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The Seaclusion #2
Notorious
Luke Tyler wants peace from the grief that has ruled his life in the three years since his wife’s death. Instead he is forced to share a house with Kelly Reeves as they care for their shared nephew. He dislikes everything about Kelly until he begins to glimpse the true woman hiding beneath the notorious reputation that Kelly has carefully created.
Kelly thought her trip to the small town of Seaclusion, Washington, would be nothing but a forgettable two-week vacation. Then she accidentally witnesses Luke’s staggering grief and suddenly reevaluates what is truly important. Soon, Luke becomes the only person she trusts past the facade she has cultivated.
Kelly believes their love can conquer all, but Luke isn’t convinced. Kelly is forced back to her life of fame and fortune, making Luke question which is riskier…letting her walk away or running after her?
Kelly thought her trip to the small town of Seaclusion, Washington, would be nothing but a forgettable two-week vacation. Then she accidentally witnesses Luke’s staggering grief and suddenly reevaluates what is truly important. Soon, Luke becomes the only person she trusts past the facade she has cultivated.
Kelly believes their love can conquer all, but Luke isn’t convinced. Kelly is forced back to her life of fame and fortune, making Luke question which is riskier…letting her walk away or running after her?
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First published November 23, 2013
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152 people want to read
About the author
Leanne Davis
79 books422 followersGet a free book exclusive to my newsletter subscribers ➜➜ http://bit.ly/2usYsb6.
Raw. Real. Emotional Romance. Writing provocative and darker themed romance that always finds its happily ever after!
With 50 plus, full length books there is a story for everyone!
Cowboy romance? Got it! Small town... yep. Big city rock star? Covered! You like a little suspense? Yep, got a few of those too.
Most of my books are standalone stories in connected series. Whether it's the setting, theme or family connections, my series are often multi-generational and span decades. While each book is a complete story, beloved characters will pop in and out of these sagas. I stick to new adult, contemporary and western romances, with tons of emotion and all the feels tucked into them.
I live in the rainy area of Western Washington, and spend as much time as I can traveling to destinations all across the state, where I do all things outdoors.
Many of these locations become the settings for my books.
I earned my business degree from Western Washington University, and worked for several years in the construction management field before turning to writing full time.
Follow me anywhere:
Reader's Group➜➜ https://www.facebook.com/groups/Roman...
Website➜ www.leannedavis.net
Instagram➜ https://www.instagram.com/leannedavis...
Twitter➜ https://twitter.com/leannewrites
Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leann...
Email me➜➜ leanne@leannedavis.net
My Books:
River's End
Rydell River Ranch Series
The Sister Series
The Zenith Series
The Seaclusion Series
Diversions
At the Next Table
Raw. Real. Emotional Romance. Writing provocative and darker themed romance that always finds its happily ever after!
With 50 plus, full length books there is a story for everyone!
Cowboy romance? Got it! Small town... yep. Big city rock star? Covered! You like a little suspense? Yep, got a few of those too.
Most of my books are standalone stories in connected series. Whether it's the setting, theme or family connections, my series are often multi-generational and span decades. While each book is a complete story, beloved characters will pop in and out of these sagas. I stick to new adult, contemporary and western romances, with tons of emotion and all the feels tucked into them.
I live in the rainy area of Western Washington, and spend as much time as I can traveling to destinations all across the state, where I do all things outdoors.
Many of these locations become the settings for my books.
I earned my business degree from Western Washington University, and worked for several years in the construction management field before turning to writing full time.
Follow me anywhere:
Reader's Group➜➜ https://www.facebook.com/groups/Roman...
Website➜ www.leannedavis.net
Instagram➜ https://www.instagram.com/leannedavis...
Twitter➜ https://twitter.com/leannewrites
Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leann...
Email me➜➜ leanne@leannedavis.net
My Books:
River's End
Rydell River Ranch Series
The Sister Series
The Zenith Series
The Seaclusion Series
Diversions
At the Next Table
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 26, 2013
Leanne Davis writes such emotional stories. In the first book of the series we met the siblings of John and Cassie and knew these two had some serious issues. This is their emotional journey to healing from extreme heartbreak and finding the courage to face insecurities that have defined who you show the world.
Luke Tyler lost his wife and their unborn child and sunk so far into a deep dark depression that his brother moved to Seaclusion to live with him to make sure his not wanting to live anymore did not cross over to reality. We saw signs of the real Luke when he befriended Cassie and her son in the previous book. But it was an illusion; he learned how to let people see what they want to see. When he was introduced to Cassie’s sister he instantly disliked the beautiful fashion model.
Kelly Reeves and her sister Cassie had a horrible childhood. Those circumstances made Cassie turn to alcohol and men to ease her pain. The one thing she tried to do through those years was to protect her sister and make sure that there circumstances didn’t taint her. Kelly left home and went to LA and managed to become one of the top fashion models. But the Kelly she lets the public eye see is not the real Kelly. Even though Cassie tried her hardest to protect Kelly there were times she couldn’t and things happened that left Kelly suffering from self-esteem issues that affect every aspect of her life. When she meets Luke she can see he is judging her based on her pictures and things the tabloids have said about her. Kelly also sees through Luke’s façade of making everyone think he is fine.
Kelly and Luke are left in charge of their nephew when John and Cassie go on their honeymoon. From here we get to go on the emotional healing journey of two characters. Is that healing a smooth process – no. Do both Kelly and Luke keep throwing up roadblocks to prevent that process – yes. Was it as a reader an incredibly journey from start to finish – yes. There are two more books in this series and I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for Sarah..
Luke Tyler lost his wife and their unborn child and sunk so far into a deep dark depression that his brother moved to Seaclusion to live with him to make sure his not wanting to live anymore did not cross over to reality. We saw signs of the real Luke when he befriended Cassie and her son in the previous book. But it was an illusion; he learned how to let people see what they want to see. When he was introduced to Cassie’s sister he instantly disliked the beautiful fashion model.
Kelly Reeves and her sister Cassie had a horrible childhood. Those circumstances made Cassie turn to alcohol and men to ease her pain. The one thing she tried to do through those years was to protect her sister and make sure that there circumstances didn’t taint her. Kelly left home and went to LA and managed to become one of the top fashion models. But the Kelly she lets the public eye see is not the real Kelly. Even though Cassie tried her hardest to protect Kelly there were times she couldn’t and things happened that left Kelly suffering from self-esteem issues that affect every aspect of her life. When she meets Luke she can see he is judging her based on her pictures and things the tabloids have said about her. Kelly also sees through Luke’s façade of making everyone think he is fine.
Kelly and Luke are left in charge of their nephew when John and Cassie go on their honeymoon. From here we get to go on the emotional healing journey of two characters. Is that healing a smooth process – no. Do both Kelly and Luke keep throwing up roadblocks to prevent that process – yes. Was it as a reader an incredibly journey from start to finish – yes. There are two more books in this series and I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for Sarah..
March 27, 2019
Luke Tyler puts on a brave facade but inside he is still reeling from the death of his wife, Shelly, three years ago. His brother, John, has just gotten married to Cassie and he has vlunteered to help take care of her son while they go on their honeymoon.
Kelly Reeves is a supermodel and the younger sister of Cassie. She has done a good job hiding her own troubled past and did whatever it took to get herself out of the situation she was in. She is helping take care of her nephew while Cassie is away.
Kelly recognizes the pain that Luke is still in from losing Shelly and wants to help him face his heartache but will she push too far? Will Luke discover that there is more to Kelly than her good looks and notoriety?
This was a good book about picking up the pieces after a devastating loss/event and learning to go on. It was interesting that both Luke and Kelly had both been through so major things but both handled them completely different.
Luke was a great guy but still really caught up in the loss of Shelly and events that led up to her death. I liked him in the first book with how protective he was of Cassie and how much he pushed for her and John to work things out.
Kelly was such a great character and I loved learning more about her. She was completely two different people and kept her private side as close to her as she could possibly could. She was fine with fans recognizing her but at the same time she hated that they judged her without knowing the real her. I loved watching her friendship with Sarah grow and how much it meant to the both of them.
There was so much chemistry and tension between Luke and Kelly that you never knew if they were going to kill each other or kiss one another. Due to the different ways that they each handled things you knew things would be difficult for them until they called a truce.
My heart really did break for Kelly with the way she was treated quite often in the book, including by Luke's parents. It was pretty sad and she just couldn't catch a break when nobody really knew what she had gone through.
I wasn't surprised at all that Luke pushed away Kelly so many times that she couldn't handle it anymore and left. I was so proud of her for what she was able to do on her own and how she began to follow her own dreams with help from Sarah and Cassie.
Towards the end I was freaking out a little with what happened to Kelly and I knew this was Luke's last chance to get it right!!
The end was great and I am looking forward to the next book!
Kelly Reeves is a supermodel and the younger sister of Cassie. She has done a good job hiding her own troubled past and did whatever it took to get herself out of the situation she was in. She is helping take care of her nephew while Cassie is away.
Kelly recognizes the pain that Luke is still in from losing Shelly and wants to help him face his heartache but will she push too far? Will Luke discover that there is more to Kelly than her good looks and notoriety?
This was a good book about picking up the pieces after a devastating loss/event and learning to go on. It was interesting that both Luke and Kelly had both been through so major things but both handled them completely different.
Luke was a great guy but still really caught up in the loss of Shelly and events that led up to her death. I liked him in the first book with how protective he was of Cassie and how much he pushed for her and John to work things out.
Kelly was such a great character and I loved learning more about her. She was completely two different people and kept her private side as close to her as she could possibly could. She was fine with fans recognizing her but at the same time she hated that they judged her without knowing the real her. I loved watching her friendship with Sarah grow and how much it meant to the both of them.
There was so much chemistry and tension between Luke and Kelly that you never knew if they were going to kill each other or kiss one another. Due to the different ways that they each handled things you knew things would be difficult for them until they called a truce.
My heart really did break for Kelly with the way she was treated quite often in the book, including by Luke's parents. It was pretty sad and she just couldn't catch a break when nobody really knew what she had gone through.
I wasn't surprised at all that Luke pushed away Kelly so many times that she couldn't handle it anymore and left. I was so proud of her for what she was able to do on her own and how she began to follow her own dreams with help from Sarah and Cassie.
Towards the end I was freaking out a little with what happened to Kelly and I knew this was Luke's last chance to get it right!!
The end was great and I am looking forward to the next book!
May 5, 2019
Notorious
Notorious is Book 2 in the Seaclusion Series. I did read Poison first, and it does help as characters spill over, so I would suggest reading these in order. This book is about Kelly and Luke, even though it starts out at Cassie and John's wedding. Luke is a widower, John's brother and best man at the wedding. It is taking place in the same church he got married in to his late wife. Kelly is Cassie's sister, a fashion model and maid of honor. Luke doesn't really care for Kelly based on what he thinks he knows about her. He finally starts opening his eyes, and realizes Kelly is not what she really portrays herself as. They both "get" the other one more than any one else gets either of them. Luke is alive, but really isn't living as he is so caught in his grief of losing his wife and unborn daughter. Kelly see's his pain, and understands that he needs to face his loss and talk about it instead of hiding from it. This book is amazing. The characters are so multi-faceted, and Kelly and Luke each see the good things and want the best in the other, and the boost each other up in ways that no one ever has before. I'm looking forward to the next two in the series. I really the writing style, and how Leanne Davis brings her characters to life.
Notorious is Book 2 in the Seaclusion Series. I did read Poison first, and it does help as characters spill over, so I would suggest reading these in order. This book is about Kelly and Luke, even though it starts out at Cassie and John's wedding. Luke is a widower, John's brother and best man at the wedding. It is taking place in the same church he got married in to his late wife. Kelly is Cassie's sister, a fashion model and maid of honor. Luke doesn't really care for Kelly based on what he thinks he knows about her. He finally starts opening his eyes, and realizes Kelly is not what she really portrays herself as. They both "get" the other one more than any one else gets either of them. Luke is alive, but really isn't living as he is so caught in his grief of losing his wife and unborn daughter. Kelly see's his pain, and understands that he needs to face his loss and talk about it instead of hiding from it. This book is amazing. The characters are so multi-faceted, and Kelly and Luke each see the good things and want the best in the other, and the boost each other up in ways that no one ever has before. I'm looking forward to the next two in the series. I really the writing style, and how Leanne Davis brings her characters to life.
April 30, 2019
Notorious is the second book in The Seaclusion Series. This book was easy to read and hard to put down. I enjoyed this story even more because I read Poison first.
Notorious is Kelly and Luke story. Kelly and Luke's story is very emotional. Kelly is Cassie's sister and Luke is John's brother. Luke and Kelly met in the first book. Luke isn't overly thrilled by Kelly's famous life style and believes what the tabloids print is close to true. When Kelly comes around she feels horrible that Luke is still grieving for his wife and baby who passed 3 years before.
Kelly won't allow Luke to pretend everything in his life is perfectly fine. She has him deal with the grief head on. She supports him and pushes him to open up. When he feels there is nothing more life has to offer him.
Just as Luke helps Kelly realize that she is more then her modeling career. He helps her build self esteem and find that there is more to life then what is right in front of her nose. Kelly and Luke end up with much more then just finding their HEA together.
I'm already excited to start the next book in the series Secrets.
Notorious is Kelly and Luke story. Kelly and Luke's story is very emotional. Kelly is Cassie's sister and Luke is John's brother. Luke and Kelly met in the first book. Luke isn't overly thrilled by Kelly's famous life style and believes what the tabloids print is close to true. When Kelly comes around she feels horrible that Luke is still grieving for his wife and baby who passed 3 years before.
Kelly won't allow Luke to pretend everything in his life is perfectly fine. She has him deal with the grief head on. She supports him and pushes him to open up. When he feels there is nothing more life has to offer him.
Just as Luke helps Kelly realize that she is more then her modeling career. He helps her build self esteem and find that there is more to life then what is right in front of her nose. Kelly and Luke end up with much more then just finding their HEA together.
I'm already excited to start the next book in the series Secrets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2019
Notorious is book 2 in the Seaclusion Series. I recommend reading book 1 in the series. We first meet Luke in book 1. We learn his wife died in a car accident that also took his unborn son. We also met Kelly in book 1 when she comes to be with her sister. Book 2 takes us on Luke and Kellys story. Kellys sister is getting married to Lukes brother. Kelly is staying to help watch her nephew while they are gone. Kelly sees Luke in a different way then everyone else. She wants to help him heal over his loneliness for his wife even though he puts up a good front that he's ok. I loved how we got to see these to people grow and let a little loose. Great characters and a strong story line. A very enjoyable read.
March 30, 2019
From the start I am a Leanne Davis fan. Kelly is a high paid supermodel visiting a town along the Washington coastline for her sister's wedding. Untasteful pictures to the local residents showing her breast keep the tongues wagging, making her the topic of much gossip. The paparazzi follow her to the party and cause trouble. She runs into the groom's brother who dislikes her and voices his opinion of her which is not highly recommended. Luke is nursing a hurt which makes him critical and he shoots down everyone with faults, ignoring his own. Luke and Kelly are thrown together and the heat begin. Carefully thought out, pain and emotions, love and heat, you have to read it to enjoy a throttle in an emotional roller coaster ride.
September 19, 2021
Two people who wear a mask to hide themselves from the world; for Luke, he's hiding his grief while Kelly uses the mask to keep away so she doesn't get hurt. But they find themselves able to drop the mask when they're together.
Luke fights those feelings for a long time. At first Kelly understands and is okay with it, deciding not to fight for him. But eventually she does want to fight. The emotional battle they face calls for a box of tissues near by!
I loved this book, those sometimes I was confused in sections for whose POV we were reading. It was moving, beautiful, and the characters are wonderful.
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an arc.
Luke fights those feelings for a long time. At first Kelly understands and is okay with it, deciding not to fight for him. But eventually she does want to fight. The emotional battle they face calls for a box of tissues near by!
I loved this book, those sometimes I was confused in sections for whose POV we were reading. It was moving, beautiful, and the characters are wonderful.
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an arc.
March 5, 2019
Heartbreakingly awesome
I think I cried through every chapter in this book!
Luke has gone through a tragedy most people would struggle with and he still does every day, he might not have died but he sure hasn't been living.
Kelly is one of the most famous models but she just wants to be seen as normal, have friends and find love.
The way the come together even although they both see no clear future is beautifully written.
I have read leanne Davis books before but I feel this one will stick with me!
I think I cried through every chapter in this book!
Luke has gone through a tragedy most people would struggle with and he still does every day, he might not have died but he sure hasn't been living.
Kelly is one of the most famous models but she just wants to be seen as normal, have friends and find love.
The way the come together even although they both see no clear future is beautifully written.
I have read leanne Davis books before but I feel this one will stick with me!
April 27, 2019
Second chance at love!
Notorious is book two in the Seaclusion series. It brings us the story of Luke and Kelly both we first meet in book one as the siblings of Cassie and John.
Luke is recovering from loss and Kelly is a famous model. This book gives us the developing of their relationship and we get a happy ending.
The part I didn't enjoy much was the hot and cold from Luke at times, it reminded me of book one. One minute he liked her and the other he disliked everything about her. I just can't connect with this characters, other than that it was a good book.
Notorious is book two in the Seaclusion series. It brings us the story of Luke and Kelly both we first meet in book one as the siblings of Cassie and John.
Luke is recovering from loss and Kelly is a famous model. This book gives us the developing of their relationship and we get a happy ending.
The part I didn't enjoy much was the hot and cold from Luke at times, it reminded me of book one. One minute he liked her and the other he disliked everything about her. I just can't connect with this characters, other than that it was a good book.
March 17, 2019
I was completely drawn into this book from the very first word and stayed there until the very end. I love Leanne's writing style and how she tells her stories so thoroughly. This one was very emotional, so you may need those tissues handy at all times. The characters are wonderful and you really and truly learn about them and the situations that made them who they are. Your heart will truly break for them. This series so far has been one of the best I have ever read!!
March 2, 2019
A Very Emotional Read
Oh man! Get your tissues and keep them handy. You will shed some tears in this very emotional book. It has heartbreak, a summer fling, a best friend, a protective sister, a clueless family, a grieving hard-headed man, a famous model who is nothing like the tabloids say she is and love.
Oh man! Get your tissues and keep them handy. You will shed some tears in this very emotional book. It has heartbreak, a summer fling, a best friend, a protective sister, a clueless family, a grieving hard-headed man, a famous model who is nothing like the tabloids say she is and love.
March 4, 2019
Leanne Davis delivers another realistic read. In her typical style, she writes about characters that are imperfect and situations that could be faced in real life. She weaves these elements together to come up with stories that keep you cheering for her characters and wondering how the happily ever is going to come about.
March 10, 2019
Luke and Kelly have such a convoluted history and their chemistry is almost palpable! So much bad blood and ugly history for them to overcome. It really became personal to me for them to find the real 'them' behind all the shields they each had put up to protect themselves. It, to me, was even better than Poison. The characters are developing in this series, can't wait for the next one!
March 15, 2019
Two people thrown together who hate each other, in a situation that spells trouble. Luke getting over his wife's death three years ago and L
Kelly with a rough past. They need to pull it together to watch their nephew while his parents go on a honeymoon. The Author really digs deep but its a great story with heart.
Kelly with a rough past. They need to pull it together to watch their nephew while his parents go on a honeymoon. The Author really digs deep but its a great story with heart.
