all the gut feeling she didn't respond to, she's pretty slow on the uptake, and a bit mousey at times. Overall, it was pretty standard, but could have been better. The ending fell a bit from character and went from the boarder lining gritty overtone to a bit mushy. At first is was the terrifying and forbidden L-word, to hearing way too much in the last two chapters and the transition just didn't fit well. And Ben publicly falling to his knees in the wake of the aftermath absolutely didn't fit him. While it was okay, it won't stand out in my mind. Would be a good beach read, and I think I would read the next one when it comes out, if it was priced better.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

เราตามอ่านงานของเรียนนอน เบิร์ดที่เป็นแนวพารานอมอล แต่ตอนนี้ดูเหมือนเธอจะหันมาเขียนเรื่องแนวอีโรติกยุคปัจจุบัน (ซึ่งถือว่า ตอนนี้กำลังเป็นแนวมาแรง) โดยผสมกับสืบสวนหน่อย ๆ พระเอกทำงานเป็นผู้รักษากฎหมาย ซึ่งก็ถือเป็นแนวที่เราชอบไม่น้อย ดังนั้นเมื่อเล่มนี้ซึ่งเป็นเล่มแรกในชุดออกวางขาย เราจึงรีบอ่านทันที แล้วก็ต้องแปลกใจว่า เธอเขียนเรื่องฮ็อตได้ฮ็อตจริง ๆ

เบน ฮัดสันแอบมองรีส มอนโรว์มาหลายปีแล้ว ตั้งแต่เมื่อเธอน้องสาวของเธอแต่งงานกับญาติของเขา แต่เพราะรีสมีเจ้าของแล้ว แต่งงานกับทนายความในบอสตัน เบนจึงหักใจ ไม่แสดงอาการ ทั้งที่ภายในปรารถนาในตัวเธออย่างรุนแรง ดังนั้นเมื่อรีสหย่าขาดจากสามี และย้ายกลับมาฟลอริด้าเพื่ออยู่กับครอบครัว เบนจึงรีบรุกทันที

พล็อตหลัก ๆ มีเท่านี้ค่ะ แต่ขอบอกว่าในฐานะเรื่องแนวอีโรติคโรแมนซ์ เรื่องนี้เวิร์คมาก เพราะสิ่งแรกที่เรื่องแนวนี้ต้องมีก็คือ เคมีระหว่างพระเอกและนางเอก ซึ่งเล่มนี้มีอย่างครบถ้วน อ่านแล้วสามารถสัมผัสได้ถึงความต้องการ ความโหยหา ของทั้งสอง

��ล็อตส่วนที่เป็นสืบสวนค่อนข้างมีปัญหา ส่วนหนึ่งเพราะน้ำหนักของเรื่องที่ให้กับความอีโรติก จนไม่ค่อยได้ใส่ใจการตามหาตัวมือมืดที่ตามคุกคามรีสมาจากบอสตัน และตัวคนร้ายที่เผยโฉมออกมา ก็ดูไม่มีเหตุผลอะไรเลย เหมือนหาคนร้ายไม่ได้ ก็เลยมาลงที่คนนี้ นี่ยังไม่นับว่า คนร้ายมีมิติเดียวมาก ก็คือเลวอย่างเดียว

แต่โดยรวมเราก็ชอบเรื่องนี้นะคะ ฮ็อตได้ใจมาก ๆ อ่านแล้วไม่ผิดหวัง เพราะถ้าเราจะอ่านเรื่องแนวอีโรติกโรแมนซ์ นี่ก็เป็นสิ่งที่เราต้องการ และเราก็ได้รับมันจากเล่มนี้

[AnnaBanana · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED it! Thank you thank you thank you Rhyannon! I so needed something new and fantastic from you and you gave me just that!!!

[Virna DePaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhyannon Byrd is one of my favorite authors and I was lucky to read an early copy of this fabulous book. It's everything you expect from her books. Sexy, emotional, engaging, addicting!

[Zee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know this is mean but I couldn’t get past the second chapter. Hero seems to be like an insensitive ass and heroine needs someone who isn’t only thinking with his dick.

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 stars

This was a really good story. It's the first book I've read by this author and I'm very pleased with it. I'm sure I'll read more by her and am looking forward to the next book from this series (unfortunately it looks like that wont be until next year).

Reese is a shy school teacher that's recently divorced. She was married to a man that was emotionally abusive and constantly put her down. She finally left him when she found him cheating on her. Her problems don't clear up though...she ends up with a stalker. She's a sweet woman that is kind to others but doesn't see her own worth.

