I recently finished Rent Free by Lani Lynn Vale, and I have to say, it was a delightful addition to the Carter Brothers series! The story revolves around Atlas Carter, a police officer who finds himself in a complicated situation with Pepper Solomon, the sister of a woman who deceived him.
From the very beginning, I was drawn into the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Atlas and Pepper. The tension was palpable, and Vale did an excellent job of building their relationship amidst misunderstandings and emotional turmoil. I loved how Atlas initially believes he’s chosen the wrong sister, leading to a year of animosity towards Pepper. It made for a compelling setup that kept me turning the pages.
The characters were well-developed and relatable. Atlas embodies the classic alpha male, protective yet flawed, while Pepper shines as a strong, independent woman shaped by her difficult family background. I appreciated how their chemistry evolved throughout the story, making their connection feel genuine and heartfelt.
Vale's writing style kept me engaged, and I found myself laughing and rooting for the characters as they navigated their feelings. However, I did feel that the resolution with Pepper's sister, who serves as a significant source of conflict, could have been more definitive. A stronger confrontation would have added to my overall satisfaction with the ending.
Despite this minor drawback, Rent Free was an entertaining read filled with humor, romance, and character growth. I would definitely recommend it to fans of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Overall, I’d give it a solid four stars!