March 28, 2019
Notorious by Leanne Davis is book 2 in The Seclusion series. This is Luke and Kelly's story and is another emotional read. They both have some real challenges that have to over come to have real healing in their lives. This book will make you laugh and make you cry. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
April 25, 2019
Omg,,,, this book is packed with the FEELS! It'll pull at your heartstrings for both Kelly and Luke. This is Book 2 in the Seaclusion Series, and I highly recommend reading book 1 first. We got a little background on Luke and Kelly in the first book, BUT we get more, so much more in this one! I cried so much, but more than that I felt the love!!
March 3, 2019
Another fantastic read from Leanne Davis! Notorious was my favorite in the Seaclusion series! Luke and Kelly's story made me bawl like a little girl and make me so excited to read more and find out what happens next. I can't wait to see what comes next!
March 10, 2019
Wow 2nd book in the series this time this is Luke & Kelly’s story! Can two people that hate each other take care of their nephew while his parents are on a honeymoon, kelly has a rough past and Luke is still getting over his dead wife can kelly be that girl to help him get over her!
March 11, 2019
Another amazing book by Leanne Davis. This author never ceases to amaze me. All her books are highly emotionally charged and wonderfully written. I was waiting for this second book and I wasn’t disappointed. I am anxiously awaiting book 3 and 4. Highly recommended.
March 16, 2019
Grief stricken
Luke and Kelly's story is one of grief and working through pain. It is a slower read. The plot doesn't move quickly which makes the book even better. Both have to learn to fight for love.
Luke and Kelly's story is one of grief and working through pain. It is a slower read. The plot doesn't move quickly which makes the book even better. Both have to learn to fight for love.
April 24, 2019
This was such an emotional story to me. So much heartbreak, yet the developed characters were able to finagle their way through everything that was thrown at them. A very moving story-line that feels like real life.
May 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I have read quite a few novels from this author, and she has never let me down. This story had me from page one. An emotional roller coaster that was hot and steamy in all the right ways and kept me reading until the end. Highly recommend!!
June 3, 2019
i love this book i love the character so much ....i love cassie so muh how she strong and how she get thru everything she went thru in her life ....you can feel the characters emotions ..i love this series so much ..it must read ..hurry get this book you wont regret
March 6, 2019
This story just tore my heart up. And put it back together. I could just feel the emotions rolling off the pages. I cannot get enough of Ms.Davis' writing.
March 22, 2019
Extreme emotional rollercoaster...love, loss, tragedy, and happily ever after...like book 1 it was a page turner I couldn't put down. Action packed and unpredictable!!! Leanne Davis does it again!!!
April 28, 2019
I loved Luke and Kelly in this story and I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing all that they went through. This book is definitely worth reading.
May 31, 2019
Leanne Davis delivers another stellar story that pulls you in and does let go until the last page is turn.
April 28, 2019
OMG!! SPEECHLESS!! Just SPEECHLESS!! Leanne Davis BLEW ME AWAY with this One- NOTORIOUS!! This is Book 2 in the Seaclusion Series and totally recommend Reading the First Book- Poison!
It was such a Rollercoaster Ride of Emotional Distress and Heartwreching Aches with some TWISTS and TURNS that I DID NOT SEE Coming!! It was So Raw and BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN which had me laughing out loud & then Crying like a BABY the Next!
Definitely A Must Read Book....You Not be Disappointed...PROMISE!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was such a Rollercoaster Ride of Emotional Distress and Heartwreching Aches with some TWISTS and TURNS that I DID NOT SEE Coming!! It was So Raw and BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN which had me laughing out loud & then Crying like a BABY the Next!
Definitely A Must Read Book....You Not be Disappointed...PROMISE!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 19, 2019
I thought this was a very good story. I enjoyed book #2 even more than book #1 in this series. It was more emotional and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen between Kelly and Luke. I even came to like Kelly's character the more I found out about her.
March 24, 2014
Sometimes you buy a book because you love the cover, right? This cover drew me right in. I'm not even sure if I read the blurb until after hitting the "buy now" button on Amazon. So the storyline was a little bit of a surprise to me as I started reading, and totally not what I expected.