In an effort to make a new life for herself she moves to Florida to be near her family. She doesn't realize that the house her mother arranged for her to rent is owned by the next door neighbor, Sheriff Ben Hudson. Reese and Ben are connected by marriage and had met at family gatherings but never really spoke much. Reese is shy of him because she's unused to the feelings her draws out in her. She thinks it's better to avoid him but finds that's not as easy as she'd like when he keeps asking her to dinner and propositioning her.

Ben has wanted Reese for 3 years. He knew her husband was a jerk but he isn't one to tread on marital bonds. He waited for her to realize the truth and leave her husband. When she did and he found out she was moving to Florida he knows there's nothing he won't do to have her. The problem lies in the fact that he is scared of any kind of commitment and thinks he just needs to get Reese out of his system but you can pretty much see the lie in this right off.

When Ben approaches Reese he offers her sex but also gives off very mixed signals. He offers "pleasure" but then also asks her out to dinner as a date(which she refuses). She's unsure what he wants from her and tries to define it (so she knows what to expect) but he gets annoyed when she defines it as a "fling". Ben is a sexy, possessive alpha male but he's also messed up in the head enough to think he'll eventually get over Reese. Since Ben is giving off such mixed signals, Reese tries to hold them to certain limits in the relationship (like him not sleeping over after sex and no dates) which of course Ben isn't happy about.

Regardless of the mixed signals and all, Reese and Ben do gain ground and the connection they had for years grows as they finally explore it. Reese does come out of her shell more and even stands up to Ben when she feels the need. She's soft and sweet but there's a backbone in there that I liked (she has a backbone without being b*tchy). Fortunately she's not a stupid heroine that is TSTL, she does try to be smart when she finds that her stalker followed her to Florida and doesn't hide that crap from Ben. He tries to find the culprit while protecting her because the possible danger escalates. Of course during this whole time Ben's also fighting his feelings for Reese and as tensions get thick Ben does suffer from a bad bout of relationship dumbassedness. He says things out of fear that he doesn't mean and ends up hurting Reese right before danger strikes. The day is saved but Ben still takes some time to get his head on straight (sometimes I wish I could slap a character through my Kindle!). Fortunately help comes from an unexpected source and Ben comes around so we get a very good (and satisfying) ending.

This was a very good story. I really liked Reese and Ben and enjoyed their story. I'm looking forward to more from this series. I'd recommend it. :D

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Very hot read!

[ElaineY · Rating 1 out of 5]

REVIEW (SORTA) OF AUDIO & EBOOK; JUNE 4, 2014
Narrator: Aletha George.


I know it's guys talking and somewhere, somehow, the F word will pop out but this book, it looks like it's Ms Byrd's favorite word. I love that word, too, but it doesn't mean I want 265 of them (and its variations) in a single book.

Yes, it's a man talking and a man thinking, but with 8 'fucks' & 'fuckin' in a brief prologue, I can't handle coarseness as well:

"...until he’d buried his face between her legs and learned if her pussy was even half as delicious as she looked." affected me more than Lkay ❇✾The one-click buy button addict❇✾'s """God, Reese I love you. Now ask me again if I want to fuck you in the ass."
"Do you?" She whispered.
"Say the words, Reese. You know how much I love it when you talk dirty."
"All right," she murmured, "Sheriff Hudson, sir, would you like to fuck me in the ass this morning?"

The above did Lkay in but was rather mild and "regular" for me though it could be because I read a lot of MM so ass-fucking talk is normal! Lkay's review summed up my own thoughts on the book very nicely, though, but I can't be as kind and generous as she is and would give this book half star if I could. It was just plain horrible for me. Reading it would have been bad enough. Listening to it was torture. I gave up on the audio and skimmed through the ebook to see if there was any real suspense in those supposed RomanticErotic Suspense but gave up completely halfway through when there's nothing but sex and F words.

Surely there's someone out there who can write erotic suspense; a gritty, serious (as in Karen Rose serious) murder/police procedural but with explicit sex? I'm so desperate for one that I'm tempted to take one of my fav Karen Rose books and insert graphic, explicit, down-and-dirty sex scenes in it!

...for my private reading pleasure only, of course.

[Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read Rhyannon’s paranormal romances in the past and have always enjoyed her worlds, full of action and sexy characters. I was very excited to pick this one up because of that, and of course being the cover whore that I am, because that cover is great!

But then we get to the story and although it had a lot of sizzle, it ran a bit out of steam for me. First things first, I actually liked the premise of the story. Reese is the good girl who marries the hot shot guy, but he never quite made her feel comfortable, or sexy for that matter. Now that she’s divorced and comes back to her hometown, sexy cop Ben who always had a crush on her, can put the moves on her.