Which is kind of a theme running through NOTORIOUS.
This is not an action or suspense novel, and most of the emotional turmoil is internal or played out on the small screen between two main characters who are broken, each in their own way. The drama comes from the way the two crash together and then slowly blend until you are rooting for them to figure it out already and be happy. The author throws one obstacle after another into their world, and the suspense is whether Kelly and Luke will be able to handle one. more. thing.
Kelly Reeves is a gorgeous high-paid supermodel, visiting the small town of Seaclusion (along the Washington coastline) for her big sister's wedding.When she was just starting her career, she posed for pin-up fantasy shots, which remain both popular and scandalous to the small town folk. As in, everyone has seen her breasts in print. She's a regular feature in the gossip rags, flitting from one scandal to the next. The paparazzi follow her to her sister's wedding and cause a scene. She's a notorious, self-absorbed party girl.
But that's not who she really is. It's her persona. An act. Her sister understands this and loves her, but the rest of the town? Not so much. Especially not the groom's brother, Luke Tyler. Luke sees Kelly as everything that's wrong with women and the world, and is not shy about sharing his gruff opinion.
But Luke is dealing with angst of his own. His pregnant wife died in a car accident three years before, and he can't get over the pain or the hole left in his heart. He sleepwalks through life, wishing he'd died instead. He pretends everything is fine, and puts on an act for everyone in town, with polite smiles that never quite reach his eyes. Or his heart. His disdain for Kelly is his only true emotion.
Thrown together with Kelly to babysit her sister's son Tim, he figures he'll grit his teeth and bare it like he does everything else in life. But Kelly has other plans - like helping him heal and get on with living. Okay, that sounds kind of suggestive, which isn't her original intent at all, although there is plenty of heat as the story progresses. The interplay between the two main characters is wonderful to watch, as is the gradual unfolding of both Luke and Kelly from one-dimensional stereotypes to emotional people the reader cares about and roots for.
If you enjoy a story with emotional angst and truly wonderful character building, give NOTORIOUS a shot.
Which is kind of a theme running through NOTORIOUS.
This is not an action or suspense novel, and most of the emotional turmoil is internal or played out on the small screen between two main characters who are broken, each in their own way. The drama comes from the way the two crash together and then slowly blend until you are rooting for them to figure it out already and be happy. The author throws one obstacle after another into their world, and the suspense is whether Kelly and Luke will be able to handle one. more. thing.
Kelly Reeves is a gorgeous high-paid supermodel, visiting the small town of Seaclusion (along the Washington coastline) for her big sister's wedding.When she was just starting her career, she posed for pin-up fantasy shots, which remain both popular and scandalous to the small town folk. As in, everyone has seen her breasts in print. She's a regular feature in the gossip rags, flitting from one scandal to the next. The paparazzi follow her to her sister's wedding and cause a scene. She's a notorious, self-absorbed party girl.
But that's not who she really is. It's her persona. An act. Her sister understands this and loves her, but the rest of the town? Not so much. Especially not the groom's brother, Luke Tyler. Luke sees Kelly as everything that's wrong with women and the world, and is not shy about sharing his gruff opinion.
But Luke is dealing with angst of his own. His pregnant wife died in a car accident three years before, and he can't get over the pain or the hole left in his heart. He sleepwalks through life, wishing he'd died instead. He pretends everything is fine, and puts on an act for everyone in town, with polite smiles that never quite reach his eyes. Or his heart. His disdain for Kelly is his only true emotion.
Thrown together with Kelly to babysit her sister's son Tim, he figures he'll grit his teeth and bare it like he does everything else in life. But Kelly has other plans - like helping him heal and get on with living. Okay, that sounds kind of suggestive, which isn't her original intent at all, although there is plenty of heat as the story progresses. The interplay between the two main characters is wonderful to watch, as is the gradual unfolding of both Luke and Kelly from one-dimensional stereotypes to emotional people the reader cares about and roots for.
If you enjoy a story with emotional angst and truly wonderful character building, give NOTORIOUS a shot.
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