Ben is a very sexy alpha. That type that exudes sex appeal and never wants to settle down, just have a good time and have every woman he wants, no caring that he may leave a trail of heartbreak behind him.

Reese was a bit too naive for me, but then she would act completely out of character and want to have an affair. The whole thing didn’t ring believable. Or course, considering sexy Ben, or sex with Ben, I may have done some personality adjustments myself. But in the end, they were hot when getting busy but I didn’t click with them as characters as much as I wanted to.

Then there’s the suspense element. I think I would’ve liked to see this developed a bit more in the book. It was almost a childish afterthought. Being that this is the DANGEROUS TIDES series, I wanted some real danger. But this was a lot more subtle in that element.

I do think this group of sexy Florida men will keep my interest and I’ll read the next book in this series!

*ARC provided by publisher

[Kathrynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of potential, but for me there was too much back and forth "I don't want to care for you - I don't want to get attached to you - I can't be away from her, but I won't admit to my feelings" drama. Blech. Both the H/h met about 3 years earlier, but the h (Reese) was married. Now, she's divorced and renting the adjoining beach house of the H (Ben) who is also the town sheriff (er, hunky sheriff).

They immediately work out an "arrangement" and have lots of sex. (unbelievable, ridiculous proportions, sex). I got sick of reading about it. His thoughts of desperation. Her thoughts of extreme contentment. Hello. Be sure to completely suspend reality if you read this book.

For entertainment purposes only. :-)

Throw in some drama of a stalker, ex-husband and Ben's past catching up with him and that's the book. I like alittle more drama with my drama and less intensity (desperation) with the sex scenes, so for me this was a 2 1/2 star book.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/09 - Fantastically hot, sexy romance. This was the first Byrd book I've read, but I'm already searching my local library catalogue for more of her books. I loved Ben's fierce possessiveness for Reese and his violent reaction to the idea that she might be injured. I know it would have been completely unrealistic for him to immediately recognise his feelings as love especially since he had been characterised as a 'keep-it-casual' kind of guy, but I got a little irritated with the constant doubt running through Ben's mind about what his feelings meant. I enjoyed this so much that as soon as I finished it I wanted to start it all over again, and I would have except I had other, unread books waiting.

[Deni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Едно е сигурно: не е лятно четиво. От някои от сцените в книгата ти става толкова горещо, че прибавено към летните жеги има шанс да получиш топлинен удар :D Книжката е приятна, неангажираща. Героинята е жена на място, с твърд характер и глава на раменете си (което не е често срещано явление в любовните романи). Героя на моменти е малко дразнещ, но е мъж, това е целта в живота им, да ти късат всички налични нерви, няма какво да се прави. Препоръчвам я ако имате излишно време и не желаете нищо с прекалено много драма, но добре конструирано откъм диалози и прогрес на отношенията между героите:)

[starsaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and Sexy!
I liked RB's contemporary reads, I thought this book had similarities to an old Ellora's cave pub also by RB, Against the Wall, which I thought was great. I loved that the hero was absolutely crazy about the heroine Reese and showed it. His struggle against his feelings was more dramatic than the action suspense part of this book but that was ok with me, I don't read erotic romance to read about psycho-serial killer stalkers, and this book was hot and sexy and satisfying. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Lisa Marie Rice's and Linda Howard's(early) books.

[Michelle Moua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story behind it and am interesting in reading the second based on Ryder, it seems equally as good as the first. I loved the authors descriptions of Ben Hudson, she did a great job at describing him (I would say she might have been looking at a steamy Dolce and Gabbana ad) which leaves you wanting to read more-like a true readers treat!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow the sex in this book colud leave me in a constant state of hot the shower was on cold. The story was great with a plot that had me guessing. The emotionally stunted protagonist was devine
Cant wait for Ryders storie from the blurb it going to be phenomenal i hope we see good thing for Alex and Matt aswell soon

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series out of order by coming across this author's novella Make Me Yurs then finding this first book in the series. This is an great book! I love the characters and can't wait to read Ben's brother Alex's story.

Reese and Ben have great chemistry in this book. I would definitely recommend reading.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love second chance books like this one. :) I read it in one setting in one day. That's how good it is. The heroine is a bit on the shy side but shy doesn't mean dumb! She is likable and strong! The hero is great and likable as well. I love seeing how their relationship evolves! Terrific book!

[MBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Take Me Under by Rhyannon Byrd

Rating = 3.75/5

Caliber SEAL: GOOD READ!

Review goes live at 00:00 hours, July 23, 2013!

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars.